Dead Man Walking

lxxxi

"Who else knew about this?" Michonne asks as Hunter told her about the radio and everything he's been doing behind her back.

"Um, Eugene, Rosita, and Gabriel," Hunter replies, "I would've told you if we'd found someone out there, but we didn't."

"Then who knows who else was listening?"

"Michonne, we weren't being careless with it," Hunter sighs.

"Rosita and Eugene went out to set up this relay and almost died because of it. Jesus did die because of it," Hunter drops his head down in shame as Michonne looked at Gabriel, "Negan got out while you were distracted because of it! I can't do my job if the council is keeping things from me."

"We gave you the power to veto the council based on security concerns, but now everything is a security concern," Gabriel retorts, "So our votes don't matter anymore, unless you agree with them."

"Putting ourselves out there when we don't have to is dangerous!"

"So is cutting us off from the rest of the world. Who are we supposed to turn to when we need help?" Gabriel asks, "We can't be so worried about finding enemies that we lose our friends."

"We did lose a friend," Aaron spoke up, "Look, we all set out with the best of intentions, but that doesn't change what happened. There's a new enemy out there, and they're exactly what Michonne was afraid we'd find. I don't regret the time that I spent out there with Jesus—I don't. And what happened...Maybe that would've happened anyway. Maybe. But now we know what's out there, and we can't pretend otherwise. We put Michonne in charge of security for a reason. Her judgment has saved us time and again."

"Yeah, I know that!" Hunter slams his hands on the table, "I know that. And I was on Michonne's side every second when you guys weren't. I built this stupid ass radio so I could find my brother. It didn't work out that way. I knew they were enemies out there, I knew that before you did, Aaron. I taught you that. But you guys cannot stand there and blame me for what happened to Jesus. That's not fair. So destroy the radio, and do what you want. I don't care anymore."

____

Hunter slammed the door shut when he got inside his house. Jesus dying wasn't his fault. None of this was his fault. It's like the Saviors all over again. No matter what they did these whisperers would've found them eventually no matter what. It was inevitable. 

"Hey."

Hunter lifted his head and saw Rosita leaning against the wall. He hasn't really talked to her since she told him she was pregnant, "Hey."

"Looks like it went well."

"Yes, it went very well, this council is bullshit and always has been," Hunter mumbles.

Rosita sighs and slowly starts walking over to him, "What'd she say?"

"I don't really want to talk about it," Rosita raises her brows and chuckles lightly, "I'm sorry. I'm being really difficult right now. I'm just, my mind is racing and I don't really know what to do."

"I know. It's okay. I'm sorry, too."

Hunter furrows his brows, "What? Why?"

"You didn't sign up for this. Thing is, I–I didn't, either, but..it's happening. An–"

"Stop," Hunter shakes his head, he really did go about all of this wrong, "I'm sorry, for how I reacted when you first told me. It was stupid. And I'm sorry for making you think I don't want this. This is a good thing. I just needed a moment to freak out."

"And you had your moment?"

Hunter nods, "Yeah, I think I'm over the freaking out. I love you and I'm going to love our child. I'm a really good uncle, I have references. You can ask them. I think I can be a good father, too."