Fandom The Reunion { The Last of Us 1x1 with icedthemoon }

[EquineGurl23]

The Reunion

Jordan left Boston to find his mentor. But he ended up finding Asher when he went through Pittsburgh. They traveled for a year and found Carlos and Kaleb in New Mexico. But the two were tired of traveling, and after a particularly bad city, they decided to split from the two and headed west to find Jordan’s mentor. This is that story.

*An alternate universe from Life in a Quarantine Zone. And this will end where The Farmhouse Dream begins.*

Starring; Asher and Jordan from Getting out of Pittsburgh along with Kaiden, Ezekiel, Theo, Elijah, Cameron, Emmett and the Smith Clan from Golden Gate Zone and Forbidden and Scarred Love.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaleb Price and Jordan DeShay
Former FEDRA officer, Former Smuggler | 25, 28 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Jordan was walking down the hill, after coming out of the forest and was leading the way to a big city. He was with Kaleb, Carlos and Asher. They’d just gotten out of another smaller city after that rather nasty three story fall through a business building. Jordan’s back and arms were feeling better after they’d taken time to rest. Kaleb was still watching Carlos and making sure he didn’t overdo after the injuries he had fun the fall too. Jordan had Asher’s hand and Kaleb had Carlos’ hand as well. “What do you think we’ll find in this city?” Jordan asked as they approached it.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Carlos Da Silva and Asher McCoy
Aspiring Artist and Former Hunter | 23, 29 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Carlos walked swinging Kaleb’s hand as they moved. His other arm still felt like he landed on it after falling through the floor, but at least it didn’t feel like he’s broken it anymore. “Can the answer be sweet baby kittens who only want to cuddle with us?” That sounded like something nice and cute. “And explosives? Who doesn’t like a good explosive?” He narrowed his eyes. “Mm, unless the cats are exploding us. Then that’s still cute but probably how we die.” Asher stayed mostly quiet as he contemplated the goings on of the days. ​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaleb Price and Jordan DeShay
Former FEDRA officer, Former Smuggler | 25, 28 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Kaleb smiled as he felt Carlos swing his hand. He looked at his partner for a long moment and then shook his head, laughing. “First of all, I’d love to see you cuddle with baby kittens. How adorable would that be? And second, I’m sure we can find explosives.” Kaleb said as Jordan shook his head with a smile. He did notice that Asher was silent though. “You okay gorgeous? You look a little out in space.” Jordan said, squeezing his hand.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Carlos Da Silva and Asher McCoy
Aspiring Artist and Former Hunter | 23, 29 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Carlos laughed. “Wouldn’t it be? It sounds like the single best thing in the world. Kittens armed with explosives.” He chuckled as they neared the larger city. “It would be a toss up over whether you die from cute or a horribly, fiery death.” Asher stared off to the side as they walked, not paying attention to the conversation at all. He may not have even noticed that Jordan was talking to him had it not been for the squeezed to his hand. Another moment passed and finally he turned his attention to him. “Hm? Um, yeah. Sorry. I’m fine.” He gave Jordan a small little smile before his eyes drifted away again.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaleb Price and Jordan DeShay
Former FEDRA officer, Former Smuggler | 25, 28 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Kaleb nodded as he chuckled softly. “That would definitely be quite a conundrum.” He said as he grinned. Jordan sighed, looking at Asher and saw that small little smile but then his eyes drifted away. “Okay. What’s wrong gorgeous? Something isn’t right.” He said as Kaleb paused and drew his attention to Asher and Jordan too. “Everything okay?” He asked, concern in his voice. He’d gotten close to Asher in the last few days and he was definitely concerned for his friend.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Carlos Da Silva and Asher McCoy
Aspiring Artist and Former Hunter | 23, 29 | Current location ;; New Mexico

There were times that Asher wished that he could disappear or at least not be noticed. He wanted them to keep talking and laughing about… whatever it was that they were talking about. It was clearly something entertaining since they were laughing. It was sweet. They didn’t need him for that. He was not in the mood for laughing. He might have again not really noticed Jordan trying to get his attention if Kaleb too hadn’t been trying. All of that attention was on him. As he finally looked back over at them, he had three sets of eyes on him. He tried to be a sincere as possible as he answered. “I am fine. Don’t worry about it.” His eyes moved from their hungry faces to anything else. The city that they were so close to now. “Look. Keep your eyes peeled. Don’t want anyone else hurt.” His voice stopped there, and he hardened his face. No more wistful thinking. No more letting something else drift from him. It was easier to let it go. Carlos was not an expert in other people, but he spent a lot of time around anyone he could. He frowned, but there wasn’t much more that he could do. He doubted anything that he said would get through to the former hunter.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaleb Price and Jordan DeShay
Former FEDRA officer, Former Smuggler | 25, 28 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Jordan had spent a year trying to break into the hard shell that was his partner. Tried to teach him that love was good. But he knew that he was still.. working on learning that. He looked at Carlos and Kaleb, gesturing to them to head into the city. They were right there anyway. Kaleb nodded and dropped Asher’s hand, and looked at Carlos. “Let’s start checking this city out love.” Kaleb said, leading Carlos away.

“Okay gorgeous. I can tell something is going on inside that beautiful mind of yours. It’s just us, now. Talk to me please?” Jordan asked. One of his biggest flaws was he was very persistent, especially when he could sense that something was off or wrong. He liked being happy and he liked it when others were happy too.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Carlos Da Silva and Asher McCoy
Aspiring Artist and Former Hunter | 23, 29 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Carlos thought that splitting up was not the best idea, but as long as they didn’t go far, he was not too worried. He looked back at the other two, wondering what was wrong, and spun around to face the city they were now moving into. They were following what used to be a road. They passed several broken down cars that seemed like metal sculptures or statues in the grass. “Where do you want to check first?” he asked quietly. He had learned his lesson the hard way about being too loud in the streets.

Asher wanted to protest. He scowled as Jordan sent the others away. “I’m fine,” he insisted. He let his hand fall away from Jordan’s and pulled his arms to his chest. His eyes slid to the buildings instead of Jordan. His expression faltered and fell as he looked at the ruins of a long gone city. “It’s nothing.” He opened his mouth like he was going to say more. He didn’t. He let it snap shut again. He dared to look at that concerned face for a moment and immediately looked away. “I’m just tired. It’s fine. Let’s go.” Without another word, he was moving quickly away and after the others.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaleb Price and Jordan DeShay
Former FEDRA officer, Former Smuggler | 25, 28 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Kaleb looked at the broken down cars, at the grass growing in the roadway. “We can check some of those small businesses along the road here. That way we aren’t too far.” Kaleb whispered as he moved. Turning, he headed for an old gas station. It was small and they weren’t going to get lost or lose their new friends.

Jordan clenched his teeth, he saw Asher look everywhere but at him. The moment he did, he heard him say he was fine. No. That wasn’t fine. Nothing was fine. Clearly. Jordan moved quickly after him grabbing his shoulder and pulled, hoping to pull him back to him. “Asher.. talk to me.” He said, his voice both upset and hard, along with concern and confusion, and concern in his eyes.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Carlos Da Silva and Asher McCoy
Aspiring Artist and Former Hunter | 23, 29 | Current location ;; New Mexico

The gas station had certainly seem some things. Carlos headed to one of the pumps, playing with the nozzle. He lifted it and pointed it at Kaleb. He would have yelled out but that probably would have gotten them killed if there were any infected nearby. Maybe after they checked out the place. He replaced it and picked up a bottle that was sitting near before moving through the front door into the convenience store section. The rows of shelves were pretty picked over, but there were still some things.

The touch to his shoulder made him stop. It always did. Asher allowed himself to be turned around, his arms dangling from his sides as they swung from their cut ropes. “I am talking to you.” His voice was strained. His cheeks burned, and they burn crept up to his eyes. “I told you. I’m tired. What else do you want?” Every one of those walls Jordan worked to get through were coming back up. One hand lifted like he was reaching for Jordan, but then he looked down and that hand came up to his face. He turned his eyes away. When he blinked, he could feel that confusion and emotion mixing again. He would not let it win. In a calmer and quieter voice, he tried again. “It’s nothing we haven’t talked about before. I know why we’re traveling. I know that we’re trying to find Joel, and I want you to find him. I just wish… I’m tired, and you fell so far, and he-“ Asher stopped there. His eyes flicked to the city where they were gone. He was gone. “It’s fine. Okay?” He stared at Jordan with pleading eyes. “Can we go now?”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaleb Price and Jordan DeShay
Former FEDRA officer, Former Smuggler | 25, 28 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Kaleb shook his head, watching Carlos point the nozzle at him. “You’re ridiculous..” Kaleb said with a shake of his head, a smile on his face. He followed Carlos in and cautiously starting searching. He was slow at it but kept an eye out for infected or supplies. So far there was nothing much though he found some rags, alcohol, and even a bottle.

Jordan heard that strained voice as he looked at Asher. “You’re talking to me but you aren’t talking to me.” Jordan said, sighing softly. He saw the hand lift like it was aiming for him but then he saw it go to his face. He heard his words and it clawed at him. Those walls were creeping up. He put both hands on Asher’s face, thumbs rubbing his cheeks. “I know you’re tired. And I know this isn’t easy, the traveling, but I’m okay. He’s okay. We’re all okay. But gorgeous, how often do I need to remind you to talk to me. Don’t hide away in that beautiful mind of yours. I’m here for you. I want to listen to anything you could possibly tell me. Okay?”​

 

[icedthemoon]

Carlos Da Silva and Asher McCoy
Aspiring Artist and Former Hunter | 23, 29 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Carlos checked the bathrooms and the backrooms as Kaleb checked the front of the store. No infected or anything which meant that Carlos did not have to be as careful with his volume. He opened one of the glass doors on the back wall and grabbed the last remaining bottle of alcohol. “Why do you think these got to have special treatment?” he asked as he turned it around in his hand. “All the way back here and behind a door unlike everything else.”

Were they? Were they okay? Or were they simply walking into another place where they were almost going to die? Again. That was how traveling felt. They were going to one place to find supplies so that they could be prepared to fight off infected so that they could survive to get to the next place where they needed to find supplies to replenish from the supplies they used against infected so that they could keep surviving the infected. What was the point other than hoping that this was not their last moment together? As he stared into Jordan’s eyes, he thought about how much he was afraid of not having him. When that was too much for him to think about and conceal, he thought about Kaleb. He was a second person to have to worry about. A second person who was going to walk into yet another room that was meant to kill him. “Okay.” He remembered a year ago when he made the decision to kiss Jordan. When he let that happen. He knew it was going to hurt him. And now it was. He put his hand on one of Jordan’s. “It’s fine.” He removed one of Jordan’s hands with his own and walked into the city.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaleb Price and Jordan DeShay
Former FEDRA officer, Former Smuggler | 25, 28 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Kaleb looked at Carlos when he asked about the bottle. He shrugged at that, and shook his head. “I’m not sure. It’s weird though.” He admitted as he moved back to the front of the store. “Let’s go check the next building.” Kaleb suggested, wondering how their friends were doing.

Jordan heard the okay, bit his lip and sighed. “Okay.” He whispered, then even as Asher removed one of his hands, he was afraid himself. Was he losing the one thing he loved more than anything or anyone else? He knew this wasn’t fine but he dropped his other hand and snagged Asher’s. “You aren’t fine and neither is this but when you’re ready to talk, really talk, gorgeous, you let me know.” Jordan said as they headed into the city as well to find the other two.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Carlos Da Silva and Asher McCoy
Aspiring Artist and Former Hunter | 23, 29 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Carlos put the alcohol in his pack and followed Kaleb out of the building and towards the next. It was definitely some sort of store. The sign had what appeared to be a needle and thread on it. That was interesting. He popped inside to find that this store was also pretty empty but still had a good bit of stuff in it. Things like bolts of fabrics. This must have been how people got the material to make clothes. Nice. He picked up a spool of thread and tossed it up. “Aw, look baby. If you get hurt, I can sew you up with… Light Spruce.” He grinned.

Asher looked down at the hand that took his, and his eyes shot to Jordan’s. For a moment, he almost wanted to say something. He almost wanted to tell him that he didn’t know if he could keep doing this. Traveling from place to place to hope that they didn’t die. They already had a lead. They didn’t need to keep searching. Then his mind wandered back to their travel companions, and he turned his gaze away. His fingers wrapped so tightly around Jordan’s that they probably hurt his, but he didn’t notice. He listened for movement to catch up.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaleb Price and Jordan DeShay
Former FEDRA officer, Former Smuggler | 25, 28 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Kaleb headed towards the next building and he looked around it as they entered. Hm. He ran a hand down some old fabric when he looked over at Carlos. “Oh perfect! And if you get hurt.. again, I can wrap you up in this beautiful blue and gold fabric.” Kaleb said, grinning as he looked at Carlos.

Jordan’s eyes locked into Asher’s and he smiled at him. Warmly. Sure they had a lead to Joel, but he was enjoying their time with their companions. He’d never met someone so into what he loved to do, flirting, kissing and much more. Jordan wasn’t quite ready to leave them yet. Jordan felt the tight grip on his fingers and he refused to show that he noticed. That it did hurt because it made Asher happy or more comfortable so he left it alone. He heard movement up in a building up ahead and headed the way.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Carlos Da Silva and Asher McCoy
Aspiring Artist and Former Hunter | 23, 29 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Carlos tossed the thread into the pack and grabbed a different bolt. This one was a hot pink with the most gaudy three dimensional flowers made of sequins that looked like they were attached and then sat on by an elephant. “Mm, imagine me wearing this around. Maybe I could blind our enemies.” He spun with the fabric but was unaware of how bolts work, and it and several other ones tumbled around him until he was a mound of fabrics.

Asher walked with him to the building up ahead and stepped inside. The first thing he noticed was that this was clearly one of those sewing or quilt shops. They could always find good replacements for health kits, rags, and more. Even the picked over stores had good things for them. The second thing he noticed, or heard rather, was the toppling of the fabric. He was immediately on guard. It had been a long time since he was looking for traps and these kinds of dangers. With how on edge and upset he was since they had been moving that day, he could not help but revert. He pulled out his gun and was moving through the store quickly. Within moments, he had his pistol aimed right at Carlos.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaleb Price and Jordan DeShay
Former FEDRA officer, Former Smuggler | 25, 28 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Kaleb looked at Carlos and chuckled, shaking his head hearing that and watching him spin with that rather gaudy fabric. "You look like the belle of the ball." He replied, then couldn't help but laugh seeing him spin and then other bolts of fabric tumbled around him. He looked back when he heard movement and saw Asher standing there, holding his pistol at Carlos. Jordan had been moving slower, walking a little behind Asher and he got distracted until he heard the thudding and toppling. He followed him and saw him pointing his pistol at a mound of fabric and Kaleb nearby. "Asher. Lower the pistol." Jordan's voice was stern, as he moved up to stand beside him. "There is no danger here." He added, hand going to Asher's upper arm, the same one that held the pistol and applied pressure to it in order to help him lower it. "A- Asher?" Kaleb's voice was soft as he watched the scene in front of him.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Carlos Da Silva and Asher McCoy
Aspiring Artist and Former Hunter | 23, 29 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Carlos, covered in his fabric, was still chuckling and thinking up something goofy to say, something to compare himself to, when he too finally looked up and saw Asher. That was not exactly a nice thing to look at. In fact, it was downright terrifying. That face was not the kind of silly, little smile, hardness as a barrier face that he had gotten used to seeing. That was something else entirely. That was the face of someone who was going to shoot him. He knew this, because he had been nearly shot just like that too many times to count. Officers could be cruel. Hunters could be cruel too so he had learned. He stared into those eyes, both of them frozen for a moment. Frozen in a stand off of wills perhaps. Finally, Asher’s entire body relaxed and he lowered the gun. Carlos also relaxed. “Have I mentioned that I am so glad you’re on our side?” But Asher was already gone. “I’m suddenly feeling a lot less in the playing mood.” He started to strip himself of the fabric.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaleb Price and Jordan DeShay
Former FEDRA officer, Former Smuggler | 25, 28 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Kaleb had never felt fear before but this.. seeing that hard face pointing a gun at Carlos. That was terrifying to him. Kaleb and Jordan both watched after a few moments, Asher’s body relaxed and then he was gone. “Asher!” Jordan turned and walked after him, concern in his entire body. Kaleb watched them leave and he moved over to Carlos and helped him strip off the fabrics. “Are you okay?” He asked, watching Carlos as he helped while Jordan was moving after Asher. Trying to catch up to him.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Carlos Da Silva and Asher McCoy
Aspiring Artist and Former Hunter | 23, 29 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Carlos nodded as he extricated himself from the mess of material. “Yeah, I’m okay.” He meant that. It wasn’t great or anything, but it wasn’t anything too bad either. He couldn’t tell if Asher was really going to do it though. Was he going to shoot someone who was supposed to be his friend? He wasn’t sure. “Are you okay?” He moved over to Kaleb who looked far more upset than he was. “He wasn’t going to do it. He just… was alarmed by the sound.” Carlos hoped. Asher was moving anywhere else in the store. No. He was out of the store. He was out on the street again. He needed to be away. He needed to breathe. He still held the gun in his hand by his side, trapped inside his own head as he moved away as quickly as he could.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaleb Price and Jordan DeShay
Former FEDRA officer, Former Smuggler | 25, 28 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Kaleb let out a soft sigh as he heard that, nodding his head. He hadn’t thought about much except for how Asher was pointing a gun at Carlos. “I’m… okay.” He said finally when Carlos came over. He wrapped his arms around his partner and tucked his head into his chest. “I.. I’m not okay. That was.. intense.”

Jordan left the store and saw Asher moving quickly away. He all but ran towards him, hand reaching out to grab his shoulder. “Asher.. hey stop. Look at me.” He said, trying to get Asher to focus on something, and maybe.. hopefully talk to him finally.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Carlos Da Silva and Asher McCoy
Aspiring Artist and Former Hunter | 23, 29 | Current location ;; New Mexico

In that moment, Carlos realized how bad that would have been from Kaleb’s perspective. Carlos may have had guns pointed at him to kill plenty of times, but that was him. That wasn’t Kaleb watching someone he loved nearly get shot. Because that was what just happened. Carlos held onto Kaleb as he imagined what it would be like if Asher had been pointing that gun at Kaleb instead. That changed everything. “That’s okay. It’s a lot. But I promise, he wasn’t going to do it.” He was not sure he believed that at all. He needed Kaleb to. He buried his face in Kaleb’s hair. “I’m sorry you got caught there though. That wasn’t fair for you.”

What did he just do? Almost do? What if he had actually- of course he would not have. He saw that he was Carlos. But what if it had been someone else? What if there were people in these walls that wanted them dead? People like him. He jumped, feeling someone touch his shoulder. Without thinking, he whipped around, swinging the gun up, and trying to level it at whoever was there. The gun shoved straight into Jordan’s chest as he stared into the face of the one person in the world who had ever been able to make him breathe so quickly. He was so shocked, so flustered that he didn’t even lower the gun.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaleb Price and Jordan DeShay
Former FEDRA officer, Former Smuggler | 25, 28 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Kaleb curled tight into Carlos, hearing him and he felt Carlos bury his face into his hair. “I’m just glad he didn’t..” Pull the trigger. The last time he’d seen someone that he loved in any kind of danger was his mother and she was already gone. He bit his lip as tears fell down his cheeks, pressing further into Carlos’ chest.

Jordan really should’ve thought about it before he just grabbed Asher. He saw him jump and felt the gun shove into his chest. And instead of moving away or letting go of him, he stayed still. “It’s okay gorgeous. You’re okay. Look at me and breathe.” He said, not moving or flinching away. He trusted Asher and if this was how things were going to go, then that was how it would go. “Come on gorgeous, lower the gun.”​

 

[icedthemoon]

Carlos Da Silva and Asher McCoy
Aspiring Artist and Former Hunter | 23, 29 | Current location ;; New Mexico

Carlos felt worse about Kaleb than he did about himself. What if that had been Kaleb? Would Asher have done the same thing? Would he have raised his gun? Because Carlos was thinking that maybe yeah, he would have. He was off today. How had they gone from so good to this? He wished he knew. All he could do was keep Kaleb safe. He rubbed his back as the only comfort he could really provide as they were. “Baby, it’s okay. I promise it’s okay.”

The rise and fall of his chest was as though they had been running for their lives. He felt like he was. He was running from some bad guy he didn’t even know. Maybe it was the next infected. The next ten. The next horde. Maybe it was the next hole someone fell down and the stories and stories of pain between. Maybe it was the weariness and the lack of focus that came with that. Something was going to get them. No. That was him losing his mind. Overreacting. He was not exactly fine, but he couldn’t be. He stared at Jordan for a long while before his eyes slid down to the gun to stare at that too. Overreacting and therefore almost shooting his lovebug. Was that overreacting? His hands were so firm. So good. Until they weren’t. Until they shook. One hand let go first and then the other and the gun dropped to the floor. It fell with an unsatisfying thump. “I- I thought-“ What did he think? “I didn’t mean-“ But he did it anyway. Twice. He swore under his breath and raised both hands to his temples anywhere his fingers laced through his hair. “It sounded like-“ one of his traps. He shouldn’t lie to himself. “Everything sounds like that. Every footstep sounds like someone coming up behind us. Every moved item sounds like something that could go wrong for us.” It really had been a long time since he felt that way.
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