Normily: After Effects

Here. We. Go.

Emily and Norman stood in line at the catering truck serving burritos. They chatted with the cast while the line, full of walkers, ground forward towards food. When it came their turns, they would each ordered vegetarian. Filming had been rough, especially on Norman.

Norman had done a large fight scene with one of the Wolves' members. They did their own stunts for the entire fight. Norman was pretty sure he cracked a rib or three and he may have also broken his left hand. Just a normal day on the set of The Walking Dead. He gritted his teeth as he stepped forward. Each movement hurt.

"You okay?" Emily quietly asked.

"I think so," he strained to sound even the least bit normal.

"Are you sure?" Emily got into a position where she could support him if he needed it.

"Yeah," Norman exhaled as the line moved forward. He was visibly pained. Norman wasn't walking completely straight either. As they approached the truck Norman began to stumble. Emily caught him and got his arm around her shoulders for support. Emily struggled under his weight.

"Help," Emily said, trying to manage Norman's bulk against her delicate frame. An extra in front of her turned around in time to help her hold Norman up. They shuffled to the nearest table and laid him down. Emily kissed Norman's cheek. Norman groaned.

"It's okay, Norman," Emily said, "We're going to go to the hospital though. Just in case."

Emily looked at everyone staring at her. All eyes were on her and Norman. She closed her eyes and thought for a second. Emily could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks. In that moment, she'd essentially told everyone that they were dating without saying ANYTHING remotely close to 'we're dating'.

"I can't get him in a car on my own," Emily said, scanning everyone's faces.

Steven stepped over to the table. Together they helped Norman into the back of a car. Steven got in the drivers seat while Emily rode in the back. She sat with Norman's head in her lap. He looked up at her, grimacing at every turn, bump, brake, and acceleration.

"I know, baby," Emily said, brushing a piece of hair from Norman's face.

"I'm not six," Norman said, giving her a small smile.

"You don't have to be six to be the one I call baby," she said, "You'll never be too old to be called that and neither will I."

Emily gently talked to him like that the whole way to the hospital. Norman attempted to smile through the pain. It came out as a near-psychopathic smile, but he meant well. Emily kissed his forehead. Unbeknownst to Norman, his body was showing signs of distress. His face began to redden. His hand was swelling badly. Sweat began running down his face. And when Emily checked under his shirt, Norman's chest was bruised with a ghastly purple.

Emily tried her best to look calm. It must have been transparent though. Norman raised an eyebrow and reached up to her cheek.

"What's wrong?"