2. Never Tear Us Apart

s e v e n t y o n e

The first night was quiet, silence filled the air between the group as they all circled around the fire.

The flames lighting up everyone, warming their skin.

Theo watched the flames, lost in her own mind when Carl sat next to her with a heavy fall, crossing his legs as he looked into the fire also.

"Are you okay?" Carl pulled her out of her daydream, smiling as she looked at him.

"Yeah, just tired buddy" She smiled, patting his head that hid under the hat her father gave him.

"You should get some rest, I'll make sure Daryl comes and finds you" He pushed her lightly.

"Thank you" She whispered as she got up and walked over to a log to rest her head on. She could still see everyone from where she was and it was clear to everyone where she was.

She soon drifted off to sleep with Saint guarding her.

Daryl was informed where she was, but he heard her before she saw her. In fact, the whole group could hear her.

She was crying, loudly.

"Is that Theo?" Glenn panicked

"Yeah" Rick began walking over, but Daryl had already ran to her side, trying to wake her.

She shot up, out of breath and crying.

"You're alright" Daryl calmed her.

But she had gone quiet.

"Theo?" Glenn knelt down next to her.

But she didn't answer

"I'm okay" She said out of breath, almost in a state of shock.

Daryl looked between Rick and Glenn, worried.

"Sweetheart" Rick began

"I'm fine" She stood walking away.

She disappeared into the dark, grabbing a tree  before having to catch her breath again.

"You wanna tell me?" Daryl sneaked up behind her, making her jump for a moment unaware of her being followed.

"God, I hate it when you do that" She laughed turning to face himj as he slowly walked up to her.

She leaned against the tree, taking in the fresh air.

"I'm okay. Just dreaming that I was on my own again" She admitted "I never wanna do that again" She explained as he walked closer to her, the gap between them getting smaller as smaller as Daryl leaned his arm against the tree, trapping her between his arms.

"You're okay now. Promise, nothin' will hurt ya now" Daryl looked into her eyes.

It was dark where they were, they were far enough from the fire to have no fire light illuminating them.

However, they could still hear the faint voices talking.

Daryl's hands made their way to her hips as he looked into her eyes that he was able to ake out from bring in the dark long enough for his eyes to adjust.

"You're beautiful, have I ever told you that?" Daryl admitted.

It might have been the first time he had said it out loud, but it wasn't the first time he had thought it.

"I should tell ya more often" He smiled as her face lit up at the compliment.

"I love ya. Every inch of ya." He whispered as her arms wrapped around his neck.

"Daryl..." She whispered, "Just kiss me already" She hummed as his lips joined with hers.

Her head rested against the tree as Daryl deepened the kiss.