Chapter Text
The wastes were nasty and often cruel- especially when raiders and super mutants alike made nests and dens within concrete memorials of the old world. There used to be an old saying that cities were concrete jungles, but now that felt more true now than ever... In the jungle, your gun and knife were as crucial as purified water, and any prowling threat could riddle a man into nothing but viscera for crows. There was always a constant problem; Raiders to the east, Gunners to the South, and Super Mutants constantly baring down on the necks of any traders in the Fens. Distant gunshots seemed to be just another element of background noise- a replacement for the sound of cars and honking horns..
But that was a problem for some other night.
Tucked between the old historic buildings of the Commonwealth, the town of Goodneighbor was raucous with laughter and music. The sound of far-off violence and misery was all but forgotten as music bled from the Third Rail, into the rest of the town, and out into the cool air. Partying and nights of debauchery were a weekly occurrence but this time was different, it started as a fairly small send-off party for the town's mayor but somehow snowballed into a party only rivaled by New Year's or celebrating the town's independence. The moonshine and whiskey served felt like a punch in the balls to anyone unfamiliar, and here ghouls and humans alike- taking down shot after shot of the stuff.
“-And.. Oh my god, and then I say to him, ‘Well, we can’t fuck em all at once!’ Bhahahaaha!” Hancock laughed, leaning his head back in the leather seat as his hand pounded at the armrest.
The table erupted into laughter, including Farenheight who never seemed to even smile. Maccready was practically under the table, having fallen back in his chair just 10 minutes earlier and was now unable to get up. Ziva, the second redhead at the table was a giggly mess but surprisingly more sober than even Hancock. And the third redhead at the table, sitting on the Mayors left, was busy trying to stifle his laughter. For once, the commando was thankful he’d ditched his combat armor for the night because his chest hurt- laughing and a mixture of booze and food did that to him. They all sat around Hancock's table, guy was so protective of it that he’d carved his name into it though by now the table was a Picasso painting of knife gouges and scuffs from all the five-finger-fillet he's played over the years. They’d started the night playing a much more sober game of poker but the game was quickly dashed once the moonshine started flowing.
Red leaned back and sunk into his chair as the laughter died down, smile still on his face as his eyes began to close. His body still ached, but in a good way, in a way that his future self would curse him for the next morning. His week back in the arms of this town had been.. Nice. Red enjoyed a sense of purpose but running across all of Boston for the Minutemen and any other poor soul who needed help wore down on him- both on his body and his supplies. He blearily opened his eyes as he reached out to the ashtray on the table, taking a drag of the cigarette he and Hancock had been sharing.
Hancock..
His head rolled over, limp on his neck as he turned his head to look at the ghoul next to him. Hancock was busy launching into another story that made his second-in-command groan and roll her eyes, she clearly knew what was coming. They’d been traveling together for.. Jesus, about 3 months now? Time felt like it started blending together like ink on paper ever since he first left the vault half a year ago..
Despite that, he can still remember that day clearly. He’d helped Daisy make some deliveries that day and the mayor shouted from the balcony for him to come on up. Hancock informed him that his debt for the Bobbi scandal had been repaid, and he now wanted to follow Red whenever he went in the chaotic wasteland.. At the time, he thought it was an odd choice. The mayor of a place like Goodneighbor wanting to follow him of all people?.. But thinking back, he’s enjoyed his company more than words can say. They just followed track after track, picking a direction and cleaning up the Commonwealth along the way. He felt honored to even be at this table with him; this crazy sonovabitch that decided to give him a chance after the Bobbi heist went tits over. Red didn’t even realize he was staring off into space until Ziva shook his shoulder and he snapped to attention as if he’d been late for morning drills.
“Pass another beer, soldier,” Hancock said, nodding over to the other vault dweller at the table. “You still with us, Jackie? You an’ RJ look about ready to call it quits.”
Red sat up as straight as he could, readjusting the helmet on his head as he handed Ziva another beer. “Yeah- m’alright, just.. Damn, that Jet really fucked m- phhbt–!!” he started talking, before bursting into laughter as he saw Maccready's hand shoot up to grab the bottle, followed by the unmistakable sound of him spilling it all over himself.
“God ffff-freaking dammit!” He hissed, finally pushing himself to a stand. The merc's entire front was soaked in beer and foam and he just barely managed to steady himself before he let out another string of babbled words and stumbled on out of the room in embarrassment. Ziva followed soon after, leaving just the three of them sitting and laughing to themselves.
“You think he needs her to hold his dick while he pisses? He can aim with a rifle but with his cock? I dunno..” Hancock grins, stealing the cigarette from Red's fingers as he leans back once again.
“You’re sure they haven’t hooked up yet?” Fahrenheit asked, raising a brow before finishing off the rest of her glass.
“Mm.. nahh. I’ll hear about it when Mac starts dancing in the street from joy at kissin’ a girl,” he snickered.
Red had to agree- those two were so obviously in love that it was like his and Hancock's own personal soap opera. Watching the two exchange mannerisms, longing glances, and get red in the face when any sort of innuendo was made. Practically made for each other, like popcorn and movies or peanut butter and jelly- not that Maccready knew what any of those things were whatsoever. As funny as it was to watch them slide around each other like air hockey pucks, Red did hope that they’d find each other.. He never had much luck himself, besides a few girlfriends throughout high school and a handful of hookups during his time in the military. Didn’t want to subject anyone else to the mess he was after getting sent home with missing pieces…
Perhaps it was just not something meant for him.
The ghoul sitting next to him slapped both his knees before standing up, startling Red out of his thoughts, “Weellpp, I think this is as good a sign as any t’tuck in for the night.. I’m gonna feel like I just went through a Brahmin rodeo tomorrow… You comin, Jack?”
“If I can even get up..” He groaned, taking the ghoul's extended hand as his legs tried to remember what walking feels like. He practically almost fell up and into the other man's chest who instinctively wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
“Don’t fuckin hurl on me, please.. C’mon, big man.. Let's getcha back to the Rexford,” Hancock murmured, adjusting so they can walk while propped up on each other. “You gonna stay here, Farh?”
“I could be drunker,” she shrugged before waving them off.
The remaining redhead leaned on Hancock like he was a buoy in a storm as they made their way through the sea of citizens raising their glasses to their mayor. Despite the ghoul's love of talking to the people, he pushed on with Red- only giving a few passing remarks and smiles. Magnolia had been on break for a while but was now back on stage, singing for the town that was packed in this bar like sardines.
“What kind of fool am I..
Who never fell in love?
It seems that I’m the only one
That I have been thinking of..” She sang, voice like angel that pulled Red to stand up straight, earning a squeeze on the arm from his lifeboat companion.
Going up the stairs felt about as difficult as defusing a bomb, both drunk men focusing on putting their feet in the right places and not tripping onto the many vagrants sitting on the steps. Just one foot in front of the other… When they exited into the night air, however, it was much more calm- much colder too. Red bristled at the cold, only in his usual flannel; thankfully his room wasn’t far at all. Hancock was warm though.. A side effect of becoming a ghoul was super-human metabolism after all. Red didn’t want to pull away but going into his soft, yet creaky, bed sounded just as nice. If only he could–
“I’ll meet you out by the gates tomorrow, yeah?” Hancock slurred, nudging Red to keep walking as he stalled.
“Hm? Oh.. yeah, yeah..” he replied, looking over at his grinning face.
“I’ll bring some extra jet, heh.”
Red nodded and blinked, continuing to look at him. He must’ve been laughing harder than he thought because his chest still hurt, like something was forcing his heart up into his throat. He’s just drunk, he's gotta be just drunk... He opened his mouth to say something but by the time his brain caught up with him, they were already inside the empty Rexford lobby. Hancock's arm withdrew from around his shoulders and he couldn’t help but feel disappointed at the lack of warmth at his side, only left with a memory of it.
“You gonna be alright, Jackie?” The mayor teased him, clearly able to see how hard it was for him to walk on his own.
Jackie.. It always felt so nice when he called him that…
“Yeah, I’ll sleep it off.. You?”
“Ah, don’t you worry about ol’ me.. I’m.. ouugh.. Okay- I’m mostly fine,” he grinned before giving Red a little wave as he turned toward the door. “See you tomorrow, Red.”
The vault-dweller stared as he walked off, a twisted nest of barbed wire and perfumed wildflowers billowing behind his ribs. He felt this need inside him, something caged from his psyche when he was sober and had more control. If he were any more drunk he’d have said something, gone after him and–
As the doors opened and the mayor left, a gust of cool air washed over him. Magnolia's voice drifted through the empty streets and to his ears,
“Why can’t I fall in love
Like any other man?
And then maybe I’ll know
What kind of fool I am~”