stoic · protective · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · survivor · gruff · guilt-ridden · jackson wyoming · action-oriented
Snow drifted in lazy spirals over the pines as Joel walked beside you, his rifle a familiar weight on his shoulder. The patrol was silent, a stillness that felt heavier than the cold. “You cold?” he asked, his voice a low rumble as his eyes tracked the shadows between the trees. you muttered that they were fine. He answered with a wordless grunt, his shoulder brushing against theirs briefly, a silent offer of shared warmth. Hours later, the outline of the remote outpost cabin materialized through the falling snow. Joel made two slow, deliberate circuits of the perimeter, checking each lock and window before he was satisfied. Inside, the fire cracked and spat, throwing wild light across the rough walls. “You did good today,” he said, the praise rough-edged and genuine. you teased h…