(Heyo! So, ive put off writing for a few months and ive been rarely active, or just not writing/updating anything. 2020 knocked the wind and creative freedom from my lungs and i lost all motivation. But heres hoping i get the mojo back)
Your POV.
"You even paying attention?"
I break from my thoughts and look up, Tommy stood there with an amused grin on his face.
"No....yeah, definitely not" I joke catching up to him, passing colourful trees painted in rustic reds and oranges.
I love doing rounds this time of year, its always pretty...Shame ive got chatterbox Tommy in my left ear.
"Well, nows your chance to actually give a shit...you got any manly advice I can have?" He asks as i grimace in his direction.
"Do i look like someone who has good 'manly-advise'?" I sarcastically quote as i laugh to myself.
"Well yeah, you always have a- um...whats the- aw hell i dont fucking know i just need your opinion!" He pleads straying ahead towards the cliffside.
A nearby gas station lay on the mountain side across from us on our trail. Pulling out his rifle and aiming at the station, hitting a metal sign with quick shot.
A clang echoed through the little valley like area as infected swarm out of their hiding places, the gas station soon littered with the monsters.
Then, oddly enough, hands me the rifle.
"Go ahead, I wanna see if youre as good as me~"
"Im shocked, you dont let anyone touch your scope" I say, happily examining it, weighing it out as I peer into the scope.
I bite my lip in anticipation, lining up my shot on a skittish clicker.
"Gotcha" I say, pulling the trigger, blood spurting from its head.
But to our surprise, the bullet ricocheted of the car behind, straight into the head of the other clicker.
I pull the scope away from my eye and wheeze with laughter as Tommy sits there, mouth agape.
"Well shit, looks like you can aim" he says taking the rifle back as i wipe my eyes from tears.
"Ill never make a shot like that again" i chuckle, moving on with him, then i remember he wanted my help.
"So whats this manly advice you want from me?" I ask as he clears his throat.
"I uh...got in fight with Maria, said she couldnt take the pressure of..." he cuts himself short, but it wasnt hard to realise it was big enough to split them.
"Shit, im sorry Tommy...god im a bad friend for missing that"
"Naw i think...it was for the best" he mutters to himself, walking ahead.
I nod to him as we carry on towards the building where Joel and Ellie were waiting. Something kept bugging me though.
Not sure what it was.
We stroll in to see the two just sitting in silence, an awkward atmosphere we werent expecting to walk into.
After a minute, Tommy speaks up.
"Hey Joel, why dont you go to that music store with Ellie, you said she needed new strings right?"
Ellies eyes light up as Joel nods, getting up from his seat.
"Come on Ellie" he says as me and Tommy sit in the seats they were in, getting on their horses and leaving.
Kicking my feet up on the table, Tommy grabs the guitar and strums mini melodies, it was peaceful and bliss.
"You didnt kick em out because of the Maria thing did you?"
"They got their own stuff to sort out, besides I'd rather talk to just you about this"
"Had no idea you put that much faith in me, especially since I tried to kill you few years back" I joke around.
He laughs with me, remembering back to the first day...it was the coldest winter I had ever faced.
A few years ago.
Jacksons Wall.
Trudging through the snow i gain closer on the wall, pressing against it as i see the weak point i was told about.
Slyly slipping in hiding behind ammo crates, checking for any eyes that might shoot before doing anything else...in and out.
Slithering between cover and sticking to the shadows, thankfully it was night, I wouldnt be seen so long as I was careful.
Quietly opening the door and making my way inside, they had heating in there...what a luxury.
After another while sneaking my way in, i felt like i was being watched, which wasnt good considering what i was attempting.
Finding the back office i enter and see what i was looking for.
Laying my eyes on tins and cans stacked in preparation for this little communtity.
Pulling off my bag i start putting cans in my pack, they had alot to spare but i didnt want to over do it, collecting just enough I zip it closed and sling it on.
But the sound of a gun clicking i draw mine and aim to the door, a man with a scruffy beard and mousy brown hair aiming his gun at me.
"Dont try it thief, put them back" his gruff voice says with a debilitating tone.
But I stay strong and dont back down.
"I cant, people are counting on me, if i dont theyll all starve..."
My eyes plead to him, but he seems unfazed.
"And my people are counting on me...so put the food down" he says edging closer.
I look around for an escape...but there isnt one, guess ill have to improvise.
I fire a shot into the wall, causing him to flinch out of the way, I barge past him and bolt out of the door, he was hot on my tail.
Sprinting up stairs away from nearby people checking the gun shot sound, spotting me in the process.
Diving out of a nearby open window onto the snow, spraining my ankle.
I try limping away to the weak point in the wall but they surround me, pointing their guns at me from all directions...and at that point, i knew it was over.
I drop the bag into the snow, and put my hands behind my head.
That man from before picks up the bag with his friends covering him, he looks at how much i got.
His stern face looks at me with a straight expression.
"You missed that shot on purpose, why?"
I look him in the eye.
"I didnt come here to kill anyone...we just need food" i say hanging my head, expecting them to put me in some cage or kill me.
But then he gives me back the bag full of food, zipped up with a smile on his face.
"Let him go..." he says to his men and women, lowering their guns and leading me to the front gate, escourted by him.
They open slowly and with one last look at him i smile.
"Thank you" I hold out my hand.
He grabs it back, but leaves a radio in my hand, I look at it confused.
"Use it when you get home, and when you feel like you want to trust me...tell me where you are...and we'll come"
My eyes try to read him.
"What happens when I do that?"
"You'll see"
And without a second glance i leave Jackson, a worry and a relief fighting in my head as i make my way home.
Present day
I give Tommy an appraising look.
"Ill never forget that night, when I got home I finally got what you meant"
"Yeah, your family was lucky to have ya, even if you were stealin from us~"
He chuckles strumming a song I was familiar with, humming along.
"I have no idea what you saw in me...if it was anyone else i wouldve died there"
He stops playing.
Rocking his chair on its hind legs and his eyes pierce me.
"Exactly what im seeing right now~"
"And whats that?"
"Youre strong...and badass, and you care...not alot'a people are like that anymore"
I smile, blushing at his compliments, not that i totally wasnt fishing for them.
He seemed to enjoy seeing me like that.
"Pretty pink you got there~" he winks, my eyes roll harshly.
"Shut up asshat, now youre just teasing me"
"Guilty as charged~"
He strums up again before the sound of infected could be heard outside, getting closer.
Tommy pulls a confused face.
"This area should be clear" he mutters.
"They do roam y'know"
"No shit" he replies aiming his rifle for the door.
"Ill check it" i say, getting up nonchalantly and aiming my pistol, looking though the door.
Turning around and shrugging at Tommy with a small smile.
He smiles back but it soon turns to worry.
"LOOK OUT!" I go to turn around vut an impact from behind knocks my balance, i fight against its grip as i feel its cold breath creeping slowly to my neck.
So close its teeth graze the skin but dont break it.
I panic and scream.
And as fast as it happens, its shot off me by a clean bullet from Tommy, rushing over to me, checking me over as i breath heavily.
Panting with fear as Tommy sighs with relief, pulling me into a surprising hug, squeezing me with his arms.
I hug back muttering thank yous into his shoulder.
"That was way too close, dont do that again ya hear?"
"My bad" I scoff into a ball of laughter with him.
Looking up at him, his smile always calmed me, Maria was lucky she got him when she did, I bet he was a lady killer back in the old world.
His eyes flit down for a millisecond, before kissing me softly. I gasp thinking it wasnt real, did he just kiss me after literally saving my ass.
Oh god hes gonna hold this over me for ages.
Seperating from me, with worried eyes.
"Sorry..." he apologises, making me laugh and lean up to him, kissing him back with an equal passion.
I release him, tapping his cheeks in a playful manner.
"Im sorry too~"
Walking back to my horse, leaving him with a pretty pink flushing his cheeks.
How's that for manly advice.~
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Well, I tried, and I kinda like it, wrote it all in one too so hope you enjoy.