A/N: So sorry for the long wait in between updates for this one. This is bit of a filler, but I hope you like it anyways; it's pure fun and fluff!
The days were relatively warm in the Safe-Zone as Michonne tried to become acclimated to the change of scenery, people and the change of pace. It was a different type of existence now, after being out in the craziness and danger of the frightful world; fighting every day to survive and only focussing on trying to stay alive. Michonne found that she was actually bored now that Judith was sleeping soundly on her bed; and she chided herself for thinking a quiet moment was a negative thing.
This place that they had come to was safe for now; her family was safe; Rick and the children were safe. She could not think of anything she would want more than for the people that she cared about to have a roof over their heads, walls around them and food in their bellies. She shook her head and smiled as she sat up on her bed. She guessed it was time to make her way downstairs and see if lunch needed to be made.
To be taking a midday break was not something that she had done in recent times or in her previous life that often; but she was not rostered to her duties as Constable today and did not have anything else to be doing. Rick might be making his way home soon to share a meal with Michonne, Judith and Carl; it seemed that this was one of the practices that they did not abandon which was the four of them taking their meals together.
Carl was already there in the kitchen when Michonne entered; he had some plates set out and was placing food on it for the three of them.
"Judy's asleep so you can leave her food in the fridge," Michonne said as she took a seat at the table.
Michonne looked down at what he had gotten out, and noticed there were only two plates.
"Your dad's gonna be here too," she offered, gesturing towards the food.
"Oh, yeah I know. I was getting it out for you and my Dad 'cause I'm gonna go and hang out with Enid and the others, if that's alright?" Carl said, avoiding Michonne's gaze.
She tried to hide a smile.
"So, that's why you're buttering me up by gettin' our food ready, uh?" She queried and Carl's face went red.
"Just being, ya know; helpful." Carl said coyly. "So, can I go?"
Michonne chuckled; she knew the teenager was harbouring a crush on a certain young lady.
"It's fine by me, just wait for your dad and check with him," she replied as she took the food from Carl and waited for Rick as well.
Less than two minutes later, Rick came through the front door and before he could make his way into the kitchen, Carl runs curtly toward him. Michonne cannot hear what they are talking about but sees Rick lean in and whisper something to Carl; the teenager nods and then calls out a quick 'see ya' to Michonne and is then gone.
Rick enters the kitchen and takes a seat at the table with Michonne; he is wearing a small grin.
"You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?" She asked as she notes his amused countenance.
"That boy's got himself a crush," Rick stated with a chuckle.
"Yep. Can you believe it? Here it seems like such a normal, everyday thing; to have a crush on someone." Michonne said as she placed a forkful of food into her mouth.
Rick nodded his head and looked at Michonne while she was focussed on her lunch.
"Yeah, a few weeks ago, it wouldn't've even been on anyone's mind, havin' feelings for someone." He offered thoughtfully.
"Exactly," Replied Michonne. "But now, with all of this time on one's hands, it's actually a possibility; to explore feelings and attractions and stuff like that."
She glanced up and noticed Rick was staring at her; she suddenly found odd under his gaze.
"We still talkin' about Carl or…?"
Michonne let out a slightly nervous chuckle.
"Of course, who else would we be talkin' about?" She asked, a little flustered.
They fell silent; the sound of the lettuce she was chewing was loud and crunchy. Rick took a drink from his glass of water.
"But, for argument's sake, if we were talking about other people, it would be the same. I mean, having all of this down time and so much time to think. It's possible that people might be considering their own feelings; thinkin' about ways they could act on their feelings, right?"
Michonne asked; still not looking at Rick as she moved the food about on her plate.
"Sure. That's a possibility for people," he replied as he took in her appearance; she wore a white tank top and short shorts that he found highly distracting.
Michonne cleared her throat, about ready to change the subject of the conversation.
"While I got you here, did you need any clothes washed? I was gonna throw a load in the wash while I have absolutely nothing else to do?" She said with a lazy grin as she stretched and reached upwards, fork still in hand.
"Ah, yeah. Just my brown shirt. Thanks." Said Rick.
\m/o.o\m/
The soft, cool breeze swept up through the backyard in the late afternoon as Michonne carried the basket of clothes on one hip and Judith on the other. She set them both down in the living room and handed some toys to the small girl as she went about sorting clothes. She folded her things in one pile, and separated Rick's and the children's in two other piles; then she carefully placed them all back into the basket. Rick's brown shirt sat on top of the clothing. Michonne yawned and looked over at Judith.
"Your daddy sure does love that shirt," she chortled. "I wander what the big deal is?"
Michonne asked a silent Judith as she reached for the shirt, pulled off her own tank top and slipped it on; it was a little long on her but seemed comfortable enough. Out of nowhere, Carl and his father came through the door. Michonne did not have the time to remove Rick's shirt; Carl went upstairs but Rick went to pick his daughter up and give her a hug and kiss before placing her back down with her playthings.
"Hey," he said to Michonne before finally looking at her.
"Hey," she replied, still sitting on the couch.
"Ah, is that my shirt?" He asked as he took in her appearance.
Michonne averted her gaze and tried to play it cool.
"Um, I don't know. Maybe." Was all she could muster.
"I thought you were washing it for me. Why do you have it on?" He asked playfully.
"Well, if you must know, I was trying to figure out what you loved about it so much. Sure, it looks good on you and it's comfy, but it ain't all that."
Michonne said with a chortle as she stood and pulled the hem of the shirt downwards.
"You think I look good in it?" Rick asked, focussing on the only thing that he had heard in that sentence.
Michonne felt his stare burning into her.
"Yeah, sure. Of course. Why, is there something wrong with that?" She asked.
"No, no. Point taken; you think I'm hot. It's all good." Rick said playfully.
"What? I never said that! I said this stupid shirt looks good on you. Judith, help me out here!" Michonne laughed.
Rick joined her in laughter.
"Well, you might think it's stupid, even if I look hot wearing it…"
"I never said that…"
"But you must know now why it's my favourite?" Rick asked.
Michonne just shook her head as Rick came to sit down beside her.
"Why?" She asked while nudging his shoulder with hers.
"Because you gave it to me." He explained as he reached forward and brushed her hair away from her face, much in the same way that she had been taking the liberty with him.
Michonne searched Rick's eyes and offered him a small smile; her heart rate speeding up.
"I packed her bag, Dad." Exclaimed Carl as he came bounding down the stairs, shaking Michonne from being enthralled by the shining of Rick's eyes.
"What's goin' on?" Michonne asked, watching Carl pick up his sister.
"We're spending the night at Glenn and Maggie's." Carl explained. "Didn't my Dad tell you?"
No, Michonne thought; he's been way too busy flirting with me.
"Ah, no. He didn't actually." She said looking at Rick who shrugged.
"Just thought you could use a little break," Rick offered.
"I don't really, but it's fine. Be back before breakfast; can't have you eatin' all o' their food!" She joked as she tickled Judith's tummy when Carl held her close for a kiss.
"Okay. See you guys tomorrow." Said Carl as he and Judith eagerly left the house.
Michonne sighed and leaned back into the sofa.
"How am I gonna get to sleep without my Little Tickle Bunny?" she asked with a pout, referring to Judith who spent most night with Michonne.
"I'm still here; I could be your Big Tickle Bunny." Rick said and Michonne laughed heartily.
"What's gotten into you? I've never heard you talk like this before." She offered feeling her face grow warm.
Rick flashed a wide grin in her direction.
"Maybe I was thinkin' about what you were sayin' earlier, about havin' all of this time to think about stuff and things." He said, leaning back as well.
"So you're thinking about thinking?" she asked amusedly.
"No, I'm thinkin' about us," Rick explained.
"What about us?" Michonne asked as she sat up straighter.
"Well, we got the house to ourselves so I thought we could…talk."
"Okay. Yeah. We should definitely talk."
"First of all, you gotta take my shirt off," Rick said as his eyes roamed over her form.
"Why?" Michonne asked.
"Because seein' you wear it is distracting me from what I have to say." He offered with a wicked grin.
"Distracting you, uh? Is that a good thing or bad thing?" Michonne asked, feeling emboldened by Rick's tone.
Rick licked his lips.
"Leave it on and we'll find out."
A/N: I hope you liked them being all flirty!
What will Michonne do? Leave it on? Take it off? Will Rick still be distracted either way?
Are they really gonna talk?
What does being a Tickle Bunny entail? Ha!
More to come!
