A/N: Thank you for the feedback all of it is enjoyed especially as a baby fic writer thank you ,thank you :)
May 14th
A shared Grief
Rick pulled up to Michonne's building, the engine humming softly as he came to a stop. He glanced at Michonne, who sat comfortably in the passenger seat, her eyes wandering over the assortment of CDs and a vinyl record nestled in a plastic bag beside her.
They lingered in silence for a moment, the soft hum of Coldplay playing through the speakers. Reluctant to say goodbye, he chose to wait for her to make the first move.
"Today was fun," she remarked, reaching into the plastic bag with intent. "Let me hand over the remaining CDs to you before I take them with me," she quipped.
"Oh, that reminds me, I have something for you," Rick said, unfastening his seatbelt and leaning down to rummage through the backseat. Michonne paused, her gaze locked on him as he searched for something in the shadows of the backseat.
"Here you go," he said, pulling out a black bag and offering it to her. With both hands, she took the bag, her interest piqued as she watched Rick. As she opened the bag, a small crate containing four jars of pickles came into view.
"Pickles?" she exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face, just as Rick had hoped.
"The man I work for and his wife took up pickling last year. This latest batch ended up a tad saltier than she had planned, so I figured you might like em," he said, sheepishly scratching his head.
Michonne lifted one of the jars, examining it with interest. "All of these are for me?" she inquired, tilting her head in surprise.
"Rick Grimes, you really know how to win a woman over." Michonne teased, giving him a light shove.
He felt warmth creeping into his cheeks, a blush creeping up as he shrugged. "They were going to toss them out; it's really no big deal."
"Regardless, I appreciate the pickles, thank you," she said, giving the jar a gentle shake to emphasize her point.
Rick nodded in acknowledgment, a smile lingering on his lips.
"What are your plans for the rest of the night?" Michonne inquired as she tucked the jars back into her bag.
"Head back to King County," he replied
"Would you want to come up for dinner? It's the least I could do; you bought the CDs after I said I would, you wouldn't let me pay for lunch, and now the pickles," she offered
"I wanted to. You don't owe me for that. Still, I wouldn't mind coming up," he replied.
" Okay, great. Sasha is making oxtail and diri djon djon" Michonne exclaimed, gathering her two bags as she prepared to exit the car.
" I'd be lying to you if I said I've had either," Rick admitted
" You'll like it, trust me," Michonne replied
As they stepped out of the car, Rick approached her, gently taking the bags from her hands. "I can carry one," Michonne insisted, her fingers reaching for one of the bags he held.
"Don't worry about it. Just lead the way," he replied, keeping a firm grip on the bags. He tilted his head slightly, encouraging her to take the lead.
Deep down, he couldn't deny that he relished the moment as he trailed behind her.
. . .
As they exited the elevator onto Michonne's floor, Rick felt a surge of apprehension wash over him. He followed her closely, puzzled by his sudden unease. He was surprised to find that the interior of the building was nicer than its exterior. The spacious hallway was adorned with soft beige walls, accented by white panelling and charming circular sconces that cast a cozy glow. But what caught Rick's eye was the carpet, a blend of sepia, navy, and sage that seemed far too luxurious for just a hallway.
As if she could read his mind. "I knew we had to move into this building as soon as I saw the carpet," Michonne said, quickly glancing back at him.
"It's nice," Rick replied, nodding in agreement.
They paused at the end of the hallway, facing a white door that had the number 504 painted in bold black. Michonne dug around in her pockets until she found her key. It felt odd to him; just a month prior, they had hardly spoken, and now here he was, about to step into her apartment.
With a gentle push, she stepped inside, Rick following closely behind. He took a moment to close the door, allowing himself a brief pause before surveying her living space.
"Sorry, cowboy, but it's a no-shoes kind of home," Michonne remarked, glancing down at his rugged boots as she took the bags from his hands.
"Not an issue," he replied, deftly slipping off his boots and leaving them by the door.
As Michonne walked past the living room to the kitchen, a playful smile danced on her lips.
"Honey, I'm home," she called out, her voice light and teasing, directed at Sasha, who was focused intently on the bubbling pot before her.
The kitchen was spacious, but it had that familiar feel of any typical apartment kitchen. What really made it special, though, was how the two sisters had filled it with their unique collection of decor. He was particularly fond of the assortment of plants they had scattered around—there was one perched on top of the cabinet, four brightening up the windowsill, and another gracefully hanging from the archway leading into the kitchen.
Sasha turned, her face lighting up with a grin. "Oh darling, how I've missed you!" she replied, her tone equally playful.
Then, her gaze shifted to Rick, greeting him with enthusiasm and surprise. "Oh hey Rick!".
Rick offered a nod in response to the warm acknowledgment.
"Rick's here for dinner," Michonne announced, setting down two bags on the dining table with a soft thud.
"Okay, nice!" Sasha exclaimed, her enthusiasm easing Rick's worries of intrusion.
"Make yourself at home. I'll just change real quick," Michonne said, glancing back at them before heading down the hall to one of the three doors.
Rick strolled over to the dining table, where a vase brimming with snapdragons stood proudly in the center.
" Sorry just give me one second," Sasha said turning her back to focus on the cutting board in front of her.
"Don't worry about it," Rick replied, trying to sound casual.
Yet, as he surveyed the apartment, a sense of unease washed over him. It was warm, stylish, modern, and undeniably welcoming. Glancing around, he realized the stark contrast between his life and Michonne's.
The memory of that night at Shane's resurfaced, where he had noticed how most people often marvelled at the Walsh residence while Michonne and Sasha entered as if they belonged to that world of renovated kitchens and expansive backyards.
A familiar knot tightened in his stomach, reminiscent of the feeling he had when he first visited Shane's house and understood the chasm between their lives—Shane's wealth standing in stark contrast to his lack of.
He held no shame about his background; material possessions didn't matter much to him. What gnawed at him was the confusion of how he could ever fit into her life.
As Michonne stepped out of the room, she wore dark blue pajama pants paired with a fitted black short-sleeve top. Her hair was pulled back, but what truly drew attention was the charming rectangular reading glasses resting on her nose. She exuded a delightful blend of cuteness and homeliness.
" Sasha, you are never going to believe what I found," she exclaimed, excitedly digging through the plastic bag. She pulled out a vinyl record and held it up for Sasha to see.
" No way, Four Seasons of Love, original print?" Sasha gasped as Michonne responded with a simple nod to her question.
Sasha, leaning in closer to get a better look. "Where did you find this?"
Rick watched as Michonne shared excitedly, recounting how she and Rick had gotten a bit lost and discovered a little record shop across town. Sasha leaned in, her curiosity piqued, eager to see the CDs they had chosen for Rick. With a sense of pride, Michonne began to unveil their delightful discoveries: Coldplay, Warren Zevon, Sufjan Stevens, Groove Theory, Cocteau Twins, The Strokes, Destiny's Child, and Sade. Each CD was presented as if it were a precious artifact, and Sasha's excitement bubbled, especially when Michonne mentioned the price.
" Yeah, that's a solid lineup, a few of those were selfish picks Michonne," Sasha remarked, her focus shifting back to the stove as she stirred the pot.
" You know Rick has never heard of Sade," Michonne said, placing the CDs on the kitchen counter before moving to join Rick at the small dining table.
" That doesn't shock me his a white boy who grew up in a small town, no offence Rick," Sasha added with a playful smirk.
"None taken," Rick replied with a chuckle.
Just as Michonne sat, she exclaimed, leaping back up from her chair like a light bulb had just gone off in her head. She sprang up from her chair with such urgency that she nearly collided with the corner of the table, but Rick was quick to react, placing his hands on the edge just in time to shield her from it.
"I almost forgot the best part." She hurried back to the counter where she had set the bags down. She beamed, her smile radiant as she held up a jar of pickles for Sasha to see. "Look what Rick brought me!"
"Pickles? Oh, Rick, you're trying to make her fall in love," Sasha teased, her voice playful and light.
Rick felt a warmth rise to his cheeks at the playful jab.
"Well, it's working," Michonne added with a teasing lilt in her voice.
He was taken aback by how effortlessly Michonne slipped into the banter. Flirtatious remarks seemed to roll off her tongue, and Rick made a conscious effort not to overanalyze her words.
"You won't believe how obsessed this girl is with pickles. It's disgusting" Sasha said, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"I can already guess what you're about to say," Michonne replied, rolling her eyes as she returned to Rick at the dining table.
"Now I'm curious," Rick teased.
"One time I went to drink out of Michonne's water bottle, and it wasn't water... it was pickle juice," Sasha recounted, laughter bubbling in her voice.
"That's disgusting," Rick chuckled, shaking his head.
" In my defence, my body was craving sodium, and that was the only solution," Michonne explained, raising her hands in mock surrender.
" Was it at least cold?" Rick asked, genuinely curious.
" Lukewarm," Sasha replied with a grin.
"Sasha, stop embarrassing me in front of Rick," Michonne joked, her eyes sparkling with humour.
"Did you even offer Rick anything to drink?" Michonne shot at her sister
" I'm busy cooking," Sasha said with a fake smile
"I'm good. Just really looking forward to the food. It smells amazing, Sasha," Rick remarked.
" Sasha is a great cook but hates cooking. She only ever cooks for me if she wants something, so I'm suspicious," Michonne said, arching an eyebrow
" I don't want anything for you," Sasha said
"I don't mind the reason. I'm just excited to eat," Rick played along, feeling himself getting comfortable.
As Sasha busied herself in the kitchen, Michonne reminisced about their childhood, sharing tales that often left Sasha and her doubled over with laughter. One in particular about Sasha, at the age of 10, decided to hop into a baby swing, leading to a hilarious 911 call for rescue. Rick, however, didn't share their amusement, but the sound of their laughter, especially Michonne's, was infectious.
Rick was so caught up in the laughter and chatter that he didn't even realize Sasha had finished cooking. Suddenly, a plate appeared in front of him, with Sasha and Michonne watching him with eager eyes, waiting for him to take a bite. Following Michonne's suggestion, he decided to try the oxtail first.
"That's good," Rick exclaimed, surprised, prompting both women to nod in agreement.
"Right?" they chimed in unison before diving into their own meals.
After dinner, Rick expressed his gratitude to Sasha and offered to help with the dishes, but both girls insisted he didn't need to.
" So, Michonne, will you come on the camping trip?" Sasha let out a mischievous giggle as she rejoined Rick and Michonne at the dining table after washing the dishes.
"I had a feeling you weren't just being nice for nothing, you were trying to butter me up" Michonne responded
"Pretty please," Sasha said directing puppy dog eyes to her sister
" I just don't feel comfortable, Sasha it's a lot of people," Michonne said honestly
Rick knew about the camping trip they were talking about. It had become somewhat of a tradition since their freshman year of high school that they would go on a big camping trip at the end of July. Each year seemed to bring more friends into the mix.
For Lori and Rick, these trips held a special significance; it was during their very first trip that they confessed their feelings for each other. However, this year was set to be different—it would mark the first time they wouldn't be going as a couple.
" It will be fine. Rick is going to be there, right?" Sasha asked, her gaze fixed on him.
" I was actually thinking of sitting this trip out," Rick replied, offering Sasha a sympathetic look.
"Why?" Sasha's voice carried a hint of disappointment.
"I thought it might be a bit awkward if both Lori and I showed up," he admitted honestly.
Sasha's face lit up. "What if they just uninvited her and we brought Michonne instead?"
I don't think that would sit well with Lori," Rick replied.
" I guess so," Sasha said, rolling her eyes. " Michonne is hot. Lori would probably feel threatened and assume something was going on if she found out that Michonne was her replacement"
"Sasha," Michonne warned.
" What? It's true, right Rick?" Sasha shot back.
Before Rick could say anything, Michonne turned to Rick "You don't have to entertain her," Michonne reassured Rick.
" If I had known you two would turn me down, I wouldn't have bothered doing the dishes," she said, crossing her arms in a playful huff.
"I'm sorry, but I think it's best if I sit this trip out," Rick said apologetically
He really was, especially since it might have pushed Michonne to join, but the thought of being cooped up with Lori for more than 3 days was daunting. He had barely survived 20 minutes the last time they were together.
" I am willing to forgive you if you stay over tonight and be my DD," Sasha said, feigning an innocent smile.
He hadn't expected that his first visit to Michonne's place would turn into an overnight stay. But honestly, he was all for it; the thought of spending more time with her was comforting.
"Are you both cool with that?" he inquired, feeling a hint of eagerness.
"Yeah of course," Michonne replied.
"Looks like you're off the hook then…for now," Sasha said, grinning.
" Where are you headed?" Michonne asked, curious.
"Rosita, Abe, Tara, and I are heading to a house party. Shane might come, but I'm not sure," Sasha said, her cheeks rising at the mention of his name.
"He might come?" Michonne echoed, glancing at Rick.
"He just might," Rick chimed in.
"You two are so annoying. I'm going to get ready," Sasha said, hurrying to her room.
…
As Sasha stepped out of her room, Michonne narrowed her eyes at Sasha, who was casually strolling by. "Is that my shirt?" she asked, a hint of suspicion in her voice.
Sasha glanced down at the top, feigning innocence. "I don't think so," she said mischievously, pulling at the fabric as if to examine it more closely.
Sasha quickly changed the subject, announcing that Tara was waiting downstairs in a cab. Michonne arched an eyebrow, puzzled about why she needed Rick to pick her up later when she had a cab at her disposal. Sasha dismissed the question, mentioning she wanted to save some money, and Michonne decided not to press further.
With Sasha gone, Michonne took the opportunity to show Rick around their apartment. She guided him through the living room, highlighting her favourite aspects, such as the entertainment system, the record player, the vibrant plants, and the rich dark purple velvet couches. As they moved down the hallway, she gestured to each door. "Bathroom, Closet, Sasha's room, a room that I stole and turned into a studio space," she explained, opening each door except for Sasha's, allowing him a brief peek inside. He wanted to explore the art space a little, but he didn't push it he knew he'd eventually see it.
Reaching the final door at the end of the corridor, which he presumed was her bedroom, she playfully remarked, "And this is where the magic happens." Upon entering, he found her room to be a cozy sanctuary, every element thoughtfully arranged to reflect her personal style. From the flourishing plant in the corner to the neatly organized shelf of vinyl records and CDs, even the lamp seemed to embody her essence. What surprised him most was the shelf with an impressive collection of comic books, a testament to her diverse interests.
" I didn't take you for a comic fan" he pointed out.
Michonne turned to Rick, sharing a memory from her childhood. She recounted how, during one of her many visits to the hospital, she had been terrified of getting her blood drawn. A young nurse had urged her to channel her inner Wonder Woman and be brave. At that time, Michonne was unfamiliar with comic books, so the nurse took the time to explain who Wonder Woman was, providing just the distraction she needed to get through the procedure. The following day, the nurse returned with three issues of Wonder Woman, marking the beginning of Michonne's journey into the world of comics.
After the tour, they made their way back to the living room. Michonne suggested a movie night to help pass the time while they waited for Sasha's call. They chose between two films that Sasha had selected earlier that week. Michonne informed Rick that Sasha was a cinephile who made it a point to watch a new movie at least once a week. This week, she brought home a Spanish art house film. Despite neither of them speaking Spanish, they settled on the film
He attempted to concentrate on the cinematography that flashed across the screen, which likely represented something profound and significant that he just couldn't care for. He couldn't help it; his gaze kept drifting to Michonne, who was just a cushion away, cozy under her blanket. The light from the TV flickered across her side profile, and even though he realized he was staring for way too long, he had found himself in a trance.
She nibbled on her lips, a little habit Rick had noticed she picked up whenever she was lost in thought.
Without realizing he was watching her, she turned to him as if she was about to speak but then hesitated, locking eyes with him. Her expression was unreadable, and she leaned in slightly, caught in a moment of uncertainty. Rick felt an urge to either close the distance or retreat; her gaze ignited a struggle within him—flight or freeze—and he found himself completely still.
" You're eyes are the prettiest blue, how have I never noticed before?" she confessed
"Thanks," he said, a flush rising to his face. Michonne's compliments always caught him off guard. She had an audacious way of sharing her thoughts, and he realized that if something impressed her, she would voice it without a second thought. The first time he witnessed this was during Shane's house party. She had nonchalantly remarked on how much she liked Daryl's shirt and how good it looked on him. Initially, he assumed it was her way of flirting, which irritated him a bit, but he soon came to understand that it was simply her.
"Maggie's eyes are also so pretty; must be genetic", she remarked, her gaze intense.
"Yeah, but our eyes come from different gene pools. Maggie's family took me in," he confessed with a hint of vulnerability.
Michonne sighed, "I really need to stop putting my foot in my mouth around you."
Rick shrugged, "S'okay. How would you have known?"
" I was honestly thinking about that, you already know so much about me, but I barely know anything about you. Am I self-centred?"
"It's not that… I just think I'm more curious about you, so I tend to ask more questions," Rick smiled gently
" I'm curious, too, I just don't want to ask the wrong thing" she admitted
Rick's eyes locked onto hers, a warm smile playing on his lips as he brushed aside the film that had faded into the background. "You don't have to overthink around me," he said softly.
"Go ahead, ask me anything—just make it more interesting than my favourite song," he teased playfully.
Without missing a beat, Michonne inquired, "Did you know your parents?"
Rick replied, "Yeah... they died when I was just 10. A drunk driver hit em"
" I'm so sorry. I know that's not easy for a kid to go through," she said softly
"It was tough. I was an only child, and my parents were only children, too. I had very few options. My only grandparent who might have taken me in was way too old. But then there was Maggie's dad, Hershel. He was close to my parents, and without hesitation, he opened his home to me."
He sighed a hint of regret in his tone. "Sometimes I feel guilty because I've been with Hershel for so long that it feels like he's the only family I've ever known, and my folks... they feel like a distant memory, like something I imagined."
Michonne reached out to him, her presence a soothing balm. "You don't have to feel guilty for that. Losing your parents at such a young age brings a whirlwind of emotions that can be hard to navigate." He hadn't even realized her hand was gently placed on his knee, a silent gesture of support.
" Yeah?" he replied, nodding slowly. He could tell this was a topic she understood deeply. He silently invited her to open up, hoping she would pick up on his unspoken encouragement.
"Yeah. I lost my mom when I was only 11, she overdosed. Both Sasha and I were left trying to make sense of a chaotic mix of emotions. Honestly, our mom wasn't the most nurturing figure in our lives so a lot of odd emotions. It might have been easier to deal with if our dad had been emotionally available or even just around."
Rick longed to reach out and touch her hand, but he hesitated.
"I'm sorry to hear that. That's a lot to carry," he said, nodding in understanding. Michonne mirrored his nod. It was a silent agreement between them, a connection formed in that moment, even if they didn't fully grasp what it meant.
Trying to steer the conversation away from the topic of lost parents, Rick felt a pull to learn more about her father: "What's your dad like these days?"
Michonne chuckled softly. "How much time do we have?"
"Until Sasha calls," Rick quipped.
"It's hard to put into words just how frustrating our dad can be—he's so stubborn and controlling. But I have to give him credit; he's always been a fantastic provider. My needs have never gone unmet. Whatever we desire, he makes sure we have it. Just look at how Sasha dresses; those shoes are definitely out of reach on a student budget."
"I mean, I appreciate everything he does—or at least what his paychecks do. But honestly, It feels like he only became a father because everyone else was doing it, not because he actually wanted to. For him, it's all about keeping up appearances, and it's just exhausting." Michonne's tension was palpable, and Rick could hear the irritation in her voice.
"He can't be all that bad? You and Sasha turned out right," he asked.
"My grandma, from my mother's side, was the one who brought us up. She had been living with us for as long as I can remember, especially since our father was often absent and our mother was... well, just our mother. After we lost her, Granme even moved with us to Savannah. My dad realized that his family was just like him and wouldn't look after us, so he chose not to shoulder the responsibility. Truly, Granme is a remarkable woman."
Michonne's demeanour softened as she spoke about her grandma. "I'm really glad you have her," Rick said, fully focused on Michonne.
"Me too. Maybe one day you can meet her," Michonne replied her smile brightening the moment.
"You see how we started off talking about you and somehow ended up on me? I must be a narcissist," Michonne teased.
" Michonne, I'm not that interesting. I rather hear about you than talk about myself" Rick stated.
"I find you interesting," she confessed, and once again, her words made him blush with their simplicity.
"I just need to ask the right questions. I should dig into some real cowboy shit, get you talking"
"Oh really?" his tone teasing her
"Okay pick one, fly fishing, bait fishing or… shit what's another." Nibbling at her bottom lip
"I'm honestly shocked you even know what fly fishing is," he chuckled, amusement dancing in his voice.
"I know things, " She playfully asserted
"My dad was real fond of fly fishin'. Funny enough, my last trip with my folks we went" Rick mused
" Where at?" Michonne asked
" Every summer, our family would take a trip, and that particular year, my dad managed to persuade my mom to explore the Canadian Rockies. It was a happy "coincidence" that Fernie, BC, was also famous for its fly fishing scene. When my mom found out, she realized it was all a part of my dad's master plan. At the end of the day, my mom couldn't even be mad the view was too gorgeous." Rick couldn't help but grin at the thought.
"I still remember how shockingly cold the water felt, even with my waders on. I was restless like any kid would be, and she urged me to soak it all in, reminding me that one day, things would change, and all of this would just be a memory. It was a strange thing for her to say, almost as if she had a sense of what was coming," He said, drifting back to that moment.
"Isn't it strange how right before someone passes, they say things, almost as if they know? "Michonne said, providing Rick with his undivided attention
"I've never really known how to put it into words, but that's exactly how it feels," Rick replied, letting out a small, amused snort.
He couldn't help but get lost in her eyes. It was as if she had a glimpse into a part of him that he struggled to understand. They had grown comfortable in each other's presence, and it was odd to think that someone he barely knew just a month ago could understand him in that way.
"Look at us, sharing our scars," Michonne said with a playful nudge to his knee.
"Yeah, what a thrilling way to kick off the weekend," Rick replied with a smirk.
"I'm genuinely enjoying your company" she confessed. "I hope Sasha didn't push you onto me?" Michonne added.
"Pushed me onto you?" Rick raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"There's no way you couldn't tell? She thinks she's so clever," Michonne said, her smile widening. Rick shook his head, puzzled by her insinuation
"You're just adorable and oblivious, Rick. Sasha doesn't need a ride she just asked you so you had a reason to stay. She simply can't stand the thought of leaving me by myself while she's out having fun. It's a quirky little quirk of hers. Having you here probably made her feel better, even though she really shouldn't worry at all," Michonne explained.
" Your sister cares about you a lot, huh?" Rick asked, a hint of admiration in his voice.
" Yeah, sometimes too much, but I understand where she's coming from," Michonne admitted.
" Well, she didn't pawn you off on me I want to be here," Rick assured her.
" Good," she replied with a smile.
As the film played on, fading into the background, the conversation shifted to more cheerful topics. Rick held back from digging too deep, feeling like he might have already overstepped. Instead, he aimed to get her laughing with some funny stories about Shane and his adventures from back in the day. In a way that made him feel ridiculous, something was rewarding about getting a laugh out of her. Before they knew it, the credits were rolling on the screen.
" I know we barely paid attention to that movie, but I hated it" Michonne confessed.
"I couldn't even figure out the plot," Rick admitted in return.
A/N: I've noticed it's either you hate pickles, like pickles or you are absolutely not normal about them. Anyways, Sasha thinks she's so slick...Michonne that is not the reason girl but okay.
Sorry I am such a yapper but writing the sister dynamic between Michonne and Sasha has been so fun, especially as someone with a sister I die for it's *chefs kiss*. I hope you guys like how I'm doing each chapter it's more like snippets into their relationship it will all make sense I promise. Especially because I write 2/3 chapters for every chapter I release.