#nate&nora

[theartofblossoming]

6. Kiss in the Rain

It didn't matter what the weather threw at them when Nate came home. He always treasured that 'Welcome home, darling' kiss.

@fluffyfebruary

[theartofblossoming]

Once upon a time, Nate and Nora lived happily...

...but we all know how it ended.

[theartofblossoming]

2. Movie Night

@fluffyfebruary

2075 - STARLIGHT DRIVE-IN

The Green Atomic V-8 rolled up to the ticket window.

"Two, please." Staff Sergeant Vincent 'Nate' Hudson handed over several twenty dollar bills and received a key to the speaker stand.

A skinny young man with a smile that looked like he'd worn it so long it hurt waved usher flags at them as he directed them to their spot. Nora leaned forward to say a cheery 'thankyou' past her husband.

It had been over a year since they'd had a chance to get to the movies. Nate had been kept busy with military duties and during the last furlough, had been on a long biker's weekend with the MIDknights.

Vincent's mood recently had been low. He was struggling with quitting Buffout and every time he made some progress, the army had tried to force him back onto it. He kept refusing but couldn't be certain that they weren't still putting it in the soldier's food, though he wasn't about to worry his wife with that detail.

So date-night at the drive-in had been his idea, one that Nora resisted a couple of times because the movies had all had names like 'The Invasion from the Stars' or 'RALPHIE the Robot's Incredible Odyssey!'

She had hoped to catch 'Love Sets Sail' but it had just finished its run. She finally gave in when her husband pointed out that "Night of the Fishmen's Revenge!" was showing next. His face lit up and Nora glimpsed the twelve-year old he must have been, bright green eyes shining and cheeks rounded out with his wide grin - an expression she hadn't seen in far too long. Her Nate did love those silly Grognak comics and his ridiculous monster movies.

* * *

Engines were turned off; candy, popcorn and Nuka Colas were purchased from the usherettes. The sun set in perfect timing as the projector flickered to life, showcasing the usual guidelines for 'everyone's movie enjoyment', several commercials, a Vault-Tec cartoon and then finally, the main feature.

Nate put a relaxed arm around Nora's shoulders and she snuggled into the touch.

The announcer's deep, theatrical voice began poetically:

"Out of the mist and slime,

Of a time before the history of man,

Birthed from the deep of Earth's unexplored oceans,

Comes an abomination science cannot comprehend…

To menace the Earth!

And attack!"

Music swelled and Nora pecked her husband's cheek. His eyes were glued to the screen, hers caught a glimpse in the rear view mirror as she resumed her recline.

"Oh! Jenny's here, darling. You know the friend I made at the coffee shop?"

"Mm hmm."

Credits were rolling now:

Carl Dickson as - Captain Buchanan

Synthia Marsh as - Sandy FitzGerald

Kit Denning as - Doug Flanagan

Anton Collins as - the Old Fisherman

Introducing Mae Whitley as - Dottie

"Oh!" Exclaimed Nora." That's Jenny's friend from the theatre! She mentioned that Mae got into movies last year."

"Good for her," mumbled Nate around a mouthful of popcorn.

With Nikolai Barsuvian as "The Fish Man.

In "Terrorvision!"

"Looks like she's here with her fiancé, too. Quite a dapper chap…"

Nate looked over, a tiny frown on his brow. "Hon, hush wouldya please? Movie's startin'."

She giggled and made a mock zipper motion over her mouth. He leaned over and whispered (as on screen a boat was tossed about in a stormy sea and the camera zoomed in), "Well that's no good, how'm I gonna kiss ya, knockout?" and 'unzipped' it again.

They smiled warmly at each other, kissed briefly and returned their attention to the screen where the Captain of the boat - a dashing hero with a short, dark moustache and eyebrows, one preferring a high perch and one low - shouted orders to his skipper.

The music sank, dark and ominous as the hero's words reverberated through the in-car speaker:

"Like the Red Menace we face by day, these creatures of the deep dark will never give us mercy, Doug, you better believe that!"

Nora squeezed his hand. She had joked about the movie being cheesy but here she was, getting thoroughly carried along with it. Nate's gaze flicked to her illuminated face, a warm smile spreading between the arms of his bikers' moustache.

* * *

The snacks were low, the storyline at a climax. Nora was pressing into Nate's side, squeezing his hand. The heroine was in deadly peril but Vincent Nathaniel Hudson hadn't felt this safe for a long time.

I can't stand here, Doug! Not while they have Sandy! Who knows what un-American filth they could be doing to her!"

That sparked a mischievous thought from Nate of what he could get up to when they got home.

Nora's friend-of-a-friend showed up as 'Dottie', leading the Captain to the secret underwater entrance. The love-interest was rescued, the terrible monster defeated in a nail-biting tussle, the music came to a crescendo and animated curtains fell, the legend 'THE END' appearing in majestic script.

Nora turned to Nate. "Did you enjoy that, hon?"

"Not nearly as much as I'm going to enjoy repeating that rescue when I get you home!"

Nora laughed. "Vincent?" she began, quietly.

He knew she was about to say something serious when she used his first name. He silently caressed her cheek in response, waiting.

"How about we try for a baby again?"

He kissed her quickly before she could see the joyful tears well in his eyes, though she felt them on her own cheek. Pulling away, she wiped her face and smiled.

"My hero," she said.

~The End~

Notes: Carl Summers, stage name Carl Dickson, is the OC of my Real Life Romanced Companion, who also wrote the snippets of movie script for this chapter.

[theartofblossoming]

3. Adopting An Animal

2075 - SANCTUARY HILLS

Nora slid the last book onto the shelf and started to put the large empty box out with the garbage then changed her mind. She stowed it in the utility instead and looked at her watch: 10.27am. She'd better change.

Twenty minutes later she was out the door with perfect hair and makeup, a light pale green coat on with a cherry pink scarf against the Spring wind. The car started smoothly and before too long had arrived at Boston Airport, its tower gleaming in the sun.

She parked in the section set aside for officer's family and walked to the airport lounge, purchasing a La Coiffe magazine and a coffee.

Almost an hour later, Staff-Sergeant Vincent 'Nate' Hudson strode through the gate. His beret and uniform showing little signs of the long flight, though Nora could see it in his face. Nevertheless, he dropped his kitbag and flung his arms as wide as his smile. She was there in an instant, the long-awaited kiss now a warm reality.

"So good to have you back, darling! I'll bet you can't wait to get home. Guess what? I finally unpacked the last box!"

Animal artwork based on a Fallout fan's real pet below cut!

"Oh, I won't recognise the place, honey! You're right," said Nate, scooping up his pack from the floor, "I can't wait to get home… but we'll need to take a detour."

Nora's eyebrows quirked in a way that Vincent found adorable. He kissed her forehead. "You'll soon see, my darling. Let's get this in the trunk."

He took the wheel, heading over to Malden. Nora knew it was useless to try to pry any information out of her stubborn husband, so she changed the topic.

"So is there any hope of that promotion, dear? Or are you retiring from service? You've almost done your fifteen years."

"What, promotion to Sergeant First Class? Oh, they offered it to me alright. I turned it down."

"You did what!"

"I didn't like the conditions. Besides, I don't wanna become career military and end up like uncle Ryan" he added tartly. He glanced over to gauge his wife's reaction and saw only sympathy.

"They wanted me to move state and sign up for another fifteen years. As it is, things have been heating up. We've all had a mandatory two extra years of service added to our contracts."

"That's outrageous, hon! They can't do that!"

"Can and did. It'll be in the news soon but in small print. If you can find a legal reason they've overstepped, then by all means, write to my C.O. He's as pissed as the rest of us."

Nate slowed and turned into a driveway, then turned the engine off.

"Here we are."

"Isn't this Mr. and Mrs. Fischer's place?"

"Sure is. Their expecting us, come on."

The door was answered by a diminuitive lady with mostly grey hair tied in a bun.

"Vincent! Eleanora! Welcome, welcome! Uwe is round the back yard, come through, come!" said the woman with a germanic lilt.

"Thanks, Edith."

The three went through a living room that contained more doilies and crochet than either had seen in a long time.

"Keeping busy I see, Mrs. Fischer?"

"Yes, well, with Klaus oversees I needs must worry my hands over something, my dear."

Nate laid a hand gently on the older woman's arm. "Fisch'll be back next week. Sorry I couldn't get him a flight on this rotation."

"Oh, not your fault dear. Here we are. Uwe, they're here!" She shouted sternly to her husband as the back door opened. Nora stepped through to see Mr. Fischer playing with several Alsatian puppies, a big smile almost hidden in his white beard.

"Ah! Vincent! Nora you are lovely as ever. Well then, one of these three is for you!"

Nora's mouth fell in surprise. "A dog, Nate? Why, I thought we might get a little bird or a cat. Are you sure?"

Nate took his wife to one side. "Look, hon, you know I'm not so keen on birds. Cats are cool but they can't protect you when I'm not here. Besides, we have great place for a dog. Think of those beautiful morning walks around the lake, we could train it to fetch your slippers and do tricks. It'd be great company."

Nora's uncertain expression melted into a smile as she saw the puppies play and she stepped toward Nate's friend's father.

"So, who do we have here then?"

"Two boys and a girl. No names yet. This boy is lively, this one is quiet and the girl," he motioned over to where one puppy sat on an old red blanket in a wooden box, "is as sweet as apple strudel!"

Nate and Nora squatted down on the well-kept lawn and as they did so, the little girl emerged from her den, padded up to them, sniffed Nate and Nora in turn and licked their hands.

"Looks like you are the ones who have been chosen, meine Lieben!" said Mrs. Fischer, smiling.

"Oh, she's lovely." Nora turned to her husband with a scowl. "Vincent Nathaniel Hudson, how dare you ambush me with such cuteness?" Nora asked, hitting him playfully with her gloves.

He just chuckled. "I'd better let you name her, then."

"Quite so. Personally, I've always liked the name 'Millie'."

"Whuff!" said Millie, wagging her tail and rolling over.

"Oh look, dear, she has a little heart-shaped pad on her back paw!"

"Oh, don't worry about that," Uwe said. "Vet's checked her over, all healthy. He said we none of us are made perfect, hey?"

"Good job I saved that last box, isn't it, girl? We'll make you a snug and cosy bed!" Nora cooed.

* * *

2287 - RED ROCKET

"Woof!"

"Good boy, Dogmeat. Thanks for helping me with those giant molerats. Hey, know any tricks, boy?"

Dogmeat sat up on his hind paws, imitating humans. He then rolled over and Vin spotted that one of his pads was misshapen; like a little heart-shaped cushion.

"Well, look at that! Guess I found my dog after all."

End Notes

Vin already had a fic-canon friend called Fischer. I chose his parents to be the breeders before I found this fact:

"Fischer is an Alsatian surname, derived from the profession of the fisherman. The name Fischer is the fourth most common German surname." - Wikipedia

The artwork of Millie is based on @hyperion-brotherhood 's pet who is actually called Dogmeat! Thanks for the reference pic!

[theartofblossoming]

Six Sentence Sunday

Not tagged but it's Sunday!

A little teaser for one of the upcoming hashtagFluffyFebruary prompts:

"Oh, she's lovely." Nora turned to her husband with a scowl. "Vincent Nathaniel Hudson, how dare you ambush me with such cuteness?" Nora asked, hitting him playfully with her gloves.

He just chuckled. "I'd better let you name her, then."

"Quite so."

Tagging (should you wish to accept) @valkyriejack @ghoulja @emiratexaaron @tanaleth @velvet-verve @.. you!

[theartofblossoming]

Saturday Sneak Peek!

This piece has actually been completed now and those who support me on Ko-Fi are now able to see the finished artwork ahead of its scheduled FluffyFebruary release!

Pre-war Vincent 'Nate' Hudson and his girlfriend Eleanora 'Nora' Jayne Foster.