It's Not Living Without You (Desus)

Chapter Twenty Nine

Notes: The song for this chapter is "From Where You Are" by Lifehouse

Jesus stood outside of the large room that held all of the sick patients. There was a clear plastic divider that separated the sick and the visitors.

Jesus and Rick were really the only people who would even get close to those who were sick, as most people didn't want to risk it.

Jesus had decided he would do anything for Daryl, even if it meant dying.

Daryl was currently asleep on a small cot in the corner of the room. Jesus watched every rise and fall of his chest, terrified he would stop breathing at any given moment.

Blood was spattered across the front of Daryl's chest, and he was pale, not to mention shivering and shaking.

Jesus longed to go to him, wrap him up in a blanket and help him, but he had promised that he would stay on the other side of the plastic.

Jesus pulled out the velvet box from his trench coat pocket. He opened it, and looked at the rings, before looking back at Daryl, who was still sound asleep.

He closed his eyes and took a deep, shuddering breath.

He should've asked Daryl.

If he died, at least he would have known it was only because death had made them part. But now it was too late.

He pressed his forehead against the wall next to him, his eyes still closed. He stood there like that for a moment, holding the rings.

Jesus jumped when someone put a hand on his shoulder.

Rick was standing next to him.

"We're gonna get through this. We always do." Rick said quietly.

Jesus could only nod, as he didn't trust his voice.

He wished more than ever that Maggie could be here with him. She would know what to do, and what to say to make him feel better. But she was not here, and that only made everything worse.

He stared at the rings for a moment more, before angrily shoving them back into his pocket.

This wasn't fair, god damnit. Daryl had already been through hell. They had all been through hell. They had lived through an apocalypse, through a war, and now a god damn disease was going to kill them.

He looked back at Daryl, who was now awake and watching him.

When Jesus looked at him, Daryl stood up shakily, and walked towards the plastic.

Jesus shook his head frantically, trying to convey that Daryl shouldn't be getting up right now.

Daryl simply rolled his eyes, and stood in front of him.

They could talk, but it was muffled, and besides, talking would wake up the other patients.

Daryl stared at Jesus, and smiled a small smile.

"I love you." Daryl mouthed.

Jesus felt the tears gathering.