Chapter 12! Thanks for all of your support throughout this story. (HappyZompyresNeverDie: It took me a good five minutes to spell absurd correctly and my hand is healing up nicely thanks for your courtesy.)

Joel and Ellie made it home accompanied by Tommy. Michael and Andrew went off to their families and at the end of the day so did Tommy.

"Ellie, I may not encourage what you did...but you and your friends have taken the weight off my shoulders." Tommy gave Ellie a pat on the shoulder before leaving.

"Thanks, Tommy." Ellie bid him farewell as they left for home. Joel was still way too quiet for Ellie's liking.

"Joel, what's the matter with you?" Ellie held onto Joel's waist.

"You shouldn't have done that..." Joel didn't make eye contact.

"Oh for fuck's sake Joel-" Ellie was cut off.

"But I'm glad you're still hear." Joel gave a weak smile but it was enough. "Love you, Ellie." Joel continued to look straight ahead at the path in front of them. Holy shit, he loves me!

"Love you too, Joel." Ellie held him tighter.

Hearing that from Joel was a big deal. He had never been open about his feelings (Or open about anything for that matter) and he finally confessed his love for Ellie. Joel gave Ellie a kiss on the forehead.

"Please don't leave me again." Joel sounded desperate. He had never acted like this before, he was so...needy. But it didn't bother Ellie in the slightest.

"I won't." Ellie snuggled into his side. The two walked home as the breeze from the night soaked through their skin.

When they got home Ellie lead Joel in through the door holding his hand.

Ellie meant to kiss him on the cheek but kissed his mouth. They stood their awkwardly for a couple seconds.

"Well...I'm off to bed." Ellie declared as she trotted up the stairs.

"I'll be up in a bit." Joel had to make sure the comic was still there and contact.

When Ellie closed the door, Joel swung his pack off of his back and began to rummage through it. It was still there. All of his gear was. Joel thought back and remembered what Ellie had holstered on her side.

"Ellie, c'mere." Joel shouted. He didn't sound angry, just confused. Ellie jogged down the stairs, only wearing a black skin-tight and jeans.

"What's up?" Ellie came to a stop in front of him. He pointed at her gun.

"Where did ya get that?" Joel squinted his eyes like she was a criminal.

"Oh, this?" Ellie pulled the gun out from her jeans and spun the chamber, sporting a smug look as she knew how to handle the gun. "I asked Maria for a gun."

Joel looked at her suspiciously. "Ellie..." Joel was beginning to sound impatient.

"Alright, alright. So I needed a better gun, so I went to Maria and she gave me this." Ellie pointed to her gun. "I said that you needed it 'cause you lost your's." Ellie tilted her head down and bit her lip, still keeping eye contact. Joel didn't look happy

"Sorry Joel, I was only thinking of you...I've been a bad girl." Ellie walked up to him with the puppy-look. Joel grabbed her shoulders to stop her from coming closer.

"Ellie...don't." Joel kissed Ellie on the lips and held it for a couple seconds.

"I love you Ellie, but give me time." Joel looked exhausted but not with her. Ellie looked disappointed and Joel could see it.

"C'mon, let's get some sleep." Joel put his arms around her waist and lifted her up and over his shoulder. She wasn't small but she wasn't heavy. She giggled as his hand held her ass to stop her from falling off.

When Joel carried them to the bedroom, he dropped Ellie on the bed, making it move back slightly. Joel pulled the sheets over Ellie and snuggled up to her.

-...-

The next morning, Ellie woke up alone and cold. Joel got up earlier so he cold get some eggs from the chicken coop. Ellie got up and started sniffing when she opened the door. She walked down the stairs, lazily as she wiped her eyes. She made it to the kitchen and saw Joel standing over the gas cooker. He was making scrambled eggs.

Ellie greeted him, "Mornin' Joel." She said as she pulled up a chair at the table. "Smells good." She began to tap the table impatiently.

"So now you like my cookin-" Joel turned around and let out a loud chuckle when he laid eyes on Ellie. He turned back around.

"Might wanna get ready." Joel was still chuckling to himself.

"Okay...?" Ellie said suspiciously before she got up and walked back up the stairs. She opened the bathroom door and looked into the mirror. Oh shit...

Ellie was a mess. Her hair was sticking up in places, she had bags under her eyes, her face was dirty and she was only wearing her skin-tight and panties. Ellie cleaned herself up and made her way back down to the kitchen where Joel was sitting.

"Joel...why am I not wearing my jeans?" She whispered into his ear.

"You took 'em off last night...and I didn't really mind it-" He stopped when she hit him in the arm out of embarrassment. She shook her head before she looked at her spot at the table.

"Oh shit, Joel!" She ran over to her place and stared at the book that was presented. Joel watched her flick through the pages, with a big smile on his face. She still has something left of a childhood.

"This is the last one in the series!" Ellie yelped as she sat down to read it.

"Don't get too excited...you've gotta help Maria out with the garden today." Ellie looked at him disappointingly.

"Can't you just do it?" Ellie's smile slowly faded.

"Sorry baby-girl, I gotta help Tommy with the dam." Joel crossed his arms. "But I might...uh...make it up to you later." Joel was grinning again and so was Ellie. "But only if you're good."

Holy shit, it's gonna happen! Ellie thought to herself as she ate her eggs and read a few page of her comic book. Good thing summer days are short.

I don't know how long this chapter is, but it's all I could do seeing though it's a Monday. Joel has had a sudden change of heart and might act upon his feelings. If you enjoyed then don't forget to tell me what and why, I love reading all your reviews. See ya'll in chapter 13