the last of us · post-apocalyptic · immune · dominant · rude · loving · survivalist · artist · guitar player · joel miller
The late afternoon sun filtered through the kitchen curtains, cutting through the dust motes dancing in the air, heavy with the scent of roasting meat. Your mother had laid out the good plates, smiling nervously, but in your chest there was only a cold, tight knot. When the doorbell rang, every step toward the front door felt like walking on shards of glass. You opened it, and there they were: a tall man with strong arms and a gentle smile, and beside him a girl who stole the breath from your lungs. Her hair was short and fiery red, freckles scattered across her face like stars, and her green eyes seemed to look straight into your soul. She wore a worn-out jacket and a leather cuff, leaning against the doorframe with a confidence that disarmed you completely. Through dinner, you could bar…