Sweet and Salty ~ Carl Grimes

Riots in Hometown - 097

Brooks didn't listen to the words Negan spoke to Spencer through the iron barred gates of Alexandria. She couldn't help but let her eyes wander over her home. On the way there, Brooks had tried her best to ignore Daryl. He was beat - badly. He still wore the same dirty tracksuit, too. Brooks, however, had been given a new wardrobe. Loads of dark and black clothing that, in all honesty, made her feel like a bit of a badass. Negan allowed her to feel confident, proud of who she was, as she stood next to him, peering into what used to be her home just a week ago.

Well, she wasn't listening... Until, her eyes caught onto Rick who was approaching the gate. His jaw was set, his eyes angry, but there was also an element of fear about him. They had shown up two days early, so Brooks assumed that Alexandria wasn't ready for their visit. Rick's eyes flickered between Negan's smiling face, and Brooks' emotionless one. Negan grinned widely as he made eye contact with Rick. "Well, hello there." There was a few moments of tense silence as Rosita approached, standing a few paces behind Rick. Brooks' eyes trained on the woman who only recently lost the love of her life. When Negan spoke next, his voice was low, and angry. "Do not make me have to ask."

Rick nodded. "You said a week. You're early." The man acknowledged, going to pry open the gate, and it did so with its usual groan.

Negan chuckled, soaking up the man's blatant annoyance. "I missed ya." He teased.

/----------\

Brooks still hadn't spoken a word as they entered Alexandria, after Negan made a show about killing a walker and making Rick hold Lucille. Brooks didn't know what to say, in all honesty... Not until she spotted Merle and Carl running over. Her mouth went a little dry as she tried to swallow thickly, but found there was nothing to swallow. She licked her lips once, twice over, as she stared between the both men. Her arms crossed over her chest, her face still set.

The Saviours began moving out like their own kind of herd as Carl and Merle finally got there. "Bambi, are you okay?" Merle was quick to ask, reaching out his arms to wrap her up in, because he expected her to move towards him... But, Negan was quick to get in between the two. Merle dropped his arms, set his jaw, and glared up at the slightly taller man. "She's my daughter."

Negan chuckled. "Oh, I'm playin' daddy now!"

Merle's fist clenched. He had a gun tucked into the back of his jeans, and he knew that if he shot Negan square in the head right here, right now, then he'd be killed within minutes. Or, dragged back to their base and tortured for years, upon years... But, he didn't care. That man hurt his baby brother. Hurt his little girl. He'd happily walk through Hell for them. "You touch one hair on 'er beautiful head and I swear to God, you'll be dead before you hit the ground." Merle threated.

Negan's eyebrows raised as he leaned back slightly, impressed. "Father to father, I'm gonna let that one go. Because, I get it, I would and have killed for my kid, but you say some shit like that one more time? I'll get your daughter to cut your goddamn nose off and feed it to her uncle Daryl, and from what I heard? She'd be a willing participant." 

Brooks stepped out from beside Negan, and looked up at her father. She hadn't yet been able to meet Carl's eye. How could she? "Merle, just walk away." She said, speaking for the first time since arriving at the gated community.

Merle wet his lips, a look of hurt struck his features at the lack of the name he'd grown to adore. Dad. She hadn't used it like she'd been doing, and that hurt him. He tried to brush it off as he looked between Negan and Brooks a couple of times. "Hell's goin' on 'ere, Bambi?" His voice wavered as his eyes set on his darling daughter.

"What should've gone on a long time ago." Brooks answered, causing Negan to smile and take a step back, allowing her to take the lead. "You know, I didn't realise how mad at you I was for treatin' me how ya did, until someone else treated me better." Merle's eyes looked over to Daryl, but Brooks was quick to speak. "Why you lookin' at 'im? Don't look at 'im, he ain't gonna help ya. Merle-"