FEARLESS ➳ TWD¹ [REWRITE/COMPLETED]

25 ➳ SET IN MOTION

— D W I G H T —

SHE kept to herself, very reserved, as she watched the workers around her. She did not know what she was doing, truthfully, as she was like the new kid trying to fit in.

I could not blame her, though, for trying to do right by everyone. I really wish that I had her heart, the same one that she claims that I have somewhere deep inside of my chest.

Ever since she has been here, I have not been the same as before she came. The palms of my hands are constantly sweaty, and I have found myself wanting to be around her.

Then, when she starts up and gets deep into her emotions, she tends to take it out of me. Hell, I deserve it. All of it. I was there when Negan slaughtered her friends and I stood there with my gun raised when I shot Daryl right in front of her.

Truthfully, I have become a different person since meeting her...

She did not seemed to realize that I was standing up here on this catwalk, watching her like a stalker. I am just trying to look out for her. I did not want her to ever feel Negan's full wrath.

"Dwighty-Boy," I suddenly heard before realizing it was Negan, himself, making his way towards me. I went to kneel down, but he held his hand up and dismissed it. "Don't worry 'bout it."

I gingerly straighted out my legs, standing up and placing my hands back on the railing in front of me. I tried to avoid his eye contact, so I forced myself to stare back down at Tess instead.

"Where you been lately?" Negan asked, slamming down his hand hard on my shoulder. He really should dial it back some. "You are hardly around anymore. What's going on?"

I knew that Negan did not actually care what is going on with me, but he probably just wanted to see where my mindset was. He probably feels the tension with us lately with me drifting away little by little, falling right into Tess' arms.

Sherry knows it, too, even if I do not see her all the time. I seen it the last time when she pulled Tess away from Negan's attempt of flirting. Sherry knows more than I will ever allow her to.

Finally, I shrugged, but kept my sight straight down on Tess. "Nothing, man."

Negan fell pretty quiet and I quickly tuned him out, continuing to focus down on Tess. One worker saw her walking around and offered her an apple, and Tess happily accepted it with a grin. She nodded and the worker actually managed to smile back.

It was rare to see our workers to show any other emotion than general sadness. Tess seemed to easily be able to change anyone's current mood. I have not seen Tess smile in a long time.

Negan took her happiness away from her. I did.

"So, about Tess," Negan suddenly breathed out, almost in my ear. I slightly turned my head towards him and I saw a huge grin come across his face. "You're fucking her, aren't you?"

My heart started to beat out of my chest and my hands became sweaty. Negan was a lot of things; but, most of all, he was smart and he was really good at reading the room. He knew more than he leads on and keeps some secrets to himself.