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Oklahoma could complain about a lot of things.
The main thing being that he was being forced to go on a trip with California of all people. He would’ve taken anybody else (except maybe Texas). But no! Gov didn’t want him driving alone to pick up this simple item. Sure it was a few states over and he’d be gone for a few days and one other person meant they would cover more ground.
The problem was not that he hated California, no. He hated Texas (most of the time. other days he could tolerate the bastard). He had complicated emotions about California who hated to be called Cali by anyone despite everyone giving everyone a shortened name except for Maine whose name was short enough. California who called him Okie once in varying degrees of affection before it turned into an insult. He didn't hate him. But he didn't want to be stuck in his truck with him for days on end because Gov decided to care about him for a change and didn't want him to be "unsafe" even though he would have no problem magicking away from his truck to safety!
If he wanted an extra hand or thought he needed help, he'd fucking ask, but did the big bad Government listen? No. No he fucking didn't, because they're an asshole who suddenly wants to care about their "youngest state". Florida had to be the mastermind behind this. All he wanted was to pick up a dog and a lawn mower from a friend of his down in Colorado, but no, that's too long of a drive to make yourself from California(he didn't even sign up to live here again, Gov could jump in a lake). He was a perfectly capable not so human being who was definitely not glaring at his radio like it had murdered his family.
“I’m not excited about this either, you know.” California put his backpack in the backseat, carefully arranging it around the pile of random items Oklahoma had accumulated.
“I know you drew the short stick, I’m allowed to be angry about this. I don’t need a babysitter.” Oklahoma sat behind the wheel, tap tap tapping his fingers, impatiently waiting for the taller to get in the *damn truck already there’s no way his bag took that long to put down*.
“And I don’t need to babysit but here we are. Stop complaining! You sound like Texas when we get stuck doing groceries together.”
Oh he did not. Oklahoma glared over at California and pressed his lips together to avoid starting a fight. He settled for pointing at the seat with emphasis.
“Geez, okay!” Cali got into the front seat and shut the door. He winced at the slam. “How *old* is your truck? I feel like doors shouldn’t be that loud, good God.”
“Older than your itty bitty car. Sh’up now.” Oak turned his key and pulled out of the driveway. This was the price he had to pay for a puppy, he would just have to live with his choices. He watched Cali poke through his jacket pockets for something and sighed. “I don’t have an aux. I got CDs in the floorboard.”
Cali looked up, blinked, and managed to look sheepish *and* offended. Truly, the man was talented. “...You need a new radio. But okay.” He muttered something about music tastes as he reached down to grab a black folder that was packed full of CDs, carefully organized. Oak wasn’t sure if he should be offended or proud of the confusion on Cali’s face when he realized it was alphabetically organized. He’d settle on being proud, for now.
While Cali chose a CD, Oak turned his GPS on. He would NOT ask California for directions and he refused to get lost. He was GOING to get this dog.
“So what’s with this page of blanks?” Cali tapped the last page in the folder.
“Hm? Oh—” He swerved to narrowly avoid a cat before he looked over at Cali. “That would be my burned CDs. Personally vetted playlists. They have their own vibes. I labeled them. Preferably avoid the ones that say love or sappy shit, those are for when I have dates. This is not a date.”
Cali looked at him over the rim of his glasses, unimpressed. “God, you’re insecure. Okay, fine. Thanks for the explanation I guess.”
“Those I arranged by the time I made them. The older ones are first.” He didn’t mind talking music, it was a safe topic, a pleasant one.
“Huh. Cool, okay.” Cali looked over the CDs at his disposal. He squinted as he realized he’d be forced to listen to country considering this was Oklahoma. He’d have to hope the other state wouldn’t be too into the genre with the newer cds. He picked one at random and hoped for the best as he popped it in the slot.
“Oh good, you made a decision *before* the highway.” Oak finally settled into his seat. He propped his left elbow on his window, right on the wheel.
“You really should drive with both—oh come on-” Cali looked at the radio as the first song caught his attention. “Of course it was country…” He dropped his head back on the seat as Oak snickered.
“Nah, I think you’ll like this one, safe-space. Listen to the lyrics why don’t ya? Sh’up and enjoy it. I know what songs are on this one, actually, I made it not too long ago. ‘s even got an irish song on there somewhere. Chill out with your country hate.”
“Well, I don’t *hate* it. I just like the older stuff better. It’s less…. Gross.”
“Uh-huh, sure. You like two country artists, that’s it, you can admit it. I like most of the party songs. They’re good. Very…” He gestured and hit the glass of his window. He winced at the slight sting. “Ow.”
“Very ow. Very verbose of you.” Cali snickered and looked outside. “Highway’s coming up, you’re almost out of the suburb. I’m sure you’re happy about that.”
“Yes. Out of your shitty suburbs? Please and thank you. You have too many people.”