Secrets And Hope {The Last Of Us Fanfiction}

XVIII

"Fuck!"

"I'm sorry," Nora replied timidly as she cleaned away the blood that had pooled on Joel's leg with a rag. The two had managed to escape Livingstone and made their way back to the barn once more for the night. Seeing Joel's leg in a bad way, she insisted that she at least cleaned it up and covered it until they got back home.

"It's fine, keep going," Joel spoke through gritted teeth, his eyes watching as Nora continued to mop up the remaining blood. Seeing the blood was finally stopping, Nora ripped up her spare shirt and wrapped it around Joel's leg.

"There we go," She sat back on her heels and looked up at Joel, "How do you feel?"

"I've felt better," He scoffed, before shuffling up against the barn wall for support, "Sorry,"

"For what?" Nora's brow creased into a frown.

"For getting shot,"

With a chuckle, Nora shook her head, "You don't need to apologise for you getting shot, Joel. It wasn't your fault,"

"Yeah well..." He shrugged awkwardly. With a small giggle, she moved next to Joel and sat down against the wall. Silence bestowed them as they listened to the wind whistling fiercely against the barns structure, making it creak and groan. It was safe to say that with the rain and wind, no hunters would be after them that night.

"Thank you," Joel broke the silence, his eyes fell down to her as she lean't against his arm, "For patching me up,"

"It's my pleasure," Nora said softly, a small smile settled peacefully on her lips. In the glowing light, Joel couldn't help but notice the little things about Nora. The way her lips creased in the corners as she smiled, or the fine lines on her forehead or eyes from the stress she had endured over the years. Yet it made her all the more beautiful.

Taking all of her in, it made Nora blush and she went to look away, but Joel caught her chin, stopping her. Their eyes met, and slowly, inch by inch, they moved closer. Lips mere inches away, before finally, they met. The kiss was soft, warm and slow as the two tested the waters. First it was a peck, but as they melted into each others touch, they went back for more, their lips moved against each others. It was like little fireworks exploding in Nora's stomach, and after what seemed like an eternity, Joel's heart felt content.

Nora eventually broke from the kiss, her breath shaken slightly, but a smile broke out upon her lips as she looked into Joel's heavily lidded eyes, "Well I..."

She staggered over her words, before letting out a nervous giggle, "I better go keep watch outside,"

"Okay," Joel said with a gentle smile, and he watched as she rose to her feet and made her way towards the barn door.

Looking back towards Joel, she watched as he settled down to go to sleep, and her smile slowly dropped, and a pang of guilt hit her immediately.

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Only a short chapter this time im afraid, but expect shocking and exciting things to come!!!! Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter 💕