Prompt: The former savior Justin makes a fatal mistake by pushing his luck with you.
Word Count: 3k
Warnings: Violence, cursing, suggestive comments, misogyny, typical TWD gore
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The day started off like most others. You were on watch this morning, having gotten up barely a couple of hours after Daryl came to bed. Your shift began at dawn, relieving the night crew. You remembered that Daryl was supposed to go out to the bridge today to help with construction, and to keep an eye on everyone in Rick’s absence. He had to go down to the Sanctuary today, so Daryl was covering for him overseeing the bridge.
You hated when he went to the Sanctuary, given all the horror that happened to him there, so you were glad that Rick was going today. However, the bridge construction wasn't a whole lot better. He'd still be surrounded by numerous former saviors, something you found very unsettling. So you typically tagged along, for your own peace of mind, to watch his back.
You left an apple on the bedside table and wrote a quick note beside it telling Daryl that you were on watch and that you’d see him in the afternoon. You hated not being able to see him much anymore - especially waking up together - but you each had a lot of responsibilities to manage.
Standing in the dim light, you lean over the bed to brush the hair out of Daryl’s face. You keep meaning to give him a little hair cut, just so that he could see better, but whenever you were able to see him it would completely slip your mind - too concerned with soaking up as much time with him as possible.
Your fingers brushed against his stubbly cheek ever so lightly, appreciating how peaceful he looked sleeping. He stirs a little, so you quickly try to retract your hand before you accidentally wake him up, but it’s too late - he catches your hand and places it back on his cheek. “Mmm?” He groans, one eye peeking open as his other hand comes up to snatch your free wrist, placing a tired openmouthed kiss on it.
“Sorry,” you whisper with a soft smile, rubbing your thumb over the back of his warm, rough hand.
“Where’re ya goin’?” Daryl questions, his deep voice so raspy that anyone else may have a hard time understanding what he said. You loved his sleepy voice, you found it adorable, sexy.
“I have first watch. Relieving the night shift," you remind him, leaning down so that you are squatting beside him at the bed. He rolls over onto his side, his hand still enveloping yours, and opens his other eye to get a good look at you.
“M’kay,” he mumbles. “Be careful,” Daryl says, his piercing blue eyes meeting your own. A shy smile crawls up your face and you nod in the darkness, moving closer and placing a kiss on his stubble covered cheek.
“I’ll see you at the bridge, hun,” you promise, moving to stand up, but he doesn’t release your hand, keeping you down at his level. He sleepily lifts his head and brings his other hand up to the back of your head. You instinctively meet him halfway, capturing his soft lips in a slow kiss.
His body heat radiates onto you, warming you up in a way only Daryl can. You pull away slowly, a frustrated whimper escaping your mouth as you lean your forehead on his. You miss him so much, you want to lay here beside him forever - but the sunlight beginning to creep through the window reminds you that duty calls.
You loved how Daryl would let his guard down and be more open when he was tired like this. He could be very affectionate in the mornings and nights, which was one of the only times that you go to see him anymore. You stand up from your spot and head out of the room, but not without one last glance at the love of your life.
~
Daryl’s morning was not off to a great start. He was exhausted from the night before, grumpy because he didn’t get to spend any time with you, and it was a cloudy and cold day. Everyone was getting on his nerves and he was practically counting down the minutes until he would be able to go back to Alexandria.
You hadn't arrived yet, and he was antsy about you being on the road without him. He knew you were with Carol and some of the others, coming to relieve some of the people working on the bridge, but he hated being apart from you inside of the walls, let alone outside of their safety.
One person in particular was seriously testing Daryl’s patience today - a savior, Justin. He had been giving everyone attitude from the moment they began working, and Daryl has just about had it.
Daryl was in the process of nailing down a board as Aaron talked to him about Gracie, just as he spotted you. He felt a weight literally lift off of his shoulders as you appeared in his vision. You hadn't spotted him yet, and he momentarily got distracted just watching you.
"-And the diaper just explodes, all over me." Aaron finishes his story.
"Good times," Daryl responds, taking a nail out of his mouth and getting back to hammering.
"You'll see," Aaron remarks.
Daryl shoots him a weird look, before glancing back to where you stood a handful of yards away, pulling your hair up into a ponytail and helping to lift a large board. You were wearing black khakis and a dark tank top, looking absolutely amazing in such a simple outfit. The thought of having a baby with you briefly crossed Daryl's mind, but he shut down the idea almost as quickly as it popped into his head.
"What? You'd be a great dad. Especially with Y/N..." Aaron trails off, teasing the archer.
"Yeah," he retorts sarcastically, dipping his head behind his hair and returning to hammering so that Aaron couldn't see the heat rising to his cheeks.
Aaron dropped it and they got back to focusing, which lasted all of a couple minutes until Daryl heard something stand out to him. Your name. In Justin’s mouth.
Daryl knew that Justin had tried hitting on you once before when you came to the bridge to help out, and he had given him a stern warning to stay away from you. Normally Daryl would have trusted you to handle the guy yourself, but seeing as he was a savior, and he was being very pushy toward you, Daryl had stepped in.
He stands up from where he was crouched, brushing the dirt off of his gloves and wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand, listening in on the conversation Justin was having with some other savior.
“She’s a hot piece of ass. The things I’d do to her if that redneck asshole would let her out of his sight, I swear.” Justin remarks as he hammers at a nail unsuccessfully. The man beside him just scoffs.
“She’d never go for you, man," he responds.
“Sure she would. Just gotta get her alone.” Justin continues, a gross smirk on his face.
By this point, Aaron had taken notice and knew that shit was about to go down. The look on Daryl’s face was enough to warn the younger man that he needed to intervene, now.
"Hey! Back t' work! Stop chattin so damn much!" he growls as he shoves his way past Justin, abandoning Aaron to approach you.
You heard Daryl shout and immediately got distracted, almost wacking someone in the head with the board you were helping to carry. As soon as you and Rosita place it down, you search for Daryl, only to find him heading right over to you.
"Hey, you okay?" you ask, wiping your forehead with the back of your hand.
"Yeah, that prick over there pissin me off again," he grumbles, wiping some dirt off of your shirt for you. You smile softly, appreciating the gesture.
"Don't let him bother you, babe," you start. "Your only giving him the attention he wants."
Daryl grumbles in response. "Hi Y/N, hi Daryl," Henry greets you guys as he approaches with the large jug of water. "Need a drink?" he asks. Daryl motions to you and you open your mouth to fight him, but he shoots you a look, so you accept and take a very small cup of water from the boy.
"Thank you, Henry." You hand the cup to Daryl and give him the same look. He knows better than to argue with you and he was very thirsty anyway, so he pours himself a small cup too.
Henry then moves on and you let Daryl head off to grab another large plank with Gabriel. All is well for approximately three minutes, until...
You hear commotion and turn around to see that Justin has shoved Henry onto the ground and is now downing a bunch of water straight from the jug directly into his mouth. You immediately abandon your work and make your way toward Henry, but before you can get to the prick to handle business yourself, Henry has stood back up and knocks him clean off his feet with his staff.
You finally reached the two and just as the asshole is scrambling back onto his feet and some other former saviors are laughing at him, you place yourself between the man and the child.
"You better fucking not," you warn as he looks over your shoulder toward the boy who was hurrying to gather the water jug and get back to work.
"You see that shit?" Justin shouts, shuffling his body like he wants to go after Henry.
"Yeah I saw you bullying a child and him stand up for himself, just like he should," you retort.
Justin's eyes squint at you in shock and disbelief.
"Whatever! I let him do that. Better not get a big damn ego now!" he shouts dramatically.
"Yeah okay why don't ya get back to work," you roll your eyes and turn to walk away.
"Hey, hold up now. I finally gotcha away from the redneck," he grabs your shoulder and positions himself in your way.
"'scuse me?" you all but growl.
"Oh come on now, you know how long it's been since I seen a pretty face like yours?" he attempts to flirt with a gross smirk. "Take it as a compliment, sweetheart. Like you don't walk around in those tight little pants hoping every guy here is looking at you," he continues, and you move to walk away from him, but he follows you.
"I mean why else would you be here anyway? Not like a woman can be much help buildin a bridge," he blabbers on. You spot Daryl and instantly start walking toward him. The dumbass hasn't spotted Daryl and continues trailing you. "Hey, hold up! You think you're too good for me bitch?!" he grabs onto your shoulder, and before he has the chance to do anything else, Daryl literally tackles him to the ground like a football player, knocking the wind out of him and banging his skull against the ground.
Daryl gets two good swings in before you grab his shoulder to pull him off. He resists until you call out his name, wrapping your hand tightly around his raised fist. "Daryl!" you shout again, and he finally takes pause. Justin lies limp on the ground underneath Daryl. He grabs him harshly by the collar before saying: "Ya come near her again.. I'll beat yer ass into the ground," Daryl growls viciously before slamming him down as Rick shows up and gets an arm around him before he is able to decides to continue beating the prick to death.
He tries to scramble up as fast as he can as Rick and Aaron struggle to keep between him and Daryl. "Hey! Ya hear that shit! Huh?" Justin shouts and points over Rick's shoulder, trying to rile Daryl up some more.
"Enough!" Rick shouts, but Daryl doesn't stop pacing and stalking back and forth as he glares. Justin stupidly starts talking smack again.
"Unbelievable! Tried to kill me over nothin!" Justin tries to get people on his side. "Fuckin redneck asshole!" he shouts around Rick's shoulder. Before he can get any other insults out at Daryl, you reach up and punch him in the nose. Your hand immediately aches and you grab it instinctually, cursing out in pain. In your distraction, Justin grabs a hold of your shirt and suddenly you are in the middle of no less than four grown men pulling at you. Justin holds onto your shirt for dear life, as if keeping a grip on you will somehow prevent him from getting his ass kicked anymore.
Daryl is literally jumping over Rick to get to you as Rick tries to peel Justin off of you while keeping himself positioned between the two men, and Aaron tries to help hold Daryl back. By now a huge crowd has formed and everyone is egging each other on. "Enough!" Rick shouts again as he finally releases you from Justin's grip. "I said enough!" He hollers viciously as Daryl continues shoving his way through the men.
"Daryl!" you shout, finally halting him. He takes pause and notices your stretched out shirt hanging down low on your chest. He grabs your wrist, glancing at your knuckles and then peels his vest off of his back and swiftly pulls it over your shoulders, buttoning it in the front for you to cover you up a little better.
"Everyone get back to work! Now!" Rick hollers, guiding you and Daryl away from the crowd. "What the hell was that?!" he growls under his breath once you guys are far enough away.
"That asshole had it coming! This was neva gonna work Rick! Ya hear the shit he was sayin? He put his fuckin hands on 'er!" Daryl begins shouting again.
"Hey, hey!" Rick puts his hand up and you take Daryl's bicep. "You trying to kill the guy in front of everyone solves nothing, Daryl. You just stirred everything up!" He scolds.
"I'on care! He had it comin!" Daryl huffs.
"And you," Rick turns to you. "Not any better. Are you guys trying to make sure this doesn't work?" he scolds you guys like children.
"Hey," Daryl glares at Rick, pointing at him. "Leave 'er outta it. That prick should die for touchin 'er." Daryl warns Rick, who raises a brow at his friend. Rick puts his left hand up and his right on his hip, tilting his head and huffing.
"Daryl," he starts, trying to deescalate. "Alright, why don't you two go work on the logs, huh? Go cool off..." Rick sighs like a disappointed parent. Daryl wastes no time in grabbing your arm and quickly but gently leading you away to grab your stuff and head off to work on the logs.
Once you're out of earshot, outside of the cabin, Daryl stops and turns to face you. "Ya okay?" he asks, looking you up and down. You chuckle at his worry.
"I'm fine. Just stretched out my shirt," you respond, glancing down at your chest, which is covered by Daryl's vest.
"I'll getcha some new shirts. Go on a run tomorrow," Daryl mutters, grabbing your hand and inspecting your knuckles. "Shouldn't have hit him, don't want ya gettin' hurt," he continues, rubbing your knuckles with his calloused thumb.
"Asshole had it coming," you respond with a shrug. Daryl chuckles lightly and grins proudly.
"That's m' girl," he touches your chin. "Ya should head back for the day."
"Hell no. I just got here. I'm not leaving 'cuz of him," you state firmly. Daryl looks at you for a long moment, nibbling on his bottom lip before nodding in agreement.
"A'right, but stay with me," he starts leading the way toward the area of the woods where they are taking down trees for the bridge.
~
The rest of the day is pretty uneventful. You and Daryl spent a few hours helping with the logs, loading them up onto the trucks and whatnot. By the time the sun had gone down, your whole body was on fire. You'd definitely be feeling it in the morning.
You hadn't seen Justin since the incident in the afternoon, and you kept near Daryl for the most part, like he asked. The two of you were heading back through the woods, past the cabin and campsite, right when he happened to come out. Rick and Carol were right there talking to one another, and Rick made stern eye contact with Daryl from where he stood a few yards away. Daryl stood on your left as you continued to walk, his body shielding you from Justin.
The two men made intense eye contact as they passed one another, but neither spoke. Just when you thought you were in the clear... You hear: "Better keep your dog on a tighter leash!" Both you and Daryl whip around and spot Justin shouting at Rick as he is slowly walking away. "Damn near killed me for nothin," he continues stupidly.
You grab onto Daryl's bicep and Rick is instantly approaching Justin, his glare on Daryl, anticipating another fight - which seems to be exactly what the savior wants.
"Daryl don't," you try to stop him but he shrugs out of your grasp and strides over.
"Daryl," Rick warns, and Justin puffs his chest, anticipating his attack. Instead, Daryl stops two yards away from where Rick was standing near Justin.
"Listen up. Real good." Daryl points a finger at Justin. "Ya come near her again. Touch her. Talk to her. Hell. Ya look at her sideways," Daryl continues in a calm but dangerous tone. "Stitches won't fix what I do t' ya." It's not a threat, it's a promise. You cautiously take Daryl's bicep again, tugging him lightly to get him to back off, and when neither Justin nor Rick say anything, Daryl allows you to guide him away.
"I love you," you mutter up at Daryl once you are plenty out of earshot, taking his hand and interlocking your fingers as he leads the way toward the awaiting horses and other members of Alexandria to head home for the night. He squeezes your hand and smiles softly in return, silently saying it back.
The sun was beating down hard enough to make the air hum. You had your sleeves rolled up, a basket tucked against your hip, and a handful of damp shirts clinging to your arm as you walked toward the line. The wood posts creaked under the weight of the morning’s laundry, the smell of soap and wet fabric hanging thick in the air.
You hummed to yourself as you pinned one of Daryl’s shirts, the dark one with a rip in the sleeve, up on the line. It fluttered a little in the breeze, edges curling like it was trying to take off. You didn’t notice him right away, not until a shadow stretched over the grass beside you.
“You ain’t gotta do that,” he said, voice rough from disuse.
You turned, hand on your hip, squinting up at him. “It’s not exactly heavy labor, Dixon. Unless you’re volunteering?”
He huffed, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Got a run. Just saw ya out here.” His eyes darted to the shirts, some his, some yours, all smelling faintly of soap and smoke. “Didn’t mean to bother.”
“You didn’t.” You dipped your hand back into the bucket, wringing out a rag, the water sloshing. “You could say thank you, though.”
He grunted. “For what?”
“For makin’ sure you don’t smell like roadkill.”
That earned you a faint smirk. He scratched at his neck, looking off toward the trees. “Didn’t ask ya to.”
“No,” you said, leaning over to dunk another shirt, “but I did it anyway.” You gave it a playful shake, splattering a few drops his way.
Daryl flinched back with a quiet “hey” before glaring down at the wet spots on his vest.
You laughed, turning back to the bucket. “Oops.”
“Yeah?” he muttered, stepping closer, boots crunching on the dirt. “That funny to you?”
You looked over your shoulder, grinning. “Maybe.”
He didn’t give you time to move before his hand scooped up a splash of water from the bucket and flicked it at you. It hit your shoulder cold, dripping down the front of your shirt.
“Daryl!” you squealed, half laughing, half scandalized.
He looked downright pleased with himself, already backing up. “Ain’t so funny now, huh?”
You snatched up a rag, wrung it out as best you could, and lobbed it straight at him. It smacked against his chest with a satisfying slap, sliding down into the dirt. He blinked once, then looked at you, a challenge brewing in his eyes.
“Aw, come on,” you started, but he was already moving.
He darted forward, scooping both hands into the bucket, and tossed a full wave of water that caught you from the waist up. You shrieked, stumbling back, your shirt plastered to your skin.
“Daryl Dixon!” you barked between laughter, hair dripping into your face. “You’re dead!”
“Gotta catch me first,” he shot back, and that was all it took. You grabbed the bucket and hurled what little remained in it his way. It hit the side of his vest and drenched his sleeve.
He froze, drops running off his chin, and you both stood there for a second, panting, wet, and smiling in the heat of the day.
Then he started laughing. A real one this time, quiet and low but unmistakable. You’d heard chuckles, huffs, little noises from him before, but not this.
“What?” you teased, still grinning, breath catching. “You gone soft on me?”
He shook his head, stepping closer, the sun glinting off the water on his skin. “Ain’t nothin’ soft about me.”
You looked up at him, the air thick now with more than just summer heat. “Could’ve fooled me,” you murmured.
He watched you for a long second, eyes lingering on your mouth before he looked away, clearing his throat. “Ya better hang them shirts before they dry wrong.”
“Oh, so now you care?”
He shrugged, grabbing his crossbow from where it leaned against the fence. “Don’t want ya wastin’ all that effort.”
You smiled as he started to walk off, water still dripping from his vest. “You look like you fell in the lake.”
He glanced back over his shoulder, lips twitching again. “Ain’t the worst thing I been covered in.
You laughed softly, shaking your head as he disappeared into the trees. When you turned back to the line, his shirt fluttered again, dark, heavy, and soaked. You reached up to smooth it, your grin lingering.
You’d swear the air felt lighter after that, like even the world itself had stopped holding its breath for a minute.
Requests are open but ONLY if they’re Twilight or Supernatural! <3 Have a nice day/night
Carl Grimes x Fem!Reader
Word count: 870
Warnings: Nothing Just fluff!
Y/N: Your Name
Summary: In the quiet, dangerous stillness of Alexandria, Y/N and Carl Grimes finally name the love they’ve been living with since childhood.
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In the world before, I think people believed friendships were safe, that you could love someone without it costing you anything. That you could sit shoulder to shoulder, laugh, share secrets, and not risk your heart tearing open if they left or died or changed. The world before didn’t have walkers. It didn’t have fences topped with sharpened metal. Didn’t have guns leaning against bedroom walls. Didn’t have kids learning how to kill before they learned how to drive.
In this world, everything costs something.
Especially love.
Carl Grimes had been my best friend since the prison. Since before I learned how to shoot straight. Since before he lost his eye. Since before either of us stopped being kids. We grew up together in the end of the world, which means we grew up fast and wrong and too close for comfort.
We learned each other’s tells. The sound of each other’s breathing when nightmares hit. How long to wait before asking what the bad dream was about. When to push. When to shut up. We learned how to survive. And somewhere in the middle of all that, we learned how to love each other- without ever saying it out loud.
It’s quiet in Alexandria. Too quiet. The kind of quiet that makes my skin itch. Most people are inside already, doors barred, lights low. The watch has been doubled since the last herd passed through nearby. Rick’s tense. Michonne’s quieter than usual. Even Daryl hasn’t cracked a joke. Carl and I are sitting on the steps outside one of the houses near the wall, knees drawn up, shoulders almost touching.
Almost.
We’re sixteen now. Or something like that. Time doesn’t work right anymore. The moonlight catches on the edge of Carl’s hat, the shadow dipping over the right side of his face. He’s taller than me now, broader in the shoulders, but I still see the kid who offered me half his pudding cup the first night I cried myself to sleep in a prison cell.
“You okay?” I asked, glancing at him.
He nods too quickly. “Yeah.”
That’s a lie.
Carl Grimes has never been good at lying to me.
I tilt my head. “You sure?”
He exhales, slow and shaky. His fingers worry at the hem of his sleeve, thumb rubbing against the scar on his wrist- the one he got protecting Judith when things went bad on the road.
“Y/N.” He says quietly.
Something in his voice makes my chest tighten.
“Yeah?”
He doesn’t look at me.”
“I need to tell you something.” He says.
I wait.
In this world, you learn patience or you die.
“I don’t want this to be weird.” He continued. “And I don’t want you to think I expect anything, because I don’t. I just-”
“Carl.” I say gently. “Look at me.”
He does.
And I see it. All of it. The fear. The hope. The way he looks like he’s about to walk into a herd armed with nothing but a pocketknife and faith.
“I’m in love with you.” He says.
The words hang between us, fragile and dangerous.
The world doesn’t end.
The walls don’t fall.
No alarms sound.
I smile. Not a small one. Not a nervous one.
A real one.
Carl blinks. “You’re… smiling.”
I let out a soft laugh. “Yeah.”
“You’re not mad?”
“No.”
“You’re not-”
I reach out before he can spiral further, my fingers curling around his wrist.
“Carl.” I say softly. “We were never just friends.”
His breath stutters.
“What?”
I shift closer, our knees touching now, our shoulders brushing. I can feel the heart of him, solid and real.
“You held my head when I thought I was going to die.” I say. “You slept outside my door when I couldn’t stop screaming in my sleep. You watched my back on runs like it was more important than your own.”
“That’s just-” He starts.
“That’s love.” I interrupt. “Maybe not the way it was supposed to happen. But this world doesn’t give us normal.”
He looks stunned.
“Since when?” He asks quietly.
I shrug. “Since always, I think.”
He swallows. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
I huff a soft laugh. “Why didn’t you?”
“Because I didn’t want to lose you.” He admits. “Because everything I care about either dies or leaves or-” His voice breaks. “I couldn’t survive losing you too.”
My heart aches at that.
I slide my hand into his, fingers threading together like they’ve done this a thousand times already.
“You already have me.” I say. “You always did.”
He squeezes my hand like he’s afraid I’ll disappear.
“Is it okay if I…?” He trails off.
I lean in first.
The kiss is gentle. Careful. Like we’re both afraid of breaking something sacred. Carl’s lips are warm, a little chapped, familiar in a way that surprises me. His hand comes up to my jaw, hesitant at first, then firmer when I don’t pull away. When we part, his forehead rests against mine.
“So,” He murmurs. “Guess that changes things.”
“Yeah,” I say. “But not in a bad way.”
He smiles then. Really smiles. The kind I don’t see often anymore. The kind that reminds me we’re still alive.
Daryl looks around the gated community. It's strange, the houses— mansions, really— that lined the streets looked right out of a catalog or one of those home renovation shows. It was clean and if he couldn't still hear the quiet groaning from some stray walkers, he'd think he was transported back in time.
Rick was cautiously looking at their guide, Aaron, and the leader Deanna. She wanted to interview them. Daryl almost turned and left right there, but then he saw Carl holding Lil' Asskicker, and his feet were planted where he stood.
After they were all interviewed and had given up their weapons, they were given two houses to use. Daryl scoffed at the sight. No way would he get used to this. No way.
As his group began to filter in the house, he gave one last glance around. There was a house not far that was smaller than the rest. It was nice, but looked out of place in the community. He didn't give it too much thought before heading inside.
Everyone was smiling, still nervous and careful, but the hot running water had lifted some spirits. Daryl didn't care much. He instead headed back out to sit on the porch. Everyone was staying in the larger house, so he would take watch. The whole place gave him an uneasy feeling. He felt like the people were giving him odd looks. He didn't belong, and everyone knew it.
It was late at night when Daryl was still outside. The house was too stuffy, he couldn't sleep. Not here. He was fiddling with his crossbow, absentmindedly cleaning it with a rag. It was more to keep his hands busy than anything, he could barely see in the dim glow of the porch light.
He heard a door slam and his eyes shot up. It was from that little house not far. A woman was standing on the porch. She was a little ways away, but Daryl could just barely see that she looked tense. Her head was down so he couldn't see her face, but her hand was rubbing at her temple. When she sat down on the front step, her leg bounced anxiously.
He bit his lip in worry. What did she have to be so anxious about? Maybe this place wasn't safe, maybe they were hiding something. Daryl vaguely knew that the thoughts were slightly paranoid, but he was on edge and hasn't slept in days.
As if she felt eyes on her, her eyes flitted up to find his. Daryl shot his eyes away and instead began to fiddle with his bow again. He hears a door close again and when he chanced a glance back at the woman, she was gone.
Daryl looked at the house. It was large and filled to the brim with both people from Alexandria and his family. He bit his lip in thought. His family seemed adamant in trying to fit in, to try and make it work, but he wasn't so sure. He couldn't fit in here, he wouldn't.
Daryl wasn't a stranger to the sideways looks he got from the people here. The looks of disgust when he brought home animals on a string ready to be cleaned. Or when he was caked in blood and dirt from being outside the walls.
This party Deanna had thrown was something that was supposed to stay in the old world. Not when there are dead people walking around. He saw Rick holding Judith and chatting away with some of the locals through the window. He shoved his hands in his pockets and finally turned away. He couldn't do it.
"Hey!" Daryl looks towards the sound and saw Aaron standing at his front steps.
"Thought you were goin' to that party over there," Daryl says, gesturing loosely in the direction of Deanna's house.
"Oh no, I was never going. Especially with Eric's leg being how it is." Daryl looks at him with furrowed brows.
"Why the hell you tell me to go then?" Daryl says, his tone a little sharp.
"I said to try. You did," Aaron explains with a friendly smile. "Why don't you come in and have dinner with us? We're having spaghetti."
Aaron waves at something behind him and Daryl turns to look. It's that woman he saw the other night. She waves back but looks slightly confused at Daryl's presence. Now that he's closer, he can take in how pretty she is. She looks a little shy, but her eyes sparkle even in the dim lighting. Daryl looks away and back at Aaron, thinking for just a second before taking his invitation.
"So, who is that girl?" Daryl asks during dinner. He couldn't help it. He hasn't seen much of her around the community. He'd be lying is he said he wasn't the least bit interested.
"Oh, that's Y/N," Aaron says. "We brought her in a few weeks ago. She's still... adjusting." Daryl hums in response.
"Just haven't seen her around s'all." Daryl shrugs and slurps another mouthful of spaghetti. Aaron wasn't lying when he said it was good.
"She isn't very social," Eric says. "She's nice enough though. She just keeps to herself."
"We just try to give her space. She contributes to the community a lot, especially with her garden," Aaron finishes. "If you ever need some fresh produce, she's your girl."
It's the next day and Daryl is crouched by some bike parts. Aaron had offered him a position to go out scouting if he can put a bike together with parts he had. Getting out of these confining walls sounded great, so here he was, in Aaron's garage putting a bike together.
He heard footsteps and looked up, seeing Y/N standing outside by the open garage. She gave Daryl a peculiar look, glancing at him in the garage and at the front door. Finally, she walks over to him a little awkwardly.
"Hey, is uhh, Aaron or Eric home?" She asks, quietly. She's holding a little basket with what seems to be some tomatoes.
"Nah, they're at the infirmary." A worried look colored her face so Daryl rushed to explain. "Just checkin' up on Eric's ankle s'all. They're fine."
"Oh, ok, good," she says. Her voice is quiet still, soft spoken. "I just wanted to drop this off." She holds up the basket.
"You could leave it here, I'll make sure to give it to 'em." She nods and lays the basket down near the front of the garage. She gives him a little smile and Daryl's heart thumps. God, she's really pretty.
"Thanks." And with that, she's gone.
Daryl doesn't see her much after that quick interaction. Sometimes, when he can't sleep and he's outside, he sees her sit on her steps like she's lost in thought. Other times, she leaves before the suns come up, going beyond the walls with a gun on one hip and a buck knife on the other. Even bringing back some fresh meat once in a while. Daryl would be lying through his teeth if he said he wasn't curious about her.
She's quiet and reserved. Sometimes he'll spot an Alexandrian going to her house to ask for a fresh tomato or berries. Unlike other residents, shes doesn't chat up a storm. She does what needs to be done and that's it.
Daryl will sit out on the porch some nights and wonder who she is. Aaron said he just found you a few weeks ago, but no other explanation. Where was she before? Had she had a group, or was she alone all this time? The woman could definitely handle herself if she came and went as often as she did.
"Hey, pookie," Carol's voice distracts Daryl from his smoke break. He'd been at Aaron's house nearly all day, and was finally done now that the sun was setting. He hums. "Could you go to Y/N's and grab some green beans? I didn't get enough earlier for my casserole."
Daryl looks at her and scoffs. Carol had slipped into the housewife role since coming to Alexandria, and it makes Daryl annoyed to no end. Mostly because she does it so well, baking cookies and playing Betty Crocker in flowy blouses. Makes him sick.
He hums and nods once, stamping out his cigarette and making his way to your house. He was nervous, he doesn't know you and just rocking up and asking for something felt off. He knows everyone does it, but still.
He knocks once he gets the nerve and wait. After a while and no answer, he feels awkward. Maybe she isn't even here. He's just about to turn and leave before the door opens.
"Hey, Carol just needs some more—" He stops short when he finally looks at the girl. The door is only open a crack, and her face is slightly concealed by shadow, but he can still see faint red marks around her eyes. Her fingers on the door are jittery and she shifts her weight from side to side. "You alright?"
"What did you need?" She doesn't answer his question. Her voice is rough, like she's been crying a while. Gone is the silky softness Daryl had heard the other day. It send a foreign feeling to his chest.
"Just... some green beans but—"
"Ok, give me a second." She turns and leaves, leaving the door open just a little. Daryl feels unbelievably awkward. The poor girl was just crying and now she has to fetch a stranger fucking green beans. She comes back a moment later with a basket of beans.
"Is that enough?" She asks, her face still tear stained but slightly redder, like she had scrubbed at it.
"Yeah, yeah... thanks," Daryl said. He grabbed the basket slowly. "You sure you're alright? I could go get Aaron or somethin'..." Daryl thinks they're close, he's seen her talk a little with him before.
"No, no. He doesn't..." she stops talking and looks anywhere but to Daryl. He waits patiently for her to continue. "I shouldn't bother him."
"You two are friends ain't ya? Sure he won't mind."
"I would," she says quietly, her voice still teary sounding, and she sniffles now and then. "Is that all?"
Daryl nods, still looking a little worried at her. But it isn't his business, so he doesn't stop her when she closes the door. He walks away from her house after casting one last look.
Daryl brings Carol the green beans and she looks at him a little thoughtfully. She tilts her head at him.
"Penny for your thoughts?" She asks, kindly. He shrugs and gives a noncommittal hum.
"She was cryin'..." he finally admits. He felt bad for saying it, he definitely wouldn't want anyone to walk in on him having a moment and tell, but it's Carol. He couldn't not tell her.
"Who?" Carol asks.
"Y/N. Wouldn't say what was wrong though." He shrugs, but still looks a little lost in thought.
"Huh," Carol says. "Maybe you should check on her later then." Daryl furrows his brows at her and gives her a look. "What?"
"I don't know her."
"Well, it'd be good for you to talk to new people. And from what I've seen, she doesn't seem to have many friends either. It'd be nice of you." Daryl thinks for a second before giving Carol another sideways look.
"You sayin' I don't have friends? The hell are you then?" Carol scoffs and laughs at him at the same time. Tilting her head at him.
"We're family. It would be good for you to talk to others. Branch out." She lays a hand on the man's shoulder.
Daryl couldn't stop thinking of the crying girl and what Carol said. He ended up not going to see her again, but he did sit up on his porch casting looks at her house that night. He couldn't get her teary eyes out of his head. That pure sadness in her face. It gave him a pressure in his chest he wasn't fond of.
Eventually he hears Y/N's door snap closes like it always does, and she plants herself down on the steps. She had a mug of something cradled in her hands. It must be hot because Daryl can see steam wafting from it.
He bites his thumb in thought. Maybe he should go over, just make sure she was alright. Like Carol said, you didn't have many friends from what Daryl could tell. She spend most time tending to her garden or outside the walls. The closest he's seen her with anyone was Aaron, and from her reaction earlier, she probably hadn't gone to talk to him.
Finally, Daryl follows the pull in his chest and walks over to her. She spots him right away, and those pretty sparkly eyes of hers nearly make him stop halfway. She looks confused and wary.
"Hey," Daryl starts. She nods, one sharp jut down of her chin. She's still giving him that look, like she's waiting for him to pounce or something. "Just wanted to make sure you're alright... seemed pretty upset earlier."
"I'm ok," she says. She looks down like she's embarrassed. "Sorry you had to see that."
"Nothin' to be sorry 'bout." She gives him a little half smile and it sends a flutter to his stomach. "Well, I best be goin'... just wanted to make sure you were alright."
Daryl backtracks. Maybe she just didn't want to be bothered. He shoves his hands in his pants pockets and turns around only halfway before her voice stop him.
"You could stay," she says. Daryl is surprised, and from her expression when he turns around, so is she. "Unless you don't want to... it is pretty late." She rushes out, tapping anxiously at her mug.
"Nah, I'll stay for a bit." Daryl, despite wanted to turn tail and run, stays. His interest in the mysterious woman outweighs his disbelief that a girl so pretty would want anything to do with him.
He takes a seat next to her on the stoop. They both sit in a awkward silence for a minute. Both just looking out towards the sky.
"You want some tea?" Y/N asks lowly, finally breaking the silence.
"You don't have to—"
"I don't mind." Y/N stands up quickly and goes to fetch the tea. She might just be shyer than Daryl, she seemed to want to run away more than he did. But if Daryl was honest, he found it pretty cute, even endearing.
She comes back a few short minutes later with a second steaming mug. She gives it to him with that same small, kind smile. Daryl could feel his neck flush. He accepts with a mumbled thanks.
"So uh," Daryl starts. "How long you've been here? In Alexandria." She takes a sip of tea and makes a so-so gesture with her hand.
"Maybe a month? Little more. Hard to keep track of time now..." She taps her mug still, must be a nervous tick. Daryl hums and nods an agreement. "I was the last person Aaron and Eric brought in before you guys. Feels nice not to be the newbie anymore." She has a little teasing smile on her face, but her head is still down low and her hair partially covers her face.
"Yeah, I'm not likin' being the newbie much," Daryl says with a scoff.
"Everyone looks at you funny... like they don't trust you, because they know of the things you must've done to survive on your own..." Y/N says. She looks down, lost in her head. Almost like she realizes she's been talking, she glances at Daryl and blushes.
"That why you were cryin' before? Cause of the things you've done?" Daryl regrets having spoken, because she looks close to tears again. Good going Daryl, Jesus Christ. He screws his eyes shut for just a quick second, chastising himself in his head. "Sorry, you don—"
"Yes," she says quickly, finally looking up to meet Daryl's gave. For the first time, he can really see just how beautiful and intense her eyes are. He can see every little speck of color. He feels his cheeks burn under her gaze.
"And the things you've done, are they why you sit outside every night? Don't sleep?" She asks him, not breaking eye contact. He nods, slowly, and Daryl sees something he was positive he'd never see in an Alexandrian's eyes.
Understanding.
Those nightly chats continue nearly every night. Even while they were planning how to get the walkers out of the quarry, no matter what time either of them had gotten up that morning. Even after the wolves terrorize the community, and a huge herd surround the tall walls, they still talk almost every night.
Even Daryl's family knew. Carol and Rick teased him about his nightly outings relentlessly. Especially when you'd go over to drop off their produce, it seemed they knew the quiet woman mostly did it to see Daryl.
Daryl and Y/N didn't see much of each other during the day unless it was dropping off produce. Daryl was always out, hunting, going on runs. Y/N mostly helped around inside, tending to her little garden and now helping Maggie with the large one she was planning in the center of the community.
But on rare occasions like today, Daryl and Y/N were both able to get away and head outside the walls. They were both excellent hunters, so Daryl escaped from the walls with her as often as possible. Which was never enough now that he couldn't get out to look for new people, as Rick had ordered.
"Oh, Daryl!" She called out. Daryl was slightly ahead, but turned back to her at her call.
"What?" She pointed excitedly at a little shrub. Daryl looked curiously from her to the bush. "What about it?"
"It's a huckleberry bush. I can dig it up and plant it back home." Home. It sounded strange to Daryl. The last place he considered home he'd lost in a fiery blaze, but he supposed that is what Alexandria is. Home.
Y/N sank to her knees and dug at the dirt a little before giving a satisfied look towards Daryl.
"It's really small, and not in season yet, but the roots look good. Won't be too long before the berries start popping up." Daryl kneeled next to her and helped her to dig it up. She smiled excitedly at him, and Daryl shyly smiled back. Her smile still made his heart jump, even after seeing it so many times. Y/N isn't so shy with him anymore, even if she's still reserved when it comes to other people.
After fighting with the shrub, they eventually yank it out. Daryl smiled to himself seeing the girl so pleased.
"We should get back soon. I should plant it soon as possible, wouldn't want the roots to dry up," Y/N explains. Daryl nods and suddenly becomes nervous.
"Yeah uh... could I show you somethin' first?" He asks. He's biting his thumb now, and Y/N gives him a skeptical look.
"Yeah, what?" She asks.
"Surprise." She looks at him crooked but nods. "Come on."
Daryl leads her back to his bike. She puts the bush carefully in the saddle bag and they both hop on. The first time they rode together, Daryl had been so nervous he'd almost crashed. Now, riding alone made him miss the warm contact.
It's embarrassing how much he had gotten attached to Y/N. Most days he couldn't wait for night fall so he could finally head to her porch and drink that funky tasting tea, just because it made her happy. If Daryl was honest, he'd do just about anything to make her happy and smiling.
Daryl was never in love before. Of course he's loved people, certainly loved his brother and his family, but he's been never in love. But if Daryl could guess, he's pretty sure it felt like this.
A sharp flick to his ear sent him back to present. He cast a look behind him to the culprit, who was grinning. He forced a dramatic frown at her, but that smile and giggle made his lungs just about stop working.
"Don't go so fast! My bush is rocking around in there," she yelled over the rumble of the bike, patting the saddlebag to emphasize her point.
"Yeah, yeah, you and your damn plants!" He teased, eliciting another giggle and a poke to his side. "Thought we had to be fast to get home so you could plant it?"
"Won't be anything to plant if it's all torn apart by the time we get there!"
Finally, Daryl pulled the bike to a stop. Y/N looked around before looking back at him. She tilted her head and smirked.
"More woods, consider me impressed, Daryl." He shoves her arm lightly and his face flushes.
"Stop."
Daryl leads her further into the woods before suddenly stepping in front of her. She looks confused and he can't help but think her furrowed brows and scrunched nose is adorable.
"Close your eyes." She gives him a scrutinizing look but obliges with a dramatic sigh.
"Better be good, Daryl."
He leads her carefully through the forest. One hand on her arm and another on the small of her back, he leads her slowly over large rocks and overturned logs with care. Daryl gets more nervous the closer they get to their destination. Maybe it was a stupid idea, or she wouldn't like it. Maybe he'd dragged her out here and she wants to go home.
"Alright," Daryl says finally. "Open your eyes."
Y/N opens her eyes slowly, blinking a little at the sudden brightness after having her eyes closed so long. After a second, he smiles brightly, eye flitting around.
It was a clearing in the woods, shaded by surrounding trees and covered in flowers. Large bushes of different colored flowers bordered the clearing, with small patches of wild flowers covering the ground in the center. He'd found it on a solo hunt not long ago, and planned to take her since.
Y/N was surprisingly quiet. Ever since they'd starting talking, she'd opened up to him completely. She hasn't been this quiet since that first time they met, and it made Daryl unbearably anxious.
"So..?" Daryl asks, biting his thumb and looking between the woman and his shoes. He digs his boot in the dirt, scuffing the ground, anxiously awaiting her reply.
"It's..." she starts. Finally, after an agonizing few seconds, she looks at him. She walks up to him and gently takes his thumb from his mouth. He feels heat course through his face but he holds her gaze steadily, and lets her pull away his hand. "It's beautiful."
She turns from him and wanders deeper into the clearing. Daryl follows, almost in a daze. She's never looked so beautiful, smiling and almost giddy with joy, stroking different flowers as she walks past. Daryl is sure his heart is going to give out.
Finally, she lays down right in the center. She laughs and reaches a hand towards Daryl. He steps forward apprehensively, but after catching another look at her jovial face, he hurries to lay next to her.
They lay shoulder to shoulder for a while. Just basking in the light that's filtering through the trees. Y/N absentmindedly plays with a flower between her fingers with her eyes closed.
"I love it," she says lowly, cracking her eyes open to look at Daryl beside her. He smiles.
"Ain't nothin'..." She whacks his hand laying beside her halfheartedly.
"It's not." She leaves her hand right next to his, the contact sending electric shocks up his entire arm. Tentatively, Y/N begins to fold her fingers in his. Daryl looks over to find that she's still looking at him deeply, with that intense gaze Daryl is sure he'll never get used to. He intertwines their fingers, both still staring at each other with flushed cheeks and soft smiles.
Daryl is sure who started what, but soon enough, their lips are touching. It's like a magnetic force, and Daryl can't resist. He touches her cheek softly, and he can feel her smile against him.
Daryl can't get enough, he doesn't ever want to. They push up against each other until they're completely melted together, touching from head to toe. She languidly pushes her fingers through his hair, smiling harder against his lips when he makes a pleased hum.
After some time, Y/N pulls away. She gives him a brilliant smile that makes him push one more kiss to her lips before he is ready to stop. She curls into his chest when he lays down again fully, and he gently runs his calloused fingers through her soft hair. She lefts out a comforted sigh.
“I don’t…” Daryl starts then pauses, breaking the silence. Y/N looks up from his chest, her fingers curled up in his shirt under his vest. “I don’t know… how to do this.”
“That’s ok,” she says with that soft, kind smile. She brushes hair away from his face and her closes his eyes for a second, relishing in the feeling. “We’ll figure it out together.”
They lay next to one another for a long while, even after the sun begins to set. Sharing caring and soft caresses and touches. Sometimes giving the other little shy smiles. It’s getting dark now, but the two still don’t want to part.
“Guess we should get home…” Daryl says reluctantly, his voice low and even grittier sounding than normal.
“Yeah, we should,” she replies, sinking further in his arms. Daryl smiles to himself and plants a shy kiss to her head. She lets out another content hum.
When they finally remove themselves from each other, they give each other shy smiles and glances. Y/N floats around the area one last time, picking a bundle of flowers before following Daryl to his bike.
Daryl watches her, how careful she is to the plants and how she walks around almost majestically. He thinks about how it was just a couple months ago she found her way into his life. She had called Alexandria home, and Daryl agreed, but now, just watching her meander through the clearing, he thinks that maybe home isn’t a place but a person.
When she gets to his bike, she opens up the little saddlebag to place her bundle of multicolored flowers. She suddenly frowns and looks over at Daryl.
“What?” He asks, nervously taking in her expression. She shakes her head and looks down, concern fretting her pretty features. Did she regret what just happened? Was she just now processing and she realized she didn’t want Daryl this way? She looks back up to meet Daryl’s eyes, still with that frown. Daryl wrings his hands.
A/n; I know I said I was taking a break but I miss Beth and I can't seem to find anything for her. At this point, she's my comfort character, and I need some comfort <3.
Beth Greene x Grimes! Fem! Reader
Warnings; unedited, mentions of suicidal thoughts (nothing graphic), the idea of a closeted relationship.
Sitting on the front porch of the Greene's house, you sighed, looking out over the countryside. You would give so much to feel safe at this point, but in reality, you'd never be safe. All you could do was hope that you'd feel safe someday.
Beth seemed to be the light to your now-dark world, the sun you often revolved around. She was a sight of innocence, her family fighting to keep her protected. It wasn't practical, but you didn't care. Her ignorance brought you peace.
She watched over Carl well too, which meant a lot to you. But, most importantly she loved you as you. Not as Rick's daughter, or Carl's sister, but as Y/n. She was the one person who saw you as more than a label if it made any sense.
She sat down beside you, your portion of dinner in her hands. "Thought you might want some company, you look lonely out here. Like this." She smiled gently, oh how her smile made you weak. You nodded, your lips perking up barely, hardly a smile. Taking the food from her was an odd sensation, knowing you needed it, whilst knowing you didn't want it.
Knowing you wouldn't have taken it from anyone but her.
She gave you a look, a knowing one at best. She knew you better than most, and she knew enough to see that you were struggling. Someway, somehow. She wouldn't dare ask, but her look said she was there. It taunted your mind, was it worth it to take her innocence to protect yourself? No. Surely not.
You looked at your lap, where the food sat, pushing it either which way on the plate. "Y/n, you can tell me anything, you know that?" Her voice was hushed as if she wasn't sure you trusted her. A part of her knowing you locked certain parts of you away, to keep her sane.
You shook your head, looking up at the cascading sunset, "I have nothing to tell."
Her face contorted, hiding her hurt as best she could. "Okay." She whispered, standing up. "I'll leave you too it, then. Goodnight, Y/n."
"Goodnight, Beth."
You watched her leave, but you didn't eat.
The next morning rolled around fast, you barely slept any. Your brain was deteriorating at thoughts of how you'd acted towards Beth the night prior, had you ruined everything already?
You took Carl out to practice with his new pistol, Shane practically demanded you teach him before your dad could find out. You set up the cans, Carl eagerly awaiting your commands, blabbing about how excited he was to quote, 'protect' you.
You couldn't help but smile at him, you hadn't seen him that excited since it'd all begun. It also made you want to cry however, you were swiping whatever innocence was left in him. You were teaching your younger brother to kill at such a young age. He deserved better.
You taught him the basics, safety, how to load, etc. And then, you told him to go ahead, try and hit the cans. He had impeccable aim for a new shooter, and in a harsh way, you were proud of it. "You're doing great bud, let's move back a couple feet and try again."
He began his new task as Beth approached, soft footsteps padding over sticks and rocks. You looked over your shoulder, arms uncrossing as she looked back at you. "Y/n? Carl? What're you two doing out here?"
"Could ask you the same." You begun, gesturing for Carl to continue his practice, as you walked closer to Beth.
"Shane sent me out here to teach him to shoot, doesn't want my dad to know.." You spoke, looking at Carl rather than her. She gave you a somber look, sensing the same pain present in you as the days prior. "Come talk to me when you're done."
And with that, she left.
Carl looked at you, a smile on his face as he finished his last round, "You like her, don't-cha?"
"Me? Obviously." You smiled, messing with him, as you readjusted the hat on his head, "Our secret, deal?"
He nodded, insisting on a pinky promise, which you took, "Let's get back, alright?"
You passed Carl off to your mom and took off to find Beth, whom as you presumed, was inside cleaning up. She was humming a tune you didn't quite recognize, she looked angelic to you.
You cleared your throat, letting her know of your presence, to which she jumped and looked at you. "Y/n! Don't sneak up on me like that. Come with me." She smiled, leading you up the stairs to her room, shutting the door behind the two of you.
You stood by her window, looking down on your found family bustling around, finishing chores. She sat on her bed, shuffling around to find a comfortable sitting position, before looking at you again.
You looked down, shaking your head, "Beth, you don't have to keep doing this. I don't need a therapist, you being you is enough. You're smart, really smart, so why do you keep letting me drag you down? I'm not happy, I never am, and I can't make you happy."
"It's not true, you just have to trust me."
"I do trust you, Beth, that's the fucking problem." You looked at her, eyebrows furrowing, "I'm going to ruin you and you know it. We all know it."
"No one but you thinks that."
You looked down, your eyes filling, though you refused to cry in front of her. "You want the truth, Beth? I want to die, Beth. I want something to fucking get me in my sleep, and I want it to happen soon. I want it every night. Every goddamn night."
It slipped, everything, and you regretted it as soon as you saw her face. And then the tears fell, hers first, yours following.
She stood up, looking at you, her palms gently finding their way to the sides of your face. She held your face as if you would break, she treated you as if you were as fragile as you felt. You were just a teenage girl again, you were no longer at death's doorstep.
But worst of all, you knew why she felt empathetic to you. You knew why she cared and it broke your heart. She'd wanted to die too, she'd tried. You kissed her scars every time you could, anytime you two could escape.
"I love you." The words escaped before you could stop them, choking as you spoke them, your tears gone now.
"I love you too." Her words were like a promise, a promise to love you.
You pressed your lips to hers, your eyes closing as you did, it was like sparks flew every time you kissed her. She gave you hope for a better world, she flipped the bad, she always had.
"We're just kids." She whispered, looking up at you, "Just kids. I just want to be free, I want to do better for you, I will I swear. We can share responsibility, and someday we can stop hiding."
You wrapped your arms around her, eyes screwing shut. "We'll do better. For Carl, for other kids. We're tough. But I need you to stick around for that, okay?" You felt her nod, her tears covering your shoulder.
Her innocence was never truly there, she had to grow up just as fast as you did. As much as it hurt, as much as you wanted to shelter her, you were hurting her by pretending. And you needed to do better, for her sake.
Summary: You and Daryl stay in the Kingdom for a few days with some others for a festival. Shiva hangs out with the both of you as you eat and Shiva giving you some cuddles from time to time
You and Daryl walk hand in hand around the Kingdom, who’s holding a festival.
You hold out a teared pretzel in front of Daryl to let him tear some off and pops it in his mouth. Walking around the festival a little longer with more food in hand, you both sit down somewhere out of the way.
People move out of the way from something walking towards the couple. You observe the King's pet, Shiva the tiger, walking towards you. She walks behind you and nuzzles the side of Daryl's face before doing the same thing to you. “Hi, Shiva.” you wraps your right arm around the tiger's face and scratches behind its ear.
Shiva lays on her stomach. The couple starts to have a conversation. It stops as you stand up and walk off. "I'll be right back." After a few minutes, you come back with meat on a bone. You whistles, getting the attention of the tiger. You throw the bone towards her to eat and lick the bone.
"Where'd ya get that?" Daryl asks. "The meat locker in the kitchen." you answer before eating more of the pretzel. "Ya carried that thing all the way from the kitchen?" He raises an eyebrow at you. "Yeah." you nods. You continue your conversation whilst petting the tiger often.
Shiva stands up after finishing up the bone to lick the side of your face. "Ugh, gross, Shiva." You stands up, pulling your collar to wipe the tiger saliva off your face. Daryl softly laughs at the sight in front of him. "You think this is funny?" you glare at him. "Shiva, kiss him." The tiger does the same thing, Daryl having the same reaction.
You laugh at Daryl as he wipes it off as well. He finishes cleaning it up before lunging towards you. He was about to tickle you, but you moved out of the way just in time before running off. "Shiva!" The tiger runs towards you. You climb on the animal's back and run away from Daryl.
Potatoes bloomed through the sheet of bubbles in the soup as you stirred in full circles, breathing in the rich, savory scent that swirled up like an invitation. Until arms wrapped around you, warm and strong like the steam furling in puffs around the vent of the stove.
"Daryl," you chuckled, pressing your free hands over his buckled across your waist. You could tell it was him by the smell of marlboro and grease that overpowered any ingredient you've interacted with.
"Hmm?" he hums, brushing his nose over the curve of your shoulder. "I know you probably don't want to hear this, but you gotta get under some water." While the dirty, squirrel catching shtick was a part of the initial attraction, the image of a clean husband was too much of a rarity to not be curious.
You could hear in the silence his frown and then the removal of his chin from your shoulder, so you kept going. "I'll get there with you if you want, but you gotta do something." You muttered the last part under your breath because while it was the end of the world, it wasn't the end of the world.
"Nah," he grumbled, squeezing your hips against his. "Y'ain't gotta do that."
He said it like it was final, like he had already decided that soap and warm water weren't half as necessary as the weight of you in his arms. You could almost hear the smile he was trying to hide, low, stubborn, and a little shy.
You huffed a laugh, still stirring, though your rhythm slowed. "So you want me to suffer?"
He hummed again, noncommittal, cheek brushing your temple. "Figure you don't mind too much," he said, voice rough from smoke and long days. "You're still standin' here, ain't ya?"
The stew popped behind the words, one small bubble bursting near the surface. You turned the spoon once more and felt the corners of your mouth tug upward. He had a point, though you'd never tell him that.
"Do you wanna try this for me at least?" you asked, scooping up a sample with the wooden spoon, sliding it over your shoulder, the steam curling through the thinness of your shirt.
He didn't even blow it off, just leaned in, taking the curve of the spoon, examined it, and popped it in his mouth like it wasn't fresh off the stove.
"Need anything?" you asked, eyeing the pot. Truth be told you were ready to get off your feet, and you would soon.
"Pinch a salt," he stated matter of factly. You're gonna let it go on account he probably burned his tongue and everything might taste like spineless rubber rather than that being his opinion.
"Okay," you poured it anyway, just to humor him.
After a good couple of laps around the pot, you laid the metal to rest in a sticky storm around the neck of the spoon, reaching for the knob of the stove.
The flame hissed down to a low breath, the soup settling into lazy bubbles. Daryl didn't move right away, just stayed there behind you, arms loosening but never leaving.
"You hungry?" you asked, half turning your head.
He grunted, his version of a yes, and you caught the faintest twitch of his mouth before he dropped his gaze to the pot.
You reached for the bowls stacked beside the sink, the chipped enamel edges clinking together. His hand brushed yours, rough fingertips ghosting over your wrist as he took one from you. He always did that, acted like he wasn't helping when he was.
"Smells good," he muttered, voice low enough you almost missed it.
"Guess that means you can smell past yourself," you teased, passing him the ladle.
That earned you a small snort, the kind that barely made it out before he ducked his head. He scooped two generous portions, set them on the counter, and for a second the sound of metal on wood was the only thing between you.
He wandered into the living room where his boots were spilled by the door, his vest hanging haphazardly from the key hook, and his keys thrown in a dish that was more decor than anything, but it was okay.
He sat back on the couch, sinking into the cushions, lounging without a care in the world as he brought the bowl up to his lips, holding it with both hands like it would disappear if he let go, scarfing down the soup.
You chuckled, taking a seat beside him.
"What?" he blinked, lowering the bowl, he would have licked it clean if you didn't stop him.
"Nothing," you smiled at the little inside joke between yourself, and he just watched, your lips pursing together to blow on the steaming bowl you cradled, and then at his own, and he blinked again.
Summary: Snow falls, hearts thaw—she spins, he laughs, and for a moment in a broken world, everything feels soft, warm, and alive.
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Snow always makes the world feel quieter. Not dead quiet, not the kind we’re used to now, but the kind of peaceful hush I remember from before. The kind that makes you breathe a little slower, look a little longer, and feel a little more… human. So when I saw the first flakes drift past the window of the prison block, my heart jumped like I was a kid again.
“Oh my God! It’s snowing!”
Before anyone could say a word, I was already dropping the can of beans I’d been organizing, practically tripping over my own feet as I sprinted down the catwalk and pushed through the metal door out into the yard. The cold slapped me in the face immediately, sharp and biting, but I didn’t care. The sky was pouring soft white flakes, twisting and floating like they couldn’t decide where to land.
Without thinking, I ran forward, boots crunching through the thin layer already forming, and threw my arms out wide. I tilted my head straight back and stuck out my tongue like an idiot, laughing as flakes melted instantly against it.
God, I missed this.
I spun in slow circles, looking up, feeling the snow cling to my eyelashes and my hair, the cold wind burning my cheeks in the best possible way. The world felt beautiful. Even ruined and broken, it could still be beautiful.
“You’re gonna make yourself dizzy.” A warm, familiar voice called behind me.
Glenn.
I didn’t turn right away. I was having too much fun watching the sky blur into streaks of white as I spun. But when I slowed and finally looked toward him, he was leaning against the railing near the doorway, bundled in the patched-up jacket he swore he didn’t need. He wasn’t saying anything else, just watching. And the look on his face… My stomach flipped. It always did when he looked at me like that. Soft around the eyes, lips curved into the smallest smile, like he was seeing something sacred.
“Come on!” I called to him, grinning so hard my face hurt. “It’s snowing! You can’t just stand there!”
He shook his head, pushing off the railing and walking closer with that shy smile of his.
“I am enjoying it.”
“No, you’re enjoying me enjoying it.”
“Yeah, I am.” He admitted quietly.
That stopped me, a warm rush flooded through my chest despite the cold I stepped toward him, snow crunching beneath us, flakes landing in his hair and melting on his lashes.
“You’re staring.” I teased gently.
“You look happy.” He said simply. “Haven’t seen that in a while.”
I’m not sure if he meant it to hit so hard, but it did. Happiness felt rare these days, fleeting and fragile. But right now? I felt full of it again. Maybe because it was snowing, or maybe because Glenn was looking at me like that… Maybe both.
“Catch some snowflakes with me.” I said, nudging his shoulder.
He laughed under his breath. “I don’t think I’m as good at it as you.”
“There’s no wrong way! Just-” I tilted my head back dramatically, tongue sticking out against.
“You do this.”
Glenn burst out laughing. Real, full, and bright laughter that warmed me more than any coat could. But he did it anyway, head tipped back, tongue out, eyebrows scrunched in concentration as if catching a snowflake required precision. I caught him looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
“What?” I asked, cheeks warming despite the cold.
He didn’t answer at first. Instead, he stepped closer, wrapped his arms suddenly around my waist, and lifted me off the ground in one smooth motion. I yelped and then laughed as he spun me in a circle, my boots dangling, snow swirling around us. When he finally set me back down, I was breathless.
“You’re adorable.” He said softly, brushing a snowflake from my cheek.
“I love watching you be happy.”
My breath caught. He wasn’t someone who tossed words around lightly. So when he says things like that, soft and earnest… it settles somewhere deep. I leaned into him, pressing my freezing nose to his warm neck.
“You make me happy.” I murmured.
His arms tightened around me, chin resting on the top of my head. We stayed like that for a long moment, snow drifting lazily around us, the cold biting at our skin, our breath steaming in the air. But I didn’t feel cold, not with Glenn wrapped around me like that, holding me like I was something precious. Finally, he pulled back just enough to look at me again.
“Wanna keep spinning?” He asked, smiling.
“Only if you spin with me.”
Glenn took my hand, and together we spun in the falling snow, laughing, slipping, and bumping into each other while the world, broken as it was, finally felt soft again.
