Surviving for each other

Chapter 9: The Unexpected

The sun shone through your thin curtains while you wrestled to keep your eyes closed. "Just another hour, sun please" you whine in frustration. You decided to let the day have its way and get up. Looking at your watch you noticed you actually slept longer than expected. It was closing into 10 and you could tell it would be a long day. Your (H/T) hair fell around you framing your face. Your (H/T) hair puffed out as you brushed it. Adding a bit of water kept it in corole but wasn't perfect. You decided today was hot enough for a dress. Putting on a pair of jean shorts and a sports bra you looked for a dress. Pulling out a blue capped sleeve dress with floral print you pulled it on over your shorts. You put your hair up into a messy bun and put in a pair of stud earrings. You popped your head through the cracked door to scope out the kitchen. It was getting close to 10 so you decided to see if Leon was awake. You slowly opened the door to his new room and looked around the corner. Leon was sprawled out over the bed, one leg covered by a sheet the other hanging off the bed. You smiled at him leaning on the door  "I wonder what got him dead tired. Maybe he is just catching up on those sleepless nights." You go to exit before you hear an audible mumble. He turned and tossed it looked like he was having a nightmare. Worried you hurried over putting your hand on his shoulder. At your contact he shot up and instantly flew out of bed. You backed up, eyes wide and lips parted. He looks at you with a look of panic before giving a heavy exhale. "Jesus Leon are you ok?!" He took a seat on the edge of the bed slumped over. You wandered over and sat down next to him. "This happens kinda a lot." he said blankly, elbows on his thighs, head in his hands. You bend down to look in his eyes, his head raising to not lose eye contact with you. "I get it....I really do. This world leaves a scar on you and not the cool kind." He gave a little huff at your attempt to alleviate the tension. "I have this thing I do to relieve the mental stress. I can show you maybe.... and maybe hopefully you can find something to cope." you continue as he continues to look at you. "That means a lot to me (Y/N). thanks." he said this quietly. You two sat in the dim quiet room just taking in the atmosphere. Leon gets up and walks over to the closet behind the door. You got the message "Here um... I am going to be in the kitchen just come get me if you want to talk." He looks over his shoulder and gives you a soft smile.

"Push" by Matchbox Twenty played in the kitchen as you sat on a chair in front of the island thinking about how to help. "I don't know if there is much I can do for him. This is kind of a journey he has to take on his own. It's not easy I know but maybe if I can even just be there for him that will help. God knows no one was there for me." You sometimes spoke to yourself outloud when in deep thought or during a task. Unknown to you your guest was close by. "Listen (Y/N)..... anything you do will help. Even you just being around helps. I don't want you to think that my issues are now yours." You cut him off immediately. "No! No! Leon I don't want you to think you're a berdon. I just remember how much I needed someone when I was bad. I would have killed or died just to have someone there with me. I want to give you someone to lean back on and I hope that can be me. And I know even if I found a way to cope I am not fixed but if I can help I might get you closer to peace." You moved from sitting on the chair to sitting on the counter. Leon walked up to you and took you in his arms. You tense but then hug him back. He buried himself into your soft (H/C) hair as he hugged you tighter. "(Y/N)....." He was muffled but you could hear him. "We only met yesterday but it feels like I have known you forever." You leave the embrace as he asks his next. "(Y/N) I would really like to take you out. I really like you." You laugh nervously as you jump down and start to walk away. "Leon you can't be serious.... Look at me and look at you, we don't fit the picture. This is just because there aren't any other girls out there. I'm........I'm not good enough trust me." He looks at you completely serious. "(Y/N) When I saw you yesterday I thought you were so beautiful I couldn't even think. We have known each other for 24 hours but I just know it's right. Come on give me just one chance I know you're way out of my league." He smiles at you as you turn around and giggle. "Jesus, Leon are you sure. I mean I really like you but I doubt I am the right one. You could get any girl! You're like the perfect guy! You're sweet, caring, handsome....."
"(Y/N) even if this wasn't the apocalypse I would still ask you out." You look up to him with wide eyes. He looks at you with wanting eyes, hoping for a good answer. "I will...uh go out with you." Your face was bright red. "You won't regret it I promise!" The whole day you saw Leon off and on. He would comment on your dress and give you sweet little looks. you weren't used to the attention but you liked it. It was getting late and you didn't even realize it until it started to get dark. You were spending time in the front yard in your favorite hammock. The hammock was situated high up in the tree and took a bit of climbing to get to. The little view through the branches was totally worth it. It was almost like your own watch tower, you could see everyone but no one could see you. You look through the tree branches as you hear the hum of an engine. You start to look around noticing an old red truck pass by with a familiar face behind the wheel. You start quickly climbing down the tree. You jump from the last branch onto the ground as your dress puffs out from the draft. He pulls up into the driveway next to the tree as you excitedly run up to the truck. He leans over and pops the door open. He was wearing a blue button up short sleeve shirt buttoned up all the way except for the very top button. A pair of his many, you noticed, tactical pants and belt littered with every little bit of safety equipment. "You got this old thing working! This is amazing!" You have the biggest smile. "Are you just going to admire or are you going to hope in." He looked at you as you hopped into the cloth seat. The seat was hot and velvety, a gray color with small lines. The truck had a bench seat in front and no back seat, just the truck bed. He started to reverse down the driveway as you asked where you were going. "It's that date I promised you (Y/N)." He looks at you as the wind starts to blow from the speed of the drive. The warm summer breeze blew your hair back as you exited the subdivision going the opposite of your normal route. Everything looks so different, all the things you used to know were unfamiliar. It made you sad to think that you would no longer make those summer memories. You passed an old party store on the corner next to the river's waterfall. remembering the times you had with your family brought tears to your eyes. There was an old wooden bench right outside the entrance you used to sit on. You swear as you passed you could see it, you and your sisters sitting there in the summer sun. Leon noticed your tears as he drove on. He looked to you and grabbed your hand, holding it in his. You looked up giving him a smile wiping some tears. He just squeezed your hand, no words needed for you to feel his comfort. You have been driving for a little while when Leon pulls off the road. You look at him a bit confused but go along with his plan. It was dark, pitch black dark. He parked the truck in this big field and ushered you to get out with him. He pulled up the bench seat revealing a compartment full of blankets and pillows. Pulling them out he threw them in the truck bed. "I thought for our first date we could stargaze. Just the stars and my beautiful date." You fiddle a bit by the comment but soon left it to rest. He goes to help you in the back but you could get in just fine. You and him lay out the blankets making a comfortable area from the hard metal of the truck bed. Laying down you notice Leon placing something by his side, it was his gun. You noticed he never left without it just like you and your knife. It might not be as powerful but the wielder sure made it to be. You laid down feeling safe with him next to you, even in the dark. He laid down but then shot back up remembering something he forgot. He hopped out the truck bed going back to the compartment. Swinging back into the truck he carried a small cassette player and a cassette. "I have never seen that one before?" you commented as he played the tape. "I made this a while ago, carrying it with me for the right time." You look at him in anticipation, you didn't know he was that into music. With a little slam of the cassette door "The Freshman" by The Verve Pipe started to create a calm atmosphere. The dark embraced you both as you laid next to each other. For once you were comfortable being with someone. He made you feel good like you were needed. "We were merely freshmen" he sang a bit, you thought it was cute. He was really into the music as he laid back down. You just looked up at the stars. "She fell in love in the first place." You sang and he smiled at you. "What songs don't you know (Y/N)." You just gave him a chuckle "that just means you have good taste, officer Kennedy." He just couldn't stop smiling as the song picked up a bit. He scooted closer to you putting his arm around you. You blush from the close contact but eventually lean into it. He noticed your reluctance to give comfort back. "Have I told you how beautiful you look in that dress." You laugh and give him a playful punch in the arm. "I'm serious (Y/N) I think you look gorgeous." You look up to the stars trying to forget your doubting feelings. "I haven't done this is so long." He rolls over turning to look at you as you continue looking at the stars. "Me and my sisters used to do this. Lay in the grass and just look up at the mass of stars. The one good thing about the country is the stars. Always so clear and always so inviting." He looks at you in the dim light given by the truck's headlights and wonders what happened. "When I was little my dad took me out to look at the stars. That was right after I told him I wanted to be a cop. He said to me something I will never forget. He said; Leon.. Imagine all these stars are people. When you become an officer your job is to protect all of them. There's a lot but even the little things matter. No matter what happens you have to protect every star no matter the size or the caust........... My dad was a strong man I guess not strong enough." You take his hand trying to comfort him, you knew words wouldn't do it.
"A Long December" by Counting Crows played as he opened the tailgate. "How'd I know this song was on your playlist." You said stepping off the tailgate. "Because (Y/N) you're clever like me. And trust me that's a good quality." You look at him, feet in the tall grass, dress swaying in the slow air. "What a gentleman, you look very handsome in that shirt might I say." He looks away, his face heating up from the compliment. "Thanks." he flashed that adorable smile that just made you melt. "Um.. care to dance with me (Y/N)?" You were really nervous for the close contact and his hands on you but you agreed. You rested your hands on his shoulders as he went to put his hands on your waist. This made you noticeably uncomfortable and he could tell. "Hey....what are you so nervous about. You're so stunning I should be the one nervous." You look at him with a small smile. "I guess this part always made me nervous. I've never done this with anyone. I guess I was worried what they would say when they touched me because I am not exactly picture perfect." You fiddled with your hands as you just stared at them. He grabs your hands and places them back on this shoulder and his hands on your hips. You tense a bit when he touches your waist. " How could you possibly know what I think or feel about you. For the record I think you are beyond compare." You lean your head against his blue collar as he wraps his arms around you. Both swaying to the soft music that played in the background. He backs you up looking into his sparkling blue eyes. He leans in when you hear the crunch of leaves in the nearby forest. You quickly turned around as Leon pulled out his gun. "We'll have to finish this later." There is no way he doesn't make you blush. The rustling got louder as a small figure emerged from the trees. You decided to take a step closer motioning for Leon to turn on the truck's brights. He did so and there stood a young girl you would guess around 12 stumbling towards the car. She had blond hair dirty and matted, an old school uniform ripped and bags under her eyes. She wore a large blue coat and a large locket around her neck.  At first you thought she was infected but she then spoke. "Help please." She stumbled around as you ran up to her, Leon still getting out of the truck. You failed to notice the zombie approaching the both of you as Leon ran over. He took aim and killed the thing with one bullet to the head. "(Y/N) we are farther out than you think that might attract more of them we should go." You look back at him nodding. You scooped the girl into your arms and made your way back to the truck. Placing her in the middle you slid in beside her. She instantly laid her head on your lap as Leon started for the road. She fell asleep almost immediately as the two of you slowly drove home. "What's going on Leon, where did she even come from?" You said as you checked her for bites. "I don't know but what matters is we found her before anything else did." You brush some hair from her face. "We were blessed to find you and I am sure you'll be safe where we're going." Leon gives you a slight grin as you admire hopefully yet another member to your little family.