[ He stopped cold in his tracks, watching with barely concealed horror as Negan moved around the kitchen as if he owned it. When had the man gotten to Alexandria and why had no one told him? ]
[ By the time Rick has come into the house, he's made himself at home, shoes off and helping himself to a glass. He still can't get over the goddamn ice maker in the fridge. It's been so goddamn long, it's pleasing as shit. Negan half turns so he can look at Rick over his shoulder, grinning broadly. ]
Well, if it isn't the man of the house! The hell took you so long?
[ Hands balling into fists, Rick tried to remind himself over and over again to not attack Negan and wipe the stupid damn smirk off his face. It took every single ounce of his self control to stay rooted in his current spot.
Breathe, breathe, breathe. ]
What. are. you. doin. here. [ Each word was gritted through his teeth and he dug his nails into his palms to keep himself in check. The words were actually more of a demand than a question. ]
[ He can't get enough of the way Rick continues to swallow his damn hate, despite how the man clearly wants to rip off his testicles with his bare hands. Leaving him to stew in his anger, Negan turns his attention back to the fridge, messing with the settings on the ice dispenser and serving himself some water before making a show of taking a drawn-out swig. Both brows raising at the tone, he leans back and clicks his tongue. ]
What am I doing here? Rick, Rick, Rick.. do I need an excuse to pay a visit to my best providers?
[ What he wouldn't give to go back to an existence without Negan in it. A state many probably longed for with the man. Had anyone ever looked forward to seeing Negan? Even his wives looked displeased to see him or so Dwight insisted the few times they talked strategy. ]
When it's not pick up day, yes. [ He paused, nails digging harder into his palms, nearly enough to draw blood. ] The rest of your people here?
[ Joke's on you, buddy, Negan's probably older. He would argue that his wives look forward to seeing him, but that's probably not the case. Not really. ]
You think I need my men with me wherever I go? That, Rick, is not very effective management. [ He smirks, helping himself to a box of crackers sitting on the counter. ]
I came to see what the goddamn fuss about this little town is.
[ surprise flicked across his face for a few seconds before he schooled his features back into disdain. The usual look he offered towards Negan. ]
You came here alone without anyone else? [ what would stop them from killing Negan and offering his body to the walkers? ] Not the most strategic move.
Rick, what makes you think that I need anyone else? [ He crunches on a few staling chips, raising a brow at the other man. ] I think I'm pretty goddamn capable on my own.
Bein' capable got nothin' to do with somebody shootin' ya. [ The words were said simply as if they were talking about the weather and not possible murder. Jaw clenching, he leaned against the opposite counter. ] You've seen things now you can go.
[ His jaw clenched tightly at the words, his hands balling into fists as the familiar murderous intent rose up within him. Attempting to kill Negan at the moment would only cause more issues, though. ]
[ He knows which room it is thanks to the last time he was here, getting the grand tour from Carl. He opens the door quietly, though it doesn't seem to matter, because the little hellion is up and looking as surly as her big brother. ]
Well hey there, darlin'. [ Don't mind him one bit, Rick. Negan moves forward and lifts Judith out of her crib and into his arms, giving her a smile. Bouncing her in place, he turns around to face Rick, wearing a grin because he knows Rick is going to be wearing that furious expression. ]
Y'know, I didn't think of it much the last time.. but you and your daddy here don't look a thing alike! Big brother's almost the spitting image, but you, little lady?
[ Never fear Negan, you're receiving the grade a furious Grimes' expression, the one where if looks could only kill. Standing in the doorway, one of his hands clutched at the frame to keep from doing anything rash. But the words made the resolve even harder to keep to. Why did Negan delight in causing him so much torment?
Breathing out nice and slow, he walked into the room, fingers twitching at his sides the entire time. He refrained from reacting otherwise, though. ]
She takes more after Lori. Looks just like her. [ Not that he owed Negan any kind of explanation. But Judy not being his was a sore subject and only remained him of the entanglement with Shane. The loss of both constantly tore him up inside. ]
[ He looks over Judith, readjusting her in his arms and making a face at her. He casts a brief glance at Rick, and if looks could kill, he'd be dead ten times over. ]
It's a shame, isn't it, darlin? Your daddy's got some nice eyes, when they're not boring a hole in the back of my skull. [ Negan bounces her, waving her chubby little arm at Rick and moving to look out the window. In this moment, he can allow himself a bit of sentimentality and quietly lament something he could never have in this life or the one before. In a way, he's envious of Rick. ]
[ The levels of testing at the moment to not walk over to Negan and snatch Judith from his clutches and back to safety but he liked to hold onto the belief kids were exempt from the violence. Negan wouldn't go as low to hurt a kid, would he? Still, he loathed the man's insistence on pushing at him. ]
Wouldn't be glarin' if ya knew how to act. [ Rick grumbled, pushing further into the room to check on the baby supplies and state of clothing Judy could actually wear. ]
She just got up from a nap- how many does a growing little lady even need?
[ Nah, he's not getting off the hook that easy. Negan rests Judith against his hip as they look out the window before she starts getting bored, looking between him and Rick. Kids are fucking smart, they can sense the tension in a room. ]
What kind of toys does she have to play with around here?
[ Damn it. With teeth on edge, he tried to swallow back down the very familiar murderous urges when it came to Negan's mere presence. How could one person get under his skin so easily? Not even the governor managed the same thing and never so powerfully.
A bag suddenly settled into the center of the room, unzipped to show blocks and other toys they acquired over the past few months. His hand gestured over it. ]
Most of what we got is in there or on the shelves over there. [ They lost some after the prison ordeal. ]
That shit won't fly. She's bound to get bored playing with the same damn things all the time. And what about playing outside? I do not see a single goddamn swing set in this place.
[ He looks to Judith, all seriousness. ]
What about it, peanut? You wanna play outside more, don't cha?
Let me go down to the corner store and just purchase something. [ Rick shot back, fists curling and uncurling at his waist. They were all doing the best they could with runs and baby themed products were really difficult to come by.
Supplies to make a swing set were even harder to come by. He didn't really like the thought of her outside more than necessary either. ]
She's safer in here. We go out on the back porch. [ Only when she wouldn't be fussy and everyone else had turned in for the night. ]
Ooh, daddy's feelin' ornery today! Maybe he should take a nap instead of you, huh?
[ Negan crouches to shoulder the bag of toys on his unoccupied shoulder before straightening and walking out of the room and down the stairs with Judith. He's not in any sort of hurry, but he's going to set up camp with that charming little lady in the living room. It's been.. a long damn time since he'd played with a kid. There were a few young ones growing up in local outposts, but none of them are big enough to appreciate it yet.
Once he's settled on the floor with his back leaning against the couch and has pulled a few toys out for Judith, he takes the time to look up at Rick, who is understandably livid. Really, it's not a concern, it's kinda cute when Rick gets all pissed off and he starts doing that head tilt of his. ]
Our next pickup, I'll have my men put together a play set for her in the back yard.
[ Bile churned around within Rick as he watched Negan take off with Judith down the stairs with a bag of her things. The very worst possibilities popping into his mind and he took off quickly after the pair down the stairs and into the - living room. Wait.
Fury still lined his face, head indeed tilted but confusion shone in his eyes as well. Negan wanted to what - have play time with Judith like a normal human being? His mind could not wrap around Negan doing anything so normal and everyday. It just did not add up and his lips pressed tightly together in his displeasure of the entire thing.
The play set in the backyard, though, it pained him to enjoy the vision of it. ]
Always wanted somethin' like that for her. Teach her how to swing and slide. [ But they did not live in normal times and he knew to not wish for things too long. ] What are you doin'?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2017-06-26 03:37 am (UTC)What in the hell are you doin'?
no subject
Date: 2017-06-27 11:23 pm (UTC)Well, if it isn't the man of the house! The hell took you so long?
no subject
Date: 2017-06-30 03:51 pm (UTC)Breathe, breathe, breathe. ]
What. are. you. doin. here. [ Each word was gritted through his teeth and he dug his nails into his palms to keep himself in check. The words were actually more of a demand than a question. ]
no subject
Date: 2017-07-25 03:06 pm (UTC)What am I doing here? Rick, Rick, Rick.. do I need an excuse to pay a visit to my best providers?
no subject
Date: 2017-07-27 03:23 am (UTC)When it's not pick up day, yes. [ He paused, nails digging harder into his palms, nearly enough to draw blood. ] The rest of your people here?
no subject
Date: 2017-10-29 02:59 am (UTC)You think I need my men with me wherever I go? That, Rick, is not very effective management. [ He smirks, helping himself to a box of crackers sitting on the counter. ]
I came to see what the goddamn fuss about this little town is.
no subject
Date: 2017-12-24 10:10 pm (UTC)You came here alone without anyone else? [ what would stop them from killing Negan and offering his body to the walkers? ] Not the most strategic move.
no subject
Date: 2018-01-12 02:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-01-12 07:21 pm (UTC)[ Why did it always have to be him anyway? ]
no subject
Date: 2018-01-25 08:34 pm (UTC)[ He's absolutely not talking about Carl. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-02-08 01:28 am (UTC)She's sleepin'. Maybe another time.
no subject
Date: 2018-03-06 03:30 am (UTC)Then you won't mind if I just take a little peek. There aren't nearly enough kiddos in this world anymore, and yours is just fuckin' precious.
no subject
Date: 2018-03-22 01:09 am (UTC)Just a quick one. She didn't sleep well last night. [ Mostly, he hadn't slept well and Judy happened to be very in tune to his moods. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-04-07 03:27 am (UTC)Well hey there, darlin'. [ Don't mind him one bit, Rick. Negan moves forward and lifts Judith out of her crib and into his arms, giving her a smile. Bouncing her in place, he turns around to face Rick, wearing a grin because he knows Rick is going to be wearing that furious expression. ]
Y'know, I didn't think of it much the last time.. but you and your daddy here don't look a thing alike! Big brother's almost the spitting image, but you, little lady?
no subject
Date: 2018-04-10 08:05 pm (UTC)Breathing out nice and slow, he walked into the room, fingers twitching at his sides the entire time. He refrained from reacting otherwise, though. ]
She takes more after Lori. Looks just like her. [ Not that he owed Negan any kind of explanation. But Judy not being his was a sore subject and only remained him of the entanglement with Shane. The loss of both constantly tore him up inside. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-04-14 01:32 am (UTC)It's a shame, isn't it, darlin? Your daddy's got some nice eyes, when they're not boring a hole in the back of my skull. [ Negan bounces her, waving her chubby little arm at Rick and moving to look out the window. In this moment, he can allow himself a bit of sentimentality and quietly lament something he could never have in this life or the one before. In a way, he's envious of Rick. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-04-27 07:46 pm (UTC)Wouldn't be glarin' if ya knew how to act. [ Rick grumbled, pushing further into the room to check on the baby supplies and state of clothing Judy could actually wear. ]
She'll be needin' a nap soon.
no subject
Date: 2018-06-20 06:51 pm (UTC)[ Nah, he's not getting off the hook that easy. Negan rests Judith against his hip as they look out the window before she starts getting bored, looking between him and Rick. Kids are fucking smart, they can sense the tension in a room. ]
What kind of toys does she have to play with around here?
no subject
Date: 2018-07-03 04:17 pm (UTC)A bag suddenly settled into the center of the room, unzipped to show blocks and other toys they acquired over the past few months. His hand gestured over it. ]
Most of what we got is in there or on the shelves over there. [ They lost some after the prison ordeal. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-07-12 01:28 am (UTC)That shit won't fly. She's bound to get bored playing with the same damn things all the time. And what about playing outside? I do not see a single goddamn swing set in this place.
[ He looks to Judith, all seriousness. ]
What about it, peanut? You wanna play outside more, don't cha?
no subject
Date: 2018-07-14 08:27 pm (UTC)Supplies to make a swing set were even harder to come by. He didn't really like the thought of her outside more than necessary either. ]
She's safer in here. We go out on the back porch. [ Only when she wouldn't be fussy and everyone else had turned in for the night. ]
Don't have anythin' to build a swing set with.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-13 03:43 am (UTC)[ Negan crouches to shoulder the bag of toys on his unoccupied shoulder before straightening and walking out of the room and down the stairs with Judith. He's not in any sort of hurry, but he's going to set up camp with that charming little lady in the living room. It's been.. a long damn time since he'd played with a kid. There were a few young ones growing up in local outposts, but none of them are big enough to appreciate it yet.
Once he's settled on the floor with his back leaning against the couch and has pulled a few toys out for Judith, he takes the time to look up at Rick, who is understandably livid. Really, it's not a concern, it's kinda cute when Rick gets all pissed off and he starts doing that head tilt of his. ]
Our next pickup, I'll have my men put together a play set for her in the back yard.
no subject
Date: 2018-09-10 06:53 pm (UTC)Fury still lined his face, head indeed tilted but confusion shone in his eyes as well. Negan wanted to what - have play time with Judith like a normal human being? His mind could not wrap around Negan doing anything so normal and everyday. It just did not add up and his lips pressed tightly together in his displeasure of the entire thing.
The play set in the backyard, though, it pained him to enjoy the vision of it. ]
Always wanted somethin' like that for her. Teach her how to swing and slide. [ But they did not live in normal times and he knew to not wish for things too long. ] What are you doin'?