A/N: Inspired by the setting when we first catch up with Ethan in Fallout, after he abruptly wakes up from his nightmare. Just figured I'd let y'all know where this thought came from! Be sure to comment your thoughts on this one and any ideas for future parts!

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Rain pounds against the windows of the rather large and empty room you're in.

Well, it's not empty, per say - there is a table, some chairs, a pile of evidently well worn duffel bags sitting off to the side, a small portable cook stove and a jug of water, laptop, papers...

And the cot upon which you're laying in, eyes wide open, mind simply... wandering.

It's on nights like these that you're unable to sleep.

When the rain and the thunder all mix together so perfectly - it would be a shame to be oblivious to nature's melodies.

But, that's not to say you're not tired.

In fact, you're utterly exhausted.

Having your name and reputation continually dragged through the government's filth and your actions being judged by their plushy council that so knows right from wrong, would certainly have that toll on a person.

But, if you're exhausted, what does that make him?

Rolling onto your side, you allow your hazy gaze to wander over the features of the man laying at your side, the grip of his handgun barely evident from beneath his pillow - something he'd been doing since you'd both been on the run as wanted fugitives.

Fun times.

But even now, after all he's been through...

He's convinced that nowhere is ever really safe anymore. Not for him, not for you.

His eyes are closed, pieces of hair sticking to his forehead which glistens with a slight sweat.

He must be having another nightmare.

You frown, a piece of your heart breaking as the breathing of the man at your side begins to quicken, incoherent mumbles falling from his lips.

"N-No. Please. Not her. Me. Not her, not her, not her!"

Ethan instantly bolts upright from where he once lay, grabbing the firearm from beneath his pillow and training it in front of him in one swift motion, a wild gaze and twitchy stance surveying the dimly lit room.

"Ethan," You muse softly, sitting up yourself as well, slowly shifting your body in front of him, a gentle hand guiding his firing stance down, the pistol being shakily set aside. "It's alright, Ethan. You're okay."

Your Partner merely blinks a few times, a genuine pale terror on his features.

"Look at me, Ethan," You mumble, a hand finding his shoulder, your gazes meeting.

And within his eyes, a sorrow sits - not necessarily a broken sorrow, but rather a sorrow that carries a certain fear to it, a concern.

"I'm sorry," He mumbles lowly, tearing his gaze away from yours, settling back against his pillow. "I'm sorry for waking you."

"I was already awake - no need to apologize to me."

It takes him a few moments to process what he'd just heard, but when he does, a gentle yet firm hand finds your shoulder, dragging you back down towards your own pillow.

"You were awake? Why?" He breathes, face appearing in front of yours, almost void of his previously shaken state, instead, a newfound concern for your well-being sits there.

"It doesn't matter about me, you need to tell me what that whole scene was about," You urge softly, motioning to the sidearm sitting on the bedside table now.

"Not until you tell me why you were up in the first place."

"Are we really arguing about this right now?"

Ethan just chuckles breathily, shaking his head, his face nearing yours even more so, his tone lower than a whisper.

"I guess so. But I'm waiting to hear what you have to say."

At this, you sigh heavily, shoving him lightly as a sign to back off, but he doesn't, rather he gets closer.

"Using your usual persuasion tactics isn't going to work this time," You grumble, attempting to squirm away from his features.

"I think they're working just fine," Comes the reply, a mere breath that tickles your cheeks, your face instantly becoming beet red.

And for a moment, it's as if time stops.

The storm raging outside no longer matters.

The past no longer matters.

And the looming future is no longer cause for concern.

Because when his lips meet yours, things change.

They always do.

Every. Single. Time.

But this time...

This time, his kiss is different.

Desperate, almost.

A hand finds the back of your neck, pushing you closer together, your own fingers fumbling through his hair.

And then it clicks - what his nightmare was about.

What it's all been about.

"It's all been about me, hasn't it?" You pant as you break away from him, nearly gasping aloud for air. "Even now - why we are where we are? It's the safest spot you could find for us."

"For you," He corrects with a sigh. "After everything that's happened... after the Kremlin... I..."

Ethan pauses, the same sorrow rising in his gaze again.

"I know right well you're capable of handling yourself - I know you are. But if something ever happened... and I wasn't there... to protect you... I..."

"You wouldn't be able to forgive yourself."

Wordlessly, your Partner nods, tears shining in his mesmerizing green eyes.

"I just can't shake the feeling that something is going to happen - something that is out of my control... something that we'll be forced to play right into and for once... our luck will run out. Because it's bound to happen sometime, right?"

All you can do is lay there, silently gazing up at him, unable to formulate any sort of reassurance.

So instead, you grab the collar of the flimsy cotton t-shirt he wears, pulling him down atop of you in an embrace.

No words, no alternative motives...

Just a pure thankfulness for one another.

"Whatever happens in the future, Ethan," You muse softly as he rolls away from you, back to his side of the cot, gaze not leaving yours quite yet though. "We will face it together - like we always have. I promise you that."

"I know we will," He murmurs, reaching for your hand and giving it a squeeze, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "But this is my promise to you, and it has been since we escaped from that hospital in Russia, I just haven't had the chance to actually tell you out loud 'till now."

Ethan pauses for a moment, expression becoming serious, but yet still managing to carry a trace of tenderness to it.

"You're my Partner, my best friend. I will always protect you. Even if it means that I don't walk away, but you do, that's a choice I'm willing to make."

"Ethan, I-"

A finger is pressed against your lips, cutting your sentence short.

"It's non-negotiable. You're my responsibility and mine alone."

A shiver dances down your spine at the tone of his voice, though you disregard it, snuggling in closer to his open arms.

"Now that I've spilt my two years worth of secrets and promises, care to share why you were still up at,"

He pauses, twisting away from you for a moment to check the time before nestling back in with you, a kiss being planted on your forehead.

"Three a-m? You must be exhausted."

"I am," Is all you can mumble, the warmth of Ethan's embrace and the comforting scent of just... him lulling your senses into a sleepy state.

"Then get some rest, Y/N. I've got you."

Following his suggestion, you burry yourself deeper into his embrace, the rhythm of his heartbeat and gradually slowing breaths finally allowing you to drift off into a slumber.

But before you fall into the hands of sleep entirely, you barely feel Ethan give you one last squeeze, another unspoken thankfulness in his grip.

"I won't let you down. I promise."