Jeremangled - Tumblr Posts
"At least just sneaking out the window wasn't the worst you could've done. You know, Mike smashed his once when we were teens." Jeremy decides to tell him if only because the issue is over and done with, and Gregory isn't hurt ( plus, he could afford to mess with Michael a bit ). "Which- I've gotta say, a lot less subtle than your approach." / @jeremangled lol
★ — An air of defensiveness ; Gregory knows what to expect from Michael when he acts out, when he runs off without a word and pretends he should just be allowed to do whatever he wants. But Jeremy is new. And Gregory likes Jeremy, but he doesn't know Jeremy. Isn't sure what to expect from him in a situation like this. ( he can't help but expect the worst, as unfounded as it may be ).
And yet, when the man speaks, there's no scolding. He doesn't even sound disappointed.
Almost immediately, Gregory's guarded demeanor drops and is replaced by a curious ( and mischievous ) sparkle in his eyes. He perks up, practically leaning forward at the mention of his guardian's teenage actions.
"He smashed his window? Why?"
Small smile tugging at the corner of his lips, half in genuine amusement ( he wants to hear more! ), half - sheepish ; maybe pushing his own luck, but maybe he can use this story to his own advantage.
"So .... that means I'm not in trouble, right? 'Cause it could've been worse?"
❛ The most important thing here is we need to stay together. ❜ @jeremangled
THE WALKING DEAD SEASON ONE SENTENCE STARTERS
★ — Gregory's never been outside the wall before.
The thought sits heavy in his chest— this is all completely new to him— a constant weight, a steady, thrumming fear. He has no clue what to do, how to maneuver this terrain, how to get where they're supposed to be going. Michael and Jeremy navigate like its second nature to the pair, and Gregory is acutely aware that he may as well be dead weight.
He sticks closer to Jeremy for the simple fact that the man makes him feel less terrible about that than Michael does.
Gregory hears ( more than he sees, eyes practically glued to the ground as if he can will the rocks and rubble to not shift under his feet and cause him to stumble as he walks ) Jeremy come to a stop and shuffles his feet to mimic the abrupt stop. Blinks in response, a little confused.
"Um — 'kay."
He lifts his eyes to nod in agreement, taken aback by the seriousness in his tone. A beat of silence passes. Gregory opens his mouth to ask a question— promptly closes it. He'll just annoy them. Jeremy turns to lead the trio once again, and nearly as soon as they take their first steps onward once more —— yeah, he can't help it.
"Why? Where are we going? Is there gonna be infected? Or is it more FEDRA patrols? Does FEDRA patrol this far out? Do you guys see fireflies when you come this far out?"
❛ We always think there's gonna be more time. ❜ @jeremangled :)
THE WALKING DEAD SEASON ONE SENTENCE STARTERS
★ — "Stop it. Shut— shut up."
Jeremy doesn't have to say the truth ; Gregory can feel it settle in the pit of his stomach with an absolute certainty. Overwhelming and unmistakeable, a violent whirlwind of emotions he's felt before threaten to knock him off his feet. His throat burns. His eyes burn. Grief, pity, anger, guilt. The guilt seeping in, filling every crack of his broken self.
There's a bone deep weariness to Jeremy that hadn't been present a few hours ago — the sort of resignation that only comes with the inevitable, especially when you take stupid risks like trying to smuggle a kid outside of the quarantine zone. Gregory's seen the look in his eyes before, reflected back at him only a month ago on the face of his best friend. Just as defeated.
How do you begin to mourn a person still standing in front of you?
There'd been some comfort, then, in thinking that maybe they'd go out together, united in losing their humanity until some poor soul came to put them out of their misery. Here, there's no comfort in companionship to be found.
Michael had made it out unscathed. Gregory was the only person in the world that would never know the real, true fear of turning.
( Marlene had called it a miracle, but he's starting to think it's a fucking curse. is this his life, now? forever haunted by the ghosts he has no choice but to leave behind, always seeing them reflected in the eyes of those his miracle cure wasn't fast enough to save? )
"You're infected, aren't you?"