Fandom Tale of Two Survivors { The Last of Us 1x1 with icedthemoon }

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

As they moved that way, knowing that the way was mostly clear other than the one door they refused to open, Nate leaned in close and said, “At least we’re not that bad,” he teased and then to make sure Alex could follow his jumping thought process, he added, “like Kaleb and Carlos back there. We uh, we don’t give off having a super private and intimate moment vibes do we?” The question was loaded with a whole lot of other questions he did not know how to ask. It was based on a lot of things he had been thinking a lot about recently. Not that he really understood any of it and he probably wasn’t going to be able to magically figure it all out between this moment and when they look out those front windows or move out onto the street to determine whether or not they were going to be ambushed again. But it was something that was constantly at the back of his mind. This was simply the easiest avenue to start. He knew that now was not really the time, but wasn’t that when these kinds of things always happened?
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Alexander Brennan and Kaleb Price
Former Seraphite, Former FEDRA officer | 19, 27 | Current location ;; Montana

He looked over at Nate when he heard him ask about if they give off those types of vibes. He’d never thought about it before. It really hadn’t crossed his mind honestly. “I don’t think so. But I’d never given it a thought before.” Alex knew what he wanted, but he hadn’t thought about what that looked like. “I just know that what we’ve got works” He said, as they walked. He really didn’t know how to answer the question. ​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

Nate thought about that, unsure if that was the answer he was looking for or not. What we’ve got works. “Yeah, it does.” It did work. It worked really well. Honestly, he had never anything that fell in line so perfectly as this. Even we he admittedly was the problem, they managed to find a way to work it out. That never happened with anyone else he was ever with. Honestly, he was not sure if it could work like that with anyone else. But it did work. That was good. That was what he wanted.

Right?

He held Alex’s hand, gently swinging it as they walked into the lobby. Was that what he wanted? The two of them working? What we’ve got works. That was enough.

Right?

But the image of what Carlos and Kaleb had tickled the back of his mind. It wormed its way to the front. Instead of an empty lobby, he saw sweet smiles, cute banter, and an overwhelming sensation of love. Adoration. Together importance. But what he and Alex had worked. No changes necessary. No need for conversations. They worked.

So why did he feel like that was a little disappointing?

He moved towards the windows of the front, careful not to be too obvious in the middle. He looked out from the edge of one, scanning for any signs of someone out there. He needed to shake off this feeling so that he could focus on what mattered which was not dying the second they left.
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[EquineGurl23]

Alexander Brennan and Kaleb Price
Former Seraphite, Former FEDRA officer | 19, 27 | Current location ;; Montana

Alex noticed the silence after Nate had agreed. Had he said something wrong? He didn’t want to make his friend uncomfortable or upset. But Alex found his thoughts traveling as the image of Carlos and Kaleb kissing and all their loving banter and affection towards each other. Did what they have work? Or is there something deeper here? Was what they had really still working? Was he happy the way things were? Alex had a lot of thoughts swirling in his head.

Alex felt Nate swing their hands as they made their way to the lobby. Alex found his thoughts traveling to kissing Nate. It was something that had been on his mind ever since Carlos had kissed him. He followed behind Nate, checking the windows in the lobby carefully, crouching down so he doesn’t get seen.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

As he scanned the world outside their safe walls, Nate’s mind wandered. Again. What was wrong with him? What if he was the problem? What if this problem was such a problem that it was the reason that something horrible happened, because he couldn’t focus on what was right in front of him like the presumably empty street out there? This was no time for him to get lost in what ifs and maybes. Crouched, he moved down the window and to the other side in the hopes that it would give him a better view of the street. If he opened that door, would people notice? Because he was having a very difficult time seeing if there was anyone from inside. At least he knew that no one was literally on the streets waiting. No one was immediately in front of them in the building across the street. Looking through the other window, he tried again. Was there anything to tell him that they were there? When they crossed the street before, he could see them in the higher windows. He was not able to see that high up from here. He groaned as he looked and shook his head. “I don’t know. What about you?” He turned his attention back to Alex, and then it all came back. Any thoughts of potential ambushes were gone. There was just Alex.
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[EquineGurl23]

Alexander Brennan and Kaleb Price
Former Seraphite, Former FEDRA officer | 19, 27 | Current location ;; Montana

Alex had been scanning the street through the windows but he really couldn’t see much. Not that he was really paying attention. His thoughts were shifting back to Nate again. He tried to shove them back in his mind, but it was harder than he thought it would be. He didn’t see anyone on the street from where he was but without stepping outside, he couldn’t tell if there was anyone in higher places. He looked over at Nate when he spoke. “I don’t see anything but without stepping outside I can’t be sure what’s out there.” He told Nate softly.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

Nate moved himself away from the main windows, taking Alex with him via their shared hands. When he felt like they were sufficiently not able to be seen from any of the potential vantage points that the hunters could be taking, he swiveled back around too fast, nearly bumping into him. He closed his eyes and shook his head. Get it together Nate. Come on, what are you even doing? He opened his eyes again just to find Alex so close. Of course he was that close, Nate’s hand attached to Alex’s was pulled to him. But that didn’t mean it was not jarring. Not because he didn’t like it. Not because it was new. Just because it was unexpected. But not unwanted. Very close. Closer when he took a step closer.

“Okay,” he said mostly to convince himself that he was focusing now. “We have options. We pop out head out there and hope they don’t shoot at us, because if they do then it’s game on now and not when we have our lovebirds with us to help us out. Or we stay in here and take our chances when we’re ready to go.” And he was not going to get lost searching Alex’s beautiful face for answers to questions he didn’t even know.
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[EquineGurl23]

Alexander Brennan and Kaleb Price
Former Seraphite, Former FEDRA officer | 19, 27 | Current location ;; Montana

Alex felt Nate bring him away from the windows. Far enough away that they couldn’t be seen by anyone looking in. Alex was a little surprised when Nate whirled around, almost bumping into him. He didn’t mind, but he also didn’t care. He tilted his head as he listened to Nate. It was a tough call, there was no right answer to this. And he was also still battling his thoughts. “If we poke our head out now we risk having to hide and them storming the building which would force us to hide and have no escape because we can’t leave them. If we wait for them, at least we can try and leave the building immediately.” Alex said. “It would make more sense to wait for them I think.” He added.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

“That’s probably the best idea.” He would love to know more before going back, but that would require additional recon that neither of them were particularly in the mood for. Not to mention he just barreled into a runner and rolled around which thankfully did not upset his leg too much but he was not really thinking well enough to protect it and the rest of himself. In turn, he wasn’t sure he had the focus to do something smart. All he could think about was how very close he was to Alex and how much he really wanted to take that other hand. Or maybe how much he wanted to pull him into a hug not necessarily for hug reasons but for close reasons. He wanted to be close, and that was ridiculous because they literally just slept attached. Was this because of Carlos and Kaleb? Was it watching them that did this to him? Was this different than before? Was it- Stop, Nate. Stop. No, it’s wasn’t any different. It was just awakened.

Now that he spent the past who knows how long staring at him with that goofy smile of his. He nodded and started back down the hall towards their shared room.
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[EquineGurl23]

Alexander Brennan and Kaleb Price
Former Seraphite, Former FEDRA officer | 19, 27 | Current location ;; Montana

Alex heard Nate agree with him. But then they didn’t move. Alex could see Nate looking at him, that adorably goofy smile on his face. He wasn’t sure how long they were standing there. It was long enough for Alex to start thinking again. How much he wanted to hold Nate in a hug just because he wanted him close, or how much Alex wanted to kiss him. To see just how different it would be compared to Carlos’ kiss. He waited patiently, before they finally started moving back to the room. His mind was in overdrive and he was trying to relax. It was definitely tough. He wasn’t sure what to make of these thoughts in his head as they approached the door.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

Nate moved slower than he probably should have. There was no reason to move so slowly, except that he was clearly stalling. But why? Was he avoiding something? Hoping for something? This was too complicated. He was making things too complicated. He was being a lot. He looked at Alex, opened his mouth just a bit, closed it, and kept walking. Way to be awkward, Nate. He tried again. Looking at Alex. Needing to say something. “Um.” He smiled. “What do you think we’re gonna walk into if we go back in there?”
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[EquineGurl23]

Alexander Brennan and Kaleb Price
Former Seraphite, Former FEDRA officer | 19, 27 | Current location ;; Montana

Alex kept noticing Nate looking at him. He paused when he heard his question. Alex thought for a moment and decided on an answer. “If we’re lucky they’ve broken apart and are getting ready to go.” Alex said with a laugh. He didn’t want to think about these thoughts about Nate. They needed to focus.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

Nate chuckled but quieted as they got to the door. “Think we can hear them?” He leaned in close like they would when checking for the sounds of infected. This made him laugh, but he shoved a hand over his mouth so as not to be disturbingly loud. He moved so his lips were right by Alex’s ear. “I’ll take that bet, gamblin’ man.” He brought their connected hands up to run them over Alex’s cheek. Because he couldn’t stop.
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[EquineGurl23]

Alexander Brennan and Kaleb Price
Former Seraphite, Former FEDRA officer | 19, 27 | Current location ;; Montana

Alex let out a small soft chuckle himself at Nate’s actions. Alex felt a shiver run down his spine at the voice just outside of his ear. “Yeah?” He said with a grin, as Nate brought their joined hands to run their hands over Alex’s cheek. He smiled, not wanting to move, enjoying the moment.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

Having put the knife away, his other hand was free, which was a problem, because nothing was stopping him now. He raised it to the side of Alex’s head. Fingers stroking the hair above his ear. Nate moved so that now he could whisper into that ear. “Yeah,” he repeated. He was so close to Alex that he could feel the little hairs bristling against him. He wanted to make that tiny gap between them disappear. Kiss his cheeks. His jaw. His lips. It was an affliction. An Alex-based affliction. He stayed there too long, too close. Not close enough. He should open this door. So he moved his head to face it. Removed his hand to touch the doorknob.
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[EquineGurl23]

Alexander Brennan and Kaleb Price
Former Seraphite, Former FEDRA officer | 19, 27 | Current location ;; Montana

Alex could only watch as Nate brought his other now free hand up to the side of his face. He could feel his fingers moving through the hair above his ear. Another shiver ran down Alex’s spine at the whisper into his ear. Those thoughts returned like wildfire as he watched Nate drop his hand. Moved it towards the door knob. Looked away from him. Alex made a split second decision to grab that free hand with his, trying to turn his attention back to Alex. “Wait..” Alex said softly.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

At his touch, Nate turned his attention back to Alex like he always did. He never even moved his legs before, so now they were facing each other completely. Right now. Both hands in each other’s. Faces close like they so often were, and all he could breathe in was Alex. But that was all he ever wanted was Alex. The tiny space between them felt like miles across a chasm that fell even further. He felt like he could reach out and still be without even though they were already hand in hand. His stomach clenched upwards, pulling at his throat. He didn’t say anything, because his mouth ran dry, and he wasn’t even sure he knew words anymore. He just stared back at him. Longed for him.
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[EquineGurl23]

Alexander Brennan and Kaleb Price
Former Seraphite, Former FEDRA officer | 19, 27 | Current location ;; Montana

Alex’s mind has frozen, his eyes stared at Nate when he turned around. Their faces were close, as always. Both hands held in the others. Alex didn’t know what exactly happened next. It was as if he’d stopped thinking, running on feelings instead. Feelings he didn’t quite understand himself. As he looked at Nate, his eyes flicked from Nate’s down to his lips. Lips that were so close, and without much thought, Alex took a step closer. His chest brushing against Nate’s. And in the boldest move Alex had ever done in his entire life, he leaned in and pressed his lips to Nate’s. He kept them there for a moment before he pulled back. His eyes were wide but he didn’t move away. Just kind of stood there. Waiting to see Nate’s reaction.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

Nate’s entire body froze as Alex took that step closer. He was painfully aware of every inch of his that touched any centimeter of Alex’s. It was like anything that Alex touched was instantly on fire, but a fire that did not burn. A fire that raged but ran like water. And then Alex’s lips were against his, and the whole world went dark around him. His breath ripped from his body, and he was left as only a shell of whoever he thought he was before. But the moment ended too fast. It ended before he could figure out what was really happening. He longed for that moment again, because it was only after it was gone that he knew he wanted it. Needed it. He caught his breath as it ran from him again, but it was only to refill and not to stay. He pulled both his hands away, a gesture that could have seemed like he did not want this, but he required his hands. He placed both on Alex’s cheeks, thumbs rubbing over scars as he involuntarily smiled. And he kissed him again. Gentle but a little insistent.he let the world disappear again so that it could just be him and his monkey man.

​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Alexander Brennan and Kaleb Price
Former Seraphite, Former FEDRA officer | 19, 27 | Current location ;; Montana

Alex had been waiting with nervous anticipation as he looked at Nate. His eyes searching his. Alex felt Nate pull his hands from Alex’s and his heart stopped. Had Alex messed everything up? Was he acting on one-sided feelings? His mind where it had once been frozen was now working overtime trying to understand just how he’d messed everything up. He was getting caught up in his nerves but then he felt Nate’s hands on his cheeks. The thumbs rubbing over his scars. His mind went still, frozen once more as he saw the smile. Then Nate kissed him, the world fading around them, as if it was just them. No infected, no apocalypse, nothing. Just Alex and his medic like it was meant to be.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

Nate stayed locked in their kiss until he ran out of breath. That was the only reason he stopped. He could have stayed there for the rest of time. He could have ignored the whole rest of the world if they could have had that forever. When his body screamed for air, he finally pulled away, but only an inch or so, their breath intermingling as one. He rubbed Alex’s cheeks, touching smooth and scarred skin alike. He softly rested his forehead against Alex’s, their noses flirting with the available space. His grin grew until it was just as big as always. He was happy. Really, truly happy. “Carlos has nothing on that,” he breathed.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Alexander Brennan and Kaleb Price
Former Seraphite, Former FEDRA officer | 19, 27 | Current location ;; Montana

He never wanted the kiss to end. Alex had been in heaven and he could’ve stayed there forever. He wanted to stay there forever. Unfortunately breathing was still a requirement for him. Alex felt Nate pull away, just enough to breathe. About an inch away from Alex. His eyes focused on Nate, their breaths coming together as he tried to remember just how to breathe. He felt Nate rub his cheeks. Their foreheads pressed together and noses all but flirting with one another. Alex’s smile was wide and reaching his eyes. He saw Nate’s big grin and it made his heart flutter like always. “Absolutely not.” Alex agreed softly. ​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

Nate closed his eyes, feeling Alex there. Alex was his everything. So quickly, they went from strangers on the street to Nate not sure if he could ever survive without him. Would it even be living if he couldn’t live with Alex. The two of them forever in a farmhouse where there were no infected or hunters or FEDRA or any of those people who hurt Alex so much. Just them. And also Kaleb and Carlos next door. He loved that. He loved them together. He stood on his tip toes to kiss Alex’s forehead before falling back to where they were, rested together. One last kiss before they moved on. “I would very much like more of those later.”
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[EquineGurl23]

Alexander Brennan and Kaleb Price
Former Seraphite, Former FEDRA officer | 19, 27 | Current location ;; Montana

Alex had no idea how one simple chance meeting would turn out the way it had. He’d met Nate completely on accident, and now? Now Alex couldn’t get enough of the man. He stood there, mind running at how he enjoyed their closeness, enjoyed these moments between them. Alex let out a soft contented sigh when Nate kissed his forehead. “You can have as many as you want.” He said, knowing they had to move on. Knowing that they needed to get Carlos and Kaleb. They had to get out of this city if they ever wanted to find that farmhouse.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Da Silva
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Montana

Nope, it was a lie. He thought that would be enough for now, but it wasn’t. It absolutely wasn’t. He pressed his lips to Alex’s again, smiling into their kiss as he realized just how lucky he was. When he broke away, he laughed. “That’s a dangerous thing to offer me, Monkey Man.” One hand slid away from Alex’s cheek and fell into Alex’s hand. The other hung limply at his side until he could convince himself to take that step away and grasp the doorknob. Almost unwillingly, he turned the knob and pushed the door open.
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