Dead Man Walking || RICK GRIMES POV -SLOW UPDATES-

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This part will cover chapters 10, 11, & 12

Rick watched as Lori dressed, his eyes following her every movement. His skin still felt wet from the shower they had just taken together. Shower – that's one thing Rick didn't think he'd ever have again, but here he stands, in his boxers with his skin and hair still wet from earlier nefarious activities in the shower. Overall, he felt satisfied with how everything worked out. The CDC wasn't a bust like everyone had thought, but only one man remained. Questions about why he was alone bounced around in Rick's head, but for tonight, he decided to relax and unwind. Rick pulled a shirt over his head and reached for the half-finished bottle of wine. The bitterness of the alcohol hit his tongue in welcoming waves. He forgot all about surviving for a moment and enjoyed the warmth the alcohol spread over his body.

"Take it easy there, tiger," Lori chuckled as she strode into the room, her hair dripping wet. Rick pulled the bottle from his lips and wiped his mouth with his hand, a smile consuming his face entirely.

"Want some?" He offered, tipping the bottle her way.

"I'm good," She responded and turned her back, brushing her lengthy hair, "I had enough to drink at dinner."

Why did all this seem so normal? Rick questioned silently. It was as if the world never ended, and they were merely taking a vacation. Showers, alcohol, and dinner; all things that most people didn't get anymore, and yet, here they were, enjoying themselves and acting as if there wasn't a shit storm ravaging the world outside these walls. It was a stroke of pure luck that landed them here. Rick was almost swayed that the CDC had been the wrong choice. He was seconds away from letting June drag him away when the shutters finally opened, basking them in its light.

June. How is she doing? Rick caught himself wondering. She seemed faint earlier but appeared in better spirits after eating and drinking some wine. Maybe I should check on her. Make sure she's okay.

"Did you hear me, Rick?" Rick hummed and diverted his attention back to his wife, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. The eye roll she gave him and a slight grin were enough to tell her he did not hear her. "I just said that this was a good call."

"Yeah, it was," Rick murmured, shaking the wine bottle. A sip's worth was left, prompting the man to finish it. "I'm gonna get another bottle. Want one?" Lori shook her head and resumed brushing out the knots in her hair, her eyes following her husband as he shrugged on some pants and exited the room.

The barren hallways all looked the same to Rick, almost making him feel lost. There was no real way of knowing if the way he was headed was the right way. Going with the punches, Rick followed the hallway, trying to figure out the next steps. Could the group make a living here? Could they survive long with Dr. Jenner? Would the good doctor be able to find a cure? So many questions bounced around, almost giving him a headache.

A set of double doors separated the hallway from another room. As if the world read his mind, a certain redhead stood at the table, deeply drinking from one of the two opened wine bottles she held. Rick pushed through the doors, letting them flutter closed behind him as he quietly approached her. She didn't stop drinking, and she didn't bother looking up once. A grin spread across Rick's face as he closed in on her, impressed with how much the small woman could drink.

"Slow down there," Rick chuckled, watching as she finally stopped drinking and met his eyes. A giant grin spread across her clean face. He couldn't help but fully admire the cluster of freckles that sprinkled her face or the fullness of her red-stained lips. Finally clean from the dirt and muck, Rick could see how pretty June was. Even with dirt and muck on her face, she was beautiful, but it felt like this was the first time he was truly seeing her. He cleared his throat as silently as he could, mentally scolding himself. He's a married man; he shouldn't even be thinking about other women. But looking never hurt anyone, right? As long as I don't 'touch.'