Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If there was one place that Arcade never imagined going to, it was certainly the east coast. Born and raised in the fringes of the west coast, he had only heard stories about what the opposite side of the continent was up to. Some even said that it was uninhabited, and being a young child, Arcade would spend hours imagining what it would be like to live there.

He never imagined that he would be able to see it, especially not after he had grown accustomed to his life with the Followers. 

He had especially given up said dream after he had been taken captive by Caesar, forced to be his doting doctor and keep him alive while the mad tyrant ruined his home, his family.

The sting of defeat never lessened over the years, and Arcade was both pleased and tired that it hadn't. Life as a slave was…demoralizing, at the least. He was frustrated that his spirit had only slightly withered within his years. Every day he had hoped for escape, holding out for some savior like the courier to help him. But the courier was no savior, that much was sure. The courier had tricked him, and destroyed his life and his home.

Caesar was a strange man, Arcade knew that at least. He seemed to take pride in having Arcade next to him, calling Arcade a “friend”. The tyrant would show off whenever he got the chance, raving about his smart and sarcastic doctor. The men Caesar kept himself surrounded with cared very little for him, and the few outsiders who had come to speak with Caesar were just trying to suck up to him, laughing at whatever Caesar would say or do. It was all incredibly boring.

So when Caesar had been invited to the commonwealth, Arcade’s interests had been piqued. The desert was hot, and there was only so much Arcade could take of talking to Caesar in the same dreadful place, every single waking day.

Suffice to say, the trip was sure to be miserable, but at least security would be slightly weakened, the scenery would be new, and Arcade had the miniscule chance of escaping.

Sure, if Caesar's influence happened to spread far, then Arcade would be on the run yet again, and if somehow the Enclave had ties to the east coast, then Arcade’s small chances became mere fractions of a chance. But it was more than Arcade had in years, and when the time came, he would give everything he had.

The actual event wasn't as exciting as Arcade had expected. In reality, it was small, quiet, and unremarkable. In the early hours of the day, Arcade got up and slipped away. A few people were awake, but since Arcade had been complacent for the entire trip, they disregarded him.

The hardest part was getting himself far, far away from Caesar. He had run for hours, zig zagging in between trees and hiding whenever he heard anything. The only weapon he had was a weathered pipe pistol he found on a dead body, complete with seven bullets. 

For the better part of the day, he had been extremely lucky. He had even found some fresh fruit to eat before he had nearly been spotted by a settler.

It was all working extremely well for him. That was, until night fell.

Arcade already had limited vision, what with his glasses, so when the sun sunk below the already cloudy sky, his ability to see where the hell he was going diminished severely.

And he walked straight into a raider camp.

It was almost comical how he walked inside, his eyes squinted as they tried to focus on the light before he realized there was a group of men pointing guns at him.

Arcade barely had time to put his hands up before one of them roughly grabbed the torn collar of his jacket.

“Looks like we’ve got a doctor!” One of them shouted, as one put the barrel of a gun against the side of Arcade’s head.

“I’m not a doctor, I just-”

“Have the get up?” Another asked, before laughing, “And you’ve got glasses. If you weren’t a doctor, then you’re rich enough to pretend to be one.”

“What do you think?” Arcade heard, “Sell him? Or do we just kill him right here?”

Arcade felt someone kick at his back, and he fell to the ground, dust kicking up in his face.

“I dunno, he looks kinda pretty.” Someone remarked, and Arcade’s heart dropped. He had just run out of one bad situation into another.

“You fuckin-” 

Gunshots rang out, and every raider gathered around Arcade became silent.

“Do you think-”

More gunshots, closer. Along with the sound of screaming.

“Fuck!”

Immediately, they moved their guns away from Arcade and ran into the action, leaving Arcade alone.

He would be an idiot not to take this chance, so he stood up, and ran.

There were buildings everywhere, the alleys behind them sometimes blocked off or filled with more raiders who were trying to kill him.

One almost got him, shouting as they had shot their gun, but Arcade ducked, and shot them in the stomach.

Once they fell, he shot them in the head. He didn’t want them to suffer long before they died.

Arcade collected their supplies, grateful that they had a stimpak and more bullets.

Dodging between more buildings, Arcade finally reached a clearing, where dead or dying bodies were littered. There, three people stood off, two of them standing next to each other and pointing a gun at the third.

“Come on, what do you want me to say?” The raider leader asked, gasping painfully as he gripped his arm. He had been shot, blood was pooling out.

“Where is she?” The woman asked calmly.

“I don’t-I don’t know!”

“Oh, that isn’t true, is it?” The other man asked.

The raider leader looked between the both of them, and shook his head, “You won’t find her. Killed her when she tried to escape.”

Arcade’s heart panged in his chest. Someone had died escaping them, just like he almost did.

“Alright.” The woman said, before she shot the raider dead.

She turned away from the body and sighed, folding her arms across her chest and staring up at the sky.

“You tried, Nora. We can give her family a clear answer about what happened to her.”

“I…I know, it’s just…her mother-”

The woman, Nora, cut herself off. She looked close to tears.

Arcade debated whether or not he should reveal himself or just let these two people leave. He could search the dead raiders’ bodies when they left and he would have enough supplies and hopefully caps to get himself out of the commonwealth.

“You’re giving her the answer she needs.” The man said.

Arcade let out a small sigh. These people seemed nice but…could he trust them?

“Wait, be quiet.” The two ducked down and Arcade pressed himself against the wall. Had they heard him?

“Come out!” Nora demanded, “We won’t shoot if you don’t!”

Arcade weighed his options. Either he left his safety besides the wall and they shot him, or…they didn’t. 

Arcade shook his head, straightening his glasses. He couldn't risk this, not when he had already gotten so far!

“We don’t want to hurt you!” Nora yelled again, and Arcade grit his teeth.

He had always been more trusting than he should.

Arcade slowly stepped out, his hands raised and away from his gun.

He couldn't imagine what they saw. His coat was stained with dirt and blood, torn from running for hours. He was tired, and he was dirty, and he was scared.

“You’re not a raider.” Nora pointed out.

“No.” Arcade told them, “In fact, you just saved them from killing me.”

Arcade eyes drifted from Nora to the man, widening in surprise as he got a good look at his face.

“What-”

“He’s a synth.” Nora said, “His name is Nick. Not from around here?”

Arcade shook his head slowly. He knew robots, he had to know them. He had never seen something so…realistic as the robot in front of him.

“Well, long story short, he’s a person.” Nora said, “A person who thinks and feels. Would you agree?”

She seemed to be testing him, and Arcade thought of what to say.

Certainly this robot did appear to be sentient. He comforted Nora, and he had, though inadvertently, rescued him.

Arcade was always open to new thoughts, new ideas, and new people.

“I would.” Arcade said, “He saved me, after all.”

“We both did…” Nora pouted, before Nick stepped forward.

“You’re covered in blood.” He pointed out, “Do we need to check you over?” Nick stared at Arcade, his glowing, yellow eyes piercing into Arcade’s soul. Well, almost. Arcade wasn't entirely sure if he had a soul, not anymore.

“It’s not my blood.” Arcade joked, before laughing awkwardly.

Nick smiled and shook his head, “As long as it’s not yours. Where are you headed…” He motioned towards Arcade, not quite exactly asking Arcade for his name but clearly expecting it.

Arcade wasn't sure if he should give these strangers his name, but he was so tired already, and tired of running.

“It’s Arcade.” He told them, “I’m…just looking for a safe place.”

Nore grinned, “We’re heading back to Diamond City! Nick can try and help you get back home.”

Arcade chuckled. No, it served no point going back home. It would take so long and Arcade’s home was likely destroyed.

“I’m just…looking for a new place.”

“I see.” Nick said, “Sounds like you still need help.” 

Arcade stared at Nick’s eyes, watching as the lenses focused and unfocused.

“I’m…fine.” Arcade slowly insisted, trying to keep his growing panic at bay. They clearly suspected something, but Arcade knew he couldn't fully trust them. No, if he told them that he was running from Caesar, they’d sell him back. He could trust no one.

“Great. Then we’ll take you to Diamond City, wrap up this case, and I’ll head back to Sanctuary.”

“Going back home?” Nick asked.

Nora nodded, “Sturges might have that machine ready. I’m sure you can deal with him by yourself.”

Nick glanced at Arcade, before nodding.

“Fine.” He said, and for once, Arcade could tell that he was telling the truth.

Diamond City was not at all what Arcade expected. The city of Boston, in the old world, was said to have been grand before the bombs fell. Arcade knew enough to know that most of that had been propaganda, and that likely, Boston was a terrible place.

The broken remains of it looked beautiful, though. If one ignored the splatter of blood or the remnants of dead and decaying bodies. 

However, Arcade was not expecting “The Jewel of the Commonwealth” to be an old baseball stadium.

“Looks great, huh?” Nora asked, elbowing Arcade in his side when they approached, “Didn’t used to look so shitty before the war. It was actually fun to go here when a game was on.”

“You say that like you were there.” Arcade joked, and Nora chuckled knowingly.

“I used to play, when I was a kid.” Arcade shared.

Nick smiled, “Did you now? They still have baseball where you’re from?”

Arcade nodded, “We had a stadium that was built after the war. My mom used to take me when my dad…” Arcade trailed off.

Here he was, sharing personal and secret details of his life to two strangers! Just because he felt nostalgic!

“I wanted to take my son.” Nora said softly, shaking her head.

“You’ll find him. And soon.” Nick told her.

There it was again. Nick was comforting her over some unknown backstory. Arcade didn't want to pry, unsure of what he could even say. His bedside manner had always been terrible. Anything he could say would likely serve to make Nora upset.

So Arcade followed behind them, feeling like a third wheel. Whatever Nora had going on was something that Arcade couldn't get himself involved in. He needed to focus on getting out of the Commonwealth.

Chapter Text

It was always strange when Arcade had nightmares. Everything seemed so distant in his dreams, cloudy and far from his reach, yet in nightmares, he could see everything up close.

Powerless in his own mind, he watched as fire tore apart the homes he had grown to love over the years, as his friends became mere bodies upon crosses in the wake of the legion.

Arcade never knew what became of them, all communication ceased once he was handed to Caesar. He didn't know if they had gotten out, if they took Arcade’s disappearance and the worsening political climate as a sign to flee. He hoped they did.

But the point of the nightmares was to torture him, right? To dangle their possible fates in front of him like he could have done something to stop it.

His brain screams at him, “You could have killed him”. Arcade didn't know if it meant the courier or Caesar, but he knows that either way, it is true.

The source of his nightmares has always been his guilt. His guilt for surviving, for making the wrong decisions, for doing nothing.

But there’s something else, this one time.

While Arcade sleeps, he gets moments of pure white. A place that is spotless, cleaner than any vault he has visited. He sees his reflection in crystal clear waters, reflecting his face and hair that match. It is gone before he can make any sense of it, and he is awake before the dream can continue.

Bright, yellow eyes are the first thing Arcade sees when he wakes up, and he jumps before he slowly realizes where he is.

Nick backs away, both hands held up to show that they were empty, to show that Nick was safe.

“I’m sorry.” They both said at the same time, causing Nick to shake his head and chuckle.

“I should have known better to give you your space. You looked like you were having a nightmare.”

Nick sat down on the chair next to the bed he had loaned to Arcade for the night. His coat lightly caught on the wood, but only Arcade noticed. He held his tongue, and he reached for his glasses.

“I was.” Arcade tells him. He says nothing else.

“I know you said that you didn’t want to go home, but I still want to help you.”

Arcade didn’t doubt that, but he did wonder how far news of his presence could spread. If Caesar, or god forbid, Vulpes, found out about his location, he’d be right back where he started. Or dead.

“What do you need?” Nick asked, “If it's caps, I’m sure there are some jobs out there. I can help.”

Arcade sighed, “I just need to leave.”

Nick nodded, and leaned back slightly.

“May I ask why?”

“I’m running.”

“From what?” Nick asked, pointedly staring at Arcade, making said man shiver slightly.

“Bad people.” Arcade told him, looking down at the ratty blanket he was given, “I’m not sure that I should say who.”

Nick nodded, and leaned forward, his face coming closer to Arcade’s. Against his best wishes, Arcade flushed at the close contact. 

“I’m a detective. Though it is not in the job description, I can keep secrets very well.” 

Nick studied Arcade’s reaction, pausing for a second before continuing.

“I am also a synth. If you are one…I will help you get to the Railroad.”

Arcade slowly shook his head, “No, I…god, I can’t believe I’m about to say this.”

He inhaled, and pointedly made eye contact with Nick.

“I am running from Caesar’s Legion.”

Nick blinked, his metaphorical and probably literal gears turning in his head.

“I don’t….” Nick frowned, and backed away, “What are they doing this far east?”

“Diplomatic mission.” Arcade mumbled, dragging his hand across his face, “I don’t know who invited him, I just know that he took me with him.”

“Caesar’s Legion practices slavery.” Nick said to himself, before focusing on Arcade, “You were a s-”

“Yes.” Arcade interrupted, “I was. And if he finds me, I will be killed. Or worse…”

“I understand.” Nick stood up, “Then leaving may not be the best course of action, Mr…”

“Gannon.” Arcade stared at his blanket, “My name is Arcade Gannon.”

“...Mr. Gannon. I can’t say that I know what a man like him would do, but I have been around for many, many years. If he leaves, when he leaves, then it will be safe.”

“But if he stays to look for me…” Arcade looked up at Nick, his hands gripping the blankets.

“I can’t go back, Nick.”

The synth in front of him looked conflicted, more so than Arcade had seen on some humans before. Any doubt of his sentience that remained was gone. 

“You won’t.” Nick whispered, “I won’t let you.”

Nick shook his head, his broken fingers adjusting the sleeve collars on his jacket.

“I’m sure my secretary knows where some good human food is in this place. I’ll be downstairs.”

Nick left, and Arcade buried his face into his hands.

He trusted Nick, which was a bit naive of him to do. Arcade didn't know why he trusted him so easily. Maybe it was because he had saved his life, but the courier did the same thing, over and over again.

Arcade trusted him then, but he knew better now than to trust someone who does one good thing for you.

Arcade pushed the blanket off of his long legs and sighed. He was tired, not yet recovered from the exhaustion escaping had caused him, but he was well enough to go downstairs and find food.

“So.” Ellie said, passing Arcade a bowl of very old instant mashed potatoes, “Where did you say you were from again?”

“He didn't.” Nick interrupted from his own desk, “He’s not a client, El.”

Ellie rolled her eyes, and sat across from Arcade, studying him as he ate silently.

Arcade guessed that being a secretary to a detective was a job made for more inquisitive people. Years ago, he would have been a bit nervous around this woman, worried that she’d unwrap his whole life with a few pointed questions.

Now, Arcade still kept a few of those reservations, but he was more guarded about it now.

“Is Arcade your real name?” She asked.

Arcade scoffed, “I sure hope it is.”

“It’s a strange name.” She raised her eyebrow, but Arcade had a feeling that this was all in good fun.

“My parents were strange people.”

Nick chuckled from his desk, before continuing to pour himself over case files.

“Did your parents want you to be a doctor?”

From the corner, Nick paused. Arcade wrangled his emotions, keeping his face straight.

“How did you know?” He asked calmly, while alarms sounded in his brain.

“Your coat.” She said, pointing to the torn fabric that could hardly be classified as a coat hanging next to Nick’s.

“The design on the sleeves. It belongs to the Followers of the Apocalypse.” Ellie continued, “We’ve gotten our fair share up here. But Diamond City doesn't let ghouls in.”

Arcade frowned, “Some of our best doctors are ghouls. That is just…it’s…” Arcade groaned and angrily ate his mashed potatoes.

“I agree.” Ellie said, “How is it like being a Follower? I’ve always wanted to become a doctor, but that’s sort of impossible without caps these days.”

Arcade swallowed, and shrugged, “It was…rewarding. I rarely worked with people, I did research. Around the end, though…”

Arcade sighed. Around the end, he was useless. He kept a tyrant alive because he made a vow not to harm anyone in his care. And because he was afraid. He was afraid of death, and he didn't know the horrible impacts of his mistake.

“Oh, so you’re like a scientist too?” Ellie asked.

“The exact term would be botanist, but I am not that either.”

“Then what are you?” Ellie asked, her expression not at all prying. She merely looked curious.

“I am…” Arcade paused. What was he? He wasn't a slave, not any more. He wasn't a doctor, either. Never again would he be a helpful friend to the courier.

“...I am free.” Arcade muttered, the mere fact of the matter stunning him.

He was free. He belonged to no one.

Ellie was slightly confused, glancing at Nick before just shaking her head. He must have told her nothing, which Arcade was very grateful for.

“I think I’m going to take a walk outside.” Arcade said, before standing up and grabbing his coat. It was dirty and it smelled strange, but he felt weird going outside with just his shirt over his chest.

“Be safe.” Nick called, causing Arcade to pause before he opened the door. Their conversation from earlier flashed through his thoughts. Nick cared about him, Arcade thought. A strange feeling settled in his stomach.

“I will.” He mumbled, before pushing it open and stepping outside into Diamond City.

Chapter Text

Arcade sighed as the beginnings of rain fell, droplets catching on the frames of his glasses. He was used to long, hot days in the Mojave. The faint feeling of his skin burning under the sun was still in the back of Arcade’s mind.

Rounding the corner of the small street where Nick lived and worked, Arcade smiled. People were walking all around him, talking amongst themselves as they went about their day.

Arcade missed this. He missed people who weren't afraid.

With his chest feeling lighter, Arcade stepped into the crowd, wordlessly assimilating into it. He walked around for a few minutes, taking in the sights he couldn't see the previous day.

His eyes focused on a display of clothing, where two mannequins stood side by side. One of the mannequins wore traditionally masculine clothing that Arcade hardly cared for. However, it wore two sturdy, black boots.

Looking down at his own boots, Arcade frowned. They were many, many years old. Worn from walking from New Vegas to The Commonwealth, and muddy from running aimlessly.

Arcade wanted the boots, but he had no caps, as the whole point of living as a slave meant that he did not get paid for his work.

“What are you looking at?”

Arcade jumped, gripping his chest as he turned to see who had spoken.

Nora stood next to him, slightly concerned as Arcade breathed deeply.

“Don’t-”

“Scare you.” She finished, “I’ll make sure I don't.” She nodded towards the clothes, “Something catch your fancy?”

Arcade grimaced, looking over the outfit again.

“No, it isn’t my style.” He remarked, almost sneering at the clothes. He didn’t know what he hated about them. He was sure he’d never seen them before, but the design brought him feelings of anger and disgust.

“But it’s a classic within commonwealth culture!” Nora joker, laughing at her own terrible joke. Arcade gave her a polite chuckle.

“But seriously.” She added, “Gonna buy it or no?”

Arcade shook his head, “A bit short on caps.” He reached into his pockets and only pulled out a few legion coins.

Nora seemed curious, but she didn't say anything as Arcade sighed and pocketed it once again.

“I could get them for you.” She offered, right before Arcade was ready to turn around and head back to Nick’s office.

“Get what?” Arcade asked, “I don’t want them.” He lied.

“The boots.” She said nonchalantly, “Don’t look so shocked, anyone could see you eying them from a mile away.”

Arcade sighed, slightly put off at how observant she was. He considered the fact that she seemed to be helping Nick in cases. Being observant was the best quality to have when looking for a missing person. Arcade just didn't want to be found.

“You don’t have to-”

Arcade turned to speak to her, and instead found her holding the boots in her hands.

“While you were sulking, I bought them.” She exclaimed, her smile lighting up the dreary atmosphere, “They aren’t my size, so you need to take them! Otherwise it’ll be uncomfortable to wear them.”

She pushed forward and nearly shoved the boots into Arcade’s hands. Clearly he was in no state to argue with her. Arcade could be pretty argumentative, but the last person he argued with was Caesar. 

Now, he’d prefer to hold his tongue when friends were near.

“Okay.” He said, taking them. It felt good to have them, at the very least.

“While you’re at it,” Nora continued, “Could you do another favor for me?”

“I…sure.” Arcade nodded. She had already done so much for him, it felt only customary that he do something for her.

“Could you take him?”

Nora stepped to the side to reveal a dog, a german shepherd to be exact.

Arcade felt himself grinning, and he knelt down to give the cute dog some pets. In his excitement, he forgot all about the request.

“Who’s a good boy?” He asked, before looking up at Nora, “What’s his name?”

“Dogmeat.” She answered, “You like him?”

Dogmeat pressed his snout into Arcade’s palm before licking slowly. Arcade loved him. He nodded vigorously.

“Great! So, you’ll keep him, then? I can give you the caps for a few weeks of food-”

Arcade paused, “Keep him? As in…take care of him?”

He looked down at Dogmeat again. The poor thing had his tongue out and was looking up at Arcade with soft brown eyes.

He could hardly say no.

“I figured you need him more than I do.” Nora chuckled quietly, her demeanor slowly turning serious, “I’m…going somewhere. A place where he can’t follow. There’s a chance I may not return, and…” She sighed, letting her gaze fall down to Dogmeat. The poor dog was oblivious to the conversation 

“He helped me, when I was all on my own. Maybe he could help you too?” 

It was a very kind gesture, Arcade was aware of that. But, for some reason, he felt like it was wasted on him.

Why should he get a dog? Especially one that looked strikingly similar to Rex? Did he deserve such happiness?

Nora flicked Arcade’s forehead, “Again with the sulking. It’s like you’re in your own world, you know?” She knelt down beside Arcade, patting Dogmeat’s head, “What’s going on up there?”

“Nothing of importance.” Arcade shrugged her attempts at deep communication off. Maybe one day he would talk to her about Rex, at the very least.

For now, though, he would do her a favor.

“I’ll take him.” Arcade finally answered, scratching Dogmeat’s ears. Nora grinned and Dogmeat nuzzled into Arcade’s hands.

“Good!” She stood up, checking the pip boy on her wrist. Arcade tried not to stare at the device.

“I have a few minutes.” She finally said, before zipping up her jacket and smiling wickedly, “How about I show you something cool?”

She pulled Arcade up, and dragged him to a shady alleyway, before climbing on top of a small roof.

Arcade just stared at her, asking what exactly she was doing with a glare that she ignored.

She continued to climb, so Arcade pulled himself up.

Once on the rooftop, she quickly ran across the metal sheets, expertly balancing as her boots clanged on the material below her loud boots.

“H-Hold up!” Arcade called out, trying to keep himself from slipping. His new boots were tucked underneath his arms, and he held onto the surrounding walls as he slowly made his way across.

Soon, the both of them were near the detective agency, passing a small trailer and a cat on the way.

Then, Nora stopped.

Arcade finally reached her, his legs shaking slightly as adrenaline pumped through him.

“Here’s what I wanted to show you.” She said, motioning out towards Diamond City. The view from the tops of people's homes was indeed impressive. Below them, a few stragglers in the rain walked slowly. Maybe they weren't as lucky as Arcade had been, maybe they didn't have a place to go or a bed to sleep in.

“Diamond City is certainly something.” Nora said, “When things are different, it will get better.”

Arcade looked down at the eyebot silently floating along the streets.

“You sound so sure of it.” Arcade said, sounding much sadder than he had originally intended. 

Nora nodded, her fingers drumming along the surface of the pip boy, “I am. Things will have to be better. For me…for my son.”

Arcade didn't react. Of course she would have a son. Of course, someone as kind as she was would have someone to care for, to love.

Arcade inwardly scoffed at himself. He was being cynical, thinking that the only reason she was hopeful was because the world hadn't beaten hope out of her yet. He hated this way of thinking.

“When things get better.” Arcade paused, trying to search for words, “Does this have anything to do with your mission?”

Nora nodded, “Yes. I’m going to face the Institute.”

What she said would have meant a lot if Arcade knew what the Institute was.

“I’m sorry.” He said instead, “I’m afraid I don’t yet grasp the significance.”

Nora’s laugh rang out, mixing easily with the sound of the rain, “You’re really not from here, huh.”

Arcade nodded, “I’m very far from home.”

“Well,” Nora said, “Where are you from?”

“West.” Was all that Arcade supplied.

Nora huffed, “Jeez, that’s vague. Uh…” She tapped her chin before she gasped, “California!!! It’s something different now, though…”

“New California Republic.” Arcade immediately supplied, “You got lucky.”

“You’re…very far from home.” Nora repeated, saying exactly what Arcade had said but with a cadence so sad that Arcade knew she must have felt the same loss that he did.

“Why?” She asked, and Arcade didn’t have the heart to look her in the eyes.

He stayed silent, looking down at the ground below them, watching Dogmeat sniff at the cat they saw earlier.

He could tell Nora was thinking behind him. Maybe she was debating on what to say, or perhaps debating on whether to speak at all. He hoped that it was the latter.

Finally, she spoke.

“I watched my husband die.” She said slowly, “I watched a man take my son, my little Shawn. I tracked down that man and I…killed him.” She confessed.

Arcade kept very still. Not out of fear, but out of respect.

“I’m still looking for my son.” She tells him, “It’s not easy to trust people, I know that. But keeping the pain inside…it’ll eat away at you. You don’t have to tell me anything, but…just consider that, okay?”

Arcade just nodded slowly. 

A few minutes later, Nora would sigh and tell Arcade that she had to go. She would tell him to say goodbye to Nick for her, and she would give Dogmeat one final pet before she headed out into the unknown.

For now, though, the two just sat in a comfortable silence, both of them thinking back on painful memories but much too scared to tell each other.

Chapter Text

Arcade took his time in returning after Nora left. It wasn't that he didn't want to go back to Nick, he thought the synth was perfectly fine. It was just that the feeling of finally having a choice to stay outside was everything to Arcade. He had considered Nora’s words as well, and figured that if she returned, he would tell her what he had gone through.

After a considerable amount of time, Arcade climbed down, and called Dogmeat towards him. The dog was having the time of his life playing in the mud puddles collecting on the ground.

Arcade sighed as the sloppy furred Dogmeat bounded towards him, wet and dirty. He didn't know the shower situation in Nick’s place, nor if it would be spacious enough to fit Dogmeat.

“You’re silly.” Arcade told Dogmeat, “Silly and dirty. Hopefully Nick will fall for your begging and allow you to stay.”

Dogmeat just looked up at him with big brown eyes, obliviously happy. Arcade felt himself grin.

He opened the door quietly and let Dogmeat inside first, preparing for the inevitable shaking that would no doubt make either Ellie or Nick upset.

Stepping inside, he saw Nick turn to look, the beginnings of a word on the tip of his tongue, stopping only when he saw Dogmeat.

“Don’t let-” Was all that Nick could say before Dogmeat began to shake all of the mud and water out of his fur. Arcade took the force of it, but mud splattered across the room in flecks.

Once he finished, he ran up to Nick, barking happily and licking the metal of his fingers.

“Sorry.” Arcade apologized, “I didn't know he would…” Nick was staring at Arcade, the yellow glow in his eyes making Arcade nervous as he stood out of place in the doorway.

“It’s alright.” Nick said, before looking down at Dogmeat and petting his head, “Nora told me that he would be coming. I just didn't expect him to be so wet.”

Arcade watched as Nick’s fingers scratched underneath Dogmeat’s chin. He didn't know what was so captivating in that moment, but he couldn't look away.

“It might be a good thing that he’ll be around you now. Reports have come in about Caesar in the Commonwealth. It’s likely that he’ll try to visit the city, but as long as the mayor doesn't let him in, you should be fine, right?”

Arcade knew that wasn't entirely true. He had Vulpes with him, and before Arcade escaped, Vulpes was given the directive to plant spies within settlements. Remembering Nipton, Arcade had tried to convince Caesar that it wasn't safe to do so, at least not yet. The man didn't even know if he wanted to extend his troops that far East. Caesar didn't listen.

“You seem unsure.” Nick pointed out, “What’s going on up there.” Nick tapped the side of his head, his eyes focusing and unfocusing as they studied Arcade’s face.

“He has a team of spies.” Arcade whispered, looking over his shoulder to make sure Ellie didn't walk in.

“That is expected.” Nick said, “But would he really forego conquest just to find his personal physician-”

“I wasn't just-” Arcade stops himself from yelling, cutting himself off to spare himself from further shame.

Dogmeat was still now, shocked from the rise in volume, and Nick was silently watching Arcade, calculating him.

“I was…more than that, to him.” Arcade quietly explained, “I don’t know if he saw me as-as a friend, or something else, but in his mind, he loves me.” He confessed, shame building steadily in his chest, “To him, I am his confidant. He once told me that there was no measure to what he would do for me, no promise he wouldn’t break for my confinement.”

Those were the exact words. Arcade remembered them harshly, with red, hot anger and disgust. Caesar had told him such after a long day of arguing, which featured Arcade giving the man his thoughts. His thoughts had been harsh and violent towards the tyrant, and in a fit of rage, Arcade had screamed at him.

Caesar didn't react. He just listened as Arcade chewed him up and spat him out. And once Arcade was nearly in tears out of frustration, he had decided to comfort him, though his words were of little comfort.

Once, it had solidified that Arcade had been truly trapped. Now it served as a reminder that the man who had kept him trapped thought of Arcade as a thing to own, a pet who could bite and scratch back, but was still kept inside at the end of the day.

Nick shook his head, slowly taking it in.

“That is…quite an issue, then.” He said slowly, “I didn’t mean…” He didn't know what to say, Arcade’s words had truly surprised him.

Together, they stood in silence. Only Dogmeat moved, and he positioned himself beside Arcade, sensing his emotional ruin.

“It’s fine.” Arcade lied, “I just…if I never see the man again, it will be too soon.” Arcade tried to smile to lessen the tension.

Nick chuckled awkwardly, “I’d hate to meet this man. Hopefully, that proves to you that you won’t ever see him again. I’ll think of something to do by tomorrow. You should be safe here.”

Arcade knew he would be. He doubted that Nick would let Caesar get his hands on Arcade again. 

The thought of Nick protecting him, however, made Arcade’s stomach twist. It sent strange, slightly pleasing feelings up his spine. 

Arcade shook those thoughts out of his head, “So, now that this is done, I’ll just…” He pointed up towards the bed that he had used last night. He wanted to give Nick his space, in case he needed to do some work.

“You should probably take a shower.” Nick pointed out, “Your coat is in ruins, and you’re covered in mud.”

Arcade flushed, his pale cheeks turning a bright red, “Well…yeah, I should. Where is it, then?”

Nick smiled, and stood up, “Come on, I’ll show you.”

The thought of Nick showing Arcade the showers sent his mind racing. Arcade was forty now, not exactly as spry as he used to be, but even still, a nice, sweet talking man showing him the shower made him jittery.

“That’s fine!” Arcade said, slowly backing up, “Just point me, and there I go!” He laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. There was no way Nick thought highly of him now.

“Dogmeat can show you, then. Nora’s used it more times than I can count.” He looked up in thought, and Arcade took that chance to rush out of the room.

“Okay, goodbye!” He said, before nearly tripping over Dogmeat to get out of the room.

He bounded up the stairs and groaned as he took off his dirty coat, tossing it on the bed. Dogmeat rolled on the ground beside the bed while Arcade sunk down on the mattress.

“God…” He lamented, slapping his face lightly, “I can’t afford to be like this now.”

He could hopelessly pine at any other moment, but not now, and not with the man who had rescued him.

Dogmeat looked up at him with a curious gaze, and Arcade just sighed.

“And you’re still dirty. Come on, show me where the shower is so I can clean the both of us up.”

Dogmeat jumped up, and began walking, and Arcade quickly followed, ready to get out of his dirty clothes.

Nick Valentine had fallen in love a long time ago. Or, well, the real Nick Valentine had, at least. Before the war, the real Nick Valentine had a woman, a nice girl with a bright laugh. The real Nick Valentine loved her dearly, and when she died, the real Nick Valentine swore that he would never love again.

Now, Nick Valentine held no obligations to keep the same promises that the real Nick Valentine did. He had already avenged the woman’s death, and he had put his past to rest.

When Nick first saw Arcade, he had noticed immediately that something was different about the man. His hair was the first thing he noticed, long and bright, a beacon of light in the otherwise bloody and dirty landscape.

The second thing he noticed was the blood, staining his face and coat. When they met, he asked about this, and the answer Arcade had given him made his chest feel…strangely human. The echos of a feeling that the real Nick Valentine could feel still remaining centuries after his death.

Finding out more about him was difficult, to say the least. Learning that this beautiful man had just escaped from captivity, from Caesar’s Legion, was heartbreaking. 

But Nick had only known this man for two days. He couldn't quite understand why he was so enamored with him already. He didn't look at all like the woman the real Nick Valentine had loved. She had dark skin and dark, curly hair. She was so colorful and wonderfully loud.

Arcade was quieter, and he lacked the color she did, though Nick thought that white and light blue looked nice on him. His hair was thinner, straighter, and almost white. 

Nick couldn't help but make the comparisons between the two, though he felt bad. Each was their own person, or had been their own person. One was dead, long dead now, and the other was currently taking a shower nearby after spilling his heart out about the nature of his escaped captor.

Nick sighed as he thought about Arcade’s situation. He’d have to think of something to do, find some place to go.

Likely, it would be some place with a small amount of people, a settlement small enough that Caesar wouldn't want to exhaust his resources there.

Nick had a few options to choose from, and he was ready to get started when the front door opened. In strolled a man, dressed in unassuming clothes, and wearing a hat.

“You’re…Valentine?” He asked, his voice low.

Nick nodded, “I am. Do you need my services? I’m afraid I have a case that I’m currently working on but if-”

“I do.” He interrupted, “It’s very important.”

“I know. I agree that it is important.”

Nick motioned for the man to sit down, and he did.

“Now, what is your name?”

“Fox.”

Nick wrote that down, a strange feeling settling in his non-existent gut.

“The name of your missing person?”

“Arcade Gannon.”

Nick froze, his fingers locking up as the pen pressed against the paper.

Slowly, he realized who this man was.

“Arcade. Interesting name.” Nick said, looking up at this “Fox”.

“Is it?” Fox asked.

“Yes, arcades are pre-war establishments. They were for entertainment.” Nick set his clipboard down, “I’m going to be frank. Was Arcade kidnapped, or did he run away?”

“Kidnapped.” Fox answered, “He couldn't have left on his own. We are from a settlement and Arcade is our doctor. We would have seen him left.”

“You would have also seen kidnappers.” Nick stood up, “Did you notice anything strange in his behavior?”

He was waiting to send this “Fox” away, listening for Arcade or Dogmeat’s footsteps.

Nick needed to make a decision.

“No. He was acting normal. We will pay-”

Nick shook his head, “I don’t take bribes.”

“Admirable.” Fox remarked, “Then, you agree to find him?”

“When was the last time you saw him?” Nick asked.

“Over a week ago.” Fox’s fingers tapped on the desk, “He was kidnapped from our camp. We heard a scuffle, and when we went to investigate, he was gone.”

Nick didn’t know if this was intentional, but the details weren't lining up. Arcade didn't escape a week ago, it was only a few days prior, according to Arcade.

“I will find him, Mr. Fox. I believe that I have been hearing rumors of a new doctor. I should investigate.”

He turned to Fox, looking him over. He seemed smaller than Nick, weaker. But Nick knew that appearances were deceiving. 

“Stay in Diamond City.” He told the man, “I’ll be back, and if I find him, you will know.”

Fox nodded, and soon, he was out of the door and heading to the Inn.

Luckily, Arcade stepped back inside right after, his hair wet from the shower, his face clean from the dirt. He looked handsome, Nick realized.

“I washed Dogmeat!” He cheered, grinning and showing off his teeth. Nick noticed that some of them were crooked. He didn't know exactly why he cared about that.

“And, I found some clothes, too. I don’t know if they’re yours but my pants were ruined already, and-”

“Arcade.” Nick interrupted, “Someone just came in asking about you.”

The taller man paused, his clean and perfect face contorting into fear.

“I-I…already?” He said, his voice cracking. Nick wanted to do nothing more than soothe the man in front of him. His hands itched as the fingers flexed. He wanted to grab ahold of Arcade and reassure him. He didn't.

“I have a plan.” Nick said instead, “Tonight, we leave and make our way to Goodneighbor, where we will stay until I can find a more suitable plan.”

Arcade nodded slightly, staring off just past Nick. He checked out, it seemed, thinking of something that Nick couldn't know. He did this, quite a bit. Nora had noticed it after her first conversation with him, and she reminded Nick about it before she left.

“I recognize that look.” Nora had told him, “My husband…he had his issues. Sometimes, he would be there with us, but his mind wouldn't be. He’d be back in the war, fighting. Keep an eye on him.”

Nick knew what she was talking about, of course. The real Nick Valentine had dealt with many old war heros, many traumatized men and women who experienced the worst America had created before the war.

Nick reached forward and took Arcade’s hand, pulling him out of his head.

“We leave tonight.” Nick repeated, “Nora left a bag of supplies, look through it. The way to Goodneighbor can be rough.”

“Okay.” Arcade said, not pulling his hand away.

The taller man stared down at their conjoined hands, a bright red dusting his features.

Nick thought that he looked beautiful when he blushed.

“I should…” Arcade pulled away, rubbing the skin where Nick’s fingers had touched. Nick watched as Arcade left the office, before he looked down at his own fingers.

He could feel, though it was so muted that one could argue that it was hardly there. But for a second, he could feel Arcade. If he were human, his heart would be thumping loudly in his chest as his mind raced.

But Nick Valentine was not human. So, with his mind clear, he flexed his fingers, categorizing the feeling of Arcade before he turned away. He had to get ready.

Chapter Text

“So,” Nick said, once they got away from Diamond City’s walls, “You chose a plasma rifle.”

Arcade’s brain had been buzzing with anxiety for the past few hours, jumping at every noise, expecting Caesar to be around any corner.

It had been instinct, choosing the rifle. His fingers knew the gun, his brain knew the range, his heart knew the microfusion cells. It was hardly a choice.

“It was my weapon of choice.” Arcade answered. Even though he hadn’t held one since the Courier knocked his out of his hand years ago. 

“You like energy weapons?” Nick asked, pushing past the remains of a raider. It smelled sour, and Arcade envied Nick for not having the ability to smell.

“I was taught with them when I was a kid.” 

Next to Arcade, Dogmeat trotted along, happily content. Even his tongue was hanging out of his mouth.

“Tell me about that.” Nick said, smiling over at Arcade. It was a sly sort of smile, the type of smile one would use when flirting, and Arcade recognized it. He himself had been at the receiving end of such a smile before, most recent being the courier those years ago.

But Nick was from an entirely different world than Arcade. Things were probably different on the opposite side of the continent and this likely meant nothing, or so Arcade convinced himself.

“It’s nothing really.” Arcade told him, stepping down some broken concrete stairs, “My father was a part of this…gang, and after my father died, they taught me how to shoot so I wouldn't die.”

And because they loved Arcade. They wanted to see him grow up to be, in some ways, just like them. It varied based on which Remnant you asked, but most wanted Arcade to be a reflection of how much they had grown and changed.

“What about your mother?” Nick asked, “I’m sorry if this is a harsh subject. We can walk in silence.”

“It’s fine.” Arcade sighed, “She didn't like that they taught me how to shoot.”

“I can understand why.” Nick chimed in, and Arcade chuckled.

“She had the privilege of living away from violence for a good part of her life. I had that same privilege for the first year of my own, but…it all fell apart. My mother still wanted to raise me as she had been raised, but luckily, my father’s friends knew that you have to teach a kid how to survive in the wasteland.”

They approached some steps, and Nick placed a hand on Arcade’s back, gently guiding the taller man and holding him in place.

This is not flirting, Arcade reminded himself.

It was indeed flirting.

“It sounds tough to be a child in this world.” Nick remarked, pressing his metal fingers into the small of Arcade’s back, “How did you survive out west?”

Arcade scoffed, “Pure luck. That, and my fathers friends were quite adamant that I be protected. Out of a sense of loyalty to my father, most likely. Well…maybe not Daisy…”

Nick hummed, “Daisy?” He asked.

“Yeah.” They turned down a decrepit street, and Nick moved forward to scale the pile of rubble in front of them, “Daisy was…like my mother, I guess. My mother died when I was thirteen, and ever since then, it was me and Daisy. I lived with her when we had to split up, and when I went to school, she was the one who went to my graduation.”

Nick reached for Arcade’s hand, and pulled him up over the pile of rubble, making sure he didn’t slip.

“She was a big influence on my life. Besides my mother, she had been the only woman, is the only woman still, and she was smart and tough. I used to want to be her when I was younger but…I didn't understand what she had done.”

“People aren’t black and white.” Nick said, helping Arcade down, “Good people can do bad things, bad people can do good things. Regular people, they can do a mix of both.”

Arcade nodded in agreement. He had to agree that Daisy was a good woman, who had done very bad things. She was raised in a place where doing bad things was a part of the job in order to achieve their dream.

For Daisy, it had been flying. She used to say that for Arcade’s father, his dream had been family.

Arcade still wonders what his father would think if he saw his son now.

“Well, she does well enough. Or…did, I suppose. I don’t know where she is, or if she is even alive.” Arcade confessed, “After I got…sold, I never saw her again. I like to think that she escaped the Legion. We are good at doing that.”

“Perhaps you will see her once again?” 

“Media vita in morte sumus.” Arcade recited, “I don’t think I will ever see her again.”

Nick remained silent, walking ahead of Arcade to put himself in the way of any incoming bullets. Dogmeat was sniffing the ground as they walked, focusing intently on the many smells.

It was…strangely peaceful. It reminded him of the journeys he used to take with Daisy and his mother, the long stretches of road with the few things they owned on their backs. Daisy used to cheer Arcade up by singing songs that she heard on the radio.

“Is there a radio station in the commonwealth?” Arcade asked. Nick stopped and pressed a hand to Arcade’s chest to still him. Far away, raiders shot at super mutants, their quarrel keeping them safe.

“There is.” Nick answered when they began walking again, “The man who runs the radio in Diamond City is a bit…strange, but he plays good music.”

“What kind of music?”

Nick stopped, thinking for a second before he began singing.

‘I don’t want to set the world on fire

I just want to start, a flame in your heart’

His voice had a sort of rustic quality to it. It wasn't like a professional singer, not at all polished or perfect. A few notes were a bit flat, and his voice clearly wasn't used to singing.

But Arcade thought it was perfect. His heart thumped loudly in his ears as Nick sang, his cheeks turned red when Nick looked at him, almost like he was singing to him.

“...I…wow, do you treat every guy like this?” Arcade laughed awkwardly, trying to ignore the way Nick smiled at him.

“No.” Nick answered truthfully, reaching forward to grip the edges of Arcade’s coat. He pulled the two of them closer, and Arcade wasn't sure exactly what was happening.

Had Nick been flirting with him the entire time? Yes, it seemed that he had. Then, did that mean that Nick wanted him? Even after Arcade had told him all of those awful things about Caesar and his family, even after Nick had seen him not in his hayday, but broken after the aftermath of years of anguish.

Arcade was used to being wanted, yes, but by a tyrant who only kept him around because he had a twisted idea of love and property. Nick was a person, though not human, who was caring and sweet and would let Arcade go if he had to.

Their faces were inches from each other, Nick’s fingers were buried in the fabric of the coat, and Arcade had come to the realization that he didn't mind if Nick wanted to kiss him. In fact, he might even prefer it.

“Is this okay?” Nick asked, quietly. His yellow, mechanical eyes kept flicking down to look at Arcade’s lips, which made Arcade’s stomach swirl.

“Y-”

A shot rang out and Dogmeat began growling, barking viciously at a raider behind the two of them. It seemed that they were caught.

“Shit.” Nick remarked, pushing Arcade out of the way. Arcade’s back hit the old concrete wall, and he watched as Nick whipped out his gun.

He immediately aimed and fired, shouts coming from whatever he had hit.

Arcade shook his head, pulling himself out of the bliss that had been that romantic scene, and reached for his plasma rifle. Dogmeat had run off, opting to attack up close, and Arcade rolled out, following Dogmeat with his eyes.

He shot and hit a raider square in the shoulder, knocking the man down on the ground while Dogmeat went for his throat. Arcade turned to check on Nick, and saw that the man just knocked down another, killing them in a couple of shots.

“Fucking bastard!” Someone screamed, and Arcade was rammed by a larger person.

They held a knife in one hand, which Arcade stopped at the behest of his own skin. Blood dripped from the point where the knife had cut deep, falling onto Arcade’s glasses.

“You fucking killed him!” The man screamed, pressing the knife into Arcade’s hand.

Arcade scrambled to reach into his pocket, finding the scalpel that he had kept inside the lining in case…in case one day he needed to…

Arcade gripped the handle of the scalpel, and tore it out of his pocket, thrusting it into the throat of his attacker.

Blood gushed from the open wound, and Arcade forced his knee into their stomach, shoving the person off.

They screamed, but soon, the screams died out as Nick shot his attacker, killing him as Arcade wiped blood from his glasses.

“Are you okay?” Nick asked, kneeling down to check Arcade for injuries

“Fine.” Arcade grunted, “He stabbed my hand.”

He held it up, and Nick almost gasped at the sight.

“It looks awful, but you’ll be fine. I have some stimpaks.”

Nick reached into his pockets.

“I had some stimpaks-”

Arcade burst out in uncomfortable laughter, blood still flowing from his wound.

Dogmeat barked, and settled next to Arcade, whining softly.

“We’re close.” Nick told him, “You can hold out until then, right?”

“It’s not life threatening.” Arcade told Nick, “The most I have to worry about is contamination and infection. To stop the bleeding, I need clean fabric.” 

Arcade turned to Dogmeat, eyeing the bandana on his neck.

“I’m sorry boy.” He said, before he untied it with his good hand, and wrapped it around his injured one.

It was painful, to say the least. Nick was staring at him like he had dropped the atom bomb itself, and poor Dogmeat was still whining.

“I’m fine.” Arcade told them, “I’ve been through worse. You should have seen me when my appendix ruptured while I was in Novac, Daisy nearly had a heart attack.”

Arcade knew Nick would have no idea what he was talking about, but it seemed to put the synth at ease.

“You’re fine.” Nick said in an attempt to calm himself more, “Damn, Arcade, you should have seen yourself. You were…” He waved his hands, trying to find the right word.

“Amazing!” He finally landed, “Gosh, if an angry raider was charging at me like that, I'd self-destruct.”

“It wasn't anything special…” Arcade tried to argue, but Nick wasn't having any of it.

“Arcade, you nearly decapitated that man! I’m not one to marvel at killing, but it was-”

“Amazing?” He asked, and Nick just nodded.

“I…thank you, then.” Arcade held his hand up again, satisfied with his work. It indeed looked better, though it hurt like hell. Hopefully, when they get to Goodneighbor, everything will be fine.

“We need to get going.” Nick said, offering a hand. Arcade took it, and Nick pulled him up with a surprising amount of strength.

In relative silence, the group moved quickly. It truly didn’t take a long time to get to Goodneighbor, and Nick knew all of the alleyways that they could sneak through instead of taking the mainroad.

When they finally saw the fluorescent lights of the small town’s signs, Arcade breathed a sigh of relief. They were, at least a little bit, safe.

Nick ushered Arcade inside, opting to make sure that they weren’t being followed, and Arcade had the privileges to see Goodneighbor for the first time.

It was late at night, yet there were still people lining the streets outside, laughing and singing along to the radio. Some were drinking, some were smoking, and for a second, Arcade thought that this place felt like New Vegas.

He couldn't stop from grinning as the warm, familiar feeling of nostalgia made his brain feel fuzzy.

“Well, well, well.” 

Arcade turned to see a ghoul dressed head to toe in preserved Revolutionary War clothes.

In his left hand, he held jet, and in his right, a gun.

Arcade wondered if Nick could get a stimpak in time if he were shot.

“We don’t see pretty men like you around here, angel. Whatcha doing in my part of town?”

Oh, he was just flirting. Arcade let out a relieved laugh.

“I’m looking for some-”

“Oh fuck, angel, your hand is all sorts of fucked up.” He reached forward and grabbed it, inspecting the bloodied cloth that used to belong to Dogmeat.

The man pulled out a stimpak, injecting it quickly into Arcade’s wrist with ease, like he had done it before. Arcade grimaced as he felt the stimpak working, sealing the gash in his hand and replenishing his blood.

“Thank you.” Arcade gasped, taking off the makeshift bandage and examining his hand. There was a scar, but it was much preferable to an open, bleeding wound.

“Oh, it’s nothing, angel. The name’s-”

“Hancock.” Nick almost growled, interrupting the conversation they were having. Nick’s eyes fell to Arcade’s hand, and he looked back up almost instantly.

“Ah, Nicky!” Hancock shouted, walking over and throwing an arm around Nick, “What brings you here? You never come without Nora. Unless…” He looked around, and caught no sight of Nora.

“No, this is a case of mine. Arcade, we need-”

“Wait a sec-you’re with the angel?!” Hancock exclaimed, “Oh, is he a runaway groom? You know, Nicky, you should really let him stay with me, I’ll keep a good eye on him, if you know what I mean.”

“Hancock.” Nick said, silencing the ghoul with a pointed glare, “This is a very important case. Mind if we talk in your office. Privately?”

Hancock paused, his face turning uncharacteristically serious.

“Yeah, just follow me.” 

Nick turned to Arcade, and motioned that he should go first.

The three of them, plus Dogmeat, walked into the building that Hancock called home. The ghoul dismissed every person who tried to stop and talk. Before Arcade knew it, they were standing in his personal offices.

“Spill the beans, Nicky.” Hancock said, shrugging off his jacket and laying it on the floor, “I got a town to run.” He sat on his couch, and started flicking his lighter.

Nick positioned himself beside Arcade, one hand pressed against his back yet again.

“Caesar’s Legion is in the commonwealth. They’re in Diamond City.”

Hancock paused, the jet he was about to smoke dropping to the floor.

“Caesar’s Legion.” He breathed, “What the hell are those fucks doing all the way out here?!”

Nick shrugged, “I’m not sure, but I do know that they are looking for him.” He pointed to Arcade, “And that it’s my job to keep them from finding him.”

Hancock nodded, “So you come to Goodneighbor, hoping that the rough crowd would shield him.”

Nick nodded.

“It’s not that I don’t respect you, angel, I do. Getting hunted is not fun.” Hancock turned to Arcade, “But why exactly do they want you? What sort of trouble are you in?”

“Hey, now-” Nick started, but Arcade held up his hand, effectively silencing him.

“It’s fine.” Arcade whispered, “He… deserves to know, right? If he’s going to aid us.”

Nick didn’t argue. He knew Arcade was right.

“I was enslaved.” Arcade says simply. He doesn't explain further, content that the simple fact was enough for Hancock to get why he was running.

It was, in the end.

“Shit.” Hancock said, “Right. Obviously you can stay, angel, I’m not about to kick you to the wolves. What kind of man would I be then?”

“No better than them.” Nick told Hancock, frustration written on his face.

Arcade could tell that they had history, but what exactly did that entail? He figured that he could ask Nick about it but…

Well, it was silly to think about this now, but they had almost kissed earlier, Arcade was sure of that.

He felt more than a bit awkward about the whole situation. A part of him was chastising, claiming that he’d only been free for, what, three days now? Four at the most? He had bigger things to worry about than kissing a robot!

The other part of him was glad that he was feeling such simple anxiety. He liked the way that Nick made him feel, and he liked feeling nervous in a non life threatening way.

“Well!” Hancock said, ignoring Nick, “How about I show you around town, angel? We can see the sights, listen to some live music, maybe have a drink?”

“No.” Nick deadpanned at the same time Arcade said, “Sure!”

“Getting conflicting answers here.” Hancock stood up, picking his coat up off the floor in the process, “Tell you what, angel. If you want to come, you can come.” Hancock waltzed out the door, humming an old war tune as he went.

Arcade thought it was funny. Hancock was quite the character, clearly putting up an act to make everyone feel at ease. Arcade was never good at telling if things were serious or not, but it was plain to see here.

Nick cleared his throat, pulling Arcade out of his musings. “Listen, Doll, if you want to go, you can go. I won’t stop you.”

“Doll?” Arcade asked, his stomach flipping at the sound of Nick calling him a pet name. It sounded absolutely wonderful in the synth’s rough voice.

Nick didn’t elaborate, he just continued, “I was going to take you to visit a friend of mine. She’s a doctor as well, and she may have information about potential routes we could take, or even safe houses.”

“Isn’t Goodneighbor safe?” Arcade asked, and Nick sighed.

“It’s a safer location, yes, but this place can still be dangerous. You just saw Goodneighbor’s leader, he’s a bit of a…rogue element.”

“I thought he was funny.” Arcade mumbled, which caused Nick to pause.

He considered Arcade, his fingers absentmindedly twitching. Arcade worried that he said the wrong thing.

“You have a choice. It’s up to you, Doll. I’ll go along with whatever you decide.”

He seemed genuine, which was more than Arcade was used to. He was being treated like a person. Arcade had a choice here, he was the one leading this strange, little team.

“We’ll go see that doctor.” Arcade told Nick, “I wasn't…actually going to take up Hancock on his offer. Probably a bad idea to get wasted, I’ve always been a chatty drunk.” 

Nick grinned, “Good. To be honest, Doll, I was a bit scared that Hancock was going to steal you from me.”

“Don’t be.” Arcade answered seriously, “That wouldn’t happen.”

He liked Hancock, sure. He seemed like a fun man who reminded him, just a bit, of Cass. But Arcade would take Nick over Hancock any day.

They were working together, after all, and Arcade didn't know how much time left he had with Nick. 

“Well, if you’ll allow me to lead the way.” Nick held out his hand for Arcade, bowing slightly as if he was leading someone important, someone above him.

Arcade took it, his fingers threading together with Nick’s. They shared a look, full of emotion and understanding, and Nick led Arcade outside.

Chapter Text

The last time Nick was in the Memory Den, it had been with Nora. They had just killed Kellogg, and Nora had been close to tears. She missed her son, that much was obvious. And she had been so close to a man who knew her son, who had seemingly raised him when she could not have.

It was tragic, Nick knew that much. Now, there was a different tragedy unfolding before him.

Arcade seemed…reluctant on the ideas of Dr. Amari’s machines. Currently, he examined one such machine while they were waiting for Dr. Amari to finish with a patient, and he seemed skeptical.

He was on his knees, trying to get a good look into the pod, “I just don’t understand how it can access my memories!” Arcade exclaimed before standing up and dusting off his knees.

“I don’t get it much either, Doll. I’m sure Dr. Amari will explain.” Nick confessed, smiling slightly at the way Arcade flushed in reaction to his new pet name.

He got the idea from Hancock, after he kept hearing the man call Arcade “angel”. At first, he’d been a bit jealous. Arcade was an angel, yes, he surely looked the part. But Nick wanted to call him pretty names like angel. Nick wanted to be the one to make him smile and laugh. He knew it was unreasonable, logically Arcade would not suddenly get involved with Hancock, especially after they had their little moment. Still, he could not help but feel that way.

He was also wrong about Arcade’s reaction to his pet name. He would laugh at Hancock’s jokes, yes, but every time Nick called him “doll”, he would pause. Sometimes he would consider himself and smile, other times he would get nervous. Nick loved it.

“I can’t help but feel like it’s a bit of a scam.” Arcade rubbed his neck, “It’s probably not. I’ve seen many great machines but…can there really be something like this?”

His fingers drummed against his forehead in thought, and it was like Nick could see the gears in his head turning.

Nick thought himself lucky. How wonderful that he managed to be with someone as smart and beautiful as Arcade.

Nick opened his mouth to tell Arcade his thoughts, but Dr. Amari stomped up the stairs, causing the both of them to turn and look.

“Nick.” Dr. Amari deadpanned, tucking a clipboard underneath her arm, “Give it to me straight, do I have to hold human brain matter again?”

Arcade seemed puzzled at this, but Nick pressed forward.

“No, nothing of the sort. I’m here on…different business.”

Her eyes flicked to Arcade, and an understanding passed between them, “I see. Well, follow me then.”

She readjusted her clipboard and began to descend the stairs. Nick followed her, taking Arcade’s hand into his own. They didn’t thread their fingers together again, but it still felt nice to touch Arcade.

They walked down the stairs and followed Dr. Amari into a more private room. She sat in a chair and threw the clipboard onto a desk.

“I’m very busy, Nick. The Railroad and the Institute have been very active as of late.”

“I know.” Nick said, “But this is very important. I need to know the location of a safehouse.”

Dr. Amari blinked, staring at Nick like he had lost his mind, “The point of safehouses is that very few people know about them.”

Nick nodded in understanding.

“I can’t just…” She sighed, and picked up her clipboard again, “Listen…I need to know if this information is worth giving away. A lot of synths are on the line here if this information gets in the wrong hands.” Her eyes flick towards Arcade, “Is he a synth?”

Nick shook his head, answering for Arcade, “He isn’t.”

Dr. Amari nodded, “Then he will have to leave the room.”

“Whatever you have to say-” Nick started, but Arcade interrupted.

“I’ll leave.” He told Nick, pulling their hands apart, “Hey, who knows, I might check out these machines, see if they work.”

“That’s an idea.” Dr. Amari folded her arms together, “We’ll join you in a few minutes, I’ll show you what it’s like, on the house.”

Arcade nodded, and after giving Nick one last look, he left the room.

“So…” Dr. Amari smirked at Nick, “New beau, then?” She asked, raising an eyebrow for dramatic effect.

“Are you kidding?” Nicked asked, laughing. He knew she wasn't, though, partially because Nick was sure they were beaus. At the very least something was going on.

“Nick…you were holding his hand.” Dr. Amari pointed out, “And he was holding yours. It’s mutual affection, at the very least.”

“He’s a part of the case I’m working on.”

“That may be true.” She wrote something on her clipboard, tapping the tip of her pen on the paper.

She tilted her head and stared at Nick, seemingly measuring his resolve.

“You care about him. At the very least, it shows me that you trust him.”

Nick watched as she bit her lip nervously. It was a tricky decision. Give a safehouse location to a longtime ally and risk being found out? She was taking a gamble, that was for sure.

“Do you think he’s worth it?” She asked.

Nick hardly had to think, he was already nodding.

“He is.” He answered, and Dr. Amari seemed…displeased at this news.

She set the clipboard down, and sighed, “I will give you the location of a safehouse, but…you cannot tell anyone that you got it from me.”

Nick grinned, feeling relieved, “Thank you.”

Wordlessly, Dr. Amari ripped off a part of her paper, and passed it to Nick, remaining silent as she stood up and walked out of the room.

Nick held off from reading, instead opting to follow Dr. Amari upstairs.

Arcade was already examining the machines again, standing next to a ghoul who was talking his ear off. Arcade seemed interested, however, occasionally giving him a nod and pausing whenever he said something particularly interesting.

“Kent.” Dr. Amari called, “What are you doing?”

“Taking a break!” Kent cheerfully replied, “Walked out of my office, and found this fella…um…what was your name again?”

“Arcade.” Arcade answered, before noticing Nick and smiling once more.

“It all worked out, then?” He asked, and Nick nodded.

“Course it did, Doll, don’t underestimate my charm.”

Dr. Amari rolled her eyes, “If you’re done flirting, I promised this man a trip in one of the memory loungers.”

Kent gasped, and patted Arcade’s shoulder, jolting said man ever so slightly.

“Hey, you’re gonna have fun, kid!” He said, before giving Arcade two thumbs up.

“I’m forty.” Arcade mumbled, before following Dr. Amari.

“You’re sure it’s safe, then?” Asked Arcade, “I mean…how big is the chance that it will fry my brain. Also, how does it even work?”

Dr. Amari shrugged, “Unless you’re applying to become my apprentice, I don’t wish to explain years worth of knowledge about neural physiology. Suffice to say, this machine takes your memories and allows you to relive them with the use of virtual reality.” Dr. Amari stands next to a table that is next to a memory lounger.

“Don’t be nervous.” Nick tells Arcade, his hand coming to rest at his lower back, “If anything goes wrong, we’ll both be right here.”

“Take his advice.” Dr. Amari mumbled, “Consider me the best in this field.”

Arcade sighed, and the glass dome around the pod opened up, allowing him to crawl inside.

“Strangely enough, I feel like I’m in a dentist’s office right now.” Arcade remarked, after climbing inside.

Nick chuckled, old memories from the old Nick surfacing in his mind. 

“Does it?” Dr. Amari asked, “Where’d you experience that?”

“Just some…facilities.” Arcade cringed at his wording, “I’m from the west coast, they have schools there. For medicine.”

“Interesting.” Dr. Amari remarked, “After this, perhaps we could talk about that. I’ve never had the chance to discover what they’re doing over there.”

“Alright.” Arcade nervously agreed, before a device slowly clamped to his head.

“Relax.” Dr. Amari reminded him, kneeling over her terminal and pressing harshly on the keys. She seemed focused, but it was clearly experienced. She knew what to do.

“Have fun.” Nick told him, as the glass dome slowly descended. It clicked shut, and the screen in front of Arcade turned on.

Then, like a light bulb, the machine turned on, and Arcade was laser focused on the screen.

“He’s in.” Dr. Amari reported, “I sent him some pleasant memories, don’t worry. He should…”

She paused, before she began tapping on her terminal.

“It’s…Nick, you said he wasn't a synth.”

Nick frowned. It was hard for him to pinpoint exactly what he was feeling, his mechanical body gave him no clues, but he was sure. He felt nervous.

“He isn’t.” Nick told her. He turned to look at Arcade, who was completely engrossed in a memory that he couldn't see. It was strange, the way his face looked. Like there was nothing there.

Nick realized that he was now feeling scared.

“Nick, almost all of these memories were implanted. Like a clean cut, made into his brain.” She sighed, “He’s a synth. I need to contact the Railroad, they’ll know more…”

She paused again, confusion written on her face.

“His name, it’s…”

“Arcade!”

Arcade opened his eyes, feeling the familiar arid air of the Mojave. He was back! Dr. Amari had not been lying!

He turned towards the sound, and saw Veronica, wearing the dress he had last seen her in. The courier had given it to her after an encounter with the White Glove Society. She had been so excited about it when the courier had brought her that gift, she showed it off for weeks.

“Veronica, you’re here!” Arcade opened his arms, and pulled her into a hug. He had missed her so much, they had gotten very close after the courier introduced them.

He hadn’t told her about the Enclave, but he trusted her, he truly did. She, herself, was in a similar situation with the Brotherhood, and he felt that she could understand him.

Not to mention, he just liked her. She was funny, she was strong, and she had her morals in check.

“Missed me that much, eh? I was only gone for a few minutes!” She grinned, and pulled out two cold bottles of Sunset Sarsaparilla. Arcade knew instantly which memory this was.

“Nicked it from the courier’s fridge in his suite.” She bragged, “That man’s been gone for a week, he won’t even notice. Which means-” She passed him a bottle, “We get to share.”

Arcade smiled at her, taking the cold bottle into his hands.

Suddenly, they were on top of a roof, watching the sun set over the dry desert. Veronica was telling him a story involving Boone and a cazador. 

“He’s a sniper, ‘cade, he’s shit up close.” Veronica explained, “And those fucking things are fast! Me and the courier were out a couple of weeks ago and three of them came up at us! Three!” She laughed, “No match for me, though. The courier always has trouble with them.” 

Arcade remembered not speaking much during this conversation, content to hear Veronica speak enough for the both of them.

It was nice to hear her again. When Arcade was taken, he thought about her the most. He worried that the courier had done something equally as awful to her. He spent nearly every night for a week feeling sick with dread, contemplating about her safety, among others.

Maybe she had been betrayed, just like he was. Maybe she was even dead. But here, he could pretend that she wasn't. He could see her, alive and well, and pretend that everything was just as it should be.

“Arcade?” She asked, and Arcade turned to look, but found that the scene had suddenly changed.

He was…some place unfamiliar, some place that was too white and too clean.

And in front of him, he saw himself.

“Arcade.” Someone said, “Is this up to your standards?”

His other self was staring at him, his features pressed into a professional calm.

His hair was cut short, his glasses had changed, and he looked more clean than he had in a long time.

“What is his…what is its purpose?” This other Arcade asked, “I’m afraid Father hasn't told me exactly why I need to have a copy of myself out in the wasteland. I thought I was safe here.”

“You are.” Someone said, “This is for the Legion.”

The other Arcade grimaced, “What?!” He demanded.

“They are looking for you, we’ve observed that. If they have you, or rather, an accurate copy of you, they will give up their search. And we will have an inside look on what goes on there.”

“Christ.” This other Arcade mumbled, “And…it can’t feel, right? Not really?”

“That is true. It can't feel pain, or anything else."

Arcade wanted to scream, to shout that yes, he could feel and he could see what was happening right now, and that none of this was real. It couldn't be real!

Arcade remembered being alive, before he even knew what a synth was. He remembered being a kid, he remembered Daisy and the remnants, he remembered Veronica and the courier. Those were his memories, that was his life, right?

The memory replayed, again. The real Arcade studied his face, and asked his questions, and was given his answers.

Each time, the truth became harder to ignore.

Arcade knew it wasn't his life. It all made sense, when he thought about it. Could he really remember all of those things? They appeared in his mind like movies, replaying over and over and over. His conversation with Veronica replayed as he tried to piece it all together.

They had the source material, he had been standing no less than a foot from Arcade in that memory. Arcade couldn't actually remember escaping, either.

He wrote it off at the time. To him, it was unremarkable, or so he thought. But now he knew that it never happened. He never escaped, he was just put in the path back to the Legion, back to Caesar, to cover the original Arcade’s tracks.

He was a tool disguised as a toy, made to be trapped for the remainder of his life.

Arcade couldn't cry, not while he was in his “memories”. Instead, he could just stare forward, and look at the real Arcade’s face.

Eventually, without warning and entirely too late, it faded to black. And Arcade was back in the real world.

Chapter Text

Arcade was breathing heavily when he came to his senses, very aware of the glass dome he was trapped in. He pushed for it to be opened, and it came off.

He could hear Nick saying his name, he could feel his touch on his arm, but he shoved him away.

I’m deceiving him, he thought as he crawled out of his glass tomb. Hot tears flowed down his cheeks and he wiped them away. Nick was kneeling in front of him now, speaking slowly in his deep voice.

Arcade didn't understand. He was panicking, and he didn’t want to be here. Every moment someone else watched him was a moment where he was tricking them.

He shoved away from Nick again, tightly closing his eyes in order to shut everyone out. He needed to leave, he needed to get out.

Using his strength, Arcade shoved past Nick and ran out of the door.

Rain beat down on his face, falling harder than it has since Arcade entered the commonwealth.

A few people stepped out of the way, mumbling to themselves as Arcade ran by.

He crashed into the door exiting Goodneighbor, and nearly ripped it open, only feeling the urge to run and get away from everyone he knew, but someone stopped him.

“Leaving so soon, angel?” Hancock asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. Arcade didn’t shove him away.

He turned to see Hancock, and the ghoul deflated when he saw Arcade’s face.

“Oh no.” He said, “God, I don’t…”

He sighed, and let go of his shoulder, “Man, you either just found out something awful or you’re one hell of an actor.”

“Arcade!” Nick shouted from far away, and Hancock stepped forward.

“Just say the word, angel, I’ll keep him away.”

Arcade didn’t want to imagine what Hancock had in mind for that, so he shook his head, his hair already sticking to his neck.

“No.” Arcade muttered, sounding utterly miserable, “It’s not his fault.”

Nick finally approached, his coat now completely soaked from the rain. He stared at Arcade, unsure of what to say. Arcade looked down in shame.

“Nick.” Hancock said, “I’ll leave him with you. If I find out you hurt him-”

Nick shook his head, staring straight at Arcade, “Never.”

Hancock put his hands up in mock surrender, and walked away. Or, well, he started to walk away, but he shouted at the remaining stragglers to leave the two of them alone.

“Arcade, I know what you saw, and-”

“I’m sorry.” Arcade interrupted, “I-I…I didn’t know, otherwise I wouldn’t have made you do this.”

Arcade wiped his face, but it was no use. It was still raining and all he did was serve to spread more water across it.

“Don’t apologize.” Nick said, before reaching forward. He stopped, his arms hovering at Arcade’s sides.

Arcade pushed himself into Nick’s grip, holding the fellow synth closer.

Nick’s good hand came to rub circles on Arcade’s back, and it just made Arcade more upset.

“It feels real.” Arcade mumbled, tears flowing from his eyes again, “All of it feels real. I know that it isn’t but…” He hiccuped, and pressed his face into the crook of Nick’s shoulder.

“It is real.” Nick told him, “To you, it is real.”

“Why me?” Arcade asked, “I could have been anybody else, why did it have to be me?”

“I can’t answer that.”

Arcade knew Nick couldn't. He was crying into this man’s shoulder because no one had the answers.

“This changes nothing.” Nick said, “You’re still you, to me. This is still you, if you want it to be.”

Arcade’s cries grew into sobs now. He wanted to be Arcade, that was all he ever knew. He had liked himself, despite everything. He liked his memories, he liked his old friends and his old family. He spent so much time missing the people and the things that made him, it was hard to give that all away now.

The original Arcade used to think that experiences are what made a person, that people grew into themselves by living and learning.

Arcade remembered everything that the original Arcade did. Did that make him Arcade? Or just someone similar?

He had to decide, but for now, he could mourn the loss of himself, he could mourn the revelation that he was made to be someone’s scapegoat.

“Did you see it?” Arcade asked.

“Your name?”

Arcade shook his head. He could care less about his name, he only cared about the memory that was shown to him.

“My memory.” He responded, “I saw…Arcade, the real one.”

Nick remained silent.

“I was made to be his replacement for Caesar.” Arcade whispered, “To throw them off, to spy on them. I was made for that reason.”

Nick continued to remain silent. Arcade worried slightly, he couldn't see Nick’s reaction. He was afraid that Nick would feel shame about him, shame for holding him so close. But Nick’s grip only tightened.

“If you hadn’t been there to save me…” Arcade would have been caught. He was set loose and directed back to Caesar.

“I’m just glad that you found me.”

Nick pulled away, just far enough to look into Arcade’s eyes. He was still crying, his face was red and puffy from panic, his long hair was sticking to his face like tree roots.

“Oh, Arcade.” Nick uttered, sounding completely lost, “You are so beautiful.”

Arcade laughed loudly. He was still sad, but god, Nick was still there. Nick still…liked him, loved him, wanted him. Any of that was just fine for Arcade. As long as Nick was there.

“You’re wonderful.” Arcade told him, “God, you’re so…”

They were standing so closely already, already looking into each other’s eyes and smiling.

It was going to happen eventually, they both knew it. But Arcade made the first move.

He surged forward and pushed their mouths together, desperate for every point of connection. He reached up to hold Nick’s face, and was surprised when both of Nick’s hands held his, holding Arcade’s in place, telling him that it was alright to hold onto him.

It was a bit silly, Arcade though. Here he was, kissing a handsome man in the rain, just like every old movie he used to watch. Maybe the real Arcade would think that this was stupid, that it was painfully cliche, but right now, he loved it. He loved this. He loved Nick.

Slowly, they parted ever so slightly. Their noses were pressed together still, and Arcade let out a tiny gasp. All of this was too much, in the very best way.

“I am what?” Nick asked. He wore a sly grin.

“I don’t know yet.” Arcade admitted, heat rising to his ears, “Maybe I could find out?”

Nick threaded his good hand into Arcade’s hair, brushing away the wet strands that clung to his face and neck.

“Anything you want.” Nick replied, before kissing him again. It was softer this time, slower too. Arcade got to enjoy the feel of Nick against his lips. It was rough, the surface of Nick had aged throughout the years. Arcade still loved it.

When they pulled apart again, Nick rested his forehead against Arcade’s, and they stood like that for a while, both of them getting wet in the rain.

“We should go inside.” Arcade told him, after a few minutes. Nick nodded in agreement, and the two detached themselves.

Nick offered his hand yet again, and Arcade reached for it, smiling softly. They were both ready to go back inside.

Before they made contact, a gunshot rang out.

It hit Nick in the shoulder, but the synth could not feel it. Instead, he positioned himself in front of Arcade, ready to fight their attackers.

However, he comes face to face with a powerfist. It knocks him down onto the wet ground, his head hitting the stone harshly. There was a crack that sounded out, but that was not all.

Arcade reacts almost immediately after, pulling out his own gun before he is tackled, two men piling onto him and keeping him in place.

“Nick!” Arcade screamed, before one of the men kicked him in the face. Nick tried to react, but he could not.

He knew something had gone wrong when his head hit the ground. Everything seemed…fuzzy and far away, and he could hear a faint whirring as someone stepped over him.

It was the man from Diamond City, the one looking for Arcade. Vulpes Inculta. 

“This is a shame.” He said, staring down at Nick, “I’d hate to get you involved but…you stole from the mighty Caesar. This is punishable by death. Execution, in most cases, but this will have to do."

“No!” Arcade screamed, “I’ll go, Vulpes, don’t hurt him! Please!” He was crying again. Nick wanted him to stop.

“Your begging doesn’t work with me, doctor.” Vulpes sneered, “Your luck has run out. And we must tie up this loose end.”

Arcade continued to plead for Nick’s life, but it fell on deaf ears. Vulpes put his foot on Nick’s throat, staring down intently at the synth. In his eyes, there was no remorse, no sign of mercy. Just anger.

He pressed down quickly, and like a light turning off, Nick Valentine ceased to think.

Chapter Text

It hadn’t occurred to Nick that he may be dead. After he effectively “died”, he saw nothing. There was no light at the end of the tunnel, no afterlife to speak of, just nothing.

Nick wasn't scared because he couldn't be scared. He couldn't be anything.

His shutdown hardly bothered him in that sense. He was hardly aware of it either, he just had the feeling before he shut down that he was going to do something interesting and new.

Waking up was a challenge in and of itself. It started off as strange flashes of light, a line of code being his only thought. Then he felt…pain, or something close to it. It was like his head was being pulled open, and in his half conscious state, he could barely try to stop it.

There was maybe a twitch of movement from him, before it all came flooding in so suddenly.

Nora was in front of him, her face pulled in a very serious expression. She had a scar just above her eyebrow, long and jagged like someone had tried to attack her. It made her seem more serious than she had been the last time they spoke.

“Nick?” She asked, “Is that you?”

“Where is Arcade?” Nick gasped, his voice sounding slightly broken. Vulpes had his foot on his throat, he remembered this clearly.

“He’s…” She trailed off, “Nick, how do you feel?”

Nick leaned forward, pushing her out of the way. He needed to get to Arcade, he needed to get him back.

Nora moved to grab him, her arms stopping him from moving any more, “Nick, calm down. We can’t get to him with you in this state. You’re no use to him now.”

This was true, Nick could clearly deduce that, but who cared if he was broken? Arcade was likely back in Caesar’s hands now, and he had to help him.

“Nora?” A familiar voice asked.

Both of them turned to the door, and in the doorway stood Arcade, his hair cut short, his glasses replaced, and his skin clean.

“Arcade!” Nick felt himself grin, but Nora’s hold on him tightened. 

“It isn’t him.” She said, “This is the real Arcade Gannon. I found him in the Institute, Nick. He isn’t him.”

Nick fell onto Nora’s shoulders, unable to keep himself up anymore. It was partially due to his broken self and partially due to grief.

It was like the universe was taunting him, holding an almost perfect copy of the man he loved in front of him while the real one was outside of his grasp, likely suffering.

“Hancock found the parts you asked for.” Arcade said, his voice lacking the kindness and the softness that his Arcade held.

“Thank you.”

There was the sound of objects being placed on the table, the sound of breathing, the sound of a machine whirring.

Then Arcade spoke again.

“Is he…alright?”

“Arcade, you need to leave.”

“No, please.” Nick begged, “Let him stay.”

“He’s not the Arcade you know.” Nora whispered. She seemed almost heartbroken to see Nick reacting like this.

“I know.” Nick admitted. He had seen his Arcade’s synth name, he’d seen how his Arcade reacted, he was there when his Arcade confirmed that he was a synth. He was there when the Legion took him back.

It seemed a bit selfish of him, perhaps he was betraying his Arcade by doing this, but he just wanted someone familiar with him.

“I know.” He repeated, and somehow Nora knew what he meant.

“Stay.” She told Arcade, “Give me the parts, he’s still broken.”

Wordlessly, this new Arcade handed Nora the parts, and she got to work. With Nick leaning against her and giving her a vantage point of his neck, she unscrewed the neck covering.

“Don’t move.” She said, “Arcade, hand me the blue and yellow wires.”

Nick watched as Arcade delicately picked them up, holding them out to Nora.

“I can’t reach.” She confessed, “Put them…here. Yellow first.” She pointed, and Arcade leaned forward, putting the wires in and attaching them. His precision was like that of a surgeon’s, practiced and calm. He showed no fear on his face, no amount of disgust at Nick’s broken features.

“Move your hands for me, Nick.” She said, and Nick did as he was told. Effortlessly, Nick flexed his fingers, moving his wrist in a circular motion to show Nora that he had regained control of his body.”

“Good.” She said, “The damage was minimal, thankfully. Whoever attacked you thought that you were fragile, and luckily, you are not.”

“I was.” Nick mumbled. He believed that he was. He couldn't do the one thing he wanted to do most, and that was to save the people he loved. He failed again.

“Hand me the tiny screw, Arcade.” Nora said, before she continued to work.

“It was Hancock who found you.” She explained, “No one saw what happened, he didn’t have any leads. He tried to fix you but…”

Nick scoffed. Hancock was a smart man, but he did not know how to fix any machine. Especially not one as complicated as Nick.

“So he kept you. It’s been three weeks.” Nora said, “The Railroad defeated the Institute and the Brotherhood is out of the commonwealth.”

All good news. Nick never felt more miserable.

“It was a bit of a challenge to find the correct parts. None of it affected your memory, however. At least, not that I could tell. The only damage was to the part of your brain that kept you running, so to speak. I replaced a few gears, put in some new additions, added a bit of nuclear materials, and now you’re running again!”

She seemed proud that she had done this, though when she saw Nick’s face, her smile dimmed.

“I’m sorry, Nick. I can…I can imagine what you’re feeling right now, but…we’ll go and get him.”

“Will we?” Arcade unhelpfully added. Nick didn’t have the energy in him to glare at this man.

“I don’t mean to disregard CAD3, but the Legion has grown since he last experienced it. It seems that he has already begun his conquest of the commonwealth.”

This was bad for a myriad of reasons, but it did give Nick hope. If they were still around, then he could get to Arcade.

“Cad three?” Nora asked, before she shook her head, “Ignore me. I’m just not used to his…other name.”

Nick wasn't either, though he didn’t consider the institute’s identifier for Arcade to be his name.

“I called him Cade, when he was in his early stages.” Arcade admitted, “He was built differently than the others, some new experimental thing that the director never told me about.”

Nick didn’t entirely understand, but he got the idea. Arcade was special, he always knew this.

“We can still get him, right?” Nick asked, and Nora sighed.

“I mean…I don’t know. I have the Minutemen on my side, but I’ll need more forces on our side.”

“What about the Railroad?” Arcade asked, “They owe you for the Brotherhood, remember?”

Nora nodded, “Yeah…they do.”

“Plus, I’ll help.” Said the voice of Hancock. Nick turned to see Hancock leaning against the doorway, popping mentats and looking as relaxed as he usually did.

“No one kidnaps a man on my streets and gets away with it.”

Nick knew that wasn't entirely true, he’d been the one to investigate many disappearances that happened within Goodneighbor, most of them caused by blameless mistakes that young adults made when they got a bit of freedom.

“We’ll leave for the Railroad headquarters tomorrow then.” Nora decided, “Tonight, I’ll send word to Preston. He’s been watching the Legion in their main encampment. They decided to set up a few miles from Sanctuary.”

“Big mistake.” Hancock chuckled, “Second only to setting up in the Glowing Sea.”

“We’ll strike soon.” Nora assured Nick, and Nick only nodded.

He had been, for the most part, fixed. Only his broken face remained, the largest of the cracks spreading across his left eye, which had been damaged slightly.

It worked, Nick could see just fine, but every once in a while, it would flicker. It almost looked like he was blinking when he did so. He hoped that his Arcade wouldn't mind.

“Soon.” Nick repeated, as he mentally prepared for the long days ahead of him. He only hoped he could reach his Arcade in time.

“I don’t understand, why don’t you just punish him?”

“Are you questioning me, Vulpes?”

“...No.”

“Then leave us. Your men have already done enough by injuring him, you’re lucky I am not lashing them to a cross right now.”

“...”

“Well? Leave us.”

“Ave.”

Arcade’s grip on the cloth in his hand was tight; water dripped from his hand as he shook.

He was back. He felt…empty.

Nick was dead, or something close to it. He was still after Vulpes had dealt his final blow, he didn’t even respond to Arcade’s cries.

Arcade lifted the cloth to his face, hissing as the water touched the cuts and bruises on his face.

Behind him, Caesar stepped into the tent. It was his sleeping quarters, Arcade was technically the intruder. He owned everything in the room, it seemed.

“Why?” Caesar asked, simply. He didn’t sound upset, just…disappointed. 

Arcade didn’t answer him, he just wiped his face. On the cloth, there was blood and dirt. His face was really dirty, and yet…Arcade didn’t want to wash up. Why change himself here, why clean? His hope was gone. He was never going to escape from Caesar’s grasp.

“Arcade, did you honestly think that you could get away? All on your own?”

Arcade didn’t answer him. He continued to wash his face.

Caesar sighed, and pulled a chair next to Arcade, reaching for another cloth. Arcade let his hands fall into his lap.

Silently, he sat still as Caesar wiped his face, acting far too tender than someone like him should. It just served to make Arcade think of Nick, think of how he had been treated.

“I should have killed them.” Caesar remarked, “I still may. I gave Vulpes direct orders that you should not be harmed.”

In any other circumstance, Arcade was sure that he would. If the Legion weren’t so short handed, he would make a show of it, an example.

He still might. Once they leave, once they go back…home.

Caesar set the rag down, reaching for the bandages. Arcade flinched when Caesar’s fingers touched his skin.

A pause from the tyrant, but he said nothing. He just patched Arcade up like everything was okay, like Arcade’s hope for life hadn’t died with Nick.

“You’ll be staying in my tent until we return. You understand that I cannot let you out of my sight until then, right?”

Arcade gave a tiny nod. He kept very still, he remained very calm on the outside. He knew Caesar was growing upset, but he could not bring himself to speak.

What was the point? Everything was going to continue how Caesar wanted it to. Arcade had no choice either way, why would he pretend otherwise? Why would he argue and fight Caesar if nothing was going to change?

“I’m done.” Caesar announced, “Do you have anything to say, Arcade?”

Arcade shook his head.

Caesar merely watched the man below him, and frowned.

“Fine then. Sleep, you look awful.”

Arcade did as he was told.

A week later, Arcade had only said a few words to the man who owned him. It was clear that this was bothering the tyrant. He lost his temper more often, though none of his ire was directed at Arcade. He screamed and shouted at those who followed him, and in response, they merely scampered away with their tails behind their legs.

“I don’t understand.” Caesar told him one night, “You used to take every chance to challenge me.”

Arcade chuckled to himself sadly. The real Arcade had done that. He was not him, just the replacement. He was different, vastly so in other ways, and he would not fight back. Not anymore.

“You remain silent.” He said, “Arcade, I had done nothing wrong. It was you who decided to leave.”

He would not fight back.

“It was you who did so, despite knowing what I would do to have you.”

He would not fight back.

“The death of your friend is not my fault.”

He would not.

“It is yours and yours alone. You cannot blame me-”

“I can.” Arcade told him, “I will.” Arcade’s nails dug into the skin of his palms, drawing blood. He began to whisper.

“I will blame you for every death in your stupid war, I will blame you for every death in New Vegas, I will blame you for every death in the Mojave, and I will blame you for the death of m-my friend. It is your fault. I hate you.”

Caesar was stunned. Arcade knew he would be. Even before, the real Arcade had not said anything like this, fearing for his life if he did so.

Arcade didn’t fear it anymore.

“You’re just mad at me.” Caesar said, and Arcade scoffed. Caesar was delusional if he thought so, but Arcade could do nothing but let him believe the lies he was telling himself.

“I saved you, Arcade.” Caesar continued, “The courier was only using you. He did not care about you.”

Fuck the courier, Arcade thought.

“I saved you, I gave you a home, and a lavish life. You can be mad, you can throw your fits and refuse to speak to me, but I have given you life. You owe me your life.”

Arcade said nothing. Caesar falsely understood that as relenting.

Arcade had been having nightmares. They were always the same, ever since the night he was taken. He was struggling, faceless forms holding him down while Vulpes destroyed Nick.

He woke up screaming many times, and Caesar would “comfort” him, acting as if Arcade were a scared child, afraid of a monster and not a grown man who had seen someone he cared for being beaten to death.

Tonight was the same. He woke up screaming, his hands shaking while tears spilled from his eyes.

Caesar was there again. Arcade did what he always did, and shoved him away.

“Leave me alone.” He begged, his voice raw with pain.

“No.” Caesar said. He standed over him, the warden to Arcade’s prison.

Arcade’s shoulders shook as he cried, his heart pounded as he struggled to breathe.

Caesar was not touching him, but his presence filled the room so strongly that Arcade could feel it. Still, Arcade had always known the best course of action in times of stress, so he focused on his breathing.

Minutes later, he was just silently crying, shivering into the blanket that had been entirely too small for him.

“I don’t understand why you do this every night.” Caesar told him, sounding amused and disappointed. He was curious, but he was daft enough to not get it.

“You were a doctor once.” Arcade flatly replied, “Use your brain and think.”

“There you are.” Caesar smiled, and Arcade felt horrible. Maybe he was slipping into the life the real Arcade had, maybe this was what he was always meant to do. He was a robot, it made sense that he would perform the task given to him, no matter how much he hated it.

“I’m tired.” Arcade gritted out, “I am going back to sleep.”

He lay down quickly after that, spending the rest of the night dreading the days, months, years to come.

Chapter Text

Nick was working by the time the sun rose the next day. Nora had spent most of the night replacing half broken wires and fixing his broken skin.

She had done all she could do in such a short time. She kept most of his face on his frame, but Nick could feel the rigid parts that remained damaged. No amount of adhesive could fix the large cracks in his face.

“You look older.” Nora pointed out as they left Goodneighbor. Nick just nodded silently. He wasn't in the mood to speak.

“I look older too.” She confesses, “God, I feel older. It’s only been a few weeks but…god, my life changed so much in the past year.”

“It has.” Nick smiled weakly at her, “You never told me. Did you find your son?”

Nora sighed, her smile wilting slightly. She looked pained, tired.

“I did.” She said, “He…grew up. Into someone that…someone that went against everything I wanted for him.”

“G-Grew up?” Nick asked, “But I thought-”

“He’s older than me, Nick.” Nora said, “But…before I destroyed the Institute, he gave me my son. A synth made in his likeness. He believes he is my son, and he’s a child so…” Nora smiled sadly, “It seems that I have two sons.”

Nick didn’t know exactly what to think, but if there truly was a synth, one that Nora considered her son, he would believe so as well. The poor child would likely need a family in this world.

“You should have seen me when I found out.” Nora continued, “God, I was in tears when I saw my son. Then, well, I met Arcade shortly after. It all started to click together, you know? If I had to give my son one thing, it is that he was smart.”

“Not smart enough, if he was on the wrong side of things.”

Nora nodded in agreement, “If I had gotten to raise him, if he had just one memory of me…maybe it would be different. Maybe both of us wouldn't be here.”

“I like how it turned out.” Nick confessed, “Not…Not exactly now, but us meeting. I was glad to meet you.”

“Me too.”

It took a few hours for everyone to get to the Railroad HQ, but once they were inside the Church, it was all smooth sailing from there.

Nick wasn't interested to see the inner workings of the Railroad, he had heard enough to know that less information known kept both parties safe. But Desdemona seemed like a smart woman. She clearly had to be, if she ran the Railroad.

“Dez.” Nora called, when they entered the headquarters, “These are my friends! This is Nick-” She motioned to Nick, and Nick nodded at her, “Hancock, and Arcade.”

Nick nearly flinched at Arcade’s name. He had been avoiding the man since he first saw him. He looked too much like his Arcade, too much for Nick to bear right now.

“Arcade? From the Institute?” Desdemona asked, and Nora nodded.

“The very same! Listen, Dez, I have a favor to ask.”

Desdemona looked over the group, and nodded, “Alright, Nora. You’ve done so much for us, it’s only right we do something for you.”

Nora smiled, “Thank you. Arcade, care to explain?”

“Oh. Uh.” Arcade adjusted his glasses and wiped his hand on his coat, “I’m sure you’ve heard of Caesar’s Legion?”

Desdemona crossed her arms, “Let me guess, they’re in the commonwealth.”

“They are. They have a…special synth in their possession, and we need to get him.”

“Just one?” Desdemona asked, “I’m not sure if we should risk so many lives for one synth. What makes him special?”

Nora put her hand on Arcade’s shoulder, signalling that she was taking control of the conversation.

“He was the last synth produced by the Institute, for one. You remember how they used Shaun as the basis for all third generation synths? This synth uses two different bases. Genetically and mechanically, he is more advanced than that of typical third generation synths.”

“And you know this how?” Desdemona asked.

Nora shrugged, “Broke into a terminal or two. Or five.”

Arcade frowned, “Wait. Am I the other basis?” He asked.

Nora paused, slowly turning to Arcade, “You didn’t know?” 

Arcade sighed, “This is…definitely news. I did not consent to this, they must have…” Arcade’s eyes widened, and his mouth shut suddenly. He did not speak any further.

“So. A special synth. What exactly is he doing in the hands of the Legion?” Desdemona continued.

Nora rubbed her neck, “Erm. Well…he’s enslaved.”

Nick looked away from Desdemona, saving himself from her look of surprise. He’d rather not be there for the conversation, but…he needed to know what the plan was. How they were going to get Arcade back.

“Enslaved.” She repeated, “What is your plan, then?”

“Well, I am the leader of the Minutemen, as you know, and I just talked to my right hand man, and they’ve been watching the Legion. So, my plan is to use the Minutemen for a frontal offense, while my friends from the Railroad pick them off at a distance.”

Nora pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket, unfolding it to reveal a loosely sketched battle plan.

“The Minutemen know they might experience casualties, but they know that if we strike Caesar now, we might defeat them. They’re weak, Dez. Their soldiers are occupied with maintaining things back in Nevada and Colorado. If we can take him out now, rescue our synth, then we could avenge thousands. We could save so many people. The Legion will fall apart without their leader. I'd give it two years tops."

Desdemona shakily exhaled, taking the paper and looking over Nora’s scribblings.

“This is a good plan.” Desdemona looked up at Nora and smiled, “I’ll have my men set up as soon as possible. When will we leave?”

“As soon as possible.” Nora explained, “We’re leaving for Sanctuary when we’re done here, and we attack when everyone is in place.”

“Did you hear that, everyone?” And all of the bystanders looked away, grumbling at the fact they had been caught eavesdropping, “Get your things, we go into battle tomorrow.”

Nick felt himself smile, and he turned back to the group.

Arcade was smiling too, grinning proudly as Nora beamed.

His first impression of him was tainted with grief but maybe this new Arcade had something to him.

Everyone broke apart to prepare, with Hancock and Nora going to choose more effective weapons in the armory.

Nick thought faintly of his Arcade, remembering their last happy moments. When he was saved, they would be together again. Nick didn’t know what he would say, but he knew that he would try as hard as he could to make him happy.

With this conviction, he walked over to Arcade, ready to ask the man some questions.

“Arcade.” Nick said flatly, trying to remain as objective as he could about the man in front of him, “I have some questions, if you don’t mind.”

“About Cade, I assume?” Arcade asked, “I have answers. Well. Some answers. Truth be told, it seems that Nora knows more about him than I do.”

They were similar people, both Arcades. Nick didn’t feel much for the one currently with him, though. Aside from a slight bit of anger, and a bit of reservation.

“Well, ask away.” Arcade smiled. Nick only noticed that it was different than what he was used to.

“What is your opinion of him?”

Arcade frowned slightly, before shaking his head.

“It’s…complicated. I…He’s a person. I realized that pretty early on, but…if he’s made with my likeness and my DNA, doesn't that make him my brother?”

Brothers? Nick considered this. He was made from two people, Shaun and the original Arcade.

“I figured that they were made like robots, like you are.” Arcade muttered, “That isn’t true though. They seem to be more lifelike than I assumed, and they’re definitely sentient. He is definitely sentient. Have you noticed that he is not quite like me?”

“I have.” Nick replied, “He is…sweet. Nervous. Kind hearted.”

“And I am not?” Arcade asked.

“I don’t know.” Was all Nick could say.

“That’s a good answer. I don’t know either. We…we went through the same things. They made him believe that what happened to me had happened to him. In a way, that makes it true. They happened. We are similar, but he’s different. He’s…my brother.”

Arcade smiled softly, “I have a brother.” He told himself.

“I’m sorry.” Nick said, “For what it’s worth. My Arcade, he told me a lot. I’m sorry you were both taken.”

Arcade laughed, and waved Nick off, “Don’t say that to me, I’m fine. Well…not really, but I don’t require your support. It seems that Cade was lucky to have yours, though.” Arcade grinned, “Hancock told me you two had something going on."

Nick couldn’t blush, but he knew that if he were human, he would.

“I care deeply for him.” If he had a heart, it would ache. Instead, Nick was just overcome with need, the need for his Arcade to be okay.

“Good. I do as well. When this is over, I’d like to say a lot of things to him.”

“All good?” Nick asked.

Arcade merely chuckled, “For him, yes.”

Good. It put Nick at ease.

“Mom!”

They had made it to Sanctuary, with some the Railroad in tow. Nick was surprised to see a young boy running up and jumping into Nora’s arms. 

He looked upon the child, and smiled. Nora seemed so happy to be reunited with him, and Nick felt happy for her.

“Were you good, Shaun?” Nora asked, kissing Shaun’s cheek. The boy nodded, and kissed her back, before looking up at Nick.

“Woah, his face looks weird.” He said, and Nora just laughed.

Nick chuckled and shook his head, “Don’t smoke, kid, else you’ll look like me.” He joked.

Hancock slapped Nick’s arm, “Hey, don’t even joke about that.” He said, before bending down and smirking, “You’ll actually end up looking like me.”

Shaun just gasped, clutching his mother’s hand, “You brought superheros?!”

Hancock rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.

“Shaun, this is Nick. He’s my friend.” Nora looked up at Nick, “This is Shaun. Remember what we talked about?”

Nick did remember. He nodded, and offered his good hand.

“Nice to meet you, kid. How old are you?”

“Ten!” Shaun shouted, and Nick smiled.

Ten years old…only time would tell if he ever grew past that.

“Why are all these people here?” Shaun asked, and Nora picked him up, throwing him over her shoulders and tickling him.

“Superhero business!” She said, and Shaun just laughed.

Both of them were having fun, enjoying the other. Nick was glad that Nora got a son out of this. She deserved it, after everything she had been through.

“Ease up, Nicky.” Hancock blurted, interrupting Nick’s thoughts, “We’ll find your angel soon enough. I’m sure Nora plans on striking tonight, if it makes you feel any better.”

Tonight…

Nick flexed his hands, feeling excited and nervous. He needed everything to go okay, and he needed to kill the men that took Arcade.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to kill those fuckers. I’m sure you’re more than ready, huh, Nicky?”

Hancock was smirking again, his teeth shining in the sun. 

“Do I even have to answer that?” Nick asked, and Hancock laughed.

Both of them could tell, the other was ready to fight until there was no one left to fight. All that stood in the way of them and complete violence was Nora, but she was ready to set them loose soon.

“Well, Nora’s gotta talk to that Preston guy, and I’m planning on getting high before the fighting starts. Come get me when we leave.” Hancock slapped Nick’s shoulders again, and walked away, already flicking his lighter.

“He’s quite the character.” Arcade remarked, and Nick didn’t feel surprised this time. This Arcade was like a ghost, always sneaking up on people and entirely too silent. The polar opposite compared to his Arcade. Nick had trouble taking his eyes off of him, and now he was being snuck up on by the man who resembled him.

“He’s had a rough life.” Was all Nick said. He didn’t want to share Hancock’s secrets, they were Hancock’s to give away.

“It seems every life after the war has been made rough.” Arcade crossed his arms, the wind blowing his coat out. He looked older in this light.

“I’m not the type of doctor to pity someone like him, I know how difficult it is. It seems that he’s quite successful, however. Mayor of a town, a symbol to the oppressed. He does good work.”

“How do you know this?” Nick asked.

“Spent a few days with him before you woke up. He thought I was Cade at first, which was quite disorienting. It seems that people thought highly of Cade, you especially.”

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“Not at all. He needs people who care about him. As someone who intends to be one of those people, I would be an idiot to drive you away.”

“Smart thinking.”

Arcade merely chuckled.

“Well, thank you. Aside from that, I feel as if I should tell you a few things before Nora decides when to fight.”

Arcade inhaled, pulling his coat tight, “I can’t help with the fighting. For my own safety and for Cade’s, I’m staying here. I also don’t know what I would do if I saw Caesar again. Probably kill him. I don’t think that killing him is…good for me. I’d rather just be rid of him.”

“I understand.”

Arcade didn’t say anything. He just silently nodded, and walked to join the rest of the group. Nick stood by the Sanctuary sign, and sighed.

He felt out of place here, in a community full of people and laughter. It had genuinely turned into a sanctuary and a home. 

The old Nick would have liked this place. He would have seen it and would have been proud. Hell, Nick felt proud already.

Arcade would love this place, Nick thought sadly. He shook his head. Arcade will love this place.

Nick took a step forward and entered Sanctuary, filled with conviction.

Chapter Text

When the last of the Railroad volunteers arrived, Nora began her plan. She had the Minutemen hide on the fringes of the Legion’s encampment, while a few Railroad snipers hid in the hills overlooking the territory.

Nick was waiting with Nora, listening to her give a speech to those initiating the first attack. He’d heard it all before, especially with Nora. She fought to get rid of evil, and she knew that everyone around her would do the same. A few months ago, Nick would agree. He’d risk his life to make the world a better place, even if it was a small change.

He found himself disagreeing here, however. His goal in this situation was purely selfish.

He needed to get Arcade out, before anyone could harm him.

Though, Nora made sure to emphasize the fact that there were innocent lives inside. Slaves who had been taken from their families, people they needed to help.

She was always entirely too kind. Her life hadn't been left unharmed, whether it be from the hell that was Pre-War America or the shit that the wasteland tossed every survivor every day. But she remained kind, and she remained strong. Nick felt proud of her, watching from the sidelines as she commanded an army to take out another one.

They would win, there was no doubt about it. The Railroad took out the Brotherhood and the Institute. The Minutemen have been protecting settlements for months now, gaining more followers and more support with every day.

Nick felt confident, but he still felt tense. He had only heard about the atrocities the Legion had committed, and Arcade was always vague when it came to Caesar, understandably silent about the whole story.

Caesar was likely vicious, and if what Arcade said was true, then he would do everything in his power to keep what he thought he owned.

Nick only hoped that it didn't backfire.

“Looks like she’s almost done.” Hancock said, smoothly sliding next to Nick and throwing an arm around the synth’s shoulders, “You ready?”

Nick merely nodded. His gun was in his hand, and he was prepared to fight. He was more than ready.

“By my calculations, we’ll be back before breakfast. When you see your angel, though, give him my regards. I’m gonna be too busy killing these pigs to do it myself.”

“I’ll tell him.” Nick promised, though he was positive that he would be too preoccupied to remember Hancock’s wishes.

Nora quickly finished her speech, and she grinned at Nick, signaling that it was time to fight.

Nick examined his gun, turning off the safety as their small army began to move.

Arcade was woken up by the sound of horns in the distance, followed by the clinking of metal and distant gunshots.

He slowly rose from his bed, on autopilot as he moved to see what the commotion was, but a cold hand stopped him.

“You will not leave this tent.” Caesar told him.

Arcade turned to see Caesar in full battle gear, equipped with a power fist. Slowly, his sleepy mind caught up to the reality of this event.

“We’re being attacked.” Arcade grinned as he came to this realization, and Caesar merely frowned.

“We will win. We have been winning for years.”

“Maybe.” Arcade said, “I hope that you won’t, though.”

Caesar sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. He was aggravated, his face was slowly turning red from anger.

“I don’t understand why you can’t just do what you’re told.” 

Arcade opened his mouth to respond, but Caesar’s hand flew up, punching the taller man harshly and knocking him to the floor.

Arcade hadn't expected it, Caesar had never hit him before. The stinging was almost nothing to him, but the mere surprise stunned him into silence.

“You will not leave this tent.” Caesar repeated, standing above Arcade and glaring down at him. 

Arcade’s hand hovered over his mouth, which had started to bleed slowly.

Looking up at Caesar, Arcade made a choice.

Hancock was having fun. He cheered and screamed happily as he senselessly slaughtered Legion soldiers, seemingly reveling in the bloodshed that came from his enemies. Somewhere, Nora was yelling orders, her Railroad rifle sounding out above the chaos.

Nick was searching for Cade, looking in every tent to find nothing, save for a few hiding slaves who were promptly rescued by loyal Minutemen. 

Bodies collected from both sides, though it was obvious that the Legion was losing. Nick made his way through the encampment, noting the lack of Legion soldiers the further he traveled. 

Soon, he came into a clearing of sorts, the ground long since stained by blood, skulls and beheaded bodies strewn about, rotting in the moist air.

Nick was grateful he couldn't smell.

In the distance, he saw a Legion soldier, though this one looked familiar.

He realized instantly that this was the man who had taken Arcade from him, who had nearly destroyed him entirely.

The man stood at the foot of a newly dead Minutemen, looking down at the poor sucker with a blank expression, as if assessing how he should feel.

“You.” Nick said, holding up his gun and aiming it at the man.

Vulpes turned, his face staying as still as stone in the process.

“Me.” He said, “I thought I had killed you.”

“Didn’t do a good job, obviously.” Nick remarked, stepping closer.

The man looked down at the gun and sighed.

“The Legion has lost. I have lost. Caesar’s will is gone. Everyone can see it, even the mighty Caesar himself.”

Vulpes scoffed, “You have destroyed humanity’s last hope. You have doomed your fellow man." It wasn't original. Nick had heard it all before.

“I don’t give a fuck.” Nick said, and he pulled the trigger.

Caesar had turned away, and Arcade took his chance.

He lunged for Caesar, knocking the smaller man down on the floor. His head hit the ground, and Arcade growled as he dug his fingers into the man’s skin, lifting his head before pounding it down.

Over, and over, and over.

Blood splattered everywhere as Arcade bashed the man’s head in with every little bit of strength he had.

Caesar didn’t go quickly, Arcade was sure of that. He made sure that he was in pain, and that he regretted every decision leading up to his miserable death.

Some time passed before Arcade realized Caesar had died. Arcade found himself sitting upon the torso of the once “great” Caesar, his face a bloody mess and splattered with brain matter and bits of bone.

Arcade ached, in many ways, but he felt relieved. His suffering at the hand of Caesar was over. Caesar is dead, and Arcade has avenged his friends, his family, and Nick.

Arcade slowly lifted himself from the body, his hands aching from the force he had killed Caesar with.

He almost couldn't believe it. With shaking steps, he walked forward, pulling back the tent flaps and emerging into the open world.

The wind felt good on his face and the rain felt cool on his bleeding hands.

He smiled, taking a few more steps before faltering slightly. The mud was slippery and Arcade was exhausted, yet he had never felt better.

Slipping in the mud, Arcade fell to his knees, his coat staining further as mud caked the bottom half of the once white fabric.

Sitting in the mud, Arcade cried. He didn't quite know why, but he knew that he was free to do so. For as long as he lived, he remained free.

Vulpes died quickly. It was a clean shot, straight through the forehead. It was something that no one could come back from, especially a human.

Nick walked past him as soon as he fell to the ground, his eyes already searching for the man he loved.

He was rather surprised to see said man sitting in the mud, covered head to toe in dirt and blood. His once platinum hair now a mix of brown, red, and pink.

Nick didn’t mind. He was just glad to see Arcade again. He looked beautiful to Nick, even now.

Nick ran, his boots slapping against the puddles that had formed in the earth.

At the sound, Arcade looked up, a watery smile forming on his face.

They collided, Nick sliding in the mud to meet Arcade on the ground. They held each other, tight enough to leave bruises on Arcade.

For a minute, they didn’t say anything. They just basked in each other’s presence once more after being apart for weeks.

Nick’s hands slowly made their way up to Arcade’s head, his fingers tangling in Arcade’s dirty hair.

Nick was the first to speak. “You’re covered in blood. Do I need to check you over?” He whispered, causing Arcade to laugh.

“It’s not my blood.” Arcade replied, and Nick just couldn't take it anymore.

His hands fisted in Arcade’s long hair, and he leaned forward, kissing the man with every bit of strength and emotion he had left in his old body.

Arcade returned it eagerly, pushing his tongue against Nick’s with near reckless abandon. He held onto Nick tightly, his fingers shaking from exhaustion.

It was messy, it was inexperienced, they were both so tired, but Nick wouldn't trade it for anything.

Later, they would break away, only their hands touching, and they would walk back to Sanctuary. Both Arcades would meet, the original expressing his sorrow for how things turned out and each accepting his new family. Nora would parade around, cheering with her allies in celebration for ridding the world of another tyrant, and Nick would watch it all, standing beside his love as they slowly recovered.

Things would be okay, for all of them. This was a turning point in their lives, and everyone knew it.

Together, they prepared for the future.

Chapter Text

“I’ve been thinking.” Arcade said suddenly, nearly thirty minutes after both him and Nick had gone to bed. Nick didn’t feel the need to sleep, but he knew that Arcade had nightmares and he knew that Arcade prefered to have Nick close.

“Really? About what?” Nick asked, turning to look at Arcade through the dark. Arcade was on his back, staring up at the ceiling. His hair was splayed out on the pillows, pristine and almost angelic.

Nick fought the urge to play with his hair. Instead, he listened.

“About…my name.” Arcade confessed, “It feels weird to be next to Arcade. He calls me Cade sometimes and has to correct himself, and whenever someone calls one of us, both of us will respond. It’s confusing.”

“Do you want to change it?” Nick asked, and Arcade shook his head.

“No. A long time ago, Arcade chose it because it meant something to him. Still feels like I did the same.”

Nick nodded, pulling himself closer to Arcade, wrapping his skeletal-like hand over Arcade’s.

“I like it when he calls me Cade, though.” Arcade whispered, “He says it's because he called me that in the Institute, when they were making me. He says that it’s a nickname that he gave me but…I really like it. He made me, and he named me. It fits.”

“Then, maybe you can go by Cade?”

Arcade turned to look at Nick, “Would you call me that?”

Nick smiled, and leaned forward to kiss the bruised knuckles of Cade’s fingers.

“Of course I would, Cade." He smirked up at his lover before placing another kiss on his hand.

Cade flushed, and quickly looked away.

“It’s hard to focus when you do that.” Cade mumbled, before sighing, “But thank you. For…everything, I guess.”

Nick smiled and snuggled close to Cade, breathing in deeply despite having no need to breathe.

“It is a pleasure to be here with you.”

Cade laughed, before yawning slowly. He was tired, and Nick would let him sleep for however long he needed.