WITH YOU | TWD

[14] BIGGER WORLD

It was chaos as everyone was packing in haste, preparing for the journey to Hilltop. She tried to imagine what the place was like. Was it the same as Alexandria? Did they have high walls and well-organized homes? Was their leader as capable as Deanna had been? She thought about the people living there. Were they as tight-knit and resilient as her own group, or did they have their own set of challenges and conflicts?

Then she heard steps approaching and found Carl next to her, his bandaged eye hidden beneath a clean patch. Judith was playing with his hair, her innocent laughter a sharp contrast to the frenzy around them. "Are you alright to stay?"

"We'll be fine, Charlie. Don't worry."

"How can I not? You two are my sweet little babies," she said and touched his cheek with affection. "I know you can take care of things. I just...thought you might want to go."

"No. I'm not in a mood to meet new people looking like a pirate," he said. "Besides...Before you start...I kind of need a break from dad and Michonne."

"Did something happen?" Charlie furrowed her eyebrows.

Carl looked around. "This morning before you all came...Jesus walked in on them."

Charlie stared at him for a moment, then burst into laughter. She was on the ground knocked out by a stranger and in the same time, Rick and Michonne were...well. The idea of them together was unexpected, but somehow it made perfect sense. "You're kidding!" she exclaimed.

"I wish." Carl said. "I'm happy for them, really. But it's... a lot to process."

Charlie's laughter softened to a chuckle as she stepped closer to him. "I can imagine."

"And now, with everything going on, I just need a break from all of it."

"Alright. Stay safe then," Charlie patted his back.

"You too," he replied with a reassuring smile.

Charlie walked briskly through Alexandria, her mind buzzing with the news she was eager to share. She couldn't help but wonder when it had started, what had changed between Michonne and Rick. They had always been close, but this was different. Had it been there all along, and she just hadn't noticed? Or had it been a sudden revelation for them both, an understanding that in this world of chaos, they had found something worth holding on to?

A big smile spread across her face as she spotted Daryl working on the van, making sure it works completely. He glanced up as she approached, his brow furrowing in confusion at the sight of her excitement."You took too many happy pills?"

"No."

"Then what's with that face?"

"You'll never believe what I've found out."

Daryl's confusion deepened, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "What?"

"Rick and Michonne slept together!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"Well, 'bout damn time," he said almost disappointed, as if he knew that all along.

Charlie stared at him, her mouth open in disbelief. "What? You knew?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Ain't hard to see they had somethin' goin' on."

"How do you always know these things?"

"Ain't much gets past me, woman." Daryl leaned against the van, a smirk playing on his lips.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised," she rolled her eyes, still grinning. "But it's just... it's so perfect, you know?"