Always & Forever (A 'The Last Of Us' Fanfic)

Chapter 33

Joel walked into the house not making eye contact with anyone. He went straight to his room, closed the door and locked it. He started to sob silently. He couldn't believe what he'd just done. He'd just let go of the best part of him a couple of minutes before the New Year. How screwed up was that? Starting the New Year without the love of his life at his side.

"Two more minutes!" he heard his mom shout from downstairs.

He looked up at the ceiling and just thought how hard this year was going to be.

Beth couldn't understand how Joel could just end things like that. Break up at the drop of a hat? No. She wasn't ready to accept that. She let a few tears fall before she regained her composer. Instead of going through the front door and having a million eyes on her, she decided to climb the house where Joel's room was. When she got to the window, she opened it up and let herself in. Joel was sitting by his door with tears clearly streaming down his eyes. He cleared his throat when she got closer to him. She knelt down in front of him and looked him in the eye.

"You can't break up with me, Joel. You clearly didn't want to. Why would you do it?" she asked as she let her own tears fall.

"I don't want to hurt you," he choked out.

"Well that's exactly what breaking up would do to me. I'd be inconsolable and too fucked up to even think about working in New York. Is that what you want?" she asked moving to straddle him.

She pressed her forehead against his.

"I want you. Always," he whispered.

She lifted his chin and kissed him deeply. He got up with her securely in his arms and laid her down on the bed. They both began to undress and moved deeper into the bed.

"5...4...3...2...1! Happy New Year!" everyone roared downstairs.

Beth and Joel were too preoccupied to notice. His muscles flexed as he thrusted into her. She gripped onto him for dear life and moaned with every thrust. They each got lost in ecstasy as they rolled around in the sheets. Once they'd finished, they lay curled up to one another with sweat dripping down both their foreheads, catching their breaths.

"You have to go to New York. It'll break me if you don't," Joel said while looking up at the ceiling.

Beth looked up at him.

"I know," she whispered.

They remained silent until they eventually fell asleep.

Three weeks later...

Julianne had called Beth up the second week of the New Year. As much as she wanted to decline the offer, she knew that Joel would never forgive himself for it. He'd blame himself for the rest of his life. And the thought of him feeling guilty when he didn't have to be, didn't sit right with her at all. She accepted the offer and made sure she told Joel when she did. If going to New York made him happy, then that's what she'd do.

"I can see it now, 'Beth Logan. World Renowned Photographer.' Everyone who's anyone will be wanting you to take their photo," Joel said as the two of them lay on the field of bluebonnets they both loved so much.

"Stop. I doubt I'll be that successful," she said.

"Are you still so unsure of how amazing you are?" he asked kissing her on the forehead.

"That's why I need you by my side reminding me," she retorted.

"You don't need anyone to tell you what you know you are, Beth. You know this stuff. It's your calling. The only thing I'll ever have to remind you is to do your best," he said.