﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

"𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝. 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐦𝐚."

·········

.・. .・゜✭・.・✫・゜・. .

Daryl moved quickly, cradling Sunny's limp body in his arms as he pushed through the darkness. She was sobbing against his chest, her breaths coming in short, choked gasps. He felt the warmth of her blood soaking into his shirt, and it made his chest tighten with panic. "Hang in there, Sun," he muttered, his voice strained and low. "You're okay. I got you."

Sunny clung to him, her small hands fisted in the leather of his jacket. Each step jostled her, and she whimpered, tears spilling down her cheeks. Daryl tried to keep his eyes ahead, but he couldn't help glancing down at her face. It was pale, too pale, and her eyes were wide with fear. Blood trickled from the cut on her throat, staining her collar. He swore under his breath, moving faster, his boots crunching on the dirt.

The medic tent was ahead, a dim light spilling out from the entrance. Enid was waiting inside, her face tightening in shock when she saw them. "What happened?" she gasped, reaching for Sunny.

"No time for questions," Daryl snapped, his voice sharper than he meant. "Just help her. She's cut bad."

Enid hesitated for a second, eyes darting to the blood covering Daryl's chest, but then she nodded and grabbed the medical kit. "Put her on the table," she instructed, clearing a space. Daryl laid Sunny down gently, keeping a hand on her shoulder as she trembled.

"It's okay, you're okay," he kept repeating, his thumb stroking her shoulder. Sunny's eyes were glassy with tears, her breath hitching in sobs as she lay there.

Enid knelt beside the table, hands steady but her face pale. "I need to stop the bleeding," she said, voice tight with concentration. She pulled out a needle and thread, her movements swift. "I'm sorry, Sunny, this is going to hurt."

"No, no," Sunny whimpered, shaking her head as the panic rose again. Daryl squeezed her shoulder harder, leaning down so their foreheads almost touched.

"Hey, look at me," he said, his voice low and firm. Sunny's eyes darted to his, wide and full of fear. "Just look at me, okay? Don't think about anythin' else."

She nodded shakily, tears streaming down her face. Daryl kept talking, trying to keep her attention. "Remember that pig you liked? Violet? You told me all 'bout her, how she was the smartest one, right?" His voice was calm, steady, but inside he was shaking. "You gotta tell me more about her, alright? Keep talkin'."

Sunny's lip quivered, and she tried to speak, but a strangled sob escaped instead. Enid was already working, her fingers moving quickly to close the gash on Sunny's throat. "Just stay still, Sunny," she said softly, but Sunny flinched when the needle pricked her skin, and a small, sharp cry left her lips.

"Easy, easy," Daryl said, his voice rough as he gripped her hand. "You're doin' good. You're tough, just like Violet." He kept his eyes locked on hers, refusing to look at the blood, refusing to let the fear creep in.

Sunny was trembling, her breaths ragged, but she held on to his words like a lifeline. "She... she was smart," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Smarter than the other pigs."

"That's right," Daryl said, his voice softening. He forced a smile, though it felt shaky on his lips. "She knew when it was feedin' time, didn't she? Always waitin' by the fence."

"Yeah," Sunny choked out, her eyes fluttering as tears continued to fall. Enid's needle kept moving, closing the wound inch by inch, and Daryl kept talking, his voice steady and low. He told her to keep thinking about the pigs, about the farm, about anything that wasn't the pain she was feeling right now.

Then, he noticed something else. There was blood matting Sunny's hair, a nasty-looking gash hidden beneath her tangled curls. He swore under his breath, his eyes widening. "Enid," he said urgently, "her head—there's blood."

Enid's face went pale as she shifted to check Sunny's scalp. "She's hit her head," she muttered, fingers gently parting the hair around the wound. "It's not as deep as her neck, but... I'm gonna need to stitch it too."

Sunny's eyes were glazed, and she whimpered as Enid cleaned the wound on her head. "No, no more," she pleaded weakly, trying to push Enid's hand away. Daryl caught her wrists gently, holding them down as Enid prepared the needle again.

"Shh, I know, I know," he soothed, leaning down to press his forehead against hers. "I'm right here, I ain't goin' nowhere. You're okay. Just a little more, alright?"

Sunny let out a shuddering breath, nodding slightly as Daryl's thumb rubbed small circles on her wrist. "It hurts," she whimpered, her eyes squeezing shut.

"I know it does," Daryl said softly, his own eyes burning with unshed tears. "But you're almost done, I promise. Just a little more."

Enid worked quickly, and soon enough, the last stitch was in place. She wiped the blood away with a clean cloth, checking Sunny's pulse and murmuring reassurances that the wounds were clean and wouldn't get infected.

Sunny was barely awake now, her eyes heavy with exhaustion and pain. "Daryl..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Don't leave me."

"I'm not goin' anywhere," he promised, his voice thick. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, brushing her hair back gently. "You're safe now. Just rest."

Enid stepped back, wiping her hands on a cloth as she looked at Daryl. "She needs rest, and she needs to stay calm," she said quietly. "No more stress for a while."

Daryl nodded, scooping Sunny back into his arms as she went limp with exhaustion. He carried her to a cot in the corner, gently laying her down and pulling a blanket over her. She was asleep in seconds, her breathing slow and shallow, her face pale and bruised.

Daryl sat beside her, his hand never leaving hers, his jaw tight with anger and fear. He didn't move, didn't speak, just kept watching her, knowing that he couldn't let his guard down. Not for a second.

Sunny had been through hell, and he was going to make sure she never went through it again.

.・. .・゜✭・.・✫・゜・. .

Daryl hadn't moved from Sunny's side, not since they'd brought her to the medic tent. He sat on a wooden stool next to the cot, watching her breathe. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, but her face was still twisted in pain, even in sleep. Every now and then, she'd let out a tiny whimper, and Daryl's heart twisted. She was so small, so fragile. He'd almost lost her.

It didn't seem real. Hours ago, he'd carried her in here, bleeding and broken, with tears streaming down her cheeks. Now, she was patched up, her throat bandaged and her head wrapped in clean gauze, but it didn't change what had happened. Those women had tried to kill her—tried to make her suffer for what Negan had done. And he'd let them go. He'd let them walk away.

His jaw tightened as he thought about it, but he couldn't bring himself to feel angry at them. He understood the need for revenge, that burning need to make someone pay for the hurt they'd caused. He'd felt it himself too many times, that sharp, relentless rage. But Sunny... she was different. She didn't deserve this. She'd never wanted any part of the bloodshed, never asked for any of the hate that followed her just because of who her father was.

A soft moan escaped Sunny's lips, and Daryl's eyes snapped to her face. She was frowning, shifting restlessly in her sleep. He leaned forward, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead. "It's alright," he murmured, his voice rough but gentle. "You're safe. I got you."

She settled again, her breathing evening out. Daryl sat back, his shoulders heavy with exhaustion. He hadn't slept in... he didn't even know how long. But he couldn't leave her. Every time he thought about stepping away, the image of her bloodied and crying, her eyes wide with terror, flashed in his mind. It made him sick, made his stomach churn with a guilt he didn't know how to handle. He'd failed her.

But what else was he supposed to do? Kill those women in cold blood? Maybe he should have. Maybe that would've been justice. But what good would it have done? It wouldn't have changed what happened, wouldn't have healed Sunny's wounds. It wouldn't have brought back the innocence she'd lost.

He rubbed a hand over his tired eyes, feeling the grit of dirt and blood on his skin. His gaze drifted to the bandage around Sunny's throat, the pale skin peeking out from under the white gauze. He swallowed hard, the memory of that thin line of blood still fresh in his mind. It could have been worse. It should have been worse. But she was still here. Alive. Breathing.

And he was going to make damn sure it stayed that way.

A rustling sound made him glance up, and he saw Rick standing in the doorway, his face drawn with worry. Daryl stiffened, his jaw tightening, but he didn't move from his spot. Rick stepped closer, his eyes darting from Sunny to Daryl, and then back to Sunny again.

"How is she?" Rick asked, his voice low and cautious, as if he was afraid to wake her.

Daryl shrugged, his eyes never leaving Sunny's face. "Alive," he said, his tone flat. "Barely."

Rick's face softened, and he sat down in the chair opposite Daryl, his expression a mix of relief and guilt. "What happened?" He asked quietly. "Who did this?"

Daryl hesitated, his mind racing. He knew what Rick wanted to hear—the truth. But he couldn't tell him. Couldn't tell him about the women, about their need for revenge. It would just lead to more anger, and Daryl sure didn't want to tell Rick he let those women kill Arat.

"It was Arat," Daryl lied, his voice steady. "She went after Sunny. I... I took care of it."

Rick's eyes narrowed, suspicion flashing across his face, but he didn't push. He just nodded, accepting the story. Daryl let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, his gaze dropping back to Sunny. It wasn't right, but it was necessary. He couldn't let this break apart what little they had left.

"You did what you had to do," Rick said softly, his hand resting briefly on Daryl's shoulder. "We'll deal with the rest later."

Daryl didn't respond, didn't look at Rick. He couldn't. His eyes were glued to Sunny's pale face, the way her forehead creased with worry even in sleep. She'd been so scared. He'd seen it in her eyes when she begged him to stop them, the terror when he'd carried her bleeding and gasping into the tent. He should've done something different, should've protected her better.

But what was done was done. All he could do now was make sure it never happened again.

Rick sat in silence for a few moments before he got up, the floor creaking under his boots. "I'll come back later," he said quietly, a shadow passing over his face. He left without another word, leaving Daryl alone with Sunny.

He leaned back, rubbing his eyes again as the exhaustion pressed down on him. His whole body ached, his mind swirling with everything that had happened. He should sleep, should close his eyes and rest, but he couldn't. He needed to be here when Sunny woke up. He needed to see her open her eyes, to hear her voice tell him she was alright.

With a heavy sigh, he settled back in the chair, his fingers still wrapped around hers. She stirred again, her lips parting in a quiet moan, and his grip tightened. "I'm right here," he whispered, the words rough and choked with emotion. "I ain't goin' nowhere."

.・. .・゜✭・.・✫・゜・. .

Sunny's eyes fluttered open, and she blinked against the dim light filtering into the tent. For a moment, everything was a blur, the heavy feeling in her limbs, the dull pain in her throat, and the thumping in her head. She could feel the warmth of a blanket draped over her, the pillow soft beneath her head. It took a second for her to realize she wasn't alone.

"Hey, Sunny," came a familiar voice, gentle and full of relief. She turned her head slightly, wincing at the ache, and saw Rick sitting beside her bed, his face tired but kind. His eyes were soft, filled with worry.

"R-Rick?" She whispered, her voice hoarse. She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, and she fell back onto the pillow. Rick's hand was on her shoulder in an instant, holding her down gently.

"Easy, don't move too fast," he said, his voice soothing. "You've been through a lot. Just rest, okay?"

Sunny swallowed, feeling the bandage around her neck tug slightly. She looked up at Rick, her brows knitting together in confusion. "W-what happened?" she croaked.

Rick hesitated, then forced a small smile. "You're safe now, that's all that matters. Daryl brought you back, and Enid fixed you up. You're gonna be alright."

Sunny blinked, her mind still foggy. She tried to piece together the fragments of what had happened, but it was all a blur. "D-Daryl...?" she mumbled, her voice trailing off.

"He's outside," Rick said softly. "He hasn't left your side since he brought you in. I told him to get some air, get some sleep."

There was a pause, and Rick reached out, taking her small hand in his much larger one. He held it gently, his thumb rubbing soothing circles over her knuckles. "I'm so glad you're okay, Sunny," he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "When I heard... when I saw you..."

He trailed off, shaking his head as if to clear the awful memories away. Sunny watched him, feeling the warmth of his hand around hers, the way his voice wavered. She'd never seen him like this, not so shaken, so vulnerable.

"I'm okay," she said softly, though she wasn't sure if that was true. Her whole body hurt, and she felt like she was floating just above reality, not quite grounded. But she was alive, and Rick was here. That was enough for now.

Rick swallowed hard, his eyes never leaving her face. "Arat... she's been dealt with," he said after a moment, his tone careful. "She won't hurt anyone else."

Sunny's brow furrowed, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. "Arat?" She echoed, her voice barely a whisper. A foggy memory pushed its way to the surface, of women shouting, of hands grabbing her, but it didn't make sense. Why was Rick talking about Arat?

Rick seemed to notice her confusion, and his expression softened. He reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead, tucking it gently behind her ear. "Don't worry about it now, okay?" He said softly. "Just focus on getting better."

Sunny wanted to ask more, to understand what had happened, but she could see the worry etched on Rick's face, the way his brow was creased with concern. She didn't want to upset him, didn't want to push. So she nodded, squeezing his hand a little tighter.

"Okay," she said, her voice quiet and small.

Rick's face softened, and he leaned down, brushing the hair from her face. "You're alright," he murmured, his voice breaking just a little. "You're so strong, you know that? Stronger than I could ever be."

Sunny's eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away, giving Rick a tiny, tired smile. "Only 'cause I got you," she whispered, her voice cracking.

Rick let out a shaky breath, his eyes glistening. "No, you got that strength all on your own," he said, his voice thick. "But I'm here. I'm always gonna be here, no matter what. Tomorrow you'll be back with your impressions of me, I know it."

Sunny nodded, and a tear slipped down her cheek. Rick reached out and wiped it away with the pad of his thumb, his touch gentle and warm. She felt safe with him there, like everything would be okay if he was by her side.

"Rest now," he said softly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles again. "I'll be right here when you wake up. I'm not going anywhere."

Sunny's eyelids grew heavy, and she let them close, the sound of Rick's steady breathing lulling her back to sleep. As she drifted off, she felt his hand holding hers, solid and comforting, and she knew she wasn't alone.

.・. .・゜✭・.・✫・゜・. .

Sunny was caught in the nightmare again, the shadows closing in around her. The cold fingers of fear wrapped around her chest, squeezing until she could hardly breathe. She was back there, in the woods, the women from Oceanside standing over her with anger in their eyes. She tried to scream, to plead, but the words wouldn't come out.

"Please... no," she sobbed, her voice thin and desperate. "I don't wanna die... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

But they didn't stop. They moved closer, and she was frozen, unable to run, unable to hide. Tears streamed down her face, and she tried to reach for Daryl, but he wasn't there. This time, he didn't come. She was all alone, and the women didn't hesitate. The terror choked her, and she felt herself slipping away, drowning in fear.

Suddenly, she heard Daryl's voice, clear and strong in her head. "I'm here, Sun. I'm here. Shhh, darlin'. Breathe, Sun. Breathe. I love you. You're okay, you're okay."

But it was too late. Pain ripped through her throat, and she screamed.

Sunny's eyes snapped open, her scream tearing through the night air. She was drenched in sweat, her heart racing, and she was shaking so hard she could hardly breathe. Tears were pouring down her face as she gasped for air.

Daryl was at her side in an instant, his arms wrapping around her tightly. "Hey, hey, I'm here," he murmured, holding her close as she trembled. "You're safe, Sun. You're safe. Ain't nobody gonna hurt you, I promise."

She clung to him, sobbing into his chest, her whole body shaking. Daryl rocked her gently, rubbing circles on her back, whispering over and over that it was okay, that she was safe now. She buried her face in his shirt, her fingers clutching the fabric like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.

"I gotcha," Daryl whispered, his voice rough but gentle. "I gotcha, baby. You're alright, I'm right here."

Slowly, her sobs quieted, but the tears wouldn't stop. She was still shaking, and Daryl didn't let go, holding her as if she might break. He pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes closed, his breath warm on her face. "Ain't nobody gonna hurt you," he repeated softly. "Not ever again. I promise."

Sunny's breaths were ragged, and she tried to speak, but it was hard to get the words out. "I-I thought... I was gonna die," she choked, her voice barely a whisper. "I was so scared... They... they wouldn't stop."

Daryl's heart broke at the fear in her voice, but he held her tighter, refusing to let his own emotions show. She needed him to be strong right now. "You're okay now," he said firmly, stroking her hair. "You're safe. I'm not goin' anywhere, alright? I got you."

"I don't know if I can do this," she whispered, her voice shaking.

Daryl's chest tightened, and he took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "You are strong, Sun," he said quietly, his voice steady. "You're the strongest kid I know. You're still here, ain't ya? After everythin', you're still here."

Sunny pulled back just enough to look at him, her eyes red and swollen, her face pale. "But what if I'm not... what if I can't be strong enough?"

Daryl cupped her face in his hands, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. "You don't gotta be strong all the time," he said gently. "I'm here, and I'm not lettin' go. You don't have to do this alone, Sun. We got each other, alright? You're not alone."

She nodded slowly, her lower lip trembling, and fresh tears filled her eyes. Daryl pulled her back into his arms, holding her close, rocking her gently until her breathing evened out. He knew the world was brutal, that it had broken the toughest of people, but he refused to let it break her.

"I love you, Sun," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "And I'm never gonna let anythin' like that happen to you again. I swear."

They stayed like that for a long time, holding each other in the quiet of the night, both of them too afraid to let go. For the first time, Daryl understood just how deep the scars went, how much she had already been through. He knew it wouldn't be easy, that the nightmares would come back, but he was determined to be there, no matter what.

Sunny was still shaking, but she nodded against his chest, and Daryl pressed a kiss to the top of her head, feeling her relax just a little in his arms. He would protect her, whatever it took.

Daryl held Sunny close, feeling the tremors still running through her small body. She was exhausted, emotionally shattered, and he could see it in her eyes—the light she used to have was dimmed, maybe even gone. What happened had broken her in a way he hadn't expected, and it twisted something deep inside him, filling him with a protective rage he didn't even know he had.

He rocked her gently, his hand rubbing circles on her back, murmuring soft reassurances until her breaths started to even out. "Shhh, I'm here," he whispered over and over, feeling the fight drain out of her as she slowly calmed. Her eyes fluttered shut, heavy with exhaustion, and soon she was asleep again, her face still tear-streaked but peaceful now.

Daryl didn't move. He kept holding her, his arms wrapped securely around her, as if letting go would mean losing her all over again. His gaze was fixed on the darkness beyond the walls of the tent, his thoughts churning like a storm. He had to protect her. He had to find a way to make the nightmares stop, to make her feel safe again.

But he knew as long as Negan was alive, that wouldn't happen. As long as that man was out there, Sunny would always be looking over her shoulder, always be waiting for something to go wrong. Daryl felt a surge of anger, hot and sharp, at everything that had led them here—at the world, at Negan, and even at himself for not being able to protect her better.

The tent was quiet again, the only sound the soft, even breaths of Sunny as she slept, her small body still curled up against his chest. Daryl's mind was racing, but in the stillness, a cold clarity settled over him. He knew what had to be done.

Negan had to die.

It wasn't just about revenge anymore, wasn't just about getting back at the man who had taken so much from them. It was about Sunny. It was about making sure she didn't have to live in constant fear, looking over her shoulder, jumping at shadows. She deserved a chance at a real life, a future where she could smile again without that haunted look in her eyes.

Daryl's jaw tightened, his grip on Sunny firm but gentle. He knew what it would take, and he knew it wasn't going to be easy. But for her—he'd do anything. He'd been drifting for so long, going from one fight to the next, but now, he had a purpose. He had something to fight for, someone to protect.

Slowly, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of Sunny's head, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against his chest. "Ain't nobody gonna hurt you again," he promised softly, his voice barely more than a breath. "Not as long as I'm here."

He settled back, his decision made. There was no turning back now. He wasn't going to let Sunny live in fear—not anymore. Whatever it took, however far he had to go, he was going to make sure she was safe.

Daryl sat there in the dark, holding her close, the weight of his decision settling heavy in his chest. It was more than revenge now. It was about giving her the chance at a life that she deserved—a life free of the pain and fear that had haunted her for so long.

And as the night dragged on, he made a silent vow: he would end this. He would finish it. Negan wouldn't hurt her—or anyone—ever again.

.・. .・゜✭・.・✫・゜・. .

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

This entire chapter was an idea my bby @daddydarnel !!  Ilysm, ty for helping me with this little filler before shit goes down.

Breaks my heart that Sunny can't seem to catch a break, all she wants is to be happy D: