Moo laid lazily across the wearing the same kiddish grin he had since last night. Last night. . . .was the most magical night of his life. He kissed her. . . .he actually kissed her! Under the twinkling stars with the bright full moon upon them; it was such beautiful scenery.
Finally admitting his feelings for her and she feeling the same for him, it was just the best thing that ever happened in his life.
After some time someone knocked on his door, he stretched his arms and yawned as he got up to open it. When he did he saw it was Sophie, with her arms crossed narrowing her eyes at him.
He raised a brow trying to hide his smile, "Um, yes?"
"I didn't see you at the watchtower last night."
"Was I supposed to?"
She shook her head, "Storm woke me up last night saying he couldn't find you, so I assumed you had a night shift or something. But you weren't there."
He shrugged, "I had to go take a piss."
"He said you've been gone for an hour."
"A long piss."
She sighed, "Matt. . . ."
He pretended to get frustrated so she would leave, "Look, you wanna know the truth? I was thinking about one of my exes, went somewhere to relieve myself and I didn't want Storm to hear, happy?"
She looked down for a moment not knowing what he meant until hit it her backing away from him in disgust.
"Moo!" she cried, "Why would you tell me that?!"
"I thought you wanted to know," he started to push further, "all that time I've been gone and I could only get a little out."
"Stop, stop, stop!" she got away as quickly as she could, "Sorry for asking!"
His smile returned, "You're forgiven!"
—
Violet sat on the side of her bed with her hands over her face while she hunched over. Ever since last night, her mind was spinning with confusing thoughts. She knew that she liked him for a while ever since they met up, so why was she so confused
Him telling his feelings for her right there on the bell tower, his soft lips upon hers, it just took her breath away. He had feelings for her too. This brought her overwhelming happiness, but some upsetting thoughts too.
She knew that Clem and the others wouldn't approve of them being together. They thought Moo was shady even after how much of a help he's been. Part of her said that she shouldn't go on with it and just stay friends.
But most of her say that she didn't care what anyone thinks. She had feelings for this guy and she was going to be with him no matter what.
And another part questioned does this mean that she was into guys now? The question still lingered in her mind all last night. She's been into girls for a long time, she didn't know if could ever feel this way for a boy. She still liked girls, but she didn't know if this meant she officially liked guys too.
She turned her attention to Blossom who was in her crib knawing on her blanket while cooing softly. Violet smiled watching her daughter do that silly habit of hers.
She had to ask Ruby why she did that.
Then Blossom turned her attention to her mother as she spits out the blanket giggling reaching out for her. Violet went over to her crib and playfully swooped her off her feet, blowing numerous raspberries on her soft little belly, making her squeal with laughter. She sat her on her lap as Violet tucked some of her dark hair behind her ear looking into her chubby face. She couldn't help but grin at how the two looked alike infant wise.
Blossom was still laughing as her mother started to look a little more serious. But she didn't care, as long as she had Violet she was always happy.
"Blossie," she spoke softly, "you know I want nothing more than to keep you safe. Mommy's been thinking about this ever since she's got back," she pulled Blossom closer, "Aunt Ruby said you were really sad when I left you here, Mommy was really sad too. But that won't happen again, I promise.
"I. . . .I found someone, for both of us. And I might want to leave again, I'm not sure, but I know I'm not going anywhere without you this time, Blossie," Violet sighed, "I know it'll be a big change but we could always visit every now and then. You'll love it there, and you have an aunt and a grandma I want you to meet."
Blossom cocked her head, "Gan-ma?"
She nodded, "Mhm, it'll be quite the change but I think we'll adjust."
Hopefully.
She smiled giving her a kiss on the cheek, "Mommy loves you very much, Blossie and mommy's never gonna stop loving you.
In return, she gave her a big sloppy one on hers, almost as if she was trying to chew the side of her face. Blossom then rested her down on her head on her mother's shoulder cooing before she could say this:
"I wove oo momma."
—
At early noon, Sophie found Storm sitting on the steps of the admin building just looking out to the courtyard. As she walked over to her she looked up at her and smiled waving for her to come over.
"Soph!" she called out cheerfully, "I was hoping I could talk to you today."
She smiled back, "I was hoping the same."
She sat beside her while he turned to her still with that grin she always loved. She hardly ever grinned when she first met him, or he happy. Almost like Moo.
"So, did you find out where he was last night?"
Sophie slowly nodded, "I. . . .did and I wish I didn't. . . ."
"Oh, um. . . . okay then," she began to switch the conversation, "anyways, it's been a minute since we really talked, don't you think?"
Sophie nodded, "Yeah, with all this stuff going on with your sister and Moo, I think there wasn't any room for a real conversation."
She scooted closer next to her, "How does it feel to be back where it all started?"
"Can I be honest?" she asked as he nodded, "It's great to be back, but it hurts at the same time. . . ."
"Why do you say that?"
"For starters, both my sister and brother are gone," she sighed, "Tenn. . . .he was the sweetest boy you could ever meet, he wanted to draw as good as me. I told you about Minnie, she was headstrong, brave, protective. Even after she tried to kill me I still miss her, am I wrong for that?"
"No, no," Storm quickly shook her head, "she was your sister for God's sake, you don't ever hate family for any reason no matter how much they've hurt you."
"Is that how you feel about your parents?"
She paused, "My mom, it wasn't her fault. She was in a lot of pain as it was when she tried to go after me and Lucas."
"Your dad?"
"Yeah. . . .it's a slow process, he looked truly sorry for what he's done to me and my sister."
"What about your. . . .your abductor?"
She widened his eyes, "Um. . . .I. . . .I have mixed feelings about him. . . ."
"Are you comfortable talking about it?"
"I guess so," she shrugged, "his name was Justin, um, he was about in his late twenties, and he lived alone. I really didn't know what his intentions were, if it was money," Storm chuckled, "he sure as hell wasn't going to get it. But honestly, I think he just wanted affection."
"Affection?"
"Yeah, because he never starved me or anything, sometimes he would give me his food when there was nothing else. He was constantly worried about my health all the time. Let me watch TV all day."
Sophie raised a brow, "He sounds like he was being a parent."
Storm scoffed, "Yeah, a parent that fucking molested you all the time in return for it."
"What?!"
"Did it every night to the point where it was just a routine for us. I hated his guts for it because I still just a kid, I didn't even understand until I was a fucking teenager!"
"Storm. . . .that's awful. . . ."
"It wasn't until this shit all began with the corpses, we just stayed in his house until that war came."
Sophie looked down thinking until she knew exactly what he was talking about.
"Richmond. . . ."
"In the end, he wanted to keep me safe so no one would take me. So I went out the back without looking back just hearing yelling and gunshots from where he was. That was the last I ever heard from him."
"Did you. . . .forgive him after that?"
She shrugged, "I don't really know, even after he tried to save me I'm still pissed at him. I mean he still took so much away from me as my life, having parents, my childhood. . .my virginity. It's just I want to and I don't at the same time, you know what I mean?"
"I do. . ." she nodded slowly thinking about Minerva, "I know exactly what you mean."
She smiled again, "But hey, I'm alive, well, and I'm happy, that's all that matters."
She smiled, Sophie loved Storm's logic to just let go of the past and think positive. Like her, she saw no point in holding grudges or staying upset all the time.
"I just wish Matias could see that," she sighed, "the only thing I see that makes him happy is murder, revenge, and . . . fucking."
"And Violet," she quickly added.
She narrowed her eyes, "Riiight. . ."
"Come on, Storm, that's his best friend!"
"I know, I know, but I feel like he's trying to get her to be his next girlfriend."
"Ha!" Sophie pretended to laugh making Storm jump, "even if he was, Violet's waaaay too smart for that crap, she can smell bullshit from miles away."
She shrugged, "Guess you're right, you two know her better than I do."
"I get it, you're trying to protect her, that's what big siblings are for."
"That and it would just be weird."
"How?"
"Matias's like a little brother to me and if he dates my sister. . .it would be a little awkward."
"Oh. . .gotcha."
Storm later got up with Sophie looking at her with confusion and disappointment, "Where are you off to?"
"I'm going hunting with the boys today," she answered, "is there a problem?"
She sighed shaking her head, "No. . .no, just have fun and stay safe."
She smiled back at her, "I won't be out long, Soph, we'll talk later."
Before she could say anything else she was already walking away not looking back. She rested her head into her palm as she looked down having the only person she wanted to hang out with today left.
—
"No cramps or no type of pain anywhere?" Ruby asked checking Violet's wound under her stomach.
She shook her head, "Not much, just a little. Is that bad?"
Ruby smiled, "I think that's perfectly normal, especially with ya movin' around much."
"That's great," Violet sighed in relief.
Ruby started touching around Violet's eyes where most of her scars used to be. She raised a brow in curiosity wondering what happened to them.
"What?" Violet spoke up getting Ruby's attention.
"Your burnt marks, what happened to 'em?"
"Oh shit, yeah, I meant to tell you about that."
"'Bout what?"
"Moo's mom put something on them to make the marks heal faster or go away, some shit, I don't know."
Ruby gawked, "She must be a miracle worker 'cause them scars look like they were never there!"
"Well, she didn't make it, Matt did."
"You're jokin', him?!" she cried looking more dumbfounded, "he never told us he could make this kind of stuff."
"He barely says anything to you guys at all."
"Fair point."
"I asked him if he wanted to show you how to make some medicines if that's alright with you."
She pursed her lips, "Are you sure he's. . .teacher material?"
"Don't worry, Ruby, he's not what he seems," Violet looked down blushing and smiling, "he can be really sweet, kind, gentle. . .hot. . ."
Ruby was caught off guard, "What?"
"What?"
Ruby just ignored that thinking it was nothing as she got up heading out the room, "'Night, Vi, I'm 'bout to hit the hay."
"Um, yeah," Violet blushed in embarrassment, "Good night, Ruby, I'll see you tomorrow."
After she closed the door Violet laid back in the bed sighing in relief. She looked over to Blossom who slept peacefully in her crib, Violet was so happy she didn't have to struggle to put her to sleep tonight. As she slowly began to close her eyes they shot back up when her doorknob started to jiggle around.
"Who's there?" she called out defensively.
As the door opened she threw a pillow at the person trying to come in. She instantly regretted it when she saw that it was Moo. Luckily he caught the pillow with ease while just laughing at her.
"Didn't know there was gonna be a pillow fight in here," he joked making her roll her eyes.
"Why didn't you knock?" she asked her fright turning into anger.
"Shit, I'm sorry, I thought it'll wake up Blossom."
She paused not even thinking about that. She did always woke up to the door knocking all the time; it did do some good with him just opening the door.
"Sorry, Moo," she apologized, "I'm just so fucking tired."
He closed the door locking it behind him then started to walk up to her bed, "It's fine, don't worry about it."
"So, why are you here anyway?"
He smiled, "So I can do this."
Violet was about to ask him what until he leaned down cupping her cheeks while he had his lips against hers. She was first unaware before she decided to go along with it kissing him back pulling him on the bed with her.
He then pulled away with them giving each other sheepish grins. He laid beside her as she scooted closer next to him.
"Hold on."
She furrowed her brows, "What is it?"
He hesitated, "Do you mind if I slipped off my shirts? It's kinda warm and I don't like being hot at night."
Violet widened her eyes with her whole body feeling hot and shaky by just imagining with him without any shirts.
At the same time, she was also. . .curious.
"U-uh, um, s-s-sure," she stuttered, "I-I don't c-care."
He pulled off both of his shirts revealing his large built chest along with his hard eight pack and beautiful wolf tattoos that covered his right muscular arm along with the right side of his body. A necklace fell on his chest when he pulled off the layers. It was a shiny silver wolf made up of unique patterns that sat and howled.
He looked back over to Violet who could hardly breathe at such a sight. It was almost exactly how she imagined him to be, muscular, built, and something many girls would drool over. She could honestly see why many girls were after him in his town.
"What's wrong?" he caught her staring as she quickly looked back up at him.
"Oh! N-nothing!"
"Really? 'Cause, it looks like you're shitting bricks."
"I told you I'm good," she looked over to the right side of his abdomen that had a big white patch.
He noticed she was looking at it, "You don't gotta worry about that, it's from a long time ago."
She looked away touching the bottom of her stomach, "Ruby came by to check on my scar tonight."
"What did she say?"
"It's fine, she says it looks like it's not gonna reopen any time soon," Violet then chuckled, "She even said, if I wanted to, that could still get pregnant."
Moo turned away and blushing, "That's. . .um, that's good news."
"If you say so," she shrugged.
She leaned over touching his cheek then moved her hand over his snaking scar over his eye sliding it down to its end. When she saw him wince at the touch she quickly moved her hand back looking back up to him with concern.
"Did I hurt you?" she asked worryingly.
"It still stings when you touch it."
"Are you. . .you comfortable talking. . .about it?" Violet stammered, "I-if you want to, you don't. . ."
"It's fine, really," he took a deep breath, "I..I fell into a river and. . .I almost drowned."
"What?!"
"It was storming that night, current was so strong I could hardly swim through it. There some rocks, sharp rocks, below and the last thing I could remember was hitting my head on one. Storm found me the next day, took me back to camp 'cause I was covered in scars and bruises. When I woke up I could only see black and white."
She cupped his cheek, "You lost your 'goldeneye'. . ."
He nodded, "It sucks ass, but at least I could still see. . .for the most part."
As she looked down Moo raised her chin up pressing his forehead against hers smiling. She tried her best to smile back at him but it was just too difficult right this moment.
"Quit stressing about me," he breathed quietly, "for one thing I'm here for you and Blossom, alright? I'm not going anywhere."
Violet was trying to fight back tears, "But everybody seems to leave me, how do I know you won't leave me?"
"I won't because I care about you. I would never do anything to hurt you in any way."
"The walkers. . .what if you. . . "
"I won't and I never will," he interrupted her briskly, "you wanna know why?"
She stared at him in confusion for a moment, "W-why?"
As he slowly lifted up his patch Violet backed away as fast as she could, putting her hands over her mouth while tears began to run over her cheeks.
This couldn't be happening, Violet thought frantically to herself, no fucking way!
Moo frowned already knowing what she was thinking.
"Violet," he tried to grab her hand but she backed away, "it's. . .it's not what you think. . .let me explain. . ."
She didn't want to listen to the bullshit he had to say, it was clear as fucking day on what she sees.
"You fucking lied to me!" she sobbed, "you said nothing was wrong with you!"
"And there's not, I swear!" Matthew tried to reason, "I would never lie to you."
She fell down to her knees as she put her hands over her face sobbing quietly to herself as she was trying not to wake Blossom but couldn't help but let her tears fall rapidly.
"You're so fucking stupid," she cried covering her face.
He got up and gently pulled her up looking into her teary eyes. She tried to look away but he managed to turn her face towards hers.
"Shhh. . ." he whispered trying to calm her, "it's alright. . ."
"No, it's not," she sniffled, "I'm gonna lose you when I just got you back."
"No you won't, can I please tell you why."
She hesitated for a second before she nodded wanting to hear what ridiculous explanation he had to say about this.
He sighed, "This. . .this bite. . .it's six years old. . ."
"That's impossible!"
"Look at me, Vi, do have I shown any of the symptoms?"
She thought logically this time, it didn't take long for a bite to take an effect even if he was lying about it.
But still. . .how could he survive a walker bite?
"I know this seems so damn unreal, but it is. . ."
"Do you. . .do you at least feel. . .a little bad?"
He shook his head, "Nothing."
Violet was trying to calm herself down now. But she couldn't apprehend the fact that Moo was immune to walker bites. It almost seemed like a dream of some sort like he was. . .invincible.
She wondered if anyone else knew about this.
Moo grabbed her hands squeezing them gently while she looked up at him frowning.
"You worry too much, you know that?" he chuckled.
"I just. . .I just thought you were gonna die. . ."
He stroked her short pale blonde hair while pulling her closer to his chest. She wrapped her arms around him tightly as if her life depended on it as Moo hugged her back resting his chin on the bed of her hair.
"You'll never have to worry anymore, Vi. I promise I'll never leave you. . ."