Submitted by thecinemajunkie via tumblr: Slow Motion by PHOX

Slow Motion on YouTube: watch?v=tcnQ9-qWSfc

Word Count: 997

Warmth surged through Michonne's body as she glared at the clock. Rick would be there to pick her up in five minutes, which in terms of time wasn't long but anticipation made seconds feel like hours. She'd never felt like this. Not even with any of her past relationships but since Rick told her he was taking her out for a proper dinner a week ago, her stomach was nothing more than a swell of fluttering butterfly wings. Rick was her friend. They'd fought side by side, had many conversations, laughed and even shared meals together but this was different. Everything between them was different now. Sasha re-entered, toting a compact bag.

"What's that," Michonne demanded, her eyes growing wide in curiosity.

Sasha giggled, "Its body glitter."

"Seriously," Michonne panicked. "I'm not really a glitter kind of-."

"Rick's gonna love it," Sasha ignored Michonne's objection and began to warm the iridescent lotion with her hands. Without hesitation she applied it the Michonne's shoulders. "You have amazing bone structure."

"Thanks," Michonne replied uncomfortably.

"Don't be nervous," Sasha beamed as she walked around to face Michonne, grinning from ear to ear. "You look beautiful."

"What if this is a mist-"

Sasha cut her off. "No ma'am. We've waited too long and have come too far for this to happen and you are not going negative on me."

"We," Michonne questioned, completely puzzled.

The doorbell rang and Michonne felt her heart stop beating and all her motor skills decelerated to a stall. Reluctance to move kicked in but her body caved and moved almost mechanically towards the living room. The front door felt miles away as she stood awaiting its opening.

"Iiiiitttt'ssss… fooooorrr… yooooou," Sasha echoed almost dreamlike as the front door crept open, revealing Rick holding an origami lotus in his palm and wearing a small smile.

His legs were heavy like lead as he made his way around the corner to pick up Michonne. It took an eternity for him to get ready. At least that's what it felt like. The closer he got to the front door, every motion he made, every sway the tree limbs gave way to, every wing flap of a passing bird, delayed to an almost idle state like a scene from a movie. It took him a year to get up enough nerve to actually ask Michonne on a real date. She was his friend and he just didn't want things to get awkward or worse, lose her. They'd been through so much together and he felt his hesitation to moving forward was warranted. That was until he saw Michonne laughing at a joke some guy told her. He didn't know what about that particular situation sent him over the edge but it made him seethe with anger. Maybe it was the way she smiled or the laugh she bellowed. He hadn't heard her laugh that loud at anything he or anyone else in their group had ever said. It unnerved him to the point that he actually stopped talking to her. That lasted about two full days before she called him out. That was their first real argument, at least in his mind it was.

His knock felt sluggish as he made himself known. The door creaked open and his eyes immediately drew themselves to her. She was stunning with her hair pulled up and out of her face and he swore her skin was glistening.

"It's for you," Sasha spoke lackadaisically as he nervously held out his palm for Michonne to take the paper flower.

She sauntered towards him and hooked her arm with his before removing the flower from his hand.

"Beth made it," he answered before she could ask. "Said she thought you would like a lotus."

"She's was right," Michonne replied. "So where are we going exactly? Not like we have a ton of options."

Rick smirked. "Ah," he began. "I'm really not sure." He reached his free hand in his pocket and retrieved a piece of paper. "Carl made me some kinda map."

The two giggled as they followed the path drawn on the paper, finding themselves at the children's park. They were met by a picnic table under a large willow tree with a few lanterns dangling from the branches.

"This is what she meant by we," Michonne whispered to herself as Rick pulled out the chair for her. He made his way to the other side of the table and took a seat himself.

"Look," he began. "I'm no good at this. I've only been in one relationship my whole life but I need you to know that - "

"It's hard for me too," Michonne added before he continued.

"But it's really not hard," he returned. "If I'm honest I've had feelings for you for a long time. I just didn't know what or how to say that to you. And I'm just slow… Moving that is. Slow moving."

"I don't scare so easily. Besides, you shaved and I know that was for me," she affirmed with a smile. "I know how much you loved the beard."

"I miss it… a lot actually," he grinned before taking a sip of wine and adjusting his tie. "But what I really wanted to say was I love you Mich and I want it to be just us all the time."

Her eyes grew wide and his heart plummeted to his stomach at her silence.

"I love you too, Rick," she finally admitted. "For a long time."

Impulsively, Rick reached across the table and pulled Michonne towards him, kissing her long and hard. She just as impulsively gave in and accepted all that his mouth had to offer in that moment. Just as the mood lightened, Beth began to serenade them with her sweet voice and a new found ukulele. Rick released Michonne and offered her his hand.

"Was it worth the wait," he asked.

"Here's to moving slow," she answered as they began to dance.

A/N: Thanks for the song suggestion thecinemajunkie! I've found a new band to listen to. I really enjoyed this song immensely and writing this ficlet just made me smile the entire time I wrote it. I really hope it is to your liking. It's pretty fluffy. I actually had another idea/scenario that would apply beautifully to this song. I may write it and post it a little later. Anyway, thanks again! :)