Don't Close Your Eyes [TWD]

°•twelve•°

For someone who had a near death experience just prior moments to being found and seemingly scared out of hid mind, Gabriel sure was mouthy.

He told jokes- attempted jokes, the entire walk to his church that no one seemed to pay any mind to or even entertain him in the slightest. Though, as he walked face first into a limb, I noticed Maggie and Kate share a grin.

The walk there was quick enough, as was the selected members' search through the building to reassure it's safety. Once the search was over, Glenn walked past most, a certain look on his face that I seemed to be the only one that caught  it. The conversation of others questioning Gabriel on his means of surviving faded behind me as I was quick to follow him through to the back.

"Maggie-" he starts with a sigh, his back turned as he bends his head over a table, his palms on the edge, gripping it tightly.

"Nope," I reply, closing the door behind me. He gives a small look over his shoulder, fakes a smile, and turns away again.

"Everything okay?" I ask, slowly walking behind him.

"Yeah, just needed a second. Hot outside," he answers.

"Hot inside, too. Not like we have AC options anymore," I shrug, placing my back to the table and leaning over a bit in order to meet his eyes.

"Would be nice," he simply comments before falling into silence.

I could see the debate in his eyes, traveling to his mind and I was worried just how far he was going in order to end up in such a state.

"Dad-" I begin, only for him to cut me off this time.

"Can you do me a favor?" he asks, swallowing roughly.

"If I can manage it," I nod.

He's silent for a few seconds that felt longer than they really were before inhaling deeply and removing one hand from the table, placing it on my shoulder.

"Just.... For my sanity, for your mom's sanity, stay safe. Please."

"Where is this coming from?" I ask, more concerned at his sudden need.

"Everything. It's coming from the farm, from the prison, from just a few hours ago."

I can only sympathetically look on as he speaks. I knew what happened at Terminus must've been scary for him. For Kate to go missing then me go in after her, I knew even back then that he didn't want me to go to begin with. But, I was so concerned with finding Kate that nothing else really crossed my mind. 

"I've wanted each camp we've gone to be safe. Even after the farm, the only thing that kept me slightly level headed was the thought that you might've found somewhere safe."

That one stung a bit. We spent so long separated while I was at Woodbury, I was safe. For the most part anyway. I felt betrayed when it all fell apart there and the event that transpired afterward. Merle, Andrea, Brian, Hershel, and everything in between. I couldn't imagine how he felt. 

"You're not thirteen anymore, I understand that. I do. Really, so don't begin to think I still view you as a child that can't take care of herself. You're strong, damn good with a gun, and saved my ass more times than I can count," he continues.

"I never said that. I know you don't," I assure.

"Still," he pointedly says, "This family has lost too much in just recent weeks. We can't afford adding more to it."

At once, it all made sense. Why he was suddenly facing such a dilemma.

I put a lot on the line to save Kate. We were reunited. Two sisters were reunited.