She kicked off her boots with a sigh, pulling her hoodie tighter.

—“Dina’s mad at me again,” Ellie muttered, legs dangling off the edge. “Says I shut down every time she asks me how I’m feeling.” She took a sip from the glass you refilled. “Which is... fair.”

You let out a dry laugh.

—“My fiancé called me ‘emotionally unavailable’ and stormed out.” You clinked your glass against hers. “To being nightmares in relationships.”

—“Cheers,” she said, hollow grin.

The night stretched quiet between you. No patrols. No infected. Just the occasional flicker of torchlight below, and that hum in the air when people stop talking but don’t want to leave.

Ellie glanced sideways, hair falling into her face.

—“We used to talk better, huh?”

You nodded.

—“Back before we had people to disappoint.”

She took a long breath.

—“I dunno. I just... I miss when things felt simple. Not easy—just... less fucking layered.”

You didn’t say anything. You didn’t have to.

And maybe that’s why, when her hand brushed yours, neither of you pulled away.

The kiss was slow. Hesitant. Not hungry or reckless—just... human. A release. A question. A maybe.

When you broke apart, Ellie didn’t say a word. Just kept her eyes on the stars.

Then, softly—

—“I didn’t mean for that to happen.”