Fallout x Reader Fanfiction

Campfire Cuisine (ghoul x fem!reader)

The ghoul cowboy has been my human crutch for about an hour now. I know he's got some sympathy on occasion, but for him to insist on keeping an arm around my waist was surprising. Last time I can recall any physical contact is when we get the other out of danger. That's usually just an arm pull or push. His embrace is odd, for a lack of a better word.

"Alright, the sun is starting to set, we should shelter up somewhere." I say, trying to hide a pained groan. A bullet caught me in the side and I don't know what'd be worse; the bullet went straight through me or that it's lodged or shattered. The idea of having someone try to wiggle it out makes me cringe. It's happened before and I almost passed out.

Cowboy guides me through the edge of the city and finds a partially dilapidated two story building. He helps me up the stairs and into a fairly secure room. A couple bookcases and desks, good for cover from the environment. I sit down between two desks and instantly wince at the sharp burning sensation.

"Let me get a look." Cowboy says, a gentle hint in his voice.

I discard my leather armor, jacket, and lift my dark stained shirt. There is a lot of blood. "I'm gonna be honest, here. It hurts like hell."

He clicks his tongue and sighs. "It went right through you. I have a needle and thread for this." He's already searching through his satchel. A couple seconds later and he finds a little box, his expression all serious. I'm shocked he isn't cracking any jokes.

We're both relatively quiet as he starts stitching up the entrance and exit wound. Here and there he tells me to move or lets me know he's almost done. One last puncture into my flesh and he ties the string, biting off the extra strands. I lay there on my side for a couple minutes. My whole body is completely exhausted and overwhelmed.

"Still awake?" Cowboy asks, putting a hand on my shoulder.

I hum to him, honestly just talking is taking a lot of energy. "I need to sleep." I say in a murmur.

"Go ahead, darlin'. I'll keep my eyes and ears peeled for tonight." I hear him shift and his gear jingle around. From the corner of my barely open eye I see him walk past and what I'm guessing is to a window. I feel bad that he might end up with no rest, but my worries drift away fast as my eyelids are too heavy to keep up.

I wake to footsteps coming my way. Out of instinct I sit up quickly and reach for my hip, but no pistol is to be found. I then exhale and carefully touch my side. "Fuck." I whisper.

"Glad to see you awake." The ghoul says, coming into view from behind the desk. He stands at my feet, looking down at me with a grin. No. A smile. A genuine, caring smile. I can see it in his previously cold brown eyes, appearing kinder this time. I don't know if it's the effects of the sunrise coming through the windows or my bloodloss delusions.

"Did you use a stimpack?" I move to a sitting position against the wall, feeling a slight shiver down my body. The only time it's ever cool is the early morning. It actually feels nice, but I know it'll be gone shortly once the sun is above the horizon.

Cowboy nods, leaning against the desk. "That must hurt like a bitch if you're still feelin' something after the stim."

"Yeah," I huff.

He bends over towards me, holding out a half burnt piece of god knows what. I only pray it's fresh brahmin. With a quiet "thank you", I wipe my hands on a clean area of my shirt and take it. First bite is manageable, however I get an awful familiar chewiness.

"Sorry it's a bit chard. I don't usually cook my food anymore." He says as he finishes up a raw piece that makes his lips red. He wipes his coat sleeve over them to get rid of it.

"It's the best I have ever had, cowpoke. Thanks again." I resist the temptation to throw up my food in his presence. This is a gift from him. And who knows when my next meal will be.