GUARDIAN, TLOU

11.

Turns out, the woman recognised Joel's name, ordering the men to allow the trio ride their own horses. Ellie on one, and Joel and Jo on another, Ellie being adamant on riding her own and having only one other spare.

Jo looked around in awe as she took in the town, smiling at the kids building snowmen and looking up at the lights above her head.

Behind her, Joel squeezed her hips, inspecting the area for his brother. Spotting him, he mutters in Jo's ear, requesting her to halt as he shouted out, "Tommy!"

The man in question turned, shock covering his features as his brother got off the horse, rushing toward him.

They met half way, wrapping their arms around each other. Tommy laughed, "What the fuck you doin' here?"

Joel pulled back, "I came here to save you," he laughed as they went back to hugging.

***

After the initial introduction, Tommy and the woman—Maria—had welcomed them to dinner in one of their restaurants. Their plates were filled to the rim and Jo had to push down a pleasant groan at the glorious taste of their meals.

"There's more if you need it."

Joel nodded, "Thank you, ma'am. It's been a while since we've had a proper meal."

Jo smiled, agreeing, "Yes, thank you. This tastes incredible."

Ellie points to Joel, "Actually, I don't think I've ever had a proper meal. This is fuckin' amazing."

Tommy's eyes widened at the girl's vocabulary and Jo shoved down a smile that threatened to show.

"Sorry. Ellie... let's mind our manners."

It seemed the girl wasn't done, spotting another teen watching her from across the room. She scowled in irritation and shouted out to her, causing her to run away, "What?"

Joel frowned, "What's wrong with you?"

"What about her manners?"

"She was just curious. Kids around here don't usually look or talk like you."

"Right...well, maybe I'll teach them. And I want my gun back."

"They also aren't armed."

"You know what? Uh... I think maybe y'all got a little off on the wrong foot," started Tommy, almost hesitantly. He didn't want them to start a cat fight.

"She was gonna have her guys kill us," argued Ellie.

"Well, we gotta be real careful about who we let in this place. But it's all bark. We're just tryna scare off those who might wanna try us is all."

"Well, you got a couple of 90-year-olds shitting themselves out there."

Jo sighed in sync with Joel, lowering her cutlery, "Ellie."

"They say that you leave dead bodies around?"

"Those are the people who tried us. A bad reputation doesn't mean you're bad. Not always, at least," spoke Maria.

Jo didn't fail to notice the woman's look toward Joel, squinting her eyes at the woman in irritation. In case she forgot, Joel wasn't the only brother involved in hunting.

"Ma'am... we're grateful for your hospitality and all. But it'd be nice to have a moment here, maybe just for family."

Tommy looked awkward, "Well, um... Maria is family, actually."

Jo widened her eyes in realisation, whispering under her breath, "Damn."

Beside her, Ellie gasped, "Oh, shit! Congrats."