( It'd been just about four weeks since they both returned to Jackson. Joel catches Ellie's dubious expression now and then. The story he told her was something he stuck to and would stick to, no matter how many flashes of guilt strikes across her face when she looks at him. Survivor's guilt, they all had to experience it, sometimes multiple occasions of it. In this world, there was no way of getting out of it.
For the moment, they were sharing a home, but Ellie was getting her own little set up soon. It would belong to her, and she could do what she likes with it. Decorate it how she likes, and store whatever she wants in it. Ellie's never had something of her own - well, something big like this. Joel had a few longer than temporary residences. He, Tommy, Ellie, and a few of the others were fixing up the house to make it livable for her. They made pretty good progress each day, and pretty soon, she'll have her own space.
He wasn't looking forward to it, but the idea of not having to see the guilt darken her expression was something he considered. Would she feel less guilty away from him? Would he?
Joel stretches out on the leather couch in his living room. His hair was still a bit damp from washing up earlier. The couch was old (obviously) but even old for the disaster that swept across the world. The couch was still pretty damn comfortable, despite its age. They had also gotten quite a few provisions from the community when they came, including some flannel pajamas that happened to be Joel's favorite out of the collection. Hell, he hadn't had pajamas for about damn near over ten years.
He had lost track of Ellie before his wash and was too tired to see to her whereabouts. He could very well pass out where he sat. )
[ sometimes ellie can forget. sometimes she'll be working or eating or talking with other kids her age and she'll forget about how her and joel got to jackson. she'll forget about the conversation on the cliff, about her questions, about her doubt but in the quiet moments where she's left to herself she comes back to it all. she remembers.
the day is exhasting but ellie's excited for the little unit she'll call homesoon. not that she feels uncomfortable or awkward with joel, she just needs space. seeing him, seeing the way he watches her sometimes makes her wonder what happened in salt lake and she needs to get away from it. the more they're together the more she questions him and the more she feels guilty because she's determined to trust him. besides, she's never had a place of her own like the garage will be. her rooms in boston were always shared.
after dinner ellie sits out back for a bit, watching the stars and listening to the wind through the trees. when she feels that familiar doubt begin to creep back into her mind, she stands up aburptly and heads into the house to get ready for bed.
when she's done she takes a notebook and her walkman down to the dining room to get some sketching in. drawing helps take her mind off things, it helps calm her mind before she has to face sleep. although she's safe, there are still things that haunt ellie's dreams. she doesn't notice joel in the livingroom until she pulls her headphones off to stretch. she contemplates creeping upstairs without saying anything but she figures he'll hear her at some point. ]
You got a bed now, you know. [ she says quietly as she stands and walks over. ] Don't gotta sleep on couches anymore.
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healthkits2020-07-20 11:47 pm
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For the moment, they were sharing a home, but Ellie was getting her own little set up soon. It would belong to her, and she could do what she likes with it. Decorate it how she likes, and store whatever she wants in it. Ellie's never had something of her own - well, something big like this. Joel had a few longer than temporary residences. He, Tommy, Ellie, and a few of the others were fixing up the house to make it livable for her. They made pretty good progress each day, and pretty soon, she'll have her own space.
He wasn't looking forward to it, but the idea of not having to see the guilt darken her expression was something he considered. Would she feel less guilty away from him? Would he?
Joel stretches out on the leather couch in his living room. His hair was still a bit damp from washing up earlier. The couch was old (obviously) but even old for the disaster that swept across the world. The couch was still pretty damn comfortable, despite its age. They had also gotten quite a few provisions from the community when they came, including some flannel pajamas that happened to be Joel's favorite out of the collection. Hell, he hadn't had pajamas for about damn near over ten years.
He had lost track of Ellie before his wash and was too tired to see to her whereabouts. He could very well pass out where he sat. )
no subject
the day is exhasting but ellie's excited for the little unit she'll call homesoon. not that she feels uncomfortable or awkward with joel, she just needs space. seeing him, seeing the way he watches her sometimes makes her wonder what happened in salt lake and she needs to get away from it. the more they're together the more she questions him and the more she feels guilty because she's determined to trust him. besides, she's never had a place of her own like the garage will be. her rooms in boston were always shared.
after dinner ellie sits out back for a bit, watching the stars and listening to the wind through the trees. when she feels that familiar doubt begin to creep back into her mind, she stands up aburptly and heads into the house to get ready for bed.
when she's done she takes a notebook and her walkman down to the dining room to get some sketching in. drawing helps take her mind off things, it helps calm her mind before she has to face sleep. although she's safe, there are still things that haunt ellie's dreams. she doesn't notice joel in the livingroom until she pulls her headphones off to stretch. she contemplates creeping upstairs without saying anything but she figures he'll hear her at some point. ]
You got a bed now, you know. [ she says quietly as she stands and walks over. ] Don't gotta sleep on couches anymore.