Tell Me You Love Me

Date Night

After a few hours of helping out at Alexandria's garden, Rick finally decided to ask Negan about dinner. Walking out of the fenced in area closing the gate behind him, Rick started to walk to Negan's.

As he got closer and closer, Rick started to get nervous. What's the worst he could say? No? Rick didn't want to imply that it was a date, afraid that it would turn Negan off. He was just simply going to ask Negan if he wanted to come over for dinner, just to hang out and maybe get to know one another better - considering the only time they really talked was right before they had sex in that motel.

Rick stopped in his tracks looking at the steps leading up to the front door, contemplating if he should really do this. Palms sweaty, heart racing, stomach doing flips, Rick made his way up the steps and onto the porch. Lifting his hand up to knock on the door, Rick paused. Come on, just do it Rick - stop being a little bitch. Rolling his eyes - basically at himself, he knocked on the door.

Heavy footsteps coming from the other side of the door, soon revealed Negan. "Oh, hey Ricky!" Negan said, seemingly excited to see Rick after not even a week apart from each other. "Hey" Rick smiled, his heart beating even faster now. "I got the house to myself tonight - Carl and Judith are over at Carol's. Figured I'd ask you to come over for dinner if you're not busy." Rick was honestly surprised he could get all that out without stopping or stuttering. Looking into Negan's eyes he observed them for what felt like ages. Though his eyes were fucking gorgeous, Rick just wanted an answer.

"Hey, that sounds great!" Negan smirked. "Always like a homemade meal!" Said Negan winking. Rick returned a smirk, though it was turning into more of a whole hearted smile. "Well - I honestly wouldn't get your hopes up. I really can't cook for shit. Tonight's an exception." Rick let out a soft giggle. He could feel Negan staring at him, almost as if he was somehow lost in his presence. "We're in the damn apocalypse - I'll eat shit on bread for all I care." Negan said with a chuckle. "If it comes down to it, we can just make dinner together. I know my way around the kitchen fairly well." A proud smile formed on Negan's face.

"Yeah, yeah." Rick said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "Be at my house by 6:30. Bring an apron too." Said Rick with a wide smile. Backing up a few steps, Rick then walked down the steps, and looked back at Negan. "Alright Rick, 6:30" Negan said before closing the door. Making his way back to his house, Rick was surprised that went so well. He definitely thought that he would've stopped mid sentence, not knowing what to do.

An hour later, the clock read 6:10. Rick had spent the last 45 minutes trying to prepare dinner for him and Negan. He wouldn't say it was going well - but it was definitely going.

It was 6:29, and there was a knock on the door. Taking out a pan from the oven, Rick of course had to burn himself on it. Disregarding the pain, he put the pan down and walked to the door, opening it. "Smells like...burnt...um, I don't even know, but you for sure burned something." A heavy chuckle coming out of Negan. Rolling his eyes, Rick moved aside to let Negan in. "Well, besides from burning my finger, that's probably the somewhat burnt garlic toast you're smelling." Rick's face started turning red as he held back a laugh, but it ended up just blurting out.

"Hey, burnt garlic toast really isn't bad though. Adds to the crispness." Negan admitted, glancing over at Rick - giving him a smirk. "We'll see" Rick sighed. Negan sat on the couch in the living room, sprawling out somewhat. Rick went back to the kitchen and started preparing the plates of food.

"So, we have a few types of soda and some lemonade. You have a preference?" Rick asked raising an eyebrow. "Surprise me" Negan winked. God, was Negan being a flirt tonight. Rick still planned on bringing up their little hookup they had a few days ago. He could feel himself falling for Negan.

Bringing two plates to the table, setting them down on each side. "Ziti...with some kind of meat. Uh, don't even ask. And here's your lemonade - we ran out of ice, sorry about that." Rick said with a small smile on his face. He sat down across from Negan and made himself comfortable.

Throughout their meal, they made mostly small talk, still getting to know each other more. They had talked about their life before the apocalypse, Rick now knew about Lucille. Just as Negan now knows about Lori. Though it's in the past, both men can't help but feel bad for each other.

They went down memory lane...for once - Rick felt normal. So did Negan. The men seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves, feeling comfortable in each other's presence. Rick hesitated on asking Negan about how he felt about him, he didn't wanna ruin the moment.

"I've been meaning to ask. Our um, hookup? If that's what you wanna call it. I don't know about you, but ever since...I've been feeling different I guess." Rick looks up at Negan, staring him in his hazel eyes. "You're a nice guy Negan, I like you. But god man, you've been on my mind ever since. Can't even get a good nights rest." Negan was staring right back at Rick, looking deeply into his crystal blue eyes. Which Negan catches himself getting lost in.

"I can't say I feel the same Rick. Yeah, you're also a nice guy, I do like you - but I've kind of stopped myself from developing feelings for anyone I happen to hookup with. It's a habit I've formed over the years throughout the apocalypse. Considering that anyone could get their neck bitten open at anytime, I didn't wanna get attached to anyone...I learned that the hard way." Negan chokes on his last few words, then takes a deep breath in. "I think you understand what I'm trying to explain here. Sorry for gettin' all sappy and shit." Negan sighs, drawing his attention away from Rick for a few moments. "Yeah, I understand, Negan. Kind of a fool for catching feelings for you so quickly, but I can't help it. I like the vibe you give off...It's attracting."

Rick reaches his hand out and places it on Negan's, happy that Negan didn't pull away. His thumb rubs over Negan's knuckles, observing his tattoos. Negan looks back at Rick, looking into his eyes again. If Negan allows himself to feel something for Rick, he knows he's gunna come crashing down, attached to Rick like glue.

He smiles softly, staring at the blue eyed man across from him. Maybe it'll be ok. Maybe Rick will be the one to stick around. Negan's holding onto a sliver of hope.