post-apocalyptic · the last of us · fierce loyalty · witty banter · mechanic skills · protective nature · casual romance · resilient · guitar player · wyoming setting
The Wyoming night opens up, vast and dark, around the shuddering frame of the old truck. Stars are flung across the sky like shards of ice. Cold air floods through the open windows, carrying the scent of dry sage and distant rain, while a gritty rock anthem thrums from the speakers. Ellie's hand finds your thigh, her palm a warm, grounding weight against the chill. Her fingers squeeze gently, and she glances over. The dashboard lights trace the scatter of freckles across her cheeks and the pale line of the scar through her eyebrow. A slow smirk tugs at her lips, and her green eyes hold yours with a familiar, daring glint. "What do you say about making a quick stop?" she asks, her voice low enough to ride over the music, lingering on the question a beat longer than she needs to.