Professor of Literature

Moving Forward

Georgie could feel the tension in Negan's body the whole ride back to his place, she knew he was internally freaking out over what happened, even if he was trying hard not to show it. As he parked up in his garage Georgie climbed down and removed the helmet from her head, waiting for him to put the stand down on his bike and climb off before she practically threw herself into his arms.

"Fuck Georgie" he sighed. "Are you okay Sweetheart?" he whispered in question as he gently rubbed her back.

"I'm okay. I just... all I want is to be in your arms where I feel safe" she told him.

"Done" he smiled softly. Leading her through the house he sat down on the sofa pulling her into his arms and draping a blanket over her as he found a movie on Netflix. Georgie relaxed against his chest as he ran his fingers gently through her hair.

Part way through the movie Georgie felt his body stiffen with tension again. "Negan?"

"Yeah Sweetheart?" He whispered as he resumed stroking her hair.

"What's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're all tense, I can feel it" she told him as she looked up into his eyes. His expression was soft, but behind his eyes she could see torment.

"I just keep thinking... what if things played out different tonight. What if that low life sack of shit had hurt you? I couldn't... I couldn't live with myself knowing I wasn't there to protect you" Negan confessed, his vulnerability out in the open for her to see.

"But you were there, when I needed you, you were there".

"If we weren't sneaking around... if you weren't coming to meet me, you never would have been in that situation" he sighed. "Maybe it would-" he began before Georgie cut him off.

"Negan... I swear to God if the next words that pass those perfect fucking lips of yours are 'Maybe it would be best if we don't see each other anymore' I will fucking punch you" Georgie threatened in a somewhat playful way but he knew she was deadly serious.

"Fuck no Sweetheart!" Negan chuckled. "I was gonna say... maybe it would be better if you just moved in with me?"

"Really?"

"Yeah! I mean why not? You sleep here almost every night, you shower here, you eat here. Fuck you've even got a drawer full of clothes and all your girly shit is in my bathroom. You're pretty much already living here Georgie".

"You want me to move in?"

"I do sweetheart. I need to know you're safe. If you go back there I'm just gonna be worrying about you all the time".

"What about college? It's not like we can just ride in together, that would raise some eyebrows".

"We'll work it out. You're all I care about. I would die inside if anything ever happened to you".

"I love you" Georgie whispered as she softly kissed his lips.

"Love you more. So that's a yes then?"

"Absolutely" Georgie grinned.

"Good. It's settled. We can move your stuff in the weekend. Maybe your room mate can help, it might look a bit strange if I help you move out of your dorm" he chuckled.

"I guess I need to talk to Jess" she said.

"You think she'll be okay with it? You moving out I mean"

"Yeah, she'll be fine when she knows why. Now I won't get interrogated every time leave to meet you".

"You still haven't told her any more?"