A Fair Trade
( Michelle )
( Ramsay )
( ‘Negan’ )
( Tenth )
There was no damn way he was going anywhere. These people needed him. Michelle needed him. But when it all came down to it? How exactly was he supposed to resist a bunch of violent men if they FORCED him to come?
He wouldn’t have a choice, and he knew it.
Hell, Ramsay’s dogs alone could win a victory over him. He wasn’t exactly a fighter. Above everything, he was a healer. He wanted to help people. He wanted to help HER. He want- ed that more than anything else. How long would she even be okay without him? He wasn’t willing to find out.
❝ No. ❞ He said the word firmly, eyes locking with the older man’s.
❝ I can’t. Alexandria needs me; they don’t have anyone else. And my number one priority is HER. Do you understand? I’m not leaving her. ❞
So much pleading, so much denying, this really wasn’t going to be working out. And Negan couldn’t have that. Not after all the cooperation that they’d achieved so far.
But then as he looked over towards Michelle, eyeing her and considering this doctor’s words, maybe this could still work out. Maybe there could still be some COOPERATION. Negan’s brows raised considerably, a THOUGHTFUL look invading his features as he brought a hand up to rub at the scruff along his jaw.
❝ Alright then, ❞ he continued watching Tenth intently, giving a seemingly nonchalant shake of his head with a minute shrug of shoulders. ❝ I get it. You’re like a PACKAGE deal. One goes, so does the other. A beautiful and romantic ass BOGO. ❞
Slowly, his grin began to curl upward, amusement in every word, ❝ You don’t wanna leave her? Done. I’ll just take ya BOTH! ❞ Negan leaned back suddenly, throwing each hand up, cocky as he was. ❝ Win-win! Can’t say I’m a man that doesn’t NEGOTIATE. ❞
Eyes of ice narrowed dangerously at the tall, thin doctor as he spoke. He already didn’t like him. His reasons could absolutely be labeled as petty. Him and the blonde woman were obviously a thing. Ramsay didn’t like that.
❝ What a GENIUS solution! ❞ Ramsay spoke up directly after Negan made his demand– a demand that Ramsay was entirely a fan of, by the way.
❝ See? This is why we’re on top, and you lot aren’t! Because Negan knows how to solve problems! Any more objections, by the way!?
–Speak up! Our lovely Enid here is DYING to know! As am I! ❞
Michelle expected a lot of things to come in reply to their refusals, but this? She could honestly say it wasn’t one of them.
There was a moment after Negan spoke in which she was going to refuse, but Ramsay beat her to breaking the short silence. And then she remembered Enid. In all the commotion, she’d nearly forgotten the poor girl’s LIFE was on the line here.
How could she possibly say no when that was the case? How could either of them? But– she didn’t WANT to go. Alexandria had become their home. More than just security, they had friends there.
It would be selfish to refuse though. It wasn’t like they’d be given a choice anyway, right? At least if there was no arguing, Enid MIGHT live.
❝ Okay.. ❞ She spoke softly, ❝ Please leave Enid alone. We’ll go.. ❞
Perhaps the hardest part about all of this was the fact that Rick knew he could do nothing to stop this. Not with so many of Negan's men here, not when Enid, Michelle, Tenth, and everyone else's lives were very much at stake here. And with their clear lack of supplies, it was obvious Negan wasn't going to be taking MORE of their things to compensate.
Rick felt helpless and that was the WORST part.
❝ We need him, ❞ Rick argued, though there was a small hesitance to the protest, almost like he was verbally treading on GLASS. ❝ We need both of them. They belong HERE. ❞
Slowly, Rick took a few steps forward, coming closer to Negan to eye him intently, watching closely, a pleading in blue hues. His voice came strained, even sounding a touch desperate, ❝ PLEASE. We can work this out another way. There's always another way. ❞
















