No Sanctuary

                                    

                                          
Driving back home to the Sanctuary was easier than driving to the Matchstick Fort. Without having to clear roads, find passable routes or check out any likely looking places to loot it took exactly one hour and thirty eight post apocalyptic minutes. Negan had timed it, his eyes almost constantly flickering to the LED clock as it counted just how far away he was from the little house on the prairie.
                          
Over the course of the journey he'd switched between kicking himself for not bringing Rae back with him to feeling relieved she knew none of his dirty secrets. Or at least none of the secrets that would make her want to smack him in the face rather than kiss him.
                          
Right now he was kicking himself. What if something happened while he was gone? Maybe bringing her home wouldn't be that bad? Maybe she would have wanted him to? Maybe he should have scooped her ass up, strapped her in the passenger seat and said "no fucking arguing sweetheart." Or perhaps what he really should be doing was to stop asking himself so many fucking questions. He groaned, his eyes flicking to Seth and Carson who were sitting silently besides him. No matter what he thought it was too late for changing his mind. He was home now and the decision was already made.
                          
Carson cracked half a smile and Negan reciprocated, "home sweet fucking home boys."
                          
He jumped out of the truck and the gravel crunched under his boots just like it did all the other times he'd returned from a run except this time it was different. He stared at the industrial grey building with its wall of roamers clawing for their next meal and it wasn't exactly the picturesque scene of Rae's fort with its rolling fields. There was something special out there with all those women and the planters that wove a sea of life across the matchstick walls.  
                          
He rolled his shoulders and twirled Lucille in a practice swing with a grunt, just when had he turned into such a fucking pussy? It was as if all the time spent with Rae busting his balls had made him forget he fucking had a set of balls in the first place. This was the Sanctuary and there was no time for interior design, potted plants or the slightest sign of weakness. He had to get a grip before he started crying over spilt milk and worrying about breaking a motherfucking nail.  
                          
He slammed the truck door on the past few days and his whirlwind adventure like it was a case closed. But before he could think a single other thought he was already back to wondering how many times he'd be able to leave the Sanctuary and make the journey for the pleasure of some long legs, freckles and smart ass man eating attitude.
                          
He was screwed, he was crazy, the whole thing was crazy. He should have cut a deal with Rae's people like he did with everyone else but he didn't, he hadn't, something had stopped him and he'd be back. He'd be back before the week was out if he had his chance but instinct told him it would be longer.
                          
The levels of shit he had to deal with at the Sanctuary on a daily basis were never ending, he could only imagine the pile he had waiting for him right at this very moment. He could only imagine the questions he'd be facing as he scanned the people who were in the forecourt. He'd never been away from The Sanctuary for as long as this, he'd never trusted to leave his people for as long as this.
                          
Simon was waiting for him, his grin as crazy as it always was, "I thought you might have decided to stay out there boss."
                          
Negan chuckled, how astute, or was it that fucking obvious? "You can't get rid of me that fucking easy."
                          
"So you've brought your redhead back?" Simon looked over Negan's shoulder and he was back to thinking about long legs and green eyes. His mind flying him into space before Simon cleared his throat to drag him back to the Sanctuary.
                          
Negan frowned, clearing off the soft soppy look that had glazed his eyes, "another wife? I'm not trying to give myself a fucking heart attack. Red can be my holiday fuck. A nice second home in the country that comes fully stocked with tits, ass and solar power."