New World [Gay Chandler Riggs/1D fusion fanfic]

Chapter 17

Chandler's POV

We made our way back to the apartment building I found yesterday, skipping over to the ones I combed over yesterday, I picked the lock of one of the doors.  "I didn't realize you can actually do that" Cole said as the door clicked open and his dogs went inside to investigate.  "It's definitely not as easy as the movies make it appear" I said as I stood up and placed the tools in my pocket. 

We searched the apartment, I chuckled as I found Cole flipping through the books the people that lived here had instead of actually looking for supplies; if it was anyone else I would have been absolutely furious.    "Find anything good?" I asked as I went into the bedrooms and starting going through the drawers.  "Not really, Liam might like these though he loves murder mystery books" Cole answered putting the book in a grocery bag he carried. 

We moved on to the next apartment after not really finding anything; from Cole's dog's nervous reactions at the door there was probably a walker inside.  "Let me get it" Cole said as I move away from the door to the next apartment  "let me try again since last time it went so badly; I need practice".  I sighed, not liking the idea of seeking out trouble "Just be careful and realize that you're in a small space so you'll probably need to stab rather than slice with your sword" I said as I picked the lock to the door.

A walker stood in the living room, seeming to admire the view from the windows. As Cole's dogs started growling, it turned to face us and Cole drew his sword; I loaded my crossbow as Cole stepped toward the walker.  He adjusted his grip on the sword several times before he finally took a deep breath and swung his blade; he closed his right eye as he swung and decapitated the walker. 

As it's head fell off and landed on the floor with a thud, along with the body, he turned to me and gave me a large, radiant smile that took my breath away; he was so proud of himself and I couldn't help but smile back.  Eventually though I cleared my throat and said "You have to destroy the brain" I said motioning to the head that was still snapping it's jaws. 

Cole, showing off, twirled the sword in his hand so the blade was pointing downward before stabbing the walker in the head; I chuckled and shook my head as I stepped over the body and started looking through the cabinets.  "What, no celebration for my first walker kill?" Cole asked, actually sounding slightly disappointed. 

I looked at him from the can of sardines in my hands "Well...what do you want?" I asked.  Cole looked down at the floor and a small smile appeared on his lips "What about a kiss?" he asked, an adorable mix of awkwardness, excitement and shyness.  "Uhh...yeah, sure" I said as I put down the fish and walked over to him, he closed his eyes and leaned slightly forward.

I hesitated, it's not that I didn't want to kiss him, trust me I did; but I was so worried about doing it badly and Cole laughing at me or something.  This would be my first kiss, ever.  I leaned forward after taking off my hat and our lips finally touched, it only lasted for a second though before I pulled away; I quickly walked back to the kitchen so I wouldn't have to see his face.  I was so worried about messing up that I didn't even enjoy it. 

Thankfully Cole didn't comment on my behavior nor the kiss he merely said "We should do that more often" he said as he placed my hat on his head, I only responded with a nod.   After the kiss we searched the apartment in a heavysilence; each second of the silence killed me, I must have been the worst boyfriend in the world.  

I found a small can of sweetened, condensed milk and some stale graham crackers in the pantry "You want to take a little break?" I asked to break the silence.  Cole nodded and smiled at me; I opened the can with the pull ring on the lid and dipped in a cracker before eating it.  I wasn't being greedy I just wanted to make sure it wasn't spoiled.  

We sat the the table and enjoyed the snack; it's been forever and and a day since I've had anything sweet that wasn't overly sweet canned fruit.  "Chandler" Cole said "I know you don't want to, too but I feel like we need to talk about last night".  It took all of my willpower not to face palm or look away, I was so embarrassed about last night; Cole probably thought I was a pervert that just saw him as a sex object or something now.

"Listen Cole, I realize what happened wasn't cool...I mean we were just cuddling and then you feel...that. I'm sorry, really I am; I wasn't trying to pressure you. I wasn't even thinking dirty thoughts, it just sort of happened" I rambled, I could literally just feel the words spill from my mouth, I had no way to stop them "Trust me there is a lot I want other than sex, not that I don't want sex because I do...I mean it's not all I think about...don't get me wrong Cole, you're freaking sexy but I'm not a sexual deviant or anything" at this point Cole placed his elbows on the table and folded his hands together over his mouth like some people do when they're thinking, which only made me panic more; what was he thinking about?   Probably how to break up with me, Jesus Christ, please someone save me from myself.

"Cole, I like for you: you're the one that didn't give up on me, even when I pushed you away.  You're the one that helped me deal with my demons; putting down and burying my sister. You're the one that helped me feel like a human being again...but that doesn't mean I don't want to do things with you, I totally do-" Cole reached and gently placed his hand over mine "Chandler that was an amazing speech, can I have a turn to talk now?" I turned red and simply nodded.

Cole smiled before saying "All I wanted to say is that, even though communication isn't your strong suit, we still need to talk.   What happened last night wasn't nearly as bad as you thought it was, and a simple conversation would have done wonders.   Please if something is bothering you, say something; let's talk about it rather than you just shutting me out". I sighed "You're right, I know you're right, I can't even defend my actions  and I won't try too".

Cole stood up "Well shall we continue looking then?" he said as he walked into the bathroom of this apartment, that's one of the things I loved about Cole: he never made anything more awkward than it needed to be. 

-

"Last place and then we'll head back" I said as I picked the lock on the last apartment on the first floor and Cole placed my hat back on my head again.  "The girls will be disappointed" Cole said as he scratched one of his dogs behind her ears "This is the most exercise they've gotten in awhile".  We entered the apartment, it was different than the rest but I couldn't place my finger on why. 

Cole's dogs pushed passed my legs and entered the apartment.  I looked around the room, trying to figure out what was bothering me. "Cole let's go, something about this place is giving me the creeps" I said, trying to be safe than sorry.  Cole chuckled "Don't be such a worrywart if there was anything bad inside the girls would have told us already, you're adorable when you're worried"

I walked over to the counter where a lone, opened, empty can of apples were sitting on the counter;  I stared at it until my eyes wandered to the corner of the living room to where a pile of blankets were on the floor and then I realized what was bothering me, the apartment was too clean. 

All of the places we've been inside had a layer of dust on everything from where no one has touched it for months, but this place was clean.  I dragged my finger across the counter and look at it, confirming my fears. 

As Cole started rooting around in one of the bedrooms I looked inside the can of apples as something inside reflected light; I dropped the can as I realized that the inside was still wet from the juice.  "Cole we have to go, someone lives here" I can running to the bedroom; Cole looked up at me from a magazine "What are you talking about?"  I grabbed his wrist "I'll tell you later, just come on!" I said pulling him out of the bedroom.  My blood ran cold though as I heard faint voices and I shoved Cole back inside the bedroom of the apartment.