Dearborn, 2104

[thisismyboomstick]

The fluorescent lighting is out of commission as Ash and Slack step into the deserted S-Mart, casting shadows over aisles of forgotten merchandise.

Despite everything, Ash is grinning.

Comments

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

... and Slack's just confused.

"Yes, there's supply here! It's fantastic. But it's a grocery store. Why are we all Mr Smiley?"

[ash--evildead.livejournal.com]

"I used to work here. Still do. Whatever."

He still hasn't gotten used to the effect of time travel on verb tenses.

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

Slack suddenly looks Very Very Very Happy.

"So ... think the store's been arranged much differently from when you worked here?"

[ash--evildead.livejournal.com]

He shakes his head.

"Where do you wanna go first?"

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

"... so you actually know where everything is and we don't need to map oh thank you so much."

Slack eyes her GPS warily.

She's always hated scouting in pairs, since she keeps ending up the one who's got to map.

Not this time.

"Medicines. Anything that hasn't expired yet, we need to snag before the stenches do."

[ash--evildead.livejournal.com]

He leads her toward the pharmacy.

"They actually do that?"

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

"Of course medicines expi-- oh. Yeah. Just to be annoying, I bet."

And as Slack pokes her head around a shelf, she sloooowly pulls it back.

"Like that one is," she says in a more muffled voice.

[ash--evildead.livejournal.com]

"Like what... Oh."

Why am I even surprised?

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

Slack readjusts her gun over her shoulder, and shoots him a small grin.

"You wanna take it, or me? I mean. You work here. Ain't fair of me to steal all the fun."

[ash--evildead.livejournal.com]

"Oh no, I insist. Ladies first."

Smirking, he revs up the chainsaw.

That oughta get someone's attention.

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

At the sound, it reacts and turns around just as Slack whips the rifle down and shoots.

She doesn't have perfect aim, but it's gotten better, and the first bullet hits its chest and unbalances it.

The second makes it straight to the head.

"Rock!" she exclaims. "Us: 1, them: ... well, a lot, but not right now."

[ash--evildead.livejournal.com]

"Groovy."

He blinks.

"When did this start being fun?"

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

"Hasn't it always been fun?"

She laughs, kissing his cheek.

"Silly rabbit, it's the world's greatest stress reliever."

[ash--evildead.livejournal.com]

He shrugs. It's always been more of a source of stress rather than a relief for him.

"C'mon. Let's get what we came for."

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

It only takes Slack a couple of minutes to clear the shelves of every not-yet-expired medication she can find. She knows what to look for.

What else doesn't go bad?

... Oh yeah.

"This place have a slushie machine?"

[ash--evildead.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, sure. Why?"

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

"It's a surprise."

Be afraid.

"Show me where?"

[ash--evildead.livejournal.com]

He leads her to it, the look on his face hovering somewhere between amused and disturbed.

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

Slack grins, whacking the machine a few times, dropping her backpack on the ground and giving it another whack with the rifle --

whrr! And there is a fixed slushie machine, on and running.

And really, really cold.

Her eyes sparkle.

"C'mere."

[ash--evildead.livejournal.com]

He eyes her.

"... No."

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

Cute, innocent smile.

"... Please?"

[ash--evildead.livejournal.com]

"No way. You've got that look in your eyes."

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

She pouts.

"What look?"

[ash--evildead.livejournal.com]

"You know what look."

He sighs.

"You're gonna pout at me until I give in, right?"

[cuttingslack.livejournal.com]

She stops pouting and grins, contradicting herself.

"Right."