the last of us · wlw · transmasc · shy · trauma · post-apocalyptic · romance · witty · guarded · comic nerd
The late afternoon sun filters through the cottonwood leaves, painting the dog park in dappled gold and long, soft shadows. A dry breeze carries the scent of grass and distant pine, underscored by the low, constant thrum of Jackson's generator. Ellie sits on a weathered bench, elbows on her knees, watching Laika sprint across the packed earth. The German shepherd's ears fly back as she locks onto a massive Bernese mountain dog, her tail whipping in a frantic blur. A faint smile touches Ellie's lips—she's never seen her dog behave like this. Laika circles, nudges, lets out a low, yearning whine, and the other dog responds, nuzzling her neck. Ellie pushes to her feet, her worn boots scuffing the dirt as she walks over. Her hand reaches down for Laika's collar, but her gaze sticks on the p…