On The Train

"Interesting," he mumbled, scratching his chin. "Want help getting rid of it?"

"Well...sure, I guess, I need all the help I can. You're serious? You're not just going to turn tail and run?" he asked, leaning closer to Priestly so he could examine his expression. "I haven't had much luck in the partner department when it comes to hunting."

He snorted. "Running's not my thing--not from those who need my help. Stick with me for as long as you need to.

"So where are you really headed, anyway?"

"I got a lead that the demon I'm attached to is gonna be in California. Don't know where, but I figure Los Angeles is the best place to start looking," he replied with a shrug. "Do you know your way around California better than I do?"

He snorted.

"Spent a lot of time in L.A.--we'll be fine. I know some people, still."

He sighed in relief.

"Good. Finding him will be easier that way," he pulled his shirt back on and stepped out of the cramped bathroom. "C'mon. With any luck, we'll be there soon."

"You got a place to stay lined up, or are you sharing a motel room with me?" he asked.

"If it's okay, I'll go ahead and room with you," he shrugged. "I'm not shy."

"Neither am I," he said, smiling and patting Mars heartily on the lower back. "Sounds like we'll make a good pair."

"Great," replied Mars.

-x-

Mars stripped off his clothes until he was wearing nothing but his boxer briefs. He stretched out and yawned loudly. "I'm gonna shower," he told Priestly as he ruffled through his bag for pajama pants. "Is that okay?"

"You want company?" he asked, pulling off his shirt. "Save water, and have someone to wash your back--all that good stuff."

Mars laughed.

"Yeah, sure," he rolled his eyes. "I'll be out in five, so you'll have plenty of hot water for your shower, don't worry about it."

He laughed. "I'm serious. You want company--you ask."

Mars rose an eyebrow and opened his mouth to speak. Then he thought better of it and scurried into the bathroom. Once he finished he walked out in a towel, drying off his waist length blond hair.

"All yours," he said, quickly pulling on clean pajama pants. He carefully dried his hair with the towel before running a brush through it.

"You sure you still don't want any help?" he asked playfully, lightly shoving his shoulder. He was completely naked by now; various tattoos, scars and freckles adorned his body.

Mars avoided looking at him as much as possible, choosing to sit facing the other way to brush his hair.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm a grown man, I can brush my own hair," he teased back at him.

"You sure?" he asked, toying with his hair and inadvertantly brushing his hand against Mars's shoulder. "There's a lot of it--I'd want help."

Mars stood up suddenly and walked to the balcony.

"...don't touch my hair," he said quietly.

He shrugged.

"I'll be in the shower, if you want to join."

Mars sighed heavily and returned to brushing his hair. Priestly was...weird, but that was to be expected from a fellow demon hunter. He grabbed his book from his bag and laid down on the bed to read.

A few minutes later, wet hands gripped his shoulders.

"Hey, I was lonely in there, you know," he teased, flipping his soaking hair out of his face. "You should have joined me."

"I'm really more of a solitary showerer, sorry," Mars replied honestly. "I got enough of bathing together when I was a kid and my brother always joined me."

"I get it--he was better looking, wasn't he?" he laughed as he toweled off, starting with his hair. "You don't mind if I sleep without pajamas, right? I forgot to ask."

Mars scoffed. "Whatever. Just...stay on your side of the room and we'll be fine."

"I'm also a sleep cuddler," he said, rifling through his bag for something. He produced what looked like a wine bottle. "You thirsty?"