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Lucy had to admit, she was excited to be back to traversing the Wasteland, she had been getting restless.
They had defeated the Legion and captured Caesar… with the help of the NCR and Mr. House using his bot defense system, the fight had been shockingly easy.
And so here they were, trekking across dirt, it stopped being sand a while ago as they ventured further north. She had been shocked to see so many tall trees still standing, it was nice.
“Water?” Lucy was jogged from her thoughts when a canteen suddenly appearing in her line of sight. She glanced at her traveling companion, he was looking forward, his arm holding the canteen towards her.
“Thank you,” Lucy said with a smile.
“You’re welcome,” Max replied as he scanned the trees.
That was the other great aspect, her current traveling companion was much more kind. Oh who was she kidding, Max couldn’t be mad at her if he tried… she was sort of shocked at how he didn’t get upset over certain things.
Like how a few days ago, she had tried to negotiate with a small group of Raiders to stop them from robbing them, it had resulted in Max getting a knife to his arm, but he quickly dispatched the group. Almost the whole group, she had to shoot someone who was charging at him with a machete while Max was distracted. She shot the Raider, the gunshot echoing across as Max had looked at her in shock and admiration.
When the dust had settled, she was ready to apologize, ready to get yelled at for her stupid attempt at diplomacy. Instead she was shocked to have Max suddenly touching her arms and asking if she was okay, making sure she hadn’t been shot. And thanking her for saving his life.
She even got a new pistol out of it, it had an ivory handle, she had needed a new hand gun, she had a rifle across her back, but her side holster was empty.
She of course checked on his wound, it wasn’t a bad enough cut to worry about. But she had still bandaged it up and made sure he was okay. But it had sliced through his jacket, and that started a new quest: find Max a new jacket.
And they did find one, a leather bomber jacket with a shearling collar, Lucy thought he looked rather handsome, although she always thought he looked handsome.
They were almost matching, Lucy had ditched the dress and the jumpsuit and she was now wearing some clothes she found in the tower, dark jeans, a white shirt and a leather Vault-Tec jacket.
Night had started to fall and the duo were seeking a safe place to rest for the night, which was hard to do when you were out in the open. Their best bet would be to find some shelter.
The very small town they were in would have to do. It was extremely small, only made up of a Red Rocket gas station and a couple of other buildings. All in various states of ruin.
But one building, a three story building that had a book store, or what was left of one, below and apartments above, was in better condition.
The duo stared at it, “you see what I see?” Max asked.
“There’s a light on in that window,” Lucy said surprised.
“Yup,” he started to walk towards the building, Lucy got a jolt of panic.
“Wait, we’re not going to hurt who lives there, right?” She had to ask.
Max looked at her confused, “not unless they give us a reason to,” he replied, but he waited for her to continue because she looked conflicted.
“They might attack us because they’re trying to protect themselves,” Lucy said.
Max nodded, “we’ll be friendly,” he said. “I won’t even put my hand near my gun.”
Lucy smiled, “okay, thank you,” she said. She was looking at him like she was proud and relieved. And then she placed her hand on his chest and leaned up and kissed his cheek.
Max had to stop himself from trying to kiss her back. “Let’s go,” he said after he cleared his throat and tried to calm down. Lucy started walking and Max followed right behind her.
Entering through the front door of the building was easy, as the door was missing. The vestibule was dark and littered with debris, they paused to listen for any scurrying sounds, it was quiet.
And that’s when they heard another sound, music, jazz… coming from up the upstairs.
Lucy and Max exchanged looks before they started to walk up the stairs to the top floor.
As they neared it, the music got louder and they could see a candle on the floor flicking. Max had a weird feeling so he drew his gun. Lucy noticed but didn’t question it.
They reached the door that seemed to be the most intact and where the music seemed to be coming from, Max placed his hand on the handle and turned it.
It wasn’t locked.
He pushed the door open and they were met with a dimly lit, small studio.
There was one window that faced the street, book cases were on both sides. A bed on the wall opposite the entrance door. The wall with the entrance door had a kitchenette, and the final wall had a fireplace with chair in front and and door that led to a bathroom.
It was warm and neat and tidy. Which was so odd to see in the wasteland.
“So odd,” Max said as they looked around the place. They didn’t touch anything.
Lucy unfortunately checked in the bathroom, she yelped and rushed back out, her eyes wide and looking at Max panicked.
Max quickly walked up to her, he didn’t ask what she saw, just moved past her to look for himself.
And that’s where Max found them…
The owner of the apartment.
….
Lucy didn’t understand why someone would choose to end it like that, the old man seemed to be surviving fine, but maybe he was alone.
Max had volunteered to remove the man from the tub, he said he’d bury him along the side of the building, Lucy had appreciated that.
So she was waiting, sitting on the edge of the bed and reading a short note, she had found the old man’s note, written in cursive, he had told whomever found him to please take what they needed from his home.
Lucy hated the wasteland.
Max returning drew her thoughts away from that, she looked him over as he removed his jacket hung in on the back of a chair that was by the fire. He also removed his shoulder holster and hung it on the chair, and then rolled his shoulders. He looked tired and sort of sad, but also calm. He glanced at her and gave her the smallest smile.
Maybe she didn’t hate all of the wasteland.
He locked the door and turned to Lucy, “he’s buried. We can make a headstone in the morning,” Max said as he looked around the room.
“Thank you,” Lucy said, “he left this note,” she handed the page to him.
“It feels weird taking anything from someone who just passed,” Max said after he read it, he then set the paper on a small table near the chair.
“We do it all the time,” Lucy replied, shocking herself, “At least he gave permission,” she added.
The only sound was from the generator that was on the tiny balcony outside the window and the scratching the of the record player that had finished.
Max realized Lucy was still troubled by this, he understood, “so I’m glad we found some shelter because it’s freezing right now, sort of shocked, I’ve never been in weather this cold before,” Max said he tried to change the subject and sat down next to her on the bed.
“Hopefully there’s no ice variant of deathclaws out there,” Max said, “would they melt if we used a flamethrower?” He asked as he looked at her, with a slight smirk on his face.
Lucy glanced at him and couldn’t help but smile. His joke was silly but the fact he was trying to cheer her up made her stomach swoop. She leaned over and rested her shoulder against his.
The record player made a scratching sound and Lucy stood up to move the arm. She noticed the collection of records and started to leaf through them.
She paused on one record and pulled it from its sleeve, and suddenly a thought came to mind, “Max?” She asked.
“Yes, Lucy?” He asked as he stood from the bed and walked towards her.
“Have you ever danced?”
He was sort of shocked by the question, “um, no… why?” Was all he could say.
Lucy set the needle on the record and the gentle piano and trumpet sounds started to play through the speakers. she turned around, “dance with me,” she was smiling her brilliant smile with her bright eyes.
Max blushed, but smiled, “sure but I don’t know how,” he said feeling sort of shy.
“I’ll teach you,” Lucy gentle reached for his hand and pulled him closer into her personal space.
Max let her, it scared him sometimes how much he’d let Lucy just do whatever to him… she was so tactile, gentle and affectionate towards him, he soaked it all in. Trusted her so much.
Lucy stood before him, “okay so we hold hands like this,” she lift their hands so they were held up, elbows bent, “you put your other hand on my waist,” Lucy said.
Max moved his free hand quickly and placed it over waist, on instinct he pulled her close to his body, Lucy appeared surprised at the move, “oh too much?” He asked as he looked down at her.
Lucy met his eyes, “perfect,” she whispered back.
La vie en rose by Louis Armstrong filled the tiny room with its gentle melody.
Lucy slid her hand up his chest to rest on his shoulder. She swayed a bit and Max followed, “and then just follow my lead, just moving in circles,” Lucy said softly.
Max hummed lightly as he looked into her eyes. They kept swaying and turning until the song ended.
Lucy reluctantly pulled away and Max let his hands drop.
“How was that?” Max asked.
Lucy smiled at him in that sweet way she always did, “you did really well for your first time,” she walked back to the record player and put on Etta James At Last, “another slow one,” she said as the music started.
Lucy walked back to Max and he took her hand and placed the other on her lower back and pulled her close. Lucy’s hand went to rest on his chest and she rested her head against his shoulder.
Maxed pulled their entwined hands closer to his chest as they swayed, he rested his cheek against her head and closed his eyes.
They stayed like that the whole song, just two people enjoying the dance.
The song started to fade and they came to a stop, reluctantly pulling apart. Max held onto her hand for a bit longer as Lucy walked back to the record player.
“Let’s try something faster,” Lucy suggested as she found a record that made her smile.
Little Bitty Pretty One started to play and Lucy walked back to Max and took both of his hands in hers, “so you just move how you want to move,” Lucy said as she tried to get him move his feet.
Max had a sudden memory of hearing this song as a kid, watching people dance at a party. Max lifted her arm and spun her around before pulling her back closer and moving the same as they were before but faster.
Lucy was pleasantly surprised, “you’re getting it!” She laughed as he spun around again.
Max had a big smile on his face, “well you’re an excellent teacher,” Max said praising her.
“I am aren’t I?” Lucy replied, she was mostly serous but also teasing.
Max chuckled, “and so humble,” he teased her back.
The song ended and Lucy was giggling as she walked to the record player.
“I can’t remember the last time I had fun like this,” Max said.
Lucy looked at him, “well, I promise we’ll have dance parties from now on,” she said.
And the funny thing was, Max believed her.
“I look forward to it,” Max said as he stepped closer to her, he read her some of the records and read the songs on the back. “Funny how so many songs are about liking a girl,” he said as he read some lyrics inside the cover.
“And some are about liking boys,” Lucy tried to remember the lyrics of a song, “there’s one that goes ‘my boyfriends back and you’re gonna be in trouble,’” Lucy kept singing some of the lyrics.
Max looked turned fully to her, he leaned against the credenza as he waited for her to finish, “that’s an interesting one,” he said.
“Isn’t it?” Lucy replied, she stepped closer to him, “I thought it was fitting.”
Max looked her over, “very fitting,” he said.
Lucy leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips, it was gentle and sweet.
Max kissed her back just as gentle before she pulled back.
They smiled at each other.
“I’ve wanted to do that for weeks now,” Lucy admitted.
Max let out a soft sigh, “me too, it’s just been so…”
“Chaotic?”
“Yes.”
Max took her hand in his and leaned in to peck her lips again, Lucy easily kissed him back.
Wordlessly Lucy gentle tugged him with her and they went to the bed.
Max raised his eyebrows.
Lucy saw his expression, “to sleep, I am tired,” she said gently.
Max smiled, “of course, but… I’m not apposed to it,” Max said as he stepped closer to her.
Lucy took a deep breath, she really was very tired but she also couldn’t not think about how much she did want Max.
But sleep won out.
They lied on the bed next to each other, Lucy turned toward him and found he was already on his side looking at her.
She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips, “good night, Max,” she whispered as she tucked herself close to him.
“Good night, Lucy,” Max said as he placed his hand on her hip.
Tomorrow they’d encounter more angry groups of people and chaotic choices, but tonight, tonight they would rest.
But they’d do it all together.
Fin