anothercontinuity | Red vs Blue pt 2

"Yeah. Thanks." It's more than he'd try for or want or even think he could get with anyone other than, well. Someone he was gonna have sex with or North. Whom he probably won't ever see again because.

Vampire.

Okay the reality of the situation might be sinking in, but words. They should be a thing. "Am I supposed to...feel you? Like a pull in the back of my head."

A desire to be near him because Locus right now means Safety. Means Protection and Security and all those little things that make his lizard brain go mellow and happy.

Questions. Questions he can deal with more readily than this effort to offer physical contact and support. He'll try to get better at it, if it turns out to be a thing he needs regularly.

Time will tell.

"Hm. I did feel something like that when I was turned. I suspect the blood creates a bond, at least for a time." York literally bore a part of him inside of him, flowing through his veins. That he should feel his presence and a connection to him seemed logical enough.

"So it'll go away eventually?" That's- probably safer for both of them, honestly. Will definitely make shit less awkward in the future so he can go for a lean or a hug instead of crawling into Locus' lap like a goddamn kid. "Already got two living in here, don't know if I got room for three."

Especially with this weight Locus' presence seems to have.

"It grew weaker over time. I do not think I would have been able to break away from the one who turned me, otherwise."

He'd had a compelling presence all his own, and even now he felt twinges. Small ones, easily ignored. But York could likely use the reassurance that he's not bound and chained to him by some intangible connection.

"Does it trouble you?"

"...you do remember the thing that made me make up my mind about this, right?" Will he be alone. Now that he's not dying it's such a pathetic reason to cling to life but-

He stomps that thought down.

"No, it doesn't. I think it might be troubling you, though. Cuz- honest? I wouldn't be all up in your business without that in my head. I just learned your name, like, ten minutes ago. I'm easy but not that easy."

"As I said, we've already shared far more."

Locus's lips twist wryly. He's not wrong, however.

"It has been some time since I was this close to someone. If this is what you need, however, then I am glad to give it."

It's not that much of a bother, really. It's almost nice. Except for the fact that, as he mentioned, they're still more or less strangers to one another.

"Swapping bodily fluids is something I usually reserve for the third date." But gosh if Locus isn't charming. Or at the very least damn compelling with the alternative is death.

"Not much longer, I promise." He tries not to be a needy asshole but sometimes? It's hard. Just. A little longer for him to bask in this. Soak in the sensation of being held close and protected to make that thing in the back of his head find it's fucking chill. "...My name's Taylor. Just- so you know. Taylor Murray."

"You prefer that to York, then."

Which, fair enough. He'd had the luxury of choosing the name to suit his new life, Taylor should absolutely be allowed the same. This is a new start, a new beginning.

"Perhaps next time I will have time to remove the armor, first," he adds, dryly.

"Mmmhmm. York's- tied up in the Project. I've tried to put it behind me." And died diving right back the fuck in, so. Lesson learned there. Now he's...different and he'll deal with that in the morning. Evening? He shifts to adjust how he's sitting, arm looping around Locus' waist as he settles.

"I have fallen asleep on less comfortable surfaces." This is fine. More than fine. "But. Yeah. Real you instead of armor you might make this go faster."

"I've grown accustomed to wearing it when not seeking to sustain myself. It simplifies things."

As for the claustrophobic feeling? He actually doesn't mind it so much. Having that barrier between him and the outside world, even as he is, is more than welcome. Doing without will require some adjustment.

He'll manage.

"...is this helping your AI as well?"

"I've been living in mine so long-" He shakes his head, finally sitting back. Okay. More...more level, now. He doesn't, however, slip out of Locus' lap for...he's not thinking about it too hard. "Keeping it on when not hunting is probably something I can do, but I'll need to get some actual civvies."

Eventually. For now he tips his head back, thinking.

"...D's better. Annoyed with you for 'vague and unhelpful instructions and delayed information' but. Better."

"I wasn't aware I would need to relay information to him. He did not speak to me until you were already changing."

Still. He let out a small breath, obviously more to express his mood than actual need to breathe.

"Tell him that I apologize. Had I known, I would have been more articulate regarding the process."

"He was preoccupied with trying to figure out what the hell was going on." York shrugs. "And- uh. You talk to me? You talk to him. He's riding shotgun."

It's simple enough to reach up and tap the chip set into the base of his skull. "...Also weird: I can feel the neural lace in my brain now. It's all...tingly."

"Ah. I wondered about that." He doesn't have one of his own, he wouldn't have known how it would react, if it would try to heal it out as it did the bullets or accept it as part of York's body. Question answered.

"I admit some curiosity as to how your newfound state will affect your work with your AI."

"We think faster, now. I can keep up with Delta mentally which is a fucking trip. Well- maybe he's a little faster than I am but nowhere near the extent he used to be." The world is no longer at a standstill. Their reaction times are sharper, clearer. He could test on some kind of puzzle but-

None on him at the moment.

"We're probably twice as badass as before, at least."

"You should be quite formidable then. I look forward to seeing you work." He's seen what he can do normally, and York is no slouch.

Ah. But his shoulders are starting to loosen, or at least lose some of the tension that had built around them. "I think a rest would be in order, first. We will be safe enough here tonight, while we heal. Tomorrow, I can show you how to hunt."

"Sounds like fun." He'll need time to get good at the whole...being alluring thing. It'll come to him, he's sure. For now he slips off of Locus' lap and stretches, peeling the gloves and thin socks of the undersuit off for the sake of having more of his skin exposed to the air.

"Now that you mention it- I'm dead tired." Get it?

Did he really just.

Locus just stares at him long and hard, and the disappointment he feels is damn near tangible, rolling off of him in waves. Finally, he just shakes his head, moving to remove his own armor.

"By tomorrow evening we should be in fit state to move. Most of what is here is easily replaced, nothing traceable."

Anyone stumbling upon the bunker after they leave might just see traces of use from passing homeless, rather than the lair of a vampire. It had been chosen for just such a reason, among others.

"Our next stop should be somewhere more comfortable."

He did. Look if he can't laugh at himself who can he laugh at? No one. So self mocking humor it is, boss. He simply continues a bright smile at Locus as though that will make up for the pun as he settles on the bed properly. "Really? This is pretty okay to me."

Not complaining but- it's got a bed with a real mattress. AFter five years of hiding in abandoned warehouses and hidey holes it's kind of luxurious to him already.

The hell is 'more comfortable' going to be?

"We won't be staying in palaces. But the accommodations will be better than what you've accustomed yourself to." They will still need to keep a low profile, but there's no reason not to secure themselves in reasonable comfort. He has the means, and will continue to do so.

"You've got a real mattress and a place to stow your armor that isn't a corner of the room. This is a palace." Especially if he's got running water but- shit he's had to get used to because of keeping on the down low.

Shit he's gonna have to adjust to, and isn't it kind of a nice change that he's gonna learn to get used to soft beds and vaguely comfortable living?

"I'm glad you're so easily pleased."

The last of the armor came to rest on top of the chest in the corner, before he moved towards the bed. There was a small jut of his chin, the international sign for 'nudge over', before he allowed himself to settle down. Now? The mark on his arm was visibly sealed, though still in the process of healing. He'd cut deep and hadn't replenished any of it, just yet.

"I am a simple man with simple needs." He shifts to make room without comment, tucking up on one side facing Locus because- well. Even if he's been saved. Even if he's not human and vulnerable anymore-

Taking out Delta's chip is stupid easy and habit is a hard thing to break.

It's not something that concerns him, particularly. He settles onto his back, hands clasped atop his chest, staring half-lidded at the ceiling for a moment or two.

"...I suspect that one day you may feel differently about the events that transpired today."

"...what, that I might grow some existential angst and resent you for swooping in to save my life? I've already been a teenager once, man. As long as I don't get a bout of vampire acne I think I can handle coming to terms with this new life. You saved me. You gave me Delta back. You don't want anything from me that I'm not willing to give, so." He shrugs, shifting enough to not fall off the bed and ending up with his head on Locus' shoulder.

Because cuddly bastard.

"Maybe I will, maybe I won't, but the odds are in favor of us being cool."

Red vs Blue pt 2

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