#flying to Wyoming

[typewriter83]

Hi! I've been following your work for some time now, and I think you're such a prolifically skilled writer. I prefer the canon dynamic between Joel and Ellie, and the fact that their relationship has father-daughter themes but isnt purely that, yet also isn't romantic. However, I will dabble in some stories about Joellie and I do find that concept interesting. Just out of curiosity, I was wondering what your thoughts are on one of the OG fics, Flying to Wyoming? I noticed you mentioned it in a previous post listing fics. I know that while it's well-written, it's also considered a rather controversial (and at times, extreme) fic, and for good reason. I'm interested in seeing what other people think.

Oh, hello! First of all, sweet new cub, you’re too kind - I’m so touched that you enjoy my stories. Like sincerely touched. Thank you.

I came into the the TLOU fandom from the show, looking for Joel&Ellie stories, and had no interest in the romantic ship - shh, don’t tell the cubs - but it was fics that drew my attention and curiosity and eventually the brain rot sent in. I’m a fan of the canon dynamics too - minus Ellie’s treatment of Joel in Part 2, but that’s a topic for another day.

But yes, let’s talk about Flying to Wyoming because on the surface, it’s the quintessential Joellie story - discussion below the cut - it’s LONG, so buckle up.

FtW is one of those stories that I should have let lie, should have let it be a one and done, enjoyed it and never gone back. I read the entire 600k word behemoth in less than a week, which means I was speed-reading, skimming and not in great depth and detail. But at the end, those last paragraphs of the final installment, I was crying, like tears flowing down my cheeks and I wandered my house like I’d lost real people in my life. (Am dramatic, didn’t y’all know?)

The basic dynamics of the story are there - a sweeping epic, cross-country survival adventure where a teenaged orphan girl falls in love with her older male protector, one of the first people that’s ever protected her, ever put her first. Much like the canon story, Ellie starts off terrified of Joel and what he might be capable of, and Joel treats Ellie like cargo because he doesn’t want to get close to her and fail yet another that comes into his life. And, honestly, this story could have been a platonic story, 100% it would have worked - even with undertones of a teenager crushing on an older man, it would have worked. But, because of the twist the writer takes, we have a whole different angle that’s being built up to - trust me, guilt-ridden Joel is my bread and butter and there’s a lot of guilt in his inner dialogue. Ellie’s a very curious, horny teenager - which is pretty much on target for the character. I’ve written both these angles, myself, and so have others.

So, what’s my problem with it? It’s a lot. The change in dynamics after the FtW2 - it’s been awhile since I’ve read it, so if I mess up the timeline, that’s on me - Ellie is still 14 when they set out for SLC and the explicit sexual activities ramp up pretty quickly especially at the bed and breakfast. I’m judging here - okay, maybe a little, and I have no place to judge - but that’s a lot for a young teenage girl. My problem with it is simply a matter of opinion - Ellie was so young. Am I a prude? Was I sheltered? Maybe - or maybe it just wasn’t my cup of tea for reading material.

The writer is talented, his depictions of a broken world are brilliantly detailed. His depictions of how states would fight states and the scars left in the earth after battles that took place long before Ellie was born are gorgeously detailed. His descriptions of abandoned and desolate towns along the highways are incredible. Some of my favorite scenes come from their stops along the way, but namely the town at the edge of the Mississippi where they stop for bike repairs - it’s a real bonding moment for Joel & Ellie and the town’s description is vividly painted.

Those are my positive takeaways from the story - the writer draws you in with his depictions of the broken world and it’s part of the draw to the TLOU universe for me as well. The whole idea of two humans walking - or on the back of a bike - across a broken country, it’s just so compelling.

Back to the Joellie aspect of the saga.

It’s made very clear in the final story - which by the way is the best title: The Home at the End of the Road is just a perfect title to describe not only their home once they settle in Jackson, but Jackson itself is their home at the end of their long journey. I could weep - anyway, by the final story, it’s made clear that Ellie is considered an adult by end-of-the-world standards when she turns 16, and Joel is finally ready (at peace?) to give himself completely to her. I didn’t particularly care for the scene itself - it’s not how I would have written it, it’s not what I was looking for or expecting, but we’re not yucking on anyone’s yum here, it just wasn’t it for me.

The story jumps ahead by a good decade and immediately takes a sad, different kind of dark turn - we know Joel is mortal (for some of us, he’s not, but here he is) and the writer spends the last chapter showing that they’ve started a family but Joel’s mortality is this dark cloud over the home at the end of the road.

What I’m about to say next is entirely my opinion - I never had a chance to speak to the writer, he was long gone from ao3 by the time I read this story - this is my opinion. The idea of the war between FEDRA and surrounding communities felt like it was taken straight out of The Walking Dead - I don’t mean that in a bad way, just that it felt out of place for the universe. TWD and TLOU take place in different times beyond the start of their respective outbreaks - TWD is about 15ish years after the outbreak when the show ends and FtW is about 30-35 years after - that’s a big difference. I don’t think there are a lot of big communities out there in the TLOU universe - not like what was depicted in FtW, and an all out war against FEDRA. Again this is just my opinion.

When I set out to write Every Night Has Its Dawn, I wanted the epilogue to be an homage and draw inspiration from the final chapter of Home at the End of the Road. I wanted to show that living at the end of the world could be possible for Joel and Ellie and the family they have together. I was so devastated by FtW ending with not only Ellie losing Joel and one of her children, but then she loses her own life. It was too heartbreaking, and I had another vision.

That’s a lot of fucking rambling to get to the point. The story itself is a good story - the details and the way the Joel/Ellie relationship were written were not my cup of tea and I can see why you say that it’s an extreme example of the forbidden ship. It is. It’s a lot - there’s a lot of graphic descriptions of underage sexual activity, and it’s depraved, a lot of it. Does that make it bad? No, it makes it someone else’s enjoyment. It gives us writers inspiration though - there’s a lot he writes that I strive to write, but there’s a lot that I would change, and maybe did a little to fit into my universe.

Anyway, that’s my long winded take. If you stick around this long, y’all deserve a medal. Drop a line if you wanna add something to this. I would love to discuss more.

🫶🏻

[houseofcatwic]

Legends Of The National Parks - Anderson Design Group.

[theheadlessgroom]

@beatingheart-bride

"Doreen's told me the costumes are beautiful," Susannah grinned, her excitement only growing the more they discussed it: Seeing as she didn't exactly get out to the theater very much, she by and large only had others' word to go off, letting her best friend's excitable descriptions fuel her imagination, painting herself a picture of lavish gowns and suits, glittering in full color and rich details under the stage lights, lending a touch of magic to the visuals, accompanying the wonder that was the music.

"She told me she auditioned to play the little girl in The Nutcracker, and even started to learning to dance for the part," she recalled, as she put in her order with the waiter, declining his offer of a glass of wine to accompany her meal: It had taken a lot of convincing on Doreen's part, getting her parents to let her try out for the theater, but eventually, she wore them down, getting them to give in at last. Her plans for stardom were spoiled, however, by a twisted ankle during dance practice, much to her deep disappointment-and, as Susannah saw it, her parents' deep relief.

"I don't think they wanted her to be an actress," she shrugged-a shame, honestly, considering Doreen's skill as one, it was a shame she never pursued it beyond that.

"I could never do that-I think I'd get stage fright, honestly!"

[riderkaitlyn5]

North, reading a bedtime story: And then the princess was able to forgive the beast for-

South: How come the princess can forgive so easily but you can't forgive me after I broke your favorite mug?

North: How bout you shut the fuck up and listen to the story

[kramlabs]

[2024skin]

me, logging onto the man hating website to hate on my man: girls you will never fucking BELIEVE what he just did

[bookofrhymes]

Fishing the Salt

Salt River, Southeast Wyoming

Clark Kelley Price

[texasflycaster]

Best Fly Fishing States in USA

The best state for fly fishing in the USA is often considered to be Montana. It’s renowned for its stunning landscapes, diverse fisheries, and high fish populations, especially trout. Here’s a breakdown of what makes Montana exceptional, along with other top states that deserve a mention. 1. Montana Why it’s the best: Known for pristine rivers like the Madison, Yellowstone, and Missouri,…

[drugstorewizard]

Sights on the drives!

[mercerful-blog]

Grand Teton on Fujifilm Superia 400 35mm

[elliesbelle]

The way i would be buying a plane ticket to Wyoming once I got the okay from Parker ✈️ (i too am messy)

y’all don’t think that i wouldn’t have bought an immediate plane ticket to a—

[typewriter83]

Hey there, it's Miss Undercover again!

First of all your latest chapters for LtW were wonderful. As per usual, you spun this genius web where the storyline is far from canon but the characters still ring true. That scene with David accosting our poor Ellie was horrifying and had me on the edge of my seat. I only managed to skim through the last few chapters of this masterpiece of a work, but I'm looking forward to sitting down and reading it thoroughly. I love love love your Joellie. And I appreciated Maria taking accountability and stepping down from her position, as someone who sorely failed to notice the red flags that David gave off. She really grated on my nerves before but she's kinda redeemed herself by being mature and level-headed and apologising.

Also, regarding A Blanket Of Snow, I do have some specific examples in mind regarding Ellie's...inclinations towards Tommy being made clear. I'll spare you the time and tell you now so you don't have to go back and read. Basically, there's a scene where she has a dream where shes encouraging Tommy and Joel to sleep with eachother and then egging them on throughout the process of them getting it on. Definitely threw me for a loop, especially with the incest of it all! 🤣 You can truly find it all on AO3, the "A" in it could alternatively stand for "Adventurous" haha.

Also, her attraction to Tommy is subtly hinted through several other lines throughout the saga. There's a scene where Joel is admiring Ellie while she's unclothed, and Ellie says "Take a picture, it'll last longer." Joel says he would if he had a camera, and Ellie asks, "Would you show it to Tommy?"— then Joel says he would but he'd charge Tommy some money. There are also some lines here and there where in her inner monologue, she mentions having fantasies about having a threesome with Joel and Tommy. It's all very scandalously depraved lmaooo FtW Ellie's got that inner beast in her.

Well hello! I’m sorry it took a hot minute - but between writer’s block (damnit Joel, sit down and let me play) and catching a cold, typing is such a chore.

Joellie discussions below cut

Writing David takes its toll on my brain - it’s hard to write Ellie in such a precarious situation, and it does make me question where these ideas for her come from. I’ve written her into scary situations with David twice and a pregnancy loss - why do keep writing our girl into these situations??

Thank you for your kind words about the relationship I write - I try to shake it up a little with each universe I create but I do especially love them in LtW, both seem a lot more vulnerable and unsure of how to fit into the Jackson standard. They need each other in a different way than the other stories I’ve written.

I was just talking to a friend about Maria - how we love the idea of protective, Mama Bear Maria, but every time I sit down to write her, she opens her mouth and … whoops, she puts her nose where it doesn’t belong. lol, I do love writing her too. I have some interesting (I think) ideas for her in the next LtW installment.

Oh, AO3, you’ve always been a safe haven for the depraved - thank you so much. ABOS was written like a fever dream, and I know it was supposed to read that way; at some points Ellie wasn’t even sure which parts were real and which parts were going on in her mind. I didn’t dislike the story - but it was so convoluted that I couldn’t follow it and didn’t bother to stick with it (sorry, RW Daniels, if you ever see our ramblings).

I know there are a few writers that have explored the idea of Ellie/Tommy, Joel/Tommy and even Joel/Tommy/Ellie - and that’s what AO3 is for, to create a safe space for those writers and then the readers can find them. I just… don’t see it. Again, this isn’t to yuck on anyone’s yum, trust and believe I’m the last person to judge, but for me I like Ellie’s relationship with Tommy to be like a niece or baby sister. That’s kind of why the last installment of FtW made me go 🥴 with those fantasies and what ended up coming to fruition in the epilogue.

Anyway, Miss Undercover, it’s always fun analyzing with you 😘 what’s next??

🫶🏻

[1smolbean]

why are there military jets flying above my neighborhood

[realmoneystudio]

15 Unbelievable Places that Actually Exist

Unbelievable Places That Actually Exist, Amazing Places You’ll Never Believe Exist, Unbelievable Places that are Hard to Believe Really Exist, tourist places and beautiful places. Watch video of ”15 Unbelievable Places that Actually Exist” video by @topfives Watch video below… TAG: UNDERWATER WATERFALL MAURITIUS, GLOWWORM CAVE NEW ZEALAND, TIANZI MOUNTAINS CHINA, GRAND PRISMATIC SPRING…

[buddierecs]

presumed dead fics (buck)

hi! i did a inbox response to presumed dead with eddie which is linked here, but there was so many with buck (not surprised lol) so i wanted to do a full list, this list has different rated fics, so please look at the rating make sure to kudos/comment on these amazing works :)

five minutes by: onelonely_tortillachip "after the lawsuit, buck decides to take a small vacation to take a break from the stress of coming to work each day to a group of people who can't forgive him. he decides to fly back to wyoming to the ranch he worked on as a younger man. but the flight he is scheduled to take doesn't make it to its destination." word count: 71k rating: mature important tags: post lawsuit, angst, emotional hurt/comfort, depression, oblivious!buck, grief, survivor guilt listen to you breathing (is where i wanna be) by: yavilee "the one where buck is presumed dead after a building collapse and eddie has to live through the reminder that tomorrow isn't promised to anyone" word count: 41k rating: teen and up important tags: major character injury, hurt/comfort, mutual pining, heavy angst, panic attacks, grief/mourning, earthquakes whiplash by: soft_satan "thanks to a lack of communication, a horrific accident leads the team to fear the worst." word count: 6k rating: general audience important tagsL angst, hurt/comfort, car accidents, hurt!buck, established relationship, marriage proposal count my little scars (i've got dozens down inside) by: 118mgzn "evan buckley can’t look his best friend in the eye and tell him he failed, so he doesn’t. he stumbles around a drowning wasteland looking for the brightest little boy he’s ever known, and when he can’t find him, he just… keeps on walking." word count: 30k rating: teen and up important tags: post-tsunami, angst, hurt/comfort, slow burn, grief/mourning, whump, feelings realisation did you lose what won't return? by: chromatophorica "during a call, an explosion rocks the team in more ways than one." word count: 6.8k rating: mature important tags: hurt/comfort, worried!eddie diaz, team as family, hospital bed confessions, buried alive away from us by: marchling "a presumed dead story about forgiveness, grief, second chances and falling in love." word count: 76k rating: mature important tags: hurt/comfort, post lawsuit, hurt!evan buckley, team as family, second chances empty, broken, lonely, hoping by: daniwib "eddie's world crumbles when buck’s apartment building becomes engulfed in a cataclysmic seven-alarm fire, resulting in a devastating mass casualty event. amidst the chaos, eddie and the rest of the 118 grapple with the heart-wrenching belief that both buck and christopher have met a tragic fate within the merciless inferno." word count: 44k rating: mature important tags: post season 6, worried!eddie diaz, heavy angst, panic attacks, disassociation, grief/mourning, getting together in the back of my mind, you died by: zashizawa "buck is presumed dead. eddie is not okay in the time leading up to the discovery that he's alive" word count: 2.5k rating: not rated important tags: pre-relationship, angst, hurt/comfort, getting together, team as family a last minute switch, a lifetime of relief by: gothraven89 "buck is back at work but no longer back in the good graces of his family. besides hen, everyone else is still bearing a grudge, especially bobby and eddie. buck decides to take a break and go out of town, but what happens when he comes back to find everything is chaos. a switch at the last second, human error, a switched off phone, and relationships forever changed." word count; 57k rating: teen and up important tags: post-lawsuit, emotional hurt/comfort, angst

[kramlabs]