The moon was so bright tonight. I remembered the drive back to the Sanctuary clearly and had no problem arriving there. My guess was that it was about two in the morning when I got there. I deserted the car about a mile out and decided to walk the rest of the way there. Soon, I saw the familiar fence come up in the distance. Simon was at the top of the post, knowing I would come back.
"Damn, you got some balls." He laughed as the gate opened for me. He hopped down from the post and stood face to face with me. "Negan will definitely want to know you're back so quick."
"Drop it, Simon. I'm doing this for my brother and for Alexandria."
"Between you and me, Avery. You'll make a great addition to the Saviors. Now don't tell anyone I said that, I have a reputation to keep up with." Simon smiled.
"What, being Negan's bitch?" I laughed. He knew I was joking and laughed with me. I heard two doors slam open and out came Negan. He was wearing a black pair of joggers and his white t-shirt. He looked good in everything.
"Thought I heard your beautiful voice." Negan gave a warm smile.
"Thanks, boss." Simon butted in. I began to laugh uncontrollably.
"Simon, get back to fucking work." Negan's voice was serious but you could tell he appreciated the laugh that Simon got out of me. Negan was in front of me now. "Damn, this moonlight makes you look even more stunning than you already are. How is that even possible? Glad to see you back."
"I keep my promises." I smirked at him.
"I hope you don't mind, I don't have a room yet for you. I need to make arrangements tomorrow. I'm sure as hell not letting you sleep in a cell so we get to be roommates tonight." He winked. I rolled my eyes playfully and followed him to the room I was familiar with. He let me in first and I put my bag down on the chair. I grabbed the baseball cap out of my back pocket and put it on top. "What's that?" Negan asked me, noticing the hat.
"It was Jackson's." I said, softly. "Rick gave it to me before I left tonight. He said he found it on a run a few months ago but wasn't sure if I was ready to see it." Negan nodded, leaving the conversation there.
"There's a bathroom there, feel free to do what you need. I'll be here." He offered.
"Why are you being so nice? Is your big bad wolf mantra just an act?" I giggled.
"I told you, I trust you. For some fucked up reason, I find you intriguing to me." Negan explained. I smiled, satisfied at his answer and grabbed a few things from my bag to take to the bathroom and change. A few minutes later, I walked out of the bathroom, changed in a pair of shorts and an old t-shirt I've somehow managed to scavenge since the beginning.
"Do you mind if I look at your books?" I asked him.
"They're all yours." He said from his sitting up position in bed, reading himself.
"What are you reading?" I asked him.
"Crime and Punishment. Ever read it?" He asked. I was over at his bookcase now, looking at his impressive collection. I only looked at his records before, but now I got to admire his case of classic novels. I decided on The Sound and the Fury, a book I read in high school.
"I have. A bit of a challenge to read, but I loved it nonetheless." I answered him, moving toward the couch in the corner of the room. I saw him smirk at me from his spot on the bed as I sat crosslegged and opened the book.
"I don't bite, you know." He commented. "Come over here." He pleaded. I got up and moved from my spot on the couch to his bed. "What did you find?" He asked, peaking over at my book. I showed him the cover.
"I read this in high school. I remember loving the writing style. The different narratives, how they were all so contrasting but wrapped around to each other." I explained as I smiled. I caught Negan smiling at me out of the corner of my eye. "You know they say it takes 10 hours to read Crime and Punishment. You'll never get done if you keep staring." I called him out. I caught him go bright red and turn back to his book.
"You got me there, Avery." He laughed. "Some days, in late August at home are like this, the air thin and eager like this, with something in it sad and nostalgic and familiar." Negan whispered.
"You're full of knowledge, aren't you?" I smiled, knowing he quoted the book I was reading and facing him.
"Impressive, isn't it?" He asks, rolling over and propping his head up with an elbow. I looked into his eyes, noticing a calm and patient charm. "Can I kiss you?" He asked me. I hesitated, but nodded slightly. He sat up again and leaned towards me. I used my arms to steady myself at my side and met him halfway. Our lips brushed together before he pulled me onto his lap in one swift movement. I ran my hands down his chest and deepened the kiss. I felt him place his hands under my loose shirt and move upward. I pulled away and rested my forehead on his.
"I don't want to take this any further, I'm sorry." I whispered. He shook his head and smiled, brushing my hair behind my hair and cupping my cheek in his hand.
"I respect that, doll. Don't worry." He kissed my nose and I rolled off of him. I placed my book on the nightstand as he turned off the lamp that was illuminating the room. It was just the moonlight creeping in through the windows. I faced Negan, noticing his features brighten in the dim light. "Goodnight, Avery." He pulled me into his chest and I comfortably lay next to him. I had no idea what I was doing, but I didn't hate it.
YOU ARE READING
moonlight // negan
Romancein which a survivor of the apocalypse is attracted to the man who captured her. she's drawn to his darkness, finding that they aren't as different as she originally thought.
