Thank you for filling this chasm of mine especially after completing TLOU2. It's incredibly well written and thought out, so much so that it all links up really nicely. Hope you are doing great and cheers!

Hey there, I may be a little late to the party (found this gem of a story only after finishing TLOU2) but just wanted to leave my thanks. Really enjoying it so far, the story is as good as it gets with tension, laughter and heartwarming moments. I know for certain that Tommy's story will stick and there will come a time where I mistake all these as actual events that happened during the gameplay.

Jesus, this story was absolutely wonderful! The way it is written and even the development of all the characters feels so real that I would believe that this is part of the canon. This fic is a damn masterpiece and deserves all publicity in the world for more people to know.
I read in your profile that you are currently working on a continuation. Honestly, I preferred a prequel to the events of TLOU 2, because the now canon story frankly sounds like a crap to me, except for the flask back.

I've never read stuff like this before and I've never even been on this website, but your writing is literally incredible- thoughts on Part 2? Wis someone with the talent to do so would rewrite it...

Ugh, what a beautiful scene to end this chapter and mark the midway point. I'm loving this story.

Hi there,

I have just finished reading your series and wanted to say that it is AMAZING. Brilliant written, and excellent story Arc to the whole thing.

Thank you for writing the missing pieces.

Xx

Thank you so much Astern for writing this story. It has been an absolute blast to read and I think you did all of the characters great justice. To do all this while also studying is amazing! I really hope you have had a stab at some other Last of Us fan fiction because this was awesome and it's been great filling the time while I eagerly anticipate Part 2.

Thank you again and good luck with your future ventures.

Absolutely loving this mate. I heard about it through reddit and so far I've gotten through 9 chapters. I think you capture the characters very accurately and the slow and steady decent into the character Joel is in the game is great. Love your work and it's nicely filling the gap until Part II comes out!
Thanks
Liam

IT IS COOL LOOK WORK THE LAST OF US 2

Damn. It's been so long since I've read or written fanfiction of any kind, but after reading Dirt, I find myself truly inspired. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication.

Honestly, finding decently-written work is a rare sight in most fanfiction. I felt as if I was reading a novel, exploring the collapse of modern civilization through Tommy's empathetic eyes. Right from the beginning, you could sense the tension between him and Joel; it wasn't going to be an easy journey, but they had to do what they needed to in order to survive. You have a gift for nonverbal communication made it so much more powerful when the brothers actually exchanged words, without drifting from what made these characters who they are. They were painted as polar opposites, and never once did their quarrels feel repetitive or irritating. For each disagreement or shake of the head, you could feel their distance swell. Joel, ever the cynic, retreating into the dark comfort of the brutal and unknown, and Tommy, the romanticist knowing he will never change his mind, but will damn well try.

Dirt is so far from anything else I've read in fanfiction, and it's so refreshing. I normally despise OCs of any kind and find it challenging to read something longer than 10 chapters. I admit I took a break between Baltimore in Boston, but with that epic scene on Christmas Eve, it felt natural. Javier, Judge, Anna, Breslin, Percy & Co., Donnie, Rodger, Max, Bas, and of course, Troy, were all very well-crafted, consistent, and felt as real as any character you could have met in-game. Each of them had their own voice, own goals, and own histories.

Speaking of history, I see why so many other readers consider this story canon. It fits so well with the world Naughty Dog created. I thrived on your descriptions of gritty, urban reality. You didn't hold any punches back when it came to depicting just how savage people become when all hell breaks loose. From boots scraping on pavement, to dank apartment buildings crumbling away, to wet slush on marble floors, we were right there with Tommy holding his breath while creeping past Clickers. We were there from the get-go, actually, huddled in the tent with ears straining to hear news through radio static. Tommy was always the protagonist, and you've given him every reason to reside in Jackson.

At the end, with as many references and other canon characters packed in here, might be why Bill didn't make an appearance. But, that could easily be drawn to A) he's part of Joel's backstory, not Tommy's, or B) there wasn't an opportune moment. As a fellow writer, I totally understand conflicts like these. I'm mostly curious on what your take on him would have been like.

Thank you again for all of your hard work. I mentioned before that it's inspired me, and I'm now working on a longer TLOU fanfiction of my own. I've been on hiatus for far too long from writing anything, really, and Dirt provided the spark for a reawakening. I feel like my review barely touches the surface of what this story actually is, so the most I can do is pass it on with glowing recommendations and favorite it. Many, many thanks to you.

Thanks Astern! I enjoyed reading your story for the second time through (with some new chapters addded since the last time.) -Andrew

The character that is canon but we didn’t meet in game is Alex. In the game he is one of the firefly pendants you find, tho idr where. Does not bode well for him.

Shit. Make us give half a damn about an OC, make him a likeable character, and then rip him to shreds in front of us. That’s one hell of a move, and I really like it. I really like how Joel is acting here. He isn’t just a dad anymore. He’s not just a victim, he killed someone out of hate, not self defense. This was an execution. He’s on that slope, the slope leading to him becoming a veteran survivor. It’s a natural transition. It feels realistic, like this is the kind of stuff you expect to happen during the 20 year gap. Javier was a person Joel actually liked since they’ve been traveling together for a year. It would have been nice if they got a little more interaction together other than just jokes. Maybe develop Javier more and have him and Joel connect some more before killing him off.

Interesting so far, you got down Tommy and Joel’s personalities well. Joel is the joking order brother in calmer situations, yet he’s still working off his grief. Tommy is still more idealistic, wanting to know for sure if people are infected before shooting. Joel is already hardened, he’s seen the horrors and he knows that he might have to take drastic measures if he wants to survive. This story lays out the details in his and Tommy’s past, how it all feels to see the world turn into hell. Still, I would like for you to overall be a little more detailed with the survival of these characters.
For example, the guns. A .99 handgun doesn’t exist, and I don’t know what you mean by a .357 with a chunk taken out of the handle. Is it broken? It seems to work just fine. You could elaborate on the models and calibers of the guns. You could say that the 9mm, which is what I assume you meant, was a Glock or that the revolver was the snub nosed smith and Wesson or Taurus. Just know more about guns, please. It can add a lot of detail and immersion to hear about what gear they’re sporting.
Also, only chapter two but there should be more arguments and more tension between Joel and Tommy. This is right after Sarah’s death, so Joel should be on an emotional rollercoaster like a pregnant woman and he and Tommy should bicker and argue and fight. I assume it’ll happen later more. Joel and Tommy could have gotten into an argument over whether or not to steal guns from the military. Joel could argue that they knew that the military had guns and they wouldn’t know where to find them outside the triage. Tommy could argue that it’s texas, lots of people have guns. They find one in somebody’s house for less risk. Joel could argue back that people with guns won’t be the ones who died and will not be willing to give them up. Plus, they never know when they’ll be attacked and Joel is down an arm. They need the guns. Something like that. But so far, it’s really detailed on survival immediately post apocalypse.

After a month, I've finally finished this. It was recommended to me by a good online friend who said it was, and I quote, "the best TLOU fic ever". My only experience with TLOU was watching a live first-timer Let's Play sometime last year (which made me fall in love with it), and I haven't read very much LOU fic. But Dirt is at the top of the rankings, and I'm 100% sure I will never find a LOU longfic as stellar as yours. I'd forgotten some of the smaller details, which only made certain scenes in this fic that much more of a gut punch. All of your original characters were excellent, to the point where I miss them terribly. And the final chapter and epilogue brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for writing this amazing fanfic, and for sticking with it. I will definitely be keeping an eye on you if you get any inspiration from TLOU2.
Oh, and- ((obligatory "ELLIE IS MY DAUGHTER AND ASHLEY JOHNSON IS MY LIFE" here))