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fragilefable · 11 months ago

Text

nobody's son, nobody's daughter.

Pairing: Joel Miller x Fem!Reader Rating: Mature (18+ minors DNI) Summary: When you and Joel get separated the night of the outbreak, you spend the next decade searching for him. Just when you've given up— a miracle occurs. Warnings: heavy angst, canon typical violence, character death (sarah), discussions of grief, very brief mention of suicidal ideation, alcohol used to cope, depression, suggestive language, lovers reunited, hurt/comfort, happy ending.

Word Count: 6.6k Currently Playing: Chemtrails Over the Country Club by Lana Del Rey ♪

A/N: This piece has been months in the making, hours of rereading and rewriting. This is my love child. I'm possibly (definitely) planning a part 2 with smut... ;) I am a full-time college student who unfortunately has other responsibilities, so please be patient with me. My first lengthy piece in a while, so please be kind & enjoy my doves!

Sleep was the most convenient temporary escape available in the post-cordyceps world. Oftentimes, if you were lucky enough, with sleep came dreams—glimpses of a divine, utopian life. One without spores or fungi of any kind. There was, however, always the chance that with it came nightmares—Polaroids of the past, the uprising of the infection. Mothers clutching bloodied children, decaying men ripping open flesh with their savage teeth, and, worst of all— losing Joel Miller.

Joel was... everything—neighbor, friend, lover. Joel hated that word— laughed every time it managed to escape your lips in a hushed whisper, but that was what you were to each other. It transcended explanation. You'd moved to Austin after college in hopes of starting over, a clean slate. Instead, you'd stumbled upon a single father and his then 11-year-old daughter. You fit into their life like the missing puzzle piece— you completed them. Sarah needed a motherly presence in her life. There was only so much Joel could do for the blossoming young woman.

And Joel— Joel never knew what he was missing until you came along. Someone to be able to rely on, to love unconditionally, a fixed constant. To say he fell head over heels was an understatement, but it became so much more than physical attraction. It became something far more profound and terrifying— love. The kind of love only poets write about. It was fierce, at times agonizing. That's what made losing him all the more heartbreaking.

You were with Sarah the night of the outbreak— Joel's birthday. Lounging around in plaid pajamas, waiting for Joel to get home from work. Despite being exhausted, Sarah was beaming with pride over her birthday present for her dad— his broken wristwatch now repaired and refurbished. You smiled mischievously, "And just where did you get the money to fix this, young lady?" Sarah grinned slyly, "Just lyin' around, it's not like he noticed it was missin'!" Hours passed, you and Sarah slumped against the couch: Fast asleep, soft snores escaping mouths, drool dribbling down chins.

The sight made Joel's heart quaver in his chest. Kicking off his muddied work boots, he carefully plopped down in between the two sleeping figures, planting a gentle kiss on the crown of your head. "Hmm. You're home," you stirred awake, drowsy eyes met with a welcome sight: Weathered tan skin and dark chocolate curls. "Hey, Darlin'. You outta head up to bed. I'll be up soon." You nodded faintly, planting a chaste kiss on Sarah's forehead: "Goodnight, sweet girl."

You fell fast asleep as soon as your body hit Joel's mattress, his scent engulfing you like a blanket of safety— a shield of sorts. The vague smell of sawdust and pine soap conquered your senses, a heavenly combination. An hour later, you felt the bed dip down, strong arms circling your waist.

Frantic hands shook you awake, calling your name weakly: "I can't find Dad. N' somethin' weird is goin' on outside." You sat up, Sarah's urgency pulling you from your hazy half-asleep state. "Don't worry, sweetheart, I'll call him. Go back to bed." Sarah ignored your suggestion and sat beside you as you reached for the landline. The call went to voicemail without hesitation: "Huh... That's weird."

Sarah grew more anxious by the second, "I'm gonna go check the driveway for his truck." Sarah shot up from the bed, feet pattering down the stairs. "Sarah! Wait, I'll come with-" Throwing on your Converse, you hastily ran out after her. Your tired eyes scanned the pavement but found no signs of Sarah or Joel's truck. The Adler's door was wide open; you huffed: "Sarah?"

The Adler's house was pitch black and eerily quiet, the family's dog nowhere to be seen: "Sarah? This is trespassing!" Tiptoeing through the living room, you halted at the sight of a ruby trail— blood. Grotesque, wet noises filled the previously silent house: "Sarah?" The teen bolted out of the kitchen, grabbing your hand and pulling you towards the front door: "Run!" Mrs. Adler scrambled after Sarah, mouth dribbling crimson liquid, no longer bound to her wheelchair.

"What the fuck–" Sarah's grip on your hand tightened as you passed through the door and stumbled onto the pavement. A pair of familiar brown eyes scanned Sarah's figure and then yours: "Sarah? Darlin'? Are ya'll ok-" Joel's words were cut off when Mrs. Adler dashed through the front door, her figure lunging for you.

Joel struck the side of her head with a wrench as you made a feeble attempt to crawl away. His strikes were lethal, and yet the elder kept thrashing against the ground. "Joel, stop!" Only then did you notice Tommy, Joel's younger brother, behind you, coaxing Sarah into the truck.

Joel exhausted Mrs. Adler with one final swing, dropping the bloodied wrench beside him and wiping his shaky hands on his jeans. His gaze softened when he saw your timid frame— shaking and unmoving. "Darlin'... Baby, are you okay?" His hands found your shoulders, rubbing soothing circles on a patch of exposed skin. You hesitated; Joel had just killed Mrs. Adler in cold blood— but she tried to kill you and Sarah first.

Joel hurriedly hoisted you to your feet, "We gotta go, okay baby? It's not safe here." You clambered into the backseat beside Sarah, the girl's arms thrown around you tightly. Kissing the crown of her head, you reassured her: "It's okay, sweetheart, everything's okay."

Neighbors began to exit their homes, baffled and disturbed by the sight of Mrs. Adler's bloody, lifeless body lying in the yard. Someone called out for Joel. He immediately instructed her to go back inside and lock the doors. Tommy beckoned Joel into the car, exiting the culdesac and taking off towards the highway. After a fleeting moment, you mustered up the courage to ask, "Joel, what's going on?" Tommy replied, "They're sayin' it's a virus- some kinda parasite." Sarah spoke up, tears forming, "Are we sick?" Joel shot the idea down immediately.

Tommy and Joel continued bickering, your eyes glued to the road ahead: "Joel! Look- It's Jimmy's place." The two-story farmhouse was completely engulfed in flames, unrecognizable. Your hands clung to Sarah, burrowing her head into your neck: "It's okay, sweet girl." Police sirens rang out through the darkness, interrupted by soft pleas for help. A family was stranded on the side of the road, begging for aid. Tommy began to slow the car. "What're you doin'?" Joel firmly questioned. Tommy shot back, "Got a kid, Joel."

"So do we. Keep drivin'," Joel spat. Tommy sped back up, eyes searching Joel's for an explanation: "Somebody else will come along." As Tommy approached the interstate, the sounds of disgruntled drivers grew louder: "Fuck! Everybody had the same fuckin' idea. I can't get through this." Joel gripped the dashboard, "All right, all right. Let's think it through," he paused for a moment, "All right, take the field! We cut across, and we pick up on the west side." Tommy steered right, the truck jerking on the uneven terrain. As he drove over the hill, helicopters and tanks came into view, "Shit. Fuckin' army."

Sarah peered out from behind the seat, "Isn't that good?" Your voice was filled with hesitation, "That's the highway we need to get to." Joel and Tommy argued, eventually continuing toward a town just east of the highway. Sarah stilled, "Maybe it's everywhere. Maybe there's nowhere to go." A booming roar erupted, Tommy twisting his body to get a better look at the night sky: "What the fuck?!" Commercial airplanes flew overhead, merely hundreds of feet above the ground. You instinctively covered Sarah's ears with your hands, eyes wrenching shut at the deafening rumble of their engines. Tommy swerved to avoid a police blockade ahead, turning into a nearby alleyway.

The streets were flooded with screaming civilians, running in every direction— no one sure who exactly they were running from. A hoard of people fled from inside a movie theater, causing Tommy to shift the truck's gear into reverse. "Dad?" Sarah called out, "Dad!" Joel turned; an airplane was rapidly descending— heading straight towards town, "Shit. Move!" As the plane made contact with the ground, a mushroom cloud of fire and smoke bloomed, causing Tommy to lose control of the truck.

A strong hand shook your leg, "Darlin'? Stay right there, don't move." Your side ached, cool liquid flowing from your head. Beside you, Sarah quickly came to, her eyes shifting to the figure hunched outside of the flipped car, clawing at the corpse of an older man. "Sarah, baby, don't look. C'mere, put your arms around me." As Joel carefully unearthed Sarah from the mangled truck, you climbed out of the shattered window: Hissing as you shifted against your arm. Sarah tried to put weight on her leg, provoking muffled whimpers and cries at the attempt. Tommy, equipped with his shotgun, called out, "We gotta get off the street!"

As you approached Joel and Sarah, a flaming police car crashed into the capsized truck, separating the three of you from Tommy. Tommy roared from the other side of the wreck: "Meet at the river! I'll find a way." Joel turned to Sarah, "Can you run?" She shook her head wearily. He scooped her into his arms, "Keep your eyes on me." Joel shifted towards you, "No matter what, you keep runnin'. Alright, darlin'? Promise me." You hesitated, desperate eyes meeting his, "I promise."

The three of you stumbled through the alley until you came across a cluster of bodies scattered across the pavement, crouched figures grunting over the lifeless figures. The end of the passage was clear. The only problem was getting past the rotted creatures without being noticed. There was no way Joel could outrun them in his condition. One of the creatures shot up at the sound of a remote blast, eyes landing on Joel. His voice was firm, "Go." You grabbed his arm, "Joel!" He repeated his command, louder— frantic: "You can't carry Sarah w'that arm. Go find Tommy. We'll meet you there."

You pressed a hurried kiss to Sarah's head, the deranged man scrambling to his feet before you could embrace Joel. You took off towards the other end of the alley, Joel and Sarah barricading themselves inside the vacant diner across from the pile of carcasses. Your body throbbed with every step, head burning with the fire of a thousand suns. Your feet carried you across town, weaving in and out of injured civilians and infected until you reached the river. The stream was pitch black, sounds of gunfire and cries rang out in the distance.

Suddenly, a bright light blinded you: "Put your hands where I can see 'em!" You obeyed, raising them as high as your injured arm would allow. Your voice raw with distress, "M'not sick! Just trying to find my family!" The man stepped closer, seemingly inspecting your physical state. He was clad in military gear, "You hurt?" You shook your head eagerly: "Just a sprained arm." He nodded his head, "Alright. We've got buses that can take you to a decontamination zone."

Your head scanned the vast field, eyes scouring for any sign of Joel or Tommy: "I- I can't. I'm supposed to meet someone here. At the river." The soldier looked dissatisfied and slowly lifted his gun, "The river goes on for miles. S'not safe out here." Your eyebrows threaded together in confusion, "What- are you- are you gonna shoot me?" The soldier's grasp on his automatic rifle tightened, "I'm sayin' you have two choices. You can either come with me or you can-"

A guttural scream sounded from behind him. But before he could turn around, a pair of arms seized his neck and began ripping into his military garb. The soldier flailed wildly at his attacker. While he was busy fighting off the deranged beast, you took off into the darkness, wandering aimlessly and calling out for your family. That night was the last time you saw Joel Miller.

16 Years Later

The bitter winter air overwhelmed your senses until you were gasping for air, limbs numb and cold to the touch. You wouldn't make it much longer without shelter, without warmth. You'd spent the better part of the last 16 years searching for him— for Joel. Ever since that night, you'd scoured every independent civilization, every QZ, within mobs of infected. Each night, you silently prayed never to find him like that— skin pallid and overcome with fungus, head split wide open, cordyceps blooming from within.

You'd trekked across the country with the sole intent of finding him alive and healthy. The journey was brutal— raiders and infected desperate for blood. But by far, the hardest battle was pushing away the nagging thought that, even if Joel and Sarah were somehow alive, you'd never find them. Now, after nearly two decades of searching, you were reaching the end of your journey. You'd officially trekked across the entire nation. If your estimations were correct, you were nearing Wyoming— hence the formidable cold front.

You'd heard rumors about a small civilization located somewhere on the skirts of Jackson County— your last stop. You knew the chances were slim; that feeling only fortified with each city, each civilian who hadn't heard of or seen anyone by the name of "Joel Miller." But you kept searching— because the day that you stopped would be the day you lost everything, lost yourself. It was as though he held onto you with a leash. If you tugged hard enough, could you finally break free? What else did you have to live for? Maybe one day you'd have some sort of epiphany, something to make sense of all the death and suffering. For now, Joel kept your hope alive— the hope that there was happiness and safety beyond all of the pain. The very thought of him kept you alive.

You stood in front of thick and rusted iron gates, your posture crooked due to exhaustion— Just one more stop. The sounds of cocking guns drew your attention to the top of the gates. A young man and woman stand there, rifles pointed at you: "Drop your weapon! Let us see your hands!" You obey. This is standard practice amongst civilizations— you'd done it a thousand times by now. Unsheathing and kicking away your pistol, you then throw your backpack towards the gate. Hands raised next to your head. Your voice wavers as you half-shout, "I'm not infected! Just looking for someone!"

The woman searched your face for a bit, presumably looking for any signs of deceit. She nodded towards her companion, the corroded metal walls unfolding. Two men approached you and picked up your discarded belongings. The younger of the two roughly patted you down and checked for bite marks. When they were satisfied, they led you past the gates into the town square. The village was pleasant, a handful of people milling about in the slushy streets.

A familiar voice erupts from behind you: "Please excuse the initial hostility. We need to be careful about who we let in... I'm Maria." She extends her hand. You accept it gingerly and introduce yourself. "Welcome to Jackson. You must be freezing. Come on, we'll talk inside." — Maria leads you inside a small building, the exterior reminding you of the Lincoln Logs you used to play with as a child. The inside is... quaint. A lone desk sits near the lit fireplace. Maria leans against the desk and motions for you to take a seat: "So... You're lookin' for someone. And you have reason to believe they're here?"

You sigh, allowing your aching body to relax against the couch's plush cushions: "No... I am looking for someone, but... Well, this is my last stop." Maria nods sympathetically, tucking a lone braid behind her ear— "I get it. You've been looking for a long time. It's about time to stop. To rest." You can't help the tears that form on your waterline. Your gaze shifts to your lap. Maria continues, "Who are you lookin' for?"

You swallow the fist-sized lump in your throat, "Joel. Joel Miller." Your attention snaps towards her as a wistful sigh escapes her lips. A tight frown dawns on Maria's face, "I'm sorry. There's no Joel Miller here." You nod; you knew it was a long shot, but hearing it aloud was something different entirely. You rise from the couch, "Thank you. I apologize for takin' up your time." Maria speaks up before you can reach the door: "Now what? You got a place to stay?"

You honestly hadn't thought that far, about life beyond looking. For years, finding Joel was your only purpose— your rationale for remaining on this infested hellscape. You had no home, no roots. Maria's voice interrupts your thoughts, "There's room here. We've got food and water— shelter. Hell, we're even working on electricity." You turn to face her. Her words dripping with verity, "Jackson could be your home."

Despite having just met her, Maria's words touched something buried deep within you— hope. Hopeful of a new life, of new beginnings. You forged a small smile, "Okay." Maria smiled, but it was much different from yours: It was toothy, genuine— "Alright. I'll give you the grand tour then." For the next hour or so, Maria marched you around town. She showed you the vast dining hall laden with maple furniture. The stables filled with mare and their young.

Then she showed you the schoolhouse. It was a small brick building. The walls were filled with colorful crayon drawings. Tiny handprints were pressed onto the wall in various colors of acrylic paint. The dulcet sounds of innocent laughter erupted from every corner of the room. Children from the ages of 5-12 were scattered around: Some doing arts and crafts, some reading, and others playing with worn toys. A tear slipped down your cheek. You brushed it away quickly before Maria could notice.

You couldn't help but think of Sarah. About the first time she knocked on your door— she was selling chocolate bars for some fundraiser at school. Her bronze complexion dappled with freckles, and her wide smile revealed a missing tooth. She was eleven at the time, eyes bright and full of wonder. Blind to the atrocities that loomed at every turn. Sometimes, you'd think about what she looked like now— did her curls still rest atop her shoulders? Did she still laugh until she was panting for air? She's thirty now... Has she fallen in love? That was considering she is still...

You didn't entertain the thought. Sarah was fine, alive somewhere with her father to look after her. Maria's touch pulls you from your thoughts, "How about I show you where you'll be living? Get you settled in." As Maria exited the schoolhouse, you stole one last glance at the room. A little girl met your gaze. Her dark curls were pulled into two ponytails. Her burnt mahogany eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled, raising her tiny hand and waving it at you. You returned the sentiment, this time allowing the tear to fall down and onto the ground.

Maria escorted you just outside of town, to a street lined with country-style two-story houses in relatively good condition. "This one here, the green one. It's already furnished. I'll have one of my guys come by later with some essentials from the pantry. Otherwise, you should be all set 'til tomorrow." Your eyes bore into the house. It was nice, but also... "It's big," you retort, "Don't know what I could possibly need all those rooms for." Maria lays the silver key in your hand, "You never know."

You internally cringe at the connotation. Start over with some man? Have a big family and a white picket fence? You couldn't. It wouldn't be the same. You let out a shaky breath, "Thank you, Maria." She nods, "Come see me tomorrow, and we'll talk about where to go from here. Everyone in Jackson has a job, a role to play. Rest up... You deserve it." She departs, leaving just you and your great, big, empty house.

3 Years Later

Jackson developed rapidly under Maria's supervision. The population rose from 50 to roughly 300 in just under three years. Jackson now had electricity, thanks to the Jackson County Hydroelectric Dam that Maria's team was able to get up and running. You'd become the head of patrol— in charge of organizing the schedules and determining the routes. You and Maria had become very close, practically family. She's the person who understood you, what you've been through.

In an attempt to busy yourself and earn your keep, you'd thrown yourself into working alongside her. Not just with patrols but also with community relations and development. You'd completely reconstructed the greenhouse, built a jailhouse— that, luckily, wasn't used much— and helped fortify Jackson's defenses. Maria assigned you the title "community leader," but you much preferred what everyone else called you: "Maria's right hand."

Your house was still too big, but now it felt homier— lived in. The walls were plastered with botanical paintings you'd found while out on patrol, vases of fresh cut flowers from the community garden placed upon every surface. Cable knit blankets were draped over the shabby leather furniture, the brick fireplace emanating warmth and bringing solace during the cold winter months. You'd even taken up baking in your spare time, frequently bringing baked goods to the schoolhouse.

Nevertheless, when the sun set and the sounds of bustling downtown Jackson faded, your thoughts always returned to Joel. His bronze skin, tousled brown curls, and perfectly plump lips. Suddenly, it felt as though the house was mocking you, and the right side of the bed always grew colder. Perhaps it's why you worked yourself so hard; taking a day off was seldom. You couldn't escape the persistent feeling that Joel and Sarah weren't alive. That you'd failed to find them time and time again because somewhere, they were six feet under, buried in an unmarked grave. All it takes is one moment— one lapse between heartbeats— and suddenly, everything has changed.

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The spring air was crisp with morning dew. A gentle breeze slipped through the cracked bay window. Three heavy thuds woke you— the sharp knocks cutting through serene silence. Your voice was raspy with sleep, "Coming!" You quickly pulled on the worn terrycloth robe that hung from the bedpost and stumbled downstairs. You swung the door open to reveal Stanley, a young man who worked in construction: "I'm so sorry to wake you, but Maria sent me to get you. She said it's urgent."

You sighed deeply, rubbing the remaining exhaustion from your face: "Urgent like, 'don't get dressed' urgent?" Stanley's eyes roamed across the dark fabric of your robe before snapping back to your face. His cheeks bright pink, "Oh, um... no! Just meet her in her office ASAP." Sending him off with a nod, you traipsed upstairs and threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before making your way downtown. It was early morning, the streets empty save the early risers milling about, getting ready for work. As you passed a group of older women sipping hot beverages, you overheard whispers of "an outsider." As Maria's righthand, you were expected to greet all incoming arrivals. How on earth that could constitute a crisis, you did not know.

As you approached Maria's office, the woman in question exited swiftly, shutting the door behind her. You grew closer, taking note of her fidgeting hands. She was... nervous? "Good morning, Mar. What's the emergency?" Maria's face was sullen. You'd never seen her like this, not in the three years you'd known her. Your hands clenched at your sides, "Maria? What is it?"

She took a deep breath, "This may be a false alarm, but... This guy's last name is Miller. Says he's originally from Texas." Her words stole the air from your lungs, a pit forming in the bottom of your stomach. She said something else, but all you could hear was buzzing. Your vision blurred, the dark-skinned woman's features coming in and out of focus. Could it be him—had Joel finally found you?

Maria called your name, pulling you from your trance. As your vision focused, you pushed past her. Your grip on the doorknob was bone-crushing, your knuckles turning white from the tension. You inhaled— don't get your hopes up. It might not be him. You exhaled, pushing the door open with a startling amount of force. You analyzed the man's figure, you recognized him— only it wasn't Joel. It wasn't the Miller whose calloused hands once traveled the expanse of your body, making note of each hidden crevice as though it may hold treasure. Whose lips once seared white hot kisses in the places he knew were the most sensitive— "Tommy?"

He looked dumbstruck, his lips parted in shock. Before you could stop yourself, you threw your arms around his neck. It took him a moment to reciprocate your embrace, but once he did, his arms anchored you in place. He spoke your name quietly against the crown of your head: "I can't... I can't believe it." You pulled away, "I hardly can either." His hands rested atop your shoulders as his eyes searched your face in disbelief. His resemblance to his older brother felt like a gut punch. You were afraid to ask— fearful of the truth: "Joel? Is he..."

Tommy's hand squeezed your shoulder in reassurance, "He's alive. Last I checked, holed up somewhere in the Boston QZ." A warm tear slipped down your face, the salty liquid resting just below your chin. You'd checked Boston QZ, but recent "terrorist" attacks had made it impossible to stay longer than an hour without drawing the attention of every FEDRA soldier in that godforsaken city. Your hands trembled as you clutched your chest, "And Sarah? How's my sweet girl?"

Tommy's face went cold— No. No. She can't— "She's gone." The taste of bile rose in your throat, "Wh-when?" Tommy removed his hands from your shoulders, "That night. Shot by some military fucker. She..." He hesitated, "Joel held her. It happened s'fast." Your kneels buckled, threatening to send you towards the ground. You fucked up— you let yourself get accustomed to the idea of her being alive. Repeated it over and over again until you believed it to be true. This was all your fault.

Your shoulders shook silently, as if you were crying— but no tears emerged, "I have to… I have to find Joel." Turning toward the door, Tommy caught you by your wrist: "I can't let you do that, hon. It's a damn death sentence." You tugged at your arm, desperate to break free from the restraint: "Let go of me, Tommy. I'm doin' this." Maria stepped forward, her hand resting at the base of your neck— "No, you're not. Jackson needs you here. I need you here."

Your breathing became labored. Deep down, you knew they were right— you were in no shape to travel across the country again. You'd barely survived it the first time. Chest heaving, your free hand found purchase on your throat, tightly grasping and constricting the airway. Tommy wearily let go of your wrist, his eyes wide and filled with fear. You ran for the door; you could hear Tommy call out for you as you fled homeward. Sarah was gone. Joel was alone.

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Days passed, and despite everything, the sun rose in the morning and the moon at night. You weren't quite sure how long it had been. You'd stopped counting daybreak after the first five came and went. Maria checked in after the first couple of days, worried that you hadn't been seen around town— or leaving your house, for that matter. Your grief was debilitating, all-consuming. You couldn't eat, could barely sleep, only finding relief at the bottom of a liquor bottle. You were tired… The kind of tired that sleep didn't fix.

Tommy came once. Sat and talked while you stared straight ahead at the empty wall. He could sense your anger, your resentment. How could he not? You silently judged him for leaving Joel, leaving his brother after his only daughter died in his arms. Tommy told you that Joel had changed. He wasn't the Joel you fell in love with; he'd done terrible things— But so had you. You'd killed innocent people, people who were just trying to protect themselves. And you did it in the name of finding Joel and Sarah, of surviving for them. You'd convinced yourself it was kill or be killed, and you had to live with that. Come judgment day, you'd pay greatly for your sins. You accepted that, too.

You only dared to look at Tommy's face once. You saw Joel in his eyes— you saw Sarah. Maybe if you hadn't left Joel in that alleyway, she'd still be alive. You could've protected her, taken the bullet for her. You would have, without hesitation. You'd cross the fiery pits of hell for her, reside in Caina, and be tortured for eternity. You may not have given birth to her, but Sarah was your daughter.

If you closed your eyes hard enough, you could faintly picture her smile. The dimples that formed just below her bottom lip. You could smell the faint aroma of her strawberry shampoo. Hear the broken remnants of her grandiose laughter. You swore to keep those memories someplace safe. Take them out and remember when you needed to, as if they were photographs.

A part of you wanted to be happy that she didn't suffer. She was too innocent for this new, heartless world. She was everything good in life. She was sunshine, sugary syrup, and pure, unadulterated love. But you could not accept this bright side. Not when it meant a life without her in it. Innocence is beautiful, but life is for living.

Tommy stood up, slipping a piece of paper on the nightstand. You cautiously turned it over to reveal a creased photo: You, Joel, and Sarah posing after winning one of her soccer games. You stole one last glance at Tommy. This time, he did not see blinding hatred in your gaze. Instead, he saw gratitude. As your glassy eyes bore into him, he nodded knowingly and left.

Maria came a couple of hours later with leftovers from the dining hall. Setting them on the counter next to the empty whiskey bottles displayed like pathetic trophies. You were in the same position as when Tommy left. You held the photo in your hands, thumbs stroking its frayed edges. Maria quietly dragged a chair closer to the bed, sitting just within arm's reach: "I went to a really dark place after I lost Kevin."

Tearing your gaze from the picture, one of her hands finds yours: "He made life worth living… It took me a long time to start to feel human again. To feel something other than pain and sorrow. The grief never goes away. But slowly, it starts to feel less like loss, and more like love." She inhaled shakily, "I know what you're feeling right now. I know why you're drowning your sorrows in that shit, trying to drink yourself to death." A tear slips down your face, her hand squeezing yours gently: "But you have to understand… What you're feeling right now, that's love. You're not a bad person for how you try to kill your sadness. But it's not gonna work."

You're unable to contain the choked sob that escapes your throat. The tears come harshly, scorching saline against your skin. Maria shifts her weight from the chair onto the bed, holding your shaking frame: "It's okay… Let it out." Her hands cradle your head, smoothing over your disheveled hair. "It's all my fault," you gasp between sobs, "I never should've left them. It's all my fault." Maria shushes you, "No, honey. You don't really believe that. You want someone to blame, but you're not that person."

Eventually, the tears cease. Your breathing evened out as Maria held you, "I miss Joel, so fucking much." You could feel Maria nod tenderly, "I know Honey." A lone tear slipped down your cheek, "Do you think— do you think he'll find me?" Maria pulled away, her chestnut eyes meeting yours, "Truthfully, I don't know." With a deep sigh, she squeezed your hand— "But I know he wouldn't want you to live like this. Isolating yourself from everyone else. You're allowed to grieve, but please don't shut me out. You're my person." You clutch her hands, squeezing firmly: "Even at my worst?" Her arms curled around your torso once again, "Even at your worst."

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The warmer seasons passed with haste. A wintertide blanket of white gradually covered Jackson. Day by day, Maria and Tommy were able to pull you out of your depressive stupor. You had to admit, they made quite the team. Maria was ultimately right, Joel wouldn't want you to spend the rest of your life a bedridden drunkard. But still, life without him was arduous. There wasn't a day that passed that you didn't think of Joel Miller. About where he was, what he was doing, who he was with, and whether he missed you as terribly as you did him.

As much as you wished to focus on these melancholic thoughts, new developments began to bloom in Jackson. Tommy and Maria's blossoming love was hard to ignore and impossible to disapprove of. Watching two people whom you adored fall in love, it felt as though nothing had changed: No cordyceps, no raiders, just Jackson and all of its inhabitants. Perhaps you could find peace in that. When Maria told you that they were expecting, you were over the moon. Maria and Tommy deserved it, Jackson deserved it. Proof that the world is not over— that no matter the circumstances, mankind will prevail.

You threw together a small wedding ceremony with the help of the florist and local bakery, the couple wanting to tie the knot before the baby's arrival. Joking about how "shotgun weddings" withstood the test of time. Something arose in you, a pang of jealousy— Envious that you and Joel never got the perfect white wedding. It disgusted you, so you buried it deep within the recesses of your heart.

The winter was hard, the Wyoming chill threatening every crop that dared to sprout from the Earth. This resulted in you spending extra time in the greenhouse. You found gardening to be a rather soothing task, being able to nurture new life in a world marked by death and decay. It also provided plenty of time to think: Something that you did not relish. No matter how many times you pushed the thought of Joel away, it always returned. Whether it was at dawn or late at night plaguing your dreams.

When you weren't at Tommy and Maria's house or at the Tipsy Bison, you were in the greenhouse. The small shack sat right on the outskirts of town, situated with the perfect view of downtown Jackson. The glass panes shut out the cold, trapping any warmth inside. You bathed in the basking glow of the sun, gravitating towards it as a Sunflower would. You weren't sure when thoughts of Sarah became joyous, memories no longer met with choked cries but instead with soft chuckles. Nonetheless, you welcomed the growth. It's how she would want you to remember her.

You watched the clock that hung just above the door, a mere estimation of the time: 12:15 p.m. You carefully removed your dirt-caked gloves, setting them on the wooden bench beside you. Your stomach growled impatiently as you began the journey downtown. The air was frigid despite the sun's rays, the cold slowly numbing your fingers. As you ambled towards town, Stanley came jogging towards you: "Hey! Just got word from the gates that Maria's back. Brought some stragglers, two, I think."

You nodded in his direction, "Alright. Thanks, Stan." The soft crunch of snow beneath your feet accompanied you as you approached downtown Jackson, an air of excitement and uncertainty radiating off of the townsfolk. It wasn't every day that Jackson came across people who weren't just blood-thirsty raiders looking for valuables. As you rounded a corner, you overheard a commotion, the sound of yelling. Strangely, it didn't sound angry or fearful. It sounded... happy.

Midtown came into view; the construction that was being worked on was now abandoned. Immediately, your gaze fixed on two figures in the middle of the street embracing. That was... not typical. You could make one man out to be Tommy; his black curls contrasted starkly against his warm taupe skin. The other was taller and broader, his hair disheveled and graying. Behind them you could make out Maria on horseback, next to her was a young girl, who couldn't be older than thirteen.

Maria's expression was borderline unreadable, a mixture of trepidation and relief. Until her eyes met yours, then her face softened. A look of tenderness emerged. Everything about this situation puzzled you— Until the two figures broke apart. The man stood inches from Tommy, his hands gripping Tommy's shoulders firmly. His face was sunken with exhaustion and hunger; a vast smile overtook his face. A smile you would recognize anywhere.

He looked just as he had twenty years ago, only now his hair was significantly longer and his beard gray. His face was now littered with wrinkles, just as yours was. A telltale sign that time had, in fact, passed, that the world fell apart right in front of your eyes. Your fingers dug into your thigh. You surely would've drawn blood if not for the layer of denim protecting your skin. You knew you were grieving, but hallucinations seemed extreme. You took a hesitant step forward, still on the opposite end of the street.

Maria beckoned for you. Your name seemingly catching Tommy's attention as he turned towards you. As the men stood side-by-side, it was impossible to deny. Their likeness evoked something in you— realization. You weren't dreaming, you weren't hallucinating. He was there, just a yard away: Joel Miller. His gaze found yours, eyes searching your face in disbelief. Your name left his mouth like a question, but it sounded like a prayer.

He stepped forward as if he was testing the waters. You repeated his action, "Joel?" A smile broke across his face once again, causing you to break into a sprint. He jogged forward, careful not to slip on the icy gravel. Tears began streaming down your face, their warmth countering the icy chill. Before you could slow down, your body collided with his. His arms were tense, his hold fastening around you. You'd only dreamt of this moment for two decades.

You weren't sure how long you stood like that. Head nestled firmly against his chest, tears staining his leather coat. His gloved fingers gently grasped your chin, pulling your face from its sanctuary: "Baby... Fuck, I can't believe it." His eyes searched your face for any sign of unease. He could find nothing but pure joy: "You found me. I searched for you, Joel Miller, for 16 years. And you found me."

Joel let out a breathy chuckle, cut off as you captured his lips in a velvety kiss. At first, it was chaste.— A silent admission of consolation, twenty years in the making. You ran your tongue across his bottom lip, prompting him to groan as he opened his mouth to deepen the kiss. After a moment, a loud cough erupted from behind you. You reluctantly pull away, your forehead resting against his. Your hands cupped his cheeks, eyes glassy with relief and adoration: "After all this time?" Joel leans forward to place a gentle kiss on the corner of your mouth, "Would wait forever f'you, Darlin'."

divider by @saradika

#joel miller x reader #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller x female reader #joel miller x you #joel miller #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller fluff #the last of us fanfiction #fragilefable #ೃ༄ wren writes

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tarjapearce · 1 year ago

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MIGUEL O'HARA PLAYLIST A03

ONGOING SERIES:

Bad Teachings: Miguel O'Hara. A retired 42-year-old teacher with a fistful of issues tailing after him. You were a slip in temptation of his already warped up world, his student. Nothing should come out of it, right?

(Initial College Professor/Older Miguel AU +18 ) Pt. 2 Pt. 3 Pt.4 Pt.5 Pt. 6 Pt. 7 Pt. 8 Pt. 9 Pt. 10 Pt. 11 Pt. 12 Pt. 13 Pt. 14 Pt. 15 Pt. 16 Pt. 17 Pt. 18 Pt. 19

Iridiscent Mermaids, a childish and fantasy tale. Or so, The infamous pirate, The Red Eyed Demon, or Miguel O'Hara, thought.

PirateAU! x Mermaid! Pt. 2 Pt. 3 Pt. 4 Pt. 5 Pt. 6

Mi Dulce Cereza (Ranchero! Novela AU!) Finding a path in life has never been so thrilling, but would you withstand life's punches?

Pt 1. Pt 2. Pt 3. Pt. 4 Pt. 5 Pt. 6 Pt. 7 Pt. 8 (UNDER REVAMP AND REWRITE)

NEW!! Pt 1. Pt. 2

Crimson Crown: (Royal AU) A dark king that is known to be ruthless, knows the true meaning of many things. War and love amongst them.

Pt1. Pt. 2 Pt. 3 Pt.4 Pt.5 Pt. 6 Pt. 7 Pt. 8 Pt. 9 Pt. 10

Of Flowers And Hummingbirds It was a simple retirement party at Alchemax. But Universe decided you'd get so much more.

Pt. 2 Pt. 3 Pt. 4 Pt. 5 Pt. 6 Pt. 7 Pt. 8 Pt. 9

The Immorality Of Love (Pretty Woman but Victorian Era Inspired) Pt. 1 Pt. 2

REQUESTS:

Dilf! Miguel HC (+18)

Impostor (Angst)

Workaholic (+18)

Ley Del Hielo (Angst)

As My Own (Fluff)

Bouncy (Mild mild +18)

El Charro Negro

A Wacky Spider (Mild +18)

A Life Ahead (Fluff)

Tentateur (+18)

Prey Game (Mild +18) Pt. 2

Marvelous (Fluff)

Complicated Birth

Food Daydreaming

Need a Hand?

Parallels and Opposites

Shorts, TWO Shots and Extras

Mating Season (+18)

Cast Away Pt. 2

Ways You Propose to Miguel #1

Lap Dance (+18)

Dragon AU! X Mermaid Reader Pt1 Pt2

Mi Dulce Cereza Extras 1 2

Crimson Crown Extras 1

SOCCER FAMILY AU

MIGUELVERSE (+18)

OTHERS

Clandestine Fight Club Reader x Knight Miguel

Imagine: Working Out With Miguel

Miguel x Reader x Punk! Miguel Pt 2

Plus Size! Reader x Miguel

Mafia Miguel Blurb

Dirty Thinking Migue

Thoughts on Him

PLAYLISTS (Coming soon)

Header made by me

#miguel o'hara #atsv miguel #masterlist #Spiderman 2099 masterlist #t writes✨#miguel o'hara x reader #soccer family ⚽🕷️#Miguelverse

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minhosimthings · 11 months ago

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The Symphony Smut Series

A series of oneshots based on lyrics from my playlists and their songs

Day 1: Lana del Rey's Gods and Monsters;

In the land of gods and monsters I was an angel, looking to get fucked hard - Lee 'Know' Minho (Skz)

Day 2:Lana del rey's Brooklyn Baby

My boyfriends' in a band, he plays guitar while I sing Lou Reed - Heeseung and Jay (Enha)

Day 3: Doja Cat and Starbo3's D!ck

She came in like an addict - Kim Sunoo (Enha)

Day 4: Cat Peirce's You belong to me

Do what you please to me, I won't resist - Jake (Enha)

Day 5: Lancey Foxx's Lancey or Lancey

Took her to Paris, she took her panties off- Felix (Skz)

Day 6: Lana del Rey's Peppers

We write hit songs without trying like, all the time, all the time - Han Jisung (Skz)

Day 7: Julia Michaels' Heaven

they say all good boys go to heaven, but bad boys bring heaven to you - I.N/ Yang Jeongin (Skz)

Day 8: Lana del Rey's Cherry

My cherries and wine and all of my peaches are ruined - Heeseung (Enha)

Day 9: Flo Milli's Rodeo Ride

He love how I ride it, hop on a dick made him get excited - Changbin (Skz)

Day 10: Skz's Red Lights

I cannot breathe without you being right by my side - Seungmin (Skz)

Day 11:Charlie Puth's Dangerously

I love you dangerously - Sunghoon (Enha)

Day 12: Staind "Right Here"

But you always find a way to keep me right here waiting. - Hyunjin (Skz)

Day 13: Amaarae's Angels in Tibet

Louvre and Armani I like how you say it - Jay (Enha)

Day 14: Doja Cat's Agora Hills

Suck a little dick in the bathroom - Chan (Skz)

Day 15: Doja Cat's Agora Hills

Kissin I hope they caught us - Sunghoon (Enha)

Day 16: Todrick hall's Both

I can make you moist or i can make you fire - Minho and Chan (Skz)

Day 17: The Neighborhood's You get me so high

We should stick together, you're my best friend I love you forever - Jake (Enha)

Day 18: Amaarae's Angels in Tibet

Touch me where you need to, I can give you more - Minho (Skz)

Taglist: @ramenoil @mynameisniya150 @demigodmahash + whoever wants to be tagged, send an ask my way!

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d1xonss · 5 months ago

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Fuck it, I love you

✧ Pairing : Daryl Dixon x Reader

✧ Era : Season 11

✧ Pronouns : she/her

✧ Genre : ⚠️ Smut (18+) / Angst

✧ Word Count : 7.8k

AN ~ This request was sent in by @daryladdixon, thank you again for the idea! I’m so sorry it took me so long to write, I’ve been having a lot of things going on in my personal life. But it’s finally finished! I really tried my best with this one and I hope you like how it ended up turning out!

(ps- I really want to make some new friends on here, so please dm me if you want to chat! xoxox)

You had been through a lot together. Ever since Atlanta. It was a long time if you really thought about it; years and years of having all kinds of different shit thrown at you. But surprisingly, the two of you made it side by side, the trauma you both endured only bringing you closer together.

Though now as you stood there, screaming and arguing back and forth with each other as a few of your people were in danger, you couldn’t help but wonder how the hell you got here.

When the Commonwealth appeared seemingly out of nowhere with open arms for new people, you couldn’t help but be weary of it. You never trusted them, not really. It was like a dream, something that was too good to be true as they seemed to offer quite a lot, but that only made you more cautious. And the events that followed only proved how right your instincts truly were. So, when the time came, you quickly jumped back on the opportunity to leave and go back to live in Alexandria, knowing that place would always truly be your home. You didn’t even have to think twice on the decision.

However, when you heard that Daryl would be staying behind, wanting to continuously be a part of Judith and RJ’s lives, you couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. You understood his need to be there for them, you would always understand that. But that didn’t mean you wouldn’t miss him greatly when you finally pushed forward to move back with Aaron and Gabriel.

Although something that you didn’t expect, was Daryl’s slight resentment toward you.

When you told him the news about how you’d be leaving the Commonwealth, he was surprisingly taken aback and a little hurt. He even began to raise his voice at one point, not meaning to yell, but to try and show you how devastated he was that you wouldn’t be around. It wasn’t often that the communities visited each other anymore, not like they used to anyway. And that alone told him that he would hardly ever see you anymore.

He hated it, but his reaction to your leave drove a small wedge between the two of you. He was upset that you were leaving him, and you were upset about how he reacted, knowing that he of all people should have understood your reasoning the most. But that was the last time the two of you had spoken, the last time the two of you had even caught a glimpse of the other. And it truly had taken a toll on the both of you. Though you two were far too stubborn to admit it, the truth was you missed each other greatly.

Daryl felt almost empty without having you around. He would spend his free time with the kids, see Carol here and there, along with meeting with some of the other acquaintances he had grown closer to. But he dreaded coming home every day, knowing he would be stepping into an empty and oddly quiet house. It just wasn’t the same without you there. He even caught himself a few times glancing over toward the living room, expecting to see you curled up on the couch with your nose in a book. But there was nothing. Hell, even Dog missed you, tugging on Daryl’s heartstrings a bit as he noticed the canine always looking around the space like he was waiting for you to come home.

And back at Alexandria, you were no better than him. Though you had a lot of things to occupy yourself with, you were going through the same heartbreak he was as the two of you hadn’t been apart for this long in years. A part of you assumed that this would be the new normal. That the two of you now had your separate lives and you would just move on from each other, even though it was far from an easy thing to do. You could now grow as individuals and learn to not depend on one another as it seemed neither or you were ready to have the awkward discussion on how things were left. You could move on.

That is until you received quite the urgent message.

You were in the kitchen of your small home when you heard someone just burst through the front door, causing you to freeze at the sudden noise. “(Y/N)?!” you could hear Aaron’s frantic voice call out.

Immediately you sprung forward towards the front entrance of your home, looking at him with concerned eyes, “What? What’s going on?”

“It’s Lydia and Elijah.” he breathed, “Apparently they didn’t make it to Hilltop. It’s been way too long, they should’ve been there by now.”

Your stomach dropped as you processed the news, “How long have they been gone?”

“They left two days ago.”

That only caused your concern to grow, knowing in the back of your mind that there was no way they could’ve gotten lost or side tracked. Something was wrong, and all you were able to think about was how you would be able to find them. You remembered they took a car, picturing what it looked like in your head as you racked your brain for which route they could’ve taken to the community. The fact was however, you couldn’t track to save your life. Even from the small bits and pieces you had learned in the past, you knew it wouldn’t be enough to find them on your own.

But that’s when it hit you. The small things you had picked up on, you learned from only the best tracker in the world. And in the back of your mind, you knew there was no way to do this without his help.

Soon you found yourself racing towards the Commonwealth without a second thought, telling Aaron to cover for you at the infirmary whilst you were gone. The man asked you multiple times if you were sure, if you really wanted to be a part of this knowing how much they relied on you back at home. But you didn’t have to think twice, you didn’t want Daryl to have to take this responsibility on his own. Though you knew he would do it in a heartbeat for his people, it didn’t matter to you. They were your people too.

You made it into the Commonwealth in record time, the guards on watch allowing you inside the second they recognized who you were, watching your vehicle speed down the road as you left a cloud of dust behind. The area was quite busy today as everyone seemed to be out and about and enjoying the nice weather, feeling a slight shiver run through you as you suddenly remembered why you hated this place. Too many bad memories to even count as living here felt like the longest few weeks of your life.

The car made a screeching sound as you brought it to an abrupt halt, causing quite a few heads to turn upon your graceful entrance as you pulled the keys out of the ignition, stepping out of the car to find him. Though you froze about halfway out of the vehicle as finding him was apparently a lot easier than you thought it would be, seeing him standing off with Carol as the two of you locked eyes immediately. He wanted to say he was happy to see you, happy that you were still alive and healthy, having not seen you in what felt like forever. But the look on your face said it all.

The man didn’t hesitate as he grabbed his crossbow and strapped it across his shoulders, not even bidding Carol a goodbye as he jogged over to you, squeezing past a few people in his way. You instantly tensed a bit, almost as if to prepare yourself for what was to come as you watched him get closer and closer, not even knowing what to say to him. All that time you spent in the car you thought over the different things you wanted to say, the things you wanted him to know. But now as he was coming up to stand in front of you, your mind ran completely blank as you just stood there like an idiot.

He took you in for a moment as he slowed to a stop, trying to read your expression as he could clearly see you wanted to say something. But when all he received was silence, he didn’t hesitate to pull you into him, embracing you tightly as he instantly sighed upon feeling your touch again. Your eyes widened at his actions, clearly not expecting that after how things were left between the two of you. But that didn’t stop you from wrapping your arms around him in return, your eyes falling shut as you buried your head into his chest. It was an old habit you had done many times in the past, but you heard Daryl’s breath hitch as he felt your small but familiar action. One that he had never forgotten.

“You okay?” he asked softly into your hair, squeezing you a bit tighter.

You let out a soft breath as you shook your head, “I need you.” you whispered.

After that, he was all ears.

You filled him in on everything as he was the one to take the wheel, driving just as fast as you once were in an attempt to track down the car Lydia had previously taken out. He silently listened the whole time, nodding to show he was still paying attention as he rubbed a hand over his chin, processing your words. The two of you were very clearly trying not to panic, but when it came to the people you both cared about, it was harder to stay calm than you would think.

But then there was just silence. An awkward silence. Neither of you uttering a word after you told him everything he needed to know. You slightly fidgeted with your hands that sat in your lap as you tried not to look at him, your mind only seeming to focus on how weird things were between the two of you now. That, and you kept thinking back to the very last pleasant conversation you had with him right before you stormed out with a slam of the door. A part of you regretted flipping out on him like that, mostly because you knew the reason why he snapped at you in the first place. It was because he didn’t want you to leave, and all you could do in response to that, was to yell right back out of sadness.

But what you weren’t aware of was that he was thinking the exact same thing. Great minds think alike after all. There was no doubt in his mind that he regretted everything he said to you that day, not knowing that it would tear this big of a hole in your relationship. Though he did have a reason as to why he acted so poorly, and that was simply because the man was incredibly in love with you. And it frustrated him that you couldn’t see that, but it frustrated him even more that you left him like it was nothing.

You then cleared your throat to speak much to his surprise, “So…how’ve you been?”

He briefly glanced over at you, shrugging his shoulders with a huff, “Same old, same old.” he brushed off, a beat of silence passing before he bounced the question right back to you. “How’re you?”

“Good…” you nodded, “I’ve been good.”

His eyes glanced back over at you again, taking in your appearance, “Ya seem happy.”

A small smile made its way onto your lips, “I am happy.” you confirmed.

Though it was partially a lie. Sure, you were happy back at Alexandria, living in the familiar home that you had fallen in love with, spending your time at the infirmary helping people. But there was always something missing, and that something was him. You found you were never fully happy when he wasn’t around, no matter how great your life could’ve gotten.

“Ya still changin bed pans?” he asked, a slight teasing tone to his voice.

You rolled your eyes with a small scoff, “Yeah, I guess I am. You still babysitting?”

He chuckled softly with a nod, glancing over at you again as if he couldn’t stop looking at your face, “Guess I am…” he confirmed.

You hummed, “How are the little gremlins anyway?”

“They’re doin alright.” he nodded, “Judith’s made a couple new friends since Gracie moved back, and uh…RJ’s startin to wear that old busted hat now…passin the torch I suppose.” he paused for a moment, “...They ask bout ya a lot.” he added quietly.

You smiled a little at that, “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” he nodded, “It’s hard for them to shut up bout ya. They’re always sayin shit like…bout the movie nights we used to have. Or how uh…you would do Jude’s makeup every once and a while. Believe me, I haven’t been a good replacement.”

A small laugh escaped you once he said that, not even wanting to imagine Daryl’s makeup skills as he didn’t have much of a steady hand as you did. “Didn’t work out too well?”

He shook his head, “Nah. M’ better at paintin her nails then paintin her whole damn face.”

You hummed as your eyes moved to glance at his hands, noticing the black chipped nail polish that still lingered on his fingers, “I can see she talked you into getting yours done.”

The man followed your line of sight, turning a bit red in embarrassment as he grumbled to himself, “Yeah…it’s hard to say no to her sometimes.”

“She just knows you're a big softie…you’d give a lot to make her happy.” you said with a small smirk.

He scoffed as he briefly glanced over at your face, “Whatever.” he mumbled.

You laughed softly to yourself before it went quiet again, only this time it was a lot more comfortable than before. With some of the tension out of the way, you felt like you could finally breathe properly, seeing as he was the exact same way you left him. It was almost as if no time had passed.

Though you couldn’t help the ping of sadness you felt as you thought over what he had told you, the kids missing your presence would never fail to break your heart. His words only brought the memories flooding back, thinking about how you once would nearly spend every waking moment together, like an actual family, and you loved every second of it. You now only wished everything hadn’t gotten so messed up, not knowing if things would be the same since your absence. If you were given the chance to redo that moment in time, you would do it in a heartbeat.

Daryl then glanced back over at you, seeing your mind wandering, his face forming into a bit of sympathy as he could only assume what you were thinking. He was never good with words, but a part of him wanted to reassure you somehow.

“I missed ya.” he mumbled quietly.

Your heart leapt a little in your chest as you heard his quiet words, looking back over at him to find that his gaze was already on you. You smiled sadly, reaching over to give his arm a squeeze. “I missed you too.”

He smiled back at you, fighting back a shiver as you reached out to place a gentle hand on his arm. It was a moment the both of you needed. And perhaps you weren’t the only one who needed the reassurance, seeing as he was visibly relaxing after your reciprocated words.

But it couldn’t last forever, no matter how much you wanted it to. The two of you sitting up a little straighter upon seeing the familiar car veered off to the side of the road, the front tires planted on the grass as if they had somehow crashed, yet there was no damage from what you could see.

Daryl immediately pulled off to the side, the car slowing to a stop before the two of you got out with your weapons in your grasp, approaching the vehicle with caution to peer through the slightly darkened windows. Though upon glancing inside, there was nothing. No bags, no weapons, nothing. Confusion with a mix of dread seemed to pool in your stomach as it was hard to tell how they disappeared, though you prayed you were wrong about what you originally assumed.

“Aye.” Daryl’s voice called out.

You glanced up at him from over the hood of the car, seeing him gesturing down to the ground in front of him for you to come and see. From your perspective, all you saw were a bunch of messed up and sloppy footprints that could’ve been there for days if you had to guess. But Daryl saw something much bigger. Though he didn’t want to scare you, he silently knew that there were a few strangers involved with their sudden disappearance, knowing he had to be careful on your next move.

“Our best bets that way.” he muttered as he nodded toward the treeline, not even waiting for you to respond before he started moving in that direction.

You tried to keep up with his long strides as he moved quickly through the woods, his eyes staying to the ground as he tried to pinpoint every direction they turned. It was honestly amazing to you how he could do this without hesitating or second guessing himself, he just knew where he was going as if he was following some kind of string that led straight to them. But in a way he was as you began to notice a pattern in the leaves and dirt.

Although you couldn’t help but notice that the closer the two of you got, the more rigid and tense he became as he stopped speaking to you entirely. He didn’t make a single sound as he walked, only occasionally glancing over his shoulder to make sure you were still following right behind him. The feeling in your stomach began to worsen as you quickly picked up on how much his body language seemed to change, as if he were screaming at you without saying a single word. You knew there was something he knew and you didn’t, but you couldn’t bring yourself to understand why he wasn’t telling you. You were in this together after all.

However, your silent thoughts were suddenly brought to a halt as you were too busy looking down at the ground to realize that Daryl had stopped, instantly running into his back with a small oof. But he hardly seemed to notice as his sole focus was on the small cabin in the distance that seemed to be completely abandoned. Though both of you knew better than to believe that.

“You stay right here.” Daryl’s voice commanded softly, removing his crossbow from his shoulders as he loaded a bolt into it.

Your eyes slightly widened at his suggestion, “I’m sorry?” you spoke in disbelief.

“Ya heard me, I said stay here.” he replied a little more harshly, “We dunno what’s waitin for us in there, alright? I’ll get em out.”

“I’m not just going to stand here while you throw yourself into the lion’s den, fuck that.” you replied with a scoff as you pulled out a weapon of your own.

He grumbled in slight annoyance, “Dammit (Y/N), ya ain’t comin with.”

“Like hell I’m not.” you quietly snapped, “We came out here together to find them, and now we’re going in there together to get them out.”

The man then got up into your face, as if trying to intimidate you enough so you’d stay behind like he asked, “M’ not messin around girl, I ain’t takin no for an answer.”

“Yeah, neither am I, jackass. You’re not going in there by yourself, that’s just stupid.”

His face contorted into obvious frustration and anger as he was clearly losing his patience, “Why the hell do ya have to be so goddamn stubborn all the time, huh? Why can’t you just listen for once?”

You huffed to yourself at the irony, “Well, I guess you can say I learned from the best.”

“Shut the hell up.” he snarled.

“I wanna know why,” you retorted, “Why won’t you let me go in there with you and back you up on this? You really think I can’t handle myself?”

He growled, “I never fuckin said that.”

“Then why?” you snapped, equally losing your patience just as much as he was. At this rate, whoever was in that cabin could probably hear the two of you arguing with one another with how loud your voices seemed to rise.

“Because.” he huffed.

“Why?!”

“Because I love ya too damn much ta lose ya in there! I just want ya safe!”

In an instant, the world went silent. The two of you were breathing a bit heavier from all the yelling, looking at each other with equally wide eyes. You were shocked that he said something so vulnerable, while he on the other hand was terrified that now he might’ve ruined what he had with you. It wasn’t an easy thing for him to come to terms with his feelings, but admitting them out loud felt like an entirely different ballpark. The man now just stood frozen, trying to anticipate your reaction as if he was expecting something negative.

But you surprised him.

“And I love you too damn much to let you do this by yourself.” you said, your voice now unexpectedly soft, “We’ve had each other’s backs for years…and this isn’t any different.”

Daryl stared at you with slightly wide eyes after you said that, not only because you refused to listen to him again, but because you said you loved him too. You loved him. He never in his wildest dreams ever thought it would be physically possible for you to love someone like him, but here you were, pouring your heart out just as he was. Neither of you had been very good about expressing how you felt for one another; there was never really a need for words as you both silently already knew. But now as everything was laid out on display, it was a new kind of uncomfortable that you both just wanted to crawl away from.

Though in the midst of all the tension, Daryl finally allowed you to come with him towards the cabin with a nod of his head, both of you preparing yourself for the sight you would see. But it wasn’t nearly as bad as you were expecting.

Both Lydia and Elijah were tied up on opposite ends of the small house, all of their supplies and weapons completely missing as they were left with nothing. Both of you were quick to untie them, taking them by the arms as they began to tell you that they were held at gunpoint by a few bandits, demanding that they give up all their things to them. And to make sure they wouldn’t follow, the bandits had apparently tied and locked them up inside for God only knows how long. You felt awful as you saw the minor injuries on them from the experience, but mostly you were just thankful that they were alive.

You spent the car ride back to Alexandria in the backseat of the vehicle, comforting Lydia as she leaned against you, telling you bit by bit of what she could remember. It was surely traumatizing for the both of them, and you wanted her to know that you were there to listen to whatever she needed to get off her chest. Even Elijah chimed in a one point once he was comfortable enough, needing to talk about the scary experience just as much as she did. But as for you and Daryl, neither of you uttered a word, not forgetting about the small moment you had just seconds before you found them.

The sun was beginning to set by the time the four of you made it back to the community, many people waiting in anticipation at the gates. But they were soon all filled with great relief as soon as they saw the two young adults step out of the car, receiving hugs and reassuring words the moment they realized you had brought them back safely. Though you were quick to usher the two of them back towards the infirmary when you got the chance, wanting to make sure the minor cuts and bruises would heal properly as you offered to clean them up before they went home for some much needed rest.

Occasionally you glanced out the window to see Daryl and Aaron still talking near the front gate, part of you wondering if he would just go home. Leave without uttering a word about the argument that happened between the two of you. Daryl tended to run from these kinds of things, you knew that better than anyone, but you couldn’t lie to yourself and say you wouldn’t be a little heartbroken if he did this time. You didn’t want him to go, not knowing the next time you would even see him. But another part of you didn’t even know what to say if he did decide to see you one last time.

Eventually once you were finished up you cleaned up the station you used, wishing Lydia and Elijah goodnight as you hugged both of them tightly. All was quiet in Alexandria as there were only a few stragglers left outside, the sun now finally nowhere to be found as you slowly made your way home. Though without even realizing, you subtly kept an eye out for Daryl. He could’ve asked to spend the night in one of the spare homes since it had gotten late, assuming he would want to leave in the morning. But then again maybe he just wanted to get out of here, go home to his own bed with Dog who was surely missing him by now.

But he didn’t even say goodbye.

Your chest felt a bit heavier at the thought, mindlessly walking into your darkened house as your mind continued to spiral at the events of today. Although you stopped completely in your tracks when you noticed the light illuminating your living room, swearing you hadn't forgotten to turn it off just earlier today. Hesitantly, you peered around the corner to see none other than Daryl sitting on the couch, seemingly lost in his own little world as he stared down at his hands. Though he sensed your presence almost immediately, his head snapping up as he quickly stood to his feet, feeling a bit awkward now realizing that he had just come into your house without your permission.

He then cleared his throat, “I uh…I didn’t wanna leave without sayin goodbye.”

You didn’t know why, but something seemed to snap inside you once he said that. Knowing that he was just going to run right back to the Commonwealth without a second thought. “Really? You’re going to rush back there tonight? Just like that?”

He gave you a look, “Don’t…don’t do that.”

You scoffed with a shake of your head, “Don’t do what? I’m just calling it like it is. I don’t see you for months, and this is how you want to leave things between us? With some pathetic goodbye, not knowing the next time we’ll see each other again?”

“Hey, you got no right sayin that shit to me.” he said with a slight raise of his voice, “Yer the one who left, remember? Not me.”

You laughed bitterly, “You can’t blame me for that. I was miserable there, and I know you were too! And yet you’re still living there day after day-”

“M’ stayin there because of those kids!” he cut you off, “You know damn well how important they are to me, so yeah, I’ll be miserable if it means I can still be there for em. I ain’t gonna just leave em there.”

“I’m not asking you to leave them Daryl! I know how important they are to you, you practically raised them. But that doesn’t mean you get to just shut me out of your life completely. You give me this whole sob story in the car about how much they miss me, and you miss me, but if I recall, I haven’t seen you put in an effort to visit me once!”

“Oh you gotta lot of damn nerve sayin that to me.” he spoke with an edge to his tone, both of you getting more worked up with each comment you spat at each other. “You only came back because you needed my help, like m’ yer fuckin errand boy or some shit!”

You let out a sound of disbelief as you point towards him, “Don’t you dare go there! You’re no better than I am, and you know it. You would’ve never stepped foot back here unless there was some kind of emergency.” you spat, “You never made an effort, not even once! And after everything you said to me…”

A certain fire ignited behind his eyes once you said that, “How the hell else you expect me to react when yer tellin me yer leavin, huh?! What am I supposed to do with that?!”

“Be supportive!” you yelled, “Be happy that I’m finally going back to doing what I love! That’s what you do!”

“Why’re we fighting again?!” he suddenly questioned in frustration.

“I don’t know!”

It had been nothing but back and forth between you two since the moment you saw each other, battling with your own overpowering feelings. It was weird to think about how you never used to be like this, you never so much as argued playfully in the past, and yet now here you are at each other's throats. The silence had never been so loud in the small dimly lit house, waiting for someone to make some kind of move.

But then suddenly, Daryl seemed to make up his mind as he stepped forward. He didn’t want things to end with you like this, the last thing he wanted was to see you upset. And the urge to just finally allow his feelings to unleash was getting more and more overwhelming, needing you to know how he really felt.

He approached you in record speed, not even giving you any time to react before he gently cupped your face, capturing your lips with his. Your eyes widened at how fast everything seemed to happen, quickly pushing his shoulders to get him off of you. He instantly backed away when he sensed your discomfort, now looking like a deer in headlights as he came to the realization that he made a huge mistake.

“I…m’ sorry, I didn’t-”

“No,” you cut him off, “I don’t want you to kiss me, just to make all of this magically go away. I want you to kiss me, because…because it actually means something to you.” you breathed.

His eyes softened as it clicked in his mind what you were trying to say. You didn’t push him away because you didn’t want it to happen; you pushed him away because you were scared it was completely meaningless to him. But that wasn’t true. It wasn’t true at all.

Daryl slowly stepped closer to you again, hesitating slightly before pressing a gentle, lingering kiss to your forehead, “It means everythin…” he whispered against your skin.

That was a fantastic answer.

The moment you heard his confirmation, you leaned up to kiss him passionately, your arms looping around his neck as you pulled him into you. He took a moment to recover from your movements, but soon he found he was kissing you back with just as much eagerness, gripping your hips tightly. His mind went hazy as he was on cloud nine, almost not believing this was really happening. He had pictured this moment in his mind a hundred times before, but truly nothing could have prepared him for the utter bliss he was about to experience.

The two of you quickly grew more desperate for each other as the gentle kiss turned into something much greater, your tongues now fighting for dominance as you let out soft sounds of approval and desperation. Without even thinking, the two of you inched closer toward your bedroom on the main level, already clawing desperately at the fabric of your clothes.

Your knees eventually hit the back of the bed, causing you to stumble a little as you fell back onto the mattress, pulling him on top of you as you didn’t want your lips to part for even a second. Daryl could already feel the fire building in his stomach, the strong urge spreading throughout his body as he began to crave you. His hands moved everywhere he could reach, as if he wanted to memorize every inch of your body, every dip and curve was some kind of uncharted territory.

You then felt him pull back slightly to break the heated kiss, needing to taste more of you as he left hot, open mouthed kisses across your jawline, making his way down at an incredibly slow pace. A whimper was pulled from your lips as his teeth grazed your skin, gently nipping at your flesh to leave a trail of love bites to your exposed neck. The stubble on his face that scratched against your skin somehow made it even better, tickling you slightly as it sent a shiver up your spine.

Daryl smirked to himself as he felt your muscles twitch, moving his mouth to drag his tongue along your chest, before he lowered his head even more to slightly lift your shirt, kissing along your stomach. Your hands grasped the hem of your shirt as soon as he pulled it up, easily tugging it up and over your head to toss it carelessly somewhere on the floor. He groaned as his eyes scanned over your new exposed skin, feeling you sit up slightly to unhook the back of your bra, before shrugging it off just as fast.

His lips parted, his eyes hazy and filled with lust as his hands came up to brush across the sides of your breasts, “God, you drive me crazy…” he muttered under his breath.

You couldn’t help but smile up at him, leaning in to kiss him again as his hand moved to gently massage your breasts, squeezing them with the perfect amount of pressure. You gasped softly as he rolled your nipple between his thumb and pointer finger, easily getting a rise out of you as your back slightly arched in response. He could feel your chest rising and falling rapidly beneath him, your impatience growing as you could feel your arousal pooling against the fabric of your underwear. Your hands then moved up to blindly undo the buttons on his shirt, your nimble fingers struggling a bit as you tried to keep up with his sloppy kiss.

He then grunted at your attempts, breaking away from you momentarily to rip his shirt off his chest. Quite literally. Your eyes widened as the buttons flew everywhere, the navy blue top now looking more like a piece of a fabric sample than an actual shirt.

You couldn’t help but laugh lightly as your hands reached out to feel his toned chest, “Hm…I wish you had another shirt just so I could watch you do that again.”

He smirked, “Don’t worry...I got plenty of other ways to put on a show for ya.” he spoke before he gave you a wink, his hands reaching down to tug on your jeans.

Your excitement grew as you sat up on your elbows, watching as he swiftly undid the button and the zipper of your pants before pulling them clean off your legs in one swift motion. He seemed to be very efficient, that's for damn sure. Though a wicked grin crossed the man’s face when he saw the small wet patch on your thong, his thumb teasingly running over your clothed core. You sucked in a soft breath as he gently pushed on your clit, your head rolling back and your toes curling at the shockwave sensation.

“This all for me? Hm?” he practically purred, his southern drawl bringing goosebumps to your skin as his thumb continued to tease you.

Your hands gripped the sheets beside you as you nodded your head with a small “mhm”, silently begging him to keep going.

He seemed quite pleased as his lip quirked up in a smile, “Mm that’s my girl.” he muttered softly as he placed a few lingering kisses on your stomach, his words causing you to spiral. You never thought he would say that to you, hell you never even thought you wanted him to say that to you. But now that he had, you never wanted him to stop.

His mouth then hovered over the elastic of your underwear, his teeth moving down to bite at it before he tugged the piece of fabric off of you using only his mouth. Well if you weren’t turned on before, you sure as hell were now.

Daryl then couldn’t wait any longer as the sight of you bare beneath him was beginning to be too much, his movements frantic as his belt jingled when he began to unbuckle it. Your eyes watched his every move as he tugged his pants and boxers off in record speed, kicking them off of his ankles to see he was already throbbing for you. The sight was enough to make you whine quietly, squirming in anticipation as his large frame hovered over you.

But although he was practically drooling to finally please you the way you deserved, he still couldn’t help but tease you a bit. And maybe, just maybe, he enjoyed torturing himself a bit as well. He dragged his tip through your soaking wet folds, the friction being enough for your hips to rock up in a sudden jolt. The sounds coming out of you were utterly sinful, and he loved it. Your hands again gripped the sheets below you, fidgeting relentlessly as he continued to tease your entrance, occasionally circling your clit which caused you to moan.

“Ah!” you cried softly as he barely pushed inside you, before pulling himself out just as quickly, “Please...” you whispered breathlessly.

He groaned lowly as he saw you practically falling apart for him already, leaning down to place a few kisses along your cheek, “Use your words, baby. Tell me what you want.”

“You.” you said instantly, “I want you…”

He smirked to himself, “I want you too sweetheart.” he kissed along your neck as he muttered those few words into your skin, “So much…”

The excruciating wait was finally gone in what seemed like a split second, not being able to hold back any longer as Daryl finally pushed himself into you. Your mouth dropped as your head fell back onto the bed, hearing him let out an exaggerated groan as he felt your tight walls already clenching around him.

“God…you feel like heaven sweet girl.” he mumbled as he fought to catch his breath, his mind swirling with ecstasy as he was completely drunk off of you. He couldn’t wrap his head around it, how you felt so perfect as if you were made for him.

Your chest rose and fell with rapid breaths, squeezing your legs around his waist, “Keep going...” you practically begged, physically needing him to move.

He didn’t need to be told twice. He slowly began to pound into you at a steady pace, watching your facial expressions to try and find what felt the best for you. You moaned sensually as his hips began to slap against yours, feeling the length of him moving in and out at a steady pace. Your hands then moved to trace up his bare arms, feeling his muscles flex underneath your featherlight touch as they landed on his shoulders, needing to feel more of him.

His breaths grew heavier as they came out in short pants, gradually speeding up, completely enamored with how your breasts bounced with each thrust he gave. Your hands began gripping his shoulders a bit tighter as your eyes squeezed shut, whimpering as you could already feel your orgasm begin to pool in your belly. How he was able to do that with little to no actions at all, you had no idea. But you didn’t care. It was like all the longing the two of you had felt for each other was just spilling out all at one time as you finally gave into your desires.

“Faster.” you panted, “Please.”

Your words spurred him on as he instantly began to pound harsher into you, the bed frame squeaking against the wall as his movements were quick and sharp. The pornographic sounds easily slipped from your lips as you felt him rock even deeper inside of you, causing your nails to scratch and grip against his skin. He groaned deeply as he felt your hands digging into him, only urging him on more as he rolled his hips whilst thrusting into you, a sharp gasp escaping you as he tickled that sweet spot so perfectly.

He liked that sound. He liked it a lot; rolling his hips against yours again and again in order to pull more of those beautiful sounds out of you.

You cried out blissfully as you felt yourself clench against him, the familiar tingling sensation vibrating through you as your legs squeezed around his waist to keep him locked in place. He felt a bead of sweat pool down his face as he groaned, leaning down to gently nip at your collarbone, hearing your moans of pleasure right next to his ear. He could tell you were getting close, feeling himself following right along with you, but a part of him wanted to be at your mercy. A part of him wanted to see you riding out your high on top of him, needing to snap a mental image of the most perfect thing he could ever lay his eyes on.

You were taken off guard as he suddenly slowed his movements, flipping you over so you were straddling his hips as he laid flat on his back. Your dazed and confused look made him want to chuckle, but he didn't. Instead, he spoke.

“Use me however you want…” he panted as he continued to gently thrust himself into you, “I’m yours, baby…completely yours.” he said softly, wanting you to be in control of him.

Though you didn't expect the sudden change of events, his words surprised you, and it turned you on. More than you were ever willing to admit.

After the initial shock wore off within merely seconds, you didn’t hesitate as you began to bounce on top of him, the new angle making your legs shake wildly. His big hands held your hips perfectly in pace as he matched your rhythm, silently thankful that you lived alone as the volume in the room was growing louder with each passing second. You watched as he threw his head back with a soft whine, keeping his eyes on you the whole time as you slowly started to find your release.

“That’s it sweetheart…that’s it.” he spoke soothingly as he leaned up to place wet kisses across your stomach, his thumb finding its way to toy with your clit to send you over the edge.

You cried out loudly as that was all you needed to come undone, your muscles twitching as you rode it out as long as you possibly could. Feeling you clench around him mixed with the lustful sounds that came out of you was all Daryl could take before he reached his own climax, swiftly pulling out of you as he groaned lowly against your skin.

You didn’t know how much time passed as the two of you were in a complete state of bliss, trying to come down from the incredible high you just experienced. You felt his hands trace soothing circles against your hips as his face was now buried in your breasts, feeling the heat of his breath dancing against your bare skin. A content sigh left your lips as you found yourself wondering why it had taken you two so long to do this. But then again you assumed it was never the right time, and in your opinion it was worth the wait. You couldn’t think of anything more perfect than this.

Daryl then began to come to his senses as his heart finally slowed down to a steady pace, his lips beginning to trail up towards your collarbone lovingly. Your fingers ran through his messy, tangled hair, growing a bit sad as you looked down at him, reality coming back to remind you that this couldn’t last forever. But a selfish part of you wanted it to.

“Don’t go.” you whispered.

He looked up from what he was doing, seeing the slightly distraught look on your face that instantly made his lips morph into a frown, “What’re you talkin bout?”

You shook your head, “Stay…stay here with me. Don’t go.”

His eyes softened as he raised his hands to gently cup your face, “Hey, I ain’t goin anywhere sweetheart. M’ stayin right here.”

“But…what about Judith? RJ? I can’t…I don’t want to make you choose.” you said softly, fearing that in the back of your mind, things would just go back to how they were. Regardless of the passion you shared.

He smiled softly, “Baby, you ain’t makin me choose. We’ll figure somethin else out together, alright? Because I do know one thing…I sure as hell don’t want us to be apart like that ever again.”

You slowly nodded your head in agreement, “I don’t want that either…you have no idea how much I missed you. Leaving you was one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.”

“It ain’t gonna happen again. I promise.” he said before leaning in to gently kiss your lips.

You didn’t know how, but his words mixed with the gentle kiss seemed to slowly melt your worries away as you couldn’t think about anything else but him. In the end you knew it would work itself out, feeling more content in this moment with him than you had felt in a very long time. Daryl made a mistake on letting you leave, his own frustration stopping him from preventing you from walking out that door, telling you how much you meant to him. Though he couldn’t change the past, and all those long months you missed out on with each other, he sure as hell could plan for the future.

And he was never planning on letting you go again.

~ Thanks for reading!

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umi-no-onnanoko · 7 months ago

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100 domande curiose

1. Libro preferito?

2. Autore preferito?

3. Poesia preferita?

4. Ti piace scrivere?

5. Ti piace leggere?

6. Disegni?

7. Ti piace l'arte?

8. Sei mai stato/a ad un museo?

9. Artista preferito?

10. Film preferito?

11. Attore/attrice preferito/a?

12. Regista preferito?

13. Colonna sonora preferita?

14. Saga preferita?

15. Personaggio preferito di Harry Potter?

16. Personaggio preferito di un libro?

17. Personaggio preferito di un film?

18. Serie tv preferita?

19. Canzone preferita?

20. Cantante preferito/a?

21. Band preferita?

22. Hai mai scritto una canzone?

23. Hai mai scritto una lettera a mano?

24. Hai mai ricevuto una lettera scritta a mano?

25. La pazzia più grande che hai fatto?

26. Ti piacciono le sorprese?

27. La sorpresa migliore che hai ricevuto?

28. La sorpresa più bella che hai fatto?

29. Quale pianeta visiteresti?

30. Preferiresti essere una sirena o una fata?

31. Quale decade preferisci?

32. Sei una persona creativa?

33. Quale lavoro vorresti esistesse?

34. Quali animali vorresti si unisserero per dare vita ad una nuova specie?

35. Pic nic al mare o in montagna?

36. Ti piace il teatro?

37. Hai mai visto un balletto?

38. Sei mai stato/a ad un concerto?

39. Hai mai cantato in pubblico?

40. Hai mai ballato in pubblico?

41. Adotteresti un bambino?

42. Adotteresti un animale?

43. Moto o auto?

44. Preferisci nuotare o volare?

45. Quale personaggio Disney pensi di essere?

46. Quale villain Disney ti rappresenta?

47. Quale cultura ti affascina?

48. Se potessi condividere un senso (tatto, vista,olfatto, gusto,udito) con la tua anima gemella quale condivideresti?

49. Vampiro o licantropo?

50. Credi nella fiamma gemella?

51. Temporale o arcobaleno?

52. Musica classica o rock?

53. Ti piace recitare?

54. Hai mai suonato in pubblico?

55. Hai mai recitato in pubblico?

56. Sai leggere i silenzi?

57. Sai rispettare i silenzi?

58. Soffri il solletico?

59. Riesci a fare ridere gli altri?

60. Sai ascoltare?

61. Ti fidi?

62. Ti piace fare foto?

63. Sei fotogenico/a?

64. Musica in streaming, Spotify, CD o vinile?

65. Anime preferito?

66. Manga preferito?

67. Meglio i manga/anime di ieri o quelli di oggi?

68. Cartone animato preferito?

69. Il tuo cavallo di battaglia in cucina?

70. Il piatto che proprio non ti riesce?

71. Quale colore non sopporti?

72. Cosa non può mancare in casa tua?

73. Quale tua caratteristica vorresti avessero anche gli altri?

74. Cosa "rubesti" da un altra persona?

75. Come organizzeresti il primo appuntamento?

76. Come vorresti fosse il tuo prima appuntamento?

77. Faresti il primo passo?

78. Amicizia uno a uno o gruppo di amici?

79. Le parole che vorresti sentirti dire?

80. Cosa vorresti dire agli altri?

81. Credi nel destino?

82. Credi nella fortuna?

83. Pratichi la gratitudine?

84. Ti senti cambiato rispetto a 10 anni fa?

85. Cosa cambieresti di questi ultimi 10 anni?

86. Come ti vedi tra 10 anni?

87. La famiglia è solo quella di sangue?

88. Gli amici sono una seconda famiglia?

89. Si deve sempre perdonare chi si ama?

90. Cosa non ti perdoni?

91. Vorresti tornare bambino/a o diventare adulto/a?

92. Vorresti essere del sesso contrario al tuo?

93. Balletto preferito?

94. Ballerino/a preferito?

95. Conosci il messaggio dei fiori?

96. Giorno o notte ?

97. Alba o tramonto?

98. Freddo o caldo?

99. Sole o pioggia?

100. Scegli tu questa domanda

#domande #noia #100 #100 domande #quiz #test #domanda #questions #question #bored #compagnia #life #vita #ask #gioco #game

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collageofnudes · 6 months ago

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Gloria del Sol (Gloria Sol) for Metart

part 14 / 18 (part 1 , part 2 , part 3 , part 4 , part 5 , part 6 , part 7 , part 8 , part 9 , part 10 , part 11 , part 12 , part 13 , part 15 , part 16 , part 17 , part 18)

#gloria sol #metart #blue top #blue heels #beige couch #gloria del sol

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baby-ana1 · 6 months ago

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Consejos para bajar se peso:

1. Has ayuno intermitente, es realmente efectivo

2. No superes las 800 calorías diarias

3. Todo lo que tenga 0 calorías puedes consumirlo durante el ayuno, así que puedes probar tes, café, jugos light, lo que tu quieras

4. Comprar ropa que te quede pequeña para verte obligado a bajar de peso, ya que si no lo haces, no vas a caber

5. Pasar frío. Es un mito que el calor ayuda a bajar de peso, solo te deshidrataras, pero el frío si ayuda a bajar de peso. Cuando uno pasa frío el cuerpo se ve obligado a quemar grasa para producir calor corporal

6. Si vas a vomitar, preorisa alimentos líquidos, son más fáciles de vomitar

7. Date premios no relacionados con la comida. Por ejemplo: comprárte ese pantalón que siempre quisiste pero que nunca pudiste comprar por que no lo ibas a poder usar, ir a ese lugar que te daba vergüenza por tu peso, etc.

8. Consigue a alguien que tenga el mismo objetivo y ayunen, hagan ejercicio, etc, juntos. Es mucho más divertido y efectivo.

9. Evita lácteos y asucares, es lo que MAS te hará engordar

10. Intenta que tus comidas no tengan variedad de alimentos. Vieron que cuando se llenan al comer, por algún motivo todavía pueden comer el postre? Eso es porque el cerebro manda señales que te hacen comer más en presencia de variedad. Si buscas comer menos, evita esa variedad.

11. Toma mucha agua, entre 2 y 3 litros por día

12. Has al menos 6 mil pasos diarios (parecen mucho pero no lo son)

13. Eviten comer cosas del paquete, no se van a poder controlar

14. Priorizen las proteínas para no quedar skinny fat

15. Hagan actividades que no los hagan pensar en la comida

16. El agua tibia con limón ayuda mucho al metabolismo

17. Evita las yemas de los huevos, un huevo entero tiene 75 calorías, pero la clara sólo 17, osea que la mayor parte de las calorías son por culpa de la yema

18. Usa platos y cubiertos pequeños si tienes alguno, harán creer a tu cerebro que la porción es más grande de lo que realmente es y te sentirás más saciado.

19. Has pilates. El pilates es lo mejor que le paso a este mundo

20. Haste estas preguntas a ti mismo antes de comer cualquier cosa

¿Me voy a sentir bien con mi cuerpo después de comer esto?

¿Realmente tengo hambre o solo estoy aburrido?

¿Me voy a arrepentir de comer esto?

21. Pasar frío puede quemar de 60 a 100 calorías cada 25 minutos

22. Selecciona UN día, solo UN día para quitarte las ganas de todo aquello que se te haya antojado durante la semana. Que sea siempre el mismo. El motivo es que si tienes un día en lo que puedes comer lo que quieras se disminuye la probabilidad de un atracón.

Si te dices "no voy a comer esta galleta hasta que sea delgada" van a pasar las semanas y vas a ver que todavía no eres delgada, lo que significa que todavía no puedes comer la galleta y te vas a empezar a desesperar. Lo siguiente que pasará es que vas a dejar la dieta, porque ya no aguantas las ganas.

En cambio si tienes un día designado para comer lo que quieras, te dirás "no comeré esta galleta hasta el sábado (o el día que quieras)" y al pasar los días veras que el día para comer SI se acerca y sabes cuando es, lo que te ayudará a resistir.

Obviamente, cuando llegue el día, no te comas todo lo que se pase por delante tuyo, come únicamente esos alimento de los que estuviste más antojado en la semana.

#no quiero comer #no quiero ser gorda #quiero ser flaca #ana y mia #tw ana bløg #estoy gorda #princesa ana #tc4 #4nor3xia #princesas ana y mia

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rogersandclarke · 1 year ago

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mutual 1: see the thing about obi wan is that even if he could get pregnant he would do a force-abortion on himself because he believes that strongly in adoption

mutual 2: do you think matt damon was seething and coping when j-lo dropped "dear ben" or do you think matt and ben were still hooking up at this time? essentially if the album dropped in 2002, the bennifer engagement is nov 2002-january 2004, and matt gets married in 2005,

mutual 3: my ebay bidding war for paul reubens's spit in a jar is going really well due to the psychic attacks i've been sending to the other bidder

mutual 4: local authorities wont let me into this abandoned hoarder house in rural wyoming. dies horribly. #i love drunk driving

mutual 5: listen ive studied rpf for years you dont understand. the homoerotic undercurrent of britpop is a different breed than what george and bob had going on. theres a playful aura facilitated by the early 90s

mutual 6: i am going to pound philip seymour hoffman into the ground so lovingly

mutual 7: im doing crazy things to davy jones pussy over here

mutual 8: thinking of writing my thesis on the evolution of rpf #no don't look at my lb diary yes i watched 10 martin & lewis movies this week

mutual 9: you see robbie and bob were having on and off trysts ever since robbie stopped him from killing himself in 1966 but it took martin scorseses tender devotion to show robbie how unhealthy that was

mutual 10: thankfully neil young started estrogen in early 1970. otherwise she never couldve made harvest

mutual 11: how minutes of semi-truck sound effects do you guys think i can play on my radio show before people start tuning away

mutual 12: put this post underwater sorry. but i just feel so angry when people post about their mutuals like they're people they never talk to. i've moved to different countries three times for my mutuals.

mutual 13: [picture of orson welles and anthony perkins laughing on the set of the trial] do you think they ever fucked #hot! #who said that

mutual 14: i think i could fix norman bates if we got married and adopted the eraserhead baby together.

mutual 15: [picture of a computer fucking itself]

mutual 16: m sooooo girl drink drunk daveeeeee

mutual 17: eroticism of the machine? uhhh yeah only if the machine is a sexy car #STOP PUTTING THOSE COMPUTER PICTURES ON MY DASH

mutual 18: my warriors in maine are one step closer to slipping cocaine back into stephen kings food so he can be a good writer again

mutual 19: you don't understand. walton goggins isn't just gay in the show. he also walks gay in real life. you have to understand this.

mutual 20: im going to kidnap mike stoklasa and only release him when he makes a post coming out as bisexual

EDIT: ETHAN LET ME POST THIS: mutual 21: do you think lana del rey and joan baez are hooking up. why is lana with her everywhere and introducing her documentary and doing all these things. we KNOW joan is bisexual. do you think

#WITH WES BARSTOOL BLUES AND SAMMY COLUMBOSUNDAY! WE MADE IT #sk #happy matt damon tuesday

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sweettofuki · 5 months ago

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Hoshina Soushirou | Sparring in the dead of night

genre: Fluff, slow burn, sexual tension. Pairing: hoshina x fem summary: y/n was training alone one night when Hoshina noticed the door was ajar. As they sparred together, they sensed a deeper tension between them. a/n: I honestly wanted to just write about how y/n licked the blood coming from her nose off smexily. So the ending might not be smooth. Petnames: doll, sweetheart. WC: 1.8k

“Fuck” you exclaimed. You didn’t dodge in time when a kick landed on your gut.

“Too slow,” Hoshina said, with a smug grin, begging to be punched off. At least that’s what you have been trying to do the past hour…

Hoshina slowly circled me. “Focus up y/n. Or not the next kick will end up not just on your stomach.”

[☆]

Y/n is a highly skilled recruit with extensive combat experience, having been trained in self-defense from a young age, and taught by her military father. Hence, earning her a top position among few recruits in her platoon, with exceptional combat abilities.

During the recruitment exam, when you donned the combat tech suit, your unreleased combat power was 11%—notably higher than the average recruit entering the defense force.

However, ever since you joined the Third Division, you couldn’t help being competitive and insecure about your strength.

During the third phase of the recruitment exam, you realized the huge gap between you and this year’s recruits in terms of strength, skill, and experience in neutralizing kaijus.

Having to compete against other recruits who had studied years of Kaiju neutralization before entering the Defence Force. Not to mention having a current unreleased combat power of 18%. Days go by as you watch your colleagues get stronger every day while you feel yourself falling behind.

What’s worse is that you’re not the only one who noticed this. Recently, the vice-captain had been pushing you harder during drills. “y/n! Three more laps!”

Under Vice Captain Hoshina’s piercing gaze, nothing escapes his sight.

[☆]

Hence why you have been staying up late at night to practice. Every night when everyone had already gone to bed, you silently make your way to the training room. Tonight was like any other, with you absorbed in your sparring session with a dummy, venting your frustrations.

Deeply lost in your thoughts, you didn't notice the training room door was slightly ajar.

“Oho, working hard I see.” you got startled by your Vice Captain’s voice out of nowhere. You turned around to see him leaning against the doorframe.

“Sleeping’s part of the job too ya know,” Hoshina said, wearing his usual coy expression.

“Jesus Christ. You can’t just sneak up on me like that! How long have you been standing there??”

He chuckled. “Long enough to see that you could use some extra help.”

He slowly strolled towards me, hands deep in the pockets of his jacket.

You narrowed your eyes. “Please, enlighten me,” you said.

“First off, your form is wrong. You need to widen your standing stance and strike low to get a more powerful punch.” He smiled, slyly. Then he pushed your feet back using his leg. “Try it.”

You stare at him for a moment, processing his words, before getting into his stance and following through. BAM! The dummy flew backward.

You raised your eyebrows. “I can’t believe his advice actually worked.”

Hoshina whistled. “Nice one y/n. “

"Now.” He added with a sly grin, “Would you like me to show you more ‘extra help’?”

He said as he unzipped his jacket, revealing a tight shirt underneath that barely left anything to the imagination. His biceps strained against the arms of his shirt, emphasizing his broad shoulders, now visible without his baggy jacket. He stretched his arms as he stalked over, a glimpse of skin peeked out from under his shirt.

“Shall we begin?”

And that’s how it led to both of you sparring in the dead of the night.

[☆]

You doubled over, the pain radiating through your entire midsection. You could still feel the rush of air escaping from your lungs where he kicked you.

You tried to walk it off, refusing to let him see how much it hurt.

“Oho. Acting strong now? Not bad though, I will give you that. Ya have a strong gut. Usually, with that kick, my opponents would be sent backward like that dummy.”

You clicked your tongue against your teeth. “Fuck o—”

“I suggest you not to finish that y/n. Unless you want to end up like your colleague Furuhashi. He had to do 100 push-ups cuz’ of that.” He warned sternly. However, despite the tone of his voice, his expression said otherwise. His eyes glinted with amusement, and his grin widened menacingly.

We slowly began to circle one another, refusing to back down from the other. Our eyes locked in a deadly stare-off, beckoning the other to move first.

Tick. Tick. Tick. In silence, the clock on the wall ticks every second.

Once the second-hand clock struck midnight, both of you surged forward simultaneously. You unleashed a series of calculated strikes, testing your opponent's defenses. Your punches were swift, but Hoshina matched your move for move, deflecting each blow with precision and practiced ease.

Feeling a surge of frustration, you switched tactics, got down, and swiped your leg over Hoshina’s legs. Unfortunately, Hoshina has fast reflexes and jumps in time to avoid your attack.

As soon as you stood back up, he feinted a low kick before aiming a high roundhouse toward your head at lightning speed.

You couldn’t counter in time.

In a split second, your world exploded into pain as a powerful kick crashed into your temple. The impact sent shockwaves through your skull, and you felt liquid warmth trickling down your face.

You staggered back, stunned by the force of the blow. Blood streamed from your nose, splattering on the mat below. You blinked rapidly, trying to clear your vision. Through your blurry vision, you caught a flicker of hesitation in Hoshina's eyes before he closed in, seizing the advantage.

“As a recruit, you should always be on alert and ready for surprise attacks.” He says, throwing another punch.

Gritting your teeth against the pain, you raised your guard, blocking another aim at my midsection. You struggled to regain your footing, your head still spinning from the blow. Every movement felt sluggish, your body protesting the punishment it had endured.

You staggered back again and wiped off some blood from your upper lip with your thumb. Your eyes flickered down at your bloodied thumb. Then you chuckled before locking eyes on Hoshina, swiping your tongue to lick the blood off your upper lip. “Playing dirty are we, Vice Captain?” you grinned.

Hoshina froze, his eyes locked on the blood on your lips. Unbeknownst to you, his mind raced with several thoughts, his heart pounding faster. No matter how deeply he breathed, it felt like you were stealing all his air. Slowly, warmth crept into his cheeks.

“Fuck, I need a cold shower after this,” he thought, unable to tear his gaze away from you.

He snapped out of his thoughts and refocused on you.

Fortunately for him, despite his internal turmoil, his expression remained nonchalant.

You lunged at him once more. He countered with a punch, but this time, you swiftly dodged and side-stepped. With a surge of determination, you used his forward momentum and threw him over your shoulders.

You quickly straddled his hips and held onto his wrists, pinning him down on the mat.

You breathed heavily down at him, still feeling the adrenaline coursing through your veins.

I stared down at him, his usual fox-like eyes widened with shock.

“What was that you said? As a Vice Captain, you should always be on alert and ready for surprise attacks. You should start showing an example Vice Captain Hoshina.” I grinned smugly.

A moment of surprise wrote on his face before his face became blank. An indifferent expression with a slight tilt at the end of his lips.

“HUHH? There was barely any force in that throw! And you finally landed a hit on me the past two hours.” His eyebrows furrowed.

“Pshaw. I would still take it as an improvement.” I smirked.

“Doll, if you want bigger improvements, I would suggest training more. Maybe with me, privately.” Hoshina said, lowering his voice on the last part as his warm hands gently wrapped around mine.

“W-what?” You said softly, warmth rushed to your face.

He effortlessly pushed you up and sat up as if your weight pinning him down meant nothing. In that brief moment, with his face mere centimeters from yours, you could have sworn his eyes flickered down to your lips. His hands gripped your hips momentarily... before gently pushing you off and rising to his feet. Bending down, he extended his hand to help you up.

“I meant that you can always come to me if you want to train. My door is always open,” he said, raising an eyebrow and stifling a chuckle at the sight of your flushed cheek.

“Yeah I knew that,” you mumbled.

A moment passed before you realized you were still holding his hand. Embarrassed, you tried to pull away, but he swiftly grabbed your hand back and pulled you toward him. His free hand cupped your chin, forcing you to look at him.

Your eyes widened in shock, but when you met his gaze, you saw his crimson eyes were just as wide.

Before he realized what he was doing, he reached for your hand, grieving the lost warmth as he interlocked his fingers with yours.

He cursed silently in his head.

As you stare deep into his crimson eyes, you feel a mixture of nervousness and excitement. The intensity of his gaze is captivating you, making it impossible to look away. You feel the rest of the world fade away as time seems to stand still, leaving just the two of you in this moment.

His grip on your hand tightens slightly, and you can feel the warmth radiating from his skin, sending shivers down your spine. The air between you crackles with an unspoken tension, and for a fleeting second, you wonder if he feels it too.

His thumb reached up to rub the blood off your lips, lingering there for a moment.

"How is your head? Is it still in pain?" he asked softly.

"Y-yeah I'm okay." You stammered. "I'm kind of getting headache now though." you added as you narrowed your eyes at him.

Hoshina chuckled lowly. "My bad doll. I swear I didn't mean to hit you that hard! I'm sorry."

He removed a strand of hair from your face and tucked it behind your ear. His hand stayed there and gently rubbed your cheek, as if to apologise.

The intensity of his gaze mixed with your anxiousness got to you, so you turned your head away.

“Look at me, sweetheart,” he said softly, in a gentle command.

You followed the force of his hand as he tilt your head back to him. “If…you keep looking at me like that,” you mumbled. “You might make me think that you actually like me.”

He paused for a moment, hesitating to say his next few words.

It made you wonder if you had spoken out of turn, if this wasn't what you had imagined.

“Y/n, I—”

RINGGG

Suddenly, a burst of alarm interrupted him.

“A kaiju alert,” he said. “Couldn’t come at a better time than this..” he sighed as he looked back down at you.

“Let’s continue this after the mission, shall we, Doll?” he said.

“As long as you promise to stay alive instead of sacrificing yourself.” You said, raising your eyebrows at him.

“For you, I will.” He said as he smiled softly.

#hoshina soshiro x reader #kaiju no. 8 #slow burn #enemies to lovers #soshiro hoshina #Spotify

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oceandolores · 3 months ago

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𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 | chapter 11

dbf!joel miller x female reader

"I don't care where as long as you're with me."

summary: you finally feel like yourself again.

warnings: 18+ only, Minors DNI, AU, No outbreak. (TW) mentions of substance abuse/alcohol use disorder, adult content, religion abuse, violence, blood gore, mentions of death, sexual abuse, sexual content, domestic violences, ped0ph!l1a, cann1bal!sm, human traff1ck1ng, dad's best friend!Joel, HUGE age gap (i will not specify her exact age, but she's legal and Joel is 49), daddy issues, mentions of toxic family dynamic, Joel is widowed, Ellie is 16, angst, smut A LOT, forbidden relationship, soft and protective Joel, innocent and pure reader. your last name is Gibson. any other details will be explain throughout the story. inspired by the album Preacher's daughter by Ethel Cain and also mix with lana del rey vibes.

CHAPTER 11

masterlist of the series!

previous | chapter 10

next | chapter 12

The house was unassuming, hidden deep within the woods, a place where the world seemed to slow down, wrapped in a silence that felt almost sacred. As Joel pulled the truck to a stop, the headlights caught the outline of the modest, two-story house, casting long shadows over the overgrown path that led to the front door. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, a stark contrast to the suffocating air of the town you’d left behind.

Joel stepped out first, his eyes scanning the area, his hand resting protectively on the small of your back as he helped you out of the truck. The night was quiet, save for the distant chirp of crickets, but you could feel the tension in Joel’s body, the way his muscles were coiled, ready to spring at the slightest hint of danger.

You clung to his side, your steps faltering as exhaustion washed over you again, the events of the past day pressing down on your chest like a weight. Before Joel could knock the door as he carried you with his other hand, the door swung open, revealing Bill's face.

Bill’s grip on the shotgun tightened instinctively, his eyes darting between Joel and you, clearly assessing the situation. The man was all hard edges, a fortress in human form, and in that moment, you realized why Joel had brought you here. Bill was the kind of person who could handle whatever storm was brewing behind Joel’s haunted eyes.

“Jesus, Joel!” Bill barked, lowering the shotgun. His voice was rough, laden with concern and a tinge of anger. “What the hell are you doing here in the middle of the night? Where’s Ellie?”

But then his gaze landed on you, and you could see the shift in his expression—confusion, alarm, and something else that resembled pity. You felt small under his scrutiny, aware of how disheveled you must look, drenched in sweat and blood, carried on Joel's arms.

“Who the hell is this?” Bill’s voice softened slightly, but his suspicion remained.

Joel adjusted his hold on you, his grip firm yet gentle, as if he were afraid you might break apart. “I need your help,” he said, his voice low, almost pleading.

Before Bill could respond, another figure emerged from the shadows of the house. Frank, who had clearly been woken by the commotion, appeared at the top of the stairs in his pajamas, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “Bill, what’s going—Joel?” Frank’s voice trailed off as he saw you, his eyes widening in shock.

Frank’s gaze darted from Joel to you, and his expression immediately shifted from confusion to concern. “What happened? Who is she?”

“She’s hurt,” Joel said, his voice strained as he tried to explain without revealing too much. “Please,"

Frank nodded without hesitation, stepping aside to let you both enter. Bill remained by the door, his eyes never leaving you, as if he was trying to piece together the story Joel wasn’t telling. But Frank, ever the softer of the two, helping Joel with you.

Frank’s panic was evident in his quick, almost frantic movements as he ushered you both inside. "Come, come, come on in," he urged, his voice trembling slightly as he guided Joel toward the couch. Joel still held you close, his arms wrapped protectively around you as he laid you down gently. Frank hurried off to grab some blankets, his footsteps echoing in the quiet house, while Joel knelt beside you, his eyes scanning your face for any sign of discomfort.

“Does it still hurt anywhere?” Joel’s voice was soft, but there was an undercurrent of worry that he couldn’t quite mask. His hands were gentle as they brushed over your bandaged wounds, checking to see if the makeshift dressings were holding up.

You managed a small shake of your head, but the truth was, everything still hurt. The adrenaline that had carried you this far was beginning to fade, leaving behind a deep, throbbing pain that seemed to settle into every part of your body. You were too tired to say much, the exhaustion weighing down your eyelids like lead.

Bill, who had been standing by the door, finally stepped forward, his face a mask of stern concern. “Alright, what the fuck is going on, Miller?” His voice was gruff, demanding answers. “What kind of trouble are you in this time?”

Joel ignored Bill’s question for a moment, his focus still entirely on you. He carefully lifted the edge of your shirt to check the bandage on your side, his jaw tightening as he saw the blood starting to seep through. “She’s hurt bad, Bill,” Joel said, his voice strained. “Do you have a first aid kit?”

Bill’s expression darkened, clearly unhappy with the situation, but before he could voice his displeasure, Frank returned with a bundle of blankets, handing them to Joel. “Here, Joel,” Frank said, his tone gentle as he knelt beside you. Joel took the blankets, draping them carefully over you, making sure you were as comfortable as possible.

“Bill,” Frank said, turning to his husband with a look that brooked no argument, “we need to help them. Get the first aid kit, now.”

Bill hesitated, his gaze shifting between Joel and you, clearly torn. But Frank’s firm tone left no room for debate. With a grunt of annoyance, Bill finally relented, stalking off to retrieve the kit. “This better not blow up in our faces, Joel,” he muttered as he disappeared into another room.

Frank sat down beside you, his eyes filled with concern as he looked you over. “What happened to her?” he asked Joel quietly, not wanting to pressure you to speak.

Joel hesitated, not wanting to reveal too much. “She's hurt bad,” he said simply, his voice low. “Punched hard, Frank.”

Frank’s eyes softened even more, and he reached out to squeeze your hand reassuringly. “You’re gonna be okay, sweetie," You smile at him weakly.

Bill returned a moment later, a large first aid kit in hand. He tossed it to Joel, who caught it with ease, but his expression was tense. “Alright, let’s get this over with,” Bill grumbled, still not entirely on board with the situation.

Joel opened the kit, his hands hovering uncertainly over the supplies. He was no stranger to injuries, but this was different—this was you, and the thought of causing you more pain made his hands shake slightly. Frank noticed and gently took over, his hands steady and practiced.

“Let me handle this,” Frank said kindly, taking the bandages and antiseptic from the kit. “You just keep her calm.”

Joel nodded, reluctantly stepping back to give Frank room to work. He kept his hand on your shoulder, his touch firm and comforting as Frank began to carefully clean and re-bandage your wounds. You winced at the sting, but Joel’s presence helped keep you grounded, the warmth of his hand reassuring in the cold, unfamiliar house.

Bill remained nearby, his eyes flicking between you, Joel, and the door, ever watchful. He didn’t trust easily, but his loyalty to Joel was enough to keep him from outright refusing to help. For now, that would have to be enough.

As Frank worked, the pain slowly began to subside, the new bandages providing some relief. You were still too weak to speak much, but the kindness in Frank’s eyes and the steadiness of Joel’s presence made you feel safer than you had in a long time.

Finally, Frank finished, securing the last bandage with a gentle pat. “There,” he said softly, giving you a reassuring smile. “You’re going to be okay. Just rest now.”

Joel squeezed your shoulder, his voice low and soothing as he spoke. “You'll be okay, I promise.”

You nodded weakly, the exhaustion tugging at your eyelids once more. You needed sleep, the kind that would pull you under and shield you from the chaos of the world. Frank noticed your weariness and suggested gently, “Joel, why don’t you take her up to the guest room? Let her get some rest.”

Joel nodded in agreement, his gaze never leaving you. Without another word, he scooped you up into his arms with a tenderness that contrasted with his usual rugged demeanor. You protested weakly, “I can walk, Joel.”

But he ignored your words, carrying you as if you weighed nothing, his focus entirely on getting you to a place where you could finally find some peace. Frank and Bill followed closely behind as Joel carried you upstairs, their footsteps echoing softly against the wooden floor.

The guest room was small but cozy, with soft, warm light spilling in from a lamp on the nightstand. Joel set you down gently on the bed, his hands lingering on your shoulders for a moment longer than necessary. Frank stepped forward, offering a kind smile. “Now, you try to get some rest. Things will look better in the morning.”

You managed a tired smile, your voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you, Frank. And Bill… thank you too.”

Frank’s smile widened, full of warmth and reassurance, while Bill gave a curt nod, his gruff exterior softened by the moment. “Yeah, well… just get some sleep,” Bill muttered, his voice rough but not unkind.

Frank, ever the thoughtful one, sensed that you and Joel needed a moment alone. “We’ll give you two some time,” he said, gently guiding Bill out of the room. As the door clicked shut behind them, the room fell into a comfortable silence, leaving you and Joel alone together.

Joel sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze searching your face for any signs of pain or discomfort. “How are you feeling now? does it still hurt?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

You shook your head, trying to reassure him. “I’m fine, Joel. Really, I just need to sleep.”

Joel’s eyes softened, a flicker of guilt crossing his features. “I’m sorry… for everything. I’m gonna make sure you’re safe, that everything will be okay. I promise you that.”

You frowned, confusion and concern mixing in your expression. “Why are you saying sorry, Joel? You got me out from there,” you whispered, your voice filled with a fragile hope.

Joel sighed, his gaze drifting away from you for a moment as if searching for the right words. “Because… because I dragged you into this mess, darlin’. You didn’t deserve any of it."

His words hung heavy in the air, laden with regret. But to you, Joel had become the light that guided you through the darkness, the beacon that saved you when you thought you couldn’t go on. “But you did get me out, Joel. You saved me. You’re the only thing that feels real, the only thing that makes sense.”

He looked at you then, his brown eyes filled with a tenderness that made your heart ache. “I just… I wish I could’ve done it sooner. I wish I could’ve protected you better," His voice cracked slightly, the emotion in it raw and unfiltered.

You shook your head, reaching out to him, trying to soothe the worry etched into his face. “You’re here now, Joel. That’s all that matters. We’re here, together. I don’t care about anything else.”

He exhaled, as if your words were a balm to his weary soul, and he nodded slowly. “And I’ll make sure you’re safe now,” he said quietly.

Joel’s hand lingered on your shoulder for a moment longer, his thumb brushing softly against your skin, a silent comfort. “Now, you need to get some sleep. You’re exhausted, rest, and let me take care of the rest.”

He stood up, the bed creaking slightly as he moved away, and as he did, a sudden wave of fear washed over you. The thought of being alone, even for a moment, sent a shiver down your spine. You reached out, grabbing his hand, your voice trembling slightly. “Where are you going, Joel? Don’t leave me… don’t leave me alone.”

Joel stopped, turning back to you, his expression softening at the sight of your distress. He crouched down beside you, taking your hand in both of his. “I’m not leaving, darlin’. I just need to talk to Bill and Frank for a bit. I’ll be right downstairs. You’ll be safe here.”

You hesitated, “Are we staying here? With them?”

Joel nodded, his expression serious. “Yeah, for a little while. Just until we figure out what’s next and where we’re going."

You bit your lip, glancing towards the door. “About your friend, Bill… he doesn’t like me. I can tell.”

Joel chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Bill’s just like that with everyone. He’s a good man, even if he’s a bit rough around the edges. Don’t worry about him.”

You nodded, feeling a bit more at ease with Joel’s reassurances. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. “Get some sleep, okay? I’ll be back before you know it.”

You watched as he slowly stood up, his hand lingering in yours until the last possible moment. As he headed towards the door, he turned back one last time, his eyes locking onto yours with a promise.

With that, he slipped out of the room, leaving you to the quiet and the safety of the small guest room. The last thing you saw before sleep claimed you was the faint light from the hallway, a soft reminder that Joel was still close, watching over you even when you couldn’t see him.

As Joel quietly slipped out of the room, the soft glow of the hallway light was the last thing you saw before sleep claimed you, a small comfort that he was still near. Downstairs, the atmosphere was anything but calm.

The moment Joel stepped into the living room, Bill was already there, his arms crossed, his face a mask of tension and confusion. Frank, standing nearby, looked just as concerned, though his expression was softer, more curious.

“Now explain,” Bill demanded, his voice cold and laced with suspicion. He wasn’t one for pleasantries, especially not when the situation was as strange as this.

Frank’s eyes darted between Joel and the stairs leading up to where you rested. “Joel, what’s going on? Who is she? And where the hell is Ellie?”

Joel could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him as Bill's sharp eyes bore into him. There was no easy way out of this conversation, no simple explanation that could make everything clear. He knew that Bill and Frank deserved answers, but the truth was a tangled mess in his mind, knotted up with the raw emotions he’d been trying to keep at bay.

“It’s…complicated,” Joel began again, his voice low and burdened with the gravity of what he was about to say. The words felt heavy, each one dragging him down as he struggled to find the right way to explain. “She needed help, Bill. She was in a bad situation, and I couldn’t just leave her there.”

Bill’s eyes narrowed further, suspicion hardening his features. “And by ‘bad situation,’ what the hell do you mean?” His tone was cold, unyielding, as if he could freeze the truth out of Joel.

Joel knew that if he didn’t lay it all out, Bill would never trust him. He drew in a deep breath, steeling himself for what he had to do. “She’s… she’s been through hell,” Joel said slowly, trying to piece together a version of the truth that would make sense. “Her family… they weren’t good to her. I had to get her out of there."

"Now, hold on, who is she to you exactly?" Bill asked again, "She's...she's uh my neighbor, but she's under my care now," Joel answered.

Frank, who had been listening quietly, furrowed his brow in confusion. “What does that even mean, Joel? ‘Under your care?’ What are you trying to say?”

Joel felt his chest tighten, the words caught in his throat. How could he explain something so complex, something that even he was struggling to fully understand? “I saved her from her family,” he said, the words coming out more forcefully than he intended.

Bill’s expression shifted from suspicion to something darker, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “You kidnapped her?!”

“No, it’s not like that,” Joel snapped, frustration bubbling over. I didn’t kidnap her. She wanted to leave, and I… I helped her.”

“It’s complicated. I… I care about her. We care about each other.”

The room fell into a stunned silence. Frank’s eyes widened in shock, while Bill’s face twisted with disbelief. “What?” Frank whispered, almost as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

The room seemed to shrink as Joel stood under the weight of their incredulous stares. Frank’s voice was barely a whisper, yet it cut through the tension like a knife. “What do you mean?”

Joel felt like he was drowning, the pressure of the situation pressing down on him, suffocating him. His mind was a chaotic storm of guilt, desperation, and something else—something he didn’t want to name but couldn’t ignore. His thoughts twisted in on themselves, a tangled mess of emotions that left him reeling. The words felt like shards of glass in his throat, but he forced them out anyway, knowing he had to make them understand.

“I love her,” Joel said, his voice rough, strained. “I had to save her… I couldn’t just leave her in that hell.”

Bill’s face contorted with anger, his disbelief giving way to a rising fury. “The fuck do you mean, love her?! She’s a fucking kid, Joel! How old is she?!” His voice cracked with the force of his emotion, his mind struggling to wrap around what Joel was saying. “She looks barely older than Ellie!”

“She’s not a kid,” Joel snapped back, frustration and fear driving his words.

Frank’s expression darkened with a mix of disbelief and sorrow. “Joel, what have you done?” His voice was softer now, laden with a deep sense of concern.

“I had no choice,” Joel muttered, his voice tight as he fought to keep his emotions in check. “I couldn’t see her like that anymore.”

Bill’s eyes flashed with a dangerous light, his voice rising. “So you kidnapped her from her family? Is that why you ran away?! Why the hell would you get involved in your neighbor’s business?”

Joel’s control snapped, the words tearing from him like a wound ripped open. “Because her father was fucking beating her!”

The silence that followed was deafening, the weight of Joel’s confession hanging heavy in the air. Frank’s mouth opened, then closed, as he tried to process what he’d just heard. Bill’s fury faltered, replaced by a cold, steely determination.

Joel’s chest heaved as he stood there, his emotions laid bare for them to see. He didn’t know how to explain what he felt, how to make them understand the desperation, the fear that had driven him to this point. All he knew was that he couldn’t let you go back to that life, couldn’t let you suffer any longer.

“I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing, she could have fucking die!” Joel said, his voice raw with emotion. “I couldn’t let her stay in that house, with that bastard… I had to get her out.”

Frank looked at Joel, his expression a mix of pity and resignation. “And what now, Joel? What do you plan to do?”

Joel’s voice trembled as he spoke, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him like a vise. “I don’t know… I just need time to figure it out.”

His desperation bled through each word, the facade of strength he’d always worn so carefully crumbling before their eyes. “J-just, just let us stay for a couple of days, till we—I—figure out what’s next.” His voice wavered, breaking under the strain. “She needs to heal, both mentally and physically. Please.”

It was a word Joel had never used lightly, a word that carried a weight of its own, something raw and vulnerable that neither Bill nor Frank had ever seen in him before. Joel had always been so cold, so unyielding—a fortress of a man who never let anyone see the cracks in his armor. But now, standing before them, he was exposed, fragile in a way that made Frank’s heart ache.

For a moment, the room was steeped in silence, thick with the tension of a decision that could not be undone. Frank’s gaze softened as he looked from Joel to Bill, who stood rigid, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Bill’s face was a storm of conflicted emotions—wariness, frustration, and a reluctance that spoke to his deep-seated aversion to complications.

“Bill,” Frank finally said, his voice gentle, almost pleading. “Let them stay. Just for a while.”

Bill’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as he considered Frank’s words. He wasn’t one for sentimentality, and the thought of being dragged into a mess that wasn’t his own made his skin crawl. But there was something in Joel’s eyes, a fragility that tugged at the edges of his resolve, even if he didn’t fully understand it. He didn’t like this—any of it—but he also couldn’t bring himself to turn Joel away.

With a heavy sigh, Bill relented, though his voice remained gruff. “Fine. But only for a few days, and don’t bring any more trouble to my doorstep.”

Frank stepped forward, placing a hand on Joel’s shoulder. “Take as much time as you need,” he said softly. “We’ll help however we can.”

Joel nodded, the relief in his expression tempered by a lingering wariness. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice sincere but guarded.

Even in his gratitude, Joel couldn’t fully let his defenses down, couldn’t allow himself to believe that everything would be okay just yet. The path ahead was still dark, still uncertain, but at least, for now, he had a place to breathe.

Bill glanced up and down at Joel, his expression somewhere between exasperation and concern. “Jesus Christ, clean yourself up. You look like shit, Miller,” he muttered, his voice gruff but not unkind. Without waiting for a response, Bill turned on his heel and headed towards his bedroom, leaving Joel standing in the dimly lit living room.

Frank lingered for a moment longer, his eyes soft with understanding. He disappeared into another room and returned with a small stack of clothes—worn but clean, likely Bill’s—handing them to Joel. “Here, these should fit. Go clean yourself up and get some rest."

Joel took the clothes with a nod of thanks, his eyes lingering on Frank’s face.

As Frank turned to leave, heading toward his bedroom, he paused in the doorway, glancing back at Joel. “I’m gonna get some sleep now. Make yourself at home. If you need anything, just knock our bedroom's door,"

Joel nodded again, the weight of the night pressing heavy on his shoulders. "Thanks, Frank,"

“Goodnight, Joel,” Frank said softly before disappearing down the hall.

"Goodnight,"

Joel stood there for a moment longer, the quiet of the house settling around him like a blanket. He took a deep breath, clutching the clothes in his hand, then slowly made his way to the bathroom. As he closed the door behind him, the faint sound of water running echoed through the small space. Finally alone, Joel allowed himself to let go, if only for a moment. He turned on the shower, letting the steam fill the room, hoping the hot water could wash away not just the grime of the day, but the weight of everything that had happened.

After finishing his shower, Joel stepped quietly out of the bathroom, the steam still lingering in the air like a fading memory. His body ached, not just from the day’s events, but from the weight of decisions that had led him to this moment. The clothes Frank had given him felt strange against his skin—clean, unfamiliar—but they were a comfort, a small kindness in a world that had shown him little.

As he approached the guest bedroom, he hesitated at the door, his hand resting on the doorknob. The soft sound of your breathing reached him, steady and rhythmic, a fragile reminder that you were still here, still with him. He opened the door slowly, careful not to let the light from the hallway spill in, and stepped inside.

There you were, curled up on the bed, lost in the depths of sleep. Joel’s heart ached at the sight of you, so small and vulnerable beneath the covers. The bruises on your face had darkened, a cruel testament to the hell you’d been through. The bandages on your arms and legs stood out starkly against your pale skin, a reminder of the pain you’d endured. It broke something deep within him to see you like this, so fragile and hurt, but at the same time, it steeled his resolve.

He had done this. He had brought you here, taken you from one life and thrust you into another. The consequences were unknown, whatever it took, he would keep you safe. You were his responsibility now, and he was okay with that—more than okay. You were worth every risk, every sleepless night, every lie he’d have to tell to keep you from harm.

Quietly, Joel made his way to the bed and carefully lay down beside you, trying not to disturb your sleep. But as soon as his weight settled onto the mattress, you stirred, your body instinctively shifting closer to him, seeking the comfort and safety that only he could provide.

“Joel…” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper, heavy with sleep and something deeper—an unspoken fear that clawed at your subconscious even now.

“I’m here, baby,” Joel whispered back, his voice tender, filled with a promise he would never break. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from your face, his touch as gentle as he could make it.

You sighed softly, your body relaxing as his words reached you, even in your half-dreaming state. “Please… don’t leave me,” you mumbled, your voice laced with a desperation that tugged at Joel’s heart.

“I won’t, sweetheart,” Joel assured you, his voice steady, though inside, he was anything but. “I'm not going anywhere, I’m here with you always."

You turned in your sleep, moving closer until your head rested against his chest, your arms wrapping around him as if to anchor yourself to the only solid thing in your world. Joel hesitated for a moment, feeling the warmth of your body against his, the trust you placed in him so absolute, it made his chest tighten with an emotion he couldn’t quite name. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you closer, feeling the steady rhythm of your heartbeat against his own.

He pressed a soft kiss to the top of your head, inhaling the faint scent of your hair, a mix of shampoo and something uniquely you. As he lay there, his mind swirled with thoughts of what had been, what could be, and what might come next. The future was a shadowed path, filled with dangers he couldn’t yet see, but none of it mattered if you were by his side.

Joel’s eyes drifted to the ceiling, his thoughts growing heavy as he tried to make sense of it all. There was no turning back this time, no easy way out, but he found a strange peace in that. For so long, he had been adrift, lost in a world that had taken so much from him. But now, with you in his arms, he felt something he hadn’t felt in years—purpose.

He would protect you, no matter the cost. Whatever the world threw at them, he would be ready, because you were worth it. You were the one thing in his life that made sense, the one person he couldn’t afford to lose. And for you, he would face anything.

As sleep finally began to claim him, Joel held you a little tighter, the weight of the world pressing down on him, but somehow feeling lighter with you in his arms. Whatever came next, whatever battles they would face, he knew one thing for certain—he wasn’t alone anymore. And as long as you were with him, that was enough.

***

In the days that followed, the world around you seemed to move in slow motion. The pain from your injuries was still there, a dull ache that lingered beneath the surface, but it was the emotional wounds that cut the deepest. Every time you closed your eyes, you were haunted by memories—flashes of your father’s anger, of Jamie’s twisted smile. They came to you in dreams, turning peaceful sleep into a battlefield where you fought to escape their grasp.

During the day, the sun brought with it a semblance of normalcy. Bill and Frank’s house became a strange kind of sanctuary, a place where you could hide from the world, from the things that had chased you here. But even in this safety, there was an undercurrent of fear that you couldn’t shake. Guilt gnawed at you, especially when you thought of your mother, of how you had left her behind. You missed Emma and Ellie, their voices a distant echo in your mind, reminding you of what you had lost, of the life that had been taken from you.

Joel stayed close, never letting you out of his sight for too long. His protectiveness was a constant presence, a shield against the darkness that threatened to consume you. He bought you new clothes, little things to try and make this feel like home, though he never allowed you to leave the house. It was as if he was building a wall around you, a fortress where nothing could hurt you again. But in the quiet moments, when it was just the two of you, you could see the cracks in his armor. He was struggling too, his thoughts often drifting to Ellie, to the life he had left behind to save you.

Joel had bought a new burner phone, a cheap, untraceable device that he used to contact Tommy. He couldn’t risk calling Ellie, not with the possibility that your father might report him. Every time he picked up the phone, you could see the conflict in his eyes, the weight of the choices he had made pressing down on him. He would sit in silence for hours, lost in his thoughts, his brow furrowed with worry. You wanted to tell him that it was okay, that you understood why he had done what he did, but the words never seemed to come out right.

At night, the nightmares were the worst. They came without warning, dragging you back to the terror of what had happened. You would wake up screaming, your heart pounding in your chest, the taste of fear thick in your throat. And every time, Joel was there, pulling you into his arms, whispering soft reassurances as he held you close. But even as he comforted you, you could feel him breaking, the weight of your pain becoming too much for him to bear. His voice would crack, his grip tightening as if he could keep the nightmares at bay just by holding you.

Frank had become a quiet presence in your life, always there with a kind word or a gentle smile. He helped you a lot, especially on the days when the world felt too heavy. He would sit with you in the kitchen, guiding your hands as you helped him cook, his voice soft and steady as he talked about anything and everything. There was a warmth to him, a kindness that made you feel safe, like you could tell him anything and he would understand.

As you stood at the counter chopping vegetables, the rhythmic sound of the knife meeting the cutting board filled the kitchen, a small comfort in the routine. Frank glanced over at you, his expression warm but thoughtful, clearly gauging how you were holding up after everything.

"How are you feeling, kid?" he asked, his voice gentle, carrying a note of genuine concern.

You paused for a moment, considering the question. The past few days had been a whirlwind of emotions—fear, relief, guilt—but here, in the quiet safety of Bill and Frank’s home, you were starting to feel a semblance of normalcy. You turned to Frank with a small smile, nodding. “I’m good,” you replied softly, though the words carried more weight than they seemed.

Frank returned your smile, sensing that there was more beneath the surface. “That’s good to hear,” he said, his tone encouraging.

Taking a breath, you decided to open up a bit more. "I really appreciate everything you and Bill have done for us," you began, your eyes meeting his as you spoke earnestly. "Letting us stay here, helping us get back on our feet… I know it’s not easy having strangers around, and I just want you to know how grateful I am. You didn’t have to do any of this."

Frank’s expression softened, and he shook his head dismissively, though the kindness in his eyes remained. “Ah, it’s nothing. Joel’s a good friend of ours, and now you are too. We look out for our own, you know?” He paused, then added with a light chuckle, “And besides, we could use the company. Bill and I don’t get many visitors these days.”

You couldn’t help but smile at that, feeling a warmth spread in your chest. “Thank you, Frank."

Frank waved a hand, as if brushing off the praise. “Hey, friends help friends. That’s just how it works, right?”

You nodded, your smile lingering as you turned back to the vegetables. The ease with which Frank treated you, the way he made you feel welcome, was a balm to your frayed nerves. Despite everything that had happened, there was a sense of belonging beginning to take root here.

As the conversation naturally lulled, Frank’s gaze drifted to the small cross hanging around your neck.

His curiosity piqued, and he smiled warmly, attempting to lighten the mood with a bit of banter. “You’re a believer, I see?” he said, nodding towards the necklace. “Maybe that’s why you’ve got this positive aura around you.”

You chuckled softly, fingers instinctively reaching up to touch the cross. “Yeah, I am,” you replied, the weight of the necklace familiar and comforting against your skin. “Grew up very religious.”

Frank, still focused on chopping vegetables, glanced at you with a curious smile. “Are you a believer?” you asked, genuinely interested in his story.

He let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. “No, I left God a long time ago. My parents were deeply religious, though. Strong believers, the kind who thought they had everything figured out until their son turned out to be… well, me. One day they decided to just threw me away like that,"

You felt a pang of empathy and glanced at Frank, seeing a flicker of old pain in his eyes. “I’m sorry to hear that,” you said gently.

Frank smiled, though there was a trace of bitterness in it. “No, no, it’s alright. Look at me now—I’m doing just fine, aren’t I?” He chuckled, but the words carried a deeper meaning. “Besides, I’d rather be alone and true to myself than pretend to be someone else just to make others happy.”

His words struck a chord deep within you, echoing the thoughts you’d harbored for years. You had always felt trapped, suffocated by the expectations and strictures imposed by your parents, especially your father. Living under their roof had felt like being in a cage—your every breath measured, your every step scrutinized. The cross around your neck suddenly felt heavier, not because of its physical weight, but because of the symbolic burden it carried, a reminder of all the years you spent trying to conform to a version of yourself that wasn’t truly you.

Your mind drifted, the kitchen around you fading as Frank’s words swirled in your thoughts. The yearning for freedom, the desperate need to escape the confines of your old life, had been a constant in your heart for so long.

Frank’s voice broke through your thoughts, drawing you back to the present. “Until I met Bill,” he continued, his tone softening with affection. “I wasn’t alone anymore.”

You smiled, understanding exactly what he meant. You had found that with Joel too—someone who didn’t just let you be free but walked alongside you in that freedom, making sure you never felt alone in it. With Joel, the darkness of your past didn’t feel so overwhelming, and the future, once so uncertain, now held the possibility of hope. He had become your anchor, the person who reminded you that you didn’t have to carry the burden of your past by yourself.

He had given you the space to breathe, to be yourself without judgment, without the crushing pressure to be someone you weren’t. With Joel, you could finally exhale, no longer suffocating under the weight of expectations.

“How long have you and Bill been together?” you asked, genuinely curious about the life they had built together.

Frank’s face lit up with a soft, contented smile. “Oh, it’s been about ten years now,” he replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

“Wow, that’s a long time,” you said, admiration clear in your tone.

“Yeah, it is,” Frank agreed. “We’ve had our ups and downs, like any couple, but… well, there’s no one else I’d rather spend my life with. He’s my home.”

The simplicity and truth in his words touched you deeply. You couldn’t help but think of Joel again, wondering if one day you could find that same sense of home with him—a place where you could finally rest, where the wounds of the past could slowly heal, and where the future, no matter how uncertain, didn’t seem so daunting anymore.

***

The night was still, the kind of quiet that felt heavy, almost suffocating, as Joel sat on the front porch, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. The faint glow of the ember was the only light in the darkness, aside from the occasional flicker of the beer bottle as he lifted it to his lips. He took a long drag, the smoke curling up into the night air, blending into the shadows that seemed to wrap around him. The weight of the last few days pressed down on his shoulders, the uncertainty of what lay ahead gnawing at him.

Three days. It had been three days since he and you arrived at Bill and Frank’s, and every second felt like the ticking of a clock running out of time. He hadn’t heard from Tommy since that last conversation, where his brother had warned him that your father had gone to the sheriff, reporting you as kidnapped. Joel’s grip tightened around the bottle at the thought. Kidnapping. The word felt like a noose tightening around his neck. He hadn’t taken you; he’d saved you. At least, that’s what he kept telling himself. But with the sheriff and the police now involved, the danger was creeping closer, and he knew they couldn’t stay hidden forever.

They had to keep moving. It was the only way to survive. The thought of staying in one place too long made Joel’s skin crawl. The longer they stayed, the more likely it was that someone would come looking for them. And then there was the fear, gnawing at the edges of his mind, about what would happen if you found out about Jamie Lee and Pastor Ben. The memories of that night haunted him, the blood, the desperation, the cold finality of what he had done. What would you think of him if you knew? Would you still see him as your protector, or would that look in your eyes change?

Joel took another drag from his cigarette, the smoke burning his lungs as the thoughts churned in his head. The idea of settling down somewhere new was tempting, but where could they go that would be safe? Where could they build a life that didn’t feel like they were running every second of every day? He knew he had to talk to you, to figure out what you wanted, but the thought of that conversation made his chest tighten. He didn’t want to burden you with more decisions, not when you were still healing, but they couldn’t keep living in limbo. They had to make a choice, and soon.

He crushed the cigarette beneath his boot and drained the last of his beer, the bitterness of it lingering on his tongue as he stood up. The house behind him was quiet, save for the faint sounds of Bill and Frank finishing up the dishes. Joel took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he had to do next. He needed to check on you, to see if you were ready to have that conversation. But as he walked through the door and made his way down the hall, he stopped short at the sight of you.

You were on your knees, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a halo around you as you prayed. Joel’s heart twisted at the sight, a mixture of emotions crashing over him. Guilt, fear, love—all of it tangled together, choking him. He watched you for a moment, not wanting to interrupt, not wanting to break the fragile peace you seemed to find in those moments.

As you knelt there, your hands clasped tightly together, your thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions, swirling like a storm inside you. The familiar comfort of prayer was the only anchor you had left in a world that felt like it was spinning out of control. You whispered the words you had been taught since childhood, the prayers that had been your solace through so many dark times. But tonight, those prayers felt different, heavy with the weight of everything you’d been through.

You prayed for your mother, for the safety of the family you had left behind. You prayed for Emma, for Ellie, hoping they were okay, hoping they didn’t blame you for leaving. But most of all, you prayed for strength, for the courage to face whatever came next. The fear that had been your constant companion these last few days was a shadow that you couldn’t escape, creeping into your thoughts, into your dreams. Every time you closed your eyes, you saw your father’s face, heard Jamie’s voice. It haunted you, a nightmare you couldn’t wake up from. And yet, as long as Joel was with you, you felt a glimmer of hope, a small light in the darkness. He was your protector, your shield against the world, and the thought of losing that safety terrified you more than anything else.

You prayed for Joel too, for the man who had risked everything to keep you safe. You knew he was struggling, that the weight of everything was pressing down on him just as much as it was on you. You could see it in the lines of his face, in the way he was always on edge, always watching, always worrying. You prayed that he would find peace, that he wouldn’t be consumed by the guilt that you could see lurking in his eyes, even if he tried to hide it from you. You prayed that he wouldn’t have to carry this burden alone, that together, you could find a way to move forward, to build a life that wasn’t just about surviving but about living.

When you finally finished, you sat back on your heels, taking a deep breath as you tried to steady your racing heart. You hadn’t heard Joel come in, but when you looked up, you saw him standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. Your heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, and for a moment, neither of you spoke, the air between you heavy with everything that had been left unsaid.

Joel stepped into the room, his movements careful, almost hesitant, as he approached you. “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said quietly, his voice rough with emotion.

You shook your head, offering him a small smile. “You didn’t."

You were wearing a soft, flowing white nightgown that brushed against your skin like a whisper, your hair now loose, cascading over your shoulders in waves. It was a small comfort, something familiar in a world that had become so unpredictable. As you prepared the bed, fluffing the pillows and smoothing out the covers, Joel moved with quiet efficiency, closing the door behind him before he began to undress.

He pulled his shirt over his head, the muscles in his back rippling with the motion, and you couldn’t help but watch him, your eyes tracing the lines of his body. There was something mesmerizing about the way he moved, each action deliberate and controlled, a testament to the strength that had kept you both alive this far.

But beneath that strength, you saw the weight he carried—the burden of the choices he had made, the lives he had taken to protect you. It tugged at your heart, a pang of guilt that you couldn’t quite shake. This was your fault, after all. Joel had left everything behind for you, risked everything, and now, he was bearing the consequences of that choice.

He slipped into a clean shirt and a pair of worn sweatpants, his movements efficient but unhurried, as if he was trying to prolong the moment before he had to speak. You watched him with a mixture of love and sorrow, the emotions swirling inside you like a storm.

Joel was your anchor, the one constant in a world that had been turned upside down. But at what cost? The thought haunted you as you climbed into bed, your eyes still following him as he finished dressing.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice cutting through the silence, thick with concern.

“Couldn’t be better,” you replied, though the words felt like a half-truth. Physically, you were healing, but the wounds that ran deeper, the ones that cut into your soul, those were far from mended. You had been thinking about that, about what came next, and as Joel continued to speak, you couldn’t help but wonder if he felt the same.

“I’ve been thinking,” Joel began, his tone more serious now as he turned to face you. You watched him, your heart clenching as he spoke, the intensity of his gaze making it clear that whatever he was about to say was weighing heavily on him.

You patted the bed next to you, inviting him to sit, to share the burden that had settled between you. Joel hesitated for a moment before crossing the room, the bed dipping slightly under his weight as he lay down next to you. The warmth of his presence was a comfort, even as the gravity of the situation pressed down on you both.

“We can’t stay here long,” Joel said, his voice firm, though there was a tremor beneath the surface that betrayed his worry. “I spoke to Tommy a couple of days ago… about your dad. He told me that he’s reported me to the sheriff, said I kidnapped you.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. You had known this was coming, but hearing it out loud made it feel all the more real. The sheriff, the police—it was only a matter of time before they came looking, before they started asking questions that neither of you could afford to answer.

“Tommy told me not to contact him,” Joel continued, his voice tightening with frustration. “He said he’d reach out to me if there’s any news, but until then… we’re on our own. For our safety, we’ve got to keep moving. But I need to know if you’re ready. I don't want to push you,"

You could hear the unspoken question in his words—whether you were strong enough to keep going, whether you could survive what came next. But there was something else, too, a flicker of doubt in his eyes that made your heart ache. He was worried about you, yes, but he was also afraid of what might happen if you weren’t ready. Afraid of what it would mean if you couldn’t keep going.

“I’m okay,” you said softly, reaching out to take his hand in yours. His skin was rough, calloused from years of hard work, but his touch was gentle, grounding you in this moment. Joel leaned into your touch, his heart warming as if it found a safe harbor in your presence. His lips curled into a small, genuine smile, one that softened the hard edges of his face.

“Well,” Joel began, his voice low and steady, “we might have a long trip ahead of us.” He paused, looking into your eyes as if searching for any sign of hesitation. “Where do you want to go?”

For a moment, you were lost in thought, the possibilities stretching out before you like an open road. This was the moment you had always dreamed of—the chance to finally leave behind the small town that had suffocated you for so long. Excitement sparked within you, a flicker of hope that began to burn brighter with each passing second. “What about California?” you suggested, your voice filled with a newfound enthusiasm. “We don’t have to live in Los Angeles… we could settle in a small town, like Davis? Some quiet place, you know?”

Joel considered your words, his gaze never leaving yours. “Wherever you want us to go,” he said, his tone sincere. “I don’t care, as long as you’re with me.”

Your heart swelled at his words, a sincere smile spreading across your face. The love you felt for him in that moment was overwhelming, wrapping around you like a warm embrace. Joel’s expression softened as he watched you, as if he could feel the shift in the air between you.

A thought seemed to cross Joel’s mind, and his eyes lit up with a new idea. “Since you’ve never been anywhere outside,” he began, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice, “how about we take a trip? A real one. We could go to every state in the USA, see everything there is to see. And then, when we’re ready, we can settle down in Davis, or wherever you want.”

His words hung in the air, the idea taking shape in your mind. A trip across the country, just the two of you, exploring the world together—it felt like a dream. You could almost see it, the endless highways, the changing landscapes, the freedom that came with each new place. The thought of it filled you with a sense of adventure, a spark of life that you hadn’t felt in so long.

“You really mean it?” you asked, your voice filled with awe. “You’ll take me on that trip?”

“Why not?” Joel replied, his smile widening. “We’ve got time for ourselves now. No rush, no place we have to be. We can just… live. Just you and me now, doll.”

Without thinking, you threw your arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. The warmth of his body against yours, the strength in his arms as he held you close—it was everything you needed, everything you had been longing for. You pressed a kiss to his lips, a soft, grateful gesture. “Thank you,” you whispered against his mouth, your voice trembling with emotion.

But as the excitement faded, reality began to creep back in, and with it, the weight of guilt that had been gnawing at you for days. This was all because of you. Joel had left his life behind—left Ellie, Tommy, his family, left everything he knew—because of you. You had dragged him into this mess, turned him into a fugitive. The thought of it made your chest tighten with regret.

“I’m so sorry,” you said suddenly, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes. “This is all my fault. You left everything behind because of me. Your life… Ellie… I ruined everything.”

Joel’s brow furrowed in confusion, his hands tightening around you as if to keep you grounded. “Hey, what are you talking about?” he asked, his voice firm but gentle. “This isn’t your fault. I wanted this, I chose this.”

“But—”

“No, listen to me,” Joel interrupted, his tone more insistent now. “I made the choice to leave, to take you with me. I wasn’t going to let you go through this alone. You didn’t drag me into anything. I’m here because I want to be. Because I love you.”

His words hit you like a wave, crashing over the doubts and fears that had been building inside you. Joel’s eyes were filled with a fierce determination, a resolve that left no room for doubt. He wasn’t going to let you carry this burden alone, wasn’t going to let you blame yourself for the choices he had made.

“You don’t have to feel guilty,” Joel continued, his voice softening as he brushed a strand of hair behind your ear. “We’re in this together, okay? I’m right where I want to be. With you.”

His words wrapped around you like a warm blanket, soothing the ache in your heart. The guilt that had been suffocating you began to loosen its grip, replaced by a deep sense of relief. Joel had made his choice, just as you had made yours. And together, you would face whatever came next.

As you looked into his eyes, you knew that no matter where the road took you, no matter what challenges lay ahead, you would find a way through it. With Joel by your side, you felt like you could take on the world. And for the first time in what felt like forever, the future didn’t seem so terrifying. It felt like a promise—one that you and Joel would keep, together.

"I love you too, Joel," you whispered, your voice trembling with the weight of everything those words held. His gaze softened, and before you could say anything more, Joel leaned in, his lips meeting yours in a kiss that was tender, a gentle affirmation of the bond you shared. You melted into him, your bodies pressing together as you held each other close in the quiet cocoon of the room.

The kiss deepened, but it wasn’t rushed. It was as if time had slowed, allowing you to savor the moment—the warmth of his mouth, the way his hand cupped the back of your head, drawing you closer. There was something pure in that kiss, something that spoke of more than just desire. It was love, yes, but also relief, gratitude, and an unspoken promise that you would stand by each other, no matter what came next.

As you embraced, the sound of a song drifted up from downstairs, carried on the quiet air of the night. The familiar notes of “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Willie and Paula Nelson filled the room, and you couldn’t help but smile as you recognized the voices of Bill and Frank in the distance.

“Oh, for God’s sake, Frank, not this song again,” Bill’s gruff voice grumbled, the sound slightly muffled but still clear.

Frank’s reply was lighthearted, tinged with affection. “Once in a while, Bill, we need something besides Linda Ronstadt. I need something new.”

“But Linda is so good,” Bill protested, the hint of a smile in his tone. “You know that. It was our song.”

You chuckled softly, the sound vibrating against Joel’s chest as you lay wrapped in each other’s arms. “They’re an interesting couple,” you murmured, looking up at Joel with a playful glint in your eye.

Joel’s lips quirked into a small smile as he listened to the banter from downstairs. “Frank’s nice enough,” he said, but you noticed he hadn’t mentioned Bill. There was a slight hesitation in his voice, a subtle tension that you could feel through the way his body stiffened ever so slightly.

You knew that Joel and Bill had a complicated relationship, one marked by an undercurrent of mutual respect mixed with a kind of wariness that neither of them could fully shake. Bill was a man who valued his solitude, fiercely protective of his territory and his way of life. He and Joel shared a similar toughness, a survival instinct honed by years of hardship, but their similarities also made them clash. Bill’s brusque nature, his guarded demeanor—it all rubbed up against Joel’s own rough edges, creating an awkward, sometimes strained dynamic between them.

They weren’t exactly friends in the traditional sense, but they weren’t enemies either. It was more like they understood each other on a level that didn’t require words—a kind of silent agreement to coexist, to respect the other’s boundaries, even if they didn’t always see eye to eye.

“Joel…”

“What?”

“They’re good people, Joel. Frank and Bill. They took us in when they didn’t have to. They gave us a place to stay till we figure it out,"

Joel’s gaze softened as he looked at you, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair away from your face. “Yeah, they did, I guess Bill's not that bad,” he admitted making you chuckle a little.

There was an unspoken acknowledgment between you—a recognition of the small sanctuary you had found in Bill and Frank’s home, however temporary it might be. And despite the rough edges, despite the unspoken tensions, you knew that Joel was grateful in his own way for the refuge they had provided.

You reached up, cupping his cheek as you pulled him in for another kiss, this one more urgent, more passionate. It was as if the song playing downstairs had ignited something in you—a deep, burning need that had been simmering beneath the surface for far too long. The kiss grew more intense, and as your lips moved against his, you could feel the unspoken desire that had been building between you for days.

Joel responded in kind, his hands moving to hold you closer, his touch becoming more insistent. There was no hesitation now, no more holding back. It was just the two of you, finally able to be together without fear or guilt. The world outside could wait; this moment was yours.

You guided him to be on the top of you, your bodies entwined as the song played on in the background. The melody seemed to echo the rhythm of your hearts, each beat syncing with the other as you moved together. The room was filled with the soft sounds of your shared breaths, the quiet sighs of pleasure as you lost yourselves in each other.

Joel’s hands roamed over your body, gentle but with a certain urgency, as if he couldn’t get enough of you. Every touch sent a shiver down your spine, every kiss ignited a fire within you. It was sweet, yes, but also passionate—like two souls finally finding their way back to each other after being lost for so long.

His lips trailed down your neck, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake, and you arched into him, craving more of his touch. The heat of his skin pressed against yours, and you could feel the steady beat of his heart, echoing in time with your own. It was a rhythm that spoke of love, of need, of the deep connection that bound you together—one that had weathered storms and now found solace in the quiet moments like this.

Joel’s hands slid down your sides, fingers brushing the delicate fabric of your white nightgown. Slowly, he lifted it over your head, the soft material grazing your skin as it fell away. His gaze never left yours, a silent reverence in the way he looked at you, as if you were the most precious thing he’d ever seen.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion, as he undid the last of his clothing, baring himself to you. The weight of his words settled into your heart, grounding you in the moment as he moved closer, his body warm and familiar against yours. When he positioned himself between your thighs, the anticipation hummed between you, a charged electricity that made every nerve in your body come alive.

As Joel entered you, slowly and tenderly, a soft moan escaped your lips. He moved with deliberate care, every thrust measured, as if savoring every second of being with you. His pace was slow, each movement a testament to the depth of his love, the gentleness of his touch weaving a tapestry of passion and tenderness that enveloped you both.

Your bodies moved in perfect harmony, fitting together as though they were made for each other. The world outside ceased to exist, leaving only the two of you in this moment of pure connection. There were no more secrets, no more hiding in the shadows. For the first time, you could be together completely, without fear or shame. It was as if the walls around your hearts had finally crumbled, allowing you to love each other fully, freely.

As you moaned softly, feeling the sweet friction within yours, the intensity of your connection deepened with every passing moment. Joel’s movements were unhurried, each thrust sending waves of pleasure rippling through you, building slowly but steadily. His breath was hot against your ear, his low growls of pleasure resonating through your body, making you shiver with anticipation.

“Joel…” you moan, your voice trembling with a mixture of need and love. His name on your lips felt like a prayer, a plea for this moment to never end, for the world to stay suspended in this perfect stillness where only the two of you existed.

Joel responded with a soft grunt, his hips pressing deeper, finding a rhythm that had you arching into him, your body reacting to his every move. He watched you intently, his eyes filled with a reverence that made your heart ache. In this moment, you were his entire world, and he was yours.

The slow, deliberate pace allowed every sensation to intensify—the way his skin brushed against yours, the way his hands roamed your body as if memorizing every curve, the way his gaze never wavered from yours, grounding you in the here and now. Every touch, every movement was a reminder that you were safe, cherished, and loved.

As Joel continued to move within you, the tension began to build, coiling tighter and tighter with every thrust. The world around you seemed to blur, your senses narrowing to the feel of him, the sound of his breath, the warmth of his skin. You were completely lost in each other, the outside world fading into insignificance.

And then, as if sensing you were on the edge, Joel leaned down, capturing your lips in a tender kiss, his lips moving softly against yours. The kiss was filled with all the emotions that words could never fully convey—his love, his desire, his unwavering commitment to you.

With a final, deep thrust, the tension within you snapped, and you came undone in his arms, your body trembling with the force of your release. Joel followed soon after, his own release a shuddering, overwhelming wave of pleasure that left you both breathless.

For a moment, the world stood still. You lay there in each other’s arms, your bodies entwined, hearts beating as one. The outside world, with all its dangers and uncertainties, felt miles away. Here, in this quiet space, there was only love—a love that had weathered every storm, a love that had brought moment of peace and completeness.

As your breathing slowed, you nestled closer to Joel, feeling the warmth of his body against yours, the strong, steady rhythm of his heartbeat under your cheek. He held you tightly, his arms wrapping around you as if he could shield you from the world outside, from all the darkness and danger that still lingered just beyond the walls of this room.

The song playing softly in the background, "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?", blended with the lingering hum of your emotions. The lyrics, the melody, all seemed to echo the storm you had weathered together—the downpours, the relentless winds, and finally, the calm after the storm. It was a moment of serenity that you both craved, a small piece of normalcy in a world that had been anything but.

You shifted slightly to look up at Joel, your hand resting gently on his chest. “I never thought I’d feel this way,” you whispered, your voice barely audible in the stillness of the room.

Joel’s hand moved to cradle your face, his thumb brushing tenderly over your cheek. “Me neither,” he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. “But I’m glad I do. I’m glad it’s with you.”

His words filled you with a warmth that spread through your entire being, a sense of belonging that you hadn’t felt in so long. Here, in his arms, you felt like you had finally found your home, not in a place, but in a person. In Joel.

“I love you, Joel,” you murmured, your voice steady despite the overwhelming emotions coursing through you.

Joel’s lips curved into a soft smile, one that reached his eyes, lighting them up in a way that made your heart swell. “I love you too, sweetheart,” he whispered, his voice filled with the same intensity of feeling that you held in your heart.

He pulled you closer, holding you as if he never wanted to let go. And in that embrace, you felt the world fall away, leaving only the two of you, wrapped in a love that was as deep and as vast as the ocean.

As you drifted off to sleep in Joel’s arms, you knew that whatever the future held, you would face it together. No matter the challenges, no matter the obstacles, you had each other. And that was enough. More than enough.

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