The Ruins Part 2 (Sequel to The Ruins)

Chapter 40

Negan was already to Tom's home when Mal got back to the house after her patrol- she could hear him singing loud and off-key over the sound of the shower down the hallway. Mal climbed the stairs and pawed through the scant contents of the bedroom closet, which contained a few nice button-up shirts that must have been from the previous owner. She chose one for Lalon since he couldn't find one and pleads Vix to make her one and she didn't have enough time. The shower had been shut off for a few minutes to cross the hallway and knock on the bedroom door. Negan answered it with wet, rumpled hair and a towel around his waist. Mal swallowed hard and tried not to question why she was having to force herself to look Negan in the eye.

"There's a... gathering tonight." Mal mumbled awkwardly, hovering in Negan's doorway. He clutched the shirt in her hand. "At Gregory's. I don't think it's optional."

"A gathering?"

"For the people remorse. Like a party, I guess. He wants everyone to meet us." It felt like a problem from another life, not wanting to go to a neighborhood get-together.

"What's that?" Negan asked, nodding to the shirt.

"It's for Lalon. There were some dress shirts in one of the closets upstairs. Thought it would make a better impression than bloodstained t-shirts."

Negan chuckled and went to the closet, looking the one he saw. Mal didn't realize she was watching him until Negan's eyes found her's again and she felt her face grow warm.

"I, uh. I'll go get dressed," Mal mumbled, closing Negan's door behind her and head downstairs where Vix holds out the dress for her.

"That for me?" She asked, smiling on how beautiful it is.

"Wanted something you're comfortable with. And to show off."

The dress is a dark lavender purple, short at the front to the knees and long at the back. It was thick but not too puffy, embroidered in layers. Putting on with the addition of short purple gloves, Vix starts on Mal's hair, curling the tips of her hair. After Mal puts on sneakers, Vix is dolled up and beautiful as ever. Her dress is rich blue, so long and sophisticated, the raven hair topped in a bun, and soft makeup.

A short while later, they met in the living room, everyone donned in clean clothes. Lugh puts a crisp white shirt and tight jeans. It strange to see him slinking his hair back with gel, and had this happy look on his face. He must of finally confessed his feelings for Alec; she liked how he found someone to protect and love him. Lalon had taken his time to wear a stylish suit, the jacket is leather, of course, and hair pulled into a ponytail.

They head over, Mal feeling a bit ridiculous like she was the center of attention. As if she wanted more people to look at her again. She thought about what the heck would Negan wear. Mal imagines Negan's going to show up in that godforsaken jacket and those filthy biker boots of his, complete with red scarf and gloved hands that will no doubt have people being a bit timid at his appearance. Not necessarily a bad thing, since Mal would of done the same but instead let herself dress up nice for the people in the community, not for Gregory.

When Mal spots Negan coming behind them, she's surprised to see that Negan actually isn't in his usual leather jacket. The guy has chosen a black suit with a white undershirt, and he's wearing some sort of cologne that Mal realizes amidst a flashback of Vix's eyebrow-waggle smells good. Negan looks good, smells good, and when he peers up at Mal and that smile tugs at the corners of his lips, Mal finds she's impressed by just how cleaned-up the bad boy Negan can get.

Mal notices he's shaved off his beard, and she almost strange and a bit sad for seeing him with no beard. Either way, she likes how Negan looks, all clean-shaven like that. She can see the sharp jawline and the dimples that form when he grins better, now.