You're watching as Joel shows Ellie how to use a larger gun. It's adorable and makes you fall more in love with him.

Some swearing.

....

"I'm telling you," Ellie exclaims. "It's not shooting right!"

"Hold it like this." Joel demonstrates to Ellie how to handle the weapon, Ellie's gaze bright and keen as she allows Joel to help position the rifle in her arms.

You're standing off to the side, making sure to stay out of the line of fire (literally) as Ellie gently squeezes the trigger and the shot goes wide.

"See?" Ellie turns a defiant look on Joel, who looks amused and you can't help but chuckle. "It's jerking up, not straight!"

"It helps to keep your eyes open." Joel flashes a brief smirk as he wraps his hands around the rifle and positioning himself to take a shot.

"I did have my eyes open, asshole!" You shake your head. You love Ellie very much, but she really needs to work on showing Joel some respect.

You've mentioned this to Joel a few times now but he just brushes it aside, saying that Ellie doesn't know any better and obviously wasn't raised in a way where she was expected to respect those who care about her.

You'd wondered if Ellie ever had any adult around that actually gave a crap about her. The answer was probably no. It hurts your heart just thinking about that. You're happy that Ellie has you and Joel now. Even if she does need some work on respecting you both.

"You gotta hold it just so," Joel is explaining to Ellie about handling the rifle as he leans on the large rock they're perched behind.

"Tenderly. Carefully. Like you mean it," Joel adds.

"Are you gonna shoot the thing?" Ellie interrupts. "Or get it pregnant?"

Laughter explodes from your mouth as you see the expression on Joel's ruggedly handsome face. He merely smirks.

Joel holds the rifle steady, closing one eye as he prepares to squeeze the trigger.

"I'm telling you, it's not shooting right!" Ellie says.

Joel gently squeezes the trigger and you watch ad the bullet sails through the air, promptly striking the scarecrow in one of eyes, right into an "O" of the word, asshole, that Ellie had insisted on adding.

Ellie's mouth drops open as she turns to Joel, managing to look both pissed off and in awe.

"You dick!" She exclaims. Joel just shrugs and you applaud loudly. Joel turns to you, giving you a wink and causing your face to heat up despite the cold air.

"You just wanted to show me up, didn't you?" Ellie accuses Joel as he straightens up, clutching the rifle in his hands.

"Possibly." Ellie punches Joel in the arm and he chuckles as he comes over to join you, reaching out for your hand.

You smile, reaching up to lightly brush your fingers across Joel's scruffy, graying beard and he smiles tenderly at you.

"You're amazing with her, Joel," you murmur, moving to nestle against his chest and enjoying the warmth of him.

"I'm trying." You give him a gentle kiss and Joel's eyes darken slightly with desire.

"Hey!" Ellie hollers. Both you and Joel grin, looking at Ellie, who looks impatient.

"Yeah?" You say.

"Are we gonna keep on with target practice? Or are you two gonna get it on?"

"Keep talking like that," Joel warns. "And we're through for the day."

"All right, all right! I apologize." Ellie is trying to appear contrite.

"Go on," you tell Joel, giving his arm an affectionate squeeze. Joel gives you another quick kiss before joining Ellie and resuming the target practice.

Maybe this wasn't exactly what you had in mind at the beginning, but you certainly wouldn't want anything else.