Y/N Pov.
On our journey to make sure AJ can put to rest his fear of being disliked by the other kids, and not be kicked out by them as well, we start off by going to Ruby. She's standing by the fire. AJ's still nervous, but it's better to be over with this shit now then let it flare up later on. He's a good kid, just anxious.
Y/n: Alright, there's Ruby. She's the one you mistakenly bit.
Clementine: Want to talk to her?
AJ: You mean, say I'm sorry?
We nod.
AJ: She's scary. And always seems so mad.
I shrug and lay it out simply.
Y/n: You can do it. You just gotta tell her why you did it. Easy.
AJ: Because of my...thing?
Clementine: Yup, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Just be honest.
AJ walks up to Ruby while we're a couple feet away and she looks at him. Still a little upset.
Ruby: Yes?
AJ looks down.
AJ: I'm sorry I bit you. Sometimes when I get scared, I do that, but I don't mean to. I-I just get scared, and I'm sorry, and I hope your finger is okay.
Ruby: Aw, sug, it's alright. We can all get a little crazy when we get scared. Thank you for your honesty and your apology.
AJ runs back over to us and looks happy.
AJ: I did it.
Clementine: You sure did.
Y/n: Good job, kiddo.
Up next was Mitch and Willie. We'd not done anything to them yet, but I think it's good we introduce ourselves and whatnot. That way everything is chill by the end of the day and it doesn't lead to confusion like "Who are these guys," or something. I like to plan ahead for possible situations like this. I look at Clem as we walk over to them and she seems happy.
Y/n: (Whisper) How we holding up?
Clementine: (Whisper) Honestly? I'll be a lot better after we know whether or not we're staying here for good.
I wrap my around her and give her a kiss on the cheek.
Y/n: Well, whatever happens we'll be alright.
Walking over by the two guys we've probably talked to the least, Mitch and Willie. Mitch is messing with a knife, carving something, while Willie is just talking to him. Willie is strange.
Y/n: Hey.
They look over at us.
Mitch: Hey. You're new.
Clementine: We are.
Mitch: I'm carving a weapon.
Y/n: We can see that.
Mitch continues to carve out what is probably supposed to be a knife. AJ walks over by him and smiles.
AJ: You're good at that.
Mitch: You like that, huh, little dude? Wanna see something cool?
AJ: I wanna see!
Mitch flips the knife in his hand.
Mitch: Pretty rad, huh? That's how you fuck up some monsters.
AJ, not remembering the train station, goes ahead and curses. Much like I would and much to the displeasure of Clementine.
AJ: Fuck up monsters, yeah!
Mitch and Willy laugh. Clementine goes to scold him, but I stop her by gently squeezing her side to get her attention. I nod toward the boys. They're having fun and like AJ. I don't see why we've got to but in right now.
Mitch: That little dude said "fuck".
He continues to laugh along with Willie; We soon say our goodbyes to them then walk toward Louis and a guy I've yet to see I believe. He's a larger black kid with a hairstyle similar to Locs. He's the chef of the school I'd assume since he's the one cooking the food. While walking to them, Clementine looks over at me and I can tell she might be displeased with me for earlier.
Clementine: Y/n, we can't just let him think cursing is okay. We've talked about this.
Y/n: (Shrug) It's fine, honey. Plus, it's kind of hypocritical that we do it in front of him and stuff. I know you always say "Do as we say, not as we do" but that's kind of hard to follow when we're cursing like sailors. I say as long as it's not a constant, it's fine. Don't worry about it, Clementine.
She narrows her eyes for a second but sighs.
Clementine: Okay. But if he starts cursing constantly we're saying something.
Y/n: Okay, okay.
We make it over to Louis and the other boy. They're currently cooking a stew. I can hear Louis talking and annoying the guy.
Louis: Mm, yes, redolent of rosemary, lemongrass, and possum meat. Now if you can't find fresh possum in your neck of the woods, squirrel, skunk, or vole can work in a pinch. But there's nothing quite like possum. Every bite tells a story. We'll be right back with more Stew with Lou.
I look at him.
Y/n: I'd ask what you're doing, but I can see you're torturing this poor guy with your terrible jokes.
Louis: Ha. Ha. No, I'm just giving my well needed touch to the stew. Just because I'm not literally adding an ingredient in by itself doesn't mean I can't make the process better just by being here. By the way, Clem, AJ, Y/n, this is our great Chef, Omar.
Omar: Please stop.
Louis: I...I can't. I really can't.
Y/n: Nice to meet you, Omar.
Omar looks at us but he focuses back on the stew.
Omar: Hello. And, no, it's not ready yet.
Louis: Omar's a perfectionist. The slightest flavor out of place and he's grumpy for a week.
Omar looks back at us.
Omar: You can eat or you can eat right. All it'll cost you is a little patience.
Y/n: By all means, it looks good. No complaining coming from our direction, Chef Omar. Nice talk, but we've got more things to do.
I pat his shoulder and Louis looks at us.
Louis: I'll let you guys know when we're done.
We leave them to cook by the fire and walk over to Violet and Tenn who are by the cemetery. Again, I'm assuming it is as I can see what look like gravestones by their feet. It could also be decoration, I guess. Our trio make our way to them, stopping in front of them before we walk further.
Clementine: Hey, guys.
AJ looks around at the area.
AJ: What is this?
Violet: Our graveyard.
I look at them.
Y/n: Y'all still do that?
Violet: Kinda sorta.
She rubs her shoulder, seemingly a little lost for words.
Y/n: Who is buried here? Friend or family?
Violet looks down at the grave.
Violet: Nobody, really. This is where we buried Tenn's sisters' belongings. Minnie and Sophie. Twins. Lost 'em both about a year ago.
Tenn puts flowers on the graves of his sisters.
Violet: We were paying our respects.
AJ looks at us.
AJ: Should we do that too? Maybe? I've never seen anyone do that.
Clementine: (Nods) Yeah, I think that'd be a very nice thing to do, AJ. C'mon.
Violet gives some flowers to AJ, and he sets them on the graves.
Tenn: Thank you.
I look over at Violet.
Y/n: Glad to see you're okay after earlier.
Violet: (Grins) Yeah. Thanks for that by the way. I, uh, realized I hadn't thanked you for earlier.
Y/n: No need.
I give her a thumbs up.
Clementine: Glad he was there to help.
Violet: (Coughs) Y-Yeah. Close one.
After Violet and Tenn, we go to walk around for anybody we might have missed. Toward the front of the school, we come across Aasim who's sitting by candlelight and writing in his notebook. Or it's a diary. We've yet to do anything to him, but it's still good to check in on the guy after he had nearly been bitten by the walker.
Clementine: Hello?
AJ: Helloooo?
Aasim looks up from his book.
Aasim: Oh, hey, it's you three. Clementine and Y/n, right?
Y/n: Yeah. Aasim, right?
Aasim nods.
AJ: What are you writing?
Aasim: What happened today. I chronicle everything.
Clementine: Hmm, like a diary?
Aasim shrugs.
Aasim: I try to think of it more like a history book. "Those who do not learn from the past" and all that.
Y/n: We've always been learning from the past. That's why we don't fuck up as much by default. Our brains subconsciously keeping us from doing the same dumb shit.
Aasim: I suppose.
Clem turns to him and speaks about Marlon and his interaction earlier.
Clementine: You seemed really mad at Marlon back there.
Aasim: (Groans) He keeps pulling back the safe zone. We have fewer and fewer places to hunt. Which means we're gonna have fewer and fewer things to eat.
Suddenly, I notice AJ grab Aasim's book by the desk and he begins to read.
AJ: "The new people helped the...h-hunting party come back. They-"
Before he can finish, Aasim tries to reach out for his book only for AJ to step back.
Aasim: Hey! Zip it! That is not yours to read, kid. Give it back.
AJ: It was just sitting there.
Aasim: So?
AJ: So, it was just sitting there.
Clementine looks down at AJ and points at the book.
Clementine: AJ, give it back to him.
AJ: But-
I cut him off.
Y/n: No buts. Listen to Clem.
AJ: Okay.
He gives him back the book and Aasim takes it.
Aasim: Thank you. This thing is the only place I get any real privacy around here. Gotta preserve what I can, you know? I gotta finish this before dinner. Not to be, like, rude, but, you know...bye.
With everyone out of the way, we finally walk off from Aasim and AJ looks up to us. Seemingly a bit more confident than he had been before. Less worried about being disliked by the other kids now that he's won them over.
AJ: Clem. Y/n.
Clementine: Yeah?
Y/n: What's up?
AJ: I'm ready to talk to Marlon.
I nod.
Clementine: Okay.
Y/n: Cool.
We walk over and speak to Marlon and Brody. Brody is the girl with brown hair from earlier.
Brody: Clementine and Y/n, right? I'm Brody. He's a sweet little fella. Figured there ain't a lot of room for sweetness still out there.
Clementine: We're the lucky ones. He's just naturally good.
Brody: Naturally good. That's rare stuff.
Y/n: You're telling me. He's one of a kind.
AJ turns to Marlon while he sits on the steps.
AJ: I'm really sorry I hit you. Can we please stay here and eat dinner and not go out into the forest and get killed by monsters?
Marlon: (Grins) Don't sweat it, buddy. You can make it up to me by teaching me your technique. You are a regular heavyweight. Believe me, Y/n here was a bit jumpy when he first met us, too.
Y/n: Meh.
Suddenly, Louis yells out to us.
Louis: Hey, Clem! Y/n! AJ! Stew's done!
Marlon: You guys earned your supper, after all.
Everyone gathers at the tables for dinner and receives a bowl of stew. AJ in sitting in between myself and Clementine.
Louis: Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served.
Clementine: Thanks. Wow, can't remember the last time we had a hot meal.
We all start eating, but I eat slowly and make sure the others are full enough.
Clementine: Mmm, this is really good.
Y/n: Agreed. What do you think AJ-
I see my boy chug his stew and gets it all over his face. Louis burps. Ruby groans.
Ruby: Ugh, come on!
AJ burps and continues guzzling his dinner. Clementine and I burp, and AJ does again. We all laugh.
Ruby: Oh, good Lord.
Marlon: Enough.
Ruby: Thank you.
Marlon burps. Everyone laughs, and Ruby leaves the table.
Louis: Goodnight, Ruby!
She flips us off and AJ finishes his food. He looks at us once again.
AJ: Clem, Y/n?
He holds out his bowl.
Clementine: I'm sorry, buddy. I'm sure they shared as much as they could.
I look at AJ and seeing as I have a slightly more than half left in my bowl, I slide it over to AJ as Clem and AJ look at me much like the others.
Y/n: Here, kiddo.
Clementine looks at me.
Clementine: Are you sure, Honey?
Y/n: (Grins) Of course. I'm an eternal flame, baby. I don't need it.
AJ takes it and drinks the rest. Truth be told I'm still a little bit hungry, but I'll be alright. I'm used to it by now, and as long as they're both full than I'm all good. They're what matters in the end. It is what I believe, anyway.
AJ: I'm all done.
Clementine: Mm-hmm. Me too.
AJ: Now what?
I shrug.
Y/n: Don't know.
Louis: I'll tell you what.
He pulls a chair over and flips it around.
Louis: Time for something...very important.
Louis pulls out a deck of cards and Brody groans.
Brody: Oh, god, goodnight.
Brody walks away.
Louis: Violet! It's time!
Violet comes over to our table.
Marlon: What's the game tonight, Lou?
Louis: War. The oldest game around. A game played by man and beast alike. The only game there is.
I lean back and pull up my hat after it'd fallen forward a little bit while Clem speaks about the game.
Clementine: Get ready, losers. Because it's time for you all to lose.
Louis: Ohhhh, shit! I like that!
Marlon: Bold talk.
Y/n: Good thing we can back it up.
Violet looks at the cards.
Violet: It's easy. Everyone gets a stack of cards, everyone flips one over. Highest card wins.
Louis: And the winner gets to ask them a question.
We both look at Louis, but he holds up both hands.
Louis: What? I want to get to know you guys. We all do.
Clementine: And what if we win?
Louis: Then you get to ask us one. It's only fair.
Y/n: Alright.
Clementine suddenly gets a look on her face.
Clementine: Wait, what about AJ?
I look around for him but don't find him sitting by us like before. Marlon then points him out.
Marlon: What about him? Looks like he's made a friend.
He points and we find him at Tenn's table. Tenn is drawing a in sketchbook.
Y/n: Hm.
Marlon: C'mon, you both can take your eyes off him for one card game. I'll bet you guys could use a break from him and vice versa.
Clementine: Yeah, maybe. This is his first time around anyone his own age. Sometimes he acts more like an adult than a kid. It's nice to see him act like a little boy again.
I nod.
Y/n: He deserves a friend his age. Or around it at least.
Marlon: Louis? If you would?
Everyone flips over their cards, but Violet wins.
Violet: Way to go, me. So about AJ... Where are AJ's parents? He doesn't really look related to either of you, so... What happened there?
I shrug.
Y/n: His dad was killed by some asshole.
Violet: And his mom?
Clementine: Long story, sad story.
I rub her hand and everyone flips their cards. We win.
Clementine: Hey, we win.
Louis: Hey, you do. So what do you want to know?
I let Clementine have the first question.
Clementine: Worst injury you ever saw?
Violet: I saw a walker get hit in the head so hard, both his eyeballs flew out. Pretty cool.
Louis: I saw someone have their intestines pulled all the way out. Like, all the way. It goes on for a while. We got a lot of guts.
Clementine: We saw this guy get his face beaten in with a crowbar by our friend, Kenny. Badly. There wasn't even any skin left.
Louis cringes.
Louis: Ouch.
Y/n: He deserved it. I've burned a lot people alive, but the one I remember the most was this man, Arvo. Some russian guy a bit older than we were, maybe twenty or so. Didn't really ask. He'd shot this woman, Carley, who was my foster mom; the bullet went through her hitting Clem. Carley died, Clem was shot, and I'd lost it.
I look at the others. Clementine's gaze is on me as well. I don't think I ever told her how exactly I had killed him but I remember as clear as day.
Y/n: Unlike the others, I'd burned him alive slowly and watched as his eyes boiled and the metal frame on his leg melded with his skin. It was something you could never forget. His screams are burned into my mind and sometimes I even dream about it. (Sigh) Man, I forget how terrifying I was back then.
I look at them and they all seem shocked, except for Clementine.
Violet: Remind me to not shoot Clementine.
Louis: Ditto. There's a lot of sinisterness behind that smile.
Y/n: True enough.
Everyone flips over their cards.
Louis: Booyah.
Violet: C'mon, spit it out.
Louis looks at us, a little nervous.
Louis: So, uh, have you guys done "It" yet?
Violet groans and pinches the bridge her nose, but I'm a bit confused.
Violet: Oh, my god...
Louis: I'm just curious!
I look at Clementine whose face is a little pink from the question.
Y/n: What's "It" supposed to be?
Clementine looks at me and whispers.
Clementine: Sex...
I turn to the others.
Y/n: Oh... Yes. A lot, mainly because I've got a very big libido on top of puberty and having a large dick. I mean, not to brag, but it's longer than a ruler-
Before I can finish, Clementine covers my mouth. I see Violet also seems to grow a little flustered upon hearing this while Clem has a bright red face.
Clementine: Hush.
Y/n: (Muffled) But it's the truth and he asked.
I look at Violet, Marlon, and Louis. Louis and Marlon give me a thumbs up while Violet just shakes her head. I move her hand.
Y/n: What? I mean we always made sure to wait until AJ had gone to sleep and we were away from the car. Believe me, we never want him to catch us in the act. That would scar his mind while also killing the mood.
Clementine: Can we please move on from this?
Y/n: Okay.
We flip over the cards again, but like before Violet wins.
Violet: So, big guy, what's with all the tattoos?
I look down at them.
Y/n: Oh, well they've got some meaning I guess. Mainly just my arm tattoo. ASCE, each letter stands for something and it's also my nickname.
Violet: What do they stand for?
Y/n: "A" is for AJ, "S" is Sandra and Sarah, "C" is for Clem and Carley, "E" is for Evelyn as well as Everyone we've lost on the way. Sandra was our babysitter who we were close with, Sarah was... a girl who we knew from a past group. Carley, like I said, was my apocalypse foster mom. Evelyn is the name of my biological mother. It also covers up one of the two nasty brands I'd gotten by a bunch of assholes.
I pull up my red necklace and show them the wedding rings I took years ago from my father's corpse. I drop my necklace after a bit.
Y/n: These were my father and mother's wedding bands. Dumb, I know, but they're sentimental to me. Like my hat, necklace, and my guitar. Even my baseball bat.
Violet: And the one on your back?
Y/n: It covers up the other nasty brand I got at eleven, I believe.
Louis: How'd it feel?
Y/n: Hurt like hell.
We all flip another card. Marlon wins.
Marlon: Ha, I win. So, Clem, Y/n... You can't have been alone this entire time. Who used to take care of you? Family? Anyone?
I feel Clem tense up a bit, but she calms as I wrap an arm around her waist.
Clementine: The first person who taught us about survival was Lee.
Marlon: What'd he teach you?
Y/n: Lots of stuff. He was a very smart guy and a hell of a good person.
Marlon: Most important thing?
Clem's voice slightly softens.
Clementine: How to say goodbye...
Everyone flips over their cards.
Clementine: We win again.
Louis: You do indeed. Ask away.
Clementine: I'll let my esteemed boyfriend take this one.
Y/n: Thanks.
I think up a question that would be rather simple, but neat. Plus it's one we've done.
Y/n: You guys meet anyone famous out there? Actor, Singer, Writer, etc. ?
Violet: No.
Louis: Too bad. You'd figure a movie star or something would show up somewhere.
She scoffs.
Violet: They had, like, millions of dollars. They're probably living in a bunker somewhere with butlers and water beds out the ass.
Louis: Yeah, maybe.
I shake my head.
Y/n: Not all of them. We met a famous baseball player.
Clementine: Javier Garcia.
Marlon and Louis's jaw practically drop.
Marlon: Javier Garcia of the Orioles?!
Y/n: (Shrug) I think. All I know is something about Baltimore was involved I'd heard David say some time ago before we met the guy.
Louis: Dude, that guy was an up and coming star until he got kicked out for some bullshit like betting on himself... Damn, that's cool. I used to love baseball...
Y/n: Sucks we never got to play a game. He was really good with a bat. Almost like me.
Violet looks at Louis.
Violet: Baseball sucks.
Louis: You suck.
Violet: Not as much as baseball.
Everyone flips over their cards, but again, Violet wins.
Violet: Victory, Violet. Here's something I love to ask when I'm in groups. Out of the four of us, who do you think is gonna die first?
Louis: That is fucked up.
Violet: Oh, I know.
We both think about it for a moment.
Clementine/(Y/n): Anyone but us.
Violet: So sure.
Clementine: Made it this far.
Violet: So have we.
I chuckle and look at her.
Y/n: Y'all have been behind walls. We've been out in the world travelling, participating in small wars. I think we get a bit more say than you on survival factor.
Everyone flips over their cards, but Louis wins.
Louis: I am the greatest card player of all time.
Violet: Just ask your damn question.
Louis: Ever...actually, never mind.
Clementine: What? Ask it.
Louis: It's not a fun question.
Y/n: Just ask.
Louis: Ever had to kill someone you loved?
Marlon: Louis.
Louis:
I see Clementine look down by her hands and all I can think about it who've lost. Sure, I've been able to kill a lot of people without batting an eye but when it came to the people we loved I just wasn't strong enough to do the job or was too filled by rage against the killer and focused all my attention on them. Lee was taken care of by Clementine and Carley was taken care of by Molly.
Clementine: Lee. His name was Lee. It was the same day we found out our parents were dead.
Louis: That...sounds like a rough day.
Clementine: Worst day of our lives.
They all look at me and I sigh.
Y/n: I've always been the one who'd run head first into danger and stuff like that. Clem and I have always been protecting each other. But when it came to killing people we cared for, act of mercy or not, I haven't had to yet. She took care of Lee, Molly take care of Carley, and Kenny died for us to get away. If I'm being honest, I wish Clem hadn't had to and it's still a regret I carry to this day.
Clementine grabs my hand and looks at the others.
Clementine: I think we're done playing for tonight.
Marlon: Yeah, that's probably for the best.
Louis looks over at Violet and I hear him speak to her in a whisper.
Louis: You wanted me to ask.
I look over at AJ.
Y/n: Let's go, AJ.
AJ says goodnight to Tenn who says it back to him. While we walking back to the building, mainly to get my stuff from the piano room, Marlon catches up to us after jogging toward us.
Marlon: Long day, huh?
Clementine: Yeah.
Y/n: Real long.
Marlon: I hope you know Louis didn't mean any harm there. He's just the world's biggest dumbass. He's my best friend, so I can legally call him that.
Marlon opens the door for us.
Marlon: You guys relax, get some sleep, feel human for a night. In the morning, come find me. We can talk about making this long-term.
AJ: We can stay?
Marlon: We can talk about it.
We all go back inside and I quickly grab what we left in the piano room, as well as a candle, before jogging back to them. Our trio go back inside the dorm we were placed in by Marlon, or rather the room where Clementine was worked on by Ruby. As we enter, AJ points at the door after I make sure it's shut.
AJ: Only way out?
Clementine: Yep.
AJ: Good.
I lay all of our stuff down in the room by our beds, handing Clementine the candle I had grabbed, and place the fake flowers from before on the shelf by the bed closest by the door. Clem sets the candle down on the desk and puts her hat on the dresser. I go over by the desk, laying my big hat on top of hers while also taking off my necklaces and putting them around the brim of my hat. It isn't very comfortable sleeping with them on my neck. I grab her by the waist and she wraps her arms around my neck as we share a small kiss. It's something to make us forget about the not so pleasant questions.
Y/n: Looks like you won't be sleeping on top of me tonight like in the car, huh?
Clementine grins and kisses me again.
Clementine: Sorry, but that's my favorite place to sleep. Bed or not. I like sleeping on you.
I lightly laugh.
Y/n: Yeah. I know. I like it, too.
I pick her up by her waist and sit her up on the dresser as I place my head on top of hers. Resting my chin on her head. However I hear AJ saying something about colors so both Clem and I look toward him.
AJ: This box has so many colors.
We see him using some tackle box filled by crayons, markers, colored pencils, and other artsy stuff. I walk over by the desk where he's at and Clem hops off the dresser, coming over to us as well.
Clementine: Well, must have been an artist living in here.
AJ: What's an artist?
Y/n: It's a person who often draws or paints pictures. Or something like that. Sometimes for money.
AJ: You mean like Tenn?
Clementine: Yeah, like Tenn.
AJ: Huh. I like to do pictures too.
AJ starts drawing, but I hear the door open. I turn around but only see Violet entering the room.
Violet: Oh. Shit. I didn't know Marlon set you up in this room. I just wanted to grab something. From the closet.
She goes over but doesn't find what she is looking for.
Violet: Where the hell is it?
She turns back around and looks at the tackle box.
Violet: Oh.
Clementine: What?
Violet: That's what I was looking for. It belonged to Sophie. Uh... Tenn's sister. He was asking for more art supplies and stuff, so I was going to...
Y/n: Oh! Sorry, we didn't know.
Violet rubs her arm.
Violet: No, no, it's fine. Don't worry about it. Honestly, it's just been sitting here for the past year and no one's touched it. If AJ wants to play with it, it's... it's fine.
I look at AJ.
Y/n: You should give the box back, AJ. It isn't ours.
AJ: Okay.
Violet looks at AJ.
Violet: Thanks, buddy. It's just that Tenn wanted it, since it was his sister's and all.
AJ: It's okay.
Violet: You can finish your drawing, though. I don't mind.
As AJ draws, Violet looks around the room. She sees our stuff.
Violet: Huh! I see you're, um... settling in.
Clementine: Yeah. Is that okay?
Violet: Sure. I guess.
She goes over by the bunk bed we've sat our stuff by and leans against it.
Violet: I always liked this room. Sophie had, like, paintings and shit on the walls. Lots of color. And Minerva... she was really musical. Not like Louis, though, she had actual talent.
We chuckle at her comment and stand across from her.
Violet: She had the most amazing voice. Real bluesy. Marlon always joked that he would scavenge a guitar and the two of them would tour the country. That was a long time ago. After they... afterwards, Brody and Tenn took down all the paintings. And that was the end of it.
She crosses her arms.
Violet: I shouldn't have even brought it up. It's not a good memory. Guess I just lost my train of thought.
Y/n: Violet, if it makes you feel uncomfortable, us being in their room, we'll find a new one.
Violet: Nah. It's...okay. Yeah. Yeah, I'm glad. I'm glad, actually. I'm glad it's getting some use. Instead of just sitting around, picking up dust.
Clementine: What exactly happened to them? Sophie and Minerva?
She and I sit down on the bed across from Violet.
Violet: They went scavenging with Marlon and Brody out past the safe zone. Didn't make it back. It happens.
She sits across from us.
Violet: Honestly, I just miss having someone around to talk to. There's just... so many dudes. This place can get a little too bro-town for my liking sometimes.
She looks at me.
Violet: No offense.
Y/n: Meh, none taken.
Violet: And I'm not exactly, like... a people person. You know? I know I sometimes have a habit of being a little bit too... harsh.
Clementine: Yeah. Me too. First impressions aren't exactly my strong suit either. That's more of my boyfriend's territory.
Clem kisses my cheek. I chuck and look at Violet.
Y/n: Don't sweat it. Believe me, you're top five for best introductions we've had. At least you didn't start yelling at us the moment we met or try to kill us or us trying to potentially kill you.
Violet: Sounds like you guys might be worse than me.
Clementine: We have our moments.
Violet: Sounds about right.
AJ calls over to us.
AJ: Hey, Clem, Y/n. I'm an artist now. I drew Clem and me on the front then Y/n and me on the back.
We go over to look at the drawing. The front looks like this.
Clementine: Not bad, kiddo.
Y/n: It's cool.
We turn it over and I see it's a stick figure of me holding up what looks like a sun as they're fighting off stick figure walkers. He even drew my hat and orange parts on my body which probably represent my fire. I think my guitar is by my leg here as well. Even if it's a bit crudely drawn, there's a lot of detail.
AJ: I drew the big sun because that's what I think of whenever I think of you.
I pat his head.
Y/n: It's a cool picture, AJ.
Violet stands up from her position on the bed and I know because I can hear the squeak of the springs.
Violet: I should be getting back.
She takes the box.
Violet: Thanks again for the box. You're pretty cool, AJ. See ya.
Clementine: Yeah. See ya.
Y/n: See ya tomorrow, Violet.
She leaves and Clementine looks at AJ.
Clementine: Okay, Alvin Junior. Time for bed.
AJ: Okay. Here.
He gives us the drawing he'd drawn moment prior.
Y/n: For us?
AJ: For the wall. To make our home look nice.
Clementine: That's a good idea, AJ.
I hang it up on the wall using some tacks I'd found on the desk. I have Clem's picture facing out. But as I turn around, I don't find AJ sitting by the desk where he'd been sitting just a second ago.
Y/n: Uh... AJ?
Clementine: Under here.
I see she is kneeling by the bed, so I go over and find him under it.
Y/n: Hey AJ. What are you doing?
AJ: This is where I'm gonna sleep.
Clementine: What? No, it's not.
AJ looks at us and then up at the bed.
AJ: It's safe under here. No one can get me.
I sigh.
Y/n: C'mon, AJ. The bed is way better.
Clem sits on one of the beds and moves around while looking at AJ.
Clementine: Oh, man, this bed is soooo comfy.
AJ: What about the door? What if someone comes in? What if they try to hurt us? What if they steal our stuff?
I stand up and grab the desk chair, putting it underneath the handle.
Y/n: There, now nobody's getting inside. Trust me.
Clementine: Plus, even if they did, Y/n could take care of them before they even knew what happened.
AJ: That girl just came in.
Y/n: Because the door didn't have the chair under the handle yet. Plus she's not an enemy.
I run my hand through my hair as AJ keeps trying to think of reasons to stay under the bed.
AJ: If I stay here, no one can find me, and I can keep guard and watch over you guys. I can protect us.
Clementine gets off the bed and kneels down by me.
Clementine: Hey, what's gotten into you?
AJ: Please? It's not so bad down here. I'll be okay. I promise.
Clementine sighs.
Clementine: AJ. Listen to me. It's gonna be okay. Please just give the bed a chance. It's soft and warm. I think you'll really like it.
AJ crawls out from underneath the bed then climbs into it.
AJ: This bed is really soft.
Y/n: See? We're always right.
AJ: It's really, really soft.
I pat the bed and then his head.
Y/n: That's the point.
I take off my boots and Clem does the same. She takes off her jacket and socks, leaving just her pants and T-shirt. She and I crawl into bed with the window letting in enough cold air for it to be comfortable enough for us to cuddle properly. Clementine crawls on top of me and lays her head on my chest. We look over at him.
Clementine: (Yawns) Goodnight, AJ.
Y/n: Goodnight, kiddo.
I see him looking up at the upper bunk but he still speaks to us.
AJ: Clem? Y/n?
Clementine/(Y/n): Yeah?/Hm?
AJ: I'm glad we're not sleeping in the car anymore.
Clementine: Me, too.
Y/n: So am I.
Soon, Clementine and I fall asleep.