please reblog this.
i've talked about this twice before, but obviously not everyone has seen it. i am calling for anyone who writes fanfiction or posts about a certain game/show/universe in any connective manner to please, please- PLEASE, copy this memo below comprising links to supporting palestine, education on the situation in gaza, and a must-need for those who engage in TLOU tumblr; links regarding the creators (neil druckmann) zionism, and how the plot of tlou2 is based on the israeli occupation of palestine. i don't care if what you write seems "insignificant" or "small" in the grouping of larger fics. no. everything that is not related to palestine in any form NEEDS these links.
because, when we stray away from reblogging, or writing up our own posts in support of palestine/sharing journalists stories/etc. even for a SINGLE piece of writing, we could be missing people who are unaware (which, shouldn't be the case atp, but..) and fucking especially because in these fandoms, fics are the most popular thing. not reblogs about palestine, unfortunately; there are so many fanfiction accounts who very clearly don't give a fuck about the whole situation, seeping in silence, posting fics during strikes, not taking accountability for it now, so on and so forth. please, for the love of all that is good- CALL THEM OUT! people gaining hundreds of notes, tens of reblogs, supportive comments on a post that completely disregards what is happening SO BOLDLY right now, should irk you. i swear, if i see one more fuckass "i didn't know!" apology from an author who is CONSTANTLY on tumblr, REGULARLY posting fanfiction, i'm going to fucking lose it.
if you are on tumblr to begin with, being this active- you have time to reblog. actually, educating yourself and reblogging is way quicker than writing up fanfiction of any length. are you fucking kidding me? you are laughable. comical, not real, and i have nay an ounce of respect for you. ever.
but besdies that; the memo. i want everyone to copy this, or make something similar. put this above your summaries, authors note, whatever comes before the writing. every post you make should link back to supporting palestine, cause you never know how many eyes it will reach. it could change a lot of things. on pc, i believe copying it completely will preserve the links, but i'm not sure if mobile will. again. do whatever you can to add it. don't be lazy. put this in ur masterlists/navigation too.
for all fanfiction authors:
from the river to the sea, palestine will be free 🇵🇸
READ: this account stands with palestine, and so— i require everyone who interacts to educate themselves, and support/donate. READ THESE; 1 and 2, HELP HERE, BOYCOTT. silence is complicity, do not scroll past this.
for tlou fanfiction authors:
from the river to the sea, palestine will be free 🇵🇸
READ: this account stands with palestine, and so— i require everyone who interacts to educate themselves, and support/donate. READ THESE; 1 and 2, HELP HERE, BOYCOTT. silence is complicity, do not scroll past this.
DO NOT BUY THE REMASTER, TLOU2, TLOU1, OR ANY GAME FROM NAUGHTY DOG! neil druckmann (the creator) is a zionist. PLEASE READ THIS. AND REBLOG THIS.
you may add what is necessary, i wanted to keep it short for attention span sakes, and to avoid people skipping it entirely, and so on. i may edit these, fix up anything, but again, if you're using them you can edit them however. as long as you are linking anything in general, that is what matters.
thank you, love from aestra.
from the river to the sea, palestine will be free 🇵🇸
Part 2 (coming soon)
Warnings: some cussing, use of weapons, angst???
♡ i apologize for any mistakes it's midnight 🫠 also because I feel l
Part 3 (coming soon)
Warnings: some cussing, lots of angst
♡ I apologize for the delay on part 2! I recently moved, so that took up so much of my time. I also couldn't figure out where I wanted the story to go lmao but I'm done! Here ya goooo!
Summary: someone's flirting pushes Ellie over the edge. Leading to a tense confrontation where she's forced to admit why she's been acting out.
The smell of roasted pork belly lingered in the main dining hall, mingling with the sound of chatter and clinking dishes. The room was alive with energy, people gathering around long wooden tables, their voices bouncing off the high ceilings. Jesse leaned back in his chair, admiring his plate like he’d just won the lottery.
“Told you I’d get my pork belly,” he said, spearing another piece with his fork and shoving it into his mouth.
“You practically tackled Carl for it,” Dina said, settling into the chair across from him. “I thought he was going to stab you with a fork.”
Jesse shrugged, completely unbothered. “He respected the hustle. Besides, I left him a piece.”
“A crumb,” Dina corrected, snatching a roll off his plate and earning a glare. “Don’t be greedy.”
You smirked but stayed quiet, trying to focus on your own plate. Even so, your eyes kept drifting to Ellie, who sat across from you, leaning on her elbow and absently poking at her food. She hadn’t looked at you once since sitting down, which somehow felt worse than the usual glares. The silence stretched between you like a taut string, one that could snap at any moment.
Dina noticed your distraction and leaned in, her tone casual but pointed. “I love you both, but when are you two going to start talking?”
Ellie stiffened, her fork pausing mid-poke. She glanced at Dina, then at you with a look that could have frozen a fire. “We talk,” she muttered, her voice clipped. “Just not about anything that matters, apparently.”
You rolled your eyes, stabbing your spoon into your stew. “Maybe when she stops glaring,” you muttered under your breath before shoving a spoonful into your mouth.
Ellie’s jaw tightened, and Dina let out a heavy sigh, leaning back in her chair. “Maybe the bonfire will help. Might actually stop you two from trying to kill each other.”
“Doubt it,” Jesse chimed in through a mouthful of pork belly. “At this point, I’m taking bets. You two either break something or make out by the end of the night.”
Ellie choked on her food, coughing as she glared at Jesse. “Jesus, Jesse. Can you not?”
You felt your face flush. “God, you’re an idiot.”
“I’m a visionary,” Jesse said with a grin, gesturing dramatically with his fork. “The tension is unbearable.”
Ellie shot him a warning look. “Keep talking, and you’ll see tension when I shove that fork down your throat.”
Dina rolled her eyes. “Enough, children. Some of us are trying to eat in peace.”
Ellie turned her attention back to her plate, clearly done with the conversation, but the tension lingered in the air like smoke. You tried to focus on your food, but your eyes betrayed you, constantly flicking to her. Every move she made seemed deliberate, like she was holding something back. It was driving you insane.
“So, what’s the plan for the bonfire?” you asked, desperate to steer the conversation somewhere else.
Dina perked up, clearly glad for the shift in tone. “We’re heading down to the creek after dark. Maria found out, but she said we could do it if we behaved. So let’s try not to burn the whole forest down.” She nudged you, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she nodded toward Jesse. “If you’re lucky, maybe someone will get to show off their terrible dancing.”
“My dancing’s a gift,” Jesse said, patting his chest with mock pride. “I can’t help that people are intimidated by it.”
“You flail like you’re being attacked by bees,” Dina shot back, her grin wide.
“It’s a stylistic choice,” Jesse retorted, completely unbothered.
Despite yourself, you laughed, the tension easing for a moment. But the moment of calm didn’t last. Ellie stood abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.
“I’m gonna grab something to drink,” she muttered, not waiting for a response before heading toward the drink station in the corner of the hall.
Dina glanced between you and Ellie, her brow furrowed. “What happened? I thought you two were-”
You shook your head, the knot in your chest tightening. “Me too. She told me she liked me and the next day she- it's like she hated me. I don't know what I did. Whenever I ask, she just flips and avoids the question."
Dina gives you a sympathetic smile, reaching across the table to squeeze your hand. "I really think this bonfire will help."
You sigh, dropping your spoon in your bowl. "I don't know. I don't have much hope."
Dina frowned but didn’t push. As you watched Ellie’s retreating form, you couldn’t help but wonder if tonight would be the night something finally broke.
♡♡♡
The fire crackled brightly, casting warm light over the group as laughter and conversation filled the night air. Jesse was in the middle of another over-the-top patrol story, using wild gestures and exaggerated voices to imitate the people involved. Dina groaned, covering her face with her hands.
“Please, spare us,” she said, though her laughter betrayed her.
“What? It’s a true story!” Jesse insisted, grinning. “You can’t make this stuff up!”
“You absolutely can,” you said, smirking as you leaned back on the log. Despite the lighthearted atmosphere, you couldn’t ignore the weight in your chest. Your eyes drifted to Ellie again, just like before, but she didn’t meet your gaze. Instead, she kept her focus on her guitar, her fingers plucking at the strings absently like she wasn’t part of the group at all.
She’d been distant all night. Just like she’d been distant for weeks. Even now, sitting a few feet away, she felt unreachable.
It hurt.
You didn’t know what you had done wrong—if you had done anything at all. The warm familiarity that once sat between you had turned cold, and you weren’t sure how to get it back.
“Alright, Y/N,” Jesse said, pointing at you with a grin. “Your turn. Most embarrassing moment—go.”
You groaned, but the attention from the group gave you no choice. “Fine. You know why I’m not allowed to solo patrol anymore?”
Ellie’s fingers faltered over the guitar strings, and her lips twitched into the smallest of smiles. She didn’t look up, but the soft laugh she let out gave you a flicker of hope.
Dina raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Care to share, Ellie?"
Ellie looked up then, but not at you. “No, I—I'm good.”
The group fell silent. Ellie glanced your way for the briefest moment before turning back to her guitar.
You knew why she laughed. She was there. It was a memory that had brought the two of you closer. You remembered clinging onto Ellie as your feet touched the ground. The hesitant way her arms wrapped around your waist, when you kissed her in thanks. The first time you'd kissed a girl and known—really known—that you’d fallen deep.
But whatever warmth she’d felt in that memory was gone now. She shut herself off quickly.
A kick to your foot snapped you out of your thoughts. You jumped and looked around at the group. “Sorry. I lost my train of thought.”
Dina smirked at you, her expression knowing. You frowned at her and cleared your throat.
“Water tower,” you began. “Amazing view, right? So I thought, hey, let me climb it and check it out. Turns out I’m terrible with heights. Got stuck up there for hours.”
“No way,” Dina said, her laughter already bubbling up. “How long were you stuck?”
“Four hours,” you admitted, grinning sheepishly. “Ellie eventually found me with Shimmer, but it took her an hour just to convince me to climb down.”
The group erupted into laughter—except for Ellie. She barely reacted, just kept her focus on the guitar, her smile long gone.
That stung.
Before you could dwell on it, Jane's voice echoed in the night.
“Heights, huh?” she said, her voice smooth, teasing. “Didn’t peg you for someone afraid of anything.”
You looked up at her, caught off guard.
Jane—the prettiest girl in Jackson. You know the saying "tall, dark, and handsome"? That was her. Everyone either wanted to be her or wanted her. Everyone, of course, except for you.
She gave you a slow, lazy smile, taking a seat on the log next to you, her posture completely relaxed. She brushed her long braid over her shoulder, her dark eyes flickering with amusement as she watched you. “So, since you can’t solo patrol, when do we get to go together?”
Her long fingers traced over your arm in a way that was almost absentminded. Or maybe it was intentional. With Jane, it was hard to tell.
You weren’t expecting this. Jane never showed interest in anyone—until now. And maybe that was what threw you off.
You didn’t know how to react.
She was pretty. She was easy to talk to. She wasn’t cold or distant. But she also wasn’t—
You glanced at Ellie.
Her jaw was set. Her hands gripped the guitar tighter, her knuckles pale in the firelight.
Jane, either oblivious or fully enjoying herself, leaned in just a little more. “We’d make a great team. I mean, someone’s gotta keep you from getting stuck in trees.”
Jesse whistled. “Damn, Jane. You’re really laying it on thick.”
Jane smirked, her gaze still locked on you. “What can I say? I know what I like.”
Ellie’s strumming stopped completely. The fire crackled, but the tension around you burned hotter.
You felt Ellie’s gaze, sharp as a blade against the side of your face, but you didn’t look at her.
“Come on,” Jane continued, her voice dropping to something more private. “You and I both know patrol’s boring when the company isn’t good. And I think we’d have fun.”
You swallowed. “I—”
Jane didn’t let you finish. “What do you say, Y/N?” she mused, tilting her head. “Think you can handle me?”
Ellie abruptly stood up, her voice void of emotion. “Need more firewood.”
She didn’t wait for a response before walking off toward the treeline.
Jane arched a brow as she watched Ellie go, then turned back to you with a slow, knowing smirk. “Huh.”
Some time had passed, and Ellie was nowhere to be found. Jane kept talking, but her voice faded into the background as your focus shifted elsewhere.
You weren’t listening. Not really.
Your mind was on Ellie—on the way she had stormed off, her shoulders tense, her death grip on her guitar like she was barely holding herself together. She hadn’t come back. Hadn’t even glanced your way since she left.
You tried to ignore the uneasy feeling gnawing at your chest, but it wouldn’t go away.
“I’ll see you later,” you muttered, cutting Jane off as you stood.
She blinked in surprise. “Oh?”
You hesitated, but you didn’t have time to play whatever game she had started. “Yeah. I just—need to check on something.”
Jane didn’t press. She only smirked, like she already knew.
You didn’t wait for a response before you turned, heading toward the trees where you last saw Ellie disappear. The bonfire’s warmth faded behind you as the quiet night wrapped around you instead.
Then, you heard it.
A guitar.
The melody was soft, familiar—achingly familiar. It was the same song she played for you the night of the water tower incident. Where she kissed you back.
The night everything changed.
You followed the sound until you found her sitting beneath a tree, guitar in her lap, fingers plucking the strings in slow, absentminded strokes.
For a second, you just stood there, watching her, feeling something tighten in your chest. The moonlight carved shadows across her face, her expression unreadable.
This was your chance.
Here, where she couldn’t run.
“You okay?” you asked cautiously.
Ellie stilled. Her fingers froze mid-chord before she exhaled sharply, her shoulders rising and falling with the breath.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” she muttered.
You frowned. “You stormed off and never came back.”
Ellie turned then, finally meeting your gaze—but her eyes were cold, detached, nothing like they used to be.
“You wanted me to come back for what?” she said flatly. “So I could watch you flirt with Jane in front of me?”
“What?” You recoiled, caught off guard. “Ellie, I wasn’t flirting—”
Ellie scoffed. “Right.”
You took a step closer, frustration creeping into your voice. “Look, I’m sorry she came onto me, but I wasn’t flirting. I didn’t even—”
Her voice cracked as she cut you off.
“You were a mistake.”
The words hit like a punch to the gut.
You froze.
A moment passed.
Then another.
And suddenly, you were tired. Tired of the back and forth, of guessing, of the constant shift between warmth and cold, between having her and losing her in the span of a breath.
Ellie had been awful to you for weeks, shutting you out without an explanation. And now she was saying this?
Your throat tightened and your eyes welled with tears, but you forced yourself to swallow them down.
Ellie let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “You really don’t know?”
“I’m not going to ask you again, Ellie,” you said, quieter now, your voice strained but firm. “What happened?”
“No,” you said, desperate to understand. “I don’t.”
She clenched her jaw. Her hands curled into fists on her lap.
“I saw you two,” she muttered.
You frowned. “Me and Jane?”
Ellie’s eyes flashed, like even hearing it made her angrier.
“The way you looked at her,” she spat. “That day she was helping you fix your rifle. You ditched me to go see her.”
Your breath caught in your throat.
That?
That’s what this was about?
You shook your head, trying to piece it together. “Ellie, I—I didn’t ditch you. I didn’t even know—”
“Bullshit,” she snapped, standing up abruptly, her movements sharp, restless. “I saw it. I fucking saw it, Y/N.”
You flinched at the venom in her tone. “Saw what, exactly?”
Ellie exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair like she was barely holding herself together. “The way you smiled at her. The way she smiled back. You looked so—so comfortable with her. Like it was easy.”
Your heart twisted.
“You think I wanted Jane?” you asked, voice soft.
Ellie’s jaw clenched. “Didn’t you?”
“No,” you said immediately, the weight of her accusation hitting you all at once. “Ellie, I didn’t.”
Ellie looked away, shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does,” you insisted. “Because you’ve been treating me like shit over something that isn’t even real.”
Ellie’s breath hitched.
She was unraveling, piece by piece.
She inhaled sharply through her nose. Her lips parted like she wanted to argue, but she hesitated.
And then—
Her face changed.
It was just for a second. A flicker.
Her eyes moved between yours, searching, like she was looking for something—some kind of proof that she was wrong. But beneath it, you saw everything.
Anger. Frustration.
Sadness.
Guilt.
It all crashed together in one fleeting expression before her face hardened again.
But it was too late. You had seen it.
Ellie let out a shaky breath, looking away.
“I was scared,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
You stared at her, heart pounding. “Scared of what?”
Ellie swallowed hard, her eyes glassy now.
“Scared of screwing this up,” she whispered. “Scared of losing you.”
You felt the anger in your chest waver, flickering between frustration and something else—something deeper, something raw. You had spent so long trying to figure out what you did wrong. Trying to understand why she had suddenly become so distant.
And all this time... she was scared?
Your voice was quiet, careful. "Then why did you push me away?"
Ellie’s lip trembled. Her fingers twitched at her side, as if she was holding back.
Her green eyes fixed onto yours, eyes glossy and tired. "I thought it would hurt less."
Your heart ached at her words, your chest tightening as you held back your tears.
You stared at her, at the way her shoulders hunched, at the way she dropped her gaze. You hadn't seen her like this in a long time.
Vulnerable.
Exposed.
"I know it's fucking stupid. I thought shutting you out, and- hurting you would help me get over you. That eventually I'd stop feeling all of this."
You swallowed hard, "And did you?"
Ellie blinks, confused.
"Get over me," you clarified.
She let out a slow shaky breath, "No. I never did."
Her words hung between you. The weight of everything-- weeks of tension, confusion, and aching silence-- pressed against you chest. You weren't sure what to say. You finally had you answer, but you hadn't expected this.
Ellie looked exhausted, she had been carrying this for far too long, her admittance draining every last bit of fight from her.
Jane-- all of this because of her.
You had seen her around Jackson, seen how she interacted with others. She was outgoing, friendly-- maybe even a little too friendly-- but you figured that was just who she was. When she offered to help you with your rifle, you hadn't thought twice about it.
Because to you, it had meant nothing. But, it meant everything to Ellie.
"Ellie, I never wanted Jane."
"I know." She lets out a self-deprecating laugh. "I know. But I still thought... what if you did? What if one day you realized you could have something - someone, easier?"
That caught you off guard, "Easier?"
She rubs her face before resting her hand on her neck. She rubs it slowly. Her voice is hoarse, "Yes. Someone who isn't a fucking mess. Someone who doesn't run away when they're hurt."
You had stepped forward without realizing, "If I wanted something easier, don't you think I would have walked away by now?"
Ellie drops her hand, eyes fluttering to the ground, "I don't know."
You were close enough to Ellie now, able to trace your fingertips on her hand. "Well I do. And, I want you. Even when you make it difficult or when you shut me out. But I need you to meet me halfway."
Ellie looked at you then-- really looked at you.
For the first time in weeks you could see her defenses faltering. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. "I don't know how."
Your heart ached. She had spent so long running and convincing herself that real love was something meant for other people. Not her.
You took a slow, measured breath as your hand found hers. You could hear Ellie's breath hitch at the contact.
"Ellie.'
Her lips parted as she looked at you.
"Let me show you."
Silence stretched between you, thick and fragile, waiting for someone to break.
Then-- slowly and hesitantly-- Ellie squeezed your hand. "Okay."
You didn't press her for more. Not yet at least.
Because for the first time in weeks, there was something between you that hadn't been there before.
♡ i apologize for any mistakes it's midnight 🫠 also because I feel like I have to clarify... reader is not male.. duh
Summary: Tension and miscommunication strain your relationship with Ellie. After a dangerous encounter and a heated argument at a bonfire, unspoken feelings and frustrations leave things unresolved.
The air in Jackson was cold this morning, cold enough to cut through the multiple layers you wore. You tightened your jacket, your fingers tingling as you rubbed them together for warmth. The faint buzz of the town’s early risers filled the background: soft conversations, the distant hammering from the workshop, the gentle whinny of horses as they were prepped for the day. The familiar scent of hay and leather lingered in the cold air, grounding you in the fragile normalcy Jackson offered—a normalcy you hadn’t dared dream of until you arrived.
But today, even the comfort of routine couldn’t shake the knot in your stomach. As you neared the stables, your heart sank. She was already there.
Ellie was bent over Shimmer’s saddle, adjusting the straps with intensity, which had become her signature in recent weeks. She didn’t notice you at first, or if she did, she didn’t show it. Her posture was tense, her movements brisk, like she was bracing herself for something—or someone.
It hadn’t always been this way. When you first arrived, she had been one of the first to welcome you. Shared jokes, easy smiles, and a promising friendship that was growing into something a little more than just friends. But Ellie suddenly became cold and angry, leaving you hurt and confused.
“Morning,” Dina’s voice broke through your thoughts, cheerful as ever. She led her horse by the reins, her presence a welcome distraction.
“Hey,” you replied, forcing a smile. “Ready for this?”
“Always,” she said, her grin infectious. Behind her, Jesse appeared, his and Dina's lax posture a stark contrast to the tension radiating from Ellie.
“Let’s make this quick,” Jesse said. “They’re making pork belly tonight, and I am not missing that.”
You laughed, but the warmth didn’t last. Ellie finally looked up, her green eyes landing on you for the briefest moment before snapping back to Shimmer. “Of fucking course," she muttered, just loud enough for you to hear.
You stiffened, your fingers tightening on your reins. Dina shot you an apologetic glance. “Play nice, Ellie. It’s too early for this.”
Ellie shrugged, mounting Shimmer without another word. The group moved out, the clop of hooves on frozen ground filling the silence.
♡♡♡
The path out of Jackson was quiet. Frost clung to the trees, glittering in the morning light, and your breath puffed out in small clouds as you rode. Dina and Jesse kept the conversation light, talking about patrol schedules and the latest gossip from town. You stayed quiet, your eyes on the trail ahead, but your mind was elsewhere.
Ellie’s hostility gnawed at you. It wasn’t just the cold remarks or the way she avoided your gaze. It was the loss of what you’d had before. Now, every interaction felt like walking on broken glass. No matter how hard you tried, Ellie wouldn’t hear it.
“So,” Dina said, turning in her saddle to look at you, “you up for a bonfire tonight? It’s been a while since we had one.”
You shrugged. “Is it going to end like last time? Up in flames.”
Jesse snorted. “I’ll never late Nate live that down. What a clutz.”
Dina laughed. “Eugene promised to never give him a joint again.”
Ellie’s voice cut through the lighthearted banter like a blade. “Focus on the job, this isn’t playtime.”
The smile slipped from Dina’s face, and she exchanged a quick glance with Jesse. You tightened your grip on the reins, the familiar frustration bubbling up inside you.
“We’re allowed to talk, Ellie,” you said, keeping your tone even. “It doesn’t mean we’re not paying attention.”
Ellie turned her head slightly, just enough for you to see the edge of her scowl. “Whatever. Just don’t screw this up.”
“I won’t if you don’t,” you shot back before you could stop yourself.
The silence that followed was heavier than the morning chill. Dina cleared her throat awkwardly, trying to ease the tension. “So, uh, anyone remember where we’re headed first?”
Ellie’s eyes stayed on the trail ahead. “There’s an old convenience store a few miles out. It might have some supplies.”
You bit your tongue, swallowing the retort that was on the tip of your tongue. This run was going to be long enough without adding more fuel to the fire. Jesse and Dina didn’t deserve it. They had already put up with the two of you for the past couple of weeks.
Dina was the one who tried her hardest to get the two of you to work it out. All she was able to manage was to get the two of you on somewhat speaking terms. Said speaking terms were usually just sarcastic remarks and full blown arguments. But… It was progress.
♡♡♡♡
By the time you reached the convenience store, the sun was higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the cracked asphalt of the parking lot. The building was half-collapsed, its windows shattered and its sign faded to near illegibility. Weeds grew unchecked through the concrete, and the faint smell of rot lingered in the air.
“Looks promising,” Jesse said sarcastically, dismounting his horse.
“We’ll split up,” Ellie said, tying Shimmer to a post near the entrance. “Dina, you’re with Jesse. We’ll take the other side.”
You opened your mouth to protest, but Dina gave you a warning look, shaking her head slightly. Reluctantly, you nodded and followed Ellie into the crumbling building.
Inside the convenience store, the air was thick with decay. Dust hung in the faint shafts of light filtering through cracks in the boarded-up windows. Shelves lay toppled, their contents strewn across the floor, long since picked through by scavengers.
Ellie’s flashlight cut through the dimness ahead, her silence heavier than the gloom. You followed, your own light darting over the shadows, your grip on your gun tight. The quiet between you felt daunting, the patrol making it worse.
“Find anything?” Ellie’s voice broke the silence, sharp and impatient.
“Not yet,” you replied evenly, though your irritation simmered beneath the surface.
She huffed. “Figures.”
You couldn’t hold back anymore. “What is your problem?”
Ellie whirled to face you, her flashlight beam momentarily blinding. “My problem? You’re the one who—” She cut herself off, her jaw clenching.
“Say it,” you challenged, stepping closer. “Whatever it is, just say it.”
Ellie’s jaw tightened, her knuckles white against the flashlight. “You wouldn’t get it.”
“Well just try me.”
Her eyes burned with anger, but before she could respond, a guttural growl sent chills racing down your spine. Both of you froze, your weapons snapping up as the sound grew louder. A clicker.
You and Ellie exchanged a glance, all hostility forgotten as the sounds of the clicker came closer. Without a word, she gestured for you to hide. You hesitated, not wanting to split up, but there was no time to argue.
The clicker stumbled into view, its grotesque form illuminated by your flashlight. You quickly circled around, trying to stay quiet as Ellie moved to flank it. But then your backpack brushed against a shelf, sending a can tumbling to the floor.
The sound was deafening in the silence. The clicker screeched and lunged, pushing you flat on your back. Its rotten teeth snapped close to your neck as you let out a scream. Panic overtook you, your hands fumbling for your knife as the creature pinned you to the ground.
The world blurred, you could hear heart threatening to burst through your chest. Ellie’s voice shouted something you couldn’t make out. Just as the clicker’s teeth lunged toward your neck, a gunshot rang out, its head jerking violently before collapsing on top of you. Blood splattered your face, the coppery tang filling your senses.
Ellie stood above you, gun smoking, her face twisted in fury. “What the hell were you thinking?”
You shoved the clicker off, your breath coming in ragged gasps. “I was trying—”
You had enough. You scrambled to your feet, anger flaring in your chest as you wiped furiously at your face. “Are you kidding me? It was an accident, Ellie. I didn’t mean for that to happen—”
“Trying to get yourself killed?” she snapped. “You're never coming on patrol again, you're too much of a fucking liability.”
“Don’t.” She cut you off, stepping closer. “You never mean for anything to happen, and yet somehow, it always does. And guess who has to clean up the mess? Me.”
You wiped your bloody hands on your jacket, your hands trembling. “What are you even talking about? I seriously don't understand why you're mad at me right now. Maybe you should’ve let it kill me.”
“Maybe I should have,” Ellie shot back, but the moment the words left her mouth, her jaw tightened like she regretted it.
You froze, her words sinking in like ice. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Ellie’s nostrils flared. “What’s wrong with me?” Her voice cracked, raw and sharp. “Are you serious? You don’t get to play the victim here.”
You roll your eyes in frustration,“Victim? What are- God, just explain it to me!”
You stepped closer, refusing to back down. “Because I’m done guessing! One minute we’re fine, and the next you’re treating me like I’m some burden you can’t get rid of fast enough!”
“You are a burden!” Ellie snapped. The words came out too fast, too loud, and her face paled as soon as she said them.
You recoiled, her words cutting deeper than you wanted to admit. “Wow. Glad we cleared that up.”
Ellie shook her head, her voice quieter but still sharp. “You don’t get it.”
“Then make me get it! Stop dancing around whatever this is, and just tell me! Why are you so angry?"
She looked at you then, her eyes blazing with something you couldn’t quite name—anger, hurt, fear. But instead of answering, she shook her head and turned away. “Forget it.”
“Ellie!”
“No!” She spun back around, her voice rising again. “Just drop it, okay? We have a job to do. That’s all this is.”
You swallowed hard, your throat tight. “You don’t get to just walk away from this.”
Ellie’s expression hardened. “Watch me.” She turned and stormed down the aisle, her boots crunching over broken glass.
You stood there for a moment, your chest heaving as you tried to pull yourself together. But you weren’t done with this—not by a long shot.
“This isn’t over,” you muttered, grabbing the nearest can off the shelf and shoving it into your pack before following her.
The rest of the search passed in tense silence, both of you working quickly but avoiding each other’s eyes. By the time you pushed through the doors into the daylight, Dina and Jesse were already there, their horses loaded up. Dina waved, her expression faltering when she saw the tension still etched into both your faces.
“You guys okay? Who's blood-” Dina asked.
Ellie shoved her pack onto her horse. “Clickers.”
Dina and Jesse's gaze snap towards you. You tossed your own bag into the saddle and mounted up, not even looking in their direction.
Dina leaned in, whispering, “You good?”
You forced a smile. “Peachy.”
Ellie didn’t say a word as the group rode back toward Jackson, but you could feel her presence like a weight pressing against you. Whatever this was between you—it wasn’t finished. Not even close.
I am nowhere near done with this but I thought I'd give you all a small taste of the Brother Day fanfic I've been working on. Still have yet to come up with a title, but be kind, I haven't written a composition like this in forever.
"Untitled" Brother Day x Reader
Chapter One
Pain, searing pain was all that pulsed through your aching limbs. The blast that had sent you flying moments before disoriented your senses. A deafening ringing engulfed your ears and the world around you was nothing but a confusing blur. For days now, Anacreon troops rained down an endless and brutal siege on your home of Arcturus. As your eyes struggled to find focus, you caught a brief glimpse of the dead bodies scattered around you. The explosion had completely devastated all signs of life for miles in each direction, or so you guessed. The Anacreons had gained access of the Empire’s infamous Invictus or “Planet killer” as many in the galaxy called it, and had chosen to wage war on your home. You could not comprehend how one could justify the use of this weapon on such a peaceful and docile planet.
How could they? You thought to yourself. What have we done to anyone to deserve such a ruthless attack without warning? Your sight began to come back to some extent and although you were unable to physically move, your eyes glanced around. You checked the length of your body to examine any damage you may have sustained. Beyond the burn blisters festering in small clusters on your leg, you took notice of what seemed to be a large piece of shrapnel sticking out of your thigh. The pain was excruciating but you couldn’t scream…the heat of the desert had dried your mouth and the loss of blood began to send your body into shock.
Laying there, you began to mentally prepare for the end. Your friends and family, inevitably dead or captured, there was no one coming to help you. The silence of your thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the quick thunderous noise of ships halting their journey through a space jump. The faint glint of numerous Imperial ships lined up in the atmosphere and steadily began to approach the planet.
What seemed like ages later, you heard the pressure of whirring engines release a loud blast of air as the ships landed. Lines of Imperial troops ran from their shuttles in perfect formation and halted in unison at the foot of the ramp. Soon, from one of the larger ships a cloaked figure emerged followed by a smaller unit of soldiers. It was nearly impossible to make out any faces as they had their mouths and noses covered to keep the sand from entering their airways. Though fully armored, they were shrouded in thin layers of sheer fabric to protect them from the planet’s merciless climate.
The wind began to blow gusts of air across the lifeless valley of sand dunes, sending a shooting pain through your leg as it touched the burns on your skin. Off in the distance you could hear someone yell, “Search for survivors!”
Your vision began to fade again but you could hear people being dragged across the ground and the gentle click of iron as cuffs were forced on what you assumed were Anacreon soldiers. Apparently they had been hiding out of sight to insure the success of their mission from the ground level. You fought with every inch of your being to listen in on what was going on around you. Once the commotion settled down, a man with a calm and cool tone began to speak.
“Several weeks ago, we heard reports of the Invictus warship appearing at random in different sectors of the galaxy,” he said with a touch of smugness.
“It’s jumping technology is legendary, making it one of the most undetectable vessels in history when piloted by imperial soldiers.”
His voice became more pressing and hostile.
“Tell me then, why is it that our source traced its location to Arcturus and found it in the hands of traitorous Anacreons? Need I remind you that to attack a planet in the realm of the Galactic Empire is considered an act of war and high treason,” he tells them, every word sharp and to the point.
“ I will however grant you clemency if you come forward with information on the whereabouts of our ship and your leader,” he explained. You listened for the slightest reply but could hear nothing but the anxious breathing of the Anacreons as they sat in silence. You were able to focus your gaze and realized that it was the tall hooded figure who was addressing the prisoners. He paced back and forth in front of them, turning his head as if to stare deep into each of their eyes. His stride was long and his presence almost menacing as he towered over the Anacreons kneeling before him. Suddenly he raised his arm in the direction of one of the prisoners’ heads. Without warning, the quick sharp zap of a phaser went off and they fell lifeless to the ground. Blood pooled in the hot sand where the victim's now demolished skull lay, glistening like crimson wine in the sunlight.
In an almost mocking manner the man said, “Perhaps we should try this again, which one of you will step forward and provide the information I am requesting?”
Once again, silence. All you could hear was the soft flap of the garments the soldiers were wearing as it caught the wind in its wake. A few more seconds went by and the man exhaled deeply in disgust.
“Pity…what a shame to die as cowards,” He exclaimed. As the man raised his right arm up into the desert sun, you could hear the charge of multiple weapons warming up their phaser setting. He pointed only two fingers when he gave the order and with a quick turn of his hand, the rest of the Anacreons collapsed as they were executed. Your heart was beating out of your chest which intensified the pain you were already bearing from the metal wedged into your leg. Fearing that you would be next, you tried to be as still as your body would allow to fool the others into thinking you were also dead. Several minutes went by and you began to feel as if you were safe. Several men walked by your crippled body, counting you as a corpse. Finally, you thought, I can die in peace.
To your horror, two large boots stopped infront of your face, kicking small fibers of sand into your eyes. The shadow the boots belonged to bent low to the ground and kneeled beside you. A large hand with long slender fingers touched your neck clearly checking for a pulse. You were trembling and completely petrified in fear. You glanced up long enough to see a pair of dark brown eyes looking down at you. You froze. It was the cloaked figure you had seen murder the Anacreons in cold blood. Your vision began to darken as you heard him yell to one of his men, “This one’s still alive! An Arcturian by the looks of her. Take her aboard my ship. She’s coming with us.”
“Yes Empire,” one of them said in response.
There you have it! That's all I have so far. Don't worry, further more involved interactions with Brother Day are ahead. I wanted to make sure I introduce the reader's character properly. This is going to be a pretty long fanfic, but here's the beginning and I hope you all like it!
For your 100 follower requests: "More please" first kiss scenario with Tovar or Whiskey. WRITER'S CHOICE.
Alright this turned into something way bigger than I had planned. This sits at 2.7k. Don't ask me where the actual idea came from, I have no idea.
Also, I want you to know, I wrote the ENTIRE SCENE with the goats and then went "...I should make sure she likes goats."
Jack Daniels x f!reader. Meet cute at a county fair. No warnings, this is all cute fluff with kissing.
Without further ado, I present to you:
She Moves Through the Fair
You were standing off to the side of the crowds, by the animal housing. Your friend was 20 minutes late so far, which wasn’t like her. You’d texted her ten minutes ago to check in.
Finally, your phone buzzed.
Hey so sorry I forgot we were supposed to go today I can’t make it
You groaned out loud at that. Great. So now you were on your own at the county fair. You’d already paid the entrance fee, so you might as well stay now. This was not how you’d expected your day to go.
“Everything alright?”
You jumped, turning towards the voice. A man had come up behind you, hands stuck in the pockets of his jeans. He was wearing a black Stetson. Your lips twitched against your will.
“I’m fine,” you told him. “Just a change of plans, is all.”
“You need any help?” The man offered you a little smile, brown eyes warm.
“No, thank you. I think I’m going to go pet some goats and… figure something out.” You shrugged.
His eyebrows shot up his forehead. “Figure something out? Are you here alone?”
“Yes,” you answered reluctantly.
“Well, I’d say I’m sorry, but this means I get a chance to escort a pretty lady today.” He smiled at you. “My own company found someone else to run around with, so I seem to be unattached for the day.”
You narrowed your eyes at him. He didn’t flinch, just waiting patiently. Well, he was handsome, that was for sure. Seemed to have manners. And if needed, you could definitely get away from him – this was a county fair, not a private event. There was security around. And if you kicked up a fuss, you’d get bystander support.
“Sure,” you agreed. “Why not. You might get bored, though.”
“I’ll be bored on my own, so if that happens, at least I’ll be bored in lovely company.” He winked at you, almost over the top, and smiled when you giggled. “I’m Jack, by the way.”
You gave him your name and shook his hand, amused.
“I believe you said something about goats?” Jack grinned at you, motioning you to go first. You nodded and headed for the nearest animal housing area, perking up a bit. Sheep over here. That was fine. You patted every sheep that came up to the fence, saying hi to each one. Jack kept pace with you and, to your surprise, he also chatted easily with the sheep. Mostly he snuck sly little comments about the “beautiful lady” he was with, making you grin every time.
“You’re quite a flirt,” you told him once the two of you finally reached the goats. “I think these guys will appreciate it more than the sheep, though.”
Jack threw his head back and laughed at that, bright and full-bellied. “You think so, huh?”
“Well, the goats are more active, usually,” you pointed out, as one headbutted your hand for attention. “Although if I were you I’d save the sweet talking for the pygmy goats, those things are too damn cute.”
“Favorites of yours, I take it?” Jack asked, leaning down a bit to pet a lazy goat who bleated at him without actually getting up.
“If I could, I would have like three of those,” you told him. “They’re so cute. And they’re a more manageable size than regular goats.”
“Looks like there’s some pygmies up there,” Jack pointed out, nodding to the end of the row.
“Don’t rush me, I’m getting there,” you shot back playfully. Jack just chuckled at you. “So, what brought you here today? You said you got ditched?”
“Promised a friend I’d come,” Jack told you with an easy shrug. “He wanted some help picking something out. ‘Course, soon as we’d done that, he got a call from another buddy of his and abandoned me to meet up with that group.” He shot you a flirty smile. “My gain, though.”
You chuckled. “Well, I dunno about that,” you murmured.
“I do.”
You felt your cheeks heat with blood and you ducked your head, momentarily flustered by his outright flirting. Then you smiled. “Well, we’ve got the rest of the day,” you pointed out. “I have no plans.”
“No?” Jack smiled. “Let’s see if I can’t change that.” He stepped around you, getting ahead of you, and winked before he sauntered off to the end of the row to the pygmy goats. He started chatting with an older gentleman on the other side of the fence, nodding back your direction once. You kept half your attention on him, curious what he was doing. But not quite curious enough to go butt in on the conversation. Instead you kept going down the row, petting goats.
At least until Jack trotted back over to you, looking smug as the cat that ate the canary. “Come on,” he told you, holding out a hand to you.
“What?”
“Come on!” Jack smiled, beckoning you again. You took his hand, and he promptly tugged you along over to the pygmy goats. The gentleman behind the fence opened up a section of fencing for you, ushering you both inside, and then efficiently herded you both into the pen with the pygmy goats.
“Oh my god,” you breathed, eyes huge. There were five goats and three kids. The kids were teeny tiny, and promptly ran over to investigate the two of you.
“Sit,” Jack encouraged you. “They’ll nibble a bit, so watch your stuff.” He gently pushed one kid away from nibbling on the hem of his jeans.
You sat, eyes still huge, and let the kids and the mamas sniff you and climb on you. They were adorable and friendly, and you were having a blast. Definitely needed to get like three of these little guys. Someday.
“How did you…?” You finally asked Jack several minutes later, after the kids had worn themselves out a bit. One of them had fallen asleep with its head on your foot, and you were loathe to move.
“Just had a friendly chat,” Jack told you, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
“You’re incredible,” you told him with a blinding smile. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
Jack’s smile turned a little softer, almost shy. “Well, why not?” he countered. “You got stood up, looks like, might as well make the best of your day now.”
You had no words for that, so you just smiled helplessly at him and scratched one of the mama goats when she wandered over to you.
You could have happily stayed there all day, but you did eventually get up. Mostly because your stomach was rumbling, and Jack insisted the two of you eat. So you got up, said goodbye to the goats (and thanked the owner), and made your way outside to a hand washing station.
“Bright,” you grumbled as soon as you were outside, squinting. “It was not this bright earlier.”
“You didn’t bring a hat?” Jack asked, tutting at you.
“Forgot it,” you admitted. You looked at him, reached up, and stole his hat, plonking it on your head with a cheeky grin. “This’ll work.”
Jack’s jaw dropped for a moment, and then he swallowed hard, looking you up and down. “Looks good on you,” he croaked.
“Thanks.” You flashed him a grin and reached out for his hand. “Food’s this way, come on.” He followed behind you easily, letting you lead the way.
The food area was, as usual, crowded and large. There were at least a dozen different vendors, all with different types of food, everything from pizza and hot dogs to turkey legs to gyros.
“What are you in the mood for?” you asked Jack, stepping out of the way and scanning the different offerings. “And if you say anything with fried dough before lunch, I’m walking away.”
Jack laughed at that, slinging an easy arm around your shoulders. You didn’t flinch at the touch, a little surprised at yourself. “Nah, I’m pretty easy to please. I usually go for a hot dog, or a sausage to start.” He winked at you, and you choked and spluttered for a moment.
“Go, I’ll meet you at a table,” you told him, waving him on. He hesitated for only a moment before he nodded, releasing you and striding off to get in line. You took a few moments to admire the view as he walked away. Mmm. Those jeans did great things for him from this angle. (From any angle, really, if you were being honest with yourself.)
You did tear your gaze away from him so you could trot off to get in line for your own food. Fortunately, things went quickly, and by the time you had your food and turned to look for Jack, he was flagging you down from an empty table. A smile stretched your lips – he was squinting at you. You still had his hat on. Your heart fluttered, just a little.
“You can have it back, if you want,” you told him, touching two fingers to the brim of his hat as you sat down next to him.
Jack smiled, slow and sweet as molasses. “Nah,” he said. “Looks good on you. Keep it.”
You returned the smile, and the two of you settled in to eat lunch. You finally learned a bit more about him – he worked at a distillery. Not one you’d heard of, though you absolutely did not claim to be a connoisseur of whiskey. In return, you told him a bit about your own job, and the friend who’d cancelled on you today.
“We come once a year,” you told him as the two of you cleaned up. “Well. She sometimes comes more often, but the two of us always come. We usually do a bit of early holiday shopping. Eat junk food. Stuff like that.”
“Well, we’ve eaten some junk food,” Jack said, glancing at your empty plates. “We’ll get to more of that later. Haven’t done any shopping, though.”
“I’m not dragging you through the vendor buildings,” you protested.
“Who says you’ll be dragging me, darlin’?” Jack shot back with an easy grin. “I’ll tell you if I get bored, promise. Now c’mon.” He grabbed your hand, towing you along with him. The crowds parted easily for him, and you couldn’t help a little huff of jealousy. Of course he’d get from point A to point B without being elbowed half a dozen times.
To your surprise, Jack was just as enthusiastic about shopping as your friend was. He had an eye for quality, charmed the vendors into giving you better deals, and ended up with multiple purchases of his own. He stopped and bought beef jerky in a variety of flavors. He sampled local honey with you. He even somehow ended up in a half hour discussion with a local vintner talking about barrels, of all things. That one you mostly just watched, perplexed, only half following the conversation. Watching Jack was far more interesting, anyway. He was a social chameleon, able to fit in at any and every booth he stopped at. Honestly, it was fascinating to watch.
Jack carried half of your bags for you, ignoring your protests, until you huffed and gave in.
The two of you zig-zagged back and forth through the vendor buildings for a solid few hours, until you cried mercy and Jack insisted on a snack break. He parked you at a quiet out of the way table, away from the main hustle and bustle of the fair, and vanished with promises to return with sustenance. You sat backwards on the bench so you could lean back against the edge of the table, smiling. Your day had certainly turned out much better than you would have guessed.
Jack came striding back with a funnel cake, and you couldn’t help but laugh.
“I haven’t had one of these in years,” you told him, amused as you took one of the forks.
“It is a fair,” he told you with a wink. “Haveta get something fried here, darlin’.”
“Fair enough.” You smiled at him, sitting closer than was strictly necessary on the bench to share the funnel cake with him. The quiet was easy between the two of you, comfortable and relaxed. The fair noises were a little quieter here, and nobody even passed by your table.
“You’ve got a little somethin’,” Jack said, pointing to his own cheek to demonstrate. You swiped at your cheek, and he shook his head. “Nope, still there.” After watching you wipe your cheek again, he chuckled. “May I?”
“Okay,” you agreed, heart tripping and then slamming into double time. Jack reached over slowly, giving you plenty of time to move, and his thumb swiped across your cheek, then again. You leaned into the touch, and his hand cupped your cheek instead.
“Can I kiss you, darlin’?” he asked, voice low and quiet.
“Yes.”
Jack leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to your lips. His moustache tickled a little, making you smile into the kiss. His hand was warm against your cheek as he held you there, pulling back a little.
“More, please,” you murmured, still smiling at him.
“With pleasure.” Jack kissed you again, a series of gentle kisses that slowly became less chaste until he finally pulled back. Your eyes fluttered open – when had you closed them? Jack was smiling, his thumb sweeping across your cheek again.
“I think we can safely say you rescued the day,” you murmured, smiling.
“It’s my pleasure, darlin’,” Jack assured you. He kissed you one more time, apparently unable to resist, and then sat back. “What else is on your agenda for the day?”
You pulled out your phone for the first time in hours to check the time and make sure you hadn’t missed any actually important messages. Nothing important. And it was getting later than you’d realized.
“I should probably head home soon,” you said regretfully. “I don’t usually stay for the music stuff. Too loud.”
“I understand.” Jack smiled. “Well, then, darlin’, you say the word and I’ll help you to your car.”
“You don’t have to,” you protested, already knowing it was useless and unable to hide your smile.
“I insist,” Jack told you with a grin of his own. “My mama’d box me ‘round the ears if I didn’t.”
You giggled at that and shook your head. “Come on, one more walk down the main road, just in case anything catches our attention.”
The two of you stood, Jack once again stealing most of the bags (although you had to admit he had them stacked and set inside each other to make things easier), and then you were off. You were at the far end of the fair, so you had a nice stroll towards the front. It was just about the point at which the type of crowd changed – the families with children were leaving, and the teenagers and young adults were starting to swarm in for the musician of the night.
Honestly, you were loathe for the night to end, but you needed to get home.
“Thank you for today,” you told Jack as the two of you walked back to your car. “Really.”
“It was my pleasure, darlin’,” Jack told you. He set down your bags in your car and then boxed you in against the side of your car, tipping his hat (which was still on your head) up so he could kiss you again. And again. And again. Finally he stepped back, lips shining and red, eyes dark. “I’ll see you again soon, darlin’.”
“Your hat,” you started.
“I’ll get it next time.” Jack gave you one last lingering kiss before he took two big steps backwards. “Go on home. Check your bags. We’ll talk soon.” He winked you and turned, walking away.
It took every ounce of willpower you had not to either go after him or immediately dig through your bags to find out what he was talking about. Instead you drove home as calmly as you could, the hat placed safely on the passenger seat. As soon as you were parked, you were gathering up the bags and the hat and bolting inside to find whatever he had left you.
A small bag that you didn’t recognize was tucked into one of the bigger bags. Inside was a pair of earrings you had talked yourself out of buying, citing that they were out of your price range, and a business card. The business card had two numbers: office and cell. Jack Daniels. The simple note written on it made your heart soar.
Go watch Soul because it actually has black people on screen for most of the movie.
Go watch Soul because we’re not caricatures or flat, one-note black stereotypes.
Go watch Soul because it actually has an important message on one’s passion and purpose in life that I refuse to spoil here.
Go watch Soul because the trailers DON’T actually give away the plot and the movie’s genuinely better the trailers.
Go watch Soul because you bet your ass corporate’s gonna blame low numbers on the film having vast majority black characters and try to stop this kinda movie from ever happening again.
Go watch Soul because judging the entirety of a movie before it even airs based on the freakin’ trailer (which is hardly ever actually put together by the creators of the film itself and is more tied to the marketing department) instead of the actual film itself is an incredibly ignorant thing to do.
Go watch Soul and form your own opinion instead of jumping on a woke bandwagon.
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