Fandom The Day The World Changed { The Last of Us 1x1 with icedthemoon }

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Lucas looked up at the door of the kitchen and nodded. "Be safe out there. And you're very welcome. You're part of the family now Soren. And thank you. We both appreciate that." Lucas told him as Logan nodded. Jacob smiled warmly, looking at his dad and brother. "I love you two." He said before he followed to the door. He made his way after Soren and got into the truck. He was going to have to clean this truck out. At least the back seat.

Josh smiled, waved to his father and brother and nodded. "Let's go home." He replied, taking Hayden's hand and following him out to the truck. He opened the back seat door and let Hayden in first, and he'd climb into the truck after, shutting the door. He secretly hoped that they'd be able to get to their apartment and relax for the night, but he had no idea what was going to happen.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

The first thing Hayden noticed was the smell. It was a hint of something that reminded him of- “Oh god, that’s my fault, isn’t it?” Huddled next to Josh, because he was not about to be on his own for any length of time, he peered down at the floorboard. Yes, that was exactly what he thought he would find. He looked up at the roof of the car and groaned. “I am so sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Soren answered with a wave of his hands as he turned the truck on, rolled the windows down again, and pulled out of the driveway. “That is a problem for when we aren’t trying to survive anymore.” He began the journey back to the giant headquarters. Though he knew that they would likely be coming back here again to visit the family, he felt like this was a final trip. It was a bit strange to have this feeling. Maybe he was thinking about how Lucas and Logan would find a place in the safe zones that FEDRA was creating. Yeah, that had to be it.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Jacob looked beside him at Soren as he heard the truck turn on and the windows were rolled down. He felt bad for Hayden, and looked back at him. He knew it wasn't his fault, not really. If what he'd tried to help him with this morning was any indication, yesterday was likely really bad for him. Jacob looked back at the house he'd grown up in almost like he was never going to see it or his father and brother again. He put those thoughts away and leaned back in his seat. He was excited and nervous for this new world they were in now.

Josh wrapped an arm around Hayden, holding him close. "It's okay, yesterday was a lot." He said, rubbing Hayden's side. Yeah, yesterday was a lot.. that was an understatement. He held Hayden close as they dodged abandoned cars, but the streets seemed pretty clear, but they were when they'd been headed to the house. He looked at the hotel as they passed it, knowing that the huge base wasn't super far away.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

A lot. Hayden did not bother with seatbelts or correct seating. He stuck to Josh’s side like they were glued together. The ride to the base was not long. In fact, it felt like it took less time than it did to leave it, though that could have been Soren getting confused with them going to the old apartments first. That or it was bigger. Could it be bigger that fast? Was this where they had those temporary barriers last time? Surely they could not have expanded it yet. Unless they needed more space for the volume of people that they were trying to house. Or they managed to clear out more of the infected from the surrounding area. When they made it to the makeshift gate, he slowed the truck to a stop. “Officers Soren Truelson and Joshua Smith of Region 10 accompanied by significant others.” He pulled out the badge as well in case they needed that, though they were wearing the gear. It was enough. Soren had this feeling that it was only enough for now. The man at the front pointed the way to how they were to park and get to the apartments. After that, he did not have any more information for them. So Soren did as he was told, finding it a very tight fit to put his truck in. He killed the engine and looked back at everyone. “Alright, let’s do this.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Jacob saw the base ahead of them and his eyes widened a little at the size of it. He had never seen something that big before. He looked over at Soren when they came to the gate and he looked away with a blush at the words. 'Significant others' as in plural. As in, Jacob was his significant other now? That thought alone made Jacob's heart flutter and clench. He watched as Soren fit his truck in the parking area, and he looked at him. Jacob slipped out of the truck and grabbed the duffel that he had, tossing it over his shoulder. Josh gently helped Hayden out of the truck and walked around to the back and grabbed the suitcase. "Let's go find our new homes" He said, looking at the other two.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Hayden wished that he could help, but at the same time, he was glad that everything that Josh got fit into the suitcase that Josh could move himself. He was not sure that he would be much help right now. The overwhelming that was this base was feeling like a bit much, and he knew that if he did not focus hard enough, it was entirely possible that he was going to slip into the deep end again. A part of him was selfishly thankful of this strange new connection that Jacob and Soren shared, because he needed someone there who was not about to run off and die along with the rest of these military personnel. Not that he thought that they were going to die. Or maybe he did. Maybe that was why he felt like he could fall over at any moment. Or why his arms were shaking on the inside. Or why he thought he might throw up again. At least they weren’t looking at their dead neighbors this time. Soren grabbed his duffel from the back, closed the bed, and headed the way they were told. He didn’t have any idea what they were doing, but he was pretty confident that it was going to be wildly different than how FEDRA used to run. Maybe it was closer to the Army now? Of course, the world was never like this before. They traveled for a while, heading through what used to be streets and past buildings that used to house businesses. Not anymore. Finally, they reached the apartments. “Okay, so now we have to figure out how to get to ours.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Jacob walked beside Soren as he looked at the buildings they passed by. A few of them he remembered as businesses, remembered going to them, and now they were gone. The streets weren't the same. It was quiet. Jacob looked over at Soren before he saw the apartments in front of them. Josh held the suitcase in one hand, and in the other he held Hayden's hand. He walked with the others and looked around at what they walked past before he too saw the apartments. Three soldiers stood in front of the apartment buildings and one raised his hand up to them. "Names, building and apartment numbers?" He asked as he looked at the four of them.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Soren moved towards the soldier who raised the hand as he led the way for them. He gave them the information for all four of them, old habits die hard, and as the soldier looked up their names on the list, he took Jacob’s hand in his. He smiled at him, lost in the almost that they were. Entirely distracted by his presence. This was going to either be the best or worst idea he had ever had. Something to live for. A purpose and a meaning. Hayden on the other hand barely noticed all the people around. This was the kind of place that he might have once felt uncomfortable. It was a lot of people who could be looking at him. Now, in the midst of this disaster, he held onto Josh without a care. Or perhaps with every care. Joshua Smith. He heard the name in Soren’s answer and faced the soldiers. So many soldiers.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Jacob was more than happy for Soren to answer for him anyway, because he didn't know anything other than his name. He felt the hand take his and he looked at Soren. A warm smile appeared on his face as he squeezed the hand gently. He was so happy at the moment, which was weird considering how he should feel. Sad, angry, upset, but instead.. He felt happy. Joshua held onto Hayden as Soren gave the soldiers the information and then the soldier checking the list nodded. "It's the last building on the right, fourth floor and according to the floor plan, it's the last two doors on the left when you get to that floor. Number 401 is for Joshua Smith and Hayden Gaines. Number 403 is for Soren Truelson and Jacob Smith. Go on ahead." He said, waving the four through. He looked at Hayden, kissed the top of his head and then moved with the others towards the last building.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

“Thank you very much.” Soren gave him a nod and moved through. Once they were all through, he turned back with a grin. “What I tell you? Great neighbors!” He swiveled back around and headed to the last building, taking in the the bustle that was a whole bunch of other soldiers and their people trying to get to wherever they belonged. Some had nothing and some had several bags. It seemed that they were relatively lucky to have gotten out with as much as they did. Once they reached the last building, he headed towards the stairs. “I can only assume we are making the trek up with the lack of electricity.” Hayden shrugged. “There’s nothing wrong with a good walk up the stairs. Keeps your.. muscles- moving, or um.. something...” His attention to someone crying off to the side as they made it to the stairs. That was not the first upset person he saw. In fact, that was what he noticed the most as they traveled. All the displaced people.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Jacob followed Soren to the building, chuckling at his comment. "Great neighbors indeed." Jacob said, smiling happily. He looked at all the soldiers around and then at the building. He couldn't believe how many people there were, and how some had nothing while others had bags. He was thankful he kept some clothes at his parent's house. Josh nodded as they got in and he headed to the stairs, gently moving Hayden's attention off the crying person. "Let's get up them so we can take a moment to breathe." Josh suggested as they started walking up the stairs. Four flights of stairs wasn't fun, but having a heavy suitcase, Josh was definitely going to have to stop half way to take a breather. He wasn't going to make it to the fourth floor without it.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

The stairs were much, and they were not the only ones going up them. Other soldiers were heading up and down them as they went, which made it all a little bit more difficult as they had to move out of the way or pause to let the uninhibited move around them. Soren was in pretty good shape, but he truly was not prepared for taking his bag full of things up four flights. He paused approximately halfway when he was getting tired and it sounded like Josh was too. Hayden was finding it hard to distract himself, so he chose Jacob as the clear choice. “Hey Jacob. Does this make us soldiers now? Because I feel like we are doing a great job being soldiers.” He gestured towards the tired men. “We aren’t even exhausted like them.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

As they made their way up the stairs, Josh was definitely exhausted. He was thankful they stopped halfway up and he looked over at Hayden when he heard him talk. Jacob turned his attention to Hayden and chuckled with a smile. "You know, Hayden I think you're right. It absolutely makes us soldiers now. Officers Smith and Gaines. Has quite the ring to it. And we're definitely not as exhausted." Jacob laughed as he looked at their tired men. All joking aside, Jacob looked at Soren with a soft smile. "Would you like me to carry that up? Give you a chance to rest?" He asked softly, brown eyes looking at him. Josh had finally gotten his second wind back and was ready to move on when those two were.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

“Officer Smith, no not you, I believe we are going to be the best soldiers. Officer Gaines sounds terrible important. And easier to say than your name.” He gestured to Soren who was shaking his head at Jacob. “No, I’ve got it but thank you. I lived on the first floor before. This is just a little new.” He hefted the duffel back on his shoulder and gestured to the rest of the stairs. “Okay, then if you are the best soldiers, then you should lead the way for us lowly ones.” Hayden laughed, nodded, and then chose to lead the way up the stairs. He even practically jogged a good half of what was left.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Josh listened to Hayden and feigned an offended look at him. "Oh I see how it is. Well, after you two then." He said with a chuckle. He saw Hayden lead the way, even jogging a good half. He was glad to see him feeling a little better. Jacob looked at Soren and sighed, nodding. "Okay." He said with a smile, before he snorted a laugh. "Right, the best soldiers will lead the way." Jacob agreed, following behind Hayden as they came to the fourth floor. Jacob held the door for the other two before they would make their way to the last two doors on the right. 403 was for them and Jacob was rather eager to see it, and finally have some time alone, really alone with Soren. It made his smile bigger and wider.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Hayden was the first down the hall, moving not necessarily terribly quickly but fast enough. He swung his arms as he looked at the numbers of the doors. He briefly wondered who used to live in these apartments. How did they secure them? Did they take them from people who lived there before? Did those people die? Did they do mass reconstruction of terrible things that happened just a few days ago? He spun the ring and watched as Josh came down the hall. Josh and sharks and ring and safe. “I believe this one is for us.”

Soren moved behind Josh, not wanting to take up too much space in case people needed to walk down the hall around them. Once the rest made it down the hall, he paused and looked over at the other two. “Since we aren’t sure what exactly needs to happen next, what do we say we take maybe an hour to settle in and then meet back out here to go figure out the next steps?”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Josh watched Hayden as he walked down the hall. Josh didn’t want to think about where these apartments had come from, so he didn’t. He was just thankful to have somewhere safe for them. That was all he cared about at the moment. He saw Hayden spin the ring as he came down, and glanced at the door. 401. He nodded and then looked back at Soren. “Sounds good to me, we’ll see you in an hour.” Josh said, opening the apartment door and stepping inside. The first thing he noticed was the sterile smell. The apartment had the bare necessities, and looked like it had been stripped and deep cleaned. He set the suitcase near the door, let Hayden in and shut the door behind them. “Well. Welcome home.”

Jacob stopped at their door and looked over at Soren. He listened to him before he opened their door, letting Soren in before it shut. A sterile almost hospital smell hit his nose and it actually was nice. A reminder of how his life had been before this. He set his duffle on the table and looked around. Bare bones. Deep cleaned. And small. “I guess this is our new home.”​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Hayden didn’t like it. It wasn’t the apartment’s fault of course. It probably wasn’t FEDRA’s either, but that didn’t make him like it any more than he didn’t. It might have been because the other one they had was so cozy. This one was cold. It was unforgiving. It felt like anything good died there, but then again, that did seem to be how things were happening. He did appreciate that they had somewhere to stay. The important thing was that they were safe. Safe and together. He stepped into the small space, decided he had enough of that, and wrapped his arms around Josh in a hug. “Home is wherever you are.”

Soren stepped inside and tossed the duffel lightly in the bare and empty little place. “You know what? I kind of like it. It’s got potential, you know.” He stood in the middle and turned slowly around. “I’m not entirely certain how we can obtain things in this new way of living, but think about it. This kind of clean slate means it could be anything. It’s kind of small, yeah, but who needs to sprawl? We do what all those tiny homes do.” He stared at a blank wall for a moment. “Storage in everything? Could work. Some color could make it homier. Maybe some carpets? I don’t know, I’m not much of an interior designer. But Dorothy once told me, the little old lady neighbor who was like everyone’s grandma, that everywhere could be home.” Soren shrugged. “What do you think?”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Josh glanced around, before he looked at Hayden. He felt him wrap his arms around him and Josh did the same. He held him close and looked at him. A warm smile on his face. “Well. Why don’t we make it a little more like home?” Josh asked, kissing Hayden like he had been wanting to now that they were alone. After a while he pulled back, and grinned. Josh moved from the hug, and grabbed the suitcase. He set it on the table, unzipped it and pulled out their graduation picture. He set it on a hook in the wall and smiled. “What do you think about that?”

Jacob watched Soren stand in the middle and turn around. He listened to his.. person? Was that what he was now? It sounded right. He chuckled hearing him and shook his head. “A little color would go a long way. Though carpets are a pain to keep clean so maybe not those. We’ll see. As long as I’m here with you? Dorothy is right. Everywhere could be home.” Jacob said, stepping up beside Soren and taking his hand. This, even bare bones and empty, was home to him as long as he was there with Soren beside him.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Okay, so the little apartment was severely lacking, it didn’t feel at all homey, and he wasn’t sure how he felt about what felt like a pretty big separation from his family. That was not so great. The nice thing, though, was that it was a place for them. Josh was there to remind him of that, and for a second, he forgot everything bad in the world. He was Hayden with his Josh again. He followed his love and examined the wall. “I think that’s perfect. You and me forever. What else do you have in that magical bag of goodies?”

Soren was so surprised that he found someone like this so quickly. Or at all maybe? He was so ready for this. He wasn’t sure he had ever been ready for anything else in the same way. He squeezed their hands and laughed. “I love that you think about those kinds of things. Okay, no carpets. What about some of those poofs? Bean bag chair things? But the really big ones meant actual grown people?” He paused to look at Jacob again. He felt like he would never get enough of that. Then he moved them to their discarded duffels. “Okay, I don’t have a whole lot in here, but I have some things. Mostly clothes. Shall we explore where we sleep then?”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Josh looked at Hayden and then at the wall. A smile on his face as he wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “You and me baby. Forever and always.” He said before he looked at the bag. “Let’s see what we’ve got.” He added as he moved them over to it. Josh pulled out comic books, Hayden’s books and research. He even grabbed Hayden’s collection of games. And the rest was clothes. “Books, games, and clothes for us. What do you think?”

Jacob laughed softly at the squeezed hands and smiled. He thought for a moment before looking at Soren. “I suppose those would be okay.” He replied with a chuckle as he looked at Soren. How he managed to find someone he’d never know. Jacob moved with him to their duffels and nodded. “Yes, we shall.” He said with a smile, reaching for his own duffel and ready to see just where they would be sleeping. Together. That made Jacob happy, his heart fluttering at the thought. ​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Hayden watched as Josh pulled out different things from the bag. “That’s all mine. Did you not bring anything for yourself?” Those were his books and his games. Of course, they both had clothes, but that wasn’t the point. He went back and risked it all to grab things for Hayden? Was it to make him feel better? They all knew that of everyone, Hayden was handling this the least well, so it would not be a surprise if this was the answer. And it was. It was making him feel better.

Hands together, Soren walked into the extremely small space that one could say was a bedroom if one wanted to be kind about the situation. They had a bed, and that was convenient. They had one dresser. That was okay. If they needed more in the future, Soren was sure they could find one. Or make something? He wasn’t extremely handy, but he was willing to try. There was a window out to the lovely world around them. “Perfect base again,” he said with a smile. He tossed his bag onto the bed and pointed to it. “That’s where you’re going to sleep even if I have to tell you stories every night.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Josh looked at Hayden with a smile. “I didn’t have anything that I wanted. I just wanted you to be happy, and seeing you with this stuff, makes me happy.” Josh admitted. “Ready to see our sleeping quarters?” He asked, looking at Hayden with a big smile. He was just happy to be alone with him. Just them.

Jacob looked around the small place and smiled to himself. This was a perfect spot, small but perfect. He didn’t have much nor did he want much. Jacob looked at Soren after he set his duffel on the bed as well. “Oh is that so? Well. I can’t wait to sleep there. Especially if I get to listen to your stories every night.” Jacob replied, looking around. “Should we unpack?” He asked, looking at the single dresser. ​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
Citizen of Seattle, FEDRA Officer | 24, 35 | Current location ;; Washington State

Why was he like this? Hayden wrapped his arms around Josh’s neck and hugged him again. He kissed his lips, his cheek, his jaw. “I love you.” More than anything. Even if the dream to become a marine biologist was definitely crushed and done with now, he still loved that Josh thought about it for moving forward in this mess of a life. “Okay, yeah. I’m ready.” He slid his hands over shoulders, down chest, and eventually one into Josh’s hand.

Soren laughed. “I don’t know if I have that interesting of stories if you’re going to look forward to them, but I am sure I can find something to share with you.” He moved to the bed and opened up his duffel. Alright. Clothes. I have a handful of just about everything. I brought ever flannel that I owned in the hopes that those would be better at fitting us both?” He picked up one and shrugged. He turned to the dresser and nodded. “Ah, the closet.” He stepped over to it and opened the door. It was tiny. “And it comes with a handful of hangers.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Officer, ER & Trauma Nurse | 24, 30 | Current location ;; Washington State

Josh laughed as he felt Hayden’s arms around his neck. Felt the kiss on his lips, cheek and jaw. “I love you too baby.” Josh replied and he smiled warmly. He felt the hands slide over his shoulders, chest and then one hand in his. He grabbed the suitcase in one hand and led the way into the small bedroom. One dresser and a tiny closet. The bed was just big enough for them both. Josh set the suitcase down and looked at Hayden. “It’s not big but it’s nice.”

Jacob laughed a little himself. “You underestimate how interesting you are.” He said, walking over to the bed. He opened his duffel to see the four shirts and three pants he had stuffed in there along with a hoodie. His eyes looked over at Soren, hearing him. “Flannels. I had some at my apartment. So those I’ll definitely be stealing.” Jacob chuckled. He pulled out his clothes and they all fit in one half of the top drawer. He set his bag under the bed and sighed. “Well that was easy.” He said with a smile.​