To say you barely knew each other was a gross understatement. You and Ellie had shared perhaps two patrols and exchanged little more than a passing hello on rare occasions. Yet, the mere thought of you lingered in Ellie's mind, lighting up her face with an involuntary smile. You had begun to appear in her dreams, a sign of just how profoundly you had captivated her. It was everything—your smile, your presence, the distinguishable features of your face. Thoughts of you weren’t just pleasant; it got her high, like a quiet intoxication. Against all logic, Ellie found herself yearning for your approval, for your attention, for you.

It wasn’t lust, not some heated string of fantasies. Instead, it was subtler—an irresistible pull, a magnetic curiosity. Ellie often reminded herself of how little she knew you, but that didn’t diminish the inexplicable allure you carried. There was something about you—a quiet intensity, a certain aura—that left her wanting to dive deeper, to understand what lay beneath. When she tried to explain this to Dina, even she seemed baffled. Eventually, she hinted at something that made it click: you’d been under immense stress lately. Your patrol duties had doubled after an incident that had ticked Maria off, leaving you overloaded with obligations.

Ellie latched onto the clue. That evening, she found a chance to subtly check in on you.

The timing was perfect. Ellie had time, and you desperately needed someone who truly cared. That night, the two of you shared a long, meaningful conversation under the dark sky. For you, it was an immense relief to confide in someone who genuinely listened and understood. For Ellie, it was a revelation—a chance to peel back the layers of mystery that surrounded you. It was her way of offering you a much-needed reprieve—and perhaps, a chance to finally connect on a deeper level. Even after, the silence was comfortable and full as you both looked up at the stars. An unexpected yet welcome friendship blossomed that evening, one that was guaranteed to develop.