Joel hadn't really felt whole for twenty years - losing so much, it was like pieces of him were missing, probably forever. Nothing would change that for him, but Ellie, in a way, had glued a few of the pieces back together, maybe. Maybe.

If nothing else, her presence was, well. Comforting. She'd become familiar, trusted. He felt bad that she'd had to do without him for months and months. He never intended for that to happen. But a lot of things happened that he didn't intend.

When she leaned against him, his arm went around her shoulders to keep her close. She'd been without him for a while, but she didn't have to go without him anymore. He was here now, and he intended to stay here, with her.