It's Not Living Without You (Desus)

Chapter Five

Daryl woke up to find Jesus pressed against his side. Christ, couldn't this man sleep somewhere NOT on top of him? He had a whole damn forest to chose from.

Daryl shook his shoulder roughly.

"Get up." He said harshly.

Jesus's eyes fluttered open, and he smiled brightly.

"Good morning, Mr. Dixon." He chirped, stretching with a yawn.

Daryl growled.

"Don't call me that." He demanded.

Jesus shrugged.

"As you wish. Do you still want to go back to Alexandria?"

"Yes."

Jesus looked almost... disappointed?

"Alright. Well, I should apologize. I shouldn't have pressed you like that yesterday. I know it's hard to talk about, and I... I'm just sorry."

Daryl grunted in response, and turned to limp back to Alexandria.

Jesus could apologize all he wanted, it didn't change a single god damn thing.

***

When they returned to Alexandria, Rick was annoyed that they had returned so soon.

"This is all you found?" He asked.

Jesus sighed.

"I'm afraid so."

Rick shook his head.

"We'll have to make more runs later. For now, I'm just glad we fixed the wall."

Rick turned to face Jesus.

"You're going back to hilltop then?" He asked.

Jesus hesitated.

"Yes." He finally answered.

Daryl let out a sigh of relief and turned to walk towards his house. He was exhausted, and ready to go home and sleep. He glared when Rick put out a hand to stop him from leaving.

"Daryl. I need to talk to you for a minute. Alone."

Jesus took the hint, and started to back away.

"I'll see you later, Rick. Daryl."

He gave a small wave, and then left.

Rick looked at Daryl wearily.

"What happened out there? You're back early."

Daryl shifted nervously.

"Nothin. Just didn't find anythin much. Decided it was pointless."

Rick nodded slowly.

"Alright. Go rest. I think Michonne and I have a plan for Negan. We'll talk about it tomorrow."

Daryl walked slowly back to his all too perfect, all too normal, all too peaceful house.

*******

Jesus walked through the woods quietly, thinking. He was on his way back to hilltop, where he would have to report to Maggie, and Gregory, he supposed.

Rick had asked him to go on the run with Daryl, and try to get closer with him.

But he'd gone about it wrong.

He let out a frustrated sigh. He couldn't help the stupid things he thought, or said around Daryl. Something about him just threw him off. Ever since Daryl had escaped from the saviors, he had been different. More quiet, and more reserved, if that was even possible.

Jesus thought of the torture Daryl had gone through, and shuddered.

He felt a wave of nausea, then a wave of rage.

He closed his hands into a tight fist, angry. How could someone do something so terrible?

Jesus wished he could make everything better, he wished that he could somehow comfort Daryl.

But he couldn't, so he would go where he was wanted, at hilltop.