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

[EquineGurl23]

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

A slap across his face woke Jordan with a pained groan. He glanced up to see a guy standing there, hard lines and cold eyes. “Well, hello there beautiful.” He said. Jordan was currently tied to a hook in the ceiling by his wrists. He was low enough to the ground that his feet could touch the ground. “Shut up.” The man growled at him, punching his stomach. And then a slap to his face again. A knife came out a moment later and cut his cheek, down his arms. Jordan hissed in pain, his eyes narrowed as he felt another punch, this one to his chest. “Why are you here?”​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Asher ran through this city like he was the one who was going to get strung up and mutilated if they caught him. What was he even doing? This was some guy he didn’t know. Some guy who didn’t mean anything to him. Some guy he didn’t know. Jordan. His name was Jordan. And Asher signed his death warrant. He shouldn’t care so much. He gave him that chance. That was one Jordan for not making the most of it. No, this city was brutal, and Asher let Jordan walk in there alone.

Arriving outside the building, Asher found the dude on guard duty. “Where’s the guy?” He assumed that there was only one real place any of them would take him.
“What guy?”
Asher did not have time for this. “You know, the one we just caught?”
“What’s it to you?”
Asher was on this guy in about two seconds, one hand pinning him to the wall and the other on his throat. To get answers from aggressive people, you had to be aggressive. “He messed up Floyd, ran from us long enough for all of us to get real tired, and he said some things about my mama I don’t like. I intend to show him how I feel about it. Now where is this piece of trash? If Diego’s already-“
The guy gave in quickly. “He’s inside. I don’t know who’s inside because they’ve been going in and out.”
“You weren’t paying attention?”
The guy stumbled with his words, clearly afraid. Asher may not have been in charge, but he still knew how to bring an air of authority. He shoved him out of the way with a, “Get out of my sight,” bark and stomped inside as he listened for the guy’s skittering away.

Once inside, he rushed forward until he found the room. His stomach dropped. He hated when he was right. This was the moment he needed to make a decision. Save Jordan or walk away? Risk everything and have to leave or go back home? Did he even want to be here anymore? Did he even like it here? Was this home?

“Leave some for me,” he growled as he walked in, brows furrowed and hard lines. He came in with a scowl that screamed he had been wronged. He looked angry and ready to kill.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Jordan had refused to answer him, earning him a few more cuts and punches. Blood dripping down his arms, face, chest and sides. He hurt, a lot. He was weak from being cut up, forced to stand there as person after person rotated out. He hated this, so much. All he wanted was to get out of here, get free and never go back. He had lost his pack which had a few things of value to him like pictures of his family when he was little. This was the worst, absolutely the worst. Jordan had been cut, beat and even shot, but where they cut him so many times at once, it had overloaded his system. By the time the next person came in, Jordan was defeated. His head was down, eyes staring at the floor. “Just kill me.” He said, his voice broken and listless. Then he heard the person and looked up. Jordan was truly afraid right now, seeing Asher’s face looking so angry, so murderous. “You come to kill me handsome?”​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

This was what he was trying to avoid. They were supposed to not be in the position with Jordan looking like that. He was supposed to run out of this city and never look back. He was supposed to live. He stared at him, lip slightly raised in that snarl. Just stared for a moment. Glared even. Glared because it should be this guy’s fault that Asher was in this position. No. Glared because he disgusted himself. He could have gotten him out before this. He could have saved him. “No.” He turned and moved back to the door and yelled, “You don’t let anyone else in here.” “But Diego said-“ “I don’t give a damn about what Diego says. I’ll deal with him later. But this one is mine. Do you hear me?” The other guy wavered, so Asher stepped out of the room and held him against the wall too, hand on throat and pushing upward. “Do. You. Understand?” The guy weakly nodded, fearing what Asher might do when he was like this. Many of them did. He dropped him, leaving the guy to gasp for air, and moved back into the room, and slammed the door shut. Hopefully that would deter at least the underlings from interrupting. “Didn’t I tell you to keep running until you were out of this city?” He moved forward and stopped just in front of him. “Didn’t I tell you not to get caught?”​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

He had never had a snarl pointed at him, and the glare shouldn’t have made him feel like a kicked puppy. Jordan didn’t think he’d ever been so happy to hear the word no. Though the circumstances made this a little bit unfortunate. Jordan heard Asher tell them not to let anyone in, and he sounded so angry. He watched with dull eyes as Asher stepped out of the room and ask a little more forcefully if he understood. Jordan was impressed, but still wary, especially when Asher came back in. The door slammed behind him and Jordan involuntarily flinched. “They came up behind me, I did exactly like you said love. And they managed to knock me out. I wasn’t aiming to be caught.”​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

With the door shut and the hopeful chance to not have anyone else coming in, he let the angry expression fall into something more relaxed though still hardened. It was more akin to sadness than anything else. The bags below his eyes were obvious. A frown courted with his lips. Love. He sighed. “You were supposed to get out. I didn’t want-“ His face grew harder again. No more sad. He could be all business serious. He pulled over a stool and climbed up to begin untying him from the hook. “You were supposed to get out,” he repeated. I gave you that chance. It was the right thing to do. People searching for something better don’t deserve this. People searching for their mentors. Finally the ropes came undone and he quickly jumped down, kicked this stool out of his way, to catch Jordan in case his body was too weak to stand on his own.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Jordan saw that angry expression change to be a little more relaxed. He could see sadness in Asher’s expression and saw that frown. It wasn’t his fault that Jordan got caught. It was just bad luck. What didn’t you want? Me to get caught? Jordan let out a low sigh, watching Asher repeat that he didn’t want him caught. Watched as he stood up in a stool and began untying Jordan’s wrists. “I want to get out.” With you. Come with me. Jordan felt the ropes come untied and the moment he put weight his legs, he went to crumble. Jordan found himself caught in Asher’s arms as he went to fall. “T- Thanks.” Jordan felt the pain hit as he moved, the cuts still fresh.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Asher held him up though it might have been closer to just holding him. What Jordan went through was tough, and it was only going to get worse. With one hand, he started checking all the usual places for cuts and bruises. “You’re lucky to still have all your limbs. Darling’s crew likes to take a few before they’re done.” It was perhaps not the nicest thing to say in the moment, but Asher was not used to talking to people who weren’t equally as unphased by this now. He snapped in Jordan’s face to watch his reaction. “Okay, now we have to get you out of here. Can you walk?” Because if not, carrying him was going to make this difficult. Not necessarily impossible though. Just next to impossible.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Jordan was thankful for the grip from Asher, it was appreciated. He felt him checking for cuts and bruises, and Jordan's eyes widened at the comment. "I'll admit that I'm glad they didn't take any limbs." Jordan said quietly. He wasn't super upset by what Asher said, though it did unnerve him. He had no idea what he'd gotten into when he'd entered this city, but he really wouldn't change it. Jordan blinked at the snap in his face, breaking himself free from his thoughts. He went to stand on his own, and while it hurt a lot, he could walk, slowly. "It hurts, and I'll be slow, but I can walk." He replied, unsure how long he'd be able to walk on his own.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

No. There was no getting him out in this condition. They would both end up dead if they walked out of here like this. Even if Jordan could walk, how were they going to get around his people? They weren’t. So where did that leave them? He couldn’t keep Jordan here. Hell, he couldn’t stay here. They were going to eventually run out of time. Someone was going to come check on them eventually. It might be a moment but not enough for Jordan to sufficiently recover from what they did to him. This was all Asher’s fault. If he had only gone with him. Then there would have been no turning back. Did he even want to? He looked at this man he met not too long ago, and he didn’t know why everything had changed. But it had. Jordan did not just need to leave the city, but Asher needed to get him out. They were leaving the city. They. Jordan and also Asher. He was getting out of Pittsburgh. But not like this. Jordan needed to rest. So. Okay. He was taking Jordan home. His home not the one that was supposed to be it. But how was he going to get there?

“We’ll never make it. If we’re that slow, I can’t protect us.” He ground his teeth together. He knew what he could do. “But I can carry you faster.” He turned to the door like it would tell him how much time they had or who was around. He looked at Jordan straight in the face. “I have an idea, but you aren’t going to like it. I can carry you out if you’re dead.” He narrowed his brows in thought. “I got a little carried away. I got too aggressive. Too angry.” It wouldn’t be the first time. “I made the mess so I have to clean it up. But you’re going to have to sound like I’ve-“ His mouth snapped shut. This would work. He examined the wounds again and removed one of his hands. Touched one gently. Was Jordan a screamer?
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Jordan listened to Asher, heard him say he could carry him. In all honesty, it seemed like the best option, but wait. Dead? Was he going to kill him anyway? And the next few words ignited Jordan’s curiosity, just who was this man beside him? Wait, sound like he killed him? That Jordan could do. He saw his jaw snap shut after he’d said that, and the gentle touch on his wounds made Jordan hiss. “Pick me up and I’ll scream like you’ve killed me. Then get us out.” Jordan told him. Once he was in Asher’s arms, he’d let out a convincing scream before letting it cut out and he closed his eyes, letting his body go limp.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

This was a better plan than walking out with the severely injured prisoner who they for sure were going to kill when they were done playing. He would not be able to explain his way out of his one. He would, however, be able to explain this. This he could do. “I am so sorry,” he muttered, feeling already intensely bad for what he was about to do. He believed that Jordan could try, but they needed it to really be convincing. He loosened his grip and then hefted Jordan up and threw him over his shoulder, specifically not being gentle or careful. In fact, having examined where the wounds were, he made sure to be less than pleasant with all of them as he threw Jordan’s body like it was a sack of something instead of a person over the one shoulder. He stood in the middle of the room after that for a moment, still, preparing. Playing out the scene of cutting him down now. “Don’t listen to anything I’m about to say,” he whispered. Then he growled and kicked the door open.
“Wh-“
“Shut it,” he commanded with a ferocity similar to that of the one he walked in with. “I don’t have time for that. I have to deal with the trash.”
“What happened-“
“What do you think happened?” He snapped coldly. Asher stormed past him. “When Diego finds out, I’m screwed.”
“What did you do?” The other called out.
Asher didn’t even slow as he quickly walked out. “I got angry.”
The other guy faltered. “Got angry?”
Asher slammed his way through the building, cursing to himself but loudly the entire time. They were probably going to come across people soon, and he needed to be ready.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Jordan heard the sorry and wondered what he was sorry about, well until he was thrown over Asher’s shoulder which hit some of his wounds and Jordan bit his lip at the pain. He closed his eyes and his body went limp. He tapped Asher’s back once in acknowledgment of what he said. But as he was carried out, he did hear what was said and couldn’t help but be a little curious about the man currently carrying him like a sack of grain.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Asher moved quickly and with purpose. The building occasionally had people in it. Some were vocal of their opinions and others were not. “How come you got to get the last swing in? That’s not fair.” “I didn’t even get a crack at him.” Asher ignored many of these comments, though occasionally he would put them back in their place with something snappy and rude. Finally as they made it to the door to the outside, he looked around and breathed, “I think we’re clear-“ but just as he said it, there came Diego. He looked furious.

“Is that my prisoner, McCoy?” He was moving quickly to Asher’s face. He needed to move away before he noticed that Jordan was not in fact dead.
“Not anymore,” Asher answered, voice cold and angry.
Diego, a large man who had seen some things, pushed his way to cut Asher off. “Who gave you permission to cut into my property?”
Asher took in a deep breath. There were two ways this could go. A good way and a bad way. He couldn’t afford to be mistaken. His eyes flicked to the side seeing a table near enough. Please be silent, he begged Jordan in his head then lightly tossed him onto it but immediately got in Diego’s face, pushing him forward with both hands to distract him from Jordan’s reaction if he had one since he got no warning. “I did.” He swiped his leg between Diego’s to trip him so that he crumbled to his knees. Asher knew enough about him to know his weaknesses. “And if you stand in my way while I take out the trash any longer, I will make sure that you can’t be in my way again.” Diego, angry, fumbled to stand back up, grabbing at Asher’s legs, but he already knew that tactic. He slammed his foot down on one of Diego’s legs. Diego coughed out a yell. Asher dismissively waved a hand. “I didn’t mean to kill your toy. It won’t happen again.” He huffed a moment then added, “I’ll make it up to you. I’ll make sure Darling knows just how much she missed out on. And then I’ll owe you a favor too. But not right now. I don’t want this guy stinking up the place. ‘Kay?”
Diego grumbled but finally conceded. “You do this again, and I’ll have your throat, McCoy.” Without waiting, Asher stepped over Diego and threw Jordan over his shoulder again more recklessly than the first time and left the building. He scanned the area and disappeared into an alley.

“Okay. Give me a couple more minutes and I can get us somewhere safe for now.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Jordan was relying on his hearing to understand more about the man carrying him. He could tell that there was more to this man, that he held some some respect. He also gathered that Asher had potential anger issues considering the 'got angry' comment. Jordan heard him start to speak when he heard another man, and then Jordan was lightly tossed onto a table. He bit his lip at the contact, keeping his eyes closed. He heard their words, the sounds of fighting and some of those sentences made him a lot more nervous than before. Jordan willed himself to be quiet as he was picked up again, tossed over his shoulder more recklessly. Another bite to his lip to keep himself quiet as he was carried outside. He heard the comment and tapped his back in acknowledgement of what he'd said.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Asher moved quickly, confidentially, and purposefully. He pushed into alleys and through buildings, occasionally breathing out quiet updates. Things like “Coming up on another one,” any time he had to move past another person and speak. Or “I’m sorry if this hurts,” when he thought that he might have to be a little rougher with his supposed dead body. Thankfully, once he moved through the main areas of use, they were mostly on their own. He traveled through a few abandoned buildings to make sure they were safe. “Okay, I’m going to put you down because I need both hands for this.” He gently set him down on the ground. They were in an old bank pretty far back. This was the vault door. He started spinning the wheel around until finally the big door popped open. “Come on in.” Inside, he had a whole little set up. Cot with blankets and pillows. A little food stash. Plenty of supplies hanging around. He could have been a prepper in a past life.

​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Jordan was ready to be off Asher's shoulder, this hurt and definitely was not an experience he wanted to repeat. He listened to each word from Asher, and then when he was set down, Jordan balanced even as he winced at the pressure. Jordan looked around at the old bank, then his gaze turned to Asher spinning the vault's wheel until the door opened. Jordan slowly made his way in and looked around. There was so much here, it was like a little heaven on its own. "It's a nice place." He commented as he paused just inside the door. He was tired and in pain, and confused at the same time. Why was Asher helping him?​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Once Jordan was in, he pushed the vault mostly closed. If it closed all the way when he was in it, it wasn’t like he would be trapped forever, but it was a hell of a time getting out. “You did good,” Asher praised with a nod. “I, um. I’m sorry that I was a little, um.” He looked away, running his hand across the back of his neck. “That I was a little more aggressive than was probably comfortable.” He shoved his hands into his pockets as he leaned against the wall of drawers, many of which he had pried open and figured out the codes.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Jordan looked over at Asher when he spoke, seeing him run a hand across the back of his neck. Jordan went to shrug and winced at the motion. "Don't worry about it beautiful. I've had worse but I usually have time to recover rather than having to move so soon." He said. Jordan looked down at himself and back up at Asher. "Do you have some medical supplies in this little vault of yours?" Jordan asked, knowing he needed to clean himself up. "Also, you wouldn't happen to know what happened to my pack would you?"​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Asher breathed a groan at himself for not already thinking this. Ugh, he couldn’t think. And he just kept calling him beautiful, which was making his brain forget how to brain. “Asher is fine,” he said as he made his way to the side, grabbing at his first aid bag. Plenty of supplies. He brought it over and sat it on the table near them. “Here, let me see what I can do.” He pulled out his supplies and laid them out. “As for your bag, I’m going to be honest, I didn’t look for it. Diego’s probably got it somewhere. Was there something you really, um… need?”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Jordan chuckled at that and shook his head. "We'll see." He replied before he looked at Asher coming over with the first aid kit. He remained still as he nodded to that. "Okay." He replied, not looking forward to his wounds being taken care of. Of course it wasn't the first time but he never enjoyed the cleaning part. He hated the sting from the alcohol the most. His thoughts were pulled back as he looked at Asher. "I have a few personal photos in there that I really didn't want to lose."​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Asher began the arduous, for Jordan, process of cleaning and bandaging each of his wounds. He ignored the comment about seeing if Asher was fine. If he thought about it too much, he wasn’t sure if he would remember what he was doing. Personal photos? From before the world fell apart? Huh. That would be- well, yeah, he could see why he might want that. His eyes flicked to the side without meaning to. Beside rhetorical cot was a framed photo of an adult couple and a child between them. Asher and his family. He would hate to lose that too. But he needed to get this guy out. Was it so important that he would risk everything to get that back? “Yeah, okay. Then I probably know where he’s got it. Should have gotten it when we were there earlier. He’s probably got it in one of those rooms where they’ve tossed it after picking through.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Jordan hissed in pain softly each time Asher cleaned up a wound. He didn't want to go further into his own backstory but he would if he was asked. Jordan looked at Asher and he caught the eye flick. Jordan followed his eyes to a picture beside the cot, a small frown crossing his face. He then looked back to Asher when he heard him speaking again. "I won't be much help but I'd really appreciate it if you did that for me." Jordan said quietly.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Jordan had a lot of injuries, so it was taking a while to work through them. He had Hal ready hardened himself to the sound of winces and pain. Do that for him. What exactly was his plan? Did Asher have a plan? Um. Yes. He did. He was already in trouble. He might as well make the lie believable. If he could show his face again, act like everything was normal, this may even go smoother for them in getting out. Them. Because he was leaving too. He didn’t want to be here. He had a whole set up away from everyone else. He lived here more than anywhere else now. He was silent as he thought about this. He cleaned and wrapped Jordan while his mind was away. If Jordan said anything else, he didn’t hear it. Finally, as he finished, he pushed himself away. “Cot’s over there. Feel free to rest. I’ve got food over there. I don’t know what you like for entertainment but have at it.” He moved back to the main door. “I’m going to shut you in so they don’t find you. I will be back. Unless something goes very wrong. In which case,” he frowned as he considered telling this guy he met not very long ago all of his secrets in his hideout. “I’ll be back. Just promise me you won’t do anything stupid?” He stood by the giant door, partially open now for him to leave.

​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Jordan tried to bite back his pain at each wound cleaned. It wasn't easy, and every so often he'd let out a hiss involuntarily. He appreciated the fact that Asher was helping him, not just because he liked the man, though that was mainly it. Jordan let out a sigh of relief when Asher was finally done, and his eyes went to the cot. He slowly moved to the cot, sitting down on it but he wasn't really hungry. Just tired at the moment. He looked over at Asher hearing that he was going to shut him in, and he hoped that nothing went wrong. He chuckled at the last statement. "I'm not going to do much aside from take a nap handsome, just make sure you come back to me?" Jordan told him, shifting so he could lay down on his back on the cot, head tilted up to look at him.​