#calamity bash

They snort, pivoting towards me; their bat rests against their shoulder as they cock their head inquisitively. And if I may add, no zombie gunk in sight. “Are you sure about that?”

“Absolutely.” I nod reverencely, strolling over and indulge. “Such a symbol to all nature lovers out there.” I tip-toe past the sludge even though I wear rainboots.

“That’s right, you are one. Umm, yeah he’ll will be missed.” I laugh, almost haughty. They smile. Gah, my heart!~ I think I might melt under their sunbeams…

Oh, right! Introductions. Hi, I’m BW. That’s Vega. My nonbinary beloved.

… Well, my soon-to-be-beloved that I haven’t confessed to yet.

They’re… or more like the idea of them and me is such a funny lil thang to me.

Well more like sunny to me.

Plants can’t grow without water and the sun. And they’re my sun to my water that let us do amazing things. Does that sound right?

I still don’t know what exactly is their plan or where they’re going but I’ll follow, until the creek dries up or can’t make a path, I’ll follow them to the very end.

“BW?”

“Huh? Yeah?” I snap out of my trance.

“Ready to get going?

Huh? Yeah! Of course! I just thought you were gonna say anything else, ya know? Anyway come on!” I skipped ahead. “Where we headin? This way right?” I point. They nod. I smile and march onward. “Then let’s get going…!”

- • - • -

Not much happens besides that for a minute per-say. Sure for someone not in a zombie-animal-corpse-apocalypse the killing of animal zombies ravaged by parasitics plants with water-bending and magic bat combo, it would be a lot! But not for me and Vega!

Plus we were quiet so we didn’t attract much attention. We stopped for obvious pee breaks and (I) chatted to some plants about the trouble that lurks ahead, cus of course there’s trouble ahead, there’s always trouble gor me and V. But nothing can stop us. We’re the ultimate team! Except for food, maybe that’ll be the end of us.

We’ve almost through town, we made it to a gas station, or… what it used to be. Best to stay clear, don’t want to accidentally BLOW UP, but eh- it happens…. Hey! Wait! What if I can bend the oil—

“… Hey….” Uh.. I snap my head from the decrepit gas station, gaze intently trained on them. They scratched their back of their head.

“Hey~” I finger-gun. So awkward….

“I never did tell you where we were going…” They glance back as we trot through the dingy dirty patches and roots, tapping the bat against their shoulder.

Distant moans echo in the distance, thankfully filling in any moments of silence or pauses. They inhaled deeply as their beanie sags on their curly brown hair. I speak up, accepting the offer for conversation, but keep it cool of course.

“I thought it was private or whatever.” Glancing in front to hop over a root, waving my hand around while the rest balled up in my pocket. “But regardless I would follow you to the ends of the earth—“ Shit.

“What—“ I stumble over a root but catch myself, a handy water hand pushes me forward from a nearby puddle. That doesn’t matter to me as much as Vega stares widely at me. Recover damnit!

“I mean-uh- it seems fun! The end of the earth thing. Duh. “ I muster a smirk, but not a confident one.

Oh BW, you useless lesbian.

“Ah… Okay. Well actually we’re not going to thr ends of the earth.” I gasp dramatically, hands pushing up my cheeks and wide eyes. Water seems to follow me, curling around my feet and acting like a skateboard, water-cruise slightly ahead of Vega’s pace.

“You’re not?”

“Shocker..! “ They wave their hands playfully defensively in front of them. “I know. But uh, I want… to sette?” Their voice cracked.

Settle?

Settle! Oh my gosh maybe the cottagecore dream will come true!

Keep calm BW, damnit.

“Settle?” We seemed to stop, moving forward anyways, as they pace, while I cruise around them. Even fiddling with my updone bow, I probably need a new one soon.

“Yeah, uh,” The brunette does a double-handed swing at the air, no force behind it as they walk in circle. They’re practically shimmering in the sun with their tan skin….. ah…

“I always been into history and antiques an’ stuff.” Patting their handy bat. “And I was thinking might as well live in a museum right? A big one of course.” They glance away to the ground, tugging at their hair, even digging their shoe the dirt more.

They never do that. They aways look into peoples eyes. They’re chill but not too chill, like not aloof. Confident but not like too confident, may be a little arrogant…. But not…Are they scared? Worried? That I might judge them? Oh Vega…

“Yeah- n’ stuff.” I manage to say, thoughts clearing like water spreading away. I step closer.

“Well?”

“Well what?” I shrug, folding my arms behind me. They frown.

“Well what do you think?”

“What do I think?” I lean in, cracking a small smile. “It’s perfect.”

They blink as my smile grows. Their shoulders and grip on the bat even loosen. “That’s… all?”

“That’s all? No! It would be so cool! It’s a great idea babe, I mean hello! We don’t just get access to the displays but also the backrooms! And guess what we can find there—“ I skip ahead, they follow.

“This isn’t even mention where we could sleep! I mean hello! We got the whole place to ourselves! Imagine sleeping in a fake tree with a hamrock with trex bones as our stairs! Oh! Or race around in old convertibles!” I mutter the last part, espying a patch of dandelions. “If they work anyway.”

Their eyebrow shifts up, while the other quirks down, almost…. No, they’re weary. Oops, too much?

“Didn’t realize you would be… so invested in…. this.” My heart pounds loudly. The bat rests in their hands. I shrug again, smiling the best I can. Honesty is the best policy. Even when embarrassing. Right?

“Where you go, I go, ya know? I don’t got anywhere or anyone to be with right now... outside of you of course.” It took a moment, but they sigh. My heart even slows down. Am I safe?

Vega cracks a smile, shaking their head. My smile was genuine this time. There we go. I glance at the puddle below me. Oh thank sparks! My face isn’t red. That would be—

“What other ideas do you have for our bedding arrangement, B?”

B? B. B~ My heart swells, I can feel my face heat up, so I turn away. I spoke too soon. I march forward in hopefully the right direction. But— that’s my nickname to them. B. I love it- It’s taking everything to now turn to jello and passout so back to their question!

Well- Uh-“ I adjust my glasses, holding a piece of my raincoat as a shield. I cough a few times, then face Vega. I must of recovered if they aren’t questioning my face. Okay okay, museum honeymoon. Uhhhh— I light up!

I practically hop at the ideas rushing back to my brain.

“We could stay in the giftshop! Oh my gosh yes! So many trinkets there and we wouldn’t have to move ‘em to our bedding area, because we live in the giftshop! Butttt then there’s another thing to consider, the proximity to the bathroom—“ I’m practically skipping, and I flash a smile back at them, sun shining behind me for the last time today, probably blinding them. “Well don’t just stand there! Come on! Oo! And the food court—“