#fo4cait

[zirawrites]

companions react to a reader who is always there for them and comforts them whenever they're feeling vulnerable/hurt/sad.

To quote Taylor Swift… “Honey I rose up from the grave, I do it all the time.” Ya fave fic writer Zira is back with another reaction! I finished my last summer classes, I’m home from England and ready to start being active again. I apologize if I’m rusty, I haven’t done a proper reaction in nearly six months. But I’m tryn’ for y’all!!!!

What really got me back in to reactions is reading some awesome fanfics recently. So as always, my inbox is open and I’ll be working away on my AO3 account for my first full-length fic!

TRIGGER WARNING: This post briefly mentions suicide in Preston’s reaction.

Cait: Before Cait met Sole, she only saw herself as someone who deserved the shite hand she was dealt. Almost immediately after they left the combat zone, it became apparent that Sole didn’t just see Cait as a companion: they really cared about her. Whenever Cait threw a bottle against the bar to pick a fight, Sole was there to defuse the situation. After Cait got them thrown out of Diamond City for calling Myrna “a right ol’ synth fucker,” Sole didn’t get frustrated (probably they were just relieved neither were arrested). Even in her darkest hours of getting sober, Sole was there to stroke her hair and keep her hydrated while she shook in bed.

It took time, but eventually Cait got used to Sole’s gentle touch and soft words. In fact, sometimes Cait acted out just to feel Sole brush the coarse hair from her sweating forehead to place a chaste kiss on it. Cait learned to bite her tongue over minor things like a drifter from Goodneighbor rudely asking for a shag, which pleased Sole. It made the moments Sole embraced her bruised and bloody body after a fight that much sweeter.

Codsworth: Being a Mr. Handy didn’t exempt Codsworth from the woes of life. In fact, the poor robot was probably the most likely companion to be frazzled in Sole’s company. Every time Sole ran too fast or used their fist over a silver tongue in tough situations, Codsworth blew a fuse. Well, not really. He was General Atomic’s finest, thank you very much. The reason Codsworth let Sole get away with so much mayhem was because he knew they always soothed his aching metallic heart after the fighting was over.

When Codsworth was stressed over being dragged along on a dangerous quest, Sole would stop in the shadows of the city and place their hand on his metal side. They let him rant about how foolish they were being. Weren’t they afraid of raiders? Radscorpions? Rogue synths? He would ramble on, his shaky words eventually trailing off as Sole’s thumb ran over the rust stains on his paint. They would tell Codsworth that they always came back unscathed, didn’t they? Codsworth would sigh and say that was debatable, but he trusted their judgement. How could he stay cross with his master/mistress?

Curie: Since becoming a synth, Curie would get overwhelmed with the new emotions she felt. The others in Sanctuary would poke fun at her for constantly overreacting, but Sole knew she just needed a little more tender love and care. When Curie was mad, she was beyond consolable. She would stomp around Sanctuary with balled fists and snap at the slightest transgression (a moment of silence for Sturges asking Curie to help paint the workbench). If Curie was wrapped up in a romance novel Sole had snatched her from a mission, she would curl up under the blankets and sob in to a box of pre-war tissues. For someone with such grace and poise, Curie was a wicked hurricane of emotion.

Sole could always get her to calm down with a voice of reason. They would remind Curie that the characters in her novels weren’t real. That you can’t solve every injustice in the world. And sometimes an innocent Sturges really did need help painting. Curie would take some deep breaths, and occasionally asked Sole to hold her hand. After thinking the situation over, Curie was back to her normal (albeit odd) self, and Sole would prepare for her next confusing emotion to surface.

Danse: Unfortunately for Danse, he really thought he could hide away his emotions. He had a terrible habit of scrunching his unkempt eyebrows when frustrated. If Danse was hurt by someone’s words, he ducked his head down for a few moments to fight back tears. For someone who guarded their heart so closely, Danse was in some ways an open book.

Whenever Danse needed to be vulnerable around Sole, he would try his damnedest to use words. Instead of shrugging his pain off, Danse would grit his teeth and talk about a depressing failed mission or recent nightmare. His favorite response from Sole was when they leaned in to listen closer and he could feel their breath on his neck. He wasn’t the cuddliest in the Commonwealth, but just seeing Sole being attentive to his needs put him in lighter spirits.

Deacon: Everybody’s favorite Egg Man was the hardest companion to crack. Deacon went out of his way to make sure Sole didn’t notice his sour mood. There were times a situation exasperated him, and he’d slip up to make a soft sigh. But those moments were rare. Usually if Deacon felt upset, his first instinct was to crack a joke. He needed other people to laugh as if his life depended on it. Maybe then they wouldn’t see his lips quiver. His posture stiffen. The grey cloud forming over his head.

However, that didn’t mean he didn’t always let Sole in. When his partner pried enough, Deacon would sit them down to vent. Sole would keep a respectable distance, but occasionally placed a reaffirming hand on his shoulder. Minor physical contact, but all of their attention on his story. Just knowing that Sole gave a shit was enough for him to collect his thoughts, boop his partners nose, and tell them it was time to get back to work. He was truly an enigma.

Dogmeat: The lucky German Shepherd had the most attentive master in the world. Sole knew what every individual bark or whimper out of Dogmeat’s mouth meant. When he couldn’t find an irradiated animal to chase on their walk? Sole would start sprinting to Red Rocket truck station for him to go after them. A crack of lightning during a rad storm? Sole was already on the ground supplying an ample amount of bully rubs. There was never a moment the dog felt unloved. After all, Sole was constantly reminding him that he was a good boy.

Gage: The first few times Sole tried to calm Gage down they were met with a prompt, “Aw, fuck off, boss!” Gage really only had one emotion, and it was anger. He took the longest to warm up to Sole, especially because whenever he did show his softer side it made him feel… vulnerable. Gage couldn’t punch his way through a heavy heart.

Whenever he did tell Sole about his childhood, he would stop every few minutes to make sure they were listening. Despite Sole’s initial assumption, Gage did like the occasional physical touch. When Gage was in a mood, Sole would run their hand down his arm or give his hip a light bump. He would blush, and Sole tried their best not to smile like an absolute idiot at their triumph. Gage always scoffed at his Overboss going soft on him, but it did keep him out of a few unnecessary bar fights.

Hancock: Mayor John “Puppy Dog Eyes” Hancock. Hancock never wanted to bring down the mood, but he felt completely comfortable sharing his feelings with Sole. His favorite tactic Sole used was when they ran their finger tips up and down his arm while he wore his coat. Hancock never relished in Sole having to touch his scarred flesh, but the feeling of Sole’s fingernails over the fabric of his favorite outfit was strangely calming. 

Hancock always had a flair for the dramatic, and Sole used this to their advantage to calm him down. Whatever exaggerated story he had to complain about, Sole always offered a crazy solution. Were raiders trying to extort money from the Goodneighbor drifters? The two of them should sic the entire Minutemen army on them. When Hancock was insecure about his ghoulish appearance, why didn’t Curie just whip up an anti-ghoulification serum? Sole’s antics always made Hancock chuckle, and then purr when Sole gave him an affectionate squeeze. They reminded him the two of them had time to sit down and think of a plan, and worrying didn’t exactly help his “King of the Zombies” reputation.

MacCready: Unbeknownst to MacCready, his boss had seen through the tough guy act at The Third Rail immediately. But over the course of their friendship, MacCready learned to let his guard down. He was more emotional than he let on. Every time MacCready broke down in front of Sole, he was reminded that he wasn’t alone. Most of MacCready’s rough nights were losing sleep over Duncan. Sole would lay down next to him and talk about their plans for pre-war Shaun. About how Nate/Nora insisted on homeschooling, but they wanted to send him off to private school. How they hoped he inherited their light freckles and sense of humor. MacCready would start to talk about how Duncan had his eyes, and then the conversation would go off from there. As long as Sole kept MacCready calm and distracted, he was able to relax his rugged shoulders and drift off to sleep. 

Preston: Despite his soft demeanor, Preston is battling an arsenal of demons. When Sole learned about his suicidal past, they made sure that they always approached his low mood swings with care. Sole knew those types of feelings don’t always immediately go away, so they made sure whenever they talked to Preston about his depression in a safe space. It sometimes was the chambers of the Castle, or even at the picnic bench behind Sanctuary. Whenever Sole wanted Preston to feel loved, they took the time to get him alone and really listen to his troubles. Whenever Sole squeezed his hand and told him they were proud, Preston couldn’t hide his swelling chest.

Piper: It was no secret that Piper was high-strung. Not only did she have a business to run, but there was a little sister always nipping at her heels. Sometimes the responsibility got overwhelming, even for Diamond City’s greatest reporter. During the times Piper felt like the world was crashing down, Sole got Nick or Ellie to babysit Nat. They would turn on the radio, grab a bottle of (albeit cheap) wine, and let Piper unload on them. The reporter would pace around her office screaming about a false lead or uncooperative interviewee, then take a gulp of her drink. This would go on until Piper felt a little buzzed, and she was forced to retire to the couch.

That was when Sole would soften the mood. Sole would play with Piper’s hair or hum a pre-war song that made Piper sigh in to her friend’s shoulder. “Damn, Blue,” Piper sometimes whispered. “Life’s always a little lighter with my favorite popsicle around.” Her jests didn’t phase Sole, who returned their friend’s joke with an elbow to the arm.

Nick: Nick only likes to show his ruffled feathers around Sole when they’re alone in the office. He’d lean back in his chair, hang his hat on the nearby rack, and blink up at his partner with concerned yellow eyes. Sole knew that was Nick’s way of saying he needed some reassurance that the world wasn’t going to blow up (again).

During Nick’s vulnerable moments, Sole would try to talk about anything positive. Literally anything. Maybe Dogmeat had sat still for his weekly bath, or Shaun drew them a fridge-worthy picture. Nick’s posture would visibly relax, and he would get lost in some happy news for once. Sometimes he wouldn’t notice Sole was trying to calm him down. When he occasionally did catch on, Nick would never call Sole out. Instead, he’d add an anecdote of his own, like how he caught Ellie humming his favorite song as she cleaned the office.

Strong: Strong was easy to piss off, but just as simple to calm down if you knew the right thing to say. Whenever Strong got upset it was obvious to even the dumbest supermutant. He would try to get a rise out of Sole by calling them weak, or charging out ahead of them during a fight. To settle Strong down, Sole just needed to tell him in layman’s terms he wasn’t completing his mission. They couldn’t find the milk of human kindness if he kept acting out.

Strong never actually sought real emotional advice or showed any signs of being discouraged, but if he did Sole would be ready with open arms.

X6-88: Just because X6 is reserved doesn’t mean he doesn’t share his feelings. In fact, X6 is blunt about everything, including his current state of mind. Whenever X6 comes to Sole and says his morale is low, Sole reminds him of what an asset he is to the Commonwealth. How strong his passion for making the future safer helps Sole’s own optimism. When X6 feels useful, he almost always feels better. There was even an occasion where Sole almost heard X6 thank them for a pep talk.

[zirawrites]

how would sole's romanced/non-romanced companions react to pre-war sole being an actress? (like they find a magazine with them in it, etc)

Cait: She doesn’t understand the big deal about celebrities. Pre-war people seemed to worship them. And why? Cait tells Sole that movie stars didn’t put food on anyone’s table or pay the bills. When Sole seems upset, she adds that Sole’s charisma has saved them both from a lot of trouble.

Cait (Romanced): Cait starts calling Sole “your highness” and “princess” a lot. She doesn’t understand the significance of movies and the celebrities involved, but if it made Sole happy, she’s happy. Insists Sole bring some of her roles in to their bedroom life.

Codsworth: How had he never seen a movie his mistress was in? Codsworth insists Sole tell him all about their life on the silver screen. When Sole goes off on missions, he scours their Sanctuary house for any salvageable holotapes with them on it.

Codsworth (Synth/Romanced): He almost doesn’t believe it until Sole shows him a picture of them in costume. She was wearing a tight red dress for a spy film. Codsworth is unable to hide his blush, and insists Sole is still just as beautiful as her movie star-clad past.

Curie: Curie had read plenty of books on pre-war entertainment. However, she had no idea Sole spent a lot of time in the limelight. She asks what roles Sole played so she could read up on them. As fate would have it, Sole was the leading lady in Curie’s favorite book adaption.

Curie (Romanced): “No wonder you are so graceful, madame!” Curie is enamored with Sole’s celebrity past, but mostly about the content of her movies. She listens to Sole tell behind the scenes stories for hours. When Sole says Curie reminds her of a woman she shared a romance with on-screen, Curie is thrilled. She insists Sole find the movie for them both to watch at Starlight Drive-In.

Danse: Danse remembered watching pre-war movies on a projector in the Prydwen on special nights to boost morale. He briefly wonders if he’s seen anything Sole was in. Danse is more impressed with Sole’s talent than her status in society. Whenever they have free time between missions he asks her to read to him in that soothing, Transatlantic accent she spoke in during films.

Danse (Romanced): “That explains why you’re so beautiful, then.” Danse knew Sole was extraordinarily attractive even for pre-war standards. He feels a twinge of jealousy knowing millions of movie-goers probably lusted over Sole’s more… raunchy scenes. The feeling quickly passes when Sole offers to recreate them in the bedroom.

Deacon: Immediately wants to play her roles on a stealth mission. Deacon makes Sole tell him all about her favorite character; every excruciating detail of the character study. When Desdemona asks them to go undercover at a nightclub to meet an escaped synth, Deacon emerges from HQ in a flowing gown and blonde wig. It disturbed Sole because he honestly looked just like her.

Deacon (Romanced): He’s absolutely turned on. His entire life revolves around pretending to be someone he isn’t. And Sole made their pre-war living off that? Deacon starts flirting with Sole using their own movie quotes. She has no idea where he found the old tapes, but he knows all the words to their musicals and big lines. When it sends Sole in a fit of giggles, he feels on top of the world.

Gage: Being an actress doesn’t make them a better fighter, but Sole could contain her emotions better than most. Gage supposed that was a benefit, but really the only one. Honestly, it’s pretty underwhelming how much he cares.

Gage (Romanced): “I thought all you were good for was kicking ass.” Gage pokes fun at Sole’s past profession until she tells him the plots of her favorite films. He pretends to be disinterested, but the excitement in Sole’s eyes when she talks warms his heart. When they are lying in bed before sleep, Gage rolls on his side and pokes Sole’s arm. He starts spouting off fan theories of Sole’s biggest work. He can’t even pretend not to be interested anymore.

Hancock: Sole could have told Hancock they used to be a janitor and he still would have found it to be totally badass. He asks Sole how many people they got to kill on screen. Did they play a mayor? Any famous historical figure? Sole tells him about a zombie film they were in, and quickly thinks they offended Hancock. Instead, he leans forward, limping and moaning. “Like this?” he asks. “That’s my zombie impression. A ghoul would be more like…” He pulls out his pocket knife as if he’s about to attack. “Hardcore. Like me, obviously.”

Hancock (Romanced): Hancock is adorable about expressing his appreciation towards Sole’s love for the cinema. He takes interest in the parts they played, and the plot behind the movies. Of course, he asks Sole to explain their costumes in excruciating detail. When Sole talks about a particular red dress they wore in a romance film, he absolutely combusts. Where can he find these tapes and would Sole be willing to do any *ehem* sequels.

MacCready: MacCready is rather disinterested until he finds out Sole was in the first film-adaption of a Grognak comic. After that, it’s all he talks about. He wants to know what Grognak was like in person (yes, he uses the characters’ names instead of the actors’). He nearly drags Sole home and pulls out his secret stash of comic books. Sole shows MacCready every scene they were in based on the pictures, and even speaks some of her lines. He sits excitedly on the bed and watches her act out his favorite scene. It was like Sole was talking to a five year old boy, but she figured MacCready deserved a break from reality.

MacCready (Romanced): “Guess I’ve got to start calling you my little starlet, huh?” MacCready falls head-over-heels at Sole’s pre-war photoshoot pictures. He particularly likes the one where she is gussied up for galas and charity balls. Her skin was so soft, and her thick hair was curled just like he pictured a movie star would be. He hoped if they ever had children together, they inherited Sole’s pre-war grace.

Preston: Sole never ceased to impress him. No wonder she retained an unparalleled amount of pre-war grace. Preston romanticized much of the pre-war world, so he loved hearing about the plots of her movies. When they had free time in Sanctuary, the two even set up a little play for the settlers. Sole played the part of a fearless general, and Preston was the greedy raider trying to take down the Commonwealth. Synth-Shaun thought it was absolutely hilarious.

Preston (Romanced): Preston already felt Sole was out of his league based on merit and kindness alone. Now he was dating a celebrity? It made him a little insecure, but he was also enamored by Sole’s traditional femininity in the roles she played. When Sole quoted some of his favorite lines, he immediately blushed.

Piper: She immediately wants to write an article on it. Sole never stopped getting interesting. Piper sat Sole on the other side of her desk and asked every question she could think of. What was it like as a working woman in the pre-war world? How big of a celebrity were you? Are you planning on bringing cinema back to the Commonwealth? The article is a huge hit among the Diamond City snobs.

Piper (Romanced): “Can I… keep these pictures? For the paper, of course!” Yeah, Piper wasn’t fooling anyone. She thinks Sole’s talent with words is definitely hot. Sole teaches Piper her most famous monologues which the girls reenact over a bottle of wine in the office. It’s a giggling, adorable mess.

Nick: Nick Valentine the human was more of a book man, but Jenny adored the movies so he took her to most of them. Nick Valentine the synth was obviously the same way. He rather read in solace and quietly gather inspiration, but wasn’t opposed to the cinema. Sole starred in a spy film, so Nick mostly asks her questions about that experience.

Nick (Romanced): “High society-type, eh? You still want to run around with the lowly likes of me?” Nick was only kidding with Sole. He found their passion for theater to be inspiring. It was important to care about something. Sole cared about entertaining and standing up for people. Nick cared about justice and Sole. It worked out nicely for them both.

Strong: “Human read stories like Mac-beth and milk of human kindness?” Sole just agreed so they didn’t have to explain themselves. Their answer satisfied Strong, who only admired them more.

X6-88: Acting was only another talent in a laundry list of shit Sole excelled in. He knew the charisma would come in handy when running the Institute. Overall, X6 was impressed. He didn’t ask her many questions about the experience, but when Sole offered him some tapes with her movies on them, he watched them in private.

X6-88 (Romanced): X6 insisted Sole watch her movies with him whenever they had free time. He wanted to know everything about his partner; even the parts he didn’t really understand. X6 thought there were better ways pre-war people could entertain themselves, like watching sports or sparring themselves. But when he sees how graceful Sole is on screen… Well, they barely made it through the first film before he was all over her.

[zirawrites]

Ok, ok, so companions react to finding Sole spent ALL NIGHT hanging up Christmas lights on every single house and tree in Sanctuary. (Even going so far as to build a separate generator exclusively to power said lights)

I wrote this as Sole showing companions this at night. I hope that still captures your vision when you sent this reaction! Wish I could have posted this closer to Christmas. Sorry for the wait <3

Cait: Sometimes when Cait drifted off to sleep in the cages, the lights would blur together as she closed her eyes. It was the only time she felt calm in those days. For those brief seconds before blissful sleep, the world was nothing but twinkling white lights, and she was safe. That was what the decorations in Sanctuary reminded her of. When Sole asked how she liked them, Cait cursed under her breath. She realized how much Sole really cared for her. When words failed, Cait gave them a hard slap on the back. “You outdone yerself, darln’. I’ve never seen anythn’ more beautiful. Besides me-self in the mirror, ya know?”

Codsworth: His metal body shook with glee, and Sole had to hold him steady. The last thing either of them wanted was for him to blow a fuse. “This is just like before the war!” Codsworth exclaimed. He could picture Sole and their spouse holding baby-Shaun as the naughtier children of the town ran up and down the street. The Rosa family would be playing Christmas music through their new record player, which would wake up half the neighborhood. Codsworth would fix Sole hot chocolate, and listen to them tell him what a great help he was. 

When Sole noticed Codsworth had fallen silent, they placed their hand on his side reassuringly. “Me too, pal,” Sole said. “I see it too.”

Curie: Curie had read about this tradition back as a Miss Nanny, and it was something she assumed Sanctuary couldn’t afford. She was mostly impressed that Sole made an entire new generator. Her friend was both kind and savvy. Curie walked under the twinkling lights, and ran her fingers over the warm bulbs. She wanted to feel every sensation. She wanted to see every light.

“This is… so wonderful, Sole.” When Sole frowned, Curie tilted her head inquisitively.  Sole reached out to brush away the tears that fell down Curie’s cheeks. “Oh, not to worry, madame/monsieur. These are happy tears. You have given Sanctuary a wonderful Christmas present. All I got you was a textbook. I hope it will still suffice, yes?”

Danse: Maxon occasionally allowed soldiers to decorate the Prydwen. The festivities were usually confined to their share quarters, and consisted mostly of a small fake tree and a few fairy lights. When Danse took in the old magazine-worthy spectacle, even his stoic demeanor couldn’t hold back a beaming smile. “Outstanding, Sole,” he said. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from the lights, so he placed his hand on Sole’s shoulder to let them know they had his attention. “I can’t believe you did all of this by yourself. I’m impressed.” The handful of settlers in Sanctuary were just stepping outside to take in the view, and pride swelled in Danse’s chest. Their faces were so joyous; eyes widening and smiles tightly stretching. “So is everyone else. You seem to find a new way to make the Commonwealth a little brighter every day. Um… literally.” Sole snorted at his unintentional joke.

Deacon: Sole managed to evade Deacon’s watchful eyes long enough to give him a surprise? He didn’t believe it until he saw Sanctuary lit up in every color imaginable. He had seen what Diamond City put out on Christmas Day, and a few pre-war holiday catalogs. But a neighborhood covered in festive lights? This was uncharted territory. He was conflicted with the urge to run down the street like a little kid, or badger Sole about how they sneaked out of HQ for an entire night without him knowing.

“Okay, for once in my life, I got nothing.” Deacon’s fingers lingered hesitantly at the edge of his sunglasses. He wanted to take them off and get the full effect, but couldn’t risk someone seeing his eyes. Couldn’t risk being vulnerable. “You outdid yourself, Sole. I’m in awe of your awesomeness. Aghast at your flabberghastedness. Amazed at your ama-” Sole cut him off with a soft punch to his arm. Deacon winced, and went to reach for the tender spot. When Sole had turned their head away, he instead used his hand to grab their shoulder. “When everyone goes to bed, let’s go back out here, okay?” Deacon furrowed his brow. He seemed so serious he might actually be sad. “I wanna come out here without my shades, you dig?” Sole definitely did, and responded with a quick side-hug that Deacon actually reciprocated.

Dogmeat: The puppy absolutely lost his shit. Dogmeat barked over and over again as he ran up and down the streets. Sole gave up on trying to corral him, and let the pooch run out his energy. The twinkling lights along the houses and in the trees both confused and excited Dogmeat.  He knew it couldn’t be the work of enemies. Look at how happy Sole was. Since Sole was happy, so was Dogmeat. He tried to nip at the strings in the bushes, but Codsworth shooed him away. What a great night to be a dog.

Gage: When Sole eagerly led him in to Sanctuary, he got the same feeling when they had restored power to Nuka World. The sudden explosion of light across the park made each bulb twinkle. He hadn’t expected such a warm feeling in his chest as the rides started up and raiders explored their bases with childlike wonder. And as he watched the other settlers gaze up at the houses with amazement, he couldn’t be more impressed with Sole if he tried. “Well shit, boss. I dunno what to say. Every time I think you’ve outdone yerself you pull something like fucking… like… well, like this, I guess.” Sole noticed Gage was blushing. Their raider friend wasn’t usually flustered. The fact that he trailed off to explore the settlement reaffirmed how comfortable he felt around his Overboss. Too proud to show Sole he cared, but contented enough to flash them a smile before he walked away.

Hancock: “You did all this by yourself? Shit. All I got you were some socks.” Hancock stood in the middle of the road to get the best view of all the houses. He had tried to decorate Goodneighbor before, but the lights usually were stolen by the end of the evening. It was hard housing the kinds of ruffians he ran with; especially when they were particularly ungrateful guests. Seeing Sole smile under a soft spotlight of red and green made his chest swell. Hancock didn’t know what he did to deserve a friend as selfless as them. “I’m putting you in charge of our little Christmas party in The Third Rail. Unless…” Sole cut him off with a curt wave of their hand. They were not moving the drifters of Goodneighbor in to Sanctuary for the night. Even if it was Christmas.

MacCready: MacCready squealed like a kid on Christmas Day as he ran across the bridge to Sanctuary to look at the lights. When he did work for the Gunners, he sometimes found himself perched up high on a building. He could see Diamond City sparkling in the distance, and thought that had to be the brightest thing left on Earth. As he walked through the streets and gaped at Sole’s handiwork, MacCready knew he was wrong.

“This is amazing!” MacCready was so excited that his voice cracked at the end; his pitch so squeaky Sole thought he was having a panic attack. “God, what I would have given to see this as a kid. Can we show this to the tykes in Diamond City? I know a handful of ‘em that could really use this. Actually, just last week -” MacCready was telling Sole something important, but they had stopped listening. It was the first time Sole saw him want to give something back. They knew he had a soft spot for children, but to sacrifice their settlement just to show some strangers holiday cheer? It was the best present MacCready could have given Sole for Christmas. 

Preston: Preston had wondered why Sole wanted as many Minutemen to report to Sanctuary up until the moment he saw the colorful lights. Every house and tree was decorated in holiday cheer; something only Sole could ever pull off. Since the first time they met, Sole did nothing but give and give to the people of the Commonwealth. When they asked Preston if he liked their work, he took off his hat in awe. His reaction was humble; Preston’s gaze softly fell on Sole to show tears running down his flushed cheeks.

“You’re really something, you know that?” he whispered. “I didn’t think I’d be this choked up. I just…” Sole pulled Preston in to a hug as the accompanying Minutemen left to explore the town. “Thank you, Sole. For everything.” Preston didn’t know how to make it up to his General, but he knew he would do anything to prove his loyalty.

Piper: “Jesus…” Piper didn’t know what else to say. As soon as Nat saw the bright lights, the little girl ran off to explore. Piper was left behind with Sole to express their gratitude, but for the first time in her life the wordsmith had nothing to say. Sole watched Piper spin around several times to take it all in. When she finally soaked up the gravity of just how far Sole was willing to go to spread Christmas cheer, her expression changed from stoic to elated. “This is the coolest thing ever!” Was Piper actually giggling? The reporter threw up her arms and twirled in a circle; her red coat fluttering and picking up an array of Christmas colors. “So what do you want the article to be called? Ooh! How about: Blue saves Sanctuary from a Blue Christmas. Get it? No? Okay, I’ll work on it.”

Nick: The old synth had memories of Christmases he never took part in. Not really, anyway. Pre-war Nick opened presents. He drank hot toddies and nuzzled with his wife by the fireplace. His new self usually spent Christmas alone in his office because Nick always gave Ellie the day off. When everyone went to bed, Nick walked around Diamond City to admire the lights. It was peaceful. Tranquil. Lonely.

Sole had covered his eyes to unveil their decorations. As soon as Nick caught the first sheen of light on the roof in front of him, he knew Sole had decorated for Christmas. For the first minute, Nick was utterly speechless. Sole poked at his arm and asked if everything was okay.

“I finally have my own Christmas tradition,” he said. Sole wasn’t sure if the flicker in his yellow eyes was supposed to represent a tear. “And it’s with you. My partner.” Nick snaked his arm around Sole’s waist as they watched a handful of Sanctuary children run past them. “My best friend.”

Strong: Strong didn’t know what Christmas was, even though Sole explained the tradition multiple times. They figured the best way for Strong to grasp it was to show him just how festive the holiday could be. Surprisingly, Strong’s face lit up at the colorful decorations. It was the most expression he had ever shown. Sole almost wanted to cry.

“Human cover shelter in bright lights. Easy for bad guys to find human’s home.” Before Sole could interject, Strong added: “But Strong has never seen such color. Everything is glowing. Very bright. Makes human happy. That makes Strong happy.” It was a compliment Sole was more than willing to take.

X6-88: Electricity wasn’t hard to come by in the Institute. X6 couldn’t imagine the massive amount of drifters that went without it in the Commonwealth. Every room underground had their own lighting, and every person had basic necessities like running water. It took a lot to impress him outside of combat skills. And Sole seemed to always be pushing his limits.

As Sole watched X6′s expression, they almost thought he didn’t care for the bright lights. It took a trained eye to notice his mouth slightly agape. Sole knew if he really disliked it, he would have immediately voiced his dissatisfaction. Instead, X6 stayed silent for a long time.

“It’s beautiful,” he finally said. And X6 meant it. Part of him was curious enough to venture away from Sole and take in all the decorations, but the part loyal to them wanted to stay close. “May we look at all of them? I’ve never seen Christmas decorations before.” His voice was so eager that Sole just couldn’t resist.

[zirawrites]

(Romanced or not,up to you) How do the companions react after being reunited with the sole survivor after they relay to the Institute for the first time,them not being sure if sole even survived the trip?

I decided to do romanced because it’s always a little more fun! Thanks for sending in this reaction and I’m sorry it’s taken me over two weeks to get to it, nonny! <3 I also didn’t include X6 because that doesn’t make sense.

Cait: Cheeks flushed red. Eyes wide open. Chest rising and falling. Fists balled up so tight her fingernails drew blood. Cait had never been more angry; not even when she was prostituted out to the cages. Sole had left her to save the world, not realizing Cait’s entire universe was her beloved survivor. The Minutemen let her observe Sole’s relay, mostly because Sole made her promise she wouldn’t start trouble. However, Sole was supposed to be back by now. Her lover was strong, but the Institute might be stronger… No one knew, and Cait assumed that was the point.

There was a flash of light. Cait was so anxious she couldn’t tear her eyes away. When Sole’s silhouette appeared, Cait was by their side before the Minutemen even registered what happened. “Sole!” she cried; wrapping Sole in her strong arms and spinning them off the ground. “You fuckin’ idiot! Don’t ever scare me like that again!” Some of the Minutemen readied their guns. Cait’s voice was so unstable it seemed like she wanted to pick a fight. When Sole wiped away the tears Cait didn’t realize she was crying, her shoulders relaxed. In a softer voice, Cait added: “I love you. You’re so damn stubborn and fiery and I love you.” She didn’t understand why Sole would risk what they had to save complete strangers, but it was part of the reason she knew Sole was the best damn person in the Commonwealth.

Codsworth (synth): Since Codsworth was a naturally nervous-wreck, Sole instructed him to stay in Sanctuary and look after the settlers. It took his mind off Sole’s exploration, but only for the first several hours. He feared a lot in the godforsaken Commonwealth - things like raiders and deathclaws and good glassware getting smudged - but nothing compared to losing Sole. It took him over 200 years to reunite with his master/mistress, and Codsworth didn’t know if he could bear another two decades. 

When Sole walked over the Sanctuary bridge, his knees nearly gave out. The usually neat and composed synth sprinted down the road - arms outstretched - until he nearly toppled Sole over. Codsworth completely forgot his gentlemanly manners. His hands rubbed up and down Sole’s back, and his mouth pressed warmly to their temple. “I was so scared,” he mumbled in to Sole’s hair. They had never felt him shake like that; not since his Mr. Handy days when Sole forgot to oil him. They ran their hands through Codsworth’s hair to calm him, but he didn’t register their touch. “You’re so much braver than I, sir/ma’am. Sometimes I can hardly stomach it.” Sole knew they would have to return to the Institute soon, but seeing Codsworth so worked up over their first departure would always leave a sour taste in their mouth while they were away.

Curie: Curie understood Sole’s need to discover the Institute. Knowledge was a noble pursuit; especially in these trying times where education was almost nonexistent. The morning Curie bid Sole adieu, her heart was full of hope. Her Sole was going to discover what being had terrorized the Commonwealth for so long. They would bring back secrets and science to share with their settlers. And in the end, Sole was going to save humanity. Curie could just sense it, even though her studies discouraged the idea of destiny. That was how much Curie believed in her partner.

But as the hours ticked on, that once-sweltering feeling of hope dwindled like the setting sun. Curie sat by the transmitter and used a stick to draw patterns in the sand. There was nothing else she could do. Unlike the other Minutemen who were feebly arguing how to relay Sole back, Curie knew none of them understood the Institute’s technology.

Then that beautiful blue flash of light. Curie jumped off the ground to greet Sole with a tight hug around their neck. “I am so glad you’ve returned!” Curie said in to Sole’s neck. “You must have many stories to share with all of us. But first, I insist on giving you a medical exam. I do not no what contaminates you may have encountered during the relay. I think…” Curie continued to fret over Sole until they allowed her to give them a thorough check-up in the Castle’s clinic.

Danse: When Danse introduced Sole to the Brotherhood, he never imagined it would have led them straight to the Institute. He often dreamed of finding the bastards who made synthetic humans and terrorized innocent families as a joyous moment. He would burst in to their secret lair with guns blazing and take no survivors. But when they discovered Sole had to relay there, his dreams of violence vanished. All Danse cared about was Sole returning safely.

He thought of every negative scenario possible. What if Sole was replaced by a synth? What if the Institute tortured his lover for information on the Brotherhood? As Danse paced in front of the transporter, his anxiety heightened. Sole could be strapped to a table. They could have wired hooked to their head. It would be all his fault…

The blue explosion took all the soldiers by surprise. Sole stumbled off the platform and straight in to Danse’s arms. His first instinct was to kiss them, but he resisted. No one knew they were dating, and exposing their love at that exact moment could jeopardize Sole’s place in taking down the Institute. Instead, Danse settled on brushing their hair from their face and holding Sole to his chest. “Ad Victoriam, soldier,” he said. His voice was shaky, and his embrace was uncomfortably tight. He didn’t need to say anything else. Sole could feel his relief by the way he softly sighed in to the top of their head.

Deacon: The whole reason he brought Sole in to The Railroad was to hunt down the Institute and find their son. So why did saying goodbye feel so… wrong? Desdemona sensed Deacon’s apprehension, and reassured him that Sole was the most qualified to go through the relay. Her words barely registered. Instead, Deacon spent the next several hours pacing. He ran his hands through his hair. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Whenever someone tried to ease the tension with a well-meaning joke, he didn’t even look up. Sole was in danger because of HIM. If they died, it was more blood on his hands. 

He should have ran away with Sole. They could have changed their names. Gotten a face swap. The two would build a house by the ocean and fill it with children who would never be exposed to espionage and danger. It was the life he thought his Sole deserved.

When the transmitter cracked lightning and Sole reappeared, they were hounded by every agent surrounding them. Desdemona wanted to know who they met. Tinker Tom asked if they stole any weapons he could play with. When Sole finally pushed their way to Deacon, he melted in to their hand that snaked up his chest to his shoulder. “I found him,” Sole said. “I found Shaun.”

Instead of reminding them that he promised that all along, Deacon pulled Sole in for a rare public kiss. He had never been at such a loss for words, but feeling Sole in his arms gave him just enough strength not to whisk them away to a new life. 

Gage: Even though Gage knew he had no right, he wished he hadn’t let Sole go to the actual fucking Institute. If anyone could protect themselves, it was them. But that didn’t matter. It was the principle of putting Sole in harm’s way. They had given up their dignity and reputation with the raiders to take him on as a lover. And how did he repay them? But giving them a shy kiss and telling them to stay alert before a ball of light evaporated them. For all he knew, that explosion killed Sole instantly.

He became violent. Whenever he was asked to step away from the transmitter, he shoved that person to the ground. His anger was channeled through expletives and irritability. After a while no one dared to speak to him. Gage thought that if Sole was gone for another minute he would completely go insane.

The zap! of the relay caught his attention just as he was about to backhand a Minuteman. Sole stood proud and beautiful on the launch pad. Gage took a moment to gape at how strong they looked just having discovered the Institute. He had never been more proud.

“Boss!” Gage ran up to Sole and placed his forehead on theirs. “You’re crazy, you know that? Had me worried to death you weren’t gonna come back.” Instead of their usually witty comeback, Sole pulled Gage in to a hug. He hadn’t expected the sudden contact, and hesitantly pulled them closer. “You just love attention, don’t you? There are safer ways to get your thrills. Ones that don’t give me a heart attack, damn it.”

Hancock: Hancock wanted to be strong for Sole, but they reminded him how much Goodneighbor needed him. Reluctantly, Hancock waited for Sole back at the Old State House. His fingers nervously twitched every time he thought of just shooting up with chems to pass the time, but what if Sole got hurt during their return? He would be useless if he was completely inebriated. It was a hard decision, but Hancock was going to wait for Sole completely sober. And it was actually killing him.

The knock at his door nearly made his heart stop. For a moment he wondered if it was a synth army come to take him away. He frowned thinking about Sole ratting out his mischievous haven for synths and ghouls in return for their life. It would be the ultimate betrayal, and Hancock felt guilty that it even crossed his mind.

He opened the door without checking who was there. Why should he? If it was the Institute coming for him, he wouldn’t be able to fight his way out. He grit his teeth when the door creaked open, but everything came crashing down at once when it was his smiling Sole. So much guilt. Relief. Love.

“Sunshine!” he breathed, and wrapped Sole in to a tight hug. His voice didn’t sound like his own. The word came out higher; like a child meeting their favorite superhero and realizing miracles were real. “I was thinkn’ about hopping in that big machine and speeding up the process. You’ve been gone for ages.”

“You’re a ghoul,” Sole laughed. Their tears warmed his chest. When had they started crying? “A few hours should be nothing to you.”

“Not when it involves my man/girl,” Hancock replied. “Not when it involves the one I love.”

MacCready: “They should be back by now, right?” MacCready discarded his cigarette and stomped it in to the pavement. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up stiff, and he scratched feebly at the unnerving sensation. When no one answered, his cheeks flushed. He knew no one had any answers. The reason Sole got in the transporter was to be the first one to find the Institute. Keyword: first.

MacCready wanted to lash out, but that’s the last thing Sole would have wanted. He could stay composed when Lucy died. He was strong when Duncan fell ill. If Sole needed him to be just as reliant, so be it. Though it felt like a lot to ask a man who rested all his hopes on someone with a goal to save the entire world.

As soon as Sole returned through the teleporter, MacCready was overwhelmed with emotion. He felt tears edge their way over his eyes, and quickly wiped them with the back of his sleeve. By the time he looked up, Sole already had his scruffy cheeks cupped in their hands. “You missed me that bad, huh?” they asked. MacCready couldn’t do anything but nod. He buried his face in Sole’s neck and started crying. He knew he would be able to move on if Sole died, but only as a shell of a man. After Sole stroked his hair for another minute, he promised himself he would never put Sole in harm’s way. If they insisted on risking their neck for a bunch of synths, he was going to be right there by their side.

Preston: Sole wasn’t going to come back. He knew how dumb his luck was when they first said they loved him. Preston fell ass-backwards in to a relationship with the most wholesome person in the Commonwealth. Right from the start he knew he didn’t deserve them. Sole was everything right with the world. They never gave up. Hell, they were sacrificing their literal body just to find the entrance to the Institute.

Outwardly, Preston kept up a calm demeanor. He didn’t want to worry any of the Minutemen who were pining for their General’s return. Sole’s last command was to keep up the Castle’s morale. If they returned, Preston wanted to look them in the eyes and confidentially say he didn’t let them down. It was the least he could do.

The others were just about to set up a watch schedule when the teleporter shook and Sole reappeared. Everyone cheered as Sole descended off the platform. They noticed Sole’s beaming smile, but Preston could see Sole’s bloodshot eyes. He knew Sole had been crying.

After Preston instructed the Minutemen to prepare Sole some food and a cot to rest, he placed a long kiss on their cheek. “You had me worried you wouldn’t come back,” he said. “I know you told me to be strong. And I think I was. But I can’t help myself worrying about your safety. Are you alright?” As soon as Preston asked Sole that, they pulled him in for a deep kiss. Sole stayed locked in Preston’s embrace until they absolutely needed to come up for air. He wasn’t sure if Sole needed that to ground themselves, or maybe they really were in love. Either way, Preston knew this was just the beginning of everything.

Piper: “This is such bullshit!” Piper didn’t like swearing in front of Nat, but this was a special circumstance. Sole still hadn’t returned to Diamond City after their quest to find the Institute. Piper kidded that she wanted the exclusive on the story, but was more worried about her partner’s well-being. Nat had tried to calm her down all day, but it made Piper more irritated. When Nat motioned to the floor, Piper realized she had knocked over a stack of papers.

Piper insisted Nat go outside and play. She said she would clean up because it was her fault the office was a mess. When Nat shut the door, Piper’s shoulders shuddered with sobs as she scooped up the newspapers. For the first time Piper scanned her own work, it didn’t made her chest swell with pride. She should have stopped Sole. Told them not to leave the safety of Diamond City. Hell, she would have gone in Sole’s place. They were priceless in this world. Piper felt smell and expendable.

“Need some help?” 

Piper looked up from her crying to see Sole crouched down with a stack of papers in their hands. She hadn’t heard them come in. Piper squealed and jumped on Sole; knocking them on their back and smothering them with kisses. “You’re a maniac!” Piper laughed between shaky breaths. Sole finally relaxed and let Piper continue to nuzzle their face. “You did it, didn’t you? Oh my god, you did it! I knew if anyone could it would have been you, Blue. I’m so… I’m so proud of you!” She continued her barrage of compliments; the exclusive story the last thing on her mind. Sole was all that mattered in that tiny, messy little slice of home.

Nick: Sole would be the first missing person he could absolutely prove the Institute stole. When he heard they were leaving to relay straight to the boogeymen, Nick nearly powered down. He begged Sole to reconsider; to find someone to take their place. The settlers throughout the Commonwealth needed Sole’s guidance. His cases needed Sole’s watchful eyes to find missing families. Nick needed Sole because he loved them.

It was the first time he said that, and Sole was eager to say it back. They departed with slow, meaningful kisses. Nick promised to wait for them at the agency, but Sole had been gone for over a day. If they were gone, should he put up missing posters? He could just see it now. Missing: The most beautiful creature in the Commonwealth. Bright eyes that still see the good in others. Lips good for kissing and talking shit. Hands that want to build back up this broken world and still caress an old synth’s face.

“Your sign isn’t on.” It was Sole. They leaned against the doorway and tried to hide their amusement when Nick shot up from his desk. “I thought you’d stay open even if I left. What would you do without me? I guess you’d be able to still dress yourself. You never take off that coat.”

Nick wanted to laugh, but the sound got stuck in his circuits. If he could cry, he would be covering his face to hide it. Instead, Nick met Sole at the door to run his thumb across their cheek. “Perish the thought, kid,” he said. “You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.”

[zirawrites]

Companions and Gage, if you don’t mind, with crushes on sole!! Who kisses who first!

Cait: Contrary to popular belief, Cait lowers her guard around Sole. You’d think she’d get extra broody and defensive, but Cait is secretly aching to let someone in her life. She’s always up for an adventure, so once Sole proves they can be trusted, they have Cait wrapped around their finger. Well, not ALWAYS. Cait likes to tease and is a relentless flirt. She points out every time Sole checks her out. Calls Sole pet names like “lover” and “darling.” Their first kiss is at a bar. Cait had too much to drink and decided to just go for it. The kiss was rough despite Cait’s experience. Sole goes in for the second kiss, and this time it’s Cait who’s the blubbering mess.

Codsworth (synth): Codsworth’s love language is definitely acts of service. He would drop whatever he’s doing at a moment’s notice to assist Sole. Do they need an extra pair of hands on a mission? His bags are packed. Is their home in Sanctuary getting rusty? Codsworth has been up since the crack of dawn dusting. He still calls Sole mum/sir, but not as often. He’s extremely flustered whenever Sole compliments him. And physical touch? Forget it. Sole once rested their hand on his and he nearly passed out. Without a doubt Sole initiates the first kiss. The two were dancing to the radio in their Sanctuary home during a thunder storm. An unbearably loud crack of lightning made them cling to each other where they stood. Sole just leaned in and kissed him. When they pulled back, he was nearly in tears. He was madly in love and it only took 200 years to show it.

Curie: Curie’s curiosity makes her unusually blunt about… well, everything. Sole specifically remembers the night she woke them up to say she couldn’t wait to get her first period. Honestly, Curie will tell Sole anything and everything. When she’s crushing on Sole, her questions go from innocent to probing. What was Sole’s dream date? Did they ever want to get married again? Could the recommend any romance novels? It was obvious Curie wanted to know what attracted her favorite companion. Whenever Sole was blunt back, especially in a flirtatious way, she became flustered. Curie kisses Sole first. She politely asked if Sole would be her first kiss instead of having that memorable experience with a stranger. Of course Sole didn’t want Curie kissing random men throughout the Commonwealth to gain experience. The kiss was timid, but Curie was the first one to deepen it.

Danse: Sole doesn’t know how many times they begged Danse to stop modifying their power armor. It seemed like he had an endless amount of excuses to spend time with Sole. The only downside was that when Sole and Danse did spend quality time together, he was overprotective. Danse used to admire Sole’s headstrong approaches to missions and unfiltered bravery, he was asking them to fall back and let him take the lead. He just didn’t want Sole to get hurt. Most of his nightmares were about losing Sole to gunners or ghouls. Sole kisses Danse first. They’re on a mission in the middle of gross bog water arguing about which direction to take. Sole’s Pip-Boy was acting up, and they were lost. Danse was panicking, Sole knew that worried look. They were already in power armor, so it wasn’t difficult to reach his face. The kiss was soft and chaste. Danse pulled away first, and Sole assumed they offended him. Before Sole can apologize, he comes back for a more desperate, deeper kiss.

Deacon: Deacon has the most unusual reaction to crushing on Sole. Part of him wants to immerse himself fully in a relationship. He has a side of him that wants to settle down. Marriage. Kids. Lounging on rocking chairs and eating Fancy Lads until they’re fat. Barbara got to see that side of him. The other part of Deacon wants to run away. If he lost Sole, there would be nothing left of him. So the flirtation is always present, but he never lets it get out of hand. He’ll comment on Sole’s appearance when they dress up for a mission, but if Sole responds with something equally as teasing? Deacon clams up fast. He’s also constantly trying to teach them new things. Accents for different characters. How to tie elaborate knots. Anything that allows him to take control and talk. 

Sole kisses him first. When they destroy the Institute, the first thing Sole does is pull him in for a kiss. He doesn’t move. The entirety of the kiss is Sole moving their lips against his. When they finish, the entire HQ can hear his heart beating. He laughs it off. But when he gets Sole alone later that night? He’s got them pressed against the brick wall; moving his hands greedily along their torso and tangled in their hair as his tongue swirls inside their mouth. That’ll teach ‘em to stop being so damn perfect.

Hancock: This ghoul is relentless. Hancock has been flirting with Sole since the moment he met them. It’s obvious he finds Sole physically attractive. He comments on their looks every time they meet up for a mission or infamous “chem break.” The more he gets to know them, the more Hancock falls for their charm. Sole has as much of a silver tongue as he does. Hancock watches in awe whenever Sole talks them out of a desperate situation so no one has to die. It’s beyond admirable; he’s fucking falling in love. His comments become less perverse and more heartfelt. He thinks they’re the smartest smoothskin in the Commonwealth. They have the brightest eyes. He’s so lucky to have them in his life.

Hancock kisses Sole first. They were taking a stroll through Goodneighbor when Hancock spun Sole around; gripping their shoulders and forcing an awkward smile. Was the notorious mayor actually nervous? Sole senses his apprehension and asks if everything’s okay. He leans down timidly and presses his lips to theirs. The kiss is more gentle than Sole expected. His rough skin tickles their lips. And when Hancock pulls away, he’s shaking from nerves and excitement. What a trip.

MacCready: Being a traditionalist, MacCready approaches his crush in an almost pre-war fashion. He picks Sole up trinkets from his travels. He offers to make dinner when they’re both tired. His flirting is constant, but never sexual. MacCready doesn’t shy away from love, he’s just worried he’ll get Sole killed one day. MacCready also antagonizes Sole like a little kid. He sometimes treats Sole like a schoolyard crush; he’s quick to pick a fight but equally as willing to resolve it with a hug. MaCready is the first to kiss Sole. When they find Duncan’s cure, he grabs either side of Sole’s face and slams his lips in to theirs. The kiss is almost too tight, but the most sincere one Sole ever had. It takes every ounce of MacCready’s willpower not to propose right then and there.

Preston: Preston is the personification of “bashful.” Everything Sole does makes the Minuteman blush. He’s quick to offer his help, and even quicker to pay Sole a compliment. His words are always sweet, and when he gets tongue-tied Preston trips over his words. He should just take a deep breath, but every time he sees Sole he is literally meeting his hero. Sole initiates the first kiss because Preston would have never believed they had feelings for him. The kiss is unexpected. Sole just grabbed him by the collar and laid one on him out of the blue. They giggled when his hat nearly fell off. He tries to tell Sole he’s been waiting for that kiss, but it comes out a jumbled mess. Sole has to kiss him again to shut him up.

Piper: Piper’s flirting is as aggressive as she is. The reporter is absolutely relentless. She doesn’t hide that she finds Sole intoxicating. She compliments Sole on everything from their bravery out in the Commonwealth to perfect quotes for her articles. Nick once pulled her aside to tell her to at least pretend to be hard-to-get. But Piper doesn’t care. Technically she’s the first to kiss Sole. Sole was headed out on a mission when Piper kissed Sole’s cheek for “good luck.” Sole turned around to dip her like a pre-war movie and kiss her lips. When the two stand back up, Piper is so frazzled she can’t remember what she was going to say. Something about remembering to bring her back a present, she thinks.

Nick: Being pursued by Nick Valentine is like being courted by a 1940′s Ryan Gosling. He pulls out all the stops to impress Sole. Nick sends them flowers, he writes Sole poetry, and even takes them out for drinks on the weekends. Nick isn’t forward enough to spell out his intentions, but it is obvious he’s crazy for Sole. Sole is the first to kiss Nick. He walked them back home and at the door Sole gave him a polite little kiss on the lips. “Is that all ya got?” he laughed. It caught Sole off guard, and before they knew it he was cradling the back of their head and giving them a good ol’ dose of smooching.

X6-88: X6 has no idea how to sort out his feelings for Sole. He wasn’t sure coursers could feel love, so every time Sole flips their hair or brushes his shoulder, he recoils in to himself. It sends the message that he’s annoyed. X6 assumes his compliments on Sole’s fighting is enough to express his feelings, but it isn’t. Sole completely friendzones X6 until he works up the courage to kiss them. They were completely alone at Red Rocket modifying power armor when he pecked Sole on the lips. They both stared long and hard at each other. No one made a second move. X6 went back to his work, leaving Sole more confused than ever.

Bonus!Gage: Gage wasn’t sure if he was even allowed to show Sole affection. Truthfully, he didn’t know where to begin. It felt comfortable to comment on Sole’s ass when they wore their vault suit, and even tease them for making a pass on himself. But Gage just didn’t have the experience to move their relationship past occasional banter. He was angry at himself for letting Sole slip through his fingers, and figured another raider boss would eventually steal their heart. Sole kisses Gage first. It wasn’t like he would ever make a move. Sole was his only friend, and losing them would be devastating. Sole waited for Gage at the entrance of Nuka World when everyone was asleep. They liked to walk back home together to keep each other safe. Before Gage could unholster his weapon, Sole used one hand to hold his own and the other to push his face in to theirs. Sole’s lips barely touched Gage’s before he violently pulled Sole closer. He made deep grunts as he covered as much of Sole’s mouth as he could. Gage wanted this kiss to last as long as possible in case Sole was having second thoughts. To his surprise, Sole was equally as aggressive, and was already making moves to fumble with his pants. He knew he saw something in them. He just fucking knew.

[zirawrites]

Okay, companions + Gage, who are mad in love with smol fem sole get stuck in a closet together chest to chest to hide out from a group of Gunners, what happens!?!?!?

The two companions were pinned down inside the building. Gunners were positioned at every vantage point atop the adjacent buildings. Sole grabbed their partner’s hand and led them through the dim hallways. The gunners kicked down the front door and began sweeping every floor. Hearing them approach faster, Sole and their companion both jump in the same room. Unbeknownst to both of them, it was a small janitor’s closet. Both their chests were pressed against each other. Luckily, Sole was small enough for them both to fit, but just barely.

Cait: “Y’know there are easier ways to get closer to me,” Cait snide. She kept her voice to a low whisper, but her inflection was beyond flirtatious. It was downright lustful. Cait knew she intimidated Sole, especially since she towered over her. When Sole gulped in the darkness, it took all of Cait’s might to stifle a laugh. “All ya had to do was ask, love.”

Codsworth (synth): The most physical contact Sole and Codsworth ever had was when he was either tending to her wounds or tucking her in to bed (which Sole insisted every night he didn’t need to do). Codsworth wanted to be a gentleman and pull away, but there was nowhere for him to go. They were pressed against each other, and he was glad the darkness hid his blush. Codsworth stumbled out some nonsense about always finding themselves in peculiar predicaments, and Sole brought her slender finger to his lips to shush him. Codsworth’s voice raised with every nervous stammer. “I’m sorry, mum,” he finally said. “These gunners should be leaving soon. Not that I don’t like spending time with you. I just find -” Once again, Sole shushed him.

Curie: Curie didn’t find bodily contact as overtly sexual as most people in the Commonwealth. She obviously found Sole attractive, but there was no reason to change the situation to flirtatious when the two were hiding for their lives. When Curie was sure the gunners were gone, she gave Sole’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “That was a close one, was it not?” Curie was thankful both women were small enough to fit in the room together, otherwise the larger one would have had to hold the other on their shoulders. That would have been uncomfortable.

Danse: Danse had changed out of his armor multiple times in front of sisters of The Brotherhood. Hell, Scribe Haylen had probably seen him naked more times than he could count. So why did Danse find himself literally sweating as his small friend pressed herself against the front of him? He wanted to curse the gunners for putting them both in such a compromising situation. “Just stay still,” Danse soothed. They could hear the gunners getting closer to the door. “Any sudden movement could jeopardize the success of our mission.” In truth, Danse just didn’t want Sole to feel how clammy he had become.

Deacon: The two friends gave each other a tight, awkward smile the moment their chests touched each other. Deacon wanted to squirm in to a more comfortable position, but there wasn’t any room and the gunners might hear him. Sole noticed his discomfort, and squeezed his bicep. “I don’t smell that bad, do I?” she asked. Deacon felt bad he made Sole feel self-conscious, so he allowed himself to relax and fully lean in to her. They didn’t talk the rest of their time in the closet, but Deacon would tell everyone back at HQ that Sole totally made a pass at him. 

Hancock: Holy shit, was it his birthday? Hancock couldn’t imagine a better scenario than to be pressed up against his petite Sole at the height of danger. He used the opportunity to pull Sole in to him like he was shielding her from danger. She rolled her eyes, knowing full well he was just trying to hold her. “Don’t worry, Sunshine. I’ll be brave for the both of us,” he laughed in to her hair. How could she be mad at him? Hancock was beaming when he felt Sole smile against his chest.

MacCready: “Just freaking great.” MacCready was a baby about the whole thing. He didn’t know how to approach the situation. Being pressed against Sole like that was the same shock as being thrown in a pool of ice water. He would have liked to mentally prepare himself for a cute comeback instead of finding himself against the woman he was wild about. When Sole looked up at him with concern, his expression softened. “We’re okay,” he reassured. MacCready swallowed his pride and ran a thumb across Sole’s chin. “Just stay quiet. Sorry if I smell kinda bad.” He really did.

Preston: “Oh, uhm. I didn’t know this would be such a tight squeeze.” Preston’s voice was a little concerned. He didn’t want Sole to think he had led her to the closet just to be physical with her. Sole obviously knew Preston wasn’t that much of a dog. She crinkled her nose and reassured him that she completely trust his intentions. That was good, Preston thought, because he was shaking like a leaf and was going to blame it on the fear of being caught.

Piper: Piper was the most fidgety of the two women. She was trying to pull her chest away from Sole’s, but there was barely room for just one of them. “I’m tryn’ to make it not awkward,” Piper insisted. “But by saying that I probably just made it even weirder, huh?” Sole laughed, and then gunners caught them. “Oh no, now it’s awkward.”

Nick: Nick felt absolutely mortified. He didn’t want his first close encounter with Sole to be so… forward. Sole saw Nick nervously look around the room as if he could escape out of the ceiling, so she tapped his chest and reassured him that they wouldn’t be trapped long. He placed his hat on Sole’s head so he wouldn’t have to keep looking down at her big, doey eyes. They were both total dorks about it.

X6-88: X6 was programmed for stealth, so the situation they found themselves in didn’t bother him. He actually snaked an arm around Sole’s back to make sure he didn’t lose her in the dark, and could adequately protect her if the gunners broke in. His stoic expression calmed Sole down, but his heart beating wildly in his chest was a dead give-away that X6 was actually pretty flustered.

Bonus!Gage: Gage had been trying to avoid physical contact with Sole ever since he caught feelings for her. They were lucky she was small enough to squeeze against his muscly chest, but unlucky because Gage was about to make things uncomfortable. “Don’t you fart in here or nothn’,” he grumbled. “Otherwise I’m thrown’ yer ass out for the gunners. I don’t care if yer the Overboss or not.” What a bully.

[zirawrites]

Compainsions react to accidentally walking in on Sole taking a bath/shower. Because, honestly, we all know Sole would have a hard time in the wasteland and it's nice to get clean every once in a while.

Cait: It’s a rarity when Cait actually bathes, and she likes to make the process go as quickly as possible. While Sole and her were held up in an abandoned neighborhood, they were both shocked to see it still had running water. Cait wasted no time throwing open the curtain to get the shower over with. She let out a scream as Sole hastily tried to cover themselves. “There are better ways to impress me, ya know!” Cait yelled as the closed the curtain. When she caught her breath, she added: “Not that I didn’t like what I saw.” Cait smiled when she heard Sole scoff.

Codsworth: While Sole was away for over 200 years, Codsworth was used to puttering around the house. He would absentmindedly clean the counters and fix the plumbing. Being so caught up in routine, he didn’t realize his master was showering in the bathroom. When he opened the door to see an equally surprised Sole, Codsworth shut his three eyes and backed out of the room. “Oh, mum/sir! I’m terribly sorry for barging in. I should have knocked.” Even as Codsworth sped down the hallway, he was still apologizing. It made Sole chuckle when she could hear him continue to groan outside.

Curie: Curie wasn’t used to regularly bathing. As a Miss Nanny, she could get away with occasionally oiling herself to get rid of excess rust. Sole had to constantly remind her to keep up her hygiene. Curie had planned out her shower meticulously after Sole salvaged her a book on puberty. It advised pre-teens how often they needed to brush their teeth, comb their hair, and change their clothes among other hygienic advice. She had a towel, fresh undergarments, a washcloth… The only thing Curie hadn’t planned on was staring Sole in the face when she opened the shower. Sole tried to cover themselves up while Curie stared back curiously. “Are mine supposed to look like that as well?” Sole wasn’t sure what part of their body Curie was referencing, and they shooed her out before giving themselves a chance to ask.

Danse: The Prydwen was a hub of activity, especially before nightfall. Recruits were returning from training, and officers were in charge of corralling every soldier to their quarters. It was never the ideal time to sneak away for a quick shower, but Danse needed it. He had been stressed all day over various missions. 

When Danse opened the door to the communal showers, a mortified Sole stared back at him. Danse’s eyes widened, and his cheeks turned redder than a tato. It took a few seconds for Danse to finally form words. “I-I apologize s-s-soldier,” he stuttered. Danse turned his back to leave when Sole reminded him that this was a communal shower. He was allowed in there with them. Danse pretended he didn’t hear, and left. They were set to head out together in the morning, and he didn’t want to make things any more awkward.

Deacon: Deacon’s skin was set ablaze; the rash spread up from his fingertips and slowly consumed his chest. As he ran for the shower, the thin fabric of his shirt agonizingly rubbed against him. It hurt so bad Deacon tore it off mid-sprint. He wasn’t sure what the hell he touched rummaging through that dumpster, but he was clearly allergic.

He threw open the shower door and jumped in. In his painful haze, he didn’t stop to wonder why the water was already running. He was still oooh-ing and ahhh-ing as he shred away the last of his clothes. As he tossed his wig off, he silently promised never to help Tinker Tom again. Never, ever, ever, ever -

Sole just blinked back at him. They were both naked in the shower only inches apart. It was hard to read Deacon’s expression from under his shades, so Sole gave him a curt wave. “Howdy, boss,” he said. “Be a dear and hand me that sponge.”

Dogmeat: Getting Dogmeat to bathe was more difficult than taming a Deathclaw. The pooch absolutely HATED water. Most times Danse had to hold him down as Sole scrubbed his fur, which left both soaked and frustrated. Dogmeat hated making Sole tense. He was only a dog, but clearly knew when his master was upset with him. When he heard running water in Sanctuary, he assumed his master was preparing another bath. This time, Dogmeat would not let Sole down. He ran full-speed towards the house, and jumped straight in to the bathtub. It elicited a squeal from Sole, who tried to sit up in the water. Why was his friend also in the bathtub? Sole was so silly.

Hancock: There weren’t a lot of reasons for Hancock to bathe. His leathery skin seemed to repel average dirt and grime. It only took a quick soak to get him completely clean, so bathing to Hancock was more of a method of relaxation. He had the entire evening planned out. Light some candles. Play Diamond City radio. Shoot up a little Jet. Tonight was about pampering himself.

Unfortunately for him, Sole was already using the bathtub. He walked in completely naked - radio and candles in tow - and looked down at an equally bare and confused Sole. “Oh shit, sorry there, Sunshine!” he chuckled. Sole didn’t find it funny, and sunk deeper under the water. “Aw, don’t be shy. You telln’ me I can’t come in and join ya?” Sole said no.

MacCready: Someone should regularly clean this trash panda themselves, because MacCready was the grimiest in the Commonwealth. With his rotting teeth and bad breath, he still considered it a miracle Lucy had ever wanted to marry him. However, when MacCready started to notice his own funk, he figured it was time to man up and get a shower. He knew it wouldn’t do much to eliminate his natural smell, but at least he could breathe easier without being covered in so much dirt.

“Damn, Sole!” MacCready cursed. He childishly covered his face as Sole splashed them with water. Both of them were screaming at each other like bratty kids. Neither would back down. Sole ended up pruned, and MacCready still smelled.

Preston: Nothing made Preston feel more accomplished than hanging his hat up in the Castle at the end of the day after a long day of helping settlements. He had traveled from Taffington boathouse to Croup Manner delivering supplies. He set up several generators in Starlight Drive-In. Hell, he even fixed a recruitment beacon that was still picking up the Institute’s old station (which was unsettling). All Preston wanted to do was take a long, hot bath.

And definitely not walk in on Sole shaving their legs. He screamed. They screamed. He asked why they even needed to shave when they wore pants all the time. Sole rebutted with something to the effects of “because I actually get laid.” It put him in a sour mood the rest of the night.

Piper: Piper’s guilty pleasure was reading her latest issue in the bathtub. There was something about soaking in warm water that made reading more pleasurable. She already had her shirt off when she entered the bathroom; unaware Sole had just ran themselves a bath. Piper shrieked and dropped her newspaper. Sole shook their hand dry and picked it up from where they sat. Piper rushed out of the room - face blushed red - insisting they absolutely did not read their own stories in the bathroom.

Nick: “You don’t even bathe!” Sole shrieked as Nick slammed the door behind him. “How does this even happen?” Honestly, Nick was just trying to investigate the weird moaning coming from behind the door. He never thought it would be Sole singing in the shower. They were awful. He assumed geeky Travis would have a better voice. He let that be known as Sole increased their profanity at him.

Strong: Strong wanted to know why Sole liked to take off all their armor and lay in a bed of water to relax. Didn’t they know it made them extremely exposed? He confronted Sole in the bathroom as they were absentmindedly scrubbing their arms. As much as Sole shouted for him to leave, Strong continued to question them. Were’t they cold?

X6-88: Nakedness wasn’t something to be embarrassed about. X6 was more worried Sole’s lack of armor would put them at a tactical advantage, but he knew hygiene was an important part of survival. Sole asked him to stand watch outside of the bathroom while they took a brief shower. They had entered an abandoned home in Concord, and really needed to get the super mutant blood off of them.

When the water turned off, X6 asked how long it would be until they moved out again. The sun was setting, and he knew Sole’s eyesight was lacking in the dark. To his concern, Sole didn’t answer. He opened the door to make sure they were okay, and saw Sole half-naked; struggling to pull their shirt over their head. He stood in silence, trying to figure out if he should offer help or shut the door. However, there was that one time Sole told him he looked like a rejected extra from “The Matrix,” and a little payback seemed appropriate.

[zirawrites]

Hi! How do companions +Gage with crush on fem sole react when they find out she thinks she isn’t lovable because of her choices both past and present?

This is my first time writing Gage! Let me know what you think. It was harder than I thought it would be since I didn’t travel with the yellow trashcan-wearing bby that much.

Cait: Cait couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She rubbed Sole’s back as her companion blabbered on about every aspect of her life. The two women had been drinking all night, and Sole had always been an emotional drunk. Somehow they got on the topic of their pasts, and Sole immediately burst in to tears. “Nate was always disappointed in me,” she cried. “He was a soldier who worshiped the law. He disapproved of how I was a lawyer. And I know he’d hate the choices I’ve made.”

Cait scratched her head. “I have no idea what you’re talkn’ about, love,” she said. And Cait was being honest. “You’re tryn’ to take down the Institute: a bunch of shadow-assholes who terrorize families and replace people with copies of themselves. Hell, you’re like a superhero in one of those comic books. Cross my heart.”

Her words didn’t soothe Sole much. “I’ve killed, Cait. Even if they deserved it, I know Nate wouldn’t be able to stomach me.” Sole drunkenly hiccuped as she poured another glass. “I don’t deserve another chance at love. I just don’t.”

Exasperated, Cait had heard enough. She stood up to look down at weeping Sole; her arms crossed tightly and mouth in a tight frown. “Now wait just a damn minute!” she yelled. “You’re a hero in the Commonwealth. I know I ain’t one to talk. And hell, I’m not sure how uptight those pre-war assholes were about heroism. But I’ll be damned if I let you talk bad about yourself.” Cait crouched down in front of Sole and moved a strand of tear-soaked hair from her face. “If anythn’, you’re absolutely perfect.”

Codsworth (synth): The two friends were making breakfast in Sole’s Sanctuary home just like the pre-war days. The sun was shining, Diamond City radio was playing, and Codsworth told his usual stiff English jokes. For a moment, Sole forgot all about the nuclear fallout. Life was just as it used to be, but instead of Codsworth being a Mr. Handy, he was a well-dressed man who cared about cleanliness and the art of perfecting toast.

“Oh, mum,” Codsworth said as he handed her a plate, “it’s just like the old days. I do miss having more arms to tidy the ol’ homestead, but I’m definitely not complaining.” He liked having the new responsibilities of keeping himself fashionable. Compared to Sole who sat opposite of him at the table, he was adorned in almost pre-war garb. It was adorable.

“I wish we could recreate those days,” Sole admitted. She absentmindedly stirred the eggs on her plate, and Codsworth immediately noticed her anxiety. “I’m not the woman I used to be. How would I be able to get a date after all I’ve done in this world? There aren’t a lot of eligible bachelors aching for a murderer.”

Codsworth knew she was picturing the Institute in flames. Gunners shot down from where she sniped. Raiders running for their lives. All the injured settlers she couldn’t save. Instead of sitting down with Sole, Codsworth walked around the table to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Oh, mum,” Codsworth soothed. He wanted to cry, but wouldn’t let Sole see him like that. “The Commonwealth is blessed to have you. You aren’t a murderer. You’ve saved countless lives when you placed your own principles over a faction bent on genocide.” When Sole softened her expression, Codsworth’s tightened his grip. “The men in this new world aren’t gentlemen. They’re fixated on caps and mercenary work. It’s absolutely deplorable. You deserve so much more than that. Someone who appreciates your loyalty to justice. Your gentleness and empathy. Your -”

“And you deserve someone who appreciates your amazing eggs and charm.” Sole had cut Codsworth off, and a bright blush spread across his cheeks. He forgot what other compliment he was going to add.

Curie: “I cannot believe what I am hearing,” Curie gasped. The two women had been discussing their perfect utopia. Curie’s was one where science was held to the highest esteem and education was a right for every child. Sole dreamed of a world that aimed for total peace. There would be no racism. No one would be prejudice against ghouls or synths. And people like her wouldn’t exist. Curie was having none of it, and Sole had never seen her so upset. “You are a martyr to peace in the Commonwealth! I have looked up to you ever since you found me a human body and taught me about the real world.” It was true: Curie idolized Sole in every way possible. “If your utopia doesn’t include someone as smart and beautiful as you, then I do not want to live in it.”

Sole pulled back her head in shock. “What do you mean beautiful?”

Curie blushed and tried to stammer her way out of the mess she made. “I just meant that…. I mean… you are so kind and generous to people just eking out a living that I…” She never really did form a complete thought after that.

Danse: Sole had never seen Danse out of his power armor, and he was quite the sight to behold. The Brotherhood had recently taken down a raider operation which freed a large portion of settlements. It was such an impressive feat that Maxon allowed Danse and his men a night off to be civilians. The unanimous vote was to go out drinking. As the soldiers harassed the bartenders and drunkenly danced all over one another, Danse watched from the shadows. He had been nursing the same bottle of beer all night.

When Danse saw Sole walking towards him, he fumbled over his feet to meet her across the bar. He had never seen her in… was that a dress? It was rather conservative for a night out - down to her ankles and fastened with plastic buttons - but she looked beautiful. “Why aren’t you dancing with the others?” he asked her. “You deserve a night off more than anyone else here. If I recall correctly, it was you who found the raiders’ base. You interrogated their leader. I thought you’d be waist deep in free booze by now, soldier.”

“Oh, I’m not a big drinker,” Sole said. Was she blushing? Danse hoped he wasn’t. “And besides, I was just about to head back to the Prydwen. I really just wanted to dance. But everyone at the bar knows why we’re here. I’m sure a lady notorious for slitting raiders’ throats isn’t exactly charming. I’m not fooling anyone with this dress.”

Without even meaning to, Danse extended his hand towards Sole. They both seemed equally surprised. “That’s nonsense, Sole,” he said; a smile spreading across his face. The jukebox flipped on a new song, and everyone at the bar headed to the small dance floor. “I hope this isn’t too forward but… May I have this dance?” 

Deacon: It had been a month since Deacon told Sole about his late wife. He wasn’t entirely sure she believed him, but that was understandable. Sole had been nothing but loyal to Deacon, while he soiled their friendship at every turn with lies and tricks. Baring his all to his partner took some of the burden off his shoulders, but it wasn’t enough. It probably would never be enough. He didn’t deserve a friend like Sole.

“Hey partner.” Deacon was leaning against the desk in HQ when Sole returned from a mission. She knew whatever he had to say must have been serious because he was using the same soft infliction he had when he talked about Barbara. “I’ve been thinking… I sprung a lot on your plate a few weeks ago. Are we okay? Like, I didn’t scare ya off or anything? Because I’m not used to being so honest. You don’t need to be okay with what I’ve done.”

Sole stepped as close as she could to Deacon without physically touching him. The small space between them made him dizzy. Good dizzy? Was that even a thing? “Deac, you don’t ever need to worry about that. I appreciate you being so open about your past. If anything, I think it’s brought us closer together. I know what it’s like to feel like you don’t deserve to be loved. After choosing the Railroad over my son and the amount of blood on my hands… hell, I don’t even deserve having you in my life.”

Sole gasped as Deacon pulled her in to his chest. For not being the hugging type, Deacon held her so tight her tip-toes barely scraped the floor. She mumbled something in to his shirt, but he couldn’t hear. “Shut up,” he whispered. If he came to his senses, he might let go of Sole and run away forever. And he definitely didn’t want that.

Hancock: Hancock placed his hand on the small of Sole’s back as they waved at Billy from the streets. They had just returned the young ghoul to his family, and Hancock couldn’t be more proud of Sole’s selflessness. She was able to calm the child down well enough to find his family, and resist the temptation of selling him in to slavery. He couldn’t hold her to a higher affinity if he tried.

When Billy shut the door, Hancock turned to Sole. He could barely make out her features from the darkness outside; she was dimly lit from the green glow of her Pip-Boy. And, to his surprise, Sole was frowning. “What’s wrong, beautiful?” he asked. Sole could see Hancock was frowning as well. She hadn’t meant to kill his vibe.

“Nothing,” she said. Her voice was soft and unsure. “It’s just… I guess seeing Billy’s family made me realize what I missed out on. That could have been Nate and I. Now who would want to settle down with me? I’m damaged goods.”

“Who the FUCK is sayn’ that?!” Hancock seethed. He seriously wanted to know. “Damaged goods my irradiated ass. Sole, you are everything right with this messed up world. I couldn’t be more proud of you, baby. Anyone who can’t see how perfect you are is either blind or just plain stupid.”

Sole was used to Hancock’s pet names, but never felt him hold on to her that tight. She cleared her throat and chuckled as Hancock sheepishly let go of her waist. He was blushing so hot anyone within fifteen feet of him would need to take some RadAway.

MacCready: Sole had a way with bartering that MacCready deeply admired. She managed to get an entire shipment of ammunition for Sanctuary for a third of what Diamond City charged. As the two of them set out to find a caravan to carry the supplies, he wanted to blow some smoke up Sole’s ass. She deserved it.

“You should have seen yourself back there!” MacCready said. “You’re like a cap-saving goddess. Can you get me a discount on hats? Mine is kinda falling apart.” Sole giggled at his compliments, which made MacCready’s heart skip a beat. He had never heard her laugh like that. It was something he wanted her to do again. “Seriously, Sole. How are you single? You could walk up to any guy at a bar and by the end of the night swindle yourself right in to a wedding ring.”

Sole didn’t laugh at that one. She slowed her pace enough to make a lump in MacCready’s throat. “I’m still single because nobody wants me like that,” Sole admitted. “I’m a good barterer and leader, but partner? Not so much.”

“That bullsh- bullcrap!” MacCready yelled. His voice was loud enough to attract the attention of a few drifters. “Who wouldn’t wanna marry you? Sole, don’t talk about yourself that way. I admire the heck outta you. And not just because you saved me a ton on ammo.” He wanted to keep gushing about Sole, but he had word-vomited enough for one day. Sole didn’t giggle, but she blushed. That was close enough for him.

Preston: Well, this was a first for both of them. While checking on a settlement, one of the women went in to labor. Other settlers explained that her husband had died from illness a month ago, and none of them knew how to deliver a baby. Sole immediately jumped in to help. Preston was in charge of calming her down while Sole did the dirty work. Luckily for everyone, the woman wasn’t in labor for even eight hours. The baby girl was delivered healthy, and her middle name was now Sole’s first one. It was touching.

Sole was cleaning herself up when Preston entered the shack to check on her. “You were really brave today, General,” he said. “I couldn’t have done that without you. You probably saved that mother’s life.” Sole smiled, but she didn’t respond. “Aren’t you proud of yourself?” Preston thought Sole would be gleaming, especially since she was also a mother.

“It makes me sad,” Sole admitted. She looked at her feet as she spoke. “I’ll never have another baby. I love Shaun with all my heart, but I always wanted a big family.” Preston asked Sole why she was so certain she’d never be pregnant again. It wasn’t like Sole was that old… well, physically. “No one would want to raise a family with me, Preston. Not after the choices I’ve made. I’m a different person than I used to be. A worse person, really.”

“That’s a lie!” Preston’s voice was louder than he expected. He drew in a deep breath to calm down, and then took a step closer. “Sole, you’re a fantastic mom. You’ve sacrificed everything to find your son. And I know you would make the best wife. No one is as selfless and brave as you. That’s how you gained the trust of the Minutemen. That’s how you earned my admiration.” With that, Preston placed a kiss on Sole’s cheek. It was unexpected, but not unappreciated.

Piper:  Piper had interviewed Sole when she was searching for Shaun, so it only seemed appropriate to do one after the Institute fell. The two women sat in her office and sipped brandy that Nick had generously donated just for the occasion. Piper wanted to know she wasn’t just doing this for publicity. Sole was her best friend, and deserved closure after her horrific discovery.

“Whenever you’re ready, I want to start off by asking you what you want the Commonwealth to know about Shaun. Not as leader of the Institute, but as the son you raised.” Piper readied her pen, but Sole didn’t speak. Instead, she took a long drink, and played with the hem of her shirt. “Is everything okay, Sole?” Piper asked. “We don’t have to do this right now. Or we can skip that question. I have a lot of other ones that have more to do with you than Shaun.”

“I didn’t try hard enough,” Sole mumbled. There were tears threatening to roll down her flushed cheeks. “Shaun deserved a better mother. Nate deserved a better wife. The Commonwealth is too good for me, Piper. I couldn’t save my family, so how am I supposed to save others? I don’t deserve your friendship. I don’t deserve anyone’s love.”

Piper couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her usual reaction was to get dramatic. Sole half-expected her to jump out of her seat in hysterics for the pep-talk of a lifetime. Instead, Piper’s expression softened, and she reached out to hold Sole’s hand. It was softer than she thought it would be. “I have a new question for you. Strictly off the record.” She ran her thumb over Sole’s knuckles and hoped Sole couldn’t hear her heart beating violently in her chest. “Do you know how much I personally admire you? Because I don’t have enough paper to make an article on all that.”

Nick: Living in Diamond City wasn’t always easy, especially being a synth. Even though he found missing loved ones almost every week, the citizens side-eyed him when they thought he couldn’t see. Children pulled on his jacket when they knew they could out-run him. Women laughed behind his back after he paid them a compliment. Sometimes it felt like Sole was the only one who saw him as his own man.

As luck would have it, Sole volunteered to help Nick sort out cases when Ellie caught a cold. She knew he was more than capable of organizing his own work, but the two friends would make any excuse to spend time together. Nick handed Sole a folder about a missing woman. Her husband had come in a week ago asking Nick for help, but the case had eventually gone cold. “He was hysterical when he came in the office,” Nick recollected. “His eyes were red and swollen from crying. I’ve never seen a man more down on his luck. It took hours to calm Ellie down, poor girl. Seein’ a guy that worried made all our stomachs churn.”

“I wish someone cared about me that much,” Sole said. She continued to thumb through the file, not realizing what she said was unusual. 

“What does that mean?” Nick asked. He took the folder from Sole’s hands, and she pretended to pout. “I’m serious, Sole. Why do you think no one would go lookn’ for you?”

“I’m not really worth it, I guess,” she said. “You have a purpose here in Diamond City. You do a lot of good for a lot of people, Nick. But me? All I’ve done is tear people down. Hell, I couldn’t even help my own son. You wouldn’t honestly risk your neck for me.”

Nick was partially insulted, but mostly surprised. He thought Sole knew how wild he was about her. He wanted to spend all his time with her either solving cases or drinking at the Third Rail talking about a better future for the Commonwealth. “Don’t fill your head with silly ideas,” he said. His face was stern, but his words were sweet. “I’d go to the ends of the Earth if I knew I’d keep you safe.” That was unexpected, but Nick didn’t want to take it back. It earned him a soft hand-squeeze from Sole, and an appreciative smile.

X6-88: Sole needed a break outside of the Institute after realizing Shaun was its leader. X6 was sworn to protect her, and didn’t hesitate to follow her back to Sanctuary. He had learned a lot about Sole from the excess time they spent traveling together. She cared about random settlers, even when they had nothing to give her in return. Whenever someone tried to hold her up for caps, she listened to their tragic backstories and was able to convince them to change their ways. Everything spoiled in the Commonwealth seemed to sweeten when she was around.

“FUCK THIS!” Sole’s shaky voice pulled X6 out of his thoughts. He readied his firearm, assuming they were under attack. Instead, he saw Sole kick over a trashcan. She was fuming. “He was the last person I thought I had left and he doesn’t even know me!” Sole was obviously talking about Shaun. Instead of trying to correct her, X6 let her vent. “It’s like he isn’t even my son anymore. He’s not the kind of man Nate and I wanted to raise. He commits genocide. He terrorizes the Commonwealth. And if he… if he doesn’t love me…” Sole used the back of her hand to childishly wipe her tears. “No one does.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” X6′s voice was cool as always, but his words didn’t match his usual demeanor. “You are a beacon of hope in this world. I have never seen you put yourself before anyone else. I am sure that as you and Father grow closer, you will come to realize there are many people who care about you.” A pause. “Including me.”

Bonus!Gage: Bloodied and bruised. It was how Sole always seemed to come back to Fitzztop Grille. Whether she was out scouting for the raiders or just got in a regular ol’ fight, Gage could expect Sole to be beaten to a pulp by the end of the day. As she stumbled in at the end of the night, Gage was already waiting at the top of the elevator. Except this time, Sole was hurt. Bad.

“Well shit, boss!” He was actually pissed off. It was hard enough watching Sole walk off by herself and straight towards danger every day. Gage didn’t know why, but he had this insatiable desire to protect her. Maybe he just admired her skills, right? But instead of greeting his friend with some patronizing words, he watched her hold her eye that was swollen shut. Sole’s clothes were ripped, and he could see bruises across her ribs. As soon as she stepped in to the room she stumbled forward. Gage hoisted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. “Did you let every raider south of Kiddie Kingdom take a crack at you?” He was trying to sound mildly annoyed, but the worry in his eyes was telling. Good thing Sole couldn’t see him with her blurry vision.

“I got jumped coming home,” she wheezed. Her voice sounded fragile. If Gage got too angry, he could shatter her. “Don’t w-waste… your breath on me, Gage. Just go home. I can take care… take… care of m-m-myself.” He noticed she was shivering. And since it was hot as balls outside, it had to be from the pain. “Nobody deserves to pick up my pieces.”

“Aw, shut the hell up,” he growled. “You’re so fuckn’ dramatic, you know that?” Gage pulled out the first-aid kit from behind the bar and rolled out some gauze for Sole’s wounds. “You already know I’m in your corner. So quit your crocodile tears and strip. It’s gonna take this whole roll to bandage your sorry ass up.” That was actually the kindest thing Gage had ever said to her. And even when Sole took off her clothes, he avoided looking her over. It didn’t seem fair since she couldn’t catch him. Where was the fun in not getting smacked by his favorite girl?