Valentine

“‘ey, Nick?”

The synthetic man peered over the fold of the latest Publick Occurrences at Casey, seated across the table.

They were sitting in Casey’s living room, pre-War, in Sanctuary. Settlers knew not to touch the Burke family home, a ground rule of Casey’s Sanctuary.

Nick’s brow raised with concern, and he set down the rag. “What’s up, doll?”

Casey’s cheeks flushed at the petname, and his train of thought derailed before the station. “I, uh, shit, wanted to tell ya that I - oh for fuck’s sake, really?”

A settler was tapping on the window, and signed “S M” - super mutants. Soon after, the turrets behind the pre-War home thumped away, keeping back -

“Them green bastards,”.

The pair sauntered to the carport door and observed the hellish mutations as they fell to the heavy turrets in a huddle of green and crimson.

With a final buzz the turrets returned to their idle oscillations, and the pre-War ghosts sat down in the shade of the carport. The car had been scrapped for steel and oil a few months ago, a good investment for those turrets. In its place stood a card table and a couple of lawn chairs, and a Nuka-Cola machine just outside the door.

Casey sipped his Nuka-Cherry - a favorite even before the bombs dropped - and lost focus of where he was. Almost a personal slice of heaven that makes a weekly migration to hell. He snapped out of it when Nick spoke.

“Now, what was it you wanted to say, doll?” The detective eyed the thawed popsicle, who quickly made, and broke, eye contact.

“Hm? Oh, right. I… I appreciate you. An’ your company. I think a, a bit more than I should? Dunno, but I like havin’ ya around, Nicholas.”

The yellow of Nick’s eyes brightened for a brief second at hearing his full first name.

He made a noise similar to clearing his throat before he replied.

“You’re a helluva man, Burke. Couldn’t have asked for a better partner. And if you do feel… that way, I just… I want you to know that I wouldn’t be able to… I don’t have…” Nick’s voice trailed off as a wave of self-loathing rolled in, accompanied by realization.

Casey grabbed Nick’s mechanical hand and locked eyes. Nick’s yellow irises locked onto Casey’s rich brown. His thought processes faltered and his chest began to warm.

Casey’s mouth felt dry. “You’ve… You’ve thought about us? Together?”

“Of course I have, kid. I may be a tin can, but I’m not blind. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought making a move. I always figured you wouldn’t want anything to do with a rust bucket like yours truly.”

Casey slid out of his chair and knee-walked to Nick, grabbed both hands, and planted wet cherry kisses on the digits.

“Nick, I ‘aven’t felt right since… since I lost Eleanora, and especially not after I had to blow up my own damn flesh an’ blood. You… You made me feel whole again, Nicholas.”

“Case, I’m sorry you lost your wife and kid, but you know this tin man’s got no heart.”

Casey interrupted before Nick could continue. “We weren’t married. We shagged, yeah, an’ nine months later Shaun popped out. We moved in together, so Shaun would feel like he ‘ad a family proper. We decided to keep the relationship open. No marriage.

“It’s been easier comin’ to terms with my sex’ality an’ all. I’m pan, and I’ve got better at usin’ ‘em, too,” he added with a smile. “Nick, I think I love ya. To yer gold-alloy ‘art.”

With a chuckle, Nick pulled Casey to his feet.

“Y’know, if you want to go through with… lovin’ this, you gotta know - “

“I know ya don’t ‘ave the parts, Nicky. I’m sure yer right skilled with whatcha ‘ave.

“And ‘fore ya say it, I know it ain’t all about doin’ the deed, and I’m still willing to put up with yer hijinks an’ whatnot. I love ya ‘til the day comes I can’t love ya no more. I don’t think Cupid would ‘ave it any other way.

“So whaddya say - will ya be me Valentine, dear Nicholas?”

For what anatomy he had, Nick gave a boisterous laugh that rang about Sanctuary.

“A battered robot, and a pre-War leprechaun. Tell me, doc, how long do I got?” At this, Casey snorted and pulled Nick out of the chair and into his arms.

“Am never leavin’ ya, Nicky. An’ I hope you don’t plan on leavin’ soon, either.”

“Not in this lifetime, Doll.”