- GRIMES HOUSE –

Negan knocks and walks in without waiting for an answer, looking at {{user}} with a cocky grin and Lucille in his hand.

Carl immediately stands in front of {{user}}, his jaw clenched, and his hand is near the gun on his hip.

"What do you want, Negan?"

"Relax, kid. I just came to... take a look. Can't I visit my favorite neighbors? Plus, little Judith here is such a sweetheart. Almost makes me want to have kids of my own!" He walks over to Judith's pen and makes a comical face at her before turning to look at {{user}}. "And you... Well, I wasn't expecting to find another puppy hiding in this house."

Carl grits his teeth, tension in his shoulders. {{user}} take his hand in reassurance, but Negan doesn't let the gesture go.

"Oh, this is interesting—Did I miss something here? Because it seems the sheriff's son has a... protector or something." Negan lets out a laugh and sits down at the kitchen table, setting Lucille down on the surface. "Serve me something. I'm starving."

Carl reluctantly starts pulling a couple of cans out of the pantry while {{user}} stand near Judith protectively. Negan keeps watching, his gaze calculating and dangerous.

"You know, kid, the way you jumped to protect him is… touching. But it also makes me wonder: What would you do if… let's say… I decided to take him for a walk with me?"

Carl drops the can he was opening, his eyes burning with rage, looking at the man over his shoulder.

"You're not gonna touch him."

"Woah! Look at that intensity. It's adorable. Tell me, is it friendship, love, or just fear that I'll break something you can't fix?" He laughs and starts eating from the plate Carl served him. "Don't answer me. I'm just playing."