♤

The morning air was cool as we headed back to the car, bags in both our hands and a silence between us. It wasn't awkward, it was comfortable in fact. Daryl had decided that we should head back and spend sometime at the prison.

He seemed eager to get back.

I opened the back door, throwing my bag in, "Here, I'll throw it in the back for you" I offered wth a smile but Daryl shook his head,

"Nah, I got it"

I chuckled, "Daryl, I can manage"

He shook his head again, almost hiding the bag from me, "It's fine, get in the car"

My brows knitted together as he watched me get into the passengers side of the car before he placed his bag on the backseat and joined me, starting the car without saying a word.

The car started with a rumble and we soon shot off on the road, pulling out of Daryl's home town and heading back on ourselves to the place we now called our home.

Daryl had settled in the prison with the new folk. They respected him, some of the ladies admired him even, and Daryl didn't mind too much, though he had never been a fan of the attention before.

The ladies were respectful of Daryl and I, as now most of the group knew from the small amounts of affection Daryl would show in front of people, like holding my hand, having his arm around me or even a brief peck on the lips. I had watched Daryl grow into a more confident and comfortable person. He seemed to be more of a family man now.

"What's something you've never told me?" I asked him with a sigh, trying to fill the time and air.

He shrugged, "I don't know,"

"What about something to do with family? Or something you've always wanted?" I tried to pry him open some more.

He thought about my words for a few seconds before looking at me, "Guess, deep down I always wanted a kid.." His voice was quiet as he spoke to me, his eyes fixated on the road. "Never really felt I'm deserving of that though" He confessed.

"Of course you're deserving, you'd be a great father, Daryl" I smiled, placing my hand on his thigh. "You were great with Charlie, you're a natural"

He let a small smile creep onto his face for a few seconds before he looked at me, "What about you?"

I sat deep in thought for a few seconds before I chuckled, "My real name isn't Kelly" I admitted.

He glanced over at me with confusion on his face, "What you mean?"

"It's Kelsey, my grandfather used to call me Kelly, guess it just stuck" I explained.

Daryl smiled, "If it makes you feel better, I like Kelsey better, suits you"

"You think?" My eyes lit up.

He nodded, "Yeah"

We both smiled softly at each other for a few seconds as we continued down the road on our way to the prison. It was just under a days car journey from where we were, our arrival time would be during the night when everyone was sleeping so we wouldn't get any bother.

Another hour passed and I sighed, "What do you think about Rick bringing all those people back?"

"Makes it feel more normal, don't trust em all though" He admitted.

I nodded, "Yeah, you seem to have some admirers too" I smirked to which he groaned slightly.

"We've been through this," He started though my chuckles cut him off.

"I'm teasing"

He grabbed my hand from his thigh and moved it over to mine before he held it gently, one hand on the steering wheel the other in mine.

I smiled lovingly at him, it was the little moments like these that made me feel the happiest. They allowed me to forget, even for a second, what the world was really like.

The entire car ride was tiring and as we approached the metal gates, I yawned. The gates were opened by Glenn as he waved us in. We drove up to the prison and parked the car. "Home sweet home," Daryl whispered as he grabbed his bag from the back quickly.

I chuckled, "Home sweet home" I repeated as we wandered into the cell block.

The cell block was silent, everyone asleep with the doors shut and covered for privacy. Daryl and I strolled into ours in the corner.

While I threw my bag, Daryl gently placed his, hiding it in the corner. Lowering myself onto the bed, he noticed me watching. "What?"

I shook my head, "Nothing" I replied, kicking off my boots as he joined, sitting beside me and throwing his to the side.

He laid first, one arm behind his head, supporting it, the other on his chest as I looked at him and smiled. I laid beside him, nestled into his side as our breathing matched up until we drifted off together once more.

♤

Daryl and I strolled out into the courtyard heading for some breakfast. As we headed over to Carol who was serving the food, people began saying Good Morning to Daryl,

"Morning Dr S" Daryl nodded at one of the men as more began greeting him.

Daryl turned and looked at where the voices were coming from but quickly turned away as we reached Carol, "Smells good" He nodded.

Carol and I glanced at each other and smirked, "Just so you know, we liked you first" Carol chuckled as she passed us both a plate each.

Daryl shook his head, "Stop" He looked around one more time, "You know, Rick brought in a lot of them" He said, referencing their admiration for him.

"Not recently," Carol stated as she plated up some more food, "Give the stranger sanctuary, keeping people fed, you're gonna have to learn to live with the love"

I stood, eating as the pair chuckled together, Carol and I sharing a look of amusement. "Can you two come with me? I need you to see something" She asked, her tone shifting as she asked a young boy to take over.

We began following until the young boy approached, "Uhh, Mr Dixon, Ms Dixon" He began with a stutter, causing me to raise my brows at the name, "I just want to thank you for bringing that deer back the other day, it was a real treat and I'd be honored to shake your hands"

My jaw fell onto the floor as the boy stood in front of us, asking to shake our hands, Daryl let out a sigh as the boy stood starstruck. Daryl quickly cleaned his fingers by sucking the before he slapped his hand in Patrick's. Then, Patrick turned to me, expecting the same. I looked at him, gently placing my hand in his and shaking it briefly before moving on with Carol.

Carol led us over to the corner where we could see the fences. Everyday more and more walkers piled against the fence. "We had a pretty big build up overnight..Dozens more towards tower three," She let out a deep sigh, "It's getting as bad as last month, they don't even spread out anymore"

Daryl nodded, "More of us in here, more we'll draw em out"

"We can't have them building up against the fences" I sighed.

Carol nodded, "Can't have them pushing against the fence. It's manageable but unless w get ahead of it not for long"

Carol looked at Daryl over her shoulder and batted her eyelids, "Sorry, Pookie"

Daryl rolled his eyes at us as we chuckled together.