Walking Dead Imagines

The Vest - Daryl

*A sequel to The Poncho

You had been making little presents for Daryl ever since the prison. You had gifted him a poncho, which he loved and still had to this day. You like to put your skills to use to crochet clothes and blankets for the people of Alexandria and Hilltop. You tended to be the person that everyone went to when they needed something mended or blankets needed made for winter approaching. Whenever you had down time, you would work on little gifts for different people - Daryl being the most common one.

You'd like to think that the poncho you made for him all those years ago was the beginning of when your friendship began blossoming into something more. Now, nearly ten years later, you've been with the archer for a couple of which. He still gets shy to this day when you gift him different things, whether it be something you made him or something you found on a run. You love Daryl and look for any opportunity to spoil him.

This had all come about because you gifted Judith with a handmade quilt. She absolutely adored it and brought up you teaching her how to repair clothes. A few days after beginning to teach her, she took notice of how torn apart Daryl's winged vest was becoming, which she brought up to you. She wanted to surprise her favorite uncle by repairing the faded away wing on the vest - but she needed your help. You loved the idea, knowing Daryl would be very happy - he loved that vest.

So over the next few days, you and Judith would spend an hour or two each night working on the vest. Daryl thought that he had lost it, which made it all the better. He asked you if you had seen it anywhere, pretty upset that he couldn't seem to find it. You played along, helping him "look for it" throughout your shared house. Eventually, Daryl gave up, defeated and mad that he lost it. You felt bad that he was upset but you knew it would only make the surprise so much better.

And so, after over a week of working on it together, you and Judith finished up repairing the wing on his vest. Everyone was preparing for the horde to come through Hilltop, and it seemed like a good time for some heartfelt moments. You gave the vest to Judith and told her you would meet her downstairs, finishing getting ready in the spare room. When you came out of the room, Daryl had just come over to see Judith - sitting on the love-seat. You knew that she was upset, she had been all day - this was supposed to try to ease her worries. You waited in the hall above the stairs, giving them a moment - Judith needs her Uncle Daryl right now.

"Hey," Daryl calls out softly as he approaches Judith, limping slightly as he walks. You cringe at the sight, anger flowing through your veins at the sight of your man so beat up. Alpha would pay for what she did to him. "You should be with the other kids."

"I wanna help." You smile as Judith stands, crossing her arms and giving Daryl that same look that Michonne does. This girl certainly was Rick and Michonne's daughter. "I can fight."

"I know ya can. I'm sorry about today... You didn't need to see those bodies like that." Your smile drops into a sad one at the memory of more of your people fallen at the hands of the Whisperers. Daryl had no reason to apologize, it was them who needed to pay. You lean against the railing as they continue talking, your mind wandering as fear begins to work its way back into your veins.

"I'm not scared." Judith insists, her doe eyes saying otherwise.

"I know yer not. Maybe I am, a little bit." Daryl confesses, his tone dropping slightly. Your heart warms, a memory of Daryl screaming at you that "he ain't afraid of nothin" hitting you. He's come such a long way over the years, he's almost unrecognizable to the man you first met back in Atlanta. Judith goes on confessing things she might be afraid of, your heart sinking when she says she's afraid of losing Daryl.

Tears well in your eyes at the thought of ever losing him, which you rapidly blink away. You can't think like that.

"There ain't no shame in that... You know who you're fighting for." Daryl responds. You watch as Judith lifts the vest off of the chair, holding it up for him to see. He brings a hand over his mouth and grins widely, your own smile forming at his. "It's for luck." Judith smiles.

"No way," He says, taking the vest from her hands "I love it." He throws it on, turning around for her to see. "How do I look?" He asks, making Judith giggle. You smile and stand up straight, getting ready to head down to speak to Daryl before the fight begins.

"It looks good." Your heart flutters when Daryl chuckles in response. You adore that little laugh of his.

You make your way down the long stairs, both of their eyes turning to look up at you. Daryl's smile grows when you make eye contact, your heart skipping in your chest as you come down. "There's one more thing." Daryl sighs, bending slightly to look into Judith's eyes as you head over to them. "If during the fight, Y/N comes looking for you and RJ... You go with her. Whether you know where I am or not. Okay?" He asks. You place your hand on her back as her head drops. "Hey? You gotta promise me."

After a moment, Judith nods lightly, looking up at Daryl then at you. "I promise." Daryl smiles again and pulls her into a hug, looking up at you as he hugs her. You blink away tears hastily as they hug, all sorts of emotions overwhelming you.

After they part, Judith smiles up at you then starts heading out to be with the other kids. You look up into Daryl's eyes, sadness overwhelming you. He chews at his bottom lip for a second before you step into his arms and hug his torso. He hugs you back immediately, something that he has learned over the years with you. You take a deep breath to calm yourself, his comforting smell washing around you as you lean in his chest.

"Hey," He says, pulling back enough to look at you. "We're gonna be okay." He assures you. You nod and smile sadly, blinking away fresh tears. Daryl raises his hand and brushes them away with the back of his hand, his rough hand stroking your cheek gently. You lean into his touch and close your eyes.

"I can't lose you..." You mutter, bringing your hand up to cup his on your cheek, pressing a kiss to it before meeting his blue eyes.

"You won't." He promises, pulling you back into his chest. You stay like that for a moment, enveloped in each other's arms, appreciating one another for what could be the last time. He presses a kiss to the top of your head and you move back, arms still wrapped around his torso, leaning your face up to look up at him. Your eyes drop to his pink lips before going back to his blue eyes. The look you make drives him crazy, he could never get enough of you in his arms.

Daryl leans in slightly, pressing his forehead to yours and looking into your eyes. Your raise your face just enough and press your lips against his very gently. His arms around your body tighten, holding you close in the soft, slow kiss. He normally didn't like to show so much PDA outside of your room, but this time was different. A war was just outside those gates. You part slowly, foreheads pressed together and breathing heavily - soaking in the intimate moment.

When you pull away, you shoot him a smile, nodding your head at him in a way you've picked up from him over the years. "Lemme see it." You smile. His grin returns and he turns, showing you the vest.

"You like it?" You ask as he turns back around.

"O'course. You been teaching her?" He asks, referring to Judith.

"Yeah. She wanted to surprise you."

"You two are the best." He smiles, throwing his arm over your shoulder. "C'mon. We got a fight to win." And so you follow him out of the doors, heading toward the gates to prepare for battle - knowing exactly what the two of you are fighting for.