ELEANOR . NEGAN

046.

After the darkness of the night before dissipated in a hue of golden orange, Earth's star arose on the horizon, spreading her light in every direction. The sun came in the way that natural forces do, no need for invitation yet we dwell in the feeling of her welcome. Her light casted away the abomination of the night, bold and golden, for anyone who opens their eyes in the dawn and watch the world awake.

The only natural thing left in the dying world.

Eleanor sneaked into the main room of the cabin and took in the sight before her. Negan leaning his head back on the wooden chair, his legs wide and open with a crowbar in a flimsy hold. It swayed about from left to right and just as it went to slip out and clash against the wooden tiles, he'd grab on even tighter to the point his knuckles paled and his veins doubled.

The sun cascaded down on his tanned like a gentle kiss, eloping him in a golden hue of simple adoration. Elle didn't know what to do. She shouldn't look at him and think only beauty. His brown eyes looked more hazel and honey like under the beaming rays, and his grey beard that scattered across his jaw was linking with the warmness of his distant freckles across his nose bridge.

Oh.

His nose didn't look broken which was good, but dark and dried blood still piled under his nostrils with a clear shitty swipe to the left of it. A pang of regret hit the inside of her body, until she realised what he said. "You look like shit," She said into the warmed room. Aaron was still snoozing away on the settee with an arm covering his eyes to block out the rays. "At least it ain't broken."

Negan didn't turn his head or straighten his body, but his brown eyes flicked from the ceiling to her body and that similar look she always saw him hold came back. Careless features but a strong gaze, typical. "How you feeling?"

Elle sneaked a hand to the back of her neck and frowned. "Pissed off."

Negan let out a puff of warm air and finally sat up straight in his chair. The crowbar was no longer in his hold, the weapon/tool now balanced against the wall. "I didn't mean what I said, doll. Really."

"Negan-"

"No, no." He got up with a stretch and started to walk closer. It was once predatory, but his steps now were careful and gentle, he was scared to fuck up again. "Let me say my bit, alright? God, I had all night thinking this shit up."

"I don't know... could ruin the satisfaction for you."

"Then that makes you," he took another step closer and booped her on the nose. "A Goddamn brat."

Elle rolled her eyes but watched as he carefully dropped his hands to his sides and looked down at her. His tongue poked out through his teeth and then he cleared his throat. They were so close right now. But it felt different, more intimate. Is that weird?

"Sunshine, no fucking words can express how truly sorry I am for hurting you in- fuck, I wish I can do something to make it right, make it up to you." His eyes were filled with genuine remorse, it was weird. "I'm so fucking sorry, Doll. I just-"

His words were silenced why Eleanor got up right on her tippy toes and pressed a delicate hand to his jaw. It was soothing, and sweet, and Negan had no option but to lean into her touch. "Calm down," She whispered, her thumb cascading across his skin.

"Sunshine-"

He stopped himself when he watched Eleanor's perfect features twist into an evil touch, once gentle glare now became twisted into a strict and sinister one, her gentle touch now harsh and pinchy. Goddamnit. "You don't get to be a right dick and then get the easy way out." He nodded, agreeing. I do not fucking agree. "When Aaron gets up, you suck up to him like a nice fucking person. When he tells you to do something, you fucking do it. And just then, when you've grown some respect for the people around you, only then will I think of accepting your apology."

Negan harshly blinked, her words entering his brain like a piercing knife wound. Is she taking the piss? He don't know why he thought that, because Elle could ask him to get bit by a walker and he'd do it. "Understood?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

Her harsh demeanour was dropped in seconds and a splendid smile took over her mouth. Before Negan could blink, she reached up and pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips. The fuck? "Be a cunt and I'll send you back to the cell with a new shiner to match that one." Elle's voice was sickening and vicious, and Negan didn't know if he should be scared or hard as a rock. He adjusted himself and gulped.

At this point, he felt both.

extremely short chapter, like honestly so short. but if you guys really thought she was going to accept his apology with open arms then get PRANKED

i actually just love this dynamic, i dont really see a lot of it when ive read negan fics because they keep him like evil.

but negan gonna ahve a semi redemption arc? im gonna keep it close to the show and the plot and things like that but their whole dynamic is that he lets this 5'6 woman boss him about and he actually listens.

improvements!!!