A/N Here's the awkward fluff promised.

For the next few weeks, I really try to keep my distance from Vin. I figure, this way, I won't fuck shit up.

Things are going well, despite the freezing temperatures. There's a break in the snow, so were out scavenging. We found this decent sized truck for hauling back supplies, and a van we stash just in case shit hits the fan. Our little community has grown to twenty-four people.

"Help," a voice calls from down the street we're near.

"Negan, look at all the roamers. She's done for," Dwight says.

I know I said I didn't give a fuck, but I'm not about to admit Dwight is right.

"Negan, you're putting us all in danger," he says when I tell them we're going after the girl.

"And you are too if you just stand here while the rest of us try and save her." Christ, we really almost do die. These undead fucks are everywhere, but we manage.

In the strangest turn of events, this girl calls out Vin's name.

Vin is equally excited. "Teddy!" She throws her arms around the woman.

"Niko," Teddy smiles.

Vin met Teddy at the new motel she was staying in before things fell to fuck. The three traveled with each other for the first few months of the outbreak until they got separated.

"Let's go home," I tell my men. Twenty-five strong now.

As I'm doing inventory, I almost plow right the fuck into Vin. I worry about those glasses of hers all the time. Despite wanting so desperately to talk, I just keep it cold. "Something you need?"

She looks at Dwight, then me. "I need to speak to you in private."

The only place I know is my camper, which she follows. "Yeah?"

"I wanted to say thank you. If it was up to Dwight, Teddy would have died."

If it was up to me, Teddy would have most certainly died, but I'm going to leave that detail out-

Vin takes my hand.

My eyes drop to the embrace. I know what happened now. I got bit saving that girl. This is delirium before the fever takes me.

"Do you want to have dinner tonight?"

Oh, yeah. I'm fucking done for. "Ok."

"Alright, I'll return in a bit. I want to see Teddy and then get cleaned up."

When Vin leaves, I shake my jacket off, then check for bites. I'm not fucking bit. No cuts or scrapes that could have got infected. Sweet fuck. Is this for real?! Christ, I gotta get cleaned up, too!

"Sorry, boss. Occupied," Tex says. Tex is an older woman that I keep in charge of watching over the area where we bathe. Keeping it running and clean. She moves slower than anyone I've ever met, except when it comes to her gun and knowing how to use it. "Televangelist." She likes to play this game where she guesses what I was before the outbreak.

"You're fucking with me now. Who's in there?"

"That little redhead you're sweet on."

"Fuck, Tex, why didn't you tell me? How's my hair?"

"Douchey, as usual."

When Dwight comes out, I roll my eyes at Tex.

And she calls me douchey. Ugh. This camper smells like axe body spray and brut. Gross.

I know that it's just dinner, but I shave my crotch area. I mean… I'm just planning for anything at this point.

I was pretty confident earlier, but now I'm starting to panic as I pace back and forth in my camper. However, when I open my door my anxiety turns to rage. The fuck does he want?

"Vin can't make dinner tonight. She's sick," Niko tells me.

"Out of the way, you bearded fuck," I demand, shoving him to the side. I find Vin doubled over near her camper, like she attempted to leave, but couldn't make it. "Vin, what's wrong!?"

She's not holding her stomach but her… I don't know I guess groin area leg stomach. Lady plumbing part area.

Now I know I shaved for nothing if it's the lady days. Lucille used to put on her sweats and I knew if I came near her for that week, it better be with a tub of something greasy in one hand and brownies in the other. "Come here," I tell Vin, hoisting her up.

Niko follows behind me. "Where are you taking her?"

"Go comb your beard." I slam the community bathroom door behind me. "Just stay here." I set out to find her personal items. I do not envy these poor women now, that's for damn sure. "Alright, I got you some of those thingies-"

Vin blushes and balls up her jeans as she backs behind the door some.

"You don't have to be embarrassed. Give them to me, I'll wash them."

"...thank you."

After that shit is done, I go to her camper to get her something to wear. It pisses Niko off and my grin is ear to ear. Especially because he knows he can't say fuck all since I'm king dick. Though my smirk does settle because I feel bad for Vin. She doesn't have much at all, but I find some stuff in a bag of hers. On one hand, it's smart because she can pick up her bag and go at a moment's notice. But on the other hand, she can pick up her bag and go at a moment's notice. Like she's just waiting for the day I fuck shit up.

"You're loving this, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I was," I tell him, getting to my feet. "Until I realized my reasoning here. Digging for fucking panties in a bag that's ready to up and leave whenever I ruin shit. Yeah, I'm just loving it," I snap, leaving the camper and going back to Vin.

"Male Escort."

"As opposed to a female Escort? Not now, Tex." I shake my head and step up into the camper. "It's me. I have some clothes." I pass them around the wall to her.

"I'm surprised Niko let you in."

"I didn't give him much of a choice. Vin, can I ask you something?"

"You just did."

I fidget a bit before rolling my shoulders. "We've been in this camp for over a month, and we don't plan on relocating, especially in the middle of winter. Why are your bags packed?"

She comes out from behind the wall. "That's all I've ever known. Living out of a bag as I go from place to place."

Right. The homeless thing. Now I feel guilty for thinking she's just waiting to bolt.

Vin closes her eyes as she grabs that lady spot again.

"Come on." I pick her up and collect the things I've gathered. I don't care if it's forward. We planned to have dinner, so I'm taking her to my camper. I just maybe go a little overboard by putting her in my bed. "Here." I hand her the hot water bottle I've prepared.

"What's this?"

"Damn, don't make me feel older than I already am. It's filled with hot water. Like a heating pad before they had them." I'm rambling. "Do you want something to eat?"

"I'm sorry about tonight. I know you were excited."

That last bit stings. Like she's only doing this for me and not us, but one fact remains true. "You're in my bed. Trust me, I'm not complaining."

"Well, in that case, my feet need rubbing."

I'm the last person that's good with this touchy-feely shit, but I make an effort. The whole foot rub thing is her being a smartass, but I got a lot of groveling to do. Figured I'd take care of her in all the ways I never did with Lucille, even though it's not the same. It's all about second chances, and I want to do everything I can to get back where I left things off with Vin. "Teddy settling in ok," I ask, hoping to distract her while I lay next to her in bed.

She props her head up with her hand. "This wouldn't be a distraction so you can lay next to me now, would it?"

"Uh, yes."

"Well, in that case, she's fine."

"How are you feeling?"

"Pretty fuckey."

My large hand covers her cheek. "God, you're a fucking mess," I laugh. I haven't laughed in so fucking long. "Does your, uh, lady days… are they always this bad?"

She shakes her head no.

My mind goes dark as I take my hand from her. What if something is wrong? What if it's something that can't be fixed? Christ, I can't… I can't lose another. It will fucking put me in my grave.

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm not crying!" Tears give on my left side as they drip off the bridge of my nose. "I think it's fucking pink eye."

"I heard you get pink eye from poop particles. Makes sense seeing as you're full of shit."

"That sounds made up. How many people wipe their ass with their hand then rub their eyes?"

"How many people use their phones while shitting, then just happen to rub their eyes later?"

"Oh, right, I forgot how there wasn't pink eye before cell phones. And who the fuck am I calling these days?"

"Hmm, seems my theory is flawed."

"Well, some of it. I mean, I am full of shit." Fuck my groin itches. I think I got razor burn from that shitty ass blade.

"What are you doing?"

"Regretting certain decisions of mine."

"Or in your case most decisions."

"Yeah, I accept that. You know, I, uh." I stop itching for a moment. "I never met a woman I can hold a conversation with. One that put me in my place or made me laugh. Someone I can bicker back and forth with."

"What about Lucille?"

I shake my head. "Our relationship was complicated. We fucked around a lot at first. Weren't faithful in the least. She got pregnant, but lost the baby in the seventh month. Had to deliver and everything. I think we just stayed with each other because of what we had been through. In all the years, we never really talked. If I could talk to her the way you and I talk, I never would have looked at another woman. You don't think of that shit when you're some dumb horny eighteen year old, but lust… it fades away. Then you're left with someone you can't fucking talk to. Can't relate to. You start to resent them. It's just a fucking nightmare. Anyway, I don't want to talk about this anymore." Even though I'm the one who brought it up. "You can stay here tonight so you don't have to move. I can go sleep on the couch, or just leave entirely." Putting the ball in her court is scary as fuck because what if I don't like the answer?

"You still owe me a foot rub."

I smile with a sigh of relief. "You still owe me dinner."

"Foot rub tonight, and how about breakfast in bed?"

"Fuck yes." I don't end up rubbing her feet. Instead, I scoot up behind her as she rolls over. My arm rests over and against her stomach. My cheek against her as my lips are pressed to her shoulder.

"You're smothering me."

"I know," I speak against the fabric of her shirt. I've always regretted not staying with her that night in the motel. Now I finally don't have to.

"Negan?"

"Yeah?"

"You're on thin skin."

"..." My eyes shift side to side. "What?"

"You know, thin skin. Like don't shit up."

I can't help but laugh. "It's thin ice, Vin."

"Oh, yeah. That."

I wouldn't mind being on thin Vin. Technically, I guess I am. Fuck. I am the happiest I have been in I can't remember…