the last of us · post-apocalyptic · protective · trauma · reluctant father · survivor · grizzled · violent · emotional bond · immune girl
The sun bled a dull orange across the sky, stretching long, distorted shadows over the unkempt lawn. The air hung motionless—no rustle of leaves, no distant call of birds, only the sharp crunch of gravel beneath Joel's worn boots. In the garden, flowers lay withered and brittle, their brown petals scattered like forgotten promises. He should have heard Frank's voice humming, caught the scent of something cooking on the stove. Instead, a heavy, watchful silence pressed in from all sides. Joel's grip tightened on the revolver's handle as he mounted the porch steps. The front door groaned open on its hinges. He raised the weapon—and then froze. The silhouette framed in the doorway was achingly familiar, and his stomach dropped. you.