Hello! I Was Hoping For A Joel Miller Imagine Where The Reader Gets Hit On In A Bar When Shes Dating

hello! I was hoping for a Joel miller imagine where the reader gets hit on in a bar when she’s dating Joel and he sees this and confronts the guy and hits him because he’s aggressive and is all protective over the reader!

I love your writing and this would be amazing thank you xx

A/n first joel request,, slay

update: watched the new episode, bill and frank, still crying 

i feel like this gives post outbreak joel a little more bc of the physical protectiveness,, but i can't remember if there's much/any descriptions of like literal bars in the QZ,, i've only watched the show and i don't remember seeing details,, like ik there's alc/pills available, but actual bars??

idk it's possible i've missed it or forgot bc i have terrible memory

so enjoy my 'makeshift' bar concept as i try my best to deviate from canon as much as possible

not to shamelessly self promo,, but if you like this fic i have another joel fic with what i feel like is a more developed version of this dynamic (bc it’s longer and more internal monologue centered) here and i’m making a part 2 for it so if you like these vibes and want something similar, it’s there, it exists :) 

----

You're staring again, and trying your hardest to convince yourself that you're not. It's more than pointless, it's bordering on ridiculous.

Joel Miller is not some fleeting crush that’d fit somebody in grade school better than it’d fit you. Not anymore. You know what you are. You've had a talk. The kind of talk that you didn't think existed anymore in this world.

It wasn't exactly the rom-com 'what are we', but after a man Joel was dealing with got a little too friendly, it led to an argument. One you didn't fully understand, especially since Tess practically lived by his side.

Don't pretend, you might come off as all innocent, but you're too smart to be that naive. Men like that only have one intention.

And that had rightfully infuriated you, because after weeks of lingering touches that could be justified with a few words but never were and all the goddamn looks, he had no right to lecture you about another man's intentions with you. His intentions don't matter because that has no affect on me and who I am. Why the fuck does it even matter?

Why does it matter? It had been this subtle scoff of a response that made you take a step back. That made your back brush against the wall of his apartment. Because I don't want other men like that lookin' at you, let alone speaking to you.

The world stopped spinning on its axis and all the air preparing to leave your lungs was trapped with no where to go. Too many implications. 'Other men like that', the inclusion of himself in men that had those intentions. Maybe even more importantly, the implication that he’s some sort of exception.

 Even more deafening, your response: Well maybe I wouldn't speak to them if you didn't entertain ev--

The rest of your sentence, whatever it would have been, was lost to his mouth on yours. A snapping of tension that took its time fizzling down to something less consuming. Something that allowed you both to talk enough to make it clear that Joel was yours and you were his.

It wasn't a magical snapping into place like it might have been in a world without the outbreak. In some ways, it added a new layer of hesitance, and in other ways it propelled you forward. There are growing pains with anything new, and the whole relationship thing is definitely new to you. Especially in this world.

If only you could get past staring. Maybe after Joel secures the whiskey-bourbon-hybrid whatever they're passing as alcohol these days from a less than trustworthy trading contact, you'll get buzzed enough to graduate to handholding, or at the very least, you'll be able to do something besides sit there.

You're starting to feel insane. How is making out easier than the small things? Maybe the setting is more at fault here than you. In the outside world, any form of attachment could easily be twisted into weakness. It’s likely best that you keep some distance from Joel here, especially with the way other men keep looking over at the two of you. 

It’s not like you’re never awkward about the little things when confined safely between the walls of Joel’s place, that’s slowly but surely starting to feel like it’s at least partially yours, as well. But the way you get in public is something else entirely. It’s probably for the best. There are already too many eyes on you. 

Like the guy with red hair that glints oddly in the yellow light of the stranger’s building. He’s swaying slightly, a dark looking glass in his hand that he’s yet to release in the entire time you’ve been here. Every time one of his friends leaves him, his gaze returns to yours. 

Your skin crawls each time, but you keep your expression as stoic as possible. Joel’s getting better at trusting you, better at letting you serve as a sort of backup in the way that Tess usually would. You know that if it came down to it, the man that keeps looking at you wouldn’t be an actual issue, and you know Tess wouldn’t let it get to her. 

Ugh. Another thing you want to get yourself to stop doing. Comparison. It’s ugly and so insignificant. Tess didn’t exactly welcome you with open arms when you first showed up, but you get that. And eventually she warmed a little. You think she’d still trade you for a few ration cards, but she doesn’t hate you. She’s, at the very least, no longer skeptical of you. The other day you caught her hiding a smile over a joke you made.

But it’s hard not to compare. They were the closest thing either of them had to a support system for years before you showed up, and you know that they’ve been together casually. Always casual. Joel stressed that part, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy thing to know, especially now. 

You bury the thoughts the way you often do and turn your attention back to Joel. Back to staring. At least you’re consistent.

A man peaks out of the closet that seems to be the source of all the alcohol. He gestures vaguely in your direction. “That’s us,” Joel says, voice flat, “Wait here, I’ll be back.” 

Nodding as if to dismiss your own thoughts, you beg your mind to not create imaginary problems by reading into him telling you to stay. He’s walking a few feet away to get some boxes, it’s not the rejection insecurity is making it out to be. “I’ll hold down the fort, keep away trouble.” 

Joel blinks, turning his head in your direction briefly. The corner of his mouth turns up slightly, which is more of a reaction than he likes to give when in these kinds of places. He shifts his hand casually, his fingers brushing against yours briefly as he stands. The gesture is small but immediately dislodges the lump in your chest. 

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” It’s little more than a whisper, but there’s something hidden beneath the roughness of his tone. A pinch of lighthearted humor that’s only visible to you. 

It eases you even further. Joel turns away, moving behind the long table serving as a sort of bar counter. You tap your fingers against the surface without much thought, taking a second to absorb the easiness of it all. It’s rare that getting anything require so little. You don’t think anything’s ever come as easy as sitting on an uncomfortable bar stool. 

“So...” You blink, posture straightening as your eyes flit to the source of the sound. “Guard dog finally left you alone, princess?” 

Okay. Ew. Of course it’s the guy that’s been staring you down since you first sat down. You have to fight to not let your nose wrinkle. There’s no good in reacting, in escalating the situation. “Not a guard dog.” 

You hope that it’ll be enough to show that you’re not interested. “Aw, not feelin’ too friendly, baby.” Ew. You’re torn between cussing him out or actually punching him. Neither is an actual option. Places like these are a minefield and you refuse to be the one to set off a series of explosions. “Maybe you’ll cheer up after a drink, could get you one.” 

Turning your head, you take a breath before replying. “I have enough friends.” The stranger is clearly apart of a group. You don’t know if you could call them all friends, you’re not sure there’s enough casual trust in the world left for genuine friend groups. But they’re at least acquaintances, or work associates, or maybe they met here, equally inebriated enough to accept each other. It doesn’t matter, the point is they were chatting up a storm before he decided to wander over here and bother you. “And it looks like you do, too.” 

“Fine,” he relents too quickly, “Let’s not be friends, then.” His hand shoots forward, landing firmly--and disgustingly--on your waist. “Let’s be something else.” 

You’re unsure if you’re more repulsed by his hand on you or how terrible that line was. Your own hand clasps his, pushing and pulling in an attempt to create a space. He’s relentless, even when your nails start clawing at him. “If you want to keep your hand, I suggest getting off of me.” 

He blinks at your threat and then grins, flashing a smile that’s missing teeth. And then he laughs. A cold chuckle that makes its way beneath your skin. “God, I like them feisty.” 

Shoving your fingers under his, you manage to pry him off of you. Your foot moves, heels smashing into his toes as subtly as possible. “And I like them when they know how to fuck off.” 

His smile broadens, a cynical undertone to the look that makes it worse than before. “Oh, darling,” his hand finds your arm, tugging you forward, “You’re gonna pay for that.” 

“Pay for what?” Relief washes through you before you’ve even fully registered the familiar, even timber of Joel’s voice. He’s speaking in a lower tone than usual, an icy rage that you can feel in your bones and it’s not even directed at you. “Touching what’s not yours, ‘cause you’re the only one doing that.” 

There’s probably something you should say. A subtle warning to not go beyond scaring off the man that is clearly incapable of respecting a woman’s autonomy outside of another man’s claim over her. To not take it too far because it’s not worth it. Because you have it under control. Relatively.

Instead, you’re silent as the man releases you. He takes his time assessing Joel. The stranger is physically smaller and Joel does have that edge that only comes from someone that’s lost enough to be dangerous to anyone threatening what’s left. 

The man holds his hands up in defense, his glass sitting precariously between his thumb and pointer finger. “Easy, man.” You don’t even have to look at Joel to know that that was the wrong thing to say. “I didn’t mean any harm, if you set the price right, I’d be--” 

The rest of the proposition is taken care of by Joel’s fist connecting with the man’s jaw. You hear the audible crack before your mind can make the connection between Joel’s quick movement and the man’s silence. 

Holy shit. Joel didn’t just throw a punch, he threw a punch meant to shatter bone. He barely glances at you, and you’re too focused on the fact that Joel’s standing there, completely fine like he didn’t exert enough force to knock over a grown man. You blink as Joel extends the arm he’s been using to hold the small case. 

You’re too shocked to do more than take the box. The implication of why he’d hand you the box while still standing there doesn’t settle until Joel’s throwing another punch. Each hit is more committed than the last, even when the stranger’s knees give in and he collapses. 

Yeah, there’s definitely something you should say. Now. Like right now. You’d never ask him to hit anybody once, let alone do whatever he’s doing now. But words like ‘stop’ and ‘okay, think he gets it’ all jam themselves so far down your throat, you wouldn’t be able to pry them out with a wrench. 

All you can do is watch. It’s the kind of morbid fascination that reminds you of what it felt like to drive a little slower when passing a car wreck. You’re rooted in place by a realization that’s always been there at the back of your mind, an implied awareness. Joel’s more than just prone to violence when he needs to be. He’s angry. 

It should scare you. Terrify you. Your stillness should be some byproduct of that. But it’s not. Joe’s not a danger to you, he’s a danger for you. 

It’s a level of protectiveness you never thought you’d experience. Your chest feels warm. You hope you’re not messed up enough to consider this some grand display of love. However, there’s a vulnerability in the violence you can’t deny. You’re in a public place, the kind of morally questionable people that are far from above exploiting vulnerability. And yet here he is, announcing an undeniable attachment. 

Joel finishes, chest heaving and hands still curled into fists. The low light makes the thin layer of sweat on his skin seem like he’s practically glowing. His knuckles are already evidently split and swirling in distinct shades of blue and red. You’re mesmerized. 

“You can’t do that shit here.” 

That’s it. The only reprimand. In the world of before, he would have gotten the cops called on him. He would have gone to jail. 

Joel looks up, mumbles something under his breath that sounds suspiciously close to fuck off. He then looks at you, gestures with a tilt of his head for you to follow, and walks forward. 

You try not to think of what it must look like when you follow, quickening your steps to get closer to him after you’re out of focus. When you reach the door, Joel pulls it open with one hand and reaches for your fingers with the other. 

----

The way your eyebrows draw together when you’re examining an injury is different than the way they pull together for anything else. It’s too focused to be concerned and too concerned to be focused. 

Joel could stare at that expression for longer than he’d ever admit to. He could concentrate on that little line above your forehead and forget about everything else. “I’m fine,” he mutters, knowing that there’s no real point. You’ll do what you’re going to do when it comes to these kinds of things.

You nod absentmindedly, another small sign that you’re not as here as you normally odd. “It’d be awfully sad if you died of something as small as non-fungal infection.” 

He swallows, minding that look behind your eye. Things are still normal, you’ve yet to show any sign of rejection. He kept your fingers locked practically the entire way here and you let him. Never pulled away. 

It’s not like he needs to apologize. Joel did nothing wrong. He even gave you a minute to handle the situation, but the man was relentless. The kind of asshole that takes advantage of a world with little order to prey on women. Joel would do it again. And again. And again. There are no regrets there.

You’re not naive. You know what you signed up for when you accepted him. He’s never hid that from you. That doesn’t change the fact that you’ve always had a pension for forgiveness, a pinch of empathy the world hasn’t managed to snuff. 

“You’re dramatic, anyone ever tell you that?” 

A touch of a smile pulls on the corner of your mouth. “Hm. Think I’ve heard that once or twice from this one guy. Dark hair, dark eyes, cute, but not really my type.” 

Joel smiles, a partial laugh escaping him. “Really?” 

Turning over his hand with a gentleness he still finds difficult to understand, you press a quick kiss to his palm. You move back into your previous position so quickly it almost feels bashful. “I think you know the answer.” You flip his hand so that his knuckles face you again and go back to cleaning them. “You know, you didn’t have to...I wouldn’t have ever asked you to do that.” 

Joel can’t help his partial smile at that. Like there was ever any doubt. “I know,” he manages, “You’re not that.” 

It takes a second for you to understand what he’s implying. That you’re not like him. Yes, you get mad and you have nothing against putting people in their place, but you don’t like hurting people. Your lips part awkwardly, like you want to say he’s not that either, but you can’t. He just proved it to the both of you. 

“Nothing wrong with being like that,” you say, all too casual, “So don’t say it like it’s this big thing.” There is no end to the level of understanding you offer him. He doesn’t deserve it, he never will. “And you’re not like that in the way you mean. That asshole was, you’re not.” 

Joel lets out a low breath. Of course, even this you’d find a way to reframe. “You’d think so.” 

“I’m right.” It’s a quick reply, and the exact kind of response he expected. “You’re not a shitty person just because you beat up some guy or any of the reasons you’re thinking. New world, new morals. Accept it.” 

Your lips pull together into what’s almost a pout in your determination. Always so sure when it comes to him. “Mhm,” he breathes, watching your surprise at his compliancy. You know something’s coming, but not what. Your awareness does little to help you when Joel twists your hand in his pushes you back against the couch. “And what about you?” 

He hasn’t grabbed your hands yet, but you stay still, eyes trained on him. “I am a lot meaner than you think I am.” 

He tilts his head down to hide his amused expression. Your version of mean is fighting back. “You want to prove it?”

Hi, I’m sorry to bother you. I’m not sure if your still making them but if you end up making more of the Final Girl fic with Billy and Stu, could you please tag me in it. I was going to try asking in the comments of the post but I wouldn’t let me, no pressure or anything I just wanted to ask in case

thank you

Hi hon! never a bother to receive an ask,, i am for sure still writing final girl...part 8 is just taking way longer than expected but i'm getting there!

i'd be happy to add you to the taglist but since this is an anonymous message idk your username in order to tag you

the commenting thing is weird?? never heard of that on one of my posts, but it's probably just a glitch or something,, you can send another ask off of anon if you can't comment or you can message me to be added (or, if you see this and can comment on this post, i'll know your username!!) anything that lets me see your username and we'll be good!!

Your scream fics are really good! I’ve been looking for other like yours. Would you have any recommendations ?

omg i think about everything @mehbzz has written all the time,, the way like 99% (if not all??) of their scream fics connect,, there's so much like "lore"/depth to the relationship dynamics bc of that

they have a masterlist on their page so i'd just dive in and enjoy,, i reread every time i have a bad day and have a vivid memory of discovering the "just us" series when i was going through a hard time and it was the ideal distraction,

they are an 18+ blog with smut and some other stuff so just make sure to check trigger warnings

@polyghostfacehours is also very lovely!! great characterization "tension broken, quiet found" is an amazing series to check out,, just again,, smut and be sure to check trigger warnings

anyways these are off the top of my head as i'm feeling pretty burned out, but i really wanted to answer this before i forgot,, hope you enjoy and that i didn't recommend blogs/things you've already read 😭

thank you for including me in this list of lovely work :))

recommendations

burn for me - joel miller x f!reader by @psychedelic-ink comment: I have read this more than I care to admit. (At least once every three days). It’s very well done. I could only wish to write a male character this desperately. It tapped into my love of dark characters that aren’t just mean to be mean, but delusional. It’s not enough to be obsessed but to prove that through extreme measures and Joel in this story is all my favorite tropes rolled into a beautiful story. I no doubt will be revisiting this one-shot periodically like an old friend. favorite quote: You open your mouth to speak but as soon as you do something whirs past your head and shatters against the wall. Shards of glass sprinkle down the couch. With wide eyes you turn back to look at Joel, he’s hysterical, pacing back and forth, crimson red crawling up from his neck to his cheeks. (if I speak, i’ll be put onto a stretcher)

a loyal dog’s reward. - yan!criston cole x fem!targaryen princess reader by @venus-maneater comment: This is another story I will be doing a line-by-line breakdown of because it makes me actively shake when I think about this plot line. The characterization is most definitely my favorite thing, and it seems to be the driving force as to why it elicits such a strong emotional reaction when I read it. I feel as though my preference for a specific type of dark character is incredibly obvious because of my inability to not be entirely obsessed with Criston having killed a man in his delusional haze favorite quote: “Is that a ‘no’? Do you not want a kiss from your princess?” […] "Can’t." He eventually sputtered, his forehead resting against yours. (i feel like someone just squeezed my heart tightly and violently. good.)

undisclosed - lumberjack!bucky x reader by @pellucid-constellations comment: Just reading this story caused me to smell fresh pine trees and hear the sounds of boots crunching fallen snow. I had the privilege of reading this during a rainy day after a rough week. It was incredibly therapeutic. I love the world-building because the town feels so lived in that I get this weird sense of nostalgia for it every once in a while. Bucky in this story was just so prince-like and I love it. Additionally, the twist and then the ending were incredibly entertaining, and I was scrambling at the climax. favorite quote: But Bucky wasn’t used to pretty girls walking him through the library. And he certainly wasn’t used to walking pretty girls home. (this makes me smile a whole lot)

first impressions - billy x reader x stu by @yesimwriting comment: The way that Stu and Billy’s psyches are written so casually along with their falling in love is the best part of this. Every time Billy would be awestruck by the reader, I would get a jolt of electricity. And how could I forget about Stu and him always being a slightly good cop to Billy’s bad cop approach to having a crush. Stories like this, make me love them both dearly. favorite quote: “I wasn’t the one looking at her like I couldn’t decide if I wanted to pin her against the wall or hold her there with a knife.”  (stu, i think billy was right for looking at someone like that.)

top girl - blue jones x shy! reader by @h0unds-of-h3ll comment: I haven’t seen Sucker Punch a day in my life but this story… wow. I just keep coming back to it to relive those emotions. The description, the prose, the characterization. All there! But of course, what really gets me is Blue. Could he have been written any better? Absolutely not! He just grovels and stews in his own self-pity so much that I can’t help but be seduced. It is my fault that he thinks I’m beautiful and I think that’s great. favorite quote: “I just lost a hundred thousand dollars.” He smiles, shaking his head at how insane this all was. Losing such substantial money over a girl. Over you. […] He points the cigar at you. […] “Because of you.” (i- i-i am overcome with desperation for the chance to be at his beck and call)

bloodletting - aemond x reader and what lingers - joel x reader by @softcoreparadise comment: Nepotism has a hand as to why my dearest wife has two entries on this list, but that’s okay because why not? I think that the Aemond fic single-handedly convinced me of the Aemond hype. I wouldn’t say I didn’t like him. I just didn’t understand it but I was willing to put it aside and just read this and I’m glad I did. And the ending was so expected of him that I shouldn't have been let off guard, but for a moment I was. Like wow, he is far gone. And then when I went onto the Joel fic, it was just a double hit of men and their unresolved trauma resulting in their unnatural obsession. And that’s wonderful. Give me more time to read your new Rafe work and all will be right in the world. favorite quote: [bloodletting] Loneliness isn’t easy but you’ve grown so accustomed to it that you feel naked without it echoing your every step.  (how I feel all of January) favorite quote: [what lingers] You nameless?” he asks after a moment, voice dry. [...] You say your name quietly, voice scratchy from disuse and from the brutality your throat underwent just a few hours ago. Joel hums. “That’s nice.” (that was excruciatingly painful)

by the water’s edge - namor x reader by @cherienymphe comment: An enticing and well-written story. Namor in the movie was enough to send me spiraling, but the way he acts in this one especially is just so... pathetic. Amazing. My favorite. Honestly, this writer never disappoints and made my winter months bearable by keeping the dash well-fed with so much quality content that none of us deserve. It's not enough to recommend a namor fic but the whole masterlist. favorite quote: “…but of all the reasons to envy this place… I never expected it to manifest in the form of a woman.” (the quote that encapsulates the essence of this writer's strengths. dialogue and characterization.)

Oh boy, not the 'sneaky era' 😭🤣 I'm thrilled, but scared. I saw in ch 7 that Noel was never mentioned....is that man dead? I feel like he could be dead in a ditch somewhere. Y/n wasn't able to find him before she left the party in ch 5 too. Then again, he never did anything wrong to us so maybe he was let off the hook. Also love how Stu babies us 🥴 like yes, cut my oranges and take care of mwah 🤣 him buying me books was giving off sugar daddy vibes too. Kinda terrified that he was able to convince my own mom to let him teach me to drive. Speaking of her, did we ever tell her about that second Ghostface call? Did we ever tell her about our 'date' with Noel? I would think she'd be mad and worried since Noel is a guy.

Kinda off topic, but I'm hoping Hallie shows up to Woodsborrow to cause chaos 😌 we seemed wary about her coming there and there's gotta be a reason for that, especially since we only seem worried about her meeting Billy and Stu. Hallie also feels like a troublemaker since she's known as 'Hurricane Hallie' too and it's scaring me 🤣 Billy and Stu probably wouldn't like her either just bc she is our bestie and knows us better than they do. It's like the Gloria situation, they'd be jealous we have other people to turn to....and I love making them mad. I wonder if we have other friends from Texas or if Hallie is literally the only real one that stuck around 🥲 so excited for the next chapter!

ah i love seeing people excited about final girl!! "thrilled but scared" is so valid 😭

where's Noel is a super valid question...and so are all of your guesses,, ig all i have to say is that you'll see, it wouldn't be a sneaky era if i told you

also yeah stu for sure did give sugar daddy a little, i head canon him as someone whose parents aren't around much and that they genuinely think giving him gifts and access to money with little to no regulations/restrictions makes up for it almost fully

all he knows is throwing money at who he cares about bc he doesn't know how to express his feelings into words, the babying is the second part of that,, it's him sort of instinctually doing what a subconscious part of him wishes someone would have done for him

and as far as the mom thing... yeah stu didn't get through the entire scream movie without ever really being suspected despite all the jokes he made while billy who was being accused for nothing,, he knows how to manipulate!! how to interpret what people see him as and play into it when it's convenient and how to play as misunderstood when it isn't

mansplain, manipulate, malewife and in that order

all the questions about what y/n's mom doesn't know are really good!! in part 6 it's briefly mentioned that Billy and y/n called y/n's mom after calling the police about the Ghostface call so she knows

the noel thing and whether or not her mom knows does come up!! so i won't say anything about it rn :))

also so happy you mentioned Hallie 😭 i have plans for her lol,, nothing too crazy,, but billy and stu will meet her soon enough

“what follows” is so good!!! the internal dialogue and the build up is so well done i love the way you write joel!! please tell me you’re willing to write more parts

ahh thank you!! it always takes a moment to get in the groove of a new character's voice,, especially someone with such complex feelings

there will be a part 2 for sure,,

as for multiple other parts plural, i could see expanding it into a mini-series that's mainly just small moments that define the relationship between reader and joel, like just finding some domesticity during the end of the world, but i'm not sure yet