‘ 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 k͟i͟l͟l͟ .ᐟ ☠︎︎

“If you wake up before sunrise , then you got a deal , ” because he wakes up to greet the sun , it's his way of healing with the grief of losing Sarah and it's been doing him wonders. That and Riley likes to wake up early and come in and see his parents. Joel thinks it's →

“I'm sure she would be , ” he ruffled her hair a little , “Ill make ya breakfast , ” he's always up early , especially since Riley came into the picture , he likes to walk him to and from school.

“No , it's okay , mom's home but she's with Fox right now , ” he's opening the door a little bit more to let Ellie inside , “Really ??? That's like - a whole world away right ? ” He wanted to travel the country when he's older , help people , like a real cowboy !

“... Riley , ” he motioned to himself , his smile never leaving him , wearing a cowboy hat that was slightly too big for his head — but he means well , “Is it true you and dad went across the country ? ” because Riley didn't believe it !

“I'm glad too , ” he looked down at her with a smile , “You can crash here tonight if you want ? The garage is still set up to be - your room just - no stuff in it. ” The bed was still in there and if she wanted it was hers for the night.

→ more than capable woman. Soon , she probably won't even need him in her life at all. All kids fly the nest at some point , he just didn't want her leaving to be on bad terms.

→ at him sometimes , not with malice or hatred , but it was genuine grief , like she was mourning him even though ... “C ' mere , kiddo , ” She looks sad now , all he can do is offer her a side hug.

Even if she had a panic attack , he will try his best to help her through it , but ... Hopefully with hanging out , they will ease in time. Though Joel doesn't know how bad Ellie has things , he doesn't realise how ... Horrific the actual attack was. He woke up a month →

“... I'm good ! ” he beamed a little bit , “I'm - and you ? ” he asked , wanting to remain polite.

→ so he didn't want to spook her or argue , “Me and Tommy are gonna go fishin ' tomorrow mornin ' but by the afternoon I'll be free - if you wanna hang out ? ” Do something she wants to do ?

“Theres a couple of people in town who know it , they been showin ' me and - well - I got a couple books too — ” No , this is a conversation that should happen and Joel believes ... He really deserved what happened to him after the misery he left in his wake over the →