#cssjm

[cannedsoupsucks]

The way you paint a picture with words is amazing. Simply amazing

Letting out a long breath, you slowly opened your eyes. When you tilted your head back to look up you found that Joel’s were waiting. In the dying light of late afternoon - at arm’s length - his eyes were a softer shade of nutty brown, not quite as dark as they seemed behind the barrel of his rifle. You noticed the accordion fold of crows feet that fanned out from the corners of them, and the deep ravine of an old scar cutting across the bridge of his nose. At this distance you saw the patches in his beard and the windburned skin of his cheeks directly above the line of his facial hair, and despite the way your mind was blown to bits by everything you’d seen since the town gates had opened, you couldn’t help but wonder what he was noticing about you for the first time. The exact color of your eyes? Or the silvery strands that muted the original tone of your hair? Was that little hike of his eyebrow caused by the fact that he’d just found the thin scar that struck top to bottom through both of your lips? Was he following the creases in your skin the same way that you’d involuntarily done to his? 

Survivor Blues

Part Two : Welcome to Jackson 

A/N: Thank you all SO MUCH for the encouraging feedback on the first part of this series. I am going to be responding to some of the comments and reblogs that I didn’t get to in the next few days, but for now I want you to know that I truly appreciate anyone who has read and will read this story. This one doesn’t have a ton of Joel, but I promise you the next chapter does. ;) 

Warnings: language, weapons, discussion of illness, death and loss, general canon-typical apocalyptic hell. A close up of Joel Miller’s face. 

Word Count: 5,304

Summary: When Tommy and Joel said that they would bring you back to “Jackson”, you had no way of knowing what would be waiting for you once you got there. Finding the town to be far more than you ever imagined, you are faced with a major decision - after so much time on the road, are you ready to try to put down roots? 

Joel had told you the truth - the ride back with him and Tommy hadn’t been longer than an hour. You hadn’t encountered any more infected, the cluster of them that you’d put down earlier seemingly the only ones currently wandering these woods, and the two men and their horses were extremely familiar with the route, so you’d reached the main gate just as the sun was starting to make its way behind the mountains. And though you’d seen the time-ravaged and weather-beaten sign about a mile back, though you’d read the chipped, barely legible words, you were still stunned at what you were looking at. 

This wasn’t a settlement. Or a camp. It wasn’t a rogue group of survivors huddled together in an abandoned building. This is a whole goddamn town. 

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[cannedsoupsucks]

This makes my grinchy heart warm ❤

More Than You Could Ever Know

Pairing: Joel Miller (TLOU) x Female Reader (Just Too Good to Be Gone AU)

Word Count: 5,352

Rating: R. Language, talk of character death, implied smut but nothing explicit. It’s angsty but it’s also very Christmassy. 

THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THE LAST OF US (and these likely will also be spoilers for the first season of the show. Continue reading at your own risk.)

Summary: In order to keep Joel’s Christmas surprise a secret, you have to be evasive with him about where you’re at and what you’re doing … and he doesn’t like it much. But it’s all worth it in the end - especially when he learns what it is you managed to pull off. 

Author’s note: MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE, FRIENDS. (to those of you that celebrate … and happy Friday to everyone else!) I know there’s a lot of celebrating coming up for a lot of people, but I wanted to get this out so that some of you would have things to read in your down time today and tomorrow. It’s really hard to imagine a Christmas set in the TLOU world, so I did my best … and I hope you enjoy it. 

I won’t say that this is all because @thepoisonofgod alerted me to a picture of Joel’s massive arm last week or because I found one of them to send @the-blind-assassin-12, but I also won’t say that it isn’t…. you’ll see. 

Suggested musicial pairing:  All I Want For Christmas (Is You) by Mariah Carey, as if the title wasn’t enough of a hint …but not for the actual song - just for the lyrics. 

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[cannedsoupsucks]

What a thrilling way to start a series! I could feel the burning in her legs and lungs as she ran. I'm looking forward to reading more!

Survivor Blues

Part One : Fight or Flight 

A/N: I am equally excited and terrified to finally be sharing this story, but here goes nothing! This has been in the works for close to a whole ass year now, and it all started when @something-tofightfor sent me a link to the cutscenes of TLOU I & II, casually suggesting I “get to know Joel Miller”, which lead to me having the strongest reaction to a fictional character that I have had in AGES, having a little emotional breakdown about it, and then immediately diving into a google doc to do something with all of my emotions. This is the result. I want to warn you that it does stick to canon timelines as well as themes, so the same darkness and danger that was present throughout the games is still (mostly) in tact here. It’s not a straight up angst pile, but you’re certainly going to have to buckle up if you choose to get on this ride. You’ve been warned. (please enjoy!!) 

Warnings: language, violence, death, apocalyptic themes, mother effing mushroom headed freaks, mentions of illnesses, brief mention of sexual assault - no description whatsoever (please feel free to ask me before  reading if you are unsure)

Word Count : 5,145 

Summary: Twenty-four years after the cordyceps outbreak ravaged the world, you find yourself wondering what could possibly be left for you that was worth fighting for. Lost, alone and having seen better days, you just want to find a place to rest. You end up finding more than you bargained for - or more accurately, more than you bargained for ends up finding you. 

SPRING 

April - 2037

You’d been making your way through the trees, boot soles landing one in front of the other over mostly melted snow and muddy terrain when you felt it - the eerie tingle that started near the base of your skull and traveled down your spine, telling you that something was wrong. The hair stood up on the back of your neck and you froze, eyes  widening to try to locate what had triggered your innate sixth sense. Though sometimes the foreboding came well before the danger was visible leaving you to warily wonder what to be on the lookout for, this was not one of those times. 

As you carefully scanned the landscape ahead of you, you saw them. Stalkers, judging by the way that they were moving and the low croaking sounds you could hear them making, two of them. 

Crouching behind a boulder before they spotted you, you swore to yourself. It had been a long time since you’d dealt with any infected at this phase, most of the ones you’d dispatched in the past few years either well beyond this stage of the cordyceps infection or else still freshly turned. These still had their sight, could employ strategic attacks, and were physically strong, and you were not looking forward to a confrontation with them. But they were wandering through a clearing roughly fifty yards away and directly in your path, blocking you from where you hid and the abandoned house you were hoping to find supplies in, so you were faced with an ultimatum: turn away and hope that your retreat would go unnoticed - and that you would soon find another place to seek shelter and much needed supplies - or stand your ground and take them out. 

Fight or flight. 

Those were the choices that almost everything in the world came down to anymore. Every decision you made was weighed on that scale, calculated by measuring risks against benefits. You had taken both routes at different times, depending on what the situation called for - fight when you had to or when it was one you could win, flight when running was the safer option. There was no such thing as dignity or pride when it came to these matters, only survival and protection, and you had fully adapted to that system years ago.

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[cannedsoupsucks]

I know very little about TLOU and Joel Miller, but your story gave me a very good sense of what life is like in this post apocalyptic world. The danger, the uncertainty, and the hesitantcy to bond with another person.

That's what makes this part was so special. To be considered someone's family is precious, especially in a time like that when bonds can be a liability.

You never knew what to call your relationship with the man, especially when talking to people that weren’t in your immediate circle. Girlfriend seems too outdated. Partner isn’t … that’s not what this is. And we’re not married, so… 

“Family.” He squeezed your hand.

At the end of the story I was left understanding how much they love each other and the need to cleave to each other because they would be apart for so long.

One of the things that I enjoy and appreciate about your writing is how you take us inside the character's head. All of the unspoken thoughts and feelings make the characters very relatable because outward actions don't necessarily match what people are thinking/ feeling.

We’ll Feel It All Tonight

Pairing: Joel Miller (TLOU) x Female Reader

Word Count: 16,313 (I’m …. not sorry but I know it’s excessive)

Rating: Not Safe For Work. This is for adults and adults only. (Language, mentions of past violence, sex.) If you’re familiar with the game’s plot and setting, you know what you’re getting into. 

Warnings: Joel Miller is his own goddamn warning. BUT: Canon character death talk, past violence, post-apocalyptic setting, injury, heavy angst

THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THE LAST OF US (and these likely will also be spoilers for the first season of the show. Continue reading at your own risk.)

Summary: The relative safety of Jackson City has allowed you to establish as ‘normal’ a routine as you can imagine two decades after the outbreak that decimated the world’s population. This means living a life that you hadn’t thought possible - especially with someone like Joel Miller. 

But to ensure Jackson’s continued safety and stability, lengthy supply runs are necessary each year before the weather turns. This time, you have to sit back and watch Joel leave… which means finding the right way to send him off. 

Author’s note: This story has been a long time coming. When Pedro was announced in the role in February, I SWORE I wouldn’t write for the series, even though I’ve loved the games for YEARS. Why? Because Naughty Dog already told an incredible story and I didn’t want to mess with it. But the more I’ve seen of the behind the scenes stuff… I couldn’t hold back anymore. I love this man too much not to explore what could have been/could be for him in Jackson. 

Like the masterlist says, this story (and series) largely follows what the game set up. The outbreak took place in September 2013, ‘present’ day is 2035, reader is roughly 6-7 years younger than a 49-50 year old Joel. NO AGE GAP HERE. Joel’s characterization is based on in-game Joel, with some of Pedro’s mannerisms thrown in for good measure. If you have any questions, concerns or thoughts - PLEASE feel free to reach out. 

Many, many thanks to @thepoisonofgod for saving my ass with this beautiful banner - and the ones she made for the other parts of this series, too. They’re gorgeous and she is insanely talented and you should check out her other work!

Spotify Playlist; Suggested listening “Tonight, Tonight” by the Smashing Pumpkins

Enjoy. 

It was quiet in the house - but that wasn’t a bad thing. You’d gotten used to the silence; there were more than a few hours each day when the streets of Jackson were almost universally quiet, even with the restored electricity. We all got used to it, you reminded yourself as you carefully made your way through the comfortable living room, the crutch beneath your left arm thumping dully against the wooden floor. And we’re still getting used to all of this again. 

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[cannedsoupsucks]

These two opening up to talk about their painful pasts and losses to eventually admitting their feelings and sealing them with a kiss was wonderful to read. I don't know much about The Last of Us world, but I understand that letting someone in like they did is huge because being close to someone makes you incredibly vulnerable. Vulnerable to potential future loss.

Waiting For This Sky To Fall

Pairing: Joel Miller (TLOU) x Female Reader (Just Too Good to Be Gone AU) 

Word Count: 11,095

Rating: M (This is angsty. Mentions previous character death, the beginning and aftermath of the Cordyceps infection, sexual situations, language… etc.) If you’re familiar with the game, this is very canon-typical, but non-explicit.

THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THE LAST OF US (and these likely will also be spoilers for the first season of the show. Continue reading at your own risk.)

Summary: When Tommy tells Joel that you might be MIA for a few days - and then why, Joel takes it upon himself to change that. For both of you, this is a change in the ‘norm’ of your new friendship … and much more than a single step in a new direction. 

*Takes place before We’ll Feel It All Tonight, roughly 5 months after Joel and Ellie’s return to Jackson.

Author’s note: This is self indulgent and I don’t care. I want to flesh out this pairing as much as possible, and this is one of those opportunities for me. This takes place pre-relationship, and is a glimpse into the ways that these two were drawn to each other, even before it was anything physical. 

Suggested musicial pairing:  Somewhere Out There by Our Lady Peace

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[cannedsoupsucks]

I'm super excited to read more and find out what the redacted parts say!

survivor blues sneak peek:

HANUKKAH EDITION 

First of all, to anyone who sees this that celebrates- Happy Hanukkah! I hope that your holiday season is full of light and happiness. <3 

Secondly… I mentioned a few days ago that I would be sharing some holiday scenes from my upcoming Joel Miller/ TLOU series called Survivor Blues, and since tonight is the eighth night of Hanukkah, I figured it was the perfect time to share the following snippets… even though sharing this much of this wip has me hyperventilating... I hope you enjoy it!  

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