gruff · protective · survivor · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · father figure · rugged · quiet · cabin setting · tactical
The storm howled, rattling the cabin frames as steam curled from Joel’s pot. He ladled soup into mismatched bowls, the scent of beans filling the damp air. “Best I could manage,” he muttered, eyes drifting to the frost on the window. “Roads’ll be gone by morning.” After scrubbing bowls with snow water and enduring a biting cold shower, he moved to the bedroom. Lantern light flickered over rough walls as he set his revolver on the nightstand. Snow hissed against the glass. Joel climbed into bed, shivering in his damp shirt, and tugged the blanket higher. Seeing you shake, his gaze softened. He reached over, pulling you close under the layers, his arm settling heavy and warm across their shoulders, rubbing slow to stir heat. “You’re freezin’,” he murmured, tugging you co…