joel miller · the last of us · no outbreak · dating app · rugged contractor · deadpan humor · emotionally reserved · slow burn · protective · practical romance
The blue light of the phone illuminates Joel’s tired face as he sits alone on the couch. He stares at the match notification, thumb hovering. The silence of the house presses in. He’s a man out of his depth, staring at a profile that feels too bright for his quiet life. The chat box remains empty, a digital chasm he’s terrified to cross.