ribs || carl grimes x reader

yeah yeah utah - marietta

Dude as SOON as I finish this book I'm going through and editing everything. I'm rereading it and realizing there's some typos or some parts that could be a little better written lol.

Time skip: This is the night of the bonfire where Rick kills Ron's dad!

You watch as Carl sits on the couch in his living room with Judith on his lap, patiently waiting for the meeting at the bonfire to end. There's a sad tension in the room and you sit on the couch next to him. You try to comfort him as he sits, clearly stewing in his thoughts.

"I'm sure your dad can redeem himself. They'll let you guys stay and-" 

"And what if they don't? What if they decide he's dangerous and they can't trust us and we have to leave? Don't try and pretend like that's not possible (y/n)." You look into Carl's tired eyes. You can tell he's been worried, practically making himself sick. His group has been trying to integrate and make this place their home, but they haven't fully been able to relax. So much distrust and gossip brewing around their group, it's no wonder they're all on edge. And now with Rick's freakout on full display yesterday, no one really knows where they stand. 

You decide it's best to just accept the silence; there was nothing you could do or say to ease his nerves. You placed your head on his shoulder as you think back to two days ago when you had a fight with Deanna:

"I've known Rick my entire life Deanna. I know he's a great guy, he's always cared about his family. I'm sure with him as their leader they're-"

"You used to know him. You haven't seen him for years. This world...it changes people (y/n). Would the Rick you know point a gun at innocent people to 'prove a point'?" Deanna scowled at you. You know your desperate pleas wouldn't change her determined mind, but you couldn't just sit there and watch her take away the best people you've met in a long time.

"So you're just going to kick them all out? Leave them all to die just because Rick wants to help keep this place standing? Deanna I've been out there with other residents before, ones that have been in here since the start. They can't handle one walker, let alone a hoard. If you knew what the right thing to do was and no one listened to you, you would go a little crazy too." your voice wavered, but her face didn't move a muscle. 

"He only cares about his people. Not us.", she takes a moment as if she's debating what to say next, "If you don't agree with his group being kicked out, you can go with them." She says very pointedly before trodding upstairs to her room. You stood alone there, feeling torn between 2 lives. 

Interrupting your thoughts was the sound of the front door opening. In walked Rick, his face covered in blood, and shaking. 

"Dad!" Carl jumped off the couch and ran to his dad. Rick picked Judith up and placed a hand on Carl's shoulder. 

"Dad...do we have to go...?" Carl looked sternly at his father, and Rick just shook his head.

"Nah...we're staying. For good." You could see the worry and stress unravel from Carl's mind as you make your way closer. "Hey, by the way, there's someone I'd like you guys to meet...an old friend of mine..." Rick walks into the house further, uncovering a face you never thought you'd see again.

"Morgan?" you say faintly, your mouth curling up into a smile. His face immediately twists with shock and happiness. He runs up to you wrapping you into a tight hug and you two stand in the doorway for a few moments. 

"Why are you here?" you whisper into his shoulder.

"Lookin' for you.." he pulls away from the hug and pulls out your note from his pocket. "You said you were headed north, so I headed north." Rick looks at you two in astonishment and puts his hand on Morgan's shoulder.