Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Sorry for the delay. I'm so happy to receive just great reviews! I hope I can continue to make more enjoyable content. And in case you haven't noticed, Danse is my favorite too! He's got so much character just waiting to be discovered! Thank you for all your kind words!
A little bit of overview for the readers who I hope don't get too cross with me. This is obviously a Fic derived from Fallout 4 (IF YOU HAVEN'T COMPLETED IT YET, SPOILERS ARE WITHIN, SO HALT!) I was dying to write some Sole Survivor/Danse romance. He's an amazing character with, what I felt, tons of layers of angst. But if you've ever gallivanted the Commonwealth, you'll find there isn't a lot of dialogue to work with, so some of his lines may be a tad out of character, bear with me.
On another note, this is my first piece I've written since I had my son two years ago, so the flow will seem a bit choppy and for that I apologize. This is also my first time experimenting with first person (which generally I'm really opposed to) for any errors, I again, apologize! With that being said, I hope you enjoy!
This story is M and is suggested for only those 16+
This story has adult themes throughout, I'll tag incoming bits with an M. Feel free to skim over it if you'd like!
HEROICS
I never reported back to Maxson, even despite Danse's urging. The thought had crossed my mind that it was some sort of diversion. Separate me from Danse and use my absence as a chance to execute him. It wasn't my first concern, I just didn't want face Maxson. I needed time to think and putting off Shaun's death was a bonus.
Danse and I had spent a week at the Listening Post. I was going absolutely stir-crazy cooped up in there. He was more than content cleaning weapons and working on his turret system. Things between us seemed stable. Though more than once he reminded me that he needed time to adjust to everything that had happened to him. I reluctantly gave him ample space and decided to head out to Diamond City for supplies. I always liked having a good stockpile of food and medical gear. Life was so unpredictable in the Commonwealth. Danse was not happy with the idea of me leaving on my own. Though he couldn't disagree I was in desperate need of an actual doctor since sustaining various injuries in the past week or so.
Before I left he lectured me as if I was a child. "Under no circumstances should you talk to strangers. People are unhinged out there and you just never know." I sarcastically replied with a "Yes father," before kissing his cheek and heading out the door.
The sun hung overhead like a sentry. The air seemed thick and dry, filled with dust. Despite the harsh heat I was happy to be outside. I brought a few bottles of purified water, food and extra ammo. I walked with an obvious limp and my arm was still stiff from the hit it took from that raider. But it felt nice to move my body, stretching out the wires and dusting off my joints. I'd been forced to sit around on Danse's orders. He didn't want me to tire myself and risk an infection. The night I had refused to kill him I ran a very high fever and he refused to leave the bunker while I was in such a condition. He sat by my bed all night and watched over me. I could see the worry on his face as he loomed over me, ever watchful. As I slept restlessly, I could feel his hand on my forehead or his ear on my chest. At first light, when I awoke, he was slumped back in his chair, snoring. I tried to leave the bed to drink water but he woke up so quickly it startled me.
Out in the open, free once again, I smiled up at the dingy, blue sky. I dampened a bandanna and tied it around my neck, tucking it under the collar of my uniform. I could hear very distant gunfire and the rhythmic song of what I would say sounded akin to cicadas. My feet trudged in front of me, carefully navigating the uneven plain before me. The last thing I needed was to take a nasty fall and aggravate my wound.
I hadn't mentioned it to Danse, but the bullet hole had started to swell and became very painful. I had always just told him it was feeling better. He was so caught up in making the bunker livable I think he just took me at my word.
Each step gave my leg a small jolt of pain. But it was bearable. Getting the blood rushing felt good. I had to stop frequently and change the bandage or apply water and avoid dirtying it anymore than it already was. With the pace I was at, it took longer to reach the gates of the city than I had anticipated.
The stadium turned city was the same as I had left it all those months ago. Safely tucked away. I wondered how much a house would cost. The idea of living somewhere with people was enticing. I enjoyed the privacy with Danse, but I liked the convenience of a city too. He would never agree. He was not a people person. He was programmed that way. I wondered if I could reprogram him to give foot massages. Like, a masseuse interface. Or a chef.
I was greeted by a city guard, who briefly gave me the third degree. I explained my business and was allowed city was bustling with caps and people, as usual. I sank into the crowd, a goofy grin on my face. I stopped to buy a bowl of noodles, firstly.
I sat down at an empty stool and placed my pack at my feet.
I looked up at Takahashi as he clunked over. "Na-ni shunasho-ka?"
"Oh I'm fine, thank you," I sighed, wringing out the bandanna on my neck.
"Na-ni shunasho-ka?"
I laughed a fake little chuckle and slapped the counter-top, "Good one Takahashi you old dog."
"Na-ni shunasho-ka?"
"Yes," I sighed enthusiastically. Having heard the only word the poor thing know, Takahashi presented me with a bowl of noodles. I place the appropriate amount of caps on the table and accepted the bowl greedily. I stopped, mid-scoop.
"Say, do you know where I can find a doctor?"
"Na-ni shunasho-ka?"
"You do know he doesn't understand you, right?" A voice beside me chimed in. I turned my head and quirked a brow.
"Oh, I know," I said, placing my bowl down on the counter. The man sized me up briefly, a grin on his face. He was tall, sinewy and easy on the eyes. He sported light leather armor, well looked after. A double-barrel shotgun swayed on his back and a 44. on his waist. His eyes were hidden by a pair of sunglasses, a toothpick between his remarkably white teeth. His hair was a thick brown, greased back yet messily attractive. His face was clean shaven, save for a thick chinstrap and accompanying mustache.
He extended his hand to me. "Gideon," he said, taking my own dusty hand and giving it a solid shake.
"Fox," I replied.
"Oh, well-" he rubbed the back of my neck and chuckled.
"Oh no, no, that's my name. My mother was a little eccentric," I said, smiling from the corner of my mouth. I awkwardly poked my noddles with my spoon.
"Ah, now you've gone and hurt my feelings," he said, his expression blank.
From the background Takahashi trilled on, "Na-ni shunasho-ka?"
We both ignored him, though his constant hovering was increasingly aggravating.
The man spoke again, his voice deep and dancing with clear brogue. English with a slight Irish accent. "I don't think I've seen you here before. And I know everyone up and down the Diamond City," he said watching me eat a mouthful of noodles. I looked up from my bowl and swallowed.
"Just passing through for supplies," I said, coughing slightly.
"Ah, you from the Commonwealth then?"
I nodded slowly, "Near Sanctuary," I said, placing my bowl down after draining it of all the broth. Gideon nodded and attended his own noodles.
"I overheard you ask about a doctor. I happen to know Doctor Sun. He's not much social butterfly, but he'll fix what's broken," he said after taking a long swig off of a flask.
"Oh, well thanks. Mind pointing me in the right direction?" I replied, swiveling my stool around and stepping back onto the ground. Gideon hurriedly chugged the rest of his noodles and stepped down beside me.
"I'll do ya' one better and escort you myself," he remarked.
"Oh that isn't necessary-"
"O'course it is. A nice lady like yourself should never travel alone," he said with a raised brow. I didn't argue, just motioned for him to take the lead. He guided me past the outdoor clinic and onto a catwalk. "He's not at the shop today. So I'll take you 'round to his place." I nodded, following slowly, the blood still trying to flow back into my bad leg. "I noticed you're limpin'. I assume that's why you're needing to see the good doctor?"
"Uh, yeah," I said quietly, "You know the Commonwealth. You can't avoid it," I said with a sheepish laugh.
"Truer words I've never heard," he said, tossing me a laugh as well.
We stopped in front of the doctor's house and he knocked with the side of his knuckles. Someone inside scrambled around and shouted out from behind the rickety door.
"Business hours are seven to ten!"
"It's Gideon, Doc. I've got someone who needs some mending right quick," he said, looking over his shoulder at me and winking. "She's got the caps," he added. He looked at me again, "You do, don't you?" I nodded rapidly in reply.
I could hear a deep sigh as the doctor reluctantly opened the door.
"Very well. Hurry up and get in here before someone sees you," he said, ushering us indoors, "I'll have people on my doorstep all the time," he hissed. I took a few steps inside and watched him lock the door. "Alright, alright. What's wrong?"
"My leg," I said, pointing down to my calf.
"Yes, I have legs too. What is wrong with your leg?"
"I've been shot," I said quickly, glancing at Gideon who had taken a seat on the edge of a desk.
"You people and your guns. Sit down, sit down," he said, pointing to a vacant wooden chair. I sat down obediently and let him inspect me. "This is infected," he sighed. I felt like an infant, the way he talked to me. "And it looks like a moron bandaged it. I'll clean it up and prescribe you antibiotics." He bustled from the room, mumbling.
"That looks pretty bad," Gideon said from the desk, tilting his head down to look at it. "Raider give that to ya'?" I didn't really know how to respond, so I nodded my head. "Damn sewer rats, is what they are," he said, spitting his toothpick out and replacing it with another from a small, metal cylinder.
Doctor Sun came back in, gauze and tape in hand. He went about the unpleasant task of cleaning it. I clenched my teeth so hard I think I broke one. He wasn't very gentle about it either. Gideon watched with interest. As he finished up I let out a loud gasp of relief. Gideon chuckled and stood up, messing with the old typewriter on the desk.
The doctor gave me a handful of white pills and sent me on my way. He wanted to get back to his reading. When I was trying to get the caps from my pocket, it was taking so long he just shoved me out the door and told me he'd put it on my tab because he was sure I'd be back with a hole in my other leg.
Outside, Gideon stretched and adjusted the belt around his waist. "Sorry about that. He's not all bad," he said, pushing his sunglasses up to reveal flickering pools of hazel.
"I deal with much worse, trust me," I said with a fake sneer. I shouldered my pack and told him I had to do a bit more shopping and get on the road.
"I'll see you around some time then?"
"More than likely," I replied with a smile.
I purchased more gauze from the supply store, too afraid to both the doctor again. Along with some fruit (which was more mush than it was fruit), stimpacks, bobby pins, Cram and some other food. After I had checked everything off my list, I went window shopping for weapons and gear. I saw at least five things I wanted and told myself I could get them for Christmas. Did they even celebrate Christmas nowadays? I pondered on that as I left the city gates. It was a little depressing.
I was digging through my pack when I nearly fell on top of a mongrel hound curled up on the side of the road. I steadied myself enough to reach for my rifle, which was not where I had left it. I quickly took a few wobbly steps back as it stood up, raising it's lip to reveal a row of yellow teeth.
"Good doggy," I said, raising my hands up in front of me. It snarled and sprung at me, more than ready to rip my throat out. Before it could take its toll on me, I felt the wet splatter of its brain matter spray my midsection. I shouted, dropping to my knees with my hands over my ears.
"You probably need this," Gideon said, walking up and handing me my assault rifle. His 44. sat in his other hand, smoke billowing from the barrel. I stood up, a little embarrassed and took my gun thankfully. "Left it at the doctor's house. He wasn't too happy about it either," he said adding a deep chuckle.
"Thanks," I said slowly, shouldering the rifle and trying to dust the blood off of my uniform. "Sorry for the trouble," I said, motioning to the body of the dog.
"No trouble at all," he said with a smile that was all charm. I rubbed my arm with my hand and raised my shoulders.
"Well... I should get going before the sun sets," and I offered him my own timid smile, "Thanks. Again. I owe you one." I started onward again, my leg still hot and irritated from the rigorous cleaning.
"Now hold on," he said, catching up to walk beside me. "I'd be remiss if I didn't offer to accompany you back to Sanctuary," he said, turning to face me and walking backwards. I squinted at him and inhaled through my teeth.
"Well I'm not headed that way. And it's really not necessary. I've been on my own for a while now. The whole leg thing," I gestured up and down my leg, "Was just a fluke. I'm a big girl, honest," I said, picking up the pace a little. I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't getting a little annoyed with him. He laughed deeply and started jogging backwards.
"I don't doubt it. But I couldn't call myself the man I am today if I let a wounded woman hike half way 'cross the Commonwealth alone," he insisted. I stopped dead in my tracks and gave him a dull stare.
"You're not going to let up, are you?" My voice was thick with annoyance.
"Not likely," he said with a shake of his head. He dipped his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. "I promise I wont bother you, I just want to make sure you make it back alright."
"Fine," I breathed, defeated. "But I'm not sharing my chocolate with you, so forget it." He laughed at me and shook his head.
"Yes ma'am."
Despite his promise, Gideon talked the entire hike back. He broached many subjects. Including but limited to: birds, whether birds had sex or not, weaponry, the process of water purification, Vault-tec, noodles, the Brotherhood, cats, and duct tape. Finally, after three hours of this I had to speak up.
"You know what, it's not that far away, I think I can make it back on my own."
"Don't be silly, I plan on seeing you right to your door."
"I can handle a door."
"Well, given your leg wound I want to be safe."
"You don't even know me, you realize this?"
"I do so. You're Fox."
"That's my name, not me."
"Well, by the way you hold your weapon and the uniform you're wearing and your short hair- I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say you're from the Brotherhood." I stopped and looked sideways at him. He smiled at me with those hazel eyes. "And you're not from the Commonwealth at all. In fact, I'm going to venture a guess and say you're the girl from Vault 111," he added. I sucked in a breath that came out as a snort.
"What makes you so sure?"
"I'm never wrong about pegging someone. And the minute I saw you I pegged you for both of those things. You're not quite depressed enough to be a Waster and not quite laid back enough to be civilian."
"I am plenty laid back, thank you very much."
"Ma'am yes ma'am!"
"Stop that immediately," he said, giving him a dead glare.
"Ooh, maybe you're a Brotherhood runaway. AWOL and all that," he said, widening his eyes. "I bet I could get a good reward from that."
"Don't be ridiculous," I said, waving a hand at him and trudging forward once more. Before I could protest he had picked me up and slung me over his shoulder, my pack swinging and hitting me square in the face.
"Say which way is that big ship of theirs?" he said jokingly.
"If you don't put me down right now I swear I will punch you so hard you'll be shitting out your own teeth," I said, elbowing him. He slid me down from his shoulder and I landed awkwardly on my bad leg. He steadied me by my shoulders. I looked up at him, fuming. I bet little smoke stacks were coming from my ears.
"You're kinda cute when you're mad," he goaded. I shoved him roughly with my elbow, pivoted on my heel and started away. He followed me, chuckling at himself the whole time. "Definitely some kind of officer in the Brotherhood, that's for sure," he said, coming to walk next to me again.
"I am not enjoying your sense of humor," I said, feeling like Danse had seriously rubbed off on me.
"Aw, don't be such a spoilsport, kid."
"I am two hundred years older than you, kid. In fact, to me, you're still a fetus." He laughed again, ran a hand through his hair and poked an elbow at my ribs.
"Lighten up old lady. You know if you have an attitude like that you'll never attract any potential suitors," he said playfully. I rolled my eyes, refusing to even entertain his attempt at riling me up.
We carried on in silence, but not for long, because the man so enjoyed the sound of his own voice it would be a crime to let that happen.
"How much farther? You're not going to lure me into the wild and rob me, are you?"
"You followed me, first of all. And secondly, it's just over this hill. In fact, you can head back now."
Suddenly the plain erupted with an ethereal howl. My eardrumbs practically shattered. I instantaneously took cover behind a fallen tree, Gideon right beside me. Dust whipped through the air, blinding me momentarily. As it settled, I saw the daunting silhouette of the unmistakable Deathclaw. My heart pounded in ears, a lungful of air caught in my throat. Gideon had already taken out his shotgun, flipping up the sights. My own rifle was in my hands.
The monster threw its head back, letting out another deafening growl. Before I could react, Gideon had already loaded it with two shots, hitting it square in its head. I knelt behind the tree and chipped away at its midsection with my assault rifle. Our attempts at subduing it, only angered it even more.
As Gideon loaded his shotgun, I loaded a few rounds into its face and it turned its attention on me. It brawled at me, flung the tree from in front of me. I had the wind knocked out me, back down in the dirt. As it closed the gap, I watched my eyes flash in the flicker of its eyes.
Before it could bring down it's clawed hand on me, something had nabbed its attention and it whipped around. Someone was pouring hot lead into it. I quickly rolled to my stomach and loaded a new magazine into my gun, throwing the old one over my shoulder. I took cover behind a rock, limping all the way. My body was tense and shaking, my breath hot and sticky.
The beast gave a final death howl and crumpled to the earth, sending tremors in every direction. A cloud of dust bloomed in its wake and I couldn't see the masked hero who had saved me. I whisked away the dust in front of me, standing from my crouched position.
There above us on a hillside, stood Danse. A minigun poised in his hands. I was so thankful to see him that I forgot Gideon was even there. I limp-ran to the foot of the hill and stared up at him.
"Thank God," I shouted, raising my hand above my eyes to block out the sun. "Perfect timing," I added.
"Yeah, good work buddy," Gideon chimed in, coming to stand beside me. My eyes darted to him then back to Danse. Even in an alternate universe this would never end well.
Danse started down the hill, slowly. He was in his dinged up power armor and wore a very sour face.
When he reached the bottom, I wanted to hug him, but that was nigh impossible with the armor blocking me. He studied Gideon for a moment before looking back to me.
"Are you alright?" he asked looking me up and down. I nodded and started to reply but was cut off by my traveling companion.
"She's tougher 'en she looks," Gideon said as he dusted off his pants. Danse wasted no time in addressing the fact that this stranger was annoying.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" he said, looking at Gideon as if he was an alien.
"Name's Gideon," he said, offering up a hand. Danse declined shaking and looked back at me, expecting an answer.
"He... escorted me back," I said, choosing my words as carefully as I could.
"Yeah, she was out here all alone. Good thing I was with her, or this guy woulda' ate her for lunch," Gideon said, hitching a thumb at the deathclaw. "So many thanks for your help friend, but I think we best be on our way in case another shows up."
"Escort?" Danse repeated, ignoring Gideon and giving me that look that says very interesting.
"Look this is all very interesting but I don't want to be around here much longer than we have to," Gideon said, putting a hand on my shoulder and talking to me specifically. I saw Danse twitch visibly and I felt nervous laughter bubbling up in my chest.
"He's right, we should go," I said, starting up the hill. Danse stayed rooted and watched Gideon follow me. Only after we were halfway up the hill did he decide to follow.
As we reached the top of the hill, I could see the Listening Post. Gideon stopped beside me and looked down, cupping his eyes with his hand.
"Well, guess that's her then?" he said loudly. Danse clanked up behind us. With his lack of speech I knew he was not happy with me.
"Yeah, go, uh, clear the area?" I said pointing down at it. "My leg needs to rest."
"Anythin' for you ma'am," he said, giving me a fake salute and taking the hill at a slant.
I turned around and looked at Danse who was watching Gideon like a hawk.
"Well, I'm happy to see you again," I said with a soft smile. Danse switched his attention to me and though his face softened, he didn't smile.
"Why is he with you?" he asked gruffly.
"He insisted. When I was at Diamond City he introduced me to a doctor and I think he was just being a gentlemen," I sighed, waving it off like it was no big deal.
"And you were okay with bringing him back here?" Danse replied a little roughly. I clicked my tongue.
"I didn't see any harm in it."
"Right," he replied, moving past me and down the hill after Gideon. I hadn't really thought of Danse's strategic reaction to the situation. Had I taken a moment, I would have realized he was going to be angry.
I started after him, carefully, slowly. My leg groaned with every side-step down the hill. Gideon looked up at me and gave me a thumbs up. I nodded silently and concentrated on not falling on my face.
As Danse reached the bottom, he looked Gideon over and set his jaw. Gideon, of course wasn't content with silence. I could hear him from my spot on the hill, midway down.
"I think I'll have to sleep here tonight. Sun is setting and I'm none to keen on traveling at night."
Danse looked back up at me and I could have boiled an egg on that glare. I quickened my pace and nearly fell, steadying myself just in time. But my wound had begun to bleed profusely. As I approached the bottom, Gideon responded by walking over and kneeling beside me.
"You shouldn't be walking on that," he said gently to himself, and before I could protest, he had scooped me up with ease and was walking me to the bunker door. I didn't even look at Danse. I refused to. But I could imagine what his face looked like. Like a wrinkle, sour grape.
"I'm fine," I pleaded, sitting there in his arms like a sleepy toddler. In reality I was just relieved to not have to stand on my damned leg and Danse would just have to suck it up if someone beat him to the chase. He could be just as gentlemanly, when he wasn't angry.
Inside the door of the bunker, Gideon placed me in a chair and knelt down to assist with my bandage. Danse was standing in the doorway now, watching like a petulant teen who was angry with their mother. "I can do it, Gideon," I said quietly, reaching into my pack to fetch the fresh gauze. Gideon brushed my hands away.
"Nonsense love," he said. As he peeled the sticky crimson layer away, it revealed my wound. Danse's jaw dropped a good centimeter.
"You told me it was better," he said, his voice lined with anger. Gideon looked up and furrowed his brow.
"Shouldn't have been out there alone either," he said under his breath. Finally my nervous laughter burst from me.
"Aha, aha, it's fine, I'm fine. Everything is fine," I said placing my hands up in front of me like I could stop where this was inevitably going.
"I think you should leave," Danse said harshly. I winced, my eyes darting to Gideon like I was watching a tennis match.
"Is that what you think?" Gideon said, standing to his feet and tilting his head forward.
"Yes," Danse said firmly, stepping into the room and inserting himself between me and Gideon.
"I s'pose you're going to make me?"
"I'll carry you out by your ankles if you want me to," Danse replied with fire in his eyes. My eyes were bouncing between them, watching the intensity rise like flames.
"Oh yeah? Well let's see it then Captain Rustbucket." Danse had begun to move towards Gideon but I stood up, my leg screaming at me.
"Stop that," I shouted, putting a hand on Danse. "I'm not about to watch this pissing contest. Danse, let him stay the night, it's only right after everything he's done," I said, looking him in the eye. "Gideon, I'm going to ask you to politely stop goading my... friend. Not everyone shares your same weird sense of humor."
The two of them reluctantly separated. Danse ushered me to the corner of the room. He kissed my temple, gently. "You should have told me about your leg," he said. He made me sit down as he climbed out of his power armor. He took up the task of helping me bandage it, watching Gideon from the corner of his eye. I took his jaw in my hand and made him look at me.
"You don't have to worry. Everything will be fine," I said and I wasn't talking about just my leg.