#rather than those goddamn tone tags that just make it worse to me frankly

[hikineet-trash]

Anyways if you see me being horny about spacebats at 7-godforsaken-A.M....(Tone: uptalk, false suspense, setup to a punchline.)

No you didn't. (Tone: Flat delivery, faux-severity, punchline.)

Mind your own business. (Tone: Ineffectual non-serious threat.)

[intrepidolivia]

Alexandria Country Club 3

Pairing: NeganXOlivia (OC)

Warnings: cursing, discussion of violence, sexual thoughts

Summary: AU! Negan returns to work after the parking lot incident. He meets Olivia’s best friend. They have an evening out which increases their desire for one another. Then Olivia returns home to a very unpleasant discovery.

A/N: Somebody help me, I can’t stop writing this fic. Cameo appearance by @adair-donovan Liv’s best friend (and an awesome RP’er). Let me know if you’d like to be tagged!

Mondays were always slow, particularly when it was raining. A retiree or three might come in the club for lunch, but it was unlikely anyone would be out on the green. It wasn’t a bad job, but days like that one were always long.

Negan found himself making security rounds just to pass the time, though his thoughts were preoccupied. He’d enjoyed the previous night. That gave him a lot to think about. He found himself glancing at his phone at frequent intervals, wondering if Olivia had messaged. Wondering if he should.

“Hey, Negan,” a voice behind him broke his reverie.

He glanced back. One of the women who ran the pro shop, Carol, pointed up the hall. “Rick was looking for you.”

He nodded. He’d expected as much, after all. He still doubted Chet had turned him in, but after parties Rick tended to at least glance over the security tapes. The incident in the parking lot would certainly have got his attention.

“Thanks,” he said to her, flashing a wide grin on his way past.

Rick was behind his wide oak desk sorting paperwork when Negan entered, pausing only briefly to rap his knuckles on the doorframe. He flopped into one of the overstuffed leather chairs, leaning back.

“You rang?”

Rick glanced up, his blue eyes mildly annoyed. “Were you going to tell me you beat the holy hell out of three guys in the parking lot, or were you saving the lawsuit for a surprise?”

Negan chuckled. “I didn’t hurt ‘em that bad. And if you saw the footage you know they started it.”

“Yes, they did. You sure as hell finished it, though.” Rick sighed, rubbing his eyes. “Chet Applegate, Negan. His family have been members of this country club since the goddamn Mayflower dropped his ancestors here.”

Applegate, huh? He’d recognized the little punk, but hadn’t put a last name to him. No wonder Rick was pissed. Negan shrugged. “He should have known better than to try to take on security at his family’s legacy club. Has there been a complaint?”

“Well, no,” Rick allowed.

“I don’t think there will be. He’s probably embarrassed he got his ass handed to him. And he probably doesn’t want his bullshit in the cloak room brought up. I told you we need a security camera in there.”

Rick frowned at that. “Was he stealing?”

“Worse,” Negan said. He tried to keep his voice neutral. He’d been pissed before, but now that he’d spent some time with Olivia… He wanted to kick the little shitstain’s ass all over again. “Had one of the bridesmaids cornered in there. Wouldn’t let her out, trying to paw her at least.”

“She all right?”

“I caught him before shit went very far. He was pissed about it. That’s why he and his buddies made the mistake of jumping me in the parking lot after I walked her to her car.”

Rick ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed. “I guess I can’t really blame you,” he grumbled.

“Fuck, no. It’s those little fucks fault I had to go and fuck them up.” Negan grinned, folding his arms behind his head. Rick gave him an annoyed glance and his grin widened. “What? I’m supposed to watch my fucking language out there. I got to let loose sometime.”

“Fine, just try to stay out of trouble. Chet lives out of state going to some ivy league school. If there’s a fuss I’ll tell his parents I fired you. It’s not like they know who the hell you are anyway.”

Negan chuckled and gave him a salute. “Good deal. Am I dismissed?”

“Yeah, I’ll let you know if there’s anything else. And I’ll look into putting a camera in the cloak room.”

Negan stood. “I’ve only been saying we needed one for a year,” he griped. “How’re the kids?”

Rick grinned at that. If there was any subject he loved it was that one. “Good. Real good. Carl’s been on the honor roll. I may have promised we could get a dog if he keeps it up. Judith’s growing like hell, even though I can’t get her to eat anything but macaroni lately.”

“Kids survive somehow,” he assured him. “Tell Carl to keep practicing batting, don’t let him get out of practice because of all that book shit.”

Rick rolled his eyes. “Yes, thank you, I’ll get right on that.”

Negan headed back out, chuckling to himself. He wasn’t at all surprised Mr. Chet hadn’t turned him in. Hopefully the little prick would go back to his ivy-league school and that would be that.

He paused, pulling out his phone. It was nearly lunchtime. He knew it was customary to wait a day or two after a date before contacting the other person. There were rules for how the game was played.

He was also more aware than most people of what wasting time could cost. And frankly, he hated head games.

So, do you do the 9 to 5 thing? Or does your bookstore have weird hours?

He decided to do a quick patrol of the building while he listened for the chime of his phone. The rain outside made things dim, the quiet pattern of sound felt sleepy and relaxing. His phone buzzed in his pocket.

Off today, actually. Over at my friend Adair’s place.

Adair? Should I be jealous?

He smiled a bit. She’d mentioned the name in passing last night, though they hadn’t spoken much about him. He couldn’t resist teasing a little, though.

No :) He’s practically my younger brother. And I’m not his type.

Oh? Are you sure? I thought smoking hot redhead was everyone’s type.

Well, yes, he does appreciate a smoking hot redhead if it’s Michael Fassbender. Also he’s fussing at me to be nice and take the compliment, so thank you. You’re not hard on the eyes yourself.

Good to hear, I don’t even moisturize.

So I’m guessing you’re not exactly busy securing the country club on a rainy Monday.

No, not really. Spoke to the boss man about a security camera in the cloak room. He’s finally going for it.

Good call.

So, when are you free again?

He figured there was little point in being coy. He wanted to see her again, and if she wanted to see him, well, there was no point in delaying. It was perhaps dangerous, getting so involved so quickly, but he couldn’t help himself.

I’m indisposed tonight, but free much of the week. If you don’t mind a late dinner depending on the day. I close the shop Wednesday and Thursday, that’s at 8.

Tomorrow?

It was probably too fast. He didn’t want to come off as creepy or possessive. Or just plain desperate. But the truth was, he couldn’t get enough of her. There was a pause, and he texted again.

Or Friday maybe, if that’s too soon.

No, tomorrow’s great. Sorry that took a minute, Adair was demanding to meet you. Want to pick me up at his place?

Can do, doll. Just let me know where and when.

The next evening took its sweet time in coming, in his opinion. Eventually, though, he was rolling up to a rather sizeable house in what he always thought of as the ‘ritzy’ part of town. The grounds were well maintained, and the house was much fancier than he’d been expecting. He double-checked the address to reassure himself he was correct as he drove up, but there was Liv’s little mini-cooper outside the monstrous structure. Surprised and feeling a little underdressed in jeans and a leather jacket, he rang the doorbell.

He half expected a butler. Instead, the door was opened by someone he first took for a kid. He was small, an inch shorter than Olivia at least, and slender, with a youthful face and dark hair that brushed his shoulders. The impression of youth was only intensified by the baggy jeans and oversized hoodie he was wearing. Big blue eyes flicked up and down, appraising him.

“Yep, you’re Negan all right,” the young man declared. He stood aside to let him in.

Negan raised an eyebrow, stepping in. “Yeah, that’s me. You must be Adair.”

The young man nodded. “Uh-huh. Come on in, Liv’s upstairs doing some hair thing.” He closed the door and beckoned. “Want a drink while you wait?” He padded down the hall and Negan saw no alternative but to follow him.

The house was as well kept on the inside as it was outside. The kitchen was black and chrome, a magnetic strip of knives over a generous countertop, hanging pot racks, and some forms of machinery he wasn’t clear on the purpose of.  “Nice place.”

Adair smiled a little. “Thanks, technically it’s my parents’ but they’re out of the country indefinitely. Tea, water, lemonade, coffee? You’re going to be driving I assume so I won’t pull out the booze.”

The boy was interesting. The house certainly spoke of the sort of wealth that was common at the club, but he was pretty sure he’d never seen him before. He had an Asian cast to his features that was fairly distinctive. “Lemonade sounds great, thanks.” He sat at the kitchen island where the boy indicated, watching him get a glass. “So, I take it Liv described me or something?”

Adair smirked, glancing back at him. “Nope. But a rugged silver fox with a voice like melted chocolate, wearing a leather jacket. and who looks like he could kill a man with his bare hands? If there was checklist for ‘things that are Olivia’s catnip’ you’d tick off most the boxes.” He set the glass of lemonade down and leaned his elbows on the counter.

Negan chuckled. The kid certainly wasn’t shy about saying what he thought. “Well, good to know I guess.”

The young man nodded and smiled. “Yeah. I’m glad to see her dating again. And she seems to like you. If you treat her badly they’ll never find your body.” The smile never left his face.

The lemonade paused halfway to Negan’s lips. “I’m sorry. It sounded like you just threatened me?” He was more bemused than angry. Threats usually came in the form of shouting and spur-of-the-moment passion. The casual tone threw him.

“Not that I’m expecting you will, mind you. But while she’s upstairs I just wanted to make things clear. I care about Liv very much. If things don’t work out, that’s one thing. But if you don’t treat her right I’m going to be upset.” The young man propped his chin on his hand, his dark blue eyes steady on Negan’s. “And I will address it.”

Negan paused a long moment. The kid looked deadly serious. He couldn’t help himself; he grinned widely. “Damn, you mean every word of that, don’t you? I’m three times your size and you do not give one single fuck. I got to be honest, I believe you.” He saluted Adair with the glass and took a long swallow of lemonade. “I’m gonna do my best to treat the lady like she deserves. Will that do?”

Adair nodded, his smile a little wider. “That’ll do.” The young man looked up as Negan heard footsteps behind him. “Liv, you didn’t tell me he had the sexy Viking look going on!”

He turned in time to see the pink tinge spread across Olivia’s cheeks. She looked pretty of course, in a snug green shirt and jeans that hugged her curves. Her hair was pulled up in a messy twist, and a delicate choker circled her throat. She rolled her eyes at Adair. “I apologize,” she said, and smiled at Negan. “I see you’ve had the Adair experience.”

He grinned. “Yeah. I approve. The kid’s a badass.”

Adair gave a soft huff, and Olivia chuckled. “He’s a legal adult, not a kid,” she chided.

Negan waved a hand. “Sweetheart, at my age anything under 25 is a kid. 30 if I’m feeling especially grumpy.”

Olivia laughed “I hope he wasn’t too prickly. I haven’t dated in a while and he’s a bit protective.”

“‘He’ is still in the room, Liv,” Adair said.

“Nah, I don’t blame you. Lots of assholes out there,” he said to the young man. He turned back to Olivia. “Hell, you know that, what with Chet trying to paw you the other day.”

He realized too late that she was trying to signal him to silence. He glanced at Adair, who was glaring daggers at her.

“Who’s Chet?” he demanded.

She sighed, looking at the ceiling as though asking for divine intervention. “Just a jackass at the wedding. Negan took care of it.”

The young man turned his diamond-hard gaze on Negan. “He tried to paw her?”

“Yeah, I intervened. He jumped me in the parking lot and I’m pretty sure I broke his arm.”

The young man nodded, a pleased smile spreading over his face. “Oh, good. I like you. Stop calling me ‘kid’ though.”

Negan laughed. He couldn’t help himself. “Deal.”

Adair gave Olivia a sharp look. “This isn’t over, by the way. Some reprobate tries to force himself on you and you don’t think it worth mentioning?”

“I didn’t want to worry you,” she began.

“Well, good fucking job,” he sniffed. He gave Negan an arch look. “Well, this is what you’re buying into, sexy Viking. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. She’s impossible.”

Negan gave Olivia a wolfish grin, his eyes flicking over her. He didn’t bother to hide his appreciative glance. “I think I might be able to handle her,” he purred.

He was thoroughly gratified when her cheeks bloomed pink.

Adair grinned and waved from the doorway as they drove off, and Olivia laughed softly. She rolled her eyes and looked at Negan.

“Jeez, he’s gonna kill me,” she sighed.

Negan chuckled. “He’s just looking out for you, sweetheart. Like I said, I can’t blame him. Lots of dangerous folks out there.”

“There are dangerous folks in here,” she smirked.

He grinned at her, winking. “Yeah, but we’re on the same side. Speaking of, you said you had an idea for tonight. Care to share?” She’d been a good sport about the bar last time, so it was only fair he let her pick for the second date.  She hadn’t told him to dress up, so he figured it probably wasn’t too fancy, but she seemed the type to go for a more… elegant scene.

“Yup, dinner with entertainment,” she smiled brightly.

She refused to tell him more, only giving him directions as he drove. Eventually he gave up trying to pry it out of her, and decided he’d just trust her. Finally, they pulled into the parking lot of a Japanese style building, complete with a little bamboo garden and pond outside.

“I probably should have asked if you like Japanese food before we got here, but honestly, this is hibachi. It’s only barely Japanese.” She smiled as she got out of the car.

“Well, I can’t say. I’ve never had it,” he admitted, looking over the exterior.

She linked an arm through his. He was starting to like that. She was a little thing, much shorter than he was, and having her holding his arm made him feel like he was protecting and supporting her. “You haven’t? Oh, you’re in for a treat. There’s going to be fire and flying shrimp, and sake of course.”

He had to admit, she hadn’t been kidding about it being dinner and entertainment. They shared a jug of hot sake while they watched their dinner prepared on the table in front of them. He hadn’t seen quite so many fireballs during a meal since he was a teenager going camping with a bunch of other teenage boys, one of whom was a pyromaniac. They laughed at each other’s attempts to catch the shrimp thrown at them in their mouths. And the food was pretty good, too.

Olivia was delicate and elegant in some ways as well. She handled her chopsticks neatly and with well-practiced ease, and spent half the meal trying to teach him how to use his. He managed to get one shrimp into his mouth with them and declared victory before switching back to a fork.

At the end, her cheeks flushed from the sake, she insisted he try green tea ice cream. It tasted like sweetened grass clippings to him, but he enjoyed watching her eat it, her eyes closing almost sensually as she savored the flavor.

He hated that they both had to work the next day. It was probably too soon to get physical, but watching her enjoy her dessert made him want to see what sort of expressions she made enjoying other things. Every time she leaned on him, every time she adjusted his fingers on his chopsticks, or insisted on pouring his sake for him, he just wanted to put his hands on her.

After dinner, rather than going to the car, she took his hand and led him around the restaurant. To his mild surprise, there was a park. A walking trail of blacktop surrounded a small lake and an expanse of grass dotted with trees. It was getting dark, and lights flickered on here and there, illuminating the trail. She laced her fingers with his as they walked.

For a time, neither of them said anything. Dinner was resting comfortably in his stomach, and the sake left him warm and content.

Eventually, she looked up at him. “We going to do this again?”

“You mean the Japanese or the whole dating thing, darlin’?”

Olivia smiled a little. “Both, I guess.” She bit her lip. “I like you. I’d like to keep seeing you.”

He grinned. “That works out, then. I like you, too.”

“Okay, then,” she said, ducking her head with a wide smile.

He paused, putting his fingers to her chin, tipping her face up. “And I gotta say, you make getting shrimp bounced off your forehead look fucking hot.” He winked.

She giggled, and began to say something. Before she could, he leaned down and took her lips with his own.

They moved to one of the benches eventually. He was careful, not putting his hands anywhere too suggestive, much as he wanted to. He wanted to devour her, mark her neck, taste her. He held himself back, though, letting her set the pace. He wasn’t going to take anything she wasn’t willing to give. And beyond that, there was still a small part of him, still raw and wounded, that held him back.

Her response to his kisses was tender and slow at first, but he sensed the underlying heat. She wanted him, perhaps as much as he wanted her. Even so, they both held back. Never quite crossing the line into a true invitation. They were in a park, true, but the spot they were in was secluded, and no one else was around. They could get away with a great deal, tucked away like that.

Eventually, they pulled apart. She was panting, her lips swollen, her hair mussed. She’d wrapped her arms around him, under his jacket. Her breasts pressed against his chest. She fit so nicely into his arms.

She swallowed, raising a hand to cup his cheek. “I don’t want to stop, but…”

“We both got work tomorrow,” he finished.

She bit her lip. “And… this is fast.”

He nodded. “This is fast.”

Olivia took a breath. “We don’t… we don’t know each other that well yet.”

He stroked his hands up and down her back. “We don’t.”

“I’ve got… there’s things in my past,” she said softly.

He smiled a little, leaning down and kissing her again. “I’ve got a longer past than you, baby,” he said softly.

She nodded, and smiled a little. “It’s hard to care right now.”

“You ain’t fuckin’ kidding,” he chuckled. He sighed, and made himself stand up. Her body pressed close was decidedly not doing anything to help his current predicament. He took her hands, helping her up as well. “So in the interests of our mutual work situations and peace of mind, I guess we should head on back now.”

He didn’t mind quite as much as he thought he would. Yes, he wanted her. He wanted her so badly he could taste it. But he wasn’t going to be an asshole. He could wait for her to say yes properly. Then he would fuck her brains out.

After he dropped her off at Adair’s house, he drove home. It was later than he’d normally have been out on a work night, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. It was worth being a little more tired than usual tomorrow. It wasn’t like there would be any sort of crisis. There were no events planned. Hell, Rick probably wouldn’t even notice if he was late.

He locked his apartment door behind him and eventually settled into bed. He was just drifting off when his phone rang. He picked it up, peering at the screen and frowning.

It was Olivia.

He answered it. “Hey, doll, I miss you too, but isn’t it a little late?”

“Negan…” she said.

He sat up. Something in her voice set off alarm bells in his head. “Livvy? What’s wrong?”

“I… I just got home. Someone put a letter under my door.” She paused, and he heard her take a shaky breath. “It’s a death threat.”

@noodlecupcakes @feistybaby