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In this chapter we will have some more fluff. Some cute little Connaryl moments and some weird encounters with that "thing" between the twins and Daryl.

...nobody else

"You are coming with me. I need to talk to you", Daryl said to the twins.
Both glared at him while chewing on a chocolate bar and drinking a bottle of water. "Why?", Murphy asked, smiling because he really liked to annoy Daryl.
"We need to talk."
"Again? We talked yesterday", Connor mentioned their little talk at Terminus.
"Yeah but we were not done. And I need a favor." Daryl had thought about it the whole night. He needed someone to go with him and search for Beth. He didn't want to ask Rick because his friend needed time with Judith and Carl and he everyone else was planning their trip to Washington. Glenn had found an old map and they were planning which way to drive. Avoiding big cities.
"Okay then let's go", Murph agreed.
The three walked out of the house and walked to a bench under a tree. Connor and Murphy immediately sat on the backrest. Connor offering everyone a smoke and both agreed. So he lit three cigarettes at once in his mouth. Daryl again looked a bit surprised by this.
"Talk", Murphy ordered.
"Yeah. So I was thinking..." Daryl started and looked into the distance. "maybe you two could help me find someone, while the others prepare our departure."
"Who?", Connor asked.
"Beth." Daryl felt terribly sorry for losing her. "You will miss me when I am gone" - She was right. He missed her.
"She yer girl?", the black haired twin asked.
"No. Not really. She is...i don't know", Daryl answered because he really didn't know. When he thought of Beth he felt a lot of things. He wasn't in love with her but somehow he felt deeply connected with her. Maybe like a brother. He had no idea.
"We will help you", Connor answered when he saw that puzzled and frowned expression on the hunters face.
"Yeah?"
"'Course", Murphy replied.
For a moment they just looked at each other. "Thanks", Daryl whispered.
The twins smiled. "Anythin' else?"
Daryl looked at them and shook his head. He had a lot things on his mind but couldn't find the words to say anything at all. It was Murphy that started talking again.
"Yer brother, his name was Merle, righ'?"
Daryl looked at Murphy and tried to find out when he mentioned that name. But he hadn't.
"Yeah but how do ya' know?"
"Let us say that your brother thought I was you."
Daryl swallowed. "What did he do to you?"
"He punched me. Left a big fuckin' scar on my back because he wouldn't believe me when I told him I wasn't you. And he hit Connor and me half to death. Then Andrea stepped in and told sense into him."
Daryl closed his eyes. "I am sorry", he mumbled.
"Not yer fault pal. Yeh kno' what happened to him?", Connor asked.
Daryl bobbed his head yes. "He is dead. Killed him."
"We wondered what happened to Woodbury. We went out of there weeks ago. As soon as they started talkin' about attackin' a prison."
"The Governor is dead. Michonne killed him. Andrea is dead too. So are a lot of others. We were the prison group. That sick bastard killed Merle, just when Merle wanted to save us all. An then let him turn and I..."
"...you had to finish him", Connor ended the sentence. Feeling sorry when he saw Daryl's face. The hunter only looked at him and nodded.
"Sorry", Murphy whispered.
Then there was silence again and Connor stood up, placed himself in front of the hunter and looked into his eyes. Daryl looked back and felt himself calm down while Connor felt suddenly as if he was drowning. Daryl's eyes were much darker than Murphy's. While Murphy was the sky, Daryl was the ocean on a stormy autumn day. Daryl's hands suddenly rose and he was grabbing Connors arms, because he felt like he was burning up inside. Murphy watched both of them until he felt it too. He stood up and grabbed his brother. "Connor!"
"Stop", Daryl managed to say.
Connor closed his eyes and Daryl let go of him and when Connor looked at his brother he felt as if he was punched. "What the fuck was that?", Murphy asked.
"I just wanted to calm him", Connor explained.
"that burning", Daryl said.
"It felt a bit like an electric shock. As if we were melting", Connor tried to find words.
"And I felt like dying."
"We should try something."
"And what brother?"
"I want you to look at Daryl and Daryl you grab his arms. I just want to see something."
Daryl shook his head. "No. I am not doing this stupid crap again. What the fuck are you two?"
"We have no idea either. I had an idea but this just can't be", Connor said.
Before they could speak more, Murphy was standing in front f Daryl and looked into the hunters eyes. He felt something inside of him but not as much as his brother minutes ago. He grabbed Daryl's arms and the hunter didn't even pull back but nothing happened. all three looked at each other.
"The fuck?", Daryl asked.
They didn't speak for a while and Connor sighed.
"I don't want this. I don't want you in our life. I don't fuckin' want anything of this", he spat.
"Neither do I", Daryl said, suddenly angry and annoyed and afraid.
Murphy hugged his brother and sighed. "I think you were right about what you told me yesterday.", he whispered into his brothers ears.
"No. Because..."
"I know."
The twins looked at each other. Both looked at Daryl. Daryl snorted. He had no idea what was going on and this whole crap frightened him so he did what he always did. Put up walls. "We nee to go. I want to tell Rick that we are leaving today. Grab your stuff.", he said and walked away. Suddenly not so sure it was a good idea to go with those two. On the other hand he wanted to know what this was. He would never admit it to one of them, but the feeling in his stomach and mind when he grabbed Connors arms was actually amazing. More intense than anything he ever felt.

3 hours later

They were walking away from Terminus and in the opposite direction than Daryl and Beth had been before. He had no clue where to search for her but he had to try. The twins were right behind him, talking now and then in different languages. Daryl hated it. Not only were those idiots intelligent enough to speak more than one language, no they had this tone with each other. The sound was a whole lot different then when they spoke to others. Gentle and lovingly, sometimes amused and joking but still you could hear how much they loved each other. Something he never had. He wished someone would talk to him like this. Someday, when the world was back to normal again. If that was ever going to happen. He wanted someone by his side, telling him stories, inside jokes, nice words. And he wanted one person he could open up to. Daryl knew that he had open up to Beth but still it was different. Now he knew that he hadn't lost everyone. With Beth he thought he had still someone to protect. A family. A sister. Now they were such a large group again and he felt unimportant and insecure. He never was good in large groups. So this little search party was something he really needed. Being outside for a short time. After they had been tortured and bruised, he hadn't slept because he was too afraid that he might wake up and they were all gone again.
"Daryl", Connor interrupted his thoughts.
"Hm?"
"You have any idea what we are lookin' for?"
Daryl stopped and turned around, his eyes concentrating on his feet. He shook his head. "No. Not really. Just a car. With a white cross painted on the backwindow."
Connor and Murphy looked at each other. "Not much", Murphy stated.
"I know. I just need to try." He looked both of them in the eye.
Connor was taking a step forward. "Listen, we will help you. Sure thing. Tell us about Beth. You are.." Connor didn't speak any further.
"What?", Daryl wanted to know.
"...too silent", Murphy answered.
"I don't wanna talk."
Daryl turned around and walked away. The two Irishmen following him.
He could hear them talk and tried his best not to listen but he couldn't help it. These words weren't for him but he needed to pretend that they were. He just listened to them "Yeh think of Rocco sometimes?", Murphy asked.
Connor sighed. "Aye. An' Doc, an' Romeo, Smecker. Imagine Rocco would still be alive. He would fucking love this shit."
Murphy chuckled. "Yeah. Crazy fucker he was. I miss him."
"Me too. Remember that cat?"
"Oh God yes. I still can't believe that fuckin' happened."
Connor and Murphy laughed. Which made Daryl smirk for some strange reason. The laugh of those two were somehow catching. He could totally imagine those two before all that. Drinking beer, laughing and shooting people on a regular basis. Nice serial killers. Daryl shook his head.
"What are you shakin' yer head abou'?"
Connor of course.
"You two. Can't you ever shut up?"
"No."
"So what happened to that cat?"
Both brothers laughed again. Murphy and Connor got closer to Daryl, taking him in the middle. Murphy started explaining. "Rocco, he was our friend, accidentally shot the cat of his girlfriend. She was scattered all over the wall."
"How do you accidentally shoot a cat?", Daryl asked.
"The recipe is a lot of booze, a lot of drugs, Rocco and a weapon that wasn't secured laying on the table. Then knock said table and the weapon goes off", Connor replied.
"No. Fuckin'. Way.", Daryl said amused.
"Hell yeah. We all thought we were under attack and jumped through the room. It was hilarious", Murphy voiced.
Daryl shook his head. "How did you two even survive for this long?"
"Wha' is tha' supposed to mean?"
"Ya' always gettin' into trouble as it seems and ya' havin' more luck than is good for ya'. And by the way can you hunt?" Daryl wasn't so sure where this was going but it was nice to talk for once. even so he hated talking. But as long as he had not to listen to that sweet conversations of them he would do anything.
"Luck and God always was on our side", Murphy explained.
"We can't hunt. We tried", Connor expressed.
"I could teach ya'." Daryl looked at Connor who was looking at him too. "Aye. Tha' be good. Yer the only hunter in tha' group?"
"Yeah."
"Yer feeding all these people alone? Yer really need someone te' help yeh. Murph' and me will help yeh, if yeh teach us how to hunt."
Connor clapped Daryl's back, his hand resting on the mans shoulder for a second. Daryl didn't even make an attempt to get rid of the hand. He flinched for a second but then just accepted it. "Good. I will teach ya' every day a bit. Not today though."
"Good. No hurry." Connor took his hand from the rednecks shoulder and they walked in silence again. Somehow this was an awkward situation and an awkward silence. Murphy was chewing on his thumb again. They were slowly coming closer to a place they had seen on the card that Glenn had. There were some houses and Daryl thought maybe that's where they took Beth.
Daryl looked at Connor and Murphy. Murphy, who had such a similar face. They only met two days ago but he felt as if he had known them for years. The same thing had crossed his mind when he saw them on the news. Since earlier it was even worse. What ever happened this morning wasn't normal. As if there was something connecting them. As if there was an invisible bond. For a split second he thought of soulmates. But your soulmate is supposed to be the person you fall in love with. And none of them was a girl. So that was unlikely. Can't be that. And yet, the feeling wasn't going away. And he felt closer to Connor than Murphy.
"Wha' are yeh thinkin' abou'?", the older twin asked.
Daryl looked at him. "Earlier."
"Yeah. We talked abou' tha' earlier. Murph' and I."
"Was it what you are talkin' about in that other language?"
"Aye. Gaelic."
"Where did you learn all the languages?"
"School. Ma' made us", Murphy answered before Connor.
"What do you think happened?"Daryl bit his lip and his hand grabbing the strip of his bow harder. He didn't like to talk about it but they should. He was not so stupid to think they could just forget about that.
Connor stopped walking, looked to the sky, one hand rubbing his eyes, the other one grabbing his rosary. "Seriously? We have no idea."
"Actually Connor had an idea but this can't be", Murphy added.
"What exactly?"
Connor moaned, shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. "I thought about..maybe..you are.." He looked at Murphy, who nodded in agreement. "Maybe you are our soulmate."
Daryl slapped himself in mind and was screaming "fuck no" inside but he just looked surprised at Connor. Could it be that two minds had the same thought?
"But soulmates.. I thought that you are supposed to fall in love with your soulmate and I am not gay, so...", he tried to argue.
Connor again shook his head. "See, there is the problem. I thought the exact same thing when they told Murphy and me we were soulmates. When we were kids they told us we were so much alike that we had to be soulmates. I read a lot abou' it and there are actually different kinds of soulmates. But none of them make any sense with us. You just can't be and we don't want you to be." Connor was annoyed. He was angry. He didn't want anything or anyone between him and his brother. even so he already knew that the Redneck was exactly that. Ever since the morning he was sure of it. But he would not let this happen. Murphy and Connor would go with the group but if there would be any sign that Daryl was gettin' inbetween of them they would leave.
He started walking and didn't look back at Daryl or his brother. He heard Murphy say: "Don't. He needs to calm. Let me talk to him."
Connor felt his brother coming closer and felt his hand on his shoulder. When he looked at his brothers face, the face he loved so much. The face that had made him smile, cry and behave like a big brother. Sometimes he forgot that he wasn't really older. Just some seconds. His brother was smiling at him now and Connor sighed. "It can't be", he whispered.
"Yeh kno' tha' we can't do anythin' against it if it is gods will, righ'? What if we need him? A new mission?", Murphy tried to make sense of this mess.
"Maybe."

They reached the houses and took their weapons out. Daryl was going first and shot two walkers that were walking into their direction. They looked around for a car, but couldn't find it. They entered the first house, everyone checking another room and found nothing. They did that with three more houses and then went into a barn. Inside were four walkers, which were easily destroyed. Connor shot one and killed the other one with his knife. Daryl shot one with an arrow and Murphy was stabbing the other one. The Unter was looking around the place to find any sign of Beth but couldn't find anything.
He sat down on the porch and sighed. He knew it wouldn't be that easy but still he was disappointed. Where should they search? Where go next? The next town was too far to go there today. And even now it was already too late to go anywhere. They had needed longer than he thought and it just looked as if they had two options: Stay here without food or walk back in the dark.
"What now", Murphy wanted to know.
"We are stayin'. Its not safe to go back. It is gettin' dark", Daryl answered.
"Aye. Let's find us a house then."
Murphy walked over to his brother who was keeping his distance to Daryl. Something was going on in his head but he wouldn't talk to Murphy. Daryl was looking at one of the houses. That one would be the best choice. There was no back entry, no garage and they could sleep in the front room. It had curtains and was good enough for one night.
"We are taking this one", he yelled over to Murphy and his brother.
"Aye", the younger one answered.
Daryl leaned his crossbow against the wall and searched the kitchen for something to eat. All he could find was one jar of selfmade jelly and a can of fruits. He opened both and went back to the living room. Reaching the twins the food and spoons. The twins were sitting on the wrecked sofa and Daryl sat on the opposite site. "Wow, Conn' taste this. It's the best fuckin' food I ever had." Murphy was eating a spoon of Jelly and smiling as if he just ate a steak.
"Yeah sure bro." Connor wasn't in the mood for silly games.
Murphy stopped smiling and stopped eating, reaching Daryl the jelly. Connor wasn't eating anything. Daryl held the fruits in front of Connors face. "Eat."
"Not hungry." Connor looked angry.
Daryl shrugged and started eating the fruit. He changed looks with Murphy who just sighed and ignored his brother.
"Have I done something?", Daryl asked.
Murphy shook his head. Pointed at Connors head and then swirled his fingers. "He is crazy in thoughts", he mumbled.
"I can hear you, yeh kno'?" Connor threw an angry look at his twin.
"Good. I thought you are drifting into dreamland. What's on yer mind?"
"Nothing."
Daryl snorted. "As if."
"What the fuck d'yeh kno'?"
Connor stood up and walked into the kitchen, closing the door behind him. He had no intention to stay in the same room as those two. He just couldn't. Everything felt so weird and he was absolutely confused. Daryl. Murphy. Him. What was happening?
He wasn't angry at them - he was angry at this world and this whole thing. Even if he had no idea what the thing was.
The craziest thing was that he started to like Daryl. The way he protected everyone and that he was trying to talk to them even so he wasn't that much of a talker. He seemed to be a very quiet and observing person. Connor wanted to find out about his past. His brother was just a jerk and it left him wondering why Daryl was so different. Why he flinched at every touch. Connor thought it was kind of strange that they only knew each other for two days. It feels like they have known each other for much longer.
When he went back into the other room, his brother was sleeping on the couch. His right arm tucked under his head, the other one spread across his stomach. He had made himself a pillow with his pea coat and he was smiling. Connor watched his brother and gently stroke his forehead, placed a little kiss on his hair and whispered: "Good night brother." Murphy smiled and mumbled: "Good Night Conn'."
Daryl had watched Connor while he was kissing his brother and wishing him a good night. And he had never felt so lonely. Not once in his life someone had said good night in such a voice. never had anybody kiss his forehead. not even his mom. His mom only patted his head and then he had to go and dress him self and went to bed. Merle never had done it either and his dad sure as hell never knew what it took to be gentle.
Connor was smiling down on his brother and Daryl looked away until Connor spoke: "You can sleep too. I will keep watch."
"No I'm good. Can't sleep anyway"; Daryl answered in all honesty. Because there were too much things on his mind.
"Me neither. Lucky Murph' he never has problems with sleeping." Connor smiled and sat down next to Daryl. His arms resting on his knees and his head buried in his palms. He tried to calm himself a bit before speaking to Daryl again.
"Wha' are yeh thinkin' righ' now?"
Daryl sighed. He could either tell the truth or come up with something weird. But Connor would probably know when he was lying. "That I never had someone say "Good Night" to me like you just did with Murphy."
Daryl watched Murphy sleep. He seemed so innocent and young. Smiling as if nothing bad ever happened.
Connor swallowed, a knot that was building itself inside his throat. Never? What about his parents? Carefully he faced Daryl. The hunter always had this glowering expression on his face. He had seen him smirk and laugh a bit but it never seemed to reach his eyes. Connor wanted to make him smile. Connor wanted him to be better. Somehow Connor wanted him to be like Murphy. Maybe a bit.
"Never?", Connor whispered and Daryl surveyed Connors face. It was friendly and open, not judgemental or joking. His voice was so soft that Daryl just shook his head. Unable to find words.
"That is sad. Sorry lad."
Connor smiled and sat down cross-legged and so he could face Daryl from his side. Daryl nodded. "It's okay. I live."
"But, did yeh mum or dad never say "Good Night" or hugged and kissed you before yeh went to sleep? Merle?"
Daryl shook his head. He couldn't believe he was opening up to that guy next to him. Maybe he had changed. Maybe Beth had gotten to his weak spot. Maybe...no there was no maybe. He sure as hell felt as if Connor was a brother, a friend. Something else.
"No. My dad wasn't so much of a nice person, my mum was always drunk and Merle was away most of the time and didn't care that much. Because he thought it was gay."
Connor sniffed. "Did that look gay to you?"
"No. It looked like two brothers that love and protect each other."
"Aye. I love him. A lot. I would stop living if he was ever taken from me."
Daryl moved and sat down on the couch the same way Connor was sitting. Facing him and said with all honesty: "I promise you I will take care of you two. I will throw myself in the line." He meant it.
"Why?", Connors voice broke.
"I don't know. Maybe because this world needs people like you. People who are able to love and believe in good and have faith. I am just a tool. you are the survivors." Connor shook his head and stopped smiling. Did Daryl really think so bad of himself?
"Promise me, that you are not going to kill me or punch me for what I am doing now."
Daryl looked confused but agreed.
The older one approached and gently stroked Daryl's forehead. Daryl froze and looked at Connor, who smiled assuringly. "I won't do anything, okay. Just relax", the Irish whispered and Daryl relaxed a bit and was smiling inside because that voice of Connor was so full of care that he just let him go further. Connor had never done this to another guy. When he kissed Rocco or other friends he always had a hand between his lips and the other part. But now he knew Daryl needed this. He had to show him that Daryl was able to have this things and to do them. Maybe this will take a while but Connor was sure that Daryl was able to love. He already loved the group.
He slowly pressed his lips against his friends forehead, his hand resting on both sides of his head, gently stroking the hunters cheeks. When he stopped kissing, he let his hands where they were and looked at Daryl. Daryl had closed his eyes, his hands now moving towards Connors wrists. Just holding them. Not taking them away. Connor thought he would earn a punch for this but much to his surprise Daryl opened his eyes and for the first time, Connor saw something else in this eyes. Trust. They sat there for a while and the burning inside of them was getting calmer and calmer and while Daryl held Connors wrists, the saint was still touching his cheeck. Daryl moved closer into the touch, closing his eyes again. he sighed and leaned forward to hug Connor. He pulled him closer and closer and whispered: "Thank you. Thanks for saving us. Me. God sent you. Even is he sent you years too late."
Connor sat still, embraced Daryl and pet the back of the man. One of his hands playing with the long hair. He didn't mind that he was holding a man. A friend. He just wanted to safe him. Even from himself. He wanted to show Daryl that he is good and loved. And for fucks sake, yes, Connor was falling in love with that stupid redneck. And he wasn't even into guys.
"I wish we would have been there for you. One day you are goin' to tell me what happened to you."
Daryl sniffed and hugged Connor even closer and for the first time in his life he could feel safe and he could feel himself growing. He could feel so many things and one thing was more confusing then the other feelings that were struggling inside his body, he never wanted to let go of Connor. He wanted to hold on to him. Maybe forever.
"Oh, Leprechaun", he whispered and put a kiss on Connors ear.
They sat like this for a long while until Daryl's leg was getting numb. But both of them knew, something had changed.