Home Is Your Heartbeat ('Home Is' Book Two - Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 30 - Live And Let Die (Wings)

NATE

"Sit!"  Daryl patted the grass next to him and I collapsed in relief  😮‍💨

Morgan doesn't hold back in our practice sessions. Not that I'll ever want him to.

I wipe the sweat off my face and have a long gulp from my water bottle. Then take another minute to get some very knackered breathing under control.

"It looks like you and Jorge have become friends?"  I dive right on in.

"Yeah. Almost as soon as I got to know him. Recognised a lot of the things yer do when we plan for runs....go out. Realised it was him who had taught yer"  He laid on his side and tugged me over to face him.

"It was a feeling as well. Something like the ones that yer get on meeting people? Know he has the right stuff....can trust him. Leo as well. Except, he ain't as quiet as Jorge."

"Hell, maybe even that Guillermo too....maybe. Don't reckon we'll  ever be friends, though. Sorry, Baby Girl. Just don't know if I can do it."

Oh, my love  🥺

I've tried so hard. To wipe away the anxieties he was hiding yet all but drowning in this morning. Looks like we still have some ways to go? But we'll get there.

"And I'll never ask it of you, Daryl. But if you can 'Maybe'  trust G, find some way to try and get along together? Then that's more than enough for me."

I tucked a lock of his long hair behind an ear to see my man's face better. I'm itching to find some scissors and cut it.

"It looked like a pretty intense conversation you were having with Jorge, though. Was it about what went down this morning?"

"Just thanked him for helping yer....for helping us  out. But there was somethin else...."

He trailed off, so I waited patiently for him to continue. I know he will, with no need for me to prompt.

"When yer told me about....about what happened in that house? How yer were the only one who could protect yerself? I knew it was true. But next time, yer mightn't be so lucky. There's too many people like him around nowadays."

"I know yer always careful....I know that. Except, careful won't stop everything!"

"Nate, yer killed people. Just like we all have. A lot of em were justified and a lot more so we could survive. Ain't got me a problem with that....none at all. Now or in the future."

"What I DO  worry about? Is that....that yer don't know how...."  His voice faltered a bit.

"Asked Jorge to teach yer. How to kill someone....no weapons. I need yer to be able to do it all on yer own."

Okaaaay....  😮

He finished his piece and peeped at me tentatively, waiting for my response.

"Talk to me?"  He whispered, when none was forthcoming.

"Yup. There are a couple of things I need to say, Babe. Just give me a minute? I want to get them right in my head first. Before I open my big mouth and bugger it all up"  He nodded, pulling me to him.

A few minutes later, I snuck in a soft kiss on his neck before I began talking.

"Morgan's something of a pacifist and has been trying his hardest to bring me around to his ideals. He's a lot like Hershel in that way"  My breath hitches a bit.

The memories hit me, of our sometimes very  lively philosophical debates. And how Hershel used to throw up his hands in mock exasperation. Before slapping his thigh and laughing.