#sorry rachel and clarice :[

[taylorshope]

Greetings HOA fandom

[grahoriasfancave]

Thinking about how in a single gameplay Jason (who already has blood on his hands and conscience from an incorrect call) can be faced with the decision to:

let Merwin face the vampires alone

stab Joey

shoot or abandon Clarice

shoot Rachel

lie to Nick about his chance of survival

leave Salim to die

And then thinking about how they find Balathu or Kurum half preserved and suffering and Salim decides they must put him out of his misery. And how when Jason automatically moves to follow through, Salim puts a hand on his gun and says “I’ll do it.”

It’s a choice born of practicality, not kindness. But to Jason, who’s made the call so many times he’s gone numb, it must also be a lifeline.

[dynjay]

/dips toe into shitposting hell

don't look at me

Bonus:

Hmm, yes...

[A Good Time]

[sempercry]

No-context Jason screenshots I stumbled across on my computer

[virtualdetectiveduck]

⚠️⚠️House of ashes spoilers ahead⚠️⚠️

Just finished house of ashes and *holy shit* was I wrong.

This game is probably one of my favourite supermassive games now, a big criticism I had before I replayed it was how I remembered it feeling more like an action game than a horror one towards the end, and tbf that’s still a valid criticism

The main problem I had with it was that it felt like it branched too wide, the combination of the descent into the alien world below the tomb felt like it’d overstepped its place, and I thought it’d be better if Salim was right in the first place and they were demons, or if they were just people afflicted with a rare disease (I haven’t put much thought into this obviously).

And while that still somewhat holds up, HOA did this much better than I’d previously thought, the sense of mystery surrounding Jason and Salim’s descent into the abyss down the elevator shaft, the sense of self sacrifice when nick goes deeper into the the nest to plant more dynamite, it all works really well, it genuinely feels like Nick has accepted his death and it had me doubting that you actually could save him (like Merwin and Clarice), the bond Jason and salim build, which culminates in Jason going back into literal to save him despite the initial resentment they have. It’s all just done really nicely

My only criticism with this game is that all the characters seem to be dickheads if you do more than just look skin deep, Eric’s insecure and vain, Rachel cheats on her husband with nick, nick knows about this and continues a relationship with her, then sulks when she eventually puts it on ice, Jason is pretty blatantly racist towards the people of Iraq, Salim’s the only character I can’t find a major fault with, and even then he lies to nick about his fate in the vault and cooperates with Dar even after Dar refuses to believe the vampires exist and despite him being given multiple chances to join the better force, who are actually preparing for a vampire attack, and instead decides to join a maniac running around for no reason taking pot shots at the Americans.

One thing I did really like though was the final section, imo it’s the best bit of the whole game, I kept everyone alive so it was an awesome reunion final fight type thing and everything Abt it was awesome

Sorry Abt the yapping btw I was just hyped to play it again

[108garys]

Penance

randomly wrote this, it do be mean to Eric, it's a post canon/current day look at his guilt in the long term and was looking to explore a certain path that's been in the back of my mind that's not so great for him (also MoM connections)

June. Early morning, a cemetery in Chicago.

Eric King talks to himself like he always does, walking with an earpiece in, one could be forgiven for thinking he was on the phone. He does this often, especially around this time of year… He reflects on the choices he's made, the mistakes…

Nick meets him there, calling out when he sees him. As they walk he talks about how his life has been… How things are with his career, he's heard Rachel is very happy with her second husband but he hasn't spoken to her in a while, not after how it ended… the second time.

He wish's they'd met under different circumstances… Burdened by the weight of the decisions he made… It wasn't worth it.

Nick, for his part, hasn't changed a bit… Happy to keep these traditions going, that Eric came and the fallen stay present in mind. They meet often and Eric tries to speak freely about the things he feels but how could he? He tried to date after his rekindled relationship with Rachel fell apart a few years down the line but he just doesn't know where to begin, feeling he left a splinter to fester for fear of pain only to find that he doesn't know how to start over…

Jason and Salim are happy, they've shared their life since the day they met… He feels like that should be what he and Nick had but by the time of his divorce, five years later than it should have been, he'd spent far too much time avoiding everything… But now he found him to be comforting, with Rachel living her life without him and Jason and Salim off in England, he'd felt isolated before he let him in and even then there were certain things better left unsaid.

Even if he knows Nick can tell…

Eric didn't become religious after what he'd seen but after his divorce and the years that followed… He's not sure what he believes anymore… He doesn't say his prayers at night but he does talk to Nick in his earpiece while he does things around the house. Keeping him up to date on his life…

The day stretches on and Eric brings new flowers for Clarice, purple roses like the ones on her tattoo… She would have liked that. Eric has been invited to visit the Othman family soon and he wants to make sure everyone here is well cared for before he goes…

He comes across a few others as he keeps this routine, some vist more regularly than others but today he meets a familiar young man, Brad Smith, his older brother died a few years back and he visits him around the anniversary. Another of Eric's regrets is not knowing him earlier, it had just… It had just taken him so long to get to this point and even then… It's better left unsaid…

It astounds him how alike Nick and his nephew look, he listens to him talk about his brother, adding and relating over his own experience with grief… He thinks to himself about the unique experience of regret that comes with finally reaching a goal, to be excited for all your hard work to pay off… Only to lose people you care about… Brad is now older than Alex would ever be…

The young man talks about family videos from when they were small and seeing them again… Seeing old memories of when he was too small to remember, of Alex and Nick and mundane life in front of an old camcorder… He asks if it ever gets better, Eric has caried these regrets for decades… He couldn't look him in the eye, he couldn't honestly say it did, not in his case… His mistakes were too large… he couldn't tell him the truth so he adds to his regrets… Placating half truths about how these things change over time, something he read in a book about grief, it appears to bring comfort to the young man but he feels terrible inside. Wishing he had made different choices.

He says sorry as they part as he always does, never specifying why… He takes the earpiece out of his ear, incomprehensible sound coming out of it as he finishes his routine, it plays up as it often does, the sound is clearer as he puts it back in… He stands at the last grave to visit for the day, remaining alone after the boy departs, knowing that this is because of him. He wonders what type of life he would have had if he'd made different choices, friendship… Maybe more?

He looks at Nick, urging him to forgive himself as memories of that day pass through his mind… "just ghosts" he'd said back then… The truest lie he'd ever told.

__

@kassiekole22 @delurkr @ctrvpani @blubary

@tinynightmarewoman @eframschweigersskincells

When that post divorce ghost signal regret kicks in and the guy you killed to save your marriage haunts you but you also don't have a really lot of friends...(I'd say this is lightly kingkay but I'm not sure I should tag it that given the whole one of them being dead thing lol)

[moreaulover]

Some law of talos facts and info off the top of my head (by someone who's very hyper fixated and wants people to know more about it!!!!)

Apparently some people just didn't know that law of talos was an oc tournament 😭??? I thought that was basic info but I guess not! I'm not counting it being a tournament as a fact but more people not knowing (also some people didn't know unknown person had comics for before and after each animation??? There's literally YouTube videos with both idk what to tell you guys 💀)

Unknown persons entries are the most popular, but the 5th animation is non canon! The canon ending was by the winner Blacklillian but it's currently lost media :( there's a description of it on the lost media page, a few meantions of plot points on the tv tropes (example)

An ask + drawing related to what happened to Karl after on unknown person's tumblr (unknownpsn) we can also gather a tiny bit from the winner announcement post comments, the main point I've noticed is people talking about their disappointment in the lack of action and badly done Karl but praising the more satisfying ending. There was also apparently an epilogue by Blacklillian but that is also currently lost :(

Blacklillians entrees (along with the majority of others) are lost media! Some info can be gathered/interpreted from the lost media page and the tv tropes page (both linked at the bottom along with the intro/winner post for the contest and the wiki) A few entries are up although it's few and far between but I do encourage you to look for them on competitors' deviant art pages (I'll edit this and add list who's is up in a little while) here's a chart of the tournament though!

Here's chimbley's reference page which is the only known piece for his portion at the moment (please lmk if more has been found) *update you can buy the official chimbley archive on the artist Iris Jay's patreon for just 5 dollars :3 !!!!!

Chimbley's creator does have Twitter+tumblr but no longer makes content for him so savor what we have. We do know from the tv tropes page that chimbley was more flight than fight and all his competitors were disqualified rather than beaten in a combat (makes me giggle really hard ngl 😭)

Climber and Karl (and Rachel + Clarice obviously) are both part of the unreleased.... comic? Series? (Whatever it was going to be!) Called Castle of nations by unknown person (ofc)! There's not a ton known about it as the actual media was never released/finished and unknown person stopped posting in 2016 but there's lots asks + content on his tumblr if you want to look into it some

Karl was not going to wish for Rachel back despite common misconception! According to unknown person he was actually going to wish for an unlimited power supply to escape the amusement park permanently

There's a silly joke cosplay video called "law of talos chimbley vs Karl live action" that's available on the internet archive but someone uploaded the whole thing on tik tok (linked here) chimbley does a heel click at 8:22 i feel it's important everyone see it.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRgK62j8/

People have also been uploading the voice actors singing various Christmas songs in character I haven't seen them all but I know Karl's video (What's this- the nightmare before Christmas) is pretty available and a clip of Chimbley's (little drummer boy) as also recently been uploaded. I think I saw Steffi's at one point but I don't remember it like at all sorry (EDJT I FOUND IT GUYS I'LL LINK IT BECAUSE IT'S HARDER TO FIND THAN THE OTHER TWO I MENTIONED)

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRgw7FhS/

Speaking of Steffi!!!!! She stars in her very own webcomic "Kiwi Blitz"!!! I'll link it here :3

That's all I can think of for rn I'll make another post if I get more info on the lost media or if I think/learn anything else!!! Here are the links to the law of talos intro/winner post, lost media page, wiki, and TV tropes!!! Once again I encourage you to look through them if you haven't!!!

[porcucatchaos]

I have a question 1!1!1!!1!

Who are Charlotte's Allies, Neutral/Occasionally Allies, and Enemies?

Also!...Did she kissed climber? :3

Sorry for very late response!!

Though here is some relationships. (If I’m missing anyone please lmk!)

Allies:

-Climber

-Jackie

-Clarice

-Buck

-Washer woman

Neutral:

-Chimbley

-Ginger n Anne

-Steffi n Benzene

-Rachel

-Mizuno

-Dood

-Shado

-Vesper

Enemies:

-TG

-Olga

-Karl

-Skye

To answer the last question, yes Charolette has! Just on climbers cheek though since his face is literally drawn w/ dirt XD

[writtenjewels]

See No Evil part 7

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six

The shit Eric used for Jason's eyes was starting to work. Instead of staring out into dark nothingness, he could now detect light and blobby shapes. It wasn't good enough for Jason to make out any details of said blobs, but it was a hell of a lot better than before.

Jason hated leaving Salim's side, but he also wanted to know what happened during his absence and didn't think Nick would indulge in front of an “enemy”. So when Eric ordered Nick to go check the perimeter, Jason tagged along. Nick talked of trying to save Merwin and ultimately failing, seeing Clarice being pulled into the dark, and coming to Eric's rescue only to discover Rachel was already gone.

“Shit, Nicky,” Jason sighed with a shake of his head. “Sorry I wasn't there, man.”

“Doesn't sound like you could've done much. No offense.” Nick was quiet for a moment. “I found an old radio. I could tinker with it, see if I can get a signal to the surface.”

“Go for it,” Jason encouraged. He kept his ears open for trouble while Nick worked.

“So,” Nick spoke up. “What's going on with that Iraqi?”

“Salim? What do you mean?”

“I don't know. The way you two are with each other, it's like—”

“Nicky, I can't see,” Jason interrupted him. “I had to rely on him to guide me around.” Nick said nothing. A moment later there was a crackle from the radio. “You got it!” Jason celebrated.

There was a snarling sound and the rush of boots pounding the ground. Before Jason knew it, he was tackled and forced onto his back. Whatever attacked him was trying to claw at him. Instinctively he lifted his hands to fend off the thing. Was it one of the demons?

“What the fuck?” Nick gaped. “Joey?”

“Joey?” Jason repeated, squinting his eyes as if that would help his vision focus. He thought he could make out the outline of a face, but it couldn't be Joey's: the thing had something protruding from the head. He scrambled for any kind of weapon and latched onto one of his knives.

He started stabbing wildly, not caring what he hit as long as it connected. Finally Jason got enough room to kick the creature off of him. There was more scrambling of feet from behind and the creature suddenly lit up. Still shrieking, it tumbled over the side and vanished.

“What the fuck just happened?” Jason demanded.

“Those creatures don't react well to sunlight,” Eric answered. “The corpse you brought back burst into flame when exposed to the UV lamp. Did it get you, lieutenant?”

“I'm good.” Jason pushed up on his feet, glancing around. “Salim?” he called out uncertainly.

“I left him with the corpse,” Eric admitted. “Did you manage to fix the radio?”

“I think so.” Nick let out a sigh. “But I'm no mechanic. If Merwin was still here, he'd know what to do.”

“We work with what we have, sergeant,” Eric reminded him. “See if you can radio our people; I'll go back and check on the prisoner.” Jason wanted to protest that Salim wasn't a prisoner, but Eric was already moving away.

“This would be a lot easier if he had agreed to air support in the first place,” Nick complained. The radio started popping with static but Nick dismissed it as a ghost signal. He messed around a little more and there was suddenly a loud feedback noise.

“Turn it off!” Jason shouted. “You'll make those fuckers come down on us!” He could hear more shrieking from below and knew it was already too late. There was rapid gunfire and the radio went silent. “The fuck?”

“Get down!” Nick hissed, grabbing Jason and pulling him to the ground. “We're under attack! Must be the same guy who got Eric and Rachel earlier.”

“What?” Fuck, Jason wished he could see. “Where's Salim and the colonel?”

“No idea, man! We gotta live through this first!” Nick paused to return fire. Jason reached for his rifle, heart pounding. He felt so useless like this.

“Nicky, point me in the right direction and I'll cover you while you flank him.”

“Jason, you're blind.”

“You think I don't know that?” Jason snapped back. “But I can't sit around on my ass. Just point me and stay outta my line of fire.” Nick was quiet for a moment but the enemy didn't give him long to debate before opening fire again. He let out a sigh and Jason felt it as Nick positioned the rifle.

“I hope I don't regret this,” Nick muttered, and then he was running off and Jason was alone.

He gripped his rifle so the recoil wouldn't shift his position, and opened fire.

[unhingedlesbear]

I feel like I neglect Little Hope. I don't talk about it enough. Tbh kinda same with House of Ashes. Erm.... 😊😁😁sorry about that y'all!

Anyway my current situation with both games and my overall opinions are:

LH: My least fav out of the DPA but I still love it! I just haven't replayed it as many times as the rest but I had the time of my life during my first playthrough, I don't think I even got up to eat or anything when I first played it bc I was so invested. Anyway Taylor is the best character, followed by Angela, followed by Andrew, then Daniel then John <3 luv them. Played this one 3 times in total.

HoA: Ok I had the time of my LIIIFE playing this one for the first time. I played it with a friend (hiiii @mungosaur) and we had such a blast I stg. Our commentary the whole time was mostly just "Oh my god???? this is so good????" "duuuude this game is sooo goood" So yeah idk why I neglect this one, it's amazing. Anyway Salim and Rachel are both my favs, then Eric, then Nick and then Jason. (Honorable mention to Clarice, she's just after Salim/Rachel for me if we're counting her) played this one 4 times I believe.

[silvergomez]

House Of Ashes in Among us

An Imposter Is On The Loose Beware

*Push meeting button*

Merwin: what the fuck, you haven't even started this game right and you're already pressing this damn button

Eric: but of course, I need to check if everyone is alive, by the way can you specify your colors Just to know

Merwin: seriously What for?

Eric: I have recent memory loss, to note here :D

Nick: but that doesn't make sense

Eric: For some reason are you questioning me? You know this is a game but I'm still your colonel

Nick: But The Merwin Said Worse and-

Jason: Can everyone shut up?

*Nick makes a sad look*

Joey: Colonel, we'll have to leave that for later.

Eric: Why?

joey: 10 seconds left for the meeting to end

Eric: what the fu-

*Meeting ended, No one was ejected*

Merwin: Uh, I go and do my taks that I earn more!

*merwin entering electric*

merwin: What a boring task :/

*Sounds Of footsteps coming behind From merwin*

Merwin: huh? Is there anyone-

*The head Of merwin is turned Backwards In a snap*

*someone enters the vent*

*Reported body*

Salim: Where did you find the Corps?

Jason: in the electric, I swear I saw someone Enter the vent! But I didn't see who it was.

Eric: any suspects?

Joey: I have scan!! if you want to see!!!

Eric: That's nice! we just have to be careful that no one else dies

Nick: But Someone is going to die anyway And it's kind of impossible to win At the start of the game, Usually Wins or loses When there are at least three players present

Dar: How motivating!

Nick: But it's true, everyone who's here Half will die, It's already been The Merwin And who Will be next?

Clarice: I hope it's not me

Dar: dar is too smart to die that way, of course dar will survive..

Eric: Anyway, stay together and don't separate!

Rachel: But that's the point of staying together, not separating •-•

Eric: Anyway, Back In Action!

Clarice: these people can only be crazy

*everyone following Joey to see his scan*

Joey: just look!

*being scanned*

*Full Scan*

Joey: So here's the proof, if anyone wants to accuse me, there's evidence to the contrary!

*Lights off*

Eric: oh I think we have a problem, who's-

Clarice: MY GOD I DON'T WANT TO DIE! HELP HELP ME

Salim: Hey! who's holding me?

Rachel: There! I felt someone pick me up!

dar: Then someone hit My face!

Jason: So sorry there It was bad!

Nick: Where's Clarice?

Salim: What a pain! Someone Kicked Me!

Jason: Sorry Dude! it was not intentional!

Dar: I also received a blow but it was in the face!

Rachel: not hit me!!

*Rachel accidentally slaps herself in the face*

Nick: Guys? guys?

Clarice: AAHHH!

Jason: It's the devil! Run!

Salim: I think the devil is in me!!

dar: Not! We need to perform an exorcism!

Nick: Folks, don't lose focus!

Rachel: We need light!!!

???: Hi Rachel!

Rachel: My God! The devil knows my name!!

Dar: I have little hope! But we will not give up!

Rachel: Don't touch Me demon!

*punch the demon*

Dar: Oh the pain! I'm not the devil!

Nick: Guys, where's Clarice? the joey? And Eric?

Jason: oh God! the Devil took them! it can not be! Quickly we need to get this demon out before they take Salim too!

Nick: Guys!!

Rachel: there is no time to waste time!

Dar: Let's start!!

Continue 😈

[prvttystvr]

House of Ashes headcanons🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Jason Kolchek: bisexual, he/him

there’s no way this guy is hetero. The way he smiles at Salim, the way he looks at him. Even if you chose the “bad options” it seems like they’re flirting (we can also see Jason’s choking kink eheh). I like to think that he has a lot of internalized homophobia, probably because of his childhood. I also like to think he signed up in the military just to see muscular men and women✨✨

Salim Othman: bisexual or pansexual, he/him

same as Jason, he can’t be hetero when he’s with the marine. He probably doesn’t have internalized homophobia, but didn’t realized easily he was queer (probably because ofhis family). My indecision between bisexual and pansexual comes by a fanfic I read where Salim said he didn’t care about the gender of who he loved. Besides that, his son accept him and just wants to see his dad happy <3

Rachel King: bisexual, she/her

House of Bisexuals. Jokes apart, I love to see how she immediately began to take to heart Clarice. I both ship her with Clarice and with Eric+Nick (when the love triangle becomes a polyamorous relationship>>>). In both cases, I can see the passion she puts in all her relationships, which are different compared to the ones with Jason, Joey or Merwin. Also mommy vibes

Nick Kay: questioning, he/him

my man didn’t know he would eventually fell in love with both a cute blondie and a badass blondie. As I said, I really love to see Eric, Rachel and Nick as a polyamorous relationship, but with some other things. Rachel is totally ok with this and with her sexual orientation, but Eric and Nick needs to understand a lot of things. Eric is ok with his sexual orientation, but it would take a little while to understand that he’s polyamorous. Beside, Nick is ok with the fact that he’s polyamorous, but still needs to understand his sexuality

Eric King: bisexual, he/him

my man has more mommy issues than water in his body. Probably his friends understood he’s bisexual before himself, and when he understood it he was scared. Rachel always supported him and wanted him to be ok. After a while, he accepted he was bisexual, but was still a little scared to talk about it to the others

Clarice Stokes: lesbian, she/her

you can’t tell me otherwise, I refuse to hear she doesn’t like girls. You can say she is bi, pan, omni and so on, but you can’t say she is hetero. I read somewhere that at the start she flirted with Jason, but I didn’t see it (maybe because I’m dumb)

Merwin: hetero, he/him

I like to think he acts like a homophobe and makes a lot of jokes about the gays, but when he discovers a friend of his is queer, he’s going to protect them with all himself. Still a misogynist, but maybe not a homophobe

Joey: gay, he/him

he didn’t come out to anybody except for Merwin. This is way he makes a lot of jokes about the two being together and doing things. Maybe someone understands it, but doesn’t say a word. He’s too scared to come out

Dar Basri: hetero, he/him

he’s homophobic, I just know that

——————

sorry for my English :’)

I did the edits, fell free to use them!

[eddie-brii]

Okay, after playing through it a few times, is it weird I'm finding there's a lot I'd like to change or rewrite in fics as far as character interactions in HoA? Like I really like Salim and Jason's relationship and how it evolved. But..... Rachel, Eric and Nick just don't have that much charm to me???

I like Rachel to some degree as I know what it feels like to be a woman in a field where you have to have balls bigger than the guys but I feel like she got reduced down for the whole love triangle thing, I honestly really only enjoyed the interaction she had with Clarice, Joey and Merwin. I feel like even Jason got a little more interesting dialogue with her than the main two that her interactions are focused with, but that's only if you bring Clarice with her from the Blood bit and towards the end when they find out she is infected too. I mean they're supposed to have worked together for at least a few months before the whole incident occurs and you do see a portion of mutual respect that I really wish they expanded upon.

I understand why Eric wouldn't be as open about things with anyone other than Rachel but it feels like he's only there to be the reason they're there to begin with and pine for Rachel. He gets a bit of hate from the fandom but I feel like it's a little unfair as I don't think we get to fully see Eric. Like, I hate how his dialogue was written as I feel like the only reason he has any meaningful interactions is because of something to do with Rachel, the conversation with him and Salim for instance, you could have still had that relationship building without her being the reason for it.

I'm not even sure if I want to get fully started on Nick as I really feel like he got dealt dirty, he's almost always the antagonizer in the relationships he's in when some of those moments could have been spread around to other members of the five. The checkpoint talk, the constantly wanting to leave people behind, the over attachment to Rachael that can be a sign of obsession due to him going through a traumatic event making him latch on hard to anyone even remotely emotionally available to him (it's honestly probably a good thing Jason was better at compartmentalizing as Nicky could have latched onto him instead, though I feel that would have been more interesting) I get it, he's not in a good head space but it gets ridiculous at some points, ie wanting to leave Salim behind after having the relationship building with him. You could probably argue the same for Jason wanting to shoot Clarice and Rachel but in he's defense the idea that the UV light could work to save them is on the far fetched side.

I have literally found through my playthroughs I couldn't care less if Nick, Eric or Rachel died but heaven help me if I fuck up and get Salim or Jason killed, then I'm just going throw the whole game system away at that point. Not really but you get the sentiment. There's so much I'd like to change, not even counting the development of other characters that I feel literally got hit for no reason other than plot (I'm looking at you Joey, Clarice and Merwin) that could have made the story more interesting.

Plus, does anyone else feel like the eclipse part was a little ridiculous or redundant? I get it's supposed to be the big finale but..... not going to lie it felt unnecessary from a story point of view for me.....

Sorry for the random rant but I'm actually trying to write something while expanding on certain things and the more I delve into the characters, the more I want to develop them more than what SMG did to begin with.

[blubary]

Things I thought while playing the dark picture games (and until dawn)

I thought there were two Du’Met’s. I still kinda think so. I’ve got no evidence. It was mostly the part when they closed the wall on him and he got out somehow. 

While I was playing as Mike in the Sanatorium I was so scared to just walk through a door, so instead I just looked around for like 10 minutes. I thought I would get attacked by a wolf or something.

At the start of Little Hope, I thought Dennis was Anthony’s friend, but I quickly realized that wasn’t true.

I thought Clarice was gonna attack me as Rachel. I kept being like, “It’s okay I’m here for you, but I might just push you off this cliff.” I left her there because I just didn’t want to deal with her lmao. I’m sorry Clarice <3

[changethecircumstances]

Things my friend said during our House of Ashes playthrough part 2

Babe stop coughing we were about to kiss (about Clarice and Rachel)

Did I just abandon Clarice oh no I'm sorry I'm sorry oh no no no no! Go back go back can we please replay that?!?! I can't leave my vampire girlfriend! (We did replay the blood pit chapter lol)

What you doing offering him a bottle when his hands are tied what the fuck he gonna do?!? (Eric offering Salim a drink)

(I knew you were trouble softly playing in the next room as Nick follows Jason) ah shit they about to fuck right?

(Chooses the 'they attacked our country option by accident') wait no! No! I became racist!? Wait no! First I lost my girlfriend (Clarice) and then I lost my boyfriend (Joey) and now I'm racist? Please please can we replay this again (we replayed the Blood pit chapter 3 times lol)

(About Eric dissecting the vampire) ur a nuclear engineer what the fuck do u know about biology?

(Playing as Jason again) ok let's try to not be racist this time

(Nick says "this is the closest I've been to hell") That's OK baby I'll take you to heaven right here

I want Rachel to live so she can be with Clarice

(After being told Clarice dies no matter what but that they could both become vampires) oooo then that's the ending I'm going for

(When we finally get back to the blood pit) God I hate this part I just want to get back to my girlfriend. Also ma'am ur hoo-ha is gonna be infected after this

I don't care what u say those vampires are sneaking out of that fucking cave. They are coming out. It's pride month and the demons are coming out

(Proceeds to replace every unintelligible part for randolphs journal with the word masturbating and cries laughing)

(Having completely forgotten what the vampire looks like) Oh God it's like the xenomorph but uglier!

(Sees Joey as a vampire) Damn he kind of Sexier like this

(About to go over the chasm with Clarice) I swing that way do you swing that way?

(Manages to replay the Blood pit only to choose the options where Clarice ends up deciding to stay behind) I did all that and my girlfriend left me? Fuck it I'm not playing that again let's finally continue (we did finally continue lol)

Men be talking about fighting demons when really it's just bisexual thoughts

Are we ever gonna talk about Nick killing Merwin or are we gonna gloss over that like it was just a war thing?

I'm getting to Eric levels of hatred with Dar

Dar is a burden on humanity but Eric is a cum stain on life (what did Eric do to my friend lol she hated him so much hahaha)

(Jason says "this is our house our rules!") It really isn't though?

(Reading the relationship updates) what do u mean Rachel broke the news of her relationship with Nick harshly? How else do u break that to someone? Oh I'm sorry. I accidently penetrated another man?

I don't care about turning Rachel into a vampire anymore. My vampire girlfriend left me so I'm leaving her like I left my husband-wait is this karma?

(Me surviving as Eric even though my friend abandoned me as Rachel) I'm comin for ya treacherous wife

(Eric to Nick "you stay out of my way") ill just stay in your wife then

Jason just looking for excuses to touch Salim huh?

So this is hr Geiger's wet dream

Can we have a part 2 where the US government tries to use it as a weapon and fucks up?

Please blink (immediately screams when the fluid covered surviving prologue character blinks)

(When the crucifix didn't help as Nick) God said this was not one of mine abort

(When Salim crawled into the star chamber first) bye yall I got a son

Who am I talking to? Salim? (Tells her its Eric) God damn it

(When Rachel and Eric talk in the star chamber) I'm just gonna leave now cause we can't both be on our period

(When the cocoons is blowing up) its 5 o clock in the morning? I'd crawl into a cocoon and have a catnap

(About Jason and Salim) I want to see them on 90 day fiance

Maybe the solution to racism is aliens

(When vampire Clarice popped out in the waterfall) my girlfriend!

(When the eclipse happens) ah hell no

(When poppin flares) Marvel has 24hrs to respond avengers endgame who?

(When the Curator started talking at the end after we saved everyone) mother fucker just congratulate me

(During the interviews specifically with Rachel) can I take a shower? Please??? I was a blonde before this I am now a red head

[108garys]

Grievance

For some reason my Eric/Nick stuff always ends up being super kingkay adjacent pre build up to the point where I'm not sure how much it should be considered ship stuff given we don't make it to the docks but regardless here's a late ish, sort of birthday fic for Nick(does it count if it's not from his pov? lol)

At anyrate it's less than a month post game, Salim went home and Rachel was killed post infection

Eric sat on the edge of his bed feeling low.

Three days from now he'd be back home, three years past his life was altered by marriage and tragedy and three weeks ago he lost Rachel… First emotionally and then physically. Ending their relationship in favour of a new path… mere hours between reunion, the confession to her affair and the end…

He had seen what Clarice had gone through. He didn't want that for her… He could never forgive Kolchek for doing what had to be done, no matter how much of a mercy it was for both and despite it all he understood the necessity… It was a different world deep down in that hell, normal rules didn't apply, Salim was proof of that… he resents Jason but blames himself, everything came back to his failings… and Sargent Nick Kay? The other man. What can he say? He took his wife and then she died… He brought her there… He cut the rope and drove her away… They had attacked each other viciously, blaming each other… He cut the rope to save himself, he killed her in that moment of truth and he could not fault her choices… They all did what they had to do to survive but he wishes he hadn't.

…under the rage and grief and blame he had respect for the man… Despite it all he followed his lead, patched his wounds without hesitation, not mocking his broken heart and had saved him when it would be so much easier to get him out of the way… In time he may even have been able to be amicable…

He wonders if Nick had intended to survive placing the charges… He wonders if he would have, after everything he's not sure he would… It would be far more dignified to die in the line of duty, buried with his wife, remembered… Not a widower who failed and must carry the weight of wishing he was merely a divorcee… Day after day he is constantly surrounded by noise and people and questions and tests in repetition and yet the isolation was crushing, the others were friends, they would stay in touch and support each other and he'd have not a soul who truly knew what he went through-

A knock at the door pulled him from his spiral. He took a moment, breathing to compose himself, holding his ring to touch base before answering. "It's open." he calls out, getting up from the bed. "Colonel." Nick greeted, looking as bad as Eric felt. "Not for long after this." it was awkward, both were waiting for the other to scream and yell and come to blows but instead Nick clears his throat, his nose scrunched up in thought as he found the right words to say… "I know am the last person you want to see, well… ever, but I had to say it," he looks him in the eye, his eyes are red from recently shed tears. Much like Eric's own. "I owe you my life, you put yourself on the line for me even knowing what I did, even having every reason not to." Eric looks away for a moment, his own thoughts echoed back in such a surreal way as the Sargent continues. "It was brave and selfless and I… I'm sorry."

Silence filled the room, there was so much more to say, and just as easily he could scoff and curse and throw him out but he just stares at him, only now occurring to him that as much as the Sargent was close to Jason, that shot had likely felt just as cruel… He didn't know where to put this revelation… The object of his ire, THE other man, was the only person capable of understanding his grief… He could see it in his eyes, a complex storm of emotions in every response he could give, the instinct to deny it clashing with the desperate clawing need to break out of this oppressive loneliness. He nods. "You did the same for me… You're a good soldier," He couldn't call him a good man and truly mean it, still so raw and so he says something he does believe, his wording deliberate. "What you did down there showed courage."

"I was an ass," Nick shakes and head and Eric can't bring himself to disagree, sitting back on the bed, taking a deep breath as he runs his hand through his hair. He shakes his head and laments. "I shouldn't have hit you, sorry." He concedes as Nick pulls up the only chair in the room to sit across from him, a humourless chuckle escaping him. "You've got a mean right hook, can't say it was undeserved." Eric smiles weakly, he looks up at the man across from him. "You gave as good as you got." He decides to step into this uncertain territory, seeing the familiar worn look on Nick's face, taking in the small freckles and small scrapes across his dark features. In the buried depths of himself he can understand it, her and them… But he's not truly ready to go there, not even privately. So he admits to what he can. "We were both out of line, maybe if we put our differences aside we could have been better prepared… Maybe Rachel…" He stops, the sentence too painful to finish, he looks back to his ring, pain flooding his being at the touch of the cool metal, he shuts his eyes, he can't do this, he can't handle it. He doesn't look up as he hears the scrap of the chair across the floor as Nick leans forward nor when he felt the other man's hand on his shoulder, reassuring him. How long has it been since he's received such a touch? "We don't know that! You did everything you could."

"I cut the rope, I killed her." the first tear slips down his face as he confronts his guilt, his voice shaking as it had then and instead of anger he is met with a grasp on his other shoulder, he looks up and sees his own grief mirrored. "You didn't, those things did." he continues before Eric can protest. "You did exactly what you were supposed to do, Rachel said it herself, you followed protocol… You didn't… Not you, not Jason… That damn parasite is the only thing responsible…" Nick looks down, his grip tightening on Eric's shoulders. Eric takes his shaking hands and places them over Nick's, the other man putting up no resistance as he takes his hands and holds them between them in silence, letting this feeling wash over him, entwining Nick's grief with his own. Simply being in this moment, no longer facing it alone… In a way he feels like it's what Rachel would have preferred. In this moment he makes a decision. Although his grief, his resentment and jealousy towards the other man feel insurmountable… Although he feels a complex mix of anger and almost need to be reflected, to be understood… Although he hasn't forgiven Nick or himself…

He's going to try.

__

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