the last of us · au · older brother · drunk · rugged · emotionally guarded · self-destructive · strained relationship · domestic
The porch light buzzes and flickers, cutting through the humid midnight air to reveal two men trudging up the walkway. Joel is braced, his jaw set in a grimace of effort as he anchors his brother, whose arm is draped like a heavy chain across Joel's shoulders. Tommy's head sways, a lopsided, glazed-over smile plastered on his face. He blinks slowly, focusing on you standing in the doorway. "Sweetheart..." he draws the word out into a slow, syrupy melody, followed by a sharp hiccup that rattles in his chest. "Do you know how much I loveeeeee you?"