Rick opens his eyes with a jolt, his pulse skyrocketing as he comes to consciousness as he tries to stand a hand presses his shoulder gently pushing him down as a wave of dizziness washes over him.
"Calm down, he's fine," Harry's voice greets him as the dizzy spell passes. Those words make his body relax as his brother-in-law would never lie about something like this.
Wait, his brother-in-law? That was missing!
He snaps his eyes open jerking to look up at the blurry but mirthful face of Harry who looks bemused by his sudden epiphany.
"Sophia!" He asks desperately looking around with a concerned face, his heart full of guilt at his foolish actions from his stupidity.
Why'd he think it was smart to leave the girl when he could have just given her a piggyback ride? The bag of guns weighed more than her for god sake.
Fear, he can admit to himself he let fear take over.
"Rick, calm down," Harry soothes, "you know me, she's fine a little shaken up, but fine," Harry says as he offers Rick a potion mixed drink making him pull a face as he reluctantly gulpes down the nasty concoction. The effectiveness outweighs the disgusting taste. Already feeling energy returning and his headache from the blood drawing receding.
He never questioned how his wife's wayward brother came up with these strange things.
Lori always mentioned at the beginning of their relationship to just not question Harry's oddities. She admitted that she doesn't know much too weirded out by his unique craft to take any interest in her brother's hobby.
That doesn't mean the two siblings lack love for each other.
Lori knows Harry would move the heavens for her, just like she will always support him even if she doesn't understand, or care to see the crazy shit.
They all wear a bracelet of leather with woven metal wires wrapped around the buckskin. Harry had said to never take them off, though the comment was redundant as Harry added a slight compulsion charm so the wearer doesn't feel tempted to remove it.
'Constant vigilance' as Mad-eye would say.
"Where?" He tries to get out after taking a much-needed gulp of water to wash the taste. And in this world, one shouldn't miss an opportunity to drink fresh water handed to you.
"She's asleep in Dale's RV. Carol sitting beside her hasn't left the little things side" Harry answers all his follow-up questions, to which his throat appreciates, Harry's eyes grow soft as he tells him, "Carol cleaned up the back room for Sophia, dale was sweet enough to give it up."
"That's good… that's good." He says absently as he follows Harry as he walks towards his son Rick thanks the Veterinarian, but he trusts Harry.
Watching Harry checks on Carl's small bruises and removes the dirty bandages from his son's chest with a finesse that the old vet couldn't reproduce, though in his defense he doesn't have two lifetimes to perfect his craft, note did he have a family abuse him up until adolescence and more.
Rick focuses on the steady rhythm of his son's breathing, feeling his adrenaline slow down as he watches Harry reach into his satchel and upon looking closer and smelling the room. He can see the man has strange oils in fancy glass bottles, and he doesn't know how they haven't broken inside that bag.
As if he can read his thoughts, Harry wiggles one of them in front of himself, saying "They're just simple herbs to encourage the healing process and reduce the pain."
The man gives him a serious look, "I would never endanger a child, especially Carl." Rick simply raises his hands in surrender, not wanting Harry to think he'd assume something of the man who's kept his son safe.
"I didn't say anything. And I'd never accuse you of that Harry, you know that." He insists, that if there is one person he trusts to protect his son more than himself it's Harry.
"I trust you, brother," he says like the sky is blue" Hating the surprise on Harry's face, does the younger man not understand how vital he is to Rick and his family?
" I chose you over Shane as godfather for a reason," He says and sees the way Harry grimaces at the mention of Shane.
He knows they haven't gotten along, but he knows they're willing to put their differences aside when it comes to Carl at least.
Harry gives him a sheepish look, his hands rubbing the oils into new bandages, "I know, it's just… You know how people look at me." He shifts and Rick aches to hug the man, but knows how skittish he is with touch,
"They always assume I'm a devil worshiper," Harry says with a self-deprecating shrug hiding his hurt from the rejection of society in both lives.
"You're a saint if anything Harry," he says sincerely looking deeply into the green eyes of Harry making sure the man knows he means it for more than just the bandaging.
Speaking of, "Where's Shane?" He asks after a second. Looking towards the open door as if the man would walk through at the mention of his name.
He can see the figures of the greens as they bustle about when passing the hall.
"He's fine as well, Sadly the guy who shot Carl didn't make it, not that I'm too upset about that," Harry says.
Not acknowledging the words Rick said, gives his brother-in-law a reprimanding look at the callousness, he just called the man a saint for Christ's sake.
Harry just shrugs unrepentantly, "An idiot like that wouldn't make it long anyway," Harry says brushing his hand through Carl's hair. After a second Harry retreats his hand falling back to his side as he addresses Rick. "I'm gonna go check on Sophia, you gonna be okay by yourself," Harry says while giving one last look towards Carl.
"Yeah, I'll be fine, go…and thanks'" He says smiling faintly when Harry simply gives a cheeky salute as he steps out of the door frame.
Walking down the steps of the Greene home Harry listens as the wife of the man who died sniffles on the couch.
He would offer condolences if he wasn't so fucking tired, having just gotten Sophia safely home not but three hours ago, and then having to witness his nephew on the brink of death.
He can be bloody damned excused, thank you.
"Mr. Potter." The aged voice of Hershel meets his ears before he can exit. Turning to the man he gives Hershel a polite smile.
"Yes?"
"You look like you're about to tip over son," the southern drawl only intensifies the man's genuine concern.
"Please take our other guest room, it's the one next to the kitchen." As he is about to decline the man insists,
"I'm sure you're exhausted. It would soothe this old man's heart if you rest for the last few hours of daylight at least." He agrees following the man, deciding it's not worth fighting over and not wanting to bother setting up his tent.
Like the Dixon's wouldn't be dragging his ass into their tent and proceeding to give him both of their sleeping bags if they saw just how dead on his feet he is.
Setting his crossbow on the ground beside him Daryl can't help but sweep his gaze towards the house, the old man let the group know that he encouraged Harry to sleep in his guest room to recuperate after being up all day and night.
"Ya look any harder and the house will burst inta' flames," his brother says swatting him on the head making him turn with a scowl, taking the bottle of water silently.
Merle continues, "he's fine, tough Kitten he is." His brother chuckles at the stupid joke.
"I know, just makes me anxious not havin' him in our sights after just gettin' him back," He says, stabbing an arrow into the ground absently.
"Best get used to it, our Kitten isn't one to let someone tell 'em what to do. All we can do is kick anyone's ass who tries to get into Harry's way." Merle cracks his knuckles in anticipation of all the bloodshed he can carve in Harry's name.
Merle looks over at something before giving him a leer, "Ya think chinaman and horse bitch bumping' uglies yet?"
Scowling at his brother, "Ya better watch ya self with them slurs around Harry, I don't think he's gonna take it too kindly, especially with Glenn, who is Korean," he reprimands, giving Merle a slight shake of his head.
"Psst, Harry knows I don't mean no harm," but by the slight pause Daryl can see him go through many emotions before he scowls, "damned green-eyed devil"
That makes Daryl duck his head to his amusement.
He doesn't think he'll ever be able to say it outright, or out loud but he's grateful for Harry stumbling upon his brother, and that's more than the fact that he saved Merle.
The smaller man has brought him back the Merle he knew before his stay in prison and the drugs. The one he knew back before his daddy forced Merle to take the blame for his mamma's murder claiming arson and threatening Daryl's well-being to keep Merle in line.
Merle asks him another question, this time more quietly, "How much longer do you think our Kitten will let these two wannabes be in charge before he realizes he's everyone's best bet?"
Daryl gives the group gathered around a look of contempt, "Ya think they deserve his shit though?"
Merle snorts, drawing attention from a few people, who he simply flips off earning a series of scowls and amused looks, "Fuck no! But you know damn well that Angel isn't going to leave these children to fend for themselves, and with the crotch goblins comes their crotches."
"What's a crotch goblin?" The innocent and timid voice of Sophia makes Merle spit out the beer he had been about to swallow.
Daryl lets out a laugh as Merle gives him a look of terror.
A/n:
Alright! Sophia and Harry are back at camp.
How is Harry going to handle the Randle situation? How will merle? Will Harry stop Merle from executing the boy if he decides to act?
Will Harry stay with his family if Rick gives that ultimatum? While he loves Carl he isn't willing to ever surrender his autonomy.
As always thank you for reading and please express your thoughts.