[PUNCH CLOCK ANIMAL] ASHTRAY

[skinstealer]

 
Morning comes after the closest thing to a restful night the pair of them have had since beginning this trip, sun filtering in through the window blinds. Bucket’s first to rise, the dog getting their bearings slowly as the events of last night come back to them.
 

BUCKET: Chelsea?

 

 
The other body in bed stirs, low grumbling coming from underneath the blankets.
 

BUCKET: Did you sleep well?
BAZIL: No dreams, so... 

 
Bazil sits up slowly, stretching out. 
 

BAZIL: ...shit, still here.
BUCKET: Ah! Bazil. 
BUCKET: Were you not supposed to still be here?
BAZIL: Usually Chelsea's the one who wakes up...ugh. 

 

 
He rubs his temple, irritated. 
 

BAZIL: Great. Now I gotta pretend to be her.
BUCKET: We will be mostly to ourselves today, away from Rein and Spit at the very least.
BAZIL: Yeah, but we still have to deal with that smug son of a bitch.
BUCKET: We could manage him just for a little. I will make the best to keep him in line through this trip.
BAZIL: Good luck. He's a bastard and a half.
BUCKET: I would say you could round that half up... but I will make it work.
BAZIL: Just don't expect me to act all mushy with you, even if I have to play up an act- you two shouldn't be affectionate in front of anybody anyway, but I'm drawing the line now.
BUCKET: Understood, we did just meet I suppose.

 
He drags himself out of bed, stretching more as he stands up. 
 

BAZIL: Guessing we didn't bring more clothes. Don't really have enough of those.
BUCKET: I would offer to spare an outfit but... they might be a tad large for most.
BAZIL: You're built like a brick wall and a few sizes too tall for us. 

  
He cracks his back with a grimace. 
 

BAZIL: Surprised you haven't crushed Chelsea yet.

Their face goes bright red. 
 

BUCKET: Did you... see everything?
BAZIL: More than I wanted to. 
BAZIL: I know better now than to look.

  
Bucket goes quiet, entirely embarrassed. 
  

BAZIL: Look, it wasn't on purpose. I'm not a peeping tom.

 
They nod, willing to move on as quickly as possible. 
  

BUCKET: I...should prepare for the day. 
BUCKET: Then we will check out and make way toward the trucks.
BAZIL: Guess I'll hang tight here. 

  
He leans against the wall, closing his eyes. 
 

BAZIL: No changing where I can see it.
BUCKET: I plan to shower first, I'll dress in the restroom...

 
They shuffle over to the restroom, leaving Bazil to his own thoughts. 
 
Of all the times to be stuck out here…