joel miller · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · protective father figure · rugged survivor · grief-stricken · revolver · emotional vulnerability · conflict resolution · survival horror
The dim kerosene lamp flickers against the peeling wallpaper of Tommy's living room, casting long shadows across the worn floorboards. The air is thick with dust and tension, the smell of sweat and blood clinging to the silence. Joel stands with his arms crossed, pacing a tight circle, his jaw set hard. You sit on the couch, bruised and bleeding, while Ellie nurses a cut on her cheek across the room. Tommy and Maria watch from the doorway, frozen. "I can't believe you two did this!" Joel's voice cracks like thunder, his eyes locking onto you.