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Romance & Resilience

Thursday. May 21st, 2043.

"Hey little brother". Joel greeted lightly as he walked into Tommy's room and saw him curled up in bed.

"You're supposed to knock!". Tommy snapped in a watery voice.

Joel frowned at his little brother's attitude but did as told, giving three solid knocks on the bedroom door.

"Go away!". Tommy snapped once more as he sat up with a glare in his big brother's direction.

"Not happening". Joel said as he walked over and sat on the bed. "Talk to me".

"Talk to you about what?". Tommy asked, wiping away the tears he'd been trying and failing to contain.

"Tommy, you killed Tony". Joel replied quietly. "That's really something that you need to properly address instead of staying shut up in your room all day".

"It was an accident... I saw Tony pointing his gun at Boone and then Sarah suddenly popped into my mind and I just pulled the trigger without thinking". Tommy tearfully explained.

"Boone knows that it was an accident". Joel said reassuringly. "Hell, He even defended you when I brought it up".

"It's just - we were finally getting along, you know?". Tommy said with a sniff. "How does he not fuckin' hate me for this?".

"Because he knows that you only reacted on instinct". Joel replied, reaching out and placing his arm around Tommy's shoulders.

"Reacting on instinct is a pretty piss poor excuse for shooting and killing an innocent man". Tommy grumbled. "Maybe I should just leave, everything goes wrong when I'm around".

"Tommy, don't even think about going anywhere". Joel said sternly.

"Joel...". Tommy started to say quietly.

"I mean it Tommy, I don't need you taking off on us and I end up finding your body in a damn ditch somewhere two days later!". Joel snapped.

"Alright... I won't go anywhere". Tommy relented after a few seconds.

"Thank you". Joel said, giving Tommy's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"I'm sorry". Tommy said quietly as he looked down at the floor.

"Tommy, we're good, alright?". Joel stated in a firm but gentle voice.

"No... I'm sorry for taking off like that after Sarah died, I shoulda been there for you". Tommy elaborated.

"It's a good thing you weren't around". Joel replied dismissively. "All the fucked up shit that I did...".

"Yeah but If I hadn't taken off on you then maybe you wouldn't have done any of that shit". Tommy argued.

Joel went to respond but was interrupted by Miguel calling out to him from downstairs. "Joel let's go! Rocky's gonna be pissed if we're late!".

"I'll be right there!". Joel called back before turning back to Tommy. "We'll talk more later, alright?".

"I thought Rocky was doing house calls with you guys?". Tommy asked with a cheeky grin.

"Yeah, that was before my stubborn mule of a husband discovered that he was getting the feeling in his legs back". Joel replied grumpily.

"You could just tie him to the bed you know". Tommy suggested.

"Kinky". Joel replied with a laugh as he started walking out of the bedroom. "I'll see you later alright?".

"Get outta here, he's waiting". Tommy replied over Miguel once again impatiently calling out for Joel.

Joel shot his little brother one last grin before heading downstairs, where an impatient looking Miguel was waiting for him.