A/N: Hey y'all I'm really nervous posting this. This definitely going to be a multichapter fic so please be patient with me I'm just getting back into writing and have never publicly posted any fics before. I just really wanted to explore the friends-to-lover dynamic between Rick and Michonne for this fic. I also love Yearning Man so Rick might be sweating for a few chapters.
April 30th 2004
Different
"Don't need no chase for premium tequila," Shane shook his head, patting Rick on the back seemingly unfazed or at least trying to be.
Rick couldn't help but roll his eyes at the statement. It was beyond him how anyone could truly enjoy tequila, regardless of its price tag or the specific region in Mexico it originated from. As someone who preferred whiskey, Rick understood the hypocrisy Shane would argue. Shane would state that he didn't really like whiskey; he was more into the image of being a whiskey drinker. This was a topic they had gone back and forth on numerous occasions.
It was the first Friday after the exams, and Shane was eager to kick off his first post-semester party. Rick, knowing the usual outcome, cautioned him against it. He could already picture the inevitable mishaps—something would get broken, or the neighbours would complain, leading to a visit from the police. By 11 PM, Shane would be left with just their close friends after kicking everyone else out.
As Rick scanned the living room, he was surprised by the crowd that had gathered since he had arrived. A handful of familiar faces from the rugby team stood out, but the majority were strangers to him. He had distanced himself from his friends in the kitchen after an awkward encounter with his ex, Lori, who Shane had conveniently neglected to inform him would be present.
"How'd ya manage to get your dad on board with the party and his expensive tequila, huh?" Rick asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He is under the impression that it's just the team he doesn't know about everybody else," Shane said, waving his hand around at all the bodies filling up the house. "As for the tequila... I'll whip up a good excuse when they roll back from their little getaway."
"Your funeral," Rick chuckled, shaking his head as he took another swig from his cup.
"Our fune—"the doorbell interrupted him, snapping his focus away. He remained on the couch, contemplating whether the visitor was a party guest or someone summoned by the neighbours.
Sasha, Michonne! You made it!" he called out, jumping up from the couch and walking toward the girls as they walked in.
The younger of the two wore a long-sleeved black dress with a square neckline that hugged her waist. The short dress featured a bold slit along her left thigh. She completed the dress with classic Mary Janes and a sleek black handbag. Her straight hair rested right at her shoulders. Observing her, you could assume that every detail of her appearance was carefully thought out. She had a way about her that would evoke envy among other women.
The one who captured Rick's attention appeared effortless or the impression she wanted to convey. She wore a flowing black skirt that grazed her ankles paired with a white tank top that teasingly revealed her midriff. The combination accentuated her petite frame. On her feet, a pair of wedged sandals. Her dark brown locs were styled in a high pony that enhanced her facial features. On her ears were a pair of medium-sized gold hoop earrings and a matching gold necklace that harmonized with her skin tone.
There was a sense of put-togetherness both girls seemed to exude. Looking at them, Rick suddenly felt self-conscious in his grey university hoodie and blue jeans.
" Sorry for the bell," Sasha admitted with a hint of embarrassment, gesturing to the door,
"My sister seems to have forgotten what it's like to leave her room"
The two sisters exchanged playful exaggerated expressions in a way only siblings did.
Rick was familiar with the sisters, as most people at the party probably were: the Bentil sisters. Often described as opposites, yin and yang.
Sasha Bentil, the younger sister, was the social butterfly of the two. Most people who knew Sasha adored her. After her first year, she established herself as very resourceful. People relied on her for information about student aid, dorm requirements (which stores provided student discounts, which parties to go to and which to avoid. Lately, she had been spending more time with Rick's circle after growing closer to Rick's sister, Maggie. Rick thought of her as a bit of an overachiever and people pleaser, yet he found his encounters with Sasha enjoyable.
Then there was Michonne Bentil. She was the kind of person who didn't mingle much, often keeping to her own company. She was heavily involved in the arts program, and some of the set pieces she made for the theatre department floated around the school. Occasionally, she was spotted during early morning leisure swim. The only other piece of information most people knew was that she was Sasha Bentil's sister. To many, she was an enigma, which only added to her charm, especially for Maggie, Rick's sister, who often mentioned her in passing. All in all, Michonne seemed to relish her solitude, keeping her social life pretty low-key.
For reasons unknown, Michonne had become friendly with Shane during the semester.
During one of their numerous late-night group study sessions at the library, Maggie had asked Shane, " Out of all the people at this school why would she wanna be friends with you" Shane had chopped it up to them being the only Juniors in their English class, as well as women not being able to resist his country boy charm. Rick could tell it somewhat annoyed Maggie, who seemingly wanted to be in Shane's shoes.
Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he too was curious why the introverted Bentil sister had taken a liking to Shane. Michonne rarely engaged with anyone in and outside of the classroom. Yet anytime she saw Shane, she would greet him with a warmth that surprised Rick.
On one particular day, Rick saw her notice him and Shane sitting in the library before their English class. That was the first time she greeted Rick directly by offering a brief and friendly "hey" before she persuaded Shane, who intended to skip, to join her for class.
On another occasion, while waiting for Shane before Rugby practice. He found himself seated on a bench outside Shane's English class he couldn't help but sneak a peek at her. He caught a glimpse of Michonne laughing at something Shane had whispered to her. At that moment, he felt something resembling envy. He didn't understand why but he did.
Shane with a slight slur in his voice, broke Rick out of his daze. "Sasha, Michonne, y'all know my best bud," He realized he had been gazing for what might have been awkwardly too long
The two girls responded with synchronized nods their expressions warm as they offered Rick a friendly smile.
Shane leaned in, wrapping his arms around each girl's shoulder. "Y'all ready to get drunk?" he asked with a playful grin.
Sasha met his gaze a spark of mischief in her eyes," If that's what we're doing,"
Shane mirrored her flirtatious look, a confident smirk on his face reminiscent of a flirtatious manner Rick had witnessed lure numerous girls.
Michonne wore a sly smirk as she glanced down, softly muttering words Rick assumed were in a language he couldn't quite place. Sasha confirming Rick's suspicion responded to her sister in the same dialect giving an exasperated eye roll.
In his slightly inebriated condition, Shane appeared oblivious to the subtle exchange between the two sisters, yet Rick found himself unable to suppress a smile to himself.
"To the Kitchen," Shane declared, letting go of the girls and playfully mimicking a gun with his fingers, directing their attention toward the kitchen.
The all-white kitchen with accents of gold featuring Carrara marble floors and countertops provided a quieter but brighter atmosphere than the living room. A year earlier, Shane's mom had remodelled the kitchen, revealing her aspiration for a "more modern look" to both Shane and Rick. It might have been the nostalgia of youth or a lack of taste but Rick preferred the Kitchen's previous charm.
Michonne leaned closer to her sister, whispering something in a language that had a hint of French but was distinctly different. She stifled a giggle as she leaned into her sister. Sasha shot her a disapproving glance, which Rick interpreted as Sasha urging Michonne to behave.
Something was endearing about the two sisters conserving in a language the two of them understood; it was exclusive to them. It wasn't just the language but the unique nuances of their body language that reflected their shared quirkiness.
Shane, Sasha and Michonne gathered around the kitchen island, which stood as a central hub in the room. On the island was a diverse selection of liquor ranging from expensive hard liquor to the cheapest bottle of beer available.
As finals season came to a close everyone seemed eager to indulge in a responsibility-free night. The past three weeks of the semester the campus had been shrouded in gloom. Rick wondered if his experience was shared, to the extent that even Michonne had to come out of her room to socialize.
While Shane busied himself with pouring shots and openly flirting with Sasha, Rick made his way to the dining room.
The people he knew and called friends at this party were gathered at a lengthy dining room table, a scene he left about thirty minutes ago. He wasn't shocked that they remained engrossed in conversation.
Their friends possessed the ability to start the evening together before adventuring off on their escapade. It was even more remarkable that they managed to reunite and end most nights out together.
" So I drag the prick, put him back in his car, and he hurls everywhere." Rick listened as he recognized the words instantly it was a story he heard countless times from Abraham.
Rick eased himself into the chair next to his sister's boyfriend, Glenn. Maggie perched comfortably on Glenn's lap, and it seemed they were always within arm's reach of one another. Rick had a fondness for Glenn; Maggie and Glenn's connection felt natural and harmonious.
Rick playfully whispered "Get a room," into her ear. Maggie diverted her attention from Abraham for a brief second to lightly swat at Rick's arm.
The other members of the group Rosita, Tara, and Daryl all sat in their respective seats at the table, their attention fixed on the expressive redhead. The presence of an individual who had been there prior was missing, but Rick had no intention of seeking her out. Any other night he might have, but things had changed.
Rick tried to tune into Abraham's story, but his gaze landed on the kitchen island. There, Michonne, Sasha and Shane were sharing a laugh with three shot glasses already emptied in front of them. Shane resumed pouring two shots, seemingly just for himself and Sasha, while Sasha and Michonne leaned into each other. They playfully nudged each other as if encouraging a private joke. Rick watched this quirky interaction, reminiscent of a childhood handshake the two sisters must have created long ago.
It was as if Michonne sensed his gaze she turned her head locking eyes with him.
Feeling as though he had been caught in a moment of wrongdoing, Rick quickly redirected his focus to the table.
He had forfeited his red solo cup in the living room, so he snatched the drink from Maggie's hand.
" Hey!," Maggie exclaimed, attempting to reclaim her cup. Rick shifted away from Maggie with his head tilted back, ensuring he drank every last drop before she could grab the cup back.
" You can have mine," Glenn said, raising his hand and tilting his red solo cup towards Maggie, encouraging her to have a sip. Maggie took a tiny sip before glaring at Rick.
He returned a cheeky smile, slamming her now-empty cup onto the table. While he typically wasn't the type to irritate her on purpose, there were moments when he simply couldn't resist the urge to tease her for a laugh.
Unbeknownst to Rick, Sasha, Shane and Michonne had now made it to the table.
"Sasha," Maggie exclaimed leaping out of Glenn's lap. The girls shared a warm hug.
" I didn't think you were going to come tonight; you look so good." Maggie admired Sasha from head to toe, expressing her surprise
Sasha accepted the compliment "Thank you. So do you! Shane somehow convinced my sister to come out, so I assumed it was for a reason."
" Yeah, the reason is free booze and a party," Shane said as if he was stating the obvious
Maggie rolled her eyes at Shane before turning to Michonne and offering her a friendly smile.
"It's so nice to meet you," Rick observed the warmth in Maggie's expression as she greeted Michonne delighted by her presence.
"Sasha already knows everyone let me introduce you to the gang, I'm Maggie"
" I know, we've talked once before during leisure swim. You let me borrow your hair tie," Michonne said with a hint of innocence, attempting to jog Maggie's Memory.
This made Maggie hesitate, a flush of embarrassment creeping over her. Rick knew that Maggie would spend a week dwelling on the interaction.
" Sorry go on" Michonne said as she turned to face the table where the group gathered
Maggie gestured around the table, introducing each person. " This is Rosita, Tara, Abraham, Daryl, Glenn," she placed her hands on Rick's shoulders playfully, giving a shake "And this one right here is my brother, Rick,". Her playful gesture earned a mild glare from Rick.
Rick's eyes made their way to Michonne's deep, expressive brown eyes. Rick anticipated her to confirm her familiarity with him. He hoped she would acknowledge their previous encounters, but a hint of disappointment washed over him when she didn't mention anything.
" Nice to meet you guys" Michonne addressed the group
Michonne settled in the chair across from him while Sasha and Shane moved to the two vacant seats adjacent to each other on the opposite end of the table.
Sasha glanced around brow furrowing, "Where's Lori?" A palpable tension settled among the group. Maggie's gaze shifted to Rick, trying to read his expression. In response, Rick lowered his head, attempting to evade the stares of those around him.
" She left," Maggie stated plainly, hoping Sasha wouldn't press on.
Sasha responded with a simple "Oh," as she nodded, sensing the mood shift
"Sasha, does being hot run in the family or what?" Rosita interjected in an attempt to shift the conversation
Michonne snickered at the flattery while Sasha playfully nodded.
The group lingered for some time, their chatter flowing freely. Michonne primarily just watched and listened, chuckling at the jokes shared but only chiming in when directly addressed. Rick found himself trying to decipher the nuances of her facial expressions. He yearned to grasp her thoughts, trying to decode the meaning behind every laugh and every subtle change to her face. For just a fleeting moment, he wished he could peer into her mind to truly understand her.
Under the persuasion of Shane, the group indulged in another round of shots. Eventually, one by one, they began to disperse, with Rosita and Tara leading the charge, determined to get Tara laid.
This left Rick, Michonne Sasha and Shane at the dining room table. Rick had tried to spark conversation, but despite his efforts, he and Michonne hit a lull.
Shane sat next to Sasha his chair angled toward her. Shane had his arm casually draped over the back of Sasha's chair, his fingers lightly caressing her shoulder. The scene elicited a cringe from both Michonne and Rick as they observed the interaction.
He leaned into Sasha, their faces inches apart. With his free hand, he toyed with the hem of her dress. " You look good," he said in a low rumble. Shane's eyes were intense and low, locked in with Sasha's. In a complete trance, which made her forget that there were two other people in the room, one being her sister.
Michonne let out a scoff, unable to contain her reaction. Rick caught sight of Michonne rolling her eyes at the scene.
Rick cast his gaze downward, shifting his attention to his cup as he took a sip. A nagging thought crossed his mind—was she rolling her eyes out of jealousy? Did she have feelings for Shane, and was that the real reason for her presence tonight?
His expression reflected his discontent, revealing the emotions he was hesitant to acknowledge. As he looked up, he became aware that his thoughts had drifted
He was met with Michonne's examining eye. "So is that a no?" her gaze felt like it was cutting through him sending his heart racing
" Pardon, "he replied
"I said you want to go outside, get some air?" she clarified
"Uh, sure," Rick replied, not fully processing her question but going along with it.
The Walsh residence was a vast expansion. During the day, lush green grass surrounded by trees defined the property's borders, but at the moment, anything beyond the fence was obscured by the darkness of the night. With only four neighbouring homes near Shane's, the area remained free of light and noise pollution. The only sounds that filled the air were the gentle rustle of the breeze, the chirping of insects, and the distant calls of wildlife.
Rick let out an exhale, gazing up at the night sky. The sky appeared remarkably clear, and he felt a pang of nostalgia for the stillness of the countryside. This realization washed over him in that quiet moment.
Rick and Michonne had settled into a snug nook by the fire pit at the rear of the yard. Recently renovated, the fire pit now exuded a charm reminiscent of a feature in Architectural Digest, a transformation that Rick appreciated.
Michonne's voice pulled him from his reverie.
" I'm sorry my sister can be oblivious sometimes," she remarked
"Pardon?" Rick let out softly puzzled by her statement
"She has a habit of being in her own world; she means no harm. If she knew, she probably would have eased up on the foreplay at the table with Shane."
" I'm not gonna lie I'm lost here" he confessed feeling as if he walked into the middle of a conversation
" Oh, I thought…" Michonne's voice trailed off as she gestured with her thumb toward the house behind her.
Suddenly the implications of her words dawned on him "Oh no .. not at all," Rick waved his hands in protest.
"Oh my god" Michonne let out a nervous chuckle her eyes wide " I'm so sorry. I just assumed. I'm just so used to – and most guys usually do- and you had been staring since we got here. I just thought oh god " She halted, realizing she was rambling and quickly covered her mouth.
Rick could feel the warmth rising in his cheeks. She had caught him looking and had mistakenly assumed his attention was on her sister.
"No, I don't like your sister. Well, I mean, I like her, but not in that way. I don't even know her well enough to say I like her, not that I don't. You know what I mean? She's cool," he stammered, cutting himself off before he could ramble further.
A brief silence enveloped them as they both fixated on the fire, avoiding each other's gaze as if the flames held the most captivating secrets they had ever encountered.
Rick let out a soft chuckle, glancing at Michonne as he tried to ease the tension that hung between them. " Just have a staring problem, that's all,"
Michonne shot back a playful grin " I have an assuming problem,". As she locked eyes with him
"Well, I'm not in love with your sister, but I am grateful that you pulled me away from Shane's attempt to seduce her"
" Oh right, it was a lot," she replied
Rick felt the discomfort of strangers lift between them. He eased into the chair, letting himself relax as he propped his chin on his hand, leaning into the armrest. "I have a question," he declared, his voice adopting a more sincere quality
" Shoot," turning her neck to look at him as he settled into the Adirondack chair, he seemed to melt into a state of relaxation. His legs opened slightly, moving in and out with a gentle, rhythmic motion.
" Why are you friends with Shane?"
Michonne raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp. " You're asking me why I'm friends with your best friend?"
"You know what I mean? " taken back by his own question, perhaps influenced by his growing buzz.
Mirroring each other, Rick and Michonne raised their beers to their lips.
Before stepping out into the backyard, Michonne had asked for a beer and a bottle of water. Rick found it surprising that she was a beer girl, yet he realized he didn't know her well enough to define her in any particular way.
"Honestly, Shane is simple. It may seem like an insult, but it's not. Shane doesn't overcomplicate things. If he wants you to come to his party because he thinks your sister is hot, he will straight up say that to you. He's also funny, sometimes I laugh with him, other times at him. He always makes an effort to lift your spirits. Something is charming about him."
" Are you sure I like Sasha, or do you like Shane?" Rick blurted out, his words escaping faster than he intended. His tone was between humour and a touch of bitterness, and he silently wished the latter didn't come out too strongly.
" No, it's not like that," Michonne said playfully, swatting at Rick oblivious to his tone. She rested her beer bottle on the side table that sat in between them.
"Most people know me as the "quiet Bentil sister." There was no annoyance in the statement, but Rick sensed that it was a label she wouldn't have chosen for herself.
"That means there's little effort for conversation, which, to be honest, I don't mind," Rick could feel the sincerity of her words.
" This school year was just kicking my ass. Shane walks into class, sits right next to me, and asks to borrow every single supply I have. Then he spends the rest of the class leaning over, giving me his two cents, and telling jokes. He made me laugh and I didn't realize how much I needed one. Shane is Shane, me being quiet doesn't deter him from being himself."
"That's probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said about Shane," Rick said
Rick was surprised by her ability to express herself so clearly and in a way that resonated with him. It brought him joy to know that someone else recognized Shane in the same light he did.
" Good thing he's not here to hear it. His head can't get any bigger than it is." She quipped
A silence fell between them again, but this time it was comfortable. Michonne closed her eyes breathing in and out. Subconsciously, he took it as an opportunity to sneak a glance at her. Her face glowed softly in the flickering firelight.
Rick's attention drifted to her plump, heart-shaped lips. His tongue grazed the corner of his mouth, leaving it slightly parted. Had Michonne opened her eyes at that very moment, she would have seen a spark of desire that even he was unaware of.
His eyes wandered down to her chest with an urgency that betrayed his thoughts. The outline of her nipples was evident through the sheer white tank top, and it struck him She wasn't wearing a bra. For a fleeting moment, he contemplated the mere barrier of fabric that stood between his mouth and her skin.
Suddenly, he became acutely aware of his saliva, his breath quickening as his chest rose and fell in a rapid rhythm. In a panic, he redirected his gaze to her face, worried that she might have noticed his lingering stare. Luckily, Michonne seemed lost in her world, gazing into the darkness of the backyard. Whether it was the buzz or something else, he felt a rush of exhilaration wash over him.
In a flurry of anxiety, he reached for his water bottle, only to accidentally send it tumbling to the ground. The clatter of plastic caught Michonne's attention, her brown eyes sparkling with curiosity as they met his gaze.
"Get it together man" he thought as he observed her bend down to retrieve the bottle, a warm smile gracing her lips as she extended it toward him.
"Thanks," he replied, unscrewing the cap and gulping down as much water as he could manage
"It's so quiet out here, it's nice."
She slipped off her sandals, drawing his attention to her perfectly red toes. A detail he felt the need to remember. She sat on the chair in a way that resembled kneeling, with her heels tucked beneath her and her body leaning slightly towards him.
"What language were you and Sasha speaking" he wasn't sure if the question came off as ignorant but he asked anyway.
She faced him, her smile radiant and playful. "It's Creole; our mom was from Haiti. Why do you want me to teach you?" there was a playful lilt in her voice
"Wouldn't dream of robbing you of talking shit about Shane's Kitchen," with a teasing grin
" You speak?" Michonne asked, her surprise evident.
" No, but I could tell"
A hint of embarrassment washed over Michonne's face as she let out an awkward laugh.
Perhaps it was the influence of the drinks, but he wanted to reach out to her; her quirky mannerisms were irresistible to him. Yet he restrained himself.
"It's horrible" He affirmed to her.
"Mental asylum white is a choice," Michonne remarked, letting out a giggle punctuated by a hiccup.
" You keep asking me questions? Nosy and a staring problem is not a very good combination you know?" she raised her eyebrow
" My bad." He tried not to meet her eyes, feeling exposed.
" Ask me something" He felt a desire to share something about himself, though he wasn't quite sure what it was.
" Um okay … let me think," she said crossing her arms.
" What's your favourite song?" She asked rubbing her shoulder and letting out a slight shiver.
"That's what you want to ask?" raising his eyebrows
" Don't judge my question, fine I'll come up with a better one" playfully assessing him from head to toe
" Wasn't judging it's just such a loaded question," he shot back with a hint of sarcasm
Rick noticed the goosebumps appearing on her shoulder and, without hesitation, pulled off his hood to reveal a short-sleeved white t-shirt. He had given up his hoodies, jackets, and sweaters to many women in his life, a gesture of chivalry instilled in him by the men in his life.
"Here," he said, extending the hoodie toward her, his gaze firmly fixed on hers.
" Aren't you cold?" her voice lingering in the air.
" Nah you're good" he responded tilting his head slightly. A part of him yearned to add Please take it.
As she pulled the hoodie over her head, he found himself pondering whether it carried his scent. A wave of insecurity washed over him. As if she sensed his thoughts,
" Um…nice cologne." Her expression hinted that she was trying to process the gesture.
He kept quiet, caught off guard by her reaction to his gesture. Her gaze turned upwards to the sky biting her bottom lip as she fell into deep thought.
" It's beautiful, isn't it?" His gaze lingered on her, revealing a softness he hadn't anticipated
" What?" she shifted her focus from the sky to his eyes.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it" his hands swept to the sky "Without the interference of city lights, it feels like you're witnessing the sky for the first time"
"Yeah," she replied, redirecting her gaze to the night sky above.
Rick was momentarily stunned when she playfully tapped his thigh. "Oh, I have an even better question," she said, a proud smile gracing her lips, signalling that she had captured Rick's undivided attention.
" Which do you prefer, the city or the country?"
He chuckled at the notion of this being her tough question. He found her utterly charming
"Right now I'd say the city but I think as I get older it will be the country"
"Can I ask why?" her words rolled off her tongue slowly
He nodded in response "I spent 18 years in King County; it was all I ever knew. I've earned the right to grow weary of the city and eventually return to the countryside once the city has worn me down."
" Will it be this place or somewhere new"
" Hmm, I never thought about it. You see how much of a bumpkin I am?" taking a sip from his beer bottle.
" You know what's funny? When Sasha and I first moved from Washington to Savannah, we genuinely believed we were living in the sticks" she chuckled
" You thought Savannah was the sticks? You're a real city slicker, huh?" he inquired
"Well, to be fair, we were just 11 and 12, had only ever known life in a big city, and most of our trips were abroad," she replied, raising her hands in a gesture of surrender.
" Alright city girl," Rick retorted
"har-har," moving her head to the rhythm of her words.
"Mich" Sasha's voice rang out from the patio, drawing the attention of both Michonne and Rick. They watched intently as she approached the fire pit, the focus she applied to walk down the steps.
"She's drunk," Michonne remarked
"Oh, definitely, she's lucky the pool is covered up tonight," Rick joked
Sasha joined them, setting herself down on Michonne's lap instead of one of the vacant chairs.
Michonne proceeded to wrap her arms around her sister. "What's up bubs"
Bubs? Rick pondered silently
" Some guy broke a vase, Shane is mad and kicking everyone out," Sasha chuckled as she grabbed the beer positioned between Michonne and Rick.
"He's throwing everyone out?" Rick asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
Rick glanced down at his watch it was only 10:30, and Shane was already booting people out.
"Not you… or your friends, and not us because we're too pretty," Sasha replied, taking a sip from the bottle.
Michonne rolled her eyes at her sister's drunken, inflated sense of self-worth.
Sasha accidentally spilled some beer on herself, instinctively Michonne used the sleeves of Rick's hoodie to wipe the liquid off her sister's chin.
" I'm sorry", Michonne exclaimed, suddenly aware that it wasn't her hoodie to use, her gaze flickering to Rick with a look of regret.
" Don't worry about it," waving his hand in a casual manner
" Wait Mich are you drinking water?" Sasha asked her sister, a hint of surprise in her voice.
" You should be drinking water, not me " Michonne shot back
" Listen, I don't have to drink water; you do," Sasha stated, pointing at Michonne
" Got work in the morning?" Rick asked curious.
"No, my sister just really seems to care about me, right Sasha," Michonne said, her teeth lightly clenched.
" Um yeah" Sasha answered, a bit uncertain.
It felt as though they were concealing something from him, but Rick sensed no reason to dig deeper.
"Should probably go inside, though, check on Shane" Rick suggested
Michonne acknowledged him with a nod.
Sasha chimed in, "When everyone leaves, Shane's planning to order pizza. I'm really hungry. You should come in too." She looked at Michonne with hopeful eyes.
" Yeah sure, only if you drink water," Michonne replied
"Don't be a buzz kill," Sasha said, hopping out of Michonne's lap and heading back toward the house
" Need any help with the fire ?" Michonne said putting her sandals back on
" Nah it's just electric, I'll be right behind you" Rick affirmed her
He felt a twinge of disappointment that their private moment was interrupted
…
"Guys, please, if you guys vote me out, you will regret it Shane is obviously mafia."
Everyone in the room couldn't help but find Rosita's pleas comical; as she promised at the beginning of the game, she would not beg to save herself.
" He ain't the one begging" Abraham cut in, trying to read Rosita's face
The group reconvened in the dining room after their collective effort to assist Shane in ushering people out. Maggie suggested they indulge in some classic card game antics. It didn't take much persuasion, as this was a beloved pastime for the crew.
As they dove into their second round of Mafia, a game Maggie had chosen to help Michonne acclimate to the group.
However, in this round, Michonne was the first to be eliminated. Sasha confidently claimed she could tell when her sister was lying. This bold assertion turned out to be incorrect, leading to Sasha's downfall in the game.
Rick felt a warm sense of comfort as he observed Michonne sitting there in his hoodie. He liked how it looked on her.
His focus remained on the game, at least he attempted to do so, though he struggled to keep his mind from wandering to her.
Michonne was engrossed in the game and appeared to be enjoying herself, yet he observed how she retreated into her shell once again. The talkative girl l from the backyard had been set aside. Was that side of her just reserved for him? She certainly shared that energy with Sasha. But what about Shane?
" Abe shut up; the dead don't speak," Rosita snarked.
Abraham may have been out of the game but he still managed to get his two cents in. Insisting on calling the shots from outside the game.
Maggie cut the debate short, eager to keep the progression of the game going. " Okay, everyone, vote"
" I'm voting for Rick," sensing his girlfriend's frustration, Glenn spoke up first, hoping to assist her in the progression of the game.
" What, why? " Rick was taken back and a little offended by the surprise vote.
" You haven't said a word and haven't made eye contact with anyone, suspicious" Glenn retorted
" Daryl hasn't said anything either, hell he hasn't even accused anyone how is that not suspicious?" Rick tried to build a defence
"I ain't lookin' to jump to conclusions, ya know," Daryl defended
Rick's defensive stance made both the Bentil sisters laugh as they sat in what Maggie called "the dead zone"
"Espinosa, so dead people can laugh but not talk" Abraham teased
"Guys, please focus on voting," Maggie made another attempt to reel everyone in.
Daryl chimed raising his hand "I reckon my vote's goin' to Rick, cause he's tryin' to shift the blame off himself and onto me."
Tara looked Rick in the eye with a sense of regret "I'm sorry Rick, Glenn makes a good point"
Rosita put her hands up in mock surrender " Listen I vote with the group, it's you, Rick"
Shane offered a feigned sympathetic pat on the back " I'm sorry bud, I know it's you".
Rick rose from his seat preparing for his theatrical reveal "I'm…a civilian,"
The confession sent the remaining players into another fit of finger-pointing.
"Welcome to the losers club," Michonne teased as Rick settled beside her their eyes locking in an exchange of smiles.
Rick raised his eyebrow with a playful smirk dancing on his lips " Alright, whose mafia" he said playfully gesturing at his ear, urging Michonne to lean in to reveal the big secret.
As she murmured " Daryl and Shane" Her bottom lip accidentally grazed his ear sending a little shiver down his spine. In an instant, the playful bravado he had been flaunting faded away.
He cleared his throat, taking a second to gather himself. " I knew it," he playfully mouthed, displaying a fake sigh of frustration. The playful display prompted a soft giggle from her lips.
Amid their exchange, Abraham couldn't help but draw Sasha's attention to the pair.
" Are Rick and your sister boning?" He remarked tilting toward them. Rick and Michonne too engrossed in conversation to notice.
" What? No," she replied. They obviously weren't " boning," but Sasha realized it had been a while since she had seen her sister animated in conversation with someone besides herself.
…
After several rounds of Mafia, more booze and some pizza everyone slowly started to surrender dividing themselves up into bedrooms and couches. Rick and Michonne remained in the kitchen, indulging in the remaining pieces of pizza.
" I don't know if I'm just buzzed but this pizza is amazing," Michonne said savouring every bite.
Rick let out a soft chuckle "You drank a total of two shots and barely half a beer there's no way you are still buzzed, "his voice laced with a playful teasing
They sat next to each other on the barstools at the kitchen island. He couldn't help but feel delighted watching her with her eyes closed, enjoying her every bite.
Michonne giggled, inching her body closer to him, stopping just shy of letting her head rest on his shoulder. "I'm a lightweight what can I say, I get drunk easily"
"That's what we came to do, no?" he teased, glancing down at her as she hovered over his shoulder. She met his gaze with a smile that seemed to hold a delightful secret beneath the surface.
"That's exactly what I came to do," straightening herself on the barstool
" How are we going to get home? I know there are no cabs at this time" she said, as the realization of her situation dawned on her.
" Well, if everyone is crashing here, I'm sure Shane wouldn't mind," he suggested, hoping she would be open to the idea, even though it wasn't his place to offer.
"As if I have a say in the matter, we both know Sasha made that decision earlier at the table" she quipped with a light laugh.
Rick rose from his seat and made his way to the refrigerator, retrieving two bottles of water. He set one down in front of Michonne before twisting the cap off his own and leaning against the counter.
"Well if you're staying, I could drive you back to Atlanta in the morning" he suggested
" No, I feel bad you don't have to do that," shaking her head in concern.
"I'm heading to campus anyway to grab a few things. It's on my way," Rick insisted, though he wasn't entirely sure why he felt the need to keep pushing the offer.
"Okay, that would be awesome," Michonne agreed
They remained quiet, sipping their water. Just then, Sasha entered the room, silent as ever, and headed straight for the fridge.
Approximately 40 minutes earlier, she and Shane had gone upstairs. When she departed, she was still in her sleek black dress. Now, she returned, having swapped her dress for a relaxed black concert t-shirt that obviously didn't belong to her, complemented by a pair of sports shorts that Rick instantly recognized as Shane's.
As she peered into the fridge, she intentionally avoided making eye contact with Rick and Michonne, who exchanged silent glances that conveyed a shared understanding: "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
Sasha turned around, holding two bottles of water, and addressed her sister. "Shane said we could stay the night if you wanted?" she suggested as if the decision wasn't already made.
"How generous of him," Michonne replied sarcastically
"If you'd rather not, we could go home, but it would probably take a while for a cab to get here," Sasha said
" We can stay" Michonne responded
"Great! Um, Rick can show you where to sleep," she said, a touch awkwardly, before turning to leave the kitchen.
Once Sasha was out of sight, Michonne and Rick couldn't help but chuckle.
Sasha quickly returned, having caught wind of their laughter. "Don't make it weird; we're adults," she said, before storming back upstairs.
…
Michonne reclined on the couch, wrapped in the blanket that Rick had scrounged up for her. Nearby, Rick lay on a pillow and a makeshift cot of blankets on the floor keeping a respectful distance from her. Despite her protests, he insisted that she take the couch for herself.
In the dim light of the basement, their bodies lay aligned, head to toe, facing one another. With all the other rooms and couches taken, the only alternative was Shane's parents' room, a choice they both opted to avoid, ultimately settling for the basement instead.
In the quiet hours of the night, it seemed they were the only two still awake. They had lost themselves in conversation time escaping them. It was already two in the morning, yet they fought sleep, jesting about little nothings.
Michonne gazed at him from the couch; her eyes hung low, a glint in her eyes. They lingered in silence the basement enveloped in darkness.
"Harvest Moon," Rick murmured, breaking the silence
" hmm?" Michonne replied
" My favourite song. Never answered your hard-hitting question," he continued, his tone soft and intimate, as if sharing a secret meant only for her ears.
"Oh," she chuckled softly. "Harvest Moon? Can't say I've heard of it."
"I'll make sure to play it for you someday," he said, fully aware of his boldness, the night lending him courage.
Michonne remarked " That would be cool,"
Rick noted though he wasn't looking at her, he could sense the warmth of her smile.
" Your turn, to ask me, a question," She said
He reclined on his back for a moment, pondering what question to throw her way. He wasn't sure if there was a limit to how many he could ask, but he wanted to make it count.
"Do you like me?" he blurted out before he could second-guess himself. "Not like that," he felt the need to clarify, "like Shane. Do you see us being friends?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized how boyish he sounded.
"Wow, Rick, I didn't take you as someone who needs validation," she teased
" You would think right?" he shot back,
" I like you …but not more than Shane. That's my future brother in law" she joked
They both shared a soft laugh, and he felt a wave of relief wash over him that she answered the question without follow-up.
" My turn," She said, a playful tone creeping into her voice. "Earlier, Sasha brought up a Lisa, and everyone got all weird. Who's that?"
"It's Lori; my ex" He replied, trying to hide his unease.
"Sorry. If I had known, I wouldn't have…" Rick interrupted her, "It's all good. She cheated on me that's why everyone got all weird." He felt a wave of relief; besides Shane and Maggie, he hadn't had to say it out loud. He hadn't even put it so bluntly as to say she cheated
"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said, propping herself up on her elbow to meet his gaze. The sincerity in her expression made him want to open up about every other problem he ever had, just so she could offer him the same comfort, even if it felt a little pathetic.
" You don't have anything to be sorry for," he said
" I shouldn't have asked; there was a reason everyone's mood shifted I shouldn't have pushed"
He found himself resting on his elbows, mirroring her position from the floor. "There's no need for you to apologize. I shared that because I wanted to. You didn't push. Honestly, I think I just needed to say it to someone other than Maggie or Shane."
"If you want to talk, I'm here," Michonne offered, creating a space for him that he was unaware he needed.
"I don't know if there's much to say. I wasn't exactly the best boyfriend. I wasn't exactly shocked when I found out" he replied.
"Why do you think that is?" she inquired.
Rick hadn't anticipated that question, yet the answer came to him without hesitation.
"There was always something. After months of fights I couldn't be a part of, I thought the best way to fix things was to simply do what she asked. Looking back, I see now that I was doing it out of a sense of duty, not because I genuinely wanted to. I was in a bad place mentally, feeling numb to everything, and I struggled to share that with her." Rick took a deep breath, surprised by his honesty
" I wasn't present in the relationship. She needed me to be present, She needed me to be engaged, not just because it was my role as her boyfriend, but because I should have wanted to be there with her. I know she cheated, but I feel as though I pushed her there"
"Just because you're not at your best in a relationship doesn't mean you deserve to be cheated on" Michonne stated
" You don't have to feel sorry for me; Thanks for listening though," he said
Michonne reclined again, staring at the ceiling silent for a moment. " I don't want you to think I'm just pitying you, I was cheated on too. It's shitty"
Rick was surprised; he hadn't anticipated that from her. "Wait, someone cheated on you?" he questioned, his voice filled with disbelief.
She nodded, still staring at the ceiling Rick granted her a moment of silence, his eyes still locked on her.
" You want to talk about it?" he asked
" My ex-boyfriend Mike cheated on me with my best friend. Looking back, I realize I should have seen the signs. During my final semester of high school, I randomly got really sick and spent so much time in and out of the hospital, missing out on everything, including prom. I heard from friends how close they were that night, but I had always trusted them completely and didn't think much of it. They both ended up at the University of Florida, likely only knowing each other, which only drew them closer together." Michonne replied,
Rick's eyes widened, a mix of shock and sympathy washing over him. "How did you find out about it?" he asked gently.
"I went to Florida to surprise him, and I walked in on them at his place," she said, her tone heavy.
"I'm really sorry. You didn't deserve that," Rick replied, his heart aching for her.
" Neither did you" she countered, her eyes reflecting a shared pain.
There was something magnetic about her presence. The way she opened up felt like an invitation into her world, and he could tell this kind of vulnerability was not something she offered lightly. He was drawn to her, wanting to be part of her life in any way she would allow
He leaned back against the pillow on the floor, surrendering to the drowsiness that enveloped him.
"Rick?" Michonne's sleepy voice broke through the quiet.
"Mhmm" he murmured in response.
"I like talking to you," she confessed, her words wrapped in a gentle haze of sleep.
"Me too," he replied, feeling a warmth spread through him.