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If there was anything Lucy learned in her short time on the surface, it’s that her Vault 33 jumpsuit did not keep her warm at all. She had managed to find herself a worn down blanket and a half torn scarf in the last dilapidated building they took shelter in, which already helped her when the sun set over the horizon the following day. The Ghoul didn’t have to worry about the cold like she did; he told her to keep them.
It was another long day in their trek to New Vegas, where the gunslinger said he was sure of her fath— where Hank went when he fled the observatory in the Brotherhood’s power armor. Though her traveling companion invited her to join him in his journey to follow Hank and “meet their makers,” she knew there was another reason for it. Lucy may still be somewhat naive due to her vault upbringing, but she’s not an idiot: she’s his bargaining chip if the shit hits the fan, his one-way ticket to find his family.
Had she forgiven the Ghoul for using her as bait, cutting off her finger, and selling her for chems? Not in the slightest, but their interests were aligned and he was a bounty hunter: his presence and knowledge were invaluable in this journey and if she had been alone, it would be far more difficult tracking down her father. Her other reasoning is that if this alliance gets her closer to confronting Hank and making him pay for his actions, making him tell the truth after all the lies he spouted off to her and her brother… it would be worth it. It felt like an unspoken agreement between the two that had yet to be acknowledged out loud, but she knew it would happen eventually.
Besides, he was teaching her how to hunt and prepare their game so they could save their packaged rations for when it was too dangerous to hunt on their travels. Dogmeat (she still called her “Four” like her daddy had) even helped and she was great at letting them know if there was danger nearby. Lucy had even taken a liking to her and spoiled her with bits of jerky any chance she got, even when their companion fussed about it.
The only shelter they could find this time were ruins of a home with no roof, the walls just intact enough that they could still hide out of view of the big cracks and any peering eyes. The downside though was that she knew the Ghoul would put out their small fire after dinner and before it got too dark, just in case there were any fiends or other folks who might want to investigate the light and smoke. The last thing they need is to draw attention to where they were on a clear, bright night like tonight.
Sure enough, she was right: he put the fire out after dinner and tucked away in a corner where he could easily keep an eye out if anyone tried to sneak up on them. “I’ll take the first watch,” he drawls, his gun in hand with Dogmeat beside him.
Lucy had already set herself up in the opposite corner, wrapping the scarf around her neck for extra warmth before bundling up in the blanket. She hoped it would be enough to keep her comfortable, but she was shivering in no time no matter how many times she tossed and turned. Curling up into a ball wasn’t helping either and before she knew it, she heard the Ghoul’s voice.
“Vaultie, if your teeth keep chatterin’ like that, you’re likely to draw unwelcome company to us and advertisin’ that we’re their meal for the night.”
Lucy turned over to look at the bounty hunter, knowing full well he was staring directly at her even with his hat trying to hide his gaze. “I’m sorry, I can’t help that I’m freezing. This blanket isn’t keeping me warm and without a fire, there’s not much else I can do.”
There’s a moment of silence between them before the gunslinger exhaled a loud sigh, standing up and moving his saddlebags out of the way before shrugging off his coat. He could handle the cold evenings in this wasteland after the past 200 years, but she can’t and she’s no good to him if she froze to death. After a few seconds, he’s holding out his coat like he’s ready to drape it over her shoulders. “C’mon now.”
Wide hazel eyes watched him carefully from her spot in the sand when she sat up, eyeing his coat. She’s never seen him without his coat until now. “Are you sure? Don’t you need it?”
The Ghoul was unsure of how much clearer he had to be about it, his lips pinched and clearly annoyed with her. “Don’t make me say it twice, darlin’, or I’ll put this back on and you’ll freeze tonight.”
“Okay, okay.” She’s getting untangled from her blanket when she stood up and turned around so he could put the coat on her shoulders. He didn’t wait for her to put her arms through, just made sure it’s there before he sat back down in his corner. “Thank you.”
Lucy couldn’t help but smile at the newfound warmth and thick leather. It’s comforting, even with the smell of tobacco, blood, and alcohol lingering from its owner. She’d never dare to say aloud that his scent doesn’t bother her or he’d never let her live that down.
He was staring up at her from his seat, his gloved hand patting the sand beside him. The Ghoul didn’t like letting anyone get this close to him, but his body heat due to two centuries worth of radiation would help much more than just that coat of his. “Can’t start the fire back up but you can lean against me for warmth,” he’s then pointing a finger at her. “No funny business though, got it?”
“Yes, sir. You don’t have to tell me twice.” She plopped down beside him, putting her blanket over her legs before slowly leaning against him. The last thing she needed was to startle the Ghoul by moving fast, but the moment she felt the warmth radiating from his body, she sighed in relief as her eyes fluttered closed. This was how she’d make it through the night.
He stilled the moment he felt her smaller frame curl up beside him, his earthen gaze watching her closely. Cooper hadn’t realized he was holding his breath when her hand rested on his bicep, his eyes shifting down to where her digits gently pressed into his arm. This was what he got for offering to be her space heater for the evening, and he took a breath as Dogmeat whined and moved to lay at their feet.
“Don’t get too used to this, sugar.” The Ghoul reached out with his free hand to pull her scarf up more to cover the bottom half of her face. At least that would help with keeping her face warm.
Her eyes opened to look up at him and he swore he could see her smiling even with her lips partially covered by the torn material. “I won’t, but I appreciate it.”
That damn smile of hers could easily disarm someone if they weren’t careful.
He gave her a small nod before leaning back against the concrete wall, tilting his head up to look at the night sky. A clear night like tonight would be the perfect way to teach her something new. “You know your directions? How to tell which way you’re goin’ without relyin’ on that Pip Boy of yours?”
“The compass in my Pip Boy is more than sufficient, but I know north, south, east, and west. They taught us that since we still weren’t sure when we’d return to the surface.” For Reclamation Day, she wanted to say, but she’s forcing that thought out of her head.
He was looking down at her with a raised brow. “Sure, sweetheart, you know what they are but do you know how to tell?” A small shake of her head was all she gave, confirming his suspicions. “That’s what I thought.” It didn’t take a genius to know she’s pouting as a grin pulled at his lips,
The Ghoul had made sure that they were facing north when they found their shelter, without even planning on giving the vault dweller this lesson but now that they’re there, well... His hand pointed forward, “North,” then over his shoulder behind them, “South.”
Before he could point east, her hand that’s not on his arm pointed to his right. “East,” then her hand shifted to point to their left. “And west. Right?”
He couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him at that. She was a fast learner, he’d give her that much. “You got it, but there’s another way, ‘specially at night.” The Ghoul pointed up to the stars in the northern sky. “See those two constellations? They’re known as the Little and Big Dipper.”
Hazel hues followed where he’s pointing, her head on his shoulder when she nodded without a word. From what she recalled in books in her astronomy class, they were looking at Ursa Minor and Ursa Major.
“The last star that ends the handle of the Little Dipper... That’s what is called the ‘North Star.’ Not the brightest star in the sky but if you’re able to find ‘er, you know when you’re facing north. Can come in handy if you ever get lost.”
Sure enough, she saw the star in question and she’s smiling widely. Before leaving Vault 33, Lucy never thought she’d see the stars in her lifetime but now that she had, she didn’t think she could ever get tired of it. “Polaris, you mean? That’s the star’s name.”
His brows lifted in surprise, gaze shifting back down to the smoothskin with a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. “Well, you’re just full of surprises, ain’t cha, Lucy MacLean?” The Ghoul was impressed, but that's what he got for underestimating her yet again. If she kept proving him wrong like this, he wouldn’t know what to expect from her anymore.
Lucy felt sudden warmth spread across her cheeks and she’s grateful he couldn’t see that she was blushing, but she’s playfully nudging him with her elbow in response. “Someone has to keep you on your toes or else you’d be bored.”
The hearty laugh that rumbled from his chest was something she never thought she’d hear, but it had her smiling all the same and nestling against him. She could get used to this but she’d do her best not to, even more so now that he’s unlikely to extend this courtesy of sharing his body heat with her again in the future.
“You better stop talking and go to sleep, sweetheart.” He was shaking his head and fixing his hat, leaning back comfortably against the wall behind him for support. “Or you’ll be taking first watch this time.
“Okey dokey,” was all she murmured in response, closing her eyes and letting her exhaustion take hold of her as she drifted to sleep.
Though the Ghoul kept watch of their surroundings as she slept on his shoulder, he couldn't help but watch her from time to time. She was too trusting, even after everything he had done to her, but the wasteland had not broken her yet. She was learning the hard truths she couldn’t down in that vault, and as earth shattering as they were back at Griffith Observatory, she’s holding on as best as she can.
Lucy MacLean was stronger than he gave her credit for and he was reminded of it every day they traveled together. Sure, he still found her naive optimism to be more annoying than anything else, but he’d be lying if he said she hadn’t grown on him in the short time they’ve known each other.
He reached over with his hand to gently brush her raven locks out of her face, before looking out at the endless sea of sand and stars. “Even with those doe eyes… you’re still a little killer, Luce.”
If the morning light don’t steal our soul, we will walk away from empty gold.