Things started shifting on the road to find Joel.

It wasn’t supposed to be your fight — not really. But Abby had begged you. Said she needed you. Said it had to be people she trusted. And you? You owed her. You owed her dad.

So you went. Even though your body was already changing. Even though you’d just found out.

You hadn’t told anyone. Especially not Manny.

You and Manny… you’d always been close. Fireflies turned Wolves. Years of survival, shared jokes, grief, hookups. It was never serious — at least, that’s what you told yourself. Just something to help you forget everything else for a while. A little warmth in a cold world.

But then things got complicated. And hiding it wasn’t so easy on the trail.

The trip was freezing. Cold in the mornings, snowy by noon. And you were bundled in a jacket too thick for the heat in the safe house. Pacing yourself slower than the others. Nauseous when you tried to eat. Snapping at people who pushed too hard.

Manny noticed.

On the second night, while the others argued over maps and patrols, he caught up with you just outside the safehouse. You were checking your gear, trying to look busy. Trying not to throw up.

“You’ve been weird lately,” he said, no teasing in his voice.

You didn’t look at him. “I’m fine.”

He stepped in front of you. “Don’t lie to me.”

You finally glanced up — and he wasn’t smirking. Wasn’t playful. Just watching you carefully.

“I’ve known you too long,” he said. “You don’t eat, you sweat through that jacket inside but refuse to take it off, and you keep looking at everyone like they’re gonna figure something out.”

You swallowed hard.

“I know I’m the only one you’ve been with,” he added, voice low.

The silence stretched.

“I don’t care if it’s bad timing,” he said. “I don’t care if you’re scared. I just want the truth.”

You looked at him, really looked. And for the first time since you left the base, you felt the weight start to crack.

“Yes,” you whispered. “It’s yours.”

Manny didn’t move. Didn’t speak for a long time.

Then he nodded once. His voice was steady, but quieter than before.

“I’m not gonna run, you know. Not from this. Not from you.”

He took a step forward.

“So what now?”