A/N: Another date fic for the Richonnefics' Date Night Series. Hope you enjoy.
Rick breathes a sigh of contentment as he locates his significant other on their front porch. She is seated atop one of the railings, her back resting against a column, looking up into the night's sky. He smiles as he approaches her quietly, moving as close as possible without completely invading her personal space. "What are you doing out here?"
She gives him her attention for a split second before returning her gaze to the stars above. "Just star gazing. It reminds me of when we were out on the road after the prison."
He drops his eyes to her hands resting in her lap and touches her thigh tentatively. "I know that was a rough time for us but it's behind us now. We don't have to dwell on it."
She turns her body towards his, allowing him to stand in between her legs as she finds his eyes in the darkness. She locks their fingers gently and agrees. "It was rough but there was a difference. I was out there before…all alone and not once did I think about gazing at the stars or how the sound of the wind rustling through the trees was so calming." She pauses. "I noticed all that and more while I was out there with you and Carl. The ground was never too hard or too cold to sleep on. Even the hunger pains were different."
"I hope that means me and Carl were pretty good company." He laughs and she joins him.
"Of course you were. I don't think I realized it then but….I was falling in love with you. You made the difference and it's still with me. I can still see the beauty of the stars at night, I still love the music the wind makes, the trees are greener and fuller, the skies are bluer during the day and it's all because of you. I guess I was too distracted or consumed to notice before the world went crazy and too angry to notice after. But I see it all now and it's really beautiful so thank you."
"You don't have to thank me. I'm just grateful you see thangs that way because you've given me more than I ever thought possible in my life now," he admits. "Even when thangs were normal, I never felt like this and I know it's you. This…..us…..it's right. We're just right."
She smiles and wraps her arms around his waist, pulling him to her. "I love you."
"I love you."
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A week passes and Rick can't stop thinking about the things Michonne shared with him. He thinks back on that time in their lives, the time he thought they'd lost Judith and realizes how right she is. Their situation was most dire. They were without a home, haunted by the memories of those they thought they'd lost but amidst it all they were ok. There was even a hint of shared happiness.
He recalls their time on the tracks when Carl and Michonne were wagering who could maneuver the narrow rails the longest. He knew he loved her then but never thought she'd feel the same for him. He just admired her and thanked the universe for her presence in his life and in his children's lives. Now they are together, in love, and it all feels like a dream to him.
He wishes there was something special he could do for her, something to show her how much she means to him. Their world doesn't allow for frivolity but surely he could indulge her in some way if only for one night. With thoughts of their time on the road consuming him, he exits the house to devise a plan.
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Michonne enters her home and frowns at the dimly lit living area and kitchen, wondering where her family is. She thought Rick would have dinner ready and the kids would already be seated just waiting for her to return from watch duty. Instead all is quiet and all too still. "Rick?"
He enters through the rear door with a slight smile on his face. "I thought I heard you come in. You ok?"
She nods. "How about you and where are the kids?"
"I'm fine and I sent them over to Glenn and Maggie's for the night," he answers. He waits for her questioning expression and offers her his hand. "I wanted to spend some time with you….alone. I hope that's ok."
She removes her sword from her back, placing it on the kitchen counter, and softly grasps his hand. "That's fine. Is there a special occasion I'm not aware of?"
"Not really. I'd like to consider it…..a date."
"A date?" She asks, surprise lacing her voice.
He leads her onto the back patio, closing the door behind them. She looks out into the yard and notices a small tent next to an overturned wooden crate with lit candles, a bottle of wine and two glasses.
She smiles up at him. "I've never had a date in the apocalypse. This should be interesting."
"I've been thanking about what you said the other night about when we were out on the road. I'm sorry that we had to go through that…..that I couldn't make thangs better for you. I….."
She puts a finger to his lips. "Don't apologize for that. None of us had any idea what could happen. I'm just happy we're here…..together….still." She doesn't say more as they both know all too well how different things could be.
"We didn't have the means for comfort….heck we barely had food out there so I thought it might be fun to sort of relive those times but with a tent for cover, a couple of sleeping bags for cushion against the ground, some food of course and our luxury for the night….wine." He smiles at her. "What do you thank? You wanna star gaze with me tonight?"
"I'd like nothing more." Her eyes sparkle with wonder as she tries to fathom the sheer sweetness and thoughtfulness of this man, her love. Their world is filled with ugliness, with things they never imagined they'd see or do or endure but acknowledging the love she feels for him has allowed her to conquer that ugliness or at least tolerate it. She has found more with him than she ever thought she'd have with any one person in her life.
They duck inside the tent after grabbing the wine and glasses. She pours while he adjusts the opening overhead so they can look directly at the stars. They share a meal, conversation, and more wine. Later that night, they are lying side by side, their arms cradling each other as they stare up at the night's sky.
"I've never made love underneath the stars. You're giving me experiences I never thought I'd have," she tells him.
He looks over at her, searching her eyes in the dimness. She gives him a feeling of such incredibility that he imagines he can do anything with her by his side. The world goes to crap but she continues to make him feel as if he has something to offer.
He kisses her softly, slowly. "We'll make love under the stars tonight. In the morning while the sun rises, in the afternoon where hopefully we'll get a nice breeze to rustle the trees and give us that calming music you talked about. Then we'll…"
She giggles and asks, "So how long is this date supposed to last?"
"Forever…..if you'll have me." He watches as her expression morphs from jovial to serious.
She hugs him to her, kissing his cheek lightly. "I want forever too." She rears back to search his face and they both smile with the revelation of what will come next for them. They celebrate their love in the most intimate and profound way by making love languidly throughout the night.