#I’ve listened to The Archer all day

[andtherestishistory13]

Vengeance is a bow or whatever Greta Van Fleet said

[zirconika]

if you're up for it, would love to see a mildly angsty fluff daryl x reader piece where reader is one of the people at the prison who gets hit with the flu and while daryl is explaining the plan to go get the meds, reader jokingly asks if he can bring back a treat if she promises to be a good patient. cut to the aftermath of the prison fall and reader ends up getting out with help from michonne before they run into rick and carl and eventually reunite with daryl during the stand off with the claimers. the next morning daryl and reader finally get a moment to themselves to just breathe for a second and daryl pulls out a lollipop he had found back at the gas station when they were on the medicine run and shyly hands it over to reader

five seconds

⇚ NAVIGATION || MASTERLIST

PAIRING: Daryl Dixon x Fem!Reader WORDS: 5.3k SUMMARY: Guilty for arguing with you right before you fell ill, Daryl’s determined to make it up to you by fulfilling your request. His goal to deliver it to you is interrupted by the fall of the prison and the intrusion of the Claimers. WARNINGS: angst to fluff. nose bleeding. expect mean daryl, i got mean daryl fever from crush by @ghostboneswrites2. attempted sexual assault during the claimers scene, basically the violence that took place during that particular scene.  A/N: yes i am up for it i love love love this idea!!! i added my own twist to it too :)) so sorry it took three days i had no idea how to start it hsejkrkwa also it ended up being longer than i intended for it to be. hope u like it nonnie ! reblogs are appreciated!

     Friends do things for each other, that’s just the way it is. Rick Grimes hands you a gun? Friends. Carol Peletier offers you a bowl of soup? Friends. Daryl Dixon looks at you for five long seconds before going to sleep? That’s… That’s classified.

     Okay, friends. You might have been reading into it.

     Friends—It’s what you tell yourself what you are with the archer whenever you volunteer to earn your keep alongside him who, for some reason, seemed to be blatantly avoiding you ever since that damned staring session. 

     It wasn’t the length of the stare. It was how he looked at you and how you felt yourself looking at him. The two of you were just returning to your respective cells, expecting the other to say goodnight only to end up staring at each other. The worst part is how it ended. 

     It was so quick that you could have missed it, but Daryl Dixon’s eyes fell to your lips for a split second before he turned away to hurriedly retreat to his cell. You tried not to think about it too much, but Daryl deliberately and very obviously dodging you made it hard to forget. 

     When you went out to hunt together as per routine, you expected to hold at least a conversation half a minute long. You missed talking to the archer, you had to admit it to yourself at least. Which is why it pissed you to the bone that the next time you ever talked again was the next accident.

     “I had it under control!” you yelled at the archer, who didn’t seem to be too interested in your defenses. At your feet lay a walker whose head had served as a target for a bolt you knew all too well.

     You watched as Daryl made his way over to you, fury evident in each step. “Hell ya mean under control? Ya ain’t cut out for huntin’! Ya should’ve sensed that walker from a mile away.”

     “Woah, woah,” you humorlessly exclaimed, “I’ve been hunting with you since like, ever. The fuck you mean ‘I ain’t cut out for huntin’?”

     “‘Cause ya aint! Could’ve gotten yerself killed, woman.” What was he so mean about?

     You didn’t want to admit it, but he was right to some degree. If he hadn’t arrived in time, you would’ve been dealing with the aftermath of a walker bite by now. But it did not give him the right to speak to you like that. “Oh, you are not talking to me like that.” 

     “Just did,” he spat. “Now ya listen to me. Yer gonna return to camp and yer gonna—”

     “Sit around and do nothing?” you scoffed, crossing your arms. “You want me to knit you some sweaters, too? Make you holiday cookies?”

     “Guard the damn fences,” he said. Daryl stepped forward to grab you by your arm. You dodge him before he could get a hold of you, glaring at him as you did so.

     “I can walk by myself, thanks.” Before disappearing into the woods to return back to the prison, you flipped the guy off. What was up with him? You angrily mumbled to yourself, “It was just a walker.”

     It’s been a while since that happened, and this time, it was you who didn’t dare to speak to him. You didn’t want to be the first one to approach him. After all, you did nothing wrong. And yet he had the audacity to avoid you again.

     But it wasn’t that there were zero interactions, though. There were a handful, however blood boiling they were. You exchanged a couple glares whenever your eyes landed on one another.

     The worst one was when Patrick extended his hand to Daryl in front of you while he thanked the archer for his contribution. After Daryl shook his hand, you had to butt in, standing up while eating a bowl of oatmeal instead of the cooked meat. 

     “Well, that’s Daryl! Isn’t he just great, Carol? Such an amazing huntsman!” you mused sarcastically, giving the three of them the brightest smile you could. Daryl could only watch as you walked away from the scene, his eyes drilling a hole at the back of your head as you kept going on and on: “I don’t know how I could ever compete!”

     It didn’t take long for the group to catch on the heat.

     You didn’t mind that part. What you did mind, though, was Daryl’s snide remarks whenever you’d mess up as a retort to what you’d said in front of Patrick.

     Dropped a spoon? “S’why ya can’t be outside, can’t even hold a damn spoon righ’.”

     But you weren’t gonna let that slide. Whenever he’d say something to the group, you had something up your sleeve, too.

     He found an old warehouse west of the prison? “Oh, how splendid. Daryl and his plans. Everyone say ‘Thank you, Daryl’!”

     The last rebuttal you could recall was after you finished your task digging a grave for the recent casualties. You were taking a quick break by yourself, setting your shovel aside. From a distance, you watched Glenn and Maggie continue to dig. You shuddered at the thought of turning with no warning of a bite.

     Your body was sore all over from all the digging, your throat on the precipice of getting sore, and you felt the world beneath you sway uninterrupted.

     The moment you made to leave the shovel against the wall, the world swayed even worse, sending you to Daryl’s grasp. “Damn it, woman, watch ya step. Ya ain’t gonna last long bein’ such a damn klutz.”

     “Get off my back,” you said. You jumped out of his arms, glaring at him with the default face you’d grown used to using around him. You angrily grabbed your shovel again, dismissing that you weren’t even able to have a minute. You let adrenaline overtake your need for a break. 

     You’d be lying if you said you hated it. You did at first, but it kind of grew on you.

     That was until a portion of the prison fell ill from the rampant spread of the flu. You decided Daryl wasn’t worth your time for the time being, dedicating your focus on doing what you can for the prison. You did find yourself looking out for him every once in a while, though. Just to make sure he was still healthy.

     Not that it mattered or anything.

     But you watched in horror as Tyreese held Daryl by his vest. You found yourself stepping forward, wanting to intrude but Daryl held his hand out to Rick, a way of saying ‘I got it.’

     It bothered you that you felt a sort of responsibility towards the guy, however much of an asshole he was towards you. To be fair, you were just as bad to him. But you weren’t gonna admit defeat just like that.

     “We’re on the same side, man,” he told the furious Tyreese. And after that, it was all a blur. You watched the fight unfold. You wanted to stop Rick, to hold him off Tyreese, tell him it was over, but you remained rooted to the floor, frozen.

     You could’ve sworn you felt Daryl’s gaze on you before he managed to get Rick to stop until he did. Daryl stumbled backwards, bumping into you. Shivers went down your spine when he touched you by the waist to ask you, “Y’alrigh’?”

     You looked back at him. That same look again.

     One.

     Two.

     Three.

     You turned away to wipe at your nose, sniffling. Unsure of what to do, you hurriedly left the scene. Once you were far enough, you wiped at your nose again. Then came a metallic scent you just could not ignore no matter how hard you tried. You thought it was just the rust of the metal bars infiltrating your senses. 

     But when you looked down at your hand upon the third wipe, you were met by the sight of blood. 

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

     After settling the dispute out, Daryl made it his mission to search for you before the council meeting. To his surprise, you were not in your cell, not outside, at least not anywhere he could find in three minutes. Deciding—hoping—you were probably busy somewhere, Daryl got back to the council’s table.

     Though he gave a fair share of ideas and listened intently, having even agreed to go on the run, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Before leaving, Daryl pulled Glenn aside, knowing he dug graves with you just a while ago.

     He didn’t even know why he had the urge to ask the guy, because how could he possibly have any clue of your whereabouts? But he had to ask something. “[Y/N] ever said anythin’ ‘bout stuff she had to do or somethin’?”

     “I don’t think so,” said Glenn, getting ready to seclude himself as well. “She’s probably isolated herself by now, too.”

     “Isolate herself for what?” Daryl scoffed in a poor attempt to disguise his concern. Glenn watched him as if he were a madman.

     “You didn’t see her this morning?” he asked the archer, who then said he did. The longer Glenn paused, the more Daryl followed. “She’s caught it, too.”

     At that moment, Daryl understood his routinely misdirected anger—why he felt his heart practically burn a hole through his chest at the sight of that walker almost getting you, why he could no longer stomach bringing you along with him on runs and hunts, and why he let his stares linger.

     Daryl Dixon understood why he kept his distance in fear of letting whatever it was he felt fester, burying it deep within himself where even he could not find it. Until he discovered that he had a bigger fear—a phobia, even.

     The thought of losing you. And it was all the more clear to him now as he peeked through the small window to find you gripping one of the bars of a cell, keeping steady. You’d gotten weak since the last time he saw you, and he thought back to when you furiously went back to work after he’d interrupted.

     He felt a guilt like never before, feeling responsible for your condition.

You caught sight of him from afar, and your eyes locked. 

     One.

     Two.

     You gestured to the visitation room. He nodded.

     Finding yourself face to face with Daryl Dixon afterwards divided by a glass partition was something you didn’t expect you’d ever have to experience. You didn’t even think he’d care enough to take the time to do so.

     Ever since you shared that long second stare, you’ve been wondering when you’d ever have the luxury of sharing it again. But even you couldn’t hold it for that long. 

     One.

     Two.

     Three.

     “Go on, lay it on me,” you said.

     You longed to hear his typical insults, the ones you were used to hearing by routine. Instead, Daryl, took a deep breath and told you, “M’sorry. ‘Bout everythin’.”

     Safe to say that you were taken aback. You opened your mouth to tease him about it, but you had to look away as you felt the itch in your throat begging to be scratched inside. You coughed out loud, and Daryl couldn’t help but flinch at the sight of you.

     “What, no ‘yer hideous,’ ‘serves ya righ,’ or even ‘fuckin’ idiot’?” you asked jokingly, attempting to make an impression of the way he talked. 

     “S’why I didn’t want ya out there,” he said, ignoring your attempt at triggering that part of him. It went out the minute he realized you were on borrowed time. “Didn’t want ya to risk yer life for some pig meat.”

     You realized he’d gotten serious. You took your seat across from him, scrutinizing the way he looked at you. “Oh, and you’re allowed to?”

     He shrugged. “Yeah, ‘cause I ain’t an idiot like you.”

     “There it is,” you chuckled. Daryl laughed along with you, and it was the first time in a long time that you’ve laughed together. And when the moment passed came that damned stare again.

     One.

     You couldn’t hold it. “I don’t know how much time I have left so… Thanks for coming.”

     Daryl snorted. Though he laughed, he was just as scared as you are. Maybe even more scared. “Ya ain’t gonna turn. We’re gonna head out ‘n get some meds. There’s a vet college some ways away from here, and I’m gonna make sure stupidity ain’t gon’ be the reason ya die. Ya ain’t dyin’, that’s final.”

     “They got everythin’ there?” you asked.

     “I dunno, Hershel gave us a list. Said it should have ‘em.”

     “You know how things are, right? How everything usually doesn’t end up going the way you want it to. So…” You didn’t know what to say anymore. “On the off-chance it’s limited, I don’t want to hog any of it.”

     “Whaddya mean?” the archer asked, his brow furrowing in confusion. He didn’t like where this was going.

     “I mean that if there’s a shortage, I’m fine not getting it. I’ve been with these people for half an hour and… Daryl, they deserve a second chance. They want to survive.”

     “And ya don’t?”

     “I don’t know,” you confessed, sniffling. You weren’t crying, but your stuffy nose made it hard to breathe just as badly. Daryl’s heart sank. His guilt just kept growing knowing he’d been unreasonably rude to you just this morning and every morning that came before. “It gets tiring at times, but it does get fun when you spend it with the right people. But then again, who knows how long you’ll be having any of those, too?”

     Daryl opened his mouth to say something only to take it back the instant he thought of it. I’m not gonna let ya die. He stuck to his stubborn script instead. This is what Daryl was avoiding; the burden of caring. “Yer gonna take the meds whether ya like it or not.”

     You couldn’t help but smile at his stubborn drive. It was one of the many things you admired about him. “What, you’re gonna be all mean to me again if I don’t follow your instructions, Doctor Dixon?”

     “Doctor wha—?” He stifled a laugh to no avail. It was through that moment that you found out that Daryl’s laugh was music to your ears. “Nah, we’re way past that. M’gonna start a new method. Ya do somethin’ good, ya get somethin’ good instead of gettin’ somethin’ bad when ya do somethin’ bad.”

     “So reward punishment,” you suggested with a smile. 

     “Exactly.”

     “So,” you began, “if I promise to be a good patient…”

     “Uhuh,” he nodded.

     “If I take the meds…”

     “Mhm.”

     “You’re gonna give me a treat?” You resisted the urge to joke about a kiss. It felt too early, and you worried it would spook Daryl away and ruin the moment.

     “Yep.”

     “Really?” you asked, grinning wider that it almost seemed as if you never even caught the flu. “Like, one of those lollipops they give out after a vaccine just so you stop crying?”

     Daryl had no idea what you talked about, having never experienced getting one good check-up his whole life, depending his health on whatever remedies he and his brother can fashion on their own. But you seemed to be thrilled about it, and that was enough. “Yeah, like that.”

     You pretended to consider it for a while, acting like you were deep in thought. “Alright, we have a deal, you fucker.”

     He smirked. “Wipe that stupid smile off yer face.”

     And though you didn’t take it too seriously, Daryl was already hatching a game plan he could use to find one for you the moment you mentioned it. After all, he was a man of his word.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

     Daryl Dixon was one of the few people who valued solitude. This time, though, he found himself craving company long after the fall of the prison as well as when he lost Beth. 

     Thus, the universe sent the worst possible group to accompany him—the Claimers. Even he realized the change within him when he realized the difference in how he’d choose his company now and before.

     It shook him to his core that he would have chosen this group had he not met Rick’s, had he not met you. As he and the Claimers made their way through the roads in search of the perpetrators they sought to give a piece of their mind. 

     Daryl decided he’d ride with the Claimers for survival, thinking to himself he’d be fine coasting with them for just a little while until he found the right opening to leave. That was, until he discovered that they’d been hunting the same group Daryl had been looking for, but with different motives.

     “Hold up,” Daryl said carefully, so as to not rile the leader who had Rick dangerously at gunpoint. 

     “You’re stopping me on eight, Daryl,” the leader accused. You felt your heart sink from where you were, fearing how the scene would unfold. You held Carl’s hand to comfort him, but it was just as well an attempt to comfort yourself. Carl returned the sentiment. 

     Daryl stepped closer with caution. “Let’s hold up.”

     One of the guys holding a shotgun opened his mouth. “This is the guy who killed Lou, so we got nothin’ to talk about.”

     “Carl,” you whispered under your breath, not daring to move to even look at the kid. You could only hear a bit, but the silence in the car and the slightly opened windows was enough to let you hear a bit.

     “The thing about nowadays is we got nothing but time,” the leader said. He kept his eyes on the archer. “Say your piece, Daryl.”

     “These people,” Daryl started. “Yer gonna let them go. These are good people.”

     You felt your heartbeat pick up its pace upon observation that the group’s leader was unimpressed. “Now, I—I think Lou would disagree with you on that. I, of course, would have to speak for him and all because your friend here strangled him in the bathroom.”

     You whispered again, frozen in place. “Carl, I need you to get in the back. Slowly.”

     “You want blood? I get it,” Daryl said. You watched as the archer dropped his crossbow and threw his arms open. The fuck is he doing? “Take it from me, man.”

     Carl slowly brought his legs up to him, trying not to make a noise.

     Daryl kept coming closer. “Come on.”

     “This man killed our friend.” By the look on their leader’s face, you knew there was no way this would go in peace. “You say he’s good people. See now, right there is—is a lie.”

     “Carl, hurry,” you whisper again. But his attempts at doing so is halted by the events that followed.

     Daryl dropped his arms to his side, realizing the same as you. You had to clamp your hand over your mouth to stifle your frightened yell as one of them hit Daryl with the butt of a shotgun. You could only watch in fear as two of the men dragged him to the hood of the car you and Carl were in.

     As they beat him shitless, Daryl looked up to find your face staring right back at him from inside the car. For a moment, he thought he was seeing you as he approached death, but his eyes widened in terror realizing you would be involved in the scene. 

     A wave of relief and dread coursed through him; relief that you had gotten out of the prison and dread that he wouldn’t be able to protect you this time. 

     The door swung open and a man yanked Carl out before you could even reach him. “C’mere, boy.”

     “Carl!” Your door swung open as well, one of the men tackling Daryl just seconds ago hauling you off your seat as you tried to put up a fight. 

     “You leave him be!” you heard Rick yell over the commotion.

     The man pointing a gun to Michonne wasn’t afraid to make his threats and intentions clear either. “You get yours. You just wait for your turn.”

     You felt the threat of a knife to your throat and you got a whiff of a mouth that reeked of booze. You felt your perpetrator’s warm breath tickle the lines of your neck, taking you in.

     You were terrified of what he’d do to you, what they’d do to Carl. “Let him go!”

     “Not so fast, hot stuff,” the man taunted you, toying with your hair. 

     “No, get off her!” Daryl exclaimed as his assailant pinned him down as another guy ruthlessly beat him up. Daryl didn’t care.

     “Listen, it was just me. It was just me!” Rick admitted, desperately trying to bargain for his group’s freedom.

     “See, now, that’s right! That’s not some damn lie! If we can settle this, we’re reasonable men.”

     “First, we’re gonna beat Daryl to death. Then we’re gonna have the girls, then the boy. Then I’m gonna shoot you and soon we’ll be square!” 

     You heard Daryl yelp as they beat him. “Stop hurting him!”

     The leader of the gang looked at Daryl, then at you. His fucking stare made your blood run cold. “Maybe we can keep little Daryl here for a while, give him a little show. Make him watch.” His laugh sent ripples of unease throughout your body even as you were thrown to the ground, the man getting on top of you. 

     “No!” you heard Daryl exclaim as he put up a harder fight to no avail, his body already weakened. More so was yours.

     “Claimed!” the man yelled, his eyes already feasting on you.

     Everything was… You couldn’t think anymore. You felt your legs part open, and with it your head throbbed. The lack of sleep, the hunger, the thirst, everything was coming down all at once. You could only hear the wicked cackling of their leader, Rick yelling at the man to let go of his son—

     Then it was ringing in your ears at the sound of a gunshot. And yet the nightmare didn’t end. You didn’t like it. Didn’t like any of it. The sniffing and the giggling… The hands on your waist as they trailed down… 

     You thought of nothing. Perceived nothing until you felt the hands gripping your body start to loosen. Maybe you were gone already, maybe… This is the end. 

     The weight on top of you was gone altogether, and you could hear Rick’s furious grunts as he plunged a knife deep into the throat of the man who took Carl. You looked up to find Daryl tussling with the man who was just on top of you.

     “Daryl…” You were slipping in and out of consciousness, and a couple steps from where you lay you saw the two other men who’d been beating Daryl just moments before splayed unconscious on the cold concrete road.

     The ringing in your ears was louder as you watched your assailant fall to the ground, and Daryl shoving his foot down his head in vengeance.

     You lay there among the leaves, tilting your head up to the sky, only grateful Daryl was fine. He ran to you as soon as he did what he saw he had to do.

     “[Y/N],” he called, scooping you into his arms and away from the floor. You wanted to stay awake, to ask him how he was, to confess you were scared shitless and you were tired of pretending you weren’t…

     The last thing you could remember was Daryl holding you as you let slumber take you away.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

     When you awoke, you thought you were back in the prison. For a split second, you thought you just had a horrible nightmare. As your eyes began to adjust to the sun, you realized you were in the front seat of the car with the backrest inclined for your comfort.

     Michonne’s presence in the backseat told you otherwise.

     “Michonne?” You looked around to find no one else. The windows were covered with different cloths, too. You looked down on her lap to find Carl fast asleep while Michonne caressed his face. “How is he? How are you?”

     She looked up at you, an undeniable sorrow in her eyes. She was just as tired. “I’m fine. He’s shaken. What about you?”

     The events of the night before flashed before your eyes. You had to shake your head to be rid of it. You needed air. “I’ve been better, I just need air.”

     Michonne nodded, respecting your distance. “Rick’s right outside.”

     “And…?”

     “Daryl?” she asked, to which you nodded meekly. Michonne gave you a reassuring smile. “He stayed with you the entire time, he stepped out just now. He’s fine.”

     “Oh, okay.” Fixing your hair, you returned her kind gesture with a warm smile as well. “I’ll just go get some fresh air, I think I need it.”

     You swung the door open and hopped out. Once you walked forward, you jumped in shock. You didn’t expect to be in the same place from when everything happened. Just in time, Daryl popped out from the other side of the car. “You alrigh’?”

     The corpses were still splayed out flat on the concrete and beside the road. You had to look away from the grotesque scene, your heart pounding. “Yeah, I’m fine—I’m okay.”

     “You sure ‘bout that?” he asked. Daryl gave Rick a knowing look before patting him on the shoulder. Rick nodded, letting the archer know that he’ll be fine. Daryl moved towards you and tapped you by the shoulder. He took back his hand the moment you flinched, instinctively recoiling to physical touch.

     “Sorry, I’m just—I know I don’t need to feel that way around you, it’s just—”

     “I get it.” Daryl understood; he was there when it happened. But he’d make sure he’d also be there after. His hand hovered behind the small of your back. “May I?”

     Daryl waited until you nodded before he let his hand rest on your back to guide you away from the mess.

     “Let’s take a walk. Have some water,” he said, handing you a half empty bottle. You took big gulps religiously, craving its feel in your throat. “Thank you.”

     You hand the bottle back to him only to realize that you had drunk all of its contents. “Oh, shit. Sorry.”

     “Nothin’ ya gotta apologize for.”

     You only nodded in response, still troubled by everything. 

     Daryl halted, gently touching you by your wrist. You’d never felt that sort of tender touch before, and it was easy to miss it once it ended. “Hey, I—uh, I almost forgot.”

     “Hm?”

     “Y’know, the terms of our agreement.” You watched as Daryl fumbled with himself, and a laugh escaped you. He seemed to be flustered with what he was about to do, but you could tell he’d been anticipating doing it by the pace he was searching. He checked his shirt pockets. When he dug into his jeans’ front pocket, he pulled out something small, then extending his hand to you. “M’sorry I only got two, I wasn’t sure what flavor ya wanted and I accidentally got them in the same flavor and there were walkers and I know it ain’t an excuse but—”

     You took it. You kept eyeing the two lollipops in your hand. It was both strawberry-flavored, and it was one of those jumbo ones that were slightly bigger than the regular ones. “Daryl, that was a joke. You didn’t have to” — you snorted, a smile breaking on your face — “actually get me one.”

     “Nah, I’m a man of my word.” Daryl returned your smile. “I say m’gonna get ya somethin’, then m’gonna get ya somethin’. Simple.”

     “Well, then,” you said, handing him the other one. “You get the other one.”

     “Nah, it’s yours.”

     “No. Get it.”

     “Nah,” he said.

     If Daryl was stubborn, you were nothing compared to him. You stuffed the other one in his pocket. “There. And don’t even try to argue with me on it, I wanna have it with you.”

     “Alright, alright.”

     Heat rushed to your cheeks. He really did bother. You continued walking, Daryl followed.

     “Ya don’t have to open it now, we need to get ya some more water first so yer throat doesn’t get sore again.”

     “Thought this was my treat?” you teased. “For being a good patient?”

     “Yeah, well, doctor says you should lay off it for a bit ‘til ya get some more to drink.”

     You snorted. “Oh, yeah? What doctor.”

     Daryl pointed to himself. “This doctor. Doctor Dixon.”

     “You like that a lot, huh?”

     “Actually, I hated it but… S’kinda growin’ on me.”

     After you shared a laugh. There was that goddamn lingering stare.

     One.

     Two.

     Three.

     Daryl turned around, afraid the heat in his cheeks were possibly giving away how he felt with a faint blush. “We should—Whaddya say we head back?”

     “Sure, wouldn’t wanna have you going down on one knee to propose,” you joked.

     “Shuddup,” he said, lightly punching your shoulder. 

     On the whole way back, you talked together, just like you always did whenever the two of you were out hunting. Speaking with Daryl made everything else matter a little less that you don’t even realize how far you’ve gone until it comes into your mind.

     While walking the tracks with Rick, Carl, and Michonne, the two of you walked slightly behind. 

     “I’m just saying, if we get to this place, it’s not gonna—!” You shrieked as your feet caught on one of the sleepers of the tracks. To your relief, Daryl caught you with his hand holding yours and his other hand assisting your waist.

     The three turned around to check on you both. Rick called out, “You alright back there?”

     “Yeah! We’re fine!” he said back. You were worried Daryl would drop your hand. He didn’t.

     When no eyes lingered on either of you anymore, the stare you’d been yearning for returned, leaving you to wonder what would break it this time before it could reach five.

     One.

     Two.

     Three.

     Four.

     Five.

     To your surprise and your relief, Daryl smiled at you. And oh, did it feel melting. It was hard not to return his smile when it was so damn contagious. You were sure your heart was doing gymnastics at this point, feeling it beat so hard against your chest.

     “What’re you looking at me like that for?” you asked the archer.

     “Yer still fuckin’ clumsy as fuck,” he remarked with a teasing smirk.

     He’d been dying to hear you laugh again, so he’s relieved that you do. “Welcome back. Thought you said you had your whole new justice system in store?”

     “Well, doctors still gotta scold their patients, especially when the patient in question is an idiot.”

     You rolled your eyes. “You have any rule in your book about doctors holding their patients’ hands? Y’know, like, ‘Don’t do that’?”

     Daryl looked down on your intertwined hands, pretending to scrutinize it with careful thought. “I dunno, I think if the patient’s fine with it, then the doctor’s fine with it, too.”

     You did the same only to look back up at him with a grin. “Patient says it’s fine. Is the doctor fine with it?”

     “Doctor Dixon says it’s recommended to keep his patient healthy.” 

     “Patient has a request, though,” you tell him as you use your other hand to pull out your lollipop from your pocket. “She wants Doctor Dixon to share a treat together.”

     “Doctor Dixon says, ‘What the hell’.” He does the same, pulling his lollipop out. You had to let go of each other’s hands for a bit to take off the wrapper before throwing it away. Daryl was the first to take your hand, eager to hold it again. You let him.

     Throughout the entire journey to Terminus, all your fears and worries were at bay, all because Daryl never let go of your hand. The two of you talked about the sweetness of what you were having, how it was a great change from what you were used to eating. And it was right then and there that he knew he wanted to be holding your hand whenever, wherever, and however long he could.

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[kiss-me-muchoo]

𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐈 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞? || 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐚cius 𝐱 𝐟𝐞𝐦!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐱 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐭a

part one: here || part two; i’ve been the archer

summary_ after returning from Egypt, you are set to marry your half brother Geta. When you fall in love with General Marcus Acaius, your brother tries everything to prevent you from slipping away from him.

warnings_CRINGE, age gap!, semi incest (do not romanticize irl) reader x Geta, drama, angst, VERY quick love confessions, implied SMUT +18

update nov 2024: my phone changed Acacius for Acaius, I’ll change it on these days bye

NOTES_ who’s afraid of little old me?, I just wished there were gallows in Ancient Rome, listen to my awful playlist for Marcus and the classic I have for Pedro bb.

♪ ♫ Pedro playlist + Marcus’s playlist ✰ Index (+ fics here)

If there was something you’d never miss… were the carmine sunsets. Those lasted more than usual. That kept the beginning of the night warm and made you the silent promise of another good day by the following morning.

It had been easy for your father to send you away as soon as your mother quit their marriage. Your brother was a big inconvenience and a hidden mistake that shattered your little wealthy family. Under the cautious look of the Roman Senate, your parents were still bonded in a strong marriage. But the truth was that your father never truly loved the woman who gave birth to you. Which led to your mother leaving for Egypt, a Roman Province. Soon after her departure, you were sent to Alexandria too.

Each day was a boost to your status. Learning a vast variety of languages and dialects, learning different types of dances, being able to handle weapons, and gaining control over the Egyptian cities, to help your powerful father; The Emperor.

You barely missed Rome. Your mother was a cold Empress that loosened all the knots your father could have tightened around you. Growing up used to the Egyptian parties, drinking the finest beer and bread. Taking occasional lovers since virginity was not a necessity for marriage in Egyptian society. One of those lovers specifically, was a tall warrior with sun-kissed bronze skin that transformed you into a woman in every aspect you couldn’t discover by yourself. It was a shame when he died after a bad injury during war.

In the present, being in your first years as a young woman, things were likely to change, and you were very aware of it. That didn’t stop you from having the time of your life in the vivid city of Alexandria. With very few friends, a dead lover, and a dream.

Every night you savored those carmine sunsets to pray to Venus. Perhaps your dream of finding a true love hadn’t happened yet due to praying to her instead to Hathor; the god of love in Egyptian territory. Nevertheless, you intended to marry a man who was ridiculously, recklessly, and borderline obsessed with you. You wanted to live the broken dream of your mother.

Until desires were abruptly paused one night. When you received a letter from your father.

“A letter from the Emperor. It is the wish of your father to have you back in Rome” Your walls crumbled into pieces. The face of shock was splashed all across your face as you listened to your mother.

“What motivated his decision?”

“I can assure you, I don’t know, my child,” your mother says vaguely, tending his favorite flowers inside the palace.

“Do not lie to me, mother” she sighs and suddenly, she starts crying. You don’t know what to do, but the sight unsettles you.

“He wants you to marry Geta…” your eyes get impossibly wide open, and you gasp in shock.

“My brother?” your mother nods. You pace back and forth, wondering why and how could your father come to that conclusion.

Although you were used to attending weddings in Egypt that came from a mother marrying her son, to a brother marrying his sister, it was… awkward. This was the boy that destroyed your family, the boy that would take half of your rights as heir was meant to be your husband and father of your children.

The mere thought scares you.

“Will you accompany me?” It’s the first thing you come up with.

“I must stay here since Egypt won’t have you now” You frown at her words. But your throat tightens, defying to produce tears that quickly threaten to spill everywhere.

“Be strong, remember everything I’ve taught you. No men will defy the tenacity of the emperor’s daughter.” you nod, your eyes prickling with fear that explodes in your chest.

“And in between, find the love I couldn’t keep, no matter what, y/n…”

“I’m seeing you again, Right, mother?” she nods, giving you a cold hug.

“I’ll always be here…”

For the first time, the carmine sunset does not bring you peace. Your mind is edging towards collapse as you approach Rome. As the light of the light leaves, you question everything. So many questions and nothing of time.

…

There were no shattered crystals after dinner as you expected. Your brother Geta welcomed you in Rome with excitement and it confused you even more. He gave you a short and personal tour of his newest garden and prepared the finest banquet made by all of the servants.

Geta is a sole copy of your father. Same mannerisms and style. Only behind his attentive look, you were aware of the sadistic man who talked to you with respect.

“Where is Father?” you ask him, sipping at your wine.

“An important meeting surged. He’ll join us tomorrow, we are preparing vast festivities”

“Festivities for what?” he smiles, you don’t like how compassionate and polite he’s being.

“Our marriage, soror” The heavy makeup on his face does everything to hide the truth of the narcissistic man he is.

You could swear he hated you because your mother was the sovereign empress and you the rightful heir. Your father just happened to have two wives and two kids at the same time.

And despite everything, you didn’t hate your brother. You despised her mother for drawing your own apart from your father. For convincing him to send you away from your solemn fair future. For transforming your brother into some incompetent who seemed to have a hunger for chaos and madness.

“I must thank you, for welcoming me… despite our background differences” It takes him aback. Geta expected a disheveled girl, a rebellious female who followed the ways of the savages; the Egyptians. But he encountered a bright and marvelous sister who tried to act with peace after being so far from home for so long.

“I wished we could’ve grown together, like a united family” you admit coldly, avoiding the whole marriage issue.

“We will be a family, y/n. I’ll make sure of that” he says hiding his lips in his cup of wine and it sends shivers running down your spine.

Geta sees how you stand up and politely push forward the chair you were seated in; excellent manners.

“As a tradition of mine, I’ll see the sunset and pray before going to rest. Please excuse me….” your brother nods, still processing your words as you leave the imposing place where you were born. You desperately need fresh air.

Near there’s a meadow with empty spaces. It’s just a piece of land that soon would probably serve to build another coliseum.

One thing is noticeable. Sunsets in Rome aren’t carmine… they are mauve. And for some reason, you can’t feel peace.

But you hold tight to your dream. Your happiness is what you’ve prioritized ever since a teenager.

That’s why you hadn’t failed a day to pray to Venus.

Venus, hear me, please. You whose care, throughout all the centuries, the unions of men and their lovers have been placed, what, I pray, have I come to merit? Release me from this uncertainty, gift me a lover, who will warm my heart for eternity. Venus, save me from the hells of my ancestries.

Someone touches your naked shoulder, it makes you gasp in horror.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.” someone says. When you turn around, you are facing a man who’s incredibly taller and broader than you. He’s significantly older than you, but he’s graceful. The second he takes to appreciate the sunset as well is your chance to study his profile. Gorgeous classical profile.

“Excuse me, but… Who are you?” you ask, moving aside, leaving his hand that rested on your shoulder in the air. He noticed it.

“General Acacius… I wondered why a woman was here all alone” you know him. He’s the most successful general your father ever had. He was a concise warrior, even considered a killer.

Somehow, you couldn’t help but find some sweetness in his deep voice. By knowing him for just a second, you felt comfortable by his side.

“I take pleasure in appreciating the sunset…” your soft features intrigued him. You looked slightly different than most of the women he sees in Rome.

“I haven’t appreciated the sky since I was a kid”

“What a shame, General. You would find some peace hidden between the clouds” Your accent was slightly colder than everyone’s. You didn’t have the golden hair that usually meant power. He was infatuated and tremendously interested in the woman he was facing.

“I must know where you come from…” he says, paying attention to your eyes. You smile, touching the little pearls that fall from your pale blue dress.

“I was born here… but circumstances made Alexandria my home. I arrived last night…” his eyes show surprise. He analyzed your bracelets, made of pure gold. You had a leaf crown with tiny sapphires that shimmered around your head. It wasn’t hard to tell who you were.

“majestas… you shouldn’t be here” he mutters and you don’t even flinch.

“I can assure you, General Acacius… I rarely find myself in the position of damsel in distress” he chuckles and you are relieved to see he doesn’t carry a ring around his finger. It was happening so fast, you wanted to know everything about him.

“You may call me Marcus. Except when we are in the presence of your father or brother” you remember you are supposed to marry your brother. But it wasn’t official just yet. And you were quickly falling for this older and gorgeous General.

After a sweet battle or glances, he has to put down his sword. You notice the details and the signs of years of use it has.

“Is this the weapon you master the most?” he nods, noticing the dry blood around the edges.

“Indeed… I learned to wield it before I even went to school” You smile, nervous but eager to throw your next comment. He was speaking very softly towards you. But it was obvious that he was a reserved and serious man.

“I use the spear and axe” Your revelation leaves Marcus surprised. There were very few female gladiators, most of them being treated worse than common slaves. No female in the Roman hierarchy wielded weapons.

“You truly are one of a kind, majestas” As the emperor’s daughter, you weren’t supposed to ever wield a weapon. Contrary to that rule, you were required to learn about politics. In Egypt, you were free.

“Oh, don’t call me that… my name is Y/n”

“Precious name…”

His smile mixed with yours burst in an obvious mutual flirtation. After talking for about two hours, the moon is the only witness in the dark meadows, where Marcus and you kiss until your lips are swollen and he has hydrated him after days of dryness. He promises to keep close to you as his fingers slip under the fabric of your tunic. You swear to welcome his touch no matter what as your hand palmed his girthy length under his heavy armor.

That night both of you seal your fate. That night Marcus Acacius ignites a vivid fire inside your heart.

…

Often, you wondered if candles could run out due to the excessive use of them each night. At least thirty candles are illuminating the place. You patiently wait in the room Marcus had in the Emperor’s palace, seated on the edge of the bed. When the General comes out, he spots you at his resting place. Immediately, you frown at him.

“You said it was a minor injury” There’s a lot of dry blood on his shoulder. He had taken a bath… but the injury was there, uncomfortably lying over his skin.

“It is a minor injury.” He assures, sitting beside you on the bed.

It’s been only a couple of days since you met him… and you are already too keen on him.

“There are no gladiators where I come from. Only warriors… Generals only command their soldiers. We never used weapons as a spectacle”

“I’m starting to believe Egypt is a better place than Rome” you shrug.

“I miss my home. I miss the freedom. I can’t marry Geta…” you admit out loud for the first time. Marcus huffs, he doesn’t have a problem with letting you know he is jealous.

“Right… the wedding.”

“I have to marry him after all. Only that way I could share the title of Empress with him” Marcus sighs tired.

“Am I descending into madness for these strong feelings I have for you?” you turn to look at him. Your hand moves to the end on top of his.

“I look into your eyes… and I feel safe, Marcus” you admit, straddling him. Your fingers trace his beard as you lean to kiss him deeply. He reciprocates and holds your hips steadily.

It’s a wild moment to openly share carnal passion, but neither of you cares. You push him against the feathery pillows and continue kissing. His hair gets tangled around your fingers and his forearms and hands have disappeared under your dress. You start throbbing and he gets hard. But the moment is suddenly interrupted by some footsteps near the room. In a blink of an eye, you get away from Marcus and he stands up from the bed too.

“Use the trail at the end of the hallway. I’ll see you tomorrow, satis” he says, kissing your forehead before you quietly leave his resting place.

Some guards were wandering around the place as usual. You skillfully pass by them, using the trail Marcus told you. But it’s dark and very quiet, not even illuminated by torches. Your sandals barely make a sound against the floors.

So it’s a huge surprise when a hand covers your mouth and the next thing you feel is getting slammed against the wall. It didn’t hurt you but it was violent.

You gasp for air and encounter your half-brother. He has his golden crown and velvet robes, his face almost clean of tints that weren’t his natural skin.

“What were you doing with Acacius?” You frown.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about” his ginger hair is the only thing that shines in the dark trail.

“Quit the lie, soror. Has he made you impure?”

Oh dear brother, if you knew my purity has been gone for many years. But the truth was that Marcus hadn’t claimed you his yet.

“No. And it should not be a matter of importance to you” he chuckles.

Geta isn’t an idiot. He had seen the way Acacius looked at you during dinners. He noticed you came back to rest later than usual. And it was making him boil in anger. His disgust towards you before your arrival was strong. But after you turned to be a delight for his taste, Geta was burning for you.

“Oh, but it is a matter of importance to me. You are my future wife” he says, threatening to seal his lips with yours. The arm that was holding you still sneaked around your waist, applying a little too much pressure.

“Do you think I like the thought of other men touching or even smiling at you?”

Oh… so he was jealous.

His lips gently brush your neck as you set your eyes on the moon, waiting for the moment to be over. His touch is vicious, possessive, and harsh. The trail his lips have followed from your collarbones to your throat ends in your chin, mere inches away from your lips.

“If we can even consider this love… you have an odd way of showing it” he lets you go, the cocky smile on his face never leaving.

“Love or not… you are going to be mine”

“I’m also the heiress of the Emperor. We’ll see about that, Geta.” You spit bitterly, literally running away from him.

You have converted into an enemy for him. And you had to be ready to walk cautiously. Because you had changed your mind. Perhaps you would lose the crown… but weren’t going to marry him.

…

You missed dates so badly, but then the following morning, when a plate of them was included in the morning, you couldn’t resist. You are eating alone. Until the doors open and your father appears followed by two guards.

“Father…” you stand up, making a reverence to him. He smiles, extending his arms to hug you.

“I have wonderful news. We’ve arranged an encounter for you to demonstrate your abilities in combat” You are extremely confused.

“What?” Your father sighs, breaking the hug.

“I’m aware you performed in celebrations back in Alexandria. This is just the perfect opportunity to show the senate and council you are a prepared lady to receive the title of Empress one day…”

“Father… as much as I appreciate the intention. I’ve performed as a way to train for battle; gods forbid us from having to go to war, but… here, your soldiers and slaves fight for the mere feeling of feeding the greediness of hierarchy. I can’t do that…”

You weren’t a target for the empire to show off. You were more than just a woman with the ability to carry a weapon. You valued your freedom. And ever since arriving in Rome, day by day, you feel that you keep slipping away from it.

“The decision is taken. Heavens know why but the official announcement of your engagement with Geta remains being delayed. Hence, I won’t turn the Senate and council against me when there's no need. I may only wish you good luck, dear” You remember Marcus. He could have voted against the encounter. He was the General.

Suddenly you are bursting in anger, making the coldest reverence to your father as he leaves.

Your angry steps lead your way to Marcus. You found him taking a rest on a nearby balcony. When he spots you, his smile vanishes.

“You couldn’t impede that brainless idea of me participating in a combat?” Marcus has to sigh, placing his hands on his hips. He was expecting your anger to be honest.

“I couldn’t say no. If it did, they would suspect. I already have your brother behind my back all the time” You can fight him because he’s right. But it doesn’t dissipate your anger.

“You are going to be fine. I may be able to arrange the rules. I can choose the gladiator that will fight you, but your father and brother have the last word. What weapon do you want to use?”

“The spear…” he nods.

“Female gladiators tend to wield the bow and sword. You can easily disarm her…” you are not scared, you are just frustrated.

“Teach me the methods warriors use here…” you mutter. Marcus nods, taking your hand and giving an apologetic look.

“You will win, my dear.” His fingers place some strands of your hair behind your ear, it melts your anger and transforms it into peace. You want to scream how much you desire him. But you must retain your feelings given the hatred days you were living.

“Let me thank you for the training in advance, General,” you say, getting on your knees.

“Good girl…” Marcus whispered as soon as your tongue started working on him.

…

The usual crowd in the Colosseum couldn’t be compared with the amount of screams and cheers from the people watching the emperor’s daughter fighting one of the greatest female gladiators in Rome; Calista.

The sandy floors were covered in an elegant tapestry that marked the square where the show was occurring.

You are sweating, there's blood running down your chin and you can’t breathe correctly. Calista was ordered not kill you, but for some reason, she seemed to be personally trying to knock you out.

She had a helmet and armor in gold and red. But it was hard to deny everyone was invested in the attire you wore. A golden mask of Neith, the god of war that covered your face and a gold vest and bare shoulders. Everyone thought you were insane for that.

You remember all the things Marcus told you. Soon after your father started the encounter, you learned gladiators were blinded by the necessity of seeing blood on their rival instead of following a technique of combat.

Calista’s sword is sharp enough to give you a long cut by the movement of a soft swatch. You yelp in pain and she kicks your ribs, making you fall to your knees.

Marcus stands worried from his seat, but he soon returns to his place after making eye contact with Geta, who sends daggers with his eyes. Marcus understood your brother was insane when he disapproved of the gladiator he had chosen. Geta picked the most sanguinary and violent warrior to fight you.

Marcus couldn’t do anything. But he was impressed by your skills. He sighed with joy everytime you slipped from Calista’s touch. Even your father was displaying a face of proud.

But it’s not the same for you. You enter in panic, knowing you are at full mercy, almost dropping your spare. Your father is about to stop the encounter. The crowd is impossibly louder. You want to throw up. The sweat mixed with nausea, the cold air of the night, and the dryness in your throat are too much to handle. But you refuse to lose. With the sharp edge of the spare, you cut Calista’s calf. She’s startled, ready to strike back when your leg pushes her on her back. The heavy sword she carries makes a loud noise. Her skull crushes against the floor. It gives you enough time to stand, place your foot in her throat and point the spare against her forehead, ending the encounter.

The cheers are disgustingly excessive. But you’re done. You did what your father asked. You take off the mask and look at your brother in anger. Geta offers you a fake smile. He was surprised to see you were able to slip away, from his evil plans, from defying your father.

You offer your hand to Calista, but she refuses. She looks like she wants to kill you. But she only reverences your family and leaves.

Everything is forgotten when you set your eyes on Marcus. You want to smile and run to his side. He sees you with adoration. He sees the reincarnation of Psyche in you. A woman who Marcus swears it’s even more graceful than Venus and Persephone themselves.

Marcus Acacius makes a decision; He must marry you.

…

After a banquet, your bones and muscles ache with each movement you make, but you run towards Marcus. You need to see him after such a long day. He waits for you in the secure spot of the farthest tower. His light robes and leaf crown are securely dressing him when you spot him. The gold in his attire matches your bronze bracelets and indigo dress.

He’s the man you desire. He’s the man that had offered you a real demonstration of affection. He wasn’t trying to manhandle you like everyone before did. It’s more than enough to make you think your prayers to Venus have worked. You collide in his chest, giggling.

“I love you”

Both of you say at the same time. It leaves you shocked. Marcus smiles and you have to kiss him to believe it’s real.

“I promise you… we’ll be together” you nod dying out of happiness. He kisses you back and you feel you want to cry out of happiness.

What feels like a second was an hour of kissing.

And Geta was able to witness some of that time. Drowning in a monstrous wave of jealousy, he ran towards the Emperor to accuse you of adultery. But it was too late, your father was out of the city for the rest of the day. Geta is beyond enraged with the news. So he sends part of his father’s cabinet to a brothel, hoping his evil plan would work.

Later, when he finds you going towards the garden, he fastens his pace to harshly grab your forearms and stop you.

“That General is no good for you.” He spits with disgust as you squirm away from his touch.

“Neither are you” you fireback, stepping backwards.

“Go find him. You should know he just uses you to have our father’s approval. So I insist you, go find him and see what kind of man he is after you leave his bed” You raise your hand ready to slap him, but you don’t. You simply turn away and keep walking.

Geta’s words echo through your mind. You question him, valuing the honesty of his words. Marcus was a man after all. There wasn’t a perfect man nor a perfect woman, but you liked to believe there was still good in the hearts of the people.

Perhaps Marcus would be disappointed by your mistrust. But the uncertainty of his loyalty was something you couldn’t risk.

That night, you go out in a linen cloak, hunting the man you love. The guards won’t know you went out prowling around the city.

It’s late, but not for the city. Although is not crowded, there are a lot of people in the market. You let yourself wander across the place. There’s handmade stuff that women and kids sell. It makes you think about power and how not all of the people had it. If you ever became Empress, you wanted to see a prosperous and bright city. You want to ensure them with security and peace. You want to get rid of eccentric stuff, including gladiators.

The sound of music along with laughter draws your attention to a specific place. At first glance, you think it’s a tavern. But as your feet made it to the entrance, you gasped in shock. There are more men compared to women. The females are scattered around the place. Some feed grapes to men. Others dance and use their bodies to charm. All of them have their chests bare, showing their breasts and silver bracelets. It shocks you to see some of the females naked, kissing between groups of four or more and almost fucking them at the sight of everyone. The wine smells cheap, the whole place smells like sweat and sex combined.

You see from afar a large table of men. Your eyes look at the head of the table and it causes a great mix of confusion and intrigue. Because it’s your Marcus who’s seated with those men. He talks and looks seriously intimidating with his sword resting on the table. Your heart starts racing as a woman gets closer. She raises her hand to touch him. Marcus turns to look at the woman. She has short blonde hair, pale skin, and purple fabric that barely covers her body. Your eyes water at the sight. Your lover, who promised find the way to be with you hours ago is there, surrounded by naked women and you can hear him cursing. When the blonde woman is about to sit in his lap, you leave the place running away. There’s not even time to tear yet, you are completely covered in shock and disgust.

Soon you are back. You gasp for air, opening the doors of the place you call home. Two guards let you enter and you throw your cloak to the floor. When you look at the end of the long hallway, you spot Geta talking with his counselor. At the sigh of you, he indicates the man to leave. You want to leave him behind so bad, you avoid his eyes but it’s his voice that stops you.

“I told you so…” he says with an evil smile.

“Be quiet…” his laugh is loud and it angers you more.

“He doesn’t care about you. Acaius only cares for power. He could never love you-“

“SILENCE!”

You push him towards the granite bench behind and he is taken aback.

Even more when you lean to smash your lips with his.

It’s disgusting. There’s no care, only two individuals fighting for control in the lips of each other. Even the beetroot juice you applied hours ago has transferred to your chin and Geta’s. His hand is resting with pressure on your nape, and you slightly pull his hair, making him groan before kissing you even harder.

Just when you are about to sit in his lap, you stop. You look at him in horror. There’s no way you just kissed him. That you almost succumbed to his touch. But you remember Marcus with that woman. What were you doing?

Geta sees you quietly crying before standing up from the bench and watching you bolt.

You run to the meadows. The place where everything began. And at that moment, you realized you had completely failed.

Fighting in that encounter with Calista for what? Unnecessary approval of men who would surely die before you birthed your first child.

You pleased your father to live in peace for what? To carry the weight of a narcissistic brother and a traitor lover.

Your prayers were in vain. The love you wanted to find was over before it even started. Because it wasn’t real. You should’ve stayed back in Egypt. Maybe you should have married Geta on the first day. At least whatever he did to hurt you would have a payback. But with Marcus, it resulted in an excruciating pain that you had never felt before. Which makes you feel so ignorant and brainless. All that ego your mother had helped you build collapsed at that moment. You just wished for a remedy. Which for sure didn’t exist. But there must be a way, to make everyone feel at least a drop of what you have.

—————————————————————

part two or what? (Literally didn’t add the part I wrote for the sneak peak lol)

taglist: @drewharrisonwriter @my-dearest-agent @yellowheartz @spookyxsam @natasharomanoffsmotorcycle @uncassettodiricordi @kluvspedritooo @littleblackcatinwonderland

[moonpascaltoo]

DARYL DIXON ╰┈➤ 18+ none of these stories belong to me! this is a masterlist of all daryl dixon stories i’ve read and reblogged! just thought it would be nice to have them all in one spot! (if your fic is on here and you wish not to be, let me know <3)

MASTERLIST • THE WALKING DEAD • 11/30/24

@nervoushottee ✰ it happened quiet What you and Daryl have is a soft quiet love. ✰ night shift You keep Daryl company on a night watch

@xoxo-sarah ✰ my wife

@mvth3r ✰ untitled 5 times daryl feels your affection down to his core and the many 1 time he unconsciously returns the favor ✰ drabble thinking about daryl giving you a nickname…

@r6eduss ✰ listen before i go Daryl leaves with Merle without thinking how it would affect you.

@optimist-pine ✰ bodyguard You need a bath, but there's no way you're going alone ✰ eloquence

@lunajay33 ✰ migraine You get frequent migraines but they’ve been mia since the apocalypse but even since you got to the farm they’ve returned but you didn’t wanna bother anyone until Daryl finds you balled up on the floor in pain

@hidtired ✰ poison for some Your deathly allergic to nuts and dinner in the prison leaves you running for medicine. Your abrupt departure confuses everyone, until your partner Daryl remembers of your allergies. Now it was 24 hours and you were no where to be found. ✰ miles away A last minute trip leaves you separated from your fiancé when the world ends. Years of travel inevitably returns you to him. But years out in the world causes change.

@daryldove ✰ shower thoughts, water falls

@secretlovezz ✰ kiss me while you and Daryl are out on a run feelings are disruptively revealed

@holdmytesseract ✰ approaches When Andrea mistakes Daryl for a walker and shots him, you are here to take care of the injured archer; causing the both of you to get closer...

@maggie-atwood ✰ last night on earth During your time with the Atlanta Camp, you form an unlikely friendship with the younger Dixon brother. When the group finds their way to the CDC, you feel safe enough to push past the lines of just friends.

@darylssunshine ✰ caring

@mystic-writings ✰ ink on skin daryl gave up on the concept of soulmates long ago, even with the words marked on his wrist. and then he found you.

@dixons-sunshine ✰ no-nonsense ✰ i found you When the dead started to rise and the world went to hell, Daryl got seperated from you, the love of his life. After over a year of searching for you and finding no evidence of your survival, Daryl was beginning to give up and count his losses. One day, Carol stumbled upon a wounded woman while out on a run with Glenn, and the two of them decide to accept you into the prison. Little did they know, that would end up being one of the best decisions they could've ever made. 

@metanoiahh ✰ get off my back A great fascination for the youngest Dixon took over you ever since the Quarry. Daryl notices and in fear of reciprocating your feelings, he continuously pushes you away. After Andrea shoots him, you don’t leave his side with the excuse of keeping an eye on him.

@collecting-stories ✰ bitch You throw some choice words Andrea’s way as she heads out into the woods with Daryl, partially because you hate her and partially because you’re jealous.

@emswritingsstuff ✰ home at last After being left on the roof with Merle, you're separated from Daryl. ✰ quite badass

@theteasetwrites ✰ soft spot part 2 Daryl finds his lady love injured in the woods after being separated, and everyone is surprised to find not only that Daryl has a girlfriend, but that he's very, very soft for her. ✰ protector A one-night stand with your brother's best friend, Shane, proves to be more trouble than it was worth when he develops a bit of a worrisome obsession with you, and your friend and confidant, Daryl, isn't too happy about it.

@violettwrites ✰ the fall daryl loses you during the start of the apocalypse, and then he finds you again.

@daryltwdixon ✰ request A drunk Daryl grows uncharacteristically shy around you, forgetting for a moment that you're together.

@weretheones ✰ to the bone You can’t stop shivering and Daryl can’t sleep.

@d1xonss ✰ pretty when i cry

@cultofdixon ✰ shot in the dark Andrea shouldn’t have been on top of that RV and shouldn’t have fired. She asked for what happened next ✰ i found yea, bunny Never did he think he’d find anyone to love him, then when someone did. The world ended ✰ vocalize whats inside Risking your life  countless times for someone who doesn’t notice, only for you to realize it was never one sided ✰ falling for you...wasn't meant to hurt The two of you grew close because the universe thought you were meant to be. But Daryl agreeing to let you help him find Carol’s daughter, he didn’t expect anything bad to happen

@multific ✰ a new start Daryl loved the nights, this was the only time he could see you again.

@sukunasbow ✰ childhood friends in which you reunite with your childhood friend, only for him to underestimate your value in the current state of the world.

@magicalqueennightmare ✰ back me You and Daryl form a friendship at the quarry camp

@darylsgirl ✰ there ain't no competition darlin reader has feelings for Daryl. And one Day Daryl brings an injured girl from the woods to the prison and becomes really close with her, which hurts the readers feelings. Also make the ending of your choice 

[cultofdixon]

They need me more

Daryl Dixon • She/Her Pronouns • It’s the start of a new chapter, with the communities and with you and Daryl. But some people thought you not pulling your weight matters more than the health of yourself and your baby • ANGST/SFW • TW: Pregnancy / Over-Exhaustion

Requested by: Anon

It was late at night when Daryl drove home to Alexandria after being at the Sanctuary for a week. Ever since the news, he’s agreed to watching that shithole every other week instead of living there entirely.

Because he knows she would want to be there with him and her safety matters more. So they compromised.

As the archer did his best to be quiet as he enters the house, it didn’t matter because his wife was in the kitchen making tea. Daryl sets his crossbow and bag down by the door before walking over to her, carefully wrapping his arms around her from behind.

“Should be in bed”

“Couldn’t sleep.” Y/N smiles warmly in the dim lighting as she turns the stove off after hearing the whistle. “Knew my man would be coming home in the morning. Didn’t think at this hour but the excitement kept more than just me up” she was about to grab the tea pot when Daryl pulled away from her quick enough to do it for her. “So since you are home you’re not going to let me lift a finger? Seriously?”

“Seriously. Especially somethin’ this hot” Daryl scoffs pouring her a cup as she drops her teabag in while he got himself a cup ready. “You should be in bed”

“Tell your daughter to stop kicking me in the ribs then. She just knew you’d be back soon” She smiles listening to her husband’s amused chuckle watching him set the tea pot back on the stove using his now free hand to rest on her belly. “We missed you”

“Mm. I missed y’all more” Daryl smiles moving his hand to follow her kicks until they stopped as he kisses his partner before taking her cup. “We can drink these in bed”

“Read my mind”

The morning came and Y/N stretched out a bit groaning to herself when she rolled onto her back. She felt the empty space beside her, frowning when she felt no partner beside her. As she finally got up and out of bed after a bit of struggle, she found the note on her nightstand saying that he was helping Rick with fence repair in the south side and that he’d be home later.

“That man never rests” Y/N laughs lightly to such before getting ready for the day.

She’s been spending most of the morning on the porch swing reading one of the two baby books Maggie has gifted her with her tea. Expecting it to simply be that until she felt the need to move or Daryl would come home.

Instead a newer Alexandrian named Evan walked passed carrying one of the many boxes for the pantry after their trade in from Oceanside. He glances over to Y/N seeing that she was doing nothing, to his standards, and approached.

“Hey, Y/N right?”

Y/N quickly looks up from her book, nodding with a smile.

“You think you can do inventory for the pantry? Rick wants us to keep numbers down and I’ve got a lot to unpack from the truck”

“Oh, but I was actually—“

“Please—-What’s more important than helping your community?”

My baby? Y/N thought for a moment as his words stung for a moment which lead to her questioning such instead of being clear to herself. “Okay. Just let me grab my jacket”

A couple hours went by and Daryl returned home to no one. It was still light out so he wouldn’t be too surprised if she took a walk around the community but he still worried. He decided to see if the pantry had any peanut butter from what her cravings were last since they didn’t have any.

To his surprise, Y/N was sitting on a stool writing down the numbers of everything she had put away.

“What are you doing, sunshine?” Daryl whispers bringing himself behind her leaning over to see the notebook for the pantry records. “You should be home”

“This needed to be done”

“There’s plenty of other people that could’ve done that. Who asked you to do this?”

“It doesn’t matter if all I did was sit and count everything. I didn’t move very much…don’t you worry now” Y/N laughs softly even if Daryl gained a suspicion that she was hiding something, which she was but her feelings were the ones she kept to herself mostly in the moment.

Daryl frowns wishing she would tell him more, but she was only going to be stubborn. So the man pulled up a stool beside her and helped her with the remaining numbers…relaxing when she leaned against him.

“Rick”

“Daryl? The hell you doing over here this early?” Rick questions as he sets Judith down so she could run to Daryl hugging his leg until the man picked her up. “Is Y/N up or somethin’?”

“No, but I’m curious about somethin’ regarding my wife” Daryl sighs setting Judith on the counter while Rick hands her her water cup. “She’s been exhausted lately”

“Like most pregnant people?”

“Nah like. She can’t get up exhausted and she ain’t even that far into the 3rd trimester”

“Well, since I can guess where this might be going? I only ask her to watch Judith if Michonne and I have somethin’ to do together. I don’t know who else would ask her since most of the newbies know you and are afraid of you” Rick shrugs being handed his daughter’s cup from her. “If she’s not telling you it’s because of what somebody said and what her mind did with such”

Daryl frowns not knowing exactly what he has to do to get her to talk to him. He watches Judith and Rick interact for a moment, how caring the man was to his daughter so he thought to go in that direction.

The archer came home in the early afternoon after setting up snares in a few spots around Alexandria, heading upstairs to find his wife sitting up in bed exhausted even after a nap.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, she just kicked me really hard is all…” Y/N sighs wiping away the stray tear from such as Daryl brought himself to sit with her resting his hand on her belly. “I thought you’d be out a little longer”

“The snares were easy to put up” He states watching her gaze focus on his hand rubbing circles on her swollen belly. “Y/N, I know you’re over-working yourself”

“I’m not?” Lie

“Sweetheart…You’re doin’ somethin’ instead of taking it easy”

“What else am I supposed to do? You won’t let me work on the nursery and I can get restless in here sometimes”

“Yea can do shit yeah. But I’m talkin’ all the repairing and big change type shit happening in the community. Everyone knows your pregnant and that you should be takin’ it easy”

“Daryl…”

“Y/N. It’s your body and in the end, do whatever yea want. But that’s my baby too and I care about the both of you a fuckton. If somebody is making yea feel bad and tryin’ to get yea to do all these extra tasks, come and get me. I’ll tear the bitch a new one”

“Can’t have you picking fights, Dar” Y/N laughs a little resting her hand over his as her expression falls once more. “You’ll be around tomorrow right?”

“Want me to ditch my run and spend time with yea? Doubt anybody would notice”

“Carol would! And one of us should at least be useful around here”

Daryl rolls his eyes a second, keeping his hand on her belly worrying slightly to what might happen within the walls while he’s gone.

“Why me?”

“Because I trust yea to radio me”

“And not Rick or Michonne or Rosita or literally anybody else?” Aaron questions walking with his friend through Alexandria the following morning. “Plus I have shit to do around here. Like securing the waterline for the gardens”

“I’m just asking yea to tell me if you see her outside our place.”

“But that could be for any reason”

“If she looks like she’s doin’ something she shouldn’t. Then radio me” Daryl scoffs. “I don’t want her overworking herself. Especially given how hot it is”

“Okay that I can do, but still. Only if I see her” Aaron sternly states before going to get started on his work while Daryl steps outside the gates to be greeted with Carol and Jerry.

He did exactly what was asked of him. Even if for the most part he’s caught glimpses of Y/N, but she would mainly talk to people or walk around. Nothing too crazy. She even spent time with him at least once during the time Daryl was gone, but only for a few minutes. Aaron asked her if she had to do anything and she said no, but when he went to check on her after checking on his daughter she looked even more exhausted since the last time he saw her.

“Daryl?”

Daryl frowns pulling off to the side a moment on his bike to answer the static as Carol noticed him pull off before doing the same in the car they’ve got. “What happened?”

“She wanted me to radio you.”

“…You got caught didn’t you?”

“Im sorry! I saw her pace from the corner of my eye or at least what looked like it when I was helping Eugene solder some pipes. So I went to check on her and she smacked me! Not hard but enough to get me to tell her why I’ve been having my eye on her all day”

Daryl sighs pinching the bridge of his nose as he didn’t know how to respond to such besides apologize. He put his radio back on his belt about to get his bike started against when Carol honked for his attention.

“We don’t need an escort back home”

“I’d feel better knowing y’all got back safe”

“We’ll radio you then! Or whoever gets the radio after you return” Jerry reassures with Carol nodding in agreement.

With that they split their ways as Daryl watches the gates open the second he got close, making it a clear shot to go back to their place. Then he noticed Y/N sat on the porch steps looking as if she was going to pass out. It didn’t get better when he got off his bike approaching her, noticing how red she was and the discomfort written on her expression.

“Y/N—-“

“I’m so exhausted” She sobbed holding her belly as Daryl crouched in front of her gently wiping away the tears. “I’ve been running around all day and Aaron was fucking watching me and I would’ve just stayed inside if this stupid guy’s words didn’t get to me”

“What? Who said what—“ Daryl pulled out of the conversation with his wife to hear the foot steps approaching and her name being called out.

“I’ve got another thing for yea to—-“ Evan stops talking when he locked eyes with Daryl and turned to see Y/N’s situation.

Oh he fucked up

“You’ve been asking my goddamn wife to do all these goddamn tasks and chores JUST SO YOU WOULDNT HAVE TO DO’EM?!” Daryl snaps as he rose to his feet getting up in the poor guy’s face. He guessed the reason, since Y/N thought he was just guilting her to do work around the place since she lives her to. But what Daryl said was the real reason. He didn’t want to do his work and saw an opportunity. Granted…he picked the wrong person.

“I-I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—“

“You’re right. You shouldn’t fucking have” Daryl grabbed the guy by the collar about to throw him with the amount of anger building in him.

“Dar…stop”

“WHY DID YEA DO IT?!” He snaps again as he heard his name called out once more but it was followed with a small gasp. The archer practically tossed the guy onto his ass before changing his demeanor and checking his wife noticing the tears fall more. “Come on, I’m takin’ yea to Siddiq whether you like it or not”

Bed rest. Fucking bed rest. Y/N was put on it in hopes her stress will go down to help her blood pressure and to get much needed fluids. Since she didn’t think twice about her needs when her mind was against her.

Once she got comfortable, Daryl opened the windows once it was late so the cool night air could come through. He also filled her canteen whenever she emptied it, but the most recent time he came back to their bedroom with a filled bottle he noticed her tearing up and avoiding eye contact.

“Sunshine, what’s wrong?” He asks in almost a whisper bringing himself to her side kneeling beside it. “Is it the baby? Are you in pain?”

“No…I’m just. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry” She pouts wiping away her tears, feeling his hand gently cup her cheek as his thumb wipes away the tears. “I could’ve really ruined things…the baby, she could’ve—-“

“Stop. You stopped and you’re relaxing. Taking it easy from now on”

“Yeah, but forced bed rest to start…and I will be alone for most of it anyway”

“The fuck that’s supposed to mean?” Daryl scoffs with a half smile seeing the confusion grow on her face as he brought his hand to take hers. “If yea think I’m leavin’ yea after this shit. Then you’re wrong”

“You…You’re gonna…but what about—-“

“Fuck the Sanctuary. Rick can find somebody else” The archer states squeezing her hand gently. “My family needs me”

[dark-moonlust]

Sleigh Ride with your Satyr Part 1

Pairing: Satyr x winter elf reader

Summary: you are a winter elf and you are going on a Festive Sleigh Ride with your best friend, a Satyr named Kylo. He takes you on a sleigh ride, pointing out constellations until the cozy sleigh ride turns into so much more than a conversation.

Warnings: friends to lovers, mutual feelings and confession, fluff and cuteness, steamy kisses.

This part will give you all those sweet, friends-to-lovers vibes—the sweet longing looks, the accidental touches, the “oh no, we can’t possibly… but maybe?” moments. 🥹 And the next part (available on my patreοn is straight-up SMUT CITY). 

It was a crisp evening, the clouds thick in the sky, the air kissing your face. Snow crunched under the sleigh's runners and the faint jingling of bells echoed. You were spending time with your best friend Kylo, a satyr with whom you’d grown up since childhood. You were a winter elf, unaffected by the snow and harsh weather and he was just as unaffected, being a creature full of vigor and raw energy.

Kylo was a cheeky fellow and a damn handsome one. He was all muscle and sinew wrapped in thick, sun-bronzed skin. His upper body was almost godlike, with muscular arms, broad shoulders and chest.

In your eyes, he was ruggedly attractive, with a sharp face with dark stubble, thin smirking lips and deep earthy eyes. Horns curled proudly from his head— he always had them polished to perfection. His legs were similar to those of a beast, with thick dark gritty fur and feet that tapered down into hooves.

“See that constellation?” Kylo brought the sleigh to a halt beneath a canopy of snow-dusted branches, drawing your attention. He noticed your hazy expression and nudged you with his elbow, pointing up at a cluster of stars scattered across the sky.

You blinked and looked up, listening to his rich voice as he gestured, his hand tracing the lines with his finger.

“That one there, that’s the Archer constellation. It looks like a centaur wielding a bow and arrow and it’s associated with Crotus, the satyr who hung out with the Muses on Mount Helicon."

“You really love astrology,” you said, marveling at the beautiful sky, scattered with silver stars.

“Well… it’s one of the things I love.”

“It’s the thing you love the most!”

“I wouldn’t swear on it.” His eyes held you but then he looked away. “Constellations are fun and that is that.”

“What is the thing you love the most?” you asked, persisting.

“Leave it,” he muttered and shifted the reins to set the sleigh in motion.

“Oh, come on!” You stopped him, gripping his arm and gazing at him. “Don’t be stingy! What is the thing you love the most?”

“Spendingtimewithyou,” he muttered but it came out so fast and husky that you didn’t catch it all.

“What?”

“What?” Kylo shrugged, regretting a hundred times what he had let slip from his stupid mouth. You were studying him intensely, close to him —like a magnet pulling at his heart. There was a peaceful hush around you and it felt heavy, as if the air was thick with his reckless words.

“Did you just day… you love spending time with me?” you asked, your heart slipping a beat or two.

He nodded, a little shy which was so unlike him. “I love spending time with you. More than is considered friendly. I've kept it hidden for a long time, but today, with the way you’re tucked against me, so warm and soft... I can't keep it hidden.”

That particular look on him, the vulnerable way he faced you, made your core heat. You were speechless, sweet warmth tantalizing your core at what he had just confessed.

Was it your idea or were your dreams and hopes becoming real?

“Well you finally caught me, alright?” he added grumpily. “I’ve grown up with you, I’ve known everything about you, and yet, it’s still not enough. I’m greedy. I want you all. All to myself even if that means risking everything.”

“Kylo…. Oh Kylo…” you murmured. "I like you, Kylo. I've always liked you."

It was Kylo’s turn to look at you aghast, his handsome face shocked, his jaw slack. His eyes were large, his whole attention on you. He’d been trailing after you for years, praying that you’d start liking him, hoping for a miracle, and finally… after so long it was coming true.

“My feelings for you have been there since the beginning," you added with a little pride. "I felt so many things." Your gaze dropped, unable to maintain his penetrating stare. "But I guess I always thought that… that maybe you didn't feel the same."

“Is this for real, sweeting?” he asked, a smile playing on his lips as he put an arm around you, pulling you against him.

“Hmmm, I’ve wanted you for so long.”

“Do you know what it's been like," he whispered, his voice low and raw, "trying to hide it every day? Pretending I could keep my hands to myself as if I didn't desire anything more from you than a fleeting friendly moment?"

His hand remained there, warm around you, and you leaned into him as if you’d been starved for this touch.

“I’m sorry. So sorry we missed this chance,” you whispered, your fingers reaching up to brush against his cheek.

“It’s alright, sweeting. As long as we have each other.” He turned his head and kissed your palm. “I want to be yours. Every day and night. Forever.”

“Me, too. Starting from tonight. Just you, me, and the stars to keep us company.”

Did you enjoy?? Find part 2 with all the smut on my Patreon! I love how it turned out. Do you?

[radio-fmm]

Full bloom

Zoro x reader

Warnings: fem reader, swearing, reader is mad at Zoro, SFW

Word count: 1.7k

Summary: In which you overhear Zoro talking badly about you.

Notes: This is also my bird!reader but decided to take another rote with this one idk this is literally just my one piece self insert just wanted to write about them

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

PT2 ➜

You were not the kind to fall slow, you’ll fall completely flat, rough and knowing it’ll probably hurt badly, not even stretching your hands to stop the fall, pouring your whole heart and soul

You’ll fall hard

The moment you saw Zoro Roronoa you knew you were doomed, falling for someone like him was gonna be a huge problem not only because he so happened to be part of the pirate crew you were asked to join, but because you quickly picked up he wasn’t a feelings kind of guy, he was stoic and closed up like a big old book with a even bigger lock

But one day the feelings for the swordsman that had bloomed in your heart were quick to wither and rot, after overhearing a conversation between him a some other members of the crew

“I don’t know why you invited her Luffy” Zoro scoffed “An archer is useless we already have Usopp he’s a good shooter, and her powers are ridiculous”

Your heart sinked at every word that left Zoro’s mouth, after feeling rejected your whole life and thinking you had finally found a place where you belonged, you’re proven wrong once again

“Don’t say that Zoro!” Luffy defended which made you smile a little “She’s not only that! Y/n is this very powerful warrior and turning into a bird is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!” He sounded excited, at least your captain liked you

Zoro’s silence was like a dagger going through your poor heart, holding your breath in hopes he’ll answer and say that he was wrong, but instead your ears catch Sanji’s mischievous laugh

“Don’t tell me you feel threatened by such a gorgeous lady mosshead”

You were thorn between running away or pull yourself closer to the door to listen, but Zoro made that decision for you after hearing a muffled thud followed by his loud screaming

“Shut up! I’m going to be the world’s greatest swordsman I am never intimidated specifically by some stupid bird you dumb cook!” You stood outside the door, hurt and angry, you thought Zoro would be different from the men in your island, always overlooking you and judging your abilities for reasons you couldn’t control

After this incident you decided to avoid the green haired pirate completely, if he already was hard to talk to, whenever you were tasked to do something together you kept your mouth shut, always training opposite sides of the Merry and answering him coldly. Everyone picked up on your change in behavior, the contrast between how you treated literally everyone else, even strangers, compared to Zoro was palpable, your whole aura shifted at the sight of him

But as upset as you were, you two made perfect fighting partners. Those were the only times when you’ll put your pride aside, after all you were a professional and valued the place Luffy had offered you in the crew, and as much as you hated to admit it, Zoro was an exceptional swordsman.

After some time, the stoic man had warmed up to your presence, he now respected you since he saw you were not only capable but complemented him in battle like no one else in the crew. Everything he knew about you was only things he’ll pick up when you would chat with others or little antics and traits he’ll put attention to, but it was enough to trust you and have a real read into your character

“Why do you always avoid me?” Zoro asked one time while you both walked back to the Going Merry, he had gotten lost again, and you were the assigned Zoro’s compass since you were able to fly around and find him easily, which you didn’t quite enjoy especially now that he decided to instigate whatever had happened between you two

You scoffed “Where did you get that idea from?”

“Everyone notices how mean you are to me and I am not blind” mean, that word lingered like poison in your ears, you were the kind of person to always try be the best version of yourself, being patient and understanding, so hearing Zoro calling you mean felt unfair

“I have my reasons” the green haired pirate noticed your body language change completely, you stiffened and your breath quickened, fist clenching. This wasn’t exactly the direction he wanted this conversation to go but he wasn’t quite good at talking

“How dramatic” he whispered but loud enough so you’ll hear him, already giving up in a peaceful chat

You stopped in your tracks anger boiling up and reaching your tongue immediately “Oh fuck off” Zoro’s eyes widened, he had never heard you swear let alone seen you this angry before

“You can go ahead and call me whatever you want, but you don’t know me Zoro” there you stood in front of this man that doubled you in size, eyes that froze him in place, your face was red with fury and the tension could be seen from a mile away. The swordsman backed up slowly, was he feeling threatened?

“But if you did, you’ll know I know better than to talk shit behind my crewmates back” in a swift move you morphed into your bird form, not wanting to continue the conversation and soared the skies, high enough so he could still follow you back

No one had ever stood up to Zoro that way before, he silently walked under you a million thoughts going through his head at once, what did you meant about talking shit about another crewmate? I mean of course he would talk shit but nothing ever serious, but again, how could you know if he barely even said hi to you?, a little guilt settled on him, maybe he was the mean one after all

Curiosity tickled him as his mouth opened and without thinking twice he screamed your name in hopes you’ll fly back down, after a little thinking you did, perching on a nearby tree before chirping at him

“Can you like… not… be a bird?” You made what it seemed to be an angry sound before morphing back to your original form while soaring down, landing in front of him arms crossed brows furrowed

“I don’t talk to assholes” you had always been the bigger person your whole life, so acting petty maybe wasn’t your style but really you didn’t cared enough what Zoro would think of you, after all you still seemed to think he viewed you as useless

“You still haven’t answered my question” his tone shifted, you had started to annoy him, he hated people that aren’t straightforward “I don’t know you you’re right, but maybe if you allowed me to we wouldn’t be here in the first place”

“I know you didn’t wanted me in the strawhats” you blurted out, knowing he wouldn’t drop the matter before arriving back to the ship and wanted to avoid everyone hearing you “You think I’m ridiculous and useless” that came out way shakier than you wanted to, finally showing how hurt you actually felt “My whole life I’ve been underestimated, I’m a woman and my powers are always taken as a joke, my abilities never recognized just because of how I look and who I am, when I joined you guys I thought I could leave that behind…”

The swordsman felt a knot forming on his throat, feeling absolutely unequipped for this situation and mostly, guilty, guilty he had ever made you feel something remotely close to this. It was true, when you first joined he didn’t quite agreed on Luffys decision but after all he was the captain, but you had proven him wrong showing your hard work and talents. For a moment you reminded him of someone he had cared for long ago, which made this whole fiasco even worse, feeling terrible he couldn’t even mutter a response, only standing before you absolutely bare.

“I am not asking you to be my best friend in the world, just for respect and some trust, at least the same one you give everyone else” ouch, your words as soft as they left your lips felt sharp, cutting onto Zoro’s ears.

You search his features for a reaction, an expression, anything, but he was unreadable still a stranger to you. Regret simmered in your gut, maybe should’ve kept your thoughts to yourself

Before you could walk away any further from him, Zoro gripped your wrist forcing you to stay and look back at him

“I actually think you’re pretty skilled for a bird” he offered you a small lopsided smile to try and freshen the mood which you were thankful for “You’re a fearless fighter, and more capable than others in the crew, If I ever made you think any different I apologize”

A breath you didn’t know you were holding escaped your lips, grateful he wasn’t actually an ass like you had painted him to be

“You gotta watch your mouth Roronoa” you smirked back “Could’ve lost your perfect fighting partner” you pulled yourself out of his grip and walked towards the Merry

Zoros laugh ringed in your ears, something you never thought you’ll hear, at least between only you two “This means you’ll stop training by yourself and finally join me? Or are you too scared?”

A heavy weight lifted from swordsman’s shoulders, finally able to bond with you and solving the never ending mystery the haunted him because contrary to your beliefs, he always noticed the distance you drew between you and him, it ate him alive. But now, you could finally see yourselves in your true colors, enjoy your time together and grow closer

“Yeah like you scare me” you pushed him playfully a smile tugging on your lips “If you wanted to train with me so bad should’ve just asked”

Zoro rolled his eyes “Don’t get too cocky birdie, I could destroy you in a sparring session anytime”

Slowly but surely, the swordsman had once again found his way into your heart, the garden that once withered grew strong once again, and little did you knew that you had also made love bloom in his, but that was a problem to deal with another time

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Gonna most likely make this a series ☝🏻 like always request are open and feel free to correct me English is not my first language

[dandylovesturtles]

Now that 2024 is coming to a close:

1) Of everything you've made this year, which ones are you the most proud of?

2) What are a few of your favorite things (art, comics, fics, etc) that someone else has made this past year?

(Gonna apologize in advance that this answer won’t have specific links because I moved fast)

1. Well, this year I finished I May Be Invisible, But I Still Look Good, which was a major accomplishment for me! It’s the longest thing I’ve ever written, and I was really proud of myself for sticking it out to the end. It got way bigger than I ever expected, and big thanks again to everyone who came on the ride with me.

Of the things I started this year, my favorite has been the emotional support water bottles AKA Room Fic. Kind of insane to think I came up with the first one while eating lunch and dropped all my plans for the afternoon to write the whole thing in one day lol! I hope to get the last followup done soon, I’ve just had a little trouble getting my mojo.

There’s another project I started this year that I hoped to have out already but maybe sometime in the first part of next year. I’m excited to share it when it’s done!

2. Oh boy I’ll try to get everything!

I of course enjoyed some ongoing projects this year, including Replica AU by @kathaynesart, Sep Leo AU by @dianagj-art, 2 Arms Left by @intotheelliwoods, Adagio in Green by @boxfullaturtles, and Empyrean Weeping by @cupcakeslushie! Also shoutout to the @tizeline Sep AU where Donnie is the most chaotic only child, and @vangh17a ‘s Wanderer comic which is beautiful and intriguing.

@remedyturtles broke all our hearts with Firefight this year and I had a great time teaming up during the AU Comp! Also LOVED their fic about third man syndrome, but I’m always a sucker for Leo and his papa.

I love everything @goodlucktai has ever written but I especially loved the recent A Team fics and also the Archer AU! Gio is so precious

On the subject of lost siblings, I am privileged to be the beta reader for @kiaxet ‘s fic Siblingquest. Cissy is also precious, and I’m really excited about Kia’s future plans for the story!

And there’s just been a ton of great art this year from so many people, including @e-turn @trilobitepunch @koolaidashley and so many others. I know I’m missing so many people but this community is just full of talented, amazing artists!

And finally, my biggest love and shoutout for this year goes to @untitled-tmnt-blog , who not only makes GORGEOUS art pieces, but who made me a whole physical BOOK for IMBI!! Seriously the most touching thing anyone has ever done for me. PLEASE check out untitled’s art (and writing!) because everything she does is amazing.

And so many others who have talked with me about this fun show and who listen to me rambling about my endless AU ideas. You are all so cool. Here’s to 2025!

And thanks for the ask!

[cc-tinslebee]

Gojo and Nanami's class years adopting orphaned teens as a canon event (the playlist)

a playlist inspired by Gojo & Megumi, Nanami & Yuji, Geto & Nanako/Mimiko, and my own au of Shoko & Junpei (they are NOT beating the adoption allegations)

listen on spotify!

Harpy Hare - Yaelokre she can't keep them all safe / they will die and be afraid / mother, tell me so I say / Harpy Hare, where have you buried all your children?

Mama's Boy - Dominic Fike half of my heart is in your chest, I’m not a mama’s boy

Mama - My Chemical Romance mama, we’re meant for the flies / and right now, they’re building a coffin your size

Taking What's Not Yours - TV Girl you know where to find me / and I know where to look

Reflections - The Neighbourhood I see my reflection in your eyes (I sold my soul for you, I know you see it too)

Devil’s Advocate - The Neighbourhood I’m the devil’s advocate / you don’t know the half of it / good luck tryna manage it / if a god is a dog and a man is a fraud, then I’m a lost cause

I Bet On Losing Dogs - Mitski I know they’re losing and I’ll pay for my place by the ring / where I’ll be looking in their eyes when they’re down

everything i wanted - Billie Eilish as long as I’m here, no one can hurt you / don’t wanna lie here, but you can learn to

This Night Has Opened My Eyes - The Smiths a shoeless child on a swing / reminds you of your own again / she took away your troubles / oh, but then again she left pain

New Person, Same Mistakes - Tame Impala feel like a brand new person (but you’ll make the same old mistakes)

The Archer - Taylor Swift screaming, who could ever leave me, darling? / and who could stay? / you could stay

If We Have Each Other - Alec Benjamin if we have each other, then we’ll both be fine / I will be your mother, and I’ll hold your hand / you should know I’ll be there for you

Beautiful Boy - John Lennon the monster’s gone / he’s on the run and your daddy’s here

1985 - Bo Burnham my dad was happier than I am / if I could be anyone, dead or alive / I would wanna be my dad in 1985

The Future - Bo Burnham is it gonna end? (Yeah) / When? (Never) / It’s just another day of hanging with my daughter / and I’m living in the future

United in Grief - Kendrick Lamar I hope you find some peace of mind in this lifetime (tell them, tell them the truth)

Daddy Issues - The Neighbourhood go ahead and cry, little boy / you know that your daddy did too / you know what your mama went through

Cinnamon Girl - Lana Del Ray there’s things I wanna talk about / but better not to give / but if you hold me without hurting me / you’ll be the first who ever did

Euphoria - Kendrick Lamar y’all think all my life is rap? / that’s hoe shit, I got a son to raise, but I can see you don’t know nothin’ ‘bout that

She Knows - J. Cole, Cults, Amber Coffman bad things happen to the people you love / and you find yourself praying up to heaven above / but honestly I’ve never had much sympathy / ‘cause those bad things, I always saw them coming for me

Almost (Sweet Music) - Hozier I got some colour back / she thinks so, too / I laugh like me again / she laughs like you

I Hear a Symphony - Cody Fry I used to hear a simple song / that was until you came along / now in its place is something new / I hear it when I look at you

Duvet - bôa I am hurting / I have lost it all

[humandisorderincarnatedean]

i didn’t make a ‘something else’ option because i want people to vote on these songs only but if you feel I’ve left out a very important and fundamental dean song please tell me about it in the tags because I wanna hear what I’ve missed!!!

(if there’s a song you don’t recognize on here I encourage you to seek it out and listen to it because all of these songs relate back to dean for me in very different ways and i wanted to share that <3)

additionally if you disagree with ALL of these and think none of them are good options for a ‘dean thesis song’ poll please do not feel obliged to tell me <3 leave suggestions if you want! or make your own poll <3 enjoy a nice autumn day

[loviingpedri]

eras tour - christian pulisic

warnings: grammar issues, cursing, some suggestive things(?)

credits to owners for the images.

this will be written from philadelphia night 2. i recommend listening to the setlist while reading, enjoy!!!

christian pulisic knew you were a major swiftie. it was only right that you were dating a taylor-coded man.

“christian, are you ready to see your pennsylvania twin?” you jumped in excitement. you anticipated this day. you wore your lover corset with the classic flowy white pants. whilst, christian matched with you. his lover themed pastel jacket over a white shirt which were complimented with white pants.

“yes ma’am. i’ve been preparing this entire day.” it was true. christian was dedicated to learn the entire setlist just to sing along with you. he even prepared for the surprised songs. of course, his favorite album was fearless because of the country songs. his second one would be her debut, Taylor Swift, but he was disappointed since it wasn’t in the setlist.

arriving to the stadium, mostly swifties’ boyfriends asked him for an autograph and pictures. trading bracelets was probably the most memorable thing to him. he was shocked on how positive swifties are.

lover

your favorite album was lover. which made sense to take your boyfriend since the introduction was lover. each song from the album seemed to symbolize your relationship. the lyrics to miss americana & the heartbreak prince was sang with full passion.

“you know, some people call her miss americana and you’re captain america.” christian was always shocked every time you tell him what his fans say online. he put emphasize on the lyric “it’s you and me” into your ear.

christian had learned the lyrics to cruel summer even before listening to the setlist. he listened to it so much. you played it in the car, while you were cooking, sometimes he would hear it in his sleep. he especially knew the bridge since you constantly yelled it.

he was amazed at your confidence during “the man”. he was dancing while you sang the song. the hand gestures while the eye contact spread love throughout your body. the vibes during “you need to calm down” were unmatched. it was mostly you “calming down”for the next 2 hours of screaming.

during lover, christian looked at you with nothing but love. if they had enough space, he would’ve pulled you into slow dancing. each time you made eye contact, it was almost like hearts in each of your eyes sparkled. christian put his arm around your shoulder while rocking side to side as you sang the lyrics. “you’re my lover.” he said to you before kissing your forehead.

the archer was one of your all-time favorite songs in the album. you screamed the lyrics while christian praised you. he held your hand as you were pointing to taylor and singing with her.

videos went out of you and christian dancing. both of you didn’t have a care in the world. it felt that your relationship was in the lover era.

fearless

christian was hyped up after mostly relaxing during the last 3 songs. the inner cowboy in him suddenly came out. christian seemed to be singing louder than you during fearless. the iconic heart hands were held up. you wanted to the do the fearless spin with her, but there was no space. christian seemed so excited, you thought he was gonna fall through the floor based on how much he was jumping. “you belong with me” was the “couple” moment between you two. holding hands while screaming the chorus was a sign to the universe that you were soulmates. actually, his smile did light up the whole stadium. it didn’t matter if the singing was horrible, it only mattered that your boyfriend was happy to be with you at the concert. during karaoke, he would sing along with you even if it wasn’t a duet.

love story was bound to make you cry. luckily, you couldn’t relate to the song since your parents adored him. singing the lyrics made you realize that there’s nothing to stop your relationship. your love story was perfect. you pointed to him while singing “you were romeo”. christian had realized the amount of proposals around you. did he have an engagement ring ready? yes. did he plan on proposing today? no, but he wished he did. it would’ve been a perfect moment. he regretted not proposing during love story, but there were other chances.

evermore

you manifested ‘tis the damn season energy away from your relationship. evermore was definitely the most peaceful album. it was the most prettiest stage with the trees. willow made you dance the most softest way ever. screaming the lyrics.

“that’s my man.” pointing right at christian then hugging him. he listened to you sing knowing you dedicated the lyrics towards him. he was rocking you while listening to your voice. majorie and champagne problems were mostly heartbreaking songs. all christian could think about was if you were concentrating on the lyrics. the bridge of champagne problems really messed with your head.

“she would’ve made such a lovely bride. what a shame she was fucked in the head.” emotions was filled. if anything, you considered asking christian to break up with you 24 hours before to make the concert even more emotional. but the song was the biggest “what if?”.

tolerate it was a song that made you think of what christian was thinking. evermore was the emotional wreck album. what if you were too attached to him? he gave you a smile in reassurance as you gave him a sad look. he knew what was going through your mind.

reputation

BEST HYPE ALBUM EVER. if you weren’t in your lover era, then this would be top 10 in no question. ready for it was the go to bad bitch song. constant head bopping and jumping. you were practically screaming the lyrics to christian’s face. all he could do was praise you for the excitement releasing out of your body. fortunately, ready for it was the beginning. the rest of the energy was saved for the rest of reputation.

delicate was the song to describe christian’s current situation. after the rumors of transfers, the amount of deals, just the complicated mess of things. you stood by his side no matter what. no matter how frustrated he was, no matter the complicated situation, no matter the indecisive thoughts, you were always there to help ease his mind.

“my reputation’s never been worse, so you must like me for me.” the constant hate for betraying chelsea was unmatched. it was a bold move to attend the concert after the shitty season and for even trying to transfer. you knew christian loved the song, but damn, you’ve never seen your boyfriend sing a song with so much passion.

fuck his passion, don’t blame me was playing. the hip swinging and the hair flipping was constantly happening. you sang so loud that you could only hear yourself at one point.

“don’t blame me, love made me crazy.” you put your hands on christian’s shoulders and shook him. you just proved that your drug was in fact him. he loved the song as much as you did, but apparently he did not get the memo for the bridge. he tried to sing it with her, but you quickly shut him up.

“SHUT UP SHE’S ABOUT TO TAKE US TO CHURCH.” a moment of silence for the queen singing her iconic high note. the whole stadium roared right after. your whole night was made after the high note. let’s talk about the transition from don’t blame me to look what you made me do was crazy. it was smart, iconic, and every positive word in the dictionary. you danced along with taylor as she sang. meanwhile, christian just stood beside you singing with his arms crossed. he obviously wasn’t feeling the vibe you were going for. if anything, you danced just as dramatically as her. the night was beautiful. if it wasn’t for your boyfriend, you would’ve been in your reputation era even if there was no enemies to sing to.

speak now

enchanted was your shit. speak now in general was one of the best. was it sad that it was only one song? of course. was it worth it? fuck yes.

“i was enchanted to you. this night is sparkling, don’t you let it go.” now you and christian were facing each other while holding hands. you sang the lyrics so loud, he faked getting teary eyed. taylor’s bridges were like a match made in heaven. you knew every one by heart. this one was by far the most passion you expressed in the whole concert. enchanted was basically the story of how you met him. except, the story is still continuing today.

(guys i swear this would be longer if it wasn’t one song.)

red

22 was amazing. it was definitely the happiest song, which reminded you of the happiest time. you first met christian on your 22 birthday. 22 was the favorite number, favorite song, and favorite age. it reminded you of peaceful times. it brings back your clubbing days sometimes.

“keep dancing like we’re 22” the eras concert did in fact keep you dancing like you were 22. christian was only 24, but he could not keep dancing like that prime time or he would have aching bones in the morning.

now, IF the breakup would end up messy, we are never getting back together would be blasting into christian’s ears nonstop. christian constantly looked at you in shock as you sang with so much passion. at one point, he was so confused that he questioned if the relationship was over.

listen, it wasn’t the best story to tell your parents that you met your future husband at a club. but, it matched “i knew you were trouble” . it wasn’t the most romantic “first met” story, he definitely caused trouble to get your attention. the lyrics didn’t match his personality, thank god. yet, he would’ve been humbled by the way you screamed like you were in agony for the song.

all too well was the best 10 minutes of your life. previously, you made a whole document interpreting the whole song because christian asked. he knew the whole song since he was team fuck jake gyllenhaal. he promised not to mess you over if you didn’t write a whole 10 minute song about him.

“dancing around in the kitchen” favorite lyric because it was your favorite bonding time with christian. although the song was very heartbreaking, you smiled to yourself thinking about all of the memories with your lovely boyfriend. you remembered it all too well. before christian, you freshly got out of a toxic relationship. this song touched your heart because it was the biggest "fuck you" to the past. christian mumbled the lyrics knowing how you felt about the song. he knew the sad memories that ran through your head. his arm over you, you hugging his torso. now you could only remember his comfort all too well.

folklore

you were giddy at “the 1”. you matched your little jumps to the beat. christian was the one even if the song talked about heartbreak. you didn’t have a dream, he was doing his cool shit with you. you were the one for him, and he was the one for you. you didn’t have to wish for anything, he was the something and you wouldn’t change anything about him.

betty was also meaningful to you. betty reminded you of your ex trying to win you back with his shitty paragraph after he had been caught making out with a girl at a party. luckily, christian was always there to help you. you happily moved on in your life, also answering to his paragraph with a picture of you and christian making out. “plus i saw you dance with him.” yep, the next day you saw your ex at the club. you mostly dedicated your time to dancing with your soulmate. he was so desperate that he came to your house trying to win you over with flowers. he was yelling outside your door about how you were the only one for him. he constantly said that he missed you, but too bad you didn’t feel the same about him. he finally shut up and left when christian opened the door with only a towel covering his waist down, clearly annoyed.

you couldn’t lie, taylor was the best story-teller. “the last great american dynasty” was a song which you couldn’t think much, but only sing. you and christian waved your arms side to side as you swayed your hips to the rhythm.

august was the shit. YOUR shit. it brings back the memory of you and christian in your living room spinning round and round to the song. especially after getting involved into watching the summer i turned pretty. who knew a celebrity could be so interested in a show about a teenage love triangle. after binge watching the show, the song definitely hit harder. the bridge was the most intense singing. if the space wasn’t tiny, then you would fall on your knees pretending to have a mic. fortunately, thats a performance only christian would get at home. hand in hand, you and christian were yelling the lyrics to each other’s faces.

illicit affairs leaves a memory of denial. you honestly thought christian was a one night stand. no, you didn't cheat. did you hide from your family and friends? yes you did. you didn't think christian would take you serious since he was famous. it was shocking when he asked you for a second date. hiding your phone when he texted you. how you denied smiling at your phone after his mildly funny joke. how at parties you hid in the bathroom just to talk to him. you knew you loved him when he asked to meet at a cafe in the middle of day, leaving your parents at home with a dumb excuse of "i need to go for a run". you knew, you would ruin yourself for him.

folklore was an emotional album. it literally summarized your last boyfriend. cheating, manipulative, and upsetting. you felt freedom without your ex in the life. christian's grip on your hand tighten. my tears ricochet was a song you were thankful for. you felt the need to move on. fuck those memories, and you were doing better than ever.

cardigan was a song you always played on road trips. christian knew what was coming. even if the song was about a love triangle, it would always bring you back into dancing with him on a snowy night in an empty road. sometimes, christian would listen to it on his own time after a lost. "cause when you are young, they assume you know nothing". it was a perfect summary for the last season at chelsea. after months of denial in his career, it was known ac milan was gonna be the best decision.

1989

style was a song to describe the up-beat relationship. after successfully sneaking out from friends and family, didn't even know where you were going, you knew he was gonna be your forever person. in that car ride, he would look at you with a little sparkle in his eyes, specifically looking at your red glossed lips. it felt like y'all would be driving for hours since he would be looking at you whenever he could. both of you never wanting the moment to end. as you played with his freshly new beach blonde hair, often complimenting it when he kept asking you if you liked it. then to innocently playing with the strings of his ripped jeans that were accompanied to his white shirt that was definitely randomly picked to go pick you up. making his bold move to touching your thigh on the car ride, which was not far from the hem of your skirt. even after multiple calls from your parents as you walked through the park. literally dancing to some random music on the empty streets. it felt like the roads were only made for you and him to walk back and forth together. you really did want him to take you home, and to stay with you forever.

blank space is basically your drunk thoughts. the first verse is your drunk thoughts in the club as you approached christian. it was a recap of your jealous nights as girls swarmed over your boyfriend. blank space was like a symbol to a fresh new relationship. it also described a messy phase between the two. almost ruining the whole relationship considering your delusional thoughts of christian only seeing you when it was good for him. what can i say, you and taylor were like twins. shake it off was in christian's top 3 favorite songs (first was our song of course) because after receiving nothing but backlash, he still managed to put up a smile through everything. then, it also resembled the hate comments you were told on social media since revealing your relationship. the pictures on instagram were the simplest "fuck off" as an answer. even the best people get criticism, so just shake off what other people think.

tmi, but wildest dreams was definitely the song for private moments with christian. how he would stare at you in an off-white dress at team parties. how he would wipe off your red lipstick after kissing you. or when he slowly touches your hand while he's in an important conversation. your relationship was definitely not a secret, but it was private. no one knew what you did. the only aspect that was different from wildest dreams was that everything in the relationship lasts forever. you were in his wildest dreams.

ugh the fire that was going to appear during bad blood excited you. bad blood is the ultimate bad bitch song. if better then revenge didn’t tell you that you were the villian, bad blood would definitely humble you. the song was previously saved to christian’s work out and pre-game playlist to get him worked out. nothing gets a man worked up like a good rivalry. both of you screaming the lyrics just seemed like a response to the people who decided to hate for no reason. the fire just made everything better. as you constantly jumped up and down while singing with the random person next to you.

surprise songs

ITS LIKE SHE KNEW CHRISTIAN WAS THERE. the first surprise song was forever & always from the fearless album. i swear, you thought you saw tears forming in his eyes when she didn’t even finish saying once upon a time. forever & always was one of his favorite songs. actually, he previously kept mentioning how happy the beat was for lyrics that was so sad. he even faked playing the guitar along with her as he continued to show his happiness. the way he jumped with his fake guitar reminded you of him doing the same thing in your living room as the tv blasted the song. later on, causing a noise complaint. after the song was finished, he grabbed your shoulders and shook you gently screaming “we are forever & always, but I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE JUST PERFORMED THAT SONG.”

the scream you let out as you recognized the chords to this love. as heartbreaking as the song was, the vocals were unmatched. this love was one of the most underrated songs of 1989 (me manifesting 1989 taylor’s version). you often sang the chorus while cooking, so christian knew all the important parts. you understood how he felt during forever & always. i think you shed a few tears right after. this love never left.

midnights

it was a bit upsetting to know the concert was about to end. lavender haze made you feel some type of way that you never felt before. watching the visuals and props on stage. focusing on her talented dancers. lavender haze was always a song playing from your phone while you’re walking because you didn’t care what people were thinking. especially what they said about your relationship. the song often describes the honeymoon phase, perfect song for the moment in time. the emotions were beginning to come out.

anti-hero was christian’s anthem for the season. he blamed himself for the losses on the games, but he owned up and is doing better now. even though anti-hero lyrics are a bit sad, it was a song for people to own up to their mistakes. christian didn’t need to have the song on repeat, he knew the lyrics from how much it played on the radio or how it was played everywhere when it was released. singing the chorus as loud as you could, he grabbed your hand and just threw them in the air. clapping at the beat with other swifties. more videos taken from fans of just christian’s horrible dancing to it.

midnight rain was your favorite song of the album. christian knew the song very well since you played it while cleaning.

“he was sunshine, i was midnight rain.” although the lyric isn’t as sad, it described the relationship. imagine the golden retriever and black cat duo, that was you two. his smile lit up places, how his humor managed to bring people to laugh. no, you weren’t depressing midnight rain, but rather supportive and private midnight rain. you were always gonna be his number one supporter even when your face isn’t showing it.

instantly, you screamed mother at vigilante shit. christian instantly closed his eyes as respect, but you reassured him that it was okay. actually, it was kinda funny. you thought you felt the floor shake since everyone was so excited for her performance. the confidence came back to you. the song gave you a feeling of putting men into their place. your boyfriend was just looking at you, only looking at the stage when the scenes calmed down. seems like christian was distracted in his thoughts since he was trying to explain to you how funny it was that vigilantes are known as heroes, but one of her other songs were anti-hero.

bejeweled was christian’s favorite. mostly because it reminded him of you. it reminded him of your teeth who were similar to pearls. or how your eyes sparkled like diamonds. or that your outfits were mostly glitter. it almost reminded him on how he would be having a bad day, but when he walks into the house and sees you, his mood instantly changes. you were even glowing when you cried, your tears shaped as sapphires. some people think that jewelry makes you happy, but christian thinks you’re his prettiest jewel.

mastermind is the living proof that you were soulmates with him. i mean, you did everything just to see him. you dropped everything for him. and so did he. he sacrificed anything for you. he cared for you. it wasn’t a coincidence that the universe put you two together. everything happened for a reason. the universe knew you would bring the best out of him, like he brought out the best out of you. even if you planned different ways just for you to see him. you were a mastermind of it all.

karma made you sad and happy at the same time. the end of a happy bonding moment with your boyfriend, but the song was too happy to be sad about. whipping your head side to side as the catchy chorus was sung. your hands also describing what you were singing. christian matched your energy perfectly as the concert was ending. you never felt more happy. i don’t think your wedding could even make you this happy.

[hazbingirliexoxo]

“The Archer” Angel Dust Analysis

A/n: ALRIGHT YALL❣️ it’s been a hot minute (literally a whole month lol rip☠️) but I have FINALLY written this and am ready to share it with everyone!🤩 So I’m a huge Swiftie and I absolutely love Angel😭💕 so listening to this song: “The Archer” instantly made me think of him. I think the lyrics really highlight how his experiences with love have shaped the complexities of his true feelings and while we still have so much more to discover about his and Husk’s developing relationship in the show, I truly think that this song just “screams” them. If you haven’t listened to the song before, I definitely recommend to!😊 Anyway, lez get into it!😎

Note: For reference, I primarily used this article: https://gwtimes.org/1625/music-books-movies/the-archer-taylor-swift-lyric-analysis/ to organize all of my thoughts and opinions on why this song suits Angel so well. I think this author did an excellent job at explaining the real message of the song in regards to Taylor’s life, but this analysis is solely based on my OWN interpretation of how Angel’s character fits this song. Just wanted to clarify. THANK YOU AND ENJOY!!!❤️❤️❤️

Combat, I’m ready for combat

I say I don’t want that, but what if I do?

Cause cruelty wins in the movies

I’ve got a hundred thrown out speeches I almost said to you

Okay so, with these first few lines, we can think about how much Angel has been through, both in life and death. Like anyone else, he’s made mistakes and fought with many people he’s cared about before, whether that be with his birth family (ex: Arackniss, Molly) or his newfound family/friends he’s made at the hotel later on (ex: Charlie, Husk, Niffty, Sir Pentious, etc). But in terms of his actual familial background, Angel was born and raised in the mafia, meaning he’s used to seeing the indescribable horrors and violence associated with that lifestyle. He has no choice but to conjure up this metaphorical shield of “armor” in order to not only protect himself but also, survive. This ultimately makes it very difficult for Angel to form and develop good, healthy relationships, whether that’d be platonic or romantic, because as much as he craves genuine love and affection, isn’t that going against everything he’s known? To not care about what anyone thinks of him because at the end of the day, everyone leaves regardless? Angel Dust is a perfect example of being conditioned to this toxic, negative mindset he’s built for himself every day and we especially see more of this when it comes to his work with Valentino.

Now Angel is a celebrity, the most famous porn star in all of hell. Of course, due to his natural charisma and good looks, all eyes are drawn to him. He’s expected to essentially “put on a show” and show off what he’s “good for” because who could resist the seductive, charming Angel Dust? But that’s the cruel irony behind it all. Angel’s perception of his pornstar persona overshadows the reality of his true self, which makes it easy for him to push people away and not let anyone see the real him. He’s bred to allow people to chase after him, lust after him, because that’s the embodiment of who Angel Dust is, not who Anthony is. Angel Dust doesn’t care if people “leave” him because he knows that one way or another, there’s always someone else who will appreciate him for his “talents”, who will shower him with the desire and attention he so desperately seeks, despite it being superficial. But Anthony? No one knows who that is nor anyone would care to know who Anthony is in Angel’s mind, so rather than reveal his true thoughts, he decides to remain silent and keep them hidden from the public view as a way to protect himself.

Easy they come, easy they go

I jump from the train, I ride off alone

I never grew up, it’s getting so old

Help me hold on to you

Now, these second set of lyrics go a little more in-depth about Angel’s personal life and relationships. The first line expresses how easily he attracts people and yet still drives them away. The second one, however, can be explored through both a platonic and a romantic perspective. In a platonic lens, Angel struggles with making real, genuine friends (other than Cherri) because he’s afraid no one will be interested to get to know him. The same thing can be said in a romantic point of view. Angel loves to flirt, yes, but with his pornstar persona, he over-amplifies it and makes it seem like he’s “on board” in the beginning, but in the slightest sense of any seriousness or vulnerability, he “jumps off”, going his own way because he knows he’s unable to commit. This third line takes a look into how Angel is associated with being the “black sheep” of his family. Despite his somewhat childish nature, Angel’s always causing trouble and has never been the more focused, responsible type like his older brother: Arackniss. But due to these specific family dynamics, this shows how Angel feels like he’s never taken seriously with his true self. And because of that, he doesn’t understand how to grow and mature enough as a person to handle long-term relationships. The last line here can be portrayed as Angel’s inner thoughts and feelings towards his future love interest in the series: Husk. Angel is so used to giving up and running away from the idea of real love because of his own sexual abuse and trauma from Valentino. But throughout his whole afterlife, Husk is the only good man who respects and values Angel for who he truly is and despite how nice yet unfamiliar that feeling is, Angel’s terrified of losing it. Therefore, these lyrics can imply how he’s pleading for Husk to help him stay grounded and focus on exploring and pursuing this new relationship with him.

I’ve been the archer, I’ve been the prey

Who could ever leave me, darling? But who could stay?

In the chorus, we can start to see the lyrics become even more personified towards Angel’s life. He’s been hurt by so many people, yet he’s also his own worst enemy because he’s done the same thing to those who he cares about too, ultimately straining or damaging the relationships as a whole. He wonders why no one would want to stay in his life, but deep down, he knows that he doesn’t make it easy for people to love him either. So in order to change that, he needs to believe in himself and trust that he can make a positive effort towards becoming better.

Dark side, I search for your dark side

But what if I’m all right, right, right, right here?

And I cut off my nose just to spite my face

Then hate my reflection, for years and years

Within the next verse, we can connect back to how Angel’s toxic mindset has made a profound impact on himself and his relationships. There’s a big part of him that’s always subconsciously searching for the negative aspects of letting people into his life, and that in itself, is what overpowers his psyche into not recognizing and acknowledging the positive facets as well. These next few lines can be referenced to how he strives to maintain his pornstar persona. The whole concept of Angel Dust is for him to be as appealing and desirable to everyone no matter what because that’s what the public likes to see. But unfortunately, what Angel doesn’t comprehend is that he doesn’t need to overemphasize this “mask” of his because the real, genuine people in his life (such as Molly, Charlie, Cherri, Husk, etc.) love and accept him for who he is internally rather than externally. This lack of understanding can also drive him to act impulsive with his emotions and lash out towards the people he deeply cares about, thereby causing him to feel hatred towards himself and regret the decisions he’s made later on.

I wake in the night, I pace like a ghost

The room is on fire, invisible smoke

And all of my heroes die all alone

Help me hold on to you

The metaphorical meaning behind these next lyrics can connect to how empty and restless Angel feels when he’s by himself. We know that he suffers intense nightmares and drug hallucinations from Valentino, but in this next line: “The room is on fire, invisible smoke”, this allows us to dive deeper into his inner troubles and the emotional turmoil and chaos he’s experiencing from it. He’s known to “burn bridges” and “start fires” with others because like I stated previously, he believes everyone will leave him eventually, so as a result, he shuts people out as a way to cope with this depression and loneliness, knowing that it’s still his fault.

I’ve been the archer, I’ve been the prey

Screaming, who could ever leave me, darling? But who could stay?

Here we have the main chorus again, but what’s different is that the word “screaming” is used. This allows us to really see and feel the intensity behind Angel’s emotions. It can almost be viewed as if he’s “crying out for help” and begging for someone, ANYONE, to reach out and stay there with him.

Cause they see right through me

They see right through me

They see right through

Can you see right through me?

They see right through me (2x)

I see right through me (2x)

This next sequence of lyrics is pretty self-explanatory, especially regarding Angel’s famous reputation. Based upon his story arc so far, the internal struggles and hardships Angel has faced throughout life and death have definitely taken a toll on him. Even though he aims to portray this glamorous, charming pornstar personality, characters like Husk can see right through Angel pretty easily and have no issue in calling him out for how fake he’s being. This not only makes Angel very hyper-aware of his mask “slipping away”, but also adds on an extra layer of anxiety and panic he’s feeling from losing control of that facade.

All the king’s horses, all the king’s men

Couldn’t put me together again

‘Cause all of my enemies started out friends

Help me hold on to you

The first line here is a clear reference to the nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty, but the next few lines are what really emphasize Angel’s character even more. Angel is not an easy guy to get along with. He knows he can be an asshole and because of that, he’s made many enemies who could’ve potentially stayed as friends in his life if he didn’t push them away. But that doesn’t make him feel as if he’s alone right? After all, Angel Dust is fulfilled with receiving “love” from clients, fans, and Valentino all the time, so that has to mean something, right? This particular mindset is what fuels Angel to continue craving that form of infatuation and attention because it’s what he surrounds himself with every day. However, once that “high” dies down, who does he have waiting there for him at home? No one, because in reality, he IS alone and that terrifies him even more due to the fact that he’s the reason behind these self-destructive tendencies.

I’ve been the archer, I’ve been the prey

Who could ever leave me, darling? But who could stay?

(I see right through me, I see right through me)

Who could stay? (4x)

You could stay

Combat, I’m ready for combat

These final lines of the song play a significant role in how Angel’s perspective on love can change for the future. Like I’ve said prior, Angel has never had anyone show real, genuine interest in him before, that is, until he met Husk. Husk has made it very clear in the beginning that he doesn’t like putting up with anyone’s bullshit. While his gruff, no-nonsense exterior may be off-putting to others, Angel is very attracted to how real Husk is in expressing how he feels and that is exactly the kind of person Angel needs in his life right now. Over some time throughout the series so far, we start to see a closer relationship develop between the two as well, how fond and comfortable they are of each other. This scares Angel because like all of his other relationships and his current predicament with Valentino, he’s afraid that Husk will voluntarily leave or be taken away from him forever. So in order to avoid that, Angel is determined to do everything he can to keep Husk a permanent part of his life.

Overall, Angel is well aware that he’s not an easy person to love, but with Husk, he feels as if he could be the one to truly understand and accept him for who he is. That maybe, and hopefully, Husk will be the one to stay for good❤️

A/n: yalll,, this is soo fucking long I’m so sorry😭 but I absolutely love these two with all my heart, literally on my hands and knees like this 🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️ but anywaysss I really hoped you enjoyed it just as much as I loved writing it🥰 PLEASE give me all the feedback you have! I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts and opinions, it would really make my day🥹 Thanks for reading loves!!🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

[wayneskluv]

You were having an awful day. Your local coffee shop got your order wrong; they added nutmeg, you hate nutmeg. You forgot your headphones when you left your house, and your phone didn’t charge overnight.

“Hey, pretty girl.” Was all you heard until you walked into the bullpen, followed by a wave from Emily. You waved back to Emily, before looking around, becoming confused at the lack of information being spewed from the mouth of Spencer Reid.

As if reading your mind, Derek pointed to Spencer's desk, where he was tapping his pen to the beat of something coming from his headphones and mouthing something under his breath.

You were confused; he had never expressed any specific interest in music, especially music with lyrics. What you didn’t understand was that he was listening to the lyrical genius that is Taylor Swift, just because you had mentioned she was your favourite once.

As you walked past the desk, you notice that Spencer was still mouthing the same words over and over. I’ve been the archer, I’ve been the prey.

For a brief moment, you noticed that his eyes were looking straight forward, which is very unusual for Spencer. The words he was mouthing were very familiar.

You smiled, you knew exactly what song he was listening to; Maybe your day wasn’t gonna be that bad.

[dixonlvr-online-backup]

REPOST from @dixonlvr-online (my main account). I’ve been having this problem for months where none of my posts show up anywhere, neither does my account. I don’t know what to do about it, so I’m reposting some of my fics here. If you enjoy the fic, please check out more at my main account :)

“Can I sit?” You gestured to the empty spot beside the archer, who until that point had been sullenly staring out into the darkness. He grunted in response. You took it as a yes.

Seating yourself beside him, you followed his gaze to the woods, presumably waiting for a walker or two to jump out and attack your sleeping group. The room had grown suffocating for you, everyone else sleeping soundly while your eyes remained on the ceiling. After an hour of this, you’d pushed yourself off the ground and made your way here: to sit with Daryl Dixon.

“Couldn’t sleep?” he asked, voice rough from tiredness and cigarette smoke. You nodded. “Not tired?” You snorted at his assumption.

“I’m always tired. Doesn’t mean I can sleep.”

He nodded, and you knew he understood your words. The man must’ve been exhausted from never taking a rest and always volunteering to keep watch, yet here he sat, awake in the dead of night.

The quiet was deafening, nothing to distract you from the swirling thoughts in your head. Thoughts of the old world, your old life. How miserable you’d been. How miserable you still were, now.

You felt yourself choking up. “Tell me everyone feels this bad,” you said. Daryl turned to you, eyes wide. “It’s not just me, right?”

He didn’t say a word, prompting you to face him. You watched him chew on his bottom lip, eyes averted. You couldn’t help the tear that slipped down your cheek, the sob caught in the back of your throat. It was embarrassing, breaking down in front of someone you weren’t especially close with.

Daryl finally met your eyes. “It ain’t just you. Everybody’s feelin’ like shit these days. Hell, Lori’s pregnant. Ya think she’s havin’ a great time?” he said. You laughed, wiping a tear from your face.

“You know Hershel told me something the other day,” you said. He leaned forward, listening. “He told me that he wanted me to know that happiness is possible in this world. That he knows it is because he’s happy.”

You turned to him then, gasping out the words. “How could he be happy? What is there to be happy about?” Daryl reached for you then, pulling you into his arms. For a second, you were shocked, but then you relaxed, letting his warm embrace hold you up.

“I’m happy,” he mumbled, so faintly you almost didn’t hear it. He pulled away, hands on your shoulders. “This is better than what I had before, anyway. Ain’t runnin’ around with Merle no more, wondering what kind of mess we’d get ourselves into that day. Instead, I’m sittin’ here with you, wondering what I can do to make you smile like ya did at the farm. So yeah, I’d say I’m happy, too.”

You stared at him a moment, slightly awestruck. The tears in your eyes had ceased, every previous thought out the window and replaced with his words, “What can I do to make you smile?”

He dropped his hands and sheepishly turned away, gaze returning to the woods. You smiled at his shyness, inching closer and resting your head on his shoulder. He flinched at the contact, but then wrapped his arm around you, leaning in.

You breathed in, letting the comfort of the moment wash away all your anxieties, all your exhaustion, all your seeping darkness. With Daryl at your side, you felt lighter.

“I’m happy too,” you whispered, “when I’m with you.”

[iwillneverletgoipromise]

Another prompt, another drabble. Today’s prompt was “what if I told you none of it was accidental.”

Jane was in her chamber, feeling sad and empty. She should feel relieved, even glad, since the bowling game actually turned out to be a success, in spite of everything. Archer won. Things were going well, but she couldn’t be completely happy about it.

She couldn’t stop thinking about Guildford. Was he okay? Where was he now? Would he ever return to her? Oh if he did, she knew what to do. She would slap him so hard he would think twice to run away like that again. She wanted to do that so badly, because that would mean he was back to her. She missed him, so muchz His voice, his smile, his smirks, his kisses, Gods even his rogue attitude!

She wanted to talk to him, tell him everything. She almost died that day, and all she could think about was that she wouldn’t see him again. She wouldn’t tell him she was sorry, and all she meant was that to her he was perfect. He didn’t need a cure, cause there was nothing to cure about him.

Her thoughts got interrupted by someone knocking at the door. “Come on in.” She said in a flat voice. It was Lord Dudley, who just wanted to inform her on the mood of her guests, and the next move to attempt. Of course he wanted to talk about business. It was always about business for Lord Dudley. Jane wasn’t sure if he was worse than her mother, probably not. But they could have put it on a wager.

“Your Majesty, you must know that it takes more than a simple bowling game to convince Verities to accept Ethians.” He said, as if he was talking to a naive little girl. Jane narrowed her eyes, looking away. “I know well, Dudley. But I don’t intend to stop.” She replied, firmly.

Dudley remembered their last conversation, after Guildford left. She knew Jane was determined to move an entire country for his son, and looking at her right now, so pale, with those sad eyes, he realized she could truly feel something for Guildford.

“When I set up all of this and convinced King Edward to make you Queen, I didn’t expect any of this.” He said, chuckling a bit. “Right, you expected me to make your son King. That’s why you and my mother arranged the marriage.” She replied to me, resented.

“Yes, but there was another reason.” He said, cryptically. Jane stared at him, confused. What other reason? “What do you mean?”

“You and Guildford. What if I told you none of it was accidental? Yes, I’ve always wanted him to be King. But I want something else too.”

Jane gave him a stern look. That man had so many secrets. But she would make him spill them all. “Speak now, Dudley!” She ordered him. He sighed, knowing she wouldn’t like it.

“I arranged the marriage so Guildford could be King, but I always want an heir, for my lineage. Guildford knew that, but he was against it. My son, he’s so noble. Nothing like me. But yes, you were chosen for several reasons that could give benefits to me. But things aren’t going the way I expected, or hoped for. My son is not King, he’s somewhere trying to fix his only flaw, and I don’t have my heir. Maybe I never will. And I pushed for a Queen who doesn’t play by the rules, whose only purpose is to end Division Laws.”

Jane listened to him, she didn’t interrupt him. And she kept repeating to herself that Guildford knew his father’s plans, he knew everything. He knew his father wanted him to be King, but he had never told her anything about it. He only cared about the cure. He knew Dudley wanted an heir, but he had never pushed her, he had never forced her to do anything she didn’t want to. He had waited for her, to be with her. And that was what mattered. She touched her wedding ring, thinking about him for the umpteenth time. She prayed he was okay.

Then, she took a deep breath. “First of all, Dudley, Guildford has never cared about being King, what has always mattered to him was to find a cure. Your son studied and read lots of stuff to find a way to get his life back. You should start being more concerned about what your children want, than spending so much time at planning things convenient to you.” She remarked with anger. “And when Guildford and I decide to have children,” she added like a river in flood, “it’ll be our choice, because we want to. Not for the lineage, not for you, or anyone. For us.”

Jane straightened herself and continued, with a lower tone, but firm. “And I’m your Queen, you just have to follow my orders. I will end Division Laws.” Dudley took a bow, with reverence and left, being more than sure of Jane’s feelings for Guildford.

Jane sighed and moved towards the window, wishing for the sunset to come, wishing for Guildford to come back to her.

[cultofdixon]

I’ll remind you everyday if I have to

Daryl Dixon • She/Her Pronouns • It’s the smallest of things to startle a person, but thankfully you have someone to always make sure you’re okay • ANGST/SFW • TW: Anxiety Attacks

Requested by: Anon

Anything does it

Loud noises

Yelling

Door slams

Motorcycle engines starting

Walkers trying to claw their way in

Loud snoring if the source is unknown

Honestly, if you made a joke about something breathing and it triggering Y/N’s anxiety…most would think that’s true. She may not be outwardly expressive with her anxiety attacks but one knows she’s having one if she’s disappeared for a period of time.

Her infamous hiding spots are under tables. Carl found her in the closet once when they first arrived to Alexandria and the new people were overwhelming so no one really dared to drag her out. Not that anyone would given Daryl is usually the one to take care of these moments but there were situations where Y/N had to be dragged out of the comfort of hiding.

The farm fire

Governor attack 1

Prison outbreak

Governor attack 2

The Claimers

Terminus

The chapel

The hospital

The barn

Y/N got creative a few times with her hiding spots during the periods where they were moving a lot. But now the group resides in Alexandria and after a few days Y/N left the living room closet sticking with Daryl for the most part since he gives her the most comfort. He didn’t like the place but after all they have been through, after what they have been through, he’s willing to bend slightly so that they could possibly make this place their home.

“Are you coming with to the party?” Rick asks Daryl who seems to have never left the porch whenever he stepped outside finding him always there.

“Nah. Well I don’t know” He frowns keeping his gaze to the floor while he chewed away at his thumb. “Y/N going?”

“Nope. She’s staying in.” Rick states making his way down the steps and more over to Carol’s porch that Daryl stood on. “Judith is coming with me later so Y/N will be alone in the house if yea ever wanna check in on her”

“You make it sound like she had another attack” His worry started to eat at him and with no instant reply back, his own words are only confirming it. “Why didn’t—-“

“Because in some way, you’re also not okay here. Some people need space, others need comfort…Y/N is safe in the house and for once, after all these anxiety attacks I’ve witnessed, she asked for space” Rick gave a small smile to Daryl in the sense of there’s been improvement, but that didn’t stop the worry from brewing inside the archer. “Take the opportunity and if you change your mind about the party? Everybody else will be there”

Daryl watches the retired sheriff walk past as he looks over to his home finding Y/N turned away from the window holding herself. For a second he wanted to go on and check on her, but decided to listen to Rick.

Even if listening to him this time brought an unsettling feeling in his stomach.

The party started when the sunset and Daryl found himself watching from outside. He never felt like he fitted in with these types of crowds. The social people. Those who host parties and make charcuterie boards. It was weird how old world this place was.

When he stepped away and started to make his way back to the house Aaron the one who brought them in, stopped him to talk. This talk lead to being invited for dinner then a good thing to come out of this place…a bike frame. He can feel like his old self and make a new bike after losing the other one to the prison collapse.

But right before he left, Daryl stepped into the kitchen hesitantly but catching Eric’s attention.

“Did you need something?”

“If it’s uh…not too much” Daryl usually never has this much trouble, it’s just. Talking to new people.

Eventually Daryl got the leftovers he asked for after finally getting it out of him along with who it’s for. But when he entered the still very empty house, because of the party, he didn’t find Y/N instantly. She didn’t take a room in the Grimes’s residence, Carol offered a room in hers for her. She was in there last he saw her.

He checked everywhere.

The rooms, the kitchen, the garage, even the small areas in the front and back of the house. It should’ve been more obvious to check Carol’s but even when he looked in her place, she wasn’t instantly found. Which brought his anxiety to be vocal.

“Y/N?” He calls out, not receiving an immediate reply back. “Y/N!” He didn’t mean to shout knowing that would scare her but he was getting to an extreme level that will most likely be taken out on one of Deanna’s sons. They weren’t all that welcoming and he noticed how sad that made his partner.

A few more calls and Daryl eventually stopped in the kitchen to put away the plate in the fridge when he heard the sniffling.

“You didn’t hear me call you back?” Her hushed whisper still made it to Daryl’s ears as he quickly rounds the kitchen island to the dinning table crouching to find her sobbing in her curled position.

“I’m sorry…I’m so sorry” Daryl frowns bringing himself to sit on the floor and scooting up to her watching her uncurl to wrap her arms around his neck. He gently brought his around her waist pulling her into his lap as she wraps her legs around his torso. “I’m usually better at finding yea but this place is too new…”

“We aren’t used to it” Y/N finished while hiding her face in the crook of his neck for a moment.

Daryl held her for as long as she needed even if that lasted til Carol returned a few hours later. She didn’t say anything, only gave a look to the archer that if they needed anything to just call her, before heading upstairs to sleep.

But after a little while longer of being under the table, the two eventually moved out from under it and Daryl kept Y/N close the rest of the night which led them to the room she claimed. Y/N laid on top of Daryl as he gently grazes his fingers against her back in a soothing motion.

“You wanna talk about it?”

“It just…happened” Y/N frowns bringing herself to look at Daryl and his worried expression. “I feel so stupid…”

“You’re not stupid. You’re never stupid for bein’ anxious, sunshine” Daryl gently brushes the hair out of the way of her face watching her sadden expression last. “Sometimes we can’t control how we feel…just be glad yea ain’t quick to anger like some of us”

“You have reasons for your anger. A pen could drop on hard wood flooring and my mind could think someone is breaking in” Y/N laughed at her own problems which Daryl didn’t exactly like but he hasn’t heard her laugh in some time. As she rests her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head holding her a bit tighter.

“You feel safe with me…and our family. Everybody is unsettled in this place and it’ll take time to get used to it. You’re never at fault for your anxiety…I’ll remind yea everyday if I have to”

“Yeah?”

“I promise, sunshine” Daryl kissed her once more, leading her to lift her head and bring herself up so that she could kiss his lips which brought a hum from his chest. “I’ll always keep yea safe, too. From everything”

“What did I do to deserve you?” Y/N smiles bringing her head back to lay on his chest as he held her close with a hint of a smile gracing his features.

“By being you”