YEARNING - Daryl Dixon

THIRTY FOUR.

EVERYTHING had been going well, the trade was made but she wanted more.

Bonnie stood beside Daryl as everyone tensely watched Beth walk back over towards the female cop.

Something caught Bonnie's eye, something metal in Beth's cast but before anything could be done it was too late.

"No." Bonnie yelled as she took a step forward.

BANG.

Bonnie jolted up as the gunshot woke her out of her deep slumber.

Everyone was in a dark mood, with Beth being killed, the church overrun by walkers while the group went into the city, the death of Tyreese on the way home, it had been a rough couple of days.

It was all too heartbreaking, the way Daryl cried and Maggie's sobs. She felt for them, Maggie had lost all of her family and Daryl had lost a close friend.

Bonnie sighed at the thought of Daryl, he had grown distant, which she completely understood and she could feel him hurting, his pent up anger, sadness, all of it.

Bonnie was familiar with his reserved personality and appreciated the moments her and Daryl had spent together, but she wanted to be there for him as he was there for her at Terminus.

Bonnie looked around at the defeated group, it was early morning and everyone was really feeling it. Frankie lay in Bonnie's embrace, cuddling into her side as she slept peacefully.

Bonnie yawned as she looked to the sky, the orange hues from the rising sun made her smile, she lived for these little moments of not having to risk her life everyday for survival.

But everyone understood that the peace never lasted long.
Whether it be the dead attacking you, increased risks of illness or even the living fighting each other for survival.

Bonnie could not live like this anymore, if she continued to she knew she would lose herself by becoming something she isn't, someone else.

She noticed the changes slowly consuming her when she helped slaughter the Terminus freaks back at the church.

Bonnie didn't know how long she had layed there with Frankie in her arms, others started stirring and waking up, no words spoken, just silence and the crackling embers of the small fire.

The young blonde squirmed and groaned as she woke up and Bonnie smiled, looking down at Frankie "Morning lil' miss." Bonnie smiled and pecked her forehead before she unwrapped her arms from around Frankie's body.

"Morning Aunty Bonnie." The girls sat up slowly and Bonnie felt Frankie shudder "You cold baby?" She pulled off her button up top and wrapped it around her niece's shoulders, leaving Bonnie in a tank top.

Frankie pulled the shirt around her tightly "Thank you." Bonnie smiled as she pushed loose hairs out of Frankie's face softly and stood up, raising her hands above her head to stretch as she noticed Rick sitting just a little ways away.

"Come on Frank, lets go for a walk." Bonnie held her hand out towards the young blonde and watched as Frankie extended her arm and held her hand before they walked over to Rick.

"Hey Rick, we're just going to go for a walk if that's alright?" Bonnie looked at Rick and he nodded "Don't go too far." Bonnie nodded before her and Frankie walked into the woods.

"Is Daryl okay?" The little girl asked softly as they came to a clearing where a barn sat a little aways, "Everyone is struggling at the moment chicken." Bonnie and Frankie stopped as they could see a leather clad person, shoulders rocking because of the violent sobs they let out.

As the girls walked closer, Bonnie noticed the familiar angel winged vest of Daryl and she felt her heartbreak. Bonnie's face faltered as she and Frankie walked closer to the man, and she felt her eyes watering seeing him mourn alone.

At the sound of their footsteps, Daryl's head whipped around in alarm, though when he seen their blonde locks and kind features he crumbled back in his spot, sniffling and wiping his nose.

Bonnie and Frankie walked forwards till Bonnie was sat beside Daryl, while Frankie sat on her knees in front of him "Hey," Bonnie begun though bit her lip as she noticed his broken features, his quivering lip, tear stained cheeks.

Daryl sniffed as he turned to look at Bonnie, though more sobs racked his body and Bonnie moved closer "Hey it's okay, sh." The woman wrapped her arms around Daryl, one hand resting on his hair and the other rubbing his back soothingly.

Daryl immediately relaxed into her arms, his tears dampened Bonnie's exposed collarbones and for the first time in a while he felt cared for.

Bonnie felt tears fall down her cheeks as she hugged Daryl, though the feeling of little arms wrapping around Daryl caused her to let out a wet chuckle.

"It's okay Daryl, I'll protect you now." Her little voice was enough to make Daryl let out a wet chuckle as he pulled away from Bonnie's embrace "Isn't that my job?" He asked the girl and she smiled shaking her head "Nope."

Bonnie chuckled as she wiped away the escaping tears down her cheeks though noticed Frankie was struggling with the oversized shirt, motioning her over she tied it around Frankie's waist securely so it wouldn't drag.

"Thank you." His gruff voice caused Bonnie to look over at him and she smiled "I think everyone needs someone in times like these." She whispered looking into his eyes as Frankie plopped down into Bonnie's lap.

Bonnie raised her arm slightly, moving her hand towards his and laced her fingers with Daryl's, giving a reassuring squeeze "Things will get better, I can feel it."

Although Bonnie herself didn't believe the words that fell from her mouth, she just hoped that things would get better.

They needed too.

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