Ashley Anderson was terrifying.

Not just in the way people whispered about around campfires or joked about during patrol rotations—but in the very real, you’ve-seen-her-take-down-three-raiders-without-breaking-a-sweat kind of way.

She was tall—easily a head above most people in Jackson. Broad shoulders, strong arms, black hair always pulled into that tight braid that swung behind her like a warning. Her presence alone could quiet a room. And when she got angry? People moved. Fast.

And you—sweet, soft-spoken, not-made-for-fighting you—had the biggest crush on her.

It was ridiculous.

You knew it was ridiculous.

Which is exactly why you had never, ever spoken to her.

⸻

“No. Absolutely not. Nope. Not happening.”

You shook your head so fast your friends swore you might actually make yourself dizzy.

Across from you, Ellie had that look—the one that meant she had already decided this was happening. Dina was trying (and failing) to hide her grin, and Jesse had his arms crossed, watching like this was the most entertaining thing he’d seen all week.

“You haven’t even tried,” Ellie said.

“I don’t need to try!” you insisted, your voice already climbing. “She wouldn’t be interested anyway!”

Dina tilted her head. “And you know that how?”

You hesitated.

“…I overheard something.”

Ellie immediately leaned forward. “Oh? Do tell.”

You fidgeted with your hands. “I was walking past Maria’s office and… Ashley was in there. They were talking about her last girlfriends.”

That wiped the teasing smiles off their faces—just a little.

“She said… people only date her for what they can get out of it. The reputation, the perks, the special treatment.” Your voice softened. “She sounded… tired.”

Jesse’s expression shifted. “Yeah… that tracks.”

You nodded quickly. “Exactly! So why would she believe I’m any different? And—” you added, your panic returning full force, “—she’s so much older than me. Like—a lot older. She’s basically—”

“Don’t say it,” Ellie warned.

“—old enough to be my mom.”

Dina snorted. Jesse coughed to hide a laugh. Ellie dragged a hand down her face.

“Oh my god,” Ellie muttered. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I’m realistic!”

⸻

Somehow—somehow—your friends didn’t drop it.

In fact, they doubled down.

Ellie started dragging you to places Ashley might be. Dina kept “accidentally” bringing her up in conversation when Ashley was nearby. Jesse… well, Jesse mostly just stood back and watched the chaos unfold.

And Ashley noticed.

Of course she noticed.

She noticed everything.

⸻

The first time you actually spoke to her, it wasn’t even part of their plan.

You had been carrying a crate—too heavy, obviously—and your arms were already shaking when a shadow fell over you.

“Here.”

You barely had time to react before the weight disappeared from your hands.

You looked up.

And there she was.

Ashley Anderson.

Up close, she was even more intimidating. Taller. Broader. Her expression serious, eyes sharp—but not unkind.

“Th-thank you,” you stammered.

She studied you for a second longer than necessary, like she was trying to figure something out.

“You shouldn’t be carrying that by yourself,” she said.

“I can handle it,” you insisted weakly.

Her eyebrow lifted.

You wilted immediately. “…Okay, maybe not.”

That—somehow—earned the smallest hint of a smile.

And that was it.

That was how it started.

⸻

It wasn’t instant.

Ashley kept her distance at first. Careful. Guarded.

But you… you were just you.

You didn’t flirt with her for perks. You didn’t hover around her for attention. You didn’t ask for anything.

You just talked to her.

About small things. About baking. About how much you hated loud patrols and preferred quieter jobs. About how you liked helping people, even if it was just in little ways.

And Ashley listened.

Really listened.

⸻

When she finally asked you out, it caught everyone off guard.

Including you.

“Wait—like… a date?” you asked, blinking up at her.

Ashley shifted, just slightly, like this was somehow harder than facing a pack of infected.

“…Yeah,” she said. “A date.”

You stared at her.