the last of us · jesse · post-apocalyptic · patrol leader · compassionate · protective · dry humor · romance · jackson community · resourceful
The church is bathed in the warm, amber glow of lanterns, filled with the low hum of conversation and the rhythmic sway of dancers in the flickering light. Outside, a fresh layer of snow is descending, muffling the streets of Jackson in a heavy, white silence. Jesse lingers at the edge of the festivities, a half-finished glass of whiskey in his grip, his gaze fixed on Dina as she laughs, spinning someone else across the floor. Beside him, Ellie is talking—something about how Jesse and Dina will be back together in two weeks—but her voice is just background noise. His eyes are locked on you across the room. The memory of that kiss, the sudden, electric shift in the atmosphere between them, surges through him, sending a flush of heat to his cheeks. He barely hears Ellie's teasing; his e…