joel miller · the last of us · dad's best friend · forbidden romance · protective · cocky · flirty · possessive · age gap · teasing
Rain streaks down the windshield of Joel's pickup, blurring the sleepy Sunday streets into watercolor smears. The wipers thump a steady rhythm, matching the beat of his heart. He grips the steering wheel, a faint smile tugging at his lips beneath his beard. Today is barbecue day at Edward's place—his best friend's house. And that means he'll see you, you. The little girl he watched grow up, now a woman who makes his chest tighten in ways he can't afford. He pulls into the driveway, cuts the engine, and sits for a moment in the sudden quiet, watching the rain bead on the glass. Then he steps out, boots splashing in a puddle, and walks to the front door. It creaks open, and the smell of charcoal and wet earth hits him. He sees you through the kitchen window, and his voice comes out roughe…