Lottie

Carl

Lottie found Carl sitting silently on a bench in the courtyard, she sat herself quietly next to him.

"I had to put her down you know." Carl blurted out before Lottie could even take a breath.

"I know," She said gently. "Your dad told me."

The outer fence was being patrolled by Michonne and Rick, they were forcing sharp poles through the eyes of some hungry looking walkers who were pushing against the fence.

"How did that happen?" Carl said pointing towards Lottie's healing bruised face.

Lottie smiled, "The Governor." She said simply "Merle saved me."

"Daryl was talking about him to my dad," Carl whispered as if Rick could hear them from so far away. "Are you and Daryl a thing?"

She giggled "Yes I think so, you're only one year older yet you're so tall and full of questions!"

Carl smiled, blushing a little "Why do you only think so with Daryl?

"It's been a year," Lottie said, trying to think of a child friendly way to put it. "He thought I was dead and it's hard for him."

"But you love him?"

"Yes," She smiled "Yes I do love him."

"And he loves you?"

"I hope so!" Lottie sighed trying to keep the smile on her face. "Why are you sat out here in your own?"

"Someone's got to protect him." Carl said seriously.

"Who?"

Carl pointed down towards Rick. Lottie realised that being the one to put his mother down before she turned had hardened Carl.

"You've got to protect yourself first." Lottie said, "You can't protect your dad if you're not here can you?"

Carl nodded. "I guess you're right," He said "Who will protect you? You've been hurt by lots of people."

"I'm still alive though!" Lottie said trying to keep the mood up, "Daryl and your dad have protected more than anyone my entire life, I owe them everything."

Carl fidgeted slightly. "I wanted to find you, you're like a big sister to me I knew you weren't dead!"

"It's okay, no one knew for sure and I'm here now. I don't plan on going anywhere." Lottie said putting her arm sympathetically around Carl. "And you're like a little brother to me, I'll always protect you."

"I'll always protect you too." Carl insisted, a few moments of silence followed.

"You know, Judith has the same nose as you." Lottie said poking Carl in his nose.

Carl finally laughed. "I hope you and Daryl stay together." He said seriously again though.

"Well that's up to him, I can't force him to love me, I'm sure no matter what everything will be okay." Lottie said growing tired of talking about it, she'd spent enough time consoling herself over the matter.

Lottie smiled and pulled Carl from his lonely seat to take him in for some lunch. They were both shocked to see that Daryl had been standing behind them the entire conversation.

He looked a little ashamed but still stood proud. His shoulder-length hair irritating his eyes slightly as he clutched his hands on his sleeveless leather jacket.

"I do love you." He said in his deep, rough voice. "There weren't ever a time we weren't 'a thing'." He quoted Carl.

"Yes!" Carl shouted as he jumped with his arms in the air.