Friends before Lovers {NUKE fanfic}_@Mintgal2

30

Luke
I sighed, and sat up, the sun stretching up over the building. Clementine was already awake, her breathe visible in the cold air. Nick was beside Rebecca, his face turned away from the door. I realised that in my tightening thought process, that in a world like this, I could die today, I could die tomorrow. I'd rather be with Nick as long as I can, before freezing to death, or getting torn apart. Kenny saw me awake, and shook his head.
"What?" I ask. "Can I help you with something?"
"Oh no, Luke. We all know you can't do anything without getting sidetracked. At the moment? Jane leaving must be a big distraction." Kenny rolled his eyes. I felt my fists curl up at my sides.
"Godammit, Kenny, you know what? Just...lay off." I said.
"No. You put our lives, this BABY'S life at risk so that you two could roll around like fucking teenagers." Kenny snapped back.
"Look, I made a mistake, alright?" I pleaded.
"No it's not alright!" Kenny said.
"You guys are both acting like jerks." Clementine said crossly. "All you do is fight."
"Look, I'm sorry, okay? I fucked up." I apologised. "...but you know what, Jane made an offer, and...Jesus Christ, I needed it, okay? I mean, look around you, okay? Everything is SHIT! So forgive me for wanting one moment of somethin' else!" The anger kept coursing through, and Nick was silent across from me.
"Fine." Kenny allowed. "But this baby...He's what matters now, got it? So get your shit together."
"Kenny, where's my baby?" Rebecca asked.
"Is everything alright?" Mike asked.
"Everything is fine." I said.
"We're gonna need a good place to raise him, which ain't here. We need to push on." Kenny said. "We head North, get to Wellington. That's our best shot."
"There's a town across the river. It might be safe there." Clementine suggested.
"Or at least it might be a good shot on the way." Kenny said.
"Kenny!" Rebecca called again. Kenny looked at the baby, who was whimpering.
"I'm sorry." He said, and handed him back to Bec.
"Clem's got a point. That could be a whole town full of supplies, and not that far from here." Bonnie agreed.
"Whole lot better than here, anyway. Looks like that's our best bet. We need to get on the road as soon as possible. We leave at first light." Kenny decided.
"Woah, woah! What are you talkin' about? Rebecca needs rest. A few days...at the least!" I exclaimed.
"We got that baby formula." Bonnie said.
"That won't help the rest of us. We have a few cans of beans left. And what about shelter? We'll freeze out there." Mike said, weighing the risks.
"Luke's right, she needs to rest. We should wait a few days." Clementine agreed with me. I knew then that Kenny would have to give in.
"Maybe that's for the best. We don't want to push Rebecca too hard." Bonnie said.
"Just give me a day or two, Kenny. I'll be fine." Rebecca insisted.
"This is a mistake." Kenny snarled.
"Look, we should all try to get some sleep. It's been a long day." Mike said. And with that, we all departed.
I leaned down near Rebecca, her grey, sick skin looking as bad as a turning person.
"Sorry." She whispered.
"Okay, Becs. It's going to be alright." I said.

Kenny walked off to the other room, angry at Clementine, and he insisted Rebecca get rest as promised, while he looked after the baby. Nick and Clementine leaned against the wall, Nick asleep to the point where he slouched on his tailbone so his neck wouldn't strain. I sighed, and made my way over to them, and sat on the other side of Nick.
"Thanks, Clem...for, uh, sticking up for me." I thanked Clementine.
"It's not that. I don't want anyone to die. Rebecca will die if we push her." Clementine said.
"I told you not to think about it." I reminded Clem.
"It's hard not to." Clementine excused.
"Still. Focus on surviving before living, okay?" I ask. Clementine nodded, and sighed. I saw a tear roll down her cheek and she wiped it away. "Oh, come on."
I lean over and hug her, Nick stirring beside me.
"Oh." Nick frowned.
"Wanna hug?" Clementine joked, her voice going back to normal.
"No thanks. Human interaction isn't really my thing." Nick smiled.
I nudge Nick. "That's not true."
On the look on Nick's face, he knew I was referring to last time.
"What?" Clementine recognised the familiarity on both of our faces.
"Nothing." Nick and I said at the same time.
"Are you sure?" Clementine asked, and laughed.
"Oh Clem." Rebecca said weakly across the room. "Don't worry bout' Luke and Nick."
I giggled at her remark, and Nick rolled his eyes. Clementine sighed, and shivered.
"It's getting too cold..." She muttered.
"It'll be snowing in a few days." Rebecca laughed. "Let's see how 'cold' it is then."
"Ugh." Clementine rolled her eyes.