Were Ellie And Riley Lovers? Exploring Their Deep Connection

Prof. Rosa Hermiston 30 Jul 2025

The relationship between Ellie and Riley in The Last of Us has sparked much discussion, and for good reason. It’s a powerful, poignant story that captures hearts, whether you’ve experienced it through the acclaimed video game or the compelling HBO series. People often wonder about the true nature of their bond, asking, "Were Ellie and Riley lovers?" This is a question that goes right to the core of their story, a tale of two young people finding solace and something more in a world that offers very little.

So, as we look at the story today, it's clear that their connection was indeed a very deep one. The narrative, whether from the game's Left Behind DLC or the television show's adaptation, shows a relationship that goes beyond just friendship. It was a journey of two individuals who started as close companions and, in a way, found a unique kind of love.

This exploration isn't just about labels; it's about understanding the raw emotion and the moments that shaped Ellie, especially as her first significant connection. It really matters for understanding her later experiences, too.

Character Glimpse: Ellie and Riley
The Start of a Bond: Friendship and Protection
A Kiss and a Clear Answer: Love Confirmed
A Relationship Unfolds: More Than Just Friends
Borrowed Time: Making It Count
Adapting the Story: Game to Screen
Fan Reactions and Perspectives
Ellie's First Love and Loss
Frequently Asked Questions

Character Glimpse: Ellie and Riley

Character Name	Ellie Williams	Riley Abel
Role in Story	Central Protagonist	Ellie's Best Friend and First Love
First Appearance	The Last of Us (Game)	The Last of Us: Left Behind (DLC/Episode 7)
Key Relationship Point	First romantic connection	First romantic connection for Ellie
Fate	Survivor	Infected and Died

The Start of a Bond: Friendship and Protection

Ellie and Riley's story actually began in the quarantine zone, a tough place to grow up. When they first crossed paths, Riley, you know, really stepped in for Ellie. Ellie was a newcomer, and she was getting picked on by some bullies.

Riley, in a very protective way, stopped those bullies. She fought them off, showing a lot of courage. This initial act of standing up for Ellie was the spark, creating a really strong connection between them right away.

After that, their bond grew deeper. They started out as best friends, relying on each other in a world where trust was a rare thing. They were, in some respects, each other's only constant.

A Kiss and a Clear Answer: Love Confirmed

So, to answer the question, "Were Ellie and Riley lovers?" the answer is a pretty clear yes. This was, you know, established very clearly during a moment in the mall. Ellie kissed Riley, a moment that spoke volumes about their feelings.

Riley's reaction to the kiss was also very telling. She told Ellie that she shouldn't be sorry for kissing her. This exchange really solidified the romantic nature of their connection, making it undeniable.

The game's Left Behind DLC and the HBO series adaptation both show this pivotal moment. It's a key scene that demonstrates, as the creators and even the HBO podcast have discussed, that Ellie and Riley shared very strong romantic feelings for each other.

A Relationship Unfolds: More Than Just Friends

They started out as best friends, true, but their relationship soon moved into a romantic one. This development was a natural progression of their deep bond, showing how their feelings for each other grew.

The story shows their journey, from just having each other to entering into a relationship. This happened before the tragic event where Riley got infected and, sadly, died.

Even though they had a disagreement at one point, with Riley wanting to join the Fireflies and Ellie wanting to escape the quarantine zone, Riley did go back to meet Ellie. That reunion was a really significant step.

After they reunited, they faced different dangerous situations together. They fought through them, showing their teamwork and their reliance on each other. This period, too it's almost, cemented their bond even further.

Borrowed Time: Making It Count

A particularly heart-wrenching part of their story happens after both Ellie and Riley are bitten. Ellie is, you know, absolutely furious and feels ready to just give up everything, to end it all. It's a moment of pure despair for her.

But Riley, in that moment, offers Ellie a different perspective. She convinces Ellie that even if their time is limited, a bit like being on borrowed time, they should really do whatever they can to make that time count. She urges Ellie to make it worthwhile and to spend it with love.

This conversation is incredibly powerful. It shows Riley's strength and her desire to find meaning even in the face of inevitable loss. It also highlights the depth of their connection, as Riley wants their final moments to be filled with affection.

Adapting the Story: Game to Screen

The HBO series adaptation, particularly episode 7, brought Ellie and Riley's story to a wider audience. This episode, called "Left Behind," was quite moving, taking viewers back in time.

It shows Ellie reuniting with Riley, her rebellious best friend and former roommate. The episode very clearly shows the pair developing feelings for each other during their day spent in an abandoned mall.

Craig Mazin, speaking on HBO’s The Last of Us podcast, described how important the show’s time setting was to their budding romance in episode 7. This really underscores the deliberate choice to portray their romantic connection.

Some people, you know, reacted with anger after episode 7 showed a gay romance between Ellie and Riley. However, it's pretty important to remember that this romantic aspect was, actually, all in the original video game's Left Behind DLC. It wasn't something new added for the show.

Fan Reactions and Perspectives

As everyone looks forward to a heartfelt remake of Ellie and Riley's relationship in upcoming adaptations, The Last of Us community has been, like, lightening the mood a little by poking fun at the account. It's a way for fans to cope with the emotional weight of their story.

The relationship between Ellie and Riley in episode 7 of The Last of Us is, arguably, a perfect parallel to Bill and Frank's relationship from episode 3. Both stories are poignant love stories, showing deep connections in a harsh world.

One of the biggest shows on TV, you know, went in a somewhat unexpected direction in its latest episode by showing viewers this poignant love story. It just goes to show how important these character connections are to the overall narrative.

Ellie and Riley's love story is explored quite thoroughly in The Last of Us. It's a really significant part of Ellie's personal history and her journey. You can learn more about the series and its stories on the official game site.

Ellie's First Love and Loss

Ellie’s reluctance to open up to Dina later on makes a lot of sense once you consider what she’s been through. Underneath her tough exterior, there’s a teenager who’s experienced unimaginable pain, and her first kill wasn’t a stranger, but someone she loved.

Yes, Ellie’s first kill was Riley, her best friend and her first love. This fact adds a really deep layer of tragedy to their story and explains so much about Ellie’s character and her emotional defenses.

Ellie and Riley's story is, in a way, foundational to understanding Ellie. It shapes her future relationships, including her later romance with Dina, which is explored in The Last of Us Part II. The scenes between Ellie and Dina in season 2, you know, take place in the sequel game and Ellie's sexuality is explored in further depth there.

The road leading to the climax of HBO’s The Last of Us has been built around the relationship formed by Ellie and Joel. Initially, their bond was antagonistic, but it soon became a relationship of convenience, then necessity, and eventually, a kind of love. However, Riley was Ellie's first romantic love interest, a very different kind of connection.

Ellieriley is the femslash ship between Ellie Williams and Riley Abel from The Last of Us fandom. This term itself, you know, points to the widespread recognition of their romantic bond among fans.

You can discover more about Ellie's journey and her relationships on our site. Learn more about Ellie's character and link to this page here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Ellie and Riley kiss in the game?

Yes, they did. This kiss happened in the mall sequence during the Left Behind DLC. It was a very clear moment that established their romantic feelings for each other.

What was the real relationship between Ellie and Riley?

The real relationship between Ellie and Riley evolved from best friends into a romantic partnership. This was confirmed by their kiss, Riley's reaction to it, and statements from the game creators and the HBO showrunners.

Was Ellie's first love Riley?

Yes, Riley was Ellie's first love. Their deep connection and the romantic feelings they shared are a significant part of Ellie's backstory and her character development throughout The Last of Us series.

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