SHARP

          "-you should have denise check that out." she pushes off the           railing and takes a seat beside the younger woman on the porch           steps. there's still distance between them, enough to give beth           a chance to exit the conversation if she doesn’t like the way it’s            going. she’s trying to figure out a way to say what she needs to           without alienating someone they’ve only just gotten back, but it’s           proving difficult. beth had come to the gates alone and grady           memorial was a long way away. whatever she’d had to do to           survive, whatever things she’d told herself she could live with, she           was safe now and the wilds wouldn’t get to her in here. michonne           would see to that herself. “ you don’t have to be strong all the time.”           she says, voice soft. “it’s okay to HURT.”

          “we’re doing our BEST.” she means for it to come out as coldly           reassuring, but it’s a hiss instead. michonne is treading on thin           ice -more like STOMPING on it, actually. she inhales sharply,           takes a minute to calm herself. simon might not physically be           negan, but he’s his right hand man. any affront to him would be           considered and insult to his asshole of a boss and as much as           the swordsman might want to show him EXACTLY how she survived           for nearly a year by herself, her people can’t afford to lose anything          -or anyone- else. she meets the savior’s gaze head on. “the deficit           is there, yes, and I know you can’t stand for a short shipment, but           winter is coming and we have mouths of our own to feed. we’re no           good to negan dead. just one more week.” it’s tight, but she manages          to force out the word “-please.” from between her teeth.

this one goes out to @mightybigpill! not to be redundant, but they have an amazing grasp of negan’s character and their execution of his voice is on point. like, y’all, it’s such great fun getting to write with them and watch them on the dash as they bring this character to life. 10/10 recommend you follow if you’re not already!

          SOMETHING pulls at the corner of michonne’s mouth, a crack           in the stoic mask she wears. it’s easy to miss if not searched for,           but it’s there: a smile. more of a smirk, really, but it’s more of a           reaction than most people can get out of her. despite the company           she keeps, she isn’t one for grand-standing; she doesn’t make           winning speeches, not anymore. she’s direct, she’s efficient and           she does her job well because that’s what the community expects           of her. that’s what negan expects of her. the man had saved her life           and she was grateful. he’d pulled her out of the wilderness, managed           to salvage the shred of humanity she had left and had given her           something to do again, a PURPOSE. so, she earned for him. “i’ll           radio simon.” she said, taking the basket back from him and starting           off in the direction of the kitchen. “tell him to get the boys ready.”            mich pauses for a moment, turns and looks back at the black-           clad man. “-am i riding with you?”

*sobs* tysm friend

@dibsisdibs. ash is just a fantastic writer and their understanding of eugene and his voice is just A1. they were one of the first people i followed after making this blog and it’s one of the best things i’ve done so far. highly recommend you follow them if you’re not already. writing with them is honestly just super enjoyable.