Clementine slept in Louis's arms as he comforted her throughout the night. She never thought this rift between her and Violet would hurt so much, but it did. It's been five days since Clementine caught Violet with the girl from the other group, and now Violet despises Clementine again like the time of the boat rescue. Clementine heard the steady beat of his heart, and it got her to drift off into a dream world.
Standing in the grass on a bright sunny day the air was warm, and bees were buzzing. She knew she was dreaming now because it was fall turning into winter when the world she left in it. There was a sound of flowing water from the trickling brook of the stream as she walked to stand beside a tree to soak in the scene. Clementine misses the days of summer and is worried about what the winter will bring with her time at Ericson.
Just then she heard kids laughing and hollering which broke her thoughts of thinking. She looks in that direction and sees five kids on the small dock taking turns jumping in the creek. Two of the kids Clementine saw, she knew, she sees an older AJ and Tenn jumping in and splashing each other for the fun of it. AJ looks to be about twelve here and Tenn to be about eighteen.
Clementine realizes this is a glimpse of her future. She looks out from the bank she is at watching the kids play. The other three were unknown to her but she had a pull for one particular kid as she watches the child take a flying leap into the creek and shrinks and laughs with Tenn and AJ. Clementine's heart swelled when AJ picks the child up from the water and places the child on top of AJ's shoulders laughing and having the time of their life. The other pre-teen moves in and a little boy with dark hair and mid-tone skin tackled Tenn and AJ and the child on AJ's shoulders.
Something is familiar about that kid. The child on AJ's shoulders had hair like Clementine, even some of the facial features like Clementine's, down to the same shade of amber eyes as her. The only difference is the child has freckles whereas Clementine does not.
Is that? Clementine thought as she stared long and hard at the child. She looks at the other kids as they too jumped in the creek all having summer fun splashing around and forgetting about walkers and trying to survive, and for once be normal kids. Something she wished she could have enjoyed a bit more as a child.
A figure comes up to stand beside Clementine and Clementine looks up to see Lee beside her, "Hey sweet pea."
Clementine smiles a warm smile and embraces Lee in a hug. "I thought I wouldn't see you for a bit."
"I come and go when you need me Clem, or when your heart calls for me," Lee responds.
Clementine nods, and her eyes scrunch up in confusion, "My heart called you?"
Lee nods and chuckles at her question, "Whatever that is troubling your mind, Clem."
"Oh…I guess my fight with Violet and me.." Clementine tries to say but trails off. "I feel like I am failing as a leader Lee. Maybe Vi does have a point, and I am taking shortcuts like Marlon, and refusing to be a risk-taker, but I am scared Lee. What if this group turns out to be like Lily and Raiders? I can't endanger my friends and what I call home now. These kids have gone through so much, and so have I…."
Lee looks at her as she looks distraught. He nods and then looks out at the kids playing in the creek. "So that is why you called me here."
Clementine nods as they sit under the shade of the tree watching the kids. "What do I do Lee? Trying to be the leader of these kids is not easy, and I feel like I am under pressure a lot. Trying to keep them all safe, and the threat of the other group, I just don't know. Should I let Vi continue to see this girl named Maya who l I have trust issues with, not her in particular but with the group she is associated with? Can I even trust if Maya is good?"
Lee looks at Clementine's worried eyes then in a calm voice he spoke to his surrogate daughter of his, "I can't tell you what to do Sweet Pea, that has to be your choice. Being a good leader takes all skills to learn, and sometimes have to be the bad person and make the tough calls when it comes to it, to keep your friends safe and your enemies at a distance." He knew Clementine doesn't like that answer but he can't give her all the hints of success. "What I can tell you, Sweet Pea, is this. You're instincts are right not to trust the group Maya is in, but not so much with Maya herself. Danger is coming Clem, and you will need to rely on Maya for help."
Clementine looks at her father figure and moral guide in life, "What do you mean exactly?"
"Maya isn't the one you should withhold your trust to, Clem." Lee tries to hint at her.
"Then who?" Clementine asks again.
"You will know when the time presents itself to you," Lee advises her.
Clementine lets out a frustrating sigh, "Take it you can't tell me."
Lee shook his head, "That is something you will have to come to on your own. I can only give you hints to help and be your guide."
Clementine looks out at the kids and lets go of her frustration and smiles at the small child that looks like her. She feels an odd connection to this child and wonders if that child is….Clementine looks at Lee and asks the daring question, "Lee…is that child on AJ's shoulders. Is that my child? Mine and Louis's."
Lee looks down at her and smiles, "Someday you will know."
Clementine looks back at the kids and felt Lee slipping away. Lee left her with the memory of happy children playing in the creek and forgetting the world of danger for a bit. She notices AJ with another black girl she does not know or heard of and notices the two of them holding hands as the spinning image of Clementine splashes water at the two young preteens. Clementine smiles at the sight of the kids and soon the world melted away and she slips back into reality.
Clementine awoke with Louis's arm wrapped around her waist as she was facing him. Clementine opens her eyes as she sits up in bed and had to take a double take of her dreamlike world. She looks across the bed at AJ sleeping soundly in his bunk. She turns to look at Louis. Clementine shakes her head as she moves her legs over the edge of the mattress. Was that a vision of my future? Clementine rubs her temples to try and make sense of what she saw. She felt the bed move as Louis woke up and sees Clementine hunched over the bed.
"Clem? Clem, darling, you okay?" Louis asks out of concern.
Clementine looks up and turns her back slightly to look at him, "I'm fine…"
Louis whispers, "Bad dream?"
Clementine smiles a soft smile and turns to head back to bed with the love of her life, "No. for once a pleasant dream just felt strange." She places her hand on Louis's cheek and smiles at him. She moves in and nuzzles the end of her nose to his chest. "I'm fine, really."
"You sure," Louis asks still being all concerned.
Clementine moves her head to gaze into his midnight chocolate eyes. Then kisses his lips softly to let him know she is sure, Clementine pulls back and eyes him, "Yes. Now try going back to sleep, you and Aasim have hunting to do tomorrow morning." Louis holds her close and closes his until dawn, as he will have to go and do hunting.
…
Maya walks with Bonnie, her sister Aniya and for the first time Alicia out into the woods to head to the river to fish. Alicia was so fascinated with the world that it made the three older women smile. She never left the camp since they settled in these woods. Maya still has the pull to go find Violet, but knows she is still being punished and has to be supervised. She hopes Violet will understand and hopes that this was not Maya's choice to be apart from her this long.
Maya looks up at the branches of the trees as a curious smile came over her face. She leaves Bonnie's side for a moment to look at a branch in a nearby tree. She takes out her knife and started to slash at the branch to break it away from the trunk.
Bonnie stops for a moment and notices Maya's brief absence as she sees Maya cutting away at a branch. Bonnie squints her eyes a little as she is a bit curious why Maya was cutting at a branch. Maya soon comes back to be beside her leader as Bonnie carries on to the river's bank.
"What is the branch for?" Bonnie asks.
"Don't know yet," Maya replies back. "Maybe use it as a weapon or a tool."
"You know we have tools and weapons back at camp," Bonnie said as she carries a net.
"I know, but this is part of how my tribe used to hunt and fish back in the day. We can't rely on modern things now and have to resort to the old days." Maya said. "There will always be branches and sharp rocks to make arrowheads with, there isn't much ammo around since the world got like this." Maya gestured to a walker on the other side of the river.
Bonnie nods in understanding to what Maya is saying, "Still, I like to rely on things I am most familiar with." Bonnie looks down over at Maya, "Besides I thought you rebelled against your own tribe because you didn't like their "traditional way" of gender roles."
"I am still learning what my grandmother taught me, and my ancestor's way. And I never said I agree with the "traditions" my people set out to be. I fought against it." Maya admitted. "I wanted to be a warrior for my tribe, to serve and protect my tribe. I know I am a warrior and have the skills to be one. Which is how I got sent away to live with my grandmother for a bit."
Bonnie looks down at Maya, "Because you wanted to be a warrior?"
"Yup. And speaking out against the chief of my tribe. He told me I need to learn my place in the tribe and respect my elders and ancestors. So for a while, I had to study under my grandmother of the Lakota way, and I my calling to the tribe. In a way, it was good of my chief to do that because I never realized I needed to rely on my ancestors' teachings to survive in today's age." Maya admitted. Bonnie looks at the young teen and shakes her head. She doesn't quite understand Maya's culture, but she respects her beliefs if she wants to keep believing in them.
Maya looks over at her sister as she holds Alicia's hand to guide her to the river. She smiles at the girl's excitement about fishing. "I can't wait to get my first fish."
Bonnie looks to the two older girls and orders, "I will train Alicia to fish while you two go on your own. I won't have you two babysit this little munchkin all day."
Aniya and Maya both nod as they settle down the river a bit. Maya watches the flow of water and puts the branch in her pack, as she gets ready to gear up and fish. Aniya looks at her and with a curious smile she asks, "What is really for the purpose of the branch Maya?"
Maya looks over her shoulder at her sister, "You heard the conversation."
"Yeah, kind of hard not to hear when you and Bonnie are the only voices I hear," Aniya said.
"Well then as I told Bonnie I don't know what it is for yet." Maya half lies.
But Maya's half-lie isn't fooling her sister anymore, "Is it for Violet?"
Maya shifts her gaze to the flowing water and closes her eyes as she lets out a sigh. "Yes."
Aniya nods, "You know the odds of coming across her again are unlikely."
"I know. But my heart won't rest until I make something for her." Maya said.
"You are not going to sneak out of camp, are you? You know you are being watched like a hawk now." Aniya advises.
Maya picks up her sphere, "I know. But it is not like I am going to be watched indefinitely." Maya glances over at her sister as she has a worried glance, "I will be careful, sis."
Aniya looks at her, "You better be." She then asks a few more questions as they fish together, "Do you know where she and that girl with amber eyes are-"
"Clementine, and no I do not," Maya answers her.
"Do not what?" Aniya looks up from the water.
"Where their community they live in. Violet and I never meet close to either of our communities and we kept it that way for precautions." Maya said.
Aniya slowly said, "Oh..so what did you and her talk about?"
Maya shook her head, "Why all the curiosity questions all of a sudden?"
Aniya shrugs her should, "I don't know. Just you seem to brighten up whenever you talk about her and I want to know about her group a little and maybe there is someone in that group for me. Like guys..and a certain, tall guy, with dreads."
Maya looks up from the water now and noticed her sister has a crush on Robert's son when they met for the first time several weeks ago. "You need to find someone else to pine over sis, the dude you are thinking about is taken already."
Aniya stops her daydreaming a bit, "What do you mean?"
"That guy you have a crush on is taken. He is someone else's boyfriend." Maya says.
"How do you know?" Aniya asks.
"When we stumbled upon the boat ruins several days ago I had my vision and saw a group of kids on a beach, probably that kid commute that is somewhere in these woods. In my vision, I saw that dread hair boy named Louis kiss…Clementine." Maya said. She watches as her sister's face fell and feels a little deflated.
Aniya looked disappointed and stared at the water, "oh." She said in a sad tone.
Maya looks at her baby sister, "Don't be discouraged sis, you will find someone."
"It is not like the old world Maya. I can't just walk down the street and meet a guy." Aniya swung her sphere at the fish and manage to sphere one.
Maya sees and understands her frustrations. Maya sighs "What I meant was there could be some guys in that community that is available, just that dread hair boy is taken by someone else." Aniya nods slightly holding out hope for her on finding love as her sister did. Maya looks down into the water at the flowing fish and sighs, "Let's just focus on fishing." Aniya looked at her and then agreed.
…
Clementine arises as the sun was well into the sky. She noticed Louis has already gotten up and gone hunting with Willy and Aasim. Some days she wishes she can curl up in his arms and sleep all day. Last night's dream was so surreal and bizarre. She never dreamt of Lee in a while, and it was a warning sign or something that was troubling her heart.
Clementine slips out of the covers as the air felt chilly. Winter will be here soon and her mind was racing with preparations for the group and food supply. Ruby ensured her that the plants and veggies are growing well in the greenhouse, and they will live on that when the winter months are here, in supplement for the loss of fish intake.
Then Clementine thought about Violet and her offer of getting to know Maya. Clementine looks up at the window of the bright golden sun, as Lee's voice spoke to her from in her dream You're instincts are right not to trust the group Maya is in, but not so much with Maya herself. Danger is coming Clem, and you will need to rely on Maya for help. Maya isn't the one you should withhold your trust to, Clem.
Clementine furrows her brow to ponder on her dream and what Lee said. What did Lee mean that I will need to rely on Maya for help, and it is her I should trust? And why is Violet so quick to defend her? Is she starting to fall for this other girl as I fell for Louis? And that child, am I going to….is that child going to be mine. Am I going to get…She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear AJ come in. It wasn't until she saw movement by his bed that broke her train of thought.
"Clem, it is your turn to do lookout. Ruby told me to come and get you." AJ looks at her. Then a puzzling look came on his face when she didn't respond. "Clem?"
"What…sorry." Clementine shook her head to clear it.
"Ruby told me to come and get you to take over her shift as a lookout. You feeling okay, you seemed out of it." AJ looks at her with concern.
"I'm fine kiddo, just…tired. Weird dream last night." Clementine looks down at the floor.
"Weird as a bad like nightmares about the ranch or just regular weird like sea monkeys taking over a ship kind of weird," AJ said.
"Just weird…and where did you come up with that, AJ. Getting weird things by Willy again?" Clementine looks over at her son.
AJ shrugs, "I dreamt of one once. I don't even know what sea monkeys are, but they were not good creatures." AJ shudders at his dream. Then he looks at Clementine, "So what was your dream about."
Clementine sighs before she moves over to grab her prosthetic foot, "I'll tell you later bud."
"Does it have to do with Louis or me?" AJ asks.
Clementine looks up from putting her prosthetic foot on and gazes at AJ. She told him a little bit of what she saw, "I saw you, but a much older version of you. Like you were twelve or something, and you had a young child about age five or six on your shoulders. You, Tenn, two other kids, and a young child were down at the fishing shack bridge jumping in the creek and being….normal kids. It was kind of nice to see for once." Clementine casts her gaze onto AJ.
"You saw me, older?" AJ asks and Clementine nodded he leans his back on the ladder to his bunk, "Huh. Was I tall?"
Clementine huffs out a sigh, "Yes. But wish you can still stay the size you are now."
AJ smiles, "Well Clem, I can't always be small and little. I need to grow big and strong so I can do more than just watch, lookout, and fish or go to the greenhouse." Clementine finishes putting on her fake foot as she walks over to AJ.
"You will when you get to be Willy and Tenn's size, just I don't want you to do tasks I know you will struggle with. You will grow bud I promise."
That got a smile on his face, then he looks at her, "So in your dream, I had a small child of five years old. What did he or she look like? Have I met this person?"
Clementine looks to AJ and debates if she should tell him. Clementine still doesn't know who or what she saw, but she wonders if that is her future child. "All I know from the look of the child is they had hair like mine, the same color eye shade as me, and freckles on their face. My vision like a dream thing, wouldn't let me see the gender of the child that was on your shoulders when playing in the creek. So I don't know if they were a girl or a boy. But it was strange."
AJ nodded and took in what Clementine said, as he pondered on it some. He shrugged off the idea but is curious if Clementine and Louis had sex to create the mystery child she is describing. "Well, it was just a dream….unless it is true. Did you and Louis do something love-wise to form that child?"
Clementine was taken aback at that, "What? No., we didn't….we…just how do you know about this topic in the first place?"
"Willy told me. When two people love each they had this way of sharing the love that will form a baby. With the amount of love you and Louis share, did you and him form a baby?" AJ admitted.
Clementine was now red in the face on the subject she wasn't prepared to give this talk to him right now. "I am going to have to lay some ground rules with Willy. No AJ I am not pregnant it was just a dream. I'm not even sure how to go about that anyways."
AJ has a confused look on his face, "Preg….preg-nate. What does that mean?"
Clementine squinches her face, fuck. I gave him vocabulary he wasn't exposed to yet. "Never mind kiddo. Forget what I said. I'm late for my lookout shift." Clementine looks at him and then makes her way to the bedroom door, before she heads out she turns to him. "How much have Willy told you besides your knowledge of masturbation."
"He just told me sometimes when people love each other they express it by cuddling and it forms a baby. Why?" AJ looks to her.
"Nothing." Clementine sighs. "I will talk to you after my shift is done okay bud? You get some rest."
AJ nods and went to curl up in his bunk for some zzz's. Clementine makes her way out of the dorms and to the lookout tower. Clementine was making her way to Ruby when she bumps into Violet. There was a slight umph when they collided. "Vi? Sorry I didn't see you there are you o—"
Violet looks at Clementine with anger in her eyes, "I'm fine. And next time watch where you are going or do I need permission from you to walk in front of you."
Clementine looks at Violet out of confusion, "What?"
Violet let out a huff of anger, "Forget it. I got to go."
"Vi?" Clementine tries to get her attention but Violet wasn't having it. "Violet, can we at least talk? You haven't spoken a word to me in the past five days."
Violet turns on her heels just then to face her, "Well maybe I haven't spoken to you because of your treatment of me that I am disloyal to this group. Well, fuck you. I am no traitor."
"I don't think that of you Vi." Clementine said.
"Sure…" Violet mocked Clementine's justification.
"I just…" Clementine said out of frustration, "I just don't want people in here to fall apart. Having distrust and dishonesty within the group will cause the group to break. I've been in too many in my past, that had dishonesty and distrust within the group."
Violet tries to hear Clementine out but her heart is broken, "I don't have to keep defending my actions how sorry I was. I fucked up I know that, you don't have to remind me. Now fuck off and leave me be." Violet storms off to the greenhouse where Tenn is.
Clementine stood there feeling defeated. Sometimes being a leader is hard and people will resent them for making executive decisions to keep them safe. She wonders if this is how Lee felt back in Georgia in Savannah at the vacated mansion. Clementine sighs as she makes her way to Ruby to take her shift on lookout duty. Ruby saw Clementine's long face. "Something wrong?"
Clementine looks out the watchtower, "No. Sorry, I was late, woke up later than I suspected."
"No worries, I understand the stress you are under. Anyways, I need some sleeping been up all night." Ruby heads her way back down to go to her room for some snoozing, "Oh I made sure the plants in the greenhouse were all set and picked the veggies that are growing. Should be good today. Aasim told me no more fishing at the shack and doubling up the hunting party."
"Yeah. Winter will be here soon, as the temps are dropping, and unless either of you knows how to ice fish, we need to double up hunting parties, and greenhouse duties. I can do both if we need extra hands." Clementine offered.
Ruby nods, "Thanks. I am all set with the greenhouse, I can use the kids for that, as you should stick with the hunting party since you are good in that skill." Clementine chuckles at that. Ruby then waved her goodbye and Clementine wishes her a well good rest.
Clementine then stares off into the distance to check for walker activity and the hunting party that is out there. Her mind keeps circling back to her weird dream and she is trying to make sense of it all.
…..
Violet makes her way to the far gate of the school. Since Clementine and Aasim shut down fishing at the shack Violet was stuck either collecting supplies for the school or helping Ruby with the greenhouse, or watch duties. Violet doesn't hunt or she dislikes it and is not her preferred thing.
What Violet really wants to do is set out and find where Maya's camp so she can see her again. The distance and time apart from her are killing her and making Violet very irritated. Tenn tries to cheer her up, but she gets very angst at him sometimes when she doesn't mean to. Violet waited near the gate for Omar as she wanted to make herself useful to the group and not have Clementine be on her ass about abandoning her chores.
Violet picks at a bark from one of the trees as Omar comes out of the dorms and to the gates where Violet was waiting. Violet tosses the bark aside and straitens up as he approaches her, "About ready."
"Yeah. I'm a little surprised to have you volunteer to come with me to collect wood for the fire. I can normally handle that task with AJ, Tenn, or Willy." Omar looks at her out of curiosity.
Violet gave a scoff of her air as she exhaled, "Well everyone else is taken up on spots. I am not a hunter, setting traps I am afraid of slight heights, and Ruby already finished with the greenhouse chores yesterday. And I would do fishing, but Aasim and Clementine deemed it off limits, and doubling up hunting."
"Vi we never fished during winter, even before when Clementine and AJ came here, the water is frozen over so we can't collect fish, that is nothing new," Omar stated the facts.
"I know…just…." Violet kicks some rocks. "Let's just get your wood for the fire, so I can move on and be useful with my time elsewhere."
"You can always help with me skinning the rabbits Aasim and Louis will bring back?" Omar asks.
Violet looks over at him with a stoic look, "Really Omar…really."
"You said it yourself you want to be useful with your time." Omar looks back at her.
Violet rolls her eyes "You know I don't skin animals. I will lose my breakfast before I do your task. You are the cook, I am the fisher."
Omar and Violet walked a little bit to the left of the school where Omar set up a chopping station for firewood. They use the wheelbarrow AJ carried an injured Clementine in hauling the wood back and forth to and from the school. Violet looks at him and asks, "Okay what do you want me to do?"
Omar looks at her and then pointed to the thicket a bit to the left. "You see those trees there, take this ax and use it to cut some logs down. I will get these ones started." He pointed to a half-chopped stump beside him.
Violet rolls her eyes and did what Omar suggested. It took her most of the afternoon to cut through the tree logs Omar or someone cut down already. She helps Omar fill up the wheelbarrow and the two of them haul it back to the school in time for Omar to cook tonight's supper.
By the time they arrive back inside the walls of the school, Tenn and AJ are playing hide and seek, and Louis and Aasim are back from hunting. Louis and Aasim managed to snag a few more rabbits than usual, which is encouraging to see. Violet watches as Clementine and Louis snuggle up on the couch on the far side of the school. Seeing Clementine holding the one she loves made Violet lonely and missing Maya. She parts from Omar and heads to the bell tower.
Once up in the bell tower, Violet felt free as she escapes the world below her for a bit. She sits down on the ground and stares at the fading sun. Violet eyes the tree line and looks at the angle of the sun, and from what Maya has taught her how to tell time using the sun Violet estimated it is about 6:00 PM. Violet knows the days are getting shorter and colder. She already feels the chill hitting her pale skin but she didn't care. This is the only place she feels connected to Maya in some weird way.
God just even thinking about her is making me go insane. Violet thought. She looks down at her group and then made up her mind. Fuck it I can't stand this agony any longer. Tonight I will track her and find out where her camp is so I can see her. I want more of that moment we had up in that Oak tree, or at least express to her how I feel. Violet gets up and heads back down because the cold was making the angst feel even worse.
…..
Clementine and Louis retired to the room as what once was a warm evening a few days ago is now turning colder and Clementine can feel winter coming sooner than later. She notices AJ is a bit delayed as he is talking with Tenn and sharing stories with one another. She lets him have his best-friend moment as she goes to her room.
Louis was standing by the drawings smiling a warm smile and feeling proud of AJ's colorful drawings. One illustration struck out to him and he felt touched, loved, and wanted by not just one person but two. He reaches out and touched AJ's picture he drew a couple of nights ago. The drawing had AJ in the middle, a figure representation of Clementine, and the other figure a representation of him. And in little kid handwriting above were the words that hit Louis in the heart. Family. Soft tears came down his face as he read those words. AJ views him as family, which is something that he felt was empty in his heart until Clementine and AJ came into his life.
Louis didn't even hear Clementine come in as she looks over to her right to see Louis staring at AJ's drawings. Clementine looks at him as he was admiring AJ's pictures. She noticed Louis was eyeing one picture in particular and sees he is taking in what AJ thought of him. As much as Clementine doesn't want to admit it to herself but AJ was looking to Louis as a father figure. And when he made that picture during a downtime she too felt touched.
Louis turns and sees Clementine standing by the bedside, as the glow of the candlelight made her look so damn beautiful. "I didn't hear you come in. You really are a ninja."
Clementine giggles, "I am more of a silent one. Keep the element of surprise."
Louis leaned back on the small desk a bit as he didn't see her sidekick with her, "Where is the other little ninja?"
"Talking with Tenn. Letting him have a moment with his new BFF." Clementine said as she eyes Louis.
"So..that means we have the room to ourselves for the time being." Louis arches his eyebrows and moves closer to her.
"Yes." Clementine slowly responded as her heart raced with Louis making his way to her.
Louis and Clementine locked eyes and he pulls her close to him. Clementine looks up at him and felt his left hand on her hip to bring her in close to make out with him. Clementine's eyes felt heavy as this love she feels for Louis is strong and out of control sometimes when she is alone with him. Her lips met his and she felt the passion in her heart. She felt Louis guiding her to the ladder of her bunk bed and he gently pushes her back up against it in the midst of their passionate kissing. Clementine felt her head becoming dizzy with the love she is receiving from Louis kissing her deeply and tenderly. She never knew she could be kissed this way as she felt the hot fiery fever in her soul as she turned up the heat with him. Clementine wraps her arms around his neck and moves her tongue to his rhythm of being frenched and kissed. The two of them were so caught up in each other they didn't hear AJ coming to the door. It wasn't until AJ comes in that made Louis step back from Clementine about a foot or two, and the two of them felt a bit embarrassed to feel the sexual tension they both want and crave.
"Hey Louis, can you read me some more of Lord of the Rings? I want to find out what happens to the rest of the fellowship after when Gandalf fell." AJ said.
Louis scratches his head out of nervousness with his passionate moment with Clementine, "Sure thing little man."
AJ looks between the two embarrassed older teens, "Are you and Clem okay?"
Louis looks at Clementine then at AJ, "Of course, we are, what makes you think we are not okay?"
"I don't know. You look like you've seen a ghost or something." AJ said. Then noticed Clementine's face is flush with red the same red she had this morning, "Did you and Louis do something to form that baby you saw in your dream?"
Louis looks at Clementine as her face was so red, from the candlelight, "Baby what baby?"
"No AJ…no we didn't do anything except kissing and….just…never mind." Clementine shook her head to hide her embarrassment and flusterations. She noticed Louis got a little bit excited as she did with their growing passion for each other. She raises her golden eyes to lock eyes with him now, still having his head cocked to one side about AJ's question, "You read to him, I got to get to sleep anyways, I have lookout duties tomorrow. Will tell you later…" She uses her eyes to move over to AJ for Louis to pick up her hint.
Louis nods and got her nonverbal hint of what she was saying but couldn't. Louis then goes to the nightstand drawer and pulls out The Lord of the Rings the Fellowship of the Ring, and sits in the chair like he usually does to read to AJ. "Okay, where were we AJ?"
"Aragorn was leading them to this one Elf in the woods who knows of the power of the one ring of darkness," AJ said looking up at Louis.
"Ah yes, the elven wood of Lothlorien where they meet Lady Galadriel," Louis said
AJ repeated, "Lady Gal—Gala—Galdreil"
Louis giggles, "No Ga—lad—driel"
"Galadriel" AJ repeated Louis's pronunciation of the character's name.
"Right on" Louis extends his hand for a fist bump and AJ bopped his fist with his small fist. Louis beams at the kid then he opens up the book and he flipped to the chapter where he left off. Louis started reading to AJ his charming self and does the voices of each character of the book.
Clementine lays in bed as she watches the two of them bond. Seeing AJ so immersed in the world of fantasy Louis is giving him by reading. She loved this moment and it made Clementine so happy. She closes her eyes as Louis's voice kind of drifted her off to sleep.
…
Once the night grew on, and most of the kids at Ericson were asleep, except for Aasim Willy on night watch, Violet snuck out of her room, to find and track down Maya. She knows she can't escape through the gate of the school because the watchtower is right there and Willy and Aasim will question her. So Violet thought of escaping through the back gate of the graveyard and climbing the walls to get to the backside. Violet took a moment to scan the walls and notice the barbed wire is still surrounding the walls of the school. Fucking great. How am I supposed to get to Maya without being questioned? Violet thought for a moment and an idea came to her head.
Violet makes her way to the graveyard and notices Louis's tree house for Clementine is nearly complete. She scales the ladder of the treehouse and enters through the door of the little hut. She has to admit, this is a sweet gift Louis is making for her, and she can tell her best friend is so in love with Clementine.
Violet makes her way out of the window and sees a nearby branch overextending to the treehouse and over the barbed wire. Violet closes her eyes and takes a flying leap and jumps to the branch. She struggles a little but finds her footing, and swings her body up on the branch. She takes deep breaths as an adrenaline rush flowed through her veins.
Violet wastes no time as she shimmies across the branch and down the side of the trunk and she was out of the wall of the school. Violet knows she can't go the usual route, so she heads northeast a bit, and out of view from Aasim and Willy.
Violet knows from Louis and AJ that Maya's encampment is north on the other side of the river, so Violet heads toward the direction of the river where the boat from the Raiders was blown up and tracks from there. Took a bit and dodged cover from walkers as she makes her way to where her heart is calling her to go.
Violet walks for a while and sees a border wall that surrounds an encampment. Violet hides behind some trees to not get spotted, or one of them mistakes her for a walker. She peeks through the trunk of the tree and sees the man she has seen when Maya and Clementine met for the first time. And standing next to the man is Maya. Violet's heart pounded faster, and her palms became sweaty. How can I get her attention without alerting her group? Think Vi, how can I get her attention. Violet thought for a while and then something that she and Violet shared, that only Maya will know. She gathers some sticks and made a star or some sort of constellation with her shorthand name Vi in a pathway for Maya to see. Then Violet ducks back in cover. Hoping Maya will understand her message if she is watching.
…
Maya was annoyed with Alberto's Spanish singing as she rolled her eyes when they are doing night watch together. While Alberto wasn't paying attention Maya saw something out on a pathway, she takes the pair of binoculars and sees a constellation of the little dipper, and next to the constellation is the initials that made Maya's heart race through the night sky. Vi. Holy shit she came looking for me. Maya smiles as she tries to find her in the sea of dark shadowed trees. She scans the tree line and spots her. Maya was so happy Violet came for her that she was about to scream and bolted from her post.
Alberto looks at the teenager, "Spot anything?"
Maya had to think of something so he wouldn't get suspicious, "No sir, thought I saw deer out there, but it was just a shadow of a boulder rock."
"Very well. Well, your shift ends when the moon is above the tree line, and it is about there. Your sister is on the morning hunt, but Bonnie has you paired with me for an evening hunt. Go and get some sleep." Alberto said.
Maya nods as she was actually happy to comply, "Okay sir, See you in the morning." Maya turns and leaves the platform. Alberto turns to look at the teen and thought that was odd of her to comply so easily. However Alberto didn't think anything of it as he continues to watch until Robert takes over.
Once Alberto was not looking, Maya hides in the shadows by her tent and finds a board loose from the wall of their foundation, and sneaks out of the camp to meet Violet.
Maya was careful not to get caught by Alberto, as she uses darkness as a cover. She sees Violet and makes her way to her.
"Vi!" Maya hisses at her in a low voice. Violet turns and sees Maya and smiles a genuinely happy smile at her. Violet was going to break cover and Maya stops her. "No. Alberto will spot you. This way, I know where we can go." Maya led Violet away from her group's encampment and away from danger.
Once they were in a safe spot in a clearing, with soft grass, Maya felt Violet embracing her for the first time with a lover's touch. Violet looks down and then up into her newfound lover's eyes, "I thought you wouldn't get my message or see it."
"I did." Maya softly spoke. "Made me so happy I thought I was about to scream for joy." Maya places her hand on Violet's and she felt Violet linking her fingers to hers. "How did you find me?" Maya looks at her, stroking Violet's beautiful face.
"I don't know….followed where my heart needed me to go, and it led me here. And a bit of the north star. North Star from what I read in books leads people home, and it led me to you." Violet spoke and looked into Maya's eyes, as Violet reaches up and place her other free hand on Maya's extended hand upon her cheek "I really need to see you, I'm going crazy where I am at.."
Maya looks down, "I've too been going nuts without seeing you. These past several days have been torturing me." Violet looks away out of nervousness and wondering if she should make the first move, but Maya beat her to it, "Violet….I know we never explored the feeling we had back up in that oak tree. I think I have developed feelings for you. Feelings I thought I never get to have with someone or express to them how I am feeling, Whenever I look into your spring meadow eyes, that reminds me of my home."
Maya looks at Violet and sees her smiling with the flattery Maya is sharing and even sees a blush on her face. "You don't have to jump on it if you are not ready… but" Maya was nervous because she never expresses romantic feelings for a girl before, so this is all new to her. She looks into Violet's eyes and there was heat and attraction for her, and her green eyes make Maya flustered, "But I think I like you, as more than a friend." They both lock eyes with each other and both blush at the same time. Maya continues to express her feelings to Violet, "You get my heart racing and I freeze up what I am going to say which doesn't happen to me." Violet was first to look away and a soft glowing smile formed on her face. She was nervous to express her feelings too, and after Minerva, she never thought she would find happiness in another person.
Maya felt Violet coming closer and lacing her fingers to hers. Violet stares up into Maya's midnight chocolate eyes and confessed to her as well that she likes her as more than a friend too, "I think….I think I like-like you too, Maya." She is using Louis's words with the Truth or Dare game back when he teased Clementine about romantic feelings. Hell, if it worked on Clementine it could work with Maya as well. Violet was trying to be a smooth flirt but fucked up her confessing moment as Maya had a questing look in her eyes as she does not get the joke. Oh fuck! Why did you do that stupid head! Violet immediately went red in the face as she turns slightly away from Maya hiding her failed attempt at trying to be smooth going as Louis, but failed, "Shit that came out all wrong."
That got Maya to smile, and a burst of giddy laughter came out of her as she looked at Violet, trying to be a smooth flirt. Maya finds her quirkiness of not being the best flirt adorable, and she loves it. Maya moves closer pulling Violet into her embrace, tucks a piece of a lock of hair behind Violet's left earlobe, and stares into her eyes. "You are so cute when you are so flustered with the flattery Violet, I love it." Maya had a soft glow in her eyes, and so did Violet. Maya slowly closes the gap and made the first move of planting a tender kiss on Violet's lips. Maya kissed Violet so sweetly and tenderly, as she cups Violet's cheeks when she made contact with Violet's lips and moves her lips in a slow rhythm against Violet's. Maya's fingers slightly stroked Violet's cheeks giving this moment a passionate feeling between them.
Violet melted in that kiss as she places her hand on top of Maya's that is resting on her cheek and squeezed it when the feeling grew stronger between them and Maya up the passion a bit. Violet had never been kissed that way before. Not even Minerva was this tender. She flowed to Maya's motion of the rhythm she providing, and Violet felt a bliss running through her body. Felt electrifying, as she grips Maya's fingers tighter, not holding back. She felt Maya griping her fingers as she too felt this passion. They kissed like that for several more heartbeats and Maya pulls away looking into Violet's hazel eyes. Violet slowly opens her eyes as she stared into Maya's brown gaze in awe of what she just did and feeling slightly buzzed with Maya's kiss. Violet took a moment before she spoke out the words that can't express that feeling, She replies breathlessly, "Wow, that was…. I've never been kissed quite like that before." Violet is all speechless for once, and Maya took her breath away with that first kiss.
Maya looks down for a moment feeling a bit nervous at what she just confessed, "Yeah, well…umm...I guess being away makes the heart grow fonder, and I don't know how to express the words of the feelings I have for yo—" Maya started to ramble off how she feels about Violet but felt Violet making the second move now as they kissed for the second time. Maya can tell Violet has feelings for her too, as she feels it in the way Violet kisses her back.
Once they gain control of their new set of emotions they gaze up at the sky. Violet lays her head on Maya's chest as they stare at the stars. Violet strokes Maya's forearm as she wants to be in her embrace forever. Maya strokes Violet's backside and held her. "You know what you said, how you found me, and that the North Star led you to me. That was super romantic. In fact, you coming here and risking exposure from my group is really and deeply romantic to me. Never had anyone done that grand of gesture before. You have a bold side to you, Spring Meadow Beauty."
Violet moves her head slightly to look at Maya as she arches her eyebrows at Maya, "Spring Meadow Beauty?"
Maya casts her look to her, "Yeah. Why you don't like that nickname? Because I won't use it on you if you don-?"
Violet giggles and moves closer to Maya's face as she smiles at her, "No, do. I really do like it. Just what brought that on, of you giving me a nickname."
Maya looks away from Violet's green eyes as Violet can see her blushing. Maya takes a breath and then looks into those green eyes she loves so much, "Okay, this is going to sound corny, but your eyes, remind me of a beautiful spring meadow. I don't know…thought it had a nice ring to it, and how beautiful you are, the moonlight making you glow like…a mythical creature of some kind..and," Maya looks and sees Violet laughing now. This is the first time she hears Violet laughing for joy. "What?"
Violet laughs as this is the first time she is laughing and showing joy to someone new. Violet moves up to Maya's chest and looks deep into her eyes, "Nothing. You are adorable when you talk too much and lose yourself for me." Then it was Violet who kissed Maya now, as she places her soft pink lips onto Maya's, and her hands stroked her chest as she is defiantly falling for her. Her charming lines are winning Violet's heart, as she is nothing like Minerva. Violet thought she might be better than her former lover. Violet pulls back, looking into Maya's crisp brown eyes and staring into them. Violet then traces Maya's cheekbone and feels this girl blushing. Violet then admitted she never had a nickname before, "I…um….I never had a nickname before. Minerva never gave me any nickname. You make me feel special and wanted, which I never felt ever, not even with my past lover."
Maya smiles at her and reaches up and strokes Violet's cheeks, "You are worth it, and you are so gorgeous I can't stop thinking about you and your eyes…I get lost in them sometimes. To be honest, it ah….got me going crazy for you."
Violet then snuggles in Maya's chest as she hears her strong heartbeat increase. Violet nuzzles her nose into her new love's chest and smells the scent she loves so much. She lets out a breath and then whispers to Maya, "You holding me and staring into the night sky is really romantic for me." Violet looks up at Maya, and Violet interlocks her fingers with Maya's as they stay in each other's embrace exploring the new love between them.
…
By dawn, Violet makes it back to Ericson with her heart about to explode. And the yearning to be in Maya's arms again. The secretly made a plan to meet each other when they are not on watch duties in their group to see each other more, but hidden. Maya told her she is being watched more closely, so she couldn't really sneak away as quickly.
Violet makes it down the tree that has Clementine's tree house, with her back up against it replaying her kiss with Maya in her mind as she smiles for the first time in a long time. And God, Maya really knows how to get Violet to break down those walls she built. As Violet was in deep thought about her romantic feelings for Maya, she was not aware that Louis gotten up early to finish painting Clementine's birthday surprise as Violet was on cloud nine.
Louis made his way and comes up short as he looks at Violet. Something new has come over her face as she is acting not her usual self. Louis then cleared his throat, and when he did that, it startled Violet some as she jumped 3 feet from the base of the trunk of the tree. "Ah-hum, what are you doing out here this early and by Clementine's treehouse?"
"Oh, nothing." Violet lied as she looked away, not meeting Louis's gaze.
Louis arches his eyebrows, "Nothing, huh? Then why are acting all love-struck?"
Violet shakes her head, "I'm not…just fuck off!" Violet sneered and started to walk in the direction of the greenhouse.
Louis knows something is up with his best friend, and he wonders if she snuck out to go meet Maya. Aasim did mention to Louis that he sense some kind of romantic feelings between Maya and Violet when they found them just outside the safe zone. He will have a heart-to-heart talk with Violet, he knows she can't hide from him, as they have a strange friendship, and besides Marlon, Violet has grown close in Louis's heart, and he views her as his only best friend he has left in this world.
Louis shrugs as he climbs the stairs and finishes painting the tree house purple. He can't believe Willy managed to find old paint down in the basement, and out of all the colors, he lucked out with purple. He knows Clementine will be in the greenhouse today, which gives Louis plenty of time to paint and go on watch duty until supper.
As he was painting, he noticed Clementine had a rough time sleeping last night. She was tossing and turning, and he heard her groan a bit. It pains him that she, too is having nightmares. Louis hasn't had any more PTSD episodes lately but he doesn't know when they will return. Louis thought of a plan as he paints the wood of the tree house, to help ease her sleepless night as he knows Ms. Martin was a big Elvis fan and planned to sweep Clementine off her feet, with a romantic night. He just has to work out a plan with AJ.
Ruby comes out of the dorm to go check up on her pet horse. She feeds Scarlet some hay that Clementine and Willy found one-day scavenging As she is feeding Scarlet, she notices Louis up in the tree house painting away. She never understood why Louis was so set in building this thing, but maybe it will be a good thing as the younger kids don't have much around the school to play with anymore.
Ruby kisses Scarlet and scratches her ears, and whispers good girl to her before she parted away. She goes up to where Louis is and waits for him to come down. Once Louis is down and checking the mechanism Aasim put in for Clementine to get up in it works and operates. When he turns, he was startled by Ruby. "Wah!"
"Sorry didn't mean to scare you." Ruby held up her hands.
"Not expecting someone to be here. No one ever really comes this way, except for Vi." Louis looks at his friend.
Ruby eyes him, "I saw you up there and I was wondering what you and Aasim were doing the last past several weeks. Now I know why."
"Go ahead and laugh about it." Louis shrugs as he leans up against the tree with the tree house.
"I think it is sweet actually. Aasim told me the story of what you and Clem made up or dreamt about. Clem will love it." Ruby gave a genuine smile to him.
Louis gave a smile back, "Well, you are the first who doesn't think this is a stupid idea and a waste of our supplies." He looks up at the tree house and then back at Ruby, "You don't think this too much or saying 'I want to marry' her does it?"
Ruby gave a little chuckle to his insecurities on love, "I think it is sweet what you are doing, and very romantic, and no, Lou, it doesn't. Louis smiled at her and gave a tug on his coat out of nervousness. Ruby then asks him, "Do you know what is going on with Violet?"
Louis drops his hands from his coat and cocks his head to one side, "what do you mean?"
Ruby looks at him and then down to the ground as she takes a pace or two toward him, "I don't know how to explain it…she is acting like she is love, like how she was when she started to show love affection with Minnie. I didn't think any of it then, but Brody mentioned something then, and I don't know. She had that look Louis when I passed her by the dorms when I came out to feed Scarlet."
Louis looks at her, "You want me to talk to her and see if I can get any information."
"You are the only person besides Tenn she actually trusts these days." Ruby looks at him. "I don't want to pry, but if Aasim is right and if she has fallen for the girl in the caravan group we can have a serious issue here."
"What makes Aasim think that Violet is in love with her?" Louis asks.
"You know him, reading signs with people. Plus he told me he sense some attraction, like love attraction between her and that girl when they found Vi after the herd of walkers rolled through. And I get a sense he is not wrong." Ruby admitted.
"I really don't want to be in the middle here. Violet has a free will to love whoever she wants. And doesn't she deserve to be happy? Minnie did a number on her. You should have seen how bad Violet was on that beach." Louis replies. Ruby casts her blue eyes away knowing Louis has a point. "Plus, the more we ban her from seeing Maya the more it is going to push her in that direction and she will resent me and maybe the rest of us. She already is resenting Clementine for being cautious with the group. Vi and Clem still haven't reconciled their conflict since that day."
"But Clementine is trying to protect us from a potential threat." Ruby objected.
"You know and I know that, but to Vi, I don't think she sees it that way," Louis admitted. Both of them were silent for a moment and Louis sighs, "I will see what I can do, and if Vi is in the mood to share. Most of the time she isn't. The only time she reveals the real her is when Brody gives her the horrible news.
Ruby nodded her respect for his and Violet's friendship, "Well whatever you can. She trusts you as a friend and I never did understand your relationship with her. I got to go do watch-out duty here and switch out with the boys."
"Good luck. I will help out Willy rest the walker traps. Clem has greenhouse duties, with Violet so I will see if I can talk with Vi afterward or before." Louis said.
"You sure having Vi and Clementine working together is a good idea, after what happened?" Ruby asks.
"I know. But Clementine didn't want to put too many people on one chore all the time now that winter is approaching. She is hoping they can work it out somehow." Louis said.
Ruby nodded and gives a sympathetic look to Louis before she left his side. Louis looks in the direction as she switches out with Tenn and AJ. Louis knows there is bound to be tension between Violet and Clementine and he knows Clem will need to be supported. He picks up the paint bucket and made his way to Tenn and AJ.
….
Clementine dreads going into the greenhouse to check on the herbs and green veggies that are growing. She knows Violet and her are on rocky ground. Clementine counted to three and opened up the door to find Violet picking the tomatoes.
Clementine walks over to inspect the weeds of the herbs and notice Violet is in a totally different mood. Like she is walking on cloud nine or something, she finds it a bit odd, but if it keeps things civil for the next few hours, Clementine is all for it.
Violet turns and gazes at Clementine. She still resents her but will be civil to get the task done. Besides she is still on a high from kissing Maya. The very thought brought butterflies to her stomach again, and her heart yearning for Maya's tender touch again. Violet fills a basket and moves onto the corn stalks.
Clementine looks over at her and sees a strange smile on her face. She tries to voice what is wrong and why she looks like she is on a high. Clementine lets out a soft exhale of words then turns to face Violet, "Okay, I got to know, what is going on with you Vi?"
Violet stops the peeling of the corn husk and looks up at her, "What do you mean?"
"I don't know you. You look dazed and out of focus," Clementine observes.
Violet then had an angry glow in her eyes, "So I can't express being happy? Do I now need your permission to think and feel now?"
"Okay, what is with the third degree I am getting, Vi, seriously," Clementine asks genuinely being confused with the resentment. "All I said was you look and act differently. Never question your happiness."
Violet lets out a sigh as she knows she is being unfair here to Clementine, and she didn't mean to come off that way, "You're right, I am being unfair to you, and I am sorry."
That was unusual from Violet as Clementine thought she would push back some. Clementine looks at her as there was a chill in the room of the tension she is feeling between their friendship, "I'm sorry for whatever I said that made you resent me the last few days."
Violet sees what Clementine is doing, and she doesn't like it, "I see what you are trying to do Clem, and your sweet talk in trying to smooth over the rough patch between isn't going to work that easily."
"Violet…." Clementine tries to say, "I'm trying here to extend an olive branch."
Violet looks to Clementine, "I apricate your efforts here, but this is something that can't be fixed with us with your 'olive branch' attempts. You want me to trust you and your words, then let go of your resentment of Maya and leave me the hell alone. You don't think I have noticed the little baby-sitting detail you put on me each time I leave these walls." Violet raises her voice a little bit.
"Vi…It isn't so much I don't trust her. It is her group leader I don't trust." Clementine tries to say as calmly as she can.
"Just because Maya is with a leader you don't like or trust that doesn't mean Maya is evil or will do us wrong," Violet said.
"Vi, Bonnie left me in the snow to die when I was 11. She would have let AJ die as well when he was a baby. She was going to take everything, supplies, food, water, everything if I hadn't stopped her. I know these people more than you think, and trying to look out for everyone's safety, even yours." Clementine said.
"Well, you are wrong. Maya will never betray me ever. I see it in her eyes and know that she loves me, and I…." Violet didn't want to say those words as they almost flew out her mouth. Violet regains her posture as she grabs the basket of tomatoes, "I know her more than you will. And I have been hurt by people, you, Minnie, my dad, my mom, even my grandmother, but she is the one person who loves me beyond me loving myself and doesn't shame me for it." Violet walks out of the greenhouse leaving Clementine alone.
Clementine watches Violet leave, "Well…fuck." Clementine mumbles to herself, "I guess she will never hear me out." Clementine is coming to an understanding and feeling Marlon's pain a bit of trying to keep the group together and ensuring safety. Can't believe I am going to say this, but Marlon did have one thing right. Taking care of these kids is not easy, someone is always going to be resenting you for your decisions as a leader. Should I risk the group to let Vi be with the one she loves or…..I am so goddamn torn and confused. I wish I had some guidance as a leader.
…..
When evening came around, Louis worked on a deal with AJ of having him sleep over with Tenn for the night while Louis did something sweet and romantic to Clementine. Louis told AJ Clementine has been going through a rough time and needed something to take her mind off her worries. AJ was a little hesitant but he agreed.
At dusk, Louis finishes his dinner early so he can set up their room to surprise Clementine and get her swept off her feet. Louis puts on an old Elvis record on the gramophone. He wants to do something sweet for Clementine. So he lit their bedroom with candles and played soft flowing music. He knows she has had a rough day, and this is something to ease her mind. AJ is over in Tenn's room for the night, so they get their privacy. Louis brings out flowers from the courtyard as a mishit rose.
Louis was so nervous his hands were sweaty and his heart was beating a million miles per hour. He didn't know what to think or how to say those words, he fumbled with phrases in his head, and then shake his head out of idiocy, because it sounded stupid.
Louis straightens his head to look at the door when the door handle moved, and his heart was in his throat. He swallowed hard and his hands felt like jello. When Clementine came in Louis couldn't speak, he was in awe of her, and she looked so goddamn beautiful.
Clementine scans the room and then her eyes fixated on Louis. "Louis…what on…" she was speechless as this was not what she expected to come in to.
Louis gave his nervous twitch as he tugged on the collar of his brown jacket, "I ah….wanted to do something special, since…." Louis trails off, "And want to charm you for one night."
Clementine looks at her boyfriend, "You know it is not my birthday yet right?"
Louis looks at her, "I know…your birthday is not until another three days or so." Louis caught her eye as she eyed him with flirting eyes, and her cute smile Louis melts over comes across her face. "No. I want to give you something since, well you listened to me, and since I know you can't give me spaghetti with meatballs, and reenact the Lady and Tramp scene, then I will make one of our desires come true."
Clementine places her cane by the book self and turns to look at him, "And that will be?"
"Teaching you to dance." Louis smiles at her. "Well, nothing fancy like fast dancing since I don't know many, but teaching you to waltz the tango or the Mambo."
Clementine's face went red, and then she eyed him, "Louis, I told you, I can't dance. Even before I lost my left foot, I didn't have a rhythm." Clementine eyes him curiously, "You waltz?"
Louis wasn't convinced of her saying she couldn't dance, "Have been since I was seven. I will teach you the basics, and I know a little not a lot, so we will both suck together." He steps closer to her, reaches for her hand, and entwines her fingers to his, "I promise you cannot hurt me if you step on my feet."
"It isn't your feet I am concerned about, Louis. It is your head." Clementine eyes him.
Louis chuckles, "Well you can't hurt me with that either. One dance I swear."
Clementine thinks about it, then caves in and gives Louis her right hand. There was a slow song being played, and Clementine knew what it was. It was the song she has seen her parents dance to for their romantic bonding time. And her heart melted in with Louis's that night. She never broke eye contact with him as he brought her body close to his so she could feel his body heat soaking into hers, and she could hear his beautiful heart beating.
Wise men say.
Only fools rush in.
But I…can't…help…
Falling in Love with you
Louis took her right hand and places it with his, and he curls his long fingers around hers. His left hand holds her in the middle of her back as they both melted into each other's gazes. He can see from the golden glow of the candlelight on Clementine's face that Clementine is blushing. He knew by the expression on her face that he swept off her feet as she tucked her head under his chin and left sweet soft kisses on his neck, nuzzling her nose on the nape of his skin as they danced tenderly.
Shall I stay
Will it be a sin.
If I can't help
Falling in love with you
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea.
Darling, that's how goes
Something's are meant to be.
Take my hand.
Take my whole life too.
For I can't help.
Falling in love with you.
Louis sucks in a deep breath and lays out what has been on his heart for the past several months. "And for the record, Clem, you didn't hurt my head or my feet, as much as you had pierced my heart." Louis was trying to be smooth and charming and let her know he was in love with her and take cues from Captain Phoebes in Hunchback of Notre Dame, but it came out all wrong. Clementine looked up at him and knew what he was trying to voice out and was in awe of his cute dorky way of saying he loved her. "Shit that came out so wrong. Forget I said tha—"
Clementine leans up and plants a soft, tender kiss to his lips and places her one free hand on his cheek to let him know he said the best thing. Clementine felt Louis melting and kissing her back and the song was feeding into both of their desires for each other. She pulls back and looks at him with her golden honey eyes so in love with him. "I think you said it better than you think you did." Clementine looks him deeply in the eyes as she watches him smile when she says those words. She read his eyes as he leaned down to kiss her deeply, and Clementine smiled when his lips touched hers as she wraps her arms around his neck, feeling Louis wrap his arms around her waist for the first time. They have forgotten all about the song and were into each other when the next song played breaking the romantic moment between them.
You ain't nothing but a hound dogga
Crying all the time
Louis broke out the moment and was embarrassed and turn to the gramophone off or play the next song, "Damn it. That was not supposed to happen."
By this time, Clementine is laughing at Louis's flusterations on trying to be romantic as hell, but reality didn't go as planned for him. She comes to Louis's side and places her hand into his to guide him back to her to continue their moment, "Just leave the music, Louis." And she reaches up to continue the deep kiss they both started a moment ago. Louis kisses her back and another Elvis song comes on which is more on the mood he was searching for.
Love me tender..
Love me sweet.
Never let me go
You have made my life complete
And I love you so..
Louis pulls back a bit to lift Clementine off her feet as she wraps her legs around his waist kissing him tenderly at the same time. Clementine pulled back a little as Louis held her in the air, and Clementine looked down into his chocolate eyes as the light of the candles made his eyes sparkle with love. There is a soft glow on his face as he peered into her eyes. Clementine's face glows with love seeing how much she makes him happy and he makes her happy. Clementine moved her hand as she stroked his freckled cheek with her thumb, and slowly, her eyes grew heavy as she leaned back down to kiss his lips once more and never let them go. Clementine moves her hands to the back of Louis's neck to make the kiss more profound and more meaningful as he carries her to her bed where they make out tenderly and are in each other's loving embrace.
Love me tender
Love me true
All my dreams fulfilled
For my darling, I love you
And I always will…