Spider Monkey

Chapter Ninety - Scars

When they walked through the gates of Alexandria, Carl ran to Hedley. Carl's arms wrapping around Hedley's shoulders, his feet dangling as Hedley held onto him tightly.

"Why do you keep disappearing without telling me first?!" Carl growled into Hedley's chest.

"I didn't want to wake you."

The response made Carl laugh. The two kissed, keeping close. That was until Hedley winced in pain. Carl jumped back, looking for the source of the pain, finding a bloody bandage on his arm.

"You're hurt."

"I need stitches."

"You stupid beautiful fool. Why did you go-" Carl then spotted Lydia with Daryl and Connie. He sighed, looking back at Hedley in realisation. "I don't like this, Hedley. But I get why you did it. Just... Please tell me next time."

Hedley nodded, giving Carl a small kiss, "I promise." He then signed the phrase 'I love you', which Carl happily did back before tugging Hedley towards the hospital building with Connie, Daryl, Lydia following.

Before they got to the building though, Michonne and Judith walked up and as soon as she saw Hedley, Judith ran to him with a scream of his name.

Ignoring the pain in his arm, Hedley lifted her up, spinning her around to make her laugh.

"Okay! Okay! Careful!" Carl giggled at his sister's reaction, "Put her down before you damage yourself even more."

Hedley pouted, not wanting to. Judith saw the bandage and pointed at it.

"Hedley, hurt?"

"It's nothing, Jude. I'll be fine."

"What is going on?" Michonne folded her arms, narrowing her eyes at Lydia, "What is she doing here?"

"Can we talk about this after patching Hedley up?" Carl asked.

"Fine but you," Michonne spoke to Lydia, "do not leave our sights. Understand?"

Lydia nodded, side stepped so she was closer to Daryl.

"I ain't leavin' her side." Daryl promised.

Michonne kept close as did Daryl, Lydia and Connie (Dog went off to do his own thing) - all outside while Hedley, Judith and Carl were inside the hospital. Hedley was getting stitched up by the doctor. Hedley didn't even flinch as the needle went in and out.

Judith was in Carl's lap as they sat beside Hedley.

"Another scar to add to the collection." Hedley spoke, looking at the wound, "Soon I'll have more scar tissue than smooth skin."

"So?" Carl spoke quietly.

Hedley looked up at his boyfriend, not understanding, "What do you mean, 'So'? Doesn't it bother you?"

"Why should it?" He said, reaching up to rub comforting circles into Hedley's back, "I love you just the way you are. Our scars remind us of our survival. Something we shouldn't feel any shame for. You are so strong, Hedley. And every single one of your scars proves that. And besides, you're still very handsome. Right, Judy? Isn't Hedley handsome?"

"Like Prince Charming!"

The two - and the doctor, Siddiq - chuckled at that.

Hedley smiled crookedly at the two Grimes', "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything."

***

Saying 'Goodbye' was never easy... especially for Hedley.

It was dark and Connie, Daryl, Lydia and Hedley were at the gate. They needed to keep moving to keep Alpha's group away. They were heading to the Kingdom.

Daryl hugged Michonne and Aaron, whistling for Dog, who came running up.

Carl, with Judith on his hip, stood in front of Hedley.

"I should be going with you." Carl said, his remaining eye glassy.

"No. You've got more important things to keep an eye on here." Hedley said, stroking the side of Judith's face as she sleepily laid her head against her brother's shoulder. Hedley looked at Carl, leaning down to rest his forehead against his. "Stay safe."

"You too. And come back to me."

"Always."

They kissed tenderly. Hedley's hand on Carl's hip to pull him closer while Carl's own hands reached to cup Hedley's face. They didn't want to let go... but they did. Carl grasped onto Hedley's hand, giving it a squeeze. Hedley squeezed back before slowly letting his fingers slip from Carl's grip.

Hedley couldn't help but look over his shoulder, glimpsing Carl. He signed 'I love you'. And Carl did it back.

Then the gate closed between them.

***

But as it turned out, Carl couldn't be separated from his love for very long.

Soon, he and Michonne took the horses that pulled a wagon and they quickly went out. It was daylight when they caught up with Daryl and the group.

Hedley saw his boyfriend and tilted his head with a smile.

Carl grinned back, "Need a ride to Kingdom?"

Daryl and Hedley smiled at one another. And one by one they got in the wagon. Hedley slid in next to Carl, giving him a big dramatic kiss, making Michonne laugh.

"Everybody ready?" She called out.

"Yes!"

"Yep!"

"Mm."

Michonne flicked the horses' straps and soon, they were off.