Refreshing Chapter 1
This was originally a ficlet for the Richonne Fics March Table Prompt Challenge.
Michonne felt the tension all over her body, especially in her neck and shoulders. They had made it to the safe zone and actually had three days that should have been filled with relaxation and relief, but she couldn't feel it. Maybe this place really was too good to be true. What if she had led her family into some sort of death trap? Rick would never forgive her. Hell, she wouldn't be able to forgive herself. She sighs deeply and tries to bring her thoughts under control. You have to believe that this place can be safe. She tells herself over and over again.
She watches as the others go off to explore their new safe haven at Deana's insistence. She hesitates, lost in her thoughts, and moves over to the table to take a seat. She scoffs a little as she realizes that she hasn't set her katana aside for a second. Placing it on the table in front of her, she slowly rests her head against her forearms, thinking she is alone. A slight breeze wafts through the front window, enveloping her briefly. It was refreshing, but she couldn't find any joy in it in that moment.
Rick notices her mood immediately and after seeing Carl and Judith off safely with Glenn, Maggie, and Noah, he goes back into the house to check on his friend. He approaches her softly, resting his hand on her shoulder.
Michonne lifts her head and states, "I thought you were off exploring with the kids."
"You wanna talk about it?" he asks her.
She gives a little smile as she thinks to herself, He can always tell when something is not quite right with me. "I'm just a little worried about this place. I guess I wanted it so badly that I didn't really think about it. Now that we're here, I can't help wondering that maybe this was a mistake. I mean, how safe are we with these people? It's like they haven't even been touched by what's going on outside those walls. Can we live like that now?"
Rick takes a seat and faces her as he states, "We don't know what safe is anymore. Not in this world. We just have to take it one day at a time and meet whatever comes our way head on. This place is….different, but we can make it work. I have my doubts, but you told me to try, so I'm gonna try. You have to do the same. Otherwise, this won't work for either of us."
Michonne nods, letting his words sink in, hearing the truth in them. "I just…can't relax. I told you to let the fight go and here I am, looking for one….or expecting one. I haven't even put my sword down." She rolls her shoulders, moving her head from side to side, trying to relieve the tension.
He looks at her with concern as he asks, "What do you need?"
Moving away from the table, Michonne shrugs her shoulders with, "I don't know. I just need…...something."
"Is that an invitation?" Rick whispers.
Michonne turns back to him. "What did you say?"
"Never mind. Come here." He takes her by the hand and leads her to the sofa. He takes a seat beside her and instructs her to turn her back to him. She complies and almost moans out loud as Rick starts to massage her neck and shoulders. She quickly lifts her hair to give him better access.
"Oh, that feels so good. Thank you, Grimes."
"My pleasure," Rick responds with a smile as he continues to massage her. He watches quietly as she rolls her head and shoulders to loosen the muscles up even more with his ministrations. Her skin is so soft and smooth. Is she like this all over? He shakes his head quickly as if to clear it from the direction his thoughts were taking. Slowly, but surely, he can feel the almost unfamiliar stirring of arousal in his body.
Leaning forward, slowly and cautiously, he places a soft kiss on her shoulder. Michonne gasps softly, letting her hair fall back into place as she turns to face him. They sit in complete silence, feeling each other out with their eyes, hearts racing as they both contemplate if they should even go to that place.
Rick makes the decision for them as he gently takes her face into his hands and brings his lips to hers. He gives her three successive kisses, testing the waters, before moving closer to deepen their connection.
Michonne practically melts into him, softly clutching his shirt at his waist. She opens her mouth willingly to accept his tongue as he explores her mouth, hungrily. Returning the favor, she latches onto his tongue and sucks softly, then continues to caress his tongue with hers.
He moves his hands to her shoulders, wrapping his arms around her, embracing her tenderly as they continue to kiss. Momentarily, he breaks the kiss to touch his lips to her neck, opening his mouth to suck the skin, tracing her with his tongue.
Oh, I forgot what this feels like. I need to touch him. Michonne is thinking to herself as she moves her hand underneath his shirt before she can second guess the decision. She hears his breath hitch as her hands come into contact with his skin. Needing no further encouragement, she glides her hands from his waist, up to his chest, then to his back, pressing him to her.
Rick finds her lips again and shudders as their kissing becomes more frantic. He slowly lowers her to the couch as he makes his way down her body, grabbing the bottom of her sleeveless sweater and pushing it up to shower light kisses on her flat abdomen.
"Rick? Rick? What are we doing?" Michonne asks breathlessly.
"You mean you don't know?" He returns with a smile.
"Are we really gonna do this?" She inquires.
His answer was him unbuckling her pants.
