The Miracle Place

13.

{Billy}

BILLY SIGHED INTO Joel's chest, his breaths frosting in the cool autumn air. Wrapped in Joel's fluffy blanket, they swayed gently in the hammock, laying in silence. The moment should have been a short time of relaxation, and for the most part, it was. However, it would have been completely peaceful for Billy if he wasn't so concerned about crushing Joel. He felt bad for constantly asking, "Is this okay?" and "Are you really comfortable, or are you lying so I don't feel bad?" to which Joel would respond, "Just shut up already, I'm fine."

Still, Billy was tense, trying his best to keep his weight off Joel as much as possible, but Joel was not having it. He hooked a foot around his ankle and lifted it off the hammock, making Billy's legs buckle. Joel smiled at his success, and Billy fought the urge to kiss him again. He finally relaxed and waited for any sign of discomfort or a strangled, "Can't breathe," from the man beneath him, but Joel just smiled wider and kissed the top of his head, an oddly nostalgic action.

It was all very strange to Billy, but it was a good strange. A great strange, even. It felt like he'd answered a question right - one he'd been struggling with for years, and it was the best feeling describable.

Again he was plagued with the realization that time flew quickly. He felt like he'd been with Joel like this for years. And Jane, he had known her whole life. She was now his daughter, he'd decided. Whether she knew it or not, he would protect her like a father. The only issue was, he wasn't sure if he was any good at being a father. Billy didn't have a father growing up, and Jane couldn't tell him otherwise, because she didn't even know what a father was a few days ago. That left one option.

"Hey, Joel?" he mumbled, his voice barely audible against Joel's neck.

"Yeah?"

"Am I doing this right?"

There was a long pause before Joel shifted. "Doing what right?"

"This whole... father thing with Jane. Am I- doing it right?"

Joel shook slightly with a chuckle. "Well, you're certainly not doing it wrong. I can tell you care about her a lot. You gave up everything - you're putting your life on the line for her. You put her safety before yours, I don't think you could do a better job."

Billy's cheek rubbed against the cotton fabric as he nodded, not knowing what else to say.

"Why do you ask?"

He shrugged. "I just wanted to know, and I didn't have a dad growing up, so I wouldn't know... you have a dad, though."

Joel scoffed. "My dad is an asshole. You're already doing a better job than he did."

"Yeah, but your dad had good intentions, at least."

"Most villains have good intentions," Joel argued. "Doesn't make mass genocide excusable."

"Guess so." Billy's phone buzzed in his pocket and he groaned, reaching to retrieve it. "Molly's calling. I should answer," he said, rolling out of Joel's arms. He walked outside the shed and leaned against the side. "Hey, Molly."

"William! How are you?"

"Yeah, I'm alright. I'm good, how are you?"

"Where'd you go? I haven't seen you in a week, you just disappeared."

"Something came up. A family emergency."

"So, you're not in New York?"

"No, I'm with Alice."