Sparkling (Richonne One shot)
Michonne was restless and she couldn't get comfortable no matter how hard she tried. She looks over to where Rick is supposed to be sleeping and when she notices the empty space, she pops up to a sitting position, searching. Her eyes find him almost instantly, standing with his back to her at the window. He turns his head in her direction, indicating he knows she is awake. She moves quietly as she goes to stand by him, studying his face in the pale moonlight.
"Can't sleep?" she inquires.
Rick glances at her, then gives a slight shake of his head. "I see you can't either."
"I know what's on your mind and I just want you to know that this can work. We can make it work," she offers in a soft voice.
Rick nods his head, slowly, his mind turning with a million questions and doubts. "I don't want us out there like we were before, but this place….." He sighs and continues with, "I'm just not sure about it."
"Me either, but we have to try, right? Don't we need to try?" She implores, watching him closely.
Rick turns to her, taking her hands into his and says, "I'm here. I'm trying. Okay?"
She agrees, knowing not to push him for more right now. "Should we try to get some sleep?"
Rick finds that he doesn't want to let go of her hands, that he wants to remain like they are just a little longer. "Wanna take a walk?"
Michonne gives him a small smile and leads him to the front door. They both grab jackets, closing the door softly. Pausing on the front porch, they slip their jackets on, noticing the difference in the temperature. It was going to be a lot colder in Virginia than it ever was in Georgia.
Rick surprises himself and Michonne when he reaches for her hand again as they slowly descend the steps and make their way down the quiet, empty street.
"Deana hasn't given me a job yet," Michonne tells him.
"Do you want one?" Rick asks.
"Yeah, don't you?" Michonne is hopeful, waiting for Rick's answer. She knows a job would be somewhat of a commitment to this place and she really wants Rick to try. She sees the potential this place has for them and she just wants him on the same page as her. The others will fall in line if he does and she wanted this so badly for Carl and Judith, for everybody.
Realizing exactly what Michonne wants from him, Rick stops to face her. "We'll see what Deana has in mind first. Is that a good enough compromise for you?"
Michonne squeezes his hands and smiles as she says, "It's a start."
"Good. Now, can we talk about something else?" Rick requests.
"Ok. Well, I think I'm ready to redecorate the house. It's too white in there, we need some color….." she trails off as Rick is giving her a side eyed look. "I'm just joking, Rick," she laughs.
"I couldn't tell," he returns.
They continue their walk, coming upon the small community park, complete with a swing set, a merry go round, a slide, a see saw and picnic tables. Rick moves toward the picnic tables, but Michonne grasps his hand tighter and pulls him toward the swing set.
"Really?" he asks her.
"Oh, come on. When's the last time you were on a swing set?" She looks around and says, "Nobody's watching. Let's live a little." She plops down with excitement, watching to be sure Rick does the same. He sits down, reluctantly, grabbing the chains for balance.
Michonne doesn't hesitate as she starts to swing back and forth slowly. She laughs as she looks over at Rick. "Come on, Grimes. Swing with me."
Rick shakes his head, watching her, thinking to himself... She never ceases to amaze me. Here we are in this new place with people we don't know, not knowing what tomorrow will bring and she's laughing on a swing set. Guess that's one of the things I love about her. Wait….love? He looks at her closely, taking it all in. Her laughter, her infectious smile, the way she kicks her legs forward, then backward to propel the swing higher, the way the wind is moving through her hair…..Damn.
He tries to distract himself by moving the swing slowly backward, then forward. Soon, he has to admit to himself that this is fun. He can't remember the last time he felt this free. Sitting in this swing brought back good memories of his childhood and the fact that he wanted Carl and Judith to have as much of a childhood as possible in this nightmare of a world that exists for them now. He is brought out of his reflections by Michonne's hands at his waist, pulling him to a stop.
"How about the merry go round now?" she pants with exertion and excitement.
"No way. The swing was enough," Rick tells her.
Michonne laughs and starts to tickle him as she says, "Humor me some more. Come on, you know you want to."
Rick is wriggling and squirming, trying to keep a straight, serious face as Michonne relentlessly tries to tickle him despite his thick jacket. He turns himself around (swing and all) to face her and grabs her by the waist to return the favor. "How does that feel, huh?"
Michonne grabs his hands and breaks away, moving back a few steps. She looks up to realize that Rick is in pursuit. "Hey, wait…." She squeals and takes off at a run when he jumps at her. She makes it as far as the picnic tables when she feels Rick's hand fisted in her jacket, pulling her back toward him. She turns to face him, grabbing at his shoulders. Before she can say anything, Rick is tickling her again. Trying to move out of his hold, Michonne tries to back away, but ends up falling to the grass, dragging Rick with her. They land with an "umpfh" then look at each other and laugh.
Rick drops his back to the ground, looking up at the night's sky. He sighs and asks, "Is it me or does it look like there are more stars here in Virginia than there were in Georgia?"
"I don't think there are more. I just don't think you ever took the time to really notice them," Michonne adds.
He looks over at her, taking her words in, then looks up at the stars again, watching each of them as they are sparkling and twinkling in the inky black night. Supporting his upper body on an elbow, he looks down at her and says, "Or maybe I'm just better at noticing things that are right in front of me."
She gives him her full attention as she detects the change in his voice and the way he is looking at her. Her heartbeat quickens as Rick gently caresses her cheek with the back of his hand, slowly moving to lift her chin as he brings his lips down to meet hers. Michonne closes her eyes to savor the moment, but feels Rick pull away.
He studies her face, wanting to know if she is ok with what he is doing. Her answer is to smash her mouth against his, wrapping her arms around his neck, drawing him closer to her. Rick wraps his arms around her, deepening their kiss, pushing his tongue forth for entry.
"What the hell?" Daryl squints at the sight before him with a shake of his head. "Necking in the park? Really? First, Carol with her Susie homemaker crap, now you two making out like a couple of horny teenagers. What is this? The damn twilight zone or something?"
Rick and Michonne look at each other like two teenagers caught in a compromising position by their parents, then burst into laughter.
"Well, it was good while it lasted," Rick sighs, rising so he can help Michonne to her feet. He looks over at Daryl and says, "We're right behind you."
Daryl takes one last look at them, still shaking his head, then walks back toward the house. Once he turns away from them, he actually smiles.
"Thank you for this. I had fun tonight and I was able to forget for a little while," Rick admits.
Michonne wraps her arms around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder and says, "I wish we could have more times like this."
Rick holds her tightly and returns with, "We will. I promise."