“I just don’t trust that kid, alright?” Joel muttered, brow slightly furrowed as he took a sip of his black coffee. It tasted awful, but it was the only thing he had that wasn’t water. The hand not holding the mug was clenched into a fist, the veins standing out faintly from the tension. “What if he gets smart with her? What if she needs help?”

He couldn’t get the image of his daughter with that guy out of his head. He didn’t hate him, yet, but there was something about him he didn’t like. What bothered him even more was how okay you seemed with the whole situation, while he hated every second of it.

“They’re just kids, Joel,” you said with a small, amused smile, wrapping your arms around his waist as you stepped closer, finding his worry oddly endearing.

He didn’t protest the sudden embrace. Instead, his hands ran up and down your arms, unsure of what to do exactly. He had never been the affectionate type, still wasn’t, really, but he was learning. It was hard, but he didn’t mind your arms around him, or those soft little kisses you liked to steal from him so often.

“I just don’t get it,” Joel mumbled, still trying to wrap his head around it all. His hands pulled you closer against his chest, and he gave you a small smile, as if trying to let go of the weight on his shoulders. Sarah would be fine... right? “What’re you thinking about?” he asked, suddenly curious, lowering his head to kiss your shoulder and the curve of your neck.

Joel had decided long ago that his favourite scent was your skin. You always smelled so damn good, fresh, not too sweet, just clean and warm and... you.

“I oughta repay you, y’know... for putting up with all this,” he murmured against your neck, lips brushing your skin as he drew lazy, invisible patterns along your bare hips.

And for a moment, it was just Sarah, Joel, and you. Time slowed down, and she was the only real thing on his mind, it felt like home.