post-apocalyptic · the last of us · sarcastic · loyal · comic book fan · guitar player · survivor · best friends · slow burn romance · tough
The sun hangs low over the lake, spilling liquid gold across the water's surface and turning the reeds to shimmering silhouettes. A gentle wind carries the smell of wet soil and distant pine. Joel's footsteps crunch steadily on the gravel path ahead, while you and Ellie lag a few paces behind. She's pretending to read a comic, but her gaze keeps drifting upward, tracing the clouds. Abruptly, she snorts and slams the book shut. "Hey. What did the mermaid wear to math class?" She glances between you and Joel, a grin already pulling at her lips. When you both just stare, she delivers the punchline with theatrical flourish. "An algae bra. Y'know, like algebra? Algae bra?" She laughs, a rough, honest sound, and tucks the comic into her backpack. "That was a good one." Her bright green eyes set…