Open Road, Unknown City, Unknown State....
As the rectangular four door made its way down the highway, Lex took a few moments to note the scenery as they passed. It was a long and winding drive toward anything resembling civilization, but he didn't seem that put off by it. He was once more in the company of his older lover and he couldn't have been happier. Try as he might to pretend otherwise, Lex knew that Lonnie had missed him almost as much has he had him despite his rage at being seemingly abandoned. Sensing the need to do away with the silence, Lex took to turning on the radio in an effort to add something to the seemingly comfortable moment they shared while searching for a place to finally get something to eat.
{"The world was on fire and no one could save me...but you....It's strange what desire will make foolish people do....I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you...And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you...."} Chris Isaak, belted out from the radio. {"No, I don't wanna fall in love (this world is only gonna break your heart)....No, I don't wanna fall in love (this world is only gonna break your heart)...With you...With you..."}
As the song continued Lonnie seemed to be at ease for the first time in a long time as he kept his eyes on the highway while occasionally stealing a few glances at Lex. He'd been adorable in his own right as his thin bleached blond locks swayed in the breeze from the open window. He had chosen to wear something conservative it seemed in the form of denim jeans and a white t-shirt as they continued to on their journey to various places. Lonnie deduced that he had his fill of playing dress up after their recent encounter with drunken attempted rapists, when it had never been necessary to get his attention.
Despite lacking much in terms of upper body strength, Lex was pretty fit for a young lad of sixteen and enjoyed being out and about amid the sun no matter how detrimental the heat remained to his milky pale flesh when venturing into it too much. His pink hued fingers swayed in the breeze to the tone of the music as he further enjoyed the drive.
It was an easy going drive and the breeze offered a fresh perspective on the morning. Stark contrast if ever there was one from the previous few days were heat and temper got the better of Lonnie as it were.
"It's nice just sitting here with you." Lex admitted with something of a boyish smile lighting up his pale face.
Lonnie was never one for words nor did he care for sentiment, but he remained as polite as he possibly could about it not wishing to ruin whatever moment that they shared he had enough of nearly driving the younger man away and it nearly cost him his life. The realization that he actually cared whether or not another human being lived or died finally dawned on him but he kept it to himself.
Apparently, he was quite fond of the little shit.
Lex seemed to perk up a bit more when they reached a town and noticed a diner. It seemed like a relatively charming place, but more importantly they were too hungry to continue anywhere else. Lonnie noticed his younger companion's attention turning to the place and pulled in the parking lot. He, himself wasn't much for open public spaces, but he figured he'd humor Lex just this once. The way Lonnie saw it, places like that were always asking for trouble. You let all kinds of people in and all kinds of people will show up whether you want them to or not.
Lonnie put the car in park and reached into his pocket. He stuffed a few of the larger bills into the glove compartment and put the rest of the money he called "loose change" into his front right pocket and climbed out of the car. He lit a cigarette from the square silver case he kept in his back pocket and looked over the diner. Lex seemed excited to be somewhere new, amazingly he managed to keep his composure.
Neither of them was the typical sort of people that ventured to places like this but their outward appearance gave no indication to that. To anyone outside their sphere of influence they looked like a typical middle aged man and his wayward teenage son looking to stop for a meal. Lonnie wearing a gray suit gave him the appearance of being semi respectable despite his nasty smoking habit and arrogant conduct. Lex seemed like the run of the mill quiet teenage boy that lacked social skills, but managed to be polite and thoughtful now and again.
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Grady's Diner, Unknown City, Unknown State....
The moment they entered the diner, all eyes had apparently fallen on them due to Lonnie smoking when the sign at the door specifically said no smoking was allowed. A chubby blond haired waitress made her way over to greet them, She seemed overly cheerful and something about her demeanor annoyed Lonnie to no end.
"Hello." she said letting Lonnie know instantly, that this was yet another pre-rehearsed means of speaking. "Welcome to Grady's, I regret to inform you that you'll have to put that out...this is a non smoking establishment."
Lonnie's dark eyes flickered with malice for a few moments before he looked over at Lex, noting his concerned expression. He had really wanted to eat here and there was no telling when they'd reach another smoker friendly diner.
The middle aged man took the cigarette out of his mouth and put it out in a nearby flower pot before stuffing the no longer lit stick into the front pocket of his jacket. Lex appeared relieved and the chubby waitress escorted them to an empty booth on the far end of the dining area.
Lonnie took the booth closet to the wall, the dark wooden frame and red cushion seemed to suite him as he sat back against the seat his wide arms spread across the back as he awaiting Lex to take his seat on the opposite end. The large dark wood table between them was littered with all kinds of advertisements, condiments, silverware, and a napkins dispenser.
The cool air conditioning was a welcome change from the stifling heat from outside and it seemed to do Lex a world of good to be out of direct sunlight. Lonnie tapped his tobacco stained fingers against the table as he looked over his companion. It was abundantly clear that Lex still had a bit of shyness in him as he had not been too comfortable with other people around. His self-conscious nature stemmed from being bullied all his life by his peers due to his unusual stature and due to being treated as a freak of sorts by family because of what was perceived to have been an undesirable birth defect.
A waitress came and supplied them each with a menu, Lex ordered a water while Lonnie got himself a cup of coffee. Despite appearances, he truly had no where to be in a hurry and neither did Lex. It was a lazy afternoon and good to have a change of pace if nothing else. They'd get to where they were going sooner or later.
"Good morning, are you gentlemen ready to order?" asked another waitress as she looked over the two of them.
More rehearsed lines and a few fake smiles and Lonnie had to fight the urge to roll his eyes.
"I'll have steak and eggs, well done steak and eggs scrambled." Lonnie ordered first before turning his attention to Lex. "Tell her what you want."
Lex sighed taking a moment to mull over the menu. He hated speaking to anyone that had not been Lonnie for much of his life as he hated the sound of his voice. While his upper body had not been as defined by masculine features as any other young man his age, his cracking voice always seemed to illustrate more of it than he wished when speaking.
"I'll have a grilled cheese sandwich and fries." he said as if it pained him to speak to strangers.
The waitress nodded and took up the menus after recording their respective orders. She left them to their business and Lonnie was quite content with it. As far as establishments went, it wasn't a bad place to grab a meal.
Taking a sip from his straight black cup of coffee, Lonnie turned his full attention back to Lex whom had been fiddling with the napkins and casually sipping on his glass of water via a straw. Lonnie seemed to have been amused by this for a few moments recalling the events of the previous night and the recent shower.
"You given any thought to going back to school?" asked Lonnie becoming serious despite his previous thoughts.
Lex seemed to be caught off guard by this. The last thing he expected was for Lonnie of all people to suggest he go back to school. He had dropped out after all following the untimely death of his grandparents.
While it was true their insurance pay out was quite large and there would be time before he had to worry about money, he had no plans at that moment to even think about a continued education.
"Lex." said Lonnie wanting an answer.
"I-I hadn't thought about it." he replied swishing his straw about in his glass of water. "After everything that's happened..."
Lonnie took another sip of his coffee before narrowing his dark eyes in the direction of his younger companion.
"You're going back to school." he said with all the stern insistence of a middle aged father disappointed in his son.
At least that was the impression the waitress got when she arrived with their food. They cleared the table to make room as Lonnie took another drink from his coffee. She offered him a refill and he accepted not at all done with his conversation with Lex.
He had been none too comfortable with having to return to school, but he knew first hand that there was no arguing with Lonnie. When he wanted something he got it just about every single time.
They set to work eating their respective meals in relative silence before a few moments of silence gave way to the low tone of the playing stereo system. Lex wasn't too happy about the whole having to return to school thing, but he had no options. Lonnie was insistent and the last thing he wanted was to upset him again.
{"She's just sixteen years old....Leave her alone, they say....Separated by fools....Who don't know what love is yet....But I want you to know...."} chimed the song on the radio.
Lonnie seemed to recognize it as he took a moment to hear the music following taking out half of his steak before it came on. It was a classic Benny Mardones tune, Into The Night
"If I could fly, I'd pick you up....I'd take you into the night...." Lonnie sang along with Benny." And show you a love...Like you've never seen, ever seen...."
Lex had been surprised given his earlier mood. The older man had his moments, but there were times when he truly fascinated the younger lad. He supposed if it made Lonnie happy, he would be up to the task of going back to school.
Lonnie noted the amusement on the face of the sixteen year old and finished off a bit more of his steak after lifting his spirits a bit. He had not known personally where he got the need to suggest Lex go back to school, but he didn't want him just going about life like he was unsure of what the next day would bring or where they might lay their heads.
"You know I wanna see you happy don't you?" asked Lonnie looking over at Lex once more.
He nodded in understanding and continued to eat his sandwich.
Lonnie took another drink from his coffee and got to his feet. He tussled Alexei's bleach blond locks and looked around for a bit.
"I gotta take a leak." he said in his usual vulgar dialogue. "Don't you go anywhere...and if you even think about it just know I'll find you...I always do."
Lex nodded and continued to enjoy his sandwich.
Lonnie headed toward the nearest restroom, the booze from the previous night and the extra coffee getting the better of him.
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Several Minutes Later....
Lex had been sitting at the table enjoying his sandwich when a group of black masked men entered the diner. There were four of them with the leader being the loudest with his gun drown first. They each wore a dark green jumpsuit and black boots. Their hands were gloved but one could see from their exposed necks gave the only clue to their ethnicity. The way they were build one could deduce with keen eyes that these men were quite young and possibly about as old as or around the same age as Lex.
"Alright nobody move!" shouted the apparent leader, his jumpsuit had been open to the point of exposing a white undershirt at the collar where a glimpse of a neck tattoo could be seen if one were close enough. "Everybody get down on the ground, this is a robbery!"
Lex sat quietly in his seemingly empty section of the diner while the more crowded areas had people immediately drop down onto the floor. A family had only recently gotten seated when the incident kicked off and huddled together as the children whom where small, but old enough to comprehend danger began to cry as their parents attempted to comfort them.