She liked this quaint cafe in the middle of the town, yellow bricked and stained with homeliness. The owner, a woman named Maggie, was sweet as a peach, upbeat and always greeted Michonne with enthusiasm which she couldn't quite match but was eager to try nonetheless.

"Well if it ain't my most loyal customer!" Maggie's brightness enveloped her before her whole body even got through the door.

Michonne smiled. "I'm sure there are more" she walked up to the front counter, more of a curtesy than anything else since she was a quick serve, her order unchanged since her first visit.

"Yes, but I like you the most" Maggie grinned, skittering behind the counter as she made her coffee with care.

"Well you're the nicest face I've encountered since moving here" she tapped against the polished wood and observed the display of fresh pastries; some new, some staple.

"I'm sure the more you explore, the more friendly locals you'll meet" Maggie gently poured the cream and swirled it in a way that left a cute flowery design sitting on the surface.

Michonne had found herself fully in front of the showcase and tapped the glass. "I'll try these new strawberry and blueberry blast puffs"

Maggie placed the steaming mug of coffee on the counter and tittered gleefully. "Ma came up with those last night, said why not just merge 'em in one big puff"

Michonne watched her plate them. "It's a novel idea"

"After so long you're finally changing things up, Ma's ruebarb muffin might go stale now"

Michonne chuckled. "I also want my usual, I just thought I'd add a little something"

"Of course"

Michonne looked around while Maggie finished and rang up her total. She admired the matching muted yellow wall paper that was still somehow in good condition given how long the business has been going. She loved the cozy touch of the framed photos of a young Maggie and her siblings as well as her family taking up the walls. The tables were a warm brown, wooden and bare save for the essential condiments sitting in the middle. It was only when she looked towards the back at the table she'd sat at since the beginning and unofficially claimed as her own, did she still with surprise.

He hadn't been at the beach in some days and she'd wondered excessively where he could've been; a partial reason why she'd cut her solace short. It had felt different without him digging about in the sand or standing idly and looking off into the distance, at some point she'd equated his presence with a peaceful morning and his absence had been felt as restlessness took up that majority. He was within reach now and she could make out the thickness of his unruly beard and the bits of grey making itself known, as well as the voluptuousness of his curls that looked just as soft as she'd begun to theorize. His head had been down but it was like he felt her, sensed her gaze and her thoughts being invaded by him and so he lifted his head.

Has anything ever been so blue? Held so much depth? Pulled her in without a care? Who was he to rival the finest oceans and seas? Michonne felt dazed as they stared at each other, their first real meeting and it was more overwhelming than she'd dreamed.

~~~~

She'd never been so near. He had been occupied with meek thoughts of Carl's relapse a couple nights before and the fear that's been gripping his chest since they'd left the hospital this morning. Seeing his son's pale and pained face was enough to shake him and he'd felt guilty that the first thing he wanted was to get a glimpse of her. To bask in her serenity that fueled his calm because somewhere he'd started seeing her as a beacon of comfort but he knew she wouldn't be there, the town had woken up.

Feeling the fatigue and hunger of the past hours, Rick had meandered his way to the closest local cafe, a place Carl would love to frequent on the weekends when school was farthest from his mind and his father wasn't burdened with work and daily tasks. He'd settled, greeting Maggie; her father a righteous boss on their generational farm. The Greenes were a staple in town, you didn't live there without having met one or two and being privy to their welcoming and upright nature.

Her brown eyes were even more captivating this close. They were steady and warm and pulled him in in a way that entranced him. Has anything ever been so clear? Held such brightness and thoughtfulness? Caused his heartbeat to race? Who was she to rival the richest chocolate and finest crafted liquor?

She looked away as Maggie grabbed her attention and Rick felt as though all the air was sucked out of his lungs. He watched her turn back toward him and get closer and closer and each step stuffed him back up with air and yet it all got stuck in his chest; he couldn't breathe. She sat at the table beside him and he looked down at the crumbs in his empty plate, reaching for his mug of black coffee but not moving to drink it. There were many things on the tip of his tongue; a greeting, a question, an embarrassing profession but it was all trapped. He watched from his peripheral as she pulled a piece of her muffin and chewed, she palmed her mug and brought it up to her nose, her eyes closing in mirth before she took a sip and sighed wistfully. It wasn't until he caught hold of those beautiful brown eyes again that he realized he hadn't been discreet at all, his whole focus was on her as he'd turned his head fully.

It was like everything vanished whenever they met gazes and they existed in their own time. It was dizzying how serene he felt just with her near than he'd felt in his own home. Something boiled over as an overwhelming need to speak came over him. His eyes roamed over her luxurious features and the smoothness of her skin, it all enhanced a distinct twinkle in her gaze. His lips formed the words and then his breath pushed them out.

"The woman from the boardwalk" he said.

"The man who collects shells" she said at the same time.

They stared and then they both smiled.

Thanks for reading this cute little thing that just came to mind randomly. Hope you enjoyed it !