#she's been Michonne Grimes for forever but like LISTEN

[cultofdixon]

Little one had other plans

Rick Grimes • She/Her Pronouns • Timing is never perfect when it comes to babies coming into the world. Rick just wished the group wasn’t…homeless when his baby decided to make an entrance • ANGST/SFW • TW: Pregnancy & Birth / Anxiety / Unbearable pain

A/N: Really bare with me and TWD timeline

Requested by: Anon

“Rick?” Her voice brought the retired sheriff out of his slumber as he carefully sits up from their shared bed.

“Yes darling?” Rick smiles moving aside for Y/N to sit with him as she instantly locked their arms bringing her head to rest on his shoulder. “Are you feeling alright? Missed yea this morning”

“Uhm. I know we just…hitched and we didn’t talk about certain things especially given it’s the apocalypse and Lori but…”

“Y/N. Please just say it”

“I’m pregnant”

Rick’s silence only brewed the fear and anxiety within Y/N as she was about to pull away when he shifted so that he could pull her entire person into his embrace.

“Are you upset?” Y/N frowns holding onto her husband as he started to rub soothing circles on her back feeling her relax. “Rick—-“

“We’re just…so in love with each other that we couldn’t contain it all.” Rick whispers feeling her tighten around him as he did the same. “So we made another person out of that love” he held her as she sobbed in his embrace.

“We’re happy about this?”

“More than happy darling. We’re safe here. I can’t wait for this chapter with you” Rick smiles bringing his lips to her temple keeping her close as the two wouldn’t separate for a while longer.

~

But the luxury of the prison never lasted…

When Rick reunited with Daryl on the road, after dealing with the claimers…the archer brought it up. Brought up the thought that Y/N could be dead and being met with Rick’s silence was his answer meaning he didn’t want to even think about it.

“We’ll find’em.” Daryl states watching Rick turn to him slowly with a low expression before looking away. “She’s a fighter. May be the size of a planet currently but you know she ain’t leavin’ this earth without fighting to get back to you”

“Did yea just call my wife a planet?”

“Am I wrong?”

“Just shut up and let’s follow the train tracks once Michonne and Carl got some rest”

We will find them

And they do. Thankfully not in the mess of Terminus and Rick was extra thankful after hearing a few things about the cannibals that quickly met their end in the chapel later on.

The Grimes boys will forever be thankful to Tyreese with saving Judith and for both him and Carol finding Y/N moments after the two had found each other. Rick handed his daughter to his son quickly but gentle for Carl to get a good hold of her before he ran over to his partner bringing her in his embrace.

“Thank god you’re alive” Y/N sobbed out as she held onto Rick the best she could given the space they didn’t have. Rick pulled away from the embrace to kiss her firmly on the lips before bringing his gaze to her belly and placing his hands on it. “That’s also a bonus…”

“What? The baby kicking?” Rick asks while his gaze still focused on her bump.

“Yeah…Baby hasn’t kicked since the prison fell. Guess it missed its daddy” She breathed out a laugh listening to his follow in suit. He pressed his forehead against hers still staying in this moment as no one dared to interrupt.

The cannibals

The hospital

Beth…

Tyreese…

So many things could’ve been avoided and now the remaining group found themselves struggling with the fact that this could be the end if they don’t find anything. By anything the essentials for survival. Daryl did his best to hunt what he could find but nothing was turning up. The creek within the forest didn’t carry enough water like they hoped when they first planned to check. But Rosita boiled what they could draw up and insisted it be given to Y/N which the peanut gallery didn’t protest.

“Rick we need to prepare for the worse cause scenario” Carol pulled him aside as the group continued its tiresome walk to nowhere.

“What do you mean?”

“She could go into labor. She is that pregnant where it could just happen without any of us prepared. We need to at least somewhat be”

“Or what?”

Carol didn’t say another word and only gave her friend a stressful look littered with fear of losing Y/N to this pregnancy like they did with Lori’s. They wouldn’t know what to do if Y/N needed a c-section or if she lost a lot of blood. Anything could happen and it didn’t take words for Rick to know he could lose the love of his life.

________

Y/N laid tiredly on the makeshift bed in their shared cell as she hasn’t been able to keep anything down for a few weeks. Typical morning sickness but Hershel had his worry about dehydration, not like Carl hasn’t been hovering making sure his stepmom had water. Rick asked him to keep an eye on her and his baby sister when he tended the garden but he didn’t need to be asked to do such. The two grew close when Lori passed and if she would do anything for Carl, he’d do anything for her.

“If your dad is making you hover. You don’t have to” Y/N said almost exhausted as she sat up in the bed when Carl was once peaking from the curtain now fully entering the cell with another canteen.

“Dad didn’t tell me anything. I’m allowed to check on you if I want to”

“I should be checking on you. You don’t have to worry about me” She states patting the empty space beside her while moving the blankets to cover her legs. “I’m okay”

“I know…b-but I want to…I don’t want to miss anything”

Y/N gave him a confused look gently making Carl look at her as he tried to cover his face with his hat. But then Y/N took his hat off lifting his chin to find his tears.

“Carl…love, what’s wrong?”

“I-I…” Carl choked up a bit feeling Y/N carefully wipe away his tears whenever they spilled from his waterline. “I don’t want to lose you too. I didn’t see…a-anything before and I just—-“

“Carl. We couldn’t have predicted what happened to your mom to have happen and I’m always so deeply sorry you lost her.” Y/N gently held his face feeling him ease into her touch letting her wipe away his tears. “We don’t know what’s going to happen, but I will promise you. I’m going to be okay”

“But you can’t…you can’t promise something like that”

“I’m going to anyway. I’m going to take good care of myself and this baby, knowing damn well my boys are going to help me. I’m not going anywhere love…I’m going to be okay”

________

Something didn’t feel right.

Y/N had tried not to think much of the growing pain in her stomach as she thought it was the lack of food in her system or the mild dehydration she was reaching.

Then when the mysterious water appeared and the debate of drinking such was washed away in the little sense of the rain pouring down on them. Her distressed expression matched those who’ve lost since the fall of the prison hence no one second guessed the feelings. Until Carl took note of it.

“Are you okay?”

“Just a little uncomfortable. Keep her covered or she’ll get a cold” Y/N fixed the coat she was once wearing to cover Judith better as Carl took his hat off to cover her head.

“Are you really sure that’s all mo—-Y/N?”

“Yes, I’m—-“ She stopped herself reaching for Rick grabbing his bicep harshly to indicate how much pain she was in as he quickly addressed the matter bringing her close. “R-Rick I think. I think the baby is coming”

“Well that couldn’t have been poorly timed” Eugene commented only for Abraham to smack him upside the head. “You have any better idea where the pregnant woman should have her baby? In the middle of the road with the rain pouring down on us and unable to see the walkers when nightfall approaches”

“Someone shut his mouth” Rick snapped watching Glenn push Eugene out of the Grimes’ line of sight as Abraham and Rosita blocked his view.

“Nah we got somewhere. Saw a barn on my way back to y’all after searching for water” Daryl states before leading the way as Rick didn’t hesitate to pick up his partner bridal style following the archer along with the others following shortly behind.

Once they got in the barn, everything had to happen again. Going in all different directions. Maggie and Carol took care of getting Y/N situated, prepared while Carl took care of watching Judith while the others swarmed respectfully on the other side of the half wall to give Y/N some privacy while she stripped from the waist down.

“Tell me how you’re feeling. Especially if there’s major changes” Carol stated watching Y/N nod trying to take deep breaths feeling Rick gently brush the hair out of the way of her face watching her look at him through anxious tears.

“Your baby will come perfect okay, okay? Nothing wrong will happen” Maggie’s choice of words confused those who weren’t there when they lost Lori, and especially how they lost her. No one questioned. All the focus was making sure that baby comes out okay while protecting everybody.

It felt like a cue. When the walkers came a banging on the barn doors resulting in almost every muscle they’ve got keeping them closed, Y/N was already in the motions of pushing this baby out only for a smooth sailing to reach a jammed complication.

“H-Hurts. Hurts so much!” Y/N shouted as the growling tuned it out except for Maggie and Carol’s ears as they both were checking what is happening. The baby’s shoulder is stuck and in a perfect world they’d have the tools or the operating room to go to that nuclear option of a c-section. Something they didn’t want to do.

“Y/N you have to stop pushing”

“O-O…I…” Y/N sobbed listening to Carol’s words as she gripped onto the blanket she laid on not finding the words to ask for her husband but the anxiety growing in the situation made Maggie shout.

“Rick we need yea!” That caused a few head turns as the pounding shifted the weaker few against the door.

“What’s wrong? What’s happening?” Rick instantly asks, taking Y/N’s hand into his feeling the bone crushing grip she was producing as he kept his ground a straight face for her.

“Baby is stuck”

“I have a plan but if it doesn’t go well, we could lose them both” Maggie frowns, remembering an old conversation back from the prison with her father about breached babies and if it ever happened to her then one would have to reach into her while another pushed down on her belly to help the baby progress.

“Take me through it. We’ve got this” Carol states turning to Y/N and her worried expression. “Scream. Scream it out. Everybody’s got our back and you will make it. You both will make it”

The growling grew louder along with the blood curdling screaming as Michonne brought Carl into her arms covering his ears while the two kept their ground against the door. He sobbed listening to his mom’s screaming and those from the beginning of the prison sanctuary were all feeling the old anxiety bubble up inside them.

But once it settled…the growling faded and the anxiety dissipated…the screaming stopped…

Rick pressed his lips to Y/N’s feeling the tears roll off his cheeks as he pulls away to look at their baby boy laying on her chest calming instantly to the soft touch his mother brought with the finger grazes.

“He’s perfect…”

“You did it, darling” Rick exhales a chuckle, kissing her forehead and bringing her close keeping his coat to cover their baby keeping him comfortable in her arms.

“We’re okay” Y/N felt the tears pour as she laughs the anxiety out bringing her gaze to her son when he brought himself to look at his brother. “We are okay, like I promised”

Carl felt the tears return in his eyes as Y/N tiredly reaches to wipe away his tears. Rick smiles at the gentle act admiring his little family as he made this declaration a long time ago…

But he’ll never let anything happen to his family.

#cultofdixon #the walking dead #rick grimes x reader #rick grimes #rick grimes fanfiction

[itsgrimeytime]

The Nurse (Part Six) || Rick Grimes (TWD)

Part One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six

AVAILABLE ON AO3

Taglist: @strnqer @1985bitch @curlycarley @imaginemyfavoritefics @t-uroboros @crazytxgradstudent @addisonnie @whos6claire @taylvvrr @quicksilversg1rl @catt-leya @1tsk1tty @pascalshearts @hopefulatrocity @xoyouronlyamorrxo @fuseburner @idkseraphine @all-for-kpop @carlgrimeskisser @emo-potato-virgil @timotheesrealgf @mcuclintasha

Summary: Before all this, you were a nurse. A nurse who had patients, one of which was a man in a coma. A sheriff, you think, it was all kinda fuzzy now. When it all went sideways, you set up what you could for the man - but had to leave. You’d always wondered where he’d ended up; until in your search of shelter, you run into a familiar face.

TWS: Blood, gore, mentions of death, gun violence (just violence in general), swearing, angst, angsty!Rick, jealousy, and all things typical of TWD.

[[A/N: I listened to Boyfriend by Dove Cameron to write this, so... I think you can assume how this vibes. You simply have this man WHIPPED, I will not take any further questions. Thanks for reading :)) ]]

Your eyes were hazy, something warm coming across your skin, as you followed the empty hallways. Well, not empty.

Rick was there, Judith carefully held in his arms -every once in a while, he'd lean down to kiss her forehead. The casual affection took you somewhere else for a moment, like watching your grandparents in the kitchen just so natural in each other's spaces -so domestic. When you were younger, reading books about extravagance -big gestures and life-threatening situations, your mind had settled on the balance of fairytales.

Who wished for a lackluster ending? Who wanted to dance in the kitchen too early in the morning, instead of the adventure of a lifetime? It hadn't made sense then.

But watching him now, gentle and bouncing around the room, you'd realized somewhere deep within yourself... maybe you had.

The idea of a home, where the sun seeped through curtains and the smell of breakfast wavered out through the air. Smiles, and playgrounds. Movie nights, and the whispers of promises of forever.

Your brain fogged, and you blinked to try to clear your head. Even just for a solid second, you still found Rick in your eyesight. And maybe he was dusted in dirt, and his hair wasn't washed, but the idea with him made much more sense. You just couldn't chance the thought, not in this world.

"You're drooling."

Clearing your throat, you turned to the intruder -Michonne, her smile small but still enough, "Very funny."

She paused, eyes focused on you for a second -like she could tell you were off. Straightening in her seat, she fully faced you -concern furrowed in her brow, "You okay?"

"Yeah," you echoed, eyes drifting to the pair - imagining the warm glow of a kitchen instead of the cold prison walls, "-just thinking about what I'm missing, you know?"

Michonne turned back to the two, "Yeah, I know."

"Can you imagine your own backyard?" you retorted, in disbelief with a laugh aired in your tone.

"My own house," she hummed, eyes flicking to the ceiling instead, "-I think I'd have a dog."

"Sometimes," you took the edge of your shirt in between your fingers -the material soft to the touch, "-I think about what curtains I would have. Isn't that stupid?"

"No," she answered -simply.

Michonne was direct like that, her answers straightforward and steady; sometimes, you doubted she'd ever really been insecure about an idea. She seemed so confident, you never thought to go against her. You didn't know her past, but it was hard to imagine anything breaking through that resolve.

You pursed your lips, turning back to the two -he was smiling now, the crinkle by his eyes so prominent as he looked down at Judith. It was so unabashedly bright; despite his whole world crumbling, he'd still lit up your corner of the world. And maybe you were a little biased, but you thought it'd be a tragedy if it went dark again.

"You should tell him," Michonne spoke, unflinchingly as if she'd read your mind.

You whispered, a breath across the room -you'd never named it, "Tell him what?"

She placed a hand on your shoulder, a gentle pressure that guided your eyes to meet hers. Her eyes leveled with yours, the look was easy to read despite the schooled expression -she knew, and so did you. You often wondered how many could see it in you, you knew it was obvious -the gazes searching to find his first, the stares lasting just a touch too long, smiling when he did.

"I think you know."

And you did.

You just weren't sure of much, you weren't sure if this world could be... loved. Could anyone in this world love or be loved? Despite what you felt, deep in your heart, you still weren't sure. Was it even possible for it to work? With everything else so harsh and direct, how could you even begin to-

"Plus," Michonne interrupted, a smile biting at her lips, "-you could do worse."

You laughed, leaning your head back to the sky -the thoughts fleeing from your mind like leaves in the wind, "I could."

When you leveled your head, your eyes connected with something new -Rick was looking at you. Bright blue followed the movement of your face, your lips quirked into a smile and you raised a hand to wave. Trying to avoid the warmth that swirled up in your stomach and the very real feeling of 'I told you so' radiating from Michonne just beside you, you pushed forward.

And there it was, the bright smile you'd seen just moments before except this time, it was directed to you. In a spare second, he pulled Judith's little arm up and waved back -gentle movements, but the notion there stayed the same.

Laughter took the place of a response, and you couldn't quite get your brain to form anything else -it was so fuzzy with memories you hadn't made yet, but you wanted to. Eventually.

Your eyes flickered to the sky, it had to be midday at this point -just as it began to cool off in the day. With daylight flickering, you had someplace to be.

"Alright," you hummed pulling yourself into gear, "-I can only handle so much of Rick Grimes a day."

Michonne laughed, "Liar."

You snorted, walking out into the day -eyes searching for a particular person. It had started about a month ago when you and Daryl had formed a bet. He'd said something about your choice of a weapon, and you'd said something about his.

"Bet if we switched, I could kill more walkers than ya."

"You are so on."

So, with some new rules in place, Daryl had sworn on the blue sky that he'd teach you how to use a bow. Wasn't fair if you didn't know how, so it was a necessary step.

Your weapon wasn't as... complex. So, the opposite wasn't really necessary.

You eyes caught him in the field, where he stood across from a... what the hell is that?

There's was a tall branch, sticking up from the ground with burlap sacks and hay sticking out -instead of good seams and crisp corners, however, this was not quite a masterpiece.

You burst into laughter, eyes following the desperately tied rope and hay poking out of corners. It truly looked like a nightmare, but on the area where a "face" might be was detailed of an eyepatch and angry eyebrows.

"Really?" You yelled across the grass, as Daryl spun to you -shrugging as if he hadn't put any time into making... that.

Ranging closer, you extended your hand toward the character, you'd say for now, "I didn't know you were into arts and crafts!"

"Keep laughin'-" Daryl rolled his eyes, not quite responding to you as he loaded up his arrow -tone solid, but you could tell he was light.

Daryl was something you had to get used to, something you had to learn. He was a bit of an icy mystery to any outsiders, but you knew he cared an awful lot more than anyone claimed to.

"Maybe I will," you quipped, "-we ready?"

"Yea," he stood off the ground, brushing dirt off his pants, "-we're losing daylight, gotta start soon anyway."

He was surprisingly attentive, slowly doing each step at your pace -it was an air the man hadn't exposed to you yet. Kind and gentle. He was a great teacher, to your benefit.

Watching as he seemingly without a flinch, landed an arrow into the... target. Right on the eyepatch, and if you took out a ruler probably in the perfect middle. Why did you take this bet again?

Then the weapon was in your hands, the arrow already in, and just awaiting your next move. Trying to remember the steps, Daryl guided your hands to the right position and pulled back your shoulders -there was a proper posture, but you doubted he used it.

That was when a new voice presented itself, just as Daryl adjusted your grip on the bow, tilting the tip down a touch -assumingly something was wrong in your technique.

"What are y'all doing?"

You knew that drawl. He was always an echo in your brain, words bouncing around in your head -he'd stuck with you in so many different ways.

You spun around -eyes finding him with ease, "Hey, cowboy! I could ask you the same question."

Daryl hadn't said anything yet, his mouth in a stubbornly straight line and that was odd for him. Especially when talking to Rick. But then you looked at him, Judith wasn't in his arms anymore.

His flannel was rolled up his arms, and his eyes laid intently on the hand that Daryl had wrapped around your wrist to push down the bow. It was still connected there, passively, like he was waiting to take the weapon out of your hand. You hadn't minded, it was completely like a guiding hand really, nothing else.

Rick pursed his lips, something set in his jaw, "Right."

You furrowed your brow, quickly gesturing the bow to Daryl -which he with ease accepted. He knew something more than you, you could tell in the way that their eyes flicked to each other, heavy and filled with something you couldn't really read. The air stilled and brushed across your skin like a harsh gust of wind.

"Why? Is everything alright?" you asked, concern turning over in your tone. You'd always assumed the worse -especially as one of the sole medical professionals, you knew you shouldn't have gone so far out-

"What? Oh yes," he seemed to blink, facing you again -all the tension in his face seemed to melt and his hand went to rest on your shoulder, "-nothin' to worry about."

You exhaled, shaking the buzzing under your skin out as much as you could, "Okay, good."

He smiled at you, but it wasn't all there. Something was wrong, you knew it, but it apparently wasn't an emergency? Did he need to talk to you? Was he okay?

"I was just teachin' 'em how to use the bow," Daryl echoed, tone solid and seeming to address something you hadn't noticed -talking directly to Rick, "-nothin' else."

You quirked your brow, genuinely confused by the shift in the energy, "What else would we be doing?"

Rick's eyes flickered to you, where you now stood -kind of puzzled and a bit tense in the newfound energy you found yourself in. He sighed, running his other hand through his hair -you knew that was a sign.

"'Course," he hummed, his voice a little less restrained, but still not quite... Rick, "-it's for that bet you two have, right? Sorry for interrupting, just..."

He looked at Daryl -eyes unbreaking, and intense.

"Curious," he finished, eyes connecting to yours for a few seconds longer than you expected -then flicked back to the ground like he'd been embarrassed...? His hand carefully, hesitantly, drifted off your shoulder.

Before you could even open your mouth, the man cleared his throat and turned back around the way he came.

"Daryl-" you began, turning back to the other man. You weren't sure what that was, but you weren't going to just leave it like that.

"Go," he hummed, unbothered, as he carefully plucked a few arrows off the ground, "-I'm not as stupid as you think."

You rolled your eyes, relaying to comment on that later in the back of your head and trailing after Rick. He was actually pretty quick, despite the unfavorable footwear, but you somehow managed to catch up.

"Rick," you spoke, tone direct and stressed out into the meadow air.

He stopped in his place, a bit stunned it seemed, as he stood still. There was definitely something wrong, you could feel it. In a breath, you wrapped your hand around his wrist, pulling it to you behind him. He still hadn't faced you -facing straight ahead with air to him you'd only seen once or twice in your time knowing him.

"Are you alright?"

Rick didn't respond immediately, stance shock still. You watched as his shoulders huffed out breaths, the smallest rise and fall being the only thing you could focus on. His wrist was warm in your hand, and you felt your fingers rubbing gentle circles into the skin there -in an effort to soothe something you didn't know the root cause of.

His eyes flicked back to you, much softer and something more familiar to you -shining in a haze you couldn't identify, but had experienced yourself. (Merely hours before actually.) They flicked to your hand and then your face, almost in realization that you had made that point of contact.

"Shit, sorry," you pulled your hand back, tone a bit rambly, "-I didn't know if you were comfortable with that, I should've ask-"

"No, no," he echoed, pulling your hand back just to match it with his -intertwining your fingers, "-it's fine, better than fine. I am."

"Oh," you swallowed, watching now as he faced you -his own thumb cradling against the back of your hand that sent your brain into a bit of a fog, "-okay."

Rick grinned the kind that crinkled at his eyes then.

"I-" you began, suddenly remembering what you'd run after him for -blinking the fuzz out of your brain, "-you still didn't answer my question, are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah-" he enunciated, eyes hanging on your hands for a second, "-I'm good, promise."

You raised an eyebrow at him.

"Great, even," he responded, thumb dancing against your skin and your brain almost flatlined again.

"Then," you pursed your lips, "-what was that back there?"

"Nothing," he answered back, a little too quickly for your taste, "-just curious."

"Rick-" you started, before locking onto the way he held your hand. It was the same one that Daryl had been holding just a second earlier, and your mind lit up with the flicking of his eyes to the touch, the set of his jaw, some internal dialogue between the two... oh my god.

He seemed to notice the difference in you, his own eyebrows raising in response to your change in demeanor.

"Cowboy," you hummed, daring only to look at your intertwined hands, "-were you jealous?"

Rick stilled in his place, the thumb frozen in its cycle and the breath caught in his throat. You could practically see the thumping of his heart in his chest, watching as the pink flooded up his neck -he totally was.

"Rick," you added, a little in disbelief.

He hummed, seeming to be unable to speak and his eyes lazily focused on your intertwined fingers. You found it kinda cute, actually.

"Rick," you continued, "-look at me."

He sighed, deep in his chest, the curls at the nape of his neck catching the sunlight just right. He looked pretty like this, like a painting. And finally tilted his face to meet yours -fingers squeezing your hand and thumb rubbing against your skin, his eyes were a bit distant then.

You reached your other hand up to the side of his face, trailing your fingertips along his cheekbone -the cut that you'd once been drawn to now under your fingertips, "There you are."

His breath hitched, as you brushed a few stray curls back behind his ears and let your hand rest against his skin for a few seconds longer. You could feel the heat bubble up there, as you focused your attention there -trailing along the now scab and up along the crinkling near his eyes. You smoothed them out with a few timid presses of your skin to his; it seemed so natural, so familiar.

Rick seemed in a trance almost, eyes dipping down to yours without much thought, like a sort of bliss. You wondered how long it had been since he had his face cradled like this, how long he'd missed the gentle brush of fingertips. Even just for a brush of contact, he seemed unable to speak, the air heavier in between the space than you'd known it to be before.

"Trust me when I say," you hummed, eyes straight into his -unflinchingly, "-you have nothing to worry about."

You noted somewhere deep in your head to do little things more, as you leaned back -pulling back your hand to your side but keeping the other one steady in his. Rick still stayed silent, eyes wistfully watching you fall back into your own space; he'd looked a bit conflicted. So calm and breathing peacefully, all the while his heart seemed to beat 100 miles an hour out of his chest.

Definitely cute, you decided.

"With that out of the way," you cleared your throat like you hadn't just crossed millions of boundaries that you'd established with him, "-I think you have some plans to make. You ruined mine, after all. It's only fair."

He laughed, eyes hooked on your hand in his and it was different then, you could feel it in the buzz of the air, "It's only fair."

#rick grimes #rick grimes x reader #its griming time #stuff n' thangs #rick grimes x you #rick grimes x y/n #ricky dicky doo dah grimes #twd #twd rick #rick grimes x y/n fanfiction #the nurse #nurse!reader #doctor!reader

[ladylannisterxo]

💖 top 5 daryl relationships

oof okay... okay okay okay. for someone who has this compulsive need to go at it alone so many times, he does have some amazing relationships on this show.

01. daryl and... carol

this will always be my #1 when it comes to relationships that daryl had on the show and i will forever be bitter that they were not endgame. but i don't care what the writers or showrunners think, daryl and carol will always be endgame to ME! i started really loving them in S2 when he brought her the cherokee rose and their relationship will always mean so much to me because they just got one another; they didn't even have to talk, they just understood each other and ahhhhhh! these two!!

02. daryl and... rick

brotp! they are brothers!! the creation of their brotherhood was so fun to watch over the years. you had daryl who had zero respect for authority, much less rick grimes, when he was first introduced and then you had rick who was a former cop that left daryl's blood brother chained to a roof in atlanta. from the jump, it was a hostile relationship but they learned to understand each other's way of doing things and over time, they were able to respect each other. i mean, how many times did daryl say "let rick handle it" over the course of the show? considering how hotheaded he was in S1-S2, i never thought i'd see it. they may not be blood but they are brothers and i love it so much!!

03. daryl and... judith

i would include other kiddos in this like rj and even carl but he just had more with judith, from the moment she was born. he was the one who gave her the nickname of 'lil asskicker' and he loved her like she was his own. he was 'uncle daryl' and he protected her (and the others) with every fiber of his being. and even though she's just a kid, he listened to her and he respected her thoughts and feelings. he also made sure she never forgot her family. it's a bond that i adore!

04. daryl and... glenn

this one is more subtle. daryl and glenn didn't have many one-on-one scenes as opposed to being part of the group but there was definitely considerable growth, more so on the part of daryl but i think that was because he needed to grow more. i mean, damn, he referred to glenn as 'chinaman' in S1 and didn't care when glenn corrected him. fast forward to S3 (??) when daryl goes back home to the prison and corrects merle by informing him glenn is korean, not chinese. it seems like such a small thing but it definitely isn't. not to mention the absolute guilt daryl felt after glenn was killed. it is clear he blamed himself for that and he carried it with him for so long that it took maggie to tell him that it wasn't his fault. and daryl may have been able to move forward, but i don't think he ever truly forgave himself, not fully anyway. i wish they had gotten more scenes together but their subtle growth in friendship was really nice to see.

05. daryl and... michonne

they had an amazing bond. considering the way they were both introduced on the show, it was clear they had a lot of similarities. they were both hardened individuals who were often the 'lone wolf' type. but over the years, they formed a really great friendship. aside from glenn, these two often did supply runs together and one of my favorite moments is in S4 when that kid is trying to guess what daryl did "before" and he guesses homicide detective and michonne can't help but laugh. not to mention that when she departs from the show to go off in search of rick, she entrusts the care of her children to daryl; that means and says so much.

#celebration of love with 's' #daryl dixon #twd #the walking dead #asked and answered #'s' answers #mutuals 🫂

[sourwolf-sterek32]

Welcome to the End

Summary: Y/N Winchester was a hunter like her brothers, following in their fathers footsteps. Saving people, hunting things, the family business.

During a case in Georgia, you meet the Dixon brothers and after saving Daryl’s life against a Chupacabra, the two of you become close. But, when the zombie apocalypse starts, life as you know it changes forever.

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Winchester!Reader

Word Count: 3.6k

Warnings: Language, descriptions of blood, injury and violence.

Chapter 18-

"Jesus! It pleases me to see you, old friend." A voice shouted from across the room as you walked inside.

"It pleases him, indeed!" A different voice added causing you to chuckle softly before everyone suddenly came to an abrupt stop a few metres inside the theatre.

"Jerry." The first voice muttered.

You looked across the room to put a face to the voices and figure out why everyone had stopped walking and that's when you saw it.

The tiger.

They had a God damn tiger. 

A pet tiger with a chain laying beside the man with dreadlocks who was sitting on a large chair on the stage. Straight away you knew that was the King. Where the hell did he get a pet tiger from though?

"Tell me, what news do you bring good King Ezekiel? Are these new allies you've bought me?" The King questioned, his eyes scanning the group of you as you took a step forward until you were beside Jesus, but you couldn't take you eyes away from the tiger.

"Indeed, they are, Your Majesty. This is..." Jesus trailed off as he glanced over his shoulder at the group who were all still standing a few metres back with wide eyes staring at the tiger. "Oh, right. I forgot to mention that-"

"Yeah, a tiger." Rick mumbled, nodding slightly as the tiger roared as if on cue. 

"This is Rick Grimes, leader of Alexandria, and these are some of his people." Jesus introduced as the group of you walked further into the room until you were standing in front of the stage.

"I welcome you all to the Kingdom, good travellers. Now, what brings you to our fair land? Why do you seek an audience with the King?" 

"Ezekiel- King Ezekiel." Rick corrected himself. "Alexandria, the Hilltop and the Kingdom – all three of our communities have something in common. We all serve the Saviours. Alexandria already fought them once, and we won. We thought we took out the threat, but we didn't know then what we know now. We only beat one outpost. We've been told you have a deal with them, that you know them. Then you know they rule through violence and fear."

The King didn't say anything for a moment. Hell, he wasn't even looking at Rick anymore, he was glaring at Jesus who quickly raised his hands defensively.

"Your Majesty, I only told them of the-" Jesus quickly tried to say before the Ezekiel cut him off.

"Our deal with the Saviours is not known among my people, for good cause. We made you a party to that secret when you told us of the Hilltop's own travails, but we did not expect you to share-" Ezekiel started to explain, but now it was Jesus who cut him off.

"We can help each other."

"Don't interrupt the King." The man in the red jacket ordered who you thought was that Jerry guy.

"We brought you into our confidence. Why did you break it?" Ezekiel asked.

"Because I want you to hear Rick's plan." Jesus simply answered and the King nodded, turning his attention back to Rick.

"And what plans have you, Rick Grimes of Alexandria?"

"We came to ask the Kingdom, to ask you, to join us in fighting the Saviours, fighting for freedom for all of us." Rick said, motioning towards the group of you as you spoke and you forgot how good Rick was at doing this.

He was good at talking, good at negotiating with others. That's what made him stand out at the King County Sheriff's Station when you and your brothers rolled into town for that vampire case all those years ago. Rick was a smart man, he knew what to say to people to get them to listen to him and he clearly had an affect on the King who seemed to be taking in what he had just heard.

"What you are asking is very serious." Ezekiel commented.

"Several of our people- good people- were killed by the Saviours, brutally." Michonne said.

"Who?" Morgan suddenly questioned and you only just realised that he would have no idea about any of this. He hadn't been back to Alexandria since, he had no idea what had happened.

"Abraham. Denise. Spencer. Olivia. Nearly Glenn. Eugene was taken. They took Daryl and Y/N, but they escaped. Every second they're out here, they're a target." Rosita explained, looking over at Morgan who stared at her in disbelief.

"Negan murdered Abraham, beat him death. Nearly did the same to Glenn in front of his pregnant wife." Rick added.

It was weird hearing people call your father 'Negan' because in your head he was your dad, but at the same time, it wasn't your father. Negan was a different person. Your father would never do any of this. Neither would your brothers, but they were a threat. They needed to be dealt with and if you had to kill them... you didn't want to think about that.

"I used to think the deal was something we could live with. A lot for us did. But, that's changing. So, let's change the world, Your Majesty." Jesus said, bringing you out of your thoughts.

"I want to be honest about what we're asking. My people are strong, but there's not enough of us. We don't have guns, not enough at least. Not a lot of weapons, period." Rick added, looking up at the King.

"We have people. And we have weapons. If we strike first, together, we can beat them. Your Majesty, no more waiting for things to get worse beyond what we can handle. We set things right. The time is now." One of the Kings soldiers responded.

Again, the King didn't say anything for a moment as he stared at his soldier before he looked back at the rest of you, his eyes flashing over the group before landing on Morgan.

"Morgan, what do you say?" He asked.

"People will die. A lot of people, and not just the Saviours. It... If we can find another way, we have to. Maybe it's just about Negan, just capturing him, holding him. Maybe..." Morgan trailed off, shaking his head.

"That won't work." You said, speaking up for the first time which caught the King attention.

"Why is that?" He asked curiously and you could feel the rest of the group staring at you, waiting to hear what you were going to say and you sighed before taking a step forward.

"Because they are all Negan. You take Negan or kill him, another will step up and take his place. That's how it works there. My brothers... they're with the Saviours. That's how I know." You answered, shaking your head trying to get the image of Dean with the gun out of your head.

"Your brothers are working for Negan? How do we know that you aren't on their side?" The King suddenly questioned and well, realistically you should have seen that question coming.

"She ain't one of 'em." Daryl quickly said defensively.

You reached out and grabbed his hand, trying to silently calm him before you continued talking.

"Do you believe in God, Your Majesty?"

"Y/N." Rick warned, seeming to realise where this conversation was going.

You glanced over at Rick to find him already looking at you with an uneasy expression and you didn't blame him. It took him a while to come to terms with the Supernatural the first time you met him way back when, but the King needed to know.

"God is real. Well... God was real. But, he's dead now and he created Negan." You started to explain which caused a few of your own group members to look over at you in confusion and you had completely forgotten that not all of them knew the whole story.

"What are you trying to say?" The King questioned in confusion.

"Negan isn't really Negan. He is a man named John Winchester. John died over 14 years ago, but God bought him back and turned him into Negan. I know how it sounds, trust me, I do. But, I'm telling the truth. My brothers... I don't know what happened to them, but they're not themselves, they would never fight with the Saviours. But, they are-" You continued to explain before you got cut off.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Ezekiel asked, his tone stern as he leant back in his throne staring at you with a masked expression.

"No, but-" 

"I've heard enough. Richard, escort the people of Alexandria to the gates-" Ezekiel suddenly ordered.

"She's telling the truth. I know how crazy it sounds. I've been in your position before when I first learnt about it. But, she's telling the truth." Rick quickly said.

"The supernatural is real. God, caused all of this. He bought the apocalypse upon this world before he died and he killed off all the supernatural creatures too. It's just humans and the dead. With a few exceptions." You added which just caused the King to look even more confused and pissed off.

Okay, you understood why he was staring at you like that. What you were saying sounded absolutely crazy, but there was no easy or gentle way to say it.

"The supernatural? Like creatures we talk about in children's bedtime stories?" Ezekiel asked in a blunt tone and you nodded.

"Werewolves, vampires, ghosts, ghouls, wendigos, you name it. The supernatural is real and before all this my brothers and I used to hunt supernatural creatures, but when the apocalypse started, all the supernatural creatures just disappeared-" You continued to explain before Jerry started speaking.

"I like cool stories as much as the next dude, but you don't expect us to believe all that, right? That's crazy."

"Crazy as dead people walkin' around?" Daryl questioned, appearing beside you, resting his hand on your shoulder as you glanced over at him to find him giving you a small reassuring nod. Daryl had your back with this, so did Rick. That was all you needed.

"I can prove it. I can prove the supernatural is real." You suddenly announced, catching the Kings attention.

"How?" Ezekiel questioned, sitting up straighter in his seat.

"Because I'm not entirely human." You started to say, glancing back at Daryl with a questioning look and he just nodded.

It was either show them what you were or let them think you were crazy. This was the only way to convince them and you needed them on your side.

"My father was human, but my mother was an angel. They had me and I'm what they call a Nephilim. Half angel, half human." You explained, closing your eyes for a second before opening them again, your eyes now glowing a bright purple which caused Ezekiel to quickly stand up, his soldiers all reaching for their guns.

"Don't." Daryl and Rick quickly shouted.

Daryl took a step forward until he was half standing in front of you, blocking you from the Kings soldiers.

"She's not a threat. She's friend. She's family. And everything she has said is the truth. Her brothers are with Negan, but she's not and we need you and your people to fight with us." Rick quickly said as you turned your eyes back to normal and grabbed Daryl's shoulder, noticing how tense he was.

"It's okay." You whispered, but Daryl didn't move from in front of you.

"The hour grows late. Rick Grimes of Alexandria, you and your people have given the King much to ponder. I invite you all to sup with us and stay till the morrow." The King announced, motioning for his men to relax and they all lowered their hands from their weapons.

"Yeah, we need to get back home." Rick responded.

"I shall deliver my decree in the morn." Ezekiel simply said.

None of you spoke as you followed Richard to the spare living quarters where he allocated everyone a bedroom and told you where all the facilities you needed were.

Once Richard left Rosita, Sasha, Michonne, Tara and Carl all disappeared into the rooms, claiming their bedrooms, leaving you, Daryl, Rick and Jesus standing in the hallway.

"That was risky. Showing him what you are." Rick said, breaking the long silence as he looked over at you and you just nodded lowering you head slightly. "But, it worked. It's gotten him thinking." 

"Ya think he'll join us?" Daryl asked, but Rick just shrugged his shoulders before looking over at Jesus.

"You know him better than us. Will he join?" Rick questioned, but Jesus just shrugged his shoulders too.

"Maybe. He knows the Saviours need to be dealt with, but he doesn't want to fight." 

"Could you do it though? If it came down to it, would you fight Negan? Would you fight your brothers?" Rick asked turning his attention back towards you.

You didn't say anything for a moment as you thought about it, but deep down you knew you could never kill Negan, not when he looked and sounded exactly like your father. You would never be able to hold a gun to John Winchesters head and pull the trigger and the same goes for Sam and Dean.

"She ain't gotta answer that." Daryl responded, grabbing your hand. "C'mon." He muttered and you didn't argue as you let him lead you down the hallway towards one of the spare bedrooms.

It was only a small room with a queen bed, a wooden desk and chair inside, but it was more than what either of you had at the Sanctuary.

Daryl didn't say anything as he closed the door behind the two of you before he walked over to the bed and immediately collapsed onto it, laying on his back as you stared up at the ceiling.

"As much as I hated Rick asking... if it came down to it, ya know what needs to happen." Daryl suddenly said, still staring at the ceiling and you silently nodded.

There was no way in hell that you could kill your father, even if it technically wasn't John, you wouldn't be able to do it. And there was absolutely no way you would be able to kill your brothers, you would rather die than do that and the thought of actually doing it... no. You had seen your brothers die more times than you'd like to count, you couldn't do it again. You had seen your father die once and that was the worst day of your life..

You still had nightmares about that day in the hospital. You and Sam left to get your dad coffee and when you came back... when you came back he was dead on the floor.

You still remembered Sam's screams as he sprinted into the room, dropping to his knees beside your dad while you just stood in the door way, coffee cup dropping from your hands as you stared at your dads lifeless body lying on the ground.

You remembered Sam crying out for help and all the nurses running into the room past you. You remembered Sam leaving for a moment before he reappeared with Dean, both the boys standing beside you in tears.

You remembered collapsing into Deans arms when they announced the time of death and cried. You remembered that day so clearly and there was no way you could do that again. Your dad was back, whether he was Negan or not, he was back and you couldn't lose him again.

"Hey." Daryl's voice suddenly called out, snapping you out of your thoughts as you looked over at him to find him staring at you from where he was still lying on the bed. "Hey, ya okay?" He asked, and you nodded, rubbing your eyes, hating the fact that you could feel tears rising in your eyes.

You were stronger than this, damnit.

"Come here." Daryl said and without saying anything you walked over to the bed and laid down beside him, staring at the ceiling before Daryl propped himself up on his elbow and turned to face you. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." 

"Don't lie to me, angel. What's wrong? Ya worried 'bout ya brothers?"

"I'm worried about everything. My brothers. You. Rick. My dad... I can't lose them. I-I can't lose my family again." You whispered unable to stop the silent tear from falling down your face.

"Come here." He whispered, pulling you into his chest as you cried into him.

-

You woke up the next morning in Daryl's arms. He was still asleep, snoring softly from beside you as you laid there enjoying the small peaceful moment while it lasted. You hadn't slept a full nights sleep in weeks, but you clearly needed it.

You thought back to the days where you'd wake up in with Daryl in his bed in the trailer he shared with Merle. You always woke up before him, not needing as much sleep as normal humans. You'd end up just laying on the bed in his arms in the early hours of the morning, waiting for him to wake up.

Or the times the two of you would go hunting in the woods and camp out for the night under the stars. You missed those days where life was just simple. You missed going on hunts with your brothers and Cas during the week and spending the weekends at Daryl's trailer. You missed sitting under the veranda of the trailer drinking beer and listening to Daryl and Merle bicker about stupid shit. You missed the old days.

You laid in bed for another hour before Daryl woke up and the two of you met back up with the others who all seemed to wake up at the same time.

Ezekiel shouted you all breakfast in some kind of mess hall, but the King himself wasn't there and you had a bad feeling that he was going to say no to Rick's plan.

After breakfast, Richard lead the group of you outside where the King was waiting in the middle of the courtyard near the group that was practicing archery. You watched the kids that were shooting the bows and you quickly realised that most of them had a missing arm or leg. Some with prosthetic metal limbs in their place, others with nothing at all, but that didn't stop them from shooting dead centre every shot.

"This is life here. Every day. But, it came at a cost and I wanted more of this. I wanted to expand. To create more places like this. Men and Women lost their limbs. Children lost their parents because I sent them into a battle against the wasted when I did not need to." Ezekiel started to say while watching the group shoot the recurve bows before he turned back towards the group of you.

"This is different." Rick responded, but Ezekiel shook his head.

"It isn't."

"It is. The dead don't rule us. The world doesn't look like this outside your walls. People don't have it as good. Some people don't even have it good at all." Rick argued, but again Ezekiel shook his head.

"I have to worry about my people." 

"Ya call yourself a damn king. Ya sure as hell don't act like one." Daryl muttered, which caught Ezekiel's attention as he took a few steps towards Daryl until he was standing right in front of him.

"All of this... came at a cost. It was lives, arms, legs. The peace we have with the Saviours is uneasy, but it is peace. I have to hold onto it. I have to try." He stated, but you just shook your head.

"Although, the Kingdom cannot grant you the aid you desire, the King is sympathetic to your plight. I offer our friend Daryl asylum for as long as he requires it. He will be safe here. The Saviours do not set foot inside our walls." The King responded.

"How long do ya think that's gonna last?" Daryl muttered before you both turned around and started walking towards the front gates.

The others all followed behind you as you reached the gates. Daryl called out to the men on the watch platform to open it up before Richard handed back Rick and Carl's guns which he had taken before you entered the community yesterday.

"You're not going." Rick suddenly said before you even had a chance to take a step towards the now open doors.

You quickly turned around to find Rick talking to Daryl causing you to frown in confusion.

"I'm not stayin' here." Daryl responded, staring at Rick like he was crazy.

"You have to. It's the smartest play. You know it is." Rick replied, but Daryl just shook his head before he looked over at you and Rick followed his line of sight.

"The Saviours would be after her as well. Why the hell am I stayin' 'n my girl ain't?" He questioned, slight anger rising in his tone.

"Because Ezekiel didn't offer it to her. He's cautious of her now that he knows the truth. We can hide Y/N at Alexandria, she can teleport out of there in the worst case scenario, but you can't." Rick explained, but Daryl just shook his head as he looked away from Rick, but Rick just moved to the side so that Daryl had no choice but to look at him. "Try to talk to Ezekiel. Or stare him into submission. Whatever it takes. We'll be back soon."

Rick rested his hand on Daryl's shoulder before he glanced over at you with a small nod and started following the others out the gate.

"Hey, I know you don't like this. But, Rick's right. This is the smartest play and the safest for you. Please, just listen to him." You said, walking over to Daryl as you pulled him to a hug before he had the chance to say anything.

Daryl just sighed before melting into your hug, wrapping his arms around your back as he hugged you as well.

"Don't like ya bein' out there without me." He whispered and you just chuckled softly with a small smile as you pulled away from him, your hands still on his shoulders.

"I can take care of myself, Dixon. Just be careful, okay?" You asked and Daryl nodded.

"You too, angel." He replied before leaning forward and placing a gentle kiss to your lips.

"Y/N, c'mon." Someone shouted and you sighed, pulling away from Daryl who nodded softly giving you a tiny smile before you turned around and followed the others out the gate.

 -

MASTERLIST

Next Chapter

-Gifs used are not mine. Credit to rightful owners.

#Daryl Dixon #daryl dixon x reader #daryl dixon fanfic #daryl dixon fanfiction #The Walking Dead #twd #the walking dead fanfic #the walking dead fanfiction #dean winchester #Sam Winchester #castiel #Destiel #supernatural #spn

[shimmershae]

So.  Thanks to my new anonymous friend, this is going to become a thing.

Shae’s thinky thoughts about the latest episode--Acheron:  Part 2--beneath a cut. 

Because spoilers, however vague they might be.  

Let’s be real here.  This is more a stream of consciousness than anything else so if that’s not your thing, you are most welcome to nope right on out of this post.  Trust me.  I’ll completely understand, lol.  Sometimes?  I wish I could nope right on out of my own brain and the way it operates.  

That said?  Without further ado--

Episode 2′s opening, though.  Maggie trapped with hungry Walkers converging?  It totally gives me Glenn under the dumpster vibes.  I don’t know if that was intentional or just happy coincidence but way to link Maggie to her dearly departed better half, show.  

Is it just me or has Father G had more OOMPH to him these last few seasons?  Again, I have to ask--Rosita’s influence or no?  Regardless, I bet Seth Gilliam is loving the job these days.  

Side note:  am I gonna have to go to bed early every Saturday night from now until the end just so I that I might be able to SEE?  Something?  Anything?  My curtains are flimsy-ass.  I admit it.  But this is more frustrating than TXF.  Angela, WTF?  

No, seriously.  It’s like complete guess work who’s in these subway scenes.  Some of that has to do with them being overly populated by redshirts and the rest of it has to do with me having to squint and turn sideways to make out their facial features. 

Look at Daryl busting through concrete walls!  Should I call him the Kool-Aid Man considering NR has once again allowed himself to be led right into a biased, shipper trap?  Hmm.  I might.  

Imagine seeking refuge in those dark, filthy subways.  Any second now I expect to hear the skittering of rats.  Will Dog lose his effing mind a la Divergence?  He’s been shown to go off half-cocked that way, lol.  Oh well.  Guess it’ll be in character if he does.  

Impressive graffiti storyboards.  Does it mean something that it immediately cuts to the Commonwealth storm troopers afterward?  Maybe.  Who really knows at this point?  They been trying to gaslight us forever.  

LOL at Princess yet again.  Yumiko is just like da fuq is this person?  

No, really.  LMAO.  “That was her.  From last night.  Did you see how she was looking at us?”  

Then you have Eugene, hahaha.  “Oh God.  Why did he tell off the big guy?”  Like the man is totally me in this type of situation.  Not even gonna lie.  

“That’s right.  We want to talk to the manager.”  

I literally cannot wait ‘til Carol and Daryl meet Princess.  Can.  Not.  Wait.  

How sad is that note on that $100 bill?  Small moment but it totally gives me Season 4 vibes when they were on their way to Terminus seeking sanctuary.  

Hmm.  Remember how that place wasn’t what they thought it was?  I’m sure neither is the Commonwealth.  But I feel like what’s left of Team Family is totally going to do Rick proud, lol, and prove they’re messing with the wrong people if they try something.  

Daryl, Man.  You gonna have to get a better handle on your headstrong Fur Son.  I wonder if Dog would listen better to his mama?  Things to ponder.  

Sounds like Miko has this group’s number.  Or does she?  

Princess and Eugene totally look like they’re waiting their turn for the Principal’s office, LOL.  

“Stop moving!  You’re taking my nerves over the edge to a proverbial 11 on a scale of 10.”  I feel you, Eugene.  I do.  Also you, Princess.  Two of the most relatable TWD characters right there, I’m telling you.  

Princess is me when I really, really, really have to pee.  TMI?  Sorry, lovelies.  LOL.  I just...she’s so relatable.  

LMAO.  “If that fine ass dude in the orange suit...”  Princess and Mercer incoming in 3-2-----

Princess’s excitement over the toilet paper=PRICELESS.  

Eugene, Man.  You desperately need to develop a poker face.  

There’s Daryl getting another cool camera shot.  Angela?  You playing favorites again?  

Carol’s claustrophobia could have never.  I bet that’s in the back of Pookie’s mind.  You can’t tell me it’s not because Carol lives in there rent-free.  

Ohhh.  Back to the subway car.  Looks like we got the Maggie redshirts leading the way.  First sacrificial “lambs”?  

Maggie pistol-whipping Negan was kinda deserved, but he wasn’t all wrong so.  

Damn.  I’m no Gage fan.  He can fuck all the way off for what he did to my baby Lydia.  But Maggie over there with ice in her veins.  

Yep.  I think the dude just got one of the most gruesome deaths in a while.  Yuck.  

I think Alden’s faith in Maggie definitely took several hits.  I feel like he kind of had her on some sort of pedestal dating back to Hilltop times.  Father G, though?  The man is continuing to show himself a SAVAGE MFer.  

Josh gives Eugene such believable tics and mannerisms.  He IS Eugene.  

Thank you, Maggie, for lighting that flare.  I could not see a damn thing.  

What are these bad memories Negan alludes to?  Hmm?  Him being a shit husband to Lucille back when he was still taking her for granted?  

Father G on Gage’s Walker--”All that is, is a shell of a man, who died a coward.”  Kind of ironic considering Father G’s own origins, huh?  Has he any warmth in there for anybody but Rosita and Coco?  Does he equate it with weakness?  

“There are worse ways.”  And Maggie proceeds to paint us a horror story with mere words.  

Dark Maggie really surpasses anything certain fans have ever accused Carol of being.  Is she too far gone?  Who the hell knows?  I think it’s clear that she and Carol are both on a sliding scale of sorts when it comes to being able to compartmentalize shit to survive.  Personally?  I feel like Maggie might have leap-frogged Carol in this episode but it matters none because of the double standards so deeply entrenched in this fandom.  Both women have endured and had to do some horrific things.  It’s not a contest.  But it’s probably going to be turned into a season-long one.  

It’s almost like Kang was like, “Ya’ll bitches think Carol’s dark?  I’ll show you DARK.  Check and mate.”  

Whatever the reasoning, Maggie just got exponentially more interesting to me if not likable.  And before anybody out there comes at me, it’s entirely possible to be on a character’s side in some things and not be all up their ass in love with them, lol.  Like I’m attached to her because she’s family and Glenn loved her.  There’s a loyalty there and she absolutely is justified in her hatred of Negan.  But I’m not going to pretend her shit don’t stink like everybody else’s.  

Speaking of my baby Glenn.  What would he think of this version of Maggie?  I think he would be gutted and heart stricken that events led to her being like this but he’d understand because he’s pure like that.  Don’t mean he’d be A-OK with it all.  

Dog must be protected at all costs.  

Confession.  I know not the fuck who Pony Boy is, but I know him because all my fandom friends have pointed him out to me, lol.  RIP, Man.  I think you’re number’s up or close to it.  

Okay, though.  I admit it.  I am kinda LOVING Badass Father G.  

That scene in the subway car with all of them working to take all the Walkers out was already badass.  Then Daryl arrived and made it, in @freefromthecocoon’s words, HAWT.  LOL.  

Eugene staring at that little black book like it contains torture tools, hehehe.  

“Processed?  As in administratively?  Processed as in bologna or other meat stuffs?  This inquiring (enquiring?) mind needs to know.”  OMG, Eugene.  I admit it.  Even if it makes me look like a lunatic, LOL.  I straight up LMAO at that one.  I mean, ten years later and Terminus still fresh on the man’s mind.  

“You like feeling nervous?”  Well, no.  None of us that do, Mercer?  Do.  

Then he proceeds to make me howl with his “You can’t lie for shit” to Eugene.  

Josh McDermitt?  I love you, Man.  40 year old virgin, LOL.  

All this talk over the seasons of Daryl’s virginity and we have Eugene, hahaha.  But was he telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?  

Finally.  Some daylight.  Where I can see.  

Eugene’s relief at seeing his friends safe and sound was such a beautiful thing to see.  I loved those hugs.  

Mercer’s face when he snarled “beat cop” in disdain to Ezekiel.  I think I’m gonna love this dude.  

“I went to West Point.  Asshole.”  Yeah.  I am.  

I know they probably catfishing Eugene right here because spoilers tell us that ain’t Stephanie.  But my heart still did a little d’aww.  Angela.  Don’t play with his poor heart like that.  

What’s got Daryl so pensive, huh?  Is it that the note reminds him of kids being lost or taken from their family? Or separated from their family?  Is he thinking of those Grimes babies and wondering if Michonne will ever make it back and why and how she was able to leave them behind?  Tell me it ain’t that Find Me nonsense.  

“This place sure has gone to shit since the last time I was here.”  LMAO, JDM.  I mean Negan.  Sorry.  Sorry.  I still hate Negan, but JDM has me entertained at least since they gave the asshole some shades of gray.  And speaking of shades of gray.  I’m loving the gray beard.  JDM’s looking GOOD (hear that NR?  Embrace the gray).  Negan can still kick rocks, lol.  

Anyway.  That scene was CREEPY AF.  Not even gonna lie.  

The Reapers strutting right on up to our group like it’s The Purge:  ZA.  

My bad, Pony Boy. Now RIP.  

Dark, dark episode with loads of tension broken up by some welcome humor by Princess.  The girl is fast becoming a fave of mine.  

My baby’s back next week!!!

I’m just going to plug my ears and pretend they’re trying to capture/recapture the horses because they’re pets.  Not because they’re starving so bad they feel the need to eat them.  La la la la la.  I can’t hear you.  

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

[whateverisbeautiful]

Reveling In Richonne

#168: What If They Didn’t Save Me? (10x13)

As I mentioned in that last post, to me, there are four questions asked in these dark “what if” scenarios. With Andrea the question is “what if I hadn’t saved her?” And then in this next part the question becomes, “What if they (TF) didn’t save me?”

And we get that question posed through a Clear throwback! It is too fitting to get a Clear throwback in Michonne’s final episode cuz this is a fantastic classic episode, and also was truly instrumental in establishing Michonne as a great character, great woman, and a great Grimes.

The Richonne seed had been firmly planted in 3.12 and there was no going back. Amen. 🙌🏽

@michonnegrimes

But in this bleak timeline, Michonne isn’t in that signature car, riding with her future husband and son to get weapons to defeat the Governor. No instead, she’s the one wearing the iconic orange backpack.

 I thought this was a really cool interesting choice to see Michonne imagining if it had been her that was the stranger they ignored on the road.

Again, it goes to show the way in which Michonne feels a sense of responsibility to save people so she feels for and remembers this guy they left. Michonne yells for help and the car gets stopped, just like it did in reality, but it’s Daryl who gets out and hears her screams of desperation and basically tells Rick to keep going.

(And my extra self saw this detail of it being Daryl on the trip and recalled the line in 3.11 when Rick is talking about going on this very trip and Daryl offers to go , but Rick feels Daryl should stay at the prison and keep a eye on Merle. So Daryl really would have been on this gun run had Michonne not been there)

What’s deep about Michonne being in the place of the orange backpack guy is this idea that maybe if backpack guy had been taken in by the group he would’ve been instrumental to them just as Michonne ended up being when she was taken in. But the flip side is he could’ve been a Joycelyn or Dante so you just never know.

@spacecarols

With leaving Andrea, the question of “what if I hadn’t saved her?” is given the answer that Michonne would have ended up on a street pleading for any car passing by to help her. Which goes to show that whatever would’ve happened in between abandoning Andrea and having this orange backpack would not have been great.

Plus , it almost speaks to this notion that “what you give is what you get”. In reality Michonne brought Andrea in. And then TF brought her in. But in this dark timeline she abandons Andrea’s cries for help and then her own cries for help are abandoned.

And then in this “Clear” scene, the question of “what if they didn’t save me?” makes me think about What if Rick and Michonne forever remained strangers and never got to learn they were soul mates? Ugh the whole world would’ve suffered had they just drove past each other that day.

It’s a sad thing to see Michonne be left behind here and speaks to what I think is Michonne’s deepest fear and that’s being alone, especially being alone because she couldn’t save everyone.

She knew what that deafening loneliness was like before finding Andrea and has expressed how difficult and harmful that loneliness was, so this particular part of the sequence was heartbreaking because it would imply that she would have spent even more time feeling abandoned and alone.

But then the next question regarding “saving” becomes “What if I’d been saved by the wrong kind of people?”. And ain’t nobody more “the wrong kind of people” than Negan and the Saviors. 😑

@hughxjackman

Seeing Michinne be approached by Negan and them was wild. It made me think about what Judith said in 10.10 to Gamma when she was locked up. Gamma was explaining to Judith how Alpha messed her up and Judith notes how Gamma might not be bad she just met the wrong people and she says “if you had met my mom and dad you wouldn’t have ended up in that cell”.

It’s a good point about how who you meet in this world greatly impacts “what you become”. And a straggler really would hit the jackpot meeting Rick and Michonne in this world (so long as you don’t try them or their family) because they’re one of the few leaders in this world who care about their people as family and not just subordinates. (Side note: I could listen to Michonne and Rick be referred to as “mom and dad” all day. ☺️)

But since this trip is the Bad Place, Michonne does meet the wrong people and it does affect who she becomes. In this trippy exchange with Negan, Michonne takes a swing on him and Negan knocks her to the ground. Then naturally, Negan has his usual banter and jokes telling Michonne she shouldn’t have swung on him.

And I absolutely love the way Michonne says, “or I probably shouldn’t have missed”. I laugh every time. 😂 Even outnumbered like that, Michonne ain’t scared of no Negans. Y’all see the snarl. Sis ain’t playing.

@hughxjackman

And of course Negan is impressed by Michonne because who wouldn’t be. And so he wants to take her in and make her a top tier savior.

And y’all Michonne as a savior is the craziest thing to witness. I’ve always had the mindset that whichever side has Michonne has the advantage. And truly the Saviors would’ve lasted a lot longer if Michonne was on their team, especially because then Rick wouldn’t have Michonne to stand by his side and encourage him to fight back.

Now, I got to thinking about this whole notion of Michonne joining the Saviours and wondering, hmm if Michonne had actually been found by Negan would she ever have gone along with him and his rules enough to become a committed savior? I mean this is the woman who showed up to Woodbury and knew from the jump that the Governor was playing everyone like a fiddle and was not having it. So would she ever succumb to Negan’s awful ways? My gut says no.

Michonne has always had a great eye for good character in others and I feel she’d see right through Negan’s corruption and be outta the Sanctuary pronto. But what comes into play here is that, anyone can be made desperate enough to call any community home, even when that community is toxic.

And this alternate reality suggests Michonne spent a lot longer being alone and deteriorating so who knows what choices could be made in that state.

So it’s interesting to think how Michonne attests to Rick and Carl bringing her back to life, but what if it had been Negan that “brought her back”. Thank goodness we didn’t have to see that happen in the true reality. Cuz according to what happens next, it would have been a brutal turn of events for not just Michonne, but for many of our beloved TF members. 😬

@hughxjackman

#richonne #s10 #10.13

[alanaswriting]

Time After Time

Carl Grimes x Reader

Summary: Carl gives you the highschool dance you’ve always wanted

masterlist

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: None really?

A/N: Oh my god, I have not written in forever so please forgive whatever this is but! Enjoy?

Please don’t steal, plagiarize or repost my writing. I work really hard on my writing as I imagine all writers do and it would suck to find out someone else is trying to claim it as theirs

—

“This is so ridiculous.” Your voice comes out soft yet with a hint of humor behind it as Carl takes your hand.

The community of Alexandria was peaceful and quiet as the two of you stood in the middle of the town, lanterns illuminating silhouettes and houses in the distance. It was just the two of you, both of your bodies underneath the stars, hearts beating, blood pumping, and minds racing.

Curfew had already been set but Carl had insisted on the two of you sneaking out and with Rick being his father along with the leader of Alexandria you didn’t see the harm in it. You out of all people knew Alexandria was safer than any place you’d ever been. It was like a piece of the old world hanging at a thread of this destruction you called the new world.

“It is not! I’m trying to do something nice, would you just go along with it?” Carl’s familiar and soothing voice replies to you as his lips twitch into a smile.

Your torso was covered in a dark red dress that was slightly big on you, something Carl had picked out for you. It took tightening the straps all the way and a small belt around your waist to even make it look appealing but red was your favorite color and you appreciated the gesture. Regardless of the sizing it was gorgeous. You were surprised the 16 year old boy had any taste in dresses at all.

Carl had even dressed up, wearing a black blazer along with a white dress shirt underneath. He even had black slacks that looked a little long for him but the attempt was cute. Almost everything Carl did meant something to you specifically because he meant something to you. He always would.

You knew that young love usually died fast but you knew deep in your heart that Carl was going to leave a imprint on your soul. He already had. Carl was going to be someone you would never forget, and in your mind you hoped you never had to. You wanted to be with Carl forever and ever. But you knew how this life could be, and part of you was terrified everyday that one day you’d wake up and he would be out of reach, dead or disappeared.

However you had tonight, and you felt content with that.

“There’s not even any music.” You tell Carl, giving his hand a small squeeze and he raises his eyebrow, almost challenging you as he used his spare hand to reach into the pocket of his blazer.

He reaches inside and pulls out a cassette player, along with a pair of headphones. He hands you the cassette player signaling for you to help him plug in the headphones so he doesn’t have to pull his other hand away from yours. You willingly grab onto the rectangle machine and help him plug in the worn out headphones before he hands you one earbud, taking the other one and putting it in his own ear. It’d been awhile since you’d listened to music like this.

His hands are shaky and you can tell he’s a little nervous about the whole night but you secretly thought it was honestly the most romantic thing the boy had ever done for you in your 5 years of knowing him. Carl was always a little on the awkward side when it came to your relationship so the fact he had set this whole thing up without any help from you was surprising.

You knew his awkwardness came from his inexperience, his insecurities, and his own fear of expressing his feelings. You wonder if any of this would be different if you had found him in the old world, if this hellish phase never happened, would he still be so awkward and shy? Would the two of you even get along like how you do now?

“I didn’t have a lot of options but my mom used to listen to this song a lot when I was little so I thought, I don’t know. It’s kind of romantic? It’s all they had.” He rambles and you only giggle as he puts the cassette player back in his pocket, gently pressing play.

“Plus, it kind of reminds me of you.” Carl admits, clearing his throat. “I lost you once, that’s not happening again.”

Memories of when you two got separated after the prison flash through your mind and you remember how badly your 14 year old heart ached. You had Michonne, and you two became as close as could be in those days in the woods but you couldn’t help but think about Carl. If he was even alive, and god knows you prayed every night that he was.

It took some time but you found him once more, and you don’t think you’d ever been so happy to see that god awful blood stained shirt that used to be his favorite before it was damaged beyond repair. You had hugged him for what felt like hours, afraid that if you let go he wouldn’t be there.

You move your hands to his shoulders and his hands rest awkwardly on your hips causing you to try and hide a grin. This felt silly. Carl didn’t catch it due to the dim lighting and the fact you looked down purposely avoiding his gaze. He rests his forehead against your own, letting out a shaky breath.

“Relax.” You whisper to him, waiting for the music to play.

It takes a couple seconds but suddenly your right ear is filled with an old song from the 80’s. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper. This causes you to smile immensely because this was most certainly not Carl’s type of music, neither was it yours but, it was sweet. It was romantic in it’s own way. Awfully cheesy but still romantic in your mind.

It was relatable. You couldn’t count the amount of times Carl had pulled you out of a rough place after a cold death of someone you loved, or how many times you had stopped him from going down a path that felt too dark, even for this world.

Carl does as you say and his grip on your hips gets more comfortable and you can feel him shoulders loosen up underneath your touch. You look up at him and catch a glimpse of those blue eyes you adored so much. The ones that you swore were the exact color of Neptune themselves. The freckles spread across his cheeks looked like little stars shimmering behind the bright blue orbs and you couldn’t help but admire him.

“Do you know the lyrics?” You tease, watching his cheeks burn red as he nods a little, giving you a small shrug.

“Mom liked it a lot. I kinda got it stuck in my head whether I wanted it there or not.”

You close your eyes before swaying your body to the beat of the music, enjoying the couple minutes of peace with the boy who had your entire heart in the palm of his hand. You give him little Eskimo kisses with your nose before speaking up once more.

“If you're lost you can look and you will find me, time after time.” You mumble in a sing song tone of voice, waiting for him to finish the lyrics as the apples of his cheeks redden even more.

“Jesus christ.” He sighs before continuing. “If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting, time after time.”

You giggle loudly and he shakes his head, his hair falling in his face as he looks up, staring at the sky as if he regrets this whole thing just from how awkward he felt in the moment. Carl felt embarrassment flooding through his body at the fact he just sang the lyrics of an 80’s love song to the girl who could make his heart skip beats without even trying to.

In that moment underneath the Virginia sky that was clear as could be he wondered what she could really do to him. If she could make his heart stop with a couple of words what else was she capable of that he hadn’t thought about? He was at her mercy without even realizing it up until now, and it was absolutely terrifying and beautiful all at once, to give someone your most vulnerable piece of soul and trust them not to twist and turn it into nothing.

“Carl?” Your voice brings him back to reality and he looks down at you before swallowing loudly.

Carl looks down at you, watching you as you keep your eyes closed, listening to the music peacefully. You looked so innocent. It was hard to imagine you were capable of all the horrible things the two of you had done to survive in this moment, because he swore, maybe even if it was just for this one moment, you looked like an innocent.

“I think I’m in love with you.” He says unexpectedly and you feel your body freeze despite your previously flowing motions. 

Carl stares at you waiting for a reply as the words sink into your mind, taking their sweet time, causing Carl’s palms to grow sweaty after a few seconds pass. You open your eyes to see the fear in his one and you realize that this was probably the most vulnerable he had ever been with anyone. It made your heart leap out of your chest and the thought of you being the one who held the key to his heart caused an explosion of butterflies escape in your stomach. 

His breathing is quick and you can feel his panic setting in as he goes to pull away from you, but you don’t let him. No way was he getting away from you in this moment, not again. You keep your grip on his shoulders tight before leaning up, pressing yourself up on your toes just the tiniest bit since Carl wasn’t that much taller than you. Your eyes flicker to meet his and you watch as he stares at you with uncertainty. You close your eyes and take a deep breath before pressing your lips against his.

It wasn’t the longest kiss ever, but it was sweet, and it was reassurance. It was reassurance that whatever Carl felt for you was exactly what you felt for him. Maybe you were too scared to say it, or too surprised, but you thought your kiss said more than your words ever could. 

Once you pull away you can tell the taller boy has relaxed once more, realizing you indeed felt the same about him as he did for you. He didn’t know to what extent you felt for him but he hoped he hadn’t said too much or made too big of a gesture with all of this. He just wanted to give you something normal. He just hoped whatever you felt was enough to keep you around, maybe for as long as time would allow.

You’d always complained you’d never gotten to go to a high school dance. It was the one thing you’d never get over. You’d complained about it more times than Carl could remember and he used to be annoyed by it but as time went on he started to understand. Missing the experience of that left you feeling unfulfilled and sad, and Carl wanted to give you something to fill that little void in your soul. Maybe it wasn’t a full on prom but, he thought it was something.

 “If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting,” You whisper, a grin playing on your lips, waiting for him to finish as the song begins to come to an end.

“Time after time.” His voice matches yours, and in that moment, all that mattered was the two of you.

 Your time might’ve been limited together, but this moment was infinite. Time was yours.

#carl grimes #Carl #carl imagine #carl grimes imagines #carl grimes imagine #carl x reader #carl x you #carl x oc #carl imagines #The Walking Dead #the walking dead imagine #the walking dead imagines #twd #twd imagines #twd imagine #twd x reader #the walking dead x reader #the walking dead x you #rick grimes #chandler riggs #chandler riggs x reader

[justjessame]

Put Me In Coach Chapter 25

Alexandria.  I was surprised at how easily we’d found sanctuary.  We hadn’t been that far from our starting point, and there it was.  The leader, a politician named Deanna Monroe, when we introduce ourselves I see her eyes flash at my name. Great, I thought, one of Mom’s friends.

“I was sorry to hear about Delia and Robert,” she offered, once my trio of travelling companions were scouting houses to see which one would be best for us.  “They were good people.”

I nodded, my fingers twisting the diamond necklace that Negan had given me during my graduation dinner, the matching bracelet flashing in the sunlight, and with my hair pulled back the earrings were visible too.   I wore the set because each piece had been given to me by someone who wasn’t with me right now.  

“The world wasn’t great before,” I muttered, looking around at the shiny new community that seemed too perfect to be trusted.  “But this?  This is a fucking nightmare.”

Deanna was far more optimistic than I was.  She was a politician after all, so she knew how to spin the scenario to best suit our needs.  Since I would have gotten my teaching degree had the world not turned to a living horror film, she decided that would be my role in our new group.  I’d teach.  Mary, Eric, and Steven were given the same types of jobs that they would have had if we’d kept going down our planned path.  Mary, who had teased about winning acting awards, took charge of supplies and inventory management.  Eric had planned to go to medical school, but after four years and time spent as a medic, became the medical team for supply runs outside of the walls of our community.  And Steven worked with Deanna’s husband, since he’d planned on working in architecture.  

We settled into our new life, but after only a few months, I knew there was something Mary hadn’t told us.  And I confronted her, forcing her to confess to something that I had suspected, but she had feared.

“Yes, alright, I’m pregnant.”  She had her forehead pressed to the toilet of our shared bathroom.  After a week of hearing her rush to the bathroom at first light and toss her cookies so fucking loud that I nearly joined her, she finally admitted it.  

“Mary, who-”  She shot me a look and I swallowed the question.  “Well, I guess I’ll just have to be the little peanut’s ‘daddy’.”  I sat down beside her on the bathroom floor and brushed her hair out of her face.  “I mean, not like I’m gonna have any kids of my own, right?”

She rolled her eyes.  “Amara, you could meet someone-”

It was my turn to flash her the look.  That was dangerous territory and they all knew it.  “Or,” I stood up and offered her a hand up.  “I could just be a spinster and leave the romance to Eric and Steven.”

“That’s right, bitch!”  I heard Eric call from down the hallway.  “We do it better than you straight assholes anyway!”

A year and a half, give or take, and our foursome was five, at least for a while.  Trey was our little monkey.  Adorable, with dark curly hair, eyes so dark they looked black, and an olive complexion that people would kill to have.  He had all four of us wrapped around his little finger from day one.  

Unfortunately, our lives weren’t guaranteed, not that life was ever to be taken for granted.  When Trey’s first birthday drew closer, Mary became insistent that she go on a supply run.  I told her it was ridiculous, a one year old doesn’t really care what he gets for his present, all he really wants to play with is the wrapping paper anyway.  But she wanted, no she swore, she needed to go out and find him something special.

I didn’t like it or agree with it, but Mary was his mother.  She wanted him to have something hand picked by her for his first birthday, then come hell or highwater, she was going to do it.  I should have known, between the flash of fear when she said she wanted to go and then the promise she made me make before she walked away with Aiden, Deanna’s son, I should have seen it.  The promise was easy to make, of course I’d take care of Trey, and God forbid should something happen, I’d take up his care with the same intensity as Mary had.  

Mary didn’t come back.  No body.  No closer.  She was gone.  Aiden couldn’t look me in the eye.  He definitely didn’t look Eric or Steven in the eye.  And as I held Trey to me, knowing that he would feel the tension in our house from Mary’s absence, I knew that he was mine.  Forever.

Almost eight months after we lost Mary, as Trey was nearing his second birthday, a new group showed up led by Aaron our resident people finder.  They looked haunted, and terrifying, but there was a baby and a teenager in their group so I knew I’d come to know them sooner or later.  I was taking Trey for a walk when they showed up, dirty and thousand yard stares all around, but my little boy was excited when he saw they had a little person too.  

“Come here, baby,” I whispered, picking up his toddling self and holding him tight as the group passed.  “Can you wave at the little girl?”  Trey’s fat fist waved and I caught a few of the adults in the group smile despite themselves.  Kissing his dark curls, I turned away and walked back home.

I’d been right, of course, I did get to know the group.  Rick Grimes became our security/peacekeeper, along with a fierce looking woman named Michonne.  She had taken a keen interest in Trey, asking if she could hold him and I trusted her, somehow.  Michonne became a welcome visitor to my house, along with Maggie and her husband Glenn.  Maggie’s eyes had landed on my rings and asked a question I’d grown to expect.

“Did your husband not-”  I smiled sadly, watching Trey play with a set of blocks on the floor.  

“We never actually made it to the altar.”  I thought about the dress I’d found almost a week before I saw the text that ruined it.  “I don’t know if he made it or not.”  I left it there, and usually that kept people from asking more questions.  Grief was easy to deal with, we ALL lost someone, but the unknown?  That was far worse and left people speechless with the worry and fear of the status of their missing loved ones.  

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, and I let our eyes meet.  “Glenn and I were separated for awhile, and I thought I lost a piece of myself.” 

Nodding, I didn’t share more.  Negan and I were a conversation I kept to myself.  Even Eric and Steven knew better than to bring him up.  Wearing the rings, my diamond set, those were the only evidence that I even thought about him at all.  

Trouble seemed to follow the newcomers into our world.  The walkers, the dangerous people, and so much upheaval that I couldn’t possibly tell anyone what I taught or who my students were during that clutch of waves.  I lost two young students.  I watched another lose an eye.  I saw our leader die from a walker.  Her husband having preceded her to the grave by the hand of another community member, our physician actually.  I watched Deanna lose Aiden.  I watched our people learn quickly that we were all so very ill prepared for this new reality we arrived in.  And I watched as Rick Grimes and his group try to catch us up to speed.

Out of the entire group, even including Michonne and Maggie, I found the most comfort in getting to know the crossbow wielding redneck that needed a shower worse than some of the feral animals still roaming freely.  I had a feeling he and Carol had more than a friendship going, but I caught sight of the woman leaving Tobin’s house so I guessed wrong.

Daryl was soft spoken, despite his outward appearance.  He listened and he learned quickly.  Lacking tact, he almost made me think of Negan, but then he’d blush and duck his head and the flash of memory would go away and I could have peace again.  He was amazing with Trey and Judith, Rick’s little girl.  

When the horde came, it was Daryl, Sasha, and Abraham that led them away.  We lost so many fucking lives that day.  I had the children whose parents could be convinced of the danger, hidden with me in the church, the preacher Gabriel keeping me company, creepy though he was.  We heard the chaos and could almost FEEL the pain of loss even tucked away.  

We all should have known that it wasn’t over.  Not when we heard about the attack of motorcycle riding men demanding things on the road.  Not when the long haired man who called himself Jesus came along.  Not when we lost Denise, or second in line for group doctor since Eric demanded to be allowed to stay with the runners, just in case.  He hadn’t been with Mary’s group the day she died, and he still blamed himself.  What horrible irony that the one time Denise went out on a run would be the last time she breathed air.  

I’m not sure how I missed his name.  I’m not sure how Eric and Steven didn’t hear it.  Maybe we’d conditioned ourselves to NOT hear his name.  Since I wouldn’t say it, they wouldn’t offer it up, then maybe we’d conditioned ourselves to not acknowledge his name at all.  That’s the only way I can explain not knowing he was coming.  That he was alive.  That the man I’d loved was safe and sound, and apparently he was also the biggest bad that anyone in our community had ever fathomed. 

#coach negan x student #negan #The Walking Dead #alternative universe #character death

[storytime-hoe]

Tough Love Ch.11

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x O/C

Summary: Story picks up during season three as the group goes into Woodbury to rescue Glenn and Maggie from the Governor. However, they pick up another prisoner of Woodbury, Emma (O/C). She is a thief who fears friendships after her hard losses. She stays on the move, studying communities from afar and then robbing them blind. She has stayed alive this way for a while until the Governor catches her in the act. Now she finds herself with the group from the prison in a mission to kill the Governor for what he has done to her. She plans on stealing supplies from the prison group after the Governor is killed, but she might be growing a little too close to the groups members, especially one man in particular: Daryl Dixon.

Warnings: Slow burn, language, usual twd violence, mentions of abuse/rape

Authors Note: Hope you all enjoy this one! It’s a sad one I would say and we get some background info about Emma’s past. I kinda just made that part up without putting any forethought into it so it might be a little rough.

Previously: Ch.1         Ch.2       Ch.3       Ch.4     Ch.5      Ch.6     Ch.7       Ch.8       Ch.9       Ch.10

It took me a few more weeks to recover from the bullet wound. I hated sitting around in my room, unable to go out on runs with the others. There were a lot of mouths to feed and I wished I could do something to help out. I had been a scavenger and looter from the beginning, so I obviously couldn't hunt down or track anything to eat like Daryl could. I really felt useless.

And that wasn't good for me because every day that went by that I wasn't able to be of any help, the more my thoughts started to become poisoned. I couldn't help but feel like a burden all the time like every other fucker here who had everything brought to them on a silver platter. It wasn't good for me or my mindset and eventually I slumped into a depression.

I used to have these periods of depression all the fucking time before the turn of everything. I lived in a shit trailer park with my mom and little brother. I would feel the crushing responsibilities of taking care of them both, even though that should not have been my fucking job, and I knew I would never surmount to anything more than a doublewide. I would end up just like my damn mother, and I couldn't stand her most of the time.

Don't get me wrong, I loved her, but fuck was she hard to love. She never held down a job, so my waitressing gig was all that brought in money for us. We kept our bellies full, which is all that we could ask for, but when we did have a little extra money for luxuries, Mom would blow it all on booze or gamble it all away.

As much as I hated her for her lifestyle, I saw myself becoming the exact thing. I already had my interest perked with gambling, but unlike her I still had some self control. Waisting money wasn't all on her either. I had to have a few smokes back then. Now those were what really got me through the dark times, that is before it became acceptable to chop down rotting humans, which is what I really needed to do if I was to get out of this slump.

When the day came that I could lightly run on my leg good enough, I made the decision to go out on my own. I took a gun and a backpack and marched myself straight towards the gates without anyone saying anything to me. That was to good thing about looking like a pissed off bitch all the time, people steered clear of you and never questioned your actions.

I thought I was going to get out free of curious minds until I heard the pesky little boy shuffle up behind me.

"Where are you going?"

I stopped in my tracks with a deep sigh. "I thought you might be happy to see me leave, Carl?"

The boy wasn't looking at me when I turned towards him, he kept his eyes trained on the gun at my hip. Rick had confiscated gun rights after he heard that Carl had shot an innocent boy in the fight against the Governor. There was some dark shit going on in his head, that was for sure.

"Well, don't get your hopes up too high. I'm coming back."

His lips pressed into a thin line. "Good."

My eyebrows raised in surprise. "Good? You want me around now?"

His expression was hard as he looked at me with a drawn brow. "Are you sure going out alone is a good idea? Daryl said we aren't sup–"

"I know what he told everyone," I interrupted with more anger in my voice than I'm proud of, but when it came to Daryl making rules for me I couldn't help it. "Listen, kid. Can you just keep quiet about this?"

"How long will you be gone?" He peered up from under his hat, interrogating me like the mini sheriff he was. There was no mistaking the worry in his words, however. I guess I really had grown on the little guy if he was actually worried about me.

I gave him a lopsided smile and said, "I'll be back before sun down. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I always am."

"I just think taking someone with you might be a good idea." He motioned back to the prison. "Michonne usually goes out around this time. Can't you just wait for her?"

I shrugged it off. I could've waited around, but I needed to be out on my own again. It was strange how I had sworn to be by myself for the rest of my life and then I was suddenly part of this group that was seeming to grow every minute. More and more people were brought in through the gates and it was becoming overwhelming, especially since I had not been able to escape. It was also exhausting trying to make everyone feel comfortable around me all the time. I tried being nice and smiling and to not be annoyed, but the more I tried the worse this stupor I was in got. For just this day I wanted to go out on my own and scream and hack down the dead and just feel what I wanted to. Not to mention how fucked up I was about what Beth had told me about Daryl liking me. I wanted my mind to shut the fuck up for a day, and the only way to do that was to be alone with a knife and some Walkers.

"How about I just meet up with Michonne once she heads out? I won't go far until she joins me."

He looked skeptical. This damn kid was always seeing through me.

"I promise," I lied, giving him a not so gently pat on the cheek, making a light smacking sound as I did.

Without another word I walked out of the gates of safety, ignoring the pang of guilt I felt about straight up lying to a child. Poor thing didn't deserve to worry over me so much.

I swallowed hard as I practically ran into the tree line, going much much farther out than I had intended. I really had wanted to stay rather close incase something did happen to me, it was my first day out after all, but being the mindless creature that I was I couldn't control the sense of freedom that swept me up and carried me through the trees.

I felt alive, like nothing could touch me now. I was an invincible motherfucker out here once again. An invincible motherfucker who was slightly lost.

It took me well past nightfall to see the lights of the prison shinning through the trees once again. I expected to walk back in unnoticed. To go straight to the newly fixed shower house and wash away the sweat and grime that I had accumulated. I expected no one to really notice or really care that I had been out passed when I claimed I'd return. But boy was I fucking wrong.

Whoever was keeping watch in the tower must have alerted everyone that I was approaching because inside the gates I was greeted by an angry looking Rick with Carl marching up behind him.

"You ratted me out," I accused the kid instantly.

"Carl did the right thing," Rick began, his voice reminding me of the tone my school principal would use when I got in trouble. Wow, what a throw back.

Just like back in school, I rushed to explain myself and make up a few excuses along the way. Talking myself out of trouble was a gift of mine. I had done in the previous world and in the current one on multiple occasions. I remember getting caught red handed looting some camps, but with a few well placed tears and a convincing story, people will let you get away with anything.

"I said I'd be back aft–"

"You also said you'd meet up with Michonne," Carl interrupted me before I could even get started.

Rick looked back at Carl and pointed at the prison door. "Why don't you go inside. Keep Judith company."

He wasn't too pleased that he was about to miss my scolding, but I was sure as hell happy he wouldn't have the honor. How embarrassing was this? An adult woman who was about to have a her ass beat because she went for a stroll. Pathetic.

"We were worried sick," he began after Carl had gone. "People were out looking for you."

I shook my head. "They shouldn't have been. Don't risk other lives for me. I didn't mean to scare everyone, but I needed to take a day by myself. This whole 'living in a community thing' is new to me."

"You're one of us now. We get concerned where the safety of one of our own is involved. Whether it be you or any of the others, going out alone isn't an option, especially if you just recently recovered from a serious injury. There are plenty of people who, I think, would be willing to join you anytime you wanted to go out."

I wanted to roll my eyes, but I reframed. This was a load of horse shit. "I don't need any permission to go where I want to. Hell, I could walk out forever right now if I wanted."

"That's true," his tone was much calmer, but the disappointment in his eyes ate away at me. "But it'd hurt an awful lot of people to see you go."

His eyes bore into me, making the guilt wash over me just before he turned to walk back inside. I had always been so petrified of losing people over and over again, that I had never thought about how they would feel if I was the one to disappeared. Beth had become a close friend, she would be heartbroken, I'm sure. More than she was when her boyfriend died that one time on a run. She hadn't been blinked an eye when she heard the news, but she was just unfazed by shit like that now. I saw the real sadness in her eyes when she would tell me about people from the past, it weighed her down like it did any other person. Carol too. I would chat with her some nights. She had all sorts of people that were taken away from her, we all did, and when she talked about someone like her dead daughter, the hurt was as strong as if it had just happened that day.

That's the thing about loosing people. The pain never really goes away. It chips away at a piece of your heart and that piece never fucking comes back, it's just gone.

I had been one selfish bitch to risk putting that hurt into anyone. God, Daryl would lose his fucking mind if I never came back. Or I assumed he would after how he had worried about my leg healing. He was really keen on being my protector after what we had gone through together, probably because he felt bad for me. Either way he no doubt was worried shitless when I was out alone. I cursed myself for doing that to him. Sure, he drove me crazy sometimes, but I never wanted to hurt him like that.

The cool wind blew hard against me and I went to take my first step towards the door to find Daryl. I owed him an apology, it was the least I could do. But before I got anywhere the door slammed open and out came one wound up Dixon.

I hadn't seen him in days, but he wore the same look that said "I'm going to fucking kill you". Why had I missed that look?

"The hell were ya thinkin'?"

Coming at me like that was not the best move. My defensive walls were up in a second and I was in his face yelling in a heartbeat.

"I was thinking I needed a minute alone. Sorry it got your panties all in a twist to see me enjoying myself instead of wallowing in a cell all fucking day."

"I would've gone with ya," he started, his eyes flashing with a hurt that I instantly wished I could fix. Why the fuck couldn't I calm down and explain everything to him like a normal person. I needed to tell him how depressing the prison was getting and that I know he wanted what was best for my by making me rest for weeks but that didn't stop the fact that I was losing my damn mind. But of course I wasn't that type of normal person.

"I don't think you understand what alone means." I wanted to keep the fire in my voice, but it was flittering away at a rapid pace. I felt like shit and he was making me feel worse about what I had done by the second. I cowered under his harsh stare slightly, my arms crossed over my chest in a lame attempt to make me look bolder.

"I don' think ya understand that ya coulda been fuckin' killed." He was still yelling at top velocity despite me backing down, his voice a graveling husk. I think he expected a heated argument from me like always, but I was in the wrong on this and I knew it. I know when to admit that at least.

"I'm sorry." He wasn't expecting a genuine apology, so he was taken aback by it. It took everything in me to swallow down my pride and continue. "I didn't think it would bother everyone like this. I didn't realize you all cared so much."

His throat bobbed with a swallow. I wished to fucking God that I could read what was going on in his head, but he hid it all so well. "Yeah," he huffed out, nodding his head slightly. "Our fucking mistake."

There it was, another piece of my heart breaking away.

I really fucked up this time. I wanted to make it better. I wanted to scream at him that I was fine and I wouldn't do it again and that I cared about him more than I was even comfortable with. I wanted to get over myself and wrap my arms around him like I had so many nights ago during my panic attack.

I didn't want to loose a friend like Daryl Dixon. I never wanted to hurt people like that. I didn't realize I had the power to hurt anyone anymore until Rick had told me so. I only wished I had realized it sooner.

I didn't want this hurt that pounded in my chest, not only from my own broken piece, but because I had been the cause of a piece of Daryl’s heart cracking away too.

Except maybe this time I could put the pieces back together somehow. 

I doubt it.

***

Taglist:

@daryldixonandfrogs @jodiereedus22 @xchrisxevansx

#daryl dixon #twd daryl #daryl dixon fanfiction #twd #twd fanfiction #the walking dead #the walking dead fanfiction #the walking dead imagine #daryl x reader #daryl x oc #daryl dixon imagine #norman reedus #norman reedus daryl #reader x daryl dixon #daryl dixon x reader #daryl dixon fan fic #the walking dead daryl #the walking dead daryl dixon #the walking dead norman reedus #the walking dead fan fic

[askjaaryl]

Episode #10: Brave New World

Paul spends some much-needed time with Maggie and Sasha as Glenn and Daryl go scouting for a new location for the New Frontier group from Richmond. A meeting of the communities are held, resulting in some tension between Paul and Rick. Paul realizes that he’s a parent.

This is the start of season 2 of this blog.

“Look,” Paul sighed, lying on the couch in Maggie’s office, “I’m sorry for not asking you first...but their community is in shambles,” he explained, “Their walls were down. We put temporary ones up, but they won’t hold forever. And these...Free Men...they have provisions, I can tell.”

“No,” Maggie sighed, leaning on her desk, “You were right to do what you did. It might take some rationing for a while ‘til everyone gets used to taking on another community to supply, but it was the right thing to do,” she explained, “I’ve already sent for the leaders of the other communities, so we can talk about this.”

“It’s not gonna be pretty,” Sasha added, looking out the window, “We haven’t had to ration in a while. People are going to get angry.”

“Let ‘em be,” Maggie said simply, “Ain’t the worst we’ve been through,” she said, finishing what she was writing before putting her notebook down. She walked over and flopped beside Paul, “Okay, spill.”

“Spill what?” Paul raised an eyebrow, scooting over a little to give her room.

“How’s it going with your boyfriends?” Maggie asked.

“Boy talk while we’re having a strategy meeting?” Paul snorted.

“Oh, definitely,” Sasha said, sitting on his other side and making him scoot over as well, “Your happiness is the second highest priority of our meetings...first is keeping everyone alive.”

Paul rolled his eyes and looked down, biting his lip to conceal a smile, “It’s going really well,” he looked up at the ceiling, avoiding their waiting eyes, “We say we love each other all the time now.”

“Oh my god,” Maggie pulled him into a tight hug, laughing, “I knew it. I knew you could be happy,” she looked at Sasha, “Look at this smile on him!”

“It’s a good smile,” Sasha agreed.

Paul rolled his eyes, shoving his friend off of him, “Okay, okay,” he said quickly and sighed, “One worry though.”

“Isn’t there always?” Sasha sighed.

“Gracie,” Paul said, ignoring her comment, “Gracie’s my worry.”

“Why?” Maggie asked, “Paul, she loves you. When you come to pick her up from playing with Hershel, she’s the happiest. She loves getting to walk home with you. She always says in the proudest voice ‘Paul is walking me home from school today!’!” she laughed.

Paul sighed, “Yeah...I’m okay being Paul to her. I have no idea how to be a father though,” he put his head back, “My father barely ever interacted with me...the foster homes I was in never had the best and even the one I was in that was good...I didn’t pay much attention to him,” he pursed his lips, “What if she comes to me with genuine advice and I don’t have the answer?”

“Paul, there ain’t no book to parenting...well, there are...but most of them are garbage,” Maggie told him, “Hell, half the time Glenn and I have no idea what the hell we’re doin’ and both our parents were great.”

“You have her best interest at heart, right?” Sasha asked.

“Well, yeah,” Paul sighed, “I love her.”

“So there,” Sasha said simply, “You have the right grounds to be a parent.”

“It’s not that simple,” Paul groaned.

“Yes, it is,” Sasha said, “Besides, I’m pretty sure Daryl doesn’t know how to do laundry...so you’re already a step ahead of him on that.”

Paul laughed, putting his head back, “He can, he just chooses not to.”

“Hey, are you wearing one of his shirts?” Maggie asked, looking at him with a fond smile on her face, “That’s way too big for you.”

“Aaron’s actually,” Paul said, rolling the sleeves up, “Daryl didn’t do the laundry.”

Paul was met with two “aw”s and more hugs from his friends.

“We’ll get a filter for all that water,” Daryl said, kneeling down by the docks, ��Then we’ll get the herd crew out here to start clearin’ them buildings.”

“Agreed,” Glenn said, looking up at the three large buildings, “It’ll be more than enough for them.”

“Place used to be a park,” Daryl said, hitting the sign that said Montgomery Park, “Probably gonna just be office buildings in there. Hopefully that means people cleared out ta go home before the outbreak.”

“Hopefully,” Glenn agreed, “This place is just down the road from Alexandria,” he said, looking at the map, “This’ll be great if they need anything starting out,” he said, “Hey, we should stop by and say hi to Rick and the others. We haven’t seen him in a while.”

“Nah,” Daryl said simply, “Gotta get the fences up around here then get back to Hilltop.”

Glenn sighed, following him, “Daryl, you can’t avoid Alexandria forever. Your brother lives there. Hell, I’ve been there since everything. It’s been years.”

Daryl just grunted, continuing to work on the temporary fence around the courtyard. They’d already cleared out a few straggling walkers and now they wanted to keep more from getting in.

“Daryl-” Glenn started.

Daryl whipped around and shoved him a little, “I ain’t got a mirror, but ya know what he did to you!” he snapped at him, “You can’t see outta that eye now ‘cause of him. Abe’s dead ‘cause of him,” he yelled and pointed to the side of his head, “Guy drove me half insane...prolly more,” he snorted, “Then the guy cuts of some lady’s head and Rick gives ‘im an outpost of ‘is own with no supervision,” he laughed bitterly before going back to the fence.

Glenn sighed, “Look, I know it’s not fair...but we just need to accept it.”

“Nah,” Daryl said simply before stopping, not looking up at him, “I love Rick. He’s my brother...ain’t gonna act like I ain’t happy to see ‘im when he comes around...but doesn’t make me any less mad.”

“I know,” Glenn said soothingly, putting a hand on his shoulder, “Trust me, I get it, man. But we’ve been through so much...it’s time to move on and be happy.”

Daryl just grunted again and went silent for a moment before speaking up again, “Sorry for shovin’ ya.”

“No problem,” Glenn said, an amused smile on his face, “And you do seem happy, by the way...with Jesus and Aaron.”

Daryl finished tying what he was doing before sighing, ignoring his comment, “‘Kay, we should get back.”

Glenn raised an eyebrow.

Daryl huffed, “Yes, m’happy, okay? Can we go now?”

“Yes,” Glenn said, obviously satisfied with himself.

Paul sat on the steps with Aaron, leaning on him slightly. Neither of them really minded the PDA. It earned them a few odd looks now and again, but they’d been slowly working on subtly letting their community know of their relationship now.

Paul put his head on his shoulder, watching Gracie play with Hershel, smiling slightly at his daughter and his godson. He pressed his face against Aaron’s shoulder to hide his wider smile when he thought of Gracie as his daughter.

“What?” Aaron asked with a laugh, leaning down to see his face, “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“Just how much I love you all,” Paul said, leaning up and pecking him on the lips.

The gates opened suddenly and Rick’s truck drove in.

“Great,” Paul huffed, hiding his face in Aaron’s shoulder for another minute before jumping up when Maggie walked out as well.

Aaron got up as well, walking over with them and Sasha.

“Thanks for comin’,” Maggie said, pulling Rick into a hug, then Michonne. She kneeled down to Judith, “How’s it goin’, sweetheart?”

“Fine,” Judith said simply before hugging her neck. She didn’t remember Maggie very much, but she knew Rick called her her aunt and said that she helped her mom give birth to her. She only ever really saw her at holidays or meetings like this because Maggie and her husband, Glenn, didn’t come to Alexandria often.

Maggie hugged her back, smiling.

“Dad!” Carl called, running over from where he’d been working with Henry. He took the apron off before pulling him into a tight hug.

Paul smiled slightly, watching them reunite, as Judith walked over to talk to Hershel and Gracie, obviously bored with the adults around already.

Rick pulled away and his eyes fell on Paul, “Why did ya think it was okay to bring these people in without askin’ all of us first?”

“Because they were struggling,” Paul said simply, “With these Free Men out here, we can’t be too safe. It’ll be better to have our allies closer. You know Javi, we’ve talked about him before.”

“Talked out ‘im, never met ‘im,” Rick grumbled.

“Well, hot damn, been a while since I saw this place,” a familiar voice said.

Paul’s eyes widened and Aaron grabbed his hand immediately, pulling him back to his side as Negan jumped out of the back of the truck.

“What the hell?” Paul demanded.

“I called all the outposts here as well,” Maggie said, “Him included...under supervision,” she explained, “We can’t have people killin’ the New Frontier, so we need to let ‘em know about ‘em in advance...even him.”

“Yeah, it’s great to have our allies close, isn’t it, Rick?” Paul snapped at him.

“Is there somethin’ you wanna say?” Rick demanded.

“Oh, there’s so much I’d love to say to you, Rick Grimes-” Paul started.

“Paul, take a walk,” Maggie said quickly, looking at Aaron, who nodded.

“That one always was a fuckin’ firecracker,” Negan laughed as he walked away.

Paul went to turn back around, but Aaron put his arm around him in a tight grip, continuing to walk them away, behind the trailers.

“You should have let me slit his throat,” Paul said immediately, turning to him once they were alone.

“No,” Aaron said firmly, “I shouldn’t have. That would have just caused problems between our communities, Paul. We...We have to listen to Rick, okay? He’s Daryl’s brother.”

“Daryl’s brother. Not mine,” Paul said quickly, “Imagine if Daryl was here right now...seeing him not even twenty feet from our daughter, Aaron. From Glenn’s son. Do you know how fucked up that is?” he took a shaky breath, “He looked in their general direction and I wanted him dead more than ever before.”

Aaron pulled him into a hug, “It’s just a short meeting to make sure that no one accidentally kills your friends, sweetheart...deep breaths. Then they’ll be gone.”

“I wish he was gone,” Paul grumbled against his chest, “Dead, in the ground.”

Aaron continued to hold him, not saying anything, letting him calm down in his arms.

“If he breaths in the wrong direction, I’ll kill him,” Paul said simply, going back in the direction of Barrington.

“We can tell just by how they were talking that they know there are communities out there,” Paul explained, “They most likely know about ours, given how they were talking. They know about our circle and they don’t like it,” he sighed, “We saw their armory, briefly...they have a lot, but not as much as us. They also have a good number of people, but not as much as us.”

The tension in the room was evident, ever since Cyndie and Beatrice arrived after Ezekiel and Jerry. Cyndie kept looking over to Negan, but Beatrice kept a hand on her arm.

“If they don’t have as much as we do, why are you bringin’ the New Frontier up here?” Negan asked suddenly, “It’s a waste of resources.”

Paul gritted his teeth, “Because they might not have as much as us, but they have more than the Frontier,” he said simply, “They took down their walls. We put up something temporary for them, but it’s not going to last. Who knows when they’ll attack them again?”

The door opened and closed and Glenn and Daryl walked in, quietly taking a seat in the back of the room. Paul felt a pang in his chest when he saw Daryl’s eyes flick from Negan to Rick.

Paul nodded for Maggie and Sasha to take over with their provisional plans before he walked over and sat on the couch, on Daryl’s other side, “I’m sorry, I didn’t think you’d be back this soon.”

“S’fine,” Daryl said simply, grabbing his hand in a tight grip.

“We’re going to ration our resources by a quarter each until everyone can start producing enough to take on another community,” Sasha explained, “Same story as when Oceanside and Sanctuary came back into the fold; fuel, food, and ammo.”

“We can start producing more as soon we get back and get the orders filled,” Dwight explained, just as uncomfortable as everyone else as he stood beside his lieutenant, Laura. Sherry was there too, as a representative of one of the outposts, standing with Amber.

“We were already planning on expanding our crops this season as well and we have more than enough seeds for food,” Maggie added, nodding with him, “Then we’ll get the orders to Eugene for more bullets for them.”

“This isn’t something new, it’s just us taking on more people,” Sasha added, “Keep your communities in check, we’re going to give you all a list of names of everyone in the community as soon as it’s available and getting them their IDs once they’re all set up.”

“The New Frontier is in the council now,” Maggie said seriously, “You know the rules...harm anyone in a community under us, you face the consequences,” she cleared her throat, “Thank you all for coming. If you’re from further out and want to spend the night, we’ll show you to the guest rooms in Barrington. This meeting is adjourned.”

Paul smiled when the meeting ended and Aaron walked over to talk to Daryl. When he was hugging him, he walked over, smiling at Ezekiel, “Hello, your highness.”

“Hello, my friend,” Ezekiel said, pulling him into a tight hug, “You’re well, yes? Watching over my son as he trains with Earl?”

“Always,” Paul smiled, “And you?”

“We’re good, getting things up and running in the Kingdom again,” Ezekiel nodded, “A slow but valiant process!” he announced loudly.

Paul pursed his lips to keep the smile off his face, “Well, if anyone can handle it, it’s you, your highness...and Carol and Jerry, of course.”

“Damn right,” Jerry said, giving him a hard pat on the back.

“Jerry,” Ezekiel scolded before turning back to Paul, “It’s good seeing you, but we must get back before nightfall. I apologize that our reunion is brief,” he said, leaning down, kissing his cheek softly.

“We’ll come and visit soon,” Paul agreed, watching him walk out. He walked back over to Aaron and hid his face in his chest to conceal his laughter.

“Let’s get outta here,” Daryl grumbled, looking to where Rick was still talking with Maggie, Michonne, and Negan. Oceanside and the Sanctuary had immediately made themselves scarce from the room, practically out the door before Maggie said the meeting was done.

“Agreed,” Paul said, giving Negan one last look before he left with his boyfriends.

“I just don’t understand how he could think that was okay-” Paul was saying as they walked down the steps, only to be cut off by Gracie and Judith yelling.

“Shove him again and I’ll-” Gracie started, shoving at Judith who was shoving right back.

“Gracie!” Aaron said quickly, jogging over, “Hey, c’mon...we don’t shove,” he said quickly, pulling her away.

Rick was there suddenly, with Michonne, who pulled a struggling Judith away, Carl mumbling “Judy, what the hell?” as they did.

“She shoved Hershel!” Gracie yelled over Aaron’s shoulder, “Asshole!”

“Hey!” Aaron said quickly, “Language, Gracie.”

Paul quickly followed Aaron back to the trailer, letting Daryl talk to Rick as he did.

“Go to your room, timeout,” Aaron said quickly, pointing in the direction of Gracie’s bedroom.

Gracie immediately stomped away, slamming the door behind her.

“She never curses like that, even with Daryl running his mouth as much as he does,” Aaron sighed, scrubbing his hand over his face, “And she definitely never gets violent.”

“I dunno, she kicks some serious ass in my children’s class,” Paul smirked slightly.

Aaron peeked through his fingers, giving him a now’s not the time look.

Paul pursed his lips, “Can I say something?”

“Of course you can,” Aaron rolled his eyes.

“Look,” Paul took a deep breath, “It’s not really my place, she’s your daughter, but...she was defending her friend, I think you should take that into account.”

“Paul,” Aaron sighed, putting his hand on his shoulder, “She’s your daughter to...no less than mine or Daryl’s. You obviously have a say in this kind of stuff.”

Paul smiled weakly at him, “I’m just saying...from experience...kids always have a reason for why they do what they do. They just need the right adult who will actually listen to them.”

Before Aaron could say anything, Daryl came into the trailer.

“She okay?” Daryl asked.

“She’s in her room,” Aaron said, glancing at Paul, “But...she’s not in trouble, so I’m going to go tell her she was only in timeout for the language...and that shoving is bad...unless you have a reason.”

Daryl nodded, watching him walk away. He raised an eyebrow at Paul.

“What?” Paul laughed.

“What are we gonna do with both you and me lettin’ that kid get away with everything, huh?” Daryl snorted, taking off his jacket, flopping on the couch.

“Rick gone?” Paul asked.

“Yeah,” Daryl said simply, “Hershel’s completely fine too, Gracie overreacted. They were playin’ tag and Judith tagged ‘im too hard, he fell down.”

Paul snorted, sitting beside him, “You okay?”

Daryl just shook his head, “Later?”

“Yeah,” Paul nodded, holding his hand, “Later.”

“Dad’s back!” Gracie yelled as she walked out with Aaron, throwing herself into Daryl’s arms, “Have a good trip?”

“Yeah, I did,” Daryl said, “We’re gonna have to take you swimmin’ in that lake the Frontier’s gettin’ sometimes. There was tons ‘a ducks.”

“Really?” Gracie asked with wide eyes, “Can we get a pet duck?”

“Hell no, Dog would eat it,” Daryl snorted.

Aaron sat down on the opposite couch, turning on their old little box TV and starting up one of the VHS tapes of Homeward Bound they had, the talking dog making Gracie gasp.

“This is Dog’s favorite movie, he needs to watch with us!” Gracie called, “Dog! DOG!” she yelled at the top of her lungs.

Dog immediately came running out from wherever it was he’d been hiding, jumping up on Paul’s lap, causing him to grunt in pain.

“You are way too big to be a lap down,” Paul huffed, squirming out from under the dog and moving to sit beside Aaron, curling up to his boyfriend’s side immediately.

Daryl put his feet up on the coffee table, Gracie laying on him slightly, her hand on Dog as she watched the movie.

Paul smiled at how domestic the whole thing was, curling closer to Aaron and putting his head on his shoulder.

#cs; #giving you the maggie-paul friendship that was stolen from us

[gimmetheheadcanons]

Sinners & Scapegoats 3/?

A/N: Beta'd by the lovely and always supportive @siancore. The heart and soul of the Richonne fandom we don't deserve. chapter 1 here, chapter 2 here

3. Worse

Rick abandoned his fruitless teddy bear rescue mission pretty soon after it began. All it took first was an unexpected phone call from his own son to put him to shame. Made impatient by his excitement and wanting to share a piece of news his mother had insisted could wait, Carl Grimes' determined dialling unwittingly drew his delusional dad back to the real world of professional boundaries and paternal promises.

"Carl what did I tell you about bothering your father at work?"

"But mom! I just wanna know when he'll be back!"

"In his own time."

In his own time.

Rick felt the slight from miles away. An attack on his fatherhood, his commitment to his duties. It was the first time Lori had brought their battle to the 'Carl front'. The humiliation of listening helplessly over the line was unbearable to Rick, a man who prided himself in his relationship with his boy, his entire world – the center of the universe

Propelled into action by his hurt and in a desperate bid to prevent any further sullying of his good name, Rick raced all the way home – driving with very little regard to the traffic laws he was charged with reinforcing daily. Halfway into his journey, the righteous anger he felt dissipated, and he was left with an uncomfortable truth – Lori wasn't wrong.

He had a son, a little boy of his own, and whilst Michonne was out there, earning her points as a parent, he had to be dragged back to his. It wasn't right, Rick thought angrily, cursing himself, and not Lori this time, for the situation he had gotten himself into. What was he going to do anyway? Kick down his front door in a fit of rage and proceed to throw down with the mother of his child in front of said child? Over what? A comment that may have been just that – a comment. Entirely harmless, except against his ego, thus rousing his defensiveness.

Rick was exhausted; he hadn't even walked through the door yet and he was already done with this. He thought back to little Sophia, caught up in a world of hurt by the state of her parents' marriage, and he shivered at the thought of ever inflicting a different kind of damage onto his own child.

As inexcusable as it was, sooner rather than later, the tension between him and his wife would overflow and impact Carl's blissful childhood existence. Rick could feel it in his bones, the breaking point approaching. The day he would slip up as a Christian and disrespect his once beloved bride by calling her a fucking spiteful bitch. And Carl would hear him and be forever changed by it.

Unless he put a stop to it first.

There it was again, slithering across his mind. A shameful snake of a thought telling him to go against all he promised before God and a congregation of witnesses.

Divorce.

Rick shuddered at the thought, at losing his family, at bailing on them when things got tough. At ever seeing his son look back at him with weary, world worn eyes instead of the innocent, twinkling blue ones that lit up every time Rick walked through the door.

"Dad!"

"Hey there, champ," Rick yelled back, the cheer in his voice overcompensating for a guilt that sought to choke him. "Heard you had a story for me?"

Carl was twelve, but that didn't stop him from jumping into Rick's arms with a jubilant smile on his young face. He was overjoyed to see his father back so soon after his phone call; not bearing an ounce of ill will for Rick being away for so long in the first place. Rick clung to his son, his perfect little boy, grateful for the hero's welcome he knew he didn't deserve and knowing to cherish it whilst it lasted. Over Carl's shoulder, loomed Lori looking less than thrilled by her husband's return.

"Sorry I'm late," Rick mouthed to her, half expecting the apology not to take, but it did.

Lori Grimes simply shrugged her thin shoulders before leaving for their kitchen. A begrudging acceptance of the situation was all she could muster for him, and Rick immediately knew why: She had been hoping for another hour without him. Rick sighed mournfully.

How did they get here and how does it end?

"Okay dad, you can let go now," Carl said, interrupting Rick's thoughts regarding the dark state of his marriage. The not-quite teen playfully squirmed free from the man who continued to cling onto him, completely unaware of his new existence as a sad relic of a once happy marriage. Embarrassed, Rick quickly apologized and ushered his son to tell his tale.

"My piece got picked for the gallery! Everyone's coming to see it and I need you guys to be free on Thursday. This coming one not the next. At seven."

That was all Carl said but Rick was already lost.

"The what now?"

"At school," Carl said, sounding frustrated with his father's inability to extract the relevant details that made up this supposed good news from the excitable ramblings. Rolling his eyes impatiently, Carl started from the beginning.

"We have a new art teacher. Ms. Anthony."

"Yes, son, that I'm aware of," Rick said, unable to help himself but careful not to betray anything further regarding Michonne.

"Yeah she's from New York and so cool and different. Like waaay more interesting than Mrs. Randal. Man was she a pain! Dad, we were painting bowls of fruit over and over and over again. Things were that bad."

"Hey now, don't be so harsh on old Mrs. Randal, Carl. She's a kindly old woman."

"Yeah, but I'm glad she retired, because if I had to paint one more apple – I would've gladly had a stroke too!"

Rick shamefully chuckled at Mrs. Randal's expense. His son's declaration was undoubtedly dramatic as old Testament damnation. But he was glad to hear Michonne brought some much needed vigor to her new role and ditched the cumbersome curriculum of her predecessor. Back at school, he was never a fan of art and he had a sneaking suspicion the blame lay at Old Lady Randal's feet then too.

"Anyway, Ms. Anthony is awesome. We started a new art project two months ago and she promised if all do great job we'd get to display our work in our own gallery – like the Metropolitan, but right here at Henry Ellis!"

Rick clapped his hands right on cue, signalling to his son how incredibly impressed he was. And in all honesty, he was, especially with how fast Michonne was working to make her stamp on this town. She really was something special.

"And when did your school get a swanky new space for the display of art?"

Carl laughed heartily at the way his father continued to feign ignorance just for his amusement, and Rick grinned back, pleased to make his son's face beam.

"It'll only be for one evening. We get to turn the gym into one with movable screens to divide it up, and then lights on like stands, so people can really see the art. Oh and there will be snacks, for the guests – the moms and dads."

"Wow! And you're saying your piece got picked for this event? That's amazing."

Carl's body shifted uncomfortably at Rick's praise. "Well – we all get to display our work because it's a class thing," he confessed finally, for a moment looking slightly embarrassed at exaggerating his own importance.

"I'm sure your piece will be the best one there," Rick said, reassuring his son, as a parent would, but acutely aware that knowing Carl, he would be proven right. The kid had talent; he had been drawing on any and all surfaces since the day he was big enough to pick up his first crayon. It used to drive Rick and Lori nuts, trying to keep Carl's artistic sensibilities within the confines of a sketchpad, but as the years went on, Rick was glad they never did anything to stop him.

His father's praise had a reinvigorating effect on the boy, and Carl returned to gushing about the upcoming event.

"Ms. Anthony did say mine had real potential. She said I get to put my piece in the center spot because she was so impressed with it."

"That's my boy! Up top!"

Lori walked back into the hallway just in time to witness the celebratory high five between the Grimes men, and Rick was pleased to see her approval. They shared a quiet moment of pure parental pride, glad to shower their son with love, for he was a tribute to the heights they could achieve when their partnership worked.

"We're all so proud of you, sweety," said Lori.

Carl thanked his mother with a hug and it was just as welcoming a sight to Rick as his high-five had been to her. This was worth fighting for, Rick reminded himself, determined to etch this image into his mind for the next time he would be overcome with doubt.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Can I call Shane now that dad knows? You said I could tell him once I told dad."

Lori's face changed at Carl's request. There was an awkward pause before she answered with a tense smile on her face. "Sure baby."

"You know the number still?"

"Duh," Carl said sarcastically before correcting himself for fear of repercussions for his tone. "I mean yes, mom."

Lori sighed before laying out her terms. "Are you going to make sure to head straight up afterwards? Because I need you in your bed in fifteen minutes."

Carl happily agreed with his mother's request.

"Okay then, you can go call Shane," Lori said finally, dismissing Carl who dashed out the room the moment right after the first word and nod.

Left behind with his wife, Rick could feel the stillness in the air.

The mention of his best friend's name shouldn't have had this effect on them, and yet, Rick could feel something was hideously off. Lori looked back at him with brown uncertain eyes and Rick couldn't make sense of why. Or he didn't want to. He wanted to go back to the glorious picture of domestic bliss from mere moments ago.

"He expects us to attend this event. The both of us, together."

She spoke to him with none of that artificial sweetness she saved for him whenever Carl was in their presence.

"And Shane?" Rick regretted it as soon as he asked. His distressed heart cried out for him to stop pursuing this line of questioning.

"He said he'd ask him. I told him not to bother him," Lori said, arms folded over her chest a little too defensive to be casual.

Rick let out a small laugh. There was nothing funny about it. "Why Lori? He's family. Why shouldn't he attend his godson's art exhibition."

"Oh, don't Rick. Don't."

Lori turned on her heel, ready to retreat to the kitchen and leave the start of another argument. But Rick Grimes refused to be left behind.

"What, Lori? What is it that I am doing?" He demanded, following his wife into the kitchen and making sure to shut the door behind him.

Lori swung back around to face her husband, confronting him in a low angry whisper so as to not attract their son's attention. They were so well rehearsed in their bouts, they had specific modes. This was not to be one of their earth shattering "To hell with the neighbors, Carl is at school so bring your worst darling" clashes.

"This!" Lori hissed in a tactically low voice, carrying all the irritation or a much louder one. "You're making me feel bad for trying to spare you your feelings."

Rick let out an empty gasp to convey his utter surprise. "Since when? Also, what feelings?"

"It's not my fault that your son loves your best friend. You shouldn't have a problem with that!" Lori continued, serving up the outrage in tightly contained manner.

Again, none of this was making sense to Rick. He could barely follow the turn this conversation suddenly had taken.

"I don't have a problem with it, Lori," he said, answering honestly and somewhat calmly. "But you seem to. Why wasn't it okay for Carl to call his buddy Shane to tell him his good news? Why do you think that would bother me?"

Rick felt he made his question clear enough for his wife, and for a moment, with perhaps nowhere to hide, Lori Grimes was silenced.

He didn't relish in point scoring during arguments, especially when all he wanted was a sincere response. Lori seemed to agree with him. She ran her hands through her long, messy brown waves; her hair looking more and more frazzled these days to match the unkempt stubble on his chin. The toll of an unhappy home life was becoming apparent on their faces. Leaning against the kitchen counter, she finally answered.

"I don't know why, Rick, I don't know why anything bothers you anymore these days. It just does."

Rick bit his lip angrily at the disgraceful attempt at deflection.

"No Lori. You don't get that do that. Not this time."

The clatter of one unwashed pot against after that Rick sent it went flying into the sink shocked Lori for a moment. But then she let out a completely unironic cackle.

"Do what? Walk on eggshells?" Lori cried, barely able to contain her outrage pointing at her husband's behavior as another exhibit to enter into evidence.

Breathing heavily, Rick wiped the splash back of water droplets from his face. He wasn't angry, he told himself, knowing he was barely keeping it together.

"What's that? Missed my head?"

"Don't," Rick whispered the blood draining from his face.

She knew he would never but said it anyway.

How could she.

Needing a break after landing such a blow, Lori bowed over a little. Her hands resting on her knees and her face artfully hidden under a mess of dark hair instead of owning up to the cruelty of her comments. Rick could hear her sob a little, but was in no mood to comfort her.

"Fine. I'm the bad guy," he sighed, shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head. "What else is new?"

"No, I am. And I'll go on being the bad guy, Rick," Lori said, straightening up and staring Rick in the eye. She had a pathetic, exhausted look on her face but an iron will and a tone that matched. Lori had been done recharging her artilleries. "I'll be the bad guy. For caring about my husband. For wanting him not to be bothered at work until he's done. For making sure his son doesn't forget to tell his father news that matters first! A man he barely sees these days anyway!"

Rick took a step back, unprepared, he had been wounded by the accusation of neglect on his part.

"I know I've been busy," Rick admitted, feeling sorry for himself and his actions. This was an argument he had lost back in the car. There was no point in hiding that fact.

"You have," Lori replied, relentless in her criticism, not yet knowing she had overreached and Rick wasn't done.

"But that's not what's going on here," said Rick. He was ready to bring the argument back to his original point.

"And what is then Rick?" Lori asked.

After a pregnant pause, Rick decided to come out with it.

"You don't have to keep Carl from Shane."

Unless there is another reason.

But Rick was momentarily stunned into silence by his wife's speedy interruption. "Okay. I won't, but you don't have to keep forcing yourself to be here."

King of self-imposed amnesia, Rick Grimes ran with the subject change, no longer sure what he was getting at in the first place. Instead he decided that this would be the moment. One that called for a new kind of weapon – sincere openness.

"I'm not. Lori," he said softly, moving towards his wife slowly. "I want to be here, I want to be with my son."

Rick paused for a moment before adding the rest. "And I want to be with my wife, if she'll let me."

Lori did nothing to answer her husband's plea, flinching the moment her reached out to hold her hand. And it was enough for Rick to know that he was on his own in manning the scaffoldings that kept his marriage from falling. Lori would never leave him, but she would never stop trying to drive him out.

"I have to go check on Carl. Make sure he washed up before bed."

Both resigned to their fate for the only reason they could offer up, Lori made way towards the door.

Rick hesitated for a moment before calling out to his wife one more time.

"Lori?"

She didn't turn around to face him, but briefly stopped at the door regardless.

Never an inch.

Rick sighed and swallowed his true words for empty ones. "Tell him I'll be up in a minute to say goodn-."

She was gone before he had finished.

Rick waited until Lori returned downstairs before going up to see his son. He wolfed down the night's leftovers, unheated pasta straight from the plastic container in the fridge, before sprinting up the stairs and into Carl's room.

"Hey kiddo, you all tucked in?"

Carl groaned at his father's babying of him. Rick knew it must've looked strange having one parent enter the room, just as soon as the other left.

"You know I'm too old for tuck-ins dad."

Rick chuckled at his son's response. "Like heck you are."

"You can say hell."

Rick raised his eyebrows. "I know I can."

"But I can't," Carl grumbled, sinking further into his bed at the injustice.

"Yep and don't you forget it."

It was always a little disconcerting how quickly the boy in front of him changed. Less than an hour ago, he was flying into Rick's arms the way he always had. Here, they were embarrassing him at the mere thought of a tuck in and pushing his luck with curse words.

Rick wondered if Shane would let Carl swear around him. Maybe that's what made the kid idolize the carefree, cool cop when compared to stuffy straight and narrow old man. The thought irked him and led him down a rabbit hole he so desperately wished to avoid.

"Hey, by the way, what did Shane say when you called?"

"Not much. It was loud where he was but he said he would come."

The boy was downplaying how disappointed he was that his godfather didn't make a bigger deal about the news. But knowing his friend, Rick imagined the man was three beers in already and in the mood to do the kind of adult entertaining Carl's phone call was keeping him from.

It brought a small petty smile to his face; Carl may think the world of Shane and on the right day his godfather thought the same – but the boy only had one father and that was boring old Rick.

"Hey, proud of you son," Rick said, repeating himself but each time meaning it just the same. "Now I might not get the finer details of something as out there as art, but I know talent when I see it."

"Thanks," Carl replied with a look of genuine affection on his face for Rick's hammy, dorky dad act.

Rick looked at Carl's room, covered in a visual history of his son's artistic journey, from original comic book creations and creepy crawlers to sketches of friends, family and fellow townspeople. He had no idea where his son's artistic sensibilities had come from, it sure as hell didn't run in the Grimes family line. But unlike the men that came before him, Rick was supportive of his son's endeavour. Proud of his creative capabilities and his thoughtful, imaginative nature. As was Lori, and he was grateful to hear Michonne now too.

"So…Any hints as to what this masterpiece of yours is like?"

"You're just gonna have to wait until opening night, like everyone else."

"Wow, that's cold, son," Rick gasped, getting up from Carl's bed and stumbling to door in an exaggerated manner of a wounded soldier.

"Hey dad?" Rick heard Carl call out for him. He turned to face his son, completely serious and ready to attend to his needs. "Just don't make things weird for me at school."

Not knowing how to respond, Rick simply nodded before hitting the light switch off and leaving the room, his anxious mind wondering if Shane had received such a warning from the surly teen that was threatening to take his sweet son's place. Somehow, feeling every bit as wounded as he had pretended to be just a few moments ago, Rick Grimes knew the answer was no and all that did was make him want to take off his oldest friend's head with the dirty pot his wife thought was meant for her.

#fanfiction #richonne #twd #gimme: sinners and scapegoats #siancore

[eurusholmmes]

free to be you and me| c.g.

Well, I already wrote this once before my computer updated itself, but I hope you guys enjoy!

Prompt: Requested by Anon - Hello!I just wanted to say I just love your account and your imagines like queen you slay ❤ I was wondering if you could a Carl x Reader Imagine where they find MP3 player and list to songs such as Still into you by Paramore and Troublemaker by Olly Murs and dance around sing and be dorks together?And by the end of the day the talk about the pros and cons of the life before the apocalypse on a roof?💕

Songs used are Troublemaker by Olly Murs 

Still Into You by Paramore 

Dawn fell upon Alexandria much quicker then anticipated, bringing a sense of relief that spread over its people as the last of the bodies were buried and the walkers burned. It had been a rough few days trying to recover from the herd that had broken down its walls, pulling the citizens of the community together to rebuild it. 

Unfortunately, this also included the children - Which boiled down to you and Carl being split apart by Rick and Michonne so you didn’t distract each other while you were working. After a grueling three hours of digging graves and burying the ones who had lost their lives, Michonne and Daryl had thought it best to gift you with what Glenn had found several weeks prior; An IPod that had been synced with some of your favorite bands. 

  “You’ve had this how long?” 

  “Six weeks, maybe less.” Daryl replied from behind the cigarette dangling from his mouth. “Glenn wanted to give it to ya way before the herd even became an issue. I told him to stick it-” The hunter grunted under his breath when you threw a punch into his arm and sprinted down the street towards the house without a second thought. It had been so long since you’d heard music, your heart was actually racing with anticipation over hearing music that you loved. With your past as a contemporary dancer, you were aching to release your stress into dance. 

  “Rick!” You called out, quietly shutting the door behind you as you tiptoed into the kitchen where former Sheriff Rick Grimes was bent over a high chair with Judith, who was giggling wildly as she shoved the spoon of baby food at her father. “Has Carl come back from his shift yet? I have somethin’ I wanna show him.” 

  “He’s been pretty frazzled since he almost got hit by that bullet. Sent him home earlier this morning, so he’s probably sleeping.” Rick replied, wincing as pain seared the left side of his bandaged head. While you had not been witness to the demise of the Anderson family, Carl had told you that Rick had managed to somehow curve around him despite the distance and got grazed in the process.

You crept up the stairs and into the hall, peering through the slightly cracked door. Sunlight filtered through the slate grey curtains on the windows and illuminated Carls face in a ray of gold, his hair dripping water as he exited the bathroom. 

The eldest Grimes smiled softly at the sight of you dressed in his navy blue flannel, your y/h/c hair pulled back into a loose braid behind your shoulders and your skin reeking of gunpowder and smoke. You were still the most beautiful part of waking up every morning and his favorite thing to look at before he went to sleep at night. 

  “Hey. Heard you come in the house, wanted to get the blood cleaned off my gorgeous body.” He flashed a sultry smirk at you, noting the way your eyes focused on the planes of his torso. “Did you have something you wanted to show me?” 

You grinned widely and reached into your back pocket, producing the silver IPod before you motioned to his half clothed body. “Get dressed and then meet me in that abandoned back room, okay?” Carl nodded quickly and turned to his dresser as you disappeared down the hall to the last bedroom on the right. It had been a guest room until someone had died in it, who you didn’t know, but the furniture had been cleaned out and all that remained was a blood stain in the corner by the closet. 

Can’t count the years on one hand that we’ve been together I need the other one to hold you Make you feel, make you feel better

  “Where on Earth did you find an IPod?” Carl questioned as he leaned against the doorway, now clad in one of Noahs old Nirvana shirts and a pair of loose fitting faded denim jeans. “And.. I’ve heard this before. Who sings this?” 

You motioned him deeper into the room with a bony finger as you slowly began to sway your hips to the song. “I heard it on the radio alot whenever my mom and I would be in the car. It reminded her of Dad, and even after he died, she still listened to this song like it was her drug.” You smiled sadly as your mind flashed to the last time you had seen your mother - When she had been violently ripped away from you by the walker version of your brother. Screaming violently, she had gripped the doorway of your front porch so hard that her blood had been shed on the wood, and the last thing you saw was the pure terror on her face before she was taken from you. 

You hadn’t been able to save her. 

It’s not a walk in the park to love each other But when our fingers interlock, can’t deny, can’t deny, you’re worth it

  “Hey.” Carl whispered lowly in your ear as he wrapped his arm around your waist and pulled you flush against his body. You instinctively nuzzled your face into his shoulder, feeling his skin beneath the tip of your nose until you came to rest comfortably in the crook. “It’s just us now. No walkers, no blood, no death. We’re free to be you and me.” 

‘Cause after all this time I’m still into you

Age 7 

Recount the night that I first met your mother

One of your favorite memories was the first time you and your mother had come across Lori and Carl Grimes upon your first day of first grade. You and Carl were enrolled in the same elementary school and somehow ended up in the same class. Some people called it coincidence. 

You called it fate. 

  “Can we be best friends forever?” You cheered, extending your hand in a fist to bump his own. Never mind the fact that his other friends had never done it to him before, but the fact that a girl like you wanted to be friends with him sent his heart into a tizzy. 

  “Best friends till we part!” 

And on the drive back to my house I told you that, I told you that I loved ya

Age 10 

Lori grinned at you from the drivers seat as she parked her Suburban in the driveway of your family cottage. Carl was sitting quietly beside you as you rushed to unbuckle your seatbelt and gripped the handle of your backpack, pressing a sloppy kiss to his cheek in the heat of the moment before you were standing outside the car and staring at him so intently with your y/e/c eyes he was sure his heart was going to explode. 

  “Love you Carl!” 

Age 16 

And now here you stood; You’d survived the start of the end of the world, one war, multiple deaths, multiple herds of walkers. You were here with the people you loved, the boy you loved.. Safe, protected, you were home after so long trying to find one. 

You felt the weight of the world fall off the shoulder And to your favorite song we sang along, to the start of forever

  “Can I tell you something?” You murmured, lifting your head to gaze up at his icy blue eyes. Carl nodded softly and rested his forehead against your own, releasing a shuddering breath as your fingers wound into his hair. “Have I ever told you how much I love you?” 

He nodded again, much softer this time, as the song changed to a much more upbeat tune. You weren’t nearly as familiar with this one, but it immediately lightened the mood as you and Carl parted from one another - and began to dance. 

  “You haven’t stopped telling me since we met!” 

The two of you were immediately interrupted when Tara of all people burst into the room, her eyes alit as she pointed to the dock. “This song is legendary!” She cried. “Olly Murs blessed us with this song!!” She flailed her arms at the two teenagers. “C’mon, children! Dance with me!” 

Why does it feel so good

But hurt so bad 

My mind keep sayin’ run as fast as you can

In those five minutes that Troublemaker blasted through the room, you found yourself lost in the reality of the tune. Your arms seemed to move on their own, your feet in sync with the rest of your body as you fell back into your old habits from before the Turn - creating the choreography with every beat of the drum and note of the electric guitar. 

I say I’m done but then you pull me back

I swear you’re givin’ me a heart attack

Troublemaker 

By the time the song had ended, you were covered in a sheen of sweat and smiling so beautifully that Tara was sure your face would remain that way. You and Carl decided to unwind by taking a pile of blankets and spreading them across the awning outside the bedroom window, huddling in each others body warmth as the afternoon was quickly met with dusk and a cool breeze swept the stench of the dead away from the Safe Zone. 

You spent almost two and a half hours talking about what the world had been once upon a time, what you missed, and what you looked forward to if you managed to survive tomorrow. You only had one reoccuring thought the entire time. 

  “Carl?” 

Carl tucked his arm behind his head and used the opposite one to sling it across your waist. “Yeah?” 

  “I’m gonna marry you one day.” 

He simply smiled and kissed the top of your forehead. “I’m gonna hold you to that.” 

Guess what? Tucked into a tiny box beneath his mattress is a gold engagement ring with a sapphire tucked into the center. He’s saving it for a special occasion. 

#carl grimes #carl grimes x reader #The Walking Dead #TWD #The Walking Dead oneshots #The Walking Dead imagines #Kayla Grace writes imagines #Character: Rick Grimes

[zainapbaraketcaryl]

‘The Walking Dead’: The Importance of Caryl As a Romantic Ship

The Walking Dead’s Caryl may not seem as progressive as some other ships, but it’s still important!

It’s no secret that I am a huge shipper. It’s even less of a secret that Caryl is easily my OTP (okay fine, one of many but if we’re playing favorites Caryl is tops). And after “New Best Friends” (S7E10) I am 100% quality Caryl shipping trash. I won’t apologize, this has been a long time coming! With high expectations for a Caryl reunion on my mind, I found myself considering what is so important to me about these two fictional people getting together?

In an early draft of this piece, it was just a list of reasons I ship Caryl. The intent was just to list all the obvious ways (and there are many) to be to emotionally involved with Carol (Melissa McBride) and Daryl (Norman Reedus). But this ship is so much more than something like “101 Reasons to Ship Caryl” (but seriously don’t threaten me with a good time, that list would be epic!). It goes so much deeper than just stuff and thangs that making shipping fun.

And shipping is fun. It’s exciting to imagine the possibilities and varying dynamics that two characters bring to each other. But there’s something special when a ship really earns it. And Daryl and Carol have most assuredly earned it! They have always deserved happiness and they have never expressed being happier than when they are with each other.

Thinking about my not-so-short-list of reasons that Caryl is worth shipping I landed on one idea in particular. Caryl is important. It just is. Obviously, I have my reasons and it’s not enough to just say that. But it’s there’s a pureness in that sentiment. And it’s not important just because Daryl is so much more than just a “redneck” or that Carol – as an individual is completely fully fleshed out – is easily one of the best characters to ever grace our televisions. That honestly, goes without saying and for all The Walking Dead‘s meandering sometimes, I will always be thankful the showrunners kept her alive.

However, The Walking Dead doesn’t exactly have a history of being the most progressive show on TV. Thankfully, the show corrected a lot of its issues with the women, though not in enough time not to ensure that Lori (Sara Wayne Callies) and Andrea (Laurie Holden) wouldn’t be vilified forever. And let’s not forget they still felt the need to include Negan’s wives.

Up until very recently, it was like some kind of in-show joke that characters of color would be killed off to make way for the next one. Luckily, it appears the showrunners have done their best to stop that particular pattern. Except then there’s the antiquated but oft-employed “bury your gays” trope. I mean poor Tara (Alanna Masterson) has had to endure the deaths of multiple partners. And there’s plenty more problematic weeds we could pull out but we’d be here forever (but seriously why did Glenn (Steven Yeun) never get a bottle episode and did Michonne (Danai Gurira) ever have a last name because even Beyonce and Madonna have them, they just don’t need to use them?) and I have so many much more fun points to make!

But speaking directly to some of the lack of progressiveness is why a canon ship like Richonne is important. Please don’t mistake my bringing up Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne’s love as some kind of competition. I don’t want to have a ship measuring contest. And I’m not saying Caryl is any more important that Richonne. They are on equal footing for different reasons. But Richonne’s place in one of the most popular TV shows currently on air is noteworthy.

Representation matters! And it goes beyond putting a woman of color in the forefront of a show like The Walking Dead. Rick Grimes is the epitome of a TV show hero and I have seven seasons of annoying man-pain to prove it. And to have him create an organic romantic relationship with the show’s leading woman of color is so much more than visibility. It normalizes it. And it’s absolutely something that should be “normal” at this point (but sadly isn’t). And this fact is hardly the most important part of the Richonne bond (that would arguably be that Carl (Chandler Riggs) and Michonne totally adopted each other first and Rick was a bonus in all of that). But it’s still a major aspect of the ship and I hope the show continues to improve in similar directions.

Which brings me to Caryl. Because at this point you’re probably wondering what any of this has to do with them and why I wouldn’t think something like Carol and Morgan (Lennie James) or Carol and Ezekiel (Khary Payton) would be better. And I have those answers: 1) No! Morgan assaulted Carol and even though he saved her that will never be okay and 2) No! Carol has repeatedly told Ezekiel to leave her alone and he can’t seem to listen and it’s not okay.

The real question shouldn’t be why I would ship anything but Caryl. The real question is why you don’t ship it? Okay fine that’s not it either. The real real question is how is Caryl progressive?

The simplistic answer is that it isn’t. And on some level it’s just your basic vanilla heterosexual relationship. But for the record, typing that sentence physically hurt me because that’s just the bare minimum. The truth is Caryl is progressive. And the evidence is in every reason those who aren’t on board with the ship like to give for why Daryl and Carol don’t belong together.

As far as I’m concerned Daryl and Carol went canon when he ran to her in the season five premiere but some need more, though I struggle to imagine that anyone is in any doubt that there’s any other woman for Daryl Dixon after “New Best Friends” (S7Ep10). These two broken characters need each other. And Daryl physically cannot exist in a world where she doesn’t. It’s why he threatens Richard (Karl Makinen) and then chooses not to tell Carol about those they lost.

The Caryl bond came about through a shared understanding and similar experiences. As a domestic abuse survivor, The Walking Dead has made Carol a beacon of hope to all kinds of survivors. She has turned her struggles into strengths. Yes, even now, while she’s isolating herself and refusing to fight. Her love and her fear of loss are keeping her away and she is entitled to work through that. Here’s a little secret: PTSD doesn’t just go away. You learn to live with it. And while everyone in the group is coping in their own unique way they are all looking for something to hold onto to balance out all the devastation. Showing that both Daryl and Carol aren’t just surviving but thriving. It’s a narrative that is worth exploring because no other characters have been shown to be tortured as frequently and hurting as often as Daryl and Carol.

And if the survival aspect isn’t enough there’s even more significant visibility in Caryl being a romantic bond. I like to tell stories about all the times I’ve had conversations in real life about The Walking Dead. It’s pure water-cooler talk and it’s exciting when people you don’t expect mention being fans of the show. Following Glenn’s death, there were few places you could go where the show wasn’t being discussed. Among a group of acquaintances, it was the perfect conversation topic. During a lull, I quietly mentioned that Daryl loves Carol (okay it wasn’t so quietly because I have no chill). I didn’t expect anyone to agree with me. That’s what Tumblr is for! But what surprised me more was the very real, “Eww no, she’s a mom” reaction.

Now, I don’t have children, but I’m friends with plenty of people who do. We’re all around the same age and last I checked being a mom doesn’t all of a sudden render you unable to be seen as someone sexual. What in the world does Carol being a mom have to do with being a loving relationship with a man who clearly loves her back? Having children, caring for children and just being maternal in general doesn’t mean that that person is no longer physically attractive or that someone can’t be physically attracted to a mom.

Yes, Carol has been established a mom. But let’s look at those qualities: She’s older than a lot of women in the group. She likes to cook and she has taken on the actual title of “mom,” a title that has earned her utter heartbreak. Carol loves. She can’t help it. But moms still deserve romance!

Carol is also a badass and super cool and really really funny but she loves her family so much that she’s afraid to see them hurt. She so much can’t take it that she told Morgan to tell them she’s gone if he ever runs into Team Family again (and he did just that and Daryl looked soon sad and then was even more broken when he was finally able to ask her why she left!). But if she can be all those things then she can also be sexy. Furthermore, she can and is loved by Daryl – who is easily the show’s biggest female draw (that’s definitely a blanket statement but it is true for many just look at the merchandise, chances are Daryl is on it). This is important because there’s a ridiculous assumption that Daryl is a lot younger than Carol, which is also weird and inaccurate.

Back to that normalization thing I mentioned above, when did it become normal to use the fact that someone is a mom as a negative? Doesn’t that make Carol and Daryl that much more suited for each other? She’s not mothering him. In fact if anything Daryl is the more nurturing one when it’s the two of them than Carol is. He has a voice that he uses only for her! It’s just reached a point where it’s hard to argue that Carol and Daryl is nothing more than just a bond. It’s love. Never forget, Carol shut the door on Ezekiel and opened her door to Daryl.

The Walking Dead has a platform. It doesn’t always use it to its greatest effect but in a slow burn like Caryl, the intention isn’t subtle as all. And that makes this particular ship not just important but necessary.

https://hiddenremote.com/2017/02/19/walking-dead-importance-of-caryl-romantic-ship/

#Caryl #Mcreedus #caryl positivity #Norman Reedus #Melissa McBride #Daryl x Carol #carol x daryl

[shimmershae]

Just watched the episode and I’m going to have a lot of thoughts for you, most of them probably bordering on incoherence (LOL) so this is your last chance to nope on out of this post because I’m going to go ahead and put everything else behind a cut to save the eyes that do not want to see any  spoilers at all.  Unlike mine, that very much wanted to see but in a lot of cases?  Could not see shit, but I digress.

Shae’s stream of consciousness coming at you in 3-2-1.  

First of all, can I saw how good it is to have my show back again?  Like, no.  I don’t quite have Season 5 levels of excitement about the new/last season, but it is definitely nice to have all these characters back.  

So all these thoughts of mine.  Okay.  Bear with me because there be a whole lot of them, lol.  

My immediate impression as the episode opened was WHOA.  Such a cool shot of Daryl with one light wing, one dark wing (representing the two sides to Daryl maybe--the man of honor versus the man he was raised to be, hmm?) looking out over some dark vista of something.  Seriously.  It’s dark.  My room is also dark at the moment and still I was squinting to see.  To make out what I’m “looking” at.  I really, really hope the rest of this season isn’t this hard to make out.  

Is that a tank?  Kinda sorta a callback to Rick’s first episode?  If so, cool.  If not, well.  Us fans have always put way more thought into things.  For real.  Change my mind.  

Holy intense eye contact, Batman!  Daryl Dixon has literally never looked at anyone--not BethusConLeah--in quite the same smoldering way as he looks at Carol.  It’s next level.  I don’t know why people be fooling themselves into thinking different.  

Let’s see.  I can make out--besides Daryl, Maggie, and that face mask dude I already forgot the name of--Kelly, Magna, Jerry (who’s that with him?), and Carol.  Sorry.  My world, like Daryl’s, inevitably narrows to Carol.  She’s loking fierce and fine AF per usual.  

Was that Rosita I noticed rewinding to relive Daryl eye-fucking Carol?  

I’m guessing this is the army base they talked about in 10C.  

That Walker perking up like “I smell food--pancakes and bacon and oohhhh” has me giggling inappropriately right off the bat.  WTF.  

Look at all my fabulous ladies tiptoeing through that Walker minefield.  And Carol spotting that gun that might be useful right away.  Listen, if you don’t think her mind ain’t always ten steps ahead of everybody else’s, you’d be wrong.  

So.  Are these Walkers just so old and feeble not even the call of fresh meat attracts them?  Because just tiptoeing through their midst without the knockoff Lady Gaga meatsuits or skin masks has never really worked before that I can remember.  

I just want to see most of this season.  Is that really too much to ask?  Don’t X-Files and Game of Thrones us, Angela.  Please and thank you very fucking much.  

Okay.  Is the one drop of blood thing making anybody else have 28 Days Later vibes?  Kinda?  Sorta?  No?  Just me?  Okay then.  Carry on.  

Wait a minute, though.  How they be explaining how Daryl keeeps acquiring all these new tats all the time?  Hmm?  It’s like they just quit giving a shit about continuity in these latter seasons.  

I mean.  Do Walkers sleep now?  LMAO.  What is this?  I guess they’re constantly evolving?  

There’s my baby Lydia.  Love my smol bean.  

Alright though.  I love to see the ladies of TWD kick some ass.  It’s very gratifying.  Gimps would never.  Thank you, Angela.  

Clever, resourceful, calm and collected, quick thinking Carol to the rescue!  Seriously.  Her haters must be withering away inside with absolute envy.  

Hey, ya’ll.  Remember when Carol was still mastering her sharpshooting skills at the Prison yard and shot at Rick’s feet?  Her little “sorry, sorry”?  LOL.  If Rick could only see her now.  Wait.  He already knew what so many of his stans refuse to acknowledge--Carol=ultimate survivor and true savior to the group many times over.  

Maggie’s got herself a gun, too.  Go my badass girls.  

Of course, Carol’s got everybody’s back.  Of fucking course, Daryl’s got hers even when everybody else seem frozen in some kind of awe or stupification or something.  Microcosm of the whole damn show right there.  

Carol’s like “here’s your knives, love of my life.”   

Eh.  Maybe that’s just me.  

Nah.  She’s totally thinking it, too.  

YAS!  YAS!  Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride with the top billing.  How very far my babies have come.  

Listen.  I miss all the characters we’ve lost.  Absolutely.  But I love the ones that are still with us, that have been with us for so very long so hard.  Whether I love their stories or decisions or not.  

Is that THE Alexandria sign?  That sign’s been through some shit.  

DOG!  Daryl kneeling to embrace our Grimes babies has me all up in my feels.  And how cute is Dog getting all excited and making sure he’s the first one there to welcome back, Daddy?  

Hershel is literally just as puppy dog cute as Glenn ever was.  Really some Grade A casting.  

What did Maggie call Mr. T?  Ducky?  Dougie?  Sometimes with Maggie?  I really cannot tell.  Anyway.  He’s Mr. T. for me until I find out differently, probably through rewatching with close captioning, lol.  

Maggie’s got more people.  So.  Some new redshirts to sacrifice for plot purposes.  I don’t know if I should bother learning their names or not. 

I seem to remember Meridian being mentioned in one of the episode synopses.  

Sophia’s hair tie around Carol’s neck will never fail to be an emotional throat punch.  My heart.  

“They come at night and by the time you see them, you’re already dead.”  Welp.  Guess that means we ain’t seeing shit for at least this first third of the season, lol.  Very horror-eque though.  

“You’re leaving to fight ghosts.”  Aaron, to Maggie.  So I see Aaron’s the type to get the hell outta Dodge when the Boogeyman comes calling, hahaha.  Least he was.  In the old world.  

Rosita’s pissed off expression at Gabe’s decision to volunteer for the so-called suicide mission gives me life.  

My baby Carol is tired AF of suicide missions.  You can tell.  Also?  Methinks she has something to prove to Daryl here.  Or at least feels like she does.  

Dog with his little tactical vest.  I love it.  

I guess I get why they had Carol and Rosita stay behind.  They had to more evenly split up the badassery to make things more fair and balanced, lol.  

Okay.  So Negan’s definitely earned everybody’s disdain.  But they’re being woefully short-sighted by not at least hearing the dude out.  Isn’t he at least native to the area?  

“That is God telling us to turn around.”  I’m actually on Negan’s side with this one, but Gabe answering him with “I’m pretty sure he would have run that past me first” has me howling with laughter.  Father Gabe has gone straight up savage in these last couple of seasons.  Rosita’s influence, perhaps?  

I see what Angela is doing.  Trying to make Negan the voice of reason.  In this particular case?  It’s kind of working.  I’m still ultimately on Maggie’s side with this though BECAUSE GLENN.  

Imagine showing up to work and unironically dressing like a storm trooper every day.  Excuse me while I LOL.  

Even in the ZA, there’s bullshit paperwork.  

“Pumpkin colored spacesuit.”  Good one, Ezekiel.  

LOL forever.  I love Princess.  

“Michonne.  Our Michonne shut people out of Alexandria for years.”  Timely reminder that choices aren’t always perfect.  Neither are people.  

WTF is reprocessing?  Sounds ominous.  LMAO at Eugene’s “Okay.  We gotta go.”  

What in the actual hell with all those bagged, squirming undead?  Creepy AF in that subway tunnel.  

Should I just go ahead and call that the Easter bunny?  We’ve had some version of it pop up since Season 1.  

Is it stubborn pride with Maggie or what?  Why go through with something when all signs point toward the wisdom of stopping?  You can argue that she’s acting similarly to Carol last season, but there’s a huge difference here folks.  Carol did her damndest to Lone Wolf that shit and minimize the danger to those she loved.  Maggie’s straight up enlisting those she “cares about” to carry out her mission of revenge or vengeance, what have you. Let’s see if she gets near the amount of hate for it.  Personally, I don’t blame her for her feelings one bit.  They are valid.  But her knowingly drawing the others into the game?  That’s my sticking point.  That’s how she and Carol differ, even if some people refuse to see or accept it.  Anyway.  Hopping right on off my soapbox.  

“Why don’t you get up on your little tippy toes and try?”  Omigosh, I’d dying.  When I tell you I about passed out with laughter, I do not exaggerate.  I should hate Negan forever and I do.  Really.  But I adore JDM and he frequently makes me LOL.  He’s made Negan entertaining if not completely redeemable since Angela took over and more layered so I say kudos.  

He has a point about Maggie playing dictator.  Damn you, show, for slanting the writing just that smidgen that makes Negan make sense over his victim.  I guess, though, it’s better this way.  Gives both characters more shades of gray.  

“He’s a dick but he makes sense.”  I feel like this is Angela calling us all out when we dare to harbor any lasting resentment toward Negan for what he did to Glenn.  

Speaking of--Negan.  You deserved Daryl’s punch to the mouth.  You just went a bridge too damn far.  

“Keep pushing me, Negan.  Please.”  Warning shots fired, Asshole.  You better watch yourself around the Widow Rhee.  

Have I mentioned how much I love Princess?  Her shipping the Commonwealth guards is killing me, lol.  I can’t wait ‘til she meets Carol and Daryl.  She’s going to have their number in two seconds flat.  

I like Ezekiel and Princess as a duo.  I’m not saying romantically necessarily.  I just like them in scenes together because they’re fun.  There’s sort of a protective indulgence Ezekiel seems to telegraph whenever they’re in scenes together.  Like he’s like don’t hurt this one.  I don’t know.  For all these words I’ve written, I can’t quite find the ones to adequately describe what I mean.  

The wall of the lost gives me such Battlestar Galactica feels.  What sad thoughts it inspires.  

Eugene in that Commonwealth gear.  Omigosh, lol.  So did they just sneak up and take Princess’s little Commonwealth ship’s gear when they were sneaking off on their own to have a quickie?  

Princess finding that note for Yumiko on the wall actually gave me chills.  Yeah.  I’m easy.  Just the suggestion of someone getting reunited with lost family gets me all up in my feels.  Yumiko saying “I have to stay”?  I felt that.  

Oh no.  Dog ran off!  Somebody protect my favorite fictional puppy.  Of course, Daryl goes after him.  He’s always been the sweet one.  Merle said it.  

Eh.  Negan taking Maggie’s hand at the end there would have smacked too much of Negan Sue and Maggie’s biggest plot of the season would have been prematurely dealt with so I get why they did what they did.  But c’mon.  It’s not really that big of a cliffhanger, is it?  

Okay, so Angela calls those sleeping beauty Walkers “Lurkers” and I get it.  Apparently they’re a bigger deal in the comics, but I really don’t remember seeing them all that much on the actual show.  Somebody jog my memory.  

Of fucking course, you can actually see what’s happening in the inside the episode clips.  I wish we could choose to view the episode with that lighting because some of us be blind.  And this time I mean in the more literal sense.  Not the figurative one.  

Anyway.  I’m going to stop trying to write a novel for ya’ll and move on to better things.  Like maybe a nap.  Maybe some early dinner.  I don’t know.  I’m tired AF and need a little recharge.    

Before I go, though?  Overall impression of the episode?  I liked it.  There were parts that I loved (all the ladies being badass, every second of Carol, Daryl reuniting with the Grimes babies and Dog, all things Princess, some of Negan’s one-liners about had me busting a gut, Rosita serving looks, Kelly and Lydia getting to be badass too) and parts I didn’t love (not being able to see a damn thing, Angela trying to tip the scales in Negan’s favor, not enough Carol or Aaron or Rosita, no reunion between Aunt Carol and the Grimes babies even though that picture floating around suggests it was at least shot, not being able to see a damn thing, all the Alexandria people playing follow the leader for Maggie when she’s been gone 6 years and Daryl’s right there--hell, even Father G deserves the honor over her because it’s obvious they’re not exactly on the same wavelength anymore).  

I don’t know about anybody else, but I’m just glad to have our show back.    

Later, lovelies.  

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

[whateverisbeautiful]

Reveling in Richonne

#154: The People We Love (9x14)

Michonne Grimes will always fight for the Grimes. You just trust with Michonne that they’re gonna be okay cuz she fights for the people she loves. And that’s what gets expressed in these final moments of 9x14. 

Michonne and Judith had that sweet moment on those rocks and I love that we get a second heartfelt heart to heart from them this episode. They are why I stuck around this show after all, so I’ll take as many moments between them as I can get. 

And I hope we get a lot more mom/daughter moments in Michonne’s last season coming up that further illustrate how Judith couldn’t have a better mom. The things her mom has done for her, it’s just a testament to the ultimate love of a parent. 😊

In the moment on those rocks, that’s where Judith got to express herself and now in this conversation Michonne gets to take the floor and express her side of things, which i appreciate. 

And this really deep moment between Michonne and Judith comes in the present as they stand over Carl’s grave. 😭 

It’s emotional seeing the two of them here paying their respects to Carl specifically. Carl loved them both so much and as we know from his final episode, he wanted these two to get each other through.

Carl told Judith to listen to Michonne and asked Michonne to be strong for Judith and here we see them honor that. 

(Side note: It’s super cute that Michonne and Judith are wearing similar outfits with a denim jacket and pink/peach colored shirt. I love that.)

Michonne starts by saying, “Your father and I dug this together. And that day, standing right here, I made a promise to never bury another child again.”

It’s heartbreaking hearing Michonne recall the day her and Rick had to dig this grave for Carl. We saw those clips of R&M digging that grave and how distraught Michonne felt. So it’s deep knowing that as we watched Michonne bury Carl in 8x09 she was promising herself never again. That as long as she lives she’d make sure her kids live. Whatever it takes. 

As much as Michonne’s heart was breaking so soon after losing Carl, it’s powerful to know that she was already building this resolve to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Already believing she could do everything in her power to prevent another loss of a child. You know at that point she considered Judith her daughter so she was definitely thinking of her first and foremost, and how even though death surrounded them constantly, she’d ensure that Judith lives. 

Michonne then gets emotional and vulnerable and says, “But then your father was gone. And I was…lost.” 🥺

Utterly heart shattering. Y’all, hearing this hurt. Magnets aren’t meant to be apart at all. Let alone six years. And Michonne has gone through the losses of many people during her time on the show, but with Rick that loss was a special level of painful because in losing him she lost a huge part of her. So it makes since that she acknowledge how lost she was afterwards. 

We didn’t see the days that directly followed Rick’s absence but it breaks my heart to think about how Michonne spent those days/months/years feeling lost without him. Y’all, as hard as it is to know Michonne felt lost without Rick, it’s deep to see how connected the two were and how even six years later she’s still so clearly in love with him. 

Judith looks up at Michonne with tears in her eyes cuz the rule is true; when your mom cries you cry. 👌🏽 Michonne continues, saying “And then you were lost and I was scared. More scared than I have ever been. Before or since.” 💔

Once again my heart shatters over this line. It is really significant to have Michonne say this was the most scared she’d been before or since.  In the seasons she’s been on the show there’s been a lot of stressful and scary things she’s been through and yet losing Judith was what scared her more than any of those other things. Michonne loves this little girl so much.

Also I really appreciate Michonne getting to say she was scared. People seem to forget that’s an emotion Michonne’s allowed to have and act out of, just like everyone else. Of course as a parent, the kidnapping of her daughter would have her absolutely terrified and also scarred in more ways than one. That would make anybody switch up a bit and get highly on the defense when it comes to protecting their children. 

Michonne’s protective cuz she lost her sons and then temporarily had to feel what it was like to have lost her daughter and she doesn’t ever want to lose her again. She’s already had to bury a kid twice and it’s horrible cuz I’m sure after returning to Alexandria with all the kids, sis then had to be nervous if she’d have to lose another child with wondering if RJ would make it after everything Jocelyn and those kids put her through while pregnant. After all that trauma she endured honestly people are lucky she didn’t go more off the deep end, and still has a sound head on her shoulders. 

I like that Michonne is vulnerable with Judith about not just what she did and what happened but how it made her feel. And it’s deep to see Judith shed tears and feel for her mom as she finally gets to understand this trauma from Michonne’s perspective. Cuz Judith was there when that Jocelyn stuff went down but she wasn’t there.

Michonne thought she had to carry this secret and burden for everyone but there’s something liberating about her realizing she can be transparent with Judith about more things. Cuz Michonne had expressed the whole I protect you thing to Judith, but Judith is getting older and is ready to hear more and see more sides of her mom. 

I mean she wants to defend her mom too, cuz when Magna was outside their house in 9x06, Judith was ready with the strap for Magna lol. She sat on those steps ready to post up with that gun like...

Michonne goes onto say, “And I wasn’t the only one (who was scared). So we decided to make this place only about the people who lived here.”

Y’all...hold up wait a minute. This made me so upset cuz I was like this means that multiple people knew what went down, felt at least an inkling of what Michonne felt, and agreed on this decision to make the community more isolated. She wasn’t the only one. Multiple people! And yet, those multiple people were nowhere to be found in this time jump so I was looking around like...

Cuz they sure did seem to say nothing and let Michonne carry the brunt of this on her own and be the only one vilified. And for not standing up and defending Michonne and their joint decision to close things off, someone needs to give them a serious talking to and/or whooping. 

Plus it totally adds up that it would’ve been a more collective decision too cuz Michonne’s not a dictator and she wouldn’t have closed things off had there not been supporters of the idea. Those people and parents are forever indebted to her. And the fact that Michonne is still so committed to this place shows she’s doing a great job both raising her kids and this ungrateful community. 

Michonne then acknowledges that only being about their own is “not what Carl or your dad gave their lives to create. But it kept you and RJ safe. That’s what I wanted. That is all I wanted.”

At the end of the day, before Michonne is Head of Security or the unspoken leader of Alexandria, Michonne is a mother. And mother’s do hard things if it means it’ll protect their children. She said in 9x06 how she watched Rick’s sole focus be about keeping Carl safe and how she’s adopted that mindset with their remaining children. 

Not once has Michonne’s intent been malicious or divisive, it’s just that she’s a mother and all she wants and wanted is to keep her kids safe. Regardless of how the decision would reflect on her or how hard it would be to close off from the others because she loves and cares about them so much (and honestly sometimes more than they seem to love and care about her, smh). She was willing to go to extremes and trade being liked and supported for the sake of her kids.

Michonne put the kids first because who wouldn’t? I think the majority of parents would do the same. Plus Rick and Carl gave their lives to create a future. And kids are the future. So Michonne got laser focused on making sure the kids had an environment that protected them at all costs.

In an ideal world I know Michonne would want to still be welcoming and all, but after the trauma she chose to honor being strong for Judith even if people don’t’ understand it.🏽 Even though everyone both in show and out of show should’ve been did understood. 

It’s tough seeing how Michonne feels the weight of honoring so many people. She wants to protect her kids and community. She wants to honor what her husband and son gave their lives to create. She wants to honor her daughter’s thoughts and opinions. 

She wants to keep everyone alive, be it literally or in memory. And that’s a lot for one person to carry and so I hope we finally get to see more people take that load off Michonne and genuinely be there for her and honor her the way she deserves in her final season. 

So then Michonne stoops down and looks up at Judith in such a humbling position, and she smiles through tears and says, “You were right. We have to protect the people we love. All the people we love. And we will.” 

Michonne is the best mom. I love that Michonne makes Judith stronger but also Judith makes Michonne stronger. And Michonne continues to show that she’s willing to really hear Judith out and come around to seeing things her way. She stoops down to Judith’s level to show I hear you. I’m listening. 👌🏽☺️ She’s willing to take leaps towards change for the sake of her daughter like the magnificent mom she is. 😊👌🏽

And a super subtle thing I noticed in this moment is that before Michonne looks at Judith she low key looks down at Carl’s grave when she says “you were right.” It makes me emotional cuz it’s like she’s saying it to both of them. To Judith and Carl. 😭

Cuz for Carl she’s saying to him; I might’ve steered from the original vision a bit but you were right and I’m ready to go after it again. We’ve gotta protect all the people we love and think bigger picture.

Carl entrusted to Michonne this vision cuz he knew she’d fight to make his vision reality. And she always has. Starting with making sure everybody got their Carl letters, even Negan.

One of the sweetest things about Michonne and Carl’s relationship was the way she didn’t write him off as just a kid, and with Judith it’s the same. She hears her out and wants to try and take big leaps to honor what they’d want.

It’s meaningful that Judith does sort of help bring her back to the boldness they have to have to love and protect people regardless of risk. But it makes a lotta sense why she’d feel like the risk was too large before this.

And while I so admire Michonne’s resolve to protect the people she loves, I remember watching this and saying, “But who protects Michonne?” 

Cuz sis needs someone to be resolved to look out for her too. She had that person in Rick, but without him it feels like everyone has an expectation for her to help them rather than vice versa.  

I know she can protect herself of course, but with Rick gone, who’s the person who looks out for Michonne the way she looks out for and fights for everybody else?

Like I don’t think the moral of this story should just be “Michonne has learned to take care of everyone again”. She’s done that and is doing that. To me there needed to be more emphasis from this show about those in TF who dropped their responsibility to take care of and be there for Michonne. Especially during her most vulnerable time when she needed them most. 

She goes through the most trauma and then is expected to just put that aside in order to help patch up everybody else’s stuff, otherwise she’s the “difficult” one??

Not here for that. And I’m not saying she shouldn’t have the heart she has to care for all the people. I admire that. I just think a lot more people need to come to this same conclusion when it comes to being a good friend and family member towards Michonne. 

I genuinely believe I can think of at least one scene between Michonne and pretty much anyone from TF where she showed love, care, and support to them. And Michonne deserves that same energy back.  

So then Michonne stands up and takes Judith’s hand and they walk off hand in hand and it’s just beautiful. 😭 

Truly, they’re both better for having each other in their life. And it really feels like Rick and Carl live on through their beautiful bond.  😌 

I think about all the times Michonne has taken Rick’s hand, and now she takes Judith’s hand and they’re a comfort to each other like R&M were. 😭You know Rick would be so proud and over the moon to see the bond his girl’s have. 

To put it simply, the Grimes girls are...

Michonne, Judith, and RJ were the best way to reset the series cuz it keeps the focus on what one of the show’s original premises was which is; a parent trying to raise their kid in an apocalypse. (Side note: I hope Rick gets to find these kids while they’re still young. 🙏🏽)

Also shout out to Cailey cuz she did some great acting in this scene without even uttering a word. 👏🏽👏🏽👏That girl is talented. And she’s also very smart as this comment shows...

So then this lovely mom and daughter ride over to the fair and they’re all smiley which is super cute. ☺️ 

Judith asks if her wound will leave a scar and Michonne is so sweet and supportive when she says, “No, but it’s okay if it does.” I love it. 🥰

Michonne knows firsthand that sometimes scars are just proof that you can and will do anything to protect the ones you love, and it’s proof you fought and survived. They show that you can make it. And I think that’s how Michonne’s come to view her x scar. As long as people you love are living then the scars are worth it.💯

Y’all, I just know the reoccurring direct quote from Judith’s mind has got to be...

As they ride through the woods they find Daryl and Connie and co. They all smile and hop in and head off to what will certainly be imminent disaster lol, otherwise known as the fair. 😂

But at least they’re all happy right now so I’ll at least be happy they had this moment to enjoy. 

And that’s the analysis of everything from “Scars”. 

I love all the beats Danai got to play in this episode. 👏🏽The mom jumped out and was so believable. She got in that mama bear mode real quick and I was here for it. 

I knew Michonne and Danai would deliver in a Michonne-centered episode. And she delivered more than Santa on Christmas. 

Danai got to shine like the star she is in this heavy episode. The range. The phenomenal delivery. She has so many layers to everything she says and does. It’s excellence. 💯 #QueenInEVERYWay 

And don’t get me wrong I don’t like Michonne suffering and in pain at all. I hope we never have to see her get beat up again. No more Michonne brutality. 🙅🏽‍♀️I don’t love the episode for that. I love it for showcasing Michonne’s versatility, resilience, and vulnerability. I love that it illustrated the love she has for Rick and her kids. I appreciate it highlighting this multi-dimensional fascinating character and that we got to learn more details about the queen this episode. 

So TWD, keep the Michonne-centric episodes coming in her final season but no more putting Michonne through trauma. No more abuse in her final season. Let her go to the movies. Let her find Rick. Let the Grimes family reunite. Give us a movie that’s five hours of R&M living life with their kids and then call it a wrap lol. 😋

I hope all the range and gloriousness of Danai gets highlighted more and more in her last run as Michonne in season ten. 🙏🙏🏽

What I most appreciate is that Rick’s presence is so kept alive through Michonne and Judith and their moments together like the ones in this episode. Y’all, Richonne won’t ever stop blessing us. 🙌🏽😭💯

🏽gifs source: @michonnegrimes @winterswake @superestrella9

#richonne #s9 #9.14 #they are the people I love

[the--walking--daryl]

The Painful Wait. PART 3 (DarylxReader)

Hope y'all enjoyed part two! Here’s part three✌🏼 Summary: Y/N and Daryl have finally been reunited, but Daryl has fallen ill due to exhaustion and infected scars. Hershel and Maggie tend him back to health, much to Y/N's relief. The two finally address their feelings for each other and the harsh words they exchanged.

Warnings- strong language, implied smut, angst, fluff, mentions of abuse. _____________________________________________

“I thought I lost you.” I sob.

“You couldn’t lose me if you tried, Darlin’.” He chuckles breathlessly.

Daryl begins to stumble slightly, so I unwrap my legs from around his waist and push some strands of hair out of his eyes, which are fluttering open and shut.

“Daryl? Baby, you alright?” I ask, my voice laced with concern.

“I… I can’t…”

Daryl collapses to the earth, his head smacking onto a log in the process.

“Daryl? Daryl! Daryl, wake up! Oh God, no! No! Rick! Rick! Michonne! Glenn! Maggie, somebody! Help!” I scream, kneeling at his side and placing his head in my lap.

Rick and Glenn speed over, Hershel following shortly after.

“Hershel, please help him! Do something,” I weep.

“Y/N, I’m gonna do everythin’ I can, but right now, I need you to give him some space and go back inside.” Hershel instructs.

“What? No, no, I’m staying, I need to be with him!” I argue.

“Glenn, will you please?” Hershel orders.

Glenn grabs me from behind and drags me backwards to keep me away from Daryl. I struggle and thrash around, desperately trying to escape Glenn’s hold, wearing myself out and eventually letting him take me away. I give in and walk back with Glenn, constantly looking over my shoulder to see what they’re doing to Daryl.

I’m stuck in the library with Glenn, Carol, Carl, Tyrese and Sasha, pacing back and forth, biting the skin around my nails due to anxiety and stress, waiting, longing for news on Daryl’s wellbeing. Maggie strolls in, blood on her hands and sweat on her brow. Her gruesome appearance makes my heart drop into my stomach and my pulse race.

“He’s out cold still, but he’s gonna be okay. You can go see him if you want.” She smiles sweetly.

“Thank you so much Maggie.” I whimper, hugging her tightly.

“No problem. Now go be with him, he needs you.”

I walk briskly to Daryl’s cell, only to be greeted by Rick and Hershel.

“Now, he’s stable, but go easy on him. He’s very dehydrated. The exhaustion was what knocked him out and he’s lost a lot of blood. Lucky for him, we managed to clean him up, stitch his cuts and chill his fever. I think what he needs is to wake up to a friendly face. You will be friendly, won’t you?” Hershel explains.

“I don’t think I’ll ever say a bad word to that man for as long as I live, Doc. I love him.” I sigh.

“You do!? Glenn owes me a drink!” Hershel chuckles and pats Rick on the back. I hug Maggie’s father with the same amount of gratitude I showed her.

“Thank you for savin’ him. You’re a good man, Hershel Greene.” I tell him in all honesty.

“I know, Y/N. I know.” He laughs.

I turn to Rick as Hershel walks away and he puts an arm around my shoulder.

“Our boy’s gonna be just fine. The man’s invincible.” He sighs.

“Don’t tell him that, he’ll probably believe you.”

Rick snickers at my remark and gives me a comforting kiss on the top of my head before heading over to the library to join everybody else. As if it’s the most natural thing in the world to me, I climb into bed next to Daryl and cuddle up to his side, tracing my fingers along his stitches and bruises.

“What happened to you?” I whisper, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. Finally calm and at peace, I drift off into the first content sleep I’ve had in months. All because I know he’s safe.

~~~~~~

The scorching Atlanta sun beams through Daryl’s cell window, shining over my eyes and waking me up. Unlike when I first got into Daryl’s bed, I can now feel strong arms wrapped comfortably around my waist and legs intertwined with my own. I turn over to see a finally conscious Daryl.

“Hey…” I croak in my morning voice, stroking some stray hairs out of his eyes.

“Hi.” He smiles, pulling me closer to him and gently kissing my forehead.

“How you feelin’?” I whisper.

“Like I been dragged backwards through thorns. But other than that, I’m peachy.” He jokes.

I roll my eyes at his remark and playfully nudge his shoulder.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how worried I was, Daryl. I was so scared. I thought I’d lost you and I was never going to see you again and-”

“Hey, hey, hey… I’m here now, ain’t I?” He reassures me.

“Barely, Daryl! You were hurt real bad,” I sigh. “Hershel said you got lucky.”

“Nah, I’m just that good.” Daryl smirks cockily.

“Darlin’, I know you think you’re gonna live forever, but you ain’t immortal. You could’ve gotten bit, shot, stabbed-”

I’m cut off by Daryl’s lips pressing against mine, a feeling that I’ve craved for so long. Our kiss deepens, becoming more passionate and needy by the second. His fingers dig into my hips as an attempt to pull me closer, but there’s absolutely no space left between us anymore, but I definitely won’t stop him. I reach up to have my hands on either side of his face, but he pulls away and hisses slightly, wincing in pain.

“Shit, I’m sorry!” I panic.

“Nah, it’s fine, it’s fine… just stings a little bit.” He laughs.

I rest my head back onto the pillow and let out a deep, content sigh.

“Listen… about what we said before I left. I’m sorry. Weren’t right.” Daryl says awkwardly.

“Normally I’d tell you that you should be sorry. But everything you said was right. I’m too reckless. You saw, if you hadn’t have been there in time, I would’ve died. I just wish that I never said those things. You aren’t suffocating me, I just overreacted.”

“I hope you know… the only uh- the only reason I’m like that is because I uh… I guess what I’m trying to say is I, uh-”

“I love you too, Daryl.” I smile, a rush of happiness surging through me because I finally got to tell him.

“Yeah… yeah, I love you, I really do. And that night, it wasn’t just going to be a quick fuck, I really want you for you, y'know? I’m sorry, I ain’t good at this stuff. I just… I don’t know. Let’s just stick with ‘I love you’.” He blushes.

I giggle at his awkwardness and struggle to show affection, as Daryl always knows what to say, so it’s unusual to see him so dumbfounded. It’s so refreshing to see this side of him, as he’s normally so tough and full of bravado, but to see him so soft… it’s beautiful. I can’t help but run my hands through his hair and caress his temple with my thumb, just to reassure myself that he’s actually there and I’m not dreaming. He clearly understands what I’m doing and gently smooths away a tear I hadn’t realised rolled down my cheek.

“Hey, listen… I’m fine, okay? I’m okay, I’m alive and I ain’t dyin’ anytime soon.” He says softly.

“I know, I know, I’m just trying to process it all. I’ve gone from losing sleep because I never thought I’d get to touch you again and now you’re here and I can and I’m just so happy, it’s all really overwhelming, y'know?” I laugh in embarrassment.

All of a sudden, Rick appears at the entrance of Daryl’s cell, armed with knives and guns, looking about ready to go on a Walker killing spree.

“Going on a run, won’t be long. Y/N, you coming?” Ricks asks.

“Am I not included in this? I’m comin’ too.” Daryl grumbles and tries to sit up. I let out an amused scoff, earning a confused scowl from Mr Over-Enthusiastic over here.

“You ain’t going nowhere. You had your time being overprotective and now it’s my turn. I’m gonna keep you in this prison if it’s the last thing I goddamn do, Dixon. Rick, I’ll stay here. Need to keep this one out of trouble.”

Rick bites back laughter at the sight of his best friend’s frustration and nods knowingly.

“Probably a good idea.” Rick sighs with a smirk.

“Who’s side are you on, Grimes? Good Lord.” Daryl groans, falling back down onto the limp pillows.

“Her side, dumbass. Almost got yourself killed. Consider yourself on administrative leave. Recover for God’s sake. Anyways, if you need anything, Hershel and Beth are gonna be around if you need anything. See y'all later.” Rick waves and leaves to go on his travels.

“You’re killin’ me, Y/N.” Daryl sighs.

“You did a pretty good job of that yourself baby.” I laugh, still sat up.

“Hey, listen… you think Hershel and Beth have good hearing?”

I turn back and look at a smirking Daryl with raised eyebrows.

“Are you fucking with me right now?” I scoff.

“Not yet.” He winks.

~~~~~~

Beth’s P.O.V

“Sweetheart, can you take this down to Daryl please?” Dad passes me a cup of water and some antibiotics.

“Sure Pop.” I smile sweetly and take the objects from his hands. I travel down the stairs towards Daryl’s cell when I here a slight whimpering, causing me to stop in my tracks. I clear my throat and what follows is a series of whispers and curses. I continue and when I reach my destination, the scene that’s laid out before me makes me feel both delighted and extremely awkward. Daryl has just resurfaced from underneath his sheets and clearly has no shirt on, and Y/N has the sheets pulled up to her mouth, blushing like there’s no tomorrow.

“Subtle guys.” I sigh. I set Daryl’s water and pills down on a table next to his cell door and turn to leave, but turn around last minute.

“Hey Daryl? The next time you go down on your girlfriend, can you go to a different cell block or at least give us warning so we can? We’re literally upstairs. Y'all are gross.” I giggle.

Y/N buries her head in the crook of Daryl’s neck in embarrassment, resulting in my going all fuzzy on the inside because they’re so damn cute.

Your P.O.V

Beth finally walks away and I let out a little squeal of bashfulness.

“Well, that could’ve gone better.” Daryl sighs.

“No fucking shit.” I laugh.

We sit in the awkward atmosphere for a while before I turn on my side and let out a small chuckle.

“Maybe later. We can go to cell block A and they won’t suspect a damn thing.” I suggest.

“I like the way you think, baby girl.” He winks and we high-five.

Daryl turns and faces away from me, allowing me to wrap my arms around his sculpted torso, but I’m distracted by wounds and scars on his back. These aren’t recent, either. These are permanent. Long cuts crossed over, spread over his shoulders, spine and tattoo. I have to cover my mouth to stop me audibly gasping at the clear mistreatment. I gently run my fingers across the scars, causing Daryl to flinch slightly.

“What are you doing?” Daryl snaps.

“Daryl… what are these?” I ask in an airy, barely-there voice due to shock.

“It’s none of your damn… ugh. Fine,” He turns to face me once again.

“My Dad… he wasn’t a nice guy. Used to beat the crap out of Merle. When Merle left, Dad had to fine something else to take whatever had pissed him off that day out on. I was just the closest thing I guess.” Daryl confesses.

My heart shatters knowing that at some point, somebody hurt this precious, pure man.

“I… I don’t know what to say.” I whisper.

Daryl shakes his head and let’s out a deep breath.

“You don’t have to say anything. Not your fault. What’s happened’s happened, it’s all in the past.” He shrugs.

I snake my arms around his shoulders and lovingly press my lips to his and in response, he clutches my waist and pulls my body closer to his, once again closing any form of space separating us. He lays on his back and pulls me on top of him as we make out, but as I sit up to take off my shirt, I hit my head on the top bunk, sending Daryl into fits of laughter.

“Smooth.” He chuckles.

“God, what is it with this cell block!? It’s a fucking concrete cock block!” I exclaim, much to Daryl’s amusement.

“I’m a mess.” I complain, covering my reddening face with both of my hands.

Daryl takes my wrists and sets them down by my thighs, gazing up at me with pure, unadulterated devotion.

“You’re my mess.”

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