dcntopen:

_{Rick wouldn’t have brought Sally into the night if he knew the quantity of danger that lurked there . A few walkers Rick could have HANDLED , but the herd that approached them at such a teasingly slow speed was a battle the ex - sheriff knew he could not WIN . A split second decision slid under a nearby car , pulling Sally with him , into his body , telling her to stay QUIET before pulling her fully into his chest . He watched as the footfalls of the dead staggered by , limping past . The undead sounds were almost UNBEARABLE mixed with the otherwise silent night . Rick’s arms snaked tighter around Sally as she SOBBED into him , urging her silently that they would be okay . He HOPED they would be okay .}

_{Would they really be okay? Sally could only guess the same kind of desperate thought came across the minds of those who were now dead —— or as dead as people got to be nowadays. Drooling monsters, with no will nor purpose other than eating their way through the world. And Sally knew, she knew Rick would always put her first… a selfish act, for she’d gladly choose being torn to pieces over having to face life alone — without him. At least he’d be gone, all pain vanished for once and for all.}

_{If this was truly the end, she had a pretty good idea of what she wanted them to be doing once cruel fate finally caught up with them. Shifting into his arms for a better angle, the blonde traced her lips across Rick’s jawline and didn’t stop until they met his mouth… into a silent kiss, wet by her own tears. “I love you… more than you’ll ever know.”}

_{Star gazing had become a luxury only those who were safe could afford… and it was beautiful. They shone bright in the sky, thousands of them for it had been a very long time since all city lights died out and gave life to complete darkness when night came. With the cold wind on her face Sally laid on the grass, all four limbs sprawled out at both sides of her and wet eyes fixed upon a single spot far away from the prison yard. As much as her mind appeared to be finally at ease, there was no quieting down the consuming need to break all promises she once made and rummage through Rick’s bags — always in search of the stuff that belonged to her. Dangerous stuff, needles and the last remains of her stash the addict managed to save before their previous home went to hell. Her end of the world was different from all others, walkers weren’t the only thing threatening to make her fall and whither away like an exposed flower; there was also no escaping her own demons trying to claw their way to the surface.}

_{A single tear, fresh and loaded with numbing pain traced a sparkling path as it rolled down her cheek, seconds before becoming one with the grass on top of which her small body rested. There was only one person in the entire world that would come out looking for her. When she heard footsteps approaching from behind, the blonde didn’t move nor cringed as they all used to when at the mercy of the undead —— she was safe behind the fence, or wasn’t she?}

_{“Go back inside, don’t freeze to death because of me.”}

_@ingriimes

dcntopen:

_{‘ You don’t want me to LEAVE , ’ Rick knew that for a fact . Sally had this way of pushing the people she loved the most away . She wanted everyone to love her , to care about her , even though he acted as if SHE didn’t love anyone . ‘ You want me to stay and COMFORT you , as if you’re the only one hurting . ’ Each word was pronounced with a dot of anger and suffering . Perhaps he hadn’t meant to get so violent , but he had had ENOUGH . This wasn’t the first time she had relapsed since they met , and he assumed it wouldn’t be the last . And it hurt him because he LOVED her . Rick loved Sally so much , that’s why he wanted to help her . But some people just couldn’t be helped .}

_{‘ Y’know what I thought when I first met you ? ’ A softness took over Rick’s voice as he approached Sally , standing over her , watching her rock slightly back and forth with her knees so close to her chest . She looked so small , so HELPLESS . And that’s how she got you . ‘ I thought you were BEAUTIFUL . I thought you were funny , clever . Troubled , maybe , but absolutely beautiful . ’ It was true . Rick could tell there was something wrong with her from the first moment he saw her , even despite living in a DEAD WORLD . But he looked past it . She was extravagant in a way he had never seen before . ‘ And it was never about me trying to FIX YOU , Sally . I’ve always wanted you t’know that . ’}

_{Now Rick kneeled down so he could see her way , looking up with stern eyes , showing her that he was still ANGRY , but that he wanted to talk , to know why . ‘ I don’t have any idea what yer goin’ through , but you know I’ve wanted to HELP , ’ A soft hand was placed on her arm , because despite the fact that he was so entirely hurt and furious , he did still love her . He ALWAYS would . ‘ But I can’t do that unless you want me to . And from what I’ve seen , you DON’T , ’ He let go immediately , standing and pacing back to the window to look out at the road in front of their Alexandrian home . The other residents were saying goodnight to each other and retreating back to their own houses to get some rest . Rick wondered what it was like for them - not having to worry about the OUTSIDE WORLD , not having anyone to worry about constantly . He glanced back at Sally , eyes hard . ‘ So once you figure out whether you want that or not , COME FIND ME , ’}

_{Until then , Rick grabbed one of the pillows from their bed and an extra blanket from the closet and made his way for the door . He would not wait around for her high to recede just to have her cry and APOLOGIZE in his arms . When she wanted to , she would come to him .} 

_{It weren’t his words that hurt… it was the way he said them, like things between them couldn’t be fixed anymore. Sally had fucked up — she had fucked up big time and it wouldn’t be just her the one to suffer from it, he was in pain too ( if only she could take it all away and make it her own ). But she wasn’t counting on him to turn his back on her, get up and then leave — up until then Sally had been used to her men melting on the spot at the sight of tears and small kisses… in her tearful rage, the junkie grabbed a spare pillow he had left behind and threw it at the door, closing it for him with a loud bang.}

_{Who would want to let a screwed addict anywhere near the children? His son knew — he knew what she was and had enough brains to make his peace with it, but the baby? The thought of Rick forbidding her to even see the child was what sent her off, a mess of tears that fell to the side and curled up with her face hidden into the blankets. There were things far more important than a fix, weren’t there? Her friends, the ones that kept her alive for so long… a family, something she would have never expected to find in a world full of nightmares threatening to eat and swallow all that was good. But above all ( and what felt like the greatest gift ) , a strong man who would go to hell and back just for the sake of making her happy… and there she was, pissing it all away in the span of a single night.}

_{With tears in her eyes Sally fell asleep, what was left of her high knocking her out for good… until a bad dream forced her to jump awake. A quick look around the dark room proved her right: he meant what he said, Rick was nowhere to be found. But she needed him —— not later, not when the sun came out… now. Grabbing a blanket of her own, Sally got down on all fours and crawled to the end of the bed ( a trace of dried out blood dripping from an open track mark )… and out of the room she went, bare feet tapping against the carpet with every step she took. Would he take her back? Let the woman he loved slip into his arms and agree to spend the rest of the night by her side? It felt like torture, all those questions causing her head to feel crowded beyond the point of madness.} 

_{Sally didn’t stop, not until she reached the one sofa that was big enough to fit him whole. So beautiful… yet angry at the same time. With tears welling up inside her eyes again ( the need to be comforted burning like fire inside her body ), she took advantage of Rick’s vulnerable state and laid down right on top of him — nose instantly finding its way into the crook of his warm neck.}

_{@dcntopen​ <3′d the thing!}

_{Not to make a sound, that’s what Rick told her… but how was she supposed to keep her shit together and not break into a terrified mess of whimpers ( that would surely get them both killed ), when all Sally could hear were growls and heavy footsteps belonging to no less than fifty walkers around them? It was dark, the car below which they found refuge blocking the stars and pale moonlight… a true nightmare she could only pray would let them escape safe and sound. Pushing her nose deeper against his neck, Sally’s trembling hands grabbed strong fistfuls of the man’s bloodied shirt —— her mute way of begging him to please hold her tighter… and she cried, silently into his arms.}

_{At least they hadn’t been seen… not yet.}

dcntopen:

@brokenragdoll

_{She’d promised she’d quit . Sally had promised him . And yet here was a needle , residue and blood still there , still evidence of how she had LIED . Rick didn’t want her to have another danger , another option for death - there were plenty of things that could kill you in a world like THIS . Holding the needle firmly in his hand , glass aching to shatter in his palm , he stared at Sally , eyes on fire , jaw set, teeth grinding . His words were low , quiet , but there was no mistaking the anger and , hidden underneath that , the BETRAYAL . ‘ You said you were finished with this stuff , ’ Obviously BULLSHIT . Rick had been trying to make this work for so long , trying to get her better , get her healthy , and he thought it had been working . But he was WRONG .}

_{A sudden fit caused Rick to throw the needle against the wall , separating the glass and the metal needle away from each other , what was left of the poison inside making itself at home on the carpet . He hoped his family wasn’t in the house , didn’t know what was going on upstairs ; that they were taking care of their duties outside , in ALEXANDRIA . Rick wiped a hand across his face before placing them both on his waist , unable to look directly at the woman . ‘ What happened , Sally ? ’ It was almost sad now , HURT . Rick needed an explanation .}

It wasn’t easy, Rick had to understand —— him above all people. One couldn’t simply throw away years of consuming addiction and flush them down the toilet like nothing ever happened, things didn’t work that way. She had stayed sober for months now, hadn’t she? A good girl, that’s exactly what she struggled so hard to become… struggled and failed, for the thousandth time in her little worthless life. The fire in his gaze hurt Sally more than needles could ever do — it pierced right through her racing heart and caused fat tears to well up inside her eyes; say you still love me… don’t be that kind of man and walk away from your woman. The small glass tube hitting and shattering against their bedroom wall startled her, for she wasn’t expecting him to go violent this late at night; Sally jumped and whimpered under her breath, arms moving to embrace her own legs and hold them impossibly close to her chest. If only he knew, the pain she was in… maybe then he’d understand, how it felt like to be pulled out of one hell just to be thrown face first into another one that simply couldn’t be escaped.

“Like you gave two shits about what happened.” It felt like a goddamn miracle, her being able to even enunciate words despite all that poison coursing through her veins - polluting her body. “Me happened… or did you really think all of this was fucking over? You knew what you were getting yourself into — I don’t remember holding a knife to your throat and forcing you to love me.” Sally sniffled, cheeks stained with black mascara. “Now leave me the hell alone and let me ride my high… I was doing pretty well without your screams.” That was not what she wanted to say and somewhere in the back of her mind, she kept praying Rick would do what he knew best and ignore her — stay all night long.

dcntopen:

As he was pulled swiftly into the house , Rick was overwhelmed with light and the overwhelming smell of alcohol . They didn’t play around when it came to parties . He unknowingly clenched Sally’s hand exceptionally tight as they pushed through a large group of strangers who each insisted on greeting them in turn . By the time they had reached a corner , Rick had shaken so many hands and heard so many names that he could barely remember his own . But the most surprising thing about the night was that his family looked as if they were actually enjoying themselves .

’ This is somethin’ , huh ? ’

And it was - something . He didn’t have the words to describe such a celebration when the world outside was a shit show . But his people - they looked almost happy , like this all was a dream . Hopefully they wouldn’t wake up just yet .

Deana approached Rick and Sally with two glasses filled with some kind of liquer , welcoming them , telling them there was more where that came from before leaving them to join the party . He could see strangers wanting to come over to them , talk up Alexandria , talk up themselves , and Rick could already feel himself getting exhausted . So he did what he would’ve done before the world ended : he downed his drink , put on a smile , and squeezed the hand of the woman he loved .

’ Shall we ? ’

People weren’t as interested in her as they were on Rick… Sally couldn’t stop thanking the fucking heavens for that. What would she say, anyway? How many of those smiling faces would twist into disapproving frowns the second they learned they were talking to a former druggie? Someone who still had traces of old track marks adorning her arms… Chances were Deanna would want her out of her house and away from all young Alexandrians. Raising her walls ( like she always did whenever she felt threatened ) and keeping her story to herself was probably the best way to deal with the unfolding crisis.

“Yeah, something… Something I don’t like.” So lost in her thoughts she was the blonde almost missed the moment a large glass of something that smelled quite strong was put into her hand. Out of pure instinct ( and without as much as thanking the woman who gave it to her ) Sally brought it up to her lips and instantly downed the contents of it… Whatever that shit was, it made her throat burn and body shiver with a pleasant rush of warmth that even reached her fingertips. Alcohol couldn’t be compared to getting high as a kite, but Sally was in no position to complain— after all, booze was the second best thing after losing consciousness over a large fix of heroin and it wasn’t easy to come by nowadays.

“Lead the way, Cowboy…” At this point, Sally’s hazel eyes were already scanning the room, trying to find some more of that drink for one glass wasn’t enough. Still not letting go of Rick’s arm, she stood on her tiptoes and didn’t stop moving her head until she spotted a large table with enough food and drinks to leave everyone satisfied. Never mind him leading the way… Determined to at least try to enjoy herself, Sally laced their fingers together and pulled him along, not slowing down until she was able to get her free hand on a second glass. All those happy faces around them were slowly but surely getting on her nerves; apparently none of them got the memo… The world outside those walls was going to shit and nobody seemed to care, not even their own family. Fucking traitors… The realization made Sally huff and roll her eyes with annoyance.

"Look at them… Mark my words, baby, this shit won’t last… I can see it coming, none of us are safe—— not even here. Specially not here.”

dcntopen:

Rick chuckled as he brushed some fallen hair from Sally’s eyes , leaning down to give her one last kiss before turning away , straightening his collar , glancing over at his girlfriend every so often . He was lucky , wasn’t he ? He still had his children , his life, and now he had Sally . Officially . Despite the world being shit , at least he had something .

When they both had adjusted themselves to look as if nothing had happened , he gently took her hand in his , kissing the tips of her fingers before leading her downstairs and out of the strangely comforting house . The streets of Alexandria were deserted , all residents piled into the house at the end of the street for the party to greet the newcomers , Rick and his family . As they stepped up onto the porch , he listened to the noise coming from inside . He even heard music and laughter , too things that were oh so rare during this time of the world .

’ You ready ? ’

Rick wasn’t , but if Sally could do it , so could he .

Maybe the worst part of the whole “having to go out for dinner” was actually having to leave their house. As if being surrounded by strangers that could very well mean no good wasn’t enough… Sally had no clue how long it’d take her to get used to the idea that Alexandria was safer than being out in the wild and it felt weird, being able to walk around without a single worry in the entire world. As soon as they stepped out of their new home, the blonde clung to Rick’s arm ( a habit she developed after what seemed like a lifetime of hiding behind him ) and followed his lead down the street that’d take them to Deanna’s house.

The world around them was so quiet… At least until they made it to their destination and climbed those front steps. People inside seemed to be having fun and Sally felt completely out of place; at least he promised they wouldn’t stay long. She could still remember her life as a resident at the Hotel Cortez, back in the day when the darkness of room sixty-nine was the safest place she knew. Everything was different now, this time she wasn’t alone… Rick’s gentle grip on her hand kept her reassured.

“It wouldn’t make a damn difference, would it?” Letting out a sigh, Sally turned her head away from the front door and looked up into his eyes instead. The sooner they went inside, the sooner things would be over and then, they’d be free to go back home and finish what he started; the junkie needed to be touched. “What the hell…” Taking matters into her own hands, Sally tugged him along and opened the door behind which both family and new friends were waiting.

dcntopen:

A smirk snuck onto Rick’s lips at Sally’s kiss , at her fingers as they dug into the white button down shirt that had been lent to him . She always had a way of making him want to stay inside , just them . He stared down at her with knowing eyes before quickly leaning down to lay his lips firmly on her own , pressing her back against the vanity as his fingers found her hair .

These moments , this is what he lived for . His family , their lives , and Sally - that’s what was keeping him alive , that’s what gave him hope . Rick’s lips moved against hers , tongue grazing her own before he pulled away, eyes half lidded as he glanced down at her .

’ Y'get the rest later . We’re late, ’

The kiss left her completely breathless. This was more than enough for now, his lips against her own and their bodies so close she was able to feel a rush of warmth coming from her boyfriend’s chest, even through his clothes. As she was pushed back, the blonde reached out to press one hand against the cold mirror for some extra support. Damn him… Sally was sick and tired of feeling weak and that was exactly what his mouth loved doing to her. A small and quite needy whimper, muffled by Rick’s tongue came out straight from the back of her throat.

But they couldn’t stay like this forever, no… After a few more seconds of silent making out, Sally opened her eyes and let her gaze meet his. Tears were already threatening to make her sight blurry but the junkie wouldn’t let them— not now that there was no reason at all to cry. They were all waiting for them, friends and strangers alike…

“And God forbid we keep Queen Bitch waiting.” With a smirk now twisting her lips, Sally moved her hand to wipe a few traces of lipstick still clinging to Rick’s chin. As hard as it was, she then gave him a gentle push to give herself enough room to fix her dress and make sure she looked absolutely perfect for that night’s dinner.

“Let’s go.”

dcntopen:

Rick didn’t want to go , either , but they had an obligation - especially him , the chosen leader of the group , the family , that had been invited into Alexandrian homes . He needed his people to get close to Deana’s people , if only to take Alexandria over , to make it stronger .

’ We won’t stay long , I promise , ’

Rick gave Sally a smile as he turned her toward him , pulling her into a firm embrace , pressing a kiss against hair that he’d never seen so clean . Of course he had thought she was beautiful , perfect , from the beginning , but it was different seeing her like this . Rick was sure he looked like an entirely different person , too .

’ I need to at least make an appearance . And as my girlfriend , so d'you , ’

Girlfriend… The word alone was enough to make Sally shut her eyes and cling to Rick’s body like it was the last hug they’d ever share. She mattered to him— he wouldn’t toy with her feelings and make her feel loved only to toss her aside the moment he got tired of her. This was a dangerous world and it was because of him and their family that Sally found enough strength to not give up; she no longer was the same terrified junkie they all took care of and managed to fix ( even though the sweet burning of heroin being shot into her system was something she still craved from time to time ). If Rick wanted to go, then she’d suck it up and put on a smile for everyone to see.

“And what do I get in return, hm?” Sally tipped her head back and placed one single kiss right under the man’s jaw, hands now gripping the fabric of his shirt to make sure he wouldn’t go anywhere just yet. “You know the drill, baby… Gimme something in return or you’ll have to drag my ass out there.” He smelled so good. As she took a deep breath, Sally’s lungs were filled with the sweet scent of borrowed cologne and soap. “Please?”

dcntopen:

@brokenragdoll

’ Lemme help you with that , ’

Rick was all ready to go to the party the Alexandrians were throwing for them . Well , physically ready . Mentally , he was regretting agreeing to it . Nevertheless , he stepped up behind Sally , zipping up the dress that another resident had lent her , hands lingering at her shoulders as he smiled at her reflection in the mirror .

’ Beautiful , ’

Sally couldn’t help the smile that twisted her lips as she looked at their reflection in the mirror. She could barely recognize herself now that they were somewhere safe, surrounded by beautiful things and clean— specially clean. The soft touch of Rick’s hands left her skin pebbled with goose-bumps, Sally no longer felt like the junkie no one wanted, the sad and abandoned girl everyone chose to ignore because it was easier then helping her deal with her problems… She owed him that. 

“Do we have to go? You know I ain’t fond of people.” Finally tearing her attention away from the mirror, Sally turned her head to the side and placed one single kiss on the man’s fingers; a light stain of red lipstick was left behind. She wanted to push herself against him and stay like that for the rest of the evening— but she’d follow him, wherever he chose to go. “Your call, Cowboy.”

t-chambler:

Starter Call: @brokenragdoll

“— Look, sweetheart. I don’t have time for any bullshit right now. Can you do this?”

Sally didn’t think she had what it took to leave their hiding place and make a run for it, even if staying there would mean being torn to pieces by drooling monsters. She had to— there was no other way around it… Yet Tara’s urging voice wasn’t helping her focus at all. “You’re not gonna let them get me, are you?” It wasn’t an answer, but the junkie had to make sure before agreeing to venture into the wild with nothing but her good intentions. As hard as she tried to keep it down, a single tear rolled down her pale cheek while both her eyes remained focused on the brunette standing next to her.

Continued from here with @dcntopen.

Supplies? What did he think she was, some kind of goddamn pharmacy? Sally didn’t need supplies, the one thing she was currently looking for was a place to stay while the world got its shit back together ( and maybe a little something to help her mind forget about all the horrors she witnessed during the past few days ). The blonde needed that, this couldn’t be happening… She had finally been able to get the hell away from her prison and for what? To spend endless days and nights running away from drooling monsters and praying to god she wouldn’t become someone’s meal, all while dealing with sobriety? Sally couldn’t die… No medium’s spell could bring someone back from the dead but that didn’t mean she couldn’t feel; the junkie was sure as hell being torn to pieces wouldn’t be something she’d enjoy.

“Nope… And don’t go all tough on me, you look like shit.” Now that they were close enough, she bent over to inspect the wound as best as she could. Stitching him up would have been a piece of cake… If only there was something she could use. Sally didn’t want him to die, what if this man was her only chance to remain with all parts of herself attached to her body? He looked strong, right on the verge of dying, but strong nonetheless. “What the hell happened to you, anyway? I dunno if you’ve noticed, but your feet are missing something.” Letting out a soft sigh, Sally pulled herself back up and watched him with her head leaned to the side. It had to hurt, walking around barefoot in the middle of the street.

iincommodum:

@brokenragdoll​ 

A M E L I A  ; † —— 

   “Why did I ever come home?” Amelia asks herself, her hand coming to cup over the end of her cigarette as she lit it. Taking a deep inhale, the women breathed out slowly as she glanced around from her spot sitting on a bench in central park in New York, upper east side  — her home. She’d come back to find inspiration for the second book she had been working on. A author in New York, how classical. Of course, this is meant to be a sarcastic comment. New York, the place of dreams and a place were your desires, dreams, and temptations come to life.         

“Just as crowded, loud, and slightly annoying as always.”

Sally couldn’t believe her terrible, terrible luck. Of course she already knew things in life weren’t meant to go well for her, but this was just plain bullshit. Why did she ever choose to leave the hotel? As ironic as it was, the junkie missed the one place she once learned to call home; she missed those glorious days when her only two concerns in life were who to kill and how to do it… Now, as she sat side by side with this woman she barely knew, Sally was able to see what a terrible mistake it was. When was the last time she smoked a cigarette or felt the sweet burning of heroin being shot straight into her veins? Her current situation was quickly getting to the addict’s nerves, her body wasn’t used to being deprived of the only two things capable of giving her life any meaning.

Not two days after being released from her prison, the world went to shit. But not just any kind of shit… People were dying and turning into little man-eating freaks, those drooling monsters they were now successfully hiding from. Even though she wasn’t fully alive, being torn to pieces by starving zombies wasn’t in her to-do list; she didn’t fancy having to endure that kind of pain. Just when she thought everything was going to be a-okay… At least she wasn’t alone.

“Would you stop complaining? Look into the bright side of things, at least you’re not him.” With a shaky finger, Sally pointed towards the man laying dead on the floor, the one with the open belly and guts spilling out like they were trying to escape his insides. “I wouldn’t mind a normal kind of crowded right now.”