Chapter 3
Six o'clock approached and Burke mounted the stairs to the rooms above Moriarty's. He knew which room he needed, she stayed in the same one every time. Rapping his knuckles against the door, he grinned at the muffled curse from inside as something fell to the floor and her footsteps approached.
The door cracked open and she peeked out, "You're early."
"By five minutes," he shrugged.
Sighing, she opened the door, "Alright, go ahead and come in, I still need to get dressed."
Burke's breath caught in his chest at the sight of her. A red silk nightgown that barely came past her backside clung to her as she crossed the room to her pack. Kneeling to rummage through it, she caused the nightgown to ride up, giving him a peek of her bare ass cheeks. Straightening, she pulled out a miraculously clean green dress and glanced over her shoulder at him.
"Do you mind closing the door?"
Realizing he was still standing in the doorway, Burke stepped through and shut it. She pulled the dress on over the nightgown then pulled her arms out of the little straps and let the red silk fall to the floor.
"That's a neat trick," he said thickly.
She smiled, "You get good at this sort of thing living in a Vault. Not a whole lot of privacy," she sat on the bed and slipped a pair of pumps on, "You look nice," she said, looking him over. He'd opted for just wearing a dress shirt instead of his whole typical suit and hat. His sleeves were rolled up and he'd forgone the tie as well. "I like the casual look," she stood, "Alright, ready."
Burke offered his arm, "You're very good at making me speechless," he said as she wrapped her arm around his.
Her cheeks flushed pink, "Oh?"
He used his free hand to tilt her face up to him, "You're beautiful when you're dirty, but now," he leaned in and inhaled slowly, "You're breathtaking," he whispered, lips ghosting against her neck. She shivered and before she could say anything, he pulled back and lead her outside.
…
Hel had never worn a dress before. What had possessed her to drag one out for Burke, she didn't know, but when she saw the way he looked at her in it, she was glad she had. The streets of Megaton were quiet, as they often were when she was in town. Simms had told her often enough that she was the best crime deterrent he'd ever come across. She had the feeling that it was more out of a fear for running into her than out of respect. Besides the sheriff and the few Atom followers, there were only a handful of others out.
Jenny Stahl welcomed them to The Brass Lantern as Burke pulled a stool out for Hel. Before she could protest, his hands went around her waist and hoisted her up onto it. Burke grinned at her when she shot him a look and he ordered two bowls of noodles and two Nuka-Colas.
"Let me know if ya need anything else," Jenny said as she set their meals in front of them.
"You're lucky I like noodles," Hel jabbed at Burke with her fork, "I've never had anyone order anything for me before."
"There's always a first time for everything. What else has the big bad Vaultie never let anyone do for her?" he eyed her sideways and she blushed.
"Don't call me that," she said, "That's not my life anymore."
Burke nodded, "Understandable. Do you mind if I ask you about it? I've never met someone from a Vault before. No one I believed at least."
Hel stared down at her noodles, "It wasn't much different from out here. Less room. People were still assholes and the people on top exploited the people under them," she blinked, "Sorry," and took a bite of her food.
"That boy that was here with you last time. Was he from your Vault?"
She nodded, "He went back. Couldn't handle the big sky," she pointed up at the stars that were beginning to twinkle down on them, "Why do you ask?"
Burke shrugged, "Just curious why your boyfriend wasn't around anymore."
"He wasn't-" she glanced over at him, "It wasn't like that."
"That's good," he took a swig of his Nuka, "Did you want it to be?"
Jaw clenching, Hel refused to answer. Who the hell does he think he is?
"That's a 'yes' then."
She slapped her fork down on the counter, "Fine, Burke, you wanna play Fortune Teller?" she snapped, "Let's do you. How long did you sit in that shit hole waiting for me to notice you? Because what? Some other man pulls your strings? You're a yes-man. 'Yessir, right away, sir.' You couldn't even blow up the town by yourself."
"Careful," he said, his voice flat.
"Or what?" She laughed, "What're you gonna do? File a complaint?"
He looked at her, his face dark, gray-blue eyes like ice. His right hand clenched and unclenched, then he stood and threw a handful of caps on the counter, "Thank you, Jenny," and he walked away, sliding his hands in his pockets as if he were out for a stroll.
Hel took a deep breath. Good riddance. But she felt awful. He started it, she tried to convince herself, And I certainly finished it, didn't I? She put her face in her hands and groaned. So much for getting dressed up.
"Thanks Jenny," she slid off her stool and reached into her pocket to pull out caps.
"He covered it," Jenny said as she began cleaning up.
Of course he did, "Right," she waved, "G'night then."
Heading up towards Moriarty's, Hel thought back on the failed date. She'd certainly overreacted to Burke's teasing. Why was she so sensitive about Butch? Because every relationship you have with a man is doomed. Shivering as a cool breeze rushed past her, Hel folded her arms across her chest. Standing outside Moira's supply store, she peered up at the stars. Leaning against the walkway's railing, she sighed. I'm doomed to die alone.
…
Making it back to his pathetic shack, Burke closed the door and leaned against it. Rubbing a hand across his face, he sighed. Had he made a mistake? He'd promised to call off the destruction of this zit on the ass of the world because she'd batted her eyes at him. He'd thought it would be worth it, but it seemed clear she'd told him what she knew he wanted to hear. Shoving off the door, he pulled out the drawer on his desk and pulled out the bottle of scotch and a shot glass. Pouring a double, he downed it.
She really saw through you, eh Richie? The thought came unbidden and he immediately poured another. He was used to being the one that read people. To have someone else call out his insecurities so thoroughly was unnerving to say the least. Throwing back the alcohol, he rolled his shoulders.
You're a yes-man. Her voice echoed in his head.
"Fuck you," he said without any feeling. He couldn't really be mad when she was right, could he? He'd spent most of his life doing other people's dirty work.
He was so close though. He'd almost completely pulled the wool over Tenpenny's eyes, but he still had to walk on eggshells. One misstep could send him right back where he'd started. He'd worked too goddamned hard to let that happen. He got ready to pour a third double when a quiet knock brought his head up to look at his door. No one in this shit town called on him. Who the fuck?
Setting the bottle down, Burke crossed to his front door, "Who is it?"
"Um… Burke? It's me," Hel's voice called through, "You don't have to open the door, I just wanted to say I was sorry. Um…that's it, goodni-"
Burke pulled the door open and reached for her arm. Dragging her inside, he closed the door.
"Brave coming here in the middle of the night," he said, hand still clenched around her upper arm, "Course, you're not afraid of a man like me, are you?"
She didn't struggle, "No," she said honestly, "You don't scare me."
"I can't imagine anything does," he released her and sighed, waving at the scotch bottle, "Nightcap?"
She rubbed her arm where he'd grabbed her, "I'd like that, thank you."
He retrieved a second shot glass and poured them both doubles. Handing one to her, he said, "A toast, to the worst date I'm sure either of us has ever had."
She raised her glass with a slight smirk, "Only up from here," and downed it in one go. Gasping, she wiped the back of her hand against her mouth.
Burke chuckled, "Another?"
Clearing her throat, she held out the glass and rasped, "Yes, please."
Obliging, Burke leaned back against the desk, "You're very dangerous, you know? You can shoot a man full of holes without being armed."
"I really am sorry," she stared down at her feet, "I shouldn't-"
He waved a hand, "Forget it. I wasn't exactly being a charming example myself. I suppose I should consider myself lucky you slammed your fork into the table instead of one of my eyes."
She gave another small smile, "I wouldn't want to ruin something so pretty."
He scoffed and threw back his scotch, "You already won the town, you can quit layering on the flattery. It's not exactly a secret what you think of me."
Silence stretched between them. Hel finished off her scotch but he didn't offer another. He wasn't sure how much she could hold and he wasn't in the mood to find out what kind of drunk she was. Moonlight filtered through the walls and sent his shadow across the floor to touch her feet.
"Why did you want to destroy Megaton?" she asked.
"I told you, it's a mistake, a useless reminder of how backwards we've all become."
"Why destroy it instead of working to make it better?"
"You're not that naive," he looked over at her, "You've been out there," he jerked his head to the door, "Do you see anything worth improving?"
She shrugged, "There's a lot I hate about the world, but I try to make it better."
He laughed, "Oh, my dear. Your radio reports say otherwise."
"I can't help it if others don't see how my ends justify my means."
"Exactly!" He slapped his palm against the desk, "You and I aren't much different. We both try and wipe the slate clean, no matter who or what has to get wiped away with it. You do it with bullets and your fists. I do it with words and caps."
She stared at the floor and in a small voice said, "I…don't want to be remembered like that."
"Why not? You're a glorious force of nature," he ran a hand through his hair, "Believe me, if I had half the guts and capabilities you have, these Wastes would be much better off."
"I certainly don't feel like a 'glorious force of nature'. Most of the time I'm just trying to get through life. People keep making their problems my problems. I've just been choosing the easiest path."
"And wouldn't it be nice to have less people to foist their problems on you?"
She looked at him, her eyes shadowed so he couldn't make out her expression, but she gave a small nod, "Yes," she whispered.
"Hmpf, maybe instead of letting you manipulate me earlier I should have lectured you until you saw it my way," he chuckled, "But I doubt I'd have changed your mind. There's something about this place you love, isn't there? Can't say I see it, but I understand," he sighed and stretched, "You have my word, I won't harm Megaton."
"Thank you," she rolled the empty shot glass in her hands. "You're the only person that's understood what I do," she cleared her throat, "Everyone always puts me in a box of good or evil…usually the latter…"
Burke understood how that felt. Although he had to admit he'd more than earned the box he was put in. Despite her youth, she'd managed to do plenty to earn her an evil reputation when it came to the closed minded fools that populated the Wastes.
"I don't think I'm evil," she half-whispered, "But I know I'm not good either…"
"Good and evil are just labels people put on others."
She glanced up at him, "And I'm a 'force of nature' right?"
He smiled, "Yes, and forces of nature are neither good or evil. They just are."
She took a deep breath, "Burke…I- I might have manipulated you, but it wasn't all just to save Megaton."
"Sure, little girl," he waggled a finger at her, "I'm a fool, but give me some credit. You didn't agree to dinner because of my dashing good looks."
She hesitated, "You asked earlier what else I'd never let anyone else do before."
He waited, arms crossed over his chest.
"I've never worn a dress for anyone," she admitted, setting the shot glass down and taking a step towards him, "And…I've never let anyone kiss me…" another step and she was within arms length of him.
Without a word, he extended an arm and took hold of her upper arm again, pulling her toward him gently. Looking down into her eyes, he said, "You're full of shit."
She opened her mouth to protest and he leaned down, covering his mouth with hers. She squeaked and went rigid. His tongue chased hers into her mouth. He tilted his head to get a better angle and she just stood there. Pulling back, he chuckled, "Well, guess you're telling the truth, because that was awful." Hurt showed on her face and he grinned, "Don't worry," he cupped her face with his hands, "I don't mind teaching you, love. Thank you," he said, kissing the tip of her nose.
"For what?"
"For your first kiss. I've never been someone's first before. And you, my dear, certainly aren't short of those who would want to. So thank you for choosing me," he straightened to stand over her and tilted her face up towards him, "Now let's try again. This time, open your mouth wider, and move with me," he brushed a hand across her cheek, "Do what your instincts tell you. You'll get better with practice."
…
Burke was a good teacher. He helped Hel practice late into the night, her lips bruised by the end of it and her neck and shoulders sporting several hickies.
He'd been quite delighted to give her those.
"They mark you as mine," he said as she sat straddling him on his armchair.
"So you own me now?" she asked incredulously.
He grinned, "Almost. I'll wait until next time to make you fully mine. It's late," he kissed her jawbone under her ear, "Come on, I'll walk you to your room," he lifted her off of him and helped her straighten her dress. Offering his hand, he lead her out his front door.
"You really are a gentleman, you know."
"Hmpf, I beg your forgiveness, but with your lack of experience, I take that compliment with a heavy dose of salt."
Hel shrugged, "I didn't say you weren't an arrogant gentleman."
Burke chuckled, "That I believe."
They came to Moriarty's and Burke opened the door for her. Despite the late hour, there were several patrons ordering drinks from Gob. Hel and Burke slipped through mostly unnoticed. Nova made eye contact with Hel and winked when she saw who was on her arm, but didn't say anything.
They reached her room much too soon. Burke waited for her to open the door before he slid his arms around her and gave her another long, deep kiss.
"When can I see you again?" he asked.
"How soon do you want to see me?"
"Now," he breathed and pressed his forehead to hers.
Hel giggled, "Will tomorrow do?"
He gave a dramatic sigh, "If I must wait until then, so be it," he kissed her forehead and reluctantly released her, "Sleep well, my dear."
"Goodnight, Burke," she said, slowly closing the door. She heard his steps retreating down the stairs as she turned to her bed. Slipping out of her dress, she picked up her nightgown from the floor and stepped into it. Curling up under the covers, she absentmindedly traced one of the hickies on her shoulder and smiled as she drifted off to sleep.
Uploading early for April, we're having the in-laws visit this weekend, and I'd rather give you guys an update early instead of late.
Typically I wouldn't have two characters jump into a relationship this quickly, but the video game moves even faster, so I feel like I'm already turning it into more of a slow burn... XD I hope you all enjoy this spicier scene. It's going to get even spicier, but I'm not sure if this site will leave it up. I did get an account on AO3 and am uploading there as well, so in case anything happens here and it's removed, you can still access the story there. I have the exact same username.
