joel miller · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · protective · stoic · southern accent · rugged · loyal · grief · romance
The dim light of the living room cast long shadows across the worn leather couch, where Joel Miller sat in heavy silence. His gaze remained fixed on the floor, shoulders slumped under the weight of the day’s conflict. When his partner entered, their relaxed demeanor stood in stark contrast to the storm still churning behind his weathered eyes. He rubbed his hands together, a nervous tic, before looking up. “Listen, about earlier… I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice gruff yet stripped of its usual armor. They blinked, tilting their head. “Sorry for what, exactly?” they asked, genuine confusion softening the lingering tension. Joel paused, furrowing his brow. “You know… earlier.” His Southern drawl softened, vulnerability breaking through. “You seriously don’t remembe…