A/N: This chapter took longer than I expected. Sorry!
WARNING!Sexual content ahead! My first 'naughty scene' so be kind! I hope you all enjoy!
I'm awoken by a soft shove from my father. He's standing next to my bed, grinning and hiding something behind his back.
"Good morning, sweetie. Time to get up! The birthday girl can't just lie in bed all day!" My father laughs, his eyes crinkling with his smile. I look over at my Pip-boy on my dresser and frown at the time.
"Awh man, lying in bed all day would be the best day ever, Dad." I pull the covers up over my head to shield my eyes from the blinding vault lights.
"Come on, sleepy head. You have to get ready for your party!" Dad pulls the blankets off of me and I give a little squeal as the lights blind me again. Dad chuckles and sits on the end of my bed. "I have something for you honey."
I sit up and hug my knees, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. He hands me a small box, tied neatly with a blue ribbon. "What is it?" I turn the box over in my hands.
"Open it and see." Dad gives me a soft smile as I un-wrap the soft ribbon and open the box. Inside is a gorgeous green dress made of a silky material. I hold it up in front of me, admiring the way it hangs in the light. The fabric looks old, but the colors are vibrant enough to make me squeal in excitement.
"Oh my God! Thank you Daddy! It's beautiful!" I hug him and then jump up to go try the dress on. He waits patiently as I change in the bathroom, stripping out of my pajamas and slipping the smooth fabric over my head. It fits perfectly. The dress flares out at my hips, making them look bigger and more feminine. I look at myself in the mirror, admiring the way the neckline shows off my collar bones. The green of the dress makes my eyes pop. For a moment I can only stare at myself. I rush back into the room and my father stands, his eyes crinkling again in a huge smile.
"It was your mothers. She wore it to our wedding." Dad begins to tear up. I run to hug him, trying to keep my own tears at bay.
"Thank you Dad. It's gorgeous." We hug silently for a moment. He releases me and ruffles my hair, telling me not to take too long getting ready. I go back to the bathroom to fix my hair. When I'm finished, it is half up and half down, cascading across my shoulders in loose curls. I search through a small box on a shelf above the toilet, reaching for my mother's makeup kit. It's old and dusty but still in good condition. I open the case and pick out a few things like blush and a deep wine-colored lipstick to complement the dress.
It only takes me a few minutes to apply everything. My cheeks are rosy and lips coated in a soft velvet color, eyes tightly lined with a kohl pencil and lashes accented with brownish black mascara. I look over my reflection in the dirty mirror. Satisfied with the look, I grab a pair of short black heels and slip them on. As I leave my apartment, Dad stops and gives me a once over, eyes tearing up again.
"You look stunning, honey. Have fun at your party." He hugs me for the third time and I have to force him to let go before I start to cry.
"I'll see you for dinner Dad. Just like I promised." I wave my goodbye and go to meet Amata at her apartment.
I knock on her door. She opens it with a whoosh of air and invites me inside.
"Holy cow, Kal. You look so good!" Amata gives me a once-over as I do a little twirl. "Where'd you get that dress?"
"It was my mom's. My dad gave it to me this morning."
"Well it looks damn good on you." Amata retrieves her own dress and lifts it up next to her. It is a soft pink with a square collar and a darker pink trim.
"Your dress is so pretty, Amata. It will totally go with your skin tone!" I smile and help her into the garment, zipping it up in the back. She spins around and smiles.
"You're right. I love it. I found it in a box in my family's storage. I think it was my aunt's or something." She sits down at a chair next to her dresser. "Now help me with my hair. I can never do anything with it myself!" We both laugh and I help her.
By the time I'm done with Amata's makeup and hair, there is only an hour until my party. We hurry down the hallway to the stairs and awkwardly run to the atrium. I almost fall on my face because of my heels. We get there just in time to finish setting up the decorations.
"Are you sure people are going to show up Amata?" I look at the other girl as she finishes putting out the snacks.
"Of course. Don't worry about it, I've got everything handled." She grins mischievously and gives my hand a tight squeeze. "You'll see."
She seats me at a table and goes to the other side of the atrium. I sit nervously; crowds are never one of my favorite things. As Amata opens the door, people from all over the vault come waltzing in. The girls all wear pre-war dresses and the boys in suits and ties. Amata moves over to a record player in the corner and begins playing some upbeat pre-war music. The whole crowd begins to dance and laugh and I can't help but laugh and smile as Amata lifts me out of my chair to dance. She spins me around and we enjoy ourselves, dancing with Susie Mack and Christine Kendall. Some of the older kids and even a few adults have joined in. I catch a glimpse of Wally and Paul and even Freddie in the corner, dressed in borrowed suits and 'stealthily' enjoying some liquor with their punch. I look around for Butch. I don't see him anywhere and am suddenly filled with sadness. Amata sees my face fall and pulls me to the side.
"What's wrong Kal? Is the crowd too much?"
"No, it's nothing. Everything is great Amata, really." I give her a small smile and a fake happy face. She grins and nods an okay, letting me go and moving back to the crowd. The music is loud and everyone is having a wonderful time. I watch the vault residents dance and laugh. Some place gifts on a small table in the corner, others relax on the chairs set up by a few tables. Kids sway and swing dance to the music. I take everything in, smiling at how hard Amata worked to make this a great party. In the corner of my eye I catch a glimpse of black slicked-back hair. I turn to follow the figure that moves through the crowd, but I get lost in the sea of people. I push through, saying quick thanks to those who wish me a happy birthday. The crowd is dense and it's hard to squeeze through, but I manage to make it to the other side relatively in one piece.
Standing by the wall in a deep, pure black suit that matches his hair, is Butch DeLoria. His hair is in his usual style, but more refined and classy looking. A piercing blue tie is knotted around his neck, and he wears a sleek suit jacket paired with a crisp white shirt. His eyes gleam like two sapphires as he watches me emerge from the crowd.
"Nice party ya got here, nosebleed." Butch has his hands in his pockets and is leaning against the wall with one leg up and a foot also resting on the wall. His pants are tight enough to show off the muscular build underneath them, and I feel my breath hitch at the grin that he gives me.
"Thanks." I say.
He moves closer, coming off the wall to stand in front of me. "I like your dress. Makes your eyes come out."
The comments leave me speechless. Butch has never complemented anyone but himself. He studies my expressionless face for a moment before taking me by the hand and leading me into the crowd of people.
"Dance with me nosebleed." He places a hand on my hip and takes the other in his free hand, gently swaying with me to the music. People stop for a moment to stare at us, clearly astonished that Butch even showed up. Amata sees us and furrows her brows. I dance with Butch for what seems like forever, forgetting all about everyone else and just enjoying the feel of his hands around mine.
By the time the party is over, I'm exhausted. Butch releases me and grins before leaving, mouthing a 'see ya' in my direction. I stand where he left me while everyone returns to their apartments, trickling out of the doors one by one. I feel Amata slide up next to me, putting an arm around my shoulders.
"So, how'd you like the party?" Amata beams at me.
"It was amazing. Thank you so much Amata." I give her a hug and sit down at one of the tables to remove my shoes. I rub my aching feet as she sits too, placing a glass of water in front of me.
"So, what was that thing with Butch? You looked like you were drooling out there." Amata nudges me with her hands and I snap out of my zone. "You like him, don't you? There's something going on between you two! I know it."
I spit water all over the table in front of me and cough. "No, it's nothing. I swear. He just wanted to dance, that's all."
"That's a lie and you know it. Spill it all Kal!" Amata looks at me and waits for my response.
"Okay fine. You can't say anything or he'll kill me. Got it?"
"Yeah yeah, I solemnly swear to shut my mouth, blah blah blah and all that jazz. Now tell me!"
"Okay, okay, sheesh. Remember a few months ago when he stopped us in the hallway while we were going to get those holotapes?"
Amata's eyes go wide. "Yeah, I remember. I had to leave and go talk to my dad."
"Well, after you left, things got a little crazy. I was tired of his BS and slapped him, so he chased me down to the reactor level. I hid behind a bunch of crates but my noisy ass managed to get caught." I watch Amata as her mouth slowly falls open. "He dragged me out from behind the crates and pinned me to the ground. I thought for sure I was dead meat. But all of a sudden, he just gets real close to me and says, 'I've wanted to do this for a long time, Nosebleed' and then he kisses me. Like on the lips, open mouth kiss."
Amata looks like she is about to fall out of her chair. "No freaking way, Kal. Holy hell!" She starts to laugh and actually falls out of her chair.
"Amata! Get up! People will come in here!" I stand and lift her off the floor. She looks me in the eye and giggles.
"He is totally head over heels for you Kal!" Amata is grinning so big it makes my cheeks hurt.
"Shut up! Do you want the whole vault to hear you?" She gives me a playful punch in the shoulder and laughs.
"Let's clean this place up before you're late to dinner." Amata starts taking down decorations and cleaning up empty cups and plates. She stacks my presents and tells me she'll drop them off at my apartment. I help her get everything neat and clean before leaving to meet my father for dinner. My heels clack against the floor as I enter the cafeteria. My dad has set up a booth for us, complete with candles of all things. A clean, white table cloth hangs from the edges of the metal table and two wine glasses stand neatly on either side. Dad is at the counter when I come in.
"Hi Daddy. I made it just in time, didn't I?" I seat myself at the booth as he sets down two plates of insta-mash and Salisbury steak. Surprisingly, the steak looks delicious.
"You did." Dad is wearing one of his old suits and has his hair slicked back. He sits down and produces a bottle of wine from the seat. "I figure you're old enough for your first real glass of wine." He grins and uncorks the bottle, pouring himself a glass and then filling mine. I take a tentative sip. The wine is smooth and bold, a deep red to match my lipstick. It burns for a moment, but then the flavor sinks in and warms my belly.
"This is good, Dad. Thanks." I set the cup down and dig into my steak. I'm starving, I haven't eaten all day.
"Of course it is good. I took it from my private stash in the lower levels. It's from before the war, sweetie." Dad digs in as well, eating up his insta-mash and emptying half of his wine glass before I speak again.
"What was mom like?" Dad stops eating at my question. He sets his fork down and takes a sip from his glass.
"Your mother was an amazing woman. She had so many wonderful ideas and dreams to help people. I only wish that you could have met her." He looks down at his plate before continuing. "Your mother was a vision, just like you. Everywhere she went people stopped and watched. You have her eyes, you know. Green, like the most luscious grass. She was very kind and never did anything to hurt others. You take after her more than you know. Your curls, your slender shape, even the upturn of your mouth when you smile."
I take a sip from my wine and let my dad have a moment. "I'm sorry you lost her, Daddy. I wish she was still here with us."
"So do I, honey. So do I."
We finish the rest of our dinner and have ourselves another glass of wine. We talk and laugh for a few hours, paying no attention to the time. It feels good to just have some down time with my dad. He's usually so busy that I don't get to spend this much time with him. We joke and chat for a little longer. I glance at the clock on the wall above the vending machines and give a little gasp.
"Dad, it's almost 11 at night. You should head back to the apartment. I'll clean up everything since you have to work in the morning."
He nods and gets up, giving me a kiss on the cheek before heading back to the apartment on wobbly legs. I chuckle at his tipsy-ness and stack our plates. I cork the wine bottle and blow out the candles, setting the plates in the big sink to be washed. As I'm folding the tablecloth I hear footsteps behind me. I look up and search the now dark room. Blue eyes stare back at me from the entrance to the cafeteria and I jump back, bumping into the booth and knocking over the candles.
"Jesus, Butch. You scared me." Butch walks over to the table as I pick up the fallen candle sticks.
"You're just a scaredy-cat, Nosebleed." He stops and leans against a table next to me. "Watcha doin' in here so late?"
"I just had dinner with my dad." I sit down in the booth and Butch takes the seat across from me. He notices the glasses on the table and smirks.
"Wine? You gonna share with the Butch-man or not?" He reaches across the table and grabs the half-empty wine bottle, uncorking the top and pouring himself a glass. He pours me a glass too, even though I protest, and begins to drink the dark red alcohol.
"What are you doing here Butch?" I ask as I sip from my glass. I can feel myself getting drunker with every drop that touches my lips.
"Lookin' for you." He stares at me from across the table with those deep blue eyes. I notice he hasn't changed out of his suit yet. He looks impeccably handsome, more so than at the party. I think it is because of the alcohol.
"Why are you looking for me?" I take another large sip and set my glass down.
"You ask a lot of questions, Nosebleed." Butch finishes off his drink and puts his elbows on the table, resting his chin in his hands. We sit for what seems like forever, silently looking each other over. Butch makes the first move, standing and lifting me from my seat. He moves to the old jukebox on the wall and presses down one of the ancient buttons. A soft tune makes its way to my ears. Billie Holiday sings on and Butch takes me by the hand, pulling me close for a slow dance. I can feel his heart beat against my chest, and mine instantly goes wild. We sway back and forth. I try not to stumble or step on his feet. The wine has made everything fuzzy around the edges, but I can still see Butch clearly.
'Crazy, he calls me,'
Butch spins me around and dips me down low, my back resting on his arm.
'Sure I'm crazy,'
He leans in, a hand on my hip and the other spread across my back to support me.
'Crazy in love am I.'
His kiss is soft and sweet, and he pulls me closer to his chest as he lifts me back up. I wrap my arms around his neck, standing on my toes to be level with him. His lips are surprisingly soft. I feel my heart beat so fast I fear it will jump right out of my chest. Butch sits us down on one of the vinyl booths. I climb onto his lap and look him in the eyes. He runs his hands up my sides and I shiver, leaning in to claim his mouth with mine. We kiss harder this time and I feel a deep heat settle in my belly as he releases my mouth. He trails kisses down my neck and presses light, feathery kisses across my exposed collarbones. I shove his suit jacket off of his broad shoulders and tug at his tie, eyes pleading to see the toned skin underneath.
He pushes my hands away and removes the tie himself, unbuttoning his shirt with lightning speed. I move the soft fabric to the side. His chest is muscular and defined. Muscles ripple and flex as he pulls me closer to him, my eyes drinking in the sight before me. I run my hand across his chest as he watches me intently, fingers roaming his abdomen and memorizing every muscle. He shrugs the shirt completely off. I move my attention to his arms. They are also just as muscular, and I kiss his chest lightly, moving across to his biceps and taking his hand in mine to press a kiss to his wrist. He reaches behind me and tugs lightly on my zipper. His eyes search my face, looking for the silent yes that I give. He tugs the zipper the rest of the way down and lets the gown slip from my shoulders. I bite my lip shyly and stand up. The dress pools at my feet like meadow grass and I move it to the side, careful not to dirty the precious fabric. The wine I drank gives me the courage to unclasp my simple white bra. I let it fall to the floor beside my dress and Butch grins in approval. I seat myself on his lap again as he begins to kiss my chest, licking and kissing and nipping at me in a way that makes the fire in my belly burn hotter. He stops his ministrations for a moment, reading my face. I tug at his belt, noticing the obvious bulge in his pants. My hands move with scary accuracy, pulling the belt loose and unbuttoning the black slacks. I stand and he pulls his pants off.
Butch DeLoria sits naked in front of me. I take in the sight of his extremely attractive body. Every part of him is perfect, from his eyes to his perfect hair to his beautiful olive skin. I remove the last of my clothing and go to him. He grabs a handful of my ass and pulls me close, kissing my belly and kneading the soft flesh of my backside. He stands and we switch places. I lay myself down on the booth as he climbs on top of me, still kissing and playing with every inch of my chest. He reaches between my thighs, rubbing softly at my pulsing nub with the pad of his finger. I begin to squirm, stifling a small moan in the crook of my arm. Butch continues and then slips a finger inside of me. He pulls it back out and licks it clean, and I spread my legs apart for him. He settles himself above me, placing the tip of his manhood against my wet center. He slides in slowly and I bite my lip from the initial shock of pain. He moves slow, burying himself inch by inch until I've taken all of him. He thrusts slowly a few times as I stretch around him. I close my eyes in ecstasy as the pain subsides and he continues at a steady pace. Butch kisses my chest, licking and nipping at the tender flesh of my breasts and circling his tongue around the sensitive skin of my nipples. I moan as I grab onto his back, arching into him and angling myself just right.
The soft slapping of skin against skin fills my ears as he thrusts faster, kissing me more passionately than before. I struggle for dominance as his tongue dances with mine. My lips are swollen and red when he moves his attention to my chest again. My breathing is heavy and ragged and sweat forms on my brow. Butch increases his pace, reaching a hand down between us to rub at my sensitive nub. I feel myself getting hotter, the fire in my belly almost unbearable. Butch's eyes find mine and he sees me on the edge, squirming and moaning in pleasure. He finally brings me over the edge and I arch my back up into him, legs quivering and chest heaving as I wrap myself around him. I feel myself tightening around his manhood as I ride out the orgasm. A few moments later Butch finishes, burying himself deep and giving a final thrust. He pulls out and lays his head on my chest. We both are breathing heavily and the room has become extremely hot.
After a couple minutes, Butch sits up and pulls me into his lap, giving me a kiss on my temple. I wrap my arms around him and rest my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. We stand together and dress ourselves in silence, glancing over at each other and grinning like two fools. I gather up the candles and the table cloth. As I leave, Butch smacks me on the backside and chuckles, kissing me hard before he walks out the other door. I smile to myself and walk barefoot to my apartment.
When I get to my place, Dad is passed out on the couch, a pre-war medical book in hand. I tiptoe to my room past the pile of presents and close the door, taking off my dress and sliding into my bed. I curl up in a ball as I replay the events in the cafeteria. The Billie Holiday song floats in and out of my mind as I drift off, a smile plastered to my face.
'Crazy he calls me, sure I'm crazy… crazy in love am I.'
