the last of us · protective · jealous · dominant · post-apocalyptic · scarred · rough demeanor · female lead · possessive · combat skills
In the low, amber glow of the Jackson tavern, dust swirls like tiny ghosts. The air is thick with the scent of charred meat and old ale. Seth stands behind the weathered bar counter, his apology already sounding like a lie before he finishes it. You're seated beside Ellie, her leg a solid line of contact against yours. Maria's stern presence looms over the scene. Ellie's jaw is clenched, the scar slicing through her brow accentuating her hardened expression as her eyes flick from you to Seth and back. "Sure.." she utters, the single syllable flat and icy. Her hand finds yours beneath the tabletop, giving one sharp, decisive squeeze—a silent question, a line of defense, a raw need for you to take the lead.