#*maxon knight

[mayzie-grobe]

went to the romance festival with rainn and maxon, and got a cryptic prediction from the romance guru...probably doesn’t mean anything

beginning | next

[kdramasforever97]

Me, watching another Kdrama knowing that it will break my heart again:

[sunnyinthecommonwealth]

[shitposts-a-pleanty]

Right so I just imaged Elder Maxson with Yellow Diamonds face after Peridot calls her a clod but I imagine he'd have this face if/when the sole survivor says they won't kill Danse. Picture it people. It's beautiful.

[zirawrites]

I love your blog and I'm so excited to see some of your new work. And to fulfill your let's say holiday wish from your followers, I've got the perfect reaction scenario. Do you think you could do the companions and sole having their first new years eve kiss? Thank you in advance 💜💖

Cait: Cait and Sole had gone absolutely feral at the Third Rail for Goodneighbor’s annual New Year’s Eve party. Sole jumped on Hancock’s back multiple times while he danced as Cait cheered them on between gulps of her beer. The two hopped over the bar and attempted to drag a squealing Whitechapel Charlie from behind it. Their laughter and drunken serenading drowned out Magnolia’s soft jazz. Then the unthinkable happened: Hancock kicked them out of the bar, chuckling as he told them to sober up and try again next year. 

“I can’t believe it!” Cait was more amused than frustrated, especially since the mayor let her keep her drink. “I don’t think anyone’s ever been thrown outta a business in Goodneighbor, except if they were trying to murder a fella, I suppose.”

As the two stumbled to the Hotel Rexford, Sole heard a muffled countdown coming from every building. They stopped in the center of town as settlers got down to the final numbers.

When a chorus of Happy Near Year! rung out around them, Sole turned to Cait and pressed their lips firmly against her own. The kiss turned into a giggling, tipsy mess; one neither would wholly remember nor forget come morning.

Curie: Curie was enamored by human traditions, so Sole couldn’t turn down her request to go to a real New Year’s Eve party. They chose the tame one thrown by Preston and fellow Minutemen at the Castle. It was a night of swing music, food vendors from local settlements and -- for the more daring -- moonshine Sturges had made in a Sanctuary bathtub.

When the countdown ringing in the new year ended, Curie pressed upwards on the tips of her toes and gave Sole a chaste peck on their lips.

“That is how the tradition goes, yes?” She was blushing, and Sole couldn’t help but push a strand of her short hair back behind her ear. “I’ve been researching, of course. I did not want to ruin anything for you.”

Sole reassured Curie that she could never be the cause of any ruin, and returned the kiss.

Danse: New Year’s Eve parties were always a little chaotic aboard the Prydwyn. It was one of the rare times Maxon let recruits let loose. Child scribes who’d never stayed up past their bedtimes snuck quick sips of wine from the kitchen. Someone had stolen gauze from the medbay and wrapped it around a suit of power armor, hanging colorful ornaments off it as if it were a Christmas tree. Even Knight Rhys had unclenched his personality long enough to dance with Scribe Haylen.

Danse seemed tense about the festivities. He wanted to participate, but felt it his duty to stay vigilant and sober in case of an attack. Sole coaxed him onto the makeshift dance floor with a promise they would de-decorate the holiday power armor before Maxon saw.

The two danced all the way up until the final countdown, and even then Danse stayed chaste and cordial. They rung in the new year like everyone else. It was only when Sole was taking the gauze down that Danse turned them around for a deep, heartfelt kiss.

When both finally pulled away, Danse’s usually furrowed brow was miraculously smooth. He seemed the lightest he’d been since Sole had met him. “Heard that was a pre-war tradition, but I couldn’t remember when I was supposed to do it. I hope I didn’t upset you.”

Sole laughed and tossed the spool of gauze at his chest.

Deacon: Desdemona had finally, finally let Deacon and Tinker Tom plan a New Year’s Eve bash -- under the guise it wouldn’t turn out like their Christmas party three years ago; something neither would elaborate on for Sole. Regardless, HQ was decorated in streamers and confetti and other paper products no one was sure how the men got their hands on. They attached a tray of drinks to PAM’s robotic pinchers for agents to grab throughout the night. Radio reception was never great underground, but where the songs cut off, Tinker Tom was quick to jump in with his own off-key interpretation.

Once Sole arrived, they had Deacon’s undivided attention. He lavished them with compliments on their elegant pre-war attire (”And hardly any holes! Did you dress up just for lil ‘ol me?”) and stories of what a bonafide New Year’s Eve party used to look like (”So Tom and I got it pretty right? Glad those ten caps I spent on ‘Anyone Can Throw a Party’ paid off.”)

By the end of the night there wasn’t a sober agent in the church. Everyone counted down the new year with giddy elation, swinging glass flutes and the miracle streamers around the room. Then they erupted in cheers, and Sole looked at Deacon with a warm smile that said he had planned one hell of a party.

Deacon leaned down and quickly pecked Sole on the lips. “For good luck, right?”

Sole rolled their eyes. They knew Deacon understood what the pre-war tradition meant. But he had been so sweet that night that Sole only wrapped him in a tight side-hug as they watched the other agents drunkenly celebrate.

Hancock: Hancock wasn’t just mayor of Goodneighbor; he was the self-appointed party prince of the Commonwealth. The Third Rail always threw a electric party of live music, free-flowing drinks and rowdy patrons. Half the bar didn’t even understand the pre-war tradition and just used it as an excuse for a generous serving of booze. But Hancock knew Sole would find the party important -- if not just for sentimental reasons -- and endeavored to make this the best bash yet.

Sole somehow found themselves as the star of the party. Magnolia sang any song they wanted. Whitechapel Charlie never charged them for drinks. Patrons moved from their seats if Sole lingered near their table for too long just in case they wanted to sit.

When Sole was finally able to pull Hancock away from the festivities, they asked why Goodneighbor’s settlers -- some of the baddest, seediest drifters in the ‘Wealth -- were being nice to them.

“It’s cause I told them to, Sunshine.” Hancock’s smile dominated his face, pressing the apples of his cheeks so high that Sole almost missed his wink. “Just wanted tonight to be perfect for you. I’m sure the holidays make you miss home.”

Sole shrugged dismissively, making Hancock’s grin momentarily falter. “Well, you’re missing one tradition. And that one’s my favorite.”

“Anything you want, Sole.” Hancock snaked a hand around their waist. “Just name it.”

Sole cut across the small distance between them with a kiss. Hancock chuckled into their mouth, and Sole finally pulled back with an equally as large smile.

MacCready: Sole had planned a quiet New Year’s Eve in Sanctuary, and MacCready wasn’t complaining. He usually liked celebrating the holiday somewhere boozier like the Third Rail or the Dugout Inn, but that was when he was a lone wolf with only himself to watch out for. Lounging on the couch nibbling on snacks Preston helped bake and watching Sturges unsuccessfully try to fix the radio was far more relaxing. And he knew Sole would stay safe... as long as they stayed away from the cookies Preston had overbaked.

“Having fun?” Sole curled up next to MacCready and handed him a Nuka Cola. “We ran out of booze when Cait got here. Sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for.” MacCready took the bottle but set it on the table in front of them. Then the radio kicked on -- much to Sturges amusement -- and MacCready stood to offer his hand. “Care to dance?”

The two spun in slow circles across the crumbling, war-torn living room of Sole’s old house. They danced past empty picture frames that used to hold photographs of Sole and their spouse cradling baby Shaun. Over the shredded carpet where Sole unboxed Codsworth over 200 years ago.

None of it mattered. They had each other, and that was plenty to celebrate.

At the end of the song, MacCready leaned in and kissed Sole. It was a soft, romantic kiss just like in the pre-war movies. And it was perfect.

“Couldn’t wait until the countdown,” MacCready chuckled. “Do I still get another chance in the new year?”

Preston: Preston wanted New Year’s Eve to be perfect for Sole. Not only were they the Minutemen’s most hardworking general and therefore deserving of some appreciation, but Preston’s biggest crush. He spent days finding something sparkling for Sole to toast to (albeit it was boozy Nuka Cola Quantum). Then several more days hunting for salvageable champagne flutes. By the time he had pieced together a charcuterie board of mirelurk meat, Takahashi’s noodles and Sugar Bombs covered in syrup, Sole hadn’t seen him since Christmas.

When they entered their quarters to see the food spread out across their table, Preston’s face was blushed nearly purple. “I thought you deserved a break,” he admitted sheepishly. “I know you like to work through the holidays. Someone has to, I guess. But if you wouldn’t mind counting down the new year with me tonight...”

Sole was happy to spend the evening drinking and dancing to Diamond City radio. Travis eventually rang in the new year while Preston and Sole were sitting on the desk littered with the remnants of Preston’s food spread. Sole leaned over and kissed Preston as soon as the croaky-voiced DJ said happy new year. When they pulled away, Preston ran his hand rhythmically across Sole’s back.

“Well, happy new year to you, too, General.” Then he leaned in for a second kiss.

Piper: Piper was awoken by someone tugging on her arm. She jumped upright in her chair with a gasp as the stranger shoved a glass of wine in her hand, then ran across the newsroom to turn up the Diamond City station on the radio.

“Wake up, Piper!” It was Sole, who was enthusiastically waving their own wine in the air. “You fell asleep editing again. You were going to miss the countdown.”

Piper pulled off a paper that had stuck to her forehead and tossed it unceremoniously to the floor. “You nearly scared me to death, Blue.” Her voice was tense but appreciative. She would have hated to miss the weird pre-war tradition her and Nat usually celebrated together. Her sister had fallen asleep on the couch hours ago.

“I think you mean you’re welcome.” Sole hopped themselves to sit on Piper’s desk, brushing their knees against the side of her chair. “Need to get your responses checked like Takahashi? I think your malfunctioning.”

Instead of a retort, Piper listened to Travis count down the new year. When it ended, the two friends both screamed happy new year! and clinked their glasses together, downing the respective drinks in one long gulp.

“What other traditions did you like to do back in the day?” Piper stood to refresh her drink, and Sole took her collar to pull her closer. They leaned upwards to catch her lips in a soft kiss, only pulling away when Piper placed her hand on their knee.

“Too much?” Sole chuckled and played with the stem of their glass. “That’s something couples do to ring in the new year. I know we’re not officially dating but --”

They were cut off by Piper returning the kiss.

Nick: Nick was an old soul, so there wasn’t any doubt that he wouldn’t have planned the perfect evening on New Year’s Eve. He decorated the agency and opened it to a small group of friends in Diamond City including Ellie, Piper, Nat, Vadim and -- of course -- Sole. The group drank and danced to the radio, swapping stories of what antics everyone had gotten up to over the past year.

Nick eventually pulled Sole aside and offered to fetch them a drink, which Sole politely declined. “I haven’t seen enough of you tonight,” they admitted, nudging his side with their elbow and eliciting a chuckle from the detective. “But don’t get me wrong: you’re a perfect host. I could have never pulled something like this together.”

“Perish the thought, Sole.” He took their hand and brought their knuckles to his lips. “You can do anything.”

“Can I get a New Year’s kiss?” Sole batted their eyelashes in a comically innocent way. 

Nick leaned forward to give them a chaste one, but Sole wrapped their arms around his neck and pulled him into something deeper. He chuckled against them, eventually pulling away when he could hear snickering from the other guests. “Weren’t we supposed to wait for the countdown?”

Sole shook their head. “New world, new rules.”

X6-88: As usual, X6 was leaned against a far wall observing the crowd instead of partaking in it. He had no desire to drink to the new year; as far as he was concerned, every day not working towards humanity’s future was time wasted. People’s incessant need to mark every milestone irked him, and he showed it by brooding far away from the New Year’s Eve party.

Sole saddled up beside him. His posture slightly deflated as he relaxed into Sole’s familiar presence. “So, what’s your New Year’s resolution? An old pre-war tradition. You vow to make some big change to your life and accomplish it by the end of the year.”

X6 took a moment to consider. “Improve the Institute by catching runaway synths.”

Sole shook their head. “No, it has to be something personal. For example, I made a pact with Preston to lose five pounds.” They slapped their hip, and the leathery sound brought a chuckle to X6′s lips. “Been hitting the Sugar Bombs too hard.”

“Your health is in an optimal state,” X6 assured. “But I suppose my resolution would be to... act on more impulse. Too much calculation can slow anyone down.”

“Trust your gut!” Sole encouraged, melding closer to him on the wall. “What’s your gut saying now?”

X6 leaned down and gave Sole a quick kiss. It was over nearly before it began, leaving Sole giddy and lightheaded. “Partake in more traditions,” he teased.

[viridian-forest-collective]

Blog Intro

Ok guys I may or may not have done this a while ago but here we go!

Hi I'm Chan! Here's the current frequent frontiers/hosts: Chan, Felix, Chorok, Casper, Michael, Sam Colby. There's a few more but eh.

System name: Viridian Forest Collective or Forest Collective

Body age: 19

Number of headmates: Unknown but its a lot

General system pronouns: all of them switching it up is appreciated

Collective gender: Fluidflux

Collective sexuality: Omnisexual, demiromantic

System hobbies: art, gaming, writing, learning random things, rick riordan, wings of fire, dragons, diy, witchcraft, anime, vikings, greeks, romans, etc.

Some of our system blogs: @seaweed-brain-bullshit, @mythomagic-nerd, @doctors-orders-death-boy (so far only the pjo fuckers have decided they want personal spaces on tumblr) (in the process of giving the moon boys a blog)

The other blogs we have that aren't system based are: @viridian-beetle (art blog), @forest-finds (forest themed and witchcraft central), @kip-kinstar (star wars but mainly mando blog)

See here for our stance on endos and syscourse

In terms of canonmates, doubles are welcome, we are looking for anyone and we mean anyone from the following sources:

-> Riordanverse

-> FNAF

-> Wings of Fire

-> The Selection

-> Throne of Glass

-> Divergent

-> Spiderverse

-> Moon Knight

-> The Mummy (original 2 movies)

-> The Stanley Parable

DNI: anti-mogai, anti-lgbtqia+, anti-agere (and the pet one), anti-pagan, anti-system, anti-fictive, anti-xenopronouns, anti-nounself pronouns, anti-neopronouns, anti-omni/pan, anti-ship, etc. You all know who you are.

Here is who we have from these sources:

-> Riordanverse

-> Percy Jackson

-> Annabeth Chase

-> Grover Underwood

-> Nico di Angelo

-> Will Solace

-> Hazel Levesque

-> Jason Grace

-> FNAF

-> Glamrock Freddy

-> Glamrock Bonnie

-> Glamrock Chica

-> Roxanne Wolf

-> Montgomery Gator

-> Sundrop

-> Moondrop

-> Adult Gregory

-> Child Gregory

-> Michael Afton

-> Phone Guy

-> Wings of Fire

-> Deathbringer

-> Glory

-> The Selection

-> Maxon

-> Throne of Glass

-> Dorian

-> Divergent

-> Four

-> Spiderverse

-> Peter Parker (ultimate spiderman)

-> Harry Osborn (mix ultimate spiderman and amazing spiderman 1)

-> Venom (ultimate spiderman)

-> Moon Knight

-> Marc Spector

-> Steven Grant

-> Jake Lockley

-> The Mummy (original 2 movies)

-> Tauhotep (oc)

-> The Stanley Parable

-> Stanley

-> The Narrator

[countrymusiclover]

Ch 25 - Dragons VS Dragons

Part 26

Fire OF A Stark

@dragonixfrye

Maxon Hill (Baratheon) is a new added on OC.  Since we only know a few of Robert's bastards I decided to make my own enjoy.

Months Later

Clutching my stomach I groaned laying back in the bed In our room in Casterly Rock. My white hair falling in a mess over my shoulders. We had gotten to the rock a few weeks after we had learned I was pregnant with Jaime’s child. Someone knocked on the door before they peaked their head inside. “My Lady Lannister?”

“Come in, Ser Hill.” I waved my hand motioning for the bastard to enter the room. Jaime had hired the former blacksmith boy as my personal knight for protection.

He was only sixteen so a year younger than me now in my life. My husband was always busy trying to learn the ropes of being the lord of a castle even though for his entire life almost he was sworn to only ever be a knight of the Kingsguard. Jaime would only send him up if he had news for me or to have him check on the baby. “I have news today my lady and he wishes to know what the Maester said.”

“Please Maxon, call me Lynesse. It’s just easier for the both of us.” I corrected the now appointed knight seeing that Jaime and I trusted his word. He had actually helped in making a place for Joanna to sleep in one of the towers of the rock that had an open area underneath it.

Maxon nodded his head simply making his dark brown curls fall in front of his eyes. “Of course, Lady Lynesse.”

“Well I think it will be easier if we just go see him together instead of you running back and forth through the castle. So help me up please.” I groaned sitting up as much as I could manage.

Maxon quickly moved forward trying to fight me until I sent him a stern look. "My lord won't like that you are trying to move too much…uh nevermind." He wrapped his arms around my waist while I grabbed his forearm while I grabbed my cloak I shrugged it over my shoulders following him outside our chambers.

Moving through the hallways of Casterly Rock I could hear the waves crashing against it. I wasn't wearing my crown but my white hair was visible to everyone in these walls. A few staff passed us in the hallway before I pushed open a door seeing Jaime leaning over a large table that looked to be a battlefield. Closing the door behind me he lifted his gaze up from the table. "Lynesse, you should be in bed."

"I can't be bed ridden for long, Jaime. Maxon informed me that you have news about something so I thought I'd come to you." I explained walking around the table I took his left hand in mine meeting his green gaze on me.

He squeezed my hands in his wearing a loose white tunic and red trousers. I was wearing one of his red tunics with some trousers not bothering with dresses unless we were ever asked back at Kings Landing or somewhere else important. "My sister sent a letter demanding we help her take on the Dragon queen from across the sea. Somehow she discovered the truth about you and will send the Hound on us if we don't help her."

"We have control of the Lannister army. The only reason she needs us or really you is because she doesn't have the amount of Kingsguard to aid her." Leaning my hands on the table I could figure out what was really happening to us. Cersei was still jealous and even though she knew we were together until one of us died then she would have to take other measures. "I'm going with you. If she wants to fight against a dragon then I would ride Joanna and challenge her."

Jaime raised his hand concern written all over his face about me being anywhere near such danger like a battlefield. “Lynesse it is too reckless with you being pregnant to go riding into battle on dragon back. I want you to stay here with Maxon.”

“Jaime, I will not stay here and be a bump on a log. Yes I am pregnant but that doesn’t mean I can’t ride alongside you. Plus you know you can’t stop me once I call for Joanna!” I declare turning my hands into fists at my sides holding my head up high.

He sighed heavily looking in the direction of Maxon who was standing by the door. “Saddle Joanna for my wife. And ready the army for the ships to leave tonight. We head for Kings Landing.” He left the room leaving us alone in the room staring at each other.

“I want you to promise me something, little dragon. If it gets too risky you get our baby out of here. Promise me.” He begged me resting a hand on my cheek and his golden hand on my waist.

Nodding my head slowly I put my hand over his left knowing he was completely worried about me. He still hasn’t said I love you yet and neither have I but we were terrified that something may happen to the other. “I promise, Jaime. But it won’t come to that.” The trip back to the city was even harder since I got a lot sicker yet we had the army waiting in an open field waiting for whatever army this supposed dragon queen had with her.

Resting a hand over Joanna’s nose I watched my husband ride up on the white commander horse wearing dark golden armor. He had given me a set of gray armor but my growing belly didn’t make it easy to wear. My hair was loose with some of it braided back. I didn’t know war strategy even when Robb was still alive. “You know your signal is right. Remember to stick to what I told you.”

“Wait up on the hills out of sight unless we get signs of another dragon - ugh here we go girl.” I told him grunting as I climbed on Joanna’s back leaning against her head trying to catch my breath. “Jaime, come back to me…to us.”

He nodded, kicking the white horse in the belly. “Take care of her, Joanna.”

Kicking her in her side with my legs she launched herself up into the clouds turning around on her back then hiding us behind one of the tall hills still with a good view of the army. Squinting my eyes tightly I could see some form of people on horseback charging at the army. But they seemed crazier than the one we had knowing that we were in trouble. Resting a hand to my stomach I knew Jaime could handle them until a familiar shriek came from the skies making me curse under my breath. “Seven hells. There really is another Dragon.”

Joanna made a noise seeing the same creature I do. Shifting my gaze down to the ground I had Joanna shoot up into the sky seconds before the other Targaryen girl set them on fire. Flying through the clouds I saw our army had brought the giant crossbows. Men were screaming before I lifted my head up seeing the girl riding her dragon burning a section of wagons turning everything into a bloodbath underneath us. She nearly hit Jaime until I had my dragon bolt in her direction shouting in Valyrian. “Draycrays!”

The dragon girl swung her dragon out of the way avoiding my attack. She flew up higher seeing me and Joanna before she blew fire at us. Gripping her scales my dragon does a flip in a barrel roll just as I felt pain hit me in my back with the baby. Clutching my stomach I kicked her accidentally where she set fire to some of the lion soldiers. “Joanna no…Joanna…agh!” I gripped her tugging her in the opposite direction, getting her to land a few feet away seeing most of the stuff on fire.

“Lynesse, is it really you?” Wiping my head around I recognized the voice screaming and dragon shrieking fading off.

Joanna hissed low under her breath while I couldn’t believe to see the familiar dwarf near us. “Tyrion?”

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[hancockssunshine]

Blood on my name part 2

This was going to be a one shot and now I've got the feeling it's something much bigger

[Part 1 ]

Warnings: violence and plenty of swearing torture involved as well

I'm so sorry for any grammar or spelling errors I hardly slept last night but you know how it is when you have an idea and you just gotta write

"Come on, wake up." Soles face was ment rudely by a splash of freezing water. Pounding, fuck her head felt like it was going to burst. Sole opened her eyes and scanned the situation she found herself in. "I know this place." She thought as a wave of fear washed over her. She couldn't move her arms or legs, tied up. Figures.

A familiar face stood before her with the most distasteful shit grin she had ever seen. Her eyes drifted "one, two, three" . She counted how many figures she could make out in the dim light. The figure before her grabbed a tight hold of her face squeezing as he held her "eyes up here traitor." Knight Rhys this guy was down right the worst. Hated sole the moment she walked into the police station. Didn't matter she had saved his sorry ass he always had a remark to spat at her.

" I always knew you were jealous, Rhys but isn't this a little overkill?" Another blow striking her soft face. A stream of blood ran from the corner of her lip. "For a brotherhood knight you certainly hit like a child." Enough blood pooled and she spat it directly at his face. "That's enough." A booming familiar voice rang out. Elder Maxon and all his glory stepped into the room and made his way over to the poor captive. "You mind telling me why two innocent settlers were murdered in cold blood and why I'm tied to a fucking chair?"

Having none of her disrespect Maxon pulled his lazor pistol and pressed it to her chest "I am still your elder and you will speak to me with respect soldier!" After taking a minute to calm himself he spoke "When Paladin Danse recruited you I had my doubts, you proved yourself a worthy member and now we are hearing some truly troubling rumors." He took a fist full of her long tangled hair " Tell me why I'm being told that you, a brotherhood knight, have been working for the Institute." Fuck. She knew this day was gonna come, as hard and she wished it wouldn't. She knew she was caught. Forced to choose a side.

****

"I don't know what I'm gonna do, Nick. I've really fucked everything up."

The old detective pulled her into a loving embrace. The synth detective of diamond city, Nick Valentine was Soles closest friend and ally aside from Hancock. "You didn't Sole. Sure you joined one too many "clubs" but you just tried to do what you thought was right." He was genuinely trying to make her feel better but when the reality of it all came crashing down they both knew decisions had to be made and friends would be lost. "I believe in what the railroad is trying to do, I've always believed in helping others that could not help themselves." Decon. Oh Decon. Sole had absolutely loved their sarcastic banter. He may have been a compulsive liar but hey at least he was honest about that. "Then of course the minutemen, it's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Really feeling like we have a chance to rebuild, to give the people a real fighting chance." Preston had been a real friend though, always keeping her on her toes with plenty of settlements that needed help. "And of course the brotherhood of steel." Hancock and Nick had both protested her decision to "join up" but Sole being the person she was, genuinely thought there was a chance she could help people with the wealth of technology the brotherhood possessed. And then there was Dance. Though a hard headed soldier at first after time became much more open and genuine even telling sole he was proud of her and to be by her side. She knew they wanted to wipe the institute from the world but what happens when that isn't enough? What happens when they decide to come after Nick? What happens when they decide to destroy Goodneighbor? And John? No way in hell would she ever let that happen.

After discussing it with both Nick and Hancock, Sole decided it was a safe bet to contact the minutemen to help her into the institute. Both the railroad and the brotherhood had intentions of their own. "Sunshine, you have to do what you want to do. You are always going out of your way to fix everyone else and their problems, not saying it ain't noble cause it is… but." There he was again keeping her level headed and looking out for her best interests.

John had reminded sole of what her true goal was. To find her boy. To find Shaun. The minutemen was the most neutral and reasonable solution. She knew it would probably upset the other factions but for once in her damn life she just didn't care.

Arriving at the institute and learning the shocking truth, not only finding her son but finding him as a 60 year old man. The boogeyman of the commonwealth was her only child. It was all too much for her to take in. Shaun offered her a chance, a real chance to start anew as a family but at a terrible cost. Sole spent a few days in the institute meeting everyone, getting to know Shaun and learning of true intentions how they saw the threat that was the brotherhood and the joke to them that was the railroad. Giving more for Sole to think about. More terrifying choices to make.

******

"So, is it true? Are you working with the institute?" Maxon shouted, making her tremble. "I have no idea what the hell you are talking about." She spat back. A hard fist met her stomach, making her choke for air "don't you dare lie to me! Do you have any idea how many brothers and sisters died at Bunker hill because of what you did?"

Bunker Hill. What a fucking mess that was. So many lives lost. "I don't know anything about that Elder.." A lie she hoped was convincing but knew wasn't. Shaun had told her of the planned attack to reclaim the lost synths.. they left for a reason of their own free will, she didn't want to hurt chances of trust with Shaun but how could she send them back to a life they didn't ask for a life without will. She did the only thing logical to her and informed the railroad hoping to get the synths to safety before the institute caught on.

Sole had no clue why or how the brotherhood had shown up but there they were for all out war. "Not only was it reported that you didn't exterminate those abominations but you had a monster.. A Ghoul with you that you gunned down a good man to protect!" Her blood began to boil. Had she known the brotherhood was going to stomp their way into bunker hill she never would have endangered Hancock by bringing him along. "I did my best to excuse your misjudged companionship with that thing but to hear you killed one of our own in cold blood to protect it disgusts me." The soldier had pointed his weapon at Hancock finger on the trigger she had no choice.

How much did Maxon know? Was he aware it was more than a companionship lord knows what he would do if he knew just how intimate their relationship truly was. It would put him at such a risk, a thought she truly couldn't handle.

"It makes me sick that you would side with monsters after everything we.. everything Dance has done for you!"

Sole hung her head low, Dance really had done a lot for her and it broke her heart knowing this whole situation would hurt him. She never intended for anymore needless bloodshed but in this world there was no stopping it.

"I'm telling you, I never told the institute anything! I'm not working for them, I don't know a damn thing about them!" His hand was still firm in her hair as he pulled tightly making her stare into his piercing eyes. "Enough of the lies!" A cry escaped her as he whipped her,chair and all to the hard cement floor. "Here's what's going to happen, you are going to tell me everything about the institute and how you got in and you can have the merciful ending of being executed by me for all to see for your treasonous acts." He reached for her bruised body, sitting the chair up once more. " or, if you choose this path of lying and silence you will be moved to a cell. Hung by your arms, tortured daily making a cut for each brotherhood life lost because of you. Then when you just can't take it anymore, we are going to take a little trip to that cesspool of a town and burn it to the ground while you watch and listen to the screams of each monstrosity lost. Then,I'm going to go get the mayor and make damn sure that freak knows who caused him to lose everything he built." Tears filled her eyes burning as they ran down into her open wounds. "I'm going to place him on his knees before you and gut him like the monster he is."

Sole trashed and pulled at her restraints praying for any bit of slack, the pain in her heart imagining the terrible picture Maxon had painted for her, she knew how much the brotherhood hated Ghouls but to destroy a whole city full of innocents was unfathomable.

She had to make a choice, give up the institute? Her son? The one she had come so far to find again only to lose him like this absolutely blindsided by his own mother? Or give up Hancock, the one man that she truly loved. The man who protected her and gave her shelter when she had none. The man who stood beside her as she confronted the man who destroyed her family. The man who held her and kissed her and loved her like she was the most precious thing in the entire universe. The one she truly wasn't sure she could ever live without. And what of Goodneighbor and all of its people? Fahr? Kelo? Daisy? Oh God and Kent poor sweet Kent. The tears flooded down her face now oh God what the hell was she going to do?

"Elder!" A voice rang out breaking her from her terrible thoughts ``There's something out here you need to see, some freak with a shotgun is lookin for the traitor." Maxon looked back to her, her eyes widened with pure horror and panic. He can't be here, not alone God no. "John…" lips trembling as his name rolled off her tongue. "Well. Looks like this is playing out better than previously expected. Bring him in."

End of part 2! I really hope you enjoyed it! This just all kinda came to me tonight and I just spent the last 4 hours writing it 🤣 so excited for what is to come!

[moss-bride]

THE SIMP LIST

Aka characters I will write for

Dc

Night wing/Dick Grayson

Red Hood/ Jason Todd

The joker/ Arthur Fleck

The joker/ heath ledger

Batman/ Bruce Wayne

Superman/ Clark Kent

Scarecrow/ Jonathan Crane

The Riddler/ Edward Nygma

Marvel

Moon knight/ Jake Lockley/ Mark Specter/ Steven Grant

Loki

Blade

Transformers

Megatron

Optimus Prime

Bumblebee

Starscream

Hot rod

Soundwave

Fnaf

Michael Afton

William Afton/ springtrap

Montgomery Gator

Glamrock Freddy Fazbear

Fun time Foxy

Mangle

Slashers

Michael Myers

Jason Voorhees

Brahms Heelshire

Asa Emory

Amanda Young

Yautja

Bo Sinclair

Vincent Sinclair

Lester Sinclair

Thomas Hewitt

Bubba Sawyer

Pennywise

Herbert West

Video games (gen)

Vaas Montenegro (far cry)

Elder Maxon (fallout)

Trevor Phillips (gta)

Handsome Jack

Mileena (Mk)

Scorpion (Mk)

Strade (btd)

Ren Hana (btd)

Lawrence Oleander (btd)

Licorice cookie

Sephiroth

Postal dude (postal)

John Doe (John Doe)

Simon (Ghost) Riley

John Price

Soap MacTavish

Comics (gen)

Johnny (nny) the homicidal maniac

Melon (beastars)

Hellboy

Prince Nuada

Creepypasta

Eyeless jack

Jeff the killer

Slenderman

Masky

SCP Foundation

Scp 035

Scp 049

Scp 682

Dr. Kondraki

Alto Clef

Abel

Cain

Books

Am (I have no mouth but I must scream)

Thranduil (lotr)

Sauron (loftr)

Patrick Bateman

Anime

Alucard (hellsing ultimate)

Ryuk (death note)

What I won't write:

!ncest

Ped0ph!l!a

Racist requests

Transphobic request

[mayzie-grobe]

Beginning | Next

[colossal-fallout]

Ad Victoriam

Finally got off my ass and started the fic I've been wanting to do for weeks. Maybe months? I'll be doing it chapter by chapter and eventually putting it up on Ao3.

I've made it GN as I want sole to be as relatable to you or your OC as possible.

Chapter I - warnings: None.

Chapter I

Arrival of the mechanical birds

The tangerine sunset always looked gorgeous from the Castle; the sparkling glimmers skipping over the restless sea, making it appear crisp and clean – disguising the usual sickly green hue of the salted waves. But the Minutemen weren’t able to take a moment to take in the beautiful daily view they were blessed with. The usual peaceful bliss they felt in their fortress this time of day was today filled with unease, anxiety and even a little fear among the less informed.

“General. Here they come.” Preston’s familiar voice muttered from close behind his leader.

The familiar tone that seemed a lot more welcome than usual. Preston had always been a great guide to Y/N, and more-so a great friend. And as their heart fluttered at the sight of the vertibirds in the distance, heading towards the ancient garrison, his voice helped hold the glue of their stoic expression as their men and women gathered outside of the main gate to greet the guests for the evening. Preston Garvey was their pillar of strength. Always there when they needed an extra pair of shoulders to unload some weight upon. And of course, the favour was always returned.

A chilled breeze whipped around the small gathering, all eyes up towards the old Boston airport across the shimmering sea – the giant, metal, killing machines looking a lot smaller than they were in reality as they made their journey.

Five. They think to themselves, arms behind their back. They would never allow themselves to show fear in front of their soldiers. Five of them. Why would he need five?

Their trust in Elder Maxson had recently begun to dwindle, due to a few reasons. Reasons they'd went over in the confines of their room over and over again. Planning every move for as many scenarios they could possibly think of. If this were a trap – they would be ready.

A whiff of cigarette smoke filled their nostrils, the disgust of the scent still not faltering their spine of steel stance as the ebony sheen of the metal birds grew bigger by the second.

“So, what’s the deal with this guy?” Hancock asks as he inhales his hit of nicotine, gold plated flip-lighter being tucked back into his crimson pocket with an equally coral colored hand. “How much time have you spent with him? What’s his vibe?”

“I’ve spent a decent amount with him.” They reply, eyes blinking but not moving from the airport. “I’ve worked under him for a while now. He trusts me.”

“But, do you trust him?” He gestures with his hand, pointing the smouldering end of his white stick towards the incoming cavalry. “Because I don’t think many here do.” His voice was lowered so only they and Preston could hear him. Hancock is smart. He read the situation pretty well.

“We’ll see.” Their tone is soft, quiet. Their mind ticking.

Preston glances between his General and the Ghoul. “Whatever the case, it’s too late to be speculating that now. I’m sure the General has thought of every possible outcome. After all, they didn’t bring us this far by throwing caution to the wind.”

Their perfect lips part slightly in a small laugh. “That’s exactly how I got us here.”

“Okay... bad example.” He shrugs, head dipping to the right as if shaking off unwanted information. “But... whatever you did, it’s working. So, I trust your judgment.”

“I don’t.” A third voice chimes in quietly, a lilt of light-heartedness in the tone. “They once dragged me to a museum saying it would be fun. ...Tha---t place had a Deathclaw nesting inside.”

MacCready held out his hand to Hancock without even setting eyes upon him. “But, they did get us out alive, I'll give them that.”

Hancock’s beady black eyes roll as he sinks his hand into the inside of his coat, pulling out his box of cigarettes'. “You know, a ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ one of these days would be appreciated.”

“Well, I didn’t ask to be dragged to some old witchcraft creep-fest. So why would I say please and thanks?”

Hancock let’s out a gruff sigh of exasperation as he tucks his cardboard back inside. “Know what? No. No cigarette for you.”

MacCready’s broken nose crinkles. “What? Aw, c’mon! Was it something I said?”

The vertibirds were audible now; the droning hums that once filled the General with pride as they fought alongside their brothers and sisters, now transmuting into a strange dread.

“What the hell does he want?” Mac isn’t as good at hiding his unease as the rest of them, getting visibly agitated. “You know, I could take him out from the wall.”

“And have twelve to fifteen angry men in power Armour charge at us? Use your damn brain.” Preston scolds.

“I’m still a Paladin.” Y/N reminds them. “He’s still my Elder.”

“But, you’re a minuteman first, right?” Preston asks, large brown eyes pouring with his usual adorable innocence.

He’s answered with a single nod as the ground begins to vibrate; the five choppers now close enough to push Hancock to slap his hand over his hat to prevent it flying away; the strong gust of wind blowing the end of his cig off from the rest of the stick.

The landing gear deploys, a mechanical groan emitting from the machines as the engines switch off, all five of them landing in a small semi-circle around the group of gawping minutemen and their leaders.

The ground shakes as large and loud booms emit from the BoS soldiers leaping onto the soil in their robot-like suits; their faceless helmets instantly snapping to look at the group they’ve been ordered to greet.

“Paladin.” One nods to Y/N through his speaker.

They weren't sure who it was but it didn’t matter. From his armour, they knew his rank.

“Knight.” Was their reply with a curt nod as the Elder himself dismounts his personal ride; all eyes instantly gluing themselves to his stiff and proud form.

A Paladin followed – unknown identity thanks to his power armour.

“Ah Paladin.” Maxson’s authoritive voice greets as he makes his way up to the awestruck group – his eyes not once leaving Y/N's form. “I’m glad you agreed to this meeting. From what I hear, you’ve been making positive waves across the Commonwealth. I wanted to see what my underling was doing for myself. And even offer our assistance at ridding the filth that infests us.”

Underling. A power move already? They think as they remain stone-faced, falling into the salute of the Brotherhood.  “Elder. It’s an honour to have you at the Castle.”

Preston frowns at their words – gloved hands gripping his laser rifle a little tighter than intended.

“Like wise.” He returns the salute, his eyes looking... well, they couldn’t quite place their finger on it. It was a look they'd never seen from him before, yet still seemed like a familiar expression. At least from his tone, he seemed pleased. “My men here will remain outside. Only Paladin Danse will be accompanying me. I don’t want to... impose.”

“Danse?” Y/N blinks at the Paladin behind Maxson.

“L/N.” He replies with a nod.

“Ah yes. I thought it would be fitting to bring your sponsor along with us. You seem to work great together on the field.” Maxson smirks – y/n knew that was his usual smile. You’d never catch the Elder in a full-blown beam of happiness.

Y/N felt a lot better for a moment that Danse was with them. Then it came crashing down when they realised that man would run into hell for his Elder. Support from him if things went wrong probably wasn't on the cards.

“Okay, well then... shall we?” Y/N gestures towards the Castle that was now quickly falling into the shadow of twilight.

Maxon nods before turning to his small army. “Remember, we are guests here. On your best behaviour soldiers.”

A unison, robotic chant of “Yes sir!” chimed through the air before Maxson turned back to follow the General.

“It seems we have a lot to talk about.” He comments as they begin their stride.

Something in the way he said that fuelled the sense of dread that brewed deep within Y/N's stomach. Their instincts were usually right – and they were screaming that something wasn’t entirely how it seemed to be.

[rwby-sk]

Silent Knight Fallout 4 AU where Jaune is a Vault Dweller leaving it for the first time and Neo is a Raider who's only doing it as means to get by.

I would love to make my own Fallout 4 AU! (At this point my fic to-do list is a mile long and growing)

My initial knee-jerk reaction to this is "Ironwood is Elder Maxon and Robyn is Desdemona" I know that's not what this is about but that fit way too well to ignore

-

I can see Jaune being a vault dweller! His childhood is incredibly safe and literally sheltered. Making him initially naive to the dangers of the commonwealth. Even so, he's abnormally brave

He uses the US government issued service rifle that his ancestor brought into the vault with him. (Having used it to fight in the Great War)

He was training to become one of the vault's doctors before he left the vault to do more good for others in the commonwealth

-

I don't see Neo and Roman as the "classic" raider. Instead, I see them as ex-members of one of the nuka-world factions (Lil' Miss's Spiders, similar to the operators of the canon universe)

She might have questionable morals and be willing to do whatever it takes to survive, but damn if she isn't fashionable

Neo uses a silenced 10mm pistol and an old officer's sword

She and Roman spend their time robbing settlements and caravans. They become fairly well known as excellent thieves / bandits. But since they rarely kill their targets, (Roman and Neo rough them up, but let them live to spread the word of who robbed them) they aren't outright hated. They share an apartment in one of the damaged buildings surrounding Good-Neighbor

[rpgkroywen]

Face-Claim Master List w/BlogURLS

           F

Abigail Cowen - Daphne Blackwell ()

Alexa Demie - Ira Magdalene  (https://iramagdalene.tumblr.com)

Alycia Debnam-Carey - Feyre Archeron  ()

Annalisa Cochrane - Fischl von Luftschloss Narfidort  (https://fischltheprincess.tumblr.com/)

Anya Taylor Joy - Isabella Krul Constantin  ()

Astrid Berges Frisbey - Maruine Lynx  ()

Benedetta Porcaroli - Yisie Tudor  (https://yisietudor.tumblr.com/)

Casimere Jollette - Tsaritsa  (https://frostbitef.tumblr.com/)

Cheng Xiao - Hu Tao  ()

Daisy Ridley - Rey Organa Skywalker  (https://reyorgnaskywlkr.tumblr.com/)

Danielle Rose Russell - Brannagh  ()

Eiza Gonzalez - Helena Heydrich  (https://queenofthedmnd.tumblr.com/)

Elizabeth Olsen - Waleraine Carmilla Bloodbringer  (https://thoushaltnotsufferawitchtolive.tumblr.com/)

Elle Fanning - Ilyanna Ivanov  ()

Ennik Somi Douma - Sandorone  (https://sandronethemarionette.tumblr.com)

Fernanda Ly - ZeroTwoB  ()

Jang Ye-eun - Kujou Sara  (https://kujoufsara.tumblr.com/)

Jennie Kim - Geto Suguru  ()

Jessica Alexander - Felicia Sarah Hardy  ()

Josephine Langford - Evaluna Jora Black  (https://evalunablack.tumblr.com/)

Katherine McNamara - Minerva Freya Johnson  ()

Katheryn Newton - Celenia  ()

Katheryn Winnick - Athena Yaxley  ()

Kennedy McMann - Charlotte Loise Faraday  (https://charlotteeloisefaraday.tumblr.com)

Kim Do-yeon - Nivrele Clair de Luna  (https://nivrele.tumblr.com/)

Liz Gillies - Andrew Raven Tepes  ()

Madelyn Cline - Lumine  (https://luminetheviatrix.tumblr.com/)

Mae Van Der Weide - Elvira Maeve Rosier  (https://elviramaeverosier.tumblr.com/)

Margot Robbie - Eve Mary Jordan  ()

Meg Donnelly - Anastasia Saint-Petersburg  (https://anastasiarstpetersburg.tumblr.com/)

Momo Hirai - Raiden Ei  ()

Natalie Alyn Lind - Kara Kent  (https://reddaughterofrao.tumblr.com/)

Natalie Dormer - Lilith  ()

Ning Yi Zhuo - Ganyu Latifi  ()

Olivia Holt - Yoimiya Naganohara  (https://yoimiyaqnaganohara.tumblr.com/)

Phoebe Dynevor - Proserpina Aidoneus  (https://paidoneus.tumblr.com)

Roseanne Park - Ayaka Kamisato  ()

Sadie Sink - Corvina Selwyn  ()

Sadie Soverall - Mary Jane Walsdorf  ()

Samantha Cormier - America Kennedy Singer  ()

Samara Weaving - Anthea Lucille Shephard  ()

Samara Weaving - Gabriel  ()

Sana Minatozaki - Yae Miko  (https://guujivioleteverbloom.tumblr.com/)

Sasha Kichigina - Heather Juliette Gashler  (https://heatherjulietteg.tumblr.com/)

Sasha Luss - Manon Blackheart  ()

Soo-young Park - Columbina aka Damselette  ()

Summer Fontana - Vrethera Blackwell  ()

Tiffany Young - Ningguang  ()

Victoria Pedretti - Nesta Archeron  (https://nestarcheronc.tumblr.com/)

Wonyoung Jong - Mona Megistus  () M

Aaron Taylor Johnson – Peter Sigmund Saintville  ()

Adam Huber - Satan  ()

Alex Fitzalan - Asmodeus  ()

Alex Saxon – Connor Cloudstrider  ()

Andrew Garfield - Benjamin P. Rolf  ()

Ben Affleck - Capitano  ()

Charlie Cox - Leonel Demarcus  ()

Charlie Hunnam - Kieran Knight  ()

Christian Yu – Geto Suguru  ()

Cody Fern - Lucifer Morningstar  ()

Danny Griffin - Fred Jones  ()

Drew Starkey – Childe/Tartaglia   ()

Dylan O’Brien - Aidan Blackwell  ()

Evan Peters - Dorian  ()

Evan Roderick - Waldemar Desmond Cloudstrider  ()

Evans Nikopoulos - Rhysand Darkbloom  ()

Freddie Thorp – Harry Osborn  ()

Freddy Fox - Draco Malfoy  ()

Henry Cavill - Pierro  ()

Hwang Min-hyun - Scaramouche  ()

Jacob Elordi – Cassian Faladel  ()

John Bubniak - Peter De Luc  ()

Leo Howard – Kazuha Kaedehara  ()

Logan Lerman - Percy Thaert  ()

Lorenzo Zurzolo - Henry Silverhood  ()

Lucas Bravo - Sebastian De Medici  ()

Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen – Mikaela Morningstar  ()

Luo Yunxi - Pantalone  () 

Matthew Daddario - Leonard Blackwell  ()

Maxence Danet-Fauvel - Dominic Crouch  ()

Michael Provost - Maxon Schreave  ()

Michael Rosenbaum - Lex Luthor  ()

Oh Se-Hun - Kamisato Ayato  ()

Regé-Jean Page – Mansel Rudyard  ()

Rudy Pankow – Aether Viatrix  ()

Sam Claffin- Vernes Thaert  ()

Sam Corlett – Tamlin Glittersteam  ()

Song Jiyang - Xiao Latifi  ()

Theo James - Aurelian Edouard  ()

Timothee Chamalet - Yuichiro Amane  ()

Toby Regbo - Theseus De Medici  ()

Tom Hiddleston - Adam Shephard  ()

Tom Holland - Fenris Rolf  ()

Zane Holtz – Victor Sage  ()

Christian Bale - Hybern Kralı  

Thomas Doherty - Dagdan

[honeyedmilknsugar]

Me? Making another Fallout 4 character??

Damn, that's crazy

Anyway here's Hayden, a child who grew up in and around Megaton. Thinking he'd have a better chance at life, and a better understanding of pre-war America, he joined the brotherhood of steel, initially as a scribe before becoming a Knight. Although he doesn't particularly care for the Brotherhoode stance, it was his best option for getting his hands on old technology.

Hayden excels in modding and repairing power armor and weapons, a side project he's kept secret is the fixing of an old pip-boy he'd taken ahold of during one of his explorations in hopes of getting it back to working condition. While he works, its not uncommon for him to be listening to the radio.

Hayden meets Danse while he's a scribe after he's assigned to his party. He seemingly works well with Danse, albeit he's one of the riskier scribes and is all but ready to pull a weapon if needed. Its at that point Danse makes sure Hayden has some weapon on him while they're on missions. They continue to work together, and Danse eventually asks for permission that Hayden works exclusively with him, both on the field and on his power armor and any weapon modifications. Due to the trust they have in Danse, they allow his request.

During this time, Hayden slowly begins falling for Danse. Even though Danse tries to be the pinnacle of an army man, Hayden finds him rather endearing, and each compliment the Paladin gives him for his work sends something right through his heart. During a particularly hard night where the two set up in a deserted area of Citadel drinking, both seem to shed some of their pent up feelings, and seeing Danse bear himself and his emotions, Hayden leans in to kiss Danse, and there's a moment where he feels he maybe shouldn't have done it, until Danse is kissing him back.

Upon Danse's discovery of being a synth, him leaving, and Maxon's eventual order of killing him, Hayden becomes extremely worried. He also finds it hard to believe Danse would simply leaving him without a word, but also acknowledges that he's fighting his own inner battle.

Hayden takes time before he finds Danse, and knows Maxon's men can't be far behind. Its emotional to find him again, embracing and kissing the man before either can really say anything. They talk, and Hayden thinks he's ridiculous that he would see Danse differently. That even though he became a member of the brotherhood, he never truly followed their core beliefs to the extent the elders preached.

Minor glossing over getting Maxson off their tail, Hayden suggests they find a settlement to lay low in, likely one of the ones helped by the minutemen, eventually moving on to maybe sanctuary. When Hayden finally fixes the pip-boy, it isn't uncommon that the pair will dissappear for periods of time before coming back with supplies. .

[danseinthefallout]

W A P (Wet-ass Paladin)

I can’t believe how far I went for this shit post... anyways here is all of WAP but related to Danse and the BOS...

[Intro: Sole Survivor, Elder Maxon, Paladin Danse]

Knights in this house

There's some knights in this house

There's some knights in this house

There's some knights in this house (Hol' up)

I said certified knight, seven days we fight

Wet-ass Paladin, make the Fallout game weak, woo (Ah)

[Chorus: Sole Survivor]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, you fuckin' with some wet-ass Paladin

Bring a laser rifle and a bible for this wet-ass Paladin

Give me everything you got for this wet-ass Paladin

[Verse 1: Sole Survivor & Elder Maxon]

Beat it up, Danse, catch a charge

Extra-large and extra hard

Put this Brotherhood right in your face

Swipe your nose like a charge card

Hop on top, I wanna die

I kill a synth while I’m inside

Destroy the Institute, look in my eyes

This Paladin is wet, destroy my sex drive

Ambush me like I'm surprised

Let's roleplay, I'll wear a disguise

I want you to park that big Prydwin right in this little garage

Make me dream, don’t wanna scream

Out in the wasteland, make a crime scene

I don't cook, I don't clean

But let me tell you how I got this ring (dead ass spouse)

[Verse 2: Elder Maxon]

Follow me it’s psychology, I have Paladin Danse right beside me (Yeah)

Quick, jump out, just so you can take your life for me (Yeah)

I tell him where to put it, never tell him where I'm 'bout to be (Huh)

I'll run down on him 'fore I have a soldier runnin' me (Pow, pow, pow)

Take a shit, I’m about to dip (Yeah)

Ask for you to kill a synth that is Danse while you call me a dick (While you call me a dick)

You really ain't never gotta kill him for a thang (Yeah)

He already made his mind up before I came (Ayy, ah)

Now get your dog tags and your guns for this wet-ass Paladin (Ah, ah, ah)

He bought power armor just for the Brotherhood of this wet-ass Paladin (Ad Victoriam)

Pay the raiders just to kiss this wet-ass Paladin (Mwah, mwah, mwah)

Now blow his brains out if you wanna see some dead-ass Paladin (Fuck you, Maxon)

[Verse 3: Sole Survivor & Elder Maxon]

Look, I need the deep range transmitter, Danse be my choker

Need a whiskey drinker, need a jet smoker

Not the Salisbury steak, I’m talking Angry Andacona

With a hook in it, hope it lean over

He got some caps, then that's where I'm headed

Paladin A1 just like his credit

He got a beard, well, I'm tryna wet it

I let him taste it, now he diabetic

I don't wanna sprint, I wanna hope

Brotherhood’s flag, you already know

I want you to touch that lil' dangly thing that swing in the back of my throat

My aim game is fire, punani no time

I’m goin' in, in 2077 and I’m comin' out in 2287

I came out of that vault like Deacon was behind me (Yeah, ah)

I helped Danse out with the ferals and now he tryna sign me, woo

[Verse 4: Elder Maxon]

I’m the Elder, a respected member, battle coats, dumb ass speeches

Elder at age 20, make him feel like he’s been beatin’

Put him as Paladin, give him somethin' to believe in

Never lost a fight, but I'm lookin' for a greetin’' (Ah)

In the food chain, I'm the one that eat ya

If he kissed my ass, he's an overachiever

Big D stand for big Danse

I could make ya knight before I ever meet ya

If it don't bang, then he can't stay

You can't hurt my feelings, but I like pain

If he hears me and ask "Whose is it?"

When I side with you, I'ma spell my name, ah

[Chorus: Sole Survivor]

Yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, you fuckin' with some wet-ass Paladin

Bring a laser rifle and a bible for this wet-ass Paladin

Give me everything you got for this wet-ass Paladin

Now from the top, make it drop, that's some wet-ass Paladin

Now get a laser rifle and a bible, that's some wet-ass Paladin

I'm talkin' wap, wap, wap, that's some wet-ass Paladin

Blamco in a pot, that's some wet-ass Paladin, huh

[Outro: Paladin Danse]

There's some knights in this house

There's some knights in this house

There's some knights in this house 

There's some knights in this house

There's some knights in this house

There's some knights in this house 

There's some knights in this house

There's some knights in this house

There's some knights in this house 

There's some knights in this house

[concussed-to-pieces]

The Mettle Of A Man; Part Six

Fandom: Fallout (4)

Pairing: Eventual Paladin Danse/Female Sole Survivor

Rating: Holy shit M.

AN: Enjoy!

Part One: ArcJet

Part Two: The Prydwen

Part Three: Orders

Part Four: Finding Brandis

Part Five: Weston Water And Oberland

“General!” 

  The unfamiliar voice roused Danse from his staring match with the coffee pot and he lunged to his feet, Righteous Authority at the ready.

  “At ease, Paladin. It's one of my friends.” Backhand soothed him, waving at the young man striding through the tatos towards them. “Preston! What brings you to this corner of the wilderness?” 

  Preston was on the taller side, well-built and wearing a strange combination of period clothing that Danse quickly identified as a higher-ranking Minuteman’s uniform. A scar hugged the brown skin on his left cheek, its path similar to Maxson's (though not as deep). His eyes, while kind, were haunted even in the bright light of morning.

  “We got the radio set back up in The Castle, and then we tuned into a repeating distress signal from a weird short-range frequency. Figured it was worth checking out.” The Minuteman touched the large brim of his odd hat while speaking to Backhand, almost like he was deferring to her. "You might have sent a message warning us that a Brotherhood research contingent was on their way. I'm not sayin' we would have left the queen untouched , but...well, you know how much folks around here like their seafood."

  Preston Garvey ( head lieutenant of the Commonwealth Minutemen ) didn't appear to have a malicious bone in his body, his handshake for Danse firm when Backhand introduced him. Danse found himself pinned by those intense brown eyes, the paladin squirming inwardly while the dark-skinned man studied him. 

  “You Brotherhood boys are bad news for the Commonwealth, but we can't exactly afford to be picky,” Preston stated bluntly with a disarming smile. “So, welcome aboard!”

  Danse felt his face go hot at the insinuation, opening his mouth to say... something , he wasn't sure what, but Preston was already refocusing on Knight Vega. Or should he say General Vega? This was the second time someone had referred to her as ‘General’. 

  Danse wasn't used to being so simply dismissed. He was, after all, a paladin . An overgrown specimen of a man in or out of his armor, with a carefully-crafted demeanor of stern authority. Preston didn't seem particularly rude though, mostly just exhausted. He had propped himself up with his laser musket as Backhand explained their mission of the day. Mainly, reacquire Danse's armor and mop up any remaining threats in Weston. 

  Danse realized he had no control in this operation as he was sans-armor and he almost laughed aloud at the role reversal in the field. Playing the damsel was definitely a novel sensation for the hulking paladin and he said as much, prompting Backhand into a fit of giggles.

  “Pretty sure I was the damsel at first, this guy has a hell of a throwing arm!” She informed Preston, thumbing the reinforced strapping of her combat armor. “Tossed me like I was a skipping rock!”

  “You threw the General?!” Preston sputtered.

  “It was a reflex .” Danse stressed the word, flustered. 

  “Yeah but you threw a whole human being? ” The Minuteman asked incredulously. “I mean, damn, what do they feed you guys?”

  “To be fair, the power armor enhances-”

  “Oh yeah, and he can move his armor even when the core's blown.” Backhand tacked on like she was a proud parent. Preston looked at Danse a little sideways, as though he suspected Knight Vega was talking him up. 

  But the Minuteman simply shrugged after a moment, adjusting his hat. “So what's the plan, General? I'm going to assume it's his armor that was pinging the distress signal.”

  Danse's breath hitched as it dawned on him that yes , that was exactly what was happening. The severe damage would have activated the emergency beacon, just like with Brandis’ team. And if some haphazard, ramshackle radio at Fort Independence could pick it up…

  If it's been going off since last night ...

  Their beacons carried their call tags. The Prydwen would have known it was his armor specifically. They had vertibirds to spare, despite Maxon's posturing when they had departed. Surely there had to be some logical reason as to why no one from the Brotherhood had come to investigate the signal. Danse couldn't think of anything at the moment, but surely …

  …

  The armor was exactly where it had been yesterday, a protective shell resting on a leg and three-quarters. Seeing the damage up close was sobering for Backhand, and judging from Danse's stony expression he was in the same boat. 

  “At least it was super mutants. If it had been raiders or, God forbid, gunners …” Preston trailed off, touching the brim of his hat. His hand shook a little.

  “I know, trust me. We would have been in for a really terrible time.” Backhand muttered.

  Danse, who had been essentially silent, abruptly began speaking. “Back in the Capital Wasteland, I once took an Enclave bullet to the leg. Hit a rust patch just right. Penetrated my armor and shredded my calf. I learned then that our equipment is not infallible by any stretch of the imagination.” Danse's fists were tight at his sides. “It's... distressing when a soldier jettisons his gear in combat, but I'll be fine.”

  "You think you can get it working again?"

  Danse scoffed at Preston's query, a grin quirking his lips as he tugged a fresh core out of one of his utility pouches. "Give me an hour. I'm no proctor, but I know a thing or two about my own armor." 

  The paladin muscled his armor onto its back, looking for all the world like he was slowly grappling with the empty suit. Backhand fought the urge to snort, shifting her attention back to Preston instead. "So how's Independence coming, hot shot?" She jibed, making him give her a tentative, self-conscious smile.

  "Really well, I'd say. Crops are planted, we have 'round the clock radio coverage and old Minutemen are showing up to get their transponders re-tuned for our new frequency!" Preston replied excitedly. "We gotta' get yours fixed up too, General."

  "You're still accepting the deserters?" Backhand wasn't exactly surprised , but it was a little strange to see how enthused Preston was about welcoming old Minutemen back into the fold. 

  "W-Well, new recruits are coming in too! We needed more trainers and-" Preston hurried to justify himself and Backhand jostled his shoulder.

  " Relax , tight lace, I'm only teasing. It's any port in a storm. No matter what you've done, you know I'm proud of you." She said softly. Preston's cheeks darkened further with a ruddy flush, the young man coughing and tugging bashfully at the brim of his hat. 

  "That's...real kind of you to say, General." He muttered after a second. 

  "I try to only speak the truth with my friends." Backhand gestured vaguely towards the paladin who was straightening out the plating on the torso of his armor. "Sometimes they're a little... hardheaded , but I know it'll get through to them eventually." Her statement was pointed enough that Preston raised an eyebrow. "He's a decent man. Something is fucked up between him and their leader, Maxson. I'm not quite sure what ." She continued in an undertone.

  "Careful about how deep you're digging the hole, General." Preston warned. "Brotherhood's got a fanaticism that's borderline religious."

  "Garvey, I was in the original . If there's one thing I'm familiar with, it's military maniacs."

  "Fair enough I suppose." Preston fanned himself with his hat, idly watching Danse beat his armor back into shape. "He's good looking, I'll give him that. Penchant for a type, General Vega?" He teased with a smile.

  "I can neither confirm nor deny!" Backhand laughed, "you're nosier than a pre-war tabloid journalist, Garvey. Planning on taking up with Piper?"

  "If it helps spread the word about the Minutemen, absolutely!" 

  The two of them lapsed into a companionable silence for several minutes. Danse abruptly glanced up, the lack of conversation seeming to penetrate his single-minded focus. "Am I being too loud?" He asked awkwardly. "I can try to be quieter." 

  "Nah, keep doing what you were doing." Garvey gave him a wave that was almost lazy. "I'm just taking in the scenery." 

  …

  The plan that Knight Vega proposed was ludicrously simple. 

  She had found a metal bucket in one of the trailers beside the water treatment plant. She would put her Pip Boy into it, turn on the radio and set the volume to max. Hopefully the racket would lure any remaining mutants out of the facility, wherein the all too eager trio would fall upon them with gusto.

  Preston was game for it as well, already cranking up the power in his laser musket as Backhand settled the bucket on its side by the front doors. 

  The usual vein of music issued from the Pip Boy, echoing a little in the bucket. Blaring brass overpowered any of the more delicate parts of the tune and Backhand laughed, playfully extending a hand to Preston. "Dance with me, LT? I'm sure we've got a few minutes."

  To Danse's utter dismay, the Minuteman did just that. Surely, this was some breach of protocol? The young man referred to her as his superior officer! Regardless of how lax their standards were, this couldn't possibly be proper. This…

  This was the most precious thing he had ever seen.

  Danse would be eternally grateful for the rigorous self control that enabled him to school his face into a neutral expression. Preston wasn't a half-bad dancer but Backhand was terrible , just downright uncoordinated. 

  The two of them were laughing like they had forgotten the issue at hand and for one blissful second, Danse found himself strangely at peace. Just watching both individuals fumble through some semblance of a dance he would never know, grinning and poking fun, entirely unconcerned about the world around them. 

  Danse was used to being watched. Scrutinized. Held to a higher standard than anyone else around him due to rank or simple expectation. Knight Vega...he should say something. Tell her to shape up. This behavior was unacceptable . Maxson could have her stripped of her probationary knight rank for this. Maxson could…

  Maxson . 

  The paladin gritted his teeth. 

  Elder Maxson could do a lot of things. The intensity of the depression that followed the thought startled even Danse. It was like a wet blanket wrapping itself around his entire body. Maxson could do a lot of things. He could have ended this before it even started. He could have mounted the assault when Brandis' team vanished. He could have-

  The doors to the complex swung wide open, four super mutants sprinting out. Danse's heart leaped into his throat. 

  Backhand and Preston-!  

  His body moved without thought, the armored paladin placing himself between the threat and the two who were now scrambling to prepare themselves. Danse cracked his knuckles in his gauntlets, bullets whipping through the air by his head. Three of the mutants were only armed with boards and sledgehammers, but the largest one carried a rifle of some kind. 

  A musket shot boomed from behind the paladin, pulping the head of one of the mutants. Danse surmised coldly that it must have been Preston's kill. Danse wasn't unarmed, but the enemy also wasn't inclined to give him the time to sling his laser rifle back around, and so it was with his armored fists that he rushed the trigger-happy mutant.

  …

  "Gotcha'!" Backhand's shotgun sounded off, the loud report muffled by the way she had rammed the barrel into the mutant's chest. Beside her, Preston kept winding up his musket to power his next shot. That first shot had been just what the doctor ordered, quickly putting the odds more in their favor. 

  There was a loud, angry grunt and Backhand looked up to see a super mutant go sailing past her and slam through the side of one of the trailers. Preston gaped at the sight, ceasing to crank his musket momentarily. 

  A roar of " abomination! " echoed through the courtyard, the sheer volume of it enough to give Backhand pause. The paladin had gotten too close to the mutant with the gun for the creature to continue to use it effectively and Danse pressed his advantage. Backhand watched slightly dumbfounded while the large man went toe to toe with the massive mutant. 

  The mutant yammered at Danse, nonsensical rambling about cracking him open and the paladin repaid those threats with his metal-plated fists. "Should we…?" Preston queried. Apparently neither of them needed to worry as Danse proceeded to shoulder check the mutant, forcing it backwards through the doors into the building.

  "It's probably therapeutic for him. He really, really hates muties." Backhand couldn't help but still feel slightly concerned and she sighed. "C'mon, let's make sure he's not getting devoured."

  …

  Danse manhandled the beast through two walls until he found one sturdy enough for him to pin the mutant against. It squirmed and struggled against the iron grip he had on its throat, choking out more insane nonsense. "This is for Cutler, you freak ." Danse's voice cracked as he drew his fist back.

  "You okay in here, Paladin?" Backhand's voice distracted him momentarily and the paladin paused. " Danse? "

  His fist crushed the mutant's skull, sending bone and brain flying. Danse released the now-dead mutant, shaking his gauntlet and hissing at the pain. Inadvertently punching a wall was assuredly not his finest moment. "Yes, Knight Vega?" He called.

  She carefully picked her way over the two piles of rubble that had previously been walls, her shotgun ready. Behind her came Preston, sweeping corners in a practiced manner. "Just making sure nothing happened. You know we're supposed to be sticking together." Her tone was playfully chiding, even though her eyes betrayed a startling level of concern.

  "Figured I should grab the opportunity by the throat." Danse answered after a moment of silent contemplation. 

  To his credit, Preston did attempt to keep his laughter under control. Vega grinned at her snickering lieutenant, patting his shoulder and then squinting at Danse. "You better watch it, Paladin. I'll have you written up for bullheaded heroics or something."

  "A fate worse than death." Danse replied dryly. "Though I'm afraid your report would fall on deaf ears."

  "Too true. You would probably be promoted to...double paladin, or whatever the next rank is for you." 

  "Knight sergeant."

  "What?! But paladin sounds way cooler!" Backhand protested indignantly while Preston started laughing all over again. "The whole point of moving up in the chain of command is to get a better name! Even I know that." She teased.

  Danse felt like he was back on the Prydwen attempting to educate a mess hall full of squires. "Well, I could be promoted to star paladin. But that's very unlikely." He explained. "They are exceptionally rare, akin to sentinels."

  " Star paladin?" Backhand looked like she was about to burst with curiosity. 

  "Yes. They are paladins who have been specially recognized for their dedication or ferocity in battle." 

  "Uh General, not to cut this short, but-" Preston began hurriedly, rechecking the levels on his undoubtedly finicky musket. 

  "Right, yeah, job to do." 

  Danse finally swung his rifle around, doing a quick run-through of all the switches before he turned on the tact-light, beautifully illuminating the dust his demolition-style entry had stirred up. 

  He proceeded deeper into the facility, purposely taking point despite his unarmored head. Preston flanked him on the left while Backhand walked drag, their footsteps all but silent in the wake of the larger man's sabatons. "Remain vigilant." Danse cautioned.

  "D'you think there's anything else in here?" Preston whispered, "I feel like they would have come for us."

  "I've actually been in here before, last time the basement was flooded and there were mirelurks," Backhand muttered. "I was doing a favor for those 'bots at Graygarden."

  "No rest for the wicked when it comes to you, eh General?" Preston quipped.

  "Listen, I feel like making friends with the agriculturally-inclined robots is definitely a good strategy." She reasoned. "After all, they can work around the clock and everything!"

  Danse hushed the two of them, leading with the barrel of his rifle. The tact-light flickered as he continued their sweep, ears open for any signs of hostiles. 

  ...

  Backhand tapped at the compass of her Pip Boy, scrolling the compass display a full three hundred and sixty degrees. Her scroll jerked to a halt when two red ticks appeared, ahead and to the right.

  "Bogey at two o'clock." She whispered. Danse nodded grimly and Preston flipped the crank over to prime his musket. 

  Now Backhand could actually hear sounds, an odd snuffling and scraping noise. A hound, maybe?

  Danse clearly heard it as well, the man advancing into the next room and sweeping the corners with his rail-mounted flashlight.

  Something skittered by just outside the light, vanishing into a gap in the crumbling wall. Danse wordlessly stormed forward and with one brutal motion he rammed his gauntlet through the plaster and heaved out--

  A child?

  The paladin froze, one large metal hand wrapped around the leg of the waif he had just forcibly extracted. The little boy screamed and flailed in Danse's hold, tiny fists beating a tattoo on the gauntlet that suspended him upside down in midair. He was filthy , clad in a dingy pair of overalls. He had a cut over his right eye, possibly from Danse's speedy removal.

  For the barest, heartbreaking second, Backhand thought that it was Shaun. But no, no, she was imagining things. 

  "Whoa, easy there." She breathed, trying to get her heart to stop hammering. Danse still hadn't moved. "Hey, hey hey, look at me." She caught one of the child's arms, easily dodging the bite he aimed at her hand. " Easy big fella', we aren't going to hurt you." Backhand soothed, "you're okay. Were you hiding from the muties?"

  "Big d-d-dog tried t-to eat m-m-me." The little boy hiccupped, changing his tune instantly and clinging to her arm as Danse carefully, carefully set him down. "H-Hid in the wall. M-My mama, she told me not t-to wander off, b-b-but it got dark and I g-got lost." he sobbed, rubbing his eyes. 

  Backhand reached into her satchel and pulled out Sergeant Cathan's 'lucky' bandanna. With gentle precision she wrapped it around the little boy's hand, knotting it at his wrist. "I need you to do me a favor, okay?" She asked seriously. "I need you to hold onto this bandanna for me. It's lucky, but only if you're holding it super tight. Can you make sure we stay lucky?"

  The child frowned after a moment, sniffling and then gripping down on the bandanna. Backhand heaved a mental sigh of relief, thankful that the distraction tactic had worked. Sometimes she couldn't get her target to buy into the grift; it was always a gamble. Sergeant Cathan had taught her (long ago and far away now) the benefits of implication, suggestion and placebo effects on survivors. She had carried the 'lucky' bandanna since her honorable discharge, it being one of the few possessions she had refused to relinquish even while being sealed in cryogenic stasis. It made her feel a little warm inside to be able to use it's so-called powers for good once more.

  " It doesn't have to be real. It doesn't have to be lucky, or important, or special in any way ." The sergeant had informed her when he explained the trick of distraction. " All it needs is belief, Backhand. That's it. If you can get them to believe in it, the hard part is already over ." 

  "Okay kiddo, how about we bring you back outside?" Preston cajoled gently with a smile. "You want something to eat?" The little boy nodded furiously, his eyes wide in the glow of Danse's rail-light. "Alright, take my hand. You're gonna' be just fine." 

  A loud howl echoed down the hallway and Danse jerked to attention, his rifle snapping upwards. "Go, get out!" He demanded Preston, "pick up the child and go! Knight Vega, on my six, now! " He barked.

  Backhand thanked God that Preston was the type to help first and ask questions later, the young man easily scooping the little boy up in his arms and ducking out in the direction of the foyer. Danse shone his light back down the hallway, illuminating a hound so old its green skin had gone gunmetal gray. It sampled the air and bayed hoarsely, milky eyes staring ahead. It was ancient, obviously blind, possibly deaf-

  Danse pulled his trigger once, and then a second time for good measure. Backhand noticed that his hands were shaking as he straightened up. He strode forward to the end of the hall, shoving the dog's body aside without so much as looking at it.

  Backhand looked down at her compass, scrolling it this way and that. But it was empty, no signatures reading on it whatsoever. "Paladin, I think that's it." She said, holding her arm up so he could see her use the compass.

  Danse nodded in an absent manner, still looking down the hall and running his light over the walls around him. 

  "We should get back outside. Make sure Preston and that kiddo are okay." Backhand suggested gently.

  "I could have killed that child."

  Ah . Backhand understood why his hands were trembling now. She let him carry on with his double-check, giving him the time he needed to decide whether he would say more.

  "I...I could have…" Backhand heard him swallow, the noise loud in the silence. " Christ , Vega. I'm not setting a very good example for you, am I. We were almost killed by a behemoth due to my own inattention, I had to jettison my power armor, my helmet is unsalvageable , and I very nearly slaughtered a lost child."

  "It's been a hell of a shakedown campaign." Backhand agreed, pushing the glasses up on her nose. "Imagine the trouble we could get into if we keep sticking together." 

  Danse's laughter was a grim bark of a noise, the paladin nodding his head ruefully. "Just imagine. If I keep up my trajectory, the Commonwealth will be in flames by tomorrow morning."

  Backhand placed a wary hand on his gauntlet, fingers grazing the worn red-orange paint that denoted his rank. " Or it'll be a better place." She reasoned, patting his arm and turning on her heel. "Now, c'mon. We've got a little one to return to his parents." She urged, waving the paladin on.

  Preston had made it safely outside, the man still cradling the child as Backhand emerged from the double doors onto the front steps of the establishment. He raised his brows in question. 

  "There was an old hound, probably too old to hunt anymore. Blind." Backhand explained, sliding her satchel around and digging through it until her fingers brushed the plastic-wrapped snack. "Ah, here we go. You must be hungry, right slugger?" She asked the little boy, extracting the snack cake from her bag and waving it to catch his attention. "How about you munch on this until we get back to Oberland, and then my friend Preston will see about finding your parents. That sound good to you?"

  The boy nodded, still sniffling but eagerly accepting the pre-war confection. 

  "You still got that bandanna? I know you must have held onto it real tight, because that hound didn't even know we were there!" Backhand praised with a grin, thrilled when the child gave her a weak smile in return.

  Danse emerged from the building, towering over the trio in his armor. "It seems that beast was the last holdout." He said finally, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "Have you checked the child for injuries?"

  The cut over the little boy's eye had already stopped bleeding, and aside from a few minor scrapes and bruises he appeared to be fine. Obviously his largest issues were being lost and hungry. Preston continued to hold the child while Backhand cleaned the dried blood off his forehead, well aware of the eyes trained on her. "There. You'll be just fine." She assured the boy, barely resisting the urge to kiss the bandage and instead kissing her fingertips to press against the bandage. After all, she wasn't this kid's mom. 

  "A-Are you the Minutemen?" The little boy asked after a moment of hesitation. "My papa said you guys help people."

  "We are! Good guess." Preston praised, adjusting his hold on the kid so he could tip his hat. " There at a minute's notice , or that's the idea anyway." 

  "Let's move out. The sooner we get to Oberland, the sooner you can broadcast your APB on him." Vega adjusted her satchel and began carefully picking her way back through the flooded area, boots sloshing in the water. "What's your name, wall boy?"

  "Matt." The child replied through a mouthful of cake. "Mat'ew Amadeus O'Brian."

  Backhand blinked, a little stunned at the elaborate name that the kid had rattled off. "Well, Matthew Amadeus O'Brian , my name is Elizabeth Backhand Vega, and the nice man being your legs right now is Preston Garvey." She hooked a thumb over her shoulder, indicating the silent paladin who was bringing up the rear of their little party. "The big one is Paladin Danse."

  "He's big," Matt repeated, watching the paladin narrowly before tacking on, "An' scary ."

  "He's not really scary, but it's easy to think that." Backhand could almost feel Danse growing more and more tense. "He's sorry for surprising you earlier, I promise!" 

  Matt's eyes stayed suspiciously squinted at the paladin, the little boy continuing to inhale the snack cake. "Are you sure? " He asked in a stage whisper. "'Cuz he looks angry. Like how my papa looks when he says I'm bein' too os'servant ."

  Preston snickered at that. "You must be real observant then, if your folks are scolding you for it."

  Matt puffed out his chest a bit, stating proudly that, "My mama says I've got good eyes and nothin' between them. Then, she laughs."

  Danse made a choking noise, the large man obviously attempting to stifle his mirth. "Your mother sounds immensely charitable." He remarked, a faint smile playing across his mouth.

  The little boy looked befuddled for a moment, pursing his lips. "I 'unno what that means, but I love my mama. So that better not be somethin' nasty." Clearly, the child had recovered some of his original pep, no doubt aided by the copious amounts of sugar in that snack cake. "Otherwise I'll kick your butt." 

  "Whoa now, language." Preston chided gently.

  "He started it!" Matthew protested, "callin' my mama some...carrot, carrotible ."

  " Charitable . It means good, kind. Even when you don't have to be." Backhand laughed as she explained, watching the realization dawn on the kid.

  "Oh. Okay then. That's fine." The child allowed, "as long as it's nothin' bad."

  ...

  Danse wiped the sweat from his brow, hammering the last nail into place. There . With the metal scrap and lumber they had salvaged from the area surrounding the station, Danse actually managed to cobble together a half perimeter fence that was a bit more fortified than the old chain link lining the once-uniform garden. It wasn't anything incredible , but it wouldn't fall over at the next stiff breeze. 

  Upon their arrival, Knight Vega had sat Matt down by the old pump out front of the station and carefully scrubbed the rest of the child's face clean. The boy somehow managed to keep up a constant stream of chatter even as he was being scoured to within an inch of his life. Danse knew he ought to find it irritating, as his entire military career he had been taught that squires should be seen and not heard, but instead he found it oddly endearing. 

  Preston had eventually managed to raise the Castle (or rather, Fort Independence), the Minuteman relaying the information that they had acquired a precocious young man by the name of Matthew Amadeus O'Brian. 

  Preston and Backhand had kept busy in the aforementioned garden for most of the day, tearing up weeds and tilling the soil. The two had an easy rapport, going back and forth on a variety of topics. Matt occasionally chimed in around a mouthful of almost gone-by tato, the child more than eager to assist in the stripping and demolishing of the plants.

  Danse had half-listened to their chatter while he engaged wholeheartedly in building the defenses up as best as he could, wanting desperately to make himself useful even as he soaked up the conversation. Agriculture had never been his strong suit. Coming from the Capital Wasteland, he was incredibly leery of any produce borne of the radiation-rich soil. He certainly didn't eat any of it without properly preparing it. This led to less adventurous but also less dangerous meals, the vegetables usually gray and tasteless from their time in the pot of his mess kit.

  Danse took a step back to admire his handiwork. It had been too long since he was able to actually devote the time to a task that it required, instead of just smashing resources together and hoping they held. He knew it was technically a fence made out of the refuse of the area, nothing to be proud of, but he relished the opportunity to craft something useful.

  He heard a low whistle from behind him and realized that Preston was looking up at the fortifications, a massive grin on his face. "Damn, we could have used you at the Castle!" The Minuteman commented, clapping a hand on Danse's shoulder. "You got the place squared away in half the time, color me impressed."

  "Being able to find or create a defensible position is a necessary skill for field ops. You never know when you may need to bivouac in less than hospitable territory." Danse knew he must sound unbearably stiff, and he grimaced inwardly at his casual usage of the word bivouac . That had been something from Cutler's verbiage. "This wall should function optimally, but it can always be improved upon."

  "I appreciate it. The Minutemen thank you for your assistance." Preston said warmly, his hand squeezing Danse's shoulder gently before he turned back towards the garden. "General, we should probably break for dinner! I know you two will be leavin' early tomorrow, wouldn't want you to be overtired." He called to Backhand, who tossed him a thumbs-up.

  Danse opened his mouth, hesitated, and then carefully stated, "if we stay another day, I may be able to erect something for the lower side of the hill. It won't be as tall as this, but as it's the lower hillside, inhabitants will have a better chance of spotting the enemy and preparing."

  Preston's eyebrows shot up. "You'd do that for us? I'd be incredibly grateful, I'll be honest. We're spread so thin, I'm probably only going to have one armed individual to assign to this outpost. Whatever help you can give-"

  "Only one?" Danse looked at the copious tilled soil, his brow furrowed in thought. "You may have too many resources here for you to defend them with just one gun and a wall of scrap, Lieutenant Garvey."

  "At the moment, the only resource is the water pump. I'm hopin' by the time the crops pop, we'll be a little fatter in our ranks. If not, well, I'm always up for extra field duty." Preston drew a finger along the brim of his large hat, sighing. "Nobody said it would be easy, y'know?"

  Danse nodded. He knew overwell the disproportionate work load that a commander must shoulder in exchange for the safety and stability of their regiment.

  After a hearty supper of some of the remaining tatos (safely over-stewed to within an inch of their lives), canned beans and fresh-last-week bread that Preston had brought with him, Danse took up his post along the defenses he had built. His armor creaked a little louder than normal, but he supposed that was to be expected after the beating it had taken.

  Backhand had been quiet during their dinner. He assumed she was simply tired. He could hardly blame her; it had been a very eventful few days. 

  Danse bit his lip. He knew he ought to be rushing back to the Prydwen, but he felt an odd sense of responsibility for this new development. After all , he reasoned, what better way to win hearts and minds for the Brotherhood? Showing that they were benevolent, willing to work with existing factions regardless of their differences…

  Well, at least Danse was at any rate. And with a little luck, his obviously-high rank would convince the battered survivors of post-apocalyptic New England that the whole of the Brotherhood was here to help.

  Possibly in spite of Maxson's lofty aspirations for wiping out the Institute. What good was it to remove the proverbial boogeyman of the Commonwealth if the Brotherhood's resources were stripped from the campaign? The more prudent option would be to gain the trust of the locals, and then press them for support should the need arise. 

  That was all he was doing. Gaining the trust of the locals.

  He glanced up at the light that wavered in the window of the towering station. He could imagine Knight Vega tucking the little boy in, maybe pressing a kiss to his forehead…

  Danse's heart ached. She had lost her son, he recalled, though she hadn't said how . He couldn't even begin to imagine the agony of losing a child. Losing Cutler was devastating enough.

  When Vega came out to relieve him at two hundred hours, Danse noted that she still looked worn. Her eyes were puffy, like she had been crying. "Tell me about what happened to your son, Knight." He requested quietly. 

  "That's...it's kind of a long story, Paladin." She tried to brush him off, fiddling with her combat armor straps. "You should sleep."

  "That's an order, Knight."

  Vega hiccupped, her sob rattling Danse's composure. "The Institute. They...they ripped him right out of my arms in the Vault." She whispered. "The stasis was put on hold, somehow , and they just...they took him. The next thing I knew, I was waking up alone." She stared at the ground. "I know it was the Institute. I know there's a way in. But I don't know...God, Danse, what if he's dead? " She asked helplessly.

  Even though he hadn’t known, Danse still felt like a bastard for making her relive that horror. She had been so sure before, so certain that her child was alive. But now for whatever reason, she was entertaining the alternative and Danse was lost . What the hell could he even say?

  "You didn't let me give up on Paladin Brandis." He pointed out. "So I'm not letting you give up on your son."

  "Is that an order, sir?"

  "A promise , Knight, not an order." Danse saluted her sharply, his gauntlet clattering on his breastplate. "As a Brotherhood of Steel paladin, I swear to you that I will do all I can to help uncover the truth of what happened to your son. And for as long as feasibly possible, we will operate under the assumption that he is alive and well. If we give in to despair, then they've already won."

  Backhand looked up at him, her expression distraught. Danse didn't expect her to wrap her arms around his armor, the woman barely able to reach past his sides due to the bulky frame. She tucked her face against the handles on his breastplate and Danse was terrified of making the wrong move. So he stayed still, one massive gauntlet eventually moving forward to cautiously rest on her back. 

  "We will find him." He assured her softly. "I promise."

Part Seven