It didn't take long for them to get settled. After Joel and Tommy's small argument everything seemed to be okay. Well except the small problem that Tommy didn't really like the fact that Ellie still had cordyceps in her body. Joel took it upon himself to explain to Tommy what happened with the fireflies. But in the end, Tommy couldn't just let Joel and Ellie fend for themselves. So despite the fact of Ellie possibly spreading the infection, Tommy decided to let them stay.

After all the trouble, Joel and Ellie were just happy to be able to truly call somewhere home. Their house was actually better than they thought it would be. Joel was told that he and Ellie were lucky because this was the only house available that was completely fixed up. But it didn't matter to them, as long as they were together, Joel and Ellie were fine.

It had only been a few hours since they'd arrived but it was getting close to dark.

"I guess I better start on dinner " Joel said to himself. He took the rabbit that he caught earlier and put in the pan to warm up. A few minutes later it was done.

"Ellie?" Joel called up the stairs.

Ellie came running down the staircase. "What is it Joel."

"Dinner's ready." He gave her a weak smile and led her into the kitchen.

They ate in only sound to be heard was the noises of them eating. There was still some tension in the air from earlier. After Ellie's confession to Joel, things just didn't seem right. But the silence was killing both of them. Someone had to say something.

"So, uh, how ya likin' the house?" Joel finally spoke.

Ellie barely looked at him. "It's fine I guess." She said with little to no emotion. She stared down at her plate, it was suddenly the most interesting thing in the room.

After nearly an hour of silence and "eating", Joel and Ellie went their separate ways. Ellie went back upstairs to their room and Joel to Tommy's house.

(Joel)

After about an hour at Tommy's, Joel decided to head back home. The whole time he thought of nothing but Ellie. He couldn't believe he lied to her and got caught. He should have known that Ellie would see right through him. Now knowing that Ellie loved him, Joel had to make things right.

After a couple of minutes of walking, Joel finally made it back to their home. He assumed Ellie was reading in their room, so he waited outside of the house just in case she heard him thinking.

"Look, Ellie about earlier-" Joel thought he was just talking to himself, but he was clearly audible through the door and hollow walls, as Ellie opened the door, with a stern look on her face.

"What about earlier?" She acted so innocent , as if it were the social norm to confess your love to a forty-something year old.

"Uh...I...jus' wanted to...uh..." He didn't have enough time to think. He was always thinking about her, he was just lost for words.

"Let me guess, 'It ain't normal for you to love someone like me, it's jus' hormones'" Ellie mocked Joel's Texan accent, even though she loved it.

"Exactly ma' point!" Joel raised his voice, causing Ellie to jump back in shock.

"Joel you gotta understand, it isn't hormones! I ain't jus' some horny teenager that latches onto any guy that takes ma' fancy!" Ellie matched Joel's tone but added more volume.

"Ellie! Would ya keep ya damn mouth quiet?! Someone'll hear you!" Joel moved his hands down by his side while his fists turned white from the clenching.

"I don't give a fuck! Hey everybody! I'm in love with an old gu-" Ellie was cut off as Joel covered her mouth with is rough, sweaty hand.

"C'mon, talk 'bout it inside." And with that the door became the victim to a swift slamming.