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You can feel the tears threatening to spill over as you trudge the last bit of the way through the snow covered street to get home. You blink rapidly a few times, and mentally scold yourself for being so weak. You’ve had much worse days than this. And yet, maybe being in the comfort and safety of Jackson for the past year and a half had made you soft again - the littlest things would stab through your sensitive heart. You had been having a relatively good day until Maria interrupted your shift at the greenhouse to ask if you could help out Mrs. Alderson. She was the oldest person in the settlement, and had quite the reputation for being cranky and mean. She was needing more and more help around the house lately; she had fallen ill a few months ago, and because of the lack of medicine these days, she never fully recovered, making it difficult for her to do day to day chores and things around her house. When Maria asked for you to help with an apologetic smile, how could you say no? Since arriving in Jackson, you felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards Maria and Tommy. You wanted to help around Jackson any way you could. Not only that, but you did feel genuinely bad for Mrs. Alderson. While she certainly lived up to her reputation, you knew it must suck to not be able to do all the things you used to do so easily.
Your sympathy lasted the approximate distance from the greenhouse all the way until you knocked on the old woman’s door and she greeted you with a sneer. Great. She spent the whole day shuffling around the house behind you, berating you for doing things the “wrong” way, telling you how she didn’t want your help, and then the cherry on top was her insulting you for being in a relationship with Joel.
“That man is old enough to be your father. Why don’t you date some boy your age, and stop being a slut?” her crackly voice shot straight through you and made you freeze in your tracks.
“Excuse me?” you mustered, appalled.
“You heard me. You two being together has disgusted me since the day I found out about it. Now finish up the laundry, and make sure you fold my shirts the right way this time,” she responded plainly, as if she had been talking about the weather.
Your blood boiled and your skin felt hot. You couldn’t stand to be in Mrs. Alderson’s house one more minute. You tossed her laundry basket to the ground and stomped out the door, slamming it behind you. She could fold her own damn laundry. As you speed walked through the streets towards home, you knew Maria would probably confront you about why you left so abruptly tomorrow, but you didn’t care. You were seething with rage and on the verge of tears and the only thing that could make it all better was being in Joel’s arms. You blink back the threatening tears once more as you open the front door and are immediately greeted by warmth from the fireplace, and the sound of a movie playing quietly on the tv.
“Baby?” that familiar southern drawl spills out from the living room.
Usually you would respond with a chipper attitude and a loving endearment back, but you were actively trying not to cry, so you removed your coat and boots in silence. Joel calls for you again, and you finally step into the living room. He takes one look at your face, and immediately knows something’s wrong.
“C’mere, darlin’,” he says softly, opening up his arms to invite you to join him.
You make it into his lap before crumbling, hot tears streaming down your face as he cradles you and your arms wrap around him, seeking comfort. You’re glad that Joel knows you well enough at this point that he doesn’t bother asking any questions right now, he just rocks you against his chest and whispers sweet nothings in your ear as you cry. You bury your face in the crook of his neck, salty tears slipping past your lips and the familiar scent of home filling your senses. He’s so warm. Always so warm and comforting and safe. For some reason that makes you cry more. You’re suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude that you have him. Everything’s okay as long as you’re with Joel. When your sobs finally settle down to quiet sniffles, he gently pushes you back so he can brush the hair out of your face and cup your tear-stained cheeks.
“Tell me what’s wrong, sweet girl. What’s got you cryin’ like this?” his voice is gentle, and you know if you truly didn’t wanna talk about it right now, you wouldn’t have to. But you feel at least slightly better now, so you take a breath, and finally meet his worried gaze.
“It’s stupid. I let the old lady get to me,” you whisper as you look down, not wanting him to be too concerned. You didn’t like seeing him worry.
“Hey, it ain’t stupid if it made you cry. What’d she say?” he questions, tilting your chin up so you were looking at him again.
You sigh. Joel’s gonna be pissed. “She was nitpicking everything I did per usual, but then…she said ‘m too young for you. And then she called me a slut,” your voice gets quiet on that last word, not wanting to repeat it.
Joel’s eyes go wide. “She said what?"
You know that tone. A couple months ago, Seth had called Dina a homophobic slur and he nearly threw hands right there in front of the whole town. While you appreciate how protective Joel is of everyone he cares about, you don’t want him to cause another scene and get in trouble with Maria, so you try to calm him down a little.
“Look, she’s old and mean, I shouldn’t have let her get under my skin like that, it’s really not a big deal-”
“Like hell it is,” he cuts you off, “first thing in the morning, ‘m talkin’ to Maria about this. You ain’t goin’ over to that house ever again. She’s got no right to speak to you like that.”
From the determined, hardened look on his face, you know damn well he means it. You can’t help but crack a smile at his chivalry.
“Thank you,” you whisper to him.
His hand comes up to gently wipe away the last of your tears.
“Can’t have anybody talkin’ to my girl like that,” he looks you directly in the eyes, “and I need you to know there ain’t nothin’ wrong with our relationship. I love you, and you love me. The rest ain’t anyone’s business.”
Another smile appears on your face, and you lean in, unable to help yourself any longer. Your lips meet Joel’s and all the frustrations of the day just melt away. His hand moves to your hair, fingers tangling in it and tugging you closer, needing more of your kisses. You giggle, but oblige, and as you press your lips to his again, you know every word he said is true. He loves you, you love him, and that’s the only thing in the world that matters.