I was thinking about doing random chapters of Ellie and Joel living in the Community in Jackson, I'm not sure how many chapters I will do but there will be random stories. There will be different events and holidays they may celebrate has a community, but be warned people who are sensitive... there maybe horror in some chapters.

I thought I'd begin where Ellie and Joel arrive at the Jackson Community, then we can venture through the years until the present day game. I finished the game now, it was a different. If anyone would like to discuss the game my dms are open.

Sorry if some of my chapters are boring, I just want to do some random happy moments between Joel and Ellie before the heartbreak begins.

-The Last Of Us is owned by Naughty Dog/ Sony Computer Entertainment

-Some of the parts of this fanfiction are in the game, other parts aren't in the game.

- Sorry for the late update, I've been busy - My laptop charger is broken, so I've got to type my fanfictions on my phone from now on until I replace it.

Snowflake Warning

-Ellie grew up in a world of monsters, TLOU isn't about butterflies and rainbows... it's horror.

-If you're playing the game I know, I know the story has thrown heartbreak at us. I'll give us some happy times.

-Sensitive material, Ellie likes girls... get over it!

Thank you for all the Faves, Alerts and Reviews.

Keep safe and enjoy!

Chapter 18!

Winter - 2036

Ellie watched the snow falling from the sky, it had only started snowing this morning. The streets of the community weren't snowed under just yet, so most of the store owners were busy before the snow settled. It was like this every year when it began to snow, the next couple of months were going to be busy for everyone.

Normally the food stocks would last until Spring, but the harvest months hadn't been that great for some reason. The greenhouses fruits were in bloom has always, but half of the potatoes and carrots had grown rotten. It was going to be tough for the next few months, but they would manage somehow. They still had rice and pickled vegetables, they would have to hunt more to keep everyone fed.

Ellie watched a horse drawn cart moving down the street, it was delivering some goods to one of the community stores. She was sitting on some steps outside of the Tipsy Bison Bar, she had a lot on her mind right now. She had an argument with Cat about a week ago, they were having a little break from each other. It was mostly Ellie's fault, she had been suffering with depression for months after she learnt the truth about St Mary's hospital from Joel.

Ellie's breath lingered in the air while she sighed deeply to herself, she crossed her arms and looked over at the Butchers across the street. She was waiting for Jesse, they were going to check on some traps near the community. The butcher was cutting up some meat from a Wild Boar, there was about five Hares hanging upside by the store's window and she could see a woman serving a man inside the store.

Jesse soon turned up at the Tipsy Bison, he had his rifle with him and a packet of broken up sugar cookies. He smiled at Ellie and sat down next to her on the step, he told her that the other hunting parties had already left the community. She didn't answer him though, she wasn't in much of a talkative mood. Jesse nudged Ellie's arm before he spoke to her again, she looked at him while she rubbed at her nose.

" Not in much of a talkative mood, huh?" Jesse asked.

" You've got that right." Ellie replied.

" It's okay, I know you and Cat are having issues right now." Jesse said, he rested his hand on her arm. " It will work out, just give her some space."

" That's the plan..." Ellie sighed.

" Hang in there, things will get better." Jesse said.

" I guess you're an expert in love, how many times have you and Dina split up now?" Ellie asked.

" Four times, but we always end up back together." Jesse replied, he patted her arm before he got up from the step. " Let's get moving, those traps won't check themselves."

Ellie sighed and got up from the step, she then walked with Jesse down the street. They were going to be travelling by foot today, the traps were only in the Woodlands outside of The Jackson Community. They cut through the stables and headed towards the main entrance of the community, they were then let out by one of the outpost men.

Jesse took the lead and guided Ellie along the pathway, the snow wasn't that deep yet. The Woodlands were peaceful, they could hear the odd bird tweeting in the treetops above them. Ellie stopped for a moment when she reached the top of the pathway, she looked over her shoulder and took in the view of The Jackson Community.

Ellie had once sketched The Jackson Community from this very pathway, it looked beautiful throughout all of the seasons. Her attention was soon caught by Jesse's voice, he told her to stop daydreaming. She apologised to him and moved forward, she soon caught up with him. They didn't speak that much until they reached the trap area, Ellie wasn't in much of a talkative mood still.

" I'll check these traps." Jesse said, he looked at Ellie. " You can check the traps near the stream."

" Okay." Ellie said.

" Be careful out there." Jesse said.

" You too." Ellie said.

Ellie left Jesse and made her way to the stream, when she got there she stopped by a tree. She checked out her surroundings before she ventured forward again, it wasn't long until she found the traps. There was two Hares caught in two of the traps, it was better than nothing in these times. She crouched in front of the traps and rested her hand on one of the Hare's side, they were stone cold dead.

Ellie freed the Hares and tied their legs together with some rope, she then reset the traps. Her attention was soon drawn back to the stream, it was so peaceful out here. The sound of the trickling water and the bird's songs in the treetops above her brightened her mood slightly, it was nice getting out of the community sometimes.

Ellie checked the traps one last time before she got to her feet, she picked up the Hares and made her way back to Jesse. The snow wasn't easing, they would have to head back to the community soon before it got worse. She soon found Jesse, he was resetting some traps. He had one Hare lying on the ground next to him, it wasn't a great hunt but three Hares was better than nothing.

Jesse got to his feet and picked the Hare up by it's ears, he then beckoned Ellie to follow him. She followed after him and they soon returned back the the pathway which lead to The Jackson Community, the snow was getting thick now. Jesse told Ellie he would do anything right now for a hot drink and a steak sandwich, he asked her if she would care to join him at the Tipsy Bison after they got back home.

" I'm good, maybe some other time." Ellie said.

" Are you blowing me off because you want to mope over Cat?" Jesse asked.

" No, it's just..." Ellie replied with a sigh. " I've just got a lot of things going on right now."

" But one of those things is about Cat, right?" Jesse asked.

" Yeah, but there's other things too." Ellie replied.

Jesse stopped Ellie with his hand, he looked concerned for his friend. He told Ellie if she needed to talk he was here for her, he didn't want to see her upset. Ellie sighed to herself and walked over to a log, she sat down on it. Jesse soon joined her side and crossed his arms, he told Ellie that he had seen Joel before they left the community.

" Your old man was giving me grief today." Jesse said, he looked at his friend and smiled at her. " Apparently I've got to watch you like a hawk while we're checking the traps, he worries about you. We all do, even Dina."

" I've not spoken to Dina for months..." Ellie said.

" She care for you, Ellie." Jesse said.

" Yeah, yeah..." Ellie said.

" It's true!" Jesse said.

" So, what did Joel say?" Ellie asked.

" The usual stuff, make sure she stays out of trouble and take the safest routes..." Jesse said, he chuckled slightly and looked along the pathway. " I don't know what's happened between you and Joel, but it's making me feel uneasy. You're both miserable, it's not right."

" That old chestnut..." Ellie said.

" Come on, Ellie. What's going on with you guys?" Jesse asked.

" It's private, you wouldn't understand if I told you about it anyway..." Ellie replied.

" Alright, have it your own way." Jesse said.

" Look Jesse, I appreciate your concern for me." Ellie said while she looked at him. " But there's somethings I've to work out for myself, me and Joel have some issues right now."

" Look at you, you're the issue girl." Jesse smiled.

" Shut up." Ellie smiled.

" The offer still stands if you want to join me for that drink." Jesse said with a smile. " We don't have to talk, you can keep me company."

" Fine, but no pickles on my steak sandwich." Ellie said.

" Of course, I know pickles make you gassy." Jesse chuckled.

" Oh ha-ha! You're hilarious..." Ellie smiled.

Ellie laughed slightly and playful punched Jesse's arm, she knew he was only trying to cheer her up. He was a good friend to Ellie, one of her best friends since she first moved to Jackson with Joel. Jesse told Ellie they should get moving, the snow was beginning to come down heavier now. She got up from the log and brushed some snow away from her backside, they then walked back to the community together.

Summer - 2037

Things had improved for Ellie over the last few months, she was now eighteen and her relationship with Cat was back on. They had worked through their problems, but her Joel issues were still there. She had been avoiding Joel for months now, she saw him now and again around Jackson. She had spent an awkward Christmas with Joel, Tommy and Maria. It had been awful, she kept it civil with Joel for Tommy and Maria's sake.

Ellie stayed with Cat sometimes, her Mom was always welcoming. The change of scene had been doing her good, but sometimes she had to stay at home because she had some early mornings due to patrols. She was now ready for pair patrols, she loved patrolling with Jesse and sometimes Tommy. Dina had started talking to her again, but she still kept her distance from Ellie when she was with Cat.

Ellie was going fishing today with Tommy, he wanted to spend some time with her. She knew the real reason behind it though, he was trying to get Ellie back on speaking terms with Joel. She had told him that she wasn't ready for that yet, but he was worried about Joel's mental health. She cared for Joel deeply, but after everything that had happened last year it was getting harder for her to fix her relationship with Joel.

Tommy had already set up his fishing gear, he had been fishing since early morning. Ellie had shown up a few hours later, she had overslept once again. It was becoming a bad habit of hers lately, she really needed to sort out her sleeping pattern. She set up her fishing gear and cast a line, she then sat down next to Tommy. She yawned loudly and wiped her nose on her hoody sleeve, she was still tired.

" It looks like someone needs an early night." Tommy said.

" Yeah, I didn't sleep well last night." Ellie replied.

" A penny for your thoughts?" Tommy asked.

" I've got a purse full, but I'm keeping my pennies to myself today." Ellie said.

" Have it your way then." Tommy said.

Ellie looked over at the pond, she watched dragon flies playing on the surface and she even swore she saw a few ripples forming near some pond plants. She could see a gap in the wall where the pond life entered the community, the pond connected to a river not that far away from the community. The day was hot and the sky was blue, it was days like these where she wished she was out swimming with Cat. But she had made a promise to Tommy, she didn't want to cancel on him because she actually liked spending time with him.

" So, what kind of fish comes from the river these days?" Ellie asked, she looked at Tommy and rested her chin on her hand. " It's been awhile since I've fished here, I normally fish outside of the community these days with Cat."

" Well, mostly cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish." Tommy replied before he checked his lure and casted his line " Sometimes brown trout, all the best fishing holes are outside the community. Some breeds of fish don't make their way to the pond..."

" You mean chinook salmon and lake trout, right?" Ellie asked.

" You know your fish." Tommy replied.

" Joel taught me..." Ellie said.

" Speaking of Joel, when are planning on speaking to him again?" Tommy asked.

" I don't know..." Ellie replied.

" C'mon Ellie, the silence is killing my big Brother." Tommy sighed.

" It's not that easy, things have happened..." Ellie said.

" A lot of things have happened, can't you just say hello to him now and again?" Tommy asked, he looked at her. " You know let the water flow underneath the bridge."

" The Beavers have made a dam, it's not going to happen just yet." Ellie replied.

" You're both stubborn has each other, it's like trying to get blood from a stone!" Tommy said.

Ellie rolled her eyes at Tommy and turned her gaze away from him, he was being nosy again. He probably knew about the argument she had with Joel at St Mary's Hospital, she knew Joel and Tommy spent a lot of time together on pair patrols. Her attention was soon drawn to her bobbing lure, her eyes grew wide when the lure was dragged beneath the surface.

" Holy Shit!" Ellie yelled.

Ellie jumped to her feet and took hold of her fishing rod, she began to reel the line in with the guidance of Tommy. He told her to keep the line steady while he got his net, she told him okay while she continued to fight with his unknown fish. Tommy soon returned with his net, he lowered his net into the water and told Ellie to reel it in.

" Keep it steady!" Tommy said.

" What do you think I'm fucking trying to do?!" Ellie asked.

" Steady, steady..." Tommy said.

Ellie continued to reel the fish in, the fish emerged from the pond and wriggled around before it dived back into water. It was medium sized, but it would feed at least two people. Ellie's tongue poked from the side of her mouth, her gaze was focused on the task at hand. The fish was getting closer to the embankment of the pond, she told Tommy to get ready to catch it.

" Here it comes!" Tommy said.

Ellie reeled the fish in one more time before Tommy managed to catch it in his fishing net, the fish was going wild. Ellie hurried to Tommy's side while he took the fish from the water and carried it to dry land. It wasn't too big, but it looked fat and healthy. She carefully unhooked her fishing hook from it's mouth, it continued to wriggle around until Tommy threw it into his fishing box.

" It looks like a lake trout, about 2kgs or maybe 3kgs." Ellie said, she peered into the box before she looked at Tommy. " What do you think?"

" I think you're right, what a beaut!" Tommy said.

" Yeah, I think we should make fish skewers tonight." Ellie said.

" Is that an open invitation for dinner?" Tommy asked.

" Nope, I was hoping Maria would cook it for me." Ellie replied.

" You're eighteen now, Ellie." Tommy said with a smile. " Don't you think it's time you learnt how to cook?"

" I can cook, you know stir porridge and stuff." Ellie replied, she leaned on her fishing rod and smiled at Tommy. " Sometimes I'm good with seasoning, I can make sandwiches though. I can heat up stews in the oven, I'll survive... somehow."

" You're more like Joel than you think, his cooking skills have rubbed off on you." Tommy said.

" Please don't say that..." Ellie said.

Tommy chuckled and shook his head at Ellie, he told her he would arrange a cooking class with Maria for her next week. Ellie told Tommy she could just take the fish to the Tipsy Bison Bar, she could just ask Seth cook it for her. Even better Cat's Mom knew her way around the kitchen, her cooking skills were legendary when it came to fish dishes.

" C'mon now, let's catch some more fish." Tommy said.

" Sure." Ellie said.

Tommy closed the boxes lid and walked back to the pond, he soon settled down with his fishing rod. Ellie rehooked her fishing lure before she joined Tommy at the pond, she casted out her line and waited patiently for something to bite.