Chloe

Sleep was bliss. No haunting nightmares, just a passionate dream followed by a romantic date if we were in a world without the apocalypse.

Coming round from the haze was a shame at first, until the sensation of Brody's chiselled body being pressed against my back registers. His heat and presence soothe me, and if it weren't for needing to move, then I'd gladly fall back to sleep.

Something hard shifting between my thighs startles me, but the memory of what occurred last night rekindles the fire. Glancing over my shoulder, Brody's fast asleep with a content expression, and that's when I feel the flutter in my chest. In a matter of us sharing that intimate moment, having those sweet dreams and waking up, I've fallen. It's not love, but it's something, and I know he's going to be over the moon when I tell him.

What if this makes things harder? I'm sure the urge to protect him will be stronger.

Shit.

Carefully squeezing my thighs to dull the ache, he moans in his sleep, the hardness between my legs grows more if possible, and it's incredibly hard. His hips shift, and that's all I get for the mean time. Trying to roll from his arms don't work because I'm flushed against him, his erection caressing my folds.

"Mm, darling . . . stop moving or there's going to be a big problem on your hands," he groans huskily against my ear, adding a thrust at the end to emphasise his point.

How can I not want to feel it again when he has a morning voice like that, laced with sex?

"Sorry, I was just trying to get comfortable," I reply, shifting my hips to make my point.

"I think I can help with that," he starts, beginning to get up. "Get on your hands and knees for me, sweetheart."

Brody helps me roll over, there's rustling before the heat of his body returns.

"I'm going to start off slow," he announces while sliding in, and my God, I can feel more than last time.

We moan, and he pushes in as much as he can before pulling out and thrusting back in. Already that tingly sensation kicks in, and I'm bouncing to his thrust. He grunts in response, arching my back.

"That feels good, keep doing that beautiful."

So, I do. He thrusts harder, and I'm cumming instantly, sensitive from the inside out. He kisses my neck, nipping it in the process as he brings me back so I'm riding his lap with my back to him, using his chest as support. He's fast and digging deep, fingers working my hardened nipples, sucking my neck hard to pull a delightful sigh from me.

Moaning, I rock into him, chasing another closing orgasm.

"You're squeezing me, Chloe. Cum for me."

His fingers drop to my bundle of nerves and works it.

"Brody, yes!" I scream, riding the continuous high that isn't dying down.

"You're not done yet," he rasps, and lifts me off him at an angle before relentlessly pounding into me, bringing my hips back to meet him.

"Fuck, I'm cumming," he growls, jerking repeatedly into me. "Shit, you feel so good, I don't want to stop."

With a few more thrusts, I'm finishing with never ending trembles of pleasure, and we stay like it for what feels like forever before he pulls out, bring me to his chest after disposing of the protection.

"I've fallen for you Brody . . . It's not love yet, but I have."

After a celebratory round, we clothed and made tracks to sector eight, which is no better than all the places we've seen previously. Brody hasn't left my side, and I'm assuming it's because he wants to make sure I'm safe as much as I do him.

While we scan the area, there wasn't much like I thought there would be, so I'm grateful we searched the buildings we stumbled across before we got here. Brody, I can't take my eyes off of. The first time we made love, it's exactly how I thought it would be: passionate and caring, just like his personality. This morning, I was shocked to see the primal desire, the deep lust in his actions, his words . . . he is the literal term 'a gentleman in the streets, and a beast in the sheets' when it comes to it. But I love it, and I'd be more than willing to be with him again.

It's strange that my childhood crush has manifested in real life, and now I've got my very own Flynn Rider.

"What are you thinking about?" Brody questions, linking his fingers with mine.

"I was just thinking back to my childhood, you know?"

"Oh, yeah?" He smiles.

My cheeks grow warm and fuzzy. "Yeah, when I was little, I had the biggest crush on Flynn Rider, you look like him, and you kind of act like him at times."

His eyes widen, a small gasp passing through his lips. "So, that's why you like me so much! I don't know if I should feel lucky or used."

We both laugh, bumping into each other as we do so.

"Seriously though, and now I've got my own Flynn Rider." A sheepish smile puffs up my face, and his eyes twinkle.

"Yes, you do," he vows, and my smile grows.

"Anyway, did you have a Disney crush?"

His cheeks tint while he clears his throat. "Funnily enough, I was into Rapunzel and Pocahontas, it differed on my mood." A sly smile makes its way onto his face as he eyes me up and down. "Looks like we make a perfect match after all."

"Perhaps we do," I prod, and he simply shakes his head and drapes an arm around my shoulders.

"Keep teasing me darling, and I'll show you how much of a good match we are after we finish our business in sector nine," he dares, and the daring part of me wants to fight back.

"Sounds like a plan to me—"

"Hands where we can see them."

Two figures round the corner in front of us, and Brody shares a daring look with me. A promise that no matter what happens, we have each other, and together we are strong.

"Hi, we don't want any trouble. Simply passing through to be on our merry way to sector nine," I explain, feeling Brody tighten his hold on me. "We can tell that the two of you aren't Raiders, so there's no problem on our side."

The darker-haired chap eyes me up and down, lifting his gun in a suggestive manner. "And what gives you that idea?"

"The fact you haven't shot us and looted our corpses is a pretty good idea," I retort, and Brody chuckles, dropping his arm to his side.

The lighter-haired man nods his head and lowers his gun. "Truce it is, can never be too careful these days. Sector nine, you say?"

Brody nods. "That's right, why?"

"Because to get pass, you need to go through a passage way not many know of—in this case, us—because this place is full of infected. We've barely survived two weeks here."

"Then why don't you leave?" I ask, dumbfounded.

"Because we were learning the way in and out, and thought that it would benefit others to know. When enough do, then we were going to head for sector nine."

"Would you mind showing us?" Brody asks, and my stomach drops.

"Brody, I'm not sure about this."

He stops, glances over to me and nods. "Actually, I think we'll be alright, thanks though."

They raise their hands up and let us pass without another word. Risking a peek over my shoulder, the darker mop of the two is staring at me with curious blue eyes. Facing ahead, Brody and I take our time in proceeding forth, making sure the coast is clear, and any infected can be pinpointed. Once we reach the heart, our feet jam into the adhesive.

"We're going to be surrounded if we cut through," Brody notes, eyes hard on the swarm ahead of us.

"Yeah, we're going to have to find—"

My body's tugged back, and my instinct is to slam my baseball bat handle onto their foot, and a low groan sounds beside my ear, and I'm let go. Swivelling around, the two from earlier stand before us.

"We told you," the blonde states.

"You did," I retort.

"Come with us, and we'll take you through the underground."

The four us make tracks toward the left side of the street, keeping low and ducking out of sight, using the bins and buildings to sneak pass.

"My name's Peter," the leaning fellow with the fair hair introduces as he approaches a vine covered wall. "And my dark-haired companion here is Devin."

Devin puts a hand up. "Nice swing, sweetheart."

"No problem, and the name's Chloe, not sweetheart."

He chuckles and lets us pass first while his friend leads the way.

"Possibilities of infected passing through?" Brody questions while remaining close to my side, eyes never leaving the man in front of us. I'm keeping an eye on Devin; something doesn't sit well with me.

"Rare, we cleared the last of them yesterday. Where have the two of you come from?" Devin answers, adding his own question as he walks next to us.

Brody nods at me, and I say, "Sector three and six, you boys?"

"Seven. We didn't fancy the Raiders, so we set off for something different. Would one of you mind scouting ahead with me? It's our break room, it should be clear, but just in case."

"Go on," I encourage, then use my eyes to warn him to be careful.

Brody winks at me before following Peter down the path while we hang back, taking a few steps to pass the time.

The air is a little musky, and the stray clumps of dirt and remnants of water can be pinned as the culprit, there's hardly much lighting down here, and aside from distant noises from the others and whatever Devin does with his feet, it's quiet.

"Bow and arrow, huh?" Devin pipes up, inspecting the weapon intently.

"Yeah, and I'm good with it."

He holds his hands up, and then makes a move to touch it, but I swipe his hand away.

"Come on, sweety, let me have a look. I won't bite."

His hand grips my wrist, and I'm fast to try and throw him off, but he's faster. Before I know what's happening, I'm against his chest and staring into blue eyes. Stamping on his foot, he cusses, and as I ready myself to real my head back, he's shoved away from me.

Peering up beside me, Brody's there. His arm takes a protective position around my shoulders, and I relax.

"What do you think you're doing?" he growls.

"Sorry mate, we were just messing around, got a bit carried away, that's all," Devin replies with his raised level with his chest.

"Touch her again like that, and I'll break your hands, understood?"

"What's going on here?" Peter's voice jumps in, and Brody instantly takes control of the situation.

"You need to keep a leash on your friend." He looks to me, and adds, "If you don't mind, may we use your rest spot? Then I think we're going to split ways."

Peter nods his head.

"Of course, and apologise on his behalf."

Both of them lead the way, and we hang back to keep an eye for any sudden movements. However, it seems the only problem settles on Devin.

"I didn't know you could be so . . . tough. Well, I did, but not like that," I muse, trying to tame the flutter in my chest, and he chuckles.

"You bring it out in me, darling. No other man's hands are allowed to touch you apart from mine."

No complaints from me.

Nodding with a smile, we come to a standstill at the 'rest area.' It's an open space with dirt and grit littering the place, there's food and what looks to be juice. Gratefully we took some juice and offer some biscuits from Brody's bag as gratitude, and it doesn't take long for us to settle into a comfortable atmosphere until Brody has to make a move.

"I need to use the bathroom, Peter, anywhere I can use?"

He nods. "Yeah, down there on the right."

Brody gives me a lingering look and heads off to do his business.

"So, what plans do you have for sector nine?" Peter questions while Devin watches me like a hawk, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.

In response to Devin, I clutch my bat, to Peter I say, "Man hunt. You plan to stick with sector nine after or head on?"

"Head on, we're trying to find somewhere to make a good base and find more survivors who want to make a stand."

"If we find you again, maybe we will band together."

He nods appreciatively.

"Why don't you stay with us now, sweety?" Devin muses.

"It's Chloe, and like I said to your friend, I'm looking for someone."

"There's a man right here."

"I don't see a man, sorry."

His jaw ticks, and Peter rises to his feet.

"Dev, stop it. We don't—"

"Shut it Pete. If I want her, I'm going to have her," Devin growls, and I'm carefully watching his move.

Devin reveals a gun and hits Peter in the chest as he pulls out his own pistol, and it allows me the time to ready my bow and fire it into his wrist. In time it takes to reload, he back hands me. The force sends me down, and my head clips the table on the way down. The last thing I see is his shoes approaching, and the sound of something rustling before darkness clouds my vision.

Brody

Rotters would have heard that, and panic sinks deep into my chest. Readying my pistol, my hand waves at the entrance of where I'd left, and like predicted, bullets fire. A curse follows, and I'm quick to squeeze the trigger.

Devin topples over the table and hits the floor with a rough thump as everything on the piece of furniture clatters around him. Peter's down, blood oozing through the fabric of his shirt, and my heart freezes, terrified to see what state Chloe's in. His eyes drop to her, and my heart thumps harshly with each second it takes for my head to turn. She's by the table, unconscious with a scrape against her temple.

Rage fills my system, and the only thing on my mind is making this fucker pay.

Grabbing her bat, I swing down on his hand, hearing it crack on impact.

"I told you what would happen if you touched her," I seethe, repeating the action on the other hand, the one she managed to strike with one of her arrows.

He wails, blood dribbling from the corner of his mouth. Bringing it down again over his shin, catching the irregular dent in the structure, I mimic the action to the second. He screams, and the last thing I do is impale his hands with two of my arrows before I'm partially satisfied.

Peter's cough distracts me, and my instinct is to help him

"You're going to have to go, the infected would've heard the commotion, and I'm done for," he grunts, skin paling already.

"I'm sorry for this," I say, clasping his shoulder.

"Don't sweat it, the apology is mine. If I had known he was going to pull shit like that, I would've pulled the trigger myself," he responds, chuckling through a gasp and a wheeze.

"I'll make it quick."

He nods and shuts his eyes. I pull the trigger.

The sack of shit on the floor begs for me to finish him, but I'm too busy slipping the bat through the handles of my backpack, slinging her satchel beside my homemade one along with her bow before collecting Chloe. Without batting an eye, I'm striding out with the screams fading in the background.

Reaching the outskirt of sector eight, I make sure there's a few miles between us before deciding it's safe to set her down. Staring down at her with a solemn look, my heart turns cold at the sight of her. If it weren't for my foolishness, she wouldn't be in this state. If she comes round to hate me, I only have myself to blame, and I'd accept it and do everything in my power to make it up to her.

Laying her down inside one of the stray structures, I sit beside her, holding her hand in mine. She's still, but there's a strong pulse. Using the supplies in my bag, Chloe's patched up with a plain plaster covering her injury. I wouldn't be surprised if she wakes with a headache, but I'll be ready for anything she needs. If she doesn't wake up, then the inevitable of carrying her will have to be faced. I know what she would say, so I'm not going to risk our exposure by remaining in once place for too long.

Placing a careful kiss to her cheek, the first think I do is pull her close to my chest and just keep watch as the seconds turn into minutes, then to hours . . .

She stirs, then darts awake, a rough gasp following.

"Hey, hey, it's OK," I hush softly, taking her hands in mine. "I've got you."

"Brody?" she whispers, scanning my features. "You came for me."

"I would never leave you."

Chloe throws her arms around me, holding me as tight as she can. Mimicking the affection, my hand runs up and down the length of her back in attempts to soothe her.

"He shot Peter . . ." she whimpers.

"I know. You don't need to worry about that asshole anymore, I took care of him."

She nods in the crook of my neck.

"I'm sorry, this was my fault—"

"No. We didn't know what was going to happen. It's one of those things, and we can only learn from our mistakes," Chloe asserts, and a heavy sigh comes from me.

"I don't know what I'd do if I lost you," I mumble, kissing her cheek.

"It scared me, the thought of him hurting you," she admits, and whimpers. "God, if I came to and found you hurt, I would've killed him, slowly and—"

"It's OK, I'm safe, so are you. Nothing's going to happen," I assure.

"I can't lose you Brody, " she whimpers.

"And you won't, I promise," I vow, brushing her hair from her neck. "I think we should take a rest here while you catch your bearings. You had quite a bump, and I don't want you collapsing."

With a huff, Chloe accepts, and I'm grateful. Hoisting her into my lap, my arms remain around her and slowly rock as my face nuzzles the crook of her neck.

"So, we find this Bill, and then what?" I offer, feeling her relax in my hold.

"Find him, question him, and kill him. I want to figure out who's responsible for this, and make sure they pay."

"What if they're already dead?"

"What if they're not?"

I sigh. "Sweetheart, what if there's nothing we can do? I told you I would follow you anywhere, and I will, but what can we do?"

Chloe doesn't say a word, and it's a good few minutes before she shrugs her shoulders. "I don't know, I just want justice, and if there's something I can do to fix what caused this, then I'm going to do it."

"That's my girl."