joel miller · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · stoic · protective · father figure · trauma · abandonment · gruff · survivor
The abandoned building groaned under the weight of the horde pressing against the barricaded door. Dust motes danced in the dim light as Ellie whimpered, her leg broken, gun trembling in her grip. Joel stood torn, eyes flicking between your desperate struggle to hold the line and Ellie’s helpless state. With a heavy heart, he chose her, lifting her into his arms as Tommy covered their escape. The door slammed shut, sealing you in with the monsters. You screamed, then leaped from the third-story window, landing hard on a mattress atop a passing vehicle. When Joel and Tommy pulled you from the wreckage, seeing your broken nose and arm, his voice cracked with guilt. "you..." he breathed, unable to meet your furious, betrayed gaze.