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

Carlos hesitated. The person he loved the most in the whole of the world was begging him to hold him, and he hesitated. What if that was what Kaleb thought he wanted, but he just made it worse? He didn’t want to hurt him. But he needed Kaleb as much as Kaleb needed him. They were meant to be together. They fit together. So he moved closer, careful not to touch too much before he wrapped his arms around Kaleb as gently as possible. He laid there next to him, against him, one with him but a little less forceful than his exhausted curls had been. Still together. Still one. “Okay,” he whispered as he brought his face close to Kaleb’s.

Nate bound to the door, taking Alex’s hand. He looked back for a moment. “We’ll be back. I don’t know how long it will take but we’ll be back.” He twirled around and before he closed the door, he said, “I know we can do this.” He moved away from the door and showed Alex the page in the journal. It had several different drawings, a couple crude and one more detailed. “Arnica. It’s found in the west. Sometimes it’s called Mountain Arnica or even Arnica Montana. Once upon a time, it was used in a pain relief medicine or something, but I met this old man once who used it as an herbal remedy. Mash it up and spread it on like an ointment and it won’t heal anything but it might alleviate some of that pain.” He held onto Alex’s hand like this was a second chance. “And there are plenty more plants and herbs that we can use if we can find them since we’re running out of supplies. I don’t want to take too long, but maybe we find the arnica and then look for more while he’s resting? I don’t know. I just…” want to help. Want to fix it. Want to heal him and everyone one. Want to save the family. “I want to help him.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb sighed in relief as Carlos wrapped his arms around him, gently. Kaleb rested his forehead against Carlos' happily. "Thank you.." He whispered back. He heard the two leave but he was still, enjoying the embrace of his love, distracting him from the pain in his side.

Alex followed Nate out of the cabin, looking at the journal. He listened to Nate and nodded. "Okay, we can find this and then once we have that we can find the others. But the arnica is priority." Alex said, his eyes looking around. "Okay, we'll save him. I'll help you find these and you do your medicine man magic and help him." Alex said, holding tight onto Nate before he moved to look for this herb. He wanted to help Kaleb as much as Nate did and was intent on finding this plant. No matter what.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

“I don’t even know if we can find this,” Nate said, his voice wavering now. The confidence was waning. “It just makes sense that it would be somewhere. I’ve never been this far but I believe…” his words fell away as he was unable to keep the circle logic going. If they were meant to find it, they would find it. He pulled his hand away, but stated, “Five feet.” And then he became to search. They had to find it. He just hoped it was native to the area. It was their only chance of making this easier.

Carlos closed his eyes, willing away the threatening tears. No reason to cry. Pain meant alive, and that was what mattered. He hated this more than anything else. They’d been through a lot. They suffered and lost. But this was the worst. “I love you,” he whispered as he held him close. “More than anything in the world.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex could hear the waver in Nate's voice. "We can find this" He encouraged him, Alex was confident they could find it. "You said they called it Arnica Montana right? Where are we? Montana." Alex said as Nate pulled his hand away. Alex looked at him. "Five feet" He repeated with a nod. Alex started searching himself, looking for the yellow flower. It shouldn't be too hard to find given how few flowers seemed be around the forest floor.


Kaleb heard him. "I love you too.. you are my world." Kaleb told him with a smile, enjoying being held close. It was as if everything was gone, pain included, and it was just the two of them.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Nate nodded, the confidence coming back now that Alex filled him once again. He needed Alex. He needed him to fuel him. What would any of them do without him to keep all of them going? So he searched alongside Alex. This couldn’t be that hard to find. Bright flower just asking to be picked. But what if Montana was just a word meaning mountain? What if it was actually found somewhere else? It was a very real fear as they searched and he found only grass and other flowers. He began to get antsy. Afraid. What if he was wrong?

Carlos wanted to pull him even closer, tighten his grip so much that he would never lose Kaleb again. Instead, he kept his grip looser in case something accidentally hurt him. He believed in Nate and Alex. If they had a plan, they could make it work. They could do this for his Kaleb. He lay there, mostly still as he held his love, occasionally kissing somewhere on his head, his face, his lips as he waited. Even as they got quiet, he did not sleep. He relished in the silence of being together. And he waited.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex continued searching, walking around. His eyes were searching around. He saw flowers of all colors and designs, still no arnica. Alex was determined to find it. Kaleb didn't go through what he did just to have pain from an arrow. If Nate could help him, Alex was going to find this flower. He was just about to turn to look somewhere else when something caught his eye. Alex turned around and there, tucked by some trees looked like arnica? "Nate! Come here!" Alex called, walking over towards the flowers. It looked right, just like the picture.

Kaleb just laid there, trying to curl closer to Carlos. If he could move, he'd be as close as humanly possible. He smiled softly each time Carlos kissed him, like those kisses were a lifeline. A way to keep him here, in this world with Carlos. He trusted Nate and Alex, they were his people like Carlos and he believed in them.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Nate didn’t know how long this was going to take, but the longer that it did, the more agitated he was. If he could not do this, then Kaleb would suffer. What kind of medic did that make him? What kind of doctor could he have been? He did not want to give up of course. He refused to give up. But he didn’t want to be gone forever. That would worry their people and- But Alex called him over. He sounded excited? Did that mean-? “Oh my god, Alex you found it!” He rushed over and bent down, examining these little yellow flowers. “You really did.” He hesitated again before saying, “I don’t know how to do things with plants by the way, so…” he carefully pulled out as much as possible. “This will do for now. But we’re going to need to find supplies soon. I’m running drastically low.” He stood with his handful of flowers and put out his other hand for Alex. “Let’s go save our boy from pain?”

Carlos lost time as they lay there together. Time was a construct for the passing of moments. Moments were breaths strung together to form pockets of life. Their life full of their breaths to form their moment in their time. If he thought about time as it really was, the worry sunk back in, decaying his nerves and branding his pores. He tried to forget what was happening. Why they were there. What they were waiting on. He tried to speak, but words never came. His brain shut down all paths that led to conversation. There was nothing good enough. So he laid on that bed, his entire being as one with Kaleb. His Kaleb. His fine and okay Kaleb.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex looked over at Nate with a large smile. He was thrilled that he'd found it and they could help Kaleb. "What do you need to do with the plant? Crush it into a poultice?" Alex asked as Nate pulled out the flowers. "We never really checked out cabin for stuff, maybe there are supplies there that we didn't see" Alex added, as he took Nate's hand. "Yes. Let's go save him." Alex confirmed, ready to head back to the cabin. He didn't want Kaleb to have to be in that much pain anymore.

Kaleb wasn't paying attention to anything other than the feeling of Carlos beside him. It was all he needed at the moment. He was trying his hardest to ignore the pain, ignore it all. He couldn't move well and didn't realize just how much a wound near his hip would mess up his ability to move a fair portion of his body. He definitely wouldn't be able to walk well at all for a few days, but they had to move, restock their supplies. These thoughts swirled through Kaleb's head.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Nate started their journey back, open journal in his free hand as he read through it. “Um yeah I think so? Not super sure how we can do that, but I’m sure we’ll be able to find something in this cabin. But, uh, I think it can be poisonous in too big of doses? So we’ll have to be careful how much we put on the wound.” He moved with more speed than before now that he had this little bit of light to get them through. “When we get back, maybe you can help me find something to mash it with? Something like your um… what did you call it? The uh bowl and smashy thing?” They thankfully weren’t too far from the cabin so getting back was not taking very long.

Carlos, hearing their movement outside, pulled away only enough to sit up. “I think they’re back, love,” he whispered. He ran a hand over Kaleb’s cheek and kissed his temple. “It’s going to be okay. We make it through this and then we never look back at this horrible place. We leave and find that forever home in a farmhouse with baby animals and ravioli and a nice warm bed.” He kissed the top of his head. Just in case it wasn’t the boys, he stayed sitting up right.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex looked over at Nate while he read through his journal. "I hope your journal explains how much we put on the wound. I do not want to be attacked by Carlos because we accidently poisoned Kaleb." Alex said, shaking his head. "Of course, I'm sure we can find something in those cabinets there. If this was a hunting cabin, they should have tools to prepare game." Alex added as they came up to the cabin. He pushed the door open, and allowed Nate in first. Once they were inside, he'd shut the door behind them. "Nate, I'm going to look for something to make that poultice with." Alex said, dropping Nate's hand once inside. "How is he?" Alex asked Carlos as he walked over to the cabinets. While he waited for an answer, he opened the doors and found a bowl, and pulled it down. He looked through some drawers and found a spoon. This should do for what they wanted. He also found some rags in the drawer and tape. They could make the poultice, put just enough on the wound and cover it with the rag and secure the rag with the tape. "Nate. I've got something to mash those flowers with." He said, turning to look at him.

Kaleb looked up at Carlos when he sat up. He smiled softly at Carlos as he ran a hand over his cheek and kissed Kaleb's temple. "Yes, our farmhouse with our baby animals, one named Ireland and warm bed with ravioli every night." Kaleb whispered, feeling the kiss on the top of his head. Kaleb turned his head to see the door open and Alex and Nate come in. Some flowers in hand and he sighed in relief. Maybe they could move on sooner with that.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Carlos kept as much of himself attached and touching as possible as he turned his attention to Alex and Nate as they entered. How was Kaleb? He looked down at his love, curled so unlike Kaleb. Where did his strong and commanding presence go? This arrow took so much from him. His gaze moved back to Alex as he attempted to surreptitiously wipe away the tear that attempted escape. “He hurts, but we are going to make it. My baby is strong.” He squeezed one of Kaleb’s hands before leaning back down to bring their faces together. “The strongest,” he insisted. “I would be a whimpering mess if this was me. But nothing can break you.”

Nate plopped himself at a workbench, moving all of the abandoned things out of his way. He carefully read through the journal. He wrote so many notes alongside his mother’s that it was sometimes hard to distinguish. He remembered interrogating the little old man all those years ago about this. He even had that old man write in his own thoughts. That must be what the more difficult to read scrawling was. He closed his eyes, willing the mental math to work in his favor as Alex searched through the cabinets. “Oh! Got it!” He turned to Alex with just as much excitement as before. “Can you mash those for me while I pull out some of the water? I’m going to dilute it. Of course! That just makes sense!”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb was holding onto what he could as he listened to Carlos. Kaleb could hear the two talking, but his attention was on Kaleb. He sighed before smiling. He was strong, but right now it was so hard being strong. It was easier just to let go and let Carlos be the strong one. This had come close to breaking him but he wasn't going to tell Carlos that. He just let Carlos' words flow through him and give him the strength to keep going.

Alex nodded, taking the flowers and put them in the bowl. He saw the excitement on Nate's face and smiled. "I can. Diluting it would make sense." Alex agreed, before he set to work with the spoon. Crushing and twisting the flowers into a paste. It didn't take long to get it mashed, Alex was determined to do it anyway. He walked over to Nate at the workbench and set the bowl of yellow paste down. "It's mashed now. I found these rags and tape we can use to secure this to the wound.” He added, setting the roll of tape and couple rags just beside the bowl of paste.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Nate pulled out the water and checked his math. Rechecked it. This had to be right or it could make everything so much worse. Same answer. Same answer again. This was good. This was perfect. It was going to work. As Alex brought him the bowl, he looked up with an uncontrollable grin. “Thank you. That’s exactly what we need.” He poured the water in and began mixing. Diluted meant not enough to be poisonous anymore. He held all the supplies and made his way over to the bed. “Okay, Carlos.” He smiled as he bent down at the end of the bed. “I know you want to be with him, but I need to get to him.” Carlos nodded and retreated so that he was only up towards Kaleb’s face like he was the evening before. He held onto both of Kaleb’s hands, his own smile sitting across his features. Nate waited for him to get settled before he began to unwrap everything. “We’re going to apply this. I don’t know exactly how it’s going to feel at first, but it’s going to relieve the pain and some of the inflammation. It should also help with infection.” He would not say that he was worried about that. “Honestly, if we can find more of this, it may help us until we can really find a lot of supplies.” He gently rubbed it on the wound before wrapping it with the rags and tape Alex found.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex nodded as he smiled. "Perfect." He was glad to have been able to help. He watched as Nate fixed everything together. He moved to the door to stand guard, there wasn't much he could do now. Kaleb huffed as Carlos was told to move, but he was glad that Carlos was still close. Holding Kaleb's hands like always. He looked at Nate who had begun to unwrap the wound. "Okay" He managed, squeezing Carlos' hands. Kaleb let out a soft hiss of pain at the initial rubbing of the mixture on his wound, before a sigh of relief. He glanced down as Nate secured the wound with rags and tape. He could feel the mixture working as he shifted a little, testing. It didn't hurt as much when he moved as it had. "Thanks Nate" Kaleb said, looking at him with gratefulness in his eyes.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Nate bit his bottom lip as he waited for it to work. It had to work. If it didn’t, he didn’t know what else he could possibly do. But it did. He could tell as Kaleb started to move a little more. He watched the subconscious movements even before he began to test it. This is good. This was very good. It was exactly what he wanted. He smiled and looked back to Alex for just a moment before looking at his people. “You’re more than welcome, Kaleb. I’m glad that worked. And as soon as we can get somewhere that isn’t infested with horrible hunters, I’m going to find you medicine.” He put a hand on Carlos’ shoulder. “Watch him. Let’s make sure that it really gets working before we do anything else.” He nodded before moving over to Alex.

Carlos took his hands from Kaleb’s to gently place them on Kaleb’s cheeks and press a soft kiss to his lips. “Do you feel better, love? You can move more.” He moved his hands back to Kaleb’s to squeeze them once more. “God, I am so glad you found them.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb shifted a little more, but not much. He didn't want to mess anything up. He was thankful that he'd found these two in that city. Kaleb wasn't sure they'd have made it out without them. He looked at Carlos with a smile on his face. Kaleb felt him remove his hands and then place them on Kaleb's cheeks and he smiled into the kiss. "I feel much better." He said, feeling him take Kaleb's hands and he squeezed Carlos' hands back. "I'm glad I found them too." Kaleb said softly.

Alex smiled, seeing that it seemed to be working. He was glad that they'd been able to help Kaleb. Once he saw Nate moving over to him, he held out an arm, wanting the comfort of the man. The comfort that only Nate could give him.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Carlos laughed because he was tired of crying and he was just so happy to finally feel like they were winning for once. “You know what this means?” He asked as he looked at the wrapped injury. “You can dance with me. No excuses. None of that serious face thing. You and me and dancing.” He brought Kaleb’s hands to his shoulders and wiggled at him.

Nate slid his arm around Alex’s waist as he leaned against him and rested his head against Alex’s shoulder. He stood there quietly as he listened to the silly words of Carlos. He hadn’t noticed how much he missed that side of the big guy. It was wrong having him be so sad and despondent. But things could be better now.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb loved hearing that laugh. It was so Carlos and he'd missed it. "I would love to dance with you love." Kaleb said with a small laugh. He was happy to see Carlos closer to the way he usually was. It was perfect. Kaleb felt Carlos bring his hands to the others shoulders. He smiled as he gently moved with Carlos.

Alex smiled as Nate slid an arm around his waist. Alex's arm went around Nate's back and he rested his head against Nate's. A contented sigh came out as he watched the two on the bed. He'd missed that side of Carlos, and was glad that he was more like his old self. That was much better than the sadness Alex had seen over the last day and a half. "Good job my medicine man" Alex said softly, twisting his head to place a kiss on the top of Nate's head gently.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Carlos giggled. Absolutely giggled. He was practically ecstatic with the way that Kaleb was feeling better. “You know what I would love to do? I would love to sweep you off of this bed in my arms and twirl you around. We could dance until we got dizzy and fell over. I would of course be at the bottom of our fall as both a gentleman and a hero.” He swayed only a little, trying to gauge how much he could move without causing any additional damage and discomfort.

He nestled further into their stationary stance. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done that without you.” He would never have been able to find that flower without him, and even if he did, who knew how long it would have taken him. Too long was his guess. And someone had to find this cabin. There was no way that Carlos could have when he was so upset, so it would have had to have been him, and he was horrible in forests. He was horrible everywhere. They would have been turning in circles for hours. “We are a pretty good team after all.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb laughed hearing that giggle. He loved it. "I don't think that you sweeping me off the bed and twirling me would be beneficial for my wound love, even if I would love for you to do that." Kaleb said with a smile. He was able to sway a little with Carlos before he couldn't. "That's as much movement as I've got still, but when I'm better, we can do that and I will let you be on the bottom of the fall" Kaleb told him with a smile.

Alex tightened his hold on Nate when he felt him nestle closer. "You're welcome love. All I did was find a cabin and some flowers" Alex said honestly. He was content with Nate in his arm and watching his people be happy. His attention was drawn to Nate when he spoke again. "We do make a pretty good team don't we?" He asked with a small laugh.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Carlos let the dance die away as he wrapped his arms around Kaleb’s arms and around his back for the gentlest hug he had ever given. “I know. That’s why I only said that I would like to. And I will when you feel better.” He rested his cheek on Kaleb’s shoulder. “But I’ll take whatever I can get for now. I’ll take anything.”

Nate’s breath slowed, paused, as he heard those words. Love. Alex called him love. Kaleb and Carlos did that all the time with each other, but it made perfect sense. They were a well established and wonderful pair. Their love was no secret. Their love was astounding. Their love made Nate want that for himself. Did he have that? Did Alex love him? Nate loved so many things about Alex. Nate loved Alex, but… Love?

“We make the best team,” he answered. “Don’t tell them though. They would probably disagree. But you and me. There’s nothing like us. We’re a one of a kind kinda duo. Pair. I don’t know all those fancy words for two. Something like two peas in a pod? Or maybe something in a pot?” He attempted a shrug but instead mostly readjusted to be fused with his partner.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb smiled at Carlos as he wrapped his arms around him and gave him a very gentle hug. "When I'm better, then I would love for you to do that" Kaleb said with a laugh. He rested his head against Carlos as the man rested his cheek on Kaleb's shoulder. "I wish I could do much more for you." He whispered, enjoying the comforting presence of Carlos.

Alex hadn't even realized what he said until he heard Nate's breath slow down. Alex wouldn't have caught it if he wasn't so close. He had said love, he'd called Nate love. And he meant it. But did Nate love Alex back? Alex could think about this for a long time, but in the end, he didn't really want to. The feelings were genuine so did it matter? He looked down at Nate, listening. "We do make a great team. I won't tell them, don't you worry." Alex said with a small laugh. "My medic and your monkey man. A wonderful pair that work so well together." Alex added, feeling Nate readjust and Alex tightened his grip gently, holding Nate as close as he could.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Carlos’ brows knit together as he pulled his head away and shook it gently. “You don’t have to do anything more for me. You already do so much. And don’t you say anything about your current condition that came about when some cruel hunter decided to shoot you with an arrow. I don’t want to hear it.” He put a finger to Kaleb’s lips. “I take rainchecks as perfectly valid payment. Gives me something to look forward to.” He leaned in close so that his lips brushed Kaleb’s ear. “Like the moment we don’t have chaperones around anymore. I look forward to that too.”

Nate’s mind had a hard time leaving this new line of thoughts much as he did about Alex’s kisses. It drew him back in even as he tried to focus on something else. He tried to look at Carlos and Kaleb, but that did not hold him. He tried to listen to Alex’s words, and he heard them. He processed them. He felt them deeply, but the second his voice disappeared, his mind wandered back to love. What did he know about love? He knew he loved his mama. He knew he loved his brothers. He knew he loved Carlos and Kaleb. He knew Carlos and Kaleb loved each other. He knew that Carlos loved everything. He knew that he loved everyone. He knew that he loved Alex. It felt right in his mind. It sat on his tongue like it was part of it. It was his truth. It was a scary truth. A horrifyingly scary truth, because what it something like love was just something you said? What if he was misreading? What it- Shut up, Nate. You’re thinking too much. Enjoy the moment. So he did. He smiled as he felt Alex’s tightened grip. And almost said it. He almost said those words that could change everything. Instead, he asked, “What would I do without you?”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb looked at him with a smile, seeing him shake his head. He blushed lightly at the finger on his lips, even though that smile never faded. How he'd gotten so lucky, Kaleb would never know. Then the blush darkened when Carlos leaned in close, lips brushing against his ear. That was much more like his Carlos. "You mean like when we're in our fancy farmhouse?" He asked softly.

Alex could tell that Nate was thinking, but he didn't know what he was thinking about. He wasn't sure how to stop Nate thinking or if that was even possible. So he just held tight, keeping Nate as close as he could. "Probably be in Florida about now." Alex said in a teasing manner. He knew that he loved Nate, it was something that he'd accepted, but he was still unsure if Nate loved him back.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Carlos’ smile turned mischievous as he licked his lips. “Who said we have to wait for a farmhouse?” He pressed his lips to Kaleb’s cheek before moving his face down his neck and eventually turning to look at the other two. “I could always send them away. Oh no, we need more flowers. Shoo.” He laughed turned back to Kaleb. “But not right now.” He looked towards the wound and then back to Kaleb’s face. “I won’t even do the Carlos Special. I know what that can do to you.” He laughed again, shaking his head.

“Lost in Florida.” He was so right. That was exactly where he would be. Somehow, even though it took them this long to move this little, he would have made it all the way there to be lost for the end of time. At least he knew some places in Florida. He knew nothing here. But Alex was here to keep him going. He was going to guide him exactly where he needed to go. Nate turned to Alex, mouth open and breath inhaled to say something, but he froze. Looked away. He closed his mouth, locked his jaw. Should he? He wanted to. No. This wasn’t the right time. It was all horribly wrong. He bit his bottom lip. Looked back at Alex. Started again, jaw unhinging enough for it to be obvious he wanted to say something. Changed his mind. Finally, he said, “Horribly lost. But at least I have you.”
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