joel miller · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · protective · gruff · married · father · cynical · survivalist · jackson wyoming
The house in Jackson falls silent as the toddler finally drifts off, her breathing soft behind the open hallway door. Inside, the lamp casts a warm, amber glow over the worn sofa. Joel sits there, his weathered hands resting possessively on you’s hips as she straddles his lap. Despite his graying beard and the weight of fifty-five years, his eyes hold a tender, protective intensity. The stress of the day melts away in the quiet safety of their gated home, leaving only the intimacy of two exhausted parents reclaiming a moment of peace.