Shadows

26) Mine

As Alicia walked back to the house she and Daryl were staying at, she felt a hand in her shoulder. She quickly turned around, looking at the man like he was crazy.

He chuckled, taking his hand away. "Sorry." He smiled. "I couldn't remember your name and I was trying to get your attention."

She nodded, her brows furrowed. "Alicia." She said slowly.

"Alicia, right." He nodded. "I'm Martin."

Alicia forced a smile, something about the man creeping her out. "Nice to meet you."

"You're staying here right?" He asked, pointing at her house which was only a few feet away.

"Uh..." She didn't really know what to say, not sure if she wanted a stranger to know where she lived.

"It's ok." He smirked. "I don't bite." He stared at her for a moment before licking his lips. "Why don't you come over to my place tonight, have a drink?"

"I don't drink." She said quickly, coming up with an excuse.

"So just dinner then." He smiled.

She shook her head. "Sorry, Im pretty busy tonight. Maybe another time."

He grabbed her arm, keeping her from leaving. "Cmon, you can't be that busy."

She tried to yank away, dropping the basket of cucumbers Jerry had given her. "Let me go." She said lowly.

"Woah, woah, woah." He stepped closer to her, leaning close to her face. "No need to make a scene."

She tried to turn away from him but he grabbed her jaw, planting his lips firmly on hers. She could immediately taste whiskey on his lips. He was drunk.

Before she even had time to react, Martin was being hurled back, Daryl now stood in between them.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" He growled, looming over the man on the ground. "That's my wife."

He looked up at Daryl, fear flashing in his eyes. "I- I didn't..." he pointed at Alicia. "She forced herself onto me."

Daryl seemed to falter for a moment before picking the man up off of the ground. He grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. "Bullshit." He snarled.

Martin shook his head quickly. "It's not my fault." He pleaded. "Your wife's a slut!" He yelled it, drawing the attention of everyone in their general vicinity.

The look that washed over Daryl's face was something she had never seen before. He had been beside himself with anger when those men attacked her back at the sanctuary but this was different.

Nobody knew about that besides Alicia, Daryl, and Negan. Now everyone around them was staring at Alicia like she was disgusting.

"What did you say?" His voice was barely audible, a low tone that silenced everyone.

"She's a slut!" Martin repeated.

Daryl drew him closer, his grip tightening. "Say anything like that about my wife again and I'll slit your throat." He snapped. "If you look at her, talk to her, touch her, think about her... if you even fucking breathe near her I'll kill you."

"I didn't-"

"Shut the fuck up." Daryl cut him off. "You picked the wrong woman to mess with. She's mine. Mine, do you understand that?" He asked, thumping his forehead. "You get that through your thick skull?"

He nodded rapidly, his eyes darting at everyone for help. "I'm sorry."

"Fuck around again and you'll be real goddamn sorry. Don't you ever fucking touch her again."

Daryl threw Martin back, watching as he quickly scrambled away. He reached down, picking up the basket and grabbing his wife's hand, pulling her inside.

"He didn't hurt me." She assured him.

"I know." Daryl nodded. "But he called you a slut in front of everybody."

"Daryl."

He stood there, running a hand over his face before sighing. "I'm getting real tired of having to beat the shit out of these assholes."

Alicia smiled, placing a small kiss on his cheek. "I appreciate it though."

He nodded, his hands locking with hers. "I know that." He sighed. "I can't even let your ass out of the damned house."

Alicia rolled her eyes. "Please, you know I'm more than capable of beating a bitch up."

Daryl chuckled, leaning back against the countertop. "Yeah." He smiled.

She stood on the tips of her toes, stretching to place a kiss on his lips. Daryl cupped her cheek in his hand, moving his lips in sync with hers.

As the kiss deepened they both realized it had been quite a while since they had shared a moment like this. A simple, love filled kiss. Not a quick kiss, not a "let's fuck" kiss. A simple, "I love you."

She pulled away and smiled, twirling some of his shaggy hair around her finger. "You're very handsome."

He pulled back, forcing her to let go of his hair. "You know I hate when you do that." He grumbled.

She laughed, nodding. "Why do you think I do it?"