Jealousy in the Wasteland

Chapter 4 - Two Worthy Men

*word count : 963*

~Hancock's POV~

I'm still seething, even after watching Nick leave. Y/N still hasn't noticed me staring at her, and it's probably for the best.

Nick Valentine knows exactly what he's doing. No, he doesn't know how I feel for Y/N, but he isn't some clueless synth that doesn't know what a kiss means. I relax to the best of my ability, taking a hit of Jet before walking to where Y/N sits.

"Hey pretty lady, come here often?" I joke with her as I take Nick's seat. She lets out a small laugh and takes another sip of her drink. "A little too often, Hancock." She says, stirring the drink in front of her while avoiding eye contact.

"So, where'd you and Nick head off to? Haven't seen you guys in a few days." I inquire, trying to get information without being too direct.

"We went up north to investigate a missing teenager. Only came back down for the week to restock on supplies and ammo since we'll have to go back up to Far Harbor." Far Harbor? I damn near spit out my beer. "You're going? Y/N that place is dangerous. Even for you." I say, trying to convince her not to go. Partly because I don't trust that grimy metal bastard one bit, but because it's incredibly dangerous for a human.

"Yeah. I gotta go though, John," Hearing her use my first name gets me going, but I digress. "these parents are really worried about her. I can't just not go."

Y/N is insanely passionate about the work she does, and I genuinely admire her for it, but I fear this may be too far. "It'll be fine, you know as well as I do that I practically can't die." I laugh at her joke and take another drink of my beer.

"I heard you and Nick talking." She finally looks up at me, mouth agape. "What'd you hear?" She asks nervously, fiddling with the straw in her glass. "He kissed you. You can't tell me you seriously think he just did it on a whim, sweetheart." She breaks eye contact once again, pondering for a moment.

"I know. I just didn't know he felt that way, y'know? I always thought we were partners. The dynamic duo of Diamond City." "Did you kiss him back?" She looks back to her drink and hesitates before speaking. "Yeah, I did for a second, then I pulled away and went to sleep. That's all."

~Y/N's POV~

Hancock stares at me blankly for a second before grabbing my hand and leading me out of the bar. "John, where are we going?" I ask, trying to keep up with him.

"You'll see, darling." He calls back to me, still holding my hand and running through the streets of Goodneighbor. We finally settle in a small alleyway, John standing directly in front of me.

"Hancock, what are we doing here?" The ghoul just looks at me longingly for a moment before cupping my face in his hands and planting his lips on mine. I kiss him back, but it's not like a full blown make out session. It's soft, gentle, loving.

I pull away after a few seconds. "I'm sorry, Y/N. I know we're best friends and all, but I just couldn't resist the urge anymore. Hearing you say that Nick kissed you just gave me that final push, I guess. Well, that and a hit of Jet." I look at him, eyes wide open, not saying a word.

"Hancock, what are you going on about?" I ask him. "Isn't it obvious, Y/N? I have feelings for you. Real feelings, not ones that have been programmed into me." I don't even know what to say. All of this within 48 hours is making my head spin.

"So is that why you don't want me to go to Far Harbor? Because you're jealous of Nick?" He looks at his feet in shame. "Yeah, that's part of it. I just don't trust him around you, I never really have."

"John, you're my best friend. He's my partner, who also happens to be one of my best friends. You're gonna have to just deal with it, I work with the guy. It's not like you get say on who I'm around." I say, scolding the ghoul.

"I know. I know, I'm sorry." He looks back up at me and pulls me into a hug. Hancock may be a dick, but he gives some of the best hugs. "It's fine. I'm going home, though. I've officially got too much shit on my plate." I pull back from the hug, give Hancock a nod, and fast travel to Sanctuary Hills.

"Mum," Codsworth immediately greets me. "you look rather down. Is everything alright?" I give him my best smile and try to reassure him that I'm okay. "I just don't buy a word of that, Mum. Come, let's go chat." He floats over to our house. I sit on the couch while he hovers in front of me, letting me vent about everything.

"Well, that's quite the predicament indeed. Who do you pick?" He asks, earning a confused look in return. "What do you mean, 'pick', Codsworth?" The robot laughs, "You have two worthy men yearning for you, Mum. You can't tell me you don't fancy at least one of them, or perhaps both?" I just know if he had a face, he'd have the biggest grin right now.

I can't help but to laugh at his antics. "I don't know, honey. I need to get some rest though. Goodnight, Codsworth." "Goodnight to you, Mum. Sleep well."

I lay awake staring at my ceiling, wondering what to do next. I have no fuckin' idea.