Chapter Twenty: Vadim Bobrov, Ultimate Wingman!
"That's about all we can do, given the materials on hand." Danse announced, wiping the last of the power armour grease from his hands with a rag. Nora finished fixing the last screw in place before stepping back beside him, biting her bottom lip as she scrutinised her armour.
There was no chance that it would stand up to scrutiny aboard the Prydwen, that was for sure, but thanks to Danse's expertise, it would be serviceable… provided she was fighting nothing bigger than radroaches.
"How am I supposed to make it through the Glowing Sea in that?" She groaned, gesturing at the battered steel. "It couldn't protect me from another Grogcat attack, let alone deathclaws and radscorpions!"
"Admittedly, you should probably buy new plating once we're aboard the Prydwen." Danse agreed, tossing the rag onto the workbench beside the power armour station. "Still, considering that we'll be calling in a vertibird tomorrow, it will suffice."
"I suppose it'll have to." She sighed, glancing enviously to where his power armour stood gleaming nearby. Burke had worked hard at polishing the steel, his efforts no doubt fuelled by his gratitude for Grogcat's rescue.
She turned to where the Squire was lying across one of the couches in the second living area, his new swatter leaning against the arm of the couch whilst Grogcat lay curled up under his arm, apparently fast asleep. Burke himself was looking drowsy, but as content as Nora had ever seen him.
"It was good of you to catch that cat for him." She said softly, unable to help but smile at the pair. "Even though you didn't agree to him owning Grogcat in the first place."
"Well, I couldn't see any more harm in it." He shrugged. "It was that or leave the cat out in the rain. I figured that I may as well let both of them be happy while they can."
He turned his eyes from the drowsing Squire to find Nora looking up at him, a gentle smile curling her lips and a warm light in her eyes.
"You're very kind beneath all that protocol, you know?" She asked him softly.
He didn't know how to respond, a faint blush beginning to colour his cheeks.
Her cheeks adopting a rosy tint of their own, Nora cleared her throat and broke their eye contact.
"So… I was thinking." She began awkwardly, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Why don't you just move back in here for tonight? It'll save you caps and I know for a fact that bed's cleaner than any at the Dugout."
"No." Danse shook his head immediately, running on auto-pilot. He stubbornly ignored the cold regret that was already knotting itself in his stomach.
A look of hurt flickered across her face before she composed herself, forcing the same tight smile that had ached her cheeks for days as she nodded, though she didn't meet his eyes.
"Okay."
There came knocking from the front door and Nora gladly took the excuse to leave, trying to ignore the stab she had felt when he had shut her down.
What was I hoping for, really? She scolded herself as she arrived at the door and turned the key. She took an extra moment to compose herself before opening it to find Piper and Marcus on her doorstep.
It was already dark outside, the heavy clouds illuminated by the floodlights lining the stadium.
Apparently tinkering with her power armour had taken a lot longer than she had thought.
"Hey, Blue! Had any luck finding Grogcat today?" Piper asked as she entered, Marcus following behind her. "Because if not, I've roped in probably the best sniper in the Commonwealth to help in the search!" As she spoke, she slapped Marcus' shoulder to emphasise her point, then kept her hand there to lean on him.
"Oh? Better than MacCready?" Nora couldn't help but smirk, determined to get her mind off Danse.
"Well, I said probably." Piper grinned mischievously, which was when Marcus snorted and shrugged his shoulder, stepping back as Piper stumbled.
"'Probably'?" He repeated, folding his arms and raising a brow at her as she turned to glare at him.
"Well, MacCready did used to be the best gun the Gunners had." Nora explained as Piper pouted at him. "I run with the Brotherhood and Minutemen and I have yet to meet a better sniper."
"Well," Marcus smiled at her, his chest swelling with pride. "I'll just have to make you, Piper and this MacCready see 'Reason'!"
Piper removed her hat and swatted him over the head with it.
"Reason's his sniper rifle." She huffed in explanation as Marcus chuckled, raising a hand to fix his hair. "Don't ask him about it, Blue. Him and Tin Man ruined power noodles for me last night going on about mods!"
As she spoke, her eyes flickered to something past Nora's shoulder and she grinned.
"Well, well! Looks like Burke and Grogcat are already reunited!"
Nora turned to see that Burke had walked into the room, cradling Grogcat in one arm with his new swatter dragging on the floor behind him. He perked up at the sight of Piper and Marcus, momentarily forgetting his fatigue.
"Yeah! Paladin Danse found him!" Burke said brightly, walking towards them. "Deacon also gave me this swatter!"
"Baseball bat, you mean." Marcus corrected him as he stepped across the room. "You ever played baseball?"
"That's a little violent for him, Marcus, don't you think?" Piper frowned, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Weren't you listening when I explained the actual rules of the game?" Marcus sighed, rolling his eyes as Burke handed him the bat. "The idea was to hit the ball and run to bases, without the threat of being beaten to death."
"Wait. You know the actual rules of baseball?" Nora asked, her eyebrows almost disappearing beneath her fringe.
Before he could answer, Danse emerged from the kitchen, his bomber jacket back on.
"Marcus. Piper." He greeted them as he passed, heading straight towards the door.
"You're leaving already?" Nora asked, her smile faltering slightly.
"It's getting late and you have plenty of company." He replied, opening the door himself. He paused on the threshold and turned to look back at her. "Be ready to depart at ten-hundred. I'll see you in the morning, soldier."
"Yeah. Goodnight."
Danse nodded, studying her for a moment longer before stepping out onto the street, pulling the door closed behind him. Nora gazed after him in silence, her shoulders heaving in a sigh before she forced the smile back on her lips and turned to face her guests.
Burke was already grilling Marcus about 'real' baseball, but Piper was looking at her with a faint smile, her hazel eyes sparkling.
"What?" Nora asked a little defensively, prompting the reporter's smile to widen even further.
"C'mon." Piper ordered, jerking her head towards the stairs. "I think you and I need to have a little chat. You alright to keep an eye on Burke, Marcus?" she added, glancing towards him only to frown, cocking her head at the way he was standing, legs apart and bat over one of his shoulders.
"Yeah, sure! I'll just teach him actual baseball!"
"Just try not to break anything." Nora warned them with a meaningful look before following Piper up the stairs and into her room.
By the time she had reached the landing and drawn the partitioning curtain closed behind her, Piper was already sitting on her bed like she owned the place.
"So." Piper began, patting the blanket beside her. "Let's get straight down to it before the boys wreck your living room. What's going on with you and Tin Man?"
"Nothing." Nora replied with a huff. "We're just working together and following orders."
"Uh huh." Piper leaned back, tilting her head as she studied her friend. "You know you can talk to me, Blue. I'm here for ya and while I'm not exactly a relationship guru, I like to think that I've come to know several things."
"Look, it's nothing –" Piper silenced her by grasping her shoulder, looking her dead in the eye.
"Blue, you listened to all of my problems when we were out on the road. Let me help you with yours." There was a pause and Piper sighed. "Look, you don't need to be a detective to see that something's going on between you and Danse."
Nora's shoulders slumped as she looked down at her hands, curled into fists in her lap.
"That obvious, huh?"
"'Fraid so." Piper nodded. "You both seem to be walking on eggshells around each other, and then there was that note he left behind… So what's happening, Blue?"
"Nothing." Nora said quietly, unable to raise her eyes. "He said a relationship would just get in the way, so he broke it off."
"So you two were a thing!" Piper's initial smile faltered as the words set in. "Wait. A relationship would get in the way of what exactly?"
"What do you think? The Brotherhood!" Nora said bitterly, gesturing helplessly. "Apparently 'fraternisation' between us is 'inappropriate' and 'getting in the way of our work.'"
"Asshole." Piper snorted and Nora nodded her agreement, though she didn't say anything else. "Have you tried speaking to him about it?"
"Not really. When he broke it off he said that there was nothing else to discuss and just shoots me down if I try to say something. The reason he ran out when you and Marcus came in was because I asked him if he wanted to stay here overnight instead of the Dugout." She laughed mirthlessly, covering her face with her hands. "I've messed it up. We can't even stay in the same house anymore… I'm losing him as a friend, never mind anything else."
"Oh Blue…" She felt Piper's arms slip around her shoulders, squeezing her in a quick hug. "It'll work out! You just need to talk to him."
"What's the point, Piper? He just runs away." Nora replied bitterly, straightening up. "Besides, you can't just make someone lo- like you. He's chosen the Brotherhood and I'm just here, making everything awkward."
"Hey. Look at me, Blue." Piper said firmly, sitting back to fix her with a serious look. "I've been watching you two ever since you got here, not to mention all the times before that. If there is one thing that I'm certain of, it's that Danse has got it bad for you."
Nora huffed in disbelief, shaking her head.
"Seriously, you don't see the way he looks at you when he thinks you're not looking. I mean, when you do turn around he scowls like he wasn't giving you puppy dog eyes!" Piper insisted.
"He's made up his mind, Piper. I'm not going to make a fool out of myself begging him to reciprocate." Nora muttered, shaking her head.
"Blue, I really don't think you'll need to beg." Piper said with a confident smile. "As a matter of fact, I think Tin Man is just in need of a little persuasion."
Nora frowned slightly, turning to look at her.
"What are you talking about, Piper?"
"The oldest trick in the book, Blue! You're going to show him what he's missing!"
Nora's hand shook slightly as she applied her lipstick, her blue eyes blinking rapidly as she gazed at her reflection. She hadn't dressed up like this since before the bombs fell, yet despite the hellish months spent surviving within the Commonwealth, the routine still felt familiar to her.
She set the lipstick aside and straightened up to scrutinise her appearance, her stomach knotting itself with anxiety. The day the bombs fell, she had planned on spending her evening doing just this; styling her hair the way she knew that Nate loved it, matching her jewellery and make up to her favourite emerald dress…
The only jewellery she wore now were the rings. One golden band around her finger, another hanging about her throat.
The woman who gazed back at her seemed like a flawed version of her pre-war self. She was glamorous, the sequins of her dress sparkling in the lamplight as the navy material hugged her curves and flattered her figure. But this woman had sad eyes and she was thinner than she used to be, her body toned and muscular from her time spent in the Commonwealth.
Who are you? She silently asked her reflection, biting her lip.
She heard a rustle of fabric and a small gasp and turned to look towards the stairs.
"Blue…" Piper was grinning radiantly, clapping her hands together in excitement. "You need to dress up more often! You look amazing!"
Despite herself, Nora smiled at the compliment.
"You don't think it's too much, do you?" She asked, sparing another glance at the mirror before walking towards the stairs. "I feel like this is really overdressed for the Dugout."
"Oh, it is!" Piper agreed, linking her arm through Nora's. "Which is exactly why you're gonna knock 'em all dead, Blue! Besides, everyone knows the Brotherhood are snobs. Danse'll appreciate the class!"
"Mm." Nora shrugged noncommittally, a look of uncertainty flitting across her face.
Piper pouted before slipping her arm free and skipping down the last three steps, clapping her hands to catch Burke and Marcus' attention.
"Alright boys!" She announced as Nora stepped down beside her. "I want you both to tell Blue how pretty she is!"
"Piper!" Nora protested, her cheeks flushing with colour.
"There's no need to be so modest, Nora." Marcus spoke up, prompting her to glance over to where he and Burke were standing. "Not to say that you weren't lovely before, but you're definitely going to break some hearts tonight." He flashed her a charming smile and a thumbs up.
Beside him, Burke simply gawked at her.
"I didn't know you could look pretty!" He finally blurted out.
Marcus face-palmed beside him.
"Well." Nora sighed, fixing the Squire in a severe stare. "Talk about a back-handed compliment."
"Why are you dressed like that, anyway?" Burke added, raising an eyebrow.
"She just felt like it!" Piper replied, giving Nora a firm push towards the door. "She's taking the night off! Letting her hair down!"
"She's going to see the Paladin, isn't she?" Burke deadpanned, reaching up to lightly scratch Grogcat behind the ear.
"No! I'm just… drinking!" Nora spluttered, turning to face him.
"Ma'am. Please." The Squire was smirking now, a devilish glint in his eyes. "It's obvious. Besides, Deacon even said so at Bunker Hill!"
"Deacon lies!"
"Ma'am. You're looking redder than a tato."
"Okay! You know what? Stupid plan!" Nora announced, trying to turn around. "I'm going back to bed and we are never discussing this!"
"Oh no you don't!" Piper grunted, grabbing her shoulders and pushing her towards the door. "Marcus! Get that door open! One way or another we are getting you to the Dugout and that's final!"
The closer Nora got to the Dugout, the more apprehensive she became.
How do I even begin this conversation? She wondered, hurrying along the narrow street. What do I do this time if he shuts me down? It'll just make everything so much worse…
She had never been very experienced in romance, Nate having been her only serious relationship and in that instance, he had pursued her.
This is such a bad idea… She thought, slowing to a walk as the Dugout's signs came into view, illuminated by strings of lights. There'll be no coming back from this. He's already said no. I'm just going to get myself hurt again.
She came to a stop, hugging her bare arms beneath her chest and biting her lower lip. A group of people were drinking beneath the sheltered entryway and one of them wolf whistled, the sound shrill and cutting above the muffled noise filtering out of the bar.
For a while she stood there, considering her options as she toyed with Nate's ring between her fingers.
A fat droplet of rain kissed her shoulder, jolting her back into reality. Blinking, she leaned her head back to peer up at the lowering sky and more rain began peppering her cheeks, striking the ground around her as it fast became a deluge.
Before she could allow herself time to think, Nora rushed into the shelter of the Dugout, narrowly avoiding the torrential downpour that chased her inside.
Ignoring the stares she was receiving from the drinkers sheltering outside, she straightened her back and pushed the Dugout's door open, stepping inside.
Almost immediately her nostrils were assaulted by the stench of cigarette smoke, beer and burnt food. The dull roar of the evening crowd was loud enough to drown out the rain hammering on the rooftop and she could already see through the narrow doorway ahead that the bar was busy.
The few people she could see through the smoky haze were dressed in scruffy everyday attire and she couldn't help but feel that she really didn't belong.
Grow a backbone, Nora. She scolded herself, taking a deep breath as she assumed a neutral smile. Just work it like Hancock. Besides, the General's uniform stands out worse than this.
She forced herself to walk smoothly along the corridor, ignoring the way the sticky floor kept gripping at her heels and threatening to wrench them from her feet.
When she entered the bar area, she immediately felt eyes upon her and stubbornly fought the urge to check for the combat knife she had sheathed beneath her skirt.
As she approached the bar, a couple of off-duty security officers stepped away with their drinks, leaving her an opening at the counter.
She had barely stepped up to it before a beaming Vadim swept his way towards her, his eyes wide and sparkling.
"Nora! You look beautiful!" He exclaimed loudly, attracting the attention of everyone sitting nearby. "Have you dressed up to see me? Ha! I kid! I kid! You're here to see Dan, yes? To ah… thank him for that incredibly romantic poem and lovely gifts, no doubt?" He added with a wink and a chuckle.
"Wait. Danny's here?" Nora frowned, glancing around to spy the security officer sat at a nearby table, intently studying her from behind. When he realised that she was looking, he hastily turned back to a conversation with a couple of his colleagues, his ears burning.
Nora suppressed a shudder as she turned back to Vadim.
"No. I'm definitely not here to see him… How did you know about that, anyway?" She added, watching as a blank expression crossed Vadim's face. "You didn't have anything to do with it, did you?" She added, her eyes narrowing.
"Er… He was talking about it. We bartenders hear a lot!" Vadim replied quickly, waving her question away. "Besides! That is Dan-ny. I am talking about Dan! You know! Very tall, very handsome, very broody man you travel with and have dressed up to see tonight, yes?"
"Wait." Nora frowned, pinning him with a suspicious glare. "Are you actually trying to tell me that Danse is the one who wrote that poem and gave me the snack cakes and wine?"
"Yes! This is exactly what I am saying!" Vadim nodded his head quickly. "Why else would you dress up so nicely to visit Vadim's bar if not to go and confess your love to him! Because that is why you are here, yes?"
Nora pursed her lips and began drumming her nails on the sticky countertop.
"Vadim. It couldn't have been Danse for several reasons." She began, watching as his eyes darted nervously around the room. "One. He was with me when the presents were delivered. Two. I know his handwriting and that poem was not written by him. Three. Danse shares snack cakes, but he'd never give away a whole box. And four? He knows how to spell his own name."
"Well, easy mistake to make, eh? Guess it was not Dan after all!" Vadim shrugged, clearing his throat. "But you are here to see him, yes? Yes?"
Nora's cheeks flushed and she broke eye contact to glance around the bar area before turning back to face him.
"I… was thinking about seeing him." She said evasively, "but as he's clearly retired for the night, I won't disturb him. I mean, we've got an early start tomorrow."
"Nonsense!" Vadim insisted. "You walk into his room like that, he will not need to sleep! He will think he is already dreaming!"
Nora couldn't help but laugh at that, relaxing slightly.
"Now you're sounding cheesier than the poem and that had the word cheese in it!"
"Hey! It made you smile, no?" Vadim chuckled before clapping his hands. "Now then! How about I take you to see him, yes? Maybe you buy wine and snack cakes at a discount, add to the romance of the evening!"
"I… think I'll maybe have a drink first." Nora said quickly, her stomach knotting at the prospect of actually seeing Danse.
"Ah! Feeling shy, are we?" Vadim grinned, leaning against the counter and wriggling his eyebrows. "Well my friend! I have just the cure for you!"
He ducked down behind the bar, reappearing seconds later with a clear bottle labelled 'Bobrov's Best Moonshine'.
"This make you strong as behemoth! Fierce as mirelurk! Stumble like a feral, but fly like a stingwing! Cute as molerat!" When Nora raised a sceptical brow, Vadim beat his fist against his breast, loudly proclaiming "it put deathclaw on your chest!"
"Yeah. Somehow, I don't think having a deathclaw chest would be all that attractive." She said dryly, watching as he swiped a clean shot glass from behind the counter and filled it without spilling a drop.
"I don't know. I think in that dress, you could pull it off."
At the sound of the velvet smooth voice, Nora turned to find a familiar pair of chocolate brown eyes watching her, a small smile tugging at the edges of full lips.
"Hey, Hawthorne. How's it going?" She grinned, reaching for the shot glass and knocking back the moonshine with a wince.
"Rough, to be honest." The adventurer sighed, sidling closer to her. "Though seeing you has gone some way to brightening my evening. Hey, can I get you something to drink? I'm here on my own tonight and it's getting pretty lonely."
"Sure. Why not?" She agreed, secretly thanking all and any gods for giving her another legitimate reason to procrastinate. "Make mine a Nuka-Cherry and rum, Vadim."
"Aren't you going to see Dan?" Vadim pressed, folding his arms and frowning as he glanced between them.
"Yes. But after I've caught up with Hawthorne!" Nora explained, before glancing back at her friend. "Last time I saw you, weren't you planning on visiting Outpost Zimonja?"
"Oh man! Do I have some stories from that journey!" He grinned, running his hand through his hair. "Vadim, get me my usual and Nora's Nuka-Cherry and rum."
"Hmmm. Okay." Vadim nodded. "One more drink for Nora. One. Then you go and see Dan, yes?"
"Of course!" Nora smiled brightly. "Just one more drink! Promise!"
One drink had turned into several, although Vadim found it somewhat hard to blame her. Hawthorne had half the bar enraptured by his tale, in which he was currently describing a narrow escape from a feral horde in a graveyard. Had Vadim not heard the same tale three times before, he too might have been of a mind to listen.
Instead he found himself glancing up at the clock on the wall, the hands of which were moving closer and closer to announcing eleven o' clock. Nora had been at the Dugout for almost four hours and had yet to make a move towards Danse's room.
Well. If I can't make her go to Dan, I make Dan go to her. He thought to himself, casting a critical glance in Nora's direction.
Her cheeks were flushed with a rosy glow and she was visibly more relaxed, her blue eyes sparkling and merry. She really was a pretty sight in that dress, especially when she smiled or laughed in reaction to Hawthorne's masterful storytelling.
Dan will not be able to resist her! Vadim thought with a grin, standing upright and wiping his hands down his jacket. He slipped away from the bar unnoticed by Hawthorne's enraptured audience, heading over to where Yefim was sitting at his usual post, listening to the story.
He tapped him on the shoulder, startling him back to alertness.
"Vadim! What are you-"
"Shhh!" Vadim hissed, his eyes flitting to Nora as though fearing she would cotton on to him. "I am in the middle of a most cunning plan! I will explain later, but you? You go watch the bar!" Before Yefim could protest he hurried past him, making his way down the dingy corridors to one of the larger rooms at the back.
Despite the late hour, he rapped his knuckles loudly against the wood without hesitation.
He heard the creak of the mattress, followed by heavy footsteps. A few moments later, Danse had pulled the door ajar, still dressed in a flannel shirt and jeans.
"What is it now?" He demanded, rubbing at his stubbly beard.
"You must come quickly!" Vadim announced, speaking in an urgent voice. "It is Nora! She is unwell! Had too much to drink!"
Danse straightened up, his expression darkening considerably.
Vadim had little time to wonder if he had used the right approach as Danse seized his keys from the other side of the door and stepped out, his jaw squared.
"Where is she?"
"Well?" Hawthorne smiled as he leaned on the bar next to Nora. "What did you think?"
"Hmmm. I think that you have nightmares about that graveyard." She smiled, resting her chin on her hand as she looked up at him. "I also think you should write a book!"
"But then we would all miss out on that alluring voice of his!" A shrill voice spoke from Hawthorne's other side. "And I think that's one of the best parts…"
Nora's eyebrows rose as a pale hand brushed along Hawthorne's leather-clad arm and Darcy Pembrooke appeared beside him, smiling coyly. As always, her golden hair was styled carefully atop her head, her makeup pristine and flattering, although it could only do so much to hide the unhappy lines ageing her face.
"Darcy." Hawthorne's smile was suddenly strained. "What are you doing here rubbing shoulders with the lower-stands? I thought you stayed in the Taphouse?"
"Well, I don't mind roughing it down here every once in a while. Especially when there are such attractive men about!" As she spoke, she linked her arms through Hawthorne's and stepped even closer to him.
"I'm er… flattered, Darcy." Hawthorne said quickly, beginning to sweat. "But I don't want to cause any trouble with Pete."
"What Pete doesn't know won't hurt him…" She all but purred, fluttering her eyelashes prettily.
Hawthorne shot Nora a pleading stare, prompting her to clear her throat.
"Actually, Darcy, where is Pete?" She asked with a pleasant, if slightly catty smile. "Is he home alone, putting your son to bed again?"
Darcy's nose wrinkled slightly as though she had caught a bad smell, her lips pursing into a thin line as she looked Nora up and down.
"Pete is somewhere." She said at length, adopting a near glacial tone before glancing back to Hawthorne and smiling seductively. "Hawthorne dear, what's say you and I find somewhere more… private to continue this conversation?"
"Actually Darcy, I'm already talking to Nora…" He began, only for Darcy to huff and release him as though he had burned her.
"Fine. But when you want to speak to a woman of real class, you come find me." With that, she shot Nora another withering look before striding away to seek her next victim.
"Phew. I thought I was gonna to have to run home and lock my doors for the night." Hawthorne sighed, leaning heavily against the counter. "I'd rather face that horde of man-eating ferals again than that man-eater any day!"
"I almost feel sorry for her." Nora sighed heavily. "But then I remember what she puts her son and husband through every day… She doesn't know what she has."
"Hey, is everything alright?" Hawthorne asked gently, slipping an arm around her shoulders.
Before she could answer someone stepped up close beside her, invading her space. She turned to face the intruder, only to freeze in place.
"Soldier." Danse was glaring down at her, his voice stern. "What are you doing here?"
Nora frowned slightly as her mind tried to formulate a coherent answer, but butterflies were stirring in her stomach and her mind felt foggy. For a few long moments they just stared at each other.
Then Danse's dark glare fixed on Hawthorne and she felt the adventurer quickly withdraw his arm, catching the less than subtle hint.
Nora quickly averted her eyes to the Nuka-Cola and rum in her glass, but even as she reached for it, Danse was pushing it away.
"That's enough." He said firmly. "You need to get sobered up. Vadim, get her some water."
"Tap water, coming right up!" Vadim announced cheerfully, sweeping along behind the bar.
"What were you thinking soldier?" Danse demanded, resting one muscular forearm on the counter as he leaned down towards her, his brow furrowed. "We're leaving first thing tomorrow and you decide to-"
Glass shattered behind the bar, cutting him off.
"What?!" Vadim squawked, whipping around to face them. "You are leaving tomorrow?!"
Danse glowered at the barkeep before turning back to Nora.
"Come with me." He ordered, straightening up and stepping back.
"Is everything okay, Nora?" Hawthorne asked hesitantly, his expression concerned. "Should I go get security?"
"Nope. He's my C.O." She sighed, waving him off. "Its fine, I'm just going to get a lecture."
Danse made an annoyed grunting sound behind her and Nora rolled her eyes as she pushed away from the bar, slipping down from her stool. The room spun sickeningly with the movement and she staggered, teetering dangerously in her heels before Danse's hands closed about her arms, steadying her.
"Come on." He ordered, ushering her away. "Vadim, bring the water to my room, got it?"
Nora didn't hear his answer, too focused on remaining upright. The alcohol was hitting her all at once, making her feel nauseous and dizzy.
She felt relieved when they arrived in the quieter guest area, Danse guiding her along the corridors, steadying her each time her heels caught on the uneven floorboards and carpet. Finally he stopped outside a door, releasing one of her arms to fish for the keys in his pocket.
Nora was swaying on her feet, leaning back against him to steady herself as he opened the door. Then he was propelling her into the room, closing the door behind them.
"What were you thinking, soldier?" He demanded as he guided her towards the bed. "Where's the Squire?"
"He's fine." She mumbled, lowering herself down onto the mattress. "Piper's looking after him."
"But why?" He pressed, his brows knitting together as he sat down beside her. "Why are you here, dressed up like that?"
Nora kept her eyes fixed on where her hands were clasped together on her lap, suddenly feeling foolish.
This was a terrible idea.
"…Were you here to see that man at the bar?"
She glanced up, startled by the way his voice had suddenly become low and quiet. He was glaring at the floor rather than her, his jaw squared and hands clenched into fists between his knees.
"No." She said quietly, her drunken cheer having dissipated completely. "I… came here to see you."
He sat upright at that, turning to face her.
"To see me? About what?"
He was frowning at her now, his eyes studying her intently.
"Nothing. It doesn't matter." She mumbled, glancing away as she tried to stand up. "I should go…"
She felt the warm weight of his hand on her shoulder as he gently pulled her back down.
"Wait."
She bounced slightly as she fell back on the bed and turned to look at him. His calloused hand lingered, rough against her bare skin but she made no effort to shrug it off. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts, his eyes scanning over her and his full lips slightly parted as though waiting for the words he wanted to say.
The door flew open for the second time that day, snapping them from the trance they had entered as Vadim swaggered inside, balancing a full pitcher of water and pair of glasses on a tray.
"Your water!" He announced, striding towards the head of the bed.
Danse quickly pulled his hand away, running it through his hair and clearing his throat.
Rather than set the tray down and leave, Vadim began pouring water into one of the glasses, glancing to where Nora and Danse were now sitting in a tense silence. He frowned slightly at the small distance between them and the way that they were looking anywhere but at each other.
Then he brightened back into his usual jovial self, approaching Nora with the glass of water in his hand.
"Here you are." He smiled, handing it to her.
With a grateful nod she accepted it and began to drink.
"So." Vadim began, folding his arms and looking between them. "Nora is looking lovely tonight, don't you agree, Dan?"
Nora's eyes widened and she spluttered into her glass whilst Danse turned to glare at him.
"That's an inappropriate topic of conversation."
"Ah, come on! We're all friends here!" Vadim grinned. "Besides! She dressed up for you! The least you can do is pay her a nice compliment!"
"Vadim!" Nora gasped, her expression mortified.
Danse was now staring at her, colour rising high on his cheeks.
"What? It's the truth! You said so yourself!" Vadim shrugged. "Anyway, I have to get back to bar. I will give you some privacy, yes?"
Before either of them could say anything, he turned, striding out of the room and slamming the door shut behind him.
If Nora's face had been flushed before, it was burning now. For a few moments they both stared after Vadim, then Danse turned to face her and Nora watched him from the corner of her eye.
"Is… what he said true?" He asked hesitantly.
God, this is awkward. Nora thought, willing the ground to swallow her up as she nodded, biting her lip.
"Oh." A pause as he shifted slightly on the bed, running a hand through his hair and clearing his throat. "Well… You… Look very nice, soldier."
"…Thanks."
They fell silent again, Nora sipping at her water whilst Danse shifted uncomfortably beside her, the mattress creaking under his weight.
Finally, he cleared his throat again, prompting her to look up and meet his gaze.
"So, are you going to tell me why you came here?" He asked at length, watching her closely.
For a moment, Nora almost brushed the whole thing under the carpet again. But then she began to speak, whether because of the alcohol or the sheer strain of her emotions, she couldn't be sure.
"Can we speak off the record?" She asked, lowering her glass to the floor.
"Of course." He nodded. "Speak your mind."
"Okay." She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and sat up slowly, the world shifting uncomfortably around her. "I know you said we were done talking about our relationship, but we're not."
"Nora-"
"I'm speaking!" She cut across him, raising a hand. "Just… Just let me speak, okay?"
Danse closed his mouth and nodded, waiting for her to continue.
"You gave me your reasons for why you think a relationship wouldn't work out between us." She began slowly, lowering her hand to the blankets to smooth them down. "Well, I think your reasons are complete and utter bull.
"I don't know how long you've felt the same for me but… I've cared about you like this for a while, Danse. More than as a friend or a colleague. My feelings towards you then did not impact on our work and even though I've been so angry with you these past few days, we still make one hell of a team."
She raised her eyes to his, the pain and confusion she felt as clear as day.
"If you didn't feel the same way, or if you had a good reason to turn me down, I'd take it. But you don't, Danse. I can see that you're hurting yourself as much as you're hurting me and I don't understand why?"
Her voice cracked on the last word.
"You've risked your life for me so many times, fought alongside me… So why won't you fight for me now, when you feel the same way I do?"
Danse lowered his eyes to the ground, his shoulders slumping.
"Nora… we can't."
"But why?"
"We're at war." He began, turning to face her. "I'm not one of the rank-and-file. I have duties and responsibilities that require my full attention. I can't be distracted from them."
"How could you be any more distracted from them then you are now?!" She demanded, exasperated. "Your job's been to follow me around as my sponsor and help me find the Institute, but now you can't even do that because we're barely on speaking terms! You won't even stay in the same building as me!"
He lowered his eyes and turned away, swallowing thickly but saying nothing. The silence stretched between them until Nora finally sighed, pushing herself to her feet.
"This was a mistake." She said quietly, shaking her head. "When we return Burke to the Prydwen, we should go our separate ways. I wouldn't want to be a distraction."
"No!"
One of Danse's hands shot out and shackled her wrist, pulling her back down beside him. She fell gracelessly, bouncing on the mattress. When the world finally grew still she sat up again to find Danse staring at her, still holding her wrist in a firm but gentle grasp.
His expression reflected her surprise, his cheeks flushed, but a determination had settled over his features.
"Just… let me try to explain." He managed hoarsely. "I'm not very good at these sorts of things."
Nora nodded mutely and he released her wrist to run both hands through his hair, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Nora, I care for you in ways I never thought I could feel about anyone." He began, finally turning to face her. "But the depths of these feelings… It frightens me. If I don't stop this now, if I give in to these feelings and then I lose you…" He shook his head faintly, his eyes dark with fear.
"When I lost Cutler and Krieg, it hit me hard. But to lose you… I couldn't. I don't know if I could recover from that. I can't risk it."
"And you don't think I feel the same?" Nora whispered, her hand finding his on the blankets. "The Commonwealth is cruel, Danse. People die out there every day, and I can't promise that at some point I won't be one of them. We're soldiers. Danger's in our job description.
"But shouldn't we hold onto what happiness we find, for as long as we can?"
Danse gazed steadily into her eyes, his own wide, dark pools.
"At least if we fall, we'll know that we died having loved someone and having been loved. Isn't that better than dying with only thoughts of what could have been?" She pressed, gently squeezing his hand.
"What about your husband?" He asked softly, his eyes flickering to where the silver chain disappeared into her cleavage. "You still love him, don't you? You still grieve for him?"
"I'll always miss Nate." She admitted with a sad smile. "But he was a part of the old world… I killed his murderer and I'm doing my best to save our son. He'll always be a part of me, the same way Cutler will always be a part of you. But we can't keep living in the shadow of the past. We have to keep moving forwards."
"But… what does the future hold for you?" Danse's voice was quiet.
His warm hand shifted beneath hers and moments later her hand was closed in his, the calloused pad of his thumb lightly stroking the back of her hand. "My future, my life will always be dedicated to the Brotherhood, Nora. Where I am ordered to go I will travel without question, and when the Prydwen leaves the Commonwealth, I will likely be leaving too."
He paused, swallowing thickly and gazing at where his hand enveloped hers.
"I can't commit myself to this relationship if we're just going to be torn apart later. It would hurt too much."
"But what if I stay with the Brotherhood?" She asked quietly, her heart beating faster in her chest. "What if I leave with you?"
Danse's eyes darted up to hers, studying her intently.
"But what about the Minutemen?" He asked cautiously. "Surely you wouldn't just leave them after all you've accomplished?"
"I'm sure Preston would make a great General." She said softly, gazing steadily back at him. "I'm more of a figurehead these days, anyway."
"Are you certain about this?" He asked quietly, his hand gently squeezing hers. A cautious hope was beginning to kindle in his eyes and seep into his voice. "You would take your commitments to the Brotherhood more seriously?"
"Don't I already?"
He frowned slightly and she raised an eyebrow in question. Slowly, he raised his free hand to trail his fingertips along the chain at her throat, gooseflesh rising where his skin brushed hers.
"You wear his ring each day." He began carefully. "Yet since you received them, I have not seen you wear your holotags more than once. I'm also aware that you have some… ideals that are at odds with the teachings of the Brotherhood. Not to mention your ties to the Minutemen…" He lowered his hand back to his lap and sucked in a deep breath as though he feared to ask her the question. "Are you truly being sincere, or are you just telling me what I want to hear?"
Nora considered his words solemnly, her eyes boring into his.
Then she grasped his hand a little more tightly, raising it her lips and gently trailing kisses along his knuckles.
"I mean it, Danse. I don't want to be without you."
He stared at her, his eyes wide and incredulous as her words sank in. Then he glanced away from her shyly, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat as he collected himself. A bashful smile was tugging at his lips and his entire face flushed with colour, his eyes bright.
"I… will have to speak to the Elder about it first." He said hesitantly. "But I am willing to press our case. We are an effective team and have achieved much together. Hopefully with our track record, Elder Maxson will see fit to keep us together."
"We'll work something out, whatever happens." Nora promised, her body sagging with relief.
Danse nodded, a tentative but genuine smile pulling at his lips. His eyes, often warm but always guarded, were shining in a way she had never seen before, bright and smouldering with deep and sincere emotions. She couldn't help but think that he had never looked so beautiful.
She leaned towards him, bracing her free hand against his shoulder as she tilted her head, parting her lips slightly. She paused just shy of kissing him, gazing into his eyes to see if he would reciprocate.
Danse's lips pressed softly to hers, the kiss chaste and gentle as his free hand reached up to cover hers.
She couldn't help but grin as they parted for a moment, resting her forehead against his as her heart hammered wildly in her chest.
Then he was kissing her hungrily, his tongue brushing along her bottom lip. She shifted closer to him, allowing him to deepen their kiss. One of his arms slipped around her, pressing her closer to him as her hand slipped over his shoulder, her fingers winding along the back of his neck and disappearing into his hair.
For a few blissful moments the world consisted of just the two of them, all the terrors of the Commonwealth forgotten, allowing them a fragile moment of happiness…
The door jolted violently in its frame and they froze, eyes opening wide at the sound of a muffled curse. Frowning, Danse released her and rose to his feet, striding across the room towards the door and wrenching it open.
Vadim and Yefim Bobrov fell to the floor at his feet.
"What the hell?!" Danse demanded, scowling fiercely at the pair of them.
"Oh! Yes Yefim! Why were you peeping through keyhole of Dan and Nora's room, eh?" Vadim cried, stumbling back to his feet whilst his younger brother glared at him, spluttering indignantly. "I apologise for my idiot brother! He is… troubled." He added with a grin.
"But Vadim! You were the one who-"
"HA HA HA! Be quiet Yefim!" Vadim stage whispered as he dragged his brother up in a one-armed hug. "Man like Dan could kill you with his little finger!"
Danse raised an eyebrow but retained his fierce expression as Yefim slowly looked towards him and swallowed.
"Anyway!" Vadim announced, dragging Yefim back through the door with him. "We will give you some privacy, yes? Maybe send you complimentary wine and snack cakes to say sorry! Oh!" He added, glancing between them with a grin. "Don't forget! If you conceive child tonight, call your son Vadim or your daughter Yefim-a!"
Danse slammed the door in their faces.
"What is wrong with that man?" He huffed, glowering at the door as Vadim began babbling excitedly on the other side, his footsteps thundering away down the hall.
"I think he's always been that like that, if Yefim's anything to go by." Nora giggled as she tried to stifle a yawn.
Danse glanced over to where a clock hung on the wall, raising his eyebrows.
"It's gotten late." He said slowly, turning back to her. "We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow and we both need to sleep."
"Guess you're right." Nora sighed, slowly easing herself to her feet. "Guess I'll see you in the morning, then."
"Wait. I'll walk you back." Danse said firmly, crossing to where his bomber jacket lay atop his pack. A few moments later he was back at her side, easing the jacket about her shoulders.
"Won't you need it?" She asked, peering up at him.
"I'll be fine." He insisted firmly, slipping one arm about her waist and leading her to the door. "Besides, this way you can warm it up for me for when I head back."
When they emerged outside, it was to find the rain still falling in a torrential downpour.
"I don't think it's stopping any time soon." Nora commented as they stood together in the shelter of the entryway, watching the raindrops flash as they fell past the strings of lightbulbs. The ground below was saturated, water pooling on the concrete and turning the dirt paths into muddy mires.
"Agreed." Danse sighed reluctantly, his arm pulling her closer to him. "I suppose we'll just have to push on through it."
"Well, I guess it'll sober me up a little." Nora smiled wryly, unzipping the bomber jacket and shrugging it from her shoulders.
"What are you doing?" He frowned, cocking his head slightly.
"Well, I'm not going to let you get soaked, am I?" She grinned, holding the jacket like a tent above her head. "You'll have to stoop, but it'll keep your head and shoulders dry!"
"You'll be cold, soldier."
"I've got a beer blanket right now." She announced, smirking up at him. "Besides, either you get under here and remain sort of dry, or we both get soaked."
"This sort of behaviour is unbefitting a Paladin…" He muttered under his breath, though to Nora's delight he took one side of the jacket and stooped down, ducking beneath it.
"Cosy, huh?" She chuckled.
Danse glanced at her a moment before smirking, his free arm slipping about her waist and pulling her closer to him.
"It is now."
Nora leaned in closer and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, his stubble lightly scratching her face.
"Let's get going then, shall we?" She asked, certain that she was probably glowing as much as he was.
He cleared his throat and nodded.
Together they left the Dugout's shelter and made their way through the downpour, the rain roaring as it struck the leather above them. In under a minute their legs and lower bodies were soaked, the sudden cold sobering Nora up slightly, though she was still giddy from the night's success.
They walked as quickly as they could, Nora unsteady in her heels and struggling through the mud. When they entered the marketplace, they were protected from the gusts of wind that had been howling through the alleyways and narrow streets behind them.
The market was deserted, save for Power Noodles, where they could see Vadim talking enthusiastically to Takahashi, his voice carrying over roar of the rain. As they drew closer to Home Plate, Nora realised that the barkeep was gesturing towards them and as she watched, the protectron began spinning its arms, turning away to sweep a pile of bowls from the counter and onto the floor below.
"What do you think they're talking about?" She asked, her teeth chattering as she removed her key from a pocket hidden in the lining of her dress.
"Noodles?" Danse suggested as she unlocked the front door. Then his brow furrowed as he turned to glare suspiciously at them. "Or maybe the robot is coming up with a communist plot -"
He was cut off when Nora seized the front of his shirt and pulled him into the house behind her.
It was dark but warm inside and when Nora hit the light switch, they found a notepad left upon the coffee table, Piper's spidery handwriting scribbled across the paper.
'Blue,
Burke and Grogcat are crashing at my place for the night, seeing how it's gotten late.
Got my fingers crossed that things go well with Tin Man! If not, at least you know you did what you could.
I'll be around to congratulate or vent with you in the morning either way!
Sweet dreams!
Piper.'
"Looks like we didn't need to worry after all, huh?" Nora smiled drowsily, leaning heavily back against Danse.
"With Burke you always need to worry." Danse replied dryly, taking the sodden jacket from her hands and setting it on a coat rack by the door to dry. "But for now, let's just worry about getting you to bed."
"What?" Nora grinned, turning to face him and stumbling slightly in the process. "Not gonna buy me a drink first?"
"Come on." Danse sighed, rolling his eyes as he turned her back towards the room. "I think you've had quite enough to drink."
"We are going to work on that humour of yours!" She chuckled, kicking off her heels before allowing him to guide her through the house.
He paused at the bottom of the stairs but decided against taking her up them, instead helping her through the kitchen towards the guest room. Once he brushed the partitioning curtain aside, he flicked the light switch, watching as the golden lights glimmered into existence and began to slowly rotate across the walls.
"They look like fireflies, don't you think?" Nora murmured, watching as the disco ball rotated slowly above them.
"Were fireflies from your time?" He asked, ushering her towards the bed.
"Yeah. I miss them." She sighed, gazing at the lights wistfully as she lowered herself to sit on the bed, one of her hands trailing down Danse's arm to catch his hand.
"You should try and get some sleep." He murmured softly, crouching down in front of her, admiring the way that the soft lights reflected in her eyes like stars. He couldn't resist gently brushing a stray lock of damp hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. "I would also advise that you change into something dry before you catch a cold."
"Yes sir." She smiled at him, though she made no effort to move.
"I'll… see myself out." He said softly, stepping back and loosening his hold on her hand, only for Nora's grasp to tighten. Suddenly he was pulled off balance, down onto the bed beside her and before he knew what was happening, Nora had slipped her arms around him, holding him close.
"N-Nora?"
"Can you… just hold me?" She whispered softly, burying her face in his chest. "Just until I fall asleep?"
Danse's heart was beating wildly, his face and ears burning. For a few moments he lay there, gazing down at her, his arms lying uselessly on the bed as he considered her request.
Then he sighed, slowly slipping his arms around her. He kicked off his boots and sat up, cradling her on his lap as he shifted them around so that their heads were on the pillows. Nora immediately snuggled up to him again, tucking her head under his chin and draping her arm over him.
He slipped his arms around her, closing his eyes and revelling in her closeness.
It was possible that Maxson would separate them during the course of the campaign but… if there was a chance of this future where she would remain by his side, then he was willing to fight for it.
The soft lights chased across the backs of his eyelids, but this time they did not evoke memories of gunshots.
Instead, he wondered about fireflies.
A/N: They did it, guys! It only took them twenty chapters and months of fighting together before this to get to this stage! 8D We can all go to power noodles and celebrate with Vadim! *raises Nuka-Cola*
Anyway, it turned out there was no wi-fi while I was away so I'm really sorry that I've taken so long to reply to messages and reviews! (I have to grab dinner now too so I'll finish replying after that!) I'm really happy you guys enjoyed the last chapter and I really hope you've enjoyed this one too! Writing romance makes me nervous so yeah... ;^^
Thank you for sticking with the story thus far and to everyone who reads/reviews/favs I really appreciate it!