#Daryl x georgie

[dixons-sunshine]

(GIFs aren’t mine.)

These are my babies, by the way.

I constantly think about them.

I have so much planned for them.

Are those good things or bad things? That I can’t say.

But these are my babies.

( @dixonsdarkelf is either blessed or cursed with knowledge lol)

[dixonsdarkelf]

“Shit, shit, shit, shit!”

Vec’s legs moved at their own will, carrying her down the hall at a speed she would never be able to achieve on her own. The sound of her boots pounding the pavement echoed off the walls of West Georgia Correctional as she navigated her way toward Cell Block C, frantically trying to find the woman she called “Gin.” And as luck would have it, all she needed to do was round one more corner.

Georgie was returning to her cell, likely from the bathroom, given the towel in her hand. Vec didn’t know, and quite frankly, she didn’t care. This was no time to be asking questions.

The Hawkins woman picked her head up at the sound, half-expecting to see a group running in her direction with how loud it was. As her gaze met her best friend’s, her smile quickly faded, the look on her face conveying that whatever she was rushing to Georgie for was urgent. She wouldn’t have to wonder for long; though, as Vec’s words were flying off her tongue before Georgie could think to open her mouth.

“Gin, you need to come with me right now,” she demanded, panting through her words as she brought herself to a stop outside the cell. At the speed she’d been traveling, even Vec was surprised at her ability to slow herself to a stop without crashing.

Georgie nodded, already beginning to make her way inside her cell. “Of course. Give me just a minute to—“

Before she could finish with “put this towel down,” she was cut off, both by Vec grabbing her arm, ready to drag her away, and by her words. “Oh that’s funny. You think this can wait.” She began to pull Georgie behind her, the towel that was previously in her arms falling to the dirty concrete floor with a soft thud. “C’mon.”

She knew she was being more persistent than usual, but the circumstances called for it. There was no time to waste.

“Dia, slow down. What is going on?” Georgie pleaded, her bestie dragging her down hallway after hallway.

“We have a problem,” Vec explained. Her tone was desperate, almost panicked. Maybe cusping on the edge of frightened, but Georgie couldn’t be sure. The sound of their feet nearly drowned out their conversation.

“I figured as much,” Georgie replied, “what kind of problem?”

She ended their conversation with two simple words. “You’ll see.”

Pulling the teacher out into the afternoon Georgia heat, Vec directed her attention toward the front gate. They’d barely gotten outside before she started rattling off instructions. “Look.”

She took a moment to gain her footing as Vec released her, balancing against the railing in front of them. Shielding her eyes from the sun, Georgie peered out into the field before them. From their spot against the building, she saw Rick returning from his afternoon run. And he wasn’t alone. “Okay…so Rick’s got—“

“No, Gin,” the doctor interjected, crossing her arms over her chest, “I need you to really look.”

With a sigh, she squinted in an attempt to get a better look at them. After a few seconds, their familiar features became more clear, sending Georgie’s heart plummeting into her already-churning stomach. Now, she understood why this was so urgent. Why her best friend was moving faster than an Olympic sprinter through the prison to find her.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

We’re trying something new where we post little snippets of future fics while we’re between chapters. If you only want to be tagged in fics, please let us know.

Vec belongs to me, Georgie belongs to @dixons-sunshine

General taglist: @raddydaddydude @lovenormandixon @angeldemoncrowley @negansbestie @holdmytesseract

QOTU taglist (aka The Council): @kat-herine00 @gothic-pumpkin @ffsjustletmesleep @weirdoneattheparty @imadisneyprincessiswear

You can hit up either myself or Krys to be added to or removed from the taglist 🖤

Banner was made by me, divider and ©️ message below were made by Krys

[twddixonn]

Stay

Daryl Dixon x Reader one shot

part two

part two (alt ending)

desc: If I had asked you to stay, would you have?

wc: 3.074k

warnings/tags: not proof read!!! (I’m so sorry I never have the patience to re-read) very slight swearing, slight(?)angst

‘Everything changed that day.

The day Rick blew up the bridge to save his family, his friends - the other community’s.

We all mourned; for a man that might not even be dead.

The changes were slow at first, no one knew what to do.

I thought our family broke the day we lost Glenn and Abraham, the day we could have lost Daryl. The day that could have been our last.

The day we lost Carl.

But then we lost rick.

Dead or alive.

We lost him.

Michonnes screams still ring in my ears at times, the kind of times where everything gets to quiet and there’s no escape from it.

The expressions that glued on to everyone’s faces like a still image at the front of my mind when I try to sleep.

And then it was over.’

Slamming your diary shut, chucking it in some random drawer on your desk: you leaned back on your chair blowing a stray hair out of your face, staring at a drawing Judith and Rj did of you and uncle Daryl.

Over time, you slowly withdrew yourself from the others.

Nothing was the same anymore, Rick wasn’t around to keep everything in check and keep everyone together and gradually - everyone split for the most part.

Maggie left, leaving with Georgie in hopes of building a new community.

Michonne was mourning the love of her life, whilst bringing up Judith and Rj; the son Rick never got the chance to know about.

Carol and Ezekiel ruled over the kingdom.

Daryl left to go find his brother.

So you kept to yourself and mourned not only Rick, but your family too.

Three knocks sounded outside your room alerting your attention and snapping you back into reality yet again.

“Coming.” You acknowledged whoever was standing on the other side of that door.

Sighing you stood up and walked over taking a grip on the door handle before pulling it open, “What?” You snapped.

Carols eyes gleamed at you as she spoke with a small smile on her lips, “Hm, pleased to see you too Y/N”

“Shit, sorry. I didn’t know it was you.” You gave a thin lipped smile back to her.

“It’s fine. Come with me.” Before you could protest she grabbed your wrist and begun to drag you downstairs, heading straight to the front door and grabbing a backpack on the way.

“What are you doing? Are you going somewhere?” Why did she drag you down and out the house if she was just going to be leaving so quick?

“No.” She stated.

“No?”

“No, I’m not going somewhere. We are. Grab your stuff. Let’s go” Carols little grin never leaving her face.

You’d like to say you’re surprised at her bluntness and secrecy but she’s always had this side to her, she just knows how and when to play it.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

You’d been walking for a while, thoughts racing through your mind on what Carol could be up too: what little plan she’s concocted this time round.

You can’t remember the last time you actually saw her. It was rare for her to visit Alexandria and when she did you were always cooped up in your room or out helping with whatever was asked of you.

She never came to Alexandria unless she was-

“Stop.” You tried to assert dominance in your voice, yet the slight crack as you spoke didn’t seem very convincing.

“Stop walking Carol. I know what we’re doing out here. I need you to tell me why.” It was more of a statement than a question at this point.

She halted the second time round you spoke, muttering something to herself along the lines of ‘shit’ before turning and giving a smile, although it shared more resemblance to a grimace.

The kind of look a child gives to their parent after they’ve been caught doing something they definitely shouldnt be doing.

“Y/N.. I had to do something. You need to see him” She sounded exasperated.

“I had to do something because you haven’t. After everything we all went through.

You shut down on us.

You wouldn’t come out your room unless someone asked you for help with something.

You barely speak.

You just hide away, not letting anyone even attempt to get back in.

You let Daryl leave. You didn’t even try to stop him! You let him continue with these.. these sick delusions that Rick is still out there somewhere. You love him, and you still let him leave.”

Carols never been one to be afraid to say what she thinks: although never with you.

“You think I wanted things to be this way? I shut myself away because you left.

Maggie left. Michonne lost herself. I stepped back because it was the right thing to do at the time, furthermore it was still the right thing to do after the time passed.” Drawing in an uneven breath, you continued -

“I also didn’t let Daryl leave. He left because it’s what he wanted. You know as well as I do, had I of tried to convince him to stay, it would have been pointless. He believes his brothers out there so he went looking for him! Just like you believed Sophia was out there and we went looking for her!” Panic struck you as you realised what you had said in your last sentence, how could you be so cruel to bring up a woman’s dead daughter?

Carol let out a puff of air before placing her hand on your forearm and then dragging you into her arms, almost cradling you.

“I know you didn’t mean it. It’s okay. But we’re going to see Daryl and that’s final.” She backed up slightly, a hand cupping your jaw as she whispered, “You don’t deserve to lose the man you love, not in a world like this.”

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

Anxiety.

It’s the only thing you could feel as you neared closer to the river Carol was due to meet Daryl at. You hadn’t seen him in.. you couldn’t even remember how long it had truly been.

All you remember was the day he packed his bag and announced he was heading out to look for Rick, entire belief filled with Rick being alive.

He came to see you before he left.

Explained why he was going: not saying how long he’d be gone.

You can still remember the feeling of his hands on your waist as he pulled you into his body, his head in the crook of your neck as tears lined up on your waterline; you remember making sure he didn’t see them fall.

You remember the way he leaned back to look at you, one hand still on your waist with the other trailing up to the back of your head as his eyes bored into yours before eventually looking all over your face- avoiding your eyes the second time round.

The way his intense stare ended up on your lips for just maybe a couple of seconds too long for this to be considered only a friendship.

You can remember his face inching closer almost as if he was going to stop fighting the thoughts in his head and finally kiss you; but it never came.

His hands left your head, left your waist.

Then he was gone.

That was the last time you saw Daryl.

Carol stopped walking and glanced back at you, noticing the distant stare and she could tell you were deep in thought, thinking of him.

“Why are you stopping? Come on! We’re pretty much here.”

A few more steps forward with your head bowed down, you saw the river edge right before your feet.

Bracing yourself to hear his voice.

It never came.

“Let’s go. He’s not here but he has to be around somewhere, his stuff’s still lying about.” Before you could complain and make the suggestion of heading back, Carols hand had yet again found its way to your wrist and she was dragging you behind her, determined to find him.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

“Hands up. Who are you and what are you doing on my property?”

Carol came to a quick halt, you bumping into her back as she dropped your wrist and slowly raised her hands, glancing at you with her eyes telling you to follow her actions.

You raised your hands right as the woman repeated her earlier questions.

You could practically hear the cogs turning in Carols brain before she decided to take on a familiar role, the role of the innocent helpless lady she’s played many times before -

“Pl- please don’t.. don’t shoot us. We don’t have anything on us. J-just trying to find a friend. We’ll leave, right now.. we’ll go. Just please.. d-don’t hurt us.”

You fought hard to not chuckle at her.

How couldn’t you?

She plays it so well.

“What’s goin’ on?”

Anything that was going to come out of your mouth, whether it be words or just air; got stuck.

He’s here.

He’s safe.

He looks healthy.

He looks.. happier.

“Y/N? Carol?” Daryl couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He’d seen Carol on and off since he left Alexandria, of course he had; she’s his best friend. Who else would care more than his best friend to keep bringing him supplies?

Seeing Y/N however, had him dumbfounded.

The look of rage the lady holding the shotgun at you and Carol had, never seem to let up before she spoke again.

“You know these people?”

“Yeah, s’my family.” He muttered to her.

Maybe this really was a mistake.

You shouldn’t have come.

Raising an eyebrow at you both, the woman whispered to Daryl then turned her back and headed inside, not without shooting you and Carol one last glare.

“Who’s ‘little miss I’m gonna shove a gun in random people’s faces and give relentless attitude until they tell me what I demand to know from them’?” Carols voice taking on a higher pitch as she mimicked the stranger.

This time you couldn’t hold back on the chuckle that left your lips.

Daryl’s eyes shot over to you, making you put your head back down and shove Carol slightly to make her talk as you hoped to just blend into the background again.

“Came to bring you stuff.” She chucked the bag at his feet before continuing on, “You were supposed to be at the river but obviously you had.. better plans. So we just followed the paths that looked most used and here we are. Surprise! Excited?” Sarcasm dripping from her voice the longer she spoke to him.

No one made any attempt to move or speak, so Carol spoke up again,

“I need to go for a pee. I’ll be back.” Her hand landing on your shoulder, her eyes looking into yours practically begging you to at least try and talk to him.

“How-“

“Is-“

You both began to speak at the same time.

You took this as the opportunity to quickly spit out some words, make him talk first to ease the tension.

“Sorry. You first.”

“How’re yer doin’?” It was a murmur, but it was something from him.

“I’m-“ taking a slight pause, debating between telling him the absolute truth or just making up a load of bullshit, the latter being more appealing.

“I’m good. Thanks. How about you?”

“Good. I’m a’right. I’m still searching. I ain’t givin’ up. Not till I find ‘im” Daryl was fiddling with his fingers, a telltale sign to you that he was just as nervous as you were.

He nodded his head towards a little bench, signalling you to sit with him.

Your mind is telling you to run as fast as you can, escape this situation before it’s too late.

Your feet move before you can take notice of your mind.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

The silence was beginning to grow deafening. Carol was yet to return, you knew she wasn’t going to though.

Not until you and Daryl had a somewhat decent, somewhat truthful conversation.

She was probably crouched down in one of the many bushes surrounding you, eavesdropping on everything you’re yet to say to one another.

“Are you any closer? To finding him? Finding anything?” The question slipped out before you could stop it.

Truth is, you weren’t certain you wanted to know.

Either way it would end in shit creek somehow.

A grunt left Daryl, “Nah. I ain’t gonna stop till I do tho.”

All you could do was nod in acknowledgment to him.

“How’s Alexandria? Michonne ‘n the kids? Yerself?.”

How were you expected to answer this?

He’d already asked you about yourself before, why again?

You stammered over your words before sighing and deciding you may as well be honest,

“It’s fine.. I guess. I don’t really see Michonne much nowadays. The kids are great, they come see me every so often usually with a new drawing or some fun new fact Judith read in one of her homework books. Sometimes they come to see me just to see if I’m okay.” You couldn’t help but sign again.

“Tha’s good. Least the kids are okay. Y’self? Y’never answered me.”

Daryl adored those kids so much. You could only imagine how much he must miss them. Miss his home, though you’re certain he doesn’t class it as that anymore.

“Fine.” What else could you say?

“Jus’ fine?”

“I’m alive, aren’t I? That classes as fine in my books.”

“Missed yer sarcasm, missed ya.”

Daryl’s confession of missing you made your heart thump the strongest it has in a long time, before it plummeted to your stomach and presented itself as a nauseous feeling.

“You seem like you’re doing well. Got a hot new girlfriend huh?” God, you tried to crack a smile and seem like you were happy for him but the words seemed to burn your throat as they rose up and scorched your lips the minute they left.

Daryl instantly noticed the disdain you had to the words that came from your own mouth.“Nah, s’not like tha’.”

His accent came out thicker in just that short sentence. Was he lying to you, to reserve your own feelings from getting hurt? To stop you getting upset with him?

“Oh. Keeping your bed warm then.”

Once those words left your mouth you began to doubt yourself.

Perhaps you should have adjusted your tone as you spoke; made it more of a question.

“No. It’s.. s’complicated s’all.”

Daryl found his mind wandering, stirring up all the things he wishes to say.

He used to see you every morning, go on a run for supplies and come back with numerous different stories to tell you.

Even made some of them up just to have an excuse to talk to you for longer.

Now he hasn’t seen you in so so long and he’s completely jammed up. Can’t find anything to say that will make this situation better.

“Can I ask you something?” It was now or never for you. You knew you’d most likely not see him again for an incredibly long time, if at all. So it seemed like the right time to ask him what’s been playing on your mind.

He hummed at you, edging you to continue with whatever you wanted to ask me.

You were so sure of what you were about to say, but hesitation still snuck in on you from every angle.

“The day you left. When.. when you held me at my door. Did.. were..” you trailed off, you felt so fucking stupid asking him, regret for even bringing it up.

“G’on”

Now or never. “Were you going to kiss me?”

He stayed silent. Just like that day, his eyes went everywhere but your eyes.

Fidgeting with his hands again, trying to figure out what he wanted to say.

“I thought ‘bout it.” He thought about it every minute he was with you; every minute he wasn’t with you.

“Wanted to.” Wanted it like nothing else.

“I ain’t think it was the right thing to do.”

It was the right thing. He knows that.

“Why?” It’s all you could manage. You were so thankful to be sat, your knees felt weak and you’re half convinced your legs turned into literal jelly.

“Knew ya’d follow me. Couldn’t have you out ‘ere. S’not safe, ain’t wanna risk yer safety.”

“Oh.” It was all you could manage. You should have said more, you *know* you should have.

And yet you couldn’t bring yourself to.

“Makes sense. At least I know now.” You couldn’t add anything further at this point.

You wanted the conversation about this over with.

You wanted him to kiss you now to make up for it. For him to come back with you. Despite you knowing it would never happen.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

“Phew. Such a long journey for such a short toilet trip.” Carols way of announcing she was back - she had never left - broke you and Daryl out of what ever trance you were in.

“What did I miss?”

You stood up abruptly, losing your balance slightly as you did so. Daryl’s hand made its way to your waist to steady you, just like it did the day he left.

“We need to go. It was good to see you.”

You pulled away from him, grabbing your bag and chucking it over your shoulder.

Carol raises a brow at you before saying a short goodbye to Daryl and giving him a hug, telling him when she’d roughly be back with more supplies.

You began to walk off, wanting nothing more than to get back to your own personal safe haven in Alexandria.

Also before you opened your mouth and blurted something out yet again.

“Y/N”

Turning around, Daryl took a couple steps closer to you, pulling you in for a hug.

Head in the crook of your neck, you could have sworn he inhaled the scent of your hair, your skin; something.

“Be safe m’kay? Y’can come whenever ya wanna.”

Your heart throbbed. You nodded at him, despite knowing the truth yourself; you wouldn’t be back.

You both stepped back, maybe it was more on your part because you needed to escape this situation.

Carol walked ahead. You went to follow in pursuit.

“Daryl?”

“Mhm?”

“Back then. If I had asked you to stay, would you have?”

“Y’never asked. Guess we ain’t ever gonna know.”

He knows.

He would have stayed.

Times like these he thinks he should have.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

authors note!: hi! If you made it this far I hope you enjoyed it!:) I got more into this one compared to the first fic I posted (hence why there’s a bit more effort with a banner photo and such!) feedback is welcome, I’m always looking for ways to improve! Thank you all :-)

[emsee22]

Chi Rho, Jesus Christ, Coda, PPP

What is Chi Rho?

Chi (X) Rho (p) are the first two letters of the Greek word for Christos and means Jesus Christ Himself. It looks like this combined:

I think this is actually part of the PPP mythology, and I believe Beth Greene has a lot to do with that, I will explain. 1) We believe Beth is a Christ figure, due to her messages of hope, and faith, and all these reasons that this user has compiled https://apocalypse-married.tumblr.com/post/121561238682/beth-greene-as-a-christ-figure

2) Beth Green wears the yellow polo, the color yellow is often used to depict the Chi Rho. Yellow symbolizes hope.

3) Chi bears visual similarities to the Coda symbol. This symbol was introduced after Beth's sacrifice at Grady.

4) Rho (p) is remniscient of the ppp card.

5) The triple P is another Christ symbol for the Holy Trinity.

6) There is a running hypothesis that PPP stands for People Protecting People, as hinted at in the One's Who Live

7) I believe Georgie's group is part of the PPP. One of there first quotes: "If perhaps people can believe in people again..." They go searching for communities who are exhibiting behaviors like good people to benevolently share knowledge (in exchange for 4 crates of music), The Key to the Future, for growth. If this group is the PPP, it's secondary musical connection is that ppp stands for pianississimo (to play very very quietly).

8) Chi Rho, Jesus himself, if the Key to eternal life, the key to the kingdom of Heaven.

9) Beth is linked to this group in three ways (theoretically), the first being the belief in good people, given her funeral home conversation with Daryl. The second, being the musical link and their trade for records (Beth Slabtown, "It's been a long time since I heard a record." Third, the PPP graffiti in the Bulletproof Picasso music video that Emily starred in before her onscreen death.

[delicatel0vers]

Masterlist

Hey yall! I made a masterlist, bc I can. Feel free to send in a request<3

Julie and the Phantoms

Luke Patterson

Headcannons

Love Language

Reggie Peters

Headcannons

Ray's computer

Narnia

Series

Edmund Pevensie

Confessions parts 1 & 2

One shots

Wingman

Headcannons

rain

love language

gift

Susan Pevensie

Peter Pevensie

Prince Caspian

Lucy Pevensie

Young Sheldon

Georgie Cooper

Ounce Upon a Time

Hook

Henry Mills

Regina Mills

Emma Swan

Peter Pan

Felix

The Walking Dead

Carl Grimes

Maggie Rhee

Glenn Rhee

Daryl Dixon

Rick Grimes

Pretty Little Liars

Jason DiLaurentis

Emily Fields

Aria Montgomery

Ezra Fitz

Spencer Hastings

Hanna Marin

Toby Cavanaugh

Harry Potter

Luna Lovegood

Ron Weasley

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Neville Longbottom

Harry Potter

Pansy Parkinson

Hermione Granger

Draco Malfoy

Cedric Diggory

Merlin

Mordred

Merlin

Morgana

Arthur

Gwen

Gwaine

Percy

Leon

Cobra Kai

Robby Keene

Miguel Diaz

Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz

Demetri Alexopoulos

Tory Nichols

Crossovers

Narnia x HP

Slytherin Edmund x Ravenclaw F!Reader

[lomlmarvel]

Alive

Daryl Dixon x fem!reader

Summary: Daryl Dixon and reader were together before the battle against the Saviors, before Rick’s disappearance, before the whisperers. Reader was pregnant around the same time Maggie was, but after Rick’s disappearance, everything changed. Daryl distanced himself from his family, but when Carol convinced him to watch over Henry at Hilltop, he had to face the consequences of his actions. 

Word count: 5.2k

A/N: So we’re just gonna pretend that Rosita and Eugene never left Alexandria that day where they came in contact with the Whisperers. So, therefore Daryl, Jesus, and Aaron don’t look for them. But Carol and Henry arrive at Hilltop with Daryl.

The day Negan was brought down was the day everything changed. The five communities were supposed to find a way to live in peace and thrive together. They were meant to stand united against any odds and help each other in any way they could.

Maggie was heartbroken when Rick sliced Negan’s throat open. It wasn’t Rick’s decision to make. You could sometimes still hear her painful screams as Michonne held her back. Then, Rick decided to take Negan back to Alexandria. Maggie gave birth to Hershel a few months later, and you followed a few weeks after her, giving birth to a strong and healthy baby girl.

You and Daryl named her after Maggie’s sister, Beth, who was the main reason you two were together. The two of you had met at the camp when everything started. You had arrived with your brother, but he died sacrificing himself for you while on a run. After that, you had to learn how to protect yourself. You asked Daryl to teach you had to shoot a crossbow, and he told you to fuck off. But after bugging him for weeks, he finally gave in and started teaching you. When you arrived at the Greene’s Farm, Beth noticed the glances and small moments you two shared. At the prison, she pushed you to make a move on Daryl, knowing he would not act on his emotions. Because of her, you and Daryl got together. It was unfortunate that she didn’t make it, but you wanted to honor her bravery and ingenuity by naming your daughter after her.

Daryl was a great dad. He always looked out for the both of you and made sure you were safe. But Rick had him stationed at the Sanctuary, and you lived at Hilltop with your daughter. You helped Maggie run Hilltop and gave her a hand whenever she needed help with baby Hershel. But you knew how hard it was for Daryl to be at the Sanctuary. He usually visited you at Hilltop a few days of the week, staying the night and returning the next day.

Today the communities were going to go on a run to D.C to retrieve items from the museum. Maggie had agreed that she, Daryl, and a few others from Hilltop would meet the Alexandrians and Oceanside people on the road. You had woken up early in the morning and watched Daryl sleep. He hardly ever slept, so it brought you peace to see him finally resting. You watched his bare chest rise and fall as your hand laid flat on it. If your internal clock was right, he had a few more hours until he had to start getting ready for the trip.

“Stop watchin’ me sleep,” his husky voices rang out in the room. You smiled to yourself and rubbed his chest.

“Good morning,” you replied, reaching over to plant a kiss on his cheek. He hummed in response and turned his body, so he was facing you.

“How long have you been awake?”

“Just for a while now, but it’s okay. I couldn’t sleep anyway,” you said. The sun hadn’t risen yet, so you could only see the outline of his eyebrows rise in the dark.

“Could’ve woken me up. I would’ve kept you company,” he stated, pulling you into his side.

“Nah, you needed the rest, I don’t,” Daryl smiled at your response. When he had first met you, the way you spoke was so proper and fancy, but after the two of you had gotten together, your diction started changing into Daryl’s. It made him proud, knowing that you had learned your defense skills from him and that he had influenced your vocabulary.

When the two of you had met at the camp, he was immediately annoyed by you. You had spent the first few days complaining about being in Atlanta, out of all places. You had just been visiting your brother, and then the end of the world happened. But once you started finally accepting that this was the new world, you began to adapt and change, and that’s when he began tolerating you. He was a closed man, didn’t want to get to know anybody, but when Rick abandoned Merle, he knew that this group of people were now his family, and he might as well start tolerating them.

“I’m gonna have to return to the Sanctuary after the run,” Daryl said. You sighed and nodded.

“I know. I just don’t get why you don’t tell Rick that you don’t want to be there,” you stated. Daryl pulled you to his side and kissed the side of your head.

“There’s no one to watch over the Sanctuary. That’s his excuse. I already know it”

“Well, he’s the one who wanted to save the Sanctuary. If anything, it should be him there, not any of us,” you replied. Daryl nodded and rubbed your back with his free hand.

“If everything goes well tomorrow, I’ll talk to him about it, okay? I just wanna spend more time with my girls,” he said. You smiled and pressed yourself closer to him.

The Daryl you had first met wouldn’t have ever imagined himself with you. Let alone, in bed with you, and with your daughter a door down the hall.

“When”

“What?” He asked.

“When. When everything goes well tomorrow,” you restated. Daryl nodded and kissed your temple again.

“Okay. Try to get some more sleep, Beth and Hershel are gonna need all your attention today,” Daryl said, yawning and closing his eyes again.

Morning came, and Maggie knocked on your door to let you know Daryl had to start getting ready to leave. If things went right, he would be back within a couple of days and permanently stay with you at Hilltop.

After their run, Maggie arrived with the news of Kenneth’s death. Hilltop was heartbroken, but then that weasel Gregory manipulated Earl to try to kill Maggie. The next day, Daryl came and stated that he was there to stay. Carol would take over Hilltop, but he had promised Rick he would help him build the bridge. After killing Gregory, Maggie had all of Hilltop with her, not that they didn’t like her before, but his hanging reassured people that she would do anything to defend Hilltop and its residents.

The worst day followed a few days after that. Rick blew up the bridge to prevent the herd of walkers from getting anywhere near any of the communities and the campsites. Daryl never found his body. You could tell it was eating him alive. It was the anticipation and the hope that Rick could still be out there somewhere. He began to change and distance himself. He spent more days out looking for Rick and distanced his visits from Hilltop. Michonne closed off Alexandria from the other communities, and the Sanctuary fell. Some redeemed saviors joined the other communities, but the rest decided to make it on their own. The Kingdom, Hilltop, and Oceanside remained in contact, but it wasn’t the same without Alexandria. Maggie followed Georgie to help build more communities, taking Hershel with her. You kept in touch with her through letters, but she rarely replied. Jesus was left in charge by Maggie, with you and Tara helping him out. Tara, more than you. You were merely his assistant and helped Tara with work she had overloaded.

It had been more than a few months since you had seen Daryl show up at Hilltop. Almost six years, since Rick’s disappearance. He had shown up with Carol and Henry, who was there for an apprenticeship with Earl Sutton. Tara had been the one to greet them at the door. She helped them get settled in, and Daryl immediately asked for you.

“She’s probably upstairs with Jesus. She’s running things by him,” Tara replied. Carol sent Daryl an encouraging smile as he made his way inside the mansion. He could hear your giggles coming from upstairs, and he quietly made his way to you.

You were sitting down on the couch, with your legs on Jesus’s lap as he had a notebook in hand.

“I’m serious, Paul! Tara really needs me to go over this today,” you said to Jesus, swatting his hands as they neared your waist.

“Oh wow. Paul? You only call me that when you want to be serious” he replied.

“And I am. Tammy Rose wants to expand the crop fields, but she needs to see how far she can cultivate. Enid said she still needs more room in the garden for medicinal herbs. Alden also needs your okay to send another team out for scrap metal. And there’s a noise complaint from the trailer,” You scanned the clipboard in front of you, making sure you didn’t miss anything important.

“Why did you give that kid a kazoo?” Jesus asked. You scoffed and shrugged.

“You find a kazoo you give it to a kid. Obviously, I wouldn’t give it to Beth, knowing she’d probably wear it out,” you replied, causing him to laugh.

“And congrats on being re-elected Hilltop leader,” you passed Jesus the paper, and he shook his head.

“A win is a given when no one runs against you”

“Well you should at least pretend to be happy. Also, clean this mess up, or move into Maggie’s office. You know it’s what she would’ve wanted,” you stated, standing up. He sent you a questioning look. Usually, you would spend a few minutes with him after giving him the rundown.

“I have a shit ton of things I need to do. I can’t entertain you today, Jesus,” you replied. A creak in the floorboards made the two of you turn your heads towards the stairs, where Daryl stood awkwardly.

“Okay, so I’ll go check on Tammy, Enid, and Alden. Also, I’ll take care of that noise complaint,” Jesus said, quickly standing up, greeting Daryl, and walking out.

“Hey,” Daryl greeted you. Your blood turned cold, staring at the man you once loved appearing again after months of having no contact with you.

“I’m not sure what new things Earl has to trade. He’s outside in the courtyard, not in here,” you replied. You turned your attention to the mess Jesus had on the table and began cleaning up.

“I’m here to stay,” Daryl stated. You dropped the notebook in your hand and looked up at him.

“For a few days before you leave again or for a few weeks before you leave again?” You asked. Daryl looked down at his hands and shook his head.

“I’m sorry. I can explain, I will, but I just wanted to see you and Beth first,” Daryl’s husky voice sounded like an ocean wave to your ears. You had missed him, but he had to know he couldn’t just choose when to be a dad. He couldn’t just show up and pretend like he hadn’t been gone for a few months.

“She’s in school right now,” you answered. You grabbed the clipboard from the table and started making your way downstairs. You hoped he would take a hint and leave you alone, but he followed closely after you.

“Can we go see her? I just wanna say hi,” he said. You took another look at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. You could tell he missed her and you, but it wasn’t that simple.

You nodded and told him to follow you. It felt weird. You had missed being around Daryl. When he started distancing himself, you had been hurt. You felt like he didn’t confide in you enough to talk about his feelings, but then again, Daryl wasn’t one to talk about his feelings. You understood why he couldn’t stop looking for Rick; he had been his best friend, brother, until the end.

You led Daryl out to the courtyard, walking over to the shaded area where a table was set up. Roxanne, a Hilltop resident, was the kid’s schoolteacher. Little Beth Dixon sat closest to Roxanne, with her big blue eyes focused on everything she was saying. At merely seven and a half years old, she loved to learn about anything and everything. The world was hers to discover, and she wanted to know it all. That’s why she was in school with kids a little bit older than her. She refused to learn with the younger kids, claiming to be ahead of them.

“She’s over there. Want me to pull her out for lunch?” You asked Daryl. His eyes had been trained on her since the moment he saw her brown pigtails.

“Please,” he stated. You walked over to Roxanne and whispered in her ear, promising Beth would be back once lunchtime ended. She nodded and told Beth to be good.

“I always am. Hi momma!” Beth replied as she ran to you and hugged you.

“Hi, B. Sorry to pull out for lunch, but someone wanted to see you,” you said to her once you pulled her away from the group. Her blue eyes grew larger in excitement, turning away from you to see the mysterious person that wanted to see her. She spotted Daryl a few feet away, and she sprung from your arms and into his.

“Hey kiddo,” Daryl greeted her as he tightly wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her head multiple times and closed his eyes, missing the feeling of her in his arms.

“Just have her back in 30 minutes. After that, you can spend the rest of the day with her,” you said to him.

“Thank you,” Daryl replied. You nodded and walked away.

You grabbed a plate of lunch that Tammy offered you when you passed her house. Jesus was running around, actually doing work for once. He usually sneaked out of Hilltop and met up with Aaron or just scavenged on his own. You knew he didn't want to be the leader, but he did it because it was Maggie's wish before she left with Georgie. He waved at you, passing to take a look at the school children. He interrupted the class to say hi to everyone and then was kicked out by Roxanne for telling a joke that got all the kids riled up.

You munched on the vegetables on your plate as you walked over to the blacksmith area where Alden and Earl were teaching Henry how to make a weapon. "Hey Henry, look at you work!" You exclaimed as he molded the iron to create a sharper end.  He turned his head to look at you and smiled.

"Oh, hey (Y/N). Didn't see you this morning," Henry replied. 

"Yeah, I was doing some work. How's he doing, Earl?" You asked, patting the experienced blacksmith's shoulder.

"He's doing great for a beginner. Better than Alden when he first started," Earl stated, winking at Henry, who chuckled.

"More like, better than Alden even now," You joked. Earl and Henry laughed together as Alden shook his head and snickered. 

"I would say something back, but your raggedy baby daddy has been shooting glares over here since he saw you talking to Henry," Alden replied. You turned to look at Daryl, who sat on a nearby turned over crate and munched on an apple. 

"Whatever. Hey Earl, are you coming over tonight for dinner?" You asked, ignoring Alden's comment and walking back to Earl's spot. 

"No, kid. Henry's coming over for dinner with Tammy and me. Thank you," Earl responded. You looked over at Henry, who nodded. 

"Alright, well, I'll see you all later. Keep up the great work and it’s great to have you here, Henry!" You stated. You began to walk away, trying to avoid Daryl, but your daughter's face popped up in your mind.

It would be a total dick move if you didn't invite Daryl over for dinner on his first night back. You did promise he could spend the rest of the day with her, but you never specified that included dinner. 

"Hey," You said, stepping in front of Daryl and shielding him from the sun. "I don't know if you had any dinner plans, but if you want, you can join us for dinner tonight."

He squinted his eyes as he looked up at your figure. The sun created a bright outline of your body. Daryl could tell you looked thinner, but at the same time, you had gained muscle weight. Your skin looked tanner, and your hair longer. You styled it in a braid now, sometimes letting it loose. Your plaid shirt and denim jeans hugged your figure just right, and if Daryl didn't turn away, explicit thoughts would run through his head, thoughts he didn't want to have. Not because he didn't find you attractive, but because he knew you were with Jesus. The two of you weren't together anymore, and he couldn't disrespect you like that. 

"Who's us?" He asked after he nodded in acceptance.

"Oh, umm just me, Beth, Tara, Jesus, Enid, and Alden," You replied. He didn't answer for a few seconds before nodding again.

"But you have to promise you'll shower before dinner. I can tell it's been a while," You stated. He rolled his eyes and nodded again. "I still have some of your clothes in my room, so just grab them, okay? I'll see you later." You started to walk away as you heard someone from the other side of the courtyard call you.

"Thank you, (Y/N)," Daryl said. You sent him a small smile and nodded. It wasn't like Daryl to thank you nor apologize, and he had done all of that since he arrived. You were baffled as to why he acted this way and why he chose now to do it.

For the rest of the day, Daryl spent it with your daughter. He looked happy, and she looked even more joyful. She missed her dad, and she loved him. From the very beginning, she had been a complete daddy's girl, and everyone knew it. You still wondered why she never acted out because Daryl was gone. She only brought him up every once in awhile, but never excessively talked about it. You worried that it affected her mentality and maturity level, but she didn't let it change her.

When it was time for dinner, your daughter waited for Daryl to shower so she could walk with him. She had helped you set up the table beforehand, and she had claimed her and Daryl's seat next to each other. You smiled at her thoughtfulness as she passed Daryl the bowl of mashed potatoes. He thanked her and allowed the awkward environment to settle in. You hadn't told anyone else you invited Daryl to dinner until they arrived and saw an extra plate at the table. Tara was angry at Daryl for leaving, but after a while, she learned that Daryl coped with things differently. You didn't let it affect how you raised your daughter nor how you helped run Hilltop, so she assumed you were dealing with it well.

Tara knew it was a stressing matter, but if you didn't want to talk about it, she wouldn't push you.  The only one who hated him was Enid. She had been the one by your side, asking you if you were okay and if you wanted to talk about it. She helped you get through it, just like Jesus. He had been helping you cope emotionally and physically, always being there if you needed anything. He stayed up late talking with you and sometimes would wake up early to help Beth. There was a time where you two thought your time together was romantic, but after trying it out for a few weeks, you realized you were better off as friends. The relationship between you two didn't change, but it felt good to know you had a friend to count on.

Dinner was awkward, not to state the obvious. Beth didn't pick up on the awkwardness, so she chatted with everyone like any other regular day. Enid's glare would shift towards Daryl every other few minutes, but she calmed down after Alden told her to quit it. Tara and Jesus asked Daryl questions about his time being out and alone. They, however, didn't ask about any news on Rick's body. Everyone knew he was gone. If his body hadn't washed up on shore somewhere, he must've gone with the explosion, or some walkers would've gotten to him by now. It was a tough subject to speak about during dinner, so you kept changing the conversation to tasks that needed to be done at Hilltop. Towards the end of dinner, Jesus stood up and left the room. Tara, Enid, Alden, and Beth all shared a look when he left the room that made you question them. Suddenly, Jesus returned with a small piece of bread on a white porcelain plate and placed it in front of you. A colorful little candle was lit in the center of the bread. The two of you shared an emotional look, and when you looked around the table, everyone's gleaming eyes were on you. Your eyes teared up, and you had to clear your throat to distract yourself from crying. 

"You guys remembered?" You asked more to yourself than them.

"Happy birthday, mommy!" Beth exclaimed as her toothy smile, shone your way. 

"C'mon make a wish and blow out the candle!" Alden stated. They all began singing their own versions of 'Happy Birthday,' clapping their hands and giggling. You turned to take a look at each of their faces shining brightly. They all looked so incredibly happy. It was nice for moments like these, even if they only lasted for a few minutes. It was as if for a second, time stood still, and the outside world disappeared. The only ones that mattered were in the room with you, and you were all happy. Your eyeline reached Daryl's face, who had a small smile that seemed to be pointed in your direction only. You smiled back at him, closed your eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candle.

You closed the book you had been reading to Beth as you moved to blow out the lantern. After dinner, everyone helped clean up and then headed to bed. Beth had asked you if you could read to her one of your favorite books for bed, and she had watched you intentively as you read the words on the page. You loved Alice in Wonderland. It had been a favorite of yours ever since you were little, and it made your heart swell, knowing that it was your daughter's favorite book too. 

"Hey, Mommy," Beth whispered before you blew out the light. 

"Yes, baby?"

"Can I ask you a question?" She asked. You nodded and moved to sit next to her on the bed. "Do you still love Daddy?" 

Her bright eyes stared up at you with wonder. You smiled to yourself and caressed her cheek. 

"Of course I do, pumpkin. I will always love Daddy," You answered. She nodded and smiled. 

"That's good because he still loves you very much. He told me so," Beth stated. She leaned over and placed a kiss on your cheek as she tucked herself back in and turned around. 

"Goodnight, Mommy. I love you," She yawned, closing her eyes.

"Goodnight, B. I love you, too," You whispered, kissing her head. You walked over to the door and stared at her tiny figure in the bed. You blew out the lantern and closed the door.

You made your rounds around the house, talking and saying goodnight to those who were getting ready for bed. You walked outside to make sure those on the night guard were comfortable and didn't need anything. 

"We're good boss, thanks. Happy birthday, by the way," One of the guards stated as they saluted to you. You rolled your eyes and thanked them before walking back down the stairs. 

You saw a small fire, still burning and walked over to put it out. When you neared, you saw Daryl sitting next to it, holding a mirror to his face as he tried cutting his hair with a knife.

"Hey," You stated softly, to not scare him. He turned around and put both the mirror and knife down. 

"Hey, what are you still doing up?" He asked.

"Just making my nightly rounds, saying goodnight to everyone and making sure no one needs anything," You answered as you took a seat next to him on the log. 

"Thanks for dinner. I'm still full," Daryl stated, picking the mirror back up and proceeding to attempt to cut his hair. He continued to cut strands, leaving his hair uneven. 

"Yeah, no problem. Do you need help?" You asked. Daryl stayed quiet for a moment, and you wanted to kick yourself for being so forward. If he wanted your help, he would've asked for it. 

"Can you give me a hand, please?" Daryl said after a while. You nodded and took the knife from his hands. You stood up behind him as he set the mirror back down. You worked quietly, cutting his hair, the only sound around you being the crackling of the fire and the distant sound of footsteps by the night guards.

"I really am sorry for the way I handled Rick's disappearance," Daryl broke through the silence. "I didn't know how to cope with it, and just being out there made it easier to not have to deal with what I was doing to you and Beth. It's still not an excuse for my absence, I know that. But I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for not being there for you or her. I'm a shitty father." 

Your hand froze when he started his apology, and your eyes teared up. You had imagined this conversation hundreds of times, but none of them had prepared you for the real one. There was so much you wanted to say, so much you wanted to do, but you weren't sure what the right action to take was.

"You're not a shitty father, Daryl. We all handled Rick's death differently. I just wish you would've leaned on me for help," Your voice came out soft and low. Daryl turned to take the knife from your hands and guided you to sit next to him. He searched your eyes for permission before intertwining your hands when you didn't pull away.

"I should have. If I could go back in time and do it differently, I would, but I can't. I have to deal with the consequences of what I did. I let you down. I let Rick down. I let Carol down, but most importantly, I let Beth down. And, you...you've done such a great job with her. You should be proud," Daryl replied. You could see his eyes clearly now, they were no longer hidden by the curtains of hair that shielded them from everyone. You had cut his hair shorter than you intended, but his hair grew back fast, so he didn't mind. You had reduced it to the length that it had been when you had first met. 

"I have missed so much, and I don't want to miss anything else. I would still be in the woods right now if Carol hadn't kicked my ass and told me to grow a pair. I missed you, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to have the two of you back in my life," his other hand somehow found its way to yours and the two of you were trapped in your own little world. 

Daryl had never been this emotional with you. It's not like he never apologized, he did, but he never told you how he felt. He never let you know his fears or his worries. Sometimes when he was scared about your safety, he would just be overprotective, but after the prison fight against the governor, the two of you had separated, and he had never been more scared in his life.  After you reunited, you knew that he had always been overprotective for a reason. He learned to trust that you could take care of yourself and that he wouldn't always be there to take care of you. You were perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, and now, you had been more than capable of taking care of your daughter and others. "If you need more time to make a decision, that's okay--" You cut Daryl off by pressing your lips to his. His lips were dry and cracked, but the passion in his response made up for it. He grabbed your jaw to push you closer, and you caught his hair to do the same. You missed the absence of his long hair. He pulled away softly and looked at your face.

"What about Jesus?" He asked. You frowned and sent him a questioning look. "Aren't you two together?" He asked. 

"No. We were together a few months back, but it didn't work out. You were just always on my mind," You answered honestly. He nodded and touched your hair with his hand. 

"Was he good to you?" He asked. You nodded and kissed him again.

"Yeah, but it's always just been about you. It'll always be you," You replied. He smiled and kissed you again.

In the next few weeks, Daryl made up for the time he had been gone. He spent almost every second with Beth, and the ones where he couldn't spend with her, he was with you, if not both of you. Enid had come around to him. She was glad that he was back and trying his best. Tara and Jesus were happy for you. They knew no matter how much you pretended, you still missed Daryl, and you wanted him to a part of Beth and your's life. 

One night you had been reading in bed. Daryl wanted to put Beth to sleep, so he told you to go ahead and get yourself ready for bed. You heard giggles coming from her room and a shushing sound. Next, the door to her room closed, and Daryl walked into yours. 

"She wanted to hear Alice in Wonderland again, but I switched up the story a bit," Daryl confessed as you rolled your eyes.

"Oh God," You murmured. He laughed and took off his shoes, placing them near the door. He walked over to the bed and got comfortable before you cuddled into his side. You set your book on the nightstand as Daryl blew out the candle.  

"You know, I never thanked you," Daryl stated. 

"For what?" You asked, staring up at him in the dark. 

"For everything. For being with me, for Beth. Before all of this, I thought I would just die in some fucking bar fight or die alone in some fucking beaten down cabin. I never really felt alive before, not until I met you. That's when I felt alive and finally had a reason to live. Thank you for everything," Daryl said. You smiled to yourself and kissed his chest.

"I love you too," You replied. He leaned over and kissed your lips. 

"I can show you too, if you'd like," Daryl's husky voice said. 

"Yeah, I am more of a hands-on learner," You stated. Daryl paused for a second before flipping you on your back and kissing down your neck.

[madbucker]

Silhouettes | Daryl Dixon.

Daryl Dixon x female reader.

II. 

Season 9, directly after chapter I.

MASTERLIST.

Loosely based on the song We Will Become Silhouettes by The Postal Service.

Summary: After Rick’s death Daryl pushed himself away, but he still had someone who would check on him. Y/N cared for him and wanted to make sure he was okay.

Warnings: language, gore stuff (twd style), mentions of death. Will add more warnings depending on the chapter’s content. Let me know if you think it needs some other warning!

Word count: 1.6k

Author’s note: First things first, I’m not a native English speaker, so bear with me! You can send me a message or an ask pointing out some mistakes so I can edit the post. Also, it will help me learn the language, so don’t hesitate! If you have any questions or want me to write about a situation in particular (like how they met, runs, the prison, or whatever you come up with) just send me an ask and if I feel like it fits with the story, then I’ll write it! Anyway, if you are into simple writing and limited vocabulary, then I hope you like it and as I said before, I’ll gladly take constructive criticism! ♥ I MEAN IT, CORRECT ME, PLEASE lol

Gif’s not mine.

The morning breeze kept you awake despite your heavy eyes. You had been smart enough to bring a couple of extra coats to stay warm, but the cold air was sharp on your face. It could’ve been worse, though, winter was still far away enough for you to see it as a break from the hot summer days. Everything was still beautifully green, but if you squinted your eyes you could spot some brown leaves.  Fall had always been your favorite season, even before. 

The sky was clear again, dark blue turning lighter in the horizon with a tint of orange. You were one for sunsets, always had, but you couldn't help but admire the beauty of the world at that moment. Even if it had turned into what it had.

After Rick's death, you almost were forced to be grateful for the smallest things. You didn't want to lose yourself, and as someone wisely said to you six years before at the CDC: you had to find something to survive for. It didn't take you long to find it: the group had become that something. And sooner than later, you realized that not only had they become people you would survive for.

You wanted to live for them.

As years went by, people died, you found others and some of them died too. But the spirit of your reason to live remained there. They were not only your motive but your drive.

All of that almost broke apart when Grimes left you all, but the little things kept you sane.

Rosita asking you to help her train people, teaching Judith the alphabet, Tara welcoming you in The Hilltop even after Michonne's decision and the both of you jamming out to one of Georgie's records… and when you needed to get away from the mess: sunrises, rain, walking barefoot on the asphalt, the smell of the air after a storm.

A lot had happened and in the middle of it all you lost your way more than once. You had been mercilessly vicious and had let rage take over you. You had met death face to face, played with fire more times than you could count. How funny it was, the words that had pulled you back from the dark were the ones of the one and only Shane Walsh.

Find something to survive for.

You repeated them to yourself every time you felt your humanity and your spirit were at stake, or every time you considered giving up. You replayed them the time you had thought of leaving your family because you just couldn’t take it anymore.

Remember who you have to survive for.

Live for them.

Live for them because everything had gone to shit and if you were going to die soon, then at least make it a little bit nicer before saying goodbye for good.

Live because they deserve to do it too.

The zipper of the tent and Daryl's head popping up out of it stopped your wandering.

He deserves it, you thought at the sight of his sleepy but well-rested face. His hair was messy and his puffy eyes gave away how much he had needed to rest.

"Told ya to wake me up." He spoke, his throat dry enough from the snoring to make him cough.

"Nah, didn't want to interrupt your beauty sleep," you stood up and stretched your entire body that was stiffer than you imagined.

If you had to be completely honest, you had rested your eyes for a few minutes when you had made sure the night was quiet enough. But your eyelids felt heavy, and if it weren't for the cold you would be begging for him to take over so you could sleep.

You were okay, you could hold on for a few more minutes. Hours, even, if you tried.

He got out of the tent, and ignoring your determination to stay on watch, he signed you to get in.

"Ya can't keep on doin' that." He didn't sound annoyed, but it did come off as an order, and you knew you wouldn't be able to convince him otherwise.

You stood there, aware that at any moment you would have to get inside the tent. Not entirely because of him, but because the idea was actually starting to grow on you. Sleeping away from Alexandria where no one could knock on your door and ask you to do anything. You could rest knowing someone you trusted was there to keep you safe. But it also meant wasting time, in a way. Time you could spend talking to him and making sure he had everything he needed to stay in the woods, reading him to see if you would have to come back in days, or if he needed to be alone for a while longer.

Were you worrying too much?

He had chosen to sleep uncomfortably, to spend cold nights outside and hot days under the sun. Of course you were worrying just enough. He was fully capable of taking care of himself, he had proven that to you, and himself since he was a kid. But he didn't have to. Maybe you checking in made him feel at ease just for a second, and you were definitely taking that chance.

The tent, the warmth, him still being close to you... it wasn't that bad. Not at all. But for the first time in a long time, he had let you stay without complaining, asking you to leave or putting on his signature facade of not needing anyone, ever. There were things you wanted to say, like the fact that you missed him and that Judith had been asking for him.

"I'll go. In ten." You sat back down and patted the floor next to you. He reached inside the tent and grabbed his crossbow, then sitting cross-legged, facing you instead. You realized he figured out you wanted to talk.

"I guess I have to be straightforward, right?" You started speaking, your voice shaking, surprising you. He didn't say anything, his sight lost somewhere over your right shoulder. "I know you can take care of yourself, and I love that. I wouldn't even think of letting you spend one night outside the walls if it weren't like that." You joked but scolded yourself right after. Out of every copying mechanism you had, that was probably the worst one. "I just need you to tell me-"

You hadn't finished when he looked at you in the eyes, making you stop and expect him to lash out on you. You knew him and chances were you were stepping over some boundaries. Who were you to talk to him as if he was a teenager with communication issues? He was a grown-ass man who had gone through so much shit. He was older than you, too, you weren't in any position to reprimand him or insist on something he clearly wanted to ignore.

"'m not okay." He said before you could retract your words. It was short, simple, and you hadn't expected it, but even then, that plain sentence was filled with so many emotions.

You let go of a breath you didn't realize you were holding and relaxed a little bit. Leaning forward, you stretched your arms and placed your hands on each of his knees.

"You don't have to be." You spoke softly as you straightened yourself, your eyes never leaving his. "And I respect the fact that you're out here, still looking. I would never want to change that."

He lifted his right hand and chewed the skin of his thumb. You noticed how he tightened his lips as he bit the inside of his cheek.

He hated it. He wanted that moment to be over and you were well aware of that.

"But I don't want to lose you, Daryl. Losing someone to death is one thing, and probably one of the worst. But losing someone to... themselves?" Your voice was already a whisper and for the second time in less than 24 hours, a knot gripped your throat, tighter than ever. "That's something I won't settle for."

You wouldn’t, even if it took you years of walking through the woods for hours. You had seen it before when Rick lost Lori. Weeks of taking care of Carl and Judith and trying for Carl not to feel his own father slipping away. He had put two and two together, of course, that kid was well aware of almost everything that happened within the group, especially with the people he cared for the most. But you remembered how everyone tried their hardest to fill Rick’s shoes, which at that moment felt huge, not even all of you could fill them in all aspects.

You stayed quiet for a couple of seconds half expecting him to close in again, but even if he didn't mouth any words, his eyes were screaming. You decided you could continue your conversation after he gathered his thoughts. Perhaps all he needed was to be alone for a while.

You got up and headed to the tent, but stopped on your tracks, turning around.

"Daryl, I-" you didn't finish. He was looking at you and you realized you didn't know what to say.

I miss you, I care for you, I'll always be here, I love you, I respect you, I understand, we'll be alright.

But your mouth felt dry and you couldn't find the right words. You stood there, looking at him with your lips barely open and with your hands over your chest.

He nodded as if he understood.

Maybe he does, you thought. Or maybe he’s just cutting me off so I go to sleep. 

You turned around and got into the tent, making yourself as comfortable as you could. It didn't take long for you to feel sleep creeping in.

Yeah, maybe he does.

[twdmusicboxmystery]

8x12: The Key - Re-Watch

Welcome to episode 12. Let me start by saying this episode had a lot of stuff with Simon and Dwight, which is kinda boring and I don’t have much to say about it. I didn’t see many TD smoking guns in it, so I won’t mention it.

We also have the Rick/Negan/Hell theme. I think when this aired (again, before we knew anything about Rick leaving) we just equated it with Beth because it’s all the same symbols we saw around her in Still. And just as Still was one season before her death fake out, this is one season before Rick’s. So it’s obvious that this pointed, more specifically, to his death fake out. I don’t have tons more to say about that. Re-read these posts for details (X, X, X).

At one point, Negan did call himself a cat. Rick asks, “Are you still alive?” and Negan says, “I’m a GD cat.” Now, if Rick represents Beth (because death fake out) then Negan might represent Daryl (who we know is a cat). But I’m still not sure exactly what the point of this line was. I mean, Negan isn’t one who’s had 9 lives or anything, but we equate the cat symbol with a resurrection symbol. So the only thing I can think of is that this line is there to equate this sequence with resurrection (Rick’s) or else to equate it with Beth and Daryl, because it’s a parallel to them. Either one works for me. ;D

Oh, and Rick and Michonne get to Hilltop. Once again (I’m sure you could have guessed this) I think this foreshadows Rick and Michonne returning from the helicopter group. Especially because Rick goes right over and hugs and kisses Judith, and thanks Daryl for keeping her safe. Just feels like something we’ll see on the show after Rick returns.

And this is also why I do think Rick and Michonne will return to the show, despite what they’ve told us to the contrary. It just feels like they’re setting up something where there will be a big war with the helicopter people, but Rick and Michonne will return to lead it. And I just don’t see all of that—including the entire cast of the series—being put into the Rick Grimes films, you know? It’s very possible that something will happen to make me realize I’m wrong about that, and I’m okay with that, but for right now, I just don’t see how anything but their return is possible.

Okay, let’s get to the big cheese TD stuff: Georgie and the “A Key to A Future” book. 

Honestly, I was kind of floored by it. And let me start by saying this. At first, I felt like I was waffling again, but then I read something that made me realize that maybe it doesn’t matter because all storylines point to the same thing.

I know that was vague. Let me explain.

We’ve all (especially me) waffled back and forth about how Beth will return. Will she return with Maggie? Is she the gray ninja? Even if she’s not, is the gray ninja with Beth’s group? With Maggie’s group? Or will Beth be with Stefanie’s group? We simply don’t know.

And I’ve been heavily leaning toward Eugene’s group lately, mostly because of what Nicotero has said (and the idea that this gray ninja is a new character named Melody.) But when I watched this stuff with Georgie again, I immediately thought I must be wrong and Beth really will come through Maggie, not Eugene. Because there’s just no way this DOESN’T point to Beth. I’ll explain in a second, but it simply HAS to.

So here’s another point that’s important to illustrate. In the comic books, Stefanie (yes, the one Eugene has been talking to on the radio) is part of the Commonwealth. Now, I’ve been kind of assuming that wouldn’t be the case in the show, for several reasons. 

1) The show always remixes what happens in the comic books, so chances are it won’t be exactly the same. 

2) Stefanie is acting really secretive with Eugene in the show, like her group is in hiding or something. I’ve kind of assumed they might be hiding from the helicopter group, which would make them different from the Commonwealth. 

3) If Georgie represents the Commonwealth (she’s one of the leaders of it in the comic books) and Maggie is with her, which we know she is, then why wouldn’t Stefanie know about Alexandria and the other communities, if she’s part of the Commonwealth too?

I ran this past my fellow theorists and they pointed out some possibilities. The Commonwealth is a big place, and maybe it’s a lack of communication. That sort of thing.

But I mention this just to say the following:

Maybe these are all part of the same story line, and that’s why we’re seeing signs of Beth in all of them. Maybe, just as all the tracks converged at Terminus, all the story lines will converge in the Commonwealth. So, even if, in the show, Stefanie isn’t part of the Commonwealth yet, maybe she will be at some future point, and that’s how they will remix the material from the comic books.

Okay, so let’s talk Georgie. She shows up and wants records in exchange for knowledge. Not only is that a musical theme, which I’m sure we connected to Beth before, but they specifically mention records at Grady. And then there’s the fact that since then, we’ve seen both Jesus and Beta listening to records with Emily’s Turtle and Monkey song on them.

The twins with Georgie are also a big deal to me. I don’t remember how extensively this was discussed back in S8, but at the very least, I don’t think I gave it its proper due. We saw the twin boys around Beth in 5x09. Beth was in that episode, next to the number 8 and a 5:10 clock. And train tracks. And ABIBEL suns.

Now, with Georgie, we see all these other Beth symbols, and a pair of twins. Not much happened with them back in S8, but in S10 (which is 8 years post Coda) Maggie will be returning and we’ll probably be kicking off the Commonwealth story line soon after. See what I mean? There’s no way this doesn’t tie into Beth in some way.

Not to mention, the water aspect. If you remember, when I talked about 8x10 HERE, I said I might have found something that points to the sequence with Aaron in 5x10 not only making him a Beth proxy but also pointing to the helicopter group, right? Well, here it is. Let me start at the beginning.

A couple of things Michonne said here in 8x12 really jumped out at me. Maggie, Michonne, Enid, and Rosita were all debating whether to go meet Georgie. Michonne was the only one who really wanted to. Maggie and Enid were both arguing that it was too dangerous, Rick wanted them to stay put, etc.

Michonne said (and I paraphrase) “The last time we took a chance like this, it changed everything, and Rick didn’t agree with me then, either.”

The “it changed everything” really jumped out at me because I was thinking that something about meeting Georgie would change everything, and that screams Beth to me.

So, take a step backward and look at this from a bird’s eye view. If all of AOW is a foreshadow for a coming war with the helicopter people (and I’m operating from the idea that it is), then we have Georgie showing up in the middle of it and giving them something that’s going to change everything.

Back in S8, I’m sure we all hoped that whatever that was (Beth) would show up right then and turn the tide of the war (AOW). Obviously, that didn’t happen, and Georgie hasn’t figured in that war or the Whisper War at all, which means this is symbolic and foreshadows something else (helicopter war, most likely).

But what Michonne is specifically talking about is when they took a chance on Aaron in 5x11 and it paid off because they found Alexandria, which became their new, permanent home. 

So, we have Aaron being a Beth proxy in those episodes for obvious reasons we’ve discussed before (Beth dialogue, symbolism, etc.). Plus, he left TF water in the middle of a drought, and we know the helicopter people will probably have clean water, when others don’t. And of course there’s that pesky music box.

But now we have Michonne referring to meeting him in the midst of this Georgie thing. So, if he’s a Beth proxy, I think Georgie must be as well.

There are also other things we can point to around Georgie. She’s blond. The two “As” in the title of the book: A key to A Future. Also Key Theory.

I also noticed that she said the book was full of medieval machines for them to build because she wanted them to “build a future from our past.” Given that Beth is a part of TF’s past, that line could definitely apply to her.

So yeah. Not tons more to say about this episode. (Again, I’m not going into the detailed symbolism because I’m only looking for new and more broad interpretations, so if you want the details, read these: X, X, X.)

But my basic thoughts are that Georgie definitely connects with Beth in some way. We all already thought that after seeing this episode back when it first aired, but I’m feeling it much more powerfully, now, and once Beta and the rest of the Whisperers are dispensed of, the Commonwealth story line will be right around the corner.

Thoughts?

[dixons-sunshine]

Scud: Subs are so fun to play with. All ya have to do is hint at what you might do, back ‘em back into a corner with a look, or grab their wrist in a certain way and they’re a wide-eyed mess.

Daryl, eyes widened: The fuck kinda Subway did ya go to before the world went to shit?

Georgie, shaking her head with a deep sigh: Substitute teachers dealt with so much shit.

Vec, trying to hold back her laughter: Guys...

Georgie belongs to me.

Vec belongs to @thevegandarkelf

[dixonsdarkelf]

Georgie to Vec as they’re laying next to each other in the grass: I would do anything for a pack of M&Ms right now.

Vec: *looks over at Daryl and Scud chatting on the sidelines, smirks*

Vec: What about…go over there and give Josh a big ol’ bear hug?

Georgie: *scrunches her nose in disgust*

Georgie: I would do almost anything for a pack of M&Ms right now.

The TikTok I used to make Vec’s portion of the GIF

Vec belongs to me, Georgie belongs to @dixons-sunshine

General taglist: @raddydaddydude @lovenormandixon @angeldemoncrowley @negansbestie @holdmytesseract

QOTU taglist (the council): @kat-herine00 @gothic-pumpkin @weirdoneattheparty @ffsjustletmesleep @imadisneyprincessiswear

You can hit up either myself or Krys to be added to/removed from the taglist, or to let us know you just want to be tagged in actual fics! 🖤

GIF created by me, divider and ©️ message below were made by Krys.

[robin-joshua-writing-blog]

Writing Prompt {No Name for this}

Last night, I asked @ggukksrose to choose this writing prompt, and she chose this. Thank you Noona :)

By the way, if you want to send me a writing prompt, send it into my asks and I’ll write about 20 paragraphs using your prompt!!

This is a soft Daryl Dixon x Male!Reader (kind of, it isn’t heavily implied, but there is hints.)

There’s only one (1) swear word in this, but mentioning of an ankle sprained and a bruise.

Prompt - “Stay still! Stay still- Oh, why do you never listen to me!?”

Daryl had an eyebrow raised, his georgia blue eyes staring into my own. His face was dirty and his dark brown locks had started getting longer.

“Why did you jump out the tree?” He gruffed,  his arms crossing over his broad chest in disappointment.

Rick stood beside him, his hands placed on his hips as he stared at me with a frown. “You just risked your life. What if you had broke your leg?” He asked, his brows knitting together.

“Look, I’m sorry. I saw a deer...” I trailed off, a pout on my lips as I looked down. “I thought that I could jump it and kill it so we’d have food...” I continued, my words mumbled but loud to be heard.

The cop blinked at me incredulously, his bright blue eyes filled with disbelief. “You were trying to... jump a deer...” Anyone could hear how shocked he sounded and I almost snickered at how he looked like he saw a ghost.

But, Mr. Georgie Eyes bet me to it, a small chuckled rumbling through his chest, his eyes lighting up slightly. “Yer one strange kid,” he smirked at me, “it makes this new world fun.”

A small blush lit up my cheeks making me tilt my head down, staring at the small specks of purple and blue decorating my - very much in pain and most likely sprained - ankle.

I looked up and turned my head, watching Maggie and Glen talking on the patio of the farmhouse. A small smile graced my lips, it was amazing how the two could fall in love, even in a world as ccorrupt as this one.

Looking back up at Daryl and Rick, I smiled widely, a small mischevious glint in my eyes. “Can I go now?” I asked, watching them glance at eachother in a way that read ‘Who should go with him and watch him?’

While they were busy looking at eachother, I squirmed where I was sat. Daryl sighed and sat down beside me, “Rick’ll go get Hershel. So stay put.” He grumbled.

When Rick was far enough away, I glanced at Daryl - who looked like he was about to fall asleep - before standing up and running towards the treeline as best and as fast as I could.

“Hey!” Daryl called after me, chasing me. He was already faster than me before I sprained my ankle, so he caught up in no time.

The taller was grumbling under his breath as he slung me over his shoulder, walking back to the place we were before. I whined high in my throat, kicking my legs and punching his back.

“Put me down!” I whined, squirming and trying to escape his strong hold.

“Stay still! Stay still- Oh, why don’t you ever listen to me!?” He groaned, throwing me down onto my seat.

I huffed and crossed my arms. “Because you’re not the boss of me, you redneck bastard.” I growled, my eyes narrowing as I glared at him.

His eyes narrowed into a glare too and he opened his mouth to say something before he was cut off by an older, wiser voice.

“But I am as long as you’re hurt.” We looked to the voice and saw old man Hershel carrying a roll of bandages. Rick must’ve stayed behind at the house.

I frowned but nodded, “Yes, Dr. Greene.” You could tell by my voice I wasn’t particulary happy.

The old man chuckled and crouched down in front of me. “Now then, let’s check your ankle.”

[imultifandomstuff]

Masterlist

Who I Write For

These are all the imagines/one shots i’ve written so far. I’ll try to remember to continue adding onto it!!

Marvel

Steve Rogers x Fem Reader 

Steve Rogers x Fem Reader

Bucky Barnes x Female Reader

IT (2017)

All IT imagines

Losers x Georgie

Bill Denbrough x Fem Reader

Bill Denbrough x Fem Reader

Bill Denbrough x Fem Reader

Stanley Uris x Fem Reader

Stanley Uris x Fem Reader

Stanley Uris x Male Reader

Mike Hanlon x Fem Reader

Richie Tozier x Fem Reader

Richie Tozier x Fem Reader

Richie Tozier x Fem Reader

Richie Tozier x Fem Reader

Richie Tozier x Fem Reader

Richie Tozier x Male Reader

Richie Tozier x Fem Reader

RIchie Tozier x Fem Reader

Beverly Marsh x Fem Reader

Beverly Marsh x Fem Reader

Eddie Kapbrak x Gender Neutral Reader

Ben Hanscom x Gender Neutral Reader

Supernatural

Dean Winchester x Fem Reader

Dean Winchester x Fem Reader

Dean Winchester x Fem Reader

Dean Winchester x Fem Reader 

Balthazar x Fem Reader

The Walking Dead

All TWD imagines/one shots

Benjamin x Fem Reader

Benjamin x Fem Reader

Benjamin x Fem Reader

Benjamin x Fem Reader

Benjamin x Fem Reader 

Benjamin x Fem Reader

Benjamin x Fem Reader

Benjamin x Fem Reader

Carl Grimes x Fem Reader

Carl Grimes x platonic!Fem Reader

Carl Grimes x Fem Reader

Daryl Dixon x Fem Reader

Travelers

All Travelers imagines/one shots

Philip Pearson x Fem Reader

Philip Pearson x Fem Reader

Philip Pearson x Fem Reader

Philip Pearson x Fem Reader

Philip Pearson x Fem Reader

Trevor Holden x Fem Reader

Trevor Holden x Fem Reader

Trevor Holden x Fem Reader

Trevor Holden x Fem Reader 

Travelers x Fem Reader

Vikings

Ivar Lothbrok x Fem Reader

Ivar Lothbrok x Fem Reader

Prince Aethelred x Fem Reader

Game of Thrones

Jon Snow x Fem Reader

Tormund Giantsbane x Fem Reader

Disney’s Descendants

Harry Hook x Fem Reader

Carlos DeVil x Fem Reader

Evie x Fem Reader

DC

Barry Allen x Fem Reader

Barry Allen x Fem Reader

Barry Allen x Fem Reader (Grey’s Anatomy crossover from when I watched the show)

Cisco Ramon x Fem Reader

The Originals (and TVD when I still wrote for it)

Klaus MIkaelson X Fem Reader (Part 1/2)

Klaus MIkaelson X Fem Reader (Part 2/2)

Klaus MIkaelson X Fem Reader

Kol MIkaelson X Fem Reader

Damon Salvatore x Fem Reader

Harry Potter

Neville Longbottom x Fem Reader

George Weasley x Fem Reader

Peaky Blinders

MIchael Grey x Fem Reader

From Dusk Till Dawn (TV Show)

Seth Gecko x Fem Reader

[girlablaze]

top ten ships from television series' (live action only)

send  me  top  5  or  top  10   anything !

wow  my  heart !  but  off  the  top  of  my  head  :  

lagertha  x  ragnar   /   vikings .  

daryl  dixon  x  carol  peletier   /   the  walking  dead .  (   not  as  like  .  .  .  a  ship  ship  but  more  of  a  brotp???  )

maggie  rhee  x  glenn  rhee   /  the  walking  dead . 

jon  snow  x  ygritte   /   game  of  thrones .

sansa  stark  x  theon  greyjoy   /   game  of  thrones .

jo  harvelle  x  dean  winchester    /   supernatural .

willow  rosenberg  x  tara  maclay   /   btvs .  

kat  x  ethan   /   euphoria .  

caroline forbes  x  niklaus  mikaelson   /  tvd.

georgie  x  elvis   /   our  girl .

[shimmershae]

Why the ever loving fuck--sorry, excuse my language but this is beyond ridiculous at this point and I'm mad as hell--do they continue to exclude Carol from Team Family moments no matter how simple or small?

Yeah, her scenes with Morgan and Ezekiel and Henry are nice because Melissa McBride is a fucking rock star goddess of an actress, but damn. Would it physically kill TIIC to write a five word conversation between her and Rick or Michonne? A simple acknowledgement: "I'm so sorry about Carl." She's lost children, too, and that moment wouldn't have needed much more than that because those three would have ripped our hearts out with just the emotions in their eyes. Does everything she actually gets to do on this show now have to be connected to The Kingdom and Morgan? Again. I don't have a problem with them. Not really. Khary is sparkly and charismatic and you know. If TIIC had given me scenes of Carol with her family in addition to establishing this kinship and friendship of sorts with the King, I might actually be over the moon because hell. Ezekiel is likable enough. I enjoy him but not at the expense of my girl being surgically excised from the fabric of Team Family's everyday lives and storylines. Whenever that happens--and it's happening more and more--I start to resent them. Seriously. Jerry's had more scenes with Team Family this season and I love me some Jerry, but come the fuck on. Don't even get me started on TIIC shoehorning Morgan in with Carol and giving him very little interaction with Rick who, shit. Only his first connection on the show and you know. My shifting feelings for Rick over the years aside, I feel cheated that he wasn't interwoven with Morgan's story along with Carol if they were so damn determined to go this route. I mean. Andy, Mel, and Lennie? Whoa. It's criminal how they've cut off their own nose to spite their face when really they could have had it all and this show would still be steaming along like gangbusters. All those scenes with Carol (and Daryl) bonding with all these outsiders don't mean shit to me if you're going to sweep their other, already established relationships under the rug and apparently try to make us forget them. It actually puts me in mind of those seasons of The X-Files without Mulder but with Doggett and Reyes. I liked them. I really did. And the show wasn't horrible but it wasn't the show that I loved. It didn't have those connections that just felt right, you know? I like Ezekiel (most of the time and Khary more than him actually) and Jerry and Nabila. And I can't see Henry's face without thinking of Sophia and I feel like that actually brings something special to Mel's interactions with the kid. Melissa could sell me on anything because my fave is that good just like Gillian was/is that good. But why does she even have to when that's not the heart of the show? Why does she even have to when so many of us want to see Team Family actually, I don't know, be a family anymore? But what do I even know? I'm just somebody that used to love this show. Somebody that would have loved seeing Carol take part in that scene with (almost) all of our kickass ladies when they took care of business with Georgie. Who, by the way, I had to chuckle at for reasons even as I groaned at the realization that we have yet another new character on our screens and we can't even pay the longstanding ones we already have their proper due. But that's just me. Anyway. Rant over. Although it was a welcome distraction from the actual nightmare that RL has been for me lately so there is that.

[ladyofthe-springcourt]

Thank you for the tag! ^^

Beth X Daryl (walking dead): pain

Gwyn X Azriel (ACOTAR): adorable

Lucien X Nesta (ACOTAR): superior

Scar X Alexa (AVP): unofficial

Machiko X Dachande (AVP): powerful

Aya X Razer (Green Lantern The Animated Series): heartbreaking

Vektal X Georgie (Ice Planet Barbarians): unconventional

Lee X Carley (walking dead video game): robbed

Levi X Petra (Attack On Titan): angst

Edith X Thomas (Crimson Peak): Messy

(Imma be honest I wasn't sure what to put for most of these but I hope this works XD)

I tag: @fawningoverthespringcourt @tamlinsimp

Little game time! ♥️

Give me your top 10 favorite ships, all fandoms included (not just books) with one word to describe what you love about them

I’ll start:

1- Nessian (ACOTAR) - angst

2- Gwynriel (ACOTAR) - banter

3- SasuSaku (Naruto) - angst

4- Elladwin (Ewilan’s Quest) - inspiring

5- Goap- Ghost/Soap (Call Of Duty) - banter

6- Vaxleth- Vax/Keyleth (Critical Role’s Vox Machina) - wholesome

7- Victra/Sevro (Red Rising) - unexpected

8- Osrissa (The Plated Prisoner) - opposite

9- Jassa (ACOTAR) - banter

10- GojoHime (Jujutsu Kaisen) - dynamic

_________

Tagging: @cascadingmoon @booknerd87 @yazthebookish @azrielsbxtch @lifelessdollinthesea @acourtofthought @claui5 @etrefin @lidiacervos @shadowsingerspriestess @zoya-nikolai @captain-of-the-gwynriel-ship @tato-acm @imsointobooks @aldbooks @sv0430 @agusthereader @reveriestarsstuff @whatsgnat @amandapearls @ladybookstan @unpopularcharacterstan @trashforazriel @theproblempony @headcanonheadcase @desi-pluto @amsofftrack (go on put you and your favorite f1 drivers) and everyone who wants to do it really 😍 I’m curious ♥️

[twdmusicboxmystery]

FTWD 5x13: Analysis

Everybody like last night’s episode? I liked it, but it turned out to be kind of a strange episode. I had a hard time figuring out how to read it. I think I did finally figure it out, but I also think it’s the type of episode that will make more sense in hindsight.

***As always, spoilers abound below for FTWD 5x13. Don’t read until you’ve watched! You’ve been warned! ***

Plot:

So, we start out with a flashback of Logan's. We find out he once tried to rescue someone and didn't make it in time. The woman he tried to rescue, Serena, was killed. Then he met the riders on horseback. They’re led by a woman named Virginia. (Given that TF is in Virginia/D.C., I'm having a hard time seeing that as a coincidence.) Virginia also has an accent that sounds a whole lot like Alpha’s.

Then we returned to present day. Al, Morgan, Grace, and Daniel are all out of range and were not in this episode. John and June are heading for the oil fields because they (correctly) suspect Logan has found them. Sarah and Dwight manage to ambush the man Dwight let go before and take his truck. They also head to the oil fields to head off Logan. Most of the episode takes place there.

Logan tries to take the oil, but things go wrong. The fire burns too hot and attracts walkers. Soon everyone is being overwhelmed by smoke and by walkers that dive into the quarry. 

Dwight’s group starts to leave, but Sarah decides to go back for Logan because she still has guilt over leaving Clayton behind. Basically, Logan has a Darth Vader moment where he turns to the good side.

The reason has to do with Strand and Alicia’s arc. They hear a woman calling for help in the exact same truck stop as the woman Logan failed to save. They run out of gas and can't get to her. 

Logan talks to her on the radio and tells her where there's a gun with a single bullet in it, suggesting that she killed herself rather than be eaten by the walkers. I thought for a minute this would be a seriously depressing episode because they’d all listen to to her kill herself. It's a very hopeless thing to have to listen to someone die because you couldn't save them. But in the end, Wes (from last episode) saved the day and came in to save this woman. 

It helped restore Logan's faith and he suddenly seemed like he was on TF’s side. Then Virginia and her group showed up and Logan and all his people were killed. R.I.P. Logan.

So, who's Virginia and her group? Not sure. They’re not openly identifying themselves with the helicopter people yet, but that doesn't mean it's not who they are. We did notice that the symbol for their group is a key. We saw it on a map Logan looked at, probably given to him by them. We also saw it on Virginia's lapel. 

That’s important because Key Theory. (Remember all the keys we saw at Grady? It could be to point to Beth eventually ending up with this key group.) But it also reminds us of Georgie from S8. Remember her? She showed up with a book called A Key to A Future and gave it to Maggie. (X) 

Maggie's been MIA for a while. Daryl and the rest of TF assume she's with Georgie, helping to build up communities. So not sure if there's a tie there or not.

Another thought we had is that Virginia and her group riding on horses with cowboy hats reminded us a lot of the highwaymen from TWD S9. Remember how we thought it was strange that they introduced them only to kill them all off a few episodes later? 

Well, Virginia claims that her group is expanding quickly and have people all over the place. In fact, the girl from the gas station said she was trying to get away from people that she didn't want to stay with anymore. Chances are it's Virginia's group. (Too much of a coincidence for them to be in the same episode and NOT have a connection, you k now?) So, if Virginia's group has a branch anywhere near D.C., it's possible the highwaymen came from her group. Maybe they left for the same reason gas station girl did: they no longer wanted to be with the group for moral reasons. No idea if that's the case, but it's a thought we had.

That's basically where we’re at right in Fear right now. Luciana stayed behind as part of the deal with Virginia's group to help them “cook” the gas. Everyone else left. It's obvious that Virginia's group is quite ruthless and not the kind of people our beloved characters want to stay with. Especially if they are the same as the helicopter group. And, to be honest, their attitude toward people and the world in general seems pretty in-line with the helicopter people, and chances are TF will have more interactions with them in the future.

Symbols:

The woman Logan tried to save, Serena, was at a truck stop at mile marker 65. When we saw Logan and later Alicia and Strand running to help, we saw some interesting mile markers. With Logan’s flashback, we first saw mile marker 50. 

Which might point to S5 in general. Series number 50 was 4x16. You know, the one where Rick put the hat on Beth and proclaimed her the “new sheriff.” Then we saw 58. 

Series number 58 was Crossed (a Beth episode) but 5x08 is Coda. Then we also saw mile marker 61. 

Series number 61 was Them. 

At one point, we also saw 55. (Series episode 55 = Slabtown.)

At the end of the episode, when they were trying to save the girl at the truck stop, they didn’t focus on these markers again. Only in the flashback where Logan failed. I’ll come back to why that’s important in a minute.

At the beginning, we saw Alicia paint a Phoenix on a tree. The word Phoenix was mentioned twice in this episode. Alicia asked Strand if it was too much Phoenix. At the end, Wes told her that he liked the phoenixes she was painting on the trees. Just wanted to mention that it was said TWICE. 😉

Virginia also keeps saying they've been watching the group for a long time. She said it to Logan and then again to the rest of the group at the quarry. So that could be in line with our long-time theory about someone watching TF, even in D.C.

When Logan and his group first get to the quarry, we have an interesting prisoner exchange. He says he’ll let the three kids go as long as Dwight and Sarah stay to help with the oil. So, he basically exchanges three prisoners for two. 

Remember, that was exactly what was supposed to happen at Grady. They were going to exchange three cops for Carol and Beth. Of course, Rick shot Evil Officer Bob and then they only had two for two. It led directly to Dawn forcing Noah to stay, which led to Beth being shot. I’ll come back to this too. It's important that they did the three vs. two exchange and it worked. Nobody died.

At one point, we see a four of spades card. Not entirely sure what to make of that. In terms of queens, I’ve always seen Michonne as the queen of spades. (X). They could be associating this with Michonne’s arc (in S4, perhaps?) or I even thought they may be associating Sarah with it. This card was in the room with her and Logan. Like Michonne, she’s a strong woman and the only one who never really lost hope in this episode. Not positive that’s what they’re going for. As I said, I’ll have to think on it more.

When Logan realizes the girl Alicia and Strand are trying to say is it the same mile marker as the one he failed, he says, "[This is] just a song I’ve sung before." Not only is that a singing reference, but it also shows this is a replay of sorts. Once again, I will come back to it. (Bear with me.)

I also noticed they keep mentioning the “promised land.” Logan said it last episode when they first drove up to the quarry. One of his people, Doris, said it again here. "You said this would be the ticket to the promised land." They believe taking the oil will somehow set them free/make their world better. I only noted it because it’s a biblical reference.

I’ll mention a few more general symbols. There were a lot of deer antlers on the wall of the truck stop, a poster of a little girl that was for sunscreen. A lot of green, especially in people's clothing. At the end, when the group drives off in the tanker, there are a lot of blue gas cans on the back of it. 

We also saw white rats. They weren’t actually paired with black ones this time, but I wondered if the white emphasis might be important. Remember in the black and white theory, Beth is white, so that could be important. The rats were being used to help create the gas. To power a simple machine to help make it, actually.

Big Picture:

@wdway and I both agreed this was kind of a strange episode. The more I watch it, the more I really like it, but it just felt different than most of the others. There weren’t as many symbols as we usually see (more action) and it wasn't easy to figure out where it fit in the grand scheme of things or what we were supposed to take away from it.

In order to figure it out, I did what I often do. People often ask me how I figure out the symbolism so easily. One thing I do is take a step back from the details and look at the very general events happening in any given scene or episode.

I wanted to compare this to two different things:

1) The girl who almost died in the gas station reminded me of the gas station Daryl and Bob found in 4A. (The “hell” gas station). In it, they found a family that had committed suicide. Daryl was very critical about them making that choice. But remember outside the gas station, in the ivy, were tons of walkers. Daryl’s group had to kill them in order to gain access to the gas station. So, it's very possible that the family didn't just give up on life, but rather were surrounded by walkers and killed themselves as a way to gain a quick death and avoid a torturous one.

Same situation here. Logan encouraged the woman at the gas station to do the same thing. To kill herself, rather than be eaten by walkers. The difference here was that Wes saved her and she didn't die in the gas station. She didn't commit suicide. Someone saved her and she lived.

2) The other thing I wanted to compare it to is the rock quarry from 6A, at the beginning of Operation Lead the Walkers Away (OLtWA). I wondered if there might be some correlation between that quarry and this one. But again, I had to step back and look at the general sequence the quarry was involved in.

In terms of TD symbolism, the biggest thing about the quarry sequence from S6 is that Glenn's death fake out was all tied up in it. We had a rock quarry full of walkers that led to Glenn being trapped under the dumpster and presumed dead for a time. He lived, of course, and it was his death fake out.

I'm not saying that were seeing anything in particular like that here, but I think we can still make some connections. For one thing OLtWA led to Daryl, Sasha, and Abraham's first interaction with the saviors. So it led to them meeting the new group of baddies. Same thing happened here. What happens at the quarry leads to them meeting Virginia's group and creating a deal with her in order to survive.

There’s also the fact that the first picture above of Logan running from his truck looks a LOT like Rick running along the road in 6a. I’m thinking we’ll be able to draw more parallels once we see what happens in subsequent episodes of Fear. Remember, OLtWA lasted for most of 6a.

But here’s my big take away from this. I think it’s an opposite symbolism kind of thing. I've always wondered why they used the gas station and the people who committed suicide in 4A. We definitely see Beth symbolism in that sequence. Most of it, we’ve interpreted to my satisfaction. But why gas specifically? What specifically did their role in the gas station point to?

Remember that right before he went in, Daryl tried to hot wire the van and we saw a red and green wires. Well, given that the opposite happened in this episode of Fear (the person in the gas station lived) I'm thinking that gas station was merely a foreshadow of the current arc. We saw the red/green combo, which suggests death and resurrection. But then we saw the people in the gas station who were not saved. One of them was even stabbed in the head with a key (Keys in this episode).

So I'm thinking that was a foreshadow the coming arc which lasted from 4x08 when the prison went down and didn't truly end until 9x05 when Rick disappeared was all about death. Beth “died,” and we only saw her death, not her resurrection. Glenn “died” in his fake out and then later for real. And we lost tons of other characters—Sasha, Abraham, Tyrese, Jesus, etc.—culminating in Rick's “death” in 9x05, or so everyone thinks.

Then, remember that in 9x06, the first episode after Rick disappeared, we started seeing birds and symbols of hope. In fact, we’ve seen a ridiculous amount of birds since 9x06, both in TWD and FTWD. Now there's talk of phoenixes and, in this episode, the girl in the gas station survived.

So, this is a really complicated explanation to say that the gas station in 4a represented that arc, which would only show us death. We are now in an arc that will show us life. The girl in the gas station was saved, the Grady-like prisoner exchange worked, no one in the group actually died this episode. 

In fact, I’m just thinking this now, but Luciana staying behind to help Virginia’s group could parallel Beth remaining at Grady. But again, it’s different because Luciana’s group doesn’t think she’s dead. They’ll probably try to come back for her, where TF did think Beth was dead, so there was no reason to go back for her.

Seeing the anti-parallels? I said I’d come back to the mile markers. We saw mile markers whose numbers point to episodes like Coda and Them. Those are key episode (see what I did there? 😉) in which TF and the audience were led to believe Beth had died. We saw those mile markers at the beginning of this episode, when Logan is trying to save Serena, but fails. He’s too late and she dies. (Eaten by walkers, no less, which is what we think TF thinks happened to Beth.) 

But we did NOT see those mile markers, pointing to those death episodes at the end, when they saved the woman at the gas station in this episode. Because the opposite outcome happened.

Logan's line about it being a song he'd sung before shows that it was meant to be a replay. A replay of what happened with our favorite song bird, only this time things will be different.

So, where do we go from here? I'm not sure. In a lot of ways this was sort of a bridge episode. It ended Logan's arc, which is a little surprising because I would've assumed that his arc would run all the way through to the end of the season. Obviously not. In fact, it reminds me of 4a as well because we saw the virus arc at the prison end in 4x05. That was because 4x06 and 4x07 were about the Gov. Then everything came to a head in 4x08.

So, I’m curious to find out what the final three episodes of the season have in store for us. I don't have a whole lot more insight into this episode except to say that it's interesting, it left more questions than answers, and I think we’ll glean more from it once we see where the story is going. Anyone see anything I missed?