"I took my morning walk, I took my evening walk, I ate something, I thought about something, I wrote, I napped and dreamt something too, and with all that something, I still have nothing because so much of sum'thing has always been and always will be you.

I miss you."
―Mark Z. Danielewski,House of Leaves

"What are you doing, Rick?"

"What do you mean, what am I doing?"

"I feel something."

"That's because you are pressed up against me, Michonne. If you don't want to feel me, I want to encourage you to get up and go over to the other chair." Rick had suggested. He was clearly losing sight of what lines were real or make-believe due to his slowly crumbling notion that they were supposed to be just friends. Friends who happened to enjoy each other's company so immensely it felt weird to be apart or not in contact for any significant amount of time. He was constantly reevaluating and reflecting back. He was open to whatever. One thing he didn't anticipate was Michonne's willingness to take him up on his open blanket offer to lie down next to him on his sofa.

"Why do you have to make it so hard?"

"Why do you think?"

"I mean, why must I get up?" Michonne had turned her face ever so slightly towards him.

"You don't have to get up. But if you have a problem with my issue with you being as close as you are, I've made an excellent suggestion."

"I just want to cuddle."

"Then, stop moving."

"I'm trying to get comfortable. Are you comfortable?"

"It's my couch. I am with you. Of course."

"Unless you prefer snuggling?"

"I'm not cold, Michonne."

"Are you hot? You can take the blanket off of us if you are."

"I'm good."

"See, what's so difficult about snuggling?"

"I have no problem with snuggling, Michonne. It's the cuddling I'm finding strangely interesting."

"Yeah?"

"It's been a long time since I had someone this close. And.."

"And what?"

"I'm open to whatever you want to do. But before you answer I want to be clear, there is a difference between snuggling and cuddling. You are aware of that, right?"

"How long has it been for you?"

"Months."

"How many?"

"I've lost count."

"A year and a half for me."

"Yeah?"

"Well, I think you know that."

"Oddly, I do recall you telling me about it a few months ago. And again the other night. Now."

"What kind of friend are you if you aren't level headed for the both of us. For me, at least?"

"Probably because I'm all for whatever you want, Michonne."

"I need–." Michonne lost her train of thought. Every kiss on the back of her neck caused her chin to lower, allowing more access, accommodate.

Rick took liberties to fondle Michonnes' right nipple. Her hand began to assist her wayward ass against his hardened bulge in his pants. The Walking Dead Movie series they were going to watch took a backseat. He knew this was the moment things would escalate out of control from his button coming undone along with his traveling zipper to his pants.

With enough ambiance in his well-appointed apartment, Michonne began to understand more and more due to the amount of time they spent together how he was able to afford so much luxury on the job and off. With this knowledge she was careful to keep it all to herself, keeping constant note. One thing she did realize, Rick had never lied even though he wasn't forthcoming on why he was never fired long before her job was on the line at Go Stop. He also had a very nice apartment that his mother had free reign to come and go as she pleased. And because of this, they were caught again by his mother.

"Damn it, Mom!"

Rick silently mouthed in frustration, FUCK, Fuck, fuck!

"Damned for bringing you groceries?" Ms. Ella, Rick's mother, wheeled four paper bags inside. "Oh, Hi, Michonne!" Ms. Ella placed the wheeled cart nearest the counter after locking the wheels in place. She did not disguise her surprise, "I didn't know you would be here!"

Michonne admitted, "Neither did I," after glancing from Rick's mother to the blanket, she began to pull from Rick.

"Come on, Richard, you and your friend come and help me put things away." Ms. Ella summoned for assistance.

"Mom, it is imperative you knock." Rick concealed his exasperation upon standing after Michonne snatched the blanket.

"Why would I knock if I have a key?" Ms. Ella wondered. She paused, recognizing the flustered look upon her son's face and the embarrassed look upon Michonne.

"Because. You never know."

"I would have never known that you and Michonne were in the middle of fooling around on the couch? Either way, if you two wanted it to be the worst kept secret, you should have been in your bedroom and not in your living room with your zipper down, son. Besides, half the family knows anyway." Ms. Ella waved as if it were no big deal.

"I told you!" Michonne accused a red-faced Rick.

"Goodness, gracious! How can we forget your Dad's surprise birthday party where the two of you were all over each other when we turned the lights on? Your surprise, was our surprise, one big surprise!"

"Help me understand why would you have Dad's party at my place without me knowing there was going to be a surprise party at my place, Mom?"

"He would have known if I had it at the house. No better place than here." Rick's mother shrugged.

A/N: The time has come for me to get a few hours of sleep. This story is complete but I am too tired to continue. I will update in the morning. For those who like this, thank you. For those who left a review, thank you.