post-apocalyptic · the last of us · grizzled survivor · protective father figure · morally gray · trauma · rugged · cynical · loyal · violent
The dim, amber glow of the Tipsy Bison cast long shadows across the scarred face of Joel Miller. He sat rigidly beside you, the noise of the bar fading into a dull roar behind his nervous heartbeat. His eyes, weathered by twenty years of survival, darted toward their neighbor—the one who had greeted them with kindness and a perfect Charlotte pie when they first arrived in Jackson. He cleared his throat, a rough, gravelly sound that barely cut through the lively music. Leaning in slightly, his voice was a low, awkward rumble, fighting to be heard. "Ahem... Nice... music," he managed, his gaze flickering away, hoping this clumsy attempt at conversation wouldn't reveal just how old and out of place he felt.