Joel
post outbreak!Joel x fem!OC (Molly)
Word count: 2.4k
Content warning: Jackson era, Joel being smitten bcus that's my favourite genre, flirting, fluff, pretty much love at first sight vibes. Joel is in his 40s, OC is in her mid to late twenties, probably some misspellings, oops, OC doesn't have many physical descriptions if any (I was lazy lol)
A/N: If I don’t swallow my pride and post this now then I never will :( I really just needed to get this off my mind it was killing me and if it flops...well... at least I wrote it lol
A/N.2: I took this off my other account @/marleyybluu if it does well on this side... I'll post more. ALSO this is not proof-read, sorry in advance im just too fried right now lol
My dad introduced me to 'Joshua by Dolly Parton', it's been on repeat and it just screams Joel Miller to me.
He was a stranger. Three years in this town and he was still a stranger. No one had ever really gotten a good glimpse of him, they said he never left the house unless it was to come into town for groceries or food, or out on patrol with his brother Tommy and even then they always seemed to be in a secluded area where no one else could find them.
And though he was a mystery man people talked, said that he was the meanest and grumpiest man in Jackson, never smiled at anyone and had a permanent frown. They said that if you ever stepped foot on his porch he'd send his dog after you, chase you off his property shouting never to come back. But all these allegations never wavered her fear, she didn't believe the rumours one bit, if no one had a genuine interaction with this man how would they know what he was like?
She wondered though if he was tall if he was handsome, if was he young or was he an older gentleman, what he sounded like-- if he had the same southern drawl as Tommy or if it had faded, though she doubted that. As she leaned on the side of her friend's truck she stared down at the mystery man's house, or at least she guessed it was based on the descriptions she's heard in the town's whispers. He lived a few feet down the hill from her friend's house. It looked big enough, it had two floors and seemed to have at least two bedrooms, she wondered which was his. The longer she stared the more her curiosity ate at her.
"So you've never seen him? Not even once?" She asked, her eyes never leaving the architecture. Her friend, busy packing up the trunk, answered. "I mean I've seen him, but I've never seen his face."
"Is he tall?"
"Looks like he is."
Her eyebrows twitched with interest. "Is he... big? Like muscular?" She felt silly asking these questions but she just needed to know. "Probably."
The trunk slammed shut, signalling that her friend was done with their task and ready to go, but she wasn't, almost shocking herself when she blurted out. "I'm going down there." She didn't hesitate; she pushed herself off the side of the car and took determined steps down the hill, leaving her footprints behind. Her friend watched with her arms crossed and amusement on her face, ready to see her being chased away by that sleeping grizzly bear on the porch.
The closer she got to the house, the nerves and regret suddenly made themselves present but nonetheless she was committed to at least getting to the front door. She made her way up the steps that led to his porch, she tiptoed as best as she could but one misstep caused a creeeak in the boards and the once-sleeping animal had woken from its slumber. She froze, unsure of whether he'd bark at her like the tale's told. They had quite the staring contest before the four-legged creature stood up, shaking its fur off from the faint snowfall before trotting over to her, its tongue hung out while it panted and a soft "ruff!" escaped. The dog nudged her leg with its nose and she giggled dropping down to her knees.
"Well hello, sweetie pie." She greeted giving him a good scratch behind his floppy ears. "You are so handsome, and a good boy." She cooed, his tongue swiped across her face rendering a bellyful laugh from her. "Ugh! I could just take you home."
"Wouldn't recommend that." A low and deep voice spoke above her. Oh shit. It's him. She gulped, her eyes remained on the ground as she rose to her feet. "I mean if you want to steal my dog, least y'could do is look at me." His shoulders bounced as he chuckled, she looked up at him, her pupils dilating at the man in front of her. He was tall, shoulders nice and broad, biceps humungous compared to the size of her head. Head full of salt and pepper hair with a full beard to match the contrast, a sign of his transition into his older years. He had a lovely nose, it curved perfectly and fit his face nicely, freckles scattered over the bridge and faint spots on the rest of his face.
God, he's beautiful.
"H-hello." She stammered, almost stunned by him. "Who are you? What're doin' snoopin' round my place?" He grumbled, well, they were right he was a grumpy man. That infamous scowl splayed on his face. She swallowed hard. "Sorry, sir-"
He shifted his stance, his biceps flexed as he folded his arms across his chest. She tugged at her bottom lip. "My name is Molly, I-I was just visiting a friend and, uh..." It's as if her brain had short-circuited trying to come up with an excuse as to why she was being so nosy. She was tripping, stumbling over her words and he just couldn't keep up his persona anymore. Molly was cute, the blush creeping across her face from either the frost-bitten Jackson air or her nerves, or maybe both but either way it tugged at his heart.
The creases in his eyes became apparent as he smiled softly. Molly blinked. "I'm just fuckin' with ya sweetheart." She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and shook her head. "Sorry, sir." She didn't even know what she was apologizing for.
"Joel, sweetheart, you can just call me Joel." He charmed.
She quickly glanced past him, the door wide enough that she could catch a glimpse of his humble abode. "Do you live here all by yourself sir- Joel?" A bold question, he straightened up at the sudden inquiry. "I got my dog."
Touché.
"And..."
He fought the smirk on his face, she was cute and her wit was quick, he could admire that. "That's it." He answered.
They held a stare, it was long but it wasn't awkward, she got lost in those pretty brown puppy dog eyes of his. So fucking handsome. Joel nodded at her, "You want to come in? I've got a pot roast, big enough to share." She tingled at his accent, his deep voice and his inviting aura. All her sense of 'stranger danger' suddenly flew out of the window, her promise to go back to her friend had long been broken. She accepted his invitation and stepped foot inside his house. Nobody had made it that far, so they say. Molly looked around, it was quaint, surprisingly neat and tidy. But you could tell a woman did not live here. It was very man-ish.
"I can take your coat." He offered his hand. Gentleman. She shrugged off her jacket and handed it to him, her knuckles brushing his calloused palms— she felt a spark shoot through her. She thanked him and slid off her boots. Her polka-dot socks made an appearance, he was tickled. "Lovely home you have here."
"Thank you. D'ya like anything to drink?"
She spun around. "Do you have iced tea by any chance?" It was a long shot, he looked like didn't drink anything but beer, whiskey too if he had it. "You're in luck, Maria and Tommy came down here a few days ago. She likes to bring me some, I don't drink much of it though."
He excused himself and disappeared into the kitchen.
Molly eased her way around the first floor, he had little trinkets and knickknacks but again, it was obvious he lived alone. Her eyes landed on a picture of two young boys, she could only assume was him and Tommy, baseball bats in hand and the field in the background. "Can't tell you the last time I swung a bat," He muttered announcing his return, he handed her a tall glass of Iced Tea, even accompanied it with a straw. "Well, at least, at a ball."
She softly laughed taking a sip of her beverage. She continued to wander but she took note of his watchful gaze, it wasn't weird or creepy, he just seemed pulled in by her.
After a small tour he announced that he was going to eat, she joined him, asking if he needed help with anything but he declined. "You're my guest darlin', you don't needa lift a finger."
She wiggled in her chair at the comment.
It was only a moment before a nice red bowl was in front of her, the aroma hitting her senses, it smelt wonderful, it smelt like home. He grabbed a seat next to her, she thanked him for the meal before digging in. Her first spoonful knocked her eyes to the back of her head, and she groaned. "This is so fucking good." She said with a full mouth, her eyes widened and she covered her mouth realizing what she'd done lacked basic etiquette. "Sorry."
"No need to apologize, darlin'. I appreciate the compliment."
The two ate and chatted. They got to learn about each other. She discovered that Joel used to be a contractor, had a nice house, an old but reliable truck... a daughter, all before the world went to shit he was somebody just like everyone else in Jackson. Said the only reason he came out here was to find Tommy, to rescue him from danger, but his little brother had found solace in this town, found a home in Maria. And it took a lot of persuasion from him in order for Joel to stay. He'd gotten his dog, Titus, when he was on patrol once. Searching through a recently abandoned home he'd found the black dog, barely clinging on to life. It was risky bringing Titus into Jackson, he could tell the poor thing wasn't infected but he brought him by the vet to make sure.
He'd gotten all his shots and was good to go home, with Joel, and suddenly he wasn't so lonely anymore.
Empty bowls sat on the table, and another round of Iced Tea made its way to her while he just settled for a beer. He took a sip, and she watched his head tossed back, his strong Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed every drop, she wished he was drinking her instead.
Joel put the bottle down, his mouth twisted as he bit back a question of his own, but he had to know.
"What were you doin' snoopin' around my yard today?"
She played with her straw, swirling the cubes inside the glass and with each swish they would melt bit by bit.
Molly cleared her throat. "I wanted to see if the rumours were true. You've got quite the reputation out there Mr. Miller."
He knew what people thought of him and honestly, he didn't care, it was easier this way. No one comin' over to his house to borrow some sugar, or just have a friendly chat. He wasn't in the mood for all that, he was a simple man with a simple routine. Patrol and then home to Titus.
"They say you're a mean and grumpy old man, who yells at anyone who sets foot on your property."
He scoffed raising his eyebrows that also had a hint of gray in the hairs. "And you still came here?"
She shrugged. "Wasn't too worried about it."
He tilted his head. "Why not?"
Molly's eyes caught his. "Because I didn't think someone could be so mean. And now that I'm here... I stand corrected."
His eyes softened, her words meaning more to him than she'd ever know. "Thanks."
She winked bringing her straw to her lips. His eyes drifted down just a bit, watching the way her pretty lips wrapped around the plastic, the way her cheeks would hollow in order to suck up the juice. He shifted in his seat, his eyes quickly moving over to his beer bottle. Molly looked out the window behind him and gasped, the sun had vanished, the only light provided was from the moon.
"Shit, what time is it?"
Joel looked at his watch. "It's eight. Got somewhere to be?"
"No, I just... I didn't expect to stay this long. Plus I have an early patrol. I-- I should get out of your hair." She suggested. He wanted to grab her wrist and tell her to sit back down and stay for the night so they could talk more but he decided against it. "You need a ride home?"
Molly sighed, she could just go back up to her friend's place but knowing her she was either sleeping or at her sister's place, probably telling her about how bold she was today stepping foot on Joel's land. "If you don't mind." She grimaced.
"Course not."
Joel stood to his feet, she stretched her neck to take one final look at the handsome man before he eased past her to head over to the little corner where their shoes sat. They got dressed and headed out. Joel whistled at Titus who was still enjoying his time on the porch. "Get in there bud." He nods over to the entrance of the house. The obedient dog stood but instead of going inside, he headed over to Molly.
She drops to his level. "Thanks for the warm welcome Titus, I'll see you around sweetie pie." She cooed scratching his ears once again. He nudged her face with his wet nose and she giggled turning her face. "Okay, okay, get inside."
Titus huffed and trotted inside the house. Joel closed the door and walked her over to his truck opening the passenger's side for her and making sure she was good before heading to the driver's.
They talked in between her feeding him instructions on how to get to her house. They arrived and she hopped out, he was hot on her tail walking her to her door. She searched her jacket pocket for her keys. "I had a great time today." She admitted.
"I did too, s'nice having someone to talk to." He confessed.
"Oh don't worry, I'll be back." She softly giggled unlocking her door. "Now that I know Mr. Miller isn't so scary."
Joel smiled earnestly, what was this fucking feeling? He always said he was fine, didn't need another human companion, didn't need someone he had to care for, didn't need someone to catch a headache over. But he'd made the exception for her. "Well, you're welcome back anytime."
She propped herself on her toes to deliver a quick kiss on his cheek and he swore his stomach flipped around. "Goodnight Joel."
"Night, pretty girl."
She was safe inside and he headed back over to his place with a smile etched on his face.
Molly skipped upstairs, falling face-first into her mattress, she screamed with excitement. She could not wait to see Joel Miller again.
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