𝗧𝗪𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗘, 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆

𝗜𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚. It was mentally draining Ivy to see the one boy she truly loved and cared about slowly slip away, He just wanted to help Alexandria, and in return he got shot in the eye.

It took a few days for the deaths of Jessie, Ron, and Sam to really settle in. Ivy wanted to stay in denial for as long as she could. She wanted everyone to just live a happy life, but it was impossible.

Having a shitty life was inevitable. Every knew that no matter what they did, they weren't going to be really happy. They could smile, and act happy, but everyone was slowly dying a slow, painful death on the inside.

People could no longer close their eyes without thinking of the dead. Them dying in the most brutal ways, and you having to see it. The image of blood spilling was always there. It was going to stay there, forever and always.

Ivy couldn't bring back the dead, or take away any traumatic things that have happened in peoples lives, but she could be there for people. Comfort was the best thing a person could receive nowadays.

Carl couldn't even look at himself in the mirror. He felt disgusting. He hadn't left his room since that day, scared everyone would look at him like a monster. He was terrified his own baby sister would run and hide the second she laid eyes on him. Carl was especially worried about the love of his life leaving him.

Carl would lay in bed at night and his words would replay in his mind. The words he said to Ivy. The cruel words he said to his girl after she thought he was going to die.

Ivy didn't look at them as cruel. He simply told her to get out(which carl thought was way to harsh and would do anything to take those words back) Ivy knew he wasn't in the right state of mind. And besides, people have said way worse to her.

Ivy was going to wait patiently until Carl felt better. She slipped notes under his door everyday, telling him that he was perfect and sweet things. She would make him food and leave it at his door. She was going to do the best she could to make him feel better.

"There's no way in hell this bread isn't old. They're lying to us." Ivy stated as she slammed the bag of breed onto the kitchen island. Rosita picked at her nails and laughed slightly. "Any food nowadays cannot be good." Rosita looked up at the girl from her seat at the island.

"So... what are you making for dinner?" Rosita asked. Ivy opened a cabinet, which revealed many different kinds of pasta.

"I found some Alfredo sauce the other day and I've been craving it ever since." Ivy took a box of penne out of the cabinet and grabbed a pot. Ivy placed both items on the counter beside the stove.

Ivy began making the pasta while Rosita rambled on about random things. The two women were just trying to get their minds off the horrors of the world.

Ivy and Rositas attention shifted to the tiny giggles heard from the stairs. A smile crept onto Ivy's lips as she saw Rick walk down the stairs with Judith.

"Hey." Rick spoke. The two girls waved as Ivy turned back to her cooking. "Smells good."

"Thank you." Ivy grinned. She secretly tasted the sauce without anyone noticing. Ivy had this one Italian friend in fourth grade, and her mom made the most kick-ass Alfredo sauce in the world. So the canned Alfredo sauce was not doing it for Ivy, but it was still good!

"I need you guys to keep an eye on Judith for a bit. I've got something I gotta do." Rick explained. Rosita took Judith without hesitation.

After a few minutes, Rosita spoke again. "I need to go to the bathroom. I'm gonna put her in her high chair." Ivy instantly stopped stirring the sauce and turned around.

"I'll take her." Ivy grabbed Judith from Rositas arms.

"But you're cooking." Rosita replied. Ivy shrugged and looked at Judith with a smile.

"Multi tasking. Besides, gotta teach this little one how to cook. She can't be like her big brother and almost burn the house day." Ivy laughed. The mention of Carl hurt her heart. He spent the last couple of days in that little room of his.

The day before, Ivy wanted to break down the door, but she stopped herself. She was just so worried. But, Ivy knew time and space was the best thing for Carl, and she respected that.

Ivy loved Judith like her own. Ivy always wanted to be a mother. And now that she had Carl, her dream could come true in a couple of years. Judith allowed Ivy to feel the responsibility of having a little one. Judith was one of Ivy's escape from the cruel world they were surviving in.

As Ivy held Judith on her hip, she also finished up dinner. Judith reached for the stove and Ivy swatted her hand away.

"Nuh uh. We don't touch that. That's boo boos." Ivy scolded. Judith just looked at her with a sweet look. Judith understood everyone around her to an extent. Sometimes, people would say things to her and she wouldn't even have a god damn clue. She was so young so she rarely knew what people were saying. But she knew sometimes.

Ivy turned off the stove top and brought out bowls and silverware. She always let people serve themselves. But, since Carl wouldn't come out of his room, she had to serve him.

"Sorry it took me so long! I started fixing my hair. It looked a wreck." Rosita came and took Judith. "I'll go tell everyone dinners ready." Ivy nodded and Rosita left with Judith.

Ivy made a plate for Carl. She poured him a glass of water and made her way up to his room.

Ivy knocked on his door and placed the food on a small table in the hallway. Usually, she would just walk away, but today she couldn't.

"Carl." Ivy spoke.

"What?" His voice was raspy, and anyone could tell he had been crying. Ivy's heart ached at his tired voice.

"I can't keep doing this." Ivy sighed. From inside the room, Carls head peaked up and he grew nervous. Carl couldn't lose Ivy. She's the only girl he had ever loved.

"Not like that— but, I can't keep doing this. Every time something fucked up happens, we isolate ourselves from each other." Ivy explained. "Usually, couples hold their hands through it all. We do that, but only to an extent. If we're scared, we'll hold each other, but when we really need each other, we hide."

"I need you. We need each other. I think from now on, we need to be completely transparent with each other. We let each other in, never lie to each other, and just be there for each other. We need that, Carl." Ivy stated. Complete silence.

Ivy waited a few moments. The door opened in front of her, revealing a very tired, pale Carl. Ivy's heart broke at the sight.

His eye was puffy, and had a dark circle underneath. His hair was obviously knotted and tangled. His skin was even paler due to his curtains being closed and him having no exposure to the sun.

All Carl could do was hug his girlfriend. The hug lasted a while. The two basically melted into each others touch.

Carl removed himself from the hug and looked down at Ivy. He crashed into Ivy's lips and grabbed the sides of her face. He was aggressive, but still didn't hurt her. The two walked into his room, still in the kiss— even though it more of a make out.

Carl closed his door, but Ivy pushed him back.

"Woah, slow down cowboy." Ivy breathed out. Carl stopped and looked at her with a worried look.

"I-I wasn't gonna do anything.... not without you wanting it, anyways." Carl stood awkwardly. Ivy grabbed his hands.

"I know you wouldn't. But, I didn't think the first thing we would do was make out. We've never even done that before!" Ivy whisper yelled.

"I couldn't help myself!" Ivy smiled at Carls words and she kissed him again. "Oh, you are the love of my life."

"We need to talk." Ivy straightened her posture. Carl led her to his bed and they both sat down. "We need to stop pushing each other away."

Carl pushed a strand of hair behind Ivy's ear. "I know. I just— I thought you were gonna leave me. Because I look like this." Carl sighed. Ivy's eyes softened and she grabbed Carls knee.

"I will never leave you. And, you're still the most beautiful boy i've ever seen." Ivy smiled. "My beautiful, handsome boy."

Carl crashed his lips into Ivy's once again. He picked Ivy up and threw her on the bed. The two weren't going to do anything.... like that. But, when does a little make out sesh hurt anyone?

"Dinners ready and everyone is downstairs. People will talk." Ivy joked.

"Don't care." Carl smiled.

"You're so gorgeous." Carl mumbled in the kiss. "Missed you so much." For some reason, Carl stopped and sat next to Ivy.

"Why'd you stop?" Ivy asked, obviously worried.

"You said we need to be completely transparent with each other, right?" Ivy nodded in agreement. "So... does that mean I can ask you a personal question? You don't have to answer it. It's just been bugging me."

Ivy hesitated at first. "Sure." She sat up and looked at Carl.

"You said..." Carl trailed off. "You said 'not again'. Why?"

Ivy's heart dropped. She knew exactly what he was talking about. She knew sooner or later someone would ask her about it, she just didn't think so soon.

"You're talking about with those men? That night with Joe and his men?" Ivy asked. Carl nodded slowly and Ivy sighed. "I trust you, and I believe you have a right to know."

"So, i was 11, literally a couple months before shit hit the fan. I went to a high school basketball game with Aaliyah, and she let me hang out with some other kids there." Ivy started. "They were boys, and they seemed cool. One of them told me that there was this really weird drawing in the hallway and that they all wanted to show me it. So, I followed them out into the hallway."

Carl grabbed onto Ivy's hand. "When we were out in the hallway, they pushed me into the boys locker room. There was five of them, so I couldn't do anything. They ripped off all my clothes, but they left me in my bra and underwear. They tied me up and took turns touching me, groping me... They didn't rape me, but they were going too."

Carl felt sick to his stomach. He couldn't believe that anyone could ever do that to someone, especially his girl.

"The boys heard the buzzer go off, telling us that the game was over. They all ran away and left me there." A tear fell from Ivy's eye. "They left me there for the basketball team. But, when the basketball team came in, they didn't know what to do at first. But, one of them gave me a change of clothes and the rest of them went and found those boys."

"A couple of them had little siblings my age. They all beat the shit out of the boys. So, I guess it's ok." Ivy shrugged.

"But, now I have you. You can protect me now." Ivy joked, although— It wasn't much of a joke. Carl grabbed Ivy's waist and pulled her into his lips.

"Yes Ma'am." Carl hummed. "How about we skip dinner?" Ivy smiled and laid back on the bed. "We can eat later."

"Can't say no to you."

❝𝗕𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 don't get yourself killed! I packed you some food and water in some bags. There's not much, so eat only when you are almost dead. Okay?" Ivy smiled widely. Rick and Daryl stood in front of the girl, confused. "Alright, I'll you miss you both so much."

Ivy kissed Ricks cheek, but Daryl pushed her away when she tried to kiss his.

"Why you so happy? You get laid?" Daryl asked. Ivy handed the two men bags and patted their shoulders.

"Goodbye." Ivy pushed them out the door. Rick sighed and closed his eyes. Daryl looked at Rick and smirked as they walked away from the house.

Ivy watched from the door and heard Daryl's words. "He's a man now, Rick. Don't gotta be sad ya kid is getting more action than you."

"Oh, quit it." Rick laughed.

Ivy watched as the men walked away from the house. Ivy wished the apocalypse would end soon so she could put Daryl and Rick in nursing homes.

"Carl! I'm gonna go see Enid!" Ivy yelled. Carl was upstairs doing god knows what.

"Ok! I love you!" Carl yelled back.

"I love you, too!" Ivy walked out of the house and made her way to Olivia's place. She walked up the porch steps and knocked on the door.

The door opened, revealing Enid. "Hey." Enid smiled. Ivy smiled back, looking awfully happy.

"Do you wanna go outside the walls?" Ivy asked, a grin spread across her face. Enid grabbed her hand and quickly moved away from the house.

"Something happened. What was it?" Enid inquired as the two girls made their way to their usual sneak out spot. "It's written all over your face— and your collarbones. Pull up your shit a bit!"

"We didn't— you know! We just made out! That's it!"

❝𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗙𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗜𝗧 𝗠𝗘!" Ivy whisper-yelled as she looked into Carls bedroom mirror. Carl sat in his bed, hands behind his head, looking extremely proud of himself. "It left a mark, you asshat!"

Ivy pulled down her— Carls shirt slightly and ran her fingers over her bruised collarbones. "And, you gave me about a thousand hickeys! Your dad also thinks we're having sex!" Ivy spoke, panic lacing her voice.

"Well, I can't blame him!" Carl exclaimed. "You were all like "oh yeah! Right—" Carl was cut off by a tennis ball hitting his head.

"Shut the fuck." Ivy scolded. Ivy pulled her hair into a ponytail. As she was adjusting her hair, she noticed a polaroid stuck in Carls mirror. Ivy looked closer at the tiny photo.

"Love?" Ivy called out. Carl sat up as Ivy turned around, a polaroid in her hand. "You had this? And kept it?"

"Yeah. It fell out of your pocket at terminus." Carl smiled. Ivy smirked and placed the picture back in the mirror. She plopped onto the bed besides Carl and cuddled up next to him.

"I love you." Ivy spoke quietly. Carl played with her hair a bit and ran his hand down her back. He stopped at her lower back.

"I love you, too." Carl rubbed her back. "My special girl."

"I think I need to cut my hair." Ivy stated. Carl ran his hand up and down the side of her waist. "I think its just a bit too long."

"I think you look great, but, you do whatever you wanna do." Carl kissed her forehead. "I think we should get some sleep." Ivy nodded and laid her head on Carls chest.

As Ivy drifted asleep, all she could hear was Carls breathing. Any other sound would be picked up quickly. Especially footsteps she didn't recognize.

There were sounds of footsteps in the hallway. Ivy shot up at the sound. She didn't know whose footsteps they were, but they didn't sound like anyone she knew.

"Carl." Ivy tapped his shoulder. "Carl!" Carl opened his eyes and sat up as well. "Do you hear that?"

Carl rubbed his eye and sat back again. "It's probably just my dad or Daryl—" Carl stated before getting cut off.

"No. It's lighter then theirs, but it's heavier then Maggies and the rest of the girls." Ivy stated. She stood up, her fluffy, white crew socks meeting the ground. She moved quietly to the door and cracked it open.

"It's probably just Glenn. He's tiny." Carl whispered.

Ivy thought she was going crazy first. You know, seeing Jesus Christ on your stairway in the middle of the night is quite confusing. He was just.... there. Looking at a picture on the staircase. He sat down on the top stair.

Ivy signaled Carl to come to the door. Carl stood behind Ivy, also looking at this man on the stairs. Carl grabbed a gun from his dresser.

"You're gonna point a gun at Jesus?" Ivy whisper-yelled. "Oh my god! You're gonna go to hell!"

"He's not actually Jesus!" Carl opened the door and stepped outside. "He's the guy that my dad and Daryl found." Ivy rolled her eyes and stormed in the hallway like a brat. Carl grabbed Ivy's hand roughly and dragged her over to the man on the staircase.

Carl clicked the safety of his gun and pointed it at the man. "What the hell are you doing in our house?" Carl asked, trying to sound intimidating.

"I'm, uh, sitting on the steps, looking at this painting, waiting for your mom and dad to get dressed." The man stated. Ivy and Carl looked at each other with confused looks.

"Hi. I'm Jesus." The man smiled. Ivy elbowed Carls side.

"I told you." Ivy smirked. A bedroom door opened behind them, and out came a shirtless Rick rushing to put on his belt.

"Kids, hey, um." Rick spoke awkwardly. Michonne walked out behind him. Ivy's jaw dropped and her hand met her mouth.

"Oh my god." Ivy whispered. Carl widened his eyes at Ivy slightly. Ivy scooted closer to her boyfriend and leaned into his ear. "How didn't we hear them?"

"I don't know, but I really don't want that image in my head." Carl whispered back. Ivy did a double take at the two adults and smirked.

"I do." Ivy muttered under her breath. Carl kicked her foot gently. "Sorry."