#eillie x reader

[canaidliafail]

invite

ellie williams x f!reader 🌿

[ part 2 ]

Ellie invites you to a party which she comes all ready and strapped up for.

proof read by God and a prayer so Ill provide some holy water as an apology. so….theres mostly sexual tension but let me know if you want me to write a part two. idk. Was heavily self indulgent but if you enjoy it Ill be happy to know so

2k words

MDI

“what?” she laughed getting all coy and shy with you, her shoulders slightly rising to hide her face

“You look really pretty” you smiled and reached out to fix a stray hair that fell in her face neatly tucking it behind her ear

“Oh shut up” she said and gently shoved your shoulder. You pushed yourself away from the fence and walked back into the house writing down your entry

3 runners

1 clicker

Was a good day overall. You looked up to see her walk in, a hand around the nape of her neck while she looked anywhere but at you

“Yes, williams?” you teased

“We are having a party tonight. Will you join?”

“hm…” you pursed your lips and turned to lean against the table fiddling with the pen in your hand, tossing and turning it in your fingers

“Who’s we?” you asked playfully and she rolled her eyes

“Well Dina, and jesse and-“

she went on trying to remember and list every possible person who would come and you had to laugh at how seriously she took everything you said

“I'll come. Not for long since I'm out on patrol early tomorrow but I'll join you for a bit” you said and turned back to the book log to note down some notes.

Ellie looked your figure up and down. You insisted on wearing shorts over thick leggings for practicality though she knew you did it cause they accentuated your ass shape better than jeans. Your puffed up jacket with its fur giving you a positively roguish look and those dirty old combat boots

Rare to see a fashionista these days. At first it drove her insane

“You've gotta be shitting me. I'm not going on patrol with her” she tried to pull every string without getting anywhere till she settled on that well, some days just don't go your way

so she rode shimmer and let you take the lead being always a few steps behind. That was until she saw you in combat. Oh you know what stealth meant and you wielded that bow with a hawk's eye. Nothing could get past you

and that's when she understood that you dressed whichever way pleased you, because you were just that confident in your skills.

God she loved everything about you. Too much almost. It took her a good few months to come to terms with it but once she did she found herself looking at you like a lovesick puppy.

suddenly all those girl-ish things she hated became endearing and she was excited to see your name next to hers on schedule the same way she was boiling with rage when she saw you paired up with someone else.

“williams?” she snapped out of her thoughts and looked at you again standing a few inches away from her

“Ah there you are. Were you thinking of tits again?” You teased and Ellie gasped and frowned in shock unable to get used to your vulgar tone and freedom of lewd speech

“Shut up”

“what no shame in it. I do it all the time” you tossed the hint and she latched onto it harder than she held onto life these days.

She does too?

and that's when she bit her lip, ravenous. She was going to make a move at the party and she was going to make it matter

•••

You've had your eyes set on Williams for a while now. Ever since she dated that artist girl that gave her,her tattoo. You were content admiring her from the side as some unattainable type of college crush. Made your mornings fun and gave you something to think about occasionally.

That was until she broke up and you slowly noticed how she gave you more and more attention. How her scoffs turned into chuckles and her frown turned into soft wrinkles around her eyes when she laughed at your poor taste in jokes

You never knew that this is what it felt like to be noticed by her, because it was something else. The first time you wore shorts out on patrol was an accident. You overslept due to a date leading to an eventful night and so you left the house in a hurry. You played it off with false confidence acting as if you intended to look that way out on patrol but once you saw how ellies eyes were fixated on your thighs and ass, oh boy did that change the game.

She didn't say much but her eyes were devouring you out in the open. That night you were painfully aroused and wet and a one night stand seemed like a fruitless attempt to quench your thirst. tonight you prayed that the reason she invited you over to hangout with her friends was due to an ulterior motive

You wore a skirt you had attempted to re-style by mixing the fabric of your exs cargo pants and tucked in a baggy T giving you the effortless look you always strived to achieve . You'd have to be hung upside down and burned before you admitted to anyone how much time you spent on your appearance and how much it actually mattered to you.

with one final look you tested out your movements and expressions in front of your mirror to make sure nothing fell out of line and grabbed your backpack. You reached the house at the far end of the town and knocked. Dina greeted you with that warm smile she always gave everyone

she whistles and gave you a side hug “You have a way of making everyone stop to look at you” you chuckled “Oh you flatter me”

she took you downstairs to the basement where the true party was happening. Music, drinks and lights coming out of the fog from the weed. Oh Ellie really did mean a party.

“Come , make yourself comfortable. Think ellie is pouring herself another drink over there” she said and gave you a knowing look which you couldn’t entirely grasp considering you had barely talked with the woman before

You didn’t even want to know where the hell did they find all of these supplies or who and what they traded them for but you sure as hell was going to enjoy it all. You took your time greeting everyone, stopping a bit longer with a few to exchange more than a greeting and rushing your way through the ones you ghosted after a one night stand finally reaching your destination. The table with the drinks. You started pouring yourself one when you felt a very familiar set of arms wrap around your waist

“You did come!” you smiled, your cheeks heating up realizing how close to your face, ellies was. you turned around with an easy smile and cocked a brow

“Well how could I miss it?” You scanned her outfit and your eyes stayed a moment too long on her pants noticing how baggy they were, and then the rolled up sleeves of her oversized hoodie. Oh this was an entirely different Ellie

“What?” she said with a soft frown “Something about my looks?” she questioned and her head dropped to scan her clothes. You shook your head

“No. You look different. That's all” hot, would be the correct word but you restrained from coming on too strong this soon. You still were unsure of her intentions after all

“Well like a good different or..?” she tried and took a step closer one arm on the table leaning against you and surprisingly towering over you slightly. your throat was dry and you were sure the bass held nothing against the beating of your heart.

“Wouldn't you like to know” was the best you could say your voice not as confident as you wanted it to sound but she seemed more than pleased with what she got out of you. She pulled out a joint out of her pocket and tucked it behind her ear

“Ellie, you coming?”

“Yeah on my way” she said, not breaking eye contact with you. She pushed herself away from the table and with a smirk winked at you “I'll see you around” and went Dinas way to see what she needed.

You breathed out a sigh of relief and downed whatever you had poured in your cup in an attempt to gather yourself together. Oh this would be difficult

——

Card games weren't your forte so you settled for a quick round of beer pong, which mind you, hardly any of the cups contained beer alone. One round after the other and now you found yourself with enough confidence to join some other girls dancing to the music and lip syncing with them. It had been a while since you let loose like that and so you gave it your all trying to ignore the gnawing fear of the fact that Ellie was nowhere to be seen. You wondered if she had found someone else for the night and thus changed her plans of pursuing you. So you just did what you knew how to do best

Ignore your problems

The girl in front of you seemed cute enough to make a pass at and she did seem like she was expecting something more out of you given how she had her arms around your neck and grinder her hips against yours. You acted oblivious,indulging her provocative dance with moves of your own knowing that perhaps you were the main attraction of everyone else in the room at that moment. Not that it mattered. Half of these fuckers were zooted out of their minds probably, high on crappy weed or questionable alcohol.

She whispered in your ear calling you by your last name “You are gonna make a move or are you just gonna keep me high and dry all night?” And you barked a laugh not ready for a response, that thankfully you didn't have to give when you were yanked back from your waist by the star of the night

Ellie

“Sorry I think she had a little too much to drink” she said with a smile but her tone was more of a threat than anything. You glared at her for a moment unsure of why you were angry as she dragged you away by your waist and leaned against the wall

“Can I go now?” You tried but she pulled your body closer, your back flush against her chest. You found out a very dangerous piece of information in that second as your ass found her hips that should have been flat. But there was a delicious bump.

She came strapped

You turned in her embrace and realized if there was anyone who may have been drunk and needed fresh air that was her. Her lips were parted as she stared at you contemplating something seemingly lost in her own moment.

“Wanna go out for some fresh air?” You offered and she nodded, grabbing your hand and taking you out of the basement to the backyard. She looked around at the misty empty space and walked to one of the couches still not letting go of your wrist. She sat down and pulled you with no hesitation on your lap “So who was that girl?” She questioned you immediately, a slight warning in her tone that you ate up right away

“Ah, she was cute wasnt she?” You teased liking the idea that you made her jealous. Hell she had abandoned you for most of the night so you might as well take your revenge now

“Is that what you think?” She asked brows raised accepting your challenge. You knew she had the upper hand in this but you wouldn't dare let her know that

“I do, which is why I’m upset at you for so rudely interrupting us. Where the hell were you anyways, Williams?” You asked hoping your voice gave the jab that it intended and she just smirked pulling out the unsmoked blunt that was tucked on her ear

“Then by all means, you can go back in, dance and grind the night away” You felt like you would cry. This would be the first time a woman would’ve brought you to tears so fast and so quick but that thought faded away like smoke “Or…” she added

You quickly made yourself comfortable in her lap,sitting sideways,legs tossed over the armchair, excitement bubbling in your chest once again

“Or?” You urged her to continue and she took her damn sweet time lighting up the blunt and taking a long fat drag that she breathed out in endless waves and ripples from the side of her lips “Or you can stay here, and find out when being with a woman really is about” She said with booming confidence. Thank God you were seated cause your knees would’ve given out on you right then and there. She passed you the blunt like she was asking you to sign an agreement of choosing sides and you grabbed it,no hesitation to be found

“You sure do know how to make a girl feel special” You tried to hide how flustered you were and hoped your remark would avert her attention away from your thighs that you tried to close tighter to provide some kind of friction, or comfort to your aching now core

“Am I wrong though?” She continued and you stared at her long and hard while taking another drag and passing her the blunt again

“Wrong about what?” You felt dumb but you were glad to see her entertained

“You want me. It's why you’re here so willingly sitting on my lap. You never gave a fuck about that girl in the first place” She said reading right through you

“I-“ your throat was dry and your cheeks were burning. She moved her face closer to yours,one arm very loosely hanging around your shoulder, scratching leisurely at your back making you shiver. She cocked her head to the side slowly and her eyes fell on your lips.

“I knew your bark was worse than your bite” She said with affection almost and pulled you in for a long and hard kiss

Ellie was a good kisser you realized. Your mind strayed quickly wondering if she could eat you out that skillfully as well as she moved her tongue and lips on yours with such passion and hunger that made you elicit the most whorish and loud moans,drowned out by her mouth.

You have never been more turned on by this act alone yet you quickly switched positions and turned around to fully sit on her lap,legs on either side of her thighs, dry humping her crotch and grasping at her cropped hair needing more, not wanting to ever break away from this kiss. She ushered you further by bringing your hips even closer to the point where you were perfectly seated against her clothed strap on.

You whimpered and she pulled away for a second panting and looking down with a soft smile “somethings wrong?” You asked suddenly insecure and uncertain of what happened and she just shook your head “No just, You drive me crazy” She growled and dove back for another kiss determined to pull out more of those lovely sounds you made. She experimentally thrusted her hips up that made you gasp out loud breaking the kiss “I have to know” you tried to say between the continuous kisses that ellie showered you with “hm?” She asked not breaking contact from your skin and nibbling on your neck now, bruising it,decorating it with bite marks.

“Why did you come strapped? Who were you after?”

And she laughed, laying further down,her spine against the tilted back of the couch and with you almost laying on top of her. She spread her legs further and in queue you did so as well, almost whining at the loss of friction.

“Oh I knew I wanted to fuck you from the second I gave you that invite today morning”

She roughly bit your neck now and you moaned,loud and clear,praying that no one was at the upper floor of the house cause they would’ve surely heard that

“In fact I wanted to bend you over that table and take you then and there but I wanted to do this right. To be slow and gentle” she whispered against your skin, her fingers slipping beneath your hoodie and teasing the hem of your bra not quite giving you the much needed release from the desired contact.

“But fuck do you make it difficult for me to hold back”

She hissed and her hips, grinding against yours with more fervor than before as she went in for another open mouthed kiss, her velvet tongue stroking yours, almost spelling out her name, claiming you as hers.

“We can go slow from tomorrow” you said panting unable to bear any more teasing“Today I want you to fuck me like the animal in heat that you are Williams” You said and she grabbed your hair turning the two of you around in the couch with her on top of you and kicked your legs open

“Oh I will”

[ellsbclls]

⟢ ◞ blackberries; e. williams

desc. a small part of a larger fruit anthology — ellie has never had blackberries before, and you get to introduce them to her. rated pg-13

an. short and fluffy and fun! i've been sitting and fermenting on this for a year now and i felt like it deserved to see the sun. also i love unpacking ellie's trauma box by box. enjoy!

by the time your shift ends, daylight has already beat you home.

there was a time where this land was nothing but that — land. a dimple on the jagged smirk of the mountainside. your sights were set on somewhere north — sun bound and damp with the promise of not an unforgiving winter, but here is where came to you first — the promise of a nap and a fireside meal after miles and days walked. here is where you could finally rest, you thought.  and then you spoke it into existence, and there the seed was planted, and began to shape root…

thick, wonky slabs of wood block the sun, one sliding off the other like a big oaky thumbprint, and the crows bark just above it all, sweeping one another into an endless circle. a tornado of black beaked trumpets ushering the morning light into your home.

you tug your boots off and shlep them to the other side of the room. that’s a mess for a much more capable version of you to deal with. you opt to let your muscles take over, work by memory and tend to the swell that blossoms beneath the ball of your ankle. years ago, on your first patrol, you rolled it while trying to outrun a swarm.

the jackson medic assured you, in his weathered, sandpaper drawl, that you should be grateful that you only came out with a twisted ankle. and you were — you ended up in the logs only two weeks past the incident — but the pain still persists in rolling phases. like today, when the air is honeyed with spring.

usually ellie takes great pleasure in greeting you at the door, ever punctual. it’s a welcome relief for the both of you at the end of the day — as much of a reason to make your way back home as it is for her to believe you will.

she’s the one who removes your boots, and does it just right, unlaces them and everything, leaving too much room for the fabric to even near your phantom injury. treats you like a princess from the moment you step foot into your home, like your return is the answer to the murky planes of her forethought. with her knees planted into the runner and your socked foot cradled to the cotton bound splice of her chest. she kisses you, where the sun never dares to roam, where she can without being accused of tenderheartedness. her palms run up the hill of your calf — to clear room if not blueprint the trail of her lips as they flag out your dimpled knee. “there, all better,” she decides, and forbids you from walking unless it’s crutched by the support of her arm.

today, however, seemed to be an exception.

that's when you decide to find her, and dread doesn’t prickle within you as much as concern. you’ve done nothing wrong, and you’ve allowed yourself enough time to realize such, and yet the world still runs with veins of uncertainty. finding her right where you left her would never be a guarantee, but a  privilege.

“ellie?” prodding, you lurk through your halls, tracing the map of the walls with your middle finger. “i have a surprise for you.”

once you pass your bedroom, you think you finally find her. you crawl into the bed and mistake a massive heap of blankets for ellie, kissing and nosing at the cotton until you realize that it’s unresponsive. so you continue your journey, ego bruised.

two rooms and many corners later —

you’re greeted to her silhouette, back to the kitchen, framed by the seam of the sunroom and its sharply lit doorway. to disrupt her feels depraved. you rarely get to see her so at peace, with her hand watercolored and calloused with the fruits of your latest harvest, her head stuffed into a thatch of goldenseal.

but you must, after countless seconds of self-arduous debate, it’s better to taste the death of such a peaceful moment than stand and ponder whether there’s enough room for you in it..

you tap on her shoulder and wait for her, knowing well enough that you must allow her just enough time for her body to sink back into the comfort of her skin before you can touch her further.

it serves just as much of a reminder as it does a testament — to time, to growth, to evolution — it lies just beneath your hairline and blends into the curly horizon of it, and no further does it travel nor does it fade.

“thyme’s not coming in.”

“is that so?” you push loose strands of hair behind her ear, a nervous tic you’ve transplanted onto her.

“i think it’s being stubborn…”

“you don’t say. ”  you brows twitch upward. 

“Hey! don’t tease,” she finally turns to face you and her eyes are wet with mischief. deft fingers circle and roll at your wrists, mulling at the bone of your wrist like a joystick. “you’re the one out of a good ol’ fashion steak.”

“do you even know how to cook it?”

silence. 

“well how hard can it be?”

she can tell you’re impressed, what with your expectant stare, somewhat mirroring her own silly one. “i really thought it would work.”

It being some intricate propagation method, found dog eared in the tomb of a vintage almanac. dated from a time far from now, far from disease and blood and mycellium. at least of this caliber.

“you’ve never liked cooking beef, anyway. you keep giving them names.” she offers a pitiful smile, you can feel it slow against your skin as she hugs her arms around it. Her body crooked and tired against yours. earnestly, you answer the question she never wants to ask.

“it will.”

She barely moves from your neck when she hums. “you think so?”

and assurednly, you promise, “i do.” as you shuffle away, you say. “don’t worry about the thyme. i’ve got a surprise for you.”

— ⟡ —

“what are they?” ellie’s brows pinch. her head tilts like a small bird.

“blackberries.” 

they settle in dark bunches and peek between your fingers. If you focus just enough, you can see them glow, catching on the light that creases between your eyes —amazement, sparkling like little beads of snow.

you smile, meek and cautious. something kindred, begins to siege — it dimples at the corners and folds beneath the crush of your lashes until there’s no space left that hasn’t been swallowed by sheer joy.

she had never seen them; well, not in person, at least. tiny midnight bulbs, clustered together and staining the skin of their burlap sack. her knuckles brush against their pinprick stubble and fly back, a scorched touch.

you had to parse some out to jesse as well when you found them — a finders fee of sorts, though you gloss over the fact that the only discovery he had made on your patrol was your newfound surplus of fruit, bulging from the corner of your pack. fuck jesse.

maybe this is what joel meant.

how, before his passing, and even after she shunned him from her life altogether, he still saw her — bright, almost scarily so, as the day he met her. how she wasn’t meant for this world, that she stood for everything it lacked, and no matter how many times they tried to take it away from her, there was a spark of fire still roaring behind her eyes. a lovely yearning, a wonderful ache that flourished and swelled like a smile on the face of oblivion.

there were days where she wore it well, dancing in the kitchen, tending the garden, her sighs hugging sound her shoulder like a hug of relief. but other days were not as kind. sometimes the memories sit inside of her. take root and fester beneath the dirt of her father’s almost grave, refusing to grow. to leave him behind in the shallow earth is one way to go, and so she clings to him, buries him deep in her mind and hopes for another.

but then you’re there. despite her life and how hard it bends to the company of everyone she’s known, you’re there. in spite of it. and with the smallest sign of tenderness, a simple gesture, helped a dull bud blossom.

“wait! wait!” you pull the container close to your chest, throw your hand over it limply like you have a wounded wrist.  just beneath the sparkle of your gaze lies a shyness, peeking out from behind your tongue like a child curled around their mother’s leg. you stretch your free hand out, fill the ample space between you. “wait.”

a pause settles in between, and once you gain her attention, you continue. “i thought, maybe — well, of course we would eat the berries.” ellie visibly deflates, releasing a sigh of relief. “but i've heard …well, i’ve read that if you mull the berries, you could make paint! and… your drawings.”

“my? —” ellie is baffled. for years the two of you weaned off poultry and potatoes, in every form, every flavor, and yet you stumble upon the rarest of finds, a bramble of sweet summer fruit, untended yet ripe for the picking, and see only her. it makes her wonder… “fuck, my… you don’t-”

you cut her off before she can backpedal, convince herself more than you that she's never deserving of such nice things. little luxuries, like food and dye. 

“i quite like your drawings. they just need a bit of…” you pop half of the berry between your teeth. a tartness traces the sides of your mouth, coaxing a smile from you that’s every bit as bright as it is warm, and then the sugar follows, jaw soothed and kissed with the sultry tongue of summer. 

and then you offer her the other half. a promise between the pads of your fingers. “substance?”

“We’ll always come across more of these.”  she concedes, cranes her neck, fully contented with her resigned half truth. You probably wouldn't, not in this lifetime, within the perimeter of jackson. and she would wallow about it for sure.

you pull the fruit away before she can bite into it. “even if we don’t. make something special for me.”

[elliesdirtywifebeater]

Tryna Smoke

paring: soft dom!ellie x sub!reader

cw: smoking, strap riding, slight teasing, praising

summary: after not seeing each other for a few weeks you and ellie hang out and smoke together but theres alot of pent up tension the two of you have been holding out on

you were on your way to your girlfriend ellies house, both of you were super excited because its felt forever since the two of you could actually be alone together.

as youre walking down the street you shot ellie a text letting her know you were almost there, she replied telling you to hurry up or else she'll die. shes always such a dramatic but you found it cute.

before you could reach the door to knock it flew open and you were met with an ecstatic ellie. you both threw your arms in the air before holding each other tight in a much needed hug "omg babe i miss you so much" she said as she stood up straight.

you returned her cheesy smile "i know im so amazing" you said jokingly rolling your eyes.

"oh whatever" she said with a small laugh "cmon in and meet me upstairs alright?" she moved to the side giving you room to come in and you do.

you turn around to look at ellie, "dont take too long, yk a girl is impatient" you said and gave her a kiss on the cheek before heading upstairs to her room"

after a few moments of you getting comfortable in her bed ellie walked in with a princess lunchbox that she uses to hold her weed, wraps, lighters and shit like that. you always thought it was the funniest thing ever.

"you tryna smoke?" she asked as she held the box up before sitting down next to you "uh hell yeah i am" you say shifting your body to face her. she opens the box up and sat everything down on her rolling tin and started rolling a few joints.

you watched her hands and the way she gripped the grinder, how she licked the paper and how her fingers worked while she rolled them. she noticed you absolutely gawking at her as she was rolling, "youre staring baby" she whispered to you and you jumped out of your daze. "nuh uh no i wasnt" you said looking away "id wanna look at me too dont worry" she said being a total smartass for earlier.

"asshole" you said trying to cover it with a cough.

she lit two up as soon as she finished the last joint and handed you the other, she was never one to share to be honest. "you're so stingy williams" you said jokingly as she put everything away.

while the two of you were talking about nonsense you didn't even realize how close you two were physically. finishing off the joint she sparked ellie looked at you for a second not saying anything, which is normal because ellie tends to be the quiet type when high.

you noticed her face inching in on yours and without saying anything she kissed you, resting her hand on your face pulling you in. you place your hands on her thighs softly gripping them as she deepened the kiss.

she pulls out of the kiss and quickly pulls her shirt off and you follow behind doing the same going back into the kiss afterwards.

"stay here and take these off" ellie mumbled against your lips before walking over to her dresser. she pulled out her black strap, youve heard her mention having one but she never showed it to you. you looked at it for a bit and assumed it was like 6ish inches maybe 7.

"hey why dont you light another one for us babe" she said while she took her jeans off and put the strap on.

you listened and lit another one, taking a few hits she comes over to the edge of the bed and crawled up next to you sitting back slightly. she pulled you over to her and you sat on her thigh, you leaned over to her and shot gunned the blunt you lit.

"fuck that was hot" ellie said as ran her hands up and down your body. "youre hot" you said taking another hit before kissing her.

youd never be this confident in doing any of this sober, ellie knows how shy you can be but she also knows the things you can really do and handle.

you started rocking your hips back n forth grinding on her thigh. "fuck baby youre already so wet for me" she huffed out.

ellie wanted you more by the second just from the sight of you. you riding her leg, face flushed red, moaning out quiet profanities.

she grabbed your leg bringing it over so you were in a straddling position. hovering over her strap she looked up at you with wanting eyes, "c'mon and take my cock like i know you can baby"

the rasp in her voice sent a swarm of butterflies to fit your stomach up. you started lowering yourself down on her and gripping her shoulders for support "take your time pretty" she whispered to you taking the blunt from you hitting it a few times before putting it out.

you moaned out ellies name as you fully sunk down on her, "fuck its so big" you stuttered out.

you were slowly rocking your hips against her getting used to the feeling, once comfortable you started bouncing down, "oh my god fuck" ellie moaned "e-everything okay?" you said between moans. she nodded in response "i just.. fuck-" she was cut off by her moans, her grip intensified on you "i didnt expect it to grind against my clit like that, shit." she grunted out.

"fuck you look so good riding me" she grabbed your neck and pulled you into a kiss, reaching her free hand down she started rubbing your throbbing clit with her thumb. both of your moans fill up the room

you throw your head back at the sudden contact, youre sensitive and ellie loves to take advantage of that. she loves seeing you fall apart at her disposal.

she brought your face back to meet hers "i wanna see you while im fucking you." the sudden assertiveness in her voice made you go faster, babbling nonsense as ellie began thrusting her hips upwards trying to match your rhythm.

"e-ellie m'gonna.. fuck" you stuttered out. her hands found their way back to your hips as her thrusts got faster. "hold it in." she demanded "w-what?" you question her "you heard me baby" she grunted out as she flippped the two of you over, not moving from inside of you.

she straightened herself and continued thrusting. placing her hand on your lower stomach, she applied pressure causing you to whimper her name.

"youre taking me so good baby" she grunted.

she threw your leg over her shoulder going deeper, hitting all the right places. her hands ran up and down your legs before stopping at your core, her thumb teased your clit making your body jolt at the random contact.

her thrusts became more sloppy and both of your moans grew louder as she got closer "my god.. cmon pretty cum for me.." she could barely speak. seeing her break sent you over the edge.

your nails dug into ellies thighs, and your back arched as you came all over ellies length, she started mumbling curse words under breath as she finished right after you.

ellie pulled out of you and huffled trying to catch her breath. she looked down at the mess she made of you, with a soft grin she leaned down. "you have no idea how bad ive been wanting to do that to you baby." she whispered by your ear before kissing right below it.

you let out a soft moan mixed in with panting. finally being able to speak you smiled and gave her a quick kiss on her lips "we should have done this sooner" you said earning a soft laugh from ellie "i agree"

"cmon lets go clean up in the shower" ellie stood up removing the strap. you nodded and got up stumbling your way to the bathroom making ellie laugh at your struggle.

you were soon met with ellie in the bathroom and she holds you from behind and leans her head down by your ear "we can have a round two if you want baby" she said grazing her fingers along your body sending chills up your spine.

[elliespillowprincess]

SHES MY DRUG

✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮

pt 1

pt 2

pt 3

a/n: this is my first ever (kinda) fic so it kinda sucks and is all over the place.. rockstar/band ellie has been on my mind too much lately so yk i had to.

c/w: modern au, reader is in college (premed), biker ellie!!! smut next part!! mentions of smoking, drinking and drugs (reader and ellie), fem reader, plus size reader, insecure reader, fluff, abby is readers mean ex (abby lovers im sorry, i still love her) angst, body dysmorphia, fatphobia, race of reader not specified, TERRIBLY WRITTEN, not proofread

WHY YOU SHOULD NOT SUPPORT NEIL DRUCKMANN

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“hey did you hear about the music festival in town this weekend?” your friend, liliana, asks, making you wake up from the trance your computer put you in. you and liliana had been friends prior to college, meeting in your honors anatomy class in high school. with a similar career goal in mind, you two decided to go to the same college and become roomates. you two had been in your towns coffee shop for hours, trying to finish an assignment your biology professor gave you two.

“there’s a festival here? nobody ever comes out here.” you reply. nobody has ever done any concerts, festivals, or performances in your town. it was so small, they wouldn’t make enough profit so it just didn’t seem worth the trip. the only performances you ever saw were done by drunken men in your college bar.

“yeah! i don’t really know anyone that’s going though. it’d be nice to check out!”. she scrolls to find a post advertising the festival, with a list of who’s going. to nobody’s surprise, the list is small; 3 performers. “the tickets are only $50, we should go!!” she says whilst you’re reading the informative post. “i don’t know, lili, i mean who even are these people? is it even worth our money?” the idea of wasting your weekend at a festival, where you don’t know anyone playing, when you could be studying for finals makes you nervous.

“come onnn y/n, we can’t waste our uni years studying all the time! when we graduate, we’re gonna be swamped with med school work, might as well make the most out of the time we have!” liliana says cheerfully. sure, you could spare the hours, but you had so much on your plate. finals, work, and not even mentioning the fact you just broke up with your girlfriend of 4 years. you look at her face, she’s using puppy-dog eyes to hopefully persuade you into going. “i’ll think about it.”

you’re laying in your dorm room, back hunched over your laptop, with your hands in your hair. liliana was staying at her boyfriends house for the night, leaving you all alone. the amount of studying you’ve done in the past hours giving you a throbbing headache and double vision. you harshly close your laptop, saying “i’ll do it later.” in your head, lazily getting up to grab some advil from your medicine cabinet. you open the familiar bottle and pop a few pills into your mouth. walking to your bed, you plop down, and begin scrolling mindlessly on instagram.

then you remember what your friend was telling you about earlier, and you decide to look at your towns instagram. a new post making you curious as nothing had been posted since the fourth of july fireworks at the towns lake. you click on it, a flashy banner lighting up your screen.

GOLDWHIT GROVES FIRST EVER MUSIC FESTIVAL; FEATURING:

BEHIND THE ANGER

ELLIE WILLIAMS

DRAW MY BLOOD

THIS SATURDAY ONLY

you chuckle, finding the names of the bands amusing. one of them, however, drew your attention. the only one who was seemingly a solo performer, ellie williams. you decide to close your towns page and type the name into your search bar. your eyebrows raise at the amount of fan accounts this “ellie” has. you click on the only account with the blue verification symbol on it, her page filling your screen.

holy shit.

she was hot. like, really hot.

you click on her most recent post and it’s a video of her at one of her concerts. she’s playing an electric guitar furiously with gritted teeth. you hear girls screaming and see their hands reaching out trying to feel her. clearly, she craves all the attention so she pulls off her white wife beater, throwing it into the crowd. the screaming only intensifies as she has a douchey smile on her face. the video cuts of and you scroll through the different videos the post has, all of the same nature. you read the caption, “see you next time, dallas.” with no tags.

you open your messages app and begin typing to liliana.

you: ok maybe we should go to that festival i just stalked one of the performers and FUCKKK she’s hot

the bands have goofy names tho

“behind the anger” boy shaddup

you wait until you see the bubble appear, indicating she’s responding.

lili😦: TOLD U WE SHOULD GO! venmo me the money im buying tickets rn.

you laugh softly at her excitement to go, and open venmo, sending her $50. another message pops up.

lili😦: *photo attachment*

who were you looking at btw?

you open the message seeing the qr code for your ticket.

you: that ellie williams chick she looks like an asshole but a HOT asshole yk

i want her to play me like that guitar

gonna become a groupie😋

your tiredness takes over after texting lili for the past few hours, telling her goodnight and closing your phone.

the brightness of the morning sun wakes you up. it’s saturday, and thank GOD you had no classes today. you stay in your bed, opening tiktok. it kinda creeps you out that the first video is an edit of the girl you were gawking over last night. as the edit plays, you become even more excited for the festival later in the day. you look to the top of your screen for the time, 12:37. you partially curse yourself for letting yourself sleep in that late, getting up to brush your teeth.

lili😦: ARE U EXCITED FOR TN??

andrew is asking if he can come

smh he’s so clingy

kinda cute tho

the pinging of your phone causes you to finish brushing your teeth, spitting out the foam in your mouth and wiping your face.

you: i don’t mind

yall better not be like those concert couples

sitting on his shoulders n shit i’ll knock you off

you didn’t really mind as you’ve known andrew as long as you’ve know liliana. they’ve been together for the past six years, and you guys used to go on double dates with your ex all the time, it was like a little group.

lili😦: LMFAOOO we won’t

can we get ready tg 🥺

you have all the cute body glitter

you: sure come home whenever

you turn on the shower, grabbing a towel from the cabinet before hopping in. while washing your body, you begin thinking about what you’re gonna wear. you start to think about what ellie williams would notice you in, before laughing at yourself for being so delusional. she doesn’t know you, or care about you.

you’re just another girl.

hours had gone by, liliana and her boyfriend were hanging out at your shared apartment, pregaming and getting ready. the festival started at 4, and ended at 10. “hey y/n? where’s the-“ you walk in, and liliana is making a gawking face. “you look SO hot hello?” beaming at you. partially, you feel a little silly. you’re wearing the outfit she picked for you: a lacy cami, short black skirt, and a leather jacket. you have dark smudgey eye makeup, dark red lipstick, and star clips in your hair.

“i feel dumb.” you say, looking down and laughing at yourself. you never wore revealing clothes, being wayyyy too insecure to show yourself off this this. i mean, your boobs were spilling out of your shirt, your ass visible under your skirt, and your stomach uncovered. “shut the fuck up, you look good. we gotta leave soon- shit wait do you have pasties?”

as andrew drives the three of you to the concert, liliana in the front and you in the back, you become nervous. what if someone’s mean? what if something bad happens? what if it gets too cold? what if you start your period?

“y/n?” the calling of your name makes your head perk up. “we’re putting on that ellie chick, gotta know some of the music if you’re gonna SMASH her tonight!!” she says with a giggle. you roll your eyes as lili goes to her music app and selects her top song.

she’s my drug

the title pops up along with a photo of ellie lighting what looks like a joint. the song starts and it eases your nerves, her raspy voice over the melodic electric guitar makes a perfect combination. the excitement for the festival grows once again as the three of you near the festival.

you were kinda surprised at the amount of people that came. it looked like the entire town was there. there were a lot of unfamiliar faces wearing the bands merch. you saw a lot of girls wearing shirts with ellie williams’ tour dates on the back. “i hope the bands aren’t shit.” andrew says, laughing and getting out of the car. “at least we know one of the performers isn’t.” the three of you, out of the car, walk to the entrance. there were old-looking metal detectors that look like they were borrowed from the local police department. you all go through and have your bags checked and tickets scanned, walking towards the one and only stage.

the first band, behind the anger, got on stage. not many people were going crazy, but there were a few drunken men screaming their songs. liliana and andrew were enjoying them, but you were dying for something to drink, craving a shitty festival cocktail and a cigarette. tapping liliana on the shoulder, “hey, guys? i’ll be right back, i’m gonna grab something to drink.” you shout over the music. “alright, don’t take too long! your girlfriend should be out soon!” you roll your eyes laughing and shuffle your way out of the crowd.

walking up to the one and only vendor, you gaze on the menu. different beers, seltzers, cocktails, and liquors. “can i just cut infront of you? i gotta get up there soon.” you hear a voice behind you say. you turn around, partially offended and, holy shit.

it felt like a movie, a book, a fanfiction. what are the chances that she’s infront of you right now? you blink your eyes, not really believing what you’re seeing. nobody’s around you two besides the vendor, shocking as you’d expect girls flocking around her. it’s her. it’s ellie williams.

“excuse me?” you blurt out, not realizing how rude you sounded. i mean, you were just standing there, the only one in line, not moving. was it rude for her to ask. she kind of laughs at you, kissing her teeth. you got a good chance to look at her. she’s wearing cargo pants with a black wifebeater shirt that lifted slightly, allowing you to see what looks like abs, her tattoo covering her forearm, and her hair tied messily in a half-bun.

“i said,” she says, taking a half step towards you, “can i just cut infront of you?” you look around, dumbfounded. “no, you can’t. i’m ordering right now.” you say, matter-of-factly. you spin on your heels and order whatever shitty cocktail your eyes first land on and she chuckles at your behavior. the vendor types it into his tablet. “that’ll be $9.24. cash or card?” you open your purse, looking for the $10 bill you stuck in your purse for this exact reason. of course, like a fucking movie, it’s gone. “sorry just give me one sec.” you say, furiously looking through your purse, embarrassed.

“i got it, put it with mine. lemme get a rum coke.” the girl says flatly, slightly pushing you aside. you roll your eyes at the push and step aside, very embarrassed at the entire interaction. you grab a cigarette from your purse and attempt to light it, but the fluid is all out.

of course. how much more cliché could this get? ellie puts her card away in her wallet and shoves it into her front pocket as the vendor goes to make the two drinks. “need help?” she says, reaching her hand into her pocket and getting out a lighter, it was black and very scratched up. “these are bad for you, y’know?” she says in a cocky tone before grabbing her own and lighting it. the two of you were so far away from the rest of the crowd it that it was almost quiet.

“i’m studying to be a doctor, i know.” you say, the cigarette hanging limply between your lips still attempting to light it. “what’s a smart girl like you doing smoking and drinking then huh? you’re the one who’s supposed to tell people not to.” she says, bringing the lighter to the stick in your mouth and lighting it for you, the closeness of your face to her hands making you nervous. “pineapple cocktail and a rum coke?” you hear the vendor shout; the moment breaks and ellie pushes the lighter into her pocket before grabbing the two drinks, handing you yours before turning around and waving slightly, with the cigarette in her mouth.

“see you up there, doll.”

“bitch you will not believe what just happened” you say, finally making it back to where andrew and liliana were after having to shove through the crowd, almost spilling your drink all over yourself. “i just spoke t-“ the sound of screams interrupts your sentence and people push you and your friends forward, trying to get closer to the stage. you look up to see what is making people so eager, and see her. and holy shit, does she look good on stage. “how are we doing tonight, goldwhit grove?” she says into the mic, making the squeals of the girls around you erupt even louder, some drunkenly trying to take their shirts off before their more sober friends stop them.

after speaking into the mic for a bit about god knows what, you could barely hear her, she strums her guitar making people scream even louder. “what should we start out with?” she slurs into the mic. she looks like she’s on something, but what musician isn’t. you hear people screaming different names you haven’t heard of, before she says “she’s my drug? that’s all yall wanna hear.” she laughs before starting the song. it is her top song for a reason, it sounds phenomenal. you’re trying to enjoy your time, but the amount of people pushing you and stepping on your feet is annoying you.

after a few songs you hear her voice echo, “guys, let’s back it up a bit, you’re crushing people.” part of you wants to think she said that because she was looking at you, but you reality check yourself quickly. nobody listened, and you feel someone step on your heel for the hundredth time, finally deciding to say something.

“did you not hear her? i can barely breathe dude chill out.” you say to the drunken girl behind you. she looks angry, angry that you had the balls to speak up. she shoves you aggressively, making you bump into the person in front of you. now they’re mad at you too, for bumping into them so harshly. you try defending yourself when you feel a cold drink splashed on your chest. your final straw.

you shove your way out of the crowd, leaving behind your friends and deciding you’ll wait until ellie’s performance is over to join them again. once youre out, you make eye contact with the girl on stage. she has her head low and it almost looked like she was looking at you. you get lost on her, she’s playing so aggressively but strategically. before your imagination goes too far, you see her look around to the rest of the crowd, girls screaming when they look her direction.

you walk away, deciding to take a seat on the grass and light a cigarette while you wait. there were a lot of other people sitting around you, assuming they left for the same reason. you’re scrolling mindlessly on your phone until you hear a familiar voice.

“y/n?”

you look up, and it’s her. why the fuck did she have to be here? you were actually enjoying yourself, besides the few rude people, and she had to show up and ruin it all.

“what the fuck are you doing here abby?” you spit out. you’re furious. you haven’t spoken to her in a few weeks, and there were actually days you didn’t think about her at all. “hey, i was just trying to be nice. what are you all butt hurt about?” she says, towering over you sitting on the grass. she always made you feel small, not just physically, but mentally too. you sigh, not wanting to let her control your emotions any longer. the partially-distant sound of ellie’s guitar stopped, making it seem so much more quiet.

“you here with ava?” you spit out at her. she looks like she took that offensively, even though she was the one who cheated on you. “what’s that supposed to mean?” she says back, her tone becoming more aggressive. you push your cigarette into the grass, putting it out and standing up. “what are you wearing?” now that you’re closer, you notice her cheeks are red, and so are her eyes. she’s crossed. you know how she acts when she’s drunk, so you simply gather your things, trying to ignore the entire situation and join your friends. the people who were previously around you had gotten up to go back to the stage as ellie had gotten off.

“where are you going?” it sounds like she expects you to stay. to come running back. to cling to her. “to my friends.” you flatly state while walking away. you feel a hand grab your wrist. “i’m talking to you, y/n. it’s rude to walk away from people when they’re talking to you, y’know?” her tone is that of mockery. like you’re a child and she’s trying to teach you a lesson. “did the breakup make you gain that much weight? god i really ruined you huh?” you try to yank your hand away, “let go of me abby, seriously it’s not funny.” her grip doesn’t subside and only grows stronger, making you wince.

“she said no dude, can you not take a hint?”

you turn around and see ellie walking towards the conflict. this is so cliche. “are you a groupie now?” abby laughs at you, and as soon as she says that ellie shoves her off. as attractive as ellie was, abby was stronger. she was built, and she could take down almost anyone. “stop, this is dumb.” you say as they get close to each other. “yeah, yeah it is. don’t know why i’m getting all mad over a groupie slut. you can have her.” she says, walking out of the venue. you see a ditsy blonde girl following after her asking if she’s okay as she furiously walks, not responding to her. you try not to cry at her words, why does she still have such an effect on you?

“you okay?” you hear ellie asking you, almost forgetting she was there. “yeah- yeah. sorry about that. and thank you.” you say, extremely embarrassed while wiping your tears. she’s just looking at you. not saying anything. she didn’t know what to say.

“wanna go get a drink to cheer you up?”

that’s how you ended up in a random bar, with ellie fucking williams. after she asked you to drinks, she took you to the back stage, careful not to be spotted by any fans, where she grabbed her bags and headed for the exit. she was able to sober up before the ride home. while walking out, girls spotted her, running up and asking for her auto graph. she obliged for a few until one asked to sign her boobs, “i gotta go, girls.” her bodyguards following behind the two of you making them back off. you were expecting a van or a car, but no.

she rides a motorcycle.

she just got hotter.

lifting the seat, she tosses her bag into the large compartment, replacing the extra helmet which she handed to you. your heart was racing, you’ve never ridden on a motorcycle before. you nervously put the helmet on your head. “here, lemme help.” she says, pulling the band tightening the helmet ensuring it’s on tight, before tapping it lightly and swinging a leg over her motorcycle. she reached her bent elbow out, waiting for you to use her to help you get on. you grab onto her arm and swing your leg over, getting more comfortable.

“hold on.”

“so where’d you hear my music?” she says, babysitting another rum and coke looking at you intently. she was careful not to drink too much knowing she had to drive home. the two of you had been at the bar for two hours, just talking. a few people coming up every so often to get her autograph. “i actually just only heard about it the other day, through the festival.” you say shyly, hoping she won’t take offense. she laughs softly looking down. “i guess it’s a good thing for me huh? got another monthly listener and a pretty girl talking to me.” everything she says is so blunt, so easy.

you start to wonder how many other girls she’s charmed with the same line.

“wanna head out?” she says. “you can come back to mine- fuck, i can take you to yours. sorry, that sounded desperate.” she laughs, picking up the two helmets and your purse, handing it to you. with the bill paid, the two of you walked to her bike. she opens the door and waits for you to walk through.

“why don’t we go back to yours?” you say boldly. she looks surprised, and sets her helmet on her bike, placing yours gently on your head. she puts hers on, hops on the bike, and helps you get on.

“alrighty.”

you didn’t know how much you’d actually like being on a motorcycle. there’s so much adrenaline, she’s speeding through cars and air is whipping around the helmet. your chest is pushed tightly to her back, your hands wrapped around her waist. luckily, her wearing her helmet made it impossible for people to spot her, making it an easy ride back to her hotel, the only hotel in town. parking her bike in a designated spot, she holds her arm out allowing you to slide off easily, her following behind you. she opens up the bikes seat, grabbing her backpack, and locks it.

“we should hurry before someone spots you!” you giggle. the alcohol making you feel so light and ditsy, following her to her room like a lost puppy. she pulls the key out and unlocks it, holding the door for you and locking it after you. she tosses her things on the hotels desk as you lay down on her bed. smiling to yourself.

“what’cha smiling about pretty girl?”

you giggle, tapping the bed indicating her to lay next to you. “this doesn’t feel real” you laugh out as she crawls on the bed, “i mean, im living every gay girls dream right now, hello? i’m in a hotel with ellie *hic* williams!!” she laughs at your drunken state, reaching to the bedside mini fridge to grab a seltzer. “you’re cute, y/n”. your ears kinda perk up, not remembering when you told her your name.

“how do you know my name?” you say, squinting your eyes at her. she cracks open the can. “calm down, princess, i heard it when that dick was talking to you earlier.” you notice she becomes a little annoyed. “i’m glad i took money out of her pocket but fuck, i got douches at my show.” she takes a long drink from her can. your rose-colored glasses didn’t even care about abby right now, or how much ellie hated her from their first interaction, you just wanted more of her.

you snuggle closer to her, wanting to breathe her in. you’re on the left side of her, laying on your side as she’s on her back. the level of intimacy between the two of you makes your head spin. you guys just met. part of you feels bad that she, a fucking rockstar, probably wants more than a simple conversation and cuddling. you sit up slightly, trying to remove your shirt, “hey, what are you doing?” she says, looking confused. you’re struggling to take your shirt off, it being tight and you being drunk. “feel bad. you probably get girls eeeeveryday doin this.. know why you’s wanted m’here so- so i’ll do it.” your works are slurring and hardly making sense and you’re starting to get frustrated. partially from not being able to take off the uncomfortable shirt, and part from not wanted anything sexual now, not in this state and not when you hardly know her.

she grabs your hands and stops you, making you look at her. “hey, i don’t wanna do anything, ‘kay? we can watch a movie after i get you some clothes to change into.” you put your arms down watching her get up and get an oversized band tee. “don’know if it’ll fit, els.” you say, sadly. she turns around, waiting for you to try it on. “just try it, princess.” you try taking the shirt off again, but just can’t. you get so frustrated you start tearing up, making her turn around and help you. “m’gonna take it off okay?” you nod, lifting your arms as she helps you take your shirt off. “don’t look!!” you say, laughing and pushing her away. she turns around, laughing, “okay, okay” allowing you to put the shirt on and take your bra off from under the shirt. finally, you slip your skirt off.

“done!” you say, smiling watching her turn around as she makes eye contact with you, her face turning pink. she walks towards you, smiling down at you on the bed. “wanna watch a movie?” she asks, picking up a remote and a bag of what looks like joints, pulling one out along with the lighter in her pocket. you nod, asking “can i have one?” she closes the bag, replying “you’re way too drunk, sweetheart.” she flicks on the tv, putting on whatever shitty movie was playing on the hotel tv at the time. you both crawl under the bed, cuddling up into her. you hear a familiar click of the lighter, and the sound of the paper and weed burning. she plays with your hair, making you more and more sleepy, drifting off into a deep sleep state.

the next morning, you wake up unsure of where you are. you look around the room, its messy and there’s clothes, food, and drinks everywhere. you lift your head and look to the right and see none other, than ellie williams.

what the fuck happened last night?

[avameller]

𝟏. 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬

ᖭི༏ᖫྀ 𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 ࣪𖤐

Posted on the 7th of July 2024

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆: Blood & a little gore (if you squint), talk of weapons.

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘: You just killed an infected. you make your way through the city finding some new stuff. when you head out you hear a gunshot, a group of people on horses find you and bring you back to their base.

Spelling mistakes are to nicely be pointed out. <3 1219 words

- Aishas POV -

₁ "Fuck that!" I hissed as I hid behind a broken car, "shit" I groan in pain holding a hand over the scratch "Stupid fuckin' infected" I say as I remove my hand to take a look at the scratch from the infected, blood starting to leak "Stupid fucker" I add getting back up walking over to the dead infected, slowly checking if the coast was clear so I could snatch my knife back.

₂ In a quick motion, I bend down to the zombie's head getting a grip of my knife and pulling it out. As I stood back up looking around for a second I looked back at the infected that was now lying motionless on the ground, I gave the head a little kick letting out a small scoff in the process before picking my backpack up and wandering off.

₃ I walked around for some time looking at the different buildings, the air was filled with silence only the sounds of birds echoing throughout the place, I continued walking my sneakers scraping the grounds beneath me as I looked through the windows of some shops that had been fully picked over, one of the shops being an -adult toys & undergarments- shop... it seemed interesting, and I was debating going in to take a look, but I needed to find food to keep myself energized and, well- so I won't die of starvation at 17-,  I found a building with a few windows that looked interesting to take a look at.

₄ It took me about 5 minutes to find an actual entrance where I didn't have to do too much to push my body through a crack, I got in and took out my flashlight to look around the place, there was a pretty big amount of stuff that hadn't been pocketed yet, I only took what was needed to survive tho, I found a bag of raw spaghetti laying in a corner "Jackpot!"I whispered to myself, I picked it up to look for any damage, the bag was practically sealed shut, there being nothing wrong with it I put it in my backpack.

₅ I turn to go around the rest of the shelves. The shop was very cramped and the entrances were very small so I wasn't scared of running into an infected, it would have jumped me the moment I got in if there ever was one, I looked at the useless stuff that was slowly catching spider webs and dust as I spot a knife on the bottom shelf at the end of the row.

₆ "Jackpot twice!" I whisper to myself again happy to have 2 knives ¨I am really lucky today, aren't I?¨ I think to myself as I check the last couple of shelves for stuff, not finding anything important that could help me along the way.

₇ I head out of the shop as I hear a gunshot, I freeze. I quickly shake off the shock finding a trash can to hide behind, I scan the parts of the area I can see from behind the object, nothing being in sight. As soon as I was about to run a stone under my shoe screeches alerting an infected that I hadn't spotted, it quickly turns its head in my direction letting out a loud clicker screech, fear overcomes me as the infected starts storming in my direction.

₈ I quickly head out from my spot onto the middle of the street, franticly looking around for a way to go, I run down the street with every power I have left to find somewhere safe to head to, as I start to lose my stamina I reach for the knife I had pocketed, I would have to fight it. I had no other option, I took out my knife and unfolded it.

₉ I stopped dead in my tracks swiftly turning around, at the same moment the infected had caught up close to me, I held my knife out as it charged towards me, It caught me and as I tried to stab it in the head multiple times, the infected also managed to dodge every time, my strength loosened as it tumbled me to the ground, I let out a scream as it scratched at my skin harshly, I aggressively tried to stab it everywhere I could reach miserably failing every time.

₁₀ *Gunshot* Suddenly the infected stopped moving as I pushed it off me in a hurry moving back in terror, I slowly crept over to it seeing a huge hole at the top of its skull "It's dead" a voice was heard from behind me, I quickly turned around in fear holding out my knife as my best defense, a group of people on horses were standing in front of me with guns pointing directly at me "I-im not infected! I-i-i swear! don't, shoot!" I trembled over my words "What's your name?" The man asked "A-Aisha" I added shaking still holding the knife up.

₁₁ "Drop the weapon, and put it out of hands reach" the guy aggressively demanded, he looked like the leader of their group. It took me a moment to give in and throw my knife to the floor, I did have a spare knife in case they tried anything. Not that it would help me in any way- "We have a dog that can smell if a person is infected or not, if you aren't infected he will walk back, if you are he will rip you to shreds, understand?" The man states making me nervous, I nod persistently to not make him doubt a shot to my forehead, the dog went close to me with gritted teeth and started sniffing me around, after a little, it slowly went back to the human that had unleashed it before.

₁₂ "She's clear" the woman announced, ¨well no shit I said I was¨ as I went to turn around to grab my knife it was gone "Did you take my knife?" I said getting a little mad that they took a weapon I just fetched myself "We don't want you to hurt us on the way back" the woman said now sounding a little sweet ¨How the fuck did they do that without me noticing?¨ "Where are your parents?" she added ".. T-they died a long time ago" I hesitated to bring them up "We could bring you back with us? if you're okay with that, and we could help you rinse those nasty wounds," she said as I took a look at the areas that hurt.

₁₃ They were pretty nasty... "Do you have food?" I asked "Plenty of it," the woman said with a smile "I guess I could use a home.." I said softening a little, I had never actually found someone who wanted to help me, it was nice to finally find someone who cared a little, plus I can't keep supplying myself out there alone, I would probably die sooner or later if they hadn't found me and shot that infected off of me "Come on let's get you back and Heal your wounds" the lady said as she helped me onto a horse...

[borntoocry]

𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 / 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐

college Ellie AU

part 2/ ? part 1

word count: 3.2K

summary: Ellie and val go to a party together and get high. 

pairing: Ellie williams x fem/latina oc

warnings: none? just them getting high so if you hate weed... I guess don’t read. 

I huffed as I fell onto my bed. My phone was hovering over my face and I had Ellie’s phone number typed up in. I was trying to find something to say—my thumbs were hovering over the keyboard and every time I typed in ‘Hey,’ I asked myself if messaging her at all was a good idea. I had another syllabus to look over tonight and if I didn’t remember it, I would actually have to pay attention in class. 

But I wanted to see Ellie. I wanted to go to a party and speak to her again. To have a conversation with her where I wasn’t squirming in my seat. I may squirm while in front of her, fighting the frustration in my body that may attack her lips with my own. But I wanted to be around her, to find something we had in common that wasn’t College Algebra 1304. 

I typed in, Hey, it’s Val. At what time is the party?

I turned on my ringer and hopped off of my bed, quickly running to my closet. I opened the door and eagerly looked through my clothes. I knew not to wear something wild, like one of the skimpy dresses I brought from home in case one of my invisible friends invited me to a night club. Like maybe I needed it to make my boobs look bigger even though not even a push-up bra could help. Like maybe it would persuade the security guard to let me into their club. 

I then had a bright pink flow-y dress. No.

A pair of black skinny jeans if I found a job soon. No. 

A tacky green tennis skirt. Hell no. 

I was looking in the wrong section of my closet. I pushed all of my dresses to one end and looked at my overalls, jeans, old tank tops I never wore. This seemed boring and good. Good for a college party—I didn’t have to get anything absurdly dirty and I wasn’t going to ruin any of my skimpy ‘maybe’ dresses. 

I pulled out a breathable, tight red long-sleeve, a pair of identical jean shorts I was already wearing, and black platform tennis shoes. 

I laid the clothes out on my bed and picked up my phone. I turned it on and albeit not hearing a single ring, Ellie’s number was stamped on the only notification on my phone. 

 817-008-####: At 9. If you wanna hang before, we can. 

I felt watched. Like someone was staring at me through my window, cackling at how frightened I was that someone—especially an extremely attractive girl—was interested in me. Maybe not in the romantic way, but at least platonically. Sam shared no interest in me whatsoever, and besides Ellie, no one has looked at me with a curious eye. 

I felt an immense pressure in my chest that ran up to my chest, but as I opened my mouth, I realized I just hadn’t been breathing. I gasped and quickly opened my phone, erratically typing in an answer. It was 8:00 and I was not dressed, nor had makeup or my hair done. 

Yeah that’s fine, I typed. I’m not ready yet but… 

I huffed. I rubbed my thumb and index against my eyebrows. I was going to ask her if she wanted to sit in my room as I got ready, I knew I was, but I needed to prepare myself. I knew I would ask her because my thumbs were already typing the message. I couldn’t tell myself no, so as soon as I typed the message, I sent it. 

Yeah that’s fine! I’m not ready yet but if you want, we can hang in my room until I’m done. 

I placed my thumb into my mouth to stop myself from vomiting all over myself, and waited for her to answer. It wasn’t long before she replied. 

 817-008-####: Great, just tell me where your dorm and room is and I’ll be on my way in like five minutes. I have an edible and a few joints. Is that alright. 

Yep

Maples Hall. 2nd floor. Literally the fourth door on your right. Will say Sam and Val on a teddy bear. 

 817-008-####: Cool. See you soon :) 

I quickly threw off all of my clothes and stepped into the clothes set on my bed. Underwear. Red long-sleeve. No bra, ‘cause now I was cool. I also had no boobs, so a bra was unnecessary. Jean shorts. I then pumped my coconut lotion into my hand and lathered myself with it until I probably didn’t even need perfume. I slid on my mismatched socks that had pretzels on the left one and Barney’s face on the right. I lathered my armpits in both spray deodorant and roll-on. 

I was running rampant in my room, trying to slap gel into my hair and forming my hair into long braids that ran down my back, finding my makeup, and finding my perfume that magically slid off my desk. By the time my second braid was swaying down my back, there was someone rapping their hard knuckles on my door. 

I slid towards the door and opened it as wide as I could, almost slamming it against my face. 

Ellie was directly in front of me, her body relaxed. She had on a semi-tight black shirt that clung to her arms but swished against her tummy. I could see a sliver of her pale skin where her shirt failed to reach her loose jeans. I sucked in a little too much air and had to squint my eyes so I wouldn’t cough out and die. 

“My…” I looked behind me and my eyes widened at the sight of my bra and underwear on the floor. “…My messy room. You can choose wherever you wanna sit, but let me clean up a little.” 

She chuckled and shut the door behind her. I ran to pick up my green bralette and underwear and chucked them into my hamper that struggled to fit itself in the space between the wall and our sink. I sighed and said, “I’m sorry, I was trying to get ready before you came and I forgot that was there.” 

“It’s okay,” she whispered, as if Sam was here and she was not only seeing the situation but laughing at it. I could feel her shitty aura in the room, so I wasn’t far off. “We all have underwear.” 

“Not bright green one’s though,” I laughed. This made her laugh, even though I was withering away on the inside. I was glad my embarrassment made her laugh. Maybe it was the wrong thing, but I no longer cared. 

“Yeah, maybe not,” she answered as she hopped onto my bed. 

As she relaxed into my bed, I threw my unlocked phone beside her. “Play something. All I have to do now is some makeup. Don’t worry though, it’ll take like ten-fifteen minutes top.” 

“Take as long as you need, I can wait.” 

I smiled at this. She was patient, and she didn’t judge me for having my underwear out on display as if it were Victoria’s Secret. She was silent and she played music like I asked and she was observing my room and me! Without her saying it was weird that I had picture of cats in almost every square inch of my room. 

Well maybe I was wrong. She did say something about the cats. “Are these your cats?,” she asked. 

My eyebrow pencil waved around in the air as I let out a breathy chuckle and waited for my cheeks to redden. “They’re not… Just some ideas for what I’ll get when I’m older.” 

“Oh,” she said, her smile cutting through her tone. “That’s… interesting. No girl I’ve met has done that.” 

“Yeah well I am probably unlike most people you’ve met. Obviously by the pictures of random cats on my wall and the panties you saw as soon as I opened the door.” 

“I don’t think you’re weird…” 

I looked at her and raised my eyebrow pencil at her. “Don’t lie. I can see through you right now.” 

“You cannot,” she laughed. “I just think you’re… different. Not in a bad way, just a… different way.” 

 I rolled my eyes and looked away. “Whatever you say, Ellie Williams. You’re too normal for me.” 

“Normal?” 

“Yep. Normal. 

“Would a normal person offer you an edible?” 

“Hm,” I murmured. “Maybe not a normal person. Maybe a weirdo.” 

“Well a weirdo is offering you an edible. It’s a gummy ring. I know nothing about you but from what I’ve collected, you are new to this.” 

“And how do you know this?,” I asked, in a slightly flirtatious tone. I wasn’t sure if I was being completely flirtatious, because flirting was not my forte, but I tried. I tried extra hard, because I could feel her next to me now, with her pale torso right beside my face, burning my cheeks. 

“You wrote down everyone in our classes’ description followed by a deeper description of them. To feel them out.” 

“Hmm.” I placed my makeup onto my counter and looked up at her. “Well not only are you a weirdo, but you’re a spy too, huh?” 

She shrugged. “A little. Only ‘cause I wanted to know if you wrote my name down. But you didn’t.” 

“No, I didn’t.” 

“And why not?” 

“Too distracted,” I said. 

“Talking to me?” 

“No, watching our sexy professor.” 

She let out a belly-laugh that made me suck in my lips to stop myself from following her lead. “Oh, please tell me you’re joking.” 

I shrugged. 

She stopped laughing and took a serious look at me. “You are joking, right?” 

I stared at her with a straight face, watching her slowly question my entire existence. Then I smiled. “Yes, joking.” 

“Good,” she said, in her stupidly hot whispering voice that had my heart clawing at my chest. She dipped her hand into the pouch of edibles and took out a peach ring. She cut it in half and grabbed my hand, placing it into my palm. “Half so you can smoke a joint.” 

I popped it into my mouth and chewed. “Thanks. Now shoo, I’m almost done.” 

Why the hell did I already feel like melting into Ellie? 

Not in the OH MY GOD LET’S HAVE SEX RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW way, but in the, You’re sweet and I like that you aren’t mean to me, kind of way. When I took my first hit of my first ever joint, she fished a water bottle from the crevices of her pocket and opened it for me. The crack of the cap opening ringed in my ears and I inhaled as much water as I could. 

“You’re okay,” she murmured whilst rubbing my arm. “This still happens to me sometimes.” 

“Really?” I would gasp. 

“Mhm. Don’t worry about it.” 

I looked up at her with glittery eyelids and glossy eyeballs and smiled. She smiled back, of course, because she was nice and she didn’t make me want to run away. “Ugh,” I then said, cutting off the silence and handing her back the joint. “I like the feeling but damn, my throat hurts.” 

“‘Cause you just coughed up half a lung, Val. Here, just sip on this water while we walk to the place.” 

I followed her instructions and slowly drunk the water. When we got to the party, I was absolutely stoned. It was a good high, I couldn’t lie, but I was out of my body, drifting off somewhere. 

I could tell Ellie noticed because she held me outside with her hands on my arms and a worried expression stuck on her face. “You alright?” 

I smiled. “Yeah, I’m good. Just…” 

“Really high,” she answered. “Got it. So maybe let’s not drink tonight.” 

“Wasn’t planning on it,” I replied. “But maybe just one drink.” 

“One, but 90% lemonade and 10% vodka.” She backed up and stood next to me now—her hand slithered onto my hip for stability and I faltered just a bit. I chuckled but she worriedly asked me, “You alright there? Do we need to sit down?” 

I pursed my lips and shook my head. “Just nervous.” 

There was a smirk forming on her lips. She said nothing but took me up the short set of stairs and into her friend’s house. I’d forgotten the name but I knew it was a guy. She told me that, but she didn’t tell me he was rich as hell. They were apartments where they weren’t truly apartments, more like fucking homes. 

Ellie knocked once then opened the door. She shut it behind us and led us through a dim-lit hallway with a couple of girls and guys attached to the wall. Some girls smiled, but I wasn’t sure if it was at me or Ellie. She was the one gay girls probably drooled over. Because I most certainly was. 

The main room where the music blasted and bottles of vodka and tequila and seltzers lined the table was the living room. Everyone was either sitting on the couch or slouching on the wall as if they were flies. When I turned my head to the right, some more people stood around the dining table, playing college games where they tossed balls and poured water into a glass and stuck cards into seltzer tops. 

Ellie leaned down and whispered in my ear. “You alright if I let go? I’ll grab your hand if you need me to.” 

I shook my head and helped her snake her hand out from around my hip. I didn’t hold onto her but I followed her over to the bar seating around the kitchen counter. Her friend was there, dressed head to toe in black. 

“Kahlo,” Ellie said, and the name finally rushed back into my head. Obviously. “What’s up.” 

“Nothing much, nothing much.” He glanced at me and smiled, shining his pearly white teeth at me. “You brought a friend. It’s nice to meet you, I’m Kahlo.” 

I waved and shined a smile, but a much smaller, more shy smile. “It’s nice to meet you too. I’m Val. Valeria.” 

“Great. I see you found Ellie. She been good?” 

I turned to Ellie and laughed. She rolled her eyes and looked away. “Well we only met today, but yeah, she’s been a good girl.” 

Kahlo’s eyes widened and he averted his gaze to Ellie. “Good girl. Huh.” 

“Alright, shut up. Just make us a drink. 90% cranberry juice, 10% vodka.” 

“Got it.” 

Ellie placed her elbow on the counter beside me and sighed. “You doing alright?” 

“Yeah, I’m good,” I replied. “Do I not look it?” 

She ran her eyes down my body and back up to my face. I saw the lingering of her eyes on my boobs, but kept the scream inside of my ribcage. “You look great, but your eyes are red and droopy.” 

“Hmm. Maybe I’m sad that I don’t have a joint in my mouth right now.” 

She chuckled. “Well then let’s get onto that then.” Kahlo returned with the drinks and Ellie picked them up with one hand, using the other to grab my hand and pull me back outside. No one was out besides a few stray people smoking beside the mini-garden. 

We sat down on the gray steps and she handed me my drink. She set hers down and fished in her pocket for her joints. She took one out and handed it to me, saying, “Open,” as she fished in her pocket once more for her lighter. I opened my mouth and clamped down on the end. She grabbed her lighter, flicked it on, and neared the flame to the tip of the joint. “Pull.” 

I did as she said and blew out once I felt enough smoke simmering in my throat and running down into my chest. I blew out and took the joint out of my mouth. Her mouth opened wide and she smiled, followed by short clapping. “See, you got it.” 

I bowed and clapped right beside her. “Thank you, thank you.” 

She took the joint and took a few hits herself. It was silent between us but like usual, it wasn’t for long. She blew out a puff of smoke and began to speak once more. “So do you like it here?” 

“Yeah,” I answered quickly. “I do. I think I just had to find someone to hang out with.” 

She hummed and handed me the joint. “I meant to ask about your roommate.” 

“Mhm?” 

“Is she like a total bitch?” 

“Not a total one,” I said. “A slight one. She’s all about her boyfriend, but to the point where she cries every time she has to sleep in our room and it’s like she’s a cat crying for her damn owner to come back. She’s also a brat. Spoiled one. The day I moved in she was being such a bitch to her parents. Crying about the space, and how if they had paid some more, she would have been in the post luxurious dorms on campus.” 

“Nothing like you, then?” 

“Hell no!” I exclaimed. “I wanted to punch her in the face.” 

She chuckled. “Well, good to know. But sad to know that that’s why I hadn’t seen you around campus: you were stuck in your dorm the entire week before classes.” 

“Well now you see me, and you like me, so now you don’t have to worry,” I whispered with a smile. 

“Yeah,” she replied, also in a whisper. She took a sip of her drink and took another hit. I was higher out of my mind. I began swaying to the music playing inside that flowed out of the cracks of the front door. She followed along—her shoulder bumped into mine, her arm touched mine and each time we moved apart, she raced back to my skin. I might have been high and thinking wrong, but she kept looking at me with her low, bloodshot eyes, with a look similar to a lion readying itself to eat its prey. 

I wanted to kiss her, but I glued my ass to the ground. I was letting the high thoughts enter into every crevice of my brain. I took a sip of my drink to calm my nerves but it only made me more thirsty. A bit sexually thirsty. 

Fuck. I was having a horny high. 

I looked away and ran my fingers down my braids. “Is it hot?” I questioned. 

“You feel hot?” 

“I think so.” 

Ellie placed her hand on my arm and rubbed up and down like she’d done before. “You wanna walk around?” 

I took a deep breath and turned to her. I looked at her lips, her freckles, her red cheeks, her stupid-pretty eyes. “No.” 

Her eyebrows curled in. “No? You wanna take a sip of water?” 

“No, I just… really wanna kiss you.” 

She sucked her lips into her mouth. In attempts to hide her smile, she ended up smiling  even harder. She lowered her head even further and whispered, “Okay.” 

“I just haven’t really kissed. Not since my junior year when a guy slipped his entire tongue down my throat.” 

Ellie placed her hands on my cheeks and pulled me in. “Enough talk about guys, just kiss me.”

part 3

[elliesonlyhoe]

I'm like halfway done a fic rn.. (I haven't written one in a long ass time so it's gonna be absolute shit nd y'all better not come for me..) but it's for all you mfs who want comfort ficss (such as myself 😞💗)

[ilikereadingthisiswhatilike]

IF THERE IS A GOD, IT'S ME Part 1

Parings: Cult Leader!Ellie x Reader Warnings: Manipulation Special Tags: Cult AU Word Count: 8.2k

Notes: Reader is Bi in this story. The story is based on the song IF THERE IS A GOD, IT'S ME by PLVTINUM. I recommend listing to the song. You can find it here.

Summary: Ellie becomes extremely upset after discovering the truth about Joel's auctions in Salt Lake City. She knew she could never see Joel again. Ellie left Joel and Jackson behind to find her place in the world. Ellie returned to the only place she knew before Joel, Boston. However, Boston was far from a welcoming refuge. Instead, She ventured into the unclaimed territories of New England to build a community akin to Jackson. As her community slowly took shape, people began to gravitate toward her, captivated by her strength and immunity. When people see that Ellie is the only immune person in the world, they believe she is a prophet. They wholeheartedly chose to believe they were placed on this Earth by a higher power. They looked to her for guidance and solace in the world. Ellie's biggest fear is to lose the people she loves. What Joel did killed him in her eyes. Now, she is traumatized and is very strict with the people in the town. Ellie deeply loves each member of her community. She loves them in a very dark way. Ellie found herself drawn to one person in particular.

(Eillie is a cult leader who likes readers more than she should.) 

You awoke to the biting cold of the early morning air. Outside, the early morning darkness clings to the world. You lay in a comfy cocoon of thick wool. A part of you hesitated to leave the warmth of your bed. Every breath forms cute little puffy clouds in the frigid air. A quiet groan escaped your lips as you thought about inevitably departing from this cozy sanctuary. You nestled more deeply into the soft embrace of the blanket. You lay there listening to the world stirring around you. Downstairs, you heard the faint sounds of your mother making breakfast. You also could smell the very distinct scent of breakfast. Your ears picked up the sound of your father reading himself for another day. They also picked up on the sound beyond the walls of your home. You could hear the faint chatter of your neighbors rising from the dead. You could listen to your neighbors groaning about having to wake up early. They also complain about the cold, frigid air. Every part of you wishes you could linger in the comfort of your bed a little longer. Sadly, you have too many responsibilities. With regret, you gave the blanket one final affectionate nuzzle before leaving the blanket's warmth behind. As you rise from bed, an exhausted sigh escapes your lips. There was no escaping your responsibilities.

You slowly rose out of bed and into a standing position. Your socks landed on the wooden floor below. Once standing, you quickly remove your pajamas. Next, you promptly slipped on your day clothes. Your outfit of choice was a pair of jeans and a cozy flannel shirt. Today, you dressed for the cold day ahead. Once you finished getting dressed, you decided to indulge in breakfast.

Before you descended the stairs, you decided to grab your well-worn backpack and jacket in hand. Once you collected your belongings, you dropped the stairs. Each wooden step groaned under your weight.

Once you were in the first room, you headed to the kitchen. Upon entering the kitchen, the scent of breakfast greeted you. You expected to find your mother tending to the stove. However, to your surprise, your parents were already seated at the kitchenette. They were in the process of consuming scrambled eggs and ham. Their faces shined in the warm glow of the morning sun streaming through the window. They were both engaged in a soft conversation. It created a scene of domestic bliss that captivated you.

"Good morning, my darling daughter," your father greeted you with a smile as he noticed your presence. You approached them, embracing them both with affectionate kisses.

"Morning," you replied softly, your voice still carrying the remnants of sleep. You moved to the stove to serve yourself a plate of the piece of the breakfast your lovely mother prepared. Once you received your portion, you quickly moved to the kitchenette. Once you settled into your seat, you began to eat. At the exact moment, you felt your mother playfully nudged your shin with her foot.

"Don't forget your morning prayer, dear," she reminded you. Her voice had a very gentle tone to it. "Remember to thank Ms. Williams and God for this meal. Without them, none of this would be possible."

Your father nodded in agreement. "We raised you better than that," he affirmed with a warm smile.

You offered an apologetic look. "I apologize, Mother. I was just excited to enjoy this wonderful breakfast," you replied softly before bowing your head in silent prayer. You prayed to God thanks for the meal before you. You also thanked God for his gift, named Ellie Williams.

Ever since you were young, your parents were religious. God and religion were cornerstones of your parents' beliefs. When you were growing up in a nearby QZ, your family participated in the local religious community. The three of you would attend different religious events together. You remember watching your parents pray before God for hours. During these prayer sessions, they would beg for more food on the table or for the aging house to remain standing. Every day, your family lives in a godly way. One of the few books your family read was a religious text. Your mother read it so much that it was pivotal in your education. Your mother used the book to teach you to read and write through its religious passages. You grew up practicing these passages so much you could recite them from memory.

God was so ingrained in your nature that you should never question God. Even on the worst day of your life, the day that the QZ fell.

FEDRA had become more oppressive than ever in the years leading up to the QZ downfall. Due to the lack of resources, FEDRA decided to work with everyone over time. The QZ citizens were subjected to grueling double shifts for meager pay. Even with everyone's hard work, there still needed to be more food and clean water. At the same time, there was a crackdown on smuggling by FEDRA. Both events caused the masses to grow visibly more angry. With the only alternative source of goods cut off, they gained a monopoly on essential goods. FEDRA raised prices, making most people's meager savings dwell faster. The lack of supplies also forced you to buy them at a high expense or die. FEDRA also started taking any form of restrictions seriously. They began to give people death sentences for the slightest infraction. People started to fear for their lives. There was a feeling of dread loaning over the city. Everyone sensed that the QZ's days were numbered. People could only speculate about when everything would fall apart. The only thing people could do was for the transition to be peaceful.

When the day of revoking came, it was everyone's worst nightmare. That day, QZ all around you descended into chaos. The sounds of screams and gunshots filled the air. Soon, every inch of the QZ became a war zone. People turned on each other for survival. People murdered one another for dwindling supplies. Some people use the fact that the world is crumbling to act on their dark desires. Gangs tore through the QZ, leaving destruction in their wake. The streets were littered with lifeless bodies when it was all said and done.

It was only by the grace of God you and your family were able to escape the walls of the QZ.

Your family struggled to build a new life outside the QZ walls. In your escape, your family could only grab essential supplies, like food and bandages. Even with rationing, the supplies only lasted about a week and a half. Supplies were scarce outside, meaning you spent much time searching for more. Infected were an ever-present threat, making you quickly learn to avoid them. Things worsened when the different gangs from the QZ started to venture outside the walls. Different groups scramble for territories and resources. People who dared enter the group's land were shot on sight. Between the gangs and the infected, staying in one spot for over a week was unsafe. Your existence became transient, moving from one place to another. The constant fear that each day could be your last weighed heavily on you.

Every night, you pray to God for salvation.

Then, one fateful day, it seemed God answered your prayers.

While scavenging for supplies, you encounter a group of survivors. You did your best to stay away from them just to be safe. However, God had other plans. While searching for a house for supplies, you came across a bloater. You knew you would not survive a fight with said bloater. Instead, you chose to run with the bloater hot on your trail. While trying to escape, the bloater ran straight into the group. They quickly acted and destroyed the boater's body with their weapons. The group also chose not to kill you even though you led a bloater right to them.

Once all the commotion settled down, the group's leader talked to you. The leader explained they were looking for a settlement in the area. The town they were looking for was rumored to be a paradise. According to the rumors, this town had abundant food and impenetrable walls. You told them that no settlement existed in the area. The moment the words left your lips, some members were frustrated. You could only guess how long and far they have been traveling. You could tell that every group member was exhausted and losing hope.

You offer them to stay the night at your family's makeshift camp in exchange for saving you. That evening, everyone shared a meal and stories over a crackling fire. You learned more about the group and their journey across the wilderness. Even though they had been walking for some time, they only lost a few people. By nightfall, you and your family decided to join this group on their journey. It was a risky gamble, but you had little left to lose. You would only last a little longer with how things look around here. So, the following day, you packed up what little you had left and left behind the only place you'd ever known.

The gamble paid off when, three days later, you arrived in paradise. The sight that greeted your eyes was unlike anything you had ever experienced. The town, bathed in the gentle glow of the sun, took on an otherworldly beauty. Nestled on the shore, it seemed like a jewel perched on the world's edge. The outer perimeter wall surrounding the town was as massive as the rumors had claimed. So vast that it cast a shadow that stretched over the land. This structure gave an impression of both safety and grandeur. The wall showed the effort the town put into its preservation.

The sight behind the walls left you even more breathless. Rows of lush greenhouses stretched before you, their glass surfaces reflecting the sunlight in a dazzling display of colors. Inside, these greenhouses were vibrant with life in contrast to the acrid stench of decay you had grown accustomed to. The stock houses were brimming with supplies that had been collected meticulously. The stock houses were also neatly organized from floor to ceiling. Storefronts lined the cobbled streets, each one stocked with homemade goods. The shelves were adorned with crafts, fresh produce, and other treasures. Here, the fruits of labor are shared among neighbors.

It wasn't just the abundance of stuff that struck you; it promised a new beginning and hope for a brighter future. Children's laughter filled the air as they played in the streets without a care. Older adults sat on their porches and enjoyed the evening air. For the first time, you saw people with disabilities fully integrated into the community, living life to the fullest. Everyone in town was thriving instead of merely surviving.

Ultimately, God answered your prayers and delivered you and your family a sanctuary.

A sudden knock at the front door disrupted your morning meal. You sprang from your seat before anyone else had a chance to react. "I'll get the door," you announced.

With purposeful steps, you made your way to the front entrance. Arriving at the door, you braced yourself for the frigid bite of the cold air on the other side before you swung the door open. The morning light momentarily blinded your eyes. Once your eyes refocus, a familiar face greeted you on the other side – Alexander.

Alexander had been your next-door neighbor and closest friend in town since the day you arrived. From the moment you set foot in the community, he had gone above and beyond to make you feel welcome. Alexander eagerly took it upon himself to be your guide, offering to give you a tour of the small coastal town. As the two of you walked, he spoke about days long past. Alexander explained that this town had once been a thriving tourist destination, drawing thousands worldwide. But then came "outbreak day," plunging the world into chaos. Fortunately, at that time, the town had been in its off-season, its population reduced to just a handful of residents. This twist of fate had left the town miraculously untouched by the world's destruction. 

During the tour, Alexander's warm smile and charismatic personality enveloped you. He constantly flirted with you playfully, making your heart flutter with every charming word and teasing gesture. Over time, as your friendship deepened, you couldn't help but develop a crush on him. There were days when you thought his feelings might mirror your own, but it was hard to discern the truth.

The sound of Alexander talking pulled you out of your thoughts. "Hey, good morning," he greeted. He was leaning casually against the door-frame, his smile radiating warmth. 

"Hey, Alexander," you replied warmly, your voice tinged with a hint of affection. "What can I do for you this morning?"

Before Alexander could respond, your father approached from behind and interjected, concern evident in his voice. "Who's at the door?"

You offered a sheepish smile to Alexander before turning to your father. "Father, it is Alexander."

"Why don't you invite him in? It's better than leaving the door open. It's hard enough to keep this house warm as it is." Your father's gruff voice carried through the hallway, making him sound louder than he was.

You gave him a firm nod before turning to address Alexander. "How about we continue our conversation inside? You can warm up a little." Stepping out of the doorway, allowing Alexander to enter the house. You quickly closed the door behind him. 

"Alexander," your father's voice was friendly. "How are you? How is your mother doing?"

"Hello, Sir," Alexander greeted your father, extending his hand for a friendly handshake. "We're both doing well. She'll be helping out at the family supper tonight."

Your father let out a hearty laugh. "That's great to hear. So, if you don't mind me asking, what brings you here this morning?"

Alexander looked over at you with a hopeful look in his eyes. "I was hoping I could accompany you on your morning walk to work."

His request caught you off guard, and you felt a blush creeping onto your cheeks as you struggled to find the right words. Fortunately, your father noticed your hesitation and came to the rescue. "That sounds like a wonderful idea," he chimed in with an encouraging smile.

You nodded in agreement, managing to find your voice. "Let me grab my things, and we can head out," you said softly to Alexander. You returned to the kitchen to retrieve your jacket and bag. Before leaving, you leaned down to give your mother an affectionate kiss on the head. "I'm heading out, Ma."

She placed a gentle hand on your wrist, her eyes filled with warmth. "Be safe, dear. And ask that boy on a date already. I'm not getting any younger and want to meet my grandbabies." Her words were filled with love and humor, leaving you with a smile.

Before leaving for the day, you gave your father an affectionate kiss on the head. "I'm heading out. I'll see you at the communal diner," you told him with a smile. With those words, you stepped out into the crisp, cold outdoor air, and Alexander followed closely behind.

An awkward silence enveloped both of you as you embarked on your walk. For several minutes, neither of you seemed to know what to talk about, the quiet punctuated only by the rhythmic sounds of your footsteps. Alexander was the first to speak, breaking the awkward silence. His words caught you off guard. "You look beautiful today," he said with a warm and genuine smile.

His compliment made your cheeks flush even warmer, and you returned the gesture with a sincere smile. "Thank you," you replied, feeling a pleasant flutter in your chest. "You're quite handsome yourself." Playfully, you bumped into his arm, and the shared laughter eased your awkwardness. The walk suddenly felt lighter as a more comfortable and enjoyable conversation ensued between you.

As you arrived at the school where you worked, you paused before the building's entryway to bid Alexander a good day. However, it seemed Alexander had one last surprise in store for you. Just as you were about to enter, his hand gently wrapped around your wrist, causing you to stop. "Wait!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with anticipation. "Before you go, I wanted to ask you something."

The air was thick with curiosity and a sense of the unknown as you turned to face him, wondering what he had in store. "What is it?"

"Would you go on a date with me?" At that moment, as the words hung in the air, time seemed to stand still. You looked into Alexander's eyes.

A soft smile graced your lips as your heart swelled with joy. "Yes," you replied, your voice filled with warmth and happiness. "I would love to go on a date with you."

Before either of you could continue the conversion, you became aware of another person's presence. Ellie Williams, the most influential figure in town, stood in the school doorway. Her piercing gaze fixed upon you and Alexander. Her presence's weight was palpable, leaving you both momentarily speechless. 

"Alexander, I believe the morning patrol shift starts soon. You better get going. You do not want to be late." Ellie's words broke the tension, but her tone was icy, and it was evident that she held some authority over Alexander.

He nodded quickly, seeming slightly uneasy. "Yes, you're right. I am sorry, ma'am," he replied, glancing at you apologetically. "I better get going. I'll see you later." There was a hint of disappointment in his eyes, but duty called, and he couldn't ignore it. As Alexander hurried off to his morning patrol, you were left standing there.

As Alexander hurried away, Ellie's demeanor softened almost instantly. It was as though the cold facade she had initially displayed had melted away with his departure. Ellie turned to you, her expression more gentle. "Sorry about that," she said, her tone warmer than before.

Her sudden change in demeanor slightly put you off. "It is ok, ma'am. What can I help you with?"

You couldn't help but be slightly put off by Ellie's sudden change in demeanor. "It's alright, ma'am," you replied. "Is there something I can help you with?" 

Ellie let out a small laugh before walking up to you, closing the distance between you. "No need to call me ma'am. You can call me Ellie. We are all family here."

Ellie's laughter and her request to be called by her first name surprised you, but you nodded in acknowledgment. "Of course, Ellie."

With purposeful steps, Ellie started to circle you. Your heart started racing, and her presence felt somewhat imposing, like a predator sizing up its prey. "I have heard excellent things about you as a teacher. I am going to observe you today." You were a bit nervous when she finally stopped directly before you.

"I'd be honored to have you observe my class," you replied, trying to maintain your composure. Inside, your mind raced as you prepared for the upcoming observation. "I hope I live up to all of your expectations."

"I am sure you will," she replied. She gave you a smile that was meant to be comforting but came off as more sinister. She stepped out of your way and opened the door to the school building. "Ladies first."

You nodded in response to her comment and gesture. You stepped forward and entered the school building ahead of her. You couldn't help but wonder about the true nature of Ellie's intentions. As you entered your classroom, the sight of your students filled you with a sense of purpose. You had always loved working with young children; something about teaching them gave you hope for the future. While waiting for you to arrive, the children played with the classroom toys. You placed your bag on your old desk. "Alright, children, please settle down," you said, your voice carrying authority softened with kindness. The children swiftly cleaned up their play area and returned to their chairs. Ellie lingered in the doorway.

You directed the children's attention to Ellie's presence in the doorway. "Children, this is Ms. Williams. She will observe our class today, so please be on your best behavior." Turning your attention to Ellie, you added, "Let me get you a chair to sit in." You moved over a well-worn office chair from behind your desk to the doorway, offering her a seat to observe the class comfortably. As Ellie settled in, you began the day's lessons, determined to impress Ellie.

Throughout your lessons, you felt Eillie's watchful eye on you. The whole time, she did not take any notes. Instead, she just stared at you. The weight of her gaze felt heavy over you. The whole thing made you nervous. You thought yourself stumbling over your words as you spoke. Your palms were sweaty, causing problems as you wrote some words for the children to practice spelling. Your fingers trembled so much that you ended up dropping the caulk. The caulk bounced on the floor before rolling over to Ellie's feet.

As you conducted your lessons, you couldn't shake the feeling of Ellie's stare. Her gaze felt like a heavyweight, and it made you increasingly nervous. The pressure of her presents started to take its toll. You stumbled over your words, your sentences losing their fluidity. Your palms grew sweaty, making writing neatly on the board challenging. Your trembling fingers betrayed you when you accidentally dropped the chalk. The chalk clattered to the floor, bouncing before resting at Ellie's feet.

The room fell silent for a moment, and you could feel everyone's eyes on you, including Ellie's. You offered a sheepish smile and quickly moved to pick up the chalk. As you both reached for the fallen chalk, your hands brushed against each other briefly. A sudden rush of energy surged through you, causing your heart to skip a beat. Hastily, you withdrew your hand, allowing Ellie to pick up the chalk. As Ellie straightened up, it felt like she loomed over you, her presence undeniably commanding. She placed the chalk back into your hand, and the connection between you two felt electric. Her touch, firm on your shoulder, offered a strange mix of reassurance and unease.

"You don't need to worry," Ellie said softly, her voice close to your ear. "You're doing perfectly." With her free hand, she gently brushed aside a stray strand of hair that had fallen in front of your face during the exchange, sending a shiver down your spine as a complex mixture of emotions swirled within you.

You felt renewed confidence after Ellie's reassuring words and the brief, unexpected interaction. With a firm nod, you returned to your lesson, the tension from earlier slowly dissipating. You taught with more confidence and clarity for the remainder of the class. Your words flowed as you guided your students through the material. The children seemed engaged, and their eagerness to learn helped you focus on the task at hand, temporarily pushing aside the unusual events of the morning.

At noon, it was time for the children to eat their lunch. As the children settled down to eat their lunches, you assisted them in getting their packed meals from their bags. The classroom buzzed with activity as the kids enjoyed their food. Amidst this, Ellie approached you from behind, her words catching you off guard.

"You've done an excellent job today," she acknowledged. "I have some other matters to attend to, so I'll leave. But before I go, I wanted to ask you something. Would you accompany me at the head table during the family supper?" Her request was unexpected, and you found yourself momentarily speechless.

Despite your unease, you couldn't bring yourself to say no to her invitation. Her influence in the town was undeniable, and it was well-known that you could not say no to her. "Of course, I'll be there." You gave her a soft smile. Ellie nodded in response before swiftly leaving the room. The prospect of the upcoming weighed on your mind as you continued to attend to the children during the day.

After Ellie left, the rest of your day unfolded in its usual rhythm. You continued teaching the children until early evening, guiding them through lessons. Parents began to arrive, one by one, to collect their children. The parents hurried their children home to get ready for family dinner. As the last child was picked up, you gathered your belongings. There was a soft rustling of leaves in the gentle evening breeze as you walked home.

Your peaceful walk ended as you ascended your house's front porch steps. You swiftly entered the house, the familiar embrace of warm air enveloping you. You could hear the soothing fire crackling in the fireplace from the entryway. You placed your belongings on a coat rack by the door, carefully hanging your coat. The soft thud of your bag hitting the wooden frame. "Mother, I am home," you called out, your voice carrying through the home.

"I am in my room, darling," your mother's gentle voice responded, a melody of warmth and love that beckoned you upstairs.

The wood creaked under your foot as you walked up the stairs to the second floor. When you reached your mother's room, you found her bedroom door stood slightly ajar. Pushing the door gently, you were greeted by seeing your mother sitting in a comfortable armchair by the window. She held a piece of clothing in her lap, and her skilled hands deftly worked a needle and thread, sewing patches onto the fabric. Even though she had lost her eyesight, she refused to let it slow her down. Your mother had taken up a job as a seamstress in town. She repaired everyone's clothes, from the youngest child's torn shirt to the worn-out garments of older people. Her skillful hands extended the lifespan of these clothes.

"Welcome home, my dear," she said, radiantly smiling. She set down the piece of clothing she was working on when addressing you. "How was your day?"

With a deep sigh, you sat down on her bed. As you sank into the soft matrices, you felt like a weight was lifted off your shoulders. "My day was strange… Alexander asked me on a date." You remember how you felt at that moment. Every cell in your body was bursting with excitement.

"However, before we could plan anything, Ms. William appeared."

Your mother's subtle shift in her seat caught your attention. Her movement prompts you to look up at her. Worry clouded her eyes, and a sense of unease hung in the air. It was clear that Ellie Williams was someone your mother held in high regard but also feared. She understood just how powerful Ellie was in town. "What did Ms. Willames want?"

"She wanted to observe my class," you replied, still trying to process the unusual encounter. "Supposedly, she's been hearing good things about my teaching skills."

Your mother offered you a reassuring smile and gently touched your cheek. "I'm glad you're in her good graces," she said, her voice tinged with pride and caution. She then took a deep breath before continuing, choosing her words carefully. "However, remember to be careful around her. Her influence runs deep, and her actions have shaped the town in ways we can't always understand. Do you remember what happened to the young couple last year?"

You nodded, your mind drifting to a sad memory from the previous year. The event is a stark reminder of Ellie Williams' power and the consequences of crossing her path.

The official story is that a wanted young couple ventured into the wastelands beyond the town. It was forbidden to leave the town borders without special permission. Instead of using the main entrees, the couple sneaked out of town using one side gate on the perimeter wall. In their haste, they accidentally left said gates open. A small herd of infected creatures found their way in. The Guards had to act swiftly and kill all the infected before any damage could be done. When the young couple returned, Ellie was waiting for them with a punishment in hand.

Ellie stated that the couple must repent and reconnect with God. Residents felt shivers through the town. Guards escorted them to one of the many shacks designed for introspection located by Elli's house. These shacks are structured to make people reflect on their actions. Only Ellie and her trusted counsel were allowed to interact with the individuals. Often, those relocated to the shacks spent most of their days alone. Access to approved religious texts served as the only form of entertainment.

For six long months, the town heard nothing from the couple. Updates came solely from Ellie during the community meals, her brief mentions serving as the only connection to the outside world.

When the couple was finally released, a heavy cloud of silence hung over their return. The bruises that covered their bodies went unaddressed by the townsfolk. It seemed as if everyone had collectively agreed to overlook the ordeal. Few newcomers dared to ask about what had transpired during those six months. Instead of answers, they were met with cryptic replies. Over time, even they succumbed to the town's unspoken rule of silence.

The entire event served as a chilling reminder of the delicate equilibrium within the town. The respect for Ellie's authority and the fear of her consequences walked hand in hand, casting a shadow over the community's collective conscience.

"Yes, Mother. I remember what happened to the young couple. I promise you that I will be careful," you reassured your mother with sincerity, squeezing her hand lightly and offering a reassuring smile. However, that optimism quickly faded as you couldn't escape the feeling of unease.

Your mother noticed your change in demeanor. "What is wrong, my dear?" 

As you thought about the upcoming dinner, a swirl of emotions churned. "Ms. Williams wants me to join her at the head table during family supper," you admitted. Your voice betrays your true feelings.

The honor of being in Ellie's presence, let alone being invited to dine with her, was undeniable. There was a part of you that felt genuinely honored by the gesture. However, that honor weighed heavily on you. Beneath the feeling of recognition, there was a gnawing fear. You couldn't shake the feeling that one wrong move could quickly put you on Ellie's bad side. Only some wanted to find themselves on Ellie's wrong side.

Your mother's sudden movement startled you, causing you to look up. "We must get you ready for tonight," she declared.

There was seriousness in her features as she gazed into your eyes. You opened your mouth to speak, but she silenced you. Her firm grip on your wrist pulls you to your feet. She rushed into your room. Once inside your room, she released her hold on you and began rummaging through your closet. She had an almost frantic determination when looking through your wardrobe. Her frustration was evident as she examined each piece of clothing she pulled out. Most of the items were riddled with holes and stained from everyday wear.

"Mother, what are you looking for? Can I not just wear what I normally do?" you asked, picking up the discarded clothes from the floor.

She sharply turned to you, her eyes hardening as they met yours. "No, you must wear something nicer," she replied firmly, shaking her head before returning her focus to the closet. "Everyone's eyes will be on you, and you must be perfect."

Your stomach dropped as your mother's words sank in. It all started to make sense. Ellie rarely dined with anyone outside her inner circle. The fact that she had invited you meant that the entire town would scrutinize your every move. The pressure was immense, and the consequences of messing up extended beyond just displeasing Ellie. Everyone in the community would also judge your family and your place.

Your mother's voice pulled you out of your anxiety-filled spiral. "Ah! This is perfect," your mother exclaimed.

Your mother's search eventually found the nicest clothes you had. She found a long skirt dyed a deep, warm orange and a white blouse adorned with delicate orange flowers embroidered into the fabric. There were a few faint stains on the clothes, remnants of past occasions when you had worn them. You had always reserved these two items for significant events. You did this to preserve their condition.

Your mother handed you the outfit before speaking again. "Quickly put these on. Once you are done, we can do your hair."

Obeying your mother's command, you went to the second-floor bathroom. You quickly stripped down and redressed in the skirt and blouse. Once fully dressed, you took a moment to gaze at yourself in the cracked bathroom mirror. You couldn't help but appreciate the transformation. Despite the few stains, you must admit that you looked pretty good in your carefully chosen attire. Confidence began to bloom within you, a necessary shield against the evening ahead.

One last glance at the mirror, and you exited the bathroom. Returning to your room, you found your mother sitting on the edge of your bed, a hairbrush in her hand. Without a word, you crossed the room and settled on the floor before her. She gently brushed your hair; the rhythmic motion and the silence between you created a sense of calm.

As your mother continued to brush and style your hair, the sound of your father's approaching footsteps grew louder. His voice called out from beyond the doorway, "Is anyone up here?"

"We are in here, dear," your mother replied without looking up, her attention entirely focused on your hair.

Your father entered the room following your mother's voice, his curiosity piqued. His gaze fell upon your outfit, and he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "What are the two of you up to?" he inquired with amusement and curiosity. "What's with the fancy get-up?"

You addressed your father in a soft tone. "I've been invited to dine with Ms. Williams during family supper," you explained. The words carried the weight of unease that still lingered in your mind.

Your father did not share your feeling of unease. Instead, excitement washed over your father's features as he learned of your invitation. He enthusiastically leaned down and pulled you up from the floor, disregarding your mother's protestations. He enveloped you in a warm, tight hug. His voice filled with joy as he said, "That is such good news!" His infectious excitement momentarily eased some of the tension you were feeling.

An annoyed noise escaped your mother as she was displeased with your father's interruption. She gently touched her husband's shoulder, attempting to redirect his attention. "Darling," she began, "I need to finish her hair. It would be best if you started getting ready yourself. We will need to head out soon."

Your father hesitantly let you go, understanding the urgency in his wife's words. His tone softened as he responded, "You are right, dear." Leaning down, he kissed your head lovingly before leaving your room. Once he was gone, you and your mother finished preparing you for the evening ahead.

You arrived at the building as the sun dipped behind the horizon. The sun casts a warm glow over the sky. Your parents left earlier than you and were already inside the communal building. Most townsfolk were already inside, but a few lingered outside, savoring the evening air. Among them, you spotted Alexander, who was standing near the entrance. Upon seeing him, you quickened your pace and called out to him. He turned his attention toward you, and you couldn't help but notice the subtle change in his demeanor. His eyes went slightly slack-jawed as he took in your outfit. You even saw him stand a little straighter as he met your gaze.

"Wow, you look amazing," Alexander exclaimed in awe, his eyes appreciating your outfit. "You are gorgeous in that outfit."

A blush warmed your cheeks at his compliment. "Thank you," you replied softly, feeling a growing connection with him. Stepping closer, you met his gaze and asked, "What are you doing outside? Shouldn't you be inside already?"

Alexander gave you a sheepish smile. "I was waiting for you. I was hoping to sit with you during dinner."

Your smile began to fade as you remembered your duty for the evening. Before you could respond, another voice interrupted. "She will be joining me for dinner tonight."

You turned to find Ellie standing behind you. Ellie placed her hand firmly on your shoulder. The weight of her words and their implications hung in the air. Alexander's smile dropped upon seeing Ellie. You could tell he wanted to say something but held it in. He knew better than to challenge Ellie on anything.

You acknowledged her statement with a firm nod. Ellie's hand glided down your back before settling at the base. She urges you forward with a push of her hand. As you leave Alexander, you throw him a glance that conveys your regret.

Family supper was sacred in the community. It is a weekly gathering where the community shares a meal. However, the event transcends a simple community meal. It reinforces community members' bonds with each other. It also reminds everyone of their shared purpose.

Before the dinner was served, it was customary for Ellie to deliver a speech. These speeches were unique in their delivery but touched on essential topics. She would sometimes speak of the community's prosperity. She would also celebrate the community's achievements and unity. The whole room is always filled with pride and togetherness after these speeches. On other occasions, she would deliver cautionary words. She would sound the alarm against those seeking to hurt the community. She also warned against those who wish to undermine the community's values and way of life.

Ellie's speeches served as a source of inspiration for the community members. Everyone would see how much she treasured everyone in the room. It also showed how dedicated she was to the protection of the community. It was not uncommon for people to leave with a profound sense of purpose and solidarity.

Family supper was something you usually enjoyed. Seeing everyone gathered in the same room, sharing laughter, stories, and life, filled your heart with joy. You really could feel the strong bonds between community members. A sense of dread coursed through your nerves on this particular evening. As you entered the room, you couldn't ignore the collective gaze of everyone present. Their eyes locked onto you, and emotions played across their faces. Many were surprised and caught off guard by your presence in Ellie's company. Some seemed to study you, searching for clues to gain Ellie's favor. But there were others, their glares filled with resentment. They looked as if they wanted nothing more than to see you fail.

Ellie's table was situated on the far side of the room on top of a stage, adding to the mounting stress of the situation. Every scrutinizing eyes carefully watched you traversing the space. Ellie kept her hand on your back the whole time you walked to the table. Her hand only moved from that spot when she offered it to you as you walked up the stairs. 

Ellie pulled a chair out from the table and extended it towards you. "Here you go, my lady," she said, her tone warm.

You offered her a grateful smile. "Thank you," you replied before sitting at the table. Ellie gave you a wink and picked up your hand. She placed a soft kiss on your knuckles. 

The room fell silent as Ellie took her place at the center stage. There is a palpable sense of anticipation in the air. All eyes fixed upon her, and you felt the weight of the community's collective attention. Her gaze swept over the assembled crowd. She assessed the room before she began to speak. The hushed room awaited her words, eager to hear what she would share this evening.

"My beloved flock, seeing you all again fills my heart with joy." Ellie's presence was radiant as she stood before everyone. To many, she almost resembled an angel in their eyes. "As I look around this room," she continued, "I am reminded of how far this community has come. It wasn't too long ago that this town was a desolate wasteland. But look at it now: transformed into a beautiful, thriving community."

Her words were imbued with a deep sense of pride. Everyone looked up at her with admiration in their eyes. Ellie's words resonated deeply with the crowd, and a collective sense of accomplishment washed over the room. 

"My life before founding this town was filled with loss. Everyone who I ever loved had either died or left me. I was left transient with no reason to live. One day, a realization washed over me. I could establish a town of my own." Ellie declared, her voice filled with conviction. "It could be a paradise where everyone could sleep peacefully at night. A home where no one would suffer from hunger. A sanctuary where there is no loss, only life," she proclaimed, her words resounding with a sense of purpose and hope. She paused, allowing her words to settle in, and then gestured to the room around her as if encompassing the entire community in her vision.

Ellie descended from the stage, her movements deliberate and purposeful as she began to walk between the tables of seated community members. Her presence drew the attention of everyone in the room as she continued to speak. Unlike you, Ellie thrived under everyone's gaze. Not once did she falter or come off as nervous. 

"Building a paradise is a massive undertaking that requires lots of skills," she began, her voice carrying through the room. "Initially, I doubted my abilities to create such a place. Before I could do anything, I had to find a location free from infection and raiders. Only then could I begin gathering the resources needed to rebuild." As Ellie moved among the tables, she made direct eye contact with each person she passed, her gaze unwavering and determined.

As I slept, a voice spoke to me in my dreams one night," Ellie continued. "The voice told me it was my destiny to build a haven. In my dream, I saw a town untouched by the world's evils. It even told me how to find this paradise. "She gestured once again, her hand indicating the buildings that dotted the landscape of their community.

"The voice said that if I started to build, people would come. It also said I would guide lost souls to salvation as a leader. The voice spoke about how I could cultivate a new generation of people who survive and thrive. The voice also claimed I am the only person to take on this task due to my immunity."

Her words have the audience in hushed reverence. Many felt that they were witnessing the fulfillment of a divine prophecy. The room was filled with awe and inspiration at Ellie's words. Her words even have an effect on you. A sense of calm replaced the feeling of unease you held earlier. The feeling washed over you as she spoke. You believed every word. 

"When I awoke that morning, I gathered my meager belongings and embarked on my mission. It was a long and arduous journey that spanned many days. Along the way, I encountered countless challenges. I fought against raiders, braved extreme weather, and faced the relentless trials of the world. Yet, through it all, I never wavered in my purpose. Ultimately, my determination paid off when I discovered what I had been searching for. Along the coast, I found an untouched gem. The moment I saw the town on the horizon, I knew it was the place perfectly suited for my vision of a town."

Her storytelling captivated the room, making everyone hang on her every word. The attentive audience fixed their eyes on her, hanging on her every word. As she moved through the room, the people she passed by couldn't help but lean in closer to her. Many of them were drawn by the power of her narrative and the strength of her conviction. There was a sense of reverence and admiration in the air. 

"As soon as I arrived, I wasted no time turning my vision into a reality. Day by day, I tirelessly rebuilt the structures, secured the perimeter wall, and started the first greenhouses. My own hands carried out every task, and I never once faltered. Not long after I started working, you, my flock, arrived." She extended her hand, gesturing towards the crowd who watched her with rapt attention. "As each of you found me and joined this cause, we became stronger. Your efforts brought the town closer to the perfect haven I envisioned."

At that moment, a sense of unity and shared purpose filled the room. Most people saw the town's collective efforts as a part of a divine plan. A handful of people even felt destiny had guided them to come together. These beliefs forged a bond between the community members that transcended the ordinary.

You, too, felt the impact of these beliefs. The arrival of the survivors long ago felt like a deliberate act of fate. It was hard not to believe a higher power had orchestrated it. Without the survivor's information, you would have never known Ellie's town existed. Even if you learned about the settlement through other sources, it was still doubtful you would have ever found the town alone. You most likely would have died in the wastelands like many others. It became clear to you early on that God had guided you to this settlement for a reason. 

"My dream has become a reality thanks to my guidance and your unwavering hard work. Together, we have forged a world free from suffering. Our children will never know the pangs of hunger. As parents, you can watch your children flourish and shape a brighter future. Everyone is guaranteed to grow old and die a peaceful death. Every member of this community possesses an unstoppable potential for a better life. As I look around this room, I see that this community embodies everything I have ever desired. And it does not surprise me that we have achieved it."

Ellie paused her speech for what seemed to stretch for an eternity. She locked her gaze upon you, her eyes piercing deep into your soul. The look Ellie gave you left you feeling exposed and vulnerable. The intensity in her eyes remained enigmatic. Even if with the feeling her gaze gave, you could not look away.

As Ellie broke eye contact with you and returned to her place at the center stage, a sense of anticipation filled the room. Everyone waited on the edge of their seats to see what she would say next. "As a reward for your hard work," Ellie announced, her voice filled with generosity, "I had the kitchen make apple pies. Enjoy your meal, everyone. 

The room filled with admiration and gratitude as Ellie's unexpected gesture was met with awe. Most meals were planned with optimal nutrition in mind. This made desserts a rarity in the community, typically reserved for special occasions. So, the decision to provide apple pie on an ordinary day was met with overwhelming appreciation. Ellie's act had made everyone feel genuinely seen and valued.

While the community members exchanged grateful glances, Ellie seemed indifferent to their reactions. Instead, she turned her back to the crowd and directed her attention to you. Ellie had an almost eerie smile as she walked closer to the table. "Shall we eat?" she asked, her expression left you with an inexplicable sense of unease.

[luv-isab3lla]

Jealous girl (ellie williams x reader)

warnings: MDI, SMUT, r!receiving mostly, Ellie has a hair pulling kink, switch(ish), e!begging, ellie is jealous, collage students

‼️ALL CREDITS GO TO ORIGINAL WRITER‼️

Ellie hated you sometimes.

You were so happy and light, everyone wanted to be around you. Ellie couldn’t blame them, her girl was the kindest social butterfly anyone has ever seen.

But that means Eillie had competition to fight off.

She has been watching you talk to your university friend, Jesse, for almost an hour now. It was movie night at your place: You, Ellie, Jesse and three of your other friends had watched the whole Twilight series. 

It was now 11pm and and everyone had gone home, but Jesse decided to have another conversation with you at the front door. Ellie had been watching you both from the couch, waiting for you to say goodbye and slam the door on his face, but you kept laughing.

Ellie felt anger bubble in her chest, there was a part of her that wanted to slam Jesse’s head into the doorframe if he didn’t leave in the next five minutes.

“No but seriously!” You laughed, leaning against the open door that you had opened for Jesse almost thirty minutes ago. “I swear that professor is out to get me.”

“I’m sure he isn’t.” Jesse chucked, his eyes hopeful.

But he could feel Ellie's presence, her narrow eyes trained on him as her arms were crossed over her heavy breathing chest. Jesse’s eyes darted to where Ellie sat then back to you, his nerves growing by the second.

“You’re too nice,” You were ever the oblivious. “but he most definitely is.”

“No one can hate you.”

That made something snap in Ellie, it was as if Jesse said the worst words possible in that situation. 

Who even was he? Why did he have that look in his eyes? Did you want him to look at you this way? 

Ellie's mind was racing as she pushed herself off from the couch and walked to the front door, standing behind you, her body pressing into your back.

“Thank you so much, Jesse.” Ellie forced a smile onto her face, it came out menacing and Jesse felt small. “We hope you have a good night.”

“Oh.” Jesse’s eyes were filled with fear and remorse, he looked at you for some sort of rebuttal.

You side-eyed Ellie, confused at her hostility towards your friend but you didn’t want to fight it. You knew Ellie, you knew that the auburn haired girl would only make things worse if you didn’t console her.

“See ya, Jesse.” You smiled and let the boy walk out the door, waving happily. “Have a safe drive home.”

Jesse smiled meekly. The image of you waving warmly and with a beaming smile on your face, and then Ellie's taller figure looming over your shoulder, a dark look on her face as the boy walked to his car scared him.

You closed the door and turned to Ellie quickly, crossing your arms over your chest and cocking your head to the side.

“Okay, what was that?”

"What?” Ellie said as sarcastically as she could. “Did I interrupt something?”

Ellie walked to the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water. You followed her, trailing after the hostile girl. 

“Are you ok? What happened?” You asked, your voice full of concern. 

"What do you mean? Nothing happened. You can leave and get back to talking with your best friend Jesse if you want" Ellie spat over her shoulder, her body facing the sink and away from you.

You pulled a sour face at her comment, "What's that supposed to mean?"

“Seemed like you were having a good time with him, sorry I ruined it.” Ellie turned round to face you, the kitchen sink pressed against her back.

"Excuse me? Why are you angry at me for talking to my friend in my own house?” You huffed back.

"I’m not angry."

"Then why are you upset?"

"I'm not upset!" Ellie shouted. She had never shouted at you like this before; she has ignored or rebuffed you if she's angry, but never yelled.

You watched her, the way Ellie's chest rose and fell quickly, the red hue across her cheeks, and the way that she avoided all eye contact. 

"You’re not jealous are you?" You hid your smile.

Ellie looked up at you, she pulled a questioning face, almost as if she was offended by what you said.

"No, I'm not jealous” Her eyes were sharp and steady, you tried to stay strong under the gaze.  

"You’re jealous, why?" You said bluntly, forcing an answer out of her.

“Fucking hell,” Ellie was getting nervous under the pressure, “just drop it, okay?”

“No, I don’t wanna drop it.”

“Seriously, Y/N.” The stubborn girl threw her head back, looking up at the ceiling. “Leave it.”

“I’m not doing that.” Your foot tapped on the tiles in your kitchen, irritating Ellie even more. “Just tell me what’s going on.” 

Ellie sighed, moving to stand closer to her. She dropped her arms from being across her chest to staying by her side, opening up her posture.

“I’m not stupid Y/N, and neither is he." Ellie let out, letting go of the breath in her chest. "He likes you and obviously thinks you like him too. And maybe you do.”

“Jesse doesn’t like me.” You looked at Ellie with full sincerity, like you genuinely believed your words.

“You gotta be fucking kidding me.” Ellie could almost laugh at how blind you were.

You didn’t know what Ellie was talking about, your friendship with Jesse is nothing more than that, a friendship. Ellie's annoyance at it, after only witnessing it for one night, was annoying too. You just wanted her to get along with your friends, but now she was picking fights. 

“I just,” Ellie brought her hands up to rub her face, “I don't like the way he looks at you. He’s got this look in his eye, and it pisses me off.”

“Why?”

“Cause I don’t want anyone looking at you like that.”

“Like what?” You had a feeling that you knew already, but you wanted to hear it come from Ellie. 

“The way that I look at you.” Ellie said it through gritted teeth, as if it pained her to be vulnerable. “Like he wants you in the same way I want you.”

It was music to your ears, the exact words you wanted to hear. Seeing the burrnette girl stand in front of you with a desperate look in her eyes, it did something to you.

You stepped forward and put Ellie's hands on your hips, putting your own hands on her shoulders. 

“And how do you want me?” 

You inwardly cringed at your choice in words but Ellie seemed to like it, her eyes going dark and mouth falling open as she dumbly took in the change in atmosphere. The girl slowly nodded her head before attaching her lips to your neck, her hands tightening around your waist.

Ellie's breath got heavier the longer she sucked and bit your neck, you threaded your fingers into Ellie's dark locks and tugged. 

“I want you on the couch.” 

You could have came at Ellie's voice, how low and raspy it was. Her strong hands began pushing you towards the couch, her lips ghosting over yours but not letting you close the gap, pulling back and chuckling every time you tried to lean up and press your lips together. 

Your legs hit the back of the couch and you fell onto the soft fabric, a sound of surprise leaving your mouth. You took a moment to see Ellie's toned body standing over you, how weak you looked and felt in comparison to the girl in front of you. 

Ellie reached out and held your jaw, forcing you to look up at her face. 

“So pretty.” 

You groaned softly at the compliment, your eyebrows drawing together as the sudden urge to have Ellie's body on yours took over you. Although Ellie had every physical advantage over you, being so strong and lean, she was always gentle and careful with how she held you.

“My pretty girl,” Ellie laughed softly at your face before kneeling in front of you, “I’ll make you feel good, yeah?”

Ellie's calloused hands dragged up and down your bare thighs, stopping when she reached the hem of your shorts and then dragging back down again.

“Are you going to do somethin-“

Ellie cuts you off, closing the distance between your lips. You kissed her back, loving the way she melts and goes slack against you. Ellie's lips are soft and sweet, tasting just like the sweets you both had eaten during the night. She breaks away and goes to kissing your neck and further down. 

You started bucking your hips when Ellie kissed the top of your thighs, begging for more contact. Ellie's fingers curled around the waistband of your shorts, dragging them down along with your underwear.

“Ellie.” You moaned it out into the silent air around you, your head thrown back to rest on the back of the couch.

“Mhm?” Ellie touched her lips lightly to your inner thigh, nipping the skin then pressing soft kisses over the hurt skin.

Your hands covered your face, trying to calm your erratic breathing as your lust was taking over your body.

“You're so wet," Ellie whispers with a shiver, her brain fogging with thick desire. "You look amazing, bet you taste even better."

She presses another kiss on your thigh, higher now, her face now buried between your legs. Ellie clasps her arms around your legs, pulling them to rest on her shoulders. Her hands feel their way up underneath your shirt, groping your boobs and pinching your nipples. Ellie's mouth devours your pussy, sucking and licking with a newfound fever. 

Your fingers clench around Ellie's dark hair, pulling it tightly, and Ellie groans. 

Fuck, how can giving someone else pleasure make her feel so good.

Ellie uses a free hand to grab a pillow from the couch and places it between her legs, grinding down on the plush as she wraps her lips around your clit. The feeling of her own pussy grinding on the pillow whilst she ate you out made her moan uncontrollably, the vibrations almost sending you over the edge. 

You moaned and began grinding yourself onto Ellie's face, pulling on the dark strands of hair to try and drag Ellie's face closer to you.

"I like that," Ellie says in a ragged breath. "Do it again. Harder.”

You looked down and cocked your eyebrow, lips parted to try and get as much air into your lungs, but you don't move. So Ellie digs her fingers deeper into your thighs, face lifted towards you, lips parted and covered in your slick.

"Do it again," she whispers. "Please."

The plea is soft and quiet, it makes Ellie feel ridiculous, it makes her feel desperate. You stopped breathing for a brief moment. Watching Ellie be so sweet, a stark contrast between this Ellie and the girl that hated was just yelling and being rude almost gave you whiplash.

“Apologise.”

You had never been one to be dominant or demanding, but the look of Ellie begging in between your legs drew something out of you. Even Ellie looked confused, her eyebrows knitting together. She was normally the one to demand things from you.

“Apologise for being mean to me.” Your eyes were dark, a sight Ellie had never seen before but needed more of. “Beg for my forgiveness.”

Ellie didn’t do anything at first, although she desperately wanted to continue her actions on you and for you to keep pulling her hair, she couldn’t give into you so easily.

But god she wanted to.

“I’m sorry,” the words were soft and sultry, “I’m sorry, baby. Please. Please keep pulling my hair. I’m so sorry for being mean.” 

As Ellie whispered the words, her hands kept rubbing your thighs, her lips ghosting over the skin as she spoke the slutty words. 

It was enough for you, you smiled and almost felt bad for how needy Ellie looked. Your fingers grasp a fistful of Ellie's hair and you tugged it, drawing Ellie's head backward. Ellie couldn't help the long, deep moan she let out.

"Fuck.” Ellie pants, because it's all too hot and she feels like she's suffocating, but still she needed more.

Ellie's slim fingers stroke your clit, pushing two fingers inside you and making you cry out.

"I want to be yours.” She whispers, thrusting her fingers in and out. You whimpered as Ellie scissored them inside you, back arching off the couch

“You are mine.” You gasped as Ellie added another finger, speeding up her thrusting. Her digits brush up against that one spot inside you and you arch your back, crying out loudly as the band inside you snapped. You moan through your orgasm, tears slipping from your eyes.

"So messy for me.” Ellie moans, bringing her fingers into her mouth and sucking your juices off them.

Ellie stands up and pushes you to rest on the couch, coming to hover over your body. Your chests connect and Ellie's fingers go back to your clit, circling and trying to draw out another orgasm from you.

You whimper at the overstimulation, but still you draw Ellie in and kiss her, mouths open and sloppy against each other. 

"Fuck, you're so hot.” Ellie pants, roughly pushing two fingers inside her own pants and into her dripping cunt, thrusting them furiously above you. 

She moans your name breathily, a thumb pressing onto her clit as she desperately tries to make herself come. Her knees are shaking as she quickens her fingers on your clit and her other hand thrusting into her own needy pussy. She was so close, so close that it hurt.

“Let me.” You sigh, quickly replacing Ellie's fingers with your own. You work on her, touching all the right spots and making her come almost instantaneously. 

Ellie's now free hand goes to rest on the arm of the couch above your head, her other hand pressed harder and faster on your clit. You both worked in a lust filled fever to get each other off. 

You smiled at how needy Ellie was, eyes squeezed shut as she rocked herself on your hand. She was so sensitive, it was too easy. The feeling of your fingers in her was what she had been craving the whole night, and as soon as her slim fingers entered her, Ellie had moaned loudly. So loud that your were afraid your neighbours could hear you both through the house walls.

You came just after Ellie, your own orgasm drawing another moan from your throat. The shaking feeling of coming down from your second high made you instantly tired. Ellie collapses forward, her orgasm overwhelming her.

Ellie rests her head on your chest, looking up at you with every ounce of love in her body. All she wanted to do was make you feel good, to try and prove to you why you should choose her, be hers and hers only. It was selfish, her reasons, but seeing the look on your face, she didn’t care.

“You're mine - mine only.” Ellie said it softly, almost like she didn’t want you to even hear her.

You were so blissed out, too dumb to say anything. Instead you just nodded your head and kissed Ellie's head, your hand going up to cup the burnettes face and stroking her cheek with your thumb.

"Okay, jealous girl."

[elijaheldridge]

SP Eillie Madaline

@southparkdigital @southparkfans-blog @southparkreposts @southparkbr-blog

@south-park-fanart-archive @south-park-dimensions @south-park-meta @south-park-x-reader-blog

#southpark 

[ilikereadingthisiswhatilike]

If There Is A God, It's Me

Parings: Cult Leader!Ellie x Reader Warnings: Manipulation Special Tags: Cult AU

Notes: Reader is Bi in this story. The story is based on the song IF THERE IS A GOD, IT'S ME by PLVTINUM. I recommend listing to the song. You can find it here.

Summary: Ellie becomes extremely upset after discovering the truth about Joel's auctions in Salt Lake City. She knew she could never see Joel again. Ellie left Joel and Jackson behind to find her place in the world. Ellie returned to the only place she knew before Joel, Boston. However, Boston was far from a welcoming refuge. Instead, She ventured into the unclaimed territories of New England to build a community akin to Jackson. As her community slowly took shape, people began to gravitate toward her, captivated by her strength and immunity. When people see that Ellie is the only immune person in the world, they believe she is a prophet. They wholeheartedly chose to believe they were placed on this Earth by a higher power. They looked to her for guidance and solace in the world. Ellie's biggest fear is to lose the people she loves. What Joel did killed him in her eyes. Now, she is traumatized and is very strict with the people in the town. Ellie deeply loves each member of her community. She loves them in a very dark way. Ellie found herself drawn to one person in particular.

(Eillie is a cult leader who likes readers more than she should.) 

Part one

[abbysbasement]

daily tiki debposting

⟢ ◞ blackberries; e. williams

desc. a small part of a larger fruit anthology — ellie has never had blackberries before, and you get to introduce them to her. rated pg-13

an. short and fluffy and fun! i've been sitting and fermenting on this for a year now and i felt like it deserved to see the sun. also i love unpacking ellie's trauma box by box. enjoy!

by the time your shift ends, daylight has already beat you home.

there was a time where this land was nothing but that — land. a dimple on the jagged smirk of the mountainside. your sights were set on somewhere north — sun bound and damp with the promise of not an unforgiving winter, but here is where came to you first — the promise of a nap and a fireside meal after miles and days walked. here is where you could finally rest, you thought.  and then you spoke it into existence, and there the seed was planted, and began to shape root…

thick, wonky slabs of wood block the sun, one sliding off the other like a big oaky thumbprint, and the crows bark just above it all, sweeping one another into an endless circle. a tornado of black beaked trumpets ushering the morning light into your home.

you tug your boots off and shlep them to the other side of the room. that’s a mess for a much more capable version of you to deal with. you opt to let your muscles take over, work by memory and tend to the swell that blossoms beneath the ball of your ankle. years ago, on your first patrol, you rolled it while trying to outrun a swarm.

the jackson medic assured you, in his weathered, sandpaper drawl, that you should be grateful that you only came out with a twisted ankle. and you were — you ended up in the logs only two weeks past the incident — but the pain still persists in rolling phases. like today, when the air is honeyed with spring.

usually ellie takes great pleasure in greeting you at the door, ever punctual. it’s a welcome relief for the both of you at the end of the day — as much of a reason to make your way back home as it is for her to believe you will.

she’s the one who removes your boots, and does it just right, unlaces them and everything, leaving too much room for the fabric to even near your phantom injury. treats you like a princess from the moment you step foot into your home, like your return is the answer to the murky planes of her forethought. with her knees planted into the runner and your socked foot cradled to the cotton bound splice of her chest. she kisses you, where the sun never dares to roam, where she can without being accused of tenderheartedness. her palms run up the hill of your calf — to clear room if not blueprint the trail of her lips as they flag out your dimpled knee. “there, all better,” she decides, and forbids you from walking unless it’s crutched by the support of her arm.

today, however, seemed to be an exception.

that's when you decide to find her, and dread doesn’t prickle within you as much as concern. you’ve done nothing wrong, and you’ve allowed yourself enough time to realize such, and yet the world still runs with veins of uncertainty. finding her right where you left her would never be a guarantee, but a  privilege.

“ellie?” prodding, you lurk through your halls, tracing the map of the walls with your middle finger. “i have a surprise for you.”

once you pass your bedroom, you think you finally find her. you crawl into the bed and mistake a massive heap of blankets for ellie, kissing and nosing at the cotton until you realize that it’s unresponsive. so you continue your journey, ego bruised.

two rooms and many corners later —

you’re greeted to her silhouette, back to the kitchen, framed by the seam of the sunroom and its sharply lit doorway. to disrupt her feels depraved. you rarely get to see her so at peace, with her hand watercolored and calloused with the fruits of your latest harvest, her head stuffed into a thatch of goldenseal.

but you must, after countless seconds of self-arduous debate, it’s better to taste the death of such a peaceful moment than stand and ponder whether there’s enough room for you in it..

you tap on her shoulder and wait for her, knowing well enough that you must allow her just enough time for her body to sink back into the comfort of her skin before you can touch her further.

it serves just as much of a reminder as it does a testament — to time, to growth, to evolution — it lies just beneath your hairline and blends into the curly horizon of it, and no further does it travel nor does it fade.

“thyme’s not coming in.”

“is that so?” you push loose strands of hair behind her ear, a nervous tic you’ve transplanted onto her.

“i think it’s being stubborn…”

“you don’t say. ”  you brows twitch upward. 

“Hey! don’t tease,” she finally turns to face you and her eyes are wet with mischief. deft fingers circle and roll at your wrists, mulling at the bone of your wrist like a joystick. “you’re the one out of a good ol’ fashion steak.”

“do you even know how to cook it?”

silence. 

“well how hard can it be?”

she can tell you’re impressed, what with your expectant stare, somewhat mirroring her own silly one. “i really thought it would work.”

It being some intricate propagation method, found dog eared in the tomb of a vintage almanac. dated from a time far from now, far from disease and blood and mycellium. at least of this caliber.

“you’ve never liked cooking beef, anyway. you keep giving them names.” she offers a pitiful smile, you can feel it slow against your skin as she hugs her arms around it. Her body crooked and tired against yours. earnestly, you answer the question she never wants to ask.

“it will.”

She barely moves from your neck when she hums. “you think so?”

and assurednly, you promise, “i do.” as you shuffle away, you say. “don’t worry about the thyme. i’ve got a surprise for you.”

— ⟡ —

“what are they?” ellie’s brows pinch. her head tilts like a small bird.

“blackberries.” 

they settle in dark bunches and peek between your fingers. If you focus just enough, you can see them glow, catching on the light that creases between your eyes —amazement, sparkling like little beads of snow.

you smile, meek and cautious. something kindred, begins to siege — it dimples at the corners and folds beneath the crush of your lashes until there’s no space left that hasn’t been swallowed by sheer joy.

she had never seen them; well, not in person, at least. tiny midnight bulbs, clustered together and staining the skin of their burlap sack. her knuckles brush against their pinprick stubble and fly back, a scorched touch.

you had to parse some out to jesse as well when you found them — a finders fee of sorts, though you gloss over the fact that the only discovery he had made on your patrol was your newfound surplus of fruit, bulging from the corner of your pack. fuck jesse.

maybe this is what joel meant.

how, before his passing, and even after she shunned him from her life altogether, he still saw her — bright, almost scarily so, as the day he met her. how she wasn’t meant for this world, that she stood for everything it lacked, and no matter how many times they tried to take it away from her, there was a spark of fire still roaring behind her eyes. a lovely yearning, a wonderful ache that flourished and swelled like a smile on the face of oblivion.

there were days where she wore it well, dancing in the kitchen, tending the garden, her sighs hugging sound her shoulder like a hug of relief. but other days were not as kind. sometimes the memories sit inside of her. take root and fester beneath the dirt of her father’s almost grave, refusing to grow. to leave him behind in the shallow earth is one way to go, and so she clings to him, buries him deep in her mind and hopes for another.

but then you’re there. despite her life and how hard it bends to the company of everyone she’s known, you’re there. in spite of it. and with the smallest sign of tenderness, a simple gesture, helped a dull bud blossom.

“wait! wait!” you pull the container close to your chest, throw your hand over it limply like you have a wounded wrist.  just beneath the sparkle of your gaze lies a shyness, peeking out from behind your tongue like a child curled around their mother’s leg. you stretch your free hand out, fill the ample space between you. “wait.”

a pause settles in between, and once you gain her attention, you continue. “i thought, maybe — well, of course we would eat the berries.” ellie visibly deflates, releasing a sigh of relief. “but i've heard …well, i’ve read that if you mull the berries, you could make paint! and… your drawings.”

“my? —” ellie is baffled. for years the two of you weaned off poultry and potatoes, in every form, every flavor, and yet you stumble upon the rarest of finds, a bramble of sweet summer fruit, untended yet ripe for the picking, and see only her. it makes her wonder… “fuck, my… you don’t-”

you cut her off before she can backpedal, convince herself more than you that she's never deserving of such nice things. little luxuries, like food and dye. 

“i quite like your drawings. they just need a bit of…” you pop half of the berry between your teeth. a tartness traces the sides of your mouth, coaxing a smile from you that’s every bit as bright as it is warm, and then the sugar follows, jaw soothed and kissed with the sultry tongue of summer. 

and then you offer her the other half. a promise between the pads of your fingers. “substance?”

“We’ll always come across more of these.”  she concedes, cranes her neck, fully contented with her resigned half truth. You probably wouldn't, not in this lifetime, within the perimeter of jackson. and she would wallow about it for sure.

you pull the fruit away before she can bite into it. “even if we don’t. make something special for me.”