AND ANOTHER THING —

sorry why are we acting like tess is a shit shot???? we all know my girl is NOT a shit shot so why??? the fact that they showed her missing both times she shot at the clickers.... bffr right now like be so real right now please?? and then when she hits the clicker in the neck with the axe but cowers behind it???? BE FUCKING REAL... you know tess would’ve finished that bitch off easy i said what i said

if ur cool with angst what about Howie and MC as like the last two people alive (as far as they know) and trying to comfort/distract each other before their shelter is inevitably invaded by zombies

This is kinda late but seeing as it’s Halloween it’s fashionably late

You weren’t really scared.

Not anymore.

Just…..tired.

Tired of all this running, of all hiding, of the fighting, just-

Tired. Tired of everything.

So, when you were finally cornered into a little shack somewhere in Ohio, surrounded by a hoard of wailing zombies that clawed at the feeble wood of your abode, drawing closer with each passing second- you gave up. 

Poe and Tess were...gone. Tess had gone down fighting, like the kickass Texan she was, smiling tearfully but strong towards you all, shouting for you guys to “keep going!” as the van drove away from her, you screaming bloody murder while Howie held you and Poe drove, face stoic despite the tears that fell. He was next to go, sacrificed himself to blow up the van and kill the other hoard that was chasing you. Howie had reassured you that it was the only way, that Poe did it so that both of you could live, but you both knew it wasn’t the case. In your hearts, you both knew that he had time to escape, to get out, but he chose to stay, he chose to die fighting and join Tess in whatever happened after death. He missed her, it was obvious and now they were together.

Both of you would be joining them soon.

“Maybe, maybe…” Howie had been pacing ever since you had broken into the shack; you had to give it to him, he was determined to get the two of you out of here but you knew he was just trying to deny the inevitable, delaying the thought that this would be your last few moments together instead of accepting it.

You didn’t blame him, he was scared and you wished that you could take his fear away.

“The roof!” He slammed his hand down in his palm, face lighting up “We could escape using the roof! We’ll just climb to the trees nearby and-”

He was just grabbing at straws now.

The both of you knew that the shabby old roof wouldn’t be able to support the weight of one, forget about the both of you.

You hated not helping, not trying to give a solution but you saw no reason to get your hopes up for something that wouldn’t work.

“-then we’ll jump into the river nearby-”

It was time to end this charade of hope.

“Howie” You whispered, voice soft from crying and exhaustion.

Finally, he stopped, shoulders falling and expression fading away.

You held open your arms “Hold me?”

With a last, tired sigh, the gentle giant dragged himself over to the bed that you had sat yourself on, laying down on the rickety cot so that you could cuddle against him, ignoring the sounds of the raging hoard outside.

It was nice, Howie was really warm and despite the muscle, was comfy to cuddle against, especially the plush of his chest, just wonderful.

You really wished you cuddled him like this earlier, spent more time with him, met him before all this horror movie shit started, that this wasn’t happening-

The tears began to fall before you realised, sobs wracking through your body while Howie held you, face shoved into your hair and holding back his own tears. For so long, you had been strong for all of them, you had kept a grip on your hope during this while shitstorm, act as a rock for your group of friends and in that moment, you deserved to release everything, your stress, your fears, your sadness- he would be your rock in your last moments because that was all he could do for you now.

Another violent bang echoed through the shack, this time followed with a crack of broken wood.

They were finally breaking through.

And it finally set in.

The fear.

“Howie, I’m scared”

Howie’s hold on you tightened.

“I know, I know”

Something caught his eye on the bedside table and he reached for it, holding it between the two of you as you examined it.

A revolver, your revolver, if you wanted to be precise. You had grabbed it earlier on you journey, just before Cleveland, you guys had driven past a gun shop while on your journey and after sharing a look between the four of you, you swerved around and scavenged the shop. It was pretty much empty, which was in no surprise, but you had found some weapons in the back, not the best, a bunch of melees and a few older guns, but you didn’t need anything special. Tess, like her, picked a shotgun, an axe for Howie, baseball bat for Poe and for you, the old revolver. Call yourself old fashioned, but it just seemed fitting for some reason.

Though now, you wished you had picked something better.

Howie clicked open the cylinder and frowned.

“One bullet left, I was hoping there would be more….” He left it open, but you knew what he was getting at.

He wished there was more so you could die peacefully, instead of torn to shreds by the hands of the undead.

It was a morbid thought but it sounded so much better than the latter.

“You should-”

“No” Howie dismissed your idea before you could even finish, handing you the gun with a look of fierce determination in his eyes “You should”

“Howie-”

“No, (Name)-”

“Please-”

“You can't change my mind about this, (Name)”

One look in his eyes proved his point: you couldn't change his mind, he would not budge and this was final.

The last bullet was yours and yours alone.

But you were stubborn.

Grabbing the gun, you placed it back onto the table, lying back down in the cot but turning away from him, knowing that one look at him would make you falter, and eventually, accept his wishes.

“We’ll just die together, then”

“(Name), you can't-” You brushed his hand away when it grabbed your shoulder, curling deeper into yourself as you reminded yourself that ‘you were not gonna let him die alone, especially a slow, painful death.

“Just get back down here, Howie”

“Would you just listen-”

“No-”

“(NAME)!” Howie grabbed you by the shoulders roughly, something you would have never expected him to do and tugged your back up to meet him, tears running down his cheeks and face filled with an abundance of fear, anxiety, exhaustion and love. You were tense in his arms as he shook you slightly, not from fear, but from pure heartache at how broken he looked, despite the hope he had displayed to you for so long.

Though, you guessed you shouldn’t have been surprised, even you had your breaking point when it came to hoping in this situation.

“Please” His voice cracked along with his plead, tears once again filling your eyes and making your lip wobble as you realised just how strong he felt about this, about sheltering you from the torture of been ripped apart by broken hands and gnashing teeth. “Please, just do it….do it for me, please?”

Softly, Howie’s forehead came to press against yours as he continued to beg “I don’t want you to suffer”

You were right, seeing his face would make you hesitate, would make you cave.

“And what if I don’t want you to suffer, huh?” You squeaked, holding his cheeks “What if I don’t want you to die alone and in pain? Huh? Does my opinion not matter?”

He stroked your own cheek “Of course it does and I know you’re scared for me...but it’ll be okay. I’ll be okay, you gotta trust me on this”

“But you won’t” You insisted “You’ll be torn apart by zombies! How is that gonna be okay?”

Despite the situation, despite the fear and everything else that only made you feel worse, Howie sent you one of the breathtaking smiles he knew you loved and somehow, it made you feel better. “Because I’ll know that you won’t be suffering alongside me”

Howie was adamant, that was what you knew to be true and finally, after it finally slapped you hard in the face, you accepted that you could not change his mind.

Not a single bit.

“Okay”

His face brightened “Okay?”

“Okay,” You repeated, smiling with wet eyes “I’ll...do it. I’ll take the last bullet”

In a moment of pure relief, on his side anyway, he tugged you closer and kissed you, hard. It almost felt bruising, but it felt so good to feel his lips against yours, to feel him against you and you kissed Howie back with the same ferocity that he gave you.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you-” The man whispered on repeat, once again pressing his forehead against your own. “Thank you, (Name), thank you so much”

Why did Douglas have to make that fucking wish?

You hoped he was on the other side of death, so you could slam your fist right into his nose.

Though, you were positive Tess and Poe were already way ahead of you on that.

The gun glinted in Howie’s hand and you realised that while in your head, he had grabbed it for you.

“If it weren’t for our situation, I would be offended by your insistence” You joked, grabbing the gun from his hand after sharing a short laugh with him.

A click sounded in your ears when you cocked the revolver.

You flinched.

“It’s okay” He brushed some of your hair back before cupping your cheek “It’ll be quick and you won’t feel a thing”

You hoped so.

“Can….can you turn away?” You squeezed his hand “I-...I don’t want you to see this”

Howie nodded, finally releasing you and moving back, his body turning to show you his back.

Howie trusted you.

You were so glad he did.

Swallowing harshly, you leaned against the gentle giant and grabbed his hand, feeling his warmth radiate.

You wanted it to be the last thing on your mind.

“Howie?”

The man rolled his shoulders “Yeah?”

The gun clinked when you readied for the shot.

“I love you….and I’m sorry”

You missed his smile. “I love you too, (Nam-”

A gunshot echoed through the shack, loud and frightening despite the groans, wails and screams of the zombies outside. The bullet made contact with flesh, the sound of it tearing through was sickening but the feeling of warm, thick blood flying in the air and hitting skin.

You felt Howie’s body hunch backwards, the hole from the bullet gushing blood onto your clothes and staining the red as you finally began to cry, moving your hand from his now limp one to hold him, moving his body to lay beside you in the bed.

“I’m sorry, Howie” Moving the man to his back, you softly dragged your hand over his face to close his eyes, ignoring the other hole centred in his forehead. Kissing his stained lips one last time, you cuddled into him, closing your eyes. “I love you”

More cracks echoed through the room, one, two, three, four-light flooded in and hands appeared through the gaps, waving violently in your direction.

“I love you”

---

From your spot in the van, you snapped up, breathing heavily and on the brink of a panic attack.

“Where-” Your eyes scanned your surroundings, completely missing your setting in favour of finding the only thing on your mind right now.

Howie.

“H-Howie-” You heaved, grabbing at your chest when you couldn’t find him. “Ho-”

There was a rustle from the front, a familiar mop of blonde hair popping from the front seat.

“Geez” Tess joked, the zombie rubbing her eye “I know I’m undead and all but I’d still appreciate a nap once in a while-”

The Texan’s playful smile dropped at the look of your tearful expression, curling into yourself with your hurried breaths coming out short and wheezy. Tess didn’t hesitate to jump over the seat, pulling you close and shushing you softly, ignoring when you whacked her in a panic only to finally collapse against her in a mess of sobs.

“You’re alright, (Name)” She reassured, patting your back to comfort you “You’re okay, don’t worry”

Your face was buried into her neck, clutching her desperately “Tess- I- Where’s- Where’s Howie- He’s not-”

“He and Poe just went to take a leak” Tess laughed, hoping that the laughter would speed up the episode you were having and calm you down “He’s fine- they’re both fine”

It didn’t completely calm down until the boys had returned, laughing at a joke one of them had shared until you had practically tackled them, holding them close and crying harshly. Tess responded with a shrug when they sent her a look and joined the huddle, the four of you holding one another close until your sobs finally subsided and your breath had returned to you.

“(Name), what- mffphhhh-” You shut Howie up with a deep kiss, holding softly onto his cheek and closing your eyes while he leaned into it, buff arms wrapping around your waist and kissing you back just as deeply. Tess whistled, Poe coughed and you eventually pulled away, pressing your foreheads against each other.

“I love you” You didn’t care it was the first time you said it, not after such a horrid dream.

Howie choked.

“I….I love you too”

The Last of Us (Joel x Reader)

Chapter 3: Ellie

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

"Where are we going, Marlene?" Tess asked her after we took out some guards as we came upon a bridge. "This way. It's not far now." Marlene said as she gestures towards some stairs next to the bridge. "How you holding up?" I asked her as we head down the stairs. "I'm running on fumes -- but I'll make it. The place is right up ahead." She said.

"Attention. Curfew is now in full effect. Anyone caught outside without the proper authorization will be arrested and prosecuted." the voice over the loudspeakers announced as we come up to a door under the bridge and enter. "Shit. We need to hurry." I said to the others. "What the hell are we smuggling?" Joel asked Marlene as we walk up to another door. "I'll show you. Joel, give me a hand with this." Marlene said as she gestures to the door.

He opens the door and they walk inside the room until Marlene stumbles forward. "Whoa, whoa, whoa...Come on now, get up." Joel said as he kneels down to help her up. "Get the fuck away from her!" A young voice shouts and a girl appears with a knife, but I catch her arm before anything happens. "Hey, hey, hey." I said in a warning tone to her.

"Let her go." Marlene said and I let go of the young girl's wrist. "You're recruitin' kind of young, aren't ya?" Joel said to Marlene as he nods towards the girl, who looked between about twelve or fourteen years old. "She's not one of mine." Marlene replied to him.

"Shit. What happened?" The girl asked Marlene as she noticed her wound. "Don't worry. This is fixable. I got us help...but I can't come with you." Marlene replied to her. The girl stares at her then said. "Well then I'm staying."

"Ellie, we won't get another shot at this." Marlene said to her, firmly. "Hey -- we're smuggling her?" Joel asked, pointing at Ellie. "There's a crew of Fireflies that'll meet you at the Capitol Building." Marlene replied. "That's not exactly close." I informed her. "You're capable. You hand her off, come back, the weapons are yours. Double what Robert sold me." Marlene replied to me.

"Speaking of which, where are they?" Tess asked her. "Back in our camp." Marlene replied. "We're not smuggling shit until I see them." Tess said, firmly. "You'll follow me. You can verify the weapons, I can get patched up." Marlene said then she nods towards Ellie. "But she's not crossing to that part of town. I want Joel and (y/n) to watch over her." 

"Whoa, whoa." I said, quickly.

"I don't think that's the best idea." Joel said at the same time while Ellie exclaimed in anger. "Bullshit! I'm not going with them."

"Ellie..." Marlene said to the young girl, sternly. Ellie looks at her then asked. "How do you know them?" Marlene looks over at Joel and I and replied. "I was close with his brother, Tommy. Said if I was ever in a jam I could rely on both of them."

Joel scoffs. "Was that before or after he left your little militia group?" He asked. "He left you too. He was a good man." Marlene said to him. "Look, just take her to the north tunnel and wait for me there." Tess said to me and Joel. "Jesus." Joel grumbles and I stand in front of him and place my hands on his shoulders. "She's just cargo, Joel." I said to him, calmly.

"Marlene..." Ellie pleads to Marlene. "You'll be fine. Now go with them." Marlene said as she nods at us. Joel stares at me then looks over at Marlene before letting out a heavy sigh. "Don't take long." He said to Tess then he turns to Ellie. "And you -- stay close. Let's go." He said and we walk out the door.

"Whoa...I heard all the shooting, but...What happened?" Ellie asked as we walked past the dead bodies of some of Marlene's followers. "The Fireflies. Same thing's gonna happen to us if we don't get off the street." Joel said as we head towards a set of stairs. "You guys are the pros. I'm just following you two." Ellie said.

"Attention. Harboring or aiding wanted criminals is punishable by death. Do not place yourself at risk. Report any suspicious activity immediately." the announcement said as we walk down the stairs then head towards a little alleyway, with some stairs that lead further down. "Down here." Joel said as we walked through this little tunnel the up the stairs, leading us to a gated sidewalk. "C'mon, keep up." I said to Ellie. "I am." She replied, exasperated, as we turns a corner through an alley then through an open gate, which lead to an open back alley.

"Where are we going?" Ellie asked us. "Up there..." Joel said as he points up at the top of a building on our left. "...that'll get us to the north tunnel." He said. "How are we supposed to reach that?" Ellie asked as she looks at a tall platform which had a fire escape, leading up to the top floor. "Give us a minute." Joel said to her as he and I look around until I found a dumpster.

"Joel!" I yelled and I grabbed one end of the dumpster while Joel comes up to you. "You push and I pull." I said and he goes to the other end and we bring the dumpster up to the platform. We let go and climb up to the platform, then up the stairs, Ellie follows close behind.

"This tunnel. You guys use it to smuggle things?" She asked us as we get to the top of the stairs and inside the building. "Yep." Joel replied. "Like illegal things?" Ellie asked, curiously. "Sometimes." I replied.

"You ever smuggle a kid before?" She asked us. "No. That's a first." Joel said to her as we walk down this long walkway. 

"So what's the deal with you and Marlene, anyways?" I asked Ellie. "I don't know. She's my friend, I guess." She replied, shrugging. "Your friend, huh?" Joel said. "You're friends with the leader of the Fireflies. What're you, like twelve?"

"She knew my mom, and she's been looking after me. And I'm fourteen, not that that has anything to do with anything." Ellie replied while we walk up some more stairs. "So where are your parents?" I asked her. "Where are anyone's parents? They've been gone a long, long time." She replied.

"So instead of just staying in school, you just decide to run off and join the Fireflies, is that it?" Joel asked her. Ellie sighs and said. "Look. I'm not supposed to tell you guys why you're smuggling me if that's what you're getting at."

"You wanna know the best thing about our job? We don't gotta know why. Be honest with you, I could give two shits about what you're up to." Joel replied to her as we walk down this hall and come up to the last door on the right. "Well great." Ellie said. "Good." Joel grumbles as he opens the door and let's me go in first.

"This is it." I said to Ellie as we walk in the room, Joel shutting the door behind us. I go over to the couch and sit on one end of it while Joel goes to the other end and lays down. "What are you guys doing?" Ellie asked, looking between us. "Killing time." Joel replied as he closes his eyes.

"Well, what am I supposed to do?" Ellie asked us. "I'm sure you will figure that out." I said as I lean my head back on the couch. Ellie sighs and walks by as she looks us over then she looks at Joel and said. "Your watch is broken." Joel just scoffs at this while I roll my eyes before I close them and fall asleep.

I let out a soft groan then open my eyes real fast and take in a quick breath, my heart racing. My hand reaches out to my left side until I felt Joel's leg. I look over to see that he was still on the couch next to me, his eyes started opening as well. I let out a sigh of relief.

The dream I had was terrible. Not only was it the same nightmare I've had for the last twenty years, but there was a new nightmare that came in before I woke up, abruptly. Not only did I see her die again, but Joel died in this dream as well. It felt so real.

"Both of you mumble in your sleep. I hate bad dreams." Ellie said and I look over to see her sitting in a chair in front of the window, where it was dark and raining outside. "Yeah, me too." Joel mutters as I move my hand off of his leg and he starts to sit up. I run my hands over my face as Ellie looks back at the window.

I felt a hand on my knee and I look down to see that the hand was Joel's. His thumb strokes my knee until I place my left hand over his then we intertwine our fingers together. I look up at him to see he has a worried look. I give him a sad smile and shrug just as Ellie begins to speak. "You know, I've never been this close. To the outside. Look how dark it is." She said then Joel and I stand up and walk over to her, still holding hands. "Can't be any worse out there. Can it?" Ellie asked us.

"What on earth do the Fireflies want with you?" Joel asked her until we heard the door open behind us. Joel and I let go of our hands as we turn to see Tess had enter the room. "Hey. Sorry it took so long. Soldiers fuckin' everywhere." She informed us.

"How's Marlene?" Ellie asked her. "She'll make it." Tess said then she turns to us. "I saw the merchandise. It's a lot. Wanna do this?"

"Yeah." Joel and I replied at the same time. "Let's go." She said and we go through the other room then over to this secret passage in the corner wall, where there was a generator and a small elevator inside. "Don't you think it's a bit strange that they're askin' us to do their smuggling?" Joel asked Tess. "Marlene wanted to do it herself. We weren't the first choice, or the second for that matter. She's lost a lot of men. Beggars can't be choosers." Tess replied.

"Yeah, let's just hope there's someone alive to pay us." I said as Joel goes over to the generator and starts it up. "Someone'll be around." Tess said after the generator comes on. We walk over to the elevator and Joel pushes a button then it starts to go down.

"Who's waitin' for us at the drop-off?" Joel asked Tess. "She said there's some Fireflies that have traveled all the way from another city. Girl must be important." She said then she turns to Ellie. "What is the deal with you? You some bigwig's daughter or something?"

"Something like that. How long is this all gonna take?" Ellie asked. "If everything goes as planned, we should get you to them in a few hours. Ellie, once we get out there, I need you to follow our lead and stay close." Tess told her. "Yeah, of course." Ellie said as the elevator stops and we walk a few feet until we came up to a loose roof.

"Climb up and check if the coast is clear." I said to my husband and he climbs up a ladder then lifts up the cover and looks around. "Now hold up. There's a patrol up ahead." He said. We wait a few minutes until he turns to us. "Alright, we're good. Come on up." He said as he pushed the cover away and Tess climbs up first then I follow her, feeling the rain falling down on me. "C'mon, kid. Watch your step." I said to her as I help her up.

Joel climbs up then places the cover back over the entrance. "This rain ain't gonna do us any good." I remarked as we walk along the trench. "Holy shit, I'm actually outside." Ellie said, shocked, as we come upon a trailer, that was leaning up a hill. "Up this way." Joel said as he goes first. We pass through the trailer, but then a guard popped out of nowhere and hits Joel in the back of his neck.

I gasped just as a second guard comes up behind us and aims their gun at us. "Don't do anything stupid." The first guard said and Tess, Ellie and I raise our hands. "Move." The second guard ordered and we walk out of the trailer and walk out onto the muddy wet ground. 

"Turn around. On your knees." The first guard ordered and we do as we're told. "You scan 'em. I'll call it in." The first guard said as I get down on my knees next to Joel, Tess kneels down on his other side while Ellie kneels next to me.

"Alright." said the second guard. "Put your hands on your head." He ordered and we do just that. "This is Ramirez at Sector Twelve. Requesting pickup for four stragglers. Understood." The first guard said after she picks up a radio.

The second guard goes and puts the scanner on Tess's neck. "Look the other way. We can make this worth your while." Tess bribes him. "Shut up." The guard growls as the scanner beeps then he goes over to Joel. "I'm getting tired of this shit." He mutters as the scanner beeps again. "What's the ETA?" The guard asked the other as he scans me. "Couple a minutes." said the second guard as the first one goes to scan Ellie.

Suddenly, she turns around and stabs the guard in the leg then stands up but he hits her with his gun, knocking her to the side. I jump up and tackle him, before he had the chance to shoot Ellie, while Joel shoots the second guard. Then I shoot the guard, I tackled, in the head. "Oh...oh fuck." Ellie said as she goes and leans up against a large crate. "I thought we were just gonna hold them up or something."

I get up and see the scanner, pick it up and my jaw drops. "Oh, shit." I muttered. "What?" Joel asked me. "Look." I said and I toss the scanner to him. He looks at it while Tess goes and stands next to him, reading the word Positive flashing red on the screen. "Marlene set us up?" Joel asked, confused. "Why the hell are we smuggling an infected girl?" I asked as we look over at Ellie.

She looks up at us in fright then said. "I'm not infected."

"No? So was this lying?" Joel asked, angrily, as he throws the scanner in her direction. "I can explain." Ellie said, quickly. "You better explain fast." Tess threatened. "Look at this!" Ellie exclaimed as she rolls up her sleeve on her right arm, revealing a bite.

"I don't care how you got infected." Joel said.

"It's three weeks old." Ellie stated.

"No." Tess said, shaking her head.

"Everyone turns within two days, so you stop bullshitting." I said to Ellie, firmly.

"It's three weeks. I swear. Why would she set you up?" Ellie asked as she looks between us.

Tess looks over at us and I shrug at her before turning to Joel. He has a look of confusion on his face but it disappears as he shakes his head and turns away. "I ain't buying it." He said.

This can't be real. This girl's got to be lying! I thought confused until I heard Joel's voice say. "Oh, shit. (Y/n), run." I turn to face him and said. "What's..." but as I turn I see a patrol SUV coming. "RUN!" I screamed at Tess and Ellie and the four of us run away.

After avoiding the guards and going through some trenches and broken down buildings, we make our escape to a drainage trench and take a rest. "Alright, they're gone." Joel said as we look up and hear some of the guards' vehicles leaving.

Tess turns to Ellie. "Look, what was the plan? Let's say that we deliver you to the Fireflies, what then?" She asked. "Marlene...She said that they have their own little quarantine zone. With doctors there, still trying to find a cure." Ellie replied. "Yeah, we've heard that before, huh, Joel?" I said to him and he nods at this as he folds his arms across his chest.

"And that...whatever happened to me is the key to finding a vaccine." Ellie continued. "Oh, Jesus." Joel mutters. "It's what she said." Ellie said to him, frustrated. "Oh, I'm sure she did." Joel sneered. 

"Hey, fuck you, man. I didn't ask for this." Ellie yelled at him. "Me neither." Joel grumbles as I turn to Tess. "Tess, what the hell are we doing here?" I asked her. "What if it's true?" She asked me and I look at her in disbelief, is she really buying this?

"I can't believe--" Joel grumbles as I shake my head at this. "What if, guys? I mean we've come this far, let's just finish it." Tess said to us. "Do we need to remind you what is out there?" I asked her as point out towards the landscape of torn down and broken buildings.

She looks at Joel and I then over to Ellie before she turns back to us. "I get it." She said then she walks away, Ellie following behind her. "What the hell does she mean by that?" I asked Joel and he just shrugs.

"This way. If we cut through downtown, we can hit the capitol building by sunrise." Tess said as she gestures towards the former highway road. "We hope." Joel mutters as he and I began to follow Tess and Ellie.

"Holy moley. I guess this is what these buildings look like up close." Ellie said in amazement, as she looks up at the skyscrapers. "They're so damn tall. So, what happened here?" She asked. "They bombed the hell out of the surrounding areas to the quarantine zones, hoping to kill as much of the infected as possible." Tess replied.

Suddenly, we heard a cry off in the distance, and not the normal human cry. "Ahhh, what the hell was that?" Ellie asked, nervously. "Tess, do you hear that?" Joel asked her. "Yeah. Sounded pretty far away though." Tess replied. "Shit." I muttered.

"Are we safe?" Ellie asked. "For now. Come on." Tess assures as we continue down the road until we come upon a giant bomb crater. "Damn. That's quite a drop." Ellie said as she walks up to the edge and looks down. 

I look around at the buildings then saw the place we needed to go to. "Well, there's the capitol building." I pointed out. "Yeah, we need to get around this mess." Tess said as she gestures towards the crater.

"This is the downtown area?" Ellie asked, shocked. "It was. Now it's a giant wasteland." I replied while Joel looked around then went over to a skyscraper that was a few feet away from us. "Over here." He hollered and we follow him, then get inside of the building and start to make our way through it.

At one point, Joel opened a door and found a dead mangled body of an officer. "He's been ripped apart." Tess remarked. "Yeah..." Joel mutters as I walk up to the body and look it over. "Body's pretty fresh." I said. "Is that bad?" Ellie asked. "Yeah, might be... Let's not stick around." Tess said as we continue on.

We walk up a stairwell when we come up on another body. "Another one. Shit." I muttered as Joel looks it over then reads the paper that was next to the body. "Looks like these guys died waiting for backup." He informed and we head up another set of stairs then to through the door to our left, only to see a body up against a door, covered in fungus.

"Dammit. Clicker." Joel growls. 

"Oh, great." I said with sarcasm. 

"Geez. What's wrong with its face?" Ellie asked as Joel and I pull the body off and away from the door. "That's what years of infection'll do to you." Tess replied. "So what, are they...blind?" asked Ellie. "Sort of. They see using sound." I replied to her as Joel shoulder charges at the door and opens it.

"Like bats?" said Ellie, questionable. "Like bats. If you hear one clicking, you gotta hide. That's how they spot you." Tess said as we maneuver our way through the building.

At one point the building began to groan as the storm keeps pounding. "Shit." Ellie whispers. "Whole building feels like it's about to fall apart." Joel said as we crouch under a low shelf then over to another room.

"Totally cool. Everything is totally cool." I hear Ellie assures herself as Joel tries to open this large metal door, but couldn't. "Gimme a hand with this." Joel said to me and both of us go and shoulder charge this door until it finally opens.

I look over and see a clicker pop out of nowhere and starts to come towards Joel. "Joel!" I exclaimed as the clicker knocks him down. He keeps the clicker at bay until I pulled it off of him, threw it to the grown and shoot it in the head.

"Thanks..." Joel said to me, breathless, as he stands back up. "You alright?" Ellie asked him as I nod at him. "It's nothin'." Joel assures her. "C'mon. Let's get the hell outta here." I said and we continue our way through the building.

"Just see if there's a way through." Joel said to Tess as he boosts her up a floor. "Okay..." Tess said once she gets up and looks around. "It's clear." She said then she kneels down and holds her hand out. I go over, jump up and grab her hand then she pulls up. "C'mon, Ellie." Tess said. "Alright, kid, you're up." Joel said as Ellie walks up to the tall wall and Tess helps her up.

"Come on. You got it. There you go." Tess said until Ellie was pulled up to the floor. I kneel down and reach out to Joel. "C'mon, big guy. Gimme your hand." I said and he grabs my hand then I pull him up.

But as I pulled him, we heard a noise. "Clickers?" Ellie asked. "Oh, shit. Go, go, go." Tess said, quickly, and we quickly hide in an old cafeteria. We get behind a long counter and stand still as we hear the Clicker come up to the counter then it walks away.

Tess grabs a bottle next to her then throws it to distract the clicker as it goes one way and we go the other. "That's our way out, over the scaffolding." Tess said and escape the room then head towards a stairwell, which was block by a large cabinet.

Joel grabs the cabinet, pulls it out and moves it to the side. "Here you go, ladies." Joel said. "Such a gentleman." I teased as we make our way through. "The stairwell's blocked. Should we go back up?" Ellie asked as she points at the other set of stairs. Tess then climbs out the window onto a rusted window-washing rig. "Ahh, this is crazy." She mutters then she turns to us. "Just don't look down." She said.

"Wha--? Are you serious?" Ellie asked as Tess runs across the rig. Ellie jumps on it then Joel and I get on the rig and run over to the other rig that was next to us. "C'mon, Ellie." Tess said as she gets up to the ledge of the building and leans against the wall. "Yeah... Don't look down. Don't look down." Ellie mutters to herself as her and Tess shimmys along the ledge. "You're okay. We got a way through." Tess assures her as I get up to the ledge.

"In a world full of flesh eating monsters, how am I still afraid of heights?" I muttered as I, slowly, shimmy across the ledge. "Oh, boy..." I hear Joel mutter just as come up to an open window and jump through it.

"Runners." Tess said as she points to the floor below. "We'll go check it out. Stay with the girl." I said and I gesture to Joel to follow me and we jump down to the floor and take out a couple of runners by strangling them.

I look to my left and saw a Clicker nearby. "Fuck." I whispered as I quietly get behind the Clicker, pull out a makeshift shiv out of my pocket then stab it in the head. Meanwhile, Joel found a large pipe and bashed the head of the last runner.

"Alright. Come on down." Joel calls out. "I'm impressed, guys." Tess said as her and Ellie make their way down. "Pssh." I scoff with a smirk. "Let's just get outta here." Joel said and we make our way through.

We come up to a door that was blocked by a large cabinet. Joel goes over to one end of the cabinet and pulls it away from the door. "Alright. Girls, go." He said as I go over to the door and open it. "Alright, hold on." I said as Tess, Ellie and I enter the room. I look over and see an old copy machine. "Here -- this'll work." I said as Tess and I go to the machine and pushs it towards the door, to prop the door open. "Okay... Alright, that should do it." Ellie said as Joel let's go of the cabinet then gets inside the room.

"There, see? We're doin' alright." Tess said to us. "Uh-huh." Joel grumbles as we come up to see that the floors of the building had caved in. "Whoa." Ellie said in amazement. "Down we go." I said. "Let's get to it." Joel said and the four of us descend.

"You know, I was thinkin'...after we get back, we can take it easy for a little while." I said to Joel as Tess and Ellie walk ahead of us some few feet in front of us. "You want to take it easy?" Joel said as he looks over at me, his eyebrow cocked. "Hey, you're the one who's always going on about layin' low." I said to him, smirking. "And you always brushed me off." He remarks. "Well, I won't this time." I said as I take his hand in mine. "I'll believe it when I see it." He mutters and I chuckle, softly, as we make our way into an abandoned underground subway.

"Look at his sleeve. Firefly." Tess said as she points at a dead body with an armband. "These guys aren't doin' too well in or out of the city. Let's hope there's someone alive to meet us at the drop-off." I said as Joel picks up the molotov then searches the body and found a map. "They're from the quarantine zone." He said. "See...they're not our guys." Tess said as we walk along until we heard some clickers and runners.

"Shit. God, we're almost out." I muttered as Tess looks around. "Okay, Joel...(y/n), you two take point. I'll watch the rear. Ellie, no matter what, you stay right on their heels." Tess orders. "Sure." Ellie said and we make our way through the subway, very quietly and slowly, while also taking out some infected.

"Alright. C'mon." Joel said to me as he boosts me up to the wall at the other end of the room. I get up and drop the ladder for them. "Get up here." Joel said to Tess and Ellie and the four of us exit the abandoned subway area into the downtown proper.

"Holy shit. We actually made it." Ellie said, relieved. "Everyone okay?" Joel asked as we get back out onto the streets. "Yes." I said as Tess nods. "Let's move." She said. "You guys are pretty good at this stuff." Ellie compliments. "It's called luck, and it is gonna run out." Joel said as we get back on the street.

"Which way we goin', Tess?" I asked her. "Uh...capitol building's in this direction." She replied as she points in front of her. We head that way to see a semi truck blocking the street. "How do we get up over this truck?" Ellie asked as Joel and I look around and found a dumpster.

We grabbed the dumpster and push it up against the truck. We climb up and over the truck then come upon a garage. Joel goes over to the chain next to the door and begins to pull it, opening the door, until I heard a cry. "Shhh-shh." I said to him. "What? I don't hear anything." Joel said once he stopped pulling. We look over to see some runners climbing over the truck and coming towards us. 

"Okay, double time." Tess said as Joel said. "Oh, shit...."

"Oh -- they're coming." Ellie exclaimed as Joel pulls the chain alittle faster. "I know." He said as he finally gets the door open just enough for us to crouch through. "Go. Go. Go." Tess said as Ellie crawls through. Then Tess and I get through. I turn around and Tess and I hold up the door for Joel. Joel managed to get inside the garage, just as a runner grabs his ankle, before we slam it shut on them.

I help Joel up as all of us stare at the door when the infected started slamming and hit the door. "Oh...you got something on your shoe." Ellie said. Tess, Joel and I look down to see a cut off hand on the runner was still attached to Joel's foot. He kicks it off as Ellie said. "Gross."

"Okay. How do we get out of this place?" Joel asked as he looks around the garage. "Let's find out." I said as we walk around the garage. "So Marlene thinks your immune?" Tess asked Ellie. "Well, that's what she believes." Ellie replied.

"Well, how were you bitten? I mean you must've been somewhere you shouldn't to find an infected in the zone." said Tess. "Yeah, I'd sneak out. I was in this military boarding school." Ellie said just as Joel found a door and we head inside. "You'd sneak out?" I asked her. "You know, explore the city. I was in the mall when I ran into infected." She replied.

"That place is completely off-limits. How the hell did you get in there?" Tess asked her. " I...had my ways. Anyways, one of those -- what you guys call runners -- bit me. And that was that." Ellie said. "I see. Were you with Marlene when you were bitten?" Tess asked her. "No. I went to her for help afterwards." Ellie replied. "Knowing her, I'm surprised she didn't shoot you." I remarked and Ellie let's out a small laugh. "She almost did. Hope she's alright." She said. "I told you. She's gonna be fine." Tess said just as the path leads us to an old museum.

***

"What is this place?" Ellie asked as she looks around at the building. "It's an old museum. Some of these things are hundreds of years old." Tess said as she gestures towards the stuff that had, surprisingly, not been taken. "Really? Wow." Ellie whispered in awe as we go to a room that had debris blocking a door way.

There was a large wood that was sticking out of the debris so I go over to the wood and push down on it, using it as a leverage on the fallen debris. Joel comes up to me and helps me while Tess and Ellie hurry under it to get to the other room.

But suddenly the debris begins to collapse, separating Joel and I from Ellie and Tess. "Joel! (Y/n)!" Tess calls out as Joel and I stand back up. "We're alive!" Joel calls out to her. "We'll make our way around to you." I shout just as I hear some clickers. "They're here! Run! Run!" Tess screams and she and Ellie run.

"Shit." Joel grumbles as we make around as quietly as possible since there was so many clickers around. We make it to a door and we run inside then close it behind us and head up the stairs when we heard some banging noises.

"What the--?" I whispered as we get to the door. I open it and down the hall we see a runner banging on the last door on the right. Joel runs over to it and bashed it head in as I hear Tess yell. "Ellie, stay back!"

I kick the door open to see Tess was struggling against a runner until she knocked it off of her. "Tess!" I yelled as I run over to her and she kills the monster. "I'm fine!" She said as we hear Ellie yelp. "Guys! Get in here!" And we run into the room to see a runner had grabbed Ellie while a few more started running towards us.

It was a pain in the ass, but we managed to save Ellie and take out all of the infected. "That was too damn close." Joel mutters as I nod then look over at Tess. "Tess, how're you holdin' up?" I asked her. "Just a bit winded." She replied then she points to an open window. "This way. This'll get us to the roof." And she climbs out of it.

"How 'bout you, kid? You okay?" Joel asked Ellie. "Define okay." Ellie said. "Are you still breathing?" Joel asked her. "Do small, panicked breaths count?" Ellie asked. "Yeah, they count." I replied, nodding. "Alright. Then I'm okay." She replied and we climb out the window and up the old fire escape, until we reach the rooftop.

"There she is. That's our building." Tess said, pointing at the building, which looked a little closer but we still had a least a couple of hours left of the journey. Joel, meanwhile, grabs a long wooden plank and placed it between the space between the museum and the rooftop next to it.

"Alright. Now watch your step as you goin' up 'cause it's gonna be a little..." Joel tries to instruct Ellie but she brushes his advice off and crosses easily. I rolled my eyes as I follow after her.

As I walk up to her, I see that she was looking at the Capitol while the sun was rising behind her. "Well, is that everything you hoped for?" I asked her, gesturing towards the Capitol. "Jury's still out. But, man...you can't deny that view." Ellie replied as Joel and Tess walk up to us.

"C'mon. This way." Tess said as she walks by us and towards a ladder, Ellie starts to follow. Joel walks up next to me and places his left on my right shoulder. I raise my left hand and placed it over his hand then, absentmindedly, ran my fingers over his broken watch. I look over at it just as he looks at it as well. 

"Hey! Pick it up." Tess yells, startling Joel and I. I look down at his watch one more time before I patted his hand and walk over to Tess, just as Ellie climbs down the ladder. "Look, we're almost done. Stay focused." Tess said to us. "Yes, ma'am." Joel said to her as I just give a short nod then, one by one, we climb down the ladder and continue on.

Joe & Ronnie

Joe: Hi Joe: There's no gentle way of doing this, so I'll just get to it, I'm sorry if you don't want to talk about it but you're free to ignore this if that's the case Joe: but I've been looking for my half-sister, and I think its you Ronnie: if youre basing that on a family resemblance youve shot yourself in the face like Ronnie: reload & keep looking Joe: Yeah, I know Joe: but I ain't Joe: Aside from coming at you with what's on any facebook profile anyway Joe: do you know your biological mum's name or? Ronnie: whos used facebook in a decade thats your 1st fuck up Ronnie: 2nd to reckoning my dna is any of your business Joe: who's putting their date of birth and hometown anywhere else? Joe: you were born in [hospital] right? Ronnie: phone numbers on toilet walls getting played out Ronnie: yeah & Joe: then it is you Joe: everything adds up, you have the right birthday, right place, right last name, and first, still Ronnie: right colour Ronnie: miss me with your schoolboy maths Joe: its your bio dad that's black Ronnie: fuck you i know that Ronnie: read my file well before you stalked me Joe: so do you know her name or nah Ronnie: it was in there Joe: Tess Vickers Joe: she is your mum Ronnie: i came out of her Ronnie: shes not my fucking mum Ronnie: id know you if she was Joe: 'course Joe: that's what I meant Ronnie: pick your words more careful soft lad Joe: she don't have any more Joe: I ain't had to do this before, like Ronnie: made up for her Ronnie: & you Ronnie: only took her how many years to claim her bastards Joe: I don't know why she didn't, only what she's said Joe: but if you wanted to ask her, I could set that up Ronnie: if it took her a bit to recover from goin black i don't need to ask her about that Ronnie: got my own experiences cheers Joe: is there anything you do Ronnie: if i had any questions id have chucked 'em at her when i aged out Joe: fair enough Joe: you wanna ask me anything then Ronnie: you old enough to be cleaning out your mas skeletons & seein if theyll dance for you Joe: not what I'm doing Joe: but I'm 19 Ronnie: course she never kept herself stitched up for long Ronnie: got a taste for it like Joe: by all accounts she met my dad the same year she had to give you up so Ronnie: bet he was proper comforting Ronnie: fucking hell Joe: Must've been Ronnie: if she kept you longer than the hour yeah Joe: I've got 3 brothers and a sister too Ronnie: when did she meet their dads Joe: we've got the same, like Joe: youngest is nearly 5 Ronnie: shes still alive then Ronnie: impressive Joe: is it? Joe: suppose so Ronnie: he got cash your sperm donor Ronnie: less dangerous game that one Joe: they both do alright now but you'd probably aim higher if that was the game you were playing Ronnie: shifting gear aint no game now or back then Ronnie: but she was small time Ronnie: that hand to mouth shit Joe: yeah, for years Joe: her dad's debts not helping none Ronnie: hes gotta be dead Joe: yeah Joe: year I was born Joe: so new mouth to feed and inheriting the neverending debts of John Joe: must've seemed like a great time to have more 'cos my brother is only a year younger than me 👍 Ronnie: least you aint inherited his name Ronnie: like i said insatiable Joe: thank fuck Ronnie: piss poor addiction but fuck it Ronnie: shes keeping 'em fed & clothed this time 👏 Joe: gutted social don't hand out round of applauses no doubt Joe: know she is for a fact 'cos she ended up working for 'em, and fostering two poor kiddies in need Joe: what do you reckon to her addiction now? Ronnie: sounds about right theyd left her Ronnie: state of the cunts running that show Joe: mhmm Ronnie: white kids are easier to love Ronnie: its on the posters like Joe: in theory Joe: but this way she gets to be obsessed with you from afar Ronnie: pay me enough & ill come press my face longingly against her windows Joe: I'll keep it in mind for her birthday or something Ronnie: fuck all else you wanna rock my world with or what Joe: Hmm Joe: hold up whilst I trawl a lifetime of overshare for any more tidbits Ronnie: she aint rotting by the roadside or ashes i can snort means my hearts already broken Ronnie: take your time Joe: sorry to disappoint Joe: suppose by the time you got to your file, it told you she'd run away from Liverpool, yeah? Ronnie: bullshit are you Ronnie: youre loving having another cunt to share it with Ronnie: whats the matter dont your brothers & sister wanna play Joe: I'm the favourite Joe: favourite that's about Joe: they got the gist but no file for them Ronnie: 💔 Joe: you said Joe: so, what you saying, you care if I tell her I found you or what? Ronnie: if it feels good do it baby Ronnie: why would i care Ronnie: shes not gonna show up Joe: what if she did? Ronnie: no fixed address Joe: I've told you she loves a cause Joe: say you don't wanna see her Ronnie: shooting the messenger aint no kill shot Ronnie: youre not invested in me Joe: I'm not not, clearly Joe: I'm the one looking, ain't I Ronnie: let her look under every rock with you Ronnie: i hope one bashes her skull in Joe: alright Joe: I'll pass it on Ronnie: good boy Ronnie: get that sticker on your reward chart Joe: god I hope so Ronnie: 🙏 Joe: Your profile says you're in London, still true? Ronnie: i don't need you at my door either Joe: 🙄 Ronnie: roll your eyes at me again Joe: 🙄🙄 Ronnie: 🖕🖕 Joe: 😏 Ronnie: what the fuck do you want Joe: I've told you Ronnie: nah Ronnie: spit it out Ronnie: youre circling around it stop being a pussy Joe: how am I? Ronnie: what do you want for fucks sake Joe: meet you Ronnie: its not happening Joe: why not Ronnie: i hate that you exist Ronnie: that she got a 2nd chance & i didnt get 1 Joe: that's fair Joe: you can hate me in person Ronnie: i aint goin to prison for killing you Ronnie: you wish Joe: yeah Joe: oh well Ronnie: take your death wish home Ronnie: or on a different part of the internet Joe: awh, cheers for the sisterly advice Ronnie: shut your mouth Ronnie: i ain't your sister Joe: kk Ronnie: dumping all your bullshit on me dont make us related Joe: we are Joe: you not wanting it don't fight biology Ronnie: her not wanting me cancels it all out Joe: not to me Ronnie: i give a shit how you feel Ronnie: youre a stranger with fuck all i want Joe: you ain't checked what I've got Ronnie: until facebook adds income i dont care Joe: 💔 Ronnie: you must look like your da Ronnie: dont be Joe: well you look like her Joe: not that I've seen yours Ronnie: fuck off Ronnie: i dont Joe: yeah you do Joe: [sends pics] Ronnie: shut up Joe: alright Joe: catch you around then Ronnie: get it through your head Ronnie: you wont Joe: what you scared for Ronnie: youre having fun trying to mess me up Ronnie: that aint how i get mine Joe: I'm seriously not Joe: I've got the message though, alright Ronnie: youre seriously throwing all this shit at me like im gonna smile as i eat it Ronnie: what the fuck Joe: I don't expect fuck all Joe: I just wanna know you but if you don't then that's alright Joe: I won't message again Ronnie: bullshit Ronnie: you aint asked about me Ronnie: you wanna bitch about 'em Joe: that's why I wanna meet you Joe: I've thrown enough questions at you for one convo Ronnie: nah you wanna meet me to see if i proper look like her Joe: I've got eyes Ronnie: if thats what you reckon you see they dont fucking work Ronnie: get down the social & claim Joe: you're fine, its not dead ringer levels Ronnie: im fucking fine cause theres none of her in me Joe: I'm glad for you Ronnie: were not family save your lies Ronnie: i dont need any blows softened Joe: its only me bitching Ronnie: yeah Ronnie: & you can save your tears Ronnie: you already cant see fuck all like Joe: what do you want? Ronnie: too late to give a fuck Ronnie: youve shit over me with this Joe: I'm sorry Ronnie: nah Ronnie: sorry for yourself aint the same Joe: Why would I be sorry for me? Joe: I got everything Ronnie: not how youre framing it Joe: why would you believe me Ronnie: not hard to believe mummy dearest loves me best Ronnie: not like she dumped me fast as she could & legged it Joe: she weren't allowed to keep you, she was 14 with a junkie non-dad to look after you both Ronnie: & what she didnt get any older or get her shit together Ronnie: fuck that Joe: did you want her to come 'round and pick you up 4 years later? Ronnie: she had you cunts instead Joe: so she comes and gets you and the social come with and see the fake bailiffs and the bashed in door and we all go back with you Joe: I see the appeal Ronnie: you reckon i had it better Ronnie: thats what this nancy drew bullshit is about Joe: nice one, genius Joe: in what world is that adding up Ronnie: yours Ronnie: in what world would i have not gone with any cunt to get me out of that place then Joe: I'm telling you why she didn't get you, not telling you why you wouldn't wanna be there Ronnie: youre giving me both Ronnie: cant help yourself Joe: they're the same reason Joe: if she tried to get you, they'd say nah 'cos her life was a mess, simple as Ronnie: & yet here you are Ronnie: not a care kid a single day in your fucking life Ronnie: so like i said she got her shit together in the end Joe: she was 18 when I came around and we got taught how to say the right thing to socials and how to shut our mouths the rest Joe: but that's just what she told me Joe: she probably didn't want you, looking back Ronnie: why would she Ronnie: had a new set up with a cunt that stayed Ronnie: cuter kids Joe: 'cos she loved your da the way only a 14 year old girl can Joe: pro and a con in your favour Joe: does she want the reminders or does she not Ronnie: not Ronnie: youre the only pussy walking memory lane Ronnie: aint her looking Joe: yeah, s'me, so why you chatting at me like I'm the one that fucked you off Joe: not productive Ronnie: cause you are Joe: I've gone to leave loads now Joe: you've clearly got shit to say Joe: so just say it at me, I've already offered that n'all Ronnie: fuck you Ronnie: i didnt ask for this Ronnie: she was in the ground for all i knew Joe: she still can be Joe: I ain't telling Ronnie: nah you opened your gob & let all that shite out Ronnie: i couldve been about to slit my throat or pull a shift Joe: you could've easily found out she weren't dead yourself too Ronnie: what should it tell you that i didnt Joe: ignorance ain't such bliss I've tipped you over the edge Ronnie: you dont know shit Ronnie: how does yours feel Joe: how do you think Ronnie: i think you should ask if people have got time & space to spin out before you fuck with their heads Ronnie: i think you should go suck a dick mckenna Joe: why should I? Joe: no one asked me and I owe you shit Ronnie: she owes me Ronnie: youre nothing Ronnie: you dont see me knocking cause im not looking for answers & theres fuck all else to collect by the sounds of it Joe: then fucking collect Ronnie: talk to your ma like that Joe: hit me up when you stop being scared Ronnie: keep it up and ill smash in your face Joe: how Joe: you don't wanna meet Ronnie: dont flatter yourself nancy drew Ronnie: i can still kick your door in Ronnie: be like the baliffs are back Ronnie: you can revisit your childhood Joe: now who wants to go for a jaunt down memory lane Ronnie: you wish Joe: 🙏 Ronnie: i reckon your imaginary friends gotta be sick of your bullshit by now Joe: no doubt, nancy drew Ronnie: we cant both be nancy Joe: alright you be sid then Ronnie: still not gonna kill you baby Ronnie: but youre getting warmer Joe: I know, stalked you, remember Ronnie: get a hobby or habit mckenna Ronnie: your little misery boners aint cute Joe: oh I got plenty of thoses Joe: your concern is, kinda Ronnie: youve thrown me into the big sister deep end Ronnie: sounds like how you want it Joe: very obliging Ronnie: unloved kids get it where they can Ronnie: thats on the back of the poster Joe: trust, I know Ronnie: 💔 Joe: not me Joe: never mind, not my sob story to hit you with Ronnie: you only wanna share yours Joe: maybe when we get cosy I'll divulge all the family secrets, sis Ronnie: maybe if you chat shit like that to me again ill choke on my puke Joe: n'awh Ronnie: kill yourself Joe: sure thing Ronnie: very obliging Joe: it was already in the diary tbh Joe: but I'll pop you in the note if that makes you feel 💘 Ronnie: show me yours & ill show you mine Joe: deal Ronnie: 💘 Ronnie: [skippity skip] Ronnie: pick me up Joe: where from Ronnie: [location that's sketchy as all hell] Joe: alright Joe: that should take me 'bout half an hour this time of day Ronnie: im not goin anywhere mckenna Joe: you alright Ronnie: 🖕 Joe: got it Joe: 🚖 📵 Ronnie: important for you to know your place Joe: must be popular with the cabbies 👑 Ronnie: yeah im on a ban Ronnie: look out for my picture hanging Joe: what did you do Joe: vom and not pay the fine one too many times? Ronnie: we taking another trip down memory lane Ronnie: i aint 12 Joe: go on then, what was it Ronnie: the cunt crashed its fuck all to get excited about Joe: did you get hurt? Ronnie: didnt feel it Joe: what about the driver Ronnie: i reckon he felt it Joe: fucked you're stuck with the tube then Joe: 💔 Ronnie: cheers motherfucker Ronnie: cant you drive Joe: 'course I can Joe: where'd your license go, got a story for that and all or? Ronnie: car theft would be a dead good sibling bonding activity Ronnie: but i dont need your help to break a window Joe: another time Ronnie: nah Ronnie: next time some other cunt will pick me up Joe: good thing I didn't specify Joe: tah for keeping me well in the loop of your schedule though Ronnie: other shit in the diary besides blowing my brains out Ronnie: can move it up if you aint gonna shut up Joe: 🤐 Joe: you can keep all your dates Ronnie: made up i am Joe: no need to say thanks, I feel it Ronnie: you wanted to meet up Ronnie: wish granted Joe: I know Joe: reckon blue would suit Ronnie: what Joe: genie Joe: you owe me 2 more, yeah? Ronnie: rubbing me up the wrong way dont count Joe: damn Ronnie: i can do black & blue Joe: changed your mind then Joe: my 🍀 day Ronnie: you got the accent Ronnie: my head cant do subtitles Joe: not really Joe: not proper Joe: some of my younger ones do but they can barely remember Liverpool Ronnie: nothing to be 💔 about Ronnie: its a shithole Joe: least its a shithole with some history Joe: we moved to a newbuild shithole so Joe: win some lose some Ronnie: your boner for history aint that big Joe: you checked what I'm studying? 😏 Ronnie: you dont post about fuck all else Joe: I'm barely outta freshers let me have it Ronnie: dont give me the flu Joe: thought that was just a euphemism Joe: either way, on my life Ronnie: fuck knows Joe: not as much fun as people chat, shockingly Ronnie: what is Ronnie: the shit that feels good is the shit youre meant to keep your mouth shut about Joe: hear hear Ronnie: 💘 Joe: 💘 Joe: you live there or am I picking you up from a mates Ronnie: neither Joe: alright Ronnie: drop me on the other side Joe: no problem Ronnie: then you can go back to wanking over symphonies Joe: you wanna help me with my homework Joe: so nice Ronnie: what are big sisters for Joe: yeah Ronnie: shits fucked up Joe: right Joe: but you can be more specific Ronnie: nah i cant Joe: don't know where to start? Ronnie: it starts with being born Joe: okay, so the starts the easy bit Joe: the middle Joe: we don't have time Ronnie: we aint gonna trauma bond mckenna youve been beaten to it Joe: ah you got a troubled boyfriend Joe: that's cool Ronnie: fuck off Ronnie: you heard me say i aint 12 Joe: you know what I mean Ronnie: not very nancy drew if you reckon im that bitch Joe: we can't both be sid Ronnie: touche baby Joe: 💘 Ronnie: im gonna carve up this cunt if you dont pull me out Ronnie: & thatll make him feel too special Joe: who? Joe: I'm nearly there Ronnie: my not boyfriend Ronnie: dont waste romance like that on strangers Joe: sensible Joe: just carve anything but 💘 and he shouldn't get too clingy Ronnie: whats the symphony that gets you off fastest Ronnie: ill do that Joe: Khachaturian's Sabre Dance works as a play on words and should get him to crescendo 👌 Ronnie: hot Joe: orchestra nerds get all the bitches Ronnie: yeah Joe: you aren't a catfish, are you Joe: I mean, I'll recognize you Ronnie: look for your mas face Joe: fuck it, therapy overdue anyway Ronnie: fuck you for saying that Ronnie: making it go round my head Joe: I shouldn't have said that Ronnie: i should stab you Ronnie: all these pieces of mirror Ronnie: fuck him Joe: you can, long as you keep it shallow, or don't mind swinging by the hospital Ronnie: i dont get my kicks at a&e Joe: you'll have to play nice then Ronnie: youll get too clingy Joe: avoid the 💘 Ronnie: some other bitch can have the honours Joe: or has Joe: don't I seem 💔 Ronnie: dont need to hear how you lost your virginity mckenna Joe: noted Joe: save that trip down memory lane for private time Joe: me and mozart Ronnie: explains a shit ton if the conductor is molesting you Ronnie: but not gonna be the sister who tells him where to put that stick he waves about Joe: Mozart was pretty fucked up but I don't reckon it went that far Ronnie: i dont know him 💔 Ronnie: there was a Moz here earlier fuck knows if theyre any relation Joe: You're more a Liszt type, called it Ronnie: what the fuck kind of fuck you is that Joe: 😂 Joe: actually he's considered the world's first rock star, I was being nice Ronnie: shut up Joe: what, you ain't seen the ken russell film with daltrey in? Joe: have a word Ronnie: get a life Joe: tomorrow Joe: maybe Ronnie: i cant fucking believe it had to be you Ronnie: thank fuck i already aint showing my face here again Joe: thought you said you weren't 12 Joe: but I don't need to come in if you don't wanna be embarrassed in front of your mates Ronnie: i said my mates aint here Joe: no need to tell me why you're there Ronnie: where the fuck are you Joe: just got out, 5 minutes Ronnie: i need to get out Ronnie: move it like Joe: alright Joe: come find me then, make it go faster Ronnie: fucks sake Joe: what's wrong Ronnie: if my body would do what it was told i wouldnt need you Ronnie: cant even paint you a fucking picture Joe: right Ronnie: theres a shit load of stairs yeah Ronnie: i cant do 'em Joe: if you're fat I swear to god Ronnie: calm your tits nancy drew Ronnie: you know thats bullshit Joe: I'll trust you ain't catfishing then Ronnie: thats my next tat Ronnie: all for you baby Joe: sweet Ronnie: hurry up Joe: I am Joe: [show up boy] Ronnie: [when you're just there like damsel in distress which ain't you so it makes it more awks] Joe: [what a first meeting just having to carry her away from god knows where like] Ronnie: [just like we don't know each other but just carry me to your vehicle thanks] Joe: [just doing it silently like this is normal] Ronnie: [since I cant find a pic she should go get that tattoo now just casually drag him along] Joe: [once you get the use of your limbs back lol] Ronnie: [lbr its blatantly someone sketchy she knows the state of them all] Joe: [god bless] Ronnie: [when I know its gotta go on her face somewhere cos #triggered by looking like Tess and I'm just screaming like NOOO] Joe: [my boo is horrified and Joe too] Ronnie: [soz you're so cute bitch and you wanna look so ugly] Joe: [lowkey dread to think how annoying the heal time is on a face tat] Ronnie: [blasting that orchestra bop he mentioned earlier as loud as poss cos yeah you searched for it and yeah you don't wanna hear your thoughts or have a convo] Joe: [when you don't run like you should 'cos you too are a crazy person] Ronnie: [match made in heaven lol] Joe: [🔥😈] Ronnie: [does he have any tattoos I have forgotten] Joe: [Oh, I don't think so??? but he probably would in a self-destructive manner too, as long as they could be hidden like his self-harm like go ahead] Ronnie: [just thinking get one now if you want boy #bonding] Joe: [yolo] Ronnie: [ooh what should it be] Joe: [the real question, hmm] Ronnie: [perfect excuse to be staring at each other while that's happening though cos you can't be moving all about] Joe: [but of course] Ronnie: [Joe can move around more cos not on his fucking head but] Joe: [probably get a cherry or something for the lols] Ronnie: [love that for you Joseph]