"Can you believe this?" Katie smiles. "A room of our own, with an actual bed," she drops herself down on the bed, arms outstretched.
"Yeah, it's awesome," John says a little sceptically.
Katie leans up on her elbows. "What's wrong?"
"You don't think all that was a bit weird?" John frowns.
"What was weird?"
"You're shitting me right? Everyone kneeling as soon as my asshole brother waltzed in there," John says as he paces round the room.
"Well yeah, it was weird, but who cares?" Katie grabs his arm. "We have a safe place, food, and a bed," she smiles.
John looks down at her, his eyes darkening with lust. "Yes we fucking do." He pushes her down on the bed, his lips colliding with hers. John pulls at her vest strap, ghosting his lips over her collarbone.
"John," she moans breathlessly, writhing beneath him. Katie runs her hands through the back of his hair, her body breaking out in gooseflesh as he nips at her sensitive skin.
A knock at the door startles them.
"Fuck!" John almost growls in the crook of her neck.
"You should get that," Katie smiles.
John sighs deeply and nods his head, making his way to the door. "Negan," he frowns. "What is it?"
"Thought i'd come by, see how you're settling in," Negan smiles.
John leans against the door frame. "I was settling in just fucking fine till you showed up."
"Did i just..," Negan chuckles, placing a hand against his chest. "My bad."
"What the fuck do you want?" John asks impatiently.
"Don't be like that. Thought you might wanna come by mine, have a little nightcap," Negan says.
"What for?" John frowns.
"Fuck sake, John. We're brothers. And we just found each other. I think we need to bury the hatchet," Negan smiles.
I'll bury it right in your damn head you little fucker! John thinks.
Negan raises an eyebrow. "Are you thinking bad thoughts about me?"
"Why the fuck would you think that?"
"Twin thing," Negan smiles.
John rolls his eyes.
"Come on. Don't be such an asshole," Negan frowns. "Have a drink with me. I got whiskey."
John raises an eyebrow. "Good whiskey?"
"Fuck yeah!" Negan smiles.
"I don't really wanna leave Katie on her own," John says.
Katie comes up behind him, wrapping an arm around his waist. "Don't use me as an excuse. Go have a drink with your brother."
"You settling in alright, sweetheart?" Negan smiles.
"Yeah, we really appreciate this," she smiles.
John stares at her, not caring for the way she's looking at Negan. "Alright, i'll come for a damn drink."
"Jesus!" John's eyes widen as he scans Negan's room. It's huge and furnished really well.
"I know right," Negan chuckles. "Park your ass," Negan gestures towards the sofa.
"How the fuck did you get all this shit?" John asks as he sits down.
Negan grabs two glasses and a bottle. "Perks of being in charge. Shit like this isn't hard to find. People are more concerned with eating. When you're out there, the last thing on your mind is looting furniture stores," he smiles, handing a glass to his brother.
John takes the glass and swirls it in his hand. "So i'm gonna ask the obvious question."
"And what the fuck would that be?"
"All those people out there, why were they kneeling? They think you're fucking God or something?" John sips from his glass.
Negan chuckles as he sits beside him. "It's called respect. I keep them safe, i save people. I, am a fucking savior."
"You mean you and your men save people?"
"Well yeah, but i'm the guy in charge. The one they look up to," Negan smiles. "Come on, brother. Even you gotta admit this place is pretty fucking impressive."
John knocks back the rest of his whiskey. "I'm not saying it isn't. It's just.. weird as shit."
"You jealous?" Negan smirks.
"Why the fuck would i be jealous?" John frowns.
"All those people, kneeling to me. Definitely puts me one up on the sibling rivalry," Negan smiles.
John stares at him in disbelief. "We're not kids anymore, Negan."
Negan's face darkens slightly. "No, we're not. But then that never stopped you from wanting what was mine, did it?"
"You're really gonna go there?" John frowns.
Negan's face softens slightly. "No, like i said. It's about time we put all that behind us, don't you think?"
"That's easy for you to say," John sneers.
"Really? Because if i remember rightly. It was you, that took a great big steaming dump all over me." Negan frowns.
"Oh please. You've shit over me plenty enough," John says.
Negan shakes his head. "Not when it mattered i didn't."
They both turn their heads as someone knocks on the door.
"Yeah," Negan says.
An overweight guy enters Negan's room. He carries a barbwire bat in both hands. "Hey, Negan."
"Joey," Negan nods.
"I had Lucille cleaned," he smiles nervously as he hands her over.
Negan takes Lucille from him, eyeing her almost lovingly. John looks at him almost with disgust. Negan gestures with his fingers for Joey to leave.
"Lucille?" John grimaces. "You gotta be fucking joking?"
Negan turns to his brother. "You got something you wanna say? Because if you have, spit it the fuck out."
John clenches his jaw, his hands balling into fists. He lets out a deep breath and sighs. "Doesn't matter anymore. Nothing matters since the world turned to shit. All that matters is not becoming just another dead fuck."
Negan smiles and places an arm around his brother's shoulder. "Well said," he pats him on the back and leans forward for the whiskey bottle. "Refill?"
John makes his way down the corridor back to his room. He sways a little, having drunk one too many. He wasn't too sure if he genuinely believed he could put his and Negan's past behind him. But he'd have to try, if not for his sake, then for Katie's. He wasn't sure if he loved her. Cared for her deeply? Yeah. But love? Probably not. He wasn't sure if he was capable of that anymore. John opens the door to his room. He glances over at her sleeping soundly and smiles. He undresses and gets into bed beside her, pulling her against him. She stirs slightly, but he strokes her hair until she settles again. He'll make it work between him and Negan, for her.
