Static Crush {M/M} ✔

Chapter #20

They arrive at Theo's Robotics Repair in the early hours of the morning, seven hours later than expected. The only stop they made along the way was to get Hale some much needed clothing, and so Rayner could change into something dry. Thanks to Rayner, he now owns a few pairs of jeans in different colours, one distressed and another acid-washed, plus a number of cotton t-shirts varying from generic colours to graphic designs. It's nice to have a more diverse wardrobe than seven pairs of the same uniform.

Hale's abductors had taken him further into NeoTonto than their journey warranted, so before they hit open road they'd got stuck in one traffic jam after the other. The pickup truck had been too old to interface with Rayner's HoloPhone, so they were victims to whatever music the radio played.

Eventually, they make it to Alora.

An agricultural satellite city, Alora boasts a number of insect farms. Meal worms seem a particular specialty. It is the first time since leaving Melissa's privileged community in Alder Close that Hale sees much greenery. It sprouts in little square plots wedged between houses, in shop windows, and cascading off rooftops in some places. There are even a few mature trees in the circular square of the town centre. Otherwise, the landscape is dominated by tall warehouse facilities for the breeding and distribution of insect meat.

They find Theo's shop on the outskirts of town, sandwiched between a vegan ice cream parlour and laundromat. Rayner leaves their stolen truck in a parking lot several blocks away.

With Ophelia under one arm and a duffel bag over his shoulder, Hale is taken by a bout of nervous static in his core as they plod down the sidewalk toward Theo's. Aside from their brief meeting over vids, he doesn't really know her. He feels suddenly intrusive, dropping in on her with Rayner this way. Fugitives and with nowhere else to go.

These worries evaporate the moment they walk through the door to Theo's Robotics Repair. Behind the counter, tinkering with a toaster, Theo's head shoots up. Her hair bounces around her, the streaks of dye having been replaced with a bright blue under layer that gives her a reverse halo. Since it is the first time they meet in person, it's also the first time Hale can scan her. Though he can't access her public profile without Network access, he can gather information about her clothing or what sort of hygiene products she uses. Instead, he finds himself balking at all the ways in which she lights up under his scan, but has no time to comment.

"There you are! Fuck's sake, took you long enough," she declares, getting up.

Rayner dumps his armful of belongings and laptop onto the counter. Theo nearly knocks him clean over with an aggressive hug, leaning on him so hard he bends like a fishing pole under her weight. Then she slaps him aside and envelops Hale with the same assailing enthusiasm. If he'd thought Rayner's hug was firmer than usual, Theo's would be suffocating if breathing was required.

When she pulls away, she gives him an appraising look, taking in the new clothes, still stiff and creased from where they'd been folded in the shop. Her sharp, dark eyes snag on the dent in his forehead.

Then she rounds on Rayner. "Safe trip?" She makes it sound like an accusation.

Rayner sighs. "Bionic Capital came up with a new safeguard against theft."

"Uh huh." She knows that's not all. "And it took you so long to get here because?"

"Scrappers," he supplies.

Theo lets out a stream of colourful curses. "No good parasitic vulture prick cancers! Jesus fuck. I hate people."

Rayner nods. "I know." At Hale's bewildered look, he adds, "Don't worry, she likes androids better."