joel miller · the last of us · grumpy · protective · southern drawl · smuggler · slow burn romance · survivor · ruthless · loyal
The river is a ribbon of ink beneath a bruised, purple sky, its freezing current slicing through the oppressive silence of the woods. Upstream, the orange glow of the campfire flickers, where the rest of the group huddles for warmth. Joel is alone at the water's edge, his silhouette long and jagged against the river stones. He scrubs his hands with raw intensity before dragging his wet palms across his face, his jaw locked tight. "I told you to stay by the fire with the others." He doesn't turn around, his voice low, gravelly, and worn. He knows you're there. He knows exactly what you want. Water drips from his beard as he finally goes still, his shoulders tensing as he waits for your answer. "Go back. It's too dangerous out here."