Author's Note:

Daryl realized a long time ago that his feelings for Rick were a little more than brotherly, but has spent their time together making sure those thoughts don't ever surface, sure that it wasn't worth the risk. He'd done a pretty good job of it too, until a certain blued eye fella named Jesus showed up and seemed to be able to read Daryl's every thought, and wasn't shy about pointing it out. Not that it matters, Rick picked Michonne anyways and there was no way around that. Right? Rickyl, top rick, bottom Daryl, some background Richonne, since I'm pretty sure that can exist with Rickyl, Daryl is gonna be miserable for a bit though (maybe a bit more than a bit). Angst, unrequited love for a bit (or at least as far as Daryl knows) a slow burn. Why? I mean this was supposed to be a one shot but turned into... something else. Picks up from when they brought Jesus back to Alexandria and will do whatever its gonna do since I have no idea what canon is gonna do :D

Daryl was aware of the new guy watching him as he checked his guns, getting two packs together for the trip to the hilltop. He made his and Rick's identical, the same food, ammo in the same place. If they ever had to go in each other's bags they knew exactly where everything was, and saving that few seconds could mean life or death.

The eyes were on him as he did it though, and he was doing his very best to ignore him. So intent on it that he didn't realize it was just the two of them in the room until everyone else was long gone. He glanced around, feeling uneasy, but knew that there was a lot to do and not everyone would hang around talking forever. He knew Rick trusted him to make his pack, so it wasn't like he would stay and baby sit him with it.

"Why don't you like me?"

Daryl grunted and glanced up for a moment, those eyes staring at him, before going back to his task.

"Is it because of the truck?"

"We needed that stuff." He answered automatically but there was no heat behind it. He had been pissed but he had taken that in stride, they would find more. They always did.

"Is it because I escaped when you were supposed to be guarding me?"

Daryl couldn't help it as his head snapped up, sure the surprise showed on his face before he covered it up. The fact that he had done such a terrible job, the fact that his inability to watch one person could have gotten Rick killed tore up his gut. That was one of the only things he could do well, the best service he could give Rick and these people, and this man had escaped easily.

When he had stood on those stairs with his gun pointed with the others, and Rick had met his eyes it had felt like the world crashed down around him. He let him down.

"Ah, that is it, isn't it?"

"You don't know what yer talkin' about."

He moved closer, almost within touching distance and Daryl tensed. "It really isn't your fault, I'm pretty good at escaping."

"We shoulda just left you there."

"Didn't Rick say that you were the one that was trying to convince him to look for new people? Doesn't sound to me like someone that would leave someone out there to die."

It took a few moments to register and Daryl frowned down at the bag, "You were awake."

"For some of it."

"Doesn't mean you know me."

"With how the two of you looked out there, I gotta say, I was pretty surprised when I got back to your camp."

A small thrill of pride wound up in Daryl and he did look up to finally full meet his eyes, "A bit nicer than you was expecting?"

"Well that too. Mostly I meant it wasn't Michonne I expected to find in Rick's bed."

The words jolted Daryl like a physical blow and his head whipped up, looking around the room, making sure no one else was there to hear it. The blush was already working up his face and he knew there was nothing he could do to stop it, nothing he could do to hide it without being too obvious.

"It ain't like that."

"I see that now." Jesus edged a little closer, "Though I don't think that is from a lack of wanting it to be like that. At least not on your part."

"I got work to do." Daryl didn't like the way the words choked out, and wished he had put a little bit more denial into that somewhere.

"Right. Making yours and Rick's packs."

Daryl threw down the stuff in his hands, nervousness and frustration turning into anger. "Listen, I don't know what yer tryin' to do, but it aint gonna work. Even if you weren't full of shit it isn't like anyone would care."

"How long have you known Rick now? Years?" He reached out to touch Daryl's arm and he jerked away, trying to read the man's face. It wasn't a smirk, it wasn't hostile it was more… empathetic.

"None of your business."

"So I have this theory that you hate me because you already know you lost your place in his bed, and all you got left is your place at his side." Daryl wasn't moving and Jesus was nearly touching him, "But I saw the way he looks at you too, and I don't think you've lost your chance at either of them."

Daryl had to swallow down hard, a lump in his throat. Jesus tilted his head, like he had that first time they met, trying to catch his eyes but Daryl looked away. He was fighting off tears and where the hell had they came from. His voice was gruff. "Back up."

Jesus nodded, doing as he was asked and putting his hands up like he was showing Daryl that he was harmless. "Just telling you what I saw. Years is a long time to pine for something that you can't have."

Daryl had a response on the tip of his tongue when there was a noise behind him, Rick calling out to someone before he headed into the room. "Hey Daryl do you know where…" He seemed to notice Daryl's tense body language and the way Jesus took another quick few steps back and he straightened. "Daryl?"

The tone had changed, a question in the words and despite that he knew what Jesus would think he turned fully to face Rick, "S'okay. Just chattin' with our new friend."

They shared a look and when Rick looked at Jesus his face was harder, even as he moved up to shoulder against Daryl, always a united force. It made Jesus grin, which wasn't what Rick was expecting and he glanced at Daryl who was looking away. He looked at Daryl for a few seconds, wondering what had gotten into him before looking back to Jesus, "Good. Cause I know you aren't here in my town starting trouble with my people."

"Of course not."

Rick eyed him for a minute longer before turning his gaze back to Daryl, a quick up and down assessment like he was making sure that nothing was wrong and he gave a tight nod. "We're getting ready to wrap up, do you know where the tools for the car ended up? The engine needs to be looked at before we go, and I thought you last had it working on your new bike."

"I'll take care of it." Daryl hesitated and grabbed the bags, shoving them at Rick, "These are all set. I'll get the tools and see you at the RV."

"Thanks Daryl." A warm smile was sent his way, Rick not at all put off when he got a scowl in response, if anything it made him smile more. It faded when he looked at Jesus though, "Come on, I have a few more questions before we go."

Daryl stepped back to let Jesus follow Rick and shoved down the jealousy. He knew where his place was with Rick, no one had been able to shake that. And he didn't have the answers Jesus would have, so it had to be the other man.

"You got it." Jesus had almost reached the door and hesitated before turning to Daryl, waiting until Rick was far enough ahead that he wouldn't hear. "It's not a lost cause."

With that he took off after Rick, leaving Daryl to go find the tools and work on the car, just like he had told Rick he would. It was dumb to even be worked up about it, he knew his feelings, and he knew Rick's and it had been a long time since he was insecure about his place with them. He wouldn't let some guy that just rolled in make him feel any different.

The words did something though, some small part of him that he had violently shut down and refused to acknowledge was suddenly sitting up and asking for attention. A small shimmer of something that might have been hope, but he shook his head to clear it. Rick was with Michonne, they made the perfect pair. Alpha male and Alpha female, the leaders of their little group and Daryl wouldn't have it any other way. Really. He wouldn't.

If he repeated it enough times he might believe it.