A collection of one-shots featuring various Pedro Pascal characters. Including: Din Djarin, Javier Peña, Joel Miller, Marcus Acacius, Marcus Pike, Dave York, Javi Gutierrez, Oberyn Martell, Jack "Whiskey" Daniels, and Max Phillips. Most contain expl...
summary: You're on patrol with Joel Miller outside of Jackson, admiring the scenery, and he's admiring something else.
rating: Teen (Soft Joel Miller, established relationship, post-TLOU 1, flirting, failed attempt at flirting, mentions of sex)
word count: 1k+
a/n: This is two parts. The second part is all smut.
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You lived in a world where the future was uncertain. You woke up each day with the possibility that it would be your last, but when you moved to Jackson, your chances of survival skyrocketed. For once, since everything had gone to shit, you could relax a little-in the confines of the town walls, you could even let your guard down, not by much, but enough to allow a gruff, hard man to worm his way into your heart, and bed, the two of you deciding that if your days were numbered, you'd go about them together. Tentatively allow yourselves to be happy under the circumstances.
Letting Joel Miller get you a drink in the bar soon after you'd arrived had been the best decision of your entire life, second only to moving to Jackson in the first place. You'd been happily together for over a year, living together in his house, with his adopted Ellie taking up residence in the converted garage out back, wanting her own space.
-★-
There is a chill in the morning air, the sun beaming down and melting the last remnants of snow high up on the ridge, as you ride astride your horse, Joel on his own beside you and closest to the edge. He is a little behind, allowing you a clear view into the valley below, with the town surrounded by so many green trees and the mountains in the distance towering on the horizon. The view always takes your breath away, the picturesque scene, staring in wonder at how there was still beauty in this desolate world, and you cherish these moments where there are no signs of death-only life, so much beautiful, and rich life.
"This is why I asked Maria for this patrol," Joel says, pulling you from your reverie.
Your eyebrows furrow as you look at him, finding him watching you with soft eyes and a fond smile on his lips.
He is wearing his blue flannel today, the material stretching tight across those broad shoulders of his. You'd trimmed his hair the night before, his greying waves moving in the breeze, and the bald spots in his patchy beard looking kissable.
"What?" You ask.
"You get this look when you take it all in like you've never seen anything so beautiful. Your breath hitches, and eyes go big as saucers like you're seein' it for the first time, even though we've been through here before," he smirks. "It's cute."
You feel heat creep up your neck that Joel was apparently watching you while you were gazing at the scenery.
"I mean, look at it," you point towards Jackson. "Have you ever seen anything as gorgeous?" You ask, looking back at him.
His eyes are still on you, not moving to where you indicate.
"Yes, I have," he nods.
"On one of your many trips across the country?"
Joel had told you every detail about the life he'd lived, and you knew about all of his travels-getting out of Texas, his time in Boston, and him trying to get Ellie to the Fireflies. He'd told you everything that happened when they'd gotten to the lab in Utah, and you'd urged him to tell Ellie the truth about it all, which led to some upset, that was resolved with many apologies and a heart-to-heart.
"No," he shakes his head. "At the bar in Jackson."
You scoff.
"The bar is uglier than sin, Joel. What are you talking about?"
"You really wanna know?" He raises an eyebrow.
"Please enlighten me on what could possibly compare to the gorgeousness of all that," you wave your hand in the direction of the valley you now can't see because trees are in the way.
"I'm lookin' at it right now."
His eyes are still on yours, and you turn your head to look the other way, assuming he is talking about whatever is over there, seeing dirt and trees on the hill. You frown.
"I mean, I guess the nature is nice," you concede.
You hear him sigh.
"Are you messin' with me, baby?"
You look over at him, seeing his lips turned down.
"How am I messing with you? I looked at where you were looking."
He has one hand on the reins, the other on his hip as he tilts his head.
"I was lookin' at you."
You feel your eyes widen as your heart speeds up.
"Oh! Oh my god, you were being romantic." Your cheeks are heating. "Joel, that is the sweetest fucking thing. I just cannot believe you'd rather look at me than the scenery."
"Baby, I'd rather look at you than anything else on this godforsaken planet."
You can see the truth of his words in his gaze, and it makes you feel warm all of a sudden.
"You're really laying it on thick today. What's gotten into you?" You ask, adjusting your grip on the reins with one hand, the other smoothing down the horse's mane.
"Nothin's gotten into me. Have I told you I love you today?"
The smile he gives you is mischievous, and your eyes narrow.
"You did before we left, and I love you, too, but you're not going to distract me with your sweet words. You asked Maria specifically for this patrol, and you're being exceptionally romantic. Something's up. Spill."
"'Cause I know how much you enjoy the ride there," he says, nonchalantly.
"And it has nothing to do with this morning?" Your eyebrow raises.
You'd been interrupted during an intense morning makeout session that was about to turn into something more, by Ellie banging on the front door to let you know it was time to leave.
You see his throat work as he gulps.
"Just thought the ski lodge was better than the lookout," he says, looking away.
You snort.
"Yes, because it has actual furniture we can fuck on."
He looks at you, those chocolate brown eyes of his looking hopeful, raising his eyebrow.
"Does that mean...?"
"Yes, Joel," you giggle. "You weren't the only one cockblocked."
