ORDER (sequel to Trouble) [TWD]

on the road

"You know if you just ran over the deer, we could've had dinner," Sakiko urges Abraham.

"Sure, and we would lose this van. We didn't spend hours busting our asses in the triple-digit heat just to lose it to a four-legged fucker."

Sakiko slumps back in her seat, resting her head on Ryan's shoulder. Ryan huffs, laying his chin on her head and lacing their fingers together.

"I love you, too," Sakiko whispers.

Ryan stiffens a bit, picking his head up to look down at her again, "Yeah?"

Sakiko didn't use that word. She could probably count the times she's said it on one hand.

Ryan, though.. Ryan was different.

He was annoying as hell when they met, she would even dare to say she hated him at first. But, he didn't budge when she was stubborn. Somehow, he was the only person that could see right through her so easily. He didn't push her but he didn't comfort her and let her give up either.

He was just.. The better side of her. He was patient, supportive, not afraid to call her out on her bullshit, was her shoulder to cry on, the only set of eyes that was allowed to see her weak side, her biggest motivation. Everything.

Ryan is everything to Sakiko.

And he fit himself into her life so seamlessly.

"Really," Sakiko mumbles, turning her face to hide in his shoulder, "Like.. A lot."

"Cool," Ryan grins, "Knew you were obsessed with me."

"Shut up," she complains, face burning hot as she wraps herself around his arm- somehow wanting to be closer while also wanting to playfully shove him into the floorboard.

Ryan squeezes her leg again, nuzzling into her, "I love you.. Three."

"Nerd," she pinches his side.

"Says you."

"Why the hair?" Glenn's voice cuts through.

Abruptly, Sakiko lurches forward, halfway on Glenn and Maggie's seat, pointing erratically to Glenn and Eugene.

"Fucking finally!" she cheers, "Dude, seriously? Who are you, Billy Ray Cyrus?"

Eugene pauses, unsure of how to handle the frantic teen.

"Because I like it," he answers, monotonously.

Glenn nods, pursing his lips but Sakiko leans closer, nearly in Ryan's lap as she points to Eugene's face. His eyes almost cross at the action.

"Lies!" she sneers, "No one likes a mullet. Did the big guy up front make you? Was it a science experiment gone wrong? Are you hiding the cure in your 'party in the back'?"

Maggie rests her arm on the window, covering her laugh with her hand as to not further embarrass Eugene.

Glenn only nods again, motioning to Eugene with an open palm with an 'answer the girl's question' face.

"I like it," Eugene stands his ground.

Sakiko squints at him, Eugene leaning back in a sense of.. fear?

"This isn't over," she warns, pointing from her eyes back to the man's threateningly.

Carefully, she eases back into her seat, not breaking eye contact until the booth is blocking the way.

"I worry about you," Ryan whispers, a laugh in his throat.

Sakiko grins, wrapping herself back around him, "You love me for it. No take backsies."