I origionally was gonna keep this as a one-shot but decided whatever.

-YARN

Cait was worried when she searched around Sanctuary and didn't see hide or hair of Nate in the settlement. She was half-worried he'd been kidnapped as he'd like to take strolls to the Red Rocket Station nearby, and half-angry he left without a word. She also did notice Dogmeat was missing as well, and she knew that - for a furry and mangy mutt - Dogmeat was no pushover, so she was able to dial back her worry a bit. Piper looked about as lost as Cait felt (and Cait was still bristling over the fact that Piper was very smug and tight-lipped about whatever happened between Nate and her in Diamond City) searching around the settlement and wondering where he was. Curie had seen him in the morning, he'd asked for a shovel and then left with it in hand, but hadn't returned.

Unsuccessful, Cait resolves to kick his ass when he gets back and decided to help with the crops.

It's late at night before he stumbles back in, clothing covered in dirt and unquestionably tired. Everyone except the night guard has retired and he can't bring himself to focus on more than need to rest. He barely takes a moment to peel off his jumpsuit, pull on some loose pants, place Kremvh's tooth onto the counter next to the nearest bed, and fall into said nearest bed.

Cait wakes up early from one of the best sleeps she had in a long while, feeling warm and comfortable and -

Then she feels a warm breath tickle the back of her neck and seep into her hair while two warm arms are wrapped around her waist. She twists in the bed, mouth open to shout and ready to knee the bastard that had slithered into her bed in the crotch so hard he'll never have kids -

And she sees Nate, eyes closed, breaths slow and even, and looking utterly at peace. She wasn't exactly a deep sleeper, but yesterday had emotionally drained her and she was simply too tired and simply done with the worry and work than to pass out.

Her anger and righteous fury melts into quiet wonder at the peaceful look on his face. She takes in his features and way he looks. It just reinforces to her that she is completely and totally in love with this man and with the peace and all she wants in that moment is to stay and sleep some more.

So she does.

Smiling softly - not smirking or grinning unusually enough - she buried her face into his neck, wraps her arms around him, tangles his legs with hers, and presses closer to him. He mumbles and incoherent hum into her hairline as he curls around her and tightens his grip.

Cait smile becomes a wide grin as a thought occurs.

She can't wait for little miss newspaper and the french bot to see this.

Understandably, Piper and Curie are less than pleased to see Nate spooning with Cait and looking so comfortable, and loudly voice their displeasure.

Nate (unaware of the several still groggy settlers jerking to full consciousness) wakes with a jolt, rolling off the bed and scrambling for Kremvh's tooth when he realizes he's half naked and pointing his weapon at his friends. He turns and sees Cait, smirking sleepily at him from the bed he just rolled out of. Realization dawns on him as he figures out he had accidentally slept in her bed and was probably cuddled up with her all night (with her permission no less, Cait was more than capable of kicking him out if she didn't want him there). He colors violently and stammers out something between a fervent apology and a hurried goodbye as he scoops up his vault suit and dashes into his old house to change.

"I might've pulled something." Cait remarks - teasingly to herself but rather happily to anyone else - at the two glowering women.

The settlers in the building vacate immediately.