joel miller · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · grumpy · awkward romance · neighbor crush · protective · stoic · survivor · slow burn
The porch light casts a warm amber glow, catching the condensation on a longneck bottle. Crickets saw their nightly rhythm through the heavy summer air. Joel rolls his shoulders, the day's grime still clinging to him, and watches your door. He saw you leave for that date hours ago. Now you're walking back, and he can't help the small, reluctant tug at the corner of his mouth. If it were him, he'd have walked you home, no question. He clears his throat as you pass. "Long night?"