After a long day of slaying blood worms, my body is tired and sore. I step into Gage's dark apartment, plopping my bag on the couch. The cans rattle around inside.
"Tired, boss?" He asks, our day's spoils slung over his shoulder in a burlap sack. He swings it around to the front of his body and places it on the dining room table.
"I'm exhausted, Gage." I sigh. "I just want a hot bath."
"Alright, boss. I'll get someone to get one warmed up for you."
"Wait, just like that?"
"Yes, boss. Being the over boss has some perks."
"Thank you so much." I sigh, sinking deeper into the couch. "I'm guessing masseuses aren't a thing in the apocalypse?"
"Um... No." Gage responds, furrowing his brow. "If you need a massage I can get someone to give you one."
"Can you give me one?" I ask him. "I don't trust anyone else yet."
"Um... I suppose. Where do you need... Massaged?" He stammers, his face turning red.
"Gage..." I start, getting up from the couch. "Are you embarrassed?"
"What? No! I just-" He is cut off by someone banging on his door violently.
He makes eye contact with me, placing his finger on his lips. He reaches into his sack, grabbing a machete. He walks over to the front door, stopping before opening it. The pounding persists.
"Who is it?!" Gage shouts.
"Open the door, asshole! I know she's in there!" A male shouts back.
"What the fuck do you want, Mason?" He shouts at the stranger.
"I need to talk to the boss."
"About what?" Gage probes.
"I will break this fucking door down, Gage!" Mason shouts.
Gage reaches down, turning the doorknob. He opens the door, standing in the opening, blocking Mason from entering.
"You have two minutes. And then you're gonna go back to your animals and shut the fuck up." Gage says and then steps aside.
"Why the fuck did you give them Dry Rock Gulch?! I told Gage we wanted that spot!" Mason rages.
"If you don't settle, I'll subdue you myself," I say between gritted teeth. "I have another area planned for the pack. What are you gonna do with a bunch of fucking robots anyway?"
"I claimed that arena and I'm gonna do what it takes to get it."
"Get the fuck out, Mason," Gage says.
"I have another minute with you." He says, not looking away from me.
"Your time is up," Gage says, holding his machete.
"Fuck you, Gage." Mason spits and walks off.
"Stop being an asshole and I'll give you privileges, Mason." I holler at him.
"Fucking whore!" He shouts at me through the doorway.
Gage follows Mason out the door and closes it behind him. Confused, I get up and walk to the door, pressing my ear to the cool metal. I hear a loud bang against the wall and the muffled sound of yelling. I throw the door open, fearing Mason has attacked Gage. I find Gage pinning Mason against the wall with his forearm across his throat.
"You ever talk to her like that again and I'll gut you like a fucking pig, boy." Gage seethes.
Mason stares at him, stunned.
"Tell me what I just said, boy. And be quick." He continues, pressing his arm harder on Mason's throat.
"Don't talk to the boss like that." Mason croaks.
"Now get the fuck out of here." Gage spits, throwing him to the ground.
Mason scrambles away like an animal with its tail tucked between its legs. Other pack members try to help him, but he shoves them away and saunters off.
"Disrespect the boss and expect the same treatment," Gage says, before turning to find me standing there.
My heart hammers against my ribcage. His fierce protection brings butterflies to my stomach.
"Too much?" He asks, chuckling.
I find myself slightly stunned.
"No, no. That was... Great." I respond.
"You, get some water boiled and bring it here. Enough for a bath." Gage says to the nearest raider.
We go to his house and I sit at the table on a rusted metal Nuka-Cola chair.
"Did you still want a massage?" He asks, his voice low.
"Yes, please," I say, pulling my hair off my shoulders.
He gently squeezes my shoulders, pushing his thumbs into my shoulder blades and circling outward. I rest my head in my hands and close my eyes. He moves slowly, working the knots out of my shoulders, his hands rough and calloused from years of hard work and guns. He digs his thumb deep into my shoulder, hitting a sore spot. I unintentionally groan.
"Sorry, boss." He says.
"No, that's the spot," I respond. "Take your time, but don't be afraid to be rough."
"Right." He mutters, moving his thumb in a circular motion. He squeezes my shoulders and uses the heel of his hand to push into my muscles.
A few minutes later I heard a knock on Gage's door. He walks over, opening to a raider male holding a tin bucket of steaming water in each hand.
"Ah, about time." He says, stepping aside.
"Water takes time to boil, Gage." He huffs.
"I know, I'm just heckling you."
"So funny." The younger male responds with a deadpan face and walks away.
Gage brings the buckets over as the raider brings them and he pours them in an old steel bathtub tucked away in the back of his shack. He walks by Codsworth's resting form, his steel body folded neatly on his charger. He spills a little water in front of him. I see Codsworth's eye slip open. He sighs and turns around, ignoring us and our mess.
"Alright boss, your bath is ready." He says, tossing the buckets aside in a noisy heap in the corner. "I'm gonna touch base with Mags. If you need anything holler."
"Thanks, Gage," I say, giving him a warm smile.
He gives me a wink and slips out of the door. His simple action brings more butterflies to my stomach. I touch my cheek, feeling the warmth under my fingertips.
I get up from the couch, step into the bathroom space and slide the curtain closed behind me. I slide my sweaty and dirty clothes off, tossing them on the hardwood floor. I carefully unbuckle my PipBoy and set it on a shelf. I grab a crudely made soap bar and a cloth and climb in the hot water. The heat immediately sinks into my skin. I sigh deeply and let myself sink deep into the water. I close my eyes and exhale slowly as my head slips under. I stay under for a moment before resurfacing and pushing my wet locks out of my eyes.
The radio plays quietly in the background, a song from before the war droning on. I hum along, recognizing the tune. It feels like a lifetime ago since I last heard it. Memories of my past life float to the front of my mind like the bubbles on the water's surface. I feel tears spring to my eyes without warning. I let myself quietly sob, the emptiness in my chest overwhelming.
Dogmeat pokes his snout over the edge of the tub and whimpers.
"Hey, buddy," I say, reaching a wet hand over to scratch his head.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" I hear Codsworth ask softly, his robotic body turning around to face us.
"Yes," I respond, realizing I'm not as alone as I feel. I have the beginnings of a new family. "I just miss Nate. And Shaun."
"I miss them too," Codsworth says sadly. "But we'll get Shaun back together."
YOU ARE READING
Conquerors
Fanfiction"Do you think we could conquer the world?" "Nuka world? Of course, we can." "No," I say, my voice soft. "I mean, the earth." "Let's just stick to the Commonwealth and then move from there."
