H/C for Daryl

[notyourgovernor]

Okay. Rick has seen a lot of strange things since waking up from his coma and even stranger things since then. Walkers. Fighting the living just as hard as the dead. Communities of the living coming together against the Saviors.

But to see so many communities banding together.. it was something exhilarating.

Well. Aside from the betrayal and death.

But Rick has his family back. He has Daryl back. For now they're safe from Negan.

He might have a bullet in his side and is acting from exhaustion, but Rick is happy. He's content.

Daryl might argue otherwise.

Comments

[notyourgovernor]

At this point all they had been given was a brief embrace, a moment when Rick could curl his hand around the back of Daryl's neck and hold him.

It wasn't enough and it hadn't lasted long enough, but it was a start.

He's so tired. He's so goddamn tired. But he stays on his feet, taking in the word from the others, how many dead, how many wounded. But a familiar voice has him turning, hand bracing the wound in his side.

Rick manages a weary smile for Daryl. "Hey. No.. I ain't had it changed since we closed the gates."

He reaches out a hand. "Come with me."

[theonlyzenone]

Daryl hesitates a moment before reaching out for Rick, ignoring the hand offered to him, reaching up to rest his own against the back of Rick's neck instead, guiding him. It's-- closer than he might normally let himself get... but hell, nothing's been normal for a while now.

"Yeah, c'mon. Ain't gonna be easy, doing it yourself." It might not be fatal, but he'd prefer making sure Rick's handling it himself.

"Then you gotta get some sleep. You look like shit, man. How long's it been?" He can't really say he looks good, himself, but it ain't about him. It's about Rick right now. At least he managed some sleep.

They gotta bury their dead, clean up their community... but that can happen without Rick Grimes for a little bit.

[notyourgovernor]

Rick doesn't hesitate when he's tugged in closer. While he's exhausted and hurting, the most he'll allow himself is resting briefly. There's still so much they have to do. They have to protect their people against the Saviors. They have to find Sasha and put her to rest.

Still, he summons up a weary smile at Daryl's assessment of his situation. "Me? Too damn long."

"Okay." He needs to get seen to, and maybe in private, Daryl will let Rick take care of him too.

[theonlyzenone]

"Damn, you must be tired... no arguin'?" It's been a long time since he's felt like doing anything like joking around, but he manages it when he notices that smile. He guides them back towards the house. They got shit to do, but they can do it later. Rick's not gonna be any good to anyone if he runs himself into the ground.

"We get to the house, you go up and get a shower started. I'll get some bandages." Maybe they can still dig up some stuff to eat. Rick needs to get some food in him.

[notyourgovernor]

"No arguing." Rick feels like he's run ten different marathons on no sleep. But with Daryl home, with his people safe, maybe he can allow himself that much. Negan is on the run and they can allow themselves a couple of days to regroup.

"Yeah. A shower sounds good." A deep breath that turns into a grimace as it pulls at his side. "Feel like I could sleep for a damn week."

[theonlyzenone]

"Need to start remembering when you're most agreeable." He gives a wry look, eyes raking over Rick. It isn't that long of a walk to the house, really, and it's only then that he lets his hand drop away.

"You can get a night's sleep in at least. You think you can make it to the shower?" No way to miss that Rick's in pain, or that Daryl's worried about it. He could've died... all of them could've today. Or hell, got taken along with Negan. Daryl didn't think he could do that one again.

[notyourgovernor]

The touch had helped. It had kept Rick grounded and reminded him that Daryl really was home, that Negan hadn't won and tried to steal him away again. But they're home and that'll have to do for now. Rick chuckles as he climbs the stairs. Slowly.

"Yeah. I can make it to the shower." It'll hurt and he'll go slow, but he can do it. He has to. After everything they've been through, Rick can't falter now. "Might need some help after, but I can get that far."

[theonlyzenone]

"Yeah, alright. I'm comin' up." He just has to grab some bandages and then he's following after Rick. They've come too far to have him fall over in the damn shower after all. After he's gathered the supplies, Daryl heads upstairs and to the bathroom, not bothering knocking. Rick's expecting him after all.

"You alright in here?"

[notyourgovernor]

"I'm okay." His voice is tight with pain as he shuts the water off. Rick isn't concerned with anything like modesty as he wraps a towel low around his waist, keeping it away from his wound.

He's so tired.

But Daryl is there with fresh bandages and supplies and Rick leans heavily on the door. "I'm okay. I'm just tired."

[theonlyzenone]

"'Course you are." Of course he's okay. He's gonna be... they're all gonna be. He moves to inspect the wound.

"You wanna get in the shower before I bandage this first? I can stick close, make sure you don't fall or nothing."

[notyourgovernor]

A slow nod. "Yeah. Yeah if you can stick close." Because of course he trusts Daryl to stay near while he cleans himself off. He can't leave the wound dirty, he also can't trust himself to shower and not topple over.

So Rick turns the water back on and steps beneath the spray, hissing at the rush of water along his wound.

"Stay here, with me?"

[theonlyzenone]

"You don't try to hose me down, I'll stay there. Didn't work for Carol, sure as hell ain't gonna work for you." But he doesn't go. He wouldn't go. It isn't like he's all that uncomfortable or anything. It's Rick, after all.

"After this, we'll get you to bed... get you to sleep some."

[notyourgovernor]

"Wouldn't even think about trying." A chuckle. God he's missed those little flashes of humor out of Daryl. He's gonna be okay.

They both are. Negan didn't break them. He's only made them stronger. Rick's shower is slow and he nearly stumbles more than once. But he makes it.

Clean and mostly dry, Rick has to set his shoulder on the wall to keep from dropping. He's so damn tired.

[theonlyzenone]

Daryl reaches out to slide an arm around Rick, keeping him steady. "Hey, c'mon. Get out, sit on the counter. I'll fix you up."

Before he falls on his damn ass or something. They aren't broken. They're gonna be okay, but only if he gets Rick cleaned up and gets him some damn rest first.

[notyourgovernor]

They'll be okay.
One day at a time, that's the best he can offer anyone. Try and keep them alive for another day. Keep moving ahead.

Rick accepts the help with only a faint smile. Daryl doesn't reach out and touch, not often, but he'll take what moments they're afforded. "I'm going, I'm going."

[theonlyzenone]

Once he's got Rick settled safely, he pulls away to grab the bandages to get to work. He's had enough experience patching himself up, patching up others, that this shouldn't take too long.

"Hey, wouldn't want you passing out, that's all. Your ass is heavy to drag."

[notyourgovernor]

A chuckle that only tapers off to a wince. "Least I know you wouldn't leave me where I dropped."

Rick keeps still, shifting where and when he's directed so Daryl can clean and patch up the wound in his side.

[theonlyzenone]

"'Course not. You wouldn't leave me." Or he hasn't yet. He gives a brief look, his lips quirking up slightly as he finishes up.

"C'mon. Let's get you to bed now. Put your arm on my shoulders."

[notyourgovernor]

"Never." Never ever. Rick would face down an entire horde of walkers, all of the Saviors, anything and everything to keep Daryl in his life and at his side.

There's a weight to his word. A promise. Unshakable. Forever.

"Yeah. Feel like I could sleep for a week." So much. There's so much that needs to be done, but Rick can't manage to stand on his own at the moment. It'll have to wait.

His arm slides around Daryl's shoulder.

[theonlyzenone]

Daryl isn't sure what to make of that promise-- he believes it. Hell, he always believes Rick. He's just not used to people saying that shit and meaning it. He's not used to people thinking he's worth that much effort.

He settles an arm securely around Rick as he starts towards the bedroom.

"I can keep watch, just in case anybody comes back."

[notyourgovernor]

"Yeah," he nods wearily, sinking into the cool sheets of the bed. "Stay with me. Please." Daryl can keep watch while he sleeps, stay close to help avert any nightmares, any potential threats.

"I don't want you to go."

[theonlyzenone]

"You want me to stay?" Not like they haven't slept in the same space before, but he figured-- well, he's not sure what he figured. He nods after a moment and moves to sit next to him at least.

"Been a while since I got in a bed." Negan hadn't been that nice, not if he wasn't gonna play along. He got a closet and a cold hard floor. When he got to the Hilltop, he'd hadn't felt like he deserved anything better than cold hard ground, not after what Maggie had lost.

But if Rick wants him to stay, like hell he's gonna go anywhere. "Get some sleep, man. I ain't going anywhere."

[notyourgovernor]

It isn't the first time they've shared space.
But it is the first time Rick has asked him to stay this close. Alone. The promise of his company, his vow to stay and watch over him means everything in the world and Rick smiles wearily, sinking back into the bed. "'s always been space for you here."

"Always."

[theonlyzenone]

"Dumbass." The words are fond enough though. Daryl just isn't exactly sure how to respond to that. Even if he's settled in with the group, knows he's part of it... he's not used to something like this. He's not used to people wanting him close.

He's still not entirely sure he deserves it, but if Rick wants him there...

Well, Rick damn sure deserves it.

After a moment, he reaches out, tentative, as he puts his hand on top of Rick's hair to muss it up a bit.

"Get some sleep. If it hurts too much, can go see if we got anything for it. Probably got some pain killers somewhere."

[notyourgovernor]

Funny how Daryl can use words like dumbass and make them sound fond. Affectionate, even. For a given measure of affection in the world they're all fighting to stay alive in. But it makes Rick smile all the same as he breathes out slowly and tries to relax.

Then there are fingers in his hair and a smile turns into a breathy chuckle.
Ow.

"You're impossible." He's also his everything. Rick tangles his fingers with Daryl's. Shuts his eyes. Safe. He can rest and let his guard down knowing that Daryl was with him. Watching over him.

[theonlyzenone]

He lets Rick have his hand and Daryl feels an actual smile coming to his lips. First one in a long damn time. He doesn't say anything though, lets Rick hopefully drift off. He stays right where he is, making sure to keep an eye out for anything unusual...

Although eventually, even Daryl feels like sliding down on the bed, letting his head rest on a pillow. It's been too damn long and Rick makes it feel comfortable, inviting. It doesn't mean he doesn't keep an eye out, or doesn't listen for any signs Rick might be uncomfortable or in pain though.

[notyourgovernor]

He sleeps deeply in a safe place like this, with Daryl close. No just hovering on the edge of wakefulness, listening for any signs of trouble, human or otherwise. For the moment Alexandria is safe. For the moment they’ve won. They’re alive. That’s always a start.

When the bed shifts he unconsciously shifts towards it. Seeking out warmth. Seeking out the comfort of another presence. His eyes open to find that he’s almost nose to nose with Daryl.

Daryl who fought so hard to get home. Daryl who held out against everything that Negan did to him so he could escape. He’d be so lost without him.

The kiss is barely there. A faint touch, but it means the world to Rick. To know that Daryl will always be there.

[theonlyzenone]

Daryl was somewhere caught between sleeping and awake, trying to stay up despite whatever safety they've got now. It isn't until Rick's shifting next to him that he starts to stir a little more though, about to ask if he's alright when lips graze over his. He pauses for a moment, eyes half-opening.

"Nh-- Rick?" He's not sure if it was an accident or not. If he actually meant for it to happen.

[notyourgovernor]

His pulse races as Daryl opens his eyes. Mumbles his name. "Sorry." He should have waited until he was awake. "But.. been wanting to do that for a long time."

And Rick is.. tired of waiting. He can't keep waiting when he has no idea what tomorrow will bring him. Them.

[theonlyzenone]

"Y'have?" He mumbles, confusion and sleep both making his voice a little thicker. His heart is beating faster though and he's not entirely sure what to do--

but after a moment, he leans in to return the kiss, rough and quick, almost like he's afraid what the reaction will be.