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

Chapter 32 - No Action (Eurogliders)

NATE

The look on Leo's face after I called him out? Told me he was getting my message. But I need to make it loud and clear.

And quickly, before Daryl comes storming through the door.

My hearing is still bang on and I know he's woken up. Would've clearly heard Leo's not-so-roundabout slur about him....and us.

"I love you, Leo. As much as I love Jorge, Carl, G, Rick, Carol....the rest of my family and friends. But that's absolutely sweet fuck all compared to the love I have for my husband....and best friend. What I've felt for him since the very first...."

I pause suddenly, because I almost let slip Daryl's revelation to me....about when he knew. Back at the retirement home in Atlanta.

What my eyes had told him.

"But how? And why him of all people, for crying out loud?"  Leo blurted out.

"He's been an asswipe from the get-go. Almost killed Guillermo. Jorge, Big Red and Rick had to separate them because...."  I cut him off again.

"NUP!  I don't want to know why, that's between the two of them. Did anyone tell you about us....our family? What happened at the prison and afterwards?"

"No....not really. In fact, it's almost been like a cone of silence. We didn't even know you were married to each other until you told us. Though Jorge had this feeling that you and Daryl were more than....well...."

"Anyway, they got us out of Terminus. We saw you at that little cabin, except you didn't notice any of us. Too hell-bent on chasing after him."

"Then when Daryl and Carol returned a few days later without you? Rick told us you were keeping our backs covered for a while. Would catch up....eventually."

"End of fucking story, Nate!"

My friend was getting mega-pissy now. But I'm not going to bite back in anger again.

"Leo, you love Jorge....don't you?"  I ask softly.

And get his 'You're shitting me, aren't you....my silly little donkey?'  gaze in response.

"Well, close your eyes. Now imagine Jorge's in a group, completely surrounded by Walkers. And they're all being torn to shreds. He's being eaten alive....right in front of you...."

Have to be a bit graphic so Leo will fully understand.

Then I went on to tell him about the outbreak of illness. How we didn't even get a chance to recover from that before the Governor landed his final blow.

Losing our family, our home....and losing Hershel. Then Daryl, believing me dead for all those weeks.

"So you're lost and grieving. You feel like dying too, Leo. Because you couldn't do a single thing to stop any  of it. Jorge is gone. Jorge....who you love. And who loves you right back so very much."

"But at the same time? You hate Jorge too. Because he's dead and now you're all alone again. He went and left you, just like everyone else."

I feel so sick going over all this again. But Leo has to understand.  Otherwise, he might never accept us.

Daryl's eyes were peering at me solemnly through a little gap in the window shutters. But he knew and gave me a tiny head twitch of approval.

"Then Jorge suddenly turns up....larger than life and very much not  dead. You're happy, yet angry and terrified as well. Yup, you have Jorge back. Only to realise....that you'll lose him again  someday. To a real death."