Last One Standing ~ TWD Daryl Dixon

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Jo

"Hey," Daryl's voice was husky as it pulled me from my thoughts. He reached out and glided his thumb across my temple. "What's going on up there?"

I lifted my eyes to meet his and was surprised to find him only inches away. My thoughts scattered and I suddenly wasn't certain now was the best time to do this. The alcohol in my system made me braver than normal, but it also made my thoughts sluggish.

"Jo?" Daryl asked, his brow furrowed. He reached out and his fingers lightly touched my low back under his jacket. I could feel his warm hand through the thin material of my dress like a brand.

His hand stilled when he touched the one knife hidden there. He looked down at me, smiling lightly. "That's my  girl," he said with a low chuckle. He moved his fingers, teasing them along the edges of the knife. "One of your new toys?" he asked. He snorted and leaned in so his lips were nearly touching her ear. "I'd love to see their faces when they see ya in action. They think you're beautiful now..." he said smirking.

I let out a single chuckle and looked away, a blush climbing it's way up my neck. I wasn't sure what to say now. Daryl was surprising me tonight. When I still didn't respond he pulled back a step and frowned down at me. I could see a hint of uncertainty in his gaze.

I took a deep steadying breath as I thought about his words. I squinted at him, wondering what could have changed that he would suddenly be so forward and open. It couldn't just be the wine.

I turned away from him and looked up at the moon where it was reflected down into the pond. The wind blew again, tossing the trees and the leaves rustled. It was nice, not having to wonder if the peacefully rustling leaves was concealing the noise of an approaching walker. Nice, though it would take me a long time to get used to it. I don't know that I ever wanted to get used to it.

I glanced over my shoulder at Daryl. "It is beautiful here, in a peaceful, slightly boring suburban way," I added with a smile.

He nodded, though he didn't take his eyes off my face. "Yeah, it is."

I took another deep breath and turned to face him once more. Even in the dim light I could make out every feature. These days I knew his face better than I knew my own. His dark hair was tangled around his face, falling into his eyes. I wanted to reach out and brush it back. My hand itched to push it out of his eyes so I could see them better. He had perfected using it as a shield against other people, but he never seemed to do so with me. He hid his gorgeous blue eyes and kept his expression guarded and everyone stayed away. When we were alone though, he let himself show his emotions. His eyes were studying my face now like I was the only person in the world. He had cleaned up, but he hadn't shaved and his cheeks were still covered in scruff that hadn't quite grown enough to be a beard. It effectively hid the mole above his lip that I found irresistibly sexy. I bit my own lip as my eyes fixed on his lips.

I had fought for everything I had in this world. I looked around at the houses of Alexandria. These people had fought for nothing, they didn't know how to fight. I didn't want to be like that. I took a breath and reminded myself this was just a mask I wore, I wasn't this person. That Jo had died in the cell in Woodbury, she was dead and buried. I was using her, using her mannerisms, her thoughts, but I wasn't her, not anymore. And as I stared at Daryl I realized with absolute certainty I didn't want to be her. She would have never survived what I had and she wasn't the one Daryl trusted at his back.