Daryl's Precious Gem: Iridescent (Daryl Dixon/ Negan Fanfiction)

24: Fork in the Road

Grey clouds draped over me even though it was a beautiful sunny autumn day. Rick seemed satisfied with the knowledge that he'd have someone on the inside of the Sanctuary. Why wasn't I satisfied? I volunteered after all so, why did it feel like there was a huge gaping hole in my chest?

Daryl..

I felt guilty that I was leaving him when I promised we'd never be parted again.

This is for everyone, I kept telling myself. This is for Glenn, Abraham, Olivia, Denise, Spencer, David, and all the others we had lost!

I refused to allow their deaths to be in vain! Daryl would not agree with me but he would have to accept it.

"Where'd ya disappear to?" A deep gruff voice interrupted my thoughts.

Speaking of the devil.

"Rick and I were chatting." I answered Daryl.

"Does he not agree with the plan?"

"At first he didn't but after our chat he seems more enthusiastic." I lied.

My lie must've been believable as Daryl nodded his head. "We should head out and inform your father what has been decided."

"That was also what Rick and I discussed." I swallowed a lump in my throat. "We decided that Carol and I will travel to the camp."

"Carol?" Daryl raised a brow suspiciously.

"I thought—Rick thought it would be good for the two of us to reconcile on this trip."

"When are ya heading out?"

"Tonight." I bit the inside of my cheek.

"Why not in the morning?"

"If Carol and I travel by car this evening we'll stay the night there and then return in the morning." I explained.

"I'm coming with ya!"

"Carol and I can handle ourselves." I assured him.

"Ya know what I mean, Ruby."

"We'll return in one piece." I brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes. "I promise."

My heart stung as I knew that yet again that was a promise I was breaking..

I could see a battle wage inside of Daryl as his jaw clenched. He didn't want to be separated from me nor did I want to be away from him. But I needed to do this. I had to!

"Fine." Daryl huffed. "Until then I plan on keeping ya all to myself."

"I like the sound of that." I leaned in, planting a soft kiss on his lips. "What shall we do first?"

"I have a few ideas in mind." Daryl smirked. Butterflies filled my stomach at the thought of everything he would do to me...

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Daryl zipped up his pants before buckling his belt while I gradually pulled on my jeans and slid my tank top over my bra. When I stood my legs wobbled and gave out as I tumbled to the floor.

"Ya okay there?" Daryl raised a brow.

"Never better." I winked, pulling myself up by the bed post. Daryl had blown my back out as if he would never see me again. I wasn't complaining about being sore but the thought of this being our last day together did leave me feeling empty inside. Was this a good idea? I was beginning to have second thoughts on the whole situation. Surely we could defeat Negan without sending someone in, right?