Disclaimer: I don't own The Last of Us.
"What goin' on here, Joel?"
Joel turned away from the Christmas tree to face the one who had just spoken to him. He saw the young girl who had just entered the lounge, her jaw gaping over how beautifully decorated it was.
He smiled warmly. It had been a long time since he had looked toward to this special day of the year. It was an exciting time for him as a father as it was for his daughter. He always used to look forward to seeing Sarah coming downstairs from bed to find all the presents left for her under the tree during the night before. It had been a day of bringing plenty of happiness to his baby girl.
Such a duty had been robbed of him when Sarah had been mercilessly killed by the military.
Having his beloved daughter taken from him had made this time of the year painful for Joel to get through. Not having her there to excite and delight with so many gifts all for her left him with no purpose for such a day.
That is until the girl standing before him that moment had entered his life, filling the hole that had been in his heart.
"Ellie…" Joel said softly, turning away from the Christmas tree to approach her with a smile.
"What's all this for?" Ellie asked as she gazed at the foot of the tree. She had been puzzled enough on the day when Joel had brought it into the house and decorated, but to find the foot of it littered with boxes covered in colourful paper was baffling to the teenager. "What gives?"
Joel stopped before her. "It's about time you enjoyed the magic of Christmas."
"Christmas?" Ellie repeated, having no understanding of what her guardian was referring to, let alone any experience of it.
"You've been through too much in your life at such a young age. It's time you let go of things like the Infected and the Fireflies – and just enjoyed things for kids like you."
"But I don't know anything about Christmas!"
"You soon will…" Joel smiled softened as he held up what was in his hands. "…if you open this gift from me."
Ellie stared at the box covered in shiny green wrapping paper that Joel was holding out towards her. No one had ever given her a Christmas present before. She didn't know how to react.
"But, Joel…"
"Ellie…" Joel held the box closer, eager for the teenager to find out what he had put inside for her. "Just open your present…"
The auburn-haired girl stared at the present for a little longer before taking it from the man's hands. She ripped off the green wrapping paper to bare the brown cardboard sides of the box. She pulled open the flap and peered inside to see what her gift was.
A delighted gasp instantly escaped her when she found out.
The sound of joy she made was followed by a high-pitched yapping.
The next thing Ellie knew, she was having her face licked. The girl laughed happily as she wrapped her arms around the tiny golden Labrador puppy that had been inside the box with a red boy tied around her neck. She jubilantly hugged her present who was showering her with affection, her little tail wagging fast.
"Thank you, Daddy!"
Joel blinked in astonishment at how Ellie addressed him. It was enough to bring a warm feeling in his heart, made of happiness that he had not felt in such a long time. He smiled, both from what he had been called and how he had managed to make the young girl who had called him it feel.
With twinkling eyes, Joel raised a hand to gentle ruffle Ellie's red hair, then kissed her forehead lovingly.
"Merry Christmas, baby girl…"
The end.