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.

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[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.