Savior

Solutions

The day after Rick and Negan's little argument, Negan woke up late - with no will to get out of bed. He laid there for hours on end, not even getting up to take his medication. Now, all bets were off that he would start to feel better. Sure, he could just pick up his phone and call Rick, explain to him what's going on - but he felt the need to suffer, refusing to help himself.

He figured once Carl came home, he would check on him like he always did. So, he waited even longer, laying in silence for most of the day now.

Soon enough, he heard the front door open and close, listening to Carl talk to Judith. "Negan!" Carl called out, searching around the house for him, but he wasn't in his usual spot. He walked upstairs, noticing that their bedroom door was open slightly, so he entered slowly.

"Negan?" Carl said faintly, keeping his voice quiet. Negan poked his out from underneath the blanket, meeting Carl standing at the door. "Hey" he sighed, seeming to have used up what little energy he had in that one word.

Carl came closer, now standing about two feet from the bed. He titled his head to look at Negan closer, "are you ok?" he asked, placing himself on the edge of the bed. Negan took a deep breath, unsure of what to even say. He couldn't exactly explain how he was feeling.

"I don't know," he admitted quietly, pulling the blanket up to his neck, "I haven't gotten out of bed, I don't have the energy - just one of those days." He watched as Carl's eyes turned into something softer, like he was being sympathetic.

Carl wasn't exactly sure what to do though. He wasn't always great with words when it came to comforting someone, but he did try. Instead, he climbed on top of Negan, laying down on him as his arms wrapped around him firmly - squeezing him. Negan smiled wide, the feeling of Carl hugging him wasn't something he had felt often, but he loved it.

Negan lifted his hands up and placed them on Carl's back, rubbing small circles. They laid there for a few minutes, Carl never felt the urge to move, so he closed his eyes and let his body go limp - relaxing.

"I love you" Carl said suddenly, smiling to himself. He's never said that to Negan, though he's wanted to, because he does love him. But, he wasn't able to get the courage to say it...until now.

Negan smiled into Carl's shoulder, a feeling of warmth rush through him. He finally said it. Negan's been waiting for this day. He knew Carl loved him, but it's something he never even said to his dad, at least not in front of Negan. So, he wasn't sure if he even said it at all. "I love you too" Negan whispered, feeling his eyes tear up slightly, but he held it back.

Carl got off of him slowly, standing in place for a moment, thoughts running through his head. "I'll be back" He stated, walking out of the bedroom and heading back downstairs. He went into the kitchen, picking up his phone from the counter - where he left it. He clicked on his dads contact, waiting for him to answer.

"Hello?" Rick answered quickly, curious as to why Carl called him.

"Hey, uh, Negan said he's been in bed all day - he doesn't wanna get up. I'm not really sure what to do." He sighed, pacing back and forth in the kitchen. These are the moments where Carl wished he knew how to comfort someone, especially Negan.

Rick sighed, raising his hand up to his face and covering his eyes. "Ok, I'll be home in a few minutes. Just stay with him for now, I'll see you soon." Rick then hung up the phone, not even giving Carl the opportunity to respond. He scrambled to get his things together, quickly leaving the office without any notice.

Meanwhile, Carl went back upstairs to be with Negan. He crawled into bed and cuddled up beside him, resting his head on Negan's shoulder. "I called dad, he's coming home." Carl mentioned, unsure of what Negan's response would be.