Tired. Daryl Dixon was tired. He was tired of running and fighting and loosing his friends and family.
But Daryl Dixon was a surviver. He had it instilled within him since a child, and he couldn't give up.
So when on that night when his lungs finally gave out, and he took his last breath, he felt peace and rested for the first time in over 10 years.
15 years he'd fought off walkers and men alike. He'd lost too many people to count. Dale, Merle, Judith, Rick, just to name a few... But one always stuck with him. Beth. His Beth. He had sworn he was gonna protect her. She was his light and hope and once her flame was gone, he had wanted to give up, but knew she'd be pissed at him. So he fought. And he protected his loved ones.
But it was never enough in this world, and he always felt like the last man standing.
Cancer. That's what he figured he had. Not like he could go to a doctor and get checked out... Nor would he if he could. Instead he made Carl promise to end him once it happened... He didn't want to turn, and enjoyed his last days with his few remaining family members.
So now, as he gets up from his body on the ground he sees Carl gently put the knife through this head. At least the kid was able to do it. But he'd already put down both parents, so he wasn't shocked really.
..."Daryl?" Daryl stilled. He hadn't heard that sweet voice in such a long long time. And as he slowly turned around to face the owner of the voice, he couldn't help but grin.
There was Beth Greene, looking just like the angel she was. Her blonde hair was clean and fell down her back, with her characteristic small braid in one side. She was clean and just a beautiful as he remembered.
"Beth? Oh Beth. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. I'm, I'm just sorry I was such a screw up."
"But Daryl, it's not your fault. I got over confident. I shouldn't have let my emotions control my choices, but I did and well that's all done with now. I've missed you though. I can't lie, I've been waiting for this day for years. I've tried to protect you and the others the best I could, but sometimes I just couldn't do it all... I'm sorry for all the lost you had to survive with Daryl."
Daryl didn't know what to think. Here he was talking to his love after all these years. After years of just pain and guilt, he felt free.
"Daryl I loved you so much. I knew you'd come back to me, and I had been so excited to tell you. At least I can tell you now." She had started walking closer to him, slowly joining her fingers with his. She raised their joined hands up and kissed the back of his.
"Come on now, everyone is waiting for you. Daddy and Rick, Judith even." She says as she starts pulling him away from his body.
Daryl Dixon knew better than to look a gift horse in the mouth. So he followed her. He followed her to their family and had never felt more alive once he was dead.
So with his happiness at an all time high, he leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips. And once he leaned back to look at her eyes. He saw nothing but happiness.
"You don't know how long I've been waiting for that kiss Daryl Dixon."