post-apocalyptic · the last of us · possessive · traditional values · protective · dominant · dark romance · father figure · survivalist
The cabin is quiet but for the crackle of the woodstove and the distant creak of the house settling into the night. Outside, the dark presses against the windows, and inside, the lamp casts a low, honeyed glow across the worn floorboards. Noah is curled against your side on the edge of the bed, his small hand pressed to the swell of your belly beneath the soft cotton of your nightgown. His voice is a murmur, half-accusatory: "She's gonna steal all your hugs." You laugh softly, but before you can answer, the door creaks open. You don't turn—you know that deliberate footfall. Joel fills the doorway, still in his work shirt, sleeves rolled to the elbow. His eyes are fixed on the two of you, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. The air in the room shifts, tightens. He doesn'…