•• November 8, 2013 ••

Y/N and Violet sat on a bench on the side of one of the main roads at Joint Base Andrews. They could see some people walking along with a group playing basketball at one of the courts in the distance.

A bowl of grapes was between them. They enjoyed the fruit as they looked ahead, conversing as they have been the last few minutes.

"This place is so...lively." Violet remarked. "I never thought I'd see a place like this again."

Y/N nodded at his sister's statement. He picked another grape from the bowl and chewed it.

"I'm not going to lie. I wake up every day...amazed at the same thing."

"Being able to wake up to this? That's a dream."

"A dream you're able to live in now." He replied with a smile.

Violet smiled back before eating a couple of more grapes.

It still felt surreal for Y/N, to be able to see his sister again. Their initial reunion at the conference center was filled with tears and awe. Afterward, they ended up showing Kenny, Carley, and Violet the house they were going to stay in. Once that was done, the two siblings decided to take some time to catch up.

"So..." Y/N began, thinking of what to start with. He immediately thought of the other important person in his life. "Was—was mom...?"

Violet took a beat before shaking her head. Y/N saw her gesture and looked down in sadness, thinking she had died. Violet took notice and wanted to clear it up.

"I—I was on a retreat when shit got worse. Roads were blocked. Mass evacuations. I couldn't get back to Medina."

Y/N exhaled. That meant their mom might still be out there as they don't know her true fate. Still, it hurt thinking that if she was alive... they'd been away from her for so long.

Violet continued. "I was with a couple of classmates and a chaperone for some time. We ran into Kenny and his family. Ended up finding Carley too."

She popped another grape into her mouth. Violet shrugged as she chewed the fruit.

"In the end, it was just us three." She added.

Y/N fiddled with his fingers. "So you've lost people?"

Violet nodded. Y/N did so as well as he kept looking at his hands.

"Me too." He finally replied.

"How'd you get here all the way from UGA?" She questioned him. "That's damn near in the city. Must've been hectic."

"It was." Y/N said with a quick chuckle. "Tried getting out of the city. Shit went awry. I would've died if it wasn't for—"

Y/N paused for a moment as he recalled that fateful day. He swallowed as he kept touching his own hands.

"This guy, Theodore, saved me. We called him T-Dog. He drove me back to this group he was with. Was with them for a while. We moved out of the city, lost some people, including him. We met others..."

Y/N took a beat before he continued.

"We found a home. It was an abandoned prison. We thought it'd last but...we lost it too. Afterward, it was just me and Clementine. We ended up stumbling upon this place...under interesting circumstances though."

"I'd consider that very lucky." She remarked.

He chuckled. "I guess."

"And you're the leader here? How the heck did that happen?"

"My wits and charm, of course." Y/N jested. "Rehearsing Shakespeare ended up paying off."

"Stop bullshitting." She replied with a chuckle.

"All right."

Y/N quickly laughed and sat up. He tried to think of a simple way to explain how he got to where he was.

"There was this leader before me. He was an asshole. People didn't like him. A resistance was formed to remove him from power...and I joined it. I became close to the leader of that resistance, but he died. Afterward, I lead that resistance, and we took down the asshole. Unbeknownst to me, the people had a vote on who should lead them. It turned out to be me, unanimously."

Violet took in his explanation. She was rather amazed.

"Wow. That's so badass. That's like something out of a movie."

"Wouldn't say badass..." Y/N began but ended up laughing. "Actually, yeah. I'm badass."

"Okay." She rolled her eyes. "I shouldn't have gassed you up."

They both laughed. Y/N and Violet continued to eat some more grapes before the girl spoke again.

"So things have been peachy for you since?"

Y/N swallowed his food as quick flashes of everything afterward filled his head.

Ambushing the Saviors.

Negan killing Omid and Alvin.

Going to war against the Saviors with Alexandria, Hilltop, and Oceanside.

Rebeccas's death and AJ's birth.

Slitting Negan's throat and ending the war.

He wondered how he'd explain that entire thing. Violet still had yet to find out their uncle Negan was still alive. How would she process that he turned out to be a dictator of sorts and was once hellbent on killing his own nephew and his friends? How would she react to the fact Y/N almost killed him?

Y/N simply nodded at her question and ate a couple more grapes. He decided to change the subject.

"Aasim interview you?" He asked.

"Who? That cute Indian boy?"

Y/N shook his head. "Relax now."

She chuckled, knowing that her talking about who she was attracted to would always make her brother cringe.

"Yeah, he did." Violet replied. "Asked us three questions."

"That's good." Y/N said. "Got that idea from a friend of mine."

"You wondering what my answers were?"

Y/N ate some more grapes. "Well...wasn't gonna pry if you don't want to."

"We're airing it all out at this point so..." Violet sat back against the bench. "Probably got like...80 walker kills. Could be more or less though."

Y/N nodded. "Cool. Me? Lost count."

"Understandable." Violet replied. "People though...none. And I hope I won't have to."

Y/N stayed quiet. He also couldn't imagine his sister taking a life. But he also thought that about himself once.

Violet was oblivious to Y/N's inner turmoil. She chuckled as she turned to her brother.

"You? Knocked a couple of heads, I'm sure."

She expected him to laugh as well, but Y/N stayed silent as he looked ahead. Her grin fell as she kept looking at Y/N.

"Uh...Y/N?"

The young man swallowed as he looked down at his hands, touching the fingers of his right. He wanted to stay quiet...but a part of him wanted to be truthful at that moment. She'd find out sooner or later what he had to do...so Y/N wanted to let her know now.

"Twenty-eight." He said. "I know...because I've kept count."

Violet didn't say a word. Y/N took a beat before he continued to explain.

"I had to...to protect places I called home. To save people I considered family. That tyrant I mentioned...I killed him. After that, this community and a few others got pulled into a war. I had to do what I had to do in that. There was death on all sides, including the mother of the boy Clementine and I are raising."

His sister took in his story. A part of Y/N felt like she was judging him and would see him a lot differently now. He wanted to justify his actions.

"Making it now...it's hard to do so without getting blood on your hands. You—you are a special case. And I hope you won't have to do that."

Y/N rubbed his face with his hands. Violet understood that he felt ashamed and wanted to reassure him that she didn't see him differently.

"Y/N...hey." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's all right. Doing that doesn't change who you are. There are people out there...that you have to kill. I understand."

"You do?" Y/N asked as he looked at her.

She nodded, taking a beat before replying. "Once, these people...they came and ended up killing Kenny's family. He and Carley ended up killing them after. So I do understand. Monsters like that don't belong on this earth."

Y/N exhaled. Violet pat his back and gave him a side hug, which he accepted.

They parted and stayed quiet for a moment as they ate some more grapes. They were almost done with the bowl. Violet wanted to move on to another topic.

"So you said there were other communities?"

"Yeah." Y/N replied. "Alexandria across the Potomac. The Kingdom fifteen miles northwest. Oceanside on the coast of Delaware. The Sanctuary twelve miles east."

"Holy shit." Violet breathed out. "Crazy luck that I found the one you were in."

"Very crazy." Y/N chuckled.

"Look at the badass that you are. Helped free this place and then helped win a war afterward? Who was it against?"

"This group called the Saviors. Used to settle in the Sanctuary actually."

"Y'all kill their leader too?"

Y/N inhaled as he paused. He looked ahead again as the flashback of his confrontation with Negan played in his head.

"N—No." Y/N stammered. "No, I didn't."

Violet arched a brow at how he mentioned himself. "No you didn't?"

Y/N processed how to explain what happened. Once again, he didn't want to hide the truth as she'd find out anyway. He'd rather have her hear it from him.

"I couldn't. It was just me and him...mano a mano. I had the upper hand. I slit his throat, but not deep enough to kill. I kept him alive. Despite the atrocities he did, killing two of my friends right in front of me...killing a couple other of my friends later on too, I still chose not to kill him."

"You did? Why?" She questioned out of curiosity. "You said he killed your friends. You could even say he's to blame for that kid's mom dying."

Y/N exhaled the breath he was holding in. He turned to his sister and stared at her.

"It was Negan, Vi."

Hearing that name took the girl aback. There was only one person she knew with that name.

"W-what? Negan? You—you don't mean Uncle—"

"Yes." Y/N interjected. "Negan. Uncle Negan."

She sat back as she took in the information. Violet couldn't picture her once-loving uncle killing people, tormenting his own family, and being that kind of dictator. She also couldn't imagine her brother trying to kill Negan.

"Where is he?" Violet asked.

"He's locked up in Alexandria. Been like that for over a year and will stay that way for the foreseeable future."

Y/N exhaled, wanting to explain his thought process on why he didn't kill their uncle.

"There was this kid I knew since the beginning, his name was Carl. He died during the war. He envisioned a future where we could all thrive...even the Saviors...even Negan. At that moment when he was on his knees, bleeding from his neck, I could've finished him. But I didn't. Why? Because I remembered Carl's vision. And a part of me thought the same. A future...with my Uncle Negan still alive. He's there for me as I raise AJ...when I eventually have a kid of my own. Being that father figure he always was."

Violet simply nodded as he explained it further. The young man shook his head and chuckled.

"Pretty stupid. I know." He leaned over and rested his elbows on his knees. "Anyways, I was planning on visiting him tomorrow."

"You visit him?"

"Not as much. Maybe like once every few months." He turned to her. "Would you—would you like to go with me?"

She thought for a moment. Although the reunion with her uncle would be under interesting circumstances and include the newfound knowledge of his past deeds...she was still willing to.

"Sure."

Y/N nodded with a soft smile on his face. He sat back up and slapped his thighs.

"Then, it's settled. I'll let you know tomorrow."

He got up and picked up the empty bowl. Violet stood up and brushed herself off.

"Uh..." Y/N began. "I was gonna ask. Are you okay staying with Kenny and Carley? I have room in my place if you want to stay with us."

Violet was quick to respond. "No, it's fine. I've—I've been with them for so long. Leaving them would just be..."

"I totally understand." He replied with a nod. "They're practically your family now. And that makes them mine too."

She smiled before hugging her brother. They held the embrace for a few seconds before parting.

"I'll walk you back." Y/N said.

The siblings left the Main Street and were on their way back to the neighborhoods.

"Can I see AJ again first?" She asked. "I gotta, since he's technically my nephew and all."

Y/N smiled and let out a laugh. "Of course."

•• November 9, 2013 ••

He could hear the footsteps coming down and the brief sight of a person through the small opening above. Moments later, the door opened. Y/N came in holding the usual plate of food they'd often give the prisoner.

"Big man." The bearded Negan let out a chuckle, sitting back against the wall. "Is it that time already? My four month check up to see if nobody put a noose around my neck?"

Y/N didn't respond and walked up to the bars, pulling up the chair nearby and placing the plate on the floor.

Negan continued. "Overheard folks talking about some pot roast earlier. This ain't that. Just the same old bread and soup."

"And that's what you're gonna get." Y/N interjected.

"You know what I miss? Pizza. A big ol' sloppy slice. With some wings. I remember you liked that."

Y/N stayed quiet as he stared at Negan. His uncle continued.

"Whenever your mom was short on money—"

"Don't talk about her." Y/N interrupted.

That statement took Negan aback. He sat up and folded his hands in front of him.

"I can't talk about my own damn sister?" He asked.

Y/N just looked ahead at him. Negan's expression had changed to one of disbelief.

"You don't think I miss her too? My own blood. She was the most important woman in my life aside from..."

He stopped, and Y/N knew he was going to mention his aunt Lucille. For a moment, the young man did feel for his uncle.

"Sorry." Y/N muttered. "Yeah...I miss them too."

Negan's expression softened a bit before putting up his facade again. He smirked and leaned over his knees.

"How's the family life up at the Oasis? Boy said any other words? You and the light skin girl plan on doing the freaky deeky and giving Negan some grand-nephews-slash-grand-nieces?"

"Even if we do, I doubt she'd even let them see you."

"Aww, don't be like that." He replied. "I always looked forward to the day."

He scoffed. "Sure didn't have that thought when you were trying to kill us."

Negan exhaled and sat back. "That was then. A different time when you also thought of ripping my throat out."

Y/B smirked. "Right."

There was silence for a moment. Negan kept staring at his nephew.

"Tell me, kid." He began. "Why haven't you killed me yet? I get why Rick is against it...Carl's wishes and all. But you? What's got you so supportive of it."

Y/N stayed silent as Negan kept prying.

"Like...I killed that big black guy and your short friend. I heard Glenn was close with you too. Man, I've done hella shit. What's stopping you from coming into this cell and strangling me to death?"

Y/N looked at his hands and fiddled with them. He looked back through the bars at Negan.

"I already told you. Back on the field...before I slit your throat."

Negan recalled that day, also remembering the many things his nephew told him before he slashed his neck.

"Back then, you tried to protect me. My mom. My sister. You did what you could."

"We appreciated you. I appreciated you. Like I said...you were like a father to me. There were many nights when I was little where I wished you were my father."

"What we had back then...we could still have it now. We can have a future."

"Just give me ten seconds...for me, your nephew."

"It doesn't have to be this way...it doesn't have to be a fight anymore. Carl didn't want it to be this way anymore."

"No, he was right. He envisioned a future...where we can all thrive together. I imagined it myself...no fighting, just living. Families can feel safe."

"Me and Clementine are able to have a family, maybe a little girl to go along with AJ. You're there too...being the uncle I grew up idolizing..."

Negan stayed quiet as he remembered. Those words still rolled around in his head. Suddenly, they heard footsteps coming down toward the cell. There was then a knock on the door.

"Ah. More visitors?" Negan remarked. "I'm flattered."

Y/N glanced at the door before looking back at Negan. He knew who it was.

"Sure. Someone wants to see you."

"Whoopty-doo. I'm a lucky man."

Y/N got up from his seat and went toward the door. Negan continued to chuckle.

"Tell them that my visiting hours are from noon to—"

Y/N opened the door and let the person in. It was Violet. Immediately, Negan stopped and his expression went from glee to awe.

They stared at each other. Violet didn't know what to say initially. Negan stood up from his bed and went toward the bars.

"V—Vi? Violet?"

He was met with the same shock he had when first reuniting with Y/N over a year ago. But this time he was able to express his real emotions since he had no Saviors around him to keep up the God-complex facade he'd have.

"Hey, Negan." She finally greeted him.

"You're so grown." Negan said, remembering how young she was the last time he'd seen her. "Wow."

The man always had a soft spot for the teenager, since she reminded him of his sister. He had always wanted a girl too, so Violet was like a daughter to him just as Y/N was like a son.

"And you...need to shave."

Negan chuckled. "I would but I'm not allowed to have anything sharp." He looked to Y/N after his statement. "Wait. Have you told—"

Y/N nodded, still with a stoic expression.

"Yes. She knows why you're here. What you've done."

Negan's smile fell with the knowledge that his niece knew of the man he had become.

"I—Vi? Back then...I did what I did because—" He stopped and looked down. "I just want to explain."

Violet simply nodded, before turning back to her brother.

"Can I talk to him?"

"Well, yeah." He said.

"Just us."

Y/N crossed his arms. "I don't think—"

"Please. I'll be okay."

Y/N looked at her, then at Negan, then back at her. He nodded.

"All right." He replied. "I'll go visit Judith while I'm at it."

Y/N walked toward the door and out of the room, leaving niece and uncle by themselves to talk.