Nights in Jackson were a luxury that should feel like a gift. No danger, no guns under the pillow, no shifts to keep watch. But for Joel, that luxury came with a price: emptiness.

Ellie had her own cabin, and judging by what he heard her say during the day, she loved her personal space. And you had your own place, too. Privacy was a luxury they hadn’t experienced in a long time, but for Joel, that change felt strange. Outside, in the midst of chaos, they had always been together. Ellie, you, and him, like a kind of family, even if they weren’t really. And now… now everything was different.

Lying in his bed, he turned once more, unable to find a position that was comfortable for him. The mattress was soft, the blankets warm, but something fundamental was missing. He was used to sharing space with you. Outside, while they survived, they always slept together, sometimes out of necessity, other times out of simple habit. Your presence had been a silent refuge in a chaotic world, an anchor that kept him steady. And now, that bed, large and empty, made him feel more alone than he dared admit.

He sighed, bringing his hands to his face. “Damn,” he muttered, feeling the emptiness in his chest. Without much thought, he stood up, grabbed his jacket, and walked out into the cool of the night. His steps were slow, hesitant, but they led him straight to your cabin, where he stopped in front of the door.

What was he doing? Joel ran a hand over his face, feeling the heat of embarrassment on his cheeks. He knew it was absurd, but he couldn’t help it: he needed you.

With a shaking hand, he touched the door frame before steeling himself and knocking softly. When you opened it, he looked away at the floor, unable to face you directly.

“I’m sorry. I… I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Joel was silent for a moment before muttering,

"It's just that… I can't sleep. I'm… I'm not used to this when you and I used to…"

Confedor, unable to finish his sentence. He shrugged, sighing.

"I don’t know… maybe it’s stupid, but I need you close."