Chapter 39: I Love You

Riley followed Daryl slowly down the hall. He had shown her the note with the keys taped to the back, but warned they should be careful in case it was just a set up. So they crept cautiously down the hall, only slowing when they heard arguing voices up ahead. They just reached the corner as a jar of pickles splattered to the ground, and Daryl practically picked her up and carried her to the nearest door to hide.

Once inside the room, they got a chance to look around. It was a male's room she noted, the male clothing all over the floor being a big sign. Daryl immediately grabbed the nearest food item - a jar of peanut butter - and began to slurp some of it down. She stayed close to the door, listening to the voices as the hunter started to change out of his old prison shirt and into one of the fresh ones laying around. Unfortunately for her, there wasn't any women's clothes, so she would be forced to stay in her grimy ones until they could get out of here.

The voices didn't seem to be going anywhere and they weren't getting closer, so they hunkered down for a few moments to wait. Daryl took advantage of the peanut butter, but she wasn't hungry enough to want anything.

For several minutes, she waited by the door until the voices got quieter and disappeared completely. She turned just in time to flinch as Daryl overturned one of the tables and then grabbed a hat off the chair.

"Dammit, what the hell was that for?" she whisper-shouted, hoping that no one had heard.

He merely grunted, shoving the hat on his head and pulling on a flannel over top of it. Then, he snatched up a bandana and thrust it at her along with an oversized jacket.

"Put it on," he grumbled, moving for the door.

Her hands moved quickly, tying the bandana in a way so it covered her head and the sides of her face and throwing on the jacket. It was definitely too big, as her hands barely poked out the sleeves, but she rolled them up enough to make sure she could move her hands.

He opened the door up, making sure the coast was clear, and then starting to move. They moved quickly and quietly, her heart pausing every time her feet did. At the end of the hall in one of the rooms was a loud and rowdy game of cards going on. They waited for just the right moment before slipping past and coming across a door. A small caddy full of metal pipes sat right next to it and she took one her size immediately. A good weapon.

The door ended up being locked, but Daryl was quick to get it open with mostly force and some smart use of objects they found near them. Neither of them said a word as they slipped outside and the small stash of motorcycles immediately caught his eye. He bolted straight toward them and she took a quick look around before following.

"Are we just going to ride right out of the place? Won't they notice?"

As soon as the words left her lips, a voice behind them caused her to jump. Heart in her throat, she spun to face a heavier set man, munching away on a sandwich that he promptly dropped upon seeing them. Daryl stood up straight, slowly raising the pipe in his hands.

"Whoa! Whoa!" the man stammered, putting his hands up in surrender. "It's cool. I swear! You can walk right out that back gate right there and I won't say anything to anyone. I'm supposed to be there now, but listen..."

Daryl had slowly edged closer, but she stood her ground, making sure to keep an eye on all other possible entryways in case anyone else decided to show up.

"I'm...I'm just trying to get by. Just like you... Please," the man begged, but at that moment, Daryl lunged.

Riley didn't flinch even a little as the hunter smashed and bashed the man's head. She did flinch, however, when she spotted movement. Pipe raised, she jumped forward just as someone came sprinting from behind a truck. He had long hair and a beard, with a beanie covering his head. He must have been anticipating her attack because he ducked out of the way, putting up his hands.

"I'm with you!" he exclaimed. "I swear, I know Daryl. Daryl!"

She didn't trust him for a second and instead swung again. This time, she nicked his shoulder and his face contorted but his feet were quick. He dodged again and grabbed her wrist, preventing her from getting any hits in.

"Daryl!" he urged, struggling to keep a hold of her as she thrashed and tried her best to get a swing at him.

The hunter turned, looking up and heaving a heavy breath. He didn't make a move to intervene or look even remotely worried. It was a nonverbal signal that he knew this man.

Immediately, she stopped, panting and turning her gaze to the man.

"You know how to put up a fight. I'm Jesus. From Hilltop. I'm guessing you're Riley?" the man asked, a smile glinting in his eyes.

"Hilltop?" What even was that?

He let out a small chuckle. "You'll see. We need to move. Let's get going. We should take one. Or else they'll know someone else was here."

Since it would be the three of them on a bike, they took the biggest one. Daryl got on first and she got on second, with Jesus taking up the rear. It was a tight fit, but they made it work.

As the motorcycle roared to life, she clutched onto Daryl tightly. The rumbling feeling beneath her was something she wasn't quite used to, but if anyone knew how to ride one of these, it was Daryl.

They managed to get out the back way with little trouble and soon they were gliding down the main road. She had to admit, the feeling of the wind blowing in her hair felt nice and for once since everything had started, she felt free. Not all of her problems were gone, but she was flying miles away from Dylan and Negan and back to home where she could see Carl properly again and be reunited with Maggie again. A blanket of relief covered her and for the rest of the ride, she thought contentedly about what she was going to do when she go back.

However, instead of coming upon the Alexandria gates, they came upon some very different ones. They were tall - likely higher than the ones at Alexandria - and wooden. She could also see the outline of someone's head near the top before it disappeared.

Barely at the gates, they opened up, and the first person waiting for them was Maggie. Her chest swelled and before she knew it, her legs had pushed off the bike and started toward the woman as fast as she could.

Maggie held her arms open wide and Riley practically collapsed into them. She buried her face in the woman's shoulder, trying to keep her emotions at bay but it was no use.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Maggie breathed, holding her tightly.

"You too. How's the baby?" She hugged her for a moment longer before pulling away.

"Good. Healthy. Come on, I bet you're wondering what this place is."

Daryl and Jesus had already brought the motorcycle in and Maggie was now calling for Sasha and Enid, who had apparently been staying here as well. She gave them each a long hug before she was given a quick tour of everything.

Apparently, this was another community under Negan's rule. Maggie had come here to get medical treatment when she thought there was something wrong with the baby and Sasha and Enid came to help. Jesus originally met Daryl and Rick at first but now everyone knew him. This place, Hilltop, was run by a very cowardly man by the name of Gregory. Her first impression of him was untrustworthy, but he had agreed to letting her and Daryl stay the night in the spare rooms inside of the building per Maggie's instance. Or more like pressure. Maggie had practically scared him into agreeing, saying they needed their rest after being confined in prison for so long. But after tonight they would be required to seek other arrangements.

Most of the other people at this place were much more friendly and brave than Gregory. It seemed their main focus was agriculture and crops. Her first proper meal was full of vegetables, but she wasn't complaining. All of it was delicious.

Still, as nice as the place was, there was only one thing looming in the back of her mind.

Carl.

She wanted to see him. Wanted to know that he was okay after being interrogated by Negan. And as the day slowly passed on, she only felt herself getting more and more anxious. What would happen after tonight? Would they go back to Alexandria and sort things through? She had a lot of questions, but after being so mentally exhausted from the day, she decided she needed to try to enjoy her peace and freedom.

So she helped out with some things around the place, learning some new things about crops and how to grow them. For once since before the mine run, she was able to fully relax. That was, until she heard Maggie calling for them.

Without hesitation, she jumped up from her spot, spinning to see that the gates were opening. A small group of her family was standing right outside and her eyes immediately latched onto the one person she could never live without.

Heart thudding madly, she bounded forward, relief washing over her. He was okay. Not in any harm. A wide smile stretched across her lips when he spotted her and he too started toward her. Like cymbals, they smashed together, her arms wrapping around his neck and his around her waist. Her face found his shoulder and she pressed into it, breathing in his familiar earthy scent and feeling instant relief. Even though she had seen him hours earlier, this was different. They both didn't have to feel the tension of someone tormenting them.

And as she melted into his arms, she couldn't help but feel the overwhelming love she gained for him burning in her chest. Before he could pull away and before she could help herself, those three little words tumbled out of her lips like a waterfall.

"I love you."

Riley could feel him freeze slightly in her hold. Breath hitching in her throat, she realized she might have said it too soon. They were still so young. Sixteen, practically seventeen, and this was the first time they'd ever been in something like this.

But as she quickly pulled away and started to ramble to try and fix it, he ducked down to give her a quick kiss. She was surprised, mostly because they never really displayed affection in front of others, but his fierce gaze held onto hers with little effort. He was burning with the same love she had for him.

"I love you too," he murmured, resting his forehead against her own.

She could hardly breathe. It was like butterflies were exploding from her stomach all the way up to her throat. He loved her too.

Even as she pulled away to hug the others, she couldn't stop the giddy feeling from leaving her. She wasn't some teenage school girl, but right now? It really felt like it.

She embraced the others, starting with Rick, who hugged her for almost as long as Carl had, and ending with Tara. The air felt different. No longer did everyone feel beat down. Hope was what she would use to describe it. All of them were reunited for real at last and they were all raring to fight. So together, they headed back up to the house to speak with Gregory. If they were going to fight, they needed all of the able bodies they could get.

Each of them gathered into Gregory's office, and Rick stepped up. He didn't waste time beating around the bush and explained exactly what they all wanted him to say. They wanted Negan gone.

And of course, the first words out fo Gregory's lips were, "no, no way in hell. That was not the deal."

She gritted her teeth, folding her arms across her chest. Did this man not realize how much danger they were in? She felt he was a coward as soon as she met him, but she didn't think he would be this much of a coward.

Jesus replied sassily, "oh you were very brave staying in here while Maggie and Sasha saved this place. Your courage was inspiring."

She couldn't help but snort. Maggie had told her a bit of what happened, but not that Hilltop's own leader cowered inside and did nothing. Some leader he was.

The tension in the room increased gradually, with Rick trying to get Gregory to see reason and Gregory trying to put them all down. Everyone was willing to help train the others and start something, but nothing seemed to appease the man. With dismissal their only option, the group of them stormed out of the office. However, to their luck, it seemed that the rest of Hilltop gathered outside didn't want to go Gregory's way.

There was overwhelming support for fighting against the Saviors, and although it increased their numbers, it wasn't enough. Jesus knew of another group willing to help, but in her enthusiasm to help, Rick wanted her to stay behind.

"I know it isn't what you wanted to hear. But I need you to stay here. Hilltop, they only know so much. And if the Saviors come, I need you to be able to do something about it. I don't trust Gregory and you'll be best equipped to keep an eye on him. Can you do that for me?" he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

With all her heart, Riley wanted to go with them. But she did recognize the importance of the role he wanted her to have. Everyone played a part and if it helped even in the slightest to fight back against Negan, she would do it. So with a gentle sigh, she nodded.

"Okay. Stay safe," she agreed, reaching up to give him a hug.

He chuckled and hugged her back, stepping aside to allow her to speak briefly to Carl.

"I'll be back tonight to stay with you," he said, reaching out to briefly ghost his fingers across her hand.

Her fingers twitched and she nearly shivered. "Promise?"

A small smile tugged the corners of his lips. "Promise."

With a couple parting words, the small group of them left and she was stuck here to make sure Gregory didn't do anything stupid. Maggie stayed on watch like she had been before so she headed inside to scope things out a bit. The house itself was pretty small for the most part, but it made it easier to poke around. Gregory stayed in his office for a majority of the time, which made it easy for her too look around his bedroom. However, there wasn't really anything in there of importance. Either he was really good at hiding things or didn't have anything to hide.

The rest of the day, she spent with Enid and Maggie, catching up on a few things and getting a general overview of what happened since she was gone. She also told them the whole story of what happened to her while leaving out a few details (like stealing from the family).

Towards the end of the night, with some borrowed clothes from Enid, she showered and changed into them. It made her feel more fresh and relaxed. She hadn't showered properly in what was probably weeks.

With damp hair and a book in hand, she headed up to the borrowed bedroom she was staying in for the night and slipped under the covers. It was getting late with no signs of Carl, but she tried not to think about it and focus on the book. After all, he had promised to be back and she knew he of all people would keep that promise.

And he did.

After delving into the book for a few chapters, there was a knock on the door and then it opened up. Carl came in.

"Hey," she greeted, feeling her chest swell a little. "How did it go?"

"Not bad. The leader, King Ezekiel, said he'd think about it," he said, kicking off his boots.

"King?"

"Uh yeah. It's like a place straight out of medieval times. He has a tiger, if you can believe it."

Her eyes widened slightly. "Tiger?"

He chuckled and went around to the other side of the bed, sitting on it next to her. "Yeah. It was...crazy."

"I'll have to see this place soon." She put her book down, glancing over at him as they sat shoulder to shoulder.

The two of them sat in silence for a moment and she had a feeling she knew what was coming. They hadn't gotten a chance to really talk about things since she returned from the dead and she knew he had a lot of questions to ask.

"What happened to you, Riley?" he asked carefully, looking over at her.

A small sigh escaped her lips as she caught his eye and she looked down. "It's...a long story but... When I fell, I ended up landing on my knife. Went straight through my side. I was able to escape through some of the tunnels but I passed out at the end. When I woke up, I was able to get away. It was really hard because of my injury, but I made it to the road. And then I was found by some of Negan's guys. They knocked me out and I woke up in the back of one of the trucks. There was a road block up ahead and the cars were stopped. So I strangled the guy watching me, grabbed his weapons and booked it out of there with their own truck."

As she spoke, she could see the different emotions flickering across his face, but he didn't say a word, his attention kept firmly on her and what she had to say.

"I was able to find something to stitch myself up, but it was getting infected. I found my way to the nearest hospital to find what I needed. I really...was so close to dying but I found medicine. When I woke up, more of Negan's men were in the hospital. I barely made it out of there... And after that I...I found my way back."

Her eyes found his again for a brief moment before his gaze flickered down to her side. His lips parted for a moment, hesitant on releasing the thoughts in his mind, but he eventually gave in.

"Can I...see it?"

His tone was hesitant and careful. He knew what it was like not to want to show those scars. Every day that was his struggle.

"Y-yeah. Yeah..." She nodded, her fingers clutching the hem of her shirt.

He sat up a bit straighter and she shifted slightly to face him, crossing her legs beneath her. It took her a moment to muster up the courage, but she finally tugged the purple shirt over her head, leaving her only in a bra and sweat pants. She could see his breath hitch for a moment, but his eye locked firmly on the disfigured scar on her side. She glanced down at it, eying the raised, puckered path it made along her skin, leaving her marked up permanently.

Carefully, he shuffled, facing her fully and reaching out to trace his fingers along the path it made. His fingers felt like a brand on her skin, blazing hot, and it caused her heart to jump and spine to shiver. Her whole body tingled and she could felt her stomach getting hot and full as he traced the mark, getting a little more brave each time.

After a moment, he pulled his fingers away and reached them to his lips, pressing a tender kiss to his fingertips and then brushing them across her scar.

"I'm so glad you're alive." His voice came out in a whisper, stirring something inside of her as her eyes jumped up to his lips.

Within a moment, she had moved forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing a firm kiss to his lips. His hat fell backwards onto the floor as her head bumped into it and she squeezed her eyes shut. It took him a moment to respond, but when he did, he did with such meaning that she felt all the love pouring out between them.

Right away, their lips were open and the tilts and turns of her head were more natural than they had been, each kiss before this one giving them a bit of experience to know what felt right and what was awkward and clunky. And for the first time, she felt his teeth graze her lips, sending her body into rapid shudders and shivers.

Her movements were starting to happen without her thinking and she could feel he was in the same boat. Teeth kept grazing her lips in all the right places and his hands finally darted out to grip her hips. His touch sent burning scorches across her skin and a gasp escaped her lips into his own. He took that moment to try something new and his tongue slithered through her own lips. Part of her was shocked and completely embarrassed because of how things were going further than they ever had before, but the dominant emotion she was feeling was pleasure. So she hesitantly returned the favor, starting out gentle and brushing her tongue lightly across his lips before going further and pressing her tongue against his own.

By now, her heart was thumping madly in her chest and warmth trickled through her veins as he pulled her closer so she was straddling his hips. Both of their breathing was so heavy that it was inevitable. Her hips rolled down against his and in that moment, the air shifted. Something changed completely and her eyes shot open, as did his.

In the center of his bright blue iris, his pupil was full blown dilated and the hungry look he gave her caused her body to tremble. Not out of fear, but...excitement. Even with their inexperience, things seemed to just fall into place. Instinctual. Like a primal knowledge they both shared deep within them.

Carl pushed her on her back, settling himself between her legs and pushing himself down onto her. Her legs curled around his hips and a hot sensation pooled in her lower stomach. Sweat shone across her mostly bare torso and she didn't get a chance to say a word because he had pressed his lips against hers again. His hands started to wander from her waist, tracing her stomach from her belly button up and sending trembling shivers of pleasure shooting up her spine. Her brain was completely fuzzed over and her actions weren't her own. Carefully, her hands slipped up under his shirt to trace the muscles along his back. She could feel him go slightly rigid, but after a moment he leaned into her touch. He began to shiver too and before she knew it, her hands had traveled to the waistband of his jeans, brushing lightly along his tummy there.

A primal groan rumbled in his chest and his hips rolled down against hers, giving her friction and movement her body seemed to crave. She couldn't hold back the needy whine that burst from her lips. Never before had she felt so good and needy. She couldn't even feel embarrassed about their steamy make out session because her body craved his own more than she had craved anything in her life. Like a switch had turned on that blocked out all the embarrassment.

Carl's lips left her own and she almost protested until she felt them fit comfortably in the curve of her neck. Her legs trembled and her fingers dug into the flesh of his hips, causing another groan to vibrate against her neck.

"C-c-carl," she stuttered, her voice lower and huskier than usual.

Her words only seemed to spur him on and he pressed open mouthed kisses against her throat and collarbone. Her breath hitched and he continued to let his hands wander, her back arching into his touch as he did so. Everything was covered in a lust-filled haze until his hands finally slipped under the waistband of her pants at her stomach, lower and lower... Everything snapped into place and she realized what was actually happening - what they were actually doing.

And good gravy it felt so good, but they were...going too far. Of course, they'd likely go all the way in the near future but...not yet. Things were absolutely crazy right now with Negan and everything that just happened was...too much. She wasn't ready for that yet, no matter how much her instincts craved it.

"C-carl," she interrupted, putting a hand on his chest to push him up.

"W-wha..." He finally pulled away, sitting up, and looking down at her.

His eye widened when he became aware of everything that just happened and a deep blush spread across his face.

"Shit, I'm sorry I should've asked. I d-didn't mean to, I didn't hurt you did I?" he rambled, looking away and rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know what came over me..."

"No, no you didn't... I uh...liked it," she mumbled, looking away and blushing herself. "I just I...We're not ready for that yet... I'm not ready for that yet."

"Y-yeah me either. I just...couldn't help myself."

His face was full-blown red at this point and part of her wanted to duck under the covers and hide her face.

"I mean...we're...y'know...? It's bound to...happen eventually... And I...um...it felt nice and..."

Gosh, she kept digging herself into a hole...

"No I...I liked it too... I uh..."

A small laugh escaped her lips and she ducked her head, placing a hand to her chest where her heart throbbed inside. He laughed a little too, finally crawling off her and collapsing at her right side on his back. Quickly, she found her shirt and slipped it back on, trying not to focus on the heat of his eyes against her body. Once she slipped it on, she fell back on the bed next to him, facing him and soaking up his warmth.

They both avoided eye contact for a long while, but Carl finally looked right at her, a blush crawling up his cheeks but a smirk curling his lips nonetheless.

"Y-you are...k-kinda cute when you're squirming and saying my name," he stuttered, his blush deepening but the smirk never leaving his lips.

Riley's face burned and she ducked her head down into his chest, groaning. He chuckled and wrapped an arm around her lightly.

"We should just...sleep," he murmured, the awkwardness clear in his voice.

"Y-yeah... Good night," she stammered, a small laugh crawling from her throat.

"...I love you."

This time, a fuzzy warmth spread in her chest. "I love you too."


A/N: PHEW! It getting hot in here or what? ;) This was the secret surprise I promised y'all. Just a nice fluffy, heated moment between the two of them. We all knew it would happen eventually! Plus you guys deserved it after the hell I put you through with Negan and everything else. I'm going to wait a bit longer for anything serious to happen between then though since this is still all new and they're still pretty young. But it'll come in the near future! ;) Anyway, thank you guys so much for being the best readers and reviewing consistently and reading this story. I really hope you liked this one and I love you guys! :)