He knows. He knows he's seeing red over an accident, but fuck, he can't stop. Neil will not fucking stop because his sad little guy had to get hurt in the process. Dogmeat deserves better. Deserves everything good in the world for having to put up with Neil's bullshit.
But Alex cuts Neil off, brings him back to face the wall, and Neil stops. He stays facing the brick and mortar, the red slowly easing down to the washed out colors of the Capital Wasteland, until nothing remains. Until he notices Dogmeat at his side, looking so fucking sad. He wiggles out of Alex's hold to comfort the damn dog. To pet and to hold and to never let go.
Somewhere in that, Neil hears the exchange. He catches the apology he had planned to shake out of the guard. Here, without effort, he would note two things: (1) Very few have ever addressed him by name. There is something redeeming in that. (2) Alex is wrong. There is another thing that Neil loves.
But that is neither here nor there.
"You're lucky you didn't break his tail," Neil speaks tersely without looking up from his pup. "Be fucking careful next time." Though from his tone, it's quite obvious that there will never be a next time.
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But Alex cuts Neil off, brings him back to face the wall, and Neil stops. He stays facing the brick and mortar, the red slowly easing down to the washed out colors of the Capital Wasteland, until nothing remains. Until he notices Dogmeat at his side, looking so fucking sad. He wiggles out of Alex's hold to comfort the damn dog. To pet and to hold and to never let go.
Somewhere in that, Neil hears the exchange. He catches the apology he had planned to shake out of the guard. Here, without effort, he would note two things: (1) Very few have ever addressed him by name. There is something redeeming in that. (2) Alex is wrong. There is another thing that Neil loves.
But that is neither here nor there.
"You're lucky you didn't break his tail," Neil speaks tersely without looking up from his pup. "Be fucking careful next time." Though from his tone, it's quite obvious that there will never be a next time.