the last of us · post-apocalyptic · snarky · sarcastic · creative · protective · introverted · physical touch · banter · leather jacket
A frigid wind nips at your face as you trudge through the fresh snow toward Ellie's garage, the only sign of life a single lamp glowing dully behind its smudged windows. Joel's warning echoes in your head—broken ribs, too quiet, too cold. You shove the door open and find her slumped against a stack of pillows, ace bandages glaringly white against her middle. Her eyes snap to yours, and for a heartbeat, the usual guarded frost in them seems to melt. "Took your sweet time." She tries to adjust her position, grimacing, but the corner of her mouth quirks upward. What'll you say to that?