The first time Rick hadn't been prepared.
He'd just gotten back from a run and was unloading the few presents he'd been able to find. He'd given Glenn a clean collared shirt for his impending marriage to Maggie. He'd dropped off a cardigan for Beth who felt the cold. She'd hugged him. Rick wasn't sure why he'd saved Michonne's gift until last but he fingered it nervously as he walked to her cell. She'd spent the day securing the prisons fences and removing dead Walkers from the perimeter, and had gone to lie down before dinner. He found her lying on her bunk reading one of Carl's comic books. He tapped on the doorframe and she looked up. She smiled when she saw it was him and stood.
"Hey." She said in her quiet confident voice.
"Hi." Rick responded not moving from his position in the doorway. Silence filled the tiny room as Michonne looked at Rick and Rick looked at the piece of fabric in his hands. He cleared his throat and stepped into her cell before he began to speak.
"I – uh – I found this while I was out. I though you might like it." He held the blue and brown fabric out towards her. He felt awkward and strange as he usually did when talking to Michonne about non-survival related topics. She had a way of making him feel like he was a teenage boy trying to talk to girls for the first time. She smiled slightly at him and stepped forward, taking the cloth out of his hand. Her long finger brushed his hand making his skin feel hot.
"Your one is looking a little worse for wear." He explained, looking from her dark eyes to the faded pink and purple fabric wrapped around her head. She frowned slightly and reached up to touch it, maybe self consciously, maybe because of memories it held.
"Thanks Rick." She said smiling at him. She took a step closer to him. "That was really sweet of you." She quickly pressed her lips to his. He didn't have time to close his eyes, or relish the feel of her soft plump lips, before pulled away. He stared at her. She has a small smile on her lips and her long, slender fingers were twisted in the fabric. Rick cleared his throat slightly and opened his mouth to say- well he wasn't really sure what to say. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't thought about her, about kissing her neck, and holding her hand. But he wasn't sure Carl was ready, or the group, or if he was even ready. Michonne was still standing in front of him, quiet and patient as always.
"Michonne! You finishes that comic yet?" Carl appeared at the door. "I wanted to –" He stopped when he saw his dad. "I thought you went to get food." Carl said to his father. He glanced between Rick and Michonne.
"I was just dropping something off." Rick explained walking over to his son. He put a hand on Carl's shoulder. "Why don't we get something to eat and leave Michonne to rest up." He suggested steering Carl out of the cell. When Rick was sure Carl was far enough away not to hear him, Rick turned and faced Michonne.
"Thanks for that." He said quietly and left the cell. His southern drawl made the words sound as sweet as honey to Michonne.
Author's Note:
I hope you liked it! Should be another chapter up soon.
