They are outside of their tower on the walkway a week later, appreciating the crispness of the autumn air, when Daryl flicks his lighter and nothing happens.
His thumb firmly runs over the little metal wheel of the lighter again, gaining a slight spark that does not take hold. He gives it a shake, knowing the butane has been running low. Then a third attempt to flick it fails and he grunts in frustration. He has more, but they are in his perch and all he wanted was a cigarette during a quiet moment with Adrian, after their long day.
A tiny flame sparks in his periphery, held out by Adrian.
Mildly surprised, he feels his eyes widen while staring at the burning lighter his lover is holding. He leans in and lets his cigarette catch the flame, takes a puff to ensure it is lit all across the tip, and then pulls back. Adrian lets the flame die with a satisfied smile.
He watches the man slide it back into his left side pants’ pocket. They had been out on a run for people that turned up nothing and had gone right onto their little balcony. Since Daryl had woken up they never left each other’s eyeline, even pissing beside each other in the woods. That meant Adrian had to have had that lighter in his pocket all day.
“Ya don’t smoke.” Daryl points out, having never seen Adrian light up. He did not seem to mind breathing it in from Daryl, but never actually took hits.
“Oh, yeah, so I should just give it to you now.” Adrian says with a chuckle, withdrawing the lighter and handing it to him. Daryl flips it over but it is just a common, solid blue Bic. Nothing telling, but he does not think he has seen a blue in a while. “You do, and I knew this would happen. I actually thought it would happen while hunting or on a run.”
“So ya jus’... kept that in your pocket?”
“Well, yours has been dying for a while now.”
So I wouldn’ be without a smoke.. an’ get pissed searchin’ or huntin’..
It feels as sweet and precious as Adrian’s good night/morning kisses to realize that Adrian has been thinking of him that way. That he has been moving the lighter around when he changes pants. Waiting for Daryl to need it, so he could make him happy in even a minor way.
Then again, Daryl thinks of the tiny unnoticeable weight of the two seizure pills in his pocket. He transfers them whenever he changes pants, always keeping them there for if they get into a bind. In case Adrian needs them, to keep him alive. Keep him safe.
This is how we are together.
Fuck it’s… good.
Daryl shifts a step closer to Adrian so their arms can brush side by side, suddenly feeling quite warm inside despite the cool evening air. He takes a puff while waiting for Adrian to lay his head on Daryl’s shoulder, like he always sneaks over to do in the dark. It is still twilight, but as expected he feels the gentle pressure within seconds.
Real good.
Daryl remains especially still for him, only lifting his other hand to bring the specially lit cigarette to his lips. He smokes it down to the end, surprised by just how content he feels.
From The Outdoor Cat & Indoor Dog (on AO3)
Fandom: The Walking Dead
Rated: Explicit (plot, with smut)
Short summary: Daryl falling in love against his own reservations, existing in that love, and the family they make. If Daryl is the outdoor cat, his partner is the indoor dog.
Timeline: Starts before season three, goes until at least nine/likely end.
Canon: Semi-canon compliant; Merle/Beth/Glenn/Jesus live.
Notable Plot Points: Daryl the Dad, Daryl the Husband, dealing with Daryl's internalized homophobia, facing Merle's externalized homophobia, progressive smut scenes, Daryl the Leader, Negan gets what he deserves, and they put the US in Terminus.
I liked the walking dead finale, even with the 2-3 episodes of plot induced stupidity* to force the final confrontation with Negan.
The whole episode was watching the main cast circle a drain, slowly building anxiety (which, lol, it was obvious to me--and Abraham--that the shit was a trap and this entire plan was a mistake from the jump) for what we all knew was coming.
And I get that people feel jerked around, but I TOTALLY LOVE that this ended in a cliff hanger. I’m 100% certain they did this so the showrunners can get a feel for which character they should kill off, which can only be good for Glenn. Because the universe wouldn’t put me through this stress after the dumpster in 6a.
I believe with full trust and perfect faith that come October, Glenn Rhee will be safe.
(*I will NEVER get over the ONLY DOCTOR going on a run, and then unecessarily risking her life for pride/a rhetorical point. Also Carol bugs out and decides to leave for no reason? Also Daryl loses his mind and decides to leave for a BS revenge mission? Also everyone else piles out of the safety of Alexandria like fucking fire ants when they ALREADY KNOW The Saviors are out looking to retaliate? Also Maggie starts having a miscarriage, and of course your only doctor is dead, so you put all your best fighters in your best vehicle and decide to drive 23 miles into what was clearly a trap?)
Warning, this review contains spoilers. Well, hello my gore loving friends. How was this past week’s episode of The Walking Dead? I won’t keep you hanging: it was freaking awesome. I’m sure there is a ton of mixed emotions out there. Some are happy, some angry, some indifferent and some, well some people have watched their last episode of The Walking Dead. Isn’t that correct Mr. Ellin Jr.? I’m…
