The Girl Who Never Cries (Negan x Reader)

Chapter 7: Soft Spot, Boss?

- Alexandrias supplies are dwindling very fast, leaving Y/N vulnerable to an offer Negan wants to make -

"Ah, shit!" You curse under your breath. Small droplets of blood are seeping through the cuts on your fingertips. Instinctively you lick the blood away before wiping them off on your jacket.

You're tinkering on an old and rusty piece of metal for the wall. The rain and summer heat weathered down some pieces that you and a few others are repairing now. Michael looks at you from over his shoulder and you cast him a warning glare.

He's been one of the town's engineers, responsible for the maintenance and expansion of the wall. Your people were not thrilled about having him walking around, but you needed his expertise. While trying to concentrate on your tasks, you keep watching him ever so often from out of the corner of your eyes. Michonne is watching him as well, ready to take action at any moment, walking up and down behind him.

You try to return to your work, but your focus isn't where it should be. Michael is not the only thing disturbing you. Ever since the strange encounter with Negan and Dwight three weeks ago, you are struggling further and further to keep concentrated on the most mundane tasks.

Today it seems to be particularly bad. It's pickup day again and the constant noise of Negan's minions only contributes to the problem. And the unsettling feeling of their bosses eyes on you doesn't help, either.

Maybe you're just being paranoid.

You took Negan's warning very seriously. For the last few weeks, you stood under the Saviors radar, being either on a run or staying in your room during their pickups. You figured not crossing paths with any of them would be for the best, knowing your tamper and how easy you are to wind up.

But you were needed today, so you joined the small group on the wall.

A plate with colorless peas and carrots appears to your left, tearing your mind away again. You turn your head to find Carl placing a fork on the wall piece as well.

You smile softly at him. "Thank you, but I've already eaten this morning."

"Lair," Carl scowls at you, however it's lighthearted. "Olivia said you were absent at the food distribution this morning."

You roll your eyes and whisper more to yourself than to him, "Such a telltale."

"Y/N, come on." Carl looks at you with pleading eyes. "You've already skipped meals yesterday."

You consider his request for a moment, before reaching for the plate and fork. "Fine." With a mischievous glint in your eyes, you pull Carl on his arm closer to you. Quickly, you plant a faint kiss on his cheek and he squeals.

"Ew!" Carl wipes his cheek with the sleeve of his pullover. Despite his display of irritation, you can't keep from huffing a laugh. You'll never stop annoying your little brother.

"Do you have guard shift later?" He asks you, still rubbing his cheek.

You nod at him. "Yeah, I took the night shift."

Carl rolls his eyes at you. "That's gonna be the third night in a row."

"I'm fine, Carl." You quickly answer his unvoiced question.

"You're bad at lying and you know that." He sounds hurt, he hates being lied to and you wonder why you even tried, to him you're like an open book. In the end, he is just concerned and you love him for that, but you don't want him to worry.

He knows about your insomnia, but he also knows you well enough not to push it. If you wanted to talk, you would. But he doesn't like you grinding until you eventually pass out from exhaustion. Wouldn't be the first time for you to do that.