Henry:
I didn't know why Arthur was so excited when I handed that old movie to him. I decided to see him this morning, ask him how everything was going. He spent a lot of time in the Med bay while Esmeralda was recovering. It was good that he took my advice to talk to her more.
I didn't knock. Everyone is required to, but I forgot for some reason. I don't know what I expected to see, maybe Arthur working at his terminal, like... normal. I stepped in,
"Elder Ma..."
Fuck.
Arthur was on top of my subordinate, shimming her vault suit down her torso and sliding his hands underneath her bra. His mouth was attacking her neck and she was arching into him, legs around his waist and fingers brushing through his hair.
"...xson?"
They both looked at me shocked, probably more shocked that they left the door unlocked.
"It can wait" I said quickly, closing the door harder than I intended.
Was that... hot?
I didn't want to think about that. Not now. I waited a few minutes until Mer opened the door and flew past me. I walked back into Arthur's quarters and gave him a smug grin.
"I'm... sorry you had to see that." He said.
"When I suggested you get to know her better, this isn't what I intended."
Arthur blushed furiously.
"You should have knocked."
"You should have locked your door."
"Fair point, Paladin. What is it you came here for?"
"Let's assess the immediate problem here Arthur. Why didn't you tell me? And don't you dare say that this was the first time because you were way too confident for this to be the first time the two of you got handsy with each other."
He blushed even more.
"Come on, Arthur, you said I was your closest friend. Why didn't you say anything? Maybe just a 'hey heads up, whenever you walk into my quarters, there's a chance I'll be feeling up Esmeralda so proceed with caution' or something."
"I... should have told you. I just got so caught up with her I forgot to tell you. I should have, now that I think about it, because our relationship is private, and I've been dying to talk with someone about this."
"Well you have me now, so start talking." I pulled up a chair.
"She's so fantastic. I can't get enough of her. She's so vibrant, and just... so cool."
I've never seen Arthur like this. He adored her, I could see.
"What's she like when she fights?" He asked curiously.
"Pfft. She's not very hot, if that's what you're thinking. She fights unconventionally. She has this philosophy that, I quote, 'In order to survive in the Commonwealth, you have to out-crazy the next person' and she believes in that thoroughly."
"Define unconventionally." He soundly slightly worried.
"She screams and laughs and tells people they need to be reconditioned and yells 'unacceptable' a lot. Don't get me wrong, she sane. It's just a persona she puts on to scare the crap out of raiders and gunners."
"Ok. I wasn't questioning her sanity."
He started pouring some whiskey into a cup and handed me one.
"So you haven't answered the biggest question."
"What's that?"
I waited specifically until he was drinking his whiskey to ask.
"How's the sex?"
Arthur choked and spit out a bit of his drink. He started coughing.
"I-I didn't see that coming." He coughed again.
"Well?" I pressed on, like the dick I was.
"It's amazing." He finally got out.
"It should be, considering your, ahem, lack of experience" I couldn't hold back the smile tugging at my mouth.
"You know what Danse, I think I've had enough of this small talk. What are you here for?" He was blushing again.
"Right, here to report Proctor Teagan asked me and Knight Rhys to assist him with a mission."
"Very well, Paladin, dismissed."
"Ad Victorium Elder."
I got out of there to search for Esmeralda before I had to go.
She was in the power armour station, talking to Ingram.
"Does he say Ad Victorium when he climaxes?"
Esmeralda laughed loudly.
"Oh man, thank God he doesn't. I'd laugh if he did."
"Ahem, Knight." I interrupted.
"Just so you know Paladin, I regret nothing."
"Of course you don't."
Ingram looked confused.
"Danse walked in on me and Arthur getting it on."
Ingram started laughing, "I would have paid to see your face when you realized what was going on Henry."
"It was pretty epic." Esmeralda smirked.
"So..." Ingram looked at me, "Did you like what you saw?" Esmeralda choked.
My throat went dry.
"Yeah he did" Ingram concluded.
Esmeralda looked away blushing.
"Well hey, if you and Arthur ever want a threesome, you got a candidate."
I felt my face grow hotter. I never thought of Esmeralda like that before. She was attractive, sure. But I never... oh God.
"If you're done embarrassing us Ingram, I think it would be safe to change the subject."
A few people were walking into the room now.
"I don't know, Ingram, but I can picture you with Dansey here."
It was Ingram's turn to blush. Did... did she like me? Ingram was attractive. I always admired her and her dedication to the Brotherhood. I did like her, regardless of what happened to her. A flood of very dirty thoughts crossed my mind and I looked away.
"You should bring Ingram to the Brotherhood Ball Danse."
The Brotherhood Ball was an annual event that happened every fall and it was in a 6 months exactly. Everyone in the Brotherhood was invited and permitted one date outside of the Brotherhood. Bringing Ingram wouldn't be a bad idea. I'd have to ask her. Later though, not while Esmeralda was making it weird.
"Is your... significant other, bringing you Mer?" Ingram changed the focus back to her.
"I don't know. I'd love to see the look on Juliana's face if she saw us together, but at the same time, I don't want people hounding me with questions. That's what I have you two for."
We all had a good laugh.
"You ready to go Paladin?"
Rhys was here.
"Yes Knight, I'm ready when you are..."
"Hiiii Rhys" Mer waved in a flirty way. His face contorted.
"Ugh, I'll meet you at the command deck sir."
He walked away, ignoring the wolf whistle Esmeralda gave him. I was shocked at her attitude around Rhys. I thought they hated each other. She laughed.
"I fucking love messing with him. He always has the best reaction."
"If you're done hazing your fellow soldier, I'm going to leave you guys to it."
"Bye Danse" Ingram said turning back to her work.
"See ya later. Give Rhys hell for me, will ya?" She winked.
"Yeah yeah"
I walked to the vertibird deck, ready for my mission.
I bet Ingram looks good in a dress.