Work Text:
A few seasons after the construction of the water pipe network and the little woods at the back of the Eufaula Desert, Sandrock was finally green. Tourists travelling via train through Sandrock to Atara marvelled at the greenification of the once, almost, derelict town with awe.
The residents of the town had been creating small gardens for themselves near their homes now that water was no longer an issue, experimenting with biocrust with the help of Zeke and Nia. Delighted to bring flowers and crops right to their doorsteps.
However, for as long as Sandrock was desert, the experience of cutting the grass seemed to have dropped off the cliff. (Pun intended). When Logan woke up on his first truly free Saturday morning since he'd finally felt he could trust Elsie to man the outpost, he hadn't been expecting to find a note next to his pillow rather than his builder girlfriend, Lucy.
Ruindiving with Mi-an. Please cut the grass in the garden. Love, Lucy
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Logan stood, hands low on his hips, in front of the small patch of grass Lucy had decided to keep as a part of the yard. 'A place to lie down and look at the stars together,' she'd said to him one evening not long after him and Andy had moved in. They had done exactly what she intended it for, the three of them, plenty of times. Teaching Andy the constellations and how to navigate using the stars as Howlett had taught him.
"Say again what ma told ya to do," Andy said stood next to him, same pose and just as confused.
"Cut the grass".
"But how?"
"Andy, if a knew, I'd've started by now." Logan scratched his forehead knocking his trusty yakboy hat onto the back of his head. The sound of horse hoofs caught his attention, looking up to see Justice trotting up to the fence on Truth. "Howdy pardners," Justice said with a smile. Ever since Logan had returned and Duvos had been dealt with, he'd been a less stressed man carrying the weight of the town on his shoulers. "How ya'll doing?".
"Glad ya here, do ya know how ya cut the grass?" Logan and Andy stared at Justice with hope.
"Err... I guess just... cut the grass?"
"Ya, thanks Maurice." Justice grinned and galloped away leaving Logan to his own thoughts.
"Hey pa, there's 2 scissors on the workbench. Maybe we use 'em?". Andy walked back to Logan with the scissors in hand. "Ma probably left them there for us."
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Lucy raced Mi-an over Shonash Bridge shouting goodbye before splitting off further down the train tracks towards home. Slowing Merle's pace as they got closer, Lucy could just make out the top of a horned hat and a red cape blowing in the slight breeze. She urged Merle towards the gate and quietly moved her towards the stable near the entrance and dismounting slowly. She leaned against the pillar on the gazebo and watched as her boys crawled slowly through the grass.
"Whatcha doing?" Lucy said casually. Logan lifted his head startled.
"Hey darlin', dint hear ya come in. We're nearly finished cuttin' the grass then we can head to the saloon for dinner." Logan went back to the work before him.
Lucy walked closer to get a better look and took notice of the scissors in both of their hands. "Logan, honey, why are you using scissors?"
"Ya asked us to cut the grass?" Logan looked up at her, sweat was beading on his forehead and the back of his neck tinged red from the sun.
"Yes. I did but I meant with the lawn mower." Lucy pointed to her assembly station. On top of it sat a shiny yellow motorised lawn mower. She'd had it designed by Qi after explaining the machinery they used in Highwind to cut the grass and keep gardens tidy. The builder in Portia had shared that he used something similar for his workshop. Now that Sandrock had greenery and gardens again, the lawn mower was going to be a must have for maintenance around town.
Andy laid down, curling up in the freshly cut grass and groaning loudly. Logan sat back on his haunches carefully placing his scissors down. "Lucy, darlin'." He sighed, "I've never had a garden before, I've never hadta tend to grass." He stood up and looked at Lucy, "I don't know what 'cut the grass' means."
Lucy curled her lips in trying to hold in a smile, she'd never seen him so flustered and there was something about seeing her once-bandit boyfriend so perplexed at the idea of tending to a garden. She walked slowly to Logan, arms raised to wrap around his waist pulling him towards her as a small giggle escaped her lips.
"I'm so sorry." Lucy managed to breathe out between giggles. "I didn't think of that. It's a normal thing to do in Highwind, we have rooftop gardens." She squeezed her arms tighter around him. "Thank you for doing what you thought best, I'll show you how use the lawn mower next time and I promise I will make this up to you somehow." Lucy stood on her tip-toes to press a small kiss to his cheek.
Logan rested his head on top of Lucy's and wrapped his arms around her neck, letting her take some of his weight as he realises how tired he is after spending most of the day hunched over in the heat. He stared blankly at the new machine behind Lucy on the platform, the sun hitting the metal frame of the lawn mower; illuminating it and mocking him.
"Don't want to know how long it would've taken me to cut the grass usin' that."
A small snore from Andy sounded from behind them.