#the walking dead the book of carol

[darylscigarettesmoke]

Notes for 2x05

just watched the episode and…. Spoilers/Thoughts below. Beware.

- I just can’t stand how Daryl talks in this season. His tone is always so flat, so casual almost, so nonchalant. Especially with Carol. His voice’s always been soft and warm, now it’s like you can’t get through to him. He talks like nobody’s home. I miss his flagship-show voice. The flagship-show Daryl would never come along and flatout ask if someone has “the hots” for another person. I don’t interpret that as him being “jealous” of Ash, it just striked me as kinda disrespectful He’s icecold.

- Daryl is now canonically shit with a rubik’s cube and honestly I can relate.

- “She loved you. She told me.” With all due respect Laurent, but shut the hell up. Read the room. Daryl’s silence after Laurents babbling is hard to read again. I need subtitles for this man, and this man only. Even though I can’t speak any french word anymore besides the basics, I understand this language better than what is going on with Daryl. He looks guilty in this scene. And broken. But of course he doesn’t answer Laurent. Doesn’t say “me too.” Laurent is sweet and means well, but it’s so frustrating to watch how everyone’s putting a bee into Daryl’s bonnet since season 1 😩

- “I should stay here and you should go back to where you belong. That’s what you always wanted” - yes please. Laurent is happy in France, feels at peace??? Goddamn Daryl can’t catch a break and I am catching feelings again. Laurent the sweet boy just told Daryl off LMAO

- I don’t understand why Laurent/Isabell talk with a british accent I mean I’m german I have no clue about accents but I know a french one when I hear it

- the same old sophia barn flashback scene is getting old and pretentious sorry carol

- “and now you’re replaying every decision, thinking about what you could’ve done differently” aaaaand the old survivor’s guilt is back. We’ve seen that before. “It’s a pretty long list” Daryl says and yes it is - and they put Isabelle on top. Like he doesn’t have so many other death’s weighing heavy on him. My poor baby boy. It’s not your fault.

- Daryl in the night club I am OVULATING again. GODDAMN this man has me wrapped around his thick ass finger goodbye and ofc they’re singing lady marmelade LOL voulez vous coucher avec moi? Non, mais avec Monsieur Daryl

- laurent should find another dad in codron they even speak the same language

- they found daryl’s audio recorder laying around … just like that? Where are we, in a soap opera?

- lousang is just a far cry villain at this point and nobody can convince me otherwise

- Daryl leaves Carol alone a lot in this episode. She feels so unimportant idk

- “Everybody I love is gone, fucking except for you!” Ring a bell? Yeah, they fucking pulled an Ellie from The Last of Us again. I’m so tired. So, so tired.

- Ash calls Carol out and it’s great and he’s so right, Manish acts his soul out

- yup I think Ash is gonna be the next dad for Laurent

anyway heres a pic from my chubby babycat to calm the nerves 🩷

[onefail-at-atime]

I'm sorry, but if the Book of Carol completely erases her life with Ezekiel and her loss of Henry, I'm going to be upset.

Of course, I understand that she's using the idea of Sophia to get Ash to fly her to France, BUT if they only show flashbacks of Sophia's death or only mention her marriage to Ed, that's erasing 5 seasons of character development. It may sound mean, but I want all that grief to be a part of this season. The grief of how she lost Sophia and went on to survive in tribute only to come to such a low point that she didn’t want to be around anyone, that she wanted to to off into the middle of nowhere, that she didn't even care if she died.

Then, she pulled herself from that to fight for her found family and to protect all the Virginia communities. She allowed herself to be happy with Ezekiel and even came to accept Henry as her son, despite knowing the dangers of the world and knowing what could happen to him.

Regardless of who you ship Carol with, that part of her life was such a major part in her later development and the cause of her downward spiral that prompted her to spend months at sea away from most everyone she knew.

[reedusmcbridedaily]

"I was ready to give up, thought it was all over." "You and me both." TWD: DARYL DIXON - Season 3 Teaser Trailer

[mcbride]

Sophia. SOPHIA!!! Sooophia. Muffin.

THE WALKING DEAD 2.07 Pretty Much Dead Already TWD: DARYL DIXON - THE BOOK OF CAROL 2.01 "La Gentillesse des Étrangers"

[wolvietxt]

𝓭ay 𝓮ight.

daryl dixon and forced proximity.

staring at the single bed in the middle of the small room, you can’t help but stifle a laugh. it’s the last thing you expected when you and daryl rolled up to the abandoned cabin, both exhausted and hoping for a bit of rest after a long day of scavenging.

“just one bed,” you murmur, glancing over at daryl, who’s already crossing his arms and scowling.

“you take it,” he grunts, turning away to rummage through his pack for a blanket. “i’ll sleep on the floor.”

“what?” you blurt out, shaking your head. “no way, daryl. you’ve been running yourself ragged all week - you need a good night’s sleep.”

“don’t need it that bad,” he mutters, tossing the blanket down on the wooden floor as if that’s the end of the discussion. “ain’t no big deal.”

but there’s a stubbornness in you that matches his, and you don’t budge. “come on,” you plead, “the bed’s big enough for both of us. i’ll even stay on my side.”

he snorts, still not looking at you. “not sharin’ a damn bed. i’ll be fine.”

with a sigh, you step closer, your voice softening as you look at the tension in his shoulders, the lines of exhaustion etched on his face. “please, daryl,” you say, “i can’t just let you sleep on the floor.”

he finally meets your gaze, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. “why’s it matter so much to you?”

you hesitate for a moment, then shrug, giving him a small, tentative smile. “because you’re always looking out for everyone else, and… i don’t know. maybe i just wanna look out for you, too, for once.”

there’s a beat of silence, and something flickers in his expression - almost like surprise, though he quickly masks it with a gruff huff. “ain’t like i’m gonna drop dead from one night on a floor,” he grumbles, but his tone is softer now, less resistant.

“i know,” you reply, taking a step closer. “but wouldn’t it be better to be comfortable? i mean, come on, daryl. we’ve both slept in way worse places than this.”

he runs a hand through his hair, his jaw working as he looks from the bed to you and back again. finally, he lets out a low sigh. “fine,” he mutters, sounding almost reluctant. “but you better stay on your side.”

“deal,” you say quickly, unable to hide the small triumphant smile that creeps across your face. “promise i won’t hog the blankets.”

the bed creaks under his weight as he lies down, and you settle on the other side, making sure there’s enough space between you. the silence stretches out, filled only by the sound of your breathing and the faint rustle of leaves outside the cabin window.

you stare up at the ceiling, feeling the warmth of his body not far from yours, even though you’re not touching. you hadn’t realized just how tired you were until now, the day’s exhaustion catching up with you.

“this ain’t awkward or nothin’,” daryl mutters after a long stretch of quiet, his voice gruff but edged with a touch of humor.

you can’t help but smile, turning your head slightly to glance at him. “could be worse,” you say, your tone light. “at least we’re not stuck outside in the cold.”

“s’pose,” he grunts, shifting a bit like he’s trying to get comfortable but doesn’t quite know how.

you watch him out of the corner of your eye, the way his brow furrows as he stares up at the ceiling, the tension that still lingers in his body despite being in a warm bed. there’s something about his restlessness that tugs at you, and before you can stop yourself, you reach out and place a gentle hand on his arm.

“hey,” you say softly, “it’s okay to relax, you know.”

his gaze snaps to you, eyes narrowing as if he’s about to brush you off, but the words seem to get stuck in his throat. he swallows, his jaw clenching and unclenching before he finally looks away. “ain’t used to this,” he mutters, almost like an admission.

“i know,” you reply, keeping your hand where it is, the touch light but steady. “but maybe it’s okay to let your guard down. just for a night.”

he doesn’t say anything for a long moment, then lets out a low breath. “you’re a stubborn one, ain’t ya?”

“takes one to know one,” you shoot back, your voice teasing but gentle.

the corner of his mouth twitches, like he’s fighting a smile, and then he shifts a bit closer, just enough that your hand slips from his arm to rest against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath your palm.

“fine,” he murmurs, his voice low, “but if you start snorin’, i’m kickin’ you outta the bed.”

you laugh softly, the sound easing some of the tension between you. “guess i’ll have to sleep real quiet, then.”

for a moment, there’s nothing but the quiet, shared warmth of the bed, and you let your eyes close, feeling the heaviness of sleep start to creep in.

but then, daryl’s voice breaks the silence once more, softer this time, almost hesitant. “thanks,” he says, like the word doesn’t come easy to him.

you open your eyes, glancing up at him, a small smile tugging at your lips. “anytime.”

he doesn’t respond, just lets out a low hum as his arm moves ever so slightly, shifting to rest around you, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“you don’t gotta be this nice, y’know,” he mumbles, his thumb brushing absently over your shoulder. “most people just… don’t bother.”

“well, i’m not most people,” you reply, your voice barely above a whisper as you settle closer, the warmth of his body chasing away the last chill of the night. “i bother because i want to.”

daryl’s grip tightens a fraction, like he’s holding onto the weight of your words. he lets out a long exhale, and you can feel the tension slowly seeping out of him, his posture finally relaxing as he leans into the comfort of the moment.

“guess i don’t mind it so much,” he admits after a beat, his tone softer than usual, almost vulnerable.

your smile widens, and you nestle your head against his chest, feeling his heartbeat steady and strong beneath your cheek. “good,” you murmur, “because i’m not planning on stopping anytime soon,” you utter, your grin evident in your happy tone.

he doesn’t say anything else, just lets his hand drift up to rest in your hair, his fingers gently threading through the strands as you both sink into the warmth of the shared bed. for the first time in what feels like ages, there’s a sense of peace, the kind that doesn’t come often.

as you settle closer, your head resting against his chest, you can feel daryl’s heartbeat gradually slowing under your touch. there’s a quiet comfort in the shared warmth, something you hadn't realized you’d both been craving.

daryl shifts slightly, his arm tightening around your waist as his fingers continue to comb through your hair. you glance up at him, your gaze meeting his, and there's something there - an unspoken pull, a quiet understanding passing between you.

“you really don’t gotta be this nice,” he murmurs, his voice rougher, lower, like he’s struggling to keep it steady.

“i told you,” you whisper back, your hand resting against his chest, “i bother because i want to.”

the corner of his mouth twitches, and he lowers his head just a fraction, his breath warm against your cheek. “reckon you’re gonna keep on botherin’ me, then?”

“guess i will,” you reply, your voice soft but edged with something bolder as you tilt your chin up, closing the small space between you.

and then, before you can second-guess yourself, you press your lips to his, the kiss gentle at first, a question in the way you touch him. daryl’s breath catches, and for a heartbeat, he stays still - almost like he doesn’t know how to respond.

but then he lets out a low, rough sound from the back of his throat, and his hand slides to the nape of your neck, pulling you closer as he deepens the kiss, the roughness in his touch betraying how much he’s holding back. there’s an urgency to the way his mouth moves against yours, a hunger that simmers just beneath the surface, and you can feel it in the way his fingers tighten in your hair, the way his other hand settles at the small of your back, keeping you pressed close.

when you finally break apart, breathless and flushed, he rests his forehead against yours, his eyes dark and half-lidded as he studies your expression. “damn,” he mutters, his voice low and a little hoarse, “you really don’t let up, do ya?”

you smile, your hand slipping up to cup his jaw, your thumb brushing over the stubble there. “not when it comes to you,” you admit, your voice barely above a whisper.

daryl lets out a quiet chuckle, and before you know it, he’s leaning in again, capturing your mouth in another kiss - this one deeper, slower, as if savoring every moment. the warmth of his lips, the roughness of his touch, it all makes your head spin, and you can’t help but melt into him, letting yourself get lost in the way he’s finally letting down his guard.

when he finally pulls back, there’s a new warmth in his gaze, something softer but just as intense. “reckon i could get used to this,” he murmurs, his thumb tracing lightly over your cheek.

“good,” you reply, your voice a little breathless, “because i’m still not planning on stopping anytime soon,” you giggle out, repeating your words from earlier.

he doesn’t answer, he just smiles and pulls you closer, his lips brushing yours again in a promise that lingers long after the kiss ends, leaving you both a little less guarded, a little more open to whatever this might become.

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[emeryhiro]

TWD: The Book of Carol - S02 EP4 - Le Paradis Pour Toi

"We took Daryl at a moment where you know he's locked in jail, the whole fight, everything he's fought for... he's lost, he's at his lowest moment like everything is gone... and then boom, the one person in the world that he needs is like right there" - Norman Reedus, NYCC

[emodarylss]

Oh god

[daimiyamoto]

MANISH DAYAL as Ash Patel

THE WALKING DEAD: DARYL DIXON — THE BOOK OF CAROL Moulin Rouge

[daddydixonscrossbow]

My own little blurb about writing reader into Season 2 Episode 4 | The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, The Book Of Carol.

Gif from: theewalkindead on tumblr

!!! POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW !!!

“Go! Go!” You yell to Carol, waving her off, “I got these three!”

She nods, running off into the building. You let out a grunt as you kick the one walker back, stabbing the other with your knife.

The third comes up and you duck, spinning around to knock its leg out from under it, finish it off with your knife to its skull.

The third one falls to the ground, dead, and you take off running in the direction Carol ran.

��Hey, hey we gotta-“ you freeze in your tracks, seeing Daryl standing there was a shock. You almost felt like you were hallucinating, “W-wha-“

Daryl steps away from Carol and meets you halfway.

You fall into the embrace you never thought you’d feel again, but this moment right here, right now, is what made you happy as hell that you held onto that little sliver of hope.

“What are ya’doin’ here?” Daryl leans back, cupping your face with his hands as he sniffles, “Oh my god.” He pulls you back in, “Are y’good?”

He leans back out to examine the gash on your cheek but you swat his hands away, “I should be askin’ you that.” You reach up, running your thumb gently over his beat up face, “I knew you were still alive.”

“Yeah, yeah, m’still kickin’.” He shakes his head, quickly turning his attention to the gunshots growing closer, “C’mon.”

He looks back at Carol while giving your hand a squeeze, “We gotta move. Now.”

——

Here’s a kiss for likin’ and rebloggin’💋

[bambidixon]

You can hate on DD Daryl all you want, but there’s no place safer than in his lap. His hugs are the best—he feels so comforting when his arms are around you. His touch is warm and gentle as he keeps you close. He would kiss the top of your head and your forehead. I'm sure he just feels like home.

Sure, he’s changed a lot I miss the old Daryl too, but let’s be real, he’s an older man now HE’S DADDY.

[darylscigarettesmoke]

Who is gonna be Laurent’s dad?

Now, when it comes to Laurent, people have one opinion: He’s set up to be Daryl’s adopted son since season 1 of his spin-off. But what if there’s someone else in the picture, who could take the boy under his wings?

The following contains spoilers for Daryl Dixon season 2 (I haven’t seen all episodes yet, this is based on Spoilers I read online)

Back in season 1 of Daryl’s spin-off, Daryl meets Laurent and is supposed to protect him. During the journey across the post-apocalyptic France, they start to bond, so much, that he decides to miss his boat back home to stay back and save him. Now, Daryl being Daryl - he’s always been great with kids - teaches Laurent basic survival skills, how to gut a gut a fish, we even see how he teaches him American Baseball. Laurent has clearly become important to him during his (short) time in France.

Now, Laurent being Daryl’s adoptive son makes sense for Daryl, storytelling-wise. Daryl’s a father - but not just any father, he’s the father of a bright, young boy. I’d love to see Daryl as a girl-dad, that would be freaking adorable, but taking care of a boy would make sense for his character. Having grown up with an abusive Dad himself, having a son would probably heal Daryl’s inner child in ways a daughter couldn’t. This is shown in an episode in season 1 when Laurent cuts his boat loose - Daryl lashes out on him, calls him names, says he’s worthless - and then he stops himself, hugs Laurent and says he didn’t mean it. With a son he can grow, he can heal, and he can break the “Dixon”-curse and pass on the great morals and values he’s come to achieve during his character arc.

Also, Laurent is everything Daryl wasn’t as a kid. Book-smart, educated, shielded from the world, well protected, religious. He totally contradicts what Daryl always stood for - which is why they can benefit from one another. Through Laurent, Daryl learns to appreciate the spiritual side of things, through Daryl, Laurent learns how to navigate the cruel and harsh world they find themselves in without losing himself.

Having Laurent as a son would be the perfect conclusion to Daryl’s character arc. Only that we haven’t seen the end of his arc yet.

But there’s someone else. A parent. A father. A man who lost his own son. Ash.

We don’t know a lot about Ash. His character’s sole purpose is to bring Carol to France, where she wants to find Daryl.

But we know he is compassionate, a warmhearted man - and a father who lost his son and is still not over his grief, living alone near his son’s grave, which he visits every morning. At the end of season 2, I believe, he escapes with Laurent on the plane to fly back to America. Daryl and Carol stay back.

Since we don’t know if Manish Dayal (the actor who plays Ash) is part of DD: S3, we have to assume that his character arc is complete. A grieving father, who travels abroad due to Carol’s lies, finds himself in chaos, and returns to America with a new son and a newfound purpose as a reward or a recompense for all he had to endure during his travels - it would be the perfect circle and a perfectly tied up character arc.

With Daryl Dixon Season 3 and possibly a Season 4 coming, it’s clear that Daryl’s character arc is not complete yet and that he still has a way to go. Laurent is not coming along to Spain and it might be a while until Daryl and Carol make their way back to the states - if ever.

Daryl’s and Laurents bond is undoubtedly strong, but we also have to take into consideration what Norman Reedus himself said in that Entertainment-Weekly interview (that was about the Isabelle-kiss, but it also fits here)

Rick had a family. Glenn has a son, even though he never got to see him.

So maybe, just maybe, Daryl’s happy ending is still somewhere out on the horizon.

[onefail-at-atime]

I'm already half in love with Ash.

[mymanreedus]

2011 🥾 2023

[reedusmcbridedaily]

Norman Reedus on Daryl and Carol's reunion on TWD: Daryl Dixon - The Book of Carol 2.04 La Paradis Pour Toi

[mcbride]

Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier & Manish Dayal as Ash Patel TWD: DARYL DIXON - THE BOOK OF CAROL 2.01 "La Gentillesse des Étrangers"

[wolvietxt]

𝓢OFT 𝓔DGES !

pairing : daryl dixon x reader warnings : fluff, slight hurt / comfort wc : 1.7k a/n : little filler fic while i write my logan series :3

the first time it happened, neither of you really knew how.  

it was late, the fire burned low, and most of the group had already shuffled off to bed. you were sitting across from daryl, neither of you talking much, just existing in the shared quiet that came easier than most things did nowadays. the crackle of embers filled the silence between you, soft and soothing.  

you glanced at him, his face half-lit by the dying light, shadows carving out the planes of his features. his posture was as rigid as ever, shoulders tight, hands fidgeting with the frayed edge of his shirt sleeve. he caught your gaze and raised a brow, muttering, “what?”  

“nothing,” you said quickly, shaking your head. “just… you look like you haven’t slept in days.”  

his scoff was soft. “look who’s talkin’.”  

you couldn’t argue with that. sleep had been a luxury lately, the kind of thing you thought about wistfully but rarely indulged in. the weight of exhaustion pressed heavy on you both, worn into your bones, but neither of you made a move to head inside.  

“guess we’re both a mess,” you murmured.  

his lips twitched into something that wasn’t quite a smile but close enough. “yeah. guess so.”  

you fell silent again, but the stillness wasn’t uncomfortable. it was… familiar. in a way, it felt like company - good company - was the only thing holding you together some nights. eventually, the fire died down completely, and the chill of the night crept in.  

you rubbed your arms, shivering a little. daryl’s eyes flicked to you briefly before he stood up, muttering, “c’mon. it’s cold.”  

you blinked at him. “what?”  

“you stay out here, you’re gonna freeze,” he said, already heading towards the small cabin the group had claimed for the night.  

you followed him inside, mostly out of confusion, and found yourself lingering as he dropped onto the cot he’d claimed earlier. his boots hit the floor with a dull thunk, and he looked over at you, brows furrowing.  

“you just gonna stand there?”  

“where else am i supposed to go?” you asked, crossing your arms.  

he huffed, shoving himself to the far side of the cot. “ain’t rocket science. there’s room here.”  

your eyes widened slightly. “you want me to - ”  

“didn’t say i want nothin’,” he interrupted, voice low. “just figured you’d be better off not sleepin’ on the damn floor.”  

there was no real way to argue with that, so you swallowed your hesitation and perched awkwardly on the edge of the cot. he didn’t say anything, just rolled onto his side and pulled the blanket over himself.  

you laid down slowly, keeping as much space between you as you could on the narrow cot. it was fine - quiet, awkward, but fine - until you started to drift off, and your hand brushed against his.  

you tensed immediately, but he didn’t move away. didn’t say anything either. the warmth of his skin seeped into yours, grounding in a way you didn’t know you needed. after a moment, you let your fingers curl slightly, brushing against his again.  

he shifted just enough to press his palm against yours.  

you fell asleep like that, hands barely touching, and woke up with his arm slung over your waist, your head tucked under his chin.  

after that night, it happened more often than not.  

you didn’t talk about it - didn’t need to. daryl wasn’t the kind of man who used words to explain himself, and you weren’t exactly great at starting conversations either. the first few nights, you both kept a respectful distance, careful not to overstep. but over time, the gaps closed.  

he didn’t pull away when your hand found his again. he didn’t flinch when your head rested against his shoulder. and when his arm looped around your waist to pull you closer, you didn’t hesitate to lean into him, letting his steady warmth soothe the ache in your chest.  

it became routine.  

no matter how long the day was or how much tension lingered between you during the hours of sunlight, when the night came, you ended up tangled together. neither of you really had to say it, but the need was mutual - silent and unspoken, but mutual.  

one night, you found yourself tracing the faint scars on his forearm, your fingers light as a feather. he didn’t stop you, just watched in silence. when you looked up at him, his gaze was unreadable, softer than you’d ever seen.  

“what?” you whispered.  

he shook his head, barely perceptible. “nothin’.”  

but his arm tightened around you, and he pulled you closer, his chin resting on the top of your head. you didn’t press further. whatever he was thinking, he wasn’t ready to share it yet, and that was okay.  

because lying there, wrapped up in him, was enough.

the run had gone sideways before it even really started.  

what was supposed to be a simple supply run had turned into a mess of bad luck and bad timing. walkers everywhere, collapsing buildings, and the kind of chaos that left your adrenaline buzzing long after you’d made it back to camp.  

daryl hadn’t let you out of his sight the whole time, his hand shooting out to grab your arm or yank you behind him whenever things got too close for comfort. not that you needed him to - years of surviving on your own had sharpened your instincts - but he didn’t seem to care.  

“next time, yer stayin’ behind,” he grumbled as the two of you stumbled through the front gates, the night air heavy with tension.  

“like hell,” you shot back, wiping blood and grime off your face.  

he glared, but the exhaustion in his eyes dulled the edge. “ain’t arguin’ with ya right now.”  

fine by you. you were too tired to argue either, and the ache in your legs was proof enough that you needed rest. by the time you both trudged into the cabin, the rest of the group had settled down, their voices distant murmurs.  

you kicked your boots off and dropped onto the cot without much thought, your body already anticipating the pull of sleep. daryl hovered for a moment, watching you with an unreadable expression before sitting down heavily beside you.  

“you okay?” he asked gruffly, his voice softer than usual.  

“i’m fine,” you muttered, though your hands were still trembling slightly.  

he didn’t look convinced. “you sure? looked like you were ‘bout to - ”  

“i’m fine, daryl.” you cut him off, sharper than you meant to.  

his jaw tightened, but he didn’t push further. instead, he let out a rough sigh and leaned back, his weight shifting the cot just enough that you felt it.  

the silence stretched, heavy and awkward, until you finally broke it.  

“you didn’t have to keep pulling me out of trouble, you know.”  

he snorted, leaning down to untie his boots. “yeah, i did.”  

you turned your head to look at him, confused. “why?”  

he shrugged, like the answer was obvious. “’cause if somethin’ happened to ya, i’d lose my damn mind.”  

the admission hung in the air between you, uncomfortably raw. you opened your mouth to respond, but no words came. instead, you shifted closer, hesitating for a moment before resting your hand on his arm.  

he stilled, his eyes flicking down to where your fingers brushed against his skin.  

“you don’t have to worry about me,” you said softly. “we’re both still here. that’s what matters.”  

he scoffed, though it lacked any real bite. “ain’t that simple.”  

“why not?”  

he turned his head to look at you, the shadows in his eyes deeper than you’d ever seen. “’cause it just ain’t.”  

your hand slid down his arm until your fingers found his, curling around them. his hand tensed briefly before relaxing, his grip tightening around yours like he was afraid to let go.  

“you don’t have to carry everything alone, you know,” you whispered.  

“ain’t got a choice,” he muttered, his voice low.  

“you do,” you said firmly, shifting closer until your forehead rested against his shoulder. “you’ve got me.”  

for a moment, he didn’t respond, the weight of your words pressing heavy against him. but then his free arm looped around your waist, pulling you into him in a way that felt both protective and vulnerable.  

“yeah,” he said quietly. “guess i do.”  

the tension in the room eased slightly, though the vulnerability lingered. you stayed like that for a while, your head on his shoulder, his arm around you, until the chill of the night seeped in and you both shifted to lie down.  

as you settled against him, your head on his chest and his heartbeat steady beneath your ear, you felt the faint tremor in his hand as it rested on your back.  

“you’re shaking,” you murmured.  

“ain’t nothin’,” he muttered.  

you didn’t call him out on it, but you didn’t pull away either. instead, you let your fingers trace idle patterns along his arm, your touch light but deliberate.  

“daryl,” you said after a long pause, your voice barely above a whisper.  

“what?”  

“i mean it. you don’t have to do this alone. not anymore.”  

his breath hitched slightly, and you felt him press his face into your hair, his grip on you tightening.  

“ain’t used to this,” he admitted, his voice muffled. “don’t even know what the hell i’m doin’ half the time.”  

you tilted your head up to look at him, your eyes searching his face. “you’re doing fine.”  

his lips quirked into the faintest hint of a smile. “that so?”  

“yeah,” you said, resting your head back against his chest. “better than fine, actually.”  

he huffed softly, the sound somewhere between disbelief and relief.  

“you’re somethin’ else,” he muttered, his fingers brushing lightly along your spine.  

you smiled against his shirt, the warmth of his words settling deep in your chest. “so are you.”  

the two of you fell silent after that, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to you both. but as you drifted off, tangled together in a way that felt more like home than anything else ever had, you couldn’t help but think that maybe - just maybe - you were finally starting to understand what it meant to not be alone. 

🌀 daryl dixon : @v3lv3tf0x, @dugiioh, @whxtewolf, @lemoanaid, @sunnykittyzz

@california-boys-and-sun, @cable-kenobi, @omen-keke, @hhiggs

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