𝙿𝙴𝙽𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 𝙸𝙽𝙱𝙾𝚇 ;

[dadyl]

𝚃𝙴𝚇𝚃. / 𝚅𝙾𝙸𝙲𝙴. / 𝚅𝙸𝙳𝙴𝙾. / 𝙰𝙲𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽.

Comments

[dadyl]

[ He feels better being able to protect Gabe here after what happened. To really have his back, so he can try to keep the worst from happening. It's an old instinct, but there are new aspects to it, too. ]

Yeah. I'm pretty simple.

[ He smirks slightly, but it's true as far as he thinks of himself. He doesn't need much. He likes what he likes. He doesn't need to talk about everything the way so many other people do.

Or at least he doesn't think he needs to talk. ]

But I do. You can sleep if you want. Think I'll stay up a bit.

[ He knows he won't be sleeping easily with what's still leftover in his head. ]

[minuteofangle]

[ Gabe hums a little, settling. ]

Okay.

[ It comes out soft. Then: ]

Thank you.

[dadyl]

[ Daryl feels him settle easier against him and if the plan is just to keep sitting, he's okay with that.

But he lifts his head, looking down at Gabe briefly. ]

What for?

[ Daryl doesn't feel like he needs any thanks. They're just doing what they have to do. Looking out. ]

[minuteofangle]

For not using it against me.

[ His eyes, the memories, the way that he’d wanted to fight more than he’d wanted to win. It would have been easy, but Daryl never has. Gabe breathes out. He’ll drop soon. Go unconscious. He’s got someone he trusts at his side. ]

Most people would. Most of them have.

[dadyl]

[ It hurts to hear that, both to know it's the kind of life Gabe's had to survive and because Daryl recognizes the feeling. Merle had ridiculed any sign of 'weakness' he'd ever seen in Daryl. His dad had tried to beat it out of him. Everyone else in his life before Rick's group had been a confusing threat to manage and then avoid.

So many things changed along the way for Daryl. Maybe it just makes sense that this part of his life might finally change, too.

At long as he stays put this time. ]

I won't.

[ He thinks he can trust Gabe not to make him have to. It's only Carol that Daryl has to protect here and Gabe's already died once because he'd refused to hurt her.

But maybe Daryl can't make promises Hell won't let him keep. ]

An' if I do? If they make me? It ain't me.

[minuteofangle]

[ There’s always that possibility. Part of Gabe wonders what would happen if Hell made him see an enemy - or, even worse, if Hell made him see Mazur. The thought sits sour in him. A new wound he hadn’t considered he’d face again.

But he breathes, and that spike of fear passes. The moment settles. And so does Gabe. He reaches out to curl his hand around Daryl’s wrist, his thumb slotting against Daryl’s pulse. ]

I’ll remember. Promise.

[dadyl]

[ It doesn't seem like Gabe wants to move so Daryl doesn't suggest it. His crossbow is propped almost within reach, he'll be able to lunge for it should anything come through that door, so it's okay. Everything is fine.

For now. ]

Go to sleep, okay? I got things under control.

[minuteofangle]

Okay.

[ It comes out soft. He trusts Daryl to watch his back, to keep him safe. And if one day their positions get reversed, Gabe knows he'll do the same. He has for his team. And even if Daryl isn't one of them, there's trust between them now. It matters in ways Gabe wasn't prepared for.

He breathes out. He settles. And in time, he sleeps. ]