Hello everyone!
First of all: WE ARE HAVING RICHONNE BACK! YASSSS!
Ok, I had to say that one more time. We need to make it till our lovelies are back so, here you have one shot. The idea was shared by TWDJenn on Twitter (if you read this, it's for you) with the amazing Mrs. Grant. (Thank you both). Hope I did justice.
Disclaimer: Characters belong to the TWD franchise. Just here showing love, trying to make it till 2023 for the spin-off.
Enjoy!
PS: RICHONNE IS BACK! (Sorry, I had to scream it again.)
Michonne parked the car and killed the engine. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a few seconds only to rest her eyes and her mind. She was exhausted. The past couple of weeks were hard and the work at the office was totally hectic. She worked non-stop, bringing paperwork home and taking away some of the time she had with her family. She hated to do that but she had to; they were running against time with that case. Now that everything was settled, she could finally enjoy the weekend with her family.
She got out of the car and headed towards the front door. While opening it she got this feeling that the house was too quiet. No screams coming from RJ's or Judith's rooms, not even listening to Carl's loud music. She could definitely smell something cooking though, but where was everybody?
"Kids? Rick? I'm home."
She placed her bags on the sofa and waited but none of the children came out running to say hi like they usually did. Weird.
"Rick?" she walked some more into the house until she reached the kitchen and understood what was going on.
Rick Grimes, dancing and karaoking in front of the stove. With a whisk on his hand as a mic. Earphones on. She smiled and shook her head. His dancing was so sexy, but ridiculous and contagious at the same time. Michonne couldn't help wanting to approach him slowly so she could join him, but Rick sensed someone was behind him and turned around to find an amused Michonne looking like she was caught red-handed.
"Hey."
"Hey," he stopped the music, took his earphones out, and placed them on the table. "How was your day?"
"Busy, done. How about yours?"
"Busy." He paused. "You're early."
"Am I?" she lifted an eyebrow. Pretty sure she wasn't.
"Well, it's…" he checked the time on his watch. "Shit, is it that late?"
"I'm on time, Rick. What does it even matter anyways?"
"I was trying to cook dinner before you got here. Seems I got a bit delayed."
"I can see that," she smiled. "Where are the kids?"
"They are with your parents." She smiled some more. There was only one reason why Rick Grimes would send them with any of the grandparents.
"Why? It's the weekend, I was hoping I could spend some time with them."
"I know, sweetheart. But you have been working so hard these past weeks. When you told me earlier that the case was finally closed I thought you deserved a little relaxing time."
"Rick… I can relax with the kids here."
"True. But… I posed the idea to them and they agreed to spend the night over there. We can get them tomorrow."
"Alright, what are the plans then, Mr. Grimes?"
"First, here you have." He poured wine into a glass for her and placed it on the island. "Second … come here."
Every single time he said that Michonne could feel the bones in her knees melting and three thousand butterflies flapping in her stomach. After all the years they've been together, he still had the power to make her feel like the first time they kissed. Rick took her hands to bring her closer and gave her one small kiss on her lips, pulling away for a moment to look into each other's eyes.
"I missed you," his voice was a whisper and Michonne felt her skin tingle with electricity.
"Missed you, too."
"Why don't you enjoy the wine and I'll prepare a bubble bath for you? Dinner will be ready soon."
"Sure."
He gave her one more peck and left her there in the kitchen. Michonne cursed under her breath because she was more than ready for a hot make-out session right there on the spot, but Rick had other plans apparently. She took a not very ladylike sip and enjoyed having it slide down her throat and igniting her veins. She missed not having the kids around. Seeing their faces, being able to kiss them, and hold them back was the highlight of her day after work. Rick always knew her well, and despite the love for their children, this wine, this bath, dinner she didn't have to cook, a night for themselves, was everything she didn't know she needed. But he did.
She finished the wine and went to their bedroom to get out of her clothes while Rick was in their adjacent bathroom. Nina Simone was softly playing in the background. She peaked in and saw him lighting a few candles and deciding which of her spa salts to use. That little furrow on his head was funny and cute.
"That one is a nice choice, babe," she told him, pointing at the one he had in his right hand. He poured some in the water and turned around to walk out.
"Whenever you are ready. The water is a bit hot but it should be fine for you by the time you get in there… Where's the wine?"
"Finished it. I was thirsty." She smiled. He smiled because she didn't mean that only literally.
"I'll get you another one, and I'll check on the food."
"Ok".
Rick disappeared from the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Michonne got her locs in a high bun and got rid of her shoes and dress. Once in the bathroom, she washed her face, removing the daily oil and the bit of makeup she regularly used. Once out of her underwear, she stepped one foot into the tub to test the temperature: the water was perfect. In a swift movement, she dived inside and stretched her legs. There were some lavender & lemonade candles around the bathroom and the smell was really good and relaxing. She sat higher trying not to wet her hair and rested her head on the small spa pillow Carl got her as a present a few months ago. He knew she liked these moments so much. She closed her eyes again and breathed in the peace and tranquility.
She must have almost fallen asleep because she didn't notice Rick when he came back into the room, or when he placed her new glass of wine on the bathtub caddy holder. Marvin Gaye's soft notes could be heard now. She heard him saying 'move over' and saw him towering over her. She did and let him sit behind her and then she rested her back on his chest. She breathed in the peacefulness of having him take care of her.
This was home.
Rick got a hold of the loofah and wet it in the soapy water. He started working on Michonne's skin. Slowly. Carefully. Around her shoulders, her neck, her arms, her breasts. She sighed with every skilled movement. After a few minutes, she reached for the glass and took another sip of wine.
"Slow, we don't want you drunk before dinner."
"I wonder why," she could feel him smile. Rick placed a soft kiss on her shoulder joint.
"Get your mind out of the gutter." That made her laugh.
"Are you telling me your mind is not there too? All this production you have set in here, sending the kids away…" He let out a small chuckle.
"Touche, but all I want for you now is to take this bath, have some food, and relax. Just us. You deserve it and I know you need it. Am I wrong?"
"Almost never you are."
"Well, that would be you, sweetheart."
She giggled when she still felt his fingers stroking her arms, massaging her shoulders, and kissing what seemed every visible skin the lather had left out. She turned around a bit and brought his face close to kiss him. Her intentions were for them to be sweet. But the whole act of him doing all this for her got to her and she felt greatly moved, hence she intensified the kiss, sliding her tongue and holding his face. Rick kissed her top lip and kept their foreheads together.
"Thank you," she whispered and felt him breathe against her lips. This woman was going to be the death of him one of these days.
"I better go and set the table before this gets too hot," he said, caressing her chin, and removing some lather. He zeroed on her lips.
"What's wrong with that?"
"Absolutely nothing, trust me. But I want us to enjoy tonight; every part of it. Don't worry, we'll get where you want eventually."
She stared at him for a few seconds trying to decide if it was safe to let him again. Rick was always true to his word. Probably it was going to be worth the wait.
"Sure, Grimes."
He kissed her one more time and slowly stepped out of the tub. Michonne stayed there a few more minutes until she felt the water starting to get cold. Rick had left her a towel and her robe nearby. She put the candles out and walked into their room to get dressed.
It seemed the night was going to be a long one.
Alright, lovelies. Bring in those comments, ideas, anything. Thank you so much for reading this and stay safe out there: that monkeypox now :(
Let's #KeepRichonneAlive now more than ever.