Work Text:
Dear Natalie!
Since I read your diary I think it is only fair if I tell you about my life as well. You wrote that the best week of your life was the week after your 15th birthday because your crush Neil wished you a happy birthday and shared his chocolate bar with you.
I think I have just had the best week of my life. Well, four days but who cares. I don't think you would agree. I have been freezing my ass off sleeping rough in the woods, the food that Tommy gave us has gone stale by now, I keep expecting raiders behind every tree and you can imagine that going to the toilet is shitty (hehehehe) in the woods. But I don't really care what you think; it's been great. The new clothes from Maria are comfortable and not about to fall apart, Joel has been teaching me to shoot the rifle and he has opened up about how life was before outbreak day. It's awesome! And I am so happy that he gave me a choice and didn't just ditch me!
Well, that sounds weird, Ellie thinks. Popular girl Natalie wouldn't understand what Ellie is talking about. Her biggest problems were homework, boys, clothes, boys and fighting with her sister. And how would she understands? Her father, mother and older sister were always there, and her only complaints about them seemed to be that they took her jewellery without asking, made her do the dishes or go to bed at a certain time.
She didn't need to fear for their - or her own - life, or worry that they were going to leave her, just like that. Obviously, Natalie wouldn't be able to understand what Ellie is feeling right now. Joel chose to stay with her. She could see the fear and pain clearly on his face when they talked about Sarah. But still, even though he was afraid, he left it up to her. And he stayed when she asked him to.
Joel seems happier, too. Maybe it's because he now knows that Tommy is okay, or because their new goal seems much more doable (getting to that university where the Fireflies are hiding seems like a piece of cake (not that she's ever had some) when compared to finding one man in the entire state of Wyoming). But she likes to imagine that it's because of her as well. At least a little bit. He laughs more, he talks more and right now, she can hear and feel him humming. She shifts on the horse a little, trying to find a better position for her ass, and smirks to herself. Joel hasn't sung her a song yet, but it's like she told.... well, she will just keep asking and asking and eventually he will sing. Hopefully. A girl can dream.
Natalie wrote about her dreams a lot, too. Which boy she wanted to date, which presents she wanted to get for her birthday, what she wanted to study and what concert she wanted to go to.
Ellie's dreams are very different, but no less important to her. "Well," she thinks, "can't hurt to think about it. At least in my head. It would feel wrong to say them out loud, but why not think about it?"
Dear Natalie!
I want to tell you about my dreams, too. So, here goes:
Me and Joel will reach the university without any problems and find the Fireflies. They will, of course, know where the doctors are who know how to make the medicine from my blood, and take us to them. The scientists will take a bit of my blood, and then we will watch as they they do lots and lots of tests and finally, one of them will throw his arms up into the air and shout "We've got it!" Then we'll all have a big party to celebrate.
Later, Joel and I will go back to Boston. There, we'll find out that Tess didn't die in the explosion after all, but was stuck under debris! We'll give her some of the antidote which will of course heal her instantly and completely. She'll say "Joel? Ellie?" in a really happy voice. Joel will laugh and cry and hug her, like he did when he saw Tommy again, just with more kissing, because who is he kidding? Certainly not me.
Then we'll go back to Jackson together and I'll have a dad and a mom. I want to eat more of Jackson’s great food. Maybe I could ride Shimmer! Joel could teach me some of those Christmas songs they were singing around the tree! Maybe I’ll write in a real diary, not just in my head. But mostly, I’ll have a family, finally. That’s what is worth going on for, Joel says.
Hope you're happy wherever you are are!
Your Ellie
“Hey, you takin’ a nap back there? You’re not usually that quiet for that long,” Joel suddenly says in front of her.
“Yep, just dreaming for a bit”, Ellie says, grinning into his jacket. She knows her dreams might be kinda stupid and unrealistic, but they’re still nice. And maybe, the most important part will come true. Maybe, Joel will stay with her and they’ll be safe. And someday soon, he’ll say “You’re family.” With this nice thought, Ellie grins and huddles closer to Joel. Only for warmth, of course.