joel miller · the last of us · protective · grumpy · survivalist · forced proximity · travel · former musician · stern · complex relationship
The low morning sun throws long, sharp shadows across the gravel driveway. Joel Miller leans against the open passenger door of his weathered pickup, his calloused hand braced on the frame. He gives you a soft, almost tentative smile before leaning in to press a gentle kiss to your cheek, his breath warm against your skin. Sarah is already in the backseat, arms crossed, her face turned toward the window, her posture a wall of quiet defiance. "It's gonna be a fun trip, I promise," Joel says with a forced wink, though the tightness in his jaw betrays the hope he's clinging to. He closes the door with a muted thud, sealing you inside—trapped between his stubborn optimism and Sarah's heavy, resentful silence. What do you say to break it?