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

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex listened closely, a small frown crossing his face as he did. Oh. Ezekiel lost his first partner to wolves. "I'm sorry to hear that, it might not have been the best, but it is still sad that you lost her." Alex said, placing a hand on Ezekiel's shoulder. "How uh.. how did you know that you couldn't care for her the way she needed?" Alex asked curiously, tilting his head a little.

Kai saw the frown and then listened to him. "I think if we did it just right it could work. I'm not sure how we'd get there yet, we might have to wait a week or so. Once we can go on our own again, we could make a quick trip there and back." Kai suggested before he bit his lip in thought. "Well. The other's do not know who we are, only they do, so perhaps we write it like a prayer but slip our names into it?"​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Ezekiel shook his head. “She was a good person, and a dear friend, which was why our pairing was so bad for both of us. We learned a lot about each other after we were matched like that.” He smiled not because these were fond memories but because it was good to remember. “She needed someone who could love her, and she thought that I could be that person since we were already close. I could not. I could never love her, and I sometimes fear that this is a failing of mine. I could not even think about being with her in anyway more than partners on the training grounds.” He took frowned now. “I have thought about this a lot over the many years, but I have come to the conclusion that perhaps I cannot love anyone like that. Perhaps that is simply something I cannot do. And it is not like my parents who did not love each other when they were first paired. They were still able to perform their duties as a bonded pair. I… cannot.” He looked away as he tried to explain it. “It makes me.. uncomfortable.”

“Secret prayer notes that sound like all those crazy people things where we slip our names and hope that they understand that the wolves who didn’t kill them want to talk?” Theo first stared back at him and then smiled wide. “This is an awesome plan and surely can’t cause us any problems at all. We can use this time while you’re grounded like a misbehaving child to perfect our prayer writing skills.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex listened to him, curiosity in his gaze as he took in that information. He wasn't sure exactly how he'd feel if he got paired with a partner. "I do not think you cannot love anyone like that, but perhaps there just has not been the right one?" Alex suggested, understanding what he meant. "I understand, and I've thought about what bonded pairs are to do, and it is something that I fear I won't be able to do either. I just don't know why." Alex admitted, his voice quiet as he looked at the ground, face red in embarrassment.

Kaiden looked at Theo and nodded. "Exactly! That's what I mean. It's perfect." Kai said with a smile just as wide on his own face. "I don't think it will cause us any problems. And exactly. See? The grounding is the perfect chance to perfect our prayer skills. You ready to start this? We have a few hours until we have to show up for dinner."​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

This was an odd and a bit awkward conversation to have, but Ezekiel was glad to have it with someone. He did not expect for this to be the sixteen year old who he barely knew a couple of days ago, but things had changed since then. They had not only become partners in patrols but something more like brothers. Ezekiel had siblings, and yet this felt more real than any of them. He ran a hand behind his neck. “I cannot say why you have such fears but know that I too have them. You are not alone. And perhaps you are right. Maybe I have not found the right person, but when I think about pairing even in the basic sense of being partners with someone, it never feels right.” He sighed and then shook his head. “I’m sorry to have burdened you with this. That was not my intention. I just.. well, actually I don’t know really. Just.. thank you.”

Theo nodded and hopped up, running to grab something to write on and with. He knew where Kai kept his stuff and he was not above stealing from Owen. If he wanted to disappear for the rest of time, then Theo was claiming his abandoned things. “Okay. So we need to learn the language or the um.. the.. tone? To make it sound right?”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex, unsure why, had found a brother in his leader and partner. He felt closer to him than he did Devin. And even closer than to Yara and Lilly. Alex had a lot to learn about himself and his friends but this conversation was the kickstarter to those thoughts and lessons. He nodded in understanding, glad to have someone else also feel similar fears to himself. “It is not a burden. I am happy to listen to whatever you wish to talk about.” Alex told him with a sincere smile. He quite enjoyed their conversation, finding it a nice moment between them.

Kai nodded, watching Theo hop up and grab his supplies. “Right. So I read a few of them the last time I was there and they always talk about Her with capital on the H or She with capital on the S. So that’s important and they mention her in everything so we definitely should include that in there somehow.” Kai said shifting to lay on his stomach so he could help write and work on these notes.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

They had been out there for a while now, and several of their other group members were starting to show up. This conversation was not one that he felt that they should share with the rest, so he was glad that he had reached such a natural end. “I hope that you feel comfortable enough to tell me what you are thinking or can come to me with your struggles. I hope that I can help you.” He greeted the others as they arrived and wished them pleasant times with their families.

“Emphasis on the She and Her. Got it. So we need to make it sound like it’s about this lady. That’s not weird at all.” Theo made sure to write at the top ‘She’ and ‘Her’ with the capitals underlined to remind him as they worked. “And it’s always like ‘May She do whatever’ right? Like she’s the one granting all these wishes.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex looked at Ezekiel and nodded with a smile on his face. “If I ever need to talk to you, I will. I feel comfortable speaking with you. Thank you.” Alex told him as he noticed their group members coming up to them. He looked over at his leader and brother. Alex wondered just what they were goin to work on.

Kai nodded as he listened to Theo. “Exactly. How about this. ‘May She guide us to finding ways to get rid of the demons, and the wolves. Including the lost souls of Kai and T, friends to Ezekiel and Alex’ what do you think?” Kai asked as he looked at Theo.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

As they waited for each of their group members to join them, Ezekiel spoke with each one, learning a bit more about them. He was not only interested in their preferred combat styles but also who they were as people. This was vital to working as a cohesive group. As he shared about himself, he did not include the same information about pairing as he gave to Alex. These were not people he felt he could trust with such a delicate matter. “Now that everyone is here, the Elders have agreed that we should take our unfortunate circumstance as a learning opportunity. Determine alternate actions we could have taken or discuss any concerns.”

“Guide you! That’s right. She’s always guiding them. Yeah yeah yeah,” he scribbled it out for them to see and then nodded. “Dude, I think you got it. How do we get this on one of those prayer sheet things? Do they have them? Can we replicate that? I feel like it can’t be that hard honestly.” He considered this for a moment. “I’ll be ungrounded before you, so I can probably get it out there once it’s ready.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex looked at Ezekiel as he spoke with the rest of their group, and he thought back on their conversation with a small smile playing on his lips. Once everyone was there, he turned his attention like the others to him. "Instead of splitting into pairs to check out a disturbance, perhaps we should go as a group? Less chances of the demons overtaking an entire group versus two." Alex suggested.

Kai nodded as he looked at Theo. Perfect. "Maybe I was a scar in a former life." Kaiden joked as he thought about the paper they used. The prayer sheets. "Well, they look like faded pieces of paper so maybe we can use a lighter and turn a normal piece of paper into an older one that way?" Kaiden suggested, and then he shrugged. "Maybe they'll look at it faster if it looks different than the normal ones. And yeah, you could probably get it out there sooner than I can."​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Ezekiel nodded. “This is a good idea. However, when there are disturbances, we may already be split, much like we were yesterday. I do not wish for us not to split into pairs in our normal patrolling as that is a tried and true method that works for most occasions.” He looked at each of the group members before continuing. “Perhaps we should make it a habit to attempt to regroup in events such as these? We call on each other as best that we can. We can only do our best. We do not deliver miracles.”

Theo scrunched his face together. “In a past life, you were one of them? That would be crazy. You’re not even like them. Though it would explain why you were so patient with Grumpypants when you didn’t have to be.” He shrugged. “Uh, actually yeah, I think that does work. And when it doesn’t look exactly right, someone will pick it up and then ask them about who put that up and their weird friends. I think you might actually be brilliant.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex listened to Ezekiel and thought for a moment. "Perhaps we have spots along the route that we regroup at? If we know the route we could determine spots along it, or after so long we regroup anyway?" Alex suggested as he listened to Ezekiel. "That way we can still do pairs like normal?" He added as he waited curiously.

Kai saw the scrunched face and chuckled a little. "I doubt I was actually one of them. And I don't know why I was so patient. It was weird." Kaiden admitted as he sat there. He nodded with a smirk. "Of course I'm brilliant. One of us has to be." Kai said with a laugh as he laid back on his bed. "This whole thing is so weird. Right? Or is it just me that thinks its weird?"​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Ezekiel considered and then after seeing the nods of approval from several others, too agreed. “These established spots can also be where we automatically go if a loud disturbance such as the one from yesterday occurs. That will allow us to continue as usual but regroup for emergencies and threats.” He smiled warmly at Alex. “Very good thinking young Alexander. Alright, does anyone else have any suggestions? Otherwise, I think we take the day off of patrolling and do some training. I know that we are long past those days, some of us anyway, but we can always improve.”

Theo laughed as Kai spoke. Did he think that Kai was brilliant? Absolutely. He loved the guy. They were best friends for a reason. Theo always thought that Kai was the coolest person ever except for maybe Josh, and that was because he was a genuine, real life hero. “Um, yeah, it’s super weird. You made frienemies with a scar, and now we’re going to work on some sort of secret correspondence with them. Yeah, super, super weird.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex felt pride rise up in his chest as he saw the nods of approval and the acknowledgement that he had a good idea. It was a wonderful feeling as his confidence grew. He looked around at his group, a smile on his face as he heard Ezekiel and nodded. It was a good idea to do some training, and he nodded at that. "That's a good idea. It never hurts to brush on up training." Alex agreed.

Kaiden heard Theo laugh and a smile grew on his face. He nodded as he heard that and thought about what they were doing. "You know, we can't tell anyone about this right? Not our families or anyone else. Not even Owen." Kaiden said as he pushed himself to sit up. This was all so weird to him but kind of thrilling too. They'd be in so much trouble if anyone, especially Isaac, found out what they were doing.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

With that, Ezekiel dismissed everyone to do what they will for training. His plan was to visit each as they practiced to learn their skillset. He needed to know everyone’s strengths and weaknesses in the same way that they needed to know his. He would observe only long enough to learn and then he too would join them so that they could learn him as well. He encouraged all to observe one another. He felt that they had the makings of a perfect team.

“Who am I gonna tell?” Theo asked as he shoved himself against Kai. “You’re my best friend, man. There isn’t anyone else in the world that I would want to know about this crazy stuff. If I was doing this with someone else, which seems highly unlikely by the way, I would totally be tell you. But since you are the one with the frienemy, I have no one else to go to.” He put his arm around Kaiden’s shoulders. “This is our secret. And also eventually Alex and Ezekiel’s too. We can only hope they don’t ruin this for us.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Once Ezekiel had dismissed them to work on training, Alex grabbed his bow. He worked on aiming, then moving while aiming by walking side to side. Each arrow made its way to its intended target. A smile on his face as he went to pick up the arrows from the target and started again, this time from a further distance.

Kai looked at Theo and chuckled softly. Right. Who would he tell? He heard his best friend and smiled, a sigh slipping out at the arm over his shoulders. “You are absolutely right, and I have a feeling they won’t ruin for us because it would get them in trouble too.” Kaiden reasoned as he looked at Theo. “And so we find ourselves trapped. We can’t tell anyone for fear of getting caught and neither can they.” Kaiden said with a smile growing on his face.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Ezekiel made the rounds, seeing how everyone was doing. He made sure to compliment and comment on everyone. He wanted to make sure that they were seen. However, he could not help it. He lingered with Alex. “You are very good at that. You have seen how well I can do.” He laughed. “Your skills are commendable. I wish that I could be like you.” He pulled out his hammer and began his own training.

Theo pointed to his friend. “Sure are. I think you are a genius. How are you so cool?” He flopped down on the floor on his back. He was tired, but he wasn’t that tired. So now, what did they do? They were trapped in a lot of ways. Trapped in this room and unable to go do what they wanted. Being treated like they were children. Honestly, that was fair though. He wished that they could do more. He wished they could go put this note down now.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex looked at Ezekiel when he came over to him and blushed softly at the words. "Thank you. It took a long time to get this good." Alex said, as he chuckled, hearing the comment. "And I hope to be a good leader like you one day." Alex admitted a moment before Ezekiel had pulled out his hammer. Alex went back to training with his bow.

Kai shook his head with a small grin on his face. "Really? I don't know. I never tried to be cool." He said with a shrug as he watched Theo flop down on the floor on his back. Kai sighed, as he looked around the room. Kaiden hated being trapped, being treated like a child. Sure they shouldn't have done what they did, but still. "I have an idea, but it might get us into more trouble." Kaiden said, looking at Theo with a smirk on his face.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

“I am not an ideal leader,” Ezekiel responded as he began a routine of a series of movements and positions that he practiced with the hammer. They helped him with the weight and the flow. “An ideal leader does not keep so many secrets.” He smiled at Alex as he moved. No one else was close enough to hear that, and even if they did, he could come up with something to say to them to explain the comment away.

From the floor, Theo stared at the ceiling until he heard those words. He sat up and looked at Kai like he was crazy but also a genius. “More trouble? Then I’m definitely in. Who said I wanted to be a good boy all of a sudden?” He scrambled so that he was better sitting and able to really look at his friend. “Is this the kind of trouble that means we better be real careful or your dad is going to send the cavalry after us? Or Isaac will get involved?”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex had paused his training to look at Ezekiel, watching his movements with the hammer. He was intrigued by the fluid motions. “Ideal leader isn’t what I said, I said good leader. One who listens to their team and brings out the best in them all.” Alex said as he started his training back up.

Kaiden grinned as he looked at Theo when he sat up. “Awesome.” Kai said as he shifted a little more. He bit his lip as he listened to his best friend as his grin got bigger. “It is absolutely that kind of trouble.” Kaiden said before he chuckled. “We’re going to take a little quick trip to martyrs gate. Now. Before dinner. There’s a way out of here that Manny showed me once. We just can’t bring our packs or our excuse of walking the stadium’s halls won’t work. Are you in?”​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Ezekiel also paused as the words hit his mind. “You are a fascinating person. I am feeling as though the first sixteen years of my life were lacking without you in them.” He began the movements again to continue the practice. Eventually, he would move over to the training dummies, but for now, he did not want to leave Alex’s side. He liked being around him. He liked having the companionship. It felt almost like how he did with his sibling of the closest age many many years ago.

Theo stared at him with unblinking eyes until finally he snorted out a laugh and asked, “Are you serious? Right now. We are going to sneak out of this giant place with so many eyes on us to go put this thing on there to get back without finding any trouble and then go to dinner like we have been sulking and thinking about what we did?” He grinned and then popped up onto his feet. “Yeah let’s do it, man. Right now. That is the best plan you’ve ever had.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex blushed and looked away, starting his training again. “Oh uh thank you. I am not that fascinating. I just.. I don’t know, I’m just me.” Alex said. He was unused to this kind of companionship. He was never close with his brother and he liked his sister but they weren’t close either. He started up his bow training again as well.

Kaiden looked at Theo, and heard his laugh. “I am absolutely serious. Come on!” He said, getting up from his bed and headed for the door. He looked back at Theo. “Okay, so we have to act like we’re still upset at our actions. And if anyone asks, we’re just walking the halls. Once we get outside, we have to avoid any patrols. And be fast. I don’t want to know what would happen if we get caught out of the stadium..” Kaiden said, pulling open the door to head out into the hall.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

“Have you ever considered,” Ezekiel asked, “that it is because you are just you that you are fascinating?” He let that sit there for a moment before moving to the training dummies where he joined several other people in their hand to hand combat work. He could not help but stop to mentor some of them and then ask for guidance as well.

“We die,” Theo answered as he joined Kai in the hall. He repeated in a low whisper as he hung his head, “they catch us, and we are dead.” He would have it no other way though. This was way better than sulking. He shoved his hands in his pockets and trudged down the hall. He made sure to not look anyone in the eye. It probably looked like shame. He was a little ashamed but not really. He really thought they were going to get somewhere when suddenly someone said his name. He looked up and there was Brian and all his crankiness. “What are you two doing? Aren’t you supposed to be wasting away on house arrest for what you did?” He scoffed. “What you made us do?”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

No that was something Alex had never considered that him just being him was fascinating. He watched Ezekiel move away as he kept going with his archery, trying different distances, and shooting while walking.

Right. If they get caught, they would be in huge trouble. Kaiden followed Theo’s example and shoved his hands in his pockets. They were so close to the stairwell that would take them to the back door exit Manny had showed him. Then Theo’s name was called and there was Brian. “We’re going for a walk in the halls. We aren’t leaving the stadium. Why don’t you just leave us alone. I don’t want to hear your voice right now.” Kai snapped, rolling his eyes at Brian. He was never a fan of his anyway.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

After a while, Ezekiel felt that they were done with training. He was not sure what to do after that though. He was not the leader of his last group, and he never wished to be. He did not mind really, but he was new to this. So he gathered everyone together. “Alright. Give me some options. The best teams work together. What do you feel would be pertinent for us to do?”

Brian was one of those nasty people who loved to make other people feel bad to make himself feel better. Okay, Theo wasn’t sure that was exactly the reasoning behind him being awful, but it was probably close enough. Brian rolled his eyes, shoved his hands over his chest, and absolutely blocked their way. “Watch your tone, boy. Just because your daddy thinks he’s all high and mighty and can order all of us around when you do something stupid doesn’t mean the rest of us have to like you. It serves you right to have to be locked up. I don’t even think you should be walking around.” He glared at Theo. “Causing even more trouble.” He dripped with the cruelty that Theo had to deal with so often.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex moved over to Ezekiel when he called training done. He looked at the others before he thought for a moment. “Maybe we could do a safer small patrol route in the island? Perhaps put these checkpoint meet ups into action before we go back to the main land?”

Kaiden’s eyes flashed as he glared at Brian. “You’d better watch your tone Brian. My ‘daddy’ is one of the reasons you aren’t dead from scars or under the control of FEDRA.” Kaiden growled as he crossed his own arms over his chest. “He worked with Isaac, Emma and Jason as our group was forming. Now move out of our way or I’ll make you.” He snapped. The anger from yesterday boiling again, but this time he wouldn’t hold back and would probably try and punch Brian. He hated him, hated his cruelty and how he treated Theo when he was in a mood.​