𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗕𝗜𝗔- rick grimes

THIRTY TWO

THIRTY TWO

THE APOCALYPTIC WORLD WAS BEYOND destruction. Whether that be to the ones who remained, their life falling apart before their very eyes, or the entire planet crumbling down at its core not being kind to anyone in its path. Aria Blake tried to not let the events of her time on Earth destroy her too, let it grasp her tightly and forbid to let go. But that was a hard thing to keep ahold of, to keep under control when the dead lurk and the people are crueler than ever.

Even now, as Aria stood inside the church putting her arrow holder on her back followed by her own bow, she thought of the logic she came up with. They were going into the city to retrieve Beth and Carol, making a plan once Daryl arrived back at their grounds not so long ago and now setting it into motion. Aria wouldn't let any negative thought enter her consciousness as she geared up to finally bring the girl back to her family, a very long awaited thing for the woman. She was just over the moon to see the blonde teen girl once again after being apart for so long, she knew as soon as they were in each other's presence again she'd give her the biggest hug she could muster.

Greyson even had a plan of his own as a smile wouldn't wipe off his face at the thought of the blonde coming back. He told his mother, just hours earlier his own plan he intended to make happen once the girl was safely back at the church and away from harm. His plan was to let the girl settle back in before ultimately telling her how he felt. He wouldn't wait this time, he couldn't. Time was a valuable thing nowadays and he wouldn't let a single bit of their reuniting and time together go to waste, not like he had at the prison.

Aria had to keep her mouth shut at the boys words, only a lingering smirk showing as she watched her only son be so irrevocably fathomed with the youngest Greene girl. She remembered her time with Beth out in the woods, mere days passed as the two talked about Greyson and the girls feelings. She knew Beth had feelings for him too, it was obvious to everyone, and it was only confirmed when the blonde asked how to tell she liked someone.

A hand placed on the woman's shoulder knocked her out of her thoughts. Aria's eyes looked up to meet River's, the man giving her a nod as he stepped around her to walk outside and down the steps where majority were waiting. Aria sighed, her eyes trailing to Greyson who stood with a dazed look as he couldn't get the one person out of his mind. "Hey kiddo, we're leaving."

His eyes moved to his mom, wrapping her in a brief hug before pulling away. "Be careful."

"Always." Aria started, turning on her heels as she advanced out the door. "I love you."

"I love you too." Greyson said quickly before Rick shut the church doors behind them.

Loading into a truck, one they got previously to carrying out their plan, Aria and Rick sat up front. It reminded her of their first few interactions when Rick still didn't trust her, back when she was still considered a newcomer. Both of them sitting up front in a vehicle but only this time Rick drove, Aria in the passenger seat. He took his eyes off the road for a split second letting them drift over to the woman next to him. "You okay?"

"Always will be, Rick." Aria gave him a tight lipped smile. "You okay?"

"I will be once we get Beth." Rick nodded, confirming his words. Aria nodded too, agreeing as she looked back out the window. "Y'know, Greyson told me earlier that he's gonna tell Beth about his crush on her when he sees her."