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His last few days of freedom, before being sent to the training camp further south. Leroy was determined to enjoy his last few days of freedom. He’d planned a relaxed night in, enjoying his time to himself before being thrust into barracks.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t excited to be part of the NCR military, just that he knew he’d miss his house. His mother had doted on him and made Bramin Steaks for their dinner, a rare treat for them and a nice change from the soups and stews they usually consumed. They sat together for the last time in a while and listened to the evening news and the mix of music that followed. Before to long she got tired and retired to her room, leaving Leroy to his own devices.
He sat in his usual chair, a glass of whiskey in hand. Staring at the photo of the old family farm, he thought about his plans after all this was done. Once he’d served his time, he’d buy some land out there, out west, and make a farm. Raise chicken to start with, grow some Razorgrain, maybe some corn, build a home for him and his mother. Something small, but sustainable. That was his plan.
Julia stumbled away, her nose oozing with blood. She knew they were there, knew what they were going to do, knew it was stupid to try and stand up to them. But the kid didn't deserve it. Some street rat who picked the wrong pocket, pissed off one of the small gangs that believed they ran the streets. Guys no older than Julia, the kind of people The Followers tried to educate and help, the kind that got sent to correctional facilities over stupid things.
She powered on, her feet taking her anywhere that wasn’t the rubble she called home. Her mother had spiralled at some point, something happened with the followers and Julia didn’t know what just that she and her mother had to leave. Leaving behind everything they knew. She had no idea how to make caps and they ended up reliant on Julia’s light fingers to survive. It had landed her in more than one fight and more than one cell. Her mother seemed to shut her out. Julia was waiting for the day she’d go home and it would be empty; her mother either dead or moved on without her. But the day never came, and home wasn’t safe after a fight. Even if it wasn’t Julia’s fault.
She collapsed on a doorstep. Emotions flooded her. It had been so long since she had last broken. Everything became too much too fast. She let it all come out.
In the silence of his home, Leroy though he heard something. He checked on his mother, still asleep in her room. Silently, he collected his revolver and made his way to the door. Pulling it open he aimed his revolver out in front of him, determined to find the source of the noise.
Julia looked up at the man in the doorway. A recognisable glare melted into a look of pure concern as Leroy saw who it was. Julia looked like shit. Her face was covered in blood and tears, her clothes torn and repaired, her hair unwashed. She didn’t have a jacket on despite the cold that washed over the wasteland during the nights. Her arms were black and blue. Her beautiful steel eyes clouded with so much emotion Leroy couldn’t know what had happened.
Julia stared up at him. His confident stance, his comforting smile, his compassionate smile. He looked so put together, even with a revolver pointed at her face.
She didn’t fight the smile on her face, tears still staining her face, the blood from her nose drying up.
“I’m so sorry.” She managed.
Leroy simply lowered the revolver and offered her a hand. Together they entered the house, Julia was lowered onto the sofa as Leroy grabbed a med kit and a damp cloth. He offered both to Julia, knowing her fierce independence would prevent him from helping. She took the cloth and wiped her face half heartedly.
“Julia, You know I have to ask what happened.”
She just stared at him for a moment, “wanted to help the kid.” She whispered. “Wasn’t gonna survive what they dished out.”
Leroy knelt down in front of them, one hand on her arm as the other took over from cleaning her face, she didn’t fight him. “What kid?”
“Dunno, just some kid.”
“And the rest?” He finished wiping her face and began inspecting her bruises, he didn’t have the medical expertise of Julia but he knew that any bleeding was bad and would need patching up.
“Huh?” she looked at him confused.
“This,” He gestured to her generally, his hand rubbing her arm comfortingly. “How long has it been since you washed, since you ate, had a full night's rest?”
Her face dropped, “I…”
“Too long.” He stated as he stood.
A plan had formed in his mind. He would still have to leave tomorrow, but for tonight he would do everything he could to help his friend. He made his way to the kitchen, finding a can of stewed meat his mother had bought on the last shop. It wouldn’t be as good as the steak he’d had for tea, but it was still some of the best food that his mother had and better than anything Julia had eaten in the last few months.
Walking back through to Julia he lit a fire in the old fireplace and poured the can into the cooking pot above the flames. He left it to boil and pulled his quilt over Julia’s shoulders. She wrapped it round herself, cuddling into the comfort of a familiar smell and familiar feeling of home. Leroy was always safe, it was a miracle that she’d fallen on his doorstep. She didn’t even know he was in town.
Once the food was cooked, he gave her a bowl, which she ate without hesitation. He settled beside her once she’d finished and she snuggled up to him, too tired to be stubborn. She was safe, beaten and bruised, but safe. Leroy was there, he was always there.
His arm rested on her back, the quilt loosely covering both of them. It felt right that the night before he left he would spend it with his best friend. His first friend.