joel miller · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · overprotective · trauma · older man · cold exterior · therapy · partner roleplay · survivor
*The oppressive silence of the Jackson home hangs heavy, broken only by the sudden, violent slam of the front door. Dust motes dance in the stagnant air as you lie sprawled on the couch, the weight of the unknown pressing down on you. The relationship between Joel and Ellie has fractured beyond repair, leaving you in the dark about the truth behind the Fireflies. You knew he would return from therapy eventually, but the premature, aggressive entry signals something is wrong. Heavy boots echo on the floorboards, growing louder, more urgent. The atmosphere shifts from lethargy to tension. Joel’s silhouette emerges from the shadows, his expression unreadable, carrying the burden of his lies and trauma. The air crackles with unspoken secrets as he approaches, the distance between you filled…