THE UNEXPECTED

06

A sigh escapes my parted lips as my head leans back against the wall, despite feeling so tired I find myself unable to sleep. I glance over at the others in envy, both Henry and Sam are passed out as well as Ellie. They all look so peaceful, however I notice that Joel is also still wide awake. He blinks, staring up at the ceiling, with an unreadable expression.

"Can't sleep?" I mutter, watching as Joel's head turns in my direction. He's the closest to me out of the others so I don't have to talk too loudly, luckily.

"Nope." He deadpans, and it was clear to me that something was on his mind. All day, we haven't had one moment of privacy and he knew that too. It's been so long since we've seen one another, yet I know him so well, "Why're you here, Em?" He cuts to the chase.

"I could ask the same thing," He sends me a pointed look making me sigh again and continue, "Fine. I'm looking for refuge and the last I spoke to Tommy he was convinced he could find this place in Jackson. He said he was gonna make a shot out of creating a civilisation and I, uh, want in. I'm fucking so sick of running and not settling." A wave of emotion struck me so hard I nearly gasped. I felt a burning sensation setting ablaze at the base of my throat and it only intensified as I tried not to cry.

I could feel his eyes on me as a tear finally slipped from my eye, it slid down my cheek and I made no effort to wipe it. It was only when I heard shuffling that I looked up, Joel was now close, so close that our proximity was decreasing rapidly as he leaned forward and swiped the tear from my skin with the pad of his thumb. I'd never felt so vulnerable in my life and here I was crying in-front of a man whom I haven't seen in years.

"Fuck." I sniffed, burying my head in my hands. My cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

"Oh, Em." He muttered, pulling me even closer that my head rested gently against his chest and his arms wrapped tightly around my torso. A sense of belonging filled within me, I'd never felt safe but being in his arms I was.

After a beat of silence, Joel spoke softly and I could feel his chest rumble with every syllable, "Y'know, I'm not like this with anyone. You're makin' me soft all over again, Parker." At that, I choked a laugh out and smiled gratefully.

"I could say the feelings mutual, Miller, but Ellie's growing on me." I joked, smiling even wider when Joel's chest vibrated with soft laughter.

"Yeah, she's growin' on me too." He revealed and I couldn't help but feel sympathetic. I could only guess that she reminded him of Sarah, the girl he lost and missed so dearly.

No words were spoken yet I remained within his embrace, his fingers danced along my exposed skin, creating goosebumps in their wake but it was somewhat comforting. And it was soon after that sleep overcame me.

Not long after finally getting some rest, I felt my shoulder being shaken ever so slightly. My eyes peeled open slowly only to be met the hazel ones of Joel.

"C'mon, it's time." I immediately nodded in understanding and began gathering my belongings together. Part of me worried that something would go terribly wrong tonight and I only hoped that my gut feeling wasn't right.

"Y'all, ready?" Henry asked, his eyes scanning over the three of us individually. I tried to keep my face neutral but in all truth, I was nervous.

"Yeah," Joel answered.

Henry nodded. "Okay. Alright, y'all stay close, okay?" There was a slight tremble in his voice and I noticed the hesitancy in his step. He was nervous, just as I was.

We left the safety of our office and into the night of the city. Our quickest way down to the lobby was the emergency stairwell and I gripped the railing for balance, in attempts to calm my nerves.

"Relax." I feel Joel's presence behind me, his warmth radiating through my clothed back, and it was almost immediately that my shoulders loosened and a breath left my lips. Joel always knew how my nerves affected me and how to ease them.

Hunters patrolled the vicinity, including two inside who was posted by the front desk. The five of us ducked behind a short wall, and Joel peaked his head out to assess the situation and figure out our next move, "Henry, follow me and Emily, you stay here with the kids."

I watched as they snuck off toward the two hunters by the desk, they were huddling beside a fire for warmth and aimlessly chatted amongst themselves. Once again, I found myself gazing at Joel and it was becoming an issue. He always seemed to cloud my thoughts, much like he did all those years ago but now it was resurfacing again.

"I think he likes you too, y'know." I feel Ellie crouch beside me and whisper into my ear. I shake my head, feeling slightly embarrassed that the teen had picked up on my behaviour so quick, but what she didn't know was the extent of our history, "I saw you guys all cuddled up, it was kinda cute, cute but also gross." She pretended to gag for a moment before nudging my side playfully.

"Shush, you." I said grinning at her.