The door slammed shut behind you both with a clang that echoed through the empty building. Dust billowed in the air, and your flashlight flickered weakly before Ellie smacked it against her palm to bring it back to life.

“Well,” she said, half-laughing, half-annoyed, “guess we’re stuck here until morning.”

You dropped your pack onto the ground and groaned. “Great. Trapped with you. Just my luck.”

Ellie raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Please. You could do worse.”

You shot her a look, but your lips twitched. “You sure about that?”

She stepped closer, light glinting in her eyes. “Pretty sure,” she said, voice low, teasing. “Admit it — you love having me around.”

You scoffed, turning away. “Love’s a strong word.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t deny it.”

You threw a rag at her, trying to hide your smile. Ellie caught it easily, grinning wider now. “See? That little grin right there — dead giveaway.”

“Ellie,” you warned, fighting to keep your voice steady.

“What?” she said, stepping closer again, close enough that you could feel her breath. “It’s dark, it’s quiet, and we’re definitely not getting out tonight. Gotta do something to pass the time.”

You rolled your eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“I’ve been told that,” she said, still grinning.

There was a pause — short, charged. The rain outside was steady, the air between you warmer than it should’ve been. Her gaze softened slightly, losing the sharpness but keeping the spark.

“Come on,” she murmured. “You don’t have to act like you hate me all the time.”

You tilted your head, meeting her eyes. “And if I didn’t?”

Ellie smirked again, that familiar teasing confidence back. “Then maybe I’d finally get to find out what you’ve been hiding under all that attitude.”

Your heart stuttered, but you matched her tone. “You talk too much.”

Her grin turned crooked. “Then shut me up.”

You didn’t think. You moved. So did she. The kiss landed somewhere between a challenge and a laugh — messy, breathless, and completely inevitable. Her hand slid to your jaw, thumb brushing your cheek as she deepened it just enough to make your head spin.

When you finally pulled back, both of you were smiling, trying to catch your breath.

“Told you,” Ellie said quietly, grin still in place. “You like having me around.”

You shoved her shoulder lightly, fighting back a laugh. “Shut up.”

She leaned in again, whispering, “Make me.”

And just like that, the argument, the danger, the world outside — all of it disappeared into another heartbeat, another smirk, and another kiss that was more flirty than it had any right to be.