Right where you left me {a Joel Miller fanfiction}

Chapter 17 - Somewhere Only We Know

"And if you have a minute, why don't we go. Talk about it somewhere only we know?" - Somewhere Only We Know, Keane

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December 2023, Somewhere in Wyoming

By nightfall we had found somewhere to camp, a small fire that we got started earlier to cook the rabbits that Ellie had stolen from the old couple, heating me and Joel as I buried my face further into his chest, my body curved around his. The sound of his steady heartbeat beneath all his layers brought me a sense of comfort, it always did. But after feeling how fast it had beaten earlier I was even more grateful to hear it going at its usual pace. Joel's fingers were tangling themselves through my hair, almost lulling me to sleep but I wanted to stay awake to take first watch. It seemed only right after what he had been through today, plus he was beginning to look more and more exhausted with each passing day.

"If you're trying to get me to sleep, it ain't gonna happen Miller," I muttered, holding in a yawn that would have given away my game.

He laughed lightly, making my head bounce on his chest, "You're a very demanding woman Bridget Adams," His hand stopped moving, making me open my eyes and shift slightly to look up at him. He smiled softly at me, moving some hair off my forehead, "I just like your hair, that's all."

My smile grew at his comment, I knew he had always liked my hair. I rarely ever wore it down, I'd never forget the look on his face when he first saw it not in an up-do. Looked at me like I was some movie star, no one had ever looked at me the way Joel did. Even at my worst, hell even covered in blood he still managed to call me beautiful.

"Don't go soft on me cowboy," I teased, adjusting myself so I was now sitting up beside him, head on his shoulder giving me a clear view of the night sky that was dancing with colours. Ellie watching it from the top of a rock that she had climbed up sometime after Joel specifically told her not to, "God would you look at that. Isn't it beautiful."

"Yeah it's real nice—" He cut himself off, bringing his fingers to his mouth to whistle at Ellie, "Get down from there. You're gonna break your neck." He called, pulling a flask out from his jacket to which my eyes lit up at the sight of.

Ellie jumped down, taking a seat across from us at the fire as Joel took a swig from the flask, "Ahh. Can I have some?" She asked, a hopeful look on her face.

"No," Joel answered firmly, shaking his head.

I lifted my head off his shoulder, "Oh come on. It'll warm her up," Ellie nodded eagerly in agreement.

Joel looked down at me, one eyebrow raised, "Coming from the grown woman that can't even handle her liquor."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes as I snatched it out his hand, "I do just fine, you're the bad influence," I leaned forward passing it to Ellie, pulling it back before she could fully take it, "Just one sip. One."

She nodded as I handed it over to her, she inspected the flask, holding it up to cheers before she took a sip. Her face scrunched up in disgust, causing me to break out into laughter, "Yep...still gross," Ellie commented, handing me the flask back.

I tapped my fingers against the flask, "It can't be that bad," I hesitated slightly as Joel and Ellie both watched me intently, I glanced at both of them before I brought the cold metal to my lips and let the liquid enter my mouth, burning my throat. I tried to cover up my look of disgust, "See no big deal–" I cut myself off, coughing as the taste finally caught the back of my throat.

"See. I told you it was gross!" Ellie exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air

Joel scoffed out a laugh, taking it out of my hands and taking another sip, completely unfazed, "Weaklings."