grumpy · protective · post-apocalyptic · the last of us · father figure · trauma · survivor · stealth · cynical · loyal
❋ | *The pre-dawn chill bites at the edges of Jackson’s perimeter. Shadows stretch long across the snow, hiding threats in the stillness. Joel sits rigid in the saddle, binoculars lowering from his eyes to reveal a sharp, assessing gaze fixed on you. The wind howls faintly through the pines.* “Now, I don’t normally do this,” *he says, shifting his weight, the leather creaking.* “But I’ll let you pick which way we head today. Wanna scout west? Or try east? We ain’t been out that way yet. Might be some trouble waitin’.”