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

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Soren was not going to make it to patrols this morning. He was not going to make it to any meetings. He wasn’t going to make it anywhere. That was what he realized as Jacob’s lips were one with his own. This was supposed to be the last day for him to make sure that this wedding was going to go off without any issues. Everything was planned and ready. He needed to make sure it was all setup so that set up would not take too long or too much hassle tomorrow. Yet, here he was, stolen away by the best man in the world again. He pried himself away only enough to speak. They still touched entirely as he did so. “Are you saying we should shirk our responsibilities so that we can have an early honeymoon?”

The words hit him like a slap. They stung too much to be a punch. Hayden could feel the tingle and vibration as it spread through his entire body. He did not mean to say that he wanted him to leave. He was only confused. Josh was never home. Never. When he was home, it was not even like having him there. Then he would talk and kiss him like everything was fine, but he always pulled away. Until yesterday, and the entire day did not make any kind of sense at all. Suddenly he was not only home early but out with them. Finding places only for them. Finding him a suit he wanted for so long. Staying. Talking. Kissing. Touching. What was Hayden supposed to think? That everything was better? Because the second he started thinking that, he was going to lose again, and he didn’t think he could take that kind of rejection. “You aren’t-“ usually here. Can he really blame Hayden for being confused and questioning this? Or did he want him to stay naïve forever? “Of course that isn’t what I prefer.” He had to bite back the anger that rose with the accusation. “You should know how much I hate when you leave.” Should. Did he? He didn’t act like it. “I just…” He softened his tone. “I wasn’t expecting you to actually…” stay? Be truthful? There were so many thing that he was thinking.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Commander, FEDRA Civilian | 26, 32 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Jacob knew what he was doing, he was doing it entirely on purpose. "Yes. That is exactly what I'm saying." He replied, seeing that Soren only pulled himself far enough away to speak. Jacob knew there was so much to do, but he didn't care. "I say we take the morning to ourselves, and then I might.. might be able to be convinced to let you go make sure everything is good for tomorrow." Jacob said, leaning forward and kissing at Soren's neck as he enjoyed this moment.

Josh looked at Hayden, confusion in his eyes as he heard those words. He knew they were true, but they stung his heart, his body. He didn't know if he blamed him for being confused and questioning. He heard those words that seemed like an accusation instead of normal conversation. He shook his head, should he know that? He didn't know anymore. So far the only thing he knew for sure was what he did on the base. He was broken from his thoughts as he heard the softer tone as he spoke. "What weren't you expecting? I told you I wanted to try and be here more." He said, his voice tight as he tried to hard to not sound upset or angry. He stood from the couch, pushing a hand through his hair. "I stay, you say you didn't expect it. I leave and you hate that too. I don't know what you want from me Hayden. I can't win if I stay, I can't win if I leave. So what do you want? You always say I don't stay and let you talk to me, I'm here now. So talk to me." Josh said, his arms over his chest as he looked at Hayden, confusion and frustration in his voice and on his face.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Soren knew what Jacob was doing, and he could do nothing about it. He was powerless against his soon to be husband. He loved him so much. He did not think that this kind of love could ever die. He saw Josh and Hayden, and that was so hard. He remembered before. Was that going to be him and Jacob too? He should have been afraid, but he never was. An involuntary gasp broke his concentration as those lips touched his neck. He was cheating. Again. “What if I don’t want to be that convincing? Is that okay too?”

Accusation went two ways it seemed. Hayden could not deny that he was doing more than accusing Josh was this. He could not deny that he was all but flat out laying his crimes on the table and asking him to confess. However, he did not feel that it was right for Josh to do that too. He did not hide the frustration in his words. “Hate that too? Are you saying that I hate when you’re here, because I don’t expect it?” What kind of assumptions were those? How was Hayden supposed to react when suddenly Josh was trying to make some sort of effort or gesture that did not fit with everything else? “Of course you can’t win if you are assuming that. What do you want from me, Joshua? All I do is wait for you to finally decide to be here, and you’re what?” He studied that face he used to know. “Upset that I don’t expect you to actually do that? You haven’t before.” He really should have stopped talking. It was easier in the silence. When he was alone. Maybe he should go. “Do you actually want to talk or do you want to tell me more about how I hate when you’re around?” So much anger and sadness were boiling over at the same time. “Because if that’s the case, then you can go. Since I hate having your around anyway, there’s no point in staying to ease your conscience.” He slid off the couch and stomped out of the room and back to the bedroom.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Commander, FEDRA Civilian | 26, 32 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Jacob heard that gasp from his soon-to-be husband and grinned, hearing those words from him. "That is okay with me too." He said, his lips trailing over Soren's throat to his chin. He knew he had things to do but for the first time in two years, he wasn't thinking of anything but Soren. He wasn't thinking about Josh, Hayden, Kai, Theo, or Logan. Well, until he heard the words echoing and the door slamming shut. "That didn't sound good." Jacob sighed out his words, pulling his head back to look at Soren.

Josh looked at Hayden, hearing the frustration in his words. He bit his lip, his eyes searching his partner. Assuming? How was he assuming? Was that not what Hayden said? Is that not what the implication was. "I don't know what I want Hayden. I'm not.. I don't what I am. But, I want to hold a conversation without being accused of anything. To be able to stay home and not feel like it's the worst thing ever. And I don't want to tell you anything, because clearly all I do is make assumptions." His frustration was evident in his own words too. "Fine. I'll leave. I know when I'm not wanted around here." Josh's words were harsh and loud. He watched him slide off the couch and stomp out of the room, toward the bedroom. Josh walked off to the door, slipped on his boots and jacket and left the room, slamming the door behind him. A growl of frustration left him as he headed for the stairs.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Soren’s head moved away too, and he groaned. He was actually mildly annoyed by this. They were going to have a day just for them. Or at least a morning. They did not have the luxury of honeymoons like in the old world. They couldn’t run off without phones to some faraway vacation to be just them. They had to make do with what they had here, and that was very little. “I better go see if he’s okay.” He kissed Jacob’s cheek, and without even bothering to put clothes that weren’t his pajamas or his shoes on, he ran out the door. “Josh!” He had to catch him before he ran off and did something stupid. “Hey! Josh.”

Hayden jumped as the door slammed, and instead of letting that snap him out of whatever he was feeling, he chose to slam his own door. This wasn’t going to do anything against Josh since he was already gone, but it might make him feel better. It didn’t. He heard the words in his mind over and over. How could Josh be so unaware? How could he be so callous? Of course Hayden wanted him around, but he did not want him there if the only reason was because they made a mistake and slept together. That thought hit him hard. It was a mistake. Of course it was. How could he ever allow himself to be so vulnerable. Things only broke that way. He moved into the bathroom and slammed the door shut. He needed to think. He needed to breathe. A soak in the tub might relax him. No, the worst thing ever, Josh is when you’re home and you don’t want to be there. At least when he was gone, Hayden didn’t have to remember that.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Commander, FEDRA Civilian | 26, 32 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Jacob heard Soren groan and he understood that, because he was also slightly annoyed. Can those two go one day without an argument? Clearly the answer would be no. He sighed at the kiss to his cheek and nodded. "I need to check on Hayden." He said softly as he slid off the bed a moment after Soren. He followed his partner out of the apartment, but instead of chasing his brother down the hall, he turned to the right and, using the key he'd been given, let himself in. He heard the door slam in the bedroom and walked that way. "Hayden?" Jacob called as he opened the bedroom door, and noticed the bathroom door was also shut. "Hayden? You okay buddy?" Jacob asked as he knocked on the bathroom door.

Josh huffed and sighed, shaking his head. His head snapped around at the yell and saw Soren running after him, dressed in pajamas. "What do you want? You don't look ready to patrol." Josh snapped, arms crossed over his chest. He was so upset and frustrated. He tried to stay home and instead it ended up in another fight. This is why he stayed away, it was easier. He didn't have to worry about anything other than protecting the people. "Just go be with my brother and fiancé. That's where you want to be I'm sure." His voice was harsh, rough and low. He needed to run from this. Hayden wasn't the same and it was confusing, so all Josh wanted to do was run, run away from it. From the change.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Hayden started with pacing. His legs moved as fast as his mind, and the bathroom did not contain enough space for him to appropriately seethe. He was torn between fury and despair. The fury was winning. It had to. He had to survive, and nothing survived better than anger. How had even gotten angry? He wasn’t angry when he woke up. Afraid maybe. Wary. Uncertain. Lost. Full of wishful thinking. Naive. He felt so naive. So stupid. It felt more like a trap than someone who actually wanted to be around him. When he heard the front door open, there was a part of him who thought it might be Josh. He came back to figure it out. Maybe to apologize. Maybe to ask a question. Maybe- no. Not Josh. Jacob. “Please go, Jacob.” His voice still held the edge of his irritation. “I’m… taking a bath.” He could be. That was why he came in here. He whipped around and turned the water on. He stared at the liquid as it ran.

Soren did not even bother hiding his annoyance. If Josh was going to start off rude then he did not have to be nice either. “No, Josh, I’m not. I’m getting married tomorrow. I don’t feel like going on patrol today. I want to stay home and be with my fiancé, which is where you’re supposed to be too.” He kept on going until he was with Josh. If he looked irritated, it was because he was. “I already know you argued, and I get that you’re going through a rough time. I do. I hear it. We all hear it. So. What was it this time before you run off to patrol and are gone for days refusing to talk to any of us.” He sucked in a deep breath. Softened his tone. “I’m sorry. I know you’re not okay. What happened?”​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Commander, FEDRA Civilian | 26, 32 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Jacob heard that voice, it clearly held some irritation and he heard the water start running a moment later. "Hayden. Buddy. Come on, let me in. I know something's wrong." He said, his lip between his teeth. "Just talk to me." He didn't trust that his brother was really okay. He'd seen the moments, had helped Hayden with each of them and he feared that this was going to lead to another. "Hayden.. please. If I have to, I'll come in anyway." He said before he heard the knock on the door. Oh. Jacob knew who that was, like clockwork every morning. "Hayden!" A small voice called as Jacob moved away and opened the door. "Hey buddy. Hayden's busy but he'll be out soon I'm sure. Come on in." Jacob said, letting Kai in before shutting the door.

Josh heard those words, saw that irritated look on Soren's face and rolled his eyes. He crossed his arms as he listened to Soren, his eyes narrowed as he did. "What happened? What do you think happened? We fought again. I don't know what I was thinking about trying to stay home today. He didn't want me there." Josh said as he bit his lip and sighed roughly. "Soren. I don't know what's wrong. I try to be home and he gets upset, I stay away and he gets upset. I can't win."​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Hayden shook his head like Jacob could see him. No. No he did not want to let Jacob in. He did not want to talk. There was nothing to say. He already said it all. If he tried to say anything else, it was only going to be that he did this to himself. That he let his guard down. That he thought things could be different. It wasn’t any different. He sunk to the floor, the sound of the running water splashing behind him. They were privileged to have so much water. They were privileged because of who their partners were. There was talk that if Josh kept climbing the way he did, they could move into a different place. They could have a nice house even. How could he ever do that when the rest of the world was like this? The water pounded behind him like a heavy rain. He could not hear what was happening outside the room with the heavy rain in his ears. He wrote it off as Jacob doing Jacob. Trying to determine when to break the door down.

He could roll his eyes all he wanted, but at this point, Soren was kind of fed up with the constant fighting. What were they even fighting about? Did they know? He just wanted this to work out so that the two of them did not cause some huge scene during his wedding. He knew that was selfish, but he was so tired. He was standing in this hall in his pajamas and bare feet trying to be a good best friend. “Do you know he doesn’t want you there? Did he actually say that? Because the way he talks when you aren’t around, all he could ever want was for you to be there.” He sighed too. He could not pretend like this was not as bad as it was. “What do you want, Josh? Maybe we should forget about what he wants since that’s… a challenge. What do you want?”​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Commander, FEDRA Civilian | 26, 32 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Jacob heard the water running in the bathroom and he looked at the impatient four year old. Okay, that was it. He had a feeling that Hayden was not taking a bath. "Come on Kaiden." He said, taking Kai's hand and led him into the bedroom before he knocked loudly on the bathroom door. "Hayden you have one minute before I'm coming in there. You have two very worried people out here." He said as he looked at Kai and nodded. "Hayden!" Kai called out, knocking on the door loudly.

Josh looked at Soren and sighed, stepping back a few feet to lean back against the wall. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at his feet before looking up at his best friend, seeing him in his pajamas and barefooted in the hall. He tilted his head, listening to him and he was sure he had a look of shock on his face. "He didn't say that, but he said enough that led that way. He told me that I should go if he hates having me around." Josh whispered, looking away. He looked back at Soren a moment later at the question. "I don't know what I want. I guess I want to stay home and not feel like it's the worst decision, or hold a conversation with him without being accused of something."​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

His fingers crawled across the skin of his face, of his forehead, of his scalp. Fingernails skimmed the surface of the layer between. The memory of touch so gentle and sweet caressed his thoughts. Lovingly. Until grip tightened, breathing turned heavy and hard with the soundtrack of rain banging behind him. A violent swing. A crack. A fall. Blood pooling at his feet. Flesh ripped asunder. Crawling up his limbs and his clothes. No no off. He frantically pushed away at the growing gore as it pulled at his arms. He ripped at sleeved that clung to him until the light jacket fell to his waist now discarded. He shoved at his arms to fling away a world no one else could see. The knock made him jump, slamming elbows into the tub behind him. It sloshed the teetering edge of water over the side as it cascaded onto his back. The cold froze him, and his arms shook as he sat there. You’re not here. His spine shivered as the water chilled in the air.

Soren ran a hand through his hair as he listened. He wanted so badly to help his friend. He wanted to be there for him. The selfish part of him that wanted a day for him and Jacob, that wanted everything to be fine for his own sake, dissipated. “What? He doesn’t hate…” He sighed. “I don’t know what he does and does not want or think. Jacob knows him better than I do, but even Jacob can’t always read whatever is going on inside his head. And I am sorry. I really am. But Josh… Josh I wish the two of you could communicate better.” He frowned and then nodded. “Okay. Give me a couple of minutes. I’ll go change, and we can go patrol. Okay? Come on. Come back with me while I do.” He gestured with his head back down the hall.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Commander, FEDRA Civilian | 26, 32 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Jacob could hear the sloshing of water a few moments after he knocked, the muffled sounds of skin slamming into porcelain. "Kaiden, you stay right here. I'll be back." Jacob said, yanking the door open, surprised to find it unlocked and immediately walked over, and turned the water off. He grabbed a towel from the closet and sat beside Hayden. "Hayden.. buddy? I need you to look at me." He said, seeing the water had soaked his back. "I need you to come back, to me. To Kai. Can you do that?" Jacob asked as he gently wrapped the warm towel around his shoulders slowly.

Josh looked at Soren, hearing his words but it was so hard to believe. It was a stark difference to what he'd heard just a little bit ago. He sighed, shaking his head as he listened to Soren. He was getting different stories from two different people and he wasn't sure who to believe anymore. "I've tried to communicate with him. But he either takes my words the wrong way or doesn't want to talk to me at all." He said, sighing roughly. "Okay." Josh looked at Soren, and pushed off the wall to follow him. "Okay."​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

The cold crept down his spine, leaving a trail of spidery ice in its wake. It made his skin tremble as the door tore open. He did not even look up. He expected as much eventually. There was never any peace. If it wasn’t the one in the corner, it was another one. Someone smaller usually. If it wasn’t them, it was Jacob. It was always Jacob. He didn’t know if that was a good or a bad thing. He wasn’t exactly in the right brain space to wonder. The towel behind him made little difference yet. He barely felt the pressure. “Where is he?” Hayden asked, his voice shaking as he tried to focus on the one constant that could almost always break through. “Where’s Kai?” Because it was about time for him to be there anyway.

Soren moved down the hall, wishing that he could be more help than he was. How had this gotten so bad? He looked over his shoulder, not even bothering to smile for him. There was no reason. They both knew it would be a lie. He opened up the door and waited there until Josh followed him in so that he could close it. He knew Jacob wasn’t there, because he was next door with Hayden. He doubted that he would be able to hear them. It never got too loud. When Jacob could get to him. “Just give me a minute.” He disappeared to change into his clothes like he had not been planning to do.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Commander, FEDRA Civilian | 26, 32 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Jacob looked at Hayden and sighed softly, hearing his voice shaking as he tried to dry his back from the water. "He's just outside in the bedroom. Let's get you into some clean clothes, check those elbows of yours and then you can see him." Jacob said, moving away and into the bedroom to grab a pair of clothes and then came back. He set them on the sink counter and took Hayden's arm, helping him up. "Come on. I've got you clothes now let's get these wet ones off and those dry ones on. After that I'll check your elbows and then we'll go see that little boy. The other one should be here soon too."

Josh walked slowly behind Soren, seeing him look back at him. He didn't have a smile on his face as he stepped into Soren's apartment and stayed in the dining room. He heard Soren's words and merely nodded. He felt bad for intruding on his brother and best friend's happiness. "Soren, why don't you take the day off? It's not fair for you to give up spending time with your fiancé because of our... problem." Josh called as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. He shouldn't have slammed the door, shouldn't have yelled. Should've just walked out quietly in the morning and no one would've known. Not until later. Maybe.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Just outside the bathroom. Right now. He was only four and waiting outside so patiently. He was such a good boy. How did Hayden become so lucky to have such a good kid in his life like that? A kid who wanted to be around him so much. He swallowed back tears. He refused to cry anymore when Kai could possibly hear him. He could not do that to him. He did not deserve that. He deserved a beautiful life. Hayden let Jacob help him out of the clothes. It was just as well since he had not changed from his pajamas yet. It was unfortunate that they were wet. He probably could have used a real bath as well. He frowned as it all swept away and he put on the additional clothes. “Jacob.” His voice felt so small and fragile. “Thank you.”

This was why he brought Josh with him. Soren was sure he was going to want to do something like blame himself, and though that was fair, it also wasn’t. He was not the only one with issues right now. “Nope,” he answered from afar. “I’m not taking the day off unless you are.” He popped his head out, only partially clothed. Not that this bothered him at all. He practically grew up with soldiers he’d been in militaries so long. “If you stay here, I’ll stay here. If you want to go, I’m going too. That’s the deal. Whatever you choose is the correct answer.” He smiled, because even though he wanted to stay home with Jacob more than anything else, he was going to have the rest of forever with him. Josh was struggling so much now that it didn’t feel like that at all. Soren had to do what he could do for him.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Commander, FEDRA Civilian | 26, 32 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Kaiden was waiting.. impatiently. He was sitting on Hayden's bed, playing with the blanket on it as he sat there. Jacob told him to wait, so he was. Jacob helped change Hayden into the dry clothes and as he did, he checked his brother's elbows. Once that was done, he drained the tub before his attention was drawn and he smiled warmly. "You're welcome Hayden." He said as he put a hand on his shoulder. "Now, we have a four year old to go see, and a three year old that'll be joining us soon." He said as he took Hayden's hand to lead him out. "Kai!" Jacob called and the little boy smiled wide as he slipped off the bed and ventured towards them.

Josh never moved from where he was as he heard Soren's words, his eyes moving to look at his best friend. They went through too much to be anything less than that. "I.." He paused, he wanted Soren to take his day, but how did Josh just go back to that like he hadn't started a fight again? "I doubt he'd want to see me again today. Not after that. So I guess patrolling is what we're doing today." Josh said quietly as he looked away. He blamed himself for Soren not able to take a day off, and that would be blame he'd carry for years.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Hayden could do this. He could become the man that he needed to be for Kai. That little boy did not deserve the hard home life that he was forced to endure because his actual father wanted to be FEDRA more than he wanted to be his parent. He grimaced at the thought. The memory of someone else who was doing that exact same thing. He gulped a big breath and walked out of the bathroom, searching for that little boy. “Well if it isn’t my favorite little shark!” He pushed aside every pain and smiled as wide as he could manage, which was easy when Kai was around. He swooped down, hands under Kai’s arms, and scooped him up to fly him around. “My day is perfect now!” He plopped them both of the bed and let himself flop over onto his back like he fell.

This was not the answer that Soren wanted, but it was the answer that he knew was the one that they were going to go with. He moved back so that he could finish getting dressed. “Patrolling it is. I am not technically off today anyway, and the guys have started talking about how I tend to find myself… late sometimes.” He grinned. It was true. When it came to patrolling and other FEDRA duties, all of them came second to Jacob. Most things came second to Jacob. This was why they were getting married. “Okay, let’s go, brother.” He slipped past him and pushed open the door.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Commander, FEDRA Civilian | 26, 32 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Kaiden looked up as he saw Hayden come out and giggled when he felt his hands under his arm. "Hayden!" He squealed and laughed as he was flown around. His smile was so wide as he laughed when they flopped onto the bed, as he landed on Hayden. "What do today 'Ayden?" He asked as Jacob followed them out. He was thankful that Hayden had Kai as well in his life. About that time he decided to check to see if Theo was up and headed this way yet. Jacob headed to the door and opened it, looking down the hall curiously.

Josh bit his lip as he looked at Soren. He knew that no matter what he said, he wouldn't be able to convince Soren to stay home. He heard his words, and in all honesty, Josh hadn't really noticed that Soren was late sometimes. He was always busy getting everything ready to go with Jerry. Though when he did realize it, he felt jealous. Jealous that his brother had the love of his life and it seemed like Jacob hadn't changed. Not like Hayden had. . "Yes well, I suppose that being late is better than not showing up." Josh replied as he sighed softly. "Let's go." He agreed, breaking from his thoughts and followed Soren out into the hallway to head to the stairs.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Hayden watched as Jacob left the room. He wondered where he was going. He did not have time to wallow in those thoughts as Kai was right there with him, expecting to be entertained. Hayden would always be there for this little boy. He loved him more than anything else in the world. Even Josh. That was such a hard thing to think about. Though, right now, was it that hard? Maybe not. Josh clearly did not love him enough to want to be around. To want to even try. Hayden thought about Kai’s question hard. “Hmm, I’m not sure. Getting you fancy clothes yesterday didn’t work out so much. Those weren’t for you, huh?”

Soren shrugged as he held the door open until Josh was out into the hall. He closed it and locked it up assuming that Jacob would have his hands full next door. “You would think, though they act like I am committing some sort of crime every time.” He walked with Josh down the hall. Two things happened all at once. The door down the hall opened, and Soren instinctively looked over his shoulder. There was Jacob looking out at him. He smiled and waggled his fingers at him. The second was another door opened and out ran a three year old who looked both ways in the hall, and instead of running to Jacob like he did most mornings, he changed course and ran straight for them. His fast body zoomed past Soren and ran straight into Josh. His little arms wrapped around Josh’s leg. Soren stared unsure what to do about this. From the door, he heard, “Thank you thank you!” Then Theo’s mother dashed passed them and down the stairs.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Commander, FEDRA Civilian | 26, 32 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Kai looked at Hayden and giggled, shaking his head at that. "No! Not for me." He agreed as he looked at Hayden. "Go to park?" Kaiden asked, head tilted slightly. Jacob looked out into the hall and saw Soren, smiling at him as he saw him waggle his fingers. Jacob waved back, before the blur of Theo running down the hall caught his attention. He blinked as he saw him urn straight into Josh and Jacob narrowed his eyes as he watched, wondering just what his brother was going to do.

Josh was already second guessing patrolling and then he looked at Soren. "Yeah, you're committing a crime alright, the crime of spending time with someone you love and not patrolling twenty-four seven." He said with a laugh as he heard the door open behind them and then up ahead. He saw the little boy Theo, come running down the hall and right into him. He looked down, surprised as he saw him wrap his arms around his leg. "Hey buddy." He said, leaning down and grabbing Theo in his arms, picking him up and setting him on his hip. "Let's take you to the other two okay?"​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Random nice clothing it was for these two little ones then. That was going to have to be good enough for now. If Hayden’s own wedding was ever going to happen, they were going to have to hope that whatever clothes they found for them was going to be good enough for that too. Otherwise, honestly, he was okay with the two little ones wearing whatever they were comfortable in. Hayden wanted them there, and that was more important than nice suits. “Hm, the park does sound like a fun place to be. Maybe we can go with Theo too? You two can run around and play for hours. Does that sound good?”

Little Theo happily sat on Josh’s hip. He giggled as he squirmed playfully there. “Play!” Soren looked over at Josh and tried not to smile. The world was good when it was not actively trying to ruin everyone’s lives. “Joshua, my friend, I think he has chosen you for today.” He looked down the hall at Jacob again, trying not to look like the lovesick puppy that he most definitely was. “Let’s go down that way so that we can… um… drop off this one.” He was not even looking at Josh or Theo. It was only Jacob as he started walking towards him.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Commander, FEDRA Civilian | 26, 32 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Kaiden looked at him, nodding his head excitedly. "Yes! Theo!" He said happily. He wanted to play with him for hours. "Play tag and hide and seek!" He agreed as he squirmed to get off the bed, wanting to go see if his best friend was at the door yet. Jacob smiled at Soren as he saw him walk towards him. His eyes never left his fiancé as he drew closer, like his world had shrunk down to just the two of them once more. All he needed was Soren, really.

Josh looked at Theo who was squirming playfully on his hip as Josh looked up at Soren. "Play?" He asked, looking back at Theo. "Oh.. Wait.." Josh bit his lip, as he turned around to head back towards the room. His attempts to not see Hayden again were being thwarted at every turn. He saw how Soren was looking at Jacob only and he couldn't.. he sighed. "Soren, you spend the day with your fiancé. It looks like I'm going to be playing with Theo. Hopefully Hayden is okay with me staying home with them." Josh said, unsure he wanted to risk staying there, but also.. he knew that Soren deserved to spend the day with Jacob like Josh could see he wanted to.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Hayden helped Kaiden off the bed and walked with him to the door. Jacob had been out there a while, and he wondered if that meant that he was waiting on Theo or if Theo was uncharacteristically slow today. That boy had never been slow in his entire life. Not once. His mother could have been slower which also could have been the reason that everything seemed to be moving slower this morning. “Okay, let’s go see where he is.”

Soren was lucky that he even noticed that Josh was talking. This was why they had to leave and go on patrol for him to be around his friend. “Hm?” He pried his eyes from Jacob, slowing his walk only enough to falter instead of stop. “Oh. Um.” His voice was distant as his gaze turned back to the man down the hall who took his breath away every time he saw him. “Only if you want to stay here today.” This was not his most convincing. He should have seen that and fixed how he was thinking. He should have really checked in with Josh and made sure that he was okay with this idea. They really could leave if Josh needed to go. Instead, he was smiling from ear to ear as he moved down that hall and straight to Jacob. He was fully dressed to leave, he was prepared to be the supportive co-commander, and yet he was compelled to reach his hands out, push them against both of Jacob’s cheeks, and kiss him like it was their first kiss two years ago in the Smith family home.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua and Jacob Smith
FEDRA Commander, FEDRA Civilian | 26, 32 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Kai walked quickly to the door, pulling on Hayden's hand as he did. Jacob heard Hayden and Kai coming towards the door but his eyes were solely on Soren. He saw him coming closer to them and he bit his lip as his fiancé came towards him. Jacob had probably the most love-struck and goofiest smile on his face as he felt the hands push against his cheeks and he kissed him back just like the first kiss they shared before. His arms wrapped around Soren as he kissed him and he pulled back when he heard a little one. "Ew.. gross!" Kaiden squealed, scrunching his nose up as he gagged and giggled. Josh looked at Theo on his hip as he followed after Soren, and he figured, maybe.. maybe they could be a family for a day. Maybe. He wanted that so badly sometimes, but everything had changed so drastically that he wasn't sure that was even possible anymore. Josh came to a stop behind Soren, holding Theo on his hip.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines and Soren Truelson
FEDRA Civilian, FEDRA Commander | 26, 37 | Current location ;; Seattle Quarantine Zone

Hayden moved as quickly along with Kai. He was used to be dragged around by this little boy. Honestly, he loved it. He would follow this little one anywhere. As they made it to the door, Hayden saw Soren and Jacob first, a little confused as to why Soren was here but also moved by their display of complete devotion to each other. Hayden’s attention moved to Kai at his outburst, and he could not help but laugh. His eyes slid down the hall without thinking, and there he was. Josh. Josh with Theo? Theo was happily giggling as he bounced on Josh’s hip. One little hand clung to the fabric of Josh’s shirt. Josh was still here. Why? How? Was it Theo? Was it something else? As Hayden stood there flummoxed, Soren grinned and whirled around since their kiss was already interrupted. In one fluid motion, he swooped up Kai and spun him. “Are you ewing me?!” He demanded in the silliest voice he could manage. “Are you calling me gross?! How could you?!” His voice got increasingly higher and more erratic as he played with the little boy. “Did you learn that from Hayden?” He shook his head. “Can’t be letting him teach you such rude things!” Hayden, now without a Kai, let his mind and eyes wander back to Josh. “You have Theo?”​