We're The Ones Who Write would like to present their first collaborative prompt story! This prompt challenge is being deliciously handled by a talented, expressive bunch of writers selectively chosen for this story. We have Cranesinthesky kicking things off with Chapter one, followed by Fik Freak and Thematsaidwelcome. Chapter 2 will be up soon!

Please feel free to check out all of Cranesinthesky deeply emotional Richonne stories on her page.

Enjoy!

weretheoneswhowrite

Remedy

When the pain cuts you deep

When the night keeps you from sleeping

Just look and you will see that I will be your remedy. (Beautiful)

Rick sighed as he opened his eyes, surrendering to the fact that sleep was not going to happen tonight. Not with the war on his mind. Different scenarios of what could happen riddled through his mind along with the reason of why they were fighting in the first place. Images of his family flashed before him every time he closed his eyes- Carl, Judith, Maggie and the baby, Glenn, Abraham, Sasha.

He especially wanted to fight for the person sleeping next to him.

He turned his head towards her, taking in her sleeping form only a few inches away from him. She looked more peaceful now than she did when she first left the infirmary. She told him that the pain had subsided just a little, thanks to the ice packs and pain relievers Tara was able to scrounge up for her. However, he could tell that the pain was not only external, but internal as well.

Their community was going to war in just a few short hours, fighting just like they been doing since the beginning. But this was different type of war. Instead of fighting the dead, they were fighting the living, all for the same reason- to get the chance to live.

She wanted to go with them, to be with him and fight by his side like she always did, but he refused. She needed to rest and to heal. She would be safe here behind these walls. And so would Carl and Judith. He wouldn't have to worry about them. They would be his motivation to make it back home to them.

But he had his doubts. What if this was the wrong idea? What if he lost more people than he imagined? What if he lost himself?

What would happen if he didn't make it back home to them?

He had told her that she could lose him and he could lose her. But after seeing her beat up and broken after the fight with Jadis' people, he knew that he was wrong. He couldn't lose her. Not when he finally had her.

Rick glanced over at the clock on the nightstand. Time had ticked right on by, each minute pressing closer towards the time he was supposed to leave the warmth of his home. The warmth of his love beside him.

Needing to touch her in some way, he inched even closer to her and pressed his lips against her forehead, careful not to wake her. She moved upon his touch and slowly opening her eyes, a small and tired smile lifting the corner of her mouth.

"Hey," she whispered, her voice thick with sleep.

"Hey," he replied back. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"I was on the verge of waking up anyway. I can practically feel your mind racing with worries."

He chuckled and shook his head, not surprised by the fact that she could read him like a book and knew his every emotion.

"I'm sorry that I kept you up," he said, laying back against his pillow, still facing her. "You should rest."

"I could say the same about you." She was fully awake now, her warm brown eyes focusing on his worried baby blues.

"I just want everything to go right," he confessed, looking up at the ceiling. "I'm wondering if we're making the right decision going to war, putting our people in danger. Maybe losing one another." He paused and glanced over at her, seeing the same flicker of worry flash across her own face.

Michonne nodded in understandment. Rick had been through a lot. Seen a lot. And yet, here he was, still fighting for their people. She couldn't think of anyone else more inclined for the position than him.

She paused before repeating the words that had been racing through her mind all night.

"Do you remember what you told me on the way back from getting those guns for Jadis?" she asked, her voice low and determined. "You said that we were going to fight them, that we're going to lose people and it would be worth it because we're making a future."

Michonne slowly shifted her body, wincing in pain as she pulled up her arm and placed her hand on his cheek. His eyes closed at the contact, settled and content from her touch. It calmed him like it always did; he felt free from all of the disaster and worries of the world.

"It's not about us anymore; it's about a future," she said firmly. "And we have to do what it takes to win. To gain everything back. We owe it to them- to Abraham. To Glenn. To Sasha." She paused at the mention of their fallen friends and took a deep breath before continuing on. "Glenn and Maggie's baby, Judith, Carl, the next generation- we're doing this for them. They don't deserve our surrender."

Rick opened his eyes, her words ringing in his ears. She was right. Just like she always was. They would go out there to fight and win. They were doing this for their family.

"I don't know what I would do without you,' he said, pulling her hand away from her face and to his lips where he placed a kiss on her knuckles. Determination raced through his veins, her words of encouragement and support bringing him back to reality.

She was his remedy, his calm within the storm. His shelter from the rain. She was his everything.

"You're a good man with a good heart," she said. "Don't let him tell you otherwise."

When the world seems so cruel

And your heart makes you feel like a fool

I promise that you will see that I will be your remedy

He kissed her, first softly. She invited him in, pressing her body against his and her fingers made their way through his curls. He was careful not to hurt her, but his need for her love was too much to bear. He finally pulled away to keep from going further, resting his forehead against hers.

"Let me go with you," she said one last time, her eyebrows pushed together.

He shook his head. "No, Michonne, I'm sorry. It's better if you stay here and heal. We can handle it out there, don't you worry about that."

"Promise me," she whispered, her eyes never leaving his. "Promise me you'll come back home to me."

Rick nodded, rubbing her back. "I will. Promise me you'll still be here when I get back."

"I will. I'm pretty sure Carl won't allow me out of the house anyway."

They chuckled. Their hearts were beating faster than usual, the realization that he was leaving for war soon finally hitting them like a ton of bricks.

The sun was starting to rise outside of their window, a hint of light peeking through the curtains. He was due to leave soon and meet up with both the Hilltop and the Kingdom. He still had to go around and make sure everything and everyone was accounted for. But first, he wanted to wallow in the comfort of the woman he loved.

Judging by the way she continually ran her fingers through his curls, he could tell she felt the same.

"This won't be the last time," he assured her as his hands roamed to her ass. "I'm coming back to you and when I do, I'm never leaving again."

She buried her face into the crook of his neck. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

Lyrics used: "Remedy"- Adele