𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗕𝗜𝗔- rick grimes

THIRTY

THIRTY

ARIA BLAKE NEVER FELT MORE OKAY. She seemed happier with a smile across her face, enjoying, soaking in the contentment she felt. Again, as the woman took in her surroundings she couldn't help but to feel at peace. The fire burning in the middle of the forest floor, her entire group, the people she never thought she would have and now she didn't know what she'd do without, sitting in a scattered circle all around the fire indulging in some much awaited food to cure their hunger.

Her eyes flickered back in forth from each person, the corners of her mouth never deflating as she did so. Maggie and Glenn lightly laughing together over something he had said to the woman, Tyreese and Sasha catching up once again after reuniting earlier in the day, Abraham, Rosita and Eugene talking amongst themselves, Logan and River quietly eating their food, Daryl and Carol leaning against a tree as they spoke every so often, Greyson and Carl taking turns playing with Judith after they finished their serving, to even herself and Rick who hadn't talked since they sat down just listening around to others as they took advantage of the warmth inside of them.

"I could get used to this." Aria spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Rick turned towards her, his eyes scanning her face as she continued to look around before her eyes met his. "Well, I could get used to this again. Everyone back together, away from danger, the overall mood change since we left Terminus, just... just everything."

He kept his eyes on her not speaking, just watching. His mouth slowly turned into a smile, only causing the one on her face to brighten even more. That was something he loved about her, that smile. No matter how horrible of a mood he was in, no matter what circumstance they found themselves in, her smile always melted his heart. He couldn't help but to admire the way she was looking at him under the moonlight and the orange hues of the fire a few feet away.

His hand crept closer towards hers until it was right on top of it, his fingers wrapping around her hand and his thumb rubbed circles on the back of her palm. His eyes darted between hers as he spoke, "I could get used to this too."

She wasn't entirely sure what he meant by that. If it was the same as her reasoning or the fact his hand was now placed on top of hers, either or she wasn't going to be opposed too. Aria also wasn't sure what had changed, what changed between them since the prison attack and Terminus. She couldn't wrap her head around the fact something between the two had changed, something noticeably different. Maybe it was the bone chilling fear of losing each other again, like they once thought not even two days ago, or the hot sun was getting to them, clouding their heads with illusions.

Or maybe she was reading too much into the small gestures they had shared, the hand holding, the hugging, the longing stares, the overall affectionate side of them both coming out just for each other. Aria couldn't be too sure but she wanted to stop overthinking it, she just wanted to soak in the tranquility of his touch and his soothing words as long as she could.

"Do you think there's really a cure?" Aria asked suddenly, her mind drifting off as she thought about Eugene's words from inside the train cart. Rick thought for a moment before he mindlessly shrugged, looking down at their interlocked hands. "I want to believe there is but i'm not sure anymore."

"I don't think there is one." Aria shrugged off his stare, the one contemplating her words. She looked back at him, her face loosing its smile. "I mean think about it, I just don't see any cure happening. Wouldn't it be taken care of by now if there were? I'm starting to just think Eugene's lying to us all, saying some shit to just get our hopes up."