Chapter Text
This gorgeous piece of artwork was drawn by N00b-Vegas on tumblr! I commissioned this piece, and I am in love with how it turned out. Please support their work! https://n00b-vegas.tumblr.com/
Thanks again for the incredible cover art! :) I'd be happy to commission you again in the future.
“Well look at you~” He cooed with a voice as smooth as silk---one that could weaken knees and cause hearts to skip their beats. Though, no matter how hard he concentrated on looking suave, the muscles in his face couldn’t help but curve his mouth into a big, goofy, grin. “How’d a guy like me ever get so lucky, huh~?”
“Stop” She gently batted his chest with a lazy motion of her left hand, mirroring his wide smile.
As he resumed his news article, a giggle left his throat and he pulled a stool out for himself, sitting down to enjoy his coffee. She joined him, having a sip of her own cup, though hers was much less filled than his.
“So what do you think?” He looked at her with big, expectant eyes, that youthful grin still plastered firmly on his face.
An amused snort escaped her. “About what? You dressing up as the Silver Shroud?”
He scrunched up his nose in a brief, playful glare, and failed to turn his childish grin into a frown “You are so mean to me, Liberty” he let out an exaggerated sigh, audibly sipped his coffee and flicked his wrist to straighten his newspaper, purposefully creating an obnoxious sound of thrashing paper.
“I think it’s a marvelous idea, sir!” The automated voice, belonging to their Mr. Handy bot, chimed in cheerfully.
“Thank you, Codsworth. It’s good to know someone appreciates me around here!” He spoke with a chiding tone, his expression being that of pure playfulness.
Liberty rolled her eyes, still wearing that sweet smile. “Hmm~ I just thought you’d look much better as Grognak! Not as some wimp dressed like a nun in the snow carrying a machine gun!” she shrugged, sipping her coffee gently.
“Ooookay okay, but wouldn’t you want to be the Mistress of Mystery to my Silver Shroud?”
“Oooooh yes, mum! I think you’d look simply dashing!” Codsworth’s voice sang out. Liberty opened her mouth to reply, but stopped when an all-too-familiar cry filled the house.
“Aaohh, sounds like someone made a stinky! I shall attend to young Shaun” Codsworth spoke as he promptly moved out of the kitchen and into the hallway. Liberty moved on instinct, beginning to get up from her chair, but her husband gently placed a hand on her thigh. She blinked at him.
“Hey, I know you’re nervous, but Codsworth’s got this, okay?” His voice was feathery and reassuring.
“Alright” She sighed and sat back in her stool “That bot just…” she shook her head lightly “..it just-...”
“I know, but he’s more than just a bot. He’s our butler!” Completely relaxed, he returned to his newspaper and morning brew “he’s part of the family, Libbie.”
Liberty rested her arms on the counter, lying her right arm over her left “I wouldn’t go that far.”
Her husband placed the paper on the counter “If you’re still uncomfortable with him by the end of the year, we can get rid of him. I promise it’ll be okay though.”
Liberty’s expression of worry swiftly changed for the better when she saw her husband’s sweet green eyes and loving smile “Thanks, Augustus. Guess it’s just my motherly instincts kicking in.” She allowed herself to giggle, though it was quiet and half-hearted.
“I understand, but I think it’ll be alright” Augustus responded coolly, somehow mastering the art of optimism despite being a soldier “now drink your coffee before I pour the rest of it in my cup.”
Finally, she laughed.
With that, the couple enjoyed their hot mugs of brew as birds chirped outside, Codsworth tended to Shaun, and the TV played in the background, neither of them really paying attention to it.
The sudden sound of the doorbell interrupted their peaceful moment however.
Both Gus and Liberty turned their bodies to look at the orange front door. “It’s that salesman again” Gus groaned lightly.
Yet another interruption caught their ears, that being Shaun’s cries.
“Mum, Shaun has been changed, but he absolutely refuses to calm down!” Codsworth floats into the room, fans and engine whirring “I think he needs some of that ‘maternal affection’ you seem to be so good at.”
The couple turn their heads to face each other. Liberty shows Gus an annoyed stare and rolls her eyes, referring to her distaste of the metal, fire-spewing butler. Gus offers a smile “I think that’s a good idea, Codsworth. Honey, I’ll answer the door if you go see Shaun. Sound fair?”
Liberty relaxes and smiles, briefly chuckling “Mmhm.”
~
“What’s the matter, baby bear?” Liberty closes the sliding door behind herself as she enters her son’s room and approaches his crib, speaking in the softest of tones. Shaun’s little cries fade away and eventually evolve into babbles and giggles. “That big scary robot didn’t getch’ya with his creepy claw, did he?” She joked as she carefully reached her hand down to him, moving her fingers to act as if they were big tentacles coming down to tickle Shaun. Being fearless though, the infant giggled some more and loosely grabbed at his mother’s hand. “That’s my big strong boy” She chuckled.
She then moved her attention to Shaun’s mobile and curiously pressed its button, being pleasantly surprised to see it move and begin to play its comforting lullaby tune. “You fixed it, huh?” Liberty said as she heard Augustus enter the room.
“Yep! Impressed?”
“Very” She snickered.
Gus rested his hands on the end of the crib, watching as his son stared longingly at the little rockets circling above. The infant reached his puny arms up, trying to grab the plastic mobile, but it was hopelessly out of reach. Liberty looked at her husband, simply admiring how proud he looked of his boy. It made her heart jump high over the moon, seeing his wide smile and that look in his eyes that just gushed love. “That’s my boy. On his best behavior, just like his dad!” Gus glanced at Liberty and she playfully raised an eyebrow at him “Well, most of the time.”
They stayed silent for a moment, just relishing each other’s company and watching their son happily slobber on his tiny fingers. “Hey, you wanna go to the park later today? Weather’s supposed to be real nice” Gus chimes in quietly.
“I’d love to. Maybe we can get some pumpkins on our way back. Carve some jack-o-lanterns, make a nice pie...”
Gus beams at the last part “Oooh yeah!”
“Sir? Mum? You should come and see this!” Codsworth’s unexpected voice abruptly halted their conversation. The two exchanged confused, worried glances.
“Codsworth? What’s wrong?”