aboyandhiscar | [Private Channel!]

[Texas' voice comes not through the network, but through the CB radio in Mike's car.]

Hey, Mike! You there?

Any sign of her yet?

[Not even bothering with codenames, Mike replies back promptly.]

Nothing on this side of town. Folks around her usual hangouts say she hasn't been by in a while.

She wasn't at the mountain, she's not answering her messages and her computer-thingy's gone.

[It's bad. Bad in a really familiar way.]

I don't say this kinda thing often but I've got a bad feelin', Mike.

[There's a notable pause, as he lets the static of the radio linger on.]

We'll either find her, or she got back home. No real in between there.

No... there's not. [After a whole week of searching, his voice sounds tired, defeated.]

This is like Chuck all over again.

. . .

[Don't remind him, bro. It just makes him want to drive back, double check. Triple check. Not rest until they're 110% sure Julie's gone.

But Tex's tone isn't lost on him.]

You wanna call it a night, man? We can regroup and try again in the morning.

[He doesn't but he's been here long enough to know that this sort of thing happens and there's nothing anyone can do about it. After a long pause, he finally responds.]

...Yeah, okay.

[Back at the garage, Texas pulls in and shuts off his engines. But rather than get out of his car, he remains seated for several minutes, head lowered and shoulders slumping after a sigh.]

[Mike arrives a few minutes later, having, maybe, possibly, just driven around the neighborhood once more--just in case, he'd thought. Of course there were no leads to be found, so here the are.

He exits his vehicle with an unintentional slam of the door, heading inside, hands pocketed as he hunches over. He stops short noticing Tex is still seated in T-Wrex, catching that sigh. After a few beats, Mike wanders over, putting on a strained smile before tapping at the window.]

You're not gonna find anyone on your dash, man. C'mon, you need to rest up.

[Not even the door-slam or the tapping get much of a reaction out of him. He can hear Mike perfectly well through the window but pushes the door open anyway after a second or two.]

I know. I'm just— [Frustrated? Sad? Really worried? Check to all of those.] This really blows, Mike. All I wanna know is that they're okay.

[He takes a step back when the door opens, smile fading.]

. . .Me too, buddy. I'd give anything right now just for something. Some kind of confirmation. But we're not gonna get it sitting around, we gotta keep going.

[Texas drags himself out of his car, still slouched, and closes the door before leaning up against it. Mike is right and he knows it. They need to keep going, but he just doesn't know where they should be going. It all feels like a dead end.]

Do you really think they're back home?

Yeah.

[Said quickly, sharply. Maybe a bit too quick.]

There's no other option, remember?

[There really aren't. If they were to escape, get home safely, and found that Julie and Chuck weren't there. . .what would they do? Try to come back? He scowls to himself, pushing the thought out of his head.]

[That sounds like a pretty confident answer, at least to Texas it does. It's kind of reassuring. He peeks up at Mike from under the edge of his cap.]

Do you... think they remember stuff when they go back? Or is it like wakin' up from a bad dream?

[A beat, and he gives a tired chuckle, shaking his head.]

Dunno, buuut let's hope it's the latter. Would you wanna remember all the crazy stuff that went down here?

No. Not the crazy bad stuff but I'd totally still wanna remember the good stuff. Good stuff happens sometimes. [His eyes dart to one side as he rubs the side of his neck.] Like... between me and Julie. Things were goin' good.

But.

[The hand falls to his side again and his gaze drops to the ground.] Guess it wouldn't matter if I'm just gonna forget everything, too. [If he ever gets out, anyway.]

[Wait what. What did he mean by that?? Mike tilts his head curiously. He's upset, sure, but this is even. . .more down than he thought Texas could possibly get.]

You and Jules were hanging out a whole lot more, yeah? But you've always been friends, so that won't change.

[He wrinkles his nose, thinking, then smiles.]

Could try writing a note to yourself and keeping it in your hat. 'Least that way you remember something good even if we forget everything else.

I finally fessed up and told her how I feel about her. We even went out! It'd just be kinda nice if neither of us forgot.

[Though... the note in the hat thing might not be a bad idea. He'll have to find himself some paper and a crayon later.]

I get you man, but--

[Yooo what. WHAT. There's a belated, long blank stare at Texas as he processes the words that just came out his mouth, and suddenly connects all the dots.]

DUDE. Julie was the girl you were trying to ask out? When did that happen?

Edited 2015-10-11 04:04 (UTC)

Pretty much right after you told me to man up and go for it?

Also, I was sweating a lot that day and I ran out of deodorant so I kinda used yours but forgot to tell you until now? [So like thanks, buddy.]

Seriously? I had no idea, man! [To both things!]

[Wow. He just sort of. . .rubs at his head. Julie and Tex. He didn't see it coming, but the longer he lingers on it the more sense it makes. How did he miss out on showering them with adorable gifts and setting them up for dinners?? He missed out on so much cute shit, this is terrible!!

--but even more terrible is the thought of Julie not remembering it, and it finally clicks why her disappearance is hitting extra hard.]

Dang, I. . .I'm sorry, man. But hey, if you guys could make it work in crazy monster world, you can make it work back home, too. Memories or not, you'll figure something out.

[As he considers Mike's words, a smile slowly spreads on his face.]

Maybe you're right, bro. [Texas wipes at something under his eye before draping an arm around Mikes shoulders.] I'm glad you're here.

Well, not glad that you're here but, ya know. [Man, what would he even DO without Mike?]

[He shifts slightly at the weight of the arm, but otherwise it's very much welcome, glad he was able to say something to cheer the minotaur up, even a little.]

Heh, I get you, buddy.

[And a small genuine grin at that. Likewise, Mike's not sure if he would have settled in as quickly if Tex hadn't been there. Hell, he'd probably be working as junkyard dog in Bavan right now.]

Well, here's hoping we both blow this party together when we get the chance.

[Texas butts his fist affectionately against Mike's chest and hugs him closer under that one arm.]

Same here, pal. I wouldn't leave this place without ya. Not if I had a choice, anyway. [But from what he can tell, no one ever has a choice in this place. The thought makes his smile fade.] But if I disappear next, I want you to have T-Wrex.

--uh.
[A short pause at that. For one, he doesn't even want to think about losing Texas right now, and two, can he even drive T-Wrex?? That monster is made for a bigger fella than he is. Eventually he cracks a smile, laughing lightly.]

I appreciate it. Same goes for Frankie. [Then, a bit more seriously.] But you know, I wouldn't hold it against you. If you see your chance? Take it, dude. Someone's gotta look after the crew.

Edited 2015-10-11 22:20 (UTC)

Nice try, buddy, but noway. 'Sides, you're the one Motorcity really needs. If I'm gone one day it won't be by choice.

And if you go first, I'll totally take care of Frankie for ya.

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