paxton was finishing up his workout. these days, he was trying to be more active. it made him feel better about himself. it helped to chase off his demons, even for a few minutes at a time. he had plans tonight, and his plan was something to look forward to. he'd cleaned down his station prior to leaving the facility. that was when he ran into rick on his way out. "hey, man!" paxton called out, moving to embrace his friend once they'd reached one another. "if it isn't the world-famous rick grimes! how are you doing, dude? it's good seeing you. HOW'S THE FAMILY?"

@lcvenderhcze

paxton did not know whitney personally. however, he'd learned some introductory information about her from their mutual friend. beth had protected her best friend's secrets, of course. she'd said just enough for paxton to want to connect with whitney. they had shared a horrible experience, executed by the same monsters. it only seemed right to band together. "hey! uh... you're whitney, right?" he said when he came upon the blonde-haired woman. "my name is paxton rodriguez. i'm actually a good friend of beth's. i thought that i would introduce myself to you. i hope that's okay?"

@daydrcamings

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paxton appreciated grace's friendship. she was someone who was a SURVIVOR, just like he was. she was witty and funny, too. those were qualities that he valued. after all of the shit that they'd been through? they needed to process it somehow. "it feels like OLD TIMES, doesn't it?" paxton asked grace, referring to the city crumbling. "you fought your way through chaos. i did too. are you ready to do it again? TOGETHER?" if they put their brains and resources together, paxton felt that they could achieve any task, any goal, any objective.

@daydrcamings

paxton was the most concerned about kana. prior to this city falling, the two of them had gone out to dinner and shared more about their feelings: not EVERYTHING, but more. so when he found kana injured? it felt like a part of him had been wounded, too. "kan? i'm so sorry. where are you hurt? i'm gonna help you, okay? you're gonna be just fine." paxton needed her to know that he was going to take care of her. "before we move anywhere, though, there's something that i need to tell you." just in case he didn't get another chance. "i don't just LIKE you," paxton said, assessing her features. "i am in LOVE with you. and i have been FOR SOME TIME."

@lcvenderhcze

prior to pursuing law school, paxton had served as a nurse. because of skills that did not fade, paxton felt prepared to help some of the injured people in the city. "rick? good to see you, man. it looks like we have a lot of people to help, huh?" paxton thought that the pair of them could do just about anything. "i've got bandages and alcohol wipes. i have some thread for stitches, if need be." paxton paused before he continued. "what did you bring, BROTHER?"

@lcvenderhcze

"i have some good news," paxton revealed to his dear friend tiffany, as soon as he saw her again. he was grinning from ear to ear as he delivered his good news. "kana and i cleared the air. and, as it turns out? we feel the same way about each other." paxton could not recall the last time that he felt this happy. "we haven't discussed all of the DETAILS yet, but... i'm guessing that we're going to move in the direction of a RELATIONSHIP." paxton could not believe his GOOD FORTUNE. he doubted that he'd ever cared for someone as much as he cared for kana, that was for sure.

@demongemz

paxton was not about to miss out on the opportunity to save kana. he could have taken the keys and driven off on his own, but in his mind, that was not an option. he'd failed to save the drowning girl. he was not about to fail his rescue of kana. LOSING HER? well, it had gutted him. it had also enabled him to escape onto the train. the two of them were presently out at dinner. in paxton's mind, it was unclear whether this constituted a DATE or not. "you look nice tonight," paxton complimented before he nervously mumbled a clarification that was not needed. "i mean, you ALWAYS look nice, but i like the dress that you picked for this evening."

@lcvenderhcze

"did you sleep? how long?" ( Paxton & Parker )

the two men had a late night of drinking beers and swapping stories. if paxton was being honest with himself, the previous night had been absolutely awesome. now, his head was disagreeing with him, though. he had a pounding headache and needed to pop some advil. not that that was a huge price to pay when it came to having fun. paxton smiled at his friend's question. parker had slept on paxton's couch, which was a generous and understanding move. "maybe two or three hours," paxton admitted with a soft chuckle. "how about you? you've looked better, my friend. which number beer did you in?"

@fcdcdmcmories

"did you need something? are you okay?" paxton had asked when the two of them had been on the phone. in recent days, he'd grown quite close to elena. he regarded them as good friends, and he wanted to be there for her as much as she was there for him. "i can be there in just a few minutes. i'll hop into my car and be right there." that was when he'd ended the phone call. it wasn't long before he was standing outside of his friend's dwelling, knocking on her door. "i brought us some snacks," the man said with a teasing smile. "whenever i am not doing well, i like to munch on some snacks. hopefully you're a SAD SNACKER as well!"

@xtinyslip

"hey, gale? do you have a few minutes?" paxton was on the phone with gale, hoping that she was not too busy. he had a few spare seconds, and he hoped that she had the same. "listen, i could use to get out of my apartment for a little bit. could i meet you somewhere?" it didn't have to be her place, if she didn't want it to be. they could go out to lunch and grab a bite to eat. he wasn't about to be too picky when he needed some help and company. "you're the best! thanks for picking up the phone in the middle of a work day."

@lcvenderhcze

"he's back, huh? that's great, brit! come on! we have reason to celebrate now!" paxton paused, hoping that his tone came across as enthusiastic as he felt. he was thrilled for his friend. "now that everyone is around, we should go on a big GROUP DINNER. you, me, mallick, and kana. what do you think?" paxton knew that kana and him weren't romantic partners. not yet, anyways. he was hoping that coming to be with one another was the next step. "i'll even let you pick the KIND OF FOOD!"

@daydrcamings

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"since you've been so patient with me..." paxton began, trailing off for a second to show that he was serious about his upcoming proposition. "YOU get to be the one who picks what we do tonight!" paxton nodded in imogen's direction, knowing that she would choose well. she always did, after all. paxton could be the one who was unreliable in his selection of a fun evening-time activity. "we could go out for dinner, go to the park. go to a museum! the possibilities truly are ENDLESS, aren't they?" paxton asked, hopeful about what was to come. "but seriously, though. i trust you. i want to do what YOU want to do tonight." imogen was a wonderful friend, that was for sure.

@demongemz

CRY: sender wipes tears off receiver's face with their thumbs.

"this is so embarrassing," paxton said as the tears covered his face. "i never cry like this. never. i don't even know what brought them on, i'm just... feeling terrible today." eleanor was a saint for putting up with him, but she always had. ever since they'd become friends in this new city. "i keep thinking about him," paxton admitted with a shake of his head. "i keep thinking about josh, about how i failed him. i should have been able to stop it. you know what i mean?" paxton never would have been able to save josh. and, god, he regretted it.

@daydrcamings

❛ Are you flirting with me? ❜

being kana's roommate was exquisite in every sense of the word. they got along incredibly well. they complemented one another's schedules. but there was something MISSING, and that was more romantic companionship. paxton knew that he cared for kana. he might even LOVE her, but he wanted to BE WITH HER before he risked sticking out his neck. not again. she was nothing like STEPHANIE, that was for sure. "yeah, i am," paxton responded when kana asked if he was flirting with her. "PRETTY BLATANTLY, TOO."

@lcvenderhcze

"you can talk to me, you know. about what you've been through, i mean. we've been friends for long enough. i trust you. i hope that you can trust me, too." paxton patted the seat beside him so that his companion could join him. "i can tell that there is a lot on your mind, my friend. JOIN ME. we can drink or not drink. i'm fine no matter what you decide." paxton knew that he could always throw back a glass, but being sober was not something that he would pass up on being either. his social circles were expanding and he was grateful about that fact.

@demongemz

paxton was flexing his NEW FINGERS, with the most delighted look on his expression. he must have looked like such a fool, but he could not help the demonstration of his HOPE. for the first time in a long time, he believed that his future could be a good one. "i don't know what to say," he admitted to his friend, lifting his hand so that he could flex his fingers for them. "it feels super weird. but... i feel like things going forward might improve." he sure hoped so. he had been to hell itself, and he'd returned as a broken man. now, he was coming to terms with the fact that the people of his past would want him to be HAPPY. oli and josh would want him to be happy. that was what he was trying to be, without a doubt.

@xtinyslip