I swear I hate you when you leave,
But I like it anyway.

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It was near noon when Blake started to rise from her lashed out position in her bed, or what she thought to be her bed as she felt further in the silk sheets and fluffy pillows.

However, the second her head finally leveled with the world, it fell strictly into her hands. Making her groan out into the room and surprising the urge to cry. "Mornin' darling..." Negan drew, and her eyes just lazily looked off towards him and his desk as she chuckled.

"You're not Arat."
"No. I'm not. But from that I'm guessing you fine ladies drink more often than not." Blake shook her head, apparently it betrayed Negan's notice to understand that the two women were roommates.

Even though there was no need for it.

"You sweetheart, have yourself a hangover." She chuckles once again and yawns, trying to rub her eyes to wake up further.

"May I use your bathroom?" She asked, covering her mouth again as another yawn escaped her. He looked up to her from behind a paper and smirk.

"Course. Far left, you look like death mulled over, take a shower." She snorted, her legs bending forward and up. Although Negan attempted to pay attention elsewhere, he watched her in fear of her not making it. 

"Yell if ya fall down, or need help washin' up!" He exclaimed, but was met with her laughter that was soon muffled behind the closed door.

And for ten agonizing minutes was he waiting for her to call out, but none of that occurred. Instead, he did have a decent morning, there were no breaks for him, not that he counted anyway.

Even last night was his date with Blake interrupted.

Instead, he was issued by Dwight that Daryl was following the strict diet and is strong-willed. But Blake's strategy in breaking/reforming people is more than accurate, by any means was she the perfect crazy psychologist. The repetitive song choice was clinical, the food choice was rough. But one thing that Blake thought of wildly was a favor she needed from Dwight, one of which she'd talk to him about later.

Unfortunately for Negan, Blake was closer to Dwight than himself. Which will work better for her at the moment. As she was drying up, she took it upon herself in taking one of Negan's t-shirts. Not that he would notice with the amount stacked here.

As she tied it up a bit to fit her better, she removed herself from the bathroom with a hand still running through her hair to get the water out. "What's the plan for today sir?" She question, seemingly different from the shower. And he clicked his tongue.

"After yesterday we're good on stock, the kingdom and Hilltop's pick are coming up. Otherwise, I think we're staying home for today hun." She nodded, still tying her shoe as she liked the idea of a day off.

"And that guy from yesterday? You put him through 'easy street'?" Her careful questioning was easy to determine that she did not know who Daryl was. And she'd deny it until she talks to Dwight.

"Dwighty boy says he's starting to break, why you wanna see how he's doin'? Gotta admit, seeing you take him down..." She took the compliment instead of laughing to him.

"Yeah well, if he got any closer then you'd have to kill more...Then Addie would—" She cut herself off with a breath and dwelled the outcome of that 'what if' so she rose back to her feet and took her muted walkie she placed down from last night as well as her belt. Her pistol and knife.

"Leavin' already?"
"Million things to do sir, but next time...Maybe we end without starting with the crying...Yeah?" She spoke, relegating last nights events. With that in the open did he relax in his chair, as he wouldn't mind that.

"Is that right?" She nodded, but the array of voices calling out to her from the walkie bustled. Her presence was needed elsewhere.

"You playing tonight?" He shrugged, but then she followed in the same pursuit. With that, it was quick goodbye before she took her leave, allowing him to breath fitful and freely.

"Damn that woman." He growled, getting up taking Lucille into his hands and practicing his swing as it always calmed him enough to get through the day. But even now, he couldn't calm the nerve that Blake had caused...

On the other hand, Blake had been thrown an apple as Arat gave her a rundown as well as the drop off that Dr.Carson requested. But the women in second of command under Blake did not allow her to leave unless she took the water bottle. The final notion was a quick drag as she pulled the hat onto her head and asked: 

"Is boss playing tonight?" She shrugged as that was his own answer, it was completely fortunate that Blake come in as Dwight was overseeing Daryl's examination.

Luckily by now he was given clothes, or the sweat infested sweater and pants that just lingered in the heat. "How's your little project Dwighty boy?" She laughed, coming further into the room and placing down the bag that doc needed.

"Is that—" She nodded and the instant happiness elevated Carson's work efforts. "Same place right?" She asked, seeing as how he was busy at the moment trying to clean the man's wounds.

She dug into her pocket and pulled to get the key of the locked cabinet, stuffing the small boxes in the correct order of pills and syringes. All things fairly in demand that it was medical supplies that she looked out for the most, as well as anything in the realm of children accessories.

She felt morally obligated to somehow maintain a constant built for children to feel safe and happy, and if the parents are forced to work. At least allow their children a chance to learn something.

But Blake's eyes looked to Daryl's who more or less didn't look at anything in particular. "Don't talk to him." She snorted, smiling off to Dwight. "Now why would I do that?..." Was all she offered, locking the door and continuing on her way.

"Find me when you're free, needa talk to you." She manages, and he nods. "He's goin' back to working on the wall, meet you out front?" She nods and salutes off.

She didn't mind to wait, it gave her a chance to think as she leaned against the railing. Breathing in the fresh air she then realized how much she needed that extra rest, only time she ever felt this refreshed in sleep deprivation was when she was released from the infirmary.

"Couldn't find you last night." She turned her gaze, taking another bite of her apple and covered her mouth with the back of her hand. "Yeah? I was busy." Was all she offered to Simon as he stood right beside her, his back connecting to the railing beside her in hopes of furthering the conversation.

"You think those assholes are gonna be a problem?" Blake took a steady breath. "They seem strong, stronger than the kingdom and hilltop. Rick ain't like Gregory or the king, but I don't think it's anything we can't handle." Her evaluation made a startling recognition that she was indeed right. So he offered her a smoke for her efforts.

"Did you get your share from Dwight yet?" She shook her head. "Nah, I'm kinda proud of his little project." Was all that was issued, Blake did like Simone. But not on the level of trust like Dwight and Arat.

Either one of them, as well as Negan knew of Addie. But otherwise, Simone would only know when the time comes or Negan gives Addie the free pass of any harm.

"You know when we're going to see them? Didn't get a good look at their home." He asked, and that's when she leaned forward now, stretching her back and sighing. "No. But definitely not a week as he said though."

"You think it's a five star resort or something?"

"Dwighty made it sound like mansions and shit, one can dream." They shared a bit of laughter, and that is all that Dwight had heard as he came forward to them. Without Dixon, and for a moment it took Blake to see how he was fairing at the wall, and it soothed her conscious all the bit more.

"-Simon! Need you up top ASAP!-" Negan called over the walkies, and with his being dead did he take Blake's from her waist and respond. Hurrying about the moment he had it returned as Dwight took his spot.

"What'd you wanna talk about?" She glanced his way, flicking the smoke and blowing out with such struggle that it finally dawned him that this was important. "I ain't going to repeat myself and no fucking questions. He doesn't know." It was obvious who 'he' was in this equation, so the nod allowed her to continue.

"Negan knows 'bout that girl he skipped over the other night..." 

"Yeah, been meaning to ask 'im about that." He honestly admitted, taking out his own smoke and smirking as he remembered that he owed her a few.

"Well you don't have to ask him, that's my daughter." The poor man inhaled at the wrong time as he began coughing and wheezing before her, completely unable to breathe normally until she offered him the water.

Or rather forced it down his throat.

"You have a daughter?!" She slapped his chest and growled. "Shut up. Nobody knows. Christ, can you ever keep a damn secret?" She questioned, making herself even debate if the next part should be sanctioned to him.

"What the hell is she doing with them then?!" He hissed, much less of a yell and much more of a demanding question. 

"They're from Georgia, they must've got herded out I don't fucking know, alright? But I told Negan I know Carl and Ricky already, so don't get your fucking panties in a bunch on me." He nodded, in fear of what could be so bad that she decided not to look him.

"That's her fucking father." She finished, her knuckles turning completely white from the struggle of pain, and Dwight was at a miss for saying...Anything really.

"He—You...Daryl's...-" Her eyes met underneath the hat and he tensed completely in reaction to this glare. "Not a word. Not a question..." She reminded, and he nodded once again.

"And I'm gonna need that vest." She demanded, and he felt his head sink as he didn't understand her request. "His vest? Why?"

"Because I made it for him, and if someone should be wearing it..." She started, but the clear indication of where it originated from he shrugged it off and held it up for her to wear.

"Looks better on you hun, next thing I'm after is his bike." Dwight made that sound like a promise, she did manage to ride it once. But feeling the leather back around her like it had almost two decades ago made her feel much more...Damned.

"So...'fore I fuck this up. Daryl doesn't know Addie his or Negan don't know Daryl's her pops?" He questioned, and as she began to fix her hair and hat. "Both." She smiled, looking off behind her should and smirking to see how much Daryl is struggling. 

"Addie's about 14...15. Had her young and we broke up, don't repeat this shit alright." The demand lingered even after she left him alone at the porch of sanctuary.

Blake found herself doing mindless tasks the rest of the day, but rallied in the fact that Daryl tried to escape.

The days were too quick for her, she didn't want to see Rick and everyone just yet. But it was grand that Negan went out on a run with Simon's group and she could walk freely without needing to explain to him about Addie once again, or even speak of what happened over their drunken afar.

"You did what?!" Arat yelled, throwing her shoe against the wall of their shared room. Blake on the other hand was just throwing up a small ball into the air while her other arm was resting under her head. "I was drunk." 

"You got drunk with him?!" The second the ball returned, she sighed and squeezed it tight.

"What happened to him being biggot and narasistic?" 

"Maybe because he did me a favor?... I was weak Arat, fuck." Blake admitted, pulling herself up and her legs over the shoulder of the bed. Closing her eyes and sighing. "I had to tell him about Addie...What the fuck else was I going to do?" She questioned, but her gritting teeth and angered express had Arat frown and dismissed her own anger in the instant.

"I guess ya couldn't really do anything. 'm sorry, but if he says he's gonna protect her...You know he's gonna keep his word." That made the tension simmer down at the idea of his promise. Letting her breath normally, at least for the moment.

"And the vest?" 

"Dwight didn't have any more smokes so he offered the jacket." That sparked interest, especially when the women rolled onto her stomach in the middle of her bed.

"Yeah? Did Negan say anything about it yet?" Blake snorted, plopping back down. "Why would he need to say anything about it?" She asked, unaware of whatever everyone thought.

Blake has long ignored speculation and others thoughts, especially when she came here. So that was Arat's turn to look confused. "He didn't make a snarky comment about you in leather? I don't believe that for a second." The mother just shrugged her shoulders, as there was no chance in hell she would say she'd kissed Negan.

It wasn't odd for Blake to not sleep the entire night so Arat assumed she had the night shift. And wasn't going to change her assumption. "He says something like that anyway, shut off the light. I don't know if I have to go with them to the kingdom tomorrow." She ushered, fixing her position to get under the covers and close her eyes.

"Do you think Addie would want to come here?... I wouldn't mind moving rooms if-" 

"She won't be coming here." Was the last thing Blake said before showing her back to Arat.

There was no more talking to her after that, instead it turned the light off as ordered. Whenever the girl was mentioned it would hurt Blake in a off sense, she's seen her daughter in sheer trauma and there was nothing that Blake could've done to consult her.

*

If there was one place one needed to find Blake, there were three places to check. The roof, where she smoked in private and when she was in heavy thought. The library, because one liked to read in utter silence.

And lastly, the armory.

For whatever reason or another, it was calming to clean guns. And it. Was a tedious task so nobody really minded when she came about, she was covered in residue and oil. In heavy focus as she had one headphone in her ear just calmly pacing herself. "Enjoying yourself?" Her eyes popped up and she smiled in recognition to Negan, as well as pulling out the single headphone still logged in her ear.

"Shit...My walkie died didn't it?" She questioned, and he nodded. She closed her eyes and finished her pistol before placing it back on the shelf, taking the rag and attempting to rub the black smudged dirt on her hands clean. They discussed how nothing seemed to be odd between the kingdom, nor in hilltop.

However, Blake's eyes widened as they came to the west side lot, seeing the merged group surrounding Dixon. "Well well well, are we pissing our pants yet...?" Negan sang, and Blake only fixed her hat to make sure Daryl did not see anything in resembled for him to recognize.

"Who...Are you?" Negan asked Fat Joey, and he responded with the leader's name. As did the rest who were gestured to at the end of Lucile. "Sweetheart? Who are you?" A part of Negan wanted her to say her name, because honestly it would have made his day to see her protest, but then again...Seeing her in his own shirt, the leather vest...

He needed to hear her response.

"Negan." She cooed, nice and low. But also ominous to her true intentions. Only making Daryl pant further as he looked around.

"...I am everywhere. And this was your shot to prove to me that fun diametral fact was sinking in. And you failed. Which sucks, because your life was gonna get so much cooler. Am I right?" His life would have gotten better, but one word to Negan that this man had wrong Blake in another lifetime.

He would be at mercy to the bat in a fucking second.

"Now Dight gave you some options, I don't think you get it yet. So I'm gonna break it down for you, you get three choices...One, you wind up on the spike and you work for me as a dead man...Two, you get out of your cell you work for points. Where you wish you were dead. Or three, you work for me. You get yourself a brand new pair of shoes. And you live like a king...." Daryl watched in complete aw at how everyone was soaking up his words, especially the women who had her hands behind her back...

He questioned each and every bit of her being as she was the one who tracked his people down to the very end. Unavoidably, it was her fault that Abe and Glenn had died.

However, his lack of response was unappealing to Negan as he growled and jumped into action to attack Daryl. "Wow...You don't scare easy...I love that. But Lucile, well kinda pisses her off. Finds it disrespectful, lucky for you she's not feeling too theirs today...But I am. So, I'm gonna go get me a drink." He changed the notion, and with that, he turned to Blake.

"Joinin' me?" She nodded, but as he started to laugh. Surpassing her being and going straight to the door off somewhere else, but Blake on the other hand, watch in sheer confusion to see Daryl getting the living shit beat out of him by the group of men.

She hurried to follow after Negan as it hurt to see that, and managed to disregard it to the back of her mind as he handed her a beer. Which she so gracefully took and clinked it to his. "Did I say how fucking hot you look in that hun?" 

"No. But it doesn't hurt to hear it a few times." She spoke, ripping off her hat and undoing her hair, breathing freely as it was nice not to hide.

"I don't get why you keep doing that sweetheart..." He breathed, and she tilted her head in confusion. What did he mean by that? Instead of questioning it verbally, Negan showed her with a steady hand to cup her scarred cheek. His thumb so delicately grazing over it. "You hide it..." She closed her eyes as she didn't want him to know how much she liked his touch, especially over something so traumatic.

"I have others...But those are easier to hide." She whispered, so lightly that she wasn't sure if she truly spoke at all, instead...Negan graced her lips with him once more, tasting strongly of the booze they were drinking with one another. But he did not want to continue to something so intimate so quickly. He so carefully kissed her scar.

"We're heading to Ricky Pricky tomorrow...Best not to show up hungover." He joked, and she smiled at his ability to be so consentingly humorous at a time like that. So she graced him with another kiss...

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Date Posted: 12-19-18

Time: 9:28

Word-Count: 3380