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

[EquineGurl23]

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

Claire laughed at Hayden’s enthusiasm and she saw Joshua’s blush as he leaned back in his seat. He was sufficiently red, heat creeping up his cheeks and into his ears. “Congratulations honey. And that seems like it was very entertaining. How about we go to Angelino’s to celebrate? We can eat there and have a little dinner night. Jacob and Logan are busy and your dad is running late with an account.” Claire said with a smile. Josh, having gotten redder if that was possible as he saw that adorable goofy grin on Hayden’s face, smiled at the playful shove then laughed as he felt him fall over on top of him. “That sounds wonderful mom, and I couldn’t have done it without your help Hayden. My biggest cheerleader, coach and supporter.”​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

“Pizza of champions!” Hayden couldn’t stop laughing. He was so incredibly excited for Josh. It was like he made the team too, and in a way, he had. They shared everything. If Hayden won something, which he didn’t because he was too busy focusing on all of Josh’s achievements, he would share it with Josh. No questions. There was something about Josh that was so special. He loved him so much. He was the best friend anyone could ever have. Kyra would make fun of him. Of course Hayden loved him. He loved him. She made Hayden go red like a tomato every time she did that. He pulled himself up and actually buckled himself in. “Because you’re my champion! I don’t cheer for and coach just anyone, you know.” He sat nicely in his seat so that they could go to best place to eat. Josh hadn’t been lying when he told Hayden that last year.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Josh had never met anyone quite like Hayden before in his life and there was something about him that made Josh unendingly happy. He had never been so happy in his life and more than once, Jacob or Logan, or both brothers, teased him for it. He didn't care though. He loved Hayden and how they shared everything. Josh finally controlled his red face though it flared for a moment at the comment about being his champion. "I know you don't and I'm mighty thankful that you decided to cheer for me." He said with a grin. Once Hayden was buckled in, Claire drove them to Angelino's. Once they were there, she parked in the lot and got out. Josh clambered out of the SUV and held the door open for Hayden, leaving his bag in the car.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Josh was always holding the door open for Hayden. Always. They got in cars through the same door. They walked into houses one right after the other. It probably should have been telling. It was. He crawled out of the car and smiled at him. “Thank you, superstar.” He spun to the side as he waited for Josh to close the door. That way they could walk together, side by side like they always did. Hayden was particularly bad at staying in line when he was with Josh. Once inside, they got a table for three and sat down with their menus. “Are we sharing a pizza? Whatever you want. You’re the winner here.” He may have only just gotten on the team, but that was winning. They already won. Hayden felt that. ​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Josh smiled as he watched Hayden crawl out of the car and he shut the door. "You're welcome cheerleader." He said with a smile on his face. Once they were walking side by side, Josh smiled happily as they walked inside. Claire looked at them both once they were sat down and smiled. "You can get whatever you want. Share a pizza, get small pizzas of your own, they have sandwiches and other foods here as well." Claire told them as Josh looked over the menu. "Wanna share a pepperoni and bacon pizza?" He asked Hayden with a smile on his face. He loved sharing with his best friend and in a way, this win of him getting on the team was for both of them.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Whenever they got to go anywhere, Hayden sat beside Josh. He sat right beside Josh. He made sure not to be too close, but they were still close. He was never happy enough until he was right there with him. Today, blinded by his own elation, his leg was pressed against Josh’s with practically reckless abandon for him. He nodded as his smile got even wider. His face would hurt later. “I would love to share a pepperoni and bacon pizza with you.” Individual pizzas were nice, but pizza with Josh was better. It always was. He loved how they could take a slice each and watch as the cheese had to separate from being a part of them both. When the wait staff came, he ordered for them, which he didn’t always do, because he was so excited. So. Excited.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Josh was more than happy to always sit beside Hayden, at school, during lunch, whenever they went somewhere, he didn't care. He felt Hayden's leg press against his own and it made his smile grow wider as he looked at him, seeing that smile get wider. Josh knew his smile was just as wide as he heard that, eyes twinkling a little bit. He wasn't expecting for Hayden to order for them, but he was content. Claire ordered a roast beef sandwich with fries for herself and then looked at the boys. "So, when's the first meet?" She asked with a smile, looking at them both.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Like Hayden was the one who was part of this team, he of course answered. “First practice is Monday. And first meet in two weeks. He’s going to be amazing! There’s this other guy who’s fast too, but he’s not as fast as Josh.” He looked at Josh and really couldn’t help but smile. “No one is as fast as you.” Hayden believed that. No one in the world was as good at this as Josh. His world wasn’t big enough for anyone else. “Did Coach say how often practice was? I mean, we already practice all the time. And I was thinking that even the meets you have during school I can get to because I can tell all the teachers ahead of time, and I’ll make sure all the work is always done. I can come in early if we ever miss a test. It’s gonna be great!” From under the table, his hand found Josh’s. He laced their fingers together. “You’re gonna be great.”​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Josh smiled as he heard Hayden, his face red still and he determined that he was going to be this red forever at this point. "I'm guess practice is every other day. They don't want us to overwork ourselves.." He paused as he listened to Hayden still and he bit his lip, happy to have such a wonderful support system in his best friend. "As long as you don't slip on your work and your mom's okay with it." He said, not wanting Hayden to get in trouble or anything for missing work. He felt the hand find his under the table and their fingers lace together. "Thanks buddy." He said with a sincere smile as their food was brought to the table.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Hayden was too excited to take another answer. “Mom is gonna be good with whatever as long as I stay on top of everything else.” He wished that he could really tell Josh that it didn’t matter what he mom was okay with. That this was important. Josh was the most important, and he would not let anything come between them. Not ever. He squeezed the hand that he secretly held as he locked eyes with him. Tried to send out waves of how he felt. Until of course there was pizza. He suddenly became left handed, and that was okay with him. He would rather struggle but keep Josh’s hand. He fumbled with the pizza, but got a slice anyway. ​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Josh smiled at Hayden, hearing his words and nodded. "Okay. I don't want to be the reason you could possibly get into trouble." Josh admitted as he felt that hand squeeze his own. Josh too became left handed and giggled as he tried to pick up a slice of pizza. He almost dropped it once, but caught it and took a bite with a happy hum. Silence fell as Josh ate, but he never once dropped Hayden's hand, even when he took a few minutes to get his second slice.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Could Hayden get in trouble? Definitely. He knew all the ways that he could. He was banking on the fact that he knew it all ahead of time to find a way to circumvent. This was incredibly important to him. Grades and knowledge were of course important, and he loved to go down new holes of study when it came to something marine life related. None of that was as important as Josh. He would find a way to make this work. He giggled at Josh’s poor left handedness, though he was not doing too stellar either. By his second piece, he made quite a big mess. He laughed and laughed. Eventually he dropped gave up and shook his head. “Okay, being left handed is so hard. But I am glad that we tried together.”​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Josh looked over at Hayden, laughing as he heard him giggle. Neither of them were doing well with the left handedness, though it was quite entertaining. Claire watched them with a smile on her face as Josh heard him. "Yeah.. it's not as easy as some people say it is. I'm also glad we tried together though." Josh admitted as he dropped Hayden's hand reluctantly and began eating his pizza with his right hand. Josh loved that they'd tried it even though it didn't work out well. Claire finished her food and waited with a smile before she pulled out her phone and grinned. "Smile!" She said as she took a photo of the two of them. Josh had leaned in and grinned at the camera, pizza slice in hand.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Hayden had a moment where all he could do was smile and stare at Josh. He was so good. He wasn’t just fun. He was so good. He was amazing really. This wasn’t new, but it was so overwhelming as he sat there looking at him. He couldn’t help but want to be with him always. Finishing the pizza meant they were coming to an end, and he didn’t want that. He turned his attention to Claire, and without meaning too, he leaned into Josh, resting his head on Josh’s shoulder as he raised his pizza. He smiled like they won something. They had. They were winners.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Josh felt Hayden lean into him, felt the head on his shoulder and a warm smile came to his face as he tapped the slice against Hayden's as the camera flashed. He glanced at Hayden, but didn't move, didn't say anything other than pressed his leg against his best friend. He started to eat the pizza slice as Claire watched them. She had a soft smile on her face as she did, almost like she knew something they didn't. She could only hope she was right. Josh finished his pizza but he didn't want to stop this. "Hey, w- would your mom be okay if you slept over?" Josh asked, glancing at Hayden curiously.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Hayden was not expecting that kind of question. His breath disappeared at the idea of doing something so exciting as a sleepover. They could stay up all night talking or playing games or reading comics if they wanted. He didn’t have anything important tomorrow. His mom would have one less mouth to feed tonight, and that would probably be good for her. She did worry a lot. Would she be okay with that? “Um… I don’t know?” He shyly looked away like they hadn’t been best friends for a year and shared literally everything. “That would be cool if she would.” His voice was smaller as he finished his pizza.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Josh looked at Hayden curiously as he waited, and then he saw him shyly look away. If that wasn't the cutest thing, Josh's heart almost stopped for a moment. Claire looked at the two and smiled as she nodded her head once. "I will talk to your mother Hayden. See if she'd be okay with it." Claire told him, hoping to help ease his mind a little bit. Josh smiled at his mom before looking at Hayden. "See? My mom is so good at convincing yours, I'm sure she'll let you come stay over tonight." Josh said with an excited voice.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Hayden looked up at Claire. She was incredibly good at convincing Hayden’s mother to let them do what they wanted. He always wondered how she could do that. When Hayden even tried to ask for something, he got the lectures on how difficult everything was, though she never minded letting Hayden stick around with them. Usually. Money was even tighter now. His mom lost one of her jobs so she was trying to get another. This could be very helpful. He wished that he could do more. He smiled just a little at Josh. Could they really have a sleepover? He would really love that. “I hope she can.” He looked away again, red speckling his cheeks as he tried not to smile as much as he was.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Josh looked at his mom before looking over at Hayden, seeing that red speckling his best friend's cheeks. Claire smiled at them both before she stood up. "Well, why don't we get into the car, and go find out?" Claire said as Josh nodded his head. He slipped off the chair and held out his hand for Hayden. "Come on!" He said with a smile, he really hoped that his mom could convince Hayden's to let him sleep over. He'd never had a sleep over before and he really wanted his first one to be with his best friend in the whole world.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Hayden hesitated. He often did when they were in public spaces. It was hard to know what he could and could not do without being reprimanded. It was so much easier before he figured out key pieces of himself. In the end, he took Josh’s hand, because he looked at that smile, and he melted. He absolutely melted. With that one touch, he held so much more confidence. “Okay.” He got out of the booth and walked with them out and into the parking lot. “I don’t think she’s at work right now, so you can probably reach her no problem.” It might have been his hope talking.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Josh smiled as he felt Hayden take his hand and he nodded as they headed out to the parking lot. Claire nodded as they got into the SUV and she pulled out her phone, linking it to the bluetooth headset she had. "I'll give her a ring as we head towards your house." Claire said. Josh climbed in the backseat and only pulled his hand away from Hayden so he could buckle up. Claire dialed Emily's number and waited to see if she'd pick up as she started driving towards Hayden's house.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Hayden scooched into the seat next to Josh, unsure how this was going to go. He buckled and kept his hands in his lap, staring down at them as he waited for the tell tale signs of someone on the other end of Claire’s phone call. His father was at home. He was in one of those rare periods where he actually was there. His mother was probably either still at work or on her way home based on time. Surprisingly, Emily did answer. Hayden held his breath as he waited for the conversation. “Hello, Claire? Is everything okay? How are the boys?” Though Emily did not adopt Josh like Claire did Hayden, she would have if she had the means.​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Josh smiled as he looked at Hayden and stole one of his hands. "Relax. I bet she'll agree to let you sleep over." He said with that bright optimism that he had right now. That optimism would be snuffed for a long time when he was older. Claire heard Emily's voice over the bluetooth and smiled. "Hello Emily. Everything is fine, the boys are good. I was actually calling to see if you'd be alright with Hayden spending the night at our place tonight." She said as she drove. They'd need to go to Hayden's home anyway to drop off his school stuff and make sure he had clothes for the night and tomorrow.​

 

[icedthemoon]

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

Hayden looked up and at Josh who was like a nice, bright light in the darkness that swam around his head. He smiled sheepishly and nodded. Without meaning to, he leaned a little further to the middle and pressed their arms together. Over the Bluetooth, Emily breathed out heavily. “I don’t want to be an imposition, Claire. Though, if the boys really want to and you don’t mind…” She paused. “It would be actually very helpful. I’m picking up a couple of extra hours today.”​

 

[EquineGurl23]

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

Josh smiled as he felt their arms press together and he leaned closer, resting his head on Hayden's shoulder. Claire heard that heavy breath and listened to Emily's words, before she shook her head. "You aren't an imposition at all. Both boys want to hang out and sleep over. So don't worry. We'll stop by and grab Hayden some clothes then we'll bring him home sometime tomorrow afternoon if that sounds alright with you?" She said, her voice soft and warm. ​