Daniel's words plague his head. He wants to forget his offer but how could he if he surrounds himself with Daniel's presence? It's like David's asking for it. The other man is sending him over the edge; slowly pushing him to it, enticing him. Blinding him with his sweet smiles and affectionate touches. He displays them only when they're alone. David likes to think that Daniel's aware the group won't be so welcoming of them being hands on with each other.

Although the group has joked about it, it's a completely different thing from confirming their status to the public. Gwen even said so. He'd be out of his mind to fall for someone infected.

Toss me in the looney bin then, how about that? He thinks sarcastically. Even he'd admit his relationship with the man is unorthodox. Maybe that's what makes their affair so intoxicating.

The fact that it's unlawful and twisted makes the sin all the more sweeter. He's irresistible to the temptation. David believes he's finally discovered something within him that corrupts his character. Before the outbreak, he went about his life being the perfect, hard-working student. He's got himself a job and even that, he plows through with a smile. He greets his co-workers a good morning, insusceptible to their pessimism. He avoids all the bad things that could potentially ruin his career and his life. He was almost the perfect working individual.

Until now. His job's likely gone. Not of importance in their situation. He's learning to deal with new problems—life threatening problems. On top of that, he's romantically attached at the wrong time, with the wrong person. The flaw has come out to greet him. He wasn't so perfect after all. He's subjected to a desire so strange and new. It says something about David's love life as he hasn't been romantically attached since high school when he dated Bonquisha. Even then, it was more platonic than lustful.

Daniel was the epitome of lust.

David's learning to accept these new feelings for him. It's a flaw about himself he's willing to accept. At every stroke, at every touch, he feels himself caving in. The hint that something dark is hiding under the surface of their frequent physical contact both scares him and turns him on. Call him a masochist.

He gives him all the time in the world. A day or two pass by and he's grown fond of Daniel's company. When they share a moment communicating, David feels like he's unraveling more of Daniel. They weren't just communicating. They were feeling and brewing up the tension between them.

Of course, that doesn't mean the brunette ignores the camp altogether. He's closer with the kids, more open to Gwen, and helpful with their plans of making the camp a habitable place. The occasional problem does arise but he and Gwen take care of them.

Over the course of time, they trained the kids to defend for themselves. The camp came equipped with so many things—tools, medicine, even weapons—that David started to wonder what this place really was back when it was up and functioning. There were other illegal substances in plastic containers and jars he didn't dare touch. Didn't seem too family friendly, now that he thinks about it. Ultimately, camp has been improving and so is the group. The small wall the kids and Gwen built is in progress and Daniel's been proving himself useful whenever they exited the premises of their territory.

It started when the group emerged from camp to scope out the area beyond the forest. He had Daniel on a leash while the others stayed far back from him. The duo went ahead since they were the ones who explored most before they hid in the cave. Nothing but trees and more trees. There were clearings but they were most likely driveways that pointed to the camp. They encountered trouble one day with a pack of them—the infected. Gwen and the kids have strayed too far and Space Kid had been backed into a corner. Before David could raise his weapon, Daniel had stepped forward. Something about his presence made the infected back away as he retrieved the frightened boy. David stood still as his companion walked back with Space Kid unharmed. The poor boy looked ready to faint. Daniel led the group of them back to safety, eyeing down those who dared come closer, looking like Moses parting the red sea.

So the virus did yield to those more dominant, at least from what they've gathered. Daniel seems to be the only corpse able to do what he can do. It must be because the virus isn't working effectively on him and this confuses the others. So far, they're using it to their advantage. Nobody holds the chain but David. Gwen changed her rules and now allows him outside the cabin, but only under David's surveillance. Sort of like payment for his act of kindness towards Space Kid. The young boy had been eager to approach them after the incident. Whenever Daniel was outside, Space Kid wouldn't hesitate to come near him, repeating his thanks and being awed at meeting someone infected up close.

He truly was a sweet kid. Max hasn't changed his opinion about him. Preston and Neil keep quiet, but the latter's been trying to find out what caused the undead to submit to Daniel as if he was some supreme being. He questions David the most but sometimes, he'd watch from afar and write things down in his notebook—something he carries around whenever they produce plans and bring up ideas.

David's trying to keep his distance. He tries to do it for the sake of not grabbing suspicion from the group. Surely, if he stayed and slept in the cabin with Daniel for consecutive nights, they'll catch on. He switches time to time, sleeping in the mess hall with the others then back to Daniel's cabin.

"To further observe him and find out what makes him superior among the rest," he says.

Gwen's heard enough of his excuses to roll with it. David often wonders if she had an idea what's going on between him and Daniel. It was something he had to bring up eventually. No secrets, he remembers guiltily. He fails even as a friend. But how could he bring it up? There never seems to be a right moment. His feelings were also jumbled up, what with Daniel's offer in the way.

He knew more than felt it when Daniel held himself back. Something about his actions seemed restrained, like he's wanting more but is hesitating. David observes the way he moves. Daniel combs his red hair back, fingers lingering a second too long in his locks. He nuzzles his shoulder, often pausing and inclining away. Something was troubling him.

"Daniel, is anything... wrong?" he asks him one day. They were assigned to keep watch as Gwen and Neil worked on the wall of rocks. They were distanced from the others so he figured it was okay to bring it up. The blonde looks at him confused and tilts his head. David chances a glance back at the two who were talking and working. He feels like he should be the one helping Gwen except they didn't entrust the kids to hold Daniel's leash. He continues in a low voice.

"Do you... uh," he hesitates. "I don't know," he looks away, stumbling over his words.

"Is something wrong with me?" David asks. "I mean, the obvious answer is yes. I'm kind of into... you," Daniel raises an eyebrow. Did he look offended?

"Not that it's an insult! The whole life or death situation still bothers me," David continues to stutter. He puts a hand on the nape of his neck, trying to calm himself down. "Gosh, why is this so hard? What I mean to say is, no, I'm not alright. I should be open to Gwen about this. Most especially her. I can't figure out my feelings. Heck, I don't know where to start."

Daniel steps toward him but David raises his hand. He looks back at the group. They were busy but that didn't mean one of them won't look around and catch them being too close for comfort. He takes his hand into his own.

'What do you feel for me?'

David instantly goes red. He didn't expect him to be this straightforward. "You know, I wish we learned sign languages instead. It's a lot more efficient," he chuckles uneasily. He's got his hand in a grip. Daniel's looking at him expectantly. Answer the question, his expression said.

The brunette swallows down his anxiety. "Honestly? I feel a lot of things for you." Oh gosh, he's doing it. He's putting his feelings into words. He feels like he's brought all the way back to high school and remembers the embarrassing confrontation with Bonquisha. That had nothing on their current situation. It makes his face burn hotter.

"I feel a lot of things when I'm with you. It's just... I've never felt anything like it before." Golly, he can see him smirking. Daniel's tilting his head, smiling at him encouragingly but it only fans the flames.

"Stop it. Stop looking at me like that!" David brings his hands to his face and rubs. He can practically feel the warmth emanate from his cheeks. "Ugh, the things you do to me," he exhales loudly. He hears the other chuckle. The chain rattles as he walks closer.

"I guess I'm just on edge lately. Thinking about a lot of stuff," his hand burns where Daniel's touches. Cold and comforting. He's swirling his fingertip on his palm, causing his whole arm to tingle. Just the touch of him... and David unravels so easily.

'Considering the offer?'

This brings his mood down. Frowning, he considers what to say next. Of course David's been thinking about the offer. It ate at him day and night, when he sleeps in Daniel's embrace, when he talks to his friends, when he's out to get some fresh air. It was always at the back of his mind. What would it be like to leave the life he's accustomed to? To see the world through virus-ridden eyes and have something eat away at him slowly—only to become Daniel's?

"Every day," he admits, looking downcast. "You're giving me some kind of ultimatum here. It's not exactly something I'd throw my life away for," he pauses, hurt seeping into him. He looks up at the blonde and sees the similar expression. Daniel lets go of his hand.

"Can't we stay like this?" he blurts out. David's aware how selfish he sounded. It was a shot at the dark, suggesting something like that. It was unfair. Live while Daniel decayed in a few weeks? Months? Being bitten was his first mistake. He wasn't careful enough. Didn't choose his friends wisely, his thoughts murmured. David's got a whole life ahead of him. You could move on from him once you never see him again, his thoughts tell him. His chest constricts with grief.

Daniel didn't choose to die. It was unfortunate of him to be stuck with the wrong people, but he never asked for this fate. He shoos the thoughts away.

"Maybe... maybe you could defeat it. You're already strong, aren't you? Maybe all you need is a push and you'll... you'll be okay," his voice comes out hoarse. His eyes burn. David was so desperate to save him—to save a dead man.

Daniel looks at him with pity, sadness in his eyes. He shakes his head. Silence envelopes them. David's refusing to meet his eyes. His hand starts fidgeting with the chain. Daniel's not meant to be his. He was never supposed to fall for him. Why was the world so cruel? It tore him apart from people he loved—people he cared about. It made him the prey in this apocalyptic world. It gave him a taste of something he could never truly have, unless in death.

"So, this is the only way then? Kill myself and hope I get reanimated like you; function like you and hope the virus doesn't completely take over me." A bitter laugh emits from his throat. Daniel takes his hand again and scribbles something down.

'I'll be there'

"I know, it's just..."

"David, Gwen kind of needs your- oh," another voice takes him by surprise.

His hand separates from Daniel as if it's been burnt. He clears his throat and silently pleads Daniel to back away. When he located the source of the sound, he saw Neil looking at them skeptically. Did he witness their exchange? David felt the atmosphere choke the air from his lungs.

Neil purses his lips. "As I was saying, Gwen requires your help."

"Yeah, I'll be there." He looks at Daniel, contemplating whether to lead him back to his cabin or bring him with him. He settled for the latter as he passed by Neil, taking note of how he examined the blonde for seconds too long. When he arrives to where his friend was waiting, she was wiping the sweat off her brow. The wires that were tied around the trees' trunks looked sharp and gnarled, just like the ones wrapped around his bat.

"See anything out there?" Gwen asked over her shoulder as she inspected their work. Her fingers grazed the wires softly, careful not to get a cut. David almost winced.

"It's clear." He said, approaching with Daniel. Gwen looks at them fully and he can see something bothered her. Neil passed them by without a backwards glance, entering the mess hall where Max and the others stayed. Over the past few days, they've learned to let them go unsupervised. It still made David uneasy, letting them walk free like that. But hopefully, their training would kick in in time for them to save their own skins when the time came for it.

"Can I speak to you alone?" Gwen asks. David looks around, area isolated from the others. His best friend looks at him pointedly as if he were dense and gestured to Daniel.

"Oh! Sure. Daniel, I'll see you later?" He offered, looking back at the man.

"I'm not sure if there'll be a later," Gwen interrupts them. David looks sharply up at her. She coughs and looks at the ground. "This might take a while." She said.

David's shoulders sagged. He nodded grimly but didn't fail to put up a smile. "I hope that's okay with you, Daniel." He walks away before he sees the disapproving look on Gwen's face. After chaining Daniel back up, he departs from the cabin and finds Gwen lurking near the mess hall. She motions for him to follow her behind the mess hall where they sit with their backs on the wall. This was where David was lured to those nights ago; where he found Daniel standing by.

"How are things?" He asks first. His fingers brush against the dry leaves on the ground as he drops his bat. He wipes the dirt off on his jeans and hugs his knees to his chest.

"You're with me 24/7. You'd know the answer to that," he hears a small huff of laughter. "I'm doing relatively good."

"That's great. So am I," David smiles. "And the kids. This is almost like a safe haven. We haven't seen a horde since half a week ago. Trouble comes and goes, but thanks to Daniel, we could basically maneuver around them without trouble."

"That's what I want to talk about with you." She exhales like it weighed her down for a while now.

"About... this place?" He asks, head leaning on the wall as he looks at her. She shakes her head.

"Have you been feeling anything lately?" she asks, eyes on the ground.

"What... do you mean?" David asks carefully.

"I'm asking if you feel like anything's... wrong with you," she frowns. She relaxes against the wall and looks at him with her troubled purple eyes. Once so steely and unforgiving, now only held care and concern for him. Her eye bags seemed to be deepening.

"Have you been getting enough sleep?" he narrows his eyes.

"David, that's not what we're focusing on right now." She rubs her eyes as if wanting to pry his attention away from them.

"It's cause I've been going to Daniel's cabin, isn't it? You're forced to watch out for the kids. I... when was the last time I took your post?" He mumbles under his breath like he's connecting the pieces. He was the cause of his friend's worried lines on her face.

"It's not important. But about Daniel..." Gwen takes a deep breath. "I fear that it's taking a toll on you."

He gazes at her confusedly. David was perfectly fine if not, a bit ecstatic when around the blonde. A bit too ecstatic, his mind corrects. This time he's able to stop himself from blushing. His silence makes her continue.

"You've been... staying in his cabin for a while now. For "observing purposes", you say. Let's be real, there is not a day where you don't observe him in daylight. Whatever your purpose is, I'm getting a bit worried here." She sighs. "Which brings me back to my first question. Have you been feeling anything?"

"Uh, I don't think so. I feel the same," his eyebrows furrow. Where's Gwen going with this?

"I think it's unhealthy for you to stay in one room with... him. For a long period of time," she emphasizes, eyes looking for some sort of reaction from him—which she succeeds in getting. He gets panicky, thinking she snuck up on them at one point and saw their intimate exchanges.

"I- I'm- I've no idea what you're going on about," he curses himself for stammering. "Daniel and I are in a perfectly platonic relationship with each other and we stay at an appropriate distance away from each other when we sleep. In his cabin," he averts from her prying gaze.

She raises an inquisitive eyebrow. "Platonic." She pauses. "That's... good. You should be keeping your distance," she shifts in her seat and copies his knee-hugging position. "Who knows what kind of virus you'll get from him from being in the same room."

"Wait, virus?" he couldn't help meet her eyes. "As long as Daniel isn't biting me or-" Daniel's words echo in his head—direct fluid contact. There are other ways. He bites his lip. "He's done nothing to harm me,"

"Yeah but goddamn it, David. Who knows what this virus is capable of doing? It could be airborne for all we know and you've been inhaling the same air as him longer than we have." She brings her gloved hands up to her face, rubbing sleepless nights off her eyes.

"Not true. The cabin has broken windows," he says. "It's not like we recycle the same air we breathe in the room."

"It's not about recycling air. This is something the doctors haven't been given the chance to find a cure yet. Not even scientists have brought news to the people. Or anyone! We're on our own and we'll see this virus evolve first hand. This could be in the air or... worse. What if we all had it and it's just taking its time until contact from other pathogens activates it?" David puts a hand on her knee, seeing her starting to rock on her heels.

"Your theories could be right," he says. He massages her knee as she practices breathing normally. "But to reassure you, I'm not feeling sick." He smiles. "I'll stop sleeping in his cabin for a while if it helps calm you down."

"Calm me down? David, I'm fucking scared for you!" She brings a hand down roughly on his. He can feel her shaking.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have put it like that." He looks down at their hands, lips trembling. He really was a terrible friend. He grabs her hand and pulls it to his chin. "I'm scared for you."

"H-huh?" Gwen blinks.

"You're tearing yourself apart over this. You overthink things the most- which!" he adds when she opened her mouth to protest. "... is a good thing. It keeps us alive. We've come this far, haven't we?" he holds her hand in a comforting gesture.

"We have," she echoes.

"I appreciate your concern for me, Gwen." He smiles at her reassuringly. "But trust me when I say I know what I'm doing," he can feel bile rise up, sick at himself for lying. Just to cease her anxiety. "I won't... do anything stupid that might get me killed." His eyes burn as tears spill forth. He looks down at his feet. He was lying to her. He knew he's been making stupid decisions. Why are you lying to your best friend?! He inhales sharply when Gwen's hand entangles from him to wipe his cheek.

"Promise?" her voice is soft. David's hand comes up to close around hers. He can't bear to look at her.

"I'll try," he says weakly.

"No," she turns in her seat. "I need you to do, not try."

He starts sniffling. He didn't trust his voice so he settled for nodding. His fingers close around her hands, trying to even his breathing.

"But," she adds. She tilts her head to the side, trying to catch his eye. "There's something else I've been meaning to ask seriously. About you and Daniel," this makes him hold his breath.

As if sensing his tension, her voice comes out almost light as a whisper. "What do you feel for him?" It was the same question Daniel wrote on his palm. David loses it. He makes a small noise at the back of his throat as tears cascade down his cheeks, staining his shirt wet. Soon, he's enveloped in familiar warmth. Gwen's squeezing him and he's gripping onto her. She knew. She knew there was something between them. His thoughts fill his head.

"I..." his hiccups interrupt him. Gwen's massaging his back. David's aware this wasn't the best place to be releasing everything. They could be caught off guard and the infected might come up behind them anytime. But the pressure had been so much and he knew he's just a dam waiting to explode.

He's sputtering apologies one after the other. He's an incoherent mess, digging deep into his best friend. Gwen holds him like the night they've lost everything. Cameron. The group. Darla. Everything rushes back to him. So he spills.

"I know I'm not supposed to. It's wrong. I'm not supposed to-" he repeats. Gwen's hand on his back slows down.

"David, he's infected." He can hear the frown in her voice. He buries himself deeper on her shoulder. He mumbles an "I know." She breathes out slowly and tries to pull back. David's not ready to look her in the eye.

"Becoming attached is just as bad—if not, worse than being in the same room as him. How... can I trust you with this, David?"

"I'm trying to fight it," he says weakly. She disentangles herself from him and stands up abruptly. He fears she's had enough of their conversation. He opens his mouth to say something but then she starts walking.

"David, I just want you to watch out for yourself. You're driving me insane here," she says without looking back. Gwen unsheathes her machete and that's when David realizes they weren't alone. He wipes his face dry and stands.

"I'm sorry," the words have been repeated so many times, it's starting to lose its meaning. Gwen manages to hack the poor thing, bringing it down to its knees. The brunette inspects the area, wary of others. David cried so much he probably attracted them here. How pathetic was he? He makes a move toward her but Gwen brings a hand up.

"Let me," she grounds out. Another one pops up and another joins in.

David's bat feels heavy in his hand. Gwen's already rushing to the next, machete propelling to slice. She evades his grabs and with one swing, beheads him. David's frozen on the spot as he watches. She was a tornado. She doesn't hesitate and turns on her heel. Before the corpse's mouth could close around her hand, her machete cuts through its head. Blood splatters everywhere, coating her clothes and her weapon. The lifeless body falls with a sickening thud. She's heaving, hunched over and staring at the corpse.

"Gwen-" he stops. David realizes this was her way of letting it out. She was mad. And she was making her way back to him. The side of her face is covered in dark blood. David reaches out to wipe it away as Daniel's words came back to him.

What if she got a speck of blood in her eye? He starts panicking.

"Gwen, we need to wash you up-" his whole being freezes. Over her shoulder, he sees a small lone figure emerge from the trees. A kid—walking on unsteady feet, disfigured and hair covering half her face. It's her hair that reminds David who she is. Gwen senses his alarm and turns. She too goes still. They watch as the girl with green hair and red overalls stagger toward them. Her mouth is open, drool mingling with what looks to be dried blood drips from her lips.

The duo backs up. This was their friend. The one they were too late to save.

Any moment now, she'd reach them. She was close enough for them to see what the bite had done. Her assailant had chewed her shoulder down to her chest. Little white spots moved—David comes to a nauseating realization the wound was infested with maggots. It was a disgusting sight, to see someone this young be devoured by such a thing.

"Nikki," he remembers her name. They had forgotten her in the woods when they saved the others. It didn't register at the time that she would come back to life. David's throat closes up. Gwen doesn't move.

He takes the machete from her. She lets him. His fingers close around the familiar warm handle, the weight light and easy to maneuver. He puts the blade on her chest once she's within reach. She was weak against it, feebly trying to reach David. He sends a silent prayer above and gives her the quick death she deserved.

He goes down on one knee, eyes burning as a tear falls on her body. Gwen's hand catches him on the shoulder, easing him up. She was murmuring words of assurance to him. David tries to get lost in her voice. His ears pick up on something else and he swivels around. Dried leaves crunch as another pair of feet run.

"Who's there?" Gwen asks, voice scratchy. She too had been affected by what happened. No one replies. David and Gwen look at each other, then sprints. They get around the mess hall and the door opens. Preston walks out, looking around until his eyes settle on them. The duo stared.

"Preston?" David asks cautiously. The boy's eyes are wide with alarm.

"I just saw Max run to the forest. Did something happen?" Preston asks, looking from one adult to the other. David's blood turns to ice.

"Alone?" he asks. Preston nods.

"He was outside for a while and the gang started to get worried. We tried watching him through the window. He looked frightened and ran-"

"Goddamn it!" Gwen shouts, scaring Preston. She springs to action at a moment's notice. David tells Preston to lock the door; to keep it locked if they don't come back once the sun sets. David doesn't wait a second to see him nod as he follows Gwen deep into the woods.