Don't Come Back For Me

Guess Who's Back?

       Over the course of the next four days, Rick visited frequently, staying the night throughout those days. You'd shared your bed with him, and you'd even fallen asleep on him as the two of you watched cartoons on the couch.

        He had been there with you while you got over what was most likely the flu, though he didn't seemed bothered by it in the slightest. You'd come to the conclusion that this man was basically immortal and couldn't be bothered by even the smallest illness.

       Currently, you were in front of the Council of Ricks again, though you were ordered to keep your mouth shut or be thrown in prison, with another warning about using glitter in the chamber. You sulked as Rick argued with the Council. 

        "137, we are not obligated to offer protection to any being, no matter their importance to any individual." That caught your attention as you tuned in to the conversation. "Being that there is no real importance surrounding a random individual you've found, there is no reason for the Council to delegate a member with the sole task of defending your companion. That is something left to you. We did not put you in this situation, we will not help you out of it. We're still trying to find an answer as to why you put up with such an annoying creature. The glitter was too much, and we can't even leave this room without somebody commenting on our hairdo." You heard Rick chuckle and couldn't help but giggle, yourself.

       "There's simply nothing we can, or will, do for you, Rick. You have to find an answer for yourself." Cynthia had been the one speaking, his hair waving as he shook his head. 

        "You won't eugh help because he's not 'important'? You won't help simply because he's human, eugh in danger, being threatened by the same dumbass that had you nearly defenseless? The kid can only do so much!" Rick bantered, breathing heavily. "Is there any way to change your minds, or am I eugh stuck with another reason to hate this stupid Council?"

       "We cannot convey how truly apologetic we are, 137, but we will not be giving (Y/N) any form of protection." The Lord of the Rings doofus spoke up, shrugging. 

       Rick huffed in annoyance before dragging you back out of the room. 

       "Why are you so worried?" Rick continued to tow you back to the cruiser, "Because it's eugh stupid that they're letting him get away with this and not doing anything about it. You're gonna wind up eugh in much worse conditions than you've been in recently, and I'm trying to find a way to make sure they eugh can't get to you. It's really fucking difficult, but I'm trying."

       "Well, it's not like I can keep them off forever, but I'm sure I'll be fine, boss." Rick sighed, "That's not good enough, (Y/N)." 

        You climbed into your seat in the cruiser, staring out the window for the longest time. You could still see Rick's reflection, noticing him glance over at you every so often. 

       "Why do you care so much about what they're doing?" You turned suddenly to face Rick. "Because I do, alright?"

       "But why?" You pressed, wanting desperately to know why he bothers spending his time trying.

       "Because I care for you." He stated simply. 

       He didn't say 'I care about you', nor 'I care about your well-being', or 'I care about your safety'. No, this time he'd said he cares for you, and that was different. Instead of pressing on, you decided to leave it at that and to let him have his peace, staring out the window at the stars and planets again.