"Hey Man..."

"Not tired?" he asked, tucking his arms behind his head. "Do you want something to eat? Some television, perhaps?"

"...I want you to leave," he said bluntly.

"But we're sharing a room for the night," he said, raising a brow. "Come to bed if you're tired, I won't bite."

Mars said nothing.

-x-

It had been months since he'd seen Priestly. He had a long time to think. It had been him who contacted Priestly. Now, he waited quietly in a small bar in a small town where they'd promised to meet.

Priestly walked into the bar with a smile, his hair slightly longer than before. He wore his usual button-down shirt and a pair of jeans, and he waved to Mars when he saw him.

"Long time no see!" he said brightly, though there was a serious undertone to his words. "What made you look me up? Just needed a familiar face?"

Mars smiled, but it looked tired. He looked tired.

"I found a nest of demons," he replied. "I can't do it alone."

He looked up at Priestly, revealing his broken arm from beneath the table. It was his right. Even so, both of them knew it was far from just business they were going to discuss.

"Why didn't you call sooner?" he asked. He ordered a drink, and continued to smile, but there was something very strained about it.

Mars stared at him, unsure of whether Priestly was serious, or if he was simply keeping up their facade of pleasantries.

"The other people I found..." He paused for a moment. "Well...it didn't end well."

He cleared his throat, and drank his water.

"I see. Well, do we have a place to stay?"

"I have a motel room. Rainsford is watching it for me right now," he replied, standing up. He stretched, though his arm in the sling did not move much. "We can head there now, if you want."

"I would much enjoy that." He placed some money on the table, sipped his drink, and hurries outside.

"Did you drive?"

"I'm not supposed to...but I did," he replied, with the hint of a smile. "It's the old Motel 6 just down the road. Room 109. I'll meet you there."

He got in his car and sighed, for the first time wondering if he'd made the right decision.

In a few minutes Mars sat in his room, petting Rainsford as he waited for Priestly.

Priestly walked in nonchalantly, whistling a tune. It was a rock song, but his version sounded oddly calming.

"So. How many were there? Were they possessing people?"

"Yes," he replied quickly. "Too many for me to handle. I was hoping, maybe, you knew some other hunters...? I've had...bad luck."

He let Rainsford greet Priestly and watched as the dog then laid down on his dog bed.

"I certainly know some other hunters," he said, stroking his chin, "But I want to do some scouting first. See who I need to call. Hunters come in all types and skillsets--and more importantly, the better ones are always harder to find."

He cracked a small smile.

"Perhaps, if you had been someone else, contacting me would have been more difficult."

Mars was not entirely sure what Priestly was getting at, so he didn't comment. Instead, he sighed heavily snd laid back on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

"I got two beds because Rainsford normally sleeps on one," he explained. It was mostly the truth. Really, Mars just did not want anything to drive Priestly off. He needed him.

"Then I won't disturb Rainsford," he said, sitting on the edge of Mars's bed. "Is that a yes to a scouting mission?"

"Yeah, sure that sounds fine," Mars replied absently. He looked over at Priestly, and wondered what he was thinking. Though he hadn't known him long, he didn't think he'd ever be able to figure out Priestly.

"When do you want to go?" He toyed with the nearby remote, as though unable to decide whether he wanted to watch TV or not.

"Tomorrow morning is fine," he offered, watching Priestly's movements still. He wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure what. He could feel the tension, but oddly, he wasn't sure the cause. Surely, Mars had thought there would be obvious tension from when they'd slept together, but in fact, it almost felt like there was something else. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself. Maybe it was best not to ask, though now the curiosity gnawed at him.

"So, how've you been besides," he said, turning on the TV and surfing the channels. "Been taking care of yourself?"

Mars furrowed his eyebrows, and he grew tired of the facade.

"Why don't you just tell me what's wrong and get it over with?" he snapped, so harshly that Rainsford looked up. Then, realizing his harshness, he sighed, and in a much softer voice he said, "...just tell me."

"I'm worried, is all," he answered honestly, not turning to look at Mars.

Mars looked at him, almost unwilling to ask for details. Yet, his curiosity had already gotten the better of him, what worse could he do now?

"...about what?" he asked quietly, looking as Rainsford laid back down, but stared at Priestly.