The Devil's Details

Marked

It had been two long months since Negan had handed the Haven over to you. In that time you had made so many changes to the home Keith had tried to destroy. The people were thriving now. The Saviors would come every couple of weeks to collect their tribute and you were able to keep Negan at bay. Actually, you think maybe he was keeping you at bay. You hadn't seen him since the take over. He sent Simon in his place and you hated that. It was tough being leader of any of Negan's communities but catering to a man like Simon and staying cordial while he paid his visits was near impossible. Whenever he came calling, he would make you kneel and then insist on touring the grounds and your home. If he found something he liked, he would simply take it. It would always be something personal like a bottle of perfume telling you Negan needed it for one of his wives. He would make it a point to tell you things like that.
As challenging as it was being a reluctant leader, you still scavenged. It was probably when you were at your happiest. It was not the safest thing in the world considering you preferred doing it by yourself. There were a lot of dangers. Walkers for sure but there were other groups out there as well, always be other groups looking to take something from you. But being out alone in the woods kept you sane. It helped you stop thinking about Negan and how he had tossed you headfirst into a leadership role you didn't even want. And he had also claimed you and released you without so much as a goodbye. It was probably better that he never showed his face at the Haven. It had healed you enough that you had started a casual relationship with Chris, the Haven's resident chef. He was kind and funny and was also ten years your junior. You hated to admit it was quite an ego boost and you needed it.
When you returned from your latest hunt, you were surprised to see Simon's truck parked outside the gates. You enter the compound to see him coming towards you with two other men.
"Hello!" He calls out, a fake smile on his face. There was no friendly gesture behind those eyes.
"Hi." You say dryly, taking a knee. "What are you doing here? I didn't expect you so soon."
"Ah, you know. Standard procedure keeps everyone in line." He replies and invites you to stand.
Simon doesn't even bother to ask for the backpack you have slung over your shoulder. He just reaches out and snatches it from you.
"Thing is, I noticed how well the gardens are doing last time I was here. I told Negan. He seemed especially interested." He says, dumping the contents of your bag on the ground.
Why Negan insisted on sending this asshole every time was a mystery to you. Maybe he was trying to figure out how long you could abstain from committing murder.
He picks up the few bullets you had found and a candy bar and stuffs them in his pocket.
"Slim pickings when you can't go very far, huh? He wants seventy five percent of the elderberries too."
There was no way he was going to take that much of the most medicinal fruit that you grew. You were about to protest when Chris came trotting up to you holding a basket of beautiful plump, red tomatoes. His timing couldn't have been worse. Things got even more awkward when he dropped the basket, grabbed your face and planted a full on mouth kiss on you.
"Check these out!"
He was so excited. He actually wanted to please Saviors with best tributes over the other groups. He was so naive. Simon was here to bully, nothing more.
"Cute couple..." Simon teased.
"Oh, we're not..." you begin but Chris jumps right in.
"Thanks, man. We have a good time together. I'm Chris, head cook here."
You cringe. Simon didn't need to know your business.
"I bet." Simon laughed and picked up the basket. "I'll be back soon. Have that stuff ready for me. I'm sure it's not an issue, right?"
"Yeah, no problem." You lie. You just want him out of here.

The very next day Simon was back bright and early, hassling the community kitchen about crappy coffee. They had already started packing up what they wanted and then some when you met him in the courtyard.
"Will that be all for today? Or can I expect another surprise visit?" You ask, not really caring about the answer.
"Funny you should ask that. I do have a surprise for you and you're going to love it."
You don't like his tone. He's wearing that phony smile again and you get the chills.
"It's Negan. He's coming here for dinner tonight. He'd like your boy to prepare something amazing for the two of you."
Your heart jumps to your throat and your stomach starts burning and Simon sees it all. He laughs as your face flushes and you start searching for words and excuses.
"He asked about you yesterday. A lot. I told him how good this place looks...how good you look. He wants to see for himself."
He's leaving and you're following him to the gate making up excuses the entire time. Simon keeps walking.
"He'll be here. Wear something special."