Once Saved (Negan x OC)

Chapter Four

Months passed and Ryan had become more comfortable with the woman who held his heart being around his father. Renee most importantly had become more comfortable being around Negan both in Ryan's presence and alone. Nothing terribly inappropriate had happened.

When Ryan wasn't there, Negan would casually flirt and make eyes at the younger woman who would smirk and roll her own. It was their relationship and the young woman was ok with that. It was fun, and due to the legnth of time that had passed she felt sure that nothing would actually happen between them. Negan as it turned out seemed to be a decent man, having not actually made a solid move on her.

He showed her that he wasn't nearly as crappy as she had initially thought he was. He was feeling her out, she thought, for his son. That wasn't so bad, was it? His teasing and testing was... rather enjoyed. She liked him- and she should! It was good to be able to find humor in his teasing, feigned advances.

"Ryan should be back soon," Negan looked over at her as the two of them worked together on preparing his pool for the summer. He continued, "It should be easier, go faster once he gets here."

Renee nodded, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead and sliding the support of the pool in place, "Ry hates to do stuff like this, just enjoys reaping the reward."

Negan chuckled, looking at her from the corner of his hazel eyes, "Would you marry him?"

"Maybe," Renee raised her brow, "If it felt right, if he ever asked."

Negan shook his head and looked at the ground. The action had her questioning him, "What?" She stilled her movements, "What's wrong, has he said something about me?"

"Renee," he shook his head, "he hasn't said anything, it's nothing."

She wouldn't drop it, "Why did you ask if I would marry him and get weird about my response though? It doesn't make sense."

"You'll find," he went back to putting the supports in on his end of the pool, "That not a lot makes sense, if you really think about it. It's fine. Drop it, my mind was just somewhere else is all."

Renee stared at him for another moment, "Negan, please, if there's something you're not telling me, I'm not trying to get hurt here."

"I'm not saying you will." His eyes snapped up to meet hers, "If you're worried about your relationship, you need to talk to your boyfriend, not his father."

Renee took a deep breath, holding his gaze for a moment. Her eyes searched his as if trying to find the truth in them. She was searching them, willing whatever he wanted to say to her- whatever he was keeping from saying to her to push its way past his lips and to her ears. "Ok," she broke eye contact, seeing Negan wasn't about to be the one to do it, "I'm sorry, you're right."

A slow smile made its way across the man's face. It was a wolfish smile, showing satisfaction that she had admitted her defeat and his victory. Negan ran his hand through his thick, jet black hair, "It'll all be alright, princess. Don't worry, be up front and if you're worried about something," he raised a brow at her, "Tell him."

Renee nodded yet again, sliding the final support on her side into place. She licked her lips and bit lightly on the inside of her cheek, "I appreciate it, really."

The houses back door opened and Ryan stepped out onto the deck. He smiled at the duo standing around the pool which was just awaiting water, "I'm surprised the two of you got it up so fast."

"Well," Negan couldn't find it within himself to resist such an open door, "I don't know why you are so damn shocked, with how often you must recieve the touch of this beautiful woman?"