Sam stared at Daryl who held his knife to Dwight's throat, his hands visibly shaking. Dwight had the cheek to come here, to claim his innocent intentions and to possibly jeopardise the whole mission but Sam didn't blame him. Sam saw, with his truth-seeing eyes that Glenn had despised, that Dwight was an honest man with an honest claim. Tara egged Daryl on, trying to obtain her revenge for Denise's death. Rosita egged Daryl on, her hatred clear in her tone but Sam simply stood, carefully breathing in and out in measured breaths.
"Sam, Tell him!" Tara snapped, still egging Daryl on. Dwight's eyes shifted to the other man he had hurt, the man he had watched slowly starve and for a moment, Dwight saw the pity on Sam's face and he didn't know who it was for.
"It's not my decision Tara, nor is it yours" Sam said quietly. Upon hearing Sam's voice and seeing the sincerity of Dwight's gaze, Daryl backed down, letting the saviour go.
"Negan is coming tomorrow. Three trucks, maybe 20 saviours plus him. I can fell some trees on the road to give you some more time"
"I trust him" Sam assured when everyone looked to him for judgement and Dwight was genuinely surprised by how much authority he seemed to hold despite being such a quiet character. Dwight was escorted off of the property and Sam heard Daryl pledge to kill Dwight after it was all over as he walked out of the door.
He found himself strolling through Alexandria, observing as everybody prepared for the battle that was to ensue. His stomach turned, a feeling of immense discomfort washing over him and he almost doubled over at the stabbing pain. It was worry, the pain he felt when the stress became too great and the situation was dire. He managed it back to the house where he sat by the window, trying to hold back his tears as he watched, waited, hoped for a way out of this. Rick entered Sam's house, needing to ask the man something. When Rick found the man, in tears and looking over his knife, feeling the blade with the pads of his fingers, he couldn't help but be both confused and unnerved. Rick tried to be as gentle as possible as he approached and sat across from Sam at the kitchen table, noting how the once homely atmosphere of the house seemed like a distant memory. Fighting was a rage of emotion, surviving was a hardship no person should ever have to bear and they both knew that all too well.
"Sam, We'll win" Rick tried to instil confidence in the man but was met by a bitter sound of doubt.
"How can you say that Rick? How, after all that's happened..." Sam was unable to finish, staring out at those who were fortifying the gate. He observed that their sunken frames had gained a certain energetic quality, as though the prospect of a fight had breathed life into them.
"After all that's happened it's the least I can do to believe it" Rick patted Sam's shoulder, going to get ready himself for the fight ahead.
Sam punched the table once he was alone, leaving blood on the hardwood from his fist. He was angry, upset, scared and hopeful all at once but despite his conflict there was one thing he knew.
They'd lose things tomorrow, friends, weapons, many lives and many bullets.
Later that night, when the darkness had spread itself across the sky and Daryl came into the living room he saw Sam sat, knees pulled up to his chest, humming small tune to himself though a worried expression had settled on his handsome features and he held his stomach, the sick feeling not having subsided. Without saying a thing, Daryl threw the hour old tea from the cup into the sink and sat down beside him, placing a comforting hand on his arm.
"Don't worry. We may lose people but we'll win the fight" Daryl made no attempt to say it would all be ok, that everyone would live and be happy and healthy because it was a lie and he wasn't going to lie to him, not that he'd believe the deception anyway.
"I'm scared. I don't want to lose you, Daryl. Not after.." Sam embraced Daryl urgently, clutching his vest in his fists and breathing in his scent, cigarettes, oil and sweat. Normally, the smell would calm him but today it just seemed to torment him, remind him of what he could lose. Daryl wasn't sure how to go about helping Sam with his conflict as he too was feeling the same, he was the most scared he'd ever been in his life that Sam wouldn't come back, just as he was every time they went to battle.
"Jus'....Don't leave me, please" Daryl whispered, his mouth close to Sam's ear so that his breath tickled the worried male's neck, fanned over his sensitive skin and made him shiver. They sat there in silence, tangled together while the day changed around them, from night to early morning. When the sunlight started streaming through the windows, bathing them in a stark light, Rick came by the house to enquire and came across Daryl trying to retract his body from Sam's who had fallen into a light slumber half an hour ago. Panic filled Daryl's eyes and he quickly held a finger up to his lips but it was too late, Sam was awake. Rick hadn't got used to this, to seeing them so close and seeing them as a romantic couple but he had been told about their newest development and was happy for them. Rick knew it would bring happiness to the community even if they lost people today. Sam groaned groggily, clutching Daryl's vest and the man sighed heavily, kissing the sleepy man's forehead.
"At least ya got some sleep, I was worried ya wouldn' an' would be tried"
"Did you sleep?" Sam asked, not registering that Rick was there and leaning forward to kiss his lover's slightly dry lips.
"No but it doesn' matter" Daryl stood then, turning his attention to Rick who was staring at them in slight awe, he never knew that they acted so loving around each other, like a couple out of a romance novel or a sappy movie.
"The Scavengers are due in an hour, get ready and meet us at the gates to welcome them"
"Sure, sorry for yesterday. I know it didn't give you much confidence" Sam's voice was slightly husky, the subtle shadow of stubble on his face and his sharp cheek boned face having filled out a bit more now and Rick observed how Daryl stood watching Sam as he disappeared through the living room door, his feet heard going up the wooden stairs and the sound of the shower floating downstairs.
"I'm glad you're happy Daryl, with Sam I mean" Rick said awkwardly and Daryl sighed.
" Gonna focus on the important thing and right now that ain't if ya happy for us"
"I guess you're right. I'll see you out there"
"Yeah"
Stress twisted stomachs, worry clouded minds yet they would get through it, despite everything they needed to kill Negan and Sam vowed that he'd at least get one hit in.
YOU ARE READING
Same Love
RomanceHe had always been introverted, growing up in Georgia, his family was religious and hated him for being Gay. when the apocalypse occurs and the dead start walking the earth he learns that there is more to love than they once said, than procreation...