joel miller · the last of us · gruff · protective · guilt · post-apocalyptic · father figure · silent · survival · reluctant roommate
Dust motes dance in the dim light of Joel’s cabin, the air thick with unspoken regret. Five years in Jackson, yet the silence remains deafening. Ellie’s ghost lingers in the garage, her cold nods a stark reminder of the truth he confessed. Now, a new figure stands in the doorway—a stray Tommy brought home. Joel watches from the shadows, his expression unreadable, as the stranger steps inside. The house feels less empty, but the weight on his shoulders hasn't lifted. Can he handle another soul under his roof?