Search for posts by shaun

Re: Zombie Apocalypse Brings a Brand New Love

Shaun swallowed hard, trying very unsuccessfully to drag his eyes up from where they had clearly gotten stuck. His ears were practically glowing red in the fading sunlight.

"Y-you really don't make this easy, you know that?" he muttered, forcing himself to blink and finally meet her eyes. The grin tugging at his mouth betrayed him completely.

When she teased him about not being able to move, he huffed out a soft laugh. "I can move," he protested lightly, though he didn't immediately prove it. "I'm just... appreciating the view."

Her comment about giving passersby a show made him glance toward the road instinctively before looking back down at her. His expression shifted—still flustered, but now with a hint of playful boldness.

"You're trouble," he said, shaking his head. "The kind that pretends she's innocent and then starts talking about putting on a performance."

He reached for the sunscreen bottle, giving it a little shake. "But if we're doing this, we're doing it right. Last thing I need is you blaming me for a sunburn tomorrow."

He shifted closer, hovering just slightly as he looked down at her with a crooked smile. "And for the record? I'm absolutely going to enjoy this. But not because of anyone driving by."

His tone softened just a touch.

"Just because it's you."

Re: Zombie Apocalypse Brings a Brand New Love

Shaun's eyes widened for half a second when she tugged him outside, the pitcher of lemonade still in his hand. "Oh, is that why you made a whole pitcher?" he teased, grinning as she led him toward her tanning spot. "You just wanted to keep me hydrated so you could put me to work, huh?"

He barely had time to set the lemonade down before she dropped her bikini top. Shaun froze—just long enough for the heat to climb up the back of his neck—before that slow, mischievous smile of his crept back in.

"Ronda..." he murmured, stepping closer, his hands automatically lifting to her waist as if drawn there. "You really think I'm gonna complain about helping you with lotion?" His voice dropped a little, warm and playful. "Baby, you could ask me to rub down the entire county and I'd say yes."

His gaze drifted over her bare chest, appreciative but soft, not crude. "And if someone drives by?" he added, sliding his hands up her sides with deliberate slowness. "Guess they'll just have to deal with the fact that my girl looks incredible."

He leaned in, kissing her lightly—first her cheek, then the corner of her mouth—before whispering against her lips, "Lay down. Let me take care of you."

Re: Zombie Apocalypse Brings a Brand New Love

Shaun let out a slow breath, the kind he'd been holding in his chest without realizing it. He kept his eyes on his father for another moment, watching the steady rise and fall of Hershel's chest. Only when he felt Ronda's arms slip around him did he finally blink and look up at her.

"Dad's... better today," Shaun answered softly, though the worry in his voice still clung like gravel. "Doc said the swelling's gone down a lot. He's just tired." Shaun reached out, gently adjusting the blanket over his father's shoulder the way he'd been doing for weeks. "I just—I don't wanna miss it if he needs something."

But then Ronda's hand brushed over his shoulder, her warmth slipping down into the cracks that had been forming inside him since the accident. His eyes drifted to the glass she'd set beside him, droplets of condensation running down the side. He cracked a small, grateful smile that reached only halfway up his face.

"You made lemonade?" he asked, voice softening. "You always know what'll pull me out of my head."

Shaun leaned in, pressing a small kiss to her cheek, finally letting the tension melt a little.

He stood up slowly, squeezing her waist as he did.

"Okay," he murmured. "Just for a little bit. He'll be fine... and you're right. I could use the break."

Shaun took her hand, fingers threading through hers, and with one last look at his sleeping father, he let Ronda lead him toward the door.

"Besides," he added with a faint smirk as they stepped into the light, "if you're outside in that bikini, I should probably be out there supervising."