#judith ford got me FUCKED UP

[worm-generator]

again again again i am once AGAIN thinking abt judith ford saying, "i don't get how what i did could be so wrong if what i did let me have you!!!!" like.

[cherrycherrylady2024]

Christmas with the Grimes'

(Dilf! Rick Grimes x reader) Word count: 2,672

Warnings: 18+, descriptions of Rick's abdomen (awooga), flirting?

Chapter 2: Welcome Home

The train ride seemed to go by at lightspeed while you let your mind swirl around Rick Grimes. As you pulled into the King County station you took a few calming breaths and got your shit together, prepping to see Mr. Grimes again. Rick. Rick. Rick. Rick. BE NORMAL. Judith stirred, then stretched, taking a peek outside, “Oh good, we survived!”. You chuckled and stood to retrieve your bags. The trek through the train and to the front of the station felt a million miles long. Why were you getting so worked up about this middle-aged single father? You hadn’t ever been that into older guys. There was just something about him…

You need to reel it in, you reminded yourself. You repeated it like a mantra in your head over and over and over: reel it in, reel it in, reel it in, reel- HONK! You nearly jumped out of your skin at the car horn. “Damn it, Dad!” Judith screeched, nearly dropping her bag in surprise. She laughed at herself as you followed her to the big green Ford parked across the street. Be normal Be normal Be normal. You could see him behind the wheel, laughing and shaking his head. Oh god. Judith looks back at you, “He thinks he’s a comedian.” The driver's door opened and Rick's cowboy boots appeared. Then his denim-clad legs. His brown belt and shiny belt buckle. The gun on his hip. He slammed the door closed. While the action only took him about 2 seconds, it was like a slow-motion movie scene to you. You were mesmerized. Rick wore a flannel shirt and a thick brown fleece-lined police jacket over it. He walked to the side of the truck, his hands on his hips, head cocked. “‘Scuse me girls but have you seen my daughter anywhere? She’s ‘bout… mmm let's say yea high?” He raised his hand up to roughly oompa loompa height before Judith was upon him, swatting his hand away. “Shut it.” she retorted. “Hello to you too, kid” He chuckled wrapping her in a big hug. They parted and Judith opened the backseat to stuff her suitcase inside. The butterflies in your stomach were swarming now, building up to an explosion. Rick looked over to you with a smile. Fuck. You were unable to stop yourself.

“Hi Rick!!” you blurted excitedly.

You began mentally punching yourself in the face.

I guess it wasn’t that bad. No, it was bad, you thought to yourself, you just harpy shrieked at him. He raised an eyebrow and laughed, “Well it’s nice that somebody’s happy to see me.” Oh my god. Luckily the cold air had already given you rosy cheeks, so your embarrassed blush was pretty much concealed; but you were almost certain that Rick could tell. You could’ve sworn that he gave you just the tiniest funny look, one that you couldn’t quite place. Judith had already shoved her suitcase inside and you went to do the same. It was a bit difficult to fit yours next to hers in the already small backseat. You put your foot up on the side and pushed with all your might before a jacketed arm reached out from behind you and shoved Judith's suitcase to the side, allowing yours to slip in perfectly. You turn to find Rick just a few inches behind you. So close that, momentarily, you felt the heat radiating from his body. “There ya go,” he says, letting out a little huff of air as he pushes the suitcases in further, revealing a seat for you. “Oh- thanks” you say, frozen. He nodded (and there was that look again!) before walking around to the driver's seat. You climbed inside, and as you buckled yourself in, it dawned on you exactly what type of look that was. 

It was the type that all guys do when they know- - - they’re making you nervous. 

He knew exactly what he was doing to you. 

And he was doing it on purpose. 

You gripped your thighs, digging your nails in, as you felt a warm tingling sensation build in your lower stomach. No. No. No. You had to be misreading this. You had to be.

~~~

Before long the heater was blasting and Judith was reading her Hamlet essay to Rick, his eyebrows all knit up, trying to follow. You had been zoned out for the past few minutes, trying to get your shit together. There was no way. No way. You had to be wrong. You shoved down that little voice inside, telling you what you knew you wanted to hear, and took a deep breath. You distracted yourself by listening to Judith, even though you had heard the essay upwards of 15 times back in the dorms. Upon her use of the word “anagnorisis”, the reflection of Rick's eyes in the rearview mirror flashed up and caught your gaze. He raised his eyebrows and shook his head slightly as if to say “What is she talking about?” You let out a little laugh, it was a pretty academically dense essay, and he cracked a smile, chuckling to himself. “What?” Judith stopped, looking between you both. For some reason it made the two of you laugh more, “Anagnorisis is a real word people! I used it correctly!... I’m pretty sure. I got a 93% on this essay, so laugh all you want! Whatever” she rolled her eyes humorously, crossing her arms. Rick took in a deep breath, quieting his laughter but still smiling, “Well honey, gun to my head I couldn’t tell ya what that word means, so you must be doin' something right…” Then added, grumbling “But it sounded like a 100% essay to me, nothing 93% about that.” As he said this, Rick spun the wheel and the truck turned into a short driveway.

The house was fairly large and white, definitely Southern style with a wrap-around porch. It was old, but in the best way where it immediately feels like home. Rick got both of your bags out of the backseat and carried them up to the porch with ease. You followed behind Judith, taking in the yard and exterior of the house. There was only an inch or two of snow on the ground and someone had clearly tried and failed to make a snowman. You guessed it was Carl. Golden shining Christmas lights decorated the lip of the roof and wrapped around the two banisters of the steps. You all tapped your shoes on the last step, shaking off the snow/mud. The ancient-looking wreath on the door shook as Rick led the way inside. You were greeted with a wave of toasty warm air, homey was the best way to put it. The house was a little messy, toys strewn about, an overfilled laundry basket waiting to be washed, and what appeared to be the leftovers of a blanket fort in the living room. Rick set down your bags, calling out “Carl! Come say hello to your sister!” He stumbled over some shoes in the entryway then sighed, turning to you “Damn it…welcome to the Grimes estate y/n. Didn’t get a chance to clean.” You snicker, stepping over the shoes and toys, “If you think this is bad you shoulda seen where I grew up.” You surprised yourself with your candor. You rarely mention your home if you could help it, but you found yourself wanting to spill your guts to Rick. Like he would understand everything. Make you feel better. Safe. Jesus Christ!!!!

Luckily your brain shut up at the sound of thundering little feet on the stairs. Carl emerged and ran over to his sister, nearly jumping on top of her. “Judith!” he exclaimed, “Carl!” Judith echoed over-enthusiastically, hugging him. Carl started talking a mile a minute, “I got a new comic book from Nana today, it's so awesome! It was an early Christmas present-” Rick interrupted Carl, carrying your bags towards the stairs, “It was not an early Christmas present, it was s’posed to go under the tree, but someone snuck into the mail ‘fore I even saw it.” He had his hands on his hips again, giving Carl a sly look. Carl looked at his feet, concealing a smile. Judith ruffled his hair, “Well it’s a good thing Santa already put you on the nice list this year, or else you mighta been in big trouble.” Rick picked up the bags and headed up the stairs. Carl gave a little eye roll, “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I get it.” Judith chuckled then turned to you. “Carl, this is my roommate y/n,” she said. “Hi Carl, I’ve heard so much about you!” You said with a smile. “Hi. Do you like comic books?” he replied, in that straight-to-the-point way that kids do. “Sure I do,” you responded. Carl beamed, “Okay good, then both of you can come see my new comic! Follow me.” He headed up the stairs, you and Judith exchanged a look and chuckled, following Carl. At the top of the stairs, you asked to quickly use the bathroom and Judith directed you down the hall, “There’s a bathroom attached to your room, it’s all yours. I have to share mine with this animal,” she nodded her head towards Carl who scampered towards his room. You walked down the short hallway toward your room, studying the photos on the wall. Carl's school picture, Judith's graduation, some drawings, and an old photo of Rick holding baby Judith. You studied it for a moment. He was younger of course, clean-shaven, his hair more tamed, but his eyes still sparkled the same way. Honestly, you preferred him the way he is now. A little more rugged, more knowing. Damn, it was sexy. This was all running through your head as you entered the open door to your room, only to stop short.

Rick was in your room.

But he didn’t notice you. He was reaching for something on the top shelf of the closet. His arms stretched just enough to lift the hem of his flannel, revealing a sliver of his lower abdomen. Time seemed to slow down. You felt like a Victorian man seeing an ankle for the first time. You swear to god you almost drooled, your eyes locked on the sliver of belly until it was gone. He had turned around and was now looking at you. Before you could say anything, he apologized, “Sorry y/n, I meantta get the bed all made up ‘fore you got here, but I guess it slipped my mind.” It was only then that you realized he was holding a stack of sheets, retrieved from the closet. “O-oh, it’s- it is totally fine. I can do it. Thanks. Thank you,” you stuttered hopelessly. Rick ignored your protests, walking over to the naked mattress. He fanned out the fitted sheet and began tucking it into the left corner. His flannel sleeves were rolled up, his forearms hypnotizing you as he lifted the corner of the mattress. You still stood awkwardly in the doorway, watching him until you sprang to life. “Let me help,” you said quickly, walking past your suitcase, which he had so kindly delivered to your room. You tucked in the opposite corner sheet. Then he did the bottom. Then you did the bottom. Then he fanned out the top sheet. You caught the other end and the two of you brought it fluttering down on top of the fitted sheet. As you brought the sheet down you made fleeting eye contact, which immediately made you crave death just as much as it made you want to jump his bones.

NO. No, you didn't want that, who said that? Not me, you thought to yourself.

You decided gaslighting yourself was the only way to stay sane this winter break. You flattened out the ripples in the top sheet together, and you tried not to yelp when your hands brushed past each other. This entire time you were working in silence. Should you say something? Would it be weird to say something at this point? Unable to stand the silence you scanned your brain for an appropriate thing to say. You both began stuffing pillows into their cases. “I just want to say, thank you for letting me stay here. I-I know it’s probably an imposition-” he cut you off, “No imposition. You’re welcome here anytime.” The matter-of-fact way he said it made it feel like this was the final word on the situation. You were wanted. You weren’t an imposition or a burden in his eyes. “Well- thank you anyway. I think it’ll be really fun. Staying here. I mean, like, y’know getting to know Judith's town and, uh, more about her and… yeah,” Jesus Christ. He smiled to himself as he pulled another pillowcase on,

“You're right. We’ll have lotsa fun.”

Oh? Oh. Oh my god. You felt like you had whiplash. Just a few words and you were at a loss, frozen, as he stacked the pillows up. You slowly pulled the rest of the pillowcase around your pillow, going over and over what he just said in your mind. Did he mean that the way you heard it? He had to. He had to have meant it that way. NO. NO. NO. He did not mean it that way. It was a polite response. But the INTONATION! You argued with yourself. You said you thought it would be fun, all he said is that it will be fun… Fuck he totally meant it that way oh my god oh my god oh my god- “Do you run cold?” He was looking at you, one hand on his hip. You blinked at him. “What?” He smiled playfully at you. At your near catatonic state. He knew exactly what he was doing. “Do you get cold? In the night. I’m just wonderin’ if ya need another blanket is all.” You caught on incredibly slowly, dumbly looking down at the two quilts he had laid out on the bed. Was there a correct answer? “Uh. I do. Kinda,” you put eloquently. “Figured. It gets real cold in the guest room anyhow, I’ll go get ya another,” he didn’t give you a second to process his words before he breezed right past you back down the hallway. Alone for a moment, you took a shaky breath, setting down the pillow you were still vice-gripping. You slumped onto the bed, raking your hands through your hair. The tingling sensation resumed from earlier. The tension, in your mind or not, was becoming unbearable. You pressed your thighs together as your mind swam.

Rick re-entered with a thick dark green knitted blanket, you felt warmer just looking at it. “Try that,” he stated, tossing it to you. You catch it, feeling its heft, and rub the fibers together in your hands, “It feels nice,” you murmur. “I’ll let ya borrow it til you go back, but don’t get any funny ideas about taking it back with you. That one there’s my favorite,” he said with a smile, his arms crossed. He gave you his favorite blanket. Shut up he’s just being hospitable. “Thank you.” He nodded, and with that, he was gone. It was like the lights died out in the room. You immediately feel his absence in your chest. You wanted to chase after him, even just to talk about the weather. Anything. Instead, you stroked the blanket he gave you. It smelled of him. Not just his cologne, but him. Before you knew it you were holding the blanket to your face, deeply inhaling, imagining him all around you. His strong arms, wide rough hands, that smile of his. You imagined you were combing your fingers through his thick head of hair. You wanted him desperately. Jesus, you felt like a creep. 

You let the blanket fall back to your lap. 

To your surprise, Rick Grimes was standing in the doorway again, that fucking look on his face.

“Meant to tell ya, dinners at 7” He turned on his heel and was gone. 

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. 

***

notes: thank u all for ur support on the first part! I hope this satiates you all for now while I finish part three <3

[cultofdixon]

Stick with me at all times

Daryl Dixon [PLATONIC] • They/Them Pronouns • People come and go, family is forever. Even when it’s found. Even when it’s lost. There is always someone sticking by you through the chaos. • ANGST/SFW • TW: Canon Violence / Injuries / PTSD / Depression / SH Scars / Talks about Past Attempts

Requested by: Anon

“Stick with me at all times” you would say that growing up and enforce it now that the world ended. It annoyed me Abe. It annoyed me a lot because for the most part, you didn’t trust me.

Never did I think ever…that I would miss those words coming from you

~

“Stick with me at all times, alright?” Abraham states a bit harshly towards them given the hell they had just endured in Terminus.

“Yeah yeah whatever..” They brush him off and left to double check to make sure they weren’t being followed by anybody that could’ve survived Terminus.

“You gotta lay off Abraham, or they’ll leave. Again” Rosita emphasized her point on that last bit knowing damn well if he flips, they’re gone.

“They bicker like their parents. But she doesn’t look anything like the small one” Glenn whispers to Maggie as she immediately elbows him. “What?”

“You don’t gotta be blood related to be family, besides. Abraham has to be their dad right?”

“We’ve been with them for a bit now and it’s still a bit confusing.”

“Y/N Ford is Abraham Ford’s younger sibling.” Eugene of course startled the two along with a few others at his abruptness. “I don’t understand the point in whispering about it”

“Because we didn’t want to be rude, Eugene.” Glenn sighs having to get used to his forward self. “We’ve gotta find somewhere for the night”

Carol lead the group to the house she had Tyreese coop up in while she went to save the others. The sight of Rick and Carl reuniting with his baby sister Judith, made Abraham instinctively wrap his arm around Y/N’s shoulders pulling them in close.

“Ours was a bit more hellish”

“Don’t remind me Abe”

________

“Gotta protect Eugene at all cost” Abraham states cleaning his knife after taking out a few walkers to clear their path.

“Then why are we in this infested cul-de-sac. What is here that is so important?” Rosita frowns following Abraham’s lead with Eugene quickly trailing her looking around them.

“The best packrats I fucking….” Abraham stops talking when he approached what used to be the picture perfect nuclear family home with the white picket fence and everything…has been broken into and partially burned. “Fuck. FUCK” he ran into the place instantly.

“What in the hell is going on?” Rosita enters after Abraham seeing him frozen in the middle of the place. “Abe—-“

“ROSITA ABRAHAM!!”

Abraham immediately snapped out of his thoughts and ran as fast as Rosita did to find a random figure pining Eugene to the ground aiming their arrow to his head. Rosita instantly took her gun out aiming it at the stranger’s head.

“Lower your we—-“

“Y/N Ford!”

The stranger instantly lowers their weapon turning toward Abraham who forced Rosita to lower her gun.

“Could you kindly—-“

“Fuck off!” They snap, getting off the guy and immediately approaching Abraham removing their mask. “You’re an asshole, yknow” they continued getting closer and right as the younger Ford got into punching range, they did exactly that.

“Hey!” Rosita split the two right after Y/N got him square in the face. “What the fuck is your problem?!”

“HE FUCKING LEFT ME”

________

Y/N pushes his hand off their shoulder taking in the temporary happiness where they can get it before continuing to follow Rick’s lead.

The group set up camp for the night and Daryl of course took the first watch. But he expected to be alone and not find someone he barely knew sitting outside the camp.

“Are you the army one’s kid?”

“I’m not even a kid. Or his kid.” Y/N snaps, soon immediately forgetting it and cowering. “Sorry. I’m just his little sibling.”

“Mm” Daryl sat with them in more awkward silence before striking again. “Were yea with him since the start?”

“Imma need a name before you ask shit like that”

“Daryl”

“Y/N, and no I wasn’t. I was with our parents after…uh. Something when I was enlisted so I had to go home and deal with shit. Then the world ended” Y/N couldn’t help the uneasy feeling crawling up their back as they quickly stood to their feet and when they did, Daryl noticed it.

“Could be somebody—“

“Tracking us. Gotta let your friend know” Y/N finished his sentence walking back inside the camp.

It didn’t take the group long to find the skittish priest and inevitably his safe house being the church he preached at. The group found themselves settling in once again temporarily and Y/N kept to themselves again just within the four walls.

“You okay?” Rosita joins Y/N in the pew they found purchase in. The two had gotten a bit close since they’ve met. Even with the rage introduction.

“It’s weird being around this many people again”

“I get that, but if it makes you feel any better. I trust them. Not as much as your brother but. Yknow”

“Abe is talking about continuing the DC trip…part of me wants to stick with my brother. But I’m done trying to find a cure. I don’t…even entirely believe it” Y/N frowns messing with the tip of one of their arrows.

“Would you rather stay with them? It is your choice. You’re not a kid”

“Abraham only sees me as a little kid. Always has”

Rosita frowns watching them tense to the sound of the floor boards creaking whenever someone took a step. That lead them to take a breather outside as she was about to follow when she just decided they’ll need it.

She never expected Y/N to get roped up in the search for Beth.

“Did you mean to drag them with us?”

“They’re alright.” Daryl shrugs, guess the bitchy first impression struck him. “They’ll keep an eye out for us and vise versa”

“Alright. Now come on” Carol took lead once the three got into the city. She knew a place for them to hide out in without being sought out for, if such was happening.

The story was retold back to Michonne and if Abraham was there, he would be blaming Daryl for what happened. Even the new guy Noah.

Neither of them expected Y/N to do what they did though.

“I don’t think handcuffing me to the gurney is going to help you in any way”

“This is a hospital, there’s no prison. We don’t know where to keep you and Dawn doesn’t have a job for you yet”

“Like I know who the fuck that is” Y/N snaps at the cop on his way out as they were handcuffed to Carol’s gurney. They didn’t leave her when the cops hit her with their car. Noah stopped Daryl and when he tried to stop Y/N, he failed in doing so.

Part of them…couldn’t leave her behind.

________

“What do you mean left yea behind? I had a wife and fucking kids. I ain’t gonna live with mommy and daddy forever like—-“

“I didn’t…you thought I did that on my own free will? Not everybody wants the picture perfectness of life. I only followed in your footsteps because that’s what dad wanted. Both kids following his legacy. I did it…until it broke me” Y/N frowns hating the aching feeling of remembering something that brought a whole lot of pain while struggling to piece itself together. “You…just. Didn’t show up. You were always there when I was a kid. But when I really needed you…I had already fallen off the edge”

It didn’t click at first. Because how could you be forward about needing to be committed for your own safety after trying to take yourself out of the equation of life? It’s hard. Telling that to someone you looked up to.

And that’s what broke him. Yeah, life moves on. You’ll get through this. Was what he thought in the moment, when their parents did call to tell him what happened. Abraham didn’t think that they would need him the way that they did.

“I’m not going anywhere anymore”

“Now how can I trust that?”

“Yea stick with me, at all times. I ain’t leavin’ yea anymore”

________

Even if they keep straying away.

It wasn’t a fair exchange. They’re both adults. With different agendas in the apocalypse. But deep down Abraham needs his last bit of family and Y/N needs to know that they’re never going to lose him. They both need to open themselves to more people.

Abe did that.

And Y/N is trying.

“You alright?”

Daryl snapped out of his thoughts spotting the youngest Ford looking down at him with the same unreadable look that could mean a whole lot of things to everyone around them.

“No”

“At least you’re honest” Y/N brought themselves to sit beside him staring at the barn he had found when taking a walk from the group. Wanting to be alone.

“Why’re you here”

“Why are you?”

The silence that grew after that made it clear he was affected by what they saw in the hospital. He didn’t like to show how he felt around others.

“You didn’t know’er and yea cried just as hard as her sister.”

“Before y’all made the deal, I was handcuffed to Carol’s bed and then just handcuffed in her room cuz there’s not jail cells in the hospital. Beth would hide out in her room. We talked. And I met someone…that understood what I felt at the start of all this mess. Then it was ripped from me” Y/N shrugs hugging their legs close to their chest feeling the anxiety build up inside them like times before as they hid their face from his gaze. “Everything good gets taken from me…”

“Same here” Daryl frowns staring at the ground for a moment. “Lost my brother. Yeah he fought for the wrong side at first, but then he died for the right one. He annoyed everybody. Annoyed the fuck outta me. But he was still my stupid big brother. Would do anything for another second with his bitchass”

“I’m afraid of losing my brother…just don’t tell him that. Cuz he’ll just hover”

“Ain’t it his job to worry about yea?” Daryl looked at them for some kind of change in their expression. But it was weird. Seeing that same blank expression that he carries, on someone who shouldn’t have to deal with a world like this. “What happened to yea before the world ended? Clearly you weren’t peacefully hunting and then a walker came out of nowhere”

“The end of my freedom.“ Y/N leaned up against the tree frowning. “Heard Rick’s story from his son. Woke up from a coma to the undead and then the magical reunion for a lifetime with his now dead wife and now annoying teenage son. I wish I was in a coma. Instead of coming home with compression bandages and hearing how much of a disappointment I am the second before—-someone set a fire on my childhood home to get the walkers away”

“Jesus fuck” Daryl scoffs taking out another cigarette from the pack he snagged and before he could even think about offering, Y/N took the one he had in hand right away. “Damn. Didn’t even offer”

“You would’ve right?”

“Nah. I’ve been told I’m selfish”

“From what I saw earlier, that’s a fucking lie” Y/N laughs taking out an old zippo they’ve only used for emergencies and lit the cig for themselves. “Don’t tell my brother. I’m still a baby in his eyes”

Daryl crossed his heart as a promise and brought back the silence between the two. It occurred to him that they find a sense of comfort with him and part of him wants to protect that. Like he couldn’t with Beth.

After the rough storm in the barn and the reveal of the mystery man in the shadows, the group found themselves following this guy named Aaron to a place behind walls. Reminded half the group of the prison era and the other half of the old world with gated communities.

Y/N stood before the gates with the rest of them feeling the tightness in their chest grow thinking about all the things that could go wrong. That the second they heard Daryl whistle, he knew that got their mind off what’s inside there. He approached them resting something in their extended hand. It being a rubber band.

“Wear it, and whenever you’re anxious. Just snap it” Daryl states snapping the rubber band once Y/N had put it on their wrist. Next thing you know, he’s taking out a possum before the gates opened up for them.

Interviews.

Job placements…

Parties?

A whole lot of the old world expressed itself through this community and not everybody was having it.

“Daryl”

The archer looks up from his spot on the porch to lock eyes with the ex-marine standing before him watching him struggle to find his wording. Guess they both have that in common.

“Y/N likes yea, so I need a favor”

Forward. Daryl nods setting the arrow he was working on down beside him.

“If anything, and I mean anything happens to me. You’d stick by them”

“Always”

It wasn’t a binding contract, Y/N is their own person. But having someone look out for them other than himself, eased Abraham’s anxieties. Especially in the end.

“My mother... told me... to pick... the very... best... one... and you... are...” Negan smirks stopping his bat right in front of Abraham’s face. “…it”

The sound was muffled. All there was was buzzing. Pounding. The fear rushing up their spine that Negan clearly saw when saying what to do if anybody moves or says a word. Next thing that happened was Y/N watching Lucille meet their brother’s skull.

“Oh! Look at that!” Negan laughs after the first hit letting Abraham rise to look at him. But his attention was more on the shock expression resting on his sibling’s face. “Taking it like a champ”

“Suck…my…nuts” Abraham spits out and that was his last words.

Y/N watched as Negan continued.

Blow…after…blow…

The blood…

The scream that wanted to escape their throat and failed…

Negan continues to laugh, happy to the fact that he brought pain amongst those he thought deserved it. He turned slowly toward Y/N seeing the tears roll off their cheeks and the hesitation their body had trying and wanting to cover their brother from any more pain but there they knelt frozen. Only to flinch like the rest when he swung his bat too close to them, just to get Abraham’s blood splattered on their face.

“Love tearing families apart” and right after he said that, Daryl quickly lunged socking him square in the face. Only for him to be pinned to the ground next.

Daryl fought against them at first but when he kicked eyes with Y/N’s, watching them shake their head slowly. Pleading with their eyes for him to stop. So he did. But both feared that his fate was next.

When the next death was Glenn, and everybody was falling apart at that moment. The next actions only brought pain and anxiety to force Y/N back into a corner of their mind they thought they were safe from. Y/N tried to speak out when they watched a few men grab Daryl forcing him into the back of the van, but nothing came out except for a straggled scream that they so desperately wanted Negan to hear when he killed their brother.

The group kept their distance when they watched Y/N crawl over to Abraham’s body and Maggie struggle to walk to Glenn’s. Maggie knelt by her husband’s corpse not wanting help to take care of him as Y/N laid themselves over Abraham gripping onto his jacket not saying a word.

“Y/N…we…we have to move his body” Sasha frowns kneeling besides Y/N resting her hand on their back watching their whole body flinch. “Y/N…”

“Hun…” Rosita frowns watching Y/N lift their head to look at her and all there was was pain in a neutral expression.

Numb…

________

“Yea like having your brother back?” Daryl asks Y/N as the three of them were scavenging a small station after finding a truck full of supplies.

“Yeah, even if everybody thinks he’s my dad”

“Well anybody would be lucky to have you as their kid” Rick adds entering one of the few buildings as Y/N stuck with Daryl examining the tipped over vending machine.

“Rick’s right yknow”

“How?”

“You’re hella smart. Know a good knot to secure arrow heads. You’re always watching out for everybody. Know what to do in immediate crisis. If yea didn’t, Carl would’ve probably lost more than an eye. Have a good eye when searching for certain things. I don’t know. Very apocalypse focused but. Hey I’m proud of yea for the shut you’ve done. Even if we only met a few months ago”

Y/N couldn’t help the smile in the moment.

________

Oh how he misses that moment

Maggie went to the back of Hilltop where they buried Glenn and Abraham. Expecting to be alone. But she couldn’t help the worry that stirred when finding Y/N laying in the dirt right beside their brother’s grave wearing the jacket he had worn the night he died. They’ve been there since they buried him. They scream at everybody who asked if they were okay, because they weren’t. Maggie brought herself to their side seeing their cloudy eyes lock onto her as she sat on the ground beside them.

“How long has it been?”

“About a week, you ain’t cold at night?”

Y/N shook their head immedieatly hugging themselves for a moment as Maggie moved herself to lay down.

“You…uh….Never mind”

“Y/N, I’m here for you” Maggie reassures that negative thought striking them currently as they tugged at the rubber band on their wrist.

“Could…Daryl be alive?”

“He’s a fighter”

“my brother was a fighter…and…” They stopped everything they were doing and let the painful tears resurface as Maggie carefully took one of their hands into hers even if their body tensed to such. “I feel selfish…for laying here…stuck in my head…when both Rosita and Sasha are trying to avenge him…as I just…want him back. Want…Daryl back to tell me it’s alright instead of thinking he’s dead too…and now I’m feeling even worse”

“If the next thing outta yea, is about me. How you feel bad for feeling what you’re feeling. While I also have lost someone close to me. Imma kindly tell you to shut up” Maggie scoffs squeezing their hand as they squeezed back. “We’ve got each other. We’ll…always feel this pain but we’ll always be there for the other. Even if that means laying in the dirt for a while longer before fighting…and Daryl? The guy talked about you like you were his little sibling. Knowing him? We all need a drive to keep goin’. And he’s gonna fight to get back to his family. You need to keep living to see that”

“Can…can you stay with me a little longer?”

“I’m sticking with yea for however long you need me”

________

“Stick with me at all times, alright? I don’t trust this place either” Daryl states watching Y/N nod before going to Michonne when she called for them a second.

Maggie watched the two from the infirmary trailer steps for a moment as she smiles when Daryl caught her watching. He walks over thinking she had something to ask of him but instead-

“You’re protective of them. It’s cute”

“Shut it. I’ve heard that three times today”

“Oh yeah? Who else” Maggie smiles patting the spot beside her as Daryl sat down leaning back.

“Michonne, that Jesus guy thought I was also their brother”

“Well…aren’t yea?”

“What?” Daryl looks at her confused when her happy expression was already clear as day.

“We’re a family Daryl. You are especially a big brother to Y/N Ford and I don’t think they mind it either. They wanted their family back when this hell all started and they got a whole lot more than just Abraham”

________

“Is…Y/N dead?”

“No?” Jesus laughs, he fucking laughs. He wasn’t there when Rick told Negan that both Maggie and Y/N died because of what he did to their brother and her husband. Daryl wanted to kill him right then and there, didn’t care if he was a lackey in that moment. He wanted to strangle the life out of him for killing his kid indirectly.

But when the doors to Hilltop showed Maggie alive and relieved to see Daryl alive as well…

She knew what she had to do.

“Take it easy alright? They’re still back at that line up…they don’t…they ain’t okay.”

Daryl frowns wishing he had fought more to stay with them instead of being whisked away by the Saviors to the hell called the Sanctuary. He follows Maggie to where they buried the two and saw Y/N laying on the ground. Still frozen in that state of mind of wishing what happened didn’t happen. Maggie left him to be alone with them, even if she wanted to see the look on Y/N’s face…

When Daryl came into view causing Y/N to suddenly lunge forward hugging onto him as he was trying to kneel down slowly. Making him stumble into the dirt.

“Stick with me at all times alright?”

“Ain’t going anywhere, kid”

[walkerwords]

“Lookin’ Out For Her” Daryl Dixon x F!Reader

GIF CREDIT: MTV/AMC

Request from Anonymous: Hello! I loved Walker Words, it was so well written! Could I request a Daryl x reader where the reader gets hurt and Daryl is the one to patch her up? Give her stitches and bandage her up and the like. If you wanted to keep going and have him take care of her and help her with everyday things while she heals that would be super sweet. Just craving some super fluffy care! Thank you!! Xoxo

Word Count: 4516

Warning: Swearing, Injury, Blood

Song I Wrote To: “Is This Love" by Corinne Bailey Rae

Note: And we are BACK. Thank you for requesting this!

---------

The Virginian sun was beating down on everyone’s necks as you worked in the lumber yard just outside of Alexandria.

Abraham had recruited you to help the Alexandrians build up their community. You didn't think it was that important but you said "yes" nonetheless. You had been travelling with your group for a while now. Meeting them on the road, Carl, Rick’s son, had saved you from a Walker that had pinned you to the ground. According to the young man, they had just lost their farm to a horde and were looking for a new place to stay. 

It was then that you noticed his pregnant mother and wanted to help. 

You hadn’t wanted to be near other people since the beginning of the end, but you had a good feeling about the Grimes family and their people. You were with them when Rick discovered the prison and you hadn’t looked back.

While you were close with Rick, Carl, Michonne, Rosita, and others, Daryl was someone that you had connected with unexpectedly. Daryl Dixon was an enigma, but one you loved to try and figure out. He was someone who you  never would have bonded with if it hadn’t been for the end of the world, but everyday you were grateful for him and the way he always seemed to be looking out for you. 

There was something unspoken between the two of you and any time that you were apart, you were constantly looking over you shoulder in hopes of spotting the archer. Just as you were now as you worked  near Abraham, cutting into the timber that would help reinforce the walls of your new home. 

“Who would’ve thought?” Ford said as he called out to you. 

“What’s that, Red?” you called back, looking at him through the bright rays of sun that shone down on you. 

“You,” Abraham said. “Who would’ve thought you’d be into all of this?”

“Construction?” you asked, raising your brows. 

“No,” he said with a shit-eating grin, “helping.” Your mouth opened in shock at his jab, not finding it particularly funny. 

“Hilarious,” you said with a roll of your eyes. Abraham just began laughing, enjoying himself. You began to ignore him as you tried to hide your own smile when the sound of growls reached your ears. “Fantastic,” you said with a sigh as you leaned over to pick up your weapon, an extra-sharp machete that Rick had given you after the events of Terminus. 

The Walkers came from the South in a group, all meandering towards the site. “Stay sharp!” Ford yelled as he grabbed a knife in one hand and a hammer in the other. While you had your guns, nobody wanted to use ammo if they didn’t have to. The Alexandrians were worried, shuffling back as the Walkers approached, but you and Abraham moved to the front.

You began taking them down quickly with a few slashes of your blade. Two larger Walkers backed you up until your back hit a pile of stacked lumber. You took out the first, but the second moved too fast, falling into you. You fell back, hitting your head on the edge of the wood as you went down. The Walker landed on your arm, pressing it into the metal stake keeping the wood tied together. Groaning out in pain, you shoved your blade into the side of the Walker’s head and shoved it off with disgust. 

“(Y/N)!” Abraham yelled as he ran towards you. He took out the last Walker with a swing of his hammer before arriving at your side. “Ya alright, girl?”

“Fine,” you grunted, taking the hand Abraham stretched out for you to grab. Abraham pulled you to your feet and you ignored the pounding behind your eyes as you brushed sawdust off your jeans.

“Are you sure that you are okay?” he asked, slipping into his sergeant mode. 

“Abe, I am alright,” you said, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder. “Few bumps and bruises ain’t gonna keep me down.”

“Well, just head back alright? We’re gonna be headin’ inside any minute now,” he ordered. 

“I can help clean up,” you said, but he was shaking his head. 

“(Y/N), go,” he said and with a sigh, you saluted the man, picked up your machete, and turned back towards Alexandria.

-------

Arriving back home, you tried to keep steady on your feet, but it was becoming more difficult with each step. 

Nodding to Rick and Glenn who were speaking to Spencer, you continued on towards the house that you were sharing with the Grimes, Michonne, and Daryl. In the distance, you could see Judith being carried around by an amused Tara who swung her around on her hip, trying to make the little girl laugh. 

The ache in your head was the only thing distracting you from the searing pain in your arm. You could also feel thick blood starting to saturate the sleeve of your shirt, but you did your best to ignore it. If you could manage to get home and up to the bathroom unseen, everything would work out. The last thing you needed was for one of your friends to clock your injuries. 

Climbing up the steps to the house, you relaxed as it sounded empty. Dropping the façade, you let the pain show on your face for just a second, but a second was all it took for him to notice. 

“What’s wrong with ya?” Daryl said from a quiet spot on the porch. Still not used to how silent the man could be, you jumped out of your skin at his deep voice. 

“Fucking hell, Daryl!” you exclaimed, grabbing at your chest with your bad arm which only made you wince further. “Way to scare the hell out of me.” Daryl, who had been cleaning his bow, got to his feet and approached you, his brows drawn together. 

“Are ya gonna answer my question?” he asked, looking you over. Suddenly feeling somewhat shy, you took a step back from him, turning so your bad arm was further out of sight. 

“Walkers came up on us at the lumber spot,” you explained. “Everyone’s fine, but I got knocked down. It’s nothing.” 

“Is it also nothin’ that you can’t keep to stand still without staggerin’?” Daryl noticed, gesturing down at your feet. Glancing down, you saw a dizzying pattern of dirty bootprints as if you had horribly failed at a field sobriety test after a night out. 

“I…” you tried as the pain increased. “I may have hit my head on the way down.” 

“Mmhmm. Come on,” Daryl said as he took your arm to keep you steady and led you into the house.

“I can walk, Daryl,” you complained. 

“Yeah, into a wall maybe,” he said with a scoff. You frowned, but didn’t pull away as he took you to the room that he had claimed on the first level. 

Daryl’s room was quite neat, but considering none of you had many belongings, it shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise. Clothes were strewn across a single chair in the corner while his leather jacket was thrown on the unmade bed. Bolts for his bow, old and new, were on a table in front of the window, and tools for the bike Aaron had given him were tossed on top of the dresser.

It was very…Daryl.

“Sit,” he ordered, helping you to the edge of the mattress. 

“Yes, Sir,” you said with a roll of your eyes. Daryl mirrored the motion before leaving the room quickly. You sat there awkwardly as Daryl went to fetch the medical kit. Being in his room alone, you felt as if you were in high school and in a boy’s room for the first time.

“You’re being ridiculous,” you chastised yourself. This was Daryl, your friend, your partner when it came to runs or watch. However this was also Daryl, the man that had bewitched you body and soul. “Easy there, Darcy,” you said, shaking your head, trying to dislodge your Austen fantasy. 

“What?” Daryl asked as he returned with the supplies. 

“Nothing,” you said quickly, averting your eyes. Daryl just hummed a response before sitting next to you and then gesturing for you to remove the flannel shirt you wore over your tank top. Carefully, you pulled down the sleeve and then slipped the shirt off your shoulder, the blood sticking to the fabric. The fresh wound snagged on the threads, causing you to hiss out in pain, but eventually you got it off. “Damn,” you swore, finally getting a look at the cut from the stake. 

“Not exactly shallow,” Daryl said, examining the wound. “It’s gonna leave a scar.”

“What else is new?” you said as a ringing entered your ears. You rubbed at one of them, trying to dislodge the annoying sound. 

“That’s what I thought,” Daryl said. 

“What?” you asked as Daryl began wiping away the extra blood with a towel. 

“Ears ringin’, right?” 

“Maybe…” you said, very aware of how his fingers moved across your blood-speckled skin. 

“Probably a concussion. The dizziness, ringin’, headache that I know ya got… irritability,” he said with a look and you swatted at him. “All shit ya get from a concussion.” You sighed deeply, not liking how the day was going. The last thing you needed was to be benched with your family in a new environment. You weren’t the best fighter, but you were damn good at surviving and you had to stay sharp. 

Daryl finished removing the blood before grabbing the needle and thread. Looking away, you stared at your boots as he tugged your skin back together. “Needles make ya sick?” he said with amusement in his voice. 

“No, but watching you stitch my flesh back together ain’t a walk in the park,” you said and then Daryl had an even softer touch.

“Almost done,” he said softly, rubbing his thumb above the wound, trying to soothe you and you’d be lying if you said it wasn’t working. “If you don’t tell people when you’re hurt, how are we supposed to help ya?” he asked. 

“It’s not your job,” you said, not really thinking it through. 

“Like hell it’s not,” Daryl shot back, but his tone remained calm. “We look out for each other, (Y/N). That’s what we do.” 

“I know,” you said, letting out another deep breath. “M’sorry.” Daryl tied off the last stitch and cut it before reaching for the bandage. You looked back just as he smoothed the sterile gauze over your arm, pressing it down firmly. “Thank you,” you whispered.

Daryl didn’t respond. Instead, he ran his hand down your arm until it got to your hand. Slipping his fingers into yours, he intertwined your hands together, rubbing his calloused fingers against your own. 

You sat like that for a while, just listening to each other breathe, feeling the pressure of his hands in yours. This happened occasionally and you weren’t exactly sure what it meant. Daryl would sit next to you, press his leg into yours or even reach down and take your hand.

Back at the prison, he would just enter your cell and sit next to you. Even on the road, sometimes, he’d take your hand as you walked, letting it swing between the two of you. Daryl never  spoke, but he always made sure to add some pressure, as if letting you know that he was there. A part of you never wanted to look into it further. You all had seen some horrible things and you knew everyone needed to feel grounded. 

Daryl gravitated towards you to feel...something, you just weren’t sure what that was yet. 

“You know,” you whispered, leaning into him a bit, “there is a doctor here.” Daryl’s grip tightened then, almost as if he was afraid you were about to run. Looking up at you, his eyes were blue fire as he stared into your own. 

“And you ain’t goin’ anywhere near that son of a bitch,” Daryl said. “He ain’t layin’ a single hand on ya, not after what I know what he does to that wife of his.” 

“Daryl,” you said, trying to keep him calm, “Pete’s not gonna hurt me.” 

“I know he’s not,” he said. “Because I’d kill him if he did, I don’t care who the hell he is.”

“Is that you lookin’ out for me?” you asked, reaching up with your other hand to brush a strand of hair from his eye. 

“Just don’t go to him, (Y/N),” Daryl said. “Alright?” If he was one to say “please”, you figured he was about to.

“I could have a concussion, remember?” you pointed out, still feeling the blooming migraine. 

“You’re gonna be alright,” he said. “Herschel told me how to handle that. You’re gonna stay here with me tonight. I gotta keep wakin’ ya up so you don’t end up in a damn coma.” 

“Is that the only reason?” you asked, testing the waters. Daryl looked at you with a raised brow. 

“It’s the one I’m giving ya for now,” Daryl said. 

“Just for now?” you asked. 

“Yeah,” he said with a quick jut of his chin. You nodded and then leaned against him, feeling the pain echoing through your body. Daryl looped his other arm around your shoulder as you began to drift off. “I got ya, (Y/N),” he whispered as fatigue finally took over and you slumped into the man at your side.

-------

Daryl kept his word and made sure that he woke you up throughout the night. 

Any time his hand shook your shoulder, pulling you from your dreamless sleep, you awoke to his gentle face aglow by the camping lantern. He’d ask your pain level and make you drink water.

Afterwards, Daryl would get you to lay back down, smooth his hand over the side of your head, and you would fall right back to sleep. When he woke you up for the third time, you noticed a makeshift ashtray sitting on the window sill of the open window, the smoke filtering out into the night. Having known Daryl for a while, you knew what it looked like when he was taking watch. 

“Get some sleep,” you whispered as you rolled over to face him as he walked back towards his perch. 

“I’m fine,” he said. “I got hours yesterday.”

“Liar,” you mumbled, already fading. The last thing you saw before you fell asleep again was Daryl leaning back against the window frame, his eyes on you as he flicked his cigarette in his fingers. 

In the morning, your head felt a bit better, but your arm was killing you. Hissing in pain, you opened your eyes and rolled onto your back. Shadows danced on the ceiling from the sunrise and the breeze that floated through Alexandria. 

“Mornin’,” Daryl said from his spot by the window.

“Were you there all night?” you asked, sitting up. 

“Nah, took care of Judith a couple of times,” he said with a shrug. 

“Daryl…” you sighed, shaking your head. 

“It’s nothin’,” he said, waving you off. Getting up, he walked over to where you were and sat down next to you. From his pocket he pulled a pen light of all things. 

“Where did you find that?” you asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Carl grabbed it from asshole’s office,” Daryl explained as he clicked it on and raised it before your eyes. 

“Do you even know what you’re doin’?” you asked. 

“Just follow the light,” he said with a huff and so you did. Daryl checked out your pupils to make sure neither was blown and then stowed the light away. “Arm,” he ordered, grabbing the medical kit from the side table. Moving your arm felt like moving a ton of bricks. Then pain was bad from the wound, but your muscles felt as if needles had been going in them for hours. “Swelling went down a bit,” Daryl said as he gently prodded the skin. “Maybe we can find some meds for the inflammation. I’ll see what we got here.”

“Who would’ve thought?” you said as he changed the bandage on your arm. 

“What?”

“Doctor Dixon,” you mused with a grin. Daryl rolled his eyes, scoffing. 

“Shut up,” he said, but you could tell he found it funny. 

“Guess I’m banned from helping with the lumber for a bit,” you said with a sigh. 

“Yeah,” he said. “Ford’s orders.” 

“Well, I ain’t about to sit here all day and do nothin’,” you said as he finished his task. Swinging your legs over the side of the bed, you stood up, testing your balance. When you were satisfied enough with the results, you went in search of your own room, desperate for a change of clothes. 

“Don’t fall!” Daryl called as you exited the room. You sent him a rude gesture over your shoulder, making him laugh. After only tripping twice, you managed to get to your room, grab some new clothes, and hit the shower. It was a hassle keeping your arm dry under the constant spray of water, but you managed well-enough. 

Once you were dressed and feeling somewhat human again, you headed back down stairs to only be met with Daryl. “You need to take it easy,” he said. 

“I’m not going to go hunting Walkers, Daryl,” you said, carefully pulling on your boots. “Maybe Olivia or Aaron could use some help. I know Gabriel has been wanting to get the church back together.”

“Great, let’s go,” he said, leaning against the front door. 

“You taggin’ along?” you asked, pulling yourself up. 

“I gotta make sure ya don’t collapse and take someone down with ya,” he said. With a quick laugh, you placed your knife in its sheath and approached him. Grabbing him by the shoulders, you moved him out of the way. 

“Mmhmm,” you said with a smirk, “well, come on then, Doc,” you teased. 

“Oh my god…” he said, but followed you nonetheless. 

-----

For most of the day, Daryl was by your side. 

No matter what you were doing, he was there. Once you had convinced Gabriel to let you help him, he had you moving some things from Scott’s garage and into the church. Daryl, however, wasn’t on board with all the physical activity you were doing. So, instead of letting you carry the heavy boxes, he was there taking the weight himself. 

Daryl helped you carry anything over a few pounds and if you were being honest with yourself, you were rather enjoying him being so protective. He continued to help you the entire time you were doing errands for the priest and even when Deanna asked you to help move some files from the basement for Maggie to review, Daryl was there. 

He never once complained, but he was talking more than usual. As you completed the tasks for the day, Daryl was asking you questions about your life before the Apocalypse. He wanted to know where you grew up, if you had any siblings, and even what your parents were like. You knew a lot about his upbringing, but you never really spoke about your own. Still, with every question, you answered him honestly and it actually felt nice to talk about your family. 

When he asked about what those first few months after the firebombs dropped on the cities were like, you began to grow quieter. As with everyone you had met in the new world, you had lost people from the first day the Dead began to rise and it hadn’t stopped. You told Daryl about the first people you had met on the road, the ones who had been slaughtered by a group of the Dead as you were escaping the city. It was then that you had decided to take on the world alone if possible. 

That is until the fateful day in which you met Carl Grimes. 

When Daryl asked about any fears you had, you began to laugh. “What’s so damn funny?” he asked as you sat next to him in Aaron’s garage as he worked on the bike. He didn’t want to let you out of his sight and you knew he needed to get some grease on his hands before the day was over. 

“I guess I just never thought we would ever have to talk about our fears again, ya know? Aren’t we all scared of the same thing these days? The Dead, assholes with guns...each other.” 

“Each other?” Daryl echoed. “What do ya mean by that?”

“How well do we really know each other? Eugene lied to us for weeks, Tara was with the Governor, and even the people here are unknowns. I don’t know, Daryl, I guess if I had to talk about any fears it’d be that I’m scared that I don’t know how to trust anyone anymore.”

“That ain’t a bad thing,” Daryl said. “Best to always be on alert, that way ya don’t end up dead or worse.”

“It’s exhausting,” you admitted, rubbing at your temples. 

“Pain?” Daryl asked as soon as he noticed. 

“I’m fine,” you said. 

“(Y/N),” he said, wiping the grease from his hands and crouching down in front of you, gently lifting your chin to look in your eyes. “Tell me.”

“About a seven,” you admitted. 

“It was lower a few hours ago,” he said with a frown. 

“Guess I’ve been working harder than I thought,” you said, resting your head in his hand. Daryl reached back and grabbed his canteen. 

“Drink,” he ordered and you did, sipping the water slowly. Reaching out, he smoothed a hand over your hair gently. “Better?” he asked. 

“Bit,” you admitted. Daryl withdrew his hand then and left you to finish the water, trying to get your hydration back to where it should be. Leaning back against the workbench, you watched as he worked, his shoulders tense as he pulled at gears or unscrewed bolts.

Daryl was always in his element when he worked on mechanics. You remembered the first time you saw him working on one of the cars at the prison. He had seemed so absorbed in everything he was doing, happy to be providing for his new family. 

You knew enough about cars to get by, but you could always learn more and so you observed him whenever you could. Watching Daryl rebuild cars or work on Merle’s bike was one of the main reasons you began to grow closer to each other. 

He looked up from his work then, feeling your eyes on him and he gave you a crooked grin, one that was rare, but one you loved so much.

-----

As day turned to night, Daryl helped you get home. 

The dizziness was back in waves and so he had you by the arm as you walked through the streets of Alexandria. He had tried to carry you, but after refusing over and over, he had relented to just holding you up, keeping a firm grip on you. 

As soon as you entered the house, Michonne and Rick were in the kitchen, making food for the house. “Long day?” Rick asked as you moved past him. 

“Too long,” you said, slumped against Daryl.

“Come on,” Daryl said, “you’re about to crash and burn.” You waved at Rick and Michonne as Daryl all but dragged you back to his room. As soon as you saw the bed, you nearly wept in relief. Daryl had been right, you should have stayed home. “Hungry?” he asked. 

“No,” you said as you sat down. Daryl kneeled down and began to unlace your boots as you held your bruised arm to your chest, trying to relieve some of the pain. “I should get hurt more often if this is the kind of treatment Daryl Dixon gives me,” you said with a lazy smile. Daryl looked at you with an exhausted look. 

“Let’s not, alright?” he said as he finished with your boots. 

“Yes, Sir,” you said as you flopped back onto the bed. Daryl got up and joined you, sitting next to you. With your good arm, you reached up and tugged him down beside you, his body lying alongside yours. Turning your head to look at him, he was already looking at you through messy strands of hair. 

Slowly, you lifted up your hand and offered it to him. Daryl took it in his own and laced your fingers together, his eyes never leaving yours. “Your hands are warm,” you said in the low light of the room, your voice barely above a whisper as if it would crack the tension. 

“Yours are cold,” he said back, rubbing your knuckles with his thumb. “I should check your arm,” he said, but you shook your head. 

“It can wait,” you whispered, looking into those blue eyes of his as he pinned you to the planet with his gaze. “Thank you, for lookin’ out for me today,” you said, tightening your hold on his hand. 

“Always,” he said. “I’m always gonna be there for ya.” You gave him a small smile then as a shiver took over your body. “Cold?” he asked, his brow furrowing. 

“Bit,” you said with a shrug. Daryl reached behind him and grabbed one of the blankets and draped it over you, careful not to let go of your hand the entire time. His other arm was pressed to your side as he tried to adjust the blanket, but it lingered, adding pressure to your body. “Stay,” you whispered to him. 

“This is my room,” he said, looking down at you. 

“Smartass,” you said, trying not to break his gaze. 

“I ain’t going anywhere,” he said as he sat up a bit higher and then pressed a kiss to your forehead. It was gentle, but warm, his lips leaving a spot of heat on your skin. When he pulled back, you locked eyes with him again before slipping your hand out of his and reaching up to drag your fingers through his hair. Getting to his neck, you pulled him down to you and he met you there, capturing your lips in a soft kiss. His lips were heavy on yours and he tasted exactly as you had imagined. 

When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against yours. “Your head needs to heal,” he whispered, not wanting to move any further away from you. 

“My mind has never been more clear,” you said, grabbing his face again. “Kiss me, Doc,” you said and with a chuckle, he did.

Daryl lay with you, kissing you, holding you, and never once leaving your side as you finally succumbed to sleep, your body desperately needing to heal. Looking down at you in the low light of the lantern, he promised that would never let you go, not now, not ever. 

He had asked you about your fears, but you hadn’t asked him about his. In truth, he was only scared of one thing and that was losing you.

TAGS: @thanossexual​ @felicisimor​ @yes-sir-hotchner​ @lucillethings​ @stark-dreams​ @huffledor-able541​

[easnuppa]

Secret feelings

Chapter 6

Seven weeks had gone since they arrived at the colony called Haven, and they had not gotten any closer at coming up with an escape plan. They had silently, and thanks to Rosita and Abeˋs effort, settled down at the colony. She could easily see how more relaxed Daryl had become lately, hard labor and hanging out with the guys now and that made his shoulders less tense and it didn't drive him up the wall to be cooped up in the hotel room with her all the time. Their life together had become somewhat of a routine also, in the morning they slept together, then Daryl went to work, while she ate breakfast at Rositas before she helped Rosita out with her son. Laundry, cleaning and what not, in the afternoon they ate dinner together, in silence, before they either played cards that Abe had provided for them, or she read her book for the umpth time and he helped out maintaining the hotel. Then when it was time for bed they slept together again before they both exhaustedly passed out.

Savannah knew she had no reason to complain, this was what she had dreamed of with Daryl. It was almost like they really were together, except that she knew they weren't, and she knew Daryl had no feelings for her other then the friendship they had formed back with the other group. It felt a bit weird now, they were hardly speaking together, Daryl never looked her in the eyes and she hated forcing him to be trapped with her like this. She stood in the bathroom and stared into her own reflection in the mirror. She pulled the wet washcloth over her face and neck, as she was about to run it over her shoulder and down her arm, she stopped and looked closer. Two dark red spots could be seen on her neck and shoulder and she remembered how Daryl had sucked hard down on her skin as he came this morning. She felt the same familiar flutter in her stomach as she thought about him, god she just could not get enough of the man. She continued to wash herself off and then dried her damp skin with a towel, she then glanced back into the mirror, she had really put on some weight lately, her breasts were fuller, her cheeks where rounder, well at least she was eating more healthy now. She retracted her gaze away before she pulled on her clothes, as she straightened up she was hit by a dizzy spell and had to grab the sink to steady herself. This was the third day she had felt weird, dizzy, exhausted and the nausea that came and went. She shut her eyes and breathed slowly to ride off the wave of nausea. If only they could manage to escape this place, find their own people, then things could go back to how it was at the prison. Maybe then Daryl could find happiness with his true love, Beth. Oh god, she thought, Beth..... How in hell was she gonna be able to look the girl in the eyes after sleeping with Daryl for nearly seven weeks now? It was a nightmare, then another thought popped in her head that made tears well up in her eyes, maybe he was fantasizing about Beth while sleeping with her, maybe that was why he always seemed so ready. Oh god, she felt her heart shatter in her chest, never had she ever felt something like this, something that could only be described as a bottomless sorrow. She stumbled out to the mainroom and crawled into the bed, where she buried herself under the covers and wiped her eyes.

Savannah swatted the annoying hand away that was shaking her and making her mind spin and her stomach to turn, she grunted.

"Savannah, you have to wake up, are you not feeling well, hon?" she recognized Rositas voice. She tried to open her eyes and focus but then she felt the nausea roll over her again. She leaned over the bed and luckily Rosita was fast enough to see what she needed and shoved a trashcan in front of her. She dry heaved into the can before she shakingly laid back on the bed, a cold washcloth was placed on her forehead and she looked up at Rosita and gave her a weak smile. Rosita sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Hon what's the matter?" Savannah pushed her palms over her eyes to stop the tears flow.

"I think I might have food poisoning or stomach flu or something," she said and then shakingly told Rosita about the swine flu epidemic that had happened in the prison a couple of weeks before the governors attack, and how it had killed off a lot of their group before they could get their hands on some antibiotics, Rosita pursed her lips.

"Do you have a sore throat or any flu like symptoms?" Savannah shook her head.

“Has Daryl been puking his guts out these past days?" she shook her head again. Rosita patted her shoulder.

"Then we can at least rule out stomach flu, swine flu and food poisoning, because you and Daryl eat the exact same food," Savannah sighed.

"Then what the hell is wrong with me?" Rosita gave her a warm smile.

"Ok, take a deep breath," Rosita told Savannah, " you told me that you and Daryl are sleeping with each other on a regular basis right, the guards are doing the same with you guys, like they did with me and Abe right?" Savannah blushed slightly and nodded.

"Ok, thought so, how long is it since you had your period?" Savannah bit down on her lip and shrugged.

"I don't know, it has been pretty irregular after the outbreak and all that you know, lack of food, the stress and all that," Rosita nodded and understood what she meant.

"But you have been eating more healthy now, and your daily routines makes everything a little less stressful for you," Savannah frowned up at Rosita, why was her friend talking in such riddles?

"What are you getting at?" she asked a little annoyed and Rosita giggled.

"I think maybe it is time to have a check up with Dr Pete, I think maybe you are pregnant," Savannah blinked and stared at Rosita, she could not be serious, her thoughts from this morning came crashing down in her head, Beth, Daryl. Oh god, what if she was, what would Daryl say, it would ruin his chances with Beth if they ever found their group again. Tears started welling up in her eyes again and she could not hold back the sob.

"Oh god no, it can't be true, I can't be pregnant," Rosita frowned.

"What's the matter honey, I thought it would make you happy? You and Daryl are having a baby, isn’t that what you hoped and dreamed about, you told me only last week, you love him," Savanna angrily wiped the tears away.

"Yeah exactly, I love him, and of course I would love to have his baby, if this whole shit charade was real," she whispered angrily and jumped out of bed and started pacing on the floor. Rositaˋs frown grew deeper.

"What do you mean?" Savannah turned towards her and threw her arms out in frustration.

"Me and Daryl aren't married, we aren't even a couple, we have been buddies in a weird way, best friends at one time back at the prison, then hunting partners at the most, we escaped the prison together so he was stuck with me until we found the rest of the group. There is another chick in our group that Daryl was crazy about, a blonde petite angel called Beth, everyone adored her, she had a heart of gold, gawd, you should have seen him each night, how he would stare longingly at her, or when she was walking Judith, Rickˋs daughter, out in the yard, his eyes was literally glued on her. She too had a thing for him, she always blushed when he was mentioned," Rosita held her hand up to stop Savannahˋs ranting.

"Beth, the one you told me about earlier? The same Beth that was only 18? She might be an angel honey, but Savannah, come on, how old is Daryl? 34-35?" Savannah sighed.

"He is 33," Rosita nodded and got up from the bed.

"Exactly and what can a little innocent, naive 18 year old offer a 33 year old man? A man like Daryl? Iˋve seen how he looks at you, how he watches out for you, honey you have nothing to worry about, he is totally into his hunting buddy, believe me!" Savannah scoffed, what did Rosita know? She did not know Daryl like she did, she had never met Beth.

"Now come on Savannah, there is no point in waiting any longer, I'll take you to dr. Pete and then Iˋll go and get Daryl so you two can sit down and talk," Savannah pulled on her boots and scoffed again.

"Yeah right, Daryl hasn’t said more then two words to me the last seven weeks, itˋs like he went all caveman on me after we started sleeping together. Only a nod, a frown, a scoff or a grunt, that's all I’ve gotten. He will not be thrilled by the news, believe me, he will freak out, you do not know him like I do," Rosita hooked her arm with hers and pulled her out of the room and down a floor until they were standing outside of dr. Peteˋs office door, waiting for the man to open.

Daryl hammered the last nail into the roof he had been working on the last weeks when he was called down by Abe, when his feet was on solid ground he turned to see why he was called down and with Abe stood Agatha and Gregory. Fucking hell what did those dipshits want with him now? Then the anxiety claws gripped around his stomach and his blood almost froze to ice in his veins. Something had happened to Savannah. He looked around to see if he could spot Rosita, he knew how close Abeˋs wife and Savannah had gotten. He forced his feet to walk over to them.

"What?" he asked and looked at Abe, but the man who he had started to consider a friend, just shrugged, he then directed his stare at the council members. Agatha was the one who spoke up first, with a huge smile she reached out a hand to him.

"It seems like congratulations are in order, Mr. Dixon. Pete just officially confirmed the happy news," she said and Daryl just stared at the woman. Had she just hit her head or something? He heard Abe sigh and cut in.

"Thank you both, Agatha and Gregory, Iˋll take it from here, I’m sure you both have more important things to see to, I will help him with the move," Agatha smiled and patted Abeˋs arm.

"Thank you Mr. Ford, we appreciate everything you do for this community. Show Mr. Dixon to cabin five, will you?" Abe nodded and watched the two walk away before he turned to Daryl. Daryl frowned and looked at Abe quizzically.

"The hell was that woman talkin’ about?" Abe placed an arm around Darylˋs shoulders and steered him in the direction of his and Rositaˋs cabin, he pushed Daryl down in one of the chairs out on the porch before he went inside and got his secret stash of whiskey before he joined Daryl. Daryl continued to stare at Abe as a bottle of whiskey was shoved into his hand and coaxed to take a swig.

"Has Savannah said anythin’ about bein’ sick? Have ya seen her being sick?" Daryl felt all color drain from his face but swiftly shook his head.

"Is she sick? Why would those asshats congratulate me if sheˋs sick?" he hated being this confused, Abe just shook his head.

"Nah sheˋs probably fine, well nothing serious at least, just the regular stuff like morning sickness, dizzyspells, you know the delio that follows when a chick get pregnant," Daryl felt like the breath had been kicked out of his lungs and he had to grip the arms on the chair to steady himself. Savannah was knocked up, how the hell had that happened? He shook his head, he knew how, christ he wasn't an ignorant teen afterall, but how and why the hell had this happened now? They were gonna escape this place. He grabbed blindly at the whiskey bottle and tilted his head back as he took a large swig. He felt the liquor burn down his throat, this was a disaster, she didn’t wanna be burdened with his offspring, the Dixon blood and the Dixon curse did not need to be passed on to yet another generation.

"Looks like the sky just fell and crashed in your head there, buddy" Daryl got up from the chair and started pacing back and forth on Abeˋs porch.

"Cause it ain’t fucking good news, now sheˋs fucking stuck with mah sorry ass! She ain't wanna be stuck with a Dixon kid!" Abe sighed and grabbed the bottle of whiskey that hung loosely in Darylˋs hand as he walked by him and took a long swig.

"Well looks like the damage is already done here bud, and you better get your shit together before you go and meet her. One thing I know is how fragile pregnant women are," Daryl suddenly slid down onto the floor like his feet had been kicked out from under him.

"I’ve been a total shit to her for weeks," Abe nodded and handed over the whiskey.

"I know bud, Rosita told me," Daryl glared up at Abe through his bangs, his friend just shrugged.

"You know how chicks talk,"Abe inhaled, "well you can always change that, the woman is crazy about you and I bet my nuts that sheˋs happy that sheˋs gonna have your kid," Daryl scoffed and glanced over to the forest that surrounded their home. Abe got out of his chair and helped Daryl up on his feet.

"Well, we better get you guys installed in cabin number five. It’s going to be dark soon. And Iˋm not gonna miss out on dinner with my girl and kid."

Savannah and Rosita stood in the middle of the room in her and Darylˋs new home, here it was a small kitchen, two bedrooms and a small living room. It was sparsely furnished, but plenty for them to live comfortably. This was all so overwhelming, she had tested positive on the pregnancy test given by the dr, then a guard was summoned to take the news to the council. Although Rosita had offered to go over to the building site to inform Daryl, but was brushed off by immediately, that was not how it was done at the Haven, it was the council's duty to congratulate the father. She had had a sinking feeling in her stomach ever since, she knew Daryl was upset with her and she dreaded when the time came to be alone with him. Rosita had gotten the heads up from the council to show her to her new home. Daryl and Abe had already picked up their few belongings from their room at the hotel and moved it back to the cabin, now they were sitting outside on the porch drinking coffee. The sun had set about an hour ago, and Rosita turned towards Savannah.

"Are you going to be ok on your own now?" she asked and Savannah forced back the tears and hugged her new friend tightly.

"Thank you for supporting me today," she whispered and Rosita gave her a warm smile and squeezed her hand.

"Of course, honey, that is what friends are for," she said before she walked out to her husband and her son. Savannah sunk down on the couch and a tear slipped. As soon as she heard Daryl walk in the front door she hurried to wipe it away before she rushed over to the kitchen.

"You’re probably hungry, Iˋll start on dinner, the council sent over some supplies earlier," Daryl grunted his usual response. She poured some pasta in a pot and put it over the oven, and then she poured some tomato sauce in another pan. She stirred it a bit harshly and drops of tomato sauce splashed on her shirt, she wiped it away with her finger which she stuck in her mouth to suck clean. It did not take long until the food was prepared and she filled two plates and placed them at the table and slid down to her chair, suddenly feeling exhausted again. She hid a yawn with the back of her hand as she picked at her food, Daryl shoved his mouth full as usual, nothing could kill his appetite, it was adorable. She sighed, was better to get this over with, they needed to talk. She knew, well at least she needed to.

"Iˋm sorry Daryl, I didn’t mean for you to find out like that, I swear I didn't know until this morning either, I just thought it was food poisoning or a stomach flu or something," his fork froze mid way up to his mouth, he continued to stare at his food.

"S’ alright," he said and continued eating, she sniffled slightly, he was clearly not happy with any of this.

"Yeah I guess youˋre right, it will be alright, we just have to make the best of it, afterall we fixed the Judith situation just fine back at the prison," she said and a scoff could be heard from Daryl as he finished off his plate. She inhaled sharply, his response hurt her all of a sudden and she cursed the damn hormones inside of her. She stared through blurred eyes onto her plate, she placed the fork down and pushed her plate over at Daryl. This caught Daryl's attention and he looked up at her with quizzical eyes.

"I’m not hungry," she explained, the lump in her throat to big to get any food past it.

"Ya gotta eat Savannah, gotta think about," he paused, "ya know, the kid an all," she just shook her head and got up from her chair.

"Just leave the plates, I'll get them done in the morning, I'm gonna go lay down," she said before he could stop her and briskly walked into the bedroom, sunk down on the bed and buried her face into the pillow so that Daryl would not hear her crying.

Daryl sat on the chair in the dr’s office, his eyes were glued to the floor, he could not look at the sleazy drˋs hands poking and prodding at Savannahˋs now very visible stomach. This was about the eighth check up, Daryl knew it was only a matter of weeks until their kid was born. Where had the time gone? He had really screwed shit up with Savannah, their relationship had not gotten any less strained since the day he found out she was knocked up. Now he wasn’t even sleeping in the bedroom, he did not eat any meals with her at all. He usually stayed out working until past dark, then to just return home, scoop up any cold leftovers and pass out on the couch. He knew that his behaviour was taking a toll on Savannah, it was visible in her dull eyes, silvery eyes that used to sparkle when they were out hunting. It was like he killed her inner light. The reason for his behaviour was guilt, plain and simple. He felt guilty for ruining Savannahˋs life, for tainting her with this thing that grew inside of her, the thing had his blood. He could hardly look at her belly any longer, it was a reminder of his yet again failure.

Every night he woke up panting, a loud yell trapped in his throat, drenched in sweat. Each night he had the same dream, or nightmare was a better word for it. The thing clawing and biting its way out of Savannahˋs stomach, Savannahˋs lifeless body laying on the bed in a pool of crimson red blood. He could hear his dadˋs taunting voice, that the thing was the spawn of satan, that's what the Dixon blood did to you. Savannah had tried to ask him what was up, but he just ran from the questions, how could he explain that the thing inside of her would most likely be the death of her and that it would be his fault? He had tried to talk to Abe about it, in a drunken state, but the ginger haired man had just burst out laughing and told him it was just the first baby anxiety. Everything was going to be fine, he just needed to wait and see. Giggles and laughter interrupted his thoughts and he from better judgement looked over to where Savannah was laying flat on the back on the bed, her shirt pulled up and her stomach. He could clearly see how her stomach was moving, and the bile started rising in his throat. Daryl got out of the chair and swiftly walked out of the door.

Out in the hall he leaned against the wall, gasping for air. His heart was racing, his pulse beating like drums in his ears, sweat dripped into his eyes. He rubbed the heels of his palms in his eyes, if only this was just a part of a very bad dream. One of those dreams that started all hot and heavy and turned into some kind of a twisted sick nightmare, if he could just wake himself up, he would be back at the prison and everything would be back to normal. And he would keep himself as far as possible and his tainted blood away from Savannah. He forced his legs to start working and he more or less stormed out of the hotel and over to the building site. Abe looked at him as he started to climb one of the ladders.

"How did the check up go? " he called out to him, Daryl froze midstep.

"Fine," he growled and continued up to the roof of the second cabin they had started on, he knew he should not be too hard on Abe, he was dealing with his own shit. Their second baby, a little girl had been still born, and because of complications during birth Abe had convinced the council to give his wife some time to heal before they were forced to try for a third baby. Daryl knew that Abe and Rosita were running out of time, life at the Haven was fucked up. How was he supposed to deal, why could not things be as simple as it had been in the prison? They survived, they were happy, or at least content. Now everything was twisted and scary. He was scared shitless, the only good thing about the whole fucked up situation was that the guards left them alone, it gave Savannah her much needed space from him. How she had endured screwing him twice a day for over a month was beyond him, his stomach turned again, and the guilt filled him yet again. He had enjoyed it, he could not lie to himself, he had actually looked forward to each time he could bury himself deep inside of her, touch her and taste her. He cursed himself, he had turned into his sick horndog of a brother, Merle, getting a hard on with just a glimpse of her pale skin. Another proof that he was just as sick as his olˋman and brother. He needed to be ready for when the thing was born, ready to kill it before it could kill the only good in his life, the only other person he actually cared about, Savannah.

"How are you holding up, honey?" Rosita walked into the cabin, Savannah had just finished cleaning up after yet another breakfast she had eaten by herself. She was propped up on the couch with the pillow that Daryl had used the last eight and a half months, his blanket draped around herself. Her lower back was hurting something fierce and her stomach cramped up, but she had felt somewhat of the same type of pain the last three months, so she just reckoned it was normal. She rubbed her stomach as it cramped up again and got rock hard, she had felt her child move around something awful all night, kicking her bladder and spine every five minutes. She just gave Rosita a smile.

"I’m doing just fine," Rosita sat down next to her on the couch and placed her hand on Savannahˋs stomach, it had become a ritual of theirs ever since Rosita had lost her little girl, her friend had taken comfort in Savannahˋs pregnancy. Rosita had given her full attention all through the almost nine months, something Savannah was indescribably grateful for, since Daryl could not seem to stand being in the same room as her.

"Are you sure, sweety?" Rosita asked with sorrow filled eyes, both Rosita and Abe knew of the struggles between herself and Daryl, Rosita had also forced Abe to have a little talk with Daryl, but as usual, the man was as closed off as ever.

"It’s stupid, really. I should be the happiest woman in the world, I’m expecting a baby with the one I love," Rosita sighed and brushed a strand of blonde hair behind Savannahˋs ear.

"No sweety, its not stupid, he is the one acting stupid, one thing is nerves for everything going good, from what you told me happened to Judithˋs mother and what happened to my daughter, but Daryl takes this to a whole other lever, avoiding you, running out of a check up, that is not only nerves," Savannah nodded, what had she expected really? That Daryl would come to terms with her pregnancy and suddenly declare his undying love for her? She scoffed, that shit only happened in fairytales, and this was definitely not one of those cute disney movies. Savannah struggled to push herself off the couch. Damn this was getting difficult, she had gotten so big, Rosita had not been this big on her last month, but the dr had told her that the babyˋs growth was just as expected. Rosita jumped to her feet and supported her side.

"Do you want anything to drink? I made carrot juice this morning," Rosita nodded.

"I can get it sweety, just sit back down," but Savannah shook her head.

"Nah, Iˋll get it, I need to stretch my back. My legs and lower back keeps cramping up, it's starting to get so annoying," and Rosita giggled and nodded knowingly.

"I know sweety, the last months are no walk in the park," Savannah joined in on the giggle.

"I wish the guys could feel how it was," Rosita giggled while Savannah filled two glasses.

"Think of all the cursing and complaining if our guys went through the same thing, can you imagine Daryl and Abe being in labor?" Rosita bursted out into a full laughter and it was so good to see her friend finally smiling so genuinely, but then a soaring pain went down her spine and her stomach cramped up worse then she had ever felt and she could feel something hot and wet pulling down her thighs. She dropped their drinks and the glass shattered around her feet and she had to grab the counter to steady herself, she whimpered from the searing pain. She then turned to Rosita who was carefully stepping over the broken glass on the floor to rub her back.

"I think I just pissed myself," Savannah mumbled, feeling her face heat up in embarrassment, Rosita kept rubbing her back and it felt so nice she could have moaned.

"No sweety, I think your water just broke, I guess the baby is coming," Savannah gasped, her eyes wide in terror.

"No it canˋt be, Iˋm not ready!" Rosita shook her head apologetically.,

"Iˋm sorry to say sweety, the baby doesn’t care if you are ready or not, he or she will come when they are good and ready, and he or she seems to be ready now. Tell you what, I will help you into bed, then I will go fetch Pete, then I will run over to the building site and let Daryl know. Iˋm gonna kick his ass over here whether or not he wants to, he needs to be here when his kid is born," Savannah just nodded and let Rosita lead her into the bedroom and up into the bed. Rosita propped her back up with huge fluffy pillows and helped her out of her sweatpants and panties, Savannah was blushing through it all, she was not used to letting others see her naked, it felt awkward and weird.

The pain had gotten worse as the dr rushed into the room, Rosita was right behind him. Savannahˋs eyes went expectantly to the door, waiting for Daryl to come through it behind Rosita, but as she waited she saw nothing, no Daryl. She looked a bit panicky at Rosita.

"Did you tell Daryl?" she asked, her voice high pitched and at the end it broke from another wave of pain. The dr placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed her back against the pillows.

"Lay back mrs. Dixon, I need to see how far along you are, how long have you felt the pain?" he asked, Savannah breathed heavily through her gritted teeth, annoyed over the fact that Rosita had yet not had answered her question,

“It started last night," she panted, both the dr and Rosita stared at her a bit stunned.

"The contractions started last night? Did you tell Daryl?" another contraction rolled through her body and she literally howled out her pain.

"Pfft" she said finally, when she was able to breathe again, "he ran like he had the devil up his ass at the last check up, do you really think I’m dumb enough to tell him I was in pain? Besides, I thought it was one of those regular things I’ve felt through the last trimester. I had no clue it was contractions! Now where the hell is Daryl?! Did you tell him or not?" she turned her furious eyes at Rosita, who crawled up on what should have been Darylˋs side of the bed.

"Yes, sweety, both he and Abe are on their way, I told them to wash up first, don’t need any filth around the baby," she said and Savannah nodded and was once again pushed back at the pillows. After the dr had given her a quick but thorough check up, he smiled at her.

"This certainly will not take long at all, you are almost fully dilated, if I did not know any better I would think you had done this before," Savannah scoffed, then she felt the urge to get out of bed, the cramps in her back was killing her, she pushed the dr aside and scooted her legs over the edge of the bed.

"Rosita, go get me one of Daryl's shirts, I'm not gonna stand here bare assed for the whole world to see," Rosita hurried out of the room, the woman knew very well where they had their clothes after months helping out with laundry and cleaning. She came flying through the door with one of Daryl's shirts in hand, she helped Savannah get into it. She could not button it up because her stomach was too big, but at least it covered her ass, and she could lean on the windowsill without flashing Rositaˋs husband if he were tempted to peek inside the room.

Another contraction ripped through her body and she cried out loudly, gripping so hard on the windowsill so her arms were shaking. Rosita and the dr placed themselves on each side of her and held her up. When it felt like her legs where giving out underneath her, heavy running footsteps could be heard out in the hall, and Savannah turned her head just in time to see Daryl burst through the door, his eyes looked wild and haunted, his hand was tightly wrapped around a hammer, so tight his knuckles were white, she pushed her hair behind her ear.

"What you doing with that hammer Daryl? Are you planning on beating your kid out of me?" she said and glared at him. His eyes went down to the hammer in his hand, then he looked up and met her eyes again, before he could answer Abe was there, pulling him out of the room.

"Thatˋs right Dixon, do what you do best when I need you the most, fucking asshole!" she yelled after him.

Abe pushed him hard into the wall, and had his shirt balled up in each fist on his chest.

"What the hellˋs wrong with you, bud? Stormin’ in on your woman in labor with your kid with a goddamn hammer, get a grip on yourself!" Daryl just blinked up at Abe, the man was taller then himself.

"Gotta be ready for when that thing comes," Abe slammed him into the wall again.

"What are you talking about, thing? For fucksakes, it is your kid, not a fucking thing," Abe took a breather and let go of Darylˋs shirt and forced the hammer out of Daryls death grip. Another scream went through the silence of the cabin, followed by a string of loud curses directed at Daryl. He slid down against the wall and pulled his knees up, Abe let out a short laugh.

"You better polish that nutsack of yours to get back in to her good graces, bud," Daryl looked up at Abe, he shook his head.

"I screwed up, she ain’t never gonna forgive me," he mumbled and he felt Abe sliding down next to him, nudging one of his knees,

"From what I’ve seen of Savannah, sheˋs a good woman, reasonable even, if you lay the shit out for her, I’m sure she will forgive your stupid ass," The door to the bedroom flew open and Rosita ran out of the room, hurrying over to their bathroom, both of them looked after her with worried eyes, she was running back after only a couple of minutes later with a bucket of water and a load of towels. Daryl looked frantically at Abe and Abe took the hint to call after Rosita before she disappeared into the bedroom again.

"Gorgeous, are everythin’ alright?" Rosita turned and glared at them.

"Yeah, peachy," she said and blew Abe a kiss. Daryl leaned his head back against the wall and squeezed his eyes shut as another wail reached out to them. He couldn't believe what an idiot he was, then suddenly a weak cry reached them, it was not Savannahˋs voice. Daryl snapped towards the bedroom door and he was up at his feet in an instant. His legs moved on their own and he found himself standing in front of the closed bedroom door, but he couldn't get himself to open the door, Abe was at his side and placed a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Sounds like your kidˋs got a healthy pair of lungs, congrats, bud," he felt Abe squeezed his shoulder. He didn’t know what to say or think. His kid was born, and it was alive, the kid was alive, but what about Savannah? He strained his ears, but could only hear the kid crying, the panic was back, was she dead? Had she died like Lori? He felt his legs buckle beneath him and felt Abeˋs arms around his shoulders steadying him, he heard Abeˋs voice, saying something to him, but he could not make out the words in the haze. Then the door opened and the dr walked out. He stopped in front of Daryl and reached out his hand

"Congratulation Mr. Dixon, itˋs a boy, healthy and strong," Daryl just stared at the outreached hand, but did not attempt to reach out his own hand, he was in shock, he had a healthy boy, but Savannah was gone. Had the dr ended her or was it Rosita, or did they leave that for him to do? How could he, he knew what he had said in the past, but this was Savannah, the only person that had been there for him through thick and thin. She was by his side when he had to put Merle out of his misery, she had silently given him her never ending strength. Then Rosita was in front of him, giving him a trying smile, he had no clue where the dr had gone, but he was lost in his own head. "Do you want to come in and meet your son, Daryl?" he heard Rosita ask, and Abe gave him a little nudge forward, but he placed his hands at the doorframe and shook his head.

"I canˋt, I canˋt do it," he stuttered frantically, he could not go in there and see Savannahˋs dead body laying in a pool of fresh blood, watching her turn into a walker. He didn’t have the strength to end her, if she went then he would join her, he would let her corpse sink its teeth into his flesh. He did not deserve to still be here when she was gone, where was that fucking hammer when he needed it? Somebody needed to bash his head in.

"Get your stubborn ass in here, Daryl, and meet your son, I swear to god if you don’t..." the threat was left unsaid, but he heard her voice clear as day, walkers didn’t talk. She was alive. He almost ran over Rositaˋs small frame on his way into the bedroom. He hurried over by her side and sunk down on his knees as he grabbed her warm hand and pressed it against his cheek, burying his head into her side, mumbling over and over "yer alive, yer alive," he heard her snort a short laugh.

"Course I am, youˋre not the only stubborn ass, Dixon, I thought you knew me better," she pulled her hand out of his grip and brushed his hair out of his face. He looked up at her, her face was red and she looked exhausted, her forehead and neck sweaty, her long hair a mess sticking to her forehead. She was wearing his shirt, although it was open, she was still covered by bundle laying in her arm, close to her chest. He felt Rosita lay a hand on his arm, he glanced up at her, but his eyes went straight back to Savannah.

"Take a seat and Iˋll hand him over to you," he met Savannahˋs now sparkling eyes, the light was back in them and he felt the fear that had filled his inside evaporate. She gave him a nod and he slid onto the floor against the wall, and watched as Rosita lifted the little bundle out of Savannahˋs arms and moved over to him. She squatted down next to him, she carefully placed the featherlight bundle in his waiting arms and pushed the blanket aside so the little face appeared. His blue eyes were glued to the little thing in his arms, he remembered the feeling holding Judith for the first time, but this was different, this was more of an earthmoving feeling. His heart was filled with an unrecognizable feeling, it warmed his insides. The little bundle opened his eyes and stared up at him, his eyes were the same shade of blue as his own, he let his thumb run along the soft skin on his cheek, and pushed the blanket further back, brown hair as soft as silk could be spotted on his son's head. He was definitely his son, not that he had ever doubted the fact. The little bundle started squirming in his hold, his little mouth started to search for food, when he could not find what he was searching for and did not smell his mother he let out a frustrated snort, and Daryl could not hold back the happy laughter that bubbled up his throat. Oh yeah, he was definitely a little Dixon. Rosita was there in an instant, lifting up the little bundle.

"Looks like the little fella needs his mommy," he watched as the little woman expertly placed his son against Savannahˋs breast. He crawled closer to the bed, mesmerized by the sight of Savannah feeding their son, he had never seen anything so peaceful, something more beautiful. He did not register Abe and Rosita taking their leave, but Savannah as always was on top of things and waved to them, before she choked back a yawn with the back of her hand. He saw her nudge her head against the empty space next to her on the bed.

"You can come join us up here Daryl, you donˋt have to sit on the floor, just take those dirty boots off, I doubt I’ll have time to change the sheets on the bed the next few days," he did not have to be told twice and he kicked his boots off as he crawled up onto the bed. They sat in silence watching the little boy, it did not take long until the little boy was sound asleep. Daryl cleared his throat that suddenly felt thick, and he noticed something wet on his cheeks, he dragged his hands over his face before he looked over at Savannah.

"I’ve been a real asshat, haven't I?" he didn't exactly need to ask, he knew the answer to the question, Savannah hummed agreeingly.

"I could have used your support throughout these months, it has been pretty lonely, especially since I didn’t know why you were acting like that," Daryl felt his ears heat up and he started chewing on this thumb.

"I was shit scared to be honest," he then admitted, "every night I had nightmares of the kid dying and turning inside of ya, killing ya, I just..." he let his breath out slowly, "I was just so scared that what happened to Lori, would happen to ya too," he felt how Savannah slid down and leaned her head against his shoulder, another yawn and she sighed.

"I’m fine Daryl, as you can see for yourself, all I need now is my friend back," she said before her eyes closed and she fell asleep. He watched her sleep for a while before he carefully pushed her head back against the pillow, he brushed a stray blonde hair from her forehead and leaned down and kissed her now cool forehead. He carefully lifted the bundle of his son out of Savannahˋs arms and scooted off the bed and took the two steps over to the crib that was placed in their bedroom, he carefully placed down the little boy. He stood still and just stared at the sleeping form of his son, then he sighed.

"I haven't really been there and helped yer mama through these months, so the least I can do is give ya a name, and don't worry, ain't gonna give ya a hick name that the other kids gonna tease ya about, itˋs bad enough that yer last name will be Dixon. Lucky for ya, ya got yer moma's blood running through yer veins too, prolly what’s gonna save ya, cause yer moma, she’s somethin’ special. Yer one lucky lil guy, ya know that? So I was thinkin maybe Dean is a good name for ya, Dean Dixon, that has a good ring to it, dontˋcha think?" he kept his voice to a low murmur not to wake the now two most important people in his life, his mission in life now was to protect these two with his life, even if Savannah only saw him as a friend and hunting partner.To him she was his queen, and he would spend the rest of his days on this earth to serve her.

@of-storms-and-sadness

@jodiereedus22

[rickolinagrimes]

Paranoia - Part 3

“Well mother dick look what the rats dragged on in!” A deep country voice sounded behind you and you turned to see who it was.

“Well look here it’s Sergeant Ginger.” You smiled. “Bring it in big guy!”

The pair of you embraced tightly before pulling apart. “I thought you were off up by the Yukon when I last heard from ya?”

“I was, love, but then I got an emergency call saying to get my ass back to DC when this all kicked off.” You shook your head. “Damn Secretary of State got bit didn’t he! Had to be diplomatic to people for hours on end.” You scrunched up your nose in disgust.

“Abraham, how do you know her?” Rick’s expression was stoney as he evaluated the interaction.

“Well ol’ Peanut here spent a lotta time with ma unit whilst we were on a tour in Iraq. Military black ops. Damn horror story she is, gives the Grim Reaper a run for his bloody money when she’s pissed.” He folded his arms and leant against the door frame.

“Okay, but in my defence they stole our food and then kidnapped Billy.” You bounced Judith on your hip and she happily giggled slightly.

“Never touch your food, we get it.” He laughed heartily. “Is this the lil asskicker I’ve been told about?” He nodded towards her.

“Yes it is. Abraham meet Judith Grimes, Judith meet Abraham Ford. You gonna wave for him?” You nudged her and she hid her face in your shoulder babbling.

“A lil shy one ain’t she?” Abraham said.

“Or maybe you’re just freaky. Rosita Espinosa, nice to see a new face.”

“Likewise.” You shook hands with the brown eyed woman, sharing small smiles.

Rick stood up drawing the attention back to him. “You say I can’t beat you in hand to hand combat but then how good are you?”

“What’s going on?” Abraham asks looking baffled.

“Well our resident Robocop over there said if I crossed any lines he’d kill me. I told him that wouldn’t work.”

Abraham laughed. “Of course that ain’t gonna work is it. I’ve missed your little references.” He redirected himself to Rick. “If you’re serious about a fight ya need to lay down some damn bounderies. She’s ruthless, Grimes.”

“Alright then. One, no weapons; two, no broken or dislocated bones; three, avoid any serious muscle damage; four, two taps for a tap-out; five, we go till the withheld death blow.”

You grinned. “Is that all you want?”

“It’s all I need.”

“Oh honey...” You shook your head smiling. “We do it outside; wouldn’t want to make a mess.”

The whole group followed you outside and on to the grass area a little way from the house. Judith was passed to Carl who looked very happy to have her back in his arms as she snuggled into him tightly. You realised in hindsight it would have been better to unarm yourself inside the house.

“Give me a couple of minutes.” You demanded and you pulled out your first gun and laid it down on the floor.

“Why?”

“I’ve got to take my weapons off as to your rules.” You removed your sniper from your back and your utility belt.

“It can’t take that long.” The short haired woman pretentiously stated.

You unclipped your shoulder sheaths. “Look, I’m fairly sure we went over this inside.” Removing of your thigh sheath. “You, you sweet innocent woman, are completely ignorant to the happenings that went on outside the real world.” You kicked off your boots and removed your socks as well.

You then lifted your top to take the gun off your wait and it’s partner knife before removing the gun from the back of your trousers. Next you took the two small grenades out of one pocket and the multiple loaded magazines from the others. Finally, rolling up your sleeves you removed the bands that housed small metal discs the size of coins that were designed to electrocute upon contact.

“You got any more weapons on ya?!” The crossbow guy asked.

“She’s a weapon so that was a fucking dumbass question.”

“Abraham! There are younger ears.” You mock-scolded him.

However with your attention diverted and your back to him, Rick decided to attack. A sudden swish of your hair caused you to spin, duck and block Rick’s blow whilst you caught his arm and pulled it forward causing him to lose his balance allowing you to put him in a headlock with ease. Your hands were situated so only one sharp movement and a funeral would be happening tomorrow.

“Well that was cute and crap.” You threw the man off you. “Nice idea with the sneak attack but if you’re going to do it you need to wrap an arm around the neck to temporarily cut off the air supply sending the opponent into shock, giving you time for your next move.”

Now you and Rick were stood opposite each other for round two; this man was too damn stubborn.

The man with a mullet counted down. “Three, two, one!”

Before Rick could even react, your thighs were wrapped like a vice around his neck and you were pulling him to the ground. “Got to stay alert, Hun, or you’re going to get dead. One move of my thighs and you’re dead meat.”

You unravelled yourself and went to stand up. Although with his determination to win, Rick was also up and ready to fight he threw a punch only for you to block it. He then tried to kick which ended with you kicking in his other leg sending him to the ground. One swift move caused his face to be in the dirt and hands to be restrained behind his back, one of your feet on his neck.

“You’re being rash, Rick. We both know you could overpower me but with how I’ve got your hands you’d dislocate one. Although you’d never get to find out as I’d just have to put my weight onto my foot that’s conveniently on your neck.” You lightly pressed said foot to accentuate your words. “Night night.” Again, you let go of him and walked away. “Look, three rounds in and I’ve won all of them in less than twenty seconds. Now, we can do this all night or we can admit the fact that your threats against me are pointless and we can move on.”

“Rick you can stop. Surrendering is just as strong as delivering a final blow.” The lady with the katana had a firm hand on the leader’s shoulder preventing him from trying again.

You sighed. “She’s right. Something I learned early on was running was just as smart as fighting. My second mission: eliminate a drug cartel. There was a group of six of us sent down south to just beyond the border. There was a mess up in the intel leading to me being in a pretty messy situation along with two of the team. I could have just fought my way out, boost my esteem and image I was building at the risk of my teammates, or I could have walked away and come back another day. I walked away, protecting my team and got a promotion when we got back for ‘thinking about the bigger picture’. That’s what you’ve got to do, Rick, look at the bigger picture. I’m not going to turn on you; not when you’ve got a good thing going here, not when I have no reason to. If I get a problem I’ll raise it with you, if it persists I’ll either bite my tongue or I’ll walk out those gates. There’s two options right?” Whilst you had been talking you had been reequipping all of your things.

“Right.” Rick winced as he stood up.

Sighing once more, you walked over to him. Bending down to your knees in front of him you put one hand on his thigh and your finger and thumb on each side of his knee.

“What are yo-“ With a sharp flick of your wrist he grunted before letting out a slow breath of air. “Thank you.”

“It’s nothing; I just trapped the nerves when I kicked your knee in so I was just setting it right.” You stood back up and reassessed him. “Unfortunately I can’t work any voodoo magic on your shoulders however I recommend having your shower as hot as you can take it and stand under it allowing it to directly hot your shoulders.”

“How did you know my shoulders were hurting?”

“Your posture, your breathing, your vocals. You’ve bruised the bones in your shoulder blades.” You muttered as you looked the man over. “Yeah you’re going to have a couple of bruises in the morning but you’ll be good for the most part.”

“Right.” Rick responded under his breath.

You began walking away from the group towards where you came from and they watched you go. “I’m fairly sure the probie gets a babysitter and I doubt I can do the role of both!” You called over your shoulder.

————————————————————————

An hour and a bit later:

“How can we trust her?” Carol asked looking around the group. “All she keeps doing is saying we’re weak and how we know nothing of what the world was like behind the scenes. And all those weapons and her fighting?”

You rolled your eyes as you sat in the corner watching them all squabble. “I thought it was a good thing to tell the truth?”

You went ignored as they continued to talk.

“Agent L/N very clearly has the specific skill set and abilities that are needed in this world to survive and she also must have the ability to pass on aforementioned knowledge to us. Teach us how to execute hand to hand combat, how to analyse threats and people.” Eugene spoke up from where he was staring at you.

Rosita stepped forward. “Eugene’s right. She could make this group much stronger than it is and help us.”

“By how can we know that she’s not helping someone else?” Maggie pointed out. “She could be a security risk.”

You coughed. “Yeah no. Look I walked into this place having taken care of Judith for weeks possibly a couple of months. If there was someone else I wouldn’t be here.”

“She makes a point.” Glenn stated.

You rolled your eyes. “Thanks hun.”

“Y/N’s security clearances were a fuck ton higher than what y’all state officials had, almost on par to the President’s.” Abraham stood up for you. “She’s one to be trusted. There was a all fucking desert of shit that y’all didn’t know about yet she knew every damn grain, inside and out, of said shit. Peanut knows what she’s doing.”

“Thanks babe but I actually had the same clearance as the President.” You smiled at the soldier.

Rick added a query. “How can you have the Presidential clearance?”

“Mr President felt like he owed me a favour after I initiated a mission in deep shadow conditions to rescue the First Lady and their daughter.” You shrugged nonchalantly.

Sasha looked confused. “Wait, when did they go missing?”

“Exactly. I had been keeping an eye on the family since rumours the CIA had heard on the grapevine mentioned an attack on the White House. Saw that the phones’ locators had been destroyed and realised shot had gone south. Luckily the President was paranoid about stuff like this and had micro locators put into both their jewellery. Pickpocketed the President for his phone to find the signals and then I went and got them. President decided he liked me and gave me a raise and a promotion.”

“So ya got a raise for doing the riskiest lift in history?” Daryl looked bemused.

You smirked. “Something like that.”

“You just ‘went and got them’?” Carol looked disbelieving.

“Well yeah. There were a couple of guys in the way but meh oh well.” You replied.

Abraham quickly interrupted. “Don’t down play it! The footage showed the warehouse to be crawling with the pricks.”

“Details, Sarge. Minor details.” You waved him off.

Tara looked at everyone. “Look, I don’t know about you but I saw how she destroyed Rick outside and he’s one of our best. If her staying means she can teach us how to fight than I’m all for it.”

“Would you do that? Teach people how to fight?” Rick asked you leaning back in his chair.

“Sure, if they want to learn.” You glanced at the people in the room as you pulled your legs so they were crossed in front of you.

“Then she can stay tonight. Deanna can interview her in the morning and have the final say.” Rick finalised the conversation and Carol fixed you with a glare.

[lostlastsforever756]

I was tagged by @edierone hi, i love you, thank you for tagging me in stuff!

The second set I was tagged by @scullymills , I love you too!

RULES: TAG NINE PEOPLE YOU WANT TO GET TO KNOW BETTER

Relationship status: single pringle forever and for always :3

Favorite color: I go back and forth between green, yellow, and orange. my dad, whenever he buys me anything with a color option, gets me everything in the same orange or green color, it’s funny.

Lipstick or chapstick: chapstick, I don’t wear any other make up so it would be weird if i just started wearing lipstick and nothing else lol

Last song I listened to: Currently listening to Cheap Thrills by Sia

Last movie I watched: Hoodwinked, lol.

Top three tv shows: The X Files, Lost, and Fringe

Top  three characters: Juliet Burke, Stella Gibson, Dorothy Ratcliffe

Top  three ships: MULDER AND SCULLLYYYYYYY, most of the ships from Lost (let’s be real), do these ships need to be cannon? cuz I want my third one to be Scully/Reyes lol.

Books I’m currently reading: We: A Manifesto For Women Everywhere by Queen Gillian Anderson and her Bff (slash lover, lets be real) Jennifer Nadel, Where Am I Now? by the wonderful Mara Wilson, Promiseland: My Journey Through America’s Self-Help Culture by Jessica Lamb-Shapiro (much better than I expected it to be tbh), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by one Judith S. Beck. (and yet, I still spend all my time reading fanfiction)

Second set:

Rules: Answer the questions, tag 20 followers you would like to get to know better (lordy!)

Name - Sydney

Nickname(s) - Syd, Symphony lol 

Zodiac sign - Aquariuuuuussss (sings the song)

Height - 5′ 4″ and a half lol

Orientation - bisexual

Favorite color - you know, the yellow, green, orange thing

Favorite animal - either polar bears or frogs

Average sleep hours - ummm, depends on when i decide to go to sleep. I wake up at 7 every day on my own, no matter what. Except when im on my period, then it 6 every day for a week lol. isn’t being a girl fun?

Cat or dog person? - dog, for sure

Favorite fictional character - STELLA GIBSON, MY WIFE, MY ENTIRE WORLD

Number of blankets you sleep with - ALL OF THEM, honestly i think i have like ten just rolled up in my bed tbh. my bed is a nest. my roommate/bff is always like THE SYDNEY NEST!

Dream trip - ummm, not sure. I gotta think about it for a while. I’m going to hawaii next week, so that’ll be cool

Blog created - Um...November 2011? HOLY SHIT

Number of followers - 815 (FUCK YES, LOST ACCOMPLISHMENT)

I Tag: @sapphic-princess-xena @valasdorian @aya-im @krismarielovely @sharnamayxoxo @medicaldoctordana @wholeperson @gaycoyotes @barenakedsanvers @nekocase @throughtimeandstarlight @cookie-moi @basmathgirl @ladymegg @organastarkgaryen @latetoparties @namaste-brotha @juliet-got-your-back @juliett-ford-blog1

and anyone else that wants to do this, just tag me in it!!

[anxiousauthor89]

There Is No Cure

Standing still, stuck in shock Trinity didn’t even realize her parents had gotten out of the car and were behind her just as shocked as she was. “You here for him? You his twin?” Elijah repeated the angry woman's words in disbelief. “Oh my God babe. Oh my God!” Judith exclaimed with tears in her eyes. “Hhhooolld up hold uup! That thang is NOT my sister I don't care aint no way in hell! Naw I'm sorry nu uh..” Trinity stomped over to her mom taking her baby in her own arms. “I'm going inside the sun is coming out now and I dont want this rain making my baby sick.” Full of pride and attitude she walked in and plopped down in the lobby chair bouncing her left leg. Still trying to process everything, Trinity stared out the glass doors watching her father walk toward the scene where Alexanders body was now covered with a white cloth. “Man muthafucka! The sun is out let me up! Its getting hot! You just leanin yo big ass on me for nothin! Breathin yo funky ass breath on my neck you finna burn the skin off my shoulders get the fuck off me! My damn lashes lifting and all move bitch!” The angry woman wiggled and slid around on the hood of the patrol car, smearing her curly hair in front of her face. Elijah motioned for the officer to let her go, and so he did. “Bout time! I should sue yo ass for almost crushing me!” She screamed fixing her shirt and wiping her pants. Completely ignoring the mean comments spewed at him, the officer laughed and walked back to the Ford Expedition he arrived in. “A hehe hell....stupid fat fuck.” She continued to talk trash as she dusted her shoes off. “Come here young lady.” Elijah softly spoke. The irate woman turned around fighting tears. “Look thanks for making him let me go, but if you with that home wrecking whore of a baby mama sittin inside, I want nothing to do with you! I should have got her ass when she ran up on me and my man! But I came for my brother and that's it sir, I don’t have time for the bull shit!” She turned to walk away. “I said come here...” Elijah never lost his soft tone as he demanded to examine the woman's face. “Please look at me.” He sternly said. Chills went down her body as she honored his request without even knowing why. He gently moved the curls away from her face and looked deep in her eyes. “Those are your eyes Eli. She's telling the truth.” Judith said. “Yes indeed. She sure does.” Elijah agreed. Confused but comforted all at the same time the woman stood frozen. Trinity grew hot with rage as she watched the show unfold. To see her father being so kind to a person she was ready to smack down was filling her with an irritation so strong the baby began to cry because she felt it. “Ssshhhhh...alright my bad, my bad. I'm gon chill.” She said rocking and patting Peanuts butt. She got lost in the beauty of the gray in her daughters eyes and was snapped out of her trans when her father knelt down in front of her. “Princess...I need you.” Elijah whispered. Looking up she met her fathers eyes. The same eyes Alexander had. The same eyes her enemy had. “What daddy..? I swear this is all too much...” Kissing her forehead and getting up to sit beside her he wrapped his arm around her. “Your mother is outside with your sister. Yes. Your sister... She is mine Trinity...don’t matter if you like it or not...she is...she has my eyes.....your eyes....Forgive her please. I just explained everything to her, and shes not so bad. Give her a chance. Shes saying her goodbyes to your brother but shes coming in soon. And I don’t want no hate in your heart. I didn’t raise you that way.” Before Trinity could answer or put up a fight, her mom came in the double door holding the young woman as she cried. “They taking his body away babe. They just needed her to give a positive ID.” Judith sadly reported. They all stood and turned toward the glass doors as they watched Alexander’s body get loaded on the stretcher. The officer zipped the body bag shut and spoke in the radio on his shoulder as he walked away. Taking a deep breath, Elijah cracked the silence. “Trinity, I dont know what you all problem was, but its over now. You got that?” Knowing this was not the time to argue she nodded her head yes. “Alexander was your brother...this is your sister Azury. This is no ones fault. They were twins and separated at birth. But because of all the research Alexander put in, he found her 2 years ago. They don’t know each other, only talked a few times, never met each others partners, families, or friends....and now they never will. All they had was the natural love that a sibling shares when they have shared the womb. Just a natural acceptance because they are twins. Can you see she has also been robbed? She’s in pain too Trin. She’s confused too. We all are. We are all greatly affected by this. We all have reasons this brings us pain.” He pulled the saddened young woman close to Trinity. Both of them stood there with their heads down, not knowing what to say. “I'm sorry.” Azury whispered. Surprised at the way the once angry woman dropped her ego, Trinity couldn’t help but follow her example. “I’m sorry too. And I’m still ready to whoop yo butt but I guess I’ll charge it to the game and not your heart.”  She smirked, while wiping tears from her new sisters now smiling face. “Azury would you like to follow us back home? We would love to have you. You dont have to be alone with all thats happening, we here for you.” Judith touched her hand. “Oh no, thank you.” Azury nervously laughed.  “I cant. I gotta plan this funeral. I also have to go to the doctor on this side of town in the morning.” She said looking ashamed, fumbling with her clothes. “Ooh let me guess are you having Shawn baby again?” Trinity snickered sarcastically. “Umm no..no I'm not.” Azury sat down on the other side of Trinity. Noticing something more than Alexanders death was wrong Trinity sat down as well. “You alright?” Trinity asked with real concern as her heart picked up an unexpected fast pace. “Because of Shawn....I have to go to the doctor.” Azury sighed as she fought angry tears. “Because of him, my children will lose me before they are old enough to be without me. I’m sick. And I have been for a while.” Elijah hugged her from the side trying to console her. “We believe God can heal anything babygirl. We gon get you better, its alright.” “No.” She said shrugging him off. “Its deeper than prayer...my immune system is being attacked.” She stood back up, now annoyed and ready to leave. “Well we bind that in Jesus name!” Elijah stood up with her. “Look, we can..” “NO!” Azury shouted, interrupting him, looking toward the sky slapping her cheeks. “Listen to me please..” She grabbed both of Elijahs hands. “I appreciate you having faith I really do but don’t bother..... its too late to call God. HIV kills you. There Is No Cure.”