In the Willows

Chapter Twenty: Staying in the Lines

"Y/N?"

You turn to see your companion riding a horse next to you, heavy footfalls of hoofs on pavement have been the only noise for the past couple hours.

"You ok?" your companion asks.

"I should be asking you that. How's your hand?"

"It's good, the bleeding stopped."

"That's good."

You both continue down the road in silence before you break it.

"You regret killing her?"

"I...... I don't know."

"We finished the cycle; they can't come after us."

"What if Joel- "

"Joel would've done the same thing if it was you. They killed him like a dog, personally they deserved worse than they got."

An awkward silence envelops the space between the two of you.

"I would've gone with him to do the same thing, if it was you who was killed."

She looks at you and gives you a soft smile.

"I owe you both, a lot."

"A foot rub sounds good as soon as we get back."

You give her a smile back, "If that's what you want Ellie."

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Y/N's POV

You open your eyes and turn to your side seeing Clementine curled up. You reach towards her and rub her exposed shoulder. She emits a soft whimper.

You slide closer to her, "Clem?"

She whimpers again shaking her head.

"What's wrong?"

"Don't go." she says grabbing your hand softly.

You look at the clock, it reads 4:43 AM.

"It's almost five in the morning, of course I'm not going anywhere."

"Don't. Go." she says again more sternly.

"I'm not." you say laying next to her and wrapping your arm around her.

She lets out a soft coo, "Good."

You close your eyes drifting back to sleep.

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AJ's POV

You open your eyes to see another sunny morning shining through the windowpanes. You stretch your arms out and let out a loud yawn. You scratch your afro and hop off the futon, the cold wood floor meeting your bare feet. You shiver slightly and shuffle towards the kitchen.

"Coffee, coffee, coffee." you mumble to yourself looking for the necessary items.

You spot the coffee bag on top of the counter. You push a chair from the table to the counter, which makes a loud noise as it slides on the wood floor. You hear footsteps coming from Clementine's room and the door soon swings open. Y/N steps out yawning and rubbing his eyes, one arm holding his back as he shuffles towards you.

"Buddy, what are you doing?"

"Morning Y/N. Just making some coffee."

"It's only 7:30, don't you want to sleep a little longer?"

"Nah I'm good. You can if you want."

He walks towards you and shakes his head, "Commander in chief vetoed that appeal."