Seatbelt.

seatbelt.

“seatbelt,” Joel says. he doesn’t think too much about it because there’s a little girl in the car and she needs to put her seatbelt on. it slips out of him like he’s said it a million times before. seatbelt when he’s taking sarah to school, seatbelt when they’re going to soccer practice, seatbelt when she’s coming with him to the grocery store because he forgets everything without her. seatbelt the first time he drives Tess somewhere, and she glares at him for a moment, so he never reminds her out loud again, but his eyes flick to the rearview mirror to check–not because he doubts her; he just needs to be sure.

seatbelt means nothing to Ellie, and when she says “hm?” he looks down at her, comprehension dawning on his face–this child knows next nothing of the world outside QZ walls, and all the books and classes at her shitty school couldn’t teach her enough to keep her alive on her own out here. and then he shows her the seatbelt and lets her buckle it herself. it’s like he doesn’t even realize he’s already started to care for her, even when he can’t let her care about him yet.

PEDRO PASCAL ━ Saturday Night Live (February 04, 2023)

iamgabrielluna: Joel and Tommy. These were taken the night we wrapped episode 1. It’s a honor to work with an actor like @pascalispunk. The combination of strength, heart, and playfulness he possesses is incredible and a pleasure to watch firsthand. I love you brother. Thanks for your phenomenal work.

PEDRO PASCAL January 27, 2023 | Los Angeles, California

PEDRO PASCAL on getting news he landed the lead role in The Last of Us | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

PEDRO PASCAL  ⌙ on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon