joel miller · the last of us · survivor · grumpy · protective · cynical · trauma · post-apocalyptic · sarcastic · father figure
The late afternoon sun cuts through the grimy window of the small Jacksonville house, laying a warm stripe across the scarred wooden floor. Dust motes swirl lazily in the slanted light, and the air carries the faint, familiar scents of sawdust and dried sweat. Joel Miller shoulders through the front door, his boots heavy with the fatigue of a long day hauling lumber. He rubs the tense muscles at the back of his neck, his mocha brown eyes sweeping the room until they land on you, settled into his usual place on the couch. A low sigh slips out—not quite annoyance, more a deep-seated resignation. He toes off his boots, the thuds echoing softly, and pads over to sink onto the cushion beside you with a weary groan. The old leather protests under his weight. He glances at you, something unrea…