o-rusted-heart

[o-rusted-heart]

If he had much of an ego to fan, it would certainly be blooming at how she reacted. It was all a simple sort of gift, yes, but quiet moments like these were a luxury here in the Commonwealth, and Nick would treat her to as much of that luxury as he could afford.

Dinner was ready relatively soon; thankfully there was only one or two flames to tamp down, but the food came out well enough. It was neatly plated, for all that it might have been seasoned with a robot's palette.

The 'dining room' up on the roof was set nicely, sheltered by the awning from the slightest nip of cool night air. Candles, a nice tablecloth, and a couple potted flowers sat between them. It was for courtesy that Nick set an empty plate out in front for himself, if only so he could participate.

"So... go easy on me, if you could," the synth chuckled. "I haven't cooked proper in a long time, but... I found some old recipes, translated them as best I could."

“I mean, if you’re offering,” she teased back. She couldn’t decide if it would be funnier for to successfully do a cartwheel or to just try really hard. “It might ruin your grizzled detective image, though.”

She wasn’t prepared for the emotions that swelled in her at the sight of everything he had already gotten ready. He had really planned this out. For some reason the thought made her heart turn to mush and tears start to form in the corners of her eyes. It was probably because he had done it all by himself just for her. He didn’t even eat but he was still making dinner just for her. “Oh, Nick,” she breathed. “That will be perfect.”

#butnobodyhome

[o-rusted-heart]

#GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GA #i'm dying of gay #terminal #it's tERMINal

[o-rusted-heart]

Nick leaned back in his chair, listening pensively at the brutal story handed to him. His brow knit in a moment of concern, but ultimately he'd seen weirder than this. Sort of.

"Damn," the synth murmured, "that... had to be one hell of a package to get killed over. I'm-- I'm sorry that happened to you, Mr. Hobbs."

"You know what it was?"

"I was paid to deliver something up to New Vegas a while ago. Some sort of package," he says, leaning back int he chair. "During the delivery, something went wrong somehow and I ended up in a shallow grave in Goodsprings. Shot in the head. Left to die - took one of those damned Securitron's to drag me out. Woke up 'bout a week later on a slab thanks to some Doctor. Alive - though, worse for wear."

That was about the long and short of it, but rather, short of it as going into details as to why he was shot and the mess that followed and why was something best left for another time.

#ncrcouriersechs #New Vegas AU .

[o-rusted-heart]

"I'm bein' genuine, John."

"You're too hard on yourself. Maybe folks like you so much for a reason." A pause, and his head tilted. "Maybe I like you so much for a reason."

( @o-rusted-heart ) // cont.

` cataracts and all? the old boy knows just what to say, even if the claims some sort of lack of skill in the flattery area. john doesn't see it. not when every bit of nick's attention sends him higher than a particularly potent mentats dose. complimentary or otherwise. those big beautiful eyes squint with the power of his smile as he glances aside. if not for the ruined color of his battered flesh, he might have blushed.

` " aww, nicky — and you say flirting ain't your strong suit. I think you've been holding out on me. "

#triickst / Hancock

[o-rusted-heart]

It was a familiar look in her eyes-- haunted and weary , one he saw in far too many of his clients. Reflex was to wrap an arm around her once he saw that wobble in her knees, but Nick held himself back, electing instead to keep himself poised in case she went over.

"Well, I've got a bed with your name on it back at the office, alright?" He was already leading her back that way, slow and careful. "I'll keep working. You get some sleep."

She didn’t have much doubt in the fact that he was indeed a good detective, since several folk had recommended for her to seek him out in spite of the troubles weighing on her shoulders. Nora had to admire his dedication and skills when it came to his line of work so she was at least comfortable with following his lead for the time being as they poked their heads around Kellogg’s old residence.

She wasn’t completely oblivious to the fact that he’d been watching her closely but chose to overlook it as she turned her attention to one of the cigarettes that Kellogg had barely begun smoking but left in an ashtray, deciding to pocket it as a trail for later, with Dogmeat in mind.

“I’m just tired.” The ex-lawyer murmured, coming to a sudden halt and rubbing at her eyes with the back of her hand, legs a little wobbly beneath her. “I’ll manage after I get some sleep.”

#arvanumsolitude / Nora #good place to end and start another thread?

[o-rusted-heart]

The comment drew the slightest smile, somewhere between sheepish and amused. Most men would be fairly uncomfortable romantically following up an ultra-powerful billionaire, but putting the entire apocalypse as a buffer between them made it a bit easier for Nick.

Besides, he'd clocked how she seemed to squirm every time House was mentioned-- memories weren't always fond.

"Well... consider me a bit subtler than the last fella," Nick teased gently, "but if you'd like a big spectacle, I can try to do some cartwheels or something..."

His office already smelled like fresh produce, everything prepared by the hot plate and ready to go. Nick seemed eager to get started, if a bit nervous by the way he worked meticulously. At least the bulk of prep work had been done-- really all he needed to do was not set his house on fire when he cooked up the produce.

"Table's up on the roof. I, uh... realized a little late that I don't have a dining room. So we're going al fresco, if that's okay."

Romance was second nature to Anna. Having a normal relationship, less so. As normal as it could be with two ancient science experiments, anyways. If there was anyone she wanted to be normal with, though, it would be Nick.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a dinner date for my birthday,” she confessed, taking his arm. “It always needed to be some big spectacle.” She couldn’t think of anything she’d rather have than time with him.

#butnobodyhome

[o-rusted-heart]

Gotta let a girl eat before you eat her 😔

"Lewd."

Not inaccurate, though.

#WOWWWWWW

[o-rusted-heart]

Nick was surprisingly fast for someone made of metal-- it was the virtue of not getting winded. It helped that he was quite excited to see the sky again.

He didn't stop until it was there over him, stars shining from above the alleyway they'd emerged into. His face turned towards the sky and his eyes closed for a moment of bliss. He took in a deep breath and let it out in a puff of stale air.

"...Ah... they were just bein' polite. It's good for the image, but pretty rough for the client when they get that, uh... sticker-shock, so to speak."

"Never mind that-- thanks for savin' my bacon back there. You're not bad in a tough spot, huh?" He shifted to offer a hand, his good one, in a more official handshake. "...Vault 137, huh? That where you're from?"

‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒ The vaultie released a quiet, relieved sigh, and, as Nick retreated, so did they, but did not release Darla until they were just at the exit of the vault; then unceremoniously released her hair and shoved her to the ground, before taking off, right at the detective's heels.

"God, for a second there I thought they were all gonna shoot me regardless of the meat shield," Yunae spoke as they climbed the ladder after the synth. Finally, after searching for who knew how long, they finally had someone who could help them find their vault; they were one step closer to going home.

"Now then, now that we're in a... well, safer than before location, I need your help finding Vault 137; as you can see, I'm very lost." They hoped this Valentine character was as good of a sleuth as everyone who recommended him said he was. Speaking of which...

"Ah, not to be rude but I kind of would like to address the elephant in the room-- out of all the folks in Diamond City that spoke of you, nobody told me you were a robot."

#unfortunatedarling

[o-rusted-heart]

Are you and Anna gonna do it or what

"Sheesh. Let me get a dame dinner first, alright?"

"She's a classy woman. You know-- dates, flowers, romance? That's part of it."

God, does he look nervous.

#finna blue screen i swear

[o-rusted-heart]

"hey, valentine..." red-painted lips curl into her signature dangerous grin, but the light in her eyes is warm and genuine. nora wraps her hand around his tie and tugs him down to her level. her gaze lingers on his face, searching his features, before she closes the distance and gives him a gentle kiss.

Most folks wouldn't be able to tug him around-- the old synth might as well have been rooted to the ground by the soles of his shoes. But it helped if he moved too, and when Nora tugged on his tie it was a reflex to move with it.

Granted he hadn't expected her to kiss him. Evidently the Great Clockwork Dick could be taken by surprise, if the wide eyes and the sound of whirring servos said anything about it.

He was left blinking, lips parted.

"...Well. Isn't that a fine howd'ya do."

#intoknives #i love this i love this i love this i lo

[o-rusted-heart]

((OK IMMA GO FOR IT)) “Hey, uh, Mr. Valentine… Has anybody ever been able to lift you before? Like, are you heavy? Just out of curiosity.”

"Me...?" Nick looks down at his companion with a furrowed brow and what might've been the beginning of a smile-- it was a personal question, but definitely an amusing one.

"Well, I've got a steel skeleton, reinforced internal shielding, and some other heavy machinery in there... so yeah, I'd say I'm pretty heavy. Don't tell my dietician, though."

"...So, uh, no. No piggy back rides in my future, unless it's from a real friendly Super Mutant."

#vault119s #he literally can't go two sentences without a quip

[o-rusted-heart]

please remember that nick's disappointed face targeted at you is his equivalent of a little kiss

#ooc . #he doesn't affection good #his stern disapproval is basically him saying 'i care u' #hi i'll be here this morning

[o-rusted-heart]

do it. do it. do it. do it. do it. d

Manhandle him tho

#ooc . #inbox is open you cowards #tip this cow

[o-rusted-heart]

Manhandle him tho

#*try to manhandle him #he is.... very heavy and very tall and very hard to move #so gdi try your best ok #ooc .

[o-rusted-heart]

@triickst......

#uwu

[o-rusted-heart]

“  They should invent a being alive that isn’t so difficult. ”

"Yeah... couldn't have worded it better myself."

Well, he probably could, but it looked like the Vault-dweller couldn't really take too many more blows, even if they were to the ego.

Ignorance out in the Wasteland was a liability, and picking up a Vaultie would certainly be seen as such-- but to Nick Valentine, a helping hand didn't wait for convenience. Besides, it wasn't like he needed to share rations when he didn't eat.

Nick stared at them from over the crackling fire set between them, his lantern-like eyes flickering in the flames. "But at least the stars are out tonight, huh?"

"Bet'cha didn't see a lot of those back home."

#vault119s #helloooooooooooo yess i love this

[o-rusted-heart]

Four years. She was right-- it was a long damn time to be alone. The pain in her voice was enough to break a heart he didn't even have, because it was so achingly familiar.

He remembered a life in the ruins, living in a shell of his old home in a body that wasn't his. Just sitting, waiting for the vain hopes that something would change or he'd just lose power and die.

And here she was on the surface, here she was looking for a kid that she didn't even know. Nick could've shed a tear if he could cry at all. But instead, he did what he could-- surely he wasn't her idea of company she could finally have, but damn if he wasn't going to do what he could for the poor woman. So he shifted closer, closing the space between them to hesitantly drape an arm over her shoulders in an invitation for an embrace.

"It's not," Nick rumbled quietly, "it's real. You ain't alone."

Nick's words are too kind, too soft, too understanding, and they kick away the precarious scaffolding Lavender had built up around her grief to keep it from spilling over. She can feel the exact moment when it buckles, a rattling wet breath pulled in as her chest trembles from the weight of it. 

"You don't have to." The words are thick, tears already blurring the ceiling above them into a smear of brown and grey. Truthfully, the vault-dweller didn't even know where to start with what she's been through over the last five or so years. With the first four being locked inside a vault that wouldn't open with anything except herself and the half-frozen bodies of everyone she'd once known. How many days had she slept curled up on the floor next to his pod? Body worn and aching from crying herself to the point of dehydration. The weight of survivor's guilt is one thing, but the crushing presence of loneliness that is nearly incomprehensible is much worse.

"We'd won a lottery draw for spots in the vault. How could we have known that--" Words dissolve into another shuddering breath, her hands making some kind of vague gesture as her voice fails. "They died, everyone died, I think, except that boy they took. Everyone keeps thinking I'm his mom, and that's why I'm looking for him. I don't want to find him. I want to find the people who killed everyone in my vault and left me alive." Anger and sadness were two sides of the same coin, and Lavender's rage at those who murdered an entire neighborhood worth of people walked hand in hand with her grief. 

"Four years is a long time to be alone. Sometimes I think I'll wake up back in the vault and all of this is some... some dream my mind is making as I go crazy."

#asmodcus / Lavender #cRYING