Noir AU Chapter 5:

I hang back because I’m the best driver and we might need a quick getaway. Because I trust them to know when to get out and I trust Maggie to come back to me.  I hang back in the car because I know my woman can handle herself and, even when we’re not together, we’re always there for each other.

My eyes scan slick streets and dark figures moving through shadows, but I don’t look too hard.  Look hard at something, it’s liable to look back...but when clacking heels close in your instincts work against you and you end up face-to-face with a revolver.

She hovers, dark, with bloody kiss spreading in the club lights.  Her weapon gleams like a promise.

I try to calculate the odds of taking her down, out, before she gets her shot.  It’s not good if she’s who I think she is, but I’m not giving up without a fight.  I slip my hand to the door handle.

Her hammer clicks, I freeze.  “Both hands on the wheel or your brains are going all over the inside of your pretty car.”

My hands go to the wheel, my eyes stare ahead.

“Alexandria?”

“What?”  I look back at her smirking lips.  “I...I don’t know what that means.  My name’s Glenn.”

“Never been?”

“Where?”

The barrel kisses my temple.  “Don’t. Play. With. Me.”

“I...N-No.  I’m just here looking for my girlfriend’s sister.”

“From your car?”

I take a deep breath, spread my fingers out, clench them back on the wheel.  “My girlfriend's inside, asking around.”  I don’t dare risk telling her about Jesus and Daryl.  “We...we’ll be gone soon, I can go get her —“

There’s a flash, a crack, in the distance and a burst of blood over my face.  The woman is seething rage as she turns her weapon out into the open, the silver of her dress going dark at her shoulder.

I sit, too stunned to move.

“Carl!  You little one-eyed asshole!”  She screams into the night as I slip behind a car.

The point isn’t to kill her and I have to remind myself that over and over.  Killing her would feel so good, would feel like justice, but it wouldn’t further the ultimate goal.  Dad doesn’t want a war, he wants leverage.  Lucille is leverage...but only alive.

I prep, aim, fire again.  This time I don’t hit her.  I hit the car behind her, shattering the back driver‘s side window.

Now she fires.  Empties her clip in under a minute, throwing glass and heat my way, but missing all the while.

I start to get up, stand, but more shots come and I have to hit the pavement.

I hit leather seating as windows start to shatter, praying Maggie doesn’t come out.  She’s safer inside.  Out here is chaos.

“Move an’ I’ll kill you.” A voice states from the passenger side.  He’s well-dressed, but with unkempt beard and wild eyes.  Alexandria?  I don’t have the chance to ask as he opens the door from the inside and gets in, gun at the ready.

“Woah!  Woah!”  I shoot up, hit the driver’s side in effort to get as far from the man and his weapon as possible.  “Hey, I’m notta part of this!”  The door behind me opens and a young man hops in; the heat of his gun singes my hair.  “Just lemme go, you can have the car.”

“Yeah...that’s not gonna happen,” the man states, keeping his own gun in my face.  “Now drive.”

“I won’t say anything, I swear,” I plead, unwilling to leave Maggie behind.

The man before me pulls back the hammer of his pistol, the younger man follows suit.  “I don’t take chances anymore.”

I pull away with men streaming from the alleys to attend to the woman still in the street; I see Maggie burst out of the club, screaming for me, in the rear-view.

Maggie...I‘ll find you...

POV goes: Glenn, Carl, Glenn.  And, yeah, Rick and Carl pretty much just both saved and carjacked poor Glenn, lol!  To confirm: Carl only has one eye, but pics of that (that still look Noir) are obviously tricky to find, so forgive me.  Still thinking of a title, but got nothing, sorry, haha!

Chapter 1 Here!

Chapter 2 Here!

Chapter 3 Here!

Chapter 4 Here!

Tagged (because they asked/seemed interested): @strangersangel9 @flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash @kinkozan @vizhi0n @dusty-cookie @dwaynii @despoinak27 …Anyone else interested, just lemme know!

Noir AU Chapter 3:

I smile across the table.  “How’s the sweater?”

“Shut up,” he grunts, scratching the wool.  “Asshole.”

I chuckle, turn to Maggie.  “I picked your sister’s place because I knew it’d be empty, but I didn’t have any part of whatever’s happened to her.”

“How do I know that?”

“You don’t, but I think you know I’m notta bad guy.”

“Guy who calls himself Jesus,” Daryl snorts, his nails digging into the fabric.

“You know, if you’re allergic, I can get you something else.”

“Just shut up.”

Glenn leans in, eyes plead.  “Can we please just...focus on Beth?”

I nod.  “I saw someone come out of her place yesterday.  They threw luggage in a car and took off...figured she was going on vacation and it was the perfect time to hit the apartment.”

Maggie scrutinizes, looks for lies.  “Someone?  But not Beth?”

“No, not Beth, but I don’t know that until I was in the house.”

Glenn shifts.  “What’d she look like?”

“Older than Beth, dark hair, stern face.”

The couple exchange a mind-meld of a look.  “Lucille?”  Maggie finally offers.  Glenn shrugs as Daryl mutters a curse, hand switching to the back of his neck.

“It wasn’t Lucille.”

Daryl breaks from his scratching.  “How ya know?”

“I’ve seen her, this wasn’t her.”

“Wait...” Glenn cuts in.  “Do you...work for Negan?”

“No more than anyone else.”  All three look at me, un-amused.  “I use his fence, Dwight.  I know what Lucille looks like because I do my research, which is why I also know that Negan wouldn’t allow anything to happen to any woman he’s with.”

“Coulda done somethin’ without ‘im knowin’,” Daryl counters.  “Had someone grab ‘er or somethin’.”

I can’t find an argument for that; Negan is dangerous, Lucille exponentially so.  I look at Maggie and Glenn’s faces, the worry building, before taking a breath.  “I don’t think it’s wise to jump to any conclusions just yet.  For all we know this woman was picking things up for Beth.”

“Beth would call me,” Maggie insists.

“If she’s in hiding, and smart, then she won’t.”

“If she’s hidin’ I still need to find her.”

“Preferably before shit hits the fan,” Daryl grumbles out, then sighs.  "Think we oughta go to her job?  See if anyone there knows anythin’?”

“You’re the private eye, shouldn’t you know?” Glenn question comes out somewhere between suspicious and annoyed.

That’s when it clicks: Daryl Dixon doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing.  Whoever he’s claimed to be isn’t who he is.  I glance to the couple, see the desperation in their eyes, and realize I can’t do it. I can’t call Daryl out on whatever bullshit he’s running.  All I can do is help him fake it until he makes it...or, at least, until we find the girl.

“Bet it’ll be easier if we go together, split up inside, cover everyone as best and quickly as we can,” I smile to Maggie.  “You know where she works, right?”

“Course.”  She goes to exit the booth; the rest of us follow.

“Someone’s gotta get the check.”  Daryl goes back to scratching.

I toss money on the table for the check.

“Thanks.”  Then Daryl’s eyes narrow, he snatches the wallet.  “That’s my wallet!”

I laugh it off.

Not a ton of action, I know, but there is relevant information in there as to what may have happened to Beth!  (Also you know where Dwight fits in the Noir, ha.)  This was all in Jesus’s POV.  The next chapter will likely have some new characters in it - whether they join this little crime-solving group or not, I don’t know - and given Beth works at Negan’s club it’s not impossible he’ll show too, but in what capacity I’m not sure.  ...Not sure, but does this story need a proper name?  Any thoughts/suggestions are welcome!

Chapter 1 Here! 

Chapter 2 Here!

Tagged (because they asked/seemed interested): @strangersangel9 @flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash @kinkozan @vizhi0n @dusty-cookie @dwaynii @despoinak27 …Anyone else interested, just lemme know!

Noir AU Chapter 2:

Felt strange being in Beth’s without the invite; felt like when I was a kid, sneaking in her room to make sure it was clean.  Never was and it’s the same now.  Without the invite I get a true sense of Beth: bright, cheerful, full of love with pictures hanging all over, but scattered.  ...Negan’s imprint comes in all the things we could never afford filling up the rooms.

Glenn wraps arms around me, rests his head on my shoulder, to examine a family portrait.  “We’ll find her, babe, don’t worry.”

I think to argue, to tell him we don’t, can’t, know that, when there’s rustling from the bedroom.  We look at each other, at Mr Dixon rifling through papers sprawled over the counter, before all three of us go to investigate.

He’s not overly tall, but lean and muscular with facial hair and lengthy locks...Jesus, if Jesus was a thief.

“What're ya doin’ in my sister’s place?” My voice shakes in worry and rage.

“...Just leaving.”  He goes to dash for the window; Mr Dixon gives chase.

Asshole’s faster, slipperier, than I suspected.  He zigs, I zag, and he’s out the window faster than I could’ve opened it.  We race balconies, then jump them, as he tosses plastic furniture in my way.

“Git back ‘ere ya sonofabitch!!”  I holler as his skinny ass slides down a banister to the parking lot before he skids towards the rec area.  Wherever the fuck he thinks he’s going, he ain’t, as I charge after him.

I lunge, he ducks, and I go flying into the murky chill of an unkempt pool.

Goddamn son of a bitch...

We come out the other side as Mr Dixon hits the water.  Thieving Jesus starts his turn to keep running, but he’s not getting away this time.  Not until he answers for himself, tells me everything he knows.

“Don’t move!” I command, pulling the pistol that was once my dad’s.  “I don’t wanna shoot you, but I will.”

The man stops, sighs, turns, smiles.  “You even know how?”

I fire a single shot through the second O in POOL on the life ring behind him, then redirect at him.  “Why’re ya in sister’s bedroom?”

“Is he coming back up?” Glenn breaks in as he examines Dixon still in the pool.

“My sister’s! Why?!” I order, unwilling to forgo my attention on Thieving Jesus.

Glenn shrugs off his jacket, steps out of his shoes.  “Yeah...I don’t think he’s coming up...”  He dives in.

My eyes flick down for the briefest moment before I sense Thieving Jesus moving.  “Don’t.  Don’t move.“

His hands raise with his lips smiles.  “Your friend’s a big guy, might need two to get him outta the water.  Keep the gun on me if ya want, we can talk after.”

Glenn’s taking too long, I know he is, and I can’t even think of risking another loved one.  “Do anythin’ that makes me question you, I’ll kill ya.”

“Fair enough!”  Jesus declares, ridding himself of coat and shoes before diving in.

Think I’ll call the chapter completed here - keep it manageable, haha!  Obviously, the POV switched from Maggie to Daryl to Maggie again and, honestly, that’s likely what will happen a lot...hopefully the POV will be clear in the writing, but if not I’ll clarify at the end like with this one.  And, apparently, Daryl will never not chase after Jesus during their first meeting, hahaha!!

Chapter 1 Here!

Tagged (because they asked/seemed interested): @strangersangel9 @flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash @kinkozan @vizhi0n @dusty-cookie @dwaynii @despoinak27 …Anyone else interested, just lemme know!

It was my brother’s idea and it was so simple: We do the crime, then go solve it for a fee, and no one’s the wiser as we rake in the dough.  Then Merle goes and gets his stupid ass in a fight with a couple cops leaving me to run the whole damned racket on my own.  Still could’ve worked until they walked in.

“My sister’s missin’,” she states firmly, with more determination than fear.

“And?”

The Chinaman shows more upset, concern.  “You’re a private eye…”

"Missin’ girls ain’t my thang, go to the police.”

“She’s one of Negan’s girlfriends,” he adds.

“Then she’s probably wit’im.”  Case solved.

“Beth always calls me, whether with him or not, she always calls,” the woman counters.  “I haven’t heard from ‘er in three days, no one’s seen ‘er.  She’s missin’ and I need to find her.  Now are you gonna do your job and help us or do we need to go it alone?”

I wanna shrug them off, tell them it ain’t my problem, but… “Where she live?”

She gives a sigh of relief, he smiles.  “We can take you there.”

“Fine,” I grunt as I stand.

“Thanks, man,” the Chinaman smiles more as they both stand.  “I’m Glenn, by the way, and this is Maggie.”

“Daryl.”

Nothing goes as fucking planned, does it?

Consider this the start of the “official” Noir story (previous one-shots may be worked in, not sure) and the first time Daryl meets Glenn and Maggie.   Most of the basic character facts and connections will stay the same, but events (how people meet, what happens to them and why) might change slightly.

Also, apparently, I’ll be making the aesthetics still because they’re fun, haha!

Tagged (because they asked/seemed interested): @strangersangel9 @flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash @kinkozan @vizhi0n @dusty-cookie @dwaynii @despoinak27 …Anyone else interested, just lemme know!

I skitter around corners, charge down allies, and scurry over fences knowing he’s close behind.  Close enough we collide at a dead end.  “Hey there,” I smile.

“Asshole,” he grumbles, straightens himself out, before taking a swing.

I duck, shove, and turn to scramble from concrete to dumpster to fire-escape.  I know he’ll follow; he’s got nowhere else to go.

Funny us meeting like this, two thieves with the same target.  Maybe we’ll crack jokes about it later, but right now I’m just hoping to keep us from prison or the morgue.  I need us both alive, both free, because that’s the only way this can go down successfully.

I hit the third landing and smile.  “Maybe we can talk about this?”

“Gonna kick your fuckin’ ass!”

“Maybe not.”  I continue up to the rooftop; sirens fade, but the pfft-pfft-pfft of a copter hits my ears.  Fuck.  "Come on!”

“Fuck you!”

I run rooftops and vault ledges.  At the end of the block I look down, smile, and turn back to my pursuer.  “Name’s Paul.”

“Daryl,” he blurts on instinct.

My smile grows.  “Trust me, Daryl?”

“No.”

“Shame.”  I reach out, grab him, and throw us both over the edge.

Even with a dump-truck of padding the land knocks the wind out.  It takes a full mile for me to gather myself enough hit the cab and get the driver to stop.  I hear the doors open, two climb their way to look inside the bed.

“Jesus,” Glenn’s smile is unsure.  “You okay?”

“I’m good,” I groan.

“Get what we needed?”

“Think so...” I pat my vest.

Maggie smirks.  “Looks like you picked up a friend.”

“That’s Daryl.”  The man groaned, grimaced, beside me.  “Might need him to get checked out.”  Unlike me, Daryl never prepared for the hit.

Maggie hauled herself into the bed with us.  “Let’s head to Denise, I’ll see what I can do in the meantime.”

I confess, ever since I thought of the Noir AU, I was looking forward to writing Jesus and Daryl in it.  Still not sure what, exactly, the bigger story is, but fuck it, it’s still a blast to write, haha!

Tagged (because they asked/seemed interested): @strangersangel9 @flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash @kinkozan @vizhi0n @dusty-cookie @dwaynii @despoinak27 ...Anyone else interested, just lemme know!

Negan/Maggie/Glenn - Noir Aesthetic

“Dirty enough for ya?”

“I can think of ways to make it dirtier.”  I grin out, taking the drink.

She arches a brow.  “Want me to make it again?”

“Much as I’d fuckin’ love to watch your tits jiggle about even fuckin’ more, I’m good.”

“Charmin’.”  She rolls eyes, then smiles big.  “Ya know I wouldn’t touch your dick with a long-barrelled shotgun, right?”

I bust out laughing; girl’s got more balls than most the men in this city.  “Yet here ya fuckin’ are, Maggie, servin’ me my fuckin’ drinks with a fuckin’ beautiful ass smile.”

“Got bills to pay.”

“I could pay your bills.”

“Shudder to think what that’d cost me.”

“Nothin’ your smart mouth and sexy ass couldn’t handle,” I smirk.

Her head shakes as someone scurries up next to me at the bar.  “Get off yet?”

“Sadly, fuckin’ neither of us have, buddy,” I crack at the other man.

His smile for our delectable bartender goes south before his lips tuck up in attempts to hide the frown.  “Mr Negan...I didn’t see you there.”

“Glenn!”  Now her smile is real as she pops up on the bar, leans over, to kiss the guy.

“You’re fuckin’ the Asian?”  I blurt out, stunned and confused.  “...American?”

“...I’m Korean...”  He’s unsure about correcting me, which at least shows he’s gotta fucking brain in his goddamn skull.  Glenn’s a skinny little fuck of a transporter barely able to fucking grow fucking facial hair; I could crush him without a thought.

I roll eyes.  “What-the-fuck-ever.”

“I’m sure one of the other girls will be more than happy to close your tab and take your tip...”  Maggie smiles at me.

I chuckle.  Tip...she said that shit on purpose and no one can tell me fucking differently.  “Shame, I had such a big one for ya,” I call out as she heads around the bar.

Glenn gives me one last unsure look before going to escort her away.

Another busy day so another short one...not very smutty, I know, but there’s some sexual banter, that’s something!  And, on the plus, Glenn lives in the Noir AU, haha!

Because they might wanna read: @flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash @strangersangel9 @negandarylsatisfaction @vizhi0n @sunriserose1023 @negansmutweek  ….Anyone else wants to be tagged in Noir things, just give a holler!

First, please note, there will be spoilers...Otherwise though: Read, enjoy, like, comment, share!!

Hearing “You can’t pair them!” After Reading Just 4 Volumes of The Walking Dead Comic...

...Seriously, there’s barely been a single pairing that hasn’t happened on some level yet, lol!