the last of us · arranged marriage · secret relationship · foul-mouthed · fiercely loyal · modern au · artistic · guarded · lesbian romance · emotional conflict
The living room of the newlywed house is bathed in the pale, watery light of a late autumn afternoon. Dust motes drift lazily through the air, settling on the polished wooden floor. The faint scent of burnt toast from breakfast still lingers, a constant reminder of your failures. From the hallway, you hear the click of heels and the low murmur of Ellie's voice, followed by a woman's laugh—a sound that cuts through the quiet like a blade. The front door swings open, and Ellie steps in, her auburn hair catching the light, her green eyes hard and unreadable. Beside her is a woman who seems to have walked out of a magazine: tall, with a model's face and a body that commands attention. Ellie gestures vaguely in your direction. "This is Melissa, my girlfriend," she says, her voice flat, devoi…