So I head-canon Carl and Enid, I liked the pairing on the show (wish there was more to it) and I like the idea of them together. However, I got curious and wanted to try this short "what if" story with Carl and Ron. I'm definitely better at writing straight couplings, so this might just crash and burn. But if you're interested, enjoy the ride.
The screams continued to play over and over inside his head. His mother, his brother, just devoured right in front of him. Just shut up, all Sam had to do was shut his damn mouth. But he was weak, weaker than anyone else. He didn't understand the undead, he only saw monsters, monsters he didn't want to try to fight. Then his mom, yeah they fought, but that look of devastation on her face, it pained him to remember, then she was gone too.
Ron sits here, on the floor in his room, after having showered off the walker guts on his body. After the Alexandrians were rallied, and wiped out the horde of walkers that was rampaging through the town, he just walked off alone in thought, no one even noticed he left. Has it been an hour? Two hours? Longer, since the sun came up and people started cleaning up? He couldn't get their screams out of his head. That scene, his mom getting swarmed, her hand in a vice on another wrist, Rick cutting off her arm… Rick, that motherfucker. He did this, took over this place, made them face the dead, screwed up. Heck, he killed his dad, all so what, so he could get it on with his mom?!
Ron's head pounded with anger and despair. He saw what Rick did, cutting her arm off like that without a second thought. He wanted to shoot him, to get revenge, make that vile man pay, so why didn't he? Was it simply that he was pulled away by that samurai woman and couldn't react? Was he in shock? Was he scared to go after Rick? No, Rick deserved to die, but losing him meant this place, Ron's home, would likely fall apart now that Diana was gone too. They didn't deserve to fall, but maybe then Rick's group would bring this place to ruin and have all those deaths on their hands. Would be a nice ironic twist. It honestly doesn't matter anymore, Ron lost everything, he doesn't care what happens to himself anymore.
But he hates Rick, hates the greasy bike rider, hates that samurai, he even hates Rick's stupid, sanctimonious, girlfriend stealing son Carl. Carl was better than him at surviving, but he couldn't win a social standoff to save his life. And yet that jackass held his experience over Ron, seeing him as… weak… like his family… who died like they said…
"Ron?"
Speaking of the bastard, there was Carl, looking cleaned up from last night but still in the same clothes, a light blue and black striped flannel with the sleeves rolled up, half buttoned over a gray shirt with the collar buttons open. His jeans still had blood stains in them. And he had that lame sheriff's hat.
It took everything Ron had not to lash out right here and now. Carl still had a father, still had a sibling, still has the will power and the skills to survive. He had it all still…
"How…" Carl starts but hesitates. "How are you holding up?"
"Go. Away" Ron replies with as little effort as possible.
"I'm sorry about your family" Carl continues. "Having to see something so awful, it's not right. It's not fair."
Ron mumbles something so low it's inaudible.
"What's that?"
"I didn't ASK for your options" Ron says with venom in his voice.
"Ron, your family would want you to go on. This isn't something you can just get over. I know that. But you can keep fighting, you make something of this world still. Your life will always matter."
"Fuck off, Carl" Ron says without even looking at him.
Carl was going to press him, but seeing Ron's red, shining eyes made him hold his tongue and exit the house.
'Get out' Ron thinks to himself, his ears ringing. 'I have to get out'.
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Walking down the road, Carl keeps his head on a swivel. He watches as many of Alexandria's citizens load up and carry away dead walker bodies. There are trucks going out of the town every hour with wagons of bodies to be burned. The occasional stray walker also gets found and put down. He keeps his hand on his gun, ready to make a move if needed.
While walking, he can't help but continue thinking about Ron. The guy was definitely an asshole, and he feared the guy had it out for his dad. But at the same time, to lose your family like that, Carl could relate. He thought about his mom, how she chose to die so Judith could live. He remembers how she told him he will beat this world. That was Carl's mission, to make this world better. He was young and still kind of dumb, but he would do what he could to build a comfortable future. But he wanted to bring as many people there with him. Yeah, even Ron.
Eventually Carl finds his father having a discussion with the other adults. Carl, even at "young man" reference, is as much of an adult as them. He can make the hard decisions when needed, he's just lucky to have Rick and Michonne who make those decisions for him. It is less stressful on the brain.
"Alright, once it's safe to go out of the walls again, we send the two groups East and South, we need to build up our medical supplies after the horde came through" Ricks says. "Rosita and Glenn will take up scouting the canyon where the horde was and making sure it doesn't build up anymore. We're also gonna plan to keep the barricades up to guide incoming walkers around Alexandria. We can keep this place going, we just need to be quick."
Once the others left Carl walked up to his dad. "I hope with a proper plan we can avoid something like this again."
"Yeah, I hope so too" Rick says, turning to face his son. "Hope is something we need but can't rely on. After all this the Alexan- no, our people have been taking the initiative. They are getting stronger, soon we'll all be a mighty force, and we can keep the dead at bay."
"I know things will improve," Carl says with a soft grin. "It just takes time after hitting such a low."
"We always bounce back, but these people need time, time we can't offer much of" Rick says. "Speaking of needing time, how is Ron doing? I wanted to check on him but after the stare he gave me last night I figured it best I leave him be."
"I went to see him, he's… hurting. I don't know if he can get past what happened, but I don't want him to just give up either."
"Don't you two hate each other?"
"I don't hate him, but I don't really like him either" Carl says. "He's ignorant, and not trained, but I don't want him to die. Either way, he hates ME."
"I think he hates us both son" Rick says, sighing. "Best thing we can do for him is just make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. But I appreciate you still caring about his life, we need to look out for one another. So keep and eye on him for me okay?"
"I can dad" Carl says. "Is there anything else I can do?"
Rick puts his hand on Carl's shoulder and says: "I know you want to be out there and helping, and I plan to have you come with me in a couple days. But in the meantime please just watch the walls and make sure our defenses are good. Think you can handle it?"
"You know I will. I love you dad."
"I love you too Carl."
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Ron was still in the process of packing up his stuff when Enid came into his room. Her straight face examined his dresser drawers pulled out completely and leaning against the wall. His few personal belongings were being awkwardly stuffed into a large green backpack.
"So, I see you've chosen the run away from your grief approach" Enid says, devoid of enthusiasm.
Ron barely glances at her while still trying to stuff all his clothes in the bag.
"I tried doing that. Believe me, it doesn't help. The hurt doesn't go away by ignoring it. Honestly, it never truly goes away."
Silence.
"That doesn't mean you don't go on living. That doesn't mean you don't try to make things work. Ron? Ron, are you listening to me? I don't want you to go" Enid says loudly.
Ron hesitates before finally turning to face her.
"I have to go. Okay Enid" Ron responds. "I-I can't live here anymore. First my dad, then Sam, then mom… I just don't have a place here. I don't have anyone anymore."
"You have this community. You have this home. You have me."
"That's bullshit and you know it" Ron says in a strained voice. "I think I'm too far gone for it to be worth worrying about me."
"I don't like when people talk like that. I care about you still".
"Please. I see the way you look at Carl. You and him have something you and I never could. That piece of garbage wants you, he wants to run this place with his dear old daddy, he wants to take this away from us."
"Geez Ron calm down" Enid replies. "Firstly, Carl and I are just friends. But yeah, he does relate to me in ways you never could. He gets what it's like, the world we live in now. You were always worried about looking cool and how to have some fun without ever understanding how bad things were. You were lucky to live here and never need to fight for your life. They are right, this place is weak, the people are weak, and so are you. But you're alive, and you can be stronger."
Ron zipped up his back and started to pull the straps on. He needed to go now, otherwise he was sure he was going to hit her. And she didn't deserve that. But he was sick of being called weak. Sick of being looked down at.
"I am going. And I don't want you to try to stop me. I just want to not be a bother anymore and I want to be alone" Ron says walking past her. He stops for a moment and ends with "Take care of yourself Enid", before continuing on.
"Idiot" Enid says, fighting the urge to tear up.
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Realizing he is unable to simply climb the wall, Ron waited for no one to be around before sneaking into the storage shed. He was in the process of swiping a couple metal rods to slide into the bolt holes of the walls when the door opened and closed behind him.
"So that's it?" Carl asks, annoyed. "You're just going to leave? Where will you go ,what will you do?"
"I don't recall that ever being any of your business" Ron says so not in the mood.
"Ron, this place is perfect. We have food, weapons, and beds and WALLS. We have the ability to grow this place and defend it. I've been out there among the dead. Among all the bad people. You have to always be scared, always be fighting. You start to lose yourself. And it only takes one mistake, to get shot… or bit."
"Well that is a risk I'm just going to have to take if it means getting away from you and that asshole Rick."
"Don't talk about my dad like that. He's trying to protect this place, protect from people like-"
"Like my dad?!"
Carl didn't say anything to that. He knew Pete was dangerous, and his father only wants what's best for Alexandria, but how can he explain that to the son of the man killed?
"Yeah no thanks" Ron said. "Keep your walls and your happily ever after. I don't get that. And maybe it's on me for never learning to venture out. So I'll wing it".
"Ron, I'm telling you right now" Carl says urgently. "You won't survive. You're too weak right now."
"No, no, no, NOOO!" Ron shouts. "You don't get to treat me like some pathetic child how can't stand up for himself. Heck I'm even a little older than you. You are so high and mighty it makes me sick. I can choose how to live and how to die. And I don't need you lecturing me like you know it all got that?!" Ron says, jabbing his finger in Carl' chest.
Ron places the metal rods in the sides of his bag. "Now I'm leaving."
"I won't let you" Carl says, grabbing Ron's shoulder.
"Get away from me!" Ron yells pushing Carl away.
"I'm trying to save your life" Carl shouts back, shoving Ron even harder.
The boys grab onto each other and start wrestling. Ron smashes Carl's back into the wall. He grabs Carl's hair and slams the Grimes boy's head back into the wall. With hazy vision, Carl is still able to block a fist and kick Ron in the knee.
With his frenemy staggered, Carl punches Ron square in the check, knocking him over. Carl goes to pin Ron to make him cool off but Ron is quick, smacking Carl's arms apart, grabbing his shirt and throwing him to the ground. Rolling over Carl goes to get up but Ron kicks him hard in the gut. Ron sits down on Carl, he punches him hard, drawing blood above the eyebrow. He punches Carl again hearing a pained groan from the teen. Ron raises his fist again and hesitates, he pushes Carl away from him and sits down breathing hard.
"What can I do to keep you here?" Carl demands, getting up so he is kneeling.
"Nothing, just let me go" Ron growls back.
"I'll do anything, you won't make it out there, you're not like me" Carl says back.
"That's it" Ron says, standing up. He undoes his jeans and pulls his dick out. Though limp, seeing Carl's now wide eyes stare at it quickly makes it grow to full mass. Not what Ron would have expected but he was too made to really think about it.
"You're gonna suck me off" Ron says.
"What?! Are you out of your mind?!" Carl asks, shocked.
"Perfectly sane" Ron says, grabbing Carl's hair and pushing his cock into the Grimes boy's face. Pushing himself against Carl's lips he argues, "Come on, you want me to stay right? Well if I get something out of it I will. I'm sick of you being 'Mr. High and Mighty', it's time for you to be the bitch. What? Too shy to give me a lick? Well then I'll just be going now."
Carl keeps turning his head, trying to keep that thing away from him. His arms are wobbly from being hit, he hasn't fully recovered yet. The worst part is he is starting to get hard, why is his body liking this? As he tries to say no his tongue grazes Ron's penis.
Though grossed out, Carl kind of liked the taste. He also, to his surprise, liked the little "mmmm" Ron let out in reaction. Against his better judgment, Carl opens his mouth, dragging his lips along Ron's cock. Instantly the harsh grip on his hair loosens a little. Carl gets a hold of the tip and pushes his mouth down on Ron.
"Oh fuck is that nice" Ron moans. Carl begins blowing him, feeling that mouth pull on his flesh makes Ron shiver with delight. He can't believe Carl actually went through with it instead of telling him to go to hell. His dick twitches as his muscles contract with the sensations. This should not feel as good as it does, but Ron decides to lose himself in the moment. He releases his grip on Carl, instead giving the teen a soft caress of the head as a sign to keep going.
Carl, apparently enjoying the encouragement, reaches out with a hand and grabs the base of Ron's member as he finds a smoother rhythm and sucks harder. His saliva begins to trail off the skin, generating sloshing sounds as he takes in the dick.
"Mmmm, yeah, you like sucking dick don't you Carl" Ron taunts. "You're pretty good with that mouth when you aren't negging me."
Carl can't help it, the weirdness of it, the embarrassment, it somewhat excites him. It's like the rush of adrenaline he gets when walkers come after him. But in this case, he is safe, the other risk is being caught. He starts to moan while he sucks. Taking in the taste of Ron he memorizes the flavor. He speeds up, wanting to finish this quickly, his body heating up, his own cock straining against his pants, yet he wants to feel the release.
Ron is relaxed for the first time all day, for the first time he isn't thinking about all the bad in his life. For at least these few minutes, he is free. He grabs the sides of Carl's head and forces his dick in deeper, choking Carl, making himself harder hearing the guy he can't stand gag on his meat. He fucks Carl's face, feeling his load building up. He thinks of all the crap he has had to hear from this guy, thinking how he is shutting him up now and how good this control feels. All these emotions flooding his mind, he shoots his orgasm into Carl's mouth.
"Holy shit, oh Carl, you're so good".
After Ron breathes harshly with pleasure Carl pulls his face away so he can pit and cough on the ground. His eyes drip with a couple tears as he tries to regain his breath. Even now, Carl's body shakes, his heart beating fast, and his own erection raging. He didn't enjoy all of that, at least not the last bit, but the experience itself is something he isn't completely mad about.
"I don't, I can't, believe we did that" Ron huffs. "But that was, something."
Carl just gives him an angry look.
"Oh what?" Ron sneers. "Don't act like you didn't enjoy that too. You were slobbering on my meat like a good boy."
"Whatever" Carl says. "I just did it, and we don't have to talk about it anymore."
"Well, on that note, I'm out of here" Ron says, going to grab his bag.
"Wait no!" Carl yells weakly. "You said if I did that you'd say".
Ron gives him a shocked look. "You… you still want me to stay? Even after that."
Carl just nods.
"But I, ahhh fuck. Okay, fine, you win. I'll stay FOR NOW. But I reserve the right to leave after a couple days if I still want to."
Carl just nods again. Looking like he is getting emotional over what happened.
"Alright don't go crying on me" Ron says annoyed. "I promise what happened here will never reach another person's ears. And if I break that promise go ahead and shoot me. There, happy? Good. I'm going home."
Finally calming down, Carl breathes a sigh of relief. Though he is still unsure how to react to everything that was said, and what he did, and did somewhat willingly. It also bothers him that he kind of wants to do it again…
To be continued…
I don't know how much I'll update this. I don't know if people will even like it, so if you did feel free to let me know. I have another chapter in mind, but I also want to spend time on Beyond the Dead.