Thanks, Daddy
She rocked back and forth, crying. The blood covered machete glistened nearby. He was so fucking dead. And he so fucking deserved it.
Joel hugged her tightly. He didn't want to let go. Ever. His one reason to live in this world, his lone source of happiness in a soul-crushingly miserable world was bawling like the 14 year old she was supposed to be.
He never wanted any of this to happen to her. Dealing with the Infected: that somehow seemed normal. Dealing with this... He cursed himself for getting thrown off that damn balcony at the University in the first place. How the fuck did she get me patched up and get us to safety? How the hell did she – "now's not the time," he thought.
Joel pulled Ellie away, checking on her condition, seeing if she could move. He had slaughtered all who stood in his way to get to her, but had no idea how many men this all-too-typical gang of assholes had left.
"Ellie, I gotcha." Her green eyes looked tired. She leaned her minuscule weight on him and they exited the restaurant, letting that whole episode burn to the ground.
Joel wasn't sure if it would be safe at the house Ellie had found for them. He couldn't see Callous – Callous, he snorted – anywhere so he assumed the worst. Maybe they could find a new town nearby and try to get some rest. Joel's stomach still ached like all hell, and he knew he wanted to console Ellie without having to worry about Infected. Just for a goddamn minute at least.
As they approached the town, Ellie whimpered.
"Ellie? What's wrong baby girl?"
For the first time in 2 hours, she finally spoke. "Joel." He winced at his name. She had seemed alright, physically, for the most part aside for some scrapes and bruises, but he had been dreading asking her about anything else.
Ellie tried to compose herself. "I just..." The tears rolled down her face. "I...where the fuck were you?" she half-heartedly exclaimed. Joel had seen this before. Always that struggle with Ellie. That innocent girl against that ridiculously profane bravado. Those precocious green eyes with that fiery red hair.
He tried to smile. "Well...uh. You know I'm old as shit, you remind me about that all the time." She let out a small giggle. Joel felt tears in his eyes. That's all he could hope for.
Joel hugged her. "Look. You don't need to talk about anything you don't want to. But if you need to, I'm always here. Always."
Ellie leaned back. "Thanks, daddy." She walked ahead of him. "Daddy," Joel thought.