Come Back to Me..
The courier has to visit Zion National Park and a certain companion isn't happy about it, but she isn't sure why.
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Cass fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, trying to not show how uncomfortable she was in the luxury suit of the Lucky 38 casino as her companion organized their weapons and talked to the eyebot that followed them around. The woman in front of her was humming to a song playing from their pipboy as she considered which supplies to take. Finally, Cass spoke up.
"So, uh, where you heading again?"
"Some place called Zion? It's supposed to be the remnants of a pre-war park, and apparently it's really pretty!" Ollie smiled over her shoulder at her as she placed something else in the storage box. "Just have to limit my stuff, apparently there's a limit to how much I can bring. Should I bring my shotgun?"
"Take it, you let enemies get too close anyway," Cass joked, laughing as Ollie scrunched her nose. "What time are we heading out then?" The mood in the room shifted as Ollie halted, shoulders tensing before drooping. She stood, sighing a little before turning to face the redhead. Cass cocked an eyebrow, asking, "Is everything okay?"
"Cass, I'm sorry, but I'm not able to bring anyone with me."
Cass looked into those familiar blue eyes and felt anger bubbling up. Stepping back, she shook her head. "That's not funny. When are we leaving?"
"Cass.." Ollie reached forward, their voice soft. "I tried, believe me I tried asking, but that was the rule: I can't have too many items, and I can't have anyone come with me-"
"And you're still going? How many times have I saved you! How many times have you been in a dangerous spot and ED-E and I have gotten you to safety! You need someone with you!" She was yelling now, cheeks burning. "No, you can't go."
Now it was Ollie's turn to be angry. "Oh, you get to decide where I get to go? Think I can't handle myself? Just because you've helped me, you suddenly get to dictate my choices? I never asked for your help, and I never expected it. I accepted your help and offered mine because we're friends. But I can make my own choices. If you don't want to stay here, fine. Stay the night, but in the morning you can leave." Her eyes burned with tears, regretting the bite in her voice. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself before speaking again. "When you leave, just leave a note telling me where you went. I'll come find you when I get back."
"Fine. I don't like staying in this place anyway, surrounded by cold robots and drunk people wasting caps. I'm going to bed." Cass turned on her heel and stormed out, slamming the guest room door behind her. Tears stung her eyes as she wiped them away, hurt and anger and frustration making her mutter as she ripped off her shoes and threw them at the wall, flinching at the loud THUD. Flopping onto the bed, she sighed shakily as she tried to fight the tears. "Just go to sleep, and in the morning she'll be gone."
But I don't want her gone.
She wasn't used to someone like her: always helping whenever anyone asked, going out of their way to do so most times. She was reckless, hopeful, tender, yet strong. To be so gentle and trusting with those in need, yet demolish their enemies without flinching. Her jokes, her laughter, her eyes. Cass hadn't traveled with anyone like the courier in years, and the protectiveness was a new feeling. What if they got hurt? What if they're cornered, or something bad happens? Or a bad pain flare happens? Or if this whole "Zion" thing is a trap?
The thoughts swirled like a dust tornado, filling her head with anxiety till she took another deep breath, digging a bottle of whiskey out of her pack but stopping as she brought the bottle to her lips. No, this isn't right. I can't keep hiding. Why am I so angry? After all, they were friends. Just friends. Sure, Cass had caught those eyes lingering a little too long, or seen how Ollie scooted closer in the cold evenings, but that's just because she was cold. Even those times that they remembered little facts and went out of their way to find gifts for her, that's just normal friend stuff, right? The way her heart fluttered when she heard that laugh? Or desperately wanting to feel their lips against hers? Or to hold her in her arms, playing with those curls she loved? Normal friend stuff, right? Right?
"Oh," she muttered, realization dawning only to be washed away by embarrassment. "Oh no."
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Ollie laid in bed, finally feeling the fatigue hit her bones as the tears dried up. That was the first argument she'd ever had with Cass, and for some reason it hurt more than it should. Sure, they had been traveling for a month together, shared laughs and jokes, terrifying moments, gazes that lingered a little too long, but this? This was a surprise. Stop it, you'll just cry again.
How long had it been since she heard the door slam? The sound of those familiar boots, usually stirring the dust as they walked next to her, slamming against the wall angrily? Their heart ached at how the conversation ended, but ached even more at the knowledge that anything else said would make it worse. They shifted in bed, unable to sleep comfortably alone. They were used to the nights on the open road, sleeping under the watchful eye of her companions, but sleeping in this suite felt cold and empty. ED-E was beeping gently in the hallway, Cass was in her own room, and Ollie felt too alone.
Just as she was accepting the suppressive blanket of darkness, a gentle click! of the doorknob turning filled the silence. In the dark, Ollie dared not move as someone walked into the bedroom. By the footsteps alone, they knew. The comforter slid away partially, the bed behind them dipping as someone sat down. The familiar smell of sunbaked whiskey and gunpowder hit her senses as Cass eased into the bed next to her, pulling the blanket up as she scooted close to Ollie's exposed back from the nightgown she had on. A chill ran down her spine as those hands they had stared at countless times pressed against their skin, her breath ghosting the back of her neck. The two laid still, afraid to disturb the moment: Ollie facing the wall, and Cass pressed against their back.
Finally, Cass built up the courage and snaked an arm around their waist. Almost instinctively, Ollie slotted her fingers between the sniper's and gave a gentle squeeze. They were rough from years of hard work, but had a sturdiness to them. Cass scooted closer, pressing her warm frame against their small one, grazing her lips against the freckles on their back. Voice barely louder than a whisper, she broke the silence.
"Please, don't go."
Ollie squeezed their eyes closed, willing the tears to not fall. The hand locked in hers shook gently before squeezing reassuringly.
"I can't make you stay," Cass whispered. "But please. Please come home to me."
Rubbing their thumb against hers, Ollie sighed.
"I promise."
