multifandom imagines

Tomorrow | Joel Miller

• alright y'all SPOILERS for TLOU Part II ahead, even though the game has been out for over a month I'm still gonna say it

song recommendation:
• dancing with your ghost, sasha sloan

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You could hear the thumping of the music seeping through the cracks of the barn and into the crisp night air, the warm light pouring through the cracked door. It was nice to have these kind of parties again, the good company, the drinks, the atmosphere. The feeling was almost foreign to you, but after staying in Jackson for the past five years you eventually got used to the gatherings on a Friday once every month. Maria loved people, she was the type of woman who could walk up to someone and talk their ear off. Tommy was a little different, opting to stay by the bar and nurse a glass of whiskey and watch people move across the dance floor. Joel was similar to his brother in that way, but instead of staying by the bar he preferred a nice quiet corner to survey everyone instead. He'd watch Ellie across the room sipping her glass of alcohol much like Tommy, but she would talk with Jesse and you knew he wished she would talk to him again. After Ellie figured out about what really went down at St. Mary's hospital so long ago, Joel had come home to tell how angry she was and that she needed space.

You remembered that night well, you and him had stayed up the entire night talking back and forth. You had comforted him and told him she would come around eventually, she couldn't stay mad forever. Now as you walked into the barn and shut the door behind you the music filled your ears, seeing people everywhere along the walls and on the dance floor, at the bar, the lights hanging from the ceiling gave the whole place that 'at home' feeling. Even though everyone was occupied with their own business you felt like everyone's eyes were on you, feeling a little self conscious in your outfit. Dark jeans that were a little ripped on your thighs, a nice looking dark grey button down blouse that you had to dig through your small closet for, and a pair of boots with a little bit of heel but not too much. You thought you looked pretty good all things considered, with no makeup and freshly showered, even going as far as to curl your hair.

Your eyes scanned the crowd as the upbeat country song came to an end, spotting a familiar figure standing at the bar ordering a drink. You smiled to yourself and made your way through the crowd gathered around the dance floor, muttering your apologies as you passed. "You come here often, cowboy?" You attempted to keep a straight face as you leaned lazily against the bar, seeing Tommy crack a smile on the other side of Joel, who smiled bashfully to himself. "Only when my wife drags me." He smiled and turned to you, looking over your outfit as you rolled your eyes playfully and leaned up on the balls of your feet to kiss his cheek. "Oh, don't be dramatic, I told you to go ahead and wait for me. Technically, I didn't drag you." You smiled brightly up at him when you pulled back, his eyes sparkling in the lights and a warm smile stretching his lips. "Whatever you say." He chuckled and grabbed the drink the bartender set on the bar, his other free hand grabbing yours before pulling you away. You managed to pat Tommy's shoulder before Joel pulled you to the other side of the barn behind all the people around the dance floor, another upbeat song streaming through the speakers as everyone began dancing again.

"You look nice." He commented as you sat down at a small table, taking his place beside you and leaning forward to rest his forearms on the table. You moved to do the same, threading your hands together in front of you and bashfully smiling down at the table. "Thanks, this is the most put together I've felt in a while." You replied as he took a sip of his drink, seeing him nod his head in understanding before setting the drink down on the table. The golden band around his ring finger twinkled in the warm lighting, your heart skipped a beat every time you saw him wearing it. Ever since you had gotten married, you had a hard time believing this was your life now and Joel was your husband. Before the apocalypse you had a few flings with a few guys but when you met Joel, everything changed. You just had this feeling in your gut that you were meant to be with him, it was hard to explain. But after Sarah, you went your separate ways for 20 years and joined the Fireflies. You only met up with him with Marlene and Ellie all those years ago, and you couldn't be more grateful that you did.