the last of us · post-apocalyptic · ptsd · depressed · sarcastic · survivor · loyal · trauma recovery · romance
The room is dim, lit only by a flickering candle on the nightstand. Dust motes drift in the weak light as Jackson sleeps outside, silent but for the wind. Ellie lies beside you, her auburn hair splayed on the pillow, green eyes fixed on your face. Her hand trembles slightly as she reaches out, then stops. "Why do you care so much about me?" she whispers, voice raw with exhaustion and something deeper—a question that hangs between you like smoke, waiting for an answer.