Shadows

17) Carl

Daryl pressed a quick kiss to Alicia's lips as he stroked her cheek with his thumb. "I'm so sorry." He said quietly.

"It's not your fault." She sighed, leaning her head against his chest. She was sat on the bathroom counter, Daryl's hands now resting against her thighs.

He shook his head. "I should've known not to leave you alone in this hell hole."

Alicia cupped his face in her hands. "Honey... you couldn't have known."

"Ali, they carved the word bitch into your stomach."

She shrugged. "They're not wrong." She managed to crack a small grin out of Daryl. "Besides... I've been wanting a new tattoo."

He snorted. "You don't have enough?" He pointed to the one that was already on her stomach. It was rose she had gotten when she turned 18.

She scoffed. "Says the man who literally has Norman tattooed across his chest." She furrowed her brows. "I've never even questioned that. Who the hell is Norman?"

"Someone I used to know." He shrugged.

Alicia's eyes widened. "Oh my God! He was your gay lover! I knew it!"

Daryl's eyebrows furrowed. "My huh? What?" He shook his head, laughing. "He was my friend."

"You had friends?"

He lightly hit her arm. "Yes, I had friends believe it or not."

Alicia was about to fire back before a knock was heard at the door. She sighed, standing up to answer it. "Yes-"

"Someone's here to see you."

At the door stood Carl, Jordan sitting on his hip. "Hi Ali."

Alicia quickly pulled him into a hug. "Carl? What are you doing here?" She asked.

He pulled away, looking up at her. "I snuck here on a truck." He said nonchalantly.

Alicia scoffed. "Oh of course. Why didn't I realize." He rolled her eyes. "I'm assuming Rick doesn't know you're here."

"No." He shook his head.

She sighed, turning to let him and her father into the room. "Why are you never where you're supposed to be? We say stay in Alexandria you run off. We say stay away from the woods you run to the woods. Stay in the house Carl. And then we can't find you and where are you?"

"Not in the house..."

"Not in the house." She huffed, sitting down.

Negan looked between Carl and Alicia. "I take it this happens often."

Alicia looked at him. "More than you'd think." Daryl chuckled, taking Jordan from Carl and handing her to Alicia. "Hi baby." She smiled.

Jordan just yawned, curling up on her mother for a nap.

"Why are you here?" Alicia asked Carl.

He shrugged. "I came to see you."

Negan laughed, raising his eyebrows at Carl. "That's not what it looked like. You shot like five of my guys and then aimed your little rifle at me."

Daryl and Alicia shared a look, a mix of pride and irritation. Daryl just sighed but Alicia scoffed, smacking Carl on the back of the head.

"Ow." He winced.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" She scolded him. "What if they shot you first?"

"They didn't..."

"Carl-"

"Let the boy sit down Darlin'." Daryl grunted, touching his wife on the shoulder.

Alicia just sighed, looking between the three men before looking at her daughter. "They're all against mama." She sighed.

Jordan giggled, sleepily playing with her mother's hair. Negan and Carl sat down in the two chairs while Daryl joined Alicia on the couch.

They sat in silence for a while before Alicia looked at Carl. "You're going back."

"My thoughts exactly." Negan nodded. Alicia glared up at him. Like he actually gave a damn about Carl.

Daryl sighed, his hand resting on Alicia's thigh. "You should get back ho- to Alexandria." He quickly corrected himself.

"I'll take him back." Negan groaned as he stood up. "I've missed Rick anyhow. I'd like to see him."

Alicia and Daryl watched as they left the room. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" She asked.

Daryl nodded. "Hell yeah."