This Is How I Disappear (Negan/OFC)

Chapter 56

Spirits are high at The Sanctuary after Christmas. When New Years Eve comes around, residents are excited to let loose and party a little.

"You gonna come down to the rec room with me tonight?" Negan asks Chuck as he sits down beside her on the couch in their room.

"I guess," Chuck answers, not exactly excited about the prospect.

"You don't fuckin' have to." He props his arm on the back of the couch behind Chuck and twirls one of her curls in his fingers absentmindedly. "I just thought we could fuckin' kiss at midnight."

Chuck laughs. "I forgot that was a thing."

He raises his eyebrows questioningly. "You forgot?"

She shrugs a shoulder. "Well, it's been a few years since I watched the ball drop on New Year's Rockin' Eve," Chuck jokes back sarcastically.

Negan laughs, too.

"Besides, I've literally never kissed anyone on New Year's."

"Really?" Negan asks.

Chuck gives him an incredulous look. "You think I was invited to a lot of New Year's Eve parties back in the day?"

Negan shrugs, but still smirks at her. "Well, I'll be fuckin' honored to be your first 'first kiss of the new year'." He chuckles at himself then leans over to kiss her.

Chuck giggles. "I guess I can make an appearance with you tonight," she jokes back.

Later that night, Negan and Chuck walk into the second floor rec room hand in hand. Everyone pauses their festivities to bow in respect.

Negan holds his arm out wide, thrusting Lucille in the air. "Now that I'm here," he calls out, "this party can really get fuckin' started! As you were!" Negan starts to walk further into the room as people rise. "Someone get me a fuckin' drink!"

Someone does get Negan a drink. Several of them, in fact. And Chuck knows that Negan is going to regret it in the morning.

"You know," Chuck leans in to speak to Negan as they sit on a couch, "you're gonna say 'why did you let me drink so much' tomorrow," she teases.

Negan takes a swig of the clear liquid in his glass and pulls her into his side. "I'll be fine, baby. Don't fuckin' worry."

By the time 11:59 hits, everyone except Chuck is pretty rowdy drunk. But they're still able to count down.

"Five, four, three..." everyone chants.

Chuck grabs ahold of Negan's hand and can't help the big smile that appears on her face as she looks into his eyes.

"...two, one! Happy New year!"

Negan pulls her into him and kisses her deeply. The whole world melts away around Chuck while she savors the feel of her husband. After everything she's been through, she's still truly happy at this moment.

Negan breaks the kiss, but doesn't move back, smiling wide against her lips. "Happy New Year, baby," he whispers.

"Happy New Year," she repeats.

Though Chuck is tired, she stays with Negan as he continues to imbibe and participate in the festivities. It takes her literally falling asleep on Negan's shoulder as he is recounting a story for some saviors for him to decide to leave.

When they get to their apartment, Negan crashes quickly, barely setting Lucille on the coffee table and getting his boots off before collapsing on the bed. Chuck lets out a sigh before attempting to undress Negan and getting him fully in the bed. By the time that's done and she's in her own nightgown, Chuck herself collapses on the bed, too, falling asleep almost instantly.