Authors Note: Just a little one shot since me and I know several others are shipping these two together hard! 

The road had been long and weary. His body was worn down, broken, and beaten into the mud. His soul had been on the precipice of breaking too many times to count, and yet it didn't. Something or yet someone was always there to keep him from losing his sanity. His group of misfits that turned out like family to him were always there. His friends that were like his brothers and sisters who he cared for deeply, were there to keep him going even after they had long gone. 

And in the last year, another certain someone had been there to help him along the way. 

The war with the whisperers had come with a bloody ending and many losses, too many innocents were taken in the fight. But the threat was gone -- for now. And that was a thought that grounded Daryl when his mind and body wanted to float adrift. 

He lounged on the steps of one of the trailers at Hilltop and watched as the people worked among themselves. Farming, planting, chatting, always growing as a community. Hilltop felt differently with the losses of Jesus, Tara, and Enid, but it was still as thriving as ever even with the black cloud that hung in the air. 

Luke walked past him, and that caught Daryl's attention causing him to leap off the steps. 

"Hey, Luke! You gotta second?" Daryl asked, walking over to the brunette. 

Luke turned around and smiled at the sight. "Hey Daryl, what's the problem?" he asked. 

Daryl rubbed the back of his neck nervously, not sure where to even begin with what he needed help with. 

"I need to know how to sign something." Daryl told him.

Luke nodded his head and raised his eyebrows to tell him to continue. 

Anxiety was pouring off of him with every second, and when he told Luke what he needed to know how to say in sign language, he could almost hear the gears turning in Luke's head. 

Luke grinned before showing Daryl slowly what to do with his hands, Daryl copying his movements before nodding his head in thanks. 

~

Connie was outside the walls, sitting in a field of dandelions. Something she loved to do, it calmed her for a reason she could not understand. The business of Hilltop had her rushing around to try and read lips, quickly write notes to people who didn't sign, or the low humming of everyone around her gave her a headache. 

But out here she could just be. Her friends and her sister knew where she was, and there were always lookouts for the dead, so she knew she was safe. And even though she was 90% deaf in both ears, she still liked the quietness that beyond the walls gave to her. 

She turned her head to see a familiar figure waltzing over to her. She smiled and waved her hand at the man slowly walking through the field towards her. 

'Are you okay?' Signed Daryl, who stood above the pretty dark skinned young woman. 

Connie smiled and motioned at the empty patch of grass beside her.  Daryl sunk down beside her, his bones cracking with every movement. He was grateful the beauty in front of him could only see how much he aged, and not hear it too. 

'I was looking for you.' Daryl signed. Connie furrowed her brow and reached out to play with the ends of his leather vest. 

'I like it here.' Signed Connie. 'Only you come bug me out here.'

Daryl rolled his eyes and grabbed  the tiny hand that was still playing with the frayed leather on his vest. He rubbed his thumb over the soft skin before placing his lips against it. 

'I need to know you're safe.'

'I can handle myself' Connie signed before sending Daryl a quick wink. 

Connie reached down and plucked one of the dandelions out of the dirt and played with it between her fingertips. Daryl reached over and pulled the stem from her hand before placing it gently behind her ear. 

'Perfect' He signed, causing Connie to blush. Connie had been with a few men in her life, but none effected her quite like the one sitting in front of her. Daryl was equally entranced by the woman who was brought into his life in the most random way. 

Connie leaned into Daryl, him instantly wrapping a protective arm around her and pulling her close. The pair sat in comforting silence until Daryl pulled her away at arms length so she could see what he wanted to say. 

Daryl's heart was pounding and several times he forgot how to sign the way Luke taught him. His hands were sweaty, he was radiating nerves and yet Connie looked as calm as ever. 

Connie could sense his vulnerability and gently rubbed his arm in an attempt to calm him. Daryl smiled at her before deciding to finally take a leap of faith. 

'I love you' Daryl signed, his hands shaking as he formed each word. 

Connie's response was instant, and a smile lit up her face. 

'Took you long enough' She signed. Daryl frowned and hung his head, his brown hair falling into his face. 

Connie reached over and gently pushed the locks of hair out of the way before capturing his lips with hers. Daryl only got a moment to kiss back before she pulled away from him.

'I love you too' Connie signed, causing Daryl to instantly sigh in relief. 

The pair wasn't sure when the connection between them became obvious. Maybe it was the year before when she joined Hilltop, maybe it was that first run together in the woods. But whenever it was, they were both grateful that it happened.