TWD ~ Daryl + Reader ~

Across The River

Everyone besides you and Daryl piles into the RV and a van, leaving as soon as everyone is settled.  Daryl lets you hold his crossbow on your back as you hold onto him as you both follow the RV with the van behind you. 

About halfway there everyone stops and Jesus and Daryl go to an opening near a body of water and come back with a wooden crate. They put the crate into one of the boats that sit just along the edge of the water. All of the people that are with you can fit into two boats, a little cramped, but manageable. With the few guns that everyone has you all paddle across the body of water to the opening along the other side.

When everyone is across and on land, Tara leads everyone in the direction of Oceanside where a group of women that used to be terrorized by Negan lives.  Once the group gets about a mile or two from the camp, Rick and Michonne separate from the others. 

. . .

"Do you think there was actually a reason for him to bring her?" RIck grumbles under his breath as he and Michonne start to walk away from the group. "I mean if it's true what she and Jesus say, then if she dies while we're here Negan will kill everyone at Hilltop and-"

Michonne messes with the sniper rifle on her shoulder in annoyance. "Can we just focus on getting these guns and talking to these women before you start worrying about (Y/N) and all the problems she might bring?" 

"You're right, you're right." Rick stops next to a tall tree that looks easy enough to climb up. "This one good enough for you?"

Michonne looks up at the tree and nods; "Should be alright."

Rick helps her up the tree a bit and as she starts to climb a little further up on her own Rick says; "Once you're up, watch for the signal." 

Michonne takes a few heavy breaths. "What time does the clock start?"

"Soon as she's in." Michonne looks off into the distance, "You good?"

"I'm good enough." With Michonne's response, Rick goes back to the rest of the group.

. . .

As Rick asked, no one gives you anything to do. You just watch, with your left hand starting to twist your right index finger, as Jesus and Daryl work together on the TNT and wire. Your thoughts start to trail off, with you not paying any attention to anything around you.

Daryl peers up at you from what he's doing with the wire and sees you platonically staring at the ground. Jesus notices what you are doing as well and turns to Daryl and says; "I didn't ask this back at Hilltop, but why did you bring (Y/N)? You know Rick doesn't trust her enough to have her do anything nor want her help."

Daryl sighs and gives the wire a little more length as Jesus wraps another piece of TNT. After their conversation yesterday Daryl knows that you didn't tell Jesus everything that happened while you were at the Sanctuary, and until you're ready to share that with Jesus Daryl doesn't want to bring it up.

"After Carson being taken and everyone a Hilltop starting to hate the Saviors even more I didn't think it was smart to leave her there with both of us leaving." He keeps his voice low so you don't hear him. "Plus she's starting to hurt herself more."

"What do you mean?" Jesus asks with his voice laced with worry as he wraps another piece of TNT with the wire.

"Before going to the Kingdom and her going to the Sanctuary, she seemed like she had something to live for." Daryl looks towards you again. "I think she's back to not caring whether she lives or dies."

Jesus stops everything that he's doing and looks up at you. He didn't notice it until now but you are stabbing the tips of your fingers with the blade you are holding. He knows what comes after all your fingers are bleeding.  Jesus slowly stands up, passing the TNT to Daryl as he does. "Hold this for a moment," is all he says as he quickly walks his way over to you.

"What are you-" Daryl stops mid-question as his eyes look past Jesus and to you. His eyes go wide as he sees what Jesus just did. He starts to put the TNT down, but he keeps it in his hand as Rick kneels down in front of him to help with the remainder of the TNT and wire.

. . .

The past few days are on repeat in your mind. Watching Emmett die. Realizing that you're just a pawn for people to push around. You being the reason so many people have died. Basically sleeping with Negan. Your brother wanting nothing to do with you. 

It's all pointless, isn't it? All of the people left in the world fighting with each other. Falling in love just to ruin it all with one mistake. A mother dying for her children after years of being beaten by the same man every day. Is there a point to keep trying? To keep living?

"(Y/N), (Y/N)." You finally look to see Jesus crouched in front of you. "Can I have the knife?" 

"What knife?" You stare at him blankly, not knowing what he's talking about.

"The knife in your hand." He points to Andy's pocket knife that's stuck in one of your fingers.

You slowly pull the tip of the knife out of your hand, close the knife, and hand it to him. "Oh." He just gives you a weak smile and puts it in his jacket pocket before standing straight up.  "I didn't realize I had it out, I'm sorry."

"Do you want to talk about it this time?" Jesus asks as you look down at your finger that you had repeatedly stabbed. 

"No, it's fine, I'm fine."

He puts his hand on your shoulder making you look up at him as he says; "When you're ready to talk about it, I'm here." Which you just smile in response to.

A few minutes pass, then you hear Rick say; "Let's move." You stand and walk in between Daryl and Jesus further into the camp called Oceanside.

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~A/N~

I'm not going to lie, this is a filler chapter, but I honestly love it. It gives you a little more insight into what's going on inside (Y/N)'s head and how well Jesus can read (Y/N) and her emotions while Daryl is still learning. 

I hope you guys like it and can forgive me for how long it's been since the last update.

As always, please hit that star and leave a comment with your thoughts.

All the Love.