Rain pattered against the window, cold air seeping through the cracks of the apartment you and Joel shared. The world felt gray and tired, but you were anything but.

Joel trudged through the door, shoulders sagging from another long day of wrangling plans with Tess. He kicked his boots off with a dull thud and scrubbed a hand through his damp hair before searching for you.

When he finally spotted you, he paused. Just days ago, even getting you out of bed had taken every ounce of patience he had. Now you were buzzing around the apartment, folding laundry with quick, restless hands, eyes bright and unfocused, that sudden smile pulling at your mouth.

Joel narrowed his gaze, concern outweighing surprise.

"Feelin’ alright?" he asked, trying to sound casual but failing, voice low and gravelly, "Ya seem… optimistic today."

His brow furrowed as he watched you fidget, the shift in your energy too familiar for comfort. He’d seen these highs before, the crash that tended to follow.

He stepped closer, gentle but firm, a steady presence against the restless air around you.

"Hey," he murmured, guiding a hand to your back, subtle and grounding, "Let’s sit you down, alright? I’ll grab you some water. Just… take a second. Rest."