Written For Richonne Just Desserts Summer Flash Fic Collection

Words: 830

Rated: T

Prompts: dust, roof window, party decorations, plane tickets

The mid morning sun was high in the sky as golden rays of light beamed through a small roof window, illuminating the tiny specks of dust that floated through the thick air. A drop of sweat ran down the side of Rick's face and he wiped it away with a weary hand. He and Michonne had been up in the attic for the better part of the morning, searching for anything that could serve as party decorations for the barbecue they were hosting for the ASZ residents later that week. He'd been opposed to the idea of a party, but Michonne had talked him into it. She insisted that the community was in need of some positive energy. It was what she wanted, and he was never one to deny her anything.

He looked at her, rooting through a big cardboard box on the other side of the room. Her long legs were bent into a deep squat, making the round curve of her plump bottom look extra enticing in the tiny cotton shorts she was wearing. Her hair was piled into a loose bun on top of her head, exposing the graceful curve of her long neck. A bead of sweat formed at her hairline and slid down her skin, leaving a wet trail that disappeared into the thin fabric of her tank top. He had the sudden urge for a taste of the salt of her skin against his tongue.

"Hey come look at this." Her voice was sweet, like warm dollops of sun kissed honey.

He closed the distance between them and took in the small slips of paper she was holding in her hand. "Looks like plane tickets."

"To Tahiti," she confirmed as she took a seat on the floor. "They're dated for two years from now. Why do you think they were hidden away up here in the attic?"

"I don't know," he admitted with a small shrug, "maybe it was supposed to be a surprise or somethin'?"

"A surprise trip to Tahiti? I like that idea." She exhaled a breathy sigh. "Doesn't that kind of romance sound like a dream right now?"

She turned her big brown eyes up to his with a warm gaze that left him momentarily stunned. Some beauty was quiet and unassuming; her's was a striking kind of beauty. It hit hard, and demanded his attention. He took in her trim body and immediately conjured up images of her in a white string bikini, her skin glistening in tropical sunlight as she splashed around in bright turquoise ocean waters. The two of them alone together, frolicking on a beach somewhere far away from the walls of the ASZ, did indeed sound like a dream. "Man," he sighed, "what I wouldn't give to take you to Tahiti."

"I'm having a hard time picturing you in beach wear, Grimes." She tugged on the hem of his jeans with an amused smirk. "I don't think you can wear these things on the beach, sweetheart."

He kneeled down and gave her a soft kiss. "Who said anything about wearing clothes?" Her quiet laugh vibrated against his lips and he smiled in response.

"You're insatiable, Rick. What am I going to do with you?"

"Hmmm, I don't know." He kissed her again. "How about, have a barbeque with me? Or, maybe run a community with me? Raise kids with me? Love me? Stay with me? Hide surprises in the attic for me?" He stood and offered her his hand, "What do you think?"

A huge smile formed on her face as she took his hand and allowed him to help her to stand. "I think I can do all of those things with you, Rick. I think that there's nothing I'd like more." She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her closer. "Except for maybe one thing."

"And what's that?" His lips found her neck and he teased her soft skin with tender kisses.

"You, in a pair of shorts and some flip flops. I saw a box of clothes over there that I want you to go through. And you're not wearing those boots to my party."

He looked at her with wide eyes. "What's wrong with my boots?"

"Rick, it's one thousand degrees outside and those things are heavier than lead. Seriously, no boots at my party. I mean it. Now, let's get you some new clothes." She patted him on the ass with a gentle tap and headed off in the direction of the box.

He watched her walk away and shook his head with a wry chuckle. "I thought we came up here to look for party decorations," he muttered to himself.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" She turned back to him with a raised eyebrow and a tilted head.

He licked his lips and smiled at the slight taste of salt that lingered there. "I said, 'I'm coming dear.' That's all."

"That's what I thought you said."