{selfinsert}

//4 am (negan)

//My home life has always been p Yikes so I made this a while back...sorry?

  She found it ironic, calling him when she had such childish problems. Teenage angst-y problems at the best.

'Oh no, my parents were fighting again.'
'Oh no, dad cheated again.'
'Oh no, mom is drunk and crying.'

  It was the same bullshit for the past five years, why would it be any different now? How could she have already forgotten after just a year away at college? She guessed there it was easy to forget, with all the homework and the friends and the evening shifts at the pub. She called her mom every few days but...when she needed to she could tune it all out. Something impossible when her mom was screaming in the room just across from her.

So she was calling Negan, her incredibly grown up, incredibly secret boyfriend. He was twice her age and nothing but trouble but God, she loved him.

She was about to hit 'End Call' when he answered, a gruff tone to his voice "...baby, you do realize it's four in the morning--"

"I know-- I'm sorry--" She whispered

"What was so damn important--?" He grumbled, grumpy but not mad.

"I um--" She sniffled, taking a shaky breath "...I needed to hear your voice--?"

"....are you cryin'-?"

"No--"

"Don't you lie."

"A-A little."

She could hear the frown in his voice, his tone becoming much more tender "Now whatever for baby girl?"

"My...my dad um, he cheated on my mom again, month back and--- God they won't stop fighting-- and my mom is drunk and--"

"Just breathe baby-- can you face time right now?"

"...y-yeah, I guess--"

"Good. Now hang up, get your earbuds and I'll call you on there. Sound good?"

"Y-yeah--"

She fished in her bedside drawer, hooking them up and turning the lamp on. She knew she looked like shit, face blotchy and eyes all red and puffy but today she didn't care.

She answered the call "...there's my beautiful baby doll."

"...I miss you so much." She mumbled. Three hours was a long way...especially without a car. She'd met him up by her university- he was a teacher at a local high school there.

"I know. That's why I thought I'd give you some good news early--"

"News?"

"Yes ma'am. I found a summer house--"

"That's great." Her voice fell flat, though unintentionally.

"Hey now, that ain't the great part,  lemme finish. I found one in your neighborhood. By that fancy lake."

"...you're kidding."

"Cross my heart and swear to die. I'll see you in a week or two, as long as you can handle sneaking over."

"O-of course I can--" She started crying... happily, this time.

"Oh, no crying. Show me a smile-- good-- now should I tell you a story or somethin?"

"...please?"

"Lay down and get all cozy. Grab Pixie too."

She rummaged and found the bear he bought her, pulling her blankets up to her chin.

"Good. Now, once upon a time..." He started off on some entertaining tale chock full of regurgitated Disney plots and inappropriate quips. It was silly but...it distracted her, and sure enough she was dozing off.

"And then the bitch--"

"Mm...Ne--?" She mumbled, half asleep

"...yeah baby?"

"Love you."

"I love you more princess."

She hummed, finally falling asleep.

"...I really do."