Fallout x Reader Fanfiction

Watering Hole [1] (ghoul x fem!reader)

(This was requested by @wolfAmarrok)

Today was extraordinarily hot this morning. The sun is just an hour away from the horizon, giving me hope for a much cooler walk back home. My brahmin Bolts and Nuts, who I take to help carry trading valuables to Filly, tugs a little on his lead. He must be thirsty. I guide him near some buildings to check for any containers full of rainwater.

I thankfully find one big enough for Nuts to stick one of his snouts in, sometimes alternating with Bolts who takes a turn. Before I gather the lead and begin to continue the trek back home, I hear footsteps in the building just behind the wall I face.

Quickly I grab my pistol, hiding it behind me as I peek around the corner. A tall cowboy-looking man walks out. We make eye contact, and he looks like he's about to reach for his hip.

However, he collapses. An audible wheeze harshly coming out of him. I know I don't owe this man a thing, but a part of me is feeling sympathetic. I put my gun away and bring my brahmin with me.

With all the strength I can muster, I hoist the man up to his feet who I now notice is a ghoul. He mumbles and slurs his words, almost fighting back but fails. I help him (more like shove him) onto Bolts and Nuts' back. There's enough room for him to lay down.

The journey was surprisingly easy. The ghoul would say something here and there, cursing me out and saying he's going to kill me. He's just delirious and under withdrawal. I know how ghouls prevent going feral with that medicine they desperately need. I've heard of a market store being used as a place to buy and trade for it.

We eventually make it to my home just as the sun is setting. I bring Bolts and Nuts as close as possible to the porch stairs, tying the lead around one of the railings.

It's tough getting the man into the house. He falls off the brahmin's back, stumbles up a few steps, and nearly breaks my front door that I finally repaired the hinges to a couple days ago.

He lays on the couch appearing dazed. I grab some of those vials from the kitchen, hidden under a sink as I had no use for them in such a long time. The ghoul has no objection to my help once his eyes lay on the little bottles of gold. He lets me pour the liquid into his mouth, his face already looking rejuvenated.

"Stay here, I have to go put my brahmin back in his pen." I say, handing him the other bottle.

I leave the front door open as I do the usual routine with my livestock. Put Bolts and Nuts back behind the fenced in area, feed him and the others, and check their water supply. I go to pet one of the newborns that were recently birthed by my youngest female brahmin. Then I feel eyes on me.

The man came out and now stands at the edge of the porch where the railings are gone. I wave to him, but he just continues to stare at me and the animals.

I walk back once everything is done. The man keeps his stare until I'm close, in which he walks over and meets me at the door. "Why did you help me?"

I attempt stepping through the doorway, but he puts an arm out to stop me. "I just felt like it." I say before ducking. He follows me into the kitchen that has become a mess. "Are you serious?" I turn around and give him a glare.

He has me already at gunpoint. "You got any more of it?"

I raise my hands, rolling my eyes in anger. "Not that I'm aware of! My husband stored them all over the place." I was only able to find the ones I just gave away.

"And where's he? Should I expect company?" He asks.

"No." I slowly shake my head. "I'm a widow. He... went feral a year ago."

The man's eyes change, something about that information makes his jaw relax. "Sorry for your loss." He quietly adds.

"I'll try looking for more so you have enough until your next stop." I suggest. "But, I'm only doing that in the morning. You can even sleep in the guest room."

He thinks it over for a moment, then lowers his gun and holsters it. "How will I know you won't try and kill me in my sleep?"

I rest my arms. "We both know you wouldn't let it happen if I wanted to." He looks like the type of person to have good reflexes and knock me on my ass in seconds.

He huffs out a little exhale of amusement, he clearly agrees.

Early in the morning, I did my chores before starting my search for the vials. Hours went by until I came across two hiding in an old tin stuffed behind scrap in a closet.

I hear the sound of boots coming down the stairs. "Here's what I could find so far." I say walking into the kitchen with him and placing them on the table, sitting down on one of the creaky chairs. "Hope you make it to wherever you're going."

He rolls them around in his hands before pocketing them. "Thank you to your husband for these." This is the last thing he says to me. He leaves and I don't know if we'll ever cross paths again.