A/N : This one is the best ship, I could ever post for thank you for all the reviews, I have exams soon so my post may slow down a little but during break back I'll try to be on it!
June 12,
A month had gone by since Rick saw Michonne. During that time, he finally settled into his new apartment in Atlanta. They had tried to meet up several times; his demands of unpacking and organizing with Daryl, along with Rick's lengthy commute to King County for work, their plans always seemed to slip through the cracks.
The relentless pressure of adulthood was beginning to settle in, and he couldn't shake the feeling that it was advancing faster than he was prepared to handle.
It was Rick's first weekend off, and Shane and Daryl had been persistent, urging him to join them at a house party thrown by Spencer, and he found himself reluctantly agreeing to go.
Rick, Shane, and Daryl gathered in the kitchen, their voices mingling as they waited for the rest of their group to arrive. Rick tried to focus on the conversation, but his eyes kept wandering, searching for Michonne.
When Sasha finally entered the kitchen, she casually mentioned that Michonne was outside in the backyard. Without a second thought, Rick made a hasty exit, eager to find her.
As he stepped into the backyard, he was taken aback to see Spencer and Michonne deep in conversation.
" I threw this party hoping you'd show up," Spencer said, his tone hopeful.
" Spencer, not tonight, please," Michonne replied, her voice firm.
" Michonne I'm in love with you" Spencer confessed
"Spencer.." before he could hear Michonne finish her sentence, he turned and stormed back inside. His jaw tightened, heat rising within him, a wave of irritation washing over him. It infuriated him that Michonne would even entertain someone like Spencer.
Shaking off the tumult of emotions, he made his way back to the group.
As he entered the room, he spotted Sasha perched on the countertop, with Shane standing nearby. She looked up and asked if he had seen Michonne. He merely shook his head, snatching a beer from Shane's grasp without a word.
"You alright, man?" Daryl inquired, sensing the shift in his friend's mood.
"Fine," he replied curtly
Daryl didn't push it any further.
Just then, everyone welcomed Michonne as she joined them in the kitchen, flashing her signature wave and a bright smile. She approached Rick, exchanging a private greeting with him.
" Long time no see," she teased, her eyes sparkling.
" Yeah," he replied, his voice dripping with indifference.
"I told Sasha to let you know I was in the backyard. Didn't she tell you?" Michonne inquired, her eyes searching his for a hint of acknowledgment.
.
" She did, Big house, I got lost," Rick said, taking a sip of his drink, trying to mask his annoyance.
"Well, lucky for you, I'm here now. Want to check it out together?" she suggested playfully.
"Nah, I'm good," he shot back, dismissing her offer.
She furrowed her eyebrows "… Are you okay?" Michonne asked.
"Perfectly fine," he replied curtly.
Without another word, he turned away, needing to create space between them. He knew he was being unfair, but the weight of his annoyance was too heavy to bear. It felt simpler to avoid her altogether.
And so he did, wandering aimlessly through the house, all the while evading the one person whose presence he craved the most.
He quickly found himself in a study after experimenting with several doors until one finally opened. Upon entering, he was met with the impressive sight of tall shelves overflowing with books, complemented by plush leather couches and a sturdy desk. As he wandered through the space, his attention was captured by a photograph placed on the desk.
Michonne, Sasha, and Spencer, all younger and sporting identical uniforms, huddled around a table. He reached for the frame, unable to resist the pull of curiosity. His eyes fell on Michonne, her tongue playfully poking out and her hair pulled back into a tidy ponytail. She looked adorable. A lopsided smile spread across his face as he gently placed the picture back down.
He sank into one of the leather couches, staring up at the ceiling, and suddenly, guilt hit him. He acted like a child consumed by jealousy, and he suddenly recognized the emotions swirling within him that he had been oblivious to until now.
"Hey," Michonne's voice broke through his reverie as she entered the study, shutting the door softly behind her. Without hesitation, she plopped down on the couch beside him
"You okay? You seem a bit off tonight. What's up?" she inquired, her brow furrowed with concern.
Rick sighed, feeling a bit guilty. "Yeah, sorry for being a jerk earlier," Rick admitted
"Don't worry about it. I just wanted to make sure you were alright," Michonne replied. "Want to talk about what's bothering you?" she offered.
"Um, maybe not today. I promise I'm fine, though," he reassured her.
"Okay, good. This party is lame; I was hoping you wouldn't kick me out" she said honestly
He let out a soft chuck, "I'm probably the lamest person at this party"
"Yeah, but I'm just as lame, I honestly only came tonight hoping I could catch you since you are busy nowadays," she confessed, her gaze dropping for a moment.
" I'm really sorry for bailing on you. Work has been non-stop," Rick replied a hint of regret in his voice.
"Don't be you got bills to pay" Michonne reassured him.
They lingered in quiet for a bit, the thumping bass from the music below resonating in the room. He had to admit he missed her company. He took in her appearance; she looked good, but the scent surrounding her was most notable: a mix of coconut baby powder and vanilla lingered in the air.
"There's a photo on the desk of the three of you together. Your families seem really close?" he said, nodding towards the desk.
"Ugh, you saw that?" she grimaced. "Our dads have been friends for so long. Spencer's mom, Deanna, was the one who persuaded my dad to return to Georgia after my mom died," she clarified.
He leaned in a bit "So, you and Spencer are real close too?" he inquired, his eyes searching for a truth he might not be ready to face.
"I wouldn't call us close; he's just always been there," she remarked. Rick found it hard to determine whether she was being honest or sparing him details.
" So he never mentioned just how much we clash out on the field?" he inquired
"He did, but I just never put it together until that day at Shane's that you were the country bumpkin dick he mentioned, "she responded
"Is that what he calls me?" Rick chuckled, a grin spreading across his face.
With a touch of guilt, she confessed, " I'm just playing; I don't talk to Spencer much. If I'm being honest, I've been avoiding him for a while now,"
" Oh, why is that?" he asked, curiosity piqued.
Michonne chuckled, shaking her head. "He's totally convinced he's in love with me," she said, a blend of humour and frustration in her tone.
" Oh?" he said, pretending to be oblivious to the situation.
"Honestly, it's my fault. Ever since we were kids, he's been flip-flopping between having a crush on Sasha and me. Then, during spring break, I ran into my ex for the first time since we split, and it threw me for a loop. Spencer and I ended up kissing, and suddenly, he thinks we're soulmates," she confessed.
A swirl of jealousy and relief washed over him, the two feelings battling as he tried to figure out how to respond.
" I doubt your soulmate is Spencer," Rick said, his honesty catching him off guard. He hadn't planned to be so direct, but Michonne burst into laughter.
"If I could take back that kiss, I really would," she quipped
" I forgot how funny you are sometimes, I missed your country ass," she added, flashing a wide smile.
" You too," he replied, unable to complete the full sentence, fearing it might reveal something unspoken he felt about her.
" How is the new place" she asked, gracefully sliding off her chair to sit on the floor, her gaze fixed on him
Rick leaned back in his chair, a small smile creeping onto his face. " It's good, different. It's been hard to adjust to the quiet. Don't tell Maggie this, but I miss her barging into my room every ten minutes," Rick confessed a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
With her sitting in front of him, her eyes locked onto his, he found it surprisingly hard to maintain that connection. He hadn't realized how much they communicated without words. When she looked at him, it felt like she was reading his mind.
"At least you have Daryl," she pointed out.
"True, honestly, if I were alone, I don't think I'd be doing so well. Daryl surprisingly has good taste in décor," Rick admitted,
" Daryl?" she asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
Rick nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "When you swing by, you'll see it all for yourself."
" Hopefully soon," she said
" I think I'm settled enough now" he replied with a smile
…
Maggie hurried over to Rick, her eyes lighting up with surprise. " I didn't even know you were here!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him in a warm embrace.
Rick chuckled softly, a hint of sheepishness in his voice. "Michonne and I were just upstairs for a while," he confessed.
It was Michonne who suggested they both head downstairs and join everyone. They found themselves in the basement where some of their people had taken over. Michonne had paired up with Rosita for a game of beer pong, taking on Shane and Sasha.
"You comin' over for supper with Daryl? "Maggie said, releasing him from the embrace
"Yeah of course" Rick replied
In the Greene household, Sunday dinners were a cherished tradition. Even amidst the hustle and bustle of the school year, Maggie, Daryl, and he made it a point to return home at least twice a month.
"How's everyone?" Rick inquired, his curiosity evident. Although he hadn't been away for long, he found himself missing the people he knew as family.
"Beth is drivin' me insane. We've been at each other ever since you took off." Maggie replied, rolling her eyes. Rick couldn't help but smile at the thought of their fights over what he considered little nothings.
"Daddy sure does miss you, even if he won't come right out and say it. Every now and then, he'll throw out somethin' like, "It's good for a young man to find his own way" "Maggie said with a smile.
"I ain't too far off, and I'm in King County 'bout five days a week," Rick said.
"Yeah, but it won't be for long, "Maggie said
As he prepared to voice his thoughts, a sudden peal of laughter from Michonne rang out, pulling his attention away completely. He turned to find Rosita and Michonne enveloped in a fit of giggles. Though he couldn't quite catch their words, it was clear that the two were thoroughly enjoying themselves, and from their expressions, it seemed the girls were on the losing end of beer pong.
As Rick's gaze lingered, Maggie's voice broke through his thoughts. "You should invite her," she remarked, noticing his distraction.
"Invite who? Where?" he replied, a hint of confusion in his tone.
"Michonne," Maggie proposed with a smile. "How about we have her over for dinner?"
"I don't think so, plus it's not like that" Rick replied firmly.
"I never implied it was like anything," Maggie said playfully, her eyes narrowing with a hint of mischief.
" Don't you have to find Glenn or something; it's been two minutes since you last kissed," Rick retorted sharply.
"Alright, fine," Maggie conceded, sensing it was best not to push further, and she turned to head up the stairs.
As he approached the table where Michonne and Rosita were chatting, he could hear the laughter and cheers from Shane and Sasha, who were revelling in their recent win over the girls.
"You guys suck," Rick teased the girls.
"Oh please like you are any better" Rosita retorted
"I am," Rick replied with a smug grin.
Rosita challenged him to take her place in the next round, and without hesitation, Rick slid beside Michonne.
"You better bring your A-game; I can't afford to lose again," Michonne said with a playful smirk.
After Rosita lined up the cups, Shane insisted that Rick and Michonne go first to give them a fair shot.
"Ladies first," Michonne said, her smile bright.
Rick positioned himself at the end of the table, with Michonne standing confidently behind him. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the ball soaring into the cup with ease.
"Drink up," Michonne exclaimed, gesturing toward Sasha, who sighed dramatically before grabbing the cup and taking a gulp.
"Seriously, Rosita, is that pure tequila?" Sasha asked, setting the cup down with a frown.
"Oops! I had no idea what I was pouring," Rosita replied, pretending to be oblivious.
"Tequila? now we have to win," Rick said
Shane smirked, teasingly gesturing to Rick. "What if it was whiskey instead?"
"Let's not get into it," Rosita interjected, effectively ending a debate she knew was inevitable.
As Michonne grabbed the ball, Spencer walked down the stairs, walking towards the table.
Immediately, Sasha looked at Michonne, who visibly tensed up. A brief silence hung in the air before Spencer broke it.
"Chill out, I'm not here to ruin the fun," he said, settling in next to Rosita.
Noticing Michonne's unease, Rick leaned in a bit closer, diverting her attention from him. "When you aim, try to make the ball bounce before it hits the cup," he advised softly.
Michonne took a step back, readying herself for her shot before sending the ball flying. It bounced off the table, and though Shane tried to knock it away, he missed, allowing the ball to land perfectly in a cup.
With a triumphant grin, Michonne turned to Rick and did a little victory dance.
"Alright, you two, time to drink up," Rick said, gesturing toward Sasha and Shane.
The game went on, with Rosita passionately supporting Michonne and Rick, while Spencer enthusiastically backed Sasha and Shane. Rick found his smug remarks irritating which urged him to play with the intensity of someone whose life was at stake. As the rounds progressed, Rick and Michonne found themselves with five cups left, while Sasha and Shane were down to just one, the impact of the drinks becoming increasingly evident.
"Don't mess this up," Shane joked as Rick prepared to throw the ball.
"Yeah, don't screw it up," Spencer chimed in, taking a swig from his cup.
"I won't," Rick replied, directing his gaze at Shane but really addressing Spencer.
He shot a glare at Spencer before turning his attention to Michonne.
With a playful flick of his wrist, he gave the ball a little shake. "A Vegas blow for good luck," he told Michonne, watching as she pursed her lips and gently blew on the ping pong ball.
He shot a confident grin back at Spencer before launching the ball. As the ball dropped into the cup, Michonne let out a joyful shout, bouncing with excitement and wrapping her arms around Rick in a tight hug.
With a playful smile, Michonne pulled away from the embrace, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I never doubted you for a second," she teased.
"Neither did I" Rosita interjected
"Rick raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on his lips as he looked at both women. "Oh, really?" he challenged, skepticism lacing his voice.
Sasha interjected, "Let's not forget, we did win that first round."
" So it was just luck" Spencer chimed in.
Rick shot him a piercing look, his intensity palpable. "Luck is what you relied on to get on the team, but skill is what wins games," he retorted, the tension thickening between them.
For a moment, they stood locked in a silent standoff, each waiting for the other to break the silence.
"Leave it in the locker room, you two," Michonne finally said, her gaze steady on Rick as she placed a hand on his chest, her tone playful yet commanding.
Rick shifted his focus from Spencer to Michonne, a flicker of realization crossing his face as he acknowledged his own immaturity. He nodded, understanding her point.
"Want to step out to the backyard for some fresh air?" Michonne suggested, her voice light and inviting.
"Yeah, that sounds good," he replied.
As they were about to head up the stairs, Spencer darted in front of Michonne, halting their progress.
"Hey, can we finish our talk from earlier?" he asked, desperation lacing his words.
"Spencer, there's not much left to say, and I'm a bit tipsy. Can it wait?" she responded, her tone firm yet understanding.
He sighed and stepped aside, allowing them to continue their way out.
…
Michonne shifted her eyes toward Rick, who sat next to her on the patio steps, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "I bet I could beat you," she challenged.
In a tipsy haze, Daryl and Abraham had been racing back and forth across the yard,
much to the amusement of everyone else. Daryl crossed the finish line first, prompting cheers from Glenn, Maggie and Tara, who were sitting at the patio table.
Rick, unable to contain his amusement, shot back with a playful grin, "I'm sure you could, but I won't even try."
"Why not?" she inquired, curiosity piqued.
"I know you used to run track. You're setting me up for humiliation" Rick joked, a playful grin on his face.
"Really? How did you find that out?" she asked her expression a mix of surprise and intrigue.
"Sasha told me, and well, your athletic build kind of gives it away," he confessed with a chuckle.
"So you think I have a nice body?" she teased back, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Don't make it weird," he said, giving her a gentle nudge, trying to steer the conversation away from the teasing.
"Is that your way of saying yes? You know you are allowed to compliment your friends right?" she asked, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
Rick dramatically raised his arm, pretending to cast an invisible fishing line into the air, mocking Michonne.
"I'm not fishing for a compliment," she laughed, playfully pushing him with both hands.
"You know you look good " he assured her, his words warm and genuine.
"Thanks, I guess," she responded with a smug look, her gaze locking on him.
They fell into a comfortable silence, their focus shifting back to Daryl and Abraham, who were gearing up for a rematch. It had been ages since he had experienced a night like this, surrounded by friends who were actually having fun. Yet, a flicker of unease settled in his chest as he considered the inevitable end of summer and the return to the grind of school.
"You okay?" Michonne said breaking him out of his daze
He blinked, shaking off the fog. "Yeah, just realized we have to head back to school eventually."
"Ugh, don't remind me! I was actually enjoying my night," she replied, a frown crossing her face.
"My bad," he chuckled softly, attempting to lift the mood.
" This is probably our last summer before we have to be real adults, let me live in ignorance until August" she teased, her expression playful.
He observed her as she dramatically pouted. "I can do that," he remarked, a grin emerging on his face.
"I think we should make the most of this summer I need it. So stop overthinking" she said, her gaze falling to the ground.
He pondered how he could turn her wish into reality.
"Do you want to go on the camping trip?" he asked her
"I don't know, if you were going, it would push me to go a little," she answered, meeting his gaze.
"I haven't mentioned this to you before, but the reason we began going on these trips is that my parents passed away on July 30th, Shane started it to give me a distraction," Rick said, the buzz pushing him to be honest.
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier she asked, concern etched on her face.
"Because I was afraid you would talk me into it; I know you could have. This year, I really didn't want to go with everything that happened with Lori," he admitted, revealing a touch of vulnerability.
" Do you have good memories from the trips?" she inquired, worry evident in her expression.
"Yeah…" Rick responded softly.
"Then I think you should," Michonne encouraged.
"I don't know if it would be the same this year" he admitted
" Doesn't have to be the same we could make new memories" Michonne reassured him.
"so you'll come?" he asked, a hint of hope in his voice.
"If that's what you want, I'll be there," Michonne replied.
"Alright, then we'll go," Rick decided.
Just then, Sasha approached, with Shane and Rosita following closely behind. "Mich, I might be drunk," she whispered, trying to keep her voice low.
"Well, I have some good news for you. Rick and I are going on the trip," she whispered to her
"Don't tease me," Sasha replied, a playful grin spreading across her face.
"I'm serious," "Michonne insisted, turning to her sister.
"Rick and Michonne are coming on the trip!" Sasha exclaimed, addressing the rest of the group.
"Thank goodness!" Maggie shouted from her seat, relief evident in her tone.
Rick glanced at Michonne, their eyes locking in a shared understanding that needed no words. Just as Michonne opened her mouth to say something, the deep thump of the bass from the house pulled her attention away, redirecting her focus to Sasha.
Sasha seized Michonne, hoisting her up and pulling her into the house, with Rosita trailing closely behind. Shane shot a quick look at Rick, silently urging him to join them.
Rick and Shane stepped into the kitchen, where Sasha, Rosita, and Michonne were already gathered. Sasha was pouring a shot for Michonne, who accepted it eagerly and downed it in one swift motion. Without missing a beat, Michonne grabbed a solo cup from Rosita and drained that as well. Rick could only hope it wasn't something too potent. He watched her closely, his heart racing as he anticipated her response, but she remained silent.
Rick leaned in closer to Rosita, his voice barely above a whisper. "What did you put in that cup?"
Rosita's smile faltered for a moment before she replied, "Just some Sprite. You can trust me, right?"
"Not a chance, especially after that beer pong match," Rick shot back, his gaze unwavering from Michonne
"Come on, you really should," Rosita urged, her grin returning, now laced with a playful glint.
Turning to Michonne, Rick asked about her drink, and she assured him that Rosita had only given her soda.
" Rick you worry too much" Michonne responded looking at him her eyes hung low.
Before he could respond, Sasha and Rosita swept in, and the three of them began to dance, laughter filling the air.
He turned to Shane, who seemed not to worry, his eyes locked on Sasha.
He found himself unable to resist a drink, pouring a shot and downing it in one swift motion. Setting the glass aside, his gaze was drawn to Michonne, who was lost in the rhythm of the music, dancing alongside Rosita. It was a sight he had never witnessed before—her spirit was free. As her hips moved gracefully to the beat, he felt an undeniable pull, as if he were entranced by her energy and completely captivated by the moment.
As if she could almost sense his eyes on her, she looked at him, just like that night at Shane's when their gazes had locked for the first time. Yet, this time, perhaps fueled by the liquor, he found himself brave enough to keep his eyes on her as she danced without a care in the world, refusing to break the connection. She didn't hesitate; she continued to dance, lost in the moment. The only thing that pulled her gaze away from him was Rosita matching her rhythm.
He could see the happiness lighting up her face. It didn't matter who else was in the room. What mattered was the undeniable need for this moment.
She had the same undeniable urge to enjoy the night. She was the one person who could pull him into it.
As the music stopped, she stumbled over to him, her mind slightly hazy from the drinks.
"Grimes, I'm drunk and loving every second!" she declared, her smile infectious.
A/N: I'll try to post as frequently as I can I have another chapter I'm confident in before I exams.