I sit on the couch and cover up with a blanket for warmth. I pet Dogmeat while I wait for Gage to return with our dinner. The radio plays quietly in the background, Redeye singing in a rough voice and playing his acoustic guitar.
I can't help but think about Gage and all the time we've spent together. He's become one of my closest friends. And he's saved my ass more times than I can count. He's becoming someone I can really count on for anything. It makes me feel safer in this cold, dangerous world.
I find some Nuka Cola and crack open a couple bottles and set the table with a bottle of whiskey. He returns shortly after with a crudely made wasteland pizza in an old pizza box from the park.
"Hey, boss." He says, bringing the pizza over to the table, setting it in the middle. "You're making sure we use the table, huh?"
"It's nicer than eating on the couch." I respond, opening the pizza box. I serve us each a couple slices. My stomach growls at the aroma of our dinner.
"Thanks for dinner, Gage." I tell him.
"'Course, boss. You don't gotta thank me. It's part of the job."
"Too bad." I respond and take a big bite out of my slice.
He takes a drink of Nuka Cola, washing down the greasy pizza. He sighs contentedly. He takes another sip, making more space in the bottle, before adding a couple shots of whiskey to the dark liquid. He takes a big gulp.
"This is almost better than prewar pizza." I say, picking up another slice.
"Oh, yeah? Glad you like it, boss. We had to find an old recipe book around the park with a pizza recipe. Never had it before."
"You've been missing out." I say.
"You're telling me!" He responds, ripping into his dinner.
I pour some whiskey into my own bottle of Nuka Cola, following Gage's lead. I take a sip, testing the strength. I added too much. But I'm too tired to care.
We listen to the radio while we eat and discuss our next move in the park.
"I suppose we gotta give the pack some land as soon as possible if we wanna keep the peace." I say.
"I can't stand those animals." Gage mutters, before taking a drink straight out of the whiskey bottle with ease.
"Anything I should worry about?" I ask, finishing my drink and cracking open a beer.
"They're deranged and are almost as animalistic as the creatures they make fight in cages."
"Is that why I shouldn't wear my Nuka-Girl suit around them?"
"Exactly."
"Promise me, Gage, if I ever wear anything that makes me look practically naked again, please let me know." I tell him, my less than sober mind still on the Nuka-Girl suit.
"Boss, that vault suit has been a distraction since you showed up, here. Mags tried to say that's the reason Colter folded so quickly. And Mason tried to say that was the only reason I agreed to help you out in the gauntlet."
My cheeks quickly grow hot and I almost inhale the pizza I'm swallowing. "What?" I say in surprise.
"A pretty lady shows up in a tight vault suit and suddenly I'm a pervert? I would've done it even if you were wearing a paper bag. Though I might've questioned your intelligence at that point." He continues.
"Is my vault suit too revealing?" I ask, suddenly anxious.
"Not at all, boss. This place is just loaded with a bunch of perverted raiders with filthy minds."
"You think it looks okay?" I ask, worry lacing my voice.
"It looks great, boss. And don't let what those fucks think get to you. Just be careful being alone with some of them. Some raiders are sick pigs who don't know how to act around women." He explains. "They know not to fuck with the girls from other gangs because they'll get their throat sliced. But you're still gettin' the hang of things and they don't respect you, yet."
"Guess it just gives me a good excuse to keep you close. We make a pretty good team."
"We do, boss." He agrees. He raises his bottle of Nuka Cola. I pick up my bottle and we touch the glass together. "To us. And to the future of Nuka World. For once it looks bright."
We both take a glug of our drinks and eat until the food is gone. Then we return to the couch, the bottle of whiskey in hand.
"I always thought this place was gonna end in ruins. You're really making quick work of clearing the parks, though. It's nice to have some hope for this hellhole." Gage says, his words slightly slurred from the booze.
He pulls out a crudely made joint and pins it between his lips, lighting it with a silver zippo lighter. He breathes in slowly, blowing a cloud of white smoke into the air. He hands it to me. I recognize the sweet, herb smell. I take a drag, coughing a little as it burns my lungs.
"You'll get the hang of it." He says, taking the joint from me and giving it another puff.
I feel my body relax, my hands and feet tingling slightly. The alcohol continues to kick in, bringing me further from sobriety.
"Do you know when my apartment is supposed to be done?" I ask Gage.
"Should be soon. Why, ya ready to get outta here?"
"No, I like staying with you. Just wanted to know how many more fun nights like this we're gonna have."
"Boss, we won't stop getting drunk together and eating pizza just because you live across the pond."
"Good." I respond, taking another drag off the joint. "I enjoy our time together."
"Me, too, boss. You're a good friend."
I meet his gaze, the alcohol giving me more bravery than I need. "'Friends', huh?" I tease with a chuckle.
He chokes on the smoke in his lungs, coughing hard as his face turns red. "We've been through a lot and you're something else, all right. But I wanna see where things go, first." He sputters.
"Course, Gage." I respond, taking another drink, stifling a giggle. I don't think he knows I was kidding around. But his words ignite a ping of excitement deep within me.
"Don't get me wrong, you're a real stunner and you're a better leader than Colter. But let's focus on taking over the park."
I take another drag off the joint.
"So what area do we wanna take over tomorrow?"
"We can try our hand in the World of Refreshment." I respond. "What's waiting for us there?"
"Mirelurks. Specifically Nukalurks. Mutated crab creatures with thick armour made out of shell. You gotta shoot 'em from the front or your bullets won't make a dent in 'em. The World of Refreshment is small so it won't take long."
"Perfect. I want to go back to the Commonwealth afterwards."
"What for?" Gage asks.
"I want to set up a supply line. Get some caps and supplies flowing in this place."
"You got it, boss." He nods.
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."
