The Sun Will Be Rising Soon

A Barn Full of Walkers

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(Y/N) walks down the path with AJ at her side, Clement a few paces ahead and looking around for any signs of James. (Y/N) looks up at the morning sky, sighing softly as she stretches and glances down to AJ.

His brows were furrowed in frustration, a frown on his lips as he looks around with huffing breaths.

"AJ, you all right?" she questions quietly, tilting her head a bit to see his expression. "Things got pretty intense with Willy, huh?"

AJ grumbles something under his breath, shaking his head as he kicks a rock from his foot.

(Y/N) frowns at this, reaching out towards him. "AJ--"

Clement turns to the two swiftly when she hisses in pain, her hand retreating back and gripping her side as she winces.

"What's wrong?" Clement questions quickly as he approaches in long strides, (Y/N) coming to a stop with AJ.

AJ peers up at her with concern, his eyes wide a bit.

"(Y/N)?" AJ calls quietly, glancing down at her wound.

"I'm-- I'm okay," she reassures with a strained smile, relaxing a bit when Clement cups the side of her jaw gently. "It just pinched a bit, but it's no big deal."

Clement hums under his breath in thought as he looks around, spotting a nearby boulder. "Come on, (Y/N). Rest up a bit."

"Really, I'm fine--"

(Y/N) starts to protest, stopping herself when Clement gives her a pointed look with an arched brow, his arms folded over his chest.

"... Fine," she sighs in defeat making her way over to the boulder with AJ in tow.

"Good girl," Clement smirks smugly, following after her.

(Y/N) huffs with mild annoyance, a small blush on her cheeks as she sits on the rock and scoots back a bit. "Shut up before I hit you."

"Go for it," Clement teases as he stands in front of her, arms outstretched at his sides. "I'm right here, princess."

(Y/N) glances to AJ with a nod, AJ stepping forward and punching Clement's side roughly. Clement grunts and winces in surprise, blinking rapidly.

"AJ!" Clement groans a bit, holding his side as he turns to him. "What was that?!"

"She's too hurt to hit you, so I did," AJ bluntly replies, a mischievous smile on his face.

(Y/N) chuckles as Clement grabs AJ, making him yell in protest as Clement starts to aggressively  ruffle his hair while holding him in a headlock. Clement releases AJ with a laugh, shoving him away playfully.

AJ giggles a bit, but his smile slowly falls as he looks down.

"AJ?" (Y/N) questions with furrowed brows, exchanging a worried look with Clement. "What's going on in that head of yours, hmm?"

AJ hesitates to speak for a moment, sighing. "I... I just keep thinking, when Willy said all that stuff about Tenn before, I got so mad."

His arms cross over his chest as he shakes his head, kicking at a rock. "He was being mean, and Tenn wasn't even there to defend himself. I... I wanted to hurt him. I know I shouldn't, but I just can't stop thinking about it. I wanna just... punch his head in. I tried breathing, kicking rocks..."

AJ sighs once more as he leaves the rock alone, looking up between the two with a fearful expression. "I don't like this feeling."

"Sometimes, all you can do is just wait for the anger to fade," (Y/N) softly speaks, lowering herself so one foot was on the ground below her. "It's hard dealing with feelings like this, but what's important is that you don't lash out because of that anger."