Warning! Adult Language and Themes in this chapter. Read at your own discretion!
Three Years Later...
At eighteen years old, Caitlan had changed quite a bit in the past three years. Her hair grew back fast and her body had finally grown into a more adult form. She was skinny but held an hourglass figure. She wasn't nearly as much of bombshell as Susie Mack was and not nearly as stunningly beautiful as Christine Kendall, but she had grown prettier over the years. Hell, even Paul would flirt with her sometimes, since he finally gave up on having any kind of relationship with Christine. It did make her feel nice, but she didn't want to enter any relationships. Amata was fine in hers, with Johnny, they were practically made for each other, and Freddie was trying his best to swoon Miss Kendall, but for Caitlan, she was fine being by herself. She didn't have much to choose from out of the free guys, there was just Paul, who wasn't that great of a guy as he followed Wally and Butch all the time, and there was Wally, who Caitlan never got along with and usually became the subject of his abuse. The taken guys, she could say the same, Freddie was just a friend and so was Johnny, and Butch...well she wasn't sure what to think about him. Most of the time they were friends, they spent the majority of their time bonding in the reactor gun range, and the other times they argued and teased each other in the classrooms. But she never thought of him that way, he was Susie's man and he had all his attention on her whenever she was in the room. Caitlan never hated the idea of love, or being in love, she just never wanted it here. No one made her heart soar, as Amata would put it,or being hopelessly devoted to someone as Freddie was. She wanted whatever her father had with her mother, just love and adoration until the end. No man ever had that...no-
"Miss Willows!" Mr. Brotch yelled. Caitlan's ears perked up. I must've got lost in my thought, she thought to herself.
"Yes, Mr. Brotch?" She asked
"You seem a bit distracted, do you understand the assigned reading of Brave New World?"
"Yes sir, I do." Caitlan had the luxury of Mr. Brotch usually accepting her excuse. Perks of being a Teacher's Pet. The rest of the day they just discussed the book until a topic about the Prom, came from Christine Kendall. In the Vault there were strict rules on Prom, it was the only day that they got to get out of their jumpsuits and into pre-war clothing, and there was a party in the atrium for them to dance to a number of pre-war music. But the worst part was one of the rules.
"Is it true that you have to have a date to participate?" Christine asked.
Mr. Brotch sighed, deeply annoyed by the question, "Yes, you must have a date to participate in Prom, the Overseer's rules."
The rule was placed since the Overseer was trying to extend the life of all of the Vault by marrying off everyone by age twenty, so to help them romance, they must go to Prom with a date or don't go at all. It terrified Caitlan, she didn't want to be a part of some human breeding project, even if it was Amata's father's idea. She was having mini heart attacks about the thought of marrying any of the men, but the other girls were thrilled like Christine and Susie. Even Amata was somewhat okay, but she had Johnny with her, she had a reason to be okay with it. But Caitlan couldn't be more terrified. By the end of class people were already setting dates up, and before Caitlan asked Freddie to go with her to the dance, a woman with ebony hair appeared in front of Freddie, blocking Caitlan.
"Hey Freddie poo." Christine flirted with Freddie.
"H-hey Christine." He stammered. Caitlan rolled her eyes, their infatuation with each other was nauseating.
"I would really like to go to Prom, but I don't have a date, I really am at a lost." Christine said.
"I could go with you!" Freddie exclaimed.
"Oh you would? Oh thank you sweetie!" Christine kissed his cheek as he blushed furiously. Once she left she gave Freddie a hard stare.
"What?" He replied.
"I thought we made an agreement to go to Prom." Caitlan said
"Well yeah, that was before Christine started noticing me. I'm so happy Cait, you don't even know it!" He exclaimed happily. She couldn't really argue with that, he had been infatuated with Christine since they were kids so she really didn't want to ruin his excitement. Caitlan sighed as she looked across the room to see Butch and Susie fighting again. Although they were the bad boy/bad girl couple and they seemed perfect for each other, they were always conflicting on their differences of opinions. Susie was getting pretty overprotective of Butch since she felt like she was the person to have him forever, but Butch felt like she was being constricting. Caitlan could agree to an extent but Susie just wanted him to understand how much he meant to her. Susie liked Butch, Caitlan knew that, but she wasn't sure if it was love or in love with his bad boy demeanor. Their fighting got more intense as Caitlan listened on, it was hard to keep out of your head.
"Butch, you're acting like a child." Susie complained
"Well you're actin' like a fucking bitch! Why can't you understand I need my space, doll?"
"You know what? If I wanted this abuse I would've talked to Wally or Stevie, not some asshole like you! I'm sick and tired of your bullshit, DeLoria!"
Everyone in the room went dead silent. Caitlan was shocked, was Susie doing what Caitlan was thinking she was doing? She couldn't, Caitlan thought to herself, Susie and Butch have been an item since well ever. They couldn't have decided now upon all days to just end it, could they?
"Your sick and tired of it? I'm sick and tired of your nagging, you ain't my wife!" Butch retorted with much anger in his voice. Caitlan felt her heart drop, even though they were the 'bad' couple, it was one of those couples you couldn't help but fall for. But here it was and she was witnessing what looked like the end.
"The hell I am, Butch! Fuck all your tendencies, I'm so fucking over you, you piece of shit!"
"You're over me? I've been over you for a while now, get the hell outta here, Mack!"
Susie held in her angry tears as she rushed out of the classroom, and everyone's eyes were on Butch, who seemed teething in anger. He soon noticed he was the center of everyone's attention in the room. Amata, Freddie, Johnny, Christine, Paul, and Caitlan were all staring at him, and being Butch he yelled at them, "Whatcha lookin' at!?"
"Nothing" Everyone replied as they continued to be in their own little world. Caitlan didn't feel comfortable being there and decided to leave only to be joined by Butch at the exit. Looking back to see if anyone saw him, he turned to Caitlan and whispered in her ear quickly, "Meet me in the Reactor chamber." He then took out a cigarette and lit it, rushing away from her towards the atrium. Caitlan took his advice and walked to the reactor chamber area as fast as she could but was surprised to see that Butch wasn't there. So she waited and waited, and an hour past, at times she would message Amata through her Pip-Boy messaging system and heard what happened after the terrible break up that occurred in the classroom. Apparently Paul and Susie were now going to Prom since she wanted to show Butch she didn't need him anymore, and also that any man would want her. Butch wasn't taking it well and he got in fight with Wally after he had heard what Butch had said to Susie, which almost caused Caitlan to get out of the room and find Butch, but it seemed he had come to her, and he looked like shit when he stepped through the door. His face was painted in a menagerie of black and blue, his nose was crooked and he was clutching his side and walked with a limp.
"Butch! What the hell?!" Caitlan exclaimed as she rushed to help Butch, carrying him over to
sit down on the metal floor.
"If you're shocked to see this, you should see the other guy." Butch mustered out. He winced when he finally sat on the metal ground, releasing his hand from his side to show a knife wound that frightened Caitlan.
"Butch! You could've gotten killed." Caitlan said as she looked over the wound, it wasn't that bad enough to indeed kill him, but it was big enough for it to seem that way. She quickly grabbed a first aid kit that she kept just in case they had misfired the BB gun they played with down here. She pulled out some gauze and some disinfectant, pouring it on the gauze and placing it on Butch's side. He winced and breathed in sharply as it stung his nerves.
"I ain't gonna be brought down by some prick like Wall." He said to Caitlan.
"I thought you two were friends?" Caitlan asked.
Butch sighed and looked at Caitlan, "Sometimes when he ain't bein' a huge dick with a pole up his ass. He didn't need to defend Susie, he doesn't really care about her anyway. He don't care much for women, not even his Ma and sis."
"I don't know, he did try to fight you over her." Butch looked at her skeptically.
"You heard this from Daddy's Girl didn't ya?"
Caitlan sighed, "Of course I did, I was waiting here for you for an hour."
Butch smirked, "Aw getting to care for the Butchman?"
Caitlan purposely pressed harder on Butch's wound causing him to cry out in pain, "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't catch that." she joked.
"Yeah yeah, I get it." Butch was silent for awhile, even after Caitlan healed his wound for as much as she could. Caitlan stared at him, he looked almost defeated. She gave him a pat on the shoulder and a smile, when he looked at her for awhile and blurted out, "You going to prom?"
Caitlan shook her head, "Nah, I was going to go with Freddie but his long time crush with Christine wanted to go with him so of course I got pushed to the side, it doesn't matter."
"Really? I thought he liked you, I mean he always hung around ya." Butch replied.
"Oh no, Freddie was just very shy, he always hung around one of us no matter what."
"Oh." Butch went silent again, and started playing with his switchblade until he blurted out something Caitlan never had expected, "You wanna go?"
Caitlan's eyes widened, "It's not like I'll have a date, Butch, there's only one guy left and he's…" Caitlan suddenly realized what Butch was insinuating, he was asking her.
"Oh no, come on Butch do you know how weird that would be?" Caitlan asked
"Wow that hurt my feelings Nosebleed." Butch mocked a sad expression.
"Butch!" Caitlan retorted.
"What? I mean you want to hang with your friends there, right? Why not go with me?" Butch asked
"Butch," Caitlan sighed as she placed a hand to her head, "You do realize we meet in secret so no one knows we are nice to each other? You don't think it would be strange for others to see we are acting civil to each other?"
"Umm is the answer no?" Butch asked lighting up a cigarette.
"Doesn't that bother you? To hang out with me in public? Where people will know about our...whatever this is?"
"I don't fucking know, Nosebleed. Look its just one night, Cait, and no one will care afterwards, okay? So I'm going to ask you again: Do you wanna go?"
Caitlan just stared at Butch for a while, she wasn't sure what to feel. Should she be happy? Should she be adamant to spend the night alone? She wasn't sure but finally she gave in, "Okay, alright, I'll go with you, but no funny business."
"What you think I wanna do stuff to you that I've already done with Susie? Nah man, I got ya back."
"Please don't tell me your sexual excursions with Susie, I'd rather be in the dark about that." Caitlan groaned.
"Whatever Nosebleed," Butch side hugged Caitlan, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, "Ya got a hot date."
Caitlan rolled her eyes and smirked at him, "Yeah, I should be so lucky." She replied with heavy sarcasm. "We should probably go."
"Alright Nosebleed, see ya at prom" Butch winked as he left the room first as Caitlan was left alone with her thoughts. Prom with Butch? God, no one would believe her if she said she was going with him, not even herself if she was being honest. He was nice to talk to sure, but a date? Even if it was for one night it was still odd. As far as she was concerned she felt like Butch and Susie should have gone together but alas here she was in this weird situation. It wasn't that bad, Butch could be nice, when he wanted to, and he was better than her old predicament. Plus he wasn't that bad looking, besides his silly hairstyle, he was very handsome, the workings of puberty were such a strange thing. A note pinged on Caitlan's Pip-Boy, it was a message from Amata, she wanted to meet up with Caitlan at the cafeteria with Freddie and Johnny. Caitlan sighed, this was going to be difficult to explain.
As Caitlan walked into the cafeteria, she saw Amata and the rest of her friends sitting in a booth, waving her over to sit with them. She was calming herself down, she knew Amata would be pissed at her, but she decided to just get this over with. She sat in the seat of the booth right next to Freddie.
"So Caitlan are you going to go to Prom with us?" Johnny asked.
Caitlan rubbed the back of her neck, "I thought you had to bring a date?"
"You do. I thought you were going with Freddie?"
Caitlan looked at Freddie, he looked incredibly guilty, "Actually Freddie has a date with Christine."
Amata looked wide eyed at the both of them, "But how are you going to go to Prom?"
"Well I did find a date.." Caitlan started.
"Really? Who? I mean I'm taken," Johnny said, "So is Freddie, Paul is going with Susie now and Wally ain't going, so that leaves…" That's when everyone's eyes looked as though they'd come out of their sockets, Caitlan just sat there awkwardly, fiddling with her thumbs.
"You can't be serious?" Amata said in disbelief.
"What?" Caitlan replied
"Butch? Really?"
"It's better than Wally." Caitlan mumbled.
"You do realize he could use this to just make fun of you? Caitlan, I'm worried about this." Amata said.
"Amata, really, I'd be more fine with Butch than with Wally. Plus you guys wanted to see me there." Caitlan reassured Amata. Her worried expression faded into a blank one, with the boys also agreeing with Caitlan. She knew it was hard for them to understand, but she knew Butch wouldn't hurt her.
"So do you wanna go dress browsing or no?" Amata said with a smile. Caitlan smiled back, she was happy that Amata understood her, she nodded yes and they headed out to do that. There was a place in the Vault where they kept Pre-War clothing in a pristine closet near the Overseer's office. Only on very special occasions were they allowed to use any of the clothing that wasn't their jumpsuits, and this was one of those occasions. Other occasions included balls and weddings, but there hadn't been such an occasion since Mary Holden married Tom Holden. And here Caitan was looking through the past fashions with awe, the feel of every different fabric and the different colors, it was amazing. Sometimes it was kind of stupid to wear what everyone else was wearing, and blue and yellow were getting pretty old.
"So what do you like?" Amata asked, as she was pulling dresses she wanted to try on.
Caitlan looked through the dresses most of them were not that appealing. Some were too frilly, others to floral, some too long, some too poofy. "I'm not sure, you got anything over there that is not a pastel color?"
"Too washed out?"
"Yeah, I want something bold, and not blue or yellow." Caitlan mockingly ordered Amata. She chuckled as she looked through the dresses.
"So I have to ask, who asked who to prom?" Amata smirked at Caitlan.
"He did." Caitlan replied
"He did? I'm shocked." Amata stated
"You think I'm that quick to grovel for a date?" Caitlan joked.
Amata laughed, "No, either way was equally shocking. Butch asking you over Susie or you asking because you didn't have any other choice."
"I don't know, the former was more likely than the latter." Caitlan replied
"Really? Why?" Amata asked.
"Well I'm not for dating anyone in the Vault my age, and Butch would pretty much ask out any girl with breasts and a pulse, though mine are kind of insignificant compared to Susie. She has a...big personality."
"What do you think Susie is going to do when she finds out you're going with Butch."
Caitlan let out a dry laughter, "You really think I care? It's just for one night."
Amata sighed, "Well she might consider it a threat."
Caitlan looked at her best friend with a skeptical face, "I hardly think that Susie would see me as competition, I mean I ain't as shapely as her, pretty much a stick."
Amata looked at her sympathetically, "Caitlan, you're pretty, don't sell yourself short."
Caitlan smiled, "Thanks Amata, find anything for you?"
"I already did, its a black dress, with a black sheer skirt and white underskirt."
"Oh? No colors?"
"Nope, it's more elegant that way." Amata smiled, "Hey, look at this!"
Amata pulled out a red blouse with off the shoulder sleeves and a black flowing skirt for Caitlan. Curious, Caitlan decided to try it on and was surprised that even through its simple design, it carried a wow factor. she tucked the blouse underneath the skirt and zipped it up. She looked at the skirt to see it was the right length, just above the knee, not too long and not too short.
Amata gasped at the sight of Caitlan, "Caitlan, you look so pretty! You have to get that outfit."
"Really?"
"Mhm, it's perfect." Amata and Caitlan decided upon that outfit and after Caitlan got herself dressed, they walked out with the outfit. Upon leaving Susie crossed paths with Caitlan in the hallway, as they looked at each other Susie seemed quite angry at Caitlan while Caitlan was puzzled. Caitlan sighed, it was going to be a long two days until Prom and it wasn't going to be easy.
With the days finally passing Caitlan felt weirdly nervous of how Butch would feel about seeing her in a skirt. The school day was going obnoxiously slow, and ever since word had gotten around that Butch and Caitlan were going to prom together, everyone was talking about it behind their backs. The constant whispering behind them was deafening in Caitlan's ears, even her closest friends were talking about it. It made Caitlan go haywire, and as soon as class dismissed she raced out to get to her apartment. She didn't want to be judged by them anymore, as far as she was concerned Butch was a nice young man just misunderstood, but she knew if she said that she'd be betraying Butch's reputation and himself.
"Nosebleed!" She heard Butch yell from across the hallway she was in. He was rushing up to catch her and was slightly out of breath.
"What is it Butch?" She asked impatiently.
"Geez Nosebleed, you don't gotta be so damn rude," Butch lit a cigarette inhaling the smoke, "Look I was just goin' to say to just meet me in the atrium tonight for prom, if that's what makes ya comfortable. I know you're stressed."
"That ain't the half of it." mumbled Caitlan.
"Just be there, okay?" Butch walked towards his and his mother's apartment.
Caitlan watched him leave as she approached the door of her apartment. She entered her room and saw her outfit for prom strewn on her bed where she had placed it that morning. She felt the fabric between her fingertips and inspected the article of clothing. She had also got a pair of black pantyhose and black heels for the occasion as well, nothing too tall she wanted to be able to dance the night away. She sighed in discomfort again, was she really doing this? Going with Butch? It gave her butterflies in her stomach, she was so nervous. But why? She knew Butch wasn't going to hurt her, but everyone else, she was scared of what they were thinking. She sighed and decided to get dressed in these clothes and head down to Old Lady Palmer's for a hair and make-up session, she had been a beautician in the Vault a long time ago and girls still used her guidance for special events. So after she got dressed in her clothes she headed over to Lady Palmer's and knocked on her door. The door swooshed open to the smile of Lady Palmer, "I've been expecting you, Miss Caitlan."
"Thank you, Lady Palmer, for helping me, do you have any suggestions on what I should do?" Lady Palmer inspected Caitlan thoroughly. Her hair was pin straight but had body in it, and it flowed down to her waist. Her face was simple but fair, perfectly structured, and had no physical flaws. Her highlights were her eyes, and their unusual color of gray, they were the cherry on top. Lady Palmer smiled and brought out her tools, "I'm going to do something elegant and natural, you don't need anything too dramatic. I'm going to put your hair up in a bun, after of course I thicken it."
Caitlan nodded, "Sounds good, work your magic."
Prom had just started and Butch was in the Atrium smoking a cigarette to calm his nerves. He knew Caitlan was stressed out because of this stupid date scenario but it was Susie's fault that this happened. Speaking of when she came in she looked so damn hot, with a tight fitting black lace dress, but had Paul on her side. It disgusted him that she would downgrade to Paul, the little toadie had no balls. She was just trying to make him mad and it was working, cause he missed her body so much and the sight of her in that dress made him quiver with pleasure. He sure did miss placing his hands all over her. He shook his head, he had to stop thinking about her, it would drive him crazy. Christine and Freddie came in shortly after, they made him wanna barf, they were super into each other talking cutsie and...ugh gross. Amata and Johnny had just arrived and they clinged onto each other like an old married couple and they had the balls to approach him.
Butch extinguished his cigarette on the ground as he fixed his suit's jacket, "Whatcha want, Gomez?"
"I was curious as to where is Cait, you seen her yet?" Johnny asked with a huge grin.
"Nah, I told her to meet me here, Gomez."
"Nice to see you out of your leather jacket, DeLoria."
"Yeah yeah gomez I hear ya."
Amata sighed loudly, obviously angered, "Why didn't you just pick her up, Butch? You just like to bully her."
Butch, enraged stepped in front of Amata, "Hey! Watch your mouth, Daddy's girl."
Johnny separated them quickly, "Hey c'mon guys, let's cool it. Both of you."
Butch quickly lit another cigarette and breathed in the smoke, "Ya guys seen her?"
"No, we thought you would have." Johnny said.
"I haven't seen her since school ended today." Butch shrugged.
All of a sudden Amata was heard gasping, "She-She looks beautiful."
Johnny looked to where Amata was facing and his eyes went wide with a large grin, "Yeah she does."
Butch frustrated, decided to see what everyone was looking at, "What the hell are ya talking about?"
And then his mouth hit the floor, it couldn't be her, could it? Caitlan, to be honest, wasn't the prettiest out of the bunch of girls, but she was pretty in her own way. But this was a shock to him, she wasn't Nosebleed, she was Caitlan. Her hair was perfectly done in a bun, and her face was so beautiful it put every girl to shame. Everyone was shocked even Susie was floored, but no one more so than Butch. His eyes softened looking at her, sure she didn't have a skin tight dress but she looked just stunning, enough so to question himself which girl was prettier. He was just in awe, she was so pretty and...wait a minute, Butch thought, this is Nosebleed, I shouldn't be thinking like this. Johnny broke him out of his thoughts though, "Well you going to take your date or no DeLoria?" Butch extinguished his cigarette and straightened his suit and walked over to Caitlan who was looking around for him. Surprised to see him, Butch clutched her hand and kissed it softly.
"Nice to see you Miss Nosebleed." He winked and smirked. His confidence washed away whilst looking at her up close. She looked even more beautiful here. His nervousness was consuming him, he felt so weak, it made him sick. She just made him weak by the sight of her, it was frustrating and highly conflicting.
"Mr. DeLoria, you cleaned up nice." Caitlan took this time to examine her date. He was fearfully handsome, even with his hair covered in pomade. He had a hint of aftershave that was a bit overpowering but that suit fit his body so well, Caitlan almost squealed in excitement of how beautiful he was. He looked amazing and it made Caitlan puzzled as to why she was thinking like that. They were friends...barely but this...this felt weird. He placed his arm out for her to grab and Caitlan linked arms with him, making her blush furiously. She could feel all the eyes on her and Butch as they approached Amata and Johnny. She didn't feel comfortable with everyone judging her as she nervously rubbed the back of her neck. That's when Butch took this chance to whisper in her ear, "relax Nosebleed, you're fine."
Amata ran up to Caitlan and said, "Caitlan! You look amazing! No wonder it took a while for you to come by."
Johnny took Caitlan away from Butch and twirled her around, "Whoa girl, you look breathtaking, Cait! Twirl around again I like how your skirt lifts up or whatever." Caitlan rolled her eyes and spun again, this time Butch watched her extensively. He liked how much she glowed and basked in the limelight even though she didn't necessarily like it.
Johnny laughed, "Ah Cait, you're just the envy of all the other girls in the room, save Amata," He winked in his girlfriend's direction, "Whaddya think, Butch?"
Butch, knocked out from his daydreaming, nodded his head quickly, "Yeah sure."
As they were talking, the music in the room started to play softly around them, to which Amata and Johnny took to the middle of the atrium and started to dance with the tempo of the music. Afterwards Susie and Paul joined them and Christine and Freddie afterwards. Butch and Caitlan stood in the sidelines, both too nervous to join them. Caitlan decided to break the silence as they watched the couples dance.
"Interesting isn't it?"
Butch looked over to Caitlan, "What is, Nosebleed?"
"Dancing." Caitlan smiled as she watched Amata and Johnny on the floor laughing and enjoying their time.
"If you say so." Butch replied.
"You ever dance before?" Caitlan asked.
"You think I do in my downtime, Nosebleed?" He joked
"Nah, just wondering." 'It became silent again and Caitlan resorted to watching the dancing couples. Butch on the other hand was enjoying the view right next to him, he couldn't believe how beautiful she looked to him. That black flowing skirt, the red blouse that had off the shoulder sleeves was stunning, he was already seeing more skin from her than he was used to, and she just look so beautiful. He wasn't aware of how long he was staring at her when she interrupted his thoughts.
"Butch, you okay?" She said staring at him with a confused expression. Hey gray eyes melted his heart, they made him weak on his knees he almost collapsed.
"Huh? Oh yeah Nosebleed, Butchman is alright." He laughed nervously.
"Do I look horrible or something?"
"What? No! You look...fine. Good!" He stammered to find the perfect words. He rubbed his neck and tried to avert his eyes away from her. The music was starting to change when Johnny led Amata back to Butch and Caitlan, and grabbed Caitlan's hand.
"C'mon Cait, lets get you on the floor, I have a perfect song to dance to. You got your latin flare going, Chiquitita?"
"Of course Johnny!" Caitlan grabbed his hand, as he swung her around and started to dance to a high paced song and they dance with perfect your accuracy, like they had rehearsed. Butch was stunned by her moves on the dance floor, the sway of her hips the way she twirled around it was like the icing on the cake. She had, in one moment, made him forget all about Susie and drifted his focus on Caitlan. He had never been mesmerized by anyone so strongly and yet it felt so strange and unnatural. After their dancing was over Johnny rushed back to Amata and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Caitlan returned to Butch quite exhausted, with a huge grin.
"That was fun Johnny. Thanks." Caitlan stated
"You're welcome Cait. You dance like a flamenco lady! So much fire! Now if only I could get Amata here to do the same."
"Keep dreaming, I'm not nearly as good as Caitlan." Amata said.
Caitlan laughed as Paul approached Butch, "I see you got twerp to be your date. I gotta say though she looks good."
"Yeah yeah, whateva Paul, why don't you go have fun with Susie, you seem to be interested in her."
"C'mon Butch, I mean if you don't got any use with her later, I could help." Paul winked.
Butch shoved Paul away, "Get the hell outta here Paul."
"Geez Butch I was just joking."
"You heard me. Now go enjoy your sloppy seconds with Susie."
Caitlan overhearing their dispute decided to go over to him, "Something wrong Butch?"
"Nah, he's...he's being Paul."
Caitlan sighed, "Ah I see."
Butch was silent for a moment and then he took Caitlan's right hand, "Wanna dance?"
Caitlan smiled brightly and nodded her head. Butch took her in the middle of the dance floor placing his right hand on her waist and his left hand in her right hand and rocked slowly to a slow moving song. Something about love or whatever, but all Butch could care about was the look on Caitlan's face. As they danced to the music he became more overwhelmed by her very presence. Caitlan felt it too, Butch felt comforting to be around, rather than anyone else in the vault. Even though Amata was her best friend in the vault, she felt more herself with Butch, after all they shared everything together.
"You look beautiful." Butch said interrupting her thoughts.
Caitlan chuckled, "Is that a tease?"
Butch grinned, "You take it as you want Nosebleed, if you want to believe me then you can."
Caitlan twirled around Butch as he spun her back to him, "Thought you didn't know how to dance, Butch."
He grinned again, "Never said that Nosebleed."
"You said you didn't do it in your down time."
"Didn't say I didn't know how to though." The music was slowing, nearing its end, when Butch lifted Caitlan, sweeping her off her feet, "Does this look like I can't?" he said when he placed her on the floor.
"You're a real charmer, DeLoria." She smirked as she approached him til they were nearly touching each other's faces. Butch's face softened as he stared into Caitlan's eyes. The grey depths in her eyes were so lovely and her face was perfect, and it wasn't just her physical appearance, it was her personality as well. She had been with him through everything, and that was enough. He had no one to turn to, he was misunderstood, hell his mother was barely there, but she...she was. He wasn't in control of himself when he nearly leaned in to kiss her, but as soon as the music stopped the applause from the people in the room cleared his head. What was he thinking? As far as he was concerned this was a platonic relationship between them, and yet here she was flooding his mind. It was hard to explain this to himself but somehow he developed feelings for her. Concerned there was no privacy here he leaned over and whispered in Caitlan's ear, "Let's get outta here."
"What, like leave?" Caitlan asked.
"We are just going to be the center of attention here, you want that?"
Caitlan chuckled, "No," she sighed as she looked over to see Amata and Johnny flirting with each other, "I guess Amata won't mind if I leave for a moment."
Butch grinned brightly as they secretly left the atrium to the hallways of the Vault. They talked for awhile, about them, about school, and also themselves. Just their regular small talk, and it was perfect. Just the two of them talking, and taking the small moment with themselves seriously.
Susie watched them leave, they thought they were leaving secretly but she knew they left. She felt regret when she told Butch off two days ago, she didn't mean what she said to him, she just wanted to send him a message. She liked him, hell she loved him, he was exciting and dangerous, plus incredibly handsome. But now while she watched him with Caitlan, she saw something in Butch's eyes that she had never seen before when he looked at Caitlan. Adoration. He seemed so happy and for once she saw him break out of his shell, and although she wanted Butch back, he seemed happy, and though many people thought of her as a heartless person, Susie felt like she didn't want to ruin Butch anymore. And seeing the way Paul was treating her, with his kindness and selflessness, she felt like she had outgrown Butch. She was finally done with that point in her life.
"Paul" She said.
Paul, who was sipping from a flask he stowed in his suit, "Yeah, Susie."
She smiled at him and took his hand, "Let's dance."
James was up late running tests on the water supplies. It had become increasingly easier to practice his tests and samples of the Vault's water supplies since Caitlan had moved into her own apartment, preparing for her eventual beginning of her life as a Marriage Counselor. James shook his head, he knew Caitlan wouldn't really like it, but after all of this nonsense she'd be the next Vault Physician, he knew she would be, she was the only one with medical experience. However this new rule of this arranging marriages was infuriating, in his own mind there was no man that could truly have his daughter, plus the selection was scarce if anything and there wasn't a lot of good young men in the vault. As he was looking through his microscope and heard a series of young teenagers laughing. James looked out his doorway and was shocked to see his daughter and Butch DeLoria having a conversation with each other and smiling? No teasing? No bullying? No harassing? Just intelligent conversation? It seemed impossible and yet here it was in front of him. He had heard that Caitlan was going with Butch to Prom, and the thought was scary. A bully asking his daughter to Prom was sketchy, but from what he was seeing it was quite the opposite of what he thought would happen. He was being polite and gentlemanly, while also cracking jokes and gloating like Butch would always do. A lot of the residents thought Butch was a menace, but James said different. He grew up with a difficult past and needed a chance to show he was worth it, and here was his daughter showing that to the world. Caitlan had a tender heart like her mother, and it was evident here most definitely, giving a young man like him a chance. He smiled and gave one last look at the couple before returning to his work.
Caitlan and Butch must've walked around for an hour or so when Caitlan was starting to get tired and sleepy. The day had gone so fast yet she hadn't notice, with Butch to talk to it was rather entertaining.
Caitlan started to yawn, when Butch commented, "You tired, Nosebleed?"
Caitlan nodded, "Yeah, I should get back to my apartment."
"I could take you back, ya know walk you there."
Caitlan shook her head, "No Butch, I'm okay." She leaned over and kissed Butch on his cheek as he blushed furiously. "Goodnight, and thank you."
As Caitlan walked away, Butch started making his way to his and his Ma's apartment with a feeling of glee.
Caitlan was approaching her apartment, her smile creeped across her face. She felt so happy, this night wasn't a disaster after all. He was kind and sweet, while still being Butch and she felt so happy being with him tonight. She couldn't help but think of him when she was starting to open the door, when she was thrown on the floor, twisting her ankle badly causing her to whimper. When she looked up she saw a man in a Tunnel Snakes jacket towering over her body.
"Hello twerp," Wally said menacingly, "Had fun tonight?"
"What's it to you, Mack?" Caitlan asked with an enraged expression on her face.
"I'm just wondering, since of course you got Butch to leave Susie for the likes of you."
Caitlan spat on Wally's shoes, "Go fuck yourself, Mack, I didn't do shit to you or your sister."
Furious, Wally grabbed Caitlan on the shoulders and slammed her body on the wall.
"You know I'm not supposed to touch you, hell I'm not supposed to even hurt you. Butch's orders you know. But you know you're looking so nice," Wally began to lift Caitlan's skirt with his hand running his hands on her upper thighs, "I'd hate to let your body go to waste."
Caitlan quickly kneed him in the gut and slapped his face, and without thinking about it she yelled for help, "BUTCH! HELP ME!" as she turned to face Wally he sucker punched her in the stomach and tossed her on the ground. He proceeded to stomp on her legs and torso, and finally kicked her in the head, effectively knocking her out. Before he could lay another hand on her, a fist met Wally's face and he was slammed into the wall. As he faced his aggressor he was shocked to see Butch's irate face. His eyes lighting up in the fuel of his anger, and his skin went blood red.
"Keep yo hands off of Nosebleed! She's mine to torment!" He yelled
"Oh really? When's the last time you ever hit her? Her tenth birthday? Or even earlier? Face it Butch you're just weak for her. A big ass pussy."
Butch punched Wally in the face again, "I won't ask you again, keep the fuck away from Caitlan!"
Wally started laughing, "Since when did you start using her name? When you went to your 'alone time' with her in the Reactor?"
Butch's eyes widened, how the hell did he know?
He laughed again, "Yeah thought it was some big secret, huh? Well you're wrong I've known since after the G.O.A.T., and even then I knew there was something between you two. Whaddya like to do with her, Butch? Have a quickie? She suck your dick, is that why you like her, does she put out?"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Butch drew out his switchblade as Wally did the same. "WHEN I MAKE ORDERS I EXPECT YOU TO FOLLOW THEM, WALL!"
"Face it Butch. I'm done with you and the Tunnel Snakes. You can go have fun flogging your log at this floosie, cause I'll be here for her everyday, and I'll get what I want from her you'll see." Wally was about to strike Butch when Caitlan tazed his neck to knock him out. She was beginning to fall on the ground when Butch caught her in his arms.
"Cait! Are you okay?" He asked.
Caitlan was dazed but she was fine, "I'm alright Butch, I need help standing though."
Butch steadied Caitlan's body by wrapping her arm over his shoulder, but as soon as she put pressure on her she shrieked in pain, "Ah! Dammit!". Butch with an extremely worried expression asked her immediately what was wrong. "I think he may have broken my ankle."
Butch without thinking, swept Caitlan's legs up in his arms, and carried her with ease. "Don't worry Cait, I've got ya."
Caitlan looked into his eyes, "Boy do you ever."
Butch looked at her with soft eyes, "We need to get you to your dad, he'll find out what's wrong."
Rushing to get to the clinic, Butch finally made it, with Caitlan's father looking like he was prepared to leave.
"Doc! Please, she needs help." Butch said to him. James' eyes went wide with terror and hurriedly cleared off the medical table in the center of the room. Butch settled Caitlan down carefully on the table and looked at her face extensively. He saw a big bruise on the top of her head and the rest of her body was covered in bruises. Butch shook his head, he should have taken her home. Caitlan touched his face gently, and whispered, "It's not your fault, Butch. We didn't see it coming." James approached his daughter and looked her over.
"How did this happen?" James inquired.
"Wally Mack, he tried to...do things to me." Caitlan looked away, obviously ashamed.
"And why didn't you stop it?" James asked Butch.
"He and I had just said goodnight, I decided to walk myself back home. That's where he was. Butch saved me" Caitlan said
"I see," James turned to Butch, "I suppose I should thank you, son. Now I need to look over my daughter, so if you don't mind." Butch nodded and waved goodbye to Caitlan. She waved back as he finally disappeared into the darkness.
