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daryldixonfanfiction · 11 days ago

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What you fight for! pt.14 - Jackson (*18+)

Masterlist

Summary: Finding refuge in jackson things takes a heartbreaking turn...

Warnings: *18+, SMUT!, age gap, unprotected p in v, protective!Daryl, nightmares, pregnancy symptoms, anxiety attack, angst, heartbreak, jackson, reunion.

wc. 8.2k

Tilting his gaze back towards Julia, he notists her exhausted face, hands deep in her pockets and her mind somewhere only she knew. He worried how much longer they would last in the cold with barely anything in their stomachs. He didn't worry much for himself though, it was Julia he worried for as it was his responsibility to take care of her. But it feels more like he had failed terribly. Eyeing a rustic log-cabin in the middle of the snow covered landscape, smoke coming from its chimney, revealing the home to be resident, he makes the choice to approach.

Julia met him with a worried expression, and he knew their run-ins with bad people along the way had changed something, she had become noticeably apprehensive, but he was desperate, knowing it wouldn't be long before she would collapse even if she reassured she was fine.

Firewoode sits in a pile alongside the cabin, keeping the weapon aimed forward, reaching for the door to enter the home Julia stopes him and she said, her voice lowered,

“Wait..what if there's bad people?”

His hand stopped at the door handle and he looked down at her, the gun in her hands looking misplaced.

“We ain’t got no other choice, you know that. Just-” He cuts himself off, notesting how pale and scared she looked, “stay close.”

“Okay,” Julia nods, moving closer just like he had told her to. “You’re not gonna hurt them right?”

He didn't answer, because he knew he would do anything to keep her safe.

Florence was no threat but rather surprised when they had entered the way they did with guns amed and Julia felt bad they had scared such an old lady. She was kind, offering them some soup that Daryl was currently eyeing suspiciously.

“It's my husband's favorite,” Florence encouraged, beginning to eat in her rocking chair. Julia nudges Daryl, he sniffs the soup before he finally digs in and never had Julia ever remembered being this hungry in her entire life, and before she knew it the bowl of soup was finished and even then she still craved more. Scraping the remnants of the soup Julia watches as Daryl places his bowl down and looks to the older lady,

“Wears youre old man?”

“Daryl,” Julia scolds, shooting him a look.

“It's alright dear,” Florence calms, and the way she said dear reminded her of her grandmother. “He's out hunting at the moment. He should be back after lunch, which should be at any moment now.” Florence looks between the two of them, but it feels more like she was looking at her. “Would you like another surviving, there's plenty left.”

“Nah, I'm good." Daryl denies, returning his attention to the map on the table.

“What about you dear, you look like you could need some more.”

Right, she probably saw what made Daryl ask if she was feeling sick all the time. And she wanted more, especially when the morning sickness had finally subsided after the third trimester, allowing food to finely stay down. Grabbing the bowl she followed Florence into the small kitchen, waiting patiently at her side as she poured her a second serving.

“Is he the father?”

Julia froze at the sudden question. A gentle hand reached out and touched her arm as she went on, her voice lowered so it would only be heard between the two of them,

“He doesn't know?”

Julia mutley shook her head in response, feeling how her eyes began to burn and washed Florence eyes land on her stomach as if sensing was underneath the jacket. Though she was scared and even shaking she was desperate in her loneliness of knowing. But in Florence's eyes there was no jugement, only sincerity.

Revealing the growing bump to the women she had just met, Florence looked at her in shock and all she wanted to do was break down and cry in her arms, but she didn't dare to cas a scene. She couldn't afford it, not when Daryl was there.

“Oh, my dear child.” Florence gasped.

In a way It felt good that someone knew after having kept it hidden, endured it all on her own for so long. There were so many things she wanted to say, to tell her everything, to explain why she had to keep it a secret from the man she loved and what made her fear so terebully for his reaction. But it was like she had become mute, the words she wanted to say would not leave her. She was left staring with glassy eyes unable to speak, then Florence's hand squeezed in reassurance,

“I understand, I have been there too.”

And in that moment she couldn't help the tear that escaped down her shek and neither did she really understand why she reacted so strongly to her words, but a part of her did in fact know why she felt it so deeply. To be seen and understood in a vulnerable state was something she had needed to hear more than she could have realized. But It also made her sad, because she knew she would never have such a moment with her mother, even if she was still alive.

“Can I?” Florence asked, and she nodded washing on as she carefully pushed down on her stomach, just like she imagined a midwife would do. “Do you feel any pain?” Julia shook her head, it was just more like an uncomfortable feeling. "Okay, that’s good. Do you know how far along you are?”

Julia hesitated before she spoke. “17 weeks, today,” her voice barely above a whisper and It feels so strange to voice something only she had known.

“17?” Florence questioned. “You look much further along.”

“Is that bad?”

“No, of course not,” Florence reassured. “Everyone's different. Have you felt any movements, like fluters? It can sometimes feel like bubbles or tiny pulses.”

Oh.. so that's what that strange feeling was.

“Yes,” Julia nodded. “It moves all the time.”

“That’s a very good sign. As long as the baby moves it should all be good, but when it stops that’s when you should worry, okay?”

"Okay." Julia wiped away another tear that fell and she tried to keep it together but it was hard, everything felt so overwhelming.

Florence pulled her shirt down over her stomach as she was done, Julia closed the puffer jacket, hiding it all again. Taking the bowl full of soup in her hands Louise touched her arm once more and it really feelt like she could have been her grandmother then in the way she was so motherly like hers had been, and Florence said,

“You know, men can be really dense when it comes to things like these, but don’t wait too long to tell him. That man loves you very much, maybe even more than you realize-

Daryl unintentionally cuts Florence off as he emerges into the kitchen, his gaze falling on her, beaconing her away from the conversation she would have liked to hear true.

“What is it?” Julia questioned, the tension building in her gut. Did he know, had he heard everything?

“I want ya to wait upstairs.” It was firm, more like an order, but she was relieved he suspected nothing, because if he did she didn't know what to do.

“You don’t trust them?” She couldn't help but question.

“No.”

“Daryl…

“Wait upstairs,” It was final in the way he said it and she could tell he had gone into his protective mode.

Hiding up on the loft Julia washes quietly as a man wearing a camouflage jacket walks inside. The old man continues placing down his bow and arrows. Florence slowly rocks in the rocking chair facing the door and before she could wonder were Daryl had gone his deep voice commands,

“And the gun.”

Florence’s husband unzips his jacket, seemingly unfaced and questions,

“Ho the hell are you?”

“Just someone passin’ through,” Daryl steps into view below the loft behind Florence with his crossbow aimed at him. “Take the gun out, two fingers only, put it outta reach.”

Florence's husband did so, placing his handgun on the side taibulle. He looks to his wife and questions,

“Why didn't you shoot him?”

“The gun’s all the way over there,” Florence answered. “He didn't hurt me, by the way.”

“Yeah, I got eyes.” The man sighs, eyeing the empty bowls sitting on the table. “You made him soup?”

“Yeah, I did. It’s cold out.” The man walks over and sits across from his wife. “He’s got a girl with him.”

“Can I come down?”Julia is quick to ask from above.

“No.” Daryl denies, but with the soup in hand she squires down the loft,

“What did I just say,” Daryl scolds, frowning disapprovingly.

“Daryl, they're good people.” Julia said and sat down to eat beside Louise who gave her a warm smile, which she returned, feeling an unspoken bond in their shared understanding.

“I need ya to tell us where we are,” Daryl said, looking at the man.

“If you got a map, why you lost?” the man counters.

“We’re somewhere here,” Daryl points on the map and commands. "Exactly where? And your answer better be the same as your wife’s.”

“Did you tell him the truth?” the man questions his wife.

“Yeah.”

“Are you tellin’ me the the truth?”

“Yeah.” Florence responds again.

Julia watches the man look between them and then leans forward from his seat, tapping on the same place Florence had pointed out to them. Daryl looked visibly frustrated as he sighs and sits next to her on the small couch,

“Well, you found a great place to hide I guess.”

“Hide?” the man chuckles. “I came here before you were born, sonny - get the hell away from everybody.”

“I didn’t want to,” Florence added, her husband waves her off.

A curious thought of what Florence had told her in the kitchen came to mind, if it was because of the similar situation that made them live so isolated from everybody else? And if so, she could imagine it must have been hard, but that though didn't last long as Daryl questioned further,

“So ya ho haven’t seen anyone out here?”

“Nope,” the man answers.

“What about the Fireflies?” Julia cuts in.

“We get those in the summer.” Florence answered.

“Nut the bugs,”Daryl sighs in frustration. “The people.”

The married couple looks at each other and Julia can see the laugh coming a mile away before it erupts. “Are there firefly people?” Florence humored, and before she could say anything else they started laughing.

Julia could feel the chaired disappointment between them. To have come this far without much luck sins Pittsburgh that had ended devastatingly when they were the closest in finding them. But Daryl was persistent turning the conversation serious again,

“You got any advice on the best way west?”

“Yeah,” the man nods, “Go east. But you never go past the river here,” his finger traces a river and highlights warningly. “Ever.”

“What's past the river?” Julia asked.

“Death,” Florence explained. “We never seen who’s out there, but we see the bodies they leave behind. Some infected, some not.”

The pit in her stomach feels like a cheired feeling between them, thow Daryl held the facade as if unmoved, thow she had come to know him enuff to know when he feels fear - and she was more terrified than anything. So much so she lost the appetite entirely, holding the bowl in her lap in a tight grip. Daryl must have picked up on the distress, taking the bowl, placing it back on the table,

“You ain’t gonna scare us,” he snapped, standing to his feet. "Common, we're going.”

“You should be when you know what a dark place the world is,” Florence countered, “what people do to survive.”

Daryl snatched the map, taking Julia by the arm quite harshly dragging her along to the dor as she shared a concerned glance with Florence,

“Wait, I wanna say goodbye!”

A part of her wanted to stay just a bit longer, to talk more with Florece. But all she could do was give her a hug. And she hoped Florence understood just how grateful she was for everything when she couldn't say it out loud in order to keep the secret. In her embrace she felt there weren't any words needed, and in a way she feels happy with that, though she was sad knowing that this would be their last time seeing each other.

Standing with Daryl at the door the husband stands to his feet with a stern look on his face making Julia worry Daryl's temper had upset him somehow, nodesting he had that same imposing resemblance to the man at her side.

"Young man…” the husband warned. He was about to say something she assumed was something rather harsh, but something must have changed his mind. She could tell by the look in his eyes, the way something inside him softened, and neither did she mis how his gaze subtly looked down at their joined hands then back at Daryl,

“Be safe out there,” the man said, “don’t let anything happen to your girl.”

Daryl didn't see her smiling to herself. Even Florence’s husband knew and he was just as soft as Daryl was when he had his guard down.

“I won’t,” It sounded like a prommes, leaving a heartwarming feeling as they left the coupole and the warm home behind.

They come to a halt, standing on a mountain pass that overlooks a river, the river he knew to be the river of death, the one they had been warned about. He tried to shut down the feelings reminding him of how scared he was lately, the daunting reality of the worst outcome was awakened even more after their little visit this morning, but he wouldn't let it distract him.

Growing closer to dark he decides for them to set up camp by the caves along the river and cross in the morning.

Julia seemed revealed to rest for the night and he suspected she must have been tired, he was too. But Julia wasn't as tired as he thought when they found a spot, she was more interested in admiring the northern lights on top of the cave, which made him very nervous of her being that high up knowing how clumsy she was. So without much thought he whistles, grabbing her attention from above,

“Come down from there. You’re gonna break your neck.”

Julia took one last look up at the night sky before stepping down and moved towards him.

“I have never seen anything like it,” she said, warming her hands against the fire, “have you?”

“No,” he said, gazing up at the swirling rivers of greenwich-blue light. "It's pretty.”

“Yeah, it is,” Julia agreed. “It's like a dancing rainbow, don't you think?”

Julia didn't even notice him staring, to engrossed in the heavens above. But he saw how her round eyes twinkle, how happy she seemed even after the things they had been through and yet she still smiled, continued to see the world through a lens where everything seemed to still have its light and not be consumed by the darkness they fought against.

“Daryl?” her eyes aced, with concern.

He found it hard to understand why she cared for him so deeply, as if sensing the feelings he had tried to keep hidden. And she had been right that he didn't let anybody get too close, but now he had and it felt like he was already paying the price.

"What's wrong?” She was so soft with him, patiently giving him time to find his words and listen. The truth was he didn't know how to answer, so he opted like many times before, shifting the conversation entirely,

“What did ya do before?”

“Hmm?” her head tilted into a question mark as she sat herself beside him.

“Ya never told me what you did,” he clarified. “before everything?”

“Oh, wheel nothing special, just whatever job I could get.”

“Like what?” He prompted, finding a genuine interest in her past.

“Wheel,” she began in deep thought. “I mostly worked as a waitress, onely part time. And after that I worked at a local kindergarten for a while before I moved to work at my grandparent’s. I was so lucky to have that option you know, I don’t know what I would have done without their help. I probably would have had to continue serving tables.”

“Why,” he questioned. “ya didn't like it?”

“No,” her eyes lowered. “Not really, now when I think about it. It was the worst, I dreaded it and the boss treated the girls terebully. This one time when it was really busy and I guess he was stressed or something - he screamed at me infront of everyone and I tried to be professional about it and not take it personal, but embarrassingly I broke down and cried in front of everyone. I had to be sent home early because I couldn't stop crying and my aunt had to pick me up. Embarrassing, right?”

“Na, he sounds like a real asshole.”

“That's exactly what my aunt said.” Julia giggled. “You should have seen her face, she looked like she wanted to punch him.”

“Me and her both,” he confessed, feeling his hands subconsciously ball into fists.

“I think I have been called every word in the book within those months I spent working there, especially in a place like that. I don’t know what I expected.”

“What you mean by, place like that?” He questioned. ”You make it sound like ya worked at Hooters or something.”

Julia starred, the silence spoke for itself. Her expression was one of embarrassment and he feared it was too late to retract the damage his poor words had caused when she began to stand, but before she could do so he grabbed her wrist and pulled her in.

“Wait,” he said urgently, the motion making her fall into his lap and he clarified. “I didn't mean it like that.”

“It sounded like you did,” Julia said as she tried to squirm off his lap, but it only made him hold onto her harder.

Maybe it was cruel of him, knowing Julia wasn't going anywhere. Though they both knew if she told him to stop he would do so in a heartbeat. Really it was her that had all the real power. If only she knew that his heart was already hers. He knew of the weight her words carried, how it affected him so completely. If she told him that she hated him, wanted nothing to do with him.. it would destroy him.

“This is so unfair,” Julia groaned, her face contorting into what he only could describe as the cutest expression he had ever seen.

“I know,” he agreed. “I’ll let go when you forgive me.”

There was nothing said for a while and Julia had eventually gave up entirely, accepting her fate in his hold. As her body relaxed against him he knew she had forgiven him and just like he promised he let go. Though she was free she didn't make any attempts to get up but instead stayed, and he wondered if she had fallen asleep. Looking down at her form she was looking straight up at him from his shoulder where her head rested. They looked eyes and he could feel himself getting lost. But not lost like in his nightmares, but lost in a way that made him feel warm inside and his heart beat faster.

Julia looked at him with so much admiration, as if looking at something beautiful. He couldn't come up with an explanation as to why a girl as perfect as her could see something other than the horrible person he felt he was. As her hand reached out, cupping the side of his face he shut his eyes, melting completely by the feeling of her thumb curesing skin against stubble. She then brushed the curtains of hairs out of his face as if to see him better. Contently running her fingers through his hair he wished for this moment to never end. He could see them spending their lives together, a sanctuary where she would always be safe and enjoy a normal mundane life. A place where she would stay warm, never be hungry, sing without a worry for walkers and she could garden and have a cat like she said she wanted. He would provide anything she’d ask for, he would even recreate the paradise her grandparents had on their farm she always talked about, maybe even have a family of their own if she so desired.

“I love you,” Julias soft voice spoke, her fingers continuously running through his hair.

“You..love me?” He searched her eyes, trying to gauge the truth in her words, but all he could find was love.

“Yes,” Julia was staring up with a warm smile painting her soft lips. “With all my heart, I love you Daryl Dixon.”

Maybe he was a fool for not saying it back, but he had never said those words before, he couldn't even recall anyone ever saying it to him, surely not in the way she did. It was beyond affection, her confession carrying the weight of the world and he couldn't ignore how it moved him, how it struck him to his wery soul. Taking her face all he knew was to kiss her, and so he did.

Taking her hair, pushing it out of the way to leave kisses down her neck and maybe even a hickey or two. He wanted to mark her. The idea of others knowing she was taken, that she was his wherever they went was something he deep down desired more than anything.

Earlier this morning when Julia had been called his girl it had never felt more right, he haven't been able to stop thinking about it as it had echoed in his mind,

“Be safe out there, don’t let anything happen to your girl.”

Pressing another kiss along the skin he laid her down on her back onto the makeshift bedding of their sleeping bags and blankets. Julia’s hands pulled him in to continue the kiss. He wanted to have her in every way possible and lose himself entirely in the essence of her. Breathless they pulled apart but only for the desperate need for air. Julia was absolutely lovely, he could have mistaken her for an entity the way the glowing light of the fire made her dark curls turn golden brown and her skin glow illuminant. Julia was too perfect to be touched by someone like himself, but yet he could never stop himself when she always wanted him just the same.

Taking one of the blankets close at hand, draping it over them in one swift move, covering them entirely. He assisted in the undressing of her jeans, pulling them off along with the underwear. Wasting no time he moved above her, caging her in with on arm as his other hand moved to her core, two fingers feeling the wetness that had pooled,

“Christ you're wet,” he gasped, feeling his jeans grow tighter at the feel of what was awaiting him.

She was completely soaked, her arousal coating his fingers as he explored her folds before pushing two fingers in. They both gasped at the feeling, he watched as her eyes shut, her face contorting into pleasure of him pushing his fingers in and out until she began to squirm beneath him,

“Daryl, she whined. “I need you now,”

“Easy,” he calmed. “got to warm ya up first.”

But Julia gave him the look he could not ignore, the look resembling an innocent fawn he could not say no to. And the overwhelming urge her confession had caused made him give in. And how could he not when she said she needed him so urgently?

Quickly he worked up his belt, releasing himself from the tightness of his jeans, he then coated his tip in her arousal before aligning himself and pushed himself inside her warmth. A low rumbling sound of relief escapes him, Julia sighs contently against his ear as she holds onto his shoulders, it makes his stomach flutter. He moves his hips back before he begins to push himself in and out in a rocking motion. It was almost unbearably tight at first but as her walls adjusted to him he reached deeper. Her sounds grew into soft whimpers of pleasure, like the wet sound of him moving in and out, it egged him on even more making the soft rocking of his hips turn to trusting. Her walls began to squeeze him the harder he went, her legs shaking around his hips and he knew any moment now she would convulse around him. And as she came down from her peak he slowed down just enuff so she could catch her breath before he began to chase his own high, but seconds from it Julia's urgent voice made him pause above her,

“Stop! Stop.”

“What’s wrong?” He panted, feeling panicked rice in his chest “Does it hurt?”

“No, I want to try something,” Julia explained as she took him by the bicep and guided him gently so that he was the one lying down.

He felt confused at first but as she moved on top of him so that she was straddling his hips, the blanket now around her waist and covered his legs, he understood when her hand grabbed him, and he watched as she rose just enuff to slowly slide down on top of him.

Julia inhaled shakily, her hands flattening on his chest to secure her position on top of him. It was different being the one to look up at her, but she was even more breathtaking from this angle. Resisting the urge to start moving, allowing her to do what she desired he reached to lift up the jacket she was still wearing, his fingers akin to feel and see all of her. But Julia guided his hands away and onto her hips, clearly wanting that control.

Daryl felt his eyes roll back as her body moved slowly and a bit hesitant making him hold onto her hips more tightly, his fingers digging into her flesh to assist in the motion, making the pase quicker. Warmth spread true his lower body, she was welcomingly warm and soft everywhere, he couldn't get enough of it. She was heavenly, no…she was a golden goddess moving on top of him, bringing him to the edge of the universe. He tried to get as deep as he could inside of her, twisting the angel and Julia let out a whine of pleasure, he gasped as well. He continued to grunt, sending himself upward to meet her hips.

There was a particular whimper she made that made his heart flutter once more, it always did when she sounded like that, urging him faster and faster until eventually he simply couldn't stand it any longer. He puts his knees up, feet flat against the ground so that he could lift his hips, thrust upwards into her with more force. The angel made Julia fall forward, her hands now flat on each side of his head to keep herself up wright as she shook on top of him. Quickening the pace even more, maybe being too rough as he slammed upwards, but the sounds she made in return told him otherwise. Feeling her shake on top of him as he thrust himself in and out, turning her into a complete mess on top of him, it sounded as if she was trying to say something, but the words were lost in the pleasure made between them.

Once more Julia was beginning to tense around him, he felt his blood rushing in his ears in response to the movement, pulling him back to the finish line he had been seconds from before. He could feel himself getting sloppy in his movements as he thrusts faster and more desperate than ever before the closer he came to climax. Julia was breathing so heavy above him, he could tell she was struggling to hold herself up, but her sounds were the most beautiful thing he had ever heard. He let it guid him and in this angel her face was above his own, he focused on her wide open mouth, her face flushed with pleasure he knew he had brought to her. He didn't get much more time to admire before he groaned, tensing as if electricity had shot true him, digging his fingernails into her hips that would likely leave marks there in the morning.

They were both sweating even with the cold night surrounding them, their breaths evaporating and their skin sweaty where they stayed connected. His legs gave up beneath her, Julia just as spent slid off him to lay next to him on the makeshift bedding. Their bodies coming down from there high, his mind fogged a bit he reached out his hand and ran his fingers through her hair, mimicking her soft touch. He could tell exhaustion was taking a hold of her as she struggled to keep her eyes open, but just as he was settling himself to sleep, he heard her murmur,

"Please don’t be mad at me.”

“Why would I be mad?” He found himself questioning as he stared.

“I haven’t been honest with you,” Julia confessed.

“About what?" He questioned, propping himself up on his elbow so that he was looking down at her.

He noticed how she struggled to look at him, how her eyes avoided his, he kept his own steady, studying her silently.

“Okay, so.” Julia continued, “Back when we escaped the prison, and I said that I had never had a drink before.. I lied.”

Julia looked at him for his reaction, but something about it felt like she said it to cover something else up. He reached out and tucked a curl behind her ear,

“I know,” he answered, Julia looked confused in return.

“You knew?”

“Yah,” he confirmed, smiling at the memory “It was obvious and you're ain’t exactly good at it.” Feeling curious, he then asked. "Why ya lie about it anyway?”

“I’m not shure.” she said in deep thought. “I guess a part of me was afraid you would think differently of me, drinking before I was old enough, you know”

“Well, I don't,” he reassured, then turned more serious, his hand resting in her hair. “Now tell me what ya really wanted to say.”

“There is nothing else,” she denied, looking away.

“I know there is,” He pressed on, leaving no room for bullshit. “Tell me.” Her eyes returned and he could see a sadness there,

“I tried,” she began, almost hesitant, “with Sam.”

"Tried what?” His hand halts its motion on her cheek.

“I knew he was bit,” Julia confessed. “I rubbed some of my blood into his bite. I know, I know,” she calmed, sensing his worry and disapproval. “It was stupid. But I.. I wanted to save him.”

Of course she did. The thought of her being so stupidly reckless made his mind flare, but only for a moment. She was the most selfless person he had ever met, he wished in moments like that something inside her would stop her from doing dangerous stuff like that. But what he also realised was without that part, she wouldn't be her. So it was hard to stay mad even if he wanted to.

“It was stupid,” he agreed. “Don’t do it again.”

“You're not mad?” Julia questions, cuddling into his chest for warmth. “Not even a little?”

“No,” his low voice rumbled.

Tucking her in with his arms around her back, her head beneath his chin resting into his chest it wasn't long before her breath evened out, her body lax and warm against his own. It was only then, when he knew she was sleeping he dared to say it back… and so he whispered softly into her ear,

"I love you".

Snow fell over the crossing river, it was quiet but Daryl was still hesitant to cross the iron bridge. It was the only way they could take. So with no choice and now sight of the people they had been warned about they began their way across.

Daryl walked in front, his weapon ready in hand, she kept herself close, following in his footsteps. As they passed the bridge, continuing on she felt relieved they made it without any danger like they had been told about, even though she would look back just to make shore. Maybe they were just trying to scare them like old folks tid, but there was always a truth to warnings like that, though she hoped they would never come across it.

The river connects to another, they follow along it. The color of the water was blue and crystal clear, but the more she spent time admiring the striking color she couldn't help but to fear this could possibly be it.

“Daryl…what if this is the River of Death?”

Daryl stops and meets her worried gaze, then looks to the river. He lets go of her hand to study the map and begins navigating away from it and up the hill instead.

But what they didn't expect was the dozen of people on horseback cresting over the hill straight towards them. Daryl grabs her by the hand to make a run for it, but to there horror they are quickly surrounded with now way to escape

And like she feared, this was the River of Death.

Daryl steps in front and orders her to stay behind him, his body like a shield even if they stood surrounded. There were all men for what she could see, each wearing bandanas to cover their faces. She stared at him from behind, eyeing their next move, knowing in a situation like this he was the one who always knew what to do, and so she followed his lead, putting her hands up in surrender.

“We ain’t lookin’ for trouble,” Daryl informed. “We’re just pasin’ true.”

Julia looks around, gauging their reaction, and that's when she spots a woman amongst the men, her gaze stays there as a man ordered Daryl firmly,

“Drop the crossbow.”

Slowly Daryl slides the crossbow of his shoulder and places it on the ground, the man continued, keeping his weapon trained at them along with everybody else except the women is aimed at them,

“You…” the man in the black cowboy hat siad, looking straight at her. “Take five steps back.”

She could feel herself shaking as she shared a worried look with Daryl, his gaze hardening and returns to the man in front,

“How ‘about we just talk this through?”

“How ‘bout you shut the fuck up?” The man spit back.

“Okay, easy.” Daryl calmed.

Julia washed his head and turned back to give her a nood, “You’ll be okay.” He insured and she took her five steps back, reluctantly.

This all felt so wrong, the danger they were in felt almost overwhelming and the pure fear came when a man walked forward with a dog that was there to insure they were not bitten. And the worst part was that she was terrified of dogs and all she could do was stand there frozen as she felt the blood drain from her face. She could not even bring herself to look at it, it was as if all the bad encounters, including the one time when she was almost drowned and chased by one when she was five came back to her. Holding her breath she shut her eyes tightly, her hands protecting her stomach to somehow protect their unborn child. And when the moment came there were no thoughts, she couldn't think, maybe she had blacked out for the shortest of moments but she still didn't dare to look as she flinched when she felt the dog sniffing her out. Its paws on her abdomen, just beneath where her hands were placed and all she could do was remember to breathe, not be swallowed by the fear taking over her body.

Tears quietly slipped down her cheeks one after the other. The warm liquid silver lining her skin down to her neck where it was absorbed by the fabrike of the jacket. But something else that was also warm moved against her face. Opening her eyes, the blurry sight of the dog in her face confused her. But then she realized she was now sitting on the ground in the snow and the dog was licking her face and her tears away. Then then it was called back to the grope and the man in charge continued,

“You just bought yourself 10 more seconds. What are you doin’ out here?”

“I’m just looking for my friend.” Daryl insisted. “That’s all, nothin’ more.”

Julia knew he was lying but what she didn't expect was the women threading forward with her horse and commanded, sharply,

“Hey! What's your name?”

There was a beat of a moment, then he answered,

“Daryl.”

The woman eyes them and Julia watches on as she goes to the man in charge, whispering something that ended with a nod and the man in charge ordered on of the men at his side,

“Give them your horse, they're coming with us.”

Julia, still sitting on the snow covered ground couldn't get herself to move. Still shaken from believing there were gonna die prevented her from follow along with everything around her that seemed to happen all to fast for her state of mind - and Daryl pulling her to her feet to then be sat on top of a horse all she managed to do was scot back to give him room, he seated himself in front with the rains in his hands as if he had done this before. Her hands naturally looped around his waist, her body flush against his back. He was taller, and his shoulders were quite broad, blocking out much of the view in front but the warmth of his back and safety she found in it overrode the fear as they sped true the snowy wally that led up to a wooden fort.

A rider beside them holds out a flag to signal the gate to be open. Approaching, they were surprised to see people going about their business in what looked like a small comune.

Townspeople cut lumber, another's work in chops, the place looked to be trywing and more than anything it looked to be a sanctuary. Taking it in, it didn't feel real, seeing everyone going about what seemed to be the closest thing to normal sins the turn, even seeing children of all ages playing in the snow by a big Christmas tree, glowing with string lights-

“Rick!”

Daryl called out suddenly, bringing the horse to a stop. The man stops what he's doing and turns to them, there was a bet of a moment but there was no doubt, that man was Rick Grimes standing there..alive.

Daryl swings off the horse, she watches on as Rrick pulls him in a tight hug. It looked as if they were brothers and she couldn't make out what they were saying but it was clear they both were happy to be reunited, that they were far more than friends, they were family.

The moment of reunion was beautiful to witness, she was truly happy for him, he deserved it but a sad part of her couldn't help but to yearn for Marlene to be there too. But as she surged amongst the townspeople she knew that would not be the case and it was hard to ignore the pain pulling at her heart.

She must have been lost in her own world, not nodesting the man that had approached her but as she did he said, rather harshly,

“Hey.”

At first she wasn't sure if he was talking to her, but when he moved closer and grabbed a hold of the horse rains she realised that this was one of the men they had been riding with, this was his horse.

“Hey,” The man repeated, his voice annoyed. “Imma need my horse back. Are ya getting off or not?”

Clumsy, she hurried off the saddle, not wanting to upset the rude man further. The man stared as she got their packs of the horse and when she was done the man seated himself and walked off leaving her relieved the uncomfortable moment was over. The man disappeared down the main street and towards her she recognised the dog from before. It seemed to notice her as well, tugging on the leash the owner held and before she knew it she was approached once more.

“Hey, I want to apologize,” the younger man began with his eager dog at his side. “I feel really bad for scaring ya, with the dog and all.”

He seemed genuinely sorry and she understood it was done in purpose of protecting this place, so she wasn't upset with them and certainly not with him.

“It's okay.” Julia reassured, thow she was still a bit anxious around the dog. “I understand, you have to protect this place. I’ve just always been scared of dogs.”

“Let me guess.” The man said knowingly. “Bad encounters?” Julia nodded in response feeling a bit hesitant talking with someone she didn't know but he seemed kind and easy to talk to and looked to be somewhere between her and Daryl in age. “Well my boy here ain't nothing like that, and I think he likes you.”

“He does?” Julia questioned looking down at the dog that seemed eager to get close which made her a bit nervous but not scared like before, knowing it was secure on its leash.

“Yah, he dragged me all over to you when he saw you, he's usually never this excited around new people.”

“What’s his name?” she asked, feeling less scaird around the dog the more they talked.

The man told her its name and when she repeated it the dog made a pleased sound as it wagged its tail, making her smile in response. Even feeling a bit brave she allowed it to lick her palm. It then began to sniff her like it had done before but when it began to get too excited for her comfort she panicked, releasing it was in fact sensing the baby, making her step backwards until she slipped and tripped.

“Daryl!” She called out, panic straining her voice.

“Shit,” the man pulled on the leash, restraining his dog back.

In the same second his name had left her mouth Daryl was there, standing between her and the dog that was suddenly cowering behind its owner with its tail between its legs and ears flat. Daryl approached the man further, his broad shoulders blocking her view from behind.

Inwardly she checked herself, relieved having landed on top of their packs that saved her in the fall. Dusting off the snow off her clothes she noticed the crowd starting to form around them and the feeling the situation was about escalet sat heavy in the air. Daryl grabbed onto the man's jacket around his neck, fisting it in his grip. It looked like he wanted to drive his fist down his throat, like he was about to do something-

“Hey!” Rick intervenes. “Let's not do this.” Rick seemed to know what he was doing, clearly having seen this side of his friend before, staying calm but firm. “Daryl, let's not do this, let him go”

But Julia knew Daryl was not hearing anything, the rage had blinded him and as the hand at his side tightened into a fist her stomach sunk as she watched Daryl growled in his face, his voice low and warning,

“If you or your dog ever comes near her again, I’ll put ya down along with it. You hear me?”

She hurried up to him and grabbed a hold of his arm before he could do anything he would regret . “Daryl, listen to me,” she pleaded. “You need to let him go.”

His muscles were hard as stone underneath, the man in his hold looked scared more than anything, resembling his dog and just when she thought he didn't hear her he let go of the man - though the death stare from Daryl didn't waver an inch as Rick guided the man out of sight, swiftly and ordered everyone back to there assigned work.

String lights hang from wooden beams in the communal dining hall, there were long tables and a food station, even a stage with instruments she could vision music being played.

To be eating warm food along with homemade pie feels so out of place, like a rarity that was not supposed to still exist. Daryl was sitting right beside her, wolfing down food on his plate as he conversed with the rest of his group he thought he had lost at the prison so many months ago. She kind of disappeared, going un-notist, just watching and listening on the sideline. She never was one comfortable being in the spotlight, she rather be the one observing. Though she didn't mind taking Judith’s attention, it was the one thing that made her feel a little bit better inside, taking some of that anxiety away.

Her eyes couldn't help but to search for Marlene as they were shown around the place, being told how everything worked and came to be. She felt herself missing her deeply and being reminded she was the one that had no one waiting for her here was painful, to not be reunited with the one she missed the most.

There was this feeling as well, a feeling that something was off, and that something started to feel more dreadful. Something that could only be described as a sharp pain lying beneath the surface. There was definitely a difference in Daryl's behavior, he was there but at the same time he was keeping himself at a distance. She didn't think they looked like two people who knew each other the way they did. It made her question if their relationship was making him uncomfortable around his friends, fearing he was embarrassed even - she hoped he was just reserved, that it was just something he was comfortable doing when it was just the two of them and no one else. But there was something within that that made her feel… well, hurt in a way, in a way she had never felt before, like someone was squeezing her heart too tightly.

She wished she was not so sensitive to the smallest of things, not so overly observing to what she feels inside. That sharp feeling would not leave here and she couldn't stop thinking of the underlying fear if she had misunderstood where their relationship stod.

Looking back she saw Daryl and Rick exchange a look, it made her stop petting the foul in the outside horse stable. As they start leaving she felt her chest tighten at the thought of him not being near,

“Daryl.”

“You’ll be fine,” Daryl reassured. “I’ll see you at the house.”

She watched them go with worried eyes. It was just her, Carl and Judith now. The others had gone back to their assigned work and Carl was in charge of taking care of his little sister that was babbling in his arms.

Carl showed her to the house they had been assigned to, it seemed that everyone had their own place as well along the street all next to one another. They accompanied her for a while until it was time for them to leave, and she found herself alone in the house that seemed way too big and way too quiet for her comfort, even if she had never found that a problem before, but everything was different now.

Her time waiting for Daryl was spent reflecting and clearing her worried mind in the shower, and as her thoughts came to place and she found herself in the decision to tell him the truth or maybe it was Florence doing? But she knew she couldn't wait any longer, he deserved to know even though it still scared her to death. Standing by the window, watching the snow falling until there was nock on the bedroom door,

“Hey, It’s me,” his familiar voice spoke, it made her nervous knowing it would be now she was gonna have to tell him what she had hidden for so long.

Taking a breath of courage she welcomed him and asked. “Did everything go well with Rick?” Daryl stands in the middle of the rome, his awkward stans not going unnoticed in her eyes. “You were gone so long I thought something had happened.”

She could feel his eyes struggling to meet hers and before he could finish what he planned to say she cut him off, her stomach sinking and her heart tightens in knowing..Because after all she knew it was coming eventually, how couldn't it when it had happened to her before?

“Listen, um–

“You're leaving me, aren't you?”

“It ain’t like that,” Daryl denies. “I made this decision for your own good. You’ll be way better off with Rick. He knows the area better than I do and-

“Do you even care about me?” She found herself questioning as her heart began to break. “Did you ever?”

“Of course, I care,” Daryl insisted - his face angry but his eyes almost overflowing with emotion, betraying his strong exterior.

Her eyes burned as she locked eyes with him.

“If you're trying to protect me, stay,” her voice shook with emotion. “Don't leave..only bad things happen when you're gone.”

“Stop,” he warned as if her words cut too deep for his comfort.

Tears started flowing down her face, her hands shaking where she grabbed onto the edge of the oversized t-shirt she wore. Stepping close, desperate for him to take down the emotional wall he had putt between them, she pleaded,

“Daryl, you're breaking my heart. I don’t know Rick like I know you. I love you.”

But her words would not go true to him, leaving her feeling helpless as the anxiety spiked in her chest.

“That’s enuff,” he warned, harshly.

Julia felt like she had been struck, her eyes widening as Daryl’s gaze dropped to the floor, furrowing his brows before he looked at her again.

“Hell come get you at dawn,” Daryl continued in a cutting way, slicing the words down, each one tearing her heart into pieces. “you're going with him and that’s the end of it.” and all in the same time she felt so confused, not really understanding how it had turned to this.

Without another word, Daryl angrily storms out the door, and she knew it was over. Their relationship ends with him slamming the door shut as she just stood there staring in disbelief. She didn't know what to do.

It felt like someone had died, like a huge hole had been punched true her chest, her heart beating even though it felt like it would give up. The bed wasn't to any comfort, it was terribly cold with out him.

Drained and exhausted she felt herself in the pain almost turning her numb as the ache in her chest comes and goes like pulses of blood behind a bruise, strainchely lurching and dragging, but somehow it lulls her into sleep.

Masterlist pt.15

#apocalypse #daryl dixion imagine #daryl dixon #daryl dixon fanfiction #daryl dixon smut #fanfics #twd fanfiction #twd daryl #the walking dead #whatyoufightfor!#pregnancy trope

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