Quinn and Negan, Alexandria

I saw Eugene and Gabriel show the list of names to Hornsby about who wanted to move to the Commonwealth. He nodded approvingly, smiling. We headed towards the door with Negan. Carol and Daryl were talking to Aaron and Maggie. We went back to my house for the last time.

"We should start packing, I guess," I said, letting out a sigh.

"Yeah. Do you think I can wear my leather jacket again?" suddenly Negan asked unsurely. He was already making a list in his head of what to take with us.

"Are you asking whether it would upset Daryl or not? I don't know," I said honestly. After a couple of minutes of silence, I asked: "Doesn't it have… like a symbolic meaning to you? I mean… you're not that Negan anymore."

"Yeah, you're right. But it makes me look good," Negan replied simply. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"It makes you look good?" I repeated still giggling.

"Don't you agree?" he asked smiling.

"Yeah, well… I didn't see you wear it that much. I mean… I saw you wear it once when we were at war…"

"My dear love, I was wearing it when we reunited. After I killed Alpha. At the spikes… remember?" he asked smiling handsomely. I stopped for a second, and Negan did too.

"Holy shit, you're right! How could I forget that? I mean, sorry I didn't really pay attention to what you were wearing… It was you! All it mattered was… seeing you," I said as I turned serious. Negan tilted his head slightly to one side.

"I know, I was just teasing you," he said honestly. "Of course, it didn't matter. But… if it has a symbolic meaning, then it would rather be that day, not the previous ones," he stated.

"What do you mean?" I asked as we continued walking up to the porch.

"I mean it reminds me of that day I saved Alexandria and got you back, not the war with Rick and all the bullshit I did back then. I was wearing it when I was the villain… and I was wearing it when I saved Alexandria. It kinda grew on me."

I felt like my heart fell out of my chest. He would rather link that jacket in his head with reuniting with me and not with the war… I didn't see that answer coming. After my heart skipped a beat it started pounding crazily. Negan had no idea what I had in mind. We stepped through the door, which Negan closed behind us, then I suddenly pushed him against the door and kissed him. He got surprised but didn't really mind it. How could he be so perfect with all the mistakes he had? The way he redeemed himself, the way he changed got me to fall in love with him even more, if that was possible. I couldn't stop kissing him. We were making out for quite a while, and this time the situation escalated quickly. I was barely able to hold myself back the past week, so it was due. Negan was trying to hold himself back too, while he was still injured and I didn't want to cause him pain. But that's over. His injuries almost completely healed, they didn't hurt anymore.

"Last sex in this house?" he asked panting as he backed away for a second.

"Yeah…," I said as we oriented toward the stairs while making out.

"Let's say goodbye to the bed," he panted and we hurried upstairs…

…

We were still careful with each other, I didn't want to accidentally cause pain to his injuries and Negan was still a gentleman with me. We were a bit impatient, but other than that, we didn't go very wild this time either. Don't get me wrong, it was awesome… Very hot… Perfect. But it was as gentle and as slow as we always did it. As we were lying in bed, naked, trying to catch our breaths, I glanced at him.

"We should start packing or they're going to leave us here," I said. He turned his beautiful face towards me.

"Yeah, you're right," he said, kissed my forehead, then gathered himself up. I got up too and got dressed quickly. He was wearing his clothes so lazily I almost got turned on once again, but we had to hurry. I turned my back on him and grabbed my backpack. I picked out the most comfortable and useful clothes I owned. I got my winter coat and rolled it up tightly, so it wouldn't take up so much space. I tied it to my backpack since it was already full. I also packed my knife that I got from Carol at Hilltop, and I packed my flask which I poured some water in beforehand. I glanced at Negan from time to time. I saw him packing his leather jacket. I couldn't help but smile to myself at what he said earlier. How the jacket reminded him about his redemption and our reunion, not the war, not the Sanctuary, not Lucille… It wasn't his original jacket, he got that one lost somewhere. He took one from a store that resembled the old one, but it wasn't the same. Just like Negan himself.

"I'm ready if you are," he stated, distracting me from my thoughts.

"Yeah, just one more thing," I said. I went to the bathroom and took the granny soap we laughed about so many times. It really was a granny soap, but better than nothing. Better to smell like a granny than stinking. I looked around the bedroom for one last time. I didn't even know where I would be sleeping tonight. I let out a sigh and went downstairs.

"Ready?" Negan asked while he lazily put the backpack over his shoulder.

"Yep," I replied. I glanced around the living room too, for the last time.

"Let's go," Negan said. I locked the door behind myself. I felt a bit uneasy, I didn't really take well change, but moving from one community to another is better than an apocalypse. We walked down the porch and I saw Carol and Daryl getting the kids ready. Daryl was wearing his crossbow on his back. Carol didn't bring her bow and arrows. Judith brought her sword though and Henry brought his stick. RJ was crying silently.

"RJ, please, we cannot pack all of your toys. Your backpack is full. Stuffed," said Carol gently.

"Come on, RJ, maybe we can get new toys at the Commonwealth," Judith tried to help Carol out.

"Aww, look at that," said Negan quietly to me, melting from the cuteness. He tilted his head slightly to one side, smiling while watching RJ and Judith. I smiled at his reaction. He loved kids so much.

"Hey, you two!" said Carol addressing us. "Aaron and Jesus asked for the keys to the houses we leave."

"Oh," I answered. I held out my hand to Negan, he gave me his spare key. I decided to give that to Jesus and keep my key to myself. At least I know I have one safe space in this world. Maybe I come back someday.

"Quinn…," said Negan gently.

"Hm?" I asked distracted.

"Give back both keys. You don't need that anymore," he said comforting me with his brown eyes. He saw I slipped my key back into my pocket and probably read my mind. I let out an uncomfortable sigh.

"I just… I would know I have somewhere I can come back to," I tried to explain, while he was shaking his head gently.

"No. You don't need it. Don't worry. Everything will be okay," he said smiling at me reassuringly, while he stroked my arm. I got lost in his eyes, got mesmerized, and gave in. I took the key from my pocket. He pecked my cheek.

"Ew," said Daryl as he walked past us.

"Daryl," Carol said scoldingly while she approached us, holding Judith's and RJ's hands, Lydia following them. "Henry is bringing back our keys, you can give him yours too," she said.

"I'll bring them to Jesus. I'd like to say goodbye," I said. Carol nodded understandingly. I followed Henry and soon enough caught up with him.

"Hey," he smiled at me. "Are you excited about the Commonwealth?"

"Nope," I replied faster than I wanted and I didn't even think it through. Henry looked at me questioningly.

"Why's that?"

"I just… I don't take changes well. I like stability. I'm a bit uncomfortable," I admitted.

"Oh. I didn't even think about that. I'm excited. I mean… I remember some things from before the fall, but it would be completely different to see that now."

"Because you grew up," I smiled at him.

"Yeah, probably. I see things in a different way now," he explained.

"I get it. I also understand it's a huge experience for Judith and RJ… But I'm a bit scared of having to work again and worry about money again."

"We will be there for each other. Don't worry. You're not alone," said Henry as he opened the door for me, as we reached the hall. I took his words to my heart. When did he get so wise? As I stepped inside, I saw Aaron, Jesus, Rosita, and Gabriel talking and collecting house keys. Henry hesitated, waiting for me.

"Go on," I smiled at him. He nodded and stepped to Aaron. I waited for my turn. Some more Alexandrians arrived and lined up behind us. When Henry finished, it was my turn. I handed Aaron the keys.

"We didn't get to sit for that dinner after all," he said smiling slightly, referring to that old story, when he invited me over when I was depressed and I said no to him without even realizing. And when I got better he invited me again, but then the whisperers happened. And ever since then I was with Negan.

"I'm sorry. I thought you wouldn't want to see me since I'm with Negan," I said embarrassed.

"I'd gladly invite you anytime, but not him," Aaron said honestly. I nodded understandingly. Then unsurely, awkwardly Aaron took a step towards me and embraced me. "Take care over there," he said. "I wish you all the best."

"Thank you so much, Aaron," I said.

"I hope you find your happiness. With or without him," he added, referring to Negan, while he backed away.

"I wish you the best too. Take care of Gracie," I said.

"Will do," Aaron said smiling. Then I walked away from him, towards Jesus. He was standing a bit away, waiting for me.

"Hey," he said.

"Hi," I smiled at him.

"So… the Commonwealth. You can have a fresh start with Negan there," he said.

"Yeah, that's the plan. I just hope no one recognizes him there," I added quietly, chuckling a bit.

"I don't think anyone will. None of us had any clue about this community until now. Probably no one even heard of him there."

"I hope so," I let out a sigh. "I wish you would come too."

"Yeah… someone has to build back up this place," Jesus said smiling. There was a moment of silence.

"I hope we see each other soon again," I said as tears almost started choking me. I saw his mouth wince a bit too.

"Take care," he said gently as we hugged each other. I quickly gulped my tears down, I didn't want to cry. As we backed away I smiled at him.

"Hey," he said as he sniffed, then smiled at me with teary eyes. "This isn't goodbye forever."

"I hope so," I smiled at him again. I took his hand and squeezed it gently while smiling at him, then I let go and walked away. I saw from the corner of my eye that Aaron embraced him with one arm and pecked his cheek. Jesus managed to gulp down his tears, but I couldn't. As soon as I stepped through the door I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away. Henry was nowhere to be seen. I walked back to my house alone where the others were waiting for me. I was trying to convince myself that it was better to lose one friend than to lose all of them. I will still have Carol, Daryl, and Eugene at the Commonwealth. I know I chose Negan, and I was about to leave with him for good but… as these feelings rushed through me suddenly I knew I would have taken it very badly. I would miss Carol and Daryl tremendously. I let out a weary sigh. As I approached them I saw Negan and Carol talking. Henry hugged Lydia. Judith was tickling RJ to make him smile after crying. Daryl was standing a bit away, listening to Carol and Negan. As I approached them, Carol told Negan I was coming and he turned around, both of them looking at me, smiling, waiting for me.

"Ready, honey?" asked Carol.

"Yeah, I guess," I said as I gulped down the rest of my tears.

"Aww, don't be so upset," said Carol, probably noticing the redness in my eyes. Negan stepped closer to me. He caressed my cheek.

"Are you crying?" he asked gently.

"No… I'm trying not to… I said goodbye to Jesus," I said as my mouth winced.

"It's okay," Negan said as he hugged me. He stroked my back, then backed away and caressed my cheek once again. "Come on."

He took my hand and we walked to Carol who was watching the entire scene.

"It's okay, honey. Let's go," she said. I nodded approvingly. Negan smiled at me. Daryl took RJ's hand, while Carol took Judith's, Henry and Lydia following them, hand in hand. And finally, me and Negan. We were all headed towards the gates, where Hornsby and the sci-fi soldiers were waiting for us.

…

Author's notes: Listen to "I'll always remember you" by Miley Cyrus.

Thank You for reading! ❤