Fandom The Farmhouse Dream { The Last of Us 1x1 with icedthemoon }

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

“Are you underestimating my charm?” He finished as well before he plucked up the food to put it away. “No one can tell me no. And that man would eventually concede to some cuddles if I put him between Jordan and you.” He looked at Kaleb with a wink before he also took the utensils from each to clean and put away. It was only fair if the rest were going to prepare the meals for them. Nate stood up to stretch and also have something that he was actively doing instead of awkwardly trying to be part of the conversations. Since he wasn’t able to talk anyway, he might as well start cleaning up their cuddly mess that they made. “Don’t run from me, Medicine Man!” Carlos called. “You know you were perfectly happy in between your cutie and mine.” He made intense eye contact. “Don’t pretend like I didn’t see you cuddling with my love like that.” His smile was wide. “It’s what I like to see.”
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[EquineGurl23]

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

“Me? Underestimate your charm? Never dear. And I feel you are correct. We had quite a little connection so I feel he might concede then.” Kaleb admitted as he handed his utensil over to Carlos. He watched as Nate stood up and stretch and then chuckled, hearing Carlos and shaking his head. “It was rather nice to cuddle with you.” Kaleb told Nate as Alex laughed, having handed his own utensil over. Alex stood up a moment later, stretching out as Kaleb stayed sitting, quite content.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

Carlos put everything away, wiping down utensils and distributing them as they should be. Nate, struggling as usual, looked at Kaleb and the blush came back. Did he like being that close to Kaleb too? Yeah, he kind of did. He liked being the little spoon for Kaleb while also being attached to Alex. It was nice to know that he was surrounded and safe. “You are very warm,” Nate finally said with a small smile. “Which is nice with how it’s getting colder out here.” He lifted up the blankets and started putting them back where they belonged.
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex looked at Nate when he answered Kaleb, saw that blush and smiled. It was nice to be so close to the other two. Especially where winter would be coming. The nights were getting cooler and it was nice to have that warmth. That coziness. “Oh well thank you. You want warmth though, cuddle with Carlos. Man’s feels like a furnace especially in the winter.” Kaleb said with a chuckle. He ran cooler naturally so anything warmer than him was nice when the cold winter weather came around. Kaleb finally stood up as he watched Nate start putting the blankets away. Alex helped Nate with the blankets and soon everything was tucked into packs and ready to go. Alex walked over to the overlook’s overhang and saw the sun shining as it came over the city. He took a deep breath, looked back at his family, and nodded. “Are we ready for Seattle?” Alex asked with a small yet nervous smile.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

Carlos wrapped an arm around Kaleb’s and Alex’s shoulders, bringing them close to him. “Who needs a fire when you have me?” Though, they probably would have to start finding ways to bring more warmth than he could give if they were still out there in the winter. The cold could be more deadly than all those infected and hunters combined. That was if this was not where they were stopping. If this was not where the farmhouse was. And though this may have been Nate’s dream, it was not Carlos’ so he was not super upset by the idea of this not being the answer. He was afraid for the medicine man, though. How was he going to react if they came all this way for it not to be the answer? Nate slipped away from Carlos and Kaleb and moved to Alex’s side. Seattle. This was it. It was hard to believe that they finally made it. It was time. He stared out at the city after Alex turned away. After Alex asked the question. Carlos was already talking and answering, but Nate couldn’t hear him, because he was too busy hoping that this could be the answer. For his brothers and his mama. For all of them. He slid his hand into Alex’s and breathed as deeply as his partner. “We’re ready.”
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Alex felt Nate’s hand in his and smiled at him. With a determined nod, Alex turned and walked over to his pack, throwing it over his shoulder. “Let’s do this.” He said, turning to lead them down a path beside the overlook. Kaleb took Carlos’ hand after he’d grabbed his pack and smiled. “We got this. The four of us together.” Kaleb agreed, turning to follow Alex down the path and towards the city. The city he wasn’t sure about, but had heard rumors from other officers about. The last remaining FEDRA officer there had managed to make it to Denver actually and she had stories about Settle and the group currently in charge of it. He put those rumors in the back of his mind and focused on his family instead.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

Nate didn’t start moving until Alex moved him. Everyone moved so he did too. He was part of them. One with them. That was the only way this was ever going to work, because at some point, he learned that he could never do this alone. How did he think that he could do this alone before? They told him that he could do it. He could complete their mission. He could find whoever was left. They believed in him. “Oh.” He pulled his backpack to his front and unzipped the pocket. He pulled out two additional tags. “You guys want these? Just to make it easier until we can get in and figure everything out? Maybe they won’t question everything else if we’re all Fireflies.” He held out the two. Maxwell Sterling and Benjamin Dixon. “I don’t know if it will help really.”
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb looked over at Nate when he heard him. The tag in his hand made Kaleb freeze for a moment. Be a Firefly. The same group that killed his mother. The same group that changed his father into the cold uncaring man he was now. Kaleb felt his entire body freeze, almost like how he’d been originally, walls were sliding up. He’d come so far, realized that no one was the same, and had accepted Nate. Cuddled with him. Kissed him. But.. to even pretend to be one of them. They’d discussed this before but now that it was happening, Kaleb was having second thoughts and he couldn’t help it. He shook his head, taking a step back from Nate and those tags.

Alex turned when he heard Nate and then he saw Kaleb, was he okay? He didn’t seem okay. Something wasn’t right but Alex wasn’t quite sure what. ​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

Something went wrong. Awry. The plan was to pretend just long enough to get in so that whoever they found wouldn’t ask so many questions. The plan was to be someone else until they could be themselves. That was the only plan that Nate had, and they needed that plan to work. But it was already falling apart. Nate watched him step away. Watched him recoil. Deny them. That hurt. That hurt more than Nate could possibly describe, because it shouldn’t hurt so much for the ex-FEDRA officer to be upset about his ex-Firefly background. Ex. Past tense. That didn’t mean that it wasn’t important. That didn’t mean that it wasn’t exactly who they were still.

Could Nate be FEDRA? Even pretend?

He dropped the tags in the bag, there was no use pretending when they were never going to be able to be anyone except for themselves, dropped the bag on the ground, and hugged Kaleb. Nate hugged him. Not the Firefly. Drop the Fireflies. Drop the people who terrorized and murdered. Not the people who made good people’s lives a living hell. Not the FEDRA officer. They could drop FEDRA too. Drop those people who terrorized, murdered, and make good people’s lives a living hell. Drop it and just be Nate and Kaleb. Not Nathaniel Matthews and Officer Price. Just Nate and Kaleb. Nate’s arms wrapped around Kaleb so tightly that it almost hurt himself to do it.

“Okay,” he breathed from where he clung to Kaleb. “You don’t have to. We don’t have to be them.”
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb felt ten years old again. The fear and anger bubbling inside at these people who ripped his life apart. The same people that terrorized and killed his. But that wasn’t who he was anymore. He’d left that life, left it all behind. He realized that everyone was different, and not whatever their pasts were. It was hard. It was scary. And he didn’t want to hurt his new family member. Kaleb’s eyes widened as he went to seek Carlos for comfort when he felt arms around him. Tears slipped down his face as he hugged Nate back. Nate. Not a Firefly anymore. Just like he wasn’t FEDRA anymore. He was just Kaleb. “I’m sorry.” Kaleb said quietly, holding onto Nate tightly. “I’m so sorry.” He added, clinging to Nate like the apologies he tried to give could help at all. Could make him basically denying his past and the people who had once worn those tags better, make it hurt Nate less than it had. Kaleb just clung to Nate, body shaking slightly from the emotions racking his body.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

This was Carlos’ love. This was Carlos’ battle. This was the fight he fought every day and every night for years, because it was his. Choose your battles. This was the one that he chose. But in that moment, he wasn’t the one fighting it. He got there too late. There was another champion in the ring, and he was doing a surprisingly good job. Nate shut his eyes tight, and though he was trying to be strong and ignore every time something tried to beat him back down, he wasn’t good enough at that. Matching tears ran down his cheeks too, as one of his hands moved up to the back of Kaleb’s head to keep them pressed together. They were both a little lost. They were both trying to find who they were, and it was hard not to fall back into the comfort and familiarity of the past they had known longer than the present they were trying to lead. “Don’t be sorry,” Nate insisted. “I shouldn’t have asked you. I wasn’t thinking. This isn’t fair for you either.” He tried to breathe in the truth. The truth that was going to hurt them both. The truth that this path was only going to hurt all of them. The whole world was telling him that. But the truth left a gaping hole inside him that he couldn’t understand. What was he supposed to do if this isn’t it? What was he supposed to do if saving the world meant killing his people like this? Kaleb. Alex. Max, Ben, and his mama. So he pushed it away like he had been for days. He shoved it behind a wall and turned away. “Don’t be sorry.”
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb felt one of Nate’s hands on the back of his head. Kaleb was so used to Carlos comforting him, but this was closer to what he needed. A way to keep them pressed together. Kaleb shook less, his body calming as he heard Nate. Don’t be sorry. How? How could he not be sorry? “Why should I be? I.. I shouldn’t have.. dismissed your family like that. I know that everyone is different but it’s just.. hard.” Kaleb whispered, the tears slowly stopping. Kaleb put his head in the crook of Nate’s shoulder, and just breathed in deep. “I’m okay. We can keep moving.” Kaleb said, pulling his head away. He pressed his forehead to Nate’s and sighed. “Thank you.”​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

“You didn’t dismiss them. I shoved them onto you.” Nate was so caught up in trying to keep what he used to have that he didn’t think about what he did have. “I’m sorry that I did that to you.” He kept Kaleb close until Kaleb’s body calmed and his breathing was normal once more. When Kaleb pulled away, Nate loosened his grip to let him. He didn’t go far. Good. That meant he had not screwed everything up too badly. “Thank you for being the change I needed to see.” From behind Kaleb, two arms slid around his waist. Nate dropped his grip but did not move away just yet. Carlos leaned in from the side, pressing his chest against Kaleb’s back and resting his head on Kaleb’s shoulder. “We don’t move until you are really ready. We don’t even go if you don’t want to.” He looked at Nate who breathed in deep and nodded. Carlos lightly squeezed Kaleb. “You and Handsome.” Nate put out his hand for Alex to join him. “Can’t so much as save the world if our world breaks while we do it, right hero?” Carlos smiled at Nate who drank that in and nodded again.
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb heard Nate, swallowed a little and sighed softly. “It’s okay.” Kaleb whispered softly. He felt his body stop shaking, felt himself calming down. When he pulled away, he heard Nate thanking him and he tilted his head a little. “Oh. You’re welcome.” Kaleb replied, before he felt arms around his waist. His gaze flicked to the side to see Carlos’ head on his shoulder. He felt Nate’s grip drop and then he smiled. Kaleb didn’t know how he’d gotten so lucky but he did. “I’m ready. Really. Are you ready Handsome?” Kaleb asked Alex who’d come up when Nate had held out his hand. Alexis hand slid into Nate’s and he nodded. “I’m ready. Let’s go save the world.” Alex agreed, looking at the others.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

Carlos wiped away the wet trails that had not yet dried from Kaleb’s cheeks. “I do love a good world saving moment.” He kissed Kaleb’s cheek from behind before sliding into place beside him and taking a hand for himself. He could share, yes, but also, he needed to be with Kaleb. Nate also felt like they were all better together. He picked up his pack that he abandoned and then returned to Kaleb’s side where he grabbed his other hand with his free one. If they were going to go save the world, they were going to do it together. “Okay, beautiful. Lead the way.”
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[EquineGurl23]

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

He felt Carlos wipe the wet trails from his tears away. Kaleb smiled at the kiss on his cheek and felt Carlos slide into place beside him. Hand in hand. Just like always. Kaleb felt Nate take his other hand after he’d gotten his pack. Alex was on the other side of Nate. Connected. Four became one. “Let’s do this.” Alex said, leading them towards the city, head held high. As they walked, Alex could see the city growing closer and his nervousness got worse. “It won’t be long before we’re there.” Alex said as he saw the tree line end and the city started further up ahead.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

He wasn’t ready. That was all Nate could think as the trees began to disappear and they came every closer to the city. He wasn’t ready. He thought that he was. Maybe he had been before, but now that it was happening, he wasn’t ready. How could he have been so ready a month ago and not today? How could he be so much more unsure now than ever before? This was what they were looking for. This was why this whole journey started. This was the apex of their journey, and it was just the beginning. He hoped. He wished.
He breathed.
He wasn’t ready.
Carlos swung Kaleb’s hand as he whistled a tune Nate might have heard before. One with words that probably spoke to the moment more accurately than the words he wished he could say out loud. Words like ‘I am terrified.’ He wanted to tell Alex that so badly, but Alex must also have been terrified. This was his home. These were his enemies. And Kaleb? Kaleb was scared too. Was Carlos scared? Did Carlos get scared? So he breathed, and the trees disappeared. And he breathed, and the city was right there. Right up ahead. Right at the line they were crossing. Around them. A city of promises.
“So,” Carlos broke the silence, “How do we know when we’ve found them?”
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Seattle. His home. His enemies home. Where he grew up and where he ran from. Alex swallowed hard as he saw the massive buildings rising up the closer they got. He wasn’t ready, but he had to be. He was terrified but he had his family. Alex heard Carlos whistle a tune, but his gaze was fixed ahead. As they stepped into that city, Alex forced himself to remain calm. It was hard, so hard. Kaleb was forcing himself to be calm too as he felt Carlos swing his arm. Kaleb was about to answer when a shot rang out into the air. A patrol was headed their way. The shot was a warning shot. “Stay right where you are.” One warned, as they came up to them. Another one saw Alex and headed towards him, intent on grabbing him. “Traveling with a scar what are you three thinking.” He said as he made his way towards Alex, hatred in his eyes.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

Well, that was certainly one way to find out. And not at all what Carlos liked. He took one look at these people who thought warning shots were an appropriate greeting and knew he didn’t so much like these people. They reminded him of the FEDRA friends he didn’t miss at all. And then there was this talk about a scar? What did that mean? Nate was also confused by this at first, but both realized as this man came towards Alex what was happening. Nate’s grip on Alex’s hand grew firmer, and he pulled him closer to him. Carlos dropped Kaleb’s hand, Kaleb could handle himself in this situation and would likely need his hand, and moved quickly to Alex’s other side and slightly in front, both blocking the patrol of angry men and taking Alex’s hand at the same time.

“We come in peace,” Nate announced. This was his dream. He should be the one to talk. “We are here looking for the Washington Liberation Front. That would be you, right? I am a former Firefly. I am looking for the people who took in my people. These are my traveling companions. They are all with me. All of them. They mean you no harm.” The last words were pointed. They were a warning.
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[EquineGurl23]

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

Kaleb watched the men, instinctively ducking his head at the shot. He felt Carlos drop his hand and the moment his hand was free, it went to his pistol. He didn’t raise it, but he could in a moments notice. He didn’t like how these people were looking at Alex like he was their own personal enemy. Alex on the other hand was terrified. He knew what the WLF did to his people. He felt Nate pull him closer and then saw Carlos move to his side and slightly in front as well as take his hand.

“We are the Washington Liberation Front. And you three may join us, as we did take in Fireflies from other zones. But him. He will not be joining us. Move out of the way and let us handle this manipulative Scar. He’ll be taken to a safe place with his people and I’ll bring you to Isaac. Our leader.” His words were firm, strong and held no room for argument. He wasn’t afraid to fight them to get to Alex and neither were the other WLF men.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

So these were the right people. These were the ones who took in the Fireflies when they disbanded. These were the people who were supposed to be the ones that took in Nate, Ben, and Max so that they could find their purpose again. Maybe they could find people who were still working on a cure or something better than the nothing that they had then. Anything better. This was who he had been searching for this whole time. These guys and whoever Isaac was. But they were looking at Alex like he did something to them, and unless Nate had the story wrong, he was pretty sure that was not the case.

“I think there’s been some kind of misunderstanding.” There had to be. These people were supposed to be heroes. “Your war is with this other group, yes, but not with him. He has done nothing to you. In fact, he has not only led us here to you but also worked entirely in your favor. We can work this out together.” In the meantime, Carlos glanced over at Kaleb quickly to make sure that they were on the same page. As noble as Nate was here, it was not going to go well, and Carlos knew it. He had a feeling Kaleb did too. Which meant that both of them needed to be ready for when Nate’s diplomacy plan failed on them. Carlos may not have a weapon on him, but he did have himself, and that was enough for these guys. They could try to get around him to get to Alex.
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[EquineGurl23]

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

The leader shook his head, arms crossed over his chest. “No there has been no misunderstanding. He led you here to join his group. Scars are excellent manipulators. He got you on his side, so he could use you. Take him.” The leader said, pointing to one of the men. One a little smaller than Carlos but fairly muscled, stepped up. Kaleb glanced at Carlos and nodded, his hand on his pistol as he pulled it out. “You’ll get him, over our dead bodies.” Kaleb told him, his voice low and dangerous. His officer side was kicking in. Which of course drew one of the older men to look at him. “Well. Isn’t this interesting. A scar and a FEDRA officer? It’s our lucky day men.” And the leader’s eyebrows rose. “Take him too.” He said, pointing to Kaleb.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

“Oh see, now you’ve done it.” That was Carlos’s Kaleb they were talking about. “You really should have listened to the hero here.” He put his hand out to Nate’s side and touched his shoulder. “He wanted everything to go so nice and pretty.” His grip was much tighter than usual. “And it could have been if you were more open minded. But seeing as how you’re not-“ Carlos yanked Nate in front of Alex and then bull rushed the closest guy. Big strength and sudden movements meant that as he knocked this guy down, he also yanked the gun from his hand. He shot another guy without a second thought. No one was going to take either his Alex or his Kaleb. Nate, mostly shocked and almost unwilling to believe that this was how this was going, stumbled in front of Alex and pulled out his hunting knife. They did not get to take his Alex. He would do whatever it took to keep him.
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[EquineGurl23]

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

The leader had about a moment after he heard the man, to react. His eyes widened as he backed up. “Grab the officer and the scar!” He ordered. Another man headed for Kaleb and Kaleb shot him, before another snuck up and around him. A hand across his chest, and the other had a knife at Kaleb’s neck. “Stand down!” The man ordered. Alex had wide eyes when Nate ended up in front of him, having heard Carlos’ words. He pulled out his own knife, the bow would not do well here. And suddenly the seven men were down to five, and one had Kaleb in a knife grip. Oh no. Kaleb felt the cold metal across his neck and he froze, eyes wide in shock.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Nathaniel Matthews and Carlos Price
Former Firefly, Aspiring Artist | 21, 25 | Current location ;; Washington

Everything went wrong so fast. This was supposed to be how they finally found the place to settle down and be heroes. They were supposed to save the world. But then no one was listening to anyone, and it was going to turn violent. And then it was violent, because three people went down, and Nate didn’t know what the was happening anymore. He just wanted to find the one place that was supposed to give him hope. Now everyone was in danger, and he didn’t know what to do. He ducked down and moved to the side where he was able to moved away and around several people. He just didn’t know what he was supposed to do.

Carlos’ eyes snapped to Kaleb, they were always ready to be with him, and he didn’t even freeze, because that was unacceptable. That was unforgivable. He clocked Nate and jerked his head to the side. Carlos was not in a good mood. He kept a heavy foot on the chest of the man he knocked down and aimed his stolen gun as well as his own he pulled out at two additional people. Nate was up on the leader, knife to his throat, because he was smaller and sneakier and not nearly as distracting as a big guy with a vengeance. “Okay,” Nate said, trying to keep his cool. “How about we let everyone go before the bloodshed gets any worse?”
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