Same Love

48: Leaps

Elation. Never before had either of them felt so good. Jesus was almost reluctant to wake them. he had no idea who these people were, only that one of them had chased him yesterday and brought him back here to this town. As he walked in to find the two men sleeping he almost regretted waking up Rick and Michonne first, both of whom stood beside him, now dressed. Rick's face betrayed his emotions, He was calm on the outside and yet on the inside he was questioning everything, seeing Sam and Daryl lay beside each other wrapped up in the crumpled sheets. Jesus found his resolve though and clapped, shouted out to them. They both jolted up and Sam pulled his bow from beside his bed and drew it, still covered by the sheets. He pointed it at Jesus, with a mind to shoot but when he saw Michonne and Rick he dropped his bow in surprise, Daryl rigid beside him. Neither had got out of bed, only trained their weapons on the attacker and thank goodness they did otherwise Michonne would have seen something she didn't need to see.

"We need to talk. " Jesus said and walked out leaving Rick and Michonne to walk out too, stunned. Sam and Daryl quickly pulled on new clothes as their ones from the previous night were littered in various places around the house and went to join the three people who were talking downstairs.

"We have a community. I can take you there, it's called hilltop. My job is to secure trade with other settlements" Jesus breached. Rick and the others agreed that it would at least be worth looking at the settlement and so Daryl went to prepare the motorhome for the journey, the only vehicle that could fit them all inside and they set off. All was quiet as they sat, Sam stared out of the window, thinking over the events of the previous night.

"Sam? What do you think of all this?" Glenn asked, seeing how far-away Sam seemed. The hunter turned to Glenn, questioning look in his eyes, he hadn't heard the full question and stared blankly at the Asian, opening his mouth to speak.

"You're really out of it this morning" Michonne said, though it was more of a speculation than a teasing comment he took it that way and turned his face away, refusing to answer. The motorhome skidded to a halt at an overturned car and Jesus climbed out, recognising the vehicle and trying to find his people in the wreckage. Daryl and Sam followed tracks that lead to a barn where four people were huddled, one of whom was badly injured. Sam helped to take them back to the vehicle and they set on the way again. The four introduced themselves and Daryl also noticed Sam's far away look, placing his hand on Sam's knee which made the man jump, his eyes darting to Daryl.

"Sorry, just away with the faeries I guess"

"At least you ain't out of it because of sadness"

"Quite the opposite" Sam smirked and placed a chaste kiss on the hunter's cheek. This did not go unnoticed by Glenn, Maggie, Michonne and Abraham who let their happiness show in their own ways. Abraham opened his mouth to comment, yet Sasha's voice in his head stopped him immediately. Daryl was so casual about it that Glenn wondered how long he'd been blind to it. For Daryl to not flinch at a display of affection was unbelievable to him. Glenn made a note to ask Sam later. Even Rick glanced back in the rear-view mirror to see the exchange and was still trying to wrap his head around it. The group soon got stuck in the mud, literally, and had to walk the rest of the way. At the gates of Hilltop they were greeted with spear-wielding men who commanded the group give up their weapons. Luckily, due to Jesus's commanding tone they let the group keep their weapons. It was amazing. They had animals, crops, people. It made Sam's heart warm and renewed hope. Maggie was tasked with communicating with the leader and they all waited around. Jesus, seeing Sam's reaction, invited the man to see their storage rooms, remarking on his obvious hunting experience. Sam accepted and with a small wave to Daryl they disappeared, leaving Daryl and Abraham standing together waiting.

"Have you ever thought about settling down?" Abraham asked.

"You think shit's settled?"

" So never?"

"What sort of question is that?"

"Do you think Sam has?" Abraham asked and Daryl didn't answer. In fact, he didn't know the answer, simply knew he wouldn't mind it if he was with Sam. Speak of the devil, he came bounding around the corner, grinning.

"This place is cool!" Sam beamed, causing Daryl to laugh. Daryl had never seen Sam so energetic. The gates suddenly opened and a group of people came in, wary when they saw the strangers in their community.

"Negan killed two, the drop was too light. Craig is still back there, a hostage until we deliver a message to Gregory"

Sam pursed his lips and leapt into action just as the man stabbed Gregory. Rick killed the man as he attacked Abraham and Jesus assured the astonished residents that it was not Rick's fault, that they weren't a threat.

"Who's Negan?" Sam asked.

"Negan is the leader of a group called the Saviours. They agreed not to attack us if we continue to give them half of our supplies. They're tyrannical" Jesus explained. Rick, being Rick, offered to help the Hilltop colony in exchange for supplies also. It took a few hours but eventually, the deal went through and they loaded up the motorhome with supplies, with a man Andy telling them all he could about the Saviour compound. On the drive home, Glenn passed around the Ultrasound photo of their baby that had been taken and it caused Sam's throat to constrict as he thought of his own child. Daryl pushed his hair out his eyes and placed a tentative first public kiss on Sam's lips, causing everyone to smile, seeing the love they both felt.

I can feel you breathing

With your hair on my skin

As we lie here within

The night

I'll pull the sheets

When it's cold on your feet

Cause you'll fall back to sleep

Every time

Grow old with me

Let us share what we see

And oh the best it could be

Just you and I

And our hands they might age

And our bodies will change

But we'll still be the same

As we are

We'll still sing our song

When our hair ain't so blonde

And our children have sung

We were right

They'll sing

Grow old with me

Let us share what we see

And oh the best it could be

Just you and I

And the hairs they stand up

And my feet start to thump

Yer the feeling is dreaming

Around

You'll be the one

Make me hurt, make me come

Make me feel like I'm real

And alive

Grow old with me

Let us share what we see

And oh the best it could be

Just you and I

Grow old with me

Let us share what we see

And oh the best it could be

Just you and I

Hey guys, it's me. I finally made their relationship public! I hope you're liking it so far. This song holds a place in my heart. All of the music I include in this story invokes some strong emotion in me and I want to share it with you. If anyone wants to know song names or artists just drop me a message or a comment down in the discussion and I'll tell you. Any requests I'm also happy to factor them in and will give you a shout out. Thank to all the people that love this so far.

I love you all

Love from Amai the Otaku, Leader of the marshmallows.