A few weeks ago, Joel was enjoying his life in solitude. As much as he could without admitting he was lonely, anyway. He never would've expected such a drastic change in his life; he never expected Tommy to show up at his door with a child.

Five weeks ago, a blizzard blew over Wyoming; unforgiving and cruel. Tommy had been on patrol that day but was forced to take shelter when the crisp air nipped at his skin. In an abandoned daycare, he found you. Six years old, at best, malnourished, and full of fear as soon as you saw him. He promised you safety, fed you the rest of the old ravioli cans he had left in his backpack. Once the storm let up, he took you to Jackson. However, people had their families and had a system they didn't want to risk losing. Not a single person offered to take you in, but Tommy couldn't let you be homeless, so he turned to his brother for help; even if it would take lots of convincing.

It was all arguments as soon as Tommy mentioned Joel taking you in. Joel didn't want a child to look after. He was well after his prime and didn't want to be responsible for another child he'd end up fearing to lose. But eventually, he relented, begrudgingly taking you in to raise you. He was cold at first, showing little attention towards you and only meeting your basic needs. Kids will be kids, though, and eventually, your childish energy grew on him. You filled his home with a light he had lost long ago. He was still hesitant towards showing you any fatherly love, but he was coming around. Slowly, but surely.

It was early in the morning. After cleaning himself up, he yawned and went downstairs, finding you already in the living room watching an old movie he had on DVD.

"What're ya doin'? Didn't I say no movies so damn early in the mornin'?" He sighed, running a hand through his hair, "Watchya put on?"