#digitalprophecy

⋆.˚ – SO DISOBEDIANT !

character : ajax petropolus

reader : siren!reader (bc they're both greek mythology and i love it) (except wednesday sirens aren't mythology accurate but shhh it's okay just pretend)

word count : 486 (really lacking this time)

warnings : i've never written for an ask before so this may be a bit buns, it's not exactly like the ask so i'm sorry for that, also i think none, except for a bit cringe idk i haven't dated someone before please bare with

notes : ugh i've been gone foreverrrrr, i'm in year 11 now and istg my teachers don't want to give me a moment to breathe this is genuinely hell how the hell am i gonna survive sixth form next year. anyways this was lowk really fun plsss send in more asks (preferably for ajax/carl grimes) (i need to find my old account i had for him it was sohodolls themed i think) (i need to stop yapping in this section it's lowk prolly longer than my fics combined)

the dorm was quiet except for the faint hum of ajax's lava lamp in the corner, it's green glow washing the room in something soft, almost as if you were underwater (if only). you were curled against his chest, and you could faintly smell the cheap body wash he always bought from the weathervane, mixed with something that was just him—just familiar.

ajax had an arm draped around you, fingers absently tracing shapes against your exposed skin—circles, lines, loops that never quite formed letters no matter how much you tried to decipher them.

you could feel how careful he was being. it was obvious in the way he held you, like you were some fragile glass he might break if he lets himself relax too much.

"relax," you murmured, tilting you face up, lips brushing the curve of his jaw as you spoke, "i'm not going to shatter into stone if you breathe wrong."

ajax let out a shaky laugh, trying to disguise the way his chest loosened at your words, "yeah, you say that now."

before you could nudge him further, you felt a graze against your hairline—a soft tickled, almost feather-light. then you felt it again and froze, finally realising what was happening as you noticed one scaled head peeking out from beneath his beanie.

then another, and then another, but not enough to stone you.

one by one, they slid out, blinking in the dim light as they leaned down towards you.

"hello?"

an army of gentle pecks was what you got in reply.

your laugh burst out before you could stop it, muffled against his chest, and ajax immediately tensed.

"seriously!" he hissed, moreso to himself as he swatted half-heartedly at his head, panic edging his voice, "we talked about this! you can't just—"

but the snakes ignored him entirely. they seemed almost smug as they continued placing their little kisses on your temple and crown before finally retreating, slipping back under his beanie.

you caught the way ajax tried to pull back from you, and you tightened your grip on his shirt to keep him close.

"ajax," you said softly, amusement flickering in your voice, "they like me, it's cute."

he blinked at you, wide-eyed, caught between mortification and disbelief, "they're not supposed to like anyone. they don't even like me half the time."

you tilted your head, brushing a kiss over his jaw again, one just as light as theirs, "i'm just so mystical—magical, if you will.."

the snakes rustled faintly beneath his beanie, and you smiled softly at the action, sinking back into his chest, your hair tickling his chin.

"i was gonna agree but i told you to stop randomly referencing benson boone."

"you're just a hater. all you do is hate."

during your banter, when the smallest snake peeked out once more to nuzzle your hair, he didn't even bother to stop it.

i just finished watching season 2 of wednesday and imagine dating ajax and like ur cuddling in bed and yk how in monster high deuce's snakes kiss cleo on the head...yeah they all pop out one after the other kissing u on the head before sliding back in so ajax can't properly get mad at them for sneaking out of the beanie and potentially stoning you

⋆.˚ - FLUFFTOBER DAY 2 : PET SITTING !

character : ajax petropolus

reader : siren!reader

word count : 841

warnings : none (i think), not proof read !

notes : sadly the shows sirens are a mix of mermaids and sirens instead of mythology accurate so please bare with if you're a big greek mythology nerd (like me), but yeah that's it

you weren't entirely sure how you'd gotten roped into it. one moment, enid had been ranting about some meeting with the super secret league thing she's a part of—the next, you found yourself standing in ajax's dorm room, clutching a crinkly bag of treats like a bargain.

at your feet, a sleek black cat stretched languidly on her velvet pillow, eyes glinting with the kind of judgement only cats seemed to possess. she blinked slowly at you, tail curling and flicking like she was testing you.

"don't worry too much," ajax said, shifting his weight and rubbing the back of his neck as if he was embarrassed. he adjusted his beanie, the faint rustle of snakes underneath betraying his cool act, "lyris isn't too bad, she's just a bit of...a diva, i guess. just make sure to give her a lot of attention."

you tilted your head, smiling softly, "so...every cat ever?"

ajax just shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets, "i guess. i dunno i never had a cat before i stole— found her in jericho."

from beneath his beanie, one of his snakes peeked out, flicking its tongue almost like it was poking fun at you, making you grin.

ajax was easy to be around—you liked that about him. you'd been circling each other for months now, friends with too many almost-moments. pet-sitting was just sort of another excuse to be near something relating to him.

"you'll be fine," ajax said finally, pressing the keys into your hand. his fingers brushed yours, warm and a little hesitant, and you swore you caught him blushing when he pulled back.

"lyris likes music. you should, like, sing to her. siren song and all that."

you rolled your eyes but tucked the advice away anyway, "right. because cursing your cat is definitely part of the job description."

"that's what that does?"

"uh...duh?"

the moment he left, lyris hopped onto the sofa, sitting perfectly still with her tail wrapped neatly around her body. she stared at you with narrowed eyes, as if she could see into your soul.

"okay..." you muttered, holding out a treat. all she did was flick her tail, clearly unimpressed.

you dangled a toy next, and she swatted it away with distain.

after ten solid minutes of trying everything ajax had shown you, you ultimately gave up, sighing and leaning back into the sofa's cushions.

"fine," you told her, tossing one of the many toys aside, "you win. boring ass cat."

that was when it happened. out of pure boredom you had started subconsciously humming—something you tend to do when you're alone, (key word : when).

it was soft at first, barely above a whisper, just for yourself. the melody wasn't anything special—just some lullaby you had been raised on (it went something like blah, blah, killing sailors, blah blah, you couldn't really remember."

but it made lyris' ears twitch immediately.

slowly, with the kind of deliberate grace only cats possessed, she padded towards you. you froze, completely forgetting she was even there. how does a siren song even work on a cat?

instead of running out of ajax's window and jumping to her doom, she hopped lightly into your lap and curled up against your stomach—her purrs rumbling like quiet thunder as you stroked her fur, still humming under your breath.

"well," you murmured, running your fingers through her soft coat, "now i know i can't kill cats with singing...unless it's because you're a girl..."

she just shifted, nudging your hand until you scratched the exact spot she wanted. it was absurdly domestic, the sound of her purring filling the small room, gently mixing with your own voice.

by the time ajax returned, the moon was high in the sky, spilling silver light through the curtains.

you were still stretched across the sofa, lyris curled fast asleep on your chest. your song had trailed off ages ago, but your lips still carried the faintest smile.

ajax stopped in the doorway. for a second, he didn't say a word—just leaned against the frame, his eyes softening as he took in the sight of you and his cat hugging like you were old friends.

finally, ajax let out a small laugh, his voice quiet but fond.

"it took me like— two months to get all buddy-buddy with her."

you cracked an eye open, your smile widening, "jealous?"

"maybe a little," he moved closer, crouching beside the sofa to scratch lyris' ears. she purred louder, not even waking up. ajax glanced at you then, his grin softer this time—almost shy.

"think i'm more jealous of her, though."

you breath caught, heat blooming in your cheeks. the siren in you thrummed with delight—new victim, new man to lure into the ocean.

but the human part of you gleamed with joy at the idea you didn't need magic to coax someone you actually like closer—you just had to be you.

"don't worry," you whispered, "you actually ask me out and this could be you soon."

⋆.˚ - FLUFFTOBER DAY 7 : MOVING DAY !

character : post california!iwaizumi hajime

reader : post university!reader

word count : 516

warnings : none (i think) ! not proof read !

notes : i revised for the first time yesterday are we proud, it was maths ! i lowk hate this one so muchhhhhudusdja

you had never realised just how much stuff you owned until you had to cram all of it into cardboard boxes that were now lining the living room walls. they towered in uneven piles beside half-rolled carpets, your cd player balanced on top of a basket. and somewhere, somehow, a cat had manage to break in and begin roaming around the flat. you just couldn't be bothered to go deal with it.

the flat still smelled faintly of fresh paint and wood polish, sunlight glinting off of the bare floorboards. you'd opened the windows to let air in, but all it did was make you colder.

then the front door creaked open.

"oi," came iwaizumi's voice—low, familiar, and carrying that teasing tilt that always made your stomach flip, "you planning on moving any of this or are you waiting for me to pull a muscle?

you turned, strands of hair sticking to your cheeks, and there he was in the doorway—sleeves rolled to his elbows, and a duffel bag slung over one shoulder—arms bulging from everything he has been carrying (hallelujah). he looked a bit winded, almost as if he'd taken the stairs two at a time.

"i thought you are the muscle."

he set the duffel down with a thud and raised an eyebrow, "funny. i didn't realise you hired me as the moving crew."

you bent down and handed him a box labelled 'kitchen' in your messy handwriting, "you're getting paid in takeout and kisses."

that earned a soft laugh, "hmm," he hummed, effortlessly lifting the box with one arm, "you drive a hard bargain."

by mid-afternoon, you'd managed some progress—enough that the floor was actually visible again, and the sofa was finally assembled after a minor argument about screws that 'definitely didn't fit'.

they did. he's a liar.

the cat had finally emerged as if to supervise, meowing judgmentally every time a box stayed stationary for too long.

you and iwaizumi collapsed side by side on the sofa, limbs tangled and exhausted. his shirt was damp with sweat, a little clingy around his shoulders, and his hair stuck up in uneven tufts where he'd run his hands through it.

"never moving again. ever," he muttered, letting his head drop back against the wall.

"you said that about california," you teased, eyes half-closed.

he turned his head towards you, grinning, "yeah, but this time i mean it. i'm not moving unless it's into a house we build.

that made your breath hitch. not because it was grand or romantic, but because he said it so casually—like he'd already been imagining it.

"oh?" you said softly, glancing at him, "planning ahead?"

his ears went pink and he rubbed at the back of his neck as he looked away, "just saying—this feels...right. you and me, living together."

you smiled, the weight of the moment sinking in gently. you reached out for his hand, fingers brushing against the rough pads of his palm.

"it does," you whispered.

he squeezed your hand, eyes softening as the late afternoon light painted his face.

⋆.˚ - FLUFFTOBER DAY 6 : LATE NIGHT TALKS !

character : ajax petropolus

reader : siren!reader

word count : 723

warnings : sea bunny as a nickname again but ykw to be cringe is to be free, not proof read !

notes : lowk meant to be making all my revision stuff for the mocks in november but icba revision is so much workkkkk

it was one of those nights where nevermore felt like it had fallen asleep without you. the hallways were quiet, the moon was high, and even the ravens perched atop gargoyles seemed drowsy.

ajax's dorm was tucked near the end of the caliban hallway, and he was lucky enough that his was one of the few that faced the woods. from where he sat on his bed, the world looked almost peaceful.

he had his hoodie pulled tight, bonnet secured, attempting to keep his snakes from fussing. their whispers were restless tonight—like faint static against the quiet.

then a knock came. it was gentle, almost a little hesitant.

he glanced up, instantly smiling when he heard your voice, "are you awake?"

"yeah, come in."

you pushed the door open just enough to slip through. your feet weren't in anything but sucks, and you were wrapped in an oversized jumper (probably his, now that he properly looks at it). your hair was messy, probably from tossing and turning.

"couldn't sleep?"

"could ask you the same," you murmured.

ajax's smile just widened, gesturing you over, "fair. my snakes just get restless sometimes, they keep whispering."

you padded over and perched beside him on the edge of the bed, making the mattress dip and your knees touch his. it was the kind of closeness that felt both effortless and charged—too easy to fall into.

for a long moment, you just listened. listened to the whispers of the snakes, attempting to decipher them. listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing, sighing yourself at how comforting it felt.

"they like you," he said suddenly, breaking the silence as he leaned back, patting his chest.

you blinked, following him and resting against him, "hm?"

"my snakes. they usually don't behave this long. i think they just go quiet when you're around."

you smiled, eyes flickering towards the rustle underneath the silk atop his head, "i'm just so enchanting."

he grinned, "obviously."

you giggle softly, hiding your face in his chest as if to try and conceal it, "you're getting good at that."

"what, flirting?"

"mm. teasing."

one of his hands began to stroke your hair as he smirked faintly, "i've had a good teacher."

you turned toward him then, just a little, and he caught the reflection of the lamp light in your eyes—it was almost as if he was in awe as he just stared. you both sat there in that easy stillness, breath syncing and heart calm but full.

your voice was quiet when it came out again, "do you ever think about what you'd be doing if you weren't here? like...if you were just a normal guy in jericho."

ajax let out a low laugh, "a normal guy? i'd probably work at a cafe or something."

you giggled picturing it, "you'd burn yourself on the espresso machine at least twice a day."

he looked down at you with mock offense, mouth open as if about to speak before closing it again, "okay, yeah, that's fair," then his expression softened, "what about you?"

you hesitated, eyes drifting toward the window, "i dunno, i've never really thought about it. but sometimes i just...wish i could block out the temptation."

"temptation?" he asked gently.

"don't call me crazy," you started, a soft nervous laugh escaping you, "there's always a temptation whenever i'm out of the water to just sort of...jump in and curse someone," you paused, not bothering to hear his reaction, "i know it's like— psychotic or something but it's like, genetic or something, i dunno, i can't help it."

he just stared at you, shrugging gently, "well, it's literally who you are. you're a siren, you can't help that."

"yeah but...i dunno. it just makes me feel a little crazy."

his voice lowered, "we could sleep in eachother's dorm if it'll help us block things out."

(he was so proud of himself for saying that without getting awkward or flustered.)

"only if you're sure," you murmured back.

"of course i am," he said softly, "i like having you here."

so you stayed (whilst praying to lady tyche that there would be no spontaneous dorm checks in the morning), legs and arms tangled in ways that seem almost impossible to untangle.

"goodnight, sea bunny."

"that nicknames so dumb."

"it's cute, thank you very much."

⋆.˚ - FLUFFTOBER DAY 5 : EARLY MORNING WALKS !

character : ajax petropolus

reader : siren!reader

word count : 832

warnings : ajax calls you sea bunny which is cringe but lowk cute bc they're adorable, not proof read !

notes : okay so just like keep in mind there's no terrifying blue eyes for sirens in this because they terrify me so much

it's barely sunrise when ajax's alarm goes off.

he didn't mean for it to, he just forgot to turn it off the night before after xavier had convinced him to join him for some early-morning fencing club he was never actually going to show up for.

and usually when he'd forget, he'd groan, slap the phone into silence, and bury himself under the covers until xavier banged on his door for breakfast.

but this morning, the faint amber light slipping through the dorm windows land across your face (sneaking you in last night was not easy, may he add), and the sight made him pause.

you're curled against his chest, one arm tucked beneath your chin, and hair spilling across his chest. your breath fans softly against his collarbone as you begin to stir, and ajax feels something his body relax.

he leans down, pressing a kiss to your hair as he mumbles into it, voice still rough with sleep, "morning, sea bunny."

you groan into his chest, "it's too early to deal with you."

"impossible," he teases, grin lazy, "you love me too much."

you open one eye, squinting at the soft light spilling in, "the suns barely even up."

"yeah, but..." he stretches as he thinks of any excuse for having an alarm set up this early, "we could go out on a walk before everyone else wakes up."

smooth.

you blink up at him, "walk...?"

he nods, only just now realising his bonnet is uncovering some of his snakes, readjusting it, "you familiar with that or...?"

"shush."

fifteen minutes later, you're both padding down a quiet stone path behind nevermore—him in jogging bottoms and a hoodie, and you in the exact same outfit. though that was mostly because they were his clothes. the fabric hangs a little loose on you, sleeves falling over your hands and trousers having to be shoved into your shoes to avoid tripping.

ajax shoves his hands into his pockets, almost immediately backtracking so he could find yours. his fingers are warm, a little calloused, and he squeezes light as if making sure you're real.

"you do this often?" you ask, your voice quiet as if you're worried someone will get mad for speaking too loudly this early.

he shakes his head, yawning, "nah. i'm usually asleep until like...second period. you should know this."

you laugh softly, the sound echoing faintly through the trees, and he looks at you—eyes crinkled, and a smile that he just can't seem to stop wearing around you.

as you walk, the sun begins to stretch properly over the treetops, setting the lake aglow with gold and pink reflections. when you look back down, you notice a lake and can't manage to take your eyes off of it. the water almost looks like glass, and you can't help but to stop at the edge, watching ripple after ripple.

ajax lingers a step behind, just...watching you. the way you seem to glow faintly under the early morning lighting, the way your expression is just so tranquil when you're near water.

"does it ever feel weird?" he asks after a moment, voice low, "like, being around water all the time but never getting to go in it."

you smile faintly, eyes still on the lake, "sometimes. but i like being on land now, 's how i met you."

he swears his heart skips a beat, probably ten.

the quiet stretches comfortably between you as you take in the overall calmness of the forest, listening as it it hums with birdsong and the faint rustle of wind.

a few of ajax's snakes begin to peek curiously from beneath his beanie, eyes adjusting under the morning light, one stretching out just far enough to poke you.

"sorry," ajax mutters, flushing as he attempts to shove them back in.

you grin and reach out, brushing your fingertips against the tiny snakes' nose, "you know i don't mind. i think they're cute."

he stares at you for a second, and no matter how many times you say that he always manages to turn a deeper shade of red, "yeah. cool. yeah."

the two of you walk a little further along the lakeside, gravel crunching softly under your shoes. the air is sharper now, waking up as the sun reaches it's peak. somewhere in the distance, the bell tower chimes, signalling the beginning of a new hour.

you glance at him, wrapping your arms around one of his own, "we should do this more often."

he turns his head, "huh?"

"walk. it's nice."

he pauses, his expression softening before he leans in and presses a kiss to your temple, "yeah," he murmurs, "it is."

you stay in the forest a little longer, arms tangled as you walk and talk about random, useless nonsense.

"maybe one day you'll go into the lake and show me your mermaid form."

"not happening. and it's a siren form, you dick. you know i hate when you mess it up."

⋆.˚ - FLUFFTOBER DAY 3 : IN VINO VERITAS !

character : carl grimes

reader : smith!reader

word count : 786

warnings : underaged drinking (they're 16), context may not make too much sense since i've never written for them before (basically she was negan's student before the apocalypse, mum died at 10 and dad got bitten the day the apocalypse started and that's when negan took her in), not proof read !

notes : omfg i wrote this and then tumblr just deleted it i wanted to die. this is based off this sort of oc/reader thing i have in my head for a smith!reader, i might make an intro thing for her when october is done. i tried writing a fic for them on ao3 but i lowk can't stand the way it works !

carl knew something was wrong the second he heard you before he saw you—the woods weren't supposed to echo with laughter at night, not anymore. then came the crunch of boots tripping over leaves, and finally, you emerged from the shadows.

your cheeks were flushed, your hair was a mess, and your shirt was ridden halfway up your waist. somehow, you mansged to bump into a tree after spotting him.

he pushed himself off the tree he was leaning against, one eyebrow arching beneath the brim of his hat, "you gotta be kidding me."

you suddenly stopped walking, squinting as though you had to actually recognise who he was. then your lips split into a grin, wide and crooked.

"carl grimes! my man. my favourite outlaw. my partner in crime. my...favourite one-eyed wonder of the world."

carl's jaw slackened as he took you in.

sure, you were a bit of a weirdo. too obsessive about your interests (about anything, really) and stuck with an accent he could never quite place, but to outwardly be nice to him without 'accidentally' mocking him? blasphemy, really.

"are you drunk?"

you giggled, swaying forward, arms stretching out as if to balance on an invisible tightrope, "maybe. perchance. wouldn't you like to know?"

he caught you wrist as he watched you almost tumble into the ground again, "where did you even find alcohol?"

"stor-age," you sung, glancing around before leaning close as if to leak some classified intel, "dad has a secret stash he's been hiding."

carl shook his head, a laugh almost breaking through his exasperation, "you're...so weird."

"you love it," you fired back immediately, grinning before collapsing into a very ungraceful heap on the ground. the earth crumbling under your fingers as you pat the ground insistently, "sit, pretty boy. i have things to vent, secrets to spill. teddies aren't cutting in no more i fear."

carl hesitated before lowering himself down beside you, eye still wary, though his mouth twitched with amusement, and you wasted no time leaning your entire weight against him.

"so," you began, poking a finger against his chest, "everyone thinks negan is my dad, but guess what," you paused, swaying dramatically and nearly toppling over again until carl steadied you by your shoulder, "he. is. not. the. father."

carl blinked slowly, brows furrowing, "are you like...okay? should i take you to denise? she can keep secrets–"

"no, no, no!" you jabbed at his chest again, "i'm telling the truth! he was my p.e. teacher. like—whistle 'round the neck, god bless baseball kinda guy."

you giggled at the memories, hiding your head in your hands before looking at him again, hair messing up even more, "it's so weird seeing him now. he gave me detention once for chewing gum and now he's like...a warlord or something."

the silence that followed was brief. the weight carried in your last words made him pause, but hey—at least you basically admit he's a bad guy.

"what happened to your actual parents?"

you pursed your lips before replying, "my dad got bitten first day—negan had to kill him, actually," you huffed out a laugh, but there was no real humour in it, "and my mum...she died when I was ten...she was amazing. my whole life up until that point we would travel around europe—Italy, france, england, romania, everywhere. we even rode bikes in amsterdam once which was —" a small hiccup escaped your lips, "scary. i can't ride a bike."

carl didn't say anything, just listened as you rambled on, his shoulder tense as his arm brushed yours.

"i had gelato on the spanish steps once. twas chocolate," you turned your head clumsily toward him, eyes glassy, "do you know how good chocolate gelato in italy is, carl grimes? it's heaven. pure heaven."

he smiled faintly, lips curving despite the heaviness in your words, "I'll have to trust you on that one."

"and now..." your voice wavered, drifting into a mutter as your head slumped fully against his shoulder, "now it's just beans. and like, peas or whatever vegetable is grown. eugh, they grow so many peaches. i hate them."

slowly, as you carried on rambling, he adjusted so your weight fit more comfortably against him, his hand resting lightly on your arm.

your words tumbled out in nonsense tangents—something about how europe probably didn't exist anymore, and how you plan on finding an island to form your own country.

"when are you headed back?" he asks once you take a break to catch your breath—because god did you talk when drunk.

"i dunno," you mumbled, hiding your head in his shoulder.

"okay. nope. come on, I'll lead you back."

"awh, my saviour."

⋆.˚ - FLUFFTOBER DAY 1 : ANNIVERSARY !

character : carl grimes

reader : greene!reader

word count : 763

warnings : none (i think), not proof read !

notes : it's never actually said that you're a greene but it gives more depth to the relationship knowing that if it makes sense ?? anyways first carl post on this acc kinda nervous. i had an acc dedicated to him but i lowk lost it, i remember making three different reader introduction things including a greene one so !

the sun was low, melting into a haze of pink and fold as it slipped behind the walls of alexandria. the air carried the faint smell of grilled meat from someone's porch down the street, and the sound of kids' laughter echoing faintly as they played tag near the church.

it almost felt like a normal summer evening—though you knew normal was a word that stopped belonging to the world a long time ago.

you leaned against the railing of your house's porch (a year in it still felt weird to say that you finally had a place to call home), arms crossed loosely, rocking on your heels as you watched carl step towards the house.

his boots scuffed the concrete with each step, the wide brim of his sheriff's hat hiding most of his face. still, you caught the nerves in his walk—all stiff and careful as if he was trying not to trip over himself.

and the way he was holding something behind his back? weird as hell.

"you look suspicious," you called, a smile tugging at your lips.

"i'm not," carl said quickly, though the way his ears immediately turned red gave him away.

you raised a brow, leaning forward as he walked up the steps, "mhm. wanna tell me why i haven't seen you all day?"

he shifted his weight, chewing his bottom lip before finally meeting your gaze again. his food eye was steady, the other covered by the bandage you helped him with last night.

"you know what today is, right?" he asked, his voice softer this time.

you looked up, pretending to think hard with pursed lips, "international coffee day?"

carl groaned, dropping his head with an exaggerated sigh, but the corner of his mouth betrayed him, twitching up, "no— how do you even know that— whatever. it's our anniversary. a year since you, erm, said yes."

the teasing melted from you into something softer immediately, "of course i know, carl. i was just messing with you."

carl huffed, but his nervous energy finally gave way. with a small breath, he pulled his hands from behind his back.

what he held made your smiler falter—not from disappointment or anything, but from the swell of emotion in your chest.

he held a bouquet of wildflowers. sure, their stems were crooked, and the petals were a little worse for wear, but they were clearly chosen with care. purple, yellow, and pale blue, tied together with a piece of twine.

"carl..." your voice almost came out as a whisper.

"i found them outside the walls," he explained quickly, his words tumbling out, "i mean, i know they're not like, amazing but—"

you cut him off by taking the bouquet from his hands, holding the flowers gently like they were the most precious thing in the world.

"they're— wow. i feel bad i didn't handmake anything now."

carl ducked his head, but the small smile on his face was undeniable now.

"'s fine. i'll like anything you get me," he fumbled in his pocket, then pulled out a small cloth square, "here, look—"

carefully he unwrapped it, revealing a tiny carved piece of wood. the edges were rough, the surface uneven, but you recognised the shape instantly : a heart. with both yours and carl's of initials in the middle.

he placed it in your palm, his hand brushing yours as he did, "i made this too. just...wanted you to have something. just incase."

your chest ached, the simple little gift hitting harder than he could've known. you traced the initials and the plus sign with your thumb, swallowing down the lump in your throat, "carl grimes, you're gonna make me cry."

his panic was immediate, the cutie, "no, don't cry—"

you laughed, covering your mouth with the back of your hand to muffle the sound even as tears stung your eyes, "it's a good cry. i swear," you promised.

then you leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. you felt the heat rise in his skin immediately, but he didn't move. he always got skittish at pda.

"thank you, really. you're like— wow. i love you."

he smiled, guiding you towards the front door, "i love you too," he murmured as he tugged you inside, "happy anniversary."

you smiled so hard your cheeks ached, tucking the bouquet against your chest and holding the carved heart tight in your palm, "happy anniversary."

and for a moment—on that porch, under the safe hum of alexandria, and inside your house—the world didn't feel broken at all.