Just a short short fiction to get my feet wet again. Haven't written in a long time. Hope you enjoy.
The Hilltop had made a delivery of an assortment of foods. Maggie had enlisted some of the ladies to help sort and distribute. Carol, Michonne, and Rosita were in that bunch. Rick and Michonne's relationship was still fairly new. It had been a few weeks since the rumor spread and no one dared approach Michonne with the burning questions that they all wanted to know. At least not until today.
The group were all surrounding a table of jarred foods when Carol finally ventured to open the discussion. "So, Michonne tell us what it's like. How are things with you and Rick?"
Rosita smirked, secretly glad Carol brought it up instead of her. "Yeah Michonne, tell us, what's it like snagging the big dog around here? I mean, how did that even happen? I never got that vibe between you two."
Michonne wished the floor would open up a swallow her right then and there. She knew how she felt about Rick and was very confident in her feelings, but talking about them with other people made her nervous and embarrassed for some reason. Usually all the feeling conversations she have ever had were with Rick or Carl. Luckily she didn't have to answer right away because Rosita and Carol continued discussing without her.
"Are you serious? You never noticed? I noticed all the time. The lusty looks Rick would give her as soon as she turned around. Or the shy smiles she only reserved for Rick. But I've been around them a lot longer than you so I guess it was more obvious to me."
"Hmm, I guess you're right. But I did notice Rick taking a shine to that Jessie woman before she died. I guess that's why this hookup threw me off a bit. Never saw it coming."
"Oh please, Jessie was a pipe dream. Some fantasy Rick created in his mind. I don't know. Maybe she reminded him of Lori, Rick's wife. But I tell you, I remember when Rick was with her. It was a lot of tension in their relationship, not to mention a third party. It was strained. I've never seen him this happy before."
They both stopped their sorting and looked up at Michonne. Michonne stood there listening to their exchange and Carol's kind words regarding her effect on Rick. She cleared her throat and said.
"Well, to answer your question how did this happen, I guess this was a slow brewing thing between us. Carl has always been the glue between us, but we grew even closer after the prison, on the road traveling together. I've always felt grateful to him, for saving me, letting me in. When we finally crossed that line, it just felt right. It feels right."
Carol said, "You two have been there for each other awhile now. You care for his kids, you care for him. You stabilize him more than anyone else. We've all tried at different points to reach him when he goes off the deep end, but he really listens to you. You more than anyone. Believe me no one boss's Rick Grimes around unless he wants them to. And he wants you to."
Rosita chimed in, "Well, I'm happy for you girl. Everyone deserves some loving, even in this world. And God knows Rick needed a good lay!"
They all burst out laughing.