"Daryl, I need you on this run. Are you up for it?" Rick asked as Daryl turned to look at you. You nodded, and Daryl gave you a small smile before he looked back to rick and nodded.
"Yeah, 'm up fer' it. When we leavin'?" Daryl asked as you accompanied him as he walked over to Rick.
"In fifteen minutes or so, I'll come find ya when we're leaving." Rick said, patting Daryl on the back. "Go relax for a bit, brother." Daryl nodded as we started heading back towards the houses. Since Daryl wasn't one for PDA, you waited for a bit before actually following him. Once he was inside, you started to head his way. When you reached his threshold, you noticed something about him was off. His shoulders sagged, and the way his back was turned to you told you he didn't want to go on this run at all. At least that's what you perceived it as.
"Dar? Everything ok?" You asked him. No response. You asked once again. "Dar, s' everything alright?" He didn't answer again, but you could see him trembling. "Pookie, what's wrong?" You didn't wait for a response as you approached him from behind and hugged him, or tried to. You didn't get very far with the attempted hug before he pushed you away. "Daryl, hey. What's goin' on? Why ya' pushin' me away?"
"I'm not good enuff' fer ya...Why haven't cha' left yet?" Daryl said quietly.
"Where's all this comin from? What's got you thinkin' you're not enough?" You asked, trying to give Daryl another hug.
"I see the way all those younger guys look at cha', n' how they look at us. I'm too old fer ya. I can't make ya happy like they can..." Daryl started to walk away, but you gripped onto his arm.
"What in the world are ya tallkin' about? Too old for me? Baby, I fell in love with ya' because of your personality, the way those eyes of yours look at me. I fell in love with you for you. Age is a number baby; no number can describe how much I love you. Please look at me, Dar." Daryl shook his head but looked at you. "You're the only person who can ever make me happy. Whoever it is you think can make me happier than you do is lying. You're the one person in this fucked up world that can ever make me see the bright side. Don't think, even for a minute, that your not enough. I love you, Dixon." You said pulling Daryl into your arms as he dropped his head onto your shoulder. He didn't cry but he wasn't happy either. Fifteen minutes had definitely passed since the time you and Daryl had been in the house. Soon enough there was a knock on the door and a voice that followed.
"Daryl, we're gettin' ready for the run, you still comin'?" Rick spoke out and you let him in.
"Hey Rick. Daryl ain't feelin' well. He's gonna sit this one out, that ok?"
"Oh, Yeah that's ok. Feel better brother. Aaron offered to be on the run if you didn't." Rick said, giving you a small smile and a knowing look before he left. After Rick left you and Daryl proceeded to his bed as he sat down with you still holding onto him. You let him rest his head on your chest as he slowly calmed down.
"I love you Daryl, don't you ever forget it." You said as Daryl slowly fell asleep. Eventually you looked down to see him sleeping peacefully and you smiled softly while you played with his hair before you yourself fell asleep holding Daryl.
