In days and weeks that followed things started to settle into this odd new life for you and Deacon. Simon had all but moved in and practically married you forgoing any sort of courtship at all. Though you were certain he still kept his own room, he moved most of his clothes and personal items into your bedroom the night he declared you were his now. It didn't bother you as much as you had originally thought it would. Having Simon in bed with you each night, something Negan never did, holding you throughout the night was by far the most comforting thing in the world to you. Even through the night terrors where you woke up sweating and sometimes swinging. Simon made you feel safe and loved in a way you didn't think was possible and something you had never in million years expected to find with Simon.
The other surprise your new relationship seemed to bring about was how happy Deacon was with Simon around. Negan and Deacon spent a few hours every day together and were developing a sweet relationship, but Simon and Deacon. They were attached at the hip. Deacon's eyes lit up the second that Simon would walk in the door after his shift. No matter what the little boy was doing, he could be playing or in the middle of eating. Deacon would stop and race towards Simon. Negan never got that enthusiastic of a greeting from his son without some level prompting form you or even Simon.
This day however was going to be a different day than the routine had settled so comfortably into. Negan had asked if he could spend time with Deacon that evening, evening offering to take his son for this night to allow you and Simon to have a private child free night before things got serious over the next few days. Things with this rouge group were progressing fast. They were causing trouble and Simon said the needed to get put down a peg and fast. So the offer was a nice gesture, but that meant that you didn't have you normal morning to yourself and Simon didn't have to pull a shift as the lieutenants had the day off to get ready. It was the first time that the three of you actually got to plan a mornings worth of activities together since your strange relationship with Simon started.
Simon and Deacon stat on the little couch in your room together, Simon reading the toddler a story from one of the children's books Sherry had dropped of the day before. As you watched them, listening to Simon carefully performed the story, complete with silly voices for each of the characters, you felt a sense of peace wash over you. Your life had become painfully domestic and you on some level loved every second of it. Finishing washing the dishes as Simon wrapped the story you turned around, drying your hands, and smiled at your boys. "So… my little man and… well… my not so little man…" Your joke was met with a short laugh from Simon who shook his head as he set the book on the arm of the couch and gave Deacon a little glance which made the toddler giggle.
"Yes Mama…" Deacon said with a big toothy, grin as he look up at up as you approached the couch.
"Yeah… Mama… what do you have planned for us?" Simon asked sheepishly as he stood up from the couch. His arms wrapped around your waist as he pulled you back against him as you giggled softly. "Come on sweetheart…" He knew the plans for the day. They are his plans not mine you note silently as you smirk at Simon before turning your attention back to Deacon.
He looked so excited for the prospect of an adventure. For a child in this harsh world, Deacon had lived a very sheltered and protected life safe within the walls of the Sanctuary. Today his world was going to expand in some small way and that excited you almost as much as the mystery of it excited Deacon.
As you leaned forward, Simon's hands slipping away from your waist you smile brightly. "We are going to go down to the kitchen…" You start slowly, almost teasing the toddler who looked extremely puzzled by what would be so exciting in the kitchen. "We may even go get Auntie Sherry because this is so special bubba…" Deacon's eyes grew wide when you mentioned his 'Auntie' because he loved Sherry almost as much as you did. "because… we are gonna get Ice Cream!" You had hoped he would have had some sort of reaction but Deacon looked blankly at you and Simon who both had very enthusiastic grins painted across your faces.
Simon leaned down and picked Deacon up. "It's Ice Cream … this is serious business my boy," Deacon giggled in Simon's arms as he leaned and spoke in a low, mock serious tone. "Do you know how special Ice Cream is?" Deacon shook his head and Simon gave him a little nod. You couldn't help but smirk watching the pair of them looking very serious about the great importance of Ice Cream. It was taking all your self control to keep from laughing at Simon as he continued. "Well we are the only people probably in the whole world who have this stuff these days Dekes and you are so lucky you and mommy got me because I just happen to be friendly with the lady who makes it."
Deacon's hazel eyes got wide as his gaze shifted from Simon to you, his little mouth hanging open with surprise as he spoke. "Mama… Ice Ceam…" He said finally sounding excited all be it a little mystified by this mysterious and much coveted substance.
"It's tasty stuff bubba, I am so shocked your Daddy hasn't tried to bribe you with it yet." You said with a little smirk as you walked past Simon and Deacon to grab the little boy's shoes.
Simon let out a small chuckle as you returned over to him setting one of the shoes down on the arm of the couch as Simon shifted Deacon so his feet were facing you. "I bet he didn't even think about to be honest," Simon quipped as you rolled you eyes as you slipped the first shoe on Deacon's foot. "I know your Daddy gives you all sorts of candy…" Deacon giggled a little as Simon craned his neck to look at the toddler who shook his head but the smirk playing on his lips told the truth.
As you reached back to grab the second shoe you let out a breathy laugh. "I knew that much, Auntie Sherry gives Mama all sorts of good insider information now that I have free access to her again." You said more to Simon than Deacon as you slipped on Deacon's other shoe.
Simon leaned down, setting Deacon down on the floor looking quite confused as Simon stood back up and looked at you with one eyebrow raised slightly. "Oh really now.." You shrugged for a moment a gave him a coy smirk. "Go play for a few minutes Dekes…" Simon said quickly never looking away from you.
Deacon tootled off to the corner looking even more confused than before as he plopped down on the floor to play with is toys. You let out a little huff. "I am not having this conversation now Simon, we are supposed to be going and doing something together as family… I told Sherry to meet us in the kitchen at 11, it's quarter of… Negan wants bubba at 3. We are on a schedule here my darling…"
Simon shook his head as he reached out, his fingers dancing across the waist of your jeans. "She probably hates him just about as much as you right now…" His voice was barely more than a whisper as he leaned in. "I bet she would do anything to be with D again…" You regretted the fact that both Simon and Negan now knew about your past with Sherry and Dwight to some level, though you were all but certain that they didn't know the extent of the history there.
Dwight was your brother's best friend and your cousin on your mother's side. He was the only blood relative you had left on this earth besides Deacon. It was a fact that you both hoped to keep secret from Negan and even Simon. Sherry had been your best friend for as long as you could remember, you grew up next door to each other. You were the one to introduce the two of them back in high school. They weren't just old friends like Simon and Negan were being carefully led to think, they were your family.
"I was mad when I said that shit Simon.." You say firmly pushing Simon's hands away from your waist as you take a step back. "I am still really mad at him but we can not actively work to destroy the father of my child and your best friend and be all happy sunshine to his face… that makes us sociopaths Simon.." You were trying to convince yourself even more than Simon. There was a small part of you that really wished to see Negan suffer for all the emotional pain that he willing caused you. Simon was obviously willing to be an instrument of that downfall but Negan was still Deacon's father. All the bad blood between you aside, Negan loved his son and because he did there was this tiny little part of you that maybe still felt something towards him, enough to see him kept alive for the time being.
Simon shook his head. "No, that makes us fucking pragmatic my love…" His tone was equally as firm as you yours but his voice smoother, calmer as he leaned in and places a tender kiss on your lips. His hands move to cup your cheeks as he pulled back. "and I am not going to do anything till you say something or he hurts you again but let it be known, I am fucking done darling, I am." You gave him a half hearted smile as he spoke softly, yet with great emotion and conviction behind his words. "No one makes my girl cry… no one."
Each time he called you 'my girl' there was part of you that almost wanted to cringe. It wasn't that you didn't have feelings for Simon, it was that the notion of being looked at as somone's property reminded you too much of Negan. Leaning in you press your lips to his as your arms slipped around his neck. "I am big girl Simon… I can handle myself." You reassured him.
Simon smirked, that cheeky little grin that never failed to make you momentarily forget whatever little thing he had done to upset you. As your gaze softened Simon's smirk grew wider. "I know sweetheart, but I am allowed to want to protect you…" His words were so sincere that you couldn't help the warm smile that played on your lips as he spoke. You just stared at him for a beat before shaking your head and taking a few steps away from him. His fingers trailing across your hips as you moved out of his reach, making your way towards Deacon.
It's nice that someone wants actually wants to protect me. You muse silently as you glance over your shoulder back at Simon for a brief moment before turning back your attention back to Deacon. "Bubba… are you ready sweetheart?" You asked softly beckon Deacon towards you. Simon makes his ways towards the door, his eyes ever fixed on you. Simon kept closer tabs on you than Negan ever did. There was little you could do without him knowing. While it seemed well intentioned enough, it was unnerving at times. As you and Deacon walked towards Simon you shot him a hard glare slipped past him and out the door as he opened it.
Simon looked shocked by the exchange, "What did I do?" He asked sounding confused and fairly defensive as he moved beside you his hand resting on the small of your back.
You sigh softly and just shake your head. "Nothing, forget it." You say quickly as you started to head towards the stairwell. Simon didn't looked convinced that it was nothing but was smart enough not to press the issue in front of Deacon. Both him and Negan had been on their better behavior, not their best, never their best behavior, you would always note when the thought would cross your mind. They were back to being friends, they were not as close as they once were but Negan still relied on Simon now more than ever as has right-hand. They had plenty of other issues besides the personal ones to deal with, the least of which was the group they were hopefully turn tomorrow.
As you started to go down the floors you happened to run into Sherry who was trying to sneak a few drags of a cigarette before heading down to the kitchen to meet you. As soon as she heard Deacon call her name she quickly stamped out her cigarette and turned to great your son. "There is my favorite boy in this whole wide world!" Sherry greeted him dramatically and Deacon squealed with delight as leapt into her outstretched arms. She planted several loving kisses on his chubby cheeks as held him close. Sherry loved Deacon like he was her own child, it never bothered you because it would have been that regardless if the world had ended and if Deacon had been your long dead boyfriend Jason's son and not Negan's. She was more than your friend, she had been your family since you were 8 years old and you made that stupid blood pack to always protect each other, no matter what. Sherry had seen the darkest sides of your life and weathered the worst of the worst by your side. There were few people in this world you trusted as much as Sherry.
As she set Deacon down on the stairs she turned to greet your warmly. "Well it's not the kitchens… but it works right?" She said with a chuckle as she wrapped her arms around you tightly before whispering in your ear. "We need to ditch Simon at some point… I have to talk to you without him in ear shot." Her words sounded urgent, almost desperate and it made your chest grow tight with fear.
"That's not easy." You whisper back as you lean back. Sherry shrugs and gives you a pleading look before she quickly changes her whole expression. Her lips twist into a slightly forced smile as she peaks around you and waves at Simon. "Hey Simon…" She says quickly with a sickly sweet tone that you knew she only used when she really disliked someone and needed to be civil. It was the same tone she often used when she was around Negan so Simon thought nothing of it.
You glanced back to see Simon wave back to Sherry as he started to descend the stairs. "Sherry, always lovely to see you." He gestured to the fairly modest black sleeveless dress she was wearing. "Looking lovely as always.." Simon said in a condescending tone that earn another glare from you. He knew, full well, that you disliked the fact that Negan wouldn't allow Sherry to wear just normal clothes when she was spending time with Deacon and he should have just kept his mouth shut about how he looked. His eyes narrowed in on you as you lips pursed and you tilted your head slightly. "You're not jealous babygirl.." Simon teased.
Sherry reached out and touched your arm trying to silently urge you to let it go and as much as you didn't want to you did. You did nothing more than sigh heavily as you and Sherry locked arms and started to descend the stairs together. Sherry leaned in and rested her head on your shoulder. "Why are you with him again?" She asked with a little chuckle to make it seem like her question was not as serious as it actually was. You roll your eyes and shake your head as Sherry lifts her head from your shoulder. Peering back at Simon who was hanging back a few paces looking not amused by Sherry's hushed question.
The walk down to the kitchens was much shorter than anyone anticipated and the whole actual process of getting the ice cream was far less thrilling than you had expected as well. Sherry made the suggestion that the group of you should head outside and enjoy the nice spring weather, though you knew it was not just the nice weather she wanted to enjoy. Dwight was on the wall of death worker detail, it was not one of the more glamorous jobs of the Sanctuary. It did however afford a rare opportunity for your cousin and his former wife to see eachother.
Simon spotted Dwight as soon as he made his way through the door and after 20 solid minutes of being in the company of you and Sherry he felt the need for some testosterone fueled conversation. "You girls go… talk…" The way Simon had said the word talk lead you to believe that he had least had a clue that whatever was going to be discussed in his absence was not just idle chatter. He gave you and Sherry a kind smile before heading over in Dwight's direction.
As much as Simon didn't want to admit it you were still very much a mystery to him. You never spoke of your life before the Sanctuary and the only people he knew you had any sort of connection to was Sherry, Dwight and Mama Mary. Simon was smart enough to know that Sherry wasn't going to say more than the words 'fuck off' to him if he asked any pointed questions about your past. He expected a similar, all be it more polite, answer from your adopted mother. That left Dwight, he was friendly enough with him and now was the perfect opportunity to deepen that relationship and hopefully gain a little more insight into the woman he found himself falling deeply in love with.
As he approached Dwight, he noticed the younger man quickly went from a relaxed stance, leaning over the handle bars of motorcycle he was resting on sitting straight up as Simon approached. "How goes it D?" Simon asked in a overly friendly tone of voice. Dwight tried to hide his instant suspicion of Simon's intentions but Simon had spent enough time playing poker in his youth to know when someone was trying to put on a their poker face.
Dwight cleared his throat as he reached into his pocket to pull out a pack of stale cigarettes. "Simon…" Dwight's voice had an edge to it as he pulled a single cigarette out of the pack before closing it and tucking it back in his shirt pocket. "It goes..." He continued as he placed the cigarette between his lips and lit it. As he took a long drag he glanced over towards where you and Sherry were deep in the midst of your own conversation while eating ice cream and trying to keep Deacon from running off. "Having a nice day with the girls and the little guy?" There was so much bitterness in Dwight's voice as he spoke, hiding none of the jealously that he felt from Simon's free access to three of the people he loved the most in this world.
"The Girls…" Simon's voice was filled with amusement at Dwight's little slip into an old habit. "I guess they kinda were 'the girls' in your life for quite a long time, eh." Simon was more casual than Dwight had ever seen him be, it was a side of him the Dwight never expected to see either.
Dwight chuckled as he flicked his ash from his cigarette and glanced over at the two women who in fact were at the core of Dwight's life for as long as he could remember. "I guess you could say that…" Dwight admitted softly in a moment of slight weakness. He wanted to go over and be with you, Sherry and Deacon so badly. He missed his old life, not even the life before all this… his life back when things were simple and he was just working for points.
Simon noticed Dwight starting to get lost in his thoughts and he cleared his throat once more. "So… what's the history there… between Sherry and (y/n)?" His words were simple, the most honest question that Dwight had ever head uttered from Simon's lips.
Dwight let out a little sigh, he knew he was going to have to say something. It had to be close enough to the truth that if Simon ever asked you or Sherry about it that you wouldn't question the story he was about to tell. As he took another long drag from his cigarette he sunk back down on the bike as his gaze shifted to Simon. "They're best friends, for as long as I can remember they always went everywhere together. Did damn near everything together. They lived next door to each other." Dwight smiled thinking back to the happy times before all this. Things were far from easy then but at least everyone he cared about was still alive. Still together. "(y/n) didn't have the best home life growing up.."
Simon shot Dwight a sharp questioning glance. "How do you know that?" Simon asked sharply.
Dwight put his hand up, urging Simon to stop before he made assumptions that could have very well been closer to the truth than what he was about to say. "I was real good friends with her brother, Colin. I spent a lot of time in that house, more than anyone should have… even (y/n) and her brother. Sherry's mom saw it wasn't a great place for a kid, especially a little girl… so almost every weekend and almost the whole summer (y/n) was at Sherry's house, she even had bunk beds not so Tina could sleep in her room but (y/n). It was probably what saved her growing up. My mom and dad took Colin just as often as Sherry's parents took (y/n)."
Simon gave a slow nod as he processed the information that Dwight was sharing with a great deal of honesty and openness that surprised Simon at first. "So why didn't anyone call like, social services or something if things were that bad?" There was actually a great deal of concern behind Simon's words as he spoke taking a step towards Dwight.
Dwight shook his head as he tossed his cigarette to the ground and stopped it out with a swift twist of the toe of his boot. "That's not what you did where we lived. You handled things in the community… you didn't get the fucking government involved that's for damn sure." Simon gave a disheartened huff and crossed his arms. "Our families were all close, everyone was… it was a small town." Simon's cocked an eye brow as he contemplated Dwight's words and gave a wobbly nod as Dwight continued. "So yeah. I guess they are close. I mean to be quite honest, I was with Sherry for more than ten year and I've known her pretty well since High School… but I don't know shit about her compared to (y/n) and I have known her even longer than Sherry and it's the same damn thing."
Simon chuckled, he knew how that type of relationship worked. They are more sisters than friends… that makes since. Simon concluded silently as he gave a nod. That conclusion led to a whole host of questions that he wanted to ask. However he settled on a single pointed question. "Why didn't she go with you when you guys tried to run off?" Simon asked in a hushed tone.
Dwight sighed. "She wanted to go. She begged to come with and I wanted to take her and Deacon with us. That's the fucking truth." Dwight's lips pursed together as he recalled how it was Mama Mary that had talked Sherry and Tina into make you stay because of the risk to Deacon. "But out there… Deacon… " Dwight paused, his eyes darting over to where you and Sherry were standing having a rather heated conversation. Deacon standing between the two of you, ice cream covering his face, and Dwight was reminded why you and your little boy stayed. "That kid wouldn't last a day. We didn't last more than a few days before we had to come back and Tina died. If (y/n) and the kid came with, I don't even want to think what would have happened."
Simon nodded as he agreed with the choice that Dwight had made. "No, that was a smart move. Kids that are old enough to shoot barely make it, Dekes is tough little man but I am glad he has never been outside those gates and I hope that it stays that fucking way for quite a long time if I can be honest with you D." Simon knew firsthand how hard that world out there was with a kid and knew the harsh reality of the fact that small children were often the first to go.
Dwight gave a quick nod. "Oh I doubt (y/n) is ever gonna get away now… not with the kid." He muttered softly and Simon shifted his weight as he gave another reluctant, wobbly nod. Dwight chewed on his bottom lip as his eyes focused on Sherry. He missed her, he could never speak the words but Simon could see the look of longing that spread across Dwight's face as he leaned over the handle bars.
Simon reached out an placed a strong hand on Dwight's shoulder. "One day, things are going to be different." There was something ominous to the way that Simon spoke those words but Dwight just gave a silent nod as he looked up at Simon. "I remember how (y/n) reacted to the whole Sherry marrying Negan and you getting the iron." Simon noted and Dwight shrugged.
It was the one time in the last two years that you had forgotten about keeping a low profile and you made a massive scene trying to get into the infirmary to see Dwight. "Well, (y/n), knew what Sherry was walking into. More than most and she was pissed, I am sure, and she had herself convinced that Sherry was making the same mistake that she did… but honestly if it came down to it. I bet she would have done the same fucking thing to save someone she loved." Dwight ran his hands through his greasy, messy hair as he recalled the events of the night that he took the iron and he lost his wife. "Did you hear about how she punched Carson? Like straight jacked him in the jaw…" Dwight said with a slightly amused chuckle and Simon shook his head. "Oh shit man.. it was something. Even half out of it I just remember him trying to tell her to come back in a few hours and she just wailed on him. Just fucking wailed. It was like she had lost all reason and logic. He is smug asshole who needed his ass kicked, but I wished I had actually been fully conscious to see it" He sounded a little amused recalling what vague memories he had of that night.
Dwight swung his legs over the bike and turned to face Simon as he continued. "She saw the whole thing… Mary had Deacon but (y/n) stood and watched everything." Dwight leaned forward and rested his elbow on his knees as his eyes focused on the ground. "When they put the iron to my face I don't remember hearing Sherry scream… but I remember hearing (y/n) scream." Dwight kicked his boot against the ground before raising his gaze up to Simon's face which was surprisingly full of sympathy.
Simon reached out placed his hand on Dwight's shoulder in some vain attempt to comfort the other man. He remembered that day quite vividly himself. He was right, Sherry hadn't screamed. She stayed stone faced and stoic but you were in hysterics, tried to break through the group of men to get to Dwight and Negan to try and stop the whole thing. It was Simon who had stopped you stopped you from breaking that line. From making a mistake that could have cost you your life that night with the mood that Negan was in. "You would have thought that she was your wife… not Sherry." Simon muttered with an air of jealousy in her voice that was anything but subtle and Dwight gave a halfhearted shrug. Simon was far from wrong in that instance. Dwight knew why Sherry had behaved the way she had, she had to keep it together to prove to Negan that she was sincere in off to marry him. It was almost as though all the rage that Sherry felt, you had displayed.
Dwight could never quite wrap his head around why but he liked to think you lost it that night less out of loyalty to Sherry and more because he was your family. He loved you like a younger sister and you loved him almost as much as you had once loved your brother. "Her brother was my best friend, in a lot of ways I am all she has left of Colin. When he was killed..." Simon looked confused at Dwight's words and Dwight gave a nod realizing that Simon didn't know. "Colin died before all this…" Dwight motioned his hand to indicate the change in the world. "He had a temper, a fucking bad temper… it's the curse of that whole family." Myself included Dwight noted and Simon gave a little huff of a laugh and nodded his head. "He made some enemies of some powerful people in the area… he borrowed money or something, we never found out the truth. But they wanted him dead. About a year before all this happened the girls and a few of our mutual friends come back from going to beach and Colin was bleeding out, gut shot, on the porch of their parents' house where they were living."
As Dwight shared the rarely told tale a look of pure horror spread across Simon's face. He could not fathom what that had been like for you. To come home after what he could only assume was a fun day with friends to such a horror. He was starting to realize what happened that night those few short years ago wasn't the first time you had suffered deeply. Simon took a step back in shock as his eyes narrowed in Dwight. "Shit…" He cursed as he brought his hand to his mouth at a rare loss for words. Dwight gave him a stern and solemn nod as Simon's hand slipped away from his mouth and ran through his hair. "That… is just fucked." He exclaimed.
Dwight couldn't help but agree with the conclusion. "Yeah… he was gone before the ambulance came. Nothing about her was the same again after Colin died. She started working down at that strip club to try and get close to the assholes she thought killed him." Dwight knew he shouldn't be sharing with this with Simon but there was a part of him felt that Simon needed to know at least some of the truth of your past. "She was going to kill them, (y/n), who used to call me screaming any time she saw a snake in her back yard. Thought she would get close and shoot the guy or something… but the fucking world ended before she had a chance." Dwight shook his head before he continued. "I promised Colin as he was dying that I would keep (y/n) safe, keep her from doing anything stupid… but that was so much easier said than done." Dwight noted.
Simon gave a firm nod. "She is stubborn girl…"
Dwight chuckled and shook his head. "You have no idea." Dwight thought back to you as a child and how you were possibly the most willful child he had ever met. You never took 'no' for answer and at times even as small as you were you were lone voice of reason in your house. "She has been through a lot in her life Simon…" Dwight eyes narrowed on Simon's face as he spoke.
Simon took a long breath as he crossed his arms in front of his chest and gave a solemn nod. "I know."
Dwight shook his head as he stood from the motorcycle and glanced over his shoulder at you and Sherry for a brief moment before turning back to Simon. "No you don't… You have no idea, I have known her the whole of her life Simon and even I don't know everything. The only person who probably does besides (y/n) is Sherry and to be quite honest I am even doubtful that she knows everything but she knows the most without a doubt. That's how close they are alright and all this shit with Negan…" Dwight leaned as he continued you, his voice barely more than a whisper as his eyes darted around to make sure that no one else was in ear shot. "This fucking bull shit with Negan being a part of Deacon's life is gonna break her. She kept that baby away from him for a good reason. Negan does nothing but twist her up, even when she wasn't with him just seeing him would make her question every choice she made for both her and that kid constantly. It would take weeks to get her head back on straight. It's not like we have therapist that specialize in this shit any more." Dwight's voice was filled with pent up rage as he spoke candidly about Negan to a man he wasn't quite sure he should trust but he was in deep enough with you now that Dwight felt that Simon needed to understand the gravity of certain situations he was getting involved in. "I get you are with her now and while I don't fucking get it, at all, it's alright I guess… you are keeping Negan from twisting her up again."
Simon shook his head. "Not as well as I would like, Negan has done plenty of new damage already, trust me." His voice was low and Dwight couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh. "I am trying to come up with a way to permanently solve this Negan problem…"
Dwight's eyes grew wide with shock as he began to shake his head taking a step back from Simon. "Don't tell me…" Dwight cautioned and Simon shrugged. The younger man shook his head once more as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't want to know any more Simon because if I think you are implying what you probably are… that's one hell of a death wish."
Simon smirked, an unnerving and sinister smirk that make Dwight's skin crawl as he leaned in. "The only person who will die is Negan…" Dwight shook his head knowing that in all likelihood whatever devious plan Simon was concocting it would not end well and the only people who would end up getting truly hurt was you and Deacon.
"Whatever it is Simon, don't do it." Dwight cautioned as he reached out and cautiously touched Simon's arm trying to bring home the point that he should not move forward with his plans. "Trust me, trying to go against Negan will not end well. You want (y/n) and Deacon to stay safe, and from your actions so far… I know that's what you want." Simon gave Dwight a nod as he continued. "Then if you want her to stay at least the person she is now, forget all about this vendetta against Negan… she can't take anyone else she cares about getting hurt." As Dwight's hand slipped away from Simon's arm his eyes cast to the ground as he sighed heavily. "Every time someone she loves get hurts part of her dies. When her mom got sick and she had to watch her waste away to nothing… she was destroyed. When Colin was killed she almost went a suicide mission. When that fucking shit happened that night… she ran off and married Negan because she thought that was the only way she could repay him and look how that ended. She got into a fucking fist fight with a doctor because he wouldn't let her into see me…zero fucks given to the fact that I needed him to treat me. I love her dearly, but that girl ain't right in the head… not any more. " Dwight ran his hands through his hair as he tossed his head back and let out a bit of groan. "Sooner or later something is going to happen ad she is gonna just break and there ain't going to be no bringing her back from it this time. She will end up just wanting to watch the whole fucking world burn down and to be quite honest I know Sherry will be there by her side with the fucking matches."
Simon chuckled darkly and Dwight shook his head. "You think I am fucking kidding Simon but listen… she obviously cares about you… and weather (y/n) will ever say it out loud I know she still cares about Negan if for no other reason than he is Deacon's father. She has barely held on the last few months, if something happens now… it's going to just push her over that edge Simon. Do you want to be the one that causes her to lose her fucking mind?" Dwight's eyes narrowed in on Simon's face trying to read the man's normally expressive face. There was nothing, no worry, no fear, no concern. After a barely noticeable moment that sinister grin returned to his lips as Simon shook his head.
"I don't think you give her enough credit man. (y/n) is one tough woman." Simon emphasized the fact that you were tough more as a reminder to himself more than one for Dwight. Simon hooked his thumbs into the belt loop of his cargo pants as he glance over at Dwight taking a rather defensive stance. "She has been through hell… she fucking hates him. In the end, whatever I do she will thank me for it. "
Dwight scoffed and shook his head. "That just proves how much you don't know about (y/n), because one thing I do know about her… she has to love you, to hate you… so if she hates him like you say she does, she still loves him too. On some level." Dwight glanced back towards the workers he had been ignoring to find that they were managing not to die, which was all that Dwight had to assure. He kicked the ground once more as the corners of his mouth turned downward. "I am not the type of man to tell other men how to live their lives, I am not a fucking leader… but I know those two women…" Dwight said gesturing towards you and Sherry who now were further away, standing close to the fence with your backs facing the men. Deacon was taunting a walker barely an arm's length away from Sherry. "Those girls will do anything to protect the men they love."
"She loves me.." Simon snapped quickly and Dwight raised a questioning eyebrow at the quick and defensive response.
There was part of Dwight that wanted to push the issue, Does she really love you? Or does she just not want to be with him… and you are just there to fill that hole in her heart that he left? Dwight stopped himself from uttering the words he knew would make Simon question everything but you wouldn't want him to play that card. Not yet. Instead he smirked his own slightly devious smirk and nodded. "That's why you need to worry.." Dwight's voice was cold and smooth as ice as he spoke and Simon just stared at him with a cold dark glare. "You see my face, do you think I did all that shit… took the fucking iron because I want to live in the horrible world?" His voice was even and calm and he leaned forward. "I took it… I stayed because that woman loves me… she lives in her own personal hell each and every day because she thinks my life is actually worth something." Dwight drew in a long deep breath as he took a few steps back and sat back down on the motorcycle. "The biggest reason I think Sherry and (y/n) have been friends as long as they have is because they both care too damn much about everyone around them. It's what I feel in love with about Sherry…"
Simon cut Dwight off, "It's what I love about (y/n)." There was truth in Simon's words, Dwight could tell from the way that Simon's eyes seemed to have life behind them as his smirk became shyer and less sinister as he spoke.
Dwight knew that feeling and let out a misplaced chuckle as he leaned back and rested his arm on the handle bars of the bike. "Well if all this…" He said gesturing to the large burn on his face. "Has taught me anything… is that love makes men make stupid decisions. Ones that put guys like you and me… who are stupid enough to fall in love with these beautiful disasters of women… in all sorts of fucking bad situations where we are either going to end up dead or wishing we were." There was so much truth in Dwight's words that they sent a shiver down Simon's spine as he glanced back over to where you and Sherry were still deep in conversation. He wondered, what on earth were the two of your talking about.