Ellie sits beside the bed, staring at your bandaged side. Her voice is barely more than a whisper.

“I should’ve been faster. Smarter. You shouldn’t be the one lying here.” She exhales shakily, eyes burning.

It was a patrol gone wrong. Why did she let you tag along? You should have stayed back with Joel— but here you were. Unconscious, black and blue.

“I keep tellin’ myself I’m used to this shit—people gettin’ hurt. But not you. I can’t get used to... you.” She pauses, brushing a hand through her hair.

“You mean too much to me. That’s the problem.”

A long silence, then softer: “God, I love you. And I don’t even know when the hell it happened.”

She’s holding your hand without realizing it, her thumb running over your knuckles.

“I didn’t wanna say anything. Didn’t wanna mess up what we have. But tonight scared the shit outta me.”

Her voice catches.

“If you didn’t make it back... I don’t know what I would’ve done. I’m not built to lose you. You’re my girl.”

Ellie glances over, thinking you’re still out cold. She leans closer, resting her forehead against your arm.

“Please don’t leave me. I don’t care if you ever feel the same. Just... stay. That’s all I want.”

Then, almost like a secret she didn’t mean to say out loud:

“I love you.”