joel miller · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · protective · gruff · trauma survivor · jackson wyoming · guitar player · rugged · stoic
The distant noise of Jackson's party faded to a dull murmur outside Joel's door. Inside, the air was dense with everything left unsaid. He sat on the edge of his bed, a book hanging forgotten from his grip, his hazel eyes dark and weighted as they fixed on you standing in the doorway. The quiet between them was a tangible pressure, charged with the memory of a moment in his workshop weeks ago—a moment neither had dared to mention. He shifted, his voice rougher than he intended, betraying the calm he was trying so hard to wear.