The inevitable happened. Daryl felt so stupid for letting it happen, and now it was going to cost him his life. He was an idiot, trying to fight off a herd that was threatening him and Rick. He'd defeated them all, and felt so proud of himself that he didn't notice the last walker come and nip him on the shoulder until it already happened. Of course, Rick was beyond angry, but he was more upset than angry. 'What happens when you die?' Rick had asked Daryl. And the truth was, Daryl didn't know. Rick had lost his family already, and losing Daryl was going to be Rick's breaking point. Hell, he was surprised he hadn't lost it when Judith and Carl died. Well, he did for a bit, but Daryl brought him back and made life worth living. Now Daryl and Rick were sitting in a shed, hand in hand. Daryl forced himself not to look at the loaded gun in Rick's hand. He knew it was going to kill Rick to have to put him down, but he didn't have the strength to do it himself.
"I'm going to miss you," Rick stated, a frown on his face that looked permanent.
"Don't waste your life missing me, mister. You'll find someone," Daryl ordered.
"I'll always miss you," Rick replied, kissing Daryl lightly on the cheek.
"What are you going to do, after I die?" Daryl asked Rick. Rick's frown only deepened.
"I don't know. Maybe use the last bullet on myself," Rick responded. The gun had two bullets left.
"Don't," Daryl answered firmly.
"And if I do?" Rick questioned.
"I don't know. There's no way for me to stop you, is there?"
"Nope."
Daryl and Rick sat in silence for a while before Daryl coughed up a bit of his own blood.
"It's time," Daryl uttered. Rick's blue eyes burned with agony; an expression that seemed permanently glued to him. Rick leaned in and kissed the hunter passionately on the lips, not pulling away for at least two minutes.
"I love you," Rick murmured.
"I love you too," Daryl murmured back, before they both closed their eyes and Rick pulled the trigger. Still holding Daryl's hand, Rick put the gun to his chin and pulled the trigger as well, and his whole world went black.