𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡, 𝘀𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝗱𝗮𝘀𝘀

❝𝗜'𝗠 𝗦𝗢 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗗 about him, Daryl." Ivy sighed as she slipped on her boots. Daryl nodded at the girls words. She stood up and looked up at the man. "I just don't know what to do anymore."

Daryl patted the girls shoulder. "Carl's a tough kid. He knows what the hell he's doin'." Daryl stated. He scoffed and laughed a bit. "Unlike most." Ivy laughed slightly. Her head dropped for a moment and Daryl grabbed her head gently, making her look at him.

His hand rested gently on the side of her face, and slightly on her neck. "Don't give me non of that sad shit." Daryl muttered. Ivy frowned slightly. "C'mere, girl." Daryl pulled the girl into a hug, wrapping his arms around the girls shoulders.

Ivy melted in his touch. Daryl towered over the girls tiny figure. Daryl filled a hole that Ivy desperately needed to be filled. One that Glenn gladly took the spot of, but then was ripped away to soon.

A father.

The hug lasted a while, the two desperately needing it. Ivy could've stayed their forever if she had the chance.

"I love you, Daryl." Ivy whispered as she looked up at him. He bent down and kissed her forehead. Ivy closed her eyes and tried to stop herself from crying, which she succeeded.

"I love you, too." Daryl muttered. Ivy smiled softly. "Thank you." Ivy furrowed her eyebrows.

"For what?" Ivy questioned. Daryl ducked his head down a bit, trying to shield his eyes from the girl. "Daryl. For what?"

Daryl sniffled a bit, looking up with teary eyes. "For uh..." Daryl trailed off as a tear fell. Ivy grabbed his hand. "For savin' me." Ivy's eyes softened as the man began crying.

She hadn't see Daryl cry since Beth died. Ivy knew he was cracking due to Glenn's death. She saw how much his demeanor changed when he got back from The Sanctuary.

Daryl said he heard a few things from conversations in the hallway. He had heard Dwight and Fat Joey talking about Ivy's 'suicide'. Daryl didn't know it was fake, so he felt his whole world crumbling.

He spent that day in his cell sobbing. He only stopped because Dwight took him out. Daryl couldn't even bring himself to look at Carl when the boy came to The Sanctuary.

So, when Daryl saw Ivy, he felt a bit okay again. Ivy was his whole world.

Ivy rested her head on Daryl's chest. "Don't cry, Daryl." Ivy sighed. "Please don't." Daryl nodded vigorously and wiped his tears. "I hate seeing you cry."

"You right." Daryl nodded. He pointed to the trailer door. "Imma go with Jesus." Ivy nodded and patted Daryl's back as he walked out. He closes the door behind him, and Ivy sat down onto a chair at the table.

Ivy sighed and ran her hands on her face, running through her hair. She closed her eyes and pinched her tear ducts.

Ivy had been worrying nonstop about Carl. He had ran off to go kill Negan, and no one knew if Negan was dead... or, Carl was dead.

But, he promised he wouldn't leave her. But the voice in the back of Ivy's head told her otherwise. The voice told her that he was dead, but she didn't want to believe it.

Maggie's voice quickly ripped Ivy from her thoughts. "Ivy! Sasha! Enid!" Maggie was heard yelling. Ivy quickly got up, sending herself into full panic mode.

She ran out the door and saw Enid speed walking to the front gate. Ivy stopped in her tracks when the gate opened. She let out a breathy laugh at the sight in front of her.

Ivy mentally thanked god for keeping her family safe. She smiled widely as she looked at Rick, Michonne, Rosita, Tara, and...

Carl. Alive and well.

Maggie and Rick quickly hugged, speaking a few words to each other.

Ivy ran to her boyfriend. Ivy wrapped her arms around his neck, and his arms snaked around the girls waist. Ivy dug her face in his neck, placing soft kisses on it.

Carl looked down at the girl, the two locking eyes. He gently grabbed the left side of Ivy's face, kissing her passionately. Carl gripped the her waist with his free hand as they kissed. He massaged her waist, but dug his nails into it as he stared down at the girl.

"You okay?" Ivy whispered as she placed her forehead onto Carls. Carl nodded as he looked at the girl. "I'm fine. You don't have to ask."

Carl sighed and smiled. Ivy kissed his lips quickly before facing Maggie and Rick. Carl wrapped his arm around the girls waist and held her close.

"You were right," Rick told Maggie. "right from the start." Maggie nodded as she listened. "You told us to get ready to fight. I didn't listen, and I couldn't. I can now."

Ivy's eyes shifted to Daryl, who was walking out from behind a trailer, Jesus by his side. She looked over at Rick who had tears in his eyes. The two men walked quickly to each other, and Ivy moved her gaze to Rosita.

Rosita smiled widely and hugged the girl. Rosita rubbed her back and sighed. "You okay, Nena?" Rosita asked. Ivy nodded vigorously.

"I will be." Ivy answered. Rosita patted her back and released her from the hug. Ivy turned to Tara and grinned. "Hey, Tara."

Tara smirked and took the girl into a hug. "Hey kiddo." Tara greeted. Ivy smiled at the girl and fist pumped her.

Ivy looked at Rick who had just left his hug with Daryl. A tear fell from Ricks eyes. Everyone thought Ivy was dead as well. Carl didn't even have time to tell them.

Rick quickly ran up to the girl, and picked her up. Ivy wrapped her legs around Rick and laughed. Rick laughed along with her through tears.

"You did this when me and Michonne found you." Ivy brought up. Rick nodded and wiped away his tears.

"I thought I lost you then, too." Rick stated. Ivy smiled. "But, you're immortal. You ain't dying." Ivy giggled and nodded.

"Never dying." Ivy smiled. Rick put her down, allowing the girl to hug Michonne. Ivy smiled as she hugged Michonne. Michonne had always been like a mother figure to her, and Ivy adored her for it.

Ivy looked at the group and smiled widely. "Jesus christ." Ivy sighed. Ivy chuckled as she ran her hand over her mouth. "Me and Maggie have faked our deaths, Daryl ran away from The Sanctuary, Carl went on a suicide mission—"

"And, we're still alive!" Ivy exclaimed. The group all laughed at the girls excitement. "Oh my god, we're so badass!"

❝𝗡𝗢! 𝗡𝗢 𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗟!" Gregory spoke. The group watched as he paced around the room. "That was not the deal. You people swore you could take the Saviors out, and you failed. So any arrangements we had is now done— null and void."

Gregory cleared his throat and continued his aggravating speech. "We aren't trade partners, we aren't friends, and we never met." Gregory stated. The group all rolled their eyes, extremely annoyed with the situation and Gregory. "Hmm? We don't know each other." Gregory sat back in his chair and looked to the group. "I owe you nothing. In fact, you owe me for taking in the refugees, at great personal risk."

"Oh, you were very brave staying in here while Maggie and Sasha saved this place." Jesus sarcastically said. Maggie laughed at Gregory's stupidity. "Your courage was inspiring."

Gregory narrowed his eyes at Jesus. "Hey, don't you work for me?" Gregory asked. "Aren't we friends?"

Rick stepped forward, trying to bargain with the man. "Gregory, we already started this." Rick stated.

"You started it." Gregory put forward.

"We did." Rick corrected the man. Gregory rolled his eyes as he listened to Rick. "And we're gonna win."

"These are killers." Gregory said. Rick furrowed his eyebrows. The whole group was ready to attack Gregory. His annoying voice was like nails on chalkboard.

"Is this how you want to live?" Rick inquired, leaning closer to Gregory. "Under their thumb, killing your people?"

Enid didn't allow Ivy to go speak with Gregory. Enid knew Ivy would've probably killed Gregory if she had to conversate with him anymore. Carl agreed with letting the girl stay with Enid, so Ivy let it be.

"S— Sometimes we don't get to choose what our life looks like." Gregory continued. The group looked around at each other, in awe on how this man had so much nerve. "Sometimes, Ricky, you have to count the blessings you have."

Maggie stepped forward. "How many people can we spare?" Maggie inquired. "How many people here can fight?"

"We?" Gregory asked, and scoffed. "I don't even know how many people we have, Margaret." This is why no one wanted Ivy in here. "And does it even matter? I mean... w—w—what are you gonna do? Start a platoon of sorghum farmers? 'Cause that's what we got. They grow things. They're not gonna want to fight."

"You're wrong." Tara spoke up. "When people have the chance to do the right thing, the usually step up. I mean, people just—"

"L—Let me stop you before you break into song, okay?" Gregory cut the girl off. Carl stared at the man, seeing nothing but red as he spoke. "And, by the way, who would train all this cannon fodder?"

"I will." Sasha spoke.

"Give me a week." Rosita said at the same time.

"Rhetorical, okay?" Gregory widened his eyes, his voice in a sing-song tone. "I don't want to know. I never want to hear another word about any of it, ever."

Gregory rubbed his forehead and sighed. "It's bad enough my home is being infested with a bunch of moody teenagers." Gregory groaned. "That girl with long hair, and Ivory."

"Her name is Ivy, but that doesn't matter because you shouldn't be talking about her, or even looking at her." Carl spoke, shooting daggers at the man. Gregory widened his eyes and put his hands up in surrender.

"Do not bite my behind, cyclops." Gregory laughed. Maggie scoffed and crossed her arms.

"Do not talk to him like that." Maggie demanded. Carl dipped his head down and shook his head. He looked back up at Maggie and nodded, the woman nodded in return.

Rick calmed himself down before speaking again. "Would we be better off without the Saviors, yes or no?" Rick asked, extremely angry and ready to strangle Gregory.

"Yeah. Sure. Okay." Gregory quickly answered.

Michonne stepped forward. She did not want there to be a fight of some sorts. "So, what will you do to fix the problem?" Michonne asked, trying to be civil.

"I didn't say we had a problem." Gregory replied. "You did. And what happens outside of my purview is outside of my purview."

Daryl stood off the wall, hands on his hips. "What the hell, man?" Daryl spoke. "You're either with us or you ain't. You're sittin' over there talkin' out both sides of your mouth." Gregory stood up and sighed.

"I— I think I've made my position very clear." Gregory told the group, fixing his cuffs. "And I want to thank all of you for not being here today and not having this meeting with me or— or being seen your way out."

"In other words, go out the back."

The group looked around. Pure silence filled the room. They all were appalled by the man's attics. Gregory thought he was above everyone, but he was absolutely below everyone and anyone. He wanted to be better, but it wasn't working.

Rick leaded the group out the door, everyone shooting Gregory looks.

"Walking ballsack." Rosita muttered.

"Wanna knock the idiots teeth out." Sasha scoffed.

"Yeah, we'll, we don't need him anyways." Daryl spoke. Rick nodded.

"Yeah, that's right." Rick agreed. Rick looked around at the group. " 'Cause we have Maggie and Sasha and Jesus here." The door opened, making Maggie look towards it.

"And..." Everyone followed Maggie's gaze, landing on Ivy standing at the door. "Ivy and Enid." Everyones gaze softened as they looked at the girl in front of her.

"Hey, guys." Ivy greeted. Everyone smiled at her.

Sasha furrowed her eyebrows. "What's wrong?" Sasha asked. Ivy smirked and looked around.

"Nothing. Um..." Ivy trailed off as she pointed to the door. "Just..." The girl laughed slightly. "Me and Enid have something outside for you."

The group followed the girl onto the porch of the Barrington house, some members of Hilltop standing just below the steps.

Maggie walked before the group. "What's going on?" Maggie asked. Bertie stepped forward.

"Hey." Bertie greeted. "So, if you don't remember, I'm Bertie. And I owe my life to you all, twice over. A bunch of us do. Enid and Ivy says that you want Gregory to get us to fight the Saviors with you. Is that true?"

Maggie nodded. "Yes."

"Do you think we can win, that we really could beat them? Us?" Bertie inquired. Maggie nodded at the girls words.

"I do." Maggie answered. Bertie sighed and looked to the members of Hilltop.

"Well, the girls said you could show us the way." Bertie told the group. "I'm ready." The rest of the members all argued with Bertie, making the group look to each other.

Carl looked at his girlfriend and smirked at her. Ivy smiled at the boy, pink staining her cheeks. Ivy looked over at Enid, fist-pumping her.

The group began walking through Hilltop, discussing their plans.

"It's a start." Michonne spoke. Ivy held Carls hand tightly as they walked towards the gate.

"We'll get more." Sasha said. "It still won't be enough."

Rosita nodded. "No, it won't." She laughed slightly.

"Well, we find the right stuff," Daryl started. "then maybe we don't need the numbers. Blow 'em up, burn 'em to the ground."

Tara cleared her throat. "You said there weren't just soldiers with the Saviors, that there were workers there." Tara looked at Ivy. "People didn't have a choice."

Ivy shrugged. "Maybe, if my sister loves me enough, she'll join." Ivy responded. "I just don't want my sister, Lacey, or Ava to get hurt. Avas only eight." Carl nodded, tracing his thumb over her hand.

"We need more hands, another group. Negan has outposts." Rick stated. "The geography, the distance works against us. We gotta get back. If they come looking for Daryl or V, we need to be there."

Jesus stopped in his tracks. "You don't have to get back." Jesus spoke. Everyone looked at her. "Not yet." He pulled out a walkie talkie. "It's one of theirs, long range. We can listen in, keep track of them."

"So, if we're not going back, what are we doing, then?" Michonne asked.

"I think it's time we introduced you to Ezekiel." Jesus smirked before speaking again. "King Ezekiel."

Ivy's eyes widened, and her mouth gaped.

"King?"

𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘
the groups reunions are so cute ughhhh
i love how carl didn't even let Gregory talk about Ivy😭😭