Healing Broken Wings [Daryl Dixon] The Walking Dead

Seventeen| Settling For Good

⛏️Daryl⛏️

I listen to the walkers snarling as they push at the fence. We found a prison and was able to clear the yard and keep the dead out. Carol stands beside me and I fiddle with my poncho. I look at Carol as she groans in discomfort, rubbing her shoulder.

"What's the matter?"

"My shoulder. Not used to the kickback of that rifle." I take my crossbow off my shoulder. "Here," I say and begin massaging her shoulder. After a few minutes and awkward glances later, I pull my hand away. "We should head back."

"It's pretty romantic. Want to screw around?" I stare at her. "Pfft. I'll go down first." I say crouching down. "Even better."

"Stop." We share a chuckle before jumping down. We head back to the group and I hear Beth, Maggie, and Kris singing. I half-smile as I listen, settling down next to Kris. We've been running for so long it's nice to stop and enjoy the little things.

🎵But since it falls unto my lot that I should rise and you should not I'll gently rise and I'll softly call good night and joy be with you all good night and joy be with you all Beautiful.🎵

I look around as the song ends and see some spirits have lifted. Rick had returned soon after we did. "Alright, we should turn in for the night. I'll take watch over there."

I listen as Rick explains about clearing out the prison. How the supplies here could still be intact. Rick walks off and Lori follows, her due date is very close. Kristina looks up at me and I shrug. Everyone begins to settle down. T-Dog, Maggie, Glenn, Hershel, Carol, Carl, and Beth.

I lay down on my back, arm under my head, looking up at the stars. Kris settles down beside me, resting her head on my arm. She absentmindedly messes with the fabric of my poncho. "You okay?" I ask as I gaze down at her. She looks up at me and nods. "We've just been running for so long that I'm trying not to get my hopes too high."

I make small circles with my finger on the skin of her shoulder and notice her relax slightly. "Hey, we'll clear this place out. No more running." She nods, shifting a little closer to me and I let her. For some reason my presence makes her feel better and she seems to relax a lot more when she's close to me.

I enjoy my personal space but I make an exception for Kris. Just like my presence helps her, her presence helps me. I continue my small circular motion on her skin and every once in a while I feel her shiver a little. But her eyes are half-lidded as her exhaustion settles in.

I smirk at her reaction and continue. My smirk turns into a genuine smile when I realize she's asleep. I stop my circular motions and rest my hand on her waist. Her arm is kind of wrapped around my torso. I listen to her steady breathing before closing my eyes and allowing myself to drift to sleep.

×ו××

We got the outside of the prison cleared and have just cleared a cell block. "Home sweet home."

"For now this place is secure. In the morning we'll locate the cafeteria and the infirmary."

"We'll sleep in the cells?" Maggie asks and Rick looks up at her. "I found a set of keys on some guards. Daryl has a set too." I look at all the cells and shake my head. "I ain't sleepin in some cage. I'll take the perch." I hear Kris's laughter.

"Alright, let's get started." I jump up as the women, Hershel, and Carl start picking out cells. We begin clearing it out and found some weapons. "Not bad. Flashbangs, CS Triple-Chasers. Not sure how they'd work on walkers, but we'll take it," I say stuffing them into the bag.

We head back out and I look around. I see, Kris chatting with Beth and Maggie. Glenn calls to Maggie and I call to Kris. They both say goodbye to Beth before coming over. "We're planning on pushing more and clearing out more of the prison. You up for it?" They both nod, pulling out their guns. They check the clip and make sure they have their knives.