The Walking Dead Imagines

The kids were insistent on getting in the pool as soon as they got inside, wanting nothing to do with their homework or even a snack. Merle snickered as he watched them run into their joined room in search of their bathing suits, finding your frustration amusing. "Why don't ya lighten up, suga lips. Kids jus wanna have a little fun, like the rest of us..." He drawls suggestively, leaning his larger frame against your kitchen counter, grabbing up the open beer you had left on the counter as he trails his eyes over you. You roll your eyes at him, wondering if you'll ever see that man without a drink in his hand.

"Stay here and behave." You warn him as you head off to help your brother and sister into their swimsuits. Part of you wondered if Merle would steal from you, given that he had been decent to you. The other part of you knew better than to trust a man like him - he was all too similar to your father and older brother.

You got the two of them into the suits and found Nina's arm-floaters, hollering for them to slow down as they charged out of the room and toward the back door. The small house was feeling humid despite Merle having fixed the main room's AC, and the heat was not helping your sour mood. You exited their room to find Merle bent over your fridge, grabbing a new beer bottle before pushing it shut with his boot. He makes eye contact with you and chuckles, popping the top as he eyes you. This man sure is a piece of work.

"Ima have to start charging you if you keep drinking up all my beer." You say, half-serious as you unlock the back door for the kids to head outside. You don't acknowledge him as he chuckles to himself, watching you as you begin opening the windows to let the hot air out. You shut off the AC and stop at the backdoor, raising a brow at your company. "Comin?" You ask.

Merle stands from where he was leaning and shrugs, following you out into the cramped backyard. The grass was dead and turning brown and the giant blue inflatable pool took up nearly the entire back yard - but your siblings begged you for it so you had complied. You filled it up last night, so it had time to warm up throughout the morning - although when you dipped your hand in it was still a little too chilly for your own liking.

Merle plops down into one of the plastic chairs you had up against the house and watches you, a grin plastered across his face as he takes another swig of the beer. Cole dips his hand in over the side and nearly falls in as he leans over it, gasping loudly when he feels the chill. "It's cold!" He exclaims, flailing his hand dramatically to get the water off of it.

"You don't have to get in." You suggest, but your brother shakes his head rapidly and grabs the step stool from in the yard as you blow up Nina's floats.

"Look at you, playing mommy." Merle speaks up from his spot in the chair. He shifts in the uncomfortable seat as he watches you, beer glued to his hand. You are almost tempted to get in the pool with the kids, despite what you said earlier, it was ridiculously hot. The sun was shining down on your skin relentlessly, making you realize you needed to put on some sunscreen before you got burnt to a crisp.

Once you finished inflating Nina's floats, you put them aside and told them to wait as you went inside to fetch the sunscreen. You returned hastily, knowing the kids were anxious to get into the pool, and apply it on them quickly. "Are you getting in with us?" Cole asks, Nina looking up at you with pleading eyes.

"Not right now, maybe later." You say as you help Naomi into her arm floats. Cole stands on the stool and starts dipping his feet in.

"Jus jump right in kid, it's like ripping a band-aid!" He exclaims, raising his beer as he speaks. Cole shoots a look between you and Merle before cannon-balling into the pool, splashing you and Nina in the process. The cold water dampens your skin and clothes, but feels surprisingly refreshing on your sweaty skin. Still, you shoot your brother a look of disapproval as Merle chuckles from behind you. You help Nina over the side of the pool before finally taking a seat beside Merle at the crappy plastic table and chairs you had.