Fallout x Reader Fanfiction

Watering Hole [2] (ghoul x fem!reader)

However, a couple months go by and the familiar man in a cowboy get up is seen in the distance. I wait on my porch, a new rifle I got in Filly in my lap just in case.

I'm half happy and half wary when he is about ten feet away. "What is the reason for visiting?" I ask while standing.

"Can't visit a kind friend who helped in aiding me?" He teases, himself now putting his hands up at the sight of my weapon.

I stare at him. I did find more medicine. I don't know if it was because I was hoping I'd see him again or that I might start using it. The healing would definitely be a benefit.

We sit together in the kitchen, finding ourselves in the same spot like last time. I give him four bottles. He uses one right away.

"Is this all of it?"

I shrug. "Not sure." I have a box full, but I kind of want him to keep coming back. The company is nice and reminds me of my partner.

He gives me a look like he knows what I'm doing. "How about we make a deal?"

"I'm listening."

"Every now and then, I come by to pick up some bottles in exchange for some help around here? Either with the brahmin or... guarding the place." He gives me a smirk. "I know those bullet holes out front weren't there when I was last here." Then he points to my leg. "And I can see that limp you're trying to hide."

"Okay," I nod, "that seems fair. You may also use the guest room as your own. As long as you don't snoop through my things, I won't snoop through yours."

He smiles, shaking hands with me.

Cooper, who finally came around to telling me his name, was surprisingly good with the animals. It's been a long time since we made that deal. Every other month he stops by to get free vials from me. He stays only a couple days each time.

One day, he visited during a hard time for me.

I sit in my living room, looking at notes and doodles my husband and I would leave for each other. I don't know how long it's been since I buried his body. It definitely feels like decades ago.

There's a knock on my door and I answer. It's Cooper, a grin on his face fading when I don't return the gesture. "What? Did those shitheads come back again?" He asks, his eyes darting over me to check if I have any injuries.

I shake my head. "No, I'm just having a moment." I let him in, closing the door and sitting back on the couch. The room is covered in candles to brighten up the late afternoon.

"Oh, I see." Cooper mutters to himself upon seeing scattered papers on the coffee table. He takes his hat off and takes a seat next to me.

"He was like you." I say.

"How so?"

"Lived long, pre-bomb. He was on the northern side of America. Only a couple years before now that he started traveling to survive, that's how we met."

Cooper hums.

"He would tell me all kinds of stories before the fallout. Ah man, how much I would've loved to live in those times." I smile, starting to put the pages together and back into their box.

"Why a ghoul?" Cooper questions.

I avoid his gaze, keeping my eyes on the box in my lap. "Does it matter?"

"Well, we aren't entirely welcomed by smooth skins around here. What made him attractive?"

I scoff. "I am not having this talk with you." It's embarrassing to talk about it, especially to him who very much shares similar qualities to my deceased love.

"No, seriously. How did you find us ghouls so interesting that you married one? Did you ever... sleep together?" Cooper has a stupid grin on his face.

I gently exhale. "Cooper." I shake my head, putting a palm to my cheek. "Please tread lightly here... he's dead for fuck sakes." I watch as he instantly changes demeanor, realizing his insensitive attitude.

"I'm... I'm sorry y/n, I didn't mean to offend. It's been a long time since I've had to practice my manners." He stands up and walks to the front door. "How about you take it easy tonight? I'll check on the brahm's for you."

He's done enough to understand what to do so I silently thank him with a nod, letting him leave without another word.

Later in bed, I hear Cooper coming up the stairs. I get up and open my door to catch him before he goes to his room. He's just passing, turning on his heels when he notices. "Hey." I start. "If it'll help you understand better... it was his eyes."

Cooper steps closer and nods. "May I ask why?"

I lean my shoulder against the doorway and cross my arms. "It's what helped me see the humanity still in him. Besides his good heart and love for farming, he always gave me this specific look with his eyes." I then point at Cooper. "Right there. You do it too."

"Maybe it's just because you're so beautiful. I don't blame him." He says with no hint of mockery towards me.

My heart skips a beat. I'm completely taken back that my face flushes at the compliment. I never thought I'd feel it again. "When did you start getting all soft?"

"When you first smiled at me, darlin'." Cooper then leans his head down to give me a tender kiss. When he pulls away, there's that stupid yet now endearing grin on his face again. "He was a lucky guy."

"I was lucky." I say, before giving him another kiss. "And now I'm lucky a second time."