Fandom Snapshots From The Past { The Last of Us 1x1 with icedthemoon }

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh could only hope that their high school years were so similar to their middle school year. "I do hope we last longer." He agreed as he finished his lunch and stood up to take care of their trash. He came back and slid on his backpack. Then the bell rang signaling the end of lunch. "One more class and then history. I'll see you then?" Josh asked as he turned to head out of the cafeteria with Hayden. He didn't know where the English classroom was, but he was sure he'd find it.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Hayden never finished the sandwich but that was okay. He could finish it later. He put it in his pack while Josh took their trash. When he came back, he was up and ready to go. “Yeah. See you later.” He moved out as well though he lagged a little behind as he watched Josh move. Yep, he was pretty sure he knew the answer to the question that he had been asking himself. He shoved his hands in his pockets and made his way to his next class. In a strange way,he was nervous about the last class. Maybe it was because he was pretty sure he figured something out. It was Kyra’s fault. She was always teasing him. Always. But this could just stay with himself. He didn’t have to share this one thing. He didn’t want it to ruin everything. That didn’t mean he wasn’t as smiley as ever when he finally made it to the last class. History was horrible. Josh was wonderful. He would take horrible for that wonderful.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh made it to English and it was probably the most boring class of the day. He spent much of it doodling in his notebook, a drawing of the fused chip pieces snapped in half. 'Hayden' over one and 'Josh' over the other one. He bit his lip gently as he worked through the class. He had a feeling inside at the thought of seeing Hayden in the next class that made his heart almost skip a beat. Soon English was over and he was moving into the last class, making sure to save the seat beside him for Hayden and waved with a big smile on his face as he saw him.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Hayden practically jogged over to the spit that was empty beside him. He dropped his backpack down and stood right up against Josh as he set down his planner. It was open to a calendar that was full of dates. “How am I supposed to make it through the rest of my life when this month is so overwhelming?” He dropped his head against Josh’s shoulder as he started going through the many things he put on there. Most were the approximate times he needed to get various assignments done. He slid into the spot next to him and groaned. “And there’s still history left.”​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh smiled as he looked up at Hayden jogging over to him and he noticed that he stood right up against him. His eyes looked at the calendar and then looked at Hayden, hearing his words. "You've got me bud. I'll be here to help you." He said as he felt the head drop against his shoulder. "I'll help you to make sure that it isn't as overwhelming as it seems." Josh said, reaching over and patting Hayden's shoulder when he sat down in the spot next to him. "Don't worry about history, I've got history in the bag for both of us." He said with a grin as the teacher began the class.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Hayden smiled as Josh patted his shoulder. He leaned into the hand, rubbing his face involuntarily for just a moment before sitting up and paying attention. Or sort of paying attention. The first days were the worst days. At least later it would be something he cared about happening. He was not sad when the bell rang. He had been packed and ready to go for several minutes before that. He was up before Josh. History was not for him. “We’re free!” For now.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh hadn't been expecting for Hayden to lean into his hand, or the rub on it either but he smiled softly. If that was comforting to Hayden than he was fine with it. He tried to listen to the teacher but he was too busy doodling in his notebook again. When the bell rang, he grinned and threw everything inside his bag and tossed it over his shoulders. "Yes! My mom should be picking us up today to take us to the park." Josh said as he took Hayden's hand and tugged so they could head out to the parking lot.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Following was easy when he was literally attached to Josh. He struggled a little with him having his hand. It wasn’t Josh that was the problem. It never was. He always loved any time Josh was touching him as weird as that sounded. It was being in public. What were people thinking? What would they do? What would they do to Josh? He was the athletic one. He was the one who was supposed to be more… normal. He wanted that for his best friend. They were outside in no time, looking for his mom’s car.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh smiled as he led them outside, not thinking or caring that he was holding Hayden's hand in public. He didn't care what people thought and he was hoping that his quiet confidence would help Hayden's grow. Once they got outside, he spied his mom's Suburban and pulled Hayden that way. "Come on!" He said, laughing as they headed for Claire's SUV and Josh opened the back seat door, holding it for Hayden. "Cheering squad first." Josh said with a teasing smile on his face.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh’s confidence always helped him. Hayden had so little confidence on his own, and when he was with Josh, it was like he could borrow some. The problem was that when he was on his own, he lost all of that confidence. Josh was brave. He could do anything. But not Hayden. He was still so afraid. Even as Josh pulled him out to the car, their hands as connected as always, he was afraid. Even as Josh held the door open for him, he was afraid. “Thank you, future champion.” He slid in and made himself comfortable like he always did. “Hello, Mrs. Smith! How was your day?”​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh smiled at Hayden as he looked at him, nodding his head. His face blushed red at the comment though as he got into the car beside him. Claire looked back behind herself at them and smiled. "Hello Hayden. My day was rather hectic this morning, though overall it was a good day. How was the first day of high school for you boys?" She asked as Josh buckled in. She backed up out of the parking spot and drove them towards the park. "It was pretty good. Even though it took a few minutes to find the classrooms." He said with a smile.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

When they sat in the car, Hayden specifically chose exactly how to sit. If he was not careful, he could sit too close. If he wasn’t thinking about it, he could accidentally do something like leave his hand on Josh’s leg when he shouldn’t. These were things he was constantly thinking about. It was a constant worry. “It was a pretty good day,” Hayden answered. “There are some pretty cool people at the school.” His eyes shifted over to Josh, and he smiled. Pretty cool. Neat. Amazing. Whatever was the answer in the moment.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh wasn't paying attention how he sat, his leg brushed against Hayden's as his mom smiled back at them. "I'm glad to hear that." She said as she drove them to the park. Josh looked over at Hayden and smiled at him happily. "Definitely some cool people at school." Josh agreed as they pulled up to the park. "You boys can leave your backpacks in the car. I'll be here to take Hayden home once Josh is done running." She said as Josh slipped his pack off and slipped out of the car and waited with the door open for Hayden.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

“Thank you!” Hayden left his backpack in the car as he too moved out after Josh. “Such a gentleman today,” he mused as he brushed past him. He held his breath as he thought about it. Too many thoughts. So. Many. Thoughts. Thankfully he had Josh to keep him from falling apart. “Okay, my future champion. Show me what you got!” He playfully pushed Josh towards the park to get them going.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh laughed as he smiled at Hayden and nodded. "I try." He said with a grin as he felt the playful push a moment later. "I'll show you what I've got." He said with a smirk before he turned and headed to the starting place he used. Without saying anything else, he took off running down the perimeter, his legs stretching out as he ran. The extra two inches helped him cover more ground faster as he headed for the back of the park.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Hayden did not bother moving too fast, because Josh was going to be gone soon anyway. He took his time as Josh was off. At some point, Hayden slowed and instead of moving to where he normally went, he was just watching. No cheering or anything. He got lost in the moment. It was almost like time slowed or maybe his mind was processing everything so much faster than it was moving. Josh’s silhouette still moved, though he had so many thoughts as they went. No, there was no other place he would rather be. No one else he would rather be there with. He changed course, suddenly running to the other side of the park so that he could be over there when Josh past. He wanted to see his face while he ran. He wanted to see his movements. He clapped when he neared, bouncing a little like he always did. Clapped some more. But when Josh actually came by, he couldn’t help but giggle a little as he waved.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh loved running, though he was finding that he was loving running more than ever now that he had someone that cheered him on. He loved hearing Hayden clapping and cheering as he ran. He pushed faster as he ran by Hayden, waving a little as he ran and heard that little giggle. Josh headed into his second lap as he ran around the perimeter. He barely broke a sweat as he went around the back and came up to slide beside Hayden. "Two laps. And I think I got faster." Josh said as he grinned, panting softly. He still had his dead sprint down the center of the park to do.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Hayden was always waiting for Josh to come back. He was always ready to see how little he would sweat. His superhero. Sometimes, like today, he like to run his hands over Josh’s skin to inspect it. See where he would sweat. “How do you do this?” he asked as he ran fingers across the hairline. “You are a walking impossibility. Maybe even a miracle.” He smiled then lightly slapped his arm. “Sprint for me, soldier! You can’t keep slacking!” He giggled as he pushed at him to run that dead sprint. He loved watching that. It was amazing. He was like magic. The way he ran reminded him of the fluidity of a shark’s fast movement. He was a brave shark, and he was going to win. Hayden just knew it.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh felt his face flush red at the feeling of Hayden’s fingers on his hairline. “I don’t know.. I just.. don’t?” He said with a shy smile before he laughed at the light slap to his arm. Soldier? Josh wasn’t a soldier. He grinned anyway and nodded. “Aye aye Sir.” Josh said, giving a fake salute before he winked at Hayden then took off. He pushed himself harder than ever, moving like a cheetah on land. His arms moved at his side as his feet thudded on the ground. It seemed like it took no time before he hit the far side of the park and turned around, dashing back towards Hayden and slid to a stop. His breathing was a little heavier as he smiled at Hayden. “I think I might just have a shot at the track team.”​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Hayden wasn’t even sure what he was saying exactly. He was just saying. He was just doing. Playing. He liked playing with Josh. He liked to tease him. But he also liked to inspire him to do more. To do better. He felt like he really had a purpose other than watching Josh be great. He was helping him be greater. Josh moved so quickly. Hayden still had that look of awe and Josh came running back. He threw his hands out like he was offering a hug to entice him back. Run back to me. When Josh was close, he dropped his arms and shook his head. “What are you talking about? Of course you’re going to make it. That track team is going to be nothing without you.”​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh had seen those hands out as he came running back and his smile had grown wider. Then the hands dropped and he bit his lip before chuckling at his words. “We’ll find out Friday whether they take me or not.” Josh said, though even as he thought about it, he could feel the nervousness creeping in. “I’m just a freshman though, so I’m not sure they’d take me.” He said, allowing himself to breathe in and out. Though his nervousness was evident in his eyes. He knew they didn’t have much more time before his mom would have to take Hayden home. “Walk around the park once before we have to go?”​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Hayden would not allow all that negative doubt to sour their amazing work. Their. As in Hayden cheering was part of this. That was why he was going to those tryouts. He put his hands on Josh’s cheeks so that he could keep his undivided attention. “Joshua Smith. You may be just a freshman, but you are the only person who can run like that. You’re a superhero. How could they not want you?” He dropped his hands and took both of Josh’s as he began to walk backwards. “Come on. We have to cool you down with that walk.” As they started moving, he dropped the hands so that he could move alongside him. ​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh looked at Hayden as he felt those hands on his cheeks and his blue eyes searched his best friend's face. He listened to him and he couldn't stop the smile that crossed his face. "Thanks Hayden." He whispered though he knew his best friend could hear him. He smiled as he felt Hayden take his hands and he moved forward as his friend walked backwards. Once they started moving, he felt Hayden drop both hands as they walked side by side. "What would I do without you?" Josh asked as they walked, smiling over at Hayden.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Hayden Gaines
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Hayden shrugged. “Probably about the same, though you wouldn’t have anyone to tell you that you could do this since no one else wants to be out here with you. Every day. For your entire self driven training.” He grinned. “I feel like that makes me special.” He laughed and put his hands in his pockets as they walked. It wasn’t so hot out here now. That was nice. It was sweltering in the middle of summer at one point. “And you’d probably struggle a whole lot more in math.”​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Joshua Smith
Freshman | 14 | Current location ;; Seattle, WA

Josh chuckled softly as he nodded his head as he shoved his own hands in his pockets. “True. And I don’t know what I’d do without my own personal cheerleader.” He said before he nudged Hayden’s arm with his own. “You are special Hayden.” Josh added as he smiled at his best friend. “And you’re right, I’d be doing so much worse in math.” He agreed with a chuckle, as they came to the back side of the park. It was so much nicer now weather wise than it was in the summer. “That’s it, I’ve decided one thing. You can’t stop being my best friend. I’d miss my cheerleader and tutor too much.” He teased as he smiled over at him.​