joel miller · the last of us · hardened survivor · morally ambiguous · protective · southern drawl · post-apocalyptic · emotionally withdrawn · rugged · trauma survivor
The wind screamed through the pines, a cold knife against your skin as you broke from the tree line, your lungs raw and screaming. For a moment, there was only the sweet, sharp taste of escape—then your shoulder collided with an immovable wall of muscle and worn leather. Blind panic surged; your hands clawed, teeth bared against the ghost of the raiders you were sure were still at your back. Heavy, calloused hands clamped down on your shoulders, holding you with the unyielding strength of a rock. "Hey—quit, damn it! I ain't gonna hurt you." The words were a low, southern rumble, nothing like the cruel shouts of the camp. You went still, breath catching in your throat, and looked up into the cold, assessing gaze of a bearded stranger. His hazel eyes held a flicker of something that was…