TWENTY ONE

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TWENTY ONE






THE NEXT FEW DAYS CONTAINED OF Aria trying to convince Hershel to let her get out of bed, even if she didn't feel completely like herself. But once she did, she immediately brushed the blanket off of her and basically ran out of the cell block. As she did she almost regretted it, the sun hitting her instantly as she wasn't used to the daylight.

But as she readjusted, she let a breath of relief out. She was internally grateful she made it through what she thought she wouldn't, proving to her she could do the inevitable or like to assume she could try. Her feet kept moving as she heard voices around the corner, a bright smile on her face as she rounded it and saw the very few people she wanted to see.

Greyson's eyes left the crossbow Daryl had out, his finger pointing to something on the weapon, and to the footsteps he just heard walk up. Grey immediately stopped what he was doing and ran over, nearly knocking the woman over at the force of his hug. She laughed as her arms wrapped around the boy.

"I'm so happy you're okay." Grey said into the hug. "When Rick told me I was so worried. I don't know what i'd do with myself if you left."

"Well i'm here now and i'm doing fine." Aria told, as she watched him pull away from the hug. They walked over to the rest of the group that sat near the entrance inside the prison. Maggie was the second one to give her a hug, then Beth, and Carl. Daryl rolled his eyes, not wanting to seem interested that she was okay but nonetheless gave her a side hug as awkwardly as he could.

Her eyes went to Rick last, not too sure how he'd react. She could feel his eyes on her the entire time, something swirling inside the beautiful blue she couldn't put her finger on. His facial features dropped in relief, like they had been tightening with stress until he saw her. His chest rose and fell steadily, after he took a deep breath just to let it back out immediately as if he was testing to see that he could still breathe.

Aria stood there unmoving, as her eyes held onto Rick's. The others around them watched intently before they decided to busy themselves up again after noting they should let them both have a minute. Everything seemed to go in slow motion when she saw Rick take a few long strides towards her, his arms wrapping around her waist as he brought her close to his chest.

The woman paused, her face filled with shock at the embrace. It took her a second before she fully comprehended what was going on but once she did she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. Her face pressing into his upper chest as she let out a sigh. She felt the apples of her cheek heat up, a blushing hue take over as it never happened before.

She felt safe, wrapped in his arms for the first time intentionally. There wasn't many words for her to describe what she felt as he held her tightly, afraid if he let go she'd be gone and he'd never get her back. The interaction might've seemed small to whoever was watching, besides the friends next to them, but to the two it meant so much more than something so significantly small as a plain hug could intel.

Holding each other so close, meant everything and nothing all at once. It was such a simple warm gesture that held such deep rooted meaning between the two. It finally clicked in both of their heads at what this feeling they've felt towards each other for some time now, meant. It only took wrapped in each others arms to fully grasp what they felt. They were just too scared to admit it yet, to each other and everyone else. A part of them felt like they were betraying their deceased partners as they stood there.

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗕𝗜𝗔- rick grimes Where stories live. Discover now