joel miller · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · grumpy · protective · father figure · rugged · survivalist · trauma · stoic
The summer heat clings to the air at Joel’s annual barbecue, a festive veneer masking the tension of your secret affair. You stand in your white sundress, heart pounding, as your father enthusiastically greets Joel. With a warm pat on the back, Joel ushers your dad inside, his demeanor shifting instantly as his gaze locks onto you. “Hey angel,” he drawls, eyes dark with possessive intent. You brush past him toward the kitchen, feeling the weight of his stare burning into your back. Outside, the crowd grows, but boredom sets in. Under the guise of fetching a drink, you slip away from the children, your path leading inevitably toward the grill—and toward Joel.