"Just take it off," the courier pleaded.
"No."
"Veronica, I swear to God." Six ran a hand through her hair aggravatedly. "We're gonna be in the middle of a war zone, and you want to keep that damn hood on?"
The scribe nodded simply, fingering the edge of the brown fabric.
"You're not gonna be able to see anything, Vee."
"It's never gotten in the way before," Veronica retorted defensively, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at the courier. "We've been all over the Mojave and it's never been a problem. Why should that be any different now?"
The courier looked flabbergasted. "This is the Legion we're going up against! They're gonna be comin' from all sides. How're you not expecting to get hit from behind?"
"I'll spin really fast." Veronica grinned, hoping they could drop the subject before the Legion decided to waltz in and take the dam.
Six groaned and threw her hands in the air, stomping off across the room and scrubbing her hands over her face.
The scribe rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest irritatedly. "Why is this such a big deal? You never cared this much before!"
Six paused for a moment and sighed before turning around to look at Veronica. "This isn't a hit and run by assassins. This is a full blown war. People die in war." The courier's gaze dropped to the floor and she looked stricken. Her eyes flicked back up to Veronica and she swallowed before speaking. "I'm not going to be able to be right beside you and warn you when someone's coming, Vee. In fact, it might be better if I kept my distance," Six mumbled, coming back across the room toward Veronica.
"You're babying me," Veronica observed quietly, noticing the fear on Six's face and deciding that this was not the time to be joking.
Six stared at Veronica for a moment before the scribe's words sunk in, and then she looked somewhat ashamed. "I don't... Sorry. Everyone's gonna be coming for me, though. I pissed a lotta people off. I just don't want you caught in the crossfire."
"But it's okay for Cass? And Arcade?" Sarcasm was obvious in the scribe's voice. A simple hood was not worth arguing over.
Six's shoulders slumped. "Arcade's got a suit of power armor. Cass... Veronica, look, I don't want you to get hurt. I don't think... I've never been more scared of losing someone."
Veronica opened her mouth to respond, but words stuck in her throat. She watched as the courier stepped closer and reached out to cup her cheek. The courier's palm was soft and warm against her skin, and her breath caught in her throat.
"I love you," the courier admitted softly, dipping her head and catching Veronica's mouth in a kiss.
The scribe melted into the courier's touch, every sense on fire. Six's lips were gentle and her kiss was passionate, and Veronica couldn't remember the last time she'd been kissed like this.
Six's hands gently curled in Veronica's hair as she kissed the scribe again, her wrists unknowingly nudging the hood back until it fell around Veronica's shoulders. The scribe didn't protest, too wrapped up in the embrace to care.
"I love you," Six whispered again, resting her forehead against the scribe's. "I don't want to lose you."
Veronica tried to remember how to speak, mind still buzzing from the kiss. "I'll be careful."
Six didn't look convinced. "No hood?"
"Ugh, fine. What else you got?" Veronica relented, pleased to see the smile that took over the courier's face.
"Thank you," Six murmured, sagging with relief as she closed the distance between them and brushed her lips against Veronica's. Veronica sighed happily as the courier's arms wrapped around her and held her close, nestling herself deeper into the security of the embrace.
"The hell is taking you so long, Six?" Cass asked as she banged the door to the office open.
Six broke the kiss and looked over at the intrusion, but didn't loosen her embrace. Veronica buried her face in Six's shoulder, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Six glared over at the caravaner. "What part of 'give me a minute' don't you understand?"
The gripe had little effect on the cowgirl, who was grinning from ear to ear at the sight of Veronica in Six's arms.
"Called it," Cass sang, glancing over her shoulder into the hall. "Arcade, you owe me fifty caps!"
Six scoffed and Cass left, pulling the door closed behind herself with an exaggerated wink.
The courier rolled her eyes before turning a softer expression on the scribe. She offered Veronica a shy smile, obviously hoping the interruption wouldn't ruin the kisses they'd shared.
"I can't believe they were betting on that," Veronica muttered, leaning into Six and feeling the courier relax against her.
Six chuckled. "It's Cass. She'd bet on her mother's tombstone if she thought she could win."
Veronica wrinkled her nose but nodded. "I guess."
They stood there together for a minute and finally Veronica sighed. "No hood, then."
Six gave her an affectionate squeeze. "I've got a few different helmets in my gear if you're desperate."
The scribe sighed again, dramatically enough to get a laugh from the courier.
The moment didn't last long; sirens began sounding through the lower level of the dam, signaling an incoming attack.
Both of the women exchanged a look, their stomachs dropping. War was here.
"No dying," Six pleaded softly.
"You too," Veronica retorted, and they managed a tight smile.
"Be careful, Vee." Six kissed her once more and was gone, off to head the charge to the Legate's camp.
Veronica stared after her, only moving when Cass threw a combat helmet at her and told her to hurry the hell up. She ignored the teasing glint in the redhead's eyes, pulling the helmet on and checking her power fist, hoping she'd get the chance to see Six again before they charged out into the power plant.