Running From You I Negan x Maggie (ENGLISH VERSION)

Chapter 13: How much to give in, how much to take?

"I'd use you as a warning sign

That if you talk enough sense, then you'll lose your mind

And I'd use you as a focal point

So I don't lose sight of what I want"

Negan woke up to the sound of firm knocks at the door, still sleepy and disoriented. He sat up in bed, rubbing his face as he tried to understand who could be knocking at that hour. For a moment, he thought it might be Hershel — the boy would show up now and then with some curious request — or maybe Maggie, who knows? Just the thought brought a sleepy smile to his face. But when he opened the door, Negan's expression quickly turned to surprise: it was Gabriel waiting for him.

'Gabe! It's unusual for you to show up so early,' Negan commented, slightly confused but friendly. 'You know I'm more of a breakfast-alone kind of guy, not much for chatter,' he tried to cover his nervousness with a playful smile.

Gabriel kept his calm, serious gaze, unshaken by the comment.
'Good morning, Negan. Sorry to show up like this, but...' he paused for a moment, weighing how to break the news. 'The Council has asked you to come to the church. There's something we need to discuss, and it's important that you're there.'

egan sighed, crossing his arms. It wasn't exactly a request; he knew that. Gabriel was there to make sure he went.

'A meeting, then? I don't recall signing up for a confessional,' Negan joked, trying to sound indifferent, though a twinge of discomfort made him look away for a second. 'Is this about something I did and don't remember? Not that I'd likely recall, but...' He tried to ease the tension with a grin, but Gabriel interrupted him gently.

'It's not exactly about what you've done, Negan, but about what some believe could happen,' Gabriel said, with a thoughtful tone. 'It's better if you hear the details when we're all there. I'll explain the situation more fully once we arrive.'

Negan nodded, feeling a slight apprehension as he followed Gabriel. The walk to the church was silent, and each step seemed to add an extra weight to his shoulders. As they approached, Negan spotted familiar figures waiting outside the church: Carol, Daryl, Rosita, Aaron... and Maggie, who stood a little apart, arms crossed and expression reserved.

Negan raised his eyebrows and made a sarcastic comment.
'If the whole A-team is here, this can't be good,' he muttered, trying to mask the discomfort Maggie's presence caused him, especially after all they'd recently been through.

Maggie watched him in silence, her green eyes fixed on him without much reaction. He met her gaze for a moment and noticed that the same lightness they had shared lately was not there now. She seemed as serious as the others, and that unsettled him. There was an unexpected tension between the two, and Negan had to make an effort to keep a neutral expression.

'What do you all think I did this time?' Negan asked, forcing a casual tone. 'My tithes are paid up, Father, I promise.'

Everyone ignored him, except for Carol; Negan could swear he saw a slight smile on her lips.

They entered the church, and Gabriel took the lead, addressing everyone calmly yet firmly. The silence was almost palpable, with the slight creak of the pews whenever someone moved. Negan could feel the weight of their gazes, not just full of anger and judgment but with a coldness he had long been familiar with.

Gabriel looked around, his tone calm and steady, trying to ease the palpable tension in the air.
'The purpose of this meeting is simple,' he began, looking at each of them. 'Some members of the community have expressed concerns about Negan's presence in Alexandria. They feel that... maybe he still poses a risk.'