Just as always, he was there waiting at her truck. His arms rest on the hood, with his head on top of them.

"Mornin'," she smiled nudging him slightly. In response, she received a low groan. "Not much sleep last night?"

"Guess you could say that," he growled, slowly standing tall. "I'm gonna lay in the back seat if you don't mind."

"Go for it. I'll wake you when we get there." Daryl nodded before making myself comfortable in the seat.

It seemed as though hours had passed before she decided to wake him. "Dixon," she whispered. "Dixon," she repeated, moving closer to his ear. "Daryl Dixon get up," she scold, slapping his back.

"Fuck," he whimpered as he moved away from her. He attempted to touch his back but the thought of causing more pain made him halt.

"I-I'm sorry," she stammered. "I didn't mean to—" the sudden spots of blood soaking through his shirt made her panic. "You're bleedin'!" She leaned further into the back. "Oh, God what did I do?! We have to go to the hospital."

"No. No hospital," Daryl groaned.

"Well I'm takin' you home," she insisted.

"Not there either..."

🏹🏹🏹

The gravel crunched beneath her tires as she pulled into her driveway. She quickly placed the car in park and hopped out of the truck.

Daryl began to slid out of the car. "Here, I got you," Brianna offered as she gently began to wrap her arm around him.

"No, I got it," he protested. He secured his grip on the grab handle and hoisted himself up.

In a matter of minutes, they were heading into her bedroom. "Don't worry, my parents aren't home," she reassured. "Take off your shirt and lay across the bed. I'm gonna go get the first aid kit."

Brianna reentered just as Daryl began to lay across the bed, groaning in both pain and relief.

Her eyes locked on the scars that tore his skin. Her heart ached as she retreated back into her parents medical supply closet. She racked her brain, attempting to figure out who would hurt him so badly. Daryl may have been a jerk but he didn't deserve those scars to bear.

Releasing a deep breathe she continued retrieving what she needed and headed back into her bedroom.

It was quiet, with the exception of Daryl's light snoring. "Perfect," she mumbled to herself, setting her supplies on her night stand. She began soak a white towel in peroxide. "This may hurt," she whispered in his ear before slowly placing the towel over his back. With every inch he hissed in pain until it covered the entire proximity.

Slowly, she rubbed his hair. "It's gonna be alright. Deep breaths, now."

Soon enough, Brianna finished disinfecting his wounds and properly bandaged him up. Daryl found sleep as Brianna occupied her time in her art studio.

A once blank canvas, now stood in front of her, full of cool colors. Grassy lands occupied the bottom third of the piece. Traveling to the top, the lands turned dark, then to white mountain tops blending in with the blue sky.

"That's really nice," a voice grumbled from behind her.

Brianna turned slightly, catching Daryl leaning in the doorway. "Thanks," she accepted, placing her tools to the side. "How are you feeling?"

"Better. You know you didn't have to do that. I would've been--"

"You know, a thank you will do just fine."

Daryl nodded in understanding. "Right. Thank ya."

"Think you can sit up in the car?" She quizzed. "We can't be here when my folks get back."

"Let's go then."

Brianna driven down roads unfamiliar to Daryl, but he remained calm in his seat making mental notes about the area. Something he'd learned as an adolescent.

"We're almost there..."she announced. Daryl responded with a low growl, shifting in his seat. "You alright, Dixon?"

"I'm fine."

Brianna made a sharp left, heading off the road, in the woods, down a dirt path. She continued onward, until a creek came into view. "This is it." She pulled up as close to it as possible before hopping out. She settled on the hood of the car, looking out in nature.

Daryl had taken his time reaching her, wincing along the way. Brianna slid off the truck and came to his aid.

Daryl immediately began to protest. "I got it," he growled.

"Jesus, would you just shut up and let me do this!" She retorted. "I wanna help, so let me help!"

Daryl remained silent, allowing her to toss his arm around her shoulder. She slowly stood up. "Deep breaths," she coached as he straightened his back. "There ya go. Think you make it down by the bank?" Daryl nodded and walked with her.

Eventually, they managed to sit. The sound of God's creations surrounded them, lulling Brianna to a state of serenity. Before she knew it, she was on her back with her eyes sealed shut.

Daryl glanced her way from time to time as they sat it silence, until she fell asleep. His sporadic glances turned into a full blown gaze.

She was beautiful, no doubt. He could never deny that, but what he didn't except was her to be so gentle. Nice, sure...but gentle and caring to someone like him, a person that barely even spoke to her or treated her properly. Caring for him, was something he never would have guessed.

Without another thought, he reached out to her, grasping her hand for a gentle squeeze. "Thank you," he groaned quietly.

Brianna inhaled deeply, before responding to Daryl. As she slowly exhaled, she squeezed his hand twice.

Her reaction sparked curiosity, but Daryl refrained and slowly released her, before looking out into the distance.

🏹🏹🏹

They pulled up to her home around the expected time. Once Brianna killed the engine, they remained still. Brianna peered over at Daryl who was staring down to his home. "Umm, sorry for falling asleep on you like that."

"It's alright," he mumbled, his gaze still on his house.

"Aye, Dixon," she called, finally grasping his attention. "You can always come here if you need anything, alright."

"I'll be fine," he assured before attempting to get out of the truck.

Brianna grabbed his arm causing him to still. "Daryl, I'm serious. My room has a yellow rose in the window." Brianna's attempt to mask her worry failed miserably. "Day or night, you can always come here."