#Preston Garvey x you

[komotionlessqueenmm]

Imagine # 1,050

Gifs NOT mine.

Year posted - 2023

*I was thinking about extending this, but I decided to just leave it at this for now. This was inspired by the fact that in my play through my characters charisma is maxed out, and what have you. Anyways Preston flirts with my character a little bit, him just being at a loss for words, and complimenting how pretty my character is. Anyways he'll do that while I'm standing there with Danse, and sometimes Danse will sigh heavily after he makes those comments. It's probably just a coincidence, but this idea bloomed because of those encounters. I might write about this at some point later on, but if you'd like to you're welcome to use this as inspiration. (But I'm sure someone else has probably already done this!)

[blackmoonowl]

Separation anxiety

Fallout 4 companions really not liking being away from you, their partner - headcanons.

Slight triggers warnings for death and suicidal ideations.

A/n: Life isn't doki doki rn chat.

Cait:

❤︎ Cait doesn't like other people all that much. There's also not a whole lot of people like her, especially due to her selfish and often rude personality.

❤︎ At first she becomes angry with you. She doesn't understand why the hell you're leaving her behind. Did she finally upset you? Did her attitude push you away? Cait wants answers.

❤︎ Not above demanding to go with you. She finally has someone that cares about her, a decent life. She'll be hard to deal with the entire time

❤︎ Cait spirals back into some bad habits in your absence, even when she tries not to. She spends a lot of time at bars, drinking away her sorrows and worries.

❤︎ Generally becomes a big pain to deal with to other people. She snaps a whole lot more and becomes more anxious and irritated. She's stuck between being angry with you and missing you.

❤︎ Has no idea how to act when you come back. On one hand she wants to give you a smack upside the head and yell at you, on the oher she wants to just sink into your arms and not let go again.

Curie:

❤︎ Curie doesn't understand what she's feeling fully, but she absolutely hates it. It feels like a bucket of ice cold water has been poured directly over her synthetic heart.

❤︎ Handles a bit more mature than the other companions on this list. She keeps a cool head, but she's still grappling with the newfound emotions brought into the situation.

❤︎ Curie doesn't really think to argue, but pleads for you to reconsider. When she realizes it's futile, she just tries to prepare you for your trip. She packs you stimpaks, purified water and anything else she can find.

❤︎ Takes your absence hard. She finds herself near tears for the first time in her life. Nothing is comforting, she can't focus on her work for more than a minute before thoughts of you creep in again.

❤︎ Finds herself among the items you left behind. If you have a home in a settlement, she'll spend practically all her time there, moving all her research there.

❤︎ Frantically checks you for any injuries as soon as you step foot through the door. After all your wounds have been treated, and you settled in, she finally calms down.

Danse:

❤︎ Danse had everything stripped away from him. Even though he won't fully admit it, in his eyes you're his sole reason for existing, his purpose. He has gotten so used to being there with and for you that he can't imagine it otherwise.

❤︎ So when you tell him you have to part ways, he feels his heart sink. He was a Brotherhood Paladin, he thought he was above the feeling of insecurity that washes over him. He wonders if you changed your mind about keeping a synth around, not that he'd blame you.

❤︎ He won't fight you on it, even if he wants to. Instead putting on a brave face and wishing you good luck. He'll part with a tight hug, pleading for you to be safe, that he can't handle losing you.

❤︎ Nervous wreck the entire time. Part of him wishes he had just gone with you regardless. He keeps to himself most of the time, not really socializing and staying near your home.

❤︎ Goes through his entire training to try and keep his cool. He's never felt this kind of unrest in his life. He'll occupy himself by repairing his power armor over and over again, as well as physical exercise.

❤︎ The decorum goes somewhat out the window when you come back. Danse takes you into his arms, taking a moment to feel the comfort of your body against his again. Next time, he's coming with.

Deacon:

❤︎ Deacon's responses are cryptic and suspicious from the start. He doesn't fight you going, taking the hint when you say you have to go alone, but that's not the end of it.

❤︎ Deacon knows this game, having vanished on people, including you for the safety of everyone involved. Railroad work is rough, and the last thing he wants is to compromise your safety.

❤︎ That doesn't mean he's going to sit by idly, though. He's well aware he can't follow you himself. He's way too closely connected with you, and you'll definitely notice if he follows you. You know him too well for him to be able to pull that off.

❤︎ So he connects with every tourist and Railroad agent he can find. Preferably the ones you don't know as well. Every single move is tracked so he knows where you're at, ready to step in should the need arise.

❤︎ Deacon's behavior around other shifts only slightly. He'll keep up his usual appearances and antics, but he does seem a little more distracted than usual.

❤︎ Waiting on you when you come back. He casually welcomes you back with a hug and kiss, saying he knew that you'd make it home safe. But as soon as you turn your back on him, he breathes a sigh of relief.

Gage:

❤︎ Gage almost gets annoyed with how the news of you leaving upsets him. He tries to reason it's because you're the overboss, and the place would fall apart without you to lead it. But he can't deny the dull sense of panic welling up in him.

❤︎ This raider doesn't go without a fight. He'll become angry. He's your right hand man, he's supposed to stick by your side. He has no idea why he's acting like this. Last thing he wants is to put himself in needless danger. But he can't stand the thought of you walking out into the wasteland alone.

❤︎ Tries to come up with any rational conclusion he can find. He wonders if you are planning to turn your back on him and the raider gangs, he certainly feels betrayed by you leaving him behind. You'll have to firmly remind him that you're still the boss of him before he even considers backing down. Though that doesn't mean he appreciates you holding rank above his head.

❤︎ Struggles keeping the raider gangs together in your absence. At any given moment he feels like there's going to be a revolt, leading to his own death. Part of him resents you from putting him in this position.

❤︎ At his lowest point, he found himself sitting on your side of the bed, stroking his fingers over an article of your clothing. When he fully realized what he was doing, he tossed it aside, trying to convince himself you haven't affected him.

❤︎ When you come back, he keeps his feelings to himself as you deal with the leaders of the other raider gangs. But as soon as the two of you are alone. He gives you a scolding for leaving him behind, with you in the comforts of his arm.

Hancock:

❤︎ Hancock is the last person who wants to curb your freedom, but he's also keenly aware of the danger you're putting yourself in. You've made quite a name for yourself in the Commonwealth, and as his partner, you have an even bigger target on your back.

❤︎ He asks you what's going on. If you're in trouble with some gang he can find a way to make them either back off or disappear entirely. Goodneighbor can survive without him, he's not so sure about you, though.

❤︎ He'll get frustrated if you don't give him a straight answer as to whats going on, and you're better off just telling him how you feel. Just tell him exactly where you're going and what you're going to do, just so he knows where to find you.

❤︎ Reluctantly lets you go. He swears to himself that if you're not back at a certain time, he's going out himself to come looking for you and bring you home.

❤︎ Finds a lot of comfort in chems, obviously. He finds being sober rather unpleasant when he doesn't know where you are and if you're even alive, mentally beating himself up for letting you.

❤︎ Probably high as hell when you come back. He's not lucid enough to fully grasp that you're home alive. When he wakes up that night he immediately reaches out for you, praying your return wasn't a drug infused hallucination of what he wanted.

MacCready:

❤︎ MacCready lost someone he dearly loved, he can't bear the thought of it happening again. The mere idea of you going off without him there protect you, makes him sick to his stomach.

❤︎ Argues at first. He is angry, he wants to stay by your side. What's so important that you had to leave him behind? His voices raises and his voice begins to crack.

❤︎ Then begins the bargaining. He knows he can't force you, but dammit he needs you. He wouldn't be able to take it if he lost you as well. so just let him go with you just in case. You hired him to watch your back for crying out loud, why are you being so goddamn stubborn?

❤︎ Actually fighting to keep himself together in your absence. He drinks, smokes and tries whatever he can to calm himself down. He thinks of every horrible way you could die without him there to save you, and it kills him. He failed to protect his wife, and he can't stand not being able to protect you too.

❤︎ Just like Cait he is irritable and unsociable. He snaps at people, his attitude is even worse than usual. MacCready has absolutely zero patience and he feels he's gonna lose it at any given moment. Keeps to himself as much as he can. He's neck deep in denial with how much he lays awake at night, instinctively reaching out for you, only to realize you're not there.

❤︎ As soon as he sees you walking back to him, he's on you within seconds. His arms wrapped around you as he fights back a few tears of relief. He'll let his hands roam all over your body, letting the reality sink in that you're back safe. Just so you know, you're not going anywhere for the next few hours.

Nick Valentine:

❤︎ Thinks you've utterly lost your mind. Going out into the Commonwealth alone is something only people with a death wish do. Or those too confident in their abilities.

❤︎ Given his nature as a detective, he tries to get to the root of your decision. He'd rather be there to watch your back in case something happens. After all through his detective work he has seen the absolute worst of the wasteland.

❤︎ Part of him wonders if you're concerned about him breaking down. It doesn't really matter to him, he would rather lose a limb or two than lose you.

❤︎ Just like Hancock he wants to know exactly where you are going, why and who you might be with. It helps him calculate the dangers. Worst case scenario, he'll know exactly where to start looking if you go missing.

❤︎ Takes on more cases to distract himself, convincing himself you're smart enough not to take stupid risks. Though his deduction skills are greatly reduced as he is occupied with worry for you.

❤︎ Stands at the entrance to Diamond city when you come back. Turns out he stands out by the gate every evening to see if you come back. He'll welcome you with a kiss to the forehead, wrapping an arm around you to pull you close.

Piper:

❤︎ Part of Piper feels annoyed that you're leaving her out of your adventures. She doesn't need to be protected, she can handle herself just fine.

❤︎ Like Nick Valentine, she wants to find out exactly what's going on. Nothing should warrant you leaving her in the dark, or behind for that matter.

❤︎ Doesn't willingly let you go, but doesn't actively prevent you from going. She is worried to death that something will happen to you. That you'll get taken out by raiders, super mutants or god forbid the Institute. Hell, she thought a synth might have replaced you. The real you would never leave her behind!

❤︎ As soon as you're gone, just like Deacon, she begins to dig. She tries getting Nick to help her out with tracking you. She'll be two steps behind you if she can. And if she can't follow you, she'll try getting informants.

❤︎ She feels bad about stalking your moves, but she needs to know why you left her at home. And if you're safe. She can't help how nosy she is. If you bit the big one she'd never recover.

❤︎ Once she hears you're on your way back, she makes you promise to never ditch her again. She also wouldn't complain if you bought her a drink as compensation.

Preston:

❤︎ You aren't just Preston's partner, you're his hero. You're the general of the minuteman, you brought his whole reason to live back. He truly sees you as a knight in shining armor.

❤︎ Last thing he wants is for you to end up like General Becker. For the minuteman to end up like they did after he died. Last thing he wants is to lose the person who was always there for him, his closest friend and his partner.

❤︎ As your loyal right hand man, he respects you greatly, and he doesn't want to fight you on this, even as he feels his heart go numb with fear.

❤︎ The minutemen heavily relies on you, he relies on you. He can't handle it if his world comes crashing down on him a second time, if he had to lose everything he thought for, and the person he loved more than anything.

❤︎ Tries his damned best to make you proud by keeping things going. He has some minutemen keep their ears open and report back any news on you. Keeping everything you fought together to build running brings him a bit of comfort.

❤︎ Actually sheds a tear or two when you come home safe, clutching you to his body as he buries his face in your hair. It feels like he can breathe again, and he takes an evening off so you two can spend time together.

X6-88:

❤︎ X6-88 doesn't fully understand why you wouldn't want the help of him, an Institute courser. Surely it would be a lot safer and easier if you just took him with him.

❤︎ He takes the order without a fight, just with a few questions as two why he can't join you, and when you'll be back. He makes you agree that if you haven't returned on the agreed date and location, he'd come looking for you himself.

❤︎ The synth isn't good with emotions, greatly lacking most of them. The dull sting in his chest isn't something he thinks deeply about. Instead he pushes the physical discomfort away and continues his duties as usual.

❤︎ He finds himself checking the approaching date of your scheduled return over and over again, calculating the time you had left before he would assume something had happened.

❤︎ When more than a couple minutes ticked past your supposed return, he was more than ready to start a full on search for you through the Commonwealth.

❤︎ Told you not to keep him waiting as soon as you returned. Outwardly he looked just the same, but he wondered why that ache in his chest had stopped.

[imagine-silk]

Hello! May I request fallout 4 companions (Nick especially) with Sole who shares the bare minimum of information about themselves? Not because Sole doesn’t trust them, they really enjoy theirs companions company. Perhaps they busy themselves so they don’t have to think about all the little and big things they miss. (I bet Codsworth would find pristine things that Sole would miss (like a favorite movie, vinyl, or comic?))

Sorry if its not something you’re interested in doing right now. The ask kinda came out as a ramble, I’m lacking sleep haha. Thanks again for considering my request!

》Honestly one of my favorite kinds of characters.

【Cait】 She doesn't appreciate it. Her contract was traded to some random weirdo who barely says anything. It took three days before the topic of your name came up. And two weeks to know what you were looking for, who. But in return you don't ask what she does on her own time or what she's done. It feels like you don't mind rather than you don't care and that makes her feel seen. It stays between you unsaid in her eyes.

♡If romanced she doesn't push for any information. You'll tell her if it's important. People think it's weird the two of you to not share about yourselves like normal people but you're happy, that's all that matters.

【Codsworth】 It's just like it was before. He, unlike the others, already knows you. He knows you very well. Not only did you do an intake for daily preferences but he also served you for a few years. While you're out and about you'll do something or say something that sounds like no information to others or out of context and he'll answer, "Just as I was thinking as well." While you camp with some of the other companions he does chores the way you like without needing to ask, making comment on recent events, which makes them jealous for sure. He digs up things from the house he preserved or found and fixes them up brand new before presenting it to you. Songs you liked or wanted to hear. Movies and shows and comics. Clothes pressed for you and the furniture is redone the way it used to be. He knows you and wants to keep it that way.

【Curie】 Low-key doesn't care. She has one thing on her mind and that's her own goal to better medicine. Finding things to do that is all she needs of you. When she goes to be a synth her feelings overwhelm her and you guide her through that. She's never ever asked about you. She'll tell you about what she's feeling but never thinks to ask what you feel. In her defense, is doesn't understand the nuance of social interactions. And to her credit, it works for the both of you.

♡If she's romanced she realizes she wants to know what you feel and if it's the same as her. She's mostly interested in what you feel now rather than what your opinion is in the past or isn't currently relevant.

【Danse】 Right away he doesn't care for it. A mercenary who talks very little can be dangerous. But you followed orders well and are a damn good shot. The way he asks is more like demanding. It was all for a vetting process but still rude. After the intake he didn't care about your lack of openness. Didn't matter to him personally. After BB he suddenly regrets not knowing you. He was so rude and dismissed you as another faceless soldier and you saved him, from the Brotherhood and himself. Now he wants to know you.

♡If romanced he makes effort to know you, like really know you. For a long time he refused individuality so his own sense of self is not great. But you know yourself and make no attempt to hide it. You are so sure of yourself you don't need to explain. That's one of the things he loves about you.

【Deacon】 He thinks you're like him, that you want to hide in plain sight. As much as he gives that to you he's nosy as fuck and takes every chance to learn about you, mostly from afar. It doesn't take any time at all for him to realize you'll just tell him. Most of them are one word answers. It takes him even less time after that to realize you'll comment on things from before the war especially.

♡If romanced he goes out of his way to show you stuff. Old posters and toys. If you follow my headcanon that he's pre-war, he makes old references and generally adds comments on things to bait your answers.

【Hancock】 He thinks it's pretty cool. "Oh, tall, dark, and handsome/beautiful." He does play twenty questions with you 24/7 and is very happy with your half-answers because an answer is still an answer. Plus he knows at least two other people like you. He is the one who figures out that you just don't have the time or think about talking about yourself rather than purposely keeping secrets the fastest. He knows people so he knows better.

♡If romanced he plays with it. You want a kiss? Tell him what's your favorite color. He'll get on his knees if you tell him what you like about your new home. But honestly he'll do it anyways. All he needs to know is that you want him like he wants you.

【MacCready】 He was more concerned about you putting a bullet in his head while his back was turned. Everyone in the Commonwealth was looking out for number one. So imagine his surprise when you were looking out for your number one and it wasn't you. Not only were you looking for your son but you stopped to help every person who asked for help. Your actions spoke to him in a way your words, he figured, couldn't. You didn't need to help him but you did. You didn't take the caps back. And you killed the gunners the second they turned their guns on him even when they said their beef wasn't with you. It was what you did, not what you told him.

♡If romanced he will ask things. Basic ones are like, "How was your day?" Normal questions that are the peak of domestic life. Then the more personal things. Some sound silly, "What's your favorite color?" But most build off of a quick thing you said in passing, "Wait, you've been to California? What was it like?" He trusts you'll tell him the truth.

【Nick】 As a private detective this simply won't do. He gets it at first, you just need him to find your son, it's business. However, you want him to stay with you after that. It confuses him because you made no indication you like him in the slightest way. He's the second fastest to realize you're not keeping to yourself on purpose. As one of the only ones who are pre-war he's able to get things the others can't. He'll talk about things and give his options and bait you into answering it. That was a common way to get people to talk back then when you were trying to be polite and keep up the conversation, even if the conversation stays a bit thin.

♡If he's romanced he makes fun of the fact you forget to say things about yourself. Don't get it wrong, he makes it clear you don't need to share. He's just poking fun.

【Piper】 This simply won't do. She asks as many question as they come up but she gets depressing short answers. You either give one word answers or say you're not really in the mood, on some occasions you admit you don't know, you never thought about it. It takes a long time for her to stop and that's only because the questions start getting old. And you still feel like a mystery even though you've told her everything.

♡If she's romanced she realizes how much you've told her and pushes it. What is your type? How do your lips feel? Why do you look so good? It becomes playful and light, never serious.

【Preston】 In the beginning he didn't realize he didn't know much about you. He took your help selfishly to get him and his people back on stable ground but you told him you were happy to help. So he takes time to learn about you and give you everything he could possibly help you with. In hopes you would share by yourself he gives things to you without any prompt. It doesn't really work most of the time.

♡If romanced he asks things with hearts in his eyes. He is so lovesick he takes all of your half-answers and files it away in his mind. It hardly matters at that point.

【X6】 It wasn't his mission so he didn't care. You owed him no explanation or justification. Doesn't mean he doesn't question you. He asks why you helped someone, why you stopped for a distraction. And of course you give short answers like, "They needed help." or "I wanted to." Later, after the Institute is gone, he sees how you carry yourself and tries to copy it. Obviously he can't so you help him too. You showed him he can figure himself out by himself and he didn't need you. So he held the same opinion; he doesn't need to know you like that.

♡If romanced he's still comfortable with you keeping things to yourself. It's only after months of being together do you realize he's never asked you a personal question, that you've never shared anything that personal. When you bring that to him he tells you that hardly matters. But seeing you make the effort after that gives him a feeling he can't describe. It's a good feeling he thinks.

[slocumjoe]

in other news, is there any romance quite as frustrating and stupid as danse x sole, when you look at it from. Any other companions point of view.

Preston Garvey has his whole world chewed up and spat out at his feet. Everyone he knew and loved is dead. Maybe he had a best friend, a lover, a brother or sister in the Minutemen. Maybe they were a civilian in Quincy. It doesn't matter anymore. This guy who's given you this second chance, you go with him to try and redeem yourself.

You are Preston Garvey, the last original Minuteman. You are tired, down in your bones, but you follow this stranger in a strange land across what you call home. While you're both picking through the ruins of Lexington, finding the corpses of the last of your friends, their pipboy gets a signal. A call for help.

You go to Cambridge. You help a dude in power armor gun down some ferals. As you reload your musket, dust yourself off, you look up as the big guy starts talking to your pal. And you can hear the white noise behind their eyes. You blink as they agree without question or hesistancy to do anything this dude needs. They're pretty nice, they're a good person, but usually you're not worried about if they're using their brain or not. Now, you're kinda worried. So you follow your buddy and Paladin Danse (What kind of name...) to some space station or whatever, watch them cook the man alive after some button mashing gone wrong, and then he can barely offer them a place in the Brotherhood before they're verbally signing their life away.

You are Preston Garvey. Your General has joined another, foreign army because this one guy, who had the charisma of a bag of corn nuts, asked. You are Preston Garvey. You are tired. Your general is now wearing a rival army's uniform because it makes that one guy happy. You want a nap so fucking bad.

You are Nick Valentine. You are a synth. You just helped this dude find out their baby is in the Institute. You walk out some security doors and see this big, hulking shadow in the sky, smothering the land from the sun. It bellows out that it comes in peace, heralded by armed air support, spotlights glowering down. You smell war and you don't even have a nose. As you stand there, in the wind, covered in blood and oil from the synths you've helped kill, you watch as your...client? You watch the dweller turn on their pipboy, mark Cambridge on their map, and make their way to the road.

You follow, of course. You follow, stupid sentimental bot you are, to thr Brotherhood of Steel. The dweller is vibrating to get on the death blimp. The guy offering the ride, Danse, is both sizing you up like you're a hot meal and like he wonders if you're actually a synth, because how the fuck would the dweller think bringing you here was a good idea? You shrug at him. You don't know either. You get on the vertibird. You get on the blimp. The dweller bats their eyes at Danse as he stomps down a catwalk, and they snap back to their normal selves once they talk to Kells. They balk and turn green and scoff out in the hall as you both listen to Maxoson's speech. They wonder how dumb a man could be as you venture deeper into the bowels of the beastly aircraft. People sneer at you. You are in danger. You stay very close to the dweller. You both find Danse again. He asks what they think. They don't say what they were just saying. He believes in himself, he sounds like he cares, he seems to truly trust in this army and it's cause. Not "what a load of horseshit." Danse beams with pride and they drink it in like clean water.

You are Nick Valentine. You wish you could drink.

[selfish-solace]

campfire songs

[falloutwithmegirlypop]

Request rules

Hi, FWMGP here. I’ve loved the fallout series since its debut, and I think it’s time I put my skills to work. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to write everyone requests, but I’ll sure try. No Smut (for now) but slight spice is all good. Ageless blogs please leave, 17+ only.

Characters

✨My faves✨

Show

Chet 💛💙

Lucy 🥺🥺💙💛

Maximus ⚔️🛡️

Thaddeus 🤴

Norm 👾📀

Game

Travis miles (Love him) 🥺❤️❤️

Nick Valentine 🤖🕵️❤️

Preston Garvey 🤠

Piper 📝

Benny Gecko 🔪🔪🔫

🖐️other characters🖐️

Cooper Howard

The ghoul

The raiders

The brotherhood of steel

Moldaver

Siggi witzig

Steph

Barb

Handy

Potentially other characters( put in request)

Readers

Only x readers, but poly including reader is ok.

Any kind of reader, please put preference in ask, specifics are ok. Don’t be afraid to ask. I write MxM FxF MxF etc, but I’m best at Female and male as-well as female and female.

Rules

No gross stuff

No incest

No generally upsetting kinks

No under age

Absolutely no bestiality

Dub con in certain places is ok, but no non-con.

Current requests

In progress:

Fallout Max x reader

Next:

Chet x reader getting married

Chet fluff headcannons

Ghoul!Thaddeus x reader

Done:

Norm x unenthusiastic reader

Chet x fem reader

Please ignore any grammar mistakes, I have shaky hands.

[this-violence-of-mine]

Modern AU where Preston and Hancock are super into Hamilton and fuck to the soundtrack. The entire time Hancock points out the historical inaccuracies and Preston has to tune him out after a while.

[sugar-soda]

Kids Shouldn't be Here: Preston Garvey

Fallout 4 Platonic Companions x Child! Sole

Warnings: Canon Typical Violence, Child in dangerous situations

A/N: This is NOT romantic at all! This is all platonic relationships that explore how the Fallout 4 companions and game would change if the Sole Survivor was a young child. Any romantic suggestions or reblogs will be blocked.

Masterlist

______________________________________________________________

A kid shouldn't be here. 

After the bombs fell, children became a precious rarity. The radiation left many women, even those who didn't become ghouls, unable to even get pregnant. Those that were able to had a whole new hosts of challenges to face. Lack of food, safe drinking water, and proper medical equipment meant that many pregnancies ended in tragedy. Even the act of being born was deadly in the Wasteland. 

Not to mention, many had no desire to raise a child. Raiders obviously should never be trusted with anything, much less a child, but caravan merchants and guards typically had none. A life of constant walking and carrying supplies was hard enough without being impaired with another life growing inside you or on your hip.

Those who did have kids were typically settlers. Farmers who had plenty of food to feed another mouth or a shopkeep who had enough caps to buy a roof to go over the little one's head. A big, sturdy wall to keep the mutants and raiders away typically helped encourage more family units. Diamond City had a large enough wall to have a school. Even with those comforts, most kept their children glued to their hip until they were at least well into their teens. Even if a kid didn't have parents, they were kept close by grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, any family really. The only kids alone were ones who didn't have any family left at all.

____________________________________________________________

Preston had probably seen more kids than most as a Minuteman. Constantly moving around from settlement to settlement typically leads to that. Sometimes he would hold a baby for a tired mother so she could take a nap, or tell stories to a group of children following him on a patrol so their fathers could work in the fields. He even helped with a few births, when there was no other option. He would gladly not repeat that experience though. 

However, he would rather deal with a hundred screaming mothers and bloody mattresses than be in this situation. Cornered in a decrepit museum as raiders closed in on their small group. He was firing his laser musket as fast as he could load it, but there was only one of him. The others had to stay back, knowing they would be more of a hindrance than help in a fight.

Sturges was a strong guy, but his aim left a lot to be desired. He couldn't hit a radscorpion if it was right in front of him. The Longs were farmers, not fighters, and were too distracted by the loss of their child to focus on any lessons Preston tried to give them in self-defense. Mama Murphy had apparently been a firecracker when she was younger, but nowadays she had trouble standing up on her own without the kickback of a gun to knock her over.

As Preston aimed and took another shot, he wondered if this place would be their grave.

He didn't notice them at first. The lasers were very similar looking to his own and the gunshots blended in with the raider's. It was only when he looked down his scope and watched a bullet pierce a raider's skull did he realize that someone was lending a helping hand. 

As minimal relief flooded his mind, he checked his scoop, looking for their savior.

He noticed Dogmeat first. The canine was first introduced to him by Mama Murphy. Dogmeat would come on random days and sniff at her heels as the group walked, and then would lay down next to her as they made camp and ate their rations at night. Mama Murphy would insist on feeding Dogmeat when he was around, so he had taken to giving up some of his rations to keep the old woman from losing more weight. Preston wasn't ashamed to admit he had a soft spot for the stray, but Dogmeat didn't look much like the happy pooch Preston gave scratches behind the ears to, with a raider's crotch being clamped between his jaws and enough screams to prove the raider wasn't getting out of them alive.

The buzz of a saw led him to a Mr. Handy of all things. Shooting enemies with a built in laser when they moved too far away from his buzz-saw. This one was in the best condition he's seen, with small spots of rust being the only indication of its age. Hopefully, its internal programming was in good shape. 

He saw the third last. Well, he didn't really see them. They had climbed up a building and set up a sniping spot, picking off raiders from above. They were almost completely hidden by the old air conditioning unit they used as cover. Preston could only see the barrel of their gun and the very top of their head poking out. Whoever it was, they were efficient with their shots. Whatever raider was wearing a helmet that prevented them from a clean headshot, got a bullet to their leg. That incapacitated them long enough for Dogmeat to pounce and get his fangs around their throat.

Efficient, if a little much for his taste.

As another raider fell to the Mr.Handy's buzzsaw, Preston yelled out to the sniper spot. He hoped that the mystery sniper would be willing to continue to lend their hand (and gun) to deal with the Raiders inside and their reinforcements to come.

"Don't worry, we're coming!" 

If Preston had more sleep, more food, and less distractions and lives weighing his thoughts down, he would have noticed the response sounded too high pitched, too squeaky,

too young.

But Preston didn't, so instead he hurried back inside to give Sturges an update. He would have to remove the barricade on the door to allow their help to get to them, which would expose them to the Raiders inside.

Marcy protested angrily, yelling that whoever it was could just as likely kill them too. She was technically right, but they didn't have much of an option. Even with the extra hands (or paws, in Dogmeat's case), their best chance of survival was still the power armor and minigun on the roof, which meant someone would eventually have to go outside the room to the basement to get the fusion core. 

Hopefully, the sniper was as good at hacking as they are shooting. Sturges was their most technologically savvy, but even he had trouble with the terminal.

The moment the barricade was removed, Preston started the same routine he did on the balcony. It was easier to land a hit now, all the Raiders funneled through a narrow walkway, but it gave him less time to reload.

Faintly, he could hear the sounds of more fighting near the entrance. Seems like they would have some backup.  

As the fighting got closer, he started to hear more of the trio. Dogmeat's barks, growls, and yips were the first he could hear, clear as a bell. A bit later he could hear a faint, robotic accent firing along with a laser.

It was a good amount of time later that he could hear footfalls of someone sprinting toward their location.

One raider got too close, his armor thick enough to keep him from dying and his system filled with enough Physco to not fill the pain.  A tire iron in his hand, the raider tried to muscle his way in. Preston shifted and slammed into the raider's torso with his shoulder, gritting his teeth as the tire iron came down on his back, focusing on keeping this madman out and away from the room. 

Fate, it seems, had a similar thought, as the raider was suddenly yanked away and down. A small body had pulled him back by the neck and kicked the back of his legs. Combined with the surprise of the attack, it was effective enough to send the raider toppling onto his back and on top of the other person. 

Dogmeat was here now, jaw latching around the raider's leg to keep him from getting his footing back. The Mr. Handy was also here, floating there with the same reason that Preston didn't immediately take aim at the raider.

Any shot taken at that moment would hit the other person, too. They had both arms wrapped around his neck, attempting to cut his airflow off but couldn't get a strong enough grip, as the fall seemed to knock the wind out of them. The raider seemed to realize this too, hand reaching down to feel for something.

The tire iron.

Preston swiped up the forgotten weapon and swung low like the golfers he's seen on faded billboards. He made contact with his ribs and used enough force to roll him off to the side and out of the chokehold and Dogmeat's teeth.

Which was all the signal the Mr. Handy needed. A laser shot out and hit the raider squarely in between the eyes. 

Finally, a moment to breathe.

Preston closed his eyes and sighed. Can't relax just yet. There were still Raiders outside, and they were probably going to send reinforcements. 

"Young Miss, I implore you to be more careful! You nearly caused my motor to give out," 

"Sorry, Codsworth, I saw the raider attack him and I panicked,"

Oh God no.

Preston opened his eyes to finally get a look at the sniper.

She had sat up now and was rubbing her shoulder, which was probably bruised in the fall. Dirt and blood were smeared across her face, though luckily it looked like the blood wasn't her own. A old military style duffle bag had been thrown off her shoulder and her twin braids were frayed. A pip-boy was clasped around her wrist and he could see blue and gold peeking out from behind a duster and leather chest piece. A vault dweller then.

A very, very young vault dweller. God, she was just a kid. Where were her parents? What was she doing out here joining fights she had no part in? What was he doing asking her to join a fight she had no part in? A kid shouldn't be here.

"Are you okay?" 

She stopped and looked at him incredulously. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? You were the one who decided to tank a hit from a tire iron,"

All he could give was a breathless chuckle at that. "Man, I don't know who you are, kid, but your timing is impeccable," Preston held out a hand and helped her up to her feet.  "Preston Garvey. Commonwealth Minutemen," 

"Minuteman? What the-," She questioned under her breath as she followed him back into the room. Her confusion made sense to Preston. She likely only learned about the original Minutemen in the Vault so seeing one now would seem strange. Despite her confusion, she responded. "You're welcome, Mr. Garvey. Do you mind telling me what happened?"

What didn't happen was a better question? Ever since Quincy, anything that could go wrong, did go wrong. More innocent people lost their lives everyday and he could do nothing to stop it. The closest thing to hope anyone has now is Sanctuary, which he wasn't certain was real. Mama Murphy's "Sight" has never been wrong, but he wasn't sure of it or how she used Chems to trigger her visions.

Not wanting to load everything on to the kid, Preston decided to give a very brief summary of what they were doing, he stated, "We were looking for a place to settle. Originally there were more of us but we lost a lot of people. We thought that Concord would be a safe place to settle. Guess we were wrong,”

“I'm sorry. It must be hard trying to protect everyone,” the girl frowned thoughtfully, “So, what's your plan to get out? There are still more raiders outside. If we go now they’ll turn us into swiss cheese with bullets,”

“Sturges. Tell her.”

“There's a crashed vertibird up on the roof. Old school, pre-war. You might have seen it. Well, looks like one of its passengers left behind a seriously sweet goody. We're talking a full suit of cherry T-45 Power Armor. Military issue.”

The kid seemed surprised, “Power Armor? That will certainly even the odds.”

“Heh heh heh heh, yeah, take every advantage we can. Protection, with an added bonus. We get the suit, Preston here can rip the minigun right off the vertibird. Do that, and those Raiders get an express ticket to Hell. You dig?”

Putting a hand on her chin, she replied, “Won't the suit need a power source? You can't move in those things without power. They're too heavy,”

“That's the one hitch. The suit's out of juice. Probably been dry for a hundred years,”

“What we need is an old pre-war F.C., a standardized Fusion Core. A high-grade, long-term nuclear battery. Used by the military and some companies, way back when. And we know right where to find one…” Preston said.

“But we can't get to the damn thing,” Sturges interrupted, “down in the basement, locked behind a security gate.”

Suddenly, the kid looked excited. “ A security gate? Hold on!” She quickly unzipped the duffle bag and dug around for a few seconds. “Is this it?”

There in such a small hand was the Fusion Core. If Preston wasn't already impressed and concerned by this kid, he was now.

“Well I'll be, kid. How'd you get to this thing?”

“I picked the lock,” She stated.

The Mr.Handy- Codsworth she said his name was- added, “An highly discouraged skill seems to have finally made itself useful,”

The kid grinned sheepishly then looked at Preston. “I hope you know how to use that armor, Mr.Garvey.”

“I'll be fine,” he managed. He did know to use Power Armor, but it's been years since he has used that knowledge. He never liked wearing the metal suits. They were slow, required too much maintenance, and were sweltering hot inside during the summer months. They're also, quite frankly, claustrophobia inducing. Every inch of your body is encased in thick padding and solid steel. The armor was strong, yes, but as a kid he had worried if Power Armor was strong enough to hold against a Deathclaw, or would it crush the armor alongside the person inside? Leaving them to a slow, painful suffocation and bleeding instead of a quick death of mutilation.

He never did get over his childish fear.

“You stay here with Sturges and the others. Sturges, you set the barricade back up and wait for my signal to leave.” Preston instructed.

“You got it, Boss-man.”

“Absolutely not.”

Sturges seemed fine with that plan, but the Vault dweller definitely wasn't. Her eyes narrowed and seemed to glare into his soul.

“Miniguns aren't accurate from long distances, so you’re going to have to jump to the ground. That leaves you more vulnerable, even with the Power Armor. What if one of the raiders pulls the fusion core out from behind you? Then you'll be stranded and can't move. You'll need someone to watch your back. I'll set up on the balcony you were on earlier.” She stated it as if it was the most sensible thing in the world, letting a child be a sniper while fighting off a group of murderers and thieves.

“I can't ask a civilian to join a fight like this, especially a minor,” Preston argued. He doesn't think he could handle another kid dying on his watch.

“Well then it's a good thing your not asking, I'm telling you,”

Preston had a feeling there was no changing her mind.

____________________________________________________________

Fate loved playing sick, twisted jokes on him. When they were down to the last few raiders and it looked like they could finally get out of this forsaken place, a terrible growl had shaken the ground beneath them. A giant, enraged Deathclaw had followed after, erupting from the ground and destroying an entire car.

Preston is pretty sure he aged ten years from that fight alone.

Luckily, the beast hadn't crushed him inside the armor. It did, however, damage the legs and right arm to the point of breaking. No use in it now unless they found a station to repair it. 

Now that the Deathclaw laid dead, he listened. Trying to hear the next wave of enemies or disaster headed their way. Nothing. Guess the punchline was over.

Exiting the Power Armor, he looked up at the balcony. The kid had stayed there the whole fight, even when the Deathclaw had shown up. She would aim for the legs and head, keeping it distracted long enough for Preston to reload or inject a stimpack. He had seen fully grown Minutemen with worse aim than that kid. 

He cringed internally, he should probably ask for her name instead of just calling her “kid”.

Now she wasn't there. That meant she was regrouping with the others. 

Back inside, everyone else had already moved to the entrance. Mama Murphy was already being sat down by the young sniper.

“So is he your dog?” 

“No, no. Dogmeat is his own man. He comes and goes as he pleases. It appears he is pleased to follow you for the time being, he knows your something special.”

“That or he wants the jerky in my pocket.”

That got a laugh from Mama Murphy. The first real laugh from her since Quincy. The ones she got from chems didn't count.

“Thank you for your help back there. I don't know how long we would have been messing with that terminal for if you hadn't shown up.”

She kicked at the ground shyly, embarrassed by the praise. “Happy to help, Mr.Garvey.”

“Speaking of things I don't know,” he smiled and put a comforting hand on her shoulder, “ I also don't know your name. Mind telling me what it is?”

“Oh!” She exclaimed, obviously not realizing she hadn't given her name. “I'm Sunny. Sunny Roberts,”

Preston kneeled down to be eye-level with her. “Well, Sunny, could you tell me where your parents are? I don't think they'll be pleased to hear you fought a raider band to save some strangers.”

Sunny's face fell like her namesake. “ Oh, that's- that's actually why I came to Concord. I need help.” 

She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Now, she was acting like how Preston expected someone her age to act in this situation. Sunny’s whole body started shaking and her eyes filled with unshed tears, like the world was too scary and large and terrifying and all together not suited for the innocence of a child. Like she hadn’t looked down the sights of her gun at a raider and pulled the trigger with no hesitation. 

“Hey, it's okay, it's okay,” he soothed, placing both hands on her shoulders, “Deep breaths, start from the beginning.”

Taking a shuttering breath, she started, “ A man came-a man came into the Vault. He wasn't-he wasn't Vault-Tec. He had a gun and-and a leather jacket. He did something-he did something that caused the pods to unthaw but mine-but mine wouldn't open. Mom's did. She was holding my baby brother. Her pod opened and he tried to-he tried to take Shaun. She wouldn't let him. She told him no and then he,” She took another breath. The unshed tears from earlier finally started to fall, “and he shot her.”

Just like Preston feared.

“He shot her and took Shaun and Dad tried to get to them but he shot him too and I couldn't get out,” She was sobbing now, panic, distress, and grief now grabbing a hold of her. “I couldn't get out and the pod refroze and unfroze but they were gone and everyone was dead and IneedtofindShaunIdon'tknowwheretheytookhimbutineedtofind-”

“Miss Sunny, breathe!” Codsworth interrupted. He placed a gentle claw gently on top of her head, which Preston guessed was the closest a Mr. Handy could get to soothing her. “You will make yourself sick at this rate. Come now, deep breaths.”

As she gulped down air to the best of her ability, one of Codsworth's eyes turned toward Preston.

“You'll have to forgive our state of distress Mr.Garvey. Miss Sunny was in a similar state when she left the Vault and I fear I haven't been much better. Your predicament with the raiders seemed to have acted as a temporary distraction but now I believe her grief is back in full force.”

“It's alright Codsworth,” Preston said. “I promise to help once I get everyone here to safety. We can't stay here.”

“And where do you suggest we go?” hissed Marcy Long. She had been surprisingly silent for most of this conversation but she had to speak now. “We can't go dragging a kid around on the road. It isn't safe!” She continued, a tone of anger and protectiveness usually reserved for her husband lacing her voice. After the loss of their daughter, she likely didn't want another child to die. Preston didn't blame her.

“We go to the place Mama Murphy told us about. Sanctuary is our best bet at the moment,”

“You mean she saw it while she was high during one of her crazy visions,”

“Now Marcy,” Mama Murphy started, “You know the Sight is never wrong. Just hazy. Sanctuary is close by. I know it is,” She turned a comforting gaze toward Sunny, who had calmed down to hiccups now. “Just like I know your brother is alive.” 

Sunny froze. “You've seen him? Where is he?”

“I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I didn't see him, but I feel his life force out there. I know he is. The Sight may be hazy, but it won't lie to you.”

Sunny went from hopeful to confused, “The Sight?” 

“It's the chems, dear. They let me see a little of what has been, a little of what will be, and sometimes, a little of what is right now. Been that way since I was a girl” Mama Murphy tapped her temple indulgently. “Your brother is alive. And even I don't need the Sight to tell you where to start looking. Diamond City, the Great Green Jewel of the Commonwealth.”

“Um,” said Sunny, who looked to be processing what she was just told. “I'm gonna need to know a little more information than that.”

“Look, kid, I want to help but I'm tired. You bring me some Jet and we'll see what else is I can see.” 

“No, Mama Murphy,” Preston scolded sternly. This had been an on-going battle for as long as he has known her. She would sneak any chems she could to try to trigger the “Sight”. It had proven useful multiple times over now, but the drugs were far too hazardous to the old woman's health for him to let her continue to use them. So him and Sturges have taken to confiscating any chem they found before she could take it and would carry her pack whenever they could to feel for any unexplained shifts in weight. Despite their efforts, she still snuck a few in now and again. “We've talked about this. That junk- it will kill you.”

“Oh shush, Preston. We're all gonna die eventually. We're gonna need the Sight. And our new friend here, she's gonna need it too,”

He started to argue again when Sunny tugged at his coat. 

“Mr. Garvey, Mama Murphy is right about Sanctuary. It's close by. Me and Codsworth just came from there.”

“Codsworth and I,” the Mr. Handy corrected, “but Miss Sunny is right on Sanctuary's location. Just past the Red Rocket Station and over the bridge and you'll be right there,”

That was great news, even with Mama Murphy's smug grin. 

“Alright folks. Thanks to our little friend here, we know where we are going now.”

____________________________________________________________

Sunny led the way to Sanctuary, knowing the way the best. Codsworth took up the rear, with his three eyes pointing in different directions in search of any potential threats. Dogmeat jumped around all over the place, simply happy to be there.

When they finally got to the bridge, he could see why this place was called Sanctuary even before the bombs dropped. It was out of the way, surrounded by trees, and had a river separating it from the rest of the Commonwealth.

Some of the houses had collapsed in on themselves but a majority were surprisingly stable. Sturges found a workbench and immediately started to work on patching up the walls. Marcy found melons and gourds already growing behind the same house, setting Jun and herself the task of harvesting as many as they can. Mama Murphy sat down on an old loveseat with Dogmeat lying down to be her foot warmer.

Sunny kept herself the most busy. First, she helped Preston with dragging the wood and metal debris out of the yards and road and into a pile to be broken down for materials. After that, he started on cutting the wood down for firewood and Sunny dragged out all of the still intact mattresses from the houses. Once outside, she beat them with a bat, trying to get as much dirt and dust off of them as she could.

Once she finished that and deposited the mattresses down where they could safely sleep, she started zipping around the area, grabbing everything that wasn't nailed down and depositing it to whoever she deemed needed it. At least it all seemed to have a use. Hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, any technology, and even a few bags of concrete powder were handed off to Sturges. Seeds, garden tools, and edible plants where given to Marcy. Water, first aid items, and packaged food was set by Mama Murphy for easy access. Ammo, weapons, and armor were left on the weapons table for him to assess later.

At one point, she snuck up to him, handed him a bag that was full of chems, and whispered, “I found a lot of drugs all over the place. I didn't want Mama Murphy to find them but I don't know what to do with them now. Burning them seemed like a bad idea.”

Codsworth had taken advantage of a cooking station near the front and whipped up some sort of stew for them by sundown. Preston was finishing off his second bowl when Sunny approached him again.

“Mr. Garvey, do you have a minute? I have an idea for something we can use for defenses against raiders but I don't think I can carry them by myself,” She asked.

“Sure, I got a minute,” he smiled, “but you know you don't have to call me ‘Mr. Garvey’, right? Just ‘Preston’ works fine.”

“Alright, Mr. Preston, this way,” She said, turning on her heel and walking away. Even as Sturges laughed at him good-naturedly.

“At least she’s respectful. Could have chosen another name for ya and kept at it till it stuck.” 

Deciding that “Mr. Preston” worked just fine, he followed her to a dirt road that ran between two houses.

____________________________________________________________

“Vault 111 is up here. There were a few turrets up here that I think only need minor repairs. If Sturges could fix them, we can set them up around Sanctuary for protection. That way, even if we are all asleep, nothing can sneak up on us.” Sunny started up the overgrown path with Preston close by.

Turrets. Now that was firepower. Those things shot faster than any person and normally had a steel shell protecting it. Even one of those at Sanctuary would give him a better night’s sleep.

“I can see why you asked for my help. Those things can be heavy, especially if there is more than one. Though, are you sure you can carry one? I can go back and ask Sturges for help if we need to,”

Sunny stopped and blushed “I can carry a turret!” She crossed her arms and looked down at her feet. “I just can't carry anything else with it and I think there are at least three,” she whispered.

Preston laughs. Sunny seemed to be good at causing that to happen.

They kept walking and Preston was a bit concerned by the skeletons by the gate and overturned military vehicles past it.

“What happened here?” 

“Vault 111 residents were speciality military personnel and their families, both active and former. Supposedly, it was to thank and honor them for their service. A good many  lived in Sanctuary Hills so that's why this location was chosen. There were more non-military people who wanted in, but they weren't allowed and tried to force their way in, so the military was brought in to keep them out,” Sunny stated. Her face held a quiet sort of reverence, like she was afraid of waking the dead that laid here. She kept walking forward, toward a turret that was covered in fallen wood and started pulling it away. “The Vault closed just as the bombs fell,” She paused as she pulled the turret free. 

“They left those people to die.”

Preston crouched down at a second turret. It had some burn marks on it, but didn't seem to have any internal damage. “I'm surprised that the Vault would teach that in their school. Doesn't paint Vault-Tec in the greatest light.”

She was quiet after that, which Preston took as his que to get the last turret. Its barrel was completely snapped off from rust. If its internal mechanisms were the same, he wasn't too sure if Sturges could fix it.

Supposedly. That bothered him about what she said. Something that should have been true but wasn't. Like how reinforcements were supposedly on their way at Quincy and they would just have to hold a little longer. Instead, no one came, innocent people died, and he was left to try to put back together what little remained of his and everyone else's hope. 

“Sunny?”

“Yes?”

She sounded upset now. Not like the sobbing, wailing breakdown she had earlier, but still sad. Melancholy, like she was mourning the dead she didn't want to wake.

He took a deep breath and asked, “You said that Vault 111 was supposedly to thank and honor military personnel for their service, right?”

“That's right.”

“Well,” Preston started, “What was it actually for then?”

Sunny successfully lifted up the first turret. It was a little bigger than her torso and looked awkward for her to carry. There was no way she could carry anything else with it. Despite her heavy load, she answered him.

“Testing,” She stated “According to the terminals I read when I left, Vault 111 was actually made to test prolonged cryogenic suspension and its effects on the human body. It was just as unethical then as it is now but it was also very, very illegal.” 

Sunny sighed. This story sounded personal to her, so Preston waited, “Vault-Tec knew they couldn't tell anyone outside of their crappy company, much less market it. So they lied. Spewed a bunch of nonsense about ‘protecting our future’ and ‘state of the art technology’ and no one questioned a thing. When we got to the Vault, the scientists told us we had to be ‘decontaminated’ and that we would only be in there ‘for a minute’, but it wasn't a minute,” She was getting angry now, throwing the turret down and waving her arms as she paced and ranted. “I don't even think they thought it would be that long. As far as I can tell, the guards in the Vaults got tired of waiting to leave and rebelled against the scientists studying us, and it ended with everyone not in a stasis pod dead and unable to wake us up. Vault-tec lied to everyone that placed their lives in their hands, thinking that they may have a shot of survival, only for them to die just like everyone else here.”

Okay, more personal than Preston thought. She was right, of course, but the way she spoke.

“That must have been hard. Growing up and hearing about the betrayal that happened,”

Sunny stopped pacing, and pinning him with a look that would have been intimidating if she was older. “What are you talking about? I was there. I grew up in Sanctuary Hills.”

Preston's blood stopped cold. The stasis pods. With no one around to open them, the frozen residents were unable to be released and procreate. Sunny had said they were in there for longer than they should be, and she kept using we and us when…

“Wait a minute, are you saying you were there when the bombs fell?” He asked. She had said earlier that she had been refrozen in her stasis pod when her brother was kidnapped. But Preston couldn't believe it, didn't want to believe it.

“Yep,” Sunny said, “I'm two hundred and twelve years old, give or take a few years. Codsworth's internal clock isn't entirely accurate anymore.”

Preston didn't know what to say. When he thought she had just lost her parents and brother, he already felt obligated to help. Now, it turns out she lost everything. The world as she knew it was gone and only hollowed ruins of it remained. For the pre-war ghouls, they have had time to adjust to the change, to the radiation, and crumbled buildings, and death. He had a feeling Sunny hadn't gotten that chance.

“How long?” Preston asked as Sunny picked up the turret again. His mouth felt dry and he had to lick his lips before starting again. “How long have you been out of stasis?”

Sunny shrugged, not meeting his eyes. “A couple hours at most. I had only been out about an hour when Codsworth and I left for Concord,” She turned on her heel towards Sanctuary, “Come on. It's getting dark soon and I don't want Codsworth worrying about how long we've been gone.”

Preston tucked the other two turrets under his arms and followed. He didn't know what to say.

The walk back was quiet and it was fully dark by the time they set the turrets down next to the workbench. Sturges could work on them tomorrow. By the time they got to the workbench, Sunny looked ready to pass out.

“Whew, what on earth do they put in these things to make them so heavy? I thought they were basically guns that shoot themselves?”

Preston smiled, “ I'm sure Sturges could tell you what is inside it if you ask,” his smile disappeared as quickly as it came. He remembered why Sunny came to Concord and the conversation she had with Mama Murphy before leading them here. “Are you really going to go to Diamond City all on your own?”

Diamond City is right in the center of the Commonwealth and a good, long walk from here. A walk that had ferals, radscorpions, super mutants and even mirelurks once you reached the river. As well as she handled herself at Concord, there was no way Sunny could be on guard the entire trip in order to stay alive. 

“I have to, Mr. Preston,” She said, a desperate tone seeping into her voice. “Shaun's my brother. He's my family. The only family I got left. And he's so little, he's only a baby. I don't know what that monster is gonna do to him. I've got to find him and Diamond City is my only lead. And I won't be entirely alone, Codsworth is coming too, and Dogmeat, if he's willing to come.”

That didn't make Preston feel any better. While both could provide extra protection, neither would be any help with less direct threats. Slavers, scam artists, and thieves would see a Mr. Handy as scrap metal, Dogmeat as food, and Sunny as a target. 

Looking around Sanctuary, Preston thought for a moment. This place was probably the most isolated of the attempted settlements and, therefore, the safest. And with how small their group was, it wasn't likely for anyone to know about them being there for a good while.

Preston made his decision right then. Gently pulling her wrist towards him, he punched in a marker for Diamond City.

“Sounds like you could use my help. I'll mark it on your map. We can leave after tomorrow.”

[dykedvonte]

Preston x Danse is the only companion ship I think would actually work because Preston’s inner turmoil is sort of a loss of faith in himself due to the traumatic experiences he’s faced while Danse is looking for something to have faith in and would find the fact that despite the desire to give up Preston held out so long not just for the honor of the Minutemen but because he had some hope.

It would 100% start off as a lotta unhealthy on Danse’s side as I believe he completely lacks the emotional intelligence (due to a combination of factors) to recognize the he’s feelings as anything but a sort of respect for a superior along with leaning too much into Preston as a substitute for the BoS. Preston may not really have a title but he’s like THE Lieutenant of the Minutemen. Realistically he’s the only companion Danse would probably be comfortable taking instructions from especially for how trusted Preston is by the Sole Survivor and his adherence to military standards despite how unstructured the Minutemen are. It would be him waiting for orders, approval, anything from Preston and he thinks it’s just the desire to have the regiment of the BoS again but he also like when Preston compliments him on being useful or resourceful. He likes the stories of Minuteman glory days and he trades the stories of the BoS that don’t hurt to talk about. He likes the familiarity Preston would provide and he’d be oblivious that it’s not just new found loyalty to the Minutemen.

Yet Preston explains it himself that he’s not a natural leader. He’s not an instructor. He helps manage what the General has put in place and he content on doing that. He relays what needs to be done and does major upkeep but I don’t think he’d know what to do with this guy this literally marches up to him and practically begs for a mission that doesn’t exist. Like the formality and respect is nice but he can tell it’s covering something even if Danse doesn’t.

Danse could go to Sturges for the many repair and upkeep assignments he gives him and has the freedom to go straight to the Castle if he really wants a big mission, but he chooses to come to him everytime. He’s aware enough that Danse only trusts him out of all of the Generals confidantes but it would take a bit for him to understand why. If anything Danse should be strategizing with him as equals seeing as he almost got the Minuteme wiped out and Danse was a Paladin for the Brotherhood with many successes under his belt before Preston even led his first scouting mission. It’s like he sees him as some figure of hope, some one who can come in and add stability. Someone with a fresh outlook who can provide a new perspective for him.

It’s like he sees him like he saw/sees the Sole Survivor but that would be crazy because that would also mean… and then oh, it clicks.

The revelation is both flattering and he doesn’t know what to do with it cause how do you address “I know you respect me but is that the only feeling you have for me?” To the guy who like refuses to rest unless you tell him at ease? He has to reevaluate his whole manner of interaction with Danse cause this is a very slippery slope that he’s sliding down and it’s even more perilous due to Danse’s repressed emotions regarding… everything. There’s an equal chance Danse will try to open up as completely shut down and he’s not just concerned about it cause Sole Survivor cares for him but because he has grown to care for the guy too. It’s not like he doesn’t also enjoy Danse’s company and value as a Minuteman member. He’s not a love at first sight guy but he’s played with the idea, anyone would when you’ve spent nights trading stories, historical facts and beers by the fire in a little home you’ve carved for yourself through literal blood, sweat and tears.

I think it’s one of those cases where it’s agonizingly slow to the actual relationship but neither part are anguished about that. If anything happened to soon Danse would be too dependent and Preston not equipped to handle it. It’s a case where I genuinely think they’d bring out the best in each other cause theyd want to figure out what is best for the other and not just apply what they think is the best. It’s the care that Preston would ask Danse what he wants to do and encourage it and at the same time Danse would be incredulous everytime Preston second guesses himself.

Long story short it’s a good ship to me because it’s just two guys with broken confidences and faith in their roles being each other’s hype man and kissin a little about it.

[zombiehearts2007]

So i just romance Preston and he is the cutest thing. But when he says “i don’t think the minute man regulations cover our relationship” i can’t help but think of that one South Park scene where the town finds out PC Principal and Strong Woman are sleeping together.

[dorkofclanlavellan]

Obsessive Cleaning (FO4 Preference)

Fandom: Fallout 4 Request: x x Pairings: Danse x Reader, Hancock x Reader, MacCready x Reader, Nick x Reader, Preston x Reader.

Notes:

I included Nick because he should be romanceable.

Idk if manic cleaning is the correct term for this so I didn't use it because I didn't want to be offensive.

Zero uses of Y/N or Sole so you can decide if Reader is Sole or not.

Trigger Warning: Reader obsessively cleaning and neglecting their own needs.

Danse:

Danse wakes up to an empty bed and immediately heads out to find you. He discovers you engrossed in your task of cleaning and making repairs to Sanctuary, impressed by your attention to detail.

He joins in to help, using his military training to streamline the process and increase efficiency.

Danse appreciates your dedication to improving your surroundings and sees it as a reflection of your strong work ethic.

After a bit when he notices that you're showing no signs of slowing or even taking a a break, that's when Danse would intervene. He'd make sure you're okay and encourage you to at least stop long enough for food and water.

"Alright, soldier, you're no good to anyone passed out from hunger. Let's just sit over here and take a brief respite."

Hancock:

Hancock wakes up and immediately notices your absence. He follows the sounds of cleaning to find you fully immersed in your task, determined to make Sanctuary perfect.

He admires your dedication but worries that you're neglecting your own well-being.

Hancock encourages you to take breaks and assures you that Sanctuary already looks great.

He'd even join in once he realizes that you're probably not going to stop until you believe Sanctuary is as good as it's going to get. And he'd do his best to keep the mood light.

"Damn, sweetheart, you keep at it like this you'll make the rest of us look like a bunch of do-nothings. How about we take a quick...nap?"

MacCready:

When MacCready wakes to find you missing and sets out to locate you. He discovers you hard at work, fixing and cleaning various areas of Sanctuary with a determined expression.

He's impressed by your dedication but also concerned that you're pushing yourself too hard.

He offers to help and tries to convince you to take breaks, knowing how important it is to avoid burnout.

He admires your commitment to making Sanctuary a better place and supports you throughout the process, ensuring you take breaks and stay hydrated.

"Sweetie, you need rest...and breakfast. I promise this rubble will still be here in a couple of hours."

Nick Valentine:

Being a synth, Nick doesn't need sleep. He was, however, going over some information on a case he was working when he noticed faint noises. He decided to investigate and found you diligently working around Sanctuary.

He's intrigued by your hyperfocus and deduces that you won't stop until you're satisfied with the results.

Nick offers his assistance, impressed by the progress you've already made. You were cleaning up trash and rubble, recycling anything that could be repurposed.

He keeps an eye on your well-being, reminding you to take breaks as you work together to improve

"You're definitely impressive but unlike me you do need food and sleep. How about you take a break and while I finish up?"

Preston Garvey:

Preston wakes up in the middle of the night and notices your absence. Concerned, he sets out to find you and is surprised to discover you tirelessly cleaning and fixing things in Sanctuary.

He admires your dedication to helping others but worries that you're neglecting your own needs.

Preston offers to assist you and encourages you to take breaks and rest.

Preston appreciates your commitment to making Sanctuary a safe and comfortable place for everyone and supports you throughout the cleaning process.

"You know, you really are amazing. But even you need water to continue going, honey."

[theology101]

Fallout 4 Enhanced, part 2 - minor factions

People seemed to like part 1 so I'm going in for round two! Last time, we discussed the main endings for the Commonwealth with the primary factions but we all know that there is more to the Commonwealth than that. We're talking small fry this time. Let's go with the new kids on the block

Gunners

In the base game, Gunners are just higher-level, better-armed Raiders. They're a well organized 'Mercanary' group with multiple outposts connected via Radio at Gunner's Plaza. They seem to be either new immigrants to the Commonwealth or (if the Vault 75 theory is true) have only just emerged. Personally, I think they're moving in from the South - most of their territory is located in the south of the Commonwealth, baring a few outposts further north that are well fortified.

They're plot irrelevant save for one thing: they're responsible for the Quincy Massacre, polishing off the Minutemen, and sending Preston Garvey running North. That is it. There is no major quests for them, no one comments if you wipe them out - you don't even know who their clients are. Okay, that's not true - the Diamond City robot chef hired them to steal a Deathclaw egg and Old Man Stockton (and thus the Railroad by consequence) protects his caravans. Every other client is a mystery. A common theory is the Institute but they would have to recognize that Stockton's activities, especially because his use to the Railroad is through his trade network.

So we have a group of highly militant if disorganized gang of private soldiers who have beef with the Minutemen and aren't scared of the Commonwealth's boogieman.

I think they should've been joinable or at the very least interactable. If I approach one of their bases, they should tell me to back off and leave, threaten me, etc. Just opening fire on every random person is what makes them just raiders. Should they suddenly be friendly? Absolutely not, despite their relationship with Stockton (and how I want the Railroad to be more focussed on slavery in general) the Gunners are canonically slavers so if a Gunner patrol comes across you in a random encounter, have them open dialogue to try and kidnap Sole, or have Minutemen quests to rescue kidnapped settlers

I also don't think they should have a single "Boss". Maybe a client who is specifically targeting the Minutemen for some fucking reason (Maybe it's a Drug Kingpin out of Goodneighbor, or some rich raider boss - or maybe they did it on their own volition because the Minutemen made it harder to do their job) but I think for every single operation they have in the game (Which is when they're specifically doing something, like being in Mass Fusion, Hallucigen or Greentech, and not holding territory) there should be a client that we can find in the game, and they should have a reason to do it.

The Gunners can also fulfill something that Fallout 4 desperately needed: an act 4. Now that X has claimed the Commonwealth, the Gunners being dealt with are probably high up on their list of actually establishing control. In part 1, I talked about how the Battle of Quincy should be this big epic battle involving multiple major factions as Quincy is taken back once and for all, freeing the captured townspeople and taking back the commonwealth - the Gunners are kinda just Bad Guys to Kill. But you know what? Great. Give them more men, more machine guns, etc. After that, taking Gunner Plaza should have had a major impact on the Commonwealth - the Gunners could no longer communicate between groups, the Minutemen Radio had further range than ever before, and their leadership was decapitated. This should send them scrambling - maybe even warranting a force from outside the commonwealth coming in to relieve their comrades. I think the Gunner-Minuteman war would've been dope

Children of Atom

The Children of Atom are Great. I love them. They're silly, cool, and low-key, right? Like, Eldritch Entitities exist in Fallout and they are typically related to radiation. This is just canon, there are beings beyond our comprehension who exist outside of our Reality.

But that's not important - why are they all so angry?

When I rock up to Kingsport Lighthouse, I want to talk to them and say "Hey, I support your religion, but can I make a settlement here?" and then BOOM! Unlocked Children Of Atom Settlement Items. Simple as, they're just a religion, I can allow them in my settlements - just stay away from the water, okay? Some of the radiant quests should just be going to your settlements and figuring out a solution between the Children of Atom and your settlers / Brotherhood / Institute. This goes double if you are a full member up in Far Harbor (which, legit I will not touch it cause it's great) as you spread your religion across the Commonwealth. Or at the very least, you tolerate them and control them

It's wild to me that they're hostile on-site. If I rock up to the Crater House to get baptized, they should let me be baptized! It's weird that they're just on-site for NO REASON! I want to see Children of Atom in every major city (they know the most about energy so they run the power grid, we just have to put up with the preaching) and follow every major caravan (they can help with a lot of radiation diseases on the road) to make the Church of Atom something that you might actually look at and go "Oh hey yeah that seems like a good idea."

Interestingly, I think they could be an ally for the Railroad of all people. If they give a Synth the identity of a Children of Atom Follower, they can live fine (some are immune to radiation, some aren't, it depends) in the Glowing Sea.

I could also see the Children of Atom and the Brotherhood of Steel having an Adeptus Mechanicus-Adeptus Astartes kind of relationship. Like, they view the Brotherhood as Atom's Fury taking and holding Atom's holy relics from Abominations. Oh, and by the way - the Children of Atom Cult almost took over the Commonwealth the winter before we woke up. Maybe some people should bring that up, especially because a peaceful variant of the faith won out in the end.

Raider Gangs

This pisses me off so much, cause Bethesda did the work to give each of the raider bosses personal beef and relationships with each other and have fairly consistent borders/areas of control that they work with - and then didn't do anything with them. There are six major factions of Raiders. I'm just going to briefly describe them, their attitudes and what I would change

Tourette Gang - They occupy the Federal Ration Reserve, so they should be incredibly well-armed, well-armored, and well-fed. The group is kept small and they focus on longe range weapons to make sure no one they dislike can get too close. Hate Tower Tom's gang, should wear surplus military or police gear. Near no major trade lines, but also don't need to be.

Beantown Boys - Tower Tom's group, they are sitting near no major trade or supply lines, and the only reason they're alive is that they can sell bear to Triggermen, other Raiders and also hold Red Tourette's Sister hostage (actually dead) so Red keeps sending them food. Sent people all the way out to BADFTL and they can see the writing on the walls and that a gang led by drunks is not going to thrive. Because they're so drunk, they focus more on melee weapons or things where they don't need to aim all too much like shotguns or machine guns

Boston Bandits - Led by Bosco, these Raiders should be the most 'classic' raiders. Controlling the majority of Boston and a chunk of Cambridge, his gang shouldn't have a particular focus, just to sell home that they're generic. Wide range of loot from the better equiped and skilled to the randos who just joined up. They should also have a BUNCH of traps to defend themselves from the ‘Beast’

Libertalia - this gang is different, led by a former Minuteman and his company, these guys should still have their laser muskets, Minuteman outfits, etc. For a group in the 'slow decline from guardians into raiders' they seem to have adopted the tattoos and grisly displays pretty damn fast. These Raiders should seem a lot more well maintained, more hygienic - probably a lot less chems too.

The Forged - The Forged are actually great, wish I could've seen em more though.

Judge Zeller - He tortures people into working for him until they're insane and fanatics. That to me sounds like either they sprint in with knives like crazy people or just insane spray-and-pray types. Lets give them automatic weapons and grenades to see what happens

I doubt the Engine could've handled it, but it would've been cool seeing these factions fighting over Raider camps and stuff after we clear it out, see how the territory changes through our actions and the various gangs. Giving them a unique feel on top of gang war violence is just fun.

Special mention to the Triggermen who really seemed like they would be important, but just weren't. I want them to act as the unofficial middleman between Raiders and Goodneighbor - Goodnighbor as a respectable trading town would never sell to violent evil raiders.... but they sell to the Triggermen and they don't have such compunctions. I'd also like to see a few of them lurking around Diamond City, giving the city a bit of crime or occasionally showing up in your settlements as black market salesmen

Caravan Collective

This is a new faction, but I could also call it Bunker Hill Plus. There are several traders and they’re all based out of Bunker Hill but in spite of that, there is no organization. No collective trade power. Nothing like Crimson Caravan or the Mojave Express. I think that the Caravan Collective should be a sorta rump state to the Commonwealth Provisional Government - while the actual government collapsed, the organized trade network and regulations that they made has survived the massacre

They shouldn’t have the big of an effect on the story - maybe a quest were you help Old Man Stockton root out Institute Spies - but negotiating them to go to your settlements instead of them just appearing one day. Similarly, the traders should pop up in Goodneighbor or Diamond City instead of just settlements and Bunker Hill. With the deal Bunker Hill has with the Raiders, they can travel pretty much unimpeded. This faction won’t be claiming the commonwealth, but they should have a presence and a decent size of Caravan security - if you don’t mess with them, they won’t mess with you

Super Mutants

These guys are unique amongst Super Mutants as they have no methods to reproduce themselves. Out west, there are a number of FEV vaults out there making more, though it’s rare - and in DC they have a whole Vault to make more, while the Appalachian guys have a few sources.

All Super Mutants in the Commonwealth come from the Institute’s experiments. And by “Experiments” i mean Shaun intentionally destabilizing the region, Virgil himself says they aren’t accomplishing anything. Super Mutants are just made from random kidnapped people, a Synth replaces them and the mutant is set to rampage. And I think that these mutants should be aware of that fact.

All Super Mutants are communalist and love each other as ‘Brothers’ - basically Warhammer Orks - but these brothers no that they are a limitted supply. I don’t think these super mutants should be any smarter then their cousins, but perhaps more cautious? They can’t just make more, every Super Mutant is a rare resource. Suicide Super Mutants; while cool, don’t fit this model but every society needs its Lunatics

I even think you should be able to make a deal with them if you’re the Institute - promise them to keep filling up their numbers, and in exchange get an army of green shocktroops. The Institute doesnt care if the Greenskins rampage about - if anything, the Institute is already the Super Mutant’s greatest ally

Up Next - Companions and/or Settlements

[imagine-silk]

I hope you are doing okay. I would really like a rather simple Idea of the Yan Fallout 4 boys whose obsession confesses that they have a crush... on someone else. But that someone else has no Idea.

》Ah, I see you crave violence.

【Codsworth】 "You can do so much better."

As much as he has no desire to date you he sees how great you are and you deserve someone just as lovely, maybe even more than you if someone like that existed. Who you've picked is subpar. Oh, they can make you laugh? Do higher your standards, please. For his non-existent heart.

【Danse】 "What do they have that I don't?"

In his heart he gets it; he is a broken man who isn't even human. But this was the last bit of sanity he could take. You try to explain yourself, whether it be the other person never spat at a ghoul or simply has their life together. He knows he can't change the past and he doesn't want you to leave him. Against his better judgement he goes to that person and fights them. He wins too.

【Deacon】 "How could that happen?!"

Deacon would consider himself lucky man, and he was very lucky you told him while you were on an investigation. This person lived quite comfortably and had a very stable life. Imagine everyone's surprise when someone found a letter on him saying he was going to let the raiders into Diamond City because no one would suspect him to be up to no good. Who told the guard? Don't worry about it.

【Hancock】 "Here's how this is going to go."

The second they set foot in Good Neighbor they are dragged into his office. He talks to them with thinly veiled threats and tells them to back off. When they say 'no' and stand their ground he says, "Whoa, you see that Glory?" with his hands up. She then proceeds to say she did, that they had a gun pointed at him. When they still don't back down and try to deescalate he has her shoot him. Even though everyone in Good Neighbor knows what happens the official story is that they pulled a weapon on the mayor and Glory had to save him. No one betrays that story.

【MacCready】 "Who?"

He plays dumb and asks you to tell him who they are. And you had no reason to think he had any ill intentions. Afterwards he brushes it off with a, 'good luck with that' kind of dismissal. However, now that he knows their name, where they live, and where they work, he kills them from long distance. No one can point the finger his way because he never knew the person.

【Nick】

♤If Platonic "When do I get to meet them?"

He's gonna do an impromptu 'If you want to date my daughter' kind of dinner with them. The entire time he's watching them with great interest, making threats in just the right way to be completely permissible. If and when you excuse yourself for a moment he fully tells them they have one shot to play this out and if they get it wrong no one will find their body. Don't be surprised if they dump you the next day.

♡If Romantic "Stay away from them."

He didn't mean to say it but after he did he had to roll with it. His silver tongue got him in and out of a lot of places so it's not hard to craft a story about how the person in question exhibits strange behaviors, enough that he needed to look into it. Just to make sure his story goes unchecked he pays them a little 'visit' and tells them to never speak to you. Ever.

【Preston】 "Really? That's great!"

He immediately supports you in your endeavor but later when you go to sleep he finds that person. He takes them out of earshot of the town and kills them, throwing their body into the river after. In the morning they are nowhere to be found and you're heartbroken. It's okay, Preston will help you look for them. He'll be right next to you.

【X6-88】 "I see."

He wants to tell you you're too good for them but that would be a waste of time. No, he needs to be smarter than that. Excusing himself and then finding them dead would be too suspicious. He was by your side the entire day and they suddenly collapsed. They died in your arms. Say what you will about that strange tragedy, you can never say you suspected him.

[mrs-mayor-hancock]

I thought I lost you

Hancock x reader (fluff/angst)

Warnings: mentions of blood, guns, violence, and death

———————————————

The sound of gunshots is what woke you. Your husband jumped up and grabbed his gun, ordering his men to get outside. Goodneighbor was under attack.

You had never gotten dressed so quickly in your life. Racing down the stairs with your gun, you quickly shot down the raiders that had been trying to get into the Old State House.

You scooted against the wall and peeked around the corner, you spotted your husband and K.L.E.O fighting with a group of raiders.

While you were figuring out how to get to your husband, you didn’t notice a small group of raiders coming up behind you. They grabbed you, taking your gun. You screamed for your husband as they dragged you away.

Hancock came running, only to be met with a grenade being thrown at him. Luckily he wasn’t injured, just knocked back. When he came to, you were gone and the fighting had stopped.

————

You sat in a bunker, you had no idea how long you’d been down there. It could’ve been hours, days, maybe even weeks.

As the weeks went past, you studied the group that had taken you. There were six of them. After three weeks, you feared the worst that everyone in Goodneighbor was dead and help wasn’t coming.

————

“WEEKS! It’s been WEEKS since she was taken and not one of you has been able to find her!” Hancock screamed. He had searched everywhere, put out a radio message, and even contacted the minutemen. You were gone without a trace.

“Sir,” a guard approached, “I, along with a few others, think it may be time to consider the possibility that she may not be alive, it’s been three weeks, raiders don’t normally keep their captives alive this long.”

Hancock slowly turned and stared at this guard. He could feel his blood boiling. He threw a punch at him, knocking the poor guard out. “She’s alive, I know she is.”

————

You were able to lift a knife off of one of the raiders while he was passed out. Your heart pounded, if any of them woke up, you wouldn’t be able to fight them all off.

The sandman kills went easier than expected, none of them made a sound. You grabbed an old backpack, filling it with supplies, you grabbed a gun with plenty of ammo and opened the door to the building quietly.

Looking around, you tried to see if there were any other raiders around. Only one at the entrance of the facility, it was a tiny bunker, a hideout you guessed. Quickly getting rid of said raider, you tried to figure out where you were. You wandered a bit, coming to a vault, it was hard to see in the dark but the letters read a clear 111. Your eyes widened in realization, you were near Sanctuary.

You started running and ended up tumbling down the hill towards Sanctuary. You got up and ran, finally coming face to face with Preston Garvey. “Y/N Hancock! Where have you been? Your husband put out a radio message to see if anyone had seen you.” You explained how Goodneighbor was attacked, how you had been kidnapped, and snuck your way out of the tiny bunker.

Preston called in a few minutemen who were able to escort you to the front gate of Goodneighbor.

————

Hancock was buying chems from Fred Allen outside of Hotel Rexford when he heard it. “JOHN!” He froze, instantly recognizing the voice that called his name. Dropping his chems, he turned around to see you running from the entrance. He had never run so fast to get to you. Tears streaming down your face, you jumped up into his arms, wrapping your arms and legs around him tightly.

You stayed like that for a while before he asked what happened. He started walking to your home, you explained what happened as he carried you up the stairs.

“I saw blood, and then I had a grenade tossed at me, which knocked me out. When I came to, you were gone and I was scared, I thought I lost you.”

You shed a few tears as you kissed him. He wrapped his arms around you tightly, rubbing your back while you kissed. The next few minutes felt like you were in slow motion. You stared at each other for a while, you yawned, signaling it was time for a nap. You were exhausted and hadn’t slept properly in the last few weeks.

Hancock lifted up the blankets, tucking you both under, he pulled you close until you were resting your head on his chest. “I promise no one will ever take you from me again” he said as he rubbed your back.

[vault-heck]

@twosides--samecoin okay listen, thank you for these tags because I have so many thoughts and feelings about this topic. I'm beyond stoked to hear that this is how the scene comes across so far-- tbh your feedback renewed my enthusiasm for the target vibes, haha. You and I are very much on the same page about Preston.

While I don't know exactly where this fits yet, I went into writing it fresh off another chapter where Preston literally tells Noah "part of the reason I don't think I can be the General right now... [is that] it's been a long time since I reflected on who I am outside of my work." A lot of things are urgent and stressful in their worlds between Concord and this point, but it's been important to me to build in more space for Preston to just exist. Be himself. Hang up the radio and musket every now and then, and let his character shine through with happiness and humor and complexity in addition to the grief he'd be experiencing post-Quincy.

And when it comes to him and Noah in particular? Their relationship isn't exactly complicated, but it exists in a weird space. They've shared some trauma. Preston has coached Noah in combat and Minutemen Stuff. Conversely Noah has gone all in on helping settlements, mostly stepping away for the occasional lead on his son. They've traveled together quite a bit and worked as a cohesive and super-effective unit, particularly in outreach; while they haven't said it aloud, each of them would describe the other as their best friend if you asked. They've got inside jokes for days and can pick up on each others' more subtle mannerisms. And yet there's so, so much they haven't talked about.

It's counter-intuitive for both of them to reach out, despite how much they care, knowing there's such potential to get burned. I'm hoping that moments like this one can nudge them towards opening up to the other with curiosity and intention.

WIP weekday

Thank you @twosides--samecoin ! I'll tag in @x-sapphicpirate-x and anyone else who wants to participate, feel free to tag me in a WIP you post. I've totally lost track of who's been tagged this week and who I tagged most recently :')

Below the cut, a scene that may or may not make it into the final re-write. Setting: Ron Staples' traveling bar, just northwest of Westing Estate.

“Another day in the Commonwealth.”

“I’ll drink to that.” The third sip of bourbon burned a bit less; he was going to drink it too quickly if they didn’t find another way to pass the time.

“We should play a game or something,” he ventured.

“Got any ideas?” Preston adjusted his hat, tilting it back to expose more of his face. He’d loosened his scarf when they first found the traveling bar, lest any alcohol stain it. It caught the occasional breeze and tugged against his left shoulder.

“There’s always the pre-war classic, ‘truth or drink,’” Noah smirked.

A tilt of the head and wrinkled brows. “Isn’t it ‘truth or dare?’”

“I figure we’ve had enough excitement for one day.” Preston conceded to this with a tired nod, and Noah continued, “So the rules are, we take turns asking each other whatever we want. And to opt out of a question, you have to drink.”

“This is a real game that people played before the war?”

“No,” he admitted.

“That kind of just sounds like… talking.”

“Fine, fine.” Noah waved dismissively and ignored the urge to take several swigs of bourbon right then. “We can just talk. But after everything in Goodneighbor, Somerville…”

He trailed off. How could he put this? Lately, whenever he spent time with Preston, there was a strange uncertainty etched in his features. Concern for all the unknown factors constructing the person he’d just asked to lead the Minutemen, with a dash of ordinary human curiosity. He almost never asked things when it appeared that he wanted to; Noah worried that it was all eating away at him. That if he didn’t extend a branch, they might never talk about certain things.

Now, Preston’s chin drifted upward as he studied him, fingers tapping the side of his glass as he listened. Case in point.

“You’ve said that you’re still trying to figure me out, or figure out what makes me tick. I’m an open book, Preston. I don’t want to drag you to the memory loungers every time there’s something you want to know about me.”

His teeth caught his lower lip as he let out a low chuckle. He might have been re-thinking his words from earlier, or maybe Noah’s suggestion took him by surprise.

“Alright. Do I get to go first?”

Noah opened a palm in a vague ask away gesture, an even facade of confidence in his ability to answer.

They fell quiet for a time, the gentle sound of the riverside blending with notes from the ukulele and conversation on the other side of the campfire. The sky was more teal than blue in the sun’s descent, and Preston scanned woolly clouds above them as he thought.

“What’s something you miss from before the war that surprised you?”