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minervadashwood · 6 days

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Daryl Dixon x NB!Reader (afab, plus-size) 🏹 Daryl x Reader x Rick 🛡️

The Cop and the Criminal - Chapter 32

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Summary: It's been a week or so since Glenn and T-Dog saved Rick. Now, your pack is getting settled in new place. Word count: 3K This chapter contains: Nesting, going into heat, firearms, smut.

Author's note: I am a little behind on posting chapters to tumblr. So I'll be trying to fix that in the next few days.

Nest.

It was all you could think about as you took water and soap to every surface in the kitchen. The other rooms had been cleaned, from top to bottom, including the loft and the basement. The loft had a low ceiling, but Ro and Merle had made their bed up there, using an air mattress and sleeping bags. Carl slept on the main floor, closest to the wood stove, while you, Rick, and Daryl had a makeshift bed in the basement. It was a far cry from your house, a home filled with Daryl’s handiwork, not to mention modern furniture. All that remained were some old, hand-made chairs and a small kitchen table.

This cabin, like the others around it, was old, from the 1850s, you’d guessed, based on the structure and style. In more recent years the land had been repossessed then abandoned. Before then, generations of Dixons had lived here, in their own version of Walton’s mountain, before the Great Depression.

Despite the bedding downstairs in the basement of this old, cozy cabin, your omega was desperate for safety, seclusion, and comfort.

As you cleaned, you were also looking after Carl. He sat at the table, still and focused as he drew pictures to give Lori and Shane when they arrived. He’d grown quiet over the last few days, since you left home.

You hoped, for his sake, that Lori and Shane would get here soon.

The past few days remained a chaotic whirlwind, made all the worse by your biological imperative. Soon after you met Glenn and T-Dog, your mates decided it was time to get out of town, before things got worse.

The next morning, you packed what you could: clothes, food, and supplies. When it came time to pack up the pillows and blankets from your nest, you sat frozen in your nest, trying not to cry. That’s how Daryl found you when it was almost time to go.

“C’mon, Bubbie,” he said, clearing space so he could sit next to you. “You’ll make a new one.”

“You built this for me,” you replied gesturing at the bed, then running your hand along the shelves behind it. “You made this a home. For us.”

Daryl gathered you in his arms. “Yer the one who made it a home. ‘Sides we’ll come back when it dies down.”

You shook your head. “I don’t think we will. The way Glenn describes the city…I don’t think this will be safe for a long time if the dead are migrating here.” You took a deep breath. “I know we have to go.”

“Don’ mean it’s easy,” he said, hugging you. After a moment, he got off the bed and opened one of the cherry wood chests he’d made for your nesting materials. He dumped out all the unused, pillows and blankets, still in their plastic wrapping.

What to take was your decision, but Daryl helped you, arranging everything in the chest, and packing it tightly.

Later, when it was time to go, Rick reassured you, too. “We’ll get you a place for your nest in time.”

“What if we have to move again, while I’m in heat?” you asked. “It will be soon.”

“I know. We both do. That’s why we’re goin’ now. And it’s why we need to stick together. Not just us, but the new guys, too.”

You nodded. Rick wrapped you up in a tight hug.

“We owe them. I owe them,” you said. “They brought you back to me.” Even in the short time you’d known Glenn and T, you knew them to be good people. T-Dog, an alpha, kept his distance from you; he must have known you were close to your heat, but you’d gotten to know Glenn a little. He had strategic way of thinking, and you thought maybe he was some sort of weekend warrior. But no, just a delivery driver.

Now, in the cabin, you gripped the edge of the sink, panic rising. Trying to control your breathing, you glanced at the wooden chest sitting by the basement door. Then, you stared at Carl’s back, as a sudden, unwelcome wave of frustration came over you. Your omega didn’t want him near your nest. In fact, it didn’t even want your mates near it, not yet.

Outside, Merle and Ro kept watch while your mates were clearing out other cabins, making them livable. T and Glenn took one, next to yours. You bristled at having strangers so close by when your heat was imminent, but you owed them.

The front door swung open, and you flinched, letting out a whimper of surprise. Despite the gust of cold wind from the door, you were too hot to even notice, but Carl shivered.

Daryl stepped in, quickly closing the door, and going to add logs to the wood stove.

He took one look at you, and whether it was your bond or Daryl’s keen eye, he seemed to know exactly what you needed. Jutting his chin toward the basement, he sat down next to Carl, distracting the boy while you went to make your nest.

The chest was too heavy for you to carry, and through your bond you felt Daryl’s impulse to help you. Rejecting it and putting up a mental wall, you grabbed armfuls of your blankets and pillows, making a few trips up and down the basement stairs. When you were done, you locked the door at the top of the steps and got to work.

The padded mats you cleaned earlier had dried. One still held hints of Daryl’s musk, pine, so you put it in the center foundation of your nest and started arranging everything around it. Nestled in the corner of the room, the nest began to grow. Releasing your perfume, you set about making the entire area yours. Blankets were piled on top of each other, pillows lined the walls. After hours of work, you were almost satisfied and crept back up the stairs to find the house empty except for Daryl and Rick, who were both pacing in the open-spaced living room and kitchen.

“Carl?” you said, still on edge, but in control of your anxiety for the moment.

“With Jesus.” Rick assured you.

“Whaddaya need from us, Bubbie?” Daryl asked, his voice low and soft.

“I need your clothes, something,” you said, your voice almost whiny. Your first heat had been so perfect. But this heat was different. You couldn’t be sure your pack would even be safe here, or how long you could stay in one place. Especially with Rick and Daryl unable to protect everyone like they had been.

Wasn’t it selfish of you to need them like you did? Not just one, but both? Yet how could you choose? Yes, you were more in sync with Daryl, but he’d claimed you and been with you for half a year now. You cared just as much for Rick, and soon you’d be bonded with him, too.

Daryl started striding across the room, but you backed away, shaking your head.

“Not yet.”

Rick shrugged out of his fur-lined deputy’s coat and untucked his shirt, unbuttoning it as you watched. His bare chest gleamed with sweat, his soft dusting of hair enticing. Your stomach clenched and all you wanted was to lay on top of him and let him ease the growing ache in your belly.

Meanwhile, Daryl froze in place, and, although it took you a moment, you finally realized what you’d inadvertently asked of him. Quickly, you opened your suitcase and started pulling out unwrapped Christmas presents. What a simpler time that had been, when your most pressing worry was dropped stitches and miscounted rows.

Setting some things on the kitchen table, you approached Daryl with his poncho, it was hooded, with two layers of thick wool.

“Trade for your coat?” you asked him.

He took it and brought it to his nose, sniffing deeply.

“Ya make this? Fer me?”

You nodded. “I did some research and it’s supposed to keep you warm while you use your crossbow.”

Your mate’s face was red, and he was blinking quickly as he stared down at the gift.

“Merry Christmas,” you said quietly. Daryl nodded without looking up, refusing to meet your eyes or Rick’s.

“I-I-I have more,” you stammered, unnerved by Daryl’s reaction. Why would he cry over a poncho? You gave Rick his wide scarf and matching gloves. Daryl had a pair of gloves, too, fingerless with rubber grips sewn on the underside—for driving his motorcycle.

“Bunny,” Rick breathed, still shirtless and sniffing his scarf. “These are amazing. And your scent is all over them.”

Daryl grunted, and got out of his coat, handing it to you, and putting on his poncho.

“’S real nice, ‘mega,” he said, adjusting the poncho on his shoulders then grabbing his crossbow from where it sat nearby.

Clutching Daryl’s coat and then grabbing Rick’s shirt, you said. “Soon. But --”

Daryl looked up. “Ya dun wan’ anyone in ‘ere but us.”

You nodded.

Rick said, “While your finishin’ up, we’ll get Carl settled in with Jesus. Already talked to him about your heat.”

“You did?”

“Carl knows that you’ll need me— us -- for a few days.”

Of course, children knew, vaguely what an omega in heat entailed. Not the actual mating, but the privacy, the duty of alphas to care for their partners.

“And the others?” you asked.

“Merle swore off drinkin’ an’ Ro’s good with the kid. Glenn and T helpin’ with keepin’ watch.”

Their reassurances consoled you. Besides, the betas in your pack knew what they needed to do, and you trusted them. But Carl…he had been taken from his mom and now his dad, too.

You pointed to two crocheted Woobles on the table. “These are for Carl.” Both were dinosaurs from his favorite cartoon.

“I’ll make sure he gets them,” Rick said.

“Go’n now,” Daryl told you, jutting his chin at the basement door. “Be dark soon, an’ cold.”

You nodded, renewed determination compelling you to tweak your nest until it was perfect and cozy for your alphas, for yourself, and for the days that followed.

Finally, your nest was as close to perfect as it was going to get. Surveying the pile of blankets and pillows, your omega was finally happy to have a place to share with your mates.

Despite the stress of the past few days, a glimmer of happiness bloomed. Rick could claim you. Daryl would make love to you. And the world outside would fall away.

Skin still hot, you left the basement in search of your men. You’d been cramping steadily for the past hour, nothing unmanageable but growing more intense as time went on.

Outside, you heard the rumble of engines, and a wave of tension hit you. Not your own, but Daryl’s

Grabbing your coat, you ran outside, finding Daryl on the porch and Rick standing in the worn path near the house. A little behind Rick were Merle and Ro; Merle with a shotgun pointed at the winding path that led to the cabins.

In the distance, three vehicles approached, a Jeep, a Cherokee, and an RV.

“That’s Shane and Lori,” Rick said, but his hand was on the butt of his revolver, you noticed.

You approached Daryl, standing next to him as he held his crossbow, lowered, but seemingly ready to aim at a moment’s notice.

“You said it was just them two,” Merle shouted. “Then explain the rest of ‘em.”

The cars continued to approach, Rick glanced around, his eyes landing on Merle, who had his rifle raised.

“Put that down, Merle,” Rick ordered.

“Ya gonna make me?”

Daryl gruffly shouted, “Merle!”

Merle shrugged his shoulders. “Fine. If y’all wanna risk it, but don’t say I didn’t warn ya.”

Glenn, from across the way, spoke up. “It’s all good. More people, yeah? Safer that way.”

You agreed with Glenn and Rick, at least on principle. Yet, right now, on the verge of your heat, the thought of strangers being near you or your nest, felt like a threat on your pack’s territory.

Just then, Carl ran out of the cabin next door, without a coat on. Merle lowered his gun even more at the sight of the pup, but you could still see the tension in his shoulders. Next to him, Ro was quiet and still, his hand at his side holding a gun.

The red Jeep barely came to a stop before Lori appeared, throwing herself out of the passenger side door and running to Carl. Shane got out, too, and you relaxed at that. If Rick trusted Shane enough to tell him about this place, then the people with Shane had to be trustworthy, too, right?

Shane’s scent didn’t alarm you, not like it had the first time you’d met him, but there were more alphas’ scents emanating as other people emerged from their vehicles. One alpha’s odor burnt in your nostrils; when a balding, scowling man looked your way, you knew it was him. In the same car were a thin woman and a cowering little girl, who was around Carl’s age.

The alpha stared at you, his eyes bulging, it seemed, making you gasp and hide behind Daryl. Daryl squared his shoulders and adjusted his grip on the crossbow as Rick took an intimidating step toward the strange alpha.

Still, the frightening man didn’t look away.

Rick’s voice sliced through your fog. “Inside. Now.”

Not a command, and not directed at you.

Daryl said, “Holler if—”

“I will,” Rick replied, keeping his eyes on the strangers.

Daryl took you by the arm and guided you back into the cabin. Inside the warm living room, you took off your outerwear as quickly as you donned it moments ago. Your body was at war with your mind. Cramps of need swept through your middle, beginning the incessant pulsing at your core. You reached for the kitchen table to steady yourself, but Daryl caught you, holding you tightly against him, your backside pressing against his front. Slick moistened your underwear, and Daryl’s reaction was nearly instantaneous as you felt him grow hard against you.

Glancing out the windows to see Rick shaking hands with the strangers, you trembled as Daryl let out a possessive growl and rubbed his scent on you. Melting against him with a whimper, you let your instincts take over, ignoring the activity outside. With a huff, Daryl let go of you for just a moment to shoulder his crossbow, then he practically shoved you to the basement door. Eagerly you obeyed, flying down the stairs and burrowing on top of your nest.

“Daryl,” you whined, stripping off your layers of warm clothing and gazing up at him.

He locked the door, and after placing his weapon nearby, Daryl laid next to you, pulling you against him and running his teeth along your neck.

“Fuck, Bubbie,” he groaned, and began kissing his mark. With his hand on your hip, he pulled you to him and threw a leg over you, kissing and fondling you onto your back. Ridding himself quickly of his clothes, Daryl lowered himself above you, his bare skin on yours as he settled between your legs and kissed you again.

Your core throbbed, clenching and unclenching, demanding more than kisses from the alpha on top of you. Daryl started pressing his cock to the apex of your thighs, just slowly grinding his hips against you as his mouth and hands worked you to a fever pitch. You grabbed at him, too, sinking your nails into his back, squeezing his upper arms, reaching for his ass to urge him closer. Daryl was frantic and somehow still gentle, knowing all your favorite places for his mouth and hands. The scent of your arousal only grew stronger, and Daryl groaned in response. Fumbling, he rearranged himself so he rested on one forearm while his other hand cupped your mound. Taking one breast into his mouth, Daryl sucked and nipped at your sensitive bud as he slipped a finger inside you.

“Yer so wet, ‘mega’” he told you, “Jus’ lettin’ me right in. Feel so good on my hand.”

Your belly fluttered at his praise. Raising your hips to meet his hand you moved slowly, then with more intensity as he added another finger. His hand knew just how to make you come unraveled.

“Yes, Daryl, please .” you begged, getting close.

Suddenly, Daryl’s fingers left you, and you cried out in protest. He silenced you with a kiss on your mouth, immediately breaching the seam of your lips with his tongue. At the same time, his cock slipped through your folds and found its home in your soaking, needy pussy.

“Ye-e-e-sss,” you moaned. His cock was so big and perfect, stretching you and filling you. When he started moving you hung onto him for dear life, savoring the feel of him inside you, of his mouth on yours, of his entire body caging you in.

In your soul, you felt Daryl too, his passion and his desire, crashing into you the more he worked your body. He paused his kisses and locked eyes with you, holding your face in his hands as he thrust, the steady movement of his cock inside you sending you over the edge.

“I love you, Daryl,” you moaned, pulsing around him and holding his gaze. His knot notched into place, and he came, filling you even more. Nuzzling your gland and his mark, Daryl kissed you gently, then his mouth moved, lightly kissing your jaw then your mouth. He collapsed on top of you then rolled you over so you could lay on his chest, his knot holding you together. Reaching beside you, you found one of your favorite knitted blankets and covered you both.

Still breathing heavily, Daryl cradled you in his arms, teeth teasing your earlobe as you sighed against him.

“I love ya, too, Bubbie,” he whispered, speaking the words aloud for the first time.

You wondered if he felt the fullness of your heart through the bond. He must have because he sighed and relaxed, whispering more sweet words in your ear.

“So perfect, my omega, so strong.”

Almost nothing else existed as Daryl held you in your makeshift nest. Only one piece was missing, and as you nestled into Daryl’s chest, you hoped that Rick would join you soon.

To be continued.

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minervadashwood · 10 months

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Daryl Dixon x NB!Reader (afab, plus-size) 🏹 Daryl x Reader x Rick 🛡️

The Cop and the Criminal - Chapter 22

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Series Masterlist | Masterlist | Taglist

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Summary: You and Rick face the consequences of spending the night together. Word count: 4K This chapter contains: Shane and kissing. The two are not related.

This was the best dream Rick Grimes had ever experienced. You, the most captivating and sweetest-smelling omega in the world, were lying right next to him, your round softness nestled in his own body. Even mixed with Daryl’s, your scent was intoxicating. He sighed and groaned, tightening his arms around you. You startled awake, but Rick, half-asleep, just soothed you with a low voice.

“Hush now, Bunny.”

“Mmm, it’s too early, Alpha.”

“That’s right, Omega,” Rick mumbled, letting himself get lost in the dream again.

He started dozing, but was awakened suddenly when you slipped out of his arms. Throwing the covers aside, you leaped out of bed, glancing around frantically.

“Daryl’s here!”

Fully awake now, Rick watched dumbly as you snatched up your glasses and ran out of the room. He sat on the bed, willing his body to calm the hell down and trying not to panic. The dream world was gone, but he’d still been holding you in his sleep, acting like your mate and wanting to be just that. His cock was straining in his too-tight briefs. It was like you’d been ripped away from him, taking with you his good sense and his will to live.

How was he going to explain this to his friend? His stomach knotted, as he slipped on his boots. Not knowing if he could even look Daryl in the eye, Rick also felt your loss so keenly, he couldn’t help chasing after you.

He followed your scent trail back to the main room, then down the hallway toward the entrance. There, he stood in the doorway of the fellowship hall, watching Daryl hug and kiss you. Rick dragged his hand through his unruly curls, blatantly staring as you gazed up at Daryl and whispered to him.

At that point, Rick realized just how wrong he’d been about everything.About sharing a room with you, about standing in for your true mate in every way but one. Instead of letting himself fall asleep, he should have stayed awake and gotten the hell out of that bed the moment you’d zonked out for the night.

Honestly, though, his resistance to you had been shattered by then. You, scared and needy, tempted him like nothing else ever had.

He recalled what you hinted at yesterday, about him smelling you despite the fact you wore your scent blockers. Maybe in another time, another place, he’d let himself believe you were his, but you weren’t. Daryl’s mark was emblazoned on your skin, and whatever Rick might want, or even need, didn’t matter.

While Rick stewed in his thoughts, Daryl started walking his way, with you in tow. Rick braced himself for the worst of Daryl’s rage, but all the man did was jut out his hand.

Shocked, Rick shook it.

”Thanks for everythin'.“ Daryl muttered, shuffling his feet and gazing down at the floor. ”Y/N tol' me all ‘bout what happened. Jus' wanna let ya know there's no hard feelin's.“

Rick's gaze flitted between the two of you. You told Daryl everything? And he was okay with it? How? Rick would have been feral if someone else touched his mate.

“Daryl, I'm sorry,” Rick began. “I should've let them stay alone—”

Daryl shook his head, still not meeting Rick's eyes. “They needed ya, and ya did what I couldn't.” He shrugged. “'s alrigh'.”

Rick saw you looking at Daryl, your brow furrowed with concern.

“You don’t have to be okay with it,” Rick said, taking a step toward his friend. “I know I messed up.”

“Horse shit!” Daryl snapped. “I fucked up an’--” he trembled and took a deep breath, “An’ while I was out there, you were here takin’ care of what I couldn’t.”

“Daryl,” you soothed, rubbing his arm. “Let’s go find somewhere private and talk. All three of us.”

Suddenly, a small, pajama-clad body was sprinting down the hallway, screeching, “Daddy!”

All three of you turned your heads toward Carl running down the hall, with Ivan flopping around in his right hand. The pup threw himself at Rick.

“Daddy, don’t leave!” he cried.

Every time Carl did this, it broke Rick’s heart to pieces, but at least this time, he was able to stop his son’s tears. He squatted and pulled him into a proper hug.

“Not going anywhere, Carl. Bunny’s mate just got here, and we came to meet him.”

“Can I meet him, too?”

“Carl!” Lori shouted, and Rick looked up to see Lori coming down the hallway, Shane only a step behind her.

“Bunny!” Carl exclaimed, twisting away from Rick and heading for you.

Shane growled, putting Rick on high alert. Daryl must have sensed it too, because he was right next to Rick in an instant, blocking you from Shane’s view.

Just as you were about to greet Carl, Daryl gently pushed you behind him and stood next to Rick, both men doing a pretty good impression of an impenetrable wall. Instinctively, you took Rick’s pup by the hand and held him close to you. Whatever danger your alpha sensed, you were determined to keep it from getting to Carl.

“Lori, he’s fine,” Rick said.

“He’s my son, Rick!”

“Mine, too, Lori! And if I say he’s fine, then he’s fine.”

Daryl snarled, and you couldn’t ignore the musk of an unfamiliar alpha filling the room. It sickened you with its presence as it tried to dominate the large space.

In front of you, Daryl squared his shoulders. “Take ‘nother step, an’ you’ll regret it,” he warned.

“You really going to assault a police officer, buddy? You must be dumber than you look.”

You put your arm around Carl, not daring to move from where Daryl had put you.

“Cut it out, Shane,” Rick calmly said.

Carl tugged on your hand. “Can we go back to the other place? I don’t like it when Shane yells.”

Was Shane in the habit of yelling around Carl? You hated the man already. Not only did he destroy Rick’s family, but he was upsetting Carl.

Your instincts told you to run and hide with Carl, but he wasn't your pup, no matter how fond you were of him. You squatted down next to him.

“I think it’s best if you went back to your Mom. Your Daddy isn’t leaving anytime soon. Promise.”

“What about you?” he asked, holding Ivan to his chest.

“I’m not going anywhere, either.”

He nodded, then glumly walked away from you, back to his mother.

You peered around Rick to see Lori scoop up the boy in her arms.

“What did I tell you about running off like that, Carl?” Lori said, hugging him close.

Was it really running off if the kid just wanted to see his dad?

“That your new playmate?” Shane said, and you glanced up to find the dark-haired alpha glaring down at you.

Rick took you by the elbow and gently urged you behind him again, trying to block you from Shane’s view.

“They’re mine,” Daryl growled, his barely contained rage so unlike Rick’s calm alertness.

Shane scoffed. “Somethin’ ain’t right about this guy, Rick. Looks like he walked in here off the trailer road. Carl shouldn’t be anywhere near him.”

Rick growled. “Carl’s my son, not yours. Just ‘cause you and Lori got something going on doesn’t change that. And it never will.”

Both of the alphas in front of you widened their stances, as if a fight might break out at any moment. But surely this wasn’t something worth fighting over. You stared at them, struck by how in sync they were, how they both tried to hide you from Shane, all without a word between them.

Something urged you to touch them both. Nothing in you wanted them to back down, but it felt like they needed you, especially Daryl. Though he might not admit it, Shane’s words could cut to the quick, bringing up memories that didn’t need to resurface.

If Rick was right about your soothing pheromones, you hoped Daryl felt them now. Maybe not enough to make him back away, but enough to make him brave and confident, like the person he was at home.

You detested Shane for judging your mate, for making Daryl doubt himself. You opened your bond to Daryl, keeping close your carefully guarded secret, but sharing the trust you had in him, the love.

Beneath your palms, Daryl relaxed somewhat, and so did Rick.

Rick cocked his head, turning toward Daryl. “You can punch him if you want. Right in the nose. He’s broken it enough, so you can’t do much more damage.”

Daryl huffed.

Rick went on, “Guy comes in here, stares down your mate, and insults you at the same time.”

“I’d like to see him try,” Shane announced.

What an idiot this man was. You dared to look at Shane again, this time peeking around Daryl’s side. “Can’t you see it’s two against one? Even if you’re a cop, so is Rick. If you’re truly asking for it, and my Alpha hits you? It’s our word against yours, dumbass.”

“Bubbie,” Daryl warned, his voice low.

Rick chuckled.

“Well, you heard ‘em Shane,” Rick said. “Besides, you already got what you want: the girl, my house, the treehouse I spent a year building.”

You looked on as Shane’s temper instantly deflated, his shoulders drooping with a long sigh. “Look, man, I’m sorry…it just…happened.”

Rick made a fist at his side, and for a moment you thought Rick would be the one to punch Shane instead. But Rick gradually loosened his fist, stretching out his fingers and sighing. “You made your choice Shane, and now I have to live with it.

Shane’s face fell, almost making you feel sorry for him. He turned and walked back down the hallway, a resigned man in place of the aggressive alpha he’d been minutes before.

Daryl scoffed. “Ya got weird taste in friends. That guy’s a goddamn asshole.”

Rick nodded. “One of the many reasons we’re not friends anymore.”

Absently, you rubbed soothing circles on each of their backs, and both men slowly turned around, staring down at you.

The hand that had been touching Rick fell to your side, and you made a fist of your own, missing the solid warmth of his back beneath your palm. Daryl wrapped his arm around you.

Rick grinned, “Hope we didn’t get you too spooked, Bunny.”

“Bunny?” Daryl mumbled, his eyebrow quirked.

Rick shrugged, his gaze still on you “Like you said, ‘bunny in a bear trap.’ That’s how they were yesterday morning, down on all fours in the rain, looking for their glasses.”

“I did not look like that until the thunder started,” you defended. “This is my first hurricane. I’ll do better next time.”

“Won’t be alone next time, neither,” Daryl told you.

You nodded, still sensing some of Daryl’s unease. You took his hand. “I wasn’t alone this time. And we need to talk about that, all three of us.”

“I don’t--”Rick said.

“Please, Rick. I have to tell you something. But first, Daryl needs to clean up and eat. Can you get us a couple of meals and bring them back to the room?”

Rick’s eyes flitted from you to Daryl.

Your mate peered down at you. “Wha’s goin’ on, ‘Mega? Ya hurt? Scared?”

“No…well, I am scared, but not in the way you’re thinking. Can we just get some breakfast and talk? The three of us?”

Daryl had dressed in a set of Rick’s clothes, sans underwear and socks. Something about wearing another man’s skivvies just didn’t seem right. His belly was full, his mind was restless, as he leaned on the wall of the tiny room apportioned to you and Rick.

You, small and meek, perched on the corner of the bed, twisting your fingers in your lap, looking like--well, a skittish rabbit. The nickname fit you, he had to admit.

Rick didn’t appear much calmer; he sat on the little couch, his knee bouncing wildly as he stared out the small, ceiling level window. It let in a sliver of gray light, and showed the storm as it raged outside.

You took a deep breath and stared at your lap, and through the bond Daryl noticed your worry and fear. He took one step toward you, but you held up your hand, palm facing him.

“Just give me a second,” you said, meeting his eyes.

He nodded and resumed his post, though he ached to provide comfort and ease away the trouble that plagued you.

You rubbed your hand on your forehead. “I don’t really know where to start. With what Ro said, or the first time I suspected, or start with what happened just now.”

“Jus’ take yer time, Bubbie,” Daryl told you, his belly in knots. “We ain't goin’ anywhere.”

“Nowhere to go,” Rick said. “Just start at the beginning. Don’t leave anything out, especially if you think it’s important.”

You nodded to Rick, and when you looked at Daryl, unshed tears formed in your eyes.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” you sniffed. “I love you, but I have to tell you, and you may not like what I have to say.”

Daryl sprang off the wall, ignoring your earlier request. In a flash, he was next to you on the bed pulling you against him. “Whatever it is, ‘s alrigh’, ya hear? I feel it tearin’ ya up inside, an’ I can’t stand it.” He framed your face with his hands. “G’on, Bubbie.”

Your lower lip trembled , and you glanced at Rick. The deputy was sitting forward on the couch, forearms resting on his knees, his eyes locked on you.

You blinked and tears streamed down your cheeks. “I think that Rick is my mate.”

Daryl froze in place, shock and fear coursing through him.

But you went on. “I think you both are.”

“Both?” Daryl managed to say.

You nodded. “I’m sorry. Alpha.”

Daryl looked over to Rick, and his normally unflappable friend stared at you like a deer in headlights facing his tragic fate head-on, unable to stop it.

“I tried not to. I tried so hard. I don’t even know if you feel it, Rick, but I think you do. And out there, with Shane and everything, you both protecting me, and somehow I knew--I know--that I need you both.”

Rick shook his head. “We just wanted Shane to keep his distance.”

“No,” Daryl said, his voice low and gravelly. He clutched at you. “That ain’t it, is it ‘Mega?”

You shook your head and sighed, taking his hand and holding it. Whatever barrier you’d put up in your bond was gone now, and Daryl absorbed all the fear and longing you sent him.

He felt your love for him, but he also realized how much you ached, too, for Rick. And the force of all that spurred him to fix this. To give you everything you needed, wanted, no matter what. You were his, but that didn’t mean you couldn’t be Rick’s too.

He studied Rick again, and it seemed as if Rick couldn’t take his eyes off you.

“You don’t need to--” Rick started.

“They do,” Daryl interrupted. “I can feel ‘em wantin’ ya, Rick, jus’ like they want me.” He let go of your hand and stroked your cheek. “That’s how it is, ain’t it? First time ya met ‘im it was like you an’ me all those months ago.”

“Yes,” you whimpered, leaning into his touch.

“An’ ya been keepin’ it bottled up to protec’ me?”

You nodded.

He glared at Rick. “Ya wan’ ‘em like that, too doncha? Like anytime ya ain’t near ‘em ‘s like part of ya’s missin’. An’ when ya touch ‘em ‘s like ya come alive.”

Rick shook his head. “Doesn’t matter what I want. I’m not coming between you. Not going to ruin what y’all have.”

“Nothin’s gettin’ ruined. Don’ ya wanna make ‘em happy? Stop ‘em from frettin’ and hurtin’ an’ worryin’?”

“Daryl,” you whispered, sniffing again. “Are you sure this is okay?”

“Oh, Bubbie,” he murmured, kissing your temple. He nibbled your ear then whispered, voice low and soft. “I wanna see ya kiss ‘im like ya mean it. Let me see ya take what you wan’. What ya need.”

He raised his head and looked at Rick. “What do ya say? Ya gonna come take care of ‘em? Make ‘em stop hurtin’?”

Rick’s chest rose and fell, once, twice. Then he reached out a trembling hand to you. “Is this what you want, Bunny?”

You nodded, and Daryl gently pushed you toward Rick. The other man reminded Daryl of a wild bobcat ready to pounce and devour its prey, yet Rick moved as if in slow motion, using only a small tug on your hand to urge you down on the couch with him.

Rick was doing all he could to be calm. You were next to him again, and his disbelief gave way to hope. All those times he imagined sharing you with Daryl. All those nights he spent alone, mind wild with images of him knotting you, of you having his pups.

Could that all really come true? Was any of this possible?

From the corner of his eye, he saw Daryl sink down on the bed, lean back on one hand, and use the other hand to press against his crotch.

Maybe Daryl really was okay with this.

Rick turned to you once more, and he saw your pretty eyes blinking up at him, red-rimmed and uncertain. His hand wouldn’t stop shaking as it held yours, but he kept holding tightly to you anyway.

On your knees next to him, you said, “Do you really want this? You’ve never said anything. Maybe you don’t feel what I do, maybe you want an omega you don’t have to share, or one who’s a woman, or one who’s thinner.”

Sweet Jesus, help him. How could he want anything but you?

“Oh, Bunny,” he breathed. “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted you. First time I smelled you I never wanted to smell anything else.”

He used his index finger and tilted your head up. “You’re perfect. Now c’mere.”

He pulled you toward him until you fell forward and landed against him.

You pressed your hands to his chest to hold yourself up, but Rick hooked an arm around your waist and urged you closer. Your soft, heavy weight settled against him. How he loved the feel of you, every soft curve of you, the extra weight you had all over, the way you molded around him just right. With one arm still around your waist, he held your jaw with his other hand, cupping your cheek. Your skin was hot beneath his palm, your eyes shuttering as you tried to keep looking into his eyes.

He pressed his lips to your forehead, your nose. The hand on your cheek found its way to cradle the back of your head, and Rick held you in place as he continued to pepper you with light, fleeting kisses, all the while avoiding your mouth.

His body practically screamed at him to take you, to give in to all the desires and fantasies he’d pent up since meeting you. But Rick measured each moment carefully. You had all the time in the world now, you and him. All that would come later, after he had proven himself to you, courted your properly as a mate should.

The room filled with the musk and perfume of all three of you. He spared a glance at Daryl, who was still leaning back on the bed palming himself over his jeans. He bit his lip and breathed heavily, staring at you cradled in Rick’s arms.

Rick never thought of himself as an exhibitionist, but he wanted to prove himself to Daryl too, show his friend that he could make you happy, satisfy you as you deserved.

“Alpha,” you whimpered. “Rick, please.”

Rick traced the shell of your ear with his tongue then spoke against your skin. “Look what you’re doing to him. To both of us.”

Your eyes flitted to Daryl then back to him, and you smiled, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth. “I can’t believe this is happening,” you said. “That both of you want me.”

“Who wouldn’t want you, Bunny? So sweet and cute.”

You narrowed your eyes. “I don’t want to be sweet and cute, I want to be sexy. I want to be yours.”

“You will, Omega,” Rick soothed. “Just not today.”

“Why?”

“Because this is still new. And I want to do this right. Take my time with you.”

“Won’t you at least kiss me, Alpha?”

“I think I can kiss you. But that’s all.”

“Okay,” you nodded, licking your lips.

“Close your eyes.”

You obeyed, fluttering your eyes closed. Rick tightened his arm around you and finally pressed his lips to yours. Your hands grabbed at his shirt, trying to yank him into yourself. He kept his kisses slow, languid, gentle. You tried to breach the seam of his lips with your tongue, but he wouldn’t let you.

You let out a frustrated moan and became a squirrely thing in his arms, protesting his chaste kissing.

He never imagined you’d be this needy. Leaning back he held you away from him, but you tried to chase after his lips. A passive omega you were not, Rick realized, instead you were a desperate little thing, intent on taking all you wanted from him.

What fun it would be to tease you, to have you sprawled out beneath him begging, crying for his knot. He’d keep denying you, just to see how much you wanted it, wanted him.

But that was for another day. After you trusted him in a way that went beyond biology and hormones, in the way that two people could trust each other, regardless of designation.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Daryl standing up, shirt unbuttoned, belt undone.

“Here, ‘mega,” he said, reaching for you. He scooped you up in his arms and carried you to the bed, where he sat you on his lap.

“I think it’s ‘bout time ya give Rick a break.”

You looked back and forth between them. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, Omega,” Rick encouraged. “You’re doing everything just right.”

Daryl nuzzled his mark on your neck. “He wants to take his time with ya, tha’s all. He’s a decent guy, ya know. Not some redneck who picked you up at a motel.”

“But Daryl, I love the way we met.” You let out a stuttered moan as he kissed his mark.

“Ain’t ya heard of courtin’, Bubbie?” he scolded you.

“Of course I have, but nobody does that anymore.”

“Mmm, I think Rick does.”

How Daryl knew his intention surprised Rick, but there was a lot that Daryl picked up on that most people wouldn’t.

Daryl kissed his way along your neck, and you looked up at Rick.

“But I don’t have a family you need to prove anything to.”

Rick squatted and kissed your forehead. “You have a pack, don’t you?” He caught your lips in another kiss, crowding into your space as Daryl held you still on his lap and laved your mark.

“I’m staying right here, Bunny, gonna watch Daryl give you his knot, help him take care of you after. You and me will figure out the rest later, okay?”

You nodded, breathlessly, losing yourself to Daryl’s ministrations. Rick sat himself on the bed, leaning his back against the wall. He’d let Daryl have his turn.

For now.

Next chapter.

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