The Treasure of the Sea

26

Daryl couldn't make it back to the surface, panic was forming in his chest. He wriggled and fought trying desperately to swim up to the surface, but with his cut fins he sunk like a stone. He looked up only to see Rick jumping in after his sinking frame. He reached up towards the pirate making his way towards him, Rick had the hysterical thought as he pushed his legs faster that he couldn't believe he was swimming after a mer.

with everything going on around him and the many injuries that littered his body wasn't healing well in any means. The tattered remains of his fins burned in agony as they tried to heal only to be ripped away again as he sunk further and further into the dark. Rick, who was just trying to save him before he ran out of breath, grabbed his hand tightly and pulled him up. Daryl could see his face growing red as he was pulling him upward toward the surface. Daryl grabbed Rick's face and pulled him in for a kiss. Rick let out a sharp yelp as bubbles raced to the surface, but soon he realized why he was doing it. The kiss was giving him breath, he readjusted Daryl in his arms and continued to make his way to the surface.

The two breached the water with a gasp, Rick dragging Daryl towards their own boat.

Negan and Joe were still at a standoff, however Daryl was no longer in Joe's possession so there was less to fear if he attacked. Joe smiled, but knew the gun pointed at his head was going to most likely end his life.

Negan cocked his head as he took a step towards him. "If you're going to kill me, just fucking kill me." Joe growled, his cutlass still raised.

"It seems to me that you tortured my lover, your death won't come easy." Negan growled. "Certainly won't be now, or in a week. Maybe not even in a month. I am going to hurt you, break you, and when it's finally time to kill you I'll make sure it's in the worst way possible." Joe's eyes darted to the side of the boat and back to Negan. "Don't you dare." Negan growled as he lowered his gun to Joe's knee and took a shot. Joe screamed in pain as he was shot, he dropped to the deck as blood pooled around him. Negan smirked as he wrapped a net around his throat and began to drag him across the boat to his own. Joe growled and cried out as he was strangled with the net.

"Sto-op.."

Negan stomped on his bloodied knee before he brought him along to his own deck. Joe cried out in pain as he was bound to the mast. "Where is Rick and Daryl?" Negan called to his men.

"They're on their way up," Morgan told him, looking over the side at the pair. Negan sighed in relief as he raced to the side of the ship. Daryl's tail was bloodied, covered in open wounds over old scars, that damned knife was still embedded among the flesh and scales. His fins were ripped and ruined. He sighed, thankful he was no longer in the clutches of Joe and the Claimers. Daryl looked up with a smile on his face thankful he was finally safe and back with Negan.

Merle and Will were bound and taken to the cells. Daryl was thankful he was safe and back with Negan, even happier he was no longer in Joe's clutches.

He still didn't know how long it had been since he was taken. It could have only been a day, but it felt like a century. The moment the net carrying them up hit the deck Negan pulled his siren into his arms. Daryl sobbed into his arms, he was beyond lucky to have him back.

"You're safe, safe again with me." Negan promised kissing Daryl again and again. "Safe with me. Morgan, get medical supplies together. Boys I need anything that can dry him up alright?"

Daryl sobbed as they laid him back and dried him up. The pain in his body was sending him into fits, Negan was trying to hold back tears as he dried him up. His legs were finally exposed and Morgan sucked in a breath as he looked over the damage.

"We need to take out the knife Daryl."

"No.. n-no!" Daryl began to cry. "No w-."

"Daryl stop, let him help you. Let him help you." Negan grunted as he grabbed his hand tight. Daryl nodded and was given something to bite down on. Daryl screamed out in agony as Morgan pulled the knife out of his wounded leg. As the knife came out Negan winced. Blood, muscle, and bone became exposed. Daryl screamed out in pain until his vision blurred and his head fell to the side, Negan rubbed the side of Daryl's head with concern.

"That doesn't look great," Rick muttered.

"No, it doesn't." Morgan agreed, "I need more than I have to fix this."

"Anything you need I will get." Negan snarled. "Anything Daryl needs we will get."

"Salt water may help." Rick muttered. "His healing accelerates in salt water. But that will also keep him more fish than human and I'm sorry but I'm not a fish doctor there isn't much I can do for him in this state.

"You'll do your best with what you know.'' Negan told him before turning to his crew and ordering them to draw a bath of seawater.

Joe watched as they ran around the deck. "You're doing all that work for a little siren bitch?"

Negan grabbed the blood soaked knife and threw it right above his head with half a thought. Joe grew silent as it embedded itself into the wood. Blood dribbled down the mast. "Shut your fucking mouth." Negan snarled, keeping his eyes on his pet.

Joe growled with narrowed eyes but stayed silent.

Rick and Morgan were careful to wet only the most wounded places with salt water. A few dark scales appeared around the spot but it seemed, while slow, was working. Negan smiled happily watching as the flesh knit back together. "Wrap it up and let's do an hourly soak. It will start to heal itself, but if we can keep an eye on it that will be better for everyone."

"I'll take him to bed, he's okay. I've got him I swear it. I'll keep him safe."

"He's lucky to have you, captain." Rick murmured as Negan picked him up once Morgan wrapped the wound up. "Real lucky."

"I'm lucky to have you men in my crew, without you boys I wouldn't have him now."