Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The guard couldn’t help but to leave his post and peek in through half open door. The rummaging and noise caught his attention a long time ago but only now he dared to see what was all the racked that came from the living room. First off he saw the vault dweller. With his back facing the guard the man watched as the ghoulish boss searched through the drawers and shelfs looking for something. Next to the man sat a strong and well-trained variegated dog, following the movements of the ghoul-man too.

“Ah, found it! Here ya go, Eli!” he finally announced and handed over a weird hand-sized device to the vault dweller. “The Molecular Whatchamacallit. Took a while to even find a guy who even heard of that thing.”

“Thanks, Hancock”, the man said turning the device around inspecting it. He looked a little pondering. “Well, not sure if this is what Sturges wants but we’ll see. Thanks anyways. Would had took ages without you.”

“Heh, you bet!” he laughed amused how true his sentence was in the end. “So… About the payment.” he asked just slightly more serious and deeper, like a true dealer would.

“I’ll get it for you when I have enough.”

“You sure? You know, there are other alternatives for payment available as well. Another community service for the Mayor, maybe?”

True to himself. First butter them up with being nice and warm, then drop the bomb to pressure. After that offer easier and “better” solution. However, it did not work with this one.

“If you’re talking about one more costume scheme, no thanks! One was enough!” the man said strictly.

“Heh! Thought you were all ‘bout Justice and all that shit.”

“You want to clear town from rule-breakers, so do it yourself. You know your way around being costume-freak already.”

The sentence that should had been a great insult only amused the ghoul in – honestly – freakish costume of his own.

“Well, that still makes two of us, brother. But seriously, sure you’re not interested to try? Maybe another one? Grognak the Barbarian? Master of Mystery?”

“Yeah, with you being Mister Abominable! Seriously, you’re just impossible, viejo pervertido!” he said annoyed, as the ghoul was finally getting the best of him, since he was now name-calling in his own language.

So bold, so straight-forward, even rude. Where did this man find such courage to screw with town’s most dangerous man like Hancock himself, the guard though, awestruck by such presentation. The vault dweller turned around facing the door, where the guard could see him. The guard fell into deep admiration. The man looked absolutely amazing, like always. Despite a few bruises or hints of dirt, his face was flawless. He was unlike any other citizen of Commonwealth who had to face struggles and ruthless of the nowadays world. Whatever world he came from, he never had to see a day of starvation, violence or hard work.

While putting away the device into his backpack he asked Hancock. “Say, what about the… uh…” he pulled from the pocket of his army coat a notepad. “BST Capsule of 10X300 Enhancement and Military Circuit Board, Model 402?” From the monotone tone the vault dweller sounded to be just as clueless of these items as the one he was ordering them from.

“BST Capsule… BST… Ah yes! I got it! Must be somewhere in my quarters!”

The man looked at the ghoul with a blunt expression. “Don’t tell me you lost it.”

“Wha, me? Why would I, Eli?”

“Because otherwise you would had handed it over along with this first part, you loony.”

The guard’s heard jumped to his throat. No one in their right mind would call Boss “loony”. Specially not straight towards his face.

“Whoa now… I’m sure I got it in some locker. Just stand still! It’ll be but a sec.”

The sound of approaching bootsteps forced the guard back to his post next to the doors. Right before the doors opened in and hasty ghoul showed up, the guard stood straight and firm just in time, his gun up to chest-level. However, his boss did notice something off when he walked pass over him and gave him a suspicious and very cold look. The black eyes behind the narrow stare froze the guard’s feet and sweat that slid down his neck.

“Stay put, Ed”, he said simply, with a deep and chilling tone.

“Y-Yes, sir”, the guard, Edoardo replied, failing to sound convincing. Only when the fearsome ghoul disappeared into another room, he dared to breath out.

Keeping the post and gun down but ready for any sudden disturbance, Edoardo peeked inside the living room, door wide open for the view inside. The man, Eli, or more formally Elias, was sitting on the couch with one arm resting on the back of the furniture, waiting. The dog sat next to him, turning its head only once when it heard the guard. Recognizing the familiar smell and look it turned back to its master. He hummed a very short tune, then wondered around with his gaze. Eventually he stopped at the curious guard next to doors. Elias gave him a little smile.

Edoardo returned it awkwardly, him turning away to look at something else. Well, that went well.

Soon though Elias’ gaze returned and he asked.

“Is he always this scatterbrained?” Elias asked.

Edoardo had a pause before he dared to say anything.

“Not when he’s sober.”

A chuckle escaped man’s mouth, which made the guard smile.

“Just yesterday, he had his coat backwards after night out. Only realized it when he couldn’t find his lighter from inner pocket.”

That caused a good laughter from both of them.

“That’s nothing. You should had seen him a week ago in Castle. Though we jumped back in time with all the Minutemen around him.”

Another round of laughter, this time, much joyful.

“The name is Edoardo.”

“Elias.”

“I know.”

The man lifted an eyebrow. “You do?”

The guard got a little embarrassed. “Yeah, I mean… I’ve heard your talk with Boss. For a while now.”

“Oh. Well… I see.” The silence put some pressure between the two, until the man spoke again. “I mean, being guard and all. In fact… Are you a Triggerman?” he asked studying the guard and his clean and elegant attire very closely.

“Yes, I am”, he answered, a little pride rising within him as he fixed his fedora, the essential part of his outfit.

“I thought you guys were all ghouls.”

“Well, uh… Not all… My Great-Great Grand-Pap is a Triggerman. All of my male family members are. Triggermen, I mean. But, not ghouls, no.”

“I see. Hmm… Then less likely none of the ones I’ve “dealt with” were your family. I hope.”

“Heh, so do I.”

Another pause accrued. A simple question broke it that has been bothering the guard. “Say, speaking of ghouls… Was it true what happened in that weird school you and Boss visited? Why did the ghouls turn all pink anyways?”

Well now, that was an event of almost two years in age. Was this guard really holding in to ask this long?

After a while many incidences got solved when Elias opened the whole story for the curious guard, who only got to listen parts of them from here and there. Needless to say, Edoardo was intrigued by the adventures Elias had experienced. Solving the secrets of the Longneck Lukowski's Cannery, too-friendly town of Covenant, mysterious mines of Dunwich Borers and fighting all sorts of beasts from fearsome ferals to ginormous Mirelurk Queens. Sometimes he would have Boss accompanying him, which ether made the job easier or a lot more troublesome, seeing how the ghoul was brave, risk-taking fighter, but impulsive trouble-seeker and lousy survivalist. Not an ideal pairing for this man who planned his every attack from afar and at least tried to stay out of trouble, only to find some and fight through it like pissed mosquito-bitten yao guai. Good pair or not, none of the spent day was left dull and boring.

“What about Mr. Winter. How did you manage to get rid of him? Boss said he took his sweet time to clear out his name from his list. Said he was a real trouble.”

“Trouble? Hah, the biggest pain in my business ass!” said the harsh voice right next to Edoardo.

The frozen guard turned his head to see his boss, standing to his side the lost piece of technology in his hand.

“You mind, Ed?” Hancock asked, giving somewhat sinister look and smile.

That smile which could ether be a positive one, but most likely murderous, made the guard move automatically out of the way gluing himself to the wall.

With carefree and positive tone Hancock handed over another piece to Elias. “Here’s the capsule. The other piece is in Wire Wizard’s Workshop. You want to go get it right away?”

Elias let out a tired sigh. “Might as well. Although, I’m hungry right now. Got something to eat?”

“Leftovers in the kitchen. Sure you don’t want dinner partner?” he laughed as the man left the room.

“Not from you, Don Juan!” was his last sentence before the round-stairs took him down to lower floor.

The ghoul left alone let out an amused chuckle and shook his head. Ha threw himself on the cough with his head and both spread arms on top of the back, legs wide open, embraced in the laziest position he could muster.

Edoardo though all was good, until eventually he heard his name being called.

“Hey Ed, won’t you come in here?”

A good guard always knew to be unheard and unnoticeable. So if a boss had to call one, leaving his post, there was trouble about to occur.

“Sit down, man”, Boss said carefree and pointed at the other cough in front of him now with his head up but otherwise unchanged from his current position.

Edoardo obeyed and lowered his gun to his lap. Between the ghoul and the human was only low table with all sort of junk on top. If the guard would face harsh judgement, there was no protection to shield him from it.

“Well, you’ve been nosy lately”, Hancock started with that harsh snake-like hissing in his voice. Already a bad sign. “Told you to stay put yet you still had to go and chat with a guest of mine. What’s your reasoning to disobey?”

“I… I’m sorry, Boss”, Edoardo stuttered like a guilty child. “Just wanted to talk with him…”

Hancock’s gaze lowered and his smile became more sinister.

“You’ve been paying a lot of attention towards him. I’d say more than towards your own job. And not just today. Oh, I’ve seen you oglin’. More than a couple of times. Got something to say to that?”

“I won’t do it again! I promise! You don’t… I beg you…”

A sudden chuckle interrupted the guard’s pleading. Shoulders shaking Hancock leaned with his elbows on his thighs head down, unable to hold his laughter and cool.

“Ha-ha-haa! I can’t… That face of yours! Scrambling for your dear life. Priceless.”

Edoardo was baffled. This man got the nerve to play around with his fears towards him. The jerky bastard!

“Alright, alright, let’s be serious now”, the ghoul said, trying to calm himself, almost getting a tear in his eye. “So, you and Elias. Had a good chat?”

“It’s nothing like that!” Edoardo quickly corrected.

“Relax, Ed”, Hancock chuckled again, still getting some entertainment from young man’s struggling. “Ain’t gonna judge ya, just a little curious. Now be honest: Got a good talk?”

“Y-yes.”

“Had fun talking bad behind your boss’ back? Ghoul ears, remember?” he clarified pointing lazily at his one ear when he saw Edoardo’s questioning look. “What’cha think of him?”

Edoardo actually had to gather his thoughts before he could say a word. “Well, he is… interesting. And nice. And funny. All sorts of things happen to him that are… interesting.”

“Got that all from our conversations? And how long have you been listening?”

This question scared Edoardo the most. He could ether be honest or lie. Ether option had a chance to make himself look bad.

“Two years, sir.”

“That long, huh? You like him?” Hancock asked, actually smiling playfully, like he would with a close friend asking about his relationships.

“Y-yes.”

“Heh, then why the Hell haven’t you made a move yet, man?”

“Well, isn’t he… You know… Isn’t he your guy?”

The ghoul raised the lower part of his forehead where the eyebrows were supposed to grow.

“MY guy? Heh, I wish!” He laughed and leaned back arms crossed chuckling to himself.

“But, the way you two talk…” Edoardo asked, confused.

“Well, I mean, yeah, he does catch my interest, but honestly, with a clean face like that, who wouldn’t get their mouth drooling? But let me tell ya something, Ed. That guy ain’t gonna get near me even if I pay him. Which… Shit, well that sounded worse that it should had”, Hancock rubbed his temple awkwardly. “Which still won’t stop us from having a little more friendly chat than usual once in a while.”

Once in a while? Try all the time. Ether way, it did make sense. The walls of the old State House weren’t that soundproof and during his shifts Edoardo had never heard any inappropriate noises whenever Elias was visiting. At least, any that belonged to him. The Boss, however, he wasn’t too modest to keep it hidden if he happened to get lucky on that night with someone else.

“So it means… he’s…”

“Available like a wild berry to be picked!” Hancock finished for him. “So, lover boy, go for it! He’s all yours. ‘course as long as you play nice with him. The guy’s been through a lot already. Also don’t get too ambitious, he’s not that kind of man to follow home right here and now. In fact, why don’t we make a deal.” Hancock stood up and started to circle around as he started to tell his offer. “I’ll change up your duty. Same hours, same pay. Play a little “personal bodyguard” for him, will you? You go ahead and spend some time with him up close, chat, laugh or whatever. No more standing still like Brit soldier. When free of duty, go home or stay and have fun together. Your call. In return, I’ll forget all your screw-ups and post abandonments to this day. If you guys end up getting along, cool. If not, well… Then not. Sounds good?”

The guard was both intrigued by the fair offer but also a little intimidated by the passive aggressive scolding he thought would had been left unnoticed by now.

“I… I guess…”

“Cool. So, it’s settled! Just need to wait.”

“For what?”

“Hancock!” Elias called out while walking back up the stairs, wiping little crumbs around his mustaches. “You ready to go out for the last piece?”

“Well…” the ghoul thought for a moment, until he grinned and shrugged. “Can’t right now, brother. Just remembered I got a meeting coming up soon.” Before the man could grunt his disappointment, he continued. “But you should go with Ed.” The ghoul slammed his hand against man’s back, making air escape his lungs. “He knows the place and can keep you safe. Also he can make sure that the sneaky dog won’t be asking more caps than it’s actually worth.”

“Are you sure? I mean… I could get MacCready…”

“Busy at the moment with another client”, Hancock clarified, not sure if he was even lying or not. “Don’t worry, Eddy here is one of my best men. He’ll keep you safe. Right, Ed?”

The man was flattered, despite not knowing if the ghoul was just exaggerating or telling truth. Never the less, it seemed to convince the man, who agreed and then walked towards the exit, Edoardo and the loyal German Shepherd following closely behind.

Outside Edoardo dared to stand much closer to Elias on his other side, taking the role of a bodyguard. Sharp, alert and silent bodyguard.

At Wire Wizard’s Workshop, the master of the robotics and specific technology was as smart as he was sneaky, like Hancock warned.

“Military Circuit Board, and not just any board, but the 402th model. Those aren’t easy to come across, mister”, the tech master cockily, which slightly annoyed the stern man he was talking to. “Too many of them busted, even more dusted. I got one in me shelf. Question is, how much do ya offer?”

“As much as was agreed upon, no more”, Elias said firmly.

“Nah, that doesn’t cover the bills I had to pay to get it! Need a bit more, pal. Although,” his eyes narrowed at man’s left arm. “I could exchange it for those.”

The tech master didn’t say ‘that’ which would had implied to Pip-Boy Elias was wearing. The only things that would fit that request would be two simple gold and ruby rings he had on his pinkie and ring finger. Unexpectedly, Elias turned really defensive and he hid his hand behind his back.

“No way! Never!”

“Oh, so they are valuable!” the tech master grinned. “Tell ya what, I’ll put it on my bill and you can come here again for another piece of tech. How’s that sound?”

“Sound like a very dangerous scam”, Edoardo finally voiced out, having enough of the man pushing. “I’d say the Mayor wouldn’t be too happy to hear someone is trying to rob him.”

The colors on sly man’s face paled down.

“After all, he was the one who ordered it. Who do you think is also paying for it?”

After a while of picking the right words, the tech master laughed nervously. “So, what was the number again? I think I got it too high.”

“Thank you for your help, Ed”, Elias thanked Edoardo, carefully rubbing the rings he was almost about to lose.

“No problem at all.” Edoardo said, flattered. He became curious to ask about the rings. His boss had many golden signature rings on all of his fingers but none were as pretty and interesting as these two the man was so protective of.

“These are mine and my wife’s. Or, they were.”

Indeed, one ring was too small for a man to wear properly, fitting only his pinkie. It was lovely small and simple ring with a tiny ruby. The man’s wedding ring however was like a golden, valuable, carved family ring with a flat ruby with the letter G on it.

Edoardo was clever enough to guess it had to be Guerrero, Elias’s last name.

“You still miss her?” the guard asked.

“I do. But it’s been a while. It’s not so bad anymore.”

“She must had been a good woman.”

“She was”, Elias said simply, then continued after the nostalgia took a hold of him. “Sweet and loving… At least whenever she wasn’t at the court. Or when I got my nose stuck in something, whether it was comics like Grognak or TV when the baseball was on.”

Edoardo laughed for a moment, until got confused. “Mio Dio, how can you enjoy such brutality, like Grognak and baseball.”

Elias laughed back. “¡Dios mío! Again, that’s not how baseball was played.”

It was so rare to meet someone new you could tell about your past, specially someone who was so eager to listen. So much had to be told, it actually kept Elias a couple of extra day in Goodneighbor. Even more so when he became interested in invisible, yet so kind guard. They hadn’t had any actual dates, more like coworking, since one was guarding the other. For some reason Hancock’s been insisting that Elias should walk with Edoardo when being outside the State House. The eye-catching vault dweller would be better off to walk with someone to keep the Mayor’s “special guest” safe, and specially entertained when he had one after another a sudden meeting. Eventually, Edoardo was instructed to take Elias somewhere fun. Lacking any decent money at the moment, Hancock was generous enough to lend him a fair number of caps, cutting part of it from his next pay-check.

In Goodneighbor, the word ‘fun’ was very varying and broad-based, especially if the city was prospering on freedom and legal black marketing, as well as lose morals. It was hard to find any decent place you could bring a well-mannered man to, so the guard took his date to a humble tavern for a friendly drink or two.

The evening went smoothly, all the way to late night. It was starting to get chilly so the couple turned from their regular route and headed to Edoardo’s house, not to disturb Mayor’s another supposed meeting. At the guard’s humble and tiny apartment, they continued on with their regular talks, partly drunken Elias trying his best to explain how the community system worked back in his days and how broken it was in the end. Edoardo was eager to hear more, as he moved closer to the man. Although a little tense at first, Elias didn’t mind the sudden closure. In fact, at some point he stopped the rambling, and enjoyed for some time a quiet moment. Quiet and calm, as well as safe with someone.

Eventually, the closure grew more pleasant and warmer with a slow, mutual shared kiss. For a moment, it felt deserved and enjoyable, but for whatever reason, Elias woke up and backed away, breaking the soothing embrace he was about to sink in. Edoardo looked at the man with puzzled look. Elias himself could not feel any more awkward, embarrassed and guilty.

“I’m sorry. I… I can’t.”

Elias dressed up his army coat and hid his face under his hat.

“Please, Elias, don’t go”, Edoardo pleaded, heartbroken and hasty, trying to fix the mistake he wasn’t sure he caused or not.

Elias could not stay. Not after saying no to such good guard.

Busy in his study, dressed in his casuals, John Hancock had a long day with his mayoral duties. It was about time for a brake. Moving aside some papers he pulled a little object from the drawer of his desk.

“What do you say, pooch? One little refreshment before the final touches?” he asked the German Shepherd who was sitting closely by, studying the little aluminum container the ghoul was fiddling in his fingers, hoping for a dog treat. It quickly turned its head when it heard someone approaching.

“Hey Boss, that vault guy is back!” called a guard from behind his door.

“Already?” Hancock asked, putting down the pill pack. Wait, what about Edoardo?

“Yeah, the chap looks beaten up. Don’t know what happened.”

Immediately after hearing that Hancock left his study, not even bothering to pick up his tricorn or wear his red coat.

The man in army jacket looked small and defenseless while sitting on the sofa, leaning back and numb like a ragdoll, covering his face with his wide-brimmed hat. His gaze was fixed on one invisible spot in the distance. However, this couldn’t be because of simple overdose of alcohol.

With one command Hancock ordered others to leave. The nimble canine quickly slipped through the double door when they were about to be closed, joining two only people in the living room. The dog moved to its master and with a little whine caught his attention. The man gave a little scratch to its head.

“Hey, El, what is it, brother?” Hancock asked leaning forward to see man’s face he was trying to hide.

With some effort Elias mustered some words out. “Ed, he…”

The ghoul suddenly narrowed his eyes, looking very threatening. “What did he do?” he asked with a very deep and rash voice, which startled even Elias.

“He didn’t do nothing!” Elias tried to explain, afraid of the ghoul getting the wrong idea. “It just… It just didn’t work.”

Hancock was a little relieved, and he breathed out, speaking only a little more softly. “He could had at least escort you back here. You could had gotten mugged. Or…”

“Might as well”, Elias growled harshly, crossing his arms to his chest. “He was so nice and I… I just couldn’t. I’m still stuck”, while saying the last part Elias stroke the smooth ruby on his pinkie.

Hancock carefully rested his hand on his crossed arm, making sure he was okay with his touch, before he spoke. “I feel you, Elias. It’s still too fresh in your mind.”

“But it’s been almost three years now”, he argued, trying to convince himself as well.

“And you have no hurry. Specially now when you got other things to worry about. After all, you might soon finally get your son back, right?”

Elias thought for a moment, then breathed out. “You’re right. Just… Just few more parts.”

“I’ll help the best I can, you know it. Now, you better sleep this day away.”

After making sure Elias got a proper place to sleep, as well as proper guard to watch over him, Hancock could get back to his work, skipping his brake. It’s not like it would feel any better after witnessing the poor state of his friend.

“Sorry, Boss. May I speak to you, real’ quick?” asked some guard at the door.

“Sure, brother. Come in”, Hancock replied, reading through some lines before turning his attention to the other man.

“So, the whole thing with Eddy. Didn’t work out, did it?” the man asked, rather cockily.

“No. What ‘bout it?”

“Well, I was thinking. Since Eddy blew his chance, maybe I could give it a try with that guy.”

Hancock stayed motionless for a moment before he calmly said. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I suggest you not even try.”

“Come on now! I’ve always had a thing for exotic men!” he explained leaning on the desk with his one hand. “Can’t get any more exotic than a vault dweller with such sturdy form and tanned face of a stud…”

“I said don’t even try”, Hancock replied, just as emotionlessly.

“Surely I could get him down in one da… AAH!”

A loud yell of pain sounded in the study, calling Mayor’s bodyguard to investigate the racket. What the well-build woman saw right after entering the room was guard on his knees, crying and wailing while holding his bleeding hand. At the desk her boss was sitting calmly and with propriety, studying his papers. On the desk there was stuck a bloody knife, with a cut finger right next to it.

“I think I’ve heard enough. If any conflicts occur between two of you, that ain’t gonna be the only part you’ll be losing, you feel me? You can return to your post now”, the Mayor said formally.

The guard left right away. The bodyguard stepped in, hands on her waist accusingly.

“You sure take good care of your mates, Hancock.”

“I do take good care of friends, Fahrenheit”, Hancock explained.

“What, just friends? You’re not even gonna try? Should be easy for you”, the ginger woman said mockingly, laughing at a thought that there was someone outmatching the famous mayor.

“Good guy like him doesn’t deserve a man like me ether”, the ghoul said simply, closing the theme for good.

Chapter Text

“Can’t believe you managed to talk me into this. I’m not sure if I want to deal with those metal clowns”, MacCready complained over Hancock shoulder.

“I wasn’t doing the talking, the caps did”, the ghoul laughed while steering, giving a light elbow nudge to the little man right behind him.

The two travelers have been riding for many hours now, stopping only once midway, letting the bald horse rest for carrying her dead-looking owner and short, grumpy merc who was not used to riding, let alone on something that looked like it jumped out of a comic book with zombies and other necrotic beasts that brought nightmares.

Eventually the ride was over when the two arrived to a big stone wall, which surrounded a huge area within it. At the door stood a soldier in power armor. By the logo on his chest, it was a one of them Steel Brothers.

“Halt! You are intruding a private area! Identify yourselves!” the robotic voice said as the armored man spoke.

“The Zombie King and the Rat-Man! Got the last piece for your science project. Move aside, tin soldier”, Hancock said in a carefree voice, having no patience for army nonsense.

“You’re not getting far with attitude like that, freak. Now move along!” the soldier said, raising his weapon.

“Knight, lower your weapon!” yelled a female voice.

Another Brotherhood soldier was seen on top of the wall, looking down at the newcomers.

“They have a permission the enter. Open the doors!”

The metal double door opened. The new visitors walked in, right under the sign that said: “Welcome to Covenant.”

What once was one of the best secured and barricaded settlements that got eradicated by raiders, was now a real tech center. With the help of the most brilliant minds of whole Commonwealth and the supervision of both Brotherhood and Minutemen – mostly Brotherhood, though – the secret project they conducted was almost complete.

Once inside, the ghoul and the merc were greeted by the familiar soldier, who let them in.

“Well, long time no see, Big Girl”, Hancock said, saluting with his two fingers on the tip of his hat.

“It’s Knight Sargent Arin”, the massive woman in steel corrected. “Now, are you, here to deliver the components for the device?” she asked getting back to subject.

After she was shown the piece of suspiciously complicated piece of technology, she asked where it was obtained from.

“From the black market, where else?” the ghoul replied directly.

The Mayor had no reason to hide it. After all, it’s not like even the Brotherhood could interfere with the wide web of more or less shady businesses that ran in his chaotic town, to which he had the best access to.

Hesitantly, Knight Sargent Arin let the two pass. “Mr Guerrero is over there. Give the piece to him.”

“Thanks. At ease, Big Girl”, Hancock smiled pleased, saluting once again.

While walking, the merc took a note on his new surroundings.

“Eggheads, steelheads, minuteheads… Oh brother. At least no more of those sh… shady smileys they had here before”, MacCready said while looking around.

“I guess we all know who to thank for that”, Hancock laughed. “Speaking of which…” he said as he found the scapegoat.

Like a sore thumb, the man in bright blue vault pants was easily spotted, talking under a shelter with some mechanic, who was pointing at buttons on a big, blue console.

Soon enough the man spotted the person in bright red as well.

“Hancock! How… What brought you here?” Elias greeted surprised but cheerfully.

“What, you think I was going to miss all the interesting shit? Here ya go,brother”, the ghoul said as he handed over a big piece of technology from his backpack, which Elias gave to the mechanic.

“Hey there, El!” MacCready saluted.

“Robert, you came as well?” After spotting the more camouflaged tiny man, Elias embraced him, lifting the smaller man in the air, shortly backing away as the smell of dust and old rags stung his nose.

“Had to, since that big, red eyesore needed someone to cover his ass… back on his journey. Quite literally, might I add”, the merc explained sarcastically.

“Well, I guess the more the merrier”, a female voice said, with sassy pompousness.

“Piper! Here to write history?” MacCready joked, almost not expecting to see the troublemaking reporter.

“Oh, you bet. Can you believe it? It’s almost ready! Someone is gonna expose the Institute! Finally! It has to be witnessed first-hand.”

“Wait, it’s almost ready?” the merc asked.

“Yeah. That piece you brought: Last one! Just need to plug it in and it’s on!” Piper explained enthusiastically.

“Is she serious?” MacCready asked Elias.

“Well, yeah. This is it. It’s today.”

“And who’s to thank for it?” Hancock asked crossing his hands to his puffed-up chest.

 “You and your shady connections. We know”, Elias said annoyed. “And yes, I will pay up as soon as possible.”

“Well, like I said, caps ain’t the only thing I’m willing to accept. Mayor's sheets are always comfy”, he smiled with that smug, sly smile.

“Screw… you… Don Juan.”

It took a while, but eventually, like promised, it was all ready.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you… The Beamer!” Sturges announced victoriously.

“And I said Tinker-Porter!” Tinker Tom corrected irritated for the glory that got stolen for most of his work.

The massive three-legged satellite tower was indeed a sight to admire. Not too shabby with its appearance, it at least looked sturdy and steady enough to do its supposed job, which was to infiltrate inside the Institute. The question was though: Does it work?

“So now… Who’s up to be the test jackalope?” Sturges asked, looking over every present Minuteman, Brotherhood soldier and undercover Railroad agent, as well as the four bystanders.

“Out of question!” Knight Sargent Arin announced. “We are not performing human testing, until it’s verified that it’s not lethal!”

“Well how do we verify it if we can’t have humans for testing?” Sturges asked, tilting his head at duly Brotherhood soldier.

The Knight Sargent looked at Elias and three of his companions.

“Hey now!” the ghoulish mayor quickly protested.

“No, no. Lucky for you, you used to be a human. That one!” Arin said and pointed down next to Elias, right at the loyal, happily panting dog.

Dogmeat started to whine as soon as the machine above it woke up and started to make weird noises and zap lightning all around it.

“Stay, Dogmeat, stay!” Elias ordered begrudgingly, hating the whole idea of possibly sacrificing his best animal companion he ever got. However sadly, it was ether the dog, or someone even closer of his human and ghoul friends.

“Okay, almost there! Hold still!” Sturges yelled through all the noise and beaming, as he prepared the first launch. “And… Go!”

A giant flash shined, forcing everyone to look away due to its brightness. Once the light dimmed out, everyone gasped. The canine was gone.

Elias gasped and covered his mouth with his hand.

“Easy, Blue. It must had worked and now Dogmeat is inside the Institute… Hopefully”, Piper tried to reassure him.

“Maybe he just got scared and ran off”, MacCready suggested more realistically, and started to whistle, hoping to call the dog back.

“Must be one Hell of a sight for those Institute people to have a dog appear out of nowhere”, Hancock pondered. “Which gets me thinkin’: How do we get the pooch back?”

“No worries!” Sturges calmed the others. “I’ve calculated the coordinates it was sent to. Let’s wait for this beauty to cool down, then we can call our little buddy back. Let’s just hope no pieces got lost, though.”

After the cooldown, the machine started to zap and sizzle once again. Everyone held their breath. Another bright light. Once it dimmed, a dog appeared under the machine. Lost-looking, but alive and well.

“Dogmeat! Here, boy!” Elias called after which he kneeled and hugged the fluffy animal with relief. During the warm embrace, he heard crumbling. Looking closely, Elias noticed something hidden under the blue scarf Dogmeat was wearing. A piece of paper. “What’s that, boy?” He pulled out the paper.

After opening it, Elias read the simple sentence that was written on it.

Come and meet your son, father.

Elias looked at those six words Institute send him with big round eyes. He sneered, crumpling the fabric under his firm fist, like he just got mocked.

“The device seems fit enough!” Arin yelled in the background. “Send the message to Elder Maxson and General Garvey. We will move out as soon as we get the following instructions.”

Meanwhile, Elias headed towards the devise and stood right underneath it. “Fire it up, Sturges.”

“Guerrero, get away from there!” Arin ordered, worried for the safety of the man.

“The devise works, so it’s best to use it while we still can. Before the Institute finds out and tries to stop us!” Elias explained.

“Blue, don’t be too speedy! Let’s think this through”, Piper said trying to rationalize with him.

“Wow, El, you’re not going to let that thing rip you apart and then put you back together, are you?” MacCready questioned.

“Elias, just wait!” Hancock told with concern, worried for the man. “I know you are eager, but don’t let them play you in.”

“This is it, John”, Elias explained, getting more familiar with the man. “I’m going to get my son back. I won’t wait any longer. I won’t let them take him away any further.”

Fighting back the sense of protection, Hancock stood back. Indeed, this was it. This was Elias’ personal task to complete. His alone.

“Guerrero, are you sure you want to go through this?” Arin asked. Although reluctant to disobey her superior’s orders, the alternative the vault dweller suggested did make more sense, sadly.

“Yes, Knight Sargent. I promise to figure out what I can, then come back. Give me six hours at best. If I won’t be back, well… Consider I’m late”, he added, trying to appear just a little positive.

“Roger. Prepare the next launch!”

“Already on it!” Sturges told. “Hold still! Scanning… Tracing… Got it! Hold on to your butt!”

Zaps and loud clanks. Another bright light. And with that Elias was gone.

“Holy… Shit”, MacCready cursed, unable to hold back as he stared at empty space under smoking machine.

“Blue…” Piper whispered through her fingers.

Hancock was speechless. With just one flash his friend was gone.

“Care for Deezer’s Lemonade! Best served for any day when you are feeling blue.”

“How ‘bout serving some bullets for your bolthead when I’m feeling pissed off!” MacCready hissed at the annoying robot, the one thing the merc wished for Brotherhood to take away.

The six hours felt more like six days. It was supposed to be at best, not at least!

The anxiousness seemed to bite everyone within the walls of Covenant. Even while occupied with duties or chores, the soldiers, Railroad agents and Minutemen were inpatient to see the return of the one who got to see the Institute itself. At worst though it affected the ones who were the closest to the person gone missing. MacCready and Piper tried to occupy themselves with some little tasks, like fixing guns or writing a report. Hancock took it the hardest. He could hardly stay still, tapping his leg constantly, whether he was standing or sitting, or hitting his fingers against any surface, no matter if it was a table, wall or his own leg. Hancock could hardly do any tasks, not being able to think of anything else but what would be the worst outcome of entering the nest of misfortune. Taking a walk or circling around the device didn’t help ether. For a moment he managed to entertain himself by throwing around his knife without letting it hit his head, or by having a staring contest with a black curious crow, which eyed at him with its similar oily eyes. That got boring pretty quickly though. Maybe it was just the withdrawal symptoms. After all, Hancock hasn’t taken his daily dose yet. However, he didn’t wish to take it before he was sure Elias returned safely back. It would just be frustrating and outrageous if his head would just make it all up.

When the sun was about to hide under the horizon, a skinny merc approached a snoozing corpse, leaning back on a garden chair with his hat over his eyes, snoring louder than a generator.

“Hey Hancock. Wake up already!” MacCready called and kicked the ghoul’s boot.

The merc screamed when the ghoul sprung up with a knife in his hand, dangerously close to stab the disturber.

“Wow, Wow! Easy! Shit! It’s just me!” The tiny man said his hands up and heart racing.

“Christ, MacCready! Softer wake-up calls next time, please”, Hancock murmured half-asleep, putting away his weapon. “What is it?”

“Yeah, well… The six hours are over.”

After the young man said that, an announcement was heard.

“Okay, guys, sixth hours is about to fill up in three, two, one… Time for the glorious comeback!” Sturges bellowed.

Like hearing a wakeup trumpet everyone gathered around the device, holding their breathes.

More zapping, more lightning. The machine could hardly hold itself together. In the end though, it could not withstand it any longer. One leg bended under its weight, and the whole machinery collapsed. Everyone too close ran away as the lightning got out of control and started to beam in every direction. Eventually it became quiet, when the short circuit forced it to shut itself down. Everyone looked at the mess. The device had broken. The fourth launch was too much and now it was in ruins.

“I… I’m sure this is just a little miscalculation. Let’s just lift the thing up and try again, with less force…” Sturges explained, trying to clear out the situation.

“I’ve told you should had used the Board Model 399. The 402 is cheap scrap!” Tinker Tom voiced out at the other mechanic.

“The teleportation device is broken!” Arin pointed out. “How are we ever going to make it work again?”

Out of options, Sturges was left speechless in front of the giant war-lady.

All three companions, shocked and stumped, were standing still, unable to believe of what just happened. All this waiting, for a giant twist that their friend was gone, for good?

All the sudden everyone saw a bright burst of light. The weird, electric-blue light hit right in front of them, almost blinding the three people. Once it dimmed, they all gasped seeing the familiar figure in front of them.

“Blue! It’s you!” Piper screamed and attacked the man with her crushing hugs. “Oh, I’m so glad it’s you. Well, unless you’re some synth replacement… Oh, who am I kidding? Of course you are not!”

MacCready was about to shake his hand with Elias after a successful return from the Institute, as soon as Piper would let her go. At the last second, he could not hold himself back and gave his share of tight squeezes with his strong arms. Poor young man simply could not hold back the relief of his supporting companion being alive.

Hancock, although absolutely thrilled Elias got back, was more mature to stood aside, knowing it was futile for a rawhide-smelling ghoul to offer human a hug. Nevertheless, he wasn’t any less childish than his young comrades to maybe throw a silly joke once he gets the chance to talk. However, the joke died as soon as he got a glimpse of man’s distressed look.

“El, what’s wrong, brother?”

“Hey, where is Shaun?” MacCready pointed out, unable to find the little boy he was curious to see. “What did they do to him?”

“He’s with the Institute”, Elias told, motionlessly. “In fact, he is the Institute.”

“The boundaries these guys have. They ain’t got fucking none!” MacCready pointed out, letting out all the aggravation after puffing out another cloud of smoke.

Hancock did the same, leaning on a balcony pillar, while pondering all the new information he got for the last few hours. The Institute was directed by Elias’ own son, who was an old man now. Elias’ been watched over all these three years while he struggled through hell just to see his child that was no longer a kid. It was no wonder the poor man was now absolutely broken.

Both men were about to take another round of smoke when Piper finally exited the house.

“How is he?” Hancock asked.

“It’s bad. I’ve never seen Blue so… well… down”, Piper explained, worried and sad herself. “It’s like all life got sucked out of him. I wouldn’t be able to even imagine how hard all that hit him.”

“Indeed. Can’t even think what would had happen if I ever lost…” MacCready silenced himself soon enough, before he would be able to blur out something personal.

“Guys, he really needs some support. We have to help him the best we can.”

“Look, I’d love to but… I don’t want to make it worse. I’m not the best talker”, MacCready told, feeling ashamed he even had to explain himself. He’s been the one always being listened by the only man thoughtful enough to support and help him.

“Hancock, what about you?” Piper asked just in case, not even sure if the lighthearted ghoul even had any supporting vocabulary in store.

The ghoul looked very thoughtful. “Leave us alone for a while”, he said firmly.

“Hancock~! Not that!” Piper hissed through her teeth, getting the wrong idea from the well-known womanizer.

“I said, leave us alone”, he repeated firmly, partly offended the reporter even though of him being able to stoop so low.

Inside the guest room on the bed sat the empty husk of a man. Emotionless and numb to all senses he had. Not even the presence of the approaching ghoul caught his attention, even when he sat right next to him. However, the ghoul had no hurry. He simply waited, leaning to his thighs, waiting for the man to notice him.

“I gave a promise…” he eventually spoke. “I promised to find and get him back. But… I can’t. I can’t anymore. I was too late. Now… Now I’ve got nothing.”

The ghoul right next to him dared to move his one arm around Elias’ back, ironing it slowly and soothingly. Hancock still said nothing, but instead showed his support.

Elias started to shake and breathe heavily. First, he leaned closer. Then turned and cling onto decaying body of a ghoul after which he let out hard sobs, while covering his eyes with Hancock’s shoulder. Only a little bit surprised for such rare affection he received, Hancock didn’t let it bother him. He let the man hold on to him while he shared his embrace with his chilly and lanky arms. He did not dare to hug him too tightly, just in case if it would cause him discomfort of being hugged by a necrotic ghoul. Soothing his back and combing his hair, the ghoul made sure to make his friend feel safe and not alone. No matter how tightly Elias crushed him, Hancock would stay firm and let himself show only as much support as he was allowed. He would not leave his side, not until the sobs would quiet down and the tight grip loosened and slid down along his back. Hancock carefully pushed Elias away from him and helped him lie down. After covering him with a blanket, Hancock allowed himself to give Elias one last stroke across his ebony hair and then let him rest. For now.

Chapter Text

Thankfully Elias didn’t have to walk a long journey, since Hancock had no hurry back to Goodneighbor. He could easily provide him a safe and fast ride to the Castle to deliver the news: The Institute was real, and they wanted to form a peace alliance with the Minutemen.

Hancock was not going back home even after he escorted his companion to the destination. One reason was because he couldn’t risk getting attacked in bright daylight on his way home alone, whether by bloodthirsty wilderness or mutants of the Commonwealth, or raiders or mercenaries, hired by competition the Mayor had. The second reason was that he was curious to know the decision of the General. After all, this could affect drastically even his town. The third reason was that he still had to make sure Elias was alright, after all the traumatic experience he’s been through throughout the last day. The man used to be a hardened soldier, but it didn’t mean his feelings were made of cold steel.

It took many hours, before Elias was free from the meeting room. Hancock met him outside, within the Castle walls. The Mayor invited the man for a stroll, while they had a discussion.

“Preston said he is keeping the offer open. He’d have to be convinced the Institute is really interested in helping the people, after all their abductions and mischiefs.”

“Bullshit!” Hancock rustled. “Sound like a typical treaty asking for protection and ignorance towards their work is what they’re actually after. You don’t actually believe that nonsense?”

“I don’t know”, Elias answered, unsure. “Sha… I mean the Director sounded genuine but… It’s difficult. He is my son, after all.” While talking about his son, Elias sounded very hesitant, like he wasn’t sure how to address his unnaturally older child.

“So?” Hancock asked.

“So? He’s my family.”

“So fucking what?” Hancock rustled, sounding a little offended, like what the man said wounded him very personally. “You think I stood by the shit my brother did just because we are related?!”

Right away Elias remembered what the ghoul told a long time ago. About Mayor McDonough and what he did to half of the population of Diamond City. It indeed was horrible thing what happened, which could hardly be redeemed, considering what happened to those people afterward.

“I’m sorry”, he apologized. “I just… I’m not sure what to make out of all of this.”

“I say let’s show them hell. Let them know you don't mess with Commonwealth.”

“Isn’t that just a little extreme?”

“And you think shit like kidnapping or experimenting on common people is not?” the ghoul pointed out, expressing clearly his disgust and hate.

Elias was not so eager for the idea Hancock was throwing, but the man had a point. If the Institute really did care for the wellbeing of the Commonwealth, why not do it earlier?

“I’ll have to consider. Consider everything. Meanwhile, I’ll learn what I can. Through and through.”

“Hmm, speaking of, how the Hell are you gonna get back? ‘Cuz, you know, the giant zapper is down.”

Elias tapped his Pip-boy with his finger. “I’ll send them a message and they beam me to them, where ever I might be. Just like how they do it with the coursers and other field workers.”

“A portable teleporter, huh?” Hancock pondered, actually getting intrigued. “Could be useful the next time we encounter a super mutant suicider. Or, if we need to get to hard to reach places.”

“If you think I’m going to help you get quickly in and out of women’s changing room…” Elias warned, unable to hold his slight amused tone.

“Heh, doesn’t have to be women’s. I’m good with whatever floats your boat”, he husked suggestively, elbowing his arm.

“You… You old Don Juan”, Elias said, trying to avoid direct eye contact.

“Don John for you, brother.”

Hancock navigated his horse through the ruins as slowly as possible. Diverging from usual routes he took the longest shortcuts, just to make the ride as long as possible.

“Why are we going through here?” Elias asked from behind the ghoul, holding onto his shoulders for support but keeping the distance from his rawhide smell mixed with antique rags.

“It’s… It’s safer this time around here. It’ll take a while but at least we should be able to avoid any trouble.”

“Alright then”, Elias said simply, accepting the poor lie like a child.

Hancock felt himself a little slimy for lying. However what else could he suggest to keep the man with him just a little longer? After all, as soon as they would get back to town, he’d be gone back in the Institute. However, this time, instead of waiting for six mere hours, it was unclear when Elias would be back, if ever. Hancock wanted him to stay at least for a night. Maybe they could have one bar night for last time before they would have to stay separate for God knows how much time. It was very nasty and sly of the ghoul, but he couldn’t help it. There were very little trustworthy people he wanted to spend as much time as possible.

The ride came to a holt when Hancock’s horse suddenly stopped and started to back away, throwing back her head. Dogmeat became alert as well.

“Whoa, steady, Reckless. What is it, lady?” Hancock asked his restless mount.

A loud bang was heard and the ghoul horse stood to her rear legs, neighing in fright.

As an experienced rider, Hancock would had stayed on the saddle, if it wasn’t for extra weight that suddenly wrapped around his torso, as his own passenger pulled him down. The ghoul landed on the hard ground, just barely missing and the man underneath him.

Another set of bangs and shooting was heard, hitting the ground around two people, sending only little peddles to hit them. Through all the noise, some yells could be distinguished.

“Freaks! Rot-faces! Damn necros! Hit ‘em!”

Obviously, they weren’t welcomed in this area so the two of the trespassers quickly stood up and left, Hancock pulling his spooked horse with him.

“Safe, you said?” Elias verified, after getting to safety inside dark ruins, steadying his not so rare shock.

“I guess I had the wrong turn back there”, Hancock explained awkwardly, while stroking the bald neck of the horse. The ghoul could only blame himself in this situation. He should had known not to change the path, without being absolutely sure it was safe. “Thank God we just almost stumbled on someone else’s territory. Doesn’t look like they are after us.”

“Hancock… your stomach…” Elias noted pointing at the ghoul.

It took a moment to realize due to his red coat but then Hancock noticed the same what his companion did: His white shirt turning red from his stomach.

“Well… shit”, he slightly laughed, faking it forcefully. “Heh, so the commie trick does work. Ouch...” The realization finally took a grip of his whole body as well, and Hancock’s legs bend to drop him on the ground.

“John! Hold on!” Elias yelled catching the ghoul before he could collapse on the dusty ground.

Instinctively Elias wrapped his one arm around the ghoul’s torso, and with another he pulled Hancock’s arm around his neck. After guiding him to a more secure and clean spot, the soldier set Hancock down, making sure both his bleeding front and back wound did not touch any dirty surface of the ground. The bullet that pierced the ghoul thankfully exited from the other side upon hitting his lower side, leaving two holes that needed to be cleaned and closed. The experienced soldier thankfully knew all the sewing tricks, however, he was not sure if the same applied to ghouls too. In any case, he had to be fast.

Firstly, Elias quickly stripped Hancock’s whole upper torso, turning his nose only once after exposing the bony-thin body, covered with a mixture of glossy and hard skin-leather with soft and melted flesh. Forcefully Elias pushed the withered ghoul on his side and held him steady. Next, Elias found his flask in his army jacket and poured the content on Hancock’s wounds. The stinging caused the ghoul to wail like a tortured animal and squirm. Without even putting on much effort, Elias held him down with his strong arms. While still wriggling the man applied some pressure on the wounds and attempted to tie the torso with bandages. However the struggles would not stop for a while and the ghoul was losing more blood. With nerves hard as iron, Elias tied the wounds, stopping the bleeding for a while.

The ghoul lied still, once he was no longer tormented with acidic liquids or sturdy Spaniard holding him down like a bear. It took a while before Hancock could catch his breath.

“Don’t move!” Elias commanded, holding the man on the ground. “I’ll sew the first wound. Lie still.”

Hancock could not see the man, but did feel how he moved right behind him. He smelled the alcohol from a flask, then felt a pain that burned his wound.

Elias had to be careful this time. He was unsure about piercing ghoul skin. Was ghoul skin even durable enough to not tear any further? Was the leatherier part even possible to pierce? Seeing how the bandaged turned red, Elias just had to risk without thinking.

The ghoul let out all sorts of cursed he knew, while Elias kept him down, pushing the needle through, baffled at ghoul’s pain tolerance.. This guy could take all sort of poison needles, but not a sewing needle. Was Elias’ tailoring that painful?

“Shit… Fucking… Hell! Don’t you have any… Ah! Fuck! …painkillers?”

“You tell me.”

After pointing at his coat, Elias found a syringe and handed it over to Hancock, along with a bottle of water. As much as he hated him to get intoxicated with that junk, it was better than fighting over the ghoul’s survival.

While waiting for the painkillers to kick in, they both had a little break from the torturous fix-up. Elias could finally ease his breahing. To distract himself he studied Hancock’s coat. An old red rag that smelled of antique, cigarettes and gunpowder, as well as something fruity. This piece of clothing was something so ridiculous, yet unique that he could imagine only one man being able to wear it with dignity and pride. The ancient cloth was pretty worn out, but it was the bloodied hole on its back that got Elias feeling most uncomfortable.

“Don’t sweat it, it can be patched up later”, Hancock reassured him.

With a serious voice Elias answered back. “Let’s get you patched up first.”

To make sure Elias would do a better work, he decided to use his silver rimmed glasses and take off his overshadowing wide-brimmed hat. As he stitched, his was calm and focused. Poking and stitching living flesh – or somewhat living – like a doll felt sickening, but it was something Elias already got used to. However, it was still more nerve grating to do it to a friend’s skin. Saddest part was to cause someone more pain just to heal the bleeding.

When Elias switched sides and stitched Hancock’s front wound, he did his best to avoid eye contact.

“You’re doing fine. Loosen up a little, Elias”, Hancock told, seeing how hard Elias worked on his wound, not even exchanging a single word with him.

“Just hold still”, he said simply, trying to focus.

“Seriously, I’m doing better already” he told, ignoring the effects the potent painkillers caused him. “Look, if you want, you can have some from my stash…”

A finger that was just as sharp as the needle pointed towards ghoul’s face, rounding his eyes into full, black circles.

“Shut up, or I swear to God I will sew your mouth, understood?” said surprisingly very commanding man, sounding similar toa drill sergeant. His words were effective and during the rest of the operation none of them said a thing to each other.

With a sharp knife Elias cut the dangling leftover string. The bleeding had finally stopped and the ghoul was still alive. Weakened, but alive.

In relief Elias allowed himself a sigh as he wiped sweat from under his glasses and forehead and cleaned up his bloodied hands.

“Well, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Hancock said humorously.

Elias stayed just as stern as before, not saying a word. He only handed over Hancock’s shirt, blue vest, chest belt and his red coat. “Get dressed before you get cold.”

While pulling on the fabric, Hancock looked concerned at man who was avoiding eye contact. “You alright, Elias?”

“You got me worried, that’s all”, he said, a little hastily.

“Hey, this here ghoul is a lot tougher to kill than the rest!”

“I’m serious!” Elias shouted, actually scaring the ghoul. “You got shot, John. Just a little toward the middle and…” the man was unable to finish. He didn’t even want to imagine the outcome. Shaking violently, Elias watched his dirtied bloody hands and said. “You could had died, John.”

The ghoul felt pleased for his concern, and he turned his gaze away. “Heh, would have served me right for taking the wrong route. Besides, it’s no big deal. Another messed up freak to add to pile.”

“I could had lost my closest friend! I already lost everything else! Nora… Shaun… I don’t want to lose you, John. I don’t want to be alone again”, he yelled, almost snarling his words out through his tightened teeth as he was holding back his tears.

Elias rarely got this familiar with the ghoul. Him mentioning Hancock’s first name this many times could only mean that he was genuinely worried, as well as scared. Hancock felt great pity for his partner, the one person he trusted the most to cover his back. He only felt it necessary to return the favor, but didn’t know how. Once only, he would have to break the boundaries they’ve established. With the confidence he got from previous experience, Hancock wrapped his hands around the man and pulled him into an embrace.

“I ain’t leaving anytime soon. And I ain’t leavin’ my favorite Dweller ether.”

Elias was shocked. He was hugged by someone else without his consent or asking. It felt odd. Invasive, even. For a moment he felt panic. Bad memories creeped up from his first year alone in this harsh and immoral world. He felt trapped. Unable to escape the rough clutches and painful hits no matter how he fought. Once again, he felt weak and defenseless as he got beaten and taken advantage of by someone else. Someone stronger than him, more merciless than him, someone… warmer and careful. Someone who’s embrace felt soothing and gentle. A man with kind nature, which made this Spaniard feel safe. Hesitantly Elias wrapped his arms under the lanky arms and held onto his back, careful not to touch the stitched wound. It felt nice and comforting. For a moment he felt relief. He wasn’t alone. He was taken care of. This person was always there for him when he felt down. Back when he lost her family and now. This person wasn’t going to let Elias be alone.

The Spanish man backed away for a moment. His eyes were glossy from moisture that formed in his eyes. Through his glasses he saw clearly the face of the man he was looking at. Scarred and disfigured but so soft and kind. The eyes that he once thought were completely black, had dark brown irises that were clearly locked on the bigger man in his hands. And that smile. It was too easy for this person to turn it into a crooked smirk with a few golden teeth glimmering underneath, even despite that one twisted scar. Instead, he turned it into a warmest and comforting beam of joy. Elias leaned forward, connecting his own happy smile with his, embracing this moment of peace in his mind.

For long time Elias felt comfort and warmth. He felt like bursting, but calm as well. With one hand around his torso and one behind his head, enabling him from escaping, he didn’t feel trapped at all. He was secured and safe and for long time, valued.

Despite the odd taste, Elias did not dare to part his mouth. He did not wish for spell to break too soon. He welcomed the sensation, so much that he didn’t even let the wandering thin fingers travel around his body, then find their way under and inside his jacket and shirt. The unusual shaking around him however shattered the scene, as well as heavy exhales though nose on his face. The weird, hefty grunts in his mouth ruined the moment completely, forcing him to back away and break the connection. John Hancock was sweating and making painful-looking expressions with his face. Something else had just worn off.

“John, you’re in pain again”, Elias told him.

“I can manage”, he told back reassuringly and leaned closer.

Elias put his palm on his chest, pushing the necrotic ghoul away. He shook his head smiling. “Seriously, just let it all out. It’s going to hurt worse, if you hold it in.”

The ghoul looked at the man he was holding, pondering. Finally, with a little disappointment he sighed deeply with a relief. “Thanks.” Not before Elias backed off and sat next to him, did the ghoul dare to finally let out all the profanities and swears he could muster. “FUUUUCK! Shit! Cunt! Ass! Shit! Cocksucking… Motherfucking…!”

Elias raised an eyebrow while tapping his finger on his crossed arms and grinning slightly, amazed how this man cursed like a scurvy sea captain, as ironic as that was.

In the end Hancock leaned back against the wall, out of breath and strength.

“Got it all out?” Elias asked.

“Yup”, he answered.

It was a very awkward silence that fell upon these two individuals. Hancock cleaned his throat from all the yelling and swearing, while Elias fiddled and turned around the rings on his fingers. The same ones that lifelessly had coiled themselves around his flesh, seemingly judging his for his latest action and the sneaky shift in interest. The shameful though brought extra heat on Elias’ cheeks, which he was unable to tone down.

“We should get you back to Goodneighbor soon. You need to see a doctor”, Elias said standing up, after which he offered ghoul his hand. “No more short-cuts this time.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Just… gonna need some help with riding”, Hancock said and grabbed man’s hand, who almost pulled the lighter ghoul into his arms.

Again burning with red, Elias pulled his hat brim down, hiding his embarrassment as he turned, walking away.

Chapter Text

Walking home injured Mayor on his horse was quite the sight for many people of the Goodneighbor. The word spread quickly and soon enough Hancock got the treatment he needed; all the while Elias got the lecture treatment from Fahrenheit.

“You should had used the usual roads! Why did you allow him out of Castle during evening? I don’t care what he says, you should know better to not take his bullshit!”

The fiery tank girl was fearsome enough to make both her guards and the ex-soldier tremble, but not this time. This time Elias had more concerning things to be afraid of.

Thankfully Hancock's own personal doctor did his job professionally, while berating the amateur job the Vault Dweller did with stitching. In a day or two the Mayor could leave his bedroom, while it would take a bit longer time and good nutritional food to restore the blood loss.

Whether it was a perfect timing or sick mockery on the Mayor’s behalf, Hancock got what he wanted: Elias stayed for a bit longer. For whole day he stayed in Old State House, making sure Hancock was alright, just like always when his friends got sick or hurt. For the ghoul it was comforting, having company from this thoughtful but strict ex-soldier who left no man behind. Meanwhile for Elias it was reassuring, as it eased out the tension and worry the better he saw Hancock feeling. The best moments were when the ghoul could get out of his bed and offer a laidback game of chess. However, enabling him from laughing too hard seemed a hard task, especially when he took his usual doses and just stared blabbering all sorts of deep nonsense, too laughable for Elias to make a move.

Indeed, the man was getting better, letting Elias loosen up a bit. Sadly though, the realization hit him irritatingly when he realized he’d have to go back to the Institute. They were waiting for his return. It was obvious, by the judging looks of the crows, who sat at window.

Elias stepped in Hancock room, interrupting his evening reading.

“Hancock, I’m afraid I’ll have to go soon. I’m being expected.”

A slight astonishment radiated from the man. “Already? Can’t at least stay for another night?”

“I’ll leave tomorrow morning. I was also thinking of getting some more sleep tonight. It’s going to get hard tomorrow.”

Hancock set aside his book and carefully walked next to chess table. “Wanna share one more game before you go? Might be a while before I get a worthy player to play with. Dig?”

Elias though for a moment and then accepted him offer. After all, how long will it be until he gets to spend time with Hancock again.

The game got pretty prolonged. Every move had a long gap between them, and not because of the long conversations, but instead, lack thereof it. Both Hancock and Elias seemed to be trapped in an uncomfortable web, which both of them wanted to solve, but did not know from which string to start with. So instead, they just exchanged the already obvious facts.

“Might take some time. See every branch and meet every staff member”, Elias explained.

“Not to mention all the spying shit. That place gotta have a lot of dirt to dig through. Too much to report once you’re back.

“Considering Brotherhood and Railroad want their share of intel. Might even take a while before we get to go outside and do the old things again. Check.”

 A couple of times there were moments when one could easily end the game, as well as their conversation, but instead, decided to move some other pieces. In the end though, the pieces ran out, and it was a draw.

“Huh, I guess that’s that then. Pity”, Elias said, disappointed.

The man rose up to leave, but the faster ghoul got to him first, carefully stopping him by touching his shoulder with his withered fingertips. “Wait. Another round, maybe?”

Elias forced a sly smile on his lips. “What? You absolutely need to score before hitting the hay?”

“Well, I do enjoy your company, so why not?”

Elias ran his gaze from side to side like a lost animal. “Can’t it be someone else? Fahrenheit…”

The ghoul looked at Elias with a stunned face, that also hinted a tiny discomfort.

“Well… Someone else then? Surely you got some guards who know how to play with you.”

“Uh... Not exactly. It’s not really fun when others just pretend”, Hancock answered, avoiding giving out too much information. “Besides, we got one intriguing, unfinished round. Might as well go all the way, since we started.”

The last sentence was said with a tiny hint of boldness, which forced Elias back away and almost stumble on his heels. The bigger man got nervous and mangled in his words.

“Y… You really want to play… with me?” Elias whispered, emphasizing the word ‘me’.

“Hey, I got no preferences”, Hancock said shrugging.

“But… I’m not sure if I could. I haven’t tried for so many years. Also, I have no experience in this type. At all! And the last time…”

The bad memories skittered in his head, sending shivers and painful burns throughout his whole body, which forced Elias to close himself into a thick log, covering his torso with his crossed hands.

Two comforting hands rested on his both shoulders, stroking down along his arms, melting the shield he covered himself with.

“At least you always play fair.”

Hesitantly, Elias dropped slightly his guard, once he got embraced and kissed again, engulfing him in warmness. Momentarily though, to Elias’ disappointment, the bliss broke and he got pulled down.

“Don’t worry, I’ll go really easy on you”, he heard the whispering husk in his ear. “The game is all about fun, after all. You feel me?”

The man nodded, letting himself hug the smaller body closer against him. The embrace he shared with another felt so satisfying, so fulfilling. Even when he was pushed down, stripped and taken over by someone else, Elias let the other take the lead and wipe out all his worries. He simply surrendered to the overwhelming moment, ready to give up anything, just for a moment of joy and completion he longed for.

It was late summer sun that finally woke up the early-bird, ruining the well-rested nap Elias hasn’t had for a long time. Not even snoring of ghoul right next to him was enough to spook his dreams, considering his really rash vocals. A deep red blush appeared across Elias’ face, but he did let himself smile softly, feeling just a bit less awkward than before.

Even after a light breakfast Elias could find for himself and Dogmeat, Hancock still slept dead like a log.

“Hey Hancock”, he called. “Hancock. Hancock! Hey, Zombie King, still aliv…!”

A tight grip on his jacket pulled the man on the bed. Right after that Elias found himself with a cold blade on his throat and a naked ghoul right on top of him, covered with only bandages around his stomach.

“John, it’s me, wake up! We’re cool”, Elias quickly yelled commandingly.

It took a while before Hancock could get the sleeping dust out of his eyes and see clearer who’s throat he was about to cut.

“Christ, Elias. I’ve told you: Don’t sneak on me like that!” Hancock said, swiftly pulling away his knife, which he hid back under the pillow. Incredible how it hasn’t stabbed anyone thus far, especially this night.

“Sorry. Forgot you have that… tic.”

“My mistake… Forgot to tell it’s worse back home. Should expect twice or trice a week a surprise wakeup. Tops. Then again, never had to know since you never slept here.” Hancock forcefully changed his tone, just to avoid any more awkwardness. “By the way: Enjoyed the sheets? Told ya many times they were comfy.”

Elias forced a wry face and replied with sarcasm. “Yeah, I still prefer the sofa. At least it smells less like a bordello.”

“Was it that disgusting?” Hancock asked, tilting his head.

“No, no! It was…” Elias was lost in his words, as he tried to pick up a word for a sensation he never had before. “Something… Really something else.” The man offered one smile before looking away. Look, I’m… I’ll be going now”, he quickly changed the subject before it got really personally uncomfortable. “Will you watch over Dogmeat for me while I’m gone?” he asked pointing at the tail-wagging German Shepherd. “As well as my things. They’re going to take them away for germ-check anyways”, Elias said, while avoiding to look at Hancock, who had no hurry at all to get into his pants.

“Sure thing. Oh, almost forgot… Will you give those Institute bastards a hard kick in their ass? Tell Mayor Hancock send his thanks for all the screw-ups they did.”

Elias laughed. “I’ll make sure to keep that in mind.” The man fiddled something on his Pip-Boy and waited for a response.

“Um, aren’t you leaving?” Hancock asked after the man stood still for about a minute.

“Hold on, I’m waiting for them to answer… Ah! Got it. Well then, ¡Adiós!”

A bright sparkling burst appeared, forcing the light-sensitive ghoul to cover his eyes. Once he came to, Elias was nowhere to be seen.

“Heh, yeah, real neat trick, El. Come out now!” Hancock laughed, looking around.

No sign. In fact, there was no smell ether, other than the one his sheets. Even the dog looked confused. After a little sniff tour, it whimpered sadly. The Spaniard was indeed gone.

Sighing out Hancock hung his head down, slightly eyeing on the lonely dog.

“Well, looks like it’s just you and me, pooch. Get settled, might take a while.”

After his favorite vault dweller left, Hancock routine became the usual once again. Politics, paper work, sorting minor disorder and avoiding being engulfed by all this chaos. His free time wasn’t that different after that either, especially the chem trips, night-outs and dates.

One particular date seemed to be a promising one. After a few minutes at the bar a fine lady dressed in red dress, which highlighted her appetizing curves, soon gathered her courage to approach the charming ghoul. Good conversation occurred and soon enough it continued back at Old State House in form of passionate exchanges of rash groans and soft moans. However, once the ghoul fell asleep, snoring even louder than a generator, his partner had enough. Leaning from bed she reached towards her purse. That’s when she realized the snoring had stopped and cold metal pressed against her throat.

“Wrong move, sister”, the Mayor hissed behind her, pulling the knife slowly across her throat.

The bleeding body hit the floor with a loud thump.

The sudden silence got the bodyguard wondering and she cautiously entered Mayor’s bedroom. Inside she saw the motionless body next to a bed, on which the ghoul was breathing in a lit cigarette.

“Christ, Hancock. What was wrong with this one?”

“Don’t know”, he said mumbling half asleep, grumpy for such a surprising wakeup. “I would had asked, if it wasn’t for that goodbye gift she prepared to leave me.”

Fahrenheit looked closer at where the ghoul pointed with his cigarette. Next to the dead body was a purse, from which peeked out a small pocket knife, sprung out and sharp like razor.

“Seesh, you draw all sorts of wrong people to yourself”, she spat out, avoiding to look at the ghoul who could give less of a damn over yet another Femme Fatale.

“Comes with a job, I guess”, he said, breathing in another puff of smoke.

“Too little people left to trust, ain’t that right?” the woman said while dragging away yet another body.

“Yeah. Less there are around to reach to.”

On start of the second week the ghoul had become extremely anxious. The waiting game had become unbearably tedious and boring for Hancock. No amount of chems, drinks or company was able to keep it away. He wanted some action, something to do outside the town. However, he couldn’t just take Fahrenheit or some of his other guard or acquaintance with him. No one else attracted the same amount of trouble as the one man who was God knows where. Overseas, other country, underground, in Heaven, partying in Hell? Damn how much he wanted to be there too.

Breathing in another smoke of cigarette, dressed in his casuals Hancock watched over the people walking underneath his balcony. Leaning on the railing his gaze jumped from person to person, curious if just maybe he could distinguish a familiar wide-brimmed hat and blue pants the tanned Spaniard wore.

At some point a crow joined the ghoul, perching on a railing, carefully studying the man with same black eyes as he had.

“’Sup”, Hancock greeted the bird. He handed over cigarette. “Need a smoke?”

The crow backed away slightly, amusing the man.

“Your loss, Feathers”, he said and entered back to his room, leaving the door open for fresh air.

The crow kept watching, as if it was waiting for something. Hancock was about to ask something when he was interrupted by a sparkling blue light. Frightened like a cat Hancock leaned back against the table, staring with round eyes at a masculine figure in front of his.

“Greetings from the Institute!” Elias greeted with lazy dramatism, after which he laughed at his silliness. “Quite the entrance, would you say otherwise? Uh, Hancock, you there?”

Hancock was quiet for a while, breathing in and out rapidly. Only the cackling laughter of the crow brough him back to reality.

“Holy SHIT, El! Don’t do that again. Fucking EVER!” he nervously laughed, while pushing his knife back into scabbard.

Elias laughed again. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it. They said I could materialize myself at any location I want. It had to be right in front of you. Besides, this is the payback for that time you acted feral and scared all of us.”

“I think I’ve learned my lesson when Robert almost shot my brains out! Wait… How did you even know where I was at the moment? What if I was taking a walk? Or a bath?”

Elias’ eyes rounded and he looked away, trying to eradicate the imagine in his head of busting the man nude and soaking wet.

“I… A little birdie told me”, he said while looking at balcony.

The crow turned its head looking one at a time both Elias and Hancock.

The man smiled at black bird and waved his hand at it. “Okay, Bethany. You can leave us now.”

Without showing any specific emotions, the bird spread its wings and flied away.

Hancock blinked in amazement. “Damn, Eli. How did you know its name?”

“Because that was my great-granddaughter.”

The ghoul stared at the man with roundest eyes Elias had ever seen. “Okay! Now start explaining before I think you are even nuttier than I am!”

“Director and Director’s granddaughter. So, basically that makes you Grandpa now?” Hancock finally asked with a sly smile on his lips, after hearing the story of great and progressive Institute, its staff, branches, the people running the place and those who were unfortunate enough to be born within its blinding white walls.

Elias made a wry face and crossed his arms, thoughtful. The new family title made him feel older just by hearing it. It did sound somewhat special though. “Great-grandfather, yes. Quite an accomplishment for my age.”

“Well, in that case you’ve got to be the most stud Great Grandpa I’ve ever seen”, the man said huskily, leaning against the back of the chair with his arms crossed.

Flattered, Elias smiled, raising his thin mustaches.

“Yet, I wonder.” Hancock looked very closely at the proud man in front of him. He seemed to look the same, from appearance to his clothes, but there was something different. Firstly, the smell was fresher, almost luring, like he just bathed with bucket of expensive, purified water with soap. Second, his face seemed much smoother, and more handsome, if that was even possible, clean from all impurities and wounds. All except for that one scar on his temple he got from encounter with Kellogg. Then, his hair seemed to have more shine in them, his mustaches and eyebrows were groomed and trimmed, and the man looked fuller, like a wealthy noble. He looked like a true stud. “How do I know it’s really you, Eli? Tell me, which toe am I missing?”

Elias sneered. “I don’t know, I don’t want to know, and never want to, which is the reason why I never touch your boots. Aside from the smell.”

“Alright… What is my favorite Mentats type?”

“Berry, since you definitely need them to compensate those baked brain-cells you lost.”

“You want to join this charming ghoul when the cold night comes? The sheets are really comfy.”

“I’d rather freeze myself back in that cryo-pod.”

Hancock let out a laughter. “Yup, ‘tis you alright, brother. Lookin’ pretty good. The Institute treated you well?”

Elias stroke his luscious, free side hair. “Yeah, got to enjoy all the luxuries from old life. Warm showers, mustache vax, clean sheets and clothing… The food was weird though. People were nice. They were pretty welcoming and hospitable. But…”

“But what?”

“I don’t know. Maybe they were too eager to make me want to stay longer.”

“Well, I’m glad you did come back eventually. Been missin’ ya.”

“Same thing… Hancock”, he said, hesitantly using his last name the same way he used to long time ago.

“I mean… I can’t believe I haven’t used my gun for more than a week! Thought I was about to lose my mind not being able blow up some stuff. With right company, of course.”

Once again Elias had to accept the flattery. “Well… I might as well freshen up myself a bit. Maybe we could go for a little hunt. Do you know any place with super mutants?”

“Super mutants? Damn, brother, going for the toughest challenge right away, are we? I like it!”

“Well, actually… I need to do some field work.”

Chapter Text

Bang, and another green beast bites the dust.

“Where are they? Find them!” roared the others, scattering around the ruins of the city streets, effortlessly looking for the invisible attacker that killed the raging creatures one by one.

Bang. A mutant hound falls to the ground. Second bang. The master joins his pet. Third bang. Miss. Fourth, and the mutants falls from the sentry platform, twisting its neck from impact of concrete floor.

Only one mutant caught a strong and pungent smell of a human. “I smell you, human! You are dead human soon!”

The mutant rushed inside the skyscraper where he smelled the scent. However soon another smell covered it. It was leathery and antique, with a mixture of gunpowder, cigarettes and berries.

Ka-Blaam! The face of the super mutant was painted all over the opposite wall from which the shooter ambushed the creature.

“Sorry, ya ain’t getting to my sniper, big guy.”

On third floor between the shots Elias took deep breaths, taking his sweet time. He was almost done, just had to finish up a few last mutants and lure the warlord out and closer, so he could get the walking green cancer-mass with one shot to the head. Elias fixed his position, leaned lower and peeked out though scope, aiming from his hiding spot through the window.

“Damn, Eli…” he heard rash voice of Hancock as he entered to ruined room. His eyes were closely fixed on man’s back. “You know, if you get any lower than that, I’m gonna take that as an invitation”, he whispered with delight.

“¡Vete al infierno!” Elias cursed at him. Shit, now he had to watch his back, not in case of murderous super mutants, but something worse. A lusty old ghoul. Not that it was anything new, anyways.

However, despite the perfect opportunity, Hancock just stood there and watched, waiting for him make the last shot, sadly killing Elias’ expectations.

Once it became quiet, the pest exterminators came out of their hiding spot to collect the goods. Elias took his most important loot from the super mutant warlord, which was a tissue sample he collected in a vial.

“Well, that’s some trophy. What’s it for?” Hancock asked, kicking the rubble hoping to find himself something interesting.

Elias presented his gathering for his partner. “A tissue sample. One of the scientists asked me to collect one for his experiment.”

“So that’s your field assignment? All this just for a piece of meat for some egghead in Institute?”

“Yes. Might as well do some dirty work for them”, the man looked around before he whispered the last sentence. “Anything to gain some fame and such.”

“Ah, I see…” the ghoul said, pondering, but understanding. “Not that I’m jumping from joy to assist anything Institute does, but I guess this is somehow beneficial for Commonwealth too. Glad you’re honest with me.”

Indeed, unlike others, Elias thought.

On their way Elias and Hancock decided to camp, since it was getting late and too dark to navigate.

“What about your night vision?” Elias asked the ghoul.

“I’ll be fine, but you might get lost, unless you don’t mind clingin’ onto me.”

Elias was about to consider when the man interrupted his thought by suggesting a suitable spot.

For a long while Elias felt really irritated by Hancock’s actions. Most of it had to do with his flirting or proposals. The famous womanizer, as well as maneater, could tell his companion even the most provocative suggestions, but in the end, they were nothing but that: suggestions. Empty words. The man of action suddenly had no desire to act on what he says? What gives?

Seeing the ghoul just leaning at his backpack next to a campfire, arms crossed behind his head, his hat on his eyes and with no coat on, just chilling, it really annoyed the man.

“Alright, I had enough!” Elias finally snapped. “What’s with the laid-back attitude?”

“Oh, sorry. You wanted some too”, Hancock said and searched through his vest and pant pockets.

“No, not that! I mean… What’s wrong with you? You’re acting so… casual.”

“Um… Elaborate, please.”

Elias tightened his teeth, hardly managing to form right sentences. “When we met today, after such long time. Nothing but jokes. Nothing serious. Even your compliments, so harmless. This whole day: Jokes! Flirts and nothing else. Hell, even before I left: Carefree attitude, like nothing happened.”

“Yeah, that sounds like me. Just like I do it every other day. What’s your point?” the man asked, a little puzzled by this man’s vague explanations.

Elias snorted and growled through his teeth. This man just didn’t get it, no matter the amount of Mentats in the world. “I mean… After we did… it. It’s like it never happened to you.”

“Oh.” Hancock finally understood what the man was saying, but the subject didn’t wonder him at all. Shrugging he answered. “Well, I know you are touchy about sex and other stuff like this. You sneering at it like that is strong enough proof.”

The ghoul had a point, as Elias did indeed make a face when he vocalized out that word so plainly and really ungentlemanly.

“So, I just thought to act like it never happened. Heh, not that anyone else would do the same. Folks in Goodneighbor are talking even till this day.”

A painful stake pierced through Elias’ chest when he heard that. A burning fury engulfed him. “You’ve told everyone?!”

“No.”

“Oh, sure, go ahead and tell the whole Commonwealth, why don’t you?” Elias interrupted him, shame, wretchedness, anger and distress taking over him as he yelled, eyes burning with hate. “You finally got me, right? Three years but your ‘charms’ did do the trick in the end! Not to mention, you got an exclusive catch: A pristine-faced pre-war Spanish ex-soldier, vault dweller, Minuteman Major and That-Guy-Looking-For-Trouble! Quite a fucking package! Now there’s a high spot on your shitty scoreboard! A neat trophy to gloat about and boast to others. Not to mention, you picked the right time to do it, when I was feeling down and…” the man looked at the ghoul with poison-filled eyes. “You’re a real work, John. A real… real… hijo de puta! Un verdadero cabron.”

During his whole rant, Hancock didn’t move a muscle. Even his expression stayed neutral.

“I’d probably be exactly that if I was an exploitative bastard, especially towards friends”, the ghoul said decisively, staying firm despite the hurtful things he heard the man say. “But when you were feeling down, I showed ya my support. It turning from simple hugs into more physical just happened to, well, happen. Yes, I ain’t gonna act like I didn’t enjoy it on the side. I thought I’d help you out and then we could move on, following our normal routine. Guess I was dumb enough to forget it ain’t that casual to ya. And when it comes to others knowing, well… The walls of OLD State House ain’t exactly sound-proof. And neither are my guards exactly quiet when it comes to juicy gossip. You dig?”

A heavy silence fell upon the camping companion couple. The serious accusing pair of black eyes stared at the man’s dark and rounded ones, as if challenging him, saying: ‘Any arguments against that, accuser?’

Elias backed away one step and closed in like a snail inside its shell. Embarrassment and shame pressed heavily on him, shrinking him smaller and smaller. It wasn’t just the misunderstand that brought horrible quilt withing him, the worst was the realization of what he said to his friend because of that.

“I’m… I’m sorry”, he whispered.

“Hey, we’re cool.” Hancock stood up, slightly having trouble to stay on his feet after long time of resting, and walked up to the man. “If you want, we can dial back a little. No more slip-ups. Keep it tame. Sounds fair?”

Elias felt immense amount of contentment over Hancock’s rare easily-given forgiveness, however, oddly, he also felt a tiny pinch of disappointment. “Fair enough”, he could hardly answer. Feeling the discomfort, he quickly changed the subject. “I… I’ll take the first shift. You’re probably still under the influence, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, could wear it off in my sleep”, Hancock answered shakily, now that the tension was gone and the chems started to make him tranquil again. “Eyes sharp, brother.”

Elias felt nothing but tension during whole time of night-watching. His previous burst of anger had left a bad teste in his mouth, despite it being solved. More specifically, the resolution to their fight felt gloomy and dissatisfying. Did he ruin it all for them? Even their friend- or partnership?

Elias’ eyes did stay sharp, but not on his surroundings, but on the ghoul, resting peacefully in his sleeping bag, softly snoring. The late summer heats stayed over their welcome, which is why the Hancock could easily sleep with no cover on, with his shirt half-open to let his leathery skin breathe. That skin both repulsed and intrigued Elias. It was weird for a man to have such hard texture on his flesh, but in the end, it was something unique. Not all scars and marking were due to ghoulification though. The man had some cut and gun marks he had from fight and conflicts, even some dim ones he had from his youth. He even had a scratch mark from a bear on his shoulder and one he got from a cougar. It came as a surprise to Elias back when he asked, since cougars used to live far in North. However, apparently, he wasn’t talking about a feline, as he let out a sick laughter of a looney while telling that.

Yes, he was sick, crazy, bizarre, insane, tasteless and irrational. Thankfully Elias was with him to balance him out, and make him more bearable to take out with. In a way though, his company was enjoyable, even when he annoyed the man on purpose. It made him feel happy. Which is why it hurt more thinking it was now all ruined.

As if feeling the ogling eyes that were locked on him, Hancock woke up. Thankfully the calm wake-up made him keep his hands away from unsheathing a hidden knife on his chest belt. “Wha… My time already?”

“Huh? Oh, no, not yet!” Elias said and turned his gaze away, desperately looking for something else to focus on.

Hancock wasn’t that easily convinced. He sat next to Elias, lighting up a smoke. “Got something on your mind?”

He wasn’t going to leave him be, so he might as well say it to get it out of his chest. “I’m sorry for what I said.”

“Hey, told ya already: We’re cool”, he said in carefree tone.

“I don’t want you to change. The flirting, I mean”, he paused for a moment as he felt heat rising on his cheeks. “It’s actually quite… pleasant. Flattering more likely. Especially the more daring ones, or when you complement my more exterior aspects. Makes me feel more accepted.”

While saying that he looked at Hancock’s eyes, down to his open chest and back to his eyes before the ghoul noticed him ogling again.

“Heh, well I can say for a fact”, Hancock smiled with a lowered, charming gaze. “You are one hell of a beautiful bastard.”

Elias smiled back, looking down, truly pleased and grateful for his warm words. Hesitantly, with enough courage, he dared to ask the ghoul. “So…How was it? Back then, I mean.”

“Well, not bad. Not groundbreaking ether, though”, he answered a little gawkily, holding back to give too crushing criticism. “I mean, far from me to judge someone who hasn’t ever had practice in this field. And I’ve done a lot more crazier shit than that.”

Elias felt a really crushing hit in his chest as the shame creeped in.

“But… I gotta say“, Hancock let out another puff of smoke. “Feels nice to chill out completely for a change. It’s actually pretty rare, seeing how many wishes to stab my back at the end.” His word seemed to cheer up his companion, as he smiled warmly. “You?” Elias got tense and lost in his words. To save him from embarrassment Hancock said: “Hey, it’s fine if it didn’t click…”

“No, it really did, honestly! It just…”

“Hey, ghouls ain’t for everyone, I got ’cha.”

“No, it’s not that! I… I just can’t talk about it.”

“Why? Was it that bad?”

“No. Well… I mean… We just don’t talk about it. It’s not something we were allowed to boast about back then. It was…” Elias let out a frustrated growl through his teeth. “Alright, fine! I liked it! There, I said it. Your one and only proper gentleman, Elias, is a confirmed bachelor! Ironic, isn’t it, since he did marry a woman, just to hide it from the world.”

“Heh, good for you, brother. Welcome to the majority of this screwed up new world”, Hancock laughed again, before asking more sincerely. “Feel any better?”

“Actually… A lot better”, Elias said taking a deep breath out, after which he chuckled. “Oddly enough it feels lighter, like I no longer have a boulder on my shoulders.”

“Well, as long as it helped, no matter the rest. Almost got worried I screwed up what we got already.”

“No, it didn’t”, Elias said, daring to hold onto Hancock’s shoulder. “It actually felt really pleasant. Thank you.” The man became a bit more hesitant as he said the following, while avoiding looking at the ghoul. “In fact, maybe I wouldn’t mind getting more ‘practice’.”

“You sure? No kidding?” Hancock asked reassuringly, a tiny tone of surprise in his voice. The ghoul did not hear him say a thing, but he did feel the man press his shoulder harder. Needless to say, that got him a little intrigued. “Well, if you say so… Don’t mind giving a few lessons.” After throwing away his cigarette Hancock turned towards the Spaniard and leaned towards him, holding his both arms.

Elias unexpectedly leaned away. “Wait, here? We’re out in the open.”

First the ghoul looked at him with his round eyes, like confused hamster. Then he raised one brow muscle. “Seriously? Says the guy who knocked up his wife in PUBLIC park.”

“Shut up!” The amount of redness made Elias look like Chinese flag. Frustrated he snarled at Hancock. “You… perverse… Viejo! You’re simply impossible.”

“Are you going to do something about it, stud?” Hancock teased him with that unbelievably charming husk voice that could pacify even cobras.

The frustration, sense of challenge, desire and his provoking all took over and Elias jumped at the smaller man. With ease Elias pushed him on his back and attacked the other’s lips with his, getting trapped by the welcoming arms. The literal kiss of death didn’t last long, though, as Elias tasted the unpleasant necrotic essence in his mouth. His deadly partner didn’t seem to mind the break-up since he now latched on to Elias’ neck and then everything else below, enjoying the new set of noises he could get out of this ‘proper’ gentleman. The greedy conquer didn’t last long though, when the man fought back, winning the upper hand over another. With an encouraging smirk Elias was permitted to invade the other’s areas, which he gladly did, dropping all sense of mannerism and grace.

The build-up was slow at first, however once it got enough wind under its wings there was no sense of turning back. Gradually, long forbidden intimacy became more fun, even if the proud Spaniard did not dare to admit it out loud. Suffice to say, Elias enjoyed dropping his guard and be handled by someone he felt confident with. Specially someone so skillful, with many different flavors attached. The ghoul on the other hand enjoyed the new benefits. Not just physical, but mental as well, as he could enjoy the comfort of a trusting partner.

However, the intimate moments weren’t the only new routines. The distance between the two had decreased, to the point of the ghoul wrapping his hand around the man during walks embracing him with cheer. During his daily share of chems, Hancock was often bold enough to rest his head on Elias’ lap, admiring the smooth face of a god, hiding behind the dark alluring mustache, to which Elias only rolled his eyes and pressed Hancock’s tricorn on his face. Elias on the other hand didn’t shy away to push or nudge him, carefully run his fingers across the lethery skin and hands, or rest his head on his when the ghoul leaned on his shoulder.

Sharing hugs and slapping ones back when meeting or departing became a common practice. Especially for Hancock who rarely got such warm embraces ever since he turned into a ghoul. Elias didn’t mind it ether, as long as he remembered to hold his breath. Despite the ghoulification, Elias was ready to ignore it just to enjoy those chilling but firm arms which were like a momentary shield from everything outside.

Sadly, the new enjoyable routine had to be changed once again, when it was time to apart for long time.

Elias looked at a reflection on a piece of broken mirror. “For God’s sake, John, how am I going to cover this?”

Hancock raised up from his bed, leaned closer and looked at a big bruise on man’s neck. “Just tell ‘em you got bitten by a feral. After all, it’s not complete a lie”, he snickered with a wide smile, showcasing his teeth, some of them sparkling golden due to fireplace, keeping evening chills away.

Mumbling, Elias tied his red scarf around his neck. His attempt to rise up from the bed was prevented when a pair of scarred and thin arms wrapped around his torso and pulled him against a hard chest. The radiating fingers brought Elias shivers when they ran across his sides up to his chest, as the deep voice whispered in his ear.

“Don’t keep me waiting too long, El. Can’t wait to get into more troubles with my favorite vault dweller.”

“I don’t know… I might take a while”, Elias teased, before he got himself free from the electrifying embrace he would had been glad to stay in for longer. Sadly though, the duty called.

Elias sent a message to Institute, and waited for the response. While waiting, he looked at his partner with a new, longing eyes. “I’ll be missing you, John.”

Unexpectedly, a mutual look met his. “Same here, Elias.” Hancock said, his black, half-open and admiring eyes on Elias’ alluring dark ones.

The sparkling light engulfed the man, and the connection broke. Once again, the ghoul was left alone. This time though, the separation felt heavier.

Once again, without his favorite vault dweller it was back to normal duties for the Mayor of Goodneighbor. Business talk, conflict solving, throat slitting, political leanings, assassination termination, concord parties and chem trips for final relief. However, when it came to physical relief, there seemed to always be something bothering the overall experience.

The first acquaintance Hancock met, he felt dissatisfied. Maybe he was simply too tired because of the tenseness. However, the same happened with second one.

Next time the man couldn’t even ask a very fiery merc female to his place. The interest just seemed to die out right when it came to that point. I felt really unsettling to ask a woman who got too easy access to her deadly gears.

The next day, the bothered ghoul simply had no interest at all to ask anyone at the bar, only drink cheap beer, until he had so much his bodyguard had to drag him back home.

On next attempt Hancock tried to ask the opposite of his usual. Maybe he just needed something more familiar for a change. That seemed to work for a while, until the mood just died when he was supposed to ask the guy to his place.

Once, when Hancock was stoned out of his mind, a stunning black-haired and tanned man came up to him. After getting a specially tempting and delicious offer, he simply shrugged it off, saying: “Sorry, brother. But ya ain’t Eli enough for me.”

That day got Hancock completely off his guard. Was he crazy? Baked out of his mind? Well, yes, definitely, but in this situation, was he even more than usual?

Elias? Was that what bothered him all this time?

Granted, the sophisticated and proper nobleman did know very little how to impress a daring ghoul, who had experienced all sort of exiting, weird or dangerous things in his life. He did improve over the last days they spend together, but that shouldn’t have been enough to leave such mark on the ghoul. But what was it then?

Well, overall, when compared to his usual relationships, it wasn’t boring. Ironic to think so, considering the newly confirmed bachelor had no experience before they started out. Despite this, he was an exotic specimen, both with looks and his wittiness that rivaled with Hancock’s.

The other strong difference seemed to be sincerity. It wasn’t surprising at all that too many liked to please and appeal to the powerful ghoul with authority, wealth, and title. Too often enough to act ungenuine and fake their true intentions and thoughts. Not Elias. He was not the type to keep his mouth shut or fake his true opinions. That made the experience more natural, more genuine. For both of them.

However, the strongest aspect, which differentiated the man from last century from every other person in this world, was the sense of security and trust. It did feel safe to be with a man Hancock knew for a long time, knowing he would never dare to stab his back. In fact, he remembered how relaxed he felt with Elias, even when he was on top of him, fully at his mercy. In contrast, Hancock always had to stay alert and tense when he was with someone else. Granted, taking risks was exiting, but it can wear out a man.

This Spaniard was like an open book to Hancock. He knew too well him to be the best. He loved the rich content as much as the appealing covers. Which is why waiting for Elias to return from that damn nest of snakes was now more tedious than before. In all honesty, Hancock really missed Elias.

Chapter Text

“Libertalia?” Elias asked Father.

“Yes. A very simple task I believe you should be able to handle. Specially with the help of both the Institute and Minutemen to aid you. Taking down raiding gangs should be something that appeals them. Once we get that escaped synth back the Minutemen should see we are willing to strengthen the alliance between us, then they should no longer stand in our way.”

Elias couldn’t believe one bit that the Director’s intentions were pure. Get the escaped synth back, Minutemen no longer standing in Institute’s way. This was all more leaning towards Institute’s interests and agenda, not Minutemen or Commonweath. Elias made a fry face, already hearing Hancock taunts of “I’ve told ya so!”

“So this is just about removing sticks from your wheels?” Elias sneered. The selfish thinking this man was capable of. It was nothing like how Elias acted, nothing how Nora would ever act. It was unbelievable to think that the Director, The Father, Shaun, could even be in any way related to him by blood.

“The Institute has enough issues as it is, now that the Brotherhood had arrived to ruin our progress, just like Railroad”, Father explained. “We wish to make peace with at least one faction out there.”

Elias sighed. “I won’t promise the best. However, Shaun, you do have to rethink your priorities next time. With such self-centered interest The Institute is going to have a very unhealthy relationship with the upper world.”

“As long as they are willing to see in our way, it will be best for all of us. Which reminds me”, the old man suddenly became really serious. “I’m not sure what your agenda is, but I’ve heard some things from S.R.B. division. It appears that you’ve been spending a lot of time with that mayor ghoul from Goodneighbor. Even during fulfilling the favors my scientists asked you to do.”

Elias shrugged it off. “He knows the surroundings better than I do. And he does cover my back.”

“He could jeopardize our work and progress.” the Director said, warningly. “If he would ever hear of us more, if he would twist our words into lies or exaggerations… No other creature has ever inflicted so much malice and rage towards our organization. In that city of pure filth and disorder, who knows what kind of chaos he could inspire people to bring out in from within themselves. The whole Commonwealth could suffer from it. You should know that personally.”

An emotional pressure tactic. The Director knew too little of it to use it in right way. Elias knew those tricks, even if it’s been many years since he heard a presidential speech or motivating pressuring of his military commanders. And right now, the old man was guilty of trying to manipulate him with fear, pity and concern.

“I’m a grown man, Shaun. I know how to handle my relationships with others.”

“I know, father, but sadly, I’ve lived longer and seen more than you have. Trust my words: Don’t get attached to those up above. They are already a lost cause. We’ve seen it both. Down here, with your people, with last bits of hopes for humanity, lies your home, your family.”

Elias looked at the old man for a long time, then departed his eyes, not saying a word, staying as neutral as possible.

“Please, father, for a while, try to keep a distance. Focus more on us and what we want to show. Give us a chance, without anyone else clouding your vision.”

Elias caught the hint and looked at the old man with displease. “You want to separate me from my friends?”

“Not all. Just him. Only temporarily. You have to have an open mind, not one with radical leaning.”

Elias took a long pause, before reluctantly answering “Fine.” Without a proper goodbye, the man left his son’s office.

This couldn’t be the last bits of humanity Father talked about. Everything was so clear, so pristine and organized. It felt unnatural. Sure, the surface level was the other extreme, murky and chaotic, but at least they weren’t faking it. Finding clarity from there felt more satisfying than discovering dirt Elias found in Institute. Hidden FEV laboratory, experiment on humans and other species, the truth of kidnapped and replaced people. Not to mention the cruel, apathetic thinking his son was subjected to believe in, just like everyone else. It needed a lot of digging, as well as help from the inside. Something Elias was surprised to find, but saddened realizing this help was more of an exception than a norm.

Walking into the S.R.B Elias found one of his few helpers.

“Great Grandfather!” a young dark-haired girl cheered, when she saw Elias enter the surveillance room. “I’m glad to see you. How was the talk with… Grandfather?” she asked, careful with the last word.

“Hey, Bethany”, Elias said smiling, giving a quick hug to one relative he was happy to see. His tone changed though, when he had to answer the question. “Dull and one-sided. Like before.”

“You and me both”, Bethany answered, timidly fixing her hair behind her ear while looking down.

“Have you been up to something interesting?” Elias asked, changing to something more pleasant.

“Well, sort of”, the girl said, sitting down at the table, moving a joystick looking handle. One of the icons on the wall, that showed a scene of a clear sky with few branches sticking from sides, moved according to girl’s movements. The screen soon showed what Elias recognized as Covenant. The place was running with people, busy making deals and trades.

“The Covenant has started to prosper after people started to sell the teleporter parts. Seems like this place might bloom into becoming a new and improved settlement.”

Elias smiled, admiring the progress. “Just imagine how much I could drop my dept by selling those back to black market.”

“Speaking of, are you going back to Goodneighbor. I could locate Mayor Hancock for you.”

“No, Bethany, I’m not. I’ve got other business to attend to”, Elias said sadly. As much as he didn’t want to play by Father’s rules, he had to now start to appeal to him, now that he won over the trust of his subordinates. “However, I might want to see if that crazy man got himself into some new troubles on his own.”

“Alright then! I’ll find him in no time! Just hope he isn’t busy with something else…” the girl said, turning slightly red. Coincidently, so did Elias.

With a press of a button, the scene switched into another. This time it was the insides of a hole made of bricks, floored with clothes and leaves.

“I made my Good Watcher II a little nest. Just to keep him safe and out of sight when I’m not using it”, Bethany said proudly. “Let’s get this boy for a flight.”

The screen moved, or more specifically hopped, when the watcher approached the edge, jumped out into the open and glided straight across the city buildings, busy people walking underneath.

Elias was impressed every time his eyes locked onto the screen. With first-person point of view, smooth movements and colorful clear visions, this was far from experiencing a movie. This was plain out feeling yourself like a crow, flying free above tiny ant-people below.

The flight soon ended when Bethany steered the Watcher towards the Old State House, where she landed on balcony railing. The double doors were open, and inside both Elias and Bethany saw the mighty and glorious mayor napping on his sofa, head back on arm rest, one arm hanging over the edge and one leg unceremoniously resting on top on a backrest, the tricorn over his eyes and mouth, sounding his hollow snoring into his headdress.

Both dark-haired man and girl couldn’t help but laugh.

“Should we wake him up?” Bethany suggested, eagerly holding onto the joystick.

“No, unless you are ready to build Good Watcher III. Maybe we could leave a note. Oh wait, no! Can’t write with no hands?”

“That’s not an issue. We’ve been taught to do this sneakily when we have to communicate with field workers or couriers. Saves time and energy. Watch this! This is going to be so funny.”

The screen moved from balcony to mayor’s room. After fluttering in one place for a while, Bethany found a writing desk and landed on it.

With an exited smile Bethany moved the Watcher back and forward, hitting the crow’s beak against the wooden table, peeking once in a while to see if it caught the attention she looked for.

“Who the hell is knocking? People are sleeping here”, mumbled a torpid voice.

Elias knew too well that specific tone he had. The old man just had his daily doze.

It didn’t take long before the ghoul saw the black, feathery bird, standing on his writing desk. Hancock scratched his scarred head. There’s a riddle about something like this, but he couldn’t put his fingers around what it was.

The bird caught a pencil into its mouth, hopped on clear sheet of paper and started to pull it back and forward.

Carefully approaching, not to spook the odd creature, the ghoul took a closer look at what the bird was doing. He looked amazed when he realized the bird was spelling words.

Half-way through though the pencil broke. It stood still like a little stuffed trophy, confused.

With slow motion Hancock pulled the pencil out of the bird’s mouth. Doing his best to keep his hands steady and squinting his eyes under the influence of mind-numbing Daytripper mixed with Jet, the ghoul managed to sharpen the broken tool with his knife, which he then handed back to the bird.

After getting the tool back, the crow bowed its head, then continued the interrupted work. In time, the bird moved aside to let the Mayor read the message.

EL BUSY, MEET LATER

Hancock simply stared at the written letters, scratched his bald head again, then shook it. “Alright. I clearly took way, way too much. Well, Feathers, if you meet, say ‘hi’ to Eli from me”, After that he walked back to the sofa and took his original position.

The crow let out a cackling laugh.

Inside the surveillance room Elias and Bethany were dying from laughter.

“He’s hilarious!” Bethany laughed, barely keeping her breathing steady or glasses clean from tears.

“Yeah, a little”, Elias agreed, after the pain let go of his stomach. “The only reason why I’m still able to deal with his bull… I mean, nonsense”, he told censoring himself.

“That can’t be true!” Bethany said, surprised. “I’ve watched you. I saw how you work and talk with him. You seem to have a lot of fun. Surely you have a better reason than that?”

Elias though, then became incredibly anxious once he started to delve into the reasons. Elias closed up, once again shielding himself with his hands, feeling more cold by the second. For a moment, he wished for another warm hands to comfort him. Keep away the bad feeling, no matter who offered it. Realizing what he was thinking about Elias brushed it all off, scaring away the comfort and warmth, afraid to think who was offering it to her.

“Guerrero, what are you doing?!” yelled an older voice. The head of the S.R.B caught them both red-handed. “Bethany, what is the meaning of this?! Are you trying to get us all exposed?!”

“It’s alright, doctor Ayo”, Elias interrupted. “I’ve only asked Bethany to leave a message to one of my acquaintances who helped me at field work. You can ask the Director.”

Dr Ayo took the bluff and fixed his voice. “Well, if the Director approves… Just make sure not to damage the Watchers. They are expensive to make. And if you are already done, Miss Guerrero, I have new subjects for you to investigate. And you Mister Guerrero, I have a few words to exchange.”

After the bitter sweet goodbyes, Dr. Ayo took Elias aside for much private talk.

“Now then, since you’ll be back to surface I was wondering if I could ask a favor of you. If you happen to be going to Diamond City any time soon, I’d like you to retrieve the latest report from one of our Institute plants. Usually, I would send our usual middle-man, but it saves us a lot of time and effort if you could do it instead on the side.”

Elias slightly turned his eyes around. Another dirty work, all for the sake of gaining reputation from the infamous Institute.

“So who is this planted man?”

“You don’t know? It’s the Mayor McDonough himself.”

Elias stared blankly at the scientist. “You’re kidding?”

“I’m not. Honestly, I would had thought you must had figured out by now, with all the rumors, but I guess it only means the switch-up was perfect. No suspicions at all,” the man said, proudly.

Mayor McDonough, a synth. It couldn’t be!

Elias was astounded. A perfect switch-up. So perfect it fooled everyone. Even the blood-relatives. How was he ever going to explain this to Hancock?

“Hey, Boss, your little pawn just walked into the Goodneighbor through the gates”, Fahrenheit informed the mayor.

“No kidding?” Hancock asked, sounding almost cheerful for the good news. “Wait, the gates? Didn’t he… you know… Pop out of nowhere in blinding light?”

“Probably, if I would had taken the same shit you do. No, this one, the real one, just walked in. Heard he headed to Third Rail.”

Not wasting a moment Hancock dressed up and headed downstairs. Fahrenheit as usual followed behind as soon as the mayor stepped outside his domain.

Hancock didn’t get to walk half-way when he heard the approaching voices. Pulling his bodyguard with him, he hid them behind the corner of branching street, as two snipers approached.

“You’re sh… You’re pulling my legs, right? No way we’re going up against whole Libertalia, are we?” the young master sniper told the other.

“Don’t worry”, the less experienced eagle-eyed man said. “We’ll have some back-up. I need the professional with me just in case. Also, the job should pay well.”

“Well, just remember, El, I still don’t know how to swim.”

“Don’t worry, Robert. I’ll throw a lifebuoy for you if you slip. Or maybe we could find you water wings ahead.”

“Wait, aren’t you going to meet Hancock?” MacCready asked.

“I’m sure he’ll do fine a couple of extra days”, Elias said, though not so surely.

“I don’t know… The guy’s been real pain in my ass… real pain overall with his constant bugging. Asked me for drink so many times I forgot what being sober meant. Had to start declining when Duncan became too scared to be alone.”

“Will he be alright while you’re gone?”

“Locked doors and plenty of food. It’ll have to do, until I find better home for us.”

“Speaking of… I might have a full-time job for you. With private accommodation and within the knowledge of your work experience from earlier years.”

“Accom-what?”

The two were now far away that even Hancock couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation. However as much as he heard, he was still left puzzled.

“Avoiding you like plague?” Fahrenheit wondered. “Didn’t think he was that type.”

“Neither did I”, Hancock said questioning in his mind, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. He remembered the letter he got from an imaginary crow. After his trip the bird was gone but the letter was still left on the writing desk. “El busy, meet later.” What was Elias so busy with he couldn’t even meet him? Didn’t he miss at all an old friend to at least say hi?

“Should I send a spy with them?” the ginger woman asked.

“No. That eagle-eyed couple will tell themselves. After all, at least one of them has a reason to come back soon”, he said with a deep husk. Something his bodyguard knew for fact meant trouble.

The latest mission didn’t pay much, but it was enough for MacCready to buy a few more extra bullets. Maybe if he had some remains, he could buy Duncan a new jacket. The Fall season was about to start, he didn’t want the boy to get sick. Never again.

On his way out of Kill or be Killed, the young merc met a familiar mug, along with his loyal bodyguard.

“Hey, MacCready, long time no see”, the Mayor greeted cheerfully.

“Hancock, hey! How is the best ghoul around?”

“The usual. You however haven’t been seen around lately. Busy?”

“Well, I did get a few odd jobs here and there. Got a nice offer for a specific position in Covenant.”

“And your latest job…” the ghoul asked suspiciously, eyeing on the merc’s heavy equipment, like he just came from somewhere you could grab a plentiful loot to sell.

The interrogating nature did make the young man tense a little, but he knew best not to hold back information, especially from such dangerous man as Hancock.

“You took down the Libertalia?” Hancock asked, after hearing the full story.

“Yeah. The weird thing is, we even got some couriers fighting alongside us and the Minutemen”, MacCready told sitting on the other side of the sofa table, while scratching Dogmeat. The canine was happy to see the merc, but even happier when he found really weak and familiar sweet aroma he hasn’t sensed in many weeks. “Seems like the Institute really is teaming up with those army-playing farmers.”

“And El? How was he?”

“Nah, spat out an order here and there, shot a head or two, kicked some raider ass… ngh… beat up the raiders while looking heroic. Nothing special was done. Unless you count knocking someone senseless with some cryptic words. Sounded like a cheat code for a game, I bet.”

Hancock narrowed his eyes, thinking hard, deep in his thought.

Elias didn’t come to say hi, instead he immediately found MacCready and went to play with Minutemen. Along with Institute couriers? Against Libertalia? Without Hancock, the best ghoulified problem-solver ever? What gives? Why wasn’t he invited to the awesome party? This whole scheme was utter bullshit, he though with a big handful of annoyance.

“Look, I shouldn’t be even hinting that El is back already. He told me he wanted to do these missions on his own. Without involving anyone else.”

“Then why did he pick you?” Hancock asked, sounding very upset.

“He said I was neutral enough. Look, I just helped him out for the caps. Nothing else.”

“Right, I feel you. Go on now.”

Still tense the merc left the room, leaving the mayor all alone.

“Private missions, huh?  From the Institute?” Hancock asked out loud. “Not like ya all the sudden, Eli.”

Chapter Text

Eventually, after many more days, Hancock heard the news he was eager to hear for long time.

“The vault guy is back.”

“Is he coming here?”

“Nah, saw him heading towards Third Rail.”

Hancock took his leave, not bothering to wait for his bodyguard to catch up to him. He wasn’t going to let Elias slip though his fingers without him answering a few questions. The only one who accompanied him was Dogmeat, who was just as eager to meet his companion.

Through crowds, who were too focused on Magnolia’s beautiful singing to see the owner of the humble bar enter his estate, Hancock spotted the man in blue pants, talking with MacCready and some shady character back in VIP room.

“Look, I’m done with mercenary work for now. Got a new job somewhere else. You just gotta find yourself some other guy to do your bidding”, MacCready told the third person.

“No, you are not hiring anyone!” Elias interrupted. “Listen, Cedric, I’m not letting you kill an innocent man.”

“Listen, pal, unless you have a better offer to give me, say, buy me out of this gig, I’ll just keep asking.”

“You’re bribing me for sparing man’s life? You sick, pathetic, twisted man!” Elias snarled.

“If that’s all you’re going to say, then this conversation is over”, the man said, turning around to leave.

Cedric got stopped dead on his tracks by a strong hand, pressing a ringing bag against his chest.

“Keep the change and get the hell out of my town”, the Mayor said with a deep voice.

Caught off guard the man circled the man as far as possible, then took his fast leave.

After being left alone, Hancock turned to face the two snipers.

“Hancock, what are you doing here?” Elias asked.

The Mayor shrugged. “This is my bar, remember. Also, someone’s been missing his companion. Go on, boy.”

With a lazy wave of a hand the ghoul let the dog leave his side, rush toward and jump up to land his front paws on Elias chest. The man laughed slightly and greeted his favorite pet with long scratches on his head and neck, while avoiding stinky and moist kisses.

Meanwhile, Hancock tilted his head at MacCready. “Will you leave us alone for a while?”

“Come on, guys, this is my office!” MacCready complained, disgusted as he sneered.

“You said you were getting a new job. So then…  your old business office is back at my disposal. Get going already, Robert”, Hancock said much more impatiently.

“Fine, fine. Just… Keep it clean. And civil, please”, he pleaded, a lot more concerned and worried this time when he heard ghoul’s voice changing. For a moment, he almost though hearing murder in his voice.

Elias turned his gaze when he heard the slam. He was alone with Hancock, who looked around, just to make sure there were no eavesdropping birds nearby, nor curious rats. Only after that he focused at the man with lowered eyelids. Oddly enough though, he wasn’t angry, his expression was completely emotionless. That made him even more scarier. Truth be told, Elias would rather be trapped with a hungry feral right now than this unpredictable and ruthless crime lord.

“Well, Eli, aren’t you going to share a hug with me?” he asked a twisted wickedness tainting his question as he opened his arms.

Elias was cautious. He wasn’t going to step into plain field hoping there would not be mines scattered around.

“Eli, I finally caught you”, Hancock reassured, still with that off-pinch hinting through his tone. “Come on. I’ve missed you.” Only his last sentence sounded genuine and that’s what finally slowly lured his favorite vault dweller to him.

Hugging the ghoul, Elias felt himself a little nervous. However, despite his doubts, he got the exact same greeting as always. A short hug with a hard slam on the back, showcasing the strength the ghoul had, a light stroke, and then department in which they were face to face. Hancock was pleased while Elias still looked at him with alertness, his soldier sense tingling.

“Glad you made it back, Eli. Took you a long time. I was getting worried something bad happened”, told the ghoul, smiling with warmth and honesty. A bit too honestly.

Elias frowned at the man’s attempt to quilt trip him. “I was busy.”

“Busy enough not to pay a little visit?”

“Hancock, what’s with this interrogation?” Elias asked puffing up with his hands on his waist, trying to level with the shorter mayor. “It’s not like you to be this needy for attention.”

“Nor is it for you to purposely avoid me. I was in Goodneighbor when you came in”, he stated some hurt sounding from his tone.

“I’m not avoiding you! I’m just…” He was holding something back, the ghoul could see it despite his attempts to mask it.

“Well, speak up!” he pushed with his voice.

“I just want you to stay out of trouble, this time only!” he blurted out. “I was asked to keep a distance. I only agreed because I know how you feel about Institute. Working directly with them would had certainly made things worse, as well as ruin my connections with them. Not to mention.” Elias crossed his arms and looked at the man with serious eyes. “Taking down Libertalia was a dangerous mission. You’re a Mayor. Imagine what power vacuum it could cause in Goodneighbor if you would die. And what we did, you wouldn’t had liked that one bit.”

“And what was it that would had made me see red?”

Elias bit his lip, before he dared to look straight into man’s eyes. “I took someone’s freedom.”

Hancock frowned in confusion. “Did what?”

“The leader of the Libertalia. He was a synth. I took him down with a recall code. That made him immobile, senseless, defenseless…” as he described, the man became tense and closed his limbs around him like a shield. Saying those words made him feel guilty. It was like he stood ahead of the row, confessing his failures in duty, in front of a harsh commander. He continued. “It was inhumane, to just take away his free will, but… I don’t know. Maybe I saved his life. He would had been killed otherwise.” Elias sighed deeply.

Hancock though for a moment. Encouraging freedom was the principal they both followed, Hancock even more strongly. It was no wonder he felt nervous to tell it to him.

“Well, as long as there was no needless bloodshed”, he forcefully said, looking away.

“They were pleased”, Elias added. “The Director was impressed and considered strengthening our alliance with Minutemen. He trusts me now more and allows me to work closer with the other scientists. Now, I work as their arrant boy.”

“So, what are you up to now?” Hancock asked.

“Well, thanks to you, I probably saved another synth, working for Institute this time.”

“A synth under Institute’s orders?!” Hancock hissed. “Then why the hell did you say he was innocent?”

“I tried to play a sympathy card, alright”, he defended himself, a little startled by Hancock’s threatening voice. “Besides, it’s… It’s complicated. If he dies, it ruins the work I’m doing.”

“So what? Now Institute comes ahead off all else? What if your next project is to kidnap someone?”

What the ghoul said was like he was talking not to a trusted friend, but a traitor he suspected was switching sides.

“I swear, I’m trying to work around this whole mess!” Elias shouted, his tone breaking under the pressure and quilt. “I’m doing my best. I don’t know if it’s right or not. I’m all alone in this, John, can’t you get it! All these new jobs. It’s nauseating. I don’t know how far I can go, just to gain more Institute’s trust. That’s why I got as far as I could, away from your eyes.”

There were so many other reasons, but they were too heavy to tell.

A pressuring silence fell between them.

Carefully, looking at him the ghoul finally said. “I feel you, Elias”, daring to approached afraid man, Hancock rested his scarred hand on his shoulder. “But you don’t have be alone in this. Just… be honest. You still with us, right?”

“Yes”, he answered firmly.

“And all these missions, no matter how shitty, all to get trust, right? If that’s how it is, then I don’t think you need to feel too shy to come and see your friends. If anything, talking will make it easier. Not to mention, we don’t have to guess the worst.”

Despite using plural, Elias knew too well that the man was more talking about himself. Elias gently took his hand and guided it down of his shoulder, not letting go for a while. How he missed that careful caress. “Thank you, John.”

“Hey, it’s cool. But then…” he asked steering away from the pressuring subject. “Who was the synth you’re trying to save?”

“Roger Warwick. He… He got replaced. His family doesn’t know though. They grow modified crops, testing if they could develop more efficient plants for food production.”

“Modified crops, huh? Damn, just when I thought that place wasn’t shitty enough”, Hancock joked, with a lightly forced humor.

“I might have to go back. Just to make sure there are no other problems. Cedric was sent by another guy, named Bill Sutton. He might do something himself if Cedric doesn’t show up soon.”

“El, maybe I could give you a ride.”

“You sure?” he asked, pleased, but still unsure if he should accept the offer, after telling how he would most likely not like to aid anything that has to do with Institute’s more shady businesses. Not to mention, would Director approve that?

“I need some fresh air anyways. Plus, we’ll have to make up the lost time together, right?”

“I guess I owe you that at least”, he smiled slightly.

Racing with a chasing German Shepherd, a ghoulified horse got her two riders to the Warwick station when the evening painted the sky in vivid colors of violet, pink and yellow. The horizon of the sea looked beautiful like a painting, which was worth to speed up to see it so clean. The only thing that ruined the picture was the old, smelly waste treatment plant.

After unmounting himself, Hancock turned to help his passenger. A distracting sound made him almost trip them both down when Elias jumped.

“What is it?” Elias asked.

“I hear trouble”, he said, his hand hooking back to grab his shotgun.

When they got close enough, Elias heard it too. Yelling, panicking, threads and pleads. With silent motions he and Hancock moved to the doors. Dogmeat covered behind them, staying away from shot range.

At the doors, the two stood side to side, Elias showing three fingers he put down one by one. Once she pulled his fist down, they both kicked the doors open. Instinctively they pointed their guns at the person holding his own weapon, ready to shoot defenseless Roger with his both hands up.

“Don’t move, Bill!” Elias shouted.

“Thank God you came!” Roger stuttered, relief for the arrived help, but still scared of the deadly pistol staring at him. “Please, he’s insane! Help me!”

“You!” Bill said once he recognized Elias, filled with spite. “I know you are part of this. You probably killed the real Roger so this thing could take his place.”

“Calm down, Bill. Just put your gun down and we will do the same. Let’s talk about this.”

“The hell I will!” he yelled and aimed at the man now. “You just want to have an easy drop on me. Who do you think you are anyways?” he spatted, fear and confusion taking over the man, until he came to a frightening realization. “No, I know who you are: You’re one of them!”

“I am not!” Elias protested, but a bit too fast.

Bill would not let it go. He laid out all the evidence. How Elias came out of nowhere, talked privately with Roger, leaves and then comes back, instead of Cedric. “That’s right, you’re up to something, and I ain’t going to trust a word you say.”

That hit the man hard, it was painted clear on his face. Hancock saw it clearly and he grew pity towards Elias. Even a little guilty.

“We don’t need bloodsheds, Bill. Not by killing innocent people”, Elias said shakily, losing his convenience over the resign that consumed his confidence.

“This man is not innocent! I’ll prove it all to you!” Bill yelled, and pointed his gun at Roger.

A gunshot sounded before anyone could make a noise. Bill fell down, blood pouring from his head. The mother and two children who stood aside ran up to Roger, hugging him and crying with thankful happiness. Hancock turned his head toward Elias, shock reflecting from his round, shocked eyes, as he lowered his smoking rifle.

From a little storage room was heard quiet sobbing. Hancock sat on a simple straw-bed, holding close the big ball that has tucked into his embrace like a small frightened and crying child.

Elias was holding onto his hair with a dead grip, tears pouring out one by one as he was unable to hold them back. “I killed him. I killed a man over… over a synth…” he whispered in quilt, feeling like a young man on a field, killing his first enemy.

The circling arms tightened around him. A reassuring hand pressed Elias’ head against a scarred chest. No words were said. No words would be meaningful enough to comfort the shocked soldier. Hancock knew it, so he stayed quiet, and only held the man close. With his closure, the ghoul only hoped he could show the man he did not blame him and still had faith towards his friend, so much that he let him be near in secluded place.

When Elias calmed down slightly, he felt fingers on his chin, taking a firm grip of him, moving his head to face another. The blurry person would still hold onto him, tenderly, responsible enough to be careful with his commanding movements. Elias felt warming lips on his forehead, showing reverence. As for a comfort, he felt back of fingers on his cheek, stroking the smooth and warm skin, wiping off the hot, salty tears away from his handsome face. In another’s care, Elias started to quiet down, as his grief melted away, slowing down the flow of sadness out of his eyes. Elias looked at the dimmed figure in front of him. After reassuring that the man was warmed up, he was met with a comforting smile. It was so warm and heartfelt, Elias poured another set of tears, this time smiling back. After sharing one quick kiss to his lips, Elias got taken over by warm and moist muckles on his cheek, jaw and neck, painting him with glistening marks of passion. He welcomed it all. He welcomed everything that would take away his sadness and loneliness. Elias needed comfort and support, he needed warmth, even if it didn’t come from the warmest man he knew. As long as he was cared for, he could give in. Just to be happy and safe again.

Hancock felt Elias’s fingers on his flesh, scraping new scars on his skin. The long wait has made the ghoul hungry for this man’s heat, which fed his veins to a boil. However, he held back, just enough to keep them both down, so their hosts wouldn’t wake up from the noise. This moment had to be theirs only.

The lusty need eventually died out when both participants were satisfied. Elias clutched onto cooling and rough body, while Hancock watched over him, stroking his hair and running his fingers across his hot and sturdy body. The man did not feel sleepy, even with an alert German Shepherd nearby. Not with an unpredictable synth sleeping under same roof. Through whole night he kept a watch, while on the side admired the exotic and needy stud in his grace. With him sleeping, so defenselessly, so peacefully with the ghoul next to him, Hancock had to make sure he would stay that way. For someone who did so much to him and made sure to protect their relationship, the ghoul owed that little to his companion.

Chapter Text

Elias should stay away from Hancock. He should use every excuse to ether grow distance between them, or not see him at all. Despite the warning he got from Director, despite worrying to spill the crushing secret for him, he felt empty and cold without the man at his side, comforting and reassuring him that he was not alone. With him Elias always had someone he could count on, no matter how bleak the situation was. He could not make up an excuse to be away from him if he had a chance. He wanted to be with Hancock. Derivatively, when it came to the crushing secret, the one about Hancock’s older brother, Elias would just have to keep it to himself. Not mention anything related to it, and avoid telling, without lying ether. He could never be able to lie to a person he cared so much.

It was distressing to tell Hancock he had business to attend to at Diamond City. When he asked what business, Elias vaguely said he wasn’t sure. To that Hancock simply smiled, before getting onto his mount and helping him up. It was very crushing how much faith the ghoul had in him, to the point of not pushing him for any more information.

I was a numb ride all the way to the giant gates of Green Jewel that secured its citizens within its towering emerald walls.

“Here we are. The shiniest cesspool in all Commonwealth. Your stop, mister”, Hancock exaggerated when he dismounted himself. Turning towards Elias he caught him when he slid down from horse. As a reward for his gentleman act Hancock got a quick kiss on his cheek. In return he made sure to get a good grip on man’s hips before letting him go, enjoying the little yelp.

An armed guard with a baseball helmet stopped the man as he was about to enter. “Sorry, folk. No ghouls allowed. Same applies to you, One-One-One. Can’t take that freak with you.”

“Yeah, yeah, we know the drill. No need to be rude”, Elias said offended.

“Sorry, sorry. Gotta keep up the act. Never know if the Mayor McDonough hears”, the guard whispered.

Hancock reacted somehow confused, turning to face the guard, until he remembered he was talking about the other McDonough, who was also mayor. The misunderstanding caused him frustration and he puffed out through his nose-hole.

“Is he around? Can he hear us?” Elias asked, taking advantage of the subject.

“Yeah, he is. Don’t know if he hears us. Said though he has his ears all around the city.”

“Oh. I see”, he muttered, turning his eyes.” Well, why don’t you watch over this one while I’m in. Play nice, Hancock”, he said heading toward the stairs.

“No promises, Eli”, Hancock said coyly to the leaving vault dweller.

After tying up his horse to a nearest pole, Hancock leaned against the wall, lighting up a cigarette.

The guard right next to him stood straight, turning his bat around. Feeling how his legs were getting heavy, he leaned against the same wall as the ghoul.

The ghoul took a glimpse at him, and nodded his head up. “Sup.”

“Um… Hey”, the guard said clumsily. “So, how is Goodneighbor? Good shit going on in there?”

“Heh, you bet, buddy”, Hancock chuckled.

“So umm… any good stuff from there?”

Hancock patted his coat and pants, until he found a dark honey-colored bottle. “Got some Buffout. Boosts up your muscles and gives you quite a menacing voice. From my personal stash. Interested?”

Even with a helmet on, the guard looked intrigued, straining up all the sudden and eagerly looking around, then he leaned in to ask. “How much?”

Hancock’s mouth corners widened, as he smiled, flashing one golden tooth through his crooked smile. “For a favor, you can have it, brother.”

Telling that Elias was a mere courier caused the same effect as if he would had said he was a president. The guards immediately stepped out of her way and changed their manner of speech. With clumsy polite hand gestures, they lead him to the mayor’s office. The tension grew at its highest when the doors got closed and Elias was left all on his own, along with the other mayor.

Remembering his lines, Elias cleared his throat and said. “Mayor McDonaugh, I’m here to deliver a package. From Mister Ayo.”

“Ah, welcome, welcome. Good to see you again! Mister Guerrero, wasn’t it?” he saluted with chipped pleasantness.

Hearing the man being so familiar with him sounded very off-setting. The two of them have never spoken before this. Only twice. Once when he welcomed Elias at the gates and second when Elias asked the key to Kellogg’s house. He heard the mayor performing his speeches in public occasionally, but that never gave him a clear picture of what the man was actually like. Public person was never the same as the one he was in private. Right now, with both him and the elderly man in fancy outfit alone, he was about to find out. However, he would never be able to find out what the Mayor McDonough was like in actuality. Instead, he was now learning what synth Mayor McDonaugh was like.

“So how is Mister Ayo? I hope he is doing well”, the Mayor opened their conversation with a light small talk.

Not an easy subject to talk about, so Elias answered simply. “He’s fine.”

“I’m glad to hear it”, he answered back, getting more official after that, sensing that the man was not in a mood for chit-chat. “Well then, let’s get to business. Got a lot to report for our mutual friends so this might take a while. You might want to sit down. May I offer you something? Smoke? Cognac? Whiskey? Gin?”

Both poor scavenger and classy gentleman within Elias could not hold back the temptation, and he begrudgingly took the offer. Elias enjoyed free expensive drinks and listened with only one ear Mayor’s rambling, like an opportunistic snob at the men’s club.

The Mayor started off with Piper. Typical, since she must have been his biggest, personal headaches. Then he mentioned the bugging Railroad and Minutemen, who he only now got informed that they work now with the Institute. It was amusing to hear how he first berated the paranoid farmers and settlers, after which he hastily and unorganized tried to set them up to a better light.

The way how the man talked was astounding. His speech was formal and rich, but it always sounded like he had rehearsed his performance over and over, until he knew what to say from memory using all the fancy words and hand gestures like an actor. If he was put off guard or interrupted, he had to gather his thoughts before talking again. Not Hancock. That man remembered only the key points, then he spouted his words as he went, improvising and reading his listeners at the same time. All the inspiring speeches, they came from the moment, according to the crowd that listened to him. He didn’t have to be official or pretentious, the people loved him for his honest charisma and striking relatability when he could put himself down to his people’s level. This Guy had to be always above everyone else.

Elias focused better when he heard the mayor talk about ghouls, specifically, the Slog. It was a peaceful community with friendly and co-operative people living in it, how could it be a problem? Apparently, it brought up ghoul sympathizers, which was ruining his campaign. Elias sneered slightly at this man’s Brotherhood-like ideology, which was even worse since it was only because the man was scared for his damn post and authority.

“Which brings me to my next subject: Hancock” the man groaned the name, like it was his most hated word, catching the man’s full attention. “He won’t shut up about me. Every caravan that comes from Goodneighbor is loaded with heresy and rumors about my… loyalties”, with frustration he explained, his one fist up. “I keep telling our mutual friends that they need to step up our plan to deal with him. Reiterate the urgency, if you could.”

The way how he spoke about Hancock, it didn’t just sound like a man who got mad at another for crashing his car or ‘borrowing’ money. McDonough simply didn’t recognize the man for his relative. Did he even know that the ghoul was his little brother? Little brother. Well, that sounded really strange, Elias though as he looked at the worn-out, large elderly man in front of him and remembered even older looking thin corpse down at the gates. Wait, why was he comparing these two so much? The man had to shake his head in order to get focused.

Elias was handed a sealed envelope, with no name or other information.

“Here’s my full report. Make sure nobody sees this. Better you destroy it than let it fall into the wrong hands.”

The implication made it very clear who’s wrong hands he was mostly talking about.

“So I should bring this to Piper right away?” Elias smiled smugly.

“NO… I mean, um… Ha-hah. Funny. Very, very funny”, he laughed, failing to sound amused, a sudden fright tainting his speech.

The lift took Elias down to lower, merrier and smellier level of the city. Oddly enough it was less worse than the pompous and pretentions mess and smell than in upper level.

After the meeting Elias felt himself weak and shuttering. The envelope, which was hidden deep withing his backpack, it seemingly had brought more weight on his shoulders. There it was. A real proof that McDonough was indeed working for the Institute. However, him being synth was all his secret to carry. What a burden. What a horrible truth it was, which could bring clearance to all suspicions, as well as panic among those who relied on the mayor who kept his community whole with comforting lies of safe heaven they lived in, with no fear or outside threats, like Institute or synths. How much sorrow it would bring to those who at least somehow were close to said person. Or at least, the real person who got replaced by a replica.

Elias hated that inanimate object on his back. He wanted it gone. He just wanted to give it away to Dr. Ayo and be done with it, never to remember why he was sent to this meeting.

“Blue! Hey, Blue!” yelled a familiar voice, which sounded louder very fast.

A red flash attacked him, crushing Elias into a tight hug. Sadly, too tight to belong to another person dressed in red.

“Piper… Can’t breathe!” Elias gasped, paying back her hug, just so he could get released.

“Well, sorry. Had to give it all for all the lost time we haven’t met”, the reporter nagged.

Another attention seeker, Elias groaned in his head.

“You haven’t visited Diamond City for ages. You’re two days late with your rent! What? Got too busy with the bad boys of Goodneighbor?” she joked, obviously referring Maccready and Hancock, although you could hardly call one of them a ‘boy’. After mentioning that, Piper got a little less humorous. “I mean, is it true? You’ve been…” Piper looked around then leaned closer to whisper, “You’ve been working for the Institute lately?”

“Yeah, it’s true, sadly”, Elias admitted right away. There was no reason to try to bury that truth. Piper would eventually find out. “And before you start suspecting: No, I’m not a replacement. It’s still me, working as a double agent, trying to gain their trust.”

“Well geez, there’s a lot to catch up on. It’s gonna be one long article.”

“You better save it, I’m still undercover, remember”, Elias cooled of the other woman, before she could get excited about new inspirations she was about to get.

“Yeah, sure. But I’d still want to get the new information as fresh as possible. Mind for a cup of Joe?”

“Can’t right now. Got someone waiting for me”, Elias said, pointing at the gates with his thumb.

“Well, mind if I tag along? We could both need some catching up, you know”, Piper suggested.

It was impossible to argue against her. In a way or another, Piper would always get what she wanted.

Once getting outside, both dark-haired man and woman met quite a sight. Hancock was sucking in some long, delicious Power Noodles. With a fork. While joking to a guard who enjoyed his own cup. Without a helmet on and resting his bat against the wall.

“And that’s how I killed the giant pink ghoulephant”, Hancock ended his story, making the guard look at him with awe.

“That was quite the story, Mister Mayor. Was it all real?”

“Real as my name, brother”, he riddled. “Which remind me, have I told you about a ghoul who walked into a bar?”

“A millionth time, Viejo”, Elias fumed, before Hancock could even start. “Where did you get that?” he asked pointing at the empty cup, feeling a little hungry and regretting not buying his own.

“This guy here brought me some. Haven’t eaten this in looooong time, brother. Pretty fulfilling, if you ask me.”

“He just left his post to get you noodles?”

“I said I’d watch for him.”

“But… You could had sneaked in meanwhile?”

“And then what? Get kicked out by other guards? No thanks. I take care of my lovely ass”, the man husked with a wide grin.

Elias sneered, muttering. “Lovely as bulldog’s face.”

“And you are tied to this bulldog’s face, you beautiful bastard!” he said pointing at his hips.

“Ew, guys! Can’t believe I’m saying this but too much information!” Piper squirmed in disgust.

“Best thing is he’s loving every wrinkle of it”, Hancock laughed. Once cooling off, the ghoul was met with the most murderous eyes he’d even seen. The ex-soldier in front of him lifted his hand up. Then, in a swift move yanked the tip of Hancock’s tricorn over his eyes.

Once Hancock got his vision back, the fiery Spaniard was already walking away with his nose up towards the sky, leaving the ghoul with the reporter.

“Well, Miss Wright. Long time no seein’”, he toyed.

“Well, if it isn’t my second least favorite mayor”, Piper sassed back. “So, by the looks of it… Finally got him, huh?” A little disappointment sounded from her voice, like she saw this coming and owned somebody money. “You just couldn’t let him be? Had to get the exclusive? Another score for the board? Pity the guy.”

“Hey, why do you guys always think worst of me right away?” he played offended.

Once catching up, Piper would not leave Elias’ side and bombarded him with questions and stories she had missed out, all the way back to Goodneighbor. She asked about the Institute, their operations, the missions Elias was sent to, as well as the strange and complicated alliance between Institute and Minutemen. With Elias’ clarifications, Piper got the missing pieces she needed. As nosy as she was, this wasn’t just for her papers, it was for the good of the Minutemen as well. The worse was to make the faction look like minions working for the boogeyman of the Commonwealth. Those people were almost back to their original strength, another collapse would destroy them for good this time.

Walking on foot made the journey somewhat lengthy, which is why it was already late when they arrived. Which was only good thing, because now Piper would have a reason to stay for a night, questioning more her best gossip guy.

Close to sleep time, while Elias helped to prepare a bed for the guest, Piper started to ask more personal questions.

“So, where do you sleep then, Blue?”

A suspecting coy smile on her lips told she already knew, but Piper wanted to hear it from Elias himself.

“In mayor’s bedroom”, he said formally, trying to not make a big deal of it.

“Guess you working together too much made you… too close. The name Blue is fitting you even more, Blue”, she laughed, lying down on a sofa, reading the texts above her head, lining them with her hand. “I can see the headlines! ‘The ghoul who melted his heart and a man who pumped new life into him!’ Or how about this: ‘Ghoulified charms: Appealing even to pre-war gents!’ Or maybe: ‘Mayor of Goodneighbor and Major of Minutemen. Only one letter apart’!”

“Shut up!” Elias joked, unable to stop from getting embarrassed and amused at the same time.

“Well, I’m happy you’re finally embracing your real self. Guess a guy can change his habits, huh?” After getting a questioning look, Piper clarified. “I thought you were all about good guys. I might be wrong but Hancock doesn’t strike me as a nice guy.”

Elias avoided the eye contact. It was highly uncomfortable to try to excuse how he changed his principles. “Things just… happened.”

“Well… Got any regrets?” Piper asked, cautiously and concerned.

Elias gave her a warm and very assuring smile. “No regrets”, his voice was soft, like he meant it, and was unable to tell how sincere he actually was. To tell how much this change brought lightness to his heart, it would be impossible to describe it.

“Well… As long as you are happy, Blue.” Piper was still a little concerned, but she did relax when she saw how peaceful Elias looked. Sadly, it made it even harder to ask the heavy question she had. “Well, have you thought about your future? You know he’s… not exactly known to stay in one place for long. Whatever there is…” …it might not be mutual, Piper continued in her head, not being able to break down the truth.

“Whatever is what?” Elias asked, hastily wondering herself.

Piper’s question suddenly made Elias unease. Something felt out of place but he didn’t know why. Having someone so close was a reassuring and pleasant feeling. Why would there be something wrong or worth doubting. Unless Elias missed something. Maybe it wasn’t built right? Instead of an answer she got an interruption.

“Okay girls and boys, jammies party is closin’ to its end!” Hancock announced, strolling in through doors. “It’s time for all the little kids go to bed. You too, Eli”, he said showing out the room, towards the bedroom.

“Whatever you say, papi”, Elias grunted and followed his lead, leaving his belongings, since he felt too lazy to take them with him.

“Well, look, you almost said ‘daddy’”, Hancock teased him.

“And I never will. ¡Buenas noches, Piper!”

“Nighty-Nights, Blue!” before being left in privacy, Piper noted to Hancock who was about to close the doors.” If he says that, I’m gonna eat my own hat. Keep it down, will ya?”

The sly ghoul grinned wickedly at the reporter and said right before leaving. “No promises, Wright. Naughty Nights.”

After the realization Piper grimaced.

The living room echoed with clinking and fabric noise. The Spaniard kept his things pretty organized, but there were still too many things to shuffle though in his backpack. Piper was about to give up, thinking her hunch was wrong. She was about to blow the candle light, when her hand touched a smooth paper surface. Piper pulled out an envelope. It was sealed, which meant Elias would know if someone would had opened it.

“Oh, screw it”, she cursed and ripped the paper. What the reported read made her jaw drop. This would had been just a personal hate letter, if it wasn’t for the further information she read. The piercing words struck immediately her eyes as she read them: “send a courier”, “maybe we need rat watchers”, “are there any humans in power who could be replaced in Goodneighbor?”

“What’cha got there?”

The rash voice made Piper jump when she got busted by a ghoul with dizzy black eyes, looking over the little scavenger. Piper was relieved when she realized it was just Hancock, who just put away his knife. Even more when he had the decency to have pants on. Less when she notices he hasn’t even buttoned himself up.

“Oh my god… You… Damn it, Hancock. Don’t sneak up like that. Why did you…”

Lazily the man pointed at his ear. “Ghoul ears. Can’t stand the rustle. Now... I can’t even peek at Elias’s personal belongings. How the hell did you get the permission?” he asked accusingly but still playing around with her.

“Honestly I shouldn’t need a permission to uncover truth. Otherwise I would had never figured this out!” the reporter snarked, pushing the paper into Hancock’s face. Just in case if he wasn’t sober enough to read, she spelled out for him. “Assassination of a mangling reporter. The disturbance of Slog. Suggestion of eliminating Minutemen. Hunting the Railroad. Removing you, Hancock. All from Mayor McDonough! The personal spy of the Institute!” she announced, trying her best to hold back her loud voice. “Don’t believe me? Check out the last paper. Nothing but Institute stuff.”

In disbelieve Hancock scanned through the papers, becoming more baffled with every new word or sentence that strengthened Piper’s arguments.

“How did this end up in Elias’s backpack?” he asked, a slight worry and anger in his voice, as he hoped his fears weren’t becoming true.

“I actually saw Elias coming from McDonough’s office. Jeez, I really hate to speculate the worse, but I think Elias knows he’s a spy.”

“And he didn’t tell”, Hancock hissed, spite fuming from within him.

“Wow, easy there!” Piper calmed the man down, already seeing daggers forming in his eyes.  “That’s a big thing to spill out that bluntly, you know. Can’t blame him. He’ll be in big trouble and could blow his whole cover.” Piper didn’t know if she managed to convince the ghoul, but he did eventually calm down as well as became thoughtful about what he was told. “Look, here’s what I’m thinking: I’ll solve this whole thing myself. Blue won’t have to spoil his connections with the Institute. I know now for certain that McDonough is in cahoots with them. He might be even… So now I’m gonna expose them! Might need some help though. If only I could get a verbal recording…” for a moment Piper’s eyes lit and she looked at Hancock hopefully. “Say, can you get me Blue’s Pip-Boy?”

Chapter Text

With the sunlight shining in, only one person woke up. Elias found himself alone in bed. A slight fright pressed on his chest until he found his partner sitting on a sofa, resting his cheek on armrest.

“Awake already?” Hancock asked, with a very low monotone.

It was a little weird to see the ghoul awake before him, since Elias was an early bird while Hancock always liked to snooze as long as possible.

“Couldn’t sleep?” Elias guessed, seeing the older man looking even more absent-minded than usually, which wasn’t because of chems. He knew him too well.

“No”, he answered, focusing now on the man, busy dressing up.

“Have you seen my Pip-Boy? I’m sure I left it on the table”, he asked while dressing.

“Wright took it with her”, Hancock answered again, still monotoned, following with his eyes how the man left the bedroom cursing the reporter for taking his things without permission. Without a hurry Hancock slowly followed behind, giving the man enough time. At the door he saw him standing next to his backpack, with the ripped envelope, papers still inside. The man looked at the ghoul, after realizing the picture, but still looking for reassurance.

“Hancock, where is Piper?” he whispered.

“Back in Diamond City. Left this night.”

The way how he told him the information so straight and how he spoke with such emotionless voice, it sounded like he was withholding something. Also, the fact that he didn’t even ask what the envelope was, seemed like he already knew.

“John… Did you… Did Piper read this?”

“Yeah. I took a brief look. Was too drowsy to make up most of it, though.”

A moment of silence took a hold between them, which Hancock then broke. “Were you going to tell me?”

Elias didn’t answer right away, but then shook his head. “No. No, I wasn’t. It would had been too risky.”

“To think that McDonaugh is a spy? Well, I don’t think that would had made too much of a change. I’m still here, and Piper is going her usual snoopin’ like before. We all had our suspicions.”

“You mean, it doesn’t shock you that… Wait… You think he’s a spy?” Elias asked, confused.

“Yeah, what of it?”

This was the heaviest moment. The one where Elias felt like a statue, with his every limb feeling like weighty stone, unable to move them. The worst were his lips, unable to form words, and throat, dry and out of breath.

“He’s… he’s not just spy”, Elias whispered, just barely for Hancock to hear. “McDonough… he’s a synth.”

“What?” Hancock asked cautiously, unsure if he heard the man correctly.

The word got out, but it was yet to explain, as Elias continued telling, hands in fists and chest burning from quilt and worry. “McDonough, your brother… He’s been replaced with a synth. That synth is in Diamond City, up in mayor’s office.”

The transformation was drastic. The emotionless face of a ghoul was soon replaced with a mess of confusion, astonishment and disbelieve.

“You’re… You’re kidding. Tell me you’re just kidding, please!” Hancock told him with an odd shaky voice, which was a mix of forced amusement, pleading and irritation.

There was no way around it, as the man shook his head. It was all true.

For the first time, in all these three years Elias knew this man, he found Hancock lost, puzzled and completely confused, out of touch with his surroundings and what was happening. The world had made a perfect backflip. Elias tried to reach out for him. The ghoul backed away like a frightened bird. However, he wasn’t afraid. He looked at the man, his friend, for a long time. During that time, his emotions changed from looking at the man for one second like he was a traitor, then many other, like he was relieved, maybe even glad, yet still sad. Elias could spot some disappointment in him as he looked away, but still glanced once in a while, looking for reassurance.

Eventually, it was too much and he backed away. “I… I need to cool off”, he said, raising his hand towards Elias, preventing him from following.

Despite Hancock not lashing out at Elias with razored knife in anger for withholding the truth, Elias still felt like a traitor. He stood numbly in the room. Alone. Abandoned and cold. Cold which hurt him immensely from the inside, becoming more painful. He didn’t want it. He needed it gone. Elias needed to find him. He needed him to know he was sorry.

With some leads and asking around, Elias found himself outside the old State House, quickly heading towards a building, smelling awfully like a farmhouse. Inside Elias recognized familiar clopping and snorting. In a moment the clopping fastened. The giant door of a building opened up and mighty undead horse jumped out, carrying her armed rider on. With a swift move the ghoul rider steered his steed and headed fast forward, towards the gates of Goodneighbor.

In that moment Elias mind had shut down and the instincts took a hold. Without thinking he jumped in front of the giant beast, stopping it with his hands forward.

Frightened, the timid equine neighed and backed away, ready to flee. Her rider steered her back, holding her still.

“Are you fucking mad? I could had run over you!” Hancock snarled at the man below him.

His chest beating like mouse’s heart, Elias took his time to steady his breath from shock. “Where do you think you are going?” he asked sternly.

“To Diamond City. Now move aside.” Despite him steering his horse, Hancock was blocked by Elias stepping in front of him. “I said: Move”, he ordered, his voice deep enough to scare anyone at this point. “El, I’m serious. Reckless will kick you if I order her to go over you.”

“You won’t let that happen,” Elias challenged him with a certain attitude, like he knew for sure he wouldn’t. And indeed, Hancock couldn’t, as he sat motionless, unable to go any further. When he was ready to listen, Elias spoke. “Look, I know you’re in shock, disbelieve and angry at me. But you’re acting irrational right now. You can’t go inside Diamond City, you’ll be kicked out immediately. You said so yourself just yesterday.” His words affected the ghoul, as he saw his shoulders lower, and expression turning less dense. With empathy, Elias continued. “John, I’m really sorry. I never lied to you. And I held back the truth because of this. I never wanted to hurt you. I…”

“Alright, El, enough!” he snapped, gesturing with his hand. Softly, he added. “I feel you. It… It really is hard, hold it back and all, I know. But… Let’s not talk about it here. We’re in public”, he looked around, seeing only a few people walking by the riding Mayor and the Vault Dweller blocking his way. “Hop on.”

Without asking, Elias obeyed, with Hancock handing out his arm to lift the heavy man behind him. With no other obstacle on his way, Hancock could continue his ride, but not back to the stable, but forward.

“John, where are you going?” Elias whispered to his ear.

“To Diamond City, like I said.”

“But what about the guards. You’ll get caught as soon as you take a step towards the gates.”

“No, we are not going through the main gates. The wall is old. There can’t be just one entrance.”

Like a prime example, the old library of archives and books stayed quiet from all the noises and disturbances. Up till some wooden creaking was heard. One of the bookshelves next to each other moved, revealing a cracked hole behind it. From the hole crawled out a Spaniard and a revolutionary ghoul.

“Can’t believe they never fixed this”, Elias commented, holding back a little chuckle.

“Why waste time on improvin’ when you’re too busy glorifyin’”, Hancock said, more sarcastically than humorously, killing the cheering mood Elias tried to lift.

In time a realization hit the ex-soldier and he stopped Hancock by his arm. “Hold on! Your face.”

Hancock grunted. He didn’t think this far. Going through his belongings and clothing, he could only find his sash which would had worked for a cover, but maybe it was too big. While pondering, he was handed a red bandana by Elias, who’s neck was now fully exposed. Appreciative, Hancock took his offering and tied the cloth as high as possible, covering most of his scars and missing nose.

“Keep your head low, and maybe they’ll think you’re just old-fashioned highwayman”, Elias advised. Then he proceeded to close the buttons on ghoul’s coat. “And for the love of God: Less bare skin!”

Out in the open, people were in too much of a havoc to focus on two odd people out of touch with the current time. It was hard to make out what was going on, but one thing was certain: This was not an ordinary day in Diamond City. Pushing through the crowds in narrow streets of slums, passing the cramped shacks and tiny stands and crossing a few bridges over other buildings, Elias and Hancock rushed towards the elevator that would take them to higher stands where the mayor’s office was. In main market next to the other side of the gates and mighty wall, the chaos bloomed at its worse in this city. Everyone was talking in distress and confusion. Some were gathered around one spot close to the church, looking at something from safe distance laying on the ground. Elias had to figure out what it was so he pushed through to see closer.

“Hang in there, Sullivan. Stay calm and the blood rush will steady itself”, voice of doctor Sun sounded.

Elias saw the doctor above a bleeding, unmovable guard. The young man was fighting for the last strings that tied his life to his body.

“McDonough… I saw… him… Piper was right…” he breathed out barely.

As he spoke, the doctor calmed him down, measuring his pulse from one wrist. The other one, it had a Pip-Boy around it. Elias’ Pip-Boy.

“Danny, where did you get this?” Elias asked, kneeling next to the man, holding his other wrist, careful not to hurt him as every movement the young man made seemed to cause him pain, like his whole body has suffered a severe injury.

“Piper… She said I could get close, without suspicion. Please, it’s in there… He was with a synth. Listen to it!” he said, forcing his hand towards the man.

“Please, I need to focus!” doctor Sun ordered. “Take that thing and back off!”

Elias obeyed, undressing the device and taking it with him. Adjusting it back to his hand Elias felt the familiar, protective firm hold he was so used to. Only when being briefly without it he realized how naked he was without his advanced swiss knife -like wristwatch.

“What happened to the kid?” Hancock asked through the red bandana.

Elias searched through his Pip-Boy. Apparently, the spare tape he got inside the device had new voice over as he played it and didn’t recognize the sounds it made. Steady marching, bored sighs, then silence. A new set of talking was heard, which became cleared the closer the Pip-Boy’s wielder approached while recording.

“No, this can’t be! I’m with them, don’t you understand you piece of junk metal!” a terrified scream of McDonough was heard from the tape.

“You have outlived your usefulness. The Institute has decided your duties in Diamond City to be nullified. You are to be removed from this position“, monotoned robot-voice spoke back.

“You can’t do this to me!” shouted the Mayor after which gunshots were heard.

“Mayor McDonough!” Danny shouted, running fast, after which a bang was heard and a creak, like a door was just opened forcefully. “I’ve heard noises and I… Oh… Oh.. my God. What is that?”

Two shots. Danny screaming. Sound of heavy footsteps. A hollow clonk followed with a long whaling scream which was silenced with a flat thump. After that a long stillness, which was replaced with people’s increasing concerned speeches.

After listening to the recording Elias looked at Hancock. His eyes were narrow under his lowered tricorn.

“Better get up and quick”, he rasped.

The arriving duo weren’t the only ones for an appointment with the Mayor. An unbridled reporter was kicking and bashing into the door with rage, trying to get through. Upon seeing Elias and Hancock she seized for a moment, regaining her strength.

“Blue, you’re here!” she sounded both glad, as well as a little hesitant at the end. “Look, about the papers, and Danny… I…”

“Save it, Piper!” Elias halted her. “Is he in there?”

“Yeah, but I can’t get in! McDonough has locked himself in.”

“Step aside”, Hancock demanded, his shotgun up.

Both man and woman stepped aside facing away as the ghoul shot the lock between the double door. The doors suffered an injury but stayed shut.

“Back off, amateurs!” a masked guard yelled, wielding a much bigger gun they usually had, freshly out of the safe where only those weapons with biggest kicks were stored.

With just one blow the doors flung open. Armed with their own weapons, everyone stepped in. Inside, the mayor of Diamond City just recovered from the blast and pointed his pistol at four approaching people each of them frightening him like beasts closing in towards a lost sheep.

“Not a step closer!” he threatened, stopping the others.

“Help me! He’s crazy!” yelled a female voice. The mayor’s secretary, Geneva, pleaded in the corner on her knees. If she would make a single wrong move, she’d be put down with one hit.

Like a cornered animal, the mad look on McDonough reflected through his whole appearance, from his breaking voice, shaking pose and round, frightened eyes which only narrowed when he was completely angered.  “That’s far enough! I’m not going to be discarded and tossed to the wolves. I’m the Mayor, goddammit!”

Another hostage situation. With his hands tightly around his pistol and only one finger relaxed to move it to the trigger, Elias said firmly. “Mayor McDonough, you are outnumbered. There’s four against you alone. Put down your gun.”

“No way! The only thing I’m going to do is walk out of this city unharmed and no one following me.”

“Not a chance, McDonough! You’re not getting off the hook that easily for what you’ve done to Diamond City and Danny!” Piper said, her pistol up at the old man.

“Your choice, Guy: Ether die here trying to resist or stand in a trial with dignity”, Hancock announced in low voice.

What McDonough heard coming from the ghoul pacified his fright and anger. With hopeful tone he called out. “Johnny… Please John, help me. Don’t let them… Don’t let these disgusting, filthy savages kill me!”

The amount of familiarity the man talked with, it made it clear. McDonough knew who this ghoul was, he knew all along, and now when his only sibling addressed him, he was grabbing onto every possibility to gain an ally to his side to protect him.

However, now it was Hancock who didn’t want to recognize his brother. “You might as well deserve to die for killing my brother!” he hissed.

“I AM your brother Lil’ Johnny!”

“Don’t call me that!” Hancock raised his shotgun at him, eyes flaming with fire in his soulless black eyes.

“Come on, it’s still me!” McDonough pleaded, sounding desperate and betrayed. “I hold the same memories, same feelings. Everything that happened to us when we were kids! You were a pain in my ass when you were little, but I still cared for you. You remember the fishing trip I took you alone, right? You remember the Mirelurk that tried to eat you. I still saved you, despite everything!”

Hancock was frozen for man’s words which brought back memories he recognized. He could not move.

“Please, do the same to me. Help me, Lil’ Johnny…”

A loud bang silenced the man, who fell down with half of his face missing.

Hancock stared at the body, his body shaking, his hands unable to hold the weapon he used to murder the man.

“Guy? Guy?! Oh no, no, NO!”

The ghoul dropped onto his knees next to the bloody body, calling out for the man, calling out for his older brother, desperate like a real younger sibling.

Lost and helpless Elias looked at his friend over a corpse like he has never seen before. The blooding body which slowly turned cold, the color that faded from his skin, those were all signs of a human dying. And to be one who was responsible for killing said human, who was the last relative, it was too much even to this cold-nerved ghoul to withstand.

A little shine caught Elias’ sharp eyesight. something shimmered like a little silver light, from the splattered wound in corpse’s open head. Elias kneeled next to it, then holding back her disgust he reached out to get it from the squishy flesh.

“Don’t touch him!” Hancock gnarled, grabbing Elias’ wrist, enabling him from mangling the remains of his brother.

“Hold on!” he protested and proceeded to get the item. Ignoring the crushing grip around his hand he caught the metallic object and pulled it out. There, between his finger it was: the synth component. “It’s alright”, he reassured. “You didn’t kill your brother. Here’s the proof.”

The ghoul’s eyes rounded up as he stared at the object. Unsure to take it, he instead gently held Elias’ wrist and turned it, inspecting the item.

The guard asked stepping closer. “So, wait? He really was a synth?”

“Guess so”, Piper answered. It was weird. This should had been her most joyful moment, to finally figure out the truth. But instead, it felt somewhat empty. This whole setup was too depressing for a celebration.

Eventually, the ghoul let go of Elias hand and then only stared down. “So the Institute replaced him with a synth after all”, his voice was sorrowful and defeated, eyes glistening sadly. “How many years was I angry at that bastard for wrong reasons?” Hancock stood up and proceeded to exit the mayor’s office. “I… I need some time. Won’t be far.”

This time, Elias didn’t follow him. The man needed to be alone for a moment.

Meanwhile, the rest of the three helped out the hostage, after which they discussed the following. Thanks to the guard eye-witnessing the whole thing, he could verify the dweller outsider, troublemaking reporter and dangerous ghoul were innocent in this situation. With some extra evidence, which were the recording from Pip-Boy, Danny and Geneva’s word as well as broken down robotic synth behind the office, with a shattered head where the Mayor shot it, they could all get off scot-free.

Elias wondered over the metallic messenger who was sent by the Institute to tell the man he was no longer useful. But why so suddenly? Elias looked at the window and saw there a curious crow. Without anyone else noticing, he moved closer and asked it. “Am I in trouble for this?”

The crow moved its head from side to side, then turned to look at the nosy reporter.

“Was this planned all along? He really outlived his usefulness?”

The crow nodded. Then it flied away, with enough information it needed to gather from the very start of this whole facade.

Elias gazed out of the double doors. The fourth participant hasn’t still arrived. He ventured out, looking for the missing ghoul.

A thin man dressed in bright red was like a sore bullseye. Leaning against the railing, the ghoul looked far down, lost in his thoughts. His unmasked face told little to nothing of what he was thinking about.

Elias carefully moved next to him, just close enough so he could notice him when he broke out of his pondering.

Hancock paid him only one short glance, then he proceeded to stare into nothingness, opening up. “Before election, he was like any other brother. We had our funs, our troubles. Moving into Diamond City felt like a fresh start. Things weren’t that great, but I didn’t complain much. I had my ways and secret routes to Goodneighbor if I needed to lay off the frustration. But Guy… He wanted to change things. Be in charge. Politics and other shit like that was not for me at the time, so I let him play. Once when I got back home, he met me with the words: ‘Lil' Johnny, I have a great idea how to become a mayor.’ I told him to humor me. Getting rid of the ghouls was his idea to get the attention from Up-Toppers. I thought he was joking so I played along for a while until I realized he wasn't kidding.”

Elias kept listening.

Hancock turned around and leaned against the railing hands crossed on his chest like a shield. “Despite leaving the city, hating him, turning into one of the same people he banished, he still greeted me when we met outside the walls. He said he could find a way to get me back in, cure me, fix it all. I took none of that bull and turned my back on him. Eventually he did the same.” Hancock growled with frustration. “But where do I draw the line? Was he from the moment the amoral piece of trash, or did they replace him long before? Did I hate him for nothing? I just… It’s all just a fucking unstable mess!”

It was Hancock who was a complete mess. The man who always had every situation under control, his every nerve more solid that any soldier with a mind of steel. He knew how to stay cool and lead with grace. But this situation was out of his hands. The stable ground underneath him was unable to hold him on his legs. Lost and confused, he was falling down into abyss, unable to pull himself up anymore.

Elias pitied Hancock. He pitied the man who was always there for him. Now, he needed to return the favor. Without a word Elias embraced Hancock, wrapping his arms around him and not letting him go.

Hancock protested for a brief moment only out of surprise. When he realized the man was hugging him, it took a while to comprehend the situation. Hancock was astounded by his sudden sign of affection. Leaning his head forward he gave into the warmth his cool, ghoulish body absorbed from the human against him. Breathing in he became captivated by the sweet aroma of Elias’s rich, musky scent he grew to love so much. Such warm and charming man from another time and world, who had no comparisons, Hancock did not wish him to let go. Eventually, his body moved on its own, opening his crossed arms. However right before touching the warm sides, his hands froze. The need for comfort was strong, but he tightened his hands into fists, not daring to wrap them around one stable thing he had left in his life. The one man who despite his weakness, still had strength to be beside the broken ghoul and carry him through. It almost felt wrong. Undeserved. Even foolish to think things could be better, especially for Hancock.

“Excuse me…” said an award voice next to them, breaking their private moment. A guard, the same one who broke the mayor’s office door, rubbed the back of his neck as he told. “Look, I hate to be that guy… I know this is a hard moment, really didn’t want to ruin this for you… But, you guys better get out before you get in trouble. You know: The rules about ghouls.”

Hancock and Elias were understanding and took their leave.

“Thanks for the tip, brother.”

“Thanks for the help, Mayor Hancock, One-One-One. Come again for noodles.”

After a short while of riding the ghoul finally talked, looking over his shoulder to see the man right behind him. “Elias,” He looked somewhat saddened with his glossy eyes glistening under his hat. “If you turn out to be a synth, don’t let me ever know, alright?”

Elias lifted his eyebrows, slightly worried. Thinking Hancock needed a little cheer-up after previous event, he decided to play out his request, just to get the carefree man back to chipper mood. “Don't worry, once I say no to chili or have other  weird cravings, you may stab me” he joked, after which he regretted saying that when he realized he was quite keen on eating Fancy Lads Cakes whenever he could find them.

His attempt seemed to help only a little, but the ghoukl still continued with a humorless tone that meant what he was saying. A tone he rarely heard, which meant Hancock was serious. “And if you intend to kill me, by their order or whatever other reason, do it while I sleep, or happen to be really high and out of my mind.”

His request made Elias a little concern. “Why?”

“Because... I’d rather die deluded but happy man. Right now... You’re the only one I have left.” His word reflected with sincere sadness, as well as gladness, when he addressed his closest friend. “To the end I want to think of you only good. I don’t want to lose the last bright ray of sunshine in my gloomy, pathetic life.”

A warm hug that didn’t shy away from touching his bare, partly calloused skin was the response Hancock got. “Alright, John. I promise.”

Her soothing voice, the soft hands, luring smell. It all felt nice, comforting, protective. So stable and clear, something the ghoul lacked in his chaotic and blurry life. With his firm hold Hancock felt happy and calm, for the first time in his long life of a lone ghoul with no one else to trust. How much his friendship meant to him, yet it felt too little. There was a strong connection he deemed so precious, but it didn’t seem enough. Yet despite his wants and needs, was he worth it? Hancock recognized his unusual need and became uncertain and doubtful. The fear of making another mistake forced him curl back and withhold his selfish thoughts. He was bold, but this was one thing he didn’t want to risk ruining. Hancock was honest when he called Elias one good thing he had left. And he didn’t intend to lose the connection with his just because he simply hoped to make it better.

While comforting the ghoul, Elias felt glad to be able to be at his side and being able to help. Yet despite that, something was missing. He called out, yet no echo was heard, returning his calls. The amount of care and attention he was giving, it seemed like it went to waste, leaving him hollow inside. But why? Where were these doubts coming from?

Chapter Text

While on a calm morning walk with a dog across the foul smelling and busy streets of Goodneighbor, Hancock heard Elias snicker right next to him. He asked what amused him so.

“You know, it’s funny. Back in my days, people used to think us Spanish people and Mexicans have a fascination with dead people, seeing how we celebrate Día de Muertos and tend our dead relatives. And now… Look at us.”

Hancock laughed. “Well, it might be only half-true. Seeing how you’re only half-Spainish and I’m only half-dead.” His clarification made them both laugh. “Although, I’m more amused for the fact that we got to this point without any third dates or other pre-war bull like that.”

“In my times two men couldn’t even get a date”, Elias clarified.

“Although, can’t blame ya. Takes some time to get used to this mug.”

“No, it’s not you, John”, Elias excused, sounding apologetic. “I only declined because… Well, I’m not suited for a date.”

“Elaborate, please.”

“Well… A date takes a whole day of preparations, more if it’s serious, even back in my days. I’d need a suit, go to stylist to put up my hair and beard, buy suitable shoes, another pair for dancing if it’s a club, practice all the speeches and complements, make sure I could afford all the expenses, maybe rent a car, book the table… It’s a lot of work. Something that is hard to find around here. Well… unless you are stupid-rich. Or a Mayor.”

“And if you’d have all that, for instance, would you had then considered accepting my invitation”, Hancock asked, sounding thoughtful.

“Well, probably”, he said positively, yet still realistic enough to know it would had never happened, him only barely being able to pick basic clothes that somehow protected him from the elements of harsh, post-apocalyptic environment.

What Elias said made the ghoul stop on his track and stare at the man, baffled out of his mind. “You’re shitting me. You’re saying that I could had have you for a date if you’d had a suit and pair of fancy shoes?”

“Well, yeah. I can’t look like a total bum on a first date. What kind of impression would I leave on my partner then?”

Hancock was about to say something, but instead he only pinched the bridge between his eyes, mumbling all sorts of curses and complains.

After taking a moment to think, what Elias said did indeed sound foolish. In a place and time when looks were the most minor priorities, being overshadowed by needs of surviving, it did sound really shallow of him.

“Okay… Let me think for a moment”, Hancock told out loud, turning his eyes up from side to side, stroking his chin and one scar on his other mouth corner. “Alright, I think I got it. Come ‘ehe, El. Start a recorder.”

Once Elias pressed start, Hancock grabbed his wrist, pulled Pip-Boy close to his mouth and started to speak. He spelled out an address, after which he spoke some weird, cryptic sentences, then hold a brief pause until he repeated the same formula, with different address and sentences, like he was talking to some people.

“That should be all of ‘em”, the ghoul said and released Elias’s hand. “So, it’s close to mid-day. That should give ya enough time ‘till six.”

“Six?”

“Yeah. Enough time to visit every one of those locations and get back to Old State House before six. Just remember to play the right recording after every address. Better hurry up, the time’s ticking.” The ghoul grinned pointing up his one finger which he circled clockwise. Then he proceeded to walk back alone.

“Hold on! Where are you going?” Elias asked, puzzled.

“I have my own preparations, brother. Don’t be late. Trust me, you’re gonna love what I got for us ‘tis night”, he grinned, smiling mischievously.

Elias was dumbfounded. Did he just got unofficial invited to a date? By another man?

The first address took Elias to the public bath house, Baden. He visited the place once, and after never again. It had two separate sections, just like for men and women back in his time when going for a swimming hall. However here there were only ghouls and humans separate. Apparently looking at reeking wet, leathery or rotting people were something no human wanted to witness. Which meant Elias would have to share same space not with men, but women as well. In fact, being naked with other men was just as awkward as it was back in military.

At the Bath House, Elias played the recorder for the man responsible for taking new customers. The tape played and the familiar voice of Hancock from earlier was heard: “Hey there, Mergen. Get the water ready to boil, I’ll be there later. Meanwhile, this busy big errand buy here needs some soap and privacy after long period of work. Put the bill on same tab as mine.”

“Privacy and soap, huh?” the man asked, a little grin on his face. “Another lamb for the sacrifice”, he said and laughed, without giving Elias any explanation. Instead, he only gave him the keys and directed him towards the Private Section.

If you had enough caps, you could buy yourself a separate bath space where you had all the luxury Elias though died out after the war. A bucket of hot water, soap, tidy floor and walls, personal locker for his clothing and belongings, aromatic candles, potted plants to keep you company, clean towels and bathrobe to wear while you relaxed or dried up on comfortable and soft chairs. All that would had been missing is some cool champagne and shrimps, to make his nostalgia running at its full speed.

It was great delight to wash away the dirt and dust from his skin without the need of shuttering every time the chilling water touched him. After getting used to the hot water, it was like a cleansing wave which strengthened him to his bones, bringing new life in his veins. Elias couldn’t imagine anything better than this.

Once he was done, Elias had realized he hasn’t used the soap at all, and there was a ton of water left in the bucket. The old habits he had learned recently seemed to die slowly. The same one that forced him to have a pistol at close reach, despite him locking the door.

Dogmeat almost didn’t recognize his master, as he curiously smelled the freshened up new man. That put a smile on Elias’ face.

The next stop took the pre-war soldier to another sort of territory he hasn’t had a reason to visit before. Despite this being a city of freedom, where everyone was welcomed, there did seem to be certain divide in classes, just like in Diamond City with those who lived in higher stances and those who were cramped in the playing field. In Goodneighbor, there were certain areas drifters had no reason to be in, as only the richest businessmen and aristocratic people could afford to live and shop there. Here the streets were a bit cleaner, the smell less foul and people much more neat and classy. Going pass them made Elias feel like an outsider. A dirty mongrel among somewhat pure-bred dogs.

As soon as Elias entered a finely decorated clothing shop, called Syms’ Sous-sol, a brawling voice of a female called to him. “Pardon, cher, you’re in a wrong place. And no dogs allowed!”

A very stylistically dressed ghoul woman walked in. Everything from her beautiful but practical dress, to her fake hair and masking make-up, it was easy to mistake her for an elder woman. But the unusual blue eyes as well as her voice were a dead giveaway for most observant visitors. The little wrist-held pincushion indicated that she must had been a tailor.

“I have a message from Mayor Hancock”, Elias clarified, showing his Pip-Boy.

“Oh, a messenger. Well then let’s hear it, but don’t touch anything”, the woman said, pointing at her magnificent suits the man in dirty army-wear and old wide-brimmed hat admired in passing.

The recording sounded again: “Anna, dear. Got a new action figure for you to dress-up for tonight. Get this guy whole set-up, suit, shoes, a few trinkets, all that good stuff, and I’ll consider your dept forgotten, you feel me?”

“Oh, mon Dieu! So you’re my new customer then!” The tune had changed completely as the woman, Anna addressed Elias. “Well then sweetheart, better get rid of those old rags of yours so we can start right away. And please, don’t let the dog drool on my precious work.”

The ghoul tailor was really professional and in a nick of time she had blushing Elias in his underwear, matching some of her suits, which were just a little wider than himself.

“I can stitch in, no worries. Like I say, it’s easier to lose than gain. This is post-war, after all”, the ghoul woman let out a very snobbish laughter. “Most of my customers just know how to eat like kings, being able to afford gourmet delicacies. You have very thin shapes, as well as very dark skin color, cher. I might not have a right type of shade for you. Are you a farmer?”

“No, I’m half-Spanish”, Elias explained. He looked at his skin. Oddly, it seemed a lot darker than usual, despite his heritage. It had to be because of all the sunlight he received, working outdoor more often than when he was a noble man. Even when he was in Alaska Elias became only slightly tanner than usual.

“Where is this Span? Somewhere far South?” Anna asked, not recognizing the country from another continent. So she must be post-war ghoul. “Ah, mon Dieu, nothing suits you! Do apologize my lacky inventory, mon cher. I’m used to Mayor sending me his escorts, even those who are really exotic, but you are quite close to my limits.”

“His escorts?” Elias asked.

“Oui. The Mayor likes to spoil the ladies he meets every now and then, if they catch his interest for longer than one night.”

This was a surprise for Elias. Not the fact that Hancock was a complete womanizer and maneater – latter which was no longer a surprise to Elias – he was more baffled that he wasn’t the only one being “spoiled”. It was hard to get a grasp of what it made him feel, but in a way, he felt saddened.

“Well, this should do you nicely”, Anna broke his thoughts. She presented Elias with a beautiful black and purple suit with a tie which matched perfectly with his skin tone. It also happened to be his favorite color. “Perfect for hiding all those scars and scratches. Add a silver watch and cufflinks and it will look magnifique. Now, about the shoes. You sure you know how to walk on these expensive ones?” she asked, glancing briefly at Elias’s combat boots.

After more than three years, being unfrozen from two-hundred-and-ten-year-old sleep, Elias could finally wear shiny footwear, the shoes that brought back his masculinity. The glamorous footwears looked absolutely gorgeous on his feet, as he tested them with flawless test walk, but something seemed off. The sudden loss of protection and stability made him almost lose his balance. Elias started to worry if the shoes could take the unsteady and dirty ground outside, or rocky and jagged streets. He suddenly started to question how he would be able to run if he needed to. Commonwealth was busy and dangerous place, there was always a reason to speed up. Looking down on the pretty things he wanted for so long, as well as the expensive and fragile watch on his wrist, Elias asked with sadness. “Do you have anything sturdier? Something more practical? And I’ll need a stronger watch, regardless if it’s cheaper.”

After many hours of adjusting, stitching a sewing, Elias could finally leave the beautiful shop. With a tied package, containing new set of simple, durable shoes, dress and few accessories, Elias headed towards his last stop, which was the Old State House. Hancock was nowhere to be found. Maybe he was taking that bath he mentioned in the recording.

“My dear, you are awful late!” a voice of a rash man called, but not the one Elias knew. This one belonged to a fine ghoul gentleman, dressed neatly but freely in golden jacket, the rest of his yellow fallen hair folded over his scarred head and he had even more impressive and masking make-up than Anna, along with sharp mustaches and painted freckles. Must be a thing with businessmen who happened to be ghouls to paint their faces with such heavy make-up. As well as drown themselves in pungent perfume which smelled even worse than their natural stench. “I’ve heard from the Mayor that I should expect an angel to arrive for my talented polishing for his valuable face and hair. Might he had been talking about you, Gorgeous?”

Elias grinned slightly at ghoul’s pompous flattery. With a short maybe, he played the last part of the recording.

“Chambers, my man. Still got no use for your services, but instead, maybe you should do some good to this gentleman. Says men like him still need some shine on their cheeks so this might be a challenge, but I know you’ll pull of something, right? Make sure he’s up and ready ‘til six. Leave the bill on my desk.”

“By God, a challenge indeed!” Chambers marked as he stared at the man, who was not seeing where the problem was. “That face, untouched by the storms and harming claws of people or beasts. The hair, so silky and thick. What kind of nobility you come from, my gent? What picture you jumped out of? What is your secret? I have no idea how to make all this even better than it already is!”

Every single complement Elias ever heard, both in his previous life and this where beauty was a rarity, they were not enough to compete with this ghoul’s complements.

It actually made Elias uncapable of responding with nothing else but truth. “Uh… Thanks. I had a good diet and stayed out of trouble when I was young. Mostly.”

After getting dressed and putting on the rest of his new “presents” Elias got another set of complements from flamboyant ghoul before he asked him to sit down to start his work. First was the hair.

“Magnificent shade. So puffy and soft. But oh dear, these ends. This just won’t do! These just must go. But the form… Oh, I know! Let’s put them all back just so and leave this little part free to hide that horrible scar of yours. I can of course paint it invisible but just to make sure…”

“No, no. I don’t mind it, actually”, Elias said covering the blast scar on his temple. The same one that reminded him he fought Kellogg and survived. It was also a reminder how he was no longer living a luxury life and with any wrong move his next marking could be the one that might take his life.

The artistic cosmetologist did a fine work cutting and stylizing his hair, shaving his cheeks and trimming his thin mustaches, eyebrows and chin beard. Elias refused to use any make-up, only some to hide his dim eyebags and add some shine to his lips, much to enthusiastic painter’s disappointment.

“Truly a shame, you would had been my masterpiece, a god for mortal eyes. If only I had an exact statue of you in my lobby, the customers would be flooding to my doors.”

“I’m not intending to blind my date”, Elias said humorously.

“Lucky man”, the ghoul said disappointedly. “Then again, I suppose as long as you got some special traits, you get the special privilege to spend more private time with the Mayor.”

“Special traits?” Elias asked in quiet voice.

“Yes. Attractiveness, experience, intelligence, danger, skills, knowledge about anatomy and what makes it tick… And maybe, some personality. As long as you have any one of those you may steal him for a whole evening and night.”

“And… After that?”

“After. Well, after comes the departure until he calls another for new set of entertainment and passion”, he said dramatically, yet still full of enthusiasm. “Surely, my skills might lack to his highest standards, but I know my work will get noticed one day.”

An odd hollowness grew inside Elias, which was suddenly interrupted when someone entered a room. The sound of boots suddenly stopped when Hancock walked in, his eyes round and locked on Elias.

“Hi,” Elias said bashfully.

The ghoul just kept staring, moving his eyes looking up and down his new suit, hair and new pristine face, stunned like a robot with a short circuit, a package in his arms. “Damn Eli. Is that you?”

“Told you I look good in tuxedo”, Elias smirked.

“I knew you’d be impressed, Mister Mayor”, Chambers said humbly, presenting his latest work. “So, what do you say? Isn’t he a god incarnated?”

“Very”, Hancock said, unable to take his eyes away from the man. In the end he had to force himself to shake his head and turn more formal. “Well, you guys finish up.”

“What about you?” Elias asked.

“Gotta change up!” he said patting the package in his hands, resembling a lot like the one Elias got from Syms’ Sous-sol. “And no, this isn’t from another museum.”

“Would the Mayor Hancock consider a new makeup as well? Not that you are not stunning already”, Chambers asked hopefully.

“Pleasure, Chambers, but I like to go all natural”, the ghoul grinned to him with his scarred mouth corner.

“A shame”, the stylistic ghoul said to himself. “No recognition for my actual talents.”

A shame indeed, Elias thought, lowering his gaze.

The Pip-Boy on the table showed almost six o’clock. Right then a ghoul entered in, dressed in pre-war fashioned suit with neat red jacket and dark fedora. Elias stopped his speech rehearsal and blinked astounded at the view.

“I’ve heard there was a handsome gentleman ready for a date. Might it be you?” the ghoul said in a charismatic voice, eyeing with his black eyes at the tall charmer.

A little smile appeared on Elias’ lips. He couldn’t help but to play along. “I am. But I’m waiting for the Mayor to come with me.”

“Mayor, huh?” the ghoul smirked with his scarred mouth corner up, showing one of his glimmering golden teeth. “The one with old-fashioned sense and ancient rags hanging on his shoulders? Wouldn’t you rather go with a modish gentleman instead?”

“I don’t know. Depends if it’ll be just as fun.”

“Can’t be better than with me, Eli”, Hancock laughed at the end. “So, what do you think? Got it custom made.”

Elias looked at him in amazement. He found it hard to imagine for man to dress up in something else than his revolutionary outfit. He should had been happy to see him looking less like a ridiculous amusement park performer and more like a gentleman, but it seemed like the ghoul was stripped of his skin and replaced with fake shell. Disheartened, he realized that’s who he truly was, and Elias found it charming in its own way.  “I didn’t know Anna was that good and fast.”

“Well, I got it a long time ago. Never know when I’d have to woo a pre-war stud.”

“So… What? I’m the woman in this relationship?” Elias asked sarcastically, pointing at his expensive suit and make-over he didn’t have to spend a cap on.

“No, I’m the one with a heavier cap bag so you don’t have to starve later and ruin these firm beef cuts”, Hancock said teasingly and poked the bigger man on his chest and stomach.

Elias simply rolled his eyes. Might as well accept this more beneficial setup.

“But, are you sure it’s even okay to go together? In public?” Elias asked just in case.

“’course it is! No one even gives a damn! More likely they will just point out how the mayor must had hit his head to be dressed up in this clown outfit”, he said grinning ironically. “So, ready to put this show on the road?”

Elias was about to offer his ringless arm, until he put it down, then back up and down, totally lost.

“Uh… How... Who’s supposed to offer the arm?”

“For Christ’s sake, let’s just both do it!” Hancock laughed and slipped his hand in, locking their arms together like polka dancers. “Now then… After you, good sir.”

Elias grinned with amusement. Suited or not, at least Hancock still acted the same. At least that made the proud Spaniard feel less awkward.

Elias was unsure what people did on dates nowadays. In a city like this he thought chem parties, bars, strip clubs and other lewd entertainment were the only options to pick from. However, Hancock knew of one place he dared to take his escort to.

Finding out the building Elias entered was a restaurant, his stomach started to growl. He hasn’t eaten for whole day.

The décor was absolutely magnificent, and the smell of food spiced up and inviting. The whole set-up made him smile. Clearly, this was a very fancy place for only those with most wealth and power to afford to be here. True enough, further going inside Elias saw classy and formal people, enjoying their exquisite meals and listening live performance on the stage. Elias recognizes the singer. It was Rose, Magnolia’s colleague.

Hancock sat Elias to a table but didn’t take his seat. Instead, he said with an alluring husk.  “I’ll talk to a staff for a moment. Gotta see if I could set a mood.”

Elias couldn’t help but to smile even more for his thoughtfulness. Well, he wasn’t a perfect gentleman, but at least he did all he knew and could. Just Elias used to do with Nora.

For a moment some memories took Elias to a whole new place. He was seated at the table with similar atmosphere like in this one. Classy, formal and decorated. Right next to him sat Nora, carefully fixing sleeves of the dress Elias had bought her. Elias meanwhile was fixing the collar of his expensive suit, feeling the pressure rising. In front of him sat his father, a big and neatly dressed Spanish businessman, with his blonde wife next to him, beautiful like true proper American housewife.

“So you plan on dating this chica, right?” the bass voice called out for the smaller and less tanned man in front of him, puffing out the thick cloud of cigar.

“Si padre. And my intentions are serious. Amo a Nora”, the partly Spanish man said, hoping to sound sincere enough, while forcing himself to hold the hand of another lovely part-Spanish woman. Nervously he stared at the kindest smile he valued.

“I love you too, Elias”, the woman said sincerely, her eyes sparkling just as brightly as her golden wedding ring with a shiny ruby, matching the beauty of Elias’ glamorous family ring.

“Well, as long as you are serious, you have my blessing, hijo”, father said.

The man was serious. Seriously scared of disappointing his strict father, but also serious to not let down the woman with high affection towards him. For her happiness he would do his best to be a suitable husband she wanted.

Elias rubbed his bare fingers and he suddenly came back to reality when he realized both Nora’s wedding ring as well and his matching signature ring were gone. He almost panicked, before remembering that he had left them in Old State House, since they didn’t match his outfit. Being without them was like without fingers at all. Those things were so comforting to him yet also so restrictive. Something that didn’t let him form new memories.

“Silvero, nice to see ya, man”, someone called out to Elias by his stage name. It was Rose. The dark and short-haired woman in blue walked up to him and leaned on the table very alluringly. “It’s been a while since anyone has seen our flaming-hot guest star. The girls have been whining non-stop at Third-Rail. So, Hancock hired you for a sing-song too? We’re gonna do a duet?”

“No, I’m here for a date”, Elias explained gracelessly.

“Date? With Hancock?” she asked after spotting the man talking with the musicians next to the stage. “What kind of date? Now don’t be telling me it be just business. Boy, I got this job through same ‘business’, you hear what I say? Mayor said he was impressed by my vocals,” she told flirtingly, scaring Elias to lean away from her aggressive hinting.

However, something else seemed to pinch Elias’s chest when the gutsy singer said that. Something which caused emptiness to form inside him, recoiling him to bend down slightly, feeling sick. “So this really isn’t anything special? Nor serious?” Elias asked after a long pause, unable to pick the right words to describe how meaningless he felt at the moment.

“Nah, happens a lot, so no need to be tensed up. Is typical, see? But serious? Him? Whoo, that guy’s never serious, thank God. Would be a real bore then. And a bore lay! Tell you what though: Aim for soft part on the neck”, Rose said pointing at her own neck. “There’s a weak spot. That ought to make his toes curl and turn feral. Know what I’m sayin’, man?”

With that Elias was left alone, as the dark woman left to take once again the spotlight when music started to play. The music from familiar, comforting past.

There was no music playing inside Elias. He was completely empty of anything happy or cheerful. He felt like a dead shell. An empty, ugly shell, with nothing special within him to interest anyone. Only enough to pay a little glimpse then be on their marry ways. Not even when his smiling date came back Elias felt any more cheerful. In fact, it only made him feel worse. Hancock asked how he was feeling, worried and concerned, seeing the man looking so down all the suddenly.

“I… I don’t feel so good. I think I want to get out. This costume is wearing me out.”

Back in Old State House, as soon as he entered mayor’s bedroom Elias saw the glimmering rings on pile of folded clothes of his. The rings stared at him with mocking tone, quilting him of being so foolish to not think this through and ignore the consequences. To stop and think if this was going to be serious or not.

The fabric on his skin felt itchy and pointy, like needles. He didn’t want the suit anymore. It was nothing but a petty present for a petty guy like him, from someone who thought of him as one petty thing among hundreds. Slowly he undressed his jacket, stopping for a moment for regret to sink in.

Misunderstanding his intentions, Hancock closed in from behind and helped Elias take the suit off, himself wearing only the shirt, pants and footwear. Right then Elias jolted and he heard him say:

“No, please… I’ll do it myself. Can you… Can you turn around?”

Puzzled Hancock obeyed, asking if he was alright. Despite the positive reply, Hancock could tell from his voice it was a lie. First, he heard how the suit fell on the floor piece by piece after releasing its wearer, then he heard shuffling. When it was done, Hancock raised his brow-muscles seeing how the man was now dressed up in his vault pants, old army jacket, his wide-brimmed hat and was putting on his golden rings. Elias wiped with his sleeve one of his eyes. Realized the makeup was too sticky he left it be, leaving the room.

“Whoa, hold on, Elias”, Hancock stopped him, holding onto his arms, looking at the man’s face. The older man was absolutely lost in such turn of events. “El, something wrong?”

Tense and shaking, Elias explained. “I’m sorry, John. This… This isn’t going to work.”

“What? What’s not going to work? We had it going good till now, why not go all the way?”

“Because it’s better to stop now, before it goes too far. It’ll hurt less then.”

“El. Elias…” the man called out for him, not understanding what he was saying.

Holding back the stinging in his eyes, the man turned and released himself from Hancock’s grip. “John, I’m serious. I don’t want this to end but… Please, just… Can I please sleep alone this night?”

“S-sure”, Hancock said in defeat, unable to force the man to stay against his will. He watched the man walking away, leaving him alone. That broke the ghoul completely. The ground underneath him crumpled and he sank through it, powerless to stand on his legs. Hancock leaned against a table unable to realize what went wrong. What did he do? What didn’t he do? Why did it all end, just when Hancock thought he had started something new with this man?

Chapter Text

The desperate ghoul had gone over that day over and over for whole long and dreary week. Hancock though of every moment, their every sentence, just to find at least one clue. What went wrong, he could never tell.

Hancock would had hoped for Elias to come back and explain himself, but after he left the next day they slept separately, Elias had no reason to come back. The Institute or Minutemen business never brought hi to his city, nor she had to come and ask MacCready to help him, since he and his son no longer lived in Goodneighbor. His both most trusted friends and trouble partners were now gone, leaving the old ghoul rot alone in this dammed city of free sins.

His visits to Memory Den had changed drastically. Instead of recalling the good old days of his youth or the most intriguing adventures or troubles he’s been involved in, he remembered vividly the time he invited Elias for a date and got rejected by him the same day. Reliving the memories brought back not only the scenes he once saw, but also the feelings, good and bad. The memory of that day was so confrontational and disturbing, the simulation had to be stopped in mid-way, Dr. Amari fearing it was actually hurting the Mayor. At some point she forbit him to go through that memory and focus on something positive, for balance.

Eventually Hancock would revisit the good memories. Most of them consisting him, Elias and some other friends of theirs going out looking for troubles or simply have fun in the wilderness. Once he remembered how he with his two favorite snipers and the canine companion would enjoy their road trips. During a camping evening Elias put on some music from her Pip-Boy while they all danced. Both Elias and MacCready showcased their special moves they learned from their own times, but neither of them could compare to Hancock’s odd and sharp moves, while still keeping up with the rhythm. Never did the ghoul say he knew how to dance, only how to have fun. He loved to see the mix of admiration as well as amusement in Elias’ face. The memories refreshed Hancock’ joys, but it also increased his longing and depression. At this moment, the man felt like a true addict. He craved so much what he didn’t have.

Too often Hancock would just end up frustrated for being so clueless, to the point of simply wanting to numb his mind. Never trip alone, especially if you’re troubled, was his word of wisdom he ended up breaking himself. More than once.

One day, it simply hit him like a brick. This all happened because it was never meant to be. A screwup like Hancock didn’t deserve anything so good and stable. He didn’t deserve the trustworthy vault dweller that just happened to wake up in his timeline, and no other century. This wasn’t a chance; it was a tease. The karma he had gained from his previous mistakes and deeds had finally come back, giving the merciless, dangerous, messed up and hideous ghoul the cruelest punishment ever: Give him a taste of his most valuable accomplishment, a man with no comparison, - someone he could fall for - only to take it away from him for good.

Despite using his spies and connections, Hancock too often had the same reports. The man was followed through his mission he was performing, and once he was done, he disappeared in a flash of light. Later on, he would be seen in a completely new location, doing some other work, traveling between different settlements and visiting new ruins. How much fun the Spaniard must had missed, not having his troublesome, charming ghoul with him. However, alas, he didn’t intent to return, not with bad blood between them.

With some connections, Hancock could locate MacCready’s whereabouts. The young man had settled in Covenant, or Little Covenant, as it was called nowadays, starting up to rebuild itself as a new, improved settlement. With a convincing enough letter, Hancock managed to invite the previous mercenary for a manly get-together. Just for fun. And maybe some talking.

Free of his coat, with tricorn over his eyes, Hancock enjoyed the last warm rays of Fall sun, lying on a sunbed, his shotgun at hand’s reach and fishing rod popping in murky water. MacCready was in a same position, with his sniper riffle ready for any action and cigarette burning between his lips.

“So, enjoying the life with the little geniuses?” Hancock asked after a moment of long silence.

The young man stretched his legs forward and hands over his head, sighing out. “Well, it can be a nuisance when they try to act like smartasses, but it’s bearable. The intellectual boffins know how to fix and tweak butler robots but know nothing of how to lead a settlement and their supply lines.”

“So it’s back to being Mayor MacCready once again”, Hancock grinned. “Guess you’re invited to my snob club then, if you’re interested.”

“Well, as long as the booze and smokes are free.”

Both men laughed.

“So, got any time for merc business?” the ghoul asked.

“Not really. Got all my time focused on the Little Covenant, as well as spending some time with Duncan.” The older man asked if the younger have been seeing anyone else, to which he replied. “I still got some lessons to teach Elias. Just a few days earlier he shot three eights. On a moving target.” There was a hint of proudness in MacCready’s voice as he announced that. Soon though, he turned a bit sympathetic. “He’s learned quite a lot on the wilderness. Might be he won’t need my services anymore.” The way how MacCready spoke sounded melancholic. He was sad how he no longer had anything new to teach, yet there was something special to be proud about. After all, the true teacher always aims to prove himself useless to his student. “Well, what about you? Got time to meet him?”

Hancock turned sour, trying to hide his expression under his hat. “Haven’t seen him in a while. Has he said anything about me?”

“Well, as a matter of fact”, MacCready felt suddenly really uncomfortable to talk. “He’s really broken up.” The ghoul looked at him speechless, wanting to hear more details. That made the man even more pressured. “Look, I don’t know what you expected to happen, but next time, make sure not to jump in with somebody new without testing if they want it serious or not.”

“Serious? What’cha mean, RJ?”

“Come on, Hancock. You know his type, and you yours. We all know you can’t stay in one place for long. You always look for something new and exciting. What you just did… Um…” the short man breathed in some smoke, torching up the ember-red tip of his cigarette. “You lit up El’s flame, now he’s dying out with no wood, so to speak.”

“I don’t get it. He was the one who ended it?” Hancock protested, not trying to shift the blame but simply state the fact.

“Yeah, because he only now realized he got lured in for nothing. Why did you trick him?”

“I didn’t!” Hancock snarled, sounding very insulted. “I only helped him when he needed support.”

“Then why did you continue afterwards?” MacCready asked, frightened by this man’s blood-freezing coldness, but was still firm enough to defend his partner.

“Because… It just worked”, Hancock couldn’t describe it any better. “We clicked. Synced. Had a connection. Got personal. You feel me?”

“Personal like how?”

Hancock glanced at the little man gravely. They were good friends, but Hancock was not as comfortable with him as he was with Elias about telling his childhood and youth, his personal change and how hard the sinister life as a cold-blooded, crownless crime chief of the free city for misfits was. “The fact that I can’t tell you already means it’s personal.”

MacCready wasn’t sure if he should push the man further for clarification. He was about to say something, but right then both of them turned their head in unison as Hancock’s fishing rod bended and the string roll started to creak

“Ho-hoo, it’s a big one!” Hancock laughed, pressing his hat out of his vision. He grabbed onto the rod and started to pull up. “Hold on to that thought, Robert! Let’s get this fish-breath first!”

The skillful fisherman pulled and released the catch, tiring it while sneakily luring it towards the surface. In time Hancock managed to make its head flash under the water level.

“Get it!” Hancock encouraged eagerly.

“Make it pop out first!” the sniper yelled back, already on his one knee, aiming at the water. MacCready took his moment, following the lead of the string’s end in order to predict where to shoot. Eventually the head of a big, scaly mirelurk king broke through the water, nibbling on a big chunk of fish piece, with a fist-sized hook stuck to its upper jaw. The giant fish-frog shrieked painfully loud with its banshee scream. One shot and the noise quieted down.

“Hah! Nice one, Robert!” Hancock praised. After that he reeled in the carcass to the dock, lowered himself on the edge, where he began to cut the giant hook from horrible water mutant’s mouth. The carcass sank down, feeding the smaller, less troublesome population of the river. “So, as you were saying…” Hancock asked, still on his stomach, taking out a Mentats pill for a reward.

“As I was saying…” MacCready repeated, getting more serious. “El is my friend. He’s done a lot for me and I’m still in his dept, despite what he says.” The man had a strong sense of fairness, but in this case the sense of appreciation and responsibility played out more. “If you really got ‘personal’, you better play it to the end. Can’t just lead on folks. And no fuckups! It’s ether him or everything else. Elias really needs to be someone special to one guy, not just a temporary pickup whore you can pump and dump”, he warned, not even bothering to censor himself, wanting to make the message come across clear and noticeable.

His speech was indeed loud and hurtful, as the ghoul shuttered at the word ‘whore’, which was the last word you could use to describe such admirable man. The truth was, Elias was special to Hancock. The question was, was he special enough to him? An impulsive killer, a trouble-seeker, a gambler, a shady dealer, slippering politician, crime lord, an addict and a Viejo, as he called him many times with humor, but some truth hidden within. But most importantly, he was a ghoul. Would he really want to tie himself to a hideous dead man, the same one who was right now staring at the him from the water as he looked down? Hancock wouldn’t dare to force that kind of fate on anyone he cared so much. Then again, Elias has complemented him many times, calling him a fine man, trusty friend and wonderfully ridiculous madman. Knowing how the spicy guy like him always spoke his mind, he knew those words were genuine.

So, in the end, there was strong desire, there was a possibility, so why not give both a try? But would it be worth to push further? Could Hancock dare to risk the rest of his friendship that was left? Would he be able to live though the rejection, if he would fail? There was indeed a great risk, and it would stay up until it’d be faced head on.

After long session of thinking, the ghoul asked the young sniper. “Can you send Elias a message. I might lack some connections to get in touch with him.”

“What are you planning to do to him?” MacCready asked, a little suspicious but mostly curious.

“Got one idea that might ease the tension”, he said with a fake smile, hiding his burning stress that was building up in him.

“Hey Boss, the vault guy is here!” was the anticipated phrase Hancock waited to hear.

The ghoul straightened his shirt, fixed his tricorn and licked his finger to clean his non-existing brow. Mentally preparing himself, he waited in the living room, glued to the sofa with his fists clasping his pants. The secret item in his big coat pocket became heavy with every second, until Hancock got his mind off of it thanks to Elias’ entrance accompanied by his canine companion, who greeted the ghoul first with eager pounces and tail-wagging.

“Well hey there, pooch! Brough another set of lice into my house?” Hancock said welcoming Dogmeat, after which he focused on his master. “And look who it is? Finally decided to bless this house with your expected arrival”, he stated, standing up with his hands reached up towards his guest.

“Nice to see you too, Hancock”, Elias replied formally, giving him a cautious smile. Immediately after that he got really apologetic. “I’m really sorry this time. I was honestly really busy! Got some field works with the Institute, Preston was sending me left and right across Commonwealth, Railroad was pushing me around, asking to be their inside worker, I had to bring Dr. Virgil his cure, Brotherhood is doing some odd project. I had to find some blueprints and tech for their giant…”

“El, Eli, it’s cool”, the ghoul reassured him, carefully placing his hands on his shoulders. “I dig ya. I got my work to do too. I’m glad you got time to get here anyways.”

Elias was very relieved, and he rested his one hand on Hancock’s arm. He would had wanted to hug the man, but was hesitant. “I’ve heard from MacCready you got something important for me?”

“Yeah, right. S-sit down, please”, he told, bowing slightly and offering a seat on a sofa. Once Elias was comfortable enough, Hancock was met with his expecting eyes, which would had brought cold sweat on his skin if it wasn’t too scarred. The ghoul cleaned his dry throat into his fist, took a formal stand, but stumbled on his words immediately. “I… Uh… What you… For the last years… I got… Shit…”

Elias smiled, then actually chuckled as the man had trouble speaking up. “Wow, Hancock. You give great speeches to packs of men and crazies, yet you can’t speak to me straight? You need a pill? Or... Is it something serious?” he asked concerned.

“No, no. Not dead serious! Although, everything with me is kinda dead. Heh, heh...” he laughed slightly then coughed again. “The thing is… You’re quite familiar already about how much you mean to me as a friend. And for that, I guess you deserve something I should had given you a long time ago.”

Hancock slipped his hand into his pocket and handed Elias something he had to hold with his both hands. It was a key. A gold-plated and very simple-looking key, the size of which was about two palms long, with a simple round bow and simplified wards.

“What is this?” Elias asked, already guessing but unsure if he was correct or only assuming the most ridiculous thing he could imagine.

“A key to the city”, Hancock said proudly.

Elias started to chuckle uncontrollably. “I thought this thing existed only as a media joke. Or at least was given in middle ages! Where did you get this, anyways? Oh wait, no, I already know”, he said rolling his eyes. Basically, anything this man wore, from clothes to his signature rings, all had come from a rich variety of old museums and antique stores. Why wouldn’t this trinket have a same backstory? After that thought he became confused again. “Why are you giving me this?”

“It’s a token. Of my gratitude and appreciation towards you, as well as an item to welcome you to the Old Ste House whenever you want, even if I don’t happen to be around.”

Elias was a little skeptical, until he asked with slight humor, channeling his inner MacCready. “Why? How much is the rent? What’s the catch? Also, aren’t you supposed to give this to me during a grandiose ceremony?”

“No rent. No catch. No buried dogs. And I wanted to give it to you in private. Just between you and I”, Hancock was starting to sound more sentimental, as he approached his main subject. “Listen, Elias, long ago, I wasn’t kidding when I once said you were like a missing piece to me. Guess it took me this long to realize how big that piece really was.” The man placed his both hands on the key, holding Elias’ both hands. “What I’m trying to say is… I’d like to try being serious this time”, he said heavily emphasizing the word ‘serious’. “I’ll understand if you don’t feel like it’ll work. You’ll still be welcomed in my estate. I could even get you your own apartment from the city, if you don’t feel like living in an old museum. But, knowing what I said now, if we could bring back what we had… The good thing I was so glad to start… I’d love to maintain it for as long as possible.”

To his surprise Elias stood up, after thinking for a while. With their hands together holding the big key, Elias looked into ghoul’s black eyes with heis own dark ones, observant, hoping to see any sign of mislead, just to be sure he wouldn’t assume wrong what he was told. Hancock had to be high or under influence of some other chem, but it wasn’t normal for this ghoul to be THIS sentimental. Knowing about Elias’ farsightness, Hancock gently squeezed his hands, showing with his gesture that he was sincere. Elias was still unsure, cautious and scared to be heartbroken again.

“Are you sure you want to be serious with me? I’m not really that exiting person than anyone else you know. And I think even fishes would be ashamed of me for being this much out of the water in this world. And what about my troublesome nature?”

His analogies made Hancock chuckle. “Heh, I’d say you’re as fine as you are, with all the troubles to balance mine. And about being out of the water or not being so exiting, well, we got a whole lot time to teach ya, with your very best teacher, right?” he gave the man a really flirty look, before getting more serious again. “But what really count is the fact that I can count on you. That’s something special I can’t find in anyone else, Elias.”

What Hancock said stunned the man completely. Elias was like he had hear the greatest news of his life, which made him so dumbstruck that he couldn’t even smile properly as he processed the news.

Cautiously Hancock reassured him, not being able to recognize if his crooked smile was out of happiness or plain stupidity of what he just said. “So, I’m not pressuring. If you want to think it through before we…”

“I’d love to try”, Elias said immediately, interrupting him, with a wide smile on his mouth and eyes turning watery.

Round-eyed, Hancock asked just to be sure himself as well. “You sure? Won’t be shuttering every morning next to this mug?”

“Well, guess there’s some benefits having poor sight”, Elias joked. Then he said more humbly. “But, in all honesty, at this point, I can’t think of any man better than you by my side, John.”

Elias’s words struck Hancock deep into his bone cores, pumping new kind of spark of life he thought he’d never experience. He wanted to to laugh manically, dance and spin, shout out of joy, jump to the moon, anything that would express how happy he was to hear those words. But right now, he could only keep it all in, and hold onto Elias’s warm hands even harder gazing into those dark and alluring eyes. “That kind lapse of judgement coming from you… You have no idea how happy that makes me.”

There was no more hesitation coming from ether of them and both the man from the past and the ghoul from new present embraced each other. Not in a typical friendly way, but deep and tight, giving into each other’s warmth, scent and touch, sharing a mutual, special connection.

After the long hug the couple looked at each other and shared a short kiss, after which they carefully pressed their foreheads against each other, and with closed eyes shared their quiet affections for one another.

Eventually, Elias’ eyes wandered onto the key he was still holding. After breaking up he asked. “But seriously, I don’t think this fits into a normal lock. What am I supposed to open with this?”

“Maybe skulls?” Hancock joked.

Elias laughed. “Really now. You got anything smaller?”

“Sure”, the ghoul said leaving the room.

For a moment, Elias stood with the key, admiring it and appreciated how meaningful gesture it was to him. He was really happy and glad as he pressed it to his chest. Leaving the beautiful item on the table for Dogmeat to guard, he walked across the hall to the other side.

In his room, Hancock searched through dressers and shelves, remembering leaving his spare keys somewhere. Not that he ever used his own, since he always had guards opening doors. During his search through fake books with hidden safes, Elias approached him with light steps.

“Hold a sec, got it somewhere here…” he said paying little attention, being sure he was close to finding what he was looking for before the man would ask if he lost the keys.

All the suddenly two thin arms wrapped around the ghoul from behind, freezing him in his place. Right on his shoulder he felt pressure when Elias’ head rested on it while he moved his arms on Hancock’s chest, feeling the familiar fabric of his clothes he missed, as well as his mangled skin. Not caring about the book in his hand, which bumped on the floor, Hancock turned around, stood up to his toes and latched onto his delightful seducer with his lips and teeth traveling from his mouth to his neck, savoring the flavor he had craved. Elias let out a hard gasp, but held onto Hancock, pulling him closer, accepting his beloved lover completely.

Upon waking up after a short nap, Elias saw a blurry figure right in front of him. Only when he raised up to his elbow did he see clearer the slowly breathing body right next to him. The ghoul looked so peaceful in his sleep, as well as content. Elias ran the back of his fingers across Hancock’s wrinkly and scarred cheek, happy to see him react to it by murmuring and blindly searching the warm palm he then pressed against his skin. Elias couldn’t help but to smile and plant one kiss on his forehead, before he rose up from the bed, slowly with reluctance departing his hand with his.

A moment later Hancock wiped his hand across the clean sheets, startling awake with a mild heart-attack as he realized he was snoozing alone. A subtle hint of movement caught his attention and after turning his head he breathed out with a relief. Elias was at the table, turning two little objects in his one palm. The big, golden family ring with marked red gem and slim golden wedding ring with a ruby matching the first one. His gaze upon the two was emotionless but calm. Thoughtful, but very peaceful. Elias looked at the two little pieces of object just as that. Little objects. Trinkets. Simple items that held no value.

Hancock rose up and sat at the edge of the bed. Elias put the rings away and slipped them into his army jacket’s pocket.

“Hey there”, Elias greeted him, sitting up straight, looking as casual as possible with his usual attire on and jacket open, for older man to admire the masculine forms the big piece of cloth was hiding.

“Well, now. I must still be dreamin’”, Hancock said distractedly, happily giving into the view in front of him.

“Not bad yourself, John”, he joked, with a little approval. As much as the absent-minded man looked ridiculous in his eyes, Hancock did have a hint of adorableness in him as he sat on the bed looking at him with tilted head.

When the ghoul got dressed, Elias dared to ask him. “John, I’m sorry to bother you, but I was thinking… Could you possibly take me to Sanctuary Hills?”

“Sanctuary Hills? What’cha forgot there?” Hancock asked curiously.

“I just have some business I must attend to. Important business.”

His tone sounded serious. However, just for him, Hancock was ready to do anything.

The humble settlement was nowhere as close to its previous suburb glory, but it bloomed at its best with its genuine friendliness and community spirit. Which is why it was no surprise to see the new residents of Sanctuary Hills greet the riding couple with pleasantness. Especially when one of them was the original resident of this place.

Out of all the other houses and buildings, Elias’ home, the original one from before the war was the most precious house of all the houses, thanks to the robotic butler who had nothing else to do for two hundred years than fix and maintain the house for his master.

“Oh, Sir, it’s you! You’re finally back! Welcome home!” Codsworth greeted happily as he floated out of the house, finishing the monthly cleaning. One of his eyes spotted Hancock. “Oh and look. We have a special guest for tonight: The mayor himself. Oh, and the pup… Whoa, steady down, boy! I’m not a chewing toy!” he warned sternly but non-threateningly barking Dogmeat who jumped from side to side in front of the hovering robot.

After Hancock helped Elias down, he tied his horse to one of the poles, holding up a roof for car Elias previous wife no longer owned. He looked around, pondering, wondering. Speaking out, he caught Hancock attention. “You know, I was wondering. Maybe I should build a stable right here for your next arrival. Reckless might then have a more comfortable place to rest after such long journey.”

Hancock looked around, forming a same picture as he did. “Yeah, that be cool. I’m sure Reckless would love that, wouldn’t you, ol’ girl?” he asked patting the undead, bald horse. “And maybe with some new generators and light, we could really make this place into a relaxing summer cottage. The black market’s still open. With a discount, ya dig?”

Elias smiled gladly for the generous offering.

“No shoes inside the house!” Elias said strictly, remembering the old manners.

Inside the neat house, which was like a direct jump into the past, Hancock sat on a comfy sofa with a cup of robot-made bitter tea, while Elias was busy gathering some items. These items consisted of matches, a candle, a bottle of wine, a framed piece of paper, a holotape, and old wooden toy car, shovel and yellow carrot flowers Codsworth was growing.

When he was done, Elias instructed his guest he begrudgingly had to leave. “Just try to make yourself comfortable. I’ll be away for a few hours. Ask Codsworth if you need anything.”

“Gotcha, brother”, he answered and watched as he left with all the items. As he was gone, curiously he asked the handy robot. “Hey Cods’, where’s El goin’?”

Codsworth suddenly sounded very sorrowful. “Ah, I believe Sir is going to pay a visit to Miss Nora.”

Elias was sitting on his knees, head down in front of a self-made wooden cross, with a simple necklace hanging on it. Steadily with no hurry, he lit up a candle and put it on a small dirt pile, along with a little box he started to fill with items one by one, studying them thoroughly before putting them away.
Bottle of unopened red wine. Nora’s favorite. She did have a little exotic taste but her enthusiasm for it was what made Elias to grow some interest for that subject.

A cracked law school diploma, which Elias pressed to his chest for the last time, full of pride. If it wasn’t for Nora’s skillful people skills Elias learned from, he would had never learned to deal with conflicts in this harsh Commonweath. It was like Nora herself spoke through his mouth. She had worked hard, but now she could enjoy her well-deserved rest.

The holotape of Nora’s last goodbyes. Elias listened to her soothing voice, her loving tone as she spoke to him, the giggles of Shaun in the background, the same ones that brought his humanity back after the war. She would had been a truly loving mother.

The ring. Despite it being really untraditional at the time to have a golden ring with a shiny ruby, Elias specifically wanted it to be custom made, just to let Nora feel more accepted to be part of his family. Kissing the ring a last goodbye, Elias put it in the box, along with his signature ring to keep it company. The heirloom has carried Guerrero’s name for generations all the way back to his great-grandfather, who was the same war-hero as Elias was. Shaun would have inherited it, but now, Elias didn’t know if he even trusted to give it to the old man he hardly recognized as his and Nora’s child. It would be best to give it to the one woman who deserved to take with her to the other side. It was both Elias’ gesture of respect and apology.

Then Elias put in a wooden, worn toy car. One thing Elias remembered their lovable baby boy loving.

Lastly, Elias put the multi-petaled yellow flowers in. Not the ones that used to be his favorites, but the ones that most closely resembled the ones he loved so much. The ones he hoped Nora would recognize him for.

Closing the lit of the box, Elias repeated a short pray. Then he stood up, grabbing the shovel he stuck standing up. Right then a person walked up to him, shrouding him with his cold shadow from the sunset. Without a word, Hancock rested his hand on his, which was holding the shovel. Speechlessly, but thankfully, Elias nodded, letting the other man help with the tool.

After the long labor Hancock could take a rest, while Elias thoughtfully and respectfully leaned over the grave to open a human-sized dirty and old moldered blanket. Inside were the decomposed bones in decayed common clothes. Some of the bones were missing completely, while others were only somehow eaten away by the elements and worms. Despite all that grossness, Elias didn’t shutter. He still cared for the deceased, talking and caressing her, like she was still living. Presenting the gifts he has prepared, Elias put them on top of the bones, said his last goodbye and covered the dusty skull back to rest in peace.

The bones were no longer disturbed and rested under the ground. On top the widowed husband rested himself against a shoulder of another corpse-like man, holding onto him for comfort. He happily provided him with his reassurance, keeping the other close and safe.

On top of a tree above the grave perched a crow. Behind the eyes of the unnatural creature watched an old man. A furiously disgusted man, unable to believe who his father had chosen. A wasted being of a filth. The very abomination the war created. How was that possible? Over his deceased mother, over anything else. Over the grand and auspicious Institute, none the less.

Chapter Text

The chilling breeze of wind caught a few leaves and twirled them around like a miniature tornado. Elias grinned slightly at the sight, even more when he saw Dogmeat chasing a few leaves when they hit his nose, teasing him to catch them. The season was changing, yet with the new beige coat Hancock insisted to gift him, Elias could feel no cold. Elias loved his new outfit, which showed off all his masculine forms while making him look very convincing and professional. It gave him a new look he couldn’t help but to appreciate. While waiting against the Old State House’s doorframe, an admiring guard with one missing finger dared to lean closer from another frame.

“So, heard you’ve been hitting of with the Mayor quite well.”

“You heard it from someone or while on the nightshift?” Elias asked confidently, straight forward. Honestly, there was no reason to hide it if everyone knew already. Hancock wasn’t kidding, telling the walls of the Old State House were quite, well, old.

The guard actually laughed at his bluntness. “Well, since you’re open now, maybe you could drop off at my place. I might teach you a trick or two that would make your gorgeous heroic voice echo throughout the Boston.”

“Tempting, but one is already handful for me.”

“You sure? I might actually make your hands full.”

“No.”

“Or better yet, why not make it fun for all three? Bet the whole Commonwealth would hear…”

The guard was cut off when a door opened, slamming against his face with a thundering “wham.”

“Sorry, had to get some warmer clothes to wear”, Hancock told Elias with a chipped tune, fixing the collar of the coat he actually closed for change. Peeking behind the door he saw the bowing guard, covering his half-existing, bleeding nose. “Oh, sorry, pal. Didn’t hear you there over all the hitting.”

The message came across clear enough for the guard to back away, not trying to claim something that wasn’t for sharing.

Harsh, very harsh, Elias though. But the message was clear: Hancock was taking their new partnership for a more serious route, which couldn’t make Elias feel any more appreciated. The best of all, the ghoul actually now had the confidence to claim the man as his own.

The Castle was holding a meeting. The Minutemen, the hosts, were ready when a vertibird flied in, bringing in the representatives from Brotherhood of Steel. A representative from Diamond City and Bunker Hill was already present. The last ones to arrive would be Railroad, who gave no response, and Goodneighbor, who was already riding in through the gates, bringing with him the Minuteman Major. Helping him down Hancock asked. “You sure you’re not coming with me, Eli?”

Elias shook his head. “I’m but a Major. That get-together is only for big shots, such as you, Mayor Hancock.”

The Mayor looked at the second highest ranked Minuteman in front of him with humor and admiration. “Well, don’t wander too far off, Major Guerrero. Might need to let out a big shot once that tedious meeting is over”, the alluring ghoul whispered to his ear.

“Okay, that was WAY too straight and lewd, Viejo!” Elias shouted immediately pushing him away, smiling with both embarrassment and amusement.

“And yet you never protest, brother”, the Mayor laughed kissing his cheek for goodbye, and squeezed his backside for good measure before leaving his favorite and irritated Minuteman Major for a short while.

On a branch outside the castle sat a crow, watching over a stumbling woman in blue jumpsuit. Defenseless and lost, the woman looked like she had just woken up from a vault. She was however heading toward the right direction, so the crow took its flight and headed inside the Castle. Quickly enough it found the Major, strolling on top of the Castle walls, dressed in his new beige coat that sat on his body like a glove. The crow landed on stone railing, right next to the man who noticed the oddly behaving bird immediately.

“Hey Bethany. You’re here to represent the Institute?” the man asked a little humorously.

The bird shuttered violently then opened its beak wide open. A glitching cracking voice was heard from inside.

“Testing, testing… Father, can you hear me?” an old voice was heard from inside the bird.

“Sha… Director?” Elias asked surprised to hear voice he didn’t expect to hear.

“Father, I came to speak to you. You’ve been missing for quite a while.” Without letting Elias explain himself, the Director’s voice continued, as if he wasn’t going to let him speak his mind just yet. His voice stayed calm and purposeful as he explained. ”I know you most likely had your… reasons, responsibilities, distractions, but…” The next part was said with really off-putting sadness. “I’ve been missing you back home. As well as your great-granddaughter, Bethany.”

“Hey there!” was heard the soft girl’s voice, which was hushed down pretty quickly by her strict grandfather.

”I know you must had felt lonely at times as well, which is why you seek companionship even among less qualified, and always come back to them. But we are your family as well, father. While you were away, I had some time to work on one project. Something that might help you feel more welcomed and familiar with us. I was hoping you could had seen it here but I though it be best to bring her to you. I’m sure you would enjoy it. And then, you could come back to us together. Together, we could be a complete family. Although, I must confess, the first impression might be, well, shocking. So do prepare yourself. You see, this individual is…”

“Intruder!” yelled a Minuteman guard at the gates, pointing down at someone.

“Hold on! I’m here looking for someone!” yelled a familiar voice. A bit too familiar for Elias’ liking.

The voice forced him to take a look, ignoring the crow with talkative throat. At the gates Elias looked down, at the woman with raised hands as two men pointed at her with laser muskets.

“State your name and business!” the guard yelled.

“I’m telling you, I’m looking for my husband!” the woman in a familiar blue jumpsuit yelled.

“And who are you?!”

“I’m Nora. Nora Guerrero”, the woman yelled.

“Guerrero?” the other guard questioned. He saw the Major standing next to him and asked. “You know this gal, Major Guerrero?”

“Y-Yes”, Elias answered, his voice shaking. “That’s my… That was my wife.”

“So that’s the project Prime. Impressive how you got it pieced together this fast, Big Girl”, Hancock grinned, giving a wicked smile at the Brotherhood representative, who had a decency to get out of her steel suit to be able to sit with the others at a giant map table. Even without it she towered over even the highest guy, General Garvey, intimidating everyone but the more familiar ghoul.

“It’s Paladin Arin now, Mister Mayor”, the tall woman corrected, pointing with her gaze at the new paint on her power armor. “Our last objective is to get a fusion core for it. We need any information about local energy supply posts or generation stations in order to locate a suitable enough energy source for our project. In return for your co-operation and no interference we will make sure to honor our treaty of peacekeeping and use it for assistance against the Institute. And maybe aiding locals.”

“We appreciate your help, Paladin Arin”, General Garvey said a lot more formally than his Goodneighbor counterpart. “A big weapon like that might however be quite devastating if not handled properly. We’ll consider that offer, but we’ll help with providing local information.”

“Much appreciated.”

“I must ask”, a man in proper outfit asked. “What’s to stop this titanic terror from tearing down our beloved green wall?”

“All questions regarding to that issue will come up in next topic”, said Preston as professionally as he could, like an official chairman, straightening his notepapers. “Now we close this case and continue with the next later on. Let’s have an hour break, everyone.”

Outside Hancock was lighting up a cigarette when he heard some arguments, with Elias’ low-toned yells being among them. Fastening his pace, Hancock walked to the gates. There he saw quite a scene. Two guards who were puzzled if they should or should not raise their weapons at an odd vault dweller woman who approached Elias with pleads and desperate calls, while he kept the guards away from the woman, as well as her from him.

“Ellie, what’s wrong? Don’t you recognize me, mi amor?” the woman asked with her reached-out hands, effortlessly trying to get close to him.

“Stay away! I’m warning you! Don’t come any closer!” Elias warned threateningly, yet his voice was shaking, like he was actually scared of the hopeless woman in front of him.

Normally Hancock trusted to let Elias handle such pushy women, but for some reason this wasn’t a case he seemed to be able to handle, as he backed away step by step when the woman approached him. The instinct kicked and Hancock stepped in between, stopping them both, drilling in with his narrow gaze at the dark-haired vault dweller. “Back off, wench. The guy’s not interested”, his deep voice sounded while he shielded the man behind him with one hand.

The woman froze and stared at the ghoul like she had just seen a ghost. “WHAT the hell are you?!” she asked, horror and disgust mixed into one as she looked at the old-fashioned undead man from head to toes, backing off as if the thing in front of her was also carrying plague.

“What? Never saw a ghoul before?” Hancock asked, actually amazed how shocked and sick a vault dweller could look in front of a scarred guy like him. Then again, based on her clean clothes and smooth skin with no scars, this woman most likely never saw real ugliness. Just like any other person from a really isolated vault, like Vault 81. In fact, this woman was way too smooth-skinned, almost like Elias.

“Hancock, hold on…” Elias protested, pulling the ghoul away by his hand.

“Ellie, don’t touch him! He might infect you!” the woman called worried.

“And who do you think you are, ordering him around?” Hancock questioned with lowered brow-muscles.

“I’m his wife!”

“Wife?” Hancock asked, puzzled. He looked at Elias behind him.

“Yes. That’s Nora”, Elias told, with shaky voice, unbelieving, yet unable to deny the truth.

With round eyes, Hancock looked at the woman in front of him, studying. The thick dark hair, slightly tanned and undamaged skin, Spanish language, the jumpsuit which had a number 111 in the back and the same fish out of the water -look Hancock remembered Elias having when they first met. It couldn’t be real. However, it all matched. The pristine pre-war -like woman couldn’t be from present Commonwealth. She really was Nora Guerrero, Elias’ wife. But how? She has died long ago. Right then something else rushed into Hancock’s mind. The grave with the blanket covered body inside, missing few bones, like they never were there from the beginning. Something clicked. Growling the ghoul launched at the woman, tacking her to the ground with him on top, knife to Nora’s throat.

“John, don’t!” Elias exclaimed.

“Damn synth!” Hancock snarled.

“What?!” Nora screamed in shock, all happening at once. She was left off guard while she struggled against the undead man, who was actually pushing a knife deeper into her skin.

“I saw the bones, you bitch! You can’t be Nora! They dug up her body and made you out of her!”

“Get off, you monster!” Nora fought back, effortlessly. It was only because Elias pulled the ghoul off of her that she got free. Immediately she wobbled up to her feet and paced away, only to ease herself when she saw Elias bickering to the undead creature.

“John, you could had killed her, you lunatic!” he screamed at him.

“That thing is a synth! An Institute sent synth!” the ghoul snapped back.

“I know that! But you can’t just jump and open her skull like that!”

“You know? And you don’t care?”

“Of course I care! I mean… Synth or not, you can’t kill her, you hear me!”

“Hey, hey!” the synth in question yelled timidly out, looking at both men one at a time with her brows lowered over her eyes. “What in God’s name is a synth?”

Nora, or more specifically the synth Nora sat on a chair inside the old walls of the Castle, engulfed in disorder and astonishment. The pressuring truth squeezed her tight and cold, like the freezing walls of this structure that was two hundred more older than she knew it was before entering this place.

“A human replica? Two hundred and ten years in the future? Mutants, radioactive undeads…” Nora listed, lastly staring at the black-eyed living dead, leaning against the wall with a cigarette between his lips. Despite the ensuring presence of Elias standing between him and her almost-killer, it didn’t make her any less messed up in her head. “Dios mio… This can’t be true! Just few days earlier… In those pods… Shaun… Someone took Shaun! I tried to fight for him… then a gunshot.” Nora grabbed onto her left chest. Studying it thoroughly, she didn’t give any indications like she felt herself bleeding, or if she even felt scars where the bullet entered. “I remember waking up in white room. People were talking to me. People in white. Doctors maybe. Then I woke up in the middle of nowhere. In wastes and ruins. The war…” Nora became silent as she processed her own thought. “They really did it. Those maniacs actually blew it all up.”

“Why did you come here, to the Castle?” Elias asked.

“That’s what the note said. The one right here. It was my only lead. Here.”

Nora gave Elias the note. Immediately the man recognized the familiar crow-writing of Bethany, which said: EL IN THE CASTLE

“I was so worried. I thought I almost lost you too, Ellie-love”, Nora said softly, reaching out for him, still getting no mutual response back.

“You meant to tell me you have no idea what the Institute is?” the ghoul asked, puffing out a thick cloud of smoke.

“Not a single clue. Unless you are referring to education, which I certainly had”, Nora answered starkly.

“Watch it, smart-mouth”, Hancock hissed with poison. Instead of holding cigarette between his fingers, he was ready to switch it to blade.

“Nora, will you wait up a moment. I need a word”, Elias told and left, forcefully pushing the ghoul with him for a private talk.

“Why are you still calling her that? You know it’s not her!” Hancock questioned the man right away once they were alone, clearly irritated.

“What am I supposed to call her then? Something like N0-77?”

“That’s not the point! Why are you defending her?” he demanded. Despite Elias keeping a distance the Spaniard was still defending the synth just as strongly. Why, was the frustrating question Hancock did not know the answer to.

“Because, John, she is still just a woman. A woman who’s out here in the wastes she no longer recognizes. All alone with no one else to rely on. A woman who’s just as lost as I once was.”

Identifying. Figures. Too fitting. Actually, Hancock felt a little stupid to not think of that. It is after all within Elias’s nature to sympathize with people, more so if he sees himself in the poor people. There was no better candidate for sympathy than a woman out of touch with current time. A part-Spanish woman Elias told a thing or two, about her compassion, er joyful attitude… No. It couldn’t be that simple.

“Can’t be that. You still see her in that synth. You’re still attached, aren’t you?” Hancock said to him very accusingly.

That in return baffled Elias, making him accuse him in return. “Well, you’re being clingy, aren’t you?”

“Ya think?!” he shouted at him straight and bluntly, which slightly started the man, but only out of surprise over his raised voice. “After all the fuck-ups I had to go through over the last decades, you think I’m willing to take one more up my ass?! From that?” The ghoul slightly gnarled as he breathed in and out, slowing down as he took a hold of himself. “Trust me, it ain’t just that. If it was anyone else… some other drifter, farmer, a dashing gentleman who could sweep you of your feet… Robert, that guard Eduardo… Fucking anyone! Then I might just have to swallow my pride and let you go. But not that THING!”

The fuming ghoul was concerned, not just jealous, Elias could hear that, which struck him very dishearteningly. Hancock could hardly be classified as a man who could get jealous, being someone who everyone else was jealous of, having such power, influence and position. Him acting like a dog snarling at someone trying to steal his bone, it was scary, but for some reason reassuring as well. It only proved more how sincere Hancock was about wanting to be serious with Elias. As heartening as it was, Elias felt really guilty for even making the man go through this.

“John”, he calmed him while cupping his head with his hand, stroking his cheek with his thumb. “I took care of Nora. I buried her. Brought her a candle every time I visited Sanctuary Hills. Gave my last goodbye, with you. I know she is gone. I know that woman right there is not her, no matter how much she hasn’t changed and how much she calls out for me”, the last part was said out loud, not just to reassure his new current partner, but himself as well. The convincing speech however didn’t affect him fully, yet he still continued with moody eyes. “You don’t have to worry, not for her, not for us. I’ll handle this. Can’t be that hard to deal with an ex-wife.”

His words brought relief for Hancock. Yet despite him joking, he would had preferred Elias calling her a synth, a woman, a lost soul, a pre-war fellow, anything else that wouldn’t had indicated Elias was still lingering to his previous serious relationship.

“Mayor Hancock, you are expected”, a minuteman soldier noted, once he got a chance to speak over an important conversation.

“I’m busy at the moment”, Hancock hushed the man.

“I’m sorry, sir, but they can’t start the meeting without you. It’s about your city that is to be discussed about too, you know”, the soldier dared to explain himself.

“Go on”, Elias told, holding Hancock’s left shoulder while placing his palm on his chest. “We can talk together afterwards, alright?”

After being reassured, Hancock took his leave, but not before saying: “If she does anything funny, by Institute’s or her own will, I’m not gonna hurt her. I’m gonna fucking murder her.”

Only after waiting for a long two minutes, did Elias dare to breathe out of frustration. He went back to Nora and spoke. “Nora, I need a word with you now.”

“I’m still not able to believe this. I can’t be just so robot like… Like Codsworth.”

Strolling across the Castle field was harder than Elias though. He tried his best not to look the woman’s face for too long, and attempted to think as subjectively as possibly. This woman was just a replica, a bloody good one at that, clueless like she just woke up from a pod, just like Elias. This wasn’t like the synth of McDonough, who knew about the Institute. However, now that he thought about it, did the previous mayor know he was a synth, or was he just as clueless as this one here?

“You’ve changed so much, Ellie-love,” Nora commented, after taking a good look of the beloved one she still sought out for.

Elias has indeed changed, not by his looks, but his nature as well. Instead of fighting at a bar for a lousy insult he got, he slaid mutants and beast that wanted to feast on his delicious meat. Most importantly though, he could deal verbally with people better outside in the streets with everyone armed and dangerous. Elias indeed wasn’t that much like a proper gentleman and husband he once was. Perhaps, maybe that would help him change Nora’s feeling towards him. “This world has changed a lot, I had to change with it. I suggest you should work on that as well. Find a new home. Maybe Railroad could do that, they love to help people of your kind. Your lawyer skills could prove useful. Just say you helped out innocent people, maybe they’ll give you some slack.”

“Hold on!” Nora interrupted. “What about you? Aren’t you going with me?”

“I have a new life.”

“Where? Here in these ruins? With these people and that… freak?!” Nora sneered, disgusted.

Elias avoided to look at her straight, while he made the most awkward, dry face.

Something pierced Nora’s heart, once she realized something from his uncomfortable, shameful look. “You’re… You’re not with that monster?”

“Hancock is not a monster!” Elias defended. “A scar here and there doesn’t make a man one. I’m still the same despite these!” he said pointing at his back, where he carried a war scar he got from a fragmented bomb, and then on his left temple where he carried a scar he got from Kellogg. All of them uglier than any small scratches Nora had. In fact, her wounds looked more like made-up tears than and actual, old wound. Then again, scars don’t register in DNA, which is why there still hasn’t been a single ghoul synth made, as much as Elias has learned in Institute.

“Ellie, to think you would ever… Did that thing infect you already? Is that why you are rejecting me?” Nora asked, eye round of learning something absolutely new about her husband.

“No, I was like this my whole life”, Elias spilled out. “I never had that much interest toward women as I had for men. But because how everyone thought you were sick or mental back then if you had those thoughts… I had to stay quiet.”

Heartbroken, Nora asked quietly. “Then why did you marry me?”

“Because…” Elias felt sleezy. “I was scared father would know. And you were the only one I did appreciate most, for your kindness, your joyfulness, strong mind… I did love you, not as a partner, more as a friend.”

Nora’s expression was devastating, even for Elias. The man felt quilt as he looked at the face that would have mirrored his real wife’s expression. He had to tell the truth at some point when he lived his previous life. However, Elias valued Nora too much and he loved his son, he did not want to destroy the good life he had.

“But Ellie, we’re married”, Nora said, hopeless but still reaching as she raised her hand up. She was astounded when she realized she had no ring on it, and neither did Elias. A desperation and disbelieve were starting to caught on to the woman. “No… No, no, no! Okay… Okay. I get it. We can still fix this! You’ve been alone for a long time, maybe you really thought I was dead, and you needed SOME company. Just... let’s pretend it never happened. Start over!”

“Nora, I can’t start over with you. You’re not even real Nora. Just… Just her ghost. Her living memory”, Elias explained saddened as he had to say that out loud, bringing more pain to this person that was dragged into this situation.

“How can you say that? I'm not a synth! I’m a living, breathing human being! Why are you pushing me away?!  Everything we had… Are you saying it meant nothing to you?” Her desperation was making her cry as well as wrap her into hysteria. “I remember everything. How we met. How we dated. How you asked your father’s blessing at that fancy restaurant. How I got my diploma. That day before you asked me to go to a park. Few months later I was pregnant. I… I was so happy. It gave me a reason. A motivation to wait and show you our child. You were so scared to hold Shaun for the first time. Scared after so many lives you had to take. But I trusted you with his life. I knew you would never hurt your own son because you loved him so much. Just… Just like I love you, Elias.”

Elias shook, as he stood still, arms crossed, holding himself back from warm and gentle words Nora used so carefully. It was all with the same soothing tone she used, which made him always feel so appreciated. Feel special.

“If I remember all that, how can my feelings for you be fake? How can I be fake? Please, Elias… Don’t leave me.”

This time the woman managed to get a hold of his hand, without him pulling it away. Nora’s hand was warm, like a real human being. So soothing, yet so saddening. It was comforting. Even tempting to bring back the good that once was. Despite how easy it would be to go to the past, restore it all, cheat the misfortune that was laid upon him, have it all figured out and settled, it wouldn’t help him in the future. It would never be the same. It’d still be fake, no matter how familiar it would look. Right now, his current state was what determined his future. It was the future he was sure about, which he knew was real.

“I already said”, Elias explained, firmly trying to stand his ground. “I have a new life. I can’t go back on it. I’ll help you get by the best I can’t, but I won’t stay with you.”

“Ellie… Elias… You can’t just leave me!” The woman cried more. Elias has never seen Nora cry like this. Like he was absolutely manipulated, damaged, betrayed. Heartbroken. A state that pained even Elias to look at.

“I’m not leaving you, Nora. But we can’t be together anymore. Here. Let’s go back. You better rest. You must be hungry as well”, he said distracting both of them, while holding back his own tears.

Hancock could not focus on the blabbering that went on during the whole meeting. They were talking about safety of the local cities and settlements, but Hancock’s mind was only on the safety of one person. He had missed his moment with Elias, and all because of that tube-grown lab-rat. It brought his blood to a boil. He felt like he was being robbed, right in front of his non-existing nose. No one stole from John Hancock yet this woman had the balls of steel to do so. An uncontrollable madness was growing within the ferocious ghoul. He couldn’t help but to fantasize how he would pin the woman down, ether slice her throat slightly so she could choke on her own blood or gut her like a pig, watching how she desperately tried to gather her scattered guts. It would look delightful. However, how would that make Hancock look, in front of Elias none the less. A maniac who just killed a confused synth for simple jealousy, that’s how. A synth who could had just as easily be any other lost individual who escaped the tight clutched of the Institute and had their memory wiped out. But it wasn’t just jealousy. Honestly, who knew how this synth was wired. Maybe like with the Broken Mask Incident, the gal could just click when she gets close enough to Elias and just slaughter him. Would the Institute allow to do something like that? Hell, who knows. Who knows what their motives and true actions are, despite all the dirt Elias uncovered. Maybe they know about his true loyalties and want to clean up the mess before it spreads. With this meeting going on, who knows, maybe it wasn’t a coincidence the gal showed in in same day.

Hancock needed something strong to ease out his anger and nerves, before he could talk to anyone. Something he wasn’t ready to share with the others, so he found a secluded place in one of the quiet and empty rooms, full of junk and garbage people just tossed in. Hancock was about to breath in the mind-numbing spray from the UltraJet when he got interrupted by a berating criticism.

“A murdering costume psycho and a junkie. Quite charming.”

The synth was standing at the door, not expecting what she saw entering in.

“A perfect replica of an already dead woman. Quite the piece of work yourself, Nora”, the ghoul answered really sarcastically. He suddenly rounded his eyes when he realized Elias was nowhere near her. Keeping himself calm he asked slowly. “Where’s Elias?”

“He is bringing me food”, Nora explained. “I got a few words for you.” She entered in and closed the door behind him.

Hancock didn’t even flinch. He was actually expecting something like that, but not the fact how daring this woman was, locking herself alone with a withering, but still sturdy ghoul. Slowly Hancock put his inhaler into his pocket, the same one he was hiding his knife in.

“Hancock. John Hancock, was it?” Nora asked while studying the ghoul from head to toes. “The man himself. Back from the grave after three, no, five hundred years of sleep?”

Docile, yet still had courage to smart-mouth, Hancock though stumped. Then again, maybe the woman didn’t know about current John Hancock and his horrible reputation. Maybe his skinny, corpse-like appearance gave this spicy part-Spanish lady some unnecessary confidence.

“Well, you sis, you should be six feet under in your own grave at the moment. No. More likely with your feet in cement, feeding the fish with your fake skin. Only good use it serves.”

“Rich, coming from a ghast. Seriously, what does Elias find in a guy like you?”

Something Hancock has gone over plenty of times in his mind, not finding many answers. “Guess something your stuck-up mind doesn’t see.”

“Well I’ll tell you what I see. You tricked him. Somehow got him under your wing when he was lost and alone. Used his desperation for survival to your advantage. My Ellie would never tie himself to a murdering madman like you. Especially a mad MAN.”

“Well, my Eli is not the same anymore, and is not going back, ya dig?” Hancock said sounding just a little too possessive than he was supposed to. “If you know what’s best for him, as well as yourself, you better move on and let him go.”

“I’m not letting him go!” she screamed in fury, hands in fists. “I don’t know what bullshit you’ve been feeding him, but I’m not letting him stay with an inhumane freak like you.”
The gal wasn’t much of a thread. In fact, the synth reminded Hancock of a kid who just learned a few intimidating words and was now testing them on this quite terrorizing man, thinking she would seem touch. Right now though, she was an actual bomb, ready to explode at any wrong word. And for some reason the ghoul took it.

Nonchalantly Hancock replied. “Well here’s a newsflash. I at least was a human at some point, unlike you, Institute lab-rat freak.”

The synth launched head on. With one hard hit with back of his hand Hancock threw the woman on the ground. Nora covered her bleeding cheek, as it got scratched by few golden rings the ghoul was wearing. Crying in pain, she was unable to stand up from a hard landing.

Hancock snorted. A simple housewife from the past fell down like a potato sack. He didn’t even need to pull out his other hand from his pocket.

The horrid thing turned his back on pitiful woman, not even considering her as a worthy opponent. Fuming, Nora scanned the rubble around her, and found a baton shaped blunt weapon. Standing up to her one knee she swung with her all might, bashing Hancock’s leg, who immediately lost his balance.

Nora stood up and in rage hit the ghoul’s back when he tried to stand up. Hancock swiftly reached to his pocket, turned and swung his knife. Blaring, Nora hit his arm, dislocating his bones from each other. In pain Hancock dropped his knife, holding his immobile arm. Nora quickly switched weapons, jumped on top of the man, and pressed the knife against his throat, not letting him stand up. Hancock was astounded to be beaten by wits of a woman he underestimated too quickly. Hancock was only a short moment worried, until he saw the furious, heavily breathing woman round her eyes with shock. She was hesitant to move, which was expected from a woman who did not know death and how to take someone else’s life. In fact, when she realized what she had done, her eye rounded up more when she realized what she had done, how she almost lost her sense of humanity.

The ghoul took advantage of her hesitation to tell some sense into her. “I’d love to see you explain this to Elias”, he hissed threateningly.

“It won’t matter!” Nora convinced, both herself and the ghoul, as her grip tightened around the blade. “You won’t be around to manipulate him then”, Nora shook, as she gathered all her anger and hate, just so she could finish off the defenseless being lying on the ground, shedding tears. “Honestly, if it was anyone else, I might just have to back up. But I’m not giving him away to a THING like you!”

Killed by his own words, Hancock retorted in his mind. Karma truly was a bitch.

In one loud blow the woman froze then fell down. Hancock crawled from under the corpse with bleeding head.

At the doors, Elias slowly lowered his smoking gun.

The meeting had to be put on a hold, since the representative from Goodneighbor needed medical treatment for his arm. Everyone was under different level of panic, hearing how an Institute synth had sneaked in to sabotage their common discussions. However soon enough they all quieted down when another person entered the meeting room, who wasn’t the Mayor.

“Major Guerrero. Will the Mayor be okay?” General Garvey asked.

Without a word, serene like the water, Elias walked to the table and settled his Pip-Boy on the wooden surface.

“Here’s the missing piece for your project”, he said looking first at the General, then Paladin Arin. “It has a piece from the Institute that helped me go in and out. Scan it for the coordinates, and set them on Prime.”

“You had a valuable information about the Institute’s location and you never told us!” the Diamond City representative prosecuted the man.

“Set aside!” Paladin commanded, scaring the man back to his seat. “You’re giving the location away now? But what about the undercover mission? Don’t we need to learn more?”

“There’s nothing else to learn”, Elias said with bitterness. “The Institute is not for the betterment of the humankind. Only for themselves. We are nothing but playthings for them to be toyed with!”

The new, determined man was not what the Paladin used to see, so she asked reassuringly. “You tried to defend them thus war. What made you change your mind, Major?”

“Personal attack”, he said simply.

It was the smell of fire and burning flesh that brought Hancock outside the Castle, once he got out of doctor’s office. Near the shore was burning a big bonfire, with Elias standing close to it, staring at the flames with narrowed eyes, like he was hating the way how they danced in front of him. Hancock stood by, his arm tied to his chest, red coat hanging on his shoulders. He didn’t have to ask anything. He knew very well what was being burned.

“I’m not letting them mess with her life again”, he spat out under his breath.

“Yeah. Wouldn’t want to do that again myself”, Hancock answered, regretting he could never do the same service to his brother’s remains, not knowing what happened to them. He gave the man a look, but he just kept staring at the blazing valse of fire, as it consumed its fuel all the way to the bones. The man knew personally what Elias was going through. In this situation, he could only offer him the same support as he got when he was feeling broken, by wrapping his other healthy arm around his friend in need.

A murder of crows on the tree however distracted Elias. In a raging yell, with a swift move he pulled his pistol and shot one of the birds.

“El, stop!” Hancock called for him and pulled down his gun hand. However, then he saw something unusual. One of the birds was lying dead on the ground, and while everyone else had fled from fright, only one was sitting still, looking down at the couple.

Elias was shooting daggers from his eyes at the pestilent, unnatural thing. “Shaun! How dare you!” he bellowed up. “How could you? How could you mangle with the remains of your mother?!” With poison he declared. “I’m done with you! I’m done with you and your Institute! Mankind redefined? It’s fucking contorted!”

When Elias got out his message, the Watcher nodded once, spread its wing and flew away.

Chapter Text

With the air turning colder, the Mayor of the Goodneighbor had no reason to go outside, only bore himself with regular paperwork. However, it was hard to focus, feeling footsteps that reflected from wooden floor to his bones.

“Will you keep it quiet! Go march outside if you can’t keep still!” Hancock snapped irritatingly from his office. His writing hand was finally working again, but the pain still remained, making him more sensitive to all distractions. Just when he was thinking of putting an end to it with some Med-X, his bodyguard entered in.

“Hey Boss, you won’t believe this until you see it”, Fahrenheit said, her eyes circled like big blue orbs. It had to be ether a horde of behemoths or flying pigs that made her look so unusually amazed.

The two of them had to get to the watchtower in order to see the miracle rising from the river. A giant, house-sized robot, stumping to the shore, shooting red lasers from its vizier-like eyes.

“Holy shit!” Hancock commented after getting his eye out of the telescope’s eyepiece. “Looks like there’s some fun going down. Let’s go see it!”

“You’re not serious!” Fahrenheit protested. “It’s dangerous! You’re gonna be turned into ashes by that thing!”

“Well I’m gonna turn into helluva mad ghoul if I miss the event of the century! Pack your shit, Fahrenheit. We’re joining in!” Hancock cheered rushing down to the stables.

The undead horse rushed through the ruins and streets, crossing the bridge towards the Bunker Hill, where all the commotion was sounding off. The heavy, earthshattering footsteps were not just heard, but felt when they hit the ground so hard that Hancock’s horse was slowing down and neighing in fright for such unusual phenomenon. Right behind the corner of the high building both Hancock and his bodyguard could hear a very robotic voice sounding.

“MEMORIAL SIGHT: RECOGNIZED.” The stomping stopped. “PATRIOTISM SUBROUTINES: ENGAGED. HONORING THE FALLEN IS THE DUTY OF EVERY RED-BLOODED AMERICAN.”

Right there, towering like a colossal five-story-high brotherhood soldier, a tall war-machine was saluting the beaconing white obelisk. Lifting his head that high to see the robot in all his glory made Hancock lean against Fahrenheit, almost pushing her off of horse’s back.

“Target acquired!” another, smaller robot noise sounded after which a rumpus of laser guns started, all aiming at the big bot.

Slowly, it turned its head and beamed his eye-shots, crisping the attacking robot synths into cinders.

Some astray shots almost hit the riding duo in the middle, which they only took as an invitation to join the fight.

Fahrenheit jumped off the horse, charging at the synths with her flamethrower in her hands. Withing close range she started to crisp her targets, joy dancing in her eyes like the flames she was letting out to feast on robotic humans.

Hancock rode with one hand on the reign and one holding his shotgun, as he blasted the circuit and scrap across the air shot after shot.  With the giant robot at their side, the little Institute minions stood no chance.

Soon enough others joined the party, as the two spotted vertibirds in the sky and Minutemen laser musket shots firing from the hideouts. It took time for reinforcement to come, most of the steel soldiers not being waterproof like their gigantic big brother -figure. Jumping down from the vertibirds the Brotherhood Soldiers fired up from their miniguns and power guns, cleaning up the rest of the synths. One soldier got in between right in time to destroy three synths that cornered the ghoul horseman to a wall. Once the heroic rescue was done, the Brotherhood soldier turned to Hancock.

“Mayor Hancock, this is not a safe place for you! You have to leave the area”, a robotic voice sounded from the masked, armored soldier.

“Paladin Arin, is that you?" Hancock asked, delighted to recognize the marks and official yet thoughtful voice he knew. "How is it going?”

“We are under a serious mission! And... yes, it’s Paladin Arin”, she said calmly, grateful for ghoul’s recognition towards her rank.

“WE WILL NOT FEAR THE RED MENACE!” sounded the booming voice of the robot.

Hancock’s heart jumped to his throat, when he realized the straight, glowing red vizier was pointing right at him. Shit! This was the worst time to be wearing all red.

“Liberty Prime, stand back!” Paladin Arin shouted, with her hand up defensively. “This one is not an enemy! I repeat: Stand back!”

In soldier’s voice there was some shakiness. She was not sure if the war-machine would recognize her command. The red glow however dimmed and shined a blue, scanning light instead, both at the Brotherhood soldier, then Hancock with his steed. After studying the target, Liberty Prime took a stance once again and saluted.

“PERFORM THE SALUTE TO THE… PATRIOT OF… MASSACHUSETTS: ENGAGED. BLESSED BE OUR BELOVED NATION!”

Awkwardly Hancock raised his hand and answered back with his slanted salute. After that he moved his horse, to give way for the patriotic metal titan.

“Un-fucking-believable”, the ghoul revered, both with relief and dumbfounded for such saving grace.

“Unbelievable indeed”, said a familiar, non-robotic male voice. “I almost thought he was going to go at you like a bull at a red flag.”

“Eli?” Hancock rejoiced when he saw the geared-up vault dweller in beige coat approaching, along with a German Shepherd wearing armored harness. The ghoul slid down from his steed and ran up to the man. Both closed each other in a tight hug. “Should had known you were behind all this mess!” he laughed with joy.

“And I should had known you were going to invite yourself in sooner or later, Mayor”, a sassy female voice called.

A trio joined the duo. The nosy reporter in light armor, the young sniper tactically dressed in bulletproof vest and the old, rusty synth, one who was on their side.

“Wright, MacCready, Nick”, Hancock called out. “Couldn’t miss all the fun ether, right?”

“This is as much as our fight as anyone else’s”, the old synth said firmly, still soft enough to let some light-heartedness slide in.

“Can’t run a settlement with those boogies messing it all up! Plus it pays well”, MacCready added with humor.

“Wouldn’t miss this for hundreds of stories scattered around Commonwealth!” Piper laughed.

“Well then let’s put this freakshow on the road!” the ghoul called, his shotgun high in the air.

“Oh no, you are staying behind, Mister”, Elias proclaimed, pressing his hand on his chest, pushing him few steps back. “Big shots like you stay behind. This might get dangerous. Let us do the work.”

“Bullshit I’m gonna stay back!” Hancock actually sounded offended for being tossed aside from all the interesting stuff. “I ain’t scared of dirtying my hands, remember?”

“Yes, but if the King falls, his whole kingdom will crumble. The pawns, the knights… You have to stay safe. Goodneighbor needs their Mayor”, Elias said firmly, but concerned enough to let the other one know he truly was worried.

Hancock was extremely disappointed, because sadly, the man had a point. “Alright. I’ll go back”, he said in bitter defeat. Hancock mounted his horse and called his bodyguard to his side. “You guys keep an eye on each other”, he advised the band of four below him. “And Elias”, he called out for the man, looking first a little stern, then reduced himself to a cheerful smile. “Don’t get yourself killed. This Undead King is gonna need his Living King at his side when we throw a celebration for defeating Commonwealth’s biggest Boogieman.”

The idea delighted the dark-haired man greatly. “I’m going to keep that in my mind as a motivation, Hancock. And Fahrenheit”, Elias called for the ginger woman, who looked at him with stonehearted look. “Make sure to keep him alive for me.”

The red-haired tank girl turned her eyes away for a short moment, but couldn’t help from smiling. “Best of luck, Pawn King”, she grinned for new promotion she gave to another.

“Major Guerrero, it’s time to move out. Liberty Prime won’t wait!” Paladin Arin called out from afar.

“Alright, gang, move it! ¡Ándale!” Elias said like a soldier, pulling his fist down.

And with that the group departed. For a moment though, Elias stopped on his tracks and looked back, seeing that Hancock hasn’t moved yet ether and peeked behind as well. Sadly, it was too late for the last goodbye. Two of them simply nodded to each other with regrets, hoping this would not be their last time of seeing each other. As one, both took their leave, only fate and luck already knowing if they had the privilege to meet one another later on.

It was utter chaos. First there was shaking, then rumbling and then the roof broke. A moment after, a group of soldiers, Minutemen and Brotherhood, poured in, killing and destroying everyone who had the courage to fight against them.

Bethany was in the surveillance room, hiding under the table curled against the wall, scared and frozen, as she heard the dim sounds of gunshots and yells. The noise became louder, as the troops entered the Synth Retention Bureau. The coursers put up a long fight, but they were no match against the soldiers of steel.

The sound of opening slide-door petrified the poor Institute girl into a statue. Soft steps approached. Then heavy ones. From under the desk the dark-haired girl saw the pair of black combat boots with blue pants, accompanying with one pair of metallic legs, then another normal, quiet and worn boots. The first pair of legs bended and a familiar face peeked under the desk.

“Grandfather?” Bethany called quietly.

“It’s alright, Bethany. They won’t hurt you”, Elias said, handing over his palm.

The Brotherhood soldier as well as the small sniper mercenary stayed back, even when they had a perfect opportunity to shoot the defenseless Institute scientist.

“Bethany, the Brotherhood and the Minutemen are here to take over this place”, Elias explained. “Follow these people. No one is authorized to kill anyone as long as everyone cooperates.”

The young girl was scared, as she hesitated to follow two armed men. Instead, she stood closer to only one she trusted.

“Go now. I’ll talk to the Director.” Elias said that like he wasn’t looking up to the meeting, but knew it was unavoidable.

“He won’t be listening to you, Grandfather”, Bethany said, saddened. Drying a tear from under her eye, she said. “You… you ruined all that he had. You’re hardly a family to him anymore.”

Elias gave it a moment to think about, before he said. “I want to make it less worse, for all of you. Get to safety. I don’t want to collect the bones of my last family member.”

Hesitantly nodding, Bethany complied as Elias ordered the mercenary make sure the girl could get out unharmed, while she and the brotherhood soldier moved out.

“Okay, toots… or Granddaughter, come on already”, the mercenary told, pulling the girl from her arm, before addressing her with less hostility. “These steel soldiers ain’t messing around. Better just listen to them.”

The familiar attitude and voice reminded the young girl of someone specific. “Robert MacCready, are you?” she asked curiously.

“Yeah. How did you know?” the young man of her height asked suspiciously.

“I’ve… I’ve heard of you. You got quite the reputation, even down here. Also, my Grandfather told a lot about you”, Bethany told, after reminding herself that it would sound very wrong if she would had admitted watching over him and his boss like some stalker.

The complement seemed to flatter the young mercenary, making him forgot for a split second he was escorting an intimidating Institute scientist. After buttering up the stern merc, the girl had a lot gentler escort to a safer place.

On the surface, Hancock was making his slow way across a bridge with his bodyguard. They were strolling calmly when a sudden bean of laser shot in the air behind them. Then again and again, almost like a signal. Nearby vertibirds were flying pass towards the source of laser with cheering metal men on board. Whether they were following a distress signal or a simple call, it was unknown. The sight made Hancock tremble with uncertainly. He wanted to turn around and see what was happening. He needed to know if everyone was alright. Did Minutemen and Brotherhood of Steel accomplish their mission? Did Nick, MacCready and Piper got out alive? Hancock’s heart started to race as he though: Was Elias still alive?

For whole night Hancock could not sleep. There were no signs of conclusion and with all the hassle and confusion, the messages were moving slow. Back in Goodneighbor people were puzzled and lost of what was the giant, unstoppable robot that roamed in Cambridge. Eventually the scouts returned with the latest update of Institutes fall. Hancock had to put on a mask and charade, telling a joyful news that the horrible Boogeyman of the Commonwealth was now defeated. No longer would there be kidnapping and turning people against each other. There was no more distrust, no more fear among people of freedom. The news was both reassuring, but also troubling to those who feared Brotherhood more than the Institute. Never the less, that caused for a celebration. A joyful festivity that could keep the Mayor cheerful with his people for a short while, until the worry would eventually take over him. The joy could not be complete, without his special someone to share it with.

After another day people of Goodneighbor were starting to get restless. They wanted to throw a great festival for the new bright future that awaited them. With the end of Fall the festival of spooks and scares was approaching as well, so it would only be fitting to celebrate the elimination of the scariest spook of Commonwealth. However, they still haven’t got a word from the Mayor. Eventually, to his greatest pleasure, a message arrived from the Cambridge. All members of Minutemen and Brotherhood leaderships were meeting from the Infiltration of the Institute, all Majors included.

It was almost insultingly ironic to learn that all this time Institute was hiding under University Point. The hidden place that once was unreachable had now a tunnel leading down to the underground civilization, guarded by the menacing Liberty Prime.

The arrival of undead horseman and his bodyguard was met with mixed receptions. Some Minuteman, including General, welcomed the Mayor while the others, steel men with their new Elder, - the Dense Crewcut - gazed at the ghoul with disgust. If it wasn’t for the only reasonable Paladin of the bunch, Hancock would be shot immediately once he entered the manned grounds.

After the long struggle with words, Hancock was finally permitted to enter the giant tunnel to the underground hideout. The bleach-white city almost blinded the light-sensitive ghoul. It was absolutely beyond anything he imagined Institute being. Under Paladin Arin’s escort, they passed by rooms or corridors with people dressed in white, being guarded by Brotherhood or Minutemen soldiers. The scientists startled once they saw a ghoul roaming in their previous home, narrowing his soulless, black eyes at them judgingly. So, these were the backbone of the Institute, the ghoul though, watching them frightened under the command of strict metal men and hateful farmers who had lost family members because of these people. Hancock couldn’t help but to grin slightly. These people were nothing without their technology or coursers at their side. Now, they were at the mercy of the Commonwealth’s people they loathed. Lucky for them, they got to live to share their technology for the good of all humankind. Hancock knew he wouldn’t be that forgiving. If he would see a single white-coat enter through his gates, he would personally give them a boot.

At the end Hancock was led to the nursery section. That’s where all the children were kept for safekeeping, and that’s where the Major Guerrero was last seen.

Indeed, Hancock found the man among the little people wearing white clothes. Seeing the little Institute kids brought quite mixed feeling within the ghoul, even more when half of them ran away screaming as soon as they saw him, while the other half looked at him in awe. Ignoring the little ankle-biters Hancock got to the kneeled man, who was at eye-level with some ten-or-so-year-old boy. The ghoul’s presence brough a smile on his lips, but at the moment he couldn’t acknowledge him straight away, being focused on the child who stared at the scarred ghoul above him.

“Don’t worry. This man is completely harmless. Now you behave yourself”, Elias said strictly but softly. “I’ll be away for a while. I won’t be long gone.”

The little boy latched onto Elias’s arm as soon as he stood up.

“Please, dad, don’t go! I don’t want you to leave me! I’m scared!” the little boy cried.

A little awkwardly Elias turned and gently ran his hand across boy’s dark hair. “I won’t leave you, kiddo. I just need to handle some things. I promise to come back this evening. Alright?”

It didn’t calm down the needy little boy completely, but Elias’ words were enough to make him let go of him.

Funny how the boy’s nature reminded Hancock of something, or someone, despite never seeing him before. No matter how he though it through, Hancock couldn’t wrap his finger around who he was.

Once the adult couple left the little kids, the ghoul couldn’t help but to laugh. “So, to all scientists you are a traitorous conqueror, and to these kids a literal father-figure?”

Awkwardly Elias grinned slightly. “Yeah. Something like that.”

Ignoring the giant marching robot, the couple enjoyed the view sitting on the roof of University Point. Elias had to take off his wide-brimmed hat in order to lean ahainst Hancock’s shoulder. He did the same with his tricorn, just to ease his neck from the weight of his crown, and tilted his head against his, breathing in the powerful smell of his hair, looking up at the evening sky.

The sun was setting, painting the clouds in yellow, orange, pink and purple shades. It looked mesmerizing. It would had been interesting to see how the clouds in the sky would look after a few pills of Day-Tripper, but neither the ghoul or the man got the idea, even as a joke. Right now, both of them sat down, enjoying the view as it was, real and wonderful. Like a sign which was telling how the future would look. Colorful, winding but bright.

“I’ll have to go back soon”, Hancock told, hating to ruin the mood with the duties that were yet to be fulfilled. “The end of October is approaching. Goodneighbor will be throwing one hell of a party for your hard task of taking care of the Institute.”

Elias chuckled. “I wouldn’t call that hard. Getting in was indeed hard, but taking control of it: I’d say it was… as easy as trying to push a button.”

His analogy seemed oddly specific, especially when he said it a little tensely. Either way, Hancock simply shrugged it off.

“Besides, most of the glory goes to General Garvey and Elder Danse for leading the whole operation and bringing most of the people to fight by their side”, Elias added humbly.

“Bullshit, is what I say”, Hancock protested, playing offended. “If it wasn’t for you entering the Institute and getting their location, that giant toy soldier would still be digging those boogies from underground. No, here’s what I think: Goodneighbor is gonna play it how it actually happened!” Hancock stood up, holding onto his hat waving glorifying motioning with his hands like a car seller. “A man from the past wakes up from the Vault 111. He travels across the Commonwealth and is joined by his trusty companions. With a charmingly handsome Mayor at his side.” That caused a laugher come out of the Spaniard while he listened him continue. “He finds a way into the Institute, masks as one of them, gets their location and leads the troops to conquer them all! I’d say it would make a great play”, he finished light-heartedly while sitting back down facing her.

Elias almost died of laughter. “You’re really gonna make it sound that chipper and happy?”

“Well, why not?”

Elias shrugged and looked somewhere far, thinking very hardly. “Easy for you to be so numb to things like these, seeing fighting and scandals every day. But I guess I only now learned how horrible war can really be.  Destroy or enslave one group to protect your own, no matter the cost or losses.” He took a deep breath. “It never changes. Never is there a true justice. I guess that’s what Nora was right about.”

Hancock tensed a little for hearing that name again, but held no grudge afterwards. The man in front of him didn’t look dwelling, nor saddened for mentioning the name himself. There was a hint of lightness. Like after reading a book and closing the cover. Most likely whatever there was left was now delt with and forgotten.

“So… Are you interested to go back home with me? It’s gonna be a busy from here on out for a while, having a whole new future to solve. Might be nice to have some company to ease the pressure.”

This was the moment where Elias got really nervous. He really was afraid of telling his opinion, fearing it would ruin their relationship. However, there was no possibility to offer any lies instead, so he said it straight. “I’m sorry Hancock, but Goodneighbor will never be home to me. There is just so much anarchy and chaos… a systematic man like me would only be a huge stick in the mud amongst you all.”

Despite him joking at the end Elias was ready to see Hancock sadden or become disappointed. Instead, he only smirked.

“Figures. Well, can’t be helped. Maybe you can just drop by once in a while or I’ll come visit you. We might even take a few new trips now and then.”

“Hold on! You don’t mind us being separated?” he asked blinking for his light answer.

“’course not. After all, remember what I told about hot-and-heavy relationships when I left Goodneighbor with you? You need to take a break to cool off.” He leaned closer to fix a few hairs out of Elias’s face. “And with you, Sunshine, things really heat up quickly, ya feel me?”

His sentence was so cheesy, the nickname was too sugarcoated, but Elias had difficulty to laugh at him. Hancock said it so lovingly, so softly, Elias couldn’t help but to melt inside like a little flake on hot asphalt. Elias reached out for Hancock and gave him a long and gentle kiss.

The dark evening provided a perfect camouflage for safe route home.

“Hopefully your own watch won’t shoot you in the dark”, Elias warned Hancock humorously. “Or if you get ambushed again, it’s your own damn fault.”

“I think I can manage this time. Ain’t that right, Fahrenheit?” he said daringly.

“Not likely. Seems like you always get in troubles trying to navigate back home alone”, the ginger woman said back sarcastically while preparing ghoul horse.

Elias was a little lost, as he escorted the man, slowing behind to let them talk more privately. “So… What? Leaving already? Don’t you want to see the place? No short stay for a round of chess? No… Tour of the Institute?” Elias hinted cringing slightly for using such obvious metaphors.

“Heh, gladly, when you join the Halloween party in Goodneighbor.”

“Are you serious?” Elias asked with a you-must-be-joking -kind of tone, which then became really frustrated. “First you hawk after me for… What? Three years and now you’re holding back?”

“As a matter of fact, yes: I am serious”, Hancock said with a sincere tone. “Which is why we got plenty of opportunities in the future, love”, he toned down with a sly grin, showing his teeth, but still looking with a soft look at the man. There was no mockery, simply lightness towards how he handled their current relationship, which he intended to have fun with as long as possible. “Besides, now you have to get to Goodneighbor in order to give me a tour.”

Elias sighed deeply and crossed his arms. “You’re just impossible, Viejo.” The Spaniard gave him a challenging look. “You know… I might just miss the party on purpose.”

The ghoul laughed amusingly challenging him in return. “Heh, you wouldn’t miss the greatest party of the century. Will three day be enough for you to be ready?”

He shrugged. “Fair enough.”

Chuckling, Hancock closed him in a crushing hug. “I’ll come pick you up then, Sunshine.”

Modestly, Elias gave him a quick kiss on his scarred cheek. “Ride safely, Handsome.”