Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Wake up.

Wake up god dammit.

Come on wake up.

Daryl urged himself to move, urged himself to do something, and yet he felt as if he wasn't in control of his body any longer. He didn't know why, or what was stopping him from moving, what was stopping him from waking up.

The truth of what was keeping him was a heavy sedative, something he hadn't ever experienced. His body wasn't moving, his breathing was surprisingly steady, and yet in his head all he wanted to do was wake up. He tried to will his eyelids to open, he needed to wake, and yet he still couldn't.

After a few hours his body finally awoke, he still felt lethargic and uncontroled. He lifted his hand in an attempt to look at himself, and came to find he was attached to a bed by a handcuff. He growled in frustration as he slammed his fist against the bed. He opened his mouth to let out a scream but his voice wasn't coming out, he was hoarse and scratchy. He coughed, how long had he been out?

At the slight sound of a scratchy yell Rick's head popped up, their prisoner was awake.

Daryl thrashed, he couldn't remember what had happened, but he knew he wasn't where he was supposed to be. With who he was supposed to be.

Where was his fiance?

Where was his brother?

Why was he here?

He thrashed a bit but came back to reality when he realized he shouldn't be putting so much effort into fighting handcuffs and a bed when there were people keeping him captive. Rick entered the room a smile on his face. "You're awake, wonderful." Daryl's eyes grew wide as he looked over the man, who was this man? Where was he? Daryl winced as the man came closer, he attempted to pull back but he wasn't able to. "My name is Rick, I am the leader of this place your people attempted to attack."

Daryl squinted unsure what he meant, he couldn't remember an attack, or anything like that. Rick noticed the squinted look of confusion. "You don't remember anything do you? Fall must have effected your head."

"Fa-" he was cut off with a cough, Rick offered him a water bottle. Daryl attempted to reach for it but was stopped by the cuff. Rick smiled and lifted it to his lips, Daryl hesitantly began to drink up, he guzzled the bottle and took a breath of relief. "Fall? What fall?"

"You fell out of a tree," Rick replied with a grin. "After I tranquilized you, didn't think it would have taken you out so badly. Do you not remember that?"

Daryl thought, the last thing he remember was waking up beside Negan, eating breakfast and getting in the car. He remembered Dwight and Merle getting in the opposite car, and Simon taking a truck. "No."

"Your people, four men stopped us while we were doing a hunting trip. You were in a tree, I saw you, and shot you. I was nice, I could have killed you, but I thought you would be good leverage."

Daryl squinted again and then realized he had been kidnaped to be used as a bargaining chip. "Please, just let me go. I will tell Negan you were good to me, and he won't attack."

"So I was right, that was Negan and his people. Our friends have trouble with your people, with Negan."

"Look Negan isn't always good but he only does it to protect us. To protect me."

"Protect you?" Rick asked, his eyes looking over the long hair and beautiful blue eyes. "Why you specifically?"

Daryl opened then closed his mouth realizing he fucked up. "No reason.."

"No no, if you want food you will tell me. You had a reason for saying that now didn't you?"

Daryl gulped, his stomach rumbling denying him a lie. "We are engaged." Daryl blinked at the leader, his lip quivering a bit. "Well I uhm..I yeah..he is my fiance..he protects me."

Rick nodded understanding the situation, Daryl's hands shook the handcuffs rattling. "I will be back with a meal for you."

"Wait..where am I?"

"I can't tell you that, your people have yet to know who we are or where we hold up. You are in a very small part of our community. I know what you say, that you believe that Negan won't hurt us if you tell him so. But I won't put my people in danger, we have children here, women here, families. I won't be putting them in danger."

Daryl understood that much, children were his biggest weakness. He lowered his head and waited watching as the man stepped out of the room to retrieve something to eat for Daryl. Daryl looked over himself confused how he got here, confused why they let him get kidnapped.

Rick returned with a plateful of food, Daryl felt himself salivate. He was eager for it, eager and wanting. Rick smiled as he carefully uncuffed one hand and gave him the plate. "Why would they leave me?"

"The larger one with out a hand got shot in the leg by my son, the one with a scarred up face was shot as well. They were in a truck and turning around, you were in a tree, I saw you. Negan I assume the one with the bat was yelling for you, he was in the car but wasn't leaving. I saw you as you moved, went to go down from the tree. I shot you and you fell, I don't know if he thought you were dead or knew what I hit you with. He went to run to you but I shot at his feet and he turned," Rick watched as Daryl began to piece things together but he couldn't remember a thing.

Would Negan have really left him behind?

"Di..did he look upset?"

"Well I think so, was more focused on taking you back with us."

"Why me?"

"I don't know, you just felt like the right choice."

Daryl whined as he took another bite of the sandwich. It was a damn good sandwich. "This is really good..wow...where did you get all this..stuff." He was talking in between bites.

"We make most of it." Rick replied. "We have something really good here you know, something that we can't put at risk. I have two choices, keep you as a bargaining chip, or keep you here forever. I can't let you go back if our people are in danger."

Daryl felt his heart break.

No more Merle, no more Negan?

"You can't keep me here."

"I have the keys to those cuffs. I would watch what you are saying. What's your name?"

"D...Daryl."

"Well Daryl, this is your home until we decide otherwise."

Daryl gulped but nodded, he continued to devour the sandwich and few vegetables that were placed on the plate. "Thank you for feeding me.."

"You are surprisingly polite for a man who is engaged to a sadistic killer," Rick looked him over. Daryl felt his stomach drop, they knew what Negan had done, of course they had. "I know about the people he used that bat on. I know about all the boys and men at Oceanside."

"He wouldn't have killed the kids...he didn't know our men had killed the boys..just the men.." Daryl replied. "He wouldn't have killed the kids."

"I hope that's true."

Daryl lowered his head, his long hair covering his eyes. "Can I at least see the place if I am going to live here?"

"Not right now, you need to wait. I need to have you get checked over, seems the fall did more damage than I thought."

"Alright..yes..yes Rick."

Daryl knew his best option was to gain their trust, change their minds about Negan and his people. Be used as a bargaining chip to go back home. Rick smiled leaving his side for now, Rick took a deep breath as he closed the door.

Daryl was oddly good, compared to the stories hilltop, kingdom, and oceanside had told them about the saviors he had expected the fiancé to the stone cold killer to be dangerous. Yet he seemed much more docile then he had excepted.

Daryl was mostly docile, he had lived his life abused and tortured by his father. His brother was somewhat helpful in that cause but he had grown to be a 'better' man with the apocalypse. Negan was good to Daryl, but it hadn't always been that way. He was once a prisoner of Negan, just like his brother. Merle gave in pretty quick with promise of a position of power. Daryl however wasn't easy to break, Negan had slowly got him to come out of his shell. He brought him meals twice a day, helped him bathe and shower every week, once he finally got comfortable and joined the saviors as a member Negan kept tabs on him.

They had slowly grown together, a love began to form, Daryl started going on runs with Negan. He wasn't allowed to do pick ups or be around the communities because Negan wanted Daryl as pure as he could be. Negan wanted Daryl to have as clear a conscious as he could have, Negan liked being the sadistic one. Liked having the power, and he liked having an angel beside him as his lover, as his.

Daryl had only killed a few people since the apocalypse started, two on purpose, one on accident. One man had cut his brothers hand off and he killed him, the other was holding a child at gunpoint, and the third he thought was already a walker.

Negan liked that about Daryl, liked knowing his Daryl was untouched by that of the grief and guilt of being a killer. Everyone loved him too, the saviors found him to be a good and productive member of the group. He was always helping someone, or just out of the way when he wasn't needed. He was by Negan's side if the man was around, and he was always willing to do whatever needed to be done.

Negan only had one rule, and that was Daryl wasn't allowed to help when it came to people or groups.

It suddenly dawned on Daryl why he was in the tree, Negan had told him to stay out of sight. Negan had told him to get out of sight so no one could hurt him. Yet here he was, he was away from Negan, away form his brother, away from his people.

He was trapped, but he also felt safe. He wasn't sure how to explain it, but Rick felt like a good man, if he wanted him dead or wanted to injure him he would have.

----

Negan was furious. Daryl was gone, he had been taken by an unknown group of people, who had injured two of his men. He was thankful, that when he had gotten close to him that he had been shot by a tranq, but this wasn't what was supposed to happen.

This was just a simple supply run, and now his fiancé was kidnapped, his people were hurt, and they didn't know who did it.

He had never seen the man before, and the damn kid with that stupid sheriffs hat. There was also a sword wielding women, and an older looking lady there. They had to have just been doing what they were doing, supply runs or hunting.

He slammed his fist on the table.

They needed his Daryl back, and they were going to make them pay.

Daryl had better be safe, or he would kill whoever hurt him, and he would make it feel worse then hell. He needed his Daryl, and he needed him now.

Chapter Text

Daryl looked at his empty plate, his stomach growling again, he knew they had fed him. He knew they were being mostly kind, he just wasn't happy with what was happening. He hated he couldn't remember, what had really happened.

Why they were out there in the first place, or why they would have attacked Rick.

Soon a women walked in, "Hello, my name is Olivia." She smiled at him, Daryl gulped giving her a curt nod. "Rick wanted me to come and check on you."

"What do you do here?"

"I keep track of our supplies and inventory." She smiled, Daryl began to think of what Negan would say. He cringed about it, knowing it would probably make Olivia cry. "What did you do for your people?"

Daryl lowered his eyes. "I was the leaders fiance, he didn't want me to get hurt so he had me stay back at the compound a lot. I did supply runs, but with Negan or Dwight or my brother.. or I would help at the compound. I worked with the few kids we have, the armory, kitchen duty sometimes. I stayed back a lot, but I always was doing something," it was clear he was reminiscing about what he had. "I liked to help with the kids or if someone needed something fixed in their room, I helped bring in supplies. Helped with what I could, I wanted to help with the other communities....but you know being the most protected person at the compound I wasn't allowed out a lot."

Olivia nodded, Rick was listening from outside the door.

Daryl had a lot of people looking out for him, and yet he now possessed the dear archer.

"Well you sound very special Daryl, are you still hungry?"

"Yes I am.. thank you." Daryl was trying not to lash out, he wasn't sure what to do or say. He wanted to make sure he didn't screw anything for Negan up if he wanted something good for this community, but he also didn't want to make anything worse for himself.

"I will be sure to get you something else, just sit tight."

Daryl nodded, as Olivia left the room Rick nodded to her. "How is he looking?"

"Seems to remember things, just not like what happened clearly. He is still hungry, so I am going to get him something to eat. Is that alright?"

"Yes of course, he needs strength. We should make sure he is well taken care of the best we can. I worry that if anything bad does happen to him, his people won't be kind. I doubt they will anyway, but I really honestly doubt they will if anything happens to Daryl."

Daryl waited patiently for Olivia to return, Rick came back into the room next. "Hey Daryl, feeling any better? Remember?"

"No, I..why would we attack you?"

"Don't know, all the sudden we had guns shooting at us." Rick replied. "You weren't of course, you were just waiting in the tree. Why would you not attack us like the others were?"

"I don't fight, I stay behind. Supposed to be Negan's pure angel." Daryl replied reciting words he had been told for years now.

"Angel?"

"Not supposed to be killing people, unless I have to.. but since Negan brought us in I haven't...haven't had to kill anyone..not in a long time. I kill a lot of walkers, walkers I can kill...but I don't kill people.."

"How many people have you killed Daryl?"

"Three."

"Only three?" He was honestly surprised, he had killed a lot more people than three. Daryl really was an angel, someone who hardly existed in this world. Even his son had killed more than three men. "Well angel," Daryl blushed at the word he was so used to Negan calling him Angel and Dare he didn't know what to do when someone else called him that. "We will make sure to get some more food in you and then make sure we get that memory back."

"Angel..I- you don't got to call me that.."

"My son has killed more people than you have, you really are a walking angel."

Daryl's eyes grew wide, he really had been sheltered hadn't he? A child had killed more living men then he had? That felt insanely wrong, impossible almost. Daryl felt his face grow hot again, he just wanted Negan and his family back. He was embarrassed that he had killed less living men then a child.

"Daryl," Olivia said with a smile as she walked in with another sandwich, "Still hungry?"

"Yes." Daryl smiled as he was handed the sandwich, he devoured it quickly. "Thank you.."

Rick decided he wanted this angel for himself, the biggest issue was he was already engaged. Rick continued to watch the boy, he just looked scared. Like a lost puppy who needed a home.

"I promise you Negan won't hurt you if I tell him not to."

"Did you tell him not to harm the people of the other communities?" Rick asked, Daryl's mouth opened to say otherwise but then realized he had. Yet one person at least already died.

"I...I did yes.."

"Then it won't matter what you say will it?"

"I..I guess not..I..yeh."

"So it seems Angel, you must stay here or I have to threaten your life to get Negan to leave us alone. Regardless, you stay here."

"Wait. What?"

"We can't let you go back, because it seems no matter what the only way Negan will leave us alone is if he never sees you again and just doesn't know who we are, or I keep you captive and make it so he knows who we are, and where we are. I show you off, bound for Negan to see and tell him that if he does anything to us. I will hurt you."

Daryl stiffened. "Are you going to hurt me?"

"No of course not Angel, he will just think I am going to hurt you."

"Then why lie?"

"Keeps him at bay, if he really loves you Daryl he won't attack us."

Daryl lowered his eyes. "He does love me, he won't put me in danger."

"I hope that is true darling."

Daryl made a face. "Don't call me that."

"Why Angel?"

Daryl felt his face flush again, he didn't have anything to say, he was just nervous. "Can I please see this place if I am going to stay here forever then. I won't be let go will I? Like you said, I am stuck here forever right.."

"Right, but you still aren't better yet. Your head, I worry if you stand you will get dizzy."

"We haven't tried yet. Please Rick." Daryl was trying not lash out, trying to be good. He knew bad things were going to happen if he fought the leader of a group of people he didn't know. He didn't know how dangerous they were, if a child had killed more men then he had how dangerous could he be compared to them? He honestly didn't like killing, he preferred being that angel Negan adored.

The baby brother of Merle Dixon, innocent but hardened by the abuse he took as a child.

He loved being Negan's angel, loved being the one thing the saviors protected.

He knew he was safe with the saviors, he didn't know if he was safe here.

Rick eyed the long haired blue eyed man. "Alright, lets try and walk but just in here okay?"

Daryl nodded, he waited till he was uncuffed and then stood. He felt off balanced, his head hurt but he wasn't willing to give up. He took a step forward when he stumbled into Rick's arms, Rick held him up. Rick smiled as he held the archer, Daryl looked up at Rick embarrassed. Rick was slightly taller then him. "Oh angel, it's okay."

Daryl felt embarrassed, he wanted to walk. Needed to walk. Rick made sure he was stable before stepping away once again. "Go ahead angel try again."

Daryl had given up on telling him to stop calling him that, it was clear Rick wasn't going to stop. Daryl balled up his fists his nails digging into his palms as he took another step forward. Then a second, he smiled as he finally took a third and wasn't unstable. However the fourth step he nearly fell again, he grunted as he grabbed the table slamming his fist. "Why can't I...why."

"Hey angel it isn't your fault, I knocked you from the tree."

"Yeh..thanks for that." Daryl turned slowly his hands still holding the table behind him. "I..I just want to walk..."

"I know we can help, I will help you."

"I want Negan."

"I'm sorry, we can't do that now."

"I am his, we can..you can give me back please.."

"No Daryl, no we won't. You are my Angel now."

Daryl's face grew sad, he wanted Negan so badly needed to go back home. "I ain't your angel."

"You are too. Mine, my Angel."

Chapter Text

Daryl felt trapped, Rick was smiling and seemed happy and was mostly kind and yet it was clear to him that he was never leaving.

Not unless Negan found him.

After a few minutes of silence and being cuffed back to the bed Rick left him alone. Daryl closed his eyes and tried not to cry, he couldn’t cry, he had to be strong for Negan.

Rick came back in after a few hours of being left alone with a water bottle and another sandwich. A boy with a sheriffs hat fallowed.

“Daryl this is my son Carl, Carl this is Daryl.”

Daryl smiled at the boy, Carl smiled at him. “You’re right dad he is c-“

Rick’s eyes grew wide and he quickly silenced Carl. “Carl go find Carol please.”

Daryl’s face scrunched in confusion.

Carl smirked. “Yes dad.”

“What was he saying about me?” Daryl asked.

“I don’t know.” Rick lied. He knew he shouldn’t have told his son the man was cute. Carl returned with a salt and pepper haired lady. “This is Carol.”

The women nodded a smile at him. “Hello Daryl, Rick said you wanted to explore the community but we need to make sure you are doing better first. I have this for you.” She gave him a cup of tea. He eyed the liquid confused by its contents. “It’s just a tea, supposed to help you be less dizzy.”

Daryl nodded his thanks to the women and drank it. “Thank you..this is good.”

Carol smiled. “You’re right he’s polite.”

“You talking about me?” Daryl asked.

“Yes.” Rick replied he wasn’t concerned if Daryl knew that, it was more the small crush the leader had on the archer that he was concerned he’d find out about.

Daryl lowered his head thinking. That was when the walkie on Rick’s belt went off. “Hilltop for Alexandria.”

Daryl cocked his head. He recognized Hilltop, but not Alexandria.

Rick stepped out quickly. “This is Rick.”

“You’re fucked man.” Jesus yelled. “Negan is raging. Came here to ask questions about Daryl, you can’t be serious kidnapping the only thing that sadistic man cares about!”

“Whoa slow down.”

“Negan showed up at our community, he’s furious and upset. He looks broken, never seen him look like he was going to cry. You’re lucky we didn’t give you guys up, he wanted to kill whoever did it. We told him we don’t know about other communities. I hope Kingdom will do the same thing.”

“So Negan is really mad?”

“Mad is an understatement.”

Rick didn’t know what to say. “Thanks for the heads up Jesus.”

“You better know what you’re doing. Daryl, is he really Negan’s fiancé? Who would love a killer like that?”

“He is yes, he’s only killed three people the entire apocalypse Jesus.”

“Three? That’s all?”

“Yes.”

“No wonder they keep him out of the communities.”

“Yeah, he’s pretty docile honestly. Polite. I don’t know what to do with him but he’s kind and sweet. Looks more scared of being left alone and behind then just being here in general.”

“Better keep him safe then,” Jesus replied, “really Rick Negan is pissed. He is really angry.”

“We will be careful.”

“Better stay safe.”

Rick walked back into the room where Daryl and Carl were discussing motorcycles. “Dad can I go on a ride with Daryl when we find him a bike dad? Please?”

“Maybe. First he needs to get better.”

“Good kid.” Daryl muttered as Carl and Carol left the room.

“Yes he is.”

“Why keep me here?”

“Because it’s the best thing for us both. I need to keep my people safe.”

“Alexandria?”

“You heard that.”

“Yes I did.”

“Yes Alexandria.”

“Well I know Negan has never heard of you before, he always tells me about things he knows. Places and people. He doesn’t know about you.”

“Well that’s good.”

“Yeh..” Daryl felt his body shutter. He wanted out of here.

“I will keep you uncuffed if you promise not to do anything stupid. Try and practice walking maybe?”

Daryl nodded, Rick uncuffed him and Daryl waited till he left before he got up. He was slow, but the tea had helped the nausea and dizziness. He looked around the room. Mostly empty, a bed, a window that was closed and barred, a chair and a bedside table.

He was getting around better now.

Maybe this was what he had to do, win their trust and then escape.

Rick was odd, did he like him or something? Daryl shook his head, all he wanted was Negan. He needed Negan.

He began to work on the window when he heard the sound of the door knob being unlocked. He turned to watch as Rick came back in.

“You’re on your feet.” He had a water in his hands. “That’s good.”

“Yea helped.”

“I’m glad she could help you.”

“Nice lady.”

“Yes she is.”

“Does she have any kids, she seems like she’d be a good mom.”

“She did a long time ago.”

“Oh.”

“You’ve been lucky in this world. Haven’t had to see the monsters people can be.”

“This world, but not the one before.” He lowered his eyes. “Not all monsters waited till the apocalypse to show themselves.”

“What do you mean?”

“What did you do before all this?”

“I was a cop.”

“Then you’d know, a lot of bad people existed before all of this.” He unscrewed the water bottle and took a long sip. “Just know I may not see a lot of action in terms of bad people now, but I did. I had. I have only killed three people all my life but I wish it had been four.”

Rick watched him curiously. “Tell me about it some day, for now get rest. I will be back tomorrow. I’ll find you some new clothes too.”

Daryl nodded, he wanted to keep his clothes. The shirt was Negans, his winged biker jacket his brothers.

He paced but eventually laid down and fell asleep curled up by the door. The bed was okay but it felt weird sleeping alone after so many years of having someone beside him.

The next morning Rick woke to a similar walkie call from the kingdom. “Better be worth it.”

“He will be Ezekiel.” Rick promised.

Daryl woke as the light came through the window. He sat beside the door waiting for it to open. He waited and waited what felt like forever but eventually it was Rick who came in.

Rick saw Daryl sitting on the floor. “You have a soft bed.”

“I like the floor.”

“Why?”

“Was my bed for a long time.” He replied thinking back to sleeping in a closet as a kid.

“Alright then… clothes.”

Rick set a new outfit down beside him. Daryl eyed Rick who wasn’t leaving. “Privacy please?”

“Change.” Daryl turned away removing his pants first. As he changed his bottoms he then turned to face Rick to hide his scars. “Why turn towards me now?”

“You don’t need to know.”

Rick eyed him with question as Daryl removed his top. He put on the new one quickly doing it as fast as he could to keep the eyes from his scars.

“Daryl, if you feel good enough you can come to one part of the community today. My house. You won’t get to see the rest, I will be blindfolding you.”

“Then keep me here.”

“I thought you didn’t want to stay in here?”

“I want to see everything or nothing.”

“Angel.”

“I am not your angel.”

“Fine. Do as you wish stay here till you change your mind.”

Rick left and locked the door.

Daryl grunted in frustration. He took his biker jacket and wrapped himself with it. He needed his family, his people.

And his people needed him.

Negan was on edge, he was angry and off his rocker. Any little thing sent him raging. He was throwing things and just overall being a huge ass. Everyone knew it was because Daryl was missing and possibly being hurt at that very moment, but Negan was taking his anger out on everyone.

He’d made a few people cry, shot one man in the leg, thrown two very nice bottles of alcohol out the window and injured someone each time. He was pissy and refused to leave his room unless he was out looking for Daryl.

Problem was they didn’t know where to look.

Whoever had Daryl was a mystery, wherever he was beyond them. The other community’s seemed to be honest when they didn’t now. But Negan was unsure.

He just wanted his angel back.

This was to far, even for him.

He needed his Daryl and the saviors needed him back so no one else got hurt in Negan’s rage.

Chapter Text

"Negan." Dwight began as he shuffled in the room, Negan turned to look at the man. His left leg had been shot in the accident, he was throwing darts at a board when he Dwight came in and he quickly set them down. He knew better then to hold the darts in his hand right now. He knew he was dangerous, someone he didn't know had his baby somewhere he wasn't supposed to be.

"What is it?"

"Merle wants to go out with you to look for Daryl," Dwight replied, "please. We need to go look for him."

"I know that god damnit. I just..I don't know what to do. Where are we going to look? The same damn places we have look a hundred times. I need my Daryl back, and I need him now. I need him before I..before I loose it Dwight..I just I don't know where to look or where to go. I don't even know what day it is anymore. Daryl is all I have.. When I first saw Daryl I knew I had to have him. He was something different. Special. Getting to know him, getting to learn about his life what he had gone through as a boy and being able to be there when he had nightmares or even just having a bad night..all I need is Daryl. Dwight..I just I don't know what to do or where to find him."

"We should try the communities again. I think they are lying."

Negan lifted his head at the thought. "You think so?"

"I do. I don't trust them, not at all."

"Alright Hilltop then."

"Hilltop it is."

Dwight and Negan were quick to leave, Merle was already waiting in the car. "Where to first?" Merle asked. "We gotta find my baby brother."

"We will Merle, I promise."

"We better." Merle growled.

Negan was beside himself, his hands were shaking. He felt a rage and fear he had known only once before, when his wife died. Daryl was supposed to be his second chance, to fix the wrongs he had made. He promised to never let anything happen to Daryl. He wasn't to leave his side unless he was going around the communities. Daryl was to be protected at all costs, yet now he was gone. He was gone and Negan had been so close to saving him, so close.

"We need to find him...I can't go another day without him."

--

Daryl continued to pace, he should have just said yes to getting out of this damn room. He sat beside the door again, he closed his eyes and began to fall asleep again. It wasn't long before nightmares took over, the closet, the whip. He thrashed, his hand going out quickly punching whoever touched him.

Rick yelped as he was punched in the face, blood dripping down his nose.

Daryl's eyes opened wide. "I am so sorry..sorry..sorry..sorry..please don't hurt me I didn't mean to..sorry."

"Whoa Daryl calm down." Rick held out his hand carefully. "You got a good damn swing. Are you okay?"

"Fine..Nightmare that all." Daryl lowered his head hugging his knees tight to himself. "I want to see your house please..I won't..I won't ask for more."

"Glad you changed your mind," Rick whipped the blood off his face. "I can't believe how good of a punch you have."

"I'm real sorry." Daryl whimpered again. "Really.."

"I know you didn't mean to hurt me. Stand up alright, the blindfold won't last long I promise."

Daryl nodded, Rick carefully placed it over his eyes, Daryl was frozen. Rick carefully ran his hand through his hair, Daryl whined and Rick pulled his hand away. He took his hand and led him carefully through the community. Everyone watched as Daryl was led by Rick to his home, Daryl followed blindly terrified. Rick opened his door and led Daryl in before setting him down on the couch.

Rick removed his blindfold, Daryl looked around taking in his surroundings.

His heart was beating quickly, confusion taking over him. "This is a house."

"I told you I was taking you to my home."

"But this is like a real house..I don't..this is a house."

"Yes Daryl, it is a house."

"Do you share this with anyone?"

"Well now you, but just my son and daughter."

"You have a daughter?"

"She is two years now."

Daryl smiled at the thought of a baby, "May I see her?"

"She is with Carol right now and Carl, later you can. I wanted to show you your room."

"My room?"

"Yes." Rick smiled. "I didn't think you wanted to sleep in that hospital bed anymore."

Daryl nodded, why was he doing this? What was the point?

Rick led Daryl up to the bedroom, Daryl looked around the room "Wait. This is yours isn't it?"

"Ours."

Daryl stepped back. "I would rather the hospital bed then..I can't sleep beside you."

"I wasn't asking for that, I was thinking maybe the floor or I will get you a cot if you'd like. I can't let you sleep on your own, I don't want to lock your door. I would rather you here then alone."

"I can handle myself okay.."

"I am sure you can, but it is either in here with me on a cot or the floor or beside me if you would like, or a cell. The hospital needs to be opened and free as much as it can be."

"A cell?" Daryl panicked, he had had enough cells. Enough being scared.

"Yes, so what will it be darling?"

Daryl made another face, he didn't like that. "Here then..I guess..no cell..no cell please."

"Alright then, Angel, in here."

Daryl felt frozen, he didn't know what to do. What was this man doing, why was he doing this? "Alright..I..I. Your baby..what's her name?"

He needed distractions. He liked kids, they were good distractions.

"Judith." Rick smiled, Daryl's blue eyes were round and wide.

"That's a good name."

"Carl named her that."

"Real pretty." Daryl nodded, he wanted to see the little girl. He just needed a reason to smile, he was terrified but he needed to smile.

"Yes it is. I will let you see her tonight at dinner I promise."

Daryl smiled, dinner, that sounded good. Rick watched Daryl, his beautiful blue eyes were still full of concern but he seemed to be calm enough to understand that he was here for ever. Daryl watched and followed Rick back down the stairs, his fingers running along the stair railing. "A real house." He said again. "I didn't know people still lived in houses."

"We haven't always," Rick replied, "but we have gone through a lot to get this. We can't destroy it, that is why you have to stay here."

Daryl gulped but nodded picking up a book off the table. "You have time to read here?"

"We have time for a lot of things. I am sure you had time being so protected," Rick replied, "didn't you?"

"I was always doing something though, not just sitting around. I mean Negan needed something from me every night and I was always helping with someone or building or fixing something. Or watching or cooking or cleaning...sometimes we were busy on supply runs or hunting."

"So you were always busy," Rick smiled. "Take time for yourself here, maybe it was a good thing you came here."

Daryl felt his stomach drop. "No..no...I can't do this.. I can't..I need to go to Negan. He needs me."

"What does he need you for?"

"I help him. He needs me, I help him..okay. I just don't know what to say otherwise..I help him and he needs me."

Rick turned his head in question. "What does he need you for?"

"I don't want to talk about it please." Daryl whined, he felt sick, his hand shook and he felt himself sobbing. Rick wrapped his arms around him.

"Daryl, calm down now. I promise, I promise you will be okay."

Daryl tried to push Rick off but soon felt himself break down more and sob harder. "I..I can't do this..please I need to go home...please.."

Rick shook his head no, Daryl sobbed harder, he just wanted Negan. He wanted to be safe and feel like he is safe. Feel like he is loved.

--

Jesus watched as Negan, Merle, and Dwight entered Hilltop once again. "I need you to know that I am only going to give you this chance one time. No more second chances, no more lies. Where the fuck is my Daryl."

The people of Hilltop began to panic, Jesus watched Negan as he swung his bat back and forth. "Where is my baby brother." Merle growled as he stepped towards a few women.

"Look really we don't know. I promise..we don't." Jesus tried to explain. "Negan please leave us alone."

"I want fucking answers Jesus." Negan growled, his bat inches from the mans head. "Give me god damn answers."

"Negan ple-"

"Alexandria. Alexandria has him." A women cried as Merle held his gun to her head.

Negan turned his head at the name. "What the fuck is Alexandria?"

"Another community, another group of people."

"How many of them are there?"

"Hundred at least."

Negan felt his heart beating quickly. "Well damn, looks like people were lying to me. Weren't they? Lucky you, I don't give a shit about you lot. I just want what belongs to me. Tell me where Alexandria is. Now!!"

It wasn't long before they had the coordinates and a map. As soon as they left the gates Jesus was on the walkie panic in his voice.

"Rick! Rick! Negan is coming, Negan is come and fast."

Daryl's eyes grew wide in excitement, but it was short lived, Rick sprung up off the couch. "I'm sorry but we have to tie you up darling. We can't let him take you from me."

"I ain't yours."

"You are now." Daryl attempted to get away from Rick, but soon had his gun up. "Sit."

Daryl felt his stomach turn and did as he was told, his hands shaking in terror. Rick had him blindfolded, gagged, and then his wrists were cuffed. Daryl whined, he just wanted Negan. Now he was going to be used to keep Negan away.

Now he was going to be forced to stay here with Rick, and Negan wouldn't be able to help him.

Chapter Text

Rick watched from the guard tower as a car pulled up, Daryl thrashed under the cuffs, shaking in terror. Rick stood as Negan stepped out.

"Mother fuckers have been hiding here all this time. Where the fuck is my Daryl!"

"He doesn't belong to you anymore, he is my property now." Rick growled, "This belongs to me."

Daryl yelped as he was brought to his feet, Negan felt his heart stop. Daryl thrashed again as the gun was held to his head. "Mother fucker! Let my little brother go!"

Daryl sighed in relief knowing his brother and Negan had come for him. "You are to stay away from my people, my community, and he lives. If you come back around, I will start cutting off fingers, a hand maybe. Hurt any of my people and well, Daryl won't live to see another day." Rick yelled down to Negan.

Daryl felt himself hyperventilate, Negan froze. "Please don't hurt him."

"Then stay the fuck away." Daryl whined pulling away from Rick, Rick growled dropping Daryl to his knees.

"Daryl!" Negan yelled, but he was now out of sight. Daryl lowered his head sobbing profusely, the gag making his breathing heavy, he continued to sob as his body shook. He didn't know what was real and what wasn't, maybe it was true Rick would hurt him. He didn't know what Rick was capable of, and he knew he was screwed.

"Please just don't hurt him." Negan begged. "I won't come around again, I swear it."

Rick nodded, he looked over each one of the men. He felt he had one something, it may not have been a large win, but it was something. Daryl continued to cry, gasping for air, he felt like he was suffocating even though he knew he wasn't. Rick looked down at the sobbing archer and ran his hand through his hair trying to sooth him.

"Don't come back, you understand me?" Rick growled his gun pointed at Merle.

"We won't."

"If I see any of your faces, I won't hesitate to hurt him." Rick yelled again, the three men quickly got into the car and headed out. Negan was destroyed, seeing Daryl like that was killing him. Daryl was his precious boy, his and his alone. If he hadn't asked for him to come on the trip he wouldn't be in danger right now.

Dwight drove while Merle fought back tears, those bastards would pay for what they did. Negan slammed his fist on the dashboard. "We should send Sherri in, would that be okay?"

"What?" Dwight yelped. "I don't want my girl anywhere near those psychos."

"What other choice do we have Dwight? If we come around he is going to hurt my baby."

"What if they hurt her?"

Negan and Merle looked to one another, a look of understanding passing between them. "Its a risk we are willing to take." Negan growled.

Dwight shuttered, Negan was willing to do anything to get his Daryl back.

--

Daryl thrashed as he was taken back to the house, as soon as the blindfold and gag were off he was sobbing harder and he was begging. "Please..please don't hurt me please..I..please..Rick..I..I don't want to die please don't actually kill me please please.."

Rick watched him, he held the key for the cuffs in his hand, Daryl was sitting in a corner his knees tucked into himself. "Daryl, I told you I wasn't going to really hurt you."

"Then what's going to happen when they do come around, and I don't get hurt?"

Rick swallowed thickly, he hadn't thought about that. "I don't know angel, but I won't really harm you." Daryl rocked silently he was terrified of being harmed, and all he wanted was his brother and fiance. Rick got down on his knees in front of Daryl, he cupped his cheek. Daryl backed up hitting his head on the wall, he whined but didn't move anymore. "I won't let any harm come to you darling."

"Stop..stop calling me that!" Daryl shouted. Rick's hand didn't move from him, Daryl was still shaking, all he wanted was to go back home. Needed to go back home.

"You won't ever see them again Daryl, so you should give in to me here. What is the point of fighting with me like this? Negan won't ever lay in bed beside you or give you kisses or do whatever he does to you. You won't see your brother again. You won't be seeing any of them again. Just let me have you Daryl."

Daryl felt bile in the back of his throat. "No...I can't..I..they will see me again..won't they.."

"No darling, not unless they want to put you in danger."

Daryl hung his head, Rick's hand no longer against his cheek, tears continued to drop from the lids. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"I find you interesting, I like you Daryl. I think if our lives had been different we would have been really good friends, maybe even lovers." Rick replied. Daryl's head shot up, his body felt cold as he pressed further into the wall trying to hide himself.

"I...I don't..I.."

"I know, I know calm down now. You will give in eventually, may take a few months. Maybe a few years, but I think you will come to love me." Rick patted his cheek before undoing the cuffs. "Dinner soon, you wanted to meet my daughter didn't you?"

Daryl only nodded, he was at a loss for words. Months, years... he wouldn't be here that long would he? He couldn't that was a horrifying thought. He couldn't be away from them for that long, he needed Negan. Negan needed him.

Negan was a cold man, but he had a soft spot for Daryl and Daryl alone.

Daryl knew there would be a path of destruction left in his path if he wasn't returned. Rick didn't know Negan the way he did, Daryl knew everything about him. Knew what he liked and disliked, what his few fears were, about his past. Daryl knew why he was such a hard man. Daryl knew how to please him, what to do to calm him down.

He gulped as he was led down the steps and set in a chair.

"This is only a precaution." Rick muttered before dropping to his knees and cuffing his ankle to the chair leg. Daryl furrowed his brow but nodded in understanding. He was a flight risk, he wasn't as dangerous as he would like to believe, but a flight risk he was. Rick began to cook, the smell of spaghetti sent Daryl over the edge. His sobs grew more ragged. "Whats wrong angel?"

"Negan loved spaghetti, its the only thing I know how to actually cook other then deer, rabbit, squirrel, and fish.." Daryl replied, Rick gave him a sad look.

"You need to forget about Negan, and the sanctuary. You belong to me now, you belong here."

Daryl gulped as he turned his head to look down the hall, he bit the inside of his cheek trying not to yell or scream. This wasn't right, why the hell was he here? Why had they attacked these fuckers..what had happened?

"Why didn't you just kill me, that would have been better?" Rick turned quickly, he stormed to Daryl's side. Before Daryl knew it there was a sting to his cheek, he yelped. "You slapped me!"

"I allow a lot of things Daryl, but the one thing I don't is talk like that. You are worth it and you are special, killing you is the last resort. No negative talk, if I hear you say bad things about yourself I won't hesitate to hurt you. If you talk about dying or wanting to die the punishment will be worse."

Daryl hung his head, this was like Negan all over again.

He remembered the nights in the cell before he finally gave in and became a savior. Being conditioned, being told he was worth it, that he wasn't useless. Having only hurt a few people didn't make him a pussy. Punishments, rewards.

Once he had finally given in, and they started dating he was given rules. He was submissive, Negan dominant. He remembered being bent over Negan's knee, the painful spankings, and then the soft kisses afterward.

He looked up to see Rick back cooking, he lowered his head again closing his eyes and thinking.

He wanted to be back in Negan's bed, he felt safe there. He knew he was safe, those strong arms that held him like he was the world. "You aren't going to let me go are you?"

Rick chuckled. "That finally clueing in angel?"

Daryl nodded in reply. Rick smiled, he stepped back towards Daryl, Rick eyed him carefully. Daryl yelped attempting to push back on the chair and he couldn't, lips pressed to his forehead. "I am not yours!"

Rick smirked as he stepped back again. "I highly doubt you will keep saying that after a while."

Rick returned to the kitchen, Daryl sucked in deep breaths trying not to crack more. This went against everything he knew and had been taught. Why was this happening to him?

Chapter Text

Daryl stopped crying, his stomach betraying him as the plates were set out. A knock at the door brought Daryl back to reality for a little while, Carol stepped in Carl behind her. In her arms was a toddler, pretty brown hair and brown eyes. "This is Judith, Daryl." Rick said as he took the squirming girl from Carols arms and brought her to Daryl. Daryl held out his arms and Rick nodded allowing him to hold her.

"Well hello," Daryl smiled, the small girl placed her hands on either side of his cheeks and smiled wide.

"She likes you." Carl commented.

"Momma!" The little girl declared, Daryl felt butterflies. Rick smiled he liked that idea, Carl and Carol looked to one another. She had never done that before, to anyone.

"Oh honey..I'm not your momma.."

The little girl got a determined look on her face. "Momma." She said again before cuddling into him, Daryl felt frozen. This entire family was crazy.

"I think she knows better, we did talk about you trying to accept your place here. Your place beside me as well." Rick commented as Carl sat down for dinner and Carol left. Daryl watched Rick with wide eyes, he was talking about this in front of his boy? "Would it help if Carl called you mom too?"

Daryl nearly dropped the baby, his hands grew shaky. Rick took her from him and placed her in her highchair.

"I would be happy to, I haven't had a mom in a long time.." Carl muttered as he took a sip of water. Daryl gulped, how could he tell two motherless children not to look to him at all.

"I don't know..I mean..I'm not a women and I..haven't ever thought about having my own kids..my fiance wouldn't like it."

Rick slammed a fist on the table, Judith hiccupped but didn't begin to cry. "You don't belong to him anymore Daryl remember. You belong to me. So lets make a compromise, Carl and Judith can call you mom and I will give you some more time to process everything in your own room. The one down the hall from me is empty, the door will be locked when you are alone. You will be in there a lot by yourself you know. You can't see the community yet, you need some more time to recover."

"My own room?"

"Yes your own room."

"Okay..alright..yes."

Carl smiled. "Mom..I like that." Carl smiled wide and up at Daryl who just tried to breath. He didn't say another word as he ate his meal and tried to think about how he had gotten here.

Why was he in a tree and not the car?

Why were they out anyway? Was it a supply run?

Why had they attacked these people?

Daryl gulped again, he knew he was confused and scared and that left him susceptible. Carl and Rick began to talk about people and things Daryl didn't know. He tried to fallow along but didn't know what exactly they were talking about, Daryl wanted to ask Carl about his eye but also didn't know how to bring that up. "Do you have a shower here?" Daryl asked, Rick looked up a smile on his face.

"Yes, I will show you after we put the kids to bed."

We.

It was the simple things that Rick said that confused Daryl more, he wasn't a part of this family. He didn't want to be.

Did he?

He nodded. "Thank you."

"Of course angel."

Carl smiled. "Mom," Daryl looked him over not sure how to respond. "Tell me about yourself. What kind of things did you do as a kid? How did you end up a savior?"

Daryl bit his lip but with the intense look Rick was giving him he knew he needed to answer. "I uhm didn't really do a lot as a kid, I hunted sometimes. I didn't have a mom either, she died in a fire...I well.. I smoked and did stuff I wasn't supposed to when I was young not because I wanted to but that was how I had to survive...If I wasn't out on the streets I was either hunting or home. When the apocalypse started my brother and I had been on a hunting trip. We spent a while on our own, met some not so great people. Negan captured us actually, my brother gave in a lot faster than I did. He wanted power, I just wanted to be left alone. Didn't end up the way I planned I guess...I mean I got a position I wasn't expecting. Fiance to the leader wasn't my goal. I was just trying to survive..it grew into something I didn't plan for."

Carl watched him with interest. "I had to kill my mom."

Daryl choked on his spaghetti.

"You what?" Daryl sputtered.

Carl frowned, he looked over Daryl and then began his story. The prison, the walkers, Judith's birth. Daryl felt sick, these people had been through so much and he almost felt bad. No kid should have to kill their own mother. "Oh Carl, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, I have you now." The boy chirped, Judith smiled chucking a string of noddle towards her father. Rick chuckled at her throwing it back.

"Yeh..you do." Daryl replied, he couldn't decide if this was all a horrible dream or real life. "Yeh..you got me now."

Rick smiled seeing his son and Daryl get along, this was going far better then he had expected. Daryl was unsure what to do, so he finished his food and waited, Carl ran off to get ready for bed. Rick removed his cuff and handed him Judith, Daryl followed Rick up the stairs into her nursery. "Real house.." Daryl repeated, even before he didn't live in a real house. He lived in a closet being abused.

Rick took the girl form him and began to change her, Daryl stood awkwardly as Rick finished up. "Rock her while I get her a bottle." Rick muttered, Daryl nodded doing as he was told. He didn't want to upset the man, or put himself or the child at risk. He didn't know what kind of things would gain an outburst like the slap to the cheek he had been given. He held the girl and began to rock her in the chair.

"Momma." The little girl whispered sleepily.

Daryl didn't say a word, he just continued to rock her, he tried to conjure up a song to hum but the only one that came to mind was the damn one from the cells of the sanctuary and he hated it. Easy Street.

Yeah nothing in his life was easy.

Judith cuddled into Daryl, Rick walked back into the room to see Judith already asleep. "Well damn, you are a miracle worker." Rick slowly picked her up and laid her in her crib. "Maybe you were meant to be her mother."

Daryl tried to hide his smile, he had always loved kids, but he never saw himself as a dad. The abuse he took as a child and then the apocalypse he had crossed that from his lists of goals a long time ago. Judith rolled over a thumb in her mouth and continued to sleep. "Now about that shower." Rick led Daryl down the hall. Rick grabbed two towels and set them on the counter.

"Two?"

"I'm not letting you do this alone."

"What?!" Daryl cried. "You gotta be fucking with me right?"

"No."

"Then fuck this," Daryl snarled. He was angry now, he wasn't usually a violent person, but this. This was bullshit.

Rick ducked as Daryl took a swing, Daryl was suddenly on his ass, blood dripping from his lip. He looked up at Rick fear taking over. "Get up and take your damn clothes off and get in there." Rick growled, his gun on the counter. Daryl gulped, he was horrified to show off his body to this man, it had taken six months of sex and dating for Daryl to remove his shirt for Negan. Negan had been understanding of his past, of his scars.

"No." Rick growled, Daryl packed up a bit on the floor. "I can't. Please don't make me do this."

"Daryl you better do it now. No shower without me so."

Daryl hissed, pants first then the top but he didn't budge from his spot. He wouldn't show his scars.

"Boxers come on." Rick grumbled. Daryl was slow, it was agonizing for Rick and Daryl. Daryl wanted to cry or scream, Rick just wanted to see his body. Once he was completely naked Rick let out a soft moan, "You really are pretty angel."

"Fuck you." Daryl growled.

Rick smiled. "Oh Darling don't be like that." Daryl whined, Rick soon was undressed. Daryl's eyes grew wide as he looked over Rick's naked body, he wasn't as chiseled or put together as Negan was but his core still felt hot. He covered himself and Rick tsksed. "Don't hide yourself from me angel."

Daryl gulped as Rick bent down towards him, he held out his hand, Daryl took it and stood trying to hide his back still. Rick turned to get the water on, Daryl didn't move. He was terrified, Rick pointed towards the cascading water and Daryl stepped in, his back pressed against the wall.

Rick stepped in and the water covered them both. "Angel, come here."

Daryl didn't move, his legs felt like Jell-O. Rick grabbed his hand pulling him closer they were inches apart now, Rick kissed his forehead, then his cheek, Daryl pulled away as Rick went to kiss his lips. Rick cocked his head, his blue eyes dark with lust. "Please dont.." Daryl whined.

Rick frowned but nodded, he let him go but didn't keep his eyes off the boy.

"You will give in." Rick muttered.

Chapter Text

Daryl panicked, he pushed himself against the shower wall. Rick pinned him against the tile, Daryl stiffened as the man looked down at him.

“My kids call you mom, I want you, you’re already here and you’re never leaving. So why don’t you just give in?” Rick asked his smile almost sinister.

“I don’t know you, I know want you, and I don’t belong to you.”

Rick growled stepping back and turning, the water cascading down his back. Daryl didn’t move he was just scared.

“Fine…fine you’re right I can’t force this..I just..fuck alright.” Rick turned back to look him over, his eyes were softer now. “I apologize.” Rick whispered.

Daryl didn’t budge. Just nodded.

Rick stepped back a bit. “You need to clean up.” Rick suggested. Daryl nodded, he went through the motions all while trying to hide himself. Rick stepped around him and Daryl turned but not before Rick caught a slight glimpse but he couldn’t tell fully.

“What was that?” Rick asked.

Daryl froze. “Nothin..”

“No, I saw something.”

Daryl whined, he didn’t move but felt himself being turned towards Rick. The mans hands tight on his shoulder blade. “Oh Daryl. Who did this to you? Angel.”

“None of your business..” Daryl hissed feeling Rick touching the scars, his finger tracing them. Rick thought for a moment.

“Please tell me Angel.”

“My dad alright, long time ago.. don’t need to talk about it please.”

“Now I see why you hid your back when you changed for me.” Rick commented. Daryl only gulped as Rick placed a kiss along the deepest scar.

“Dont!” Daryl yelled. Rick stepped back startled, he wanted to make sure he knew he liked the scars because they belonged to him. “Dont fucking do that again.”

“Mouthy.” Rick commented. “Didn’t know angles could have such potty mouths.”

“I can do a lot more then swear at you.” Daryl hissed, he felt wrong. This was wrong.

He shouldn’t be in the shower with this stranger, this stranger shouldn’t be kissing him, he was Negan’s.

“You tried that and you got your ass on the floor Daryl. Finish cleaning we will go to your room and then you’ll think about being a part of my family alone alright?”

Daryl shook his head but did as he was told, Rick was sadly right. He didn’t have any authority or strength here, he could try but he was always flattened. He wasn’t as dangerous to humans as he was the dead, and Rick was riding on that. Daryl was shaking in rage as Rick watched him dry off and change. As Daryl bent over to grab his pants he got a sharp slap to the ass.

Daryl turned quickly scoffing. “Don't touch me!”

“Soon you’ll be begging for me to touch you Darling. You’ll get tired of being alone eventually, living with me won’t be easy when you’re desperate for someone to fill you the way your ex did.”

Daryl felt his face grow hot, he knew he was all shades of deep red. “He isn’t my ex.”

“Is too, you only have me now. If you want out of this house, you’ll do good to love me.”

“I’m not allowed to leave the house? Ever?”

“Not till you’re sleeping beside me, allowing my kisses, and my advances.” Rick commented as he dressed. Daryl hissed in uncomfortable agony, this was hell. He had decided hell was this place, and Rick the devil.

“Then I will rot here.” Daryl grumbled as Rick opened the door, Rick glared at him.

“Give it a month darling. You’ll get sick of being alone really fast. That door has one lock and one key and I hold it.” Rick led Daryl into his room, Daryl looked around.

A bed, a dresser, a chair and desk. A window with bars. “Bars?”

“Never be to careful.” Rick replied.

Daryl fussed but soon was left locked alone in the room. He laid on the bed thinking hard and began to sob.

He was trapped, and he knew Negan wouldn’t come back around in fear of him being injured or killed. Merle wouldn’t either despite his wants, he wouldn’t risk him becoming a victim of abuse again.

He fell asleep shortly after, when he woke there was a plate and a note beside it sitting on the desk. He ate the breakfast and read the note.

“I’ll be busy today, someone will bring you lunch. You’ll join me for dinner. Rick.”

Daryl crumpled the note and tossed it across the room. He had to pee and didn’t know when they’d be coming back for him, he paced and whined until the door opened again.

It was Carol with a plate.

“Carol..may I please use the bathroom please.”

Carol nodded. “Of course sweetie.”

Daryl sighed in relief and she led him down the hall. He was fast about it, he didn’t really want to hurt the women and decided against fighting her. He followed her back to the room and sat down, Carol handed him the plate.

“Cookie?”

“Yes I made them.”

“You made cookies in the apocalypse?” Daryl asked as he picked it up. She smiled, her curt nod to suggest him to try it. He took a bite and smiled, he moaned as his mouth watered. “Mhhm..that’s great..”

“Haven’t had a cookie in a while pookie?”

He scrunched his face at the name but shook his head. “No. We have things and food but usually like wild game or fruits and vegetables. Not sandwiches and cookies.”

“Well we have them, your new home has those things. Rick’s really not that bad of a guy, give him a chance.”

“I haven’t really been given a chance.” Daryl muttered. “He’s locked me up and kept me from my family.”

“We are protecting our family Daryl.” Carol replied. “I promise this isn’t as bad as it seems. You seem stable on your feet I’m sure he’ll let you outside soon.”

Daryl lowered his head. He didn’t know if he should mention the threat of being trapped here in this house, this room, until he agreed to be his. He grew silent for a while.

“I’ll be back to see you soon.” Carol promised before she left. He nodded and watched as she left. He tried to look out the window but it was hazy.

He sat and thought more about what to do.

Maybe he should just give in and he can escape? If he isn’t trapped in a room then he can get to the road.

He knew he had just told Rick he would never be his however and he couldn’t just give up and give in after saying he wouldn’t.

He picked up the paper and uncrumpled the ball, he read it again eyeing his hand writing. It was oddly nice, not scribbled like his.

He read it again.

Rick.

Why was it that this man was so different? Why did he want him? Why had Negan wanted him? Why was he a magnet for strong dominate protective men?

This wasn’t how he had imagined his life, but if he was being honest, he thought he would die as a kid. After being abused for so long.

Chapter Text

Negan was sick, sick to his stomach. Everything made him think of Daryl, their bedroom, Daryl's bike, meal times, the shower. Everything he did or needed to do made him think of his precious Daryl. He kept thinking about his sweet face, about the last time he had seen him.

He was shaking, gagged, blindfolded, and handcuffed.

Held by a crazy man with a gun to his head.

No one hurt his Daryl like this, no one got away with harming what belonged to him. He wondered if hurting anyone from the other communities counted in Rick's threat and he wasn't sure what to do. He needed his Daryl back, and so sending someone in was his best plan.

He knew they should wait a few days before they did or it would be suspicious, but Sherri seemed the best candidate. A women alone in the apocalypse would make any person stop to think and help. He just hoped it would work.

-

Daryl was still pacing, his legs burned with each step but he hated being stuck inside the damn room, maybe he should have just given in. He wanted something to do, he was just stuck in this room with nothing. He had read the note again and again, he hadn't eaten everything in seconds this time so he at least had a few things to snack on but that was it.

He picked up the chair and rearranged the desk and bed, but put them back after a while feeling it fit the room better. He watched through the fuzzy window, he couldn't see well, it was getting darker and that really wasn't helping. He was waiting for Rick at this point, he hated waiting on that man.

"Negan..I'm sorry for what I have to do to get back to you." Daryl whispered knowing Negan couldn't hear him. He sat cross legged on the bed until the door opened.

Rick smiled looking over the long haired man. "Daryl, Dinner."

Daryl got up and followed him, he was cuffed to the chair once again but didn't fight it. "What is it tonight?"

"Carol made a lasagna for us." Rick replied as he set it on the table, Carl and Judith were sitting at the table already.

"Momma!" Judith clapped seeing Daryl, he couldn't help but smile at the small girl.

"Rick..would..would it be okay if maybe..I watch Judith during the day? I hate being in there alone, nothing to do..bored and.."

"You want to watch Judith?"

"I would rather do that then sit alone."

Rick thought about it for a moment, "If you want to that badly I suppose. I want someone with you though, for a little while, maybe.." Carl looked up with a smile.

"I am sure Maggie would like to." Carl replied.

"I think that's a good idea bud."

"You'll love Maggie, mom." Carl smiled excitedly, "She is so cool and grew up on a farm. She's married to Glenn and they are planning on having a baby sometime soon and I am sure she would love to make friends with you. If you love watching kids then that would help her a ton too, her dad saved me after I got shot."

"You were shot? Is that how your ey-"

Carl gave him a lopsided smile. "No, that was a different time. Been shot at a lot, just only got hit a few times."

"But it was a bullet wound?"

"It was." Carl replied.

Daryl gulped, what kind of lives did they live that children were put in so much danger? "I think Maggie would be a great option darling." Rick smiled, Daryl nodded but didn't like the word darling still. "Carl why don't you show mom some pictures when you two are done before bed? I can put Juddy down and join you after."

"Yeh! I like that idea."

"Su..sure."

Rick smiled, Daryl was just trying to stay afloat at the moment. He didn't know what else to do but agree, he couldn't go anywhere and wouldn't harm a child. Daryl finished first, Carl was done soon after and Rick let his ankle free from the cuff. Daryl sat on the couch and waited for Carl to return with a photo album.

"We found a camera that just gives you pictures when you take them. So we have lots of pictures of our family, we've lost a lot of people too, but they are all here." Carl patted the book. "I found it real early on so everyone is in there. Surprised I kept it this long really. We can do a family picture when you and dad officially tie the knot and you'll be in here too."

Daryl furrowed his brow.

"Tie the knot?"

"Yeh, dad says we will be real family. You two are going to get married eventually."

Daryl tried to fight the tears. He was supposed to marry Negan, not Rick. "That will be nice won't it.." Daryl managed trying not to show his feelings. Carl nodded smiling as he opened the book, Daryl eyed each photo for a while.

"This was mom before she died," Carl said handing him a photo of a younger looking Carl and Rick with a women. "Michonne helped me get this picture, she got a cat statue and I got this." He smiled thinking back to a time before.

"What was your moms name?" Daryl asked.

"Lori." Carl replied with a sigh. "This is Shane, he was my dads best friend and work partner." Daryl looked at the image of a man standing beside Lori and a young Carl again. "This is Dale, he and Shane aren't with us anymore. Oh and this is Amy and Andrea. Sisters, also dead." Daryl felt weird looking at images of people he didn't know and would never meet. "This is Glenn, he is Maggie's husband. He used to deliver pizzas."

"Never had a pizza before." Daryl muttered.

"What?"

"I never had pizza," Daryl replied, "before all this I got whatever was left over from meals but dad didn't like pizza much. Merle might have given me a pizza crust before but never had a real pizza."

Carl looked up at Daryl confused. "How old are you?"

"I uhm..twenty six now I think."

"And that would mean you would have been like twenty-one when this all started and you never had pizza?"

"I guess that's right." Daryl felt shame rise up within him. He hadn't really been allowed things being locked up in a closet most of his life, he didn't really know why his father had done it. He was just a bad man, and Daryl got the butt end of it. Merle had gotten fists and bottles thrown at him as well, but Daryl was always the one who got it the worst.

"Well if we find the stuff I am sure we could make a pizza for you. I am sure Glenn remembers how," the boy smiled big. Daryl smiled at the idea.

"You think so?"

"We take care of our own here, you will see." Daryl felt his heart beat faster, butterflies fill his stomach. Their own. He didn't belong to these people. "This is Maggie, and her dad, Hershel, and sister Beth." Carl smiled running his thumb along the image of Beth. "I miss her...she died or got lost we don't know..we just never found her again..."

"Hershel seems real nice."

"He's dead too."

"Oh.."

"Oh this is Sophia, I miss her lots too. This is Carol when we first met her too, she was real scared of everyone. Her husband was an abusive bastard." Daryl took the photo in his hand. Carol did look nervous, short hair, holding onto a small blonde child. "Then we hav-"

"You two getting along well?" Rick asked cutting Carl off as he sat down beside Daryl.

Before Daryl knew it he was in Rick's lap, he attempted to pull away but Carl scooted over leaning against them both. Daryl took in a deep breath as Rick wrapped his arm around him. "Yes dad we are, did you know mom has never had a pizza before."

Daryl grew stiff, he felt Rick breathing on his neck, he was trying not to cry or scream. "Never had a pizza before? Well that just isn't right is it. Glenn I am sure could help remedy that. Surprising, never had pizza. You are more interesting every time we talk Daryl."

"Yeh..I guess."

Daryl looked down at his hands, he was shaking. Rick continued to hold him close to his body, Daryl felt Rick's hard-on and tried to ignore it. Carl continued to show him people and faces, most of which Carl commented were dead. Michonne looked both epic and terrifying all at the same time, Abraham and Rosita looked like movie action heroes. "Time for bed now son." Rick commented, Carl closed the book and set it on the table.

"Night dad, night mom."

"Night kid." Daryl managed, his face grew a bright red as Carl hugged him. Daryl hugged him back in the awkward position he was in on Rick's lap. "See you tomorrow."

Carl nodded running up to his room.

Daryl was frozen in place. "Bed then.."

"Not yet." Rick replied, Daryl felt a kiss on his temple, then his jaw. Daryl yelped in panic as he was pinned to the couch, Rick had his arms above his head. The way Rick was set on top of him forced his legs down as well. He wiggled in fear as Rick began to kiss along his neck and face. "Please..let me do this."

"If I don't?" Daryl asked as Rick breathed heavily sucking on his collarbone.

That would leave a mark.

"Then you stay in that room. For a while." Rick replied as he pulled away admiring the small hickie. "Just kisses Daryl, nothing more, unless you want more."

Daryl wiggled in protest. Kisses..okay he can do that right? Just pretend he is Negan. "Fine...jus-" He was suddenly captured in a deep kiss, Rick had one hand cupping his cheek, while his wrists were held by the other hand above his head. "Hump-" He grunted into the kiss, soon the passion grew deeper. Rick had Daryl in his lap once again, Daryl let out a surprised yelp as one hand slipped under his shirt holding the back of him closer as Rick continued to kiss him deeply.

They broke away to breath, Daryl didn't know what to do or how to respond. Rick smiled before pulling him back for more, Daryl's hair was wild as Rick stood, Daryl's legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, his arms around his neck not to fall. Daryl was pressed against the wall, Rick muttered into his kisses. "Fuck Angel.." Rick moaned biting his lip softly. Daryl whined into the kisses, they grew deeper and more passionate with each one. Daryl hated himself for enjoying this, hated himself for betraying Negan.

Rick carried him up the stairs, their lips hardly parting. Daryl flailed as he was thrown on Rick's bed, he sat back against the headboard. "More please." Rick begged him. Daryl was breathing heavy, he pulled his knees into his body.

"I can't..please don't do this now..please..that was so much already."

Rick stood breathing heavily, "You can't tell me you didn't like that?"

Daryl lowered his eyes trying to hide his red face, he had enjoyed it and that was why he didn't want to speak. Rick smiled seeing his lip quiver a bit, he had liked it.

"I..I di- what the fuck!" Daryl yelled as Rick's shirt was on the floor. "Fuck off..no no.."

"Just getting ready for bed now darling. Or would you rather the other room?"

"Other room." Daryl replied as he stood quickly and stormed away, Rick caught Daryl's wrist as he opened the door. "Let me go."

"You liked that," Rick growled, "you loved it."

"Stay away from me." Daryl sobbed, Rick only smiled. "Please.."

"Why?"

"Because I hate the person I am with you. I shouldn't have liked that, I am engaged, you kidnapped me, you threatened my life. I am not yours..I am not your..your angel or darling. I am Negan's, I am Daryl Dixon, I a-"

"Dixon." Rick's eyes grew wide with realization.

"Dixon."

"You're Will Dixon's son."

Daryl's eyes grew wide, how did he know his father. "Yes."

"That fucking bastard did that to you? I should have shot him during that damn drug deal I stopped, wait a damn minute. That one handed guy is Merle isn't it?" Daryl nodded feeling himself shake, tears began to well up again. "I thought he only had one boy?"

"You would be smart to have thought that, I lived locked up in a closet. I didn't get outside much, when I was out I was usually on the run from my own dad. Drug deals for money, living on the street, drug houses...prostituting myself for cash I..I didn't..I didn't know if anyone knew about me except my ol' man and Merle..mom died in a fire..I almost died in that fire but for some reason Merle saved me from that damn closet."

Rick let his wrist go, Daryl was shaking more, tears began to fall.

Daryl dropped to his knees and Rick was quick to hold him, Daryl continued to sob as Rick held him tightly. "It's alright now, I have you..I have you Daryl I didn't know...if I had I would have saved you from them..I did so many damn calls to the Dixon's place.. I didn't know you were even there."

"No one did." Daryl replied through choked ragged sobbing. "No one did..no..no one.." He continued to sob holding onto Rick. He just needed comfort now, that was all he wanted. After the tears stopped falling he looked up at the blue eyed ex-cop. "Can I stay in here tonight.."

"Of course darling." Daryl thanked him softly, he was carefully lifted onto the bed. Rick didn't bother with the clothes or bothering him anymore. They slept back turned to one another until Daryl finally fell asleep, Rick carefully adjusted him so he was holding the shaking angel. "I will protect you Daryl." Rick whispered to his sleeping form. He kissed his forehead and fell asleep once again.

Chapter Text

Daryl woke cuddled in Rick’s embrace, he stiffened as he attempted to pull away but was pulled back into his grasp. Rick sleepily muttered something and continued to hold him tightly.

“Rick..morning..let me go!” He grunted in protest.

That was when Carl walked in. “Dad! Oh..hi mom.”

Daryl felt his face grow deep red. “Hey…” he replied as as Rick slowly woke.

“What is it Carl?” Rick asked rubbing sleep from his eyes. Daryl slipped from his grip and stood quickly.

“Uhm well never mind actually, I went to get mom up and he wasn’t in his room. Guess he was in here.” Carl was excited to see his ‘parents’ sleeping in the same room. “Judith isn’t up yet should I go out and get Maggie?”

“Go ahead kiddo,” Rick muttered still half asleep.

Carl nodded running off. Daryl looked Rick up and down trying to recall what happened last night, he then remembered the kisses and Rick knowing his father. “Morning darling.” Rick said as he stood, he handed Daryl an outfit and then began to get changed himself.

“Morning…I..I”

“Change then we talk.” Daryl begrudgingly stripped and quickly pulled clothes on, Rick watched him all the while. “Damn darling your body,” Rick mused, “sexy as fuck.”

Daryl grew embarrassed, his shirt was tight fitting and his arms exposed, which was now he liked it, but it felt odd to be oogled at.

Daryl felt himself getting backed into a corner, Rick took a step forward and he took a step backward.

Rick soon had hands resting on either side of his head holding onto the wall, Rick eyed the archer who took in a deep breath. “I would like a good morning kiss.” Rick grunted. Daryl hesitantly leaned forward doing as he was told knowing it wouldn’t end his way. Rick smiled humming in satisfaction. “I’ve got morning wood, mind he-“

“No..no thank you.” Daryl hissed.

“Eventually you will.” Rick replied as he let the man step away. Daryl felt his stomach drop at the thought of being Rick’s pleasure, he was Negan’s not Rick’s.

He couldn’t have both, even if he wanted it, which he didn’t. He shook his head chastising himself, he belonged to Negan.

Daryl followed Rick down the stairs, his body shaking. As he sat down on the couch waiting for this Maggie to come to the place of his imprisonment Rick sat beside him.

“Daryl. Angel I really want you to love me, love this place, love the people. Why not just give in, you already know that you’re never leaving and that I want you and my children to want you as their mother. If you do you can explore this place, get to know everyone.”

“I don’t want to be here forever.”

“I’m sorry but this is how it must be or else Negan will kill my people. My family, our children.”

Our.

That word again.

He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. “I’m not yours..I can never be true her you want me to be..”

“Why not?”

“I’m engaged.”

“You were engaged.” Rick muttered. “Not anymore.”

Daryl let out a ragged sigh, maybe he was right, Negan wouldn’t be able to save him. Not this time.

Rick stood as Maggie entered the house, “Maggie, this is Daryl.”

“Nice to meet you, Carl has told me all about you. Glenn and I would be happy to make a pizza for you and Rick’s family if we can find the ingredients.” She held out her hand, her hair was longer now then it had been in the photo Carl showed him.

He shook her hand as well. “Thanks..I guess we are going to be spending some time together..”

“I’d be happy to help you watch Judith. She’s a darling.”

“She calls Daryl mom.” Carl beamed. “So do I.”

“Oh. Do you now?” Maggie wasn’t always completely on track with their leaders plans, but it seemed the kids really enjoyed Daryl even in his short time being here. “Well that’s wonderful isn’t it, don’t worry Rick I’ve got him and we will be just fine.”

Rick nodded a thanks to her as Rick and Carl left for the day. “Hungry?” Daryl asked, Maggie nodded a smile on her face. Daryl opened the fridge curious what was inside. Bread, handmade jam. He took four pieces of bread out and toasted them, he was amazed all of this stuff worked. He spread the jam on the bread and handed her two of the slices on a plate.

“Thank you.” She said. “You’re very polite, and kind.”

“I try, oddly enough.”

Maggie smirked, they are in silence until the cry of Judith alerted them to her waking. Daryl headed up the stairs to her room, Maggie followed. Daryl didn’t really need supervision it was clear to Maggie Daryl wouldn’t hurt the child or try to escape with the girl under his watch.

She was just there to help babysit Judith is what he decided then, and make a new friend. Daryl changed her while Maggie found an outfit.

“Momma!” The little girl squealed happily.

“He wasn’t joking when they said she called you that were they?”

“No; I..I don’t even know why she does it.” Daryl picked her up and carried her down the stairs once she was dressed and changed. “It’s not like I look like her mom..”

“She never even knew her mother.” Maggie replied remembering that day clearly. “So it’s interesting she calls you that.”

“Odd.” Daryl muttered as he set her in her chair. He fed her some applesauce, she smiled and ate happily. Maggie got her a sippy-cup of juice, Daryl set her on the ground to play with the few toys they had for her. “I know a place with toys.” He commented as he picked up a stuffed bear. “And supplies for her.”

“Really?” Maggie asked interested.

“Yeh, I remember cause I don’t go on a lot of runs. It was in between a picked over supermarket and like an old car place. M..Marie’s Toys and Tots.” He smiled memories came back to him all but the day he wanted to remember.

“Could you show me it on a map?”

“That’s the problem I don’t use maps. I just remember by land marks. I doubt Rick would let me go on a run though.” He began to mumble to himself.

“If he came with I’m sure you could.”

“Would he?” He asked curious.

“Once you’ve gained his trust I’m sure.” Maggie replied as she held Judith. He waved the bear side to side and she giggled reaching for it. “Does it have baby supplies?”

“It might have, we didn’t go inside. I just saw through the window the toys.” Daryl replied. “Carl said you were planning on trying for a baby soon. You feel safe enough doing that?”

“We feel very secure here. Even with Negan as a threat, tell me do you really love him?”

Daryl felt his heart beat quicken. “I think I do. We’ve been together for so long now. It wasn’t always like that though..I was his prisoner too. I remember being terrified of him once, I understand the fear everyone has but he’s a good man when you get to know him. I didn’t have to want for anything, I tried hard to be useful, work and stuff…but I..I just didn’t get to. I wish he had let me, honestly. I didn’t like being inside all the time, I loved being able to go on hunts and runs. He was nervous of something like this happening to me with all the enemies he has. I believe I love him, but I-“ he bit his lip. “It wasn’t always love, but I do love him. Rick wants me to love him, and I keep thinking about how hurt Negan will be, so yes.”

“He held you captive once?”

“Yes.” He replied adjusting his collar, he ran his hand down his side stopping on an old wound from Negan himself. “I hadn’t always been as docile as I am now. I still feel the need to fight and attack, but I’ve learned the hard way I’m not built for that as much as I’d like to believe.” He lifted his shirt, it was just a small scar. “I punched him, and I punched him hard. Broke his nose, split his lip. The wound was worse then it looks. I remember trying to go see one of the communities, running off on my own after we first started dating officially. My ass was so red I couldn’t sit for a week, not to that I could if I had wanted to..he locked me up in a cell for two so I would learn my lesson. I remember those chains the most. That was when I learned unless I was told to go outside I shouldn’t.”

He rubbed his wrists the memory of the chains holding him up against the wall in the cell present. Maggie gasped. “Daryl that isn’t love. He’s abused you and make you think it’s love.”

“Feels more real to me then anything I’ve ever had. He does it out of love to protect me, why I have rules that I have to follow.”

“Rules?” Maggie inquired.

Daryl didn’t know why he was confessing all these things to her, but she felt good. “Rules. Stay in his sight or Dwights, Merles, or Simons. Tell him what I’m doing and where I’m going. Stay inside the walls. Sex..sex daily and when he wants. Keep myself as pure as I can, no killing people unless I have to. Walkers are fine. If I feel like somethings wrong I should say something. No secrets or lies. I belong to Negan and Negan alone. I..yeah..just that’s..those are just some of them.”

Maggie felt sick for Daryl, “Daryl are you really okay? What did he did if you broke a rule?”

“Depends on the severity, smaller lesser breaks usually just a spank or lash. Sometimes I wasn’t allowed out of or room or put in a cell. Bigger things like going out on my own or not being in his sight or one of the others was worse..” he didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want every detail of his life given to her, but at the same time he felt comfortable enough to share. “No meals, or the cell for longer, non stop sex which isn’t inherently bad just when I can’t have a break..I yeah..uhm..worse spankings with a paddle. Public sex..ugh..That’s the worst..I hate when he does that. Meetings…meals…whenever he wants fuck..”

“Hey..you’re safe here now.” Maggie promised.

“But yes usually so good to me. He’s kind and caring and gives me everything I could ask for. He loves me, it’s just for my own safety, if I misbehave I get a punishment. It’s my fault when those things happen.”

“Daryl that isn’-“

“Not everyone has a similar love life. Dom sub relationships are normal.”

“Yes I know that, but your punishments and rules should be something you both agree too.” Maggie replied. “Do you have a safe word?”

“What’s a safe word?”

She grumbled. “For if he goes to far and you don’t like what’s happening.”

“Then no.” Daryl replied.

“Oh honey. Maybe it’s a good thing you’re here.”

“But I love him, he’s usually so good. So kind to me it’s just when I’ve misbehaved. When it’s my fault.” Maggie knew arguing with him wouldn’t do anything. Daryl was convinced otherwise. “I’ve been abused my whole life, this doesn’t feel the same. It’s different, I agreed to a dominate and submissive lifestyle, I didn’t agree to the life I had before.”

“Dary-“

“Can we talk about something else now please?” Daryl asked as Judith walked to him. He held her tightly and carefully.

“Alright then. How are you liking Rick?”

“He’s..different.” Daryl replied. “I never thought anyone would look at me like a parent, and yet he lets his kids call me mom. Which is also weird for me.”

Maggie nodded understanding. “You’ll get used to him. His methods are weird at times, he’s brash, but he’s not always been like this. Losing so many people has sent him over the edge.”

Daryl nodded remembering the many people in the photo album, most dead. “I guess that makes sense.”

“Give him time; you may see that he is a lot better of a man then you believe now.”

Daryl thought about it, maybe she was right. He didn’t know if he wanted to find that out. He was mostly happy with the life he had before, and he wanted Negan to save him.

Chapter Text

Rick came back around noon, Daryl had gotten Judith down for her nap. Maggie and Daryl were busy making lunch together, talking about things mostly about Rick and the group and what they had lived through.

“He killed his best friend?” Daryl asked wide eyed and surprised.

“He did it to save us all, we didn’t know it at the time but if we would have lost Rick we wouldn’t have survived the winter. Judith would have never been born. We never would have survived. He is a true leader.”

Daryl was interested to hear more, Rick however stepped into the kitchen. Daryl stiffened, “how was he today Maggie?”

“He doesn’t really need anyone to watch him if I’m being honest.” Maggie replied handing him a sandwich they had made together. “He’s good.”

Rick beamed, Daryl felt his face grow hot and he just smiled thankful to her. “Well sounds like she trust you, maybe we can take a walk after lunch show you around a little?”

“Really?!” Daryl asked excitement hitting him hard. “We can go outside?

“Of course.” Rick smiled, he muttered happily as he enjoyed the sandwich.

“Just gonna go use the bathroom.” Daryl said as he headed up the stairs. Rick nodded.

“We have things to discuss.” Maggie said. “He hasn’t had it easy with Negan. A dominant and submissive lifestyle but nothing to benefit him. No safe word, they didn’t discuss rules or punishments. Some of the things he told me were horrific Rick. He’s not had it good, public rape Rick. He’s not allowed to tell Negan no to sex at all, he said when he tried to go see a community he was locked in a cell for two weeks after having his ass beat. He’s not well, he thinks he deserved all those things.”

Rick’s eyes were wide in surprise. “Are you serious?”

“Yes Rick. I really am. I know you don’t always think everything through but maybe, maybe try a softer approach. He may react better to it then making him life the same life as he did before.”

Rick lowered his head for a moment. “Maybe you’re right.”

Daryl headed down the stairs again smiling big. He ate and then waited till they were done. “Walk?”

“Promise.” Rick smiled. “Maggie will you keep an eye on Jude?”

“Course.” She smiled. “Think about what I said.” She whispered to Rick as Daryl pulled his shoes on and waited by the door. He was like a puppy waiting to go on a walk.

Rick nodded. He needed to calm down with Daryl, which would be hard. The man drove him wild in ways he didn’t know how to explain. Just looking at him sent him over the edge, he was constantly adjusting his hard on just thinking about him. He took a deep breath and opened the door. “Will you hold my hand please, while we walk.” Rick asked him hoping he’d accept.

Daryl was hesitant but did as he was asked. He held out his hand for Rick to take. He was nervous and didn’t know where he was so this felt better. Rick took his hand quickly holding tightly, Daryl lifted his chin up to look at the rows of houses, family’s were walking together, children running.

This was like a dream.

“Whoa.” Daryl gasped. “This is like a real place not..not just a building.”

“Yeh, a real place Daryl. We have families here. Lives. Do you see why I can’t let anything happen here?”

Daryl nodded following Rick wherever he led. He was amazed to see a garden growing. People smiling and talking, everyone had a weapon on them but they didn’t seem worried about using it. A few people waved to Rick, a man ran up to them with a smile.

“Rick! Is this Daryl? Carl won’t stop talking about him.”

Daryl shuffled a bit. “Yes this is.” Rick smiled. “Daryl this is Aaron.”

“Hello.” Daryl smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

Aaron smiled. “No wonder Carl won’t stop, he’s nice and I can see why you find him attractive.”

“Aaron you better keep your hands on your husband.” Rick teased.

“I assure you I will.” Aaron smirked. “I’ll see you around.”

Daryl waved as he ran off. “He’s got a husband?”

“Most people here have relationships, real ones. Some from before and some new. Lots of young families as well, some are just forming. The apocalypse makes a lot of orphans, we happily take them in.” Daryl nodded amazed. “They go to school as well. Or the best we got, they rotate so they can do their jobs too.”

“Jobs?”

“Most of the kids help with the plants, but a few like Carl do runs and hunts.”

“You let our son outside the walls to hunt?” Daryl gasped. Rick couldn’t help but smile. “Why are you smiling like that?”

“You said our son.”

“No I didn’t I said your.”

“No you said our.”

“I did?”

“You did darling.”

“No..I didn’t.”

“Whatever you say babe.” Rick replied with a smirk. “But yes he’s a good shot, and he’s better outside then in. I think you’d be good at it too once I can trust you to give you that bow back.”

Daryl breathed a sigh of relief. “You have my bow?”

“I do.” Rick smiled. “Maybe when..if you marry me you can have it back.”

Daryl choked. “Marry you?”

“Skip the dating and engaged stage, life is to short in this world for that.” Rick smiled. “If you’d marry me. I mean you already are the mother to my children.”

Daryl looked down at the ground. Rick’s head shot up as commotion came from the guards at the gate. Daryl had to jog to keep up with Rick as he dragged him along.

“What is it?” Rick asked.

“A women. Says she needs help.”

“Let her in then, take her weapons. I’ll be back. They nodded, Rick pulled Daryl along back home. “Think about my offer angel.”

Daryl just nodded as he was put back inside. “Maggie.” Daryl called. The women appeared with a smile. “This place is incredible.”

“It sure is. Are you okay?”

“I’m starting to question a lot of things.” Daryl replied as he sat beside her. “Rick wants me to marry him.”

Maggie’s eyes grew wide, she facepalmed. “He’s not good at tactically subtle about his feelings is he?”

“No.” He thought for a moment. “I..I don’t know what’s right or wrong. Negan..I’ve just been his first so long. I can’t betray him like this, but when we talked about things he and I have done together it makes sense why some things weren’t good..why I was always scared of doing something wrong. I just I can’t deny the feelings I have for him either though.”

“I understand.”

“I did a lot of things I’m not proud of to survive. Before all this I had to sell myself for meals, cash, a night in a room instead of the streets. Those men were harsh, didn’t give two shits about me. I’ve always been in bad situations, Negan gave me something no one had ever before. I felt wanted for once..now I don’t know if I’m just crazy..because Rick’s doing the same damn thing just..softer. He’s messed up, but he hasn’t done more then scare me..slapped me once but.”

“He slapped you? God he’s an idiot.”

Daryl couldn’t help but laugh at her. “I can say Negan was looking for me, he cares enough about me to come looking for me.”

“Yes, but is it for him or you?”

“I..I don’t know.”

Maggie nodded. “Sometimes we love people for the wrong reasons.”

Daryl thought for a while. He loved Merle because he was his brother despite all the torture he had helped put him through. He loved Negan but now he wondered if it was out of fear.

“Rick just isn’t always smart. But give him a chance, I’ll talk to him about not being an idiot.”

Daryl smiled. Maggie was nice, Carol was too, Carl and Judith liked him well enough. Aaron seemed nice despite only meeting him for a moment. Rick had mood swings but when he stepped back he always gave Daryl the choice.

-

“What’s your name sweetie, you look half dead.” Rick handed her a water bottle. Carl stood beside his father.

“Sherri.” She managed breathing heavy. Dwight had dropped her off an hour and half walk from the front gate and it took her three. She had gotten caught in a small hoard and nearly died. She drank quickly. “I..I saw the gates and just prayed people were here.”

“Lucky you then.” Carl said. “Dad, should we trust her?”

“She looks harmless enough.”

“Alright.”

“Would you like to come to dinner at our place tonight?” Rick offered. “Carl go ask Maggie and your ma to make dinner.”

“Yes sir.” Carl raced off. “Mom. Will you make dinner with Maggie. The new lady is coming.”

“Course.” Daryl managed. Maggie and Daryl began to get ingredients together. The two cooked and talked when the door opened and Rick walked in a women behind him.

Daryl stopped dead dropping the plate in his hands as Sherri stepped into the light. Her eyes grew wide and she tried to compose herself. He gulped and picked it up, they didn’t know one another. He couldn’t let Rick know he knew her. “Honey, this is Sherri.”

“Hi..” Daryl managed out. She smiled.

“Hello.”

Daryl stayed beside Maggie as he helped get plates put together. He heard crying and went to head up to get Judith. “Where’s the bathroom?” Sherri asked.

“I can show her.” Daryl promised. Rick nodded accepting him to do so. They headed up the stairs and as he showed her the bathroom she held him tightly.

“He’s worried sick about you.” She whispered. “He called you honey, his kids call you mom?!”

“I’m trying not to get myself killed. I’m not enjoying this Sherri. I’m devastated and..and Negan..all I want is to get back to him in once piece. What are you doing here?”

“He sent me in to keep an eye on you! To get you out of here.”

“That won’t be easy. I’ve got to get the baby before he asks questions.”

“Baby?”

“She’s two.”

“There’s a lot of kids here.”

“There’s a lot of families too.” Daryl whispered. “Rick..he’s dangerous but so is everyone. The kid, Carl, has killed more people then I have.”

“He will be so glad to know you haven’t been hurt.”

“If he finds out about you I will be.” Daryl hissed as he turned to get Judith. “Hey Juddy.” He smiled and picked her up and carried her down the stairs. Sherri waited, flushed the toilet and washed her hands before coming to dinner.

Daryl tried to ignore her and her fake tale or being outside for days. He fed Judith and listened to Carl talk about school. “Sherri.” Carl began. “Do you have any family or did you?”

She looked between them. “I did, Negan’s group took him from me.”

“You know Negan’s group?” Rick asked curious. “How long ago?”

“Long time ago. Start of the apocalypse.”

Rick breathed hoping that meant she didn’t know of Daryl. “We hope to keep him from us.”

“I’m sure. He’s dangerous. Heard he kidnapped and raped someone till they agreed to marry him. Poor bastard.” Daryl grew stiff.

Nice going Sherri. He mumbled to himself.

“Yes and he’s killed a lot of people.” Rick replied.

“Mom you don’t look so good.” Carl said. “Are you okay?”

“Fine kiddo.” Daryl replied. Rick look him over, he looked pale.

“Honey, really you don’t look so good.”

Daryl stood and raced up the stairs Rick right behind him. Sherri grew stiff knowing she had gone to far. Daryl began to throw up into the toilet, Rick held his hair back rubbing circles into his back.

“Angel. What’s wrong?”

“Just don’t feel good, talking about me like I’m not here..Negan..” he whined. He cleaned his mouth out with water and gulped. “I..I think I’m going to lay down..please.”

Rick nodded. “Get some rest.”

Daryl headed to his room, Rick was slightly disappointed by it but understood.

“Mom okay?” Carl asked as Rick came back down to dinner.

“Just feeling funny, probably still dizzy from when he fell out of the tree.”

Sherri raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask. “I’m sorry, is he really okay?”

“He will be fine. Would you like to sleep on the couch tonight while we find you a place to live?”

“Sure I’d love that.” Sherri smiled. Judith tossed a strawberry at Carl who laughed and chucked it at his dad.

“You’re not supposed to help her be a menace.” Rick grumbled. Sherri couldn’t help but smile seeing them interact as a family.

That night she decided to go check on Daryl. Was curdled up in a ball sobbing. “Daryl. We can get out tonight.”

“I don’t have a weapon.” He whispered. “I can’t.”

“This might help.” She pulled a Walkie from her pack. “Negan.”

Daryl’s eyes grew wide. “Negan. Are you there?”

“Oh my god Dare..are you okay?”

“So far.” He replied smiling big. “It’s so good to hear your voice.”

“Sherri made it alright?”

“Yes sir.” Daryl answered.

“We will get you out of there. What are they doing to you?”

“He wants me to marry him. He wants me to live with him. I..I’m just trying to survive sir. He’s tried to fuck me but I won’t let him..he’s kissed me..sir I’m sorry.”

“Daryl. I love you, I need you to just survive okay? If you need to do those things to survive do them. I’ll kill the bastard regardless.” Negan sounded furious. “I promise. I’ll save you.”

“So give him my body then?” Daryl asked confused. He had expected Negan to tell him not to.

“If you gotta.” Negan replied again. “Stay alive for me. I’ll fuck you good and plenty when you come back to make you forget.”

Daryl froze. “I love you.” Daryl managed.

“I love you too.”

Daryl smiled as the walkie went off. Sherri hid it back in her pack. “When we get your weapons, and mine back we go.”

“Yes Sherri.” Daryl whispered unsure if he would go when the time came.

Sherri crept back to sleep on the couch. Daryl rolled to his side unsure what to do. He had permission now to do whatever it took, and maybe he would just to see where it would lead.

Chapter Text

Daryl woke early, he was up first and decided it was time to do what he wanted. Negan said he could do whatever to get back to him. He headed down the stairs; cooked breakfast, changed, dressed and fed Judith, packed Carl a lunch for school, and washed the dishes from dinner before Rick or the others woke.

Rick headed down the stairs to see Daryl sitting with Sherri and Judith, eating breakfast. As Rick got down the last step Daryl had a plate in hand for him. “Morning.”

“You’re in a better mood.”

“Thought some things through.” Daryl replied, Rick felt himself grow hot in his core.

“You mean.”

“Yes.” Daryl replied.

It was a lie and a truth. Carl came running down the stairs at the smell of bacon. Daryl smiled as he ate. “Packed you lunch today kid.”

“Wow mom! You’re the best.” Carl kissed his cheek and Daryl felt himself smile. Sherri was interested to watch them, Daryl seemed like a different person.

“Sherri I’ll show you around after we eat. Darling, I’ll be back for lunch.” Rick smiled. Daryl sighed in relief, he felt uncomfortable having Sherri here. She reminded him to much of what he had and what he wasn’t sure if he wanted back.

He loved Negan, and he didn’t want to fuck that up. But in Alexandria he felt like a person, there were families here. Good food and a community. He liked looking out the window and seeing rows of houses and people instead of the yard of walkers Negan had as guards.

Sherri felt the same, she hadn’t expected what she walked into.

She however had been promised something she couldn’t pass up if she got Daryl back to Negan. A better room for she and Dwight, and he wouldn’t be out in the field so much, they could finally try for a baby.

Seeing Daryl with Judith made her want what she was promised more.

The two left and Daryl was alone with Carl and Judith.

“You know her don’t you?”

“What?”

“She’s from the sanctuary isn’t she mom?”

“Yes.” Daryl couldn’t lie. “Don’t tell your dad please.”

“I won’t but you will.” Carl replied. “He’s gonna freak but if you’re honest with him he won’t be so bad.”

“I didn’t know they were going to send her.” Daryl replied softly. “Honestly.”

“You looked shocked when she came inside yesterday, you dropped the plate. I noticed. Then you were sick. That isn’t normal behavior. I believe you didn’t know.”

“I’m not sure what I want Carl. If I want to go home or stay here.”

“Judith and I love you.” Carl smiled. “I’m serious when I call you mom I want you as that. I’ve held on so tight to people and they always leave me. You won’t leave me will you?”

Daryl frowned. “I..I don’t want to lie to you when I say I won’t leave you. I just don’t know…”

“Daryl. I really want you to stay. If things had been different I think we would have gone through this together. That you and dad would have fallen in love the normal way.”

Daryl thought about it. He had been volatile and dangerous when he was younger, he was a scared kid. He was still scared, he wondered if maybe they would have fallen in love like normal or if they wouldn’t have.

“I think you should tell dad.”

“Sherri isn’t dangerous. She can’t even lift a heavy box.” Daryl muttered.

“But dad told Negan what would happen.”

“Is he going to actually harm me?”

“I don’t know, I doubt it. With Sherri here though..he may just to prove a point.” He replied. “I hope not.”

“I do too..alright I..I will tell him. Have a good day at school.”

Carl smiled and ran off.

Rick came back after Judith went down for a nap. “Rick.” Daryl sighed as he came inside.

“Hey darling.”

“I have something to tell you.”

“You do? What’s it about? Is it about what I told you to consider?”

“No..well..kinda.”

“What is it then?” Rick asked sitting down on the couch, Daryl sat across from him.

Daryl twiddled his thumb. “Sherri.”

“What about her?” Rick asked.

“She’s from..I know her.”

Rick’s eyes grew wide and things fell into place. “Oh my god that’s why you were so pale.”

“I didn’t know they were gonna send her..she’s harmless and ditzy honestly. She can’t even lift heavy boxes without complaining..I don’t know..don’t know why they sent her. We don’t get along very well, she always makes stupid comments and I just think she’s dumb and useless.”

Rick eyed him carefully.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I..thought about your offer..and Carl begged me to stay here. I…I want to try it out here. I just know Sherri wants me to leave..I don’t think she’s a threat though.”

Rick sat back thinking. “Prove to me that you’re being sincere.”

“How?” Daryl asked sitting back. “I didn’t leave with her last night when she asked. I told you and I haven’t left at all while I’ve been alone with Judith.”

Rick nodded; don’t be stupid he told himself. “That works darling.”

“I’ll sleep in your bed for now on.” Daryl then said catching Rick off guard.

Do whatever I have to. Daryl thought to himself.

“You will?”

“That’s what a kids parents do isn’t it? Sleep in the same bed.”

“Yes, but I wasn’t expecting you to.”

“I want to.” Daryl smiled, he didn’t know if it was a lie if he was being honest with himself. “I want boundaries though. I don’t want you to just do what you want with me when you want please.”

“I can handle that darling.” Rick smiled. His blue eyes sparkling, Daryl hid his smile. “What boundaries?”

“I’m okay with kisses, soft not like the other night. For now, showers are..alright. Marks are to much right now, you can call me the things you do in moderation. I have a name and I would like you to use it sometimes please.”

“Okay. So sex is off the table right now.”

“Yes.”

Rick nodded. “Alright that’s fine ang- Daryl.”

Daryl smiled thankful he was willing to actually make the attempt. “Sherri what are you going to do to her. To me?”

“That’s a good question, I don’t think I should send her out on her own. Thats murder. I did however threaten a few things. So..I’ll let you choose what I do to you.”

“What?”

“She had a walkie I assume?”

“Yes.”

“Then we will make a pick up spot for her to get picked up at, I want to let her slip up though not have it be your fault she was found out. When we ‘learn’ the truth I’m going to have to hurt you Daryl. I want to let you decide how I hurt you.”

“Break my leg.” Daryl decided quickly.

“That was fast.”

“It’s the only thing I know I can truly handle. I’ve broken a leg before. I don’t want to loose a limb, or fingers..and I really don’t want you to cut me up or whip me.”

“So a broken leg it is.”

Daryl nodded anticipating that moment. “She’s not smart, she will slip up eventually.”

“Carl knows doesn’t he?”

“Yes. He told me to tell you.”

“Would you have without him telling you to?”

“I would like to say yes.” Daryl said softly. “I just don’t know…”

“You did tell me though and that’s nice to see. I really don’t want to hurt you darling.”

Daryl pursed his lips. “But you have to right?”

“If I want Negan to believe me.” Rick said softly. The two sat in silence for a while, Daryl closed his eyes before a soft kiss was pressed to his lips. Daryl grunted but didn’t pull away this time. Rick kissed him a few more times softly and carefully. “Judith could go on a walk after she wakes up?”

“That would be fun.” Daryl decided. They waited till she woke, Daryl strapped her into her stroller and they headed out together. Sherri watched them with interest, Daryl seemed happy genuinely. Scared, nervous, but happy.

Rick saw Sherri watching and kissed Daryl, Daryl’s eyes were wide. No one had ever seen them be physically intimate with one another before, Sherri gasped as Rick slapped his ass. Daryl squinted but didn’t say a word.

Daryl was right, Sherri was the worst spy in all of existence. She was clearly watching him wherever he went. She was jumpy and nervous.

Daryl was standing beside Rick, Judith in her stroller, talking to Aaron when Sherri passed by for the tenth time. “Sherri.” Rick called. “How are you? Enjoying the new house?”

“Yes. Aaron and his husband are lovely hosts,” she smiled standing close beside them. “How long have you two been together?” She asked Rick.

“Not long,” Rick replied, “but love just springs up and you can’t deny it.”

Daryl shifted uncomfortably. Sherri smirked, “How did you meet?”

“I fell out of a tree apparently.” Daryl replied still trying to piece together that day.

“Oh..” Sherri gasped in surprise.

Aaron watched them for a minute, he smirked and waved a goodbye. “Sherri where were you before all this? A women alone out there. Not safe.”

Her face fell, lies weren’t her strong suit. “Just anywhere I could hold up.”

“Tell me about your lost love?” Rick asked as they walked down the street. Daryl knew what he was doing, he had informed him she was the wife of the man with the burnt face.

“Negan killed him.” She liked. “I miss him dearly.”

“Did Negan do it or was it that ugly blond man with the scars all over his face? What even happened to that fucker?”

Sherri went pale. “An iron I assume.”

Rick stopped. “An iron? How would you just assume that?”

Daryl shook his head at Sherri warning her to shut up. Rick noticed the head shake and smiled. “Did you two know one another before all this?”

“No.” Daryl replied.

“Yes.” Sherri said.

Daryl rolled his eyes. “Stupid bitch.” Rick smiled again.

“Tell me again Sherri where you came from?” She felt frozen in her spot. “I won’t kill you dear. Daryl won’t die either. If that’s what you’re worried about. Just be honest.”

“Negan..sent me I’m sorry…please don’t please..he is going to kill me if something happens to him.”

“Do you have contact with him?”

“Radio…” she replied tears rolling down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry Daryl.”

“Rick please..” Daryl whined.

“I told Negan what would happen.” Rick growled, to Sherri this seemed real. The idea of him being harmed or raped was a real threat she had just put Daryl through. Thankfully Daryl knew it was mostly an act, he would be getting a broken leg sometime soon, but it could he worse.

“Get the radio bitch.” Rick snapped. “Now.”

Sherri ran off and retuned with it, by the time she came back Judith had been taken to Carols house by Carl. Daryl was handcuffed to Ricks belt. Sherri was in hysterics.

“Come in Negan.” Sherri begged.

“How’s my whore?” Negan asked, Daryl’s face grew white. It wasnt an endearing nickname, Rick grunted at the comment.

“Your whore is about to be in real hell.” Rick snapped. Negan felt his stomach drop. “Pick up Sherri at the old gas station, I’ll have Daryl with me so you can tell I wasn’t fucking around. Come with one man only if that.”

Sherri was sobbing in the background. “Look I didn’t mean know harm was just keeping an eye on my fiancé.”

“I told you what would happen.” Rick growled back. “You just got Daryl injured.” Daryl yelped as Rick pulled him closer, Negan heard his cry and nearly fell off his chair. “I’ll be there tonight. If you don’t show up I’ll be leaving her there.”

Daryl whined as Rick grabbed her arm and dragged the both of them to the truck. Abraham climbed in the back with his gun over his shoulder.

Daryl had to ready himself for a broken leg.

He was blindfolded and gagged again. Sherri sobbed apologizes to him.

Chapter Text

The drive felt like it took hours and yet minutes, Daryl was anticipating getting a broken leg. He wondered if Negan would bring Dwight to collect his wife, or his brother. He didn't know if he wanted to know. "Abraham. I am going to have you with Sherri alright?"

"Alright." The man grunted in agreement.

Sherri was still sobbing, Daryl was shaking still. He realized he had given Rick permission to break his leg, how was he supposed to run with a broken leg? He hadn't thought about it all the way through apparently. Daryl hissed as Rick set his hand on his upper thigh, Rick brought it down to his knee muttering an apology. Sherri watched as Daryl pulled himself to the side towards the door. He couldn't see shit and his hands were cuffed and that wasn't going to do him any good. He dropped his head thinking about what to do next, why had he chosen the damn leg? He could have said wrist or hand or arm.

But leg, he gave Rick the okay to break his damn leg.

He was a damn idiot.

They pulled up to the gas station, they were there first and were just waiting. "I'm sorry Daryl..so so sorry..I shouldn't have ever agreed to come....I am so sorry..so s-"

"Please for the love of god shut up Sherri." Abraham finally said after the 1200th apology. Sherri quickly grew silent, they turned the truck around and climbed in the bed. Daryl was sitting on the tailgate, he had been placed there by Rick and knew he wasn't really going anywhere blindfolded. Abraham stood at the back of the truck bed, Sherri sat beside Daryl, and Rick stood on the ground.

It wasn't long before Negan appeared, Dwight waiting impatiently for Sherri. Rick watched as they stepped out, Negan was sweating bullets, Daryl was shaking and sobbing now. Rick didn't know if it was an act or real fear. "Sher!" Dwight yelled, Sherri looked to Rick who only nodded. The women raced to him with a speed she had never shown anyone she had before. Dwight held her tightly.

"Did they hurt you?"

"No..no they didn't." She sobbed holding onto him tight.

"Look, we don't gotta do anything brash."

"You disrespected my rules." Rick growled back to Negan. Daryl's eyes were shut tight behind the blindfold, he didn't know when the break would come. "I told you if any of you came around he was going to be injured didn't I?" Daryl attempted to scoot himself backwards only to be stopped by a hand on his ankle. Rick picked up a hammer from the back of the bed, Negan was held back by Dwight and Sherri as Rick twisted it in his hand. "Didn't I Negan?"

Negan felt his stomach flip. "Yes..you did."

"Then maybe next time this will make you stop and think."

Daryl bit down on the gag, he clutched the tailgate knowing what was coming, he didn't know how it was going to, but knew it was coming. Before anyone could say another word Daryl was screaming into the gag in pain, the hammer coming down right in the middle of his leg.

The sound of cracking bone and Daryl sobbing sent Negan into a rage, he pushed past Dwight, which threw Sherri onto her ass. Abraham lifted the gun and Rick turned ready to attack. Negan backed up, can't help Daryl if he was dead. Rick smiled, Daryl was rolling onto his side in pain, it was blinding, he didn't remember his broken leg hurting like this the last time he got one. However last time he hadn't been hit with a hammer.

"Ahh...aah.." He continued to sob and seethe. Abraham watched Rick wide eyed as Daryl spasmed a bit, he wasn't seizing but his body wasn't taking the pain in well.

"Next time you think you can cross me, remember this."

Rick tossed the hammer at Negan's feet, he picked up Daryl who yelped in agony and laid him in the back seat of the truck. Abraham climbed in the passenger seat and Rick the drivers. They sped off, Daryl at this point was so overwhelmed and taken over in so much pain he had passed out.

Abraham said. "That was rough."

"He chose the punishment." Rick replied. "He told me to break his leg."

"Crazy son of a bitch."

"He told me who Sherri was, he is a good boy."

"You shattered his bone, the way you hit it. It won't heal for a while."

"Better to keep him where I can keep an eye on him, watch him grow with our community." Rick muttered, he wanted the doctor to patch it up the best they could. "I was just going to like idk...fake cutting off a finger or stab him where it wont hurt but he told me to do that."

"Crazy.."

They pulled up to the walls of Alexandria and were quick to rush Daryl to a doctor.

-

"What the fuck happened Sherri!" Negan yelled as he turned around quickly. The hammer now in his hand, "I should break your god damn leg!"

"I broke okay! I couldn't...I couldn't...seeing the way he was being treated..and and... Rick.. just..alright okay..I know I messed up! He knew he had to of known already, I..I must have been watching him to closely, I just came on to strong...I wanted to be close keep an eye on him a-"

"You were in there less then a god damn day you stupid bitch! Now my Daryl has a broken leg, how is he going to escape now?!" Negan tossed the hammer towards her, she dodged it and it clattered to the ground. "What the fuck Sherri!"

"Rick loves him okay, or acts like it. Calls him honey and darling, his kids call him mom."

"Rick's kids call my Daryl mom?!" Negan was booming, Sherri had never been so terrified of him until this moment.

"He is like his house wife, when I got there he was watching his daughter and making food and stuff..Rick makes him do those things. Daryl sounds so nervous and confused, Rick makes him take his daughter on walks with him. He is like his trophy wife, smacks his ass in front of everyone, I noticed hickies on his neck. Kisses him in front of everyone."

"That isn't helping you dumb bitch!" Negan screamed, he was pacing, he just wanted to kill someone or something but he knew killing Sherri with Dwight here wasn't going to work. "You couldn't even last a day in there...what the actual fuck Sherri..gods you are useless..now what do I do?! I am never going to see him again will I?"

Negan dropped to his knees, his eyes were dark with rage but all he felt was sadness.

-

Rick paced as Daryl's leg was wrapped and bandaged, they didn't have proper casting material so he just prayed it would be an easy heal. Daryl finally woke up from the pain, he was sobbing and panting. "Mother fucker!" He screamed, he was sitting in Rick's bed now.

Rick raced up the stairs hearing him scream. "I have pain pills for you angel."

"Fuck..this hurts like...hell..did you hit me with a god damn hammer?!!"

"I did..."

"I was expecting like I don't know you to twist it! Not shatter my bone you fucking...fuck...ahhh thi-" Rick handed him a pill and water bottle and kissed his forehead in an attempt to silence his sobs.

Rick sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry if I went to far, but I don't think he would have believed me if I did anything else."

Daryl was silent for a long while. "Do you got crutches or anything? How am I going to get around?"

"We will figure that out in a little Daryl I promise. Right now I think you should take a deep breath okay. Get some sleep."

Daryl only nodded laying on his opposite side his leg twitcing in pain, Rick bit his lip. Maybe he was just as bad as Negan, he needed to figure something out to help Daryl find peace here.

Chapter Text

Daryl woke to a plate of food on the bedside table. He sat up and ate it, what has he done? Why would he let him break his damn leg? What was he thinking?

“Daryl, oh good you’re awake I found something.”

“What?” The man asked gruffly.

“Well two things, wheelchair and crutches. So you can get around.”

“A wheelchair?” Daryl asked biting his lip, “is it one I can use on my own or do you have to help me with it?”

“Me or Carl or someone at first.” Rick nodded. “I mean I’m sure you could figure it out eventually.”

“But crutches, you got those too?”

“I think those would work better in the house, but we can go on family walks and use the wheelchair right.”

“Yeh..I guess.”

Family walks. He didn’t like the idea of that, being forced into a family. He couldn’t just back out on the kids, and hell he sure wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“Perfect. I can help carry you up and down stairs darling.”

“Yes..you can. Since you did this to me.”

“You picked it.”

“I was stupid.” Daryl mumbled. “Shoulda said wrist or arm. What am I going to do if your walls don’t hold? What am I to do if the dead come here and I’m wheelchair bound?!”

“This is about your survival?” Rick asked seeing Daryl shake.

“Yes you stupid prick. Not everything is about you!” Daryl tossed the empty plate at Rick. He ducked and it shattered as it hit the wall. Rick glared but surprisingly didn’t budge.

“Daryl, what the fuck?”

“What? I’m not a sweet princess like you pretend. I can thrown a mean punch and if you piss me off enough I might stab you! I don’t kill people out of self preservation and I was kinda kept locked inside the sanctuary not like people were around to kill. If I want I can it’s not like I’m not capable.” Daryl hissed, he sat back and his leg stung. He bit his lip in pain.

“Calm down now, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I know I’m sorry. I promise this place is safe and if anything did come here I’d protect you.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why would you protect me?”

“I really do like you.” Rick replied as he finally sat down on the bed careful not to move Daryl to much. “I would like us to try and get off on a better…uhm well foot.” Daryl grimaced. “I’d like to go back a bit, start over. I..I’d like you to marry me eventually, maybe I was wrong when I said to skip the boyfriend and fiancé phase. Yes my kids still call you mom, but I should maybe try and be better.”

“Maybe?” Daryl mused rolling his eyes.

“Hey, I’m trying right here. I could just do whatever I wanted, but I don’t. You said yourself you wanted to try.”

“You’re right..I did.”

Rick looked him up and down. “So I’d like to try Daryl.”

Daryl nodded. “Alright, let’s try. First can I go downstairs this bed is starting to get uncomfortable.”

Rick nodded, he carefully lifted him up. Daryl held onto Rick right, Rick was careful not to hurt him. Daryl was laid up on the couch when Carl came running inside a girl running behind him.

“Whoa slow down, moms on the couch!” Rick yelled.

Carl and the girl stopped running. “Sorry.”

“You’re fine, just don’t hurt him.”

“Yes dad.” Carl nodded, he brought the girl into the room. “Mom this is Enid.”

“Hi.” Daryl waved to her with a smile. He remembered seeing her face in a picture, Carl’s face had gotten red when he showed him.

“Hello, Carl has told me a lot about you. What happened to your leg?”

“Oh..I broke it.” Daryl muttered. Rick rubbed the back of his neck, only a few people knew the truth. Others were told he broke it falling down the stairs. “Stairs..silly me.”

“Oh that’s no fun.”

“Tripped over a rattle.” Daryl said picking one up off the table.

“Oh that had to have hurt.” Enid said taking it in her hand. “That really had to have hurt.”

“Yep.” Daryl nodded.

Rick sighed seeing how Daryl was, he looked disappointed and upset. Which was understandable.

Enid and Carl raced off back out of the house. “Kids.”

“They like each other don’t they?” Daryl asked as he tried to sit up better. “Fuck.”

His hand slipped and he fell sideways slightly, Rick held him up and helped him up better on the couch. He sat beside Daryl and kissed his cheek. “Yes they do. They like each other a lot, Carl may like her more than she knows what to do with though. I love you Daryl. Angel, really.”

Daryl fumbled with his fingers, he sat back and through about it for a minute. “What can I do to fix this? Are you really never going to let me see him again?”

“No darling. I’m sorry.”

Daryl closed his eyes to think. “A..alright…”

“Why do you want to see him again?” Rick asked. “Did you really actually love him?”

“I did. I do.” Daryl managed.

“Sherri went running to Dwight. Would you have ran to him if I had let you?”

“I..think so…”

“You have to know.” Rick said. “Would you have run to him.”

“I….” He grew silent.

“Would you run to me?”

“I hardly know you.” Daryl replied coldly. “So probably not.”

“What do you want to know?” Rick asked, Daryl yelped as Rick set him in his lap. “Honestly I want you to know me and love me.”

“What did you do before all of this?”

“I was a cop.”

“A cop?” Daryl almost laughed. “That’s why you know about my dad huh.. okay.. you had a wife then if you had Carl. Lori…did you ever date men or women before her?”

“A few but not as much as I would have liked. I was sorta forced into our relationship. She got pregnant and I wasn’t going to leave her.”

“Oh. Did you know her though?”

“I’d like to say I fell in love eventually.”

“But you had Judith.”

“Well..maybe.”

“What?”

“She might be my best friends.” Daryl eyed him curiously. He began to explain the situation.

“Whoa..so that’s why you shot him. Do you love her though?”

“I do. I love Judith like she is my own, I wouldn’t stop loving her if I knew which one of us were really her father. She’s my daughter, my little girl.”

Daryl nodded. “I like her a lot.”

“She loves you.”

“I..I’m glad.” Daryl smiled looking down at himself. “I really am glad..”

Rick smiled as he laid back, Daryl was set lower so he was laying against his chest now. “Get some rest darling.”

Daryl nodded and fell asleep quickly, he needed the rest. Rick held him close, Maggie and Glenn had offered to watch Judith for a few days for parent practice while Rick helped Daryl.

A week had passed by now, Daryl got into a routine. Wake up, breakfast, go on a walk with Carl, Rick, Maggie, Glenn and Judith, lunch, nap while Rick is at a meeting, dinner, sleep.

Daryl was surprised to find Rick was genuinely trying. He was helping when he asked but wouldn’t force him into anything he didn’t want, showers were an exception only because of his leg.

Rick decided to try his luck. The two were sitting in bed when that night when Rick leaned in for a kiss. Daryl’s eyes grew wide but he didn’t pull away, Rick deepened the kiss. Daryl gasped as Rick carefully straddled him.

“Ah..Rick.”

“I’m going to be careful.” He promised, the kiss lasted minutes. Daryl hadn’t expected to enjoy it, he had kissed back instead of pulling away.

“See darling. We can make this work.” Daryl only nodded, he grunted as Rick cupped his cheek and went back for more. Rick grabbed a fist full of his hair, but was softer with the pull. Daryl moaned in surprised pleasure.

Rick couldn’t help but smile. This was working well for him.

Chapter Text

Daryl grunted as Rick adjusted their positions, he was pinned to the bed carefully. “I don’t want to hurt you, so tell me if it’s so much.” Daryl nodded in agreement, he wiggled trying to lower himself in his grasp. Rick smiled as he continued to kiss him softly. “Shirt off?”

Daryl was hesitant but nodded, he pulled his tank top off.

Whatever I have to do. He thought to himself.

Rick smiled, he began to suck on his collar bone and nip softly along his ribs. “Ah..”

“Your moans are pretty darling.” Rick grunted in enjoyment as he began to suck along his chest.

Daryl whimpered in want as Rick rubbed along his nipples with his thumb. “Rick..ah..”

“That’s it.” Rick flicked his tongue along them and Daryl yelped. Rick chuckled, “what to you want darling?”

“I..I..ah.” Rick sucked on his neck as he thought. “Dont’ know.. shouldn’t want you..” he managed out. Rick pulled away for a moment and then had a thought.

Daryl was looking down at himself bites and small marks littering his skin.

“Can I do something for you?” Rick asked a smile on his face.

“For me?” Daryl asked curious.

“Can I jerk you off? Please I see the way you wake up sometimes have to adjust yourself.”

“N..why would you do that..”

“You need release too.”

“Not supposed to do that..I’m..rules..”

“Maggie told me some, what is this one?” Rick asked as he sat beside him again.

“I’m not supposed to get pleasure from handjobs..not allowed to touch my self. Only supposed to get pleasure from Negan inside me.” He grunted.

He grimaced remembering when he had played with himself and Negan caught him. He had been put in a cockcage.

“Well Negan isn’t here and I own you now right Angel? What is it you want? Would that be nice to have someone please you for a change?”

Daryl thought about it, he still felt he was betraying Negan, betraying what they had. “I..I guess..”

“I’ll be nice, if you want me to stop I will.”

“I..I shouldn’t.”

“You need a release don’t you?”

“Well..I guess but..”

“I want to help you, you deserve pleasure too.” Rick smiled as he adjusted on the bed again. Daryl whined as the bed shifted his leg twitching. “Sorry.”

“F..f..fine but you gotta be careful.”

“No harsh movements I promise.” Rick made a cross motion over his heart. Rick slowly began to pull Daryl’s sweat pants down, they got mid thigh before Rick stopped, he then reached for his boxers. Daryl grew rigid, Rick smiled and nodded offering for Daryl to do it himself.

Daryl began to wiggle them down his legs, he hissed in pain as he pulled his leg up out of habit. Rick flicked his eyes up in concern. Daryl sat back his cock exposed now, he looked Rick up and down unsure what to do next. “Just relax okay darling?”

Daryl nodded and sat back a bit. Rick wrapped his hand around the base of his cock and began to slowly and carefully run his hand up and down. Daryl’s eyes grew wide, he hadn’t felt this kind of pleasure in a long time. He closed his eyes and laid his head back as Rick continued to pump up and down his shaft.

“Ah..fu..fuck…Rick…”

“There you go Daryl,” Rick muttered as he continued, if this is how Rick was going to get in his pants he was fine with it. Daryl twitched and moaned as Rick continued his hand job.

“Ah. I gotta!”

“You don’t have to and just do it.” Rick mumbled his eyes glazed with lust. “Go on Daryl cum for me.”

Daryl grunted as he came, hot sticky seed covering Rick’s hand and himself. “That was fast..” Daryl muttered.

“How longs it been since you got to cum like that?”

“Long time…” Daryl managed out. “Since I became Negan’s at least. He doesn’t like that, wants me to cum from him fucking me.”

“You do that?”

“Yes.”

“I’d sure like to see.”

“Maybe when I’m better.” Daryl grunted, he then opened his mouth in an O shape. Had he said that out loud?

Rick smiled. “Well then, when you’re better. Darling.”

Daryl felt his face grow hot, why was he like this? Daryl’s eyes grew wide as he felt something he has never had before. Rick was sucking him clean, Daryl’s head hit the headboard as he arched slightly in pleasure. “Ah….ah! Fuck..Rick!”

Rick hummed in satisfaction as he bobbed his head a bit. “Like that Angel?” Rick asked as he finally pulled away with a wet pop, a string of saliva connecting his lips to the head of Daryl’s cock.

“That was..amazing..no wonder Negan has me do it all the time.”

“Has no one ever sucked your dick before?”

“No..when I was selling myself I was always doing it for others..never got to experience it myself and then when Negan and I started..well I was always the one pleasing him.”

“We can please each other darling. You taste great.” Daryl blushed trying to hide himself in embarrassment. “Shh now don’t be embarrassed, I enjoyed that. I liked it a lot. I’m happy to go down on you if you’ll do the same for me one day.”

“You’d let me do what you do to me?” Daryl asked, he’d never been the one who got what he gave. Negan made sure he was always under him, taking what he wanted.

“Yes.” Rick smiled. “I like a good fucking every once in a while too.”

Daryl’s eyes grew wide. “You’d let me fuck you?”

“Course I would.”

“But I’ve never fucked anyone before only been the one getting fucked.”

“Well I’m happy to help change that. When you’re better of course. No more hiding your wants and needs though, you’re horny touch yourself. Or ask me to do it for you.”

Daryl nodded in understanding, he was so used to suppressing his needs he didn’t even think of the possibility of him receiving what he wanted, or being able to give it back. Negan didn’t want to be the one getting fucked so he never got that chance, Negan liked receiving pleasure but he only gave it back through rough fucking.

“I promise you that if you honestly give me a chance to prove myself to you, it’s going to be a good experience.” Rick smiled, Daryl looked down at himself. His chest covered in marks from Rick, his lower body exposed and covered in his own sin.

“I’ll try..really.. he doesn’t seem to want to come back around anyway..and I don’t blame him..I just don’t know what to do..what’s the right choice.”

He pulled his boxers and sweats back up and rolled to his side, Rick sighed. “I’ll protect you I promise.”

“What are you protecting? Me or your own feelings?”

Rick grew silent, he didn’t know how to respond. Maybe Daryl was right, but he didn’t know if he felt bad about it. He really did enjoy Daryl, and while now it may just be lustful thinking, he hoped it would grow into more. Hoping Daryl would finally feel at ease here. Daryl scoffed and closed his eyes attempting to accept sleep, he didn’t bother with his shirt.

Didn’t see a point.

Rick looked him over, eyeing the scars and tats. He was beautiful even with the mess of scars, beautiful.

He was Rick’s now, and he wasn’t going to give that away.

Chapter Text

Negan was a mess, but he didn’t know if he would ever see Daryl again. He wasn’t sure if he should just cut his loss, he wanted Daryl, needed him, but he wasn’t sure if he should come around.

He hadn’t expected Rick to smash his leg with a hammer, he thought maybe he’d cut him up of something. Do something he could fix, but that, that was even to far for him, yes he killed people but Daryl was a good person. He didn’t deserve that, he didn’t deserve the wound he got.

Rick was brutal, and Negan didn’t know what to do with a foe as equal as himself. The other communities had been easy to take out, no one fought back no one had ever made Negan scared.

Rick did.

Rick changed that.

Merle was pissed, he was terrified of loosing his baby brother. When Negan told him what Rick did to Daryl he nearly vomited.

He had been a bad brother, his father had done some terrible things to both of them. Daryl didn’t deserve to have the life he had, and now he was in more peril.

At least to them it seemed such, Sherri was hated by everyone in the community, expect Dwight, because with her failure Negan was more strung out then ever. More brutal and dangerous to them.

Daryl mellowed him out.

Without Daryl around it was dangerous to be by their leader for longer then a few minutes. Merle was hostile as well.

They had heard of what Rick did and were horrified for the man, being harmed like that just because Sherri went around them. They wanted to fight Rick’s group but Negan was scared, if they came around he didn’t know if Daryl would be killed before they even go to him.

Daryl was dealing, he had come to kind of enjoy Rick and his family. The people of Alexandria were extremely kind to him, because of his wound at least once a week someone brought them a meal, Maggie and Glenn were happy to watch Judith, Carl was always telling him about his day. Rick doted on him.

He was using his crutches on this ‘family’ walk when there was a scream, Rick and Carl raced off leaving him alone on the sidewalk. Maggie and Glenn hadn’t come with them this time around so we was just standing there.

Daryl looked to the right when they had ran to the left and his heart broke. They went the wrong way, a little girl was running from a walker, he wasn’t fast on his crutches but he was quick enough. He began to make his way towards her. She saw him and raced to him fast, she hid behind him. He didn’t have a weapon but he had his crutches. “Hey little one, I need you to do something for me”

She looked to him. “What is it?”

“Pull the rubber off the bottom of this.” He handed her one of the crutches. She was fast exposing the metal, just in time. It lunged, she screamed, Daryl attacked. The metal went through it’s eye socket, she clung to his good leg as it collapsed.

Carl came running seeing Daryl standing with a walker at his feet. The small girl ran to Carl who picked her up. “Mom!”

“Just fine,” Daryl replied, “need my chair now.”

The crutch was bloody and stuck in its head. Rick was killing a walker at the gate. A few people had come to help Daryl but he had taken it out before they got there, they hadn’t expected him to do what he had done, and not how he did it.

Rick came up to them after, his eyes wide in surprise. “You killed that?”

Daryl nodded, he wavered in his spot. “I did.”

“Damn babe.” Rick inspected the walker. “No bites, no scratches.”

“Momma was sick.” The little girl cried. “Had a heart problem before the dead came.”

Rick saw the look on Daryls face. “I lost my momma too, you’ll be okay. I promise.”

“I still have daddy.” She whined.

“That’s good.” Rick said. Carl set the little girl down and she ran to Daryl. He braced himself for impact as she hugged his bad leg. He bit his lip holding back a pained cry, Rick pulled her off carefully. “Go find your daddy now.”

“Ah..shit.” Daryl wavered again. Rick helped him upward replacing the missing crutch. Carl ran to get the wheelchair for him, Daryl looked to Rick.

“Looks like you are a lot more capable then we thought.”

“Fuck you. Give me my bow I could have killed it twelve times over.”

“When you heal, you can have it.” Rick promised.

“Wait really?”

“Yes angel, you saved her life when you didn’t have to. You did something real amazing. I think you deserve that.”

Daryl beamed, his chair was brought around and Rick got him set down fast. “How’s the leg?”

“Tis’ Fine.”

“Good.” Rick kissed his forehead. Daryl flushed, Aaron and a few of the others raced to them.

“He was amaizing!” Aaron told Rick. “Got to her as fast as he could and took it out with his own crutch!” Rick smiled big, Daryl was trying to hide from the praise. “He’s a real part of our family, our community.”

Daryl’s eyes grew wide in surprise. “Wait..really

“I think so darling.” Rick praised. The others who had seen the attack agreed, Daryl was beyond brave, and had done something they didn’t expect. “A real part of this place, Maggie told me about that kids store. When you’re better maybe we can go out together.”

“You’d let me go out?”

“I would.” Rick promised. Daryl felt pride in his chest, he wanted to have his leg heal as soon as possible. Rick kissed him softly before turning to the people. “Will you all clean this up please? I should check his wound.”

“Of course we can.”

“I’m really fine.” Daryl swore. “Really.”

“I just want to make sure baby.”

“Yes sir..” Daryl whined as they got to their home.

“Sir?” Rick questioned as he carried him up the stairs.

“Habit.” Daryl whispered. Rick tipped his chin down and kissed his cheek. Daryl blushed.

Rick set him on the edge of the tub and helped him take off his pants, Daryl looked down at his wrap.

“That’s fine to you?”

“Fuck.”

The wrap was bloody, it didn’t feel like anything had happened. They unwrapped it and Rick looked it over, stitches popped.

“Oh babe, musta been when she hugged you or when you moved to fast.”

“I didn’t even walk on it.”

“You sure?”

“I stood on it, and I guess I pushed forward to kill it.”

“So you could have done it.”

“I guess I could have..I..I’m sorry.”

“Shh it’s okay baby, I’ll fix this up and get you some rest angel.”

Daryl nodded, Rick did as he said, he dig his finger nails into Rick’s arm as he sewed it back up but the pain was over after. Rick carried him across the room to their room, he laid him down in bed. Rick rummaged through their drawers and got him some basketball shorts, they slipped them on and Daryl tired to lay down after taking a pain pill.

Everyone was pleased with Daryl now, if they weren’t before they were now. The women he had killed died of a heart attack, the one at the gate the walker had gotten to first.

Another month had passed and Daryl was finally on his feet, the wound still hurt and was slowly loosing its bruised purple color but he was able to walk mostly on his own. He was sometimes off balance so Rick still wanted someone around when he watched Judith.

Rick stepped into their room, Daryl was resting.

“Daryl can we..maybe..”

“Maybe what?”

“Fuck? The kids are in bed and well I’ve been real patient.”

“You have been..I..okay…okay I uhm..” He had accepted that Negan wasn’t going to come back for him at this point, no attempts had been made to retrieve him and they hadnt heard from him.

Rick smiled and stalked towards him throwing his clothes off swiftly. Daryl stiffened but relaxed soon after, Rick was careful in helping him undress, leaving soft kisses and touches along his body. “I’ll be soft with you darling I promise.” Rick promised as he got Daryl’s clothes off. “You set the pace, you tell me what you like.”

Daryl watched him wide eyed as Rick propped Daryl up with a pillow under his ass. Daryl shifted to look up at Rick, the mans eyes were full of lust but were softer then usual.

Daryl braced himself as Rick spit on two fingers. “Ready darling?”

Daryl nodded taking a deep breath. “Ready.”

Chapter Text

Daryl laid back waiting, Rick smiled. "Alright darling just let me play, I am going to stretch you out real nice before I do this. I promise not to hurt you."

Daryl closed his eyes leaning his head back against the headboard, this was going to be different, usually Negan just put it in whenever he wanted. He didn't make sure he was ready, didn't ready him. Daryl yelped in surprise as the fingers slowly entered in him. "Ah...Rick...R..ah."

"That's it baby, take me real good, just two fingers that's all." Daryl's eyes shot open, his baby blues watching Rick as he worked his fingers in stretching him wide. "Are you ready for me Daryl?"

"I..I think so." Daryl nodded, why was he asking? Why wasn't he just doing it?

Rick took his cock in his hand and pumped his shaft a bit smiling big. "Would you want to help get me real wet darling to make it better?"

"How?" Daryl asked.

"Suck me off darling."

Daryl didn't move, he nodded opening his mouth. Rick shifted standing on the bed bringing himself to the right angle, Daryl took his full length in well. This wasn't the first time he had sucked him off, but it was the first time before anything like this. They had played once or twice since he saved the little girl, Rick sucking him off, Daryl sucking him, but there wasn't anything since then.

Daryl groaned in surprise, he took his full length and gagged before Rick pulled away. "Oh Darling there you go, now I will slip in real nice won't I?"

"Uh-huh." Daryl grunted, he really wasn't sure what to do. Rick dropped back down on his knees and set himself at his entrance. His cock twitched ready.

"Alright Angel, you sure you're ready for this?"

"Yes." Daryl growled. "P...please." Rick smiled, his cock growing harder at the sound of his please. Rick slowly entered inside of him, Daryl's eyes grew wide in surprise. "Ah...Rick...ah.."

"It's okay honey, don't worry it's okay." Rick coed promising him it was all going to be okay. Daryl needed it now, it had been so long since he was fucked, he had been suppressing it for so long now. When he was with Negan he was fucked every day of the week at least four times a day for years.

"Deeper please!" Daryl begged.

Rick couldn't help but smile, he did as he was asked, his cock got deep and fast. Daryl yelled out in surprise as he was taken deep, he laid back his ass propped up by the pillow. "Ah..yes Daryl! I knew you would feel amazing! Oh Darling yes!"

Daryl screamed out in pleasure, taking each thrust in stride. "Rick..d..yes..fuck..yes!" Rick couldn't help but smile at the pleasured screams coming from his angel, "ahh...ahh..ah..fuck..please..more..please.."

Rick leaned forward getting deeper, their lips crashed, Daryl moaned into the kisses. Rick bit his lip softly pulling it back in pleasure, Daryl wrapped his arms around Rick to get more leverage. Daryl screamed as he was fucked deep, Rick hadn't had this much fun in an extremely long time. Daryl's arms tightened around him as Rick stood his cock deep inside Daryl, Rick held him up with one arm the other ensuring his leg wasn't going to be re-injured.

"Ah..yes..yes..deeper deeper more.." Daryl begged against kisses. "Please..I need more..more..please."

Rick slammed him against the wall, each thrust deeper and harder. Daryl held onto the wall with one hand to prop himself up. "I want you to take it Daryl, take me."

Daryl nodded, more kisses and thrusts. Rick's eyes were dark with lust and pleasure, he was enjoying himself immensely, Daryl was slammed into the bed again, he grabbed the bed sheet tightly in his fists. Rick grabbed his hips tightly in his hands, Daryl moaned out, gasping. "Ah! Fuck...I need you cu-"

"Don't ask, just do." Rick growled.

Daryl moaned releasing, hot sticky cum covered Rick's abs. Daryl's eyes crossed in pleasure as he finally got what he wanted, got what he needed out of it. He didn't have to ask, didn't have to beg. Rick smiled watching Daryl's blue eyes, beautiful blue eyes lust blown.

"Fill me! Please, please!!"

"Patience angel," Rick grunted in pleasure, his cock swelled as he continued to slam into him with speed. Daryl grabbed the sheets tightly his good leg spasming. Daryl hit his G-spot hard, Daryl's cock twitched in bliss as he was fucked roughly.

"Ah..ahh. Fuck..please..please..ah! Please..ah..ah."

"Shh angel, don't wake the kids." Daryl turned his head to the side biting down on the sheet trying to silence himself somewhat. Rick chuckled caressing his cheek softly. "What a good boy, taking me so well."

Saliva covered the sheet as Rick thrusted in deeper once more before filling him deep with cum. Daryl gasped loudly moaning hard as Rick continued to pump in as cum filled him up. Rick grunted satisfied as he pulled away, cum spilling out as he pulled out his cock, Daryl was gasping for air. "Fuck...thank..you thank you..."

"Shh darling, you do so good for me. So damn good."

Rick helped push him back against the head board, his leg was propped up on the pillow.

"Oh thank you darling. You did so good for me, look at you, so good."

"Thank you..really thank you. That was..damn.." Daryl then grew silence quickly. "Fuck..I..he is going to kill me."

Rick turned his head fast, realizing Daryl was talking about Negan. "He won't, he won't ever hurt you Daryl I promise. He won't hurt you." Rick kissed him softly and lovingly, Daryl happily accepted the kisses. "I will never let him hurt you I promise."

Daryl nuzzled Rick, the two sat naked together before sleep took over. Daryl woke in tears, Rick turned to see him sobbing. "Baby whats wrong?"

"Nightmare..thats all.."

"About him?"

"He is going to kill me..he told me..to do whatever it took but I know it's a lie..he is going to be so pissed when he finds out I actually had sex with you.." Daryl pulled himself up into a sitting position. "Going to kill me..or hurt me real bad.."

"He isn't going to ever touch you again, he hasn't come around has he darling? He hasn't sent anyone in here that you know of angel. No one is ever going to hurt you, you belong to me, and I will protect you."

Daryl smiled trying to hide the tears, he laid back down, Rick pulled him into a his arms his cock pressed against his cheeks. Daryl felt the hard dick and whined. "Want you." Daryl whispered. "I shouldn't but I do."

"Darling are you sure, we can just sleep."

"Sleep with you in me?" Daryl asked, that act in of itself was something he had come to grow accustomed to, Negan loved sleeping with himself inside Daryl to fuck him whenever he woke. Rick raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

"If you want," Rick did as he was asked, Daryl moaned feeling the large cock throbbing inside him. Rick couldn't believe what was happening, this was more than he had ever expected but he was all for it. Daryl was asleep soon after their exchanged, Rick took longer not used to his cock being in something during sleep. He held Daryl close, this was his now. No one would hurt him.

Chapter Text

Daryl woke and smiled feeling Rick still deep inside him. He began to grind himself back and forth feeling the friction, he grunted biting his lip moaning.

He didn’t want to wake the kids.

Rick woke feeling Daryl moving and couldn’t help but moan. “Well good morning baby,” Rick muttered kissing is neck. “Fuck Angel.”

Rick let Daryl take the lead. “Ah..yes..ah!” He moaned. Rick hooked a thumb in his mouth, his tongue lapped at his finger pad. Rick smiled and grabbed for his hand leading it down to Daryls own hard cock.

“Please yourself.” Rick whispered.

Daryl took his cock in his own hand, he moaned as he continued to grind, he moaned and huffed feeling the pleasure in both spots.

Rick smirked smiling wide. “Oh..fuck.”

Before Daryl knew it cum spilt out of his leaking head. “Fuck..Daryl you did so good look at you! See isn’t it good when you play with yourself too?” Rick asked as he began to thrust a bit inside of him.

Daryl moaned loudly as his G-spot was thrusted into deep. Rick felt himself spill out inside Daryl, with a wet pop he pulled away. Daryl whined out as his ass was left empty.

Rick sat up with a grunt. “Damn baby.”

Daryl flushed hiding his face, Rick titled his chin up. “Don’t hide from me. I love you.”

Daryl smiled. “I..I like you a lot. I..I don’t know if it’s love but..”

“There is still time. We have the rest of our lives.”

Daryl nodded sitting up. “I guess we do huh?”

“Let’s go shower darling.” Rick scooped Daryl up and swiftly ran him towards the bathroom. Carl and Judith were still asleep for the time being. Rick helped Daryl in and started up the hot water, Daryl sighed in relief feeling the water cover his body.

Daryl helped clean him up, scrubbing his hair and body. Daryl smiled feeling Rick lather his body in soap, there was a special care here, it wasn’t rough or forceful, he just wanted to help clean him.

Daryl rested his head against his chest he smiled thankful for him, thankful to finally feel normal for a little while.

“I wish we had met before all of this, I would have dated you. Took you out to bars and to movies, have a pizza night with my boy and us. Take you with us to baseball games and to his sports.”

Daryl sighed. “If you had known me before, you wouldn’t want me. I’m surprised you do now. I was selling myself on the street Rick, selling drugs, sleeping on the street.”

“All the reason to have wished you and I had met before. To save you from that life.”

Daryl blushed, Rick cupped his cheek and kissed him again. Daryls eyes grew wide in surprise as Rick carefully deepened the kiss. Daryl muttered into the kisses, each one softer but more intense. “Ah..R-“

“Dad! Mom!” Carl yelled through the door. “Maggie’s here!”

“Fuck.” Daryl whispered, they stepped out and wrapped themselves in towels. Rick ran across the hall and got them both clothes before heading back.

Daryl quickly dressed, he headed down the stairs taking Judith from Carl’s arms. “Hey Jude, how’s my baby.”

She giggled holding his cheeks in her hands. Their foreheads rested against one another, he smiled and she giggled. Maggie was sitting on the couch with a smile.

“Morning Daryl.”

“Morning Maggie. Rick you’re slow!”

“I’m coming babe!” Rick yelled running down the stairs. “Hey Maggie.”

“Hi.” She smiled standing as they both stood together side by side. “You may want to sit.” The two men sat, Judith giggled as she was handed to her dad. “Carl you too.”

Carl sat beside Daryl, Daryl’s arm wrapped around Carl smiling. They looked like a real family sitting together as they were. Maggie smiled seeing them sit together close. Rick was close to Daryl hand hand on his thigh and this time Daryl didn’t budge.

“I’m pregnant.”

Daryls eyes grew wide. “Maggie that’s amazing!”

She smiled big. “I’m gonna be an uncle!” Carl shouted hugging her fast. “Mom I’m gonna be an uncle.”

Daryl smiled standing, he hugged Maggie carefully. “That’s wonderful Maggie, we are so excited for you.” Rick hugged her, Judith ran her tiny hand through Maggie’s hair.

Rick smiled seeing the big smile on Maggie’s face, she was excited and happy to share this with her family.

Daryl was actually happy to be included in the family she loved. He was happy to be theirs, honestly.

-

Negan decided on a plan, they couldn’t stay in Alexandria forever and he decided the next time they left it was his time to attack.

He was going to get his Daryl back. He wasn’t going to let those pricks have what he owned. Wasn’t going to stand by while his angel was raped and forced to be some random kids parent.

-

Daryl walked back and forth protecting the wall, he was happy to have been allowed to do what he wanted now. He got his crossbow back after his leg healed and liked taking position on the wall.

He killed plenty of walkers, he took the best care he could to ensure they weren’t close to the wall when he did it either.

Everyone was impressed with how good of a shot he was, he was impressive, which made Rick admire him more.

Another month had passed by now, nightly Rick and Daryl fucked. Daryl had yet to be on top but didn’t mind it, he honestly enjoyed being the bottom. He still got jerked and sucked off by Rick and called it fair enough.

Maggie was two months along now having already been a month when she told them, and that was when things got complicated.

She felt sicker then a dog.

Sicker then she had ever felt.

“We need to take her to Hill Top.” Rick decided, and a small team was formed to do that, knowing anyone could be out there and Negan was a threat.

“I’m coming.” Daryl decided. “Please.”

“Daryl. What if he.”

“Then he does, I’m coming.” Daryl said again. “Please let me come.”

“I..I guess we will Daryl. If you want that badly.” Rick kissed him softly. “Are you sure?”

“For Maggie.”

“What if he takes you from me?”

“I..I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing. I’ve started liking it here and you..I..I think I love you. But these people need you. Maggie needs us.”

Rick stepped back. “You love me?”

“I love you.” Daryl nodded. “I do..”

“Then you have to stay here.”

“I’m not staying behind anymore! You can’t do what he did to me! Please..please.”

Rick looked at his man, his arms bare. Strong muscles, the visible hickies on his collarbone and neck. “Alright. You’re right. Then let’s all go to hill top together baby.”

Daryl was smiling wide, bigger then he ever had before. He hugged Rick, Rick kissed him softly and soon they were packing, kissed in between and got to the cars. “Is there a bike?”

“One.”

“I’ll follow on the bike,” Daryl promised, “okay?”

“Alright baby.” Rick promised kissing him again. “Remember I love you, if anything goes wrong, I love you.”

Daryl smiled, their lips met once again. “I love you too.”

Carl hugged Daryl before he climbed on the bike. “I love you mom.”

“I love you too kiddo. I really do.”

Daryl had come to love the two kids like they were his own, and it was more than he had ever expected.

The gates opened and they headed out, darkness coming fast. Daryl followed until they got to a point where tree branches were in the road. “I don’t know how to get to hill-top.” Daryl said. “But if Maggie does, she can climb on and I can try.”

“You’re going to do well Daryl, Maggie can.”

Maggie climbed on resting her head on his back. “Just keep going straight. Turn when I tell you.” Rick waved to them as they headed on their way.

Daryl did as he was told, taking the right turns, but it wasn’t any use. He was stopped by a familiar man. “Daryl!”

“Dwight!” Daryl sat a top the bike, Maggie threw up to the side. “Fuck. She’s pregnant and sick please Dwight. Let me get her to Hilltop”

“I’m sorry we can’t and you know it, Negan has them already.”

Daryl stopped dead. “Has them?”

“Everyone who came on this attempt. The kid too.”

Daryl growled, he picked up Maggie carefully and climbed in the truck. “She’s sick.”

“Talk to him, I’m sure if you plead he will let her go.” Dwight hugged Daryl. “I’m so glad you’re safe and alive. Leg?”

“Healed now.”

Maggie whined as they pulled up to the group. Daryl looked around wide eyed seeing at least one hundred of the men from sanctuary. Dwight tried to grab Maggie but Daryl shook his head. He climbed out and carried her towards the group of people he saw as family now. He laid her beside Glenn.

“I’m sorry.” Daryl said as he kneeled beside Rick. “I tried.”

“Baby. You tried. You did better then we did.” Rick squeezed his hand. Carl held onto Daryl, tears streaming from his good eye.

“You ready to meet the man?” Simon asked banging on the RV. Daryl felt frozen, where was Merle? Was Negan going to kill the people he had come to love? His boy?

The RV door was thrown open, Daryl looked up seeing the familiar bat, his heart beating fast.

Was this good or was this bad for him?

Chapter Text

Negan stepped out with a wide smile on his face, he scanned the men and women on their knees. His eyes stopped on Daryl, a the one eyed kid clinging to his man.

“Angel.”

“Negan.” Daryls head lifted up, his blue eyes watching each step. Negan opened his arms and Daryl knew what it meant. Carl let him go and Daryl stood walking to him quickly. Negan wrapped his arms around him fast.

“Fuck I missed you.” Negan grunted holding Daryl close to him. “How’s your leg pet?”

“Better sir.” Daryl promised. “Please don’t kill them, she’s sick, pregnant, and needs the doctor and hilltop and..and Carl. Don’t kill them please.” Rick looked up hearing Daryl begging. “Please don’t, sir they were good to me.”

“That fucker broke your leg with a hammer!” Negan growled pushing Daryl to his knees beside him. Daryl sat as he was told, he didn’t move. “You really want me to spare him?”

“He has two kids.” Daryl whined. “Please sir.”

“He hurt you, how many times did you two have sex? How many times did he rape you?” Negan snarled.

“At least a month of sex.. a few times a day sometimes.” Daryl replied. “Sir..I..I asked for it.” Negans eyes darkened. Daryl yelped as he was slapped hard, he scooted back in panic. “Ah.. sir please stop I’m sorry.”

Negan grabbed his hair in his hand, dragging him to his feet. Rick watched horrified as Negan dragged Daryl into the RV leaving the rest of them on the knees.

Daryl struggled with Negan as he was slammed onto the bed. “What happened to you?”

“You told me do whatever it took!” Daryl whined in panic. “Please. You told me!”

Negan growled, “clothes off now.” Daryl did as he was told, he couldn’t hesitate now. He quickly tossed his clothes off. Negan inspected him, marks covered his body. Hand prints on his hips, love bites littering his chest and neck. “I did tell you didn’t I. What rules did you break while you were there?”

Daryl looked him up and down. He opened his mouth but words weren’t coming out. “Answer me!” Negan yelled. Daryl scrambled back, the others could hear him yelling.

“Played with myself sir.”

“You what?”

“Touched my self.”

“How many times?”

“Twelve. I think.” Without warning Daryl was bent over Negan’s knee, Daryl grabbed the sheet of the bed trying to fight it. “No…please..”

“Angel you know the rules.”

Daryl yelped as his ass was slapped roughly, he started counting just knowing it was what he was supposed to do. “Twenty four. Thank you.” He sobbed out. Negan smiled admiring his red ass now.

“Who do you belong to? Who owns you?”

“You do! You own me, I belong to you master.” Daryl whined feeling Negan’s hand grope him. He closed his eyes and saw Rick’s face. “Do anything you want to me, punish me, but please don’t kill the kid or Maggie or even Rick.”

“Rick.” Negan growled, Daryl lowered his head. “Oh baby I’m not going to kill him. I’m going to make him live so his people know that he’s not a good leader, that he’s a bad father. What did he tell you? That he loved you? Fuck Daryl you know that isn’t true, no one can love you but me.”

Daryl lowered his head.

“I..”

“I know honey he brainwashed you. Made you believe it. I think one more punishment is in order for you.”

Daryl looked up unsure what was going to happen to him. “What is it?”

“I want them to watch as I fuck the shit out of you, I know you don’t like public fuckings as much as I do.”

Daryl pulled his knees up into his body, “all of them?”

“Except the kid.” Daryl sighed in relief. Negan opened his arms again and Daryl fell into them. “I missed you pet. But rules are rules and everyone has to know who you belong to right?”

“Yes sir.”

Negan left Daryl in the RV for a moment, he stepped out. “I want the damn kid and the sick lady out of here. Send them to hill top. Dwight go with them.”

Dwight nodded smiling seeing he was back to a mostly normal man with Daryl in tow. Once Dwight, Carl, and Maggie left Negan smiled big. “Angel come out now.”

Daryl’s naked frame appeared behind Negan. He stepped towards him, Rick gulped as he was dropped to his knees. “Merle.”

Merle padded up handing Negan an object. “Glad you’re back baby brother.” Merle ruffled Daryl’s hair.

He felt embarrassed.

Everyone from sanctuary had seen him naked before, seen him get fucked, but it was the people from Alexandria he didn’t want to have see him like this.

Daryl yelped as he felt something wrap around his neck, his hand ran up to it.

“Oh Angel look at you baby. Your collar is back. This here.” Negan picked Daryl up. “Belongs to me. You got that Rick.”

Rick looked up and nodded. “Dar-“

“No prick. You don’t get to talk to what’s mine. Daryl ass up, head down. You know how I like it.” Daryl did as he was told, he laid himself on his knees first then lowered his chest to the ground, he looked up for a moment to see Rick’s eyes wide in horror.

Daryl heard the sound of Negan’s pants unzipping, he braced himself digging his nails into the dirt.

“Stop please.” Rick begged.

“Don’t tell me what to do with my whore.” Negan snapped as he slammed himself inside Daryl. “Fuck I missed this hole.” Each thrust was deeper and faster then the last. “Missed this right hole meant just for me.”

Daryl screamed and moaned into each deep thrust. “Ah..master..please…fuck..”

“No no angel you’re fine.”

Daryl reached for Rick which only got him a deeper slam into his ass. “Ah!! Fuck!”

“Yours going to take my cum, and love it.”

Daryl nodded feeling a rush if seed fill him. His eyes crossed as he was rammed into. “Master!! Please. Cum..I..gotta..”

“Cum you fucking slut.” Negan growled slapping his ass. Daryl grunted holding onto the ground tight. Negan pulled his cock out only to slam back in, Daryl reeled his head back. Negan pulled him up into himself by his collar. Daryl looked at Rick with wide eyes, Rick didn’t realize how brutal Negan really was until this moment.

Daryl laid his head back as Negan bit down hard on his shoulder. Daryl screamed in pain as blood dripped from the bite. “You belong to me Daryl. Me alone.” Negan growled as he filled him with a second round of cum before pulling away.

Daryl collapsed on the ground. Breathing heavy. “Merle take him back home. He’s never leaving again.”

Daryl cried out as his brother picked him up quick and laid him in the back of the truck.

Rick sobbed out as Daryl was packed up. “You’re a monster!”

“You broke his leg with a god damn hammer and made him think you love him! He’s mine you prick. You’re going to just have to live with that.” Rick growled, he was furious, Daryl was his. “You’re lucky he told me not to kill that boy and women, and you.”

Rick’s eyes grew wide. “But I’ve got plans for you anyway, and your people.”

Rick was blindsided as Abraham’s skull was bashed in then Glenn’s. Rick sobbed and screamed. “If you think this is bad, if you don’t do as I ask or say, they all die including those kids Daryl begged me to leave alone.”

Rick was shaking in rage. “Half your shit is mine asshole, if you don’t do what I say people start dying. I hope you enjoyed your time with what’s mine because you’re never seeing him again.”

Rick sobbed harder.

Daryl was his, he loved Daryl and Daryl finally came to realize he loved him back.

This couldn’t be happening.

Daryl was his!

Chapter Text

Daryl woke in a once familiar bed, his bite wound had been bandaged and he wasn’t naked anymore. He however was in the embarrassing and bright pink lingerie that Negan had found one run and wanted Daryl to wear on special occasions.

“Sir?” Daryl called.

Negan smiled stepping out of the bathroom. “Well hey baby! I’ve fucking missed you bad.”

“I’ve missed you lots too.” Daryl replied. That wasn’t a lie. Negan smiled and sat beside him giving him a kiss, Daryl reciprocated the kiss. “What’s the occasion?” Daryl asked flicking the waist band of the panties.

“You’re home Angel.” Negan smiled kissing him lovingly. “That’s the occasion.” Daryl looked him up and down.

Home.

He should be smiling, but this place felt like a cage he couldn’t escape. He knew Negan was never letting him leave the sanctuary ever again. He would never touch grass or see a bird unless through the window.

Negan pulled him into his arms. “Did you kill one of them?”

“Two.”

“Which ones?” Daryl asked trying to pull away but he was stopped quickly by strong arms. “Negan.”

“The man who came with Rick when he broke your leg and the Chinese boy.”

“Korean.” Daryl muttered under his breath. “Wait! No! That’s Maggie’s husband! She’s pregnant! You bastard!”

Daryl didn’t realize the words came out of his mouth till he was slammed onto the bed, Negan’s hand wrapped around his neck. “What the fuck did you just call me? You’re my bitch. What the fuck?”

“Sorry..sorry..I’m..sorry!”

“They just let you run your mouth didn’t they?”

“Yes sir..” Daryl struggled under his hand, Negan let go of his neck and held his collar tight. “I’m sorry sir.”

“Are we going to have to retrain you?”

“No sir. I’m sorry. Really I’m sorry.”

“We’ve been engaged for a while. Why don’t you and I tie the knot?” Negan asked finally letting go of the collar. Daryl looked up at him wide eyed.

“What? Wait..what? Seriously? Like married like husbands..” Daryl was confused, why now? Was it because he had been taken?

Negan couldn’t help but smile. “Course. Did you know Simon had gotten an online officiant license for friends once? We can tonight.”

“Tonight?!” Daryl sat back.

“Yes, of course. Sorry your friends from Alexandria can’t come but I’ll make sure to tell Rick all about it.” Negan beamed.

Daryl was hesitant, but he couldn’t really say not

“Oh…alright yes then. What am I wearing, please don’t say this.”

Negan chuckled. “Oh Angel I promise it won’t be that. This is for the night of, I just wanted to makes sure it still fit.”

“I didn’t get fat while I was gone.” Daryl muttered, Negan chuckled kissing the top of his head.

“I didn’t say you would, I was more worried they’d starve you.” Negan handed him a granola bar. “Did they?”

“Not really, they let me eat. I made a lot the food through so I guess it might have been cause I was cooking.”

“My little house wife.” Negan chuckled. “Maybe I’ll have to start calling your ass my cunt. It is essentially my pussy to fuck right?”

Daryl looked him up and down. “Yes sir.”

“It’s a real nice pussy, takes my cock so good. Our wedding night is going to be delectable won’t it? Gonna fuck you silly, won’t be able to walk for a week.” Daryl nodded, his face covered in a deep dark blush. “Before we do this I have new rules, new things.”

“What are they?” Daryl asked, Negan pulled him closer his bulge pressing into him.

“You’re never leaving the sanctuary again, you’ll have someone with you 24/7. Most of the time me, but if I’m busy it will be Merle, Simon, or Dwight. A guard will be posted outside the door at all times, just one of the guys you know, Per caution that’s all.”

“So I’m not allowed outside ever?”

“No Angel I’m sorry. No hunts, no runs. Never again.”

“Ne-“

“No it’s final. I worry so greatly that will happen again, it was all my fault.”

“What happened anyway? I don’t remember, when I fell I hit my head. I don’t remember any of it.”

Negan’s eyes grew wide. “You don’t?”

“No..it’s blurry. I remember getting up and us going, and then sorta remember falling from a tree but the in between is fuzzy.” He scratched the back of his head.

“Oh..well..I guess..fuck.”

“What happened?!”

“You wanted to try and go somewhere said you’d seen it on another run, I yelled told you that you weren’t the one calling the shots. Got mad, slapped you and you climbed up the tree to get away from me for the time being, I started swearing at you telling you that if you didn’t come down before I counted to three I was going to beat your ass. You shot an arrow towards me but not at me, I raised my gun and shot the branch you were sitting on. You didn’t move and I got pissed and shot another bullet. Then the gunfire, I think they thought we were shooting at them.”

“Wait..so I got kidnapped because you shot at me?”

“You got kidnapped because you didn’t listen to me!” Negan snapped. “You climbed that damn tree like a baby instead of just accepting I told you no.”

“Where was it I wanted to go?”

“I don’t remember now.”

Daryl twiddled his thumbs. “I’m..im sorry sir. I shouldn’t have acted out.”

“What’s been with you? You used to listen all the time.”

“I..I don’t know I’m sorry..”

“I don’t know isn’t an answer.”

“I just don’t like being stuck inside all the time, I love the outdoors. Love the grass, I want to be valuable. I want to help you, help out people.”

Negan looked him up and down. “I think my wedding gift to you is going to help.”

“What..what is it?”

“You’ll see tomorrow,” Negan kissed his forehead again. “After we consummate our marriage you’ll get the gift baby.”

Daryl nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“Stop, I get it. I guess I never thought that trying to protect you so much would make it so you had a hard time. I guess I wouldn’t like being locked up all the time either.”

“I just don’t like feeling useless.”

“You aren’t useless, you’re mine, makes you special. My cunt, no one else gets that either.”

“I’m worth more then being a hole to fuck.” Daryl stammered.

“I didn’t say you were only worth a hole. Yes it makes you extra special, but I guess that came out wrong.”

“Sorry..sorry I should just shut up.”

“Stop Angel. Dare, I promise it’s okay. You’ve been topsy turvey. They made you their babysitter and house wife, Rick made you think he loves you. Made you a toy for him.”

Daryl nodded, he didn’t know if that was true. Some of those things weren’t exactly how it happened. Rick asked for consent after some sense was knocked into him. The kids just called him mom and he asked to watch them, wasn’t forced to baby sit.

“Let’s get in our wedding clothes, maybe wear that under for me.”

Daryl nodded knowing he wasn’t going to be able to fight it. He was getting married tonight, it felt like a crazy dream.

Chapter Text

Daryl’s eyes grew wide as Negan stepped out from behind the closet door. “Well don’t you look as pretty as a Cherokee rose.” Negan said looking over his fiancé.

Daryl blushed.

He wore nice black pants, a button up black shirt with a white flowered pattern and his hair was actually pulled up for once in a bun. Negan had his hair slicked, he wore a leather suit. “Where’d you get the suit?”

“Found it on a run. You love me in leather don’t you Angel?”

“I do.” Daryl smiled. He blushed again as Negan kissed his cheek.

“I shouldn’t see the bride before,” Negan chuckled, “oh well.”

“Bride?”

“Your my bride.” Negan said kissing his forehead. “Come on time to get hitched.”

Daryl followed Negan through the compound. People were watching them, they were smiling seeing Daryl all dressed up.

Daryl stepped into the room he was told to, he saw Dwight, Simon, and Merle. Merle stood and walked to them. “I’ll take it from here.”

Negan smirked and headed up to stand beside Simon to make it official. “Never thought I’d be giving you away baby brother.” Daryl smiled looking Merle over. “You clean up good Darleena.”

Daryl rolled his eyes at the comment but couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks Merle.”

Merle smiled, Daryl took his arm and they walked down the ‘aisle’. Merle stepped him up and set him before Negan.

Negan smiled at him.

“My Angel.”

“Negan..”

Simon grinned. “You ready?” Negan nodded, Daryl didn’t have the luxury of saying yes or no.

Negan put a ring on Daryl’s finger, his eyes grew wide. He didn’t realize he had found rings, his was more feminine. It was a diamond, with smaller ones around the band. Negan had one on his own hand that he had to have just put on. It was a gold band.

“Then by the power invested in me by the state of Georgia, I announce you husband and husband. You may kiss your Angel.”

Daryl was dipped, a snap of a camera that Dwight had found went off as they shared their first kiss as a married couple. Merle did have to wipe away a tear, Dwight and Simon were just happy Daryl was back with Negan.

“Send that photo to Rick.” Negan laughed, Daryl felt his heart burn. “Damn Angel, you and me are a married couple now.”

Daryl blushed as Negan picked him up in a bridal position and carried him up the stairs. “Time to consummate the marriage.”

Daryl yelped as he was tossed on the bed. “Take those pretty clothes off and let me see that body.”

Daryl nodded and did as he was told. He unbuttoned his top and pulled his pants off, the pink lingerie making Negan grow hard. Negan got his suit off quick, Daryl blushed as Negan got closer. He was pinned down to the bed, Negan Negan to suck on his neck and kiss him roughly.

Daryl squeaked as the lingerie was ripped. “Negan..”

“I’ll get you new ones.” Negan promised as he exposed himself complelty. Daryl felt the thick cock tease his entrance. Daryl panicked as Negan pressed in deeply, Daryl grabbed the sheets as Negan continued to thrust in and out.

Daryl’s yells were loud, he panted and grunted moaning loudly. “Negan!”

“That’s it moan for me.”

Daryl gripped the sheets as he was fucked hard and rough. Negan felt himself hit his high as he continued to slam into his G-Spot.

“Fuck! May..may I cum please please.”

“Cum for me precious. I’ll fill that cunt of yours.”

Daryl grunted in pleasure as they both came at the same time. Daryl panted in pleasure. “Ah..thank you sir..fuck..thank you.”

“I missed you.” Negan smiled. “I really missed you.”

“I’m sorry..”

“Don’t be you’re back and that’s what matters.” Negan kissed him again.

—

Rick was planning, he was getting that man back, he didn’t care what it took or how long it took him. Daryl was coming back to him, and Negan was going to die.

Chapter Text

Negan smiled at Daryl. "Are you ready for your wedding gift?"

"Yes sir."

"So this is going to be a lot of responsibility, and I already have appointed some royal help for you with it."

"With it?" Negan left the room for a minute and returned with a wriggling dog in his hands. "A dog?!"

"I thought you could use a friend when I did have to leave you." Negan grinned as he handed the dog to Daryl. Daryl grinned big as it wiggled in his lap licking and lapping at his face.

"Well hello, what's your name?"

"I named it Dog."

"Fitting." Daryl grinned as he cuddled into its fur. "You really got me a dog?"

"It's like our kid, figured you wanted to keep playing mommy." Negan smiled sitting beside him. "Already house trained, I may have trained it to pee in Dwight's shoes as well but that was just for fun."

Daryl snorted at the thought, he adjusted his own collar before fidgeting with the dogs to center it. "I can't believe you got me a dog."

"I wanted to see what all the hype about you being a mother was, dogs are easier to find then children."

Daryl prayed that was a joke, he didn't want some kid to be kidnapped and given to him to take charge over. "Well aren't you just a cutie yes hello dog." The dog yipped happily as Negan handed Daryl a dog rope from under the bed. Daryl tossed it and it came running back with the rope hanging from its jaw.

After a few turns of fetch the dog padded towards his winged jacket on the floor, he curled up and rolled over falling asleep.

"I think he likes you."

"Thank you Negan really, you didn't have to get me a dog, I..or anything..I thank you."

"I figured you would want a friend when I leave people to watch you, I know that isn't fun but I can't let anyone take you away from me again."

Daryl nuzzled his face into Negan's hand as the man held his cheek. Daryl didn't know what to do, he honestly wanted to go back and see all the people who had become his friends at Alexandria. He wanted the freedom that Rick gave him, wanted to wake up and make breakfast for Judith and Carl.

But then there was Negan, a man who had given him something he never thought he would have.

A form of love regardless of what others thought of it, or even what he thought of it. As well as his brother back, Merle had been a real dick before the fall of humanity, hell he still was. But Merle had just given him away to Negan, walked him down the isle. Before all this if he had told him he was gay there was a chance Merle would have killed him. Now he was good, cared about his own happiness.

--------

"Dwight walked up to Rick as they were packing up supplies in the trucks for the saviors. "Delivery from Negan."

Rick watched Dwight with question as he was handed a small envelope. He opened it as his heart began to race, Dwight couldn't help but smile at the confliction on his face. There were five photos encased, one of Daryl being dipped in a kiss. The back of it said Wedding Day.

The next photo was Daryl sleeping naked on a bed, he was curled up in a bit of a ball his left hand was resting on his face. A sparkling wedding ring caught Rick's attention. This photo had no entry.

The third photo made his heart wrench, Daryl was bound to the bed his legs spread with a bar. He wore torn pink lingerie and a gag in his mouth. "Consummating the marriage." Was this ones entry.

The fourth was Daryl on his knees taking Negan's cock in his mouth, this was self explanatory no entry was given.

The fifth had Rick trying not to vomit, Daryl was laying on his stomach, his wrists bound behind his back. A tramp stamp of sorts written in marker said Negan's Cunt with an arrow pointing to his ass.

"What the fuck are these?" Rick managed out through gritted teeth. "Why would he send me these?"

"He wanted you to know that Daryl isn't yours, and never will be. Daryl belongs to Negan and Negan alone, he wanted to make sure you got the message. He married him the night we took him back, his been his little wife, taking him whenever and wherever Negan pleases. He isn't out of his sight anymore."

"Oh god." Rick held the photo in his hand shaking. "Why does it say cunt?"

"Oh, well his ass is his cunt. He calls him a lot more feminine things then most would. When he talks to us about their sex he calls it his pussy or cunt, Daryl isn't female but Negan will even call him his girl sometimes. Don't know why. Didn't you see the lingerie?"

"I did." Rick grunted trying not to snap.

"Hopefully you enjoy the gifts."

"Tell Negan I say hi to his wife." Rick balled up his fists. He had been wrong to have his kids call him mom without asking permission first, should have asked if he was okay with it. He growled looking at the photo in his hand.

What the hell was wrong with them both.

Daryl should have had choices, and he fucked up there.

When Daryl was taken from Rick he realized he had been wrong, their separation was changing Rick for the better. The separation from Negan had made him more dangerous.

Chapter Text

Rick decided enough was enough, he wanted that precious hunter regardless of what happened to him. "Rick are you sure about this?"

"Aaron I have never been so sure in my life, his reign of terror ends now." They loaded up the truck and guns. They had been training in secret for the past month.

Daryl was bound to the bed, Negan smiled watching him as he pulled on the restraints. Daryl struggled against the handcuffs, he was watching Negan with big blue eyes as he pulled. Drool dripped from his mouth, the ball-gag keeping him mostly silent. "Fuck I love watching you like this."

Daryl mumbled into the gag as Negan slipped a blindfold over his eyes. Daryl didn't know if he liked the blindfold, he liked knowing what Negan had planned. What Negan wanted to do to him.

Their dog was sleeping in its kennel at the current moment, he was surprised he could sleep so soundly while Negan did things like this to him. Negan smirked as he flipped Daryl over and spit on his wanting hole. "Look at that pretty cunt, ready for me to use you hmm angel?"

Daryl only grunted into the gag as Negan slipped himself inside of Daryl. He gasped out as Negan found his speed, he was fast and hard as usual. Daryl knew he was going to have bruises on his hips and sides after this, he held onto him tightly, each thrust deeper and harder then the last. Daryl screamed out which was only somewhat muffled by the gag. He was panting and gasping for air, he continued to groan and moan as he was fucked hard. "Gonna fill this tight cunt angel, gonna fill you up."

Daryl screamed in pleasure as they both reached their highs. Cum filled Daryl as he also came, his stomach and the bed growing sticky. "Ahh...hmhm.."

"Shh angel you precious thing. Taking my cock so good. Fuck I missed you angel."

Daryl had found that Negan wasn't kidding about wanting him like this. He had been with him for a month now since his return, they fucked at least twice a day, Negan had yet to leave for anything so it had been a constant thought on their minds. He wore the wedding ring and collar religiously, Negan only allowed them off for showering. Which he also had to take with Negan, he had asked to go outside with him by his side and was punished. He came to see quickly that there was no negotiating this.

He had been publicly fucked again and had his ass beat, he still had bruises on his cheeks for it.

Daryl groaned in pleasured pain as Negan started his second round of fucking when the sound of gunshots were heard. Daryl yelped as Negan pulled out of him, he removed his blindfold, his eyes were round with panic.

"Stay," he laughed, "not that you can really go anywhere right now."

He was yelling with the gag in, but Negan just chuckled and headed away. Daryl kept pulling on the restraints, the cuffs were attached to the bed by a line of rope. He kept pulling on it but couldn't move, he had left him naked bound to a bed and defenseless.

"Who the fuck is shooting?" Negan asked as he headed down the stairs. His eyes grew wide as he saw people running, guns firing, he grabbed his own gun and his bat. "What the fuck is happening!"

Dwight came running blood running down his side. "Its Rick!" Dwight yelled.

Negan's eyes grew wide, that mother fucker.

"Dwight stand guard at my door."

"Yes sir."

Rick wasn't in the mood for fuck ups, he wanted that damn boy and wanted Negan dead. Daryl kept pulling on his restraints, he was screaming into the gag his screaming muffled. He could hear the gunfire and screams, the dead were reanimating now. Negan was on the hunt for that fuck up Rick, and he was pissed.

He wasn't losing Daryl ever again.

Rick was working on getting inside the compound when he saw Merle and Negan. He ducked behind the shields as Merle started shooting. "You ain't getting my baby brother you assholes."

Rick growled as he took his aim shooting, it hit Negan's right leg. The man screamed in agonizing pain as he hid behind a truck, Merle growled as Negan fell back. Negan worked on making his way back to his room, Rick was shooting and killing anyone in his path. Merle had gotten into a truck to keep himself safe, Simon had followed. Daryl's eyes grew wide in panic as Negan hobbled in his leg bloody.

He put Daryl's underwear on and cut the rope that kept him to the bed, he was expecting Negan to uncuff him, let him get dressed but he wasn't. He let the dog out of the kennel and Negan tossed Daryl over his shoulder. Daryl kicked which only earned him a hard slap to the ass.

Daryl grunted as he was carried through gunfire and the dead, the dog close on their heels.

Everyone ceased fire as Negan stepped out with Daryl in his arms. Daryl was dropped to his knees in front of Negan, the dog sitting beside them. "This what you came for asshole?" Daryl struggled with his binding, everyone could see a myriad of bruises and marker writings sprawled over his body. His collar was clipped to a leash and he was pulled on his feet. "This isn't your property. You are going to regret this Rick The Prick."

Chapter Text

Daryl looked up seeing Rick standing between two shields. Drool dripped from his gag as he looked to Negan confused, why was he practically naked, why was so many people dead around them? Why was he outside the walls? Why was Rick here?"

Daryl held out his wrists to Negan who only shook his head in disagreement, he lowered his head and dropped his wrists. What was happening?

"What the fuck were you thinking, you really think you can get out of this?" Negan glared, Rick stood unmoving. "This, oh yeah this is mine. You just really missed this fine ass didn't you? Did you need a tight hole to stick your limp dick in?" Daryl glared at him, this wasn't exactly what he called a good time. "Fine, if you want him so badly trade some things for him."

Daryl looked at him wide eyed, was he serious.

"What you want for him?" Rick asked.

Negan smirked, Daryl glared at him, this was not happening right now. He wasn't really being bartered. "Cut off your hand for him."

"What?"

"Go for it."

"I won't be doing that."

"Then you won't be getting my hubby, wifey, whatever either one huh Daryl."

Daryl just lowered his head, Negan tilted his chin up and kissed his cheek. Daryl watched Negan and Rick, what was happening? "You're abusing him." Rick called. "Those bruises aren't love."

Daryl froze.

"Oh I can assure you he loves them, he asks for them. Don't ya Daryl?"

Daryl just looked at him, he couldn't really talk if we wanted to, he looked at Rick for a moment their blue eyes meeting. "My kids miss him."

"Then bring the rug-rats over don't come and kill my men." Negan barked, Daryl pulled on his restraints, as he pulled on the leash Negan growled. Daryl lowered his head before he was dropped to his knees. "Look Rick I know you think you love my little pet, but that simply can't be true. The only person who can love Daryl is me."

"That isn't true, I do love him."

Daryl felt awkward standing there like he was being fought over.

"Fine, how about this. Daryl gets to decide."

Daryl choked on his own saliva, he looked to Negan upset as he was ungagged. "I ain't choosin," he growled, "why are you two fighting over me like this."

"You are going to choose angel."

"Ne- Sir don't make me do this." He mumbled.

"I'm disappointed you just aren't picking your husband. I think I should have re-trained you again, it was clear I made a mistake thinking he hadn't brainwashed you."

Daryl became frozen once again when he realized what that meant, he was going to be put in the cells again. Rick's eyes grew wide as Daryl began to cry, Daryl lowered his head. He was fucked.

"Well since you decided to come onto my land and kill my people I am going to make your life a living hell."

Rick growled, Simon, Dwight, and Merle were standing together with Negan now. "Just let me have Daryl and you won't have to deal with us again."

"No, my little pet needs so better training, you clearly didn't appreciate me being so kind to your people. Now Merle, take your brother down to his cell okay, Dwight take our dog for the week, Simon grab that guy for me."

Simon rushed forward grabbing a boy from Alexandria and bringing him forward, Daryl screamed begging Merle not to do it but he was gagged again and thrown over Merle's shoulder and carried back inside the sanctuary.

"I appreciate that you have guts Rick, balls and guts, but I think you need to know your guts are easily spilt." Spencer screamed as his stomach was cut open, he dropped to his knees as the others watched in terror. "Damn got it on my shoes. I hope this was a worth while experience bud, you stupid fucking prick. You won't be seeing Daryl ever again alright, I will be sure to give him a few extra beatings for you though."

Rick held his head in his hand, how did this go so wrong? They had killed plenty of people, and yet Daryl was still with Negan, and Daryl was in more danger then before.

Daryl sobbed as he was tied to a chair in the cell, he remembered this cell well. He had spent so much time in it, and now he was back.

Thanks Rick.

Thanks Negan.

He wanted to choose himself, wanted to decide for himself what he wanted, not be forced into anything, now he was fucked.

Chapter Text

Daryl waited for what felt like hours, he was bound, gagged, and sobbing. He hated this, hated that he was trapped and hated that Negan didn't trust him. Negan soon stepped in, Daryl's heart was aching. Negan dropped a box full of items beside the door as he stepped in.

Daryl kept crying, harder now when a few things spilled out.

"Don't cry love, this isn't going to be bad. You are my husband after all, I don't want to hurt you. This isn't punishment Daryl, well..I mean a little bit.. I am pissed that you didn't just choose me, but this is training. So that way you remember who you belong to Daryl. Remember who you are and why. Remember that I am your only option."

Daryl tried not to cry harder as Negan cut his boxers off.

"I think we need to do it this way, right, you need to remember why you need me. I think that's why you forgot, that you need me for everything. I have been very kind to you, haven't made it so you can only eat if I feed you, not making you follow all of the rules. I think that needs to change hmm? Don't you."

Daryl watched him his eyes big and round and full of fear.

"Don't you Daryl?"

He began to nod realizing he just wanted Daryl to talk, or at least respond the gag in his mouth made it impossible to respond in the way he wanted to be able to respond. Negan smiled as he snapped a few pictures of him, he tried to hide his head but was quickly stopped by a finger under his chin. "No no, Rick needs to see what he made happen to you."

Daryl realized then that this was not about himself, but about Negan feeling insecure and Rick wanting him.

Daryl gasped into the gag as his nipples were clamped, he wiggled in his seat as Negan kept snapping pictures. Daryl cried out as Negan pulled on the small chain that attached to the clamps. His eyes rolled back in his head as Negan wrapped his hand around the base of his cock and began to roughly jerk him off. Daryl moaned and whimpered as he was toyed with. "Ah..ahh..ah." He panted through the gag.

Negan smirked as Daryl came, "Pretty boy."

"C-ahh-cu-ahh."

"You can cum my pretty whore."

Daryl hated that word whore, but he fucking loved being called pretty and being allowed to cum. He moaned as he came, Negan hardly let him cum from like this. He wasn't supposed to be getting pleasure there, but he was thankful he was getting that at least. Despite the situation and the fact he was bound and had his nipples clamped.

He struggled as Negan stepped away. "I hate doing this to you honey, really I do."

Daryl watched him with wide eyes as he pulled out a dildo, Daryl was pulled off the chair and flipped over just long enough for the toy to be inserted before he was set back on the chair. Daryl whined as Negan lowered himself to be closer to his face, "Bounce for me."

Daryl brought himself up and down on the toy as well as he could while Negan snapped a few more photos. "I'll be back angel, stay on that for me, no cumming you got it?"

Daryl nodded saliva dripping from the gag.

-

Rick paced, everyone was looking to him, he had made the mistake and now Spencer was dead.

The man they had come to find love for had been taken to a cell and they knew he had been terrified about it because he was screaming when his brother took him away.

Daryl had become a part of their family, a member of their society.

Now he was being harmed worse than he already was.

When they had seen those bruises along his body and the words written in marker they knew Daryl was in for it, when he started screaming about being taken into the cell they knew he was terrified and so they were too.

Dwight appeared not long after they had all returned to their home, he was on a motorcycle.

"What the fuck do you want?" Rick asked as Dwight handed him a box.

"He told me to bring this ASAP." Dwight smiled.

Rick opened it carefully, ripped boxers, and photos. Daryl was bound to a chair nipple clamps on, cum covered his chest, there was a few of him crying on the chair. Then he saw the dildo, he was sitting on a sparkling pink dildo.

"He's being tortured and you just let it happen." Rick snarled.

"Oh there's a letter too." Dwight replied, he was ignoring him now.

Rick picked up the letter, he opened it and tried not to cry.

Hey Prick.

I thought you'd like to know this is all you bud, I wasn't planning on ever doing this to Daryl again but you sure made me realize he still thought there was a chance things would change. That he would be let out of my home, that he would be able to see your people again.

Daryl is never going to leave me.

He is going to know my bedroom, and the cell

I don't trust you, and I know you plan on coming back.

If you do, if I ever see you in my place again without my expressed permission. Well buddy, I hope you have told your son and daughter you love them, cause they will either become mine, or dead.

Your friend, Negan.

Chapter Text

Daryl woke to a hard slap to the face, his head popped up. “Morning princess.”

Daryl looked Negan over, his lips were chapped from the gag, his ass hurt like hell. His nipples were numb and he felt horrible.

“Hungry?”

Daryl nodded enthusiastically. Negan smiled as he removed the gag. “My nipples hurt sir please.”

“Oh do they baby? Beg.”

“Please sir please please.. they hurt please..please take them off sir I’ll do anything please sir.” Daryl begged, his voice was cracking, Negan smiled.

“There’s my good boy,” he smiled as he removed the clamps which made Daryl moan in pleasure. Negan picked up a bowl off the table. Daryl was salivating, he was starving. “Open up.”

Daryl did as he was instructed, he groaned as a piece of meat was set on his tongue. “Eat.”

Daryl nodded, he swallowed greedily. “Please..sir..more please.”

“So needy for it hmm?” He nodded. “No, I didn’t say you could speak did I?”

Daryl frowned, he opened his mouth to apologize when he realized that would make it worse. “There we go, see Angel you can listen. If you want more I need you to talk to me, speak when spoken to.”

Daryl nodded.

“Good, good. Alright Angel, would you like the dildo out?”

“Yes sir please.”

Negan smirked and picked him up with little effort, Daryl groaned as he toy was pulled out and dropped to the side. He was set down again and Negan caressed his cheek. “What do you say?”

“Thank you sir, sorry for misbehaving sir.”

“That’s my Angel, alright now. Open up.” Daryl opened his mouth, another tasty morsel was set on his tongue. He ate it quickly. “Thirsty?”

Daryl nodded. “Yes sir.”

“Who do you belong to Daryl?”

“You sir, I belong to you Negan.”

“Good, who doesn’t get to touch you?”

“No one but you can touch me sir.” Daryl grunted.

“Who really can’t touch you?” Negan pressed, he held the water bottle above his head.

“Rick. Rick can’t touch me sir.” Daryl managed out. “He can’t have me.”

“That’s right precious.” Negan smiled as he uncapped the bottle and helped Daryl drink it. Daryl was greedy, he kept trying to drink as Negan pulled the bottle away. Daryl whined but knew not to keep at it. “I’ve come to see you needed Rick to help you too. That you couldn’t do anything for yourself with that broken leg right, it was out of necessity. Just like me you associated good things with Rick right?”

Daryl nodded. “Yes sir..I’m sorry sir.”

“Don’t apologize, I just need to make it so all the bad things that can happen are associated with Rick now. Right.”

Daryl’s eyes grew wide.

“You want to know how I’m going to do that right?”

“Yes sir.”

“Well pet,” he smiled, “I think first you need to remember that you’re only in here because of Rick. He hurt me Daryl. He shot me,” he smiled as he looked him over. “He broke your leg.”

Daryl nodded. “He broke your leg right,” Negan grabbed the spot where Daryl had gotten hurt. “Here.”

Daryl screamed in agony as Negan pressed on it. “He did that pet, that was him.”

Daryl sobbed nodding as he released the wound. “Who loves you?”

“You do! You love me sir…” Daryl managed out. “Please sir.. I promise to behave.”

Daryl’s leg was throbbing. “Oh pet, I know, but you need to remember who I am to you. I found a friend, this is on Rick’s head remember that. I wouldn’t have done this is Rick hadn’t came here and attacked us.

Daryl watched as the door opened as a man was walked in with a bag over his head. Daryl’s eyes grew wide as the bag was removed.

“No! No you promised to not hurt him! No please!”

Jesus looked over Daryl, he looked horrible. “Rick did this not me.” Negan smiled as he bashed Jesus over the head.

“Who did this?” Negan asked as he stepped over the body on the ground. Daryl was sobbing, he didn’t want to look anyone in the face after all of this. “Who did this goddamn it?”

“You! You mother fucker!”

Negan saw red, he tossed Lucile to the side. Dumped his food and the rest of the water out on the ground and slapped Daryl hard.

Daryl whimpered in pain. “What did you call me?”

“You’re a mother fucker!” Daryl growled.

“I didn’t want to do this,” Negan growled, “but I guess I get to be the bad guy.”

Daryl sobbed shaking hard in the chair as he was gagged again. He screamed as Negan grabbed a whip from the box and started hitting his legs and thighs. “I think you need to have a little more time with me as your only protection right?”

Daryl eyed him as he was picked up and thrown over his shoulder. They headed up to their room long enough for Negan to put a pair of boxers on Daryl.

Daryl kicked and whined as he was carried to a truck. He was watched Negan wide eyed. His arms were cuffed behind his back, he wanted to cry, ask what was happening.

Negan drove out to the middle of the forest, a small clutch of walkers about six roamed.

“Get out and run.”

Daryl shook his head, he couldn’t protect himself life this. Blood was dripping from his thighs.

“I said get out.” Negan growled as he kicked Daryl
from the car door.

Daryl tumbled and started running as the dead followed, he was limping, hyperventilating, and just trying not to die.

Negan followed his gun and Lucille close by. Daryl fell backward, Negan smirked as he started killing a few of the dead. One began to snap close to Daryl, the man screamed and cried into the gag.

Negan shot it as it got close to his face. Blood sprayed over Daryl’s chest. “You’d have died without me.”

Daryl nodded sobbing hard, Negan held him close to his body. He removed the gag and looked him over. “Who saved you?”

“You did.”

“You loves you?”

“You do.”

“Would I have let you die?”

“No sir..”

“Are you going to love me and me alone?”

“Yes sir.”

Daryl was shaking, he had nearly died, and he couldn’t decide if it was Rick or Negan’s fault.

Or maybe it was his own.

Chapter Text

Daryl sobbed as Negan held him rubbing his back and rocking back and forth. They were back in the cell, and all Daryl wanted was their bed and to sleep.

“What’s wrong kitten?”

“I..I’m tired. I’m tired..”

“You’re covered in blood still, we should get you in the bath.”

“Sir…please…”

“No, you need a bath.”

Daryl nodded laying his head on his chest, he knew he wasn’t getting out of this. Negan stood up carrying him up the stairs and standing him up. Daryl gripped the counter wavering as the water began to fill up.

“You look horrible Angel.”

“I feel horrible sir.”

“Maybe we should try a softer approach to this,” Negan smiled softly guiding him out of his boxers, he picked him up and laid him in the tub, Daryl relaxed into the hot water.

As Negan began to clean him with the sponge Daryl closed his eyes, memories of he and Rick showering together, and his baths when his leg was broken flooded back to him. He bit his lip, Negan’s his husband. He shouldn’t be thinking about another man.

Negan finished scrubbing his body and began to work on his hair. Daryl grunted and tried to pull away. Negan growled and he stopped moving, he closed his eyes again, Negan scrubbed his hair until he was satisfied with its cleanliness. “Daryl, you belong to me angel.”

“Yes I do.”

“Why are you in this mess?”

“Cause I..cause I misbehaved and got captured by Rick and..and he tried to take me away from you sir.”

“That’s right baby, and who do you belong to?”

“You sir. I belong to you.” Daryl repeated again.

“That’s right. You belong to me, because why?”

“Because you..you love me and you just want me to be safe. You..you own me and I’m yours..your lover and your cunt and your husband.”

“That’s right. Mine.”

Daryl nodded. “Yours sir.” Negan kissed his forehead and helped him out of the tub, Daryl wavered as he was dried off. “Ah..fuck..”

Negan looked up concerned, Daryl’s eyelashes fluttered as he blacked out. Negan caught him with a sigh, he carried him to their bed. He laid him down and kissed him carefully, “oh babe.”

-

“Rick we can’t do this so fast, they will guess we are coming.” Aaron mumbled.

“I’m just going in, not everyone.” He grunted as he placed his gun on his belt. “I need him back.”

“He..he’s probably injured and he will need medical attention.” Aaron replied.

“But he can’t stay there.” Rick growled again. “He can’t. He’s one of us Aaron, he’s proved his worth, I love him. I can’t let that monster abuse him. You saw those bruises, you saw those disgusting words written on his skin. He wears a fucking collar for gods sake.”

“Rick if you go in and fail again he could be killed or you would be. We need a plan.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“Go in on pickup day, from talking with all the communities they do pick up on the same day at the same time for everyone.” Aaron replied. “There will be less men, they already lost about twenty from us, that means they will need to send different men out.

“That’s perfect, but that’s two weeks away.”

“Daryl is strong he can survive two week.”

“Can he? The photos I get, those marks..it’s horrible.”

“Negan won’t kill him; he’s convinced he loves him.”

“You’re right..alright two weeks.”

-

Daryl woke strapped to the bed. He groaned as he sat up, his collar was chained to the bed frame. His left leg was also tied down by his ankle. His wrists were cuffed. “Negan!”

Negan appeared with a bowl in his hand. “Hungry baby?”

“Yes..”

“Open up.” He sat beside him. Daryl begrudgingly opened his mouth, Negan began to feed him the soup, Daryl ate happily enjoying the soup. “It’s deer meat, I know you like that.”

Daryl nodded happily moaning for the meal.

“I need you to know that I am the only reason you can do anything.” He opened his mouth to ask questions when another spoonful of soup into his mouth. “So that means you have new rules, and new orders.”

Daryl bit his lip nodding.

“You’re by my side at all times now, if I have to leave you’re locked in our room with our dog and a guard will bring you your meals. You sit by my feet during meal time and during meetings.”

“Sir..”

“What Angel?”

“I’m your husband shouldn’t I sit by you during meals?”

“Once you’ve proved me you’re better I’ll change that. But for now no.”

“Yes sir…”

“Your wrists are to be kept bound at all times.”

“Bu-“

“No, it’s your orders. The only times they will be unbound is when I have to leave you alone in our room.”

“Yes sir..”

“You’ll be under constant watch, you won’t be left alone. You’re not allowed out of the compound ever again, you’re not allowed outside. You don’t get to do your jobs anymore so to earn your points you have to do some things for me daily.”

Daryl nodded understanding, he was biting his lip trying not to cry. “The first on that list is to come to me for your bath or shower, you get to choose which of the two. Second you need to please me at least twice a day. Third you need to to write out your rules and 100 lines stating who you belong to.”

“100 lines??” Daryl whined. He held up his wrists. “Will I be untied to do that?”

“Under supervision yes.” Negan replied kissing his forehead. Daryl tried not to pull away. “Another rule,” he looked him over, “is you have to tell me when you’re unhappy, when you don’t feel good and are upset.”

He nodded. “You also have to call me sir or master like usual.”

“Yes sir.”

“I need you to do one thing for me.”

Daryl looked up concerned. “What is it?”

“Come with me,” Negan dragged him down the stairs by his leash. He opened his cell door and pushed him inside, the stench of death making him realize Jesus’ body still hadn’t been moved.

“No…sir…”

“Sit I want a photo.” Negan growled pushing him on his knees beside him. Daryl hung his head tears streaming down his cheeks. Negan snapped a photo and called Dwight.

“Take these to Ricky, he needs to know what he’s done.”

Dwight nodded heading off.

Daryl was dragged back to their room and chained up. He sobbed harder, he felt like Jesus’s death was on his hands, how was he ever going to look Rick in the face?

His legs shook as he looked himself over, his knee whip marks stinging. He rolled to the side, he choked as the collar grew tight and sat back up. He sobbed harder, he hated this, hated himself.

Why’d he fight Negan? Why did he not just listen and he wouldn’t be in this mess?

Why was it when he closed his eyes he found comfort in Rick’s eyes?

Chapter Text

Rick was pacing, he didn't know if he could wait two weeks to retrieve Daryl. As Dwight rolled up again handing him another box Rick's entire world flipped upside down. "Who is that?"

"Jesus." Dwight smiled. "Daryl had to watch the entire thing. He screamed at Negan and he sent him running bound and nearly naked through the woods."

"Is he still out there?"

"Of course not, this photo was taken after he went running." Dwight looked him over. "Nearly got bit but Negan saved him. Negan will always protect Daryl."

"He's a monster." Rick sobbed, he was scared to talk to Maggie about what happened. He feared letting her know, he knew she would be devastated. Dwight smiled flipping them off as he disappeared. "I'm going to kill that bastard. What do we do? How do we tell Hilltop.."

Aaron held his bicep squeezing him to ensure he was fine. "We will do it together Rick, this isn't all on you. You don't have to lead alone anymore, you have a counsel for a reason."

Rick hung his head nodding, he knew he had to protect his people but Aaron was right. This wasn't his to do alone anymore, he had friends who stood by his side. People who were there no matter how rough it got. He cared about his people, and they cared for him. Daryl had earned his keep protecting a child he didn't know, Glenn..Glenn had been there since the beginning. He didn't know what to say to Maggie, she was pregnant and just lost the man she loved. The man she had fought to keep alive on multiple occasions. It was the worst thing he would ever have to do, and he has done a lot of terrible things to keep his people and his family alive.

Now Jesus was dead too, a leader to Hilltop.

-

Daryl was sobbing, Negan was in the bathroom setting up a tub for them. He was sitting cuffed to the bed, Negan had kept god on his promise. He didn't leave his side, or he was bound up when he wasn't right beside him. He hadn't left his side since his new rules, they had a lunch and Daryl sat beside his feet below the table. He had expected the lunch at his feet to be just that, but Negan unzipped his pants and he was told to give him a blowjob under the table after he finished his meal.

He grunted but did as he was asked, a few people watched him do it and that caused his cheeks to grow hot and red, he hated being the center of attention. He hated people watching him fuck, in any way. This was embarrassing and upsetting.

He closed his eyes trying to stop crying and all he saw was Rick's eyes, those pretty blue eyes full of care. He thought about their sex, thought about the kids who called him mom. He just wanted to feel safe and even though Negan was doing these things to keep him safe he sure as hell didn't feel safe. Negan picked him up carefully and carried him to the tub. "What's wrong angel?"

"I'm scared."

"What are you scared of?" Negan asked as he cut his wrists free.

"I..I don't..I don't know lotsa stuff. You scared me when you made me run..and when you killed Jesus. Rick scared me when he shot you...I'm scared that I'll never see outside again...I'm just scared sir.."

"Oh baby did I really scare you that much?" Negan asked as he scrubbed his bruised body clean.

"Yes..." he replied softly. "Sorry..sir."

"Why are you apologizing to me. You have no reason to, I told you to tell me what you were feeling, you did that." Negan kissed his forehead as he scrubbed his hair. "What else are you feeling."

"I'm upset that you make me do stuff like that in front of people, that you make me suck your dick..I'm upset I have to sit at your feet..I'm upset that..that you just..I don't I don't want to never see outside again. I like the woods, I like the grass. I like hunting..I just don't.. I don't like being trapped. I feel stuck..and I..I don't like that."

"Honestly would you rather be with Rick?" Negan then asked.

Daryl thought hard. The answer that popped up in his head was yes, but he quickly shook his head. "No sir."

Negan smiled, he continued to clean Daryl up.

"I'm sorry I've upset you, really, but this is the best I can offer you right now. I promise to change your rules again. When you are completely better."

"You say better..what does that mean.."

"When I don't see that look of want in your eyes when I mention Rick. I know he manipulated you baby, I know he made you think that he loved you and that his kids needed you. That isn't true and you need to remember that."

Daryl lowered his head. "Yes sir.."

He just wanted him to love him, he just wanted to be loved and not be scared anymore. Negan continued to bathe him running his hands up and down his thighs and abs. "Still so pretty and strong even only doing house work."

"It's boring, I want to be outside. I want to help you, help our people."

"You help our people by being here with me." Negan replied as he kissed him lovingly. "You're mine, and without you I am not as happy. I feel horrible when you are gone, I just don't feel right."

"You don't?"

"I feel better with you around me babe. I know I wasn't a good man when you were gone. I killed a few of our people and raised hell." He looked him over, "I love you."

"I love you too." Daryl replied lowering his head.

He tried not to sob, he tried to just smile for Negan, he tried to make him feel better. If Negan was happy so was the rest of the saviors, and that meant he was being protected. Even though he just wanted outside, he nuzzled his head into Negan's hand.

"You're mine." Negan muttered into his neck as he softly bit him, before he could make another noise Negan bit down as hard as he could. Daryl screamed out as he felt his teeth clamp onto his shoulder. He scratched at Negan who didn't stop until he was happy with the bite. Daryl knew it would bruise, he'd have that mark for at least two months.

Negan smiled looking him over. "That looks better, now even without your collar everyone will know you're mine."

"Someone's going to kill me thinking I got bit!" Daryl screamed. "Someone's going to kill me."

"I won't let that happen Daryl," Negan grunted. "I swear it."

Chapter Text

Daryl grumbled as he followed Negan down to eat, he sat under the table as he was instructed. Negan held him close wrapping one leg through his crossed legs. Daryl lifted his chin up as he was fed a few scraps. He wanted more, he opened his mouth again waiting for more.

Negan looked down and chuckled giving him some more. He muttered happily at the meal. He groaned feeling his shoe nudge his clothed cock.

“My pretty thing.” Negan smiled petting him softly.

Daryl blushed and hid his face, people were watching him. Dwight appeared with a smile on his face. “He’s pretty pissed. Think he may try something.”

“You do, even after I killed his friend?” Negan was surprised. He grabbed Daryl collar and pulled him onto his lap. “We have to do something.”

Daryl watched Dwight as Negan held him tight. He was trying not to whine or make any noise. Negan dipped his finger in the soup on his try and set his finger in Daryl’s mouth. He begrudgingly sucked it clean. Negan continued that for the duration of their talk.

This was embarrassing.

“He may not, but he looked horrified and angry.”

“I’m sure he will the stupid prick doesn’t know when to give up.”

Daryl tried not to make a noise as Negan stood up holding him in his arms. Daryl tried to struggle but was quickly shot down by a look.

“Dwight call Simon and Merle in for a meeting. Meet me in my office.”

Dwight nodded, Daryl was carried up the stairs. He was thankful he let the dog sit with him during the boring meeting. He tossed the ball back and forth, the dog happily chased it till it fell asleep curled up in his lap.

Daryl looked up when Negan snapped, he rolled his eyes and crawled under the table as Negan removed his cock from his pants. Daryl sucked while Merle and Simon talked about taking out Alexandria.

“We need their recourses.” Dwight said. “Don’t we?”

“We didn’t have them before.” Negan replied. Daryl whined as Negan grabbed the back of his head and pushed him down further on his cock. “They don’t need to keep their positions. I think Rick is a flight risk.”

Daryl was worried, he knew Negan was determined to do one thing and that was keep Daryl. He continued bobbing his head, doing what he was told as long as Negan was happy he wasn’t going to be hurt.

“Maybe we bring Rick here? Or his kids”

Daryl gagged, Negan pet his head. “Daryl honey, you want to keep playing mommy?”

Daryl looked up, his cock falling from his mouth with a wet popping sound. “You can’t take his kids.”

“We take the kids or kill them what one do you want Daryl?”

“I want them safe. So here I guess sir.”

“Good boy, keep going.” Negan grunted. Daryl nodded bobbing his head.

This would tick Rick off more, he knew Daryl could take the heat or injuries and beatings. He knew he had, but Rick couldn’t risk his children’s safety.

“Alright, next supply run. Collect the kiddies.” Daryl grunted as he felt Negans first wrap into his hair before shooting a load into the back of his throat. “Always wanted to be a dad.”

He swallowed and laid back, “sir…”

“Yes?”

“Judith has a special blanket that’s pink and blue she likes, will you make sure whoever brings her here brings the blanket?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you sir.”

Negan smiled. “Tell you what, let’s take the next few days two make those extra rooms in our apartment for the kids? You know what they like right?”

Daryl smiled. “Yes sir. I’d like that.”

Negan smiled. “Boys we have some renovating to do. Merle you’re going to be an uncle.”

Merle smiled and nodded. “I found a store with like hardware and paint, Daryl what colors for the walls?”

Daryl climbed out from under the table, Negan set him on his lap. “Carl..probably like green or blue. Judith a light purple.”

“Alright we can do that. What else should we go look for?”

“Judith’s in a crib but she’ll need a toddler bed eventually. Toys for her, Carl likes comic books but he doesn’t really do toys. He likes weapons and fighting.”

“Alright can do, boys let’s go get some supplies for the future of our community?”

“Let’s go.”

“Carl may be harder to change but Judith will be a good little Heir? Future queen here? Wouldn’t you like that momma?”

Daryl gulped but nodded. He was going to keep Rick’s kids safe. He wouldn’t let them get hurt.

Negan smiled as he walked them into their space. “You’ll be a good mom, and I’ll be a great dad. Teach the kid baseball and shit.”

“He’d rather shoot.”

“Well we can do both.”

“Carl’s strong, he may shoot you.”

“He will have to earn the right to his weapon. After like two years he’ll give in. If his dad does anything stupid he’ll see he doesn’t care about his safety.”

Daryl bit his lip.

He wanted Rick, he wanted to know the kids he loved would be safe.

They weren’t safe here.

Chapter Text

Daryl paced in their bedroom, he was looking over paint swatches. “I like this green.” Daryl finally said setting it on Negan’s desk.

Negan smirked and nodded.

“Judith’s room turned out fine Carl’s will too.”

“He’s older he has opinions.” Daryl muttered. “What if he doesn’t like it? Judith can’t tell me she doesn’t like the purple, or the animal decorations we found. Carl can tell us if he doesn’t like the green, or doesn’t like the comic books or th-“

“Hes going to like it. He isn’t going to like being here, but he’s going to like that we spent time trying to do something for him.”

Daryl sighed, Negan kissed his forehead trying to calm him down. “The dogs gonna help. Every boy needs a dog.”

Daryl nodded as Negan pulled him into his lap. He played with his collar. Daryl looked over the ring on his finger. “A few of your rules will need to change hmm?”

Daryl looked him over. “Really sir?”

“Yes pretty thing. You’re welcome to sit beside me now during meals. No more public sex, because kids shouldn’t see that. We will have to figure out how to enjoy one another, you can’t really be fucked silly whenever I want right? We have to be parents now. I said I wasn’t going to do this for a while but as a married couple this is the best step isn’t it darling?”

Darling.

Rick always called him that.

“Yes sir.”

“Good.”

“Sir.”

“Yes baby?”

“Thank you for not harming them.” Daryl smiled. “Rick’s going to hate you more than he already does, but I’m glad you’re keeping them alive.”

“I know how you feel about them.”

“If I didn’t like them would you have killed them?” Daryl finally asked after a moment of silence.

“I..I may have. I don’t know.” Negan replied. Daryl tried not to gasp or make a noise. “It seems you enjoy being a mommy though.”

“I just like kids. I’ve..I’ve thought about us having some..of our own you know.”

Negan grew silent. “You have Angel?”

“I used to cry myself to sleep because I couldn’t give you kids like all the girls.”

Negan held him close to him. “You’re not a girl. You’re different.”

“Yeah but you call me your wife and you use my ass and call it your cunt.”

Negan thought for a moment. “Yeah I do but Angel you’re mine. I don’t care if you can or can’t give me kids like that.”

Daryl nuzzled into Negan’s chest. He was so conflicted. He wanted both Rick and Negan and couldn’t have them both.

“Dwight promises to get that blanket of Judith’s.”

“Thank you.”

“You really like them don’t you?”

“Yes.”

Negan smirked and kissed his forehead. “You’re going to show me how good of a mom you can be right? Show me that we can be parents together.”

“Yes sir.” Daryl replied with a soft smile.

He was going to protect Rick’s kids with his life, prove to Rick he can still be trusted.

Merle smiled as he painted beside his brother. “You’re good with that paint brush.” Merle smirked.

Negan smiled watching Daryl and Merle together. He was busy putting a bed together. Dwight pulled in a large box.

“What’s in the box?” Daryl asked curious.

“Comic books!” Dwight smiled. “Found a whole bunch of them in that old superstore.”

Daryl smiled big. “Really? That entire box.”

“Yeah kids going to be reading for at least a year.” Dwight smiled as Simon brought a box up.

“That one too?”

“I’ve got three boxes full. Have some actual books too, and I know you said he liked weapons so some book on those too.”

Daryl was smiling big as Negan set the bed up. He walked over to his men. “Well look at that, kids already got two loving parents and three uncles.”

Daryl smiled as Negan kissed his cheek.

The next three days they finished up Carl’s room. Judith’s was already finished and Daryl was happy with them. She had a rocking chair, plenty of toys, a crib and a toddler bed when she was ready to move over to it. There was a cute tent Merle had found that was pink and purple. Judith was his princess but he didn’t want her to think those were the only things she could like so her room was animal themed.

Carl’s room had a big bed, two books shelves lined with books and comics. A box full of different sports equipment, as well as a gun case, there was a note on it from Negan.

“Work with me and I’ll work with you, the guns in my keeping till you’re trusted.”

Both of their closets were stalked full. Negan wanted these kids to love them, he wanted Judith to know him as dad.

She was young enough she might forget about Rick. Daryl was happy about their rooms. They were all together. Daryl and Negan’s room were attached to theirs through the kitchen and the bathroom.

Carl also had a dog bed so their dog could go back and forth.

“We need ten men to go and get those kids.” Negan smiled. “They’ll put up a fight and we need to make sure we get Judith’s blanket.”

They nodded as they got a group together. Daryl was nervous, but was going to keep those kids safe till they could get back to their dad.

Chapter Text

Daryl was in and out of the kids rooms adjusting decorations. Refolding blankets and clothes, Negan was cooking dinner for when they arrived. They had a highchair set up for Judith along with a kids plate, sippy cup, and utensils.

“Babe, they’ll love it.”

“What if they don’t?”

“You did it they’ll love it, help be with the pasta.”

Daryl stepped up and did as he was asked. “Yes sir.”

“The choker looks nice on you, a little less then a collar but does the same thing.” Negan smiled as he messed with the lace on his neck. Negan decided he didn’t want to kids to know much about their sexual relationship, Carl was coming to that point where he would but Judith didn’t need to.

“Thank you sir.” Daryl blushed as he stirred the sauce.

-

The group of ten appeared at the gates of Alexandria. Rick was out on a supply run, that helped them.

Carl was holding Judith when they arrived. That special blanket that Daryl wanted to make sure she had in her hands. “Hey kid,” Dwight smiled. “Negan’s got dinner waiting for you two.”

“What?!” Carl asked as he stepped back into Merle.

“Well seems to me that we need to be introduced. I’m your uncle Merle.”

“Uncle?” Carl asked trying to step away, a few people had guns raised but so did Negan’s men. “What is going on?”

“Negan decided your mom was lonely, and he wanted to see how good of a mom he could be. So come on kid, Judith too.”

“No! My da-“

“Negan’s your dad now.”

Simon opened the door to the car. “If you come willingly no one has to get hurt.” Eugene was struggling with a mans gun to his head. Carl’s eyes grew wide, he raced to the car and set Judith in the carseat they had.

“Your mom is real excited to see you kid.” Merle said as he sat beside him.

“Mom?”

“Yeah, we got rooms set up for both of you.” Simon replied as he started up the car.

Carl was confused, what was happening?

Daryl was waiting now, he filled up water cups for everyone. Negan smiled, he liked his little house wife.

Carl argued the entire drive, Judith fell asleep cuddling her blanket. “My dads going to kill you all.”

“Would like to see him try, but Negan’s your dad now.” Dwight smirked.

They walked up the steps, Carl held Judith close. Merle knocked on Negan’s door, Daryl raced to open it. Carl looked up at Daryl with a big smile, he hugged him tightly. “Mom.”

“Hey kiddo. Come on, let’s get you set down for dinner and we can talk.”

Carl nodded handing Judith to Daryl, they sat at the table. Daryl set Judith in her highchair, the little girl smiled as Daryl laid her down.

“Momma!” She called.

Daryl nodded a smile.

He was going to keep these kids safe and get them back to Rick alive. Negan smiled as he served up spaghetti.

“Why am I here?”

“I thought I should get to know my husbands children.” Negan smiled. “Plus Rick can’t seem to get it in his head Daryl’s mine so I had to do something.”

Carl thought hard.

“Alright..”

They ate and they laid Judith down in her crib she fell asleep after Daryl rocked her for a moment. Carl watched carefully.

They then showed Carl to his room. “Did you do this for me?”

“Your mom picked it all out.” Negan smiled. “We found you lots of comics.”

“Thank you.” Carl smiled squeezing Daryl’s hand. Daryl smiled seeing him enjoy his space. Carl noticed the note on the gun case.

Negan smiled. “I’ll leave you two alone for a moment. Daryl I’ll be in the bathroom getting ready for bed when you’re done.”

Daryl nodded. The door closed and Daryl held Carl close. “I’m going to get you two home to your dad.” Daryl promised. “I love your father and I want us to be a family.”

Carl looked up wide eyed. “You do?”

“I do. I promise to protect you both. I swear it.”

Carl smiled big. “Dad misses you so much.”

“I miss him.” Daryl whispered. “Get some sleep now. I’ll see you in the morning. We can do this together we have to be smart. Would you like Dog to sleep with you?”

The dog sat tail wagging.

“Yes please mom.”

Daryl smiled kissing his forehead. “Sleep, we can plan later.”

Carl nodded going to sleep the dog curled up beside him. Rick would be gone for two days to supply run and talk to hilltop about Jesus, check in on Maggie.

Daryl walked to the bathroom hearing the shower going. “Let’s jump in, get a half an hour in before bed the kids are going to make this sex thing difficult.”

Daryl nodded allowing Negan to do as he desired to him. He was going to do whatever it took to protect his kids, to get to Rick.

Rick had shown him there was more than torture and fear. He had loved Negan once in his life, but now he knows who he really wanted.

Chapter Text

Daryl woke to Judith crying, he was out of bed quickly and raced to get her from her crib. "Momma!" She coed as he reached for her, he picked her up and changed her before walking to the kitchen to get breakfast for the kids, Negan, and himself ready. Judith munched on some stale cereal while he made some eggs for his boys.

Negan walked into the kitchen as Judith tossed circle-o's across the table. "Judith, no." He snapped as he picked them up and placed them back in her bowl.

"She's two." Daryl muttered as he adjusted his lace choker before placing some eggs on a plate. "She thinks its funny."

"Well we don't waste anything here. That includes two year old's and their cereal." Negan replied as he sat down with his plate. "Damn you really are a housewife aren't you?"

"Shh." Daryl muttered but it was true and he knew it.

Negan smirked as Dog and Carl entered the kitchen. "Breakfast kiddo." Daryl smiled as he set it down for him to eat. He smiled happily as he did, he finished his plate pretty quickly. Daryl sat down and Negan squeezed his thigh in thanks.

"So son," Negan smiled, "tell me about yourself. How'd you loose your eye?"

"Gun shot," he muttered in between sips of water.

"Oh wow kid, you're bad ass."

"Not the first shot I've had either." He smiled almost proud he's taken a few hits in his life.

"It isn't?" Negan asked in between bites of egg.

"No, been shot at lots of times, got a gunshot here." He pointed to his stomach where Otis shot him. "That one was an accident though. I've been shot at, beaten, almost got eaten by cannibals, seen a lot of walkers and almost eaten by them too."

Daryl dropped his cup at cannibals. "What?"

"Oh yeah, a whole community of them. We blew them up though. Carol actually did that."

"Carol blew up cannibals?" Daryl asked trying to picture the women he knows that looks so meek and mild blowing up cannibals.

Negan wanted to know who this carol was, she sounded like someone he wanted on his team. "Anyway, what else you want to know?"

"What did you like to do before the end of the world?"

"That's all kids stuff." Carl replied bored with the idea of doing most of what he had once enjoyed. "You know except comic books."

"Any sports?"

"Baseball is cool," Carl replied. "Not sure I could still do it with one eye though."

Negan grunted. "Hell you could do it with one leg I'm sure you could. I used to be a gym coach I can re-teach you if you'd like."

Carl laughed out loud. "You were a gym teacher?"

"I was kid," Negan smiled, "now I run the world."

Carl thought hard, he couldn't see him as a gym teacher, but he also didn't see Daryl in a choker and a wedding ring for this guy either. "Well maybe we can play some then, can Judith and mom come watch?" He decided to lay it on real thick. "Please dad."

Negan smiled big, Daryl nearly choked on his food. "Of course son, see look at that the kid likes me more then we though he would isn't that something."

"Well, you're married to my mom so that makes you my dad." Carl said.

"Maybe you'll take over the sanctuary when I'm gone. I was going to train your sister for it but hell, you're already better at this then I thought. I should have brought them with the first time around shit."

Carl thought about being a leader to people like them. He wasn't sure what to think but this was more about gaining trust then it was anything else. "I'd like to take your place one day." Carl lied. Daryl took a deep breath as Judith tossed food at the dog. Carl smirked as the dog lapped it all up.

"Well then, we should show you around the sanctuary, let you meet all your people. Right honey?"

"Yeah, he should see the place. The people should see us as a family too, so Judith should come."

"Of course our little girl should get to meet everyone whos going to adore her."

Negan was beaming in pride, Daryl was trying not to be sick. Carl was just in this to get his mom back home.

Chapter Text

Rick smiled as they came home, he was about to walk towards home when he was stopped by Michonne.

“What’s wrong?” He asked confused and concerned. He noticed many of the community members watching him with sadnness in their eyes. “Why are you all looking at me like that?”

“Rick…the saviors came while you were away.”

“What?”

“They..they took Carl and Judith.”

“No!” Rick dropped to his knees terror taking over. Carol rushed to his side. “No..no why..is he going to hurt them?”

“I don’t think so, Daryl would never let that happen and you know it.”

“He’s Negan’s slave.”

“He loves those kids and would do anything to protect them.”

Rick took deep breaths, they are right Daryl would protect them. Keep them safe, love them. “I need my children back!”

“We will work on it, but we also need to worry about pick up coming, and we need to worry about not messing up so they don’t get hurt.” Michonne promised.

Rick sobbed hard. No one took his kids, no one hurt the people he loved. Daryl was included in that. Daryl was someone he loved. He was thankful at least that Daryl wouldn’t let Negan hurt his kids.

He was hopeful it didn’t end with him in worse condition.

-

Negan smiled as he watched Daryl with Judith, the little girl cuddled him while they read a kids book. “Fuck you two are adorbale.”

“Language.” Daryl snickered as Judith flipped a page before he could finish reading it, Carl was throwing a ball back and forth for Dog.

“Can we go play baseball?”

“Not yet kiddo, in a few days, weathers supposed to be off.”

“Alright.” Carl muttered as the dog licked his face before running off to retrieve a rope.

“Hey mom.”

“Yes?”

“Can I go on a run with dad?”

Daryl glared slightly. “I think that’s up to the two of you but I don’t think you should yet. Dad isn’t planning on you having a gun for at least another two months I don’t want you without one.”

“Listen to your mother on this one son.”

Daryl wanted to punch him hard in the face, no one but Rick should be these kids dad. “Alright fine. It can be us three then while dad goes out.”

“Yeah that will be fun.”

“Lunch time come on everyone should see the family of the leader.” Negan said as he took Daryl’s hand. The group of four made their way down to the dining hall. Daryl was honestly happy he was allowed to sit at the table again instead of on the floor. He sat beside Negan Judith in a highchair at the end of the table. Carl sat across from the two of them.

Everyone adored Judith just like Daryl expected. She made the sanctuary a bit happier. There weren’t a lot of children in their group so she was a joyous occasion.

Carl smiled as he ate his meal. “So you work for points here?”

“Yes, as my family you have more leeway, and Judith is too young to gain her own points. However you will start doing odd jobs or coming and doing runs for points. You can use them for food, supplies, weapons all that stuff.”

“Oh cool.”

Daryl rolled his eyes at them but continued to feed Judith. Dwight smiled as he stepped up to them. “Reports sir.”

“Perfect thank you.” He took a pile of papers. “Son, when you become a leader it isn’t all cool shit and a pretty thing at your side.” He caressed Daryl which made him blush. “It’s also boring ass paperwork.”

Daryl snickered. Now that the kids were here he couldn’t exactly help ease the boring meetings or paperwork by sucking dick under the desk.

“I’m sure it isn’t too bad,” Carl smiled. “What’s the paper work?”

“Head counts of the people in our other communities, supplies we have, things we need. That shit. Boring as I said but as leader we have to do it. Keep things up, make sure people aren’t dying that kinda thing. The dead are an issue of course.”

“Oh alright.”

Merle slid beside Carl. “How’s my nephew?”

Carl watched him curiously. “Good.”

“That’s good, little brother, boss you mind if I take the kid on a joy ride show him around on my bike?”

“Can I mom?” Carl wanted to scout figure out how to get out of here.

Daryl was nervous but knew his day only went so far. “I..I guess if he’s okay with it.”

“Just fine.” Negan smiled. “Just bring my heir back alive. Mom and I can put baby down for a nap and have some fun.”

Daryl’s face grew a deep red.

Carl snorted, he guessed that was a perk of having a ‘pretty thing’ by your side. Sex whenever you had the time for it. Merle laughed and waited till Carl finished eating to take him on his bike. Daryl followed Negan up the stairs, Negan was close as he laid Judith down.

Daryl yelped as Negan carried him to their bed. “We have at least half an hour.” Negan purred. Daryl wiggled as he began to strip him of his clothes.

Negan smiled this was the life, two kids, a beautiful husband that followed his every whim. A dog. People who he led and supplies he hardly had to work for.

Chapter Text

Daryl moaned as Negan thrusted into him with pleasure. “Yes..fuck yes.” Negan smiled as he continued to pleasure him.

“Ah! F-“ Daryl’s moans were cut off by Negan’s lips kissing him rough.

“Cum for me.” Negan smiled against his lips. Daryl panted cumming covering himself and Negan. Negan smirked as he slammed in again before filling him up.

Daryl gripped the bed sheets, he wanted Rick. Wanted to get Carl and Judith back to him, Negan smiled as he pulled away. “Go take a shower.”

The man nodded doing as he was told, he headed to get in the shower. Negan cleaned himself off and went to check on Judith. The girl was sound asleep still which Negan was thankful for, she was clearly a heavy sleeper.

Daryl was thinking about how to do this the best. He didn’t want to kill Negan, and he sure as hell didn’t want Carl to do it. However he couldn’t figure out what to do, they would have to do this in a way that meant Negan was no longer a leader. As long as he held power that meant it was possible there would be a war, Negan would take his anger out on the other communities maybe kill Rick.

Daryl wasn’t sure what to do about this, wasn’t sure if there was anything he could do. He lowered his head as water rushed down his body. He whined as he looked over his leg, it hadn’t healed properly.

He limped when he walked now, it wasn’t completely noticeable but there was a slight limp. Carl came back after a ride with Merle, the man had kept a close eye on the boy. He wanted a weapon and want allowed to have it which pissed him off but he got the idea. He understood why he couldn’t.

Negan didn’t trust him yet, he needed to find Negan’s trust or he couldn’t get his sister and mom out.

He honestly adored Daryl and wanted him safe. He knew that his dad loved Daryl, loved him and wanted him safe and in Alexandria.

Daryl stepped out of the shower and cleaned himself off, he stepped out to see Carl and Negan talking. Daryl headed to get dressed, he didn’t like the idea of them being left alone together. He was convinced Negan would corrupt the kid and he was not down to lose his boy to Negan and his corruption.

Negan had lost a lot of himself after his wife died, and when he had become the leader of the saviors. He didn’t want children raised by him, if he was being honest. He’d wanted him to be a good man and a good father and if they had known one another before the end of the world he’d hoped Negan would have been a better man. He just wished that he could help Negan see that he needed to change.

Daryl made his way up to Negan, he smiled and kissed his forehead before turning back to Carl. “Tell mom what you saw.”

“Two walkers looked like they’d been having sex before they died. They are like all tangled up.”

Daryl bit his lip.

“Ah…I see isn’t that interesting. I’m sure that was fun..”

“Yeah it was pretty cool. Uncle Merle laughed so hard he nearly turned over the bike.”

Daryl’s face grew pale. “Oh…really?”

“Yeah but we were fine mom don’t worry.”

“I’m going to worry about you, you’re my son.” Daryl hugged him carefully. “Really. I care and worry.”

Carl smiled at him chuckling. “I know but I’m fine.”

Dog came running up to Carl with a rope in his mouth. Carl Laughed and tossed it for him, he sat and played with the dog for a while. He was trying to just pretend to enjoy it so he wouldn’t be punished by Negan, so that way Daryl would be happy.

He smiled as he played with Dog. Daryl sat beside him while tossed the rope. Negan kissed Daryl’s forehead and ruffled Carl’s hair. “I’ve got to go to a meeting. Stay here.”

They nodded and Daryl squeezed his hand. Negan smirked and walked off, he wanted to make sure Daryl was safe and protected.

As soon as the door shut Carl turned to Daryl. “We need to get out of here.”

“I know, we will I promise.”

“How?”

“We need weapons.”

“Yeah we do.”

“I promise I’ll protect you.” Daryl hugged him. “You and Judith. I’m sure your dad is pissed. I know we need to get out of here.”

Carl nodded and hugged him. “Dad really misses you so much Daryl.”

“He really does?”

“Yes.”

Daryl smiled at the thought, he was honestly happy with Rick. Wanted Rick as his, and the children.

Judith woke and Daryl headed off to get her from her crib. He would protect them with his life. He didn’t want anyone to harm them, and didn’t want them to be hurt, didn’t want them to never see their dad again.

He just wanted them safe.

Daryl hung his head hoping to help his little family, and he still couldn’t figure out what to do with Negan after all of this.

He didn’t want him dead.

Yet he couldn’t keep him alive either.

Chapter Text

Rick was furious, pick up was coming around and his plan to get Daryl back was falling apart. He now had to worry about Judith and Carl on top of Daryl.

He was pacing in Judith’s nursery angry and sad. His lips curled in a frown. How could this have happened? How could he have lost his children and Daryl? He was supposed to be a leader, a father, and he wanted to be Daryl’s lover.

This was not exactly the way to go about it when they were gone.

Aaron knocked on the door and Rick made his way down the steps quickly. “Aaron?”

“They’re here for pickup.”

“Two days early?” Rick asked as he looked him over with confusion. He was pissed, Negan was going to far. “Fine.. alright.”

Rick stepped out of his house and followed Aaron to the gates. Merle and Dwight stepped up to see him, Dwight had a box for him and Merle had a list of things he needed to get for the kids.

“What is this?” Rick asked terrified to open it.

“Just open the damn box.” Dwight replied as he watched him carefully. “Honestly.”

Rick slowly opened the box trying not to think of the worst thing imaginable. He was terrified to see body parts or photos of his family dead. As Rick opened it his heart broke.

Negan sitting on a couch, Daryl beside him holding Judith with Carl sitting beside Negan. Negan had his arm wrapped around both Carl and Daryl.

“What the Fuck?” Rick snarled, he was furious.

“Family photo.” Dwight snickered. “Carl had some requests for stuff to bring from his room.”

“What?” Rick’s jaw locked.

“Yeah just wanted some of his stuff. Since you know he’s Negan’s now. Hard for him to use his stuff when he’s not here.”

“My so-“

“Negan’s son.” Dwight corrected him. Rick threw a punch which only got him slammed into the ground by Merle. “Negan’s son wanted stuff from his old room.”

Rick was seething see he watched from the ground. His hands scuffed up and face red.

“Fine go get what he wants.” Rick growled. Merle smiled and walked into his home, he grabbed a few things and then went into Judith’s room and grabbed a few more things.

“Is my family safe?”

“Negan’s kids are fine they call him dad alrwady, Daryl’s obedient as ever, they don’t need you.”

“They what?!” Rick snarled, he was furious. How could his kids call that monster dad? Why was Daryl behaving? What the hell was going on.

That was when Dwight’s radio went off. “Dwight Merle bring the men back now! Walkers got in!”

Rick’s eyes grew wide in terror, his family was in there. His family was in danger.

“Roll out now!” Dwight shouted concerned for the kids. Merle came running with the things they asked for, they hopped into the truck and made their way.

Carl was searching the room for weapons. They could heard the undead banging at the door. Daryl was trying to calm a screaming Judith down, her screams were calling the dead towards them. Negan was on the first floor fighting off the walkers, many of his people had died or were fighting.

Negan was furious Joey had forgotten to close the back up and now the dead were coming in droves. Daryl handed Judith to Carl and grabbed the kitchen knives, he had one in each hand.

Carl held onto Judith tightly as Daryl held his stance waiting for the dead to break through. He was going to protect his kids. “If we can do this right we can escape get to a truck.” Daryl grunted.

Carl looked him over and nodded wrapping Judith in her baby blanket. The door burst open and Daryl was about to stab down on the assailants head when he saw Negan standing his bat bloody.

Carl’s face fell no chance of escape now.

“Thank god you three are safe.” Negan smiled placing his bat over his shoulder.

“What’s going on out there?” Daryl asked back up to stand in front of his kids.

“Fat Joey’s a fucking idiot that’s what. He left the back open. If he isn’t dead already I’m going to kill him!”

Daryl grunted as Judith reached for him. He held her tight handing one of his knives to Carl. “Now what?”

“We are pretty over run, we need to get you three out of here till the walls are back up. I don’t know where exactly to put you.”

“We can go to Alexandria.” Carl suggested. Let promise to come back to you.”

“No, not there. Anywhere that Rick isn't is fine.” Negan replied guiding them to the truck. “Daryl maybe even stay in the truck with those two for a little. Supply run guys are supposed to be coming back. They can help take out the dead and rebuild some fences. Should only be a few hours.”

“Judith might start screaming again, then what?”

“They can’t get in.” Negan grunted.

“Neg-“

“Don’t fight me stay.” Negan grunted handing him keys. “Turn on some music.”

Negan left quickly and Carl smiled. “He gave us the keys! We can go!”

“Let’s wait till the supply trucks get back.” Daryl said as he took the lace choker off. “Then tell me how to get to The Kingdom. If we go to Alexandria he’s going to go right there.”

Carl thought. “We should go to Oceanside. Negan won’t look there and we can contact my dad with one of the radios.”

“Alright. You’ll have to guide me.” Daryl said as Judith curled up with her blanket. Daryl looked through the window as the dead surrounded their truck. “Fuck.”

“We need to get out of here.” Carl said. “Really we need to.”

“I know I know alright.”

He backed the truck up and zoomed off. Leaving a trial of walkers in their wake. Carl smiled as he led him to Oceanside.

They finally got out, and they could get back to Rick.

Chapter Text

Negan went out to retrieve his family to find the truck gone and scattered walker parts. “The hell!” He looked around the area but didn’t see a single sign of where they could have gone. “Fuck!” He was furious.

He didn’t believe Daryl would leave him didn’t believe he would run off so his first thought was kidnapping.

“Round up!” Negan shouted. Dwight, Merle, and Simon appeared bloody from the fight they just endured. “My family is missing! My first thought is Rick so we are going to go and act like they died in the attack. I want to see his reaction if it’s genuine then well I’m not sure what to do…but I sure as hell hope they are there.”

Negan drove and started sobbing, he was genuinely terrified for his little family. He’d grown attached to Judith and Carl. He loved seeing Daryl like a mom.

As they appeared at the gates Rick raced up he saw Negan and hoped his kids were with him. “Why are you crying?!” Rick managed out as Negan stepped up.

“They’re dead.” Negan sobbed out. “Daryl..Carl..Judith they’re dead.”

Rick’s face screwed up in terror. “No! No no they can’t be! You! You bastard! No no my..my babies… I loved Daryl! You’re the reason they’re dead! Youre the reason!” Rick was beside himself he dropped to his knees and screamed as he fell over in excruciating agony.

The ones who’d been at the prison would say this was worse then his anxiety attack after Lori by three hundred perfect. “No! No…no you can’t be serious! You’re lying right please tell me you’re lying! You took my children and the man I loved and you got them killed! You! You did that!”

Rick was on his knees now. “Take me to see their bodies please please I want to say goodbye please! Please!”

Negan watched him. A genuine reaction and he wouldn’t ask to see them if he knew they were alive.

“No.” Negan snarled through tears.

If Rick didn’t have them who did?

Rick was on his knees begging to see them one last time. “Please! Please…please..”

Negan shook his head again and they left quickly. Everyone was devastated, losing them was enough to break any hope they had. Any hope to ever escape Negan, however now Rick was more determined then ever to kill Negan for what he did. More determined to free his family and friends from his reign of terror.

Rick sobbed as Aaron carried him to his home, he laid beside Judith’s crib sobbing. His baby, his son, and the man he loved was dead.

How could they he dead?

There was a fire of grief and terror in him now, and Negan would pay.

Daryl looked behind him with a smile while Judith slept soundly. “My kids.” Daryl muttered to himself. They’d arrived at Oceanside with somewhat welcome arms.

“Who is this?” The female leader asked looking over Daryl.

“My fathers lover.” Carl replied. “Judith and I call him mom. Negan’s kept him captive raped him, forced him into a relationship, please we need contact with Alexandria.”

“We can take you there, but we don’t want to get in a war with Negan again.”

“He doesn’t know where we are.” Daryl replied. He watched her with big eyes. “Please we need to get to Rick.”

“We can work on it.” She promised. “Sleep now you look terrified and tried.”

Daryl nodded laying in a cot, Judith on his chest now. He loved her and would do what it took to protect them. Get them back to their father. He understood if Rick hated him, understood if he wouldn’t want to take him back after getting his kids kidnapped by Negan. He just hoped that Rick would understand it was that or they would have died.

He lifted his hand and looked over the ring. He took it off and chucked it across the room in anger. This wasn’t real love, even though he had clung to it so desperately this wasn’t love. This was a forced relationship, what he had with Rick felt real and he hoped it stayed that way.

Carl fell asleep cuddled into his side while Judith slept on top of him. He smiled these were his kids, and he was going to love them like that.

Negan was horrified he couldn’t find his family, he prayed the were alive but his patience was thin when he told the other two communities and they had a very similar reaction to the news.

Maggie nearly lost her shit and punched him but was pulled away by someone else at Hilltop. Negan was furious he couldn’t find his family.

Now he was stumped and scared. Who had his family?

Daryl woke with a start as a women stared at him. “Whoa lady.”

“Sorry just checking on you. Is this yours?” She handed him his ring.

“Uh-yeah.” He took it and put it back on. “Thanks the kids take it sometimes.”

She nodded. When Carl and Judith woke they headed out to walk along the beach. “Dads going to be so excited to see us.”

“I hope so.” He handed Judith to Carl. Carl took her and watched as Daryl took the ring off his finger and chucked it as far into the sea he could with a splash. “I’m not Negans anymore I’m making my own choices now.”

Carl smiled he was watching Daryl become his own person in this world after all of this time and it made him happy to see him like this. Made him happy to see Daryl going from some scared man who just wanted love to someone who was strong and brave and would protect himself and his sister.

“What happens if he finds us?”

“My kill count goes up by one, I’m don’t sitting on the sideline. Done being fucked and used and being told I can’t do anything because I’m fragile. I’m not fragile. I’m brave and strong and I can beat anyone’s ass. I’m going to protect you and Judith with my life I promise.”

Carl smiled as Judith reached for him. He took her happily and kissed her forehead. Judith smiled. “Momma!”

Daryl smiled big holding her tight. “Yeah, I’m your momma.”

Carl smiled big. This was the person he saw Daryl becoming, the person his dad loved. The person who saved a little girl from a walker when he had a bum leg and was on crutches.

This was someone he was proud to call his mom. He knew he’d never leave him alone and that he would be there when he needed.

Chapter Text

“We need to go to Alexandria.” Daryl said. “We have to.”

“What about Negan?” Carl asked concern etched on his face. “He will take us back.”

“No Alexandria is strong we can fight once Negan’s out of the way none of them will stay around. My brother is a threat but otherwise I think we can fight back.”

“Alright then let’s go back.” Carl smiled his gun on his side. Oceanside provided them with a vehicle, Daryl strapped Judith into the car seat and set off with Carl directing. It was dark by the time they got there. Carol sobbed holding them as they appeared.

“You’re alive? Negan told us you were killed in the break in.”

Daryl looked at her confirmed. “No we escaped.”

“That bastard come on just go home now he will be so excited to see you.” Carol pushed them towards Rick’s home. Daryl held a sleeping Judith in his arms and they raced in.

“Don’t scare him now no yelling you’ll wake her up too.” Daryl smiled as they crept up the stairs.

Rick startled awake as his door opened. “No! No not again you’re not here you’re dead..dead..” Rick sobbed as he watched them enter.

“Dad we aren’t dead.” Carl smiled running to his side hugging him quickly. “Daryl saved us. Got us out.”

Rick held Carl unsure if this was real or not, he made out with Lori’s ghost so he wasn’t sure if what he was feeling was real.

“I brought them back, I saved our kids Rick. Our kids. I want you I love you I want you to keep me please.”

Rick stood up and raced to Daryl. He wrapped his arms around him and his sleeping daughter. “You’re real? Really real?” Rick asked as he kissed his face peppering his cheeks, Daryl nodded tears running down his cheeks as Rick held him carefully to him.

“I’m real.” Daryl promised as Carl came into the cuddle. “Real..I saved them I promise. I didn’t want them to be raised by Negan..I..I got us out I ran. I tossed the wedding ring he gave me in the sea. I’m yours Rick please if you’ll take me back.”

“Mine I promise mine I promise to keep you three safe and alive. Negan told us you died..he told us you died.”

“We ran, I think he thought we were kidnapped and he was trying to see if you had us by checking your reaction he’s sick and sadistic.” Daryl’s body shuddered. He had plenty of new bruises to prove that very point.

“I’ll never let him have you again.” Rick promised. “I’m going to kill him, I’m going to. You don’t deserve to fear he will take any of you back ever again. This is my family and I am going to protect it with my life.”

Daryl clung to Rick desperately. Judith slept through the reunion. They put her in her crib and put Carl to bed.

“Claim me please.” Daryl begged. “I need all of this gone.”

He was click to remove his top and a myriad of words littering his skin became visible. Rick took his hand and helped him towards the shower, he was stripped and Rick bit his lip in sadness. There were plenty of new scars and bruises and writings.

Rick helped him into the shower and scrubbed him clean, the words disappearing as he did so. He kissed him carefully replacing the words with soft loving.

“Claim me.”

“How baby?” Rick asked as he ran his hands up his abs and along his strong arms. “What can I do?”

“Fuck me.. and then maybe you can write on me..you can take it all away.”

Rick nodded smiling as he turned Daryl over pressing him into the cold tile of the shower. “You ready baby?”

“Please.” Daryl begged. Rick gripped his hips and began to rock back and forth inside him. Daryl moaned and begged thanking him for each thrust. “Oh yeah baby there we fucking go.”

Daryl graoned his eyes crossing as Rick began to work on his cock. Each stroke sending Daryl overboard. “Oh yeah..thank you..ah..Rick I-.”

“Remember you can just cum.” Rick reminded him. There was no need for all of that, he wasn’t a slave he was a lover. Daryl smiled as his white orgasm shot through him covering the shower wall. Rick smiled rocking his hips. “I’m so glad you’re safe, when he said you died I was so scared.”

“You’re what kept me going.”

“What?”

“When Negan would rape me I would close my eyes and see you. See your eyes..they kept me going. You kept me going with all the fear, with all the terror you kept me going.”

Rick smiled as his thrusts got deeper and he came filling Daryl with his spunk. “I love you Daryl.”

“I love you too Rick.” Daryl smiled as Rick pulled away and began to kiss him up and down desperately.

Daryl smiled thankful for him, Rick helped him out of the shower and dried him off before going to find a sharpie.

He returned and began to write on him carefully. He wrote ‘Mine’ on his inner thigh. ‘Rick’s Lover’ on the small of his back. He kissed him softly. “I love you Daryl I promise to protect you he will never have you again.” He drew small hearts places and with the sharpie drew a circle around his ring finger. “I’ll get you a real ring soon I promise but for now the maker.”

Daryl smiled and nodded as Rick kissed his abs before he began to suck his cock. Daryl’s eyes got big as he gripped the wall, “fuck..Rick!”

“That’s it baby. There we go that’s it!” Rick hummed before returning to suck him off. Daryl gasped as he flicked his tongue over his slit.

“Ah..fuck..can I..I..I’m gonna cum.”

Rick smiled hearing it go from a question to a statement. He happily kept bobbing his head up and down before swallowing Daryl’s seed. Daryl moaned as Rick stood up and kissed his cheek. “Come to bed with me everyone will be so thankful you’re alive.”

Daryl smiled and followed laying beside Rick, this was what he wanted knowing he wasn’t trapped. He missed his dog, but he couldn’t do much about that now.

Rick held him tight, he had been so devastated when he had told he was killed he knew the feelings he had were real.

Chapter Text

That morning Carl helped dress Judith and they headed out as a family unit to everyone but Carol's surprise. "You're alive!" Rosita yelled rushing to hug them. Daryl stiffened not expecting her to hug him after Abraham had been killed by his ex. "Oh I was so worried, when Negan came here he acted so genuine like you were really gone."

"We ran during the attack." Daryl replied softly. "I got these two out and we went to Oceanside for a night. I think he thinks someone kidnapped us."

"That would explain a few things honestly," Rick replied as he held his daughter close to him, Carl clung to his side and Daryl didn't move away from him in fear of being taken against his will again. Aaron smiled seeing Judith was fine, it was a miracle to see the three standing there.

They were alive.

"Now that we have them back, it's time to decide what to do against Negan. Daryl you know that place better than any of us, I want you on my team to go in and take him down."

"Really?"

"Yes." Rick smiled. "I trust you baby, you're mine. You help make choices here with the counsel now as my husband." Daryl smiled happily at that comment, husband. He was Rick's. He was terrified that Rick wouldn't want him after his kids got taken but he was thankful to see that wasn't the case. Everything about Daryl was a contradiction and he was so thankful to find that Rick still loved him, still was interested in him like before. He sighed in relief at the realization. "That also means you are welcome to fight and be outside the walls like the rest of us. Unless you don't want to you're welcome to."

Daryl took a deep breath and smiled. "Thank you. I won't let you down promise."

"I know you won't, now tell us. What's one of Negan's weaknesses."

"Me." Daryl replied. "Use me as bait. I can handle that."

"Daryl we...we shouldn't."

"We can, I can handle a little bit more of being tied up and being used as a prisoner. This is for the communities, for our kids Rick."

That statement, our kids sent Rick into a moment of concern. If Daryl or himself were hurt who would take care of their kids? He took a deep breath. "Alright so how are we going to do this?"

"Don't do it on his terms, don't be by the sanctuary, we lost a lot of people with the breach so that is also a postive. Maybe get the other communities. Hold me at gun point or something, he won't do a fucking thing. I'm his weak point, he doesn't want to see me hurt."

"Alright, I think that's a good idea, but how do we get him away from it?"

Daryl raced off towards the truck and pulled out a walkie talkie, he handed it to Rick. "We can call him, he will come if you tell him you have me. Tell him to come, you know he will fight dirty. My brother will be there. Tie me up but make it so I can get out of them on my own, I want to be useful."

"You will, you are." He looked the walkie over. "First lets talk to the other communities. We meet in three days at that old oak tree with the stained glass windows."

Daryl nodded, Rick and the others contacted the other two communities in hopes of creating an army and they were quick to recruit, another day passed and many of the fighters from the other communities appeared at the walls of Alexandria. Maggie raced to Daryl hugging him tightly.

"I'm sorry about Glenn...I tried so hard... tried to get him to leave you alone.."

"Don't blame yourself, you didn't do it." Maggie said as she hugged him. "I can't fight in this war," Maggie said as she lowered her hand to her stomach. "I want you to do that fight for me."

"I promise. You just keep your baby safe."

"I will watch Judith and Carl."

"Carl is fighting." Rick said. "However I appreciate that you will watch Judith for us."

She nodded with a smile. Carl was determined to protect his family, he was going to do whatever it took to help protect his sister, family, and parents. Carl hugged Daryl as Rick took him to the houses cellar to do a call. "Come in Negan."

"Rick.. how'd you get one of my walkies?"

"I think you need to apologize to me for being a lying ass hole." Rick seethed as he carefully pet Daryl's hair.

"What are you talking about?" Negan asked breathing heavy.

"I think you know." Rick replied as he nodded to Daryl. Daryl took a deep breath before he started his act.

"Negan..Negan please.. please help me please! He's got me Negan he raped me and and took our kids and I need help please please.. Negan..Negan please sir...please.." Daryl begged. "Please I don't want to die Negan..please.."

Negan's throat felt dry, Daryl was in Rick's hands again? "What do you want for him?"

"We will meet by that oak tree tomorrow afternoon. We are going to discuss who Daryl belongs to. Isn't that right baby?"

"Please..please.." Daryl begged, but a smile was plastered on his face. He felt bad about this, but Negan had gone to far.

Rick smiled as he kissed Daryl's forehead. "Oh and bring my son's dog."

Negan bit his lip in anger. "Where did you find him?"

Rick stopped to think then began again. "Two of my men had found them, I didn't know they had gone out, but I know for sure you knew they weren't dead." Negan grunted in terror, he could hear a whimpering coming from Daryl through the walkie. Daryl was smiling up at Rick, he was on his knees. "You're going to listen to what I am going to do to Daryl every day after you're dead."

Daryl looked up cocking his head as Rick unzipped his pants and pulled out his cock, Daryl began to suck and groan. "Please sir stop..pl..ga.ahh.." He was gagging as he begged for it to 'stop', ye the wanted it faster and harder. Negan was gripping his bat tightly in his hands hearing Daryl gagging and crying through the walkie. Rick smiled as Daryl licked his slit and played with his sack as he was face fucked. "Ah..ah.."

"Swallow it pet."

Daryl smirked as he heard the walkie. "Please stop this, please don't hurt him." They had Negan by the skin, and that meant they were going to keep playing it out. "Please don't hurt him. I will be there tomorrow for him."

Daryl panted as he swallowed him up, Rick smiled as Daryl kissed his cock. "You'll never get him back Negan." Rick growled as the line went dead.

Chapter Text

"What if it's a trap?" Merle asked as he got his gun ready, they were getting his baby brother back.

"I'm sure we are walking into a slaughter, but I need to get Daryl back. You should have heard it over the walkie, honestly merle it was bad. Really bad, Daryl was begging, he sounded terrified."

Merle bit his lip, he loved Daryl. He knew he had been stupid throughout their childhood and even the first few months of the apocalypse but he was determined to make that better, to fix it. "If we go and we die then what? Daryl is his slave for the rest of his life?"

"What else are we supposed to do? Daryl was begging me to not let him die, that doesn't give me a lot of hope that he's safe. I can't just leave him there. We have to get him out, we have to."

He put their dog on a leash and headed out towards the cars, they were being followed by their people. Negan was going to get his Daryl back. They had to get Daryl back, it was impossible not to do bring Daryl back to him, he had to do it. He had to make sure he was safe and back with him.

He felt somewhat bad about thinking Daryl had wanted to go back to Rick, it was clear with his sobbing he hated being there, he felt some joy knowing his boy had wanted to stay with him and their children at the Sanctuary.

Daryl was worried, he wasn't sure this plan was going to work now that he was being tied up and gagged to trick Negan. He was starting to feel bad for tricking him like this, he had loved Negan once. He thought he did at least, Maggie's points were clear however. If you love someone you would give them some choices and you would care for them in more than just your own pleasure.

Rick had proved that there was more then just dominance and submission with them, they had spent a lot of time together. Daryl loved their sex and was happy that Rick had realized he had gone to far. He had apologized, he had made up for what he did. Now he was trying to keep that up, Rick kissed Daryl carefully as he made sure the gag was in place and the restraints weren't going to hurt him. Daryl nuzzled into his hand as he caressed his cheek. "Alright love, let's go see your old friend."

Daryl nodded as Rick helped him into the truck. Carl hugged Daryl telling him it was all going to be okay, the drive didn't take long, everyone was packed up who wanted to fight. Daryl took a deep breath as Carl hugged him. It was clear to Daryl this was his life now, he was Rick's now. Negan had been something that kept him alive, but the love he believed he had wasn't real.

Daryl grunted as they arrived at the old oak tree, Daryl shuffled out of the car surprised to see Negan wasn't there yet. He growled a bit wondering if Negan would even come. He was supposed to be here already, Daryl was dropped to his knees beside the tree and Rick. The others from Alexandria and the other communities stood around them, Daryl shook in rage. He was supposed to be here.

It wasn't even the fact he wanted to be taken back, it was just that he wanted to know he had cared enough to show up. Daryl grunted as Rick pet his head softly, "Shh I know, if he doesn't come we know where his priorates lie." Rick said as he ran his fingers through Daryl's hair. Daryl looked up his blue eyes were full of sadness. Negan hadn't even bothered to show up on time, he didn't even know if he was going to show up at this point.

Rick continued to run his fingers through Daryl's hair trying to calm him. He could see he was hurt, and Rick understood it. If he had heard Daryl screaming that he was scared of dying and he had been raped he wouldn't have waited for a time, he would have been waiting and ready.

Daryl hung his head, a half hour passed before Negan and his men finally appeared. Daryl looked up tears streaming down his face as Negan got close enough to see. To Negan those were tears of fear, tears for him to save him. For Rick he could see they were tears of rage.

Negan didn't show up on time, those thirty minutes could have been life or death for Daryl in any other circumstance.

Negan unclipped the dogs leash, the dog raced to Daryl and Carl. Carl picked it up and carried it to the truck and hid it away. "You're fucking late." Rick growled carefully grabbing a handful of Daryl's hair in his fist. It wasn't rough to Daryl, he made a slight noise to play it up. "You're lucky he's still breathing or we didn't leave already."

"Got stuck by a walker pack, please let's talk about this."

"There's nothing to talk about. Daryl is mine, and I don't think you deserve to take another breath."

Daryl struggled which caused his hair to be pulled, he let outa slight whimper. Rick's people watched as he raised his gun, Daryl yelped as Negan lifted his bat. He didn't want to be in the crossfire of either of them. As both men raised their weapons Merle came barreling down the hill to get to his brother. Daryl began to hyperventilate through the gag as Carl raised his gun and shot Merle.

Both Rick and Negan turned wide eyed at the teens gun going off.

Daryl hung his head realizing this was the price to pay for changing sides, people he loved and care about could die. People he knew could die, and it seemed his brother was one of those people. He pushed himself against the trunk of the tree, he closed his eyes he didn't want to see the slaughter.

He wasn't interested in seeing all the bloodshed over himself, he didn't feel worth all of it.

Yet to Rick and Negan he was.

Chapter Text

Rick let go of Daryl's hair as both men raised their weapons once again, Daryl scrambled back trying to get out of the binds, they were tighter then he had anticipated which wasn't exactly helping the situation. He wiggled his way towards his brothers body pushing on his shoulder to see if he was going to wake up. Carl ran up to him removing his gag.

"Merle come on brother come on." Daryl cried, he didn't blame Carl at all, it was the smartest move. He just didn't expect his brother to fall so quickly, it wasn't like him to take a hit and just die. No one could kill a Dixon but a Dixon. "Merle wake up!" Daryl screamed pushing on his shoulder in frustration. "Come on come on!"

Carl comforted and watched over Daryl as Negan and Rick circled one another.

"Daryl belongs to me now, you don't deserve a second chance. You deserve death."

Daryl bowed his head sobbing into Merle as he heard the gun go off, Negan fell to his knees hitting the ground hard. Daryl turned his head crying as he watched Negan's body stop heaving. Daryl sobbed hard into Carl.

"No..no.." Daryl whimpered as Carl ran his hand through his hair in an attempt to calm the man he loved like a mother.

Rick looked up at the Saviors who were watching wide eyed in terror. "If I see any of you again, I will not hesitate to kill you. Scatter or kill one another off for all I care. Daryl belongs to my group, and we no longer work for the saviors. We no longer provide for you!"

The saviors did scatter, doing as they were told.

Daryl cried into Carl before he felt a hand grab his ankle. "Ah!"

"Whoa little brother *cough* it's your big brother.."

"You're alive!" Daryl sobbed leaning his head into his brothers. He looked up at Rick. "Please..please can we nurse him back to health. Please I know he can be good please."

Rick looked him over. "Fine, for you Daryl."

Daryl smiled holding his brother despite the ropes around his wrists. Merle was breathing heavy, he looked up at Carl who gave him a don't fuck it up or I will shoot you again look. "Damn kid," Merle started between coughs, "that was a good shot."

"I know." Carl smirked as he watched Daryl sob over Merle.

Rick kicked Negan over to his side, a slight wheezing coming from his throat. "Shit I thought you were dead." Rick growled as he walked around him. "Look who's the weak one now." Rick lowered himself to get close to his face. "I won, Daryl's mine and you've got nothing now."

Negan grimaced, his face pale. Blood was pooling from the wound on his abdomen, he reached a hand towards Daryl and Daryl turned his head away trying not to look as Rick brought his gun to his head and let out a final shot.

Six Months Later

"Damn little brother I didn't think I would be doing this again," Merle muttered as he adjusted his top. "I guess love does find you in weird places."

Daryl only smirked as he looked himself over in the mirror. "Judith looks so cute in her dress."

"She really does," Merle smiled, "and those flowers she has she keeps throwing at Carl."

Daryl chuckled at the thought, he was so ready to marry Rick today. Rick had promised he would become a real part of the community and he had. He was able to do supply runs and hunts, he was allowed to be outside the walls and meet the people from the other communities. He was so excited to finally tie the knot officially with the man who saved him and showed him what real love was like.

There wasn't rules, there wasn't forced situations, it was an agreement. It was real.

Merle offered him his arm and they walked through the church everyone watching them with smiles as Daryl watched his soon to be husband. A path of oddly thrown petals were under their feet as they walked towards Rick.

Merle gave away his brother with a soft smile. "Watch yourself officer friendly, cause if you hurt my brother I won't hesitate."

Rick smirked and nodded his thanks as they parted, Merle watched his brother interact with Rick. This was completely different then his interaction with Negan. He was less tense, less scared, he felt free and happy.

Daryl smiled as Gabriel stepped up, "Do you Daryl Dixon take Rick Grimes to be your husband?"

"I do." Daryl smiled eagerly.

"Do you Rick Grimes take Daryl Dixon to be your husband?"

Rick smiled looking Daryl over, he looked beautiful. "I do."

Gabriel smiled. "Then by the power invested in me by God, and our home of Alexandria you may now kiss." Daryl smiled as Rick dipped him carefully, this was real love, this was real to them. Merle patted Carl's back while Judith clapped in his lap.

They smiled hugging one another before Rick trailed a few kisses along his cheeks and back to his lips. This was their purpose, to be together and protect one another and their people.

Maybe if things had been different they would have started the apocalypse out together, they would have fallen in love slowly or maybe all at once in a passionate turn of events, but they didn't have that luxury. This was life gave them, and this was how they would live it, together now protecting Alexandria, Hill-Top, and The Kingdom in unison. Raising two kids in this world, growing together as a couple and a community.

Because that's what lovers do, they work together and grow together no matter what stands in their way.