So. I struggled today, trying to decide if the last chapter was the end. I didn't really have any true plot prepared for this, only a nagging version of Daryl in my head. So while I am writing more, I'm not exactly sure how it's going to go. If it's just going to more back into various one-shots or if I'm going to try to figure out how to get Carol and Ty and Judith back in there (I didn't think this through at all), hell, I don't know. I just hope you keep reading. :D
The weight lifts.
Not all of it. He doesn't think he'll ever die without the burden of regrets. But some of it is gone when it feels like she doesn't blame him. They'd sat quietly for a long while, felt like hours, looking over maps and he gripes about having a smoke and she keeps giving him looks with those big eyes like she was waiting for somethin'.
He doesn't jump away when she touches him the next day, just a hand lightly on his arm while asking him if she's still allowed to practice with his crossbow.
There's something he enjoys about the look on Maggie's face when Beth hoists the bow up with her tiny arms. He can't help the slight uplifting of the corners of his mouth when Beth heads for the treeline. It's funny to see such a small girl so happy to be holding that damned thing.
Maggie waits until her sister is a good distance away before asking, "Did you two figure your stuff out?"
He gives her a glance. Goes back to preparing to leave, to go huntin'. "Don't know what you're talking about."
She cocks a brow. She nudges his arm with her elbow. "If you say so," and leaves him there.