Y/N Pov.
After hearing Sarita talk about Matthew and Walter doing the same, I start to get a little concerned. Not to mention, the same cans at the station were the same ones they were using...here. While I'm not sure if the man at the station was him, I'm starting to think it's not coincidental that he isn't back yet.
Y/n: (Whisper) Clem, are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Clementine: (Whisper) About Matthew?
I nod and it takes a moment, but she nods back.
Y/n: Shit...
I look at Sarita and while trying to be nonchalant about it, I ask about Matthew.
Y/n: What does Matthew look like?
Sarita: (Smiles) Oh, he's a handsome man. A little shorter than Walter. He should be back soon.
Y/n: (Mind) Oh, great. That totally answers a lot.
I look at Clementine and she shrugs. Before I can ask anything else, Sarita asks us another question pertaining to Kenny.
Sarita: Clem, Y/n, I wanted to ask you... Does Kenny seem different to you? I didn't know him before, and, well, I'm curious. He has good days and bad days like everyone else. But lately I get the feeling he's...struggling.
Y/n: To be honest, I'm not sure. Kenny was never really the type to talk about his emotions, but from what it seems he's still the same old Kenny. Then again, he does seem to be happier than when I'd last seen him. Which was, like, two years ago.
Sarita: Oh. Clem?
Clementine thinks for a moment.
Clementine: He does seem different than I remember.
Sarita: In what way?
Clementine: I'm not sure.
I sigh and walk behind Clementine, putting my arms over her shoulders and laying my head on top of hers. Even though I can't see her eyes, I can still tell she's looking up at me from her spot. She grabs my hands and holds onto them as Kenny walks over to us with what looks like a little pep in his step.
Kenny: Well, you four have been busy.
His presence surprises Sarita and she turns around to look at him.
Sarita: Kenny! Isn't it great?
Sarita picks up a cardboard box, but Kenny walks forward to take it from her. Not in a mean way, but more in a gentlemanly fashion.
Kenny: I got it, hon.
Sarita: I think I can manage, Ken-
Kenny slightly raises his voice.
Kenny: I said I got it!
He takes the box and I watch him walk away with a little bit of surprise on my face. I even felt Clem jump a little from the sudden noise. Sarita looks back at us with a grin as she shakes her head.
Sarita: Always has to play the gentleman. But I'll tell you, when I met him, he couldn't lift a fly.
Y/n: Does he...always raise his voice at you.
Sarita: Oh, gosh, no. Believe me, he's as sweet as candy.
I sigh.
Y/n: (Mind) For a second there I was starting to worry that Kenny might have...changed within the last two years.
Sarita: Though he does have his moments where he needs some time alone. However those are and few between. He may raise his voice sometimes, but he'd never raise his hand to me. Never has.
Clementine: That's good. I'm glad Kenny is still, well, Kenny.
Suddenly, we all hear the voice of Walter calling over to us.
Walter: Well, everyone, dinner is served. C'mon, let's eat!
I move from behind Clem and grab her hand as we walk over to the dining area with the others. Everyone is sat at two tables, one is filled with the cabin group while the other has the group of Kenny's people. I feel Clementine lightly squeeze my hand, so I look at her and she nods toward the tables.
Clementine: Which one do you want to go to?
I look at the two tables and Luke waves to us, but Kenny calls us over.
Kenny: Right here, you two!
I look at Clem.
Y/n: Want to sit with Kenny? It's been awhile since we've seen him.
Clementine: (Nods) Sure.
We walk over to the table with Kenny, Sarita, Walter and sit down across from them. Walter slides us a bowl of that stuff he was making earlier, each. I look down at the contents of the bowls and they're still not very appetizing, but it's better than nothing, especially after this week.
Y/n: Thanks, Walter.
Clementine: Yeah, thanks.
When we start to eat, Kenny looks at us and asks a question about Luke.
Kenny: So, Clem, Y/n, we were just talking. What's the deal with the kid? What's his name, Luke? He in charge? You two trust him?
We look up from our food, but Sarita looks at Kenny.
Sarita: Kenny, please.
Kenny: Sarita, we don't know these folks.
Sarita: They seem nice.
Kenny: Yeah, well, gators seem nice too, 'til they bite your damn arm off.
Sarita: Kenny!
I think about it a moment and look at Kenny, lifting up my hat a little so it doesn't cover up my face.
Y/n: To be honest, I'm not sure how Clem feels about them, but I think they're alright. While I'm not sure if I fully trust them yet... I don't think they're really harmful. But they're definitely in the paranoid camp.
Kenny: Paranoid?
Y/n: Yeah. When we first met Nick, he almost shot Clem in the face.
Kenny: The fuck?
Sarita looks at Kenny and lightly taps his shoulder.
Sarita: Kenny!
Y/n: However, I think Luke is an alright guy. He's done alright by us, for the most part.
Kenny: And Clem?
Clementine: I don't know yet. We haven't been with them long.
Kenny nods.
Kenny: Takes a while before you know a man for real.
Sarita chuckles.
Sarita: That's true. I'm still learning about Kenny.
Kenny: Not the snoring again.
Sarita looks across to us.
Sarita: It's like sawing logs. Redwoods.
Clementine and I laugh a little, and I whisper over to Sarita.
Y/n: Y'know Clem snores sometimes, too.
Sarita giggles and I feel Clementine flick the side of my head.
Clementine: I do not.
Y/n: Yuh, huh.
Clementine points her spoon at me.
Clementine: Y'know, if you don't stop I'm not gonna let you hug me anymore. You'll have to be my boyfriend from five feet away. Keep it up mister.
Y/n: How you wound me so.
She grins as I grab my chest, but then I take my hat off my head and put it in front of us while I give her a kiss on the cheek. After I'm done, I put my hat back on my head and Kenny looks at us.
Kenny: That guy... Big Al? He said they were on the run.
I nod.
Y/n: Yep.
Clementine: Some people are after them.
Y/n: Yeah, and one of them is some lady creep who doesn't know how to keep her hands to herself.
Sarita and Kenny pause.
Sarita: Did she...
Y/n: No, but she wouldn't stop touching my back.
Kenny: Well, you don't have to worry about that no more. They'll go tomorrow and you two can stay here.
Y/n: Really?
Sarita: Absolutely. Kids, you stay with us as long as you want.
Kenny looks at Sarita.
Kenny: They're staying for good.
Sarita: If that's what they want.
Kenny: Of course they do. Right, kids?
I look at Clementine and sigh, laying my hand on top of hers. I turn to Sarita and Kenny.
Y/n: I'm tired of running, Kenny.
Sarita: Of course you are.
Kenny: You don't have to run no more, kids.
Y/n: If that's the case then...
Clementine: We'll stay. Thank you.
Sarita smiles.
Sarita: Of course.
Kenny follows after Sarita and smiles at us, looking even happier than before.
Kenny: This is like a dream. Damn it, I am so happy right now, I can't even tell you!
I nod.
Y/n: Same for me. After I saw you go down into that hole that was on the roof, I thought you'd never come back. I'm glad to see that I was wrong.
Clementine: Me, too.
There's a subtle, but good silence in the air. Even though we've all stopped speaking, it's not really awkward. After so long of staying on the move we finally have somewhere where we'll actually be able to rest. While I still plan on looking for the others, Carley, Molly, and hopefully Christa. I plan for this to be the base of operations. Soon Sarita and Walter leave the table and their spots are filled in by Luke and Nick.
Kenny: Hey, there.
Luke: Hey.
Luke sits by Kenny and Nick beside us, and they both seem to be alright. I hope they aren't upset we kind of ditched them at Dinner, but at the same time I don't really care. Kenny has a clear and cool advantage of them since we knew him first. Plus, he didn't try to shoot us in the face earlier.
Kenny: Hope you like the food.
Luke: Oh, it's... it's great. Thank you.
Kenny: Peaches and beans. Great for nutrition. Not too great on the way out, though, I tell ya.
Kenny laughs and pats his leg while Luke and Nick don't seem to think the joke is that funny; Clementine just thinks it's gross. After a moment, Kenny stops laughing & looks at the two as he speaks.
Kenny: So it's Luke... and Nick. Luke and Nick. You guys sure do look like a match.
Nick: What's that supposed to mean?
I can hear Nick starting to get upset, but Kenny holds up a hand.
Kenny: I'm just saying, you look like good friends, that's all.
I look at Nick.
Y/n: Calm down, Nick. He's not making a joke at you.
Nick doesn't say anything and looks back down at his bowl. Luke on the other hand asks Kenny about his plan with the lodge while we continue to listen.
Luke: So what was your plan here? Hold out for the winter?
Kenny: Actually, we were thinking of moving on. Somewhere up north. You ever heard of a place called Wellington?
My eyes widen and I look at Clem whose expression is the same.
Luke: Wellington? The hell is that?
Kenny: A place.
Luke: What kind of place?
Kenny: A good one, Einstein.
Clementine glances at Kenny.
Clementine: Yeah, we were heading up there with Christa, Carley, and Molly.
Kenny: Supposed to be a big camp up near Michigan.
Nick: Michigan?
Kenny turns to Nick.
Kenny: You got a hearing problem, kid? Yeah, Michigan. Think about it. Fresh water, lots of land, and cold-ass winters, so the walkers get slow.
Nick: Sounds like bullshit.
Kenny starts to get annoyed.
Kenny: Listen, Vanilla Ice, I don't know what your deal is, but you're more than welcome to take off in the morning.
Nick: Well, that'd be just fine by me.
Kenny looks at us.
Kenny: What's the deal with these guys?
Nick: Hey, fuck you, buddy!
Luke: It's fine, Nick. We're not staying.
Kenny points to us.
Kenny: They're staying.
Luke: 'Scuse me?
Kenny: You heard me.
Clementine: Please. Don't fight.
Before the argument can continue any longer, Walter walks up to the table.
Walter: Gentlemen, please. There's no need for this. Now, look, we've all had a long day. Please, eat.
They all stop talking for a minute before Kenny looks toward us and points to a can.
Kenny: Pass me that can, Duck.
He gasps and looks down.
Luke: Duck? Who's Duck?
Y/n: Duck was his son.
Luke looks surprised and sad at the same time as the table goes quiet.
Walter: Hey, kids. Would you, uh, lend me a hand outside for a moment?
We look at Walter and stand up, going outside with him. As we go outside and away from the front doors, Walter looks at us.
Walter: I'm sorry about that. I used to be a teacher. And I remember what it's like to be caught in the middle of two cliques. I suspect they'll find common ground soon enough. It may take a little time, but that's just how these things work.
Y/n: Is that so?
Walter kneels down in front of us.
Walter: Everything will be fine. Listen, relationships are like any machine. You don't throw them out when they break down. You get your hands dirty and you grease the wheels. What do you say? Will you help me work on them?
Clementine: We want to stay with you and Kenny.
Walter: (Smiles) Then stay you shall. I know that'll please Kenny.
Y/n: We missed him.
Walter: And he missed you two, I can assure you.
Walter stands back up.
Walter: They say the world is over, but I'll tell you a secret: it's not. People are more political now than they ever were before. In the end, we can't change the world. All we can do is continue to learn from each other; to empathize and use our heads. "All war is a symptom of man's failure as a thinking animal." Steinbeck. Have you read him?
Y/n: Can't say I have.
Walter: Well, we have plenty of time to catch you up on your reading. My partner Matthew is amassing quite the literature collection. I think you'll like him. In any case, the point is: as long as we have our wits about us, we can always make the right choice. Right?
Clementine: It's never that easy.
Y/n: Unfortunately.
I look at Clem and I see her looking down after the mention of Matthew again. The more we hear his name, the more worried we become. That man isn't back, the peaches in the lodge were the same ones from the station, and more evidence just keeps piling on in favor of that guy Matthew being Walter's partner. Walter looks at us.
Walter: What's the matter, kids? Is there something you want to tell me? You can talk to me. There's almost nothing you could tell me that would surprise me. I can promise you that.
Clementine glances at me, wanting me to talk about Matthew, so I just bite the bite the bullet and tell Walter about our worries.
Y/n: We're just worried about your partner, Matthew. We think that-
Walter stops me.
Walter: Don't worry. Matthew will be back soon and everything will be fine.