#baby debbie and könig are best friends

[10millionotters]

Daybreak

Rating: Mature

Characters: John "Soap" MacTavish, König, Original female Character(s)

Relationship: Simon “Ghost” Riley/Original female Character, John "Soap" MacTavish/Original female Character

Word Count: 3886

Additional information: Alternate Universe, The Last of Us AU, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Post-Apocalypse, Grief/Mourning, Implied Relationships, Hurt/Comfort

Nobody could have made him believe for even just one second, that mutated fungi would force the world to its knees.

He had seen everything.

War. Torture. Chemical weapons.

But this? This was new.

They weren’t prepared for it.

Read it on AO3 or under the cut

If anyone would have asked him just a few years ago, how he imagined the end of the world, he would have thought of something more… realistic.

War.

Famine.

Climate change.

Things that were tangible enough for him to conceptualise to a point that he could feel nothing about them.

They were always around him, he did his part to combat them, but it felt too far away from his lived reality to become a threat.

Nobody could have made him believe for even just one second, that mutated fungi would force the world to its knees.

He had seen everything.

War. Torture. Chemical weapons.

But this? This was new.

They weren’t prepared for it.

Would things have been different if they were stationed back home?

Johnny, felt his hands brush over the old wood of the bookshelf he kept up for Marie. Sometimes he found still intact books when he went out for raids.

He knew she hated it.

She had stopped talking long ago.

After they lost Price and Gaz it was like, something inside her broke.

When she screamed to leave her behind with Simon, it began to fade.

Her voice was weak but she still spoke to them, tried to make them laugh.

But now?

Now she was completely silent.

They had made home in a family’s abandoned house.

Johnny had removed all photos except one.

Marie kept it in a little shrine.

How could she still pray?

After all that had happened it felt like God had abandoned them.

Johnny looked out of the window, his eyes fixated on the three little mounds of dirt, the little crosses that Marie had carved out of dry wood.

He looked back at her.

She was sitting on the sofa, reading quietly.

These days, she did nothing but read.

Sometimes people came stumbling upon their little homestead because they heard of the “doctor” who lived there.

They didn’t need to protect themselves from raiders. Not after König had blown the last one’s head off clean, propping up the body as a warning.

Sometimes Johnny wondered just how immune König was to this plague that had ravished the entire world.

How much human was still left in him?

But then he caught himself feeling ashamed when he saw how gentle König was with Marie.

He had risked his life to find books and yarn for her.

She knitted warm clothes for them.

The winter would be long and hard.

That was for sure.

Sometimes people traded seeds, the adults in this household had hoarded plantable seeds in their garage.

With clever management they would last the 3 for as long as they’d live… here.

As long as they’d live here.

Johnny groaned quietly.

“When the hell is he going to come back…”

The sun was nearly setting.

They had enough fuel for the generator to keep it running but they made an agreement to only use it in the winter.

The solar panels were still working but neither of them knew how to keep them intact.

One day, they’d have to pack up and leave.

Now it was summer, they could rely on heat, the rain.

The very few things that made life somewhat pleasant but once winter would come supply runs would be harder.

Maybe even impossible.

If they lost another ally among their ranks it would be over.

It wasn’t right to think like this, but if push came to shove he wanted to be the one to -

What’s wrong?

“I don’t know when… König’s going to come back. He’s running late.”

I don’t think it is a good idea for you guys to go out on supply runs alone, Johnny.

“I know, Marie… but I can’t just leave you here alone.”

You know I was in the special forces too!

Even when she signed every word she said, she still sounded angry.

“I’m sorry.”

I can’t lose either of you two. Not after all that has happened.

Johnny turned away, he didn’t want her to see the pain on his face. He needed to be strong for her.

“We need to prop up your beans tomorrow,” he turned back around, she got angry when he didn’t face her during conversations.

My tomatoes too. I need to start canning and pickling things. Did you find any salt on your last run? I need it for pickling. I might be able to make vinegar myself when the apples start coming in.

“I didn’t know you’re a chemist too.”

Very funny. One of the adults seemed to have good information on homesteading. What do you think I was reading every day?

He swallowed dryly.

Maybe something to get your mind off this horrible situation we’re in?

There was no way he could have ever said that to her.

“There’s movement in the woods!”

Marie jumped up, nearly tripping over her feet as she dropped her book on the ground.

“Stay back.”

Johnny’s voice was firm.

She touched his arm in confusion.

“Go upstairs and lock the door. Don’t come out.”

There were sounds in her throat that sounded like protest.

“Marie. Please.”

The firmness in voice was overtaken by desperation.

She squeezed his arm and ran upstairs.

Once he heard the door fall into lock he picked up his gun and stepped outside.

The stranger approached the house at a steady pace.

Who the hell… were they…

With a steady hand, Johnny lifted his rifle.

“Don’t fucking move or I’ll shoot!”

“Please it’s my daughter -“

“I said don’t fucking move.”

“… please my… daughter she’s very sick she needs a doctor,” it was only now that he realised she had been holding a toddler in her arms this whole time.

“Steaming bloody Jesus…”

“I-I promise we’re not infected it’s something else -“

Johnny felt his stomach drop, “I’ll be the one to make sure of that.”

He kept his gun at the ready as he approached the strangers, “Don’t try anything funny now.”

The woman tensed up as she saw the scanner in his hands. How in the world did he get his hands on it…?

“… you’re weren’t lying about the infection, but I still don’t know if I can trust you.”

Especially not since they still had no idea where König was.

“Please I…l…”

Stunned silence overcame the woman as she stared at the house.

Johnny didn’t dare to turn around but he already knew.

“Marie, I told you to stay back.”

The sound of her footsteps was firm and quick, he could hear her chatter.

It was the most noise she had made in years.

Can you show me the child?

“I-I am sorry I don’t speak…”

“She wants to see your daughter.”

“Oh! Of course,” the woman carefully unwrapped the child, both mother and daughter were roughed up.

Not the most ideal conditions for a sick child.

Marie took the child and rushed to the house.

The woman desperately looked at Johnny who sighed and gave in, “Go.”

He watched the women leave and kept a close eye on the tree line. Still no sign of König.

Inside the house, Marie carefully prepared a bath for the child.

It was the first time in years that mother and child saw clean, warm water.

Marie would have loved to explain that this house had its own water supply, they had found the connection to the well 3 days after… moving in.

… the family had hardly left when they came.

Nobody knew what had happened to them.

Or at least… she didn’t.

Johnny and König probably kept the information safe from Marie.

“My name is Louise Matthews… that’s my daughter Debbie. You’re… Marie?”

The woman only nodded knowing she couldn’t speak to the stranger.

“I’m sorry, the marines don’t really teach you sign language during basic training.”

Another soldier?

She could talk to Johnny and König later.

… if König would ever come home that was…

Marie drained the filthy water and rinsed off the child. She was lethargic.

But she’d be okay.

The little thing was emaciated.

She probably just needed proper nutrition and she would be fine.

Being clean and warm would help too.

A little boy and a little girl used to live in this house.

Marie had made sure to keep their rooms tidy, knowing full well they would never return.

She didn’t want to hand Debbie back to her mother, so she wrapped the child up in clean towels and carried her to the girl’s room.

“W-Where are your children?”

Marie only shook her head, remembering the little mounds of dirt and the makeshift graves, Matthews felt a cold horror creep up her spine.

“Oh my God I am so sorry -“

Marie sighed internally, she couldn’t explain to this woman that she had no children.

Maybe, in a different life.

In a kinder life.

If Simon was still…

She flinched at her own thoughts and hurried to get the child dressed.

Dwelling on it wouldn’t help her.

Once she held the sleeping child in her arms, she gestured for her mother to take a shower.

There were enough clean old clothes for two women.

The washing machine ran just fine too.

Lord knew for how long… König was strong enough to do the laundry by hand, that was for sure.

Marie watched the little girl sleep peacefully, she quietly left the room to prepare clothes for their… guest?

Yes, their guest.

Once she was done, she lifted little Debbie up and carried her into the living room. She prepared the sofa for the child so she could keep a better watch on her.

Matthews would probably take a long shower. Marie couldn’t blame her, she did the same when they first arrived. So did the boys.

Johnny slowly walked back into the house, dejected.

He would give König until sunrise.

… maybe 2 more days.

Then.

It would be time until their supplies ran out.

Two graves.

He’d never be able to cover his own.

The child just needs rest. She’ll be okay. Any sign from König?

“Not yet no…”

The gun weighed heavy in his hands.

Simon had taken himself out in an act of selflessness.

Price died protecting Laswell.

Gaz had sacrificed himself in an explosion to kill a bloater.

Only König, Marie, and him were left now.

How would they go?

Why are you looking at me like that?

Marie opened her arms to Johnny who could feel himself grow weak.

It had been years since he last cried.

She held him so gently that he felt every part of his body scream, every part of him ached.

For a better future, for the past they hadn’t cherished enough.

How he missed hearing her voice…

Marie hummed for him, at this point he knew he’d never hear her say his name ever again.

His fingers dug deep into the fabric of her shirt.

If only he had died and not Simon.

“O-Oh I’m sorry I didn’t mean t-to interrupt -“

They hadn’t noticed that Matthews had finished her shower until she said something. Johnny backed away from Marie and took position at the front door again.

Marie got up and walked into the kitchen to prepare food for the group.

It wouldn’t hurt to feed two additional hungry mouths for a little while…

Matthews felt awkward. Should she have stood quiet?

Either way, it would have been awkward for all parties involved.

She turned to Debbie who was still sleeping peacefully.

“Your wife is very kind,” the silence was getting too heavy.

Marie turned to Johnny in shock, who looked back at her with a firm gaze.

“She is. I’m lucky to have her.”

There was a faint blush on her cheeks and Johnny felt his tired muscles form a smile on his lips.

“What the hell…”

He grabbed his gun as he watched headlights appear in the woods.

Raiders?

Now?

They were done for.

It was a single car, if he’d shoot the wheels he’d be able to buy the group some time.

He watched Marie grab her kitchen knife, but gestured for her to stay back.

The door ached under the force that Johnny used to open it, gun raised he stepped outside.

“Don’t shoot, Seargent! It’s me!”

“How the hell did you find a working truck you madman?!”

König parked the vehicle in a safe distance to their house.

“Let’s say… there’s a reason this supply run took so long, come help me get these things inside. We got lucky this time around!”

He had filled a few crates with useful things he had found.

“I almost shot you.”

“That’s fair.”

They carried the goods inside, once it was all unloaded König noticed the new additions to their group.

“Oh, hallo.”

Matthews felt a cold shudder run down her spine, who in the world was that?

“This is König, he’s a… old friend of ours. König this is…”

“Louise, Louise Mathews and my daughter Debbie.”

The awkward silence spread once more, it was only interrupted by Marie’s happy chirping.

You found so many amazing things, König!

“I did my best,” he nervously shifted his weight and tried to laugh it off.

But he felt proud of himself.

It meant they could stay here, stay like this a little while longer.

Can you boys set the table please?

They wordlessly went to work, Matthews was kneeling next to her daughter, brushing the hair out of her face.

She didn’t mean to intrude on these poor people like this.

… normally people had to trade in order to receive treatment but she had already given up all her valuables for food.

She had to keep Debbie alive until she reached the settlement in which she suspected her uncle to live in.

News travelled faster now that people slowly began to adapt, and everyone knew someone.

But little Debbie had gotten sick, the rapid change of temperatures between day and night, running from the infected and hiding from raiders had taken its toll on the mother and daughter.

“Mommy?”

“Mommy is here darling -“

“I’m hungry.”

Little eyes opened wide, the girl sat up with the help of her mother and looked around, “Where are we?”

“I found a doctor for you, she’s a very kind woman.”

Debbie looked around and her eyes fixated on the people in the kitchen.

Mostly, the tallest one among them.

König nearly panicked when he realised that the child was looking at him, usually they were scared of him.

“Are you a real person?”

“I am.”

“Why are you wearing a bag over your head then?”

“The world is scary, it helps me be brave.”

Debbie’s eyes grew bigger, “Like Mr Waffles used to do for me?!”

“Who’s Mr Waffles?”, oh no. Johnny didn’t want to engage in conversation now here he was…

“My… oh… he was my plush bunny. I lost him, but he’s okay I’m sure! He makes someone else happy now!”

The three adults looked at each other, Marie gesturing towards the dining room.

After dinner, they could let Debbie play with the toys the children had left behind.

They walked over to the neatly set table, it wasn’t a lot of food but more than enough for the small group.

Enjoy your meal!

“She said, enjoy your meal.”

Matthews smiled apologetically at Marie, “Thank you…”

If it weren’t for the goodness of her heart, her husband probably wouldn’t have let Louise and Debbie stay, let alone get cleaned, dressed and fed.

She got that.

More than anyone else.

Protecting your family always came first.

“Why do you speak with your hands?”

Debbie watched Marie intently.

“She says, one day, I got very very sad. Sometimes when that happens, people will lose something important. I lost my voice, but I learned sign language for an old friend,” Johnny tried to hold back the tears that were welling up in the corner of his eye.

She didn’t have to be this honest but growing up in a world like this, you couldn’t possibly shelter the kids from everything.

“I lost Mr Waffles, that made me very sad. But I still have mommy! And you have your family.”

Marie smiled and chirped affirmatively.

Neither König nor Johnny expected her to ever speak again, but that was okay.

They finished their dinner in perfect silence.

It had been so long since Matthews had eaten a warm meal.

There was no way she could ever repay these people for their kindness.

A few large tears rolled down her cheeks, the adults let her cry.

Debbie reassured her mother that she wasn’t sad, it was okay that Mr Waffles was gone, maybe he had just found a child that needed him more.

What a good child she was…

“Please let me help you clean -“

Matthews stood up when the other adults did.

Debbie had found a safe corner in the dining room, a box of building blocks had caught her attention.

“You’re our guest.”

“I insist.”

Marie shrugged it off.

We will get done faster with help.

“You’re right,” Johnny sighed and gestured to Matthews to follow him.

On their way back to the kitchen, she finally noticed the little altar.

The picture.

Dog tags with names she had never heard before.

The children… this house didn’t belong to this group of people. But that wasn’t unheard of these days.

Matthews felt a little ashamed for making assumptions about the kind strangers.

But they had suffered a great loss, that was for sure.

“Are you guys ex-military?”

“No 10 horses would get me to join FEDRA, no matter what they promise us,” Johnny felt a stinging pain in his chest.

Maybe they would have lived if they had joined them.

If they stood in the QZ - no.

No, they had made the most sensible choices for themselves.

At the time.

They were still here.

Their friends had died so they could live, he would honour them by not questioning the choices that had brought them here.

“What about you?”

“Marines.”

Johnny only nodded, he had guessed that much. There were certain quirks that gave away who they were in another life.

None of these things really mattered now.

Their training was a joke when it came to the infected but it was good enough to keep other humans at bay.

At times, it were the humans that scared Johnny more than any clicker, stalker or bloater could ever do.

Once the kitchen was cleaned, the clock struck 1 in the morning.

“I think we should go to bed,” they secured all entry ways, locked up the windows and turned off the lights.

How could they be so sure nobody would come to harm them?

“We have… quite the reputation around these parts,” even that of being mind readers?

“I only heard of the doctor that lives here.”

König looked at Matthews for a good long while, “Then it’s just proof that people trust you. Otherwise, you would know what he’s referring to.”

There was no malice in his words, but for a moment Matthews felt nervous.

That at least meant Debbie was safe right?

If these people had a… reputation.

I can set up the guest bedroom for her, but I am sure she wants to stay with her daughter. Can you ask her what she wants to do?

“Your daughter would probably sleep better on a bed, we have a guest bedroom, but it’s separated from the kids room of course. We also have a cot.”

“I would like to stay with Debbie please,” Matthews highly doubted that she would sleep at all, but she appreciated the kind offer.

König and Marie walked upstairs first, setting up the accommodations for their guests.

“I… still don’t know your name,” Matthews watched the man intently. Out of all three, he had been the most cautious around her.

Every kind interaction seemed to slide off him like water off a duck’s back.

“John. John MacTavish.”

A little smile formed on her lips, “It’s nice to meet you, MacTavish.”

For the first time since she arrived here she watched him smile. It was broken. But it was still warm.

Matthews picked up her daughter who was fast asleep.

They walked upstairs, König and Marie waiting for them.

The medic, not doctor, checked the child one last time.

She should be in a stable condition overnight. I really think it’s just exhaustion.

“Debbie needs to rest, more than anything else right now, but you’re safe here,” Johnny gestured for König to join him. They walked down the corridor.

Matthews only watched them for a while, then she turned to Marie.

“I can’t… thank you enough for your kindness. I can’t give you anything in return I’m afraid, not right now.”

The woman only took her hands and chirped happy.

She knew that there was nothing she could tell her that Matthews would understand.

But she had given her something that Marie hadn’t felt in years.

Hope.

Hope for the future.

Maybe one day they would be okay.

She hugged the woman goodnight and rushed after the men.

Matthews closed the door of the bedroom and sighed.

Little plastic stars illuminated the ceiling.

Soft moonlight made Debbie look like a ghost.

The spectre of the life she was supposed to lead.

Happy and safe, surrounded by toys and books and dreams of one day growing up in a world that was open to her.

Not… a world overtaken by creatures that mercilessly hunted them down.

Louise sat down on the cot.

Normally she would have hated it, but she hadn’t slept in anything resembling a bed in years.

She felt tears well up in her eyes.

The world had ended.

But she still had to protect hers.

Once she lay down, she felt every cell in her body scream in agony. It had been days. Weeks.

Months even since she had last slept.

Power naps had kept her alive, but real actual sleep?

She hadn’t had that in forever.

The pillow was so soft and smelled nice.

Her blanket wasn’t too thick or too thin, the nightly breeze lulled her into a sound, dreamless sleep.

It was warm.

Bright.

Louise slowly woke up, but jolted awake when she found the children’s bed empty.

“Debbie?!”

Frantically, she got up, put on her boots and left the room in a hurry, the house was quiet -

Where was everyone?

Did something happen while she slept, did Debbie -

The sounds of joyful screeching echoed through the garden.

“You can’t catch me!”

“Don’t be so sure about that!”

Debbie was playing with König while MacTavish helped the good doctor prop up her tomatoes and beans.

All the fear and tension that had overcome Matthews fell off her.

“Good morning. We didn’t want to wake you up, you were sound asleep.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

She needed rest. The journey to her uncle’s settlement was still long.

There was no telling what obstacles they’d face.

If she wanted to survive, if she wanted to protect Debbie, she needed to be on top of her health.

“Why don't you stay a few more days? We could use a helping hand around here and it seems like König made a friend.”

It wasn’t anything the doctor had prompted, she was happily chirping while pruning her tomatoes.

“I would love that.”