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I can’t really remember when Renee and Carl-
The barn was over run. They lost Sophia. They lost Andrea. They lost Jimmy. They lost Patricia. They lost Dale. They lost Shane.
No.
Shane tried to kill Rick, so Rick killed Shane.
It’s almost poetic, in a sadistic way.
It’s been months out on the road since then, winters come in full force and they hadn’t found a place to just rest in weeks. She was sore, hungry, exhausted, and just down right irritated with everything. Her father placed a rough kiss on her forehead before walking ahead, standing next to Rick and Glenn while they discussed their next steps.
Renee stayed behind, sighing, ignoring the hunger pains and just watching nature go by. She paused for a sec and watched Carl fumble with the too big knife at his hip with an eye roll and a sigh. “Fucking useless bitch…”
“Fuck off, Dixon!” Carl hissed. “You damn jerk!” He must’ve said it pretty loud because the group paused and Rick turned to them with a harsh look.
“Hey! Watch your language!”
Both kids winced, glaring at each other, saying every curse word in the book in their heads, before looking down.
“Sorry, Rick…”
“Sorry, dad…”
Carl’s mother gave them both a look, before sighing and waddling next to Carol and Beth. Both kids gave each other one last glare before moving away, stepping in line with their respective fathers, opposite ends.
Became Renee and Carl~
Renee’s body shook. The adrenaline still coursed through her veins, but it was replaced by a sadness so deep she could taste it when she looked towards Carl.
The boy had his head down, shoulders stiff, as his father all but had a breakdown behind him. The cry of a child broke her concentration as she looked towards Beth, who had the baby, the baby that killed Lori, swaddled in her arms. She doesn’t know why she did it, but before she could question herself she made her way towards the boy. The boy who now has a baby sibling.
The boy who just lost his mother…
She said nothing, her own body stiff as she reached out and, softly, as to not startle him, placed her hand on his shoulder. No words were said, but he looked up, and for some reason, for the fist time since they met, it felt like they were finally seeing each other.
As much as it pained him, he managed to exchange a small, painful smile with the archer which she returned just as small, and no less painfully.
“Bitch…”
He grinned, just so.
“Jerk…”
But they were both filled with understanding.
~
Everybody was tired, they lost the prison, they have been through hell, rapists and cannibals but had managed to find one another again. They had started walking two days ago, and everyone was hungry, injured and dead on their feet. Carl looked up and saw Renee stumble in front of him, wincing and grabbing her stomach in what was clearly hunger pains. He made a split second decision and reached for his bag, pulling out a half eaten granola bar.
“Here…”
Renee looked up shocked before realizing what the teen was doing and shaking her head.
“No, you haven’t ate in longer than me, you should-“
“We’ll share it, then.”
Renee stared at the boy a second, trying to gauge his motive, before nodding, identical small grins on their faces. She took a piece, surprised when the boy didn’t move away, but instead moved closer and started asking her about comics.
The group looked on with smiles. For some reason, those two had never gotten along a day in their lives, but it seemed like that wouldn’t be an issue anymore. They knew after Lori’s death they had come to an understanding with each other. But tolerating each other’s existence was a far cry from actually getting along.
As both teens bantered, the groups hearts lifted a little at the sound of quiet laughter.
“Thanks, bitch.” She whispered.
“Anytime, jerk.” He said back equally as low, but no less as soft.
But Renee was the only one who realized that Carl was ill-
“Alright enough.”
Renee stormed into his room, door slamming against the wall. Carl, who was laying on his bed towards the window with a book opened, jumped. He turned quickly and looked at Renee with a look of annoyance.
“What the fuck, Ren?!”
“You’ve been stuck in here, moping, for a whole day. I found it charming in a dead cat sorta way yesterday, but now it’s just annoying. Get up, get dressed, we’re taking a walk.”
Carl scoffed, turning back to his book with a scowl. “I don’t want to take a walk.”
“Nobody asked you what you wanted , Grimes. Get up !”
She kicked, pushing his body off the bed and onto the floor.
“Fuck!” Carl hissed, glaring up at the girl who was smirking down at him. “You couldn’t have just pulled the blankets or something?”
“What would be the fun of that?” She smiled cheekily before walking towards the door. “If you aren’t down in 5 minutes I’m getting the water pitcher.”
“Jerk!”
“Bitch!”
Laughter followed her out and all Carl could do was smile for the first time in days.
So in my books, she’s definitely alright.
Carl looked towards his best friend, his sister, his lover, his rock, his strength, his love, his very life. She stood by him now, in his last moments, clutching his shaking hand, pistol held tight. An offering. One last act of love.
Just as he knew she would.
All he did was shake his head, squeezing her hand to the best of his ability in his state. She sighed, teary eyes meeting his own in understanding, in approval, in support. She didn’t like it, he knew she wouldn’t, but did nothing to dissuade him.
Just like he knew she would.
She’d be strong. For Judith. For his dad. For Michonne..For herself. She had to be. He knew she would, that’s why he knew it was okay. This might’ve been the end of him, but it wasn’t the end of her.
It wasn’t the end of them.
“Forever and always?”
“Forever and always.”
Their pinkies connected, smiles on their faces and tear filled eyes soft. Only for each other.
Only ever for each other.
There was so much he wanted to see. So much he needed to say. But he knew there was no time. The regrets would have to stay regrets, and the unspoken words would have to die with him. Instead, he said the only thing he could say in that moment, looking into her eyes with love so bright it filled him, warmed him in a way this virus would never take away.
“Jerk.” He said softly
“Bitch.” She said with a smile