Clementine x Male reader : We Are Monsters

Chapter 69

Once that baseball game was over, as unfortunately more and more people walked out of it to go to whatever their job was, you started to contemplate how much of a good time you had. A few other kids, who were all taller and older than AJ, asked him questions and stuff, curious about seeing a new kid here. Weirdly enough, as you stood by Clementine at the side of the field, you felt like you were two anxious parents who had just dropped their kid to school for the first time, only to be reassured by him making some friends right off the bat.

You had never seen the little guy smile and talk so much. He was struggling a bit to express himself, but the other kids seemed to understand him by some kind of telepathy children have and adults lose as they grow up. They eventually walked away with the plastic bats, gloves and balls, promising AJ they would play again if the occasion came.

In the corner of your field of view, you could see that Clem was smiling, and there was a pleasant expression on her face and in her eyes you've seen too rarely for your liking. Truth is, you couldn't ever make her smile like that, only AJ can. It was good to feel safe in here, surrounded by decent people and having AJ socialize with people closer to his age than you are. 

- You still nervous about this place ? you asked Clementine while slightly tilting your head in her direction but still while looking at AJ.

Clementine looked at AJ some more, who was looking around in circles to find you. She waved at him with a smile when he noticed you, and he started to walk over.

- A baseball game shouldn't lower your guard that much, she replied. 

- Yeah, but... this place has kids. That's a sign they can keep them safe, and that they're not assholes in disguise. Besides, it'll be good for AJ. 

She hummed thoughtfully as AJ reached your level with a big goofy smile on his face and his eyes filled with a very pleasant warm expression. The kind every kid should have, instead of seeing so much death and blood the light in them goes out.

- Had a good time, goofball ? asked Clementine in a soft voice as she kneeled down to his level and rubbed his hair.

AJ vigorously nodded with a smile, then grabbed her hand - more truthfully the three fingers he could fit in his small hand - as Clementine stood back up.

- You're a natural at baseball, you told AJ with a smile. You'll be a lot better than I am when you grow up, that's for sure.

- To be fair, the bar isn't that high with you, muttered Clementine in a mocking tone.

You looked at her with an offended frown, your hands on your hips.

- Hey ! That's not true, and you damn well know it. (You rolled your eyes.) Do you even think about the example you're giving to AJ ? Belittling others to make yourself look better ?

- Please, she scoffed. You're terrible at batting, it's a fact.

- Oh yeah ? Well you can't catch for shit, you retorted while pressing your index against her sternum.

She clucked her tongue, then nodded in disagreement with a smile she repressed by clenching her lips in an angry manner. 

- Really ? You're the one that ran into me back there, and made us lose a point.

- Oh it's my fault ? That's rich. You were the shortstop, dumbass. (She couldn't hold her smile, and her clenched lips made her look funny.) How many balls did I have to catch for you before you woke up, huh ? And the one time you do your job, you run right into my face when I HAD that fucking ball.

- Don't swear, she frowned while being the one to tap her index against your sternum this time. You don't want me to jam a bar of soap down your throat in front of AJ, do you ?