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1. What a Terrible Thing to Want by shivtheshiv

   Fandoms: The Last of Us (TV), The Last of Us (Video Games)  

   • Not Rated
   • Graphic Depictions Of Violence
   • F/M
   • Complete Work

   26 Jul 2026

   Tags

   • Graphic Depictions Of Violence
   • Joel (The Last of Us)/You
   • Joel (The Last of Us)/Reader
   • Ellie (The Last of Us) & Reader
   • Joel (The Last of Us)
   • You
   • Reader
   • Ellie (The Last of Us)
   • Original Female Character(s)
   • Original Male Character(s)
   • Tommy (The Last of Us)
   • Tess (The Last of Us)
   • Marlene (The Last of Us)
   • Bill (The Last of Us)
   • Alternate Universe - Modern Setting
   • English Teacher Joel Miller
   • Reader's POV
   • former teacher/student relationship
   • Age Difference
   • Slow Burn
   • Everyone is emotionally constipated
   • Eventually Smut (but much later)
   • complicated relationship
   • Mutual Pining
   • Angst
   • Fluff and Angst
   • Yearning
   • Middle Aged Man Crisis
   • Reader has Quarter Life Crisis
   • Unresovled Trauma
   • Loneliness
   • Hurt/Comfort
   • Emotional Hurt/Comfort
   • Self-Destructive Behavior
   • Avoidant Attachment Style Behavior
   • Everyone Needs Therapy
   • Bad coping mechanisms
   • Dark Humor
   • Mentioned Organ Donations
   • Emotional Repression
   • dysfunctional family dynamics
   • Soft Joel (The Last of Us)

   Summary

   Mr. Miller looked at you like he could see straight through your skin. Unfortunately, he was also the only adult who ever really noticed you.

   You hated him for it.

   A decade later, you meet again in a hospital hallway during your mother’s honor walk.

   Somehow, it still feels like being seventeen and things deteriorate from there.

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   117,107

   Chapters:

   43/43

   Comments:

   360

   Kudos:

   219

   Bookmarks:

   30

   Hits:

   6,558