moonlight // negan

It was a quiet walk to Jackson's grave.  I got in the habit of visiting him at least once a day, sometimes twice.  It was usually alone, but today I figured I could use some company with Negan.  I was better learning to trust him and appreciate him.  He was different around me.  He made sure I was always doing okay and if I wasn't, he stayed with me until I promised I was.  It has been about two weeks since I've gotten here and I've felt more at home here than I ever did anywhere else in my life, even under apocalyptic circumstances.  I sat on the ground and Negan followed.  Almost immediately though, I noticed something missing.  

"Jackson's hat is gone."  I said.  I stood up and looked around the area.  "There hasn't been rain and the wind hasn't been high enough to move it from under a fucking rock.  Someone took it."  I said angrily.  

"Avery, it's okay, we'll find it.  Someone may have just thought it was dropped."  Negan added. 

"It isn't okay.  Everyone knew this was his grave.  This was the last physical thing I had that was his.  I only just got it back."  I was crying at this point and Negan took me in his arms.  He rubbed circles around my back and helped calm me down.  

"Come on, we'll go ask the ones that work in the garden.  They might have noticed someone take it since they keep up this area as well."  Negan said.  I nodded into his chest and pulled apart, following him to the garden.  There weren't many people working, as it was almost four p.m.  They all kneeled as Negan entered the area and he nodded for them to stand up.  "Has anyone seen a blue baseball cap?  It was laying under a rock on Jackson's grave.  The boy we buried here last year.  It's missing and we think someone might have taken it."  Negan asked.  No one spoke up.  I put my head down in defeat.  

"I saw a woman take it yesterday evening.  I was gathering some supplies I left out here before dinner and I just thought it was you, Avery.  I'm sorry, it was nearing dark, I couldn't see right."  A middle-aged woman spoke up.  I shook my head. 

"No, it's okay.  Thank you for telling me.  I'm assuming she had brown hair then?  My age?"  I asked, trying to figure out who it could have been.  

"Yes, it was maybe darker however but about the same length.  A little bit of a bigger built but your height and maybe a few years older than you."  The woman answered.  

"I know who it was."  Negan picked up.  I looked at him for answers, as I couldn't figure out who it might have been.  Negan took my hand and I followed him inside. 

"Who took it?"  I asked.  He stayed silent.  We went to his room first and he grabbed his bat, which was sitting near the door.  

"You'll get to see Lucille in action today."  He said.  "Yep.  She's angry."  

I continued to follow him up the stairs and down a dark hallway.  Finally, we stopped walking and his large hand pounded on the door.  "Open the fucking door."  A few moments later, the door opened to reveal Sherry.  She knew why we were here and opened her mouth to explain.  Negan grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him as I followed him outside, knowing exactly what he planned to do.  Once we reached the outside, a crowd was forming.  Some of Negan's loyal followers were edging him on and excited to see some action others turned their heads down, knowing they couldn't say anything.  Damian was already there, standing in front of Simon and I walked over to them.  

I've never seen Negan do this before, and I knew I didn't want to watch.  Sherry was on her knees, with her head low.  

"I'm sorry."  She whispered.  "It was just a cruel joke."  She said.  I could tell she didn't care to die.  She was done with this life.  It's like she did this on purpose, knowing the repercussions.  I watched as Negan lifted his arms and I turned around, Damian's arms wrapping around me to comfort me.  I met eyes with Simon and we didn't break eye contact until he nodded, indicting to me that it was over.  I still couldn't turn around, I didn't want to see the crushed body on the pavement.  

I felt a hand take mine.  Negan was pulling me back inside with him.  He was still angry.  There was blood on his white t-shirt and all over his arms and face.  He should have been wearing his jacket.  I followed him to his room and he shut the door.  He was quiet and I didn't know what to say.  I sat on the edge of the bed while he shut the door to the bathroom.  Soon, I heard the water running.  

Part of me was happy, that he was so quick to take revenge on someone who hurt me.  I wasn't upset at the fact that he killed someone because of me, I was upset that it was about Jackson.  I knew my feelings for Negan now.  The way he easily cared for me, put me first.  I wanted to be with him.  

I hesitantly stood up and quietly opened the door to the bathoom.  Stripping down, I then pulled the shower curtain back, stepping inside.  Negan's back was facing me and I lightly put my hand on his shoulder, noting that I was there.  He turned around and met my eyes.  There was still blood on his face and I took the washcloth he was holding from him, wiping it along his cheek.  Finally, he moved toward me and pressed his lips to me.  He held me in his arms so tight, afraid to let go.  He ran his hands down my body, resting them at my waist.  I pulled away and pressed my forehead to his.  

"I want to be with you."  I whispered.  A smile rose to his face and he kissed me once more before stopping the water. 

"I never thought I would hear you say those words."