The residents stayed ready behind the tables for a few hours, until they were sure no attack was going to come. The sun had long set now, the courtyard completely dark, save for the smouldering bonfire. Fear had set in to their hearts when the arrow came, knowing it could have hit any of them. The adrenaline had long worn off now. Clementine called out softly to get everyone's attention.

"I'm going to take a quick peek. Nobody move out of here until I say so," she whispered. She slowly got on her knees and looked at the gate from the side. Not seeing anything stirring, she cautiously made her way over to the lookout tower and stole a look over the walls. Everything seemed quiet, save for a few walkers, ambling around. She signalled to the others that it was safe to come out.

They got up from their positions and gathered around as Clementine walked back to them.

"Doesn't look like they're coming for us tonight," Clementine said, rubbing her sore legs.

A thousand thoughts ran through their heads. They could've lost someone from the arrow. Most of them had never fought against rival groups, only against walkers. Coming face to face with the reality that it was actually happening had sobered them up. All they wanted was for this nightmare to end so they could live their lives by themselves.

"I hope they don't," Ruby replied.

"It's a good thing none of us got hurt. We're being threatened for no reason of ours!" Mitch growled.

"We're still okay, yeah?" Omar replied.

"Yeah. We should get some rest. Half of us should stay out here, in case they do decide come back," Louis proposed.

"That's good. I could use some sleep right now. So could Omar, Aasim and Vio….. Violet?" Clementine asked. Violet had already begun walking to the dorms. She opened the door and disappeared behind it.

"What happened to her?" Aasim asked.

Louis shrugged.

Clementine took a deep breath before she spoke. "I know this was scary, the way they showed up at our door. That arrow that could've killed any of us." Clementine looked at everyone's faces. "But I also know that we can beat this. They're not going to come into our home and take us. This is our home and we will defend it and everyone inside it. We're going to show them what happens when they fuck with us."

The others nodded in agreement.

"We're going to protect our home," AJ said, with renewed determination on his face.

"Let's do this. Omar, Aasim, Vi and Clem can go and sleep for some time then. Even Tenn and AJ, if they want. The rest of us can be on lookout here," Louis said. He looked at the arrow embedded in the table. "This was too close. We're not going to let them take another life of ours."

Omar and Aasim headed towards the dorms. Clementine got down in front of AJ gave him a hug.

"You okay?" she asked through the hug. He nodded. "Good," she replied. "You and Tenn should go sleep. They'll call us if they need help." She got up.

"I'll go check on Violet," Clementine said to Louis.

Clementine walked to the dorms. She stood outside Violet's room and knocked on the door. After a moment's silence, she heard Violet. "Come in."

She opened the door to find the room dimly lit by a candle and Violet sitting despondently on her bed. Clementine closed the door behind her and walked over to Violet, sitting down next to her. Violet reached for Clementine's hand and clasped it in hers.

Violet sat in silence as she tried to make a coherent flow of her thoughts. She had just watched an arrow miss Clementine's face. That arrow could've killed her just as easily. It could've killed anyone there. It was all too real for her. When Clementine had confessed her feelings too, she had felt herself again. She had dared to hope that things could be normal. But the arrow had pulled her back to the harsh world they were a part of. Her mind was spiralling and she didn't know how to deal with it. How was she going to cope with more loss? When Minnie was lost, she broke. She didn't allow herself to become attached to anyone after that. But when Clementine arrived, she had felt different. Losing Clementine would kill her now.

"Violet? Talk to me."

Violet stood up and faced Clementine.

"I knew that an attack was bound to come, but I wasn't prepared for it, you know? We had the plans ready and everything, but when the time came, I froze. When the arrow flew by your face, I didn't know what to do. Everything seemed to lock in place. I wouldn't have moved out of the way if you didn't get me down." Violet took a pause as she looked for the words. "I've lost a lot of people, Clem. I know you have too. Lot of people came into my life and promised to stay. They didn't. I lost most of them. I almost lost you too today. I don't want you to just promise me that you're going to stay. I want you to stay." She took another pause. "I love you, Clementine."

Clementine felt a rush of blood to her head. She, too, was facing a turmoil of emotions. She had felt the arrow whizz by her face, her death separated from her only by an inch. It came without any warning. Had it struck her, she would have died. Being so close to death had brought her back into reality that life was uncertain. No one was safe. She had to live every moment she had, never knowing which one would be their last.

She got up and cupped Violet's cheeks.

"I'm not going anywhere, you hear me? I love you," she said as she leaned forward to press her lips to Violet's. Violet felt a warmth grow inside her. She wrapped her arms around Clementine's neck as their lips melted into each other. They pulled apart and locked eyes. Clementine could see a fire burning in Violet's eyes.

Violet suddenly walked past Clementine. She stopped at the door and glanced back at Clementine, before locking it. She turned towards Clementine, her eyes aglow with desire.

Clementine looked at Violet, standing in front of the door, as she felt a tingling sensation spread through her body. Violet covered the distance between them in a few short strides. She pulled Clementine close, their lips barely touching each. Clementine could feel Violet's breath on her lips. She felt the heat rise within her as they stood there, breathing in each other.

Clementine couldn't hold it any longer and kissed Violet. Their lips moved of their own accord, possessed by their love, their tongues dancing with each other. Clementine felt Violet's hands run down her back slowly before stopping on her ass. She moaned into the kiss as Violet's hands roamed freely. Violet pulled away from the kiss and pushed Clementine against the table. She lowered her head and brought her lips close to Clementine's neck. Clementine stiffened as Violet lightly traced her lips across her neck. She continued this for a few seconds before she gently kissed her neck. Clementine felt herself moan. She had never felt this before, the feeling of being pleasured. Violet left a trail of kisses all over Clementine's neck before moving her lips to Clementine's again. She pushed her tongue into Clementine's mouth as she kissed her, before breaking away. She trailed her lips along Clementine's collarbone before stopping on her chest.

"Fuck," Clementine moaned, feeling ripples of electricity run through her. She leaned back, grasping the table for support, as her knees buckled.

Violet felt a fire within her seeing Clementine orgasm. She moved close to Clementine. "Liked it?" she asked with a hint of a smile playing on her face.

Clementine, having orgasmed herself, proceeded to return the favour. She pulled Violet in for a kiss, wrapping her arms around Violet. Kissing her aggressively, she removed Violet's jacket and threw it to the ground. She ran a hand through her hair, pulling her closer into the kiss.

Violet was surprised by Clementine's aggression but felt herself giving in to her girlfriend. She felt Clementine's hand leave her hair and run down her back. By the time she processed this, Clementine's hands had already reached her breasts. She drew a sharp breath as Clementine's hands roamed with abandon across her chest.

Clementine had never explored this side of her. With Violet, she felt the urge now to touch her, to feel her, to satisfy her desire. She continued pleasuring Violet, returning to spots that made Violet moan harder.

Violet felt shockwaves within her as she came. Breathing heavily, she sat down on the bed. Clementine, too, sat down on the bed as the two of them took in the moment. They hadn't expected this to happen but they were glad it did. Almost losing each other had brought them closer together.

Hey guys! Wow, this chapter took way longer than I expected. This is my first scene involving sexual content. I'll be adding more sexual content in further chapters when the situation feels it. Until the next chapter, take care! Feedback is much appreciated since I'm still new to this. Love you guys, Violentine all the way!