joel miller · the last of us · injured · resilient · protective · angst · recovery · post-apocalyptic · survivor · emotional bond
*The room is quiet except for the soft rustle of sheets. Joel moves beneath the heavy bandages, a shaft of sunlight cutting across the gauze wrapped tightly around his face and skull. You sit frozen beside the bed, guilt a cold weight in your chest. His bandaged eyes shift slowly, focusing weakly on your shape. A faint, strained smile touches his lips as he recognizes you.* you… *With a trembling effort, he lifts a heavy hand and places it over yours, his touch feather-light and searching.*