HISTORY WON'T CARE AT ALL.

glimpses of the past ━ always accepting! anon said: MORTAL for Chris send MORTAL for a scene from my muse's past in which they had a brush with death, either themselves or someone close to them

the news comes over the radio, one quiet evening at the brass lantern. as soon as three dog's voice bursts through the static, more somber than usual. chris knows.

that crazy kid from vault 101? well, she's in a bad way after that showdown with the enclave.

whatever three dog says next, he can't hear it past his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.

       ❝ she can't be dead, ❞ he says, shaking his head. he would know, wouldn't he? would feel something in him snap with a finality that would let him know that the woman he loves is gone? even andy gives him a sad, pitying look. ❝ she's not dead, ❞ he continues, forcing a conviction he doesn't feel into his voice.

             ━ ☢ ━

she isn't dead, but she looks well-acquainted with death. ignoring the mistrustful glances of the brotherhood scribes, he approaches the hospital bed eliana lays in.

she looks devastatingly small beneath the thin sheet that covers her. he wonders if she's cold, and reminds himself to ask someone to bring her a real blanket later.

       ❝ hey, el, ❞ he says, swallowing back the lump in his throat. she doesn't stir. he reaches down to brush a strand of hair from her forehead. she feels cool to the touch. if it weren't for the subtle rise and fall of her chest, it would be hard to believe she was still alive at all. ❝ you can't stay outta trouble, can you? ❞ he asks.

he pulls a nearby chair closer to her beside, rests his hand overtop one of hers.