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[iesus]

New threads, continue old threads, suggest things, whatever.

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non-apocalypse au → aversiontosleeves

[iesus]

It was difficult for Jesus to settle down. Not in a small scale sense - he could be quiet and easy and gentle and relaxed - but in the sense that he couldn't do without leaving places, with traveling and making himself try new things and new living conditions and--well, so on and so forth. He would disappear into the wilds for days, weeks, with little communication other than check in texts to people that cared. Which was to say he couldn't stay in one place and would rather explore everything that he could. He loved the adventure and took advantage of that.

He found himself a lot of places this way, some places with more success than others. He always had to be extra careful in the South but he managed to be himself anyway, somehow. He was tougher than people assumed; the hippie with long hair in a ponytail and an immaculately trimmed beard. When he'd asked the waitress in the waffle house to give him suggestion of bars in the area, he smiled and nodded when she told him some but also where not to go.

He thanked her for her help and went to his hotel room to sleep for a while - a tiny rat-trap place. It suited him, just like it suited him to go to some shithole dive bar instead of heeding the waitress' advice. He sat himself at the bar rather than a table,slowly nursing some whiskey now that he was settled in.

[aversiontosleeves]

It wasn't the beard or long hair that made him stand out so much as how neatly he kept both, just out of the norm enough that it often got him some sideways glances.

The bar was enough of a dive that it was simply a re-purposed double-wide trailer, crammed with mismatched tables, lit with mismatched christmas lights hooked over bent nails. A shoddy pool table shoved to one end, the stereo on the end of the bar tattered and worn but still blasting music, too loud to really discern what it was beyond some manner of country music. Nothing new for this area, people got creative with makeshift hangouts, but the clientele definitely hinted to what made the waitress encourage Jesus to look elsewhere for a drink. A mish-mash of the stereotypical redneck alcoholics, as well as several knots of rough-looking guys in leather vests or jackets, complete with club patches and insignia. If he paid attention, Jesus could easily see the man with the grey crew cut a few seats down, passing one of the rednecks a cigarette carton, taking a wad of crumpled bills that disappeared into his pocket before he was noisily calling the bartender's attention to get himself a brew, and another for his bro, the man with the scruffy hair and the sleeveless shirt sitting beside him that accepted the bottle pushed his way with a grunt of thanks.

Really weird how he managed to look isolated in the middle of a noisy raucous crowd, but he made it work somehow.

[iesus]

Jesus didn't mind the sideways glances. He was used to them - had been, for a long time. Didn't matter to him any.

He didn't mind the atmosphere either, easy and lazy and watching the goings-on with a quiet sense of peace that didn't fit in the setting at all. It was a little strange to see someone that looked like he should have fit in that didn't. He was used to that feeling too though. He was sure it wasn't the same but the sentiment was there.

He was cute, too - it wasn't that Jesus had a type but the guy struck something with him. He looked over once to see if he could catch his eye and if he did there was a faint smile there. If not it wasn't a huge deal.

As for the transaction that went down of course he noticed, but he had no inclinations toward saying anything about it. Still. At some point the guy's... brother, it looked like, actually took a moment to count the money he was given ... and wasn't happy with the amount. Which meant that even though he couldn't say anything about the reason but he could start a confrontation another way.

It started as an argument and immediately escalated into something more physical, from pushing to punches and--Jesus' specialization had always been de-escalating and really he didn't want his night ruined by someone getting stabbed or shot. Or whatever.

It was probably a stupid move to pound back the rest of his whiskey and slip over unseen and end up in between both attacker and target, trying to separate them without making things worse. The one guy almost clocked him in the head just from momentum but he was able to maneuver out of the way. Jesus was sure things would still escalate for a moment but really stopping it before it got too bad was priority.

"Hey, we're all having a nice time here. Let's keep having a nice time tonight, you think?" For as short as he was, Jesus exuded an air of confidence and ease. He was sure he could disengage if he had to, but he hoped it wouldn't come to that.

[aversiontosleeves]

The smile in Daryl’s direction, however faint seemed to have the man uncertain what to do with himself, settling for scowling at his beer like it had done something to him, though there wasn’t any real bute or anger to the expression. Just a man who was very bad at emotions and expression thereof, including when others were expressing them at him. He didn’t say a word, but when his brother pushed away from the bar, the younger man followed, a few paces back. Not crowding Merle as he stalked after the man who’d shorted him, but not far enough away that he couldn’t help if things went to hell too quickly.

The stranger sticking his nose into things when fists started flying?

Definitely not appreciated if the way Merle and his victim scowled at him was any hint.

“Why don’t you just mind your own business there, yeah?” Merle drawled, grabbing the man he’d been moments earlier pummeling, arm around his shoulders in a vice grip. “Joe an’ me got some business and it don’t involve you.”

[iesus]

Well. It wasn't outright anger, which was at the very least not a bad thing even if it didn't turn out to be a good one. Bit difficult to focus on when he was in the middle of

"Let me rephrase. I'm trying to have a nice time here, and I'd appreciate it if my night wasn't ruined." The man Merle was holding scoffed and moved to wrench himself free and pick up where they left off, swinging for Merle until Jesus easily knocked him off balance. It would have been fine if he hadn't kept swinging on the way down, but quick enough Jesus had him face down against the nearest table, arm twisted behind his back in a way that wasn't painful but didn't let him move, either.

It was clear he meant business, in any case. And that he had some kind of training. "Look," he said, shaking his head to get his hair out of his face, "a guy gets you a carton of your favorite cigarettes you should pay him proper, right?" Leaning heavily on the man with all his weight, he dug around until he could pull the man's wallet out and thumb it open one-handed. "How much a carton go for these days, anyway?"

It wasn't quite a drawl but it was slow, easy. The man struggled again, but Jesus just tightened his hold. "See? Nobody has to get violent."

[aversiontosleeves]

"Ain't about the money anymore, friend." Merle snarled, but he wouldn't waste the chance to get the rest of what he was owed, snatching the wallet to pluck out his fair share. Which of course was all of it in Merle's opinion. "Let one of these idiots try and short me without teachin' him a lesson, and they'll all think they can get away with it. They're slow like that."

Like the idiot that was creeping up on Merle's other side, likely ready to bash him upside the head with the bottle in his hand. Not that he got far, the moment the bottle was lifted, the younger man at Merle's back exploded into movement, fist connecting with the drunk's jaw, sending him careening back into a knot of nearby witnesses. Which of course didn't help matters, beer spilling on one of the others in a vest like Merle's. The first redneck to laugh at him got a punch swung his way and...

Sorry Jesus, things just went past 'talk it down' in a hurry.

[iesus]

"Oh, for fuck's sake." Now he was just exasperated. Still didn't think it was a bad choice coming here, but really, this put a damper on the night. When things started to go bad the guy under him struggled enough to nearly get free and Jesus had to drag him up into a hold, barring across his neck and holding tight - careful, but tight - and not letting go until he could drop him to the table unconscious but otherwise fine.

It wasn't what he'd wanted to do, but sometimes you couldn't help it. Now that he was actively involved one of the others aimed a punch toward him and got a glancing blow in before he could move away entirely but he was still cognizant enough to grab the guy by the arm and use his full body weight to slam him down.

He wasn't happy about this but well, there wasn't much he could do about it.

There was in fact a brief stint where one redneck grabbed both his arms to hold them behind his back - but he just used the position to bring his legs up and slam both feet flat against the man in front of him square in the chest, knocking both men off balance.

[aversiontosleeves]

It was a mess, the fight spreading through the establishment quickly, everyone seemed to have something against everyone else in a small town like this, so it never took much of an excuse for this particular subset of the town to turn out.

Daryl wasn't paying much mind to the newcomer other than to avoid the swing of arms and legs, instead focusing on taking out anyone that came near his brother or himself, much less about light acrobatics and more about taking them out hard and fast with fists and elbows. Merle didn't pay much mind to his brother, instead focused on laying out anyone that got too close, clearly enjoying the ruckus more than the younger man.

So much for a quiet night's drink?

[iesus]

He noticed easily enough that the younger of the men didn't seem to enjoy what was going on, and that the elder was practically reveling in it. It frustrated him to see someone dragged into this kind of thing when they didn't want to even more than fighting in the first place frustrated him. Still, even with their differing styles it was quick enough that they had cleared a swath around them. There was one guy that looked to be coming up behind both brothers quiet enough that they wouldn't notice him.

With a loud curse, Jesus grabbed the younger of them by the shoulder and yanked him aside so that he could punch the last guy directly in the face. The first outright, over-the-top violent thing he'd done all night. Still, the one blow was enough to clock him, sending him down limbs flailing.

"I just," he muttered, "wanted to drink some shitty whiskey in peace."

The Scenes Between - Time to get that cow

[dirtyredneck]

It'd been three days since they'd taken out the satellite camp. Carol was doing a little better now that she was back with Tobin and the safety of Alexandria's walls. Not a lot better. But enough that when Rick pulled Daryl aside and asked him to head out to the Hilltop with Maggie and a few others to finalize the trade, he wasn't concerned about leaving her be. Nor was he very concerned about the continued safety of the rest of them. They were good people he trusted to handle themselves.

Maggie was the resident cattle expert but Daryl was pretty good at sweet talking animals and weren't afraid of getting close to them when they were being skittish. He'd be doing most of the actual handling when it came to putting the girl into the delivery truck that would have to serve as their cattle car.

The ride over was peaceful. The gate guards friendly now. Gregory was probably still laid up in bed, so that meant they were likely going to deal with the defacto second in command once he showed his too-pretty-for-his-own-good face.

"Prick better not take his time," Daryl muttered to Maggie, only to receive an eyeroll as the large doors started to slide open.

[iesus]

Gregory was still laid up in bed, which meant that he couldn't get in the way or complain about anything or just overall be obnoxious in ways that grated on Jesus' nerves in ways he never felt qualified to act on. He was a runner, not a leader, and without someone to replace him, well...

In any case, the people of Alexandria were helping them even though Jesus got their supply truck lost in a lake and hell, even though they were taking supplies and a cow there was a real benefit in it for Hilltop and there's no threat of death or worse behind it - he looked on the bright side really, and tried his best to see the good in people.

He knew they were coming to pick up the cow so he was already out and about when the gates started to open. Which meant that Jesus ended his current conversation with Harlan and wandered over, gait easy but not taking his time. He was waiting rather patiently when the delivery truck pulled into place, gates still in the process of shutting behind them.

The smile he wore was, of course, that infuriating and knowing thing he always wore but it was pleasant enough and at least he wasn't wearing the damn hat today. So soon as either Maggie or Daryl alighted from the truck, it'd spread a little wider. "Glad you could make it."

If Gregory said it, it would have sounded like a petulant insult. From Jesus, it sounded genuine.

[dirtyredneck]

Daryl was the first out by virtue of Maggie driving, but she leaned out the window far enough to give a wave. He nodded at Jesus, who definitely hadn't taken his time and was being polite enough. He did his best to relax his shoulders as he walked forward to meet him but his arms ended up crossing, fingers curled into the armholes of his vest, by the time he got close enough to talk easily.

"Things been quiet?" He asked out of habit and caution born of the hard life all of them had lived since everything started. Quiet wasn't necessarily good, but it was better than having too much going on. More specifically, he meant the possibility of stragglers from their attack on the Saviors. While they were sure they'd gotten everyone, Daryl remained just a little paranoid. "No stragglers bursting from the woodwork?"

[iesus]

Jesus waved back and he was pleased enough when it earned him a slight smile back from Maggie. Then he turned to Daryl, nodding slightly. His stance was open and friendly as ever even in the face of Daryl's crossed arms. "The usual kind of quiet," he replied, nodding. "No stragglers, no problems."

He sighed but it wasn't necessarily bad, hand lifting to run his fingers through his hair to push it out of his face. Nothing wrong with being paranoid these days - it was probably the wisest way to be. "People are still getting used to the idea of any kind of quiet is what's been going on, mostly."

Business was as important as status updates so he nodded toward where they'd be handing off the cow. "She's ready to go whenever you are, unless you'd like to stay a while. About mealtime and all."

Jesus may not have been a leader but he sure was better at PR.

[dirtyredneck]

Hospitality went a long way towards easing everyone's feelings. Even Daryl's. More so with Maggie being pregnant. If nothing else, she could use the extra food.

Daryl hesitated a moment, then nodded as his arms dropped. He turned around and waved at Maggie through the window. She leaned out with a loud 'WHAT?' and Daryl had to cup his hand over his mouth to shout back, "They're gonna feed us. Get your butt down here!"

That taken care of, he turned back to Jesus. This time his hands going to his hips like he wasn't really sure what to do with them anymore. His head ducked and he ended up looking out at the man from under his bangs. "Thanks."

[iesus]

Being hospitable was better than fighting. The ... exchange happening might've rubbed Gregory wrong but Jesus was practical rather than reactionary. The Alexandria folks were helping them in a way they could never help themselves with - after being stolen from by him, cheated by Gregory... He knew logically they could've just taken what they wanted and left.

But they were helping and that made them good people in his book.

So even the slight way Daryl relaxed and the fact that they were staying, well. He nodded, waiting for Maggie to join them before gesturing toward where they'd be eating. "It's no problem. We're working with stew today I think, I hope that's all right."

The weather was nice enough to settle at one of the tables outside and rather than having someone else bring it all, he was plenty happy enough to get most of it himself. Every movement looked easy and relaxed, though his shoulders still wore the same tension as everyone else's that'd lived outside walls at any point during this hell.

[dirtyredneck]

"It's more than fine," Maggie answered for the both of them as they followed. She branched off from Jesus and Daryl when they got to the tables. First to get a bowl for herself and then to go sit near Doc Harlan to chat with him.

It left Daryl with no one to sit with (he wasn't going to interrupt that) that he knew, other than Jesus. So when he got his bowl he waited to see where the man would settle himself before following after and grabbing a seat opposite him. He noticed the difference in how Jesus carried himself compared to the others of the colony. The rest had some fear in them, they probably would never lose that. But Jesus was ready to act at a moment's notice the way Daryl and Maggie and all of their people were. Like recognized like.

"You the only one that goes out, or just the one we were unlucky enough to have steal our shit?" He asked in an attempt to make something of a semblance of polite conversation. He wouldn't ever say it aloud, but he liked company when he ate. And liked catching up with his friends and family. Maggie being busy, that left Jesus.

[iesus]

Most everyone that was eating at the time was already going for it. So by the time Jesus settled down and Daryl sat across from them, it wasn't likely that anyone else would pop by to sit with them. It wasn't out of any sense of dislike, but more they were already seated and busy. And, well, honestly, Daryl even attempting to make polite conversation with him was a few steps up from where they'd previously stood. Truly.

The question itself made him laugh though, shaking his head. "It's mostly me. It got pretty heavy at times like everything else does and I'm fastest. Done it the most often." A beat. "As far as stealing from you and Rick, well--" His smile was a little wry, self-depreciating. "I was on a deadline, desperate. When I saw you two with the truck I watched you and I figured you at least weren't going to shoot me in the face immediately. Which I'm glad I was right about, by the way."

Understatement of the year. "I meant it when I said I was sorry, I wouldn't have if I had any other way." He shook his head again, but this time it was paired with a sigh. "I couldn't let my people die."

i can't stand captcha so I'm bugging you here

[fuckhelicopters]

i mean part of me says yeah, bring on the lint roller
but what the hell am i gonna use it for when the rest of the glitter is gone

you are the most valid i also hate captcha

[iesus]

i guarantee you that there are many craft stores that still have glitter, there're enough hobby lobbies in the south to create an eternal glitter supply.
other than that?
they're great for picking up small, lightweight pieces of glass when things break.

by default i assume folks haven't played the game but correct me if I'm wrong ❤️

[fuckhelicopters]

okay, yeah, when you put it like that
i got my nephew with me, he's going through a clumsy phase
could be useful

[also there's a literal apocalypse on, so, you know.]

ive watched lps of the first couple seasons but i havent gotten to s3 yet so its on y list

[iesus]

i've picked up a few things like that along the way.
it's useful being a human utility knife.
tennis ball as a bottle opener, bobby pin to hold a nail in place so you don't smash a finger with the hammer, cleaned out tin can as a water bottle holder if you're using a bike, stuff like that.
i've got a million of them.

jesus is in it and he's great

[fuckhelicopters]

rewind a little bit
you got classes i can sign up for or something

well now i am just going to watch it faster

[iesus]

i mean.
i don't do classes, but i can show you some stuff.

[fuckhelicopters]

you end up with the time you let me know
i spent so much time on the road when this shit started, you know? had two little kids with me
feel like the only thing I'm good at sometimes is running

[iesus]

it's useful enough information that it's worth making the time for, so i'll let you know soon.
all i did before all this was run, and i just kept running afterward too.
you had people to take care of.
i just had me a lot of the time, so i picked up all i could along the way.