A/N: Got some really positive feedback for the first chapter, and I love Merle, so here's chapter 2!
Weak Spot
"What in the hell do you think yer doin'?"
Michonne yanks the sword from the useless tire and directs it at an advancing Merle, who halts instantly, the tip of the blade hovering just inches from his jugular. He eyes the weapon distrustfully, a flash of fear crossing his features, betraying the smile that soon follows. He takes a voluntary step back and bares both palms mockingly, as if to say: "Don't shoot." If the earth wasn't crawling with walkers and if she didn't have to fight for her life on a daily basis, she'd mock him right back. But he lacks control. More of the "act now, think later" type, he'll charge first instead of targeting a weak spot.
Which is exactly what she does.
"Saving your life," Michonne practically spits at him, as if the words were originally meant to be an insult.
Merle glares incredulously at her for a moment, then busts out laughing. "Oh, sweetheart, you don't know a thing about savin' lives, do you?" he asks with a devilish smirk, running a thumb along the sharp end of the sword's deadly blade to unnerve her. "One, I ain't no bad guy. And two, only Merle can kill Merle."
The sword whips around to rest against Merle's wrist, implying Michonne could rob him the use of his left hand if she felt the need. "I wouldn't bet on that."
His smile only widens, much to her dismay. What a smug bastard. Still, Michonne lowers her Katana, knowing she'll let him walk. Because that is her weak spot, doing the right thing. Even for a guy like Merle Dixon. And because he'd done the same thing for her—or, well, would've. If she had let him. She'll let him walk, sure enough, but he won't go free.
The first time, she jabs at him with the weapon, but he jumps back, somehow having expected the attack. The second time, she barely pokes him. The third time, he catches the blade with his bare hand. Michonne frowns when he pulls away just as quickly, a low hiss reaching her ears. A line of red appears in his open palm. Blood begins to pour freely from his fresh wound, dripping onto the road beneath their feet, and Michonne can only curse silently at his rashness. She steps forward to determine the severity of the cut, to openly tell him how stupid he is, when a twig snaps somewhere behind Merle, a lone walker emerging from the cover of the trees. Michonne moves past Merle and makes a bloody mess of the creature in seconds. When she glances back, Merle has rammed the blade serving as his right hand through the head of a second walker.
And then the forest comes alive with the moans of the undead.
"Dammit, Merle," Michonne mutters, watching at least a dozen walkers approaching them from different directions, Katana feeling too loose in her hand.
Merle dashes to the car to retrieve the assault rifle, easily picking off the nearest threats. "Go!" he shouts at her.
Michonne decapitates two walkers with a single swing of her sword. "Are you crazy?" she shouts back. The undead relentlessly stumble towards them, but she's already cleared a path. Michonne grabs the back of his shirt and pulls, dragging Merle fast and far enough to keep them both safe from hungry monsters. Merle naturally struggles against her the whole way.
"What the hell—?" he growls upon regaining his footing.
She lets go.
Expectedly, he spins, aims. "Don't you ever—"
"You can thank me later," she says, cutting him off, brushing the gun aside as if it were only a fly. Michonne spots more walkers amongst the trees and shifts her gaze back to Merle. "Right now, I need you to run and shoot."
And she takes off without waiting for his answer.