Daryl moved through the prison, his watch shift over the boy was over, Bob had taken over, it was earlier hours in the morning but he had the shift watching the prison in a few hours so he planned on getting as much sleep as he could before then, he made his way up the stairs to go to his ledge where he slept when his casual glance in to his brother's cell caused him to freeze in his tracks, he moved over to the cell door staring at the bunk that his brother was asleep on, what had caught his attention was the boy cuddled up to his brother which Merle had his arm around, Daryl had never seen his brother cuddle anyone. The large dog that seemed to follow Merle was laying under the bunk watching him, but he paid the dog no attention. He was far to amazed at the sight of his brother.
"It's cute isn't it"
Daryl physically jumped having not heard anyone approach him and he hadn't seen anyone else up, he turned his head to the old woman from Merle's group she stood beside him staring in to the cell a soft smile on her face. He shrugged in reply turning his attention back to his brother.
"Aint ever seen him like this before that's for sure"
"Since I've known him I have, I've woken up a few times to see little Nikolai sleeping on him, Michael and Ellie cuddled to his sides, even Noah and Salem cuddle up to him, he acts like a big macho man and says he doesn't do cuddling but he cuddles them back, he just needed someone to persist before he gave in" She smiled. "He's a good man your brother he's taken on these children as his own and I don't think he realises, he protects and cares like a father should; all the children think of him as a father, he just has a hard time believing in himself"
Daryl stayed silent and he turned his head towards her, she seemed to know a side of his brother that he didn't. The caring side of Merle, a side he secretly really wanted to see, to know his brother was human, to know his brother cared for him, Merle said he did, but he had never shown it, and actions speak louder than words.
"He cares a lot about you, you know" The woman commented as if reading his mind. "Be patient with him, years of abuse does there work on people in different ways, and despite what you think he really does need you, and love you…be patient"
He couldn't find any words to reply to her, Merle had never needed looking after, unless drunk or high out of his mind but even then he still was capable of looking after himself kind of, Merle was always by himself because he didn't want people around him, he was pretty vocal about not needing anyone.
"You should go get some sleep dear before you have watch shift again, you only have a few hours" She patted his shoulder moving around him and down the stairs.
"Where are you going?" He questioned turning to watch her descend the stairs.
"Checking on Nikolai and Jenika, I have to check on him almost hourly make sure the fluids are taking" She explained turning back to look at him with a raised eyebrow. "Go to bed"
Bossy old woman Daryl thought glancing at his brother one last time before pushing off of the cell door and walking to his 'bedroom' doing as she told him to, as he reached his room he laid on his bunk but sleep wouldn't come, he was defiantly tired but he just couldn't stop thinking about what she said. The picture of his brother hugging the sleeping boy flashed through his mind.
He cares a lot about you, you know be patient with him, years of abuse does there work on people in different ways, and despite what you think he really does need you, and love you…be patient
Sighing heavily he closed his eyes rolling on to his side to try get some sleep before his next shift and for a quiet talk with Carol…
"Jenika?" Norma called softly as she entered the cell, giving a slight nod towards the man on watch, as expected Jenika didn't move or acknowledge her. "How's he doing?" She questioned when she was a nurse she had had training for occasions like this, but she always hated having to use her training. "He looks a lot better doesn't he? less pale" She smiled resting a hand on the back of Jenika's shoulder. "I had a chance to speak with Daryl earlier you know Merle's brother, both them boys have problems sad really they are quite lovely men, if you get the chance be sure to say hello to Daryl" Norma smiled her eyes falling on to Nikolai. "Michael's up stairs cuddling with Merle cute scene really, should have taken a picture for you" Norma continued to talk, she couldn't give up on them, despite the fact she knew Jenika wasn't going to reply she could hear her and from all her training Norma knew she had to keep going to keep talking till Jenika came out of her state of mind or till Nikolai awoke, Jenika couldn't do it alone she needed support. Norma was extremely worried about losing them both, fluids were running slim if Nikolai didn't wake up soon and eat and drink by himself, he'd die of starvation and if he died Jenika wouldn't be that far behind. She tightened her grip on Jenika's shoulder at the thought.
"How old is he?"
"Hm?" Norma hummed turning to the man on watch, he nodded towards Nikolai. "Oh nearly a year old I think, not very old but he learnt to crawl not that long ago" She smiled fondly feeling tears in her eyes.
"He's so young, I'm sorry"
"Not your fault"
"I know but it's a horrible thing" He muttered silence followed for a few seconds before he spoke again "You were a nurse before the apocalypse?"
"A retired surgeon I worked my way up from Nurse, you?"
"A army Medic"
"Oh really?" Norma blinked turning to stare at the man but seeing the look on his face and how he wouldn't meet her eye she could see he didn't want to talk about it. "When retired I didn't ever think I'd be doing anything like this again, I loved my job don't get me wrong, helping people get better seeing the critically ill get better and knowing I played a part was a lovely thing, I adored it but it was those that I couldn't save I couldn't help, it's haunting isn't it?"
She turned her head towards him, watching him nod slightly his hands twitching to grab something from his pocket but he didn't do it, she could just see the top of a bottle.
"I'll never forget, the memories there haunting even the things I've seen in this new world, they haunt me, I can't forget no matter what I do"
Norma nodded slightly turning to face the man. "Things go wrong and there will always be people you can't save and I'm afraid that is something you can't help before and now that is the world that is the rules, you have to forgive yourself before you can let go, you have saved many other lives if not for you they would have died, apologise to those you couldn't and forgive yourself, I'm sure they forgive you, you tried and trying is all you can do. Forgive yourself" She patted his shoulder walking back out of the cell after saying goodbye to Jenika and Nikolai, she needed to check on Ellie.
Bob stared after the old woman, waiting till she was out of sight he reached for the bottle in his pocket and took a swig. "I can't"
My baby my precious baby it's time to wake up now please.
(Just a small quick filler with a lot of importance
Merry Christmas everyone 3)
