β you donβt have to pretend to be fine, if you need me to stay i will. β (Hancock and Salvador!)
Hancock's face softens, almost too much, at Sal's response. Like it's trying to compete with how mushy his heart is all of a sudden. Expecting anything from anyone in the Commonwealth is dangerous and irresponsible. Being emotionally vulnerable or even available is too much of a risk. He's experienced his fair share of heartaches and disappointment to know that tangling himself up with someone else is a good way to get fucked over.
But Sal -- a man who, like most survivors of a difficult world, fell into his life one day. Sal, a man who risks life and limb to make sure they both make it out of a sticky situation. A man who causes an old ghoul's heart to throb and by god, if Hancock could blush? What he and Salvador share is far more intimate to continue guarding himself as he does.
"Gotta admit...it's been a long time since I let myself need anyone." Hancock shifts, a little uncomfortable. Somehow he feels more exposed now than when he's undressed. "But I'm glad it's you, Sal. Yeah, I think I might...need your company." He gives a sheepish smile, still feeling like a newborn radstag with his vulnerability. Underlying his uncertainty, though, is an unwavering trust in Sal, allowing him to expose the softer parts of himself.
