Not without you

Chapter 2 Regression

"Alright say your goodbyes now we're leaving."

"What, but Rick we just got here?" Aaron protested. "None of us got any sleep are we sure we don't want to wait a single day?"

"They don't have space for us. And Alexandria can't go long without protection. All the fighters came with us. We are defenseless, so no Aaron we aren't going to wait." Rick sounded harsh, and aggravated.

"Okay."

Everyone took turns saying goodbye and all grouped up by the gate.

Negan watching from afar, Gregory was trying to spout his usual bullshit to him, but Negan was zoned out. "Okay, I'm going to stop you before you piss me the fuck off now please shut the fuck up."

Gregory's eyes widened he followed his orders.

Negan was walking towards Rick. When Rick saw the man coming he dismissed his group to the RV.
"What Negan?" Rick said turning towards the RV.

"Oh Rick you are so lucky I love you."

"Don't even."

"What is your fucking problem you had no fucking problem with me in the car? Did I say something, did I not say something? What is it prick?"

"YOU, ITS YOU, JUST BACK OFF."

Negan froze stunned.

Rick made his way to the RV and slammed the door shut and sped off.

"Dad, are you okay?" Carl sat down in the passenger seat.

"I'm fine you don't need to worry about me."

"Dad-"

"I said don't worry about it!" Rick shouted through his teeth.

The entire group sat in silence trying to ignore their leader.

Rick sat drowning in his own thoughts mostly about Negan. How could he say that he loves him after he left for years like it meant nothing? Did he actually still love Rick or was he trying to use him somehow. The world now changes people it changed Rick and it most certainly changed Negan.

The ride home was very awkward. Everyone in their own time took glances at Rick. He was still completely lost in thought and probably shouldn't have been driving, because he was paying no attention to the road.

Eventually the group made it back to Alexandria. Rick ignored the barrage of questions that came his way and slammed the door to his house shut. Leaving them in the dark. Carl stepped up and told them what happened. He was pissed at his dad.

"WHAT THE HELL DAD!" Carl shouted as he flug the door open. "YOU CANT JUST IGNORE YOUR ROLE AS LEADER! You can't just ignore your role of my dad." He mumbled the last part to himself.

"Language, and leave me alone." Rick yelled from upstairs. It was muffled, but it was clear.

"Oh my God, I can't with you today. Whatever shit you're going through you better get over quick!"

"CARL!" Rick rushed downstairs, but Carl was already gone.

"I swear when he gets back."

Rick stumbled to the cabinet and grabbed a bottle of whiskey.

*****

"Dad? I'm back did you figure it out?" Carl yelled closing the door.

Silence.

"Dad?"

"Wha- *hicup* -t?" Rick slurred.

"What dad are you ok?" Carl's eyes went wide and ran over to Rick.

"YOU GOT DRUNK!"

"Watch yo- *hicup* -ur tone y- young man!" Rick was splayed on the floor on his back.

"I can't with you right now, what did Negan say to you? Was it that bad?"

"It's nun' of ya' beeeeeeeees wa- *hicup* -x." Rick was completely drunk.

"Oh my God, I'm getting someone I can't with you right now." Carl stormed away and out the door.

A few minutes later he returned with Aaron and Eric. "Rick?" Aaron asked.

"Whaaa- *hicup* -aat's up buttercup." Rick giggled, "I said butt!"

Eric face palmed "He's wasted we need to get him water. and someone needs to take care of him when he wakes up. He'll have one hell of a hangover."

"I'm not d- drunk, I only took a sip!". Rick pointed to the completely empty whiskey bottle on its side.

"Yeah ok, get up officer sober." Aaron puts his arm out for Rick to grab. Rick just gave him a high five and a crooked smile.

Carl had enough and went to his room. Leaving Eric and Aaron with drunk Rick.

"Look at him Eric, we can't just leave him there." Aaron whispered.

"Then where do we take him?"

"Carl is done with his bullshit he'll need someone to watch him."

"No."

"You didn't even hear my suggestion!"

"I don't need to Aaron."

"Eric please, he would do it for one of us." Eric looked back to Rick who was playing with the cabinet next to him.

"Fine."

Aaron and Eric grabbed Rick and dragged him to their house. Halfway there Rick broke the silence.

"Have I ever told you how *hicup* handsome you *hicup* are?"

"What?" Eric said looking over to Aaron who was just as confused as he was.

"I saaaid you're hand- *hicup* -some."

"Who is?" Aaron said curiously.

"Aaron!" Eric whisper yelled.

"Both of you honestly, I'd *hicup* hit it."

Both of their jaws dropped.

"Are we there yet?" Rick slurred.

"No." Eric said bluntly readjusting his grip on Rick.

They managed to get him on their couch and practically forced him to drink water.

Rick was finally was starting to drift off and the two men went to bed.

They both couldn't sleep.

"Do you think-"

"I don't know." Aaron interrupted. "I think it's best we don't bring it up to him. He might not be ready to come out."

Eric nodded.

Eventually they were able to get some shut eye. Both still completely baffled.