𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 || 𝖢. 𝖦𝗋𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗌

𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖿𝗂𝖿𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇: 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋

AFTER RICK REALISED his wife was dead, something just seemed to snap, something within just didn't sit right with you. His behaviour became cold and was growing reckless especially after he stormed off into the tombs after his breakdown despite the others trying to stop him. You cared about Rick, not only was he Carl's dad but he was your leader and someone you genuinely looked up to-Lori's death was hard on all of you, Rick and Carl mostly but something changed. Rick had changed.

He was still Rick, but whenever he walked into a room you felt like you were walking on eggshells around him. You made sure to watch your words around him since outbursts had become a frequent thing for him and though the previous arguments weren't aimed at you, the hostility that came from them were enough to put you on edge, everyone on edge for that matter.

Though you knew he was grieving, getting frustrated at random things was his way of letting go of pent up anger he held. Carl was more silent than before and wasn't as talkative as he was originally which was understandable, he preferred to sit in your shared cell majority of the time but you managed to get him out a few times. Other times when you couldn't, you would both sit on his bunk as you read comics beside each other in a comfortable silence.

You knew how much Carl liked comics so even if he didn't talk the time you were together, just sitting there with him was enough for you-just as long as you were there to keep him company.

Carl was grateful for you looking out for him even if he couldn't show it, he wasn't dealing with his mother's death alone because of you, and that meant everything to him. When he had to shoot his mom he dreaded every part of it, it killed him inside as he raised his gun to her head. When it came down to her final moments, truth be told Carl hesitated slightly and in reality he was scared, more than he would care to admit. His chest tightened at the sight of his mother laying there and the mental photo scarred into his mind was a constant reminder of his guilt. He should've done more, and yet he didn't.

It was silent aside from the scraping spoons, it was early in the morning and everyone was eating their breakfast that was made by Oscar-one of the survivors from before. You sat on a bench that looped around a circular table, Carl sitting beside you. You glance at Carl from the corner of your eye, Daryl seeming to notice too as the boy in question stares down at his food blankly.

You swallow the food you were previously chewing and turn to him, but before you can get a word out the door swings open behind you. You quickly face the door as Rick walks in, "Everybody okay?" He asks walking further in the room as everybody stops to look at him, surprised he was back after his sudden disappearance into the prison. "Yeah, we are." Maggie replies sitting up as she takes in his appearance, which made her falter ever so slightly. Rick was a mess to put it lightly, his hair was disheveled and soaked in sweat-his eyes were frantic as they darted around the room cautiously. Blood was splattered across his shirt and face, the blood on his cheek and forehead smudged most likely because of him wiping his face and his fingers were rubbing against his palms anxiously.

"What about you?" Hershel counters his question wearily as Rick turns to him, "I cleared out the boiler block." He sends a quick glance in yours and Carls direction, you sucked in faint breath as you send a swift look in Carl's direction. You feel him tense up next to you though his face remains blank, you spare him one last sympathetic look before turning back to Rick.

"How many were there?" Daryl question referring to Rick's previous statement, Rick wets his bottom lip as he gazes at the ground momentarily. "I don't know..a dozen, two dozen." He answers with a hoarse voice. "I have to get back, just wanted to check on Carl." Rick rasps resting his hand on Carl's shoulder, gently squeezing it as he speaks. His hand falls back to his side once more as he moves to turn back to the door he had came in through, Glenn stands up hastily.