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The caravan is surprisingly cozy for this type of weather. String lights adorned the walls and the handrail to the driver's seat. A brand new heater (thanks to Rhys) is hooked up to the car's generator, it shouldn't drain too much fuel.
A pathetic looking shrub is decorated with a star, more lights wrap around it to make it look like some sort of tree. There are only 2 tiny presents under it, one labeled “F” and “S” respectively.
Speaking of which Sasha is currently tending to the tree, trying to make it look more presentable. Her hoodie now zipped up, scrap fabric was hastily stitched to the bottom to fully cover down to her stomach.
Vaughn is fast asleep on the couch, for some reason shirtless.
(Everyone tried to tell him to put a shirt on. But he said he was “too warm”.)
Fiona is sitting in the driver's seat, her heels on the dash.
Outside the snow completely covered the windshield, the tiniest gap left open to let airflow.
And that gap a swirling colour of green sticks out between the blinding white snow and the dark blackish blue sky.
Meanwhile Rhys himself just has his jacket zipped up as he sips his cocoa, tiny marshmallows bob on the surface and hit his nose.
… before he starts coughing at the heat.
At least he hopes it's hot chocolate? He probably should have scanned it before taking a sip. But it seems fine, if not scalding hot.
Suddenly a bump hits his shoulder, turning around to see what he hit, he ends face to face with Athena.
“You done with that?”
She spoke sharply, quickly and to the point, it took him a second to register that she was talking to him. Her voice never left the stern tone, he noticed.
“you know what, fine.”
He places his cup on the counter.
She rolls her eyes and says nothing, while going back to washing up.
“im… going on the roof for a bit.”
Rhys announces to everyone, Sasha raises an eyebrow.
“I call dibs on your stun baton if you freeze to death.”
With a heavy push he flipped the hatch. The cold air hitting him, instantly regretting his decision to head up here.
Topside, the two robot companions sat together. Gortys immediately noticed Rhys.
“Oh! Hi Rhys!” She wheeled forward to his feet, her eyes shifting to two closed expressions as she waved.
“Gortys, Loaderbot. How are my favourite kids?”
“We are your kids?” Her expression changed to confusion.
“I do not like this analogy.” Loaderbot finally spoke, still not moving from his spot, even when snow was beginning to form around his metal body.
“Dont speak to your father like that…”
Before Rhys could turn around and speak, a snowball collided to his neck. Gah!
“Hey, Hyperion.”
Fiona.
Fiona hasn't changed one bit, the cleavage window is still on full display.
… why was that his first thought.
“Thought you could use some company. That and I don't trust you alone with Gortys.”
Rhys frowns, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I'm glad you think I have the balls to open a vault all by myself.” he mused.
She nods in approval at his appearance, for the first time ever.
“Thank god you're hiding that tie, otherwise I'd have to yank it off you.”
He rolled his eyes.
she grinned and opened her mouth to say something else snarky when-
“woah, so pretty!”
The aurora borealis completely lit up the sky, streaking its way all across the blizzard. If Rhys hadn’t known any better, it looks like it could be a sign from a Vault itself.
Activating his Echo-eye, he takes a picture of it. The harsh contrast of Pandora next to the bright sky, then back to the harsh life on Helios, it really puts all his work up there into perspective.
“Pandora to Rhys?”
Her hand on his shoulder caused him to instantly flinch and let out what sounded like a whimper.
“Jesus, you are like a puppy. Calm down bro.” while playfully pushing his shoulder.
“Only Vaughn is my bro, bro.”
“Sure, bro. You were staring at the sky for like 10 minutes.”
“I haven't seen anything like it. In person I mean.”
“Yeah, you'd be surprised at what exists outside of a cubicle.”
He exhales, letting out a slight chuckle as he turns back to the sky. “It's the same colour as your eyes.”
Fiona raises an eyebrow “So you think my eyes are pretty?”
“Well I uh- I mean if you want to interpret it that way then-” his face grew red, from embarrassment. (and from the cold probably)
She leans in close, her breath hot on his cheek, as she plants a kiss.
“Oooo!~” Gortys let out.
“Wipe that off before you come down.”
She smirks, placing a hand on his other cheek. God he looks so adorable in low light.
Fiona starts to climb back down, pausing before her head vanished from view.
“And not a word of this any of you. Or im taking you all down with me.”