Fiction: Fallout 4
Summary: Takes place slightly after 'Knighted', Ashtyn is playing a game of Truth or Dare with the Squires when Danse intrudes.
Category: One-Shot
Disclaimer: I do not lay claim to any of the following work. While the writings themselves are my own, my character is created fully by myself, the other characters and story elements I do not own. I also do not own any of the Fallout 4 elements that are in play. Full credit goes to where it is due. Thank you. Thanks to Bethesda.
It was evening, getting late. Through the windows that nestled within the steel walls of the Prydwen, the moon was just barely visible among the rumbling green clouds. A radiation storm was thundering outside the safety of the giant airship, sheeting rain against the exterior and making these little 'plink plunk plink' noises as the individual drops pelleted off of the metal.
The air was heavy with humidity and moisture, dampening my skin as I crossed the flight deck towards the door. Radiation made my flesh crawl, made me wince as it bit at me. Nope, I wasn't ever going to get used to that. Good to know. Puddles were forming where the grating of the walkways bent and settled, splashing along my calves. My loose ponytail stuck to the nape of my neck and trailed halfway down my back, resting between my shoulder blades. My shirt clung to my soft skin, my cargo pants were dark with water, and my boots squinched with each step I took as I thudded across the catwalks.
For lack of better terms? I was fucking soaked.
To the bone.
As I stepped inside the main deck, I took a slow inhale, enjoying the lack of droplets smacking against my skull. I squeezed the excess water from my hair, flicking the condensation from my fingertips. One of the guards grunted, eyeing me with a grim expression. I scoffed in response, "What? My bunk is down three floors. You don't honestly expect me to drip the whole way there, do you?"
Another grumble. Well, fine, up yours too, buddy.
I took to the ladder, careful with my footing for fear the water would make the rungs slippery. Last thing I needed right now was to plummet to a rather embarrassing, and painful, pile of arms and legs. I had enough shit to worry about; a visit to Cade just wasn't in my itinerary.
A few of the Knights bobbed their heads in greeting as I passed, offering a soft-hearted salute when I edged around them, desperately attempting not to spread my soaked-ness. My bunk room was a welcome sight, void of Danse for the time being. "Thank fuck for that," I whispered. Not like I needed him in here while I changed… though I couldn't deny the warm flush that heated my cheeks at the thought.
No, get your head in the game. Focus. Jesus hot sauce, Christmas cake, don't be stupid.
I ran a towel over my damp hair, ringing all the residue I could manage from my head in the process. I shivered once my shirt and jeans were removed, leaving my skin wet and exposed, allowing the frigid air to steal my breath away as I trembled. I haphazardly toweled myself dry as quickly as I could.
Once finished I tugged on a fresh set of clothes – a black long-sleeved shirt with the RobCo logo sprawled across the front and a pair of ratty blue jeans that were faded, clearly having lived better days… Hell… everything here had lived better days. I had lived better days.
I snorted. Sure, compare yourself to clothing, great idea. That's a real mood booster there.
"Alright, time to visit the boys," I said to myself, exiting the safety of the bunk room. I had promised them that I would play whatever game they wanted me to in return for flaking on them the day before. I was supposed to go on an escort mission with them but… well, shit happened. More accurately, Teagan happened. He had ordered me to complete a food run, no matter how many times I told him I was otherwise occupied. Bastard.
My hand skimmed along the rail as I made my way to the lower levels of the Prydwen. I could hear their laughter as I descended the steps to them, childish giggles enveloping the air with their happiness. How wonderful it was to be so young… capable of remaining blissfully unaware of the shit-tastic bomb shell world that they lived in. How lucky they were.
The room was packed, children taking up almost every free space with their personal belongings and gear. Some were sprawled out on their cots reading or playing cards with one another on the floor. Some were practicing hand-to-hand combat in the back while others studied for their Squire exams that were occurring on Friday. It reminded me a lot of a college dormitory… but for kids.
Jeremy trotted up to me, an ear-to-ear grin spreading across his face like wildfire as he grasped my hand. "You came!"
"I promised, didn't I?" I replied, kneeling down to his level to ruffle his hair with my fingers. "Where's your partner in crime?" Usually he and Tim were attached at the hip, it was strange to see him greeting me alone.
"Over here!" Tim called from his seated position. He sat with two others, forming a circle of sorts with a space free, likely where Jeremy had been before I arrived. "Come on, join us!"
Jeremy led the way to the group, taking his place once more and tugging me down beside him. "We're playing Truth or Dare," he explained. "Have you ever played it?"
I had to refrain from rolling my eyes. Out of all the games they picked, this was the one they chose to go with? "Yep. I know it may come as a surprise, but I was a kid once too."
"Great, it's Casey's turn," Tim said, tilting his head towards a young girl that sat across from him. She looked to be about the age of twelve, her soft golden curls framing her rounded face and big gray eyes.
"Okay… Uh… Jake, truth or dare?" Casey asked, eyeing another boy who was to the right of Jeremy. Jake was one of the newer recruits, roughly eleven years old. He was found wandering the streets of downtown Boston when a scouting team stumbled upon him.
"Truth!"
"Is it true you have a big crush on Penny?"
A blush colored Jake's cheeks in crimson as his blue eyes widened. I couldn't hold back the eye roll then. What did these pre-teeners know about crushes and love?
"You have to tell the truth," Casey added when he seemed reluctant to supply an answer.
Grumbling quietly, he muttered, "Yes."
"I knew it!" Casey squealed, clapping her hands together. But then her face turned serious as she peered at the boy. "I won't tell her, promise. Squire's honor!" she swore, placing a hand firmly over her heart.
Jake let out a relieved exhale, his muscles visibly losing their tension. Then he swiveled his head to Tim, "Truth or Dare?"
"Dare," Tim replied, determination making his shoulders pull back and his chest puff forwards.
"Do a handstand for one full minute!"
"Easy!" Tim countered, standing from his spot and straightening out his t-shirt. With a steadying breath he leaned forward and placed his palms against the deck's floor. Reassuring himself that he was prepared to transfer his center of gravity and balance, he kicked his legs up and held them above his head.
"Someone start a timer!"
Jeremy watched the second hand on his wrist watch, counting out loud.
"1, 2, 3, 4…"
Tim gritted his teeth and shuffled his hands, trying to find a sturdier position.
"15, 16, 17, 18…"
Tim's eyes closed as he concentrated, blood already rushing to his head and coloring his face pink.
"33, 34, 35, 36…"
He hissed through his pursed lips, sweat beginning to prick his brow.
"48, 49, 50, 51…"
"Hurry…. Up…" Tim managed to growl out, arms starting to tremble.
"59, and 60!"
Tim dipped his feet back to the ground, landing on his hands and knees as he regained his composure.
"I didn't think you could do it," Jake admitted, clapping with the other kids. I felt bad for agreeing but I was just as amazed.
"I've been practicing since the last time you made me do that." Tim retorted, a triumphant look in his gaze as he locked eyes with Jake. "I wasn't going to let you make me feel bad twice in one week!"
"Fair enough, but it's your turn now."
Tim rolled upwards, working his fingers and hands to release some of the tension he had built up over the past sixty seconds. "Alright… Just because no one else is brave enough to do it, I challenge Ashtyn. Truth or Dare?"
I groaned internally. Had it been foolish of me to assume I could have just remained a willful observant? Okay, I had two options… because backing out wasn't available. Not after my promise. Truth could result in me spilling the beans on… well, everything… I could lie but that was against the rules. So… "Dare." Hey, maybe this could be fun.
Tim smirked, eyes flicking towards the stairs for a moment as if in contemplation. "Pretend to be Paladin Danse!"
Oh… Oh, yeah. I could get behind this.
With a smile curling the corner of my lips, I stood and saluted. "Ad Victoriam, solider! Paladin Danse, reporting for duty!" I deepened my voice, and tensed my biceps the best I could.
I was met with a peal of laughter.
"Ferals can come out of anywhere, they are an infestation that needs to be exterminated! Safety off and remain sharp. We can't afford to waste any bullets." I continued, pumping a fist into the air, "All this water is bad for my power armor." They giggled, Tim's gaze returned to the staircase leading to the upper decks. "Knight, seems we have found some new pre-war technology! What a wonderful asset for the Brotherhood of Steel. By Steel, recruit, I-"
"I, what?"
My face paled and my voice caught in my throat.
"Well, hey there, Paladin Danse. Didn't see you there, sir!" Tim welcomed, waving nonchalantly.
Oh… you little prick.
A hand rested on my shoulder causing every single muscle in my body to tighten as if pulled like a rubber band. "Nothing," I squeaked, bowing my head as the tips of my ears turned scarlet with embarrassment.
"No, do go on. I'm dying to know," Danse replied as he moved around to face me fully.
"You're… a really swell guy who can look past this little bit of insubordination?" I finished, peeking up at him from under my thick eye lashes, blinking innocently.
Though he kept his expression stern, his eyes gave him away – filled with a silent chuckle as they twinkled in the florescent lights. "This once, Knight. Though, I am curious, what is it that prompted this behavior?"
"We're playing a game," Jeremy answered, popping up into a standing position next to me.
"And what game is that?"
"Truth or Dare, you should play with us!"
Danse scowled, thick brows knitting together. "I don't think that's necessary."
I snickered, a challenge in my words as I spoke, "I mean, it would be a good way to prove me wrong."
His frown deepened.
"So, I portrayed you accurately then, good to know."
The children offered a mock 'ooooooh' as they swiveled their heads towards Danse, waiting for his response.
"Hardly."
I shrugged one of my shoulders before crossing my arms defiantly in front of my chest. "Looks like I did, since you clearly have no fun side."
"Holy crap, I can't believe she just said that," Casey whispered to Jake.
Danse stole a quick scan of the room before leveling a glare with me. "Game on, Knight."
"Great, it's my turn," I cooed. "Danse, Truth or Dare?"
"Dare." Conviction and courage weaved their way around his reply.
"I dare you to walk from that end of the room and back like a runway model, posing and all," I jabbed my finger towards the furthest wall.
He flushed. "You can't be serious."
"Oh, oodles of seriousness. And, kids, we all know the rules right?" They nodded eagerly. "Can't back out."
Danse glowered at me, huffing out a heavy exhale from his nose before glancing at the wall. "Fine."
No way… he wasn't going to actually do it, was he?
He pivoted on his heels and faced his destination, cracking his knuckles.
He wouldn't… couldn't…
Danse strutted forward with one hand on his waist, hips swaying as he did his best rendition of a pre-bomb-shit-hole model. At the wall he spun and returned to us, chin pointed upwards and lips formed into a full on pout. His steps were precise, calculated, just as measured as they were when we were in combat. But this… this was something else entirely. Oh god, if Maxson could see him now.
If I thought the children were amused before…
When he was back where he started he popped out his left leg and posed, arms outstretched as he gestured at his orange Brotherhood of Steel fatigues rolled down around his hips, graying t-shirt and combat boots.
Everyone clapped, eyes watering as our bodies trembled from bouts of laughter. Even I had to cover my mouth with the back of my hand to suppress myself.
"Happy?" Danse questioned.
"YES!" Jake answered.
"Keep playing with us!" Jeremy added, pulling Danse further towards the group.
Danse and I exchanged a look. He was trapped now.
"Alright, but only for a few minutes."
-oOo-
Three hours later, Danse and I returned to our bunkroom.
"Okay, I'll admit," Danse started, taking a seat on his bed as he knelt over to unlace his boots to remove them. "That was a lot of fun."
"This may astonish you but there is a lot of fun stuff to do when you don't occupy every single freaking second of your life with training and missions," I reciprocated, plopping down on my own cot and leaning against the metal barred headboard.
He grimaced at me, chestnut hair wildly splayed across the top of his head. "Are you insinuating that I don't know how to have a good time?"
I feigned shock. "How did you guess?"
Danse kicked off his shoes before meeting my gaze once more. "Truth or Dare?"
"What?"
"You heard me. Truth. Or. Dare?" he repeated.
My heart thudded in my chest, my senses became hyperaware. What was he scheming? "Truth?"
He propped his elbows on his knees, placing his chin on his hands. "On a scale from zero to ten, when we were at the Red Rocket Station, how scared were you that I was going to die?"
I scoffed, "Like… a five…"
"Five?"
"Yeah… Five," my tone was defensive… too defensive.
"A five?"
"Yeah, yeah. Five. Why?"
"You were at least a seven," he argued, a playful lilt to his voice as his lips coiled up into a grin.
"What? Nah, a seven?"
"Total seven. No doubt."
"Mirelurk Queens are a seven."
"Mirelurk Queens? Over my death?"
"Have you seen those things? They're pretty fucking scary, Danse."
He chuckled. "Okay, fine, what's a ten?"
"Heights."
"Heights…. Heights over… Steel, everything?"
"I… I hate heights. You have no idea," but even I was grinning now.
"Just admit it, you thought I was dead."
"No, of course not," I waved my hand dismissively.
"Yes, yes you did! I saw tears. Big ones."
"I wasn't crying… and you were passed out. It was raining."
"It was sunny and you shed tears. A bunch of them."
Two could play at this game. I moved to mirror his position. "Truth or Dare, punk?"
"Dare," he was cocky, riding his victory high.
Time to fix that. "Wear Haylen's red lipstick on our mission tomorrow."
"But Elder Maxson will-"
I raised a finger to silence him. "Nope, no breaking rules," I chided.
If looks could kill.
"Truth or Dare?" He muttered.
"Dare," too afraid for another truth.
Revenge was bittersweet… "After every sentence tomorrow while your feet ore on the Prydwen, you have to bark. Loudly."
"Oh, that's not fair!"
"It's completely fair. I have to wear lipstick, you get to be a dog."
"You're on, Danse." I leaned forward, attempting to put some sort of threat into my demeanor.
"Right back at you, Ashtyn," copying my movement…
And leaving our faces a few mere inches apart.
My breath suddenly felt imprisoned in my lungs, my chest tightened. My heart's tempo increased, the thud-thud so loud in my chest I feared he could hear it as it echoed out through my ears.
I watched as his stare flicked to my lips before chastely returning to my face. "I… uh…" I began.
All it would take… was a gentle nudge, an 'accidental' slip… and…
He cleared his throat and reclined, increasing the distance between us. It took everything I had not to veer in his general direction, to close the gap once more…
"We should probably get some rest," he finished, averting his gaze to his mattress.
"Right… Right…" I breathlessly agreed, refusing to acknowledge the way my soul ached for anything but.
"Sleep well, Knight."
Right… Like I was going to sleep at all after that.