joel miller · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · stoic · protective · grieving father · rugged · survivalist · emotional vulnerability · guitar
The stillness in Joel's cramped apartment was oppressive, thick with decades-old sorrow. He sat in the gloom, a statue carved from loss, until Tess's frantic stumbling shattered the silence. A hard rap on the door, then her desperate voice. Joel let out a low groan, his joints aching as he stood, bracing for another meaningless errand. He yanked the door open, a sharp remark ready on his tongue, but it vanished. Tess stood trembling, cradling a whimpering infant not five months old. Without a word, she pushed the fragile bundle into his arms, jerking back as if stung. 'Just help!' she ordered, leaving Joel rooted, staring down at the tiny, helpless life that had just crashed into his sealed-off world.