#chuck mambo

The quiet hoot of an owl was the only sound as Adrien Pike shoved the last of his belongings into the faded knapsack he carried. He didn't want to do this. Leaving so late at night could be dangerous out in the Wasteland. It was easier for the worst of the worst to get a hold of you at this time of night. But with the sun up, that meant that the two men snoring on the other side of the dimming fire would also be up.

And Adrien didn't have it in his heart to look Chuck Mambo in the eyes as he left.

It wouldn't be the first time that Adrien had left his sleeping partner. When the doubt crept it, when Adrien was unsure of where they were headed, it drove him away. Things had been fine enough lately. The little nomadic duo had been comfortable enough living off scraps of left over encampments. It felt good and right, as right as the end of the world could be. It wasn't until they had reunited that Adrien had felt that doubt in the corners of his mind.

TK Cooper was unsuspecting like that.

TK and Chuck had been as thick as thieves in the world before. It was their personalities, kind and soft, that made them so similar. There was an edge to TK, however. Chuck could be too soft when it came to a fight. TK, however? TK did what needed to be done, no questions asked. It was the one thing Adrien admired for him. TK covered any spot that Adrien could possibly fill.

Adrien shouldered his pack, about to leave, when he heard the voice from behind him, "What do I tell Mams when he asks why you left?"

He stopped, turning his head to look over his shoulder. The outline of TK Cooper sat up, using a stick to poke the dying embers of the fire. "Teeks...I..."

"You what, Adrien?" TK questioned again, "You'd do this to him? Just up and leave in the middle of the night?"

"I'm doing this because I c-"

"You care?" TK scoffed, "Ya have a funny way of showing it! Do ya know how badly you almost broke him last time? Hm?"

Adrien turned to face TK, "What would he need me for, hm? He's got you, mate!"

TK stood, his height towering over Adrien's, crossing over to the shorter man. Adrien bristled, ready for the fight he was sure was coming. Instead, TK wrapped his gangly arms around Adrien, "You dolt! He's not the only one who needs you! It's me and you and him against the world! Not or!"

Adrien seemed to melt into the other man's chest, letting his shoulders sag, "You mean..."