The Daily Grind, At Least For Demon Hunters

Mars closed his eyes as the wind blew through his hair. It was a hot day, but now that the sun was going down, it was finally cooling down. He took a deep breath, breathing in the air.

"Priestly, are we stopping soon?" he asked, trying to stifle his yawns. "Today has been...long."

It was often that they drove all day, but it never made Mars any less tired.

"There's a motel not too far ahead, if that sign was correct," Priestly reassured him, patting his wrist. "It'll take maybe another half-hour at most. How're you feeling, Marsy?"

Priestly took a bite of his snickers, washing it down with leftover stale Cola. They had stopped at a convenience store a few hours ago; it was less than healthy, but it worked.

"Want me to change the CD? I think we've listened to this one at least three times--new music might refresh us a bit."

"No!" he said immediately, reaching to cover the CD player. "It's fine. I like this CD."

He glanced at Priestly, trying to avoid eye contact. He knew Priestly was tired, too. Still, he wondered how the rest of the night would play out. He cleared his throat, pushing certain thoughts from his mind.

"And I'm feeling fine," he grumbled, stifling yet another yawn. "You're going to get fat, you know."

"Huh? What was that?" he said, holding out his Snickers. "Would you like some, Marsy? You're a growing boy, I'm sure you can afford it."

He snatched the candy bar, angrily biting into it. This would mean a more rigorous work out for him, but he was hungry enough that he didn't care

"I'm eating the rest of this," he told Priestly, after he'd swallowed his mouthful.

"Growing boys should eat," he laughed, patting Mars's shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll get some dinner soon--there'll be a fast food joint along here soon, make no mistake. That's the glorious thing about this country.

"Did you know that I wasn't always an American, Marsy? Hard to tell, isn't it?" He flashed him a smile. "I came here when I was young, so I very much fit in now."

"But you have a British accent," he replied, confounded. "I know you're not American. Everyone knows you aren't American!"

He blinked, giving Mars a concerned look.

"...I don't know what you're talking about, Marsy. I sound just like any other American citizen--my accent is completely gone. Just ask my homies from my 'hood days."

"No it's not!" he insisted. "I can hear it as you speak right now! You're British or something!"

"Marsy, I've certainly never been British," he laughed, shaking his head. "You're so silly. I'm an American!"

"No you're not!" he groaned loudly. "Never mind! You'll never believe me, for whatever stupid reason! Just like how I'll never believe you're 'twenty-two'."

"But I am," he replied with a mysterious eyebrow waggle. Silly Marsy, playing along with his jokes. They really were great friends.

"No you aren't!" he growled, before he just gave up. "Never mind. I'm so done with this stupid charade. Are we almost at a motel? I just want to sleep, and if you get another room with only one bed, I'll strangle you with the pillows."

"But Mars, we can't afford two rooms," he said with a grin. "Unless you plan to use up that pocket money I gave you already? I told you not to spend it all in one place, champ."

"I'm not sleeping next to you, I'd rather sleep on the ground!" he snapped. "You stupid jerk, you only gave me like a dollar! I can't use it to buy anything!!"

He groaned loudly.

"Shut up and drive, leave me alone you heathen sinner."

"I can let you out of the car right now if you like," he offered pleasantly. "Just like I can stop the car and give you a very different treatment~"

Mars felt his face turn red, but he didn't acknowledge it in the slightest.

"Sh-shut up! That's exactly what I meant when I called you a sinner!" he insisted, feeling very awkward.

"Why, are you curious?" he teased, blowing him a kiss. "I don't mind pulling over~"

"I-I'm not...of course...of course I'm not curious!" he stuttered, wincing at his own flustered rambling. "Don't you dare pull over! I won't ever talk to you again if you pull over!"

"Whatever you say Marsy," he said, slowing the car slightly to scare him.

"STOP!" he screeched, in a higher pitch than was really necessary to get his point across.

He stepped on the gas again, laughing.

"Come now, Marsy, am I really that ugly? Tell the truth now."

He was unsure exactly what Priestly's attractiveness had to do with the conversation, but he frowned deeply. There was no way he would tell Priestly the truth, and certainly not after that.

"Of course you are! You're repulsive," he grumbled angrily.

"Really? Because if I'm repulsive, then you must be average. And I know you're gorgeous." He fluttered his eyelids.

Mars felt his face turn even more red than before.

"S-stop lying!" he shouted, feeling a sudden wave of guilt and shame. "Stop mocking me...!"