#joel imagine

[fuckyeahdindjarin]

Ravel

A Seams Christmas special oneshot | Moodboard

{ Part IV: Notch | Series Masterlist | Main Masterlist }

Rating: T

Summary: Joel swings by yours with a little something before Christmas dinner at Tommy and Maria's.

Warnings: Unapologetic fluff and softness, inspired by this ask from @casssiopeia from the beginning of the year, no use of Y/N, very lightly edited

Word count: 2k

Notes: I'm so proud of writing up this little drabble. I've been in such a weird place with my writing, I'm just happy to end the year on a creative high. Obviously, I'm a few days late to Christmas, but better late than never!

There is a voice in my head telling me that this isn't good enough, that it doesn't hold up to what I was writing earlier this year. But I need to rewire my brain. There is no such thing as 'good' or 'bad' when it comes to fanfiction. All fanfiction is good fanfiction. This is our hobby, not our jobs, and we need to be kind to ourselves.

I am posting this at 11:59pm on New Year's Eve. Happy new year y'all, I hope Joel and Pin can bring you some festive cheer ❤️

Joel is this close to have a fucking breakdown.

He would measure out how close this is between his thumb and index finger if they were not currently tangled in webs of yarn, rapidly unravelling from from the bottom of what is supposed to be a sweater.

Your sweater.

The book that Lucy lent him months ago lies on the table before him, the pages yellowed and dogeared, open at the the easiest pattern of the lot to knit - a simple pullover in chunky yarn, in your favourite colour.

Well, it was supposed to be easy, anyway.

Despite Lucy basically holding his hand throughout the whole project, he’s had far less time than anticipated to work on it. Too many nights he finds himself at Tommy and Maria’s, elbow deep in dirty baby’s clothes and diapers, making himself useful for whatever needs to be done around the house. 

Even Ellie chips in without being asked, often bringing back food from the canteen and making sure the severely sleep-deprived adults are eating, if not well fed. Joel honestly doesn’t remember how he did it with Sarah as a clueless twenty-something, with an even more clueless younger brother.

As he attempts to free himself from the quagmire of wool, he grimaces at the stiffness all over his body, feeling it especially in his back after sleeping in an armchair all night with a rapidly growing two-month old.

He’s too old for this shit - but there’s no saying no to the little rascal with Tommy’s nose and Maria’s eyes.

The knitting needles clatter to the floor when he jumps at the front door opening and slamming shut, a frustrated fuuuuuuck slipping past his gritted teeth. 

Ellie’s voice rings out loud and clear as she scampers up the stairs, getting progressively louder until she’s outside his study. ‘Hey! Did you remember to put the potatoes in the oven? We have to leave for Tommy’s in an hour - dude, what the fuck is happening?’

‘What do you think is happenin’?’ he growls.

Crossing her arms, Ellie leans against the doorframe wearing a far too amused expression. ‘Maria said no gifts.’

Joel rolls his eyes. ‘It’s not for Maria.’

The teenager squints, perplexed, at the bits of wool in his hands. ‘What is that meant to be?’

‘... A sweater.’

Ellie bites her bottom lip, holding in a poorly concealed giggle. ‘I think a sweater is meant to have sleeves.’

‘You think?’

‘Want me to go get Lucy?’

With a heavy sigh, he mutters, ‘Fine.’

At the arch of her half-eyebrow, Joel adds begrudgingly, ‘Please.’

Ellie grins, sneakers skidding on the floorboards as she takes off. ‘Hang in there, old man!’

Despite the cold, his palms are sweaty, sticking to the kraft paper wrapped haphazardly around the even more haphazard package clutched tightly in his right hand. 

The night air mists before him in puffs of white as he shuffles a path through the falling snow. His ears are tingling from the cold, and flexing the stiff, frozen tips of his fingers, Joel knows he should’ve worn his gloves. They weren’t in their usual place by the door though, and he was so frazzled that he barely got his shoes tied up before dashing out the door, sending Ellie ahead with the potatoes (that are definitely undercooked) to his brother’s.

Your cottage glows yellow and orange in the darkness, and your stairs no longer creak when he trudges up them, having fixed them just in time before the first snowfall.

He hears your footsteps come from deep within this house when he knocks. Your eyes are wide when your door cracks open tentatively, but then your lips curve into a smile - the smile that he takes with him and keeps him warm when he has to leave Jackson for days-long patrols.

‘What are you doing here?’ you ask, ushering him inside, not batting an eye at the snow he tracks inside. ‘I thought we were meeting at Maria’s.’

Pressing a kiss to your lips, he softens at the way you lift your face towards him to catch it, careful to keep the parcel out of sight behind his back. ‘Yeah, we were, but thought I’d see if you need a hand with anythin’.’

‘Such a gentleman,’ you tease. 

A low fire burns in the hearth, the wood he chopped for you in the fall stacked in a tidy pile next to the mantelpiece. Sweeping his eyes across the living space, he spots the book with the cracked spine that he reads when he’s here on the coffee table, next to yours. On the other side of the couch is the Christmas tree that he cut for you, and he watched you dress it up in tinsel and fairylights one night after a quiet dinner and before hot cocoa under thick blankets.

He likes seeing himself at your home. In the things he does for you; in his things, casually scattered around - like they belong in your space.

‘The pies are in the kitchen, could you please put them in a bag?’ you ask. ‘I’ll just grab my coat and we can go.’

‘Sure, sweetheart,’ he answers, waiting until you’ve disappeared into the bedroom before setting down the present under the tree.

He’s leaning against the back of the couch when you pop back in, a few layers deeper than when you left him, the pies nestled safely in a carrier bag by his boots. 

‘Shall we?’ you ask brightly.

Joel hesitates, wondering if he should wait until after dinner to tell you about the present. It only takes his eyes darting to the foot of the tree for the briefest moment for you to catch on. The slow smile that stretches your cheeks and lights up your eyes warms him from the inside out.

You cock your head to one side, playing coy. ‘What’s that, Joel?’

He shrugs, feigning cool. ‘Why don’t you go ahead and find out?’

His chest physically swells at the way you dash towards the tree, landing on your knees in uncharacteristic recklessness, the impact only softened by the rug underneath. You cradle the lumpy package to your chest like something precious. ‘You got me a present.’

He settles on the end of the couch next to you, his heart beating harder in his ribcage than he’d like to admit. ‘Don’t get your hopes up, sweetheart.’

You frown at him. ‘Why?’

‘You’ll see, but I wanted to give it to you anyway.’

You open the package carefully, as if it was wrapped in the fancy paper people used to buy at the shop. Joel holds his breath when you peel it away to reveal what’s inside.

He’s far too inside his own head to hear your inhale that sounds a lot like wonder. You pick up the sweater gently, shaking it out, and Joel winces when he sees it in the flicker of the firelight.

Disastrous doesn’t begin to cover it. Lucy managed to connect the sleeves to the shapeless body in a last-ditch salvage attempt, but one is clearly longer than the other. The stitches are untidy, some have obviously caught onto something and pulled loose. Rough around the edges is putting it kindly.

Joel wants to reach out, grab it, chuck it into the fire and let the flames swallow it whole.

Finally, the silence gets the better of him, and he blurts out. ‘I’m sorry.’

You stare at him, stunned. ‘What?’

Under his whiskers, his cheeks flush in embarrassment, and he rambles, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinkin’. You deserve better sweetheart, here, let me -’

You almost lose your balance keeping the sweater out of his reach. ‘Don’t you dare, Joel Miller.’

Confused, he watches you rise to your feet, shucking your outer coat and another layer. ‘What are you doin’?’

Grabbing the sweater, you slide it over your head and thread your arms through the sleeves. The soft knit drapes over your curves, too big over your shoulders and the hem falling unevenly, higher on the right side than the left. One sleeve is long enough to cover half your hand, while the other sits right on the wrist.

And yet. 

You’re beaming like you just picked up something at Bloomin’dales or whatever the fuck those department stores were called back then. 

‘I love it,’ you declare, no trace of irony in your voice, as hard as he’s trying to find it.

He scoffs in disbelief. ‘C’mon, sweetheart, you’re just sayin’ it -’

You surprise him, grabbing him by the scruff of his collar and dragging him towards you to plant a firm kiss on his lips. 

‘I love it,’ you repeat slowly, with conviction, as if willing him to believe you. ‘Thank you.’

He doesn’t quite still, but he smiles and kisses you back. ‘Merry Christmas, sweetheart.’

‘Since we’re doing this -’ you trail off, sliding out of his grip to reach around the back of the tree, pulling out a neatly wrapped gift. ‘This is for you.’

Joel pauses. 

For him.

For the longest time, nothing had been for him unless it was soul-crushing grief and pain.

And yet here it is - his name on the tag written in your neat handwriting. Something he can hold in his hands. For him.

His fingers tremble when he reaches out. The package is soft, and the paper crackles under his grip. He all but tears it open, uncaring of the way the wrapping falls to the floor.

A laugh bubbles out of his throat, and you look relieved at his reaction. ‘You like it?’

It’s not quite a Santa hat. It’s a chunky dark red beanie with a white brim folded back, and topped with a white pompom. 

‘My ears were so cold walkin’ over. It’s perfect,’ he says, pulling it over the crown of his head. Of course, it fits just right, sliding soft and warm over his ears. He adds with a wink, ‘Y’know what, I might just shimmy down some chimneys after dinner.’

‘As long as you shimmy down mine too,’ you retort, not hearing the euphemism.

Joel quirks an eyebrow at that, one large palm squeezing your backside through the layers. ‘That an open invitation, sweetheart?’

You duck your head, more out of habit than actual shyness, with mischief in your smile. ‘Don’t be so crude, Joel Miller.’

Adjusting his new hat so that it sits comfortably, he points at the pompom and jokes, ‘Shame I can’t wear this on patrols.’

Right on cue, you hold up a finger. ‘Funny you should say that.’

He chuckles when you pull out a second, plain black beanie, as if out of thin air. ‘You really thought of everythin’, sweetheart.’

You shrug playfully. ‘I’m smart like that.’

‘I know you are,’ he smiles.

‘Merry Christmas, Joel.’

His lips find yours again in a slow, lingering kiss that has you leaning into him for more when he pulls back. ‘Thank you. For everythin’.’

You hold his gaze - heavy with meaning, light with joy. It wouldn’t take more than a tilt of the head towards the bedroom to derail your evening plans, and you both know it.

In the end, you’re the one who stays strong. Taking one step back from his warmth, you reach for your coat. ‘We’re late, we should go.’

His eyes widen. ‘Wait - you’re not wearin’ that to dinner are you?’

‘Of course I am,’ you say, buttoning up your coat over the sweater.

‘You don’t have to, sweetheart,’ he almost pleads with you.

You grin, heading for the door, blowing out candles as you go. ‘Too bad, I’m never taking it off.’

Joel shakes his head with a wry huff. ‘Well, I hope not never -’

You have one foot out the door when you suddenly remember. ‘I almost forgot - you left your gloves here last time. They’re in the cupboard by the door.’

Ah, that’s where they went. He opens the drawer and pulls them on, one after the other, the leather, worn smooth with age, creaking as he wraps his fingers around the handles of the carrier bag.

Joel is about to follow you out the door when he pauses over the threshold. Glancing down at the black beanie in his grasp, he reaches up and hooks it on the coat rack, nestled among your clothes.

He hopes that when the time comes for him to wear it for the first time - maybe on a patrol that will take him away from you for a few days - it will smell like you.

Gorgeous dividers by @firefly-graphics ❄️

More notes: I hope I will return to the main series in the new year. I've missed these two lovebirds, I hope you enjoyed this little interlude! ❤️

#fuckyeahseams #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller fluff #joel miller fic #joel imagine #joel miller x reader #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller x fem!reader #the last of us fanfiction #pedro pascal character fanfiction #goodbye 2023

[luvrxbunny]

mini blurbs ─ ★ joel miller x f! reader

a/n: so many joel thoughts! how could i ever take the time to make a blurb for each of them!!? 😱

wc: 1k

warnings: 18+ MNDI, a few handjobs, some piv

-> you waking joel up with a handjob, it’s early so he’s sensitive, emotionally and physically, moaning and squirming. he keeps looking at you with this insanely fond look, something about it makes him look so soft. he also won’t shut up about how he feels. and he says it with so much force, willing you to believe him. “i love you, baby” “l-look at me? i love you so fuckin’ much.” “y’makin’ me feel so good. y’feel like heaven, my fuckin’ angel.”

-> joel fucking you relentlessly, and brutally because he needs it. you’re a good girl, you take it ofc. he’s grunting and groaning gruffly, barely talking aside to say “take it” or the occasional “just like that” but once he cums he’s instantly back to his usual, soft and loving self. “are you okay, baby?” “m’sorry, was i too rough?” “took it like such a good girl though, so perfect f’me”

-> you being unable to jerk joel off while he’s standing because his knees buckle and he can’t help folding in on himself or leaning into you, causing him to slip from your grasp and the same goes for going down on him— when although even when he’s seated he either cages your body in his completely, hunched over your head like he’s worshipping your mouth, or he’s spread out over the bed like he’s the god. (he is)

-> joel needing you from the second he comes home but still trying to make small talk. like he walks in and you hear him take a sharp breath once he lays eyes on you. his fists ball up and he’s so tense you can almost see him shaking as he takes a deep breath. you see movement around his crotch before he’s turning around to put his things away. “so h-how was your day? good, i’m hopin’. ” you entrain him even though you know he’s just trying not to seem desperate. “yea it was good, babe” he smiles. “are— are you tired..? or anythin’?” you make it a point to look in his eyes with a smirk. “never too tired for my favorite guy”

-> joel awkwardly thanking you after the post sex glow has worn off. he’s given you aftercare, cleaned you up and all that. as you guys are cuddling he starts to feel like he needs to do more so he just “thank you, baby. that— that was incredible. i— thank you.” you start giggling at him and he knows he’s being awkward so he gets all red and blushy, hiding his face in the back of your neck while telling you to shut up

-> just all the faces he would make while trying to hold his moans in. like when you guys first start getting sexual he’s still nervous so he tries to keep quiet. his brows furrowed, or tilted up. his eyes shut, rolled back, or fluttering while they try their best to stay on you. his lips bitten, pursed or sucked in. i think his hands would be everywhere too, covering his mouth, stroking over his beard, covering his eyes, running through his hair.

-> joel grunting, whining, and moaning lewdly above you as he fucks into you with the same neediness he’s been giving for the past 35 mins. falling into your neck and muttering “mm not yet. not yet. fuck” until you pull him away and question what he’s saying. maybe he has wetness on his lashes, from overstimulation, pleasure, or love “i don’t—“ he breathes out a sharp, shaky breath. “don’t wanna cum yet.” he lets out a shaky, broken breath. “you’re so good.”

-> the first time you get joel off in public he thinks you’re just trying to tease him but he’s too sensitive to handle it. so he warns you, “you—“ a shaky breath in and out as his hand comes up to cover his mouth. “you’re gonna make me cum” a smile spreads over your face but you keep looking forward, as his breathing speeds rapidly. you can see him glancing over at you every few seconds. “you— baby.” a whine almost slips out. “i’m- you’re gonna make me— i’m— fuck. i’m- i’m gonna c- holy fuck. please.” he whines and you hear his breathing become erratic.

-> the confused look on his face when you make him cum much much harder than he expected. i imagine you’re jerking him off, he’s sitting against the headboard with his arm around you. he warns you that he’s going to cum, his hips start bucking and his lip gets bitten by his teeth. he’s spilling over your fist in no time but once he expects his orgasm to stop, it just builds up to a new level of pleasure. his mouth drops open and his brows furrow. his eyes cast downward, watching your hand move over him and the way he’s coating you. then his gaze shifts to you and his expression looks like you’ve offended him before melting into one that makes you think he’s going to cry. that’s what let’s you know you’ve done a good job.

-> he begins to be able to tell when you’re gonna make him cum really hard and he starts to have a tell tale saying that alerts you. you’re not even sure if he realizes that he says it every time. his eyes shut and he runs his hand through his hair. he starts to shake his head lightly like he’s realized what’s going to happen and his hand slides down to your thigh, gripping the fabric of your pants before rubbing his hand over it, trying to soothe himself. “i’m—“ his head keeps moving back and forth as speaks. “it’s gonna get everywhere.” he groans under his breath, the sounds leaning a bit farther on the whiny side before he attempts to speak again. his hips shuffle upwards, sinking himself further into the chair while bucking himself into your fist. he gazes up at you with sex hazed eyes and confesses “m’gonna cum everywhere” before biting his lip harshly and burying his face in your neck, where his groans vibrate against your skin.

-> joel not being able to look at you while you guys are having sex. he’s so much more sensitive than you that every little thing pushes him closer to the edge, so it he wants to last long enough for you to cum on him, there ends up being a point where he has to fuck into you with his eyes cast to the side or shut tightly. he’ll be looking down at where the two of you meet before deciding he wants to see his pretty girl again. once he reaches you face there’s a shock of pleasure in his stomach before flowing down to his cock. he grips your jaw and forces you to face the opposite direction he turns his head, like he can’t even have you looking at him when he’s like this. he groans into his shoulder like he’s angry and mutters “too fuckin’ pretty. this shit ain’t fuckin’ fair.”

-> when he’s close, instead of telling you to stop, slow down, or distracting you with kisses, he tells you to “be gentle” he says it repeatedly, with hisses and whines in between. the closer he gets he starts to just “gentle, gentle, gent- oh sweetheart—”

-> he gets turned on by how turned on you get when he tells you that he’s close. he sees that light spark in your eyes when he tells you that he’s gonna cum and it makes him pulse even more intensely. like he could be on the outskirts of his orgasm but once he sees your reaction to his confession he’s got two seconds, tops, before he’s spilling all over you.

-> once you guys start getting sexual, it’s very easy to tell what he does or doesn’t like, what turns him on and what doesn’t. because he breaks out in goosebumps every time you give him even a bit of arousal. you could cook him a meal and when you come back he’ll have goosebumps spread all across his arms, all the way up to his biceps, even some across his neck. he tries to play it off as if you can’t see the way he’s fattening up in his jeans.

-> (for poc) joel loves the contrast of your skin to his cum. the first time he cums on you he has to have a serious pro and con session as to whether he likes cumming in you or on you more. he’s embarrassingly hard within the next minute after he cums on you. he’s just staring at it, maybe smearing it around a bit before jerking off right above you. he probably hasn’t even explained himself to you. he’s just been in a trance since his ropes landed on you.

-> you’re the first time he hears the phrase “cum for me.” and he loses his mind. it’s the loudest you’ve ever heard him and he cums so hard some lands on his chin. he spends the next few minutes shaking from the force of his orgasm and trying his hardest to regulate his breathing.

OKAY IM DONE!!!! pls show this some love guys!! it’s so long i feel like it should go in my main masterlist 💀

#i’m on my joel GRIND #it’s cus i just rewatched tlou sorry to my miguel and eddie bunbunettes #JUST GO WATCH TLOU!!! #then u guys will get it 😉 #and guys #all these thoughts are from ONE DAY #when i say i’m FERAL for him..? #I AM FERAL FOR THAT MAN #I #MEAN #IT #joel imagine #joel the last of us #joel miller fanfic #joel miller smut #joel miller x reader #sub joel miller #? #joel miller #joel miller x you #joel miller x y/n #joel miller tlou #joel miller the last of us #joel miller imagine #joel miller one shot #joel miller self insert #joel miller drabble #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller fic #joel miller fluff

[viridescent-din]

Hope

Joel x reader. Smut, 18+ only Fingering, age gap.

~

There’s no hope for you.

You don’t take it personally. There’s no hope for anyone anymore. But it still stings, knowing it will probably never get better. Knowing that in spite of everything, even though you and everyone else that’s left has been given the worst hand fate could have dealt, you can’t ever have what you want. What’s right in front of you. 

Joel, leaving you for weeks on end to smuggle God knows what. Angry when you come, angry when you don’t. Short tempered and mean, hurting under all those layers of pain and experience and grime. When you met Joel, you promised yourself you would dig into him, make your way through those layers and burrow under them. Warm him from the inside out. You wanted to know him.

Now you do, and it hurts more than ever. It’s a nicer pain than feeling nothing at all, but it’s still heavy. The lingering glances Joel gives you make you feel truly alive, but they make you ache too. The wandering eyes, the brushes of his arm, the death grip he holds you in on the runs when you stumble across infected. You know Joel well enough to understand they mean something. To you and him. He doesn’t touch other people like that. He doesn’t care for them. Protect them. 

If he’s felt the way he does for you this long and hasn’t done anything about it, he’s never going to.

It’s possible that Joel doesn’t want to make the first move - doesn’t want to be the one that really changes the comfortable (almost, almost domestic) closeness you two have. There’s lots of reasons he wouldn’t: he’s older than you, for one. There’s also FEDRA and the Fireflies and anyone else who keeps an eye on Joel, looking for a weakness. The lack of confirmation between the two of you as to just what you are bleeds over to anyone who watches you interact. If something changes, if Joel really admits this is real, it won’t stay between the two of you no matter how much he might try. They’ll notice. Joel can’t afford to lose anyone else. 

It’s hopeless, you and Joel. So you try not to think about it, and you never, ever push him. 

-

Joel can’t take this much longer. Can’t take you. 

It’s killing him. Everything is: his job, his age, his sorrow. Everything is wearing Joel down, making him drag his feet and look for the nearest somewhat safe spot so he can collapse and finally rest. For just one fucking minute. 

He only feels rested when he’s with you. And Joel hates himself for that. Hates putting that amount of responsibility on you - to burden you with him. You’ve never asked for that. 

Of course, you’ve never asked because you’re scared that if you do, Joel will leave. He doesn���t blame you. He’s not entirely sure that he wouldn’t.

You’re so good. It blinds him sometimes, your goodness. Sometimes it’s like the sun, shining down on Joel as he overlooks the ruins of whatever given city he’s in. But sometimes it’s like the light on the soldier’s gun twenty years ago, forcing Joel to realize everything he holds dear is devastatingly fragile. 

If Joel let you give yourself to him the way he knows you want to, all he would do is take. He would envelope you, trap you in his chest. He’s cold and gruff and he would expect you to just deal with it. More than you already do. 

~

“Should be an easy run,” you finish telling Joel late one night. You try not to notice how nice he looks in red, even if the shirt he’s wearing is dusty and beat up. “I’ll be back before morning.”

“I’m coming with you.” Joel responds gruffly. You purse your lips.

“I know you had something planned with Tess,” you say. “It’s just the mall. I’m not even leaving the QZ.”

“It’s boarded up for a reason.”

“I trust the people that say it’s safe -”

“Tess can handle herself. Ain’t no thing for me to go with you.” You still.

You don’t mean to be upset with Joel, but stings anyway, the lack of faith he has in you. It’s times like this that make you feel young. Stupid and incapable. 

Needy.

“Tess can leave the QZ on her own but I can’t even make a quick trip to the mall?” You manage to keep the accusation out of your tone, but it’s still implied. Joel knows. 

“Hey,” he says, short. “That’s not what I’m sayin’.” You swallow.

“I know, Joel, I just -”

“Tess has experience. She’s been doing this shit practically since it all started.” You nod as you look away, nails digging into your palms as you clench them. Your heart jumps when you feel Joel take your hand, prying it open. “Quit doin’ that.” He murmurs. Joel’s hand is warm, spreading waves of heat throughout your body. You unclench your fist, and Joel rubs his thumb over the lines of barely broken skin. “It’s different with you,” he says, barely audible. “You know it is.”

For a second, you think this is it. The walls are coming down, and Joel is admitting. Confessing, even. You look at him, eyes wide and hopeful. 

He drops your hand and walks away. 

“I’ll be back tomorrow night. Be ready.” He says. The door slams shut behind him. 

~

“What are we even here for?” Joel only thinks to ask once you’ve led him into some sort of breaker room. You shine your flashlight at all the light switches and levers, looking for the right one. Joel frowns at himself. He should have pressed you for more information about this. It’s not like him to… not. “If I’m just here to take you shopping, we can leave now.”

“Yeah, Joel, you’re here to take me shopping. Prom is right around the corner.” You say. Smart ass, Joel thinks. He lets himself smile while you aren’t looking.

“Think you’re a little old for that.” Joel shines his own flashlight overheard, looking at all the decay. Water drips onto his face, and he wipes it off. 

“I’m not that much older, you know. I am twenty f-”

“Don’t finish that sentence.” Joel stops you. You grin at him before lifting a lever. Machinery whirrs around you both, and the lights slowly flicker on.

“Whatever you say, old man.” Joel rolls his eyes, but secretly, he’s relieved to have you teasing him again. Joel doesn’t like how he left your place last night, how real it felt. How for a moment, he was the cause of the hurt that flickered over your face. “This way.” You tell him, leading him down the maintenance hallway and into the actual mall. 

Even Joel can’t help but marvel at it, even in ruin. It’s massive, and all the stores are reminding him of brands he had forgotten existed. His chest clenches at the sight of some of them, the models that would have Sarah’s age.

The last time he went to a mall was with her. 

“Holy shit,” you breathe, eyes wandering. “Look how big it is, Joel! Everything is -”

“Are we gonna be here all night?” Joel demands, suddenly gruff and impatient. Your face falls. “Let’s get what you want and leave, alright?”

“Right,” you say, excitement gone. “It’s um - I just remember my mom going to the mall whenever one of us got sick. I know there’s… there are like, pharmacies or whatever. I thought it would be good to stock up on medicine.”

Joel pinches the bridge of his nose, angry at himself for taking his shit out on you. It’s not your fault he insisted on coming. 

It’s a good plan, too. Joel is surprised he or Tess didn’t think of it. 

“That’s good. Smart.” He tells you, trying to ease the tension. “Do you remember how to find your way around a mall?” You shake your head. “It’s called a directory. It’s a map, usually on the first floor.” Joel spots an escalator a few feet in front of you. “Let’s go look at one, yeah? Better than wandering around the entire night.”

“Okay.” You agree. “Lead the way.”

~

The pharmacy is on the second floor, so you and Joel head back the way you came after looking at the directory. You start rambling about how there might not even be anything, how a mall probably doesn’t have as much as a CVS or a Walgreens. Joel stops you. 

“Even one bottle of antibiotics is better than none,” he tells you. “This was smart. Good job.” You give Joel a small smile. 

“Thanks,” you say. 

The pharmacy turns out to be well stocked - you and Joel jump over the counter and find practically everything full. Joel watches you look at the labels of everything a few times before you take to dumping things in your backpack. Joel is more careful, on the lookout for penicillin and any other helpful meds he can remember. He falters when he grabs one prescription and reads it: cryselle, low ogestrel. Birth control. Before he even realizes what he’s doing, Joel glances at you.

“You ready?” You ask. You’re standing on the counter, looking down. Joel shoves the pills in pocket. 

“Yeah,” he says, swinging his backpack over his shoulder. “Let’s -” Joel doesn’t even hear the growling until it’s too late, until a rotted hand grabs your ankle and pulls, the crack of your ribs on the counter bouncing off the walls and the look of surprise on your face permanently searing itself onto Joel’s brain. 

~

“Joel!” You scream, the infected chomping at you, practically ripping the skin of its neck to reach you. Bite you. You let out another scream, one pure terror and pain. Your torso is throbbing, a blinding pain that’s making it harder and harder to keep the infected off you. You thrash, kicking its legs in an attempt to get it off, but you only make its knees collapse so its weight falls on you even more. You let out a frustrated sob. 

This is it, you think to yourself. Even if I get out of this, Joel is never letting me do a run again. Your arms start to weaken at the thought, subconsciously giving in. 

The shot fires so close to you it makes your ears ring. The infected stops growling, slumping on top of you. You push it off, dazed. 

Joel is on you in an instant, hands running over every inch of bare skin you have. Hands, wrists. Neck. He hooks his fingers under your chin and forces you to look at him, distress written all over his face. You cough, wincing as it rattles your ribs. 

“Good,” you manage. “I’m clean.” Joel sags with relief, his forehead pressed against yours. He smells scared, stressed and acrid. You close your eyes and breathe it in. 

“C’mon,” Joel says, standing. “There could be more. There’s always more.”

~

He takes you to his apartment. His, not yours. You drop your bags at the door, kicking off your shoes. Joel leads you to his bedroom, and you sit on his sheets, wincing. When you pull up your shirt, your skin is raised and bruised. You tug it back down. 

“Does it feel like a clean break?” Joel asks. You shrug, not knowing what he expects you to say. He leaves, coming back with a bottle of pills and a glass of water. “Ibuprofen.” He explains. “Nothing fancy for a few broken bones.” You thank him. 

“Should we wrap it?” You ask. 

“Don’t know. Might make sleeping on ‘em the first night easier.” Joel watches you. “Can I see?”

You swallow as Joel stands over you. Slowly, you lift your shirt.

To Joel’s credit, he doesn’t freak out. It dawns on you that he might be thinking you’re making a big deal out of nothing. You don’t know what Joel’s life was like before you were in it, but you know it was worse than a few cracked bones. Embarrassment creeps up your face. 

“It’s nothing.” You dismiss it. Joel nods. 

“Nothing.” He agrees. He doesn’t sound convincing, though. 

~

It’s not even that bad. Joel knows that.

He watches people die every day. He’s seen the worst of death and then some. He’s seen people stumble into the QZ holding their innards in their hands. He’s watched people rip their tongues out as the virus infects them, trying to rid themselves of the spores they can feel invading their bodies.

You have a few cracked ribs. You’re strong. You can handle it. 

But the thing is, Joel can’t. He’s worn down, he’s exhausted and scared he just can’t keep himself from caring so much. 

He’s making this a bigger deal than it is. Joel thinks you feel the same - you’re waving him off, saying you’re fine. Saying it’s nothing. The wound is, sure. But the terror Joel felt when he saw you disappear behind the counter in less than a second? That isn’t nothing. It’s everything. You’re everything.

“You wanna stay here for the night?” Joel asks you. Splashes of black and blue spread over your torso, painting your skin. It makes Joel feel sick. He shouldn’t have let this happen. 

“Yeah,” you say. “If it’s okay.” Joel shrugs in response, hunching his shoulders to ward his paranoia away. You give him a small smile, tugging your shirt down. Joel turns around, walking over to the small dresser near the door and digging out one of his flannels. He knows you like them, and you know Joel likes seeing you in them just as much. He tosses it to you on the bed. You catch it smoothly, laying it next to you. Joel faces the wall, letting you change your shirt. 

And then he hears it. 

It’s a small noise that you make. It probably isn’t even one of pain, you’ve been through worse than this, it’s just a hiss of discomfort as you raise your arms above your head to take your shirt off. 

And Joel is rushing towards you, brow furrowed, hands outstretched and mind telling him no, no, no, just like it has for years. 

Joel’s been silently telling himself no to you since he met you. He’s older now. 

He can’t bring himself to listen anymore. 

Joel kneels in front of you, grunting as his knees protest. Your eyes are wide, and you’ve frozen. Your hands are gripping the hem of your shirt, holding it just above your navel. You watch as Joel’s eyes flick towards the bareness of your stomach, and even though he just saw it so he could look at your ribs, Joel can tell you know he’s looking in a different way now. He swallows, leaning forward.

“Let me help you, baby.” Joel says. You draw in a breath.

“Are you sure?” You whisper. You know what this means, what Joel’s thinly veiled statement implies. Joel returns your gaze. 

Joel reaches forward, grabbing the hem of your shirt and lifting it carefully over your head. A small ‘good job’ tumbles off his lips when you raise your arms without making another sound of discomfort again, and Joel sees what his praise does to you. 

He leans back on his heels, looking at you sitting with your breasts exposed on his bed, bones cracked and in need of repair. He watches you wait for him to really promise something, to show you that this is finally happening. 

You’ve been so patient. Joel can’t make you wait any longer.

-

“Joel,” Joel’s name comes out a gasp as he lays you down, 

Joel props himself on the wall, sitting on the pillows. He pulls your back against his chest, arm over your collarbone while his other hand dangles between your legs. He massages your thighs and your eyes slide shut. You grip his forearm, nails biting into his skin. 

When Joel’s fingers have finally worked their way up and are tracing your slick entrance, you whimper. 

“I know, baby. I’ve got you.” Joel licks the shell of your ear as he murmurs, and you feel so safe. He’s capable and willing and wanting, you can feel his hardness against the small of your back. 

If it were anyone else, this would feel sudden. But it’s Joel. You’ve been waiting so long. You’d be lying if you said you understood why it was now that he finally decided to do something, but you don’t care. You don’t care why this brush with death was the one that made the walls come down. You just care that it did. 

Joel kisses your neck, sinking his teeth into the muscle of where your shoulder meets your neck, and you gasp, keening against him. 

Teeth marks on your shoulder. Bruises on your hips. Joel is trying to make up for the fact you’re battered from today’s supply run. You’re about to say something about it when his fingertip pushes into your cunt. Your mouth drops open, and you moan so loud you almost slap your hand over your mouth instinctively. 

“Fuck, you’re so tight,” you hear Joel say as he slides his finger further in. Your thighs tremble, and Joel stills. “Hey,” Joel says your name, serious. “How long has it been?” He asks in a whisper. He runs his thumb up painfully slow over your clit, the same way you would to someone’s back or shoulder if you were trying to comfort them. It makes your head spin. “I gotta know how slow you need it.” He explains. You open your eyes, and Joel is staring at you. 

“I,” you feel your cheeks burn. “I haven’t ever…” excuses build on your tongue before you even finish your sentence. I haven’t had time. I was the only survivor I knew of for years. I was only a kid when this all started. I can’t trust anyone around here. I’m younger than you. You don’t say any of them. You can’t bring yourself to. 

“Oh, baby -”

“Please don’t stop,” you plead. Joel doesn’t move, his finger still inside you, gaze piercing. “Please, Joel. It’s not - it doesn’t have to be a big deal. I need this.” You can’t reach Joel’s lips from here, not with the way he’s holding you, so you drop your head and drag your lips across his forearms instead. “I need you.”

Joel closes his eyes, screwing them shut like he’s upset. But when he opens them, there’s no trace of anger. Just affection. 

“I’m not gonna stop,” he promises you. You nod, relieved. “I’m taking care of you, darlin.’”

When Joel pushes another thick finger inside you to prove his point, he chases away any doubt you had remaining. 

-

“I’m not going to use my cock on you tonight,” Joel tells you after what feels like hours of him working you open.Your disappointment is obvious. Insecurity begins to set in on you, but Joel won’t let it. “Not tonight,” he repeats. “Another time.” It takes a second for you to believe him, but eventually you murmur a quick ‘okay.’ “For now, I want you to finish with my fingers. Think you can do that for me, baby?” You nod, and Joel rewards you by curling his finger. “Good girl,” he says, and you clench around him. Joel smirks, amused, and rubs the thumb he has on your shoulder up and down soothingly. “Relax,” he tells you. “I’ve got you. Let me in.”

You try to wrap your head around the fact that this is happening, that after years of pining after Joel, he’s finally here. He’s sturdy and strong and present - you can feel all of him, his heartbeat against your back, his breath on your neck, his fingers so deep it’s like you can feel him in your stomach. His smell grounds you, filling your senses. You’re so full, so full of Joel. You have been for a long time now. 

You take a deep breath, letting yourself inhale Joel’s scent. Your exhale is shakier as Joel presses in deeper. Your gaze flickers down to where his fingers disappear, and you whimper at the sight. You’re never seen yourself like this, swollen and puffy. You’re transfixed by Joel’s fingers pumping in and out of you, shiny with your slick. He suddenly finds a spot you’ve never had touched before. You moan as he massages the spongy place, trying to find your breath. When Joel keeps at that and rubs at your clit again, your vision starts to blur. 

“Joel,” you gasp, the feeling foreign and overwhelming. “Joel. Joeljoeljoel -”

“Shh. You’re okay. I’m here,” Joel slows. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No!” You exclaim. Your mind is spinning as the corners of your eyes begin to go white.

“Okay. Alright,” Joel soothes you. “I know, darlin’, I know. Feels so good it’s almost scary, isn’t it?” You screw your eyes shut, your chest heaving as you pant. Joel presses on, his confident voice pushing you close to the edge. “But you don’t need to be scared. You can let yourself have this,” Joel takes a breath in, his voice getting distant. “You deserve this, alright? Let me give this to you.” Joel almost sounds like he’s begging. “Please let me do this for you.”

All you can do is clench around him in response. 

~

Joel knows, Joel knows he shouldn’t be doing this. You’re better than him. You should have someone more handsome, someone younger, someone kinder.

Someone with less blood on their hands. 

But Joel is selfish. He’s a selfish man, he has been since he lost Sarah, and he wants this. Wants you. He wants to give you something, make you feel good for just one second in the shitty world you have to live in. He needs this. He needs to know you’re getting some type of pleasure. 

He hesitates when you say this is your first time.

It shouldn’t surprise him - you don’t have the resources people before the virus did. No internet, no sex ed, no parents or older siblings to ask. 

You don’t like new things. Joel knows you don’t like being inexperienced. You’re too good at what you do, it makes your tolerance for being out of depth very, very low. And this is so much more personal than anything else. He can feel your embarrassment when you confess to him, unable to even finish your sentence. 

“Oh, baby,” he murmurs, and it isn’t because you have anything to be ashamed about, it’s because Joel is pretty sure you’ve barely even touched yourself and you still find it in you to trust him to do it. To beg. Joel is a sick man, because it goes straight to his dick, your trust and desperation. 

He wants to give this to you, and he doesn’t care if it also feels like taking. 

When you cum, sweating and writhing in his arms, you clench tighter around Joel’s fingers than he knew was possible. He can feel your fucking heartbeat, and his hand isn’t even on your chest. 

You’re far away when Joel eases his fingers out of you. He manages to lay you down on the bed, cautious of your ribs. He starts to stand to get a washcloth to clean you up, but you grip his hand. 

“Please don’t go,” you tell him, vulnerable. “Please, Joel.”

Joel hates himself. Hates that he’s ever acted in some type of way that would make you think he would leave you when you need someone.

When you need him. 

“I’m just grabbing something to clean us up,” he promises, rubbing your knee. “We made a mess, darlin’.” You sag, relieved. 

Joel caves once he’s in the bathroom and out of your sight. He presses his fingers to his tongue, savoring your taste. He sucks his fingers off like a starved man, and can’t wait until he gets it straight from the source. 

~

There is hope after all. For you and Joel. You can tell because of the dull throb in your core. Joel’s half hard cock against your hip. The medicine in your packs by the door, the softness of Joel’s lips over the skin of your ribs. 

There is hope - always was. Even though you had to wait for it. 

#joel miller #joel miller imagine #joel miller x reader #joel miller smut #joel miller x you #joel #joel imagine #joel x reader #joel smut #joel x you #the last of us #the last of us imagine

[7seas-of-ryy]

Let Me Repay You

Author’s Note: More pre-outbreak writing because it’s my happy place :) Reader is in their 20s

Pairing: Pre-Outbreak!Joel Miller x reader

Summary: Joel is a great dad, but everyone needs some help occasionally

Warnings: implications of sex, talks of periods (does that need a warning??)

...

“OMG Dad please stop” you heard Sarah say to Joel as you entered their house.

You lived next door and became close with both of them after you moved in a little bit ago. You went over to their house every Friday night for a movie night and tonight was that night. Normally Sarah would be waiting for you at their front door or even come over to your house to get you but tonight was different. 

You heard her say that and immediately felt as though you were intruding. You went to turn around and head back to your house without being noticed when you heard-

“(Y/N) please help me” Joel begged

You sheepishly walked in, not understanding what was going on. You saw Sarah retreat to her bedroom and Joel rubbed his face with his hand. 

“So uh what’s going on” You asked Joel

He started blushing, “Sarah’s having...uh lady troubles and I don’t really know how to help in that department” Joel admitted

“Oh! Well I can help with that. Let me go talk to Sarah” You said as you already started walking towards her room

“Hey Sarah, it’s (Y/N), can I come in?” You asked as you knocked on her door.

Her door opened and you walked in. She looked slightly embarrassed but also relieved she wasn’t still talking with her dad about her problems.

“So what’s going on? Anything I can help with?” You asked, not wanting to push her or make her uncomfortable

“I’ve had my period before, it’s not like I just got it...” She started “But I’ve never tried anything besides pads and I wanted to buy some stuff at the store. When I told my dad I needed money, he kept asking for what and then I finally told him and it got weird. He just got awkward, which made me awkward. Then it turned into a big thing”

“Ahh yeah guys get weirdly awkward about this stuff even though it’s the most natural thing. How about I take you to the store and buy you some stuff and explain how it all works?” You offered

“Really? You’d do that for me?” She asked, shocked you were so okay with it all.

“Of course I would! Someone’s gotta help you and I think I have more experience with periods than your dad” You laughed

You both left her room and went out to the living room where Joel was.

“Hey so we are gonna run to the store and we will be right back” You told him, giving him a look to not say anything dumb

“Oh ok great, I’ll see ya both when you get back” Joel told you both

As you walked out, you turned around and saw him mouth ‘thank you’ to you, and you nodded and gave him a small smile in return.

You are Sarah picked up everything you thought she might need including snacks. You got back to their house and Sarah went to put everything away in her room, leaving you and Joel alone in the living room.

“I cannot thank you enough for that. I have no idea what I’m doin in that department if you couldn’t tell” He said

“Don’t even worry about it, Sarah’s a great girl and I enjoy her company.” You told him.

Sarah poked her head into the living room, “Hey guys, I’m kind of tired so I think I’m going to just lay down for the rest of the night”

“Alright get some rest” Joel spoke softly to her

She came over and gave you a big hug, not letting go for a few seconds.

“Thank you” She whispered into the hug

“Of course” You whispered right back to her, hugging her just as tight.

She turned and gave her dad a hug before she went off to bed.

“Well I’d say she really likes you, damn. Got a bigger hug than I did” He chuckled “Want to stay and hang out?”

“Yeah that sounds nice” You spoke a little too eagerly

He eyed you with a knowing look and gave you a slight smirk. He led you over to the couch where you both sat and started talking. You both talked about anything and everything for hours.

“Hey you gotta let me pay you for whatever you bought Sarah at the store” He said

“Joel please, you don’t have to pay me back, it was nothing” you responded

“That wasn’t nothin’. That meant a lot to Sarah and a heck of a lot to me. I gotta pay you back somehow” He said seriously

“It was only a couple bucks, no need to give me money” You tried to say convincingly 

“Well then there’s gotta be something else I can do for you...or to you” He said lowly

You started blushing, Joel had never come onto you like this before. You always wanted him but never thought he would want you.

“Hmm I think I can think of a few things you could do to me” You said

“Oh yeah? Why don’t we head to my bedroom so I can repay you then?” He said standing up and grabbing your hand “and I think I’m gonna have to repay you all night long darlin’“

#joel #joel miller #joel x reader #joel miller x reader #joel miller imagine #the last of us #pedro pascal #joel miller fluff #joel miller x y/n #joel imagine #joel oneshot #joel miller one shot #the last of us imagine #pre-outbreak!joel #pre-outbreak!joel miller

[mushrubes]

Innocent

Masterlist | The last of us Masterlist |

Requested : no!

Prompt 3.  “Let’s just stay here–I don’t ever want to move.” +   38. “Don’t act innocent, you had me pinned underneath you 5 minutes ago.”

Pairing : Joel Miller x (they/them) reader (No use of Y/n!)

Type : fluff :)

Contents: mutual pinning, (sort of) established relationship 

Word count : 909

have a great day/night!! <3

this was incredibly rushed i am sorry in advance

------------------------------

“Let’s just stay here - I don’t ever want to move.” Joel sighed, stretching his arms out before wrapping them back around you. He smiled as he heard you giggle, nuzzling his head back into your neck. The two of you laid in each other’s embrace, the soft morning light peering through the window. 

“I’d love to stay here Joel but we need to get going today remember?” you informed, repeating his plan from last night. He wanted to go back to Jackson, possibly staying there permanently. He groaned, mumbling something under his breath before looking down at you, butterflies swarming and a fuzzy feeling running through you.

He leaned down, locking his lips with yours, feeling him smile against your lips just before. Your hands ran up and down his back, one ending up in his curls before you lightly tapped him, signalling it was time for the pair of you to get up and get ready for the day. You couldn’t blame him for wanting to stay here, not wanting to escape the moment as it felt like everything was back to normal - no outbreak or anything. 

He pulled away to catch his breath, you trying to take the chance to get out of bed but he pulled you straight back down. His hands on your wrist tight, but not enough to hurt you. “Not yet.” he mumbled against your cheek, peppering your faces in kisses. He had moved, his hands either side of you as you laid under him, cheeks tinted red. 

He continued, pressing his lips to yours again, completely blocking the rest of the world out. “Joel.” you whispered as you broke apart, trying to warn him as you heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He ignored your calls, continuing to press kisses to your face and neck making you bit your lip. 

“Joel, quick, El-” you tried to warn, the man still ignoring the claims, too love drunk. It was only once the door handle rattled and the door opening that he quickly scurried off you, standing up off the bed and clearing his throat as he straightened out his clothes. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” Ellie apologised, seeing you still lying in bed. “No, no, you didn’t, I was already awake.” you assured, flashing her a smile as you walked over, pulling her into a hug and pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. Joel grinned to himself as he watched the interaction, seeing how you basically treated her as your own child - it drove his thoughts wild.

Once you had pulled away, she turned to Joel, leaning against the door frame. “When are we leaving since you don’t seem to be ready for the time you said?” she asked, smirking as she saw him look at her in confusion. Joel glanced at the clock, internally swearing as he read 11:43 - they were meant to leave over half an hour ago. 

“Well, we slept in as the alarm clock didn’t go off so let us get ready and we’ll get going once we’re done.” he shrugged nonchalantly, trying to compose himself as he knew Ellie had probably suspected something happened between the two of you and would definitely question him later. She nodded before disappearing off into another room, most likely the kitchen to grab a snack out of the supplies you had thankfully found yesterday.

You raised an eyebrow at Joel who looked straight back at you, pretending not to notice. You rolled your eyes at him, shaking your head. “Our alarm clock didn’t go off?” you retorted, giggling to yourself about his excuse. He put his hands up in surrender, shrugging it off. “I’m not lying.” he defended, pointing at the broken alarm clock on the chest of draws. 

You walked past him and into the bathroom, sighing in relief as the shower worked properly. With every single step and move you took, you could feel his eyes on you, pretending to not notice him checking you out. Finishing up, a small smile formed on your face as you looked for the clothes you set on the side, knowing Joel had moved them - most likely trying to mess with you.

The flannel caught your eye, his favourite sat on the hanger on the back of the door; making you smile. You grabbed the shirt, finishing getting dressed before opening the little jewellery box that was sat on the side. Opening it up, you pulled out the necklace, fiddling with it to put it on before huffing, placing it on the side as you peaked out. “Joel?” you called, catching his attention instantly as he hummed in response. 

“Can you help with my necklace?” you grimaced, the man getting up and walking in, his hands gripping your waist softly as you picked it back off the counter, handing it to him. He carefully took it out your hands, fumbling with it for a few seconds before clasping it, pressing a kiss to your temple.

You turned around, pecking his lips. “Thank you.” you whispered, wrapping your arms around his neck as his returned once again to your waist. “You’re welcome, darling.” he responded; his cheeks tinted red slightly as you smirked at the reaction. “Don’t act so innocent, you had me pinned underneath you like-” you teased, his hand on your mouth cutting you off.

“Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it.”

#joel #joel x reader #joel x female reader #joel x male reader #joel imagine #joel imagines #joel oneshots #joel oneshot #joel miller #joel miller x reader #joel miller imagine #joel miller imagines #joel miller oneshot #joel miller oneshots #joel miller fic #joel miller fluff #joel miller x female reader #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller x male reader #joel miller x you #joel tlou #joel tlou x reader #joel tlou x female reader #joel tlou x male reader #joel tlou imagine #joel tlou imagines #joel tlou oneshot #joel tlou oneshots #the last of us #the last of us imagines

[mxlktxa]

ꜰᴏʀʙɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ᴛᴀꜱᴋꜱ

ᴘʀᴇ-ʙʀᴇᴀᴋᴏᴜᴛ

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ; ᴘʀᴇ-ʙʀᴇᴀᴋᴏᴜᴛ!ᴊᴏᴇʟ x ꜰᴇᴍ!ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

ᴄᴡ; ꜱʟɪɢʜᴛ 18+ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ

⋆♱✮♱⋆⋆♱✮♱⋆⋆♱✮♱⋆

“Joel, sweetheart,” I whispered into his ear with a soft, comforting tone, lightly caressing him so he’d wake up, “we have to get up before Sarah wakes up. Don’t want her thinking I’m her step-mother, now do we?”

A low huff rumbled from the man beside me, arms stretching to pull me in to cuddle, tightening his grip as kisses were placed on my head in such a lazy manner. I found this interaction funny, attempting to escape his hold.

“Let her see us like this, I don’t care. She already calls you mom behind your back, it’s fine,” Joel nearly rolled on top of me while he spoke, his raspy voice almost muffled now.

“Well, get up in case she walks in and thinks you’re trying to kill me,” I said. With a slight chuckle, Joel rolled off of me, using his elbow for support to hover above me.

It was the morning after he had asked me over for the night since Sarah had felt a bit down. I came over to cheer her up and talk things out then Joel and I stayed up later to catch up on the crazy few weeks we both had. Now here we are, laying next to each other— surprisingly, still clothed and not hung over.

“That girl loves you like crazy, y’know,” his eyes wandered down to my neck and back up, “she asks me everyday about you. Wants to call and hang out everyday. All the time.”

“Oh, yeah?” Joel nodded at my response, grinning brightly, “then give her my number. If I don’t answer, I’m busy with work.”

“Or napping,” he added that comment, suddenly removing his elbow from below him and plopping down beside me.

“Yes, Joel. Or napping.”

I removed the covers from myself, sitting on the edge so I could stretch freely without accidentally bashing Joel. I stared at the open doorway, seeing a bit of a shadow by the frame, waving to get Joel’s attention. He sat up, noticing the same thing I had taken in observation, creeping up on his feet.

“You know, Joel,” I started, “Sarah might want some breakfast. What should we whip up?” we both crept towards the door, ready to scare and attack the little girl who was eavesdropping.

“Probably just some pancakes or french toast. We could make a strawberry millshake for her too.”

“A millshake?” I questioned, “at this time?” we reached the frame, ready to pounce on Sarah.

“Yeah, of course,” he chuckled, “it’ll be—,” we jumped out at her, the hall filled with screams and laughter, “fun!”

Sarah shrieked at the sudden greeting, pushing herself up the wall and holding her hands in front of her face. Joel and I went crazy with laughter, pulling her in for a hug.

“You guys are so not funny,” she snickered, “I could’ve died, you know!”

“Thankfully, you’re still with us, gorgeous,” she glanced at me with the largest smile and her eyes were overflowing with hysteria, “why were you listening in on us, hm?”

“I was bored! I’ve been up since seven and it’s now eight.”

“Wake us up next time. You don’t have to wait on us.”

“I was scared you two were… doing your ‘forbidden tasks’,” Sarah rolled her eyes as well as crossed her arms. I look to Joel with suspicious, yet annoyed eyes. He gave the same look, a nervous grin on his lips.

“Well we weren’t and how do you know about these ‘forbidden tasks’? You’re never home when it happens?” Joel let out a disturbed chuckle, scratching his neck as he side-eyed me.

“Uncle Tommy.”

The hallway fell silent. Joel and I stared down at Sarah who seemed as if she was looking at an astonishing entity, giving her an offer no one could ever think to refuse. She was ready to bolt, to pack all her things and move away.

We’ve told Tommy that we were messing around but told him to keep his mouth shut about it. Mainly due to the fact that we didn’t want Sarah to assume anything crazy. Granted it was awhile ago when I thought she disliked me but I would have appreciated him not slipping up.

“Let’s go get you breakfast, sweetheart,” I offered the little lady a big smile, turning to Joel to push him to the staircase.

“Do I still get the milkshake?”

“Yes, you still get the milkshake,” said Joel. An excited— barley audible, ‘sweet’ was all Sarah could respond with.

That morning, Joel and I spent about half an hour whipping up some breakfast for the three of us. Sarah was dying to help but it was always Joel and I seating her, wanting her relax since we decided that she was just going to be late for school and didn’t need to do much. We cooked up french toast with some eggs and made a little fruit salad for both her and I. Joel just had some coffee in place of the side us girls had.

Breakfast consisted of delighted, entertaining conversations, a bit of storytelling, Sarah and I ‘bullying’ Joel, and more. It was a nice little get together, Sarah officially calling me mom from this point forward, and Joel sitting back to watch us bond.

After we had all eaten, Sarah slipped off to get ready for school, Joel and I cleaning up the mini disaster we created in the kitchen. I gathered and did dirty the dishes, Joel wiped everything down and swept the floor.

Rough hands were gripping at my hips, a broad chest coming in contact with my back. I laughed at the subtle begging he gave, finishing up the last dish, putting it in the drying rack and turning to me Joel’s benevolent face. I could tell he wanted to both gush about how happy he is with Sarah and I but he also was silently begging to take me back to his bed.

“Joel,” I placed a hand on his chest and the other to his waist, “not now. Tell me what’s on your mind instead,” the urge to hop up onto the counter and just fuck around was undeniably tantalizing but we had to keep in mind that Sarah was home.

“I’m so happy you two are getting along,” his face hid in the crook of my neck, “I’m telling you, if you just move in right now, everything would be perfect for her. She’d grow up so happy.”

“Yes, Joel, I know,” I held back a soft groan as he bit and sucked on my neck, hand snaking around me and letting his lips meet mine. We both let our hands run around each other’s bodies, getting a little more heated by the minute, “Sarah’s home.”

“I’ll call Tommy to take her to school,” Joel huffed into my neck, picking me up to place me on the countertop and move on towards my collarbones.

“That’s just rude,” I joked, trying to stop the situation but only liking how much stronger Joel seemed when I fought back, “we can take her, it’s not a problem.”

“I just wanna go upstairs for a little.”

“Mm, then a little turns into an hour. An hour turns into two. So on and so forth, big boy,” I smirked into the kiss he gave me to shut me up, tugging at his shirt and whimpering a bit.

“Dad!” Sarah hollered, her voice trailing from the top of the staircase to the bottom. We both seperated ourselves, awkwardly clearing our throats and looking to Sarah who’s mouth was slightly open, shocked to have seen a milisecond of our little fun.

“Ready?” I questioned, wiping my bottom lip and hopping off the counter. Sarah only shook her head, coming to give Joel a hug and kiss on the cheek before taking my hand so we could leave, “we’re leaving him?”

“Uhm, yeah? We can have some girl time for a bit. You’ll be back soon,” she laughed, waving to Joel once again before we actually left the front door.

Girl time would be a little nice.

#joel miller #sarah miller #tommy miller #the last of us #tlou #the last of us fanfiction #tlou fanfiction #joel x reader #joel x y/n #joel x female reader #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller imagine #joel miller x reader #joel miller tlou #pre outbreak!joel #joel the last of us #joel miller x you #joel miller x y/n #joel imagine #sarah the last of us #tommy the last of us #the last of us fic #tlou hbo #tlou series #tlou x reader #tlou fic #tlou fandom #joel tlou #tlou joel #𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 ⋆˚✿˖°

[ilguna]

Supply Run: Can I get #24 from prompt list 2 with Joel Miller?

☼ stepping stones (Joel Miller) ☼

warnings; swearing, undisclosed age gap, death mention, murder mention.

wc; 2.4k

prompt; 24. "Don't let your fears dictate your life."

notes; i'm picturing game joel in my head. and this is set in boston but before he smuggles ellie.

--

A couple months ago you made the mistake of telling Joel a little secret about yourself when it comes to him. It happened during a game of Texas Hold’em with Tess and a few of your other friends in the quarantine zone. It came so casually, mostly because you weren’t entirely sober, and you knew that Tess was talking over you, anyway.

You didn’t expect him to hear, much less remember what you had to say, but it must’ve been one of those facts about you that he knew he should save for later. Which you can’t hold against him, because you would’ve done the same thing if you were in his position.

When you told Joel that he can pressure you into succumbing to any request with just his gaze, you were halfway kidding. You were referring to the game you were playing, because while you’re normally good at keeping a poker face, he always manages to crack you without doing it on purpose.

You knew the moment it came out of your mouth that it sounded stupidly flirtatious, but you meant it earnestly. Joel is one of those people where you feel safe enough to open up to him, trusting him with practically everything. Even though it’s difficult for him to do the same.

You’d like to say that Joel liked you from the beginning, but the truth is that he kept a fair distance and a sharp eye on what you did. He could tell just by looking at you that you were trouble. Or, at the very least, you came from it. When you joined the Boston quarantine zone almost five years ago, it was done out of desperation.

And you weren’t exactly the friendliest face around, something that you couldn’t help. Tess later told you that you had this specific look on your face, as if you were always waiting for someone to jump out at you. Which probably wasn’t far from the reality you were living at the time. 

Joel had a feeling that you came from a group of hunters, judging by the way you seemed to be prepared to defend your belongings at every turn. Since there was a period of time where he’d done the same, he couldn’t come down on you too hard, but everyone knows that the next generation of hunters are more brutal than the last. It’s because supplies are scarce to come by out there with every passing week.

Still, you preferred to be outside of the walls and not under the rule of FEDRA for the longest time. The only reason why you ended up changing your mind was because a group of travelers came through your hunting group and wiped absolutely everyone out. 

You managed to escape by yourself. If there were any other survivors, you never got to find out, because you were trying to put space between you and your camp that they were taking out. And when they found out that you were still alive, they didn’t let you escape so easily. You think they were afraid that you’d come back for them.

So, they ambushed you repeatedly. The first time they did it, they had too much confidence in themselves. They came in daylight with just two people, thinking that it’d be more than enough to bring you down. Once they were dead, you moved a few miles further out, toward Albany.

Well, they tried it again, coming in the daylight with almost eight people to bring you down. Fortunately, you’d scavenged in the area frequently, mostly because no one else liked going toward the big cities. You only had to bring down one person in order to secure your way out, but they followed you.

You basically drove them straight through the heart of the city, the infected did a bulk of the work for you. It didn’t deter them, especially since a few of them had survived the attack. The final time they came was during the night, and you’re still not sure how they managed to find you in that office building. You covered your tracks.

Regardless, they were so set on revenge that they abandoned the camp they killed your group for, and settled into chasing you across Massachusetts. You went straight to the Boston quarantine zone, knowing that they’d have a hard time trying to get you, then. 

The initial plan was to stay long enough to get your shit together, before going back out again. The longer you stayed, the more you decided that you liked the relative normalcy. You didn’t mind working, having a place to call home, food on your table almost every night. As soon as you started making friends, the nail on the coffin was sealed. You haven’t been able to bring yourself to leave since.

That’s why you can’t bring yourself to agree to what Tess and Joel are asking of you. It started out as a choice, but with Tess not feeling any better from the cold she caught earlier this week, they’re both telling you to help them. Which brings you right back to what you were saying ago with Joel making that face.

His steely eyes are piercing your soul right now, trying to get you to cave. You stare back at him, trying to replicate the intensity, but he’s so much better at it than you are. So, you resort to your words instead.

“I already told the both of you I’m not interested.” You raise your eyebrows, tearing your eyes from Joels, to Tess, who might as well be glued to her bed. “I don’t want to leave the quarantine zone.”

“You’ll hardly be going that far.” Tess holds her hand out in the direction of the window. “It’s just a few miles out. That’s where you’ll meet Wayne, he’ll give you the pills, and then you’ll come right back. Joel and I will do the work of bringing it to a different part of the zone.”

“The mileage doesn’t bother me, it’s being out there.”

“What are you so afraid of?” Tess scoffs. “You used to live out there.”

“Used to.” You emphasize. “It’s been five years, Tess. It’s not going to be a quick adjustment.” You turn your attention to Joel, shaking your head. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to find someone else, or do it alone.”

“We don’t have anyone else.” Joel says. “I can’t take the trip alone, I need a partner.”

You shrug, “I guess you’re going to miss the trade, then.”

“(Y/n).” Tess sighs from her bed. “Don’t make me get up to kick your ass.”

“Try.” You roll your eyes.

She ignores your comment, sitting up a little. “You have to miss it out there a little, don’t you want to experience it again?”

“I do.” You have no issue admitting this. “But I don’t want to get hurt.”

“You’ll be with me.” Joel stands up from where he’s leaning against the wall. “I’ll have your back.”

Your mouth opens, going to tell him no again, when you hesitate. You know that he’s not lying, Joel is the best person you can ask for while being outside of the walls. You can’t remember the last time he came back with a scratch on him after navigating the streets for days at a time. 

He recognizes your hesitation, pushing it. “Don’t let your fears dictate your life.”

When you look at Tess, she has this knowing smile on her face. She’s won, and she knows it. You close your eyes, shaking your head slightly, and then you let out a sigh.

“Fine.”

There’s a moment of silence as Joel looks at Tess. “I told you she’d come around.”

She tilts her head, face impressed. “I guess you were right when you said she had a soft spot for you.”

Your eyes narrow at Joel. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not standing right here.” You tell them, crossing your arms over your chest. “What’s the plan, then?”

“Joel will take you to the apartment we regularly sneak out of before midnight. You’ll meet Wayne a few miles out, Joel will trade him, and then you’ll come right back.”

“Easier said than done.” You look at Joel to see that he’s giving you a halfway smile. “I still need gear.”

“One step ahead of you.” Tess waves her hand. “You’ll just use my bag, everything you could ask for is in there.”

You press your lips together, but give her a nod, agreeing. You wish that you still had your old backpack—FEDRA confiscated it as soon as they could. The only things you were allowed to keep from it was an old family picture and your knife. Everything else got thrown away or cycled into their own weapon supply. 

You had a really nice gun, too.

“Tonight it is.”

—

For someone that didn’t want to do this a few short hours ago, you find yourself glad that you caved and agreed. It was anxiety inducing for the first hour or so, as you jumped at every sound and searched every shadow. But it’s like riding a bike after a while—you get the hang of it.

Besides, there’s not many infected surrounding the quarantine zone due to the consistent FEDRA patrol. By the time you realized they were there, Joel had already taken them down and was moving onto the next house. This eased your mind considerably, allowing you to relax and mindlessly follow hi,.

A part of you is disappointed that this had to be done during the night, and not during the day. Not only would it be easier for you to see, you like inspecting the area around to see how it’s changed over time. 

When you brought this up to Joel, he wasn’t very impressed, remarking that had you listened to them earlier in the week, he could’ve arranged that. Since it’s so late and they’re going to miss their window, there’s not much of a choice left in the matter.

You couldn’t help but to roll your eyes at him. You weren’t looking to complain, you were actually going to skate directly into a conversation about what he likes best of the great outdoors. You decided that it would be best to leave it, despite knowing that he would likely realize as soon as you asked.

There are times where you can’t tell if Joel wants to have a quiet day or if he’s willing to let you chat his ear off. He seemed pretty fine earlier this afternoon when you were visiting Tess, but when you regrouped with him in the apartment complex, he was gruff and slightly irritated. 

It makes you wonder if it was something that Tess said after you left. He did tell you that he was going to stay back with her for a little while longer to talk about the deal with Wayne. That way he’d be able to catch you up to speed on the way to the fire station, which is just outside of Brookline.

Why you’re traveling so far for a bag of pills is beyond you. And you would be mad about the distance, because Tess blatantly lied to you, but it’s not the first time she’s successfully deceived you. It’s your own fault for believing her.

The pills must be pretty important if you’re going out of your way like this. You know they make a pretty good income with smuggling. They’ll be so well-off sometimes that they’ll slide extra ration cards your way, as if they aren’t practically made out of gold.

Either way, Joel hasn’t let you in on what’s happening. You’d say he’s forgotten, but he’s got a pretty good memory. He’s choosing to keep the reasoning from you. Which could be for a number of reasons—like he’s afraid you’re going to freak out. You’d like to think you’re level-headed enough to hear him out first.

A sigh escapes you, pace slowing. Joel glances over his shoulder at you, seeing that you’re not walking as quickly as before. He matches your speed, even turning his body to look at you better.

So he is open to conversation.

“Curiosity’s going to kill me.” You start, Joel raises his eyebrows. “You said that you were going to fill me in, and I’m all empty.”

He looks away from you. “Tess told you all there is.”

“Did she? ‘Cause all she said was that we’re picking up pills from Wayne.” 

“That about sums it up.” He says.

You squint at the back of Joel’s head, not liking the answer. Maybe you read the situation right earlier. “Okay, sure.” You murmur, looking away from him, to the houses off to your left.

It’s quiet between the two of you for a few minutes. This must be burn for Joel, because he ends up clearing his throat. “We’re supposed to work out an agreement with him.”

Your eyebrows twitch. “What?”

“Tess and Wayne got into a fight last month, he said he’d settle it the next time we met.”

You come to a stop in the middle of the road. “Are you telling me that we’re walking straight into an ambush right now?”

“No.”

“What was the fight over?”

Joel hesitates, “Tess cut his payout.”

You stare at him for a long second before looking away, around at the neighborhood you’re walking through. There could be dozens of people in these houses, and you won’t know until it’s too late. You’re not sure what was going through their heads with leaving a detail this large out, but Joel was right to try to keep this from you as long as he could. 

Sometimes you wonder why you even consider yourself a friend of theirs.

“Do we have enough to make it up?” You ask, he shakes his head.

“Honey, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“You were going to let me walk into a fight blindly.” You raise your eyebrows. “How do you even know Wayne?”

“He’s a friend of Bill’s.”

Your face drops completely, as you reach up with one hand to grab your temples, turning away from him with another sigh. You met Bill once, and it was before you’d joined the quarantine zone, but it was while you were on your way there. You ran across him by accident, and got the full force of his insanity and violence. 

“If he’s anything like Bill, then we need to go back to Boston.” You point down the road you’ve been walking. “I’m not prepared to deal with something like that.”

Joel reaches up, hand grabbing your shoulder to squeeze it. “I’ve got you.”

--

this was part of my 3k celebration!!

#ilguna #joel miller #joel miller imagine #joel miller oneshot #joel miller x reader #joel miller fanfic #joel miller x yn #joel miller x y/n #joel miller x you #joel imagine #joel oneshot #joel fanfic #joel x reader #joel x y/n #joel x yn #joel x you #tlou #the last of us #requested #3k celebration #ask #anon #fluff

[youngthiefindarkness]

Joel: "At what point did you think this was a good idea!?"

(Y/N): "Had I not stepped in, just think of what could have happened to Ellie!"

Joel: "You are currently the one that is bleeding! I don't care about her right now! I am worried about you!"

(Y/N): "Don't say that. You care about her!"

Joel: "Of course I do, but you are the one I found bleeding."

(Y/N): "I can make my own choices Joel."

Joel: "I know that! I just, I can't lose you, okay?"

(Y/N): "I will try not to go anywhere."

Joel: "You better. Come here, let's get that patched up."

#imagine #x reader #imagines #x you #joel miller x reader #joel imagine #joel x reader #joel #joel tlou #joel miller #joel miller imagine #the last of us imagine #the last of us

[ladypascal]

hey remember when i said i was gonna post an entire fic and had all these plans then my laptop deleted everything, i was sick for weeks, and work took over my life and other excuses that are irrelevant really?😀

me too!! so here’s a tiiiiiny part of a Joel AU that I started :))

This is no outbreak Joel AU with an OC, if that’s not ur thing I totally get it, but it felt like the best way for me to write it :)

hope u luv it, pls lmk!! xoxox 🫶🏻

“How many times have you let her do your makeup?” Ivy giggles as Joel snatches the polaroid out of her hand, holding back his own laugh.

“Well hell Ivy, I didn’t know, I didn’t count,”

“So you would say…countless times? That many?” she questions, eyebrow raised.

Joel sighs, putting his hands on his hips, tilting his head trying to pretend he’s annoyed at her teasing. But he can only hold back his grin for so long.

“Oh give me a break, would ya?” he places the photo back into the album, flipping the page, pointing to a picture of a younger Sarah next to a Cinderella birthday cake with a big 4 on top.

Her curls are pulled back, a tiara matching her princess dress, a smile so big Ivy knows it made her cheeks hurt, but genuine nonetheless.

“How was I ever going to tell her no?”

“I could see that,” she admits.

“Oh yeah? ‘n what’s that s’posed to mean?” he smirks.

“Means I could see it, pink nails, sparkly tiara the whole nine,” Ivy grins, teasing, before she continues, “means it makes sense, and it’s just not surprising to me, it seems like it all came very…naturally to you,” she explains, no teasing tone in her voice, “you’re a good dad, Joel, really,” she says, scanning through the album she held in her hands.

Joel doesn’t say anything then, no smart ass remark or even a grunt of disapproval, and Ivy feels heat creep up her neck, onto her cheeks as she picks the nail polish off her thumb, panic setting in.

“I don-“ Ivy dares to look up at him, his eyes boring into her own.

“Thank you,” he interrupts, not looking away from her, “means a lot to me,” he admits, leaving out the part that it means so much to him that his heart feels like it’s about to beat right out of his chest, that his throat feels tight and he can’t seem to get the right words - if any - out.

He wants to tell her that no other woman has ever said that to him, has ever seen him quite like she does.

and now, less than a month after moving in, Ivy is telling him that she sees that in him. That it’s easy to see it, impossible to miss.

And after his tiny admission, he watches as she sees him again, a quick glance, a small smile, and shes changing the subject.

A/N: again, hope u all luv it, feel free to message me w requests or ideas or tell me it sucked, whatever!

xoxoxox 💗💗

#joel #joel miller #my writing #pedro pascal #joel fanfic #joel imagine #joel miller fanfic #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller smut #joel miller series #joel miller x reader #joel miller x oc #joel miller x original character #the last of us fanfic #no outbreak!joel miller #no outbreak au #joel x ivy

[delulu-enough-for-you]

Joel Miller Headcannons

⚠️ Warnings: none

Content: fluff!

Author's note: I think im in my Joel Miller phase. Enjoy!

..................................................................................

- slow dancing in the rain (many complaints from Joel, but he'll do anything for you)

- he's especially grumpy when you're not around

- sweet little kisses in public on your cheek or forehead

- always wants you near him

- scared when you go on missions (he is TERRIFIED of losing you)

- very sarcastic relationship

- big fights are rare: he is very level headed

- competitive days

- brings back little things for you from outside

- points out little things you love like flowers or your favorite colors

_________________________________________

Should I do NSFW next? 🫣

_________________________________________

#joel miller x reader #headcannons #joel miller #joel miller imagine #the last of us #joel imagine

[alloftheimagines]

joel miller | don't let me drown

masterlist | taglist | ko-fi

words: 2.4k

warnings: drowning, hurt/comfort, angst, lil bit of nude cuddling for warmth reasons but nothing steamy, strong language, inspired by ep six but i changed it up so the bridge is unsteady for the purposes of *drama*. hint towards age-gap with reader in their thirties. they/them pronouns. no y/n.

synopsis: in which the reader falls into the river of death, and it's joel's job to save you and find shelter. featuring ellie. not requested!

You used to think snow was pretty. Magical, even. Now, you only think it’s a bitch to travel through, especially on foot with the harsh mountain winds blowing off the river.

Of course, you can’t complain because the fourteen-year-old and fifty-six-year-old aren’t, and you’re probably supposed to be fitter than the two of them put together. But inside… fuck. You’re exhausted, freezing, and desperate to get to your next destination so you can sleep on something other than ice and mud. 

When the bridge comes into view, relief washes through you. If you can get away from the open water, maybe the winds won’t be so biting and you’ll finally be able to feel your cheeks again. You puff out a visible breath and glance at Joel, who is both pale and rosy-cheeked from the cold. Ellie follows behind, watchful as ever. You can’t imagine what it must be like for her, trekking so far from where she began. Seeing so much. It’s been rough on all of you, but you’ve made it through together. Whatever comes next should be a breeze. 

“Keep a lookout,” Joel warns, poising his handgun and nodding at you to do the same. You’ve been warned that nothing good can be found by the river, and it’s left an unsettling silence between you since you started your journey. 

You dip your head, preparing your own gun as Ellie does the same. But if anything is here, you don’t see it — not on this side of the bridge or the other. It’s a rickety old thing, but if it gets you across… it’ll do. 

“C’mon,” he grunts. The bridge creaks beneath your feet, and you follow Joel’s footsteps to avoid any weak spots. Until gunshots sound somewhere in the distance. You all jump, but it’s you who loses your footing as a chunk of rotten wood disappears beneath your feet. Before you can find something to grab onto, you’re falling, screaming, clutching thin air. Joel yells your name with a fear you haven’t heard in a while, but his voice is lost as the rushing water swallows you up.

Freezing. So cold it makes you burn. The river turns your world grey and endless, as though you’re floating in a void. You thrash, trying to kick up to the surface, but the shock is jolting through you, making you numb, and you can’t remember how to use your limbs.

You cough and gulp down an unbearable amount of water, and that’s when you know. There’s no air, no way of making your lungs work. They just keep burning, squeezing for something that no longer exists. Your vision goes blurry and then disappears completely. 

***

Joel watches it in slow motion. The splintering bridge. The fall. The ripple in the river as it chews you up and doesn’t spit you out. He doesn’t realise he’s screaming your name, doesn’t realise he’s even running, until he reaches the other side of the bridge. 

“Stay there!” he orders Ellie with a warning finger, fear ricocheting through his voice, through the trees. You’re gone is all he can think. You’re gone, and he can’t fucking do this without you. 

His knees ache as he half-sprints, half-slips down the embankment, kicking snow into the river. After shucking off his shotgun and placing it down, he takes off his jacket in a moment of clarity, knowing you’re going to need something warm. And then he’s plunging into the river, cursing at its low temperature. His teeth chatter as he shouts your name, searching for any sign in the steadily flowing water. But there’s nothing. He dives under when he gets closer to the bridge, skin becoming ice as he searches the murky depths. 

He has to come up for air twice before he finds you sinking to the riverbed. He’s never moved so fast, snatching you up in both arms and pulling you to the surface. You’re deadweight in his arms, and panic lances through him when he finds you’re eyes closed. 

He calls your name again, urgency sharpening his words as he pulls you to the embankment. Despite his orders, Ellie waits there, eyes wide and afraid. He doesn’t have time to scold her. He’s too busy carrying you out, water pooling at his feet as he staggers to solid ground and lays you down. 

“Baby?” He shakes you, droplets falling from his face and onto yours as he kneels over you. “Come on. Come on, baby.” 

He presses an ear to your chest: finds no sign of breathing. 

“Shit.” He begins compressions then, counting to thirty before giving you mouth to mouth. Your lips are ice cold, and so are his, his knuckles reddening as he presses the heel of his hand down again and again and again. “Come on. Come on. Breathe.”

“Joel,” Ellie whispers, terror in her voice. 

He squeezes his eyes closed, unable to face what it means. What might be happening. He isn’t losing you today. Not any day. “Come on. Come back to me. Come back to me, darlin’.”

Your breath gutters, and instinct has him rolling you onto your side as you cough up more water than any person should be able to. 

“Fuck,” he’s saying, rubbing warmth into your shoulders. “Ellie, grab my coat.”

She does, and he wraps it around your quivering body before pulling you close. “I got you,” he’s whispering. “I got you, darlin’. I'm here." 

More coughs leave you, and he brushes your hair off your forehead to look for any sign of injury. Your lips are blue, and it terrifies him. Cold water shock can kill, and the way you went under… Shit, it’s a miracle you’re here, upright. 

You’re shivering so violently that he knows the worst isn’t over. Hypothermia. Pneumonia. Those are just some of the things he’ll have to watch for. He can’t take you anywhere like this, can’t protect Ellie or you, but you can’t stay here either. You need to warm up. You both do. 

“We need to find shelter. Somewhere to light a fire and get warm.” 

“I saw some rock overhangs deeper in the woods,” Ellie said. 

“Can you grab the bags?”

“Yeah.” She slips a backpack on each shoulder and then props Joel’s shotgun under her arm. Not ideal, but he can’t think about that now either. Not when you’re barely opening your eyes. 

He breathes your name and then: “Can you hear me, sweetheart?”

A faint nod. 

“Good. That's good. We're gonna get you warm.” He pulls you into his chest, hooking an arm under your knee and the other around your back. You sink into his warmth, but you’re so limp that it terrifies him as he carries you up the embankment, following Ellie’s lead. 

Sure enough, she guides you both to a deep overhang beneath snow-topped crags, and he dips his head to fit in the low space. He places you against the wall, already unravelling the bed rolls.

“Get a fire going,” he says. He’s certain that he had a few matches left last time he checked, and Ellie rifles through his bag before producing them. With shaky hands, she gathers a pile of sticks and surrounds them by rocks just like he taught her before lighting the match and letting it spread. 

The twigs are damp and produce a lot of smoke, but sure enough, an amber glow lights the dark shelter a moment later.

“That’s it. Good,” he whispers. 

Ellie glances at your hunched form warily. You’re so pale, so cold you’re practically convulsing. “Are they gonna be okay?”

“Have to be,” Joel mutters. He slips off your sopping wet coat and sweater, and Ellie turns away as he gets rid of the rest. 

“You still with me?” he asks you.

You hum in response, folding into yourself in your nudity. 

“Here.” Covering her eyes, Ellie hands him a spare long-sleeved shirt and a pair of sweats from her own pack, luckily from Bill’s stash of adult clothes. 

“Thanks,” he replies, urging your arms up so he can slip on the shirt. It’s an uncomfortable ordeal with your clammy skin, but he needs you warm. Now. Even when you groan, skin no doubt stinging painfully. “I know. I know. I’m sorry.”

He has to pull you up for the sweatpants, and then he’s rolling thick thermal socks onto your feet and tucking you into blankets and bedrolls. “How’s that? Feel warmer?”

You shake your head, and he helps you shuffle closer to the fire. 

“Now?”

A nod that has him relieved. He can’t help but place a kiss on your damp forehead, realising too late that he’s cold and shivering too. He only has another flannel in his backpack, though, and he can survive until he’s at least gotten you warm. Protecting you from his damp clothes using the bedroll, he wraps his arms around you to keep in the heat. 

“Gave me a damn heart attack,” he mumbles into your hair, squeezing his eyes closed to chase away the darkness creeping in. The thought of losing you. All the other scenarios where you didn’t end up here with him after the fall. He should have been smarter. Shouldn’t have taken you across that damn bridge.

The ghost of a smile crosses your flame-lit face. “Sorry." And then: "You’re… cold too,” you rasp between shivers. “Get in here.” 

He glances at Ellie. No way in hell is he going to strip off with her here. As though understanding, she raises her brows and shifts away. “I’m going to go find out if bears really do shit in the woods.”

“Don’t go away,” he orders. “Just… give us a couple minutes.”

“Yes, sir.” She disappears, and her crunching footfalls outside keep his concern at bay. 

His concern for her, at least. Your face still lacks colour, your breaths sounding watery and wrong even now. He grinds his teeth, reluctant to pull away from you for even a minute. But if he dries off, he can give you his body heat, so he quickly tears off his clothes and replaces them with the one dry shirt he owns. He doesn’t bother buttoning it up, instead crawling into the bedroll with you and enveloping you in an unyielding hold. You lean against him, eyelids drooping but shivers finally beginning to ease. 

He begins to warm up after a few minutes and can only hope you are too. When he notices your eyes closed, he stiffens. “You still with me, darlin?”

“Think so,” you murmur, your cool hands travelling across his bare chest. He tries not to flinch as he directs them up to his chest. His mouth. He kisses your knuckles before cupping his own hands around yours and blowing. Then, he rubs, generating friction. 

“Keep talking to me,” he pleads.

“‘Bout what?”

“Anything.” Anything, as long as you don’t leave me. As long as you stay. “What was your favourite book growing up?”

You were barely fifteen when the pandemic hit all those years ago, but you smile as you remember that old bookshelf your dad put together full of worn paperbacks. “You don’t read, Joel. You wouldn’t know even if I told you.”

“So tell me about it.” He’s still using his hands, pushing feeling back into your body bit by bit. 

“I’m okay,” you whisper finally. “I’m okay, Joel. I’m gonna be okay.”

“I know that.” But he won’t stop, won’t give up, even when your cheeks turn pink once more. God, he’s missed the way you glow like that, the way it looks brighter in the snow. 

You take a ragged breath. “I liked Gulliver’s Travels.”

“Yeah? Who’s that by?”

“Joel…” Your eyes flutter shut. “Please. I’m tired. I’m warm. I’m okay.”

But he can’t trust it after he’s just put breath back into your lungs; can’t trust it to stay there. He holds you tighter, placing a gentle, terrified kiss into your hair, even if he’ll never admit that he is terrified. That he can’t breathe if you’re not breathing. He realised that the moment he jumped into the river without caring if it got him killed too. 

You’re all he has to hold onto, and he could never let you drown.

“I just need… I need you to keep talking to me for a little longer, baby. Just until I know you’re okay,” he says.

“Okay.” So you tell him about your favourite book, drifting in and out of the conversation. Soon, you stop shivering against him and the bedroll warms with two sets of body heat, just as he’d hoped. The fire keeps up until Ellie finally comes back to refuel it with more sticks, offering Joel a smirk that he returns with a gentle glare. You barely seem to notice, still muttering. 

“Sounds like a great story,” he says finally. “I think Sarah had that one.”

“Yeah.” You smile, cheeks swelling this time as you nestle into his chest. But then you cough, and he frowns. God, is this what it’s gonna be like now? One cough’ll leave him frozen with fear?

“I can read you guys a great book!” Ellie volunteers, and of course pulls out her pages of puns. 

Joel groans. You chuckle, and his heart warms at the sound. 

“Tell me the one with the penguins again,” you ask.

Ellie grins and flips through the pages, and you get a million more cheesy puns that make you laugh until you can no longer hold your head up. You’re certain Joel’s bare chest ripples with stifled amusement at some points. 

“Joel?” you ask as Ellie turns the page. 

“Yeah.”

“I’m so tired.”

Another wave of dread. He masks it clearly, examining your features. You look and feel warm, and you sound like you. If you need the rest, he can’t keep asking you not to take it for his own selfish reasons. For his own pathetic fear.

Finally, he surrenders. “Okay, darlin’. Get some sleep. We all need it.”

“Night,” Ellie says, getting comfortable in her sleeping bag.

Your eyes shut instantly and don’t open again, but your chest rises and falls smoothly against your interlocked hands. He listens to it as the shelter quietens, the fire getting lower. He listens all night just to make sure you’re still breathing. When light returns the next morning, he finds Ellie has done just the same, wide awake and unwilling to tear her gaze away from the two of you. 

“They’re okay, right?” she asks. 

Joel can only hope that it’s the truth when he says, “Yeah. They’re okay.”

“Good.” She nestles into her makeshift pillow — her backpack. “You’re a real grouch when they’re not around.”

He rolls his eyes, tempted to point out that he is always a grouch, though Ellie’s right. He needs you. He will always need you. 

And god, he hopes he never comes close to losing you like that again.

#joel miller fic #joel miller #joel #joel miller imagines #joel imagine #joel and ellie #tlou hbo #the last of us hbo #joel miller x you #joel miller x reader #joel miller x y/n #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller angst #joel miller fluff #joel miller one shot #joel miller imagine #tlou fic #tlou imagine #tlou #tlou show #tlou fanfiction #tlou fandom #tlou imagines #the last of us fic #joel the last of us #hbo the last of us #the last of us #the last of us fanfiction #the last of us imagine #x reader

[daniellesimagines]

Feeling Different (Joel Miller)

word count: 1477 requested by: none  pronouns: she/her warnings: talk of death/apocalypse-typical stuff, guns, ellie being a pest, joel being a grump, others being creepy, everything i know about this show/game is what i’ve read in fics (that's basically my brand at this point)  fandom: the last of us, pedro pascal  au type: apocalypse summary: you always knew joel didn’t really care for you, but you didn’t realize just how much he was willing to do to make you feel safe inspired by: dream authors notes: formatted this one a bit differently so i hope it’s still easy to follow along!!! (pretty sure this is called headcanons??? but i’m still not sure if i even did it right lol)  other parts: none

❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀

❀ joel doesn’t really trust you all that much but he allows you to tag along because of ellie 

❀ ellie absolutely adores you and finally feels like she has someone to talk to apart from the grumpy old man she’s been with for the last few years 

❀ and it wasn’t like you meant to force yourself into the pair’s dynamic

❀ you’d been wandering around the freezing forest, looking for shelter. it was around 10pm – though, who really knew what time it was anymore? – and you were stumbling around in the darkness, your flashlight having died the night before. your eyes had adjusted to the lack of light, sure, but they still couldn’t see the makeshift trap you were about to walk into

❀ you let out a sharp yell when you tripped on the rope, your hands shooting out in front of you and getting cut up on the forest floor. you tried to get up, but your ankle was caught up in the trap

❀ you heard footsteps running in your direction, only causing you to become more frantic and the rope to get tighter

❀ “i told you i could do it!” you’d heard a girl’s voice exclaim excitedly, followed by a man’s low grumble

❀ your eyes widened when they came into view, the girl’s gun pointed right at your head. but before she pulled the trigger, she gasped in surprise. the three of you stared at each other in disbelief until she huffed

❀ “you’re not a rabbit,” she frowned, lowering the weapon. you furrowed your eyebrows

❀ “...thank you?” you replied

❀ “how did you get here?” she asked

❀ “i... i was looking for somewhere to sleep”

❀ “well, find somewhere else,” the man griped 

❀ “joel!” the girl hissed, “be nice!”

❀ “sh’ruined our food trap, ellie! n’ all this talkin’ ain’t gonna bring any more!”

❀ “i- i have food,” you’d offered softly, making the two look back at you, “i was- i took it from some grocery store yesterday, but it should be good still”

❀ “no thanks” “what kind of food?” the man and girl – now known as joel and ellie – spoke at the same time

❀ “ellie.” joel’s voice was low, a warning tone laced throughout

❀ “she has food!” the girl replied defiantly, “and she’s bleeding! i’m bringing her with us!” you looked down at your – indeed – bleeding hands, only took turn your head when you felt hands at your ankle

❀ ellie was trying to undo the rope, but couldn’t quite get it. she looked up at joel expectantly, the two seeming to have a staring contest for a moment, before he grumbled under his breath again. he pulled a knife out of his pocket and kneeled down, cutting the rope and freeing you

❀ you whispered a small ‘thank you’ to him as ellie helped you up, careful not to touch your bleeding palms, and the two led you to their shelter to patch you up and eat

❀・❀・❀・❀・❀

❀ it’s been over a year since then, and you’re still with joel and ellie. you find out a lot about them – well, you find out a lot about ellie. joel’s not really much of a talker, though you can’t help but feel like it’s just you that he doesn’t enjoy talking to

❀ ellie’s told you all about their journey so far – how she’d been infected but discovered she was immune and now joel’s helping her get to salt lake city so doctors can create a cure

❀ you love how bubbly and snarky she is, always having some witty comeback for when joel’s being his usual, grumpy self. and despite how stand-offish he is, you’ve come to enjoy just sitting with joel in silence as you both do your own things

❀・❀・❀・❀・❀

❀ while joel is outside of the building you’ve taken shelter in for the night making sure there are no threats around, you start to hear voices coming from another room. they enter where you and ellie are and are obviously surprised to see other people

❀ they don’t automatically assume you’re there to hurt them but something in your gut feels off and you don’t trust them in the slightest

❀ when joel comes back inside, he’s like ??? and immediately moves to stand between you and the man standing a lil too close for comfort. he’s not yelling or anything, he’s just cool and calm as he susses out what these people are doing (and why who seems to be their leader is getting so unnecessarily close to you)

❀ the guy allows the three of you to stay for the night and after everyone leaves to go do their own thing, you speak before joel, telling him you don’t trust that guy and something seems fishy about him

❀ he’s surprised bc you’ve usually been optimistic and wanting to believe in the good in people 

❀ he even surprises himself by saying the guy seems fine and there’s nothing to worry about

❀ narrator: obviously there was something to worry about 

❀ before you leave the next morning, while joel and ellie are cleaning and prepping their bags outside, the leader guy comes into where you’re waiting by yourself. turns out he’s some rich dude and offers you everything you could ever want in exchange for being his toy

❀ you’re obviously like “wtf my dude absolutely not”

❀ even in a world where money is hard to come by, you still have your morals

❀ the guy only tries to convince you even more and has you practically cornered. you panic and knee him in the groin to escape, hurrying outside and telling joel it’s time to go

❀ he and ellie resist a bit but can tell how much you’re freaking out

❀ ellie asks what happened and joel can see you looking back at the building you just ran out of but you refuse to say anything about it and just beg them to get out of there 

❀・❀・❀・❀・❀

❀ after finding another shelter later that night – a 100% abandoned house this time – you’re sitting by the fireplace after ellie has gone to bed. joel comes up and asks what that morning had been about and you try to deflect by saying you just didn’t trust those people but he knows you’re lying 

❀ and you know he knows you’re lying

❀ he finally manages to get you to admit what happened, and you knew he’d be upset but you didn’t realize just how much on your behalf

❀ he was always very short-answered with you and still didn’t seem to care for you that much – especially since you were just another person to look after – so you always just assumed he didn’t really care what happened to you

❀ you’d been sure before this that if you were killed or kidnapped or whatever that he would be relieved – one less thing to worry about – but now, seeing him so angry that someone had the balls to treat you like that... maybe you were something more to him than you thought 

❀・❀・❀・❀・❀

❀ one night a couple months later, the snow is falling heavily and you, joel, and ellie were going to be stuck for at least the next week, and you would find out just how much you really meant to joel

❀ things have been different since your run-in with mr rich guy

❀ joel talks to you more, he’s not as short-tempered when teaching you to use a gun, he actually seems to enjoy your company now

❀ honestly, if it weren’t for the encounters with the infected, you would have forgotten you were living in an apocalypse at all

❀ you’re sitting in the seat of the large window in what used to be the master bedroom, just watching the snow fall and glitter in the moonlight

❀ ellie had gone to bed hours ago, and if you had to guess you would say it was about 3 in the morning 

❀ “y’know i don’t say it enough but i’m proud of ya,” joel tells you as he walked up and took a seat next to you. he sits properly on the seat while you’re wrapped up in a blanket sitting cross-legged facing the window 

❀ “what for?” you ask, not turning away from the snow

❀ “y’ve come a long way since ya almost got y’rself shot by ellie’s rifle” you don’t notice him smile when you chuckle

❀ “can’t credit me for all of that,” you remind him, “most of it was you anyway”

❀ “least ya know how t’turn the safety off a gun,” he laughs when you shove him

❀ it goes quiet for a second – you’re watching the snowfall and joel’s watching you 

❀ it’s a comfortable silence for you but for him, it must be too loud

❀ “never really cared for ya, y’know”

❀ you simply chuckle again and nod, “i know”

❀ “reckon i been feelin’ different though,” he murmurs. you simply smile

❀ ”i know that too”

❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀

i’m not sure how well this will do bc i don’t really write for pedro characters but i had this idea and couldn’t let it go so i hope whoever reads this like it!!!!! 

master list / master list for mobile users

you can also check out my last imagine here, my to do list to see what’s coming up, and click here to go to the page for my calum fic :)

Other apocalypse AUs: Michael / Calum / Ashton / Luke / Cody / Maxx / Zach / Joel

taglist: @calumhoodslays @vendylewin @lunalove25 @i-opened-the-chamber-of-secrets @maurine5sos @rachellwrites​ @itkindajusthappenedreally @breathinginthevapor @double-tap-to-edit @all-i-want-is2b-loved-by-you​ @silverchainbee​ @disastrxlogy @kikixfandoms @5saucewho​ @mycollectionofnuts​ @sunnysidesblog @youngblood199456 @boxofteenageideas @newhopenessie @5-seconds-of-mendes

if you’d like to be added to/removed from the taglist, let me know!

#joel miller #the last of us #tlou #pedro pascal #pedro pascal characters #character imagine #imagine #joel imagine #joel miller imagine #tlou imagine #the last of us imagine #headcanons #tlou headcanons #the last of us headcanons #joel headcanons #joel miller headcanons #shows

[luvrxbunny]

okay so let’s think 🤔

i think it’s been a VERY long time since Joel had sex. i’m thinking he probably messed around for a few years after Sarah died just to feel something but after that didn’t work he probably just gave up

so now after over 10yrs of no sex, hes gotten to a point where he thinks he could just live without it. like he barely has the urge anymore.

he doesn’t even get a little inkling until he meets you. but it’s only a twinge in his gut. he doesn’t get hard but he does get turned on, sensitive and the twinge flares more depending on what you do, what you’re wearing, how close to him you’re standing.

but then you guys start dating. because shockingly.. for some reason.. he gives you that same reaction— of course a lot stronger on your end

he explains this all to you, he says it’s his age but you assume it also has to do with everything he’s been through. so you don’t push it! you’d never do that to him, give him that guilt or pressure.

but something about you being his makes that little twinge become a punch to the gut. seeing you in his kitchen, making him breakfast, makes something stir in his crotch that he barely even recognizes.

then he sees you fitting into a motherly role with ellie, maybe closer to a big sister but there is maternity mixed in for sure and that causes something he’s not even equipped to deal with.. he’s starting to get hard.

it’s just a halfie but it’s more than he’s felt in years. and he just has to wait for it to go down. it’s torture.

that goes on for a while. things get exponentially worse when you move in with him. you start acting like his wife. making him coffee to go to work with in the morning, packing him lunch and setting out his clothes. you even wash his boots for him when they get too dirty or on a particularly hot day you’ll have a bath ready for him when he gets home. he’s so hard, he’s leaking.

he eventually has to figure out how to jerk off all over again cus god knows what he likes now. it takes a lot of trial and error but he’s finally able to cum for the first time in way too long.

but that just makes everything worse

because now he knows how to solve the probelm, now that his body knows this is an option, he’s getting hard no matter what you do.

you could come to him with help for a recipe, not able to understand what they’re asking and he’ll get hard. you could walk past him, he’d get a whiff of your perfume and he’s hard. you touch his arm to move past him and he’s hard.

this leads to many trips to the bathroom. he doesn’t last long, not that he tries to anyway, and he’s found that he can cum many times in one day.

you start coddling him because he’s obviously fatigued and god that makes him hard. you cuddle him, letting him be the little spoon as you both take a “much needed and earned nap” and fuck he’s leaking into his boxers.

his entire body is tense and shaking in your sleepy arms. it’s never been this bad before. he can’t think of a time it was even this bad when he was younger.

he sneaks a hand down to his crotch and desperately digs his palm into the tent in his boxers. the relief is immediate, he has to dig into his lip until it bleeds to hold in the groan that wanted out. he can’t believe himself, the depraved man he’s become.

his hand slides down into his boxers and his stomach is trembling at his own touch. something about you being right next to him is turning all his senses up to 11.

his hand wraps around his cock and it’s the most heavenly thing he’s felt. he can’t help the moan of your name that slide up his throat and leaves his mouth as a whisper. you stir beside him and his cock pulses in his hand.

what if you woke up? what would you do if you caught him like this? would you like it?

i got carried away AGAIN

#i just want him to feel good #RAAAAAAH #JOEL MILLER #joel x reader #joelxreader #joel imagine #joel the last of us #joel miller fanfic #joel miller smut #joel miller x reader #joel miller x you #joel miller x y/n

[viridescent-din]

can you do joel x reader with the reader having to use their safewird? i'd love to see how joel reacts

18+, pretty intense rough sex that warrants the use of safe word under the cut. this has the potential to be very triggering.

thanks for being this blog's first request <3

Joel is so goddamn pent up.

There's too much happening all at once - too much death, too much responsibility. Joel is barely holding himself together, feeling the weight of being the person that you and Ellie follow. Even worse, being the man you depend on.

He needs an outlet. You're in his bed, just like you always are, and Ellie is asleep downstairs and safe. Jackson can give Joel some type of reprieve, even if the hesitation in Tommy's embrace was the last straw for Joel.

Joel, for the first time since you've met him, snaps.

Sex with Joel isn't always - or even often - soft. It's gritty and real, usually rushed. Neither of you have daily access to a shower, and half the time you fuck it's in a frenzy because one of you (almost always you) has nearly been killed. You're used to Joel being borderline impersonal. He's good about it though, always checking to make sure you're okay, always cleaning you up afterwards.

This time, Joel doesn't even prep you.

He watches you, ass in air and on the bed on all fours. You feel his hand ghosting over the skin of your cheeks before he unzips his pants, takes himself out, and enters you dry with a single thrust.

You cry out immediately, the burn instant. The sheets muffle the sound. Even with the ache, there's a glimmer of pleasure mixed in, that nice feeling that comes with being full. Joel warms you from the inside out.

You turn your head, glancing over your shoulder to look at Joel. He scowls, placing his hand on the nape of your neck and pressing your face into the sheets.

"Don't look at me," Joel practically growls. You manage to make some type of noise of agreement from this position, even though Joel just made it infinitely harder to breath. He releases his hand, and you gasp for air. He begins to pick up the pace, relentlessly slamming into you. The force is so much your temple hits the headboard, making you even more disoriented. You whimper as Joel keeps thrusting, fingers digging into your hips. Tears begin to prick at the corners of your eyes, and it makes you unbearably upset at yourself. What are you crying over? You grip the sheets, and Joel notices. "That's my girl," he says, sounding distant. "That's it. You know me."

The praise feels sudden, and almost chases away the doubt stirring in your chest. It does nothing for the pain, though. Joel grabs your hands, pinning them above your head, and you start to feel stifled. Your own arms feel like a cage, trapping your head. The sheets bunch around your face, making it hard to breathe again. You're completely naked, but Joel is practically fully clothed, and the collision of his belt buckle with the back of your thigh begins to sting. You can already tell you're going to have a welt. You feel raw, too. You're not used to Joel without spit or your own arousal to make sex more comfortable.

"Joel..." You start to say. You hear him muttering to himself behind you. "Joel," you manage with a bit more force. His movements stutter, but don't stop.

"Hmm? What is it?" You wait for the pet name, for baby or darlin, but it never comes.

"I'm sorry, it hurts, I -" you squeeze your eyes shut. "Texas."

Joel stops the second you say it, still inside you. He lets go of your wrists, and something tells you his hands are hovering mid-air, unsure of what to do.

"Texas," you hear him repeat, absent-minded. "Texas. I... okay." Joel postures up. "I'm going to pull out. Are you ready?" You nod, thankful that Joel notices. He places his hands gently on your hips, like you're made of glass, and slowly pulls out. You hiss at the emptiness, and feel Joel cup your pussy, trying to ease the suddenness of it. He helps you shift to your back, then pulls a quilt over you. You blink.

"I'm sorry," you tell him again. Joel looks at you, brow harsh.

"Don't say that," he tucks himself away. Joel looks at your shaking body, then peels off his flannel to hand to you. You take it, putting it on and sitting up. You draw your knees to your chest, feeling small. "You didn't do anything wrong." You blink.

"You didn't either," you say. Joel scoffs, pacing to the other side of the room. "Please don't leave!" Desperation tinges your voice. Joel stands by the door, back turned. You swallow.

"I'm just grabbin' you some water," Joel looks over his shoulder at you. "Would you prefer I do it later?"

"Yes," you breathe. Joel walks to the edge of the bed.

"Okay," he says, looking defeated. "Tell me what do, sweetheart. Tell me what you need." You look at your lap.

"Can you just... can you sit with me, please?" You ask. Joel inhales, then walks to the side of the bed and climbs on with you. You look at him, tentative, and they lay your head on his shoulder. You slide an arm around Joel's stomach. After a moment, he places a hand over the muscles of your forearm. He ducks his head, lips pressing to the top of your head.

"I'm sorry," he admits. "I never should - the fact I'd let myself do that to you -"

"Stop," you say, voice shaking. "I don't... Joel, don't be mad at yourself. I... please don't be." Joel clutches you, his free hand resting on your waist.

"I'm taking my shit out on you. I shouldn't do that."

"It's been a long journey," your body begins to ache, stress setting in. Joel shakes his head, unsatisfied with your protests.

"No excuses," Joel's entire body is tense. "I always fuck this up, I..." Joel sets his jaw. "I'm a piece of shit for being the one that hurts you."

"Joel, listen -"

"You're the one who needs comfortin' right now, darlin'," Joel interrupts you. He cups your face, and you lean into it. He frowns affectionately at you. "I'm proud of you." You let out a bitter laugh.

"Proud?" You shake your head.

"Yeah," Joel presses emphatically. "Proud. I know it's not easy to stick up for yourself like that," he lets out a long sigh. "And I'm not an easy man to..." Joel trails off. "Well, I'm not an easy man to anything, really."

"Joel," emotion swells in your chest. "I don't think you understand how much you mean to -"

"It's selfish for me to stay with you," Joel tells you. You freeze in his arms.

"Even if that's what I ask you to do?"

Joel doesn't answer. He just keeps holding you, painfully chastely.

#joel miller #joel miller x reader #joel imagine #tlou #tlou imagine #the last of us #the last of us imagine #joel x reader #joel smut #joel miller smut #pedro pascal

[7seas-of-ryy]

Friendly Neighbors

Author’s Note: Reader is in her twenties, this is set pre-outbreak. I’ve always loved Pedro Pascal and I’m so glad he’s getting his attention :)))

Pairing: Pre-Outbreak!Joel Miller x Reader

Summary: You’re neighbors with Joel and Sarah. She adores you and little do you know, he does too <3

Warnings: some kissing, let me know if there’s anything I missed :)

“Hey look what I found at the book store!” Sarah yelled out to you as she let herself into your house.

“Ooooo show me!” You responded. 

You had moved into the house next to hers a couple months ago and she quickly latched onto you, claiming you had to be her friend because all of her other neighbors were too old. You knew she probably needed some girl time occasionally because she lived with her dad, so you always allowed her to stop by. 

“I remember you telling me your favorite book was Pride and Prejudice, and I found a copy of it at the book store, so now I can read it!” The young girl exclaimed. 

“Oh yeah? And where did you get the money for that?” You asked her with a grin on your face, knowing she took it from Joel’s dresser drawer. 

“...alright I took it from my dad’s drawer. But I really wanted to read this book, I want to know why its your favorite!” She admitted

As if on cue, Joel knocked on the door.

“Hey is Sarah here? She never came home after school.” He asked you, looking worried.

You looked back at Sarah and she had a sheepish smile. “Yes, I’m so sorry she’s right in here. If I knew she didn’t tell you, I would’ve let you know” You said feeling guilty. You already felt as though he didn’t like you and you did not want to add onto that feeling.

“Dad, give her your number so she can text you if I’m over here” Sarah said smugly, with a huge grin on her face. She knew her dad liked you and she assumed you liked him because of how flustered you got every time you talked to him.

“oh uh... um ok is that...ok?” Joel stuttered over his words.

“Oh, uh yeah that... would be ok” You responded, also stumbling over your words.

Sarah stood in between you both watching and trying to not laugh.

“Ok anyways, I was just showing (Y/N) the book I bought.” She giggled

“Pride and Prejudice...” Joel said reading the cover “Never read it”

You gasped and playfully grasped at your chest, making both of them laugh. You always made them both smile. Joel loved you but he really loved how much Sarah loved you. He couldn’t remember the last time she had a mother figure in her life. 

“I can NOT believe you. Now I understand why Sarah never read it so she gets a pass. But Joel, that is unforgivable” you smiled

“Yeah, and I wanna read it before I watch the movie.” Sarah added

“There’s a movie? See I’ll watch that but I aint reading no book” Joel spoke.

“It’s my favorite movie too!” You exclaimed

“Hmmm well this actually works out perfect...” Sarah stated as you and Joel eyed her “My friend just messaged me and she wants to study together”

“And why is that perfect?” You asked

“I don’t wanna watch the movie yet, my dad said he’ll watch it and it’s your favorite so I’ll go study and you guys can hang out here and watch it together” She responded

“Well I don’t want to interrupt (Y/N)’s night” Joel said

“She’s not doing anything tonight, she said all she was gonna do was drink wine anyways” Sarah responded just as fast

You immediately got embarrassed at the information that was just exposed. 

Joel hesitated and then responded “Ok lets watch it” 

Sarah said her goodbyes and headed to her friends to study. You’re rarely alone with Joel so you weren’t sure how well this was going to go. 

Joel was the first to break the silence, “If you still want to drink some wine, I have a bottle at my house that I’ve been waiting to open. I could go grab it for us” he offered

“Yeah actually, that would be really nice” you smiled at him

He went and grabbed the wine and you got everything ready for the movie. Before you knew it, you were both sitting on your couch about to start the movie. There was an awkward space between you both. You could tell he was thinking the same thing as you and you both made eye contact.

“You can scoot closer to me if you need some more space” He spoke

You smiled and with as much courage as you had, scooted closer to him till your sides were almost touching. Once you got that close, he put his arm around you and pulled you into his side. You laid your head on his shoulder and you both watched the movie.

You could feel his eyes on you throughout the movie and it was driving you insane. You didn’t think your cheeks could get any redder at this point and all you wanted to do was grab him and kiss him.

“Did you know you smile at this movie a lot” he asked in the middle of the it.

You looked at up at him with big eyes, feeling embarrassed.

“I can definitely tell it’s your favorite, it’s really cute...” He whispered easily to you “You’re really cute, actually... you’re very beautiful”

You thought you might combust. You couldn’t believe your ears. THE Joel Miller was calling you beautiful??

“You’re very beautiful too” you told him

“Thank you darlin” He laughed and put a piece of your hair behind your ear

You subconsciously moved closer to him. Your eyes never left each others as you both leaned in. He kissed you softly as if you were made of glass and one wrong move would break you. He pulled away and you pulled him right back to you in a much more heated kiss. Once you both stopped due to your need for oxygen, you couldn’t stop smiling.

“I don’t think Sarah had to study” You whispered

He laughed “She definitely just wanted us alone”

“I wanted us alone” You admitted

“I did too” He agreed as you both continued laughing and kissing like teenagers in love.

#pedro pascal #the last of us #joel miller #joel x reader #joel miller x reader #joel miller imagine #joel miller fluff #joel miller x y/n #joel imagine #joel oneshot #joel fanfic #joel tlou #joel miller one shot #joel miller oneshots #joel fluff #tlou show #the last of us imagine #pre-outbreak!joel #pre-outbreak!joel miller

[mushrubes]

Admit it

Masterlist | The last of us Masterlist |

Requested : no!

Prompt 53. “Why won’t you admit it!” +  85.  “I’ve seen how much you really care–don’t pretend like you don’t.”

Pairing : Joel Miller x (they/them) reader (No use of Y/n!)

Type : Tiny angst and fluff :)

Warnings : Age gap, swearing

Word count : 1k

have a great day/night!! <3

this was incredibly rushed i am sorry in advance

—————————–

“What do you mean they went outside by themself?” Joel asked, Ellie biting her cheek as she heard the mix of anger and concern in his voice. “They said they needed to go get something and that they’d be back. I’m sorry - they told me not to tell you.” she rambled, following Joel as he got up, putting his muddy boots on and standing back up. 

“You stay here, do not even move out of this house until I’m back with them.” he instructed, the girl nodding as he walked out, Ellie immediately locking the door behind him. He jogged out of the drive, looking around for some sort of indication you were around but there was nothing. “Shit.” he grumbled under his breath, trying to think of where you could have gone.

A slight scream in the distance alerted him, his breath hitching as he ran over to the direction. He shot at the infected, giving you more time to run. When you got close enough, he shot the rest, pulling you behind him as he held a hand in front of you protectively. 

Once he was sure they were all dead, he grabbed your hand, walking back to the house you were staying at, stopping when you were stood just outside the door in the drive. He didn’t say anything, pulling you into a hug which caught you off guard. “Don’t ever do that again.” he lectured; his voice muffled as he rested his head in the crook of your neck. “I’m sorry.” you apologised, rubbing your hand up and down his back. 

When you both pulled away, he pressed a kiss to your temple before knocking on the door in the code you had taught Ellie. You waited a few minutes before she unlocked it, letting both of you in. “You’re okay!” she grinned, hugging you as you laughed softly, returning it. “You’re not stuck with just the old man yet, don’t worry.” you teased, looking up and Joel who rolled his eyes and smirked at you.

----

The next few days confused you; Joel was either ignoring you or he’d snap over any tiny thing you said or did. Ellie looked between the pair of adults, able to feel the tension and felt like she had to tip toe around. “Alright, what’s going on?” she huffed, tired of having to walk on eggshells around them constantly. 

You had walked out a few minutes ago, going to get ready to sleep and having a quick shower. The pair of you needed to blow steam off after the argument you had (which he started). Ellie took the chance to sit with Joel, trying to find out what was wrong 

“Nothing.” he shrugged, not even sending a glance in her direction. Ellie got up groaning, rubbing her forehead as she looked at the immature adults in front of her. “I’m going to go to bed now, you two need to sort out whatever is going on.” she warned, a slight red tint rushing to Joel’s cheeks as he knew she was right, annoyed she was giving him advice for once. 

You walked back out, sitting back in your place as you looked around for Ellie. “Where did Ellie go?” you asked softly, scared he was going to snap in response. “She’s uh...gone to bed.” he responded, his leg bouncing slightly as he played with his hands. 

He decided against Ellie’s advice, getting up and stretching, walking towards the stairs. “What’s going on with you?” you spat out, slightly regretting your tone of voice. “What do you mean?” he responded bluntly, turning and raising an eyebrow as his face hardened up. “You’ve been so...so different! You’re snapping over everything I do.” you huffed, turning to face him, trying to ignore the loud thump of your heart.

“I’ve got better stuff to do than this, this is the last of our concerns at the moment.” he said coldly, turning his back and starting to walk up the stairs. He tried to ignore the growing guilt in his stomach but he couldn’t help it. As much as he hated it, it was the only way he was able to supress the feelings he had. Joel had convinced himself that it wouldn’t be fair on you to act on his feelings, believing how you deserved someone better, someone more your age compared to him. 

“I’ve seen how much you really care - don’t pretend like you don’t.” You raised your voice, the male stopping in his tracks. “Please, Joel.” you asked, your voice small and cracking slightly. You looked down at the ground, your vision misted and blurry. The only indicator that he was listening was the creak of the floor, signifying he was moving. The room went silent, making you assume he had walked away, your body now racking with sobs.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around you, pressing your head into his chest. “Why won’t you admit it!” you shouted, thankful it was muffled by him so it didn’t wake Ellie. He didn’t respond, comforting you as you got out your anger and sobs, the occasional punch to his chest but it didn’t hurt him. “Because I’m too scared.” he mumbled after a while, almost talking into the top of your head.

“I’m scared if I admit I care for you, that I... I love you, something will happen to you, and I’d never forgive myself. And I know it’s selfish, you deserve someone your age but I need you.” he confessed, his cheeks heating up as he pulled out the embrace, eyes on the ground as he refused to meet yours.

“Joel, look at me.” you breathed out, your stomach filled of butterflies as you tried to process the words, praying it wasn’t a hallucination. “Sweets, you don’t have to-” he started, getting cut off by your lips being pressed to his, your hand running through his salt and peppered hair. 

“I love you too.”

#joel #joel miller #joel miller x reader #joel miller imagine #joel miller imagines #joel miller oneshot #joel miller x female reader #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller x you #joel miller x male reader #joel x reader #joel imagine #joel imagines #joel oneshot #joel oneshots #joel miller oneshots #joel miller fic #the last of us #joel tlou #joel tlou x reader #joel tlou imagine #joel tlou imagines #joel tlou oneshot #joel tlou oneshots #the last of us imagine #the last of us imagines #the last of us oneshot #the last of us oneshots #the last of us x reader #the last of us x you