((Collab Post between [@Letter Bee] and [@DirtyDingo].))

[b][i]Raven Rivers x Albert Brosnovic[/i][/b]

In hindsight, returning to duty was merely the best of many bad choices.

For Raven Rivers, what he really wanted was cash and a plot of land to retire on, but apparently, escaping from The Regime did not qualify one for a large-enough pension from the bureaucrats. And his relatives didn't have enough cash to support him for the rest of his life while the job market for civvie work in the NCR was worse than ever. So he had to return to Ranger Station Foxtrot, where he had nothing to do except read books he bought from traveling merchants, shoot at passing raiders and Legion remnants, and lose himself in depression over a literal decade spent as less than nothing in others' eyes.

At least he had free time, at least he had some choices in what he can do with said free time. But right now, he was lonely, the memories of his dead boyfriend Timothy still fresh after all these years. Raven Rivers might not find a man like him again, while as for women, well, he liked them as well as men, but he did not know how to talk to them anymore. He did want to have a son to name Timothy, though.

Shaking his head, Raven observed his surroundings; he was in a watchtower in Ranger Station Foxtrot, where he was bored out of his mind scanning the desert for any sign of raiders, Legion, or Regime troops, whether Securitons or organic 'auxiliaries'. In the distance to the north, Raven saw a cloaked silhouette, smoking what appeared to be a disproportionately large cigar. Candidly patrolling the outskirts of the station alone. The unmistakable outline of a Van Graff made tri-laser rifle resting on his shoulder. 

The man was no stranger to the station, his gruff and rugged appearance complimented by faded tan ranch wear, and a leather cowboy hat to complete the set. There was no mistaking who the man was. It was [i]him[/i]. 

Albert Brosnovic grunted as his knees buckled with every step, the years of enforcement work had taken it's toll on the aged man turned mercenary. His eyes scanned the horizon as he strode, ever since the second battle of Hoover Dam and the formation of The Regime; he had struggled to find anywhere true to settle. The truth of the matter was, Albert greatly missed his home in Freeside. Hell, he even missed the pompous assholes he had to deal with at the Lucky 38 when they'd get too rowdy. There had always been a charm to the violence of his line of work. Even if it rarely had to come to taking lives. Out here, in the wastes of the Mojave however, it just felt empty. No raucous laughter, no beautiful women and not a goddamned sip of good whiskey to quench his thirst within thirty miles. 

[color=violet]"Fuck this, ain't nobody comin'."[/color] he had said to himself, before tossing his cigar to the floor and stomping it out. Albert had been given honorary Ranger status after the uprising of The Regime. Although he hated the thought of being responsible for more than a building with very little to compensate for it. Truth be told, if he'd had anywhere else to go. He would have abandoned Foxtrot months ago. 

With a deep sigh, he gripped his modified rifle in two hands. Pumping it's lever a number of times in order to detach the microfusion cells which operated it. Catching each one as they fell with his off-hand before resting the weapon on his shoulder once more. Giving a two fingerer salute to the watchtower, wherein he surmised his friend Raven had been keeping watch; as he often would. 

Albert was a bright spot in his life; the old man was a good friend indeed, in Raven's views. Either way, he waved at the Honorary Ranger as he appeared and gave the signal to let the guy in. As the outpost gates opened, the no-longer-young soldier, who had earned some respect from the Rangers despite not being one himself, went to gesture Albert in, before asking, [color=00a651]"So, you doing all right? I presume that things are still going bad in... That City?"[/color]

Then he remembered, [color=00a651]"Oh, where are my manners; let's have a cup of coffee; it's on me - I no longer drink more than a few bottles of beer a week."[/color]

[color=violet]"Long as you don't stop me putting a couple shots of this sweet stuff in mine, kiddo."[/color] Albert laughed as he pulled his canteen from his hip and swished it's contents around before ruffling the significantly younger man's hair as he walked past him with a a jovial grin slapped across his face. [color=violet]"How's them things I tended to for ya holdin' up? Need me to take another look?"[/color] he continued, his smile seemingly vanishing from his face instantaneously as he changed the subject to Raven's hidden scar tissue. 

Raven cringed at that and said, [color=00a651]"I honestly don't like taking off my shirt again, even in private, to a doctor."[/color] He then looked at Albert and said, [color=00a651]"But if you want, we can do it in the infirmary."[/color]

The man had suffered much. First under the Legion then under the Regime, where, and he had told Albert this in private, he had... served in Gommorah and that had entailed some things that would have gotten him scorned or pitied even in the NCR Army - Mostly pitied. But he didn't give any specifics, same for how, as his fame as a gladiator had risen, other unspeakable things had become the norm. 

But it was best not to elaborate on that. Point was, Raven was adverse to close contact, even with people he trusted. [color=violet]"As for your earlier question...my mole's gone dark. Haven't heard a lick off the guy for a week now. But it seems like shit keeps gettin' worse back home. Just wish we had a way to pull the plug on that fucker and turn him to scrap that he is. I - [/color] Albert had begun venting, his anger and hatred for The Regime beginning to slip from his usually calm and collected demeanor when suddenly the unmistakable thrumming of a Vertibird in the distance became audible. 

[Color=violet]"Sounds like trouble."[/color]

Raven nodded but said, [color=00a651]"Perhaps, but let's wait for my superiors to give the order to fire; it might be Bear Force One for all we know... I'm joking."[/color]