#also i'd like to say this is in no way trying to bash in piper

[silentstudiosyt]

Something I think about a lot is how a big part of Piper's character in hoo is about how she didn't want to be like her siblings. She didn't agree with rule you have to break someone's heart or ruin a relationship to be a true Aphrodite kid. But she ened up doing that anyways (unintentionally of course)

Jason returns to Camp Jupiter and Reyna is relieved he'd finally back, but not only does he not remember her, but now he's with some new girl. By the time Jason and Piper break up Reyna has already given up on romance.

[seaweedbraens]

okay question: I'm currently in the middle of designing a cover for my bookbind of WCWSTHWAS (bc it's a masterpiece that I need on my shelf) and I just need to know for the back cover:

What's your favorite quote from each chapter? Which ones are you most proud of?

AAAAAAAAAAH im sorry this took so long its just that every time i opened the fic i could NOT decide on a quote! ive shortlisted a bunch down here but feel free to choose whatever you like!! i mostly just skimmed since i know that i'll start wanting to go in and correct things if i do a deep dive haha (and that's a never-ending project)

ALSO HELP if anyone sees this and has a quote you like pls remind me of it!!! i have realized that i dont really write. like. memorable lines HAHAHHA or maybe this fic is just so big that they're all bleeding into each other. anyway. HELP

(also i'm so honored you're bookbinding my fic!!! i'd love to see pictures if you have em <333)

ch1:

To say that Percy’s doing water magic seems like a grave insult to his skill. He is not performing magic, he is magic, just as he is water, flowing and fluid and gorgeous. He does not have to speak incantations as children of Hecate do, and yet he pulls liquid from thin air in a never-ending stream, making the water in his hands appear alive.

ch2:

He’d been stupid to think he’d get what he wanted back when he was thirteen. Now, at nineteen…well, he’s still stupid.

ch3:

It’s hard to fight the urge to run and leave it all. He wants to grab the Fates, if they’re still around, and shake them by the shoulders. He wants to yell in their face, “Find me another destiny!”

ch4:

Bunker Nine. Warm forges and the sound of metal bashing metal as the children of Hephaestus worked on their weapons talking and laughing over each other, competing at who could be faster. Beckendorf winking at him as he passed by, Leo swooping in and out of the skylight atop Festus, Percy conjuring dolphins from the bathwater, Annabeth carefully pinning up sketches on the walls. Travis and Connor trying to trip him up at every opportunity, Silena passing him beauty products with a sly little smile, Harley and Gus latching onto his legs and pleading with him to teach them a new fighting move. Nyssa offering him the last of Leo’s tacos, Butch accompanying him silently on supply runs, Grover playing them all songs on his pipes on quiet night - Jason can hear the music now, slow and mournful, the sound of wind making its way through the leaves of a tree, the sound of water trickling over rocks.

Bunker Nine is family. Bunker Nine is all of these things, and more, but mostly it is Piper, holding out her hand in front of the Bunker Doors, kissing him lightly and welcoming him home.

ch5 (I CANT CHOOSE)

He’d…he’d just wanted to be loved so much, had assumed he would remain without having felt it for the rest of his days, and all along he hadn’t noticed he’d had it since forever. There’s love in the way Jason had clapped his back, so hard that he nearly went flying every time. There’s love in how Annabeth rolls her eyes at his jokes, in how she nags him to stop stealing all the spare paper. There’s love in how Beckendorf forces him to take breaks in between projects, and love in the way each of his siblings come sit next to him silently when he’s working. There’s love in how Hazel and Frank hug him, so hard that they nearly crack his ribs. There’s love in how Festus creaks happily at the sight of him, wires in his head sparking with joy. There’s love in how each and every one of them have each other’s back, and how they’d do anything to keep each other safe. And Leo – he loves them, too. Like, so fucking much, man.

His mother. His father. The cabin. The sea. The screeing of seagulls, the heaviness in the air, the way seafoam would gather on his little feet as though trying to keep him there. “I’m going to Bunker Three,” he says. “I’m going home.”

“I know we lost last time, but this War…this feels different.” She steps forward, her whole body tingling at the rush of energy that’s suddenly picked up in the room. “I know you feel it too – every line of the Prophecy coming alive. This is it, guys. We get to finally take our fate in our own hands. We finally get to spill all the dust and ichor that have caused us pain for so many years. We get to avenge the deaths of our friends, brothers, sisters, parents. We get to win.”

 Her thoughts, which had a certain dispiriting quality to them, lift, now, leaving her marveling at how the tiniest sliver of hope - hope for a future beyond the War, hope where a stupid old prophecy will not dictate their lives – can make her this happy.

They’re all too fucking young for this.

Percy is one of the most powerful demigods of their age, and the way he looks at her…the way he holds her? It makes Annabeth feel powerful, too.

Whatever the outcome of this battle is, Hazel thinks, at least they’ll finally be free.

It’s a silly little joy of his, he guesses. Making people laugh. It’s…it’s always made him feel wanted, feel like a part of the group. Every group of friends needs a Funny One, and that’s Leo.

He…loves himself. Kind of. Leo’s got a complicated relationship with himself, because, like Percy had said, he doesn’t think he’ll ever really forgive himself for letting his mom die. But…it’s taken many years of hating how he looked in the mirror, and hating the fire that would light up his fingertips unprompted, and hating how he never managed to do anything right, for him to finally accept himself for who he is. For him to…well, maybe not be super duper in love with himself, but be at peace with himself. And that’s what you’d call character development.

So, with Hazel’s dying breath, she and Nico will bring back Varus’ Fifth Cohort, and Frank will use the eagle to lead them into battle, clearing their name, and giving him the opportunity to show New Rome that he’s truly his mother’s son, capable of so much greatness. Her death will mean certain victory for their troops - if not for Percy. It’ll mean the start of a whole new chapter for New Rome. It’s the perfect plan. The perfect end to her story. “It’s sick,” she whispers, tipping her head back. Her tears wash down the sides of her face, and drops of them slip into her ears, curving around her head and into the mess of her hair. She is so angry, so sad. She wants to live in this brave new world, after all, with her hand in Frank’s and the sun shining on her back, filling her up with warmth. “It’s sick, isn’t it, the way it all works out so perfectly.” And Nico smiles, sardonic, and pats her shoulder. “That’s life, I guess, Hazel,” he says, a little sadly. “That’s life.”

“OF COURSE THERE IS!” Frank yells, so loud that the trees around them shiver. “Of COURSE there’s a choice, Hazel, and you’re choosing to DIE!” And there it is, finally, out in the open, screamed raw into the universe, writing it into history. Hazel is choosing to die. Again.

Like a dream, like a memory, Percy imagines hands placed across theirs. Jason’s large one, Leo’s bony one, Hazel’s delicate one, Nico’s pale one, Bianca’s clever one. His mother’s hand, a little wrinkled with age, but with love packed in every touch. So gentle, so kind. They all add strength to his own, filling him with courage. 

"Prove me wrong, Annabeth, Percy. Show me how you’ll make things better."

They crash together like two collapsing stars, and the universe falls away, leaving just them and a fierce, unspoken relief that fills Percy up with a coiling, growing warmth.

“He is not who I would choose for you, Annabeth. But he is, indeed, the best choice.”

Percy watches the stars twinkle and listens to the sound of the rustle in the trees, and tries to think about a life where he needn’t constantly be on his toes, a life where he won’t have to worry about a destiny and a Prophecy, a life where he and Annabeth could build a home.

epilogue:

He supposes – and is slowly coming to accept – that this fear might be so etched in him, so deep-seated that nothing will truly remove it from him. But he’s trying to remember Leo’s words. That fire isn’t just something that takes away, but it is heart and light and warmth and happiness. It’s camaraderie and kinship and deep bonds. It’s love.

Whatever he does, now, wherever he goes – he will never be alone again.

Time, she supposes, will go on.

In the end, there isn’t much they can do to fix the hurt. She supposes it’ll always be a part of her. But she gives her own explanations and apologies, and he does the same, and they just – choose each other, and they choose to move forward, and that means the world to her.

And so, with smiles that shine and feet that intertwine and hands that have held up the sky, Percy and Annabeth start making plans.

Maybe…just maybe, one day, he won’t have to look back.

again, pls feel free to choose your own!!! and thank you <333

[novankenn]

J/C - the Idols of Beacon

--==(Table of Contents) ==--

(Chapter Fourteen - the Storm Breaks (pt2))

Joan was nervous as she led Coco into her private room. She was a larger than life and intimidating person, and Joan was naturally worried about the reason of this chat request. She swallowed reflexively as she heard the door latch shut behind her.

"Shall we have a seat?" Coco asked, before adding, "We have a few things to talk about so this might take a bit."

"I... I only have my bed." Joan replied weakly.

"That's fine." Coco responded and Joan watched as the fashionista of Beacon plopped herself down on the edge of Joan's unmade bed, making a show of crossing her legs and giving Joan a wink.

Joan inwardly groaned and pressed her thighs together. She didn't;t understand it, but ever since the change. Ever since she transitioned from Jaune to Joan, she was finding so many more things... stimulating... Coco being one of the big ones.

"Joan, is everything okay?"

"Why... why do you ask?" Joan squeaked out.

"You seem a bit... flustered."

"I'm... I'm fine."

"Joan... please don;t lie. I can easily see something has you worked up." Coco countered. "Come have a seat. I want to have a little chat... just us girls."

Joan bit her bottom lip, before moving to take a seat on the bed next to Coco.

"So you wanted to talk about something?"

"A few things... actually." Coco replied.

"Like?"

"Well... a confession first, I think would be best."

"Confession?"

"Well..." It was now Coco's version to be bashful. "Do you remember a little while back... when Pyrrha walked in on you and Carla... having a little spat?"

"Yes?"

"Well Pyrrha let some of what you had said that day slip..." Joan's face went instantly nuclear red., and she made a move to bolt, only for Coco's hand to softly grab hers. "You don't have to do that."

"I'm sorry... I..." Joan didn't know what else to say. Coco's action to keep her from bolting, was so soft, comforting and almost intimate.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't find it... flattering... and I can... I can promise you that I do take you seriously, even if I sometimes act like I don't"

"But..."

"There is no but. I like you Joan, I do, and I would like to see if things could... if we give them a chance... develop further... if you want to also try, that is."

"I... I..."

"You don;t have to answer, now or ever... I just wanted to let you know, and if you need time to figure out what you want... I can wait." Coco gave Joan what she could only describe the softest, sweetest and most endearing smile she had ever seen, as she released Joan's hand. "Now for the next confession..."

Coco fished out her scroll, and took a moment to open an app.

"I'm only being so upfront with you... because Piper... well she said she'd relax the 'No Relationships' rule for me... if I found out some very specific."

Joan felt her heart start to thump in her chest.

"It seems..." Coco turned her scroll about while activating a very specific video. "You or someone close to you posted a video... a rather sexually charged one of you dancing."

"I didn't!" Joan squeaked out, a very deep embarrassed blush blooming on her cheeks. "I wouldn't!"

"That's what I figured... but the question remains." Coco turned her scroll about, and gave Joan a rather suggestive smile. "I won't lie... it's hot... very hot."

Joan didn't know how to reply to that comment.

"But Piper wants to know how this video of you ended up uploaded... and I'm wondering myself... why."

"Why?"

"Why you would record yourself... performing in such a way?"

[returnn-of-the-mac]

Hello! Sorry to bother, but could you possibly do the companions +Maxson reacting to Sosu begin almost killed by a raider in power armor because the raider stepped on Sosu (Who had been previously knocked down) and the raider just slowly keeps adding pressure. I'd greatly prefer romance, if I may. Thank you for your time! I also apologize if this is too graphic, you don't have to do this if it's too gross.

I got really into this one. I’m a sucker for the romanced companions. Please enjoy!

FO4 (❤️) Companions (+Nick, Deacon, & Maxson) React: Sole Getting Slowly Crushed By a Raider in Power Armor

Sole and their companion had spent the greater half of the day attempting to take over Outpost Zimonja from a group of Raiders, and they appeared to have the upper hand.

Just when they thought they had taken out the final Raider, Sole was roughly picked up and slammed onto the ground facedown.

The Raider boss— a man in power armor who called himself Boomer— placed a foot on Sole’s back.

Sole yelped in pain, and the Raider boss let out a sinister laugh.

He stepped on Sole harder, this time resulting in a sickening crack.

Sole’s eyes began to water, and Boomer looked menacingly at [companion].

Preston:

“Is this really necessary?” Preston pled, “How you Raiders get satisfaction from torturing others is beyond me.”

Boomer laughed thunderously.

“Because,” he said, pressing down harder on Sole, “It’s fun to watch them suffer.”

Preston clenched his teeth. He didn’t have the manpower to take down the Raider.

Or did he?

“Now are ya gonna do anything? Or is your little friend gonna be squished like a Radroach?”

Preston set off a flare.

Boomer did not take kindly to this.

“Why I oughta—“

Crack!

Preston used the butt of his musket to crack the Raider’s helmet.

Before the Raider could fight back, he was brought down by the force of about ten bodies tackling him in unison.

The Minutemen had arrived.

Preston ran over to Sole, helped them up, checked to see if they were okay, and then got right back into the heat of the battle.

The surprise ambush had severely weakened Boomer’s armor. He eventually succumbed to the relentless attacks.

“Thank you, everyone. We couldn’t have defeated him without your help.”

When the Minutemen had dispersed, Preston approached Sole and pulled them into a hug.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” he whispered, “I love you.”

Hancock:

“If you think I’m just gonna sit her and let ya step all over my friend here, then you’ve got another thing comin, punk,” Hancock threatened.

Boomer laughed.

“Yeah? And what’s a ghoul gonna do about it? I could probably snap ya in half between my pinky and my thumb.”

Hancock smirked before reaching into his coat and pulling out a syringe of psychobuff. He injected himself with it, and his mouth immediately contorted into a deranged grin.

“Shoulda quit while you were ahead, pal,” Hancock stated before charging at the enemy.

Boomer staggered a bit, buying Hancock enough time to whip out his knife and stab the Raider’s helmet.

His drug-induced jabs were strong enough to smash through the protective facepiece and right into the Raider’s eyeball.

“ARGH! My fuckin eye!”

Hancock didn’t stop.

He stabbed the raider in the face so frantically that his enemy had become almost unrecognizable.

Boomer fell to the ground just as the drugs began to wear off. Hancock then pulled out his shotgun and blew the man’s head off.

After he was sure Boomer was dead, he helped Sole to their feet, pulling them into a tight embrace.

“That’s what he gets for messin with us, doll,” the ghoul rasped, gently petting Sole’s hair, “I’m just glad you’re doin okay.”

Gage:

“Boomer! What the fuck,” Gage hollered, “Back off!”

“Aw, looks like Gagey’s getting soft, ey?” The raider taunted.

Gage growled.

“You n your little clique here has done nothin but cause problems. We sent ya out here to claim this turf. And ya have. But for yerselves. You lyin, greedy sacks of shit,” the raider continued, “And now yer gonna crush the fuckin overboss? The fuck’s the matter with ya? They already want you dead over in Nuka World. Why not give em another fuckin reason?”

“Do ya think I give a rat’s ass about the overboss, Gage?” he hissed, “The last one ya picked was a fuckin tool. Screwed us all over. How can we trust this one ain’t equally as shitty?”

Boomer chuckled and pressed down harder, causing Sole’s nose to spew blood.

Gage had had enough. He picked up a molotov and whipped it straight into the Raider’s head.

The force of the throw caused the fiery bottle to shatter across Boomer’s face, prompting him to roar in pain.

“Fuck you, Boomer,” Gage as he cradled a severly injured Sole in his arms. He looked at them softly, “Sorry ya had to suffer like that, babe. Ya gonna be alright?”

Sole nodded and Gage gave them a tight hug.

“Yer a real trooper, bo

Cait

Without hesitation, Cait whipped out her baseball bat.

“That’s it! I’m gonna bash yer skull in ye bastard!”

The redhead proceded to furiously whack Boomer on the arms, legs, chest, and head.

The Raider chuckled before lifting Cait off the ground and throwing her behind him like a ragdoll.

Cait hit the ground with a sickening thud before hearing Sole cry out again.

Boomer was crushing them.

Cait racked her brain for ideas when she spotted it: the fusion core.

She gripped her bat tight and bashed the core with all her might. It shattered into a million pieces.

The power armor went limp and she charged into it, effectively knocking Boomer to the ground.

She pulled out her shotgun, ripped off Boomer’s helmet, and stuffed the barrel into his mouth.

“You sure do know how to show a girl a good time,” she scoffed, pulling the trigger.

She scrambled over to her lover, sitting them upright.

“Yer safe now. Please, talk to me darlin,” she pled, slightly shaking Sole. Hert companion groaned and cracked an eye open.

“Yer alive! Oh, thank god!” She exclaimed, planting a rough kiss on their cheek, “I knew ye wouldn’t let yerself die to a spineless raider!”

Piper:

“Stop! You’re hurting [him/her]!”

“You got a good set of eyes there, doll.” Boomer hissed. He applied more pressure to Sole’s back and they let out a weak cry.

“Oh god…”

“Ya gonna try tah free em, or am I gonna haveta crush em?”

Piper racked her brain for ideas, but she was so flustered she couldn’t think of any. He was frozen.

The raider applied more pressure and Sole’s nose started to bleed.

“Blue! I—” before she could finish, something caught her eye. A note.

Boomer if we fucking find out where you’ve been hiding.

We’re coming after you. And we’re going to fucking murder you.

-Shank

Piper grabbed the note and held it up.

“Look bud. I know you’re in some hot water with the raiders, and I happen to be a reporter,” Piper announced, “Let my friend go, or I will make sure every raider across the Commonwealth knows where you’re hiding. Got it?”

Boomer growled.

“Why you little— I oughta— I— argh! Fine!” He said, stepping off Sole and kicking them to the side, “This weak fucker ain’t worth sparin with any of the raider gangs.”

He turned on his heels.

“Not a fuckin peep about my whereabouts. Got it, bitch?”

Piper nodded. “You got it.”

When Shank was out of sight, Piper lifted her injured companion into her arms.

“Oh, Blue. I’m so sorry I couldn't help you sooner than I did,” she cried, “But I’m so happy you’re alive!”

The reporter proceeded to shower her lover in kisses as they weakly clung to her.

MacCready:

“What’s your problem? Let [him/her] go!”

Boomer laughed, “Yeah. I don’t think that’s gonna happen, little man.”

MacCready grit his teeth.

“How much do you want?”

Boomer stopped laughing, his face suddenly serious.

“How much you’ve got to offer?”

MacCready laughed, “Look dude. I know how this goes. I’m not going to be the first to number drop. You want the caps, you name the price.”

Boomer rolled his eyes.

“Fine. 2500.”

“A little high, dontcha think?”

Sole glared at MacCready. If looks could kill, the merc would be six feet under. He caught their gaze and winked at them.

“2300.”

“Do I look like I’m made of caps, pal,” MacCready pressed, “2000 and you got yourself a deal.”

“Fine! Fine! Just give me my fucking money.” Boomer huffed.

MacCready fished through his duster and pulled out the caps.

The Raider greedily accepted the caps and turned around to walk away.

MacCready then helped Sole to their feet and briefly assessed them to see if they had any life-threatening injuries.

They didn’t.

Before Sole had the chance to rip MacCready a new one,however, he gave them a quick peck on the forehead, equipped his sniper, and climbed onto a bluff.

Boomer was still in plain sight. MacCready smirked as he aimed for the fusion core and shot.

He saw Boomer’s armor go limp, before watching him crawl out.

“Excellent.”

The merc aimed for the Raider’s head, held his breath, and pulled the trigger. He watched his enemies head explode, creating a shower of blood and skull fragments.

He then slid down from the bluff and ran up to Sole, pulling them into a hug.

“Before you kill me! I knew the only way to get him off you was to offer caps. I didn’t want to esculate the situation,” MacCready explained. He planted a gentle kiss on the top of Sole’s head, “I didn’t want to risk him hurting you. I didn’t...I couldn’t...I wouldn’t be able to watch you suffer like that. I love you too much.”

Nick:

Ting!

Something barely noticeable hit Boomer’s armor.

“The fuck was that?” He asked, looking around, “Was that you,tin can?”

“Says the guy in the power armor.”

“Yeah, whatever. It was probably a bug or some shit.

Nick smirked and put away the syringer rifle he was holding; the Raider was completely oblivious to the hack dart he had been struck with.

“You know Boomer, I think it would be more badass to crush [name] with your fists. I mean anybody can get crushed. It happens all the time.”

Sole looked horrified, but Nick continued.

“But to crush the life out of someone with your fists, Now that. That’s nothing to scoff at.”

The raider contemplated for a moment and agreed.

“You know what, grandpa? You’re right.”

Boomer picked Sole off the ground with the intent to squeeze the life out of them.

Sole closed their eyes and grit their teeth. They couldn’t believe Valentine, of all people, was a traitor.

“This is gonna be fun” Boomer growled, “Rest in pe—“

He suddenly dropped Sole.

“Hey what the hell?”

He then started to punch himself in the face.

“What...the fuck...is...argh! Goin on!?”

“Stop hitting yourself,” Nick teased, controlling the power armor’s actions, “Why are you hitting yourself?”

“Leave me—argh! Alone!”

“Fine, fine,” Nick agreed, putting down the controls, “Run along now, Boomer.”

“Yeah, I will! And Tenpines Bluff is gonna get the blunt of my anger!”

“He just had to push it, didn’t he?”

Boomer turned on his heels and fled.

Just before he was out of sight, Nick pressed a button and the power armor exploded, instantly killing the hostile Raider.

“Yeah, he isn’t going to be messing with any settlements on my watch,” Nick stated, while walking over to his lover. He held out a hand and Sole accepted it.

“Glad to see you’re alright, dear,” Nick said, pulling Sole into a hug and giving them a kiss on the cheek, “Now. Shall we get moving?”

Curie:

“[Name]!” Curie called, “I will get you vree!”

“Like hell you will.” Boomer called, swinging at Curie. She dodged, and then pulled out a knife.

“Zir! I eenzist you stop!”

Boomer grabbed at her and tried to fling her to the side, but Curie clamped onto his arm.

“H-Hey! Get off!”

He tried shaking her off, but she wouldn’t budge.

“Eef power armor ees anyzing like human anatomy, zen— ”

She swung her knife under the crack between the helmet and the chest piece and sparks went flying. She had severed one of the most important wires in the suit.

“Aha!”

“Argh! You bitch, what the hell did you do!? My power armor ain’t workin!”

Curie took a deep breath and calmed herself before mustering a powerful voice, “Leave or eet eez you’re neck...uh...zir!”

The raider grumbled.

“Fine, whatever. This dump ain’t worth all the trouble anyway.”

When the raider had stomped out of sight, Curie giggled.

“Did I zound zcary, [Madame/Monsieur]? I’ve been practicing my inteemidating voice!”

She helped Sole up and pulled them into an embrace.

“I’m zo glad you are zafe, my love,” Curie whispered, “I was truly worried.”

Danse:

Danse didn’t hesitate— he charged directly at Boomer in his own set of power armor.

The raider was taken aback by Danse’s swift response and staggered a bit.

Danse used this moment of hesitation to deliver a powerful blow to the enemy’s fusion core.

“Shit!”

Shards of glass flew in every direction, the dead suit slumping into a useless pile of metal.

Boomer was forced to crawl out of the suit and meet his opponent face-to-face.

“Not so tough now, are you?” Danse asked, towering over the Raider.

“Fuck you,” Boomer cursed, “Why don’t ya come outta your power armor and make it an even fight?”

“I’m not fighting for entertainment purposes,” Danse explained, trying his hardest to keep his cool, “You tried to kill my friend, and I’m not standing for it.”

“Yeah? And what’s stoppin me now, huh? Just cuz I don’t have fancy armor doesn’t mean I ain’t gonna kill [him/her]!”

“You lay one finger on [him/her], you’re dead,” Danse growled, “Leave. Now.”

“Urgh. Fine. None of ya’lls are worth my time anyway. I’ll just go slaughter some stupid settlers. They’re easy pickins anyway.”

Just as Boomer turned his back, Danse picked him up and piledrived him into the concrete ground. The force of the impact made the Raider’s head splatter.

Sole looked appalled and Danse furrowed his eyebrows.

“I...I didn’t mean for his demise to be quite so...barbaric. I just couldn't stand by and let him walk free knowing he was going to murder innocent civilians,” Danse shook his head, “But enough about that. Are you okay, [name]?”

Sole nodded and Danse smiled. He planted a gentle kiss on the top of their head and opened his arms as if to embrace them, but playfully ruffled their hair instead.

“I would have given you a hug, but I’m sure you’ve exceeded your crushed-by-power-armor quota for the day.”

Maxson

“As the Elder of the Brotherhood of Steel, I order you to let my partner free.”

“Big talk from a little man in a fluffy jacket.”

Maxson clenched his fist. “You’re digging your own grave, punk.”

Boomer smirked.

“Oh, really? Well, what are you going to do about it?” He hissed, pressing down on Sole’s back harder. Sole let out a yelp.

“This!” Maxson tossed a signal grenade and within seconds two Vertibirds appeared overhead.

“What is this shit?”

A storm of bullets rained down on the Raider.

“ARGH!!”

Sole got pelted by a few bullets, but the Raider absorbed most of them.

The next thing they knew, Sole was being lifted off the ground

“You’re safe now, sweetheart. Don’t worry.” Maxson reassured, carrying Sole to the nearest Vertibird, “I wasn’t going to let that scoundrel crush you.”

When Sole and Maxson made it into the aircraft, the Elder planted a kiss on their forehead.

“We’ll have Cade examine you for injuries, but you should be alright. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Deacon:

Deacon— who had managed to strip down to his underwear and throw on a brahmin skull— started clapping, prompting Boomer to raise an eyebrow in confusion.

“Wha—?”

“Congrats! You’ve passed!” Deacon exclaimed.

“Passed? Passed what? Who the fuck are you?”

Deacon pretended to be surprised.

“Wha—you don’t know me? I’m Bones. From HQ? I was sent out to test the raider bosses. Yanno, see if they can hold their own against intruders.”

Boomer scoffed, “Well of course I fuckin passed then. I ain’t no pushover.”

“Right,” Deacon smirked, “Well, you’ve earned yourself a shipment of supplies. Just clean up the corpses and let my partner go.”

Boomer nodded and stepped off Sole. Sole took a few moments to recuperate before scrambling to their feet. Deacon winked at them,

“Thanks. We’ll be on our way now.”

When Sole and Deacon had gotten far enough away from the raider boss, the duo loaded up a Fat Man and sent a mini nuke his way.

“Enjoy the shipment, jackass!”