spritejac



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  1. Public Bookmark 71

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    “Nothing’s different,” Ellie tries to talk Joel off the ledge the best way she knows how. “Except that fucking…thing. It was different. It was smart. And I just thought…What if, ya know?”

    Joel’s right in front of her. He sinks to his knees, which is honestly for the best before he passes out and knocks his head against the hardwood floors. “What are you asking me here, kiddo?”

    The nickname tugs at years old memories, tussles with months old anger. Settles in her hours old desire to be held by him again. The desire she’s brushing off and shoving down. Even if she is going to die, it doesn’t mean Joel gets to be off the hook. All it means is that he’d ruined everything all so she could die in the name of fucking nothing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming instead.

    Ellie squares her shoulders as she tilts up her chin. She holds him hostage with her gaze and implores him with the earnesty of her expression. “I need you to wait with me to see if I turn. And if I do,” she pauses, swallows, wishes she could look anywhere besides right into his eyes, “I need you to put a bullet in my head.”

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    10,386
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    30
    Kudos:
    336
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    71
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    2,135

    17 Jun 2025

  2. Public Bookmark *

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    Across the street, Ellie can hear the cries of a baby. She hates the sound, hates the anxiety that spikes up in her without consent and the simultaneous desire to make it stop and hating that she knows there’s already somebody over there doing exactly that. She hates herself for hating it.

    Because it’s not like Ellie hates Leo. He’s a fucking baby. He’s got light brown skin and these dark curls of hair and no teeth and way too much drool. He has grabby little fists and a head he’s only just learned to hold up and spit bubbles that he blows when he gets real excited over pretty much nothing. He’s happy. Just, naturally. Like he came out smiling, doesn’t have a clue yet what the fuck is wrong with the world.

    //

    or: Tommy and Maria have a baby. Ellie has to figure out how to deal with it.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    13,772
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    63
    Kudos:
    478
    Bookmarks:
    109
    Hits:
    4,087

    09 Jun 2025

  3. Public Bookmark 69

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    “Joel, get Joel. Please.” Bile is rising in her throat. She swallows it back.

    Ian makes a scoffing noise, taking a step closer. “Seriously, you’re fine. You just knocked it, that’s all. You go crying to your daddy every time you get a bruise?”

    Ellie fucking doesn’t. Ian bruises her almost everyday, and she never cries.

     

    Someone tries to make Ellie grow up too fast.

    Ft. Worried Joel and a teddy bear named Fuckface

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    21,548
    Chapters:
    2/3
    Comments:
    51
    Kudos:
    247
    Bookmarks:
    69
    Hits:
    3,411

    01 Jun 2025

  4. Public Bookmark *

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    Before, when they were on the road, he pushed her, would tape up her rolled ankles and tell her she was strong enough to keep walking. They had no other choice, winter wouldn’t wait for her ankles to stop hurting and her small illnesses to abide, and sitting ducks are prime targets for unexpected infected or raiders. She learned to manage her aches and ills herself—Joel would only half-relax when they’d had a productive day of walking.

    Of course, even then, he’d insist upon taking watch the entire night, or would let them walk slower, he would ignore shortcuts that’d be hard on her. But that’s a far cry from whatever the hell he’s doing now, insisting she leave the job site and gently offering her soup. She doesn’t know what to do with this.

    -

    Five times Joel is a good surrogate dad to Ellie, and one time Ellie is a good surrogate daughter to Joel.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    5,674
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    41
    Kudos:
    600
    Bookmarks:
    158
    Hits:
    5,917

    31 May 2025

  5. Public Bookmark *

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    Summary

    Well, theoretically it starts before Ellie can even remember. Apparently as a kid, Ellie was a biter from hell.

    Ironic in the world she grew up in.

    It’s not something she really thinks about. Hell, there used to be times with Riley where they’d sit on one of their beds and read or work or whatever, and if Riley’s arm or hand or, once, ankle, was close enough, Ellie would gnaw on it as a joke until they ended up on the floor, wrestling.

    So, whatever. Some people love with gentle words and little gifts and some people bite.

    or,

    Ellie and Joel navigate the first few months in Jackson. A story told in the gentlest of bite marks.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    6,635
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    32
    Kudos:
    657
    Bookmarks:
    189
    Hits:
    5,173

    31 May 2025

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