#tee heeeeee

Nick Valentine was out of town for nearly three days.

It was a case that brought him out, and an urgent one at that; a missing child, according to Ellie. Nick might've found himself grateful for the break away from the Ballfield, for some time to think about his last encounter with Anna Winden. About the kiss, about his feelings, about just what he might've been getting into. But it was hard to call searching for a lost kid a distraction.

That didn't mean she didn't cross his mind-- or really ever left it.

By the time Nick was back in Diamond City, it was nearly sunset on the third day since his absence. He only stopped in his own office for a quick round of diagnostics and to drop off his equipment. But there was one more stop between his office and Anna's place.

It was at the market, to procure a bouquet of hubflower and lavender. The old synth was at her door just as the sun crested beneath the great lights of Diamond City, now humming to life with a bright gold.