#rick is DEEPLY confused

[dixonsdolls]

CLOSER | DARYL DIXON

SYNOPSIS ❥ On the road, you can’t seem to focus on anything other than wanting Daryl to fuck you senseless. Because he’s such a good boyfriend, you get what you want.

Pairing ❥ Daryl Dixon x Fem!Reader

Content warnings ❥ 18+ content (MDNI), porn without plot, creampie, unprotected p in v, oral (daryl receiving!), dirty talk, car sex, basically reader being feral (like we all are)

Word Count ❥ 2.3k

A/N ❥ hi my loves!! long time no see, i know </3 been busy with stuff irl but i wanted to get this piece out for you all as a thank you for hitting 100 followers! it means the world to me <3 hope y’all enjoy this, im squeezing my legs as we speak bc whew. and also, the picture is purely there to generate imagery, there are no descriptions of the reader! xoxo, sammy

— ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆

“You let me violate you

You let me desecrate you

You let me penetrate you

You let me complicate you

…

I wanna fuck you like an animal

I wanna feel you from the inside

I wanna fuck you like an animal”

Closer by Nine Inch Nails

— ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

“What?”

His gruff voice spooked you from your lustful haze, where you’d been glancing over at Daryl every couple seconds. You shook your head in a fruitless attempt to clear your sinful thoughts, before meeting his eyes.

“Hmm?” You spoke softly, it was all you could do in your state. Oh, how you wanted him to pull over and let you have your way with him.

“Been starin’ at me since we got in the car. Do I got somethin’ on my face or what?” Daryl sounded annoyed, but you knew him better to just be deeply confused by your actions. You couldn’t exactly blame him, it’d been over twenty minutes and you’d barely spoken since you both had left for a supply run.

But you couldn’t help it. With your panties soaked, slit slippery and clit throbbing in neglect, you were desperately trying to act normal.

Clearly, you’d failed.

It was Daryl’s fault; you’d been fine until you saw him leant against a porch pillar, lighting up a cigarette. You couldn’t explain it because you’d seen him smoke before, but something about the way he looked then had your thighs squeezing, breath catching.

He was busy talking to Rick, blowing smoke as he spoke intently. His arms were bulging, muscles on full display as they moved to further prove his words. The vest did nothing to offer cover and with his pretty lips wrapped around the cigarette, you felt faint. His brown locks were shaggy, covering his eyes in a way that made you wanna tug them as you kissed.

Simply put, you’d wanted him to ruin you.

“No, baby. Jus’ look pretty today is all.” You sighed, now staring at him shamelessly as you leant against the car door to have him in your full view.

“Pretty?!” Daryl scoffed, affronted at the very suggestion. Even so, his ears heated up and his cheeks tinged the slightest shade of pink. “Can’ say I've heard that one before.”

“You are,” You promised, voice filled to the brim with adoration for him because yeah, your archer was fuckin’ pretty and deserved to be told. “Look super handsome today.”

“Shut up.” His gruff voice sounded, rolling his eyes at you as you’d made him flush again.

“I’m serious! Got me all flustered, ever since this mornin’!” You huffed, voice whiny and light, throwing your head back against the window for relief on your heated skin.

With your admission, he averted his gaze from the road to you, silently groaning at your blown out pupils, the pink flush dancing across your cheeks and down your chest.

Jesus, you were serious. How the fuck was he supposed to continue on driving when he had his girl next to him, needy for him?

“Fuck.” He spoke, noting that you had now taken your seatbelt off and were shuffling closer to him. “What’re you doin?”

You’d opted to take an old pickup truck and there wasn’t any middle console, just a continuation of the bench. For what you had in mind, you silently thanked whoever came up with that design.

“Pull over, Daryl.” With a breathy voice, you pressed a wet kiss onto his neck. Hearing a hitch in his breath, you licked up his neck until you reached his scruffy cheek, moaning as you did so. “Please, need you so bad.”

The car jerked suddenly as you palmed his strong thigh, teeth nibbling on his earlobe. He felt himself harden in his pants at the feel of your dainty hands touching him, of your plushy lips soothing the sting your teeth had left behind.

“Can’t, sunshine. It’s not safe to be sittin’ in the road bein’ distracted.” He spoke with regret, especially as your hand palmed his dick over the material. He wanted you safe though, and he wasn’t lying when he thought it was dangerous to pull over in the middle of nowhere. “Just wait til we get— fuck.”

His words muddled into a string of curses, car wobbling again as you’d released him before pulling his cock from his pants, zipper undone.

“Wanna suck you off.”

And shit, with the way you were looking at him, with the way you wet your lips as you looked at his dick, he wanted to stuff your mouth full.

“Dammit, you’re such a fuckin’ brat.” You bent down, level with his crotch as you gawked at his exposed dick, precum now bubbling at the tip.

You licked your lips at the sight of white, pearly beads and before he could process it, his engorged tip was in the warm confines of your mouth, suckling soft and slow.

“Cant ever behave, can you? Jesus, baby.” He looked down at you, grunting as your eyes met his just as you swirled your tongue over him, dipping into his drippy slit. You hummed at the salty flavor of him, giving a few more sucks to his tip, before releasing it with a ‘pop’, a string of saliva connecting your puffy lips to him.

You’d only stopped because you noticed he’d let off the gas, the car barely even moving down the deserted street.

“Drive.” You demanded, gripping his base and jerking at a teasingly slow pace, eyes piercing his pretty blue ones. You leaned in to his face, licking his bottom lip before sucking the soft skin into your mouth. Daryl was so unbelievably turned on from your behavior that your voice barely registered. You released his lip, planting a wet kiss onto him before looking at him again. “Drive the car, or I’m stopping. It’s not safe to stop, remember?”

And from the snarl that appeared on his spit-slick mouth, you knew you’d pay for saying that.

“Nah, I can’t focus when your mouth is o—“

“Drive.”

Your command surged him into action, partially because your bratty attitude was making him throb and partially because he needed his dick down your throat, now.

The engine roared as he pressed down on the gas. Then, he gripped your hair tightly, scalp tingling as he made you look at him.

“Suck.” When you made no move, because you’d been too fucking entranced by how hot Daryl was, especially as he yanked your hair roughly, he grunted. “Now, your pissin’ me off with your little fuckin’ angel eyes.”

His words, along with his grip on your hair, had you parting your lips and sucking him down.

The car was filled with the filthy noises your mouth made as you switched between licking him from base to tip and then wrapping swollen lips around him. His taste was overwhelming your senses and your cunt ached to be filled. The rumble of the car kept jiggling your body and you gagged around him as you slid lower onto him.

Tears pooled your lash line but instead of letting up, you bobbed your head up and down to hear more of his groans. The only time Daryl was truly vocal was when you sucked him off and shit, if it didn’t make you wet.

You snuck a hand around to pet your pussy, the throb becoming too much to ignore, when Daryl suddenly pulled you off him. And the sight of you had him bucking into the air; a mix of spit and his precum coated your lips, your eyes wet from crying on his cock, hair messy around your face.

You looked so pretty like this, all cock-drunk.

“Don’t get to touch yourself, not with your fuckin’ attitude.” His tone was so gravely, so assertive that instead of being annoyed, you whimpered. “Now, get your pants off and c’mere.”

It was only then you’d noticed that he’d stopped the car, trees surrounded the vehicle as nothing was in sight for miles.

Your demanding act was far gone; you needed Daryl inside you.

Without another thought, you clambered from your kneeling spot and wiggled out of your pants as best as you could, though your movements were jittery as Daryl watched you the entire time, eyes nearly black with need.

Finally free, you swung yourself onto his lap and moaned loudly; his cock, hard and still coated in your spit, rubbed at your thinly covered cunt as you sat atop him. The buckle of his pants was cold and you jolted as its coolness hit your puffy clit.

“Fuck, Daryl.” You gripped his long strands, yanking as you humped him. The sight of you all whiny and pathetic for him made him grunt lowly before catching your parted lips in a kiss. “Mmph.”

Immediately, the kiss was obscene. Daryl rubbed his tongue with yours, swallowing your whines as the muscles danced with one another. Spit was pooling at the corner of your mouth and as he pulled away, a string of saliva connected you both.

Breathing heavily, Daryl reached between you both and pulled your underwear to the side, swearing as he did so.

“So fuckin’ wet, honey. All this for me?” His eyes flickered across your face as you stared back, lust drenching your features as you huffed.

“All for you,” you gasped, lips bumping his and fingers pulling his hair. His fingers found your entrance, marveling at how fucking soaked you were. Daryl leaned into you, capturing your mouth with his as you whimpered into him as he shoved two fingers in at once.

For a bit, thats all it was and it was a fucking sight. You, clinging to Daryl as you greedily kissed him, moans spilling from you as his fingers filled you. Him, fucking you with one hand whilst the other gripped your ass harshly, pulling the flesh as he rocked you against his fingers inside you.

You would’ve come like that, if he hadn’t then removed them just as your orgasm tickled your gut.

“What the fu—“ you were cut off by Daryl as he shoved his fingers, the ones that were just inside you and therefore covered in slick, inside your parted mouth.

“Shh, thats it.” He marveled as you sucked and cleaned his fingers like the good girl he knew you were.

Pulling them from your lips, he dragged the wetness across your cheek before crashing his lips to yours. You both made noises because the musky and sweetness of you lingered on your tongue. With your taste coating his tastebuds, he snapped.

Daryl parted from you before one hand gripped you and the other grabbed his cock, moving until you were sinking down onto him.

Your cries mingled with his groans; your tight, wet heat sucked him down and finally, he was inside you and filling you up, just like you’d wanted.

“Fuck, Daryl.” You whined, hips swiveling to get used to his size. You were torn between the relief of being filled to the brim and the discomfort because of how big he was.

“This what you wanted, huh? Just so fuckin’ needy you had to stop us in the fuckin’ road?” He grunted, a calloused hand coming to grip your throat, the tightness steadying you. “My filthy girl.”

Then, he thrusted up into you and the sound you made was like a symphony of music to his ears. Spurred on, he kept thrusting into your pussy, groaning at the wet, slippery sounds filling the car. You were so overwhelmed with pleasure and the feel of him that you just clung to him, rolling your hips and humping your clit against him as you took each thrust he gave you.

Though, one particular move was so fucking deep it had you mewl, fingernails digging into the soft skin of Daryl’s neck.

“Daryl,” you gasped, euphoria pumping through every crevice of your body. The buckle of his belt was now slick as your clit continued to hump. “So big— uh, uh— so big.”

His hand gripped your throat firmly, fastening his pace as helped you move with him by lifting your ass in tandem with his hips.

You were a mess; blubbering nonsense to him as your cunt repeatedly clenched down on him as you grew closer to your peak. Daryl was so high on you, your pretty sounds, and suddenly, he needed to see more of your skin.

He removed his grip from your ass to yank your shirt up and he let out a grunt as he saw your absence of a bra. Then, without any other preamble, his lips wrapped around a peaked nipple, sucking wetly.

The mix of his mouth making out with your chest and his cock filling you up at such a haste pace had you crying out, tears spilling down your cheeks as you shuddered on his lap.

Your orgasm had triggered his own; the feel of your sopping pussy squeezing him and your cry of pleasure sent him over the edge.

His moans were animalistic as he filled you to the brim, thrusts losing their rhythm as he pumped his spend into you.

“Daryl—“ you whispered, suddenly exhausted and wanting him closer to you, despite your limbs being intertwined with one another tightly. “Baby.”

“Such a good girl,” he spoke into your neck, making no move to remove his softening cock from you. Even if he did try, you wouldn’t let him. The crazed feeling you’d felt was finally soothed, his cock inside you released relief throughout your body.

Daryl brought a finger between your thighs and his cock twitched inside you as he collected both your orgasms. “Open.”

Because you’d do anything he told you, you wordlessly opened your mouth and moaned as he stuck come covered fingers between your lips. He watched you as you sucked his fingers clean, eyes hooded with tiredness.

“C’mon, gotta get home.” He patted your waist, adoration swirling in his chest as you made no move to return to your seat. In fact, you just scooted closer until your nose grazed his sweaty neck.

“Thought we needed to get stuff.”

“Nah, we’ll just say we couldn’ find anythin’” Daryl brought a hand to your hair, gently brushing your head as you pressed kisses to his collarbone.

You both stayed connected for awhile; maybe two minutes, maybe two hours. Being close with Daryl was exactly what you’d needed to feel a little less feral.

Though, as you both finally rolled through the gates with messy hair and flushed faces, everyone looked at you both knowingly.

[grimesgirll]

you and daryl are smoking out the window when rick walks in.

"what do you two think you're doin'?"

mid hit, you almost choke at the sight of the sheriff. breathing in deeply to prevent yourself from wheezing, you pass the joint to daryl as cooly as you can after that hit.

daryl grunts. "buzzkill."

"how quick on your feet are you two right now?" rick questions, blue eyes dark and annoyed.

"we're not on watch." you say in a matter-of-fact way.

"no," rick agrees, "you're not. thank god." he runs a hand through his chocolate curls hurriedly.

"glenn's got it," you assure him, offering him a smile at the same time. "you should sit with us. you don't have to have any, drink one of the beers we brought back." you gesture to the full six packs leaning against the wall, branded with the faded logo of the brewery you guys had picked clean the other day while looking for supplies.

"he doesn't know how to relax," daryl tells you with a scowl.

neither do you, you think, but you just frown and shake your head. "rick, c'mon," you croon from your seat by the window.

"yeah, and shut the door," daryl barks.

rick turns and shuts the door lightly. surprisingly, he does what you suggested and picks up a six pack, errantly dropping it by the foot of the loveseat you're cozy on. he takes up the seat next to you, dark stained bottle in hand.

you grin. this is so not how you expected things to go. usually, rick was all pissed off and disappointed about the fact that you guys were getting high of all things. beside you, he twists on the bottle cap. high and focused on his hands, you watch them struggle against the aluminum cap, tensing and unclenching. with a huff, he uses his white t-shirt to grip the bottle again to no avail. the older man looks up from his ordeal to see you absolutely engrossed in him and smirks at you.

he says your name, breaking you out of what your high ass thought was a self-contained act of voyeurism. "wanna try?" he tilts the bottle your way.

you raise an eyebrow. "if you can't get it open, i don't think i can."

rick just smiles at you, like you said something funny. "i don't want you to use your hands, doll. try your teeth." he catches your confused expression. "remember when you did it at the bonfire a few weeks ago?"

suddenly, you recall standing outside around the fire with the group and accepting a request from maggie to open a beer bottle for her with your teeth. you could never say no to her - neither would you pass up the opportunity to hang out with a buzzed maggie for the night. so you showed everyone how to use your chompers to open the bottle. looking back, rick's eyes had never left you as you slipped the neck of the bottle into your mouth to quickly twist the cap off with your teeth. a move you later told carl not to try. you didn't want to be responsible for any dental damage.

you nod and take the bottle from his hands, sitting up in the loveseat. daryl watches, joint in hand, from the other side of the window while you take the bottle into your mouth and the cap at angle just between your molars. you feel two pairs of eyes on you as you struggle for a moment, the cap not coming loose as easily as you'd thought it would. usually, you could just maneuver it a bit for the cap to pop off, but now you're wondering if this cap is just too old, and you consider giving up. that is until suddenly, you angle your teeth just the right way and the cap comes free. it falls into your palm and you wipe the neck of the bottle off with your shirt for rick, just in case any of your spit got on it.

you try to hand the bottle back to him but rick shakes his head. "no," he gestures back to you. "i think after all that, you deserve the first sip."

who are you to say no?

you bring the bottle to your lips and drink, rick's gaze still on you. you consider chugging the entire thing but first of all, that would be rude and second of all, you're not at college anymore. wiping your mouth with the sleeve of your henley, you pass the bottle back to rick who takes a long, ginger sip as you free your hair from your ponytail and settle deeper into the loveseat.

you remember daryl's there when he offers you the halfway done joint. you want to turn it down but suddenly you're craving more. as the skunky smoke fills the air and drains out the window, you start to even crave a beer. you wouldn't mind getting crossed right now; getting a good mix of buzzed and stoned like in your college days back before the world went to shit. it was a nice way to relax, and it wasn't like you were neglecting your responsibilities.

after that hit, you're zoning out more and more. you had set up the cd player with a lynyrd skynyrd album daryl'd found in a record store with you. they weren't your favorite rock artists, but you guys could've been listening to worse bands in the apocalypse after all. you loosely follow the lyrics of one of their songs while daryl finishes off the joint.

"where'd you even get that?" rick asks, breaking the silence.

"you know some places you would get shot for asking that, 'fore all this?" daryl had told you when you'd asked him that.

"house down the road." daryl answers between puffs. "looks like they were tryna' get ahead of that medical shit."

you snicker. the story was true but without seeing those folks, you really didn't know what kind of operation they had going on. the way daryl phrased it though was a nice way to phrase it to a cop. better than we just found it.

"and you'd smoke it without knowing where it came from?" rick inquires, hand wrapped around the dark bottle.

"we know where it came from," you speak up from in between them. "it came from that house's backyard."

he repeats what he asked daryl.

"there could be anthrax in your beer."

that's when you realize you're super high.

rick doesn't have the opportunity to be confused because he's laughing and suddenly you're giggling in his face. he doesn't take it as an accident when you lean forward and fall into his lap on the loveseat. in fact, he takes the opportunity to lift your chin up, saying, "silly girl," and flipping you over to sit on his lap.

"wanna finish my beer, baby?" he offers it to you, holding it up to your lips.

"i don't need it," you reply but your words are cut off when the bottle breaches your lips anyway and you gulp down the drink. beer wasn't your favorite beverage but, in the apocalypse, beggars really couldn't be choosers. he takes the empty bottle from you and sets it on the end table before leaning back up to connect your lips.

you lean into the kiss as he pulls you closer in his lap. the satisfying pressure on your ass from his squeezing has you hazy minded and wishing he would speed up now that you realize what's happening.

then you remember daryl, the one who you'd originally been hanging out with. you hadn't even planned on seeing rick tonight.

you look up from rick towards the auburn-haired man who was ashing the joint out the window. you frown. isn't that what the ash tray on the windowsill is for? you give him a look that says come here and he walks towards the loveseat, sharing a look with rick that has the men positioning you in their favorite way.

you move willingly; they pull you, pliant and eager to please - eager to just do what someone else says and relax. the joint was supposed to help you shut off your brain after a long day but now you can only think about being pressed in between the two pent up men on the loveseat with you. rick has your bottoms off now and is two fingers deep inside of you when you start helping daryl undo his jeans.

"you feelin' ready or do you need more, baby?" your leader asks you, lips bruising your shoulder.

you shake your head. "i don't need any more fingers." you clarify. "wanna feel your big cock inside of me," you blurt out. usually, it takes you a bit to warm up and they're the ones who talk filthy but tonight you're feeling a little less inhibited.

he raises an eyebrow with condescension. "sure you can handle it, doll? last time i thought i broke you."

you snort. "i think the proper word is reset."

you feel a low rumble from rick's chest and he gently lifts your hips to remove his fingers and lower you onto his cock. you whine at the blunt intrusion but the more you grind your hips down into him, the better it feels, especially once you find a good rhythm. you're pretty sure rick's dick is way bigger than it should be but that doesn't stop you from letting him stuff you whenever you two get the chance to sneak away. it was even more rare to find the time for all three of you to be together like this. speaking of, daryl is standing on your side, dick in hand now that it's been freed from the confine of his pants, looking down at you with darkened eyes.

"wanna finish me off, baby?" he mocks and you roll your eyes, opening your mouth for him as rick bucks into you.

he gladly accepts and just like that, you can feel rick smirking as he fucks into you, barely letting you hold on as he drags your hips up and down. he hijacked your smoke session and it ended just the way he wanted. typical.

even more typical when he makes you switch positions so he can finish in your mouth, not taking his eyes off you while daryl lines himself up with your sopping entrance. rick couldn't help but twitch in your mouth watching how you reacted to daryl's cock in your freshly pounded pussy. his face tenses as he nears his orgasm, hands in your soft tousled hair while you take him in your throat so well. he's ready to just let go, he knows you can handle it, after all he knows you can get off more than a bottle cap with your mouth.

[thewalkingthread]

"He's Mine" - R.G.

pairing: rick grimes x f!reader

summary: s4 ep16. Joe's group finds you in the woods. reader is the one targeted instead of Carl

warnings: cursing, angst, mentions of sexual assault, blood, gore

a/n: this scene is my Roman Empire

You were tired, exhausted from the day's journey. It's been three days since the attack at the prison. Three days since you've seen most of your family. You were lucky enough to have found Rick and Carl after everything went down, even luckier when Michonne came knocking on the front door of the house you were hiding out in.

It was nighttime now, you sat in the front seat of a rundown truck while Carl laid down in the backseat. It was unlikely that you'd get much sleep being so vulnerable in the open right now but Rick and Michonne insisted that you get some rest.

Your eyes stayed on the pair as they sat on a log off the side of the road. Every so often Rick would look into the truck, his eyes locking on yours before he returned back to his conversation with Michonne.

Things with Rick has always been a bit confusing for the both of you. It was clear from the moment you met that there was something there between you. Of course, nothing ever came out of it. He was married and desperately trying to fix the brokenness in his family.

Now that Lori has passed, it's been even weirder. Neither one of you wanted to make the first move and burst the safety bubble you were in, in terms of friendship. Nonetheless, you both knew you cared for one another deeply.

Your eyes dart to the woods when you see movement. Your heart drops as you see a few men creeping in the trees, eyes directly on Rick and Michonne. You knew what was about to happen. You weighed your options. You could scream and warn them, but you had no idea how many of them there were, nor do you know their intentions.

You guys are incredibly unarmed, nothing good would come out of this.

"Carl." You mumble quietly, trying not to make it obvious that you weren't alone in the truck. You have no idea how many of them are our there, no idea how many people were looking at you right now.

Carl stirred and grumbled slightly at your call, you shush him immediately.

"Carl, I need you to very slowly and quietly lay down on the floor of the truck. Keep the blanket over you completely." You mumble. "There are people surrounding us. I need you to hide until me or your dad tell you to come out. Do you understand me?" Your heart raced as you saw the men creep out from the treeline.

Carl quietly did what you said. "Y/N? What's happening?" He was scared. Carl tries his best to keep up with his dad and be a man, but he's still just a boy. It's a scary world now.

"Everything will be okay. Stay hidden, no matter what you hear, okay? Promise me." Your breathe hitched.

"I promise."

That was the last thing he said before one of the men shoved his gun against Rick's temple. You jumped in your seat as another man smacked on the window next to you. You tried your best to avoid glancing back at Carl.

The man grinned at you through the mirror, the creepiest grin you've ever seen. You couldn't hear what the other men were saying to Rick, but eventually a few more men came into view.

The creep tapped on the window, licking his lips as he stared.

Daryl strolled up to the group, it looked like they knew each other?

"Joe!" Daryl yelled, giving a name to the mystery man. You could tell he was trying to talk down the man that held a gun to Rick's head. It looked like whatever Daryl was saying was working, the man still held his gun against Rick but it looked like he was thinking about what Daryl was saying. All hope and relief you felt when your eyes met his vanished when two men grabbed Daryl, punching and kicking him.

Your heart drops as the other man throws Michonne to the ground. The door of the truck swings open and you pray that Carl is brave enough to be silent.

The man grabs you roughly, pulling you out of the truck before patting you down and throwing your pocket knife a few feet away. You fought to wiggle out of his grip but he pushed you against the ground faster than you could blink.

"Shhh.." He says into your ear. "We're gonna have some fun, sweets."

"Leave her be!" You could hear Rick yell over all the commotion. The grunts of Daryl filled your ears as he got punched and kicked only a few feet away from you.

The man on top of you was chuckling as you tried to fight him off, clawing at him and squirming to get out from underneath him.

"Listen, it was me. It was just me." Rick grumbles to Joe.

"See, now that's right. That's not some damn lie." Joe chuckles. "Look, we can settle this. We're reasonable men."

"Get off of me you sick bastard!" You shout, spitting at the man. His hands found it's way to your chest and you screamed as he touched you.

"First, we're going to beat Daryl to death. Then the girl. Then when Dan finishes having his fun with that one over there, we'll all have a turn." The smugness in his voice was deafening.

"Then I'm going to shoot you and then we'll be square." Laughter leaves Joe's body.

"Let her go." Rick says again, as your being turned onto your stomach.

You wanted to cry as Dan pressed your face into the dirt. The pain was forgotten as the sound of his belt buckle clanking rang through your ears.

"This is going to be a whole lot worse for you if you don't stop fighting." Dan grunts into your ear, pressing against your butt. Sobs begin to leave your mouth as reality of what was about to happen sets in.

There was no hope.

The man tugs at your jeans, trying to pull them down.

A gun fires. Everyone seems to pause for a moment. Dan stops for a moment and you take the opportunity to look up, praying that none of you were hit by the bullet.

You see Rick take a swing at Joe before Joe hits him right back, knocking him to the ground. Dan immediately goes back to what he was doing, trying to rip your clothes off of you. You reach for you pocket knife that was just out of reach.

Your cries filled at air when Dan pins you down once again.

"What the hell are you gonna do now, sport?"

Then a squelching sound fills the air before a body thuds to the ground. This time everyone freezes in surprise. You look back at Rick to see him completely covered in blood from his nose to his chest. He spits out blood and skin and your eyes fall onto Joe's limp body on the ground, blood gushing out of his throat.

Fuck.

Michonne doesn't waste a beat as she grabs a gun and shoots the guy holding her before taking out the ones that held Daryl.

Dan is on his feet in seconds once he realizes he's the only one left. He pulls you up, pressing against you as he holds a knife to your throat.

"I'll kill her. I'll- I'll kill her!" He shouts as Michonne points the gun at him.

"Let her go!" She demands.

Rick pulls a knife out of Joe, standing up and balancing himself. His eyes lock onto Dan, it was almost like he had tunnel vision. He pants.

"He's mine."

Rick takes a few strides towards you and you feel Dan's grip on you loosen as he's consumed with fear. He pushes you forward, staring to beg Rick for mercy.

Daryl catches you from hitting the ground as you watch Rick stab Dan over and over again. Michonne stands by you, trying to block your view of the slaughter.

"Carl." You whisper, realizing that he was still tucked inside the truck. "C-carl." You wiggle out of Daryl's grip, running to the truck and swinging the back door open.

You could see Carl's figure shaking underneath the blanket. "Carl." You say again. "Come on out, it's okay." You whisper. Slowly he peaks his head out, once his eyes meet yours, his body instantly relaxes and he's pushing himself off the ground and throwing himself into your arms.

You, Carl and Michonne stayed in the truck for the rest of the night while Daryl and Rick stayed outside. Nobody talked. Rick looked to be in his head.

Carl laid on across the back seat, his head resting on my lap. You tried to lull him to sleep but it was clear that nobody would be getting a blink of sleep after what just played out.

When the sun started to rise you asked Michonne to take your place, not wanting Carl to be alone. Daryl had gone out to scout the area.

You poured some water onto a clothe and sat down in front of Rick, settled between his legs but leaving enough space to make it appropriate.

His eyes flickered to yours as you wiped the blood off his face.

“Should’ve saved the water.” His voice was hoarse. You shook your head, trying your best to clean him.

“He shouldn’t see you like this.” You say calmly, wiping his hands clean once his face and neck were clean. Rick watched you intently.

“Are you okay?” His voice softens as he asks. You clear your throat, flashbacks of last night playing through your head. Ricks clean hand reaches up and his thumb rubs your cheek softly.

You were able to catch sight of your face in the car mirrors. Red scuff marks littered your face where you were pressed into the ground.

“I’m okay, it’s not that bad.” You shrug. Rick stared into your eyes, his hands still holding your face.

“Are you okay?” He asks again, really holding your gaze. Your chest tightens and you know you won’t be able to fight the tears.

Rick let’s go of your face but pulls your body into his immediately. You let the tears fall as he held you. “I’m so sorry.” He whispered in your ear. “I will never let anything happen to you. Ever.” He kept apologizing, his voice cracking every so often.

“You’re safe.” He says. “You’re safe with me.”

And you knew that he was telling the truth.

[daryl-dixon-daydreams]

You peeked out from through the sliver of darkness between the door and the frame. Daryl was standing there looking anxious. Even in the dim light, he could see the shadow of bruising underneath your eyes. He hadn't slept: he was worried sick about you. You'd had a bad run in with some men outside the walls and he hadn't been there to protect you. He'd been out with Aaron, looking for people to bring in, and as soon as he'd heard what had happened, his stomach had locked into a knot and not let up. He'd been hoping to see you earlier in the day, but you hadn't come out of your place and his worry overwhelmed him.

"Hey," he said gently. His brow was heavily furrowed creating deep lines on his forehead.

"Daryl," you said, pulling the door open more widely. "Hi." You looked like you hadn't slept either.

He was wringing his hands. " 'M sorry. I dun mean to bother ya... I just—I heard what happened and I wanted to see how yer doin' and if there's anythin' I can do, anythin' ya need."

"Oh. Oh, you never bother me, Daryl." You paused and seemed to consider how to answer. "I'm—well, doing as well as expected I suppose."

Daryl frowned and shifted anxiously. "Yeah..." He cleared his throat and seemed to decide something. "I know I ain't the person ya probably want, but 'm here, for whatever ya need."

You looked confused and your hand dropped from the door. "What do you mean you're not—not the person I want?"

Daryl looked uncomfortable and his eyes ducked your gaze and fixed on his boots. "Ya know—Rick. I thought ya might rather—"

Your brows furrowed deeply and you interrupted him in a tone that drew his blue eyes back to yours. "Daryl—" You shook your head. "I love Rick, of course I do. He's like a brother to me, but—I don't—I don't feel anything other than that for him. Did you think—you thought—?"

Daryl was staring at you in surprise and didn't seem able to find anything to say, his mouth was hanging half open. "Uhh..."

You let out a nervous laugh and stepped back. "Why don't you come in?" you said. And Daryl took you up on that instantly.

Prompt: "I know I'm not the person you want, but I'm here."

[kennarose1108]

My World (Negan Smith x Reader !DAUGHTER OF RICK!)

*SO I MADE THIS FOREVER AGO AND I WANTED TO FINISH IT AND UPLOAD IT... I HOPE Y'ALL ENJOY, PART 2 IS IN A LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY*

You had been with Negan and his group for the last ten months and you knew Negan wasn't the cleanest man on earth. You knew he was doing things... Horrific things to people but you try to turn a blind eye to it. Negan was the best thing that had happened to you since the apocalypse happened. You were alone up until Negan found you on the verge of starving to death.

And over the months your and Negan's relationship had blossomed into something unexpected. He was a lot older than you. You were twenty-six years old and Negan was forty-five... I mean hell he was older than your father would be... Your father...

You were in college when the apocalypse broke out and you prayed your family was okay. After a while, you finally made it back to your family's home to find it completely ransacked and everybody was missing. You went to the hospital where you heard your father was staying after his accident but you didn't even attempt to go inside as it was completely guarded by the dead.

But everything seemed to be okay now... You stayed out of Negan's business as much as you could but today was different. "I need you to go," Negan says. "Why? You have Simon and all your men why do you need me?" You ask while crossing your arms over your chest.

"We made a deal with these people but they're on the more dangerous side than most people we've dealt with. We need everybody." He explains and you sigh deeply. "I don't want to be involved with your 'business deals' Negan. You know how I feel about it." You say with a shrug. "And I don't believe these people willingly made a deal with you either." You say while raising your eyebrows and he chuckles slightly. "Alright, you got me there." He says while standing up from his seat. "These people killed a whole outpost of men for their supplies so we gave them an option of... We raid their shit and we let them live." He shrugs. "No harm, no foul." He says while grabbing your waist and pulling you closer to him. "I just want everybody there in case shit hits the fan. We need to defend ourselves." Negan explains.

"Mhm... What's the actual reason you want me to go? Because we both know I'm only good at killing the dead ones... Not the live ones." You say while squinting your eyes at him. He stares at you for a moment before sighing deeply with a smirk. "You see right through me every time.." He chuckles. "...You're going to be here all by yourself. I don't want you to be alone if something happens here. At least I know if you came with me I can protect you." He says while leaning his forehead against yours.

You clenched your jaw and slightly glared at him before groaning out a 'fine'. He smiled and placed a kiss on your forehead. "Let's get going then."

When you made it out to the trucks Negan ordered you to stay inside of the car until the gates were open. When you made it to the place called Alexandria you sat in the truck with one of Negan's men. You weren't paying attention entirely until the man dropped a heavy gun in your lap. You had no idea how to use it so it was clear it was given to you for threatening purposes. "It's safe now." The man says. You nodded and took a step out of the truck, the man following your steps on the other side.

You were looking down at the ground as you took a few steps. You finally looked up and looked at the people around the gate. There was a woman who looked hardcore and angry and a man who looked confused and kinda wimpy... Then your eyes landed on another man. Your eyes widened as your brain processed what you were seeing, hoping it wasn't another hallucination that you saw so much when you were dehydrated.

But you weren't dehydrated and this wasn't a hallucination. Your lips parted as a soft gasp escaped your lips. The gun you were holding onto fell from your hands and that's when you finally got the man's attention. Your body shook as he gave you a look of confusion into a look of disbelief, the same look you gave him. Tears threatened to spill from your eyes as your body shook from the feeling of adrenalin and pure shock coursing through your veins.

Negan looked at you and then at him, confused about what was going on, and that's when you let out a shaky breath, "Dad?" You mumble. "Oh my god.." He whispered. You let out a shaky chuckle as tears finally fell from your eyes. "DAD!" You yelled as you ran full force towards him. Your arms swung open and wrapped around his neck as his arms slung tightly around your body. Your legs shook as you were barely able to keep yourself upright... If it wasn't for his tight grip on you, you would've fallen to the floor. You cried into his shoulder and held onto him tightly before pulling away. "I thought you were dead." You managed to choke out.

Negan stared at you both in disbelief and horror. He also felt stupid for not putting two and two together since you both had the same last name. "Is Carl...?" He nodded. "He's alive." You sigh in relief as a smile appears on your face. "And mom?" You ask. He just stares at you. Your smile slowly fades as you cover your mouth with your hand in disbelief. You let out a shaky 'oh' as you pulled away.

Your father's eyes flicked from you to Negan before looking back at you. "You're with him?" He asks. You nod your head as you wipe a tear that fell from your eyes. "How 'bout you go around Alexandria and look for your brother? Me and your dad have some things to discuss." Negan says while getting behind you and grabbing your shoulders and giving Rick a teasing smile. "Yeah... Yeah, that's a good idea." Rick says while glaring at Negan. You walked away from Negan's grip and you walked around the streets, getting the occasional glare from some of the people that live in Alexandria which made you frown.

But as you walked your eyes fell on a boy walking down the steps from his porch. You squinted your eyes and tried to make out the face of the person. It was hard to tell at first since he had a patch over his eye but you’d recognized that face anywhere.

You smiled and yelled out his name. He looked around for a moment before turning in your direction, his eyes falling onto yours. You smiled as his face turned from confusion to disbelief. With adrenaline coursing through your veins you ran towards him full force. He did the same and you both met in between and practically collapsed into each other. You both kept each other on your feet as you hugged each other tightly. After a minute you pulled away and cupped his face, tears going down both of your faces. “You’ve grown so much.” You chuckle. “I thought you were dead,” Carl says with a slight gasp. “Can’t get rid of me that easily little brother.” You say with a chuckle. You look at the patch on his eye and you slightly frown. “What happened?” You ask your thumb lightly brushing against the edge of it.

“I was shot,” Carl explains. Your eyes widen and you laugh. “You were shot in the face and you survived?! Holy shit I wish Dad informed me how much of a badass you were before I found you.” He chuckles. His eyes then glance to the ground and his smile disappears, he seems to be lost in thought. His eyes flicked back up to you and he sighed. “I have to show you something,” Carl says while backing off and walking back towards the house he came out of.

You follow him into the house and up the stairs. Carl stops in front of a door that was off to the side and he slowly opens it. Your eyes travel to the inside of the room until you see a little girl in a crib. You take a few steps inside and slightly gasp. “Who’s this?” You ask while walking towards her. “That’s Judith. Our sister.” Your head snapped towards him and your eyes widen. “Is that how mom…” He didn’t say anything which was an answer in itself. You nodded and looked back at the little girl. You chuckle and lifted her out of the crib and held her against your body. “Oh my… You are gorgeous.” You say while admiring her little face. But the moment was ruined by the sound of doors slamming open and people talking loudly downstairs. “Hide her.” Carl orders. You quickly put Judith down and left the room with Carl, shutting the door right on time as Simon came running up the steps.

He eyed you and Carl and you both kept your composure. “Everything good up here?” He asks. “Yes. Everything’s fine.” You say with a slight smile. He glanced at the door next to you both and gave you another weird look. “What’s in there?” Simon asks while nodding to the door. “Nothing. The room is empty. Carl was giving me a tour of his home and he offered to let me stay in this room when they get it furnished.” You say with a stern tone of voice.

“Hm... You should talk to Negan about that.” You wanted to argue back and say you were a grown woman and didn’t need his permission but you decided it would be best to keep your mouth shut in this situation. “Come on Carl. Let’s go downstairs.” You say while putting your arm around Carl’s shoulders and pulling him forward, not keeping your eyes off Simon until you went past him. When you made it downstairs Carl was staring in horror at the people in his home taking pretty much everything. “They’re taking all of our medicine,” Carl says. “We hid them here because they said they’d only take half,” Carl says while pulling away from you. “Carl-“ “No!” Carl yelled while grabbing a gun and going after them. “Carl DON’T-!” But it was too late.

A gunshot rang through the air causing you to jump. You quickly ran into the room and luckily everyone was okay, but Carl had a gun to one of Negan’s men. “Put them back, or the next one goes in you.” Carl threatens. “Kid… What do you think happens next?” The man laughed. “Carl.” You managed to get yourself in between the gun and the man and you were trying to calm him down. “Get out of the way.” “Carl don’t.” You warned. “Move.” “If you don’t put the gun down the punishment will be-“ You stopped yourself as you saw your dad running into the room, you knew Negan wasn’t too far behind so you kept your mouth shut.

Your father tried talking the same sense to Carl as Negan walked in. His eyes darted between the gun and you and he knew he had to intervene. Negan walked over to you both and stood next to you and got into Carl's line of sight. Negan chuckles. "Really kid?" He says with a smirk.

"You should go... Before you find out how dangerous we all are." Carl warns. You swallowed the lump in your throat and gave him a pleading look. "Well pardon me, young man, excuse the shit out of my goddamn French but... Did you just threaten me?" Negan asks. "Look I get threatening Davie here... But I can't have it, not him, not me-" "Carl just put it down-" "Don't be rude Rick we are having a conversation here." Your father and Negan argue back and forth. You continue to stare at Carl with pleading eyes as you knew if Carl pushed his limits or broke a rule no amount of begging would stop Negan... Not even for you. "Now boy... Where were we?" He asks.

"Oh yeah! Your giant man-sized balls. No threatening us. Listen I like you... I don't want to go hard proving a point here, especially in front of the lady here, and you don't want that. I said half your shit and half is what I say it is." Negan says in more of a more serious tone of voice. "I'm serious. Do you want me to prove how serious... Again?" Negan warns.

Carl stares at him then looks at you. You shook your head slightly and he sighed deeply. He moved his hand so the handle of the gun was facing you. Your trembling hands slowly grabbed the gun from his hands and held it to your side.

Negan turned to your father and started ranting to him and you grabbed Carl's shoulders. "What the hell is wrong with you?" You whisper to him. "They were taking our stuff," Carl argued. "You can always get that shit back! He'll kill you or someone else here and you can't get back." You hissed at him. "And you.." Negan turned to you both. You turned your head to him and saw him staring at you. He lifted his hand and wiggled his pointer and middle finger towards you telling you to give him the gun. You handed him the gun and he put it in his pocket.

"Rick go and get that stuff together for me will ya? And you... Come with me." He says while not moving his gaze from yours. You nodded and followed him out of the home. You followed him down the street and in between some houses. He then suddenly spun around and grabbed your arms softly. "I don't want you doing that shit again," Negan says sternly. "I knew he wasn't going to shoot me." You argued. Negan shook his head and sighed deeply. "I do not care. There is no damn reason for you to EVER stand in front of a gun. Ever." He says with a shake of his head. "Scared the hell out of me." He says while placing a kiss on your temple.

"I'm sorry.." You say with a frown. "Don't be sorry. I know you were trying to de-escalate the situation and I respect that... I just don't want you to get hurt." He says while cupping your face with his hands. "He's my brother. He wouldn't have hurt me." "I can't take that chance." He shakes his head. "I don't care if there's a 99% chance or a 0.01% chance. It's not an option." He says. “Understand?” He asks. You nodded and he smiled.

He kissed you on the cheek and pulled you in for a hug. You both stayed like that for a moment before Negan pulled away, giving you a tight squeeze before letting you move away from him. “Let’s go darlin’,” Negan says while lightly placing his hand on your lower back and leading you along.

You walked with Negan until you met up with your father and some of Negan’s men in front of a small bunker. The door to the bunker slowly opens to show a woman. “I… Figured you were coming.” She says nervously. “Show him where the guns are, Olivia.” Your father says. She nodded and you all walked inside. “You run the show in here?” Negan asks. “I just keep track of it all, the rations, the guns,” She explains. “Good. Smart. Don’t let me stop you. Arat, boys... Show ‘em the goods.” He smirks as everyone walks off. “Wait, wait, wait.” Negan stops your father.

“While they’re at it, I just want to point out to you that I’m not taking a scrap of your food. Slim pickin’s in here.” Negan says while pointing out the little to no food on the shelves. “And I can’t be the only one to notice that you got a fuckin’ fat lady in charge of keeping track of rations can I?” Negan says and you turn to him, “Negan.” You smack his arm and he puts his hands up. “Am I wrong?” He asks. “Yes. Don’t be an asshole.” You roll your eyes. He chuckles and slightly leans into Rick, “She keeps me on my toes.” Rick glares at him and he slightly leans back.

Negan looks at Rick, then at you, then at Rick again. “Y’know I just realized… We’re family now aren’t we?” You closed your eyes and cringed. “I mean… Should I call you dad or something?” Negan asks while slowly dragging his arm over your shoulder and pulling you close to his side.

Rick’s eyes flicked over to you and you swallowed another ball in your throat and you let out a deep sigh. “Right?” Negan asks. “Stop.” You whisper to him while giving him a pleading look. He wanted to keep going just to poke the bear some more but he didn’t want to continue if you were uncomfortable. He cared more for your feelings than his ego. “…Either way, you starve to death, I don’t get shit, so for now, you get to keep all the food. How ‘bout that?” Negan says, still keeping his arm around your shoulders.

Negan and Rick stare at each other for a few moments. A very awkward few moments. “What do you want me to say?” “I don’t know, Rick. How about a thank you.” Negan says while moving away from you and getting into your father’s face. “You think that might be in order? Or is that too much to ask?!” Negan yells. “Jesus stop!” You grab Negan’s arm and push him away from your father.

“Haven’t you done enough?” “All I’m asking for is a thank you.” You scoff. “I think we both know they have nothing to be thanking you for.” You shake your head at him before walking out of the bunker and down the streets of Alexandria. You stopped in front of Rick and Carl’s home and you sat on the steps, rethinking everything.

You placed your elbow on your knee and rested your forehead in your hand. You sat like that for a while before a familiar figure walked into your view. They stood there for a moment before slowly sitting next to you on the steps. “You angry with me?” He asks. You sigh and close your eyes. “What do you think?” You say with an annoyed tone of voice. “Why?” You turn to glare at him. “Why? Are you kidding me?” You say. “Is it because of Rick?” Negan asks. “Jesus no!” You yell. “…Well it doesn’t help.” You say while looking forward. “You know I don’t like being a part of this shit. I don’t like seeing this side of you... Especially since I know you did something bad to these people.” You say with your voice slightly cracking as tears filled in your eyes. You shake your head, not wanting to ask this question but you feel you have no choice.

“What did you do? I’m going to hear it from somebody so it might as well be from you.” He stares at you, he didn’t want you to find out. “I killed two of their people in front of them. One of them had a wife and she was sick. She witnessed it all… She didn’t make it.” Your mouth flew agape and your body tensed.

“Oh my god… And you expect a ‘thank you’ from these people!?” You stand on your feet and glare at him. “You say people are a resource and need to be protected but it’s all a lie!” You shout. “It’s not a lie.” He stands up to meet your level but instead, he just towers over you, making you feel inferior to him.

“People are a resource and need to be protected but rules need to be set and if they are broken there are punishments.” He argues. “And killing people in the answer?” You scoff. “You’re torturing these poor people and for what? Surviving?” “Killing off my men. That’s what.” He hisses while stepping forward and getting in your face. “Not like your men didn’t deserve it anyways. Most of them are criminals, rapists, or killers. But I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree does it?” You say while slowly looking at him up and down. Negan was seething, nobody spoke to him like this and he was getting pissed. “Watch your mouth.” “Or what? You’ll kill me?” You chuckled. “You don’t got the balls.” You hissed. It took all his might to not snap and lash out at you but he realized that it wouldn’t fix anything and you had every right to be angry.

But that doesn’t mean he won’t be any less angry with your words. “I have done everything for you. I have fought for you, I have killed for you, I put food in your belly and a roof over your head. I deserve goddamn respect.” He said in a low and threatening tone of voice. You shake your head. “I never asked you to save me.” You say, tears threatening to fall from your eyes.

“What did you expect me to do? Leave you there to die?” “You should’ve. It would’ve been easier for the both of us.” You snapped back. Negan leans back and stares at you in disbelief.

You didn’t mean what you said, you were thankful Negan saved your life. You remember the day he found you. You were in a gas station and you had been sitting there for about a day or two just waiting to die. Your face was pale and you were practically skin and bones. You were sitting in the backroom in the dark when you heard a roar of an engine and footsteps entering the building. You didn’t have the energy to get up and find them and your throat was too dry to call out for help, so you sat there until the door opened and the light of a flashlight crawled up your body and landed on your face. You cringed and looked away from the light. The person who was shining a light called a name and another pair of footsteps entered the room. That was when the person shining the light lowered it and you made eye contact with the man who walked in the room. “Holy shit... Are you alive?” He chuckled, getting closer to you.

His smile disappeared when he saw how sick you looked. He walked over to you and knelt at your level. “I’m Negan.” He says. You gave him a slightly confused look and Negan sighs. “Simon. Go get some water.” He orders while still staring down at you.

Simon quickly came back into the room with a water bottle and handed him the bottle. He opened it and he snaked his hand behind your neck and lifted you. You slightly groan as he pulls your head forward in front of the bottle. Your lips touched the bottle and slowly gulped down the water. If you weren’t so dehydrated there was a good chance you would’ve cried.

When you needed a break you moved your head back and leaned back against the wall. “Y/N.” You mumbled. “What?” Negan asks as you barely let out a whisper. “…My name is Y/N Grimes.” You say while shifting around. “How long have you been here?” Negan asks. “A couple of days…” You say before letting out a hoarse cough. Negan lifts the bottle back to your lips and you take a few more gulps. “Is there anyone else around here?” He asks. You shake your head, “No. I’ve been alone since the beginning of the apocalypse.” You explain. His eyes widen and he scoffs with a smirk. “No shit? Wow. Good for you for lasting so long.” He says with a wide smile.

“Yeah… It gets lonely though.” You say while lifting the corner of your lips to smile slightly. Negan stared at you for another minute before mumbling an ‘alright’ and closing the water bottle and handing it back to Simon. He stands up slightly and begins to put his hands under your knees and behind your back. “What… What are you doing?” You ask. “I’m going to take you back to my camp. We have a doctor and food and water..” He explains. “…Why? You don’t know me.” You ask. “People are a resource. They need to be protected… And you won't survive much longer if I leave you here.” He explains. You nodded and he continued to pick you up.

You groaned as your body ached. Your muscles were so tense from sitting there for so long that just a slight movement caused your whole body to ache in pain. “We’ll get you patched up... It’ll be okay.”

And here you are… Many months later arguing with the man who saved your life. He stared down at you and he clenched his jaw. You could see on his face he wasn’t angry anymore, he was hurt. You didn’t expect it to hurt him in all honesty because Negan has been told a lot worse than what you said. But it did hurt him... And he didn’t know what to do about it. He sighed and looked around for a moment. “Head over to the truck.. We’re going to be leaving in a few minutes.” Was the only thing he managed to get out. Without looking at you he walks down the steps of the porch and down the street.

You stifled a sob and wiped the tears that had fallen down your face. After you pulled yourself together you walked over to the truck and saw David in the face of a young girl. “Say please again, little girl.” He chuckles. The girl lets out a ‘please’ and he smirks. “Yeah. One more time.” He says while running his finger down her cheek.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” You yell out as you storm over to him. His head shoots towards you and you shove him away from the girl. “Who do you think you are?” David asks as he gets in your face. “Someone who will gladly put some fucker out of their misery.” You snapped back. “Now piss off.” You hissed. He glared at you and tried to walk away but you stopped him. You put our hand out, telling him to give you the item the girl wanted. He grumbled something under his breath and shoved the item in your hand. David walked away and you turned to the girl. “I’m sorry that happened…” You whisper as you handed her back the balloons. You squeezed her shoulder before walking off and following the truck.

“Get in the truck Y/N. Me and daddy dearest here gotta talk.” Negan says without looking at you. You glared at him and you were about to oblige his orders and get in the truck but you stopped yourself. You turned on your heel and walked over to your father and swung your arms over his shoulders. You both hugged each other tightly before Carl found his way under your arm and hugged you and your father as well.

When you finally pulled away you rested one hand on your father’s shoulder and the other on the side of Carl’s face. You gave them a soft smile as tears filled in all of your eyes. “I’ll be back. I promise.” You say in a low tone of voice as you run your thumb over Carl’s cheek to wipe away the tear that fell from his eye.

You give them another small smile before turning and walking away. Negan watched you closely as you walked past him, wiping your tears in the process. You sat in the van and stared down at the ground, trying not to cry anymore in the process. During the minutes of you sitting there, you looked over and saw Negan taunting your father. You balled your fists up and sighed in annoyance. You wanted to get out of the car and yell at Negan but you didn’t have the energy. You heard Negan chuckle as finally peeled himself away from your father and he got in the van next to you, Lucille in his hands. You looked down at your hands and furrowed your eyebrows. You didn’t want to even look at Negan... But you knew he was looking at you.

He made occasional glances at you in an obvious manner. He wanted your attention and in all honesty, he wanted you to feel slightly bad for what you said to him. But you never looked at him. Not even when you made it to the sanctuary and walked past him to get inside.

You ignored everybody and headed to your shared bedroom. When you finally made it to the bedroom that’s when you realized that the sun was setting and you sighed in relief. You were exhausted and you wanted nothing more than to fall into your bed and sleep the day away. You sat on the edge of the bed and buried your face in your hands. You sat for a while until you heard your bedroom door opening and closing. You glance up and saw Negan leaning against the doorframe and staring at you.

You wipe the tears that had fallen from your eyes and look to the side. Negan stares at you for a few more seconds before sighing and lightly smiling to himself, clearly thinking of a memory.

“Y’know… I remember the first time I saw you.” He says. “You were so frail and sick looking.” He says while slowly walking towards you. “I was worried if I touched you, you would shatter like a piece of glass.” He continues walking towards you. You look up at up and look at him through your hair. “But I knew you were a fighter. And even if I had left you there you would’ve fought yourself back to survival.” He says while kneeling in front of you. “Who would’ve thought you would fight yourself into my heart.” He says with a soft smile and gently tucking your hair behind your ear.

You look down at him with tears in your eyes and a frown on your face. “There’s no way I could’ve left you there because..” He sighs before continuing. “I fell in love with you the first time I saw you.” He says while resting his hand against your cheek and wiping the tears that had fallen.

“Look… You and I are not easy people to deal with. And together it’s even more difficult... But I wouldn’t change a thing.” He says while shaking his head, a soft smile on his lips. A small cry came out of my mouth and I close my eyes, "I-I didn't mean what I said... I didn't... I'm glad you found me I...* You say, your words stuttering a bit. "I know... I know baby..." Negan whispered while moving his hand up to wipe the tears off your cheeks.

"I just... I hate seeing this side of you, and knowing you're doing this to my family..." You say before taking a deep and shaky breath. "It hurts..." You mutter, just barely over a whisper. Negan frowns, "I know... But I have to be cruel to keep them in line." Negan says. You shake my head, "No... No, you don't." You say. Negan sighs, "Baby. Listen to me." Negan says while grabbing your cheeks between his hands, "I promise you... I won't hurt your family. I take my promises seriously and you know that." Negan says.

You nod and sniffle, "...Okay." I mumble. "Alright... Now come here...* Negan says while putting his arms out to you. You get off the bed and onto the floor in front of him and hug his torso tightly. He hugs you back tightly and lovingly. Negan would keep his promise... He wouldn't hurt your family, but everyone else in Alexandria was up for grabs... One thing Negan knew how to do...

Was how to manipulate.

PART 2

[thosewildcharms]

i'll be thinking about 1x04 for the rest of my life probably, but currently i'm thinking about how genius it was that instead of the episode being about convincing rick to fight the CRM, as I originally thought it would be, it ended up being a battle to bring rick himself back to life. it's both rick and michonne fighting to revive a dead man who is doing anything he can to stay dead.

the show had already established that rick metaphorically killed himself and made okafor's mission his own instead of committing suicide and that from the moment she arrived he went into panic mode and was doing everything he could do put himself between her and the many threats aimed at her. like, we knew all of that going in.

and then this episode blows that wide open in the first, what, ten minutes? the CRM thinks they're dead. they can leave. and still, rick clings to okafor's mission. and in the hands of lesser writers, in the hands of any other production team who did not understand these characters as profoundly as danai and andy understand them, that's where it would have ended. rick would have genuinely been fully brainwashed and have been coming from a place of misplaced egotism, and they'd be having a very different fight. it would be rick insisting he had to fight the crm alone and michonne arguing that they can fight them together with nothing deeper than that going on.

but of course that's not it, because that's not rick grimes, and this is danai gurira's pen. he's not brainwashed, he's broken. he's so deeply and profoundly traumatized that clinging to this mission as a way of maintaining his own metaphorical death has become the last and strongest wall of his self-defense mechanism. and he spends the whole episode desperately trying to keep that wall up, and failing.

when he sees michonne's scar, he immediately looks for the PRB. because the physical proof of how much danger she will always be in reminds him of how much he can no longer bear to witness it. when michonne tells him about RJ, he asks her to give him the PRB and when he learns that RJ calls himself Little Brave Man, he doubles down on okafor's plan. because he can never lose another child (the way he lost carl twice) if he never knows or meets him in the first place. when michonne blows up about how scared and guilty she feels about not being with their kids he goes completely cold and blank and tells her to go back home. because if they're all out of sight and together they'll always be alive in his mind. because he's already dead, but they don't have to be. he becomes truly recognizable to michonne, to remain unmoved in the face of her pain like that.

and yet. he lasts about ten seconds before sprinting after when she leaves the room. he fusses over her when she can't stop coughing and refuses to leave her side when she's in danger. several times michonne checks in, to see if her rick is still there ("do you still love me?" "I just needed to hear you say it") and confirms that yes, he is. he's emphatic that he has never stopped loving her and never will, that she never has to thank him ever, for saving her life or for anything else. over and over, his love for her wins out even though he's trying so hard to keep that wall up. to remain dead so she will leave and keep living. he's trying to convince both her and himself that he's already gone, but always breaks at the last minute because the immediacy of seeing her right in front of him is more powerful than his own fear. tries to shut himself down, can't resist her, rinse and repeat.

and god, michonne. i've been yammering about the intensity of rick's love for michonne for weeks now, but michonne has done nothing but prove that she's right there with him, if not more. to reveal that rick is the only person who has ever made her feel safe, only to have him continually reject her and be a stone wall against her anger and pain and fear and confusion was so fucking heartbreaking to watch, and still she spends the whole episode banging and scratching and tearing at that wall around him, begging to understand why he's lying to her, why he's being so antithetical to the man she loves. and once she figures out that there's something else going on, that the rick she loves is undoubtedly still in there, she knows exactly what to do to save him. she forces him to say how much he loves her, how much he can't bear to actually let her leave him, so both of them can hear it and then reminds him of how he loves her. this woman spent a decade alone, afraid, raising their kids and facing horrible trauma herself, almost dies trying to find her husband only to meet a stranger once she does, and still does not give up on him. fucking incredible.

i said in a previous post that the only thing that could keep rick grimes from doing anything to get back to his family is a threat to their lives. and it's still true - his grief and trauma is so profound that even the nebulous threat of losing them is so horrifically terrifying to him that he's refusing to go home to them, keeping himself dead to protect himself from their possible deaths. but ultimately, michonne's love for him is even stronger than that. it took almost a decade for the CRM to break him, and michonne brings him back in a day. because the love they have for each other is more powerful than anything. as she says, it can't be denied.

it's honestly the most romantic hour of television i've ever watched. there's so much more that i can say that i haven't even touched on here, and i'm sure i'll be thinking about it for a very long time.

[frangipanilove]

Full Circle Apple Symbolism; Rick's "Resurrection" in TOWL

From TWD 10x13 What We Become to TOWL 1x6 The Last Time

Apple symbolism was always tied to Rick and Michonne specifically, but in a more general sense, it tells a story about reunion, rebirth and resurrection.

In TWD 10x13 What We Become, Michonne went with Virgil to his island, because he insisted there were weapons to be found there, and Michonne needed weapons for the Whisperers war.

Once there, things took a turn. There were no weapons, and Virgil wasn't in a great place, psychologically speaking. He was confused and traumatized after the loss of his wife and children. He trapped Michonne in a room, and poisoned her by mixing Jimsonweed into her tea.

My favorite way to decipher symbolism in TWDU is through etymology. Almost everything in TWDU has multiple layers of symbolism, and an etymology search is helpful in most cases. This one was no exception; the name Jimsonweed is ultimately derived from a Hindi name which translates to "thorn apple".

Yup. Jimsonweed is ultimately an apple reference. In fact, "Jimsonweed" goes under the name "thorn apple" in many languages, my own included.

The first apple reference of the episode came as we watched Virgil pick the hallucinogenic plant immediately after the opening credits. There would be more to come later...

Michonne did not have a pleasant reaction to the drug. She hallucinated herself in a series of alternate existences, such as being one of the Saviors, and not being around her real family. After the drugs wore off, she overpowered Virgil, and scolded him for putting her in a drugged out state where she experienced having temporarily lost her family:

Then she asked him about his hallucinations:

And this is where we start to touch on the true meaning behind the symbolism around apples. Because, unlike Michonne, Virgil experienced that the hallucinogenic thorn apple brought his family back to him:

"What do you see when you're tripping anyway?"

"Lisa with that damn camera pointed at everyone.

My babies.

Bobby and me lying on the roof of that Annex, looking up at the stars."

It brought his family back.

Virgil wasn't primarily evil, he was broken from the trauma of losing his family.

There's a parallel with Rick there. Where Rick survived in the CRM by meeting up with his loved ones in his dreams, Virgil got to be with his family by taking hallucinogenic herbs. They both found ways to stay close to their loved ones through an altered state, Rick through his dreams, Virgil through the thorn apple tea.

On a surface level, it's clear that Michonne had a bad trip from the thorn apple, and that she was shook by what she experienced as a temporary loss of her family. She was rightfully angry about having been drugged. Virgil, more confused and traumatized than evil, explained that he had wanted to help her because he could tell she was in pain over having lost loved ones, much like himself.

Michonne was not impressed, but at the very least she didn't kill him.

However, under the surface, the apple symbolism heralds "reunion, rebirth and resurrection", something which she was about to discover:

Virgil took her to a boat marked with the numbers 672, in which she found Rick's boots and an Apple iPhone with etchings of herself and Judith. It was the same boat we later saw in 11x24 Rest In Peace, when we saw Rick throw his backpack onboard, before being recaptured.

This is the first "proof of life" both we, the audience, and Michonne got from Rick, and it was the apple symbolism that led us here. Because, apple symbolism is about reunion, resurrection and rebirth.

As we know, finding the Apple iPhone and his boots was what convinced her Rick could be alive, it was what encouraged her to leave to search for Rick.

We recently watched her succeed at finding him in TOWL, but not without some resistance from a deeply traumatized Rick.

In TOWL 1x4 What We, which is the episode where Rick fully "came back", the episode where he finally broke free and chose "life" with Michonne over staying "dead" in the CRM, we learned that he had initially gotten through the days in the CRM by meeting up with Carl in his dreams.

Then that had stopped, Carl had stopped coming to him in his dreams.

Michonne had gotten an iPhone with an etching of Carl, and implored Rick to do what Carl would have wanted him to do, which led to a psychological breakthrough for Rick.

This was Rick's true "resurrection", this was when he fully "surrendered" to Michonne, to his family, to "life". It was the Apple iPhone with Carl's picture that truly made Michonne able to reach through to him, through all the layers of trauma and isolation accumulated over time.

On a symbolic level, the apple symbolism and the Apple iPhones were what facilitated this reunion between Rick and Michonne. He had survived in the CRM by "being dead", then the Apple iPhone with Carl's picture "brought him back to life".

This symbolized Rick's "resurrection", this was the true purpose of the apple symbolism all along. Apple symbolism is about "reunion, resurrection and rebirth"!

Similarly, it was the Apple iPhone Michonne found in the boat on Virgil's island that made her believe that Rick could truly be alive, it was the Apple iPhone that convinced her he was out there, that made her go out searching for him.

Apple symbolism as something that heralds reunion, resurrection and rebirth had started with Virgil picking the white thorne apple flower in 10x13 What We Become, and was fulfilled with Rick's "resurrection" in TOWL 1x4 What We.

In 1x6 The Last Time, we see Rick utilize this new insight during Major General Beale's Echelon briefing:

"He brought me back".

The Apple iPhone with Carl's picture brought him back. Back to Michonne, back to his family, back to himself, back to life.

Just like how the thorn apple tea brought Virgil's family back to him, the Apple iPhone with Carl's picture brought Rick back to his family.

Then finally, we see the apple symbolism fulfilled one last time:

We see Michonne holding the Apple iPhone she originally found on Virgil's island, the one that convinced her that Rick could be alive, the one that prompted her to go out searching for him. We see this phone, with etchings of herself and Judith just as the apple symbolism comes full circle:

The final reunion, resurrection and rebirth!

[trips2saturn]

towl spoilers below!!!!!!!!!

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late briefing but it’s here and that’s what matters!!!!! let’s get into this episode! ❤️‍🔥

this episode was amazing. no notes. angst fuels me, so keep it coming in episode four along with some loving intimacy! 🤝

michonne is the most clever, headstrong, charismatic, fearless powerhouse of a woman in the entirety of twdu. there is no situation nor circumstance that she cannot handle. no matter the time, skill, or hardship that woman is going to do whatever she fucking wants. she’s such an admirable character, and yes this is just a fictional show but she means so much to me. tv mom forever and ever and ever. my lovebug!!!! 🫶🏼

rick… my og lovebug. his selfless, tender hearted yet courageous and dangerous personality is sooo missed recently because of these losers who love to keep playing hide the donkey. he’s been so beaten down and forced into the caged mindset, also known as stockholm syndrome. it hurts so much to see it affect him so deeply, especially in this episode. we truly get to understand just how horrified he is of losing michonne, losing judith, losing their home. it’s so layered that he’s come to the conclusion that he has to do whatever it takes to protect his wife and their children (judith for now until further notice). even going as far as pretending to break michonne’s heart just to get her to go back home for the sake of a safe and secured future. and as much as it rips his entire psyche into shreds, this man is a family man. his priority in life is to protect the ones that he loves by all means necessary.

and thank fucking HEAVENS that despite their years apart, michonne knows her husband like the back of her palm and can read him like a book!!! every word that poured out of his mouth was utter bullshit merely for safety purposes and i’m soooo glad that she understood that without even having to retaliate verbally.

she retaliated by throwing them out of a moving chopper LMAOOO 😭 MY GIRL, MY LEADING LADY!!!!!! CAN WE MAKE SOME NOISE FOR THE CRAZIEST CHARACTER IN THE ROOM. thank youuuuuu! i digress.

“we needed a timeout” shdjshdhsjdjs well yes! please knock some sense into your traumatized husband. he needs his wife!!!

moving forward. the phones!!!! “believe a little bit longer”!!!!! CARL MENTION!!!!!!??????!!!!! 😨🫨🥺☹️😖 rick not mentioning any names for three years and never liking any drawings of his son because they could never be depicted perfectly 😣😣😣 try not to cry challenge [FAILED]. punching me in the gut would hurt less. still hoping for a random chandler cameo too :D

i know that what rick said was absolutely fake and futile but as a fierce michonne lover… HER FACE AS HE SPOKE??? if we don’t see him loving on her endlessly in episode four… i might throw myself out of a moving helicopter.

one hundred percent positive that they’ll be pouring bisquick and making pancakes next episode. i’m sat.

thorne is a D. not an A. she’s a piece of shit and will be dealt with eventually. michonne will handle any light work. i rest my case.

jadis is a sexual predator and a grade-A loser with a shit haircut. i almost pissed myself laughing when rick said that. he’s been waiting and so have i!!!! 😁 but yeah she sucks. die asap.

RICHONNE KISS IN THE WOODS AFTER BEING A POWERHOUSE COUPLE. 🥹 reminded me so much of when they took those cars and drove into that herd of walkers. ugh. please put their entire love story into the louvre.

last but not least because i’m tired — unsure what beale is up to. he’s so sketchy, and also SO CONFUSED about rick supposedly having a briefing with him about being promoted?! NO. no thanks we didn’t ask for him to ever be a leader nor get kidnapped in the first place!!!! scared to see what lies ahead for the next three episodes :(((((

in conclusion, michonne is the most beautiful angel to walk the earth. she looked so hot in every single scene. episode three is hands down my favorite episode yet, despite the hardship. again, angst fuels me. so excited to see what’s in store next week, and every other week after that!!!! it’s only up from here. ❤️‍🔥⬆️

okay that’s it. hope everyone enjoyed the episode!!!! this is such a wild ride, and i’m happy to have my television parents back on my screen, making things happen again. 🌟🔥

[cultofdixon]

It’s best to watch your mouth

Daryl Dixon • She/Her Pronouns • An argument…lead to blood loss and fear…oh how the world has a funny way of showing you what you can lose with what you say • TW: Major Injuries / Blood Loss / Recovery / Scars

Requested by: Anon

A/N: Love posting an angst fic request on my birthday 💕

“…do you regret what you just said to me, Dixon?” He knew he fucked up by the use of his last name, but he meant what he said. He meant every word because she needs to understand that shit just happens whether you like it or not.

The silence was her answer, and it only made her feel worse.

As Y/N immediately left the home, slamming the front door in the process…Daryl had the urge to follow her but the way his fists clenched and anger build up inside of him. He would make things worse if he acted with those emotions.

Why does me wondering where the fuck you are piss you off so much?

Cuz you don’t have to fucking know! I tell yea every time I’ll come back

Last time you didn’t! You lost your crossbow and your bike—-

For fucks sake Y/N just SHUT UP

Oh really Daryl—-

I’m not some dumb fucking kid that doesn’t know his way around in the world that ends up getting himself killed in the process. Next time trust my fucking word.

Seriously.

You seriously had to bring him up Y/N frowns as the tears continue to burn her face even after she left the community. Telling Sasha who was on watch that she needed a breather.

It’s been a couple hours since that fight and Daryl didn’t think much of it when she didn’t come home. Hopefully she’d be at Carol’s or hiding out somewhere in Alexandria until the heat between them cools down.

The archer instantly turns to the door when Carol came through with a confused look on her face.

“I thought…uhm.”

“What?”

“Y/N…I thought she’d be with you…” Carol frowns before narrowing her attention on the man that suddenly revealed a more guilty expression. “What did you do, Dixon?”

“Seriously? Dixon now?” Oh he’s going to be in the dog house for a while.

“Y/N was supposed to help me with something and she didn’t turn up. It’s been hours, Dar. I know she doesn’t just disappear without a good reason, even if said good reason is actually a bad one”

“We got into a fight. Real bad one” The guiltless written itself on his face as he rises from the table. “Gonna ask Rick if he’s seen her”

“We’re not done” Carol glares at Daryl wanting to know more about this fight. “I’ll check with the people on watch. See if they’ve seen her”

Once the two separated, the anxiety started to eat at Daryl the more people he talked to. He checked with Rick and he didn’t see her since before they fought, so that was too early in the day. Carol asked the current watch person, Rosita if she’s seen Y/N and that was a no. Which led to her asking the previous person on watch, Sasha, who hasn’t seen her since she let her out.

“Anythin’?” Daryl met back up with Carol at the infirmary after she had asked Denise for any Y/N sightings but shook her head. “Fuck!”

“The fuck did you say to Y/N that made her leave like this?!”

“I already know it’s my goddamn fault Carol. Why must I—-“

“Because she could be doing a whole lot more than stepping out for some air”

That planted exactly what Carol implied in Daryl’s head. Which led to his anger being directed at himself as he tried not to shut down right in front of her. It was so hard to say—-

“I blamed her for her brother dyin’. When we all know he joined the wrong side and got himself killed.” Daryl frowns watching his best friend’s expression darken in anger as he started to avoid her eye contact. “All because she wants to know where I’m at”

“…You’re messing with me. You fought because she cares—-“

“Carol—-“

“SHE CARES ABOUT YOUR FUCKING DUMBASS BECAUSE YOU ARE RECKLESS AND THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH EVERYTHING WITHOUT ANYONE BATTING AN EYE” Carol snaps, regretting the flinch to pulled out of Daryl but it needed to be drawn out of him. “Her brother was reckless and she cared deeply about him. When she lost him because of the Governor’s manipulation and the first fight at the prison, we almost lost her. So when you tell her that she needs to back off about wondering where you are…after you got your bike and crossbow stolen…after you went missing for days…you’re the fucking asshole that should’ve watched his mouth”

“…What are we going to do Carol?”

“For right now, we are taking this as she needs a breather” Carol states. “If she doesn’t come back tomorrow…we’ll discuss our next option with Rick involved”

Daryl didn’t like the waiting and hated every second of it. His glooming form on the porch of the Grimes’ residence worried everyone and drew a few questions that Carol ultimately answered.

“I’m gonna go check on the snares outside” Rick tells Daryl as that triggered a thought in his mind making him get up and follow the man.

But when they reached the gates, he stopped him.

“What. Can’t go?”

“No, yea can’t. You’ve been squirrel-y” Rick scoffs.

“Y/N still ain’t back”

“From what Carol told me, you said some dumb fucking shit” He hissed, resting his hands on his hips the way he does. “You ain’t in the right head space to go on any sound searches without destroying whatever is in your way”

“Can’t I still just help with the snar—-“

“Nope!” Rick laughs on his way out of the gates after Eugene opened them for him.

Eugene looks deep into Daryl’s soul, or at least he always looks like that. It made Daryl uncomfortable enough to leave the gates heading back to the houses.

“Works every goddamn time” Eugene knew if he made the man uncomfortable that he wouldn’t try and sneak passed him.

Not like he thought about trying, but both Carol and Rick were on top of it. Telling their close family to keep an eye on the archer to avoid him from leaving the walls.

The late afternoon came around and Carol had talked to Rick and Michonne about searching for Y/N and kept Daryl out of it. But he lingered on the porch until he was informed.

“We’ll plan somethin’ in the morning. For now, the most yea can be is on watch” Rick tells Daryl as the two walked to the gates, mainly for the retired sheriff to make sure the archer didn’t get any ideas.

So the stubborn man stood in the watch post staring out into the dead forest not hearing anything. Then the smallest twig snapped and he readied the rifle he had aiming into the sound not seeing much of what it could be given the dark.

It’s just a walker Daryl thought watching the unknown form human-like stumble toward the gates and to the cars they had spikes on. Thinking it was dumb enough to impale itself, but his attention hasn’t left the person seeing them miss the spikes entirely.

The body slumped against the car with spikes only on the trunk, they slowly descended to the ground propped against this stilled vehicle.

Then it triggered Daryl.

“Oh my god. Oh my fucking GOD!” Daryl yells, making his way out of the post as his yell caught the attention of the nearest people. In this case Abraham and Maggie.

Abraham got the gates open with Daryl as he forced his way through while Maggie followed behind him with her weapon in case of walkers. Then she saw it for herself.

“Oh god. Y/N!” Maggie yells running over to her aid with Daryl as she was falling into an unconscious state the more she stilled. “Abraham! Get Denise and the gurney!”

All the archer heard was white noise…

Her head is bleeding…

She’s bruised everywhere…

Her right side is soaked with blood…

She was limping, she must’ve sprained or broken her ankle…

She’s…broken

A mess…

And it’s all my fault Daryl frowns trying not to let the tears spill but they did as he carried her body onto the gurney that Abraham and Denise brought out with more witnesses around.

The man was covered in her blood while he waited outside the infirmary in a frozen state with Glenn on one side of him rubbing circles on his back and Carol in front of him trying to get anything out of him that she might of said. But she passed out quickly…

“She’s going to be okay” Glenn states, about two hours later after checking on Y/N himself once Denise stepped out after she finished.

Daryl felt the tears come on strong as he held his head between his legs feeling like a beaten puppy. He fell apart and Glenn stuck with him the entire time even when Maggie came out after cleaning up telling him he was going back to the house. He stayed with his friend until Michonne came later with a change of clothes for both Daryl and Y/N. Giving him his clothes and going inside to help Denise during her hourly check to get Y/N sort of comfortable and not exposed.

The archer didn’t come into the infirmary until five days later…he was instructed for his mentality and for Y/N’s infection probability. She needed a least a day or two after having to insert a chest tube and also removing it once it did it’s job.

Daryl sat by her side noticing the bandage on her temple, the ace bandages around her torso, and her ankle also wrapped yet elevated. She had a few bandages scattered for small cuts and then obvious bruises. He tried once again not to cry, regretting everything he had said to her that led to her leaving and returning like this. He held her hand carefully, feeling his chest tighten at every negative thought.

Her wince startled him as he was going to release her hand when she squeezed his tightly.

“Ouch” Y/N groans trying to take a deep breath as Daryl carefully rises from his seat to look her in the eye when she tiredly opened hers. “Hey…”

“Hey…I’m so so sorry…” He broke once more as the tears roll off his cheeks seeing her go to a calm expression for someone as hurt as she was. “I should’ve never said that about your brother…never should’ve compared shit or say you shouldn’t worry about me…I—-“

“I’m really…really exhausted, love.” Y/N pouts feeling tears of her own spill. “You can’t yell at me like that again. You…you can’t question my f-fucking worry EVER!” She snaps that last part resulting in a painful wince to escape her as she held her side with her left hand. “…you mean so much to me that I…I can’t lose you”

“I can’t lose you either, sunshine.” Daryl brushes the hair out of her face, gently wiping away her tears still having his own. “I’m so fucking sorry I was an asshole…you’re my everything and it took long for my sake to get my head out of my ass”

“…please don’t leave me”

“I’m right here, I’m right here” Daryl gently rests his forehead against hers, still holding her hand as his anxiety still ate him alive.

Once she got cleared to recover in her own bed, Daryl never left her side again. Even when Rick came in a few times to ask what happened to her even if it was all a blur. One time he asked, Y/N had to reassure Daryl that what happened to her wasn’t his fault. She should’ve went out armed and shouldn’t have gone far as she did. The most she remembered was running into trouble and not knowing who the individuals were that hurt her.

“I’ve got watch this morning…” Daryl whispers to her after she was well enough for him to join her in the bed. Even if he was afraid to touch her.

“Don’t wanna piss off Rick” Y/N whispers back keeping her eyes closed given how early it was. “Come back soon though?” She turned her head toward him opening her eyes looking into his gorgeous blues.

“I don’t wanna go.” He frowns seeing her struggle to turn toward him as he tried to stop her but his hand got smacked away.

“I won’t disappear if you leave. Just come back once you’re done” Y/N leans into him pressing a kiss to the bridge of his nose before getting comfortable again, watching the archer get out of the bed helping her sit up once more to put his pillow with hers.

The archer then fixed the blankets over her, got her ankle elevated again on a decorative pillow he took from the couch downstairs, and checked her bandages before kissing her forehead and getting dressed.

“Hey” Daryl stops at the door to her voice seeing that smile of hers that he missed.

“Yeah?”

“Be safe today, okay?”

“I promise, sunshine”

[ravenraverequests]

crm!rick grimes first time imagine

rick grimes x gender neutral reader

|nsfw under the cut| |content: descriptions of mild violence, bottom reader *gender neutral*, unprotected sex, sir kink|

at first you despised rick grimes, your training lieutenant. you found him rough and stubborn. even though you were the best fighter in your squad, he still ignored you. the small looks you did catch aimed your way were heated, but indecipherable.

one day, with one person indisposed due to illness, there was no one for you to partner up with. you spoke to him and persuaded him to practice with you. you wanted to take him down a notch.

what you didn’t expect was being able to take him down. you end up straddling him, feeling something hard pressing against you between his legs.

you were surprised and rick took the opportunity to pin you. with his forearm pressed to your throat, you try to buck against him to get him off, but it works in a way you weren’t thinking, with him hastily getting off of you and calling an end to the training session.

he tells you to stay. frustrated, you give him attitude he doesn’t take well. he sends you back to your room with a threat to not show up to the next practice, to think about what’d you done. with you left confused and dazed, he storms off.

you show up anyways, leaned against the wall and watching as your colleagues train without you and watching as rick grimes tries to keep his eyes from finding you.

after, you’re sent on a mission with him and two other soldiers to investigate suspicious activity in the outskirts of the city. thankfully, it seemed to be a mistaken call.

that night before you head back to the base, you and rick find each still awake in the small, hidden safe house. he’s got a bottle of whiskey he offers to share with you.

-> (“thanks, sir.” “just call me rick.,” he says with a blush. “no can do, lieutenant.”)

after several minutes of silent drinking, he breaks the silence. he tells you that you’ve been a temptation since day one. you tell him that you planned ahead and the other two soldiers have been drugged and will sleep deeply for the remainder of the night.

at first, he’s taken aback. but as he looks at your sly smile and thinks over your presumptuous decision, he takes the bait.

-> (“get the fuck over here.” “yessir.”)

the first kiss is rough and forceful as he holds your chin to keep you in place. he leads you back to his room. you start to strip. he turns around after shutting the door he tells you to let him do it.

-> (“no… let me,” he murmurs. “such a gentleman.”)

after he gets you bare, he lays you down on his sleeping back. you fumble with his belt and quickly get his pants open while he kisses you. you begin to stroke him- he’s big, fuck- and he groans, his kisses trailing down your neck.

you bite your lip in an attempt to stay quiet, knowing the walls are thin. the feeling of rick on top of you, his hands grabbing at your hips and waist, is driving you insane. his hand slides over the crouch of your uniform pants, grinding his palm against you. you can barely contain yourself

-> (“let me hear you.” “fuck, sir-!” “that’s it. you’re beautiful,” he praises, breathless, “you sound beautiful.”)

he takes his time to prep you before he gets inside of you. even though it is hurried and frantic, you’re surprised at the considerate gesture.

-> (“ever the gentleman.” he chuckles lowly before saying, “when I get inside of you, I’m not starting slow.”)

he wasn’t lying. he pushes your thigh up your chests and positions himself better as he begins to slam into you. you cry out in pleasure and slight discomfort, the three finger prep still not enough to get you acclimated to the stretch from his large cock.

you cling to his back, sliding your hands under his shirt to rake your nails down his skin. he shudders and pants against you, his eyes screwed shut with ecstasy.

-> (“harder- please-!” “call me sir again.” “please, sir, please!”)

he obeys your wishes and starts to pound into you with more force. your walls clench around him in intervals, your orgasm approaching. you beg him to touch you.

-> (“I’m gonna cum, touch me, sir, please, touch me-” “fuck, okay, okay, I’ll touch you.” “yes- yes-!” “that feel good, honey?”)

with a few more strokes, you cum around his cock. he releases deep inside you with a moan that makes your body shudder post orgasm. he pulls out gently, immediately reaching for his shirt to clean you up.

as much as you want to fall asleep the way you are now, head against his warm chest, you know that you can’t let your colleagues catch on. you should’ve have slept with your superior, but you don’t care.

you sneak back into your shared room with your other colleagues. in the morning, the looks that rick gives you are softer, less mean.

“hey, why are you walking like that?” another soldier asks you.

“like what?”

“you’ve got a limp.”

you hope they don’t see the faint smile on rick’s face.

[angstflavoured]

RICK PORTAL 2 BACKSTORY TIME !!! Literally have been sitting on all of this for years and its only ever been told to my two friends 👹 so excited to finally have all of it down.

Nothing graphic, but do be warned that it does deal with very dark topics 💥

Rick grew up DEEP in the rural south in a small little religious town. His family was very poor and had upwards of 5 children. His father was very physically and mentally abusive, and his mother was very neglectful and quiet. He was never close with any of his siblings, and his brothers didn't do much more than add to his problems. 

He started drinking and smoking from about the age of 10, as most boys did in their town. They would all meet up in groups and share goods they stole from their parents and from corner stores.

Through everything, the only real comfort he had was movies--westerns and action flicks. They were too poor to own a TV, so he would sneak into movie theaters and drive-ins. It was a big inspiration for the person he wanted to be when he grew up and served as a good mental escape. He wanted to eventually leave this town and travel the world with nothing but the clothes on his back and a dream.

The only real friend he had through it all was Teddy. Rick was a troubled kid and could be a bit mean due to his upbringing, but Teddy was the one person he was always nice to. Something about him made him soft. They were best friends since they were toddlers and while other people came and went, those two always stuck together and stayed close. 

Somewhere along the way, their relationship ended up becoming romantic. They were so young that the whole thing was confusing, but they knew well enough to keep it a secret from everyone else. Rick knew that something was deeply wrong with it and it always ate up at him inside and made him ashamed, but Teddy didn't have a care in the world. Rick made him happy and that was all that mattered.

Then when Rick turned 16, he decided that he'd had enough with school and church and his parents. He was ready to leave it all behind--but he wasn't going to bring Teddy. Teddy had a sister he was really close with, and more friends than Rick had. He had more to lose and Rick didn't want him uprooting his whole entire life for him. 

So Rick broke things off with Teddy and told him never to tell another soul what had happened between them and to forget the whole thing, forget Rick. Then he jumped onto a boxcar train and left town.

He was homeless for a good bit, but managed to get a small job that gave him enough money to save up for an old, broken down truck that he lived out of. He never stayed in one place too long, hopping around and getting jobs here and there, stealing off of folks in town to get enough for food. 

Rick had a hard, but very adventurous and rewarding few years out on the road, but at the end of it all, he couldn't find anyone even close to Teddy. It wasn't the same without him around and Rick decided that maybe it was worth a shot going back and seeing if somehow Teddy was still in the town they grew up in. 

Rick drove back, now a full grown adult, hoping there was a way that he'd still want to talk to him again. But when he got back to town and asked around, it turned out that Teddy wasn't as great at keeping the secret as he hoped. 

Teddy had tried to flirt with a man at a bar, and he didn't take too kind to it. His friends dragged Teddy outside and beat him to death, where his family found his body a few days later. By the time Rick got back to town, Teddy was long buried in a small marked grave. 

It really fucked with Rick's head. After that, he buried everything that happened between them deeeep deep down and honestly just convinced himself it never happened. They were kids and they didn't know what they were doing. 

After that, Rick went a lot harder on traveling around with the intent of meeting people to have one night stands with in maybe some hopes of further cementing the fact that he only liked women. 

He already had a problem with drinking before, but it got worse and worse as years went on. Most of his money went straight back into drinks. He couldn't keep any sort of job for more than a few days because he was constantly day drinking, showing up wasted. 

It was a great big blur for a lot of years of sleeping with women, getting fucked up on drugs, driving drunk, waking up places he didn't remember. He got into a lot of fights, most of which he started himself (definitely didn't have a weird thing where he liked fighting because it was the only time he got to touch a man.... cus that would be WEIRD ASF 🗣🗣🗣 AND MAKE HIM A FREAK.) All the while he was living out of the same truck he'd gotten at 16 which constantly needed repairs. He hardly had enough money for gas, so he usually had to siphon it from other cars. Times were ROUGH

Then one day, he met a very nice, charming man at a bar. They hit it off right away, spent the whole night talking and drinking and dancing. It felt so nice and familiar in a way that Rick couldn't place, until at one point the man tried to make an advance on him. A deep, primal panic rose inside him and Rick immediately got LIVID, punching the guy right in the face and cussing him out in the middle of the bar, calling him names and slurs before leaving once the bartender told him to.

Rick felt a deep emptiness and strange longing that he hadn't felt since he was a little kid. He thought about it for days--more than anything the fact how much he really, really did want to go home with that man. 

That was when he decided that he couldn't do this anymore. He was getting too old to be living out of his truck. He hadn't had a real home since he was a kid, and that mixed with all of the drugs and high stakes adventures and fights, he was going to drive himself into an early grave. 

It was time that he got an actual job, and an actual home. And maybe that would help distract him from thinking too much about that nice man at the bar. 

After driving around and searching, eventually he ended up at Aperture. Nice easy desk job, impossible to get fired from, and hours and hours of overtime. He luckily ended up landing a cheap apartment because he was able to seduce the owner of the building into a lower rate and flexible payments. 

Rick still had a hard time with showing up to work drunk and slacking off, but at the very least he had a roof over his head. 

[spicycinnabun]

No Take-backsies

WC: 2810 💊 Rating: T 💊 Written with the lovely @batty4steddie ~ Read on Ao3!

The bats were attacking him again. Clawing at him, biting, screeching while he writhed on the ground, frantically trying to paw them off. But he could barely move. Their fangs dug deeper, tearing him apart. He stared at the blood-red sky and screamed.

Eddie woke with a gasp, soaked in sweat, heart racing like he’d been running for miles. His sweat quickly turned cold, and then the tremors started, his head still filled with visions of flapping wings, gnashing teeth, and his own demise.

He glanced towards the other side of the bed where Steve slept peacefully, unaware. Started to reach out like he could shake Steve awake, and Steve would make everything okay again. Paused and retracted his hand just as he was about to touch him. No. Only kids needed to be comforted after a nightmare.

Eddie got out of bed. Carefully extracted an old Altoid tin from his nightstand, making sure the contents didn’t rattle. The drawer was right beside Steve. They weren’t Altoids. He dry swallowed two pills, one square and white and one round and yellow, staring at himself in the mirror with an ugly frown.

He looked so scared. It was disgusting. He washed his face in the bathroom sink vigorously to snap out of it and returned to bed, curling up against Steve’s back until the shaking stopped and the drugs took him down for an easier, dreamless sleep—the coward’s way.

Steve didn’t know how long Eddie was going to be gone. He felt slighted ever since Eddie had ransacked his room and found those fuzzy joke handcuffs. Granted, they finally got some use after that, but now Steve felt like digging around, too. Maybe he’d find something fun they could play with.

At first, all he could find were dice, guitar picks, playing cards, some coins… and a top hat? Okay, Eddie must have been a magician in his free time. After finding a mint tin in the nightstand drawer, Steve sat on the edge of the bed and shook it curiously just as Eddie walked in. He opened it expecting some tasty mints but realized the two different colors and shapes weren’t mints but a surplus of pills. He thought Eddie had stopped selling drugs.

Steve looked at them, confused. “Hey, what are these?”

Eddie froze when he saw what Steve was holding. Jesus Christ, he’d forgotten to hide them. (He should’ve known Steve would get him back for the fuzzy handcuff incident—a delightful surprise for Eddie that he’d teased Steve mercilessly about before playing with him equally mercilessly—and would search his drawers.)

“It’s not what you think,” Eddie said, tight-lipped. “I’m not dealing.”

Steve was wearing an expression Eddie hated. It wasn’t angry; it was confused and disappointed, which was even worse. Like Eddie had let him down. He never wanted to let Steve down. He had promised he’d stopped buying.

Eddie looked away, folding his arms across his stomach. His wounds, long since healed over, or so he’d told everybody, throbbed like they knew he was thinking about them. The scar tissue still hurt, still twinged deeply inside, all the damn time.

Rick, recently released from prison, had told him it was probably psychosomatic when Eddie had come to him in desperation, asking for something to take the pain away. It was driving him insane, and he could barely hide it from Steve any longer. Rick had sold Eddie two bottles somewhat reluctantly. One for when the pain was unbearable, the other to help him sleep. His nightmares were getting worse.

“They’re for me,” he admitted lowly, shame making his voice quake slightly.

Steve could physically feel Eddie withdraw from him as he spoke. His crossed arms felt like a barrier, keeping Steve out. He closed the tin, feeling his nose burn with hurt that Eddie was keeping this from him. Steve tucked the box back in the drawer and shut it.

He hadn’t jumped to the conclusion that Eddie was assuming. He hadn’t even given Eddie an ultimatum to stop selling drugs. Eddie had told Steve he didn’t want to do them anymore.

Eddie still wasn’t looking at him, making Steve feel queasy and uneasy. Eddie really wasn’t as okay as Steve thought he was. It must’ve been bad for him to be secretly taking pills.

“You’re not doing okay?” He stood up to ask, feeling struck with the same amount of guilt Eddie felt in shame. He touched Eddie’s face to get him to look at him, needing to hear the truth.

Eddie didn’t know why just hearing Steve say not and okay in the same sentence triggered such a strong feeling in his chest, his heart constricting painfully beneath his ribs and making his next breath hitch suddenly, unevenly. His face burned under Steve’s palm from the rush of heavy, unexpected emotion. He met Steve’s gaze because he wasn’t a coward anymore. (But why did it hurt so fucking badly?)

“I’m gonna be. I’m gonna be okay really soon, Steve. Won’t be long.”

“How long has this been going on, Eddie?”

It had been happening since they’d escaped the Upside Down, but Eddie couldn’t voice that.

“Couple more—couple more days, and I’ll stop,” he promised, eyes filling with tears despite his forced confidence. He didn’t blink, not wanting them to fall. He didn’t want Steve to worry about him. “I’ll stop taking them.”

He was disappointed in himself. He didn’t want to rely on pills or, even worse, crawl towards an addiction. He wasn’t going to let it get to that point. He was cleaning up his act this year completely. No more low-life shit, no more drugs. It was a vow he’d made not only to himself after his life had been spared but to his friends and Uncle Wayne and his mother, six feet under.

Steve had gone through so much more. Steve had gone to the Pain and Trauma Olympics each year and probably came out on the first-place podium. Eddie had just been attacked by some fucking bats. It was pathetic how he wasn’t coping, how his face was two seconds away from crumpling from a simple question. Not the way any hero should act.

“Just a couple more days,” he repeated, rubbing his hands against his thighs, using the rough friction of his jeans against his fingers to try and ground himself, to get himself together before something bad happened (like he fell apart).

Steve blinked and let his hand fall from Eddie’s face. Eddie really hadn’t been planning to tell him.

Steve wasn’t insensitive. He could tell now that Eddie wasn’t okay. It was heartbreaking to see the pain in Eddie’s eyes, but everything he was saying felt like bullshit. Eddie’s words felt like an aftershock, the way the ground would shake before and after the Upside Down split Hawkins in half. Steve’s heart was split, too, half aching for Eddie and the other half angry at him.

In utter disbelief, Steve’s brow furrowed, expressing a mix of anger and confusion. “A couple more days. You didn’t even... talk to me. You’re not talking to me now. I fucking asked you if you were okay. I thought you trusted me. I trusted you, and now… now I’m not so sure why I did.”

Steve was angry—anger Eddie could deal with. It was effective in the way it solidified him, turning him back into a functioning being again. He sniffed, composed himself, crossed his arms and leaned back against the door frame.

Trust? It was an impossible thing. Eddie had never trusted anybody one hundred percent. Not since he was a naive kid trailing after his dad. It was a recipe for disaster. He saw the worst in people. It hadn’t always been that way, but it was now. Steve was too trusting if he’d trusted Eddie.

“I didn’t want to tell you.”

He knew Steve wasn’t Mr. Perfect, that he had been affected too, but it sure seemed that way sometimes. It had been weeks since they’d been in the Upside Down, and Steve didn’t appear to be having any of the same troubles Eddie was. Eddie didn’t like the power imbalance. Pretending he was as happy as Steve, as okay as Steve, had seemed like the best option.

“But I do trust you,” Eddie continued, voice low and no longer at risk of trembling. “I trust you as much as I’m able to. I didn’t believe you wouldn’t think less of me and treat me differently if you knew.” He shrugged and admitted plainly, “I didn’t think you’d like me anymore.”

Sure, Steve would never say out loud he thought Eddie was weak or a loser, but he might think it. It might linger in the back of his mind whenever they did anything in the future. It would be natural, anyway. Eddie was both of those things. He was weak, and he was a loser.

Steve more than liked Eddie. That was why he was angry. He’d been vulnerable, too. They’d made it through the town. Their lives had literally fallen apart. They both had physical scars now, but they also had each other.

He was mad, mostly at himself for thinking that he would be enough. He thought that Eddie would confide in him and come to him when he was in pain instead of turning to drugs. Steve couldn’t comprehend the pain Eddie had felt for him to feel the need to hide it until Eddie told him what he was afraid of.

The fear of not being liked or loved Steve had faced head-on. To a fault, he was a fixer. A go-with-the-flow type and a people pleaser. All he wanted was to be loved. Steve would do or say anything. Despite doing all the right things, his dad had never told him he’d done a good job or that he’d loved him. Nancy hadn’t told him she loved him either because she hadn’t at all. Steve had figured that out and moved on.

Steve took his own resilience for granted and expected others to be resilient. He’d expected it from Eddie; the intense but invisible amount of pressure he put on himself, he’d put on Eddie, too. He realized that his reaction had been all wrong.

“I love you,” Steve said. It was his best ammunition to confront Eddie’s fear. “I have and still do. That’s never going to change.”

“You love me?” Eddie repeated. His voice was faint. Hopeful yet disbelieving. Ecstatic yet scared. He was glad he was leaning against something. His legs threatened to wobble. “Stevie…”

They’d never said that to each other before. How was it possible Steve loved him? (Him, Eddie, a no-good Munson? They weren’t deserving of love.) Even now, after he’d learned Eddie had been keeping a secret from him. Maybe the universe was teasing Eddie like it sometimes liked to do. Dangling something wonderful in front of him only to rip it away later. That was the only logical reason someone as good as Steve would fall for him.

As for Eddie’s feelings… Could you truly love someone when you couldn’t trust them fully? Of course you could. You just loved them and also possessed a constant fear they would change their mind and leave you as soon as they discovered they didn’t like something about you, or you couldn’t provide them something they wanted, or you disappointed them.

Eddie swallowed. It was his turn to move forward and cup Steve’s face with a gentle hand. His palm and rings were cold against Steve’s flushed skin. When Eddie experienced intense emotions, his body usually went frigidly cold. Steve’s, he’d learned, did the opposite.

“I love you too, sweetheart,” Eddie said. It was the first time he’d ever said that to someone romantically, and he found it was the easiest thing in the world to confess. “How could I not? You’re such an amazing person. You have so many beautiful qualities I fucking adore. I just…” He shook his head and tried on a signature Munson smile, but it was crooked and didn’t sit right. “Are you sure? Never is a big word. Final chance to opt out before I enforce the no take-backsies rule.”

That was a joke. A very, very weak joke. Of course Steve could opt out of loving and liking him whenever he wanted to. That was the whole point.

Steve blinked. He felt extremely warm—his face burned—but Eddie’s cool touch calmed him when his heart sped up. Part of Steve worried. Had Eddie said I love you back just because Steve had said it first? But when Eddie went on a mini rant, much softer than his normal rants (he was praising Steve too much), Steve had to laugh. Eddie was so cute that it made Steve smile so big his eyes crinkled. His expression softened.

Eddie pressed their foreheads together, looking into Steve’s eyes for a moment before closing his own. “You wanna keep me even though you deserve better?”

Steve found himself nodding automatically. Of course he did. Steve loved Eddie. He thought Eddie knew that even though Steve hadn’t told him. Steve felt it from Eddie, too—every day—and thought about it pretty much constantly. Even (maybe especially) when Eddie was being annoyingly nerdy. Had that not shown?

Steve was worried, but it felt good to have finally said it out loud. He hadn’t been holding the words hostage. He was just waiting, wanting it to be special and meaningful and not let it slip out during sex.

“I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you,” Steve murmured. “My love for you isn’t just going to vanish.”

Steve didn’t understand why most men in his life, besides his dad, put him on such a fucking pedestal. It was like he couldn’t live up to the man, the myth, the legend King Steve. There was nothing wrong with Eddie. Steve loved how sweet, talented, kind and passionate he was. Eddie had given him everything he’d been missing and hadn’t even known he’d wanted.

Steve pulled back so he could kiss the top of Eddie’s head. “I’m going to keep you for as long as you let me. You deserve to not be in pain and to be loved by me, even though doing that can’t stop you from hurting. I wish it could. I’d take all your pain and stomp it out.” Steve moved his hand to rest over Eddie’s heart.

Eddie made a noise from his throat. It was a weird, spastic, almost frustrated sound, but it was really just a reaction to information he was trying to process and believe and was unable to process and couldn’t believe, and it almost hurt how good it felt. He breathed deeply to get a hold of himself. “If you don’t get in bed and cuddle me this instant, I’m gonna call 911,” he declared.

It was a ridiculous response to such tender words, but Eddie was Eddie. He hustled Steve onto the bed gently but bossily because, honestly, he needed it, and Steve was giving off heat like a little space heater, and Eddie was still trembly like he got whenever he went too long without a cigarette. His adrenaline was kicking hard from Steve’s declarations, and he needed a nice, really motherfucking tight squeeze to contain all the feelings that were trying to explode out of his body like a bunch of wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube men.

He knew they still had to talk. He had to open up to Steve about what was going on with him, but maybe they could put that off just a little longer and do it tomorrow.

Although their conversation was heavy, and confessing their love for one another for the first time was something special, Steve felt relieved with the reprieve of Eddie’s everyday silliness. Getting ushered back to the bed was just what he needed.

He couldn’t be mad at Eddie. Not really. He didn’t like what he’d discovered, but at least he knew now. Steve instantly wrapped Eddie up in his arms and squeezed him tightly. He wanted Eddie to feel the love. When that didn’t feel like enough, Steve wrapped his legs around him, giving him the biggest full-body squeeze he could and breathing him in.

Eddie shuddered in relief and made another noise from his throat. A soft one, a grateful one. All their tension melted away together, and Steve finally relaxed his love (death) grip and kissed Eddie reassuringly on the mouth.

Steve had never been addicted to anything—not really. He didn’t have to drink or smoke. He could live without it. The closest thing he'd ever been hooked on was Eddie, and he intended to keep it that way. Steve couldn’t live without him.

[miserable-sarah]

Pairings: Daryl x Reader Warnings: Mentions of 'death', arguing, mentions of cheating, bad language. I think that's it. Summary: Daryl and Y/n had a very special connection everyone knows it. You and Daryl are pretty much dating but after Rick, he just hasn't been the same.

A/n: Um.... I started watching TWD like a month ago and I'm obsessed. So now I have to write about more older men, who unfortunately don't know I'm alive. :)

~

Daryl has been gone for weeks, months. You're scared it's going to go into years. He won't leave those woods. You're afraid you're never going to see him again. Every time you find him and try to bring him back with you. he just tells you to go back home, give him more time, he'll be back soon. All things you know aren't true, he's not coming back anytime soon.

You sighed deeply thinking about how Daryl hasn't been in your bed in so long, he hasn't even been in this house. He barely comes past the walls. He just doesn't want to be here, and unfortunately you're not enough to keep him here.

You put on your boots, and threw on a jacket over your normal clothes. It's been colder out, fall is definitely coming. You walk out of the house putting on your happy face, you smiled and waved to the people you saw. You were going to try to bring food and water to Daryl today. He's probably starving. You go into the pantry and pick out a few little things no one is going to miss, you grab a bottle of water and put it in your bag.

"Where you heading?" You stop in your tracks and turn around.

"I don't know, just thought Daryl would be hungry, thirsty?" You say in a low voice. Carol knows all about you Daryl, she knows how depressed and upset you are everyday, she feels it too.

"Want me to come?" She asks, she already knows the answer but she asks anyway.

"No, I really just want to be by myself." She nods at you and pats your shoulder.

"Okay" You say quietly to yourself trying to lose the anxiety you have.

The guards opened the gate for you and gave you a nod. You walked down the road not even making it past the walls, you heard Daryls bike. You stood off the side and watched him pass you. You debated going back, go see him. Say hi. You decided not to, you figured you'd just go to his little cabin and drop the food and water off, any extra would be good for him anyway. Part of you hoped he saw you, part of you hoped he'd come out of the gates and chase you down. It didn't happen though.

-

You made it to his cabin, you freaked out a little when you saw a dog outside. You for sure thought it was a hungry dog going to eat you but he was well taken care of. Daryl must have found him. He only barked at you a few times before coming up to you, he let you pet him. Oh, how you missed dogs.

"Dog!" You heard a woman call out to him, he went to her immediately. You quickly hid behind his cabin. You don't want any trouble with anyone. When she was finally gone you snuck into his cabin. You went into the little kitchen area and placed food and water on the table.

You walked around his cabin, just looking. It was cozy but you wouldn't want to spend months out here, you really just can't wrap your head around why he does. You hear the door knob jingle, your first instinct is to reach for your knife and hide. You almost got up when you realized it's probably Daryl. You stayed behind a wall when you heard a woman, she came right into his cabin. You could feel confusion throughout your entire body.

"There you are." she walked right past you picking up a knife on the table. She stands by the table looking at the food and water. "Daryl? You here?" She shouts out. Your mouth drops, you feel heartache sinking in as you realize this isn't her first time here. She waits for an answer, when she doesn't get one she walks out. You hide behind the wall for a few minutes, honestly you think it's because you can't move.

Now listen, you and Daryl were never exclusive, never even confirmed you were dating. But it sure as hell felt like it. The talks you two had, the laughter, the crying, the always looking out for each other, always having each other's backs, the sex. He even told you about his childhood, he just wasn't a label kind of guy and you were okay with that. You just never thought he'd run into the woods, find a woman and stay out here with her.

You don't even know if that's the situation but right now. Right now at this very moment, you see red. You start going through his cabin you don't know why but maybe you can find something, you're starting to even wonder if he's still looking for Rick or if he gave up and started shacking up with the first women he saw who wasn't dead.

After a while you gave up, you sat on your knees with your head in your hands. 'What am I doing? I'm acting crazy.' You think to yourself. You hear the door open behind you, you stiffen up. You wanted to leave before Daryl got back so you didn't have to deal with this.

"Y/n?" He questions. You sigh defeated. You get off your knees and grab your bag.

"Sorry about the mess." You say emotionless, you go to open the door but he holds his arm out holding you back.

"Find what ya were lookin' for?" He asks looking around the place.

"No."

"What is it?" He easily pushes you back so you're facing him.

"Nothing." You try to keep all your emotions in. You just need to go home because if not you'll explode.

"This ain't nothin'." You can tell he's aggravated. You sigh and back up more so you have distance between the two of you.

"Who's the girl?" You say placing your hands on your hips. He gives you a weird look, he doesn't know how you know. He opens his mouth to speak but you cut him off. "Don't lie. I saw her here." He rubs the back of his neck.

"Jus' some girl. Lives in the woods too."

"Are you hooking up with her? She the reason you aren't coming home?" You just keep speaking you can't help the questions coming out of your mouth, you've been mad at him for months. He doesn't answer. You chuckle and shake your head at him. "Okay." You say taking his no answer as yes. "Move." You say in a deep voice, it even scares you a little bit. His eyes meet yours, you have no emotion except anger.

He knows he's been fucking a lot lately but he would never do that to you. He doesn't understand why you don't know that. He doesn't move he just keeps looking at you.

"Daryl, move. I'm leaving."

"Nah, you ain't goin'." He stands against the door. As anger pluses throughout your body, you've had enough. You try to make him move, which doesn't work he's too strong. "Stop." He mumbles, he grabs your arms and pulls you against him. You stay against him, you let some tears finally come down. You push against his chest to get out of his grip.

"Daryl let me go, I'm so angry. I don't want to fight."

"Nah, say what ya gotta say." He steps up to you with a little attitude.

"You aren't even looking for Rick anymore. You're out here fucking the first woman you saw that wasn't walker because what? You're so hurt, you're so lost? Or whatever excuse you come up with."

"It ain't none of your business what I do." He cuts you off "We ain't a couple, we ain't together." His words sting. You can see him getting more angry.

"Sure felt ike it." You cross your arms. "Until it didn't."

"Ya know why I'm out here Y/n!" He yells

"Fucking some girl isn't looking for Rick, Daryl!" You yell back.

Daryl steps up to you getting so close to you, you can feel his breath on your face. You can feel the anger radiating off him. "I ain't fucking her! Ya should know that!" He backs away from you a little "ya should know me." He says softer. You look at him, you can tell he's telling the truth. You can tell you hurt him.

"Daryl..." You say walking towards him slowly. "I'm sorry." You hold his face. "It's just been so rough, so hard lately. I've been so alone, I'm always worried about you. I just want you around and you're never there. I'm sorry I freaked out, but Daryl I don't know you anymore. You're just... gone." You say honestly. Darly looks down with sad eyes. He really knows he's fucked up by not staying with you. You're right you don't know him anymore.

"I jus' lost so much." He says, he's always short with words and expressing himself.

"I know. We both did." You say wrapping your arms around him.

"I'm sorry." He wraps his arms around you pulling you closer to him. "It'll change."

"Daryl, if you need to stay out here. It's okay, I understand."

"Nah, no. I don't needa stay." He pulls you in for a kiss. "I wanna go home, with my girlfriend." He kisses you again, you can't help but giggle into the kiss. You feel him smile against you.

"Girlfriend." You smile "I like the sound of that." You tease him. He nods agreeing, he gives you his signature smirk before planting another sweet kiss on your lips.

~

Hope you enjoyed reading!

[vilentia]

Could you do the walking dead men if their girlfriend got bit but hid it from them?

Love these hcs💗

How The Walking Dead men would react...

... if their girlfriend got bitten but kept it from them

Thank you for your request. I'm glad you like them. They help me with my current writer's block.

Daryl Dixon

Daryl would initially sense something off about you but might not be able to put his finger on it. He would observe your behavior, noticing subtle changes in your actions and mood. When he eventually discovers the hidden bite, his reaction would be a mixture of shock, anger, and heartbreak. Daryl deeply cares for you and values your trust, so your decision to keep such a crucial secret would devastate him. He would feel betrayed but also empathetic, understanding that you likely hid the bite out of fear of losing him. Daryl's tough exterior would crack, and he would confront you with a mix of sadness and intensity, wanting to know why you didn't confide in him. Despite his anger, Daryl's love for you would ultimately prevail, and he would do everything in his power to make your remaining time together as meaningful and comfortable as possible. If you ultimately succumb to the bite, Daryl's grief and guilt would consume him. He would blame himself for not being able to save you. In your final moments together, Daryl would hold your hand tightly, whispering through tears, "I love you, and I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you. You mean everything to me."

Rick Grimes

Rick would have a strong bond with you, built on trust and open communication. When he discovers that you've been hiding a bite, his initial reaction would be disbelief and confusion. He would question why you didn't trust him enough to share such critical information. However, Rick's love for you would quickly overpower his initial reaction, and he would shift into a state of determination. Rick would understand that you hid the bite out of love for him, not wanting to burden him with the knowledge of your impending fate. He would hold you close, assuring you that you're in this together and that he will do whatever it takes to support you until the end. Rick would cherish every moment with you, ensuring you feel loved and protected until your last breath. If you were to pass away, Rick would be devastated. He would struggle to come to terms with your passing and feel a profound sense of loss. Holding your lifeless body, he would whisper with a voice filled with anguish, "I love you, and I'll carry you with me forever. You were my reason to keep fighting, and I will make sure your memory lives on."

Negan Smith

Negan, known for his tough and confrontational nature, would initially be taken aback by your hidden bite. His reaction would be a mix of anger and disappointment. Negan values honesty and loyalty, and the fact that you kept such a crucial secret from him would strike a chord. He would feel betrayed and hurt, wondering why you didn't trust him enough to confide in him. However, as Negan's feelings settle, he would recognize the love behind your decision. Despite his tough exterior, Negan does care deeply for those close to him. He would soften and approach you with a mix of concern and sorrow, offering support and making it clear that you are not alone in this. Negan would want to make the most of your remaining time together, ensuring that you feel loved and protected until the end. If you were to die, the loss would deeply affect Negan. He would feel a profound sense of emptiness and grief. Negan's bravado would fade away, replaced by genuine sorrow and vulnerability. Kneeling beside your lifeless body, he would speak with a voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and regret, saying, "I love you, and I never thought I would find someone like you in this messed up world. I'm sorry I couldn't save you. You were my light, and now everything feels dark."

Glenn Rhee

Glenn, being compassionate and understanding, would quickly notice something amiss with you. He would pick up on subtle cues and changes in your behavior, prompting him to investigate further. When Glenn eventually discovers the hidden bite, his immediate reaction would be shock and sadness. He would be hurt that you didn't confide in him, but he would also empathize with your reasons for hiding it. Glenn would approach you with a mix of tenderness and concern, assuring you that you are in this together. He would express his love and the importance of trust in your relationship, emphasizing that you face your challenges as a team. Glenn would prioritize making you feel cherished and safe, doing everything he can to make your remaining time together as comfortable and meaningful as possible. If you were to pass away, Glenn would be devastated. You were his source of hope and happiness in the post-apocalyptic world. He would feel an overwhelming sense of loss and would struggle to accept your absence. Clutching onto your lifeless form, Glenn would pour out his love, whispering brokenly, "I love you, and I can't imagine my life without you. You made me believe in a better future. I promise to honor your memory and keep fighting for the world we dreamed of."

[lilyevanstan1325]

❤️ Built For This World ❤️

Chapter 5

I shift my gaze to the window.

“We need to tell someone, Sum”

The sun is now setting and Glenn and I are returning to the farm.

I close my eyes trying to fight the headache that minute after minute seems to destroy my every single neuron.

I sigh overwhelmed with frustration.

“Please, Glenn.Don't... don't start again”

I'm sorry for being so rude and I know he's just trying to help me but he really doesn't understand the crux of the matter.

I don't want to get anyone in trouble.

I'm the new one, the stranger.

What right do I have to start a discussion that I'm sure would degenerate?

“What does it mean don't start again?We need to talk to someone else about this.With Rick.Maybe with Daryl” he sketches a suggestion.

“No!” I snap violently at the sound of the archer's name.

No.

Not him.

“Listen to me carefully” I reply, trying to appear calmer than I actually am.

I return my gaze to my friend, his dark eyes full of concern make my heart ache.

It's touching to see how a man who was a stranger five days ago is now so worried about me.

I soften my gaze placing my hand on his knee, squeezing it gently.

“Listen Glenn.I don't want any of you to go against Shane.That man, I don't know, there's something wrong with him.I understood it from the first moment...but I can't put other people in danger.Think about Lori, think about this child.Would you dare risk Shane losing his mind?And then do you honestly really believe that others can believe me?After all, Shane took care of you.He kept all of you alive”

At the end my words become a whisper.

Shane did a lot for this group before Rick came back.

Glenn shakes his head without taking his eyes off the road.

With his right hand he takes off his hat and places it on the seat between us.

“Shane is not the same anymore.Rick's return changed something in him.And now I understand”

Yes.

With Rick's return, Shane has lost everything.

The leadership.

The control.

Lori.

I remain silent.

It's really a shitty situation.

“Lori and Shane often disappeared but honestly no one noticed, busy as we were trying to survive”

“You can't judge them, Glenn”

“I'm not doing that but now everything is clear.Shane had the power before Rick returned.Now he is no longer the leader.And it's wearing him down.God!Dale warned me but I didn't believe him”

His last words capture my full attention.

"What do you mean?"

For a moment Glenn's gaze goes back and forth between me and the road.

It's like he's deciding whether to trust me.

Then I see him sigh deeply, his chest heaving as if he's trying to fill his lungs to the full.

“Dale said he saw Shane point a gun at Rick's back”

Glenn shakes his head, his eyes seeming to be filled with something akin to shame.

“I didn't believe him, Summer.I didn't believe the man I consider a father.I told him that maybe he was wrong.And then…then there's more”

“What?” I ask still in shock from Glenn's revelation.

If Shane has come this far, what could possibly stop him if he thinks that I am a danger to his reputation?

“Otis” was his only response.

“Otis?The man who shot Carl?” I ask confused, unable to understand what Otis has to do with this whole situation.

“Yep!According to Dale, the beautiful story Shane told about Otis' heroic deed is all a sham.He and Dale had an argument, Dale confessed his doubts about him.That in his opinion things hadn't gone the way Shane told them.He told him he saw him point a gun at Rick.And do you know what Shane did?”

I shake my head unable to speak, I feel my breath getting stuck in my throat.

“He threatened him.He made it clear to him that he wouldn't hesitate to kill him”

Glenn grips the steering wheel angrily, his knuckles white with tension.

Fuck.

I'm fucked up.

We all are.

Shane is out of control.

Now I no longer have any doubts.

If that man sees me as a threat he will have no qualms about putting a bullet in my brain.

In front of us the outlines of the farm become increasingly clear.

It's time to make a decision.

“I'll have your back, no matter what, Sum, but I'm still convinced that if we keep quiet about Shane, we'll get to the point where it'll be too late”

I chew my lower lip until I feel it bleed.

I know he's right but I can't get the idea out of my mind that the moment we decide to talk will be the beginning of the end.

As long as these people are willing to believe me.

Maybe I should leave.

I should consider my initial idea...that is, disappear from these people's lives.

“Just give me some time to understand.Let's keep it to ourselves for now, okay?”

Glenn shakes his head in defeat without saying a word.

He's upset, I can feel it.

I feel anxiety eating away at every cell in my body.

Glenn doesn't look at me, he avoids my worried gaze.

Once we arrive we get out of the car and without saying a word we unload all the supplies we found.

It was a pretty lucky run, we found some blankets, some canned food and a few packs of Tylenol.

And I also have everything Lori asked me.

I observe the sun in the sky, now close to setting.

In just an hour it will be dark.

I wonder if Daryl is back yet.

I wonder if he's okay.

With a thousand thoughts in my head buzzing like a swarm of crazy bees I head towards Lori's tent, hoping to find her there and above all to find her alone.

When I'm a few steps away from my goal, Lori's head pops out of her tent and after taking a quick look around with one hand she signals me to come closer.

Her eyes are focused on the floor of the tent as I take a step inside.

Without talking I hand her a brown paper bag and without even giving her time to thank me I leave.

Damn the moment I got involved in this whole damn thing, I think angrily but regretting it almost immediately.

Poor Lori.

It's not her fault after all.

She finds herself in a situation that I wouldn't even wish on my worst enemy.

Without wasting any more time I head towards Dale's RV.

The man is with Andrea, together they are on guard duty on the roof of the vehicle.

"Hello people!Have you seen Carol?” I ask, waving my hand.

The two exchange a strange look.

What happens?

“Today wasn't a good day for her” Dale explains to me.

“After breakfast she locked herself in here and she didn't want to come out” continues Andrea, indicating the vehicle with a gesture of her fingers.

Poor Carol.

I nod as I enter inside.

The first thing I notice is the order.

Everything is spotless.

The plates and glasses shine, all lined up and tidy in the small kitchen.

It doesn't even feel like the same place I left this morning.

I walk towards the back of the RV and Carol is sitting on the bed.

Her eyes are red and swollen, a sign that not long ago, she was crying.

“Hey” I whisper, accompanying my greeting with a faint smile.

I rest my shoulder on the door frame crossing my arms across my chest, trying to keep all my shit together and not falling apart.

Carol looks up from the little towel she's mending.

“I cleaned up” she shrugs.

“For a second I thought I was in the wrong place” I reply to her making her smile.

But hers is a sad smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

“Sorry I didn't tell you about my trip to town with Glenn.I wanted to come and look for you but we were already late”

Mine is a little lie but at the moment I absolutely don't want to overload her already shattered nerves with the Shane thing.

Carol shakes her head placing what was in her hands behind her.

“Maggie told me about it.Don't worry”

I move closer to her and she makes room for me on the bed by patting a hand on the blanket next to her.

I sit down sighing.

For a moment my problems seem really insignificant.

Stupid.

Sitting here, next to a heartbroken mother, I understand how fundamentally the world hasn't changed that much.

Because despite death and fear for this new and disturbing world we will never stop worrying about those we love.

Even my mother on the edge of death, when the disease had taken over her weak body, did nothing but worry about me.

She didn't care that her days were now over, she just wanted to be sure that I would make it.

That I would have been fine.

There isn't much I can do to help Carol but I can try to distract her.

And maybe I even know how to do it.

I give her a light shove with my shoulder.

“You know, you were right.I have to thank you”

Her funny and confused look brings a smile to my face.

"About what?"

Her voice is a little hoarse, another sign that today she really gave vent to all her tears.

“I talked to Daryl”

Her big blue eyes dilate from surprise and a radiant smile appears on her face.

And this time it's a true smile.

"Really?And how did go?”

Now it's my turn to smile brightly.

I feel my cheeks tightening from how much I'm smiling.

Carol, seeing my reaction, straightens up on her back, clapping her hands together once.

“I want the details” she exclaims with conviction, tapping my knee with hers.

I think back to everything Daryl and I said to each other at the stable.

The way the skin of my fingers burned against his beautiful face.

The way his eyes lingered on my lips.

The way I felt him vibrate under my uncertain caress.

But I don't have time to tell her anything because the sound of footsteps catches our attention.

After a few moments we find the object of our discussion in front of our eyes.

Daryl.

"Can I?" he murmurs, placing his eyes first on Carol and then on me.

Without ever taking his eyes off mine, short-circuiting my heart, he reaches out to a small shelf where he places a bottle of beer from which two beautiful white flowers emerge.

“Flowers?” Carol asks slightly confused.

Daryl frees me from the prison that is his gaze to turn his attention to the woman beside me.

“They're Cherokee rose” he replies, taking a step in our direction and pointing to the flowers with his finger.

“The story is that when American soldiers were moving Indians off their land on the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee mothers were grieving and crying so much 'cause they were losing their little ones along the way from exposure and disease and starvation”

I am literally enchanted to listen to him.

The way he speaks, the intrinsic pain in his words unleashes a shower of shivers all over my skin.

Daryl pauses a little, wetting his lips.

His eyes, which until now had remained fixed on Carol, move back to my face.

And that's where they stay while he resumes his story.

“A lot of them just disappeared.So the elders, they said a prayer, asked for a sign to uplift the mothers' spirit, give them straight and hope”

My stomach twists and the wild beating of my heart resonates deafeningly in my head.

As much as Daryl is a man of few words and with a domineering manner, I never believed that he was a stupid redneck with no feelings.

This man is much more than he lets see.

It's just that he doesn't let just anyone in.

Carol stares blankly at the flowers.

As if she was trying not to break down.

“The next day this rose started to grow right where the mothers' tears fell” he concludes.

For a moment that seems infinite no one speaks.

Not a sound.

Daryl moves as if he's uncomfortable, nervously stuffing his hands in his jeans pockets while looking at the floor.

“I'm not fool enough to think there's any flowers blooming for my brother” whispers the archer almost imperceptibly.

Merle, I think.

Carol told me about him and how the story went.

It seems impossible that a guy like Merle could be related to a man as wonderful as Daryl.

From what I was told Merle Dixon was a real asshole.

Rough, racist and not inclined to civil life.

A scurrilous man of dubious morality.

How the youngest Dixon was so completely subjugated by his brother's presence that he too behaved like an absolute idiot.

I look at those blue eyes that I have come to know day after day and I can hardly believe it.

The man I know offered help to a complete stranger.

The man I know put his own group at risk by bringing aforesaid stranger into their safe place.

The man I know right now is looking at me with such intensity that it makes me melt.

I feel Carol trembling slightly next to me and when I turn around she is wiping tears away with her fingertips.

“But I believe that these flowers here have bloomed for your little girl.And for your mom” he concludes with a slight tremor in his voice, after which he turns his back on us and walks away with his head down.

I feel as if a cannon shot had hit me in the chest, preventing me from breathing.

I bring a hand to my chest, tightly gripping the fabric of my t-shirt.

He remembered.

I only mentioned her once and he remembered.

I had arrived at the farm only a few days ago and that evening, under Glenn and Carol's insistence, I had let myself be persuaded to have dinner with everyone else instead of continuing to eat my meals in the solitude of the RV.

Everyone chatted among themselves and I just remained silent with my gaze lowered.

Until Rick makes me a question, attracting everyone's attention.

But I didn't think that the handsome archer sitting apart from the rest of the group had paid attention to my words, at the time I thought he hated me.

I remember looking down at the sight of his gaze burning into me like the flames of the small fire crackling in front of us.

“And you Summer?What was your family like?”

There was no ulterior motive in Rick's question, no trick.

Just the curiosity to meet the new one.

I shrugged indifferently as I tried to muster up the strength to answer.

“My mother was very ill when shit hits the fan.By now it was almost impossible to find her medicines and my father left us to go look for something"

I fought with tears to stop them from flowing from my eyes.

I shrugged again.

“When he returned it was too late.Mom was gone and I…I had to do what had to be done.I couldn't let her turn”

I feel my head spinning.

The memory of her death and my gesture is still burned into my mind.

In my soul.

And it will remain there forever.

She was already dead when I grabbed the gun with a trembling hand.

The echo of that shot still haunts me.

For a moment I even thought about not doing it, about waiting for her to turn and take me away with her.

What made me change my mind?

The thought of my father alone in this new world brought sanity back to me.

We both knew that there would be nothing that could be done for mom but if I died too who would take care of him?

After all, it had always been him and I, Summer and dad against the world.

And it would always be that way.

Or at least that's what I thought...maybe if I had known that despite my presence dad was still lost I would have acted differently.

I would have saved myself others pains.

I wouldn't have found myself in this situation, with my head full of fears and my heart full of feelings that I can't name.

Maybe it would have been easier for everyone.

I bring my knees to my chest, hugging them with my arms.

I feel like I'm losing myself.

Carol's hand rests on my back.

“What's going on Summer?”

Her voice sounds worried in this narrow space.

I realize I'm crying only when my friend's free hand rests on my cheek, wiping away my tears with the tip of her thumb.

I rest my cheek on my knees turning my face in her direction.

“He remembered.I only talked about her once.And he remembered it.I didn't even think he was listening to me” I whisper sniffing.

Carol's sweet smile invades my field of vision.

“Oh honey, that's where you're wrong.Daryl is a very attentive man, especially towards those who catch his attention”

I snort through the tears, letting her smile infect me.

“C'mon tell me everything and don't leave out any details.I need gossip to distract me”

I laugh heartily.

“You won't stop asking me, will you?” I tease her by straightening my back and crossing my legs.

Carol imitates my gestures.

“Oh, what kind of people do you think I am?Of course I'll stop.I'll stop when you spill the beans”

And so, as if I were in the company of my best friend and not a woman I just met, I decide to open my heart to her.

What could happen anyway?

My soul is already torn into a thousand pieces and perhaps this new friendship could help me soothe my wounds a little.

When we leave the RV the moon is already high in the sky and in the distance we can hear the others intent on preparing dinner in front of the fire.

When we reach the rest of the group we are surrounded by waving hands and big smiles.

And honestly after this endless day they are truly a balm for the soul.

Carol smiles at me and then walks away to join Lori and Rick.

After taking a look around I decide to sit in one of the few remaining free seats and I am immediately joined by Glenn who sits to my right.

At first his gaze wanders along the large field in front of us and then with a sigh he turns towards me.

After that little argument in the car we never spoke to each other again, each of us convinced of our own reasons and this makes me sad.

“You good?” he asks me softly, pushing me with his shoulder.

A smile slowly blossoms on his serious face.

He forgave me after all.

I smile back, resting my head on his shoulder.

“Yes, I'm good” I reply in a whisper that only he can hear.

Slowly the plates of food begin to arrive and, helping each other, we pass them around.

After not even a bite I hear a rustle of clothes followed by the silhouette of a man sitting right in front of me, on the other side of the fire.

Before I can focus on his features, Glenn stiffens next to me.

There is only one person who can trigger such a reaction in the delivery boy.

Shane.

So I look up and through the fire I see him.

His eyes bore directly into my mind.

His empty, deep eyes make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I try to ignore the sense of discomfort this man causes me by trying to concentrate on the plate in front of me.

Shane for his part begins to eat calmly, often shifting his attention to me, as if he were controlling my every movement.

My every breath.

As if he was waiting for the right moment to catch me out and take advantage of the situation to turn it against me.

When Andrea catches his attention I take the opportunity to talk to Glenn.

“Please be less obvious.If you keep staring at him with this frown he'll understand that you know something about what happened” I hiss in his direction trying to tame the trembling of my hands.

And as if Shane sensed my fear he looked back at me.

Is anyone really noticing?

Why does no one seem to be aware of this man's strange behaviours?

I think  losing even my last bit of appetite letting my gaze wander towards the other diners and then returning it to the man in front of me.

I start fiddling with my meal, which consists of canned beans, dragging it from one side of the plate to the other.

Suddenly something changes in Shane's gaze as he abandons my figure and focuses on something behind me.

His gaze hardens and his jaw clenches.

After a few moments I feel a large calloused hand resting on the bare skin of my shoulder, making me shiver unconsciously.

The long legs of the archer appear in my peripheral vision and without much hesitation he sits down next to me.

His fingers slide from my shoulder to rest on my wrist, very close to my hand.

His grip tightens slightly before letting me go.

What does it mean?

Confused by his blatant gesture, I turn to Glenn looking for his help but the boy has his nose almost immersed in his plate and he is eating with a little too much enthusiasm, as if he was trying to finish as soon as possible.

“Ya gotta a problem?”

Daryl's threatening growl attracts everyone's attention, making me feel nauseous.

And I don't need to look to understand who he's talking to.

My gaze moves quickly between Shane and Daryl as Daryl pushes his body a little more in my direction, as if he's trying to hide me from Shane's sight.

Instinctively with a look that could kill I search for Glenn's eyes.

That traitor has spoken.

If possible Glenn tries to make himself even smaller.

Damn it.

My hands begin to sweat from agitation.

The situation could escalate at any moment if I don't decide to intervene.

Very calmly I place my hand on Daryl's thigh, barely sinking my fingers into his turgid muscle, tense with tension.

As much as his words seem carelessly thrown under my trembling fingers I can feel all the nervousness in him.

“Daryl?” I try to get his attention by calling him in a faint voice but he doesn't even seem to notice me.

He's in defender mode right now and I'm sure nothing can stop his fury but the last thing I want is to start a fight between the two men.

I'm not worried about Daryl, he's strong, but I'm worried about Shane.

His unpredictability scares me.

So determined to put an end to whatever is going on I gamble more.

I move my hand from his thigh to his face.

I press it against his cheek, forcing him to turn towards me.

His nostrils quiver dilated while his sharp and subtle gaze is full of hatred.

Remaining in this position, and praying to any deity in existence that no one is witnessing this, I wait for Daryl to calm down.

His breath comes out in puffs from his nostrils as if he's controlling himself, as if he's making sure his demons remain within him.

After an indefinite infinity of time, his breathing slows down, his lips part slightly and in his eyes the storm gives room for the calm.

The black of his dilated pupils narrow, making again that beautiful blue the predominant color.

I remain enchanted by such wonder.

“Please Daryl” I beg him desperately, turning my head so that only he can see me, I turn my back even on Shane.

I don't know what Daryl sees in my eyes because after a while he nods.

I smile with satisfaction and straighten up and offer him my plate, now my appetite is just a distant memory.

"Are you hungry?" I ask kindly, my voice still shaking.

Daryl nods again, grabbing my plate of food in his large hands and before starting to eat he casts another brief grim glance towards Shane who, looking at us with curiosity, gets up and decides to leave.

I let go the breath I hadn't even realized I was holding.

Now Shane knows that I have spoken and I can calmly say that my peace has just ended.

Daryl's interference has marked the end of this stressful emotional fast and loose.

Shit.

Daryl eats his meal without looking at me anymore, giving me the chance to collect myself and think about how I should behave now.

First of all I'm obviously going to kick Glenn's ass for betraying me.

Even though...even though I'll never admit it but I'm relieved.

I'm happy.

Happy because Daryl stood up for me, without even asking me for explanations.

Without wanting to hear my side of the story.

He's on my side no matter what.

And the usual stubborn butterflies flutter between my heart and my stomach.

I raise my hand to my lips, nervously chewing on my fingertips.

At my side a movement distracts me from the turmoil stirring inside me.

Daryl stretches his long legs in front of him and then bends his knees and with a light push gets back to his feet.

His work here is temporarily over so he has no reason to stay.

I can already taste the sorrow on the tip of my tongue.

“Move”

His command is a gentle whisper in my ears and without giving my brain time to process a response my body precedes it, getting up and trotting after him like a faithful little dog.

Behind me I can see a small glimpse of Carol's face.

She is obviously smiling as she watches me disappear into the darkness along with the archer.

I follow him without having the courage to speak, to ask him where we are going.

But would it really matter to me after all?

If he asked me to follow him to the end of the world I would do it...

I continue to march in silence following the sound of his boots trampling the grass with excessive violence.

I risk a glance in his direction and I can swear I can sense a change in his attitude.

His figure is rigid, his steps full of agitation.

I look back at the ground, digging my nails into the palms of my hands.

What happens now?

Are we back to where we were before our little chats this morning?

God, it seems like an eternity has passed instead of a handful of hours.

Too many emotions in too little time.

I only stop when I hit something hard.

I bounce back as if my body had hit a wall of pure concrete.

When I look up in front of me there is a furious Daryl and yet his hands on my upper arms are delicate while he holds me back to prevent me from ending up with my ass on the ground.

His grip intensifies.

“Wha' the hell have ya done?” he growls, raising an eyebrow.

His low, angry tone makes my toes curl.

Why does he assume it's my fault?

If the matter causes him so much discomfort, why should he take my side so openly?

I try to free myself from his grip but in response his fingers tighten even more.

I will definitely have some marks tomorrow.

“What did Glenn tell you?” I reply with a question to give me time to collect my thoughts.

Daryl lets me go and goes to sit next to his tent grabbing his knife from his holster and starting to work on a bolt.

Instinctively I bring my hands where his were until a few moments ago.

“He just asked me to keep an eye on Shane.Nothin' else”

I look at him with disbelief.

Did he turn against Shane without knowing the real motivation?

I soften, melting like snow in the sun.

Since I found myself catapulted into this world, it is the first time that someone has taken care of me without being forced to do so in some way.

I join him sitting next to him.

Our shoulders barely touch.

“You shouldn't have, Daryl” I murmur, absentmindedly plucking a few blades of grass and twisting them between my fingers.

In response he snorts.

I shrug, finally deciding to speak.

“Shane told me to shut my mouth”

The sound of the knife scraping against the wood of the bolt is the only noise around us.

“Did ya find out 'bout him and Lori?”

I'm not surprised that he knows.

As Carol told me before, even though it doesn't seem like it, Daryl is very attentive to everything around him.

The noise stops, a sign that Daryl is no longer working on his weapons.

But this time the silence doesn't weigh, it's almost pleasant.

I know he's watching me, I can feel the weight of his gaze on me so I nod in response to his question.

After a few more minutes of silence I feel his hand rest gently on my head.

I turn to look for his eyes and find them staring at me, a look full of sweetness that I have never seen on him.

Hesitant, his fingers slide across my face, a caress at the tip of his fingers just like I caressed him this morning in the stable.

“Why didn't ya come to me right away?”

This is a good question.

Why didn't I do it?

Well I already know the answer.

“I don't want to cause problems.I...I don't want to leave this place”

I don't want to leave you.

And as much as I would never like to abandon his gaze, I do so, lowering mine onto my hands ruined by days spent running away and killing.

Daryl lifts my chin with two fingers, forcing me to look at him again.

Jesus.

I can feel his breath breaking on my face, I can smell the tobacco coming out of his parted lips.

I would only need to bring my face a few inches closer and I could kiss him.

I could find out if his lips, always full of such harsh words, could be soft and compliant.

I close my eyes overwhelmed by the flow of my thoughts.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Yer no a problem, Summer”

My name rolling around his tongue makes me gasp but in a completely pleasant way.

“I would never let anyone hurt ya.As long as I have the chance I will do everythin' to make ya stay here with us”

Here with you, it is here with you that I would really like to stay, a corner of my subconscious murmurs.

Because as much as I get along well with the rest of these people, it's not just with them that I would like to stay.

Not just for Carol or Glenn.

Just for him.

But obviously I will keep this little secret to myself.

He doesn't need to know.

I can't expose him to any more dangers.

So I reluctantly move away from his grasp, putting some distance between me and his gentle touch.

Daryl brings his hand back to his lap and if my gesture bothered him he doesn't show it.

But there is one question that I can't keep to myself.

"Why?"

Daryl looks at me carefully, studying every detail of my face.

I watch him as he nervously chews the inside of his cheek.

He might pretend not to understand my question.

He could elude it.

But in his gaze I perceive the exact moment of his surrender.

He closes his eyes bending his head back and resting it on the trunk of the tree behind him.

“I dunno” he murmurs in a sigh.

“The only thing I know 's tha' from the moment I saw ya in tha' woods I had no choice.And today I still feel like I don't have it”

Taken by a moment of courage I rest my head on his shoulder, surrendering to my heart and to his sweet words.

Daryl tenses but I can slowly feel him relax.

“ 's frustrating” he grunts, making me burst out laughing.

His arm wraps around my shoulders pulling me a little closer to him.

“Shut up pretty eyes” he murmurs with his lips pressed against my temple.

I know, in my heart, that I want to stay like this forever and I hate the idea of ruining this moment but the words fall from my lips without control.

“You don't know me”

“And ya don't know me”

Exactly.

The problem is precisely this.

This strange attraction between us is illogical, completely irrational and yet it seems that neither of us can stay away from the other.

A philosophy lesson from when I was still in high school comes to my mind.

One day Professor Trevon told us about the myth of Plato's apple.

Once upon a time, men were perfect beings, they lacked nothing and there was no distinction between men and women.

But Zeus, envious of such perfection, split them in two: since then each of us has been in constant search of our own half, finding which we return to the ancient perfection.

Plato believed that love is suffering and there can be a way out: finding your soul mate.

The living being is nothing more than half of two individuals divided at the beginning by Zeus who separated them to leave them in search of each other.

It is precisely from here that the idea of soul mates comes from, the one that constantly pushes us to search for someone who can complete us.

This is what myths are for, to explain values, to understand the inexplicable, to give it concreteness and if the myth of the halves may appear bloody, it does nothing more than teach us how in life only suffering can lead us to the realization of the greatest desires of the soul, just like love, the real one.  Although as someone else would say, suffering is a disposable void.

Professor Trevon's voice booms in my head as if he were standing in front of me right now.

If this state is the most perfect, then necessarily in the situation we find ourselves in today the best thing is to try to get as close as possible to perfection: to meet the closest soul, and fall in love with it.

As Daryl's scent fills my head and my heart I find myself thinking that perhaps we are kindred souls.

Ancient halves dispersed in space and time, halves that have sailed seas of suffering and pain, only to find themselves at the end of the world.

Too romantic?

Maybe...

But nowadays I think we still need to believe in something.

And that something for me could be him.

Or is it just all in my head, I think closing my eyes and enjoying this small and infinite moment of peace.

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@deansapplepie

[save-the-moonpjo]

Here's the thing: I actually liked the show. I think that if they get longer episodes or 10 instead of 8, that they can easily fix a lot of the pacing issues. Plus I don't really care about SoM so they can change whatever they like lol

But I'm deeply disappointed that Sally's plotline changed. I'm sad they downplayed the abuse to the point that if you haven't read the book you wouldn't necessarily pick up on it and might just think he's a deadbeat husband. I'm sad they pretty much eliminated Percy experiencing abuse from Gabe even though it leaves a deep and profound effect on him in the books. I'm sad that they left out the free appliances joke because it was hilarious. I'm confused that they left out that Sally was with him to hide Percy.

But we were robbed when they changed Gabe's ending. It was supposed to be Sally's only way out. To me, if they really cared about the abuse storyline they wouldn't have just been like: and you should get a divorce, I mean what was even stopping you.

Worst of all I'm so annoyed that we were robbed of it's foreshadowing.

The point is that Percy gives Sally the choice. Just like another really important choice that Percy gives to another person at the end of the series.

Like does Rick even read his own writing?