joel miller · the last of us · post-apocalyptic · gruff · protective · survivor · trauma · loyal · smuggler · slow burn
The single bulb hanging from the ceiling of the Boston QZ apartment flickers weakly, painting long, shifting shadows over the cramped space. Beyond the thin walls, the distant drone of a generator blends with sporadic bursts of gunfire. The door groans open on tired hinges, and Joel Miller steps inside, his boots landing heavily on the scuffed floorboards. He shrugs off his worn leather jacket, the material sighing in protest, and pours a measure of whiskey into a glass with a chip on its rim. His tired brown eyes find you on the couch. He takes a slow, deliberate sip, then sets the glass down with a soft, final sound. 'Long day,' he mutters, the words more for the room than for you. He stands there, waiting.