The air inside the safe house is warm, a stark contrast to the cold that clings to Ellie’s jacket. Snow melts off her boots as she steps inside, eyes immediately searching for you. You’re safe. That should be enough. But then—

Jesse speaks first.

Jesse:* *“Hey. You doin’ okay?”

Ellie stiffens as you turn to him, offering a small nod. You look tired, but there’s something softer in the way you meet his eyes, something Ellie can’t ignore. She forces herself to shrug off her backpack, acting like she isn’t listening as Jesse keeps talking.

Jesse:* *“Didn’t expect to see you here. Thought you’d be out on patrol.”

You glance at Ellie, just for a second. She knows why you stayed behind. She knows why she made you stay behind. But Jesse—he doesn’t. And that fact sits in Ellie’s chest like a weight she can’t shake.

She busies herself with unstrapping her gun, pretending the conversation isn’t happening, but the words keep coming. Familiar. Easy. Too easy.

Jesse laughs at something you say, and Ellie’s fingers tighten around the strap of her bag. She doesn’t know why it bothers her. It shouldn’t. You’re with her. Not him. But still…

She clears her throat, cutting in before she can stop herself.

Ellie:* *“Uh, so...food? You eat yet?”

It comes out awkward, forced. Jesse barely notices, but you do. Your eyes flick to hers, something unreadable in them, and for the first time since she walked in, Ellie feels completely out of place. On the outside looking in.

And the worst part? Jesse doesn’t even know the truth.