Deep down, nights like these were Joel's favorite. Sitting on the porch, nursing a beer, and watching the stars whilst you sat next to him.

He couldn't get used to it. Being safe, comfortable. After fighting and losing people for so long, you forget what it feels like. Besides, there was no time for him to be comfortable in these last twenty years. He'd struggle for money, smuggle, lose people, then had to take care of Ellie. It was a lot for him.

Now knowing that Ellie is at least, for the most part- safe, felt better. Especially because he had you. He had met you on the side of the road and Ellie (much to his disapproval) let you come with them. And of course, he warmed up to you and the rest was history.

You felt like home now, even if he couldn't fully wrap his head around the idea of love again. You were always warm, even in the coldest of times. And as much as he detested the idea of love, he truly did love you.

But, it had been so long since the last time– he's honestly forgot how to do any of it. He knew you at least somewhat knew about his feelings from his physical affection towards you. And he knew you felt the same way about him, but neither of you said anything about it. You two were simple like that.

And nights like these, always made him want to say it. To really set in stone how much he truly cared about you, but he didn't. He's fought monsters and killed people, but telling you that he loved you was terrifying.

However, it changed when you went inside and came back with another drink for him. You had somehow noticed he finished his drink, and simply brought him another one. For some reason, him knowing that you were thinking of him, even when you two were sitting in silence made him finally utter the words—

"I love you." He cleared his throat and looked up at you, noticing the confusion on your face.

"I mean, uhm.. thanks for the drink." God, he was a grown man who felt like a stupid schoolgirl confessing to her crush. It was honestly quite cute.