𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔽𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 | Daryl Dixon

64 | FALSE LIGHT

She wished yesterday had lasted longer.

The warm feeling of pressing her body against his back, wrapping her arms around him as he drove the new bike, was one she'd imagine when she went to bed. They hadn't stayed out long. The sky had filled with clouds rather suddenly, then cracked open, rain pouring down from the heavens above. They'd pulled over, hidden inside a hollow tree trunk as they waited for the downpour to pass.

They'd kissed under that rain. Arms wrapped around one another in a passionate embrace. Smiling against her lips, he felt the weight of the world fall off his shoulders. Early yesterday morning, he'd backed out of Rick and Carol's plan to steal guns from the infirmary. He let them do whatever they felt they needed to do, but he wanted out.

He hadn't told Tori about the plan, though he wanted to at first. He'd even gone searching for her with the words lingering on his tongue. But when he entered the bedroom, the sight he was met with made him stop. Tori and Halley – his girls. A song was playing from Tori's Walkman, and she sang along to it, slowly dancing around the room with the girl in her arms giggling away. He decided, within that moment, that he just wanted to put the doubts behind him, focus on the good things he had.

For the first time in his life, Daryl Dixon was choosing to embrace freedom, rather than live in isolation.

Mist settled just above the ground, the early morning chill biting at her skin. Her hands clung tightly to the handles of the stroller as she watched Daryl secure his bag to the back of the bike. A sad smile tugged on her lips as she put on a brave face. He was doing a good thing, and the last thing she wanted was for him to feel bad for leaving.

"You got enough food packed?" Tori asked. Daryl smiled to himself; she'd asked that same question when they first left the house, and again as they were walking to the gates.

"Yeah, I do," he looked over at her, tightening the bungee cord around his rucksack. "You watched me pack it up."

"I know, I'm sorry." Her eyes looked to the pink sky, the sun rising in the east.

"It's just a few days, maximum. Promise," he assured her for the tenth time since they woke up.

Tori smirked and tilted her head to the right. "Yeah, only 'cause that's how long you can bare to survive without me."

Daryl chuckled, rolling his eyes. Finished with the bike, he walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist. As she returned the hug, he lifted her off the ground, making her giggle. The sound was sweet, soft against his neck. He closed his eyes, embracing the warmth of her hold for a few extra seconds.

"Be safe," she whispered, her breath fanning against the side of his neck.

He nodded lightly, kissing her temple as they pulled apart reluctantly. "Love you."

"Love you too," Tori smiled. She clung to his hands as he walked backwards. The touch from her fingertips was gentle as they brushed along his palms, her hands dropping to her sides once he was out of reach.

He crouched in front of the stroller, letting Halley hold onto his index finger as he said a whispered goodbye to her. Tori couldn't hear what he was saying to her, but she could see the smile that grew on the girl's face when Daryl's knuckle softly stroked her chubby little cheek. The brunette smiled adoringly at the little family she'd built for herself, her heart melting at the sight of them.

He gently took Halley's small hand in his large one and kissed her palm. "See you soon, sweetheart," he said softly as he stood to his full height. Returning to Tori, he ran his fingertip down her forehead and tapped the space between her eyebrows. "Bye, you."