Fandom Forbidden and Scarred Love { The Last of Us 1x1 with icedthemoon }

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Revisiting the conversation was something that he could do. Later. He was ready to revisit a lot of conversations as terrifying as they sounded like they were going to be. This was necessary. So, he let his mind wander as his body began to shut down. He thought about Kai and Josh. He thought about Theo and their many escapades out of the stadium. He thought about the things that lurk in the shadows and the reality shifts that come out of nowhere. And finally, he thought about time and how he had wasted so much of it. Finally, he too fell asleep.
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[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

It was close to dinner time by the time Kaiden woke up. He was sore but could move much better than he could before. Those relaxers helped a lot and he slowly moved off the bed. Kai was ready to talk to his parents, and before he forgot again, he grabbed his pack too. Holding it in his hands, he moved to the door and opened it, stepping out into the hallway as Owen was coming in. "Hey Kai. You okay? I heard your back was messed up again." Owen said and Kaiden nodded. "I'm fine Owen, thank you." He said before he headed down the hall and stopped at his parent's door. Kai knocked twice, loudly and waited.

Josh slept well, very well. And he only woke up when he heard the loud knock on the door. "Mm. Who is it?" Josh called, his voice groggy with sleep. "Kai." He heard the response and Josh sighed, gently shaking Hayden's shoulder. "Baby. Wake up, our son's here." Josh said softly, looking at Hayden where he was curled against him.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

The knock was enough to startle his mind but not make his body ready to move yet. He was in the process of trying to figure out what was making such a ruckus behind him when the gently shaking started as well. Our son. Hayden opened his eyes, yawning as he willed the sleep away. Kai. “Go get him?” Hayden’s voice was still soft and higher pitched from the sleep. He knew that he needed another moment to stretch and wake up, so it only made sense for Josh who seemed to be more awake than him to go get him. He slowly sat up, beginning his body to prepare for living once again. Okay, he was ready. He sat on the foot of the bed. Whatever Kai wanted to say, he was going to listen.
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[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Josh heard Hayden's question and hummed, nodding. "Yes dear." He said, knowing it would take him a moment or so more to get up. He kissed the top of Hayden's head before sliding off the bed, and over to the door. He opened it and allowed Kaiden in with a hug. Both men headed back towards the bed and Josh sat beside Hayden on the bed while Kai grabbed a chair and sat in front of him. "Hi Dad." Kaiden was a little unsure of how to start what he wanted to say. "I.. um I know I was wrong in running away because I was upset, and I'm sorry." He said, figuring that was the safest way to start talking.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

When Kai entered, as hard of a moment as this was, Hayden could not help but smile. No matter how upset they all were, he still loved his son. “Kai,” he breathed with all of the relief that he had not known he would need as soon as he came. It was like he had not been expecting him to come. Part of him was afraid that he would change his mind. “I already told you not to apologize to me. I know what it is like to be upset.” They all knew that. “I know what it is like to make decisions that may… harm others.” Too many of his own choices did. “But I think I understand why you did it.”
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[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kaiden looked at his dad, taking a deep breath and he smiled back. "I know you told me not to apologize, but.. I have to. I was wrong in doing so. I should've.. just stayed in my room to cool off. But instead I wanted to hurt you, I wanted to show I wasn't just a little kid but I ran away like a little kid would do. Like I did when my parent's were fighting." Kai's words came out faster, his eyes focused entirely on Hayden. "What? How could you understand? I.. was wrong. I was acting.." He paused, Ezekiel's words coming to the forefront of his mind. 'A child' 'A pup' 'A boy who runs away when his father is angry. When the world is too hard.' Stop thinking about him. Just talk to dad. "I was acting like a child and I should've acted like an adult." Kaiden finished. He looked up at Hayden, his eyes watching him. "I acted like my father, my birth father and I am ready to face the consequences of my actions."​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Hayden listened patiently. He had a million things that he wanted to say as Kai spoke, but he did not want to interrupt. Interrupting and not listening to the full conversations were what got them in this mess. They did not stop to understand the other side of the arguments. So he listened. And he listened. Finally, he could not wait any longer. He took both of Kai’s hands and as sincerely and meaningfully as he could he simply said, “No.” He shook his head once and repeated it. “No. You are not like that man. I know that he was your father first and a good soldier under you,” he turned his head to Josh’s side a moment before turning back to Kai, “but he was not a good man. You were upset and told me the truth that I was not ready to hear. That is never what he did. When you ran away, you were not like him. You were like your real father.” He shifted so that he could better face both Kai and Josh. “And not in a bad way. I just… I wasn’t ready for that. I wasn’t ready for you to be an adult. No matter what I said when I was upset.”
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[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kai felt hands take his and he blinked, looking at his dad, his eyes wide as he heard the 'no' and then the second no. He listened, tears brimming in his eyes as he did. If only his dad knew how he got when he was around Ezekiel, he might take that back. Kaiden had a temper like his father, and that would never change. It was something he'd deal with forever. Josh looked at Hayden and merely nodded, he was a good soldier but once Josh knew what was happening at home, he'd grown to not care for the man. Kaiden wasn't expecting to be compared to Josh when he had run away, he wasn't like his papa, nor his dad. "I meant what I said, and in that time it was designed to hurt you, and it did. But.. I guess it helped too?" Kai's question was soft as he looked at his dad and papa. "Are you still mad at me?" Kai asked softly, not entirely sure he wanted to know the answer to that question.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

That was a much harder question to answer. Hayden was calmer than he had been when they found Kai and Theo coming back over that fence. He was thinking a lot straighter than he had been as they sat in that conference room. He was weighing more options than when he decided to take every privilege away from them. “Yes.” It was a hard, hard question. “What you did, disappearing where we couldn’t find you if you were in dire trouble and then leaving again right after that. That was reckless. It was irresponsible. I still mean that. But I am not mad that you ran away. For that, I am deeply, horribly sorry.” That part was his fault. And though he knew that there was a large chunk of the blame that could be given to him for the other things as well, that last bit was so dire because of him. They all knew that. “It helped.” To that he could agree. “It helped me understand that we can’t keep living the way that we were.” He averted his eyes. “We weren’t really living.”
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[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kai knew the answer was yes. There was no other answer it could've been. He lowered his gaze as he heard those words. 'Reckless. Irresponsible' and then another voice in his mind. 'child' with a voice different and cold. He looked up again, hearing that his dad wasn't mad he'd run away. He was sorry? Kai tilted his head a little, listening to Hayden and swallowed hard. "I understand what I did was reckless and irresponsible. I just.. needed to clear my mind and explore. The only problem with areas we patrol in constantly is there is nothing left to explore, I've seen it all. So we wanted to go somewhere new. And I wasn't thinking when we left the second time." Kaiden admitted, which was partly a lie since he was thinking, but he couldn't tell his parent's that. "And.. since we did disobey rules, what kind of punishment do you have in mind?" Kai asked, his voice soft.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

“You always have been the adventurous type.” Hayden sighed and relaxed how he was sitting. He slouched a little more. “He gets that from you,” he said to Josh. “I have never been one to explore new things. Like that. But I guess I can understand the thirst for something new. The hunger.” He knew that well. Before the world ended, he had been studying to be a marine biologist prior to even getting to the college courses. Then, when he simply could not be still any longer, he up and learned a whole new science. This was similar. He could see that now. “You are right. You did disobey the rules. Whether I overreacted or not,” which he did, “you still left out territory without permission from anyone – not just me. You still left again while you were still in trouble for that. And you still were AWOL.” He felt that saying it out loud was important. They needed to share what they were thinking so that they could be on the same page. “You may be a 23-year-old fine young man, but you are grounded. Just not as grounded as I may like you to be.” He turned to Josh.
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[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Josh looked at Hayden and shook his head. "I can't.. exactly disagree on that." Josh admitted as he nodded, knowing that Hayden didn't really explore, but he did have the thirst for new things. Kai listened to his fathers and sighed softly, thinking about it for a moment. He looked down for a moment in shame before he looked up at his dad. Kaiden listened completely before he nodded his head. "I understand." Kai said while Josh nodded. "And you'll be grounded for a month. You are allowed to walk the stadium and the area between it and the fence. But you are not allowed outside the fence. You and Theo both. Also, once you are ungrounded, you and Theo will be put on the same patrol, my patrol, to keep an eye on you. And if you want to go somewhere on a day off, you will tell both of us and if you go anywhere else, the punishment next time will be more severe." He said, looking at Hayden before he looked at their son. "I understand Papa." Kai said, before he smiled. "Ok.. uh now that that's discussed, can I show you something I found for you dad?"​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Hayden thought that it was only right that Josh get to say the punishment since it was primarily his idea. It was far more freedom than Hayden naturally wanted to give him, but he also understood why any less could lead to the same or worse situations. When Josh mentioned that the punishment would be more severe, Hayden’s expression hardened a little. If this didn’t work, nothing would be able to stop him except himself, and the likelihood of that seemed low. At least for now. Maybe. He focused on the smile. Smile? They had not been smiling. “Found for me?” That took him entirely by surprise. “What do you mean?” He felt as though he had missed something in this conversation, but he was also curious.
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[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Josh saw that Hayden's face had hardened a little but he knew that this first punishment was lighter than it could've been. Kaiden looked at his dad and nodded, smiling as he grabbed his pack and set it on his lap, opening it. "So.. the first time we went out, we explored this building with all kinds of things inside that we'd never found before because we'd never been in there." He explained as he reached in and grabbed the science and chemistry books he'd found. He held them in one hand and set his pack on the ground again. Kaiden held the books out to Hayden, watching him for his reaction.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Initially, Hayden began to frown. Whatever Kai was going to show him was from somewhere they were not supposed to be. That was where his mind was focused. It wasn’t until he pulled out the books that Hayden’s face softened. He eyed them curiously as Kai put his pack down and watched them as they were offered to him. “Kai…” He reached forward and pulled them close. A smile danced at the edge of his lips as he looked at the cover of the first and then the second. “You brought these back for me?” The second time. Which meant that he had those for him before he ran away. His vision blurred with the sudden tears. He opened one trying to read the table of contents to see what exactly Kai brought back for him. “These are…” but he was too overwhelmed to say anything else.
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[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kai looked at Hayden when he took his books, hearing his name and he saw that smile dancing on the edge of his dad's lips. "I did." He said with a soft voice, watching him open one of the books as if trying to read them. "Do you.. do you like them?" Kaiden asked, his voice tentative and quiet as he waited to see just what his dad's reaction to them was going to be. He wasn't sure how he'd take it but he hoped that Hayden liked the books he'd brought back for him.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Hayden stared at them a little longer, taking in the words that were printed on the pages. Kai brought those back for him. Despite feeling trapped. Despite being angry, he still thought of him. He set the books to the side, slipped off the bed, and hugged his son. “I love them,” he whispered as he clung to them. “How do you know me so well?” It always felt like Kai understood him better than anyone else even if they had different interests.
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[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kai watched him look at the pages and then saw him set the books down, and slip off the bed. He felt the arms wrap around him and heard the whispered words. Kaiden wrapped his arms around his dad and felt tears slip down his face. "I'm happy you love them." He said softly, and then chuckled a little. "Because I spent more time with you then anyone else in my entire life." He replied, clinging to his dad.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Hayden loved a lot of people in the world. Josh was his husband and his love even if they forgot for a while. Jacob was his best friend and his brother that kept him safe from himself. Soren kept Jacob sane and happy and for that, Hayden would be forever grateful. Theo was so cute and drove him crazy in the best way. But Kaiden was forever his favorite person. Not the person who grounded him but the person he would always choose first. “You are the kindest person I have ever met.” He pulled away enough to look at him. “And I am so proud of you. Every day.”
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[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kaiden smiled at those words, feeling Hayden pull away and look at him. He blushed a little before he sighed, looking at his dad. "Even if I disappoint you sometimes?" He asked, watching Hayden, unsure if he wanted to know the answer exactly. But he did want to know the answer at the same time as well. Hearing that he'd disappointed his dad had hurt him more than he'd cared to admit even to himself most times.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Hayden knew that this question was because of how well he did not handle their last real conversation. “Everyone can do something that is disappointing sometimes. we are all disappointed.” He placed a hand on Kai’s cheek and smiled. “You have never been a disappointment. I may have been disappointed with something that you did but not you. Never you. So even when I’m upset and you’re upset. Even when we are disappointed in our circumstances, I am always proud of you. You’ve grown into the purest, brightest young man.” He leaned in and smiled. “And that’s saying something, because I remember your papa when he was a young man too.” He turned back and smiled at Josh. “And you bring me back gifts. How can I ever be upset with that?”
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[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kai listened to his dad, felt the hand on his cheek and blinked wet eyes as he heard him. Even when he was disappointed, he was still proud of him? That thought reached deep inside and made Kaiden smile a little bit. And he laughed softly when he heard that comment. “I see. That certainly makes me feel better.” Kaiden said with a smile. Josh chuckled a little bit and looked at Hayden with a smile. “Am I like papa was when he was my age?” Kaiden asked curiously, thinking back to the earlier comment about how he was adventurous like Josh was.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Hayden looked from his son to his husband and laughed. “Oh yes. You remind me so much of him that it’s amazing you don’t share any genetics.” He held one of each of their hands now. “You and your papa share a lot of the same qualities, especially when he was younger.” He smiled at the memory of the Josh who was his everything for so long. “Charming and kind. True sense of heroic. Ready to do anything. Always so ready. You take on change unlike I ever could. Seek it out even?” He grinned. “Too handsome for your own good. A bit impulsive and maybe prone to some rash decisions. But always with the best intentions.”
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[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kaiden looked at Josh, trying to imagine a younger him. He got flashes from when he’d met him the first time. All those years ago. Josh merely smiled, chuckled a little as well as he looked at Kai then at Hayden. “Don’t forget running. We have yet to have a race between us. Though that will have to wait till Jacob says you are clear to run once more.” Josh said, leaning over and ruffling Kaiden’s hair with a laugh. “Wait.. you ran?” Kai asked, vaguely recalling mentions of it but there was so much about young Josh that he didn’t know. He didn’t know his papa as well as he knew his dad, but that was mostly because Joshua was nerve really around until Kai was fifteen.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Hayden smiled warmly at the memories. “Mmhmm. Your papa was the best runner there was. He was faster than anyone else on the team.” He pulled his hands away to use them as they spoke because he so passionately could recall the many times he watched the meets. “People would come together and race to see who was the fastest, and your papa was always leaps and bounds ahead of them. I always thought he could done that for a living. Professional track star.” Hayden grinned at Kai. “And you are just as sly on your feet. A race between the two of you could be an enjoyable event. Around the stadium maybe? A couple of laps perhaps?” He chuckled.
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