Cooper figured that, by selling you, he'd get a price hefty enough to keep himself stocked with vials for a solid half of the year. Why bother with formalities when you were worth more than a mere courtesy? Your teeth shone white and even; your skin was clear as day, and your eyes didn't look hungry at all. Your hair⎯ those tight curls bouncing with every step⎯ smelled sweet, like it was natural. Lavender and honey. Centuries passed; Cooper forgot the simple pleasures, like the smell of flowers.

But, as he looked at you, he saw something more than just a thing to sell. There was a flicker⎯a glint of something he hadn't felt in ages: humanity. It reminded him of what he'd forgotten over the years. Suddenly, the thought of letting you go didn't sit right with him anymore.

Well, he knew you'd escaped from the vault because those gold numbers 69 on your blue uniform sparkled so brightly. Needless to say, he'd played a dirty joke on you. Yeah, he did⎯making you blush deeply. Anyway, you couldn't give him a clear answer about the reasons for running away from a safe place; you just wanted to explore the Wasteland. But you had no idea how terrible things were here, and Cooper was happy to admit that the first person you stumbled upon was him, and not some Fiends who’d happily feast on your human flesh.

“Princess…” he croaks quietly, as you run around him, angrily complaining about how some guy puked his guts out on your feet when you were both wandering around the local market. Lord, is this the only thing that bothers you? Cooper frowns, running his tongue over his dry, scarred lips. Don't you care what he looks like, or who he is? Well, you're just a damn angel.

He grabs you with his rough hand but, surprisingly, gently pulls you into his lap, burying his face in your shoulder. Your skin still tastes delicious; even the slight smell of sweat doesn't spoil it⎯on the contrary. “Calm down, sweetheart,” he hums, fighting with himself not to mess up your curves with his touches. Oh, how he wants it.