As rebellious as Russ likes to act, he's great at following the rules. Take rule number two: Don't keep Jamie on a leash. She's too smart for that, so it's demeaning. There is also rule number three: Fight back when someone disrespects you. He's gone through too much to let someone get away with insulting his hair, or his attitude, or whatever they're picking on him for. Russ can't follow every rule of his to a T, because even he isn't that perfect, but he tries his hardest to. It helps him keep his head on straight.
This goes double for rule number one, which is easily the most important: Never disrespect the pack leader. When he was a pup this meant respecting his mom. She raised him and Larry on her own for the most part and wouldn't take anyone's shit. Now it means respecting Larry himself. He's what Russ wishes he could be, just as strong but a lot sharper and a smooth talker too. Larry has charisma, and Russ screams at people. They've never really been on the same level, and they both know it.
Larry is also benevolent, or at least he claims to be, so he cuts Russ some slack. Playfighting is allowed, even if it veers into real-fighting territory. Russ can tease Larry, growl at him, do anything as long as it doesn't mess up the cohesion of the pack. Each twin knows that the other doesn't mean it when they call each other idiots or ram each other into trees.
But — and this is a big but — Russ isn't good at telling what counts as ruining the pack dynamic, as opposed to just being plain mean. Sometimes he has to dance around what feels like a risky statement, like when he asks Larry, “Yo, I've been kinda curious. Why'd you suggest that we start vlogging our life on the run again?”
He always words it something like that, because the first time he sounded a little too insistent and Larry replied, “You know I only make the best decisions, dude. It gets us money, so we're doing it,” in an uncharacteristically icy tone of voice. It was unnerving enough to make Russ shut up about it for a month. But he has to keep asking somehow, because he can't shake the feeling that if he asks at just the right moment, gets Larry to let his guard down, then he'll know exactly what's on the guy's mind and he won't drive himself up a wall trying to guess.
So he fixed his question, and Larry lets him ask it because he knows that Russ needs to check on things. Now Larry's answer is always along the lines of, “It just seemed like the best way to make some cash in lieu of settling down somewhere and getting jobs, you know?” In a kinder tone of voice, yet firm enough to assure Russ that their current lifestyle really is the only option, until he starts worrying again and repeats himself a few months later. He should know that Larry is right, though. You can't settle down when your brother, your partner, their brother, and your dog are all wanted in fifteen states and counting.
Now, as Larry drives their van through the scenic mountains of Montana, Russ is having trouble finding the line again. He's staring out of the window with his hand propping up his chin, watching the greenery zoom past. It's only late August, but he's hoping that some trees have given up on photosynthesizing and made their leaves red already. Getting to see his favorite color everywhere makes up for the chill that comes with the higher altitude. Lying on the floor behind Russ is Jamie, his sweet golden retriever who has never wronged anyone.
His partner, Ivan Beatty, is dozing off in one of the backseats. Their brother Ibrahim Beatty has his laptop resting on his lap, but he clearly fell asleep a while ago. It looks like it could slide off if Larry drives over a big enough bump in the road. The Beattys are also twins, but you couldn't tell just from looking at them. Ivan is dark skinned with a well-trimmed frohawk and dresses like a punk. They used to be more of a punk politically, but it's hard to be an activist when you rarely stay in the same place for more than a few days at a time.
Ibrahim is a lot lighter, from his pastel clothing to his tawny skin dotted with patches of vitiligo. He's a little taller, although they're both short, and his dreadlocks are shaved into a mullet. He was trying to kick off an animation career before the crew left home, and now he designs the assets for their YouTube channel and social media.
Larry's more or less Russ's identical twin. He's a bit more muscular, but otherwise they've got the same tan skin tone, endless freckles, long nose, slightly crooked teeth, and they're both pretty tall. The main difference is his hair is dark and curly with a blond ombre as opposed to Russ's wavy red. And Russ has a unibrow, which he will always parade over Larry because his unibrow is fucking cool.
Tallahassee, Florida, was also fucking cool, and he wants to go back. He made friends with a woman named Barbie there — or Ivory, if you want to be really accurate, but she clearly has more Barbie energy. They're not even that close, but he wants to have another good talk with her that isn't over the phone. Mentioning as much will probably break the first rule, because it comes with the implication that Russ would visit her on his own. But Barbie got him thinking about how unchallenged Larry is, how the rest of the Canine Crew always goes with what he says, and Russ feels entitled to a change of pace. Besides, saying he wants to visit isn't the same as actually doing it.
He sits up and offhandedly says, “I miss Barbie, man.”
“I can tell. You guys clicked when you walked Jamie, huh?” Larry kind of has the same voice as him when he's speaking casually, on the deeper side and a little friendly.
“Yeah. Kinda wish we could, I dunno, go back and visit her. Which obviously ain't an option but, you know—”
“Yeah, it ain't.” Oops. Larry's tone of voice is casual as ever, but that interjection is probably a bad sign. He continues, “It's way too risky to go back there, dude, especially to Tallahassee specifically. We pretty good at watching our six, but not that good. Plus, I think our viewers seen enough of that part of the country already.”
“I know. Bet it'd be easier if I went back by myself, though.” Russ tries to say that neutrally, like he's not actually thinking about the logistics of it.
Larry catches on anyway. He gives Russ the side eye, although the rest of his face doesn't change. “What do you mean by that? Go back by yourself?”
Not for the first time, Russ is a little scared of him. He's never suggested something like this before, so he doesn't know what's going to happen next. “I-I mean, well... They used to us travelling as a pack. They wouldn't be on the lookout for just one guy without Lucille. Right?” The van is analogous to Barbie in that, despite being a 1967 Volkswagen Samba Bus, she very clearly looks like a Lucille. Russ does not add that if he visited Tallahassee he'd want to take Jamie and even Ivan with him too.
“We stick together, Russ. It's great that you made a new friend. Really, it is. But the way we live doesn't leave room for friends like that. You wanna keep talking to her, you gotta keep it long distance. You have her number already.” Larry's tone is final. It's also sincere, though, and that's what fucks with Russ. He's getting the impression that he can't really leave the crew, but why does Larry sound like he really cares about Russ's well-being? Both things can't be true at once, right?
Either way, he's not going to figure it out by talking to Larry. He says, “Oh yeah, I do. Gotta tell her we found her mom,” and takes out his iPhone to text Barbie just that. When they'd last met she'd asked him if it would be possible for the crew to search for her mother. Elliana, as it turned out, was a high vampire that had been forced to leave her human husband and dhampir daughter behind, and the crew had used their stellar sense of smell to track her down. The poor woman had found refuge in Montana after being chased by vampire hunters. He apologizes for taking so long too; it's a long drive from Florida to Montana, and the crew made a lot of stops along the way.
Barbie responds quickly. Hey Russ! It's fine, I figured you guys were still traveling so no worries. What's the news?
We found your mom. She's doing fine now she was just going through some shit. I'mma just let her explain it when she finds you cause I don't think I'd word it right.
Russ can almost hear Barbie say, WHAT? SERIOUSLY?!?! Russ, I owe you so damn much now, you have no idea. Thank you thank you thank you!
His heart swells with pride, although he tries to keep his tone chill. Bragging about finding Barbie's long-lost mother feels a little weird, especially when it took seven weeks to track her down anyway. Np man. Just looking out for uh... We friends or nah? Larry thinks we friends and P sure your mom does too but we only talked like 3 times when I was down there so idk.
I mean, I'd like us to be friends. I think you're pretty cool and you've proven that you're a pretty good dude. So yeah, we're friends :).
Cool. And likewise. That's a relief. Finding the line between friend and acquaintance is also a little difficult for Russ. Since he's friends with Ivory now, maybe he can tell her what's going on with Larry. He puts his phone down so he can take a deep breath, and adds, I think I have some bad news too. It's not about your mom so it's not like BAD bad but it kinda sucks.
You're not hurt or anything, are you? How about the rest of the crew? Is everyone okay?
Russ is a little touched that Ivory is thinking of the crew. I'm fine I think Larry just doesn't like you. Deadass can't tell but he been acting kinda weird lately. He can't stop himself from glancing at Larry, just to make sure he's not reading his messages somehow. Thankfully, his eyes are trained on the road. He's good at staying focused.
Thank goodness I don't really care about Larry's approval nor his opinions. I'm not gonna force him to like me and you don't have to try and convince him. It's whatever. You're my friend, not him. So as long as you like me, Larry can go jump in a cold lake for all I care.
He's relieved that Ivory isn't offended, but he automatically bristles at hearing someone else speak about his brother like that. He's not used to seeing his own flesh and blood get insulted by anyone but him. I mean sometimes I want him to jump into a lake too but it's like complicated. Mentioned that I wanted to visit you or sum and he got all cold about it. Talkin bout some 'keep it long distance' and he just... You remember how I said sometimes I ask him what his logic was when he said we should start vlogging and his answers are always weird?
Yeah I remember. Maybe he's just so used to this life he hasn't thought of what's beyond it, Ivory suggests. Or maybe he doesn't trust that I won't turn you guys in like that old neighbor did. Who knows? Neither one of us are in his head.
Well I thought that at first too but that's the problem. I got this thing where I get a little worried about our whole wanted situation so I ask him to make sure we good, and then it makes me feel better for a while but I don't completely know so I ask again and it just continues. Like this itch that I can't scratch right. And ig everyone's got situations like that but... Idk how to put it for someone who don't know him well. I suggested visiting you on my own to avoid getting caught and I think he got a little mad. Or maybe just annoyed, I don't know. I really can't get a read on him, man. He's... Got all these walls put up.
After sending that message Russ realizes how long it is; he's basically venting now. But he doesn't really know where else to turn, so he sniffles and adds, You know I ain't never had a break from him since we ran away? We split up to do errands sometimes but that's it. Same for the rest of the crew. I don't think we allowed to just... Take a break and clear our heads.
Larry hears Russ sniffle. “Everything good over there, bro?”
Russ jumps at hearing his voice and fibs, “Y-Yeah. I'm just... Crying tears of joy that Ivory finna see her mom again.”
Larry can probably tell that Russ is lying, but he doesn't push it. “Gotcha. There's some tissues in the glove compartment, remember?”
“Uh-huh.” Russ grabs one to soak up the tears with and checks his phone again. Ivory takes a few minutes to send her next message, like she's been thinking carefully about what to say.
I'm not gonna say I completely understand wolf packs or your dynamic, but I don't know if that's healthy. It's fine being a family and all but even families go their own ways after a while. I'm not saying you have to do it immediately, but I do think you all need a vacay. From each other.
Russ knows he shouldn't be so negative, but all he can think to say is, Idk how to do that tho. He's literally two feet away from me he already knows I'm worried and he's like way smarter than me. I can't hide nothing from him so if I tried to leave he'd know. Plus he's the pack leader so I gotta go with he says anyway. I'm so fucked Barbie.
Pack leader or not, you're just gonna let him dictate what you do for the rest of your life? That doesn't seem fair, Barbie insists. I say you challenge him for the title of pack leader. Or something. Whatever it will take that will make him listen to you. Maybe he tries to steamroll all your suggestions because you let him. Fuck that. Challenge him on it.
Despite being a dozen states away, Barbie has read Russ like a book. It's never really occurred to Russ that he could just beat Larry up in a serious way. He has been letting Larry walk all over him, hasn't he? Ivan and Ibrahim, too — none of them have to go along with everything that Larry says, they just choose to because he makes it seem like they don't have any other options. If Russ takes Barbie's advice, he can create a new option and take the break he so clearly deserves.
But it's a big If. He hasn't worked up the courage to do so yet. He tells Barbie, Yeah. I can try, and tries not to panic thinking about how badly a fight with Larry could go. It doesn't work, and he puts his phone down and starts sobbing.
“Uh oh.” Larry pulls over, puts Lucille in park and turns the blinkers on. Then he rubs Russ on the shoulder and says, “What's going on, Russ? You never cry without some kind of reason.” Harsh enough to put Russ in his place, kind enough to make sure he's comfortable with it.
Russ doesn't respond, because he knows that anything he says now could be turned against him later. He just keeps crying, first into his hands and then into Jamie's lap when she crawls up to comfort him.