This Is How I Disappear (Negan/OFC)

Chapter 6

The next couple of weeks go by quickly for Chuck, with her seemingly finding her groove at The Sanctuary. She makes sure not to skip her meals, per Negan's request. And even manages to strike up a few conversations with people in the cafeteria as she eats her breakfasts. Not that she made any real friends or anything, but she's trying to be more sociable. Sometimes Simon would stop by to eat with her, too. And he is becoming a true friend. True to Negan's word, Carson makes sure she eats her lunch during her breaks, having a very awkward conversation afterward the first day about how unhealthy not eating enough is.

Chuck always has a few hours to herself after her shift before Negan retrieves her for dinner each day. She would usually take a shower and lounge in her room, writing in her diary, playing her guitar, and reading books. Sometimes, Chuck would go to Negan's floor early on her own to visit the wives. They like for her to play the piano for them and always seem so excited to see her. Chuck grows friendly with the women, over time. She discovers that the women have a lot to offer. They aren't just the living sex dolls that people would talk about on the floors below.

Every night, Chuck and Negan would eat dinner together, sometimes he would cook, sometimes she would (with much help from Negan), other times they get food from the kitchen. Afterward, they would play chess and then go to bed. Chuck has platonically slept in Negan's bed every night, keeping her nightmares at bay.

Chuck begins to get fully comfortable with Negan, considering him to be her best friend. He never pushes her to talk about what she went through, but he always listens when she talks about it. With Negan's help, she comes to terms with what happened to her. She's by no means completely over it, but she feels much better. Especially knowing that Negan will be there to support her.

Chuck saves up enough points to get a small tv and bluray player for her room. She practically squeals in excitement in the middle of the marketplace when she finds a box set of her favorite tv show. While Negan is away on a run for a few days, Chuck pretty much spends all night watching it. With Negan gone, Chuck knows that her nightmares will come back without him there, so she delays sleep as much as she can. The nightmares don't affect her quite as much as they once did, but they still disturb her sleep.

She is fast asleep in her own bed, having finished season four an hour earlier, when a sliver of light hits her face, waking her instantly. Her door is opened and a man's silhouette stands tall in the doorway. She is paralyzed for a moment before calling out to the intruder.

"Who is it?!"

"It's just me, sweetheart." Negan's familiar voice calms Chuck's nerves as soon as she recognizes it.

"Jeez, Negan! You scared me half to death," Chuck says as Negan closes her door and enters the room.

"Sorry, baby girl" he apologizes and strips down to his underwear. "Scooch over."

"What are you doing?"

"I got back from that run later than I wanted to and I'm tired as fuck. I want to sleep."

"But you never sleep in my room."

"Are you fuckin' kicking me out?"

"No."

"Then scooch over!" he says, exasperated, and lifts the covers from the bed to get in on her open right side.

"You always sleep on my left, though."

"I'm not sleeping by the wall. Jesus Christ, Chuck. If you don't shut the fuck up I'm going to throw you over my shoulder and drag you to my room so I can get some goddamn sleep. I haven't slept for two fuckin' days."