Cider
For the Autumn Prompt Table
"You know, I never really understood what all the fuss was about cider. I thought it was just hyped up warm apple juice."
"You can't be serious right now. Cider is amazing."
Rick and Michonne rested after a long day on duty, sitting closer than usual to siphon heat from each other, the Autumn night chill blowing through an open window. Endlessly they teeter between being too hot and too cold, each other providing the sweet equilibrium.
"Yeah. I used to think, what's next? Warm fruit punch?"
Michonne snickers were muffled by her mug as she sipped on the spiced drink, warming and comforting her, " Hey, don't go giving anybody ideas. That might be the next thing in your cup." She puts a finger to the porcelain in his hands, grazing the smooth texture, trailing to his rough palms; she savors the contrast and snuggles up against his side to rest on his shoulder.
He sipped again. In the dim light, he managed to follow the specs of cinnamon that stir gracefully in his cup, "It is pretty good though. I guess I missed out."
Rick looks up from his drink in time enough to hear a low and relaxed sigh from Michonne. He can see her eyes have closed and it fills him with content, it heated him as much as the liquid in his mug. More than that. It made him so happy to see her peaceful; made him hopeful that maybe this could be home. Instinctively, his hand snakes around to her shoulder, brushing the locs that hid view of her face. He allows his head to rest on the back of the couch, a mirrored sigh escapes him.
Was this a dream? Was what was before a nightmare? He contemplates for a second, just how she could make everything feel so normal in the mist of all of this. This world most certainly had new angle with her by his side.