Work Text:
Covenant was lifting itself back to its feet with new set of legs. A giant teleport device was useless now that it served its purpose. By breaking it apart and selling the components gave a good head-start to build up new houses for new-comers as well as whole new community, with better security, so no other raider ambush could ever wipe out this settlement again.
Elizabeth led MacCready to the previous Mayor’s house, gladly showcasing all the new decors and structures it had from previous time she visited the place. Or more specifically broke in while investigating the suspicious residents that were no longer around.
“Some new walls have been added, giving some more privacy as well as clear sections for bedroom and dining area. Hope you don’t mind these posters, we couldn’t find anything better for now.”
MacCready glanced at the old posters of comic heroes and increased comic covers. They were ether illustrations of Grognak the Barbarian, hot women with heavy guns or people in power armor fighting monsters. On one the hallway were aliens, which brought chill to young mercenary’s spine. Some posters were a bit more new, being painted by people from current times, fantasizing about the old good times.
“The terminal is still functional, so you can have notes on whatever you like or play any game of your choosing. The old cell room has been turned into a storage room, so if you have weapons or other arsenal, you know where to keep them safe. Better not stuff it full with junk or seasonal decorations, I know we could never get them out of there back in our time.”
MacCready looked thoroughly the storage room, filled with shelves and boxes. Perfect for neat organizing. Would had been useful for him to have something similar back in his apartment in Goodneighbor. It would had been absolutely disastrous if Duncan would find one of his grenades lying around under the table and set it off because his daddy couldn’t find it a safer place.
“And this one. You’re gonna love this! Have a look!” said Elizabeth as she opened the door and stepped aside, encouraging the young man go in first.
He wasn’t expecting much, but was a little amazed of what he saw. A neat little room with childlike painting of goofy giant lizards, stars and birds, prancing on green grass and flying on the walls. As for décor there was a bed, dresser and bookcase with some comics, toys and stuffed animals. There was also a low desk with a char too small for an adult to sit on.
MacCready felt a little tightness on his chest as he looked at the simple yet potential display in front of him.
“So, what do you think?” Elizabeth asked hopefully.
The young merc crossed his hands and snuffed in uncaring manner. “Not much.”
“But do you like it?”
“I guess. Lucky the bastards… the people and their kids who get to own this place.”
“So you like it!” Elizabeth declared. “In that case the lucky bastard is you, Robert.”
“What?” the young man asked confused.
“It’s about time you get yourself a proper house. And Duncan as well. A good parent should always raise his kids in good environment.”
“Wow, hold on there! The fu… The heck are you talking about? Who said I was going to live here?”
“Me, of course. Don’t worry. I got it all figured out already. As a Major of the Minutemen, I have the authority to assign anyone to live in this house…”
“Yeah but what about my job!” MacCready interrupted. “I can’t run back and forth all the way to Goodneighbor just to get the new assignments!”
“Well what about getting a new job. How about a Mayor? Keep things under control here in Covenant and decide on major issues.”
“Wow, why me? Can’t these people take care of themselves?”
“Well, they are smart, but they aren’t much of a leader-type. You got the experience from Little Lamplight, so you know this stuff already. Of course, if you feel the need to do much harder work, surely the neighboring or visiting people could ask your help, without your reputation getting in your way.”
Hearing the last part made MacCready rub his temple as he subconsciously felt tingling his slack-made blood-type tattoo caused under his hat.
“So… You’re telling me I’d be living in this fancy house, within tall walls, running this settlement of eggheads.” MacCready though thoroughly before he asked, unable to figure out the whole picture. “So how much is this overall? Or how many days will it take me to work for you free of charge?”
“No payment at all”, Elizabeth announced happily, showing her palms. “You can move and settle in right away. Although we have to do some tiny paperwork. You know, just for the logistics of it and making sure you have accepted your post officially.”
Elizabeth was about to leave to get the said papers, but came back, seeing how the man hasn’t moved a muscle from where he stood. In disbelieve he stared at the woman.
“You’re joking. This has to be a really bad prank or something.”
Slightly smiling Elizabeth shook her head. “This isn’t a joke.”
“Seriously, stop it, Lizz!” MacCready yelled, stomping his leg. “This is too much. You know I can never afford this. I can’t accept this. I’ll... I’ll be forever in your dept.”
The man shook violently as he was holding back every emotion that was burning inside him like acid. Soon he felt hands on his shoulders. Looking up he met the gaze of his boss, who was genuinely and soothingly smiling at him.
“You don’t have to worry about anything. You already gave me a lot. A better fighting chance in this world. Seems only right to pay you back for your help and backup. This is my gratitude to you, Robert.”
The emotions were now boiling inside him like a murky soup. Disbelieve, burden, commitment, fairness, amusement, relief and gratefulness. It all bubbled overboard. MacCready begrudgingly shed a tear.
“Thank you”, he barely whispered out.
Elizabeth comforted the shorter man in a warm hug, tapping his back friendly, ignoring the dusty smell that pierced her nose, as well as thin fingers on her back, strongly clinging onto her like talons. On her shoulder she felt shaking and moisture as the merc let out a few more thankful tears.
It still seemed out of place, even when MacCready was sat down at the table, being read the contracts and papers by Elizabeth. However, every sentence she spoke seemed to confirm more that this indeed was real and actual changes were approaching him. The young man was slightly shaking. Both with disbelieve and anticipation.
“So, I can choose whatever I want to do with this place?” MacCready asked after he signed the last paper with a poor handwriting, looking at the walls and furniture decisively.
“Anything you want”, Elizabeth said putting down her silver glasses and straightening the papers. “Change the name to Little Covenant Lamp if you want. Although better remember to keep the people satisfied and happy and not do something imprudent and radical, like Hancock does it. Got it?”
“I’m more talking about this house”, MacCready explained, eagerly looking around him.” I’d want to put a more homey paint on the walls. Maybe a magazine rack right next to my bed. I bet Duncan would love one of those old-fashioned carpets with car tracks painted on them. And that alien picture right there! That gotta go! It’s creeping the hell out of me!”
“Glad to provide”, his boss laughed at him amusingly like at an enthusiastic child.
“Also, that Deezer’s gonna sell his lemonade somewhere else than next to my house!” he announced, officially accepting his new home.