CREDIT TO: https://reedus-dixon-fanfics.tumblr.com

"Baby, come on," You held your hand out for your son that was lagging behind you and tried to give him your best reassuring smile. That was hard to do, though. Giving yourself reassurance was hard enough, but your eight year old son? He was becoming colder, something that had to be guaranteed with the zombie apocalypse.. Living a life that was barely considered surviving, having to kill and watch things be killed, fighting for food (if you could even find any), and constantly running.

He ignored you, still looking off into the forest as he walked, one hand resting on the sheath connected to his side that held his knife. You refused to give him a gun. Not just because you only had one, but also because he is eight. You barely even know how to work the heavy piece of metal in your hands, so you sure as hell aren't going to let your son try. Not without proper training. "Ben. We've got to hurry, it's getting dark," you stopped to say to your son who was acting like he was taking a stroll in the park, ignoring you. He doesn't talk much anymore, barely has since the outbreak started, but lately he had been worse. "Ben, baby, come on," you tried again, shifting the backpack on your back, bending to grab his hand, but he snatched his away, giving you a cold look. It broke your heart, but you didn't do anything. You weren't surprised and know exactly why he is acting this way. He had watched you kill a zombie the other day. When you continuously stabbed it in the head.

You did your best to keep him away from the skin eaters, and actually managed to keep him from seeing one killed or having to see one at all, really. All you did was run and hide, so it wasn't that hard, until the other day. One completely snuck up on you and it was a reflex you didn't know you had to stab it, but were glad. If it had gotten ahold of Ben.. Or if it had bit you, leaving him all alone..
You had that thought in you head when you killed it and ended up going a little bit overboard with stabbing it. You couldn't handle the idea of your son getting hurt and it drove you crazy. But now your son is afraid of you.

And since then, Ben has been worse then usual. Cold, angry, quiet.. Scared.

With a accepting sigh, you straightened back out and kept walking, slowing yourself a little bit to make sure Ben was right near you. Close enough to protect.
Walking on in silence for a while, you noticed the sun was starting to set. You pulled out the map in the back of your pocket and checked where you were, knowing you should be at the old building you circled on the map. Ben and you have been going house to house, store to store, building to building, staying as long as you could at one place before moving to the next.
The map showed that at least half a mile ahead was an old neighborhood that you could only hope was safe to stay at least for the night.
You put the map back in your pocket, and glanced to Ben, watching as he still looked off into the forest. You wondered what was going on inside of his head. Or if he would ever warm up to you again.. You wondered if he could beat this world.. If your baby boy could survive, without losing himself. You even started to wonder about his dad when you saw his dirty blonde hair sweep over his eyes that were shining a beautiful blue. A frown grew on your face, remembering his father, but you didn't have another second to think about it when growls were echoing out into the air.

Frantically, you spun around, pulling Ben behind you and spotting the horde coming behind you and your son. Too many to take on. "Run!" You called, this time pushing Ben in front of you. Luckily he listened, taking off into the forest with you following closely behind. "Mom?!" He frantically cried, trying to look behind his shoulder.

"I'm right here, baby!" You panted. "Run! Keep going!"

The groans were getting louder and you could tell they were getting closer. You got winded, they didn't. So, gripping your gun tightly in your two hands, you slowed and turned to face them, releasing shots. You picked off the closest three, watching them fall and slow the others. "Mom!" This time Ben was calling for you to hurry. You didn't hesitate to spin back around and run again, catching up with him. You ran and ran, but you could tell Ben couldn't go for much longer. You were running out of bullets and the groans behind you didn't stop. "Ben! Over there!" You breathed out, relieved as you saw the neighborhood in the clearing of the woods. And as far as you could tell, no other dead freaks were there besides the ones behind you.

You both ran a little bit further, you spitting out words of encouragement to Ben because he was slowing. You were so close.
Then finally, you were running up to the porch steps to the first house when another small group of zombies came out from the side. Ben let out a scream that had your heart quickening and your mind slowing. He was stumbling to the side away from you, the horde coming between and splitting you up. "MOM!" He cried.

"Ben!" You shot a zombie closest to you, searching for him. "Ben!" You cried frantically. Your head was spinning and heart racing, but then you caught sight of your son opening the door and running into the nearest house. You were a little relieved, but then you realized you were getting separated further and further away from him, more skin eaters coming up to you. "Shit," you growled through clenched teeth before turning and sprinting away, barely noticing the lone car sitting in one of the driveway.
But you did notice the sound of gun fire going off. It wasn't yours and Ben didn't have a gun..

You didn't question it when the attention of some of the horde chasing you was drawn away and they started hobbling off in the opposite direction of the noise, leaving you with only a few. You now pulled out your knife, not wanting to bring the others back with gun shots, and prepared yourself. You took down three with no problem, but then two at once came onto you and your knife was knocked from your grip. You were panting, freaking out, and thinking of Ben while you had one hand on each of the skin eaters throats, holding them far enough away that they couldn't bite or scratch you.
Letting out groans and grunts of struggle, you didn't know if you could hold them off for any longer. "I'm sorry Ben," you whispered up into the sky, letting your eyes close as your arms wobbled, ready to give out. But then the familiar sound of a crossbow being fired rang out. You'd remember that sound anywhere. Remembering the constant hours you walked with Ben's father in the forest, keeping him company while he hunted.
You breathed out in relief when the weight of one zombie was gone, the second one falling shortly after as well when the same person with the crossbow came over and shoved a knife through the skull. You were panting, arms sore and lungs aching, but then the thought of Ben on your mind.

"Ya good?"

The sound of the rough, raspy voice had you freeze, bones set cold and head spinning again. You knew that voice. You knew the sound of it when he would yell, when he would laugh, when he would call your name out, or when he'd talk about everything and nothing with you...

Your head was slow to look up, but when you did you felt your whole body fill with heat this time. Those baby blues bore into yours, now realizing who you were too. You felt like you were going to pass out. The look he gave you itself was enough for your heart to pump again, memory after memory coming up.
Your head felt like it was about to spin off right up until you heard a small crash come from the house. "Ben," you breathed, turning and sprinting to where you came from, forgetting about the man in front of you for the moment.

"Wait!" Daryl called after you, not believing it was you. Was he seeing things?

You swung the door to the house open, flying up the stairs. "Ben?!" You cried, feeling your heart beat hard again. What if he's bit? What if they got him?! "BEN?!" Frantically, you called again, searching through each room and hallway up here, barely noticing the heavy footsteps of Daryl following you as he wondered if Ben was your boyfriend.
You got to the last room down the hall and saw a zombie trying to get under the bed. "NO!" You screamed angrily at the skin eater, running towards it. You grabbed onto the back of it's shirt and yanked it backwards. A groan escaped it's mouth as it fell onto it's back away from the bed. "You stay away from him!" You yelled at the dead freak, bringing your foot down straight on his skull. The same thought of him touching Ben was repeated in your head as you stomped on him again and again. Daryl stood at the door, watching in shock and listening to your grunts of struggle.

"Mommy?" a soft whine, barely above a whisper got your attention, catching you mid-stomp. You hadn't been called Mommy since Ben was a baby..
You spun around and fell to your knees, looking under the bed. "Ben," you cried in the same tone, holding your arms out. Tears welled in your eyes as you watched your son crawl out from under the bed, splatters of blood on his face that was pale and scared. "Mommy!" He cried and lunged at you, clinging for dear life as he cried into your shoulder. "I'm here baby, Mommy's here," you held him tight to your chest, tears of your own falling. "Are you bit? Baby, did he touch you?" You remembered and frantically asked, looking over his arms and neck.

"No, he didn't get me," Ben cried and you sighed out in relief, bringing him back to your chest.

"You're okay.." You breathed. "We're okay.." You rocked him, squeezing your eyes shut. After a little while you both calmed down, Ben leaning back far enough that you could wipe the tears off from under his eyes that were shining blue. The color reminded you of who was standing at the doorway, watching you in shock. "Mom, who's that?" Ben asked, pointing at him.

You slowly shifted to turn slightly and get a look at him. His hair was longer and much darker, framing his face that was splattered with blood and dirt as well. He was still wearing his sleeveless shirts, arms much more chiseled and strong. And that crossbow you had loved to hate was in his tight grip between those hands. Those hands that were calloused, but soft when they used to run over your skin and hold you. "..He saved me," you said quietly, eyes meeting his. They were much lighter than you last remembered, mostly because the last time you saw them they were dark with anger.. Screaming at you..

Quietly you and Ben both sat up, Ben fixing his hair a little, making you smile. He smiled back up at you, so similar to the one Daryl used to give you that it made your breath catch in your throat. Ben was a spitting image of him. "You.." Daryl cleared his throat. "Ya comin with me."

"Where?" You asked, putting a hand on your hip while the other rested on Ben's shoulder. It took Daryl a minute to respond when you did that, remembering all the times you'd put your hands on your hips and scold him for throwing one of his dirty rags that he used to clean his motorcycle with on the counter. Or when he'd forget to take his shoes off and track mud into the house. And even when you'd lean against the doorway, watching him work on his motorcycle and ask him a bunch of questions that always made him laugh.
"I got a group.. Back at a farm.. It's safe," Daryl said, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. You didn't know what to say, not wanting to go back with Daryl. You wouldn't be able to see him and stay away. You remembered the night you broke up like it was yesterday. You remember the day after when you found out you were pregnant, but he was already gone. You remember the anger, but you also remember the love. Ever since you were kids.

"I don't know.." you mumbled, but then looked down to Ben who was watching you. Ben needed people. Ben needed food and safety and a good nights rest. "It'll be safe for you... and your boy," Daryl mumbled the last part. He was hurt, looking at you and your son, just thinking about the boyfriends you must have had that were nice to you and that you loved. They probably treated you and had more to offer then 'the redneck Daryl.' You probably got over him so fast, didn't even think about him like every waking moment Daryl thought about you.

"Please, Mom? I don't wana be out there anymore.." Ben said up to you, giving you that look that melted your heart. You couldn't say no. Nodding, you nervously looked up to make eye contact with Daryl. "Okay."

He gave you a curt nod back before turning on his heel and signaling you to follow him. Still holding Ben to your side, you both walked after, cautiously. He led you outside to that green car you had passed, other man was leaning against the hood. "Daryl? What the hell happened? Who is this?" He came over, pointing at you.

"M'fine, Rick. They're coming back with us. I know 'em," Daryl put out, saying it like there was no discussion. "We don't even know-"

"They're coming with us." Daryl cut Rick off, giving him a look before going to the car. Rick didn't question and with a sigh, got into the car, so you and Ben nervously did the same thing. Ben was clinging onto your shirt as you slid into the back seat, not trusting these people or being comfortable with them.
The ride back to their so called farm was beyond awkward and tense. Daryl sat in the front, doing his best to keep looking on the road while his thoughts went crazy, yours as well. "So what are your names?" Rick asked, looking in the rear-view mirror.

"Y/N, and this is Ben, my son." You informed him, receiving a nod.

"I'm Rick Grimes. How do you know Daryl?"

You swallowed, nervously playing with your thumbs. "He lived in neighborhood a while back," was all you said, a frown deepening on Daryl's face. You could have said the more complicated version of 'oh he was the love of my life since we were kids and we did everything together, but then we grew apart because of his asshole brother Merle who hated me, and then finally we got in a fight bigger than the end of the world, he left, and I haven't seen him since. And oh yeah, this is his kid that he has no idea is his.'

But you kept that quiet.

Rick nodded again. "Your son.. Were you with the father?" Rick asked lightly, making you nervous again. "We'd just like to know for the safety of the group.. If he'd come lookin," Rick added, giving him reason to ask. You looked at the back of Daryl's head as you spoke. "No.. he left a long time ago.."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You don't know how many times you've said 'nice to meet you' in the past few minutes, but it was much better than being in the tense car ride. It took everything inside of you not to just lunge Daryl and cry and hold him.

They did lead you back to the farm that was promised, and it made your heart warm to see Ben's face light up at the sight of it. There were cattle wandering around, hills that went off into the distance, fences that surrounded a beautiful house, crops, and you even think their is a lake nearby.

You had just been introduced to the group, who had turned out to be very kind to you and Ben. They had even offered you food and showers immediately, but then Rick led you into the farm owner, Hershel's, house. "You and your son can stay in here for the night," Rick showed you a room on the first floor of the house with one large, fluffy bed in the middle.
"Oh no, it's alright, I don't want to intrude. We've been sleeping on trees and the ground and if we get lucky, couches, so a tent will be like heaven right now," you gave them a soft chuckle.
"I insist, you two have been out there alone, surviving, all this time. You deserve one night of good rest," Rick said and there was no way you were going to turn down that bed twice. No way.
You this time agreed and thanked them before you and Ben entered the room and he ran to the bed, starting to cheer and jump on it. You thought about making him stop, but then just ended up stopping yourself. This was a luxury he is never going to have anymore, and the smile on his face was worth it. Hell, you ended up joining him, laughing along with him. His giggles were music to your ears, even if they were produced when he hit you upside the head with a pillow. "I'm going to get you for that!" You laughed and tackled him lightly onto the bed, bouncing a little before your fingers darted to his sides, tickling him. The grin on your face was ear to ear as your son laughed, loud enough that you didn't hear the door opening. But, you did make out somebody clearing their throat.
Both you and Ben immediately shot up, sitting innocently at the edge of the bed like nothing happened, even if the pillows and blankets all over the room protested against that.

Your breath got stuck in your throat when you saw who was standing at the door. You and Daryl both just look at each other for what seemed like hours, lost in the trance of each others eyes that you haven't seen in years. It took absolutely everything inside you not to run across the room and throw yourself at him. You missed him like there was no tomorrow, which there might not be. You hadn't seen him or heard his voice in so long that you thought you might go crazy. And you felt like you were falling apart without those arms holding you together. "Ya should eat somethin.." He mumbled, breaking the trance. "Got some extra squirrel.."

This time you cleared your throat, "Yeah... Okay, yeah, come on, Ben," you turned around and grabbed Ben's hand, helping him off the bed. He stayed close to you as you followed Daryl to the kitchen of this man's house. Daryl walked over to the fridge, pulling out a Tupperware that must have held the squirrel. "Let me help.. Ben, sit down at the table," you said, pointing to the wooden table that Ben gladly went to sit at, waiting for his meal while you went over to the counter next to Daryl. The heat from his skin seemed to be radiating off of him, making the hair on you arms rise. Just being in his presence like this again had your whole stomach overflowing with butterflies.
You grabbed one of the squirrels that had not been skinned yet and started working at it as did Daryl. You both tried to keep your eyes on the animal, but it was hard. Each time one of you would turn away slightly, the other would take a glance at them. It was tense, but it felt good standing next to him again. And the squirrels reminded you of those days you'd sit and watch Daryl skin one after one that he had hunted. That's how you picked up the skill, watching him. Even though back then you would tell him how gross it was, or squeal and run away when he'd tease you with them. But then you'd just ask him how he'd like it if you skinned and ate him for dinner.
Smiling at the memory, you lost control of your eyes that moved and met Daryl's. He was looking back at you, smirking a little as well, showing you that he was remembering the good days too.
But then remembering that it wasn't like that anymore, that you two screamed and yelled and ended on terrible terms, that it's the middle of the zombie apocalypse, and that his son that he doesn't know is sitting behind him, you both frowned slightly before turning back to the squirrel.
You prepared them in silence the rest of the time before putting the food on plates and setting it down on the table along with glasses of water. Ben didn't hesitated to dig into his when you put it in front of him and you ruffled his hair before you sat down next to him, selfishly eating yours, too.
Daryl stayed by the counter, leaning against it with his arms crossed, watching you eat. Much like he had in your house when you would sit at the table and he would lean against the stove across the kitchen, listening to you talk to him, staying quiet and only having short responses because he liked hearing your voice much better than his.

After you finished eating and cleaning up, you took Ben upstairs to the bathroom, telling him to shower and following him in. "Mommm, I can do it by myself," he said pushing on your stomach lightly. You chuckled lightly, "are you sure? You don't need any help? I can turn on the shower for you-"

"Mom, I can do it," he said, a little amused himself. He was growing up and as much as you liked that and were glad to see him become a little man, you missed his adorable baby years. You also loved to take care of him and baby him. What mom didn't? "You know, you used to let me sit in the bathroom with you while you showered and let me wash your hair and we'd talk and talk and talk... You even used to actually take bathes with me as a baby," you ruffled his hair, teasing him.
"Eww!" He scrunched up his face and you both laughed. "Alright," you gave in, holding your hands up. "Call for me if you need me."
"Kay," he nodded and then you left the room with a sigh, but a smile on your face. You headed downstairs, the smile hesitating on your face when you saw Daryl waiting at the bottom of the stairs. "He sounds like a good kid," he said, signaling up to Ben.
"He is," you said proudly, heading into the bedroom and sitting on the edge of the bed, knowing Daryl was following you, but he stopped at the doorway. It was quiet for a while, your thoughts filling up the silence until Daryl broke it. "I miss ya, Y/N."
His words had you snapping your head up to be able to see him. "It's been a long time, but I missed ya everyday. Thought ya were dead up 'til earlier," he was mumbling and playing with his fingers as he emotionally talked. You swear you could cry, missing him like crazy, really taking in that he was right there, missing you too.
You had to look to the side because his sad eyes weren't going to help you keep your composure. "8 years..." You said in barely a whisper, voice sounding hurt. "Not a word in 8 years.." You heard the floor squeak and felt the bed sink in as Daryl sat down next to you, looking to his lap. "I wish I had never left ya. If I coulda stayed I woulda, but-"

"But Merle."

Daryl nodded. Merle hated you because he couldn't accept the fact that his brother was happy. He had to rob him of that again. And the last night you saw Daryl, you screamed at each other, waking up the whole neighborhood. They probably thought the world was ending, but to you, it was. You had never been so angry, and you're sure Daryl felt the same. He left you livid. But really that anger sprouted from hurt. Hurt from watching the one and only love of your life walk away. But you couldn't stay angry. You never could at Daryl because he's.. Daryl. "I said some bad shit to ya, Y/N. And as soon as I left, I wanted everyday to come back, but shit happened and I couldn't. But when I finally did, ya were gone. No one was at the house and I thought ya moved on.. An' I ain't expecting ya to forgive me, but I-"

You cut him off by lunging yourself at him, wrapping your arms around him. He didn't hesitate to snake his arms around your waist. You felt your heart beat for the first time in what seemed like forever. It was indescribable, the feeling of having Daryl hold you again. You had cried and begged and wished and dreamed of his arms around you for years, and getting it now was more than heaven.
And Daryl felt so good to be able to hold you again, burying his head in your shoulder and squeezing you tighter.
You both just held each other, not wiling to let go. It was all that was needed for your pieces that fell to the floor when he left, to be picked up and put back together. And the heat that flowed through the two of you was bound to keep you warm for the harsh winters.

It wasn't until the patter of small feet coming down the stairs and to the room that you reluctantly broke away. Ben came in all dressed besides his shirt that he must have forgotten to bring.
Noticing this, you got up and went to your bag, pulling out a sweatshirt and going to crouch in front of Ben. He slid his arms through the holes and you helped him tug it over his head, smiling at him when his face popped through. He reminded you so much of Daryl. Well, that makes sense. Daryl's his father.

You need to tell Daryl.

"Why don't you try and get some sleep, baby? I'm gona go take a quick shower, too, okay?" You asked and Ben yawned in response.
"Kayyy," he said tiredly as he dragged his feet over to the bed and hopped in, rolling under the covers. You came over and tucked him in, besides his protests because he was too 'cool', it went smoothly. "I love you. I'll be right back," you said, kissing his forehead because you are pretty sure he'll end up falling asleep before you get back. "Kay, love you too," Ben mumbled, rolling over onto his side.

You went to the doorway Daryl was now back at and shut the lights off and the door behind you as you walked out with Daryl. You looked down at your feet that were across from Daryl's when in the hallway. He just looked at you, knowing something was on your mind. "I never moved on, Daryl.." You said, looking up to him. The look in your eyes had a deep meaning that Daryl didn't see. He was clueless when it came to Ben. He was too distracted by the idea of you with another man, even if you never were.

"You shoulda found someone better for ya.."

"No, Daryl. Don't talk like that. You and me... You were all I had and were all I ever, and still do, want. It's always been you. Even in the middle of the freakin apocalypse," you talked with your hands.

"Ya still want me?" Daryl's voice was unbelieving and full of self doubt.
You didn't respond, just reached down and grabbed his hand, lightly planting a kiss on the top of his knuckles. It was soft, but the skin was calloused and strong from all the handy work.
You missed his hands being clasped around yours or running over your skin. So you continued to go with the impulse action and started to lead Daryl to the staircase and slowly up each stair. And Daryl followed you to the bathroom quietly, watching as you turned around, but then froze when your eyes met. Its like you were put back into that same trance from earlier. No words needed to be said because your emotions were floating in both of your eyes like clouds. And Daryl could read yours, knowing what you wanted him to do.
He took a step forward, breaking his hand from yours so he could put both of his on your sides. He had only ever been comfortable doing this with you. It took a while and a lot of working together for him to fully be emotionally comfortable with being intimate with you. But it was always only for you. And you were always only for him.

You thought your heart might explode when you felt Daryl's lips connect with yours. It had been so long that your body became covered in goosebumps and you had to grab onto his shirt to make sure he was real. And he very much was. So real that the sweetness of the kiss had the butterfiles in your stomach going crazy.

Daryl's hands slid under your shirt, running up until his fingertips were brushing the curve under your bare breasts while his tongue snuck into your mouth, making you gasp, but then moan out. He had more skill with that tongue than he'll ever know.
His hands were slowly hiking up farther and quickly you leaned back, ripping your shirt off before crashing your lips back to his, not wanting to be away from them. And this time the kiss was much more greedy and intense; one of your hands curling in the hair on the back of his neck while the other one shakily moved down to work on the pesky buttons of his shirt, sliding it off his tan and toned arms that you've missed so much. "Daryl.." you voice was a quiet moan. "I missed you," you breathed into his mouth, breath hitching when Daryl's warm hands cupped your breasts, thumbs rubbing over your nipples, making them harden under his touch.
He responded by pulling you swift against him, wrapping his strong arms around you.

It was sometime in the middle of the never ending kisses and roaming hands, trying to make up for all the years you didn't have them, that the shower got turned on and soon you were helping each other out of the rest of your clothes. Daryl's hands never left your body, reminiscing in the feel of it under his fingertips as you backed up into the shower, smiles teasing at your lips when you both became drenched. But it wasn't your main focus when Daryl's hand trailed down your stomach, leaving a trail of goosebumps. "How long, Y/N?" His husky voice was deep in your ears. "How long s'it been since ya had my cock inside of ya?"

The simple, blunt words had your brain hazy and body trembling when his breath was warm on your neck and his fingers barely danced over your wet folds. You could barely form the words in your had, forgetting how to with Daryl all over you once again. "How long?" Daryl asked again, this time rougher and more demanding.

"S-Since..." Your breath hitched and you bit your lip to stop the loud moan when his fingers teased around your entrance. "Since 2003," you barely finished your words when his finger was shoved inside you, making your moan break free. He groaned into your ear as his fingers curled and pumped inside of you while you grasped onto his biceps. 8 years was beyond a long time without Daryl. So long that his moment had your body lit up like fire.

"S'long time, Y/N.." He stated in a deep voice while he grinded his obvious erection into you, making you gasp. God, you knew it was a long time. You wanted to tell him to stop teasing, to just fuck you already, but your brain couldn't process the words down to your mouth, moans being the only thing coming out as Daryl pumped his fingers inside of you, his teeth sinking into the soft spot on your neck. "Daryl.." He was the only thing on your mind and the only thing that could be moaned out to let him know what you needed.
Still teasing you, Daryl slowly sawed his fingers in and out. You were about to lose your mind.

You reached down far enough until you were palming him, jerking his length to get your message across. A low rumble came from inside his chest and he bucks hard into your hand. You hum softly, kissing at his neck as you feel him now losing his mind. "Y/N," he growls again, staring at you with dark, lustful eyes. There's love there, too, hidden behind the arousal of your bodies being apart for over 8 years. You hum again, smirking, to ackknowledge that you heard him.
Then his mouth is back attacking yours, blocking out any noises that tried to come out when his fingers left you. He put both of his hands on the wall of the shower behind you, making your chests press together, your nipples brushing against his hot skin as the water dripped over you. The water wasn't hot, but your body heat running through each others body was enough.

You didn't know if you could take it much longer, but then there he was: hot, hard, and twitching against your inner thigh. His hips move so that he's rubbing the soft skin in between your legs, teasing you, so close to filling you but still so far away. You need him. You want him. You yearn for him.
Your back arches, pushing your hips close to his. Daryl grabs your waist with his free hand, the other cupping one of your cheeks as he crashes his mouth to yours once again while he easily thrusts himself into you. Your body gladly taking him, making you feel whole again.

The loudest moan of the night escaped your mouth into Daryl's when you felt him inside you. "That's my girl," Daryl grumbled. His girl. It had always been that way. Still is.
Your mouth called out his name again, panting when he pulled back his hips and then slammed them forward again. At first his thrust were caring and gentle, making sure you were comfortable until he picked up the pace. Your stomach was clenching and igniting with each thrust, the feeling magical as it flowed through your body.
You couldn't help but dig your nails into Daryl for grip, feeling you might collapse on your weak knees if you didn't. Daryl sensing this, he grabbed one of your legs and lifted it up over his hip, holding it steady while he beat into you, the new position forcing him even deeper.
Your moans got louder and turned into curse words after a while. You could only focus on the overwhelming amount of pleasure, Daryl, and the need for a release.
You both were at the edge of your highs, and not being able to hold out for very much longer, Daryl reached down and started to rub his thumb fast over your clit, still pounding hard and fast into you, while bitting at your bottom lip. Moaning like a wild animal, your back arched and fire shot through your veins, filled with ecstasy.
Your body started quivering and your release was pulsing through your body, causing your walls to clench, triggering Daryl's release. "Shit... F-Fuck, Y/N," Daryl panted your name in your ears, tilting his head backwards as he gripped your hips tighter. Your breathing heavy and laced with groans of pleasure, you replied the old nickname you had for him, "D-Dare," before you hit your climax, shuttering violently. Daryl reached his only second's later, this time burying his head in your neck while emitting a low rumble that vibrated through both your bodies. You felt completely connected with Daryl again.

He let go of your hips, riding out his high for a moment before letting out a shaky sigh and pulling out of you. Your not sure how long you two both stood there, looking at each other, legs shaky as the water dripped down you. You noticed how beautiful Daryl was and how refreshed you felt in his presence like this.
It was quiet between the both of you again as you actually started to shower. Your heart felt like it was beating again. You felt okay again. And you knew that you never stopped loving Daryl. And by the way Daryl stayed and helped you shower and would smile at you, you knew he felt the same.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After you and Daryl both dried off and got redressed, you quietly made your way downstairs, stopping in front of the door of the room you were staying in again. "Y/N?" Daryl asked, self doubt returning a little bit.
"Yeah?" You asked, taking a step closer to him.

"Your son.." He started and the small smile on your face faltered. "The Dad.." He was mumbling, thinking of who must of been with you and then left. He still was clueless that Ben was his. "Daryl.." Your voice was quiet and nervous. "When I said I never moved on.. I meant it.." You tried to give Daryl a look that showed what you meant. "Ben is 8 years old, Daryl... He was born October 21st, 2003."

Daryl's eyes slowly raised up to yours, doing the math in your head. The last time you had seen Daryl was 2003. Feburary of 2003 to be specific, and Daryl knew that. Daryl's eyes widened. "He.. He mine?"

"His full name is Benjamin Robert Dixon.."

Daryl was so quiet you could hear the crickets outside the house. He was frozen.
You were afriad that Daryl might get angry, but then you remembered. "When I found out, I tried to get ahold of you. I called and called, and even tried to see if anyone around town knew where you went.. But you were gone."

"That... That's my son?" Daryl was more of talking to himself as he looked to the door, guilt seeping in, and you could see he felt terrible for leaving, blaming himself. "You didn't know. You had no idea, Daryl. Don't balme yourself for anything," you talked with your hands, trying to get Daryl to look at you. But he wouldn't, he was looking at the door and then above you, out into the night. You tried to get a response out of him, but he just shook his head and pushed past you, heading outside the house, leaving you standing there. At first you felt hurt, but then realized you just had to give Daryl time. He felt guilty. He never had a dad there for him and your sure he felt terrible for not being there for Ben.

Not knowing what else to do, you went into the room and gently climbed into the bed next to Ben, wishing for a peaceful sleep, happy you found Daryl again.

Waking up, you felt the warm sun on your face, making you smile as you turned to see if Ben was up. But, finding an empty bed, you panicked.
Throwing, the blankets off yourself, you jumped out of the bed and ran out of the room, calling out Ben's name. You ran outside, but skidded to a stop on the porch when you saw Ben standing across the yard with Daryl.
Daryl was crouched down, helping Ben hold up his crossbow, aiming it at a 'X' that was carved into the nearest tree.
Your heart fluttered watching Daryl show Ben how to shoot it. Daryl would never let anyone even touch his crossbow, only on rare occasions would he let you.
Slowly walking over, you heard Ben's small giggle, a smile on his face as he looked at Daryl who was also smirking. Ben seemed happy.

"I've never had to kill one of the skin eaters before," Ben said to him, observing the crossbow. "But my Mom did. I watched her kill them," his words had your face sad.
"Your Mom did the right thing, no need to be afriad.. She had to do whatever to make sure ya stay safe, ya know that?" Daryl responded.
"Ya, I guess," Ben said, nodding. You smiled this time, coming up next to them. They turned and saw you, Ben excitedly started to tell you all about how he shot Daryl's crossbow. You had a grin on your face the whole time and after Ben ran over to Carol who said she had breakfast for him, you turned to Daryl. You opened your mouth to speak, but he cut you off by quickly crashing his lips to yours. You were shocked and barely had time to respond to it before Daryl pulled back, not wanting anyone to see, and looking shyly to the ground. "I wasn't there before, but I'm here now and I ain't goin anywhere," Daryl said sternly, making you smile. "I never stopped lovin ya, Y/N, not one damn day."

Feeling complete again, your heart skipped a beat. "I love you, too, Daryl. Always have. Always will."