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

Part 24 - Bonds

"To think, when you first met him, you kept sending him back to me."

Daryl and CJ were sat at the table on their porch, sitting across from each other whilst they took in the early morning sun. Daryl had his feet up on the table, and Dog was sat beside the chair whilst Daryl petted him fondly. 

"Now, you love him," CJ continued with a smile. "It's cute."

"Pfft," Daryl scoffed. "I ain't cute."

"No, but Dog is," CJ shrugged. "So much so, he makes you look better."

Daryl frowned and narrowed his eyes at his wife. "Thanks for that."

"Sorry," CJ giggled. Daryl let out a small chuckle as they both went back to looking out at the town. 

The sun was beaming down without being too hot. the blue sky was partly concealed by white, fluffy clouds that occasionally blocked the sunlight and created shadows over the roads. Things appeared to be relatively okay at the moment. There had been no recent issues with Alpha, according to the Hilltop, their wall was close to being finished, and the herd attacks at Oceanside had stopped too. 

 The few folks walking around the streets seemed in good spirits after the quiet few days Alexandria had seen. The issue with Negan being missing seemed to have died down a lot over the past couple of days. People realised that if Negan wasn't around anymore then at least they didn't have to worry about what to do with him. A couple of search parties were still going out when there was time, but it was no longer deemed an urgent matter to find him.

Across the road, CJ's eyes landed on Carol, who was collecting some bread for the bakery stand just down the road. She had her bow on her back and her jacket on, seemingly ready to head out somewhere. Daryl seemed to have seen the same thing CJ had, and he stood up from his chair.

"I'll go," he decided. 

"Wait," CJ stood and caught his wrist. "You stay, I'll go with her."

"Why?" Daryl asked.

"Whatever she's doing, she needs help," CJ replied. "It should be me."

"If this is about what she said to you the other mornin', it shouldn't be," Daryl shook his head. 

CJ had told him about the conversation she'd had with Carol, where the woman had told her why she could talk to her. Daryl had seemed annoyed by what Carol had said, and was close to saying something to her, but CJ told him to leave it. In her mind, Carol was right; she did feel guilty around her, and she didn't want to anymore.

"It should still be me anyway," CJ shrugged. "Please."

Daryl chewed on his bottom lip, unsure about letting her leave. "Alright."

CJ leaned up to kiss him. "I'll make sure she comes back. And me, of course."

"Perfect," Daryl tutted, kissing her forehead.

She ducked into the front room to grab her old vest from the hook, shrugging it on over her black hoodie and zipping it up. Her bag was by the coat rack, and she hoisted it onto her shoulder. As she came back out, she picked up her bow from the stand outside the door as she gave Daryl another chaste kiss.

"Love ya," he mumbled softly. "Be careful and be back before dark."

"Yes, dad," she rolled her eyes jokingly.

"Very funny," Daryl tutted. "I'm serious."

"We'll be back, I promise," CJ kissed him once more. "Love ya," she waved over her shoulder as she started jogging after Carol, following her around to the gates.