At first Glenn didn't say anything.
Neither did Daryl. He just stood there, watching and waiting.
Finally Glenn took the initiative.
"So… you and Maggie… behind my back?" He asked in a low tone.
Daryl nodded slowly.
"We sure didn't mean it to happen. One thing led to another. Can't say I'm sorry though. Maggie is a great girl." He said simply.
He was surprised to see that Glenn wasn't furious. He didn't look disappointed either. Somehow he was just sad and tired. Thoughtful too.
"Yes she is. And I'm worried about her. A lot actually. She is not herself. Hasn't been since the rape. She is angry and bitter, she hates herself. Today she told me about you two… just to get me to hate her … to leave her. But I won't. Because I love her. And I think you kinda do too. Am I right, Daryl?" Glenn said perceptively.
Daryl looked at the younger man confused. Where was he going with all this? Why wasn't he angry? And how on earth did he know how he felt? Daryl hadn't even admitted it to himself yet. But the moment Glenn said it aloud he knew it was true.
"Yes. And I worry about her too. She is unhappy, anyone can see that." Daryl replied.
Glenn inhaled and looked at him in the eyes.
"So… we have to help her, right? When she told me… at first I was angry as hell. Crossbow or not - I was going to punch you in the face. But the more I thought about it… the more convinced I got." He explained thoughtfully.
"Convinced about what?" Daryl asked and frowned. He was puzzled. This conversation was nothing like he had expected it to be. He had clearly underestimated Glenn.
"The only way to help her is to put the jealousy aside and work together. To share. That's the only way to make Maggie feel like a desirable, beautiful woman again. She said that… sex with you was wonderful. Her words, not mine. With me she feels safe. With you she truly and profoundly enjoys herself. So maybe…" Glenn said thoughtfully and fell silent.
To tell you the truth - at this point the rugged survivor Daryl Dixon blushed a bit and looked aside. He coughed lightly to disguise his puzzlement.
The silence between them was heavy. Daryl was the one who broke it.
"Are ya really suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"
Glenn nodded slowly.
"I think the only way to change the way Maggie feels about herself is to repeat her horrific experience somehow. Two men and a cabin… only this time it will be romantic, slow and beautiful. We have to try our best. For Maggie." He said determinedly.
Daryl swallowed. He remembered perfectly clear how Maggie had helped him when he was lost and hopeless. Maybe this was worth a try.
"What you're suggesting is kinda unusual… immoral some people might say. I have never done anything like that before." Daryl said in a muffled tone.
"Me neither. But we are not just some people. This is us. We have done a lot worse to help each other. And what the hell, this is the apocalypse. I don't think old moral rules matter anymore. Do you?" Glenn asked.
Daryl shook his head. Then he looked at Glenn questioningly.
"Do you really think Maggie is ready for this? Will she agree to it? I mean… she was raped just a few months back. She has hardly spoken to me ever since." Daryl noted.
"Leave that to me. Maggie feels guilty and miserable, worthless. She needs a way out of those feelings. I can convince her this is worth a try I'm sure." Glenn said firmly.
For a moment they just stood there. Finally Daryl spoke.
"Anything for Maggie."