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

He was so glad that this was working. He really needed to make sure that he remembered this for the future. Their farmhouse needed to be stocked with all sorts of things. Medicines, salves, rags, alcohol, and apparently flowers and other herbal remedies. “Got it, letting him stay dead. You’re healing beautifully, by the way. You should be proud of your body.” He turned to Alex and put his hands out. “May I borrow you? Since we’re allowing the big galumph to be dead for the rest of time, I may need a second hand on the other side of Kaleb in case he’s less well off than I’m hoping. We may need to ease him back into walking without support.”
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb looked at Nate and gave him a grateful smile. "It's because of you Medicine Man. You really helped me" Kaleb told him. He looked at Alex when the youngest stood up and walked over. "I'd love to be support for Kaleb." He said, more than happy to help one of his people. Alex came up beside Nate, ready to help Kaleb in walking again. "Just tell me what to do" Alex told Nate.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Nate smiled. He loved when his work did good things. He wanted to be more useful than just guy who patched up some wounds. Anyone could do that. This was a little bit crazier than the average wound. The fact that he could help Kaleb heal from this made him feel like what he was doing was meaningful. “Okay, so the plan is for Kaleb to stand up. We are going to stand on either side in case something goes wrong or he needs additional support. And then we’re going to make it up from there. Slowly work on the muscles.”
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb looked between the two as Alex stood on one side of him. "I'm going to stand up now." Kaleb said, moving his legs over the side of the bed. He placed both feet on the ground and stood up slowly. He swayed for a moment, before straightening. Kaleb took one step forward on his uninjured side and was fine, the other side he moved the leg fine but once he put weight on it, he reached out and Alex was right there, having been on that side.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Nate watched. Observed. Examined. “All things considered, better than I actually expected. Did it hurt? If it wasn’t too bad, I think we should take another step with that leg. Of course, you’ll want to keep a hold of someone. Or both. We can hold both sides so that you don’t have to stress about falling?” He took a breath. “And we can always go slower. Ignore me and my excitable little self.” He put his arm out in case Kaleb wanted to take him up on that offer but also wasn’t going to be offended if he didn’t want to.
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb looked over at Nate and shook his head. "It didn't hurt, just more unsure? Like the muscles weren't ready for the step?" Kaleb said. He held onto Alex, but appreciated Nate asking. "I think just one side is okay." Kaleb said, holding onto Alex and moved the leg from the injured side and it moved better this time than the last time.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Nate was just excited about progress. He wanted so badly for Kaleb to do well, and he knew he could if he would push it. And there he was pushing it! He watched him try again, and it was so much better! “Yes! Okay so now we need to do that about a thousand more times to retract your muscles how to move after being so sedentary.”
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb looked up at Nate and smiled. He could do this. He didn't overcome all the obstacles in his life to have an arrow wound keep him down. He could feel that confidence coming in, and let go of Alex. He swayed for a moment before he walked, heading for the work bench a few feet away. He moved, a little slow, but each step was better than the last. Once he'd made it to the work bench, he was so excited, and was kind of upset they hadn't woken Carlos up now, he wanted to share this with his love. Alex watched at first with caution to grab Kaleb if needed, but he didn't. The former officer was determined to walk on his own.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

The excitement swelling inside Nate was kind of ridiculous with this not being for him, but he couldn’t help it. This was why he did what he did. Going from crumpled, unable to talk, and broken to practically back to a semblance of normal was exactly what he loved the most. The absolute most. As Kaleb made to those several feet on his own, Nate clapped and laughed. He practically cheered. He shoved his hand over his face to hide the noise. His eyes slid over to Carlos who stirred. They were going to let him sleep, and here he was ruining that. He chuckled as he pulled his hands away. “Okay, why don’t we do that again, and maybe by the time I accidentally wake this one up, you’ll be practically ready to go.” He smiled over at the sleeping giant. “Imagine how excited he’ll be.”
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb couldn't help but laugh himself. This, all of this, was what he'd never known he was missing. He knew he didn't fit in back in Denver, and he'd fought against bringing Carlos along then. Now he had two more people. He had a family, a real one. He wasn't just the son of a general anymore, forced to be alone forever. He had Carlos, Alex and Nate. Nate who was his biggest cheerleader today. Nate who helped him, saved him and put him back together. He looked at Nate with a smile, a big one. "Okay, back to the bed then back to the work bench?" Kaleb asked, glancing over at Carlos before he nodded. "I can't wait to see his face." Kaleb agreed, already making his way back to the bed to start again.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

“Back to the bed and then to the work bench,” Nate reiterated the plan. This was going so well. Between the arnica and taking the day to rest, that seemed to be helping everyone. His own injury was not nearly as bad today since they did not do a whole lot on it. Alex already was feeling a lot better by the time they made it here, so he was probably doing so much better as well. Carlos and his shoulder was probably significantly better since he spent all of that time doing nothing but cuddling. Who knew the answer to healing was to get horribly distracted by your people and forget to do what you believed you should? “Go as slow as you need. I don’t have to tell you not to give up, because you certainly aren’t the kind of person who would.”

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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb had made it to the bed, touching the mattress and running a feather light touch to his loves side before turning. His attention was on walking, but he turned to look at Nate. "Of course. And you are right. I've gone through more than I should've but I'm here now. With the medic who saved my life, Handsome who found this place for us to rest and recuperate, and my love still dead to the world." Kaleb chuckled, beginning the journey to the work bench again.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Nate laughed at Kaleb’s comment, especially about Carlos. That man could sleep, though he did seem like he was more restless now. He readjusted his head, face now turned out like he was watching though his eyes were still closed. Nate wondered if even in his sleep he was drawn to Kaleb. Probably. It was not until Kaleb got back to the bed that he moved. As Kaleb began to walk back to the work bench, he shifted once more like something was uncomfortable. Something unsettled him. Nate pulled his attention back to Kaleb, shaking his head at the amazing progress in such a short amount of time. “No one would believe you got shot with an arrow in one of the worst spots possible with the way you are moving right now.”

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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb had noticed that Carlos was seeming restless when he'd looked back at him. Kaleb knew by know that something was up with his love. Kaleb looked at Nate with a smile. "If you hadn't pulled your medical expertise, I probably would either be dead or still laying on the bed." Kaleb said with a small laugh. He turned his attention to Carlos, abandoning his quest for the work bench. He headed for the bed instead, reaching the mattress and resting a hand on Carlos' shoulder. "Baby.. wake up." Kaleb said softly, shaking his shoulder just a little.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

That was love. Watching as Kaleb disregarded working on himself to move back to Carlos. He moved better with the purpose. It was a slight change. Maybe they should have been using Carlos this whole time. They could have moved him around like a doll. That would have been fun. Carlos, laying on his stomach with arms above his head, rustled in his sleep, legs and arms alike moving. Too asleep but too awake. As Kaleb touched his shoulder, he body stilled. His shoulder moved beneath his touch. His breathing, which had been a bit heavier, now slowed. Another moment passed before he opened his eyes. His eyebrows furrowed as he concentrated on his surroundings. His perception. Then it softened as he seemed to recognize who stood before him. “Kaleb.” His entire face filled with the smile. His eyes closed for a second as he stretched out his limbs before reached to take the hand that touched his shoulder.

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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb watched as Carlos' body stilled, and his shoulder had moved beneath Kaleb's hand. He heard that heavier breathing slow and smiled. "Hey you, you ready to join the land of the living?" Kaleb said with a little laugh, watching Carlos stretch out before he felt him take his hand. "You still owe me a dance by the way." Kaleb teased, that warm smile still on his face.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Carlos readjusted the angle of his head so that he could better look at Kaleb. Kaleb who was standing. He shouldn’t be standing. Why was he standing? Slowly, Carlos sat up, his mind waking from dreams he preferred not to remember. There was his Kaleb. His stunning Kaleb with those beautiful blue eyes he tried not to get lost in. He would think that after two years or so he would be better at this, but no, he really wasn’t. Sometimes, when he looked at him, he felt like he was back to those first days when he was the kind of infatuated that bordered a problem. “Are we dancing?” He asked, tilting his head a little to the side, a small but curious smile at the edge of his lips.

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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb took a step away from the bed, a smile on his face. "We can if you want to" He said, seeing that adorable way that Carlos tilts his head, and that small curious smile on his face. He held his hands out, having taken the one hand back, and looked at the man he'd spent the last two years with. He remembered how dead set he was on taking Carlos from the QZ and now he couldn't imagine life without him.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

The journey Carlos’ face went through was an entertaining this to watch for Nate. He started with that tilted head and small smile for his head to tilt just a little bit more, his eyebrows to lift a little, one of them to waver, his smile to grow slightly on one side, then as his nostrils seemed to almost flare, his brows raised in the middle and his lips spread across his entire face. “You’re moving,” he said quietly and with so much bewilderment that even Nate felt like maybe he missed an impossible act. “Oh my god, love you’re walking!” His entire body was off the bed in less than a second as he launched himself forward, hands out to take both of Kaleb’s but he changed his mind and threw his arms around him instead, still making sure to be far up enough not to hit the wound. “How are you moving this much? How are you so incredibly strong?”

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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb watched Carlos process what was happening in front of him. He loved the little expressions that took over his face. He heard the quiet comment, then the louder explanation that Kaleb was in fact walking. He watched as Carlos launched himself off the bed, hands out at first before he wrapped his arms around Kaleb instead. Kaleb laughed, wrapping his arms around Carlos back. “Our Medicine Man and Handsome’s magical plant cure. It’s helped immensely with the wound. It was for you. You wanted to dance and I wanted to dance with you.”​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Carlos bellowed in laughter and incredulity. This was impossible. He was so hurt yesterday. That plant made it better but he was still bedridden. How could it work this well now? It had to be Kaleb. He was so stubborn not even an arrow to his side could stop him. From his embrace, he looked at Alex and Nate. “Thank you. Thank you so much!” He pulled away his arms and shoved them beneath Kaleb’s just as he lifted him up gently and placed him back down so that Kaleb’s feet were on his. “We are not taking chances yet,” he said as he slowly moved them around. He could not contain the joy. It spilled out of him with laughs and smiles.

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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb smiled, seeing that laughter from Carlos. There was the man he loved. The one he fell for. He chuckled when Carlos lifted him up, only to set Kaleb on his feet. Kaleb put his hands on Carlos’ shoulders and smiled happily. He was where he belonged as he too laughed and smiled when Carlos started moving them around. Alex had moved to stand over by Nate, hand taking his. “You’re welcome.” He said with a warm smile.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Nate looked down at the hand now in his and lifted it up to his cheek. He nestled into it, kissed it, then rested his chin in their hands. Watching that was everything he wanted. Maybe, one day, that would be them. Perhaps not so boisterous, but that kind of extreme excitement over everything. Maybe it already was. They didn’t have the experience behind it though. Carlos twirled them around the room, never stopping his big laugh. His face started to hurt he smiled so much. He loved this. He loved being one with Kaleb. The best decision he ever made was not listening to him about staying in the QZ. He slowed their spins to a stop so he could pull his hands up to his cheeks and kiss him. He kissed him deeply with all of the love that enriched his life.

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[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex smiled as he felt Nate take his hand and nestle into it, kiss it and then rest his chin in them. He loved the little expressions of love like that from Nate. It just made Alex fall more in love with the man. He watched the two older men in the middle of the room, dancing and twirling, Carlos laughing pretty much the whole time. Kaleb was smiling as wide as he could as he held onto Carlos as he moved them around the room. He could listen to Carlos laugh all the time and he often did. He couldn't believe he'd tried to keep Carlos from coming with him two years ago. When Carlos stopped, he looked at the man, and smiled feeling his hands on his cheeks. Kaleb kissed him back just as deeply, putting all the love he felt for the man into it.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

After everything they’d been through, everything that happened over the last two years, everything that happened in the last two days, Carlos could not be happier. He once told Kaleb that he would dance with him anywhere, and that was true. There was not a single place he would not make work for them. He would always dance with him whatever that meant in the moment. When he finally pulled away from their kiss that could have lasted a million years, his smile was so big it could have encompassed the world. Even out of breath, he still had the remnants of laughter. His eyes were the kind of narrowed that only came with the most genuine of joy. With their foreheads still together and his hands still cupping Kaleb’s cheeks, he let out a breathy, “Marry me.” Because staying up all night to think about this didn’t matter anymore. He threw every plan he had out those boarded up windows. “Marry me in the fields of a farmhouse where we can live our own happily ever after.” Nate shot up a surprised hand to cover the shock. It was the shock of the moment and not so much of the actual action.

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