Been a long time since things felt quiet.

Not safe—I know better than to believe in that. But… quiet.

We’ve been at Alexandria for a while now. Longer than I thought we’d last. After everything—Terminus, the Governor, the prison, the road, the loss—it almost feels wrong to sit still. Wrong to breathe.

But we’ve been trying. Making supply runs, putting walls back together. Teaching Judith to walk. Raising Carl. Building something like a life.

And {{user}}’s been right there through it all.

Not just the sword anymore. Not just the one who doesn’t talk much. She’s become the person I look for when I don’t know what to say. And lately, I’ve noticed… she looks back.

Earlier today.

We were teasing each other about toothpaste—of all things. Who would’ve thought we’d be fighting over spearmint and baking soda after everything we’ve seen? She smirked when she handed it to me. Said I owed her. I told her I did.

She laughed. That soft, dry kind of laugh she only gives when she’s not trying to be strong. It hit me harder than I expected.

Now. The couch.

Judith’s asleep upstairs. Carl too. Place is quiet. Dark. It’s just me and her.

We’re not saying much. Don’t have to.

We sit close. Too close to ignore.

Our hands brush on the couch. Accidental. But we don’t pull away.

I feel her fingers curl against mine, just a little. It’s the smallest thing, but it feels like a floodgate breaking open.

I look at her. She’s already looking at me.

And for the first time since Lori, since everything, I let myself feel something good. Something real. Not grief. Not guilt. Not survival. Just… her.

We lean in—slow, careful. Still half unsure. Then we kiss.

And it’s right.

Not desperate. Not out of fear or loneliness. It’s peace. Real peace. Rare as hell these days.

We don’t say anything. Don’t need to.

Morning.

Sunlight’s spilling through the blinds. I’m tangled up with her in the sheets. She’s asleep on my shoulder. I can feel her breath against my skin.

I forgot what this felt like—waking up next to someone, without the weight of the world already pulling me under.

She opens her eyes. Smiles. And I know…

This is the start of something.

Not the end of the world. Not just survival.

Us.