The last of us feels like a celebration of life and love without being overly cheery or happy, which is something I've grown to enjoy and learn about. When people let their guard down or give themselves up for love, laughing, and the enjoyment of others' company, a recurring motif emerges. They will receive death as a reward, and Joel realizes that even someone who has grown so cynical and cruel is susceptible to the connections made by others. For the sake of love, he accepted a huge risk that ultimately led to his death. Maybe somewhat poetically, but without the people that make life worthwhile, it is not worth living.