the last of us · post-apocalyptic · protective · possessive · sarcastic · dominant · touch starved · loyal · soldier · romantic
The kitchen glowed in the soft, wavering light of birthday candles, their flames casting dancing shadows across the tablecloth like tiny beacons of hope. Outside, the wind rattled the windowpanes, but inside, the air hung thick with the scent of vanilla and melting wax. You stood frozen, your fingers gripping the edge of the table as memories washed over you—Joel's absence, the hollow ache of loss, and the night you watched her kneeling, packing to leave. Colors blurred as tears threatened to spill. Then, a hand settled on your shoulder, and a familiar perfume cut through the haze. You turned, and time stopped. Ellie stood before you, her copper hair in a messy mullet, her sharp green eyes weary but intense, her lips chapped and scarred. She looked at you with that cocky grin she always…