Chapter Fifty-Four

During the drive back to the prison, Riley was asking Daryl all sorts of questions on what his past birthdays had been like. It saddened her though when she quickly noticed that he didn't have much to share since his parents had basically neglected him and his brother from a very early age on already.

''So you never got any presents?'' She asked and Daryl shook his head.

''Nah, my old man didn't give a shit and my mom was mostly too drunk out of her mind to even recall the day. Most I got from her was some old candy she'd found at the bottom of her bag, but even those tasted like shit.'' He mentioned and Riley bit her lip, feeling rather guilty for even asking him that question.

Her birthdays had always been great, a day to look forward to. Her parents weren't wealthy but they did everything in their power to make sure that she had a happy childhood. Her father had a fulltime job as a carpenter while her mother worked part-time as a waitress at a local diner, wanting to be home in the afternoons when Riley would come back from school, only working more hours when her daughter went to high school. Next to her part-time job, her mother also babysat a few neighborhood kids to make some extra money. Since Riley was an only child, she really loved having some other kids to play with at her house.

Her parents had started saving money from the moment Riley was born so their daughter could go to college and live her dreams. Riley could still remember the proud looks on their faces when she'd graduated. She could honestly say that she'd enjoyed her childhood, her birthdays being no exception as her mother would bake her a special birthday cake, and they would go camping for a day or have barbeques in the garden with her family and friends.

Riley hated that Daryl had been deprived of so many things in his life and it made her sad even though she tried to hide it from him, knowing he didn't want her to feel like that.

''Merle never forgot though,'' Daryl then said when he noticed that Riley had been awfully quiet after his last statement. He knew how she would always react to him missing out on things during his childhood since she felt guilty because she had a happy childhood. He didn't understand why she would feel that way about the matter though because he was glad that she had a carefree life as a kid, the way it was supposed to be for every child.

It frequently happened between the two of them that she would share a few of her childhood memories with him and he would often have to tell her hadn't experienced any of those things as a kid. The look she would have on her face for even telling him those happy moments in her life made him feel uneasy. He always told her that he loved listening to her stories, the details of her life, the people and experiences that made her into the woman she was today.

''Really?'' She said, being rather surprised by the news.

''Yeah, when he wasn't locked up he would take me out for the day.''

''And what did you guys do?'' She questioned in curiosity, wondering what the Dixon brothers' idea of fun was at the time.

''When I was younger we would go to McDonalds. We also played some games at the local arcade or go see a movie.'' He said and Riley smiled, thinking it was rather adorable of Merle to be doing such a thing for his younger brother. She knew that underneath that whole tough guy act there was kindness in Merle's heart even though he rarely showed it.

''And when you got older?''

''Took me to this local bar, bought me a few drinks.'' He said and Riley saw the way he smirked.

''And..? I know there is more to that story by that look on your face Daryl.''

''Snuck me into a strip club when I turned fifteen.'' He added and Riley gaped at him in shock.

''When you were fifteen?''

''First time I ever saw a pair of bare tits up close.''

''Oh my God! I'm sure you just loved that, didn't you?''

''Hm, was alrigh'. Nothin' can top these though.'' He said while he softly patted her against her right breast.

''Daryl!' She said as she slapped his hand away.

''Woman watch it, I'm drivin'!'' He said while he tried to hide his amusement and she rolled her eyes, leaning her head against his shoulder again as they both looked at the empty road up ahead while they drove past a few big fields.

''Better stop all that talk about my breasts or I'm going to think that they're the only reason you're attracted to me,'' she said and he smirked.

She's just askin' for it. ''Well that's true actually, the rest I unfortunately have to live with.''

''Daryl!'' She said as she slapped him against his chest again, making him chuckle before he pulled her closer towards him.

''I'm kiddin' woman, that personality ya got is clearly one of a kind.''

''Asshole.''

''Ya have beautiful eyes?''

''Oh, now you're just sucking up.''

''Is it workin'?''

''A little,'' she smiled and he smirked before he pressed his lips against the top of her head.

''So, how was that strip club you went to?'' She asked him after a moment of silence, always curious to know more about his past life.

''For a fifteen year old it was pretty shockin', though I realized after some time that most of them tits in there weren't even real,'' he said and she chuckled, wondering how a teenage version of Daryl would've behaved in such a place.

''I thought you could only look and not touch?'' She casually asked him like it was the most normal thing to talk about.

''Merle arranged me a private show in the back and the girl thought I was cute so she just grabbed my hands and placed them on her tits. Told me to give them a firm squeeze.''

''Well I can't say I blame her, I like having your hands on my breasts too.'' Riley grinned and Daryl just shook his head while he swallowed, vivid memories of her breasts in his hands popping up into his mind.

Damn, what I wouldn't do to feel them right now, he thought before he quickly tried to think of something else. ''Shit, I can still remember the look on Connor's face when I told him Merle took me to a strip club. He was fuckin' pissed at me for not takin' him along.'' He suddenly mentioned with a smirk on his face as he recalled the memory and Riley pulled back to look at him in confusion.

''Connor? Who's that?''

''This kid I kinda grew up with.''

''You had a childhood friend? You never told me about him.'' She said in surprise. This was new, she only knew bits and pieces of Daryl's past that the hunter was willing to share with her, but him having a childhood friend had never popped up. ''What was he like?''

''He was an annoyin' little shit, never knew when to shut up,'' he smirked, recalling the infamous Connor Flanery. ''I was about eight years old when I met him. He was the new kid in town, moved from California to Georgia with his parents and his older brother.''

''Where did you meet him?'' She asked him in curiosity.

''At school, I remember him walkin' into our class with a cocky grin on his face. He was already crackin' a few jokes, annoyin' the shit out of our teacher.'' He said and she smiled.

''So how did you two end up talking?''

''Well, I was sittin' in the back of the class, mindin' my own business. The only free seat left was next to me,'' he mentioned. ''Nobody wanted to sit there.''

''Huh? Why not?'' She asked him in confusion.

''My dad had already made a pretty good name for himself at the time, Merle too.'' He explained and Riley pursed her lips, hating that Daryl had grown up to be considered an outcast.

''So what happened after he sat beside you?'' She asked.

''Connor just started talkin' to me and I just looked at him like he'd grown a second head. None of them other kids really talked to me. They were too afraid of Merle to pick on me so they just ignored me instead,'' he explained and Riley's heart broke at all this information. ''I figured that Connor would stop talkin' to me after a few days, especially since all of them boys in my class liked him right away. He was a talker and had a good background. His family was rich, his old man was this high ranked chief in the army or somethin' like that, and his mom was a psychologist.''

''So how did you two become friends?'' She asked in interest, wondering how this Connor guy could befriend Daryl while they clearly had a different background.

''Well, he just kept on tryna talk to me. I didn't really trust him in the beginning, told him to just leave me alone. Little shit didn't listen though, stubborn as fuck.'' He grumbled and Riley chuckled.

''He just kept pushing until you gave in?''

''Yeah I guess so. I remember some woman doin' the exact same thing.'' He hinted and she grinned at him.

''I like this Connor already,'' she said and he smirked. ''So that's how you two became friends?''

''Well, one thing led to another and we just started hangin' out more. Connor was a people magnet so 'cause of him them other kids started talkin' to me too. Those years in school weren't that bad I guess.''

''That's really great to hear Daryl, I'm happy that you had him in your life at that time.'' She said and he just grunted in return. ''So, did you stay friends? Did you meet up with him before the outbreak?''

''Nah we just.. fell out of contact.'' He mentioned and she looked back at him in confusion, clearly wanting him to elaborate. ''Well, remember when I told ya that I dropped out of high school when I was fifteen?'' He said and she nodded, still remembering how well that particular conversation had went when they'd talked about their educational background. She did understood his reasons for doing it though, since his mother had passed away, his father was an abusive bastard and Merle was gone most of the time. He had told her he wanted to save money because he wanted to get his own place as soon as possible.

''Well, Connor stayed in school while I had to make money doin' random jobs, fixin' cars, paintin' houses stuff like that.'' He started and she nodded in understanding. ''But we stayed friends. Sometimes I even spend a night at his house, we ate pizza, drank some beer we snatched from his old man's fridge in the basement.'' He said and she chuckled. ''But a couple of weeks after I turned fifteen, he told me his old man had this new job offer in New York and his family had to move.'' Daryl said, frowning as he recalled back the memory of his best friend telling him he was leaving. ''He told me nothin' would change. We would keep in contact, sayin' he would call me at least every two weeks.''

''And did he really do that?'' She asked and he nodded.

''Yeah, Connor was a guy that kept his promises. Talked my head off when he called me. Asked me tons of questions, shared millions of stories, shit, I remember those conversations lastin' at least an hour if not more.''

Riley smiled thinking it was great that Daryl had such a great friend in his life but it made her wonder why he never had shared it with her. She realized that friendship must've ended badly for Daryl not to bring it up until now.

''So, what happened?'' She hesitantly asked him and Daryl frowned.

''We just, we were both livin' different lives, ya know? He got into med school while I just had my job at the garage. I was barely able to pay the rent for my apartment. All of them stories he told me about the things he did, the places he saw, the people he met. I dunno, it just..'' he trailed off, not knowing how to explain how he'd felt at the time.

''Made you think you were missing out on certain things in life?'' She mentioned and he looked at her in surprise at how she had figured it out so quickly. He hadn't even realized it at the time.

''I think it did,'' he muttered, staring at the road in front of them and Riley pursed her lips at his confession. She understood why he would feel that way, he hadn't experienced the life a normal teen would experience and to watch it happening from a distance without living it would be upsetting. ''I had always known we were two very different people, but I never really understood why he would still talk to me after he left.'' He mumbled.

''You were his friend Daryl, that's what friends do.'' She told him and he just shrugged his shoulders, feeling uneasy to tell her the next part of the story. At the time, Daryl had expected Connor to be the one to walk out of his life like everyone else had done, but the truth was, Daryl had messed up his friendship with the guy all by himself.

''So you eventually just stopped talking to each other?'' Riley hesitantly asked, wondering how Daryl had lost a friendship with a guy who seemed to really make the effort of not disappearing on him.

The hunter frowned as he thought about her question, trying to put together his scattered memories of the incident. ''After a few years I lost my job at the garage 'cause of Merle. Connor called me on the day I'd been fired so, that conversation didn't go well. Was drunk too, said a lot of shit to him.'' He muttered as he still remembered yelling at his friend.

Riley bit her lip as she could imagine what Daryl must've said to Connor. She knew Daryl could have a temper and lash out, especially when he was angry which could easily turn into a mad rage. He'd gotten a lot better to control himself but she could picture how angry he must've been in that particular moment. Poor Connor.

''What did you say?'' She tentatively asked him and he sighed.

''Told him he could just fuck off with his stupid perfect little life and his rich ass family. Said I never wanted to talk to him again.'' He mumbled and she looked at him, seeing him staring at the road.

''So that was when the contact between you two stopped?'' She asked him but he shook his head.

''Connor was persistent, kept on tryna call me but I never picked up.'' He said, not elaborating on the fact that he'd actually listened to all those messages his friend had left him on his voicemail. Connor had been hurt but he was still desperately trying to reach out to Daryl. He'd even said that he could arrange him a job in New York but that just pissed Daryl off even more, not wanting to be a charity case.

After some time, Daryl's anger had slowly changed into guilt and that was something the hunter couldn't handle. He realized he'd been an asshole of a friend and couldn't face Connor anymore after his outburst.

Daryl sighed as he recalled the memories before he briefly met Riley's eyes. ''After a few months Merle got outta jail and I was outta money so I decided to just leave that fuckin' town and went on the road with him. The only times I went back was when Merle was in jail and I stayed at my uncle's place.'' He said and Riley casted down her eyes, not knowing what to say.

''I just never understood ya know,'' Daryl said after a moment of silence and she looked at him in confusion. ''Why he wanted to be friends, I never got it.''

''Because you're a great friend to have?'' She offered but he just scoffed at the mere thought already. ''You are Daryl. Why do you think I want to be with you? It's not because I like those nice arms you have, though it's certainly a plus.'' She said and he chuckled, his mood turning a little lighter at her comment. ''You're loyal and caring, extremely brave but also very observant and smart.''

''I ain't smart, I ain't got no fancy college degree like you do. I didn't even finish high school.'' He mumbled, clearly bypassing all the other things she'd said about him.

''You are smart, you don't need a college degree for that. Everything you already did for the group, for me, no degree can top that.'' She said and he just gave her a doubtful look. ''You're a hard worker and you never complain. You sometimes have to pull me out of bed because I hate getting up so early in the morning.'' She added and he chuckled.

''Sometimes?''

''Okay, a lot of times.'' She said with a smile. ''I love you just the way you are, and I'm sure that Connor felt the same way.''

''He didn't love me woman,'' he grumbled and she laughed at the way he interpreted her comment.

''As a friend Daryl, keep up will you!'' She said as she flicked him against his nose with her index finger.

''Goddammit woman, will ya stop it!'' He said, swatting her hand away again and she stuck out her tongue at him. He glared at her before he started to poke his index finger into her side.

''No stop!'' She squealed, pulling his right hand away from her side, keeping it firmly in both of her hands so he couldn't move it. Daryl chuckled while he turned left as they were nearing the prison, their journey back clearly seemed to have gone by pretty quickly.

''Do you think he's still alive?'' She suddenly asked him after a moment of silence.

''I think so, his old man has military experience, and I reckon he taught his sons a couple of things.'' Daryl mentioned and she nodded while she was staring out the window, playing with his fingers as she kept his right hand a prisoner, wondering if Daryl's friend was in fact a survivor of this world like they were.

She was suddenly snapped out of her thoughts however when the prison came into view, seeing that some of their group members were actually standing in the middle of an empty looking field, no walker in sight.

''What the hell? They cleared the field?'' She said in surprise, noticing Rick standing in the middle of the field, pointing at a pile of dead bodies while talking with three former men from Woodbury, clearly giving instructions on what to do while a few other people were busy fixing the fences. ''I didn't know Rick was already making plans for that.''

''Guess he didn't want to wait anymore.'' Daryl said as he drove up the path to the entrance of the prison and Maggie opened the gates for them along with Carl. They drove their cars inside, Carl quickly closing the gate behind them as Maggie pushed a metal pole in between a walker's eyes that came too close for comfort.

Daryl stopped the Pickup in the courtyard, Rick making his way over to them when he spotted the cars, hoping that the supply run had been successful.

''What's this?'' Daryl asked him the minute he was out of the car.

''Well, I figured the longer we wait with clearing the field, the more walkers would gather, making the job a lot harder.'' Rick mentioned. ''The others agreed so we got to work.''

''That's great Rick, I'm sure that Hershel is eager to be planting some seeds.'' Riley smiled as she'd gotten out of the car as well and Rick nodded.

''Yeah, he's already making some plans with a few others on how he wants to do it. I don't know anything about farming though so it will most likely be his project.'' He said before he looked at the many filled trash bags in their Pickup. ''You guys were clearly lucky I see.''

''Sure were, there's more in the other car too. Don't need to be worryin' about food for at least a few weeks.'' Daryl mentioned as he grabbed two trash bags.

''Tyreese and Sasha raided the storage room of the convenience store we found, apparently others hadn't been there yet.'' Riley said as she followed Daryl's lead by grabbing two trash bags as well and Rick nodded, seeing the two siblings standing behind Michonne as she opened the trunk of the Tucson.

''I knew they would be helpful out there, it's good to mix our group a little, get to know each other's fighting skills.'' He mentioned and both Riley and the hunter nodded in agreement.

''We also got more clothes, hygiene products and we even got a few bags of toys for the kids.'' Riley said to Rick who looked quite impressed before footsteps were heard behind them.

''Where do you want these Rick?'' Tyreese asked as he showed the two trash bags he brought along, Sasha and Michonne standing beside him with even more supplies from their run.

''Take the bags of food and hygiene products to the storage room and I'll let Carol handle the clothes. Hershel could take a look at the meds.'' Rick mentioned and the two siblings nodded before they walked over to cell block C, Michonne following them.

''How was Michonne, doing good?'' Rick asked Daryl who nodded.

''Yeah, she had my back out there.''

''Good, seems we've got ourselves a lot more manpower.'' Rick said before Carl walked up to them, wondering how their supply run had gone. He was a little annoyed that he hadn't been asked to come along but he knew better than to go against his dad's orders.

''What can I do?'' He asked his father and Rick turned around to look at his son.

''Uh, you can take these trash bags of toys to the play room we'd set up for the kids.'' He instructed and Carl nodded, taking the two trash bags from his father.

''Wow these are heavy.'' He said in surprise at the weight of the trash bags.

''I got a bunch of stuffed animals but also dolls and toy cars. Found a lot of Lego too,'' Riley said with a smile on her face. ''Maybe you and a few of the other kids can build some stuff together?''

Carl looked at her with a frown on his face before he shook his head. ''Nah, I'm too old for that stuff.'' He replied before he walked away, leaving Riley to stand there with a look of surprise on her face. She heard Rick sigh and looked at the man who just shook his head, merely grabbing another trash bag from the bed of the Pickup. He knew that his son was acting out, not really letting the children from Woodbury get close to him. Rick however was at loss at how to approach the situation since Carl still didn't like the fact that his gun was taken from him. His son had grown up too fast in such a short amount of time, and Rick wanted to use this time of peace to let Carl experience to be a kid again but it seemed that Carl was dead set on not going along with that idea.

''Yo Carl!'' Daryl suddenly called out, making both Rick and Riley look at the hunter in confusion. Carl turned around and looked at Daryl with a questioned look on his face.

''When we're done here, we've got crossbow practice. Meet me at the right guard tower in fifteen minutes.'' Daryl said and Carl's eyes widened in surprise before he nodded and quickly walked away to get the job done faster.

''Thanks.'' Rick said to Daryl who give the man a nod of his head before he walked over to cell block C, Riley following him.

''He's really pushing them away.'' She mentioned to him and he looked at her.

''Kid just needs some time woman, I'm sure he'll come around eventually.'' Daryl told her, knowing how difficult it could be to adjust to a new situation. Riley merely nodded, hoping he was right about the matter.


An hour later after helping Maggie and Glenn with filling the storage room and counting their new supplies, Riley had followed her friend to her cell since she'd said to Maggie she wanted to show her something important.

''Well, we're here now. What's the surprise?'' Maggie asked while she sat down on her bed, looking at her friend in curiosity.

''Okay, just wait a minute. It's in my bag, I'll be right back.'' Riley said before she disappeared and Maggie frowned.

What in the world is she up to?

Before she knew it though Riley had returned, holding something behind her back.

''So, during that supply run today, I spotted something great.'' Riley said and Maggie looked at her friend in confusion. ''Promise me you will give it a chance okay? I know you're not really into such a thing but, just.. give it a shot.'' She added and now Maggie chuckled.

''Ookaaaayyy, I promise.''

Riley smiled before she showed Maggie what she'd been hiding behind her back and Maggie's eyes widened a bit, seeing her friend holding a white short summer dress in front of her.

''What's this?'' She asked even though she had a vague idea on what Riley was doing and quickly stood up.

''Well, it's your wedding dress of course! I know you don't like those over the top dresses so I found a simple but very cute one.'' Riley said as she held the dress in front of her friend's body to see how it looked.

''But I don't need a wedding dress Riles. I mean, Glenn and I are already married in our hearts and we don't nee-'' Maggie started but Riley cut her off.

''I know that you guys can't get married officially, but we can still keep the traditions going a little can't we? Not everything in this godforsaken world has to die, does it? We can just hold a small ceremony and I dunno, maybe your dad would like to give you away? Hmm.. we also need to find someone who can marry the two of you.'' She mentioned as she thought about it.

''But Riles, I don't want people to go out of their way to do that for Glenn and me, it's not that big of dea-'' Maggie started to protest but Riley covered her friend's mouth with her hand.

''Marriage is a big deal, especially if it's between two of my best friends.'' She said with a raised eyebrow and Maggie frowned. ''Don't worry, I'll go ask around and I'm sure Beth and Carol would like to help as well, a few of the other people of Woodbury too. We can hold a small ceremony, have a party afterwards. I'm sure Rick won't mind giving us all one night off. You don't have to worry about a thing, I'll take care of it.''

Maggie pursed her lips. She liked Riley's idea but she didn't know if it would be good to actually hold a ceremony, she didn't want to put a strain on people to do something like that for her. But if she was honest to herself, she knew that if walkers weren't roaming the earth, she would've probably been married in a church, had a small ceremony with just family and close friends, a nice party at the farm.

As she saw the hopeful look on Riley's face, she couldn't say no. ''Okay, I'll agree if only-'' she started but was suddenly cut off by Riley who had thrown her arms around her neck.

''Yes! I knew you would like it! I have to tell Beth, she was already excited when I told her my idea.''

''Well the cat's out of the bag isn't it? You and my sister have already been planning this behind my back, haven't you?'' Maggie asked as Riley pulled back and just grinned at her.

''Maybe, in a way, we did. So?'' She casually said and Maggie shook her head while she smiled.

''Okay, we can do this but only if Rick agrees and only if people actually want to do it too. I don't want anyone to go out of their way for me. And Glenn has to agree too, if he doesn't want to do it then the ceremony is off.'' Maggie said but Riley just rolled her eyes.

''Oh don't worry, Glenn will surely say yes and it's a reason for a party, so I'm sure others would love it too. And I'll go talk to Rick, just leave it up to me. The only thing you need to do is be there on time and wear this dress.''

Maggie smiled and took the dress from Riley, holding it in front of her. It wasn't something she would normally wear but she thought it made her look more feminine and it was for a special occasion of course. She was sure that Glenn would also be rather surprised to see her wearing this.

''Great, I'll get going. I have to tell some people you agreed.'' Riley said and Maggie's eyes widened in surprise.

''I thought Beth only knew about this plan?''

''Oh uhm.. yeah, sure she did.'' Riley said before she walked off, leaving Maggie by herself with a look of shock on her face.


Half an hour later, Riley was placing all the new clothes she'd gotten for Daryl and herself into the drawers of their wooden cabinets, happy to have some new items that didn't have any faded bloodstains or mud on them. She quickly hid away the new pieces of lingerie she'd found, placing them in one of the bottom drawers. She had actually planned on putting on very little for what she had prepared for tonight.

It's his birthday after all, she grinned to herself as she placed away a couple of white lacy thongs before she suddenly heard some footsteps approaching, seeing Daryl entering their cell.

''Hey, how did it go with Carl?'' She asked him while she sat down on their bed to fish out a few bottles of mouth wash from her bag.

''Alrigh', kid's got a good aim.'' Daryl mentioned as he placed both of their crossbows against the wall since he'd let Carl use hers during practice.

''Good, we should get him his own one soon.'' Riley said while she took out two new tooth brushes from their packages and Daryl nodded in agreement before he saw what she was doing.

''The blue one is mine.'' He grumbled and she chuckled.

''Yes Sir, I won't do it again.'' She smiled as she placed their new tooth brushes in a plastic cup beside the tap of the small sink and removed their old ones. She previously had given him the pink toothbrush, not being able to prevent herself from laughing when she saw the look of surprise on his face when she'd pushed the blue toothbrush in her mouth with a big knowing grin on her face.

Daryl nodded, satisfied with her answer and went over to his bag to fish out all the stuff he'd got for himself on their supply run.

''Oh by the way, I talked to Maggie about that ceremony I had planned.'' Riley started and Daryl nodded his head, knowing what she was talking about. From the day Maggie and Glenn had told her they'd gotten hitched, Riley had all kinds of ideas on how to make a special wedding ceremony for her friends. Daryl thought she was putting a lot of effort into it but he knew how much she cared about her friends. However, when she talked about it, it always made him wonder how their own marriage would be like. Would she also want to hold a ceremony where he had to dress up and stand in front of all those people and say a few words? He wasn't like that, he would probably just choke up and run off. He was already certain that he would stumble over his own words when he would finally collect the nerve and pop the question. In the back of his mind he always had this fear that she wouldn't want to get married to a man like him, that the commitment would be too confining.

''Well she agreed to it, and I just spoke to Glenn and he was up for it as well. So, I only have to talk to Rick about it and if he says yes I can start making plans. Thankfully Carol and Beth want to help me out, Karen too.'' Riley babbled and Daryl just grunted in reply as he placed a few packets of cigarettes on the wooden cabinet beside him.

Riley pursed her lips at his lack of response while she fidgeted with a piece of thread sticking out from their blanket. She had noticed that Daryl always went awfully quiet when she would talk to him about the wedding ceremony for Glenn and Maggie. It made her wonder if he perhaps thought it was a stupid idea to do such a thing. But his behavior when the topic popped up also made her think that he perhaps wasn't even interested in the idea of marriage.

Oh well, it doesn't matter. We don't need such a thing to prove our love to each other, she thought even though in her heart she knew she wasn't being honest with herself. She would love to get married to Daryl and share his last name, stating to the world they belonged together. He already said he wants to live with me and have children together, so we don't really need to marry. Lots of couples don't get married and they're doing just fine. She took a deep breath and planted a smile on her face as she looked at him, seeing he was rummaging inside of his bag before he pulled out a rather big piece of dark blue material.

''What's that?'' Riley asked in curiosity, wondering if he'd gotten them a new blanket.

''A curtain.'' He said and she looked at him in surprise before she stood up to inspect the material in his hands.

''Where did you get this?'' She asked as he gave her the thick curtain, seeing it already had metal rings fabricated into the material.

''That clothing store had a few of them fittin' rooms at the back, just took it off of them rings hangin' from the rod.'' Daryl mentioned as he walked over to the entrance of their cell, untying the bed sheet from the hooks he'd attached above the cell door. ''It already has them rings on it so I just need to attach it back to the curtain rod.''

''But we don't have a curtain rod.'' She said in confusion, not recalling Daryl taking along a metal pole on their supply run.

''Already taken care of,'' he said before he crouched down and rummaged around underneath their bed, grabbing the metal pole he had stashed there. ''I knew how much you wanted a curtain so I already placed this pole here when I found it in the shed a few weeks ago.'' He mentioned as he showed her the metal pole. ''Dunno what the hell this was for, but I figured we can use it as a curtain rod.''

Riley smiled while her heart melted a little at his gesture. See, now he does something like this just so you can have your stupid curtain. He loves you Riley, so just stop thinking about marriage and be happy with what you have, she thought while she placed the curtain on their bed and threw her arms around his neck.

''You're great you know that?'' She said and he smirked, wrapping his arms around her as well.

''Thought I would please my lady a bit.'' He said and she grinned before she pressed her lips against his.

''That surely pleased me.''

''How much?'' He wondered and she chuckled.

''Very, very, very much.'' She said in between peppering his lips with small kisses. He smirked at her before he leaned down and pressed his lips firmly against hers, giving her a thoroughly good kiss while his hands made their way downwards, grabbing her behind and squeezing the soft flesh.

''Daryl, we have dinner in a few minutes.'' She breathed while she closed her eyes, relishing in his touch.

''Want you.'' He growled into her ear, pressing her closer against him. It had been a while that they'd been intimate with each other and now that she was so close in such a confined space, he had difficulties holding himself back, her scent invading his senses.

Riley gasped at the possessiveness she heard in his voice, knowing he was slowly but steadily getting more riled up to have his way with her. However, she knew she had to be the reasonable one for now, as difficult as it was.

''You can have me tonight, I did promise some treasure hunting, didn't I?'' She whispered, making him take an unsteady breath at the promising tone in her voice. He could feel himself tightening in his jeans at the mere fantasies that were playing out in his mind. He surely was feeling up for thoroughly exploring her body.

''Baby, we have to stop.'' She breathed before his mouth found hers again, his tongue eagerly sliding in between her parted lips.

''Daryl, the curtain is gone.'' Riley futilely tried after a moment but he obviously didn't care as he firmly squeezed her ass again, pressing her against the hardening bulge inside his jeans while he was sucking on the soft skin of her neck.

''Dinner's ready!'' They suddenly heard Carol call out, making them both stiffen.

''Fuckin' hell.'' Daryl cursed and Riley chuckled.

''Don't worry, in just an hour or two and we can do as much exploring as we like.'' She assured him and he sighed, reluctantly pulling away from her. He looked down, seeing the clear bulge in his jeans and sat down on the bed, trying to calm himself. Riley did her best not to laugh as she saw the look of frustration on his face. Daryl always had so much self-control but he was surely reaching his breaking point.

She looked to the side, seeing Maggie and Glenn walking down the stairs which reminded her that they surely needed to get the new curtain into place. She gathered the thick material from the bed in her arms and shoved the metal pole into the rings.

''Alright, if you put the curtain into place, I'll go downstairs and grab you a plate of dinner before the good stuff is already gone.'' She said before she gave him the pole with the heavy curtain and Daryl just groaned in frustration as he looked at curtain and she just chuckled.

''Hurry up, the longer you wait, the longer it will take before we can do some treasure hunting.'' She whispered and he looked up at her in surprise, seeing her grinning at him before she walked out of their cell, leaving the stunned man behind.

''Teasin' little minx, goddammit.'' He grumbled under his breath before he stood up and got to work, knowing they could surely use a curtain for the privacy that they so desperately needed in this place.


At dinner, everyone was having their own conversations, Riley making sure that she'd given Daryl enough spaghetti and tuna with tomato sauce on his plate to have him properly fed for what she had planned for tonight. She was grinning to herself as to what he would think of her idea. The hunter who was sitting beside her was unaware of her plans though, merely shoving another spoon full of spaghetti into his mouth.

As Riley took a bite of her own food she looked at Rick and Michonne in the corner of her eye, seeing them discussing something a few tables away from them. They both had frowns on their faces as they were clearly talking about a heavy topic, seeing that Michonne was even pointing at a map she had in front of them on the table.

''Do you think she's alright?'' Riley asked Daryl who looked at her in confusion. ''Michonne.'' She clarified. ''I mean, Andrea and her were best friends. It has to affect her in some way you know?''

Daryl frowned as he thought about the matter, still being able to hear the gunshot in his mind when Andrea had killed herself in Woodbury after she'd been bit. He had witnessed Michonne's behavior and it was the only time he had actually seen the woman show some actual emotion instead of the great wall she had built around her. He knew that those two women had been close.

''I think she's just tryna cope with it all.'' He said to Riley who pressed her lips into a firm line.

''I just hope she's able to do that. She's very closed off, not really letting people in. I don't want her to feel like she's alone around here.'' She mentioned and Daryl looked at her, seeing her frowning while she was staring at the African American woman. Riley had kept her distance from Michonne but Daryl knew she had a difficult time doing that, knowing she was a people's person, just wanting the woman to feel welcomed into their group.

''She's got stuff on her mind woman, she wants to go look for him.'' He said and she looked at him in confusion. ''The Governor. I've heard her talking to Rick about it.''

''Is there any chance of us actually finding him? He can be anywhere by now.'' She mentioned.

''Dunno but the fact that he's still out there is what's the problem. He can still come back, there's always the chance of that.'' He said and she frowned, that news surely not sitting well with her. What if that freak decided to come back and take revenge?

''Do you think we should do that? Go look?'' She questioned and Daryl gave her a nod.

''Think so, even though chances are slim that we're ever able to find him. Don't know how Rick thinks about it though, we'll have to use cars, fuel, and manpower.'' He said and she nodded in understanding. It was a difficult decision to make but if Rick decided that they needed to go out in teams and search for that bastard that tried to hurt them, she was all on board.


After dinner, Daryl went over to Rick to discuss the plans for the following day, seeing if it was a good time to start another search through the prison to secure more corridors which allowed them more room to move around in.

While he was doing that, Riley went over to check up on Merle who was still fast asleep. She had made it her daily task to change the older Dixon's bandages and wash him with a washcloth after Hershel had shown her how to properly do it. Even though she had been changing Daryl's bandages back at the farm, the injuries Merle had were far worse and needed to be handled with utter care since the man himself was still unconscious and couldn't react.

She quietly entered Merle's cell with a bucket of warm water, seeing the man still lying in the exact position she had left him in when Daryl and her had checked up on him a few hours ago. She placed the bucket of water on the small nightstand before she sat down on a small stool beside his bed.

''Hey it's me again, Miss 'talk your head off'.'' She said to him while she slowly removed his bandages. She had a habit on talking to Merle every time she would change the dressing of his wound. She didn't know if he could actually hear her, but she thought it couldn't hurt to try.

''We went on a supply run today. Everything went alright, even though Daryl had gone out by himself for a moment while we were there, your brother can be so stubborn sometimes.'' She said while she dipped the washcloth she had brought along in the bucket of water. ''I guess that runs in the family, doesn't it?''

She carefully washed his chest, going over numerous faded scars, many of them matching Daryl's skin, being cautious of Merle's gunshot wound that Hershel had stitched. Merle's left hand was covered in bruises, clearly from punching someone repeatedly in the face but also from the bite marks the Governor had left him. She was glad that the Governor hadn't been able to bite through or else Merle wouldn't have much use of his left hand anymore without any fingers. She knew he was still getting used to the fact that the lower half of his right arm was gone, he didn't need even more trouble by losing another limb as well.

She sighed and wrung out the washcloth before she washed his neck. Daryl would help her every other day to pull Merle up in a seating position so she could wash his back as well, and she had initially gasped out in shock at the amount of scars that littered Merle's skin. Some seemed even more severe than Daryl's, and they could even see faded burn marks on his skin like someone had used Merle's back as an ashtray. Riley had seen the tense posture Daryl had when they both looked at the older Dixon's back, Merle clearly taken even more beatings than Daryl if that was even possible. It showed what kind of asshole their father had been, abusing his innocent children.

''There, now just your face and I can start redressing.'' Riley said before she carefully brushed the wet washcloth over his face. As she moved over his forehead she suddenly felt Merle move a little, making her frown as she stilled her hand, watching his face for any other sign of movement.

''Merle?'' She said, placing her hand on his forehead to see if he wasn't getting a fever. Her eyes widened however when she saw his eyelids moving a little, clearly responding to her voice. ''Merle? Open your eyes,'' she said to him, seeing that he was frowning a little before he slowly opened his eyes, blinking a few times before he looked at her.

''Oh my God Merle, you're awake.'' She said in a hushed voice, not wanting to startle him.

He blinked a few more times, watching her face in confusion before he spoke. ''Girly?''

''Yes! Oh Merle we were so worried.'' She said and he frowned again, looking around to see where he was. He felt like he had been asleep for ages, not really remembering all the details of his accident. He was about to sit up but Riley carefully pushed him back down on the bed.

''Don't get up, don't want you to pull any of your stitches.'' She mentioned and he fortunately listened to her, especially since he did feel his skin pulling a little.

''How long have I been out?'' He asked her in a raspy voice from lack of use and she quickly gave him a bottle of water which he gladly took before gulping down some of the cold liquid.

''About a week or so,'' she replied and his eyes widened in shock.

''A we-'' he nearly shouted but Riley quickly covered his mouth with her hand.

''Not so loud, there is a baby sleeping downstairs.'' She scolded him and he rolled his eyes, giving her back the now empty bottle of water.

''Wait, a week.. last thing I reme-.. fuck the Gov-'' he started but Riley cut him off.

''Is gone, or well.. we hope he stays gone.'' She said and he looked at her in confusion.

''What?'' He said before he coughed, Riley frowning in concern.

''Don't worry, we'll fill you as soon as Hershel has checked your wound.'' She said and stood up but Merle suddenly wrapped his hand around her wrist, making her look at him in confusion.

''Daryl, is he alrigh'?'' He asked, the worry clearly noticeable in his voice.

Riley smiled and nodded. ''He's alright, but he was really worried about you. I'll go send him up, he'll be so relieved.'' She said and Merle slowly nodded before he let go of her wrist, satisfied with her answer.

Riley sprinted down the stairs, first informing Hershel that Merle was awake so he could check up on the older Dixon. While the man went upstairs with Beth's help, Riley hastily made her way over to the common room where Daryl was still talking to Rick.

''Daryl! I got great news!'' She blurted out and the hunter looked at her in confusion, Rick beside him being equally confused.

''Guess who is awake?'' She said and Daryl's eyes widened in surprise before he quickly ran off towards the direction of the cells, sprinting right past her. He vaguely heard some voices coming from the cells downstairs but he ignored them, now taking two steps at a time on the stairs before he reached Merle's cell, already seeing Hershel sitting on a small stool beside Merle's bed.

''Merle?'' Daryl said in shock and his brother grinned at him while Hershel was checking his heart rate.

''Hey there lil' brother, took ya look enough! Yer young birdie was the first person I saw when I woke up, gotta tell ya man, that was a sight for sore eyes!'' He said while Riley appeared beside Daryl and she rolled her eyes at Merle's comment.

''Still haven't lost your old ways I see,'' She mentioned and Merle chuckled before he started to cough, Daryl tensing a little in concern.

''Okay, take it easy there Merle, the meds I gave you work pretty fast so you're not feeling that much pain, but that doesn't mean you can strain yourself.'' Hershel scolded and Merle rolled his eyes.

''I'm fine ol' man, just gotta get some liquor into my system and I'm a-okay again! And I got a valid reason because it's my brother's birthday!'' He cheered and Riley chuckled.

''Someone is clearly feeling the effects of his medication.'' She whispered to Daryl who just shook his head in amusement, relieved that his brother was awake and clearly back to normal.

After Hershel had checked up on Merle, Daryl told his brother what exactly happened with the Governor and that the survivors from Woodbury were now staying at the prison. Riley had listened to the two brothers while she had redressed Merle's wound, occasionally filling some of the gaps in Daryl's story since the hunter hadn't seen everything during the attack on the prison because he'd been inside the tombs.

They could only talk for about half an hour before Merle was getting tired, even though the older Dixon was stubbornly refusing to go to sleep saying that they still needed to get some booze to celebrate Daryl's birthday. After ten more minutes however, he was out like a light.


''Can't believe he's finally awake.'' Daryl mentioned to Riley as they were walking through one of the secured corridors of the prison since Riley had mentioned she wanted to go look for some books in the library to have something to read before she would go to sleep.

''Me neither. I'm glad he's not in so much pain though.'' She replied and Daryl nodded before they reached the library, Riley opening the door.

After Daryl had stepped inside the room as well, Riley locked the door behind them, leaving the hunter to stand there in confusion. ''Why did ya lock the door? Want to do some private readin' or somethin'?'' He wondered and she chuckled but shook her head.

''No, I was thinking that it is in fact still your birthday,'' she said with a smile while she moved towards him. ''And, didn't I promise you something this morning?''

Daryl swallowed before he spoke. ''Treasure hunting?'' He offered and Riley bit her lip while she nodded.

''Uhuh, and I figured-'' she started while she traced her index finger over the top button of his shirt, his eyes following her movements, ''what could be a better reward for a hunter than to let him do what he knows best?'' She mentioned and he looked at her in curiosity. She smiled at him in mischief before she took out a familiar piece of blue material from the back pocket of her jeans.

''Aw hell nah, ya ain't blindfoldin' me again woman.'' He complained as he saw her holding a rather familiar looking blindfold in her hand and she chuckled.

''Oh c'mon just for a few minutes, I need some time to get ready.''

''Get ready for what?'' He asked her in suspicion.

''You'll see,'' she said before she covered his eyes and he groaned in frustration, crossing his arms while she tied the blindfold behind the back his head.

''Okay, you have to count to thirty-seven, slowly, and then you can take the blindfold off.'' She mentioned and he frowned.

''And then what?''

Riley bit her lip before she took a few steps back. ''And then you hunt.'' She whispered and quickly walked away, heading into the next isle of bookshelves.

Daryl's eyes widened behind his blindfold at her suggestion before he smirked. ''Alrigh', I'll play along with yer little game woman.'' He said and he could hear her giggle in the distance, followed by two soft thumps on the floor.

''One,'' he started to count out loud and Riley could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest as she was quickly removing her jeans after she'd already taken off her boots and left them in the previous isle.

''Two,'' he continued and she quickly went into the next isle, removing her grey sweater before she let it hang from the back of a book, grinning to herself at the sudden rush she felt while she quickly shut off a camping lantern along the way.

''Three,'' she heard him say and she pulled off her top, throwing it on the floor before she ran into the next isle, removing one of her socks before she quickly made her way further into the library, removing her other sock, nearly tripping in the process.

Daryl continued to count, sometimes hearing something in the distance which just increased his curiosity.

''Thirty-six and… thirty-seven.'' He said after a few moments before he removed his blindfold, shoving it in the back pocket of his jeans. He looked around, only the moonlight peeking through the big window at the back of the large room since Riley had clearly turned down the few camping lanterns that had been on a few minutes ago. He smirked, getting out his flashlight he always had on him.

He slowly made his way into the first isle, shining his flashlight from side to side before his eyes suddenly spotted a pair of rather familiar looking boots on the floor. He smirked as he now realized what she had been doing and quietly moved forward.

''Ya know I'm gonna find ya eventually.'' He said out loud but there was no response, knowing she was trying to hold back her laughter to keep herself hidden.

''Where or where could ya be, woman.'' He continued as he toed off his own shoes in the process so she wouldn't hear him approach. He actually liked this game, feeling like he was hunting and the reward was his very own brown haired beauty.

He quietly continued his search, passing by a few other pieces of clothing she had been wearing. She's probably naked by now, he thought in excitement as he suddenly spotted her aqua colored bra hanging from the back of a book.

When he reached the last isle, he still hadn't seen her and walked further, approaching the open space behind the bookcases, seeing the large leather brown couch that had already been there before was now covered with a few blankets and pillows. He knew these items hadn't been here when he had discovered the library with Michonne and Glenn a few days ago, knowing that a certain brunette had gone out of her way to make it look comfortable.

He suddenly heard some footsteps behind him, quickly turning around to see a shadow pass the last bookshelf and he smirked, knowing Riley was watching him and clearly didn't want to get caught so easily. Unfortunately for her, Daryl was an expert in hunting prey.

He turned off his flashlight, making it more difficult for her to spot him and quietly made his way back into the last isle. He heard her softly giggling to herself before another amount of soft footsteps were heard in the distance, knowing she was probably making her way back to the front of the library.

He quietly made his way back to where he'd started counting, suddenly hearing soft breathing as his senses were heightened by the darkness. He slowly moved into the next isle, standing behind the edge of a bookshelf as he peeked his head around the corner to suddenly see Riley standing there at the end of the isle as she was peeking around the corner of the isle he had just been in, unaware that he was behind her.

Daryl felt a possessive urge coursing through him as could see the moonlight hitting her bare back while she was standing there barefoot, only wearing what seemed to be a thong? Daryl bit his lip as he slowly moved closer to her, not making any noise while he kept his eyes on her. She wasn't expecting anything by the way she was leaning around the corner to see if she could spot him.

Shit, where did he go? I just saw him moving into that isle and now he's gone? Maybe he's gone back to the last isle. Maybe I shou- Riley was thinking before she suddenly felt a presence behind her.

''Boo.'' Daryl whispered in her ear and Riley yelped in surprise before she turned around and slapped him against his chest.

''Daryl! You scared the shit out of me!'' She hissed at him while he chuckled.

''You were the one who wanted to play this game.'' He casually mentioned while his eyes trailed over her body, her long hair unfortunately covering her bare breasts. Riley did her best not to blush a deep shade of red at the way he looked at her, crossing her arms in front of her.

''Yeah but you didn't need to give me a heart attack!'' She futilely countered even though she knew she had been the one to bring this upon herself.

''As I recall, I needed to find you. And I did.'' He said before he suddenly grabbed her arms away from her body and pushed her against a bookshelf.

''So?'' She said, trying not to make her voice waver at the way he was looking at her, the animalistic part of him clearly rearing its head right now as he'd pinned her hands above her head so she had nowhere to go.

''So I've found the treasure,'' he started while he brushed his nose against the side of her neck, breathing in her familiar scent that now excited him even more for what was about to come. ''And now, I'll have my way with you.'' He growled before he suddenly grabbed her by her waist and pulled her over his shoulder.

''Daryl!'' Riley squealed in surprise while he made his way over to the next isle. ''Daryl put me down!'' She laughed as she couldn't believe how comical this was, her being almost naked while Daryl the caveman was dragging her into his cave.

''Be quiet!'' He demanded while he suddenly slapped her against her bare ass, making her yelp out in surprise.

''Oh my God, if I have a red mark on my ass I will kick you in the nuts!'' She yelled while she repeatedly slapped him against his ass but he merely smirked while they were getting closer to his destination.

''Daryl put me down you freaking caveman!'' She said out loud while she was hitting her fists against his back, even though she wasn't putting that much force into it, thinking it was rather funny what he was doing, but she wasn't going to make it easy for him. She kept on squirming and moving around, trying to get out of his hold but he had her in a vice grip, in fact having the nerve to slap her against her ass again.

When he finally reached the couch, he actually dumped her on it, making her yelp out in surprise as she bounced a little. She watched him turn on two nearby camping lanterns before he walked towards her again and she quickly crossed her arms in defiance.

''I don't think so mister,'' she said while she turned her head to the side. ''I have a hand print on my ass now and it.. uh, it burns like hell. I'm certainly not in the mood anymore, and that's on you.'' She stubbornly said while she had her eyes closed so she wouldn't burst out in laughter since they both knew he hadn't slapped her that hard to actually leave a hand print but she still wasn't going to give in so easily.

Daryl however was quiet, not responding and she peeked through her lashes before her eyes widened when he suddenly kneeled down in front of her. She couldn't read the look on his face, it was sitting in between impatience, arousal and affection?

''What are you doing?'' She asked but he didn't say anything before he suddenly reached out towards her hips, pulling her closer in one fast movement to the edge of the couch and turned her around so her stomach was resting on the couch while her knees were on the floor, leaving her in a rather exposed position.

''Oh my God, if you dare to slap me again I swear-'' she started before she gasped when she suddenly felt his lips pressing gentle kisses against her right ass cheek where he'd slapped her.

''Where does it hurt?'' He huskily whispered to her and Riley bit her lip not to moan at the way his hands were brushing up and down her thighs while he peppered her skin with small kisses.

''Here,'' she breathed while she pointed against her other cheek that he hadn't even slapped and he quietly growled underneath his breath like he needed to keep himself in check before he leaned down and kissed her there as well, using his tongue in the process. Riley softly moaned at the feeling, his warm hands brushing up and down her bare back.

''Oh, and my neck hurts too,'' she whispered and he softly grunted in reply while he moved his lips across her back, going higher and higher before he reached the back of her neck, kissing the soft skin.

Riley bit her lip again as he pressed himself against her, feeling a rather familiar bulge pressing against her ass. She moaned as he started to rub himself against her to create some nice friction, his hands moving downwards to her hips before his right hand slid inside her thong.

''Oh God,'' she breathed as he rubbed his hand slowly against her sensitive skin.

''Ya like that?'' He whispered in her ear as he could already feel how wet she was and she moaned in reply, pressing herself closer against him.

''Hmm,'' she barely was able to respond before he suddenly removed his hand and she let out a sound of displeasure. He sat back on the balls of his feet and she turned around in confusion as to why he'd stopped, seeing him raising an eyebrow at her.

''Still gonna say no?'' He questioned and she rolled her eyes before she nearly lunged herself at him, her mouth eagerly finding his.

''You're wearing too much clothes.'' She said before she hastily started to unbutton his shirt and Daryl had to hold back a chuckle at how quickly her mood had shifted. He helped her to remove his shirt and vest before he easily pulled her onto his lap and she moaned at the skin to skin contact before he kissed her, his tongue quickly demanding access. She gasped when he firmly squeezed her ass in his hands, pressing her against his erection.

''My breasts hurt too,'' she whispered after a moment and he smirked.

''Do they now?'' He questioned and she bit her lip while she nodded. He let her lean her back against the edge of the couch and leaned forwards, pressing his lips against her left nipple and Riley moaned while she slid her hands upwards to his hair, liking the fact that it had gotten a bit longer, giving her something more to hold onto.

Daryl teasingly started to twirl his tongue around her erect nub while his right hand moved up her body, squeezing her right breast before tracing his thumb over her nipple, from side to side before making small circles. Riley had to bite her lip to keep herself from moaning out loud, she had really missed his touch.

After a moment he massaged her breasts with both of his hands while he moved up to kiss her deeply. Riley gasped while she eagerly twirled her tongue around his.

He suddenly moved upwards onto his knees, pulling her along in the process, making her sit on the edge of the couch. Riley leaned back in a dazed state, her hands supporting her body to keep herself from falling backwards. Daryl brushed his hands over her ankles to her knees, all the way up to her thighs to stop at her hips. He hooked his index fingers into the top of her thong before hastily pulling it downwards, Riley moving up her hips to help him along. The way he looked at her with such a hungry gaze made her lick her lips, anticipation running through her as to what he was going to do next.

He flicked the flimsy material behind him before he leaned forwards, hooking his arms underneath her thighs so her legs could rest on his shoulders and Riley gasped as he didn't even wait a moment for her to get ready for the impact, his mouth already finding her sensitive skin like it was his second nature.

''Oh hmm,'' Riley moaned while she let her head lean back in ecstasy, Daryl using his tongue like a pro as he moved it along her wet slit, his scruffy beard only heightening the sensation. He dipped his tongue inside of her and Riley bit her lip not to moan out loud now, fisting the blanket she was sitting on. He moved his tongue in and out of her in quick movements as his right hand that was holding onto her hip moved downwards, his thumb rubbing small circles over her clit before he moved it from side to side.

Daryl could hear her breathing loudly while her hips twitched a little and the primal need inside of him was rearing its head in full force by her scent and the way she tasted, urging him on even more. One of her hands made its way towards his head before she fisted a few of his brown locks in her hand, making him groan in return, increasing the movement of his tongue, licking her, nipping her, constantly changing his tactics.

''So good,'' Riley whispered while she squirmed on the couch, panting loudly as she knew she wasn't going to last long with him going at it like that. Daryl knew the exact right way to please her but when he had been waiting for so long to be intimate with her, Riley realized there was this urge within him that needed to claim her all over again, and frankly, she loved every minute of it.

When he moved his lips upwards, giving her clit quick little flicks with his tongue while he slid two of his fingers inside of her in steady motions, Riley nearly felt her toes curling, biting her lip to hold on for a few moments longer. She could practically hear him growl a little as he seemed to notice that she was holding back, and that surely wasn't the way he wanted it.

He suddenly grasped her hips with his hands, holding her still while he give her swollen little nub a few twirls of his tongue before he sucked the bundle of nerves and she lost it, moaning out loud while she felt the heat in her stomach take over, spreading throughout her whole body as her orgasm crashed down on her.

Daryl watched her become undone with a satisfied look on his face, the hunger in his eyes just growing as he saw her coming down from her high. He leaned upwards, resting his weight on his hands while he leaned closer to her face before he pressed his lips against hers for a moment and slowly pulled at her lower lip, making her gasp a little. He smirked before he stood up straight, the erection inside his jeans screaming to be let free.

Riley watched through hooded eyes as he undid his belt before he opened the button of his jeans and she bit her lip before she moved upwards onto her knees, hooking her index fingers into his belt loops to pull him closer.

Daryl leaned his head down, kissing her lips while she quickly pushed down his jeans along with his boxers, not wanting to wait any longer. Daryl pushed his clothes to the side with his foot before Riley wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply. She could feel his hard length poking against her stomach, making her feel all tingly inside again.

''Do you have a condom?'' She whispered as he kissed the soft skin of her neck while his hands were firmly squeezing her ass.

''Hmm,'' he replied before moving his lips along her jaw.

''Where?'' She breathed while she brushed her hands up and down his chest.

''In my pants.'' He mentioned without thinking.

''I'll get it.'' She said before she moved backwards on the couch and Daryl was snapped out of his dazed state, suddenly realizing where she was going to search for the rubbers.

''No wait!'' He quickly grabbed her wrist to prevent her from moving away and Riley's eyes widened in surprise at his reaction. Daryl thought about how this would come across so he quickly smirked at her, trying to get them back into their previous mood.

''Don't move.'' He said as he brushed his thumb over her lips, and Riley closed her eyes at the sudden rush she felt going through her body. He could sometimes be so possessive and demanding, it was so.. hot.

When Daryl was satisfied that Riley clearly hadn't noticed a thing by his behavior he quickly walked over to his jeans that were lying on the floor next to the couch, crouching down before he reached into his back pocket, fishing out a familiar square package. He knew that his right pocket clearly held something shiny that he didn't want her to see, at least not yet.

In the corner of his eye he saw Riley moving on the couch to look at him in curiosity. ''Did you find it?'' She asked him as he stood up.

''Didn't I tell ya that you ain't allowed to move?'' He said to her with a raised eyebrow and she bit her lip in mischief. ''Should spank ya again for being such a disobedient woman,'' he told her while he moved to sit behind her on his knees and she looked at him from over her shoulder with a raised eyebrow.

''If you dare to do that again I will kick you in the nuts.'' She said and he smirked as he was finished with rolling on the condom before he leaned closer, pressing himself against her back at which Riley gasped.

''You should watch that pretty little mouth of yers, woman.'' He growled into her ear while he firmly cupped her breasts and she moaned in arousal.

''You like my mouth.'' She said as she closed her eyes, enjoying the rough skin of his hands.

''Got that right.'' He whispered while his nose brushed over her neck, breathing in her scent.

''Please,'' she breathed as brushed his thumbs over her nipples.

''Please what?'' He huskily asked while one of his hands slid lower and cupped her between her legs, groaning when he felt that she was clearly ready for more again.

''Need you.. so much.'' She barely was able to let out as she bucked against him, her left hand holding onto his forearm so she wouldn't fall over and Daryl lightly bit in her shoulder to prevent himself from groaning out loud.

''Hold on.'' He said and Riley knew what was going to come, a shot of excitement coursing through her body. She quickly placed her hands on the armrest of the couch for support, biting her lip when she felt Daryl move into position. He brushed his hands over her sides again before he grabbed her by her hips and in one swift movement sunk himself deep inside of her.

''Oh yes,'' she breathed at the sensation while Daryl groaned behind her.

''Finally,'' he grunted as he was back inside of her familiar warm entrance again, beginning to thrust into her at a steady pace. He pressed himself against her back, leaning over her as his hands moved to cover hers on the armrest for more leverage, pushing himself deep inside of her.

Riley moaned out loud as she could clearly feel that Daryl had grabbed one of their favorite condoms, the ridges of the material increasing the sensations against her inner walls. Daryl's breath was fanning against her shoulder, his chest moving against her back as his hands were holding hers and she panted in pleasure while she felt him increasing his pace. There was something so arousing to be in the arms of such a powerful man and to feel so protected and loved.

''Like that sweetheart?'' He huskily said into her ear and she bit her lip as he was hitting that sweet spot inside of her, over and over again. He knew exactly what he was doing as he kept on firmly pushing his hips forwards.

''Yes, oh yes don't stop.'' She breathed and he groaned, now beginning to slam himself inside of her, not being able to control the beast inside of him anymore. He needed that blissful release so badly, he had waited so long.

His right hand moved from the armrest of the couch to her chest, firmly grasping her right breast and Riley pushed back against him in arousal, making him bite her lightly in her shoulder to keep himself in check. He moved his hand lower down her body, never once stopping his steady movements as he brushed over her stomach before his index finger rubbed over her clit, making small circling motions which had Riley gasping in pleasure. Daryl felt her inner walls fluttering around him as he did that, knowing she was close.

''C'mon sweetheart, give it to me.'' He grunted and she moaned, his hard length rubbing so good inside of her, she never wanted him to stop. He nearly pulled himself out of her before he slammed right back inside again and Riley gasped, her eyes nearly rolling into the back of her head.

''Oh please, hm Daryl.'' She breathed as he repeated the movement while he quickened the circling motions over her clit, knowing just the right way to stimulate her.

''C'mon girl, ya know ya want to.'' He whispered into her ear and Riley felt the familiar heat inside of her stomach spread even faster at the husky sound of his voice.

It took only a few more deep thrusts from Daryl and Riley fell over the edge, moaning in ecstasy as she reached that familiar high. She felt Daryl stiffening behind her while he let out a loud grunt, clearly finding his own release as well.

They both slowed down their movements before they completely stilled, Riley leaning on her elbows now as she couldn't hold her body upwards any longer. She felt Daryl slowly leaning down, placing a few kisses on her naked back and she smiled while she tried to catch her breath.

He moved away from her after a moment and she leisurely spread out onto her stomach, nearly purring in pleasure at the way her body felt thoroughly spent but satiated. It didn't take him long to return and he wrapped her into his arms, shifting their bodies so they were lying on their sides.

Riley reached for another blanket she had placed over the back of the couch and spread it out over them both before snuggling up into his familiar warmth, feeling rather tired as she now yawned.

''So, did you have a good birthday?'' She asked him while she was leaning her head against his chest and he just smirked as he pulled her closer.

''Woman, this was the best birthday I've ever had.''

~ TWD ~


A/N: So, that was a nice birthday surprise for Daryl, he had to wait so long already lol. - Sorry for another slow update... My inspiration takes weeks to appear and when I finally get into that familiar flow again, I get freaking sick! Anyways, I'm doing better now and I wanted to post this new chapter ASAP! So, I hope you liked this XXL update; I would love to know what you thought! I figured I would use this gap in between Seasons to show more background stories, 'normal events', interactions, character developments etc., I hope you like this idea. :)

I would like to thank everyone who is sticking with me and not giving up on this story, I know my updates are slower than normal, but I'm not giving up on Armored Love I promise! ;) Also, many thanks to all the people who took the time to write me such nice reviews; it's really a great encouragement to keep on going with this story! A thank you as well to the new readers for following and/or favoring!

To the reviewers I couldn't pm:

* Melissa DW: Thank you! I'm so happy to know that you're enjoying this story. :)

* Bella87: Glad you like the rings, I thought it would suit them if they both had one. :) And Merle is finally awake! Thanks for always taking the time to leave a review!

* Guest 1: Glad you're enjoying this story!

* Guest 2: I'm happy to know that you like it! You don't have to worry about a potential Daryl/Michonne in this story, they will just become friends.