Trust Me | Daryl Dixon

Part 66

"Most of the room's have been converted to living spaces, even the ones that weren't bedrooms." Jesus informed as we walked into the large building that was, as expected, covered in antique items.

"People live here and the trailers?" Rick asked as we all continued to take in our surroundings.

"We plan to build; there's babies being born." Jesus explained before two large doors off to the side were opened, revealing another new face.

"Jesus," the man said, a bit of surprise in his voice, "You're back-- with guests."

"Everyone, this is Gregory." Jesus introduced, "He keeps the trains running on time around here."

"I'm the boss." Gregory smiled.

"Well, I'm Rick, we have a community-" Rick began before getting cut off.

"Why don't y'all go get cleaned up, hm?" Gregory suggested.

"We're fine." Rick replied, lowly.

"Jesus will show you where you can get washed up," Gregory insistently continued, causing us all to share baffled stares, "Then you can come down here when you're ready-- it's hard to keep this place clean."

Rick bit his tongue, "Yeah, sure." He murmured, annoyance heavily present in his tone.

"Follow me." Jesus instructed.

***

"Do you think this place is even worth it?" I asked as I leaned up against the sink in the bathroom we were lead to, my reflection showing how truly drained I was.

"Maybe," Daryl mumbled over the sound of the shower, "They ain't got fighters but they got food and a prick for a leader."

"He was probably just caught off guard by all of us." I shrugged, sitting on the edge of the counter, "I just hope Maggie will be able to work something out with him."

Daryl pushed open the curtain, grabbing one of the towels that hung nearby before drying himself off, "If she can't, someone else will-- we ain't leavin' this place empty handed, not after the shit we went through."

I let out a sigh, "I'm just-- I want to go back to Alexandria and not have to worry about anything for once.. if it's not about walkers, it's about strange people, and if it's not about them.. it's about you and the rest of our group."

"There's nothin' to worry 'bout-" Daryl shook his head as he stood in front of where I sat, towel wrapped around his waist.

"You know what I mean.." I sighed, cutting him off, "I know things are never going to go back to how they used to be, before the world became a horror show, but I just don't want to have to worry about other people trying to hurt us." I explained, my voice cracking from either lack of sleep or true fear for the future, "I just want to feel safe.. even when I'm not with you."

"Ya ain't ever gonna be without me." Daryl shook his head, reaching for my hand before I quickly pulled it away; not wanting my mind to be comforted into submission when I knew I truly needed this reassurance.

"Can you promise me that?" I questioned, my tone serious as our overworked gazes locked, "That if something happens here or- or out on a run.. can you promise me that?"

Daryl stepped back, his body language becoming cold as he grabbed his clothes, pulling them on one by one, "Rick ain't gonna let anything happen to ya when I'm gone-"

"Don't say that-" I shook my head; emotion that had been on the brink of overflowing, now beginning to rise.

"Maggie, Glenn, Abraham-" He continued.

"Daryl, stop!" I pleaded, not wanting him to continue-- not wanting to think about what life would be like without him.

"Well what do ya want me to say, Liz? What do ya want me to tell ya?" He asked, his tone rising, "All I wanna do is protect ya-- I don't wanna think about what happens when I can't."

I nodded before wiping the fallen tears off of my cheeks, "I just don't want you to always risk your life for me because if- if it goes wrong.." I shook my head, trying to hold back the tears that were waiting at the ready, as he stood in front of me again, intently listening to me as I spilled my fears to him, "I have trouble falling asleep when you're outside the walls longer than you should be.. I don't know how I'd make it knowing that I could never see you again."

Daryl shook his head, "I'd do anythin' to keep ya safe, Liz-- I ain't worried about the consequences as long as ya alive."

I sighed, looking up at him, "Why're you so good to me?" I asked quietly, my hand running over the scruff on his face.

He stayed silent, shrugging lightly before I pulled his face close to mine, leaving slow kisses on his lips-- kisses that carried the thousands of thank you's that wouldn't fit into the day, into the year, or into our lifetime.

I never had someone like Daryl in my life before-- not someone who cared about me like he does. I'd been with other guys before and, although I thought I felt something for them, Daryl made me regret each and every one. I had never felt the kind of unspoken love Daryl gave to me, and if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't think that it was real.
Without even saying the words, Daryl's taught me what real love is-- what it means to really care for someone, and I know I'll never be able to fully thank him for that.

_____
I am so sorry for this chapter being so late, as I've been saying for the past handful of chapters, I've been very busy, but now I should really have some free time like I used to.
Also, to make up for it, I'll be working on writing some more chapters today and hopefully be getting them up asap!

***
I really wanted to focus this chapter around Liz and Daryl and the strong feelings they have for each other, but still play off of their past and their pains; Liz's past with men who may have not treated her right, and Daryl's past pain of abandonment showing through when Liz denied him that connection of touch.

Let me know what you thought!