I Feel Like Retraumatizing Myself Today, So Here’s A Little Blurb I Wrote

I feel like retraumatizing myself today, so here’s a little blurb I wrote

TW: Joel’s death (offscreen)

summary: you’re all alone again.

you sat at your kitchen island, fiddling with the engagement ring Joel had found on a patrol in Cody. the small clock on the cream walls ticked, filling the quiet air. Joel was supposed to be back hours ago.

“shit,, you mumbled, and looked toward the door. standing up, you grabbed your travel bag, and opened the door, only freeing before you stepped out. in front of you stood Tommy, his hand raised to knock.

“goin’ somewhere?,, he asked quietly. his eyes were reddened, and he looked exhausted and emotionally drained. you tilted your head slowly.

“where’s Joel?,, you mumbled. Tommy sighed, his breath shaky, and looked down. he looked back up at you, and shook his head slowly.

“i’m so sorry,,

you knew what he meant. but that was impossible. Joel was always the most careful on patrols. like he did five years ago taking Ellie to those goddamn fireflies, he always took the highest precautions.

“that ain’t funny, Tommy.,, you breathed. Tommy opened his mouth to speak, but you put up a hand.

“get the hell off my property,, you hissed. Tommy started saying your name, but you cut him off, slamming the door in his face. Crumbling to the ground, you hid your face in your hands, sobs racking your body. For what seemed like forever, you sat against the door, holding yourself. Eventually, you moved to you and Joel’s shared bedroom, putting on his flannel and smelling the woodsy, cologne like scent that was left on it. Joel. Your Joel. Gone.

The next morning, you woke up, your eyes cracking open after being basically glued together by tears. You thought it was just a bad dream, and reached to the other side of the bed to hug your husband.

but he wasn’t there.