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Negan and Daryl slept at the Grimes house. The nights were getting colder, and his room, which was more like a basement with a broken door, was far too cold. In the house, with two kids, Carol, Daryl, Dog, and sometimes him, it was warmer. Especially when they made a fire.
Now it was night, and Negan was deep asleep next to Daryl, spooning him from behind. He definitely slept better since he was sharing a bed with someone… well, not just someone. Daryl. They had sneaked upstairs after helping get the kids into bed, stealing a little alone time. Of course, they had to be quiet in the full house, but it was still fun, driving each other crazy while not being allowed to make a sound.
And after an orgasm, with Daryl beside him, Negan slept perfectly. Warm and satisfied.
When something touched his shoulder, Negan almost punched it. No… not it. Her.
Judith, not a walker, stood next to their bed, looking down at him. She wore pajamas that looked loose on her, making her appear a bit spooky in the moonlight, without colors. Negan was grateful that after he and Daryl had had sex a few hours ago, they’d cleaned up and at least put something back on.
“Judith?” he whispered, confused.
“I can’t sleep…” she whispered back, slightly embarrassed.
Negan sat up. The room was dark, but his eyes had adjusted. The chill crept in where he was no longer under the blanket pressed against Daryl’s warmth.
He had worked with kids before, at schools, and since the swimming classes this summer in Alexandria, he had spent time teaching them different things. But helping a child who couldn’t sleep? That was new. Did this happen often? Would Daryl know what to do? No, he wouldn’t wake him.
“Uh… why can’t you sleep, Jude?” he asked softly, careful not to wake Daryl.
She bit her lip and hugged a stuffed animal he only now noticed. A dog? Or a bear?
“I miss Mom…” she mumbled, not meeting his eyes.
Negan nodded. That was understandable. Michonne had left months ago.
He reached out. “Come here.”
Judith climbed up, a little clumsy, onto his lap, which was still covered by the blanket, and hugged him. He returned the hug, awkwardly. He knew how some people in Alexandria would look at him now. How Daryl would have looked at him only a few months ago. They wouldn’t trust his intentions. Negan usually didn’t care what people thought of him, but when it came to kids, or now that he was with him to Daryl, it bothered him. Still, he focused on the girl in his arms. She leaned against his chest, not crying, but trembling slightly.
“It’s okay. You’re allowed to miss her. You can come to me anytime…” he offered, stroking her back and even pressing a kiss to her head.
“Do you think she’s okay?” she asked, her voice almost breaking. Usually she was strong, encouraging RJ, making the other kids be brave. But even she had moments where she needed comfort.
“Your mom is a very strong, very skilled person…” he reassured her carefully, without making promises.
She nodded and looked up at him from his lap. He gave her a smile, gentle and understanding.
Then the blanket shifted behind him, the bed creaking as his man sat up. A warm body pressed against his back, and an arm slid around both him and Judith.
“Judith?” Daryl asked, concern and confusion in his voice.
“I’m fine. Couldn’t sleep…” Judith murmured.
Daryl made a relieved sound and rested his chin on Negan’s shoulder. Negan felt Daryl’s long hair tickle his neck.
“You wanna sleep here?” Daryl offered, his voice rough with sleep.
“Don’t I disturb you two?” Judith asked shyly.
“No,” Negan said, shaking his head as best he could with Daryl so close. “No problem. Sleep here.” He turned his head and kissed Daryl’s cheek, showing her they were good.
Of course, Negan liked having Daryl to himself, and morning sex was nice too. But it was just one night, and for Judith he’d do anything.
She settled in, of course not without her stuffed animal.
Judith ended up between them, the blanket pulled up to her nose, her cold feet pressed against Negan’s poor legs. But it was okay.
Negan glanced at Daryl, who looked back at him with a soft expression Negan was still getting used to. And suddenly, the realisation hit him again: how close he had come to never feeling anything like this again. This was not his cold cell or the narrow bed inside it. He was not alone anymore.
He loved, and he got it back. He was allowed to take care of people like Judith and Daryl, and he was taken care of as well.
He lay there content, with Jude and Daryl next to him. It was a little tight, and now two noisy breathers slept at his side, but it was fine.