Don't Fear The Reaper (R. Grimes & D. Dixon)

28

When they got back to the prison, Daryl took it upon himself to tell Beth about Zach while kit took her bags to their room, tucking the boys in on her way. after cleaning up a little bit, she slipped into her pajama tank and shorts, the door opening and closing behind her as Daryl walked in, sliding off his boots. "how'd she take it?"

"as good as she can," he said lowly rubbing his face. kit sighed, walking over to him, reaching for his buttons, slowly undoing them "you all right?"

"tired of losing people," he sighed, looking anywhere but her

"that not all, is it?" she questioned

"just Zach, that question. I didn't have a job kit, jus a drifter followin merle. den there's you a damn doctor."

"enough, Daryl, I know where this is going, so stop, burn those thoughts right now. What our jobs were before doesn't matter now; I'm only lucky enough to know to heal a wound. But you, Daryl Dixon. You've always been a hunter. you've always been a survivor; we're all just catching up." she said softly, sliding off his shirt. "do you trust me, dar?"

"course," no hesitation.

"lay on the bed on your stomach" he hesitates for a second, knowing his scars will be on full display. Not that she hasn't seen them several times already. It was still a natural reflex, but he did as she requested. Kit grabs the forest pine lotion out of the bag and moves to straddle his backside, squeezing lotion on her hands before gliding them over his skin. The muscles tense briefly before relaxing as she massages them, working out the decades' worth of knots that have built up.

when rick was done talking to Hershel, he stopped by the boy's cells to put Judith in bed; carl was still awake reading. "you gotta stop staying up so late," Rick sighed

" I know I just get sucked in" rick nodded, watching him for a second; carl looked at him, confused.

"what?"

"I never talked to you about how you feel with kit. everything."

"dad, don't. You don't have to. I don't know how it works with her; you and Daryl and I don't need to. It makes you happy that's all that matters. Besides, kit was already like a second mom always has been. and a part of me thinks mom knew she wasn't going to make it; that's why she asked kit to feed Judith like she was already passing on her approval, you know?" Rick was so thankful carl was understanding but a little stumped at the same time. He never really thought about why Lori picked kit. he just figured it was cause she was already Carl's godmother, but his theory made sense.

"and Jody is my best friend, and I know you guys are only dating, but I already consider him my brother. Although I would have preferred to be the older one." rick chuckled lowly at Carl's cheeky grin.

"get some sleep, bud," patting carls leg before making his way to bed; Daryl and Kit are already asleep. He quietly undressed before crawling in bed, his head on kits chest, her hand finding its way to his curls.

"you okay?" she whispered, her voice sleepy.

"I am just a bad day with a crazy lady in the woods."

"wanna talk about it" her hand massaging his scalp

"no, no, I already talked to Hershel. I just. thank you, kitten, for kicking my ass in gear after Lori." he leaned up to look at her

"I'll always be there to kick your ass, officer friendly." rick chuckled, kissing her softly.

"I love you, Kitten Adams" she gave him a tired smile

"I love you too, Rick Grimes," pulling his head down to peck his lips again,