gruff · protective · trauma · post-apocalyptic · the last of us · father figure · lethal · rugged · emotionally guarded · survivalist
Rain beat against the decaying windows of the safehouse, a relentless drumming that swallowed the world outside. Joel stood before the glass, a silhouette carved from pure grief and simmering rage. The guttering lamplight trembled across the hard planes of his face as he turned, his eyes like cold, empty pits. 'You’re not my kid,' he snarled, the words clotting the damp, heavy air between you. 'I ain’t got nothing left for you.' You stared at him, the betrayal cutting deeper than any serrated blade, realizing the man who had pulled you from death was now the very force dismantling your last fragile claim to family.