Don't Close Your Eyes [TWD]

°•twenty three•°

"Where did you sleep last night? I didn't see you?" Carl asks as we walk down the street the next morning.

"I was put in a trap between Tara and Rosita. We were by the fireplace," I laugh, navigating Judith's stroller over a bump in the road.

"Ah, okay," he nods.

We'd all stayed in one house last night at Rick's demand. He said it'd be best if we didn't split up just yet.

"When was the last time we were able to go on a walk like this?" he wonders, looking around at the houses.

"I don't know, but it is hot. Can you take her for a second?" I ask, releasing my hold on the stroller to pull the hair tie Rosita had given me off my wrist.

Carl snickers, stepping behind me. He puts both arms on either side of me, grabbing the handle of the stroller.

"Carl-" I scoff.

"Walk," he demands, pulling his knee up to my thigh in an effort to force my steps.

"This isn't ideal," I sigh, fighting with my ponytail when he's so close behind.

"Then, be quick," he argues, continuing to walk.

"Hey, Carl," I say.

"Hmm?" he hums.

"I washed my hair last night, can you tell?" I ask, throwing my head back.

"I can smell, I don't need to taste," he says, using one hand to guard his face.

Laughing, I stop and lean my back against his chest. He laughs as well, placing his hand back on the stroller.

"Here," he says, grabbing the hair tie from my hand.

"Should I trust this?" I question, staying still as he gathers my hair.

"I used to put my mom's up," he defends.

"Fair," I shrug.

After a few seconds, he's successfully put my hair up. I thank him quietly as he returns his arms to the handle, trapping me in between once more. As we begin walking again, I answer his original question.

"And I think it would be the prison. That was probably the last time we had space and security to do something like this."

"But, we were still armed and had to see the walkers," he says.

"Then you're thinking about a time many, many years ago."

"It's just crazy to think about how long all of this has been going on. To think we haven't taken a walk like this in years," he ponders.

"Yeah," I nod, "I missed it."

"Me too," he smiles.

He releases his right hand, reaching to where I'd rested mine. He interlocks our fingers, returning to the original place.

"It's different now.. than when we were kids," I comment, feeling my face get warm for a reason other than the scorching heat.

"I like this better," Carl says, squeezing my hand.

"Me too," I repeat his words.

--

We were only walking for a few minutes when an elder couple began 'ooh'ing at the sight of Judith from where they sat at their porch.

Which, of course, made us feel inclined to see them. More specifically, let them see Judith.

"Goodness, I haven't seen one this little since our baby Jae," Natalie coos as Judith grabs her finger.

"She's precious," Bob adds, his voice nostalgic.

"And dear, you look great. I'm sure being out there helped you lose the baby weight, but my word," Natalie laughs, caressing my arm gently.

Carl coughs to cover his laughter as I shake my hand in denial.

"Oh no, I'm-"

"You two are so young, but I understand. We had our first around your age," Bob says, nudging Carl's arm.

"We're not her-"

"Carl, Jade!" Rick calls from the street.

I sigh, looking to Carl pleadingly. He shrugs and we quickly bid the couple farwell before catching up to Rick.

"I'll take her," he says, taking Judith in his arms, "Jessie said her son and his friends want to meet you. Kate and Paul will be there soon."

"I'm not a people person," I frown.

"Well you are today," Rick says.

"She's upset because that couple thought she was Judith's mom," Carl says, nodding his head back to Natalie and Bob.

"Well, when you two are the ones toting her around every second, I would see why they'd think that," Rick laughs.

"I'm the youngest in the group besides Judith! I'm still a possible minor!" I argue, crossing my arms.

"And Judith's hair is so light because of the sun, she matches yours," Rick adds.

"I'm practically a child! A child can't have a child!" I gasp.

"You're eighteen," Rick laughs.

"How do you know that?" I ask, glaring at him suspiciously.

"Deanna had a calendar in her office. Both of your birthdays have passed, you're both eighteen. Carl, you'll be nineteen soon in a few months," he explains.

"That's still too young to have a baby," I defend, "At least let me get married first."

Rick shakes his head, "Go make friends your age. Have fun."

Carl and I agree and begin our way to the house he explained. As we're a few yards away, Rick calls out.

"And at least let Carl take you out to dinner first! Marriage is a serious matter!"

"Dad!" Carl cries, turning back to look at Rick.

"You heard me!" Rick simply says, not giving us a second look as he pushes the stroller down the road.

"He thinks he's funny but he's not," Carl huffs.

I stay silent and when he looks to me, confusion takes over his features.

"What?" He asks.

"What do you want for dinner tonight?" I ask.

He blushes, taking a step away from me.

"No, see we're not doing this," he argues.

"Doing what?" I ask as I continue walking.

Suddenly, his arms are around me. I stumble, a giggle leaving my mouth.

"If anyone is asking anyone out properly, it's me," he says, holding me to his chest.

"Is there any proper way anymore?" I ask, wrapping my arm around his waist.

"I'll figure it out and get back to you."

--

short chapter bc they 🥺🥰

also not @ me sneaking another kpop boy in there 🙇‍♀️ stan day6. stan eaj.

❤❤