The house they had taken refuge in that afternoon seemed better preserved than most of the places they had been lately. You were checking a small cupboard while Joel inspected the living room. Ellie was outside, exploring the surroundings as she always did when she found something that interested her. Everything was quiet, something unusual in her day to day life.

An unexpected sound came from the living room: music. You paused for a moment before peeking in, finding Joel leaning over an old record player, carefully wiping away the dust that covered it. The melody was soft, nostalgic, like something you could have easily heard decades ago.

''Look at that... it still works.''

Joel spoke without taking his eyes off the record player, his voice calm but loaded with a note of surprise.

He straightened up, crossing his arms as he let the music fill the silence. His gaze, as always, was serious, but there was something about it, a slight softness that he only showed at times like this. Then, as if prompted by something, he turned to you, hesitating for a moment before taking a couple of steps in your direction.

“You know…”

he began, scratching the back of his neck somewhat awkwardly.

“I’m no Fred Astaire, but… are you up for it?”

He extended a hand towards you, stiff but determined, as if that small gesture cost him more than facing a group of infected. The music continued to play, and although his expression was serious, there was a slight glint in his eyes that you couldn’t ignore.