*holds you at gunpoint* gimme 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14, and 24 with my redbulls
*stuffing redbulls into your duffle bag* just take it easy many i got your redbulls right here
(read more post bc this will probably be Long)
1. What drew your character to their LI and vice versa?
Butch initially became attracted to Redmond following him saving his mother from getting eaten by radroaches, and realized that this guy he’s held contempt for during his teenage years is actually pretty cool. The feeling comes back stronger following Redmond’s return to the vault and Butch views him as a hero for killing the Overseer, even if Redmond thinks he’s the furthest thing from it. It doesn’t develop into a real crush until Redmond stops him from drinking himself to death and takes him on as his travelling companion.
Redmond associated Butch with being that asshole who bothered him incessantly growing up, so I suppose when that’s no longer an issue he sees him for what he actually is - charming in his own stupid way and boyishly handsome. Romantic feelings (or what he has of them) don’t develop until later, and he’s initially only drawn to his looks.
2. What was the first moment that they knew they were in love with their LI?
Redmond had that 3-day-long moment of “I think I might love you” following his return from The Pitt and being back in Rivet City seemed like a luxury to him, and he’s real sick with radiation poisoning for about a week afterwards. Butch, who missed him and is luckily the only person there for him, helps take care of him as he recovers and when he can’t really do basic human things on his own because he’s weak and recovering. He probably has this realization while Butch is doing something ridiculously mundane like handing him food or giving him RadAway. The idea doesn’t last long though and soon he’s back to feeling guilty and angry for trying to move on from Amata.
4. Their favorite physical feature on each other?
Butch thinks Redmond’s scar makes him look badass and ruggedly handsome. He also thinks he’s got a cute smile but it’s not like he sees it very much. When he does though, it makes him melt.
Redmond thinks Butch has a great jawline and beautiful eyes. Don’t tell him he said that.
5. How do they comfort each other when they are sad?
Butch tries to console Redmond himself and always tries to find a solution when there often isn’t an immediate one available, which sets Redmond off a little and makes him feel worse. He eventually learns to not try interfering directly, but rather just tell him he’s sorry it’s happening and he holds him or lies against him if he doesn’t mind until it passes.
Redmond has a hard time expressing comfort. Like a shockingly hard time. He genuinely does try and make an effort to distract Butch with something else, or give him a rational input to his emotions, but mostly he can only sit there awkwardly with him and make himself feel bad for not knowing what to do.
6. Who is the big spoon?
Butch lies against/on Redmond more and clings to him a lot but Redmond is always the big spoon when the situation calls for it.
13. How do they react at being away from each other?
When Redmond is off doing odd jobs with another companion or the Fallout 3 DLCs, Butch usually feels very lonely since Redmond is the only familiar thing he’s got out here. He’ll sit in Rivet City drinking a lot to keep his mind off him, or he’ll be offering to cut someone’s hair to get some stylist experience outside of the vault. I’d say at one point he visits the vault again when Redmond’s off on a long trip away, but he probably doesn’t stay long. It’s uncomfortable.
Usually when away, Redmond’s mind is occupied with survival or whatever the task at hand is. His mind drifts to Butch at night and realizes he does actually miss having him sleep next to him or held close against him. But mostly at night he is feeling bad and he would instead be occupied with thinking about Amata or his father and wallowing in guilt.
14. Is their anything they associate with each other?
Butch: (points at anything even vaguely romantic or involving a couple) usRedmond: (sighs)
But, they don’t associate eachother with anything significant except a mutual feeling of home within eachother, since both are the only things they have relating to their old lives out in the wasteland. This evenually becomes too much for Redmond.
24. Is their any moment that happens between them that you know happens and just makes you melt?
Honestly the sweetest moment is probably the aforementioned dying-after-the-pitt-but-my-boyfriend-takes-care-of-me. But they have a few nice times together, like having their first heartfelt conversations in bed at night and it sticks with Butch for a long time. I’m sorry I actually don’t know any other Extremely Soft moments with them fdhhfd the ship is heavily based on angst.
