Whiskey and Want |dbf!Joel x f!reader| | 18+ MINORS DNI | {series masterlist}
Chapter 2: Purple Rain | wordcount | 3.2k {TLOU AU, modern-ish, no outbreak, Sarah lives!}
You twist the moth pendant between your fingers, thinking about the gruff ‘Seek the light I think’ from that birthday replaying. He’d texted you after, ‘Moth girl, huh?’ flirty. Now? He’s a brick wall, and you’re clawing at it, desperate for that Joel again. Dad would kill him. Sarah’d hate you. Still, you want it.” | note | This is for the yearners, I promise we will make this old man want us. there WILL be smut and it WILL be filthy. what you think so far???? tell me
Warnings/tags: 18+ only, minors DNI, slow burn, forbidden romance, angst, yearning, sexual tension, mild alcohol use, explicit language ,emotional manipulation (implied), family dynamics, unresolved feelings, no smut (yet) series warnings after the fic. reader uses she/her pronouns and has hair. no major physical descriptions of the reader. no use of y/n but has the nickname Bird, Birdie, etc. reader has a backstory.
Purple Rain. You’ve spent the last hour under interrogation by your dad about your social life—or lack thereof back at school. His way of making small talk, you guess. You’ve been home less than a day and he’s managed to ask about you dating life atleast four times. “What about that guy from your brain class? Didn’t he take you out?” he asks. “Neuroscience, and yes he did. He was nice, but It didn’t go anywhere,” You force a laugh, he catches it. “Why’s that Bird, he too brainy for you, he got shit-for-brains?” He pokes your side as he says it, like hes proud of his awful dad ‘joke’. You want to say, “Dunno Dad, maybe It didnt work out because he wasn’t the 46 year old construction worker I was smiling and kicking my feet about for months… till he fucking left me on read permanently for no damn reason.” Instead, you settle on, “We just didn’t really have much in common outside of school.” You twist the moth pendant between your fingers, thinking about the gruff ‘Seek the light I think’ from that birthday replaying. He’d texted you after, ‘Moth girl, huh?’ flirty. Now? He’s a brick wall, and you’re clawing at it, desperate for that Joel again. Dad would kill him. Sarah’d hate you. Still, you want it. The slam of a car door outside breaks through the conversation, pulling your attention away. You glance toward the window just as Joel steps out of his truck, making his way toward the house, brooding, but sexy as hell.
Oh shit.
Even though you see him coming, the sudden knock at the door still makes you jump. You shoot your dad a questioning look, but he just shrugs.
“Forgot to tell you Joel’s coming over to watch the game. That okay, Birdie?”
You cringe at the nickname. Sure, maybe it was kind of cute, but it still feels juvenile. From what you remember, your mom was the one who started calling you Bird or Birdie—not because your name was Bernadette or Beatrice, but because you were always singing when you were little.
Guess some things never die.
You sigh dramatically, smirking as you push off the couch.
“Do I even have a say in it? Or am I supposed to just close the fuckin’ door in his face?”
Your dad chuckles, but you barely hear it, your heart too loud in your ears.
You take a quick, deep breath, and prepare to put on the unphased act. Then open the door.
Oh fuck.
How is it possible that Joel Miller only gets hotter every time you see him? Like some kind of benjamin button bullshit.
The evening sun is casting a golden glow around him, backlighting him like a damn angel. A tall, dark-haired, scruffy, middle-aged angel. He’s still in the same black shirt and green flannel from earlier, but now it’s unbuttoned, framing his broad chest. His dark jeans fit way too well, and his hair, pushed back slightly to the side—looks just messy enough to make you wonder if he ran his fingers through it before walking up.
And the smell.
Cologne? Aftershave? Whatever it is, it’s woody, warm, and laced with something soft, vetiver, lavender maybe. It’s familiar. Comforting. Intoxicating.
Joel smiles at you, rough edges turned all soft and easy, you hate it.
“Hey, kid. How you been?”
You roll your eyes.
“Not a kid anymore, Joel. I’m twenty-five, remember?”
He huffs a laugh, reaching out to pull you in for a hug, the case of beer in his hand swinging around your back. His arm’s solid around you, but it’s stiff, like he’s scared Dad’s watching. He pulls back too fast, eyes dropping. ‘Hey, kid,’ like you’re still Sarah’s shadow, not... Whatever you are.
You hear something crinkle, and he’s pulling something out from behind his back.
A bouquet.
Sunflowers.
Your favorite.
Wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine, a small piece of cardstock tucked inside reads ‘Welcome home’ in delicate gold script.
This feels like a joke.
The warmth rising in your chest spreads up to your ears, but somehow, your voice comes out smooth instead of shaky.
“Thanks, cowboy. You really shouldn’t have.”
Joel’s gaze tracks over you, something hiding behind his eyes, but before he can say anything, your dad chimes in from the couch.
“I think there’s still room in the fridge,” he says, nodding toward the beers. “Don’t let ‘em get warm.”
Joel chuckles. “Ten-four.” He salutes your dad before glancing back at you.
“You gonna let me in, Tweety? Or just stand there gawking?”
You wince.
Both at the nickname and the realization that you’re still standing in the doorway, gripping the flowers like an idiot. With a glare, you step aside, muttering, “Don’t call me that.”
Joel steps past you, smirking. Then, just loud enough for you to hear—
“Don’t call me cowboy.”
And with a wink, he’s gone, disappearing into the house like he didn’t just turn your insides to liquid. //
The afternoon stretches on while the three of you lounge in the living room, half-watching the game, half-draining beers. By golden hour, your dad and Joel are both half-cut, and you’re not too far behind them.
You haven’t been drinking much lately. It makes you too brave. And maybe a little too emotional.
A few weeks ago, your roommate convinced you to go to some country bar in the city. After two beers and way too many tequila shots, you ended up on the mechanical bull in the center of the place. Because, apparently, defending the great state of Texas’s honor was your problem.
Your dad would have been so disappointed. Not that you got on the bull to begin with, but because you lasted a grand total of five seconds before being violently launched onto the sticky floor below.
The rest of the night? A blur. All you remember is every single person calling you cowgirl in the worst Southern accents until you finally left.
You shake the memory off as the game drags on, Joel and your dad yelling at the TV like they’re personally coaching the team. You sigh, stretching out your legs.
“Do you want me to start on dinner while you guys have some alone time?”
Your dad barely glances over.
“Sure. I cooked some noodles earlier, threw ‘em in the fridge. If you wanna chop up some veggies, make a pasta salad, that’d be great.”
You nod and push yourself off the couch, heading into the kitchen. //
The sun is just beginning to set, streaking the sky in bold sweeps of orange and pink. Sunsets in Vancouver were breathtaking—like mixed-media paintings of industrial buildings and mountain ranges; beaches and city lights. Austin’s sunsets aren’t exactly unlike them, but the sky here feels bigger. Like it stretches forever.
You slip your headphones in and scroll through your iPod, settling on an oldies mix your dad helped you make when you first got it.
Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Pink Floyd, Queen— classics.
As you start chopping, you realize just how good it feels to be in a real kitchen again. Even having a proper sink is a luxury after years of making do with a microwave and a single hot plate. The music and comfort of cooking settle into your bones, and soon you’re half-dancing between washing and peeling vegetables, swaying in time with the rhythm.
When Purple Rain comes on, you close your eyes and start twirling, lost in the sound, convinced you probably look just as good as the dancers on Dancing with the Stars.
Until you slam into something solid.
“Hey— what the fuck?”
Your eyes snap open.
Joel.
His hands are on your waist, steadying you before you can completely wipe out over his feet. You silently gasp as you register how close he is, his face just inches from yours; warm brown eyes lock on you, and they flicker dark for a beat. His breath is hot on your neck. You see him hesitate, he lets go like you’re a livewire, and you’re sent stumbling back until your spine presses into the counter. Heart hammering.
Joel raises his hands, palms out in mock surrender.
“Sorry, kid. Just came in for another beer.”
You exhale, trying to steady yourself, and nod toward the fridge behind you.
“You scared the shit out of me,” you mutter, clutching your chest. “I was having a moment.”
Joel smirks.
“Dancin’ queen, huh? Who knew.”
His voice is low, teasing, but there’s something in his expression—something lingering just beneath the humor. He leans against the counter beside you, eyes still flicking over your face.
“What are you listening to, anyway?” he asks. “Justin Bieber?”
You scoff.
“So close. Actually, it was Prince. You’ve probably heard of him… because you’re old.”
Joel huffs a laugh.
“The hell you listenin’ to Prince for? Sounds like a bullshit lie to me.”
You pull your iPod from your pocket and hold it up, showing him the screen.
Purple Rain.
His eyebrows lift in surprise.
Before you can react, he reaches out and snatches one of your earbuds, popping it into his ear as he shifts even closer, leaning one arm on the counter beside you. You try to ignore the closeness and press the back button on the iPod, restarting the song.
The opening chords drift between you, both of you silently nodding along.
I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I only wanted to be some kind of friend, hey
Baby, I could never steal you from another It’s such a shame our friendship had to end…
Joel hums under his breath, eyes fixed somewhere on the counter.
When the song ends, he pulls the earbud out and hands it back to you with an approving nod.
“Man knew how to write,” he says simply.
You tuck your iPod back into your pocket, a small smile tugging at your lips.
“Dad always played that album,” you say, glancing toward the living room. “I think the CD got stuck in the car or something. We listened to it every morning on the way to school for years.”
Joel chuckles.
“That checks out. Your dad’s got taste.”
You nod, smiling to yourself, and for a brief moment, the kitchen is quiet.
Just you.
And Joel.
And something unspoken between you.
A booming voice breaks the quiet moment.
“Don’t burn the place down, Birdie—I’m countin’ on that pasta salad!” His chuckle drifts from the living room, warm but frayed, the kind that used to bounce off Mom’s harmony before it all went quiet.
You glance back, catching him sprawled with a beer, grin fading as he stares at the TV, lost somewhere else.
“No promises, old man,” you mutter, shaking off the pang of those silenced rides, thinking about easier times. The sun’s dipping lower now, streaking the kitchen with hues of pink and orange, casting even more shadows in the house.
Joel’s voice pulls you back in.
“Bet you miss it, huh?”
You tilt your head. “Miss what?”
His gaze flicks toward the window, where the last streaks of sunset paint the sky.
“Mornings like that. Home.”
You exhale, leaning back against the counter.
“Yeah. I do.”
Austin always felt big to you, bigger than you knew what to do with. But back then, in those fifteen-minute car rides, your world was small. Just you, your dad, and the same Prince album playing on repeat.
You were grateful for that. For him. For now, though, you’re just grateful for this. Standing in the kitchen, a little buzzed, stomach full of butterflies for reasons you really shouldn’t be thinking about.
And for Joel.
Standing too close. Smelling too good.
Making home feel like something else entirely.
Joel grabs a bottle opener from the utensil drawer and pops the cap off his beer. Instead of heading back to the living room, he lingers more, settling into a stool at the kitchen island.
You keep your attention on the task at hand, but if you arch your back just a little extra when reaching into the crisper drawer for the dill, well—who could blame you?You can feel his gaze, heavy, tracking your movements as you move around the kitchen.
You focus on dicing vegetables, making small talk until Joel, much like your father earlier, decides it’s his turn to interrogate you.
“So,” he drawls, “you been seein’ any hosers over in Canada?”
You snort at the slang.
“Nope. No hosers for me, cowboy.”
“Good.”
Your knife pauses against the cutting board. You glance up.
Good?
“The fuck is that supposed to mean?” you challenge, brows raised. “Good?”
Joel shrugs, like it’s nothing.
“Mind your language, kid.”
You roll your eyes at him.
“Again—grown woman. And you don’t get to chastise me for swearing in my own house, Mr. Miller.”
He exhales sharply, a half-laugh through his nose.
“Touché.” Then, with a teasing smirk, he adds, “You gotta learn French over there too, right?”
You shake your head, biting back a laugh.
Joel takes a slow sip of his beer, watching you.
“Still. Means you ain’t distracted, can keep focused on your psychology.”
You pause for a moment, pretending to consider.
“Mmm, maybe. But on the other hand—” You tap your temple with the tip of your knife, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Wouldn’t seeing people technically count as studying psych?”
Smooth, for real this time!!!.You convince yourself you can see the warmth creeping up his neck, flushing his skin.
“You got me there, little bird,” he murmurs, shaking his head.
Your lips twitch as you glance up at him through your lashes.
“Studying,” he echos, voice light with amusement, but there's something else there too.
Joel pushes back from the island, the stool squeaking against the tile as he stands. Before he heads back to the living room, he pauses—just long enough for you to catch the way his gaze lingers.
Then, casually, almost too casually—
“Glad you’re back home for a while.” He lifts his beer, a subtle toast. “Missed seein’ your pretty face.”
Your breath falters.
Am I hearing shit? Or did he really just say that? You must have some kinda look on your face because he steps back, muttering, “Shouldn’t’ve said that,” like he’s punishing himself.
You shake it off as best you can, grabbing a beer for yourself before heading back into the living room. You flop down beside your dad with a sigh.
“Dinner’s ready. Hurry up. They’re gonna lose whether you’re watching or not.” You jab him lightly with your elbow. “Steak ain’t gonna cook itself, big guy.”
Your dad gives you a flat stare before groaning as he hauls himself off the couch, his old man knees creaking audibly.
“You know, maybe I didn’t miss you that much. It’s barely been half a damn day and I’m already sick of your attitude, darlin’.”
“You love me,” you shoot back with a cheeky grin. //
Dinner is easy. Comfortable.
You sit outside as the sun hides below the horizon, warm hues fading into a deep navy. Your dad mans the grill, you’re chatting with Joel about school, asking him about work. You ask about Sarah even though you already know—probably better than he does. You call her every week, staying up to date on her life, but you still like hearing him talk about her.
And he does.
Joel trips over his words when he talks about how proud he is, and even in the silence between sentences, you can hear it. Feel it. He misses her. It’s sweet, seeing him like this; so unguarded. He worked tirelessly to give her a good life, and it shows. Sarah is a light, and so much of that glow was his doing.
By the time you’re all painfully full, the night settles deep and dark around you. You clear the table, bringing the dishes inside before grabbing yourself another beer. You slip your headphones back in, letting the music hum through you as you turn on the tap.
You don’t hear the back door swing open over the water, but you feel the presence behind you before you see him.
Joel moves into the kitchen, heading for the fridge to grab another drink himself, but instead of leaving, he steps up beside you. Without a word, he reaches past, plucks the dish towel off your shoulder, and starts drying the plates.
It’s nothing.
It’s everything.
Your chest tightens.
The easy silence between you is only cut by the quiet clink of dishes and the occasional rush of water. Until suddenly—
Bzz. Bzz.
Your whole body jumps at the sound. Your phone. No—it’s Joel’s.
The ringtone is sharp, jarring. You recognize it immediately.
Same as your damn alarm clock.
Joel exhales, long and slow, before tugging the phone from his pocket. He answers hesitantly, his voice tight.
“Yeah?”
You watch the change in real time.
The frustration. The slow shift into anger.
He nods, lets out a clipped, “Mhm.” Then a gritted, “Yup.”
Finally, he sighs. Pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I’ll head out now. Thanks for callin’.” He pulls the phone away, muttering, “Not even fuckin’ Friday yet.”
“Tommy?” you ask, already knowing the answer. Tommy’s been a fuckup since he totaled Joel’s truck chasing some girl. Joel bailed him out, then stole her anyway. The grudge never died.
Joel nods, tucking his phone back into his pocket.
“Sheriff’s office this time.” He huffs a humorless laugh. “Asked me to pick him up from the bar before they do. How kind of ‘em—fuckin pigs”
You shrug, forcing a fake smile for him.
“On the bright side, at least you don’t have to pay his bail.”
Joel just shakes his head, already heading for the back door. You rinse off the last dish and follow after him. By the time you make it outside, he’s tossing his empties into a grocery bag, apologizing to your dad for cutting the night short.
“Next time, I swear I’m gonna let him figure it out the hard way,” Joel mutters. “I swear to god, Kev.”
Your dad laughs, unimpressed. “You and I both know that’s a fuckin’ lie. You’ll be cleanin’ up his messes ‘til the day you die.” Then, softer, “You’re a good brother, Joel.”
Joel huffs. “Yeah. Probably too good.” He shakes his head, and looks down at the ground. “Anyway—I’m sorry to run out on ya so soon.”
“It’s no big deal, man. Go get your shithead little brother before he causes a bigger problem for you.” Your dad gestures vaguely toward the gate, beer in hand.
You follow Joel to the fence, pushing it open for him. He steps through, then turns back to you —hesitating just for a second.
He pulls you in for a hug, reaching around your waist with a touch that feels impossibly soft for such a rough guy, it feels different than the welcome he gave you earlier. He gives a tight squeeze and kisses you on the head, your knees nearly buckle. “See you soon, Bird,”
Joel pulls away, nods once, and disappears into the night. You stand there, syrup-brained, and swear he won’t stay a stranger. You’ll drag that old Joel out, make him feel it too. series warnings!!! fluff, smut, angst,unprotected p-in-v (please wrap it up), f/m masturbation, fingering, large but legal age-gap (joel is in 40's reader is in mid 20's), size kink?, choking, pervy!obsessive!joel, pervy!mean!Tommy, possessive/rough sex, praise, sex on the phone, drinking/smoking, strong language, sneakin around, lowkey obsessive and reckless Joel, blackmail, competency kink, risky sex, overstimulation, a tiny bit of coercion, dirty talk, oops its a creampie, brief mentions of grief and implied suicide, Tommy is a jerk in this one, guilt and betrayal, bar-fights. chapters will have specific warnings. @yesjazzywazzylove-blog @brittmb115












