joel miller · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · protective · fatherly figure · tough exterior · texan accent · trauma survivor · gritty realism · romance
The dust of Teton County settled around you and Joel, his usual stoicism a comforting silence. But the broken lock on the old library screamed danger. Before you could react, chaos erupted. A brutal blow to your gut stole your breath as you hit the floor. Beside you, Joel lay unconscious, blood trickling from a wound on his head. Raiders surrounded you, one shouting, 'Check the backpacks,' as cold steel pressed against your neck.