your relationship with Joel is changing slowly and heavily. it’s hard to navigate, but it’s worth it.
18+. angsty/grumpy Joel, grinding.
i was excited to post this one, y’all.
~
Everything shifts when you get to Jackson.
You think it’s because Joel can unwind. Neither of you have to keep looking over your shoulder, weary of FEDRA or infected or even some asshole on the street. Joel still keeps you close, of course - but now it’s because he can, not because he has to.
You wonder if Jackson is what will do it. It won’t be home, you and Joel left Tess back in the QZ, and you’ll be going back for her.
But for now, you’re sticking around town. And even though it’s freezing, practically in the dead of winter, you feel warm. Like right now, as you sit next to Joel at the table across from Tommy and Maria, the side of his thigh pressed against yours.
Warm. Present. Because Joel wants to be.
~
“Seems wrong to ask Maria for another house when we won’t be here too long,” Joel mutters.
“Joel, it’s fine. One of us will fit in the twin bed, and it’s not you.” You pick up your pack, preparing to walk down the hall. He stops you, standing in the door frame of the master bedroom. Joel’s shoulders are so broad it seems like he takes up the whole thing.
“I can sleep on the couch.”
“Absolutely not,” you retort. “If either of us is doing that, it’s me,” you tell him, tacking on an ‘old man’ to really drive the point home. You see a sparkle of amusement in Joel’s eye, and you pay close enough attention to see him lick his lips to keep from smiling. You both stand there, staring. Suddenly, you’re very aware of how big Joel is compared to you. Not just physically. He takes up space.
You try to be brave. You want to be big like him.
these new bots are NOT OK. Them having actual tumblr names is giving me psychic damage. I feel like curling up in a corner and crying.
yesterday "remainingforefinger" followed me and the fact that this ISN'T a nonbinary autist from Poland who works as a dentist's assistant, but A BOT, makes me want to SCREAM.
Pour one out for this choice bot url
