Samantha, Stiles and Scott are always joking about the impossible. Who wouldn't when your best friend's dad is the sheriff of Beacon Hills? All jokes stop when they realize the impossible is indeed possible.
Contains: Lots of language, Violence, Fantasy, sensitive topics, mentions of suicide, abuse and self harm, nonconsensual touching, fluff, and hurt/comfort.
A/N: I have a reference for Sam but her face claim is def Raven Goodwin. I love her sm
Now when I said they're literally trying to make the Handmaid's Tale come to life, y'all tried to gaslight me into thinking I was crazy. Wtf is this then?? 👇🏽
Summary: You’re feeling a bit self conscious about your body. Seeing all these couples where the men can easily pick up their girlfriends. You always wanted something like that, but you just worried about being too much. Sylus however see it as a challenge, and he doesn’t like to lose…
Content warnings: Body image issues, insecurity, nonsexual nudity, and I’m not sure of anything else. If you spot something let me know ~
I tried to be as inclusive as possible for all my girlies. The reader does use she/her as that’s just what I felt comfortable with at the time of writing.
(First time writing something like this, and sharing my work. Please be kind)
You loved Sylus more than anything. That wasn’t even a question.
A charming man who swooped into your life and made you his most prized treasure.
He always made sure to let you know how much you meant to him.
However, no amount of love can truly squash your insecurities.
You noticed the way other women would look at you.
Judging every step you took, every curve on your body, and lord forbid you dare eat anything.
In the moment it’s easy to ignore it, but once you’re alone? Those thoughts infect your brain.
I should lose weight.
My stomach looked terrible in that dress.
Did I eat too much?
I must’ve looked awful next to him.
How could he ever love me?
Why did he choose me?
He’s perfect and what am I?
I shouldn’t be here…
Your mind spirals. Left to drown in dower thoughts and self hatred.
“Sweetie?”
Well, that was true, until your dear boyfriend interrupted your train of thought.
”I was wondering where you ran off to.” He said with his usual smug expression.
When you two arrived home from the auction you had wandered off to be alone. Of course Sylus would go looking for you. He always did. After events he would always want to spend time decompressing with you. You just wished you were in a better mood.
However it would seem Sylus took notice of this much to your dismay. His expression shifts into one of concern. “Are you alright dear?,” He walks closer to where you sat. “Did someone say something to you?” His tone had a serious inflection around it.
If only it was that simple. How could you explain to him how you truly felt? That others didn’t even have to say anything to get under your skin. Just being around them was enough for you to spiral. How are you going to explain to him how you’ll never be good enough…
“No. No one said anything, I’m just exhausted from socializing and standing around.”
Sylus wanted to press, but decided against it. That’s when the smile returned to his face as he had a rather bright idea.
”Well if my kitten is so tired, how about I carry her to bed?”
Carry.
That word made you feel sick, your spiraling thoughts immediately flooding your head once again.
Carry me? He couldn’t, I’m too heavy.
Imagine him dropping you because you’re just too much.
I bet he could carry those other girls with ease.
He’s carried girls with one arm before, he’ll never get to do that with you.
Maybe if you could just lose weight maybe you’d actually be a cute couple.
You blink, looking at him and find your voice, “No, I’m alright thank you. I’m perfectly capable of walking.” You stand up swiftly and make your way to exit the room.
Sylus stops you, “I understand your very capable sweetie, but what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t treat you like a princess. Especially when she’s so exhausted.”
The next moment felt like a blur to you, but for Sylus? It’s as though the world around him stopped.
”Seriously I’m okay, I really don’t want to burden you with my weight. I’m too heavy for that.” And with that you walked away.
‘Too heavy?’ Sylus thought to himself.
Sylus wasn’t an idiot. He was very aware of your insecurities, especially when it came to other women fawning over him, but he would always make a case of expressing his utter devotion to you, his treasure.
Of course, sometimes these things are unavoidable. People can’t always control their thoughts and it can poison their mind.
Sylus took some time to think, if you thought you were too heavy for him, he’d simply have to prove you wrong.
”Challenge accepted Sweetie.” He spoke to himself with a smirk. If there was one thing Sylus loved more than anything, it was a challenge. And he didn’t plan on losing this one.
-
That morning you woke up in a rather dour mood, not interested in doing anything but staying home. The last thing you wanted was to be seen by people.
With a huff you get out of bed and go to the vanity wanting to start the day looking presentable.
Your fingers trace the skin, every bump, scar, and stretch mark just further fueled the twisting in your stomach. Sure these things were beautiful on other women, but not you. Everything was just another reminder of your inadequacies.
Your trance was broken by a pair of strong arms wrapping around your waist and a head resting on your shoulder. With a slight jump your eyes meet his ruby gaze. His eyes showed nothing but the utmost love, and yet, you couldn’t find yourself believing him in that moment.
“Good morning Sweetie.” His deep morning voice broke the silence, as he pressed a kiss to your forehead. He looked into the very same mirror that had been causing you so much pain, but he didn’t see the slightest imperfection.
“Morning…” You lean into Sylus, his warmth helping to make up for the chilly morning air. If you couldn’t crawl back under the covers this was the next best thing.
He tightens his hold with a content sigh, “How do you do it?”
You give him a confused look in the mirror, eyes drifting to his,”Do what?”
“Look as ethereal as you are.”
Your heart fluttered. Even after being together a year you still find yourself feeling flushed from his words. You look away from him and fidget with the fabric of your nightgown. Only to be guided back to the mirror by his hand resting on your chin.
“You know, whenever I see you in the morning my mind wanders back to this truly alluring painting I saw. I believe it was called ’The Beauty.’ Though now when I see it, all I picture is you. Perhaps I could get a custom piece made for you. It is rather common to paint goddesses.”
You were at a loss for words, and Sylus gently kissed your head once more.
”Come down whenever you’re ready.”
And what that he left you alone once more.
You walked away from the vanity and grabbed your phone to research this painting he’d spoken so fondly of.
Staring back at you with a painting of a woman, who looked just like you. Sure not every detail was exact, the skin tone, the hair, but her body… It looks so much like yours.
You felt seen. And he wanted to recreate the painting with you?
You sit there for a moment and gently hold your phone to your chest once more, getting lost in thought.
-
After collecting yourself, you made your way through the halls to find Sylus.
He does love me so much.
He wouldn’t lie about something like that.
The painting is so unique, he would have had to go out of his way to find it.
He really does think I’m beautiful.
He would even have me painted to immortalize me.
I’ve never had someone love me so much…
Your thoughts subside as you pass the open door to the gym.
Curiously, you look inside to see if he’s there. At a quick glance you find no Sylus to be seen, but something does manage to catch your eyes.
He had failed to re-rack his weights, and that number…
The one looking back at you…
It was 20 pounds over your weight.
“Could he have always lifted so much?” You thought to yourself feeling warm. That couldn’t have been an accident. He must’ve done it on purpose. A small smile makes its way to you.
With more pep in your step you once again walk back into the hallway to search for the man who’s trying so desperately to make you feel beautiful.
-
Moments pass as you continue your journey through the winding halls of the mansion you’ve grown to call your home.
Your thoughts were trying to drift when a scent caught your full attention. It was one could place anywhere, it was (favorite breakfast). It’d been a while since you had it, thinking it was too much, opting to stick to low calorie foods.
Walking into the kitchen you find a beautiful layout waiting for you. Candles, a perfectly set table, and your favorite meal waiting for you. And…
A note.
‘Sweetie, you’ve been under-eating recently. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice? You know it’s not healthy to neglect such basic needs.
Please indulge yourself, I don’t know what I’d do if you made yourself sick. I’ll be waiting in my study for you to finish. Take as long as you need.’
You could feel your chest tightening with complicated feelings. You’d always been taught to hold back, never give into cravings, and always focus on the goal of seeing that number on the scale go down.
But right now? It didn’t feel as important as it did before…
Why shouldn’t I eat what I love?
Why do I have to constantly give up the foods I like?
Why do I constantly have to count calories?
Why shouldn’t I love the way I look?
What’s wrong with treating myself?
In that moment, you sat down, and for the first time in a while, you let yourself enjoy the food you love. No shame, no calorie counting, no nothing. Just enjoying yourself and the flavors you’ve missed.
-
After eating, and setting your dishes in the sink you made your way to Sylus’ study.
Your heartbeat a bit faster, and you felt warmer in that moment standing in front of the door. It felt silly but it felt like those scenes in the movies where the girl confesses to her crush…
But that was silly because he was already yours. Even if you didn’t always believe it yourself.
You turned the door handle to find him standing by the window in deep thought, left arm folded, the right resting on top as his fingers rested on his chin. He looked like a statue. Carved by the finest sculptures, he truly was perfect. If only you knew that’s exactly how he saw you.
A smirk formed on his face as he faced you, “There you are, Sweetie. I’ve been waiting for you.”
”Sorry to keep you waiting.” It was a simple response, but one that made his smirk melt into a genuine smile.
”Come, I have something to share with you.” He holds out his hand waiting for you. Your eyes linger on his face before reaching out letting him take the lead.
Walking to a high cabinet you can see something hidden at the very top.
”What’s that?” You ask rather confused as to why he’d keep something up there.
”That would be the final part of your scavenger hunt.”
Scavenger hunt?
That’s when it hit you. Of course all of this was deliberate. The weights, the affirmations, making sure you’ve eaten…
Before you can respond, “Well go on, grab it.” His tone was playful, like he knew something you didn’t.
”How do you expect me to reach it from here? I’m not exactly a skyscraper like ‘Someone.’
Sylus let out a small laugh and moved back. You thought he was getting a step stool or maybe a chair. But what he did next wasn’t something you’ve ever experienced…
You felt his warmth flushed against you, his arms secured themselves around you, and you no longer felt your feet on the ground.
Face completely warm, you immediately wrapped your arms around him for support.
Eyes wide you look at him, only to see his smug smile looking back at you. “Well? Aren’t you going to grab it?”
You were far too in shock to move, “You… I- um…” You’re mind was moving too fast to get out a proper sentence.
”Yes Sweetie?”
”How did you… I thought-“
”You were too much for me? Sweetie, you’re not too heavy, despite what other, weaker men have told you.”
This got a smile out of you and that was all the confirmation he needed. He’d won this competition, even if you hadn’t known you’d challenged him.
“Now go on, time to accept your prize,” he added.
”For what?” Your still lost in this whole thing.
”For being so unapologetically you.”
With your heart full, body flushed, and mind clear, you reach out to grab the gift.
Sylus carried you to the couch and sat you on his lap. You take it in, it was wrapped in brown paper, thin, not quite sure what was hidden underneath.
Sylus held you with anticipation as you slowly tore the paper off fulling revealing it.
It was… you.
Or well, a painting of you.
’Perhaps I could get a custom piece made for you. It is rather common to paint goddesses.’
His words from this morning echoed in your mind.
It was a replica of that painting he’d mentioned before, but the muse was you…
A silk sheet covered your most intimate parts, likely because Sylus couldn’t stand anyone else seeing you in your purest form. And yet…
This was enough. You’d been to museums sure, but you never truly saw yourself, never felt like someone worth capturing in such detail. And there you were, every curve, every dip, every single piece of you captured, immortalized in such gorgeous detail.
You hadn’t realized you were crying till you felt his warm hands gently wiping your tears, his face resting on your shoulder.
”Like I said, a goddess deserves to be painted.”
This time you didn’t need to process anything, your hands found his face and your lips pressed to his.
His hand drifted to the back of your neck to keep you close as his other hand held your waist.
It was a moment of love, in its most beautiful form.
You pull away with a huge smile and wipe your own tears.
”I love you… So much. Thank you.”
His eyes were welled up with love, as his silk voice wrapped you up like a blanket.
”I love you too, Sweetie. More than anything, never think you’re too much for me. Because I promise you, I can handle it.”
With another laugh you arms wrapped back around his neck and your lips melted together once more. Likely going to stay that way for the rest of the day, as he intended to show you how much he loved you. Every single inch.
Thank you so much for reading! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to give my fic a chance. It means the world to me.
Sorry it took me forever to complete, life got to me, but honestly? Finishing this has been so much fun.
I’m not really in the fandom anymore, but i didn’t wanna forget about all the wonderful people who wanted to hear this story.
Have a wonderful rest of your evening, I really appreciate you💜
I think I've been really needing something like this.
I've been feeling low recently bc I thought that an old flame had come back because he missed me and even said there was nothing wrong with me being chubby. So it made me happy to think about and I really did miss him. And him saying something like that made me think that he was probably attracted to me because we weren't in school anymore, so I thought his tastes kinda matured.
But here came the waiting for his responses, and looking forward to meeting up with him, just to find out that he was already talking to someone else. It would've been nice to know that he had his attention on someone else if he said that to begin with bc he asked me about my relationship status.
So with my answers, it did kinda break my heart ngl.
And it also sucks bc my mom has been really haggling me about looking overweight, even though we're literally the same weight, but our bodies look a little different. So, yeah, I needed this.
What if Riley had a twin and watched over Ellie for her? What if Ellie wasn't the only one who was immune? What if the cordyceps modified into something more?
Chapter 16: Late Night Kisses < (Previous Chapter)
After she made it to town hall where all the citizens of Jackson gathered for the party, she was immediately greeted by Maria and Tommy, who she hugged with delight.
Maria has already informed her that Joel was nursing a drink as he stood around the bar, so she went to go see him.
The older man looked a little mopey, but his expression lightened when he saw the twin walking up to him. “You actually made it.", he murmured. She nodded, smiling. "I'm here. Can't leave you by yourself this time.”
Joel scoffed, but kept his smile. "You don't need to keep me company, kiddo. I promise, I'm fine.”
(Y/N) hums. She glanced at the dance floor, seeing Ellie and Dina in arms.
She frowned a bit, watching Ellie smile with Dina. It bothered her, feeling the distance that grew throughout the years.
She supposed that the distance began when Ellie wanted to move into the garage years ago.
(Y/N) walked up to their shared room to see Ellie and Cat sitting on Ellie's bed. She paused in shock, seeing Cat marking Ellie's arm. The same arm she burned to get rid of the bite.
The girls paused, looking up at the Abel girl. “Uh…whatcha doing there?”, (Y/N) asks. "Tattoo…?", Ellie mumbles. (Y/N) eyebrows rose. “Oh…that…doesn't hurt? Your burn okay?”, she asked.
Cat spoke up. "Wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't.”
(Y/N) lets out a soft scoff. "Right. Makes sense.” She walks in, her nose scrunching a bit. "What's that smell? Your flesh?”, she asks before walking over to the window to air out the room.
Cat snickers, "It's weed.”
(Y/N) turns to Cat, frowning. "It's what?” Cat pauses, turning off the machine.
Ellie speaks up. "It's no big deal. It's not even that bad.”
(Y/N) looks between Ellie and Cat. "You're giving her a tattoo while you're high??” Ellie stands, "I'm high!”
(Y/N) turns to her. "Like that makes it better??” Cat looks between the girls. "I'm…gonna go.", she says, taking the tattoo machine and the half smoked blunt and walked out, brushing past Joel who was walking up the stairs.
He walked to the girls room and saw the stare down they were in. “Uh…someone wanna fill me in on what's goin' on?”, he asks, curious.
Ellie shakes her head. “(Y/N) is just freaking out for nothing. I'm going out.", she says before storming out of the room past Joel.
(Y/N) shook her head before plopping on her bed. She notices Joel looking at her with an eyebrow raised, expecting a better answer.
“It's nothing. I…I was freaking out over nothing. I'm good.”, she says.
Later that day, (Y/N), sitting on her side of the room, read the comic books the girls managed to find on their patrols. It was pouring outside, so it was great reading weather.
She looks up to see Ellie freshly damp, coming into the room without speaking to her. The redhead began to pull off the sheets of her bed before taking her mattress off of her bed frame.
“The hell are you doing?", (Y/N) asks. “Moving into the garage. Need some space.", Ellie curts.
(Y/N) raises an eyebrow. "All of a sudden you need space? And now? It's coming hard out there, El. You can't do this shit in the morning??”
Ellie looks at her, frustrated. "What the fuck do you care?” (Y/N) becomes frustrated. "What the fuck is the problem?”
Their bickering catches Joel's attention as he shuffles down the hall to see the two fighting and Ellie almost out the door with her mattress. "What the hell is the issue?”, he asks, rubbing his eyes.
"She wants space.”, (Y/N) says. Ellie frowns at her. Joel frowns at Ellie. "What's goin' on, kiddo?”
Ellie turns to him. "I just want space. Is it that too much to ask for from you two!?” Joel frowns, a bit hurt. Ellie notices his expression. “I'm…I'm sorry. I just wanna have my own space.”
"I can move stuff out of the other room. I'll just put all that in mine.”, Joel suggests. Ellie shakes her head, dead set on having her own space. Away from her. Away from them.
Joel nods. “Okay. Okay. We'll do all this in the mornin’. When it's not rainin’ cats and dogs.”
Ellie relents and agrees reluctantly.
She perks up when she hears her name being called and sees Jesse coming over to her. Her eyes widened a bit before she glanced at Ellie and Dina.
He couldn't see them like that. He couldn't know.
She rushes over to him, hugging him. “Hi!"
Jesse, none the wiser, returns her hug with a tighter one of his own. “Hey, you made it. I was startin’ to think you'd skip out.", he says when they break their embrace.
“Psh. And leave you hanging and drinking with the old man? No, not this year.", she says, smiling. Jesse chuckles, looking down at her. He lets out a low whistle, “You clean up nice."
She snorts, “Not so bad yourself. C'mon, let's step outside for a bit. It's getting a little stuffy." He follows her out, unaware of Dina and Ellie sharing a kiss behind them.
They walk out, standing outside the town hall and (Y/N) lets out a soft sigh of relief.
She knew Ellie deserved to be happy, but Dina….? Right after they broke up…? She didn't want more distances to happen between them.
Jesse leans against the concrete wall. "So, why're we out here instead of in there?", he asks, looking at her. (Y/N) does the same, a small puff of air leaving her lips. "You really wanna be surrounded by a bunch of old people dancing?", she asks and he snorts.
"Good point.", he says, before looking up at the night sky. "It's good to see you outside the house. And patrol.", he murmured. She looks at him, a bit curious. "Really now?", she asks before teasing him. "You miss me that much, huh?”
Jesse nods. "Mhm.” He looks at her. "I did. I mean, I still do.", he says. (Y/N) softens. "I'm right here.”
Jesse raises an eyebrow, "You know what I mean. It's nice to…see you bein' okay again. Smilin’ again."
She looks down, scoffing. "Be serious.", she mutters. "I am.", he says, making her look up. "Your old man gave me an earful. Mainly about when we go on patrols. 'Don’t go here. Don't go there. Keep an eye on her.' Etc. Gave me the same lecture about Ellie, too."
She tilts her head, surprised. "He did?" Jesse nods, looking up at the sky. "Mhm. I told her the same thing."
"She talked to you?", (Y/N) asks. "Yup. Saw her go off dancin’ with Dina just before I saw you.", he says before looking at her again. (Y/N) feels sympathetic.
She thought he wouldn't have seen them. Kinda hoped he didn't, but…he didn't seem hurt about it.
"You okay?", she asks. He looks at her for a moment before nodding with a soft smile. “Mhm. Better than okay.”
That makes her smile once more. She moves a bit closer to him. "Yeah?", she asks, softly. He wraps an arm around her, chuckling softly. "Yeah."
The prickling cold that nips at his fingertips goes unnoticed as he rubs his thumb against her hip, her body emitting enough warmth for him.
It felt right. She didn't pull away, make him feel stupid or second guess himself. It was different.
(Y/N) presses into his side, feeling warmer. She can't bring herself to feel…guilty for being this close to him. Not anymore. She felt…safe.
She didn't miss his small breath of contentment.
For a moment, she relished in it until she took notice of the silence of the town hall. The music stopped and she heard muttering inside.
Jesse looked over her shoulder at the door. "Guess the party's over. Oh, well.", he mumbles, dismissively. He looks down at her. "Want me to walk you home?"
She looks up at him before nodding. "Okay." They walk home in silence and as they walk away, she glances over her shoulder to see Ellie and Dina leaving the town hall.
She looked away as they got closer to the house. Jesse walks up the wooden stairs to the back door with her, heaving out a soft sigh.
“You're home, safe and sound.", he jokes. (Y/N) smiles, looking up at him. “Did…did you wanna stay over a little? Warm up a bit?”, she asks, softly.
Jesse shakes his head with a smile of his own. "Probably shouldn't. I'm already on Joel's shit list. Don't wanna make it worse. Give him any ideas.”
She snickers. "You're not on his shit list.” His eyes widen in emphasis, "You haven't seen the looks he gives me.”
She giggles. "Okay, okay. Go on home.”, she says. Jesse smiles before pulling away. "I'll see you bright and early tomorrow.”, he says, stepping back before turning away.
She bites her lip as he begins walking away. "Jesse?”, she calls before rushing over to him. Just as he turns back to answer, he pauses in surprise when he feels her lips on his cheek. "G-Goodnight.”, she says before rushing back up the stairs and into the house.
He stands there for a moment, still processing her actions. The warmth where her lips were becomes a bit cold, but it reminds him that what happened was real. He scoffs with a smile before muttering a small “g’night" and walked away.
(Y/N) goes to her room with a sigh of relief. She pauses at her door, and is unable to fight back a smile. She feels accomplished, in a way. She was able to make him smile at her in the way he's never smiled at Dina. She goes to bed, unable to hold back her smile and excitement for her patrol in the morning.
Eventually, she does fall asleep to the muffled sound of Joel's guitar playing outside.
The next morning, Ellie woke with a start, and the memory of Joel singing becoming a fading dream. Someone was knocking on her door, damn near pounding.
What time was it?
Fuck, she was patrolling today.
She got up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she walked to the door. “I'm comin'!", she exclaimed.
She opened the door to see Jesse leaning against the frame, beaming wide awake. “Hey,” she said, rasps.
“Mornin’.”, Jesse said cheerfully. He looked…happy. His face was cleanly shaven, his clothes smoothed down and cleaned. He looked like he was ready to go on a date if he wasn't going on patrol in ten.
Ellie groaned softly, still sleepy. “Sorry, I totally overslept. Just gimme a minute and I’ll get dressed.”
“Heard you had quite the night after I left,” Jesse said, smirking with a raised eyebrow.
Ellie's eyes widened as she paused her rubbing. “I—” she started, speechless. He didn't seem pissed, though. “She kissed me. It was just Dina being Dina. She didn’t mean anything by it.”
It wasn't like she didn't like it, but this was Dina. Dina always did what she wanted.
Jesse's thick eyebrows furrowed a bit and his smirk dropped. “I… was talking about your fight with Seth. Wait, you kissed Dina?”
“Oh.” Ellie paused, eyes like saucers now. She stumbles over her words. “I thought that’s—” Jesse cuts her off. “We’re broken up for one week and you’re already trying to make moves on my girl?”
Ellie shakes her head. “No, I—” What could she say? Dina started it, I just went with the flow??? “She was probably just trying to make you jealous. I would never–”
She sighed, shutting her eyes. “Fuck, this is awkward…”, she mutters. Jesse sputters a laugh. His face breaks out into a huge smile. “I’m messin’ with you, man. I don’t care,” he said, humored. He couldn't care less. “Get dressed.”
Ellie frowns, “You're the worst.", she says, before trying to close her door. Jesse stops it, though. “That was kinda fucked up you did that, though.", he says and she shuts it in his face with a scoff.
She grabbed her pistol off the desk, checking the clip for bullets, and placed it in her backpack. She sighs as she tossed in her journal, and heaves her backpack over her shoulders.
As she walked back towards the door, she pulled out her switchblade that was stuck in the end table before resting on it to put on her boots.
“Hey, is Joel up?”,she asked through the door as she got ready. She knew he'd be going out for patrol today. She wanted to ask him about (Y/N). To get some time to also talk things over. It was awkward leaving last night, so she was hoping to run into him.
“We got reports of Infected out north. Maria sent him and Tommy to scout.", Jesse says.
Ellie huffs. "That sucks.", she says, trying a boot.
"Yep, can’t imagine he got much sleep last night,” Jesse snickers. “Definitely not as much as you.”
Ellie sucks her teeth with annoyance. “Shut up, I was just about to get up,” Ellie lies as she finished and opened the door once again, following Jesse as she stepped off the porch, shutting her door behind her as they headed towards the town's center to talk to Maria.
She glanced at him, seeing that his smile never left his face. “Why're you so smiley today?", she asks with narrowed eyes.
Jesse doesn't drop his smile. “Dunno what you're talkin’ about."
Ellie frowns, almost disgusted with his happiness. "I've never seen anyone so happy to go on patrol while it was cold.”
Jesse shrugs. "My patrol's a little different.” Ellie raises a scarred eyebrow. "Different how?”
Jesse just grins at her, "I got a better partner.” Ellie rolls her eyes with a shake of her head.
Just after they leave the Miller residence, (Y/N) wakes, getting ready for her patrol. As she leaves her room, she takes note of Joel's expression. He has a certain light in his eyes that she hadn't seen in so long. As she pulls on her boots from the top of the stairs, she speaks up. “Never seen you so excited about going on patrol, Joel."
Joel smiles and it's infectious. “What?", she asks. “Ellie's comin' home for a movie night.", he says. (Y/N)'s eyes widened. “What? Why? What changed?", she asks, getting up.
Ellie's coming home…? For movie night…? They haven't done movie night in years. It was a tradition and it just didn't feel right without her.
Joel explained what happened the night before which explained why the town hall suddenly got quiet.
(Y/N) frowns deeply. She shakes her head with disgust. “Fuckin' Seth…I always knew he was a dick, but–” Joel cuts her off. "Maria already settled him down. Then Ellie came over and we…we talked.”
(Y/N) calms down. She fidgets. "Did she…did she say anything about me…?" Joel frowns a bit, lowering his head. That gives her enough of an answer.
“It's okay.", (Y/N) says. “She'll come around, darlin'.", Joel says, trying to make her feel better. (Y/N) nods. “I know."
She doesn't.
“Also, I'm going on patrol with Jesse. Stop scaring him.", she says and Joel snorts. "Heard you.”, he says as she walks downstairs.
She calls out just before she leaves. "I'll see you later!” She hears him call out in agreement as she steps out and for a moment, she looks up to the left of Jackson where she could see a bit of mountain that loomed over the city.
She sighs, tightening her straps and walks away from the house. When she begins to walk over to the middle of the city, she sees Ellie with Jesse.
She pauses, seeing them talk before Ellie makes eye contact with (Y/N). She swallows seeing the redhead open her mouth, but Jesse averts her attention to Dina who is playing with the kids at the town's playground.
Ellie sighs and goes over to Dina’s direction which makes (Y/N) sigh in slight relief. Jesse walks up to her, a soft smile on his face. “Mornin’.", he drawls.
She smiles. "You're awfully cheerful this morning.”, she says. Jesse shrugs, his smile never leaving his face as he walks her to the stables. "What can I say? Seems like as good a start of a mornin’ as any.”
She snorts as she walks in with him and walks up to her horse. “It's just patrol.", she says, as she pets Diesel, the fresh Clydesdale horse Tommy bestowed to her after her tearful confession of losing Callus and Diamond the moment they came back to Jackson.
“Yeah, well, I got a good partner this time. Be damned if I got stuck with Eugene this time. Old bastard wasn't serious half the time.”, Jesse says, brushing Chestnut for a moment before leading her out of her stable.
(Y/N) shook her head. Poor Eugene. He was a good man. A little too carefree for his own good, but she really hoped he had a good life in the way he made it.
She nods, leading Diesel out of his stable. "C'mon, boy.”, she says after nuzzling his face. As the others met up at the gates of Jackson, (Y/N) saw how relaxed Ellie was with Dina. She didn't seem as tense as she did earlier, so she assumed they talked a little more about what happened the night before.
Jesse halts Chestnut before moving ahead of the other patrollers.
He clears his throat. “Settle down, children,” he said, gaining everyone's attention. “All right, you all know the drill. Run your routes, fill your logbooks, clear any Infected you see. You see anything you can’t handle,” he said, making eye contact with each patroller as he spoke, “you come back.” His eyes drifted at (Y/N) pointedly with a firm head tilt.
She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“All right, get going.”, he says.
With that, he pushed the gate doors open, letting them roam and rush out of the gates. (Y/N) hops on Diesel before letting Jesse catch up to her before she rushes off with a click of her teeth.
Jesse huffs, easily catching up to them as they headed west of their snowy trail.
When they traveled far enough, they slowed down near an old convenience store, keeping the horses far enough and hidden.
“Think they got protein bars in there? I was hungry for some a couple days ago.", Jesse says softly. (Y/N) huffs as they creep around the store. "Maybe, if they're not expired. Protein tastes gross when it's expired.”
Jesse shakes his head. "I don't really care, I just want some.”, he hisses. "Don't come crying to me when you have to get your stomach pumped.”, she hissed back, making him grin.
They immediately quiet when they hear a familiar clicking. Dropping low in the snow, they could see a clicker staggering into the convenience store’s broken front door.
"Maria said to see if there's any more vitamins out here. Even a little is fine, but I'm pretty sure if I pick a bottle up, that fucker’s gonna hear it. You know those things are stale.”, Jesse whispered.
She looked at him. "You want me to distract it?”, she questioned quietly.
He snapped his head over to her, looking at her as if she’d grown a second head. "You crazy? And have it tear into you?? Hell no. I'll figure somethin’ out.", he whispers with a shake of his head.
She shrugs. "Be my guest, but I'm taking it out.”, she whispers before going one way. "Hey – (Y/N) –!", he hisses before sighing as he watches her flank the clicker. “She's gonna get herself killed…”, he grumbles before sneaking through the back.
He avoids the broken glass on the floor as he sneaks through the convenience store’s back room, quietly rummaging for any vitamins.
He jumps when he hears a broken bottle shatter and the clicker screech. He looks through the open window to the rest of the store to see the clicker staggering in a corner while (Y/N) hides behind an aisle on the other side of the store.
He lets out a soft breath of relief before resuming his search, only finding a couple of kids' vitamins, though way expired.
Who are these gonna help…?
He takes a couple of bottles anyway and a couple of adult vitamins. Once he finishes putting them away, he looks up as (Y/N) takes out the clicker silently, watching the Infected struggle against her hold and slump with a gargle.
She drops it, wiping her switchblade clean. She looks up at him. “Found them?"
He nods. “Mhm." She nods and walks around the store with him, gathering what more they could. As they left, they headed to their lookout point.
The snow became a little heavier as they traveled further. “Think we need to set up camp somewhere?", she asks. Jesse shakes his head. “No place to set up out here. Let's keep goin'.", he says and she huffs as he speeds up.
They eventually show up at lookout, and settle for a moment to warm up. Venus logs in, seeing that the others logged in.
She looked down at the book.
Chad and Bonnie
Ellie and Dina
Her eyes narrowed as she signed them in. “Uh, J?", she calls. “Yeah?", he answers as he brushes the snow off of him from getting pieces of wood outside to start a fire.
“Joel and Tommy haven't shown up yet.”, she says and looks at him as he walks up with a confused expression. "What're you talkin' about?”
He looks down at the book and his eyebrows furrowed. "You think they're stuck out there?”, she asks, looking up at him.
He scoffs. "Those two? Hell no.”
She becomes worried. "Then…"
He shakes his head. "We'll wait. They might be on their way."
(Y/N) nods. Maybe they saw something and took shelter seeing how hard the snow was coming down. Maybe.
However, an hour passes and they still haven't seen sight of Tommy or Joel. He frowns as he looks out. “Snow isn't comin' down that heavy. I'll go look. You stay here."
She looks in the direction before she looked at him incredulously. "And leave you out there by yourself? What happened to watching each other's back?”, she pressed.
Jesse looks at her with a challenging tilt of his head. "Joel’ll have my head if he found out I let you go out by yourself.”
(Y/N) raises her eyebrows. “And you think he'd be fine with you leaving me here by myself?"
He sighs through his nose. Good point.
"Okay, c'mon.”, he says and they rush back onto their horses, heading back out. (Y/N) feels the urge to call out for Joel and Tommy, but there's no telling what was out there.
She didn't want to risk losing Diesel or Jesse and Chestnut, so she looks for horse tracks or deep indents in the snow as they traveled.
The farther they traveled, the worse the snow got. She could barely see in front of her. "Jesse!”, she calls out. "I know! Just follow my voice!”, he responds.
She nods, squinting. "Marco!”, she exclaims. "Polo!”, she hears his voice, to her left but so ahead.
"Marco!”, she yells as Diesel slows to a trot. "Polo!”, she hears, but it sounds faint. She huffs, trying to detect which direction he was in. "Marco!”
Nothing.
"Jesse??”, she calls. Silence returns.
She frowns with a roll of her eyes. There wasn't any time for this. She snaps her reins, making Diesel rush off.
What if Riley had a twin and watched over Ellie for her? What if Ellie wasn't the only one who was immune? What if the cordyceps modified into something more?
TLOU x black!reader
Chapter 15: Break Up < (Previous Chapter)
After the Miller brothers take a break from patrolling, Joel finds a rag to clean a guitar he found to play a song for the girls.
He decides that, in the silence, he'll tell his brother what happened.
"I don't know what happened.", Joel admits to Tommy as he starts to clean the neck of the guitar. He couldn't explain it when the trio finally made it back to Jackson, surprising everyone who saw them before.
"I was supposed to take them to the Fireflies and walk away.", Joel said before he let out a small scoff and shrugs. "You go halfway across the country with a couple of people. Ellie needed her immunity to mean something. And…maybe I was starting to buy into that whole...cure business. Maybe I just wanted to do right by her. And then…I hear more about their plan with them. The Fireflies. They were gonna kill (Y/N). She wouldn't say why. Not at first. But then …we made it."
He doesn't tell him about (Y/N)’s bite. He should. But he doesn't.
Tommy sits across from him, listening on the edge of his seat as he hangs onto the second guitar for Joel.
"We found the Fireflies. And because of Ellie...they were actually going to make a vaccine. The only catch...it would kill her.", Joel said, dropping his gaze. "Jesus, Joel.", Tommy mutters in disbelief as he stares at his older brother. "What did you do?"
Joel looks up at Tommy for a moment before he replies. "I saved them."
Four months ago…
"They rushed inside the prep room where a nurse and two doctors stood over Ellie , who was unconscious on the table.
(Y/N)’s eyes widened as her jaw dropped. Was she…
"Sweet Jesus.", Joel mutters. "Doctor?", a nurse calls, catching the doctor's attention. Following her line of sight, the doctor tums to the two and gasps. "What're you two doing here? I won't let you two take her. This is our future. Think of all the lives we'll save."
Joel walks closer making the doctor resort to pulling a scalpel on him. "Don't come any closer. I mean it."
Joel rushes up to the doctor, takes the scalpel and stabs the doctor in the throat, making everyone's eyes widen. “You fucking animal!", a nurse shouts.
"Kari, shut the hell up!", the second doctor shouted. The nurse begins to cry. "Please. I don't wanna die. Oh God...oh God..." Joel ignores the woman and disconnects the tubes from the unconscious redhead, picking her up.
(Y/N) pulls her gun out at the doctor and nurse as Joel does so. “Keep still.", she orders.
Joel whispers to Ellie as he cradles her. "Come on, babygirl. I gotcha..." Beams of lights catch their attention. "We need to go. I got you.", (Y/N) tells Joel. He nods and they run out.
Present Day 2034
"Damn, Joel. That's, um...that's a lot." Tommy said, still in disbelief.
Tommy looks down then back up towards Joel. "What does Ellie know?", he asks. Joel continues to clean the guitar. "I told her they ran some tests. I told her...her immunity meant nothing."
"And she believed you?" Tommy asked, curiously. "She didn't say otherwise.", Joel said almost with a shrug. "And (Y/N)...she went along with this?", Tommy asked. Joel stops cleaning the guitar, and nods at his brother.
2 months ago…
Joel's gray hair was starting to come in and he had even cut it a little. (Y/N) was a little taller than Ellie as well.
She even began to look more and more like her sister.
They had gotten settled back into Jackson where Tommy and Maria welcomed them back with open arms. They even got to meet their child, Benji, who was as cute as can be.
Joel was elated to meet his nephew, happy to have extended family once more.
Even after leaving the hospital, (Y/N) could tell Ellie couldn't stop thinking about it. The redhead checked in with the twin very often about her bite and (Y/N) showed her that the bite had completely healed, which baffled Ellie and more so Joel.
Neither of them could really complain, though.
The trio has begun to get closer, almost becoming their own family, in a way. (Y/N) finally explains to Joel, thoroughly, about what happened the night Riley and Ellie got bit.
She explained exactly why Marlene wanted to kill her so bad, much to his displeasure. In a way, he felt like Marlene was given a simpler mercy.
Because if it was up to him, he would've had her fed to the Infected. And even he wasn't that sadistic. At least, he doesn't think so.
But (Y/N) was aware that Ellie was suspicious about what really went down at the hospital. Why hadn't Marlene considered using her as the cure if not Ellie?
What actually happened….?
(Y/N) knew the redhead was trying to put pieces together, but she reassured her that everything would be fine.
(Y/N) paces back and forth in Joel's room as the man sits on the bed. “How long are we gonna keep it from her…?”
Joel gruffs, “I'm takin' it to my grave if I have to." (Y/N) pauses, frowning at him. “Joel, that's so not funny."
He sighs. "What happened to Ellie…what happened to you, I'd call that pure luck. It'd be a waste to let that go for a world that ain't even ready to change. I wish things were different. I do, but it ain't. So, we got what we got."
Joel looks up at her. “I'm bein' serious. I told both of you that I was gettin' y'all out of there. No matter what."
He scoffs. “You…you're kids. The last thing that you two need to be doin' is fightin' battles that adults should be doin'. In this case, there is no war. Not really. The world went to shit years ago. The Fireflies been "tryin’" to make a cure for years and failed every damn time.”
(Y/N) frowns, looking down. “I…I know.”
Joel frowns, his expression crestfallen. He gets up with a grunt, walking over to the girl and picks her head up with a quick tilt of his knuckle. “I don't want you puttin' all of this on you. None of this is on you. Y’hear me?"
(Y/N) nods. “I hear you."
Joel sighs once more and pulls the girl into a hug. “If it wasn't clear before…I – I'm damn proud of you. Both of you.”
(Y/N) hugs him back with stinging eyes.
The next 2 years had only increased in tension. Ellie would drop it, still feeling guilty about not being able to bring a cure and why hadn't the Fireflies come to find them to let them know about their next move.
She couldn't piece it together. Nothing made sense.
Not until she went back to St. Mary's.
The place felt cold. Haunted. It was silent at least. Save for the couple creaks of metal here and there. Down each hallway she walked, she could see the old, oxidized blood splatters on the walls. She took notice of the abandoned bags of equipment on the floor.
The abandoned research papers scattered, old and brown on the floors and counters.
All of that until she found an old tape recorder. She listened to the voice over and over, a female's voice describing the carnage left behind in the hospital. The woman mentioned other cases, so she assumed that meant (Y/N). But no one was here anymore. All because of Joel. All because of her.
Even as she left the hospital, she couldn't stop playing it over and over.
“Most people have left already. I don't know which group I'm gonna join...", the female voice said.
"I was one of the ones that wanted to go after the smuggler and the kids. They said....even if we found her, or by some miracle, someone else that's immune; it'd make no difference. 'Cause the only person who can develop a vaccine is dead.”
Dead.
Dead.
What the hell was she supposed to do now?
She could hear galloping approaching her and the familiarity of Joel's voice calling for her.
“ELLIE!”, Joel pulls the horse to a firm halt and jumps down from the saddle. He sighs and reaches for her, pulling her in a tight hug. “Come here.” She hardly returns the sentiment, barely paying his worry any mind.
“What the hell were you thinkin’…?” he asks softly. “Runnin’ off in the middle of the night like that.” He holds her tighter. “You talk to me. You don’t just leave me a goddamn note…”
She pushes away from him, causing Joel to frown. He realizes then, he's too late to deny anything she must've found.
Ellie is quiet for a moment before she works up the courage to speak. “Tell me what happened here.”, she demands, quietly.
Joel wants to lie. He wants to make up as many excuses as he can, but he can’t. She's not an impressionable kid anymore.
But he still feels, deep down, that what he did…what happened was the right call.
His mouth opens and shuts. Ellie speaks up once more.
“If you lie to me one more time, I’m gone.” She shakes her head. “You will never see me again… But if you tell me the truth… I’ll go back to Jackson… No matter what it is.”
Joel is barely able to keep eye contact with her, wanting to tell her the truth and wanting to keep it away from her. He sighs, trying to get rid of the lump in his throat.
“Just say it.” Ellie begs softly. When he doesn't speak, she tries to catch his eyes. “Joel.”
He swallows, keeping his eyes lowered. “Makin’ a vaccine…”, he says, his throat dry. “would’ve killed you…” He looks up at her, his eyes begging for her understanding. Desperate. “So I stopped them.”
He doesn't tell her about (Y/N)'s words. Her punishment that Marlene set up for her. It would be the truth, but he feared she wouldn't believe him. And why should she?
Ellie doesn't know what she expected to be worse. The fact that what the recording said was true or whether or not he'd continue lying in her face.
But now that she knows that it's true, that they'll never get a chance to be cured of this God forsaken wasteland of fear inducing creatures, it makes her sick.
She feels sick. Worse, even.
Riley, Tess, Sam, Henry…(Y/N)...
Had she been lying to her as well…?
The thought and reality brings a choked sob out of her. “Oh my god.”
Joel, sick with his own guilt, tries to comfort Ellie but the girl is quick to shove him away, her angered tears blurring her vision. “DON’T YOU FUCKING TOUCH ME!”, she shouts.
She can't see his face, but she imagines that he's sad. Ashamed, even.
He is. Seeing the look of agony and hatred on her face…he swears it's enough to do him in. He didn't want this.
Ellie swallows. “I’ll go back…” She shakes her head. “but we’re done.” She snatches up her backpack and storms away from him, hopping on Shimmer and riding back to Jackson alone.
Joel is left with his own horse, his eyes stinging at Ellie's harsh words. He knows that she's only saying it because she's hurt and feels betrayed, but he wanted her to understand.
They weren't gonna give her a choice. They didn't.
He wanted her to understand that, to know that.
When Ellie finally makes it back to Jackson, she rushes past a couple of citizens, not even bothering to look at Dina or Jesse. Not even Tommy, who calls after her.
When she comes to the garage, all she wants to do is lay down. But when she walks in, she sees (Y/N) restocking stuff for her.
It makes her sick, seeing the girl smile at her.
But before (Y/N) could even get a word out, she notices Ellie's red eyes and the anguish on her face. “What happened?", she asks.
Ellie's eyebrows only scrunch. “That's what I wanna know." Ellie pulls out the recording to let (Y/N) hear it. The redhead's heart only clenches and drops when she sees (Y/N)'s eyes widen when they listen to the recording.
Ellie stops it, waiting for the girl to explain.
“You went back…?”, (Y/N) asks.
Ellie shakes her head. "Get out.” (Y/N) stops her, "Hold on. Just let me explain.”
Ellie yells, "Explain??? Explain fucking what!?" She storms up to (Y/N). “When I asked you, both of you, if what happened at the hospital was all that had happened, what did you do?”
(Y/N)'s head drops in shame. “We swore."
Ellie nods, “You swore. You fucking swore that nothing happened.", she says, quietly.
(Y/N) feels the guilt swim in her body as she tries to explain. "Ellie, you don't understand–”
"They were supposed to be making a cure, (Y/N). A fucking cure. How could you fuck this up for me?? Both of you!?”, Ellie exclaims.
"Making that cure could've killed you!”, (Y/N) fights. "That was my responsibility. Mine. Both of you took that away from me!”, Ellie yells.
“That shit wasn't your responsibility, Ellie! Get that shit through your head!", (Y/N) yells, making Ellie quiet down. She tears up. “You don't think that I wish that there was a damn cure? That something good could've come out of this?", she asks, holding up her healed limb.
"They were gonna kill you, Ellie. They didn't even pull you through to ask you if you were ready to go through with it. They were ready to take you apart over something that they have failed to make for YEARS. This goes beyond us. Have you ever considered the possibility that there were plenty of other immune people that they just put down for the sake of a cure??? You're not the only one!!”, she yells at the redhead.
Ellie shakes her head once more, blinking back tears. “Get out.", she says quietly. (Y/N)'s heart drops. “Ellie–”
Ellie stops her. "Get out."
(Y/N)'s eyes sting as she nodded before leaving the garage.
She let out a shaky breath that turned into a choked sob. She looked up, hearing footsteps approaching and saw Joel's face. He looked like he aged quicker than the last time she saw him.
Her eyes bubbled with tears and she ran into his arms. He didn't hesitate to hold her, the two mourning their shattered relationship with Ellie.
He takes her back home to evade the wandering eyes of Jackson's citizens. Neither wanted to eat, but Joel did anyway, trying to get (Y/N) to eat a bit of something. She wouldn't, too guilt ridden to do so.
When she wouldn't even pick up her head, Joel wanted to give up, letting out a sigh. It took months for (Y/N) to even leave the house, to go on patrol, to see her friends. She missed her friends. Her best friend.
Months turn into years and it's been four years since Ellie found out. Joel was doing a little better, seeing as how at least one of his girls wasn't upset with him.
As they were talking in the kitchen, he and (Y/N) hear a knock on the front door.
(Y/N) looks at the older man over her shoulder and he glances at her before moving to go answer the door. He really hoped it wasn't Ellie getting ready to tell him that she was leaving after she said she'd stay.
He hoped.
Instead, when he opens the door, he sees Jesse standing at the door, looking like a kicked puppy. The boy only perks up a bit when he sees Joel. “Hey…is (Y/N) home?”, he asks.
Joel sighs, "She's not…really up to company right now, Jesse. Maybe some other time–"
“It's fine.", they'd hear. Both of them looked to see (Y/N) standing in the doorway of the foyer. Jesse takes in (Y/N)’s tired stature.
She gestures for him to come upstairs and he follows wordlessly. Joel doesn't even have it in him to remind them to keep the door open once they get in her room.
(Y/N) lets Jesse inside her room before she closes the door and sits on her bed. She sniffs. “What's up?", she asks.
“My issue can't be any worse than what's goin' on with you. You both look like you went to a funeral. Well, you more than Joel. You don't come hang out anymore.", Jesse says, trying to joke, but it doesn't lift her smile at all. He sits next to her, placing an arm around her. “You wanna talk about it?"
How would she even start? My immune best friend isn't my best friend anymore because she put the weight of the cure for all mankind on her shoulders and when she was told it was all for nothing, she dropped me like a fly?
She shakes her head. “Mhn-mhn. Not really."
Jesse huffs. She looks up at him. “What's up with you? Did something happen?", she asks.
Jesse frowns, deflecting. "What, I can't come check up on you?”
(Y/N) frowns at him. "Jesse.”
Jesse sighs. “Alright, alright. Dina and I….we – we split.”, he says, making (Y/N)'s eyes widen.
"What? I thought you guys were okay. What even happened??”, she asks. He shrugs. “It's okay. It was…mutual. We were on and off. It just didn't work out. I'm just…I just wanted to come see you, y'know? Things haven't been the same.”
She lays her head on his shoulder.
No kidding.
She didn't think things were ever gonna be the same.
“You and Ellie are like strangers now, and it's been worrying me and Dina. We…we had arguments about you two. I think that's also why we split too.”, Jesse says. (Y/N) looks up at him, a sad frown on her face. "I'm sorry…"
Jesse's eyes widened a bit, “I didn't say that to make you feel bad! I promise! I just – I'm worried. You don't come to me anymore and I didn't know how to bring it up.", he reassures.
He hugs her. “Whatever you two are goin' through, you can get through this. You two were as thick as thieves. Whatever it is that's botherin' you, you two are gonna have to talk about it. Can't avoid it forever.”, he murmured.
"What if talking doesn't work…?", she asks. He shakes his head. “Just try. For me. Please? I miss my friends."
(Y/N) sighs and nods, hugging him back. “Okay …I'll try.”
Since (Y/N) agreed, Jesse spent more time with her to help her get in the groove to talk to Ellie, even going so far as pretending to be her just to make (Y/N) smile again.
He missed her smile.
Seeing that the girl hadn't stopped, he took it a step further, resorting to tickling her to hear her laughter again.
It was melodious to hear throughout the house. Joel, who has just come home from his shift, heard their laughter, more surprised to hear (Y/N)’s.
He walked up the stairs just as (Y/N) was giggling, out of breath from being tickled. He crosses his arms when he sees Jesse perched on top of the girl, smiling down at her with his hands at her sides.
The older man raised an eyebrow and cleared his throat, catching them in the act. Their eyes widened, seeing Joel and Jesse quickly scampered off of her.
Joel watches as Jesse tries to slip out of the room without Joel tearing his head off. “I'm…just gonna go.”, he says before rushing out.
(Y/N) snickers before Joel looks back at her.
She straightened up and tried to seem decent. “Didn't hear you come home.", she says. Joel huffs, leaning against the doorframe. "I see.”, he says, smiling a bit. "So. You and Jesse, huh?”
Her face drops as she shakes her head quickly. "Not having this conversation. He just broke up with Dina a couple of days ago. I-I doubt he's looking for anything else right now.”, she says.
Joel's eyebrows raise. “Really, now? I thought they were tight."
She shakes her head. "He says they've been on and off. I wouldn't know considering…y'know.” Joel frowns a bit and nods.
Ellie, (Y/N), Dina and Jesse used to be as thick as thieves, but since Ellie found out the truth, their pack broke.
He puts up a smile. “Well, it's good to see you smile again. And if he makes you happy–"
(Y/N) cuts him off. “Joel."
Joel raises his hands in surrender. “I'm just sayin’, there's always a time and place for everythin’. If he makes you happy…” Joel's mouth opens and closes, "I say go for it…but don't go too far. You get what I'm sayin’?”
She shakes her head. "Not a clue. I'm starting to think you're losing your touch.”, she says, smiling. Joel huffs a laugh.
"Just…be careful, s'all I'm sayin'.", he says before leaving her room.
Joel finally managed to convince (Y/N) to join the annual party that Jackson had to bring up the morale as a distraction from the outside of the city.
She spent her morning tending to the horses, giving extra apples she could find to Shimmer before heading back home. She cleaned up the filth of her shift, freshening up in better clothes to get ready for the night.
She dressed up a little simple but elegant. As elegant as one can be in an apocalypse.
She sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. She truly began to look just like Riley, just with features of her own. She looked down at her palm, rubbing at it as if her bite was all a dream.
It might as well have been. It wasn't even there anymore.
She was just getting used to keeping herself guarded while being on patrol. And being on patrol with Jesse was…fun. He made sure to watch her back and kept her distracted. It was like they were growing their own friendship outside of the other two, and she was fine with that.
Even one day of their patrol, she made sure to comfort him with the fresh break up. They ran into a small herd of runners and took them down.
She grunts, taking down another runner. "Do you think she was just ... Bored?”
Jesse pauses, considering (Y/N)'s question as he wipes the blade of his knife clean on his jeans. He huffs, a puff of air leaving his lips. His brow furrows, a hint of frustration flickering across his sharp features as he considers her question.
"Bored," he repeats, a note of disbelief in his calm, steady voice. "Maybe. I don't know anymore, (Y/N). It just feels like..." He trails off, shaking his head as if trying to clear it.
He takes a deep breath as he stares out into the rustling snow covered foliage. "I thought we had somethin’ real. That she needed me, y’know? I guess I was wrong."
His jaw clenches, the strong line of his profile etched with a mix of sadness and anger. "But…boredom doesn't explain the way she looked at me when we talked about it. Like she pitied me or somethin’."
She looks at him, a bit sad. Jesse frowns and points at her. "Like that! That's how she looked at me.”, he says, making her jaw drop a bit. "What am I, ugly? Is that what it is?”
His sudden question makes her sputter a laugh. She shakes her head as he whines, his deep voice cracking just a bit. "What???”
"You're not ugly, J.”, she giggles. He was really the opposite, if she was being honest. She sighs, a big puff of air covering her face for a quick moment. "Don't think on it too hard. You said it was mutual. Do you really think she's overthinking this too?"
He doesn't.
The unspoken truth hangs heavy in the air between them. Jesse appreciates her presence and solidarity that calms his messed up head.
(Y/N), on the other hand, wanted to tell him how she really felt. But she couldn't. She couldn't even think of telling him that she might be immune. Not yet.
She couldn't even tell Tommy or Maria and she doubted that Joel said anything yet.
And then there's Ellie.
Ellie.
She'd most likely be there tonight.
She sighed and swallowed, feeling nervous. The redhead practically acted like she never existed, which broke her heart.
She chose Dina’s company over hers. At least she had a good friend to keep her grounded. One that won't lie to her. One that'll have her back.
What if Riley had a twin and watched over Ellie for her? What if Ellie wasn't the only one who was immune? What if the cordyceps modified into something more?
TLOU x black!reader
Chapter 14: Let's Go Home < (Previous Chapter)
30 minutes earlier…
Joel groaned, and opened his eyes to see dingy white walls. Looking around, he realizes he’s in a room. Hospital.
He sees Marlene sitting in a chair, a solemn look in her eyes. "Welcome to the Fireflies. Sorry about the…”, she gestures over to a couple of Fireflies near his bed. "They didn't know who you were."
He doesn't see his girls anywhere.
"And Ellie? (Y/N)?", Joel asked her. He doesn't miss the subtle shift in her eyes. "They're alright. They brought them back.", Marlene replied, crossing her arms before she narrowed her eyes.
"You came all this way… How'd you do it?", she asked him.
"It was them. Those two fought like hell to get here.”, Joel replied, sitting up. "Maybe it was meant to be."
"I lost most of my crew crossing the country. I pretty much lost everything. And then you show up and somehow we find you just in time to save her. Maybe it was meant to be.", Marlene says, feeling a bit of…frustration. Envy.
"I gotta see them. Take me to them.", Joel said to Marlene. She shakes her head. "You don't have to worry about them anymore. We'll take care of–”
Joel cuts her off. "I worry." After (Y/N)’s words…He does. At this point, after everything, he's had every right. “Just let me see them. Please." Joel stands up and walks in front of her.
"You can't. Ellie's being prepped for surgery and she's still asleep.", Marlene said as she stood up from her chair. “And…(Y/N)’s going on a mission.”
"The hell you mean surgery? And what mission? That girl damn near drowned and you're already sending her off?" Joel asked her, even more worried.
That terrified look on (Y/N)’s face…it haunts him. He's seen kids terrified. He's seen kids die. But…after all of this….
Going on a mission?
Marlene frowns. "The doctors tell me that the cordyceps, the growth inside of Ellie, has somehow mutated. It's why she's immune. Once they remove it, they'll be able to reverse-engineer a vaccine." Then she smiles and lets out a small huff of reluctant relief. "A vaccine."
Joel's eyebrows furrowed as he looked at her in disbelief.
"But it grows all over the brain.", Joel said. Marlene swallows, her jaw set, determined. However, her eyes told a different story. "It does."
Joel becomes angry as he glares at her. "Find someone else.", he told her firmly.
Marlene scoffs. "What, you rather I use (Y/N) instead?”
Joel's eyes widened and it even confirmed her suspicions. "Yeah, I found out. Aside from her, there is no one else. And besides…(Y/N)’s busy.”
Her tone makes Joel's nerves set alight with anger. He begins to storm up to her. “Listen, you are gonna show me where–" However, one of the guards comes up and knocks him down to his knees.
Marlene frowns, "Stop. I get it. But whatever it is you think you're going through right now, it is nothing compared to what I have been through. I knew Ellie since she was born. I promised her mother I would look after her."
"And what about (Y/N)? You'd really kill a kid?? All because she wanted to see her friend? Why are you even lettin’ this happen? To either of ‘em?", Joel asked, hoarsely.
"Because this isn't about me. Or even them. There is no other choice here.", she said to him.
By now, he believes that this "mission” is a crock of shit.
Joel scoffs and shakes his head before he sits up straight and rests his arms on his knees, glaring up at Marlene. "Yeah…you keep telling yourself that bullshit."
Marlene, frustrated, glares at him in turn before she speaks to one of the guards. "March him outta here. He tries anything, shoot him." She turns away before she looks at him over her shoulder. "Don't waste this gift, Joel.", she said before walking out of the room with one of the guards.
Gift … Yeah, right. He's never known anyone to sacrifice a kid for the sake of humanity or what was left. The idea of it, even now, sounded absurd. After 20 years?
What did they even do to Ellie…? They didn't ask her to do this…did they…? There's no way she'd agree to being cut open…
Unless they convinced her. Kids are impressionable. And with Ellie's survivor guilt…
Joel looks down at the ground as the guard walks up to him. "Get up.", the guard ordered, aiming his gun at Joel.
Joel doesn't move for a moment until he slowly raises his head at the guard then gets up.
"Go on. Move.", the guard orders. Joel slowly starts walking out of the room but then stops at the doorway.
"I said move.", the guard shoved his gun against Joel's shoulder. Joel glares at him over his shoulder. "Give me an excuse.", the guard threatened.
"Which way?", Joel grounded out. The guard gestures to the left. Joel sighs and walks to the left where Joel sees his backpack, Ellie’s and (Y/N)’s on a counter.
He can't. He can't leave them.
He stopped once he passed the counter. "What the fuck you doin'? Keep walking.", the guard grumbled but Joel didn't move. "I said keep walking–"
Joel elbows the guard's gun up and then slams him up against the wall as he takes the guard's gun, immediately pressing the barrel to the man's groin. “Where are they?"
When the man doesn't answer, Joel shakes his head. "I ain't got time for this.”, and fires, the shot muffling against the man's organ, making him wheeze in blinding pain. “Where?", Joel asks. The guard, in pain, doesn't answer. Joel shoots him again. "Where!?”
The man in front of him wheezes, "Top floor…Fourth floor."
Joel backs up, letting the man slide down to his knees before shooting him in his head, not caring for the sound it made.
He grabbed what he could from each girl's bag, taking (Y/N)’s and rushing to the fourth floor as he heard the alarm sound off.
On the upper floor of the hospital, (Y/N) rushed around, hiding in the shadows and ducking behind walls when she heard footsteps rushing past her. She heard the gunshot.
Maybe some infected got in…she was hoping that was the case. Because then, at least she'd have some cover up so she could find Ellie and get out.
“I heard the shots downstairs!", she'd hear. “You check up here and I'll go. He might've gotten past us."
She heard fading footsteps and slow, calculated footsteps in the area. She snuck to see that there was one guard. Definitely a Firefly.
She used her experience with Joel, sneaking up on the guard and putting him a chokehold, straining as the guard struggled until he couldn't.
She dropped him, panting softly, realizing what she had just done. She shouldn't be surprised. She's killed countless of strangers and infected, the bodies collected had become a blur.
As she looked down at the man beneath her, she took his weapon and helmet, stalking down a hallway where she located a map.
If Marlene had Ellie somewhere, by now, she'd be in an OR. The top floor.
That's where she'll head up to.
So she rushed up the stairs, keeping her head down and her weapon drawn. More footsteps headed her way as she ducked behind a desk. Various voices spouting orders made her tense as it got quiet.
Their footsteps were light as if they were searching for someone. She snuck behind a corner, waiting for the footsteps to pass.
When a pair of footsteps came towards her, she ducked behind a wall, watching a guard go by and came up behind him, strangling him to the ground.
She let out a quiet breath but became tense once more when she heard gunshots. They weren't aimed at her for sure, but she stayed hidden until it became quiet. Whoever this person was…they were skilled in taking all of those guards out.
She could barely see the silhouette in the dark as she peeked around a corner, narrowly missing getting her head shot off.
She huffed and turned another corner, keeping her head down as she began to flank whoever this was. Once she did, she came up behind the person, grimacing as she accidentally stepped on broken glass.
The sound catches the person's attention and she tackles the stranger, immediately trying to take the gun out of the person's hands.
Struggling, she gets the helmet knocked off of her head, trying to overpower. She can't help but feel as if she's losing the fight. It's too dark, this person's too strong and the one person she's trying to get to… she feels like she's running out of time.
She screams out of frustration and agony, managing to knock the gun from her assailant’s hands, deciding to use her fists instead.
“Stop – hey – (Y/N), stop it!", she hears the familiar drawl and pauses, her smaller fist caught tightly.
She pants heavily as she looks down at person's face through the darkness. She could see a backpack for sure. Familiar straps. The flannel pattern.
“It's me.", she hears and tears up immediately. “Joel…?”, she mumbled, sliding off of him. He hugs her tightly, catching his own breath. "What were you thinking wearin' these clothes? I thought you were one of them. I could've –”
He didn't even wanna think about it. He cups her wet cheeks, shushing her hiccups. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”, he tells her.
She has no time to speak as they hear footsteps coming towards them. He takes hold of her, pulling her into a hiding place as the footsteps pass them and pause, most likely taking in the carnage left behind.
He ushered her away, leading her to the top floor where Ellie was located. “I told you I'm not leavin' you here. I'm gettin' you two out of here.", Joel said as they walked to a window, seeing the OR just across the way. They seemed to have already started the operation.
“We gotta go.", (Y/N) says, rushing down the long halls that lead to the OR.
They rush inside the prep room where a nurse and two doctors stood over Ellie, who was unconscious on the table.
(Y/N)’s eyes widened as her jaw dropped. Was she…
"Sweet Jesus.", Joel mutters. "Doctor?", a nurse calls, catching the doctor's attention.
Following her line of sight, the doctor tums to the two and gasps. "What're you two doing here? I won't let you two take her. This is our future. Think of all the lives we'll save."
Joel walks closer making the doctor resort to pulling a scalpel on him. "Don't come any closer. I mean it."
Joel rushes up to the doctor, takes the scalpel and stabs the doctor in the throat, making everyone's eyes widen. “You fucking animal!", a nurse shouts. "Kari, shut the hell up!", the second doctor shouted. The nurse begins to cry. "Please. I don't wanna die. Oh God…oh God…"
Joel ignores the woman and disconnects the tubes from the unconscious redhead, picking her up.
(Y/N) pulls her gun out at the doctor and nurse as Joel does so. “Keep still.", she orders.
Joel whispers to Ellie as he cradles her. "Come on, babygirl. I gotcha…" Beams of lights catch their attention.
"We need to go. I got you.", (Y/N) tells Joel. He nods and they run out.
"They're over here! He's carrying the girl towards pediatrics!" A guard yelled as they ran through a room then out to another hall. "Come on, you two. We just want the girl. Get up here. Now!" Another guard yelled.
"We're gettin' you outta here, babygirl. I got you. I got you.", Joel mutters to Ellie, checking on (Y/N) as they run down the hall.
They skid to a short stop as a group of guards come towards them. "Shit." Joel and (Y/N) muttered, ducking into another room that led to a different hallway. "Cover the exits!", they heard as they ran.
They run until they see an elevator. "We're okay, we're okay, we're okay…", Joel mutters as they close in on the elevator. "This is your last chance. Drop her now!", they heard.
(Y/N) lets Joel go ahead with Ellie, covering him with gunshots towards the guards.
She rushes into the elevator, ducking from the gunshots that were fired at her.
(Y/N) quickly slams the closed doors button and pants heavily as the doors close and the elevator lowers.
Joel shakes Ellie a bit, “Wake up, Ellie. C'mon, open your eyes." (Y/N) looks at the unconscious redhead in concern. Joel and (Y/N) look at each other before seeing they arrived on their floor.
(Y/N) immediately aims her gun at the opening doors, cautious. "Come on." They begin to run out of the elevator but pause hearing a gun click at their left.
They saw Marlene aiming a gun at them, her frown set on (Y/N). "You two can't save her. Even if you guys get her out of here, then what? How long before she's tom to pieces by a pack of clickers? That is if she hasn't been raped and murdered first."
(Y/N) glares at her, aiming her gun at the woman. "I'll be there to protect her.”
Marlene lifts her chin, challengingly. “And when you're not?"
"That ain't for you to decide.", Joel told her firmly. Marlene glances at him. "It's what she'd want. You both know that. Look…" She lowers her gun and holds her hands out. "You can still do the right thing here. She won't feel anything."
Marlene walks closer to them, cautiously. "She won't have to.”, (Y/N) says before shooting Marlene in the stomach, watching her drop with a groan.
She keeps the gun on the woman as Joel finds a truck and puts Ellie in the backseat. He comes back to (Y/N) seeing that the girl hadn't put down the gun.
As much as Marlene deserved it for trying to kill her in the first place, he doesn't like the cold look in the girl's eyes. He didn't want this. Not for her. Not for either of them.
He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Get in the truck, baby girl.", he says softly. (Y/N) doesn't turn to him. It takes her a moment to hesitantly lower the gun before looking up at Joel.
He takes in her glistening eyes before nodding his head toward the truck’s direction. “Go on, now.", he says.
She nods and leaves, getting in the passenger side as Joel turns to Marlene, taking out his own gun.
Marlene raises her head up and holds her hand out to him, an attempt to plead for her life. "Wait! Let me go. Please."
He shook his head. “You'd just come after them.", Joel said before shooting her in the head. The loud gunshot rings out in the underground garage, loud enough to alert anyone nearby. Joel walks back over to the truck, getting in and starting the vehicle up with relief.
He takes them out of there, far from the hospital.
As he drove, he looked at the girls from his peripheral and the rear view mirror. (Y/N) had fallen asleep, and so was Ellie.
It didn't take (Y/N) long enough to stay asleep once she heard Ellie shuffling in the back. "What the hell am I wearing?", Ellie asked as she looked down at her gown.
"Just take it easy…drugs are still wearing off.", Joel told her.
"What happened?", she asked. (Y/N) glances at Joel. "We found the Fireflies. Turns out there's a whole lot more like you, Ellie. People that are immune. It's dozens actually. Ain't done a damn bit of good either. They've actually st–" he glanced at the rear view mirror. "They've stopped lookin' for a cure. I'm takin' us home."
(Y/N) nods in agreement, turning back to the girl. "They turned me down too. No use.”
Ellie looks a bit dejected before she lays back down and turns away which makes (Y/N)’s eyes sting. She lied to her. Had to.
(Y/N) turns away, letting out a soft shaky breath. It was worth it. It had to be. The Fireflies were no more. Ellie…Ellie was safe. She was safe.
“We're going home.", Joel repeats softly. (Y/N) looks at him as he glances at her with a nod.
(Y/N) nods and settles in her seat, shutting her eyes.
Within three hours, they were finally on the edge of Jackson, each of them in fresh clothes they found as the truck finally gave out from running out of gas.
Ellie sat in the open backseat of the truck, looking at her bite with contempt and slight frustration.
"Well, looks like we're walkin'. Should be a straight shot through here.", Joel said as he pointed toward a barbed wire fence, catching the girls' attention . "Alright.", Ellie mutters, hopping out of the truck and walking towards him.
"Actually kinda pretty, ain't it?", Joel asked them as he pointed at the forestry. The girls nod in agreement as Joel peels away a part of the fence wide enough for them to crawl through. "Alright. Now watch your head goin' through."
"Here…got it.", Ellie said, holding the fence open for Joel.
Joel climbs through the fence and lets out a small groan and a huff. "Feelin' my age now…"
As they walked, he spoke up. "Don't think I ever told you two, but Sarah and I used to take hikes like this. I think, uh, I think the three of you would've been good friends. Think you two really would've liked her. I know she would've liked the both of you."
Ellie nods. "I bet I would've."
(Y/N) can't help but feel even more guilty with her response. Maybe Sarah would've been a more responsible, honest friend.
They look over the hill that revealed Jackson. "Wow…", (Y/N) mutters. "Just a little bit further now.", Joel said as they walked across the little stream, coming over to a ledge.
Joel gets on top of this large branch and climbs up the ledge. The girls follow him as he holds his hand out to help them over. "Alright, come on.", Joel said and he starts to head towards the town but Ellie stops him. "Hey, wait."
Joel stopped and turned to Ellie. (Y/N) looks down at Ellie as she fiddles with her fingers for a moment. She sighs and looks up at Joel.
"Back in Boston – back when I was bitten, (Y/N) and I weren't alone. My best friend was there. And she got bit too. We didn't know what to do. So…she says, Let's just wait it out. Y'know, we can be all poetic and just lose our minds together.”, Ellie says, making (Y/N) shut her eyes from the sting that approaches.
This entire time, she's been worried and focused on not dying, that each day that passed, she'd begun to forget what her sister sounded like.
"I'm still waiting for my turn.", Ellie said. Joel glances at (Y/N), remembering her words.
The reason why Marlene wanted her dead so badly.
"Ellie–" Joel begins but Ellie stops him.
"Her name was Riley and she was the first to die. And then it was Tess. And then Sam. And then…”
Ellie looks at (Y/N) who looks away. "None of that is on you.", Joel told her firmly.
"No, you don't understand." Ellie said. "I struggled for a long time with surviving. And you–" Joel said but he stops as he looks down at his watch and runs his thumb over the broken face before he looks down at them. "No matter what, you keep finding something to fight for."
Ellie scoffs and sighs, making him try to see her. To understand what he was saying. "Now, I know that's not what you want to hear right now, but it's–"
"Swear to me.", Ellie tells him firmly, looking up at Joel. She turns to (Y/N) as well. “Both of you. Swear to me that everything you guys said about the Fireflies is true."
Joel looks at her, square in the eyes. "I swear.”
(Y/N) nods. "It's true.”
Even though Ellie looks a little unsure, she looks at them both for a moment and nods. "Okay.”
What if Riley had a twin and watched over Ellie for her? What if Ellie wasn't the only one who was immune? What if the cordyceps modified into something more?
TLOU x black!reader
Chapter 13: One Last Time < (Previous Chapter)
As they walked out of the terminal and into the old quarantine zone, there were a few medical tents that flapped in the wind, abandoned.
"Well, this place takes me back.", Joel says as they look over at the tents. "Yeah? How so?", (Y/N) asked him.
"It was right after everythin' went down. I ended up in a triage just like this.", Joel responds, making the girls look at him. "Everywhere you looked, you just…saw families torn apart. The whole damn world seemed to have turned upside-down in a blink."
"Is that after you lost Sarah?", Ellie asked him. "Yes, it was…", Joel nods, sadly. "I…can't imagine losing someone you love like that. Losing everything that you know. I'm sorry, Joel.", Ellie said. (Y/N) frowns sadly, "Me too."
Joel looked over at them, smiling sadly. "That's okay."
They begin walking past the tents and coming up to a bus when Ellie speaks up again. "Hey, Joel. I got somethin' for you. Here.", Ellie said as Joel turned to her. "Maria showed this to us and I, uh…I stole it. I hope you don't mind."
She holds out a picture, old and almost discolored. Joel takes it, with a slightly nostalgic gaze then pockets it before he lets out a withered sigh.
"Well, no matter how hard you try, I guess you can't escape your past.", Joel said before he let out a heavy sigh then looked at her. "Thank you."
The three climb through the bus and into the other side of the zone, heading towards a traffic tunnel. "This time it's gonna be different. I just know it.", Ellie said.
"Why do you say that?", (Y/N) asked. "They're gonna be there -- the Fireflies, I mean. I'm sure of it.", Ellie said, hopeful.
It makes (Y/N) frown.
One, because if they were there, that'd mean she'd be a bigger target for the Fireflies than before. She may not have turned, but she was infected. And it would show. Sooner or later.
Though, if they weren't…All the more reason to head back to Jackson.
They continued to walk through and saw some Infected limping and groaning up ahead.
"Oh, shit.", Joel mutters as they crouch and hide behind an abandoned car. "Shit!", the girls hissed. "Stay quiet." Joel tells them as he starts to walk out and begins to attack the group of Infected, killing them.
“There's too many of them.", (Y/N) said as they rushed deeper into the tunnel, coming up on more Infected, and dreadfully a Bloater.
"I know. Let's just keep at it.", Joel encourages as he pulls out a molotov and throws it at the Bloater. The molotov explodes on the towering monster as Ellie and (Y/N) cover him.
Soon after, silence is all that is heard in the tunnel, save for their heavy breathing.
"We killed 'em…I think we got all of 'em.", Ellie said as they looked around. "Let's hope.", (Y/N) said.
"Endure and survive.", Joel mutters as they come up to a trailer with a large crate at the top. "That crate could get us up there.", Joel said as he went over to the trailer and got into his stance to boost Ellie up. "Alright, you think you can shove that crate down?"
Ellie nods and is easily launched over the trailer. She pushes the crate down soon after. "Look out below!", she says, as the crate lands on the ground.
The other two climbed up, just to see a flooded area as they jumped down. "Watch your step. That water looks pretty deep.", Joel warns Ellie as they walk over to the edge and across the old air ducts, heading towards another trailer.
Ellie suddenly gets an idea, a smile coming to her face.
"Hey, that's what we can do once we're done.", Ellie said. "What's that?" Joel asked. "You can teach me how to swim.", she says, making Joel and (Y/N) smile. "You got it.", Joel said as he jumped into the water and dived down.
"I'm on the other side!" Joel shouts. "Cool. Drop that ladder down for us!", (Y/N) exclaimed. "Alright, hold on." Joel said and, moments later, the girls see him on top of the trailer, grabbing a ladder then drops it down. (Y/N) waves Ellie to go first before she follows and the three of them get on top, climbing down to more of a flooded area.
"Alright, just stick to the edge. It's shallow over here." Joel said to Ellie as he goes to the edge and walks into the water.
"Oh, it's freezing!", the redhead squealed as the girls ran across the water then up the stairs and went over to a door. Joel goes to open but it doesn't budge.
"And another jammed door." Joel said. (Y/N) looks up at a gap above the gate, nudging Ellie to do the same. "That should be small enough for me.", she says to him and Joel goes over to the gap and cups his hand, ready for Ellie to do her thing. "Alright. Gimme your foot." Joel said.
Ellie immediately climbs on top and Joel boosts her up, helping her climb on the other side. "Get that door open.", Joel said. However, a Clicker suddenly ran towards Ellie, immediately attacking. "Ellie!!" Joel and (Y/N) exclaimed. Ellie's eyes widened as she pressed against the door, but gunshots rang out in the area and the clicker fell over. Ellie pants and turns to see that Joel and (Y/N) had their guns out.
(Y/N) winces as she feels a twinge of pain in her head, but shakes it off, focusing on Ellie. "You okay?" Ellie nods, "Yeah….it just surprised me. Man, I can't wait for those things to be wiped out." Ellie grumbles as she opens the door for them.
Finding their way through, they pause. "Hey, look. There it is." Ellie said as she pointed towards the hospital. Standing where they could see it, it just seemed a mile or so out. Joel jumps into the water and dives into the water and reappears on an upper balcony.
He finds a pallet for Ellie and swims over for her to step on. (Y/N) gets in the water with him. "Alright, get on." Joel said to Ellie. "Okay.", she said, then jumped on the pallet. "Okay, there. I'm on it."
Joel steers the pallet towards another platform.
"Be careful." Ellie said to Joel. "I gotcha.", Joel said as he pushed the pallet to the platform. Ellie jumps and climbs up, finding her stability on the platform.
Joel comes back to the original platform with (Y/N) as Ellie walks up a set of stairs and heads towards a ladder. "Stand back!", Ellie warns as she drops the ladder.
The two cautiously lol around before climbing onto the ladder, but as soon as (Y/N) starts to climb on it, it suddenly breaks. "Oh shit.", (Y/N) yelled as she held onto the ladder. "Shit, you alright?", Joel asked as he came up next to her and helped hold the ladder up.
(Y/N) nods. "Yeah, I'm fine." Ellie called out, concerned. "What just happened?"
"Damn ladder broke off the wall," Joel responds to her. "Now what?", Ellie asked. "We'll figure somethin' out." Joel said they looked towards the wall behind them and took the ladder and leaned it against the wall.
Joel and (Y/N) climb up, and Joel picks up the ladder, leading her to the other end of the walkway. From the corner of his eye, he could see the girl getting restless. Nervous, even.
"I won't let them take you.", he tells her softly. His whisper catches her attention as he sets the ladder down.
For a moment…she believes him. At least, she wants to. But the moment she was in the Fireflies hands, she was theirs. It didn't matter what he did or said.
They climb down the ladder then Joel picks up the ladder and lays it across to the other platform.
Understanding Joel's actions, Elle nods. "Oh, I see…good idea." Ellie said as they followed along, parallel to her and kept going until they could meet up once more. Once they did, they were relieved to at least be on the same side.
Noticing a fast moving current, Ellie called out. “Uh, you guys?"
(Y/N) and Joel looks up, frowning when they see the current. “Aw, hell.", (Y/N) mutters.
"Let me go ahead and you two follow my lead.", Joel told the girls as they walked atop some trucks and trailers to get across the water. They, then, come across a gap in between, which stops their original path. Joel jumps over it then turns to the girls.
"Okay." Ellie mutters, disapprovingly.
"Come on, now. Jump." Joel said to the girls. The redhead sputters, disbelievingly. "You gonna catch us?", Ellie asked him. "I got you two.", Joel said and (Y/N) nods at Ellie. The girl took a breath before running and jumping into Joel's arms.
Joel nods and turns to (Y/N). "Your turn, kiddo. C'mon." Joel said, trying beckon her to jump over. (Y/N) takes a couple of breaths. It was just like jumping roofs. She's done it before.
No big deal.
One last breath and she jumps over the gap, and Joel, as promised, caught her with a huff. Ellie sighed in relief.
"See? You two didn't even need me." Joel said to them. "Let's get the hell off this thing." Ellie said, almost begrudgingly.
They walked along the edge then jumped down on the bus, which shifted under their combined weight. It begins creaking, which makes them panic. "Oh shit!" Ellie exclaimed. "Ellie, (Y/N), move!", Joel yells, causing the girls to sprint over to the opposite end of the bus, but it starts breaking under Joel's weight.
"Oh shit, I got it!", Joel said as he grabs at the ledge, but he falls through the bus, sinking under the flooded abandoned vehicle. "Joel!" Ellie and (Y/N) screamed. They managed to find a stable way to jump on top of it, seeing Joel bobbing up in the water.
"We made it! We fucking made it!", Ellie exclaimed, once they landed. "Okayl Open, you piece of shit!", Ellie growls as Joel tries to help them budge the door open. The door opens but it hits Joel in the head and he sinks back under the water, and resurfaces.
"Joel! C'mon, let's get you–", (Y/N) reached for the man, but the bus swayed, causing the girls to hang on the entrance. Joel reaches for them. "Girls, gimme your hands! Gimme your hands before–"
Suddenly, the bus turns over, sending them underwater.
Immediately, (Y/N) tries to keep the unconscious Ellie afloat, but also stumbles into the bus, falling unconscious.
Joel manages to escape the bus, taking the girls from under the water in a mere few seconds of losing his own breath before they hit the surface. Joel gulps some air as he lugs the girls from under the water, finding them both unconscious. (Y/N)’s breathing was ragged, Ellie wasn't breathing at all, so he began CPR.
"C'mon…C'mon…C'mon…", Joel mutters, trying again as he pumps her chest. He'd hear guns cocked as he continued. "Hands in the air." A voice ordered. Firefly. Had to be.
Joel looked up for a short second as he continued and shook his head. "She's not breathin'.”, he says.
"Hands in the fucking air!" The man orders again but Joel continues with the CPR. "Come on, Ellie!" Joel yells as the guards come closer, and hits him across the face with the butt of his gun, knocking him unconscious.
The guards kept their guns on the man before looking at the girls. Recognizing them by their description, they call it in. Ellie is carried with care while the other two are checked and dragged to the hospital.
(Y/N) wakes up to a kick to her side, moments later. She groans, trying to blink away the dampness from her eyes and coughs the remaining water out of her lungs. She looks up to see two Fireflies and Marlene, who doesn't look happy.
The girl backs into a wall, nervous as she sees a detector device in Marlene’s hand, it's screen bright red. Infected.
Marlene looks up from a cot, frowning deeply. “I find it funny that you're here. Alive, yet infected. But no bite on you. Not a single area, and we searched.”
It was true, now that (Y/N) was wide awake, she could realize that she was cold, shivering from being underwater. They undressed her down to her skivvies.
The Fireflies looked down at her, guns at their side, frowns on their faces, their bodies taut and ready to pounce if needed.
“Karmatic, don't you think?”, Marlene speaks. "You were a survivor. The lone survivor and now look at you.”
(Y/N) stumbles out a response. "E-Ellie was a s-survivor, too.” Marlene's eyes flash with a dangerous glint, "She was – !” The older woman takes a breath. "She was a victim. Just like Riley.”
(Y/N) frowns as she rubs her arms, trying to keep warm.
"I can't even call you a victim. Not after you disobeyed me. You knew this was coming.”, Marlene says as she gets up from the cot, tossing the detector on it. "I told you two, to not talk to her. That if you were going to join the Fireflies, you'd need to give all of that up, because there was a chance you'd fuck up her living situation with FEDRA, because if they knew she was fraternizing with a Firefly, they'd kill her without hesitation. I told you that. And now look at what happened. Your sister's dead. Best friend's bitten. And now you. Though, I'm not sure what happened with you. Bite? Hm? Mask problem?”, she asks (Y/N), stopping right in front of her.
(Y/N) looks down. “I got bit."
Marlene scoffs. “Where? Because we can't find a bite.", she says. (Y/N) thought she misheard that the first time. No bite?
(Y/N) looked at her right hand and sure enough, the bite that was once there, pussing, bloody, infected; it was gone. Not even a scar left behind. So what did that mean for her? For Ellie? For Riley? Was she lucky? No, not lucky. What did she do that was so different?
Was there something wrong with her…?
Marlene shakes her head, walking away. “It doesn't matter. We got what we needed. I'll tell Ellie you…went on a mission.”
(Y/N) looks up, a chill running down her spine from Marlene's tone. "Where is she? Is she okay?? What about Joel? Where's Joel??”
Marlene doesn't look at her. Doesn't even mention the man. "She's… safe. Safer than she would be with you.”, Marlene says. She opens the door, not even giving her a second glance. "Do what you have to do. Just do it quick.”, she tells the Fireflies before walking out.
The Fireflies looked down at her, pissed, disgusted, but pleased to have permission to give out her punishment as they saw fit.
(Y/N) rubs her arms. "Before we do this, can I at least have some clothes?”
One of the Fireflies speak. "After what you did?”
(Y/N) responds, "You all act like I committed a crime! Like I'm some heinous criminal!”
She stands and it makes the taller Firefly kick her in the abdomen, knocking her back into the wall. “Who told you to move?", he asks.
(Y/N) coughs and looks up at him with a glare. “Son of a bitch…”, she coughs, rubbing her stomach. "That all you got?”
The man punches her, sending her back onto the floor with a groan. (Y/N) held her face in her hand, immediately feeling the pain bloom in her cheek. Her head felt like it was spinning. It didn't help that the pain she had earlier was slowly coming back.
She could tell the difference. It felt like someone was probing her brain, picking and prodding what they wanted to take.
“Not so mouthy now, are you?", he asks, and kicks her side again.
The other Firefly comes to her, holding her up by her hair, making (Y/N) groan and wince with squeezed eyes. She couldn't cry out. She wouldn't. Not to give them satisfaction.
She fought to come here, to see that Ellie was delivered, safe. She couldn't give up now. And Joel. What about Joel? What happened to Joel?? He didn't give up on them…did he?
He wouldn't. Not after everything they've been through. He wouldn't.
Blows after blows, she couldn't help but think of the other two. She couldn't stop worrying. What happened?? What actually happened…?
How'd they even get here??
She remembers being knocked underwater. She remembers trying to get Joel out of that damned bus. She remembers trying to swim to Ellie's rescue.
And then, nothing. Nothing but darkness, until now.
She couldn't give up now. Not until she had some real answers. After everything she's been through, being shot at, being beaten and chased and bit…after all of that, she deserved to see Ellie one last time.
One last time before she would meet Riley again.
But not without going down fighting.
When she opened her eyes to see the man's fist coming towards her, she managed to dodge enough to bite onto his hand, causing him to cry out as she latched on tight. She wouldn't let go, not even as he and the other Firefly punched her.
When she could taste the familiar metallic flavor of blood, be it hers or his, she didn't care. She had to try something.
She opened her mouth, letting his hand go and he wrenched his hand away to look at his torn glove, blood oozing out of the bite mark.
He pants heavily, looking down at his hand in shock. The other two look at his hand as well, and (Y/N) can't help but feel some type of pride. She left her mark.
“She bit me…” He turned to her, eyes blazing. "You bit me!!”
"Who's infected now, dickhead?”, (Y/N) spat. Just as the man stormed up to her, the power shut off from the room they stood in and an alarm blared throughout the building.
“What now?", the woman asks. While they were distracted, (Y/N) manages to take the gun from the woman behind her and immediately shoots the man dead before wrestling with her.
The gun slid across the dark floor and they scrambled to get it. The woman immediately gets to the gun first, and shoots at (Y/N). The girl quickly lifts a hand to take the gun, but her body reacts. The bullet chips her skin like scales shedding on a dragon.
Both of their eyes land on her arm that reveals almost crystalized, thickened skin. The bullet barely made a dent.
(Y/N)'s eyes widened. Was she…turning…? She didn't feel any different. She was still her.
She turned to the woman who kept looking at her and aimed the gun at her once more. (Y/N) immediately fought her, wrestled her for the gun and landed on top of her as she tried to take the gun out of her hands.
When she couldn't, she just decided to do what Joel had done before. Turned the gun towards the woman's head enough and pulled the trigger, stopping the struggling all together.
She sat back, panting heavily as she came back to reality. Something was happening and neither Joel or Ellie were around to ease her nerves.
Ellie…
She looked down at the dead woman beneath her and undressed her, putting the clothes on herself. She checked her arm once more, seeing the layered skin peel away as she picked at it before leaving the room with the gun.
What if Riley had a twin and watched over Ellie for her? What if Ellie wasn't the only one who was immune? What if the cordyceps modified into something more?
TLOU x black!reader
Chapter 12: False Hope < (Previous Chapter)
"They're gonna kill me."
Joel's face darkened in bewilderment. He wished that wasn't the first time he's heard something like that coming out of her mouth and so fearfully.
The fireflies were something to look up to, to emit hope to those who lost it. So, why was this girl so afraid of going back?
"Why – They're gonna kill you? For what?", he asked. (Y/N)'s tired eyes bubbled with tears once more as she peered at Ellie; Joel's eyes following her line of sight to the sleeping redhead.
Joel felt irritated. Not only because this news was almost heartbreaking, but because he's still being kept in the dark.
He can't be upset, though. Months ago, he wanted nothing to do with these girls and now…
He becomes attached and now he can't take it back. No matter how much he wants to. Not like he wants to now.
He already figured the two had history more than just being involved with each other.
Ellie always stood up for (Y/N) and (Y/N) barely let Joel near Ellie; at the time, he didn't give two shits. But now… it's different. They could've left him to die. They could've.
Maybe they should've.
But they tried their best to protect him, patch him up and feed him and ended up being far much more traumatized than he wanted.
"(Y/N)… Why would they kill you? Why wouldn't Marlene just keep you with her?", he asked.
The girl swallowed. "She wanted to make sure I stayed with Ellie. Saved face to make it seem like nothing was wrong.", she muttered.
"Gave me a second chance to prove myself, but she's still gonna have me killed. I broke a rule and because of that, Ellie's in this position.", (Y/N) confessed. "I overheard Marlene talking to one of the guys. She was pissed. Beyond pissed. She figured that Ellie would be too busy to notice I was even gone."
It wasn't a pleasing answer, and it still didn't explain everything. In the bits and pieces, it just sounds like she got Ellie bit.
(Y/N) noticed his silence, filled with curiosity and worry. She wanted to tell him, but if Ellie wasn't ready, she wouldn't say anything either.
Joel frowned, watching her lay down by the window. He would stay up. It stayed that way for weeks and the girls weren't the same.
Eventually, they healed enough to move out of the house they stayed in. Joel was hesitant to get them to the hospital.
Salt Lake City…
He wasn't sure if he should just turn them around and go back to Jackson.
Is that what Ellie would want? To go back to Jackson…? Be a kid…? Have some type of childhood without the worry of being killed or looking over her shoulder every five seconds….? He wanted that for both of them.
He wanted that so desperately, now that he was told about Marlene's actual plan. Especially since he wasn't told about that from Marlene in the beginning. It made him despise Marlene even more. To kill a kid? So willingly?
He's never done that. Not children. Not since…
Suddenly, he hears a psst.
He looks up seeing the girls hiding behind trees, noticing how on edge they were, he followed their line of sight. There were two runners twitching about. Freshly turned, no doubt.
He ducked behind a tree, hiding as well. How was he not paying attention…? He's supposed to keep them safe.
"I'll take one out.", (Y/N) tells him. Ellie frowns at her and before she can say anything, (Y/N) gives her a pointed look before moving around to get an opening to take out the runner she had her eye on while Joel takes out the other one.
As she sneaks up as best as she can, her foot lands on a twig, catching the attention of the runner in front of her. He swings around, muddy, bloody teeth snarling at her as he lunges, sloppily but aggressively at her. She stepped back as Joel tussled with the other runner, while he also tried to keep his eye on (Y/N) and Ellie, just in case.
Just as he looked away, he heard a grunt of pain and a thud followed by small gurgling. He finally takes the runner out with a shiv, and looks over a (Y/N) who has her back turned towards him. "Hey. You okay?", he asks. (Y/N) says nothing. Ellie comes up behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Hey. What–"
Her eyes widened as she caught a glimpse of (Y/N)'s hand. On the outside of (Y/N)'s hand is a bloody bite mark. Joel quickly strides over to the girls but (Y/N) takes a step back from either of them. She holds up her trembling hand to show Joel, watching his face contort into disbelief. Just like when he saw Tess's bite. Only…much more distraught.
(Y/N) lowered her hand to look at it.
Did this mean she wouldn't have to meet Marlene's wrath…? Or anything else she had planned? Being bitten was her own demise…She…wanted this.
But seeing the tearful, sickly expression on Ellie's face and Joel trying to keep up his hardened expression…she could only give them both a smile.
"It's okay.", (Y/N) says. "We were getting close. It was bound to happen. Sometime."
Ellie moved over to her, immediately hugging her. (Y/N) felt her body run feverish and sore so suddenly. Was this how it was for Riley…? Was this how she felt waiting it out….?
Ellie looks at her before glancing at Joel who still hasn't said anything.
(Y/N) looks at him as well. "You don't have to worry about putting me down, Joel. I got my gun. It's okay.", she says softly.
That wasn't what he wanted to hear. He didn't want to hear a child so ready to end their life. The one he was supposed to protect. And now this? They came so far. They were so careful up until now.
Did she want this….? Did she plan this…?
No. That's stupid. That's a stupid thought. Why would she plan this…unless…
"We – we can wait it out. I don't wanna leave you. Not like this.", Ellie says. (Y/N) looks down at her. "El, you gotta go. Marlene needs you.", she tells Ellie.
"But I need you!", Ellie cries. "You - you're all I haveー"
She was all that she had left of Riley and now…
Ellie shakes her head. "I'm not leaving you."
(Y/N) sits down by a tree. It hurt to stand now. Her head hurt. Her eyes hurt. Everything.
From what she remembered…she, maybe, had 8 hours. Riley and Ellie got bit in the middle of the night and Riley took hours to finally turn. Only at sunrise, maybe by noon was she completely gone. Tess got bit and her infection got worse within hours of that morning…
Sam also got bit and didn't change until morning. Maybe in the middle of the night while everyone was asleep. Alone.
It was nearing sundown. She had maybe until morning.
She looked at Ellie as the girl sat down next to her. Joel kept his distance, but stayed close enough. They didn’t say much, afraid of attracting more infected. By nightfall, (Y/N) rendered to sleep due to her fever.
Ellie laid (Y/N)’s head in her lap, constantly wiping away her sweat.
The twin was getting sicker and sicker. It was different from Riley and Sam. Her eyes were bloodshot earlier, but they weren’t as crazed.
She didn't understand. Everything happened too fast. Just like before. She…could've helped. She was still letting what happened with David affect her. She was distracted. In her own head and now her best friend…what's last of her…
She looks down at (Y/N), noticing how shallow the twin's breathing was getting.
They were slow, almost sticky sounding like she was breathing through phlegm.
She reached over to hold (Y/N)’s bitten hand. It stopped bleeding. Wasn't no point in wrappin' it up, Joel told them earlier. Can't waste materials like that.
But…the bite doesn't look as deep as before. Wasn't as reddened anymore. Was it…healing…? No. Must be her imagination.
With that, she watches Joel lose from fighting off his sleep. She tries her best to fight as well, but the aftermath of everything that happened still takes a toll on her. So, she falls asleep.
Morning comes and Ellie wakes up from being shook awake by Joel. Instantly, she looks down at her lap. (Y/N)’s nowhere to be found.
“Where is she?", Ellie asks, looking around. Joel shakes his head. "I dunno. We might have to keep movin'.”, he says.
"Screw that shit.”, Ellie says, surprising Joel a bit. He kinda missed her vulgarity after being unusually quiet lately.
(Y/N)’s stuff was still with them. It was strange. She should've attacked by now.
Her gun was still by Ellie's side. Ellie grabs it and stands, leaving the area with Joel as they search for her.
As they moved, they would hear moving water. That meant a river. But, they also heard splashing and became cautious. The last thing they needed was to meet people at the moment.
As they came up on the river, they would see a familiar figure splashing and thrashing water about. Ellie, a bit relieved, came out from hiding and went down to the river, seeing (Y/N)’s back. She tread cautiously, still unsure if the girl had changed or not.
As she got closer, (Y/N) paused and turned her head over her shoulder to see Ellie staring back at her, almost expectantly.
Ellie's eyes widened at the girl's eyes dribbling with blood. Her eyes seemed so…foggy. “(Y/N)….?", she spoke up, feeling nervous after Sam's attack. The twin doesn't say anything. Instead, she turns back to the river, resuming messily thrashing herself in the river water as if she was trying to wash away dirt and blood from her face.
Ellie's shoulders relaxed a bit as she glanced back at Joel who stood cautiously behind her, hand on his side to grab his gun if needed. He didn't want to. He really didn't. This wasn't supposed to be the fate of kids. Kids. It wasn't fair.
But….she's not attacking. And it seems like the infection set in, but not completely.
“You guys should move on.", they'd hear (Y/N) say. Ellie snapped back to look at (Y/N), surprised. She let out a breath of relief. She…she's conscious.
(Y/N) turned back to them, the blood finally cleaned from her face. Her eyes weren't as foggy anymore.
“You're okay…”, Ellie says. She looks at Joel. Was she also immune?
"If you can call having a huge headache okay, then I'm doing fine. But there's no telling what'll happen and when.”, (Y/N) said, standing slowly to ease Joel's nerves. Her eyes locked onto his hand that hasn't left his side yet. It was instinct. She couldn't blame him.
Ellie stepped closer to her to hug her. "You're okay.”, she says softly. (Y/N) looks down at her. "You trying to convince me or yourself?”
Ellie looks up at her. “Both.", she says before nodding with finality. She steps closer to (Y/N) who takes a step back in the river. Ellie frowns. “(Y/N)? You’re okay.”
The girl shakes her head at Ellie’s hope. “You don’t know that.”, she gravelly says. “You can’t infect me.”, Ellie says. “And that’s supposed to make me feel better?”, (Y/N) challenged. Ellie smiles. (Y/N) frowns at her. “What.”
Ellie steps closer to her. (Y/N) takes another step back. “Ellie. Get back here.”, Joel says. “Listen to him, El.”, (Y/N) says. Ellie doesn’t listen. Instead, she’s challenging them both, stepping closer and closer to (Y/N). “If you’re so sure that you’re still turning, you won’t hesitate to bite me. What can you do? You can’t infect me.”
“I can tear your throat out.”, (Y/N) says. “Okay.”, Ellie says, stepping in the river with her. (Y/N) stopped moving away from her. Instead, her eyes tear up. “Ellie, what’re you doing…?”
“Showing you that you won’t hurt me.”, the redhead replies. “What if I’m like Sam…? What if I’m like…”, (Y/N) trails off. Ellie already knew where she was going with this and it wouldn’t work.
“Both of them were far gone. Especially her. We all waited. It’s way past sunrise. You’re still here. You’re not twitching, not lashing at me. You’re still here.”, Ellie says, stepping closer to her until they were nearly chest to chest.
Now, Ellie could get a better look at her. Her eyes were less foggy and bloodshot. Conscious, alive. Hurt, but okay. She was still her friend. She overcame the infection somehow.
Ellie smiles softly before hugging her. Both Joel and (Y/N) tenses, but she hugs her cautiously. The girls begin to weep. For Riley, for Tess, for the unfortunate fate of Henry and Sam.
Joel begins to ease up as the girls cry together. For once, he believed they were gonna be okay. But…He was still hesitant to bring them to the Fireflies. Because there’s no telling what Marlene would do now.
Weeks pass as they keep eyes on (Y/N)’s changes.
"Ah, got it!", the Abel girl heard the Texan man mutter. "Got what?", he heard her ask. He looked up as she sat in the trunk of the SUV, barely paying attention to him.
He frowned a bit but shook the tin can in his hand, grabbing her attention. Her face scrunched in confusion. "The crap is that?", she asked.
He gave another smile. "Chef Boyardi. Ravioli." She raised an eyebrow. "Ravioli?"
He shook his head, forgetting for a moment that they were way younger than when the brand was popular. He stuck it in his backpack. He'd have them try it later.
He sighed and looked ahead, catching the sight of the highway exit sign. "Found the hospital.", Joel muttered, pointing ahead. The twin frowned, feeling a little discouraged to continue.
Joel turned and saw the girl's face. "I'm not gonna let them hurt you.", he said, almost promising. If there was a way he could avoid having them be so harsh on her, regardless of what happened, he'd do it.
He looked at the redhead behind her. "Ellie, c'mon!", he called. The girl doesn't react. If anything, she was staring off into space. Y/N looked at the girl as well. Joel calls her again. "Ellie!"
Ellie blinks and turns around.
Joel frowns. "Did you hear me?"
"No," Ellie shakes her head. "What?"
The man sighed, pointing at the sign ahead. "Look. Hospital." Ellie moved over to them. "This is where we get off. Let's go, kiddos.", Joel said, guiding the girls.
He closes his eyes and breathes in deeply, almost content with the breeze that brushes them. "You feel that breeze, huh?", Joel asks, half mindedly. "I tell you, on a day like this, I'd just sit on my porch, pick away at my six-string."
He glances down at the girls. "You know, once we're done with this whole thing, I'm gonna teach y'all how to play guitar.", he says, gaining the attention of the Abel girl, satisfied with her curious expression. He couldn't say the same about Ellie, though. She still hasn't said anything.
"What do you say, huh?", Joel asks Ellie.
Ellie doesn't respond.
"Ellie, I'm talkin' to you too.", Joel says.
"Huh?" Ellie blinks and gives a smile, but it seemed so off and forced. "Oh…yeah, sure. That sounds great.", she says, almost tiredly.
Joel frowns and looks at (Y/N) who looks at Ellie with a sad frown. Regardless, they continue down the road.
The two girls wait by an RV while Joel goes and rummages through it. Suddenly, Ellie speaks up. "I dreamt about flying the other night."
"Oh yeah?", Joel asks, getting out of the RV, almost surprised that she was talking again.
"Yeah." Ellie nods her head at the airplane advertisement on the side of the bus.
"That's new.", (Y/N) says, interested.
Ellie nods, and continues, "So…I'm on this big plane full of people. And… everyone is screaming and yelling cause the plane's going down,"
She continues as they walk ahead. "So, I walk to the cockpit, open the door, but there's no pilot."
They let Ellie continue. "I try to use the controls, but I obviously have no clue how to fly a plane. And… right before we crash, I wake up."
Ellie has a wondering look on her face. "I've never been on a plane. Isn't that weird?"
Joel lets out a chuckle. "Well, you know. Dreams are weird."
"It kinda sounded a little scary. Especially since I don't think you've ever been on a plane.", (Y/N) says and Ellie nods in agreement.
Regardless, they continue on, sinking in silence once more.
Joel sighs as he looks around. "Another city, another abandoned quarantine zone," he says.
He climbs on top of a van and then the higher bus to get a good look ahead and jump the QZ's fence with the girls following behind. He spots the hospital ahead.
"There's that hospital the Firefly mentioned.", Joel points. "C'mon, kiddos."
They quietly follow him, both girls growing tense. Coming across a gate,they made their way over and looked around at an open building on the block. Ellie heads inside with (Y/N) trailing after her. Joel follows the two, looking around. "Maybe we cut through here…"
The two didn't respond and Joel checks for anything useful, finding abandoned suitcases on the ground. He finds a note inside one of them and reads.
Lucia,
We made it to the Quarantine Zone. I wanted to call you but all the phone lines are down in this city. They told us that they can deliver letters between the different zones, although it will probably take a week or two to reach you.
We're in good spirits. Hanna talks about you a lot—she really misses you. I'm surprised at the calmness and maturity she's shown throughout this craziness. I feel like I've been the emotional one. I find that she's comforting me most of the time.
We've raised her well.
I hope all is well on your side of the country. And I really hope to hear your voice soon.
Love,
Graham
Joel hums as he puts the paper away. "We didn't have a clue back then.", he says, almost sad.
Quietly, he turns to see the girls sitting on a bench in silence. They usually joked or whispered amongst themselves, but now…it felt like there was a wall between them. And an even bigger one between him and them.
"Everythin' alright?", he asks. Ellie doesn't meet his eyes, but (Y/N) does. She gives him a nod.
"I'm fine.", Ellie reassured quietly.
"Yeah, you just…", he didn't know how else to put it. "Kinda seem extra quiet today. Both of y'all."
"Oh. Sorry.", Ellie apologizes, looking down. (Y/N)'s frown appears on her face once more. The man almost doubles back from the tension in the room.
"No, it's not—" Joel tried to ease up their mood, but it didn't work. He sighs, "it's fine."
(Y/N) watches Joel walk towards a wall with a ladder peeking over the edge.
"Well, we could use that ladder," Joel says, his hands on his hips. He turns and braces his back to the wall, and he cups his hands for Ellie to climb up.
He frowns as he still sees Ellie sat on the bench. He looks at (Y/N) who doesn't even meet his eyes. "Ellie," he calls. He sighs when she doesn't respond, so he calls her once more, firmer this time. "Ellie."
Ellie jumps. "What?"
"The ladder," Joel says, his voice void from sternness, "c'mon."
"Right…" Ellie stands and glances at her friend who gives her a half hearted smile before she walks over to Joel. (Y/N) hated seeing Ellie like this. Barely responsive, barely chipper.
Joel gets back into position and helps Ellie up the wall. Ellie shimmies her way up and stands, grabbing the ladder and pushing it. Before she hands the ladder off to Joel, something catches the girl's attention, making her whisper in astonishment, "Oh my God."
And she mindlessly drops the ladder with Joel narrowly dodging the heavy tool as it lands with a loud clatter.
"Whoa!" Joel looks up, nearly wanting to bite the girl's head off for nearly dropping it on his head. (Y/N) stands in a hurry as she watches Ellie rush away. "Ellie!"
"What is it? Ellie? Ellie!", Joel calls and sets up the ladder. "C'mon.", he called to the Abel twin and she followed him to follow Ellie.
The redhead has a smile on her face as they almost reach her. "You gotta see this!", Ellie exclaimed.
"What is it?", Joel asks. "The hell is…?" He watches the girl frantically look through windows.
Ellie peeks through a window but moves further away. Both Joel and (Y/N) are confused about what she's seeing but never really question her excitement.
"Are you kidding me…?", Ellie whispers as she rushes away once more.
The two behind her look through the hole in the wall and see nothing, looking at each other in confusion. They continue to follow Ellie as the girl yelled at them to follow.
"C'mon!", Ellie urges, crossing a bridge-like walkway. "Hurry up!"
They follow until Ellie opens up a door and stops, admiring what she saw. As the two walk through the door, their jaws drop.
"That's… Holy shit…", (Y/N) muttered.
A giraffe stands in the broken hole in the building, eating leaves peacefully. It was beautiful and a new sight.
(Y/N) cautiously moves to Ellie's side. "How'd you manage to see it? We couldn't see this from outside…", she whispered.
Ellie just grins at her before turning to Joel. The man steps towards, also almost forgetting the terrors outside of their new lifestyle. "You see this?", Ellie whispered.
Joel cautiously moves over the giraffe, careful to not scare it off.
"Shhh, don't scare it.", Ellie whispers, not ready to let the giraffe go just yet.
"I won't, I won't.", Joel promises, quietly. He reaches out to the giraffe with a gentle hand.
"What are you doing?", the girls ask.
"It's alright.", Joel reassures the animal and the girls. He nods his head at them, gesturing to them to follow his lead. "C'mere, c'mere." They hesitate. "Hurry up, c'mon."
The girls slowly steps to Joel's side, afraid of scaring it off. "Go on.", Joel urges softly.
Ellie reaches up and strokes her fingers on the giraffe's skin, her green eyes widening in wonder. (Y/N) could feel goosebumps rising on her skin from the new experience.
"Hey, there.", Ellie whispers to the giraffe. She laughs lightly as the giraffe steps away. "So fucking cool. Oh, where's it off to?", she asked, trying to follow it. "Here, c'mon! Let's go!", she rushes the two behind her.
Joel chuckles, "Slow down, kiddo."
(Y/N) smiled, a bit relieved at Ellie's excitement. In a way, she wished Riley was here to see it too. She'd be so happy to see Ellie so excited.
But…with the recent events that happened, she wondered what her sister would've thought of her, not protecting Ellie properly.
Shaking her head, she followed the two in front of her.
Reaching the door to the roof, Joel and the girls are filled with awe, adoring the grassy sight in front of the hospital. A group of giraffes graze in the middle of the field, all void of any dangers that the three had come across for months.
"Oh, man!", Ellie breathes. She walks down the stairs and over to a ledge. "Wow. Look at those things."
Joel follows and leans against the ledge to look at the cruising animals with Ellie while (Y/N) stays near the door.
It was beautiful. A huge contrast to what was really out there. In a way she was glad that this peaceful sight would be the last she'd see.
It was worth it. To at least see Ellie smile one last time.
"So…" Joel looks down at Ellie. "This everythin' you were hopin' for?"
Ellie shrugs. "It's got its ups and downs. But… you can't deny the view though."
She was right. He knew that.
Even so…
He turned to her as she watched the giraffes travel through the field. He turns to see (Y/N) doing the same.
"We don't have to do this," Joel says to them. Ellie looks at him, confused. "You know that, right?", Joel asks.
Ellie shakes her head. "What's the other option?"
"Go back to Tommy's. Just…" Joel waves his hand in dismissal, "be done with this whole damn thing."
Everything in (Y/N) was screaming at Ellie to agree. She wouldn't fight on it. She'd happily go back to Tommy's even if it meant not being able to make up for his lost horses, but at least she'd be far away from the Fireflies.
However…
"After all we've been through. Everything that I've done." Ellie sighs and shrugs. "It can't be for nothing."
Ellie leaves the ledge, brushing past (Y/N) as she walks back inside. Joel contemplates and glances at (Y/N) who seems conflicted and distressed. He frowns as he walks back up to (Y/N) rubbing her shoulder before following her back inside as well.
The two follow Ellie and she speaks up.
"Look, I know you mean well… but there's no halfway with this. Once we're done… we'll go wherever you want. Ok?", Ellie suggests.
Joel lets out a soft huff. "Well I ain't leavin' without you." He gives a firm, certain look to (Y/N). "Either of you. So let's go wrap this up."
(Y/N) was appreciative of his words. But they were words at this point. The hospital was only moments ahead.
What if Riley had a twin and watched over Ellie for her? What if Ellie wasn't the only one who was immune? What if the cordyceps modified into something more?
TLOU x black!reader
Tw: Hints of CSA
Chapter 11: Cold Guilt < (Previous Chapter)
It was cold…
Too cold.
She couldn't even remember the hands that groped her. Their hands felt like stones against her cold, numbing skin. It didn't feel sticky and sweaty anymore.
She could feel the tenderness of every bruise they brushed and carelessly grabbed at. Every cut that stung and just froze over. It hurt, but it didn't.
She couldn't remember the difference of the voices that came in the room looking for another person to grab.
She was alone…
Ellie.
Where was Ellie? Where the hell was Ellie? Was Joel safe? Was he awake now? It wouldn't have mattered. She's not sure how far they were taken. He can't find them.
She wanted to shift her sore and tired arms from above her head. With the way they thrashed her and her own thrashing in the dark, she was sure the rope was sure to snap. She couldn't stay here for long.
She tried to push through the pain shooting from her shoulders to her sore wrists, rubbing the rope against the hook she was bound by. Getting the harsh friction to at least get a small tear into the rope, she pulled at her restraints one last time and dropped to the floor with a loud clatter from the hook.
She choked in pain before letting out a shaky breath as she laid on the floor.
She was free. Not for long, though.
She heard footsteps walking to the door of the room and grabbed the hook before hiding on the wall near the door.
Once the door opened, a tall man walked in, closing the door behind him. He looked around with a flashlight, and caught a missing body. Before he could turn around, (Y/N) swung the hook right in the back of his neck, making him choke and gargle before dropping to the floor.
She let out huffs of breaths she didn't know she was holding. She looked over the dying man and struggled to take his shirt off to replace the tattered mess she had left. It was warm, sticky from his blood but warm.
She would've welcomed it more had it not touched the tender spots of her body. It draped down to her knees, like a gown.
Okay…
She had a new shirt, was running on adrenaline now and had none of her actual weapons. She couldn't do shit with a hook.
What next…?
Where was this place…?
She really hoped nothing happened to Joel while they were gone. She hoped they drove away enough of David's people from the house.
The hung beheaded bodies didn't bother her anymore. Even the dead body of Callus didn't bother her anymore. They tried torturing her with that.
"Your poor dead horse. You thought you could get away on a horse?", she heard them taunt.
It pissed her off. Not only because Callus was a sweet boy, but he wasn't their horse. She had already let Diamond die because she wasn't focused.
It was her fault. She should've just gone off by herself. Ellie could've stayed with Joel. There were so many guys, they must've already found him by now.
But what could Ellie have done with that many guys on their tail anyways? Try to defend Joel and herself in the cold? They'd tear her apart.
(Y/N) didn't want to see that. She didn't want to even think about it.
She looked around the room once more, thanks to the dropped flashlight and saw the silhouettes of what seemed to be boats and went to go rummage and see what she could use to fight whoever else might get in her way.
As she did, she stopped once she heard a grunt. She turned quickly to the man who was still on the floor. It wasn't him.
She turned to the door he came out of and listened. However, the grunt wasn't coming from there either. It came from another door.
The same door they brought Callus through. She hid behind a canoe as she heard someone breaking the lock on the door and the door was kicked in. She grabbed the hook in her hand with a tight grip.
Another flashlight went her way, but missed her as she heard footsteps trudge through the room. The cold air from outside was sure to get her caught with how much air she was trying not to puff out. She peeked up to see a figure looking over the dead man on the floor. He had stuff on his back that she could use.
She stepped out of her place quietly, creeping closer to the figure and swung the hook. However, the figure was too quick and caught the hook with a sharp grunt. (Y/N) tried prying it from the hands that tried keeping her from causing any damage.
Her blood was pumping through her ears now, desperation filling her body as she tried to survive.
She heard her name being called through the blockage of her hearing from the blood rushing in her ears. "– me! It's me!", she heard. "Stop! (Y/N)!!"
She went rigid as she looked up at the figure with the best light she could. Her eyes teared up at the sight of Joel.
He…
He was here…? Alive? Walking? Fighting her off?
Her eyes bubbled with tears as she trembled. "Joel…", she whimpered, letting go of the hook. He moved it away from her, the sight of her breaking his own heart.
How long was he out…? How long did they torment her…?
Joel held her close. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, darlin'...", he said, softly. He shut his eyes at the sounds of her sniffles.
He pulled her away for a moment. "We have to go find Ellie, okay? We gotta get y'all out of here." He looked down at her, catching the lack of warm clothes and shoes.
Her skin was darkening and he feared it was nearing frostbite. He kneeled down with a wince, taking her pack and opening it up for her to get some pants.
He gave her some jeans since that was the best she could have at the moment. He didn't miss the distant look in her eye as he turned away from her so she could get dressed. She quickly got dressed and took her pack from him, putting it on.
"You ready?", he asked. She didn't say anything, but gave him a nod. He could see that her exhaustion was coming quickly, that her adrenaline was wearing off and she'd drop if they stayed any longer.
"C'mon.", he said, leading her out into the cold and to a burning building.
They tried to find a way through as they heard a muffled voice and Ellie's cry of pain. As they tried to find a way to get inside, they heard a different scream of pain and quickly rushed into the building, finding the redhead bludgeoning the face of what used to be David. Joel rushed up to her first, trying to get her to stop.
Ellie thrashes in his hold before she stops to look at him. “It’s me…", Joel reassured. Ellie sobbed as he held her face, "He – He tried to–", Ellie started but Joel held her tight, not wanting another word out of her mouth. "Oh, baby girl..."
"Joel…", Ellie whimpered, gripping onto his sleeve. "I got you.”, he muttered.
The redhead peeked as she saw her friend, and bubbled sobs came out as she tugged her into the hug too.
Silent tears dripped out of (Y/N)'s tired and sore eyes. It was getting harder to breathe for all of them.
Joel held the girls up. "We gotta go. Let's go.", he muttered, watching as the flames in the restaurant got bigger and brighter.
He turned the girls away from the mess on the floor, leaving the body to burn in the wooden building.
Good riddance.
He got the two to a different house, a good distance from the resort at least. He let out a soft groan as he leaned on a cold wall before glancing at the shivering girls.
They stuck to each other like glue, trying to preserve their body heat. But they were barely meeting each other's eyes.
He frowned sadly before making it over to a fireplace using the old broken wood of the house floors as kindle before setting it on fire.
They all needed to warm up.
His shaky hands worked to make a big enough fire. He sat on the floor with a thump and a sigh. "Y'all come over here and get warm.", Joel muttered softly. The girls barely bat an eye.
He frowned. "Ellie. (Y/N).", he called.
They looked up at him almost shrinking further into each other.
It hurt.
They looked afraid of him.
That's not what he wanted. This wasn't what he wanted. In a minute, he became conflicted. He warned Tess. Tommy. Marlene. They're kids. And he didn't do what he was supposed to. He didn't protect them. It didn't matter how he was getting them there. Not if he couldn't protect them.
Now he has to deal with that guilt.
"–oel."
His eyes shifted to the girls suddenly sitting by his side. Shivering, exhausted girls. His girls, he decided at that moment.
His frown softened as he watched their eyes glisten with tears once more before he gently brought his arms out to them.
They didn't hesitate to collapse in his arms, instantly feeling his own shivering.
Hours passed and it was nightfall. He ran a bath for them as they rested by the fireplace. Using a pot of snow to fill the tub upstairs with a small fire to warm the pot each time he collected enough snow to get them to at least wipe down with a rag was enough for him.
Each girl got to clean up, albeit afraid of being left alone once more. They were both sore. Sore in places they wouldn't admit to the older man. At least not (Y/N). Ellie was the one that had the worst of it. She was stuck alone with David. She got taken out first.
The thought of whatever David did to her made (Y/N)'s stomach churn. They haven't eaten in days and food was the last thing on her mind at the moment.
As she finished up, Ellie fell asleep staying by Joel. (Y/N) could barely sleep, keeping her eyes on each window.
Joel noticed. He was upset about it, but he didn't question it. "Why don't you get some rest?", he asked.
"m'not tired.", she mumbled, still keeping her trained eye on the windows. He heard that before.
He frowned. "I'm awake and alright now. You get some rest.", Joel said. She glanced at him with the same distant look from before.
He wasn't sure if she trusted him anymore. This world easily changes and leaves an impression on kids' minds. He's seen it happen back at the QZ. Too many kids shifted to violence, selfishness and survival. They had no choice. It wasn't right.
He wished he could change that for them.
But he couldn't. He still had to get them to the Fireflies.
"I don't wanna go.", he heard (Y/N) mumble. He looked at her once more. "Go? Go where?", he'd ask.
"The Fireflies. I don't wanna go.", she said before looking at the sleeping redhead. "But we have to. For her."
Joel frowned. "Why don't you wanna go? Why didn't you say anything before we left Jackson?"
She looked down. "I didn't want her to know, but I really don't wanna go. I don't want her to go either.", she said before looking up at him with tearful, reddened eyes.
What if Riley had a twin and watched over Ellie for her? What if Ellie wasn't the only one who was immune? What if the cordyceps modified into something more?
TLOU x black!reader
Chapter 10: Winter 1 < (Previous Chapter)
"He's gonna be alright." That's all (Y/N) could tell Ellie. The man was barely conscious anymore. He was their only way around anywhere and he was knocking on death's door.
She was barely able to keep faith in his strength herself.
Her thoughts stopped once she saw Ellie walking up to her with a dead rabbit. "That can't be all that's out here.", (Y/N) said, jumping off of Callus as Ellie tied the dead rabbit to the saddle. It was chunky, better than the dead squirrels (Y/N) managed to catch, but still not enough to make it through another day.
Ellie sighed. "I know. I heard something else but I think I scared it off." A small rustle caught (Y/N)'s attention and her eyes widened in acknowledgement. She swatted the redhead's arm with taps. The redhead looked at her in confusion. "What??"
Ellie turned around and her eyes widened as the two spotted a deer a distance away from them. Ellie hurriedly took Callus's reins and tossed them on a branch, tightening it. "You'll just startle it.", Ellie said and followed (Y/N) to track down the deer.
Once they got close enough, (Y/N) let Ellie shoot at it with her bow and arrow, effectively hitting the deer, but not enough to kill it. The animal lets out a pained screech and runs off. "Shit.", (Y/N) swears and ran off with Ellie close behind.
Once they found it again, (Y/N) aimed the rifle at it and shot it, making it run off again. This time, they'd have an advantage to follow its blood trail, leading to an abandoned warehouse. They glanced around in the bushes they hid in, already not liking the looks of the place.
They run through the building and see the deer, lifelessly laying on its side. As they step toward it, a snap of a twig alerts them and they aim their weapons at the sound. "Who's there?", Ellie asked. "Either you come out, or I start shooting!", (Y/N) declared.
Without another second, two men come out from behind a tree. One of them, who was carrying a rifle on his back, raises his arms in surrender. "Hello... we just want to talk.", he said to the girls.
(Y/N)'s eyes narrow at the men. "Any sudden moves and I put one right between your eyes.", Ellie threatens. (Y/N) nodded her head to the other man who seemed to be a grunt. "Ditto for buddy-boy over there."
"What do you want?", Ellie asked the men. "Name's David.", he nodded to the man on his right. "This here's my friend, James. We're from a larger group. Women, children -- we're all very, very hungry.", David said.
"So are we; women and children - all very hungry too.", Ellie said firmly.
"Well, maybe we could, uh, trade you for some of that meat there. What do you need? Weapons, ammo, clothes–" David was cut off by an eager Ellie. "Medicine! Do you have any antibiotics?" She calmed down after receiving a glance from (Y/N).
"We do. Back at the camp." David said and he approached them. "You're welcome to follow us–"
(Y/N) steps in front of Ellie. "Back up. We're not following you anywhere."
"Buddy-boy can go get it. He comes back with what we need, the deer is all yours. Anyone else shows up–", Ellie gets cut off by David. He nods, "You put one right between my eyes." He finishes. "That's right.", the girls said, simultaneously.
David turns to James. "Two bottles of penicillin and a syringe. Make it fast.", David said as Ellie points her arrow at James. "Go on.", David said and James leaves the girls with David.
"I'll take that rifle.", Ellie said to him. "You seem to already have one.", David said, glancing at (Y/N). The girl silently glares at David.
He wasn't fooling her. His "kind" tone pissed her off. She'd seen people like him in the Firefly orientation.
David takes the hint and he walks up to Ellie, placing the rifle in front of her. "Back up.", she threatened and he walked back a few feet.
Ellie puts her bow and arrow away then picks up the rifle, pulls back the bolt to see it is loaded then aims it at David. They stared at David as he looked around. "He's probably gonna be a while. You, uh, mind if we take some shelter from the cold?", David asked. (Y/N) looked him up and down before glancing at the deer. "Bring him with us."
David walks up to the dead deer, grabs its antlers and drags it towards a small barn. Ellie keeps the rifle on him as she follows him inside with (Y/N) watching their back as they enter.
As they wait, David makes a small fire with Ellie sitting and waiting and (Y/N) watches the window, ready to kill whatever was out there.
They were spending too much time away from Joel. It made her on edge.
"There.", she hears David say as he finishes the fire. "You know, you two really shouldn't be out here all on your own.", David said. "We have each other. That's all we need.", (Y/N) said, roughly.
A half lie.
"I see. What're your names?", David asked the girls. "Why?", Ellie asked him. "Look, I understand it's not easy to trust a couple of strangers. Whoever's hurt, you two clearly care about them. I'm sure it's gonna be just fine.", David assures them. (Y/N) glares at him before looking back at the window. "We'll see."
Before anyone could respond, they heard the cry of an Infected.
The three start checking the windows. A Clicker runs into the room, stopping at the door as it listens for sound. (Y/N) silently aims for it as it looks like it's trying to sniff out someone. Ellie steps back, causing the Clicker to roar and run towards her.
Before (Y/N) pulls the trigger, a gun fires, two bullets putting the Clicker down. David, who held a revolver, walks up to the wounded Infected, killing it with a bullet to the head.
Ellie backs away toward the older girl. "You had another gun?"
David shrugs. "Sorry." He looks out toward the empty doorway. He holds his hand out towards Ellie. "Okay. I'd really like my rifle back now."
She shook her head. "No. You have your pistol.", Ellie said. "I hope you know how to use that thing." David said to her.
Ellie adjusts rifle. "I've had some practice."
They, then, began to kill Infected that seemed to be lured toward the sound of gunshots. It lasted for what felt like hours until they stopped and the three paused, listening for more sounds. Once they could only hear the sounds of their breaths, they relaxed a bit.
Stepping over the dead bloater, (Y/N) made sure to check Ellie for any bites. It wouldn't have mattered. Ellie was immune, but she couldn't help it.
The three returned to the fire, resuming their positions. The fire was nearly burnt out and Ellie needed it. (Y/N) didn't want the luxury of relaxing.
Not yet.
Not until she knew Joel was okay and that they were okay. That they were safe.
David walks over to the remaining embers, picking up a stick and begins poking at it again. He looked at the girls. "You two handled yourselves pretty nicely back there. I'd say we make a pretty good team." David said as Ellie warms her hands over the growing fire.
"Psshh. We got lucky.", Ellie said to David. "Lucky? No, no... No such thing as luck. Naw, you see, I believe that everything happens for a reason.", David said to them.
(Y/N) glances at him before looking out the window again with a scoff. "Please."
"I do.", David says, almost humorously. "And I can prove it to you. Now, this winter has been especially cruel. A few weeks back, I... sent a group of men out to a nearby town to look for food. Only a few came back.", David said and Ellie looked at the man confused.
(Y/N) narrowed her eyes at him from her peripheral.
"They said that the others had been, uh, slaughtered by a crazy man. And get this, he's a crazy man traveling...", he said as he pointed his stick at them. "...with two little girls."
(Y/N) turns to him, rifle immediately aimed at his head.
David just gives a smile. "You see? Everything happens for a reason.", David said. Ellie hurriedly stands up, takes her rifle and aims it at David.
David barely gives them another glance, tending to the fire again. "Now, don't get upset. It's not your fault.", he says.
(Y/N)'s heart drops as she sees something out of the corner of her eye. "You're just kids. James, lower the gun.", David said and the girls turn to see James aiming his gun at them, receiving the same behavior.
"No way, David. I'm not gonna let them go.", James said, angrily, as he glared at them.
"Lower the gun.", David repeated. Reluctantly, James complies. "Now give them the medicine.", David said and James entered the room, taking out a bag of penicillin. "The others won't be happy about this.", he said as he tossed the bag at the girls. "Yeah, well that's not your concern.", David said to him.
Ellie picked the bag up, while (Y/N) was still aiming at James. The two began heading for the door, their eyes trained on them. "Move the fuck out of the way.", Ellie growled and James complied, moving towards David as they kept their eyes on the girls.
"You won't survive long out there. I can protect both of you.", David said to them. "No thanks.", Ellie said and they ran off.
How the fuck did they manage to run into their people? The leader of the pricks that caused Joel to be wounded and barely conscious?? The world couldn't have been that damn small.
(Y/N) tried to shake off their trail, completely forgetting about the deer. They just needed to get back to Joel. They'll worry about their hunger later.
They reach Callus, hurriedly climbing on top of the horse. "Let's get out of here.", Ellie said to (Y/N) once they removed the reins off of the branch. "Yeah.", (Y/N) said and rushed Callus to take off.
Once they hurriedly made it to a house, pulling the garage up and bringing Callus inside. Ellie, quickly and quietly shuts the door and follows (Y/N) to the basement. They pause on the steps to see Joel, who was lying on an old mattress with a blanket barely covering his body. He was shivering, but alive. Thankfully alive.
They get closer to him. "Joel?", Ellie softly called and Joel let out a breath. They kneel next to him as Ellie speaks up again. "We only managed to get a little bit of food. But..." She removes the penicillin from pocket. "We did get this." (Y/N) pulls back Joel's blanket.
"Move your arm.", she said, and the man weakly did so. She pulls his bloodied shirt, revealing his stitched up wound. She winces at it, noticing the blood was sticking to his shirt and wound. Ellie prepares the penicillin. "Here we go.", she said and injects it into Joel causing him to grunt in pain. She removed the needle as quickly as she could. "Sorry. All done.", she softly reassured.
She puts the syringe away and (Y/N) pulls Joel's shirt back down and pulls the blanket back over him. The girls looked at each other worriedly before laying down beside Joel, trying to keep him as warm as they could without hurting him anymore.
The girls snuggle up to him, each fighting off any tears. Eventually the cold and fighting tired them out and they slowly fell asleep.
However, the rest didn't last long as (Y/N) woke up to the sound of muffled voices. She looked around, immediately seeing Ellie and Joel were still sleeping.
So who was speaking?
She got up and climbed on top of a couch, looking out of the frosted window as she could hear the voices again.
One of the voices mentioned David. Shit.
She climbed down, shaking Ellie awake. "What's wrong?", she asked (Y/N), groggily. The older girl shushed her. "It's David's people. They found us."
She almost wished she hadn't told her that as her heart momentarily broke at the sight of fear on the redhead's face. "Really? How?"
(Y/N) shrugged. "They must've tracked us." She looked at Joel, trying to shake him awake as best as she could without hurting him.
"Joel! Joel, wake up!", she hushed. "Joel, wake the fuck up! Joel!", Ellie pushed. She'd be worried about his hurting later. If they left and he woke up without knowing where they were…
The girls barely got a response as (Y/N) placed a knife on his chest, shoving the handle into his hand as she noticed his eyes peeking a bit.
She grasped his hand around the handle. She caught his eyes weakly glancing from her to the knife in his hand. He was conscious enough.
"Okay… There are bad men coming, okay? They're coming and we gotta lead them away from you, but if anybody makes it down here, you take them down however you have to. You got it?", she asks, hurriedly expecting an answer.
Her heart pounds nervously as his eyes flutter. "Joel! Joel, do not fall asleep!", Ellie shook him again. They watch as his hand weakly grips the handle, letting them know he was conscious enough to understand.
The two hurriedly grabbed their things and rushed out of the basement. As they did, they missed Joel's weak call for them.
His fingers gripped the knife as best as he could, his vision fading and blotting. He was still too hurt, still too weak to move.
To grab them and keep them downstairs with him.
However, the two outside already snuck Callus out as quietly as they could, sneaking past a few hunters nearby as they looked around the houses.
"Are you even sure they're here?", a man asked. "Man, there were horse tracks down the fucking street. They're here.", the other man replied. Before they could get any further, Ellie felt someone grab her arm.
"Hey! I got 'em!", the hunter announced, tugging on the fighting redhead. (Y/N) quickly stabbed him in the throat before she snapped Callus's reins, the two girls ducking from the firing bullets as the horse sped off.
"They're getting away!", they heard.
"Shoot the horse! Shoot the fuckin' horse!"
They were almost away from the neighborhood before Callus got shot, making the girls tumble down the hill, landing with a pained groan. "Oh man...No...", (Y/N) hears Ellie mutter, almost heartbroken. She looked up to see the dead horse, reminding her of Diamond.
Two of their horses were dead. How could they explain that to Tommy?
The hunters' voices get closer and (Y/N) quickly rises, taking Ellie's hand and running into an abandoned cabin.
"Are we really killing them? David said he wants the kids alive," they heard a hunter say. They got this far?
"He doesn't get to make that call. James told me it's the kids from the university. How many of our guys were killed there?", they heard and grimaced.
"Oh shit. I didn't know that was them. Screw David, then. I ain't taking a chance with this. I just want to finish up and go home. I'm freezing my ass off."
The girls made their way out of the cabin, effectively taking out each hunter and running to an exit on a jagged cliffside. "Look," Ellie points at a sign.
"Nature track..." (Y/N) nods. "Okay, that should get us out of here.", she said and followed the trail, dreading the height of the cliff but shimmied nonetheless.
After avoiding falling in the water, they come up on a blocked path.
"Okay, El. Gimme a hand with this.", (Y/N) said and they move the blockage out of their path, crawling through the hole.
As they make it out, they see a large lodge house on the riverside. They'd make it back to Joel. "Let's go.", (Y/N) told Ellie and they rushed over to it.
"Cover the grounds! Make sure they're not hiding somewhere over here!", they'd hear and duck down behind some crates.
"How many of these fuckers are there?", Ellie asked (Y/N). "I don't know. They're in our way, though.", (Y/N) said and dug into her bag for a nail bomb she took from Joel.
Cranking it, she threw it to where most of the hunters would gather. As they edge closer to it, the bomb continues to smoke until it finally blew up in their faces.
"Jesus.", Ellie mutters. "No time for that.", (Y/N) said and pulled her toward the lodge. "Look, we can get through there.", she said, pointing at the large hole in the roof. "Okay.", Ellie nods. (Y/N) would pull a dumpster toward the wall and they'd finally climb up into the hold, jumping down into the lodge.
The girls looked around. "Where's the way out?", Ellie asked. (Y/N) shook her head. "We'll figure it out. We can't stay here long."
Their relief was short lived as they heard another shout. "They're on this side of the lodge!" A few men started running towards them and the two took them down before rushing over to the front door. "Oh great, it's blocked.", Ellie muttered, annoyed at the debris in front of the door. "Help me with this."
The girls shoulder charge the door a few times until it finally opens, nearly flying off of its hinges
"Hell yeah.", Ellie whispered. Before they could leave, Ellie suddenly gets grabbed by David. "Hey!!", (Y/N) yells but was also grabbed by another man.
(Y/N) thrashes in the man's hold, watching as David puts Ellie in a headlock.
"Let her go! Let her go!!", she screams. The redhead lost her consciousness as was brought into David's arms. "Do what you want with that one.", he tells the man holding (Y/N).
David takes Ellie while (Y/N) continues thrashing in her captor's hold. The man managed to slip a little, causing (Y/N) to latch her teeth on his arm.
The man let out a shout, dropping the girl. He glared at her. "Bitch–!" Before she could get up, the man kicked her chest, knocking the wind out of her.
Heaving a cough, she tries to sit up but the hunter stops her, putting her in a headlock as well. "I'll deal with you.", she heard as she tried fighting back. The man was bigger than her. Maybe even stronger.
Was he bigger than Joel? Stronger, too? Would Joel even withstand this fight…?
From the cold, exhaustion, stress, and the pain, she could barely keep up a fight anymore, easily slipping into darkness.
Ellie groaned softly as her eyes opened once more.
She blinked the sleep out of her eyes, being aware of her surroundings. She heard the sound of chopping and sat up to see an ear had fallen to the floor she laid on.
A human ear…
She looked up and saw a man chopping up a corpse and gasped in fright as she saw a chopped arm had fallen off the table in front of her cell.
The man had frowned, leaving the room. Suddenly, David enters and walks up to her cell carrying a tray with plates. "How are you feeling?" David asked her. "Super.", Ellie replied, sarcastically. She looked around, quickly aware that her friend wasn't even in the same room. Luckily it wasn't her body she just saw being chopped up.
"Here. You should eat. I know you're hungry. Been out for quite some time.", David said as he slid the tray through the hole at the bottom of the cell door.
She glares at him. "Where is she? Where's my friend?"
David lets out a pathetic attempt of a sympathetic sigh. "She's alive. That's all I can tell you."
That's all she needed to know at least. It wasn't enough, but…
"What is It?", she asked him, glancing from the tray to David. "It's deer," he replied. "With some human helping on the side??", Ellie asked him, snarkily.
David chuckles. "No. No, I promise. It's...just the deer meat." Ellie glared at him. "You're a fucking animal." Regardless, she eats the meat, very much starved.
"Oh...you're awfully quick to judgement. Considering you two and your friend killed how many men?", David asked her.
"They didn't give us a choice.", she mumbled with a full mouth. "And you think we have a choice? Is that it?", David asked. "You kill to survive... and so do we. We have to take care of our own. By any means necessary."
"So now what? You gonna chop us up into tiny pieces?", Ellie asked.
David frowns. "I'd rather not. Please tell me your name." Ellie glared at him before she shoved the tray out of the cell. "You're so full of shit."
"On the contrary, I've been, uh, been quite honest with you here. Now I think it's your turn. It's the only way I'm gonna be able to convince the others." He said as both of them stood up.
"Convince them of what?", Ellie asked. "That both of you can come around!", David said. He gets closer, laying a hand on Ellie's gripped hand. "You have heart. You're loyal. And you're special."
"Oh...", Ellie mutters.
She wasn't falling for that shit.
If anything, the sight of his keys gained her attention more than his words. She looked back up at David, her green, doey eyes staring into his as she put her hand on his. With him fully pleased and distracted, she breaks his finger.
David lets out a yell of pain as he takes his broken finger into his hand while Ellie tries to grab his cell keys.
Angered, David snatches Ellie's arm and slams her roughly into the gate three times. Ellie falls to the ground with a groan. She could feel her face and temple throb. "Oh, fuck…", Ellie coughs in pain, feeling blood trickle down from her nose.
It nearly made her vision blur, but she had to stay focused.
David snatches his keys from the ground and almost trips away. Ellie grunts and lifts herself to her hands and knees.
"You stupid little girl.", David fusses at her. He glares down at her, "You are making it very difficult to keep you alive. What am I supposed to tell the others now?"
Ellie wipes her bloody nose. "Ellie."
David stops walking away, turning back to her in confusion. "What?"
"Tell them that…" Ellie glares up at the man as she spits, "Ellie is the little girl that broke your fucking finger!!"
David looks down at his hand in thought. "How did you put it? Hmm?" He looks back at Ellie. "Tiny pieces?" He nods and walks away. "See you in the morning, Ellie."
Ellie watches him go before putting her hand under her bleeding nose.
After he left the room, regret immediately filled her. Where the hell was (Y/N)?
Back in the cold neighborhood, Joel's vision spots as he tries to fight the exhaustion. He looks around, hoping that what the girls were telling him was simply his delirium. It wasn't.
The knife was still in his grip, the imprint of the handle pressed and reddened into his big palm.
They weren't here.
He tried sitting up, fighting off a groan and yell of pain from his stitches. He didn't feel sickly anymore, thankfully.
As he, at least, crawled onto his knees, he paused as he heard footsteps. Heavy footsteps.
It was a pair. Not two.
He frowned as the footsteps got closer to the basement door and he hid as quickly as he could in the darkness of the room, gripping the knife once more.
He hears the sliding of furniture near the door. The girls must've covered the door with something, because the door opens and the heavy footsteps descend down to the basement.
He sees a man appear, looking around the room. His eyes land on a blood stained mattress. The man's eyebrows furrowed in confusion but his reaction was too late as Joel jabbed the knife deep into his neck.
Joel grabbed the man from behind, holding his knife in place, trying to keep the man from fighting off his fate. The man struggled under Joel's hold and finally collapsed to the floor, blood gushing from his open wound. Joel stumbled down next to him, trying to steady himself.
He glanced at the dead man, heaving out huffs of air.
There are bad men coming, okay? They're coming and we gotta lead them away from you.
The man he took down wasn't alone…
He looked at his bag lying on the ground and slowly stood to grab it and pulled it over his shoulders.
He climbs the stairs slowly and pushes the basement door open. His feet stumble under his weight as he uses the kitchen counter to hold him upright.
"Where the hell are y'all?", Joel mumbles as he looks around.
Walking to the garage, Joel pulls the door up and walks out into the snow. There's no way more aren't around, but…
"Ellie! (Y/N)!", Joel shouts, hoping they were just hiding. He limps through the snow, looking around. He only stops as he hears, "There he is!"
Joel ducks into hiding, grasping his rifle, cursing as he realized it wasn't already prepared to shoot. He whips to the left, shooting one of the hunters quickly.
"Where are they!!", he yells.
"Shit.", he swears as he sees more coming toward him. He ducks behind a pile of wood before sneaking closer to the fallen bodies.
He finishes off more hunters, huffing breaths of cold air as it becomes silent. Joel searches around for the girls and dreads not having any clue of where they were.
As he creeps from the side of the house, he's grabbed from behind.
"Gotcha, asshole.", a man says, keeping him in a lock. Joel struggles against the hold, his anger increasing as he sees another man. "Finish him off!", the man behind him orders.
"Hold him still!", the other man yells, holding a knife.
Quickly, Joel kicks his foot out into the front man's crotch before slamming his head backwards.
"Son of a bitch.", Joel curses as he slams the man into the house behind them.
The man Joel kicked in the crotch shakily stands, but Joel kicks him in the face before he could, effectively knocking him out. Joel grabs the man from behind him. "You come with me.", he growls. "Come on…"
"Lemme go...", the other man slurs, blood dripping down from his lip as he's dragged away. "I'll fuck you up..."
For minutes, the man Joel tied up in a chair pretended to be ignorant of the girls' location. And for minutes, he beat his face in until his fists became sore.
The man on the floor, tied to a gas heater, wakes up to it in horror. "What do you want?", he asks desperately. "What the fuck…?"
Joel stands straight with a grunt, his hand pressed into his wound. He points at the man in the chair. "You wait here."
Joel grabs a knife from the table and a chair, dragging it to sit in front of the man.
"Now." Joel sits down, and the man's eyes widened in horror as best as he could. "The girls… they alive?"
The man shakes his head. "What girls? I don't know no girls."
Impatient, Joel spins the knife and swings it down into the man's knee. The man screams and keels over, cursing in pain.
"Focus—" Joel slaps the man's face upward. "right here. Right here." He leans in close. "Or I'll pop your goddamn knee off."
Joel pulls back, a low rumble coming from his chest. "The girls. A redhead and (H/C)."
The man in front of him sobs and nods. "They're alive.", he confessed. "The redhead's David's newest pet."
Joel frowns, his gaze darkening. Those weren't answers he liked. Who the fuck is David? "What about the (H/C)?"
The man before him shakes his head. "I don't know what he wants with her. He just wanted the redhead."
He leans in close and growls, "Where?"
Angry at the man's weeping silence, Joel twists the knife, almost satisfied to feel the tip twisting into the bone. The man yells in pain, sobbing loudly.
"In the town!", the man wails. Joel stops his knife movement. "In the town..."
"What town!?", Joel yells. The man shakes his head, bloodied snot dripping down his face. "It's a resort!"
Joel removes the knife from the man's leg and shoves the handle into his mouth. He holds up a map.
"Now you're gonna mark it on the map," Joel orders. "And it better be the same exact spot your buddy points to. Mark it."
The man presses the bloodied knife to the paper and then spits the knife out. "It's right there!", he whines as Joel checks the map without a word.
"You can verify it. Go ask him. Go on." Joel stands, folds the map, and pockets the paper. He walks behind the man silently. "He'll tell ya. I ain't lyin'. I ain't lyin'–"
He stops once Joel wraps an arm tight around his neck, putting him into a chokehold. The lock tightens until the man's head forcefully went left, a crack leaving the man's body once he let go and dropped the bound man.
The other man stares in horror and anger. "Fuck you, man." He watches as Joel slowly picks up a metal pipe from the floor. "He told you what you wanted." Joel gazed at the man in angered silence as he moved closer. The man tries to back away. "I ain't tellin' you shit."
Joel tilts his head. "That's alright." He gives a shrug. "I believe him."
"No, wait!"
Joel lifts the pipe and slams it down on the man's head. He repeats his actions until the man below him stops moving. By then, his hand is covered in blood as well as the pipe.
Dropping it with a huff, he looks at his damage before leaving the house.
What if Riley had a twin and watched over Ellie for her? What if Ellie wasn't the only one who was immune? What if the cordyceps modified into something more?
TLOU x black!reader
Chapter 9: Left Behind < (Previous Chapter)
After walking around the mall, (Y/N) walks into the jewelry store where she hears music coming from inside and catches Ellie's lips plastered on Riley's.
Once they pull away, she smiles. "Bout time, you two.", she said, making them jump. "Weren't you supposed to be waiting outside?", Riley exclaimed to her sister, flustered. (Y/N) snickered at the redness that bloomed in Ellie's face.
She wasn't that embarrassed, but she was happy. "I'm staying with Ellie.", Riley confessed to the twin. (Y/N)'s eyes widened. "Serious?"
The other twin nodded, making (Y/N) smile. "Guess we're not fireflies anymore."
"What do we do now?", Ellie asked them. "We'll figure it out", Riley said. "And what the hell should I tell Marlene? Cause I don't think she's gonna go for it–", (Y/N) said, but interrupted as she heard groans and screams from behind her.
She saw some Infected running in and she ran the other way. "Shit!", she exclaimed, quickly pulling out her gun. "(Y/N)!", Riley and Ellie shout and the girl fires her gun at the Infected. It fell but more erupted in the store. Riley pulls out her gun and fires at a few but they were quickly overrun with more Infected.
"Come on! Let's go!", (Y/N) shouted, leading them to the back room of the store. "Barricade the door!", Riley shouts and they push a large shelf against it.
"This way! C'mon!", Riley shouts. "What about our backpacks?", Ellie asked her. "Fuck the backpacks!", (Y/N) shouts and the three of them run away as fast as they could.
They rushed into the hallways of the mall until they made it to a room that had a scaffolding that led to an open window. "That's the way out!", (Y/N) shouted.
Just as they climb onto the scaffolding, Ellie falls off of the scaffolding. "Ellie!", the twins screamed as they jumped down to help her, only to see an Infected had her pinned down. (Y/N) shot the Infected above the redhead pinned down and Riley shoots the ones that came in. "Let's go.", Riley told Ellie.
Before (Y/N) could lead the two out, an Infected tackled the girl down.
Hurriedly, she shot the Infected in the hand and pushed him off of her, and rushed to help her sister who was tussling with one herself.
"Riley!", Ellie shouts and she grabs the Infected and repeatedly stabs it with her switchblade, finally slitting its throat and Riley kicks it off of her.
The three pants heavily as they look around. "I think it's clear," (Y/N) said, checking herself.
"Yeah.", Ellie said, making (Y/N) chuckle at her. "Ellie.", Riley said, catching the two's attention. (Y/N)'s heart drops at the saddened look on her twin's face. "Your arm.", Riley tells Ellie.
The redhead looks down at her right arm, which was covered in blood. She wipes away the blood, only to reveal a bite mark.
(Y/N)'s eyes widened. She had gotten bit??? When???
Ellie drops her blade and stares at the bite. "No.", she whispered as she wiped away the dribbling blood. "No, no, no, no, no!!", she yelled.
(Y/N) quickly looks over at Riley who looks at her with glossy eyes as she holds up her left hand, revealing a bite mark. "No! No! No!!", (Y/N) yelled, running over to her sister.
"I'm sorry…", Riley whispers, brokenly.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!", Ellie screams, angrily, as she breaks a few pots with a pipe she found somewhere. (Y/N) kept Riley close as Ellie finished her destruction.
This wasn't how this was supposed to go. How did it all go so wrong so quickly?
The girl sat next to the twins. "There's some more stuff over there you can break.", Riley said, dejectedly as Ellie pants. "What the hell are we gonna do? What can – I don't – FUCK!", (Y/N) cried.
"The way I see it, we got two options. Option one: Ellie and I take the easy way out. It's quick and painless. Or you could do it, (Y/N).", Riley said and her twin looked at her with reddened eyes. "How can you even ask me to do that.", (Y/N) said.
Fair point. Riley sighed. "Two: we fight.", she said, looking at Ellie.
"Fight for what?", Ellie asked her. "We're gonna turn into one of those things, Riley."
Riley looks at the girl with a longing expression. "There are a million ways we should've died before today. And a million ways we can die before tomorrow. But we fight for every second we get to spend with each other. Whether it's two minutes...or two days, we don't give that up. I don't want to give that up.", Riley said. "My vote. Let's just wait it out. You know we can...we can just lose our minds together.", she said, grasping the two on her side by their hands.
"(Y/N) can live for us. Do better than what we did today.", Riley said, giving her twin a wistful smile. (Y/N) couldn't return it. How could she? She was attacked first. How'd everything go so wrong?
In a matter of minutes, they'd already broken their promise to each other and their family. They were supposed to stick together. Live on, together.
And now, here they were. (Y/N) and Riley Abel. 15 and torn apart by a bite.
"What's option three?", Ellie asked her. She stares at the redhead then shakes her head. "Sorry.", she said softly.
Minutes turned to hours as the trio sat next to each and talked as if nothing had happened. And within the hours, Riley quickly became sickly.
Her eyes reddened darker than her sister's had been, more bloodshot than a normal person's would look like.
She'd cough up blood every few minutes and it still put fear into the girls' hearts.
Every second, Riley would feel the innards of her body tremble and twitch, creeping out of her to the point where she'd shake, trying to fight off the twitching.
She'd grip her sister's hand, looking into her eyes when Ellie would look away. Practically telepathically speaking, telling her: Don't let go of that gun.
Minutes went by and (Y/N) had stopped speaking, letting the two beside her have their last moments. After all of that, Ellie hadn't seemed to be getting worse. Not like Riley.
What type of torture was this?
(Y/N) remembered that one of the FEDRA adults had taught them religion and that everything that happened was God's plan. Was all of this God's plan? Taking away her family? Taking away her sister? Lingering the process of infection through her friend like a tease?
This was a plan? Misery?? It was bullshit. It was unfair.
Her thoughts stopped as Riley violently twitched as she tried keeping her arms to herself. "I can't– I c-c–", Riley cried through a growl.
Ellie's eyes bubbled once more. "Riley, please, I’m not ready yet! You gotta keep talking to me! What house did you want? Where did you want to go!?”
Riley let out a growling sob, now drooling as she kept her head down. Her brain felt like it was splitting at the sound of Ellie's yelling and begging to talk to her. She wanted to. She had fought for so long…
"S-Stay – Stay t-together…", she mumbled before letting out a loud snarl and leapt for Ellie.
Ellie brought her arms up to defend herself but flinched at the sound of a gunshot. Shakily peeking one eye open, she sees (Y/N)'s face void of all emotion, aside from the tears that dripped down her face as her hand shook from the heaviness of the gun in her hand.
The girl's eyes couldn't even meet hers. They were staring at the body in front of them. Riley's body still twitched until it stopped, finally going limp. (Y/N) dropped to her knees, a growing feeling of nausea rising in her stomach as she looked at what used to be her sister.
The person she knew everything about, just gone. She pulled the dead girl in her arms and rocked back and forth, letting out soft sobs and broken apologies.
Ellie's body shook with fear and guilt. When was it her turn? Why hadn't she changed yet?
For hours, they waited for the change to take her too.
When noon was approaching, they stood in silence. Ellie couldn't look at (Y/N). Though she was relieved that she was still alive, she couldn't be more afraid and guilty that she had survived and not the twin.
"Let's go, El.", she heard and turned to the surviving twin who looked at her with a watery smile.
A gunshot rang out and a loud thud woke (Y/N) up as she saw Diamond's bleeding head turned toward her. Her eyes widened as she heard male voices. "Fucking kid…where are you…", she heard.
How long was she out to not have heard these guys…? To not have known that Ellie was in danger…? She had only left Joel alone for a couple of minutes to help scrounge for supplies. What the hell?
Finding a bottle, she threw it out of the store, which caught the mens' attention and the girl snuck away as quickly as she could.
As she snuck around the mall, she found Ellie, giving her a psst. The girl's eyes widened and relaxed as she saw her friend. She snuck over to (Y/N). "We gotta get Joel out of here.", she whispered.
"You're telling me.", (Y/N) muttered. Ellie's eyes widened. "Where the hell's Diamond? Why the hell aren't you with Joel?"
(Y/N) frowned at her. "You really wanna argue about this now?", she hissed.
She didn't but Joel wasn't supposed to be left alone. He was too vulnerable by himself. "I got a medkit. The moment we get Joel, we get the fuck out of here.", Ellie said, making (Y/N) nod. They ducked as they heard voices.
"What the hell are we doing here? Who gives a fuck about that old man and the two kids?", they heard a man ask his friends. "Yeah, sooner we find them the sooner we get outta here. Make sure this area's clear."
They heard footsteps from different directions and (Y/N) looks at Ellie. "You take out one and I take out the other then we deal with the third fucker."
Ellie nods and the girls split up to handle the creeps silently before meeting up with each other again. Ellie frowned as she saw more guys coming. "You guys want a fight, we'll fuckin' give you one."
They found a big enough vent for them to crawl through and they quickly went through, finding themselves inside another store. They duck as they heard voices.
"Oh, fuck these guys.", Ellie whispers. They looked down to see some Infected below them. (Y/N)'s widened as she quickly found a brick, picking it up and threw it at a wall, scaring the hunters and causing the Infected to attack.
Ellie watched as (Y/N) took out one of Joel's Molotov's and threw it at them, finally putting an end to the massacre.
"Hey! I hear the fuckin' horse behind here! Help me get this open.", they heard a man yell. Their eyes widened as they saw one of the hunters trying to pry open the gate that Joel and Callus hid in.
Ellie quickly shot an arrow at a guy that lingered in front of them then started to sneak to a clothes store. "I think it's startin' to give. Keep at it!", they heard.
They quickly took out the ones that entered the store they were in before moving to the gate Joel was resting in and shot them. "Stupid bastards…", (Y/N) muttered as Ellie nearly got the gate open. "Alright, Joel, let's get this–", Ellie started to say, but gets pulled out of the way as a bullet hit the gate.
"Fuck!", Ellie said as they hid behind a wall. "Down there! By the door!", a man yells. "We got them pinned down! Go finish them!"
"Fuck you!", Ellie yelled at them.
"Let's kill 'em.", (Y/N) said. The girls whipped out their guns, finishing off what was left of the hunters and Infected.
"If anyone's alive, don't even think about surprising us! You'll end up like your friends! You hear me?!", Ellie yelled with no response. "Good."
They quickly made it back to the ice cream shop and unlocked it, hurrying to barricade the gate. "You better be alive, Joel.", Ellie mutters as she runs over to Joel, who was still breathing. The girls sigh with relief as Ellie opens up the kit and pulls up Joel's shirt. (Y/N) takes off the homemade bandage.
Then Ellie started to thread a needle. "Don't worry. I've done this before. I'm kind of an expert....ish.", Ellie said with a trembling hand.
She couldn't stop shaking. What good would this do if he was dying…? He was still bleeding through his bandages and the cold wasn't helping.
(Y/N) frowned as she looked at the girl in front of her and placed a hand over hers, easily snapping her out of her thoughts. "Easy.", she told Ellie. Ellie took a deep breath and let it out before nodding.
(Y/N) helps clean Joel's wound before letting Ellie sew the damaged abdomen. Once she was finished they wrapped his wound once more and got his makeshift sled tied to the back of Callus' saddle.
The two finally got on the horse, leaving the mall behind. Among the crunchy sounds of the snow and the horse's gallops, Ellie could still hear Joel's soft groans of pain.
At least it meant he was still alive. But for how long?
What if Riley had a twin and watched over Ellie for her? What if Ellie wasn't the only one who was immune? What if the cordyceps modified into something more?
TLOU x black!reader
Chapter 8: Get Up < (Previous Chapter)
“I can’t believe you let this happen.”, the Firefly leader reprimanded. The grieving twin did nothing. Said nothing. There was nothing to say. She couldn't even look Marlene in the eye. The smile she gave Ellie had long disappeared despite the fight to keep it on her face. She’d lost her sister. The only person left of her family and just in a mere night, she was gone. After all that surviving, it meant nothing.
In a flash, Marlene pushed at the girl. “You let her get bit, and now look at you! You and Riley–”
“Marlene, stop!”, Ellie yelled. Ellie stepped in between the two, her green, glossy eyes glaring at the woman. “It wasn’t her fault. I–” Ellie looked down.
It wasn’t (Y/N)’s fault at all. Deep down, Ellie wanted Riley to come back. Knowing that the twins were so close to leaving her behind hurt. But nothing hurt more than one of them dead and the other grieving so heavily. The guilt was too much.
Before this, she wanted them all to be together, even if it meant running away from FEDRA and the Fireflies. “I’m the one that agreed to go. I told them yes. I’m still alive.”, Ellie said. Marlene countered, “So is she and look where it got you!”
“Would it have made any difference if they were both dead!?”, Ellie yelled. Marlene and (Y/N)’s eyes widened at the girl. Y/N frowned. Would it have made any difference?
When she and Riley left the first time, (Y/N) couldn’t believe Riley would want to leave Ellie behind. Especially with the chance that they and the redhead could’ve been enemies. That would’ve been the opposite of what Marlene wanted for Ellie, considering they were originally supposed to be FEDRA soldiers anyways.
Marlene didn't have a plan to get Ellie out if she had become a FEDRA soldier. Knowing her, she wouldn't let Riley and (Y/N) stay, so that would be an even bigger complication.
But where would Ellie being alone leave her through all of this? With the chance of her being the cure, she’d need a friend.
"So, let me see if I get it straight. If you mess up your fourth down, then you give the ball to the other team?", Ellie asked Joel as they came up to the parking lot of a campus.
While (Y/N) tuned out their talking, Joel decided to teach the girls about a game called football on the way. "Right, it's called turnover.", Joel said to her. "And if you clear the ten yards then you're back at...first down?", she questioned. "First down, that's right." Joel replied, smiling.
"Man, it's confusing.", Ellie said and (Y/N) chuckled. "You just gotta play it a couple of times. It'll all make sense.", Joel said as they entered the campus.
"Okay. None of these buildings look like a mirror to me.", Ellie said once they got a look at the buildings. "Well, we'll head to central grounds. Should be able to see most of the campus from there.", Joel reassured. Stopping, he looks up at a building. "Stay, Callus.", he said to the horse as he got down.
"What kind of name is Callus anyway?", he frowned at the girls. "Not our fault you forgot to ask Tommy his name.", Ellie said, making Joel grumble under his breath and went to look inside of the building.
"So, these places...people would live here and just study? Even though they were all grown up?", Ellie asked Joel, looking around the campus once Joel came back. "Yeah, study, party, and find themselves. Figure out what they wanted to do with their lives.", Joel replied. "I wonder what that was like...", (Y/N) mutters as Joel gets on Callus. The girls follow after him with their horse, Diamond.
"There was a lookout here." Joel said to them as he pointed up towards the top of the building. "That's a good sign.", Ellie said as they rode deeper into the campus.(Y/N) frowned as she looked up at a large banner. "That's a huge ram. You guys were like some idol worshippers."
"When it came to sports? Hell yeah.", Joel said, chuckling."Hey, over there. Is that it?", Ellie asked as she pointed at a large shiny building off in the distance. "Looks like a giant mirror to me.", (Y/N) said.
"How many people you think are there? Fireflies, I mean.", Ellie asked Joel. "Reckon it takes quite a crew to run that operation.", Joel replied."You think there'll be other people our age?", (Y/N) asked Ellie. "Ahh... not too sure about that.", Joel said. Before (Y/N) could say anything, Callus and Diamond suddenly neighed in fright once they entered a building.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...what is it?", Joel asked the horses as they heard some noises upstairs. Ellie and (Y/N) frowned at the familiar sounds of growls and groans. "Sounds like runners.", Ellie said and Joel jumped off of the horse. "Stay with the horses.", he said. "I'll go check it out."
"Are you sure?", the girls asked him. "Yes. I don't want them runnin' off. I'll be right back.", Joel told them and he walks over to the gate that's blocking their way to the rest of the campus.
(Y/N) dreaded the thought of meeting the Fireflies. If they were here, they'd hand her over to Marlene without a thought.
"We're not done here. When you come back, you're going to learn your lesson.", her words rang in the girl's mind.
They stopped once the two heard a rumbling noise. "A generator…", Ellie muttered. "Hey, I was thinking...I would've wanted to be an astronaut.", Ellie told the older man as he came back down the stairs and pushed the button by the gate, opening the gate. "That a fact?", Joel said, intrigued.
"Yeah. Can you imagine being up there all by yourself? Would've been cool. I'm just sayin'.", Ellie says, shrugging behind (Y/N) as Joel gets back on the horse, leading the girls ahead.
"Huh. What about you, (Y/N)?", Joel asked. "I haven't really given it a thought. Guess I wanna try stargazing. Laying in a clear spot of land and watching the stars in peace. I wanna…grow things. Make things.", (Y/N) said, making Joel glance at the girls.
With all the shit happening from traveling out of the QZ to getting across the country, he almost regretted being so cold to the girls. They weren't bad at all. Just normal kids. At least as normal as can be.
Them having dreams even as they had to constantly look over their shoulders to make sure they wouldn't be attacked was admirable.
"What about you, Joel? What'd you want to be?", Ellie asked him. Feeling a little bashful, he replies, "Oh...well, when I was a kid..I used to wanna be a...a singer."
(Y/N) and Ellie's eyes widened as they chuckle, surprised. "Shut up."
"m'serious.", Joel told them.
"Sing something, then.", (Y/N) said.
"Yeah, no.", Joel shot down.
"Come on. We won't laugh.", Ellie told him. "I don't think so.", Joel denied. "Joel. Please.", Ellie and (Y/N) begged but he ignored them as they traveled further.
As they finally arrived at the university's center, they saw smaller human-like creatures jump and scatter about. "Aww...are those monkeys?", Ellie asked. "Yeah, a whole mess of 'em.", Joel replied as they got closer. "That was kind of awesome.", Ellie said, making (Y/N) smile.
"First time seeing a monkey?", Joel asked them.
"First time seeing a monkey.", the girls replied.
"Should we have seen someone by now?", Ellie asked them as they continued. "Uh... maybe these guys like to keep a low profile.", Joel said, unsure. "Yeah. Maybe.", Ellie sighs.
(Y/N) doesn't miss the Firefly logo on a wall, painted in dark markings. Ellie sees it too. "This is good. First sign of Fireflies.", Ellie said as they came up to a large gate.
"Alright, let's try that gate.", Joel said and the three jumped off of their horses and walked over to the gate. "There it is.", Ellie said as she pointed through the gate, gaining their line of sight to the science building.
They'd try to move the gate, but to no avail. "This won't budge.", (Y/N) said. Joel looks over to a door on their right and goes through it. "I'll try to get over to the other side. You two stay here.", he said.
"Watch yourself.", (Y/N) warned him. "You too.", Joel said. Once Joel disappeared, (Y/N) couldn't shake the feeling of being nervous this time. She could see that Ellie was getting antsy too, however, not for the same reason.
Regardless, she tries to make the redhead feel better about the situation. "It's gonna work, El. You're gonna be a hero.", she smiled. Ellie's shoulders visibly dropped out of slight relief as the girl returned the smile.
"I sure hope so.", Ellie said. "I don't want this to be all for nothing." Suddenly, they could hear a crashing noise on the other side of the gate. They saw Joel coming out of a building and running towards the generator. "Are you OK? What happened in there?", Ellie asked him. "More Infected. I'm fine!", he replied.
"Here, come open the gate." Ellie said as Joel pushes the generator towards the cables and start to plug it up.
"Alright. Let's try the gate." Joel said as Ellie goes and pushes the button and the gate opens. "You did it!", the girls cheered, excitedly. "Yeah. Come on through.", Joel said, making Ellie get on Callus and (Y/N) gets on Diamond, trotting over to the man. "Scoot.", Joel tells Ellie and she scoots back a bit, allowing Joel to climb up on the horse before continuing on.
"Those clickers… you think they were Fireflies?", Ellie asked Joel. "No...no, I don't think so.", Joel replied.
"Why would they have Infected so close to the lab anyhow?", (Y/N) asked him. "Bill used them as a form of defense. Maybe they're doin' the same.", Joel explained. (Y/N) almost rolled her eyes at the thought of Bill. "Makes sense."
Ellie lets out a small irritated groan. "No guards. No nothing.", Ellie said. It was strange. If the Infected weren't cleared before they'd gotten there…something had to have happened.
"Yeah...I'd expect to see someone by now. Let's get inside.", Joel said they headed towards the entrance of the building. "Have you ever been to one of these?", (Y/N) asked Joel. "What? A university?", Joel asked. "Yeah.", the girls said. "No, not as a student at least.", Joel said.
"Why not?", Ellie asked. "Uhh...I had Sarah when I was pretty young.", Joel told her.
"Oh... were you married?", Ellie asked him. "For while," Joel replied.
"What happened?", (Y/N) asked him. "Okay.", Joel muttered.
(Y/N) grimaced. "Too much?", she asked him. "Too much.", Joel replied as they went down a slope that led to a gate.
"Are we ever gonna find living Fireflies?", Ellie asked Joel. "We better.", Joel said as they stopped in front of the gate. "Hey, what about over there?", Ellie asked as she pointed at a gaping hole on the upper floor of the science building.
"Yeah. That looks like a way in." Joel said as he got off of Callus and tried to move the gate, but it didn't move. "It's rusted shut.", Joel grumbled. (Y/N) looked around. "Maybe we can get over it.", she suggested.
Joel moves up the slope, looks around then grabs a dumpster. He starts to push it towards the slope, which starts to roll really fast down the slope and crashes into the gate and breaks it open. "Whoa. Alright, not what I had in mind, but it'll do.", Joel said and he ran down the slope and went through the broken gate, having the girls trail behind him.
They climb up the side of the building and into the large hole, finally entering the building. "Alright, I'm inside. C'mon, girls, gimme your hand.", Joel said as he reached out to Ellie and pulled her in. Then Joel reaches out for (Y/N) and pulls her up. "There you go.", he said and led them deeper into the building.
"Hello? Where are they?", Ellie asked as they walked around the empty building. "Yoohoo! Fireflies? Cure for mankind over here! Anyone?", Ellie calls out. "Ellie!", (Y/N) hissed. "Let's keep it down until we figure out what's goin' on.", Joel tells her. As they search around the building, they come upon a set of stairs with some equipment nearby.
"Nothing useful.", (Y/N) said as they looked through the equipment. "Ain't nothin' here but a bunch of medical mumbo-jumbo.", Joel grumbles. "I don't get it.", Ellie said, exasperated.
"Looks like they all hurried up and left.", (Y/N) said, feeling somewhat relieved. Before they could make any moves, they heard a sudden noise upstairs. They all looked at each other.
"Maybe not all of 'em.", Ellie said.
"Stay close.", Joel told them as they slowly made their way up the stairs. "There are no bodies. That's good, right?", Ellie said as they looked around the third floor. "If we find out where they went.", Joel said as they heard another noise. As they approach a door and open it, their collective sigh of relief escapes once they find out the noise was coming from monkeys.
"Jesus. Well, at least it ain't clickers.", Joel said as the monkeys scattered away. "Yeah. No Fireflies either. Well, maybe in all that research they turned into fucking monkeys.", Ellie said, annoyed.
(Y/N) had hoped so.
"Just keep searching, we'll find somethin'.", Joel said. Frowning, (Y/N) walked up to a door, opened it, entering an office, where she found a decaying body and a recorder on a desk near it. "Joel! Ellie!", (Y/N) called as she picked up the recorder. The two came into the room and she handed it to Joel. He frowns as he pushes the play button
"If you're looking for the Fireflies, they've all left.", they heard.
"Yeah, no shit.", Ellie mutters.
"I'm dead...or I will be soon. Got me some time to reflect…"
Joel began to fast-forward through the recorded message.
".....been years that felt like we were–"
"...fucking thing was a giant waste of t–"
"....not going to do this anymore…"
"Come on.", Joel mutters as he pushes the fast- forward button once more before stopping it once more.
"looking for the others, they've all returned to Saint Mary's Hospital in Salt Lake City. You'll find them there, still trying to save the world. Good luck with that."
The recording stops as Joel looks over at them. "Do you know where that is?", (Y/N) asked Joel. "I know the city.", Joel replied as he pockets the recorder. "Is it far?", Ellie asked.
"It ain't close. I mean, on horseback…", Joel trailed off as he looks out the window of the office. (Y/N) frowns, quickly looking out of the window and saw spots of light shining on them. Ellie walked over to them, looking out, too. "Fireflies?", Ellie asked. Joel and (Y/N)'s eyes widened. "Get down!", Joel yells and they duck, avoiding getting shot at.
"Who the fuck are these guys?", Ellie asked. "It don't matter. We know where to go, let's get the hell outta here.", Joel said and they ran out of the office and rushed down the stairs and shot at the intruders along the way.
They make it down the stairs to the second floor and ran along a balcony, rushing up to a set of double doors that suddenly burst open with two men running out. One man grabs Joel, slamming him up against the rail of the balcony, and the other man grabbed (Y/N), tussling with her.
With all her might, she tried avoiding Ellie from becoming a victim as well, but instead Ellie joins the fight, stabbing the man behind his leg and (Y/N) takes her knife to the man's jugular, watching him tumble to the floor as he choked on his blood. "You okay?", Ellie asked her. (Y/N) nodded, only stopping short as she saw Joel fall off of the balcony, and in mere seconds, he was impaled.
The girls could only watch as Joel started to bleed out before rushing down to get him. "Shit, shit, shit, shit!", Ellie exclaimed as they ran over to him.
The two panicked, looking at a rebar sticking out of the man's lower abdomen. "Joel!", (Y/N) exclaimed.
"What do you want us to do?", Ellie asked him.Not even able to catch his breath, Joel catches movement and sounds behind the door in front of him, growling as he tries to lean up. "What?", Ellie asked him.
"Move!", Joel exclaimed and (Y/N) quickly aims her gun to the door, shooting down the men that rushed through.Joel lowers his arm, laying his head back in pain. "Okay, I'm gonna need you two to pull.", Joel told them. "Okay," the girls said.
Ellie grabs Joel's right hand and (Y/N) grabs his left hand. "Alright, you ready?", Ellie asked him and he nodded. "One, two, three.", the girls said and they began to pull Joel up off the rebar.
Joel screams, "Pull!" And groans once he was free, tumbling forward a bit. The girls hold him up and as he's barely able to focus, he still lets out a growled, "Just get to the damn horse."
"Okay.", they said, leading him out, with their guns aimed for any direction. Once a path was cleared, they continued. "I don't see anyone. Let's go!", (Y/N) said. "Joel, how are we doing?"
"I'm fine. I'm fine.", he says, breathing shallowly. Once they come upon a window leading to a classroom, Ellie looks back. "Can you handle the window?", Ellie asked him. "Yeah.", Joel replied and Ellie let him go through. He gets up on the window then he falls over the classroom's window, groaning.
(Y/N) tries her best to help him up, feeling sick to see him bleeding out so much. He was supposed to be strong Joel. Unable to get fatally hurt Joel. Hard ass, "do as I say and not as I do" Joel.
How did this happen in a matter of seconds?
Before they could move, a gunman bursts into the room and starts to fire at them. "I see you!", he yelled. "Come on, man." Joel sits down and leans against the table. "Alright, just stay here. Ellie and I are gonna flank this asshole.", (Y/N) told him.
Joel immediately frowned at that. The girls could take care of themselves for sure, but…
Groaning in protest, he wanted to shake his head. "We'll be back.", Ellie promised and followed (Y/N), crouching by the other side of the table."(Y/N)...Ellie…", Joel groans. "Those were my friends you killed, asshole.", the gunman said as he get closer to Joel. "Come on out. You want to do this the hard way?"
Ellie and (Y/N) nodded at each other, the older girl rushing around to flank the man as Ellie shot at him. "You little shit!", he yelled. Before he could aim his shotgun at Ellie, (Y/N) jumped on him, stabbing her knife into his neck, weighing the man down as he choked on his blood.
"Shit…", Joel mutters as he tries his best to stand. The girls looked at his wound. He was losing too much blood and fast.
"Oh man, we gotta get you out of here.", Ellie said, rushing over to him. "I'm okay.", Joel weakly reassured. "You're not okay, Joel!", Ellie shouted at him. "Now, c'mon." She took an arm, guiding him as (Y/N) continued to take watch as they moved.
"It's clear, let's go.", she said and Joel and Ellie followed. "How's he doing?", (Y/N) asked, keeping her eyes ahead. "I'm okay…", Joel repeated, raspy.
"You are. You're doing good, just keep at it.", Ellie told Joel, making sure to keep Joel awake. "Through these double doors.", (Y/N) said and opened them so they could walk through them.
"Come on. There's the exit.", Ellie said, relieved of the outdoors. "Just a little bit more, come on.", (Y/N) reassured.
Ellie groaned as Joel's weight began to get heavier and he slumped forward and fell to the floor. "Hey, hey! Joel!", Ellie exclaimed, catching (Y/N)'s attention. She tries to help Ellie pull him up again.
Even through Joel's blurred vision, he could see more men coming behind them. "B-B… behind…"(Y/N)'s eyes widened. "What?"
"Behind you!", Joel warned and the girls turned around to see more men running down the stairs towards them. Without a beat, (Y/N) whips her gun toward them and shoots at them. "They've got guns! Watch out! Hey!", One man yelled as the girls shot at them. "Stay the fuck back!", Ellie yelled as she took some of them down.
In the midst of dread filling her body, (Y/N) killed the rest and quickly helped Joel up. "Ellie, get the door.", (Y/N) told her. Ellie nodded and rushed over to the double doors. (Y/N) grips onto Joel and starts walking him towards the exit.
"I swear to God, Joel, we get you out of this, you are so singing for us.", (Y/N) told him. Trying to keep his eyes open, he manages to crack a smile and lets out a chuckle. "You wish."
As they make it out, Joel's stumbles out of her grip and falls down the stairs, where there was a man trying to steal Callus and Diamond. "What the fuck? Ah, shit!", the man said but (Y/N) silently took a headshot to the man. "Get him on the horse.", she told Ellie, looking around.
The younger girl helps Joel on Callus and (Y/N) gets on Diamond. Once he was on, Ellie got on after him and they rode off. After they were away from the university, snow started pelting a bit thicker.
That didn't stop (Y/N) from keeping an eye out just in case. "I think we're safe," Ellie said, looking over her shoulder to (Y/N). Suddenly, Joel falls off of Callus, landing with a silent groan and scaring the girls. "Oh, shit. Joel!", Ellie exclaimed as she and (Y/N) stopped and got off of the horses, running over to Joel.
"Joel! Get up, get up, get up…!", (Y/N) exclaimed, trying to shake him awake. He was sickly pale, almost blue. That was enough to tell anyone that he was dying. It was cold, he didn't have enough warmth and he was losing blood if he hadn't already lost it all.
Ellie's eyes bubbled in cold tears as her fear increased. "You gotta tell us what to do! You gotta get up!", she shouted. "Come on, Joel! You gotta get up!"
The man is still, lifeless, making the girls tear up. "We can't do this without you, Joel. Get up!"
What if Riley had a twin and watched over Ellie for her? What if Ellie wasn't the only one who was immune? What if the cordyceps modified into something more?
TLOU x black!reader
Chapter 7: Reunions < (Previous Chapter)
"Jackson County." Ellie reads as they come upon a sign through the woods. "That means we're close to Jackson City, right?", she asked Joel and he nodded silently. "You ready to see your dear old brother?", Ellie asked Joel. "I'm just ready to get there.", Joel replied.
"You nervous?", (Y/N) asked him. "I don't know what I'm feeling.", Joel sighs as they come up to a dead end.
"So much for this road.", Ellie huffed. "We just follow the river. It'll lead us straight to Tommy's. C'mon.", Joel said, leading down a side path. "What happened between you two?", Ellie asked Joel. "What do you mean?", Joel asked, confused.
"You and Tommy...you're not together, so clearly something went down.", Ellie said. "We just had a bit of a disagreement, that's all.", Joel replied. "Oh, here we go...so what was it about?", Ellie asked.
"Tommy saw the world one way, I saw it the other.", Joel said to her. Ellie glanced at (Y/N) who had a deep frown on her face. "And that's why he joined the Fireflies?", (Y/N) asked.
"Yeah, your friend Marlene promised him hope. That kept him busy for a while, but just like Tommy, he eventually quit that too.", Joel replied.
(Y/N) frowned. Sounded like Riley. She was so quick to join the Fireflies, but once Ellie wished that she would stop, that’s all it took to change her mind. (Y/N) was fine with that. She'd follow her sister to the ends of the Earth. But…
"How was it, the last time you saw him?", Ellie asked Joel. "I believe his last words to me were, ‘I don't ever want to see your fuckin' face again’." Joel replied.
"Jesus...", (Y/N) muttered. "But he's gonna help us?", Ellie asked him, incredulously. "I suppose we're gonna find out.", Joel said as they walked under the bridge.
"Well, with or without his help, we'll get there.", Ellie said, hopeful. "Let's just keep going." Joel grumbled, annoyed at the thought that Tommy actually didn’t want to see him.
Despite their feud, like normal families have, he was still worried about his baby brother. No amount of harsh words was gonna change that.
"Whoa, what's that?", (Y/N) asked, snapping him out of his thoughts as they came upon a rusty bridge with rushing water under it. "That there is a hydroelectric power plant.", Joel replied. "A...hydra who?", the girls asked, confused.
"It, uh...uses the river's movement and turns it into electricity.", Joel answered as they walked up the stairs towards the plant. "How's it do that?", Ellie asked. "Look. I know what it is, I don't know how it does it.", Joel said, annoyed. "Okay...how are we getting across?", (Y/N) asked. Joel goes over to a crank and turns it.
As he turns the wheel, half of the thin bridge shifts in front of them. "Well, that gets us halfway. If we get the other one up, we'll make it across.", Ellie said and Joel looked out towards the water before jumping in it.
Once he resurfaces the cold water, he looks at the girls. "I'll find something. Just hang tight.", he said and took a deep breath before he dived into the water.
(Y/N) frowns as she watches Joel swim under. Ellie glances at her. “You okay? You haven’t said much since we got here.”
(Y/N) doesn’t glance at her. Even after Sam and Henry, they still had to meet up with the Fireflies. And every second, she gets more and more nervous.
After Marlene found Ellie and (Y/N), she was infuriated with the twins’ lack of preparational awareness of the mall.
After all the training they had been through, it was like nothing had mattered. To Marlene, they had deliberately put themselves in danger and not only that, they got Ellie caught in the middle of it, causing Ellie to be bitten and Riley’s death. The aftermath of that caused (Y/N) to deal with survivors' guilt.
Not only that, Marlene was yet to be done with punishing (Y/N). The only reason why her punishment wasn’t followed through was because of Ellie. But after they’d found the Fireflies, her punishment would ensue.
She wasn’t ready. The training was one thing, adults vs two kids, but she couldn’t imagine how harsh her punishment would be.
Ellie speaks, snapping the twin out of her thoughts. “(Y/N)–”
Joel resurfaces with a wooden pallet. "Alright, Ellie, I need you to–"
"I know, step on the fucking pallet.", Ellie said, interrupting Joel, and she jumps on the pallet and Joel carries her over to the other side. "Go on, give it a spin.", Joel told her after she got on the bridge and ran over to the wheel, cranking it, and completed the other half of the bridge.
Joel swims back over to (Y/N) and she helps him out of the water. He notices the distant frown on her face, but doesn’t pry, summing it up to her being cold as they walk across the completed bridge.
"Hey, be careful crossing that thing.", Ellie warned them. "We will.", (Y/N) replied to her as they crossed the bridge.
"Teamwork.", she said as she raised her right hand. Joel rolls his eyes before he high-fives her, making her grin. Ellie holds up a high-five to (Y/N), happier when (Y/N) complies with a small smile. "Yeah.", Ellie exclaimed. Joel shakes his head as he leads them through the plant.
"Aughh, I'm so hungry.", Ellie whined. "I know. I am too.", Joel told her. "All right, next squirrel I see, I'm totally shooting it.", she informed them. "Let's get past this place, then we can scrounge up some food.", Joel told her. "Well, if we starve, you're responsible.", Ellie said as they duck under a fallen tree branch then went around a dam.
Before they could continue, a barrier of rusty metal blocks their way. "Uh...should we head in?", (Y/N) asked Joel as they looked up at the gate. "Ah, ain't no way around...Gonna have to cut through the plant.", Joel said and walked up to the large doors.
Before he could even try, multiple sounds of cocked guns caught the trio's attention, making Ellie and (Y/N) immediately pull out their guns as they aimed at multiple people who aimed their guns at them from above.
"Don't even think about reaching for your weapon.", a woman said. Joel steps back from the door. "Tell the girls to drop theirs. Now." The woman orders.
"Ellie, (Y/N), do as the lady says.", Joel told them. Ellie and (Y/N) frown at him before putting their guns away before holding up their hands in surrender.
"Please tell me you're lost.", the woman said, frowning. "We didn't know the place was occupied. We're just trying to make our way through.", Joel told the woman. "Through to where?", she asked.
"They're alright.", a man's dismissed. "What, you know these people?", the woman asked as the gate opened. "I know him.", a man pokes his head out, frowning at Joel. "He's my goddamn brother."
"Tommy.", Joel breathed in shock. "Holy shit.", Tommy said, hurriedly bringing Joel into a hug. "How you doin', baby brother?", Joel asked as he hugged his brother. A big wave of relief washed over Joel in an instant. Tommy didn't hate him. Thank God.
(Y/N) and Ellie glance at each other before looking back at the men. Tommy mutters, "Damn." He pulls back from the hug and looks at Joel. "Let me look at you. You got fucking old.", he grinned.
Joel scoffed with a smile, playfully knocking his brother's arm off of him. "Easy. It's gonna happen to you too.", Joel said to him. The woman from before came up to them, making Ellie and (Y/N)'s eyes widen. She was pregnant…
Holding a gun like that isn't stressful for the baby?
Tommy smiled at her. "This here is Maria. Be nice. She sorta… runs things around here."
Joel nodded to her. "Ma'am.", he greeted. "Thanks for not shooting my head off."
The woman chuckled. "Would've been embarrassing, considering you're my brother-in-law.", she said, making Joel look over at Tommy in shock.
Tommy grins back at him. "We all gotta get wrangled up at some point.", he said, shrugging. “Well, shit. Congrats.”, Ellie said. The girls introduced themselves. Joel still doesn’t say anything. (Y/N) nudges him. “Joel, say congrats.”
Joel has half a mind to reprimand Ellie for her language, but nonetheless smiles at the couple. “Congrats.”
"Ellie and (Y/N), right?", Maria said, looking over at the girls. "Yeah.", they replied. "What brings you two through here?", Maria asked them. "Uh...it's kind of a long story.", Ellie replied, after the two shared a look.
"Why don't we bring 'em inside?", Tommy said to Maria. "Yeah. You two hungry?" Maria said as she looked at Ellie and (Y/N) again. "Starving.", they grinned as they all entered the gates.
"False alarm. They're friendlies.", Maria announced to people who waited on the inside of the gate. "We've been dealing with raids. Lot of bandits in this area.", Maria told the trio. "It's been quiet for a few days.", Tommy added.
"What the hell are you doin' here? I thought we'd find you in Jackson.", Joel said. "Been trying to bring the plant back to life.", Tommy replied.
"We had it working before, but one of the turbines went south.", Maria said. "We have electricity, Joel. Had. We'll get it running again.", Tommy optimistically said.
Ellie tugs on (Y/N)’s sleeve once her eyes catch horses. (Y/N)’s eyes widened at them. "No way. You guys have horses.", (Y/N) said, smiling once she and Ellie ran over to the animal.
Tommy smiles. "We got a whole lot of 'em.", he says before a man comes up to him. "Hey, Tommy, gimme a hand with this."
The younger Miller gave his brother an apologetic look. "Sorry. I'll be right back.", Tommy said, and walks away to handle the favor.
"Can we?", Ellie asked Maria, pointing at the horse. "Yeah, of course. He likes when you pet his ears.", Maria said. Enthusiastically, Ellie and (Y/N) pet the horse.
"You two ever ride one?", Maria asked the girls. "We actually have.", Ellie replied, making Joel give the girls a bizarre look. "When have you two ridden a horse?", he asked in disbelief.
"Winston, this soldier back in the zone. He gave us lessons.", (Y/N) told him, grinning. "You know, if you want, we can take him riding later.", Maria said, making the girls’ eyes sparkle with excitement.
"That'd be awesome.", Ellie said. Tommy comes back, his smile returning to his face.
"All right, let's continue the tour.", he said, continuing to lead them. "Maria." A man’s voice called through the woman’s radio. "Yeah, go ahead.", Maria answered. "We're in the control room. Steve's about to start it back up. Do you wanna come check it out?", they heard.
Maria looks at the men before looking at the girls. "I'd rather eat with the girls.", she told Tommy, giving him a grimace.
The man smiled. "It's my turn anyway. I'll go.", Tommy told her. "I'll come with you.", Joel said. The girls frowned at the thought of being separated from him. "Go with Maria and mind your manners.", Joel said.
"Joel?", Ellie and (Y/N) called, unsure as the men started to walk away. Maria places her hand on each of the girls’ shoulders. "C'mon, kids. Let's give them some space.", she said before answering her radio. "I'm sending Tommy over. Stand by."
She smiled at the girls, nodding her head over one way. "C'mon."
Maria led the girls into a mess hall, gave them some food to eat and sat them down to get to know them.
After Maria and the girls talked, she learned that the two were following Joel to the fireflies, worried as to why he had taken on a job to do so.
Solemnly, she confessed that Joel had a daughter, Sarah. (Y/N) frowned. It'd explain why he was such a hard ass in the beginning.
He lost someone. Right when everything happened. She couldn't imagine him happy until now. He was always frowning, so it makes sense. He wouldn't lift a lip to smile until recently, but even then it seemed so faint.
"Tommy kept a copy of Joel and Sarah. He was worried that he'd never see Joel again, even after their fight.", Maria says, and pulls out a picture, handing it over to the girls. Their eyes widened as they saw a younger Joel smiling with his arm around a small young blonde girl who held a trophy.
He was happy….happier.
Before they could discuss anything, a siren went off, making Maria's eyes widen. "Shit.", Maria mutters. "What the hell is that?", Ellie and (Y/N) asked as Maria looked out of a window in the mess hall.
(Y/N) takes the picture, and puts it in her pocket.
"Bandits… Kids, let's go!", Maria said and led them out of the room. In a hurry, she pulled out her radio. "Tommy! Bandits, they're breaking into the building.", Maria informed over her radio. (Y/N) and Ellie pull out their weapons, ready to attack if need be.
Their eyes widened as they saw tons of bandits piling in. The girls were scared that the people that were a part of that fiery mess had finally found them.
"Can you get out of there?", Tommy asked her. "No, we're trapped.", Maria replied. "We're gonna come to you, just stay–" Tommy started to say but (Y/N)'s eyes catches a bandit that had already snuck in and shot at him.
Maria responds. "They're here. Girls, hide!", she yells, bringing them behind a table.
The three shoot at the bandits as best as they could. "Shit!", Ellie curses as she hears clicks coming from her gun. She was out.
(Y/N)'s eyes widened as a guy came in with a shotgun and started blasting at them. She ducked, narrowly missing getting her head shot off.
Before the bandit could scooch any closer, Tommy, Joel and other men come in and take down the bandits. "They're all dead.", Tommy exclaimed as he looked around, nervously.
"Tommy?" Maria said.
"Maria!", Tommy exclaims in relief as he runs over to her. "I'm alright. The kids are with me!", she reassured. The girls hurried over to Joel. "That was too damn close.", Joel muttered as he walked up to them. "Joel! Oh man...They were coming in from every direction–" Ellie rambled.
"Okay.", Joel said but she continues. "then Maria was like, "We gotta run!--"
Joel's eyes widened at the girl's rambling. "Listen...", Joel said.
"...and so we dove over these tables and this huge guy blasts in with a shotgun–", Ellie exaggerated, but Joel placed his hands on the girls' shoulders.
"Slow down, slow down. Listen," Joel calmly, and they look up at him. "Are you two hurt?" Joel asked them. "No.", they replied, shaking their heads.
After the mess was done, (Y/N) found Tommy and Maria discussing heavily. Maria looked distraught, but hid it with her anger. "I have to take the girls.", he said. Maria frowned. "Why? Why can't he do it?"
(Y/N)'s eyes widened. Joel was leaving them? Why? Did they do something wrong? He didn't want them around anymore?
Tommy frowned. "It's complicated. I'll tell you when all of this is over, but right now I have to."
"Absolutely not. You tell them to go find somebody else.", Maria yelled at Tommy. "Maria, I can't have this hanging over my head.", Tommy said, tiredly. "Do you have any idea how many men we lost here today?", Maria asked.
"Hey, what's that all about?", Ellie asked, looking at Tommy and Maria. Joel doesn't answer, making her frown. "Does that have anything to do with me?", Ellie asked. "We'll talk about it later.", Joel said to her.
"Did he tell you where the lab is?", Ellie asked him. "We'll talk about it later.", Joel repeated, firmly. Ellie stared at him for a moment before she scoffs. "Later... Right."
Joel couldn't even argue. He didn't have the nerve to. It wasn't her fault. He knew that. He wanted her to know. He didn't even want to take this job.
Seconds later, Maria gives him a look, practically ordering him to keep Tommy safe. Tommy gives him an apologetic look and before he could say anything more, they heard galloping and saw (Y/N) leaving on a horse.
She wasn't bothered by the yells to stop behind her. She was more concerned as to where Ellie was headed. She left so hastily and irritated. It made (Y/N) worried because they had just dealt with the bandits.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried her best to follow the muddy hoof prints in the dirty road. She was supposed to keep her safe. She promised and now she let her go without keeping an eye on her.
Eventually, the prints led up to a Ranch house and (Y/N) saw the horse Ellie rode on, but no redhead in sight.
She pulled up to the porch of the house, jumped off the horse and ran into the house. She looked around, her breath picking up as she saw the empty house.
She had no choice but to head upstairs to look for Ellie. She sighs in relief as she finds her in a room that looked like it used to be a little girl's room. She was reading a book, a frown on her face.
"Why the hell did you just leave like that? You could've gotten yourself hurt, El.", (Y/N) scolded. "This book is stupid.", Ellie muttered as she read on. "You don't hear me? You had me worried sick!", (Y/N) exclaimed.
Ellie frowned at her. "I put two and two together. Joel wants Tommy to take us to the Fireflies instead. He's giving us up."
(Y/N)'s eyes widened a bit. She frowned sadly. "I heard.", she muttered.
She looks down, her shoulders dropping as she sighs.
Ellie looked back at the book as (Y/N) sat by her. Ellie didn't want to go. Not without Joel. And (Y/N) didn't want to go at all. Once she gets in the Fireflies hands, that's it.
But she could stay here. With Ellie. They didn't have to go. They could just be by themselves.
"Ellie? (Y/N)? Girls?!", they heard Joel call from downstairs. "We're up here!", (Y/N) shouted.
The door almost swings open as Joel walks in, seeing the girls with frowns on their faces. "Is this really all they had to worry about?", Ellie asked Joel. "Boys. Movies. Deciding which shirt goes with which skirt? It's bizarre.", Ellie said.
"Get up, we're leaving. C'mon.", Joel said.
She sets the diary down and looks up at Joel, glaring. "And if we say no?"
Joel frowns, anger rising in his voice. "Do you even realize what your life means? Huh? Running off like that. Putting yourself at risk...it's pretty goddamn stupid.", Joel said told her, angrily. "Well, I guess we're all disappointed with each other then.", (Y/N) said.
Tired, Joel frowns. "What do you two want from me?"
"Admit that you wanted to get rid of us the whole time.", Ellie told him. Joel's eyes widened a sliver. It was coming. They had to talk about it sometime, but…
"Tommy knows this area better than--"
"Agh, fuck that–!", Ellie exclaimed, interrupting Joel, as she runs her hands over her face. "Well, I'm sorry, I trust him better than I trust myself.", Joel told her.
"Stop with the bullshit!", Ellie yelled. "What are you so afraid of? That I'm gonna end up like Sam? I can't get infected. We can take care of ourselves!"
"How many close calls have we had?", Joel asked her, angrily. "We've been doing just fine!", (Y/N) replied, annoyed.
"And now you two'll be doing even better with Tommy!", Joel shouts, sighing as he turns away.
"We're not her, you know.", Ellie mutters, making Joel turn to her. "What?", he asked. "Maria told us about Sarah. And I–" Ellie started, but Joel's eyes glowered at the girl. More for even trying to compare themselves to his only daughter than mentioning her.
He was angry once more because that's why they were in this situation now. He was angry that Tommy spoke about that with a stranger. He was angry that he even had to remember that night, hearing it come out of someone else's mouth as if it were a small thing.
"Ellie–", Joel stopped her. "You are treading on some mighty thin ice here.", Joel warned.
"I'm sorry about your daughter, Joel, but we have lost people too.", Ellie said. "You two have no idea what loss is.", Joel muttered.
(Y/N)'s eyes widened at his statement. A crushing feeling weighed in her chest at his words. Ellie's eyes widened a bit, appalled that he would even say such a thing.
A similar thought ran through the girls' minds.
Riley's death wasn't a loss…?
"Everyone we have cared for has either died or left us. Everyone," Ellie shoves Joel. He couldn't even bring it in himself to feel hurt by the shove. This is what he wanted.
He wanted to feel nothing as he let Tommy take them. He didn't want to be attached. It wasn't his place.
"Fucking except for you!", Ellie shouts, tears sparkling in her eyes. "So don't tell me that we would be safer with someone else, because the truth is we'd just be more scared.", she said, almost brokenly.
Joel could only look at the girls with an empty, final expression. "You're right... You're not my kids.", Joel said, watching their expressions crumple by a bit. They were hiding their hurt.
It was what he wanted… right?
"And I sure as hell ain't your dad. And we are going our separate ways.", Joel told them just before the door opens behind him and Tommy runs in. "Get it together. We're not alone.", he said and Joel rushes over to the window to look out. "I got two walking in.", he informed.
"There's more inside already.", Tommy whispered. Joel gets his gun out and they slowly make their way out of the room.
Ellie and (Y/N) stay in the room, hearing the gunshots from downstairs before hearing the men say it was okay to come down. The girls looked at each other with bubbling tears in their eyes.
(Y/N) harshly wiped her tears away with a sniffle before rubbing Ellie's back, and led her out the room.
They left the house after Joel gave an all clear. Ellie and (Y/N) walk out of the house, silently passing Joel and walking up to their horses.
"You want a hand up?", Tommy asked them. "We got it.", Ellie replied as they mounted their horses. Tommy gets on his horse then Joel mounts his and they start to head back.
Joel lags behind the girls, catching the subtle sight of Ellie wiping her tears and (Y/N)'s tense shoulders. This was what he wanted. No strings attached.
He shouldn't feel bad. He shouldn't.
His thoughts end as they come upon a hill that overlooks the city of Jackson. "There she is. Kids'll be watching movies tonight.", Tommy said, pointing at the city below.
Joel frowned as he looked at the girls. Watching movies with other kids should be something they were supposed to do. Not going to a lab and being tested on or turned into a soldier to fight the new makeshift government.
But…
"Where is this lab of theirs?", Joel asked Tommy. "It's all the way out. University of Eastern Colorado.", Tommy replied.
"Go Big Horns.", Joel mutters. He looks over at Ellie for a moment. "Ellie, get off your horse, give it on back to Tommy. Get on (Y/N)'s horse."
The girls' eyes widen as they look at Joel before looking at each other in confusion.
"We're gonna hang onto these, if that's alright with you.", Joel told Tommy, patting his horse.
He looks at Ellie again as she looks at him in disbelief. "Go on. Don't make me repeat myself.", he said and she got off of her horse and walked over to Tommy.
"What're you doing?", Tommy asked Joel. Joel shrugs. "Your wife kinda scares me. I don't want her comin' after me."
"Sorry for stealing your horse.", Ellie apologized.
"Look, come back to town, let's discuss it at least.", Tommy said as he took the reins from Ellie.
She walks over to (Y/N) and the girl helps her up, the two giving each other a smile. "Eh, you know me. My mind's all made up. University Eastern Colorado. How do we find this lab?", Joel asked Tommy.
"It's in the science building, looks like a giant mirror, you can't miss it.", Tommy replied and Joel nods.
"You take care of that wife of yours.", Joel said to Tommy. "There's a place for you here, you know.", Tommy told them. They nod at him.
Joel looked at the girls. "Y'all good?" The girls give him a smile and nod. "We're good."
Joel let out a small sigh, feeling a little weight coming off of his shoulders. He smiled at his brother. "Adios, little brother.", he said and turned his horse around, leading the girls away from Jackson.
