Chapter Three: Just Once More?

You licked your dry lips, glancing at your pipboy map. You were getting closer, but the closes path to Goodneighbor, was by passing a group of supermutants.

You hugged the wall as you slipped by, turning right and was met with a bright sign.

"GOODNEIGHBOR"

It had an arrown under it, pointing towards a door that also said "Goodneighbor" over it. "What an advertisement." You mumbled under your breath.

Dread filled your being with each step you took towards the door.

What if... what if he doesn't remember you? What if he doesn't actually care anymore?

Your heard swarmed with similar questions, and you raised your hand and slapped yourself. "Damn it (Y/n)." You said through gritted teeth, "get ahold of yourself."

If he doesn't remember me, I'll make sure to smack him till he does. You thought, feeling a bit better by it.

You can handle this, you endured enough. This, this you could handle. You hoped anyway.

You pushed open the door, making sure you face was covered with your bandana and sunglasses. It was an odd combo but you didn't want to risk it.

When you confront him, you'd do it alone.

You looked around, geez, Goodneighbor seemed like a mess, piles of trash in corners. But you supposed that was fine, it depended more on the people.

A man approached you slowly, you eyed him suspiciously from behind your glasses.

"What do you want?"

"No harm, just wanted to offer you some insurance."

"I ain't paying for some shit insurance, fuck off. I'm not hear to have a tea party and talk about insurance." You growled, you didn't want to be set back on this.

He stepped away, taken aback by your demeanor. "Who woke you up on the wrong side of the bed?"

"You don't want to know." You said with narrowed eyes. "Leave me alone, you get one warning."

He backed off after that, maybe it was your tone, or the aura you radiated. Whatever it was, it worked.

You walked down the only alleyway, past the two stores at the front. You guessed you could call this place town square, had a few benches. Guards stood around. Two buildings, one a hotel, the other called "memory den". A place you heard of, not one you are particularly interested in however.

Looked to the other buildings, in the corner was a red door, on it a sign. You stepped closer, eyes skimming the page. It was a house, you could buy it from a person by the name "Daisy" if you had the caps. Maybe you might if you can spare the amount.

You ripped off the note, stuffing it in your pocket for later. Approaching a guard you clearned your throat, grabbing his attention.

"Excuse me, do you know where the person by the name Hancock might be right about now?" Hancock, that was the one change about John that Nick told you about. He goes by the name Hancock.

The ghoul looked you up and down, "probably in the old state house, theresa's door right over there." He walked over and pointed to a white painted door, some of the paint is chipping though.

You nod, "thanks." Brushing past him you walked over to the door, fingers dancing across the handle before you actually got the nerve to open it.

When you did, you were greeted by several cased, and stairs. You took of ther sunglasses, taking the risk, you doubted anyone but Hancock would recognize you here though.

You licked your lips again, finding them already dry and stepped forward only to be stopped by a woman. She stood infront of you, grabbing your shoulder, your injured one making you wince slightly.

"Who do you think you are and where are you going?" She had ginger hair, swept up to one side and shaved on the other. Tough looking, you guessed she was a mercenary or something, she wore armor too.

"I want to speak to Hancock." You replied idly, wanted to? Or needed to? It was all the same.

"You didn't answer my first question." Her grip tightening on your shoulder, you winced again, this time more visibly.

"(Fake/n), good?"

She narrowed her eyes, "how do I know you're not gonna cause any trouble. Hancock's my boss, I don't want you harming him."

You froze as she reached to pull down your bandana, every part of your body wanted you to move, but you stood there frozen for what seemed forever. When she pulled it down, she finally got a good lock at your face.

"If you do anything, I'll remember you." Her words held promise, it was a real threat. But you didn't care, you probably couldn't harm John if it would save your own life.

You weren't scared of her threats, you were scared because you felt exposed, like everyone in the room could see you naked. You pushed her away, your back hitting the door as you looked to the ground, leaning forward. Hoping that your hair covered your features. "Don't touch me." You growled.

"Don't you go doing that to me either."

Footsteps ascended from the stairs, you saw the ginger straighten up from the pieces through your hair.

Your hands were trembling as you held them to your face. Why did you care so much? Why were you so afraid to be seen?

You've lived in the shadows for far to long, don't you agree?

Two hands lifted your elbows, in turn liftig you up. Red, red coat...

Y

ou stared ahead, not a second of shock showed on your face. "Ah..." It wasn't shock, fear maybe? You couldn't tell right now.

"Is that you...? (Y/n)?!" The ghoul infront of you stared in shock. Mouth gape and dark eyes wide.

"It's been awhile hasn't it, eh John?" You replied, voice low, barely a bit of emotion. Though inside you felt a spark of happiness.

"I thought you were dead."

"I don't die that easily, Johnny."

He was stunned, you had the chance to take in his change. He was a ghoul, was the first thing you noticed. You could also smell the chems. Your eyes picked up on a small glint of shine, subconsciously you reached for it. You hand brushed against his neck.

You felt him shiver, while your thumb and index finger grabbed ahold of the chain.

You probably would've started tearing up when you saw it was the present. Oh that present, a necklace you found while exploring. The last owner passed, a note came with the necklace saying how precious it was. That they gave it to their wife.

You thought it would be funny to give it to John as a gift, then realized it was true. The engravings. Back then, he lit up your world, made things more fun. His company was never an annoyance to you.

"You kept it." You thumb brushed over the words. You backed away, letting go of it.

He was still trying to comprehend you were in fact there. The woman watched you both in confusion and you remembered you were still exposed.

In haste you pulled up the bandana, two hands stopped yours before you could pull it over your lips.

"You're alive," he said again. "I'm not having a jet flashback am I?"

You stared, his words hitting something in you. You slowly lowered your hands, shaking your head "no". "I shouldn't have run for so long."

You squeeked, squeeked, when he pulled you into a hug. His arms wrapping around your waist. You were not the one to be stunned, as well as the woman who still stood nearby.

"J-John?" You rested your arms around his neck. God, when was the last time you felt embarrassed? When you felt butterflies in your stomach?

Overwhelming, very much so.

You hesitantly wrapped your arms around his neck. Leaning your head against his shoulder. "Geez, your embarrassing."

He didn't say anything more, just hugged you tighter.

"I don't normally hug people." He said after several moments. Both of you still stood by the exit. You supposed neither of you wanted to let go.

"I'd... say the same." You pursed your lips, now you'd probably cry. Then again you haven't done that in a long time either.

"How did you know I'd be here?" He mumbled into your neck, making you shiver.

"Nick."

"He got to see you before me? Man, I'm still trying to figure out how you're not really gone."

"Yeah well, I was brought somewhere, patched up. I guess I was in a coma or something." You shook your head, dismissing the subject. You tensed up then asked, "can... can we talk? In private?"

He slowly pulled away, "oh yeah sure. Come on." As he guided you up the stairs, the woman attempted to follow.

"It's alright Fahrenheit, I'm talking to her in private." She faltered and nodded solemnly, letting you two go alone.

He brought you to a room, couch, coffee table, and another door across the room. Windows lined the walls were draped in a thin cloth.

You took a seat, knowing you didn't need to ask for permission.

"You wanted to talk." He said, sitting beside you. You took of your backpack, laying it on the ground next to the couch.

"Yeah..." You took a deep breath, "I guess... I should apologize first?" You let out a shaky laugh. "I want to say sorry, for being gone for far to long. I've been selfish in those ways. I guess I might've put you through far more grief then myself." You didn't look at him, didn't need to. With every word that left your lips, you felt the need to break your whole heart out for him.

"I forgot how this felt." You said afterwards. "I forgot how comfortable I was around you."

"Even in my ghoulish state?"

You nodded, "I don't care about that." Five words got him to pull you into another hug.

You told yourself you'd face it head on, you were trying your best to. And here you were breaking at the seams.

"I almost forgot how many emotions there were."

"Now, (Y/n) no need for mushy shit." You let out a genuine laugh.

"You stared it." You retorted, leaning you head on his chest. "Gosh, where should I start."

"From the beginning, would be best. Take your time." He rubbed circles on your back. Even if he hasn't said a thing, everyones reactions back there already tild you he hasn't acted or done something like this before.

So you did, you spilled it all out, he never questioned you. Never asked for excuses and reasons. What you felt around him was different than everyone else, around Nick, you were comfortable, he was a friend. But you were still on edge, not because of him, but because you couldn't find it in youself to be completely relaxed in the area.

Here however, you didn't feel tense at all, you relaxed in his hold and spilled your heart out.

You've been a wanderer for far to long, helping others even though you don't want to be a hero. You've been lost, mentally, and now you can really express that.

But this isn't a therapy session, you mentally slepped yourself.

You came here for answers, "and I need answers, John."

He sighed, "look, when I first heard it. I heard those two guards taking about hiw they managed to kill you. I didn't believe it, and I searched everywhere, every inch of the place they said you were last and couldn't find you. You were gone, I looked around the outside of Diamond city. But you didn't show. You were gone for months, it felt like forever, they finally specified you were dead. Thats when I tried to move on, though it was hard to let you go."

You took in every word, whoever patched you up, brought you to that place so quickly, or at least was making their way there quickly.

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing now?" His dark eyes looked to yours.

"I feel horrible for putting you through that." You tried your best to express it. You guess you were putting yourself through too much, to many emotions and feelings you were exhausted.

"You're here now, aren't you? If all that pain bad to happen to have you here now, then I'll take it." With his arms around your torso, he threw himself back on the couch. His head laying on the armrest while you layed on top of him.

You felt a small blush arise on your cheeks and burried your face into hi coat.

You really couldn't take this. You heard him laugh, and you just enjoyed each others company.

This was the best you could've possibly gotten.

You were fine with that.