Friends before Lovers {NUKE fanfic}_@Mintgal2

1

Luke
I sat down on the bench, and the rest of the cabin crew surrounding me too.
This strange lodge was lit by dim candle light, the cold chill creeping alongside the frames of about every boarded up window of this place. Nick sat across from me, and I noticed the veiled askew look on his face.
"You alright?" I asked, and the only response I could gather was Nick pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Yeah, I just...I wish I never pulled that trigger." He said, his tone drenched in guilt.
"Just try not to think about it." I said, but I knew that was easier said than done. How can you not think about a life you have taken about four hours before? He was just a man in a bridge, willing to help, of course, and even though there was no appearatical evidence that he was dangerous, I keep telling myself 'your never know.' But it's just not the same.
Nick didn't respond. He wasn't stupid. He knew that he couldn't just wash it out of his mind.
I twisted around in my seat, and saw Clementine enter the room. I lifted my arm to wave her over, but Kenny, her newly reunited friend called: "Clementine!"
I put my arm down, awkward and embarrassed that people had witnessed me attempt to call somebody over. I knew I was unsuccessful when Clementine sat down with Kenny. It's whatever. She hasn't seen her friend in ages.
Everybody began to eat, the meal being served as some kind of light pink mush, but all the same, it was quite delicious. We were all on edge about the unsettling vibe from Kenny. Carlos sighed as he ate.
"Walter was telling me Kenny lost his entire family." Carlos said, and Sarah looked around at the group. "His child and wife."
"That's awful!" She exclaimed, and I nodded in agreement. Of course it would be.
"Poor guy." Alvin tutted.
"That can hit a guy pretty hard." I said. Of course we'd all lost people before, but it was different when a man like Kenny was by himself, with the past of a single receiver of his own family.
"But he's still a bit strange." Rebecca said, peeking over her shoulder where Kenny and Sarita were talking to Clementine.
"He was just protecting his lodge and friends." I said in defence. "Nick here can relate."
The group looked at Nick, who appeared to have not heard what we said, his mouth full of the mixed soup. I kicked his leg from under the table.
"Ow! What?" He hissed.
"Isn't that right, Nick?" Alvin asked, his voice cracking in the edges to laughter.
"Um, okay?" Nick said, and frowned. He stared from the view the lodge had near the window. I realised it was too soon to be cracking jokes. It was only five days since Nick had caught witness to his uncle, who was torn and eaten into a worst state.
I looked at my food sadly.
Rebecca stood up, bowl in hand.
"Finished already?" I joked.
Rebecca laughed. "Of course I am."
I realised that it wasn't just Rebecca being affected by the lack of food over the days. Sarah and Carlos, as well as Alvin evaded from their seats, and made way into the kitchen, their bowls empty.
"I don't trust that guy." Nick muttered, and nodded slightly at Kenny's direction. "I mean, he just...god, there's something off about him."
"I can't say I agree with you." I respond. "Can I just remind you, Clementine trusts you already, even though it was a few days ago you almost blew her head off."
"What-fucking-ever." Nick scowled. "She got up and ran. It scared the absolute fucking shit out of me."
"Jesus." I said, putting my hands up in defence. "Calm down."
"No." Nick said, which was accompanied by his usual frown. He was acting somewhat like a five-year-old.
"God." I roll my eyes. "I think it's safe to say that even Clementine acts mature than you."
"Shut up." Nick sighed over in Kenny's direction. "You know...what the fuck. Do you think we should talk to them?"
"Ye-yes." I answered, and taking my half empty bowl, Nick and I walked to the other direction. I sat beside Kenny, with Nick beside Clementine, as Sarita and Walter walked away.
I caught Clementine's gaze, and she looked quickly. Probably feeling weird about my pathetic excuse to wave her over. I know I am.
"Hey there." Kenny said, giving me a warm smile. I knew he wasn't bad. He seemed to care about Clementine, and her wishes.
"Hey." I said back. My reply was blunt, I'll admit, yet Kenny didn't seem to notice.
"Hope you like the food." He said.
"Oh, its...its great, thank you." I said. It was a strange combination, peaches and beans, yet it was better than starving.
"Peaches and beans." Kenny smiled. "Great for nutrition. Not too good on the way out, I tell ya!"
And with that, Kenny started laughing.
I cringed, his remark giving off too much information. I stared ahead, and noticed Clementine too had a slight look of disgust on her face.
Kenny settled down from his laughter, and sighed happily.
"So it's Luke...and Nick." He said, memorising our names. "Luke and Nick."
I nod, and after a second of thinking, Kenny added, "You two sure look like a match."
I stopped eating my meal, my spoon mid air. I gave Kenny a strange look of confusion.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Nick demanded.
Kenny smirked, like he was trying to hold back laughter.
"I'm just saying you look like good friends, that's all." Kenny said. Nick looked down at his bowl, and scowled. I felt embarrassed, so I changed the subject.
"So what's your plan here, hold out for the Winter?" I asked.
"Actually, we were thinking of moving on. Somewhere up North." Kenny said. "You ever heard of a pace called Wellington?"
The name was unfamiliar to me.
"Wellington?" I asked. "The hell is that?"
"Yeah, it's in the North." Clementine said. Didn't Kenny just say it was up North?
Kenny smiled at Clementine.
"It's supposed to be a camp up near Michigan." Kenny continued.
"Michigan?" Nick questioned. Michigan was quite far from here. Literally a day of driving, let alone to walk.
"You got a hearing problem, boy? Yeah, Michigan." Kenny spat. "Think about it. Fresh water, lots of land, and cold ass winters so the walkers get slow."
"Sounds like bullshit." Nick said, his voice clearly agitated with interacting with Kenny.
Kenny' swarm expression melted itself. "Listen, Vanilla Ice, I don't know what your deal is, but your more than welcome to take off in the morning."
I glared at Kenny. Why was he being such a dick?
"Well that'd be just fine by me." Nick snapped.
Stop stop stop Nick
"What's the deal with these guys, Clem?" Kenny asked, annoyed. Even though we were sitting right with him. Clementine looked torn, and her shoulder dropped in defence.
"Hey, fuck you, buddy." Nick said.
Shut the fuck up Nick!!
"It's fine, Nick, we're not stayin'!" I said.
"She's stayin'" Kenny interjected. I looked at Clementine in shock.
"What?" I asked, confused. Of course Clem would leave. She's dragged onto the run from some dipshit with us.
Clementine looked back and between us as we argued, until she clasped her hands over her ears.
"Gentlemen." Walter came behind Clementine. "There's no need for this."
We all looked between eachother.
"Look, we've all had a long day. Please eat." Walter continued. Nick looked away, and continued to eat.
Kenny sighed.
"Pass me that can, Duck." Kenny asked.
Clementine's eyes widened, for some reason. Kenny realised his mistake, and his face took on sadness.
"Duck?" I asked curiously. "Who's Duck?"
"Duck was his son..." Clementine said quietly.
I too, was shocked.
How bad would it be to call your old friend the name of your deceased son. I minded my business, and looked down at my bowl.
"Uh, Clementine, would you lend me a hand outside for a moment?" Walter asked, obviously trying to etch Clementine out of the verbal conflict going on here. Clementine stood up, and walked away behind Walter. Kenny shut his eyes as she left, obviously the grief of his family wasn't completely gone. It had been 25 months since the apocalypse had began. But time can't change these wounds.
And that just left the awkward silence of the three of us.