moonlight // negan

two

I walked with Daryl to the armory to get his crossbow and a few knives.   I grabbed a gun, just in case, but hopefully wouldn't need to use it.  It should be a quick run today.  We walked to the gates as Rosita and Spencer opened them for us.  

"How long will you be today?"  Spencer asked. 

"Should be back before sunset."  I answered before following Daryl out the gates.  We decided on foot today, as we weren't going far.  We walked into the woods, keeping our eyes out for any walkers, or anyone else that may cause us a problem. 

"Rick told me it's been a year.  I'm sorry."  He commented.  

"Don't be.  If it wasn't for Jackson, our whole group could be dead right now.  He saved  us.  I'll always respect him for that, even if it meant he had to die doing it."  Daryl knew to end the conversation there.  I never talk about what happened to Jackson, I never will.  

"I've always respected you, ya know.  Thought you were tough the first day I met ya, still think it now."  

"Did Daryl Dixon just give a compliment?"  I laughed.  

"Shut up.  You know I've always thought that about ya.  Never felt the need to say it out loud."  

"I appreciate it, Daryl.  You need to stay tough in this fucked up world.  I don't like being vulnerable.  People see right through it, and with what our group has been through, it's really easy to read right through people."  He nodded at me in agreement.  Daryl's never been one of many words, but I always liked talking to him the most.  Sure, I consider Rick my best friend, but Daryl, there's always something about him I respected.  He was comfortable to be around.  We understood each other without having to speak more than a few words but when we spoke, our conversations were endless.  We made our way through the trees until we reached the remains of a small town.  We've been here before, and Alexandria has almost completely run it dry, except for the few hidden prized possessions.  I knew where Daryl was going immediately.  We walked up to the shot out window and made sure the coast was clear before stepping inside.  

"I knew you were coming here before I even had to ask."  I laughed. 

"Ya know I feel cooped up in that place."  He replied.  We walked around the bar once more, double checking if any stray walkers, or people, ventured in.  The place was completely empty.  I was still impressed that we haven't cleared this place out yet.  It was Daryl and I's secret.  We found this bar a month ago, while on one of our first runs with Spencer.  We snuck in, saw the alcohol stash still in tack and made mental notes to come back.  Sure enough, we did.  "Whiskey our bourbon?"  He held up two bottles, showing them to me. 

"It's a whiskey day."  I smiled.  Daryl knocked the cap off and took a swig before handing it to me.  Together, we knocked back that entire bottle and by the end we were both in a good place.  We usually drank in silence, slumped down on the ground against the wall.  We never let ourselves get past a place to where we couldn't protect ourselves but being able to pretend the world wasn't going to shit around us every once in awhile was worth it.  "Let's play a game."  I said, breaking the comfortable silence.  "Never have I ever.  Come on, we haven't played this one yet."  I said.  

"We can't drink anymore.  What are we supposed to do if we've done something?"  I didn't think about that, but I was happy he gave in so quickly.  

"I'll think of something when it happens."  I loved playing these types of games with Daryl.  It made it easier getting to know him without it being forced.  I wanted to test his limits this time, though.  "Never have I ever, had sexual thoughts about someone in the group."  I smiled, seeing if he'd admit anything.  He shook his head and gave a slight laugh. 

"What kind of question is that?"  

"One I want to know the answer to."  

"I've thought about it.  Not gonna tell you who though."  He smirked.  I looked at him until he looked over at me.  I moved closer to him so I was sitting next to him.  

"It's me, isn't it?"  I smiled, confidently.  I was almost positive.  I've always thought Daryl was attractive.  I've never had an interest in a relationship with anyone though, not after this all started.  But I'd never be against starting a friends with benefits with someone, that someone may be Daryl.  

"Aren't you confident?"  

"Oh come on, Daryl.  We both find each other attractive.  Let's do something about it already."  

"You're only saying that because of the alcohol." 

"You know what they say, alcohol makes you say out loud what you're really thinking."  

"Fine, it was you."  He admitted.  We were so close to each other, if I would lean barely an inch closer, our lips would be touching.  

"Let's do it then."  I smirked.  I moved ever so gently and lightly brushed my lips against his.  "No strings attached."  I whispered.  Daryl shifted and pulled me onto his lap so I was straddling him.  He deepened the kiss and I moved my hands down his chest, unbuttoning his shirt.  

"Not here."  He mumbled against my lips.  "Not safe."  Still not breaking. 

"Let's head back.  Almost sunset anyway."  I got off of him and stood up, offering my hand for him to take.  I pulled him up, sobriety kicking through both of us.  We headed out of the bar and back our same route.  The trip was quiet on the way back, but not uncomfortable.  

"No strings attached, huh?"  He clarified. 

"I don't want a relationship with anyone."  I admitted. 

"Glad you feel that way, no point in this fucked up world."  I'm glad we agreed on that.  I've had "friends with benefits" in the past, never something I worried about.  I don't need to worry about getting attached to Daryl, we were both good at shutting our feelings out.  We walked up to the gates, Tara and Abraham now on watch.  

"Welcome back, ladies."  Abraham joked.  He was our group funny guy.  Always knew how to get a laugh out of someone in any situation.  I laughed at his comment and Daryl just shoved his middle finger up at him.  "When do you think people are going to start noticing you two sneak off to a bar once a week and not actually go on a run?"  Abraham asked us, throwing both Daryl and I off guard.  He had a joking manner to his tone, I knew he didn't care that Daryl and I snuck off together.  "Next time, I'm invited."  Abraham warned.  

"Yeah, we'll see, Abe."  I joked, walking through the gates.  Daryl and I returned our weapons to the armory and headed off in separate directions.  He shared a house with Carol, Abraham, Rosita, and Eugene.  Before getting too far, I felt him grab my arm and he leaned to my ear. 

"Come by at 11."