TWD: The Burden We Bear

A/N: That's why I don't like to diverge from canon. It's hard to come up with original stuff. 😭🙏💀

Life had been good for Maria and Eddie ever since they met the gay couple, Matthew and Walter. The pair had an abundance of food, which meant that Maria and Eddie finally had the opportunity to enjoy home-cooked meals twice a day after months of subsisting on whatever they could find.

They even had their own cozy room, complete with a fireplace that kept them warm during the chilly nights. This intimate space was not just for sleeping; it became a sanctuary for their relationship, where they explored their love for each other—passionately and often.

This morning, Eddie woke up to the soft light filtering through the curtains. The clock on the wall read 7:35 AM—a detail he remembered because Walter had diligently set it after finding it in the house. Aware of the time, Eddie turned to his left and gazed at his beloved Maria, his short Jamaican beauty. He admired her peaceful sleeping form, her body turned toward him, eyes gently closed, and a soft snore escaping her slightly open mouth. In that moment, he couldn't help but think how utterly adorable she looked. Beneath the covers, she wore a yellow long-sleeved top, pink sweatpants, and white socks, a contrast to his own attire—a clean but stained white t-shirt, gray sweatpants, and no socks at all.

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Eddie reached out with his left hand to brush a few stray curls away from Maria's face. She remained undisturbed. Carefully, he swung his legs out from under the covers and planted his feet on the cool floor. He made his way to a small piece of furniture that was missing its door, opened the drawer, and fished out a pair of black socks, which he put on. Dressing with only one arm had become easier over time, though he still occasionally felt phantom pains in his right arm—an unsettling reminder of the limb he had lost about two years ago. Sometimes, he could even imagine his fingers moving, as if they were still there.

Once he had donned his socks, he slipped on his dark brown boots and pulled on his yellow puffy jacket. He slicked back his medium-length hair, took a deep breath, and stepped out of the room.

As he strolled into the communal area, he let out a yawn and noticed Walter standing at the stove, finishing up breakfast. "Yo...!"

"Eddie," Walter greeted him with a warm smile.

"What are you making, man?" Eddie asked, perching himself on a bar chair at the counter, his curiosity piqued as he watched Walter stir something in a smaller pot.

Walter shrugged, a playful grin on his face. "You know it."

Eddie nodded knowingly. "Canned carrots and peaches."

"Correct," Walter replied with a nod, clearly amused.

As the aroma of the breakfast entered his nose, Eddie's stomach growled in response. Walter plated up the food arranging them artfully for each of them. Matthew entered the kitchen, his tousled hair and sleepy eyes signaling he had just rolled out of bed.

"Morning, everyone!" Matthew exclaimed, stretching his arms wide before plopping onto a chair next to Eddie. He flashed a bright smile. "What's cooking?"

"Walter's special," Eddie replied, grinning at Matthew. "Canned carrots and peaches, just how we like it."

Matthew chuckled as he grabbed a plate. "Couldn't be happier." He served himself a generous helping and looked over at Walter. "You always know how to start the day."

Walter shrugged, feigning modesty.

Maria soon joined them, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and yawning. She plopped down at the table, her face brightening as she took in the sight of breakfast. "Did I miss anything good?"

"Just the best meal of the day," Matthew replied cheerfully, nudging Eddie with his elbow.

Once everyone was seated with their plates full, they dug in. After breakfast, Matthew stood up, stretching once more. "I think I'll head out to hunt. We need to restock on some fresh meat. Who knows what I'll bring back today?" He flashed a confident grin and grabbed his hunting gear from the corner of the room.

"Be careful out there, Matty," Walter called after him. "And don't forget to check the traps!"

Matthew waved him off. "You got it!" With that, he slipped out the door.

Walter then turned to Eddie and Maria. "I'm going to check on our supplies. We need to make sure we have enough food stored up for the next week." He glanced at Maria. "You want to join me, or do you have something else in mind?"

Maria shook her head. "I think I'll start cleaning the lodge. It could use a little tidying up." She stood up from the table, her energy renewed, and headed toward the storage area to gather supplies for her cleaning endeavor.

With Walter and Maria both occupied, Eddie found himself alone in the communal space. He settled onto the couch in front of the fireplace, the warmth radiating from the flames. Yet, despite the coziness, he felt an unsettling restlessness creep in. His knee began to move up and down repeatedly, a fidgety rhythm that mirrored his anxious thoughts.

He didn't know what to do. Ever since he and Maria had arrived at the ski lodge, everyone had told him to sit still, to take it easy. It was hard for Eddie to accept that he couldn't contribute in the same ways he once had. He missed his right arm, the strength and dexterity it had offered him. Tasks that had once been simple now felt daunting. He could help, but he had to find ways that accommodated his limitations.

The flickering flames captured his attention, momentarily distracting him. But that distraction faded, and restlessness bubbled back to the surface. He glanced toward the kitchen, watching Maria wash the dishes.

A deep exhale escaped him as he rubbed his knee, trying to quell the agitation. He longed to be out in the wilderness with Matthew, to feel the thrill of the hunt or the satisfaction of building something with his hands. But for now, he could only sit and wait, hoping that his next opportunity to contribute would come soon.