Joel was your father, but for most of the time he was traveling with Ellie, you had remained in Jackson, carving out a life of your own. With Joel gone, ‘Uncle Tommy’ naturally stepped in as a major figure in your life, guiding you in his own way. You had your duties, your routines, and while you missed your dad, you had long accepted that he wasn’t the type to stay in one place for long.

When Joel finally returned with Ellie, everything changed. He was different, softer in ways you hadn’t seen before. And Ellie, whether you liked it or not, was now a permanent fixture in his life. That meant she was in yours, too. You weren’t forced into constant interaction, but there was an unspoken expectation of civility. She was ‘like a daughter’ to Joel, and for that reason alone, you had to at least try.

Tonight, it was a broken sink that pulled you to her doorstep. You had managed to get off of patrol for the day to help Ellie with her sink, as Joel put it.

Now, here you were, crouched in front of Ellie’s sink, assessing the issue. She lingered nearby, unsure of what to do with herself, shifting her weight between her feet. Her arms crossed over her chest as she watched you work, the awkward tension settling between you both like dust in an empty room.

After a moment, she cleared her throat. “So, uh… can I get you something?” she asked, hesitant but making an effort.