Fandom Getting Out of Pittsburgh { The Last of Us 1x1 with icedthemoon }

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Asher kept his lips sealed for a long moment as he smiled and only occasionally looked towards Jordan. “Uh huh. I was engaged to a bright young woman I knew for a very long time. Her parents and my parents knew each other well, so we knew each other well. We were a perfect match.” He let that sit there for a moment. “We had it all planned out. She had even started planning the wedding and everything. I was much too busy to care about that, of course. I had too many other urgent things to attend, as the very important person I have always been.” He stared off into the trees, chasing a memory.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Jordan DeShay
Former Smuggler | 27 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Jordan turned his head and looked at Asher. “Really? A perfect match? And how old were you when you were planning this wedding?” Jordan asked, arching an eyebrow. “And.. furthermore, I know you’ve always been important so I can see how the finer details of wedding planning could be less important.” He said with a grin on his face. He was curious to learn more about his traveling companion.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Asher almost let the laugh he was holding in go with that question. “Her name was Rebecca. We were meant to be. Or at least that was what she told me when we were five and at the top of the playground castle where we were king and queen respectively.” That was when he finally let the laugh go. “It was a whole thing. Of course, it didn’t work out for numerous reasons.” He smiled as he glanced a Jordan. “Namely the fact that she tried to tear into my flesh with her teeth to spread a fungal infection. And the fact that I may have been flirted with and have maybe sometimes partaken in some flirty banter but have never once found anyone remotely appealing like that.” He looked forward, that little smile still sitting there. “Well. Maybe once.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Jordan DeShay
Former Smuggler | 27 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

He looked at Asher and chuckled softly. “Ah yes. Young love. Very young but I guess when one finds his queen, then he shouldn’t waste time.” Jordan said, flicking his gaze beside him. Then he dropped his gaze, hearing that she’d tried to bite him. Then Jordan let out a low sigh. “Once? You only found one person in your entire life as appealing as possibly exploring something that some used to call love with?” Jordan asked, curious and bewildered a little at the statement. “And just who would that be? Rebecca?” He asked, his eyes still a little wide as he learned more about Asher.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Asher was yet again uncomfortable. He was so often uncomfortable around Jordan. Or maybe he was uncertain. Or maybe he just wasn’t used to whatever this was. What was it? He didn’t know. He shook his head with a chuckle. “No no, she was not the one for me. I realized that as I got older and determined that I probably would have hated her with every fiber of my being as we got older. But then again, I probably would have hated who that little boy I was would have become without the end of the world.” He looked at the ground where he walked. The place where he held his stomach. The place where he couldn’t always tell where he stopped and Jordan started. “Not to mention the only person I’ve ever had any kind of feelings that weren’t hate or acquaintanceship was for a man so.. Sorry Rebecca. Kinda don’t think that would have worked out for us.” He looked ahead of them. “But it’s not.. I don’t-“ He sucked in a deep breath and tried to flip the conversation. “The point is that I can handle whatever flirty evils you did to disarm your opponents. I still want to know.” That was when he finally looked at him again.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Jordan DeShay
Former Smuggler | 27 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Jordan was quiet as he listened to Asher talk. He noticed him looking at the ground, and Jordan turned his attention back to where they were walking. He flicked his eyes to look at Asher when he spoke again. The only person he ever had feelings for was a man? "Oh is that so? And I wonder who this man is that caught your attention." Jordan replied, a small smile on his face. He heard him again and saw him finally look at him. "Well. My favorite flirty line was why are we fighting when we could be doing other things." Jordan said, though he said worse and probably done worse too. "And placing a hand on just the right places was a good way to disarm them too. Usually the arm, face, neck, or head.."​

 

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Asher avoided the inquiry about who this mystery man was like the plague the world couldn’t and instead focused on this flirting thing. He tried to envision a younger Jordan up against all likes of people, mostly men, and talking to them like that. Putting on that face. He knew the one. It was the one that worked on Asher. He thought about the question, and he did think that would likely throw a lot of people off their game. It honestly sounded impressive. And a bit alluring. “It’s a shame I couldn’t see that in action. I think I would have liked to meet this version of you.” His movements were slowing now. His body was so tired from the energy it took to heal itself. And the fact that the forest was not a great place to sleep. And the emotional roller coaster from earlier. And really a lot of things.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Jordan DeShay
Former Smuggler | 27 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Jordan looked at Asher when he heard him and chuckled. "Just wait until you're better gorgeous. I'll bring out that version of me just for you." Jordan told him. He frowned as he noticed Asher's movements slowing. He had to be tired, especially healing from the injury. "Would you like to stop and rest? Or I can carry you if you'd like to keep going?" Jordan suggested, concern in his voice as he looked at him.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Asher raised a brow at that. “Well that’s also a shame that I have to be better for it. Stabbings take forever to heal.” He had never had one go all the way through him before, so he could only assume that it would take even more time. It was a bit of a shame. Or maybe a lot of a shame. Here he was again getting trapped in the loop of intrigue and desire. He wanted nothing more than to stop what they were doing so that Jordan could show him what he did. That was ridiculous. Having to stop so soon was also ridiculous. He thought about saying so but was distracted by the new option. “Carry me? You mean like when I was actively dying in your arms? How romantic.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Jordan DeShay
Former Smuggler | 27 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

“I could be convinced to bring some of it out, but there are some things I can’t do just yet.” He said with a grin and a wink. Jordan walked for a moment, waiting to hear Asher’s response to his options. “It’s a lot more romantic when you aren’t actively dying.. and a lot more romantic when I’m not scared and trying to get us somewhere safe.” Jordan replied, turning his head to look at Asher. “And besides, did you want it to be romantic? Because I can definitely make it that way gorgeous.”​

 

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Asher was going to try his hardest not to think about why he liked this potential future where Jordan might be persuaded to show off what he could do. He tried to focus on other words, but that didn’t help. Did he want it to be more romantic? Um. “Did I want my active death to be more romantic? I guess that would have been nicer than just dying.” He grinned. “But now I just think you’re being flirty again.” He wasn’t going to think about how it was working.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Jordan DeShay
Former Smuggler | 27 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Jordan chuckled, looking at Asher as he heard him. "I could've made it so much more romantic than just running away. Too bad I didn't know that until now." He replied, a smile on his face. "Me? Being flirty? No.. I would never be like that at all gorgeous." He said, pulling them to a stop. He looked at Asher and sighed. "Asher.. please be honest with me now. Do you want to stop or have me carry you? I don't want you to push yourself with that kind of injury that is still actively healing and could've killed you."​

 

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Stopping meant that he was going to have to face the part of this that he was ignoring. The part where he was stabbed yesterday. Yesterday? He was not sure. His mind was fuzzy on the details around the actual event. Darling’s face, the world being foggy, lots of gunshots, Darling running towards them. And then the forest. Lots of fuzzy forest thoughts. “I’m fine,” he insisted. “I can keep going. You’ve got me, right?” He smiled even though he wanted to beg. “I can keep going. And you can keep flirting all you want.” Like he was nonchalant and didn’t want that to keep happening.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Jordan DeShay
Former Smuggler | 27 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Jordan arched an eyebrow and shook his head. "You aren't fine. I've got you yes, but you aren't fine. Though my flirting won't stop, I don't believe you are fine." Jordan commented and without warning, he scooped Asher up into his arms. "The only way we're going to keep going is if I carry you like this. Give your body a rest gorgeous." Jordan said, holding him in a firm grip. He'd set Asher down if he insisted, but he didn't want the other man to hurt himself further.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

He should have seen this coming. Jordan did practically tell him what was happening, so how he didn’t see it coming was kind of an amazing feat. “Love bug..” but it was too late, because he was in Jordan’s arms. Without meaning to, he was already letting Jordan do all the work. He groaned mostly at himself. “You don’t have to do this. I.. am fine. Really. I mean, I know I’m not fine, but in the grand scheme of things, I am okay. You did an honestly great job at putting me back together.” He sighed. “I don’t want you to get hurt either. Put me down.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Jordan DeShay
Former Smuggler | 27 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

"Gorgeous.." He replied, hearing that nickname. Jordan looked at Asher in his arms, and heard him before he sighed heavily. "I'm used to putting people back together so that was no problem, but I won't get hurt. I'm stronger than I look love. So don't you worry about that. Now, the real question is, do you really truly want me to put you down? Or are you just saying that because you don't want me to get hurt carrying you?" Jordan asked, holding him firmly.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

How was he supposed to answer that question? Did he want to be put down? Yes. But why? Because he hated feeling helpless. Did he hate being carried? Um. No? It kind of felt like a no, but he didn’t know how to say that he liked it when he was too busy trying not to like anything. Keeping up appearances for himself was exhausting. Was he tired? Oh yes. He was so tired. Would he have stopped if he were on his own. Probably not, because that was the kind of person that he was. Jordan was going to get tired too, because he slept equally as little as Asher. And he was ‘interrogated’ so recently. How could Jordan possibly be able to do this without it hurting him too? “Put me down,” Asher told him again, though it was less forceful than he wished he could be. “We don’t know where we are. We don’t know how much longer it’s going to be.” He sighed. “Sit down with me.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Jordan DeShay
Former Smuggler | 27 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

In a way, Jordan did put Asher down that time, but he sat down with Asher in his arms still. He shifted so he gently set Asher down beside him once he was sitting down. "Well. Let's take some time to rest again. Do you think you can eat something?" Jordan asked, looking at Asher. He was concerned for Asher, and knew that he should eat soon, they both should. Food was key in helping give their bodies energy to heal and move forward.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Asher was not expecting this to be how Jordan put him down, but he was going to go with it anyway. If he had not been put down beside him, he was not sure if he would have moved from Jordan’s arms. He was thankful, though, because he was already confused. And tired. And hungry. He didn’t even know he was hungry until that moment. “Well, I should eat. It’s been a moment.” He twisted, regretted that, and decided to sit back like he had been. “I can feed myself,” he stated before there was any confusion there. “I just need to get the food first.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Jordan DeShay
Former Smuggler | 27 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Jordan looked over at Asher when he heard him. He saw him twist, and then return to how he had been sitting. "I never said you couldn't feed yourself, but it seems like you can't reach your pack." Jordan commented as he moved and grabbed Asher's pack off his back and set it in front of them. He pulled his own pack off and set it down as well. "Let's see what we have in here." Jordan said, rummaging through his pack. "I've got canned beans.. and that's about it. Do you have anything different? Or would canned beans be okay?"​

 

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Asher could not help but be mildly annoyed with himself for not being able to get his own food, but if he spent his whole time being cranky about things like that, he would never do anything else. “I used to live in a city where I never had to worry about having food on me at all times. I have some granola bars from an old stash I found and a couple of canned things I squirreled away. But beans are fine.” He smiled a little. Even if it was frustrating not to have the ability to care for himself, it was king of nice having someone that did it for him.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Jordan DeShay
Former Smuggler | 27 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Jordan sighed, hearing Asher and sighed softly. "Okay, so something to look for in the first city we find. Food. I don't have many cans but it'll get us through until we find somewhere." Jordan said as he pulled out two utensils. He kept a spare spoon in case he ever snapped his. He'd done that once, back in Boston and it took forever to find another one. He handed it to Asher and grabbed the almost full can of beans he'd been working on. "Dinner." He said with a chuckle, holding the can out for them to share.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Asher took the utensil and eyed the can. So this was how all those people lived who passed through Pittsburgh. That made sense he guessed. It was kind of strange to choose to live that way, though what else could you do if you were traveling somewhere? He ate a spoonful and laughed. “So we’re looking for food but we’ll have to find a town or city first. I don’t know where everything else is. My knowledge of the world outside of Pittsburgh is a little bit lacking.” He took another bite, grateful for the sharing. His stomach felt a little cranky with him, but he should probably be able to eat at least a little more.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Jordan DeShay
Former Smuggler | 27 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Jordan watched Asher eye the can of beans. He tilted his head a little as he watched Asher and chuckled softly. He took a spoonful himself as he listened to Asher. "Well. It's a good thing you have me. I might not know as much about the western part of the country were we're heading but I know how to navigate. I just need a map. So we'll just keep walking until we come across a town and find a map." Jordan said as he smiled, taking another few bites. "We can rest here for the night as well if you'd like to. I have a blanket that you can rest on. It'll probably be nicer than the cold forest floor."​

 

[icedthemoon]

Asher McCoy
Former Hunter | 29 | Current location ;; Pennsylvania

Asher knitted his eyebrows together as he took a bite of beans. It wasn’t bad. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was that it was so different to how he was used to living. He hadn’t eaten in what felt like days and may have actually been days. This was not the first time that happened, but it was the first time he was worried about the sustainability of his way of living. But here was Jordan absolutely confident that they were going to be fine. Jordan who walked himself into Pittsburgh and almost got himself brutally murdered. The confidence was nice though. He appreciated having someone who was sure of themselves in this situation. “Oh, blanket, huh? I thought I was just going to keep sleeping on you,” he joked. Or maybe he didn’t?
​