*New chapter! This delves into some more plot with the supernatural universe. We also see Aria resorting back to her typical coping mechanisms.
WARNING: Sexual situations. Read with discretion.
Hope you all enjoy. Reviews are greatly appreciated and make my day :)*
Daryl's POV
A tired groan rips its way through my chest. I curl my arms tighter around Aria. Instead, I get an armful of blankets. Immediately, the sleepiness is gone and I'm awake. The cell's empty except me. My chest pounds in those first initial moments as my thoughts try to catch up with my panic.
Easy, man.
But I can't relax. Anxiety is slithering through my veins like the serpent in the Garden of Eden. I roll out of bed, trying not to overreact to Aria missing. That task is proving impossible, though, as I drag my pants up my legs, the sheath there bumping against my hip.
What if…
I shake the thought away before I can finish it. The brothers and Cas would have stopped her before she had a chance to doing anything like that again.
The sun is up, warming the stone fortress from the chill that invaded last night. Carol steps out of her cell at the same time I do. Her eyebrows knitting together in worry as she notes the tight set of my shoulders from the anxiety. She follows behind me, the rest of the group leaving their cells also. We all head for the common room.
Voices echo from the room and as we enter, my worry calms. Aria is here, safe and sound, and as I look her over I notice that she is also all healed. She's leaned over a map, tapping a piece of chalk in her hand against the table top. Sam, Dean, and Cas stand around her, the four talking in hushed voices. The blood spotted bandages are gone from her wrists and shoulder. Those gruesome bruises healed.
Sam looks up from the map, taking notice of us. The whole group is standing around me, confused at the sight before them. Aria was adamant about the angels not healing her. She's wanted absolutely nothing to do with them these past few days. Now she is healed of all her injuries, working with them. It's got us all spun around for the moment.
The younger Winchester nudges her and Aria looks over her shoulder. I wish I could take a picture. The swelling of her fractured cheekbone is nonexistent, those double black eyes all healed. She's as stunning as she was the day I met her in the woods.
"Good, everyone's up. We need to talk."
My stomach sinks at her tone. It's void, so reminiscent of those moments after the barn at Hershel's farm. There ain't a hint of the woman I know in that voice, just a cold and empty shell. I meet those evergreen dark irises, my jaw clenching tightly. They're blank and haunted; a look I hoped I would never have to see again.
She shut down again.
Rick is the first to move, curious about the laid out map and scribbled words on the table top. "What's going on here?" The ex-sheriff questions, sharp azure eyes scanning over the layout. We all gather around and I shadow Aria, my attention on her.
"We're going to attack Woodbury," Aria answers simply, sucking the air out of the room.
"What?!" Everyone asks in unison, astounded.
Carol breaks the short silence, her timid tone uncertain and questioning. "Is that the best plan?"
Aria drops the piece of chalk in her hands on the table, wiping her them clean on her jeans. She tucks her long chocolate waves behind her ears, heaving a heavy breath,
"The prison is nowhere near secure enough to hold off Oriax's attack. We have part of the building down with no way to rebuild it and our fences are smashed in. Not to mention, Oriax could just attack with a horde of demons and, in that case, we're all dead. Half of us have been inside Woodbury. Merle knows the entire layout, where the Governor lives, where the ammunition is. We have an advantage over them."
"He also won't be expecting an attack. Half his men will most likely be heading this way. With them split, we may have a chance," Dean adds.
"But then they'll attack here. We'll lose the prison," Maggie points out, the apprehension clear in her strong voice.
"We're not going to lose the prison," Aria reassures, adding, "because we're splitting up."
Instant anger rolls through my veins, the shock wearing off immediately as I growl, "The hell we are! That's a stupid fucking plan and we ain't doing it."
How can she possibly think that this is a good idea? Splitting up only makes us weaker. Time and again we've proved that sticking together is the best way to survive.
"I agree with Daryl," Rick states, pointing out my exact thoughts, "We're stronger together. We should focus on strengthening the prison. We fought too hard for this place to give it up."
"Fine. Then you guys stay. You'll be safer anyway. All I need is a full layout of Woodbury and I'll end this." Aria turns away from us to grab two empty duffel bags, leaving us to stare at her stunned.
My jaw would hit the floor if it could. I look to the Winchesters and Cas, hoping these two will disagree and talk some sense into her. She can't go back to that town alone. It's fucking suicide.
Obvious distaste lines the angel's faces, their scrutinizing gazes locked on Aria. Yet, the three keep their mouths shut, not objecting to her insane plan.
"You're going back there, alone?" Rick challenges, knowing the risks that go with that kind of mission.
"I won't be alone. I'll have three archangels with me."
Rick's attention snaps to Sam, Dean, and Cas; icy blue eyes pleading for them to help. Blank faces and silence are their response to our leader.
Anger stirs inside my gut. How the fuck can they just stand there and let this happen?
Carol steps towards the three, her usual silvery voice now dark and appalled as she snaps at the angels. "You're going to let her do this?"
Silence is once again our answer, the trio dropping their eyes to stare at the stone floor.
"Hey jackass's, she asked a question," I bark. Anger spreads through my veins and makes my fists clench.
Aria sighs, annoyed as she answers bluntly, "They have nothing to say."
I stare at my girl incredulous. What did I miss that has changed her mood so drastically? Two days ago she was catatonic and suicidal, and today she's ready to march off to war alone.
"What? You guys need her to speak for you? She got you on that tight of a leash?" Merle snarls, his hot-headed temper flaring.
Dean fixes my brother with a glare that threatens all kinds of evil, a comment on the tip of his tongue. Aria, though, cuts in, a clear warning in her words as she threatens,
"Merle, I have no problem putting you in your place."
Tension so thick it's suffocating wraps around us. Aria and Merle stare one another down and I step between the two, my voice low and gruff. "Can I talk to you?"
Forest eyes stare at me, void of emotion. My fists curl into tighter fists, skin turning white with tension as I ground out, "Alone."
She turns her back on me, heading towards the cell block and I follow closely behind.
Everything is fucked. I don't know what side is fucking up or down right now. How the hell did this happen in the span of two days? I know Aria is broken. I see all the pieces lying shattered around me and I'm trying like hell to put them back together. But it seems that I'm failing at that too.
"What?" Aria briskly asks, tapping her foot against the stone floor impatient.
"What? You don't got time to talk to me? In too much of a hurry to run off and play soldier?" I sneer, that anger seeping from me.
Those forest eyes hold my ocean ones, hollow of life. She crosses her arms over chest, stance outputting and annoyed. "Did you want to talk or argue?"
I huff in disbelief, shaking my head. "What the fuck happened last night? Did I miss something? Because this shit ain't right."
"Why not? I'm doing what needs to be done, Daryl."
"You're gonna get yourself killed damn it! You ain't okay and don't give me a bullshit excuse saying you are. I know you and this is exactly how you act when shit gets to be too fucking much."
My chest heaves with each ragged breath, the anger burning in my veins. Doesn't she understand that I can't lose her? I can't fucking do it. "Again, you're locking this shit up and I saw what that did to you. I can't sit back and watch you do it again."
"Then don't watch."
It's a fist to the gut, making me breathless. This ain't how this goes. After everything we've endured, she can't pull away like this. Aria starts back out to the others but I reach out grabbing her arm.
Staring into those dark green depths, I search for an answer. Something to let me know what is happening inside of that head of hers. The moment ends quickly as she pulls free of my grasp and continues on her way.
How did things get so bad so quick?
"Aria, wait," I call, following after her. This feels a lot bigger than her just walking away from me and this conversation. I feel like she's getting ready to walk out of my life for good.
She reaches the angels, her dull voice cutting through the confused silence. "Let's go," she demands, looking at the three angels.
"Aria!"
"Now, Cas," she barks harshly. The angel spares me a quick glance before gripping her shoulder and disappearing.
"Fuck," I mutter, running a frustrated hand down my face. Unease makes itself home in my gut, churning my empty stomach.
Sam and Dean are standing there looking torn between what they want to do and what they feel they have to do. The younger Winchester is the one to break the steady and uncomfortable silence.
"Rick, you said you knew a place where you could scavenge weapons."
The sheriff nods at Sam, "I've got a place in mind."
"We need you to go and get them today if possible. The sooner the better."
Again, Rick nods his head, wanting to talk more about what just all transpired. Dean keeps the conversation short, though.
"Hold down the fort. We shouldn't be gone long."
The two disappear leaving us to do nothing else other than wait; a game that I'm fucking sick of.
Aria's POV
The last thing I see are the stone walls of the prison before I'm weightless, moving faster than I can even comprehend. The journey is less than a couple of seconds, leaving me a little disoriented as I take in my new surroundings. Cas and I stand in a large field next to a highway that is jammed packed with cars. Rust covers some hoods, other vehicles smashed into one another. Dust coats them in a thick layer, grime painting their windows.
I look around me, noticing the Winchesters are not with us. Turning to Cas, I ask, "Where are Sam and Dean?"
"They are still at the prison."
Sighing, I move through the tall blades of grass. It's yellow now as the end of autumn begins to near and brushes against my knees. Cas follows me, the two of us weaving in between the beaten and dead cars. I hardly pay any of them attention. There is only one car here that matters.
We walk a good portion of the clogged roadway before I finally spot it. "There she is," I murmur, grinning widely.
The Impala sits on the shoulder of the highway. The sleek obsidian paint coated in a thick layer of dust, streaks of dried blood marring the once beautiful exterior. Constant exposure to the intense rays of the sun faded the dark color also, that sleekness that made you whistle no longer.
I make my way to the driver's side, the door left open. The last occupants must have made a run for it or something. Looking inside of the Impala, my heart sinks. The beige leather is stained in blood, rips in the fabric. Garbage litters the floorboards, dirt, and more blood soaked into the mats.
"Well, let's see if they found the weapons stash," I mumble, snagging the keys from the ignition. Hoping for some good luck, I unlock the trunk and pop it open. All the supplies are gone that we had stored inside. The water, food, gas; all of it. Our clothes are strewn all over the trunk, duffels ripped into as though an animal got a hold of them.
Hope it came in handy.
A heavy breath leaves me and I grab my old duffel bag, sorting through the clothes. Whatever I find, I stuff back into the bag. It's not much, that's for sure. Most of it is gone. All that's left are a pair of jeans with faded blood stains from a demon attack, my ragged sweatshirt, three shirts, a thong, and my favorite leather jacket. Checking the inside pocket, I hope to find my holy water flask but it's gone.
Cas meanders around, watching our surroundings for any surprise visitors. Letting the angel do his thing, I lift the false bottom and smile. All the weapons are still in their place luckily. Though, honestly, I don't know how useful this would be to the typical survivor. Most of it is meant for killing the supernatural.
I gather up all the ammunition we have. Everything from salt rounds to silver bullets; all of it is stuffed into the empty duffel bags I brought. There's so much that we need. The bags fill up right away and I dump Sam and Dean's abandoned duffels and start packing them. A flutter of wings draws my attention to Cas and I find the brothers. The three talk while I continue to pack.
By the time I finish, the trunk is basically empty save for the fake IDs and a few other useless items. All the silver knives are packed along with the handguns, shotguns, and rifles. I even managed to fit the gallon container of salt and the jug of holy oil. With the arsenal we have, we'll be ready to take on anything supernatural.
Slamming the trunk shut, the three angels approach. "All set here. We should see if we can siphon any gas out of these cars before heading back, though," I suggest, grabbing one of the empty gallons.
Dean grips my shoulder, stopping me in my steps. "This isn't going to work," he states gruffly.
I shrug his hand away, meeting that emerald stare. "What isn't?"
"Look, I get it. You want to end this, kill the son of a bitch and I'm all for it. But this act you're putting on; after everything is done you're not going to have anyone left."
My glare turns icy, tone warning as I argue, "We had a deal. I help you guys kill Oriax, stop this faction, and you don't complain about how I handle it."
Anger seeps into my veins. They came running asking for help with this war. Now they've got my help and decide they're going to negotiate how I should act? They lost that right. This is strictly a business deal.
"We're not going to let you throw your life away. You have something with these people, with Daryl. What you did back there to him? You got him so spun around he can't see straight. All he wants to do is be there for you and you just kicked him down without an explanation," Dean argues in frustration.
My chest clenches tight at his words but I ignore it. I have to do this. Oriax needs to die and I'm the only one who can do it. Keeping them at a distance makes it easier to do whatever it takes to end that monster, even if it means dying.
"Are we done? There's shit that needs to be done and this isn't it," I snap, moving around Dean to get on with this run.
He grabs me by my bicep, jerking me to a stop. His gravelly voice thunders as he demands, "Drop the act, Aria. I know you're scared and hurt, and don't try and tell me you're not because this is exactly what you do. You shove everyone away and block it all out. Well, it isn't going to work this time. So, we'll stay out here all night until you cut it out."
I tear out of his grasp once more, fire searing through my veins. I drop the empty gas container to the ground with a clatter, hands fisting at my sides. Anger makes my skin burn, limbs shaking at the sheer intensity of it.
"Fine. You guys want to be my therapists? Is that it? Okay, what's the first question? Huh? How am I feeling?" I growl with fake concern.
They are treating me like a child. Yes, this is how I cope and I know it's bad. But this is also the only way I know how to make it easier on all of us. This war is going to end in blood, a lot of it too. It doesn't have to, though. Not if I do this alone. If I die, yeah the others will hurt but not as much if I treat them like a cold hearted bitch.
"I feel empty. The only thing I can feel is a nice mixed cocktail of failure and guilt. Why do I feel that way you would ask?" I pretend to think about the question as I pace before spewing the truth. "Maybe because I'm weak and I can't protect these people. Maybe because I hurt the man I love. Shit there are a ton of reasons."
"None of this is your fault!" Sam protests, taking a step towards me as he fixes me with those beaten puppy dog eyes.
Exhaustion sweeps through me, dousing the fire in my chest. My body may be healed but my mind is a mess. Shutting down isn't easy. It has never been because the emotions are still there, locked in a cage. They don't disappear. They just sit on the sidelines, waiting until I can't fight them anymore and I explode.
My shoulders slump, the fight leaving me. The mask crumbles as I stare at the brothers and Cas. "It wasn't your fault that you didn't look for me when Crowley kidnapped me," I admit and Sam's face falls, guilt washing over him.
Dean's emerald gaze holds mine as I face him. "It's not your fault that you chose to leave me behind in this world to be with Sam." The muscles in his jaw clench, his eyes filling with that 'kicked in the gut' look.
"It isn't your fault that I got dragged into this," I explain, finally facing Cas. Those cerulean eyes drop mine, eyebrows knitting together in shame. A heavy sigh leaves me, elaborating, "My point is there's something we each blame ourselves for that is out of our control. Each of us has been down this road before. You can't tell me not to blame myself, to stop feeling this way. I know you don't like it but being like this, I don't have to worry about them. I keep them at a distance and they can live."
"You think that's living for them? Knowing that their friend is pushing them away so that they can go be some damn martyr?" Dean challenges, his square jaw clenched in frustration. "You go and die, and the last thing they are going to remember about you is how cold you were. Daryl will live the rest of his life in regret wondering if he could have done something more. That's what will happen if you keep up with this. Is that what you want?"
The eldest gets in my personal space, forcing me back a step. Again, that anger swells up inside me.
"Of course it's not what I want!" I bark back.
"You sure about that? Because you just said you want them to live. That's what it's gonna be like, Aria."
"It's not what I want but it's what I have to do, Dean! I won't let that monster take anyone else away from me!"
Dean gets in my personal space again, his voice booming with such authority I almost mistaken him for his father. "Then be the hunter I know you can be, baggage and all. That shit you went through doesn't make you weak. It makes you stronger, damn it. You have every right to lock it all down after what you went through. But right now, with all that pain, you are at your strongest. You know why? Because despite all that crap, you are persevering. You refuse to give up. You're standing here ready to fight even if it means losing everything again. That's what will keep everybody alive. Not pushing them away and facing your shit."
Daryl's POV
I pace the steel grated floor around the watch tower. My crossbow rests snug across my back, the rifle slung over my shoulder. The cool mid-afternoon air ghosts its chilly fingers across my cheeks. Days are starting to get shorter as winter starts its approach.
Frustration eats at me as I watch the perimeter and wait for Rick to get back and for Aria to return. She just disappeared. No damn explanation where she was going or what she was going to do. And I'm fucking pissed.I'm pissed at Aria for keeping secrets again. I ain't going back to that shit. We're supposed to be passed that.
Sam, Dean, and Cas have me angry too. All Aria needed was some time to cope. She would have opened up if she had proper time to grieve, not shut down like she did. Those jackasses, though, came barging in and threw more shit into her life. Now she's clammed up, resorting back to that cold shell.
Do those three understand what she just fucking survived? For the second time in her life, she was in the hands of that twisted demon. She ain't exactly in the right state of mind to be hearing that she's a damn archangel and that she's got to fight against that same demon again.
My gaze travels to the gravel road, waiting for that ugly green car to show. I get why Rick left me behind, I do. He doesn't trust Merle to be here without someone who can keep him in line. Plus, he wants to see if this sword chick really is trustworthy. I get it, but fuck, I need to get away. A few hours to do some hunting, clear my head and figure out how to mend things with Aria.
Rick, Carl, and Michonne have been gone most of the morning and so have Aria and the guys. That unease rears its ugly head once again, her blunt words filling my head.
Maybe she ain't coming back?
I shake the thought from my head, chiding myself.
No, she's fine. She's gonna come back.
Heaving a breath, I lean against the metal railing. The trees are starting to change colors more quickly now. The greens fade to crisp dandelion yellows and burnt oranges.
As soon as Aria gets back we are gonna talk. I can't let this go. I swore I wasn't gonna let her give up. So, she's gonna talk whether she likes it or not.
Great plan, dumbass. You know what you're gonna say to her?
It seems like every time I open my mouth I say something wrong. Try and tell her she's not broken beyond repair, she blows up. Try and talk to her about her coldness, won't even give me the time.
Is this how Rick felt?
I shake the thought free. Rick and Lori were different. Aria and I ain't nowhere near where those two got themselves. We've worked through this kind of stuff before. This time ain't any different.
A steady rumble cuts through the silence and I watch the gravel road. The ugly green Hyundai appears and I grab the rifle from my shoulder and switch it out with my crossbow. I leave the guard tower, hurrying to the gate to let Rick in. The walkers growl and lunge for the car as it drives through the field. I pick off the few walkers still crowding the fence with my knife and open it to let the car in. They pull in quick and I slam the gate shut, stabbing a rotting corpse that lunges at the last minute.
Michonne, Rick, and Carl exit the vehicle and I make my way over. "Are they back?" Rick asks straight away as he pops open the trunk.
I shrug, shouldering my crossbow as I give Michonne a hand pulling a crib free from the trunk. "Been keeping watch the whole time, got no clue."
Carl and she carry the large item together, a bag in their free hands. "How'd it go?" I grab two bags while Rick slings one over his shoulder.
"Good. We got weapons, some food, a couple of other things." He unloads another bag and I watch him wince in pain, clenching his jaw. That's when I notice him favoring his right arm, the limb tucked against his body.
"What happened to your arm?"
Rick's eyes widen in surprise before he shakes his head, huffing. "Ran into an old friend," he explains simply.
I wait, wondering if he'll offer more on the matter but he doesn't. So, I nod, commenting with a smirk, "Can't say much. I tried to gut you when we first met."
The ex-sheriff snorts, a wide grin pulling at his bearded mouth, "Guess it's a common theme in my choice of friends."
Snagging the last bag so Rick doesn't hurt himself, we head towards C block. The group's voices bounce off the stone walls, halting us in our steps as we enter. Everyone is gathered in the common room around the table with the map and lists Aria made.
"Guess they're back," Rick mutters, dropping the supplies at the nearest table. Aria, the brothers, and Cas are talking with the group, pointing at different things on the table.
Dropping the bags with the rest, I make my way hesitantly towards them. Rick joins the group, coming up beside Carl who is right next to Aria. Her gaze drifts past the ex-cop and catches mine. She drops my gaze just as quickly and an inaudible sigh leaves me.
"All right, since everyone's here we can get on with this," Dean starts turning his attention to Aria.
She releases a long breath, addressing us. "We know what Oriax is doing. Why he has a whole town that he's controlling. He's harvesting human souls and turning them into demons."
"I thought demons could only get souls by making deals?" Carl interrupts, confused. I give the kid credit. Everything that Aria taught us, the boy absorbed like a sponge.
"Yes, but it turns out they can just cut it out too," she explains, the worry not lost in her words. Her evergreen gaze drops to the table top as she chews on her bottom lip. "The guys haven't been completely honest with you. The truth is that Oriax is not the only demon doing this. He's just a small part of a bigger production. "
"How much bigger are we talking?"
"We are not certain. We are looking for leads on who the ringleader may be," Castiel answers Rick, the information doing nothing to settle the growing anxiety.
I watch Aria, noting the nervousness lining her soft features. Her hair is down today and she tucks the brown locks behind her ears, chewing at her bottom lip still. It's a complete change from this morning and I wonder what happened while she was gone to make her change her attitude. That cold, despondent shell is long gone. In its place is this reserved and anxious one that gives me hope that she hasn't completely shut down yet.
"Look, I know that a lot of you aren't comfortable splitting up for this fight. But we kill two birds with one stone here. Oriax won't leave Woodbury just like a captain won't abandon his ship. He'll send the Governor and his men here to attack with the orders to kill everyone. Oriax won't be willing to put his demons out here against us knowing that we'll have the place warded. But he also won't be expecting an attack on the town, especially with three archangels. We have a chance to take it all down. If we can do this, we show the other's they can too."
"What others?"
Sam's hands are stuffed in his jean pockets as he shakes his head to clear the hair from his face. "We've been finding hunters and assigning them to groups of people. We help them fortify near towns like Woodbury. The hunters work on taking out the demons and train the survivors the way of a hunter."
"How many are there?" Glenn asks with a hopeful spark in his eye. This is good news, great news. We ain't the only ones in this war after all.
"Not many, maybe a dozen. There weren't a lot of hunters around in the first place and the numbers have only gotten smaller."
"How many demon towns are there?"
"There were four major ones we were aware of but you've already killed one off," Cas acknowledges in his gruff tone. My eyebrows cinch together in confusion, wracking my brain. I don't remember killing any demons other than Andrew.
Maggie speaks up, wondering, "Who?"
"Zepar. All of those men that attacked you at the farm were soulless."
We take a minute, processing the information. It's overload for my head, trying to sort all this supernatural crap out. Were those men bad or just victims?
"What's the plan?" Merle questions and steps out of his corner as he joins the conversation.
"We set a trap here in the prison. Clear all your stuff out, make it seem like you fled. They'll think you're hiding in the prison or at least want to scope the rest of the place out to make sure they're right. That will lead them into the tunnels where we use the backup generators to turn on the alarms. While they're in there, we slash their tires and destroy any heavy artillery they have. We'll stuff the cells full of walkers and release them when the alarms go off. When they try to run free, we attack."
The plan is impressive, using the walkers as a weapon just as the Governor did. Give him a taste of his own medicine. It keeps us safe and ends those fuckers.
"What about Woodbury? You said we were going to kill the demon?" Michonne notes, reminding me of Aria's cold words this morning.
"We are. Sam, Dean, Cas, and I will finish him."
My hands ball up in painful fists and I clench my jaw, an ache radiating up into my temple. No way in hell will I let her go back to that fucked up, psychotic demon. I don't care if she has three angels with her. I ain't gonna wait for her to come back.
"Not without me," I declare, staring Aria down until those evergreen eyes meet mine. My heart rate picks up as I hold that steady stare.
God, she's fucking beautiful.
I swear I see those cheeks flush pink before she ducks her head, worrying her bottom lip. Either way, my heart still sinks, not knowing where I stand with her.
"Then I'm going too."
Catching Merle's baby blue stare, I nod. We've been through too much shit together to not stand by each other.
"All right, it's settled then. Tomorrow we'll go over the plan in detail and start preparing," Sam finalizes. The others disperse; a new heaviness weighing on them. We're gearing up for war and there ain't a guarantee that we're gonna win.
"I think I'm gonna go take watch," Aria offers and I watch her, not understanding where the change came from all of a sudden. I swear with this girl I'm gonna get whiplash. She walks by, her fingers grazing against mine on purpose as she heads out of the block. My skin burns where our skin met. It feels like weeks since I've last felt that.
Dean heads up the stairs, announcing, "I'll take the catwalk." His emerald eyes flicker from me to the door Aria left through. Confusion lines my features. Dean shakes his head, annoyed.
"Go out there and talk to her."
My eyes widen, a smirk playing on the Winchester's lips. He didn't speak but I heard him say those words. Dean leaves and I look over to Sam, hoping the brother has some explanation for what the fuck just happened. He only shakes his head, smirking.
"Seriously, Dixon? Do I need to spell it out for you?"
I tense at Dean's voice sounding in my head.
How the hell can this be happening?
None of it makes sense until Sam comes towards me, understanding in those hazel eyes. "It's part of the whole archangel thing. Give it some time and you'll get used to it."
Somehow, though, I don't believe I ever will. It's fucking weird, like an invasion of my thoughts.
"Can you hear what I'm thinking too?"
Sam shrugs, "Depends. It's hard to when you're aware. We only hear them when you're vulnerable. It's sort of like a call for help in a way."
"Can I send messages back?" I ask, thinking that it's best I tell Dean to stay out of the mess Aria and I are in. If I need help, I'll ask. The last thing I need is meddling.
A smirk tugs at Sam's lips and he laughs. "Don't worry about Dean. He's just looking out for you both. You're a good man, Daryl. She's lucky to have you."
I chew at the inside of my cheek, nodding absentmindedly. Sam's got it backward. I'm lucky to have Aria. I could live a thousand lives and never deserve that woman.
The rest of the group mills about, doing anything to keep their minds catches my eye and she nods her head towards the door. Everybody's subtly pushing me to go talk to Aria but they don't get it.
What if I fuck up like this morning?
I'm terrified that I'm gonna screw this up. She needs me to ground her, to bring her back to herself. But I ain't good at that. What I'm good at is getting people out of jams, killing walkers, and doing almost anything other than this.
You've done fine in the past. Stop worrying and do what you know.
Leaving the common room, I head out to where Aria is taking watch. It's the storage room that's connected to D block. Hershel and Beth had used the gated enclosure for the block as cover during Andrew's attack. It gives us the perfect vantage point of the front gate while giving us some protection. Pallets are secured to the chain link fence, the gate locked from the inside so nothing can get in. If you get pinned you can easily escape to the garage there and hide.
I walk the short distance between the two buildings, looking up to the catwalk for the oldest Winchester. Cas is with him now, the two talking while they keep watch. Entering the door into D block, I make my way through the old storage room with pallets still wrapped in layers of plastic. The garage door is open; Aria leaned against the pallets with a rifle resting against the fence.
The tank top she was wearing earlier is now covered up with a worn brown leather coat that I ain't seen before. It's beaten to shit, obvious wear and tear in the fabric. I take her all in, noting how long her hair is. The dark waves cascade down her back, hints of natural auburn and honey browns coming to light in the afternoon sun. She's lost in her thoughts, not even noticing that I'm here until I speak up.
"Hey."
Aria looks over her shoulder at me, surprise in those dark irises. "Hey," she greets in a soft whisper, turning her attention back to the front gate where the walkers are piled up.
Silence wraps us, heavy and awkward. "You want me to take watch?" I offer lamely. My fingers drum against the strap of my crossbow in nervousness. I ain't got a fucking clue how to go about this. Should I beat around the bush to get to what's bothering her or be blunt and to the point?
"I'm good," she answers simply.
Chewing on my lip, I shift back and forth on my feet. The quiet is driving me mad. There's obvious tension between us, shit that needs to be sorted out. It just pisses me off because two days ago I had her in my arms and now there's this raging ocean separating us.
Just spit it out, man.
A quick breath leaves me, the words tumbling free. "It feels like you're pushing me away."
Her shoulders slump, head bowing. I wished she'd look at me. Let me get a glimpse into that complicated mind of hers to know what's going on. She keeps her back to me, silent. Taking a risk, I approach her, my steps hesitant. I move until I'm right behind her, my chest just brushing her back. Aria is tense, fists clenched tight around the fence.
My heart pounds in my chest, breaths ragged as I rest my forehead on her shoulder. Her scent fills my lungs. It's earthy; dark and inviting like a cabin in the woods. Rain douses the forest floor, the chill seeping through the walls of the cabin but there's that perfect fire burning in the pot belly stove. It's rich and homey and I hold my breath, committing the scent to memory.
I bury my face into the crook of her neck, my whispered pleas gruff in her ear. "Please, I can't lose you again. I can't. Not again."
The noose around my heart tightens, strangling me. The pain of her absence washes over me, that desperation clawing at my chest.
I love Aria. There ain't a doubt in my mind. No other girl can compare. She is everything to me. There ain't anything in this world that can measure what I feel for this woman. When she was gone, I couldn't function. The life had been sucked out of me. I can't even remember what it felt like before she walked into my world. All I know is that what I have now with her, I would never trade it for anything else.
She turns, head still bowed as she faces me. A small tremor works its way through her. I slide my hands down her arms, lacing our fingers together. Aria surprises me, her hand clasping tightly around mine as she rests her head on my chest.
Her words are wobbly, admitting, "I don't want to lose you either."
I grip her chin, lifting her face to mine. Forest green eyes trace over my features, dozens of emotions storming in those dark depths. And, god, all I want to know is if we're all right. I trace my thumb over her bottom lip, her breath unsteady as she swallows hard. The storm in those eyes settles while a fire of desire catches.
Resting our heads together, I finally capture those soft pink lips in a hesitant kiss. I pull away, making sure that I ain't the only one who wants this. That I ain't the only one who desperately needs it after the hell of last week.
The heat in her gaze is my answer and this time when I connect our mouths it is sure and needy. I slide my hand to her hip, pressing her firm against me. That small tremor in her bones is gone as she sighs, letting me slip my tongue into her mouth to explore like it's our first kiss all over again. Her hands bury into my leather vest. My pulse quickens and I press her back against the fence, leaving those sweet lips to trail kisses down the smooth column of her throat.
Aria pants against my neck, tugging me closer when I nip at her exposed collarbone. I sneak a hand under her loose top, cold fingers brushing over the scarred skin of her abdomen. She inhales sharply and I smirk as I kiss the sensitive skin just below her pierced ears.
"Daryl," she rasps breathless, lips brushing over my ear, "make me yours again."
That plea has a deep groan rumbling in my chest, fire burning in my loins. Oriax left his mark on her. Even if the wounds are all healed, I know she can still feel them marking her skin. She needs me to take those memories away.
I grip her hips tight, stealing her breath with a starved kiss as I walk backward into the garage, dragging her with. Shoving her back against the stone wall, I hike her leg up, wrapping it around my waist as I rub my hardening cock against her center. Aria bites back a moan, fingers curling around the back of my neck, swirling her tongue around mine.
Slipping my crossbow off my shoulder, I roughly place it against the wall, letting Aria strip me of my vest while her sweet mouth starts on my throat. My chest heaves, every cell in my body craving this woman. The ache for her skin against mine, my hips nestled between those toned thighs, and my mouth ravaging those perfect fucking lips. I'm an addict for her.
Aria's fingers rake through my hair, tangling into my growing strands. My hands rove over her curvy body as I shed her of the leather jacket. Our breaths are heavy, eliciting gasped moans from each other. Lust muddles my brain, nerves burning with her needy touch. I grind my thick cock against her again, earning a desperate whimper of my name, "Daryl."
I strip her of her top, my calloused hands trailing over the marred skin until I reach those perky breasts. I yank the black cups of her bra down, freeing her tits before latching my mouth around her hardened nipples. A wanton keen escapes Aria, her breathless voice cursing as she arches her hips against mine in need. My lips ghost over her chest, stopping where the now nonexistent walker bite is. I grip her breasts, squeezing the tender flesh as I run the rough pads of my thumbs over the sensitive peaks. My teeth sink into the flesh of her shoulder, sucking at the skin to leave a definitive mark.
"Mine," I growl lowly into her ear, Aria's body shivering in pleasure.
Cold fingers skirt over the warm skin of my abdomen, muscles clenching. She hikes up my shirt, hands roving over the exposed skin as her leg wrapped around my waist tugs me closer. Aria thrusts up against my aching cock, that goddamn denim in the way.
"Ung…fuck, girl," I husk, gripping her under her thighs as I lift her, those muscled legs wrapping around me. Those kiss swollen lips glisten before I connect our mouths once more, intoxicated by her. There ain't an inch between us, only the annoying barrier of clothing in our way as we both get lost in the other.
Aria teases me, wrapping her tongue around mine and then retreating before I can get back in control. But I ain't having it. There will be plenty of time for games later. Right now I want to show this girl who she belongs to.
Setting her back on her feet, my hands making quick work of her jeans, I slip my hand into her pants.
"Jesus fuck!" she gasps sharply, knees going weak as I trace my fingers over her wet panties.
"Mmm so damn wet for me, girl. You want it bad, don't you?" My words rasped against her lips, panting with need.
"Yes, yes…god, fuck…"
Aria's fucking begging for it with every choked whimper, hands blindly pulling at me like she doesn't know whether to tear my shirt off or hold on tight from the ecstasy. Those evergreen eyes are nearly black with desire, chest heaving in desperation.
My dick pulsates, straining against my pants. I trace my fingers over the edges of her wet panties, teasing her slicked opening before I stop. A cocky smirk frames my lips at Aria's moan of protest. Moving my mouth down her jaw and chest, I make my way to her stomach. All those marks that Oriax left are gone. That horrid three letter word just a sick memory in both our minds. I kiss over the existing scars on her belly, Aria's hand fists into my hair. She pulls at the strands, drawing a hiss from me as I nibble at her hipbones.
I look up at her, holding that dark green stare as I begin dragging her skin tight jeans down her legs. Aria toes out of her boots before I can untie them and I yank the rest of the denim free.
"Daryl, please," Aria pleads in desperation. My hands are curled around her white boy shorts, ready to tug them free. I stop kissing up her inner thigh at her breathless voice, looking up at her. That bottom lip is pulled her mouth, face flushed while her chest heaves.
Standing, I press her against the wall, shoving our hips together. "What, darling? Tell me what you need?" I husk, rolling my hips, groaning with the friction. A needy whimper escapes her before those dark eyes hold mine. She nudges her nose against mine which almost makes me lose the thin line of control I've got.
"Fuck me," she orders, cupid bow lips ghosting over mine.
The fire races through my veins, need clouding my mind. All I fucking want, no, need is to be inside this gorgeous fucking woman. Our mouths crash together, all teeth and tongue. My breaths are harsh against our moving mouths. Aria stumbles to undo the buttons of my shirt while I undo my belt and jeans. I shove my pants down around my ankles, my shirt unbuttoned. Aria undoes her bra and I tug her panties down, letting her step out of them before I hike a leg up around my waist, rubbing my swollen cock against her wet center. I grip myself, ready to finally fuck her when my stubborn conscious speaks up.
No protection, dumbass.
My head falls against the smooth stone wall, a vehement growl tearing through me, "Fuck."
"What? Why are you stopping?" Aria gasps.
Drawing in a harsh breath, my dick aching painfully, I mutter, "Ain't got a condom."
Every part of my body is screaming fuck it but I can't. No way am I going to put us in that situation again. Losing that kid nearly broke her, hell, it sort of did.
This is the worst possible moment to be dealing with this. We're both so worked up, aching for that release. Aria's silent and I huff, knowing that this is over.
"Knowing that it's possible, are you afraid if it happens?"
I meet that evergreen stare, captivated as always by the story told in those depths. "Only thing I'm afraid of is losing you again."
She wraps her arms around my neck, our foreheads resting together. "Then fuck me until I can't stop saying your name."
Those words reignite that desire as I lock lips with her, panting as I press the swollen head of my cock into her dripping lips. Aria's hands fist into my hair, gasping against our moving mouths as I fill her fully. She's so tight. I can feel my orgasm right there. My hold on her hips is bruising and I rest my head against her shoulder, forcing myself to calm down before this is done too early.
I pull out and thrust into her again, slow and steady. Aria's clinging to me, unsteady breaths panted against my neck, nails biting into my back. I move with short, harsh strokes that have both of us cursing and barely muffling the cries of each other's name. Yanking her other leg up, I grip her under her ass, supporting all her weight as I slam into her.
"Daryl, ung, fuck, babe." I can't help but smirk hearing my name on her lips.
She bucks against my snapping hips, holding on tight as she rubs her clit, driving her right over the edge as I loose rhythm, my orgasm burning hot and fast down my spine. Her walls lock around me, body arching as she sinks her teeth into my shoulder. Aria pulls me right into the euphoric high with her. I groan low and deep in my chest, vision going black for a short moment as my whole body coils tightly.
Aria presses tender kisses over my shoulder and neck before ending with my lips. I kiss her slowly, savoring this moment. When we break away, I rest my head against hers, letting my eyes slip shut. I would almost say it's perfect that is until my senses come back to me.
The screaming of the walkers finally meets my ears and I look away from my girl. We left the garage door wide open the whole time, the walkers in plain sight.
I snort, "Gave them a nice show, didn't we?"
Aria laughs, dropping her legs from around my waist. She leans into me, her head resting above my heart, hands on my hips.
"I'm sorry," she murmurs after a short silence. My chin rests on top of her head, fingers trailing the vertebrae of her spine.
"Can't bottle this shit up, girl. It's gonna kill you."
"I know."
Wrapping my arms around her, I squeeze her tight. "I mean it, Aria. I can't fucking lose you again."
She looks up at me, devotion burning in those dark depths. "I'm not going anywhere, Daryl. Like you said, we'll figure this out."
I brush her long hair behind her ear, kissing her deep. "Damn right, darling."