The Only One | Negan

15. Pawn

"Blackburn, do you copy? Blackburn, come through."

The metallic and static voice slowly woke me up and in the first few seconds, I was confused by my surroundings. Then I remembered the night before and groaned.

"Blackburn, do you fucking copy?!"

I haphazardly reached for my radio station that was on the nightstand right next to my gun. My head was pounding like hell, the room spinning threateningly.

"Copy." I managed to answer. "Simon?"

"Jesus Christ, what the fuck took you so long?!" Simon's angry voice sounded through the station. "You know what? I don't want to know. Where's the boss?"

"Uhm...I don't know, sleeping maybe?" I replied, rubbing my fingers against my temple in an attempt to ease the pain.

"Go find him. It's important." Simon barked.

"Roger that." I groaned and got up.
I found my scattered clothes and got dressed after which I washed my face with cold water to wake myself up.

Negan was really still asleep. He was lying on his back, one hand behind his head, the other resting on his stomach. He had kicked off his blanket to the floor which left him just in his white t-shirt and checkered boxer shorts.
I blushed when my eyes unintentionally traveled down his body but quickly regained my composure. He looked so peaceful, I almost didn't want to wake him up. But I had to, so I cleared my throat. It didn't work and I tried two more times but again to no avail.
Standing next to him, I hesitated for a second but then gently shook his shoulder.

"Hey. Hey, boss." I whispered, trying not to startle him. "Wake up."

He groaned and his eyes fluttered open. The second he met my gaze, a wide grin spread across his face.
"Am I in heaven?" He asked with a sleepy hoarse voice and ran a hand over his face.

"No, sorry to inform you, but I think your elevator is going down." I chuckled. "Get up, Simon's calling."

"That motherfucker." Negan got up with another exhausted groan. "What fucking time is it anyway?"

"It's...8 AM." I yawned, walking to the kitchen to see if I could find anything with caffeine in it. I was happy to find some probably very expired instant coffee in the upper cupboard. I turned on the gas stove with my lighter to heat up some water.
I heard the clinking of his belt and sighed in relief.

"8 fucking AM. Can't a man sleep in late only once?" Negan stretched and came into the kitchen. "What does he want?"

"I don't know, ask him." I shrugged, not sparing him a glance.

Negan took his radio out with an agitated sigh.
"Simon, you fucker." He said in a sarcastic voice. "Tell me what the fuck is so important for you to wake me up that early on a Saturday?"

"Boss." Simon answered immediately. "You're gonna love this. Some of Rick the prick's people found some very valuable cargo just last night while scavenging."

"Rick as in Alexandria Rick?" Negan scowled and I lifted a brow at the mention of Rick's name, turning around to listen in closely.

"Yeah." The static laughter of Simon came through. "They found a huge, huge amount of guns. Gonna sent half our way."

"And why are you the one telling me that and not Richie?" Negan asked, rubbing his hand against his face.

"Said he couldn't reach you, but I think he just doesn't..." heavy static interrupted the line. "Want to talk to you."

"Alrighty, brother." Negan chuckled. "Send a couple of ours to go take it, I don't trust him delivering it to us. Trojan horse and shit."

"Copy that." Simon replied. "Hey, boss. Why is he being honest all of a sudden? Why not keep the info, keep the guns? It's sketchy, I don't trust him."