Clementine & Louis One-shots

If We Have Each Other

Word Count: 1083

Summary: Louis listens in on a tender moment between Clementine and A.J.

A/N: Louis + Clementine + Music = My Saviour

Enjoy :)

-

It was another late night for her, trying to rebuild this boarding school was proving to be harder than originally thought. Clementine tried to rub out the growing knot in her shoulder as she wandered to her room, the past two weeks had been relentless, to say the least. The other kids were starting to grow anxious, they thought Lily would have attacked by now. What was taking them so long? Were they trying to psyche everyone out? Well, it was certainly starting to work.

"Hey, Clem."

Despite the soft tone, it took Clementine by surprise as she closed the door behind her. "What are you still doing awake kiddo?"

A.J played with a loose thread on the blanket. He had huddled himself into the corner of the room. "I couldn't sleep." Clementine knew there was something on his mind, he's usually a calm sleeper otherwise. "What's wrong A.J?" She kneeled down next to the bed and tried to catch his eye. "Did you have a bad dream?"

A.J slowly looked up at her, he didn't appear sad, more worried than anything else. "It's just...I thought the Raiders would have been here by now. What if they attack us during the night while everyone is sleeping? Someone has to stay awake, to protect everyone."

Clementine raised an eyebrow. "And that person is you?" A.J helplessly shrugged. It hurt her deep down to know of the horrors that A.J kept to himself. When she was his age all that concerned her was colouring within the lines, not an oncoming group ready to kill anyone that stood in their way. "You have nothing to worry about A.J, I know it seems scary, but I'm here for you. We're all here for each other. I can promise that nothing bad will happen to you, or anyone."

It was all A.J needed to hear. The smile that dawned on him made Clementine feel warm and fuzzy. It's all she could hope for him, that he would grow up happy and safe. "Clem...is it okay if you sing me to sleep? Like you used to when I was little."

Clementine remembered the nights when A.J was a little tyke, the sound of walkers and distant gunfire would keep him awake and often made him cry. Singing was how she calmed him down, it started off as just humming but she started to sing songs that she heard when she was younger or ones that she picked up whilst on the road. "Sure," A.J eagerly scooched out from the corner and laid down on the soft sheets. "I've only heard this song a couple of times, so hopefully I can remember the words."

~~~

His own humming kept him company as he strolled down the dark hallway, the moonlight casting crazy shadows on the walls. Louis was finalizing this song he had been writing the past week, it helped keep his mind off of...everything really. The raiders, the neverending arguments, Marlon.

Fuck

He could still hear his voice inside his head, there was no peace. Not after what A.J did. Louis felt guilty for having negative thoughts about the little dude's actions, there was this conflict between his head and his heart. His head was screaming 'he murdered your best friend! Clementine is a psychopath for trusting a child with a gun!' but his heart whispered 'he thought she was in danger, and what Marlon did was inexcusable. Clementine didn't tell him to shoot anyone...'

It was a difficult struggle, to say the least.

He had almost walked by Clementine's door when he noticed a soft noise coming from inside. He whipped his head around as he tried to piece together what he was hearing.

"She'd never be alone

Have someone to hold."

Oh my god...

"And when nights were cold

She'd say,"

...Clementine was...singing?

"The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad

If we got each other, and that's all we have

I will be your mother, and I'll hold your hand

You should know I'll be there for you".

It was imperfect and yet totally perfect at the same time. She was clearly a Soprano, which took Louis by great surprise, considering the gruff nature of her voice. He tip-toed closer to the door, his mind already becoming addicted to her voice.

"When the world's not perfect

When the world's not kind

If we have each other then we'll both be fine

I will be your mother, and I'll hold your hand

You should know I'll be there for you."

Louis leaned his head against the cold door, taking in this moment. Part of him felt as if he was intruding. If Clementine knew he was listening she would kick his ass to kingdom come. But who knows when he would get the chance to hear this again, no way would she sing for anyone but A.J.

A.J.

"Shit," Louis whispered. Complete and utter guilt hit him like a truck, all of the cruel glares and snarky remarks flew through his brain like poison. A.J was but a child, growing up in a world where being on the defence is the norm. To be anything else is suicide.

"They were 90 and were living out their days

On the West-side of the city next to where they got engaged

They had pictures on the walls of all the memories that they'd made

And though life was never easy, they were thankful that they stayed."

Louis couldn't help but smile greatly. The lyrics resonated with him, he was glad that Clementine came back. He honestly thought that she was dead, after that encounter with the man and the woman in the woods. Seeing her come back to Ericson, carrying A.J with all her might, felt like a sign to him. As if she were some guardian angel, she was beautiful like one. Her determination to A.J was astounding, she had so much faith in him even after recognising his mistake.

Louis slowly backed up from the door. His heart was beating so fast, his brain so goddamn inspired right now. He decided that tomorrow he would talk to her, explain himself and ask for forgiveness. For the first time in two weeks, his brain and his heart felt at peace. A.J was never and will never be a bad person, not as long as Clementine is watching over him.