We're The Ones Who Live | The Walking Dead (2)

Part 11 - Lydia

The sun was coming up, and there were a few voices echoing around outside. The early morning humidity fought against the chilly breeze flowing though the hayloft the pair were lying in, a mess of blankets wrapped around their otherwise naked bodies.

At some point in the night, Dog had climbed up the steps to join them, and he had settled down lying across their legs like he always used to do. He got up when he felt movement as one of them started waking up, and he moved off of the blankets to sit by the steps and wait for them to get up. 

When CJ opened her eyes, it took her a second to realise where she was, and she smiled to herself when she did. She felt the warmth of Daryl's arms being wrapped around her, and her head was rested on his chest. She was comforted by the melody of his heartbeat and would have been content to lay there all day. 

Daryl began to stir in his sleep, and unconsciously hugged CJ tighter as he started to wake up. His eyes slowly flickered open, and he blinked a few times to adjust to the sunlight coming through the gaps in the roof. He glanced down to his wife in his arms and smiled warmly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head whilst his hand rubbed her back.

CJ lifted her head off of his chest and smiled up at him softly. "Morning," she whispered, brushing some hair away from Daryl's eye.

"Hey," he mumbled, his voice raspy with sleep. "How'd you sleep?"

"Good," she giggled shyly. "You?"

"Better than in a long time," Daryl replied softly. "I've missed this."

"Missed what?" she teased with a chuckle. "Sex in haylofts?"

"No," Daryl tutted, his cheeks turning pink. "Wakin' up next to ya. I've missed it."

"I have too," CJ lightly nodded her head. "Kinda don't wanna move."

"Me neither," Daryl whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "We got a couple min-"

Dog barked from his place by the steps, startling CJ and Daryl. They both looked over to him with matching glares, seeing him wagging his tail impatiently as he barked again.

"Time to get up," CJ sighed.

"Fine," Daryl mumbled. "Damn dog."

CJ laughed softly and pulled the blanket with her as she reached for her clothes, and Daryl stretched his arms out with a groan before grabbing his shirt. Once they were dressed, they shared a tender kiss, holding each other close for a moment before having to actually get up. 

When they headed down the steps, Dog was barking at them from the ground, and CJ laughed softly as she scratched him behind his ears. He was happy with the attention and ran off down the yard.

Michonne was loading some supplies onto a cart to take back to Alexandria. CJ and Daryl approached her, and when Michonne saw them together coming out of the stable, she furrowed her brows.

"Tell me you two didn't sleep up there," she sighed.

"You mean the penthouse suite?" Daryl jested. "Dog picked it."

"Yeah, and we did way more than sleep," CJ wiggled her eyebrows. "Ow!" she winced when a blushing Daryl elbowed her.

"You have to do that?" Daryl sighed.

CJ just sent him a bright smile and tilted her head. "Nope. But I did anyway."

Michonne chuckled and shook her head. "You guys are all good now I'm guessing?"

The Dixons smiled softly at each other, and Daryl nodded his head. "Yeah. We're good."

"Good," Michonne smiled. Her tone lowered and her expression became concerned. "Alden and Luke should've be back by now. Could be nothing... Could be something. You know what you're gonna do about that girl?"