The Treasure of the Sea

7

The next day came quickly, Daryl slept soundly once he was laid back in bed by his master. Daryl turned over in bed and kissed Negan's cheek hoping to get him to wake. The pirate captain didn't budge, he continued to sleep soundly beside his young lover, Daryl pushed on his shoulder with a smile but he still didn't budge.

"M..m.." He grunted trying to say something to wake him up. "M..mas..master.. Master." Daryl managed out. They'd been practicing speech for a few hours every single day since they met, and Daryl was learning quickly but he was still struggling. "Master." Daryl whined pushing on him again.

Negan's eyes opened slowly. "Morning guppy." He smiled, pulling him into a kiss. "You're up early."

Daryl looked to the port window, the sun was only just shining through. "Master.. Up." Daryl managed out.

Negan's eyes grew big before he smiled, pulling Daryl into a hug. "You're doing so well little fish!" Daryl blushed as Negan sat upright and kissed him once more. "Oh you're precious." Daryl blushed happily as he was kissed once more. "Are you ready to go on shore little fish?"

Daryl nodded.

"Speak guppy." Negan said once more.

"Y..yes..yes. Sh-shore..hap..ha..happy."

Negan's eyes grew as wide as the coin dangling in Daryl's hair. "That was almost an entire sentence." Daryl nodded, smiling proud of himself too. They smiled and made their way out of the captain's quarters onto the deck. Daryl smiled as he leaned back into Negan's hold, Negan brought him towards the edge of the ship. "There you go, see not so bad, watch the sunrise treasure." Daryl looked upward towards the rising sun, the sky was ablaze with fiery oranges. Daryl smiled happily. "Isn't it pretty treasure?"

"Yes.. p..pr..pretty."

Negan smiled, he was stuttering mostly with new words and he was trying to form sentences. Eugene and Rick made their way above deck to see the couple enjoying one another. Daryl stretched enjoying the view as he felt Negan's arm wrap around his waist. "Captain, Daryl good morning."

Negan turned with a smile. "Morning boys, are we going to be on shore?"

"Aye captain,: Eugene said. "Rick and I will have us on shore for the raid and pick up before the rest of them will be up."

Negan smiled and picked Daryl up and propped him up on his waist. Daryl rested his shoulder on his head as he walked up the stairs to look over the ocean better. Negan smiled as Eugene and Rick got the boat into motion once again. Daryl was just happy to have a hold of Negan, the pirate captain was happy to hold onto his treasure.

The other crewmates were beginning to come above deck. Daryl held onto Negan tightly as the waves began to crash on the side of the boat, Daryl whined as the water got closer. "Guppy it's okay." Negan promised kissing his neck softly. Daryl took a deep breath and held onto him tighter.

Daryl continued to hold onto Negan as another wave splashed up.

Negan chuckled feeling his grip tighten around him.

The boat rocked softly, Daryl whined under his breath as he thought for a moment. "Do-down.."

Negan smiled and nodded, if Daryl was going to use his words he would do whatever he needed to help and encourage him. Daryl stood beside him with a soft frown as he looked over the seawater that formed a puddle on the boat deck. "Still don't like the water?"

"No." Daryl whined.

"He's talking well," Dwight smiled as he made some knots.

"He's doing well and trying hard." Negan beamed with pride as Daryl wriggled away from the water once more. It was clear to everyone, even with Shane's disagreement, that Daryl was terrified of the ocean. If he was anything dangerous he didn't know it, and he would never hurt Negan.

Not on purpose.

"Treasure, there it is." Negan said, pointing towards the horizon. Daryl peared forward, cocking his head with a smile as he saw the small island town of Alexandria. Daryl smiled big as Rick handed him the eyeglass.

"A-ap-apples?" Daryl asked with a hopeful grin.

"Yes of course guppy, apples."

Daryl smiled wide, he was excited to get to see a town with real people. He grinned big as he handed the telescope back. He hugged Negan with a smile as the waves continued to crash. "We are just about to hit land boys, just about there. Now remember, no prisoners unless we need, we have plenty of coin to make this an official pick up, and we will only raid if we absolutely have to."

The men made a loud woop of understanding. Daryl was just excited for apples, and to see people again after so many years of being locked away by those who had held him captive. Negan kissed his forehead softly, he promised to protect this guppy.

Daryl just didn't want to ever seen the Claimers or his family again.

Negan and the pirates of the Lucille were his family now.