#michonne x andrea

[claudiabian]

"I was gone for a long time. But then Andrea brought me back."

Michonne Hawthorne and Andrea Harrison in THE WALKING DEAD (2010 - 2022)

[embraceyourdestiny]

Oh come on you’re telling me michonne nursed Andrea back to health and saved her life and there’s ZERO ship prevalence? Everyone is lesbophobic this sucks if it was two men they’re be the most popular ship like fuck man

[enidtwd]

this scene tears me the fuck up. they were so obviously in love with each other

[more-hats]

All I know is Michonne and Andrea are girlfriends

[shimmershae]

Because sometimes you just need some gingerbread zombies in your life.

Merry and Bright *9* (a Walking Dead One Shot, Caryl AU).

Title:  Merry and Bright *9*

Rating:  T. 

Warnings:  mild language, sexual situations.      

Characters/Pairings:  Carol Peletier/Daryl Dixon, background Lori Grimes/Rick Grimes, Eric Raleigh/Aaron, Michonne/Andrea Harrison, Sophia Peletier, mention of past Carol Peletier/Ed Peletier, Theodore ‘T-Dog’ Douglas, Rosita Espinosa, Bob Stookey, Lilly Chambler, Meghan Chambler, Denise Cloyd, Merle Dixon, Jerry, Carl Grimes. 

  Merry and Bright *9*

    His stubble rasps against the nape of her neck in the most delicious way and she shivers, from her head down to her toes, melts into the warm, protective circle of his arms for the briefest of moments before reluctantly pulling away and putting some needed distance between them.  It’s the only way she’s going to manage to walk out that door and be a productive adult today and they both know it.  The pleased smirk she glimpses on his handsome, unshaven face tells her as much, but she can’t find it in herself to be angry or even offended.  If she hadn’t promised, what feels like a lifetime ago now, to help out Lori when the time come and it apparently has, they might still be in that bedroom now with the whole wide world locked out and their bedsheets tangled at their feet.  “Don’t,” she warns him. 

  His smirk only grows wider, making his teeth gleam in the soft light of the nearby Christmas tree.  “Didn’t say nothing.” 

  Her own smile twitches at her lips, but she hides it well, tucking the ends of her red and white scarf around her neck.  She pulls her jacket up over her shoulders and winces when the simple motion makes heat flood to her cheeks and brings memories that are barely a few hours old to the forefront.  He’d certainly given it his best shot, convincing her to call in.  With his beautiful mouth and his gentle hands, he’d touched her and loved her until she’d been reduced to a great, quivering sea of overwhelming need.  Even now, she feels the phantom ache of him between her thighs, everywhere else.  “Daryl,” she chastises softly when his fingers catch the drawstring to her scrub pants and tug.  His calloused thumb dips into the well of her navel and she whines.  “I really need to go.” 

  “Ain’t stopping you.”  Her brow arches in disbelief and he grunts out a laugh, feathers a semi-penitent kiss across the furrowed lines of frustration in her forehead.  “M’sorry.  S’just…you really have to go?”

  Carol sighs.  “I wish I didn’t.  You don’t know how much.  But Dr. Carson put Lori on bedrest, and we’re short already as it is.  I can’t leave Lilly to shoulder the work load alone.” 

  He matches her sigh with one of his own, long and drawn out for effect.  “Just something ‘bout the holidays, huh?  Merry Christmas.” 

  She fists the soft gray material of the shirt stretched snug across his broad shoulders and leans up on her toes to press her mouth to his grumbling one.  “Bah humbug to you too, Pookie,” she teases.  “At least it’s not the evening shift.”  A deep, wordless rumble of agreement is the only response she receives before he pulls her into a hug that steals the breath from her very lungs.  She nuzzles her nose in that inviting crease between his neck and his shoulder and inhales deeply, willing her fluttering heart to calm.  She’s not sure who she’s trying to reassure more, him or herself, when she murmurs a quiet reminder.  “It’s just twelve hours.  Maybe less if things are slow.  I’ll be home before you know it and you, me, and Sophia?  We’ll have plenty of time to make it to the party.” 

  “Shit,” he swears, rocking back on his bare feet and raking a hand roughly through his hair, upending it every which way.  “That’s tonight?” 

  He looks impossibly boyish to her in that moment, even if the gray-blond scruff on his cheeks proves otherwise, and she nods.  This year, Glenn and Maggie are hosting and she doesn’t want to disappoint the young couple no matter how tired she can already tell she’s going to be thanks to their earlier amorous activities.  “It’s a cookie swap, remember?  Sophia and I had plans to bake cookies today but little Miss Grimes had other ideas.” 

  “Yeah, well.  I’d expect nothing less knowing her mama,” he mutters. 

  He puts on a good show, but Carol’s not fooled by the act.  He’s been just as solicitous toward their friend during her difficult pregnancy as Rick has, maybe even more so in his own gruff way, and it’s endeared him even more to her, something she hadn’t previously thought possible considering the origin of their life together.  In the grand scheme of things, they’re still new to this marriage thing.  She doesn’t count her whole relationship with Ed because her daughter had been the only thing of value the man had ever gifted her with, however reluctantly, and they were only a family in the loosest sense of the word, bound by biology but not the heart.  With Daryl it’s different.  It has been since he’d done the impossible and brought her lost little girl back to her.  So she feels free to make a suggestion that never would have crossed her mind with Ed.  “Maybe you and Sophia could make them?  Store bought ones are fine.  Glenn and Maggie aren’t going to say anything.” 

  He quirks a half-smile at her, his blue eyes twinkling and bright.  “You saying you trust me not to burn the house down?”   

  “More than that,” she laughs as she shoulders her purse and scoops up her lunch bag.  “Think about it, okay?” 

  “Come back to me, Woman.” 

  The promise doesn’t take any thought.  “Always.” 

          The kid comes padding out of her room before the sun’s all the way up, rubbing her small fists at her eyes and yawning so big he can hear her jaw pop clear across the living room.  Draining the last dregs of his coffee, he reaches out to set his mug on a nearby coaster and scratches at the back of his neck as he watches her linger in front of the tree that’s been the focal point of the house since the weekend after Thanksgiving.  He still remembers the way she and her mama had batted them big pretty eyes at him before dragging him all over King County looking for the perfect tree.  It’d been a good day.  He’s had a lot of those since he found ‘Phia and found love as a result.  He hopes today can be one of those, even if he hasn’t been able to think of much else but how much he misses her mama since she left through the front door.  Clearing his throat to get her attention, he asks, “What you doin’ up so early?” 

  “Didn’t sleep so good,” Sophia mumbles, her mouth all cottony still with sleep and her nose wrinkled as she joins him on the sofa, slumping back against the pillows and tucking her growing, gangly legs beneath her. 

  “Didn’t?” Daryl ventures, though he has a sneaking suspicion why, more than a sneaking suspicion actually.  He still don’t know what had come over him, taking his wife so thoroughly apart with their girl sleeping just a few feet away.  He just remembers watching her sleep in the waning moonlight and the way she wore the freckles on her skin like stardust and wanting to know the taste of something so wondrous and sweet.  He can still picture the way she’d arched beneath his touch, like the building of an oncoming wave, and how she’d reached behind herself to find purchase as he’d framed her hips with his rough hands and nuzzled deep, her mouth open on a silent scream as she’d pulsed around him and flooded his mouth.  He’d barely given her time to recover before he was covering her body with his own and working his narrow hips between her trembling legs, working toward his own release and taking her with him.  That time, they hadn’t been quite as quiet.  He was sure of it and he feels the heat of embarrassment color his cheeks and crawl all the way up to the tips of his ears.  Working around the mortified lump rising up in his throat, he volunteers, “Bad dream?” 

  “No,” Sophia says.  “Maybe,” she amends.  “I don’t remember,” she finally admits.  Turning her sleep-rumpled head to the side, she studies him through a veil of strawberry hair.  “You look tired, too.” 

  “Yeah, well.  You’d be tired, too.  If your girls forced you to watch hours of cheesy Christmas movies.  Ask me, Hallmark needs to stick to cards and shit,” he grumbles half-heartedly.  “Ain’t nobody out there got an original idea no more.  What you smilin’ so big for?”

  The kid just smiles bigger and shrugs, burrows deeper into the pile of pillows at her skinny back and fumbles for the television remote.  When she doesn’t find it, she looks over at him again.  “Where’s Mama?” 

          “Somebody call X-Ray?”                                                                                                                                               

  Carol looks up from the chart she’s perusing and breaks out into a smile, walking toward the big man with an even bigger smile and stepping right into the bear hug he engulfs her in.  “T.”  Tucked safely beneath his chin, she returns the embrace wholeheartedly.  “It’s been so long.” 

  “Too long,” T-Dog agrees.  “Let me look at you.”  Holding her at arms’ length, he studies her with astute eyes, from the top of her silver head to the tips of her Dansko-clad toes.  “Dixon looks good on you.”  When she blushes in response to his particular phrasing, he chuckles.  “Dixon looks real good on you.  Damn, Girl.  You’re glowing.” 

  Much to her chagrin, the moment doesn’t go unnoticed by the young medic packing up her gear nearby and she’s quick to hush her friend because T’s teasing is one thing, but Rosita’s?  Well, it’s another animal altogether.  Her partner Bob just takes it even further, and Carol’s pretty sure she’s not equipped to withstand the onslaught today of all days.  “Stop.” 

  T-Dog can’t resist making one more good-natured jibe.  “Man’s really rubbing off on you.” 

  “I called X-Ray.  Not a wannabe comedian.” 

  T-Dog grabs his chest in feigned shock, winks at her.  “Ouch.  That hurts.” 

  “You deserved it,” Carol quips as she leads him to a curtained cubicle.  Drawing the curtain back, she smiles gently at her patient, a pale man with ginger hair and sweat beading on his upper lip.  “Mr. Raleigh, X-Ray’s here.” 

  “Theodore Douglas at your service,” T-Dog introduces himself, immediately setting up shop.  “Man, you ain’t looking so good.” 

   ���Eric,” Mr. Raleigh is quick to correct them both.  “You mean the broken ankle doesn’t do much for my fair complexion?  Darn.”  Turning to Carol, he fixes overly bright eyes on her face.  “Any word from my husband?” 

  “He’s on his way,” she reassures him with a gentle hand upon his shoulder.  “Last anybody talked to him, he was about 15 minutes out.” 

  “Knowing Aaron, that means he’s really only 7 or 8 minutes out.”  He tells them both with exasperated fondness.  “Unless he got stopped by the police.  Oh, I hope he’s being safe.” 

  “Want me to go check on him again?” Carol offers. 

  “Oh, please.  Would you?” 

  Giving his narrow shoulder a comforting squeeze, she nods.  “Of course, I will.  You try to relax, okay?  You’re in good hands with T.” 

          They’re both still in their pajamas when they embark on their most challenging endeavor yet as new daddy and daughter, and it’s a good thing, too, because they ain’t even got started good and from Daryl’s standpoint, they’re making an unholy mess.  Might be they should have followed Carol’s suggestion, but it’s too late now.  It only gets worse when his brother makes an unannounced visit. 

  “The hell y’all two doin’?” Merle demands in a whiskey-rough drawl, one hand on his hip and the other rubbing the whiskers on his chin. 

  Daryl knows what it looks like.  It looks like they’ve detonated a flour bomb inside the kitchen because it’s spread far and wide.  It smells like an elf threw up in the place, too.  At least that’s what ‘Phia claims.  He ain’t so sure.  “What’s it look like we’re doin’?  Makin’ our own snow?” he snaps with a roll of his eyes that makes the kid giggle.  Of course, it could be those absurd antlers Merle’s sporting on his fat head.  “You high?” he blurts before he has a chance to censor himself. 

  “Think I should be askin’ you that question, Baby Brother.”  Merle pulls up a barstool and plants his lazy behind on it, winks at Sophia and pokes a blunt finger in the bowl nearest to him.  When he sticks it in his mouth, his lips purse for a split second before he smiles.  “Not too bad.  Nothin’ a little booze can’t fix.” 

  He can’t help himself.  He growls.  “Ain’t makin’ drunk gingerbread men.” 

  Merle shrugs his big shoulders.  “Suit yourself.” 

  Ignoring him, Daryl goes back to studying the directions and he frowns.  “Says here we’re ‘sposed to divide it up, wrap it, and put it in the fridge for at least 3 hours.”  Glancing at the digital clock on the microwave, he mentally calculates how much time they have until the party and shakes his head.  “Gonna have to cut it in half.  At least.  Probably more.”  Fixing his gaze on the kid, he presses, “What’s your mama do?” 

  “I don’t know,” Sophia admits with a helpless shrug.  “I just help decorate them.” 

  “Girl after my own heart, skipping to the good part like that.” 

  “Merle,” Daryl warns.

  “Ain’t nothin’ wrong in what I said, Darylina.  Some of us just like to be a bit more…”  He pauses for effect, eventually finishing with an obnoxious leering grin twisting his lips.  “Direct.  Go right in for the kill.  Then there are some of us love to build up the anticipation until they forget the whole point.  Am I right?” 

  Feeling his ears flame when he glimpses the tiniest glimmer of understanding spark in Sophia’s innocent hazel eyes, Daryl’s quick to change the subject, kind of.  “Think Andrea might have a difference of opinion.  Heard she really hit it off with somebody at some work party of hers.  You might have seen her around a time or two.  Name’s Michonne.”  

  The smile freezes on Merle’s face and he flips him off as soon as the kid’s otherwise distracted. 

  Behind ‘Phia’s back, Daryl does it right back. 

        Lilly’s got her phone out, FaceTiming her daughter when Carol sneaks a few moments of peace in the break room.  Peeking over her coworker’s shoulder, she greets the giggling little girl with a wave and a smile.  “Hi, Meghan.” 

  “Ms. Carol, hi!” 

  Her freckles and her bright eyes put her in mind of Sophia and she excuses herself, holes up in the tiny single stall bathroom and takes out her own phone.  Typing out a few words, she presses send and almost immediately, her baby girl answers her back on Daryl’s phone with half a dozen emojis.  She laughs softly and sends back a response that earns her a bunch of acronyms she’s still isn’t completely up to speed on.  “What even…” she wonders underneath her breath.  The back and forth lasts for quite a while, and when she emerges from the bathroom again, she’s all alone in the break room with nothing but her thoughts to occupy her.  At least she starts out that way.  She looks up from picking absently at her salad when she hears a throat clear quietly. 

  “Mind if I join you?”  Dr. Denise Cloyd offers her a brief shy flicker of a smile and waits for her nod before claiming the seat at the opposite end of the rectangular table and opening up a plain brown paper bag.  “I can’t hear myself think in the doctor’s lounge.”  She withdraws a plastic wrapped sandwich and sighs, letting her shoulders drop.  “I need to hear myself think sometimes.” 

  “We all do,” Carol agrees amiably.  Unscrewing the cap from her bottle of water, she takes a careful drink.  She looks up, startled, when she realizes the young psychiatrist is talking again, mostly to herself. 

  “There’s a man out there convinced he’s Santa Claus, and I mean absolutely convinced.  He’s even got a couple of patients’ kids fooled.  What do I even do with that?  I mean, how do I approach treating him without becoming the Grinch in their eyes?  Sorry.  I shouldn’t have said anything to you.” 

  “Sounds like you have yourself a real dilemma,” she muses kindly. 

  “I really shouldn’t have said anything.  HIPAA,” she elaborates needlessly after a pause.  “How could I have ever thought psychiatry would be less complicated and stressful than surgery?”  Shaking her head, she murmurs an apology.  “I’m sorry.  I’m ruining your lunch, aren’t I?” 

  “Not at all,” Carol reassures her, repacking her salad and zipping it back up in her lunch bag.  “My husband’s always telling me rabbit food isn’t very appetizing.  Today, I’m inclined to agree.”  Propping her chin in her palm, she glances up at the muted television and smiles at the little blond boy outwitting two bumbling would-be thieves.  Sophia had always harbored a particular fondness for Home Alone.  Every time it plays on television during the Christmas holidays she just has to watch it and somehow, she knows she’s doing exactly that right now across town, Daryl by her side.  Paying the soft rustle of plastic no mind, she continues to watch the movie, at least until the smell of tuna reaches her nose.  Then it feels like all the blood drains from her face and her stomach rebels.  She barely has time to excuse herself before she’s up and dashing to the tiny bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her and dry heaving like she hasn’t in weeks. 

  The soft, anxious cadence of Dr. Cloyd’s voice almost doesn’t penetrate the barrier of the door when she leans against it from the other side.  “Should I offer an apology or congratulations first?” 

      Merle’s long gone and the last batch of cookies are cooling in the kitchen.  They’ve got another couple hours before the shift Carol’s working for Lori is over and Home Alone is playing for the second time that day.  The kid’s barely paying any attention, though.  It seems to Daryl there are other things weighing on her young mind.  “Hey.  What you thinkin’ ‘bout?  Lookin’ awful serious over there.” 

  Sophia sighs. 

  It’s a long-suffering sound, a sound that sets his nerves on edge.  “You happy, Kid?  With me and your mama, with me and you and her being a family?”  It ain’t ‘til he looks down that he notices his hands are clenched into fists and it takes several seconds and some deep, calming breaths for him to relax enough to let them go. 

  “I am,” the girl insists earnestly.  “The happiest I ever been.” 

  “You are?”  He can’t quite believe it, most especially because the look on her youthful face seems anything but happy to him.  He knows worry when he sees it.  He’s lived a lifetime in its stranglehold.  That was ‘fore he met ‘Phia and her mama, though.  “Really?” 

  “Really,” she tells him. 

  Still, she’s wearing that same furrow between her brows her mama gets and he feels concern start to eat at his gut.  “You’d tell me if you weren’t?” 

  She curls those skinny arms around her legs and murmurs into the shield of her knees.  “I would.” 

  “Know I’d do whatever it takes to make sure you and your mama get all the happiness you deserve?” 

  “I know.  I do.  It’s just…” 

  “S’just what, Kid?  Ain’t got to keep it all bottled up.  Not from me.”  She’s got a smudge of flour on her crinkled nose, dots of the stuff peppering her freckled cheeks, too, and his fingers itch to brush it away.  They ache to cradle her little face in the palm of his hand and promise her whatever he needs to so the worry will go away, but first she has to talk to him.  He knows how hard that is sometimes, too.  “’Phia.  Got to talk to me, Sweetheart.” 

  “Sometimes, I’m afraid it’s not real.  Like a dream.  Like magic.  Like…” 

  “Santa?” he offers, knowing instantly by her guilty expression that he ain’t telling her nothing she don’t already know, even if she tries to convince her mama otherwise.  Girl ain’t snowin’ her mama either.  She just ain’t realized it yet.  “You afraid it’s all pretend?  Something that only lasts ‘til you grow up and know better?” 

  “Maybe.” 

  “You’re stuck with me forever, Kid,” he promises her.  “Shitty cookies and all.”  That surprises a giggle out of her, and her arms fall to her sides, fidget there for a moment before they’re reaching for him and she’s curling herself around him like she did when he found her in them woods. 

  “They really are pretty bad.” 

  He hides his tremulous smile in the softness of her hair.  “Can’t be any worse than Lori’s.” 

      She’s got her scrub pants loose and low around her hips, her hand covering her trembling lips when the curtain is pulled back and Jerry’s big, friendly body backs into the small cubicle. 

  “Somebody page for an…Ms. Carol.  I mean, Mrs. Dixon.”  Jerry’s beside himself, his dark eyes glittering with a healthy mixture of affection and worry when he takes in her pale face, her exposed abdomen.  “Are you…do you need a…I need to get you a doctor.” 

  Her hand shoots out then, fingers curling around his forearm.  “Jerry, wait.  Don’t.” 

  Frowning, he shakes his head.  “But somebody paged for an ultrasound and you’re…you’re…what’s going on?” 

  Sitting up, she sighs.  “Close the curtain, Jerry.  Please.” 

  He does as she asks and crowds necessarily close, lowers his normally jovial voice.  “I don’t understand.” 

  Taking a deep breath, she lays it out for him.  “I’m pregnant.” 

  Comprehension dawns on his face and his happy grin splits wide, making his eyes twinkle and shine.  “Dude, congratulations.  That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”  He smile dims when he realizes her expression doesn’t quite match his own.  “Wait a minute.  This is happy news, is it not?”

  Feeling tears warm her eyes, Carol nods wordlessly.  It is happy news, her longstanding reluctance to open her eyes to the reality notwithstanding.  Yeah, she’s been watching her diet.  She’s even upped her vitamins just in case.  It’s just, there’d been others besides Sophia.  Babies she’d never held in her arms.  Babies whose hearts she’d never heard beat.  Hope, before Daryl, hadn’t been a possibility.  It hadn’t even been a viable option and now, when it’s so real she can almost touch it, so real she can see it in the gentle curve of her belly, the rich fullness of her breasts?  She’s been so terrified if she gives voice to it that it will somehow vanish, and she wants to spare her husband that hurt at least.  He’s borne enough pain to last several lifetimes.  They both have.  But that’s the thing about hope.  Once it’s earned possibility, it gains the ability to grow into reality, and God, does she want this to be real.  She wants it so bad she can almost taste it, Daryl holding their baby in his arms.  She wants to give Sophia a baby brother or a baby sister.  She wants to give them all the promise of a lasting forever.  “It’s happy news,” she finally manages.  “I just…I…” 

  Jerry takes her cool hands in his own and gives them a reassuring squeeze.  “Let me make it real for you.  You’ll see.” 

  Giving him a tearful smile, she can only nod again, murmur a soft, “Okay.” 

  “Why don’t you lie back?  Make yourself comfortable while I boot up the machine, okay?” 

  “Thank you, Jerry.” 

  “No worries, Mrs. D.  No worries at all.” 

        The kid’s all dressed up, pretty green ribbons in her hair, a matching scarf looped around her neck.  She’s practically bursting at the seams in the back seat, but Daryl’s got his mind on other things.  He’s got his mind on other people, namely the woman sitting in the passenger seat beside him.  She’s got her eyes closed and a soft, serene smile on her face, one that’s been there since she walked through their front door in a happy daze, and he’d be lying if he pretended he wasn’t itching to ask her what it was all about.  He’d be lying kind of like he had about all them cookies boxed up in the back seat.  There’d be time ‘nough for those revelations later, though, because Glenn and Maggie’s house is just ahead and shit if the whole place didn’t look like Candyland in lights. 

  “Mama, look!” 

  Carol’s eyes flutter open and her lips part in awe.  “It’s magical.” 

  Daryl grunts out a laugh at them both.  “Magical?  Place is tacky as all hell.  Looks like the Griswolds decorated it.” 

  Sophia’s nose scrunches with confusion.  “The who?” 

  Watching Home Alone on endless loop gives her little time to discover the joys of other holiday classics.  He’s gonna have to rectify that.  Eventually, he will.  Maybe by next Christmas, he thinks.  “Never you mind ‘bout that right now.  You got everything back there ready?” 

  Carol’s blue eyes search his face and the barest of smiles tugs at her pretty mouth.  “Just how many cookies did you two make?”

  “Too damn many,” Daryl smirks, easing the car in the driveway behind Rick’s cruiser.  He can barely make out Lori’s heavily pregnant silhouette behind the drawn curtains.  Bed rest, his ass.  As if he’d heard him, the swaying Frosty that guards the stone pathway gives him a knowing smile and bows before him.    

  “Uncle Merle helped,” Sophia pipes up behind his shoulder. 

  “Daryl didn’t tell me that.” 

  Course, he didn’t.  “Yeah.  Helped eat some of them.” 

  “Decorated them, too.” 

  Carol’s eyes widen at that little tidbit of information, and he panics, just a little bit.  Clearing his throat, he jabs a finger toward the front of the Rhee house and the shaggy haired boy scampering through it.  “Better go catch up with your boyfriend.” 

  Aghast, ‘Phia’s mouth drops open in horror.  “Carl’s not…he’s ain’t…I don’t…hey.” 

  Daryl winks at her.  “Better hurry.  Get inside ‘fore he gets all his gross boy cooties all over ya.”  He chuckles when the car door slams behind the kid and she puts at least two good feet between her and the Grimes boy all the way back up to the house. 

  “Gross boy cooties, Pookie?”

  Put on the spot, he grumbles uncomfortably.  “Yeah, well.  You seen the way that kid looks at her?” 

  “They’re babies.” 

  There’s something about the way she says babies that twists his insides up into soft, squirmy knots.  Warmth creeps past his collar and makes its way up his neck as she fiddles absently with the buttons there, undoes a couple of them.  She leans into him, softly kisses his lips, warms them with her own and lingers there, gentle and achingly sweet until he almost forgets his name, much less his train of thought.  “Won’t be for long,” he reminds her. 

  “Maybe not,” she concedes.  “But tonight?  They’re babies.” 

  He swallows hard and loses himself, for the moment, in her glittering eyes.  “Seem to like that word an awful lot tonight, Sweetheart.”  When she just gives him an enigmatic smile in response, those soft, squirmy knots grow wings that flutter fast and furious against his ribs as a faint glimmer of suspicion starts to form at the back of his mind.  “Something you…fuck.”  He almost hits his head on the steering wheel when a horn blares behind them and his brother climbs out from behind the wheel of his old truck, crashing the party with a bottle of cheap wine in one hand and some quality bourbon in the other.  “Dammit, Merle!” 

  “I’ll get the cookies,” Carol offers, pushing open the passenger door and climbing out. 

  “Wait.  I’ll…” 

  “Oh.” 

  “…get them,” Daryl sputters. 

  “You made gingerbread zombies?” 

[wolfish-nightmares]

TWD Masterlist

Rick Grimes: 

Series: 

Mutt - St. Dalmatian Hybrid!reader x Rick

Stuck in the Middle - Believing her husband is dead, Lori begins to fall for you and when Rick seemingly comes back from the dead, he can’t help but fall too. 

Tattered Hearts - cowboy!rick x werewolf!reader

Oneshots:

Get Out of Jail Free Card - Rick hates when you go outside the prison, so he never lets you go on runs. After getting tired of being left in the prison all the time, you decided it was time to pull the ultimate card.

9 to 5 - You like to listen to music when you do your early morning outside chores, sometimes you dance too and sometimes Rick likes to watch.

Target Practice - Rick and Daryl are tasked with teaching you how to shoot but much like Carol, you already know how.

Stale M&Ms - Rick and Michonne have noticed your mood changing and they’ve decided to do something about it. 

Glenn Rhee: 

Series: 

The Sun, the Moon and the Stars -  You looked at Maggie and Glenn like they hung the moon and stars and to them, you were their shining sun. Everyone else could see the way you all looked at each other, but why couldn’t you? 

Oneshots: 

Brown is Warm - Your dying wish is to look into the warm brown eyes of your loving boyfriend one last time. 

Pizza Boy - After arriving in Alexandria, you recognize a familiar face. 

Daryl Dixon: 

Series: 

The Adventures of Grumpy and Sunshine - 

Oneshots: 

Possum - When the mysterious man gutting the possum on the front porch won’t tell you his name, you decide to call him by a rather unusual nickname

Target Practice - Rick and Daryl are tasked with teaching you how to shoot but much like Carol, you already know how.

Guitar Hero - Can Country and Metal go together? You’d like to think so.

I See You - 

Carl Grimes: 

Series: 

Coming Soon

Oneshots:

Coming Soon

Negan Smith:  

Series: 

Coming Soon

Oneshots: 

Run Rabbit Run - Negan enjoys hunting and his prey of choice is you. 

Shane Walsh: 

Series: 

Coming Soon

Oneshots: 

Grease Never Hurt Nobody - You and Shane discuss foods you have missed.

Beth Greene: 

Series: 

Yellow - The hands of fate can be cruel but somehow in this broken world, you found your color yellow.

Oneshots: 

Love You for a Lifetime - You were in love with her from the moment you met her, but you couldn’t truly love her until the end.

Maggie Greene:

Series: 

The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars - You looked at Maggie and Glenn like they hung the moon and stars and to them, you were their shining sun. Everyone else could see the way you all looked at each other, but why couldn’t you?

Oneshots: 

Cat and Mouse - You and Maggie have been friends since high school and while your feelings for Maggie may have changed, your terrible pick-up lines didn’t.

Sweeter Than Honey - Maggie loves your honey but she loves your kisses even more. 

Cowboy Cassanova - You’ve got a particular way of flirting, especially with Maggie. 

Michonne: 

Series: 

Coming Soon

Oneshots: 

Headhunter - After the prison falls, Michonne meets you, another sword wielder.

Stale M&Ms - Rick and Michonne have noticed your mood changing and they’ve decided to do something about it. 

Carol: 

Series: 

Coming Soon

Oneshots: 

Applesauce? - The newcomers to Alexandria look wild and dangerous but you can’t help yourself from falling head over heels for Carol and her cookies.

Andrea: 

Series:

Coming Soon

Oneshots: 

Cheshire Grin - You and that stupid Cheshire grin always find a way to pull Andrea in.

Burning House - As you spend the last few moments with your girlfriend, you reminisce on the memories of your time together. 

Tara: 

Series: 

Coming Soon

Oneshots: 

Coming Soon

Rosita: 

Series: 

Coming Soon

Oneshots: 

Coming Soon

Sasha: 

Series: 

Coming Soon

Oneshots: 

Coming Soon

Lori Grimes: 

Series: 

Stuck in the Middle - Believing her husband is dead, Lori begins to fall for you and when Rick seemingly comes back from the dead, he can’t help but fall for you too. 

Oneshots:

Coming Soon 

The Group: 

Series: 

Wild Thing - How do you bring someone back to humanity? How do you right the wrongs? How do you teach a wild thing?

Polaroid - Every picture tells a story and you have some of the best to tell.

Game of Survival - With no other choice, you must learn to play this new game of survival.

Oneshots: 

Uno! - After finding the prison, you decide it’s the perfect time for a little group bonding. 

Final Death - You get killed by walkers during the prison sirens. When the group begins clearing out the prison, they find you again and finally put you to rest.

Walker or Human? - Living blind in the apocalypse is not an easy task but you’re a quick learner. 

Name Pending - You find a kitten on a run and are now tasked with the difficult job of naming it.

Death Pending

[final-girl96]

Broken World: Chapter Fourteen

Everyone was working to help clean up the bodies. Any walkers were hit in the head with a pickaxe before being carried to the fire. Andrea still sat beside Amy in front of the RV. It was only a matter of time before Amy turned. Everyone was tired, dirty, and sweaty from the hot sun beating down on us as we worked. Lori was the only one not working as hard as the rest of us. She did try to talk to Andrea; to be gentle with her and explain that we needed to take her so we could bury her. But Andrea just sat there, staring at her dead sister.

Rick walked back to the fire pit where some of us stood. I had my hands on my hips looking at Andrea. "She still hasn't moved?" Rick asked. We shook our heads and he walked over to her. As soon as he went to bend down beside her, she pulled her gun and pointed it at him. "I know how the safety works," she said. Rick stood back up and backed away. "We have to do something," I said. Daryl walked over and stopped beside me. "Y'all can't be serious. Let that girl hamstring us? The dead girl's a time bomb," he said.

"What do you suggest?" Rick asked. "Take the shot. Clean, in the brain from here. Hell, I can hit a turkey between the eyes from this distance," Daryl told him. I nodded in agreement. "He's right. Amy is going to turn eventually. Is Andrea even going to be able to put her down when she does? We need to do it now. Daryl can hit her with an arrow. Quick and clean." Lori sat down on a log and said, "No. For God's sakes, let her be." I raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

"Fine. But when she turns and if Andrea can't put her down and gets bit or anyone else gets hurt, that blood will be on your hands. Which by the way, maybe you should use those hands and get off your ass and start helping around here." With that I walked away. "You left my brother for dead! You had this comin' to you!" Daryl said and went back to work. Everyone looked at him then went back to work. Glenn got upset when they tried to throw someone they didn't realize was from our group on the fire. Then Daryl let Carol use the pickaxe on Ed. Once she got one hit in she went for a few more, crying, and letting her frustrations out.

Eventually Amy did turn and luckily Andrea took care of it, but she continued to sit in the same spot. The only person that had been successful at going up to her was Dale. He had that kind of presence about him. He's the reasoning of the group when we have a decision to make and everyone has their own opinions on what to do. He talks sense into all of us, keeps us calm, and makes us think about what we are talking about. Just like now, while we argue about what to do with Jim. Turns out he was bitten while fighting off the walkers last night.

Daryl wanted to just put him out of his misery, as he put it. Shane and Rick were against that. For Jim's safety Rick led him into the RV where he stayed. We buried our people and continued our fight about the CDC. He was so sure there was someone there; that they were working on some kind of cure. "There is no one there, Rick. The people that were there left and are dead. The military could not protect it after the city was overrun!" I said sternly. "There has to be someone still there. They would do everything possible to protect that place!"

"Oh, my god! Were you not listening to me?! There are hundreds of bodies laying around that building. I have been in that city since before they bombed it. I lived in that city. There is nothing and no one there." Nothing I said convinced him that it was a waste of time. It was all said and done. We would be leaving for the CDC in the morning. I understood Rick wanted to save Jim, but there was no saving him. He was already feverish and coughing up blood. It would kill and he would turn. There was no cure and probably never will be.

Not if there weren't any scientists to make a cure. They probably didn't find out what caused all of this in the first place. It all happened so fast. People started getting sick, hospital emergency departments were flooded with people. Crimes started going up, calls from people saying they had been attacked. It just got worse and worse as the days went by. When the city was bombed they thought it was the best option, that it would kill all the dead. But it didn't…obviously.

That night I was in my tent making sure everything was packed up. I didn't have much so it didn't take too long. Packing light was the beat choice in these kinds of situations. The kind of situation where you always have to run. I also needed to figure out who I was riding with. After I had everything packed up and set by the tent door I laid down on the cot and tried to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long damn day. We need to break all the tents down and pack the cars up, and a lot more.

The morning came and we started taking everything down. Andrea was sleeping in the chair though, which I didn't blame her. She sat beside Amy all night and all day until we had to bury her. There was nothing to eat so we just took a break before loading the cars. Once everyone ready, Dale woke up Andrea, loaded the cars, and then Rick and Shane handed out walkies. They explained the so called rules if someone needed to stop or was having trouble.

I still didn't know who I would be riding with. I had my pack on my back and a duffle in one hand. Morales and his family decided they were going to try and find family instead of going to the CDC. That was smart and not so smart at the same time. They would be alone that was the bad part, but they wouldn't have to be disappointed when we got to the CDC and nobody was there. Rick gave them a gun and some ammo, and we said our goodbyes.

"How about you ride with me," Shane said, coming up beside me. Before I could answer my duffle was being taken out of my hand. "Nah, she's riding with me. Let's go." I looked over at Daryl and then back at Shane. "Thanks for the offer," I told him and went over to Daryl's truck. Merle's chopper was in the bed, which Daryl set Mt duffle beside it with other stuff he had back there. It's been a long time since I have rode in this truck with him.

[retnym]

Precious Honor - Daryl Dixon .01

"What are your people doing to fix this?"

“Shane, we gotta hurry.” I held onto my camouflage jacket. I had just gotten off of deployment before the disease broke out. Shane the one I was just rushing is my younger brother. Well by two years. We’re currently going to see if Rick has woken up yet. He’s been in a coma for a minute now from when he got shot by a criminal that he was chasing. Rick is our childhood best friend. Mainly Shane’s but we had gotten quite close before the coma. He was the only one who sent me letters on deployment. 

Updates about him, his wife, and his child Carl. Rarely spoke about Shane most likely because he’s been whoring around town from what Lori told me. 

Shaking my head at the thought we got through the endless Hospital halls, nurses and doctors saluting me as I was still partly in uniform. Wearing cargo pants, boots, and a white shirt tucked into the pants. My jacket was still in my arms as we finally were in the room where he was.

Where he lay still, not moving an inch from the last time we saw him. My heart ached at the thought. We sat down to visit only for a few minutes, it was clear we couldn’t get him up. Then the ground shook and gunshots cleared out, I quickly gripped my holster. We both shot up. “Check his pulse.” I point with my head, pulling my gun out and pointing towards the door. 

My brother did as I said and I opened the door after the military ran by. 

What the fuck are they doing killing innocent?

“Let’s go, [Name].” Shane grips my hand, going to pull me to run but I push back. “We can’t leave without em’!” I say a little bit above a whisper. “His heartbeat, it was going before the machines cut off!” I told him. 

“Well, he ain’t got one now, [Name].” He harshly tells me back, now shoving me to get a move on and I drop my jacket. Before I could say anything he barricaded the door and we started running. Tears threatened to escape my eyes but things like this happened almost every day in the Army. This wasn’t like the Army though.

We’re going up against monsters who were once friends, neighbors, family… Leaving loved ones behind because the human race isn’t the same anymore.

We got back to my truck, and my dog Mori sat calmly in the back seat since the air was still going on him. I thrashed my key into the hole and started up the engine. “Let’s go, [Name]. C’mon.” Shane smacked my dash. “Don’t rush me,” I mutter, changing gears and slamming on the gas pedal causing him and Mori to fall back in their seats. Mori makes a noise as if to tell me off as Shane grunts. 

I swerved through the people acting all frantic, the town all evacuating or fighting off one of those… things. It’s like their skin immediately rots after being bit. It only takes hours. I’ve seen it. It’s not normal! None of this is!

“[Name]! Watch out!” Shane takes my wheel, steering it around a girl laying on the ground waiting to be run over. Sorry, lady. Gotta get someone else to do that. “Sorry!” I shouted at Shane, making a sharp turn onto Lori’s grass, blocking the door off so we can throw some things into my truck bed. 

“Stay, Mori!” I snap at him and he sits up straight as a “he’s listening to my order”. Mori is a Military dog, he sniffed out the bombs or certain things we needed to find. Very well trained too. Obviously, dogs have to be very well trained in the Military.  

“Oh thank god, you’re… he didn’t wake up?” Her face paled as I look away. Shane nods his head. I was expecting her to cry but she stood straighter. “We packed up everything.” She points to the suitcases and regular bags. Two had supplies we actually needed like food, water, and medicine. Four of them were clothes and as unfortunate as it is we can’t bring all of the clothes. 

“I’m sorry to tell you this Lori but you’re going to have to minimalize your clothes.” I sigh out, heading to the attic I grab the latch from above and bring it down. “What, why?” She questions me. “This isn’t a vacation we’re going to be moved left and right. We might have to run.” I explain to her, going up the steps of the ladder. “Oh..” She whispers.

Shane went to Lori and Rick’s room, most likely to check for guns Rick usually had in a safe. Immediately as I was up in the attic there were three tents. I quickly grabbed all of them, throwing them down as well. If we lose one it’s okay. Or if we lose two, as long as we have one it’s fine. 

Shane came out with a small duffle bag and we hurried to my truck which was still running, along with Mori who sat straight up looking menacing. Being a muscle-top Rott Weiler I’d hope he was scary looking to people. 

“Mori!” Carl says a little loudly, instantly getting shushed by his mother. They hopped into the vehicle as Shane and I put everything in the truck bed that already had some survivalist-type things in it. There are a few cots in the truck bed already. 

“Everything fits nicely, let’s go.” Shane claps his hands, heads to the passenger side and I get right back to driving. Not even buckling up I reverse and then speed to Atlanta Georgia. Lori tries to hide Carl from it all, giving him a comic book that she actually told him not to bring but took just in case. 

Of course, it doesn’t help him from glancing up and seeing the horrors we have to pass by. 

Getting onto the highway, right away there was traffic. Lined all the way to the buildings. My gut is telling me to leave. Slowly we moved our way down further but then it was just a full stop. We didn’t move for minutes to hours.

After the first thirty minutes, everyone mostly got out and we kind of mingled. Meeting a nice lady to the right of us. She and her daughter we gentle and nice, Carl made friends with the girl. They got to eat some snacks that the lady gave them. Her name is Carol. Her husband who we learned his name is Ed. 

Off the bat, this guy is a dickhead. Once he saw I looked like a Military he stopped and stared at me. “What are your people doing to fix this?” He points at me and my eyes squinted slightly. “I don’t have a connection with them anymore.” I crossed my tatted arms, blatantly showing off my muscles as a hint to fuck off. 

Unfortunately, that did not work. 

“Why’s that?” He laughed.

“None of your fucking business.” I sarcastically laughed in response, he obviously did not like that. “C’mon, Carol. Get in the car. You too Sophia.” He orders them, at first, they hesitated but once he shouted they both flinched. Carol sweetly smiled at us. “Sorry about him, maybe we will be in the same area.” She tilts her head, grabbing Sophia’s hand to help her off my truck bed. The two got into the car and instantly Ed was yelling at the both of them. As much as I wanted to step in I knew it wasn’t my place just yet. 

As time passed we ended up meeting others. Sisters named Andrea and Amy, they were already with a man named Dale. Later through the night, there was a girl named Jacqui. She was amazing. It was going pretty smoothly until the Dixon brothers showed up. 

The older brother repeatedly flirted with me. Being heavily misogynistic since I was in the Army. Asking questions like; “Yer sure pretty, ‘m sure you was passed around huh? Gangbanged by yer comrades.” Or “Climbin’ up the ranks? You mean blowin’ the ranks?” All with a stupid ass laugh. His brother on the other hand was quiet. He looked like he wanted to shut his brother up but instead didn’t do anything.

I observed him as he did anything. Going from picking at his nails to rolling his eyes at his older brother as he spoke to anybody. Physically trying not to cringe with every word that came out of his mouth. I honestly felt bad for him. Once we get to a safe space I might get him talkin’. 

This was when we decided to get out of the traffic and go someplace else. The infected started reaching the traffic, we all knew it was a matter of time before they came to the crowded place. Jacqui ended up leaving her car and getting into my truck bed along with Daryl and Merle since their truck broke down. The blonde sisters got into the RV with Dale. Who we didn’t meet was the Asian kid in Dale’s RV as well. 

This is the beginning of our story as a family. Sadly without Rick to be there with us. 

[super-sidewalks]

Andrea and Michonne are so in love what is happening with this show 😭

[wexarethewalkingxdead]

you can kiss me. Michonne for Andrea

consent is sexy ! - includes a mix of povs - @thecavclry

NO LONGER ACCEPTING!

you can kiss me.

Andrea had noticed the shift for a while now. She noticed how at night they slept close together, close enough that sometimes they woke up cuddled up together with one of them pressed against the others back. She hadn't wanted to address it for fear that Michonne would pull away and the distance would be larger than when they had first met. She craved their closeness.

Michonne could feel Andrea's eyes on her, and no matter how much she tried to ignore the growing feelings for the other woman, they persisted. She found she wanted to be wherever she was doing whatever it was she wanted to do. Even something as simple as warming their can of chilli at the fire.

Andrea shifted the cans on top of the grate they used to cook before she sat down beside her, legs touching. She glanced over at her and offered a soft smile. She'd never seen a more beautiful woman than the one sitting beside her. Before she could stop herself, her hand lifted and pushed her hair from her face so she could see her fully. Her fingers gently touched the other woman's cheek.

Michonne's eyes locked on Andrea's then, careful to keep her breathing slow and steady. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest. "You can kiss me," she said softly, leaning into her touch as her body leaned forward to encourage her companion to make the next move.

Andrea's heart skipped a beat as she felt the heat of the other woman's body come closer to hers. She swallowed thickly, knowing that she'd dreamed of this moment but had never thought it would come true. Her lips parted slightly as she leaned in and captured her soft lips with her own. Her fingers moved from her cheek to her neck as she pulled her in even closer. She never wanted this kiss to end.

[hannyhann]

Daryl Dixon Headcanons (NSFW)

@whore4romance requested this from my sfw daryl dixon headcanons <333 I hope yall enjoy ! I would've gotten this out earlier but I was working.

!MINORS DNI!

in the early days of the apocalypse, merle would notice you and daryl flirting, of course asking daryl if he was gonna fuck you, which daryl said "nah" as he was actively wanting you

you and daryl would get together at hershels farm when andrea shot him in the head LMAOOO, you would kiss his wound and then you two would kiss before it escalated to yall having sex (I can definetly make a separate fic about this)

daryl would go out of his way for you and him to have privacy at the prison

rick would walk in on you and daryl on more than one occasion

daryls tongue technology

his favorite positions would 100% be 69, riding, doggy style, and missionary (especially more intimately)

backshots <3 need I say more?

he would love to eat you out, he could spend hours doing it

the dirty thoughts he would have about you would be insane

daryl lighting a cigeratte as you ride him

daryl would LOVE you're breasts, no matter the size, he'd worship them

BODY WORSHIP

whenever hed say "yes maam" to you it'd turn you on so much

he would call you baby, slut, and sweetheart during sex

"you like that baby?"

he'd pull you're hips closer during sex because it's not enough

daryl would love licking you're neck and leaving hickeys behind

the way he'd be an expert at fingering you

glenn thought daryl would be horrible at sex until he over heard you and him going at it one night

he'd give such good after care

he'd love when you'd pull his hair

if yall had kids, he'd 100% drop them off at rick's and michonnes so yall could have a night alone, especially on you're anniversary

Thats all I have for now! Let me know if yall would want more <333 especially any daryl x reader fics! let me know yalls own nsfw headcanons !

[witchthewriter]

𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐱𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞

⤷ gender neutral, ambiguous race, and any size reader. Requests are open, thank you for reading!

a/n: I know I've written about Daryl x reader in a relationship, but I'm rewatching The Walking Dead and UGH I love him...

ᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ | ᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ ᴵᴵ

ISTP

Hufflepuff

Chaotic Good

Taurus Sun, Scorpio Moon, Aquarius Rising

𝑺𝑭𝑾🌿

・The perfect example of your marriage is that scene from Yellowstone at the bar. Here's the link. Warnings: Violence :)

・Yes, so you and Daryl have a very close relationship - it has taken you a long time to get to this point.

・But marriage meant you two would be staying together for life. And Daryl knew that. No one was taking you away from him.

・You two met at the very beginning; in the camp with Lori, Carl, Carol, Dale, Andrea, Shane, Glenn etc.

・You abhorred Merle and gave him as much as you could - cussing him out, calling out his actions etc. You were always right but Merle was Merle.

・And you grouped Daryl with his brother; although he didn't say much.

・When Merle wasn't around, you actually got the time to see Daryl differently.

・He was really growing on you.

・You had no idea that he was wrestling with certain feelings as well.

・Your relationship was ... a slowburn to say the least. But you always looked out for each other. Made sure one another had enough food and water.

・There developed a constant between the two of you. Where one went, the other wasn't far behind. Especially when the group would split up

・You always found your way back to each other

・And yet, neither of you could see how much the other cared. Even though the whole group - even the new members - could see it.

・Though he comes off as rough and gruff to most, Daryl would have a soft spot for you. You’d be the only one who gets to see his gentler, more vulnerable side.

・

𝑺𝑶𝑴𝑬 𝑻𝑰𝑴𝑬 𝑳𝑨𝑻𝑬𝑹

・Daryl was anxious all day, you even saw his hands shake before he saw it and shoved them in his pockets.

・You were worried; he never kept anything from you. Not even when you were just best friends.

・So you went to Carol, she shrugged her shoulders and gave you that knowing look. It calmed your own nerves down, because when Daryl is anxious; you are tenfhold.

・That night you were getting ready for watch, but a knock came at the door.

・It was Michonne.

"Hey, you wanna come in? I'm gonna start my shift soon but I can make us something tea?"

"It's okay, and don't worry about your shift; I have something for you to do."

"Oh okay, sure."

・You followed Michonne past the gardens, the crops and up to the doors of Alexandria and out into the nearby forest.

"We ugh, made sure the area was clear. You don't need to worry about a thing."

・She gave you one of her knowing smiles and you knew something was up...it made you nervous.

・Once Michonne disappeared, you heard the crunching of leaves.

・Quickly you whipped out your knife and swiped as you turned, only to be met by a large hand grabbing your arm.

"Thought I taught ya better than tha'" Daryl said, letting go of your arm and giving you a smile

"You did. I knew it was you. Heavy boots were giving me a heads up."

・It was then that you noticed his appearance; washed, with a clean black button up shirt, and a fresh pair of jeans.

・You quirked an eyebrow.

"What is this Dixon?"

Hesitating, Daryl rubbed the back of his neck with his calloused hand, eyes darting briefly to the ground before meeting yours.

“Been thinkin’,” he started, shifting his weight between one leg to the other. “’Bout us… and all the shit we've gone through...”

You stepped closer to him. Closing the gap. And your heart started pumping a whole lot faster.

"-You know I ain’t good with words,” he muttered in a low voice. “Specially ain’t good at all this… romantic stuff. But you—you’re the best thing...that has ever happened to me. Hell, you're the only thing that makes sense in this goddamn world.”

・Your cheeks started to redden but you let him talk

From his pocket, Daryl pulled out something small and clenched in his hand, his fingers trembling just slightly.

You let out a soft, "oh." Thinking this day would never come.

When he opened his hand, there it was—a simple, gold ring.

“I know it ain’t much,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"It's perfect," the tears had started to fall now. You didn't even notice you had begun to cry.

Daryl sniffed, not realising he had shed a few tears as well. "...I just want you to know… you’re my family now. Always have been.”

He held the ring out to you.

"I don't know how long we have in this world. But I know I wanna spend it with you."

There was a moment of silence. One you let hang in the air, not truly believing this was happening.

"So… what d’ya say?”

・The look on his face was pure and full of love.

"God I love you Daryl Dixon."

・Slipping the ring on your finger, you realised how comfortably it fit. You gave Daryl a knowing look and he gave you a sheepish one.

"...measured your finger when you were sleepin'...also had help from Carol..."

You couldn't help but laugh.

"You know I'm getting you one, right? I want everyone to know you're taken. That Daryl Dixon is mine."

"Wouldn't expect anything else."

・Then he kissed like it was your very first and last kiss.

The kiss was unlike anything you’d ever felt—raw, deep, and so full of emotion that it left you breathless. His lips claimed yours with an intense passion.

His hands trembled slightly, and cradled your face. Holding you as if you were the most precious thing in the world; well, to him you were.

Pulling apart, he rested his forget against your own and whispered:

“Ain’t never lettin’ you go.”

In that moment, the world outside could have crumbled, and it wouldn’t have mattered. All that existed was you and him.

𝑺𝑶𝑴𝑬 𝑻𝑰𝑴𝑬 𝑳𝑨𝑻𝑬𝑹

・Being married to Daryl Dixon meant having someone completely and utterly loyal to you.

・He calls you his family; and when he does so, you know it comes from a place of deep sincerity and respect.

・Instead of grand romantic displays, Daryl shows his love in quiet ways, like fixing something for you, preparing food, or just staying by your side during tough times.

・Daryl would be the ultimate protector, keeping you safe at all costs.

・You have your own place together. Not too far from everyone but secluded enough that you feel independent

・A common part of your nightly routine is cuddling up together on the couch and eventually falling asleep. (Daryl already having locked all the doors and has weapons around the house - just in case. He's not leaving anything to chance.)

・You've both shared everything you know about survival with one another.

・One of your ideas was to make a book about it. How to survive in this mess of a world; Daryl has fully encouraged it. He said it would come in handy for the next generations...

・Daryl thrives in the quiet moments of your marriage—sitting together by a fire, riding his motorcycle with you behind him, working on something side by side in comfortable silence.

・He also has a way of surprising you with such tenderness. E.g., brushing hair from your face or resting his forehead against yours in silent appreciation.  

𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔

"Look at that stupid dumbass man, ha! Oh shit that's my dumbass-" (Daryl)

Short & bossy x Tall & follows them around

"Think they'll try us?" x "Fuck I hope so."

"Why Are You Babying Me?" (Daryl) x "'Cause I Know You Like It" (You)  

𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆

Forced Proximity

Strong Feelings (Thinking It's Hate - WRONG It's Love)

Enemies to Lovers  

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈

Sex On Fire by Kings of Leon

Into My Arms by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

One More Hour by Tame Impala

[makedatmoneymayne]

✨TWD:Can't get enough✨

-------------------------------------------

Daryl Dixon x Black female reader(Quenelle or Nells)

~~This story is based for black women BUT anyone is welcome~~

Explanation: Quenelle is Michonne's little sister by one year. They both lost their friend Andrea to The Governor's shitty town. Rick and Michonne are FINALLY together but as time goes by, Daryl seems to have taken an odd liking to Nells and maybe so has she.

~~Sorry for any mistakes~~

Warning: Public smut, Killing, Fluff, Cursing, getting caught

---------------------------------------------------------

"Daryl I told you I had that group of walkers!" Quenelle yelled winded because she ran for no reason.

Daryl grabbed the last of his arrows back from the walkers' heads, giving her a once over before walking into the deserted building. Michonne made her way to her frustrated sister, rubbing her back so she can continue into the place with Rick and Daryl.

"Yeah he for sure likes you girl." Michonne laughs trying to get her words out, which made Nells even more frustrated.

Michonne and Rick both know that Daryl has taken a liking in Quenelle. From the way he puts himself in front of her in every situation, the way he actually speaks caring to her, to the way he has spoken up for her ever since the governor/Phillip. Michonne has blatantly told her sister MANY times he likes her, but she just can't believe it. Don't get her wrong, he IS hot as hell but she just can't believe Daryl likes her romantically at all.

-----------------------------------------

Before Nells stormed into the place, Rick gave Daryl a smirk. Which caused Daryl to make a confused like face.

"The hell are you smiling about?" Daryl said in his usually low gritty tone.

"You like her dontchu?" Rick started off his sentence with a breathy laugh.

"Shut the hell up." Daryl tried to make a disgusted face but just couldn't he was right, she was fucking beautiful.

Daryl turned around to open a door thinking about Quenelle now. Walkers burst out the door in front of him, ready to eat. Daryl began to aim, but in the blink of an eye all the walkers were dead and Quenelle was getting back up. While she was in that squat position, he couldn't help but give her very curvy body and her delicious darker toned skin a once over, shallowly biting his lip. While she was yelling in his face he was mesmerized by every angry feature, especially her glossy lips. He actually found that gloss for her in an abandoned liquor store.

Within the few days of Michonne and Quenelle's first arrival, Daryl remembered hearing her mention how much she missed lip gloss to Carol. Ever since then he's been so glad he found it for her.

-----------------------------------------

Quenelle stormed off straight to Daryl's taken area where he's taking out zombie after zombie, to finish what he started like how he did to her.

When she hit his last zombie with her machete, she stood up from the ground to get in his face.

"How does that feel, DARYL!" She yelled slightly silent so no more walkers come to them. While she's yelling she notices Daryl glancing down at her lips.

Before she could ask, Daryl grabbed her arm and yanked her out the building into a secluded area on the side of the building.

"What are you doi-" She was cut off mid silent yell with Daryl's lips and his hands stroking her cheeks.

It was a quick peck, nothing more but he was still caressing her face, him looking down at the ground now. In an instant Quenelle lifted his head to make him look into her eyes.

"Michonne was right." She let out a breath of relief before kissing him again. This one a little more heated. They were breathing heavily into the kiss, Nells then added her tongue turning it into a nasty make out session. The two were damn near swapping saliva like swapping war stories.

Daryl's pants were getting tighter and tighter due to his hard on, he had to act now. He grabbed Quenelle's leg, putting it over the bend of his arm to get closer. Nells held him closer, taking the time to kiss him from his salt and pepper stubble to his slightly sweaty neck. With his hand still holding up her leg and his other hand gripping her ass, he sighed into her shoulder feeling her kisses and nibbles on his neck.

"You feel so good." Daryl whispered now rubbing his hard on against her clothed clit against the wall of the store. It was rushed, he just needed to feel her on him for the first time.

They looked into each other's eyes breathing simultaneously.

"I'm gonna cum already for you Daryl." Nells moaned making him begin to rut into her faster not know he was nearing his end also.

"Cum for me please baby." He sounded desperate like he was begging. With that being said she took in the sharpest breath and when he noticed she was going to scream and covered her mouth with the hand that was just gripping her ass. When he felt like he was gonna moan loud he then put his own mouth on his hand too. They came together, Nells feeling the warmth of Daryl's cum and Daryl's sigh of completion. When Daryl moved his hand they began smiling at each other.

What they didn't know was that Michonne and Rick finished grabbing the food and supplies out the place, put it in the van, and hopped into the van thinking they were arguing like how they usually did. But when they drove down the alley way they saw you two a little too close together.

"Aye, you kids done?" Rick waited until you both were done.

"We literally have a whole van guys." Michonne mentioned with a laugh.

Daryl and Quenelle scrambled to the van without a word grabbing all their weapons from the floor that they dropped.

Once they were both in the back of the van, Rick had to ask a question.

"You guys had fun?" Rick said looking into the rear view mirror, making Michonne laugh.

"I don't know what you're talkin about." Daryl said lowly not giving you a glance but grabbing your hand, waiting for you to reciprocate the cute gesture.

"Yeah I don't know either." Quenelle shrugged her shoulders before grabbing his hand back.

Rick shook his head before driving off back to Alexandria.

-----------------------------------------

The End

Hope you all enjoy, Daryl's a cutie.

-------

[enidtwd]

some andrea/michonne hurt no comfort. basically what it says in the tags (some major trigger warnings) so avoid if you struggle w those!

[godjustkys]

╰┈➤ ❝ masterlist;

FANDOMS I WRITE FOR;

- Teen wolf

- Marvel Cinematic Universe

- Supernatural

- The Walking Dead (AMC)

- Merlin (BBC)

- Stranger things

- Dune

- Game of Thrones

- F.R.I.E.N.D.S

- The Maze Runner

- Lord of The Rings

- The Hobbit

- Harry Potter

- Brooklyn Nine-Nine

- IT

- Diary of a Wimpy Kid

- Dead Poet's Society

- Shameless

- Handsome Devil

- The Black Phone

- Sweet Home

- Arcane

- Spider-man Universe

- The Goldfinch

- The Last of Us

- The Beekeeper

- Weak Hero Class 1

- Bad and Crazy

ANIMES;

- Demon Slayer

- My Hero Academia

(the anime list will get updated as long as I continue watching anime.)

Characters I will to write for;

Teen wolf:

- Stiles Stilinski

Stiles Stilinski x top!m!reader (smut)

- Scott McCall

none yet..

- Derek Hale

none yet..

- Allison Argent

none yet..

- Lydia Martin

none yet..

- Isaac Lahey

none yet..

- Jackson Whittemore

none yet..

- Peter Hale

none yet..

- Malia Tate

none yet..

- Kira Yukimura

none yet..

- Liam Dunbar

none yet..

- Theo Raeken

none yet..

- Jordan Parrish

none yet..

- Erica Reyes

none yet..

- Ethan Steiner

none yet..

- Aiden Steiner

none yet..

- Christopher Argent

none yet..

- Mason Hewitt

none yet..

- Danny Mahealani

none yet..

Marvel Cinematic Universe:

- Tony Stark

none yet..

- Peter Parker

none yet..

- Bruce Banners

none yet..

- Thor Odinson

none yet..

- Loki Laufeyson

none yet..

- Steve Rogers

none yet..

- Natasha Romanoff

none yet..

- Stephen Strange

none yet..

- Wanda Maximoff

none yet..

- Clint Barton

none yet..

- Bucky Barnes

none yet..

- Carol Danvers

none yet..

- Shuri

none yet..

- Sam Wilson

none yet..

- Okoye

none yet..

- Wade Wilson

none yet..

- Pietro Maximoff

none yet..

- Vision

none yet..

- Yelena Belova

none yet..

- Peter Quill

none yet..

- Gamora

none yet..

- Nebula

none yet..

- Matt Murdock

none yet..

- Frank Castle

none yet..

- Xu Shang-chi

none yet..

- Eddie Brock

none yet..

Supernatural:

- Dean Winchester

'What a perv.' Dean x top!m!reader (smut)

- Sam Winchester

Hate sex with Dean (male reader, smut)

smut drabble (male reader)

none yet..

- Castiel

none yet..

ALL; SUPERNATURAL HEADCANONS (NSFW)

(I have little knowledge of supernatural.)

The Walking Dead:

- Rick Grimes

none yet..

- Carl Grimes

none yet..

- Michonne

none yet..

- Negan

none yet..

- Daryl Dixon

male reader x daryl dixon (smut)

- Eugene

none yet..

- Rosita Espinosa

none yet..

- Maggie Greene

none yet..

- Glenn Rhee

none yet..

- Carol Peletier

none yet..

- Andrea

none yet..

- Gabriel Stokes

none yet..

- Dwight

none yet..

- Simon

none yet..

Merlin:

- Merlin

none yet..

- Arthur Pendragon

none yet..

- Morgana Pendragon

none yet..

- Guinevere

none yet..

- Lancelot

none yet..

- Mordred

none yet..

- Gwaine

none yet..

- Percival

none yet..

- Elyan

none yet..

- Leon

none yet..

Strangers things:

- Mike Wheeler

none yet..

- Nancy Wheeler

none yet..

- Will Byers

none yet..

- Jonathan Byers

none yet..

- Joyce Byers

none yet..

- Jim Hopper

none yet..

- Jane 'Eleven' Hopper

none yet..

- Lucas Sinclair

none yet..

- Dustin Henderson

none yet..

- Steve Harrington

none yet..

- Maxine Mayfield

none yet..

- Billy Hargrove

none yet..

- Dmitri 'Enzo' Antonov

none yet..

- Eddie Munson

none yet..

- Henry Creel

none yet..

- Robin Buckley

none yet..

ALL; stranger things headcanons.. pt 1.

Dune:

- Paul Atreides

none yet..

- Leto Atreides

none yet..

- Chani

none yet..

- Feyd-Rautha

none yet..

- Duncan Idaho

none yet..

- Stilgar

none yet..

Game of Thrones:

- Ned Stark

none yet..

- Catelyn Stark

none yet..

- Robb Stark

none yet..

- Jon Snow

none yet..

- Theon Greyjoy

none yet..

- Sansa Stark

none yet..

- Arya Stark

none yet..

- Tywin Lannister

none yet..

- Jaime Lannister

none yet..

- Cersei Lannister

none yet..

- Tyrion Lannister

none yet..

- Tommen Baratheon

none yet..

- Joffrey Baratheon

none yet..

- Daenerys Targaryen

none yet..

- Jorah Mormont

none yet..

- Sandor Clegane

none yet..

- Samwell Tarly

none yet..

- Margaery Tyrell

none yet..

- Tormund Giantsbane

none yet..

- Brienne of Tarth

none yet..

- Podrick

none yet..

- Ramsay Bolton

none yet..

- Jaqen H'ghar

none yet..

- Grey Worm

none yet..

F.R.I.E.N.D.S:

- Rachel Greene

none yet..

- Phoebe Buffay

none yet..

- Monica Geller

none yet..

- Ross Geller

none yet..

- Chandler Bing

none yet..

- Joey Tribbiani

Joey Tribbiani dating headcanons (SFW+NSFW)

The Maze Runner:

- Thomas

none yet..

- Newt

none yet..

- Minho

none yet..

- Gally

none yet..

- Frypan

none yet..

- Aris

none yet..

- Janson

none yet..

Lord of The Rings:

- Frodo Baggins

none yet..

- Samwise Gamgee

none yet..

- Pippin Took

none yet..

- Merry Brandybuck

none yet..

- Aragorn

none yet..

- Legolas

none yet..

- Boromir

none yet..

- Faramir

none yet..

- Galadriel

none yet..

- Arwen

none yet..

- Éowyn

none yet..

- Éomer

none yet..

The Hobbit:

- Bilbo Baggins

none yet..

- Thorin Oakenshield

none yet..

- Kili Durin

none yet..

- Fili Durin

none yet..

- Tauriel

none yet..

- King Thranduil

none yet..

- Elrond

none yet..

Harry Potter:

- Harry Potter

none yet..

- Hermione Granger

none yet..

- Ron Weasley

none yet..

- Fred Weasley

none yet..

- George Weasley

none yet..

- Draco Malfoy

none yet..

- Blaise Zabini

none yet..

- Oliver Wood

none yet..

- Seamus Finnigan

none yet..

- Luna Lovegood

none yet..

- Neville Longbottom

none yet..

- Dean Thomas

none yet..

- Severus Snape

none yet..

- Sirius Black

none yet..

- Regulus Black

none yet..

- Remus Lupin

none yet..

- James Potter

none yet..

- Lily Potter

none yet..

- Bill Weasley

none yet..

- Bellatrix Lestrange

none yet..

- Cedric Diggory

none yet..

- Lucius Malfoy

none yet..

- Narcissa Malfoy

none yet..

Brooklyn Nine-Nine:

- Jake Peralta

none yet..

- Amy Santiago

none yet..

- Charles Boyle

none yet..

- Gina Linetti

none yet..

- Rosa Diaz

none yet..

- Terry Jeffords

none yet..

- Ray Holt

none yet..

IT:

- Richie Tozier

none yet..

- Eddie Kaspbrak

none yet..

- Beverly Marsh

none yet..

- Bill Denbrough

none yet..

- Stanley Uris

none yet..

- Ben Hanscom

none yet..

- Mike Hanlon

none yet..

- Henry Bowers

none yet..

- Patrick Hockstetter

none yet..

Diary of a wimpy kid:

- Greg Heffley

none yet..

- Rodrick Heffley

none yet..

Dead Poet's Society:

- Neil Perry

none yet..

- Todd Anderson

none yet..

- Charlie Dalton

none yet..

- Knox Overstreet

none yet..

- Steven Meeks

none yet..

- John Keating

none yet..

Shameless:

- Fiona Gallagher

none yet..

- Lip Gallagher

none yet..

- Ian Gallagher

none yet..

- Debbie Gallagher

none yet..

- Carl Gallagher

none yet..

- Liam Gallagher

none yet..

- Mickey Milkovich

none yet..

- Mandy Milkovich

none yet..

- Kevin Ball

none yet..

- Veronica Fisher

none yet..

- Jimmy Lishman

none yet..

- Karen Jackson

none yet..

Handsome Devil:

- Ned Roche

none yet..

- Conor Masters

none yet..

- Dan Sherry

none yet..

The Black Phone:

- Finney Blake

none yet..

- Robin Arellano

none yet..

- Vance Hopper

none yet..

- Bruce Yamada

none yet..

- Billy

none yet..

- Griffin

none yet..

Sweet home:

- Cha Hyun-su

none yet..

- Lee Eun-hyuk

none yet..

- Pyeon Sang-wook

none yet..

- Jung Jae-heon

none yet..

- Seo Yi-kyung

none yet..

- Lee Eun-yu

none yet..

- Yoon Ji-su

none yet..

- Jung Ui-Myeong

none yet..

Arcane:

- Jinx

none yet..

- Vi

none yet..

- Viktor

none yet..

- Caitlyn

none yet..

- Silco

none yet..

- Sevika

none yet..

- Ekko

none yet..

- Vander

none yet..

- Mel

none yet..

- Jayce

none yet..

Spider-Man Universe:

- Peter Parker (A. G.)

none yet..

- Peter Parker (T. M.)

none yet..

- Peter B. Parker

none yet..

- Miles Morales (Earth 1610)

none yet..

- Miles Morales (Earth 42)

none yet..

- Miguel O'Hara

none yet..

- Hobie Brown

none yet..

- Pavitr Prabhakar

none yet..

- Gwen Stacy

none yet..

The Goldfinch:

- Boris Pavlikovsky

none yet..

- Theodore Decker

none yet..

The Last of Us:

- Ellie Williams

none yet..

- Joel Miller

none yet..

- Tommy Miller

none yet..

- Tess Servopoulos

none yet..

- Abby Anderson

none yet..

- Dina Woodward

none yet..

- Lev

none yet..

- Yara

none yet..

- Jesse Pinkman

none yet..

- Manny

none yet..

- Owen

none yet..

- Mel

none yet..

The Beekeeper:

- Derek Danforth

none yet..

- Adam Clay

none yet..

Weak Hero Class 1:

- Yeon Si-eun

none yet..

- Oh Beom-seok

none yet..

- Ahn Su-ho

none yet..

- Park Hu-min

none yet..

- Kang Woo-young

none yet..

- Jeon Seok-dae

none yet..

Bad and Crazy:

- Ryu Soo-Yeol

none yet..

- Do In-beom

none yet..

- K

none yet..

- Oh Kyung-Tae

none yet..

- Boss Yong

none yet..

- Andrei Kang

none yet..

Demon slayer:

- Tanjiro Kamado

none yet..

- Nezuko Kamado

none yet..

- Zenitsu Agatsuma

none yet..

- Inosuke Hashibira

none yet..

- Genya Shinazugawa

none yet..

- Kanao Tsuyuri

none yet..

- Aoi

none yet..

- Shinobu Kocho

none yet..

- Tomioka Giyuu

none yet..

- Rengoku Kyojuro

none yet..

- Uzui Tengen

none yet..

- Mitsuri Kanroji

none yet..

- Obanai Iguro

none yet..

- Shinazugawa Sanemi

none yet..

- Muichiro Tokito

none yet..

- Gyomei Himejima

none yet..

- Muzan Kibutsuji

none yet..

- Akaza

none yet..

- Douma

none yet..

- Gyutaro

none yet..

- Daki

none yet..

- Kokushibo

none yet..

- Murata

none yet..

HASHIRA; hashira headcanons, pt.1 (angst)

My Hero Academia:

- Izuku Midoriya

none yet..

- Katsuki Bakugou

none yet..

- Shoto Todoroki

none yet..

- Tenya Iida

none yet..

- Ochako Uraraka

none yet..

- Denki Kaminari

none yet..

- Eijirou Kirishima

none yet..

- Tokoyami Fumikage

none yet..

- Shoji Mezo

none yet..

- Momo Yaoyorozu

none yet..

- Hanta Sero

none yet..

- Kyoka Jirou

none yet..

- Mashirao Ojirou

none yet..

- Mina Ashido

none yet..

- Yuga Aoyama

none yet..

- Monoma Neito

none yet..

- Shinsou Hitoshi

none yet..

- Rumi Usagiyama

none yet..

- Keigo Takami

none yet..

- Aizawa Shouta

none yet..

- Hizashi Yamada

none yet..

- Oboro Shirakumo

none yet..

- Touya Todoroki

none yet..

- Tomura Shigaraki

none yet..

- Toga Himiko

none yet..

- Jin Bubaigawara

none yet..

adding anime back cause I watched demon slayer,,, :3

[happy74827]

Lost On You

[Rick Grimes x Female!Reader]

Synopsis: Drawn to his strength and resilience, you've secretly fancied the widowed sheriff turned leader. But with recent events turning his smiles into forced fake ones, all that's on your mind is to make it known that he's not alone {Takes place in Season 5}.

WC: 2067

Category: Hurt/Comfort, Slight Angst

This is officially my first Walking Dead fanfic, which I'm honestly surprised hasn't happened earlier, but I've recently rewatched season five, and it made me remember just how much I love Rick. So, here we are.

『••✎••』

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the makeshift camp that had become a haven for the group after their escape from Terminus. The tension that had gripped them during their ordeal was slowly easing, and a sense of normalcy was tentatively settling in. Amid the camaraderie and relief, one person's heart was beating just a little faster than the rest – yours.

Ever since the days at the prison, you had found yourself drawn to Rick Grimes. His strength, his resilience, and the way he cared for his people… it resonated with you deeply. You found yourself admiring him from afar, with feelings growing with every shared moment. And now, as you sat by the campfire, watching Rick with Judith nestled safely in his arms, those feelings were impossible to ignore.

He changed, though. It was apparent in his eyes. Andrea had mentioned long ago how he was becoming “colder,” but you never saw it until now. Until you’ve (quite literally) were face-to-face with evil.

After the incident with Gareth and his people, Rick rarely smiled. And when he did, it was faker than Daryl’s chupacabra claim. Even when Judith giggled while tugging on his beard, or when Michonne and Carl had random competitions, he never smiled like he used to. The last time you saw him “happy” by definition was back when Hershel was still around.

Rick was no longer the man who gave you hope. You didn't know if it was the guilt of his past actions, the stress of the group's survival, or a combination of the two, but Rick Grimes had been lost somewhere along the road, and you wanted to find him.

Your gaze drifted down to your lap, where the remnants of a half-eaten dinner lay. You weren't sure what Carol had made tonight, but it was good. She was always an amazing cook.

Carol.

She was the only person who knew how you felt about Rick. It had been hard not to talk about it. You two were close, and it wasn't like you were a master at keeping secrets. Carol was, though. She had a talent for reading people and knew right away when you had developed a crush. She always teased you about it.

You were glad she didn't tell anyone, and you were glad to have her as a friend.

With the fire beginning to die down, and the food finished, the others began drifting back to their respective tents. First Michonne, then Carl, Daryl, Carol, and Tyreese. Sasha lingered for a bit, and eventually, Abraham and Rosita. Eugene and Tara had been gone all day scavenging for supplies, and Glenn and Maggie had disappeared into the woods an hour before. They had just recently returned, hand-in-hand, and were giggling and whispering as they headed for their tent.

As for you? Well, you were just waiting. Waiting and watching Rick. You didn't know why, exactly. Maybe you were hoping he would suddenly break out of this new, serious-all-the-time character he'd been portraying. Or maybe you were trying to figure out how to talk to him, how to tell him how you felt.

That thought sent your heart racing again. You took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before letting it out slowly.

You couldn't help but feel like the entire world had been waiting for something to change. Waiting for a spark. And when you looked at Rick, you knew. You just knew.

There was something about him. Something special. Something you couldn't explain, but it drew you to him like a moth to a flame. He was the spark you had been waiting for, and the feeling was so strong you could hardly contain yourself.

Rick turned, and you met his eyes. They were a clear blue, a striking contrast to the dark hair that framed his face. His beard was starting to get long, and the curls atop his head were a bit wilder than usual.

Your eyes met his. The smile he gave you was weak, forced. You were tempted to stand up and give him a hug, just to make him feel better. But you didn't.

After a few moments of awkward silence, he stood up, adjusting Judith in his arms as he did so. She stirred, her eyelids fluttering a few times before falling shut once more.

"G'night."

"Night."

And then, he was gone.

You watched as the tent flap closed behind him. He had disappeared so quickly that you barely even had time to register what had happened. You felt like a part of you had just left with him. Your heart was beating a mile a minute. You had been sitting there, watching him, for a long time, and the sudden silence was deafening.

As you headed for your tent, the last of the campers called out to you.

"Night!"

You stopped in your tracks, turning towards the voice. Carl was smiling, waving at you. You raised a hand in response, flashing a brief smile before turning away.

"Night."

You were asleep almost instantly. The day's events had left you exhausted, and it didn't take long for sleep to overtake you. It overtook you to the point that you had slept in until after everyone else had gotten up.

Morning came and you exited the tent, squinting as the sunlight hit your face. The sun was high in the sky, and the others had begun the morning without you. You didn't mind; it wasn't the first time this had happened, and it probably wouldn't be the last.

As you made your way to the main area, you were greeted by several friendly faces.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Glenn teased. "We were starting to wonder if you were ever gonna get up."

You flashed a sheepish grin. "Sorry. I was just exhausted."

You scanned the area for a few minutes, noting that a couple of people were missing. Rick, for example, was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey, Glenn, where's Rick?"

Glenn glanced around the campsite. He scratched the back of his head and shrugged. "Not sure, actually. I haven't seen him this morning. Not since breakfast."

That was strange.

"I'm gonna go look for him," you said,

As you left, Glenn gave you the thumbs up in encouragement before his eyes flashed back to Maggie and Tara. Most likely retelling the events of the previous day.

You soon wandered through the trees, searching for any sign of Rick – or anyone for that matter. Both Daryl and Carol were also missing, but you weren’t concerned about those two. It was more concerning for those who stumbled upon them. Now Rick, on the other hand, he was different.

As of right now he wasn’t the man to mess with. Seeing how he handled those at Terminus, and hearing what had happened the night before from Michonne… you weren’t concerned about the possibility of him getting attacked or injured. Your concern fell towards his mentality.

He was “technically” the leader that everyone had listened and looked up to. Abraham made arguments, mostly of the importance of taking Eugene to DC, but Rick was the one who had the final say. That kind of power and responsibility to lead an entire group to their survival has heavy effects. And now, after so much loss and failure, it finally took its toll.

The sun shined brightly through the trees as you walked, and the air was warm. It was the kind of day you would have spent reading on your back porch, or maybe going for a hike. Before the world ended, anyway.

As you started walking, you couldn't help but notice the quiet. There was no sign of life anywhere. No birds, no insects, no Walkers. It was almost like the entire world had disappeared, leaving you all alone.

The forest became more thick and dense the further you walked into it, with the trees growing more close together. The sun still shined through the branches, but it was still early, and the shadows were deep.

You started your trail back towards the temporary camp when you noticed a noise coming from behind you. You spun around, heart pounding. It sounded like footsteps.

"Rick?"

There was no answer. Just the sound of the wind whistling through the trees.

"Rick?" You tried again.

Nothing.

The silence was unnerving. The sound of footsteps had stopped, and there was still no sign of life anywhere.

Then, suddenly, you heard a branch snap and everything that was peaceful turned into a war zone. You spun around fast with fists clenched. You didn’t even process what it was before you struck it in the face.

Your face fell once you opened your eyes to peek at the danger.

Ah, shit.

Rick straightened out, his hand running over his nose where you had accidentally struck. He seemed a little dazed, but otherwise was fine.

"Oh, god, I am so sorry," you said, wincing. "I didn't know it was you. I thought you were a… I don’t— oh, geez.”

Rick blinked a few times, regaining his composure. His hand fell from his nose, and he gave you a slight smile. Fake, again, but this time you didn’t blame him.

“What are you doin’ out here?” Rick’s voice was low, and he sounded tired. He didn’t look directly at you, instead choosing to gaze past you at the forest behind. It was almost as if he didn’t care to hear your answer.

And it was clear he wasn’t bothered by the fact that you had just punched him in the face.

You found yourself sighing at his words. It was a difficult question. One that had multiple answers.

What were you doing out here?

What was he doing out here?

Why were either of you out here instead of being with the group or resting up after the chaos of yesterday?

The questions buzzed in your head, but the answer was clear.

You were out here because of Rick. You were out here to find him. To talk to him.

You opened your mouth to respond, but nothing came out. The two of you stood in silence for what seemed like an eternity, and the awkwardness was palpable.

"You should be with the others.”

The words hung heavy in the air. They were simple enough, but the weight behind them was crushing.

"You should be with them, too," you countered.

Rick's gaze shifted to you, and you met his eyes.

The sun's rays broke through the treetops, illuminating his face. He looked tired. So tired. Rick had always had dark circles under his eyes, but the ones you were seeing now were new. They were a deeper shade than you'd ever seen, and they seemed to have grown bigger.

He was worn down, exhausted, and there was a hollowness to his stare. A dullness that had replaced the fire. And yet, despite all of that, there was still a warmth there. A sense of caring, of love, that was still present.

It was that warmth that gave you the courage to continue.

"I'm worried about you," you blurted.

His expression shifted slightly, his brows furrowing.

"You're worrying about me?"

You nodded, your eyes still fixed on his.

"Yeah. Yeah, I am."

He shook his head.

"You don't need to worry about me."

"Yes, I do. Because I care about you."

Rick stared at you for a moment. He seemed stunned, and the look on his face made your heart ache.

He let out a small sigh.

"You don't have to," he said, his voice quiet. "I'll be fine."

"You don't have to be the hero all the time, you know," you said. "You can let the rest of us help carry the load."

His eyes searched yours.

"You can't save everyone," you continued. "Sometimes you just have to accept that there are some things that are out of your control."

Rick became silent. You could see the pain and conflict swirling in his eyes. He wanted to accept your words, but the guilt was still eating away at him.

He closed his eyes, and the tension in his body seemed to ease a bit.

"I'm just… tired," he said. "I'm tired of seeing people die. Of losing people."

You placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I know," you said. "I'm tired, too."