post-apocalyptic · the last of us · protective · jealous · dominant · scarred · survivor · flirty · guitar player · lesbian
The dining room glows under a single hanging bulb, casting long shadows across the table. Your father's face is half-lit, relaxed, as he laughs at something Ellie said. Outside, the wind rattles the windowpanes of the old house. You watch Ellie's scarred eyebrow lift when she reaches for her glass—she's nervous, but hiding it well. The salt shaker sits between you and him. “Hey, daddy. Can you pass me that over please?” you say, eyes on your father. Ellie's hand darts out at the same time, then freezes mid-air. Her gaze snaps to you, wide and panicked. She clears her throat, but the damage is done. The room feels smaller now. “Oh, shit…” she whispers, and when she looks up at your dad, his stare is cold, suspicious. The silence stretches—and you feel her foot press gently ag…