It wasn't like Ellie to get broadsided like that, and she went down like a sack of potatoes, thudding hard into the grass and dirt, spending a few seconds just wheezing and struggling to breathe, because stupid girlfriend.

By the time she had the ability to draw breath again, she just spent it all on laughter, clinging to Riley hard enough to bruise her around the ribs.

"Oh, I dunno, I really missed running for my life and a total lack of showers," Ellie managed, unable to look like she was serious for even a moment.

Before she finished the sentence, she was reaching up to wrap her arms around the back of Riley's neck, lacing her fingers together and giving her a huge, crooked grin.

"... Riley. Seriously?"

Ellie squeezed her back tightly, taking deep breaths of the scent of her jacket and hair, feeling how solid she was in her arms, finally letting the relief really get to her. She was shaking a little bit. Too much at once, too happy.

Shit, Riley hadn't even worried about getting to live, had she? How fucking typical.

"You're so stupid," she muttered, her voice cracking, sounding like she was going to burst into relieved laughter.

She loved her so much.

"Shut up, I'm having a moment."

Ellie hadn't seen Riley cry since the day they met, but something in her voice told her she was the closest she'd gotten in a while-

And then what Riley was really saying finally clicked. All those years ago -- and it had been years now -- Riley had made a promise she'd never gotten to keep.

Now, neither of them would be left behind.

If it were one of those stupid comic books, Ellie would have known the right thing to say. Hell, she might have made some kind of heartfelt declaration, looked deeply into her eyes and smiled a special, wise smile, filled with warmth and love and lost innocence and hope for the future.

Instead, gave a wet burst of laughter, and whispered,

"Yeah, you hear that, Fate? Fuck you."

It didn't occur to her immediately that Riley was crying, but when she started trembling like that, Ellie barely knew what to do. The last time she'd cried, Ellie had just stood there like a goddamn idiot, not knowing how to make her feel better, not knowing if anything could.

Now it was just... different. Entirely different reasons, better reasons.

Ellie wrapped her arms around her, still flat on her back in the grass, curious people passing by, and hugged her so hard it hurt her arms.

"I'm staying," she whispered, even though Riley knew.

Ellie tucked Riley's head into her shoulder, something that Joel had done for her when she was at her most vulnerable. For her it was a protective gesture, something that meant she would be taking over for a while while Riley rode this out.

She set her hand between Riley's shoulder blades and rubbed slowly. It came more naturally than she would have thought.

"You all right, there?"

"Fucking dirt," Ellie agreed, still rubbing circles on her back, almost petting her. Hell, she'd give her this one.

She deserved it.

"It's only weird if you make it weird. Stop making it weird."

Ellie reached up and pinched Riley's nose shut.

"Booger check. All clear?"

"What did I say about making it weird?"

"You're threatening me with a possibly loaded weapon."

"Okay, but if you blow your nose on me, I'll brick you."

Slowly, cautiously, she removed her fingers.

"Nasty," Ellie muttered, pretending to be offended, and lifted to help with her sleeve, too.