#i don't know what possessed me to do a whole family portrait here but i've been thinking about this guy's surface life a lot

[viric-dreams]

Robin was a childhood nickname, given to him by his older siblings. Even though they'd mostly only saw each other during the holidays, the siblings were close. Some of Jones' favourite memories revolve around dinner table debates, or playing games together in the garden.

It devastated him when they'd cut ties after his conviction. To preserve their good name, they'd said. It was one thing, to be on trial, another to have a murderer in the family.

His younger sister, Lottie, is the only one who still writes to him, their relationship rekindled through New Newgate's deacon. He tries to tell her what he can about his life in the Neath, though he doesn't seem to say much. He misses her though, and hopes to be able to see her again one day.

[deputygonebye]

@depictedblue asked: ❛ i need you to understand how much you mean to me. ❜

Emotionally Charged Sentence Starters.

Branches crushed underfoot - the miles taken beyond their home too many to count, farther and farther into the woods that surrounded the community of Alexandria. Out on the illusion of a mission, a search for food and supplies, an escape that was not called to by name. Shane had to get away. Freedom that was so cruelly stolen; a merciless smirk that commanded he and all the others were in debt. A whole family made to be prisoners by another, an entire group of survivors turned into slaves. A second time; Cassie had come to see her "husband" long returned to her. Negan Smith - hair as dark as midnight, eyes as soulless as the Devil, beloved bat painted in crimson. A portrait brushed by the bristles of malevolence, there was glee in the glance that passed over Cassie. A familiar stare, a look that was saved for sin and shadow, smile that was desperate for the chance to be alone, Shane couldn't bear it. Flashed his teeth as a dog would, growled and barked with honest threat; he would kill Negan if he ever touched Cassie again. Without remorse, without the space for breath, a rabid animal that lost control, all good sense.

Negan merely laughed. Almost cackled, as if the words were of sweetness rather than warning. Driven by impulse, Shane had presented a weakness, a clear sore spot, a most tender heel. As Achilles had done during the glory days of his empire, it didn't matter to Negan that Cassie belonged no more to he. A wife no longer under his possession; she was Shane's girl. Shane's love, Shane's woman, Shane's whole reason for living - the key to his heart, the vulnerability that could undo him. A weapon that could be used against Shane, when the run for supplies became an apparent need, Negan allowed both he and Cassie to go. Outside of the walls, weapons in hand and ammo full. Guard releasing his convicts - the game commenced.

Partially in truth, partially in lie, as Shane walked through the flora, he did try to find decent supplies or two. Loose cartons of bandages that had been left on the soil, molded from rain but contents inside still useable; miraculously unopened packets of peanuts that rested beside mangled corpses of the once alive. Shotgun held tight within his hands, Cassie's voice broke the silence that had come between them. He had to get them both away - a quiet sound, the gentleness of a breeze blowing through his curls. Confused at first, feet stopping their motion only to turn completely in Cassie's direction, puzzled expression relaxed once Shane saw the blue of Cassie's eyes. Wide but serious, fearful but proud; teary but confident, certain and sure.

"Best believe me, baby. I do understand." Shane reassured, hold upon his gun sent from one grasp to another, one arm and hand free to do as they pleased. Approaching Cassie, the distance between them cleared by the length of his walk, Shane captured her in an embrace, pulled her close and refused to release, beneath the shade of trees. One arm around Cassie, snug to her waist; one hand clenching a shotgun base. "Come here."

Shane whispered, into her ear, the pale shell that bloomed in delicate pink. "You're mine, you hear me? There ain't nothin' that the son-of-a-bitch could do, or say, to change that. Cassie Howard, I don't give a damn about him. I don't care what he thinks. I don't care what he believes. He ain't ever, ever gonna touch you. You don't belong to him no more. You don't belong to anyone. I know how you feel about me. I know, because it's the same exact way I feel about you."

From ear to lip, Shane pressed his mouth to Cassie's, claimed her in soft affection, a light and tender kiss. None too rough but so resolute, unwavering in true-love passion.

"You don't have to say it. Not until you're ready to." Shane said, breathless and so full of bliss. "But it's as I've said before, darlin'. I love you. I'm always gonna love you. Negan... that piece of garbage don't mean nothin'. Don't you let him get in your head. Hey. Look at me, baby. I won't let him hurt you again. I'm gonna keep you safe. Always gonna protect my Cassie. Always. Until the day I can't. No more tears, okay? No more tears, not over somebody like him. Let's look a little more, see if we can find any scraps. Then we'll go back home, alright? I'll take you right home, baby. Just you and me."