#ch: glenn

[devilsmenu]

@hiddendarkrosesx - Jade & Glenn

"Do you believe in ghosts?" Jade asked Glenn.

[yanxidarlings]

YANDERE TWD

REUNITED (yandere! big brother! merle dixon x male reader x yandere! big brother daryl dixon) (yandere! gareth x male reader) (rick grimes x male reader if you squint) NOTES: fair warning, this is some descriptive disturbing shit merle dixon counts as a warning on his own as well. this went in many directions i originally set out for yandere headcanons for the two, then got into the terminus arc, and ended with some pretty vague alluding to yandere. might write a part two)

imagine obsessive! possessive! big brothers! merle and daryl dixon. the dead begin to walk and they keep the darlin safe, meeting up with the atlanta camp. but the brothers won't let anyone get close to the darlin, not dale, not carl, certainly not shane or lori.

somehow, the darlin ends up going with glenn into the city on a supply run, only for it to go horribly wrong. the darlin insisted they head into a chemist to "look for medications" in case anyone in the camp needed them. but it was a lie. the darlin just wanted to find something to help merle with the inevitable withdrawal he'd go through once his supply of drugs ran out. the chemist is overrun by walkers but the darlin insists. "we can clear it!" they say to glenn "it'll be worth it for m- everyone" the korean gave the other a skeptical look. in the end, there was just too many, glenn thought he saw the darlin go down and reluctantly returned to camp.

"oi! shitface, you think you're a big boy now? can do whatever you want now everything's gon' to shit!" the raspy, harsh voice of merle dixon echoed through the camp. the redneck tramped over to the SUV glenn was parking. he remained silent as he turned the engine off. taking a deep breath, the young man exited the car, staring at the grass.

the older dixon stormed over, aggressively opening every door of the vehicle until he reached the boot. filled with supplies. "where the fuck is m/n" he growled, coming closer to the asian "he better be pullin up in another car" merle spat out. "i- it was" glenn stuttered out, looking like he was about to piss his pants "it wasn't my fault, m/n was being reckless, i had no cho-" CRACK glenn's face was soon bloodied and bruised, merle now on top of him, yelling out profanities as he beat the younger man. "merle!" the others quickly ran to pull the redneck off glenn.

"you fucking ch*ng-ch*ng bastard i'll rip-" merle was pried off glenn, who was now rolling around in agony, his face a bloody mess. "what the fuck happen'd" merle rasped out, although to glenn it sounded like a croak "where is he" merle was still being held back by t-dog and shane as he continued yelling. glenn avoided the rednecks furious gaze "the walkers got him" he finally spoke, looking down.

for a moment it looked like merle was about to cry, for a moment merle himself thought he was going to burst into tears like a sissy. "no he ain't" but instead he picked up his shotgun, and got into the drivers seat of the SUV.

that was how andrea, t-dog, jackie, glenn and morales ended up in the city. that was how merle got handcuffed to a roof by "officer friendly" and that was why daryl yelled in agony on that same roof. in the course of a day, he had lost the two most important people in his life.

but merle had survived by cutting off his left hand, and the darlin had survived by covering himself in walker guts.

"china- no- glenn- don't- help!" the h/c-et screamed, the sound of his own gun firing defeaning his ears. as one went down, another lunged at him, rotten teeth clanking together, desperately trying to knaw into his flesh. but he wouldn't die here. he couldn't. not when merle was 'relying' on him to get drugs. maybe then, the dixons would start to treat him as less of a clueless child and more of an equal.

after taking down a few, m/n jumped behind the counter, rummaging through the medications, looking for anything that might help with the withdrawal, or better, give merle his next fix. more of the dead came at him, but he just kept shooting, stabbing, hitting, anything to cause the fatal damage needed to end the dead's miserable 'life'.

BANG one was down BANG another BANG BANG BANG .. the slide didn't move forward as he shot his way through another round. shit. he was out of ammo "glenn!" he yelled out as a walker fell on top of him, wrestling it's way closer to his skin. all the korean could hear was m/n's screaming. which only attracted more walkers. he saw the medicine that m/n had thrown over the counter before going down, stuffing it into his bag, he creeped up closer to the group of walkers that had acculumated, following the sound of m/n's scream. until it stopped. "m/n?" he uttered under his breath, but the pile of walkers on top of each other told him the other was dead. with tears in his eyes, glenn ran out.

m/n struggled against the strength of the walker. it was freshly turned, he could tell. otherwise it wouldn't be so strong. kicking, punching, reaching for his knife, anything to save himself from becoming one of them. plunging his blade into the side of the walkers head, he quickly slit the once-man's throat. covering his face in the blood. before moving down to the abdomen. cutting it open, letting the walkers rotting insides pour out all over him, the ones that had piled on top soon couldn't distinguish the smell of living flesh from rotting blood.

he went silent, breathing shallowly, hoping, praying, they'd move off him and he could silently slip out. but when he was finally free of the chemist, glenn, the supplies they had gathered, and the SUV were gone.

he walked the dead-ridden streets of the once bustling city, covered in blood, hidden in plain sight. he kept walking (which then turned into a limp after getting hit in the ankle by a flying bullet) becoming weaker with each step, hoping to make his way back to camp. only to come to the end of the trainline leading into suburban atlanta. TERMINUS the building read "those who arrive survive" he heard a feminine voice call out from the speakers. maybe they have gauze. he glanced down at his leg, the sleeve of his shirt he had tied around it now dyed red.

"community for all; sanctuary for all" he saw a young man- perhaps just a little older than m/n was, staring down at him from the window. something felt amiss, off, but m/n had lost so much blood he didn't care. he stumbled towards the train station, stopping and starting as he debated his decision.

daryl, merle.. they'll be wondering he thought to himself, stopping for the 5th time, but i won't make it back he began walking again but they'll be looking for me he stopped, nearly tripping but the sudden lack of motion if i found this place they'll find it too he picked up the pace again, frantically moving towards the gates but- as he stopped himself once more, he finally tripped over. right onto the walker trap the train people had set up. his left ribcage was pierced by the sharp metal pole sticking out of the ground, causing the h/c-et to let out a loud screech.

before he knew it people had come out, the same man that had stared at him through the window moments earlier put his hand on the wound, causing m/n to flinch "we're you trying to get yourself killed?" the man mused, seemingly unphased by the active bleeding out that was happening in front of him. the man spoke more words that were muffled as m/n fell out of consciousness.

it was pitch black when he opened his eyes. not a shred of light to allude to the location. pitch black. m/n's hands brushed her his torso, feeling the gauze that was tightly wrapped around his chest. it all came back to him. the chemist, the walkers, glenn, the train people. he shifted his arms, feeling the thin material he was lated on, and the cold metal it covered. attempting to hoist himself up, pain shot through his body.

letting out a groan, he laid back down, closing his eyes. is this death. it certainly felt like it. the nothingness, the pain, it was all he had ever imagined death to be like. what felt like hours passed, the nothingness was almost comforting, how long had it been since he could lay like this and do nothing with no worries. it was all ended when the creaking of the door signaled to m/n that he was not in-fact dead.

the sudden brightness was blinding "you awake?" a masculine voice spoke. m/n's eyes began burning from the light, "i guess" he replied quietly, his eyes closing. "good" the male put down a plate next to where m/n laid "eat up. i know this isn't the warmest welcome, i would have liked to show you around first" the man chuckled, leaning down, seemingly to get a good look at m/n.

the man- who introduced himself as gareth, began speaking about the community- terminus. that they did whatever they had to for survival, that m/n would have to prove himself loyal if he wanted to become apart of the community. he wasn't sure how to tell this gareth guy that he was leaving as soon as possible to find his group.

the discussion started off normal as m/n finished his food, until gareth started talking about how lonely he was, as the leader of this terminus community. it only got creepier as gareth started to call m/n pretty boy, edging closer to him. m/n doesn't want to know what would have happened if that middld aged lady (gareth's mother), hadn't called the man away.

it quickly became evident to m/n that he was never going to leave. gareth locked him in the pitch black train car for hours on end, opening the door when there were armed men to prevent m/n from trying anything. gareth would sit with him and talk, running his hands over the male's body, stealing kisses, it was a reprehensive routine m/n had become forcibly accustomed to.

it all changed the day the hunters attacked. m/n was in his train car, as usual, listening to the outside screams, wondering if the attackers were dead or alive. he knew they were alive when one pried open the train car door, and threw them self on him. he was then thrown into a cramped train car with other terminus residents, where the hunters hand picked who to assault and slaughter each day. he and gareth spent their days huddled up together, talking about their lives before. had m/n not accepted the hunters offer to leave the train car if he worked for them, gareth wouldn't have lost his mind. but m/n was desperate to get away. from the train car. from terminus. to find his family.

but the hunters caught him trying to leave. they did their absolute worst to him and then threw him back in. when the termites took back terminus, gareth locked the leader of the hunters and m/n into the same train car. "this is what you deserve" he told him, before locking the door shut.

perhaps it was years, perhaps it was months, maybe it was only a few hours. the horrors of the train car began to unfold, as the man who had once led the attack on terminus lost his mind: pouncing on m/n at random, screaming for hours straight, trying to eat m/n alive when they'd be deprived of food, ripping his ear off in hungered insanity. as m/n laid there bleeding from his ear, he decided either i escape or i die. had running worked before? no. was he willing to die trying? not really, but a man would do anything for freedom, and that's what m/n did.

the hunter had fallen asleep, a fatal mistake, as m/n wrapped his hands around the mans unshaven neck and squeezed. within second the man awoke but m/n was relentless, not letting go until the other went limp. i just have to wait now he cried to himself, hands shaking. calming, he began to strip the man of his clothes and use the fabric to restrain his limbs.

waiting for the termites to open the door with the meal made of human flesh felt like an eternity. the familiar sound of metal scratching and creaking filled m/n's ear, who quickly sprung into action.

grabbing the reanimated hunter by the hair, he guided it in the direction of the door, throwing it towards the woman holding their plates. she screeched as the hunters corpse sank it's teeth into her flesh, blood pouring from the wound.

m/n grabbed the woman's gun and bolted as the nearby workers aimed their guns at the walker, taking it down swiftly, but m/n had already gotten out of the train car. hiding behind what once was his cage, he shot at every person who came into view. eventually making his way to the fence, through the woods, he didn't stop running until the sound of gunshots stopped entirely. even then, he kept running. he ran for what felt like hours until his lungs couldn't take it anymore. collapsing onto the dirt, heaving in and out.

woodbury had fallen, it's entire population now living in the prison nearby. rick had relinquished his leadership, insisting the prison be governed by a council. he often went on runs by himself, to get away from it all, to look back on his actions, to find lost survivors. it wasn't everyday rick grimes came across a twenty something perhaps younger male covered in blood, breathing like he had never tasted air before. well, usually the young men were walkers. but this one was very much alive.

"please don't" the male groaned out, eyes wide, as rick approached with a knife. "who are you" he drawled out, kneeling down to get a good look at the other. the young males face was bruised, his hair covered in blood, an ear was missing, and the male was emaciated. "uh" the male seemed to have to think about it, as if he hadn't spoken to another human in years "m/n" he finally puffed out, bringing his hand up to his head, where the left ear once was.

rick's hands brushed m/n hair out of his face, causing the male to flinch away "how many walkers have you killed" the older man finally asked after several moments of silence. m/n just stared at him, as if to say he hadn't been keeping track "how many people have you killed" still, the same look. "water" "what" rick narrowed his eyes. m/n used his free hand to shakily point to the man's bag, where a bottle of water was latched on to the side.

rick was silent as m/n chugged the water down "do you have anything sweet?" "no i don't" "oh" something about the boy felt familiar. didn't glenn mention originally going into atlanta to find a boy with a similar description? maybe it was just that the male reminded him of his own boy in a way, or maybe he had already developed a fondness for m/n. "i have a camp" rick looked m/n in the eye "we have walls, food, a community, a doctor that can look at your wound" he added.

the h/c-et shook his head "not again" rick furrowed his brows "what" the boy started to pick himself up "i gotta, um" he started feeling around the ground for his gun, "gotta go" he finished as he felt the handle of the gun. stuffing the weapon into his belt, he stood up, using a tree as a crutch. "c'mon kid, you're going to die out here" rick leaned forward and took the gun out of the others hand "no im not! give it!" m/n lunged forward, only to awkwardly fall into rick's chest, sinking down back to the ground.

"you've got two bullets left" m/n looked up at rick with a glare "either you come back to my camp with me or i just wasted my water on a dead man" m/n held his glare until the sun got into his eyes. "whatever" he looked down, hoisting himself back to his feet with the help of rick's hand.

daryl squinted his eyes as the evening sun glared down, merle had stolen his motorcycle. again. the older dixon was always going off on fun runs without informing anyone beforehand. perhaps because the redneck had never really been accepted into the group like daryl was.

taking another bite of his pork chop, daryl grunted at carol who told him to go in and get some rest. but why would he want to rest when all he could think of when his mind was unoccupied was his baby brother, the boy he had pretty much raised, who was now probably a rotting corpse in atlanta. but daryl still held out hope that m/n had gotten out, that he was safe, that he would find him oneday. this was why he never rested, these thoughts would creep up in the younger dixons head.

the sound of his motorcycle rumbling told him that merle was back. the older dixon sauntered over to daryl, a cigarette sat between his thin lips, "look what you're big brother merle got you, darylina" he pulled a pack of cigarettes out his pocket, sliding it into daryls pocket. daryl said nothing, staring into the distance; was that rick? the figure was too far away to discern.

"dad!" carl called out, jogging down. "look what i- m/n?" the young grimes exclaimed as he came closer to the pair. rick carried the half-conscious boy through the gates "you know this guy?" rick looked at carl, who flicked the hair out of m/n's face to get a better look "he was with us back in atlanta, we thought he died on a run"

daryl's heart stopped, did he hear carl right? they were pretty far away. standing up, he threw the pork bone aside and marched towards the two- three. when he finally came close enough to see the persons face, he had to stop himself from tearing up in front of carl and rick "m/n" he uttered out quietly. the father and son came to a halt as he approached "you knew this guy back in atlanta" rick nodded at daryl "'course i did. he's my brother" daryl was quick to take m/n off rick. he wanted to cut the mans arms off just for touching his precious brother.

daryl rushed m/n into the prison, settling him in his cell, "go get hershel" he told carol, who looked just as perplexed as merle did as he walked into the cell. "m/n!? i thought you was dead" he breathed out, shoving daryl out the way, who was quick to push back, both wanting to be as close to their younger brother as possible "where'd you find him" merle looked over at rick, who was standing out front the cell "in the woods, looked like he'd been running"

rick moved aside as hershel came in, merle reluctantly stood up as hershel sat to access m/n's condition. "he's lost a lot of blood" hershel examined the ear hole where the flesh and muscle had been ripped from "we should have bob look at him, but from what i can see he needs bandaging and antibiotics" daryl grunted "i ain't letting no stranger touch him" he ushered hershel away, taking m/n's hand in his own "i found antibiotics on last weeks run, that gon' be enough" merle looked over at the old man, who nodded "we'll have to see how he reacts"

neither daryl or merle left m/n's side whilst waiting for the antibiotics to kick in. it was strange. no one in the prison had ever seen either of them so worried for or attached to someone. but for the six days and nights m/n spent unconscious, his body fighting off the infection from his wounds, recovering from the months of maltreatment.

when m/n finally opened his eyes, taking in his surroundings, daryl was leaned against the wall at the edge of the bed, eyes locked on the boys face "sleep well?" was the first thing he said after the two had stared at each other for what felt like an eternity "yeah" m/n spoke softly.

"i should have never gone hunting that day" "am i dead" the two spoke in unison. daryl breathed out "no, never gon' let that happen" he shuffled closer, laying down next to the youngest dixon.

daryl stared at m/n intensely, until merle was roused from his sleep "m/n, i told you not to go out of my sight" he grumbled, sitting forward. m/n looked up at the metal frame of the top bunk "i just wanted to get you some narcan" merle stared at him, blinking away tears "didn' have to risk your life for it" he pursed his lips "i ain't worth you dyin'" he added quietly, sitting back, his eyes not leaving m/n's.

the room went silent for a moment "maybe not, but you're my brother" m/n closed his eyes for a moment "do you guys have pop or candy here?" he questioned hopefully. merle let out a chuckle "i found a can on my run today" he chuckled out, before going quiet "i chugged it on the spot"

"you piece of shit!"

[miss-revy-1412]

Thank you Langley. We don't wanna fix him 🤡✨

Now, before I see 9000 confessions on RC confessions or some people saying : "Wow, James' girls have no dignity, they are so naive, pathetic, etc, etc" Langley has already made it clear that he IS A Douchebag, will remain a scum and....

I'm loving it!! This means we are up for a crazy Jaynie soon kinda like Renee, where she kills Maria Theresa in one of the routes with Louis and was an unapologetically iconic bi*ch.

i never was among those people who wanted him beg for me, be a simp and most importantly change just because he got my coochie.

Some girls will cry but I'm loving it. Let my Jaynie go toxic and it's a good trend to see a woman that's way better and gives us the run for our Love interest

I love fatal Attraction starring Glenn and Michael Douglas and James and Jaynie are giving the same vibes. He's got a fiancee, yet he's f*cking us and I can see Jaynie doing the boomerang with James and messing with his girl like, he did with us with Carter. 👀🤡🤡🤡

I don't wanna fix him but, he's gonna be my sl*t instead. Capitalism and Foxy Jaynie all the way!!!

[owarinaki]

Rufus is irritated to answer all Wutai & Glenn 's questions from the executives so Rufus glance at Tseng to answer all questions instead of him .. one way or another

Tseng & Rufus part 2 :Final Fantasy VII : Rebirth

TsengRu part 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

Index gifs // Trailer recap // Rufus's Story recap 1 //2 // 3

Rufus Pic recap 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

Others Tseng&Rufus , Hojo&Darkstar

[RUFUS RECAP] Other links

Ch.4 part 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 //10 // 11

Ch.6 part 12 // 13

Ch.8+9 part 14 // 15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 22

Ch.10+11 part 19 // 20 // 21 / 23 // 24 // 25 // 26

Ch.12+13+14 part 27 // 28 // 29 // 30 // 31

Etc. : 32 // 33 // 34 // 35 // 36

!!SPOILERS Below !!

!!SPOILERS Below !!

RUFUS may be the " VICEROY SARUFF" himself that why he couldn't appear on this broadcast so he is irritated to answer all questions about matters

Viceroy Saruff is the Wutai leader .In Game , Rebirth 's Story has many hints the relationship about RUFUS and Saruff [:pronounce SURUF]

In my opinion , " VICEROY SARUFF" is 100% RUFUS "

[the-name-is-z]

SKELETONS | ch. 81

daryl dixon x f!oc

masterlist

a03 link

Summary: After so long avoiding death, he finally came knocking on their front door. Warnings/Information: AMC's The Walking Dead OC Insert | 18+ Advised | strangers to lovers; the slowest of slow burns; gore; angst; horror; humour; m/f; sickness; extortion; manipulation; threats via guns; fire; hostages; mind games; murder; someone being hanged; hunting people like animals; taunting; insults; assault; non-sexual bondage; Negan (for real this time); finally someone that can compete with Rick for longest speech; innuendo but like as a threat; threats of forced cannibalism

Chapter 81 - Last Day on Earth

Rick bristled in annoyance as the RV came to a stop for the second time in that trip. After Glenn and Michonne left with Iris, Maggie fell ill, and they made a plan to take her to the Hilltop. Except these Saviours seemed to have an issue with that.

The first time, they were stopped by three cars and a bunch of Saviours standing in the road, demanding their things in exchange for their lives. Rick wouldn’t take that deal, not unless he was on his goddamn knees. 

The second time, now, Abraham pulled the RV to a stop in front of a chain pulled across the road, tied up on a few trees on either side. Walkers were, of course, chained to the main set of links, growling at them as they came closer. 

He scanned the tree line through the windshield, looking for any snipers or people hiding in the foliage.

“Can’t go through it. Can’t risk the RV.” He murmured. Carl stood watching over his shoulder, tensing. “You stay behind the wheel, just in case.” Rick told Abraham. He checked his gun. “We’ll clear it.”

Rick and Sasha stepped out of the RV first, doing a quick sweep before approaching the walkers. Eugene, Carl and Aaron stepped out behind them, keeping their sights on the forest on either side. There were quite a few walkers on the chain, and it was nothing to sneeze at.

“Putting together a red rover like that takes people.” Eugene said, voicing all of their thoughts aloud. “A lot of ‘em.” There were at least a dozen of them, snarling and wheezing as they yanked on the chain, a disjointed collective. The chains were even put through some of the walkers.

“Come on. Let’s do this.” Rick rallied. He slung his rifle over his shoulder as Carl put a hand on his arm.

“Dad…” He warned.

“That’s Michonne’s.” Aaron stated. They turned, following his gaze to one of the walkers. It had a hole gouged through its skull, two of Michonne’s locs shoved through where they would be visible. It was wearing her leather vest, too. And it’s wrist wore her silver bracelet.

“That’s Daryl’s.” Sasha added, paling. One of the other walkers had two crossbow bolts shoved into its shoulder, wearing the black denim jacket Daryl often wore beneath his vest. 

Rick slowed, his face contorting in anger as he looked at the mockery the Saviours set for them. They liked to taunt, it seemed. Predators playing with their food. But Rick refused to be made into prey. He yanked the pair of dreads from the walker’s forehead and made to swing his hatchet, but the sound of gunshots had them all crouching to the road.

They were shooting at their feet, but bullets hurt no matter where they hit you. It appeared that the Saviours didn’t want them messing with their neatly-assembled barricade.

“Get back to the RV! Go!” Rick yelled. He hacked at the walker’s arm whilst the others fired blindly into the trees, just enough to sever the hand from the wrist, enough to grab Michonne’s bracelet and run. The others made quick work of the remaining walkers just as a few Saviours started to appear in the trees.

“Starting it up!” Abraham yelled, throwing himself into the RV. They all clambered inside as soon as the road was relatively clear, speeding across as quickly as the heavy vehicle would go. 

The RV was silent as they continued on, Rick mourning the possibilities of where Michonne and his friends could be. Daryl, Iris, Glenn. All of them were family, and these Saviours kept fucking with his family. As they kept driving, the RV began to make an odd squealing sound, making a few of them wince.

“What’s that sound?” Sasha asked.

“Undercarriage could have caught a bullet. Or could be transmission. It could be nothing.” Eugene replied instantly, listing possibilities. 

“They were firing at our feet.” Rick murmured. “They blocked the road but they didn’t stop us. They want us in this direction.” 

“Barton road takes us North, but they’ve gotta know we want to go North.” Sasha replied. She loomed over the map that Eugene spread over the RV’s table.

“Meadows.” Eugene cut in. “Take us east a piece, but we can get back on track on Mayhew.”

“We’re down to a third of a tank.” Sasha murmured. “We could top off at the next stop, but no refills after that.”

“Alright.” Rick said, wiping a hand over his face. Aaron huffed as he came forward from the back bedroom where Maggie was laid across the bed. 

“She’s burning up.” He said quietly, his expression grave. Rick’s gaze was caught on the bullet holes littering the walls of the interiors. The RV was still making that anxiety-inducing squealing sound.

“Rick.” Abraham called from the front. No fucking way. Rick’s lip curled back as they drove up the hill, slowing. At the crest was yet another blockade of Saviours. At least four cars, and at least four dozen men. They stood around and on top of the cars, forming a wall that blocked any way through. The breaks squealed.

“Go back.” Rick said, his voice catching.

“Where?” Abraham asked earnestly. The sun was beginning to set in the distance, an orange glow shining at the Saviours backs like a perverted halo. Rick didn’t respond right away, his knuckles going white as he gripped Abraham’s seat. He turned to the back as Abraham wheeled the RV around, going to check on Maggie. 

His stomach dropped as he entered the room, her skin pallid and sweaty, her hair plastered to her forehead. She cleared her throat as he knelt at her side, brushing the hair away from her face.

“Are we close?” She croaked. He exhaled shakily, gently taking her hand.

“Yeah, we’re— we’re getting there.” He lied. 

“Were there— I heard shots.” She murmured. 

“Yeah. The Saviours. But they’re gone.” He lied again. “We are. We’re gonna get you there.”

“I know.” 

“You’re gonna be okay. The baby’s gonna be okay. This isn’t it. This isn’t it.” He said, trying to convince himself more than he was trying to convince her. “There’s more. There’s gonna be more.”

“I believe in you, Rick.” She said slowly, squeezing his hand. 

-

The fourth blockade was comically bad. They’d driven under an overpass on the service road only to be stopped yet again. They all got out of the RV, looking over at the damage. It looked like they’d dumped a fleet of logging trucks across the road, an entire goddamn wall made of full size fucking tree trunks. 

“These tracks…” Eugene pointed out, staring down at the ground. “They would indicate they not only have people but some big-ass toys and capabilities.”

“What it indicates is that we are neck-deep up shit creek with our mouths wide open.” Abraham growled. He looked to Rick for confirmation, who sighed in frustration. 

They all turned at the sound of someone crying out, witnessing a man being thrown over the edge of the overpass, a chain noose wrapped around his neck. He gasped and gagged as the chain pulled taut, a big red ‘X’ spray painted across his chest. Aaron raised his rifle.

“Don’t.” Abraham advised.

“I could try and break the chain.” Aaron protested. 

“It won’t work.” Abraham assured.

“I can try!”

“It won’t work.” Rick parroted. The others lowered their guns slowly, looking up as the man choked and writhed. “We need the bullets.” He gave one last pathetic wheeze before his blue face fell expressionless, the breath leaving his body. 

They turned back around as the scent of smoke permeated their noses, the crackle of fire echoing. They’d set the logs on fire, creating an enormous blaze.

“You’re treating your people good, right?” A voice called. “Like it was your last day on Earth? Or maybe one of theirs? You’d better go. It’s gonna get hot. You go get where you’re going.”

“Go. Go!” Rick hissed, ushering them back into the RV, underneath the swinging body of the main hanging from the chain. The RV backed down the road, back under the overpass, and tried again. 

They drove for a little while before stopping at a crossroads, Sasha laying out their map again. They sat around the table looking at one another in a sorry attempt at decision making.

“So what’s the play?” Abraham sighed. 

“She needs a doctor.” Rick said urgently as he emerged once more from the back bedroom.

“There are two more routes north from here.” Sasha said, pointing on the map.

“They’re probably waiting for us right now.” Aaron grumbled. Eugene shook his head, looking as if he was about to start bawling.

“So they’re ahead of us, probably behind us. But they’re not waiting on us, per se, they’re waiting on this rust bucket. And they don’t know the moment-to-moment occupancy of said rust bucket.” He blubbered. “And the sun sets soon.” Abraham nodded his approval, looking to Rick, who also nodded. 

-

They decided to let Eugene take the RV. He assured them he would play the Saviours’ game, leaving Rick a gift in return, just in case he didn’t make it back. A recipe, he said, and it wasn’t gazpacho. How-to-build-bullets-101, he explained. Abraham could show them where. Rick thanked him profusely, incredibly grateful for how useful Eugene was currently making himself. They were lucky he was there, Rick admitted. And Eugene didn’t argue. 

They bid their goodbyes, trying not to imbue their words with too much finality. They brought Maggie out on a stretcher they’d built, Rick carrying it with Abraham and Aaron. Eugene revved the engine and drove away, leaving them to carry Maggie through the woods. North. Toward Hilltop. 

Carl cleared the way for them as they carried Maggie along. Maggie pleaded with them to let her walk, but she wouldn’t even be able to stand, so they kept her on the cot. 

“I heard what you told her when we were leaving.” Carl said, slowing to walk beside his father. “We can do anything, ‘cause we’ll do anything we need to do. We have and we will. What happened to Denise… I’m not gonna let anybody die like that again.” He spoke with such conviction, it made Rick incredibly proud, despite the incredibly stressful situation they were currently in.

“Son—“ Rick’s praise was interrupted by a whistle through the trees, echoing loudly across the forest. It was dark now, foggy. They were walking by the light of the moon and the only sound so far had been crickets and their own footsteps across the plant litter. 

The whistle was echoed with another, and another. Predators playing with their food. They looked around like deer in headlights, trying to make out the shadows moving in the forest. The whistling was coming from all directions, surrounding them. 

“Go. Go!” Rick urged. Carl took off through the trees first, followed by the others carrying the stretcher as fast as they could. The trees got thicker, the night darker. The whistles louder, no matter which way they turned. 

They made it to another dirt road, a break in the trees for a breath of moonlight, but as soon as they met the centre of the road they were blinded by real headlights, the whistles joining into one cacophonous taunt. More headlights came on, Saviours pouring out of the woods from all sides. They were completely and utterly surrounded, guns ready, but not aimed, for them. 

None of the men surrounding them were whistling, though it still echoed from dozens of lips hidden in the trees. There had to have been a hundred… maybe more. They kept their guns up, spinning around in a futile attempt to defend themselves, even as Abraham and Rick gripped Maggie’s stretcher with shaking hands. 

On the main road, the RV was close by, Eugene on his knees at the side to witness the terror inflicted on his friends. Any emotion left inside them was turned to fear, Rick’s eyes bloodshot and wide as he gaped at their surroundings. And yet it was only the beginning.

“Good.” The same voice called, the man stepping forward. 

He had quite the head of hair, despite his receding hairline, short but voluminous at all points. His eyes and smile were bright and cheerful under a set of thick eyebrows and a moustache. He wore a short-sleeved button down and a thick belt with a holster, his hands on his hips. He had something on a pendant around his neck, but it was tucked into the wife beater he wore underneath, invisible. He had been the one to first offer their ‘deal,’ and now he would witness their inevitable surrender. 

“You made it.” He grinned, his arms spread wide. “Welcome to where you’re going. We’ll take your weapons.” They made no move, and he smoothly pulled out his pistol and aimed at Carl. “Now.”

“W-we can talk about it—“ Rick stammered.

“We’re done talking.” The man said, his smile faltering. “Time to listen.” A bunch of them came from the surroundings, swarming the group and relieving them of any visible weapons and a few knives-in-boots, checking pockets. They were none too gentle, even with the stretcher. The man himself took Carl’s gun, looking him in the eye. “That’s yours, right?” Carl said nothing, staring hard into the man’s soul with a lethal gaze. “Yeah, it’s yours.” He flicked Carl’s hat upward before standing straight. “Okay. Let’s get her down and get you all on your knees. Lots to cover.” He clapped his hands and two others came forward to help them lower the stretcher, but Abraham almost growled.

“Hold up.” He stated. “We got it.” The man waved the others off, allowing them to lower Maggie to the ground gently without their interference. They helped Maggie stand, just barely, enough to stagger over to where the man was directing them, kneeling beside a disheveled and bloodied Eugene. The man stood in front of Rick, almost eight inches taller, forcing Rick to look up at him.

“Gonna need you on your knees.” He stated simply. Rick licked his lips, knowing they all watched him as he obeyed, kneeling on the gravel beside Maggie, Abraham at her other side. Sasha knelt beside him, then Carl, then Eugene. He clapped his hands. “Let’s get the other ones. Right now. Dwight!”

“Yeah.” An answering voice called. Dwight appeared from the thrum of Saviours at their surroundings, surveying the line of people kneeling before his peer. Dwight moved to the van he’d been standing beside, opening the back door to allow the headlights to shine inward. “Come on. You got people to meet.”

Daryl was bare-chested and bloody, his face ashen. Dwight had to half drag him out, more Saviours coming for the rest of them. Michonne grunted as she was yanked roughly, Glenn behind her. 

“Maggie?” He croaked, hearing her cry softly in response as they wrestled him to his knees. 

Iris was last. Her hair was unbound and in her face, her mouth gagged and limbs tied tightly. Her wrists were also tied to her ankles, making it virtually impossible for her to move. Two of them came and grabbed her by the arm, hauling under her shoulder before unceremoniously dumping her next to the others. 

“The hell is this?” The cheerful man asked, looking down at Iris with amusement.

“The bitch is rabid.” One of the Saviours snorted, Dwight shrugging with a half-nod. She bared her teeth at the man standing over her, and he spared no patience slapping her across the face with the back of his hand. Daryl wrestled weekly against his binds, but he was so bloodless he could barely move.

“Alright!” The cheerful man said loudly. “We’ve got a full boat!” He walked backward as they all faced the RV, knocking gently on the door. “Let’s meet the man.”

The door swung open to reveal the darkness of the RV, and slow, calm footsteps as the silhouette descended from within. 

“Pissing our pants yet?” The man asked. 

The first thing Iris saw as he stepped into the light was his smile. He was handsome, his smile charming, his eyes and expression warm and inviting. The way he moved was nauseatingly familiar, like one’s friendly neighbour or high school sports coach. His salt and pepper beard was neatly trimmed, his hair slicked back. His designer leather jacket was paired a red scarf tied nicely at his throat. He carried a baseball bat in his left hand, the wood stained in a gradient of red, the end of it wrapped neatly in a metric ass-ton of barbed wire. His voice was like whiskey, smooth with a sharpness that made it easy to listen to.

“Boy, do I have a feeling we’re getting close.” He mused, walking forward and looking each of them in the eyes. “It’s gonna be pee-pee pants city here real soon. Which one of you pricks is the leader?”

“It’s this one.” The cheerful man stated, pointing a finger at Rick with a straight arm, as if he was correctly answering a question in a kindergarten class. “He’s the guy.” 

The man tilted his head and sighed as he looked Rick over, seeming almost disappointed. He got closer, feeling them out.

“Hi.” He said warmly. “You’re Rick, right?” He didn’t wait for a response. “I’m Negan. And I do not appreciate you killing my men. Also, when I sent my people to kill your people for killing my people, you killed more of my people. Not cool.” He shook his head, sighing. “Not cool. You have no idea how not cool that shit is. But, I think you’re gonna be up to speed shortly.” Rick looked up at him, meeting his gaze, and Negan almost winced, but it turned into a cunning smile. “Yeah. You are so gonna regret crossing me in a few minutes. Yes you are. You see, Rick, whatever you do, no matter what, you don’t mess with the new world order. And the new world order is this, and it’s really very simple. So, even if you’re stupid, which you very may well be, you can understand it. You ready? Here goes. Pay attention.”

Negan lowered the bat and Rick flinched away as it swung close to his right ear. Negan brought it up beside his head, almost resting atop his shoulder. He smiled again, looking Rick right in the eye as he spoke softly.

“Give me your shit… or I will kill you.” He stood up straighter, flashing those pearly whites. He started pacing across the line of them. “Today was career day. We invested a lot so you would know who I am and what I can do.” He used the bat to point at Rick. “You work for me now. You have shit, you give it to me. That’s your job. Now I know that is a mighty big, nasty pill to swallow, but swallow it you most certainly will. You ruled the roost. You built something. You thought you were safe, I get it. But the word is out. You are not safe. Not even close. In fact, you are pegged. More pegged if you don’t do what I want. And what I want is half your shit. And if that’s too much, you can make, find or steal more, and it’ll even out sooner or later. 

“This is your way of life now. The more you push back, the harder it will be. So if someone knocks on your door, you let us in. We own that door. You try to stop us and we will knock it down. You understand?” He leaned in, cupping a hand to his ear as he faced Rick again. “What, no answer?” He wiped a hand down his jaw. “You didn’t really think you were gonna get through this without being punished, now, did you? I don’t want to kill you people. Just want to make that clear from the get-go. I want you to work for me. You can’t do that if you’re dead, now, can you? I’m not growing a garden.

“But you killed my people, a whole damn lot of them. More than I’m comfortable with. And for that, for that you’re gonna pay. So now, I’m gonna beat the holy hell outta one of you.” He skillfully flipped the bat in his hands, leaning close to Rick again. “This, this is Lucille. And she is awesome. All this is just so we can pick out which one of you gets the honour.”

He walks past each of them, sizing them up for what they were worth. He stalls at Abraham, whose chest puffs up and he looks Negan right in the eyes. He straightens to his full size, so that if he were to take it, he would take it as he was. The man seemed to be impressed by this, chuckling at Abraham’s audacity. He rubbed a hand down his jaw again.

“Huh.” He hummed. “I gotta shave this shit.” He moved down the line, stopping at Carl, and kneeling down to meet his eye line. “You’ve got one of our guns. Whoa. Yeah. You got a lot of our guns.” He watches as Carl’s gaze narrows, looking at Negan as if he were the one who was disappointed, confused as to what the purpose of this might be. “Shit, kid, lighten up. At least cry a little.” He chuckles. He picked up the pistol, tucking it in the waistband of his pants and adjusting his jacket over it. He sniffed, clearing his throat as he moved over to Maggie.

“Jesus. You look shitty.” He whistled. Glenn twitches and Iris shakes her head, but he ignores her. “I should just put you out of your misery right now.”

“No! No!” Glenn screamed. He jumped up before the Saviours could catch him, making to tackle Negan, but they wrestled him to the ground, unloading punches and kicks until he stopped fighting them. 

“Stop!” Maggie cried hoarsely. Dwight stands over Glenn with Daryl’s crossbow, aiming it at him, ready and prepared. Negan scratches his lip like a disappointed teacher, shaking his head.

“Nope. Nope, get him back in line.”

“No.” Glenn garbles as they haul him into place. “No! No!” He cries out in frustration. “Don’t! Don’t.” Negan chuckles, rearing back, amused. 

“Alright, listen. Don’t any of you do that again. I will shut that shit down, no exceptions. First one’s free, it’s an emotional moment—“ He pauses to point at Glenn with a smile, “— I get it.” They were all trembling, tears in their eyes and straining, trying not to cry out or grit their teeth or utter a single word. “Sucks, don’t it? The moment you realize you don’t know shit.” He surveys them for another moment, his eyes flitting back and forth between Rick and Carl.

“This is your kid, right?” He asks. He chuckles. “This is definitely your kid.”

“Just stop this!” Rick yelled suddenly. He apparently had had enough of the emotional torment.

“Hey!” Negan yells in reply, moving back to Rick. “Do not make me kill the little future serial killer. Don’t make it easy on me. I gotta pick somebody. Everybody’s at the table waiting for me to order.” He walks up and down the line again, enjoying the attention, the silence. He whistles to himself, chuckling. “I simply cannot decide. I got an idea.” He steps in front of Rick, raising the bat.

“Eenie. Meanie. Miny. Moe. Catch… a tiger… by… its toe. If… he hollers… let him go. My mother… told me… to pick… the very… best one… and you… are… it.” He pauses, looking around at all of them. 

“If anybody moves, anybody says anything, I’ll cut the boy’s other eye out and feed it to his father and then we’ll start. You can breathe, you can blink, you can cry. Hell, you’re all gonna be doing that.”

-

TAGLIST:

@heidiland05

@ryoujoking

@catlalice

@maxinehufflepuffprincess

@lowkeyhottho

@fadingpalacebonkpsychic

@hayley1998

@negansbestie

@lizey-thornberry

[duchessonfire]

Savior Carl!AU re-read Part 1 Chapter 1

In honor of the Savior Carl!AU celebrating its fourth birthday this week (on Thursday 9th to be precise), I'm re-reading the whole series with a running commentary for anyone who might be interested in it. If you're not interested and don't want to have your dashboard spammed, you can block the tags Duchess reads and Savior Carl AU reread.

Commentary for Part 1, Ch 1 below the cut (spoilers for part 1 ahead):

First of all, it always blows my mind that I never realized the first thing Negan says to Carl in the Savior AU is... that he finds Carl hot. I wish I was kidding but this is literally what Negan says to Shane when he offers himself and Carl as Saviors:

"Hey, no offense, big guy. That's a good looking kid you have here, must take after his mama, that's all."

Like... That man noticed Carl the second he laid eyes on him. Iconic. And as if that wasn't enough, Negan throws in another compliment about Carl's eyes:

"Same goes for you, kid, if you don't want Lucille to bash your head in, eyes first. She likes ‘em baby blues, and you're just her favorite shade."

Jesus, Negan, just go down on one knee and propose, why don't you.

Something that's also hitting me as I'm re-reading the chapter is how frayed Carl and Shane's relationship already is when the story starts:

As Carl lies on his bare mattress in the Saviors' compound, Shane sleeping soundlessly on the bed, he reminds himself that it all rests on him. Shane is a gun always ready to go off. As long as Carl can point him in the right direction, it can all be alright. It has to be.

Shane lets Carl sleep on a bare mattress on the floor like a dog at his feet, while Carl thinks of Shane as a weapon he can use for his own survival. They are both dehumanizing the other, seeing the other as a mere tool. Shane's death at the end of part 1 was inevitable and all the elements for it are foreshadowed from the beginning:

Suddenly, Carl doesn't just long for his gun, he longs for a knife. A machete. A hatchet. This is the man who killed Abraham. This is the man who killed Glenn. Suddenly, he longs for a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire.

It's especially telling that Carl already wants to wield the bat (even if here he's thinking about killing Negan with it). I think it's Chandler Riggs who mentioned in an interview that when Carl sees the Sanctuary for the first time with Negan, part of him is attracted by the power Negan has. This is very much present here. Carl already wants *to be* Negan here, to have the same power he has, to be able to inflict pain and vengeful retribution the same way Negan did in the clearing.

Okay but now that we've talked about Negan's first words to Carl, we need to talk about Carl's first words to Negan:

After spending all day being shown around the Sanctuary, after being fed and brought to a cozy room with a kitchen area and a comfy bed, Carl feels the sudden need to correct him. "He's not really my dad."

AKA, "Should you want to be my new daddy, just know that this slot if available" lmao

Okay no, but for real, this is especially interesting that Carl's first words to Negan are used to distanciate himself from Shane. This is due to what happened at the clearing. Shane was humiliated, brought low on his knees, submitted by a more powerful Alpha male. And here, this is Carl distanciating himself from Shane's defeat. In my mind, Carl is a sub craving male authority and power. He needs to be by the side of the most powerful man around, it's how he feels safe and protected in the apocalypse. He needs to be under the wing of someone stronger to protect himself and baby Lori. Until the clearing, this used to be Shane. But the second Negan entered the picture and made Shane kneel, Carl's allegiances shifted, whether or not he's aware of it. This moment is Carl sending Negan a very important subtext: "We both know Shane lost, and I need you to know I'm not like him, I'm not a loser." This Carl is a savage and I love him forever.

"Then why in the hell are you calling him that? Fuck, wait, tell me this ain't some kinky baby/daddy shit. A few of my wives call me that and I'd really like to be able to get laid without thinking about Shane's ugly mug while I'm balls deep in pussy."

Right, Negan, because that's the most logical explanation and the first one your brain should arrive at. It's for sure not related to the fact that you think the kid is hot. This being the first thing that comes to mind is no doubt purely a coincidence and not at all fueled by your already raging lust for him. God, he was probably thinking about tumbling Carl on the bed right here and then in Carl's new room.

Back on a more serious note, it blows my mind how much foreshadowing there is in chapter 1 (yes, I know I wrote it, but sometimes I realize something is foreshadowing *after* writing it):

“I’m not leaving you alone with these people,” Shane says darkly once she’s closed the door and her footsteps have receded down the hallway. “They’re trying to split us up. Weaken us. We won’t let them.”

This is almost prophetic. Shane knew exactly what Negan would try to do because it's what *he* would do. Divide and conquer. But Shane here is only thinking in physical terms: separating Carl from him physically so the Saviors have them isolated and can easily be overpowered. He didn't realize Negan would be driving a wedge between them by connecting with Carl. And by the time he did, it was too late to stop it from happening.

Conclusion; tldr: I really like this chapter. It's short, compact, non-linear, and yet everything is already here. The frayed relationship between Shane and Carl, Negan's interest in Carl, Carl's interest in Negan, Carl's utter loyalty for his little sister and no one else's. My favorite thing, though, has to be the ending with the boat. I'm really really happy that I thought of taking this element that was part of Rick and Aaron's storyline and that I managed to use it as a test of loyalty for Negan to put Carl and Shane through. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm proud of myself on this one. I love playing with canon and reusing it in a different way.

Also, I mentioned in my 2024 fic wrap Tumblr post that when I first posted this story on AO3, the engagement with it was very low and the Cegan fandom was pretty much dead. To give you an idea, I posted chapter 1 on January 9th and didn't receive a comment until January 14th. The second comment was posted almost a month later in early February (by no one other than the wonderful @reallygreatblogname222!!). It took me a month to get 2 comments on this fic and I didn't get another one until June, 6 months after posting. As discouraging as it can be to write a fic with very low engagement, always remember to find the joy in your own writing and to persevere regardless of what sort of feedback you get on it. 4 years later, Part 1 has over 900 kudos and 151 comments. None of it would have been possible if I had let myself be discouraged and stopped posting before finishing the story. It takes time to build a community but know that your people will find you eventually <3

PS: boy did I love commas back then. I'm cleaning them up as I re-read the chapter but, wow, 2021 Duchess, ease up on the punctuation.

You can find the commentary for chapter 2 here.

[cloudsofgray]

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Splintered ch 1

Shane walsh alternative ending

So, Shane actually lives in this one. Major plot twist! Set in season 2 ep 12. I borrowed some dialogue from the show but threw in my own stuff too. Honestly, writing this chapter took way longer than I thought because I basically had to choreograph a whole fight scene. Who knew writing about people hitting eachother was so hard? But i'm so proud of how it turned out.

This is just the start. I’m hoping to turn it into a series focusing on Shane and everything that happens after this. Buckle up! heres an ao3 link if you prefer to read there

https://archiveofourown.org/works/66247660

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Woods— Evening

"Randall's not the only threat out there. Keep an eye out for each other."

With that final ask, the group splits off into pairs—Daryl and Glenn heading right, Rick and Shane going left.

The two of them walk through the dim woods, only sound between them being the chirping of crickets and the crunching of leaves under boots. After a stretch of silence, Rick spoke.

"Looks like it's busted pretty bad." he said, nodding towards Shane's mangled nose.

"It's fine, man. Don't worry 'bout me." Shane replied, avoiding Rick's eyes.

Without letting the moment linger, he moves ahead, leading the way deeper into the trees.

Questions looped in Rick's mind.

How did Randall slip his cuffs?

How in his condition, did he get the jump on Shane?

What was Shane doing over there in the first place?

Why would Randall risk a fight for a gun when he could've just ran?

His stomach turned as they walked. Not wanting to believe his friend—his brother would lie about that.

They were nearing the last stretch of brush. Through thinning trees, a grassy field could be seen. Before they could reach it Shane stops.

"Does this way feel right?" Rick asked, brows furrowed.

Shane didn't answer right away. Shoulders stiff, back tense.

Without turning around, he spoke. Low and flat.

"You don't trust me."

Ricks stomach lurched.

"What are you talkin' about?" he asked carefully.

"The kid." Shane said, finally turning to face him. It was dark but Rick could still see the growing swelling on his nose, the look in his eyes. "You think i'm a liar, that I planted him out here."

Rick didn't answer.

Shane took a step closer, voice slightly rising. "Go on, say it. Ever since that day in Merit County you've been lookin' at me like i'm some kinda threat.

"That isn't true."

"The hell it ain't!" Shane snapped, coming closer, reaching for the gun in his belt. "You think I don't notice the way you act when i'm around?" he takes a breath. "Around Lori. Around Carl, like I ain't already put my life on the line for every single person in that house." he gestures.

Tension builds and Rick hovers over his knife as they slowly start to circle. Just in case.

"Shane." he said slowly, trying to reason. "We can talk this through. But not here, not like this."

"Talk. Thats all you ever have Rick, words. You think l'm the problem? Truth is i've been the one keeping everyone alive while you play sheriff." Shane's breaths becoming more frequent. "I did what I had to do. And yeah, i handled it my way, but you? You're always two steps behind until its too damn late."

Rick heart starts to pound against his chest as he's starting to realize this is bigger than just Randall.

More aggravated, Shane continues. "I'm a better father than you Rick. Im better for Lori than you, man. It's cause im a better man than you, Rick. Cause I can be here and i'll fight for it. But you, you come back here and you just destroy everything!"

The sting of his words are a slap in the face to Rick, but he stays silent.

"You got a broken woman. You got a weak boy. You ain't got the first clue on how to fix it.

After a brief pause, Rick finally speaks. "Watch my hand, nice and easy." he says as he reaches for his gun, Shane gripping his tighter. Rick holds it out—not as a a threat, but as plea to stop this.

"Listen to me Shane,

There is still a way back from this. We're gonna lay down our guns—"

Suddenly there's a snarl. Too close.

Something slams into Shane from behind.

A walker.

The impact sends him stumbling forward, gun slipping from his grasp, landing somewhere in the mess of leaves and twigs.

He whips around just quick enough to catch the ugly creature by the upper arms, both falling backwards, wind stolen from Shane's lungs from the impact.

The walker's teeth gnashing, desperately trying to grab him—to rip him apart.

He looks around for something, anything to grab. Finding a rock he brings it to the walkers rotting skull in one swift motion. Then again, and again, and again.

Fragments of bone, dark blood, and rot drench his face, neck, and chest, clinging thick like tar.

He doesn't stop.

Not until the walker is a pulped mess—unrecognizable, long dead.

Only then pushing it off, and flipping to his knees, breaths coming out fast and laboured.

Rick slowly moves towards him.

"Shane we need to go." his voice more desperate.

But for a different reason.

More leaves rustling and twigs snapping. More walkers started to wonder in, drawn by the commotion.

With Shane still on the ground, he goes to put a hand on his shoulder, but is quickly grabbed.

Shane's hand clamps around Rick's wrist and yanks hard. Before Rick can react he's thrown off balance, landing harshly on his chest and shoulder, face in the dirt.

Rick lets out a strangled grunt. He barely has time to blink before Shane is on him—one knee pressed into his abdomen, fists violently swinging.

A punch connects with his jaw, then with his eye. Rick manages to block the next one, but Shane wont let up.

Hes not fighting to prove something, hes fighting to end this.

Rick gets in a punch to his face, then knees him in the stomach—enough to give him a chance to scramble away.

Just as he manages to crawl, one... two... three more walkers come crashing through the trees.

Soon again Shane is back on him.

Grabbing him into a choke hold.

Rick struggles against it, grabbing and clawing, trying to get to his face.

Shane's forearm locks under Rick's chin, crushing his windpipe. Kicking and gasping, hes drug across the forest floor, not being able to steady his feet to take some pressure off his throat. Shane's face is tight with rage, his breath hot against Rick's ear.

"We don't get to come back from this," he growls.

"You don't get to walk away again."

Rick's vision starts to tunnel.

Then—snarling.

The walkers are almost on them.

Shane hesitates

Then he lets go. Not out of mercy.

Out of rage.

He shoves Rick, right towards the walkers.

He stumbles, coughing, head spinning as he hits the dirt. One walker lunges. He ducks and pushes it to the ground with a guttural yell.

Another comes from the side.

Unsheathing and swinging his knife, he slices through its temple.

Then—thundering footsteps from behind.

Shane.

Whether to come help, or to hurt, Rick didn't know.

Instincts took over.

He spins, blade slashing.

The knife tears through Shane's face, jaw to brow, deep and jagged.

Shane stumbles backwards with a roar, blood streaming down face, staining his shirt and ground beneath him.

Rick stands there, gasping for air, throat raw, face bruised, eyes locked with his former bestfriend.

More and more walkers pour in, snapping branches, crashing through brush like a wave.

Rick backs away weapon raised.

Shane gripping his face, lets out a defeated growl through gritted teeth, backing away.

Forced apart, separated by the dead.

Rick sees Shane one last time, his silhouette flickering between the crowd of bodies.

Just like that—

Gone.

Swallowed up by the darkness of the forest.

They don't get to finish.

In the end its not words or fists that decide anything.

It's the dead that get the final say.

[whateverisbeautiful]

♥️ Ranking Richonne

#26: We Should Go To Washington (S5E09)

This moment - Powerful. Pivotal. Romantic. I’ve said before that I believe Rick and Michonne more fully fell in love with each other by the end of season 4. And to me, how they interact with each other throughout season 5 just further confirmed my theory, especially in this stunning episode 'What Happened And What's Going On.' And part of what's going on is Rick and Michonne falling for each other even more as they make a big game-changing decision rooted in the love and trust they've developed. I love that this is where Rick shows he would truly go the distance for Michonne...

(Sidenote: Now this scene ranking might be my most controversially-placed one because I know this is a very beloved classic Richonne scene that would understandably make a lot of ppl's Top 10s and even Top 5s. It’s a super significant moment between Rick and Michonne and I love it, I promise. Richonne's journey is just that abundant with top-10 worthy moments so I had to make some sacrifices on my list because I adore every second of every moment they’re on screen.😅)

So I already just love the way Rick and Michonne are color-coordinated in their brown outfits. So much of season 5 really established how R&M are a pair and each other's match.

And in this ep, Rick touches her, I believe, for the first time since she told him never to touch her again in s3., showing their growth and the strengthening of those magnets.

Something I appreciate about the Richonne 5B scenes that occur before they arrive at ASZ is that they really did an effective job of confirming the depth of their bond. During this period, we consistently see just how much Rick and Michonne's attraction to each other is more than skin-deep because they've built a genuine love and trust with each other.

They cement their partnership in so many ways during this time of searching for a home, and it's important to see this depicted before they enter ASZ because it lets you know that while there will be situations that could potentially cause a divide between them at Alexandria, it's 5B scenes like this Washington one that tell you Rick and Michonne's bond was too strong, too battle-tested, and too important to them for anything in ASZ to break it.

It’s also very clear throughout this season 5 mid-season premiere how much Michonne’s well-being is on Rick’s radar and really matters to him, and it becomes extra clear in this #26 scene here. 

Michonne is making her case for why this place could maybe still work as a home, only to find that the community clearly was brutally attacked as severed body parts lay scattered around. Michonne is quietly disappointed as she walks and observes, and Rick’s attention immediately shifts to her as he follows behind her. It’s one of the clearest cases of their damn-near literal magnetic connection. 🧲

She doesn’t leave his sight. Even when Glenn says, "it doesn’t matter," Rick stays staring at Michonne. I love that their “you're okay, I'm okay” interconnectedness is so visible. Michonne isn’t okay, and that so clearly doesn’t sit well with Rick, so she’s top of mind for him in this scene.

Glenn starts speaking, and Rick peels himself away from looking at Michonne to hear Glenn share a very bleak perspective on how it wouldn’t matter who killed Dawn. Michonne turns around and pitches that they go to Washington. At the end of this season, a very special scene will have Rick admitting the way Michonne can influence his decisions, and this moment in 5.09 is an example of that. 

Michonne turns to Rick and tells him they're close, and it's 100 miles away - and one thing I love about this point in their relationship is that she and Rick have established enough trust with each other that Michonne can be vulnerable enough to really show some raw emotion here and speak her mind. 

Rick listens as Michonne questions what if there are people there and what if it’s a chance to be safe. “It’s a possibility. It’s a chance” This is the season of Michonne really wanting tf to find a home and I know so much of that would be rooted in the fact that she was one of the few who knows what it’s like to extensively wander out in the woods and go a bit mad. She doesn’t want that for her and her new family.

Michonne gets more emotional but still with such poise as she suggests going to Washington is better than just being out there and just making it since making it looks like all those bodies sprawled on the ground. I love that she’s pouring her heart out to him. And what a great man that Rick is so ready to not take this lightly and to really hear her.

And we get another one of those long lingering looks from Rick as he stares right at her, listening. The arresting effect she always has on him is gold, and I appreciate that he lets her words seep in. Especially when Michonne asks, “Don’t you want one more day with with a chance?” 

Danai again slays the vulnerable delivery of that line and it’s also deep for Michonne to pose this question hoping Rick also wants to live and not just survive. This is important for her to know too because her last man had given up on trying to have one more day with a chance and so it’s great she gets this confirmation that Rick is different and far more aligned with her.

(Also watching s1 back, in the finale, Dr. Jenner asks what they want, and Rick says, “A chance.” which just further indicates how he and Michonne are cut from the same cloth) 

Then I love the romantic way this next part plays out cuz the walkers draw near, Rick says we should go, and Glenn and Michonne think he means we should leave the area. So Michonne turns away thinking her words fell on deaf ears, but then Rick reveals no I heard you and I will go where you lead, when he repeats her words and says, "It’s 100 miles away...We should go to Washington."

Hearing this gets both Glenn and Michonne to stop in their tracks and turn to look at Rick  Cuz this isn’t a choice Rick would make this quickly for just anyone. And Michonne’s look of surprise is so touching. I was just looking at this moment thinking - that’s right girl, he’d do anything for you.😊

I’ve always felt like in this scene Glenn is an adorable third wheel to the Richonne bubble because Rick is completely facing and staring at Michonne solely when he says this. It just makes it clear that he is declaring this because of her. Like of course he wants to secure a home for his whole family, but in this moment what's especially evident is Rick wants to give a home to Michonne.

So Rick makes this big decision for the group fully based on what Michonne thinks is best and once again it really was giving romantic when he looked right at her and said, "We should go to Washington."

And then Michonne's subtle smile...that’s an “I love this man” reaction, y’all. Better yet, she's looking at Rick like...

I appreciate how Rick and Michonne’s love for each other makes them do things differently, because while in the past it was said by Lori that Rick would never just go somewhere on a hunch, here he’s showing that he would go somewhere and bring all of tf with him if Michonne’s instincts say it’s a good move.

I love that here Rick can’t help but be so focused and in tune with her and Michonne can’t help but look at him with so much love. Again she gets confirmation Rick is different from her past and cut from the same cloth as her. The way Rick looks at her and looks away, I really feel like it’s a brief moment of him knowing that he so swiftly agreed to this for and because of her because he loves her. Whipped in the best healthiest way.

It's also great watching scenes like these back and knowing Rick is looking at the woman who he will go onto happily make his wife, and Michonne is looking at the man she will fully embrace as her husband. 🥰

All of Rick and Michonne's s5 scenes suggest that they had fallen for each other and were becoming more and more aware of how special and influential they were in each other's lives. And this moment was a beautiful illustration of what Richonne means to each other and what they’ll do for each other. Scenes like these - weighty, quiet, but full of love, just solidify that this is a beautiful love story for the ages. 😌

[omgkalyppso]

Twenty Questions for Fic Writers

tagged by @recurringwriter <33

1) how many works do you have on ao3?

98! I should do something special for 100 but just finishing / posting anything is something special with my slow writing pace...

2) what's your total ao3 word count?

649,983 uwu. I wonder how many years it would take me to catch up to your million...

3) what are your top five fics by kudos?

5. As Many Problems As There Are Stars - BG3, Astarion x OC, rated M, 1.6k Fluff - 82 kudos (insane) 4. I Can't Seem To Pull Myself Away - FE3H, Claurenz, rated E, 12.3k Soulmate AU - 89 kudos (this is crazy) 3. But How Bad Of An Idea Was It Really? - FE3H, Sylvain x Felix x nb!Byleth, rated E, 1.3k Smut - 96 kudos 2. Burning Through - FE3H, Claurenz, rated E, 13.7k Spies and Secret Agents AU - 108 kudos (shocked tbh) 1. Please Don't Leave - Overwatch, M/cH/anzo, rated M, 1.2k Hurt/Comfort - 153 kudos

4) what fandoms do you write for?

Short answer: Currently it's Love and Deepspace, Fire Emblem and Baldur's Gate 3.

Long answer:

5) do you respond to comments? why or why not?

I haven't really the past few years because I feel guilty, I don't know why. I feel like I especially owed people who commented more or better quality fic than whatever I provided and I feel guilty for not having replied to the people I didn't get to. I tell myself that when I feel better I'll go back and reply to everyone but then I wonder if people want a reply from an author five years late and I just /:

6) what's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

The Horror of Honor . Which is mostly just a poem, but is also Rodrigue going through his late son, Glenn's things.

7) what's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Two come to mind: Trust Or Something Like It is an FE3H Syldue fic which could have been 16 chapters long but I crammed the story into a thousand words so it's only 1 chapter and most of it is smut where the relationship is secure and the future is bright. Similarly, Expanded Epilogue is an FE3H Claude x My Unit OC 6 chapter fic with Some tension that ends in a wedding. Trust Or Something Like It's tension builds in a way that I feel the happy ending isn't guaranteed, whereas I feel Expanded Epilogue's ending can be seen from miles away but there's something about each of them that feel more cemented than happy-and-hopeful-but-uncertain endings that accompany a lot of my fics.

8) do you get hate on fics?

I've deleted three stupid comments that I can think of.

9) do you write smut?

I write smut. I haven't posted smut since 2022. I know this needs to be rectified.

10) do you write crossovers?

Not really. I can enjoy crossovers, and I like thinking of my oc's / blorbos interacting. The closest I might get soonish would be stealing some Fire Emblem characters to be Faedolyn's friends in the Love and Deepspace universe (Dedue, (Dedue's sister oc) Luzia, Linhardt, Caspar, Lysithea, Seteth, Flayn and Basilio are on my short list).

11) have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I'm aware of.

12) have you ever had a fic translated?

I haven't, no.

13) have you ever cowritten a fic before?

I've collaborated with oc owners while writing fic, and I've written gift fic and zine fic where I received guidance / support; but not really.

14) what's your all time favourite ship?

I guess Vegebul? In terms of longevity.

15) what's the wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Don't put this curse on me.

16) what are your writing strengths?

I pray it's dialogue and characterization.

17) what are your writing weaknesses?

I think they are keeping tension and atmospheric descriptions of like the setting / objects in the setting.

18) thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

It's fun as a narrative device, like if the pov character reflects on what was being said or the character speaking in another language translates themself at another point in the story as a fun twist or inside joke, but otherwise that it makes more sense to keep the fic in a singular language with descriptors for which language the speakers are speaking in and is less enjoyable to only have translations in authors' notes.

Two examples from my own fics:

Nader pointed beyond to a diamond block sitting on its side. “Hadduh?” Claude brought a hand up to the base of his neck and shared a look with Hilda, though whatever had touched him had only confused her. She squinted in response before turning to watch the scene play out. “Hadha, Nader?” Fae corrected, stretching to roll the blocked closer to them with a finger. “This one?”

.

[Claude] tossed his head back, and exclaimed in Almyran, “Mama?! What the hell is this?” “It’s just your brother,” she said in Fodlani, pouting. “You love your brother.”

19) first fandom you wrote for?

Archie Comics: Betty and Veronica

20) favourite fic you've ever written?

It's probably still Sacred Dedication which is a Gen FE3H fic; 2.9k Dedue Molinaro character study.

.

I'll tag @lucius-the-sinful, @thedragonagelesbian, @the-eldritch-it-gay, @razrogue, @bladesandstars and YOU.

[cepetriwrites]

Alicent Reverses the Hourglass Ch 10 Memes

Pussy so good it got that DBT (Dick-riding Behavorial Therapy)

[alt: men would rather fuck the enemy than go to therapy]

Otto: Alicent is going to the Vale for a few days to get her brother married

Daemon: *immediately hopping his ass on Caraxes to ask Alicent who tf she think she is using him like a cheap whore then going off to marry from vale lord* (he only processed the words Alicent left and marriage)

Yeah man that’ll show her

Rhea: welcome Ser Glenn

Gwayne:

Archer anyone?

Was not expecting this character to be relevant to Alicent’s second life…

What the fuck is her problem????

Me after that scene with Jeffrey Stone

This um… this was a dark chapter

But not enough to stop my meme talents

Memes Masterpost

[coolstoriesbro]

FOR THE ONES WE LOVE | CH. 6

FANDOM: The Walking Dead

SERIES: For the Ones We Love

STATUS: Ongoing

ERA: Prison

PAIRING: Eventual Daryl Dixon x Female Reader (No Use of “Y/N”)

CHAPTER SIX: Close Quarters

WORD COUNT: 4.2k

SUMMARY: Tensions rise when the group returns to the prison with Glenn, Maggie, and Merle.

RATING: Mature

WARNINGS: Language, Discussion of Possible/Attempted Sexual Assault, Merle Being Merle

SERIES MASTERLIST

True to his word as always, Rick sent Daryl and Merle to another cellblock upon the group’s return to the prison. He’d been distant towards you since your talk with him back in the woods, which wasn’t exactly a surprise. After fleeing Woodbury, Daryl had made it clear that he wouldn’t return to the prison without his brother. It was an ultimatum, one that Rick hadn’t appreciated, but you’d reminded him how Daryl had selflessly saved all your lives, and if he chose to abandon them, he would be leaving your savior for dead.

The more time that you spent thinking about it, the more the thought of leaving Daryl behind made you feel sick. It was more than guilt; though if Rick had said no to him and Merle coming back, you certainly would have felt that in abundance.

No, it was something else; something that you couldn’t quite put your finger on . . . and maybe, deep down, you didn’t want to.

Maybe it was easier to chalk it up to guilt.

Easier was better these days.

Easier was safe.

Michonne went to Hershel where he saw to her wounds and was forced to relinquish her sword before being assigned a cell where she could rest. The last you’d seen of her; she hadn’t put up a struggle. The woman could barely stand on her own after the two-mile run from Woodbury to the Hyundai, and you could tell that she was grateful for the shelter. Rick didn’t seem too keen on having her stay but agreed to let her take a few days to recuperate at Hershel’s insistence.

Once everyone who needed it had been seen by their resident doctor, Rick updated those who had stayed behind on what went down in Woodbury. Both Hershel and Carol thought it would be best to get back on the road and begin the search for a new home, but the rest of the group vehemently disagreed. Everyone was anxious after making an enemy in the Governor, but they saw the potential for a home in the prison and weren’t willing to give it up without a fight.

It was terrifying, how after only living in the prison for a month, you were willing to fight – to die for these people, if necessary. Terrifying, but also a wonderful thing to have found something worth fighting for in a world that you’d thought was hopeless. These people had become your friends; had shown you kindness when they didn’t owe you a goddamn thing. How many other people could say that about a group of strangers they’d stumbled upon at the end of the world?

Since returning to the prison, things had mostly gone back to normal. Daryl and Merle kept their distance, with only the youngest Dixon brother making appearances to retrieve their meals from the dining area a few times a day. As much as you found yourself thinking about Daryl, even missing the disagreements you had with him over the silliest things, you didn’t question the new living arrangements. It didn’t seem right after what Glenn and Maggie had gone through.

Over the next few days, each member of the group took turns at the guard tower to watch for signs of the Governor launching an attack. Additional duties included searching beyond the armory in case there happened to be any weapons or ammo that had been overlooked, and gathering all the scrap metal from the yard, using whatever they could find to fortify the exposed areas of the prison.

“I still can’t believe Rick let him come back.” Glenn fumed as he worked with you to secure one of the catwalks overlooking the prison yard.

Taking a deep breath, you hesitated, wondering how you could spin this in a positive direction. It took you back to your days in high school, when your friends were both pissed at each other and you were caught in the middle, trying desperately to mend their relationship. Of course, what had happened between Glenn, Maggie, and Merle was much more serious than anything you’d ever had to mediate before.

“I don’t know, Glenn. I mean, maybe the Governor was Merle’s only choice?” You reasoned, picking up a crate and turning it on its side against the fence. “He was on his own in Atlanta, down a hand, probably close to bleeding out . . . ”

Carol had filled you in on the details of how Merle had gotten separated from Rick’s group in the first place. While the older woman was clearly not a fan of Merle Dixon, nothing she’d told you about him had made you regret your influence over Rick bringing Merle back into the fold.

Feeling Glenn’s eyes on you, you sighed. “It’s just . . . the world’s different now. Things can’t be so black and white.”

“You too, huh?” Glenn shook his head.

“Look, I’m not saying forgive and forget.” Turning to face him, you continued. “What Merle did to you was horrible, and maybe we can’t trust him — but you didn’t see that arena. The Governor’s men already outnumber us, and he has seventy more townspeople that he could recruit. We need all the help we can get if we’re going to survive this, and Merle knows how that asshole thinks.”

Silence filled the air as Glenn contemplated your words, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. More pensive. You watched out of the corner of your eye as he returned to the task at hand, working on his side of the catwalk.

“It was bad for me with Merle.” Glenn finally spoke up a few moments later. “But it was worse for Maggie. She was interrogated by the Governor.”

Setting the next sheet of metal down rather than continue with your ministrations, you turned to face Glenn once more, giving him your full attention. You’d known that he loved Maggie from the moment you’d met him and saw how he lit up around her, but if you’d had any doubts, they would’ve been squashed right then and there as you watched him; his dark eyes full with tears of concern for the woman he loved.

Shifting from one foot to the other, Glenn shook his head. “When the Governor – Jesus, I hate calling him that! I feel like I’m showing him respect every time I call him by a title that he doesn’t deserve, but I don’t even know the bastard’s real name.”

Tilting your head, you smirked as you nudged him gently with your shoulder. “Hey, there you go. Bastard. Suits him perfectly!”

Glenn nearly cracked a smile at your suggestion, but pressed his lips together at the last second, as if feeling anything other than misery right now made him feel guilty.

“Okay, the Bastard.” He nodded. “When that fucking bastard brought Maggie to my room, s-she was . . .”

Glenn stopped after he began to fumble over his words. “Hey, you don’t have to talk about this—" You started, lowering your hand over his.

“No, I need to.” Glenn inhaled. “She was only half-dressed, and I don’t know for sure, but I think — I-I think he —" He clenched his fists by his sides, visibly starting to shake. “Fuck.”

Glenn bowed his head in silence, but even so, you knew what he was insinuating. With your hand gripping his, you gave him what you could only hope was a comforting squeeze, but deep down you felt selfish. Selfish because you didn’t want him to go any further — because you didn’t want to have to hear those words and think back to how the same thing had almost happened to you in Atlanta.

Even though Glenn had stopped himself, the memory of Gorman found you regardless; his hands clawing at your scrubs, his weight pressing you into the desk, the smell and sensation of his sticky breath ghosting over your neck and ear as he pulled you closer.

When you’d escaped Grady Memorial, you’d had nothing but those scared, lonely nights on the run to think back to how that monster had tried to force himself on you. But since moving into the prison, the memories were fleeting; the fear becoming something that you thought you might be able to push back to a place where it couldn’t hurt you anymore.

“Shit!” Glenn suddenly cursed, panic spreading across his face when he caught sight of someone rushing past the door.

Maggie.

You looked up to follow his gaze, but she had already come and gone in the span of just a few seconds. Setting his crate aside, Glenn made to follow her, but you grabbed onto his forearm, bringing him to a halt.

“Let me.”

He shook his head, shame flooding his features. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m such an asshole.”

“It’s okay.” You assured him. “I got this.”

When Glenn didn’t stop you, you turned and jogged towards the door. Making your way inside, you caught sight of Maggie rounding a corner.

“Maggie, wait up!” You yelled, falling into step just a couple of feet behind her as you hurried through the corridor.

“I don’t have anythin’ to say to you.” Maggie hissed.

“OK, so maybe you could try listening?” You suggested, following her into the empty dining area.

There were a few empty plates and bowls that had been left behind after lunch, and Maggie attempted to busy herself by putting everything back in its place. At your comment, she turned to face you, her hands full and her expression twisted with anger.

“Look, I know you’re not a big fan of me, but you need to know . . . Glenn’s putting himself through hell. He’s worried sick about you, and he just needed someone to vent to.”

“Oh gosh, I’m sorry that this has been so hard for him!” She exclaimed sarcastically.

Lowering your chin, you pressed your lips together. That was fair. If Maggie had really been through what Glenn assumed, you couldn’t exactly fault her for lashing out.

Especially at you.

“Maggie, please—”

“I don’t need your help! You don’t know anythin’ about it!”

“You sure about that?”

For a moment, Maggie said nothing, just stared. Then a look of uncertainty flashed in her green eyes, but just as soon as it had appeared it was replaced by that same look she’d given you when you first arrived at the prison. She didn’t know you, and she didn’t want you here. Why the hell would she reveal the worst thing that had ever happened to her to some stranger?

Tossing the plastic plates and bowls back onto the table, she stormed off, leaving you to clean up the mess. The rage you’d seen in her wasn’t unfamiliar, and you really did feel for her, but all the emotions you’d felt coming from the others since returning from Woodbury were starting to take their toll, and you could only handle so much.

Leaving the mess behind, you grabbed your messenger bag from where you’d left it on the table at lunch and exited C-Block.

—

Desperately needing a distraction, you decided to do some exploring on your own for the first time since arriving at the prison. After making your way down the maze of dark corridors and venturing further into unknown territory, you took note of the arrows that had been spray painted on the walls, pointing back into the direction of C-Block should you lose your way.

The hallways were pitch black, so much so that the white flashlight beam bouncing off the walls was practically blinding. And it was so quiet, with only the sound of some leaky pipes and the occasional squeak of a rat skittering by to break up the eerie silence. You were careful not to take your time, hurrying through as fast as you could before you lost what little nerve you still possessed.

Eventually, you found yourself in a room that had been abandoned like all the rest. There were overturned tables and bookshelves, but further in, you discovered a small area surrounded by plexiglass. Behind the glass, there were racks on display that held packaged snack foods, candies, bottled water, as well as sodas, magazines, slippers, and a variety of other items. There was even medicine, and some bandages.

The commissary.

It was beautiful.

While it wasn’t guns and ammo, to you, it was a hell of a lot more exciting, and you knew that the group would be happy to see these long-forgotten indulgences. Over the next several minutes, you loaded your bag up with food, water, and medicine. Later you would bring Carol back with you, or maybe ask Rick if Carl could tag along to help you pack up the rest.

Once your bag was practically bursting at the seams, you continued down the long stretch of hallway, following the signs imprinted on the otherwise bare walls until you found the exact cellblock that you were looking for.

“I come bearing chips!” You announced, swiftly making your way into D-Block to find Daryl reclining on one of the bottom bunks with his crossbow on his lap. The sight made you wonder if he ever went anywhere without the thing. It was like he was an action figure, and the crossbow was his one accessory.

“Are they stale enough to break a tooth?” You continued, stepping into his cell, and tossing two bags of individual sized chips onto his mattress. “Why, yes, they probably are, but . . . ” You shrugged. “I never thought I’d see chips again, so I’m not about to complain.”

From the moment that you joined him, Daryl’s eyes were drawn to you; his blue gaze watching closely, but still he said nothing. Suddenly, you felt like an idiot who talked way too much, and even more so for allowing yourself to think that the trip to Woodbury had somehow softened him towards you.

“You don’t like chips?” You asked, awkwardly moving your hand to the back of your neck.

Daryl shook his head. “I like ‘em, just wasn’t expectin’ any visitors.”

“Oh.”

Oh.

“I didn’t mean to bother you.” You took a step back. “I can—”

“Did I say you were botherin’ me?”

Jesus Christ.

Which was it?

Did he want you here or not?

You opened your mouth, about to say as much with the exhaustion of the last few days truly beginning to wear on you, when he spoke first.

“Just, no one was exactly rollin’ out the welcome mat back there.”

“Did you really expect them to?”

Daryl shrugged, gnawing on the inside of his lower lip as he looked back down at his crossbow and continued doing whatever it was that he was doing to it.

While you didn’t know the Dixon brothers’ entire story, from what you did know, you had a pretty good feeling that Daryl had spent most his life being ostracized by the people around him simply because he had a brother like Merle. It had to have been incredibly lonely, and you hated the thought that the past was now repeating itself with his newfound family.

Deciding that you’d be waiting forever for an invitation if it were to come from Daryl, you took a few more steps inside his cell as you rooted through your messenger bag to pull out a couple packets of beef jerky.

“Thought you might like these, too. There’s enough for both of you.” You offered, extending them to him.

“Merle an’ me went huntin’ earlier.” He muttered. “Already ate.”

Well, Daryl had done the hunting. Merle hadn’t hunted shit, he’d just bitched and moaned and pissed on things while Daryl did all the work, same as always.

“Okay.” You started to pull your hand away when he suddenly turned his body to face yours, his legs dropping over the edge of his mattress as he reached out to take it at the last second, his three middle fingers brushing over your knuckles.

“Nah, we’ll still eat it.”

Holding your breath, you met his eyes again as you released your grip, letting the packets fall into his awaiting palm.

Daryl gave a swift nod of thanks.

“No problem.” You breathed. “Brought this, too.”

He tilted his head, watching as you pulled out a First-Aid Kit.

“When we first got back, I noticed that you didn’t let Hershel look you over.” You explained. “You need to wash out that cut beneath your eye and apply antiseptic.”

“I will.” He muttered.

“No, you won’t.” You sighed knowingly, removing a rag and a bottle of water from the bag over your shoulder.

“Why d’ya care so much?” He asked.

“Because you’re the best hunter we have, and if the infection spreads to your eye and blinds you, I’m gonna get pretty sick of eating stale vending machine food.”

Daryl scoffed. “Ya got those two rabbits yourself the other day. You’d be just fine.”

“Is that a compliment?” You gasped, eyes widening comically.

He grunted.

“Please?” You asked softly, tilting your head.

While he didn’t exactly agree, he also didn’t say no, which was more than enough of an opening for you. Slowly stepping forward, you watched as he remained where he was on the bottom bunk, giving him a few seconds to change his mind if he decided to.

When Daryl sat his crossbow aside and remained seated, you came to a stop as he spread his knees enough to give you some room to stand between them. It was as close as you’d been to him since the car ride to Woodbury, and though you didn’t feel nervous, you made sure not to make any sudden movements, half expecting that he would come to his senses and bolt before you were able to do any good.

“You do this for your boyfriend?”

You looked down at him in surprise. “What?”

Daryl shrugged. “The one with the bike.”

You laughed, suddenly understanding. “Oh, so you think all bikers get into bar fights?”

“I know they do.”

Gently swiping the damp cloth across the gash in his cheek, you sighed. “Okay, you’re right — but no, I didn’t. Not for the fights he started anyway, which was basically all of them. If he was dumb enough to get himself into trouble, he could see to his own damn wounds.”

Daryl watched you closely as you applied the antiseptic to his cut yet didn’t so much as flinch.

“Had your fair share of bar fights, too?” You teased.

He shrugged his shoulders, his eyes finally looking away. You didn’t know if it was something you’d said, or maybe the medicine was starting to sting, but his sudden change in demeanor was hard to miss.

“Are you okay?” You asked, worried.

“The cut? It’s nothin’.”

“I’m not talking about the cut.”

Daryl’s eyes flickered back to study you, his tongue darting out to swipe beneath his top lip. He was about to make his reply when a familiar voice startled you both.

“Am I interruptin’ somethin’?” Merle asked as he sauntered towards Daryl’s cell, the grin on his lips more than a little suggestive.

Shit.

Peeling away the adhesive to the bandage, you gently applied it to Daryl’s cheek before turning to face the eldest Dixon brother.

Merle was around average height, same as Daryl, and had the same broad chest and shoulders. They were built alike, but that was where the similarities ended, as far as you could see.

“These for me, sweetheart?” He asked, nodding toward the snacks that you’d left on Daryl’s mattress.

“Uh, yeah — yeah, they’re for you, and Daryl.” You clarified.

“Well, ain’t you sweeter than sugar.”

You busied yourself by putting the bottled water, antiseptic, and bandage wrappings back into your bag while Merle unceremoniously opened a bag of chips and shoved a handful into his mouth.

“Mm, mm, mmm!” He groaned as if he were experiencing pure bliss the second the salty treat touched his tongue. “These might just be better than sex.”

At Merle’s words, your eyes went straight to Daryl, but with his face turned away, you could just make out the slight flush of crimson that had appeared on his cheeks and the tops of his ears.

“Know what I mean?” Merle winked at you.

Glancing at Merle, you shrugged. “Depends on the sex.”

Wait, what?

Had you really just said that out loud?

If a man had ever said anything like that to you before, you would’ve just ignored him. But in this situation, you’d only humored Merle’s lewd comment because of your interest in how Daryl would react.

You could feel the youngest Dixon’s gaze burning a hole into your head, but as soon as you brought your attention back to him, he became very interested in the snacks on his bed. It was cute, seeing how tough, gruff, Daryl Dixon became bashful at the mention of sex. He kept surprising you; proving that he was the opposite of his brother, and unlike any other man you’d ever met for that matter.

“Oho!” Merle guffawed. “That’s good. I like you, girly. I like you a lot.”

After a few seconds of silence, Daryl picked up his bag of Lays, looking it over. “Where’d ya find ‘em anyway?”

“There’s a second commissary not too far from here. Found these, too.” You pulled out a small box of gummy worms and shook them for emphasis. “Carl’s gonna freak.”

For a moment, you contemplated offering some to Daryl, but the idea of what might come out of Merle’s mouth next kept you from doing so. Dropping the box back into your bag, you readjusted the strap over your shoulder.

“Well, I better get going. Speaking of that little punk, he’s probably looking for me.” You smiled fondly.

Daryl nodded. “You sure ya know how to find your way back?”

While his concern for you was certainly flattering, and the idea of taking him up on an escort wasn’t unappealing, you weren’t sure what that would mean for Merle, and didn’t want to risk upsetting anyone if he tagged along.

“I’m good.” You nodded, taking your flashlight from your bag, and flicking it on and off for emphasis. “Someone spray painted arrows along the corridors, thank God.”

“Thank Glenn.” Daryl corrected you. “He did that.”

A disgruntled noise left Merle’s mouth, his lips curling up at the mention of their friend. Deciding that it was best to ignore him, the way you weren’t supposed to reward a toddler for bad behavior, you looked back over at Daryl, waving your hand.

“See you later?”

Daryl hummed in agreement.

“See ya soon, sugar.” Merle called after you with a smirk.

The Dixon brothers watched as you exited the cell and headed back the same way that you had entered. After a few seconds passed, Merle turned to face Daryl, a knowing grin spreading across his features.

“Damn, girl’s got an ass on her like a Georgia peach!” He exclaimed.

“Leave it alone, Merle.” Daryl warned.

“I’m just sayin’—”

“I said, leave it alone.”

“Oh shit. Is this girl it for you, baby brother? After all these years, someone finally caught your fickle eye? Thank Christ! For a while there I was thinkin’ you was a queer.”

“Shut the hell up, Merle!” Daryl stood up from his bunk. “It ain’t like that.”

“Oh, it ain’t? What’s it like then?” Merle took Daryl’s place on the bunk, moving his hands behind his head and leaning back against a pillow. “‘Cause if you ain’t gettin’ a piece of that, I might just—"

“Man, she’d never touch you!” Daryl snarled.

For a moment, nothing was said. Merle’s face went completely blank.

Then the son of a bitch smiled.

“Ain’t like that, huh?”

Daryl seethed, squaring his shoulders and pacing in a tight circle like a caged animal. He’d lived his whole life listening to Merle objectify women, and usually he could tune him out, but not now. Not when he was talking about you.

“Ya know, you’re right. That kinda girl — educated, uppity — she wouldn’t touch neither of us.”

“Whatever.” Daryl grunted, slapping his hand loudly against the bars of his cell before passing through the doorway and leaving Merle behind.

Merle watched as his baby brother made his exit; the smile on his lips growing impossibly wider. Over the years, he had partaken in many arguments with Daryl. They were brothers, after all – but he’d never seen his little brother this bent out of shape over a damn woman.

What the hell was it about this girl that had his brother so defensive?

What was so fucking special about you?

Whatever it was, Merle had every intention of finding out.

—

Taglist: @azanoni, @rickysgrimes, @are-y0u-sirius, @itsblueriddle, @siimiasoi, @hopefulatrocity, @dillie60, @darylsmavis, @starfirette, @nuhogom, @angel-winchester-dixon-mendes, @averyhockstetter, @chuckle-nuts, @bysamothrace, @beautifulharmonygoatee, @oceans-goddess, @ur-moms-sexy-af, @riripoyopoyo, @agnesxsp, @alovese, @ceoofdisappointment, @risingofjupiter, @ava2234563, @my-obsession-spn

[devilsmenu]

@hiddendarkrosesx - Ali & Glenn

“I’ve never heard this song before.” Ali said with a frown. "Who are the artist?".

[foxes-that-run]

2016 Haylor Timeline

Timeline Tag, back to 2015.

1 January - Yachtgate with Kendall, OOTW video released with Haylor references galore, including HS on her wrist. 12 Jan - CH and TS seen for for last time till March.

6 January - Harry posted photo of rain on a window. On 6 January 2015 Taylor posted Clear Blue Water" which may have been the day they last broke up.

14 January - rather than dine alone with CH TS encourages 14 year old fan sit with them

16 January - taylor wears outfit and hair like Delicates making of a song to visit Jaime King

17 January - Taylor didn't acknowledge Calvin's birthday. Taylor is in New York

18 January - Tabloid gossip that Taylor is jealous of the yacht, she had been liking angsty Tumblr posts about Harry. Out of the Woods official release Taylor back in LA

20 January - Harry arrives at LAX. Also seen in LA 22 and 23rd. Harry’s iMessage leaks and is stylesh989@gmail fans confirm it syncs with his IG

21 January - Harry celebrates 22nd Birthday in London, early, with Nick Grimshaw, stylist spends the night in his house. Kendall flies LA to Paris…. if she and Harry were dating she would have flown a day early and been at his London birthday party??

23 January - Taylor releases New Romantics. Kendall and Harry at Jeff's birthday roast. Kendall is wearing a Big o' Fur (Pop tart??) and leaves alone.

24 January - Harry celebrates his 22nd birthday in LA, also early with Glenn (Jeff's wife) and presumably others.

26 January - 58th Grammys, Taylor performed Out of the Woods, Harry posted photo of woods.

27 January - Harry signs with Jeff Azoff, also in LA. timeline

29 January - Taylor posted ““So how do you spend your time now that the tour is over?”” in Genius shirt with video with Meredith, I love it.

1 February - Harry unseen on birthday, tweets "I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22."

2 February Harry looked fine AF in this Hawaiian shirt

11 February - Kanye releases Famous - it's snake time. Karlie Kloss and Gigi Hadid attend a Yeezy fashion show.

14 February - TN posts “you bring the James dean I’ll bring the red lip” Valentine’s Day. Harry at Clive Davis party

16 February - Taylor wins the Grammy Album of the Year for 1989. Calvin was at an after-party in a t-shirt. In Miss Americana (21 mins in) she says 'I remember thinking afterwards, Oh my god, that was all you wanted. You get to the mountaintop and you look around and Oh god, what now? I didn't have a partner I climbed it with, I didn't have anyone I could relate to, I had my mom, but I wondered shouldn't I have someone I could call right now? Harry in LA

20 February  - Harry records 'Sweet Creature' in LA. In the Album show at the Troubadour (21:40) Harry introduced 'Sweet Creature' saying it was the first song written in the studio a couple of weeks after his birthday. He was photographed in the studio 20 February.

21-29 February - CH starts Ole, it references Harry and Hendall The video (screen shots in the top line above) is about a guy who neglects his GF, the lyrics of the song are about a girl who cheats on her BF but goes on trips. The lyrics include "lowkey" aka 'Loki' and refer to the trip they take 2 weeks later - so he worked on it more. Kanye releases Famous

26 February  - Taylor out in LA

28 February - Taylor looks amazing at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party alone. Harry tweets 'you can shake an apple off a tree ' (Elvis Presley Stuck on You lyric)..... 0_0  and posted a colour photo to IG of a scrabble game thanking for voting for Brits. HS IG has been b&w since OOTW, but this was in screaming colour! ❤️

3 March - Harry tweets Norah Jones Come Away with me lyrics "The yellow grass grows knee high."

6 March - Harry seen buying groceries in Hampstead

7 March - CH and TS 1 anniversary TS thin and uncomfortable.

13 March - Harry in London, gets parking ticket.

13 - 15 March Taylor and Calvin Bikini photos in the Bahamas. A 5 hour flight, 3 nights, 4 swimsuits. Rumour they flew separately. Complete with swan inflatable for added shade. :/

15 March Harry back in LA at Cafe Habana Malibu

16 March - KK posts TS where’s the drop. Blind Calvin hooked up with someone. Harry in Beverly Hills, 24 at St Laurent

25 March - Taylor back in LA and Harry also back in LA same day, LA on the 6th, 11 April & 20 April (kid harpoons birthday).

3 April -Taylor and Calvin attended the iHeart Radio Awards, arrive separately. He looked bored, didn’t thank her. Made a face when Taylor thanked him, she didn’t every time. Calvin on his phone during her last acceptance speech. Rumors they are having trouble. Harry in LA he bought a fan’s family dinner the night before. Harry papped buying fuel in LA.

7 April - Taylor shopping at St Laurent, (which Harry had been wearing all the time) and looking like the Ready For It..? VM

8 April Blind Taylor and Calvin talk-fighting on paper walk. Harry seen shopping with Kid Harpoon and Kendall, “watch KUWK May 1

9 April Harry seen leaving Nobu Malibu

15 April -Coachella, black skinny jeans and Chelsea boots in top right of pool photo on Taylor’s instagram. Taylor at Coachella with bleached hair and a 'This Is What You Came For' jacket. CH performed. She also released that Drake Apple ad. KK there

16 April - Taylor vogue cover

22 April - Harry Tweet's "it's not the Ribbons in your Hair" Cars Just what I needed lyrics about not minding anything because a person is who they needed.

April 29 - this is what you came for:

28 April - Taylor is Bewjelled at Gigi Hadid's 21st birthday . Harry is not photographed there, but is also in L.A. the next day

29 April - This Is What You Came For is released. Taylor was an uncredited writer and has backing vocals. CH later throws shade about her not promo-ing it. Later blind that TIWYCF is about person Taylor cheating with. Calvin has an interview with Nick Grimshaw (!) in his house, where he says John Newman was there last week (Ole), talks about how John Newman has a great track coming, that the guide vocal (Taylor's) could not get better then he heard Rhianna's and it was much better:

30 April - Taylor NY for Met Gala dinner, wearing Billy Joel shirt. Calvin goes on radio and (at 2:30) says Taylor is on a break, they haven't spoken about a collab.

In August  the video has a similar hawaiian shirt but in red, he  posts to his instagram photos of him wearing one like Harry's

They then marked this day - in 2017 Harry marks the anniversary of this by getting papped in that same shirt! hahahaha

In 2018 - Calvin Harris later tweets that he grew a beard to get a Grammy

October 2022 - High Infidelity released, it opens with 'lock broken, slur spoken' and includes 'Do you really want to know where I was April 29th? Do I really have to chart the constellations in his eyes?

1 May - Taylor has dinner at Anna Wintour's house with Tom Hiddleston and James Corden!

2 May - Taylor at met gala, TS meets Joe, Hiddleswift starts.

5 May -  Erskine Records,

7 May - Harry, back in London, cuts off his hair - farewell LHH. 'Only a few songs' were recorded for his Debut before Dunkirk. Taylor posts photo of herself at Met Gala with "we never go out of style"

17 May - Harry’s friend Matt Irwin’s funeral.

18 May - Harry on set of Dunkirk in Dunkerque, shoots for next 10 weeks till 28 July.

May - 1D purchased its f to j shares back off the band and they sold director titles, each was paid £14m. They still receive royalties. Harry stopped using his twitter, PR tweets since

20 May - Taylor and Calvin seen together for the last time in a carpark. Blind that implies Calvin did something “I give the "relationship" another week […] what happened last night is going to open a whole bunch of boxes.”

22 May - Calvin in car accident, Taylor doesn’t go to hospital. Blinds implying drugs involved, but police report says no drugs and Calvin a passenger. He has a cut to the face in an SUV, other car a beetle with teenagers with pelvic features, the other car hit CHs

23 May - July  Harry shoots Dunkirk, in France on radio he said he just slept when not filming and did not make music.

29 May - Gemma Styles liked a photo of Taylor taken by Harry's friend Matt Irwin and posted that she had subscribed to Apple Music to hear 1989 earlier

2 June - CH and TS breakup confirmed on Twitter

13 June - Taylor rents house in Cornelia Street

14 June - Taylor first seen with Tom Hiddleston. Article on Taylor staged photos

15 June - Harry follows Camille on Instagram

16 June - tabloid gossip that Calvin Harris sent a music exec a dick pick was break up reason

18 June - Camille's friend tags her and Harry in a photo of her cooking topless with 2 other girls in underwear.

23 June - both Harry and Taylor are in London. Calvin admits Taylor controlled break up media

26 June - Camille posts a video of her moaning Harry's name while she holds her chest.

2 July - Harry signed a solo contract for $80m, with Columbia

4 July - the last 4th July party, (until 1989-esk gathering in 2023) with I heart TS hiddleswift exploits. Harry was in London.

13 July - taylorswiftisoverparty hashtag trending CH was messy as hell on Twitter, TMZ reports taylor wrote TWYCF, the notes are now corrected. Joe in London

17 July - Kim K posts that she has a recording of Snake convo. Harry was quick to provide supportive comments.

21 July - Kendall posts "tea time" with photo Taylor later copies in LAWYMMD video. Also likes anti-swift posts.

28 July - Last time Harry seen shooting Dunkirk in UK

8 August - Taylor performs at oil heir Mike Hess's 30th birthday in the Hamptons and grinds on him, no Tom Hiddleston.

21 August - Daisy Lowe posts a person in a Harry styles tshirt to IG

24 August - Hiddleswift officially over, Tom has talked to media. Taylor wears this yellow outfit in New York which Calvin copied in the ole video.

25 August - Harry seen in LA, first time he has been seen for 16 days. Wears a similar shirt to Ole.

29 August - Taylor Lover Journal "this summer is the apocalypse" Nashville. Taylor still in NY. Rumour Harry saw her in NY.

30 August - Taylor not at VMAs due to Jury Duty

2 September - Kendall and Harry at Nobu in LA, Dunkirk wraps. Harry not seen for another 15 days after.

3 September - Harry buys LA House. He listed it for sale in May 2017 and in 2019 sold it at a loss.

5 September - Harry has dinner with Kendall then disappears. Could have been when he first went to Jamaica.

9 September - Taylor front row Gigi's fashion show

19 September  - Taylor writes a lot of reputation. Taylor flies to NY and attends Max Martin & Shellback studio. (The Swift Life video) Works on Gorgeous, I Did Something Bad, Delicate & King Of My Heart. Joe in London at Burberry show.

22 September - Hendall over, Harry hasn't been seen for 15 days.

25 September - Harry posts 3 white squares to IG

28 September - Taylor was with Cara Delevingne and Joe was in London.

29 September Harry’s another man mix tape with HS1 inspiration/ clues and Haylor love songs. Capital FM runs an article "DJs Are Just As Baller As Multi-Millionaire Rappers & Here's The Proof" and use a photo of Calvin copying Harry's St Laurent shirt!

4 October - Joe Alwyn in London, last seen 2 weeks earlier also in London. First time they are actually in same place since May. Lover Journal 3 January says they had been dating 3 months so that lines up. Their anniversary was never 28 September.

6 October - Harry in London, last seen 5 September in LA, next seen 3 November in LA.

11 October - Taylor, Cara, suki dinner, write it’s all part of the f***ing story on the tablecloth, post it, delete it and take it home

13 October - Taylor and Joe attend Kings of Leon show. In this video, Joe enters The Bowery with another blonde at (0:43) Taylor enters at 1:24. Joe in NY for 'Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk' Premiere and press conferences

15 October - Rumour that Harry was seen at the airport in Jamaica. He stayed there for 2 months writing HS1. (the funny thing about that is that the rumor was true and the 'insider' tumblr said it wasn't.) At 30 mins into Harry Styles: Behind the Album Harry says they had had a week in a 'total hole.' "I can't write songs" he said in the first time in a long time I had actually done something and then came back to the studio and wrote Carolina, which was the last song on the album. He's wearing the same blue hawaiian St Laurent Shirt while recording it.

20 October - Big Little Town releases "Better Man" written for Red.

21 October  - Someday is released. "Someday maybe when we're old and gray, We could be in love once more. Till then I won't give my love away, Darling, I'm forever only yours".

22 October - Taylor plays a very Haylor setlist at US Grand Prix and also performs TIWYCF

October - Harry records his debut in Jamaica. He meets Mitch - see behind the album. Worse version of Famous leaked.

24 October - Taylor at Drakes Birthday with a golden tattoo (dress) with Karlie Kloss

31 October - Taylor posts photos of Halloween party where she wore deadpool costume. Harry unseen, last seen on 6th in London

1 November - Taylor reveals she wrote Better Man in a post, it goes to #1

3 November - Harry seen back in LA at Kendall birthday and concert next day. Joe in Taipei Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk.

5 November  - Harry seen at Meghan Trainor's surprise party

8 November - Karlie and Taylor at Lorde's birthday, this is the last time she is seen hanging out with KK. On 8 November Trump elected, KKs husband is connected.

November - To Zane Lowe (48 mins) Taylor said about Evermore

"There was a sort of a double meaning to the months that are mentioned and the feelings that are mentioned one of the meanings is that we were I wrote this song and these lyrics when we were coming up to the election and I didn't know what was going to happen. So almost I was almost preparing for the worst to happen and trying to see some sort of glimmer at the at the at the end of the tunnel. The last verse you know the song is it goes through walking through the forest barefoot in the middle of winter or standing on a balcony and letting the icy wind just hit you and you're catching your death. Then in the last verse the person goes inside and finally is warm and finally is safe. It's about the process of finding hope again but it also reflected back to an experience that I had that was pretty life altering when I went through like a bunch of bad stuff in 2016 in like July, November all those times were just sort of taking it day by day to get through trying to find some trying to find a glimmer of hope all of that so I was coming from both of those perspectives"

9 November - Joe in Hong Kong for Billy Lynn's Long Halftime walk premiere

11 November - Taylor goes to Joe's movie screening, he's not named in press about it.

19 November - Reputation magazine "how do you feel about having a song written about you" photo

25 November - Harry seen in LA, then not seen again till 30th.

26 November - Taylor thanksgiving in RI, Lily D, Lily A, and Todrick. Karlie not invited, Joe not pictured. Lily D posts on her snapchat that her uber driver (Taylor) is “so pretty.” Harry MIA

28 November - Gemma, Lou Teasdale and Lou's twin Sam Campbell go to Karaoke and post WANBGT lyrics and Sam captions it 'Talk to my friends.'

30 November - Harry got coffee in LA

3 December - Harry arriving at Heathrow in London

7, 8 December - Harry in London. 8th seen with an ambulance behind him and fans wondered if he was at a hospital, his step dad passed away a few months later.

10 December - "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" released with Zayn, there are HS looking figures and outfits like the 2015 VS show

13 December - Taylor has party in London house she rented in Frognall, near Hampstead which is in the Reputation book. Karlie Kloss posts a throwback photo of Taylor for her birthday, years later stories emerge that they had a falling out over Karlie throwing a party at Taylor’s NY apartment which TS refers to in LAWYMMD.

20 December - Harry in London

28 December - there is an unconfirmed sighting of Harry and Taylor (Lover journal indicates Taylor in London. Harry seen in London (the next day) and soon after Taylor gave Austin a record signed by a friend of Harry's where Sam Campbell comments 'LOL'

31 December - Photos of Taylor and Joe getting ready thought to be taken this day. Later only 7 photos leak in 2020.  Harry in Holmes Chapel on NYE

Continue in 2017

[maryiritza]

Ponce de Leon Resurrected AU

This AU was made for my oc x canon ship!

In fact, I already had an AU where Ponce didn't die, but after thinking about it a lot I decided to make this other one with the excuse of showing this redesign(? / how I draw him

So consider this AU as the canon of the ship during the events of the 2nd/3rd season of CH

Spanish ver.

┗⁠(⁠•⁠ˇ⁠_⁠ˇ⁠•⁠)⁠―⁠→ AU context (lots of text)

As we already saw in the 2nd and 3rd seasons, Scuds literally keeps everything about the clones, so I don't consider it strange that he also kept Ponce's body in the freezer because at the end of the day it is an experiment and he could put it to a use (or even he wanted to bury/get rid of him but the Mysterious Shadows board didn't let him)

One afternoon, seeing what he had in the freezer, he came across the body and, having nothing better to do, it occurred to him to see if he could revive him. He really didn't expect things to turn out well. He thought that 1. Nothing would happen or 2. He could revive him but he would have some difficulties

Surprisingly he revived him and without problems! Of course, his body was full of scars from everything that happened to him and his voice changed (Scuds associated it with being in the freezer for so long). Obviously, like the rest of the clones, Ponce is very dazed when he wakes up, not only of his death, if not also in the 2020s

He keeps all his memories and therefore a trauma with the trash but it's still difficult for him to stop litter anywhere.

Unlike Topher, his attitude and coolness overshadows the fact that he is a clone of a conqueror, so it was not difficult for him to return to his popular status.

He is more than determined not to let time pass anymore, take advantage of this second opportunity to be with Mary before they graduate 💟

And of course the janitor Glenn is his adoptive father again ✨

If you read all of this, you win to see Ponce and Rosemary refs together 🩷

[owarinaki]

Rufus & Glenn 2

Final Fantasy VII : Rebirth Chapter 4 [RUFUS RECAP][HQ] part 3

Index gifs // Trailer recap // Rufus's Story recap 1 //2 // 3

Rufus Pic recap 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

Others Tseng&Rufus , Hojo&Darkstar

[RUFUS RECAP] Other links

Ch.4 part 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 //10 // 11

Ch.6 part 12 // 13

Ch.8+9 part 14 // 15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 22

Ch.10+11 part 19 // 20 // 21 / 23 // 24 // 25 // 26

Ch.12+13+14 part 27 // 28 // 29 // 30 // 31

Etc. : 32 // 33 // 34 // 35 // 36

[the-name-is-z]

SKELETONS | ch. 66

daryl dixon x f!oc

masterlist

a03 link

Summary: The Alexandrians recover from the Wolves' attack. Daryl, Sasha and Abraham finish leading the walkers away, and start on their way back home before facing an unexpected obstacle. Warnings/Information: AMC's The Walking Dead OC Insert | 18+ Advised | strangers to lovers; the slowest of slow burns; gore; angst; horror; humour; m/f; guilt; mourning; anxiety; ambush; motorcycle crash; injury related to such; burned and melted bodies; character getting knocked unconscious

Chapter 66 - Wolves

Michonne and a few others arrived within the next couple hours. She told them what had happened, the air horn separating most of the walkers from their plan. The incoming hordes. Aaron and Tobin volunteered to collect the Alexandrian bodies and their… severed parts. Glenn and Nicholas were also supposed to arrive, but hadn’t yet. Maggie was worrying herself sick as Michonne explained.

“The town was overrun. He split off with Nicholas. He had this idea that… that if he lit a fire, it would stop the walkers from coming here. I tried to go instead. I wanted to. That fire never got lit. We had to keep going. I’m sorry.” Michonne recounted, looking to Maggie. Rosita and Iris stood on either side, attempting some method of comfort, but it wasn’t helpful. “He said if he got stuck, he would find a way to send us a signal.”

“A signal?” Maggie asked.

“Open the gate!” A voice yelled in the distance. Iris was easily distracted, stepping toward the gate. She looked up to Deanna, who stood at the guard post looking over the wall. “Open the gate! Open the gate now!”

“Holy shit. Rick.” Iris realized, bolting to the gate. She ripped the chain link open, Michonne appearing at her side to haul the gate to the side. As soon as they could see him, Iris paled. He was running, but the horde followed behind him. Rick bodychecked one of the walkers aside, a few others appearing at the gate to help clear them. There were too many to count, too many to fight. 

Rick practically dove through the gap, Tobin and Michonne hauling the gate closed behind him. Deanna looked white as a ghost. They watched as the walkers slammed against the bars, Michonne closing the chain link tight. Immediately, Tobin began gathering others to reinforce the walls, gathering whatever materials they had inside to set up supports. Iris was reminded of the logs they had to hold up the fence in the prison… but this was no chain link prison fence. 

Everyone that remained in Alexandria was gathered near the walls as they set up the supports. Iris turned as Rick appeared, coming back from greeting Carl and Judith.

“Thank you.” He said quietly, putting a hand on her shoulder. She smiled, nodding. They were her family, too. She explained to him what had happened with the truck, the damaged or dented part of the wall at risk, especially with the hordes coming now. “You holding up?” He asked, tilting his head. Iris inhaled deeply and nodded.

“He promised.” She said simply, offering a pathetic shrug. He pursed his lips, nodding. 

“He will.” Rick assured. Iris could feel a speech coming on. “You can hear it!” Rick called, addressing the whole group. “Some of you saw it. They got back here, half of them. Still enough to surround us twenty deep. Look, I know you’re scared. You haven’t seen anything like this. You haven’t been through anything like this. But we’re safe, for now. The panel the truck hit seems intact. We reinforced it just in case. Either way, the wall’s gonna hold together. Can you? The others, they’re gonna be back.” He looked to Iris pointedly.

“They’re gonna be back.” Rosita echoed, nodding more to herself than anyone else. Rick nodded back. 

“Daryl, Abraham, Sasha, they have vehicles. They’re gonna lead ‘em away, just like the others. And Glenn and Nicholas are gonna walk back through the front gate after. They know what they’re doing, and we know what we need to do. We keep noise to a minimum. We pull our blinds at night. Even better, keep the lights out. Try to make this place as quiet as a graveyard, and we move on.”

“This place is a graveyard.” Francine stated, her voice breaking. 

“The quarry broke open and those walkers were heading this way. All of them. The plan that Rick put into place stopped that from happening. He got half of them away.” Aaron called, addressing the group. “I was out there recruiting with Daryl. I wanted to try to get into a cannery and scavenge, and Daryl wanted to keep looking for people. We did what I wanted… and we wound up in a trap set by those people and I lost my pack. They must’ve followed our tracks. Those people who attacked us, they found their way back here because of me.” Deanna shook her head, walking away from the group.

“There’ll be more to talk about.” Rick assured quietly.

“Deanna?” Tobin called. The group turned to watch as she walked away. She didn’t stop. “Deanna!”

-

“It’s not your fault.” Iris said quietly, sitting next to Aaron on his front step. Eric had ducked inside, going to get him some water. “Causality is not the same as intent.”

“The result is the same.” Aaron murmured, cradling his head in his hands. “I can’t believe… I should have listened to him.”

“He is right more often than not.” Iris admitted, nodding. “Don’t tell him I said that. You cannot blame yourself. You blame the wolves, not the sheep.”

“Stupid fucking sheep.” Aaron scoffed, shaking his head. Iris sighed, rubbing his back gently. She opened her mouth to say more, but he stood abruptly, walking off. 

-

Iris stood on lookout, silently watching the hordes slam against the wall, milling around outside with nothing better to do. She sighed, turning at the sound of someone else climbing the ladder. Rick nodded in acknowledgement, holding up the walkie. 

“Daryl, Sasha, Abraham, you copy?” He asked. There was no answer. 

“Rick? Can I come up?” Called a voice. Iris peered over the edge to see Ron. Rick looked to Iris in question and she shrugged.

“Yeah.” Rick replied. Rick climbed up the ladder too, getting himself a good look. “You haven’t seen it.” A statement, not a question.

“No.” Ron replied, astonished.

“Not exactly a nice view.” Iris stated. Ron shrugged.

“Enid, she uh, she used to sneak over the walls, spend time out there. I don’t know why, she just wanted to. But um…” He trailed off. “I think she went out there after the attack.”

“What, she’s still out there?” Rick asked, astonished at the fact that he hadn't said something sooner.

“She disappeared during, left Carl a note.” Iris pointed out. “I assumed she wanted to leave.”

“She wouldn’t have just left without saying goodbye.” Ron denied, huffing. Iris raised an eyebrow. Yes, she would have. “You know, she knows how to take care of herself.” Rick gave him an incredulous look, slowly turning back to stare out at the walkers. “We can’t go out there. Carl wanted to try. I stopped him and told him I’d tell you if he did. And then, um… I don’t know, I just thought I should tell you—”

“Fucking hell.” Iris murmured, standing up and hooking her rifle over her shoulder.

“Do you know where he is now?” Rick asked. 

“Yeah, he’s back at the house. I saw him on the porch with Judith. I can keep guard now if you want…” Ron offered.

“They’re keeping guard now.”  Iris pointed down to the walkers. “I was looking out for the others.  A sign from Glenn, anything.”

“Alright.” Ron agreed. Iris raised an eyebrow but nodded, both her and Rick headed to the ladder. “So I was thinking about what you said by the quarry,” Rick grimaced, turning back to him. Iris snickered, taking her opportunity to climb down. “And I mean, you’re right. I need to know how to protect myself and my mom and my brother. This place. So… can you teach me how to shoot?” Rick looked over the edge to Iris and she nodded, making her way to Carl and Judith at the house while Rick taught Ron how to use his gun. 

-

Iris braced her hands on either side of the kitchen counter, tears quietly trickling down her cheeks until they fell to the counter. There had always been times where he was gone, out on a run and got stuck, something or other. From the farm to the prison, to Alexandria. But somehow, Iris realized, it got harder and harder for her every time he left. Especially in circumstances like these, where all she could do was wait, trapped. 

Maybe he was trying to get back but couldn’t because of the walkers outside. What if he was alone? He could always handle himself, but what if something happened to Abraham and Sasha and Daryl… didn’t make it? Couldn’t? What if something happened to him and he was alone?

Iris shuddered through a silent sob as she thought about it, a hand coming up to cover her mouth. She had a hard time sleeping when he wasn’t there. Now… it was almost impossible. A soft cooing came from the kitchen door and she turned to see Carl standing in the threshold, Judith in his arms reaching out toward her with grabby hands. 

She smiled softly through the tears as Carl brought Judith closer, until she could take her into her arms. Judith buried her face in her hair and Carl smiled.

“I’m sorry.” He said quietly. “I… it’s hard.” Iris nodded, not saying more as she held out her hand. He took it, getting pulled into a hug. Iris cradled the two of them, ruffling Carl’s hair with her free hand. “Judy and me are always here to talk, or… to not talk.”

“I know, cowboy.” Iris whispered.

-

“Alright.” Sasha said, the cloudy morning having greeted them a few hours ago, and she switched with Abraham.

“That’s twenty?” Daryl asked, more than ready, if not excited to get off the bike. It was comfortable, but not nearly as comfortable as not riding a motorcycle for twenty-four hours or more.

“It will be. Six-forty-two is a mile ahead.” Sasha replied. “We gotta put distance between us and them before the turn off.” 

“So floor it.” Abraham said, pulling up beside Daryl and he turned to nod, the two vehicles speeding up to get some good distance from the walkers. 

“Try to keep up.” Daryl replied.

“Daryl, have you looked at this car? Believe me, we want to get back there, too.” Sasha chuckled. 

They reached the turn in no time, pulling off right at the mile marker to turn back around. The road led them into a small collection of industrial buildings, right alongside a chain link fence. They slowed, not wanting to burn too much gas, but just as Daryl released the clutch a bit, gunshots sounded through the air. 

He ducked, beginning to weave on the bike as a few of the shots shattered the rear windshield of the car. They sped up again, and Daryl spotted shooters lining either side of the road, ambushing them. A car pulled out from a side road, more shooters following after them. Daryl turned too quickly, the bike skidding and sliding to the ground near a few other parked cars. 

He grunted in pain, the leg of his jeans and the sleeve of his leather jacket torn to reveal the gnarly road rash across his arm, calf and thigh. It wasn’t as bad as it could have been, and he’d still be able to walk fine, but he didn’t have time to think about it as the shots continued. Sasha and Abraham sped on, still being chased by the other car. 

Daryl started up the bike again, pulling out only to be quickly followed by two more cars, the shooters from before now sitting in the passenger seats, leaning out with rifles aimed at him. He turned around another building, finding a small collection of walkers waiting for him. He weaved in between them, letting them become an obstacle for the vehicles in pursuit. 

He pulled around the few dumpsters and shipping containers in the area before turning down a gravel road in the back, one car following after him. The bike, thankfully, was retrofitted with off-road tires, making it easy for him to zip into the forest and ride between the trees. 

He waited under the cover of the forest while the car chasing him had driven past, taking the opportunity to pull across the road covertly. He continued down a gravel road, well, more of a trail, the bike beginning to slow as the roaring engine became more of a hum.

Daryl and the bike made it to a barren part of the forest, no leaves and no vegetation, simply tall stalks that seemed to be trees and various sticks littering the ground. This section of the forest had been on fire, little-to-no visible life remaining.

Letting the bike fall, Daryl collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily as the shock wore off and the pain began to set in. He grunted, sitting up slightly to survey the area. 

He made a small noise of surprise as a soft snarl caught his attention, and he turned to face a half-dead walker, burnt to a crisp, wearing motorcycle gear. The clothing had long since melted and cemented itself to the walker’s flesh, the helmet misshapen and black, the plastic burnt and warped. The biker was melted to the ground, and Daryl sighed, flopping onto his back and staring up at the cloudy sky. 

When he was ready, Daryl slowly sat back up, gathered his thoughts and stood the bike up. He began the long, tedious venture of wheeling the bike through the woods, trying his best to maneuver through the burned corpses of walkers to get back to Alexandria.

It wasn’t easy. This bike was very heavy, not to mention the ground not exactly as smooth as an asphalt road. He wheeled it down a small hill, grunting in frustration as it got away from him, hitting the ground. He didn’t have much energy left for this, wincing at the feeling of his clothing rubbing against the road rash. Thankfully, he still had his walkie. Though whether or not he was in range with anyone was another question. They’d have to be about six miles away, and he had no hope of contacting anyone at Alexandria.

“Sasha, Abraham, are you there?” He asked. There was only static for a response and he shut it off. His blood was beginning to trickle down his fingers. In frustration, Daryl ripped off one of the fingerless gloves he wore, shrugging out of the jacket to reassess his injuries. He hissed in pain, cradling his arm a bit as he looked through the blood. Not terrible. 

Unclipping a bag from the frame of the bike, he started to open it to find his first aid supplies when a twig snapped in the distance. There was rustling, so he dropped the bag and swapped it for his crossbow. Pulling a few fallen branches over his bike, he started off in the general direction to find whatever it was that was disturbing him.

He crept silently across the dirt toward a tree that had a few branches leaning against it in a makeshift lean-to, whipping around the side only to find two young women, standing up abruptly, their hands in the air. The two of them were disheveled, covered in dirt and soot. But they seemed unarmed, which meant there was either someone else around, or hidden weapons.

“You found us, okay?” The taller one with long brown hair tied back in a ponytail huffed. The shorter one with cropped blonde hair said nothing, half hiding behind her. “Here we are. We earned what we took.” Another twig snapped behind him and just as Daryl turned to look, a shorter man with blond hair and scraggly facial hair smacked him across the face with a thick tree branch. Then everything went dark.

-

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