Of The Valley (Joel x Reader)

...That Feels like Tragedy Is At Hand (II)

Time passed and life loosened up. Joel's smile was brighter with the addition of the whiskey, the fire burned hotter and the night sky deepened. You were listening to someone tell a story of how they were accidentally involved in a bank robbery. Each new comment caused an eruption of laughter. It felt good to laugh, to lean in next to Joel and feel his chest rumble with laughter.

When the story was over, the crowd dispersed. You wanted to stay like that forever, but there were people inside that you wanted to socialize with. It would be impolite not to. Your hit list of conversation was Maria and Tommy, Ellie (possibly Cat too), Jesse and Dina. Joel probably had other things he wanted to do tonight too. You hoped he didn't want to dance. Dancing wasn't your forté, with Mark it was a once in a lifetime type of deal. Or maybe it was an activity that only happened with him. It was special to him. There would be other things for Joel, you could pass up one lifetime of dancing if it meant holding onto the memory of Mark.

"You ready to head inside?" You asked Joel once the chatter had fully died down.

"Sure. Need a refill anyways," He replied, gesturing to his empty glass.

He led you to the door, his hand on the small of your back. "Is the whiskey good? Newly brewed or the twenty five plus year age mark?"

"Newly brewed. You think Tommy would crack open the good stuff just for a public party? And I wouldn't really call this whiskey. Jackson's finest,"  He laughed, the crinkle in his eyes deepened. Jackson's whiskey was far from fine, but it did the trick. It was hard to come about a pre-apocalypse bottle of whiskey these days.

"Fair enough. Maybe call it spicy water — or if it's strong enough, 90% isopropyl rubbing alcohol."

"I didn't say it were bad. It's just not whiskey."

The party was still alive, the night was beginning to die but the liveliness wasn't. People had loosened up, Dina was dancing with Jesse, most eyes were on her. The girl knew how to dance. You smiled as Jesse dipped her, and she bowed as the song ended.

You examined the room, looking for any signs of Maria and Tommy. They were near the back of the church, talking with another couple.

"Want to talk to Maria and Tommy? I see them over there." You pointed to them.

He nodded and led you over to Maria and Tommy, both nursing the 'whiskey'. You waited patiently until the other couple wandered off.

"How's it going?" You asked them cheerfully.

Tommy took a sip of his drink, the slight change in expression made you suddenly realize Joel had lied about it 'not being bad'.

"Good, how are you two? Enjoying the party?" Maria replied. She leaned against one of the pews that had been pushed aside for the night.

"We are. Fire outside is still going strong. Party in here looks right the same way," Joel said, glancing around the room.

"I'm surprised to see you two out tonight, together, I mean. Been awhile since I've seen you two together inside of Jackson." Tommy told you. You bit the inside of your cheek, not quite knowing whether or not to be offended by his comment.

Joel stood up straighter, redirecting Tommy's slightly snide comment.  "I owed her a date," Joel leaned in closer to Maria and Tommy, "I'm sure you remember how Fourth of July ended."

Tommy and Maria stifled a laugh. "Oh we sure do."

You laughed too, but there was a nagging feeling. Fourth of July had been eventful, laughable by Maria, Tommy and Joel's standards but they didn't know the full extent of what had happened that night and what happened after.