Die For you

Previously…

I turned to Jesus. "You ride?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.

Jesus sighed, bending down to pick up Fat Joey's walkie talkie. Smart. "Not well." He shrugged. "Plus, how are three of us going to fit-"

I pulled out the key I'd stashed in my back pocket from being out here when we returned from Alexandria. Someone had left the keys in the ignition and I'd swiped them on a whim. "Yahtzee." I smirked, stalking over to the black Harley. Wasn't my first choice, it was a bit loud, but it'd at least get us out of here. "Now, you gonna be Daryl's bitch or mine, pretty boy?"

Chapter 11

The Hilltop came into view not a moment too soon. "Running on fumes, Ace." I shouted to Daryl. Jesus adjusted his arms around my waist, hands clasped together as we roared towards the gate. It was Jesus' idea for us to head to the Hilltop since Negan was in Alexandria. We could at least get clean, eat and find a place to hide if need be.

"Almost there!" Daryl called back. He was right, we only had a half mile to go. Praise Jesus.

Maggie Rhee stood atop the Hilltop's walls, near the front gate. She lifted a pair of binoculars to her eyes. "Jesus!" She shouted. "It's Jesus! And he's got Daryl and Roz with him!" She turned to call down to the gate operator. "Open the gate!"

The gate swung open and we drove through the opening, coming to a stop just inside the walls as the gate swung shut behind us. Jesus quickly let go of my waist and scrambled off the bike. I dismounted, sharing a wary look with Daryl. Gregory wasn't exactly friendly to newcomers. I wasn't looking forward to the inevitable confrontation. "Roz!" A familiar shout caused me to turn towards the stairs that led up to the guardpost. I couldn't believe my eyes, Maggie Rhee was jogging across the drive towards us.

"Rosalind!" She exclaimed, pulling me in for a fierce hug. "Oh, it's so good to see you!"

"Maggie!" I breathed, "You're okay?!" I exclaimed in disbelief. No one bothered to tell me she wasn't really dead. Negan lamented about her death with me when we arrived back to the Sanctuary after visiting Alexandria. I told him that she'd been pregnant and he actually shed a few tears.

She pulled back and met my eyes. "Yes. Dr. Carson fixed me right up." She let go of me and pulled Daryl in for an equally as fierce hug, completely oblivious to the fact we had thought she was dead. Daryl looked like he was on the verge of tears, but he didn't push her away. I could tell he still blamed himself for Glenn's death. Definitely something we'd be working on in the weeks and days to come. "Any luck?" Maggie asked Jesus when she'd released Daryl.

Jesus just shook his head, clapping me and Daryl on our shoulders. "Couldn't pass up the opportunity to get these two out."

Maggie reached out and gripped his shoulder affectionately. "Thank you." She breathed. "C'mon, let's get y'all cleaned up, fed and a place to get some rest."

Daryl insisted we stop by the medical trailer before getting settled for the night. I sort of felt like a child, but I knew he was just taking care of me. Dr. Carson cleaned and redressed my bullet wound. "All set." He smoothed the piece of tape holding the gauze together. "Nothing too strenuous and it should heal up nicely."

"You can thank your brother, he took great care of me." I murmured with a soft smile, locking eyes with Daryl who stood hovering the corner. He seemed to relax at that. I knew he was worried that the Saviors hadn't taken good care of me.

Carson nodded sadly. I could tell he was worried about his brother being at the Sanctuary. "He's a great doctor."

"Yes, he's good, Doc." I assured him, trying to communicate the good doctor was being well cared for.

Carson's eyes widened in understanding. "Thank you."

Maggie insisted that we take a bedroom in Barrington House. The cushy room held a dresser, chest of drawers and a queen size bed. There was a small private balcony attached that mirrored the larger one out front, probably gave the house a sense of symmetry or whatever. After setting our stuff down and getting my clean clothes ready, I ventured out into the cool night air. I leaned on the railing with my elbows, my feet bare, hair free of its usual braid. I took a few deep breaths trying to get the anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach to subside. We'd gotten out, but I still found myself on edge. I was so worried about Daryl and how he would react to being free. Would he be angry with me? Would he be grateful? Would he still be trapped inside himself despite being physically free?

I let Daryl shower first, mostly to ensure he actually took one. I stripped off my weapons, settling them next to the gun that Daryl swiped off Fat Joey. To my surprise, it was Rick's Colt Python. How fitting. Now we just had to get Rick back in the game. I completely understood his hesitation, but now was not the time to roll over and play dead. We needed to band together and stand against the Saviors for a better world.

A board creaked at the doorway and I turned to see who it was, my hand instinctively balling into a fist. Daryl leaned against the door jamb, hair still dripping wet from his shower. His eyes glittered in the darkness, "Shower's free." He murmured, the look in his eyes holding me fast against the railing.

I swallowed and nodded. "Thanks." I whispered, giving him a half smile. I pushed off the railing and slipped past him into the room. I could feel his eyes on me as I moved about the room gathering my clean clothes. "I-I'll be right back, Ace."

The shower was simply divine. I shampooed my hair three times and even took the time to shave. I discovered a heavenly rose scented lotion on the countertop, probably Maggie's doing. After slathering myself with it, I dressed in a navy sports bra, black tank, and a soft pair of cropped yoga pants Maggie found for me. I brushed my hair and braided it so it could dry in peace. Maggie cut her hair just before Glenn's death. As much as I liked my hair, maybe it was time to turn over a new leaf. I'm sure I'd have to run it by a certain surly archer first. He was always taking my hair down when we were together, so I'm not sure if he'd appreciate me just lopping it off.

I returned to the bedroom to find it empty. I set my dirty clothes on top of Daryl's and ventured over to the balcony door. Daryl stood out on the balcony, facing away from me, a tendril of smoke rising from cheek. I crossed the threshold and he turned to face the sound, flicking away the spent cigarette. His blue eyes met mine and my breath caught. He looked exhausted, but the rage dwelling in his eyes made the knot in my stomach pull a notch tighter. I came over to him and slid my arms around his waist. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in close, resting his cheek against my temple. I let the minutes tick by, breathing in his rich, comforting scent. Even with a shower, Daryl still smelled like leather and tobacco with a hint of grease.

"Roz." Daryl murmured, pulling back slightly so he could look at me. "You're some kinda crazy, you know that?"

I smirked. "Yeah, I know, Ace." I scoffed with a soft chuckle. "You're not the first person to tell me that."

"I mean it." Daryl insisted, his voice gruff. "It was a stupid thing to do Roz, surrendering like that." He sighed, "What if he threw you in a cell just like me, huh? How would've ya gotten out then?"

"Would have figured something out, Ace." I murmured with a shrug.

Daryl shook his head, "But what if he did-"

"He didn't, Daryl." I cut him off, "Don't tie yourself up in knots about things that could've happened." I took a step back, needing to put some space between us for a moment. I wanted to give him room to feel and get some of the pent up emotion off his chest.

"What, so you're just gonna pretend it wasn't dangerous? That it wasn't stupid?" Daryl challenged, crossing his arms, staring me down.

"No, it was and it wasn't." I replied cheekily with an easy smile. He scoffed and rolled his eyes. I sighed, "Seriously, Ace. It was dangerous but it wasn't stupid." I bit my lip. "I couldn't let you go, not like that."

"Like what?!" Daryl demanded, his brow furrowing, chest heaving. "Let me go, like what?!"

"Alone, Ace." I sighed shaking my head. "I couldn't let you be taken prisoner like that and not try to help-" My voice broke and I swallowed against the flood of tears that threatened to spill down my cheeks. I cleared my throat. "Not after all we've been through. I couldn't-" I bit my lip and just shook my head, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.

He turned away from me, palms resting on the railing. "If he'd touched you-" His voice broke, a sob tearing at his throat. "I-I don't-" He swallowed hard, palming his jaw, shaking his head.

"Daryl." I soothed, stepping forward to wrap my arms around him from behind, squeezing him tight. "He didn't and he's never going to." I sighed, "I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere."

Daryl's hand closed around my clasped hands and squeezed, his chest heaving with a silent sob. I loosened my grip as he turned to face me, my hands coming up to wipe the tears staining his freshly shaven cheeks, his beard deliciously scruffy in contrast. He sniffled, "Why, Red?" He asked, his voice barely a whisper. I looked away, shaking my head. "Why risk your life like that?" He sighed, fingers lifting my chin, bringing my eyes back to his. "Dammit, Roz. I coulda lost ya."

I swallowed against the lump of emotion in my throat. "What if it'd been me first, Daryl?" I whispered, "What if he'd taken-"

"He did." Daryl murmured. "He did, Roz." He sighed, "And there was nothing I could do to stop it, not without-"

"Getting someone else killed." I finished for him. Suddenly it dawned on me how reckless I'd been from his perspective. I gasped, "I didn't think-" I swallowed, trying to dig myself out of the hole I'd dug myself, "Jesus, so fucking stupid." I cursed, moving to pull away from him.

"No," Daryl growled, holding me in place. "You haven't answered my question, Red." His eyes bore into mine, "Why?"

I took a deep breath and let it out my nose, trying to control the sudden embarrassment I felt. I was trying to get him to calm down, and here I was losing my cool, swearing like the fucking sailor I was. "You know why, Dare." I murmured, not meeting his eyes.

"Obviously I don', or I wouldn' be askin', Red." Daryl growled impatiently, shaking me a little. How could he not know? No one in their right mind would have done what I'd done. Only someone who was in deep. Only someone deep in love would have made that blind of a leap.

"Dammit Daryl, you're really going to make me say it?" I teased, heart in my throat. He still looked completely oblivious. "Okay, fine." I sighed, biting my lip. "I love you." I whispered, eyes brimming with tears. His troubled eyes widened and his jaw went slack at my confession. I scoffed, as my tears spilled over, "Jesus, Ace." I sighed, "I love you, okay? That's why-"

I was cut off by his mouth covering mine. I moaned at the sudden contact, fingers curling into his hair. His hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer while walking us backwards until my back rested against the wall. His mouth left mine to trail kisses down my throat, teeth nipping softly at my pulse point. His hands slid down from my hips to grip my ass. I took advantage of his grip and wrapped my legs around his waist, causing him to growl and push me harder into the siding, hands sliding to cradle my thighs. His mouth returned to mine, tongue sweeping in to stroke and dance with my own.

After a few moments he peeled my back off the wall and carried me into the bedroom wrapped around him, slamming the balcony door shut behind us. He lowered me onto the bed, hovering over me, mouth never leaving mine. If this was his response when I told him I loved him, I'd have to say it more often. He let go of my mouth to kiss my neck, lips finding my ear. "Missed you." He murmured. He pulled back to look down at me for a moment. Then he undid my braid, fingers running through my hair, fanning it out all around my face.

"Missed you too, Ace." I murmured back, sliding so I was further on the bed.

Daryl followed, "Beautiful." He breathed, hands roaming my body, lips following. I felt like I was slowly coming awake, emerging from the fog of the Sanctuary, body buzzing with warmth and desire. I reached up and undid the buttons on his shirt. He leaned back as I pushed the fabric off his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor.

Daryl was still hurting, but he chose this moment to let me in and share it with me. I knew he was still angry, but at least he wasn't alone in that anger. I couldn't imagine how he would've handled it on his own. I wanted to help him heal. I wanted to make him feel needed, wanted. I flipped us so I was on top. I ground my hips into his, a moan slipping from my lips. I tossed my hair and bit my lip, trying to look at least a little sexy. Daryl's eyes smoldered with desire as he smirked, white teeth flashing in the darkness. I leaned down and pressed my lips to his ear, fingers curling around his generous biceps. "I want you." I whispered, nipping his earlobe.

His grip on my hips tightened in response. Then one of his hands slid up to cup the back of my head, turning my ear to his lips, holding me against him. "Want ya too, Red." His voice was thick, reverberating deeply in his chest, doing delicious things to my insides. He bit just below my ear while lifting his hips, grinding his arousal against my core, drawing a needy moan from my chest. He fused his mouth with mine and rolled us so he was back on top, back in control.

Once we were skin to skin, things sped up. I was sure I was going to have bruises from where he held onto me. His fingers dug into my skin like he was afraid I was going to slip through them. I didn't mind, it felt incredible to be held on to so deliberately. Things were less awkward this time, I guess practice really does make perfect. He was still rough, but I loved it; practically got off on it, twice. Apparently I didn't mind a little pain, brought a few things about my life into perspective, really.

After, Daryl settled the covers over us and pulled me close. This was new. Daryl wasn't much of a cuddler, even when we needed to share body heat to survive, he still seemed to have an aversion to it. I started to drift off, my head pillowed on his broad chest, listening to his heartbeat.

He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, hand smoothing around my shoulder down my arm. "Thank you." He murmured, lips lingering on my skin.

"Stealing my lines, Ace?" I quipped sleepily, a wry grin tugging at the corner of my mouth.

Daryl snorted softly, lifting his head a little so he could look into my eyes. He sighed deeply, fingers massaging my shoulder. "I'm serious, Red." He murmured. "You're insane, but you're the only one who came for me."

I scoffed, "Not true." I swallowed the giggle in my throat. "Jesus came for you." I pressed a kiss to his chest.

It was Daryl's turn to scoff. "Jesus." He snorted softly. "That guy is shady as hell."

I squinted playfully, "You realize how silly that sounds, right?"

Daryl squinted back, "It's true." The corner of his mouth pulling into a grin.

"Okay." I laughed, "So Jesus is shady as hell." I swallowed, " Got it."

Daryl sighed, rolling his eyes. "You gonna let me thank you or not, woman?" He asked, leaning up on an elbow to look down at me.

"Oh no," I groaned sarcastically, grinning wickedly at him.

"What?" Daryl scoffed, eyes raking down my naked form.

I bit my lip, "You only call me 'woman' when you're really annoyed or mad at me."

"Is that so?" Daryl murmured, hand sliding up my side, fingers skimming the edge of my breast.

"Mmmhmm." I moaned, arching my back a little.

"Well, then I guess a little punishment is in order, eh?" Daryl concluded, rolling over and sliding down my body.

"Oh, really?" I breathed, watching as he spread my thighs apart. He settled between them, his face dangerously close to my core. He pressed a soft kiss to the inside of my thigh, warm breath fanning my super sensitive skin.

"Mmmhmm." Daryl hummed, nose brushing my folds.

"Dare, oh." I gasped, clutching the sheets. He started slowly but as I responded, he quickly learned what worked and what didn't. I was so close to tumbling over the edge when he abruptly pulled back that I cursed aloud. "Fuck you, Dixon." I spat, my body keening on the edge of release.

"Such a mouth on you, woman." He growled, hand gently but firmly gripping my throat. "If I gave you what you wanted, wouldn't be punishment, now would it?" He smirked, watching me squirm.

"Please." I whined, squeezing my eyes shut, not caring how much I sounded like a little bitch. Daryl could do things to me and make me feel like no one else could.

Daryl released my neck, "Not yet." He murmured huskily, moving up my body, "Wanna be inside ya."

Oh. Who was I to deny him that?

Dearest Readers,

Freedom feels so good! I wanted to give Roz and Daryl a few moments to themselves. They deserve it right? How about Roz's confession?! It's going to take a lot for Daryl to say it back. I've got a few scenarios in mind to coax it out of him...we'll see! Up next is the emotional reunion of our beloved group of survivors.

Thank you for reading, following and reviewing. I love hearing from you!

xoxo

Lumora The White