Psychostasy

by Cymbel_AO3

Summary:

After a car chase and a fierce fight in an abandon building, Rick and Negan both wake up attached to a chair. How are they going to escape and what does their psychopatic kidnapper want with them? [Set during S08E12]

Chapter 1: Burning Rage

The first sensation coming back is the smell of burning. It is so strong it makes him nauseous. It also makes him wonder how he could even lose consciousness in the first place.

All around him is so dark it's hard to make anything out clearly. His head is heavy, his brain foggy and his vision blurry. It feels like the worst hungover anyone could have. Yet he knows it's not what happened.

He was chasing Negan. First in a car chase then in an abandoned building. This far is coming back pretty easily.

And as he is reminding himself of the different events that lead him here, he can now feel his shoulders hurting like crazy. And as he tries to move his arms in front of him, he realizes he can't. His wrists seem to be attached together behind the back of the chair he is sitting on.

A sense of emergency is starting to arise in his mind even though the absurdity of the situation makes him think it's only just a dream. Or more like a fucking nightmare.

The ropes around his wrists are tightly holding them, letting no space to even try to loosen them. His attempts makes it even worse as the rope slowly begins to bite into his skin.

He has to calm down. Only by keeping a cool head can he start to think this through. He used to be a cop after all. It's not the first time he has to deal with a stressful situation, as desperate as this one seems to be. Taking deep breaths, he finally focuses on his surroundings.

The room he's in is only lighted by a small window in the upper part of a wall. Given its position, he's in the basement of some building. Did he even left the one he was in when purchasing Negan? If not, that would explain the burning smell as he recalls setting Lucille on fire to piss the man off and make him come out of hiding. But he could have swear he had make it through that window. The same Negan had used after breaking the glass covered in dirt making it opaque.

All of this doesn't make sense. It just doesn't add up. His wild imagination seems to interfere with his actual memories.

But then it just clicks. What if Negan is the one that attached him to that chair? What if he did managed to get through that window but Negan had been waiting for him to follow and jump him? He doesn't recall such a thing but it's not entirely out of question.

And the simple thought of having been captured by his archnemesis and being held as his prisoner is more than upsetting. He had finally found a way to get back at him, to put him out of action. He can't just fail this close to the goal. Because otherwise, it means that his only achievement had been to alienate the man even more. So now there are only two ways it can all end: him killing Negan for good or Negan killing the person he cares about the most just as a reminder that one should not mess with the leader of the Sanctuary. But as long as he can breathe, the second way cannot and won't be an option.

-"Negan, show yourself!" He shouts, with all the anger and rancor he can find in himself to tint his voice with. The cry even makes him sober up, his headache flowing back in a corner of his mind, like a survival mecanism. And it actually doesn't take long for an answer to be heard.

 

---

 

-"Shut up, you prick!"

He can still hear the shouting resonating in his head, sharp pangs waving back and forth in his brain. Even his own voice is unbearable and sounds like a strangers'. He feels dizzy right now and the slightest little noise, even as soft as it can be seems to resonate and vibrate in his brain to the power of a thousand.

He tries to open his eyes, if only to check his surroundings, to verify Rick's whereabouts. But apart from the light coming from a little window, the lack of luminosity is making him as good as blind. He can only hope that if he's not dead yet, it's either because Rick has other plans for him or because he cannot reach him. But the first option is more than unlikely, given the man's fury only minutes - or were that hours? - ago.

That's when another realization comes to his mind.

-"I can't move." He growls, even though hearing his own voice hurts like hell. "What did you fucking do?" Because even if he doesn't know what's wrong with him exactly or why he can't fucking move, he has to be the only explanation... right? He was the only one around. Well, except from a few walkers but he doubts they have the ability to make knots. But then comes the relentless answer.

-"Trust me, Negan." Rick spits out with venom in his voice. "If I had anything to do with it, I wouldn't have just attached you to a fricking chair. You'd be dead right now."

Well he can't say he's thrilled with that answer but it has at least the merit of being clear. So yeah, it's option number two: Rick can't reach him. And the only reason he can find that would explain it, is that he's in the same position as him, tighten to a chair. And imagining the face of the leader of Alexandria, right now, standing at less than three meters from him and not able to do squat is kinda funny. Funny in a sick way though. Because that bastard almost had him. But thanks fuck he had been able to throw Rick out of his feet so he had dropped Lucille. Without his faithful bat, he would have left more than a few feathers during the fight against Rick and the flood of walkers.

-"That's not how I had imagined my day going when I woke up this morning. You and me on an equal footing for once."

Rick had maybe had the upper hand for a few minutes when holding Lucille but he was now back to square one. And when he himself would be free, he would not miss to remind him of a few rules, using the hard way.

-"Don't worry. The day is still young. If I can have anything to do with it, it can still become worst for you. Like you six feet under. How's that for equal footing?

-Now don't be that unpleasant, Ricky boy. We are still a long way from home. Maybe you would better stay in my good graces. You might need it when I'm free and you're not.

-In your dreams."

And Negan can't help the chuckle that follows. That expression seems so childish, so out of character. Is the mighty leader of Alexandria still afraid of him, even now? Even if he sure seems to do his best to hide it? Well damn, that's a sentiment of satisfaction that will never get old.

He is about to tease Rick about it but he is faster than him:

-"Who's there?" And his reaction put him on alert, even though it is not making any sense. Nothing has changed since he woke up, nothing moved. Unless their abductor is a stealthy ninja and Rick has a night vision.

-"Negan, do you see him?"

The leader of the Saviors furrows an eyebrow. Did Rick just asked for his help? What's that? A 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' bullshit? Or is he only making sure he's not becoming crazy?

-"See who, Rick? I don't even see you." And Negan bites his tongue. Maybe Rick didn't know that. He shouldn't give the man anything that could be used against him. Not that the ex-sheriff seems to have noticed him given up information for free, agitated as he is, but still.

But now that Rick has mentionned it, how could he not see it? Forcing on his eyes and concentrating, he can see subtle mouvements ahead, like a shadow lurking in the darkness. But the luminosity is too low to make up anything, even something as basic as a shape. Then, as an answer to his inner thoughts, a candle ignites on a table in front of him. And he can finally see the man, at the glimmer of the feeble flame. And as he is slowly turning towards Rick and him, a shiver of fearsome apprehension runs down Negan's spine. The first thing he notices are the eyes, as cold as ice. Then the smile, twisted, like a psychopath projecting mental images of torture on his future victims and enjoying ahead every steps of the process. That's when Negan finally realizes his gaze is on him and he can't help but miss a heartbeat, the gnawing dread turning in fierce terror. Isn't he supposed to be the appointed devil around here?

-"Oh don't worry", the human-shaped demon starts, irony filling his voice, "you will see me alright."

Chapter 2: The Promise

Notes:

Special Thanks: To Konegb, BWolf_20 and UncertainTyper, thank you for your comments! The first chapter of a new story is always a bit scaring, we never know if people will like. So thanks a lot for your support!

Good reading to all! :)

That's when Negan finally realizes his gaze is on him and he can't help but miss a heartbeat, the gnawing dread turning in fierce terror. Isn't he supposed to be the appointed devil around here?

-"Oh don't worry", the human-shaped demon starts, irony filling his voice, "you will see me alright."

-"What do you mean? What are you gonna do to us?"

For the first time ever, Negan's voice seems to contain some nervousness he's not even trying to hide. His arrogance sure looks like it took a hit. And in normal time, Rick would be glad to see him in a tight spot. Wasn't he the one to gloat just minutes ago? But at the same time, something about his behavior seems off. And it takes him a few seconds before he can pinpoint what. His brain is sending him a warning he shouldn't just put aside. If Negan is afraid of something, you should be too. And it doesn't make sense at first. Because he has never think of the man as being particularly brave, always hiding behind someone else to avoid being in anyone's crosshairs or delegating tasks to never be in the frontline. But then it clicks. Negan is a coward but he is also proud. He would never let his fear transpire in front of his worst enemy if he could avoid it.

And if anything, they should be wary. Whoever is keeping them here didn't take any side or they wouldn't be both tighten to a chair. Rick doesn't know that man. And neither does Negan, it seems. And what are his intentions anyway? The leader of the Saviors just asked but the stranger hasn't responded yet. If the man only wanted them dead, why bother tightening them at all? Are they somehow on his territory and he wants justice because they trespassed somehow? Is it the first time he sees other survivors and he wants answers?

But whatever the motives, one smart move - the only one he can see right now - is to try to reason with the man.  If he can avoid the worst just by talking, he has to try. If he still has a shot at coming back home and taking Negan down in the process, he has to try. If not for himself, for Judith, who already lost too much.

-"Why are you retaining us here?" But the man, as for Negan, doesn't deign to give any response. And now that he has moved into the light of the little window, Rick can finally confirm he has never seen him. Though some features look strangely familiar. Like he is some kind of a twisted mix between Joe from the Claimers, Gareth from the Terminus, the Governor and even a bit of Shane. And that last part is particularly disturbing. The whole thing is actually. Is this really a human being standing in front of him or a conglomerate of ghosts? It all seems so real nonetheless, only adding to his uneasiness.

-"If you let us go, we will just be on our way and never come back." The real question on his mind is more: Are you gonna kill us? But as a cop, he knows speculating can only be detrimental to them, as it could give the man bad ideas. Or show him they are scared somehow. And in the contrary, he has to look calm, in control, sure of hims...

-"Are you gonna kill us?"

For Christ's sake. Rick can't help but tighten his fists. He can't punch him in the face right now and it sure isn't that he doesn't want to!

-"Damnit, Negan, will you shut up for once?"

But like a fool, the leader of the Sanctuary just bursts into laughter.

 

---

 

And Negan can't help but laugh. He knows he probably shouldn't because the almighty Rick sounded all but funny, always so serious and here even more than usual. But the quietness of the stranger at both their questions is making him nervous to say the least. Physically, the man is creeping him out. If he could have even one word out of him, he could know for sure if the man is of sound mind or if he is as crazy as he looks. At least, they would know where they stand. But he is only looking at them, like he is gauging them, determining which one he'll answer first... or kill first.

Though Rick's reproaches don't end with that aggressive and totally rhetorical question.

-"Have you never negotiated for your life, before?" He adds, clearly angry. And yeah, even if the situation seems critical, Negan can't help but want to add gasoline to that fire, trying to sound as sassy as possible.

-"Hum, to be honest, no. I was more standing on the other side of the hammer. If you see what I mean." Like he would ever tell him about Craven.

And yes, hearing Rick fuming, it seems like he sees exactly what he meant.

-"But I have another question for you as well.", Negan answers back with a half-sarcastic, half-incisive tone. "Have you ever tell your plan to your enemy before actually going on with it? Because that's what you just did. And that sounds stupid, if you ask me."

And a new laugh resonates in the suffocating air of the basement. And this time, it's not Negan, who's sure his blood just iced instantly in his veins. Well, they did want a reaction from the stranger. But certainly not this one.

-"Wow, you guys are so entertaining!" He cheers, clapping his hands as well. And just like that, Negan understands why the guy didn't intervene before. He just wanted to enjoy the show, appreciate the two men verbally smacking each other around. And as much as he likes his verbal jousting with Rick, Negan feels angry to have given him that satisfaction.

-"I mean, I really love your weapons of choice. But when I saw you, missing each other's hair every time you had the chance, that felt kind of boring, right?" And in addition, he had spied on them even since they entered the building?

-"But the way you're spitting venom at each other has me really turned on. Do you think... Do you think if I let you turn, you will be growling at each other for all eternity? Until decomposition does its part? I'd fucking love to see that." And Negan can't help but feel nauseous, disgusted. If he had doubts, now he has none. That man is crazy. He can't even begin to imagine how that whole turning into walkers scenario would look like. He would give anything to see Rick's face right now, only to know of it matches his.

-"But if it doesn't work, I'd be sooo disappointed. I don't find subjects like you every day. So I'll try to make you last.

-You're not serious right? Trust me, we'd be so boring as plain old walkers." In a way, Negan can't believe there are people deranged enough to kill others not to end them but only to toy with what they then become. He has used them as dissuasive weapons on his fences around the Sanctuary sure, but not for his own twisted pleasure.

"-You don't have to do that." Rick adds. His attempts to have the man set them free are weaker and weaker, like he's done negotiating and now only pleading. They have to try alright but it seems more and more clear that they are not going anywhere any time soon.

-"Oh I know. But trust me, I wouldn't mind."

A creepy smile accompanies his words. Though his features change pretty quickly, as he seems suddenly thoughtful. He then just walks around, leaving and entering the lighted area of the candle, not caring about Negan's gaze focused on him and surely Rick's too. The movement is disconcerting, as if the stranger going out of view means he will never reappear. And at the same time, it feels very irritating. Because it's all an act, right? Pacing in front of them, thinking about what he's gonna do to them. Like he doesn't already know. He just keeps playing with them, with their minds. Negan is about to call him out, only to break that deafening silence that has lasted for too long when the stranger stops moving, facing them again.

-"You know what, I'll make you a deal. I promise one of you is gonna make it out alive."

Negan only stays stunned for a few seconds before he can find his voice again.

-"One of us?" Wait... "Alive?" Was this guy going to turn one of them for real? But the stranger just continues, completely ignoring Negan's reaction.

-"Which one? Thank you for asking. Well that will depends on you." On them? Was he going to lend them weapons and let them fight to death? He seems like the kind of guy that enjoys theatricals so much that a gladiator show would certainly be his thing. But it also feels too simple.

-"How so, you'll ask. What about a contest to see the one who's gonna be the most convincing? I will let you have some time to prepare your speeches and you're gonna present it." A freaking oration? That would be their way of staying alive? Negan can't help a nervous chuckle to leave his throat.

-"So who are you? Saint Mickael descended on earth to judge us, mere mortals?

-Oh you're so sweet. But trust me, I am no archangel. And believe me, I am not going to stay passive. I might even add a bit of spiciness now and then. I do like some old plain torture every once in a while. You know, let you have a taste of your own medicine."

And Negan realizes he was wrong. The stranger's eyes are not as cold as ice. For a normal human being, seeing a spark of madness looking back at you is not something that unusual. Especially now that the world has turned to shit. Even Rick had it occasionally, mixed with that same defiance Negan has tried to erase many times. But it's an already well fanned fire that is burning in that man's two eyeballs. It's like having a peak at hellfire itself in prime time and being mesmerized by the height of the flames and the way they dance so well, even if coming from an evil place.

And just like that, the stranger blows off the candle, plunging the room into quasi-darkness once again. And he leaves, as quietly as he appeared.

And Negan can sense that this demon hasn't used the word "torture" lightly either. Cold sweat is running down his back, sending him shivers in his whole body. His own "medicine" is Lucille. Rick's is his hatchet. And he's not sure either of them would survived that madman if he was ever to take himself at his words...

Chapter 3: Blinders

Notes:

Special Thanks: To BWolf_20, lupa003 and Gae_roups, thank you for your comments! To be honest, I have this chapter ready for a few weeks but as I have started a new fanfic, I'm strugling to write both at the same time and was focusing on the other one. I know this isn't fair to you. So I'm gonna make an effort to update them both because I am planning on finishing them both, I swear ^^'. Also, with "The Ones who Live", I have to show Rick a bit of love <3

So, sorry for the long wait and good reading to all! :)

And just like that, the stranger blows off the candle, plunging the room into quasi-darkness once again. And he leaves, as quietly as he appeared.

And Negan can sense that this demon hasn't used the word "torture" lightly either. Cold sweat is running down his back, sending him shivers in his whole body. His own "medicine" is Lucille. Rick's is his hatchet. And he's not sure either of them would survived that madman if he was ever to take himself at his words...

 

---

 

The quasi-darkness is now fading into pitch-black. And tiredness is suddenly creeping in his body and in his mind. Like all the mixed-feelings, the stress and the apprehension he had towards the stranger are letting him empty now that he's gone.

How long has it been since they woke up? How much time has passed since they were attached to those chairs? Are people looking for them? Do they even know where to look? Surely they left some traces and their cars are still outside the building. He can continue to buy some time for Alexandrians to find him but for how long? And what if Saviors find them first? He knows he shouldn't think like that but right now, he can't help thinking that both of them dying would be a better outcome than only Negan surviving. And this is clearly not a good though for the spirit. That's why the following words just flow out of his mouth, like an empowering mantra.

-"I'm gonna kill you." He doesn't expect Negan to be afraid or anything as there is currently nothing he can do to see this threat through but he doesn't expect the chuckle either. Though it sounds more like a nervous reaction than a mockery. Negan too seems relieved he's still alive, even for only one more day.

-"Yeah, I know. Not today, not tomorrow...

-No, no more bullshit. As soon as I am free, you're dead."

Negan stays quiet at first so Rick doesn't really know if he heard or understood.

-"What makes you so sure you're the one he's gonna chose to save, uh?"

And this calm answer is pissing him off without him even knowing why. He just feels that he needs to lash it all out at someone. At Negan, for putting him in this situation. At himself for chasing him on a whim when Judith is waiting for him.

-"Because I'm the good guy, remember?

-You're so full of crap. Do you actually still believe that?

-It doesn't matter what I believe. As long as you're going down." He doesn't care about what he says. As long as it hurts Negan. As long as it satisfies this anger awakening inside of him, even only for a little while. But once again, the leader of the Saviors stays quiet. And the fact that Rick cannot take a pick at his face to know if his barb had the expected effect adds on his exasperation. He can only trust the voice intonation so the quietness is killing him. Before, Negan couldn't stop talking. What changed? Lost in his vengeful thoughts, Rick jumps when the other finally starts speaking again. Thought the patronazing tone is too much, Negan talking to him like he is a five years old child.

-"Rick, this man is a sadist." And he can't believe he would say that, of all people.

-"Like someone else I know, then.

-You are mistaken about me." There is so much hypocrisy in that statement. Rick wanted to be the one to unsettle Negan, to make him so upset he would become careless and make a mistake. But he is the one losing it right now. And though he knows he should back down to regain his composure, he just can't let him say that kind of bullshit.

-"Really? Did I dream the day you butchered my friends with a fricking barb-wired bat?" What can Negan possibly make up to justify himself? To make him believe his nightmarish actions were okay?

-"We all did things. But you are not the one I have to confess to.

-Are you gonna talk about God now?" That man is hitting on his nerves.

-"No, I'm talking about holy St. Mickael who just left and will return with only one goal: to know our deepest secrets and sins and used them against one another. You are so focused on me that you are failing to see the bigger picture.

-Too focused on you? And why wouldn't I be? That's rich coming from you! You said if I ever try anything against you, you'd kill the person I love the most. So too focused? You're damn right.

-Rick, I can't hurt anyone right now. He can.

-I'm not gonna apologies for thinking long term.

-There won't be a long term if he kills us first. You do realize he's gonna kill us both, right?" There are alert signals in those lines that Rick just don't want to pick up on.

-I just realize you can't make it on your own so you're trying to use me to stay alive.

-I know you hate my guts but how can you be so blind?

-Even if you need me, I don't need you. I survived way worse situations than this." After that, Rick can only hear a quiet sigh. This conversation is becoming pointless and Negan knows it as well.

-"Yeah... Me too. I just hope you will come to your senses before it's too late and we're both six feets under."

Exactly what Rick had thought: better both be dead than only himself. In the end, it all comes back to this single idea.

-"Well, sweet dreams of my future murder, sheriff." The irony in Negan's voice is so irritating he has to have the last word here.

-"Well thanks. Likewise, I'm sure."

Then no other word is exchanged between the two men for a long time. And though the darkness let him think it's nightime and Negan just suggested it too, he cannot resolve to just sleep. He never truly confirmed that Negan is really attached to a chair as he himself is. What if he has been planning to kill him in his sleep? What if it's all part of a machiavelic plan since the beginning? What if "Mickael" is part of that plan? He can even be a Savior for all he knows.

But then he wonders: if the stranger really is their enemy, is Negan feeling the same? Is he worried about Rick being free and attempting to his life with the darkness as the perfect element of surprise? Negan knows he wants to kill him - Rick clearly said it after all, to the point that the leader of the Saviors suggested he might dream about it. But does he fear it might happen sooner rather than later?

Rick's tired. Too tired maybe to even sleep. To nervous also, that's for sure. And though he can sense his head bobbing back and forth, he forces himself to stay awake anyway. Sleeping to regain strengh would be a better idea but it could also be deadly if he was to let his guard down completly. At this point, any and every sound - let it be Negan breathing a bit too loud, a creak in the wooden wall or an animal making noise - make Rick jumps, tiring him even more because of the unnessary adrenaline kicking each time.

But above all else, he can also feel his tongue sticking to the floor of his mouth. It is furry like the day after a party involving way too much alcohol. And it clicks: since when has he not drink water? Even just trying to remember is making his head spin and he knows it's not a good sign as for the answer. Certainly the stranger wouldn't let them die of thirst. Right? He said he wanted to make them last, after all. But it's too late: the fear to be turned down if he was to ask for water and Negan's warnings are irrevocably polluting his mind. The lump in his throat is not going away and a knot is forming in his stomach as well. But he cannot feel sick for one of the most important day of his life, when he will have to defend himself against someone that wants his family dead and another one that may kill him if he's not convincing enough.

So he just closes his eyes and tries to clear his mind and relax his muscles. Drained as he is, it doesn't take long for his conscience to sink into sleep. Or so he thinks. It feels like only a few seconds have passed when a shout resonates in the small room, freezing his blood in place:

-"Little pigs, little pigs! Rise and shine!"

Chapter 4: Your Sins

Notes:

Special Thanks: To Gae_roups, BWolf_20 and Kiayu22, thank you for your comments! And sorry for the wait ^^' I was really surprised to see that the last update was almost exactly one year ago already (Happy spring!). I swear I'm gonna try to do better! [Starts to write the next chapter]

Good reading to all! :)

It feels like only a few seconds have passed when a shout resonates in the small room, freezing [Rick's] blood in place:

-"Little pigs, little pigs! Rise and shine!"

 

---

 

-"What did you just say?" Once again, Rick is spitting venom like his life depends on it. Knowing the man and his natural nervousness, Negan wouldn't be surprised if he stayed up the whole night through, listing all the ways this could badly end for them, or by chance, only for him. Though he can't say exactly it's a smart move. Because right now, they need all the strength they can muster. Because he is not the one Rick should fear. Because their true enemy is about to return and his promise to kill one of them seems far more imminent than Rick's one to kill him.

-"Geez, Rick. Looks like somebody just had a nightmare. Nobody said anything. Until you just shouted out of nowhere." He knows Rick has no reason to believe him. If the guy is starting to have auditory hallucinations, telling him he's wrong is probably gonna make him even more hostile, if it's even possible. But a little honesty can't hurt, right? And if he wants them to get out of there alive, he has to earn his trust, one way or another.

-"Yeah right." Surprisingly, Rick doesn't comment much. His voice is shaky, like he was suddenly awakened after having just fallen asleep. Which Negan's sure isn't that far from the truth. He himself had trouble quieting his mind from Rick's threats and holy Saint Michael's trial and tribulations ahead. Ultimatly, he had to convince himself, not without some difficulty, that if anyone wanted him dead, he would be already. Not really the relaxing pep talk one should have before nighttime, but a much-needed one nonetheless.

And nothing really changed since he fell asleep. Nothing budged. How much time has passed, he doesn't know for sure. Only the little bit of light coming back through the small window tells him that it must be morning already. So it seems to be the perfect moment to convince Rick, if not the only one. And even though he has no idea how to say it - only having the outline if his speech - he hopes that the leader of Alexandria will finally get his priorities straight. Things always look better in the morning, right?

-"Rick..." But he doesn't have the time to continue. Saint Mickael's voice is already resonating in the basement, still filled with sarcasm, of which he seems to have more than plenty of.

-"Morning, fffriends. I hope you had a good night. You know, how it was probably your last, and all. And when I say friends, I mean you two, right? Because soon, we'll be more than friends, you and I. We'll be like... siblings. Brothers sharing the same blood. Well, more like you sharing your blood with me." He pauses, surely only for the dramatic effect and adds: "You see what I mean, right?"

Once again, Negan can't help but feel disgusted by the stranger's turn of phrase. Was it lost? Had he and Rick squandered their last opportuny for an hypothetical life-saving heart-to-heart? Were they meant to verbally battle their way out, now? Would only one of them be able to make it through the day safe and sound? It couldn't be...

And yet, he should be happy, somehow, right? Wasn't that what he wanted, after all? The end of Rick would surely mean a longer lifespan for him. Whether he had planned on making it last but do it himself eventually or if the stranger would do it for him. But he had just always thought it would be his call. His decision. On his say-so... Now he is the one being childish. Rick is not some insect he can toy with and kill whenever he feels like it. And the leader of Alexendria is far from harmless either, as he had proved it the day before. So why is he so conflicted?

But since no alliance is now possible, then he has to think only about himself, to save his own life. Because no one else in this room is gonna do it for him . Especially not Rick.

-"So, who would like to do the honors?"

Almost immediately, Rick clears his throat. And it sounds more like he is having some difficulties swallowing than preparing his vocal chords to speak.

-"Before we start, can we get some water?" Negan looks towards Rick, even though he still cannot see him. He's so focused on surviving the stranger's actions that he's lost sight on his own basic needs. And if food is not a priority, Rick is right that some hydration would not go amiss. But Mickael's answer is once again unsettling.

-"One of you is not gonna need water anymore very soon. It would be a waste, don't you think?

-Are you really asking for my opinion or is this just some justification to explain a refusal?" The stranger sounds amused if anything, Rick's blunt and quite rethorical question making him chuckle.

-"You're already starting to get me. That's good. Maybe we are not so different after all.

-Let me doubt it." Rick's tone is vindictive, the man clearly resented being compared to him. And who wouldn't be, really?

-"So..." Mickael repeats, slowly, as if trying to keep his impatience in check and to make it clear that there is no need for further complaints on this subject. "Who would like to do the honors?"

Negan remains silent at first. He has no real hope for Rick's version of events, but he needs to hear him first. Just to be sure. He knows the first speaker can easily take the upper hand as he will be the first to give his side of things and can make himself the victim. But if he has to choose between giving in to a random psychopath or giving his nemesis the benefit of the doubt... So in a way, he shouldn't be surprised that Rick is taking the opening he's given. But his words fall like a unrelenting sentence:

-"Negan killed my friends by bashing in their skulls with a barbed-wired bat." Negan sure as hell wasn't expecting such a blunt introduction. It almost seems like Rick is just trying to get it all over with as quickly as possible. And indeed, it doesn't take long for the stranger to clap his hands and to declare, ecstatic:

-"Wow, that's already some substance that we have here alright."

He is as happy as a child who would have won the biggest plush in a fair. Even Rick must not have expected such an enthusiastic reaction. You know, as he was just graphically talking about close friends dying and all... But at least, now, Negan knows where his nemesis stands. He is shooting on sight.

-"Rick and his minions infiltrated one of my outposts and killed dozens of innocent people in their sleep. And that was before I ever did anything to him." Loud cracks resonate in the silence that follows, as if Rick jumping in his chair from indignation made its wood protest as well.

-"You've got some nerve. You threatened other communities before, would you deny it?

-But I had never threatened yours or yourself directly, had I?

-It was only a matter of time, and you know it.

-Well I don't. And I guess we can never know that, now, can we?

-You had killed people from other communities. Lives were at stake! I was not gonna wait to find out what you had in store for us.

-Oh I know that now. I heard what you said on the camcorder after all. But there was no way you were going to let this go without a fight. Maybe you should have sent me that video before going on your rampage. Maybe then I would have arranged a meeting for us, like civilized people.

-Bullshit! I am in awe of all the lies you can make up in the fly. Surely you can't believe them to be true, right? Surely it's all an act to appear as the white knight in shining armor?

-Because that's you, right? I know that role is already taken. I wouldn't dare steal it from you." Once again, the stranger let a light laugh escapes. Even though Negan knows the stranger is having a great time listening to them argue, it seems they can't stop themselves from obliging him without wanting to.

-"Are you sure you are enemies? You are yapping at each other like an old couple." And for Rick, it seems to be the last straw.

-"Negan's just a sadist who enjoys the suffering of others. Don't ever lump us together." His outburst is like a snake hissing. Though the stranger is not impressed as his reaction makes it clear that the content is holding his attention over the form.

-"Oh. So it seems you're like me." Holy Saint Mickael is now watching Negan with a morbid brightness in his eyes. He looks like a teacher being proud of his student. Too proud. Improperly proud. And a teacher for what subject exactly? Immorality?

 

---

 

Rick swallows with difficulty. He hadn't expected such an answer from their captor. He thought he would be looking for justice. How could he be so wrong? And of course Negan would play along, giving credit to his revelation.

-"If it keeps you from killing me, I can say I'm like you. That I truly believe it is another matter entirely." The stranger is looking for a fellow twisted psychopath just like Negan. Just his luck... Really... Though not being in his direct attention right now might be a blessing in disguise. Because the stranger is starting to sound underhandedly menacing once again, sending a shiver down his spine.

-"You know, there's something I've been wondering about." Rick knows he is addressing to Negan, pacing in front of him with a false air of thoughtfullness.

-"Something you said really intrigued me." He is stalling, managing his effect. Like he wants to take his time to strike a decisive and lethal blow.

-"When your best pal here said that he had survived worst situation, you sighted 'Me too' with such a gloomy voice...

-How do you know that..." Negan whispers, stunned. And Rick doesn't understand at first. Why should it matter? But then he remembers the context. He has a brief flashback to the day before, when Negan was warning him about the stranger. When they were supposed to be left alone for the night. Had he still been there, watching? Spying? How much had he heard?

-"You may not know it but I am a simple man. I don't need more to want to know all about it." This simple fact might be insignifiant but the way he says it... He sounds like a true villain, the calm and cold kind. But Negan doesn't seem to pick that up as he answers back, insolent as ever.

-"There's no fucking way I'm ever telling you that."

The stranger gives a faint smile that doesn't reach his eyes.

-"Wrong answer. But, to be honest, I was kind of hoping you would say that. I've been hopping up and down with impatience so badly to do them justice.

He is slowly moving toward Negan with a dark look on his face, Lucille in his right hand, the hatchet in his left hand.

-"So, Negan is it? Would you like to be the one do us the honor, this time?"

And Rick can't help but hold his breath as he vividly remembers the stranger's words from the day before: "I do like some old plain torture every once in a while. You know, let you have a taste of your own medecin."

And the tools in his hands make so much more sense...

Notes:

Thanks for reading :) So what do you think so far? I'm curious ^^