Closer By The Day | DESUS

chp 3: You're family

Hours had passed and the group were sitting together around the fire, drinking, telling stories, laughing and talking about the future. They had hope, Daryl could see that. He stayed silent like usual, unless he was asked something or spoken to directly but no one got concerned, it was just... a Daryl thing. He was happy to have the rest of his family around and it took a damn lot for Paul to convince Gregory to let them stay for a bit. It's hard to believe that asshole is still running this place. It should be Maggie... or even Paul. Speaking of the annoying shit, Daryl noticed him being awfully quiet. He was usually quite talkative and Daryl found his silence unusual. He liked hearing his soft voice and seeing that gorgeous smile. Daryl watched as Paul sat there on the other side of the fire, legs crossed and eyes staring at the dancing flames. Paul eventually noticed the archer looking and their eyes locked together. Paul loved those moments, it brought him comfort. Paul couldn't doubt the fact he had strong feelings for Daryl. The day they met, it started with attraction but then the feelings grew the more he got to know him and it was no longer just about his figure, voice and sexy Georgia blue eyes. It was ALL of him.  He confessed to Maggie about Daryl not long after he came out to her and all she could say was 'Take it slow with him.' Paul took her word for it and aimed to form a close friendship with the man first. All started to go well as Daryl felt more comfortable around him each day, and now here they were, eyeing each other once again, not looking away. It happened so often, and it had been that way ever since day one except it holds a much different meaning now that they're a little closer.

Daryl needed to know if Paul was okay and that he wasn't the reason for his silence. He jerked his head towards the Barrington house, signalling Paul to follow him there. His eyes lit up at the older man, hiding a smile as he got up on his feet. The both of them walked off into the darkness together away from the group. Tara and Maggie noticed and smirked at one another.

"Where are they heading off to?" Rick asked surprized, looking behind him. Maggie chuckled, not meaning to make it noticeable. Rick frowned at her.

"Do you need to know the in's and out's of everything?" Michonne asked, smiling at Rick's expression. After all this time, they could not believe how clueless he still was. Nearly everyone noticed how weird Daryl had been every time he was around Paul, he was like that ever since Paul was taken to Alexandria and during that meeting.... where he told them about Hill Top, Maggie and Michonne caught them staring at each other a little more than strangers normally would. They even caught sight of Daryl's awkward movements like resting his arm on the shelf in a funny stance as he listened to Paul. It was quite cute and amusing, and what they found even more funny was that Daryl still pulled his angry, 'tough guy' act.

Rick sighed at Michonne's question and shook his head noticing the stupid grins he was copping.

"You girls are always actin weird when it comes to them two." He said. "Is there something you aren't tellin me?"

"We're just as clueless as you are, officer. You need to investigate yourself" Tara said chuckling at her lame joke.  Rick snorted which was followed by a few giggles from Michonne and Maggie. Tara was obviously lying about being clueless but she thought It was best for him to figure it all out himself.

"Well whatever it is," Rick started, taking a sip of his whisky. "At least they're getting along, right?"

"More often than not." Maggie added.

"Good to hear."

------------

"Everything alright?" Paul asked quietly as they sat against the wall on the side of the building.

"Yea, just needa talk." Daryl answered biting his lip nervously.

"Sure."

"Paul, I... I wanted to apologize for being a dick today. My outburst had nothing to do with ya." Jesus smiled softly and placed a hand on Daryl's shoulder giving him butterflies. He didn't flinch though which surprized Jesus.