Stormy outside in the farm's muddy fields, and inside now too. Like lightning and thunder, the two best pals, brothers in arms, bicker heatedly with each other from across the bright hallway, an argument about morals, about how much has changed. About who refuses to change with the world and whom has chosen to forget their humanity.

"Shit Rick, I ain't.. you got— you had no right to be.. marchin' into camp at the quarry, takin' charge all a' a sudden like you're still sheriff, like I ain't been the one keepin' people safe, keeping your family safe." Shane belted without missing a beat, a poisonous sneer in his glare.

"And I appreciate that; do you think I'm not grateful— that I don't owe you ma life for takin care of Lori 'nd C'oral for me? Dammit Walsh, I am; that don't mean that you can't still have heart, man. That don't mean-" Rick tries to calmly answer, but anger seeps into his speech somehow.

"Don't tell me what to do, I ain't your deputy, not anymore. From now on, you do shit as you wanna, for your own people, I'mma do what I gotta f' mine; we'll see who lasts longer livin' which way." Shane snarls, and turns tail to head to the bedroom you and him shared, his temper sizzling still.

Rick chuckles, tone uncharacteristically sardonic, standing in the doorway to his own room, crossing his arms.

"Yeah? And what people of yours, Shane? Who do you even got?"

That's too far. Shane's jaw ticks, and he steps slowly into his room, slamming the door. Rick sighs, heading into his own, realising the weight of what he's just said had.

Rick's not.. wrong. But it's not like Shane's alone; not now anyway. Not with you, laid on his bed, hair strewn across your pillow, an open book in your hands. With one bare leg over the blanket and the other tucked under. You smile, looking up at him, at his stormy face, at his clenched fists. Surprisingly, he softens.

".. you hear all'at?" he asks dryly, climbing into bed, sinking into the mattress with a groan. His tone is hard, but not as bitter and fiery as it was seconds ago.