Marcus laughed. "Don't mind him, Maya. He's all business until you get a few drinks in him. Then he's all feelings and philosophical discussions about the nature of survival."
Kane shot him a look that could have melted steel, but Marcus just grinned back unrepentantly.
They were interrupted by the arrival of a fourth man, and Maya's breath caught in her throat. If Ash looked like he belonged in a fantasy, this man looked like he'd stepped out of some pre-apocalypse magazine. Tall and lean with perfect features and dark hair that somehow managed to look styled despite the end of the world. His clothes were clean and well-fitted, and when he smiled at her, it was with the kind of confidence that spoke of a man who'd never doubted his own appeal.
"You must be Maya," he said, extending a hand. "Damien Cross. Welcome to Sanctuary."
His hand was soft, she noticed as she shook it. Not the rough, scarred hands of someone who'd spent years fighting to survive. It made her wonder what his story was, how he'd ended up here looking like the apocalypse had barely touched him.
"Thank you," she managed.
"I've prepared a room for you," Damien continued smoothly. "Nothing fancy, but it has a bed and privacy. I assumed you'd want to clean up after your journey."
The thought of a real bed, of privacy and cleanliness, was almost overwhelming. She'd been sleeping in abandoned buildings and caves for so long that she'd almost forgotten what it felt like to have a space that was truly her own.
"That's very kind of you," she said.
"Not kind," Kane interjected. "Practical. You'll be more useful if you're rested and clean."
"Kane," Marcus said with a hint of reproach. "What he means to say is that we're happy to have you here."
"I said what I meant to say."
Maya found herself fighting back a smile. There was something almost comforting about the way the four men interacted—like a family that had chosen each other rather than being bound by blood. It had been so long since she'd been around people who cared enough about each other to bicker.
"Come on," Damien said, touching her elbow lightly. "Let me show you around."
The tour was impressive. The settlement—Sanctuary, as Damien called it—was larger than she'd realized from the outside. There were living quarters, a common area with a real kitchen, workshops where they maintained their equipment, and even a small library. Everything was clean and organized, a stark contrast to the chaos of the outside world.
"How long have you all been here?" Maya asked as they walked.
"About a year and a half," Damien replied. "Kane found this place first. It used to be some kind of research facility, which is why it was already partially fortified. Marcus and I joined up about six months later, and Ash showed up last winter half-dead from exposure."
"And you all just… decided to stay together?"
Damien's smile turned thoughtful. "It's not easy, trusting people in this world. But sometimes you meet someone and you just know—they're worth the risk."
There was something in his voice when he said it, something that made Maya wonder if he was talking about more than just general survival partnerships. But before she could analyze it further, they'd reached the room he'd prepared for her.
It was small but comfortable, with a real bed, a dresser, and even a small window that looked out over the settlement's gardens. There were clean clothes laid out on the bed and a towel that looked softer than anything she'd touched in years.
"The shower's down the hall," Damien said. "Hot water's limited, but we've got enough for everyone to stay clean. Dinner's at seven in the common room, assuming you feel like joining us."
"I'd like that," Maya said, and realized she meant it. When was the last time she'd had dinner with other people? When was the last time she'd wanted to?