The thing was, as easy as Negan was to read, and as much of a teddy bear as he could be, he was also quite capably ruthless. If someone broke his rules and knew better, it ended quickly for them, particularly if he could use it to teach someone else a lesson, and spread word of his viciousness among others. If he was harsh with one, at the right time, then those who had risked breaking the rules in the past would count their lucky stars that he hadn't caught them, and never do it again.

But Negan really did only want obedience. People being afraid was useful, but it made life very boring, and Negan at his core, despite the act, was a man who enjoyed the company of others, and found being alone very hollowing. All he wanted was to keep them alive, and stop them making the stupid, selfish mistakes that got them killed.

It worked, but it was lonely. They saw his friendliness as a mask, not realizing that it was the viciousness that was the face he put on over the rest of it. Stupid, really, since this world was full of people who were like him--soft people, hardened by the life they were forced to lead. It was funny. With Lucille's cancer, he'd had to put that mask on so much earlier than everyone else, had to be tough in the face of inquisition about her.

Maybe Rick reminded him of her, a little bit.

Perhaps that was what made the wounds and bruises so upsetting. His jaw worked into a knot, and he stepped forward, gripping Rick's shoulder firmly.

"Did they rape you, or just beat you?"

Because rape he could punish. He could smash heads, make this all better.