Months went by and Aurora and Negan grew closer. Their unspoken bond had strengthened over time. Something about him made her gravitate toward him, she just couldn't help it, and Negan had been drawn to her from the very moment they met. Everything he ever said to her was sincere, he didn't lie or try to deceive her, she knew that much, she could see it in his eyes.

He knew more about her than anyone else ever had, before or after the turn. And Negan had confided in her in a way that he had never done with anyone else, even Lucille. The more she got to know him, the more human he seemed to be. Despite what Rick and the others thought of him he was filled with guilt and remorse over the things he had done, and all he wanted was to be a part of a better world.

Like her, Negan too had nightmares, and it had become an unspoken routine that every night when one of them awoke drenched in fear, guilt, sadness or panic they would each slide their mattresses to the cell bars and lie close to one another, often holding eachothers hand in comfort. Their relationship wasn't sexual in nature, although there was no denying the attraction. But unlike every other relationship that Negan had in the past, his connection with Aurora transcended the physical. Their relationship was on a whole other level. They connected in every possible way, and she gave him hope that one day he would be free of the cell he was locked in. Although as long as he had her with him, he wouldn't care if he had to stay there forever.

Aurora was working in the garden when Rick approached her one afternoon. "Aurora, can I borrow you for a while?"

"Sure Rick, what's up?"

"It's Negan".

"Has something happened?" She asked, unable to hide the hint of worry in her voice, and Rick picked up on it.

"No nothing bad. He just... he needs a haircut and a shower, but he is refusing. Said he'd only let you cut his hair".

"Me? But... I'm gardener not a barber".

"I know... but will you? It's pretty easy, there's a pair of battery operated clippers. You just gotta shave his head and his beard that's all. And he will be cuffed the whole time with someone else on watch" Rick explained.

"Yeah... okay. I can do it" she replied, not really worried about the cuffs. She was confident Negan would never hurt her.

"Great. Thank you" he said as he walked with her toward the cell.

"So what's the deal with you two? Why does he only want you to do it?" Rick asked knowing that something was up. They had spent over six months together, they were bound to form some sort of relationship.

Aurora was worried about telling Rick the true nature of their relationship. He probably wouldn't understand, he might stop her from being his night watch, or worse kick her out of Alexandria, considering her actions treasonous.

"Can I ask you something Rick?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever had a connection with someone that you just can't explain? Like they are the only one in the world who truly sees you, and understands you?" She asked.

"I guess my relationship with Michonne is kinda like that... why?"

"Well... that's the kind of connection I have with Negan".

"Aurora... I warned you that he would get into your head".

"I know Rick, and I listened. Believe me I did. I ignored the man completely for a whole month. But then when I talked to him, and got to know him... the real him, not that bullshit macho front he puts on for the world, I realised that he is human. Just like the rest of us".

"He did some terrible things Aurora".

"I know, he told me all about it, no details spared. But Rick we have all done bad things. We have all killed people. I have... you have... Carol and Daryl have" she reminded him. "I'm good at reading people Rick. And Negan is sincere and he is remorseful. He wants to be a part of something greater than himself. He knows now that his way was not the right way. He always had good intentions, he did what he did for the right reasons, he just got lost along the way. Caught up in the power of it all".

"I don't know if I believe that".

"You trust me don't you?"

"Of course, but how do I know he hasn't corrupted you. What if he's just telling you what you want to hear. You could be blinded by your feelings for him. That is what Negan does".

"I can tell when a person is lying. I'm basically a human lie detector, something I learnt from my dad. Hell you can test it out if you want. Negan is telling the truth. He's never lied to me. He has been up front and honest about everything, the good and the bad. Everybody deserves a second chance. Imagine how many people would be stuck rotting away in a cell if we treated everyone the way we are treating him for the same damn thing. He's not the only one who's killed people. Just think it over okay?"

"Yeah okay" Rick said warily as they came to the makeshift prison and he opened the door for her.

"Hey Rori" Negan smiled as she entered the room.

"I hear you're giving these guys a hard time" she teased.

"I don't like people touching me" he told her seriously.

"Well you look like a sasquatch... so this haircut thing is happening" she laughed. "And to be honest, you could use a shower".

"I'll only let you touch me with those clippers" he smiled.

"That's why I'm here" she grinned.

"No games Negan" Rick warned as he unlocked the cell and the guard had his gun trained on him. Rick took in a chair and Negan removed his shirt before he sat down, allowing Rick to cuff his hands to the arms of the chair. "Want me to stick around?" Rick asked.

"No it's cool. I got it" Aurora said as she tested the clippers, and Rick nodded in understanding and left them to it.

"Ready?" She asked Negan as she ran her fingers through his dark shaggy hair.

A low moan escaped his lips and he leaned into her touch making her smile a little. He nodded in reply and she began to shave his head, his dark locks falling to the floor bit by bit until it was all gone. Slowly running her fingers through his now short buzz cut hair she checked for any rough patches before trimming his beard and tidying up around the edges.

"Much better" She smiled as her fingers danced along the scruff on his cheek.

"Bet you wish I was your Daddy now huh Babygirl?" He grinned with a wink.

"Oh shut up" Aurora laughed.

"I could probably do with some manscaping while you're at it" he teased.

"Yeah... my expertise doesn't stretch that far" she laughed as she began to tidy up with a broom. "Greg, can you please grab me two buckets of warm water and some shampoo" she instructed to the guard.

"I'm not supposed to leave" he said.

"It's fine I got this. Besides he's cuffed" she reasoned.

"Okay. I'll be right back".

"You trying to get me alone Rori" Negan teased.

"Like I have to try. I'm alone with you every night" she quipped.

"True".

As she waited for Greg to return with the water she couldn't help but let her eyes wander over his naked torso. His chest was dusted with dark hair, and there were some slightly faded tattoo's on his skin. It only made her more attracted to him. And now that he was clean shaven, he looked even more attractive than usual. She had never seen him like this.

"Like what you see?" He grinned, his eyebrow raised smugly.

"Maybe" she teased.

"I remember you once saying I wasn't your type".

"I said maybe you weren't my type... you assumed I was telling the truth" she laughed.

"So am I your type then?"

"I'm not telling" she winked as Greg entered the room with two buckets of warm water, a towel, a washcloth and some shampoo. "Thanks Greg" she smiled.

Aurora wet Negan's hair and began to gently massage shampoo through what was left of it, enjoying the way he seemed to melt beneath her fingers. She took much longer than necessary to complete the task, before rinsing all the suds away.

"Okay, I'm gonna leave this second bucket here for you to wash yourself" she said as she grabbed the keys to the cuffs.

"You're not gonna stay for the show?" Negan teased as Greg trained his gun on him, making sure he didn't do anything stupid while she uncuffed him.

"No, I've got work to do... but maybe Greg will enjoy it" she teased as she looked over her shoulder at him.

"Fuck you" Greg chuckled.

"If anyone is fucking you... it's gonna be me" Negan whispered lowly in her ear as she bent down and uncuffed his hands. There was no denying the heat they spread through her core at his words.

"In your dreams" she quipped.

"Every night Rori" he winked teasingly. His tone was teasing, but his eyes were full of truth.

She gave him a cheeky smile as she left the cell, locking it behind her. "Enjoy your sponge bath... see you later" she grinned as she headed out.

"You sure you don't want that image for your spank bank?" He called after her, grinning when he heard her let out a hearty laugh.