#so glenn's hair got even longer lol

[the-whumpening]

Son of Bat! [OC Context Post]

Working on more Ash fics, but I need some time before I'm ready to post them, so in the meantime I'll introduce my other OCs!

So uh, technically, these OCs started as part of a Scooby-Doo fan thing. Later in the Hex Girls' career, my spouse and I headcanonned that they would start a record label and help other artists get started. Son of Bat is one of those bands! This later morphed into something else entirely, but technically speaking it exists in the Scooby-Doo universe lol

Son of Bat is a fictional band which I’m slowly working on making into a webcomic or some kind of longer project. The whole project is intended to explore themes like family trauma, identity, and relationships, largely based on my and my partner’s lived experiences, so each character was designed with certain traits in mind to reflect that (well, once it left the Hex Girls spin-off phase lol). There’s so much I want to say about each of them, so it’s really difficult to condense it down into something succinct and readable!

The story takes place in modern day, in a nonspecific US city, though the characters canonically grew up in Florida. The band’s music is a mix of metal, emo/alt rock, prog rock, and a few sprinkles of nu metal and EDM. In short, they aren’t as pressed about genre so much as vibe. The band consists of:

James Snyder: 25, huge af, primary writer and guitarist. James is a perfectionist and workaholic who is not only running a successful band, but also studying for a PhD and working as a personal trainer on the side. Most of his free time is spent in the gym, working out to anime soundtracks and kpop. He grew up in a shitty, abusive household, and he no longer has contact with his family. Around age 14, he got expelled from private school for once again refusing to cut his hair and getting into fights, and his family kicked him out. He became friends with Eddie in public school and was taken in by him and his mom. Vince is James’ older brother, and though they had a rocky relationship for a while, the hurt feelings are mending. James is aroace and in a queerplatonic relationship with Molly. 

Vince Snyder: 29, trans man, bassist and vocalist. Vince has gone through a ton of personal growth—from leaving his abusive family, to struggling with alcoholism, to navigating transition. He’s always loved animals, even the “gross” bugs and reptiles he was told not to play with as a kid. Although his onstage personality is over-the-top and gregarious, he tends to be more reserved and laid-back with his friends. He struggles a lot with imposter syndrome and fears of inadequacy, as well as guilt from his upbringing. At this point in the story, he has married Cassandra Prince, the band’s manager, and is taking time off to be with her and work on a solo album.   

Eddie Glenn: 24, drummer, short king, pansexual. Eddie is the co-founder of the band, along with James. Growing up autistic/adhd, Eddie dealt with a lot of bullying and isolation. But when he met James, they just clicked. When he found out James was functionally homeless, his mom insisted on taking James in. They essentially became brothers overnight, and that bond has remained into adulthood. Personality-wise, Eddie is a goofball and a sweetheart; this works against him sometimes, as people tend to infantilize him. Eddie is also an artist; he makes all the merch and graphics for SoB and is studying to be an art teacher. Because of his autism, Eddie struggles with selective mutism and sometimes uses ASL and AAC. He and Molly briefly dated, but realized they’re better as friends. 

Molly “Moondust” Rivera-Roth: 27, nonbinary/demigirl, keyboard and mixing. Molly Moondust is her DJ name, and how she met Eddie (he was graffitiing the outside of her venue). Molly was adopted as a baby by her two loving dads, one Cuban and one Jewish. Between the two of them and the rotating variety of foster kids in their home, Molly’s childhood was extremely multicultural. She was an awkward, geeky, chubby girl growing up, finding solace in her family and her love of technology and music. As she got older and found the EDM scene, she grew more confident and honed not only her craft, but also her outgoing personality. Molly is loud, affectionate, and a great friend. Being away from her family when she went to college was really tough, and she got caught up in the party scene (and party drugs). James and Eddie’s friendship and concern helped pull her out of the hole, and she and Vince keep each other accountable. Molly loves James and is happy to be in his life however he feels most comfortable; they view each other almost like spouses, at least as far as their level of security and trust. 

Cassandra Prince (name may be changed): 30, band manager/idiot wrangler, engaged to Vince. Cass met the others while working with the performance arts department at their university. James was impressed with her management skills and asked for her help. Cass is physically disabled and uses mobility aids, and she loves cottagecore/pastel goth fashion. Because of growing up disabled, she had to "grow up fast," so she often feels disconnected from her peers and struggles to lighten up. The only person she really loosens up around is Vince, who gets to see the cutesy, babyish side of her. (Cass is a late addition to the canon and isn't fully fleshed out; her details are subject to change.)

Debby Glenn: Eddie’s mom and James’ surrogate mom. Debby was a dental hygienist when Eddie was growing up, but by the time he graduated, she’d become a dentist and opened her own practice. She and Eddie pretty much just had each other since her family wanted nothing to do with her as an unwed mother, and Eddie’s dad was a stalkery asshole. She had to get a restraining order against him and move cities to get him off her back. Debby was a rockstar mom, despite having to work crazy hard to support the two of them as a single mom. She encouraged Eddie's love of percussion from a young age and always did the best she could to accommodate and advocate for Eddie—and, naturally, that translated to James as well. Debby has a big, open heart, and she took James in with barely a second thought; though she loves all the SoB kids like they’re her own, James has a special place in her heart as her second son. 

That's the band! I have a handful of great whumpy scenarios for them, mostly on the milder side compared to Ash's story. I'm hoping to develop this into a full comic or web series over time, but I'm not quite confident enough yet to really give it a go. So in the meantime, I'll post the few fics I have of theirs and maybe post some slice of life stuff on another blog (I'll link it if I do that). Pictures will be added to this post later.

#whump #whump writing #writeblr #my ocs #oc stuff #band ocs #son of bat #i dont think i'll tag scooby doo here lol #whumpblr #rublewriting

[dvrtrblhr]

Fraldarius brothers & friends

#sylvain jose gautier #felix hugo fraldarius #dimitri alexandre blaiddyd #ingrid brandl galatea #glenn fraldarius #fire emblem #fe16 #fe3h #fire emblem: three houses #my art #i had a very long video conference this friday #and i have adhd so this is the result lol #also i love drawing long wavy hair #so glenn's hair got even longer lol

[miss-1ng]

Dimiclaude kiss prompt no. 55?

this turned out... longer than i intended lmao

also hope you're okay with a soulmate au, because this is the only idea i had for this lol! thanks for requesting <3 <3

(also a warning for spoilers about claude's backstory and maybe dimitri's a little bit but otherwise i'm pretty sure everything is spoiler-free!!)

--

His name is Khalid, is what Dimitri’s mind - wide awake from the searing sting of finally gaining his soulmark - says, barely a whisper while when Ingrid got hers, she screamed with joy the moment she found out her soulmate was Glenn.

That was a year ago, on the fourth of the Guardian Moon, precisely the day of her birth, which was celebrated with her family and friends.

It’s legend that you become of age to receive a soulmark from the day you turn twelve to the day you turn sixteen. Sylvain, two years older, had, unsurprisingly received his two years prior to Ingrid and Felix who both received theirs when they officially became of age.

Dimitri however, while not exactly a rare case, though not a complete normality, had received his a year later than which his childhood friends did, at age 13.

Her mark glistens a glittering gold on the inside of her left wrist, corresponding with Glenn’s which is on the inside of his right one. Dimitri remembers her gushing how when the first time they held hands, their marks shone when they touched.

He also remembers Felix gagging and glaring at the two lovebirds for the rest of the day, completely enraptured with one another and nothing else.

As of that day, their betrothal was made official, now that Ingrid had her mark to confirm the one Glenn owned.

That was a while back now, and today, an exact year later, is Dimitri’s birthday. The mark on his arm stings, but as his eyes really take in the word in beautiful script on his wrist, he begins to ignore the pain.

Exactly three hours later, he’s at the Felix and Glenn’s home, sitting outside on the grass with the two of them, having recently abandoned the wooden training swords. Glenn is a full four years older than all of them, except Sylvain, who is only two years older. Yet despite his age Glenn still treats them the same.

When Dimitri finally shows the two his soulmark after lots of nagging, he notices the way Felix bites his lip and averts his gaze.

But before he can question it, Felix teases “You’re going to have a boyfriend!” before bursting out into laughter.

Dimitri hadn’t even thought of that, fully focused on the fact that he has a soulmark and not on the fact that his soulmate has the name of a boy.

He… isn’t too sure what to feel about that.

“And you are too,” Glenn calls in a sing-song voice to his younger brother, only to get fiercely elbowed in the stomach. A scowl has found its way onto the bright-eyed boy’s face.

Dimitri doesn’t say a word. Felix has been oddly secretive about his soulmark ever since he got it a month after Ingrid’s, while she had been flouncing it around whenever she got the chance and wasn’t with Glenn. Though at the same time, even at thirteen, Felix has been secretive, spending more time by himself than with the group unless he was absolutely forced too.

“Shut up!” he snaps, folding his arms and pouting. “I hate you.”

“So kind, Fe,” Glenn teases with a grin, ruffling his younger brother’s hair.

Silently Dimitri wonders what it would be like if he was in Glenn’s shoes, and he had a little brother of his own.

The silence Dimitri’s indulged in gets broken with a familiar call, and Dimitri turns to see Sylvain, even taller than the last time he saw his friend, standing alongside Ingrid who immediately rushes to greet Dimitri with a hug before running over to Glenn.

“Happy birthday, Dimitri!” Sylvain hollers the second he closes the door, separating the kids from the adults indoors. He joins the group. “How does it feel to no longer be the only soulmate-less one?” He adds a wink as if the very phrase itself wasn’t terrible enough.

A collective group of groans reverberate around the circle they’ve formed.

“You’re an idiot,” Felix grumbles to the older teen, averting all eye contact and instead vouching for a heated glare at the grass. Oh, if looks could kill.

“Aww, I love you too, Fe,” Sylvain teases, still grinning merrily as if he nothing is wrong with the world.

Felix’s face flushes. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”

Ingrid laughs. “I can say it too, if you’d like.” She clears her throat, as if beginning some long and important speech. “Aww, I love you too, Felix.”

“Now that’s left is Dimitri,” Glenn notes, looking at him.

The younger Fraldarius looks just about ready to bolt as Dimitri says “Aww, I love you too, Felix.”

Instead, he just mutters “It’s your birthday so I’ll take it. Just this once though.”

Sylvain leans close to Dimitri and whispers in a not-so-quiet voice “A little birdy told me you received your soulmark!” Bold black cursive writing stares up at him with non-existent eyes and he feels his heart start to thud.

Thump. Thump-thump. Thump. Thump-thump.

He doesn’t reply, instead peeling his sleeve a little higher above and shows Ingrid and Sylvain his soulmark.

The taller of the two squints at it, as if it’s hard to see. Ingrid’s reaction is more surprised, by the way her eyes widen, and her jaw goes a little slack. She fixes it when she sees his eyes on her with a small smile. “That’s great, Dimitri! It’s so pretty,” she gushes in a very un-Ingrid manner, but the twinkle in her eyes is all the same. “I wonder when you’ll meet your soulmate…”

“Khalid’s not a Fódlan name,” Sylvain offhandedly comments. Dimitri frowns at him, and he hastily continues. “I mean it’s not a Fódlan name I’ve heard. Who knows? You could get some hottie from Duscur or Brigid.”

“Of course, someone from Duscur or Brigid would come all the way over for our Prince,” Glenn drily says, pecking Ingrid on the cheek at her wide-eyed smile. “We’re not getting rid of him that easily.”

--

His soulmark was something Dimitri was very focused on for a while.

Then Duscur happened and everything seemed to fall apart.

His family, his friends… everything changed. The mark on Ingrid’s wrist faded to a black splotch, and the golden writing had completely disappeared.

Felix had shut himself off completely, not leaving his room unless he was training and not talking to anyone unless he was yelling at them.

Sylvain… seemed more closed off – more subdued. Dimitri saw him less and less as the months ebbed on.

And Dimitri… Dimitri couldn’t sleep, couldn’t focus, couldn’t even think. His dreams being haunted by the dead, his father begging for revenge, Glenn hissing in his ear, taunting him, his mother, crying at his feet.

“You should’ve saved us,” they hiss. “Kill them for us. Kill them all!”

It’s not the first time he wakes to a cold sweat, a scream hanging on the edge of his lips.

He’s sent to live, along with the Duscur boy he met, Dedue, at Rodrigue’s place, and there Dimitri finds it frequent where he gets the full brunt of Felix’s verbal abuse. He wants to talk back, to say it wasn’t his fault, but he can’t find the words, can’t even find the motivation to speak. Instead, he just nods, silent, and Dedue finds him, concern lingering in his gaze.

It’s like that for a while.

Then the rebellion happens, and Felix seems to hate him even more.

--

It’s almost a relief when he arrives to the Officers Academy.

There he meets Edelgard von Hresvelg (or reunites, perhaps, if his hunch is in fact correct), heir to the Empire, and Claude von Riegan, heir to House Riegan.

Claude is… well… Claude is a lot of things.

In their audience with Rhea, he is stiff and stoic-faced, though the second they’re released from the chamber, he introduces himself properly to Dimitri. “So, you’re the prince,” he says with a wink. “Nice to meet you.”

“It is good to meet you too,” says Dimitri in return, dipping his head. He offers a small smile.

It’s not the only time they talk. As the year ebbs on, Dimitri gets to know Claude, should it be through sparring together, or even tea times Claude has insisted on. Claude is… well, first of all he’s nice and he’s kind, and he’s also very funny. He seems to bring a smile to Dimitri’s face whenever he’s around, and not only that but he’s…

…he’s beautiful.

Maybe it’s his smile, Dimitri supposes, his genuine one, or maybe those piercing green eyes. He’s also been good looking.

Sometimes when they train, Dimitri catches himself staring, and Claude’s caught him too, offering a wink and a teasing comment without any heat.

Not only that but Dimitri’s heart flutters whenever he’s around Claude, and he has to remind himself constantly that this isn’t okay because Claude is not his soulmate. The mark on his wrist proves just that much.

“You’re staring, your Highness.”

Dimitri flinches, almost forgetting that Sylvain is opposite him, lazily twirling his lance. He smirks at his childhood friend. “Got your eyes on someone?”

It would be great if he was immune to Sylvain’s teasing, but he is only human, and heat rises to his cheeks. “No!” His voice sounds a few pitches higher than it usually is. He clears his throat, averting his gaze from Claude who turns away from Hilda who he’s sparring with (how he got her to do so remains a mystery to the school) to offer a questioning brow. “I mean, uh, no. Of course not.”

“Sure, sure.”

Sylvain doesn’t sound at all convinced. He leans closer, whispering in Dimitri’s ear, “I mean Riegan is pretty hot. I don’t think even your soulmate would blame you for checking him out.”

Dimitri splutters, “W-what?”

“I have to go,” Sylvain says. “Pick up some of the ladies- oh, hey, Fe!” He runs off towards the direction of Felix who enters the training ground, and Dimitri doesn’t stop him, staring into the distance as his cheeks turn redder and redder as the seconds pass.

--

Nevertheless, Dimitri still goes out of his way to spend his time with Claude, pointedly ignoring his soulmark whenever he does.

“Your princliness!” Claude calls, waving in greeting as he runs over to him. Dimitri tries not to blush when he yet again winks.

“Claude!” He tries his hardest not to sound too surprised. “What-what are you doing here?”

He looks amazing. Dressed in a sharp suit he’s seen many of the other students wearing, his hair tousled and falling in front of his eyes. “I think the proper question is what are you doing here? Dedue’s worried about you. Says you haven’t even showed up to the ball and-”

Dimitri’s brain seems to shut off, his mind not listening as he surges forwards, closing the distance between them with a kiss.

It lasts two seconds. Maybe three.

Because immediately after their lips touch Dimitri lets go, eyes wide. “I- that was out of line,” he rushes. “I’m sorry, Claude, I shouldn’t have done that-”

But Claude pulls him back in, and Dimitri feels the mark on his wrist burn and-

He stares down at it, watching the white handwriting shimmer to gold. “What…?”

“I have been waiting so long to do that,” Claude breathes, oblivious to Dimitri’s confusion. He raises an eyebrow, clutching his hands. “Hey, what’s wrong…?”

“Khalid,” Dimitri breathes. Claude’s eyes widen. “That’s your name?”

“I-” Claude pauses, before nodding. “Yes. It is.”

Dimitri pulls him close, arms wrapping around him. He kisses Claude – or is it Khalid? – again, and again, and again. “It’s a beautiful name.”

“Mmhm.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Their night ends not in the ballroom, but outside under the moonlight, the memory of soft kisses and warm embraces never to leave Dimitri’s mind.

#fe3h #dimiclaude #request #kiss prompt #dimitri alexandre blaiddyd #claude von riegan #my fanfics

[shimmershae]

My thoughts on Episode 8--For Blood

As always, placed behind a cut for those of you that would rather escape my babbling, lol.  You’re welcome.  

Sadly, I don’t think this is anticipation I feel.  I’m pretty sure it’s dread but okay.  Here we go.  

This episode has to go up from the rock bottom boredom of last week, right?  

Let me preface what I’m about to say with the truth that I in no way hate Maggie.  She’s been with us since Season 2 and I have an emotional attachment to her, mostly due to my love of Glenn and the way he loved her.  She’s not my favorite by any means, but the fact of the matter is, I do like and appreciate her and don’t mind that she is back because it’s nice to have old familiar faces with us to take us into the final season.  That said?  Forcing Maggie front and center after her long absence ultimately, IMHO, has not worked in these first 8 episodes.  I can’t help but feel if ASZ had been the A story with Maggie/Negan and Daryl/Leah/the Reapers the B1 and B2 story?  These episodes would have been better received overall and not feel so much like they’re trying so hard.  Maybe lead me toward the water instead of shoving my head in it next time, Angela?  Hmm?  

Oh goodie.  They’re opening at Meridian.  Should I get my bathroom break out of the way now or give myself an out for later?  Call it Shae’s choice, lol.  

That flicker of a smirk Leah gave to Carver after their mini walk down memory lane had more spark to it than the entirety of her and Daryl’s toxic relationship.  In the future, maybe Angela will lean all in on them instead of Leah and Daryl.  Something tells me Leah knows this “brother” biblically.  

Daryl recognizes Whisperer moves when he sees ‘em.  Somehow, he realizes Maggie and Negan have banded together however reluctantly.  

Pope doing it “Dixon’s” way but not allowing Dixon to do the actual thing shows the level of distrust and paranoia the man still haves for outsiders. 

Look at Daryl chewing his lips with worry for his people.  If he and Leah know each other even a little bit, she has to recognize that as one of his tells.  

Ooohhhh.  Who took the first stab at Wells?  Maggie?  Negan?  Father G?  I swear.  I took my eyes off the “ball” one second and the whole damn play is halfway down the field.  Sorry.  If you cannot tell, I watched football with the fam yesterday, lol.  

The Walking Dead logo didn’t crumble this time.  Interesting.  Parts of it looked like it had been rebuilt.  With brick.  Wood.  Other parts of it looked reclaimed by nature.  Call me crazy, but that almost looks like an eye/part of a face on the first D.  

Okay then.  Babbling nonsense about the logo over, lol.  Tell me.  Please.  Anybody.  How do the events at ASZ line up with the events at Meridian?  Because it’s night and full-blown storming in ASZ and still daylight at Meridian.  But hey.  Thank fuck we’re in ASZ.  

All the babies huddled together giving me feels.  Sorry.  I know some feel they have no place on the show, but I personally enjoy their inclusion from time to time.  It usually plucks hard at my heartstrings.  

Connie tenderly comforting an injured Virgil is sweet, not gonna lie.  

Aww.  Is that Hershel petting a scared RJ’s hair?  Unless it’s a case of me not being able to pick out and place all the little hands, which it most certainly could be, I’m thinking Judith’s got her hand on her knee and that’s Hershel’s hand in RJ’s hair.  Regardless of whose hand is where, it was a sweet little scene.  What can I say?  I’m easy because Baby Glenn and Baby Rick, ya’ll.  

Oh snap.  The windmill’s on fire and pieces of the wall are blowing down main street ASZ like steel tumbleweeds, lol.  

Anybody else having flashbacks to the barn from Season 5?  Good times.  We still had most of Team Family with us then.  They were in a bad place, hurting and lost and just trying to survive--when are they not just trying to survive?--but they were together.  I miss them.  

Carol and Lydia holding each other.  These two, lovelies, have my whole heart.  

Wells is Walker Jerky, Shaw.  Stop wasting your breath.  

“She did.  My enemy.”  I mean, are we supposed to get the impression Maggie’s been a formidable adversary to Pope?  Because she feels more like a roach that simply knows the best rocks to hide under.  Granted, roaches are hard to kill but still.  I’m gonna need them to give us something better than Maggie being Pope’s enemy simply because she didn’t want to give up her home without a fight because this is frankly unbelievable and bordering on stupid.  

Alright.  So they’ve obviously been sowing the seeds of distrust and defiance between Leah and Pope because she doesn’t like losing family but Daryl?  Man?  You and Leah have differing opinions about how family operates.  Trust me on this.  

So.  Three teams, huh?  Aaron fighting the windmill fire, Carol repairing the breach in the wall, Rosita protecting the babies that represent their future.  Choose your fighters, lol.  Seriously, though.  Why do I have the sinking feeling only one group is going to be shown actually doing their thing?  

Listen.  Am I pissed we haven’t gotten the scene we deserve yet between Carol and Connie after all that’s happened and we’re getting crumbs mainly because Angela wrongly feels the Reapers/Maggie & Negan/Daryl & Leah need more focus?  Absolutely.  You bet your sweet asses.  But Melissa fucking McBride just took the crumbs allotted her and made a magnificent, work of art cake out of it trying all on her lonesome to feed us starving Carol fans.  

Bless Connie wanting wanting to go with Carol.  What a show of trust and sister-like solidarity that must have some hate-rotted guts about to turn themselves out.  

I love Kelly and Connie’s sister bond.  No ill will intended, but It takes the good parts of Maggie and Beth and elevates it beyond anything those two ever showed us.  I really feel like that’s a testament to Angel and Lauren’s real life ease with each other.  

Magna choosing to go with Aaron makes me wonder if it’s possible she feels some kind of residual guilt over Connie.  Not guilt for anything she’s actually done, but simply guilt over making it out.  

Virgil volunteering to help.  Okay.  Damn.  I’m honestly starting to like the guy.  

Judith offering to go with her aunt Carol had me all up in my feels.  I mean, granted.  It was a blink and you miss it scene.  We really deserved a longer heart to heart between that little girl and the woman that’s sacrificed so much to keep her safe and loved her for so long, but you know I’ll gobble any and all Judith/Aunt Carol content up.  Seems to me, Little Ass Kicker is just as afraid of letting Aunt Carol out of her sight as Uncle Daryl.  My heart.  

Gracie and Aaron are sweet.  And honestly?  I find them more realistic and true to what normal parents and children would be like in a ZA than Judith and Michonne no matter how much I love that bond.  I mean no disrespect, but I really do.  

“Why am I keeping you around?”  Pope asking the question we’re all wondering.  

Not Apocalypse Popeye comparing Daryl to a stray dog.  Joe from the Claimers already declared Daryl an outside cat that thought he was an indoor cat.  I did have to internally cheer when Daryl was like “I’m ain’t gonna lick it” talking about the helping hand Pope had extended him.  

“Somehow she has turned the dead against the living.  Oh, that’s impressive.”  The thing about Pope respecting Maggie so much as an enemy is I just find it hard to buy, lol.  Like if this had been Carol, yeah.  But Maggie?  Nope.  They’ve mostly shown her (with Gage being the bewildering exception) to be all bark and no bite.  

Has the house in ASZ really become that dilapidated that they can see through its walls?  Because its original owners dodged a bullet if so.  

Look at Grace hero-worshipping Judith.  It’s sweet.  

Virgil telling Judith Michonne would be proud of her is nice but doesn’t feel as earned as if someone like Daryl or Carol that actually knew Michonne well said it.  But maybe that’s the whole point--Judith needs to hear it from someone she knows isn’t going to just say what she wants to hear.  

Call me jaded, it was a touching scene, but also?  It felt designed to allow Judith to move beyond her very normal and realistic feelings of being abandoned by Michonne, even though she gave her the “okay” herself.  Like she’s still a kid.  Wants don’t always line up with feelings.  Anyway.  Cailey continues to be a bright, shining little star and I love how she’s managed to make Judith a true amalgamation of all the people she’s loved who have loved her in return.  Not just Michonne.  I know people like to overlook and cheapen the fact, but it’s taken a village and entire family to raise her from infancy.  

Gracie really should have known better than play in front of the windows during a storm period, but oh well.  Plot point, lol.  

Seriously, though.  I feel like they’ve teased poor Gracie’s demise in a multitude of ways since the beginning of the season.  I hope nothing ultimately comes of it but I fear it will.  All I can say if the worst comes to happen is poor Aaron.  

Where are Negan and Elijah though?  Ouch.  There they are, taking on shrapnel for the cause.  

Ready the what now?  

There’s ASZ’s Baby Sitter Extraordinaire!  Barbara, is it?  That lady’s been putting in the work since Season 5 at least.  

I’ve honestly grown to love Rosita.  More of her and less of Maggie, please and thank you.  

“Let’s stay away from the windows.”  I’m sorry but I had to LMAO at that.  Still a badass moment though.  

Gabe hobbling toward his assigned sentinel.  At least they haven’t forgotten he’s injured like they seemed to forget Daryl was near death last season before the attack on Hilltop, lol.  

“It’s hard to watch something you care about change.”  Listen, Leah.  Chick.  You and Daryl obviously never really knew each other.  It’s always been obvious but I have a feeling “DIxon” is finally going to show you, spoilers or no spoilers.  

WTF are they calling that thing?  Sorry.  I have just as hard a time understanding Pope’s accent as I do Maggie’s sometimes.  

That’s not love that has Daryl telling Leah she can come with him.  That’s care for somebody he used to know.  There is a distinct difference that’s obviously lost on so many.  How can you really and truly love someone you cannot trust?  Especially in Daryl Dixon’s case?

Why does Angela hate us so much?  Giving us all these Reaper scenes and leaving us to simply imagine Carol and Connie and Kelly working side by side to save the wall?  

I think I honestly could have enjoyed this whole Reaper storyline more, at least a little bit anyway, had they not retrofitted a half-assed romance between Daryl and the story’s weakest link and if only they’d made it the B storyline and given earned deference to the goings-on in ASZ instead.  

I wonder if Glenn taught Maggie how to hot write a car?  I miss my baby Glenn.

Apocalypse Popeye is several fries short of a Happy Meal.  What else is new on this show, lol?  

I care for Maggie.  Mostly for nostalgia’s sake and Glenn and Baby Hershel but damn, man.  She’s not actually proven herself got be worth killing your entire “family” for.  But are too far gone, so.  We’ll make allowances.  

I will say at least this episode is not as abysmally biring as last week’s episode.  

Leah finally giving Pope the throat punch he’s been asking for but I’m not fooled she’s on Daryl’s side here.  She’s always been on her own side.  

Look at Father G returning the favor for Maggie saving him in the tower.  Taking Deaver down!  Poor Deaver barely saw the light of day.  

Here comes that woman scorned part.  I can feel it.  

“Pope is dead.  Dixon murdered him.  He’s with the enemy.”  

Please, Angela.  I’m begging you.  Bring Carol into this story and ramp it the fuck up.  You been idling too damn long and the car is fast running outta gas.  

Bitch really has to die to framing Carol’s Pookie.  

Rosita and Lydia and Carol and Connie and Kelly and Magna have literally been holding up this damn show while Angela farts around with the Reapers bullshit.  Honorable mention goes to Aaron but these lovely, badass ladies been putting in the real work and not getting any of the glory.  You just know they’re tired AF.  

Not my babies Lydia and Judith being the cliffhanger!  Oh and Gracie.  Angela?!  A word.  

Listen.  Carol’s already done that fireworks trick.  That Reaper dude owes her royalties.  Granted, it was on a smaller scale but much more impressive for it because she was left to be the sharpshooter.  

Angela has a point.  It is kind of cool how Team Family have learned from their enemies and assimilated their useful points into their own cache of knowledge.  

I truly feel like the Leah/Reaper storyline would have benefitted from a much stronger actress.  Just saying.  

I know Judith annoys some with her precociousness but Cailey just keeps teeing off on what they give her and personally?  I feel she’s so very talented and light years beyond her little acting counterparts so it still works.  

“They’re never gonna choose each other over the people that they’ve loved and fought for because they simply cannot really trust each other.  There’s sort of, like a toxicity at the base of that relationship.”  Straight from Angela’s mouth.  

“At the end of the day, Daryl chose his family.”  Yeah, he did.  That “I belong with you” shit only happened when he felt they were all gone, including the one he loved above all others--Carol.  Fight me.  

Overall impression of the episode?  

On its own, disregarding how much I can’t help resenting how much time I feel has been “wasted” setting this story up, it was much more entertaining than Episode 7 which was only epic in that it was an epic bore.  There was still too much focus on the Reapers when I just just kept wanting to see what was happening at ASZ.  I mean, they cheated us out of Carol and Connie and Kelly working together. Of Aaron and Magna.  Call it personal preference coloring my opinions if you want, but the characters I care about feel like they’ve been shown the backseat for this self-indulgent exploration of Angela’s OC and her version of self-insert FF with Daryl Dixon.  If we can return to Team Family?  The whole Team Family and not just Maggie and Co. against the world?  You’ve got me.  If not?  Well.  You’ll keep losing me by degrees and you don’t want to do that on the final season.  

Anyway.  The ASZ parts were my favorites per usual.  The episode could have used a lot more of those.  

#The Walking Dead #Season 11 #TWD spoilers #things that make me smile and cry #for reasons

[coffeeandcalligraphy]

Since houses with teeth is shelved what will be fostered 7. Also how is FD coming along, i miss the updates😢😢

I’m not sure! I think, honestly, that the “main series” side of Fostered is done (so it ends at 6 books). It’s unfortunate because HWT came at the wrong time in my writing journey. I was in my last year of high school when I finished book 6 of Fostered, which I ended prematurely because I was in “writing puberty” lol where my genre, and how I approached writing greatly changed. I managed to finish a majority of book 6 balancing the older parts of my tastes with the newer, but by the time I got to writing book 7, I just couldn’t balance out these tastes anymore without having a headache or overthinking everything. The problem is that Houses With Teeth is a literary fiction novel with a genre fiction past/cast, and to write it properly, I would essentially have to completely overhaul every single Fostered character, which I do not want to do. I’d have to change backstories, even names, and I want to keep these things the way they are. There isn’t a collective story for the Fostered “squad” anymore! It really died when the dystopian elements died in the series. This is why I prefer the spinoffs more because they’re more intimate character studies. I could see myself writing HWT as a novella or something that follows Reeve, because it would be nice to give her a proper goodbye, but I doubt I will do that. This is a really emotional topic for me tbh because it really panics me to think Fostered will eventually end, but I’ve realized lately the series could be done soon, or at least for the foreseeable future. I really want to start writing things outside of this series, namely other novels, and while I love this series very much, I do think I’ve relied on it in recent years as a crutch to handle my anxiety about writing/in general. I struggle with anxiety when writing any novel that isn’t Fostered, which is weird because I write tons of short stories outside of that universe, but when the work is longer, I just freeze up! I want to work on this, and to do that, I need to take a break from/finish the series, even though the thought of that is terrifying (I think that terror comes from the anxiety)!

As for Feeding Habits, I had to take a huge break from this book this semester, not out of choice, necessarily, but necessity. At the beginning of the term, I was having a hard time writing this book, honestly. I had to switch POVs because I was... miserable lol! But then I got so busy with the term that I couldn’t even write anyway! I’ve been writing it actually in the last few days, and it’s going okay! This book is kind of torture to write sometimes because I am actually incapable of not hating or disliking the writing??? Sometimes I’m not even actively trying but my brain is like no u hate this! Like today, I wrote a good chunk of it, was like this prose?? gross lol, but I’ve made it a policy not to let that mindset stop me from writing because it has done so in the past, and when I go back, the writing is fine, and it was all my shaky perception. This is the only project this happens for??? Don’t know why!

The reason there aren’t any updates for FH is because I haven’t finished the next chapter yet, haha, it’s been months haha university as a writing major hahahahhaa

But here are some recent excerpts if you’re interested!

I wrote this at the very beginning of term. Lonan hitchhikes in the car of Lydia, who’s just picked her children up from school:

They stopped fifteen minutes later at a hospital in Portland. The children were mostly excited about its in-house pizza parlour called Zekes, which blinked in neon red letters. Esther and Jensen barrelled toward the revolving door while Lonan fumbled for his seatbelt, and in the end it was Lydia who had to click the release for him. When the grey belt slinked across his chest, back into its holder, he stared at her for a moment—how her red curls haloed in the sun, how a blot of ink stained her index finger (a paralegal, she could’ve been, a teacher, an accountant) how she smiled, this stranger who trusted him, her face this wide, unsuspecting plane—and then he sobbed.

Not sure if I’ve shared this already? But this is Lonan seeing his ex-girlfriend Glenne for the first time in a while:

She was filling two plastic bottles at the motel’s water fountain when he pulled up. The image of her this suspension of ink-soaked particles. She could’ve been a photograph, bent over the metal box, one hand dialled around the fountain nob, the other guiding a bottle to the greedy blip of water. The sun had settled like a yolk in the sky, frescoed her cheeks in persimmon. This is the same image Lonan stared at as he fumbled into the parking lot, mesmerized, trying to distinguish pixel from skin cell.

Glenne was smaller than he’d remembered, something new about her. Maybe a slyness, or a decomposition, or both. She wore a bleached grey pair of cotton overalls and no shoes. Against the mahogany motel door her blonde hair sparked. A woman on fire as she noticed him, her hands jerking so suddenly, the bottle she was filling disengaged from the tap and the contents splashed to the floor.

(TW: gore) I wrote this in a writing sprints weeks ago where Lonan in this chapter’s fictive present is in this super disconnected space to the point where he *tries (doesn’t really get that far lol) to kill Harrison with a butter knife?? 

Slit or swan. The knife across his throat like a block of Jenga reslotting. Him in the fridge lightbulb’s reflection, staring at a sealed block of gouda. It would be so easy, his arterial spray like the rays of water splaying the motel’s walkway. Him unsure when the pigment of the cheese’s red wax begins to come from him. Slit or swan. The refrigerator’s hum like the drone of cars dicing the freeway just beyond the parking lot. Remember it. That noise like caribou running.

I also wrote this during that writing sprint and LOVE the radio commentator’s dialogue:

Across the room, Glenne leaned over the nightstand, fiddling with the clock radio. In bursts, what could be heard from the room was this: the microwave whirring, then a jab of 6 o’ clock news, the microwave beeping, then a blast of electropop, the microwave slamming, then a radio host saying Tell me why I should care about almonds, Eileen, literally, tell me why. The microwave beeped again, then finally, a lick of violins pulsed through the speakers.

Wrote this description either today or yesterday??? what is time (TW: body horror-ish)

So much of his face had dried violet after the crash that it was difficult to find a patch of untouched skin. His eye was still bloodshot from where Eliza had burst the ventricle, and a scattering of cuts, small, like grains of rice, constellated his temple. His hair beamed from his head in different lengths. He looked more bird than human and even then, worse than a bird.

^^ confirmation that lonan IS a bird

I also wrote this today! Lonan takes care of Glenne’s baby, Olivia and it is so PURE I cannot handle it! At one point in time, I had a separate Fostered spinoff called ALANNIS planned out where Lonan actually takes on a fatherly role of Olivia who would be older at that point (he’s in his late 20s, I think she was like 7 or 8??) and so it’s so fantastic to see this role come to fruition here since I never thought it would!

The grocery store was a fifteen-minute walk away. With Olivia clinging to his shoulder, Lonan was acutely aware that she could feel his heartbeat. Open valve. Close. Repeat. Hers pulsed right above his heart, a miniature drumming. The sky had bruised purple, misted with clouds.

just imagine my terrifying bird man carrying this lil munchkin it’s SO CUTE!!

working on this chapter right now, so hopefully I’ll finish it and update you soon! <3

#asks #fostered

[marvelstarwarsetc]

All We Know- Daryl Dixon

PART NINE

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Reader

Warnings: Cussing, Violence, Gore (The fact that its the walking dead should be warning enough lol)

Summary: Finding her way back to her sisters was all that mattered to her. When the world ended she had lost everything, so finding them became all that mattered. Or at least, it was, until she stumbled across a redneck hunting in the woods.

*Starts in Season 1 and will be a multi part fic*

Part One  Part two  Part Three  Part Four  Part Five  Part Six  Part Seven  Part Seven (Daryl’s POV)  Part Eight

Dr. Edwin Jenner was a kind-looking man in his mid to late 40′s, his light brown hair was just starting to grey, whether from age or the stress of the new world was yet to be determined. He worked at the CDC as a virologist before the world turned, and according to him was the only one who stuck around when it became obvious there was nothing they could do to stop this from spreading. 

After he granted the worn down group entry after they all submitted to a blood test, his guarded expression and apprehension for the other survivors fell and he opened them with seemingly open arms.

It was when Jacqui mentioned no one had had a decent meal in days that Dr. Jenner served up a kind of feast that no one in the group had seen in a long time. The round table was filled with bowls of pasta and a seemingly endless supply of wine, and the group all sat around tables with warm happy expressions. Even Andrea wore a small smile, and Y/n’s smile widened a little at the sight.

The Harrison sisters still hadn’t spoken a word to each other, both still too upset with the other over the things that had happened at the quarry. So while Andrea sat on one end of the table between Dale and Shane, Y/n kept her distance on the other end as she sat with Glenn and T-dog. 

Dr Jenner had offered to fix up the younger Harrison’s battered face a little better than Lori and Carol could, and the mix of appropriate medical supplies and antibacterial cream had already made a huge difference on her face. The swelling had gone down significantly, and her vision was finally clear again thanks to that fact. 

“You know, in Italy, children have a little bit of wine with dinner. And in France,” Dale stopped behind Carl as he was filling everyone’s empty glasses at the table. He was looking to Lori for confirmation, who seemed conflicted for a second before she shook her head.

“Well, when Carl is in Italy or France, he can have some then.”

“What’s it gonna hurt? Come on. Come on.” Rick gently tried to convince his wife, his eyebrows wiggling playfully at her as he did so. The action made Y/n’s smile soften at the playful family banter, and her eyes met her sister’s from across the table before they both looked away again. 

Finally Lori conceded and Dale laughed lightly while he handed Carl a glass with half an inch of wine in it. “There you are, young lad.”

Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch as Carl looked at the liquid in his glass with a curious expression, before lifting the glass to his lips and took a small sip.

When Carl let out a sound in disgust everyone laughed at the young boy, and then Y/n found herself looking across the table to where Daryl sat up on a counter, laughing along with everyone else and seeming relaxed. He had a handgun shoved into the front of his jeans, sticking out around the yellow plaid shirt he was wearing, the sleeves of course torn off like all of his other shirts. Y/n briefly noticed the small patch of skin by his stomach that was exposed thanks to the gun, and she quickly averted her eyes when she felt her face start to heat up. But of course the action didn’t go unnoticed by Glenn, who looked at her with a smirk and a wiggle of his eyebrows, garnering a punch to the arm.

“That’s my boy. That’s my boy. Good boy,” Lori praised her son, pulling him to her in a side hug before she picked up his glass and poured the wine into her own.

“Yuck. That tastes nasty.”

“Well, just stick to soda pop there, bud,” Shane told his best friend’s son, handing the small boy a can from the center of the filled table.

Daryl jumped off the counter at that, and rounded over to Glenn. “Not you, Glenn.”

“What?” Glenn asked the hunter in a confused tone, watching as he grabbed the bottle of wine off the able where Dale had put it down and filled Glenn’s glass to the top.

“Keep drinking, little man. I wan’ see how red yer face can get.” He shook the Korean’s shoulders, everyone laughing at the sight.

It didn’t go unnoticed when Y/n finished the last of what was in her glass and pushed it to the center of the table, seemingly done with drinking for the night. Daryl only clicked his tongue and grabbed the glass, filling it a little less than he had filled Glenn’s and pushed it back into the blonde’s hand. “Uh-uh, yer not done yet either sunshine!”

Y/n went to say something in her defense when Rick started to tap his fork against his glass, everyone stopping to look at the man.

“It seems to me we haven’t thanked our host properly,” He declared, turning everyone’s attention to where Dr Jenner sat off to the side by himself.

“He is more than just our host,” T-dog added, earning a chorus of hear hears and a loud booyah from Daryl.

The doctor smiled at the sentiment for a moment, before Shane spoke up, turning the happy moment into a somber one.

“So when are you gonna tell us what the Hell happened here, Doc? All the—the other doctors that were supposed to be figuring out what happened, where are they?”

“We’re celebrating, Shane. Don’t need to do this now,” Rick tried to stop his best friend, but Shane wasn’t having any of it as he continued.

“Whoa, wait a second. This is why we’re here, right? This was your move—supposed to find all the answers. Instead we—we found him. Found one man, why?”

“Well, when things got bad, a lot of people just left, went off to be with their families. And when things got worse, when the military cordon got overrun, the rest bolted.” The doctor explained, yet Y/n could sense he was leaving something out.

“Every last one?”

“No, many couldn’t face walking out the door. They… opted out. There was a rash of suicides. That was a bad time.”

“You didn’t leave. Why?” Andrea asked.

“I just kept working, hoping to do some good.”

With that everyone went quiet, not exactly knowing what to say further. The happy mood had gone now, and Glenn looked to Shane with a disappointed look. “Dude, you are such a buzz kill, man.”

----

When it was clear that there would be no more celebrating for the night Dr Jenner guided the group down to the living area.

“Most of the facility is powered down including housing so you’ll have to make do here. The couches are comfortable, but there are cots in storage if you like. There’s a rec room down the hall that you kids might enjoy. Just don’t plug in the video games, okay? Or anything that draws power. The same applies—if you shower, go easy on the hot water.”

“Hot water?” Glenn asked excitedly, looking around towards the rest of the group with a huge smile.

“That’s what the man said!” T-dog confirmed as the two ran off down the hall laughing.

----

After Y/n had taken advantage of the hot water, she found herself roaming the halls of the CDC aimlessly, looking for someone to hangout with as she couldn’t take being alone right now. When she was alone her mind drifted to places she’d rather not think of, and sleep wasn’t an option right now as the things she was trying to avoid while awake always caught up to her while she was sleeping.

In her aimless walking she found herself getting lost in her head anyway, and when Daryl’s voice boomed down the hallway after her she jumped in surprise, earning her a soft laugh and a shake of the head from the hunter. 

“Where ya off to?” He asked, a bottle of whiskey held in his hand. He regarded her with a soft smile, and she shrugged her shoulders in response to his question, not having a better answer.

“Just walking, I guess,” She started. “Didn’t really feel like being alone,” She admitted, and Daryl looked at her for a second before he turned in the other direction abruptly and started walking off down the hallway. 

When she didn’t follow him for a moment he looked back over his shoulder at her.

“Well c’mon then girl.”

----

The two found themselves sitting on the floor of the room Y/n had claimed for the night. They both sat with their backs pressed against the couch, sitting far enough away from one another that they weren’t touching, but close enough to where they could if they both moved over an inch. 

For a while neither said anything, just sat in a comfortable silence as they passed the bottle of whiskey to one another quietly. 

“So why ya ain’t wanna be alone?” He asked her in a quiet voice, looking ahead of them at the wall. 

She looked over at him for a fraction of a second before looking back at the wall too, shrugging her shoulders yet again.

“Bein’ alone is hard sometimes I guess,” She admitted in a small voice.

“ “M sorry bout Amy, by the way. Don’ think I ever said nothin.”

She found herself looking at the man beside her. This up close she could see that his shaggy hair was a little darker brown than she had originally thought, still lighter than Rick’s brown locks. His facial hair had grown a little longer than it was when they had first met in the woods, but she could tell he must have trimmed it to be a little neater when he showered earlier. His muscled arms had a warm tan that went all the way up to his shoulders, probably in thanks to the fact that none of his shirts had sleeves and he spent most of his time in the woods. She could also tell that he probably spent most of his time outside before the world turned, as his tan didn’t seem like it was anything new to the hunter.

When he finally looked over at her she faced back towards the wall, her face heating up at being caught staring. 

“I never thanked you,” She started, finishing when he gave her a confused look.

“For taking out that walker I didn’t see back at camp, when everything happened.”

“Ya don’ gotta thank me for that, Walker was comin’ at ya. Wasn’ gon’ let it get ya.”

She hummed in response before gently taking the bottle from him and downed a good amount of the amber liquid, scrunching her face up when the burn registered in her throat.

“Can I ask ya somethin’?” He questioned suddenly, causing her to look back at him again. He was staring at her face intently, and after a moment she realized he was looking at her various cuts and bruises. She hummed in answer to him and he stopped for a second before continuing.

“Why ya let ‘er do that to ya?”

For a second she was caught off guard because the more she thought of why, the more she didn’t know why. At the time it was because she knew she could take a hit and that Andrea needed to blow off some steam. She was just so used to letting people blow off steam that she didn’t even realize that it was wrong. 

“She needed to blow off some steam,” Y/n responded lamely, avoiding his eyes and what she might see in them.

But if she had looked over at the hunter she would have seen something in his eyes she wasn’t expecting. Understanding. It was then that Daryl understood that taking a beating wasn’t something new to Y/n. Even if taking it from Andrea was. She was used to taking that kind of behavior. It was something he knew all too well, and it was something he never wanted her to take again.

“Don’ mean ya gotta be the one to take it.”

She was going to say something back to him, but suddenly came back to her senses and changed the topic entirely. For the rest of the night the two just continued to pass the bottle to each other, making small talk and staying away from anything personal. Even if they both wished they could tell the other more about themselves. 

#daryl dixon #daryl dixion imagine #daryl dixon x y/n #daryl dixon x reader #the walking dead

[callsignbaphomet]

🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊

Y'think thats enough pens? Either way I don't expect you to do somethin for aaaaaaaaaall of em lol

Gsudkblbzysuv hun, this is so beautifully chaotic!

🖋 Ginger's a vampire but both of her dads (Lee Grimm and Glenn Grimm) are werewolves (Mist Walkers). Both are trans men.

🖋 Jelani uses male, neutral or female pronouns. Has no preference to which ones someone should use.

🖋 Trevor knows ASL. His little brother was deaf and in his memory he learned ASL.

🖋 Angelus sorta, kinda had a daughter. Ok tl;dr back in the late 1800s he ran into this little girl that was living in the street and tried to steal some money off him but she got caught. He gave her everything he had on him and then she ran off and he lost track of her. Much later he found her again but this time she was a bit older, like 11 years old. They recognized each other and they both went to get a bite to eat and she told him she ran away from home because her parents were abusive. Obviously coming from a similar background he heavily sympathized but he didn't know the first thing about kids but he still took her in. She grew up, married and had kids of her own and those kids grew up and eventually his adopted daughter (her name was Alice) grew old and died of old age. He kept in contact with his sort of grandkids obviously but as his great grandkids grew older and had families and kids of their own Angelus distanced himself. How the fuck are ya gonna explain your sort of adoptivr great grandfather looks like a 20 year old twink? He's kept an eye out on them as a "friend of the family".

🖋 AJ introduced Angelus, Mahmud, Tre and Madison to his favorite hobby: parkour. The five of them regularly get together to free run in places they think would be both challenging and fun.

🖋 Madison introduced Mahmud, AJ, Tre and Xiomara to spelunking and scuba diving as a hobby.

🖋 Sanaa loves and collects windchimes. So Ingvarr modified an alarm clock to make any chime she puts on it chime whenever she sets the alarm. So instead of some jarring alarm she wakes up to a windchime.

🖋 Angelus has an abnormally high tolerance for pain to the point where he won't react to most injuries. This was due to years of having to learn to control his cries of pain because the more he cried out the harder he'd get beaten.

🖋 Trevor holds the world record for longest confirmed sniper kill. Can't be found in any public record but it's in Oracle records and that's good enough for him.

🖋 Jelani (Loke and Jela's grandad, not J lol) and Subira made a spell called "Bright Light". Basically a faint little orb of light that when cast makes anyone near it calm down. It works for regular nervousness, anxiety, panic attacks, anger and so on. It's one of those beginner type spells that barely requires any energy and it can either hover over the caster's palm or it can be "attached" to an object.

🖋 Sunniva (she was Ingvarr's first wife and the woman who gave birth to Loke) is still alive. After she became pregnant she heavily regretted it so that's why as soon as Loke was born she ran away without telling anyone anything. Loke was always told that she disappeared but honestly speaking he never knew her so he has no attachment to her. To him Sanaa is HIS mother and only her.

🖋 Latoya was what you would consider a sickly kid. Someone in another country sneezed and she got sick. Her colds and flus lasted longer than usual and she was a super skinny little girl. When puberty hit she took up sports and when she was 18 she started lifting weights, blew up in terms of muscle tone and got laser eye surgery. Now she's like Rambo in his prime but pretty.

🖋 Abigail is constantly coloring her hair different colors but her favorite is any hue of green since that's her favorite color. She'll also help and color anyone else's if they ask her for help.

🖋 Ginger and Abigail got married on October 13th. Yes, the wedding had a Victorian goth theme to it. Even though they couldn't eat it the cake was red velvet with black frosting and everything. It almost looked like a funeral 'cause everyone was wearing black. I hope to doodle Ginger and Abby in their wedding dresses someday.

🖋 Haakon had a habit of collecting leaves from different countries he visited and kept them safe. Ingvarr and Jørgen both keep journals with leaves of different countries they've visited. They write down the tree the leaf came from, country where they got it from and date.

🖋 Anette can't drive until she's 21. When she was 14 she took Jelani's car, drove her and a bunch of her friends super late at night in winter (from what I've read driving in Norway during winter is horrible), crashed into another car after she lost control, totalled both Jelani's car and the other car and severely injured some of her friends and the other driver. The funny/not funny part is Jela was planning on giving her that car when she got her license but she totalled it. It was BMW by the way. Fuckin' teenager driving around in a 2 year old Beemer lol.

🖋 Speaking of cars. Grete (Anette's mother and Loke and Jelani's aunt) is horribly afraid of driving. She can't get behind the wheel of a car without freaking out. Anette crashing made the fear 10x worse. She can be in a car as long as she isn't driving and the car isn't going too fast.

🖋 During a visit Anette convinced both her parents and Jelani to let her stay with him during the summer. She also convinced both Leah and Xolani to stay over as well. So for a whole ass summer Jelani had three teenagers staying over as a kind of sleep over vacation. It actually turned out fun in the end, the kids had fun and Anette and her rebellious attitude kinda softened.

🖋 Anette, Xolani and Leah have one defining thing in common. None of them know what to do with the rest of their lives. Thing is Leah is very nervous about it, Xolani is kind of aloof about it and Anette is kinda of frustrated about it. Anette is frustrated which leads her to act out and cause trouble. Xolani just looks like they don't care but they do. Leah is super nervous about it. Another thing they got in common is the three of them tend to look up to Loke and Jelani 'cause they feel both understand them better than their parents do.

🖋 Ginger is kinda very obsessed with portals. She's fascinated by them but also respects them as they are incredibly dangerous and unpredictable. She is basically the only person in the world that managed to control portals even if it's for a short amount of time.

🖋 Shaine got really into explosives when she was just a kid. After an accident with a dozen cherry bombs she was left partially deaf, now has to wear a hearing aid and is the explosives expert.

🖋 Before joining Oracle Katya financed her transition by making fake IDs and passports. She also doxxed corrupt government officials and ransomed vital information she got off them.

🖋 Loke is allergic to bird dandruff but would love to have a pet pigeon. At least he can have dogs which is his other favorite animal. His favorite dog is the pitbull.

🖋 Until he got together with Jelani all of Angelus's previous relationships were short and ended in kind of disaster because he constantly compared them all to Jelani and to him they didn't measure up. He ultimately said no to relationships around the 1930s and just fucked around. Obviously until he got shit faced once and confessed to Jelani he was in love with him and the rest is history.

🖋 Tre is one of the super rare seers that can see and feel visions. He's so sensitive that merely standing in an area with a lot of energy could affect him.

🖋 In Oracle there is a head of the organization and two leaders. Current head is Aleksey with Jelani and Angelus as leaders. There's always three as kind of a callback let's call it to when Oracle was started. Aleksey and two close friends started it so from then on there's always 3 leads. When Aleksey steps down Jelani will be head, Ginger will be the second lead and Angelus is the third lead, however he plans on making Trevor the third lead. The reason is because Angelus is fully aware of what he can and can't do and he knows damn well that he isn't lead of an organization material. When he steps down he'd be the Trickster team leader, that he can handle, and since Trevor left a vacant spot Loke would take that spot.

🖋 There is a place called Kironia. It's theorized to be a sort of epicenter for portal activities. Angelus and Ginger have been tasked with keeping an eye on it but it's shrouded in so much mystery most people don't think it's real.

🖋 Despite the fact that Trevor personally knows a Maker and a goddess (Jade, Latoya's girlfriend) he's still an athiest.

🖋 Trevor didn't have a name growing up, he chose the name Trevor because it sounded pleasant. He took his surname, Ravencroft, from a woman he'd heard of from other Oracle agents. He eventually got to meet Morgana Ravencroft, she thought it was flattering he took her name.

🖋 Speaking of Morgana Ravencroft, Angelus was first introduced to the concept of magic because of her. He went with Trevor to help him with some supplies and after being completely hypnotized by some illusions she gave him a book on the basics and helped him get started.

🖋 Loke stopped aging and it's something of a weird occurrence that is brought up every so often. When he was 28 years old he and Jelani (who was 15 at the time) were delivering some supplies to another village. They ran into bandits and as usual Loke was trying to protect Jelani and in doing so he was fatally wounded. Of course Jelani freaked the fuck out and his "fail safe" kicked in. Jela doesn't remember but Loke does, he saw Jelani change form and after dealing with the bandits he turned his attention to Loke and stopped him from dying. He was rusty as fuck so he put a little more oomph behind it and a tiny portion of his energy slipped into Loke. Neither of them know but Loke is basically kinda frozen in time when it comes to aging. So because of this Loke can't die unless Jelani dies.

🖋 Loke has a black feather that's warm to the touch and small embers can be seen floating out of it. He's never mentioned it to anyone and keeps it close to him. The feather came from Jelani when he changed form to fight off the bandits. After he blacked out and changed back Loke found the feather on the ground. He knew where it came from that's why he kept it. He's never told Jelani about that day because he doesn't know what it means and he thinks telling him would only serve to confuse him further.

🖋 Continuing with Loke, he's your average run of the mill berserker. That means he cannot use magic while in berserker mode or even with his weapons. The only ones that can do that are arcanist berserkers (the Nyota tribe). Sanaa is an arcanist berserker, she can use magic while in berserker mode. However, through years of practice Sanaa managed to teach Loke one spell that her people are really fond of. Falling Stars is a spell that has the user charge a single arrow. The arrow is shot upwards and as soon as it reaches high enough it splits into hundreds of arrows that rain down on the target. Loke started practicing when he was 8 years old and by the age of 30 he managed to pull it off making him the first berserker to use magic.

🖋 Jelani and Leah are two of the extremely rare and fortunate people that have gone through a portal and have returned. Whether their return was sheer luck or the fact that he's a Maker is something I'll elaborate on later.

🖋 Haakon knew Jelani wasn't a berserker. Haakon himself had a feeling that his grandson was something far more, if that makes sense. The day Jela was born Haakon had a dream but instead of fear he just felt an insurmountable amount of wonder. He's only ever told his wife, Eli, who in turn believed him. Both always made sure Jela didn't feel out of place and Haakon frequently encouraged him.

#theonedayking #reply #oc things #long post

[sebvrnes]

The Bay Window - Part 2

Masterlist || Part 1

SUMMARY: Your bay window was never meant to seat just one.

PAIRING: Bucky Barnes x reader (Modern AU)

WARNINGS: tension, angst (still not 100% sure if it is, but I’ll warn you guys about it anyway)

WORD COUNT: 1.7k

A/N: Here’s part two! Thank you guys for a the love, it was better than I ever expected. I legit cried a little. :’) I think this is probably gonna be like three or four parter or sumthin like that. I also discovered while writing this I’m hell lot more angsty than I ever thought I was. LOL sorry Hope you enjoy!

The cold autumn night halted to a stop. Brooklyn hushed itself into a quiet slumber while the whistle of the wind softened to low hum, barely heard over the pounding of your heart. The trumpet of Glenn Miller’s ballad slowly faded and a veil of silence draped itself over the room.

He stood timidly at the door, the ocean of his eyes inviting you in for a swim. Your eyes followed his hand as it rubbed against the back of his neck, head slightly bowed to glance at the floor before gazing back up through his lashes. The ghost of a smile caressed his lips, before his hand dropped and an awkward chuckle made its way to you.

Frozen in place, your eyes journeyed over his body, studying the new plains of his skin. The hills of his biceps had grown, the expanse of his shoulders made wider by the muscles that laid beneath his jacket. His stance was stronger, most likely due to the tree trunks that were now his legs. To anyone else he would have appeared beastly, but to you there was always a softness in his features.

Small lines laid next to his eyes, the cracks that used to run across his palms had smoothed over leaving only small callouses at the base of his fingers. He cut his hair, no longer the long tresses wrapped in a man bun, but a wispy pompadour with a few loose strands dangling above his eyebrows. His lips were paler than usual, slightly parted as if he was holding his breath.

Noticing more than a second had passed, you looked at him once over before he began to speak. It’s missing.

“H-hi…” A small cough escaped his lips as he attempted to clear his throat. He stood taller and released the breath he was holding. “Hi, Y/N.”

You crossed your arms over your chest as you shifted your weight. “Hey, Buck… What’re you doing here?”

Your eyes searched his as he shifted his stance, debating whether or not he was welcomed to step through your door. “I, uh, was going over to Steve and Peggy’s to surprise them since I’m in town and all… And well, I found out they weren’t home and,” he lifted a small bag that you hadn’t noticed he was carrying, “I heard you were living here now, so I thought h-hey, why not… Share?”

His other hand returned to the back of his neck as his eyes sheepishly pleaded with you to be invited in. You breathed deeply to calm yourself down with no avail. The air got caught in your throat as you glanced at the floor considering your options. Gazing up at him again, you offered him a small smile and shifted towards your kitchen, strolling slowly allowing him to follow you.

Relieved, he stepped through the threshold and closed the door as delicately as possible. Once it was locked, he paused to take in your home.

Brick walls were lightly painted with white throughout the living room, the original clay red occasionally peeping through. In the middle of room sat a grey couch littered with pillows as a glass coffee table stood hopelessly by. Coffee mugs and endless papers spilled over its top and scattered restlessly onto the floor next to the photographs spread on the rug. Behind the couch, one wall held floating shelves showcasing your favorite books mixed with a few trinkets. Another wall was home to a map created by polaroids you’d taken on your travels accompanied by a few of you smiling with friends and strangers. Below sat a low shelf housing your record player and its albums and a small television. Opposite the front door sat two wooden shelves. More books, magazines, and photos rested along the surfaces, accenting the yellow peonies and green succulents that completed its look. Cradled in between the shelves sat the bay window. He smiled.

He finally sauntered into the kitchen where you stood, arms rested on the counter as you stared off into space. As he stood opposite you, he placed the bag down onto the counter, causing you to face him with the same small smile he was grateful to see.

Quietly you asked, “So… What’d you bring?”

You tilted your head in confusion as you watched his smile mischievously grow. He reached into the bag and placed a box in front of you. Maxi’s was scribbled on its top. He then reached in again and placed a bottle of wine next to it before glancing at you expectantly. You met his eyes with a puzzled face. Steve and Peggy only drink whiskey.

Before he could read your thoughts, you reached out and opened the box revealing your favorite cannolis. You raised an eyebrow as your lips turned into a smirk. “How’d you get these at this hour?”

He returned the smirk. “Well, unfortunately they’re a little cold. I got them before closing.”

“There couldn’t have been this many cannolis before closing.”

He chuckled, “I may or may not know the owner’s son.” Uh, huh.

“So is that how you found out where I lived?” You busied yourself with reading the label of the wine bottle to avoid his eyes. “That’s a little scary. I need to talk Pietro about giving my address to strangers.” Your smirk teased your lips as you turned the bottle in your hands.

Preoccupied with wine, you missed the way his jaw clenched. He cleared his throat before he continued. “Actually, Steve mentioned that Peggy helped you decorate.”

“Oh, yeah…” Stupid. “I couldn’t really figure out how to hang shelves off the brick. And you know Peggy, crafty as ever,” you laughed.

He joined in. “Well, it looks great… Even better than-” he coughed realizing his mistake. “Uh, ‘scuse me… So uh, how’ve you been?”

You offered a humorless laugh as you settled the wine back onto the counter. “I’ve been… okay. It’s a long story…”

He watched as you started to wring your fingers. He scrunched his eyebrows together as his head stooped down to meet your eyes. “Well, I’ve got time…” A small smile pleaded with you.

You searched the swells of blue in his eyes.

“O-okay, well… I suggest you get yourself situated on the couch. I’ll pour us a glass of this wine.”

He nodded and wandered off into your living room, his steps slowing as he passed by the bay window. When he heard you waddling into the space, he plopped himself onto the couch. You gently sat down on the opposite end before passing him his glass. He analyzed the distance between you two. His jaw clenched again.

You took a sip of the wine and began to fiddle with the rim. In attempt to ease the atmosphere, he took a sip from his glass as well, then searched in vain for a place to set it down on the coffee table. Seeing the papers overflow from the top, he assumed it was your work and didn’t want to chance ruining it. As he was about to give up in his search, he read a title on one of the pages. The Shifting Tide Between Titanium and Vibranium. Curious, he faced the table and picked up the paper and read the title of the article beneath it. Espionage and Diplomacy: The Hidden Tales of S.H.I.E.L.D. Lost in his amazement, he scanned the titles of paper after paper.

“These were you?”

The pang in your chest went unnoticed as you offered a smile. “Yeah. They’re mine.”

Finally deciding to settle his glass on the floor, he shuffled through more of the pages, lips parting in awe of your work. You could have sworn a gasp escaped his lips as he read the titles of the pages clutched in his hands. The Age of Prodigies: New York Youth Taking Technology Into A New Era. A Little [Ant] Told Me… The Truth Behind the Arms War In the Middle East.

A wave of cerulean splashed you, the tides wild and swirling in their color. “Y/N… These, this… this is some of the best journalism work of the century…”

A heat of pink flushed your cheeks as you looked away. Your chest swelled with pride as you allowed yourself to accept the compliment. After years of writing without appraisal, you finally struck gold. It was comforting to know someone else thought so, too.

Not knowing how to respond, your eyes drifted over to your record player spinning in a soundless loop. You walked over and fingered through your albums. Shivers raced down your spine as his gaze followed your hands, placing a new vinyl on the turn table. The soprano of Skitch Henderson’s piano soon fluttered into the room and Brooklyn joined in with the low whistle of the wind.

A quiet hum slipped through your lips, your eyes falling closed as Skitch serenaded you into ease. Bucky couldn’t help but smile as he watched, the gleam never reaching his eyes. Walking back, you picked up your wine and slipped back onto the cushions. Bringing the glass to your lips, you smirked in amusement as Bucky’s eyes raced over you.

“What?”

“Y/N, these are… incredible.” He shook his head as he scanned the papers scattered on the floor. “The guys in the lab they kept going on and on about how we should’ve already been making prosthetics with vibranium and, wow…” He slumped against the couch, shaking his head to get his thoughts in order. “I had no idea these articles were yours…”

He stared at you and you nearly gasped at the intensity. He was looking for something, but what?

“These must’ve taken you months… I can’t believe you made so many breakthroughs all in a… How?”

Your lips curled into a smile. “I said it was a long story,” you taunted.

Bucky picked up his wine glass and took a long sip, his gaze still locked with yours. As he dropped his glass, his shoulders eased onto couch releasing the tension you hadn’t noticed he was holding. His lips curled to match yours, his waves of blue rolling into a low tide before he softly spoke.

“Tell me.”

#jg writes #bucky x reader #Bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky fluff #bucky barnes #bucky smut #bucky #bucky fanfiction #bucky barnes fanfiction #james buchanan barnes #modern au #thor fanfiction #steve rogers #peggy carter #wanda maximoff #pietro maximoff #pietro x reader #wanda maximoff x reader #where's the pizza pietro? #the bay window

[scrumptiouslyghostlyperfect-blog]

BTS AU's IDEAS!

I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING!!! BELONGS TO THE OWNER!!

(I've Really Wanted To Do This For Awhile, Mainly Because I'm Working On A Fic Series {No Promises} That Includes Most Of Bangtan's Ships. I Thought It'd Be Cool! If This Goes Well I might Make This Into A Series!

SO, WITHOUT FURTHER ADEU! STARTING OFF WITH TAEKOOK, CAUSE WHO DOESN'T LOVE MAKNAE LOVE!?)

○

Taekook in Aladdin:

Jungkook as Jasmine & Taehyung as Aladdin.

●I really like the thought of Taekook with this one; they have really nice dynamics for it. I think I'm going to make Hoseok the Genie, but with much less blue. He and Taehyung would make a good duo in this. Honestly, though, I just really love the movie and want to write about the Taekook magic carpet ride. Also, Jungkook being sassy with Tae is such a concept, like Taehyung would be so whipped for it●

Yoonseok in Cinderella:

○

Yoongi as Cinderella & Hoseok as Prince Charming.

●I actually have have a plan for this one, and it's gonna be a little emotional, and I hope I can write it well enough. Just imagine Yoongi having cute, small animals as friends and Hoseok just loving them to death. It'd be so fluffy because Hoseok is literal sunshine that would do anything for Yoongi, I'm not crying you are. Hoseok would search day and night to find Yoongi, in any AU honestly.

Namjin in Beauty & The Beast:

Seokjin as Bell & Namjoon as The Beast (except instead of an animal type beast, I would put a different spin on it).

○

●Seokjin being the sassy softly he is would be perfect for this. I could really have fun with this AU and make it have a lot of fluff as well as some melancholy. Like, the thought of Namjoon being whipped for Jin but not doing anything about it because he's really self conscious is enough to make me cry●

Junghope in Robin Hood:

Jungkook as Maid Marian & Hoseok as Robin Hood.

●I just like the thought of Hoseok being really peppy and helping everyone so much. It's been a while since I've seen the movie so I'm basing off of old memories, but it still gives me a Junghope vibe. Like the part where they steal from the king, Hoseok would be so creative with it and dressing up as a girl wouldn't even be that hard of a feat, he's so pretty●

○

Vhope in Peter Pan:

Taehyung as Wendy & Hoseok as Peter Pan.

●Vhope is the epitome of childish, so this is the perfect AU for them. They're so perfect together, and so happy, I love it! Taehyung would always try to be more mature because he was raised to be like that, and his parents throw a fit over it a lot. So Hoseok takes it upon himself to show Taehyung how to be a kid. I just like emotionally constipated Taehyung, that's trying to do the right thing. It really gets to me.

○

Jihope in Sleeping Beauty:

Jimin as Aurora & Hoseok as Prince Phillip.

●This is really nice because while Hoseok is super silly and fun, he cares so much and would do anything for Bangtan, and it reflects in his actions. So, if prince Hoseok is the love of Jimin's life and has to kiss him and fight dragons, you bet he's going to do it. I think I'm to make thier pre-sleep story longer and emotionally attached than the original story of the Sleeping Beauty●

Jikook in The Little Mermaid:

○

Jimin as Ariel (because of the red hair lol) & Jungkook as Eric.

●I literally cry at the thought of this because it would be so beautiful. I know people project Jimin as really sexy and more of a playboy in fics, but I wouldn't mind making Jimin innocent and new to a lot of things with this, and just letting Jimin stumble a little a little through it all makes it feel more real. Something like this fits Jikook really well●

○

Sugakookie in Snow White:

Yonngi as Snow White & Jungkook as The Prince.

○

●I'd like to spin this with the real Snow White, and make Yoongibbe super pure but have a little bit too much of an attitude. I know it clashes with the real concept of Snow White, but I think it'd be a fun read. Jungkook would get suprised because he thought Yoongi was supposed to be gentle and perfect, but it has more depth if he falls in love with Yoongi despite him having a few flaws. Yonngi is still just as beautiful with a bad mouth on him on him, it adds character.

Vmin in Red Riding Hood:

Taehyung as The Wolf & Jimin as Red Riding Hood.

●This, uh, this why I have breathing problems. I know people always like the whole Little Red and timber cutter (that's what he was, right?), but I'd like for Jimin to fall with a flawed, struggling Wolf. Taehyung would try to project himself as strong and not very nice, and he doesn't make a lot of right choices. He uses his ability to be scary as a form of protection, and Jimin could be exactly what Tae needs to loosen up●

○

Taekook in Alice In Wonderland:

Taehyung as The White King & Jungkook as Alice.

●Jungkook falling down the rabbit hole is such a concept, but some would be like "JK is a bunny, so make him the white rabbit". I just he fits Alice a lot more. I could really go on for days about this AU, I love it so much. Jungkook making his way through Wonderland and getting help from Taehyung, The White King, makes me cry. Like, Tae would always let Jungkook stay in his palace and be really doting and make sure he's fine.. especially when Jungkook accidentally causes trouble and had to stay away from The Red King●

○

○

Yoonseok in Rapunzel:

Yoongi as Rapunzel & Hoseok as Flynn.

●Yoongi not knowing anything about the world is really dangerous, but imagine that cute face he does when he's suprised like a mix between a pout and he barely lets his mouth hang. It's really cute, but Hoseok would get addicted to it and try to show Yoongi absolutely everything in hopes of trying to get it out of him again. I could probably mix some really emotional things in with this, I know the actual movie had me devastated when I first watched it●

■If you've got any ideas for ships I've left out, please feel free to comment or message me. I'd like to get most of them even if I'm not a giant fan of them. These are just the ones I find myself enjoying the most lately, and I also have a lack of ideas of fairytales■

~~~

○BTS as The Walking Dead Characters:

>Jin as Maggie Rhee.

>Suga as Daryl Dixon.

>J-Hope as Glenn Rhee.

>Rap Monster as Rick Grimes.

>Jimin as Paul 'Jesus' Rovia.

>V as Carl Grimes.

>Kookie as Carol Peleir.

********

●BTS in Life Is Strange.

●BTS in Until Dawn.

●BTS in Friday The 13th bc.. why not!?

●BTS in The Purge.

●BTS in Black Swan.

●BTS in Superhero Movies- Jungkook as Spiderman & Taehyung as Deadpool.

●BTS in Outlast.

●BTS in Resident Evil 7 - Hoseok as Mia & Yoongi as Ethan.

●BTS in Pretty Little Lairs.

●BTS in Orange Is The New Black.

●BTS in How To Train Your Dragon - Hoseok as Hiccup & Yoongi as Astrid.

●BTS in Detroit Become Human.

●BTS in Telltale: The Walking Dead.

●BTS in Supernatural.

●BTS in Attack On Titan .

●BTS in Night In The Woods.

●BTS in Twilight.

●BTS in Harry Potter.

●BTS in IT.

END!!!

#bts au

[scramblingminds]

My friend from work asked for this one, I get prompt requests over FB Messenger now apparently lol. Well, here is my attempt at this lil gem. For my real life friend, let’s call her B! I hope she and all y’all can enjoy this one.

Also, I know I haven’t been around much. Sorry work and life bullshit but I will fill every prompt I have had and have recently gotten. I’m just really busy, I’m sorry! I’ll do better, promise! @cynthianicolexoxo @redm81 @vbabe14

Warnings: None that I can think of.

Safe

Honestly, they couldn’t have picked a worse time to do this. Finding love right before the start of a war that neither of them might see the other side of, not the greatest timing. In Daryl and Paul’s defense it all started after the first raid on the satellite station, after they all really thought Negan was dead. It just happened, like a natural flow then it was like the world came to a screeching halt.  

Negan was alive but Glenn was dead and Abe, they took Daryl and nothing felt real. Sasha dying and Eugene turning on them, Paul getting Daryl back but he was different. Paul still cared for him, he could see past the new scars and cracks and symptoms of PTSD. Daryl was still the same man, just he was hurting again and even when he screamed for Paul to leave him be, he didn't.

Daryl appreciated that, even if he would never voice it. Now, after everything that they all had been through, the war was really going to begin. The communities would be meeting up the next morning, plans going into effect and the march to the Sanctuary would start. There would be long days ahead but for one last night, they didn't want to think about that.

Daryl was a heavy weight on Paul's chest, a welcome one that he could take easily. The sheets were warm around them, Paul's fingers slipping loose the few knots in Daryl's hair as the older man nuzzled into his chest. Their skin fresh from a shower and sticking just right without a single barrier. It was quiet for the first time in days, like the calm before the storm and they were basking in it.  

Daryl tilted his head up, not saying a word but his eyes roamed over Paul's face. Tracing every inch and line and beard hair. Paul swept his bangs behind his ear, letting a fingertip graze down his cheekbone to ghost over the moles lining his lip. Daryl chased it, leaving the lightest of kisses to the knuckle making Paul cup his jaw.  

They didn't speak, they didn't need to after this seemingly too short time together. Daryl lifted without a word, Paul's hand guiding him up and their mouths together. Paul's other hand gripped the wide rough expansion of Daryl's back as the larger man settled comfortably between his bare thighs. The kisses flowing over and over to make them stop feeling like a goodbye on that long sleepless night.  

-----------------

Paul wanted to be doing something, anything to make the time stop dragging so heavily. He couldn't go scavenging, even though they needed food and supplies desperately. Saviors were everywhere around Hilltop, no one would get far if they left and he was still waiting. Alexandria and its people should be coming, The Kingdom had already been there almost a day.  

Paul glanced at the slowly creeping sun, the prisoners ambling around their cage and Paul had taken over for Carol. He knew that somber set to her face was mirrored on his own. They all just didn't know. They had no idea how Rick or Alexandria were. Paul didn't know if Daryl was even still alive and that thought got his stomach churning in the worst way.  

Paul didn't jump or even really react when Eduardo called out, "Opening the gate! It's them!"

He just felt tension seep from his bones, closing his eyes in thanks he didn't even know to who before turning for the gate. Carol beat him there, running up to Daryl and the very much depleted Alexandrians. Paul didn’t see Rick or Michonne or Carl, Judith clinging to Daryl's neck for dear life.  

"What, what happened?" Carol's voice shook as she took in the state of everyone, Paul reaching Daryl at that moment. Carol moving to the side be staying close to them, her lip quivering even before any news was broken.  

Daryl shook his head, Paul stepping close and the older man pressed his forehead to his. Paul's hand came up to Judith's back, rubbing soothingly as Daryl leaned back with an unsteady voice, "Carl...he's gone. Bit. Rick and Michonne stayed, to...to take care of it all."  

The almost unearthly wail from behind him made Paul swallow, Enid sobbing as she collapsed into herself. It didn't feel real, nothing did these days it seemed. Daryl's arm came around Paul's shoulders, moving them toward Barrington House with the rest of the surviving Safe-Zone folks. Maggie swooped down to take Enid into her arms, holding her close even as her own tears streaked her face.  

Paul held his hands out to Judith, him and the little girl having formed a bond over their love of coloring, singing and her uncle. Daryl kissed her temple before handing her over, she buried her face into Paul's neck and hands wound into his hair. She had been through so much but she was so brave that it pulled at Paul's heart to see her so upset. She had just lost her brother, and didn't know where her parents were, she had earned the tears that he felt on his throat.  

The picnic table by the trailer was where they ended up, Daryl nearly collapsing into the bench as Paul stood next to him swaying Judith to sooth her. Daryl let his bow drop to the ground as he sagged forward, his elbows on his knees as he hung his head. He was exhausted and worn down, it had been a long few days since that night cocooned in the sheets with Paul.  

"Daryl, are you okay?" Paul whispered, like the question was dangerous, not just redundant.  

Daryl didn't speak, his head just shaking slowly as he took a shuddering breath. Paul watched as his shoulders twitched before they started jerking and his hand pressed over his eyes. Daryl had this way of crying that was like a wounded animal. All heaving breathes and whimpers that broke Paul's heart every time, it would shock most that in the darkest of nights how often a man like Daryl cried.  

Paul moved without hesitation, crouching between Daryl's knees, pressing Judith even tighter to his chest. The pained scrunch of the older man's face only half obscured so Paul pulled his hand away. The last days weighed heavy and weathered Daryl's tear streaked face. Daryl's eyes cracked open, red and raw from lack of rest and too much emotion.  

Paul leaned in when Daryl's arms went around his shoulders, pulling him close to bury his face in the other side of Paul's neck. Judith was content to be sandwiched between them, sniffling almost in sync with her uncle. Paul nuzzled both their hair, more than happy to be their rock for however long they needed.  

------------------------

"Ready to go home, man?" Daryl slapped Rick's shoulder, making the man wobble on his new cane.

The last fight with Negan had taken a lot out of everyone, especially the Alexandrian Leader. His leg would still be in a cast for a few more weeks, and never be the same, but after a month at Hilltop Carson ruled him well enough to leave. Alexandria hadn't been rebuilt in a day, it felt like ages as all the communities pitched in to return the Safe-Zone to a leviable level. It was far from done, that would take much longer but its residents had been back for almost a week now.  

Michonne had come to pick Rick up, taking the lead for him back home so he could heal. She was over at the car with Paul, Judith being squeezed to her chest. Judith hadn't gone back with the others, Rick and Michonne thinking she should stay at Hilltop until they were sure Alexandria was completely safe. She had been sleeping in Daryl and Paul's bed every night since Michonne left, Rick's injuries not making it possible to stay with him.  

They didn't mind, not at all. The little girl had taken over the trailer, her coloring covering the walls and toys had been accumulating for somewhere to the couch. It had been nice having her there, her presence a balm to Daryl that he didn't even know he needed.  

"Yeah," Rick nodded, glancing at Daryl, "You aren't coming, are you?"

The question had been lingering for ages now. Daryl had found something at Hilltop, with Paul, that he never had back at Alexandria. He was really happy there, really comfortable not just acting like it. After all this time at Hilltop, in that trailer, he doubted what he would be going back to would qualify as home.  

Daryl cleared his throat, teeth pulling at the corner of his lip to delay the only answer he had, "No, I'm sorry."

Rick chuckled, leaning heavily on his cane so he could swat at Daryl's shoulder, "Don't be, you finally seem content, settled. You deserve that, Daryl."  

Daryl sighed, he had feared that Rick would be resentful, angry that his brother was parting with him for the first time since the prison. Daryl knew he would still go to Alexandria often, just like how he would be going to the Kingdom to visit Carol. He just knew this is where he belonged now, he belonged with Paul.  

Rick gripped his shoulder, face shifting to a more serious expression, "I do have one favor to ask though."

"Name it." Daryl agreed.  

Rick took a deep breath, like he was having to brace himself for his next words, "I need you to take care of Judith for me."

Daryl blinked as he processed that, "For how long? Until ya get settled back home?"

Rick shook his head, "I mean more permanently."

Daryl took a step back, Rick's hand slipping off his shoulder, "I ain't taking yer kid from ya, Rick. From Michonne."  

"She loves being with you, Daryl. With you and Jesus." Rick reasoned.

"She loves her father, Rick." Daryl shook his head hard. Judith was Rick's daughter, she belonged with him and Michonne. Daryl didn't think he could rip her away from them, she had lost enough.  

"Her father can't keep her safe!" Rick shouted and Daryl froze but the man didn't stop, "I couldn't protect Sophia or Lori. I couldn't save my own son."

"Rick, don't, man," Daryl could hear how the leaders voice wavered, eyes going glassy.

"No! Carl," Just saying his name made Rick almost collapse into himself, Daryl's hands grabbing his shoulders, "I did everything for Carl, I just wanted him to make it but I couldn't...I can't keep Judith safe but you always do, Daryl. I know Jesus will too, I mean, just look at them."

Daryl looked over to see what Rick meant. Their commotion had not reached their significant others thankfully. Michonne had passed Judith over to Paul, who was swaying her as his mouth moved in what had to be a song they couldn't hear. Paul spun around, dipping Judith so her curls bounced as she squealed with joy. Paul brought her back to his chest, her hands twisting lovingly into his hair as their foreheads pressed together and he kept singing.  

Daryl almost felt guilty at how his stomach fluttered at the sight, in awe of the damn beauty of it. He did feel guilty when he saw the smile that spread over Rick's lips before he spoke, "Michonne agrees, begrudgingly but she does see how this would be better. So?"

Daryl knew he wouldn't mind having Judith stay with them. They would have to get her a bed of her own, of course, or maybe move into Barrington House for more space. He still didn't feel right just taking her from the life she had before the war but that life was gone. Her brother was gone and maybe she needed some space too, some time to heal just like her parents did.

After a few moments of thinking Daryl sighed, "I can't take her-"

"Daryl, please-" Rick rushed and Daryl held his hand up to shush him.

"I can't take her from y'all, she's yer daughter but," Daryl conceded, "She can stay with us, until you feel like you and Michonne and Alexandria are ready to keep her safe. She's still yer girl, Rick, but we'll watch over her here until yer ready. Deal?"  

Rick stared at him wide eyed for a moment before he nodded, a melancholy smile ghosting onto his face, "Deal. Thank you, Daryl."  

Daryl nodded, helping Rick stand up straight and strong before they crossed over to the car. Daryl would have to explain this thoroughly to Paul later but the younger man said nothing as Rick and Michonne spoke to Judith. Telling her she needed to stay with Uncle Daryl and Jesus for a while, promising to visit. She didn't even sniffle, face sad but an understanding far beyond her years in her eyes.  

Daryl knew it wasn't a goodbye but his heart was still heavy as he watched the car drive out the gate. Judith on his hip waving even after they were out of sight. Daryl cupped her face, kissing her curls to comfort himself just as much as her. Like always it was Paul who came to the rescue.

"How about we go see Maggie? Maybe the baby is kicking today." Paul clapped like it was a grand idea and it perked Judith right up. She nodded happily, holding her arms out to Paul who took her with a grin.  

Daryl in that split second came to a realization, as Paul leaned in so the girl could transfer to his hip. Daryl turned his face just right, so his mouth was next to Paul's ear and like a fool voiced what came to his mind, "Love ya."  

Paul to his credit only hesitated a second before whispering as he dragged his bearded cheek against Daryl's as he leaned back with Judith, "Love you too."  

Daryl did freeze as Paul turned heading to the House with Judith. He didn't know why he just blurted that out, it just popped in his head that he loved the other man. The man who without argument took in his niece and who tried to make her happy when she was sad. The man who saved his ass all the time and who shared his place and his bed with Daryl. Paul, who loved him back and who clearly loved Judith just as much.  

"Uncle Daryl, c'mon!" Judith hollered as Paul paused at the steps to the House. Judith waving for him to hurry up making Daryl snapped back to it. He jogged to catch up, knowing for sure that letting Judith stay with them was the right call.

-----------------

"This is the last of it." Paul handed the box over to Daryl who heaved it into the back of the truck, the bed packed to the brim around his strapped down bike.  

"Ya got way too many damn books." Daryl huffed as he slammed the tailgate, Paul chuckled leaning into to kiss Daryl's scruffy chin.

"Sorry to break it to you but those weren't my books." Paul grinned as Daryl rolled his eyes.

"Judy, ya bringing the whole library?" Daryl called as a swirl of blonde hair came out the door.

"I can't help I like to read, Uncle Daryl." Judith reasoned as she came down the steps of Barrington House hand in hand with a toddling Little Hershel.  

"Jealous she takes more after her Uncle Paul?" Maggie asked following the kids with a smirk.  

Daryl huffed leaning down to the almost five-year-old, "Yer still my Lil Ass Kicker, right?"  

She shifted into fighting stance with a nod. Daryl chuckled ruffling her hair. They were heading for Alexandria, it had taken over two years but it was time. Rick on his last visit had told them he was ready, he and Michonne were ready for their girl back. Daryl had said back then he was only doing this temporarily but it had hit him like a ton of bricks.

Daryl had been increasingly uneasy as the date for her to go drew closer and Paul saw through him like always. He had suggested it, like it was a flippant thing to say. For them to move to Alexandria with her, there was a house next to Rick's they knew was unoccupied. It would be hard for Judith to be suddenly be torn away from them, she had spent the start of her formative years with them. She was excited to go live with her daddy and Michonne again but she needed her uncles just as much now.

So, they were all loaded up, Maggie and Hershel hugging them and making them promise to visit soon. Daryl got behind the wheel, Judith bouncing in the middle of the bench seat as Paul got in beside her. Daryl started the engine and slowly rolled out of the gate, Daryl draped his arm over the back of the seat so his fingers laced into Paul's hair as they got on the way.

"So, Judith," Paul nudged her with a smile, "Where are we going again?"

She gave an exasperated sigh that made Daryl smirk, "Home, duh."  

Paul laughed pulling her to his side with a nod. Daryl glancing over as she snuggled into him for the ride. Daryl squeezed the back of Paul's neck making the man smile at him before he turned his attention back to Judith who started babbling about the book she was reading now. Daryl sighed relaxing back into his seat, Judith was right, a trait she got from Paul no doubt. They were going home but now Daryl knew that wasn't a place. Home for him was where ever the two in the cab with him where at.  

#desus #darus #prompt fill #fanfic #daryl x jesus #daryl dixon #paul rovia #twd #angst #and fluff #i think

[shimmershaewrites]

Waltzing's for Dreamers, Chapter 21 (a Walking Dead story, Caryl AU).

Title: Waltzing's for Dreamers

Rating:  PG, maybe. 

Warnings:  some angst. 

Characters/Pairings:  Carol/Daryl, Lori/Rick, Sophia Peletier, Carl Grimes, Glenn Rhee, mentions of Andrea Harrison, Philip Blake, Tara Chambler, T-Dog, Shane Walsh, Michonne, Ed Peletier, Merle Dixon. 

 Excuse any typos and the generalized suckiness of this chapter.  I kinda hate it, but maybe you'll find some redeeming qualities, lol.  This chapter brought to you by the power of insomnia. 

   Waltzing’s for Dreamers

    Seven years after Vegas.  Late May. 

      It’s muggy outside.  Downright sticky. 

  Nothing all that unusual for Georgia in the month of May and yet?  When Carol ducks into the quiet coolness of Rick and Lori’s half bath, she’s shocked at the state of her hair.  Frizzy and more than a little wild, it’s 90’s era Julia Roberts big, and there’s no taming it.  Not really.  So she doesn’t even bother.  Just tucks it behind her ears and wanders into the kitchen.  Looks for something to occupy her time, some small way she can help her friend.  Lori was kind enough to host this annual shindig, after all, and if it comes with the added bonus of shielding her from a certain impenetrable blue gaze?  Well, then.  All the better.   Unfortunately, her method of distraction is short-lived.  She stills her restless hands on the kitchen counter when she hears the telltale shuffle of tired feet and an unmistakable sigh.  The babbling apology that’s sincere, yes.  But not entirely true. 

  “Carol.  Sweetie, I’m so sorry.  Rick invited him.  I found out when you did.” 

  Lori’s all baby belly and quite possibly the only person more miserable today than Carol herself, so she lets the slight fudging of the truth slide.  For the time being anyway.  Offers her friend a thin flicker of a smile as she lets her off the hook.  Starts rearranging all the forks and spoons before her into neat rows.  “It’s okay.” 

  “Is it?  Really?”

  Carol stops fiddling with the plastic silverware and meets her friend’s earnest brown eyes.  Releases a sigh of her own then half-mumbles a response that’s entirely unconvincing.  “Gotta be.”  She’s not lying, even if her delivery is somewhat lacking.  Couldn’t even if she wanted to, not to Lori.  Everything has to be okay.  She has to be okay because Daryl’s decided to stay.  Replant some roots and get to know the beautiful little soul he helped create.  It’s what she’d wanted when she had Michonne draw up those papers for her, the ones that offered him a place in their son’s life if he desired it.  Sophia’s too, if that’s what her sensitive, headstrong little girl wished.  Free and clear of any restrictions.  It’s what she’d hoped for.  Still.  Wanting something and actually being prepared for the reality of it?  Two different animals altogether.  Surviving the rest of the school year had been nothing compared to this.  All of the stress and second guessing must show on her face because Lori’s crossing the room and opening her arms, cooing sympathetically, and Carol’s all but crumpling at the gesture of sisterly concern. 

  “Oh, Honey.  Come here.” 

  Her friend’s hug is awkward but heartfelt and Carol laughs, gathering tears be damned, when the baby trapped between them kicks on cue, doing wonders for her mood and reminding her to get over mopey self.  Pulling back, she places her palms over Lori’s swollen belly and smiles.  “Hi, Sweetheart.  Nap-time over?” 

  “Nap-time?” Lori rolls her eyes with a grin.  “What is this nap-time you speak of?  This little one,” she says, pausing to direct Carol’s hand to the insistent press of a little foot before continuing, “she never sleeps.” 

  “She?  I thought you and Rick wanted to be surprised.” 

  “Carl,” Lori corrects her.  “Carl wants to be surprised.  Rick and I, well.  We’re humoring him.  Besides.  What’s one more surprise?  Right?” she quips, absently following the movements of her child with her hand still covering Carol’s hand before eventually letting it go.   

  “She, though?”  Pulling out the nearest barstool, she nudges her friend until she takes a seat.  Encourages her to kick off her sandals before doing the same.  She drops into the seat next to her and curls her pink-tipped toes around the rung of the stool, props her chin in her hand as her gaze flits back to Lori.  Smirks before allowing another question to tumble free.  “You sure you haven’t peeked?”   

  “I hope that’s not an accusation.” 

  “Sheesh.  Guilty much?”  Giddy, girlish laughter peels from Carol’s lips at the wide eyed, open mouthed expression that accompanies that statement.  “Relax.  I’m just kidding.  Mostly.”  When Lori snorts at that little addendum, she loses all composure again.  They both do.  Especially when Rick walks into the kitchen and promptly backpedals, his hands held up signaling his ultimate surrender to his wife’s current mood, whatever that may be.  They’re so unpredictable these days.  “Poor Rick,” she muses. 

  “Listen to you.  Poor Rick.  Mostly.  Some friend you are.” 

  The words are meant to tease, but Carol takes them to heart.  Sobers.  Thinks about how much she’s relied on the two of them, Lori and Rick.  Oh, Michonne was there.  Andrea, too, to a lesser extent.  But Lori and Rick?  She’s leaned hard on them.  The last few years especially, finding herself right back in a position she never thought she’d be in again:  single parenthood.  Rearing a helpless baby boy and trying her best to put a heartbroken little girl back together.  And it feels selfish, to keep dumping her wonders and woes on them when Daryl’s back in the picture.  Because Carl’s birth had been a difficult one and this pregnancy hasn’t exactly been a cakewalk.  They have their own worries that they hide behind braves faces and here she is.  Letting herself drown without even attempting to save herself and swim toward the shore.  “Yeah.  Some friend.” 

  “Hey,” Lori softly entreats.  “You know I’m kidding, right?” 

  “And I’m just being melodramatic.” 

  “Seriously?  Is your name Andrea?  Because her life is a complete soap opera.” 

  Carol looks up in surprise.  It’s the first time in more than a month that anybody has been bold enough to even utter Andrea’s name in her presence and Lori does it so casually she almost forgets the residual anger that makes her clench her hands into tight fists.  Makes her gut churn and her heart beat hot and heavy behind her breastbone.  Makes her throat go dry and her tongue feel too thick in her mouth and she’s reminded anew of the faces that are missing from the day’s backyard celebration.  “Lori.” 

  “She didn’t have the right to do what she did.  You and Daryl…” 

  “Might have still ended up apart.  We might have,” she insists.  “Merle is his brother and Daryl loves him.  More than anything in this world.” 

  “Not anything.  Not you and Sophia and…” 

  Pushing back from the bar, Carol stands up.  Cuts her off before she can say anything more.  Paces around the kitchen that suddenly feels less like a safe haven and more like a trap.  Its walls closing in and the oxygen growing thin because it would seem that pregnancy has obliterated whatever semblance of a filter Lori might have claimed in the past.  She’s stubbornly determined to lance all of Carol’s festering wounds.  Expose them and let them breathe.  Force them to heal when she would be just as content to keep the band-aids on a little while longer.  “Daryl has his code.  Merle needed him.  He nearly died in that wreck.” 

  “And whose fault is that?” Lori mutters.  More to herself than anything. 

  Carol answers her anyway.  Wearily but with conviction.  “I’m not arguing culpability with you.  I’m not.  What happened?  Happened.  Daryl chose his brother.  And, he chose him before Andrea ever put those divorce papers in his hands.”     

  “Divorce papers that he never finished signing.  Divorce papers that were never filed.” 

  The pointed reminder does what it’s designed to do.  It renders Carol temporarily mute as her friend launches into a passionate dissertation of the so-called facts as she sees them and to be honest?  Her viewpoint strikes an uncomfortable chord. 

  “Merle needed him, but you needed him more.  Only he didn’t know that, did he?  He thought you wanted nothing to do with him because Andrea saw her chance and she seized it.  Anything to assuage her guilt.  Think about it, Carol.  Who pushed the hardest for you and Daryl to stay married in the first place?  Andrea.  She thought it would get Ed off your back and for the most part?  It did.  For a while anyway.  But we all knew he was a cockroach so that’s beside the point.  The point being she felt responsible, even before she got mixed up with that scumbag Blake.  The good and the bad.  She felt like it was her doing.” 

  “Lori.” 

  “No,” Lori shakes her head.  “Let me finish.  Sweetie, you need to hear this, whether you want to or not.”    

  Carol doesn’t tell her she’s rehashing old news.  That would take more energy than she possesses, at least in that exact moment.  So she just stands there and takes it.  Listens in the hopes that this is it.  The last time she’s confronted with the mistakes of her past.  She relents.  “Fine.”    

  “Merle did nearly die in that wreck.  And it was awful and scary and you were a basket case, remember?” 

  She merely nods.  Of course, she remembers.  She couldn’t forget if she wanted to because the unrelenting worry she’d felt for her husband and her troubled brother-in-law had landed her in a hospital bed just two floors removed, with monitors hooked up to her and alarms shrieking and keeping her on constant edge.  It’d been one of the scariest experiences she’d ever endured and she’d endured it largely alone.  Only in the last couple of months had she found out why and it had been worse than her desperate imaginings. 

  “You were a basket case.  Worried sick for Merle and for Daryl and then you ended up in the hospital yourself.  That was Andrea’s tipping point.” 

  “I don’t…” 

  “She suspected Blake had played a part in Merle’s accident even then and she felt guilty.  Irrationally guilty.  So irrationally guilty, she decided to make things right.  Only she went about it completely the wrong way because all she managed to do was screw things up even more.  I’m still fuzzy on the details, but somehow, when Daryl finally surfaced from Merle’s bedside and was told what had happened with you and the baby, he assumed the worst.  He assumed…” 

  “I know what he assumed.  I know what Andrea let him assume.  What she told him in some misguided effort to protect me and the kids and I don’t want to talk about it anymore, Lori.  The past is in the past.  It can’t be changed and I’m tired of dwelling on it.” 

  “But don’t you want to make sense of it?” 

  “Sense of it?  Lori, Andrea said so herself.  She was clear on one thing and one thing only.”   

  “Ain’t no makin’ sense of it.” 

  Carol’s agitated steps stutter to a stop and her eyes lock with those of the man who, for all intents and purposes, is still her husband because there’s another set of divorce papers out there that he’s holding onto.  A set she’d had drawn up and left for him, along with a simple band of gold.  Irony of all ironies, history is repeating itself.  Only this time, her signature’s lacking and she hasn’t stopped running long enough to do anything about it.  She’s afraid of what will happen if she does.  Doesn’t know if she has it in herself to be brave enough to find out.  She’s done that once before, gone against her own nature.  Walked the safe route and tried for a while to pretend she had what she wanted and needed in her ill-fated relationship with Tobin, but the truth was?  It’d always had an expiration date and deep down?  She’d known it.  That said, she’s going to need a helluva lot more convincing to take that kind of risk with her heart again and one of the most important reasons for her reticence is standing less than five feet away.   But maybe it’s time to take a chance. 

  “Mama?”  Sophia eyes them all with suspicion. 

  “Sophia?”  Lori attempts to divert the little girl’s attention.  “Where’s your brother?” 

  The forthcoming answer is polite and to the point.  Distracted as she zeroes in on Carol’s face.  “Outside.  With Tara and Uncle T.” 

  Mercifully oblivious, Carl is intent on seeking his mother out with a problem he claims is life and death.  As only an adolescent can. 

  Before Lori has a chance to excuse herself, Glenn arrives to save the day.  Reading the tension fraught room and taking the preoccupied boy by the shoulders.  Steering him back the way he’d come.    

  “Cool!  Really?  How’d you know what to do?” 

  “Sometimes, being a complete nerd comes in handy.” 

  “Mama,” Sophia persists.  “What’s going on?” 

  Barely a glance from Carol, and Lori’s sliding from her seat.  Forcing her swollen feet back into her sandals and grabbing a pitcher of lemonade from the counter, not even giving Sophia a chance to protest before all but pushing it into her small, fidgeting hands.  “How are those burgers coming?  Shane and Rick fighting over the grill again?” 

  “Yes, Ma’am.  But…” 

  “I bet everybody’s thirsty.” 

  “But…” 

  “Thank you so much for your help, Sweetie,” Lori declares with exaggerated cheerfulness as she nudges the child forward.  “Carl and the rest of the guys are just useless.”

  Finally, they hear the patio door shut, and it’s just the two of them and Carol has nowhere left to run.  At least that’s what she tells herself as she takes a deep, fortifying breath.  Straightens to her full height and meets Daryl’s narrowed blue gaze head on. 

  “What’s this all about?” 

  “You and me.”  She takes a step closer and another.  The distance between them makes her ache, makes it hard for her to expand her lungs and find her voice. 

  “Me and you?  You said…”

  She interrupts him because she doesn’t want to hear her own words echoed back to her.  They’d hurt plenty enough saying them.  Hearing them the first time.  “You were right.  Nobody knows me like you do.  Nobody has.  Nobody ever will.” 

  “Hell you playin’ at here?  Cruel to give a man hope where there ain’t none.” 

  This time, he takes a step closer and it’s all Carol can do to stand her ground.  Her heart’s in her throat and it feels like it’s grown wings.  Feels like it’s going to take flight without her consent and that’s a terrifying proposition because what if it falls again?  What if it plummets back to Earth and she shatters into a million tiny, unrecognizable pieces?  But oh.  What if it flies?  What if…

  “Carol.” 

  His hands are on her face and they’re so gentle, so careful, and shit.  She’s crying.  When did that happen? 

  “Just me.” 

  “I know.” 

  “Can tell me anything.  Anything.” 

  “You really mean that, don’t you?” 

  “Do.” 

  “Can tell me to crawl straight back to Hell, need be.  Be a short trip but I’ll take it if that’s what you’re askin’.  Just…” 

  His scruff is rough beneath the pads of her thumbs but his mouth is soft and it trembles when she silences him with her own careful touch.  “Daryl?” 

  “Yeah?” he rumbles.                                           

  “I never stopped.”  His eyes spark with a hope so pure it’s painful at those simple words, and she knows he knows what she’s talking about.  Knows he remembers that conversation on that crumbling porch.  Knows he recalls the sweet heavy mist of the falling rain as they made love, but she doesn’t want there to be any lingering doubts.  So she says it again.  Murmurs it as a promise.  “I never stopped and I never will.”

  “Me and you?” 

                                                                               “Trying.  That’s all I can promise.” 

  “All I want, Sweetheart.  All I need.” 

#The Walking Dead #Caryl fanfiction #Carol x Daryl #Carol Peletier #Daryl Dixon #stuff that I write #Waltzing's for Dreamers #aka What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas fic #Lori Grimes #Rick Grimes #Carl Grimes #Sophia Peletier #Glenn Rhee #mentions of Andrea Harrison #Philip Blake #Shane Walsh #T-Dog #Tara Chambler #Merle Dixon #Michonne #Ed Peletier

[lalka-laski]

A - Appearance.

What are you wearing? A sweatshirt with my company's logo & a pair of jeggings

What are on your feet right now? Slip-on sneak type of things? I abandoned my usual flip-flops today because my feet are a tragedy

What color are your fingernails? Like my toenails, my fingernails are also a tragedy! I haven't had room in my budget for a mani pedi in awhile :/

What does your hair look like right now? It's clipped up, but it's clean and therefore, the best my hair has looked this week

B - Best Friend

Who is your best friend? I have several but for the sake of this survey I'll say Sean

What was the last thing you two did together? Sadly it was a post-funeral service for his grandmother. But it was a fun, lighthearted celebration of her life. I adore his family and it's always great to spend time with them, even if the circumstances are dismal.

What is (s)he doing right now? Man, this guy is ALL over the map. I can't keep tabs on him! He could be in Bora Bora right now and I wouldn't question it.

Are you talking to her/him online right now? Nope, but we keep in pretty regular contact.

C - Crush.

Who is (s)he? He's a little more than a crush! He's my fiance

What does (s)he look like? The cutest pumpkin pie in the WORLD (he finds that nickname emasculating?? Can't imagine why...) What was the last thing you two talked about? We're texting right now about what Starbucks drinks we're gonna get later!

Does (s)he make you smile? More than anyone or anything on the planet

D - Dad

What’s your dad’s name? Richard

What does he do for a living? He's an electrician. Although these days he's more of an executive (I don't know his actual title). So he oversees lots of electricians and various projects, but doesn't do as much as the hands-on work. I'm so proud of him for working his way up the ladder but it's still so funny to me to picture my blue-collar, borderline redneck dad, working in an OFFICE.

What was the last thing you two did together? We got ice cream (Glenn & my mom were also present)

Do you get along better with him than your mother? My mom and I have more in common and therefor do more friendly/social stuff together. But I get along with each of them equally well. Especially as an adult.

E - Ebay.

Have you ever bought anything from ebay? Yep I have a few pairs of reading glasses on the way actually

Do you just shop around when you’re online? Kinda but I'm trying to kick the habit

Do you know anybody who is addicted to it? You could argue I am...

Have you ever sold anything on it? Nope

F - Facebook.

When was the last time you logged on? I'm on currently

How many friends do you have? Over 1,000

Do you hate when your facebook chat messes up? It doesn't happen much tbh

Who was the last person to leave you a wall post? I just had a birthday so it could've been anybody

G - Google.

Do you Google everything? I might rely TOO much on Google!

What was the last thing you Googled? Stretches for my calves

Would you ever trade Google in for Bing? Nah

What do you Google the most? "Is it safe to eat expired ______?"

H - Hair.

Do you like your hair? It's kind of my enemy. I spent years destroying it with box dye but even regardless of that, it's limp and stringy in texture. I long for thick, luscious locks!

What color is your hair? Blonde

What does it look like right now? Clipped up in a claw clip

What kind of shampoo for you use? Biolage

I - Ibuprofen

When was the last time you took ibuprofen? Few days ago for a headache prob Do you rely on it for everything (cramps, headache)? I don't take it much, no

Are you so thankful people made it? I mean yeah?

Do you have any right now? We have a few bottles upstairs at the nurse's station

J - Jobs.

Do you need a job? I have one. I need a better PAYING job though...

Where do you work? A fertility clinic

Where would you work? If I could choose anywhere? I'd be a regular columnist for a website, magazine, blog etc.

How much money would you like to get paid? Sadly, I'd be ok with even $15/hour at this point. Ideally $20.... but that will never happen at this job.

K - Kissing.

Who was the last person you kissed? Glenn

Will you next kiss be a mistake? This is a weirdly common question in surveys. But no, it certainly won't.

Do you kiss someone everyday? Mhm

Who was your first kiss? Steven was his name

L - Love.

Who do you love the most in your life? My family, Glenn, my friends, my babies

Have you ever been in love before? I am right now

Does it make you so happy when you feel the feeling of love? Oh it's like SPARKLING, magical feeling throughout my whole body. Electric, even.

Why is this word so hard to describe? Probably because it's such a spiritual, almost otherworldly feeling. While there are a lot of physical sensations that accompany it, love itself is magical. And how do you define that in human language??

M - Mom.

What is your mom’s name? Julie

What is she doing right now? Ugh. The lucky duck is currently in Canada with my godmother having the time of her life. I'm so jealous but happy for her!

Where does she work? She's a retired schoolteacher

Do you two shop together a lot? Oh very often!

N - Netflix.

Do you have Netflix? Mhm but I don't watch it much

If not, what movies would you order?

Do you rent a lot of movies? Nah

Do you have the tool where it just downloads to your tv? Uh what? I have a Smart TV so I don't need any additional tools really?

O - Ohio.

Is this the state in which you live in? No lol

Is Ohio State your favorite football team? I don’t have a favorite Did you know Ohio Is For Lovers? Mhm

Have you ever been to Ohio? Nope

Q - Quitting.

What was the last thing you quit doing? It's hard to say 'cause I quit so many things. I can't decide if this is a bad habit or not? On one hand, I should exhibit some more perseverance. On the other hand, I think it's good that I recognize when something is no longer serving me.

Do you need to quit talking to someone right now? Nah. Everyone in my life is meant to be here.

Would you ever quit school? Well I'm done with school so no.

Don’t you think quitting is stupid? Nope. Again, I think it's good to acknowledge that something isn't doing you any favors. I don't think there's necessarily dignity in keeping yourself in a situation that doesn't serve you. Wish more people had that mentality. Just 'cause you start something doesn't mean you have to finish it.

R - Reading.

What was the last book you read? I'm in the middle of a riveting book called The Opposite of Everyone. My MIL has been lending me some really great mysteries lately. She's turning me on to the genre!

Do you own a lot of books? Our living room is overflowing with them and we actually are planning to buy a third bookshelf soon

Do you have a library card? Actually no but I want to get one for the library in the town I now live in

Have you ever read a book that changed your life? They all do, really.

S - Safety.

Do you always wear your seat belt? Ha. I often don't when I'm in the backseat because I don't find it necessary and my mom always barks back "THAT'S WHAT PRINCESS DIANA THOUGHT TOO"

When riding a four-wheeler do you wear a helmet? I've only ridden one a couple times and I can't remember if I wore a helmet

Did you ever wear knee pads and a helmet when riding your bike? Mhm Do you always think safety first? Eh, no. I'm kinda reckless if I'm honest.

T - Talk

Who was the last person you talked to? I'm messaging with Glenn right now Who are you talking to right now? ^^

Who did you last talk to before you went to bed last night? Also Glenn

Do you need to talk to anybody right now? I'm good

U - US ARMY

Do you support it? What a question... not really one I feel like getting tangled in right now. Thanks!

Do you know anybody who is in the army right now? Actually yes

Don’t you ever wonder why their camo doesn’t match anything? No?

Would you ever go to the army? HA HA HA HA HA

V - Virgin.

Are you a virgin? No, but virginity is a construct anyways.

When did you lose your virginity? I was 17 when I first had vaginal intercourse if that's what you're asking

Do you wish you would’ve waited? Nah, it all happened at the right time and led me to the right places. (Took awhile, but it did)

Do you think you could have stayed a virgin until marriage? No, that's not for me.

W - What.

What are you doing right now besides this survey? Messaging Glenn, texting a groupchat, and drinking coffee

What are you craving? Kind of everything since I'm fasting right now. So ALL food sounds appealing

What do you need to buy? NOTHING at the moment. I'm on a spending freeze for a little while.

Why are you taking my survey? Because I'm bored at work

X -Xanax

Do you know anybody who is addicted to Xanax? Maybe...

Have you ever taken it before? Nope

Do you even know what it is? Yes

Have you ever suffered from anxiety or depression? I do & I currently take Lexapro (I have lukewarm feelings about its effectiveness for me)

Y - Yourself.

Name. Elizabeth

Age. 29 (gag)

Do you smile a lot? Very often, even when I don't want to

Z - Zebra.

Are you addicted to zebra striped? No

Do you own anything zebra striped? Also no Is anything on any of your websites zebra striped? Lol no

[thewalkingdeadimaginings]

This Is Forever

HI umm I was wondering if you could do a one shot where the reader has been a part of Alexandria for a while and she and Daryl have started to fall for eachother without the other one knowing and she goes to The sanctuary and offers herself in return for daryls safe return to Alexandria? And then negan calls Daryl into his room and makes a scene causd he's jealous about how the reader is in love with Daryl and Daryl finds out that way and somehow Daryl and the reader end up "getting cozy ;)" HI I just sent a request for a Daryl X reader one shot where the reader gives herself to negan in exchange for daryls safe return to Alexandria, sorry it's me again lol! I forgot to ask if you could also make it like negan brings the reader to Alexandria in horrible condition all tied up and Daryl sees it and it drives him crazy before they some how end up "getting cozy ;)" lol I'm so sorry this is so much to ask! I love your writing by the way!!<33

Somehow, I’m kinda sorta catching up but also not really because I have a million more requests left to write I am such trash omg how did I earn 1,000 followers? Hahaha I didn’t have a chance to write at all last weekend. I was at a charity event my dad runs every year. All the proceeds go to an amazing local charity for autism. From merchandise and raffle tickets alone, we made 5,000 dollars. That’s not counting things like ticket sales and getting in the door. That hasn’t been counted yet. If you wanna hear more about it, let me know because this charity is close to my heart because my brother is autistic. If you wanna know more about it, I’m gonna post it on another blog on wordpress so let me know!! Also, just a reminder that I do have a Wattpad account. My username is PerfectInsanity17 but I haven’t posted in a while for one because I’ve been working on this and secondly, not a lot of people were reading my work so I paused for a bit. But I’ve got three stories to read on there. If you’d like me to keep going on those stories, let me know!

How did you end up here?

A few days ago, things were wonderful. Things couldn’t get any better. Maggie and Glenn would be having a baby, Alexandria was thriving, you were rebuilding the wall. The only complaint you had was that your friendship with Daryl had become more and more complicated. The more time you spent with him, the stronger your feelings got. But he constantly kept you at arm’s length and there was no possible way to get more than friendship from him. But if that was your only complaint, then you really had nothing to worry about.

How could so much go wrong in just a few days?

In just a few days, Alexandria’s only doctor was killed, Daryl ran off to get vengeance on her killer, Glenn, Michonne, and Rosita went after him, something went wrong with Maggie’s baby, and mere hours later, Glenn and Abraham would be dead, murdered mercilessly right in front of you and the entire group. And you would watch Daryl, bloody, pale, and weak being dragged away as a prisoner. All because of one man. All because of Negan.

You’d caught Negan’s attention briefly but it was nothing more than a smile and a nod from him. You wanted to cry out in protest when he had Daryl thrown into a van and driven away but Rick told you not to. The crushed skulls of your friends didn’t hurt in convincing you to stay quiet either.

How did you get here?

It was only a few days later when Carl got the crazy idea in his head to sneak into a savior’s truck and head for the sanctuary. You weren’t sure which was crazier, Carl’s plan to kill Negan, or your plan to switch places with Daryl. How much good would switching with Daryl do? Probably wouldn’t help all that much. But Daryl would be home where he belonged. You had no idea what they were doing to him and that made your heart ache even more. He was already an abused man with a bruised soul. He might not recover from even more damage. If you could get him away from all this, then you would. You’d walk through fire for that man.

The things one does for love.

Seeing Carl with such bloodthirst was unsettling. He managed to take out two of Negan’s men before someone stopped him. And through it all, Negan was nothing but amused by the situation.

“And you,” Negan said when you emerged. He pointed at you with his bat, its barbed wire fresh and clean, as if it didn’t have flesh hanging off it and blood dripping from it like a leaky faucet just a few days ago. The memory of Abraham and Glenn’s flesh dangling from the barbed wire made you nauseous.

“What’re you doin’ here?” Negan asked.

“I wanna make a deal with you,” you stated. Laughter erupted from the men surrounding the truck but Negan was quiet. Once the laughter died down, he let out a chuckle and rested the bat on his shoulder.

“Shit, could’ve just driven here yourself,” he said, “Don’t gotta be a stowaway. Come on in, let’s talk about this deal.”

You’d caught a glimpse of Daryl before Negan took you and Carl outside. He was rounding up walkers for some reason you couldn’t quite understand. He was filthy, his thin hair soaked in sweat, his face marked with cuts and bruises that made your blood boil with rage. At least he’d recovered from being shot. He was alive, that was the most important thing. That’s how you had to rationalize it to keep from losing your mind. Otherwise, you weren’t sure what you would’ve done.

“So, what’s your name?” Negan asked once the two of you were alone, “Didn’t have a chance to ask when we met.”

“Between murdering two people and kidnapping another, how could you have found the time?” you shot back, “Name’s Y/N.”

“Shit!” Negan exclaimed, slamming his hands down on his legs, “You’re just full of piss and vinegar, aren’t ya?”

“Look, I came here to make a deal with you, Negan,” you said, “You gonna hear me out or not?”

“By all means,” Negan said, “Don’t be shy, Y/N. I’m shakin’ in my boots.”

“I was hoping you’d let Daryl go.”

“Not a chance.”

“Let me finish,” you snapped, “Let him go and take me in his place.”

“You gotta forgive me, Y/N,” Negan chuckled, “I’m kinda confused. Why would you give a damn if you were here instead of him?”

“Because he doesn’t deserve whatever you’ve put him through.”

“Funny you should say that,” Negan said, “Because Daryl seems to think differently.”

“That doesn’t surprise me,” you said, “But that doesn’t change the fact that he doesn’t deserve this.”

“And again I say, why do you care?” Negan inquired.

“Because I love him,” you blurted out, “And I need him to be safe.”

Negan’s smile fell and he leaned back in his chair. He was no longer amused by the situation. You couldn’t imagine Negan being jealous considering this was the only time you’d ever spoken. Then again, he was quick to murder two people he’d never met before. So, maybe he was quick to…lust.

“You stay right there,” Negan said, hopping up onto his feet. The sly grin was back on his face as he headed for the door, “I will be right back. Just give me two minutes.”

You leaned back in your chair, allowing yourself to get just a little comfortable as Negan left the room. It probably wasn’t the greatest idea to get the slightest bit comfortable. If Dwight or any of Negan’s other meathead henchman came in, you’d be screwed. Negan could easily trap you in this comfort you’d sunk into.

After a few minutes, Negan returned with Dwight following close behind, dragging Daryl by the collar of his sweatshirt. You gasped but Negan held out his hand before you could get up.

“Don’t move,” Negan said, turning his attention to Daryl, “Well, Y/N made an interesting offer. Would ya like to hear it?”

“What did you do to her?” Daryl snapped.

“Nothin’ at all,” Negan retorted, “Now pay attention. Y/N seems to think you don’t deserve any of this. And she wants to make a trade. I let you go and take her instead.”

“Why would you tell him this?” you snapped.

“And do you wanna know why?” Negan continued.

“Negan!” you exclaimed, “Don’t!”

He threw his head back, erupting in laughter, “Because she loves you! Now ain’t that just fantastic, Daryl? The things people do for love am I right?”

Daryl stood there staring at you, stunned by the revelation. He fought to keep a straight face. He didn’t want Negan to read him and figure everything out. If he was alone with you, he would’ve…well, he wasn’t entirely sure what he would’ve done. From the time you’d met, he was certain that you’d never seen him as anything more than a friend. And wasn’t this the worst time to find out he was wrong? When he couldn’t say a word in response to you.

“I gotta say, Y/N, you’ve made an interesting offer,” Negan continued, “You can stay if you want to but there ain’t a chance in hell of me letting him go free.”

“No!” Daryl blurted out, earning a rough yank from Dwight, “Just let her go.”

Negan sat back down across from you, nodding to the door, “Dwight, I think Daryl needs a time out. Put him in his cage.”

“Y/N, don’t do this,” Daryl continued as Dwight dragged him out of the room, “Get out of here!”

Dwight slammed the door behind them and it was just you and Negan alone, trapped in the uncomfortable silence. You folded your hands together on your lap, shaking your head, “I’m not staying unless you let Daryl go. Otherwise, I’m leaving with Carl.”

“We’ll talk about this later,” Negan said, “You just hang out here for a while. I’ve got some things to tend to.”

You didn’t move from your spot for hours. Negan had left to take Carl him and you considered sneaking away after a while but you wouldn’t leave without Daryl. And you had no idea where he was and you couldn’t exactly search for him without being caught. You really had no way of escaping so you just continued to wait.

After several hours, Negan burst into the room, fuming and swinging his bat around. He was enraged, pointing his bat at you, “What the fuck did you do?”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t fucking pretend you don’t know what the fuck I’m talking about.”

“I haven’t moved from this spot!” you shouted, “I’m clueless!”

“Well, looks like you got your deal after all,” Negan said, “Daryl’s gone, and you’re mine now.”

Another few days passed and Daryl had gone from hilltop to the kingdom but ultimately ended up back in Alexandria with the others, prepared to fight Negan with everything they had. Dwight offered his assistance but knew nothing about you or your condition. He hadn’t seen you since the day you arrived, which sent chills down Daryl’s spine. It must’ve meant that Negan had dealt with you personally. Had he killed you? Or…worse? Things he didn’t want to think about.

“We’re gonna win,” Rick declared.

“What about Y/N?” Daryl asked.

“Once we finish this, we’ll be able to go over there and get her,” Rick explained, “I’m sure Y/N is fine, Daryl. Negan won’t kill her. She could be a potential bargaining tool for him. Don’t you think?”

Daryl grunted, “Sure. Better make the fucker pay for the shit he’s done.”

“Believe me, we will,” Rick said, “No doubt about that. Let’s just get ready. Try not to worry, Daryl. Y/N can take care of herself. She was bold enough to leave and try to get you out of there, she’ll be just fine.”

Just as Daryl had been afraid of, Negan had been the one to handle you personally. Negan was convinced you had something to do with Daryl’s escape and it was incredibly bad timing but you had no idea Daryl had even gotten out. Negan of course didn’t believe you for a second and his solution to this problem was to simply have you beaten until you admitted to it. But you knew that if you did, he’d most likely have you killed. On the other hand, you were so delirious that you weren’t sure which would be worse, death or being beaten.

You were just barely conscious when Negan threw you into a coffin. After a few minutes, you heard some familiar voices that made you perk up and felt the coffin being lifted but there wasn’t much you could do as you could barely move and were too weak to push open the coffin.

“I’ve got somethin’ you might be interested in,” Negan said. The coffin creaked and groaned as he pulled it open. You turned away from the blinding afternoon sunlight but were quickly dragged out by your upper arm, feeling Negan’s leather jacket against your skin.

“Y/N!” Daryl exclaimed from behind the gate. Rick stood at the very top of the gate, staring at you in shock. He knew that Negan wouldn’t have killed you but he still wasn’t expecting you to be so bruised and bloody.

“She made the deal,” Negan continued, “She stayed, he left. But I’m gonna take Daryl back now. If you all cooperate, Y/N will live. But, it’s a limited time offer so I’d make this decision quick.”

After that statement, everything became a blur. Bullets were flying, everyone was running around in a panic, ducking down and hiding. You could’ve sworn you heard Daryl shouting so you followed the sound of his voice despite how disoriented you felt. Negan was too distracted to notice your absence or try to prevent you from running off. You were avoiding all the gunfire better than you expected since you weren’t even trying. All you knew was you had to find Daryl. It felt like years since you’d seen him. And the last time you had seen him wasn’t exactly pleasant for either of you.

After being unable to find any familiar face, you realized it was pointless to be in the middle of all this gunfire when you could barely focus. You sat under a tree off in the corner where the gunshots were faint and you were free to take a deep breath. Your bones ached, your head throbbed, the blood and sweat that had accumulated on your body over the last few days left a layer of grime you couldn’t stand. Your eyes were so swollen, it was easier to just lay your head back and close your eyes.

The chaos ceased for a moment but you weren’t allowing yourself to feel relieved yet. Sure, Rick and the rest of the group could’ve won but they also could’ve lost and it would become a slaughter soon. Soon, people were shouting and firing their guns again and this time, roaring followed. Roaring? Why would you be hearing roaring? Who would have an animal like that?

You kept your eyes shut the entire time. If you didn’t see it, it couldn’t be happening, right? You thought of the simpler times when you and Daryl went on runs together, when you’d be spending days at a time alone together. He was always so quiet but his blue eyes spoke louder than his mouth ever could. He always hugged his legs to his chest, like he was shielding himself, very rarely ever made eye contact. And when he did, he seemed so unsure and would only peek at you from behind his wispy hairs hanging over his face. You’d wake up early in the morning while he was still sleeping and you’d push those hairs away from his face just to sneak a peek at his peaceful expression, his chest moving steadily up and down. You never wanted those runs to end. You had been convinced every time that you would tell him how you truly felt about him but in the end, you could never go through with it. And now, it could easily be too late. Daryl could be dead or dying. With all that gunfire, the possibility of him being alive was slim.

The second round of insanity ended much faster and then silence followed for several hours. You refused to move from your spot though, still so tired and so sore. This was the first time you’d been able to relax in days without fear of getting hurt again.

Footsteps approached you but you still didn’t move or open your eyes. The person’s clothes rustled and you heard them set something down in the grass beside them. It was when the person spoke that you finally opened your eyes and a pair of blue ones were staring back at you.

“Y/N,” Daryl said, “I’ve been lookin’ everywhere for you. Thought you were dead.”

“I thought you were,” you whimpered. Despite how injured you were, you threw your arms around him, nearly tackling him, “I’m so glad you made it out okay. Who got you out?”

“Not sure,” he replied, “What did that asshole do to you?”

“He was convinced that I was the one to get you out,” you explained, “The timing was pretty coincidental I’ll admit but he wouldn’t listen to me. I don’t wanna talk about that now. I’m just glad it’s over. Is Negan dead?”

Daryl shook his head, “Everyone from hilltop and the kingdom came at the last second and chased Negan and his guys outta here. But they’ll be back. Come on, let’s get you looked at. Can ya stand?”

“I think so,” you grunted as you got up on your feet. Being in one position for the last few hours made your muscles scream out in agony when you finally straightened out. Daryl grabbed your hand as the two of you walked to the infirmary. With all the commotion, you didn’t feel it was the right time to bring up what Negan had said a few days ago. Daryl would just get uncomfortable and shut down like he always did when someone brought up heavy conversation. Expressing emotion was not on Daryl’s list of skills. Especially now with his mind on other things, talking about that just wasn’t as important.

You gave it about a week. Your injuries had mostly healed by then. But other than that, you and Daryl were back with your group and things felt almost normal again. But you still felt uneasy around him. And he seemed more quick tempered than usual, getting frustrated with you easier than before.

Daryl had taken you back to the infirmary after you’d reopened a wound while you were trying to regain your strength and practicing your shooting. He sighed a few times as he was cleaning up the wound on your arm.

“What’re you thinking, Y/N?” he grumbled.

“Can’t just sit around forever,” you replied, “I have to get back to how I was.”

“If you hadn’t gone there in the first place,” Daryl muttered, “You should’ve stayed here where it was safe.”

“I had to go,” you argued, “You weren’t safe.”

“I don’t care about me,” Daryl shot back, “You shouldn’t worry about me so much, Y/N.”

“Didn’t you hear what Negan said?” you snapped, “What he told you? I care so much about you, I love you so much. I couldn’t stand the thought of you being hurt or ending up dead.”

“Well, how do you think I felt?!” Daryl shouted, tossing the bloody rag into the trashcan, “I hated every minute of you being there. I knew what Negan was doing and there was nothing I could do.”

You were startled by his outburst. He so rarely offered much in response but he was off now, “I don’t wanna lose you, Y/N. Not again. Can’t go without you again.”

“I didn’t know you felt that way,” you said.

“Yeah, well, didn’t wanna give Negan any more leverage than he already had,” Daryl said, “I didn’t actually believe him when he said it. It’s true though, what he said. Isn’t it?”

You kicked your feet, grinning as you grabbed his hands and pulled him closer to you so he stood between your legs, “It’s very true, Daryl. I love you so much. There was just…never a good time to say it.”

Daryl nodded, his own way of saying he loved you too. You were content with his not actually saying it because you knew he felt it. You felt it in his touch when he ran his fingertips up your arms. You felt it in the kiss he placed on your lips, careful and hesitant in all of these gestures but they spoke to you.

You wrapped your arms around Daryl’s torso, your hands slipping underneath his shirt and roaming his back. He tensed a little at your touch but soon he was rolling with it, kissing along your jaw and down your neck, his teeth grazing your shoulder. You inhaled deeply, taking in his scent as his trembling fingers tugged on your shirt. Pulling away briefly, you threw your shirt over your head and tossed it to the floor, quickly bringing Daryl back in. He groaned against your skin, running his nails down your back. You unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it off his shoulders.

“You really wanna do this?” you mumbled, wrapping your legs around his hips.

Daryl nodded and ran for the door to lock it as quickly as he could to make it back to you. You laid back in bed as he climbed over you, burying his face in your neck. You wrapped your legs around his hips once more and he responded with an experimental thrust of his hips, grinding against you. A squeak escaped your lips as you gripped him tighter in your arms.

“Shit, Y/N,” he grunted, “Never wanted anything so bad.”

A fire was burning deep within you and he’d barely touched you. Neither of you could bear it anymore, you couldn’t hold back any longer. You lifted your hips so Daryl could pull your pants down with ease. You sat up a bit and smashed your lips against his while you tugged his pants down past his hips. You felt his fingers slip underneath the waistband of your underwear, his thick fingers cold against your warm flesh. As his fingers reached your core, you bit his lip in surprise. You retaliated by allowing your hands to explore, sliding into his boxers and gripping him firmly in your hand.

“Daryl,” you whispered, slowly stroking him. Daryl groaned, whipping your body around and pulling your underwear down your legs. You gripped the headboard, your heart racing as you panted and whined. You wiggled your hips impatiently, looking back at him over your shoulder, “What’re you waiting for?”

“Stay still,” Daryl said, slapping his hands down on your hips. You jumped but smiled at the fiery feeling growing in the pit of your stomach. Biting your lip, you lowered your head. Without warning, he plunged into you and you both groaned in unison as he stayed there for a moment, allowing the two of you to adjust to the senstation.

“Goddamn, Daryl,” you said. Daryl slowly started moving his hips back and forth, his hands moving up and down your back. He held back any noises, only allowing a few grunts. You couldn’t hold back your pleasure as you moaned and whimpered, curling your toes and bunching the sheets up in your fists. The ache grew stronger with every thrust and you knew this wouldn’t last long for either of you. But this closeness would be worth it no matter how long it was.

Suddenly, Daryl lifted you up so the two of you were on your knees, your back against his chest as he thrust harder against you, beads of sweat running down the side of his head and dripping off his jaw, landing on your shoulder. With one hand on your hip, he moved his free hand down your stomach until he reached your sweet spot, his fingers moving in quick, deep circles. You writhed and rolled your hips against his fingers, flashes of white in your vision as you finally came. Your legs were weak and once Daryl let go of you, you fell forward, his continued thrusting sending you into aftershocks and your walls squeezed him so tightly, he couldn’t hold back anymore. He leaned his head back as he released inside of you.

“I can’t…we just…fuck,” Daryl said, more out of breath than you’d ever seen before, “You alright?”

“More than alright,” you replied, rolling onto your back. He flopped down beside you, “That was amazing. I can’t believe we did that though. Ever think we’d end up here?”

“Nah, but then again, you’ve always been unpredictable,” Daryl replied, kissing your sweaty temple. He never thought he’d ever have the courage to tell you how he felt about you. This had been the last thing he ever expected to happen but he wouldn’t change it for anything. He never wanted to let you go. This was forever.

OKAY THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PATIENCE I KNOW I’M ABSOLUTE TRASH I APOLOGIZE FOR TAKING SO GODDAMN LONG. Writing smut is just harder to get done for some reason.

#Daryl Dixon #Daryl Dixon one shot #Daryl Dixon imagine #Daryl Dixon fanfiction #The Walking Dead #TWD #The Walking Dead imagines #TWD Imagines #fanfiction #one shot #requested

[omgbananasnailus]

You’ll Never Be Alone!! Part 10 - Daryl Dixon x Reader Fanfic -

So here is the final part (Well i think it is) I think its at a good part to leave it, i may add parts to it in the future but that depends on you guys really. Its a lot longer than the others and contains a lot of SMUT so be warned. Which it is my first time writing in a fic so my apologies if its appalling lol.

hope you all like it :)

As always links to previous parts are below :)

Part One        Part Two        Part Three         Part Four        Part Five

Part Six         Part Seven         Part Eight         Part Nine  

It had been four long days since Daryl, Rick, T-Dog and Shane had left to bring back Glenn and Maggie, an with each day that passed the tension around the prison grew. I tried my hardest to keep my mind off them and how dangerous it was what they were doing. I helped Carol and Lori around the prison and did extra shifts standing watch up in the tower.

Although being on watch wasn't the best activity when trying to distract yourself, as id find myself just staring out across the field watching for any signs of Daryl's bike or the pick up.

The only thing that seemed to keep me from going too crazy was the memory of how Daryl had been before he'd left, an the possibility that he could actually feel the same way as I did. All I needed was for him to come back in one piece and I'd find out.

It was late, Carol had just taken over from me in the tower so that I could try and get some rest, which I desperately needed. Walking into my cell I found Beth laying in her bunk staring up at the underside of mine. Her eyes looked glassy like she was trying her hardest to hold in tears.

"They'll bring them back" I said kneeling down beside her.

"What if-"

"You can't think like that" I said cutting her off mid sentence "Glenn will keep Maggie safe" I gave her hair a quick stroke before standing back up.

"Thank you" Beth whispered, her voice indicting the tears had finally won.

I climbed up onto my bunk and laid down stretching to get comfortable.

"We could sing something if you want" I asked. I wasn't really in the mood to do anything but sleep but I couldn't let her be alone and I knew singing calmed her.

"No it's okay....Thank you though" the springs on her mattress creaked signalling that she's got out of bed "I'm gonna go and find my dad" she smiled before exiting our cell.

I let out a sigh, mentally commanding Daryl and the others to get back here soon before closing my eyes.

The next morning I did the very same thing I'd done the last four mornings. No sooner were my eyes open I was out into the main room searching for any sign that they'd got back while I'd been sleeping, an just like every other morning there was nothing. Pushing away the disappointment, I quickly freshened myself up before heading outside to Dale who was stood at the edge of the tower watching out along the road.

"They should be back now Y/N" he said as I reached the top joined him in searching the distance.

"They'll be back soon" I tried to sound convincing. "Why don't you go get some rest.....I'll keep watch"

Dale nodded, giving my shoulder a light squeeze in thanks before heading down.

I watched as Dale made his way up back towards the prison, glad that I didn't have to keep up my upbeat attitude. I was really starting to worry now and I honestly didn't know how long I would be able to hide it from everyone else.

Turning back I looked out towards the road, my eyes caught sight of something in the distance.

Were they playing tricks on me, or was there really something coming along the road.

"DALE!!" I shouted getting his attention just before he entered the prison. "THEY'RE COMING"

I watched as the cars pulled through the gate. My eyes automatically searching for Daryl's bike but it wasn't there. My worry increasing as Dale closed the gate behind them.

Where was he?

I climbed down from the tower and quickly  made my way over to the parked cars just as Rick was slamming the boot of one closed, his arms full of bags.

"Where's Daryl?" I asked searching Rick's face for any sort of clue.

He stopped when he saw me, lowering his bags til they were on the floor at his feet.

"Where's Daryl....Rick?" I was beginning to panic "He's not......." I couldn't finish the sentence. This couldn't be happening! Not again!

Rick shook his head furiously "No, no, no.....He's not dead Y/N"

My hand flew up to my chest in relief as I let out a breath i didn't even know id been holding. He wasn't dead!!

"Then where is he?"

"We found Merle" Rick stated watching me.

"Oh my god!! Really!?! That's brilliant" I laughed nervously. This was amazing news....Daryl had found his brother. But there was something in the way Rick was looking at me that told me that it wasn't such a great thing as I seemed to think it was.

"You have to understand Y/N that Merle's done some pretty horrible stuff" he said pointing to his right. I followed his finger to where Glenn stood propped up against the pick up as Dale and Maggie checked him over. His face was battered and bruised with dried blood trailing from his nose and mouth. My hand shot up to my mouth in horror,  from how bad his face looked I could only imagine what the rest of him looked like.

"Oh God!! Glenn are you okay??" I asked starting towards him but a hand on my shoulder stopped me. I turned to find it was Rick.

"I couldn't let him come back to the group Y/N" Rick explained "I couldnt let him be near Sophia and Carl.........Or you or the rest of the group, I had to think of everyone's safety"

I nodded completely understanding why he couldnt allow Merle back, but stupidly I still couldn't seem to understand what this had to with Daryl........Then it clicked.

"He's......he's gone with Merle.......hasn't he?" I was afraid of the answer.

Rick nodded giving my shoulder a light squeeze.

And like that all the hope for Daryl feeling the same way vanished.

I nodded slowly trying to take in what Rick was telling me. Daryl had left............He wasn't coming back.........An what made it so much worse was that it had been his choice.

I turned away from Rick in shock an mindlessly started to make my way back up to the tower.

"Y/N....?"

I turned hearing my name to find Rick jogging up behind me. "It's okay.....You go inside, one of us with take watch"

I nodded lowering my head not wanting to see the look of pity across his face.

By the time I’d reached the prison door the fog had lifted somewhat and the hurt I felt had replaced with anger. Anger for him just going, an for him making promises he had no intention of keeping.

An then the guilt kicked in, when I realised I’d just left my beaten up friend back at the car and not even tired to help.

"Shit!" I cursed turning around and jogging back down the hill to Glenn who was now limping up towards the prison, his arms hung over Rick's and Maggie's shoulders for support.

"Can I help?" I asked as I reached them, giving Glenn an apologetic smile.

"Can you take over here" Rick asked slowly ducking out from under Glenn's arm before helping me take his place. "I need to sort some stuff out..........He needs to get to Hershel" he called disappearing behind us.

I didn't watch to see where Rick had gone, concentrating only on getting Glenn to Hershel as fast as possible.

"Are you okay?" Glenn mumbled, his voice muffled by the swelling to his jaw.

I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped my lips "Glenn.........With how you look at the moment, are you really asking how I am?"

"I know how much you care about Daryl though" he winced slightly.

"Your my first priority" I smiled back at him. Typical Glenn, always thinking of others before himself.

As soon as we entered the cell block everyone crowded round relieved to see Glenn and Maggie alive.

"Where's Rick?" Lori asked as soon as she saw us.

"Everyone's outside" I answered guiding Glenn around the table and through to the cells.

"DADDY!!" Maggie called.

Hershel came rushing from out of his cell, the smile of relief at seeing his daughter soon disappeared when his eyes took in Glenn's appearance.

"Bring him in here" he commanded moving out of the way so that we could lower him onto his bunk.

I left them to it and went back into the main room to find Rick and the others had come inside and were emptying the bags onto the table. I watched as Carol walked up to Rick and quietly asked him where Daryl was. Quickly before everyone found out and started to give me the same looks of pity Rick had outside I escaped back into my cell.

I must of fallen asleep because when I woke up the room was pitch black, the light from the windows no longer illuminating my cell. I jumped down from my bunk and headed out into the main room not really expecting to find anyone, so I was surprised to find everyone except Carl and Sophia still gathered around the table clearly in conversation.

My eyes found Glenn and I smiled, he looked loads better now that the dried blood had been cleaned away.

"Shane's dead" Rick suddenly announced grabbing my attention, looking around the room I could tell that this was new information for most.

"He's what???" Lori asked her voice rising in panic.

"He tried to kill Rick" T-Dog suddenly spoke up. "It was self defence"

"I don't believe that.......He...he was your friend" Lori's hand flew up to her mouth.

"I thought so too" Rick said running his hand through his hair.

Lori turned and stormed out of the room, Rick following closely behind.

I couldn't say that I felt much in regards to Shane's death, we'd not been friends. In fact we'd not really spoke since he'd shouted at me when I'd first come to be with the group. I wouldn't wish death on anyone, but if Rick said he'd had to kill him in self defence then I believed him.

"How you doing?" Glenn asked appearing beside me making me jump slightly.

"I'm okay" I gave him a small smile. "How are you feeling?" I asked trying to change the subject.

"If it helps any I don't think it was an easy decision for him to make" Glenn said ignoring my question.

I couldn't bring myself to say anything, too afraid that I would start to cry.

My eyes told him everything he needed to know an he gave me a small smile. "I'll be alright" he said answering my question before taking his seat again next to Maggie.

The next morning I slept in, I was surprised that I'd managed to sleep at all with the fact that I'd slept most of yesterday too, but somehow I had and I felt so much better for it..

I was pulling on my t shirt when I heard a commotion coming from the main room. Worried that something was happening I raced out, stopping dead when I saw him stood behind Rick. His blue eyes watching me as my heart pounded in my chest. He was back! But why?

"So this is the reason we had to come back brother" Merle scoffed looking me up and down. "Cant say I see the appeal myself"

Daryl spun towards him "Shut up or I'll shut yer up myself" He spat.

"Why's he here anyway Daryl?" Rick asked anger clear in his voice.

"I needed to get back to warn yer"

"Warn us about what?" Rick's expression changed to confusion.

"Tell him" Daryl ordered causing everyone to look to Merle.

"That guy yer've just stole the girl and the Chinese kid from-"

"We haven't stole them from anyone" Rick interrupted angrily.

"Doesn't matter what yer think..........he doesn't take kindly to things being taken from him" Merle stated "He will retaliate"

A shiver ran down my spine, I had no idea what the place was like they'd rescued Glenn and Maggie from but if Daryl had raced back to warn us then It was definitely something to worry about.

I could feel Daryl's eyes on me as I listened to Rick and Merle talk about The Governor, well that's what I thought I'd heard Merle call him anyway.  It made me incredibly uncomfortable, part of me wanted to scream and punch him but then the other part wanted to throw my arms around him and beg him not to leave again. Both would cause me to look crazy so instead I turned away from him and headed out of the room.

I needed some space, so with my knife firmly lodged in my boot I headed into the tunnels. My plan was to head to the kitchen to see if there was anything else useful, which also gave me the alone time I badly craved while I tried to sort my head out.

I found the kitchen easily and was about to head inside when I heard footsteps behind me. Grabbing my knife from my boot I turned with it raised ready to strike, but there was no walker there, only the person I was trying to avoid.

"How come yer came down here?" He asked coming closer as I replaced my knife back into my boot.

"To get away from you" I scowled, the screaming and punching part of me definitely winning.

Daryl looked at me clearly surprised by my answer. "Why?"

"How can you even ask that?" I asked in disbelief "I spent four days waiting for you to come back....to then get told by Rick that you'd left with your brother"

Daryl still looked confused "I thought you of all people would understand why I did what I did"

Anger bubbled up inside me and I was incredibly grateful that I'd put my knife away.

"You think I don't understand why you did it, he's your brother of course I understand" I shouted "it's not just the fact that you left.....it's the way you did it Daryl" I could feel my eyes beginning to water causing me to get more annoyed.

"You told me I wouldn't be alone anymore........And then you fucked off" i wiped away a stray tear that had managed to escape.

"I didn't want to" he whispered slowly walking towards me. "When I found him I was so relieved, then Rick told me he couldn't come back with us.........I've never felt the way I did then before"

"I would of come with you" I whispered.

Suddenly his arms were around me and his familiar scent filled my nostrils.

"I know you would have" he mumbled into my hair "But I couldn't let you, it's not safe out there.......I wouldn't of been able to protect you like the group can"

I pulled back looking up at him "When are you going again?" I asked not really wanting to know the answer..

"I'm not"

I looked up at him confused, but before I had chance to question him his lips found mine.

They crashed into mine catching me off guard, an it took a few seconds for me to fully grasp what was actually happening before I started to kiss him back. All the anger I'd felt moments before melted away as his lips moved against mine.

I pushed myself against him wanting to be as close as possible to him, an was surprised when I felt his hardness against me. Pulling away I looked up at him and smiled, no longer needing to guess whether he felt the same way as I did.

Our lips met again and it soon became more heated. Our hands roaming over each other at a frenzied pace wanting to touch as much of each other as possible. His hand quickly found my ass and gave it a hard squeeze as I felt him smirk against my lips.

He no longer tensed under my touch as he had done before, instead he seemed to enjoy it as I ran my hands up under his vest and guided it off his shoulders not breaking away from the kiss.

Every inch of me seemed to ache for him, every touch from him turning me on just that little bit more.

His fingers dug into my thigh as he lifted it up around his waist, pressing his cock into me causing a moan to escape.

I tried to open his shirt but my fingers were shaking so much that I couldn't grip the buttons, after multiple try's on the same button the impatient part of me won out, an with as much force as possible i pulled apart the material and was pleased with myself when the buttons suddenly scattered everywhere. I slowly ran my hands over his chest, trailing kisses as I made my way down to his stomach enjoying the feel of his muscles as they twitched under my finger tips.

I lingered on his belt for a moment, my insides tingled at just the thought of undressing him further. I wanted to see all of him.

His finger came up under my chin and he lifted my face so that he could continue the kiss while I blindly fumbled with his belt buckle. I smiled against his lips as I finally opened it, just as his hands grasped the bottom of my tshirt and pulled it up over my head.

His eyes hungrily took in my lace covered breasts. I reached behind myself and I unclasped my bra, pulling it off before dumping it on top of his vest on the floor. He wasted no time in bending down, his mouth taking in my nipple as he tugged it gently with his teeth causing the tingling between my legs to intensify.

My hands went back to his jeans, quickly opening them before pushing them down, using my foot to finish getting them to his ankles. My cheeks flushed slightly at the sight of his cock straining against his underwear. I wanted him inside me there and then but I held myself back. I didn't want to rush this, so instead I rubbed him through the fabric of his underwear causing him to moan pressing himself against my palm. Using his distraction I sank down to my knees in front of him, pulling his boxers down with me.

His cock sprung free and I quickly took it into my mouth, enjoying the feeling of him as I moved up and down his length. Holding the base of his cock firmly in one hand I pumped him, slowly at first.  My confidence growing as I watched him watching me, his eyes hooded with arousal. I increased my speed, flicking the tip with my tongue with each stroke. His hands fisted in my hair, holding me in place as he began to thrust into my mouth. His need for control fuelled the tingling between my legs.

"Y/N" he groaned his grip tightening.

I could feel his cock beginning to pulse signalling he was close to his release.

"Y/N......I'm gonna...." he groaned louder.

I grabbed hold of his hips and pumped him faster, twirling my tongue around his tip.

His breathing quickened, an then he exploded into my mouth with a shudder calling my name.

He soon had me back onto my feet as he fiddled with the button on my jeans. Feeling just as urgent as him I helped and pushed them off along with my panties and boots. He pressed himself against me once more causing us to stumble back against the stone wall.. The feel of his skin against mine was amazing, his hand grabbed my thigh and pulled my leg up once again around his waist.

His fingers found my entrance and he inserted one deep earning a gasp of pleasure from me as he slowly started to move them.

"Daryl...." I moaned, just the fact that it was him touching me was doing incredibly things to my arrousal and soon I could feel my orgasm building up "What if someone comes looking for us?" I panted, not that I really cared. I buried my face into his neck as the pleasure continued to grow inside me. He pumped his fingers faster as his thumb found my centre and began to rub. I knew I was close but I wasn't satisfied with just having his fingers, I wanted all of him. I needed him.

An then out of nowhere.

"Daryl?.......Kelly?" It was Dale and he sounded close.

Daryl's head snapped up towards Dales voice, his fingers not leaving inside of me.

I began to panic not wanting to be caught in our various stages of undress. I looked around searching for anywhere we could hide, relieved when I saw the big double doors of the kitchen across from us.

"Daryl" I whispered

He turned to look at me with lust filled eyes and I almost forgot about Dales impending arrival.

"The door" I signalled with my chin, Daryl removed his fingers and spun quickly, grabbing my hand and pulling me through the door shutting it quietly behind us.

Knowing Dale he probably wouldn't venture this far down on his own but we didn't want to risk it.

We stood in silence for a few moments listening for his voice, time seemed to drag as we waiting to be able to continue.

Shit! I cursed to myself realising that we'd left out clothes scattered across the floor outside the door.

It was soon pushed from my mind when Daryls lips suddenly found mine once again. Grabbing hold of my waist he lifted me up onto one of the benches causing me to giggle at the coldness against my rear.

I kissed up his neck taking in his familiar scent of leather and dirt that seemed to cling to him. I ran my hands over his chest, pausing slightly as I heard the sound of foil tearing, vaguely wondering where he'd got the condom from but soon the thought disappeared as I hungrily watched him slide it along his length.

He looked up at me questioningly causing me to giggle lightly as I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him against me. I needed him inside me and the anticipation was killing me.

He slammed into me causing me to gasp with pleasure at the fullness. He began moving slowly at first, each thrust pushing me closer to my release.

Thank God we were the in the tunnels because I was finding it incredibly hard to keep quiet as his thrusting quickened.

His hands grasped my ass holding me in place so that he could go deeper. The added pressure pushing me over the edge and I came loudly, my insides pulsing against him. He buried his face into my neck as he shuddered finding his own release once again.

For the moment we just held each other, not wanting to let go and end the moment.

When we did pull apart Daryl looked at me with a smile.

"Wasn't expecting that when I came looking for yer" he smirked.

I couldn't help but laugh "Yeah okay.......So I guess you just found the condom on the floor then"

His cheeks flushed slightly as he laughed with me, pulling me back into a hug.

Tomorrow wasn't certain. With the governor now out for revenge our lives were set to become even more complicated and dangerous, but in Daryl's arms none of that mattered.

----------------------------------------------------

and a tag for the lovely @jodiereedus22 :)

#daryl dixon #daryl dixon fanfiction #daryl dixon walkingdead fanfiction #daryl dixon x reader #daryl x reader #walking dead fanfiction #The Walking Dead #walking dead

[shimmershae]

"Daybreak."  (a Walking Dead One Shot, Caryl.  Season 2 AU).

So.  I had a couple of ideas for the October challenge that I didn't manage to finish in time.  One's still a work in progress.  This one's my latest disasterpiece, lol.  I hope somebody out there likes it. 

  Winter melts into Spring and everything’s green and pure again.  So beautiful she almost forgets the way things are.  Almost. 

  The baby finishes her bottle with a distinctly unladylike grunt and Carol smiles.  Kisses each chubby, dimpled finger that clumsily splays over her lips until giggles gurgle from the tiny girl’s mouth and Patricia abandons the dishes in the sink to marvel at them both. 

  “That baby is a miracle.” 

  Voice soft with affection and wonder of her own, Carol agrees.  “She is.” 

        The stop and go thud of a hammer echoes in the distance when she steps outside, the outlines of Rick, T-Dog, and Jimmy small and barely visible as they toil to further reinforce the outer barricade that has kept the farm a safe haven through one long winter already.  

  There’s a crispness to the air, a hint of approaching Fall that she breathes in deep.  Savors even as she loops the loose ends of her scarf around her neck and trudges through grass that is just beginning to grow brittle. 

  “Carol!  Wait up!” 

  Glenn breaks free from Dale’s side and jogs to catch up to her, greets her with an infectious grin that’s fairly brimming with mischief and makes her lips twitch accordingly. 

  “Where, uh, where you headed?” 

  “Nowhere in particular.  Why?”  

         The stable hums with the soft, content nickers of the horses and the music of children’s laughter. 

  “That’s not how you do it.  Tell him, Daryl.”

                                                                                                     “You ever gutted an animal ‘fore, Boy?” 

  “Eww!  No!”

  “You little pussy.” 

  “Yeah, pu…” 

  She steps out of the shadows, making her presence known in the nick of time, and the guilty looks on all three faces is downright comical, the pink tips of Daryl’s ears especially endearing.  She smirks and folds her arms across her chest.  “You’re all wrong.” 

  “You think you can do any better, Woman,” Daryl mutters in bashful challenge, still having difficulty meeting her eyes, “then c’mon.” 

  “You’re on.” 

  Sophia grins.  “I’m on Mama’s team.”

  In unison, Carl and Daryl claim betrayal.  “Dirty traitor!” 

        “So.  Pick one.” 

  Lori bites her lips, glances her husband’s way with helpless eyes that sparkle and shine in the candlelight, the flicker of the jack-o-lantern’s mishapen grin.  “I don’t know.  Rick, what do you think?” 

                                                                                                     Beth’s cheeks pinken with suppressed laughter, and she bounces the baby on her skinny knees when Rick looks just as clearly torn as his wife at his son’s suggestion, and Carol revels in the warm, gentle swell of fondness she feels for these people.  Her family. 

  Diplomatically, Rick passes the buck along to their host.  “I think Hershel should be the judge.  It’s his house.” 

  The Greene patriarch arches a wizened white brow, is wry in his remark.  “My house, is it?” 

  Awkwardly, Rick rubs the back of his neck and studies the pointed toes of his dirty boots.  “Yeah.” 

  “In that case…” 

        That very night, two carved pumpkins take places of pride on the farmhouse porch.  Stay there ‘til the wind starts to blow colder and the leaves shimmer russet and gold in the trees and Carol’s not sure who’s more disappointed to see them go when they eventually do—herself or Daryl. 

        The kaleidoscope brilliance of Fall gradually fades into the stark grayness of another winter, food and warmth harder to come by.  Necessity breeds a deeper closeness. 

  Carol welcomes Daryl when he abandons his lonely bedroll for good.  Seeks sanctuary in her humble collection of patchwork blankets and pillows, Sophia squeezed between the two of them as a reminder of what brought them together as unlikely friends.  What still keeps them apart as more. 

        “You can’t,” Carol insists softly, vehemently.  “You can’t go alone.” 

  His coat is ill-fitting and bulky, his hair a touch too long and falling into his eyes when he ducks his head.  Gnaws anxiously at his thumbnail.  “Be just fine, Woman.  Ain’t never needed nobody ‘fore.  Been on my own for a long time.” 

  Sophia’s thin shoulders slump beneath her hands, and it isn’t lost on Daryl.  Nothing ever is.  She shivers when he chucks a finger under her chin, peeks up at him through lashes spiked with gathering tears. 

  “Shit,” he swears gruffly.  “Not you, too, Kid.” 

  “It’s different now,” Sophia sniffles.    

  His eyes catching hers over the top of her daughter’s wind mussed hair, Daryl fiddles absently with the strap to his crossbow and frowns.  “Yeah?  How so?” 

  “You got us.” 

    He takes Glenn with him beyond the wall.  Reluctantly agrees to let Jimmy tag along as they venture deep into the surrounding forest and an outside world they no longer recognize. 

  For two nights, there’s a yawning emptiness in her bed that not even Sophia’s growing limbs can fill and a lump of dread lodged in the pit of her belly like a stone.  For two days, she seeks the comfort of Maggie’s unspoken understanding. 

  Then the third day dawns. 

      She wakes on the third day to the pounding of T-Dog’s boots on the porch steps, the bang of the front door against the wall as he shoulders it open, his rifle shaking in his hands.  He looks like he’s seen a ghost, and it doesn’t take long to figure out why. 

  Glenn’s lips are pale and trembling.  His eyes haunted as he helps Daryl shoulder the burden of Jimmy’s dead weight, what’s left of the boy’s left leg soaking through a makeshift tourniquet and dripping blood, thick and dark, all over the floor like a crimson rose. 

  Hershel springs into action, immediately pushing Glenn for answers.  “What the hell happened out there, Son?”                                                                                                      

  Patricia readies their meager supplies and Sophia and Carl watch it all with wide, worried eyes.  “We’re going to need some help.  Carol?” 

  But she’s lost, frozen to the spot, and she can only nod when Lori places the baby in her arms.  Squeezes her shoulder and gives her a reassuring smile, her brown eyes warm with understanding.  Then she’s hurrying after the others and Beth’s ushering the children upstairs and Dale’s by her side, dodging tiny fingers that want to pluck and pull at his bushy brows. 

  “He’s all right,” the older man says.  “He made it back.” 

  “He made it back,” she agrees.  The rest?  She’s not so sure. 

        He comes to her hours later, after T-Dog has relieved Rick once again for watch.  After Glenn and Maggie have sought their own refuge away from prying eyes.  After she’s sent Lori away, to bed and hopefully rest.  He finds her in the kitchen staring sightlessly out the window at the stars that have begun to blanket the navy sky. 

  “How is he?” she asks, nuzzling her damp cheek into the baby’s soft hair.  Hugging her close when she starts to fret in her ongoing battle against sleep and whispering nonsense words into the shell of her tiny ear, bits and pieces of almost forgotten lullabies. 

  “Running a fever.  Old Man’s not sure if it’s the virus, or…” 

  “It’s just an illusion, isn’t it?  All that we’ve built here.  We were foolish to even think…”  She doesn’t finish because he’s a solid wall of heat and careful restraint behind her.  Comfort she has no right to. 

  “We’re tryin’.  S’got to count for somethin’.” 

  “It could’ve been you.” 

  “Weren’t.” 

  “Could’ve.” 

  “Know.” 

    The boy hangs on.  Survives.  His scars, though?  He doesn’t bear them alone.   

        It snows.  Pretty and pristine, it paints the farm in the pale promise of something new.   

  The children become children again.  The rest of them, too.  Even Rick.  Even Daryl.    

  To Carol…that’s worth all the soggy socks, the pink sniffly noses.   

      The house is quiet by the time the little upstairs bedroom door creaks open beneath Daryl’s hesitant hand.  Nobody stirring but Rick downstairs, pacing the halls with one very restless baby girl.  Still, Carol’s awake when he sets the candle he’s carrying down on the bedside table.   Realizes it’s just her. 

  “Where’s ‘Phia?” 

  “Downstairs.  With Beth.” 

  “Doing what?”

  The concern he can’t quite hide makes her smile.   “Painting each other’s toenails.”   

  He pauses in the act of unbuckling his belt, fixes her with a stare.  His blue eyes, however, glint with amusement as he pulls the covers back and sits down to work on untying his boots.  “Stahp.” 

  “Sleeping,” she tells him more honestly.  “Keeping each other warm.” 

  “Pfft.  Scoot over.” 

  One breath and the dancing flame of the candle dies, casting his features in shadows and silver moonlight.  Her fingertips seek out and kiss his.  “Daryl?” 

  “C’mere, Woman.” 

      “What is this?” she wonders aloud, weeks later.  When she’s warm and safe in his arms again and the stars wink outside their window.  “What are we doing?” she tries again when he takes his time answering.  His warm breath stirs her hair and his fingers hesitate only briefly before they lace with hers.  She waits.  Waits some more. 

  “Keeping each other warm.” 

       Winter melts into Spring and everything’s green and pure again.  So beautiful she almost forgets the way things are.  Almost. 

      The breeze blows gentle and the baby snores as the rocking chair creaks, her hair curling in dark wisps around her sweet face and one of her small fists tangled in Lori’s long hair.  She’s worn out from a day spent toddling around the farmhouse, testing her mama’s patience and her own limits, and Carol can tell she’s not the only one.  It’d been a difficult pregnancy, a dangerous birth her friend had never quite fully recovered from, and she worries.  They all do.  “You want me to take her?  You can go get some rest.” 

  Lori shakes her head in answer.

  They lapse into easy silence again and Carol’s gaze drifts outward.  To Hershel, teaching Rick how to sow seed in the fields.  To Glenn and Maggie, sharing a tender moment beneath the shade of the trees.  To Dale, nearby with Jimmy.  And finally to Daryl, walking toward them with Carl ever in his shadow and Sophia by his side, his chin dipping in an acknowledgement that makes her cheeks flush and her heart threaten to take flight.    

  "Love looks good on you.” 

  Carol gasps, turns startled blue eyes on Lori’s knowing face.  “What did you just say?” 

  “You heard me.” 

         He brings her a flower, another Cherokee rose.  Thumbs her tears away when the memories start to ache behind her breastbone and kisses her mouth like she’s something rare and precious when really it’s him that’s special.  Him that makes her thankful for the end of the world.  From that first rose to the moment he stumbled out of those woods.  Bruised and bloody but with her baby in his arms. 

  “Patricia wanted me to tell you dinner’s read…shit.  I’m sorry.  I didn’t know.  I’ll just…” 

  “Rick?”

  “Yeah?” 

  “Fuck off, Man.” 

  “Right.  Yeah.  Congratulations, you two.” 

       The evening’s warm, the air heavy and sweet like Summer as twilight starts to fall and the fireflies begin their nightly dance.  Sophia’s voice brave and determined when it reaches her ears through the open window.   

  “Do you like my mama?” 

  “What do you think, Kid?” 

  “I think you love her.” 

  “Ain’t saying I do, but if I did…you have a problem with it?” 

  “What do you think?” 

  “Thinking this is something best talked ‘bout ‘tween me and your mama.  S’what I think.” 

  “Daryl?” 

  “Yeah.” 

  “We love you, too.” 

      That night, they do more than just keep each other warm. 

  Carol gives him her trust and her whole heart, lets him cover her body and kiss her scars.  Make her sigh until she sobs and clings to him, loving fingers woven through his hair and trembling legs tangled with his own. 

  It is enough just to hold each other.  Enough to look into each other’s eyes and see the truth shining there, bright and undeniable. 

  Without words, they love each other.  Until dawn breaks gentle and soft. 

          Glenn eases down beside her on the porch steps, stares at the pocket watch he holds in his hand with wonder.  Carol doubts it’s left his possession since Hershel gifted him with it.  “Penny for your thoughts.  For what it’s worth,” she teases, nudging his shoulder with her own. 

  A flicker of a smile flirts with Glenn’s lips but he remains serious. 

  Worried, she presses.  “Glenn?  Everything okay?” 

  “Everything’s great.  Really great.” 

  “Glenn.” 

  The watch swings like a pendulum from his wrist, and it takes several seconds for him to respond.  “You ever think about how different things might have been?  Say if Shane hadn’t left?  If Andrea hadn’t gone with him?” 

  Her eyes find Lori, across the yard with Rick swinging the baby between their arms and making her squeal.  Carl, tickling his sister’s chubby belly on each upswing and making her squirm.  Dale, deep in animated conversation atop the RV with T-Dog and Hershel.  Binoculars around his neck and book in hand.  T-Dog and his rifle at the ready for trouble they haven’t seen in months.  Sophia, sunbeams catching in her strawberry hair as she sticks close to Daryl’s side, never strays far.  Finally, the man himself, always keeping her and her girl in his sights.  Her voice catches as she poses a couple questions of her own.  “If Daryl had walked out of those woods alone?  If he hadn’t even walked out of them at all?” 

  Glenn looks stricken, guilty.  “I’m sorry.  I never meant to upset you.  I just…”    

  “Everything works out the way it’s supposed to.  You have to believe that.”  Sophia waves and Carol stands up, dusts the seat of her pants before making her way down the steps.  “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m being summoned.” 

  “Carol.” 

  She turns.  “Find Maggie, Glenn.  Ask her.” 

  “You think she’ll say yes?” 

  “I know she will.” 

      Daryl takes her hand as Sophia walks on ahead, the pond gleaming gold in the afternoon light. 

  “Hey.  You alright?” 

  She brings his hand to her mouth and brushes a tender kiss to his scarred knuckles, smiles.  “I’m good.” 

  “Just good?” he teases gruffly. 

  “Perfect.”    

#The Walking Dead #Caryl fanfiction #Caryl #Carol x Daryl #Carol Peletier #Daryl Dixon #stuff that I write #Lori Grimes #Rick Grimes #Carl Grimes #Sophia Peletier #T-Dog #Hershel Greene #Maggie Greene #Beth Greene #more #things that make me smile and cry

[mockingjayne12]

Gleggie Prompt?? Glenn protecting Maggie from Gregory from his attempt to hurt/kill her based of next weeks preview. Preferably he beats Gregory's ass or kill your choice lol i really dislike him

“Have you seen Maggie?” Glenn asks, a hand on the shoulder, and an easy smile to one of the Hilltop residents.  A point and a nod towards the high fence, suggesting that she’d wandered outside of the safe zone.  Although these days, there wasn’t really any area that was completely safe.

“Thanks,” he says, making his way outside the walls.  His hand immediately coming to block the sun from his face, the hot day beating down on him and certainly Maggie.

Always on alert, but somewhat more at ease in a field that looks pretty empty, he lets his mind wander.   The days seeming to drag by with an increasingly slow speed, a sweltering death of time, his payback for having survived the lineup.  But he found that for as frustrating and on edge as he was, Maggie threw herself further and further into plans and strategies, leading the people of Hilltop as a surrogate leader, given the incompetence of the figure head, Gregory.

Nothing about him seemed right to Glenn.  A man of integrity he was not, all but willing to have thrown the lot of them out to fend for themselves, wanting to save his own ass.  He knew if they waited long enough, they’d find that he’d stab them in the back as soon as he could, when the time was right.

Looking out, his hair falling into his face, he spots Maggie, several yards away.  She’s down on the ground, attempting to unearth some sort of plant.  His Maggie, always the farmer’s daughter, he thinks with a silent laugh.

There behind her stands Gregory, knife poised at his hip, and though he can’t quite make out what he’s doing, the scene doesn’t sit right with him.  The danger posed to his wife and unborn child twisting his stomach into a knot.

Gregory turns, bringing his hand to his forehead, the indecision, and shake of his head seemingly obvious, his motives reading even this far away, and Glenn’s about to take off into a run to them when he sees a walker approach.

He tries to calm himself, knowing that Maggie is fully capable, able to take care of herself, having now risen to her full height, her back no longer facing towards the treacherous man just awaiting opportunity.

So his brow shoots up when it’s Gregory that goes after the walker, only to have him feign a chivalrous act disguised in cowardice as Maggie goes after the walker.  But distance giving him a clearer view, he sees the second walker approach, and that’s when his feet start kicking up dust.

He doesn’t want to yell her name, cause a disturbance, attracting more to their location or to distract her from the task at hand.  But as Gregory hits the ground, he doesn’t have the smarts to realize the same thing, and begins shouting, “Maggie, Maggie,” in sharp, high pitched screeches.

By the time he runs up, exhausted, worry painted his face, Maggie’s taken care of both of the walkers, not even the least bit bothered by the encounter, as Gregory’s blood smeared face, hangs in embarrassment.

“He hadn’t killed one before,” Maggie explains to Glenn.  “He’s learning,” she says, like the man who was contemplating stabbing her in the back was just another student of her’s, basking in the knowledge that she had to offer.

She puts her hand out, patting Gregory’s back, as he keeps his head low, thanking her, before wobbling off past Glenn, who just stares back, before turning back to Maggie.

“Are you okay?” He asks, his hands coming to her face, shielded from the sun in her cap, a closed-mouth smile directed towards him.

“He said he wanted to protect the pregnant lady,” she says with a nod, a gleam in her eye.

“Looks like the pregnant lady protected him,” he says, surveying the situation.

She lowers her head with a slight blush.

“Just keep look out as I finish, okay?”

“Yep, protect the pregnant lady, got it,” he jokes back at her.

She laughs as she busies herself back to the task at hand.

“You know he’s going to turn on us, right?” He says, his serious tone sobering the moment.

She stops digging, stilling her movements, looking up at him.

“I know,” she quietly admits, both of them exchanging nods.

Leave the first sentence of a fic in my ask box and I will write the next five sentences.

#gleggie #glenn rhee #maggie greene #the walking dead #gleggie fanfiction #maggie rhee #twd