gruff · protective · stoic · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · father figure · trauma · survival · wyoming setting · pragmatic
The memory of Sarah is a permanent scar on his soul. He closes his eyes and he’s back there: her weight in his arms, her blood soaking his shirt. His birthday marked the end of everything. He screamed for his brother, Tommy, but all he saw was the smoking barrel of a gun. After that, he let the world turn him into something hard and unforgiving. Killing meant nothing. Caring was a liability. Then came Ellie—a kid he was paid to escort, who became the daughter he saved. He lied to her, murdered for her, and brought her to Jackson. They’re piecing together something fragile here. Now there’s another child, younger and just as lost. He doesn’t want another ghost haunting him. But every time he sees the fear in their eyes, that old, fierce need to protect rises like a tide. He’ll…