Kid and you faked the prices each vehicle was "bought" at. Y'know, for tax reasons. After that, you never saw the car again and assumed he either stored it in the blocked off scrap yard behind his shop or already parted it out.

It took about a week for you to find a job, simply because most places weren't really hiring. But you got lucky and ran into Smoker one morning getting coffee. He asked you how you were settling in and you mentioned the lack of opportunities. The officer had immediately mentioned they were looking for a receptionist at the station and before you knew it, you had an interview.

One passed background check and drug test later, and you had a new job. You expected it to take longer with it being a local government position technically, but the officers must have been tired of doing all the desk work themselves. Not that much happened around here though. As far as you could tell, it was a quiet place with a low crime rate.

The job would pay well enough that making rent would be a breeze and you'd be able to shove more money in savings.

And with that problem settled, you had no qualms taking Wire's suggestion to heart and getting yourself new clothes to fit in better. Fancy jeans and pants were traded off for wranglers, blouses exchanged for long sleeved button ups and tees. You kept your sneakers but bought a pair of nice boots.

You had to admit, the people around here were doing something right. You felt pretty comfortable in the new clothes and weren't so stressed about making a mess of them. Most of the folks you saw were covered in stains and dirt for their daily work and no one seemed to care about it. Hell, the dress code at the police station was the same as the normal wear for the people in the area.

Technically you could wear something nice but it wasn't required so you wouldn't do it. You were really starting to like the new lifestyle.

Locals were already starting to recognize you even though you'd hardly met any of them. Word traveled fast. And you know what? You were okay with that. They'd ask where you came from and you'd casually tell them just the city. They never pushed and you never elaborated.

Everything was going great. Except one little thing.

The lawn.

It was probably the dumbest thing to have no idea about but damnit you'd never had an actual yard before. You used to live in apartments all your life. There was never a yard to take care of so basic maintenance was something you didn't learn. Boy you sure wished you did.

You were off work today, so you decided to try your hand at it, starting in the backyard where no one could see you of course. If people learned of your existance around here so fast, there's no telling how little time it'd take for them to all know you were shit at basic outdoor work.

This was your first time venturing out to the shed, you'd left it alone since you really had no reason to head back to it until now. The lock was old and took some coaxing to snap open. And when you looked in, you weren't impressed. The shed looked like it hadn't been opened in months. Maybe Thatch was paying someone else to do the work. Maybe you should do the same thing.

What few tools were scattered about, were rusted over and ruined from water that had leaked through the roof. The little push mower wasn't in any better shape. Pieces were hardly hanging on and it looked about as battered as Kid. You checked around for fuel and found a canister sitting on a rotting wood table under some rope. There was enough in there for you to try and get the mower started and see if it even worked.

After some cursing and struggling, you managed to drag it outside and tip the little bit of fuel into it. You thought you were doing pretty decent so far. But the second you tried starting it, a few important looking parts literally dropped off of it.

"You gotta be fucking kidding me." You groaned, running a hand through your hair.

You could buy a new one but you liked to fix things whenever possible and there was a slight chance this was fixable...maybe. But you didn't know the first thing about lawnmowers. You had an idea who might though.

Was it stupid to consider calling your local mechanics for something they probably didn't give a flying fuck about? Yes.

Were you still going to do it? Also yes.

You googled their number, already formulating all the snarky comments you'd need for when someone picked up and started giving you shit about this, and gave them a call.

The phone kept ringing as you paced the backyard space, kicking at the grass. You were getting impatient as you waited. The shop couldn't be that busy, it was downright empty when you were there last.

"Hello?" A male voice grumbled, picking up on the last ring.

"Um, Wire?"

There was a pause as he worked on figuring out who was calling.

"(Y/n)."

"Yeah."

"Is the car working fine?"

"Yeah, that's not why I called though."

"Go on." There was a curious undertone there.

"So I uh, know you guys fix more than just cars. Do you, by chance, now how to work on things like, I dunno.... lawnmowers?"

"You called because your lawnmower is broken." Completely unamused.

"I have no idea what I'm doing and I've gotta clean up this yard."

There was a heavy sigh on his end. "Sometimes I wonder how you city people get anything done."

"Don't be an ass, I can do a lot of other kinds of work."

"If you say so. Tell you what, I've got nothing to do here today, I'll come by and take a look."

"Thank you, I'm at-"

"I know where you live."

"....I don't know how I feel about that."

"It's a small town, everyone knows you moved in at the Newgate house."

"How the hell do you people sleuth this shit out without me saying anything?"

He let out an airy chuckle. "Your neighbors talk and the news spreads. You better start getting used to that. I'll be there in a little bit."

There it was. The downside to the small town. People really couldn't mind their own fucking business.

----

Wire really did know where you lived.

The rumble of a motorcycle let you know he'd arrived and you met him outside as he was pulled a small toolbox out of a saddle bag.

"So are you guys the only people who ride bikes?" You asked, checking out the sleek, black motorcycle.

"I think officer Smoker does as well, but besides that yeah."

"Huh, nifty. The lawnmower's in the back."

You led him around as nothing was actually fenced in, though the gossiping neighbors had you wishing there was some sort of fence. One across the street was watching you walk Wire back with a firm look of disapproval. Everyone really didn't like him or his friends.

"You ever rode one?" Wire asked.

"A bike? Nah."

"No interest?"

"No, I actually debated getting one for a while but so many people around me kept nagging about how dangerous they were. I ended up not doing it just to get them to leave me alone. I would've never heard the end of it if I actually got one." You said.

"Anything's dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. If you had practice you would've been fine."

"And you're the first person to suggest that."

A soft "hmf" left his lips, letting you know he heard you, but his eyes were on the sad excuse of a lawnmower sitting out on the grass. He set the toolbox down and crouched down beside it, very much not amused with the state it was in. Despite his uncertainty with it, he still flipped it around and began seeing if he could do anything to help.

"I swear I found it like that. They had it stored in the shed and it's roof apparently has a leak. The whole thing's a complete mess."

"You ought to let The Newgates know about the shed if you're renting. They'll fix it. As for this...." Wire shook his head. "It's beyond saving. You're going to have to get a new one."

You grimaced. Wire came all the way to your place for nothing, you felt kinda bad about that.

"Sorry for dragging you out here then. I guess I'll head to the store and figure out how to do this tomorrow."

His mouth twisted into a smile and you were ready for the attitude filled comment he was about to spout. "City girl can't mow a lawn either? I'd pay to see you try."

"Don't judge me." You huffed, determined to prove you could do it.

"Ever thought of paying someone to do your maintenance?" He stood up and you had to take a step back so you wouldn't crane your neck. You'd never met anyone taller than him.

"It crossed my mind but I figured I'd see if I could get this working first."

"That didn't pan out too well for you."

"You've got a lot of attitude today mister."

His smile only widened. "You're easy to pick on."

"And here I thought you were silent, brooding type."

"Not all the time."

You giggled. He had a decent sense of humor. "Alright, well thanks for looking this over. I'll figure out who to call about maintenance."

"I'll do it." He offered.

"Really?"

"Get yourself a new lawnmower, some clippers for the hedges out front, and I can take care of it for you." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I can come by once a week, first month free with you buying the tools and all and then we can discuss prices past that."

That was a deal you could get behind. Get your admittingly handsome local mechanic to do your yard work for you.

"You can do that on top of your regular work?"

"Cars aren't breaking down around here apparently. It's been slow at the shop past couple weeks."

That translated to him needing the extra income.

"Okay." You agreed. "Wanna come with me to pick out a new one then? Since you'll be using it and all."

His good mood shifted to a suddenly more uncertain one. "Anything works, you don't need me for that."

"What about for toting it back here and putting it together?" Those things weren't light and you weren't built for heavy lifting.

"Didn't anyone tell you to stay away from us?" He asked abruptly.

You blinked at him for a moment, starting to get why he was hesitant about going anywhere with you.

"Yeah, half the people I've run into actually."

"It's one thing for me to do your yard work and take care of your car but you don't want people seeing you around town with me or any of the other guys."

"Okay." You nodded slowly and his shoulders slumped in what you guessed was relief. But you weren't done. "I don't know how things are done around here since, you know, I'm a city girl and all. But where I come from, treating people the way the town treats you guys isn't exactly the norm. I don't know what you did or they did and frankly I don't care. You guys seem a little rough around the edges but I'm not quite all that refined myself. If the folks around here don't like something, they're going to have to learn how to put up with it like everyone else does. So are you coming with me or not?"

"You...don't care?"

"No, you muscle head." You stared him down adamantly.

"Don't tell me you regret saying that later when people start giving you looks." He picked up his tool box and followed you back around front.

The neighbor was still watching, doing their best, and failing, at appearing nonchalant. Wire put his box back and locked the saddlebag before going around to your car and getting in the passenger side. When you were getting ready to hop in yourself, your neighbor called out.

"Where're you heading dearie?" She gave her best innocent, curious look.

"Out for a bit!" You weren't obligated to give details.

You closed the door and drove off, smirking at her befuddled expression.

"You think I should have told her we were going to go get high and do crime?"

Wire broke out into full blown, booming laughter. "Get high and do crime. I like it."

----

You got a lot of looks walking into the hardware/home improvement store. Wire immediately tensed up when he was inside, acting very much like the first day you met him. All short clipped replies and a moody air about him. You didn't like how the public made him act. It was like he was afraid of doing one wrong move and having them judge him more than they already did.

For his sake, you made it a quick trip, getting what you needed and making it a point to go through self checkout so you wouldn't have to deal with snide remarks or casually rude comments. You were a patient person, at least you thought you were, but this was driving you nuts and you didn't have to deal with it everyday.

Wire did though.

And Heat, and Killer, and Kid.

No wonder they all had so much attitude. Being ostracized like they were would make anyone sour, you couldn't blame them.

You waited until he'd relaxed before bringing up any small talk again and that ended up being when you got back home and were sitting on your back porch, putting together your new purchase. You wanted to ask for details on what led to how things were for him now, but you were also acutely aware that you'd told him you didn't care. Couldn't change your mind on that now.

"So the other guys didn't care that you left work for this?" You started, handing him pieces he needed as he asked for them.

"I didn't tell them I was coming here. Just said I was going to a house call."

"That sounds dirty."

"Get your mind outta the gutter." He smirked.

"You're the one making house calls...."

"You're the one calling."

"Hmmm touchè."

The sun was starting to go down and you fumbled for your phone to check the time. Had you really had Wire over for so long?

"Holy hell it's late." You noted. "Um..." The lawnmower was almost put together and you'd feel bad for him doing at that work and then not doing something to pay him back for it. "Did you want to stay for dinner? I can feed you for your help."

"What're you offering?" You'd gotten his interest.

"Whatever delivers."

"There's a place that makes some good pesto pizza."

"I've never had anything like that but now I feel like I need to." You giggled. "Oh, while we're at it, why don't you see if your friends want in on this?"

"Are you sure about that? We eat a lot."

"I'd be more surprised if four full grown men didn't."

He grunted and pulled out his phone, calling up one of the other guys. You could hear the voice of Kid on the other end.

"Where you been?" He growled.

"(Y/n)'s, the one that traded cars."

"What the hell are you doing there?"

Wire looked at you as he addressed Kid. "She needed help with something and wants to feed us dinner now."

"What?"

"Here." You leaned forward, holding your hand out for the phone. "Lemme rustle his jimmies."

He let you take the phone, wanting to know where you were going with this.

"What's up Terminator? You want free food or not?"

"Who the fuck are you calling Terminator?"

"So is that a no to free food? I'm feeding Wire either way, it'll be your loss."

"Fine. I guess we'll come over." He grumbled.

"Perfect." You chirped. "We're getting pizza."

"The pesto one?" There was the unmistakable hint of excitement in his voice.

"Apparently so. Get your ass in gear if you want some." You hung up with a satisfied smile.

"Why Terminator?" Wire was completely puzzled by the nickname.

"Y'know," You giggled. "His arm?"

Kid was going to be all kinds of grouchy about that when he came over, you were almost positive.