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WHO: Joel and Ellie
WHERE: Florida Keys
WHEN: Mid-July
WHAT: Joel has taken Ellie on a father-daughter vacation.
WARNINGS: Cursing. Disgusting adorable things. Likely mild violence.

[ Ellie had been on trips her previous stay here, but never has she really been on a vacation with just her and Joel. Honestly, it seemed appropriate. The life that they left behind gave no opportunity for true relaxation and fun, even if they may have found brief moments in unlikely places. But moments like that were rare, and this seemed to be far safer than what they were accustom to. ]

[ After the trip, they retired to their cabin. A modest, yet fully equipped sort of place with a small kitchen and two floors. Not exactly what she pictured as a cabin-- Honestly, it feels more like a small house. But it's comfortable, and the first thing that hits her is the smell of the ocean that has appeared to permeate through the walls. With the ocean being just barely a stone's throw away, it makes sense. Ocean still makes her nervous, but strangely the view from the window makes it feel... Welcoming. ]

[ After unpacking and taking the first night to just rest, Ellie is up at the crack of dawn. And given that she has managed to grow quite the taste for coffee, she's the one brewing it in her superhero-themed pajamas as the sun just barely peaks over the horizon. ]

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[ It's been a tiring, anxiety-filled week. With Ellie disappearing for a day, no trace of her anywhere, Joel was convinced his worst fears of losing her had happened all over again. For those twenty-four hours, he was a nervous, despairing wreck, shutting himself away while grief silently consumed him.

Honestly, he's so damn done with this place. Home is nothing but a place of fear and living constantly on the edge with death lurking around every corner, but at least it's predictable. Predictable, that is, in that he can keep Ellie close and fight for her survival with all his might. Here... Ellie can be snatched away at any given moment and there's absolutely nothing he can do about it.

The trip out to the Keys had been a spontaneous one. Exhausted from all the powerless worry he'd been wrapped up in, overwhelmed with relief that Ellie had been returned to him, he'd suggested they just get away for a little while. Just the two of them.

Joel startles awake when he realises Ellie isn't there next to him, and quickly starts to clamber out of bed in a panic - and realises, as the smell of coffee hits his nose and the sound of someone moving about downstairs hits his ears - that Ellie hasn't gone anywhere. Christ. Rubbing a hand tiredly over his face as relief floods through him, he gets up and heads downstairs, barefoot, t-shirt and sweatpants rumpled, his hair a sleepy mess. ]

Hope you ain't setting the place on fire down here.

[ Sounding like everything is normal and fine, tired and scratchy though his voice is. ]

[ Honestly, Ellie had been reluctant to leave the room this morning. Fear of disappearing again has been on the forefront of her mind-- Especially after the brief pull back. Again. Return number four. It's exhausting, really, but the suggestion of taking a vacation was gladly agreed upon on her behalf. ]

[ Ellie hits the button to brew the pot and takes a step back, exhaling through her lips as she turns to face the sliding-glass door and stare at the sunrise. This place is so... Fancy. Ellie never stops marveling at the privileged lifestyle Joel and Jesse have given her here. Never in her wildest dreams would she think this was possible. But it has been, and for a few years. She takes steps towards the door to get a closer look, but is stopped in her reverie to the sound of Joel coming down the stairs and sparking conversation. ]

Oh--

[ Ellie whirls around abruptly, startled. She grabs her arm and idly rubs her fingers along her elbow. ]

Not yet. Feel a bit rusty in brewing coffee, so who knows? It might blow up before it finishes.

[ She smiles and gestures to the coffee maker. ]

I'm making a full pot. Should be done in a couple minutes.

Heh. Let's hope that don't happen. That'd be a helluva way to start the day.

[ He didn't miss the startled way she'd spun around to him, or the nervous way she rubs her hand up and down her arm. He hadn't meant to startle her. He thinks to head over to her and give her hair a reassuring ruffle, though he knows she wouldn't want him to make a thing of it. So, he continues into the kitchen instead, stifling a yawn, and he leans back against the kitchen counter to wait for the coffee to finish brewing. ]

Had breakfast yet?

[ Ellie feels her adrenaline lower a touch, no longer startled. Relieved. She swings her arms idly before twirling on her feet to face the coffee pot. Standing on her tiptoes, she reaches to the top cupboard to grab two mugs. ]

What can I say? I like keeping things interesting.

[ She grunts as she successfully gets the mugs, lowering herself before getting creamer and milk from the fridge. ]

Nah, I haven't eaten yet. Only been up about ten minutes. But I'm definitely starving.

[ Ellie remembers how Joel's coffee is made, and gets right to it. Honestly, she's glad she remembers. A plus side for him is that she actually knows how to properly make it now. So no overly bitter, burnt brew this time. Eagerly, she hands the cup to him before making her own. ]

Any ideas? I could totally go for waffles.

[ Joel crosses his arms over his chest, silently watching her. Silently, fondly marvelling the fact that she's here with him. Even these couple of weeks on since she turned up back in this place, Joel still finds himself struck by it all. He hasn't felt this grateful about something in a long, long time.

Uncrossing his arms, he takes the cup in both hands, mouth quirking in a brief half-smile of thanks. ]

I was thinkin' maybe... Well, this kitchen's got the basics. Could show you how to fry up some bacon and eggs.

[ Ellie makes herself a cup of coffee, complete with plenty of cream, sugar, and milk. She holds the cup delicately in her hands, reveling in how warm it is. It's insane what kinds of things people take for granted, and having been freshly ripped from her old life? It's more apparent now than ever what she has. She looks up and Joel, smile set in place. ]

Yeah. Sounds good.

What's our plan for today?

[ He takes a moment to sip his coffee, humming a quiet noise of appreciation under his breath. ]

Hm. How's a lazy day sound?

[ Ellie takes a sip of her coffee in turn, brow perked as she looks to the ceiling in thought. ]

Does a lazy day involve going to the beach?

[ She glances over to the window overlooking the ocean. ]

I don't know, I'm kinda feeling adventurous today. Maybe I can take another whack at swimming?

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