The afternoon sun hit me right in the eyes when I woke up the next day. I stretched out my arm to push open what served as a window. A welcoming cool breeze found its way inside and I shuffled the blankets off of my warm body. Laying there, flat on my back and waiting for the thick mist in my head to clear up, it all came back.

My stranger. Deacon.

His image flashed before my eyes and I felt my lips form a broad smile I couldn't control. My eyes closed and I felt a little caught in the act, even if there was no one around. I remembered the way he pronounced my name, the way he caringly placed his hand on my shoulder and how I didn't feel the urge to pull away from his touch, unlike most men. I found him irresistibly charming. The more details that came back to me - his scent, in particular - the more my stomach filled up with butterflies. I buried my face in my pillow, the broad smile refusing to go away. I couldn't explain myself. It was both foolish and exciting, yet frustrating to deal with. My heart acted like a silly, giddy teenage girl while my brain quietly, tactfully tried to make me see reason.

They were having a lovely tug of war as I watched from a distance, pacing back and forth to see who would be the victor. I reminded myself how easy it is to lose someone out in the wastes, may it be at the hand of a trigger-happy raider or a badly timed mix up in a nasty crossfire. The taste in my mouth grew bitter and I let out a deep sigh. I forced myself to put him out of my mind. I'd probably never see him again... This thought was satisfying, making it easier to forget about him. I had to. The answers to the many questions he raised were bound to become fiction, made up by my own curious mind. In a way, he did seem like trouble. The kind of trouble I was curious to chase after, just to see where it would take me.

I decided to cut my endless dialogue with my inner self short by getting up, getting dressed and making my way to Diamond City.

The city was less crowded than usual and the few residents that were outside, fought over a cool place in the shade. The trader I stood in front of was highly impatient as he served me. He shoved my groceries - a bottle of vodka, some fruit and vegetables - into my hands tactlessly as he moved onto the next customer. I was able to stow most of the items in my leather bag, carrying the remainder under my arm. As I turned around to make my leave, I tripped over a piece of cardboard sticking out from the makeshift walkway.

'Damn it!' I shouted, as I watched my supplies fall to the ground, most of them rolling out of my reach.

'Sophie. What a pleasant surprise.'

Down on my hands and knees, I looked up... and found myself locked into my own gaze, reflected in a pair of sunglasses. My heart retreated to the bottom of my stomach. This couldn't be happening.

'It's you.' I murmured as Deacon handed me my run away apple and placed it joyfully in my hand. He crouched down to help me gather the rest of my supplies.

'What can I say, I'm like a bad penny, I just keep turning up.' he remarked as we stood back up. I chuckled and felt a bit more at ease, even though my legs were trembling thanks to how nervous his surprise presence made me.

'What brings you to the great green jewel today, Sophie?'

'Just picking up supplies for tonight.'

'What's tonight?'

'Ah- it's...' I paused and glanced at the apple in my hand, my knuckles turned white. This was it. Destiny had presented me with a simple test today. It all became crystal clear. I decided to play. All in. If he refused, I knew for sure I had to let it go. Forget about the night, let the only meeting that captivated me since I woke up to this goddamn life be added to my pile of mistakes. Regrets.

'I got this weekly poker night I try to go to. Just me and some friends.' I explained as I tried to stuff everything in my bag, even though I knew it was impossible.

'Ah, poker. A game of skill pretending to be one of chance. Sounds delightful.'

'You're welcome to join us. You know, i-if you want to? I mean if you have nothing else planned. It's ah- up to you.' I rambled on and on, my voice higher than usual, my words faster than yesterday. It was like watching a train wreck happening and I couldn't look away from the crash even if I wanted to.

'Sounds like a good time. Count me in.' The fact that he so easily accepted me on my offer to rendezvous again this evening gave me the push I secretly wanted. Even if I wasn't sure what his intentions truly were, all I could think of was that he didn't say no.

'Great!' I replied, unable to hide my enthusiasm.

'Where do you want me tonight?' He smiled at me and I could see little wrinkles form next to his eyes, peeking out from the side of his glasses.

Where did I want him? Close. Dangerously close. I couldn't see his eyes yet it felt as if he looked straight through me, commanding my thoughts. I mustered up all my courage and placed my hand on his shoulder. It was firm to the touch, his t-shirt sweltering hot from the sun. I hoped he didn't notice my hands were a little damp. But it was too late to pull away abruptly.

'You see that building with the sign that says Publick Occurences?' I asked, turning him around to face it.

'There.' I said, deliberately hovering my face closer as necessary to his. His scent was a sultry pleasure to me. If we both turned to face each other, our lips would be touching.

'Does eight work out for you?' I asked, taking a little step back.

'I'll see you tonight.' He sauntered away from me, leaving me to deal with the reunification of an emotion that's been lost to me.

Desire.

When I arrived - running ten minutes late - I saw him leaning against a fence close to Piper's place. He noticed me walking towards him.

'For a moment there, I thought I got stood up.'

'Well, here I am.' I replied innocently, trying to keep my cool. 'Let's head inside, shall we?'

He followed in my steps. I didn't had the time to tell Piper I'd be bringing someone, let alone the stranger I met in the bar last night.

'Hey guys. I hope you don't mind, but I brought someone with me.'

MacCready looked up, seated at the big table in the center. A set of cards was spread out on the table, along with a pile of caps.

'This is my - ' My friend? He wasn't my friend. I didn't knew where he lived, what his story was. We exchanged only a handful of words, yet here he was here with me.

'This is Deacon.' I pointed at him awkwardly. 'That's Mac over here and Piper...'

'Oh it's your friend from last night.' he remarked as he looked up to her, taking a seat at the table next to Mac. He introduced himself and asked Deacon if he played a lot of poker.

I noticed how Piper signaled me with her eyes to join me in her loft above us. I climbed up the ladder, hoping Mac wouldn't spill all the secrets and details about my life I entrusted to him. Once I reached the highest rung she grabbed me by my elbow and pulled me up close, out of sight from the others below us.

'Is he- he's that guy from last night, isn't he?' Her eyes peered at me, narrowed down into a thin line full of suspicion and questions, ready to open fire on me.

I faced away from her, knowing that the grin on my face would give away the answer.

'You could say that.' I replied nonchalantly.

'Tell me everything.'

'Don't make such a big deal out of it!' I shushed her, scared that he might overhear a part of our conversation. My eyes peeked over the ledge, to see how things were going down there. They seemed to have a pleasant chat. Piper placed her chin on my shoulder.

'He's pretty. I wouldn't wait too long, Blue.' She giggled as she whispered in my ear.

'Shut up.' I hissed at her and gave her a friendly jab in the belly. Right before averted my gaze from those below, I could've sworn I saw Deacon look up at us, no doubt at not-so-subtle ruckus we were making.

'You're blushing, oh I knew it. I just knew it!' She tried her best to whisper, but her enthusiasm had the better of her.

'Go. Offer him a drink.' She told me, shoving a bottle of vodka into my hands.

Having succumbed to my nerves, I became overly confident. I planted the bottle in the center of the table with a loud thud.

'Let's play some poker!' I exclaimed, more loudly and more crass than indented.

Throughout the entire game, I couldn't focus. His presence broke my concentration every time my eyes danced across his features. Even when I knew I had the winning hand, I didn't care. It was the usual type of night I expected; sharing stories, having a laugh. Drinking. Apparently our stranger was a great storyteller. His words weren't meant to only impress me... by the time he finished his elaborate story, he had all of us hanging on to his every word.

'And that's how I spent six months as a personal spy for the mayor. True story.'

'Oh boy, I'd love to wrestle all the secrets out of you. It would make for an awesome article.' Piper blurted out, noticeably drunk.

'Well shit, that's one hell of a story.' Mac chirped. 'You got any others?' He opened up a new bottle of liquor. The night was still young.

So my stranger's history included being a spy. This evening had gotten a little too crazy for me and I decided to go have a smoke break outside. Take some time-off of the intrusive thoughts I'd had all evening. They were pleasant, all right. But still highly confusing.

I climbed the iron stairs in front of Piper's place, all the way to my favorite spot in this city. It was the highest spot and made for a stunning view. It was comfortably warm outside compared to last night. I stared out into the wasteland, watching little lights flicker in the distance. I'd like to think they were streetlights, but I knew better.

'Enjoying the view?'

I hadn't anticipated his approach.

'Yeah, you gotta admit. Sometimes the nuclear wasteland has its charm.' I noticed how easily I could talk to him, now that I had some liquor in me. Just enough to control my nerves, but not enough to blatantly ask him the questions that lingered in my restless mind.

'Then imagine what it must've looked like before the big boom.' he chuckled. 'Doesn't it make you wonder?'

We both leant against the makeshift balcony and stared into the distance in silence for a while.

'Tell me, Deacon. Were you really a spy?'

'Are you really the leader of the Minutemen?'

'Did Piper make you read the article? She did, didn't she?' I let out a frustrated groan. He nodded, a bit sad. But I could tell he was playing me. 'Oh god. Take her work with a grain of salt. I'm begging you.'

'You're a good person, Sophie. Give yourself a little credit. Many people out there just take the lazy option. You don't.'

Humbled by his words, I didn't knew what to say. So I listened.

'It's something I can appreciate...' he continued, 'I'm sure you'll go far with your work.'

'What makes you say that?'

'Just a hunch.'

'You have a lot of hunches.'

On the balcony above us, someone turned on a radio. A beautiful, slow tempo piano melody made its way into the night.

'Only good ones.' He grinned as he turned towards me, closing the gap that only good friends would occupy.

'You dance, Sophie?' He charmingly asked me, flicking his cigarette of the balcony. The way he spoke, charmingly in his deep voice, made me weak in the knees.

He outstretched his hand towards me, uncoiling his fingers so that I may oblige.

'No.' I breathed, as I placed my hand in his. The moment we touched, it felt as if electricity coursed through my veins. Under the guise of dancing he placed the palm of his left hand on my shoulder and gave me a little tug. Our bodies touched briefly. I giggled uncomfortably, not knowing how to react.

'It's a forgotten art if you ask me. Just another thing to add to the pile the world has lost.'

'Just like a sunny day at the beach.' I replied honestly, the memory of the image still fresh in my mind.

'No radiation, no mirelurks but instead tons and tons of ice-cream.' He continued amusingly, his words reminiscent. I almost believed him.

He took the lead, swaying me gently around. Slowly. I didn't know where to look, what to think. As if my mind floated out of my body, melting together in his embrace under a star lit sky.

I stepped on his foot. Harshly.

'I'm so sorry. It's- been a while.' I apologized, my voice wavering.

'I can tell. You're rusty.' He spoke, pulling me completely against him. 'But I don't mind.' He bowed his head to look me in the eyes. I shied away from him, unable to look him straight in the face. I was tipsy enough to ignore the rules I lived by. Forget about calculating my every move. I laid my head to rest on his shoulder and closed my eyes. He didn't seem to mind. Without a care in the world, we continued to sway.

The song came to an end, but we didn't stop dancing. Our pace slowed, now only swaying in the silence of the night. He caressed my hand with his fingers subtle but brief, so brief it could've been easily mistaken by a friendly gesture. The only sound was the gentle chirring of our leather jackets against one another.

I looked up and opened my eyes.

'You never answered my question. Were you really a spy?'

He let go off me, gently taking a step back. My hand slipped away from his.

'Look-ah. There's something you should know about me.' His voice was calm and serious.

'Actually, never mind. Forget that I asked.' I replied dreamy yet stern. I wanted this moment to continue without obstacles, without delays. Without doubts.

'I should be going.' He announced, a whole different emotion in his voice. I didn't hear the charm, didn't notice his confidence. Instead, his voice wavered for the first time.

'I don't want you to go.' The words exited my mouth before I realized what I said. I reached for his arm, briefly tugging it. I wanted nothing more but to return to what I was experiencing a few seconds ago. I let my arm fall to my sides defeatedly once I saw he didn't react. He looked at me as if he had hurt me badly.

Before I knew what happened, I found myself against the iron railing of the balcony. His hands cupped my face as he moved his lips over mine, pressing himself against me passionately. Caught off guard, my reaction was delayed. Once I tilted my head, I grabbed hold of his collar and kissed him back. I closed my eyes and surrendered, allowing to let this moment swallow me whole. My head was spinning, my breath uneven through my nose touching his. His lips were a little chapped, I felt it on mine. It was a strong and long kiss, like one of lovers reunited after being separated for too long.

Suddenly he retreated as if he wasn't supposed to be there. As if he was the prime suspect caught at the murder scene. He ran his thumb over his lips briefly.

'I'm sorry.' I listened to his words, hasty and low while I stood there completely flustered, my high shattered into a million pieces. My lips tingled in the aftermath of our sudden kiss.

He vanished into the darkness, leaving me with even more questions than I imagined possible.