Daryl

I'm tired - deep in my bones and all I want to do is wrap myself around Ava and sleep for a week but I find myself hesitating at our bedroom door; reaching my hand out for the knob slowly. "You care about Ava." Rick's words echo in my head as I push through the door quietly and make my way to the bathroom. I give Ava a glance - noting that she's in clean clothes and wet hair; dozing quietly on her side of the bed. I step into the bathroom and turn on a small side light that helps not to disturb her; closing the door quickly.

I look up at myself in the mirror - the same asshole staring back at me as the realization of Rick's comment hits me. I do care about Ava. More than I've ever cared about anyone before. When we made it back to Alexandria and there was no sign of her with Rick or the others I felt a rage light in me. There's nothing I wouldn't do to save this girl in my bed - protect her at all cost. I would let the world burn if it meant keeping her with me.

I love her.

I meet my eyes again in the mirror and shake my head; running a hand over my tired face. No good will come from this. She'll die like any other person I ever gave two shits about; like Merle or Beth but after they died I kept going. Kept moving forward. The thought of living in a world without Ava causes fear to rise in my throat - consuming me from within.

No good can come from this.

I turn away from the mirror quickly and remove my worn clothes; stepping under the hot water with a groan. Reaching out to steady myself with my palm on the wall I let the warm stream wash the dirt and blood down the drain; standing beneath the heat until the water no longer stings my skin and then I grab the soap. Ten minutes later I'm standing in the dark beside the bed Deanna gifted me looking down at Ava who is so peaceful in sleep I almost hate to risk waking her.

My eyes are to heavy to debate sleeping in the side chair as I climb into bed. I slide an idle hand over Ava's thigh and rest it at her hips; pulling her closer to my chest as my eyes close and sleep takes over quickly.

X

Ava

My eyes open slowly; adjusting to the darkness as the silhouette of Daryl's face registers. The hopelessness my dream left in my chest fades a little as I sigh in relief and reach out to touch him. He's not missing or dead or a roamer lost forever - he's here with me; warm in the bed we share.

I let my fingers move down his cheek; his stubble rough against my palm.

Daryl stirs suddenly; eyes popping open as he drawls in a deep breath - surprised to see me staring at him in the dark.

"Sorry. I'm sorry…" I whisper as his brain wakes up and he realizes where he is. "Go back to sleep.." I add; so quietly he may not hear me. The way he's looking at me now assures me he's fully awake and fighting his own demons. I hold his gaze as he comes alive before me and crashes his lips to mine. I start to protest - to demand he get more rest but his hand slips around my hips - pulling me roughly against his hard body and the desire between us.

I can only moan his name against his mouth which seems to be his undoing as he pushes me on my back and climbs over me - positioning himself between my legs. A minute later my panties are around one ankle and he is buried deep inside me - his chest against mine; breathing against my neck and I feel a tremble of pleasure ripple through me.

"Daryl," I whisper with a groan as he wraps a strong arm around me - brining my hips up to meet his as he starts to move. "I didn't know if I'd get to see you again…" He says suddenly - whisper quiet as he thrusts into me slowly kissing my neck between every few words. "Didn't know if I'd get to feel you again…"

My head falls back on the pillow as his deep voice fills my soul; the slow rhythm of his body against mine causing the burn of desire to wash over me and make it difficult to focus.

"I was so worried…." I whisper; my hands moving up his back and into his hair as he groans against my throat. "I thought I lost you."

His deep thrust stop suddenly bringing me back to earth as he lifts his head and looks at me - searching my eyes for a long moment before he speaks again. "You'll never lose me. I'll never let that happen." Despite the pleasure I find myself pouting; my heart twisting in knots at the thought of something happening to him. Daryl bows his head again; his next words are quiet against my lips.

"I love you Ava."

I pull gently at the back of his hair causing his head to tilt back but his eyes are hooded; staring at my lips. "Daryl," I whisper and his blue eyes meet mine slowly. "I love you." I assure him and you'd think that confession would spark a moment of joy but in this world - in our situation loving someone mostly means inevitable doom. "I love you." I say again because I've never said those words aloud and I know he's never really heard them before. He nods his head slowly before kissing me; seeking my tongue against his as he begins to move inside of me - quicker now; holding my body against his as a moan escapes him.

"Fucking hell, Ava…" I feel myself tighten around him as he finds his release; deep inside of me which is as thrilling as it is terrifying. "Fuck…" He groans against my throat; pushing himself up on his arms as he looks down at me.

"It's ok." I assure him softly as I come down from my high; taking in a deep breath as he watches me carefully. "Maggie's pregnant." I have no idea why that statement flys out of my mouth but Daryl shares my earlier reaction - wide eyes full of doom. "Doesn't mean I want to put you through that." He snaps and I can't help but laugh.

"I know! I…" A groan of frustration escapes me as Daryl pushes himself off the bed and grabs his discarded clothes. "It's okay." I assure him; sitting up on my knees quickly and reaching out to put my arms around his neck. It takes a second before he slides his arms around me; burying his face in the bend of my neck.

"I don't want to put you through that." He whispers again and tightens his arms pulling me closer to his chest. "I want to keep you all to myself." I assure softly in his ear and he climbs back onto the bed pushing me onto my back once again.

X

The next two months give our group the break we need. We manage to clean up Alexandria; bury the dead and remove the walkers as well as reinforce the wall. Carl wakes up and begins his healing process; officially becoming the toughest son of bitch I've ever known. He rewards me with a big smile when I tell him as much.

Daryl and I dodge a bullet when no signs of pregnancy arise and Maggie seems to be coming along just fine. Maybe we're finally catching a much deserved break.

"Me and Rick's goin' on a run tomorrow. Gonna to try to find food to bring back. The supply's getting low here."

I glance up at him from the book I'm reading; Pharmacology 101. Perhaps I could become a pharmacist in the apocalypse no schooling required. No pay either tho. I frown at the thought. "There's plenty of that vegan jerky still left - it people would just humble themselves."

I catch the grin forming on Daryl's lips as he crawls into the bed beside me and takes my reading material; eyebrows creasing as he tries to make sense of it. "This looks Greek."

"Latin, I think. Denise let me borrow it. I told her I'd try my best to help out - learn some of the terminology. She says there's a pharmacy a few miles East that may still have medicine inside."

Daryl dog ears the page I'm on and sits it down on the night stand; turning to look at me. I smile as he reaches out and brushes a fallen strand of hair behind my ear before leaning into my parted lips. "I think Rick said we're headed West. Supposed to be some gas stations off the beaten path. You want me to look for anything specific?"

I'm lost in his eyes; shaking my head no as he grins again and kisses me. "Are you even listening?"

"Of course. I could listen to you and that perfect voice forever." I assure; turning to lay my head on his chest as he wraps an arm around my back - trailing his fingers down the bend of my hip. "Oh yeah?" He asks - deliberately lowering his tone as a laugh escapes me.

We lay in comfortable silence for a minute before random gossip pops into my head. "Did you know Abe left Rosita for Sasha? After all that with Rick and Jesse and Pete… it's like your friends are in their own sitcom."

Daryl laughs quietly; stopping his delightful caress on my side. I look up at him and his grin is contagious. "Sounds like a lot of drama."

"Yeah. It is but it keeps things entertaining I guess. Im not sure what I did before Days of our Apocalypse Life aired."

I push myself up on my arms so I'm looking down at Daryl who can only shake his head in amusement - thankful that he never pays attention to the relationships that go on around him. "I bet you don't even know Carol's sweet on that Tobin guy who's building back the church tower."

"What? Carol?"

I burst into a quiet fit of giggles as Daryl questions me; desperate to know the details.

"You really should pay more attention around here." I say with a laugh as his smile returns and he reaches up to push my hair back - sliding his hand into my hair and bringing me down to his mouth; kissing me deeply. I slide my leg over his hips and straddle him quickly; groaning as he nearly sits up - both hands in my hair holding my in place as my fingers go to work; unbuttoning his pants then mine before breaking our passionate kiss to pull my shirt over my head.

A second later I'm on my back and Daryl is kissing his way down my neck; letting his tongue caress every part his lips touch before he stops at my navel - looking up at me with those serious blue eyes; his messy hair falling past the hues. "Why are you so hot?" I demand letting my head fall back to the bed as he laughs a slips my jeans over my hips and down my legs quickly. Before I have a second to register what's next his tongue is inside of me lapping up the pleasure he's created and my own chest rattles with a deep groan; fingers searching and finding his head as he quickens his pace - clutching my hips roughly when my center tightens and my legs begin to shake; his name on my lips my undoing.

Relaxing my arched spine Daryl rests his head against my lower belly; breathing deeply before kissing his way back to my lips - hovering over them as he kicks away his own pants and frees himself; pushing inside of me slowly. I drown the profanity on his lips with my tongue - pulling him into me as he groans my name like a prayer.

"Fucking hell, Ava. You're gonna be the death of me…" He whispers against my lips; hooking an arm under my hips as he begins to thrust into me over and over again until all of the mundane things in my brain are gone and all that's left is Daryl. A cry escapes me as he fucks me faster and harder until I'm tightening around him and my head falls back on the bed; his teeth on my neck as his own release comes quickly. "Fucking hell…" He groans again, bowing his head as he pulls air into his lungs.

"I fucking love you."

I feel the fire inside of me ignite at his words; his lips against my ear as he kisses the side of my face and grabs a discarded shirt to clean us off. I can only watch him with hooded eyes - complete bliss washing over me.

"I love you." I assure softly as he hands me my clothes and I slip them on; wrapping myself around him once he's beside me again. He kisses the top of my head as my eyes get heavy and sleep takes over quickly.

X

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