#even Rosita who never even met Beth is crying

[holdmytesseract]

Bottled Up Feelings

Daryl Dixon x fem!Reader

Summary: Beth's death took its toll on everyone of the group, but especially on Maggie and Daryl - who tends to just bottle up his feelings, until you finally get him to talk to you, causing his well build up walls to tumble down.

Takes place in season five!

Warnings: TWD stuff, mentions of death, angst, uhh fluff?

Word Count: 2k

a/n: I am so sorry... I couldn't help myself... 😅 I am super uncertain about this... I really dunno if this is good. I don't really think so. I’ve been thinking a lot about posting it at all; was on the verge of just deleting it again... 🙈 I tried to somehow get Daryl (and Rick) right, but well... I dunno. Please go easy on me - if you decide to read this crappy fic... 😅

Walking in the sweltering heat for days wasn't great and especially not easy. Walking in the sweltering heat for days without having enough to drink and nothing to eat, was excruciating. We were all weak and exhausted, almost having no strength left. If a bigger herd of walkers would attack us, neither of us could keep up the fighting for long or would be able to run away. This would be more than likely our death warrant. The almost forlorn situation we were currently in, and the loss of Beth and Tyreese took its toll on all of us - and Washington was still sixty miles away...

Droplets of sweat were rolling down my temples, as I reached for the bottle of water, which was strapped to my cargo pants. A frustrated huff left my lips, when I noticed that the bottle was as good as empty. Great. I took a small sip, before stowing the bottle away again. My eyes focused back on the road and my friends, walking in front of me. I didn't even notice, that I was falling behind, so I jogged slowly to outrun them again - and that was when I noticed somebody was missing... Rick was walking at the front with Carol and Carl, who held little Judith in his arms. Maggie was at Glenn's side - of course, while Michonne was at Sasha's. Rosita walked alongside Tara, Eugene and Abraham. "Rick!" I called out to my friend. I knew him since this hell broke loose above the world. He was like a big brother to me, without a doubt. The man in question turned around to look at me and stopped in his tracks to wait for me to catch up. "What is it, Y/N? You alright?" I nodded, "Yeah..." and paused for a moment. "Where's Daryl?" Rick nodded towards the wood. "He headed out, lookin' for some water or food." "Alone?" "Of course. We're talkin' about Daryl." I rolled my eyes. Typical for him to do this on his own... I knew that he could handle things alone very well. If someone could, then Daryl - but that didn't keep me from slightly worrying about my 'secret' boyfriend. There had always been something between us, from the very first day we met in that camp and well... Somehow, we kind of got together at some point. It wasn't an official thing, though. Nobody knew about us - except Rick. But just because he kinda walked in on us once – don't ask. The rest of the group was thinking that we were just good friends... "Imma go, look for him. Check, if he needs help or somethin'." A small, almost unrecognisable smile scurried over the policeman's face. "Alright. But look after yourself, you hear me?" "Promise." I checked on my daggers, before I left the group and walked into the woods, searching for Daryl.

I looked around, scanning the area. It was quiet. Only the sounds of the forest could be heard. No walkers in sight - luckily. "Daryl?" I followed the direction Rick told me Daryl went. He was nowhere to be seen, so I continued my search. "Daryl?" It took me quite a while to find him, but then I saw him, sitting on the ground, leaning against a tree and... I stopped immediately in my movement. Was he... crying? I took a few small steps closer, heard the heart-breaking sobs leaving his throat. He was crying. I stopped again, swallowed hard. I had never... Never in all those months seen him being this vulnerable before. He definitely wasn't a man who showed that kind of feelings often; always pretending to be the toughest man around. He wasn't. Especially not since Beth's death. He hadn't been the same since then. It had hurt him - deeply... And I knew it, was more than aware of it. I tried to speak to him, but he always shut me out, rather kept on bottling his feelings up. He needed a shoulder to lean on, so I decided to just approach him. I couldn't avert my eyes any longer. He was hurting - and I wanted to help him. So, I took small steps towards Daryl, until I stood right in front of him. He didn't hear, neither saw me coming; had his face buried in his hands. I squatted down and placed my hand gently on his knee.

"Daryl..." He flinched, took his hands immediately away from his face, eyes snapping open, dark brown orbs - now reddened from the tears he shed - looking at me. "Y/N??" He croaked out. "Whatcha doin' 'ere?!" Daryl asked, quickly wiping his tears away. "I... I noticed you were gone and decided to look for you..." "Why?" "Cause I didn't want you to be alone..." "Ya don't need to play my babysitter. I can look after myself." He switched immediately into his defence mode, acting tough. Also typical. He tried to stand up, but I gently pushed him back down. I wouldn't let him get away that easily this time. "I know that, but... Daryl... You're hurting. Since weeks. I can feel that. You were crying." He scoffed, crossed his arms over his chest. "I wasn't-" "No. You can't deny it. I saw it." Another scoff. "Ya don't know anythin'." He tried once again to stand up, but once again, I pushed him back down. "You have no idea, how much I know, Daryl Dixon." I crossed my arms over my chest as well. "I know how close you and Beth were. I know about the deep friendship you shared. Don't pretend otherwise. I know how much her death hurt you. I see it in your eyes, every time I look into them. I know, that showing this kind of feelings isn't your thing, but you can't keep bottling them up. At some point, they are going to eat you up. I know that as well, trust me. In these days, we all need a shoulder to lean on, including you... And I am not letting you go, until you finally talk to me." I meant it, but Daryl was still just staring at me with a clenched jaw. "Please..." I added quietly, placing my hand back on his knee, squeezing slightly, in a reassuring manner. My other hand went to his face, brushing his dark brown strands out of his face, before cupping gently his cheek. Somehow this gesture was all it took. He seemed to lose the strength to fight against it; the walls he had built up so well started to tumble down. I saw how his eyes got glassy once again. His beautiful face contorted, before tears started to run down his cheeks, followed by another heart-breaking sob. I reacted immediately, launched forward and pulled him against me. I said nothing, just let him cry against the dirty fabric of my black blouse, until he calmed a bit down again.

Sad and hurt brown eyes were looking now up at me. This wasn't the strong, invulnerable Daryl sitting in front of me anymore... It was a broken man, who lost a very close friend. "I'm sorry, I-" "Hey, it's okay, it's okay..." I interrupted him immediately, didn't want him to shut me out again. "It's me you are talking to, Daryl. You can always talk to me... You're my partner in crime, remember?" I gave him a soft smile and brushed my thumbs over his cheeks. Another tear escaped his eye. "I... I could've saved her, ya know... If I jus' had reacted faster o-or..." I shook my head, felt how my own tears started to build up in my eyes. "No, Daryl... Nobody could've saved her. Nobody saw it coming. As hard as that sounds, but... It was her decision to attack Dawn." "She jus' wanted to save that boy!" "I know! And she did... Noah's save with us now." Daryl clenched his jaw once again. "I shoulda kill 'er sooner." He looked down, fumbling with his hands. "Nah, I shoulda never let Beth walk towards that bitch. I could've stopped 'er." I shook my head once again. "I know you are blaming yourself, but that's not right. Everyone knows, that her death wasn't your fault. I know that. Rick knows that. Carol knows that - and especially Maggie knows that." I paused for a moment, saw how he swallowed. "You know what, Daryl?" He looked back up, his eyes meeting mine once again. "You were the one looking for her. You followed that damn car, all the way to Atlanta. You found out where she was being held captive. You helped saving her. Without you, we would've never found her again." "Yeah 'n I was the one who let 'er get kidnapped in the first place, didn't I?" "But only because you wanted to save her from those damn walkers!" I argued back, trying to fight against his stubbornness. "Can't you see, Daryl? You were the one who protected and rescued her all along!" He swallowed. I saw, how his tears started to fall for a third time - and once again, I pulled him into my embrace. This time, he buried his face in my stomach and wrapped his arms around my body. "It jus' hurts, Y/N... So damn much." He cried, clinging to me for dear life. "I'm so tired of losin' people." A few hot tears rolled down my cheeks as well. "Me too, Daryl, me too. But as long as I got you, I know I'll be alright." He didn't answer, but hugged me even tighter, trying to be as close to me as somehow possible. And so, we sat there, on the dirty ground, holding each other. It was definitely something we both desperately needed. Daryl more than me, but that wasn't the point.

After what felt like eternity, we let go of each other. "Feeling better?" I asked, standing up, Daryl following me. He nodded, smiling softly at me. "Yeah... Thank ya fer bein' so stubborn and gettin' me to talk to ya." "I told you all the time that this was going to help you, didn't I?" I winked, making him laugh. It was the first laugh, coming from his lips in weeks. "Shut up." There was the Daryl I knew again. I snorted out a laugh. "Yeah, I love you, too." He didn't answer, but I knew. He loved me, just as much as I loved him. Daryl wasn't a man of words, so he gripped gently my wrist, before I could walk away. I turned to face him, wanted to ask what was the matter - but I didn't get that far. Before I could even open my mouth, he quickly bridged the distance between us - and captured my lips with his. The kiss was short, but utterly sweet. So sweet, that I couldn't help myself, but to kiss him again. The second kiss was much deeper than the first. I tangled my arms around his neck, while Daryl's palms landed on my hips to pull me closer. This could've ended more than likely in a heavy make out session - if there wasn't suddenly Rick's voice, calling out for us. "Daryl! Y/N!" Well... We had been probably away for a bit too long... I let go of Daryl again with a slight groan, rolling my eyes. "Over here!" I yelled back, didn't want to let Rick search even longer. "Come on, let's go back." Daryl huffed out an annoyed breath, but followed me. "'N I jus' started to really enjoy this..." I just giggled at his words.

"Are you two alright?" Rick asked, as soon as he reached us. I nodded. "We are." Daryl just walked past him. "Ya have an awful timing, man." Rick's eyes followed Daryl, before he turned back around to face me. "What was that about?" "Well..." I shrugged my shoulders, smiling awkwardly and blushed slightly. That was seemingly answer enough for the policeman. He grimaced. "I interrupted somethin', didn't I?" "A bit, maybe?" "Sorry." I shrugged my shoulders again and waved him off. "Don't worry, I don't mind. It's good that you came looking for us. We could've been in trouble." I smiled at him, what he returned. "Did you find something?" "No..." Rick gave me a nod and placed his hand on my shoulder. "We're goin' to get through this. I promise. We will make this." "I know, Rick. I know."

-

Tagging @youlightmeupfinn and @lokisgoodgirl , 'cause, uh, you two seemed to like the drabble I posted? 🙈

[ddixons-angel]

Fated: Season 8

Summary: Gloria Rhee narrowly escapes Atlanta with her brother as the outbreak reaches the city. Luckily, they find a camp outside the city and together, they fend through encounters with the living and undead.

Starts a little before Season 1 and then follows the main storyline of the show.

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Glenn Sister!OC

Warnings: major TWD spoilers, language, violence (the typical TWD stuff)

A/N: and here we are... the FINAL (temporarily anyway hehe) chapter of Fated! It’s a pretty bittersweet feeling since I grew so attached to this series, I don’t really want it to end, which is why I have plans to continue it with the next few seasons of the show! And I know that the gif I used for this chapter was from season 6... but it was so hard to find any gifs of Daryl smiling... which is sad :( ANYWAY, let’s go forth with the last chapter!!!

Chapter 10

It was mid afternoon at the Hilltop, people were going about their lives and doing their chores around the community. Gloria lies in her bed with a tired smile as she watches Daryl cradle the newborn baby girl in his arms, cooing at their daughter she had just given birth to mere hours ago. 

“Hey,” Gloria calls out as she sits herself up on the bed, “haven’t you hogged her enough?”

Daryl looks at her and scoffs playfully, “ya’ve had her for nine months, and ya say I’m hoggin’ her.”

“That’s not even the same thing! And for the record, I didn’t even know I had her for the first four months.” she argues with a pout.

“Tha’s yer fault.” Daryl replies with a smirk then looks down at the baby girl in his arms, “isn’t it? Hm?”

Gloria isn’t able to hide her smile as she sees Daryl talking to the baby, she then opens her arms in his direction, “can I at least get some affection from my husband then?”

Daryl looks at her and smiles at her words, he steps towards the bed as Gloria scoots to the side, making room for him to sit down. Cradling the baby in his arm, wrapping his other around Gloria who snuggles into him. She leans her head on his chest as she smiles down at their daughter. 

“How did we make something so innocent and pure like her?” Gloria says softly, not wanting to wake up the sleeping girl.

“She gets all that from ya,” he says, pressing a kiss on Gloria’s forehead, “she wouldn’ be here if it weren’t for ya.”

“You say that as if you don’t know how babies are made,” she chuckles, making Daryl roll his eyes.

“I mean it,” he looks at her sincerely, “ya carried her for 9 months, yer body protected her, even from the Saviors and ya didn’t even know ya had her. If ya weren’t as tough and strong as ya are, she might not’ve made it.”

Gloria smiles at his words and brushes their daughter’s cheek gently with her finger, “I can’t take all the credit for that, she’s a little fighter too, I just did my role as a mother, even if I didn’t know it yet, my body for sure did.”

Daryl hums in agreement, “an’ I’ll protect ya both, like a dad’s supposed to.”

Gloria looks at Daryl at his words, “hey,” she calls out to him in a whisper as she caresses his face.

There was a sadness in Daryl’s voice and Gloria knew where it came from. She knew very well what kind of man Daryl’s father was and what he did to Daryl and Merle when they were kids. 

“You’re gonna be such an amazing father, I can tell.” she says with a soft smile.

“Can ya?” he lets out a small chuckle.

Gloria nods, “just by the way you hold her, you’re a natural. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you had more experience, and I’m not just talking about Judith.”

“Hmm... maybe I do an’ jus’ never told ya.” Daryl teases with a smirk.

She eyes him playfully, “you’re lucky I love you.”

“You’re right, I am,” he says, pulling her in for a kiss, “I’m the luckiest man alive.”

Gloria giggles into his lips and kisses him back tenderly. Their kiss is interrupted by a knock on the door, the two pull away from each other as Maggie opens the door with a smile.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” she asks.

“Not too bad, given that I just popped a baby out of me,” Gloria says with a chuckle.

“Are you able to walk?” Maggie asks, “Carol’s downstairs with the others, if you’re too tired I can let them know.”

“I think I’ll be okay, I may need you to help me down the stairs though,” Gloria smiles.

Maggie chuckles and nods, going over to Gloria as she gets off the bed, “since you got attached, you hold onto her,” Gloria says to Daryl.

He scoffs playfully and gets off the bed as well, not denying that he did get attached to their daughter fairly quickly. The three of them make it out the room with Daryl carrying the little girl in his arms as they go down the stairs. Maggie gently holds onto Gloria as she takes each step and finally they’re on the ground floor. Gloria turns into what she considered the lobby of the Barrington house and she’s greeted by delighted smiles of people from Alexandria and the Kingdom. Carol is the first to go up to hug her.

“We came as soon as we heard it was happening,” she says as she pulls away from the hug, “how are you feeling?”

“Tired, exhausted, can’t wait to sleep,” Gloria says with a chuckle.

“I have some bad news for you then,” Rick says with a teasing smile, “you and Daryl aren’t gonna have a good night’s sleep for a while.”

“I don’ sleep much anyway,” Daryl mutters then turns his attention to their daughter who had woken up, “right? You’re gonna keep us up, aren’t ya?”

“I’ve never seen Daryl like that before,” Aaron says in awe as he watches the two.

“He was like that with Judith,” Michonne grins at the sight.

Daryl looks at the others who are staring at him, slight blush creeping on his cheeks, “what?”

Tara shrugs, “I just don’t think I’ve ever seen or heard you be so... gentle before?”

“Yeah, it’s amazing what kind of hold she has on you,” Rosita grins as she teases Daryl.

Eugene nods as he stands beside her, “I have to say, witnessing Daryl as amiable as he is right now is really a sight to behold.” 

Daryl purses his lips and looks to Gloria for help and she chuckles as she shakes her head, “alright guys, that’s enough, you’re embarrassing him.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Daryl,” Ezekiel smiles warmly at him, “I believe what the others are trying to say is that you are a natural with your kin.”

“You’re a natural, dude!” Jerry chimes in cheerily.

“Thanks..” Daryl mutters, his face still a light shade of pink.

“So!” Jesus starts, clapping his hands together, “Have you two decided on a name for your little girl?”

His question turns their immediate attention to Daryl and Gloria, patiently waiting for their answer. They all look eager to chime in with suggestions if needed. Gloria smiles at this and glances at Daryl.

“Go ahead,” he says with a small smile.

Gloria nods then looks at the others, mainly focusing on Maggie and Carol, “we decided to name her Sophia Bethany Dixon.”

Grateful smiles light up Maggie and Carol’s faces as they hear the name given. Gloria lets out a breath of relief when they thank her with a deep hug. She and Daryl had discussed it when they found out they had a daughter. Gloria thought it was only fitting to name her after Sophia and Beth to honor the girls. 

---

Sophia is now a few days old as Gloria places her in the crib beside Hershel’s. She’s finally drifted off to sleep after a crying fit. Gloria lets out a soft sigh then goes to check on Hershel and smiles at his little sleeping figure. She tucks them both in to make sure they’re sound asleep then leaves the nursery. She makes her way to Maggie’s office and knocks three times before opening the door.

“Hey Maggie-” Gloria says as she opens the door but cuts herself short when she doesn’t see her sister-in-law in the room.

Instead, she’s met by Jesus standing by the door, Rick leaning on the desk, Daryl sitting on one of the chairs placed along the wall, and Ezekiel and Aaron standing by the chairs facing the desk. Gloria blinks as they all turn to look at her.

“Everythin’ okay?” Daryl perks up when he sees his wife in the doorway as if he’s ready to ditch whatever conversation is going on.

“Yeah, I’m just looking for Maggie, wanted to let her know the kids are out,” Gloria smiles at him then glances around the room, “so what’s going on here?”

“Nothin’-” Daryl tries to speak but he’s interrupted by Rick.

“Shouldn’t she have a say in this?” Rick says, gesturing to Gloria.

Gloria furrows her brows in confusion, crossing her arms and leaning on the door, propping it open, “have a say in what?”

“We’re trying to decide who Sophia’s Godfather should be.” Aaron informs her.

“Godfather?” Gloria lets out a chuckle, amused, “let me guess, you all have amazing reasons for why we should pick you?”

“I’m a King!” Ezekiel exclaims.

“I saved your life,” Aaron reminds her.

“Daryl’s my brother.” Rick says matter-of-factly.

“Come on, you call me Jesus.” he says, giving Gloria a knowing look.

“Ya see what I had to deal with in the last hour?” Daryl groans.

She shakes her head as she lets out a laugh, “okay... Ezekiel, you’re gonna be too busy taking care of the Kingdom and looking after Henry. Aaron, as much as I am very appreciative of you saving my life, you have your hands full with Gracie, already. And Rick, being Daryl’s brother means you’re already her uncle. Plus, all of you are busy in your own communities anyway.”

Jesus looks at her with a grin, “does that mean I win?”

“I can’t say I don’t like calling you Jesus and being her Godfather. ” Gloria tells him.

As she speaks, the main door to the Barrington house opens and Maggie, Carol, Rosita, and Tara walk in. The women glance at each other as they see Gloria standing in the doorway of Maggie’s office, propping open the door with her body. 

“What’s going on?” Maggie asks as she walks towards her office.

Gloria turns to look at Maggie, “the guys are fighting over who’s Sophia’s Godfather.”

“My bet’s on Jesus.” Tara chips in, “his name, it’s Jesus!”

“Thank you!” he exclaims from inside the room, then grins cheekily, “and you were about to name me Sophia’s Godfather before they walked in?”

“Well, no,” Gloria chuckles as he pouts, “I was about to say that you’re going to have to fight Carol on the Godparent position.”

Gloria had this conversation with the women before Sophia was born. Maggie and Gloria had an agreement that since they were directly Hershel’s and Sophia’s aunts, it wouldn’t be fair for the others to give each other the title. Maggie had appointed Tara as Hershel’s Godmother. Rosita was perfectly fine with being their aunt. Daryl was more than accepting of Carol being his child’s Godmother. 

Rick, Jesus, and Aaron groan in disappointment, knowing that it was impossible to beat Carol in a fight, as Ezekiel grins happily, “oh glorious day! I have been named Godfather of the lovely Sophia Bethany Dixon! Haha!”

The others look at Ezekiel in confusion while Carol freezes at his words. Gloria glances over at Carol and notices her cheeks flushing a light pink. A grin spreads across Gloria’s face and her grin is noticed by the other women and they all turn to look at Carol. She looks at them nervously and fidgets, making the other women giggle. 

“Congratulations, Carol.” Gloria chuckles, patting Carol’s arm. 

She rolls her eyes playfully at her and smiles, “thank you, now if we can stop him from announcing it to the world, that would be nice.”

They laugh at her words as Ezekiel says his speech, announcing his relationship with Carol, earning a groan from her. Everyone except for Carol is immersed in Ezekiel’s poetic proclamation of love for her when a baby’s cry catches Maggie and Gloria’s attention.

“That’s Hershel,” Maggie says, instinctually heading towards the nursery, then a second cry can be heard.

“And he woke Sophia...” Gloria sighs as she follows Maggie into the nursery. 

---

A few months have passed since Sohia was born. She is now able to sit up with some assistance as she plays in the nursery with Hershel beside her. Gloria sits on the other side of her in case Sophia loses her balance and falls. Maggie comes into the nursery with two bottles of formula and sits down on the ground beside her son.

“Here,” Maggie says, handing a bottle to Gloria, “just so they don’t whine when they’re hungry.”

She chuckles and nods, “thanks, we both know how impatient these two can get.”

Maggie smiles and hums in agreement as they watch their children. Hershel and Sophia were both busy playing with the toys in front of them. As the two of them reach for the same toy, Hershel reaches it first but lets go of it when Sophia grabs it and lets out a small whimper when she isn’t able to get it. Hershel watches her as she giggles when she is able to get the toy then he gently reaches over to her and pats her head. The sight of brotherly affection brings tears to Gloria’s eyes as Maggie smiles in awe at the two. 

“Did you see that?” Maggie says, her voice full of delight.

Gloria nods, sniffling slightly as she tries to hold in her tears, “Yeah...”

Maggie looks over and her brows furrow in concern, “Gloria... what’s wrong? Talk to me.”

“Nothing... he just reminds me so much of Glenn...” she says with a soft tearful smile.

“There’s more to it than that,” Maggie reaches her hand out and holds Gloria’s, “there’s been something bothering you even before the war ended, don’t think I didn’t notice.”

Gloria looks at Maggie and sighs deeply, “I disappointed Glenn...”

Maggie frowns at this, “what makes you say that?”

“I let revenge, hate, and anger get to me, I killed a lot of people-” Gloria is cut off by Maggie.

“We were fighting a war, what did you expect?,” Maggie tells her.

“I became a cold hearted killer, Maggie...” Gloria lets out a breath, “I killed a lot of people on my own because I wanted all of the Saviors to die to avenge Glenn. I wanted them all dead so I did what I thought was right, I thought they were all bad people... but now I see they can be people we can even trust, like Alden, Laura... what if I killed people who didn’t deserve to die?”

“That’s the unfortunate thing about a war, people die. A lot of people die, even those who don’t deserve it, you were protecting what was yours, taking back what belongs to you. You did what you had to do.” Maggie tries to comfort her.

“What if I didn’t have to kill all those people? What if I only thought it was what I had to do because I was blinded by rage? What if I made the wrong choices?” Gloria says as a tear rolls down her cheek.

“Then you admit that you made a mistake,” Maggie reaches out and wipes the tear away, “admit that you made a mistake then fix it.”

“How? I killed a lot of people, Maggie... how do I fix that?” Gloria asks.

Maggie ponders for a moment then smiles softly, “do you remember back at the farm when I was mad at Glenn for telling everyone about the walkers in the barn?”

“How could I forget? You egged him.” Gloria says with a slight chuckle.

Maggie chuckles and nods, “I did, but then afterwards, you came up to me and gave me good reasons to give him a chance to explain himself. Did he ever tell you what he said to me?”

Gloria shakes her head, “he didn’t, and I never thought it was my business to ask.”

“He told me that he knows he screwed everything up with me by telling everyone about the barn, and that he knows there’s no going back in time to undo it, but he believes that he can make up for it by doing the right thing.” Maggie explains.

“That is such a Glenn thing to say...” Gloria chuckles, “do the right thing... how do I know what’s the right thing to even do?”

“I asked him the same thing when he said it, and can you guess what he said to me?” Maggie says.

Gloria ponders for a moment, “that his heart would know.”

Maggie widens her eyes in awe, not expecting Gloria to actually be able to guess, then smiles and nods, “exactly.”

Gloria smiles at Maggie then she looks at Hershel and Sophia as they share toys with each other. Sophia coos at Hershel as she hands him a building block and Hershel responds with a babble. Gloria’s heart had her answer, she’d start by properly raising Sophia and protecting her, making sure that she would know the right choices to make. That’s only the start but that’s how she would be able to make it up to Glenn. 

---

“Hey, she’s almost a year old,” Gloria says over her shoulder as she sits on the bed with a notebook propped open.

“Already?” Daryl responds, sitting on the bed and leaning on the headboard with Sophia bouncing in his lap, “you’re growin’ so fast.”

“Mhm, today’s day three hundred and fifty,” Gloria says as she writes the number on the top of the page.

She’d been keeping a journal since the day that Sophia was born. Gloria wanted to be able to keep track of her daughter’s daily progression, and to make sure she didn’t lose track of her birthday; if the adults weren’t able to have a birthday, at least her daughter would be able to have one. 

Sophia lets out a babble and points to Daryl’s face then begins to giggle. He raises his eyebrow at this and playfully eyes her.

“I think she’s laughin’ at me,” he says, earning a chuckle from Gloria, “are ya laughin’ at me? Huh? Ya laughin’ at yer dad?”

“Dada!” Sophia squeals.

Daryl freezes in place as Gloria snaps her head back to look at the two, “did she just... call you Dada?”

“I dunno...” he says in a whisper as he stares at her.

Gloria puts the book on the nightstand beside the bed then moves to sit beside Daryl, “Sophia, did you say Dada? Can you say that again?”

Sophia looks at her mom and blinks, letting out a few incoherent babbles. Gloria remembers that Harlan told her babies tend to babble things that sound like mommy or daddy when they’re around Sophia’s age but they might not have any recognition of what those sounds mean. She decides to test it; she waves her hand in front of Sophia to get her attention then points to Daryl.

“Dada!” she says again.

“You’re her first word!” Gloria exclaims happily.

Daryl grins and leans down to kiss her forehead, “knew ya were a daddy’s girl.”

“Don’t ruin the moment,” Gloria rolls her eyes playfully.

He chuckles then leans back as Sophia decides that she’s going to plop on Daryl and snuggle him, “Dada.”

Gloria smiles at the sight and kisses the top of Sophia’s head then moves up to kiss Daryl’s cheek. She adjusts herself so that she’s lying down beside him.

“I guess this is how you’re sleeping tonight?” Gloria says as she sees Sophia closing her eyes.

“Guess so.” Daryl says softly then carefully moves his arm to wrap around Gloria, pulling her close to him.

For the last two and a half years, life had been hectic for Daryl and Gloria to say the least. The outbreak that caused the end of the world was a blessing in disguise as they had only found each other after the world ended. Many would and have considered them an unpredictable couple, but together they fought through the odds. Whether it was fighting the walkers or the people who turned into monsters because of the outbreak, they would get through all of it together. They belong together. They are fated to be together. 

---

This was literally just a chapter of pure fluff.... AND I LOVE IT. I couldn’t really think of a better way to end this series, but like I said before, this is only a temporary end! I have some ideas for the next seasons ^^

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who’s supported this story, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so so so so much for reading, commenting, liking, and just being there for me throughout this story. I love you all so much! You guys are the best!

Please let me know what you thought of this chapter, I always love hearing from you~!

Taglist (please let me know if you’d like to be added/removed!):

@twdeadfanfic​ | @fandomfanatic97​ | @crossbowking​ | @watchmeaspire​ | @spidergirla5​ | @kamieshep | @letsstarsfalling​ | @molethemollie​ | @alicewinchester99​ | @neilox​ | @womanup22​ | @jodiereedus22​ | @theonlyone-meeeee​ | @theunofficialduke​ | @inlovewdxx​ | @delightfullykrispypeach​ | @mrsfortune1306​ | @wolfkg​ | @funeral-7​ | @wnygirl2012​ | @alispaceme​ | @themihala | @aavocadocloud​ |  @polkadottedpillowcase​ | @felicisimor​ | @depressedfrog2​ | @spacexkiddo0 | @rachelxwayne​ | @liadamerondjarin​ | @soraitmnt​ | @angelofthorr​ | @vampteefies​ | @lightning-butterfly​ | @huffledor-able541​ | @squigglylinesdotthei​ | @carnationworld​ | @supernatural79impala​ | @reichelhache​

[chiliiscereal]

Here’s your GIF for the writing challenge!

Prompt: “I thought I’d find you out here.”

Good luck and thanks for participating!💛

Thanks for responding @crossbowking !!

I’ll do my best :D

Setting: right after The bridge is exploded by Rick

Pairing: Daryl x Grimes! reader because... fun lol idk he’s supposed to be helping Ricks kid by stepping up as a sort of parental guardian figure cause I’m a sucker for it. I just love family bonding haha. Also adding in when Henry and Carol visit Daryl for funsies

Summary: reader notices Daryl trying to close himself off and ends up following him into the woods before he takes off on his own.

Type: angst but also fluff

—————————

Your dad was gone.

Just like that.

He was gone, Carl was gone, and so was the bridge that he thought would bring the Alexandrians and Saviors together.

That day was the first time you’d seen your dads best friend cry. Unfortunately, Daryl was gone before you could even talk to him. He’d walked into the woods. Alone.

You thought you’d give him some time. Everyone needed to grieve after all, and you knew Daryl did that best by himself. That’s what he did when Merle died.

But you weren’t that kind of person. You needed to be with people. You needed to feel less alone or else you’d crumble. Michonne was nowhere to be found. She’d been a good mother figure, but right now you had no idea which direction she even went in.

So you went out into the woods after Daryl when he didn’t come back two days later.

If Michonne were there she’d have stopped you and said you were too young to go out alone.

But your dad was dead and his brother was missing. So you went ahead anyway.

You walked quietly along the crunchy forest floor to where your dad had that work site set up. Maybe he’d be there. Wasn’t that where he last saw your father before things went south?

You were answered when you saw the light of a small fire illuminating the small bit of forest.

There sat the man himself, smoking a cigarette.

He scared you when you first met him. He’d been sitting at the fire with his brother much like how he was doing it now. Being only seven at the time, you thought he would be terrifying.

But he was the one who brought you home to your dad when you and Sophia got lost in the woods. He was there when you and Beth had lost the prison. He always made sure you returned safely to your family, taking on the role of almost an uncle.

He’d seemed so strong then.

Now he just looked... broken.

Lost.

“I knew I’d find you here.” You said quietly, catching his attention.

He drifted his gaze back to the fire quietly. “Ya ‘sposed ta be our here alone?”

You shrugged and sat down next to him. “Beats being alone back home. I can’t find Michonne, and Rosita’s taking care of Judith.”

You had no idea what else you should say. Should you just bring up your dad right away? Ease into the tough conversation? Ignore it completely?

Daryl said nothing.

“I guess Judith and I are the last of the Grimes family.” You pulled your knees to your chest, waiting to see if the man would respond.

Nothing.

“What do we do now?” You tried again. Maybe he’d react to a question.

Absolutely nothing again.

You turned to watch him, noticing the tears he was trying to hide by swiping them away quickly.

“It’s okay to miss him.” You told him softly. “He was your brother. You don’t need to hide your sadness.”

He glanced at you but still stayed quiet.

“Are you gonna close yourself off again?” You couldn’t help but blurt it out. “Because we can’t lose anymore family, okay? You have to be here with us or I don’t know how we’re gonna survive.”

He nodded softly. “I know.” He said, voice coming out raspy.

“Then why won’t you say anything? Or look at me?” Tears rolled down your face.

Finally, he managed to tear his eyes away from the fire. “Cause ya look so damn much like your father. Every time I see ya I see him blowin’ up that damn bridge.” He looked up at the sky, trying to blink away his tears.

“So you’re just gonna pretend I’m not even here?” You crossed your arms. “Everyone in Alexandria needs you. Judith needs you! Michonne needs you! I need you! I lost almost all of my family already! Don’t make me lose you as well!” Tears fell faster and faster down your face.

He pulled you into a hug quickly. “m’sorry, kid.”

You wrapped your arms around him as well. “Please don’t leave us! I don’t think I can take losing any more people!”

“Shit, kid, I ain’t even made sure yer alright. Even after yer old man...” he tightened his grip. “And yer brother... and mom...”

“We’re a broken family. I know. Just... don’t break it anymore than it already is?” You pleaded.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to go back, kid.”

“Then let me come with you!” You released him. “I know you’re trying to find my dad and see if he’s not actually dead! Or at least to find his body!”

“I can’t-.”

“Please. I need this just as much as you do.”

“Michonne would kill me.”

“Michonne left me alone in Alexandria. I think this would be fine by her.”

He glanced back at the fire, stuck in thought. “Fine.” He leaned back and draped his arm over your small shoulders, bringing you in for a side hug. “As long as ya do as I say, and listen ta me... you can come help me look for ya old man.”

You gave him a small grin. “Okay, deal.”

——-

One day turned into a week.

One week turned into a month.

One month turned into a year.

One year turned into five.

In that time neither of you found your dads body. You travelled all over, occasionally returning to keep in touch with the rest of your family.

You found a dog while you’d been out, and Daryl had taken to just calling it ‘dog’. You tried giving it a proper name but the older man even caught YOU calling it ‘dog’.

Michonne had been fine when you returned to gather more supplies. She thought it’d be good that Daryl would take care of someone else. After all, making sure you ate well and were safe meant that he had to eat well and stay safe.

Your little sister got bigger and bigger every day. Every time you saw her she knew more and more words.

You and Daryl has both fallen into a rhythm.

Wake up.

Eat.

Look for Rick.

Set new camp.

Hunt.

Visit Alexandria when given the chance.

Soon enough someone came along and messed up that rhythm.

Carol and some blonde boy.

A cute blonde boy.

Although, from what you could tell, he was a bit of an idiot.

“Would you mind if we stayed here before heading out to Woodbury again?” Carol asked, hand on the boys shoulder.

“‘Course.” Daryl nodded, wrapping the woman up in a hug. “Ain’t ever gonna tell you ya can’t stay.”

You watched the younger boys face carefully. He seemed... confused. Did Carol not tell him who Daryl was? Or who you were?

You walked over to Carol and pushed Daryl out of the way. “Stop hogging Carol! It’s my turn.” The man scoffed as you pulled the grey haired woman into your arms. “It’s good to see you again.”

She chuckled. “It’s good to see you again as well!” She pulled away and examined you. “You’ve gotten so big!”

“And your hairs gotten so long!” You laughed, holding it in your fingers. “I like it. It’s better than when you had buzzed hair.”

“Mom, you had buzzed hair?” The blond boy asked, eyes wide.

Your eyes went wide to. “‘Mom’? Did he just call you ‘mom’?”

She nodded. “This is Henry.” She waved him closer. “He’s going to Woodbury to train in becoming a blacksmith!”

Your heart panged a bit, almost feeling as if Carol had forgotten Sophia. “That’s... that’s great for you.” You nodded and tried to convince yourself it WAS great for her. “I’m glad.”

Needless to say, that night was incredibly awkward.

Carol was cutting Daryl’s hair so you were stuck with the new kid.

Did he even have any experience living outside the walls of the Kingdom?

Did he even know who Sophia was?

Who was he to come Into their camp and disrupt their new normal?

“So... how long you been staying in this camp?” He asked nervously.

You shrugged and tried not to look at him. “A while.” Maybe he’d go away if you didn’t talk to him.

“Very cool.” He nodded, hands fidgeting. “So why is it you and your dad aren’t staying in Alexandria? Or the Kingdom?”

Your heart felt as if it stopped. “My dad is DEAD, Henry.” You practically growled. “The reason I’m out here is to find his body.”

He held up his hands as if he were surrendering. “No need to bite my head off! How was I supposed to know you lost someone? I’m not a mind reader and you’re acting like a psychopath.”

Something inside you snapped. “I didn’t just lose SomeONE. I watched my mother die giving birth to my little sister! I watched my best friend walk out into the world as a walker after we spent DAYS looking for her! I lost my brother and had to watch him die after he was BITTEN!” By now you were standing, spitting at him your full fury. “I watched my dad get BLOWN TO PIECES when he exploded a bridge trying to keep walkers from attack out settlement! Everyone’s lost something! The only reason you didn’t know is cause you’ve spent your whole life sheltered in the kingdom playing the false role of a PRINCE!”

With that you stood up and walked off.

You knew you shouldn’t have snapped like that. You should have given him a chance. Maybe he was nice.

But he brought up her dad and called her crazy. He was so incredibly sheltered that he just expected to walk out into the world and NOT find it shattered!

You hadn’t ’t thought about your dad in a while.

Not really, anyway.

Sure, you looked for your dad every day, but you never really pictured him in your head while you did it.

Eventually, after a while of walking, you plopped down against a tree.

You stayed there as long as you dared.

Daryl has traps out in the woods that would catch walkers. You’d be fine.

After about fifteen minutes your racing thoughts were interrupted by the barking of a dog.

The brown haired animal walked up to you, tail wagging and tongue hanging from his mouth.

“Hey, dog.” You scratched behind his ear and buried your face in his fur.

Right now, you just needed some source of comfort.

“I knew I’d find ya here.” Daryl’s voice startled you. “Dog lead me right to ya.”

You didn’t even bother looking away from Dog. “Yeah, he’s a snitch.”

Daryl plopped down beside you in the grass. “Gonna tell me why ya yelled at Henry?”

You shook your head. “I don’t feel like it.”

“Well yer gonna tell me anyway.”

“He’s just... so incredibly sheltered! He was acting like nobody in this world has lost anybody! And when I got mad he called my a psychopath!” You held Dog closer. “I didn’t mean to snap at him. I couldn’t help it.”

Dog licked your cheek quietly.

“Kid, is this really about yer dad?” He placed a hand on your shoulder softly.

You nodded, still unable to break away from the furry animal cuddled against you.

“I know ya miss him an’ the rest ‘a yer family like hell.” He consoled. “I miss ‘em to. But ya can’t just snap at people like that. Ya still got family left.”

“That’s what you thought when you tried to leave me alone.” You grumbled.

“I thought I said no more snappin’ at people.”

“What are you, my dad?”

“Might as well be.” He stated. “Like it or not, yer my family now.” He squeezes your shoulder gently. “So ya gonna get yer face outta Dogs fur or ya just gonna stay there forever?”

You sniffed and reluctantly released Dog. “Ideally, is like to stay there forever.”

He chuckled dryly. “Ya can’t though. Ya got a life to live.”

“I know.”

“Come on then,” he stood up and helped you to your feet. “Let’s go get dinner then.”

You nodded and let him pull you into a hug. “Okay.”

You just wanted to stay like that forever.

But Daryl was right.

You had a life to live.

——

Requests are open! Just send me an ask :)

[stormyskies-and-darklies]

SPOILER ALERT: The Walking Dead Seasons 1-5 + New Viewer Thoughts

so i started watching the walking dead last month and i have so many thoughts, so i decided to compile them into one place so far. i might forget a few moments and i might forget a few character names so, sorry 🤷🏽‍♀️ this isn’t in chronological order, but i’ll try my best to do that, but i’m writing these as i remember the moments. if you haven’t watched it, you’ve been warned !

even if Rick was dead, it’s still really messed up for the best friend and wife to get together

i think Rick had every right to hand cuff Myrle to the pole. there’s no time to be disrespectful for no reason. you can’t be an ass to someone and then expect them to help you. i did slightly feel bad when they left him on the roof but it’s what he deserves

when Rick met up with the group, i honestly thought Lori didn’t really love him anymore during the rest of the time

i miss the farm a lot. it was nice and cute :/

Sophia wouldn’t have died if Rick told her to stay instead of run back 🙊

the build up to finding Sophia was longer than it needed to be

Maggie flipping out on Lori and yelling her business out loud was a little uncalled for. yeah, she almost died but she should’ve known the risk and even if she was mad, she still didn’t have to yell it out loud for people to potentially hear

Dale was always trying to get into everyone’s business, it was sad when he died but idk how i really felt about him

they really should’ve let Andrea die early on if she was going to continue to be whiny. if she really wanted to die, she could’ve done it by runing off and getting bit or by shooting herself at any time. i didn’t like Andrea much, especially in the third ? season (the one leading up to her death)

Shane and that dumb face whenever he was mad 🙄

I liked Shane at first but then he got annoying. What part of you can’t love your best friend’s wife don’t you understand ??

I feel bad for that kid that Shane tricked and killed in the woods

I also feel really bad for Otis. Who knows if they could’ve made it

The prison was okay but it made sense as a good shelter. It’s unfortunate how much supplies they lost.

I’m so glad Rick killed the leader of that prison gang!

I understand Lori’s death, but her body didn’t have to be eaten :/

T-Dog :((

Justin ? (The guy who set off the alarms) is an asshole. Like you really think of the walkers killed everyone you were going to make survive out on your own ??

The war between the prison and the governor is Myrle’s fault. He didn’t have to kidnap them, he could’ve just secretly followed them

It’s not the group’s fault that some Woodbury’s people died. If you have one of their people in capture, obviously they’re going to kill some people to get them back. The governor destroyed everything because of someone else’s fault 🙄

I did not enjoy the governor. I’m glad he died but he did not get a good enough death in my opinion. It would’ve been more satisfying to see Mishoan (sorry if it’s misspelled) to kill him, and definitely not by a bullet to the head.

If those two sisters at the apartment let the governor leave when he wanted to without them tagging along, then who knows if his climb back to power would’ve happened

Martinez? shouldn’t have saved him after what he witnessed. he knew he was a threat. should’ve saved the girl and left him and told the truth to the sisters

The governor’s other henchman, that black guy (I don’t remember his name at all) what was the point of him?? The camera kept focusing on him as if he was going to do something or be important but in the end he just died

i felt bad for Milton at the end :/ he finally came to his senses and it was a shame that he died

Andrea should’ve sucked it up and killed him the first time when she was supposed to. Also, idk why she thought she had the power to save everyone like this is war ?? saying “stop and make up, these are my friends” isn’t enough honey lol. She wasted too much time looking at Milton while she was trying to free herself bc it distracted her focus and time

I don’t know why Lori was so mad that Rick killed Shane, like ???

Poor prison :/ i couldn’t stop thinking about all the supplies they lost

I never understood whether the sickness in the prison was random or it was started by something else, like the infected rats? everyone got sick then they just moved on, like it seemed like too big of a plot element to move on so quickly

I’m surprised Hershel never caught the sickness after literally getting coughed in the face

Hershel did not deserve the death he got :/

I’m not surprised that Myrle was killed and turned, but I think it’s good that the person who finally killed him was Daryle bc it gives closure. If Myrle originally stuck with the group with Rick around, i don’t think things would’ve worked out

I’m glad Mishoan joined the group, she’s a great addition and she’s badass with that sword

At first, I didn’t catch on to the fact that Tyrese and Sasha were siblings so i genuinely thought he was cheating on her and was so confused when Sasha never got mad lol

I understand Carol wanting to stop the spreading of the sickness but at the point with so many other people sick what was the point? How are you going to secretly kill and burn everyone was is sick ??

It was sad seeing Rick banishing Carol but in a way I understand because you can’t just secretly betray a group like that

The group getting separated was so sad :/ but I liked the story build up of seeing how certain character pairings were together, and learning more about them. For example, Daryl and Beth :/

The part where Daryl and Beth come across the dead body debris and the camera focused on the boot, it never showed who the boot belonged to to make Beth hysterically cry. Yes, they showed the other group dying in the same spot before Carol ran into Tyrese but the way Beth reacted made it seem like someone from the group died. Unless she was just crying from the thought of someone in the group getting killed?

When Daryl and Beth ended up in that church and they noticed the supplies were fresh, meaning whoever lived there was still around, I wonder who it was supposed to be. At first I thought priest when he said he had a church, but then we found out it wasn’t the same one so I wonder who was there

Rick really bit off a man’s neck 😳 gotta do what you gotta do though

It made me nervous when Daryl joined that group because I thought he was going to be forced to stay or I thought the group was going to be the next big guys, but i was relieved when they died quickly.

I can’t believe Lizzie killed Mika :/ some kids don’t understand, I get it but if one of them were to survive I wish it was Mika. As sick as it sounds, if Lizzie got bit maybe she would’ve realized the seriousness of the walkers or maybe she wanted to be one of them. Carol had to do what she had to do afterwards.

I applaud Carol for how much she’s grown. Despite her abuse, she never stopped being kind hearted and grew into this strong woman who can protect herself and others, and also stands up for herself more

Terminus did it’s purpose by reuniting the group but it was so short lived. Like they managed to escape cannibals but run into them shortly after, but then kill them altogether and then that’s it, they move on to the next group?

Why did they have that moment with Rick, Carol, and those two people from the town, Rick giving him his watch, just for the guy to disappear and then randomly show up at Terminus and die?? Like what was the point? I was expecting more.

Glenn used to be the sensitive, nervous guy but now he’s grown into the strong, hard man and while his silliness is gone, i’m happy about his character development bc he does what he needs to to survive

Abraham, Rosita, and Eugene are an interesting group and interesting addition to the whole group. Not much to say about them (except Suzie Crabgrass 😍)

Sasha and Tyrese were an interesting addition too. I like Tyrese better

Tyrese is a sensitive, nice man, I like the fact that he’s not overly aggressive and kills everything living thing in his path. He’s like a big teddy bear, the protector and it gives a nice balance. Yeah, it unfortunately cost him his death but his character was needed :/

Bob was the most random character addition. Even after it showed what he did before he met them, i still don’t understand what his purpose was. He got a young man killed because of his alcohol issue. He tried to sneak a second bottle but then didn’t do anything with it. Why mention the alcoholism twice to not do anything more with it? Even after he does it doesn’t affect the group besides Sasha being emotional.

The addition of the priest is kind of random too. He was alone; they helped him and gave him shelter, but what else? He even tried to escape and got the others in trouble trying to save him so?? At the new community, I haven’t seen him much so what happened with him?

Beth’s death was really sad. I wanted her to make it but i understand that if Dawn didn’t accidentally kill her, Rick wouldn’t have killed Dawn and Noah would’ve been forced to stay. If Noah stayed, then they wouldn’t have had a reason to move up north.

The hospital seemed like they were genuinely trying to help people but why they were so forceful and strict didn’t sit right with me.

The doctor wanted to leave but I don’t know why he didn’t go with the group?? He would’ve been useful for them.

I like Noah so far (though i might be biased bc i did watch everybody hates Chris lol) i’m guess he’ll be more useful later on

Tyrese’s death was the moment that finally made me cry :/ specifically the moment they showed his beanie 😭😭

Rick went from trying to do right and trying to save everybody to not taking anymore shit and I love it

I miss Georgia already.

Season 5 has been slow for me. As of right now I haven’t finished the last 3 episodes yet because I don’t understand the point of the new community that they’re in. It’s too good to be true. I don’t trust anybody except Aaron bc he seems niave. Trouble is going to happen with the woman’s husband, I can tell him and Rick are probably gonna fight until the husband dies. The wife will freak out. The leader of the group seems suspicious. The whole area doesn’t sit well with me. I’m constantly waiting for something to happen bc the whole time they’re being watched & they know what Carol and Rick are up to.

that’s all for now. once i finish season 5, i’ll add to this

[judithasskickergrimes]

The North Star

Summary: 'There are so many names and so little to remember them by. She wants to be as strong as they all were. And she hopes she can make it further than they could.' / So many are gone. Judith remains. And she tries to remember them all as best she can.

AO3 / FanFiction

-

Her first memory is of his voice and the stars.

It’s only about a snippet in her head, like so many others from when she was little- like of Aunt Maggie, before she stopped coming to visit, tickling her to make her laugh, or of her dad’s scratchy beard as he kissed her forehead- but she still recognises her first memory best of all. It had been dark, and she was in his arms. They pointed up at the sky together, to the bright, flickering dots.

He was talking, she knows, but she can’t remember most of the words. She’s not even sure she truly recalls the part she does know, or if she only does because her mom told her about it afterwards. But she can still hear the sound of his voice- the softness whispering in her ear, and the memory is… good. Content. Peaceful.

She is afraid she’ll forget her dad’s scratchy beard and his warm kisses.

She is afraid she’ll forget the softness of her brother’s voice.

‘He was showing you the stars,’ Michonne told her once. ‘I heard him telling you about the North Star, in case you ever got lost. He wanted to make sure you were always safe.’

But how would it keep her safe if she were trapped outside the walls, all on her own and surrounded by walkers? Judith doesn’t understand at first, and it takes her a while to do so.

It isn’t until she is eight and Michonne finally lets her go out scavenging with Aunt Rosita and Uncle Aaron that she begins to realise why it matters. They are cut off by a herd moving in from the east, and have to take a detour- a long one. The sight of them all, even at this distance, safely tucked away in the trees and beyond their scope, fills her with dread.

She can’t remember the days on the road, when she was very little and they hadn’t found Alexandria. She doesn’t remember the people Michonne tells her about; Aunt Maggie’s sister Beth, who used to watch over her when she was born, or Tyreese, whom Aunt Carol says helped to protect her when she was separated from her family. Sometimes Judith wishes she could remember being that small. There are so many names and so little to remember them by. Judith feels like she should know them, and the harsh world beyond the walls where they all died. She should remember what it feels to be out here, so as to adjust now. She wants to be as strong as they all were. And she hopes she can make it further than they could.

But it is fanciful dreaming of a childhood safe behind the walls, protected by loved and lost ones alike. The world outside is more than she believed it could be, and as she and the group hurry along a lesser trodden path through the woods, the reality sets in.

She is just a child. She’s smaller and weaker than the rest of the group, and scared after all. Her original excitement at being allowed to come turns to exhaustion and fear. She knows her mom will probably send patrols out to look for them, and might not let her do this again.

And RJ? RJ will cry. He’s still such a baby, even if he is four. He’s started drawing with her recently, and once Uncle Eugene had shown them how to make paper aeroplanes, their home had been filled with them, whizzing down staircases and soaring out of open windows. Until one had hit RJ in the face, anyway. Then there had been a flood of tears.

But she won’t see him cry tonight. Because Aunt Rosita is saying that they will have to camp out, and soon the group is trudging through the undergrowth towards a known cabin serving as an emergency outpost. Judith stays close, her hand never straying from the hilt of the revolver at her side. They only come across one walker loitering near a stream, and hear a few more in the distance along the way, but as the night draws near something about their presence becomes far more ominous than before. She tries not to stare at each tree as the sky grows darker and darker, because once they stop looking like trees and start looking like they could be anything at all, the outside world becomes all the more frightening.

She begins thinking about him. She wonders how afraid he was, during all that time on the road. He had been little too, when it all started.

She has been practicing for this moment, she tells herself. She has trained each day with the katana, ever since she was big enough to carry it and old enough to be careful not to cut herself. Her mom taught her how to be safe.

And he did too. He told her about the North Star, and how could guide her.

And so she looks up to the sky and peers through the canopy of leaves, hoping to catch a glimpse of it.

She isn’t sure she spots it, for there are so many up there and the trees hide most of them, but the light brings her to that night in her brother’s arms, pointing at the stars together, and she imagines his voice in her ear once more, leading her home.

They find the cabin. Judith feels strangely light and calm. Suddenly, things aren’t so bad. The stars are easier to see in this small clearing, and as Uncle Aaron puts a hand on her shoulder and gives it a squeeze, she smiles.

It will be fine.

-

She is almost nine when Michonne tells her and RJ about Andre.

It is a slip of the mouth, one Judith has heard before. She knows everyone does it from time to time- they address those who are no longer here, or call people by the wrong names. She sees it in the days and weeks following a supply run gone wrong, and when an old man grows sickly and begins talking to a wife who isn’t there. And she has seen her mom do it before, when RJ wouldn’t stop running around the house as a toddler once and when she had been reading both children a bedtime story.

Sometimes, very rarely, their mom calls RJ Andre. And then she becomes very quiet, and doesn’t say any more for a long time. Judith doesn’t ask why.

‘He was your brother. Before you were both born,’ Michonne tells them one night, as Judith draws a picture of her family- her whole family.

‘Where is he?’ RJ asks.

Judith knows the answer easily enough. He must be where the rest of their family is.

‘Heaven,’ she tells him, and Michonne nods.

‘Sometimes it’s hard to talk about people,’ their mom tells them. ‘It can be very sad. But I want you to know. You should know.’

Judith adds another face to the picture that night. Up in the clouds, above the drawings of her, RJ and their mom, of Aunt Maggie and Hershel, Aunt Carol, Uncle Daryl and many more, she puts a little boy who looks like RJ next to that of her other mom, who died so she could be here, her dad, and the boy with her hat and an eyepatch, who always smiles in her pictures.

-

(She remembers him smiling, even when there were tears. Even when he said goodbye.)

-

Michonne lets her leave again with the groups who go outside the walls. And again. And again. Judith learns not to fear the dark as much, for they usually make it back before the sun sets. And although her stomach still twists in fear when the night does fall, or when a walker emerges from the shadows, rasping and gurgling as it staggers towards the group, she holds her head high. She will get better at this. She will never feel safe out here, but that’s fine. She has a home waiting for her, and stars to guide her.

Even if she doesn’t know which way to go, she feels them all watching from above, beaming down at her.

-

‘That one,’ Judith says when RJ turns five, ‘is Dad.’

She points up at a dot in the sky, shining brighter than those around it. Uncle Aaron says the ones that are brighter are closer, or so big that they outshine all the others. She can’t remember which one this is- maybe Sirius?- but it’s close, she thinks. Closer than most of the others, anyway.

‘Dad?’ RJ asks, lifting his head up from her shoulder. The two are curled up in the rocking chair on their front porch, and Judith feels an odd tingling in her chest each time she points at a different star and RJ copies her.

‘Um hmm,’ she says. ‘Rick. Like you.’

She says this to make him smile, because ever since RJ was old enough to know that he was named after their dad, he has been happy about it. He never got to meet Rick, so Judith guesses this helps him feel close to him anyhow.

A star nearby glistens and she looks to it next, her fingers threading through and twisting the curls of RJ’s hair absent-mindedly. She isn’t sure how to tell him about this one. ‘That’s Lori,’ she tells him.

‘Who?’

‘My- our other mom.’ RJ won’t get it. She can hardly go explaining it all to him now- that Lori wasn’t ever his mother, and that she never got the chance to be Judith’s either.

‘There’s Andre,’ she continues as another star catches her eye, and RJ squirms happily beside her. She tries to imagine this long gone brother of theirs, a brother she knows deep down isn’t hers by blood, and an image of another RJ jumps into her head, just as it does in her drawings. She understands these things now, but also that it doesn’t matter. She has family in many places; all around her and up above.

‘That’s Uncle Glenn,’ she says next, pointing at another. She thinks she might be able to remember him- just possibly- as one of the shadowy figures at the back of her head, carrying her or watching over her. But there are so many of them, and she’s never quite sure.

She picks out a few more, all of them random and unknown to her. As long as they shine brightly and RJ can spot them too, that’s all that matters.

‘There’s Hershel.’

RJ twists around to squint at her. ‘He’s not in heaven.’

‘Not him. Aunt Maggie’s dad.’

‘Oh. I don’t remember him.’

‘Of course you don’t,’ Judith says. ‘You never met him.’ She doesn’t mention that she can’t remember him either.

RJ rests his head against her once more, pointing his finger and choosing stars for her.

‘Who’s that?’

‘That’s Sasha.’

‘And that?’

‘Tyreese. And that one’s Beth.’

The two go on and on, picking out stars and naming them. Judith’s throat feels tighter than before, and Michonne’s words echo in her head; sometimes it’s hard to talk about those who are gone, and it hurts. She can feel how it starts to burn, and she understands. But her mouth still stretches into a grin. She remembers another face that once smiled through all the sadness, one eye shining at her in the darkness of the tunnel just as the stars do in the sky, and her own eyes begin to blur.

‘What about that one?’ RJ asks, and Judith blinks the tears away.

He’s pointing at one she does know. It isn’t as bright as some of the others they’ve picked out, but RJ must recognise it from some of his sister’s drawings. She likes to sketch out the constellations she learns about, and she always makes the curling end of the Little Dipper a different colour to the others- sometimes blue, sometimes purple, sometimes red- so that it looks special.

She remembers something as hazy as her sight when the tears form again. Something deep and flickering, like the dots of light above. In it, she is very small, pointing just as she and RJ do now.

And in his embrace, her elder brother points with her.

His voice is soft and warm. She feels safe.

‘That’s the North Star,’ she knows he is saying, and she repeats the same to RJ. ‘If you get lost at night, just find that star.’

‘Why?’

‘Because it’s special,’ Judith murmurs. ‘It helps guide you home.’

The two rock back and forth slowly, quiet for a little while. They both watch the glimmering star.

‘Does it have a proper name?’ RJ asks eventually. ‘Like a person?’

Judith nods, and keeps smiling as she lets the tears fall.

‘That one,’ she says, ‘is Carl.’

[officergrimes-daddydixon]

(Request: Do you think you could write something where Spencer forces himself on Rick’s daughter (21 year old reader) and Rick and Daryl rescue her and Daryl tells her his feelings for her?)

Note: THIS REQUEST IS FROM LIKE OVER A WEEK AGO I AM SO SORRY IT IS OUT SO LATE PLEASE FORGIVE ME ANON <3

Warnings: mentions of rape, near rape experience, angst, mild fluff —————————————————————————————————-

Adjusting to Alexandria was proving to be a little difficult for you. You were so used to sleeping with one eye open, that now you found it hard to actually relax when it was night time. And the people here, there was something about them, they were weak. No one was ever keeping watch in the tower and the same three people would go out on runs like once a week. There was no organisation. It wasn’t only you who felt this way, Daryl would often visit you at night just to keep each other company. No one was on watch at night and it made you both feel uncomfortable, so you would usually spend your nights staying awake together until the other Alexandrians woke up.

Your dad, Rick, and the others spent most of their time persuading you to give this place a chance. It’s not like you didn’t want to, you just didn’t want to let your guard down just yet. You and your group had been through so much and you didn’t want anything else to go wrong.

The sun was beating down on you as you walked over to the watch tower. You had asked Deanna countless times to be put on watch, but she wasn’t having it. She wanted one of her people on watch but none of them were experienced enough, so you took matters into your own hands and started to climb the ladder.

“(Yn)!”

You continued to climb the ladder, you didn’t bother looking down as you knew who it was. “What Daryl?”

“Deanna finally said yes?” he asked, shielding the sun from his eyes with his hand.

“Nope” you said, reaching the top and standing up to look down at him.

Daryl laughed at your stubborn personality. You could never take no for an answer. He began to climb up the tower too, and when he was up he sat on the open window frame.

“You can’t stay away from me can you Dixon?” you smirked, teasing him as he tried to hide a smile and look down at his feet. He said nothing and you looked out upon the walls. You and Daryl had met at the beginning. You watched him transform from a deadbeat redneck to someone who was valuable in the group. You were there for him at his vulnerable times, when his brother died and when Beth died. You had never seen him so distraught over something before, which made it extra hard to try and comfort him, not knowing what would set him off or actually help him. Besides this, you two were pretty close. You always watched each other’s backs and you couldn’t deny that there was an attraction between you, but you weren’t sure as he had never hinted at it before.

“Hey! Who’s up there?”

A voice broke through your line of thought and you turned to look down at Spencer. “Shit” you murmured as you walked over to the edge of the tower. “It’s just me! Thought I’d keep watch for a while until the guys get back from the run”

“You shouldn’t be up there you know, my mom said-”

“I know what she said, but this place needs protection. I don’t know how you guys have survived so long without it”

Spencer chuckled and looked down to the floor before looking back at you. “Anyone else up there with you?”

“Na, just me”

“I’ll make you a deal. I won’t tell my mom, but only if you come to the party with me tonight” you saw him grinning up at you, knowing you would take the deal in order to keep this place safe.

You rolled your eyes and nodded your head, making the deal with him. He winked up at you before walking away and smiling to himself.

“Why the hell’d you do that?” Daryl asked as you came back to sit down, resting your sniper on the window frame.

“It’s just a stupid party, who’s it gonna harm if I go with him?” you asked rhetorically.

Me, Daryl thought in his head as he looked at you. He felt himself getting angry that you would go with someone that you didn’t even know to a party. He didn’t want to explode at you so he started to walk away.

“Where are you going?” you asked curiously.

“Going back to the house. You have a problem with that?” he snapped back, turning to look at you as you stood up.

“Why are you so pissed? Is it cause of what just-” Daryl cut you off with his raised voice.

“You’re here tellin’ me you don’t trust these people and you aint liking this place, but then here you are agreeing to go to some party with a stranger like everything’s okay!”

“Everything is okay Daryl! I never said I’d dislike this place forever, now that my dad and the others are getting comfortable I wanna give this place a chance!”

“Whatever” Daryl scoffed. “You’re just like the rest of them”

“That’s not fair!” you shouted at him, but he was already climbing down the ladder. You let out an irritated sigh before going over to your sniper. You looked through the scope and angrily shot down every walker you saw, trying to get your anger out in a different way other than fighting.                                                                                         *****

You looked at yourself in the mirror one more time before heading downstairs. You had kept Spencer waiting while you got ready. You didn’t wear anything special, just a clean pair of jeans with a white tank top that showed a little bit of cleavage. Spencer eyed you as you walked down the stairs and you clicked your fingers at him when he kept his eyes lingering on your breasts for a little too long.

“My eyes are here Spencer” you said, making his attention turn to your eyes.

“They’re just as beautiful” he smirked.

You internally gagged at his comment but you had to go through with this so you could continue to keep watch without Deanna knowing. “Come on, we don’t wanna show up late to your own mom’s party” you smiled, taking his hand and walking outside.

You were almost at Deanna’s when you saw Daryl making his way to Aarons house. “Hey, give me one second” you said to Spencer.

You lightly jogged over to Daryl and you heard him mumble something under his breath when you got near. You brushed it off and spoke anyway. “Hey” you said, not knowing what else to say.

“Hi” he replied bluntly. He was still walking and you touched his arm, making him stop.

“Are you not going to Deanna’s?” you asked curiously, looking down at his sweat covered body.

“Na, you know I aint good with that kind of stuff”

“It’ll be good for you” you pleaded

“Aaron invited me over to his. I’d rather hang with two people rather than 30” he said.

Part of it was a lie. Aaron did invite him over, but he could have gone to the party. The only reason he wasn’t going was because he knew he would get jealous if he saw you spending the night with Spencer.

“(Y/n), c’mon”

You looked behind you to see Spencer impatiently waiting for you, his arms crossed over his chest. “You his bitch now?” Daryl asked spitefully.

“What the fuck Daryl!”

“Go on, your boyfriends calling” he finished, walking off before you could say anything else. His words stung you, wishing that you could tell him how you felt. But how could you when you were going to the party with Spencer, you were giving him mixed emotions and you knew it. You sighed before walking back over to Spencer and he wrapped his arm protectively around you.                                                                                      *****

You had been at the party for a couple of hours now. You had spoken to some of the Alexandrian people but you mostly just stuck around with Maggie and Rosita. You spent the night talking with them, but you couldn’t keep your mind from wandering to Daryl. You weren’t even drunk so you were confused as to why you couldn’t get him out of your head. Finally, your attention was turned to Spencer who had tripped over his feet while walking over to you.

“Someone’s a little drunk” you laughed as you helped him from the floor.

“Maybe you should get him home, he gets very bad hangover’s when he’s like this” Deanna spoke from behind you and you immediately smiled at her as innocently as possible. Spencer was drunk right now and he could easily forget about the deal and spill the beans.

“I’d be happy to!” you said, saying a quick goodbye to your group before leaving.

Spencer stumbled down the stairs of Deanna’s house and he nearly took you with him. He was a heavy guy compared to you, and you were starting to struggle with helping him walk. “Just a few houses down, you can do it”

“I’m good, I’m good” he repeated, standing up straight but wavering a bit before he caught his balance. You looked at him in silence and he laughed, not for any reason besides the fact he was drunk. “I’m good” he said one more time, making you roll your eyes. You wanted to get back to your house but Spencer was taking his time to walk.

“Hey do you mind hurrying up? I know you’re drunk but you seem stable enough to-” Spencer cut you off by smashing his lips against yours suddenly as he pushed your back up against the side of a house. His actions took you by surprise and you let out a distorted cry that was muffled by his lips. You quickly pushed Spencer off of you and stepped back, he was panting from the adrenaline rush he got.

“What the hell are you doing?” you asked, wiping your mouth as his kiss was sloppy and wet.

“You can’t deny me (y/n). I see the way you look at me, you want this” his words scared you and you realised the extent of this situation. It was dark out so no one could see you hidden by the side of this house, everyone was inside one place, intoxicated by alcohol and you were alone. Spencer had you corned between the house and his body.

“No, Spencer you got it all wrong. I don’t like you that way” you tried to keep your voice calm and reasonable, making it look like you weren’t going to put up with his bullshit.

“Don’t lie to yourself” he took a step closer and with one swift movement he pinned your hands above your head and covered your mouth with his hand, muffling out your screams.                                                                                     *****

“I’m gonna head home, its late and the kids are waiting for me”

Rick said goodbye to everyone at the party, taking the time to thank Deanna and her husband for throwing such a nice get together. Rick took a last swig from his beer before heading home.                                                                                       ******

Daryl slurped up his last piece of spaghetti before sitting back and drinking his beer. “You make a mean pasta” he said, letting out a small burp which he tried to stifle with his hand.

“I’m glad you liked it!” Aaron said, placing a hand on his boyfriends and they locked eyes.

“I guess I’ll get going, give you guys some space” Daryl sat up from the table and walked to the door.

“Are you sure? Do you want some more?”

“I’m alright thanks. See ya tomorrow”

Daryl said goodbye before walking out the house and towards his. As Daryl was walking he saw Rick leaving the party.

“Hey” Daryl shouted, raising an arm to Rick who waved back. The two men caught up with each other and walked in the same direction.

“You were a no show” Rick said, tilting his head at Daryl as they walked.

“I had other plans” Daryl mumbled.

Rick nodded his head and they continued walking when a shout ripped through the air. Both men stood still, trying to listen for another shout. It was silent for a couple seconds before another cry let loose. Both men looked at each other before breaking off into a run.                                                                                           *******

“Spencer stop!” you struggled under the weight of his body as he forced himself against you, your hands were trapped above your head and Spencer had his knees digging into your thighs, stopping you from kicking up at his privates. You let out strangled cries as he bit your neck. You didn’t bother shouting out, no one would here you as they were at the party and you had no idea where Daryl was now. Spencer moved his free hand down to your breast as he massaged them, and you could feel him growing against you. Tears were falling down your face as you begged him not to do this, you told him it didn’t have to be this way but he wasn’t listening. His only focus right now was on your body. His hand swiftly unbuttoned your jeans and he pulled them and your panties down just enough for him to have access to your entrance. He did the same with himself and when the situation was finally catching up with your mind you started to scream. He immediately covered your mouth with his spare hand and your shouts were muffled.

“Keep quiet!” he said angrily. You nodded your head and he slowly removed his hand from your mouth but you couldn’t help but scream again. Your voice was nearly at breaking point as you prayed for someone to hear you, anyone. Spencer’s eyes widened and he slapped you across the face, hard. You shut your eyes and more tears fell, but in an instant, you felt Spencer’s body leave yours and you heard a thump below you.

You opened your eyes and saw Daryl on the floor with Spencer, pinning him to the ground as your dad punched him over and over. You covered your mouth with your hands and cried as you saw blood starting to cover Ricks hands.

“Dad stop! It’s over now, stop!”

Your words didn’t register in Ricks mind as he continued to punch the man who was in the process of raping his daughter. Daryl heard your pleas and he pulled Rick away from Spencer with some struggle. Rick pushed against Daryl to get to Spencer but you stepped in front of him and forced him to look at you.

“I’m fine, look at me! I’m okay, don’t ruin this for everyone” you whispered, not wanting your dad to get in trouble for beating up Spencer, even if he did deserve it.

Rick calmed down at your words and soon Daryl let go of him. Rick ran a bloodied hand through his hair as he looked between you and Spencer. “Daryl, take her home. I’ll take him to Deanna. I’ll make something up, just keep her safe, please”

Daryl nodded and you walked with him back to your house. It was silent, both of you were processing what had just happened and you were too shocked to even talk. You stepped up to your door and opened it, before turning to Daryl.

“Can you stay with me?” you blurted out.

Daryl looked at you in surprise before nodding his head and following you inside. Daryl kept his back to you as you changed into your pyjama shorts and a baggy t-shirt. Daryl had taken off his leather vest coat and was left in jeans and a vest top.

“(Y/n)? You alright?” Daryl asked as you slowly got into bed, wrapping the covers securely around you.

“I’m just a little scared, I don’t wanna be alone right now”

Daryl nodded his head and slowly climbed into the bed next to you, not wanting to startle you as you were experiencing a sensitive moment right now. It was silent and Daryl looked over to you. He saw a tear drop down your cheek and he moved his thumb to wipe it away. You used your other hand to wipe the other away and you smiled at him softly, silently thanking him for being here. You laid your head on your pillow, your body facing Daryl’s as he joined you. He softly stroked your hair, quickly making your eyes close and he whispered to you.

“I won’t let anybody hurt you (y/n). And I won’t let my anger get in the way of us, no matter how jealous or pissed I am”

You let out a small laugh at his words and you smiled up at him. “Thank you” was all you said before Daryl protectively wrapped an arm around you. He didn’t have to say anything for you to know that he had feelings for you too. You knew him so well that could tell just by his actions tonight. You felt safer in his arms and you soon drifted into a deep sleep. —————————————————————————————————-

Tags: @teenagetragediesforeveryone

[multiplefandomfics]

Grimes sisters chapter 26

And last but not least, the last chapter but don’t worry a second part to Grimes sisters is already in the making. i hope that you enjoyed this so far and keep following our stories :D so thanks for the ride up till now and thanks to my coauthor Lisa who’s come up with the amazing idea to do this. writing really helps me to find myself and i genuinely enjoy it.

Pairings: Daryl x Alex; Negan x Fabienne

Warnings: none

Words: 1200

Alex POV

I was happy that my sister and Negan had found to each other again. She had also managed to get Rick and her boyfriend to talk and they had found a solution to all of this. They were probably never gonna become best friends but they could peacefully coexist.

They had sat down together a few months ago to negotiate some kind of contract. Our communities were obliged through this contract to trade and work together and I think that we had found a good way with all this. The tension was still there, how couldn’t it be? After what Negan had done to us. And Negan really had changed for the sake of my sister and their unborn baby.

Hilltop had also agreed to cooperate with us even though a lot of the inhabitants had been as skeptical as we were.

Eleven months had passed since we had come to an agreement. My sister and I had given birth to our babies only two months prior only 10 days apart. Fabienne had a gorgeous little boy called Dean and Daryl and I had become parents of a beautiful girl name Joanna Beth. I had been very close to Beth during the time we had lived in the prison and had loved her like a little sister so I wanted to give her something back and name my baby after her.

Rick was really happy for us and proud of our little families. Daryl was, against his fears, an amazing dad. Just how I had predicted. He was always talking to her in baby language when he thought no one was looking and he even helped a lot. Changing diapers and giving her the bottle. I was really in awe with the man and more and more in love every day.

I was watching him with our daughter in his arms sitting on the patio. I could watch them for hours on end. I snuck up behind him and gave him a kiss to his head which made him look up and smile at me.

“When’s ya sister gonna be here?” he asked me. “They should be here any minute now.” I answered.

Preparing the rest in the house before they arrived I busied myself. I was excited to see my sister and nephew.

The communities had developed greatly and it filled me with pride and joy. Everything was working out great and no one had started confrontations or war anymore.

Even Rick had finally accepted that Negan was family now.

When there was a knock on the door I opened it in hope of seeing Fabienne but it was Rosita with her baby in her arms. Yes we had experienced a real baby boom in the past months. 6 months ago Maggie had started it with her son Hershel then Fabienne and I had followed and Rosita had come last. Maybe this was the sign for a new better world we had needed.

“Have fun today.” Rosita ripped me out of my thoughts and I nodded toward her friendly.

Just a minute later the gates opened and a car rolled through. Fabienne and Negan stepped out of it and while my sister was walking toward me Negan freed Dean out of the baby safe from the backseat. “Heeey!!” I greeted er. We hadn’t seen each other in a few weeks due to the fact that she was living at sanctuary and fuel was unfortunately getting rarer so we only drove when we urgently needed to.

“How are you?”

“We’re fine what about you and especially my little niece?” she prodded and if on cue Daryl came up behind me with our little angel in his arms.

Fabienne was immediately in her element and took Jo from him while Negan pinned his son into my arms. He was definitely gonna become a handsome fellow someday turning heads left and right I thought.

After we had finally gotten the babies to sleep we sat down and ate. Carl, Rick, Judith and Michonne had joined us. “Oh my goodness this tastes fantastic!” Fabienne gushed over my cooking skills.

“You’re also cooking really good, baby.” Negan remarked smiling and kissing her hand.

Just then I realized that that we hadn’t visited her at the Sanctuary yet. Rick never wanted us to and even prevented us from going. Like I said before Negan and him are probably never going to be best buddies and Rick just accepted him in our home because of Fabienne.

Together we enjoyed our quiet evening without too many disruptions through the children crying. My sister and her family stayed one night and went home the next morning.

Everything is going great for us finally. I am very excited what the future holds for us.

Maggie POV

Glenn and I were sitting outside looking over Hilltop with Hershel in my arms. After my father died of old age half a year ago Glenn wanted to honor him by naming our son after him and how could I have said no to that? Even though I was very sad that my father hadn’t met our son personally I was sure that he was watching us from above being really happy for us.

Beth and I were missing him so much. He had been such a big influence in both our lives but the time was gonna heal every wound. He was always gonna live on in all our hearts and the stories we would tell Hershel junior.

Hilltop was thriving just like the other communities around us. We had build new fields and planted new crops. Everyone had enough food without having to scavenge too much anymore. Together we were gonna have a great life here.

That morning I had received a new letter from Alex. They were all good and the children in Alexandria were growing just like Hershel was. One day you can easily carry them around and the next day they start walking and it seems as if they don’t need you anymore.

The last time I saw Joanna and Dean they had been only a few days old.

“maybe we should visit them soon.” I suggested to Glenn and he nodded in agreement. Later when our kids had grown older they could play together when we visited them.

I had great respect for Rick how he was accepting Negan into his home after what he had done. I was trying really hard to do so as well and it worked to an extend but he was never gonna set foot into Hilltop. Of course I was sad for Fabienne, she was the one suffering from this the most but I needed to take care of my people here at Hilltop.

Only the henchmen of the Sanctuary were allowed in front of the gates to trade our supplies.

Slowly the sun was setting dying the sky pink and purple. I leaned my head against Glenn’s shoulder and closed my eyes. Everything could stay the way it was now. I am very content that we have made it. Nothing can stop us now!

[multiplefandomfics]

Grimes sisters chapter 23

and as promised the last chapters are coming today.

Pairings: Daryl x Alex; Negan x Fabienne

Warnings: angst, reunion

Words: 2397

Fabienne POV

A few days ticked by, well 10 to be exact. Again I overheard Simon and Negan talking about a tour and again I wanted to tail them.

I hadn’t told Negan that he was gonna be a father yet. I was afraid of his reaction and needed to swallow all of the things that had happened myself first. Plus the right moment hadn’t offered itself either.

This time I wanted to be there first so I took a car when no one noticed and drove a slightly different way. I knew where they were headed after all. I hid the car a bit further out on a street they weren’t gonna be taking and walked the rest by foot. Excited I sat down behind a bush when I had reached the community and waited. Half an hour later I heard the saviors trucks rolling in. Again they stopped in front of the gate and they got out. I saw Negan last “We’re back, Rick!” he called loudly and next the doors opened. Rick, Daryl a big red headed man and a tall man with brown locks I didn’t know stood directly before them, blocking their way. I prayed that this was not gonna end bad. “We’re here to collect the things that belong to us.” Negan smiled sourly and I saw Ricks signature move hand going to his gun. “No! We’re not gonna tolerate this theft any longer. If you want it you’ll have to take it by force.” Rick announced self assured and then I got really nervous. I thought I knew Negan but he was unpredictable. A second longer I observed the situation and then Negan took a hold of his baseball bat again. Ready to break all hell loose and I couldn’t let that happen. The terrible grin on Negan’s face was enough to make me nauseous “what did I say last time and the time before that? What’s yours is ours if we want it. And you don’t stand a chance against my men and me.” he gritted out through his teeth. I could see that one vein on his neck pumping blood and that was a secure sign that he was furious and close to exploding. It was as if I saw a completely different person threatening my family and I couldn’t let that slide so I jumped out of my hiding spot sprinting toward the group. “It’s theirs! They have found it! It doesn’t belong to us!” Shocked they all turned around looking at me as if I was crazy. Negan’s men still have their guns aimed at my friends and family. “What in hell are you doing here, damn it Fabienne!” he had never spoken to me like that before and I was kinda shocked but only for a second before rage took over again. “Fabienne?” I heard it behind me and recognized my brothers voice almost breaking saying my name. But before I was gonna speak to him I needed to give Negan the lecture he deserved. “I already followed you last time you came here because I got suspicious where you had found all those fresh fruits and vegetables. Damn it what were you thinking? And I told you about Rick and my group and I trust that you had figured out this were them so why didn’t you tell me?” I was yelling at him getting angrier by the second. I was really hurt. I thought I knew him but turned out I didn’t. “I just want us to survive this, baby. I did this only for us and I swear I didn’t know that...” he tried to calm me but I interrupted him “Don’t baby me and tell me you didn’t know they were my people. Maybe you should sometimes turn your brain on then you would have probably been able to guess! Think carefully before doing anything more!” I growled at him. After all he didn’t have the right to talk to my family like that. But he didn’t do what I wanted him to. His men were still targeting my group. “Let them take their weapons down or...” I hesitated for a second but I was sure it was the only way to make him do what I wanted him to “or you’ll never see your unborn child.” at first he didn’t realize fully what I had just said but then I saw the hard expression shift into something softer. I immediately knew I had thrown him off with those news. Shortly he raised his hand and the others took the weapons down. But I was still so damn angry that I just stormed past him running into my brothers arms. Just them I noticed that tears were running down my cheeks. Suddenly my name was called again “Fabi!!” and I started sobbing again but this time in relief. I hadn’t known if my sister was still alive but she was and that made me incredibly happy. I turned toward her and she jumped a second later into my outstretched arms. Oh, how I had missed her. “You’re alive! I… I.. where have you been?” she cried hysterically. I didn’t know my sister like that. She was normally the more relaxed sister. “I’m gonna tell you later okay?” I asked her and she nodded. When I looked for Negan I saw that the saviors had retreated back to their cars without another word. This behavior was like a knife to my heart. In that moment I really wanted to cry. What if that was his way of telling me he didn’t want the baby and I was alone? He hadn’t even come up with an excuse. To say I was disappointed was the understatement of the year. I took a deep breath and sighed as they closed the gates but I had to see the positive side to this, I was reunited with my family.

Then Alex started talking again “we thought you were dead!” I shook my head. “No. After Shane’s death I couldn’t stay any longer. Everything reminded me of him including you and that just hurt too much. Day by day and week by week I made it through… I know I hurt you with that.” I told them. “Yes we were so worried and searched for weeks!” Rick sounded angry and I understood him. “And then we see you again after over a year and you are pregnant from the guy who killed some of ours and stole our food? How did you even meet?” he worked himself more and more into his rage and it honestly scared me a bit. Alex had her hand on his arm to calm him a bit. “Rick, please let her arrive before you ask holes into her.” she tried but to no avail he wanted to get an answer.

“At one point on my journey I found myself in a small hunting shed in the woods and, well, then he stumbled upon it and we got along very well. He was really nice to me the whole time. I didn’t recognize him earlier either. He told me he was building up this community and asked if I didn’t wanna join him so I agreed. Was better than being alone again. We worked together this whole time and he was always caring so at some point I fell for him. Please don’t make me feel guilty about my feelings. And I only found out I was pregnant a week or so ago but I couldn’t tell him before.” I somehow felt the urge to justify myself, even though I didn’t need to. “You saw that I was as shocked about Negan’s behavior as you were.” and again I felt the tears well in my eyes. Alex showed understanding and embraced me but Rick was still angry. I really understood him. Negan hat killed two of his people and had taken their supplies again and again.

“at least this time she prevented him from takin’ anythin’” I heard Daryl mumble and just then noticed him. Rick marched off still furious to cool down and I knew he would eventually.

After that kinda awkward reunion Alex took me into her house and to her and Daryl’s bedroom to talk. “I totally understand you. You are not to blame for your feelings. When he was always playing a different role around you being an ass to us how could you have possibly known that?” she asked rhetorically. “Well, but now I’m pregnant and that jerk just left.” I mumbled trying to hold back the tears.

“Hey, you know what? Tomorrow we’re gonna visit Maggie in Hilltop.” he proposed.

“Maggie made it too? Oh that’s wonderful. But what is Hilltop?” I was happy to hear about Maggie. So Alex started to tell me the story of Hilltop…

Maggie POV

I had been sitting on a bench outside the main house in Hilltop enjoying the sun when the gate was opened and a car rolled through. I got up going closer and saw Aaron who pulled me into a hug. Next Alex got out and then I saw… Fabienne? Yes that was her. How was she alive? They had told me she’d run away and naturally we had thought she didn’t make it. “Fabienne?” I asked surprised so she came walking toward me embracing me too. “Where have you been?” I wanted to know. “I  lost it after Shane had died and just needed to leave.” she looked down telling me that. “Come with me inside and let’s drink some tea.” I suggested and we went inside.

“I always thought you hadn’t made it out of the prison.” she stated but was happy to see me nonetheless and I knew she wanted to know my story so I told it to her.

“It was a really close call. But we made it. When the attack started Glenn had immediately gotten my father and Bethy out. I fled with Axel after we had run out of ammo and saw that it was a lost cause. On our way out we found Tara. She was one of the governors people but she was hurt so my helpers syndrome kicked in and we took her with us. Now she is one of our most trusted allies and helps us here a lot. In the forest we met Glenn with Beth and my dad and fled together.

Behind us we only saw the big smoke cloud coming off our destroyed home.

Of course we tried to find you but we didn’t have a tracker and we had the feeling that we were always running around in circles and when we had finally caught up to the signs you’d left you were already gone and we didn’t know where else to search. So we made our own way.

For weeks we fought our way through the world out there. Later we encountered a truck with Abraham, Rosita and Eugene. We were skeptical but also a bit desperate and went with them although Abraham’s harsh nature discouraged us a little to go with them. But I assume you’ve met them already and know they’re nice people. Well and then a bit more time down the river we had made it to Alexandria and met Rick and the others all by ourselves. Well and Jesus, who Rick and Daryl met during a supply run, took us with him to Hilltop when it got too crowded in Alexandria and my dad, as a former farmer, was needed here more. And the rest you probably already heard from Alex.” I finished.

“So I heard you are pregnant? Congrats to you and Glenn.” she looked at me expectantly. I nodded in affirmation and stroked absentmindedly over my belly. “yes 4 months along.” I said proudly. It was a miracle having a good place to raise a baby in those times. But I hoped that it was a good sign that better days were to come. “Well, I’m pregnant too.” Fabienne mumbled then and I thought I hadn’t heard right but it was true. She seemed to be uncomfortable with telling me that. I was curious who the father was. Had she met someone on her way? “The father is Negan.” she didn’t say anything more but it was enough. That was the guy whose group always demanded our crops. And Rick told me what he had done to them. Raiding their cellars and killing their people. How could Fabienne be with someone like that?

“I know what you think but he was so differently to me. I thought he was a good man… well I was wrong.” she confessed and I could see that she blamed herself more than anything even though it wasn’t her fault. She just simply didn’t know what he’d done to her family otherwise she wouldn’t have ended up with him. “And let me guess- you told him about the baby and he let you hanging? He is an asshole through and through. Don’t let him pull you down. You deserve better!” I told her. “Maybe we should show Fabienne through Hilltop.” Aaron intervened suddenly and I thought it was a great idea. But somehow I knew I was gonna be haunted by the knowledge who Fabienne’s baby's father was.

We ended in the gardens where my father and Beth were working. “Dad look who’s visiting.” I called and when they looked up their expressions turned to one of surprise.  

“Fabienne, my child, you’re here. That is wonderful. Welcome to Hilltop.” he greeted her. Beth had also come over and hugged her.

A sudden thumping noise shook us out of the nostalgic atmosphere. We whipped around and noticed Alex passed out on the ground. Immediately I called for help while Fabienne had kneeled down next to her “Alex? Wake up! What’s wrong?” but she didn’t react.

A minute later she came to herself “Alex? What happened?” I asked her.

“I don’t know. Suddenly I felt really nauseous and then there was this vertigo and then everything got black.” we had given her some water. The guys I had beckoned over carried her to the infirmary and just a few minutes later our doctor arrived to check her health….