Chapter 4: Different

You layed back leisurely, legs crossed whil you waited for John- John Hancock. Taking in a bit of your cigarette, you don't usually smoke often, not wanting to get an addiction to the small things, usually doing it once or twice a week unless you really need a break.

You shut your eyes, tuning to the radio station on your pipboy. You hummed to the music, until the door opened. A hand swooped down and grabbed the cigarette from you. You opened an eye to glare and Hancock. "Damn it John," you said, making him shrug and turn to the window.

You closed your eye again, leaning you head back. "I think I might take up on that offer for the condo outside. The one I can buy from Daisy."

You opened your eyes and looked to him.

"Is that so? You're planning to settle here in Goodneighbor?"

You pressed your lips together, "yeah. I've been thinking on what to do next with my life." You looked to the ceiling, you've wasted a lot on time. Funny how one person change a another's views. "I just kinda... drift from place to place, ya know?"

He hummed, taking another inhale of the smoke. "I get it." He breathed out, smoke filling the air. The smell reached reached your nose. "What now?"

You looked to him, "I haven't had a proper tour, you could also introduce me to this Daisy woman for future reference with the house." You said.

"Fine with me," he grinned, making your heart skip a beat. You never realized how much you missed him until he was right there. "Come on, I don't got anything better to do. Not that anything is better than being with you."

You felt your cheeks flare up, looking away from him to hide your blush. Though mentally you thanked his words, despite putting him through pain.

"Yeah okay." You stood up, grabbing the coat you took off erlier and threw it on. You followed behind Hancock, raising a brow when held open the door for you.

"Ladies first." He grinned, you rolled your eyes.

"Yeah whatever, I mean, shouldn't I be the one holding open the door for you?" You smirked, your remark making him laugh. You pulled up your bandana, deciding to leave the glasses off, for once.

"I don't know about you, but I'm no lady." He continued to laugh, fading to a chuckle by the time you reached the exit to Goodneighbor.

You brushed past Fahrenheit, who gave you a look. You got the message, "don't you dare hurt him" from it. You don't really plan to.

By now, you got the meaning that Fahrenheit cares for Hancock, loyal to him by being his personal bodyguard. Though, her attitude gave you the message that she acts first and asks questions later.

•▪°○°▪•

You listened to each word John said as he lead you around, before you had left, you told him to address you as (Fake/n). Not a question asked after you said, he just agreed.

"Been in the Third Rail yet?" He glanced at you.

"No, didn't really find a need to." You shrugged, "you planning on getting shit-faced?"

"Eh why not?"

You stared at him, brows knitted. "I don't drink," you said.

"First for everything, right? Just once, if you want to of course. We can still go, just no alcohol involved."

You noted how he actually gave you a choice. "Alright fine, I'll try. But I'm not having a lot."

"Fine with me." He winked at you, gesturing you to go into the building.

You entered, met with dim lighting and stairs going downwards. You glanced at Hancock before walking down the steps.

With each step down, your ears picked up on the sound of singing.

Hancock wrapped an arm around your shoulders, "hear that? That's Magnolia, she's the singer here."

"She has a nice voice," you complimented even though she couldn't hear it, maybe you could tell her after.

Hancock seemed to like the words while you continued down. Turning left you faced the bar, several seats set up and a couch with tables were to the right. Magnolia stood on the small stage, sing a song you didn't recognize.

A Mr. Handy was serving the bar, drifters and residents sat around. Hancock lead you over to the bar, grabbing a seat for you and himself.

"Hey there Charlie," Hancock greeted.

"Ah, mayor Hancock, the usual I presume?" He asked, already turning to reach for a glass.

"Yeah, also my friend here would like something." You took that as your queue.

"Give me something strong, if I'm getting shit-faced, I'll go all in." When Hancock gave you a quizzical look you added, "first for everything, right?" You saw him chuckle.

"Who's the lady Hancock?"

"Old friend of mine." He replied, that small smile since you walked down the stairs never left. You loved that smile.

Oh gosh, did you just think that? You haven't been with him for more than a day and you were already becoming attracted to him- again. Maybe that was why you felt so different after trying to leave so much behind.

You still loved him, no matter how many days or months you stayed away. You couldn't stop loving his charismatic justice serving ass.

Charlie passed you a bottle, what you guessed was vodka. Then he passed you a glass.

Pouring yourself a glass your eyes flicked over to Hancock, who watched your movements intently. You lifted the bandana a bit, and downed the alcoholic drink. It burned in your throat, giving an unpleasant sting, but you tolerated the feeling. You agreed to it, might as well go with it.

John chuckled again, drinking his own.

•▪°○°▪•

You're mind was a buzz, but you knew what passed clear as day. You've never felt the need to unwind, but with John it came naturally. You haven't felt so relaxed in public in awhile.

You found yourself staring a moment to long, either being caught or catching yourself in time to look away.

You couldn't have another bottle or drink, knowing that you shouldn't try and find out where your boundaries are. Alcohol poisoning doesn't sound fun.

You glanced around, another thing you took note of were the stares, mostly directed towards John. You glared at them, before tugging on  John coat. Your movements weren't processed, as time passed you found yourself more drawn to him.

"What is it?" He turned his head to you.

"I wanna talk, privately." As the words left, his expression turned to one of seriousness. Maybe he thought it was important?

You mentally huffed, on some level it was, but you were acting childish.

You pointed to the separate room, getting out of your seat and pulling him along to the next room.

As you walked in to the back room, it was unoccupied.

"What is it, (Y/n)?" He said your real name quietly, making you giddy inside.

You braced yourself for any reaction, wrapping your arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. Catching him off-guard.

"Woah, what's this about?" You mumbled into his coat, words too muffled for him to understand. "You're gonna have to repeat that." He chuckled.

"I think I really like you." Your drunken state muttered.

"You sure about that?" His voice was quiet, unsure.

You eyes flicked to his face, "if I wasn't, I wouldn't say anything." You said pulling down your bandana.

You saw him smile, "touché."

You crashed your lips together, reveling in the fact you never did this before. You never took your chance to kiss him those years ago.

You felt his hands grab your waist, pulling you closer. The move made you shiver.

Footsteps approached and you pulled away as it stopped, an arm still around his neck while your other hand pulled up your cover.

"Am I interrupting something?" You glanced passed Hancock's shoulder, a man stood there awkwardly. A green hat shadowing his upper facial features. "With a new squeeze of yours, Hancock?"

The words brought you back to reality, new squeeze? You saw Hancock roll his eyes, "yes, you are interrupting something MacCready."

You frowned, "what does he mean "new squeeze"? John?"

"She knows your first name?" MacCready said, from the corner of your eyes you saw him send you an apologetic look. Though you were still confused, what did he mean by that?

"It's nothing (Fake/n)," he looked to MacCready. "Was there something you needed?"

Your frown deepened, he was trying to change the subject. "John, stop avoiding it."

He stepped away from you, "it's nothing."

"Liar," you replied immediately, his behavior when lying hasn't changed. The other man seemed conflicted to stay or leave.

"Hancock, just tell her. No point in running around it."

"Dammit John, just spit it out."

As his mouth opened, he spoke under the pressure. Time just seemed to freeze, your eyes widened. MacCready took a step back, and John seemed like he wanted to dig himself into a hole.

You raised a hand, slapping him, softer than you wanted but stormed out. No matter what state you were in, drunken or not you refused to cry.

Anger boiled inside you, Hancock tried to run after you but MacCready held him back.

You started to run as soon as you stepped outside, leaving the settlement of Goodneighbor.

You ran down the broken and empty streets in the dark of night for a while. Until you couldn't run anymore.

You sat down on the corner of the sidewalk, placing your face in your hands.

He was more different than you first realized. Squeeze. Hah, so it's like that now. You didn't want to think about it, not even have your mind being up the topic.

"(Fake/n)?" A hand rested on your shoulder, and you smacked it away immediately. Eyes wide and sweat pooling at the base of your neck.

It was Nora, and Nick stood a few steps behind her. You stared at them like a frightened animal, but you weren't frightened.

"Woah, hey, it's alright. What happened, and why are you out here?" Nora asked, you didn't want to answer her. Nick just took one look at you and stepped around Nora, crouching infront of you and pulling out a handkerchief. You didn't even know he still had it as he dabbed it against your damp forehead.

"Rough night?" He asked, standing up and extended a hand to you. You saw Nora smile, though you didn't care right now.

"Got a smoke?" You didn't like smoking more than once for a day, you couldn't help but ask however.

Nick sent you a look, but pulled out a cigarette. Lighting it and handing it to you. You thanked him and he asked, "so (Fake/n) where's your stuff?"

You already assumed he knew you were drunk, you never asked if he could smell, but he probably caught onto the signs of it. You sighed, smoke released from your breath as you replied. "Back at the old state house."

"You went to visit him, huh?" You didn't need to answer. His yellow eyes glanced at Nora and he said, "we're actually on our way to Goodneighbor. Found a lead that might get us to her boy."

You nodded glancing at Nick and asked him. "Can you get my stuff? I don't think I can go back there." Your hand flew up to your mouth, God you felt sick.

"(Fake/n)? Are you alright?"

Before you could answer you choked back a sob, kneeling over and threw up.

Nick's hand went to hold back your hair, you already forgot you haven't even covered your face. Nora patted your back as you threw up the bile. It burned your throat, more than the drink itself and tasted horrible.

As you finished, Nora held out a can of purified water. Much to your gratitude. "Thanks." You muttered, taking the water and drank it.

"You sure you're gonna be okay? We can't exactly leave you here?"

"Hey you two!" You eyes went to the approaching woman jogging towards you three.

Piper Wright, a reporter and Diamond City's newspaper writer. She came to a halt at the sight of you, you've never spoken to her before. She would be hard to deal with if she found out about your identity.

"Piper, hey." Nora greeted.

"What happened to you?" She asked eyebrows raised.

"Well if you couldn't tell, she threw up. She's not feeling well." Nick answered for you. Making you mentally thank him. "Do you think you could walk her to Diamond City?" Your eyes shot over to him tensing.

"What? I walked all the way from that place and you want me to bring her back?" Piper placed a hand on her hip. "Why not bring her with us to Goodneighbor?"

You shook your head frantically, the three of them looked at you. Nick spoke quickly, "something must've happened, but she doesn't want to go back there."

Piper bit her lip, then threw her hands up with a sigh. "Alright fine! I'll do it, but you owe me one Nicky." She pointed at him. Her face softened as she looked to you, a smile forming on her face. "Alright girlie, let's go bring you to Diamond City."

•▪°○°▪•

"Soo... how do you and Nick know each other?"

Your arm was around her shoulder as you both walked, she helped you balance. Your bandana was back on your face, your breathing still slightly unsteady.

"Old friends." You answered, taking a glance at her.

She turned her head to examine you, pursing her lips and asked; "have I seen you around before?"

"I don't think we've ever spoken, I've stayed in the agency from time to time." You said, hoping she would accept the answer. To be honest, you were drained, mentally drained anyway.

"Ah well, can you make sure Nicky fulfills what he owes me in the future? He seems to care a lot about you." Piper said with a smile.

You looked at her, suprised with how friendly she was being. "Oh, yeah sure..."

She perked up, looking around for a moment before crouching, bring you down to crouch with her. "You hear that?" You paused, focusing, it was the sounds of growling.

"Ferals, you don't have a gun on you do ya?"

You shook your head, the only weapon you had on you was your knife. Piper cursed, your eyes found the pack of feral ghouls. 2 were laying on the ground, but their slight twitches showed they were indeed alive. Then there were 4 more that roamed idly in the area.

Because of the buildings layout around you, you both had to sneak by them to be able to get to Diamond City. Though that came with risks in it's own, you still weren't stable enough to be on your own two feet at the moment, and you could really go for another drink of water.

"We could risk it, we're getting closer to Diamond city than Goodneighbor, but we can turn back."

No... was what ran through your head and you voiced the thought right after. "No... we can do this." You tried to reassure you both, though Piper found it dangerous, she slowly gave in.

"Alright, just stay really quiet, if shit hits the fan we book it. I got my gun, it should give us enough cover if I can cripple their legs." You nodded at her plan, simple, so very simple. Though your not entirely sober, it made it harder to process, but you understood eventually.

Eventually came to fast, you were already on your way to sneak around them. Staying in the shadows.

By the time you realized one spotted you, it had already pounced.

Your eyes widened, and you were pulled down and pinned by the ghoul. The feral tried to claw at your face, bite at your exposed neck. You managed to wrestle it off you, kicking it in the gut and pushed it off. The noice attracted the others.

Piper cursed aloud this time, pulling out her gun and firing at their heads the best she could while you stumbled to get up.

You pulled out your knife, stabbing the blade into the ferals neck as it got up.

"Shit shit shit! (Fake/n) we gotta go!" You ran towards her, only to be tripped by one of the remaining ghouls on the ground. It grabbed your ankle, its other hand then grabbed onto your leg. Its fingers dug into your skin, making you gasp in pain. With a groan you fell onto your front, turning yourself over and kicking its hands off.

Your leg had deep scratches and cuts from its claws. You're gonna have to get that checked. You sat up, arm swinging down and plunged the knife at its head.

Everything was happening too quickly, far to quickly. You looked back to Piper, who was struggling against a ghoul that lunged at her.

There were more than you realized, when you first saw them, there were 6. Now that you were being attack, the noise attracted more in the area. 6, then 9, you and Piper killed 3 of them, and Piper crippled 2. 

When you got up, another brought you down. You felt weaker without your other firearms.

A gun came into view, putting a bullet into the ghoul on top of you. Then into the ghoul attacking Piper.

Your eyes flew to them, widening as your gaze met with a familiar ghoulish individual. "John?" Your voice was quiet, he didn't respond. Just stood infront of you and shot at the remaining ferals.