Joel hadn’t been much of a domestic man for a while. Not since Sarah was alive. Only because he was trying to survive a fucking apocalypse, but that’s not the point. The point is that he’s settled down in jackson now and he hardly knows what to do with himself any more.

When he and Ellie arrived in Jackson, they were welcomed with open arms, being reunited with Tommy and living comfortably in a simple-looking house.

Then he met you.

He din’t even know how it happened, really. Tommy was urging him to get out and meet someone. Someone that would make him happy. Seeing as he’s been single for nearly thirty years. And being single for that long meant he’s forgotten how it all works. He has a grasp on it. A very loose grasp at that.

So when Maria and Tommy set the both of you up, it was nerve wracking to say the least. Ellie wouldn’t let it go. Wouldn’t shut up about how ‘Joel is finally goin’ on a date’ and it didn’t leave his mind until the day came.

he was sitting in some quiet diner in downtown Jackson, tapping his calloused fingers against the tabletop of the corner booth he chose. Trying to calm himself down and come to his senses about everything.

That’s when he saw you walk in, nearly tripping over yourself, bumping into a waitress and apologizing. You look around, smiling once you see Joel, to which he offers a tight lipped grin. He watches you stumble over to the booth. Jesus…

His eyes meet yours again once you sit across him at the booth, offering a smile and introducing yourself. He offers the same tight-lipped grin, making his mouth look funny with the facial hair,

“Joel.. nice to meet you.” He murmurs, taking you in before you speak,