What hurt the most, like it never had before, was the silence. The deafening silence that surrounded him despite the close captivities of the plane cabin. It had been painful, letting go. Daryl felt as if he had left a piece of himself behind when he hugged Rick and Carl goodbye one last time. Maybe for the last time. But Daryl didn't want to think like that.

The flight had taken longer than he ever remembered, each mile taking him farther away from the pair, he dared to say, he had fallen in love with. It didn't feel real, as if he were outside of his body, shaking his head in disapproval at himself. He floated in a haze, unable to sleep on the long flight back to Italy. He felt empty, void of thought, the feeling you get a split second before something terrible happens. Only, it lasted. Lasted the entire flight and into the time it took for Daryl to return to camp and settle back into his quarters.

Daryl took time unpacking his things, hands made of led as they replaced his meager belongings into his storage trunk. What little civilian clothes he owned were stored towards the bottom, cushioning the weight of his regulation uniforms. Something did however, catch his eye that caused a pause in his task. There was something in his travel bag that hadn't left with him from camp, something he didn't remember packing either. A bulky white envelope had been tucked away between two of his shirts.

Daryl took the parcel between his fingers as he sat on his bunk, elbows resting on his knees as he lifted the unsealed flap. He found a variety of paper, of varying texture, folded neatly within its depths. The soldier slipped the contents of the envelope into his hand, smiling warmly at what greeted him. The majority of the surprise that had been gifted to him, were photos.

The first he found, was simple. A perfect photo of Rick and Carl, dressed formally, happy faces smiling up at him. The rest were a collection of pictures that they had taken during his visit. The three of them at the park. Carl and himself making goofy faces at a diner. He and Rick eating breakfast in the dining room. The three of them cooking a meal in the kitchen. His heart rate picked up speed when he saw the final one, a "selfie" Rick had taken of them kissing.

For a moment, he closed his eyes, breathing deeply before catching another longing glance. He would give anything to be back in King County right now. And it hurt. It hurt to even think about all that he was missing already.

He let out a huff as he shook his head, "din't sign up f'r this," he mumbled, referring to the emotional strain he now felt. Chuckling humorlessly, however, Daryl set aside the photos for safe keeping as he moved onto the two folded pieces of parchment that came with it.

The first was from Carl. He knew because he was finally used to deciphering the kids sloppy handwriting. Daryl couldn't help but bring one of his hands to his lips, biting worriedly at his nails as he read:

Dear Daryl,

The time you spent here was awesome. You really aren't even gone yet and I already miss you. It means so much to me that you came to visit and I really hope you do again soon. Dad looks so sad too. He doesn't even want to talk about you leaving. I don't think it seems real to him and I agree that it feels like you should just stay with us forever.

Dad said something else. That you guy's are involved? Whatever that means. I mean, I know what he means but I don't know why he didn't just say that you are dating. I kinda knew before he said something and I'm happy, I just didn't want to say anything because its kinda weird too. I mean he's my dad, its just weird. But that means you'll come back right? If you're dating dad than that means you have to come back. And I cant wait.

Love,

Carl

Daryl knew he probably had the stupidest smile on his face but he couldn't bring himself to care. Damn, that kid was smart, probably a little too smart. But it did honestly lift a weight off of his shoulders. Apparently Carl had cornered his Dad the same way he had cornered him. It was a relief to know Carl liked him enough to not resent him for wanting to be with Rick. It had been a fear in the back of his mind ever since Rick kissed him in the kitchen only a couple of short weeks ago.

The soldier folded up the paper and stored it away with the rest of the letters he had received from the kid, for sentimental purposes. He was curious about the second page, unsure if Carl had more to say. His heart however, did a backflip when he realized that it wasn't a second letter from Carl but a neatly written one from Rick:

Daryl,

I know we only just met but I feel like I've known you all of my life. The thought of you leaving gouges a hole in my stomach, as if saying 'goodbye' would mean forever. Being near you brings me to life. I know I had lost the fire of my spirit and happiness a long time ago but then you showed up. Suddenly, I was just happy to be alive again. The air smells fresher, the colors of the world seem brighter and its so much easier to smile and laugh when you're here. When you're with me, I feel alive, like no matter what happens, things will be alright. I was lost, for a long time, feeling like i was alone in the dark. Then you came along, lighting the way, making me no longer feel afraid.

It might be out of line for me to say but I feel like I'm nothing without you, just a hollow, empty shell. Plain and simple, I need you. I need you to come back. I need to feel you beside me at night. I need to see your warm, amazing smile after a long day at work. I need to hear your tantalizing laugh every day and get lost in your breath taking eyes. There is no part of you that I would change, your so perfect and the sad thing is, is that i don't feel as if I deserve you. But hell if I'm going to sit back and not fight to keep you if you want to stay.

You're not even gone yet and you have me gushing like a sad sob. Its kind of pathetic, I know, but I need you to know what you mean to me. So please, come back, I don't know what i'd do if you never did.

With Love from Georgia,

Rick

P.S. Carl kind of tricked me into telling him about us so if you get any weird letters from him... sorry.

He laughed at this, a sort of loud bark that caught more than a few stares. Daryl glances around, trying to work the smile off of his face as he received several questioning looks from those around him. He caught the eye of a friend, Mark Samson, a few bunks away and nodded to him in greeting, who returned the gesture with a raised fist in 'welcome'.

Sky blue eyes scanned the paper a second time, admiring the distinct way Rick's handwriting lashed out with passion and dedication. Just like him.

And hell, if Daryl didn't feel like a love struck teenager but he couldn't help it. Nothing was more gratifying than finding out the one who holds your heart is willing to give you theirs in return. He felt light headed, fearful almost, as he realized what he was getting into. What scared him more than commitment however, was being without Rick, without Carl. Walking alone, now that he knew what it was like to have a family of sorts.

Glancing up again he noticed that Samson had abandoned his fiddling at his own bunk, leisurely venturing toward him. Daryl set the papers aside as the man approached, "Hey man, what's up? How was the leave?" His friend extended his hand in proper greeting.

"Pretty good, bro. Makes me miss America, tha's f'r damn sure," he chuckled as they clasped hands, a form of welcome many soldiers in his squadron had developed.

"Fuck, what I wouldn't give for a cheeseburger that's actually cooked in grease," he huffed, "I'm headed to the rec, you comin'?"

"Nah man, ther's somthin' I gotta take care of. I'll catch up."

"Cool, man. See ya'." Samson promptly left without a worry, seemingly unaware of Daryl's own struggle. The problem wasn't that he had much else to do, it was the fact that being around a bunch of rowdy guys when they are bored just seemed like too much for him right now. They could do some stupid shit when there weren't any officials around to yell at them.

He instead sifted through the pile of photo's again, taking in the smaller details and remembering the times they had when they were taken. He noticed the way Carl squished up his face at the vegetables they were preparing in the kitchen photo. He noticed the slight blur on one side of the one from the park. He admired the slight stubble Rick was sporting in the formal one of he and Carl. And finally, he traced his own smile, which he wore in each glossy poileroid.

Glancing up, Daryl decided on a whim, to pin them up on his detail board, hung above his bunk. Each living quarters had one, often littered with family photos and important keepsakes. His only held his training schedule and an old black and white photo of himself and Merle but he figured that these belong there just the same. He took care in hanging them, sentimentally hoping that with their presence, his new loved ones would look over him with watchful eyes and visit him in his dreams.

He stopped however, when he got to the last one. The one of him and Rick, kissing happily, and decided that this one he would keep on him at all times. Not that he was ashamed to display his affection and care for another man, far from it. It wasn't like his particular division was critical of same-sex couples, they were actually quite understanding. Sure, they didn't know his sexual orientation, pegging his disinterest for asexualism. But they do have three openly gay soldiers within his quarters, one being female, and the worst they got were teasing jokes. It wasn't even because he considered himself to be a private person. No, instead, in some twisted logic, Daryl believed that if he held it wherever he went, it would give him courage and strength to complete each day. He studied it for a long time, memorizing every pixel and came to the conclusion that this was the most ideal photo he had ever cherished. Yet, there were so many flaws. It was far off center, Rick's thumb clouded the bottom left corner, Daryl's hair was messed up unfavorably, it was tilted at an odd angle and a little dark. But that was what made him love it so much. It was incredibly imperfect, yet it was so real. So raw. It displayed every inch of contentment he had been feeling in that moment. It showed how melted and open Rick looked. It was unmarred. So, he folded the perfect photo and tucked it into his chest pocket, close to his heart.

The thing about time was, you never had enough of it. Yet, as you live in the moment, it seems it will never end. Each day could drag on in a painfully slow teeter but before you know it, a month has passed, two months, three. Suddenly a year has gone by and you can't remember where the time has gone, no matter how much it hurt to urge the minute hand onward. A year later, you could sift through every letter exchanged, check how many calls you've made, and still feel the freshness of each one.

That's how it felt for Daryl.

Although he believed he had grown and learned, expanded if you will, over the course of time, his heart never wavered. It was like highly anticipating your birthday, which he never did. This year he had forgotten his birthday was even coming up until the day before but he was sure that other people got excited months prior. He marked each day on his internal calendar, making room for consistent dwelling in the back of his head.

He took time to write each Carl and Rick back but modern technology was a great asset. Instead, Daryl began talking to the pair on the phone most nights and skyping any chance he got. It was a relief to know they anticipated his calls as much as he yearned to hear their voices. Deeper meanings however, were restricted to writing. Daryl never had been good at expressing his most private feelings but he tried for Rick. He did however, find it easier to write about rather than say out loud, so the letters continued as well. Plus, the soldier simply liked studying the other man's handwriting late at night when sleep evaded his clutches. But that would be his little secret.

It was with a twist of his stomach that he bounced his leg. Little sleep came to him on the flight and he was as nervous as he had first been to meet these strangers. He was sure the neighbor in the seat beside him was thoroughly irritated with his anxious fidgeting but he couldn't help it. He was going home, after a year of impatient waiting.

Daryl flexed his arms, noticing for the millionth time how tight his uniform sleeves were getting. Naturally, he had bulked up over the last year but he had never gotten around to ordering new uniforms. He was comfortable with the ones he had and besides, his service was over for the time being, so unless he decided to re-enlist somewhere down the line, he didn't really need them. Sure, it tugged at him, the thought of finishing his service but he was ready to be done. He wasn't quite sure if he would ever go back but he figured he would just cross that bridge when it came.

Right now, in this moment, he had a family eagerly awaiting his return. He had a wonderful man, who put him on a pedestal that he didnt deserve and made him out to be some sort of rare gem. He had a young boy, who thought he was a superhero and looked up to him. The military may have been his life before but this was his only dream now.

As he followed the caravan of passengers off of the terminal, Daryl felt like he was walking through a dream. His feet felt numb, coupling along with the fog clouding his head. On a normal day he would attribute this to the change in pressure from flying but he knew. He long ago abandoned his denial and embraced the fact that he was pathetically head over heals for Rick. He couldn't wait to catch up with Carl and start seeing his development into a hopefully non-angsty teenager.

The crowd was thick with passing folk, various families reuniting or rushing to their next flights. He wasn't surprised at all when he didn't see Rick or Carl right away. It was a busy place this time of year after all. He was surprised however, when a pair of thin arms wrapped around his waist in a bruising grip from behind. Instinctually, he jumped, attempting to turn around in his non hostile assailants hold.

It took him probably a second longer than it should have to realize who it was. Although the kid had clearly gone through a growth spurt in the last year, he could never forget Carl's unmistakable features. The kid was only 11 and he was already up to Daryl's chest, longer hair dangling shadows over his eyes. He turned to return the hug and bask in what he had missed so much, "Hey, kid." He knew the warm chuckle that left him was probably a little cliche but he couldn't bring himself to mind. Carl looked up at him as he pulled away, a spark of excitement masking his eyes, "hey yourself."

He had just been a moment from asking where his father was, because surely Carl hadn't driven himself, when a second pair of stronger arms engulfed the pair. The warmth made his toes tingle as Daryl tried to convince himself that he were really here, that he was not dreaming. What was stranger than his trying to prove the realism of the moment was the fact that Rick seemed as comfortable with him after so long. He feared that once he returned, it would seem that they had taken a few steps back. But, if the way Rick seemed to melt so openly against him was anything to go by, then he would guess that he had feared in vain.

Their embrace was awkward, Rick's form enveloping his entire right side and locking Daryl's own arms over Carl. It was cheesy and almost a little painful but it was so perfect. It was what he imagined other soldiers experienced when reuniting, leaving them flustered for words. He looked over his shoulder slightly, craving the sight that was Rick and gained more than he had bargained for. The officer, without a moments hesitation, brought their lips together in reunion. He huffed slightly, surprised but not at all displeased, nor embarrassed. That is, until he heard Carl groan out a muffled, "gross" against him, which reminded him how very public they were.

When Rick finally pulled away, loosening his grip on Daryl and in turn Carl as well, he was smiling so widely it looked like his face would split. The soldier knew his expression was similar, every bit of happiness he felt in that moment showing through his features. The crowd of travelers pushed around them like a flowing current, occasional stares, raised eyebrows, looks of disgust and even a few content smiles being presented to them.

He was breathless, his stomach doing advanced gymnastics beneath his skin, an effect Rick still had on him, when he finally spoke, "Hey."

Rick laughed, outright laughed, his eyes watering slightly as he shook his head, "Hey," he managed to reply through his laughter. The officer rested a hand on his son's neck in affection, bringing him to his side. His other arm snaking around Daryl's waist in possession as he brought the soldier to his other side. They made a line, each falling in step with one another as they made their leave, headed to baggage claim before going home. The home they shared.