Well hello again!

This chapter is much more descriptive with very little dialogue. I figured it was time to cut back a bit.

Well, enjoy!

Chapter 4 – Just silence everything

Rick scanned the forest for any sign of Daryl. He wished he had the advanced hunting skills like Daryl did. Instead, he was stuck with the basics skills he had learnt when searching for Sophia about a year back. He found some fresh tracks which looked like those of a man. Rick thought they could be none other than Daryl's. Either that or there was a lone walker nearby. Rick kept his gun in his hand with a tight grasp just in case and began following his newly-found tracks. As he continued to get deeper into the forest, the tracks began to swerve in all directions. Rick thought that Daryl must have caught sight of some animal worth hunting for, a rabbit maybe. He scanned the forest and saw a plump looking rabbit, with Daryl chasing it; running all over the place as the rabbit darted around in every possible direction. Rick prayed that it would not come close to him. Daryl hadn't noticed a rather large tree root sticking out of the ground; which the rabbit had gracefully hopped over just a few seconds before. Daryl's foot got caught on it and he crashed face-first into the undergrowth.

Daryl stayed on the floor cursing for what seemed like forever. Rick was unsure if he should go and help him or not. On one hand he wanted to but another part of him was telling him not to as Daryl could kill Rick for following him. Daryl stumbled to his feet and curses for both being injured and losing a good meal for the group.

He began to head west; completely unaware that Rick was just 20 yards behind him. Rick needed to be completely quiet because Daryl had the best hearing known to man; if he made any noise he was busted. Daryl was younger but taller and much stronger than Rick – he'd never win a fight against him. Hell, he'd probably stick an arrow through his head without hesitation, especially considering the mood he seemed to be in.

Daryl stopped suddenly, checking to see if there were any walkers in his presence. Rick wasn't looking where he was going as his eyes were fixated on Daryl and where he was going. As a result he ended up with a mouthful or bark and a thumping headache from accidentally walking into a tree. If Carl had seen Rick do that he would have laughed until he passed out. Rick continued to follow Daryl…well at least he was trying to. Since sauntering into a tree he'd lost sight of him. Rick cursed under his breath, he was so close to finding out where Daryl hid.

Daryl came back to where Rick had last seen him, looking rather disordered. Where on Earth is he going? Rick thought to himself. Daryl went east this time and lightly smirked when he came across a house. Daryl's facial expression showed that he knew exactly where he was as if he'd been here on many occasions. Was this Daryl's secret hideout? He opened the door with his crossbow in hand, checking that no-one had sabotaged his "special place". Once the coast was clear, Rick sneaked up to the house where Daryl was hiding. He peered inside the window to see what Daryl was actually doing. What was Rick doing, stalking Daryl like his. Rick questioned whether to go inside or wait for Daryl to come out again, but that could take hours. Rick decided to go inside and braced himself for the worst.

Daryl was sat in what used to be a family sitting room, clutching what looked like a photo with a tear slowly rolling down his cheek. Rick couldn't tell if it was because he was happy or upset. From the circumstances, he assumed that Daryl was unhappy. Rick opened the door to the room where he was. Daryl was up in a flash, crossbow at the ready. Another tear fell free form Daryl's eyes. "Get out!" he shouted, like a teenager having their parents come into their room. "Leave me be!" But Rick refused to move, staying right where he was. He observed the photo Daryl had dropped when he had stood up rapidly. It was face-down so Rick couldn't see what it was of. Daryl had been mistreated as a child, so Rick thought it couldn't have been of his family – but perhaps of Merle. Who else would it be of? Rick bent down to pick it up but Daryl stopped him hurriedly, getting very defensive. Daryl picked it up and shoved it into his pocket before Rick had the chance to see anything.

"Ow. That hurts." Rick whined. Daryl had had his foot on Rick's hand to stop him seeing the photo. Once Daryl realised he was hurting Rick, he took his foot off him and sat down again with a sorry look in his eyes. Rick guessed that was Daryl's way of saying sorry and so he gave him a forgiving nod.

Rick stood up and brushed himself off. Daryl had his head buried in his knees due to the embarrassment he had just caused himself. He carried that photo everywhere with him, but bent it so just Rick was showing – it's what kept Daryl going. He wanted to tell Rick to go but a big part of him also wanted him to stay more than anything. He feared that if he made Rick stay, he could ruin their friendship for good. Daryl had feelings for Rick; feelings he had never had for anyone else, not even before the world had gone to shit.

"What are you doing here?" Rick asked. He was determined to get answers out of him this time. Daryl was sniffling, something Rick thought he'd never see Daryl do, ever. Something was really upsetting him, and Rick feared the worst. Daryl seemed like a completely different person like this; especially after seeing him as a strong, confident and agile hunter about 10 minutes before. Rick asked his question again, only this time he sat down on the old and filthy couch next to the redneck. He put his hand on Daryl's back and gave him a friendly pat-on-the-back; it was Rick's turn to comfort Daryl. It felt weird. Daryl was the last person to ever need comforting. Nevertheless, he liked it. He liked spending time alone with Daryl. He was so loyal and had never once let him down. Rick was falling for Daryl – he could never tell him. Daryl would probably flip and freak out. The friendship that Rick treasured would be lost forever if he did. Rick couldn't let that happen, not for the world – which didn't really exist anymore.

Daryl lifted his head up to find Rick right by his side, his hand on his back. Although he was tense, Daryl liked this. He liked being so close to the person he loved. From the moment they met – even though he had tried to kill him – Daryl had had a strange feeling in his gut that there was something different about Rick. Now that Lori was out of the picture, he had his chance. But deep down he knows there is no way Rick would ever feel the same. "I…it's nothin', Rick. 'm just fed up." Daryl lied, but he knew Rick wasn't having any of it – he wasn't stupid. Despite lying to people his entire life, Daryl was still unable to fool him.

"Daryl, please! You can trust me!" Rick pleaded. "I promise I won't say anything bad or laugh, I will keep whatever it is strictly between us. You have my word for it." Rick hoped this was enough to make Daryl believe him.

Daryl just glared right at Rick. He could see the desperation in his eyes. Should he tell him? Is he really willing to risk that perfect friendship he has with Rick for something he knows that has a very slim chance of actually happening? "I'm not saying. I can't lose you." Daryl said on a very small voice. He'd just realised what he said. Oh crap, I've done it now.

Rick barely made out what words had just slipped out of Daryl's mouth. He thought he heard "I can't lose you", but that wasn't something Daryl would ever say, was it? He looked very tense. "Please Daryl. I want to help; I care about you so much. Please just tell me."

Daryl was shocked by this. He thought that Rick just saw him as anyone else, caring but not that much. "It's just I like someone an' I know I'll never be able to have them." Daryl sighed.

Rick thought by what Daryl had said about not wanting to lose him, that Rick was that person. Rick saw this as his chance; he was alone with Daryl with no-one else in the group having the slightest idea where they were. Rick pulled him in so their noses were almost touching. Daryl was looking right at Rick, a worried but satisfied look in his eyes. Rick leaned in even more and whispered "Me, by any chance?" then kissed Daryl with much enthusiasm and meaning with every second that passed. It was gentle at first, but captivating. Daryl was still tense but relaxed after a short while. Mesmerised lips continued to press together, transporting the two to another world.

Daryl had to pull out for breath and replied with "Yeh" and chuckled. Rick cradled Daryl into his chest. Was this all just a dream? The two were in pure heaven.