Humanity (Carl Grimes Gay)

Don't Look Too Happy

[Picture is Luke]

I woke up to the sound of horses galloping while the sun beat down on my body . Flipping the blanket off of me , I sit up . Carl is gone . Goddammit .

I groggily pull up my combat boots then grab my axe and black drawstring bag before climbing down the ladder , making my way to the Farmhouse .

When I open the front door and walk into the living room , everyone jumps and turns to me before their eyes get lazy and look away '...Don't look too happy to see me' I mutter

'Layne' Carl walks over and grabs my hand , walking me to the empty table

'Why is everyone off their shit ?'

'Lower your voice' He scolds , whispering 'They're worried because Hailey and Daryl haven't returned yet ...'

'I'm sorry , I have no fucking idea who that is'

He put a plate full of chocolate chip pancakes and bacon in front of me 'They're our best forest hunters'

'Oh ...' I mumble , grabbing a pancake 'How long have they been gone ?'

'Since I left so ... 3 days ..?'

Nodding , I stay silent and eat a few bites of my breakfast

'Dad wants us clearing out the barn today' He traces the wood marks on the table

'How's that gonna help anyone ?'

'He might let you guys stay in there until-'

'Until he 'figures us out' , right ?' I grumpily sip some orange juice

He sighs , not looking me in the eye 'Go clean up , change your clothes , and come back down when you're ready , okay ?'

'How are you guys like this ?'

'What ?'

'Happy' I deadpan

'Layne ...' He frowns 'You don't have to be so tense anymore , you're safe here'

'That's just ... that's just how I am' I rub my hands over my eyes , sighing 'I'll go shower and meet you by the barn'

'Okay' He smiles

-

'Hi' He blushes , fiddling his thumbs

'Hey' Walking inside , i ruffle his hair and look around 'We don't have to clean up much'

'Aww , are you upset you don't get to be around me that much ?' He teases

He shove him against the wall and pin his arms above him , chuckling as my face gets closer to his '...Maybe I am'

He begins blushing as he swallows loudly

'Get your ass to work' I smirk , backing off of him to pick up some hay

...

We had been working for about 2 hours before the sun began getting even more hot and the work got even more boring . Unbuttoning my flannel , I throw the sweaty fabric onto a metal bar above the ground .

I still had a black singlet on but I could tell Carl was trying to check out what was underneath . When he caught himself , he turned bright red '...D-do you want to take a break ?'

'Sure' I nod , out of breath 'You wanna sit up there ?'

He looks up at the high shelving where hay and other barn stuff sits '...How do you expect to get up there ?'

I jump up and grab onto the edge before pulling myself up and sitting next to the clean hay castle 'Give me your hand , bud' I say , reaching down to grab the black haired boy