The group trudged along the forest trail, the sun beating down relentlessly. The exhaustion of their endless journey was palpable—except for two people who seemed to exist in their own little bubble: Jihyo and Daryl.

The pair walked just a few steps behind the rest of the group, completely engrossed in their own world. Jihyo giggled as Daryl handed her a freshly picked wildflower.

“For you,” he mumbled, looking away, his ears tinged red.

Jihyo beamed, twirling the flower between her fingers. “Thank you, Daryl! It’s so pretty!”

Up ahead, Glenn groaned. “Are they serious right now? Even Maggie and I don’t act like that.”

Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me, you once kissed me in the middle of a walker attack.”

“That was different,” Glenn muttered, rolling his eyes.

Rick, walking at the front of the group, turned back to glance at the pair. Daryl was helping Jihyo step over a fallen branch, his hand resting lightly on her lower back as she laughed at something he’d said.

“They’re harmless,” Rick said, though his tone betrayed mild annoyance.

“Harmless?” Rosita said, shaking her head. “They’re practically a rom-com playing out behind us. It’s exhausting.”

---

The Campfire Incident

That night, the group set up camp. The mood was tense; supplies were running low, and everyone was on edge. Everyone except for Jihyo and Daryl.

As the rest of the group sat in a circle, trying to strategize their next move, Jihyo appeared with two cups of tea, one of which she handed to Daryl.

“I saved this just for you,” she said with a sweet smile.

Daryl nodded. “Thanks.”

The group watched as Daryl took a sip, then wrinkled his nose.

“It’s sweet,” he grumbled.

“I know! I found some sugar packs earlier and thought you’d like it,” Jihyo replied, her tone utterly pleased.

Abraham groaned loudly. “Seriously? We’re out here trying to survive, and you two are playing house!”

Jihyo looked at him, confused. “What’s wrong with sharing tea?”

Rick sighed. “It’s not just the tea. You two are… always so extra.”

“Extra?” Jihyo tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.

“You’re always giggling and smiling and… whatever it is you two do. Even Maggie and Glenn don’t act like this anymore,” Rick said, gesturing toward the couple.

Glenn held up his hands defensively. “Hey, don’t bring us into this.”

Maggie smirked. “I mean, they are cute, but yeah… maybe tone it down a notch?”

---

The PDA Continues

The next day, the group was scavenging through an abandoned town. While the others focused on finding food and supplies, Jihyo and Daryl wandered off, looking for who-knows-what.

When the group regrouped, Jihyo came running toward them, laughing, with Daryl carrying her backpack.

“What now?” Carol asked, exasperated.

“Daryl found me a necklace!” Jihyo said, holding up a delicate chain with a small heart pendant.

“Of course he did,” Rosita muttered under her breath.

“I just gave her somethin’ I found,” Daryl said gruffly, glaring at anyone who dared say more.

“That’s it,” Abraham said, throwing up his hands. “I’m done. I can’t handle this level of lovey-dovey nonsense. It’s a goddamn apocalypse!”

Jihyo giggled, unfazed by the comments. “Love makes life better, even in an apocalypse.”

---

The Group’s Silent Resignation

By the end of the week, the group had given up. Jihyo and Daryl’s dynamic wasn’t going to change, no matter how much side-eye they threw their way.

Rick sighed as he watched the two share a quiet moment by the fire, Jihyo leaning against Daryl’s shoulder as he sharpened his knife.

“We just have to accept it,” he said finally.

Carol nodded. “It’s annoying, but at least they’re happy.”

Abraham groaned. “Happy? They’re too happy. Makes me sick.”

Despite their grumbling, no one could deny that Jihyo and Daryl’s connection brought a strange kind of warmth to their bleak existence. And even though it drove them all a little crazy, deep down, they were glad for it.