Safe and Sound// Ellie Williams

The Breakup

I'm just getting back to the town from patrol with Jesse. Infected have been light the past few weeks so patrol has been easy. Jesse and I spend most of our patrols just talking which has been nice. He's always so serious about patrols and doing a good job, but ever since him and Dina have started seeing each other again he's a lot more lighter and calm.

"So Cats been talking to me." Jesse tells me as we are tying up our horses.

"About what?"

"You, and Ellie."

"Why?" I stop taking off my horses saddle and look over at him.

"Just that you've been spending a lot of time together."

"Well that's what friends do. I mean we spend a lot of time together."

"Well you don't make my girlfriend jealous."

"Why would I make Dina jealous?" I furrow my eyebrows together, "Wait do I make Cat jealous? Why?"

"Don't know. Just what she told me." Jesse shrugs.

"And you're telling me this because?"

"I'm just asking."

"Well there's nothing there. Ellie's just been teaching me guitar."

"I know, but it's just Cat. I just wanted to let you know that she's been talking about it."

"Well then you can let her know that there's nothing there. Ellie's dating Cat, not me."

"Okay." Jesse says and we keep quiet after that. I'm not mad that Jesse brought this up to me- more confused than anything. I never really understood jealousy that much- if you're with someone should you feel worried? They're with you for a reason. I also have never seen anyone be jealous. There isn't much feelings involved in the Seraphites; just duty. Jesse and I start heading to the Tipsy Bison to grab some food. When we get there I see Aster, Alaia, Cat, Ellie and Dina already at a table so we head over. I sit next to Alaia and she gives me a bump on the shoulder with a smile.

"Look who's finally back from patrol. We were worried you were caught up out there." Alaia tells me.

"Nah. Slow poke over here was just checkin' out the scenery." Jesse teases me.

"It was really nice. I just wanted to sketch it quickly." I reply. Everyone goes into a conversation and I decide to zone it out since I'm still stuck on what Jesse told me. Why would Cat be jealous?

"Tate, you listening?" Cat tells me and I look up at her.

"Oh no. Sorry."

"No worries. We were just gonna head to my place and have a beer." I nod at Cat and get up with the rest of them. We start walking and Ellie ends up next to me.

"So, I have a new edition of Savage Starlight that Joel found. You can come check it out if you want?"

"Yeah sure." I tell Ellie with a small smile. I look over and Cat's staring at us with a conflicted look on her face.

"Oh Tate, I forgot to mention but a little birdie told me that they are interested in you." Cat gives me a smile.

"A little birdie?"

"Yeah. I gotta keep it anonymous though- don't want to expose them if you're not interested." I feel slightly uncomfortable at this so I just keep quiet. Jesse's words keep replaying in my head. Cat keeps going, "We never even heard about your dating life before."

"Well there's not much to tell. I've never even kissed anybody before."

"Ellie was the same before we met. Got so scared she jumped away." Cat says with a smile at Ellie, "You've never been kissed though? Well then we have to find someone for you!" Cat looks excited but it doesn't seem genuine. I don't know why she's acting like this- she never has before.

"Oh no I'm-"

"Shut up it will be great. Now are you into the men or the ladies."

"I-uh, I really don't-" I stop and feel my heart beat a thousand times, "I-uh."

"Cat stop. This really isn't important." Aster says

"Come on-"

"Cat." Alaia says and Cat looks over at her.

"Don't try and set her up Cat." Ellie tells her and Cat whips her head to Ellie.

"Of course you say that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know what I mean Ellie. I see you two." What does she mean?

"That's noth-"

"Bullshit." No one says anything and we all stop to look at the two.

"Cat-" Ellie begins but she doesn't get to say anything.

"I can't keep doing this Ellie. I've seen the looks for months. If you're not interested anymore just tell me." Ellie doesn't say anything but I can see she doesn't want to. Cat nods and looks away, "I'm sorry Ellie. We can't be together anymore, not when your hearts not in it anymore." Cat starts to walk away and Ellie lets her. Ellie looks over at me but I avoid eye contact. What just happened? Alaia gives me a sad smile before she runs after Cat.

"I, uh, I'm just gonna go home. I'm tired from patrol." I tell them and I walk away without a second glance.

~~~~~~~~~

I lay in bed at night and I can't stop thinking about what happened earlier. I feel terrible about what happened. I sigh before getting up and leaving the house as silent as I can. I walk across town until I am where I need to be. I knock on the door and wait for her to open. When the door swings open Cat is standing there with slightly puffy, red rimmed eyes.

"Hi." I say softly and Cat doesn't reply but opens the door wider and lets me in. I go over to her couch and sit down, "I, um I'm not really good at comforting people."

"You don't have to." Cat tells me and she curls up on the couch.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know I was doing anything, but I never meant to go between you and Ellie. If I did."

"No I shouldn't have done that. You never did anything but exist." I nod at Cat confusedly, "I shouldn't have made you uncomfortable. I just, fuck it's stupid, but I thought if I set you up it wouldn't make Ellie like you anymore."

"Ellie doesn't like me." I shake my head at her and feel my heart beating rapidly.

"Trust me. I know Ellie." I don't reply again and Cat sighs, "I'm okay. I was in the wrong and we're good. You're still a great friend to me and I appreciate you coming." I nod at Cat and she gives me a hug. I awkwardly wrap my arms around her and pat her on her back softly. Cat chuckles, "God both you and Ellie are so awkward."

"Um, so we're good?"

Cat chuckles, "Yeah Tate. We're good."

I give Cat a smile and start to walk back home. We're good.

~~~~~~~
Hi! Hope y'all enjoy this chapter :) I just wanted to add that I posted a one shot story that will include all of my OC's! There isn't a one shot up yet, just a note, but I will get one up soon and I am taking request for it!

Thank you:)