☆ All the Stars ☆ (rarl)

Vol. 1 | Lost Love

Ron sat in the meeting room, listening to Negan tell the story of what had happened the previous night.
Ron, the youngest in the room by far at twenty, wasn't really listening. His mind was at that terrible night.
Even though it was two years ago, and Alexandria was miles away, part of Ron was still there. And he knew it would always be like that.
He was thinking of Carl, his love. Carl had been Ron's boyfriend, but they maintained a reputation that they hated each other. It was safer that way, as Ron's dad, Pete, was quite homophobic and abusive.
Only Aaron and Eric knew the boys were dating. They were father figures for Ron when he lived in Alexandria.
Ron had to admit, it didn't hurt that much to see his dad get ripped apart. But his mom and Sam on the other hand, it still makes him sick.

"Ronnie boy, are you even listening?" Negan asked, leaning forward in his seat.
Ron looked up, seeing that everyone was looking at him.
"Hm? Yeah, you killed somebody and now they understand." Ron said, hoping that was right.
He got out a cigarette, lighting it and inhaling the smoke.
"Didn't seem like it. I thought you were in your own little world over there." Negan said, putting his hand on his chin.
"Yep." Ron said, not interested in this conversation.
"You know what kid? You outta stop smoking.
It's going to suck when the only immune friend of the fucking walkers dies from fucking lung cancer." Negan said, leaning back in his seat.
"I'm sure I'm not the only one. And they're not my friends." Ron said, continuing to smoke.
"Yeah? Well you're the only one I got. You're like our super power, kid." Negan stated.
"I'm a fucking super hero." Ron said, smiling and leaning back in his chair.
"Whatever makes you happy." Simon said, rolling his eyes.

Negan started on the plan again.
"Anyway. So we gotta go to rick and the prick brigades place for a pick up." He said.
"Rick and the prick brigade?" Ron asked, afraid it might be his Rick.
"You really weren't listening. Yes, Rick. He's leader of Alexandria. The group we're seeing tomorrow? Remember?" Negan said, annoyed with Ron.
"Oh! Yes! I remember!" Ron exclaimed, a wave of panic washing over him.
"You better. I expect you to bring your A game for this. I have a feeling they're going to be difficult." Negan said, setting Lucille on the table.
"Um, yeah, I have to go." Ron said, quickly exiting the room.

He ran to his room, locking the door behind himself, having a panic attack.

———

Carl walked down the quiet street in Alexandria, on his way to the graveyard to visit Ron. Carl had visited Ron nearly every day since that fateful night.
"Hey baby." Carl said, setting yellow flowers on the grave.
Yellow was always Ron's favorite color, Carl remembered.
"So, there's some crazy stuff going on. Remember when I told you about the saviors? Well, the guy in charge, Negan, killed Glenn and Abraham last night. He tried to cut my arm off too. He's insane. You'd hate him." Carl said. He knew Ron wasn't actually in his grave. Apparently the walkers ate all of him, Carl had heard. He didn't like to think about that though.

"You know, I was thinking about our first kiss last night. It was terrible. So awkward." Carl said with a laugh.
"The first time we had sex was even worse.
We don't need to discuss that though. It was embarrassing. I was, not you." Carl said, smiling.
"I wish I could kiss you now, Ronnie. I'd do anything to have you back. I miss you so bad." Carl said, wiping a tear off his cheek.
"I'm going to go listen to our song. See you tomorrow." Carl whispered, not knowing how true that was.

Carl opened his closet, getting out Ron's jean jacket. He had snuck into the Andersons house and took a few things of Ron's.
He put on the jacket, and sat on the bed, turning on Work Song by Hozier. That had been him and Ron's favorite song. It was the song they had their first dance and kiss to.