everyone assumes that all the damage and skeletons are from the nukes of the last war. the common sentiment is "it's been 200 years and no one's fixed this yet??"
It has been 200 years! You know what happens in that time frame? tons of people living and dying and killing each other. The skeleton in the bathtub might be from 10 or 20 years ago. The damage from structures and the debris might not be from 200 years ago, it could be from a few years ago from the last people who lived in that location. People also migrate and move around so it's reasonable people didn't expect to be there long term and were more concerned about their survival first, things hard to come by like clean food and water. There's also a good chance at least some people who've been born since haven't given much of a shit around all the crap on the ground because it's always been there!
idk man
this isn't like "defending bethesda", this is pointing out flawed logic in the fan base and after hearing it for like 20 years I'm pretty over it.
ALSO LIKE. If you know or have seen any media by the survivors of the atomic bombs dropped in the real world (ie accounts from survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki), if people aren't lucky enough to be killed in the initial blast then they're likely going to die a very slow and horrible death by radiation poisoning or wounds they've sustained in the destruction or a million other things. The people who *were* killed by the blast are more likely to be the smudged shadows on the floors and walls than the skeletons hanging out. Skeletons imply the bodies were left to rot and decay, not that they were burned up in the blast.
Great points being made! I would also like to mention that the larger, older settlements are very clean compared to random locations/newer settlements.
Everyone knows about the NCR’s success in the west but Ceasar’s empire was also doing very well and had thriving, clean communities. The people were suffering, but everything is very put together.
The difference between the west and east coast is vast. Lots more clutter and horrid conditions. But remember, in fallout 3 even the most basic thing needed for survival - water - was VERY rare before the main quest is finished. But the places that did have it like Megaton and Rivet City were flourishing in comparison to other settlements. CJ Young even tells the LW that her sole job is cleaning. There are people doing these things!
In fallout 4, which everyone has the most problems with, the Sole Survivor is the one that moves settlement building along outside of places like Diamond City which even looks pretty nice. Everyone else is in survival mode because the institute is terrorizing them. So are raiders and gunners and mutants and you get the picture.
I mean 250 years ago in England, there was literal crap flooding the streets and sanitation services were just getting started. Of course an environment where there’s a million things trying to kill you and not enough people to delegate tasks would mean that there’s some clutter around and a couple holes in the roof
Vaughn Aleksandros Zander & Nick Valentine and Hancock
Vaughn's relationship with both the detective and the mayor is romantic, while in between the other two, it's platonic, even that Hancock is also crushing on Nick for much longer time. All three are living together in Vaughn's home in Sanctuary, but also have other places they can live in, like in the Castle, where they converted an entire space as a smaller home, and in Starlight Town, have one of the buses converted in living space. Together they raise their two adopted children (the synth child, Oliver, and a baby girl, Victoria), and get married a few years later.
more details under read more:
Vaughn's relationship with Nick had started at first as client-detective, so apart from focusing on the case of finding clues about Shaun, Vaughn had nothing else on his mind but to find Kellogg and to find out where is his son. They called each other by their last names, and Vaughn did not shown any sign to open up more about himself with Nick, unless it was about his case, despite Nick's asks.
after Vaughn killed Kellogg by ripping off his head, but with enough time for the other to shot him in the leg, Nick helped Vaughn by calming him down and getting him back to Diamond City, to recover in the agency. it was for the first time when Vaughn was shown kindness, since he was out, and felt grateful for Nick's help, and started to be more open to him, and even calling each other by their first names.
Nick had joined Vaughn in the Glowing Sea, when 2 radscorpions attacked and one of them hit Vaughn's armored legs so hard, the Power Armor malfunctioned and could not move too fast, but Nick distracted both creatures, giving Vaughn time to get to safety. he thought that the detective was gone and could not do anything, but when Nick appeared, he did not know how to thank him, but the synth told him it is alright, that he surely would had helped him if he could. in that moment, Vaughn thought to return this kindness, and to go back and accept Preston's offer to take the General role, so he can start helping others, if he wishes to be helped back.
when they returned in Diamond City, Nick told him he must go back to the agency to resolve other cases, but as soon as Vaughn finds a Courser, to come back after him. just before Vaughn was preparing to leave the town, a young woman who also is friend with Nick and seen each other twice, named Debbie Gaines (another oc), offered her help, as a way to thank him for saving Nick, but without revealing a bit later that she was employed by Deacon to keep an eye on Vaughn and to find any info about the Institute.
almost 2 months passes, Vaughn had started his General role, him and Debbie joined the BoS for 3 weeks to get more intel on Commonwealth (and getting Paladin Danse as a bonus, even that Debbie didn't wanted, but he does help Vaughn with the Minutemen). one day, when Nick also decided to come in Sanctuary to visit Vaughn, no one seen him for 2 days, when he went solo to help some settlers with the raiders.
after rescuing Vaughn from the raiders, he was severly injured, and Nick decided to stay and help him recover, no matter how much time it takes. after 2 weeks, Vaughn caught a moment when Nick was not in the house, and nearly took his own life with a gun, but his chicken, Hera, had found him at right time, making him change his mind, and went back home, right before Nick walked back too. Nick noticed that he was acting different, but Vaughn never told him what he almost done, but instead, he accepted help, instead of just arguing against Nick and the others. in same night, Vaughn asked for Nick to stay in bed with him, as he could not trust his mind in that moment, and after begging more, Nick accepted, and Vaughn slept with his head over the synth's chest, listening to the whirrs and gears inside, making him feel calmer and slept better. this has became a habit from now on.
a few days later, after taking too many painkillers, Vaughn acted delirious and high, and felt bold enough to touch Nick's face, and even kissing him, but the detective did not had any reaction as he was taken by surprise, but he cannot deny but enjoyed the feeling. after a few hours, Vaughn realised what he has done and apologized for not asking Nick at first, and the detective thought he surely regreted to touch him, but Vaughn reassured that he did enjoyed to touch him, even kissing him, which made Nick feel much better, thus their relationship became stronger.
during his recovery, Vaughn and Nick talked more, getting to know each other, and even done activities together, like dancing and reading. rumors has started in Sanctuary on how they are in a relationship, but none of then two confirmed or denied. for Vaughn, it felt like he does not deserve to be in a romantic relationship, meanwhile Nick felt he does not deserve love for what he is. yet, they both enjoyed each other's company.
it took Vaughn 5 weeks to fully recover, but afterwards, he was ready to take the next step for the Minutemen: retaking the Castle. Nick has left to Diamond City, to get back on his work.
after the Castle was retaken, Vaughn went to look for radio parts, and went to Goodneighbor, thinking he could find at the markets, but instead, he was tricked by Bobbi No Nose to break into an old warehouse. only that when met with Fahrenheit's minigun, Vaughn realised he was fooled, and turned against Bobbi, which she ran. he apologized to Fahrenheit, but she won't hear it, she took him to the mayor, to apologize to him. Hancock had no hard feelings against the General, he wad more amused by the situation, and asked if he can join him outside, to remember how to live again.
their first combat was against a group of Gunners who threatened some settlers and took a territory. Hancock has even stopped a bit to watch the General how he fought, and was impressed, but that moment of no attention costed him, and was grazed by a bullet in his arm, but Vaughn, being also a doctor, patched him up.
during the 3-4 weeks, they had helped the settlements down the South, brought parts for the new Minutemen radio, and Hancock gave Vaughn lessons on confidence and leadership, so he can lead his Minutemen better. they got along great, their convos flowed easily, and even flirted with each other, while the sexual tension was building up even more.
when they got in Sanctuary and spent 2 evenings together in Vaughn's house, they finally had time for themselves and had sex. from then on, for 2-3 weeks, everyday, they usually spent their time almost by themselves, with exceptions that Hancock would join Vaughn during Minutemen meetings (and getting handsy with him), then spending the evening together and sleeping together, as Hancock has started to stay in Vaughn's home.
rumors has yet started again, but Vaughn felt the same as before: he is not sure if he deserves a relationship, but he does enjoy Hancock's company, like he enjoys with Nick.
after 3 weeks, Vaughn had received the news of a Courser being located near some ruins, so he left to pick up Nick from Diamond City, letting Hancock sleep one more night in his home, and being escorted back in Goodneighbor by Debbie, which both had exchanged sharp words about the situation. while Debbie thought that Hancock disrespects Nick by sleeping with Vaughn, the ghoul reassured her that he knows about their situation and what happened between them, yet, Vaughn wished to pursue a relationship with Hancock too, which confuses Debbie.
Vaughn arrived at the agency, had hugged Nick and asked him for help, which the detective accepted. right before they went to get the Courser, Vaughn asked Nick for a kiss, which the detective was surprised, but accepted, both smiling after it. Vaughn realised he really missed Nick and wants to recover the lost time.
while on their way to Memory Den, Vaughn knew he must tell Nick about Hancock, which did not ended well, Nick not wanting to hear Vaughn more, feeling betrayed, but neither Vaughn could explain what he wanted to say. he felt good with both Nick and Hancock, and he could not compare the times together. he feels at peace and more calmer with Nick, but also feels bolder and brave with Hancock. it was that moment he knew he must think about what he really wants. not even meeting with Hancock in Goodneighbor went well, as the mayor teased Nick about them sharing the same bed together, but Nick was not having it with neither of them, leaving Vaughn nearly crying, as he still could not figure it out what he really wants. Hancock had talked with Nick separately and told the synth that he should stop being jealous, and that he can have Vaughn, as he does not think he is good enough for Vaughn anyway, yet deep inside, Hancock felt angry on the whole situation, as his heart did not believe his own words. Nick is not sure why Hancock still thinks so low of himself, that he is willing to let Vaughn so easily, but he decides to put these thoughts aside for now, and to help Vaughn with his case.
after getting all the informations needed and the teleport station schematics from Virgil, Vaughn and Nick got back in Sanctuary, yet, Nick told him he needs time for himself, which even that it hurts Vaughn, he respects that. for 3 days, they only had short convos, but let Nick to his own thoughts, while Vaughn had sleepless nights and worked all day on autopilot. Debbie, not being happy for the situation, had argued with Vaughn about what he done with Hancock, when he seemed to have something with Nick, which angered Vaughn and told her to mind her business.
next day, Nick finally decided to talk with Vaughn, telling him that he does not know what Vaughn expects from him, given that he is a synth and cannot give him what he needs, which the other has finally told him what he really feels: how he feels safe, how he feels calmer, how he feels that he can be himself all the time, not needing to mask his feelings and thoughts, and that how much he needs Nick in his life. Nick had not expected, but it finally confirmed what he really feels about Vaughn too: that he feels safe and accepted and truly taken care of, despite his nature, and he does not want to lose that. but as he got to talk with Vaughn, he thinks that Hancock deserves the same talk too, telling Vaughn that he finally understands that he cares both about him and Hancock, and that is fine to stay together, which makes Vaughn truly happy.
making their way back to Goodneighbor, Hancock cannot really believe that Nick is fine with him joining too, but he does not pass the chance to be with Vaughn again, and to try to get Nick too, even that with the detective, it does not happen much.
even that Vaughn still has conflicting feelings if he does deserve love or not, he does not consider he is in a romantic relationship with both men, even that they moved in his house, sleep together in same bed, have sexual relations, spend time together and even planned their futute together.
even that there were complaints from the Minutemen about Hancock being too obnoxious in meetings, Vaughn made some changes, making both Danse and Hancock his advisors, the Paladin being for a longer time around, even that at first he was not accepted easily, he is now accepted by the Minutemen for his experience, and the mayor for helping Vaughn being a better leader.
when Vaughn returned first time from the Institute, he did not expected to find Nick and Hancock back home, given he missed 2 weeks, and Shaun tried to convince him there is nothing and no one actually waiting for him. but the moment he entered his house and felt Hancock's arms around him and hearing Nick's voice, he realised that they truly care for him, and feels bad for even thinking otherwise.
after long weeks and finally getting rid of the Institute and adopting the synth child, Vaughn had finally had time to think about his relationship with his two partners, and realised he has been in love with them for a long time, he just could not accept that he deserves love. after talking with both of them, which they also confessed they love him for a long time, they make their relationship public, even that everyone else already knew.
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