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The day had been calm, the kind of quiet Ellie never quite knew how to enjoy until recently. The world had slowed down for a brief moment, leaving her and Joel in their makeshift safehouse—just the two of them. The hum of an old radio played softly in the background, mixing with the sound of Joel’s boots scraping against the floor as he worked in the kitchen. The smell of stew simmering filled the air, reminding Ellie of the days when life seemed a little easier, even before everything fell apart. It had been a while since they’d had this much peace, and Ellie was trying to savor it.
She sat on the couch, her feet tucked under her, a book open in her lap. She wasn’t really reading, though. Her mind kept wandering, replaying the conversation she had with Dina earlier that week, the one that had left her feeling both lighter and a little more anxious than she expected. It was one of those conversations that lingered in her thoughts, making her wonder if she’d said the right things or if Dina had understood.
*I think I like girls.*
The thought echoed in her head, a simple truth that made her stomach twist every time she thought about saying it out loud. It wasn’t like she didn’t know it—she did. It was just… different, more real when she acknowledged it, especially to Joel. Joel, who had always been her protector, her rock. What if he didn’t understand? What if it made things awkward between them?
She glanced over at him, his back to her as he stirred something in a pot, his brow furrowed in concentration. His weathered hands moved steadily, the muscles in his arms flexing with each motion. He looked like he always did, strong and steady. But Ellie couldn’t shake the feeling that, despite how well they knew each other, there was still something about her that felt too raw to show him.
Her thoughts were cut short as Joel spoke up, breaking the silence. “You alright, kid?”
Ellie blinked, startled by the question. She hadn’t realized she was staring at him. She quickly nodded, trying to pull herself together. “Yeah, just… thinking.”
Joel didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t press. He just kept stirring the pot and humming under his breath. Ellie’s heart pounded a little faster. She knew she had to say it. She knew it was time. But how?
*Just say it, Ellie. He won’t hate you for it.*
She opened her mouth, but the words didn’t come out right. She fumbled for a moment, her throat tightening. “Hey, Joel?”
“Yeah?” He finally looked up from the stove, catching her gaze. There was a curious look on his face, as if he could sense the shift in the air between them.
“I, uh… I’ve been thinking about something. Something important,” Ellie said, her voice surprisingly small.
Joel set the spoon down on the counter, his full attention on her now. His expression softened, concern flickering in his eyes. “What’s goin’ on, kid?”
Ellie shifted uncomfortably, twisting her fingers around the hem of her jacket. The silence stretched between them, making her feel both exposed and vulnerable. Her mind raced. *Just tell him. He’ll be fine. He’s always been fine with you.*
But then, her nerves got the better of her.
“I think I… might like girls.” She blurted it out, her face flushing instantly as soon as the words left her mouth. It was almost like her brain couldn’t stop the rush of words. She felt the heat of embarrassment surge up her neck, her stomach twisting into knots.
Joel froze. The spoon he’d been holding slipped from his fingers and clattered onto the counter. His eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The world felt like it had paused. Ellie’s heart was pounding in her ears as she tried to make sense of the awkward tension that had suddenly filled the room. She wasn’t sure what she had expected, but *this* wasn’t it.
“I didn’t mean to just—uh, I didn’t mean to say it like that,” she stumbled over her words, her palms sweating. “I just… I wasn’t sure how to bring it up. It’s not like it’s a big deal, I guess, but—”
Joel blinked, his mouth opening and closing as if he was still trying to process. “You… like girls?” His voice was quiet, almost like he wasn’t sure if he had heard her correctly.
Ellie winced, the awkwardness weighing heavily on her chest. “Yeah,” she muttered, not quite able to look at him. “I mean, I think so. I don’t know. I just—yeah.”
For a long beat, there was nothing but the sound of the wind outside, rattling the old windows. Ellie’s face was burning with shame and nerves. She couldn’t believe she had just said it out loud. What if Joel didn’t understand? What if he thought it was weird or wrong?
Joel took a deep breath, slowly stepping away from the counter and coming toward her. He didn’t seem upset, but the confusion was still written across his face. “You… you like girls?” he repeated, as if he was trying to make sure he hadn’t misunderstood.
Ellie’s stomach twisted. She nodded but kept her gaze on the floor. “Yeah. I don’t know, it’s just how I feel, you know? I don’t really get it myself, but I think it’s just… yeah.” She was rambling now, and she hated it. She wasn’t sure what she expected, but this definitely wasn’t it.
Joel knelt down in front of her, lowering himself to her level. He gently cupped her chin, lifting her gaze to meet his. His eyes were soft, the concern and confusion slowly giving way to something gentler, something warmer.
“Ellie,” he began, his voice slow and deliberate, “you’re my kid, alright? You don’t have to be worried about what you feel. You don’t have to be nervous, either. You’re not alone in this. I’m here, no matter what.” He paused, giving her a small, reassuring smile. “Doesn’t matter if you like boys, girls, or whatever. You’re still you, and I’m still proud of you.”
Ellie’s heart did a little flip, and she found herself blinking rapidly, trying to hold back tears she didn’t expect. She had been so afraid of what Joel might think, but now all she could feel was relief, warmth, and an overwhelming sense of love. “You’re… you’re not mad?”
Joel shook his head gently. “Mad? Ellie, I’m not mad. I’m your dad. Well, not your *real* dad, but I sure as hell love you like you’re my own.” His voice was thick with emotion now, and Ellie could see the sincerity in his eyes. “I’ve got your back. Always. You know that, right?”
Ellie nodded, her voice a little shaky. “Yeah, I know. I’m just… sorry if I made it weird.”
Joel chuckled softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “Kid, you could never make things weird between us. I’m just glad you told me.”
Ellie let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders finally relaxing. She smiled shyly at him. “Thanks, Joel.”
Joel’s smile widened. “No need to thank me. Just remember, no matter who you like, you’re still my kid. And I love you for exactly who you are.”
Ellie’s chest felt lighter than it had in weeks, the tension in her body finally easing. She reached over, pulling him into a hug that was a little awkward but full of affection. Joel chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her, giving her a gentle squeeze.
“I love you, too, Joel,” Ellie said, her voice muffled against his shoulder.
And for the rest of the day, as they ate the stew Joel had made and talked about nothing in particular, Ellie couldn’t help but feel like maybe—just maybe—everything would be okay.