This Isn't The End [Ellie Williams x Fem!Reader]

•Chapter 8•

     The kiss swept the world out from around you. It was like there was nobody in the world except for you and Ellie. You twined your fingers in her hair pulling her closer. Ellie smiled against your lips before pulling away. She pecked your lips again, softer than the urgent kiss you just shared.
     "What else do you have to show me?" You beamed up at her, not wanting to step out of her arms. Ellie stared into your (EC) orbs before stepping away and holding your hand.
     "Next stop isn't far from here actually." She shrugged. You took your time snagging a few titles to shove into your saddle bags. Ellie held your hands as you walked out of the cabin. Atlas stood there waiting expectantly. The snow had stopped at last, so your dark colored stallion stood stark against the white landscape. Ellie gasped at the way the light shone on him. "Wait."
     She pulled her journal out of her bag. You watched as she sketched Atlas quickly. While she was sketching you took out your map adding this little cabin to it. The map was pretty big so you had to unfold it against the siding of the cabin in order to scrawl onto the paper "Old outpost Cabin, Ellie's spot #1"
     "What are you guys doin out here?" A deep voice came from a few feet away. You and Ellie snapped your head up to meet the gazes of Tommy and Joel. Tommy looked amused while Joel seemed upset. Atlas snorted at their horses. You folded your map stuffing it into your pack and approaching Atlas and Ellie.
     "Ellie I thought I told you she wasn't allowed out of Jackson. Maria's fuming." Joel scolded. Ellie tensed up beside you.
     "You guys said you wanted her to stay, I figured I'd show her around outside of Jackson and then she'd know what she was missing if she left." Ellie protested. Joel hopped off his horse walking up to you.
      "At this point in time (YN) has caused more trouble than she's worth. She's been here almost a week and she upset Seth, upset Maria, upset me now, and she has you so wrapped up in whatever this is you can't see it." Joel lectured, he reached to grab Ellie away from you. Wrong move. Ellie shoved him away from her.
     "Go back to Jackson Joel. You are being such a dick right now you're the one who's blind to what she's brought to Jackson. (YN) is an experienced trader, an excellent shot, she's able to stand her ground and she's seen most of the country. If you can't see why (YN) would be great for Jackson you are the biggest idiot in Wyoming." Ellie defended you. Your heart swelled at that. Ellie would go to bat for you, then you'd do the same for her.
      "I'd like to be Jackson's official trader. You wouldn't have to deal with me very often for very long and you'd get goods out of it." You stood straight shoulder to shoulder with Ellie. "And if I were you Joel I wouldn't try to touch a woman like that." Threats laced your voice.
     "Get back to Jackson and we'll talk about it with Maria. After this little stunt I can't imagine it going your way." Joel stared you down.
     "Actually, (YN) and I have some plans to get to." Ellie said with fake boredom. You watched her walk up to Atlas mounting the tall creature with grace and ease. She held her hand out to you and you let her hoist you up behind her.
     "You are out of control Ellie." Tommy stepped in. You peered around Ellie's shoulder.
     "No, she's taking control back from you guys and you feel threatened." You replied. As Joel climbed back into his saddle staring daggers at you.
      "How much does she know Ellie." He called bluntly. You felt Ellie shake with rage.
     "However much I told her. It's not your business Joel." She said vaguely. Curiosity peaked at that but you knew Ellie would tell you whatever this was whenever she was ready. With a soft click of her tongue Atlas set into motion trotting careful through the woods. Hopping over fall trees. Once you had gotten onto a relatively straight path with no trees Ellie pushed Atlas into a sprint. You could feel her need to feel the freedom the wind offered. Even though it whipped your hair against your cheeks and made it so cold your fingers were hard to move, it felt like you were flying across the hills. You held onto Ellie's middle tightly burying your face against her back, reminding her you were here for her.
     When she slowed Atlas, you pulled back far enough to see where she took you. A beautiful manor so similar to the one you took over in Idaho. Except this one was so much better maintained.
     "Ellie? Are you okay?" You asked softly not wanting to startle the girl. She twisted in the saddle to look at you. "Ellie if you want we can go back to Jackson and you can show me everything some other day." You offered despite the nervous tug in your stomach.
      "That's actually the last thing I want to do." Ellie laughed dryly. "I don't know what he was thinking? Like how idiotic and stupid is he? I don't understand him at all." Ellie growled. You watched her as she hopped off Atlas to open the gate.
     "This place is beautiful." You admired hoping to change the subject. You didn't want Ellie to think you didn't appreciate her efforts here.
      "It's called the Baldwin Manor. Joel brought me here once to show me how rich people lived before the outbreak." Ellie explained softly as she lead you and Atlas into the courtyard before the beautiful building. Once she stopped, you swung your leg to the side of the saddle. Ellie reached up as you slid off catching you to help you off the horse. It touched you that even though you could obviously get on and off the bell Ellie still offered her help. Ellie lead you in the front doors to a living room. The floor to ceiling windows overlooking the snow covered landscape.
     "It's so beautiful up here, thank you Ellie. For all this, you defend me even though you barely know me. It's nice to have someone who has my back." You confessed. Ellie walked over to you, sliding her hand into yours standing close and watching out the window.
     "I figured this would remind you of your place in Idaho and if you didn't want to stay in Jackson I could convince you to stay here." Ellie confessed. You turned so you were facing each other, being so close to her you could count her freckles.
      "I think if they let me become Jackson's trader, if you want me to of course, maybe I could just crash on your couch whenever I come back from a trip." You asked, your cheeks turning pink as you stared into her forest green eyes.
     "(YN)..." Ellie trailed her eyes flicking to your lips. Your hopeful heart sunk a little bit. Maybe Ellie just wanted this to be a casual thing, just for when you two need the warmth of someone else. "I don't think you'll be sleeping on my couch." She flirted before kissing you. You grinned against her lips grabbing her face and pulling her closer to you.
     "Thank god because it's horrible to sleep on." You joked when you pulled away for air. Ellie scoffed planting kisses along your jawline.
     "I guess you'll just have to sleep in bed with me, I wouldn't want you to have back problems." Ellie said sarcastically. You laughed at that.
     "I'm glad you found me in that bookstore." You confessed as Ellie hugged you to her, resting her head against yours gently. You two just stayed there like that for a long while. Once you separated she showed you around the manor, you two sat at the dusty table next to each other eating the sandwiches Ellie packed for you. And just watching her and talking to her you felt in your soul, you'd stay in Jackson if she asked you to. It'd take some adjusting but with Ellie at your side you knew it would be enough. Maybe Jackson would never be home, but maybe Ellie could be.