#joel ft. joyce ( kusatta )

[sasouken]

her words knock the air out of his lungs and he has to fight to remember how to breathe for a second. he's just a kid. his jaw clenches and his gaze falters before he closes his eyes to anchor himself once more. "i know," he says softly. "i know." his hands squeeze her shoulders before he's tugging her into him, wrapping his arms around her. "joyce, i'm not gonna put him or you in danger. 'm. . . sorry that . . . things got a little out of hand, but i would give my life for that kid, y'know that?" he sighs, giving her a squeeze. "why don't you go in there and get some rest with him, yeah? i'll keep watch."

sasouken​.

                                “damn it, joyce — why’s everythin’ gotta be an argument with you, huh?” hand rubs against his forehead, smudging dirt and grime. “we didn’t have time to find another way. if we were havin’ a stroll in the park – sure, take all the goddamn time y'want, but we’re not.” he turns to glance over at the door where will is on the other side. “you’re payin’ me to keep him safe, yeah? if i thought there was a chance he’d get hurt, i’d’ve found another way.” he gave will a hard time, but it wasn’t because he didn’t like the kid. he just didn’t want him to get hurt. he wanted him to toughen up so this doomed world wouldn’t hurt him anymore than it has. lips press together as he shakes his head, turning to face joyce. he reaches out, placing both hands on her shoulders, squeezing. “he’s going to be fine. he’s tougher than he looks.”

                                “   I’M NOT   —   “   an   exasperated   sigh,   lips part to   counter,   only for   voice to die   in her throat.   why did he   always   have to   undermine   the things she said   —   as if she wasn’t   AWARE   of the danger the three of them were   constantly   in.   “   would it   kill   you to listen to me   ?   “   brows furrow,   “   i mean it   :   i want you to   really   listen to me.   “   hands are raised,   fingertips wrapping around the other’s wrist as she   squeezes.   “   —   just because he’s   immune   doesn’t mean anything other than the fact that he can   survive   a bite,   joel.   i get that we have to do what we   need   to in order to make it out of this   alive,   but   …   he’s just a kid.   “   a pause,   she searches his expression for any sort of acknowledgement,   “   he’s just a kid.   “