11/13/17 - 11:27 P.M.
Laughter is the Best Medicine / The Laugh Thing
Daryl Dixon is, subconsciously or not, attracted to Paul Rovia's laughter. Which, in the same thought process, means that Daryl is attracted to Jesus in a way - at least in a certain ex-cop's thought process, that is.
Rick notices it before anyone else does, which doesn't surprise him, really, it doesn't, except that it actually kind of does. It kind of throws him off his game entirely. So much so, that that night when he is slipping in between the sheets with Michonne, the first name to come out of his mouth is Daryl's.
"I think Daryl might have some kinda feelings for Jesus, Michonne. This has been buggin' me all day, listen to this," and with his love's head tucked into his shoulder, her patient fingers trailing patterns across his bare chest, Rick goes on to explain to her his theory that had been cemented in his brain by the events of the day.
"…and I swear, it's like every time the guy laughs, he could be two feet or twenty feet away, Daryl just – he just zones in on it. Like the groundhog coming up because it heard spring arrived. His head just turns 'till he spots him and then, as long as Jesus ain't looking, he just stares."
Michonne is quietly laughing at him, pressing kisses to his collarbone and jaw in between her giggles.
"Have you ever considered the possibility that maybe Daryl just thinks that Jesus has a nice laugh?"
Rick rolls his eyes before turning his face to capture the woman's lips with his. "I thought you had a nice laugh, too. Look at us now."
"Stop playing matchmaker in your head and really come to bed."
It happens a few days later. They are all working out in the gardens, and it's not like Rick is just waiting for it or anything, but the very first time he hears that tuneful sound escape from Jesus' lips, he is quick to grasp Michonne's elbow and quietly point out the occurrence to her as it unfolds.
It lasts for a grand total of five seconds, if that. Jesus laughing like he hadn't a care in the world, eyes closed and head tipped back slightly. Daryl, true to Rick's observations, becomes rooted in place, and as Michonne watches in bewilderment, the hunter's eyes soften and his lips twitch into a small smile that is almost hidden behind the hand holding his burning cigarette.
As soon as Jesus stops laughing, it's like a spell has been broken. It takes everything Michonne has to not burst out laughing herself as she witnesses the content expression slide, just as quick and easy as it had come, right off Daryl's face as he returns to whatever task he had on his hands.
"My god, Rick, who would have guessed? I think you might be right." She says it under her breath, swatting him lightly on his stomach with the back of her hand, a wry smile on her face.
"Does this mean I can play matchmaker in real life now?" A teasing laugh accompanies the words, but she still shakes her head at him disapprovingly.
"It means you can and should, as Daryl's friend, show your support in the least unobtrusive way possible. Think about it, has Daryl ever gotten even the least bit involved with anyone in all the time you've known him?"
"No, but –"
"No, no 'but'. It's Daryl's business and even if you just want to help, you can't rush him into something he's not ready for, or that he doesn't actually want. You also have to consider Jesus' feelings in the matter, too."
Michonne is giving him the kind of look that ends all arguments before they even start, and Rick can't help but feel a little bit sheepish with himself. With a sigh, he cups her face in his hands and leans in to kiss her forehead lightly.
"Y'know, I really hate that you're always right about this kinda stuff."
"It's called logic and reasoning, darling. If you tried it, maybe you'd be right about 'this kind of stuff' more often, too."