In honour of whatever that season of Love Is Blind was - seriously what happened there and what's going on with Venessa, she needs assistance - here's a little teaser fic I wrote, featuring our favourites.

Update: I went on vacation instead of posting this so here we are, months after the fact.

Michonne was a little tipsy, the wine she had consumed during her very late solo lunch had started to take effect. Rick was enjoying this side of Michonne. He felt like she was too guarded regularly and now she was opening up to him.

"I like you like this." He said, twirling her around the sunset beach.

"You like me drunk?" She giggled.

"You're loose—relaxed, not so stressed."

"I'm never stressed. Just easily frustrated." She said as if that was better.

"You were pretty stressed last night."

"Because Lori makes me feel... Insecure. I thought we were at least cordial because she's with Shane now, but she just had to tell me that you proposed to her first. She just had to rub it in like the bitch she is."

He held her hand tighter as they made their way to the private dinner party. "I didn't—We went on a few dates but they didn't lead anywhere, certainly not a proposal." He pulled her in so that their bodies were flush.

"So you didn't propose to her?"

"I didn't propose to her." He caressed her back. "Gimme a kiss." She smiled and kissed him. Their private moment was quickly interrupted by Maggie and Glenn who were making their way to the dinner. The couple giggled past them and started singing:

"Rick and Michonne sitting in a tree!" Glenn started.

" G!" Maggie finished.

Michonne rolled her eyes but didn't move from her spot. She liked being held by Rick. He felt strong, protective.

"Those two deserve each other." Rick said before quickly kissing his fiancée's neck and collarbone. "We can always retire to our rooms."

"And give these people a show? Absolutely not. We're going to that dinner Richard Grimes."

"I like the sound of my name on your tongue."

"Be quiet!" She smacked him. "Let's go, we gotta play nice for Netflix."

. . .

"Did you propose to her?" Michonne asked again. She and Rick were having one of the rare private moments, where the cameras weren't on them but on the more dramatic people at the dinner. Private, my ass, Michonne thought as she saw the set lights and multiple cameras set up to catch their every move. Lori had brought up Rick's proposal to the party again and Michonne needed confirmation, even though she was tipsy and he had already told her that he didn't.

"No. We spoke about marriage and kids and what our kids would look like." Rick yawned, he wanted to get out of here but knew that asking Michonne was too hasty of a move, she wasn't in the best mood. He had to wait it out.

Michonne paused. "So you saw a future with her?" She whispered, hoping the mic's didn't pick up what she said.

Rick said nothing.

"You can let go of my hand now, Rick." She smiled up to him. When he let go of her hand she shifted her body away from him and turned around. "I'm still a little drunk, I'm gonna sleep this off. Goodnight." She didn't give him time to respond. Rick felt the cameras on him, and he knew it was too late to pretend like nothing happened.

He grabbed her arm, making her pause. Before he could say anything, she said, "I feel like we're moving too fast. I like you a lot Rick but I have no idea who you are, what your likes and dislikes are. All I know is that Lori and you made up an entire story about your future together and that you won't tell her to stop when she brings it up. I'm going home."

"I see." Rick wasn't a man of many words, but he was trying his best. While he hadn't proposed to Lori, they had imagined an entire future together during the latter part of their pod dates. He heard Michonne sniffle and sighed. He messed up big time and it would be an uphill battle to win her back.

"Hey, Rick!" Sasha asked, sitting down next to him. "Is everything okay with Mimi?"

"I don't know." He exhaled, rubbing his hair.

"Is this about Lori?" Rick said nothing and took a sip of his drink. "That bitch is so fake. I'll deal with this."

Sasha got up and started walking towards Lori, Shane, and a couple other couples but not before she was intercepted by Rosita. The fiesty woman always knew when something was going to pop off.

"Come on, mama, let's get a shot!"

"Rosie I need to talk to Lori."

"I know, but it won't be a good look for you." She whispered, staring into her eyes. Cameras be damned, she was not letting them portray her friends as angry Black women.

Sasha paused and relaxed her shoulders. "You're right." She sighed. "Let's take some shots!" She yelled, a loud 'woop' from the others followed suit.

. . .

Rick woke up alone. He wasn't surprised but it must have looked a little bit pathetic— alone on national TV. He sighed and rubbed his face. He stretched his arms above his head, swinging the cord mic along the way.

"Good morning." He said to the camera man filming his every moment. The man nodded in response. "How badly do you think I fucked up?" The crew laughed but there was no humour in their voices.

"She's still here." Carol, one of the producers shimed in. "But she's not wearing her ring."

"Great." He said, defeated.

"Are you going to—"

"I'm gonna do whatever it takes to fix this." He interrupted. "I should have listened the first time she mentioned Lori's name and that's on me."

One of the sound guys removed his mic so he could take a shower and get ready for the day. He walked in the washroom and locked the door, needing some privacy.

"Fuck!" He yelled.

"This is good TV." Carol said. She took out her walkie-talkie and said, "Do we know where Michonne is currently?"

The static voice responded "At the bar, having breakfast by herself."

"Rick." Carol yelled through the glass. "Michonne is at the bar having breakfast. She's alone, now's your chance." She paused and walked towards the bathroom door. "This is the only opportunity I'm giving you, don't mess it up for me." Carol was personally invested in their story and wanted to see them succeed, to hell with the rest of them.