The cool November wind blew around him as Daryl walked back toward his house.

Being in the woods all day, surrounded by the wilderness was where he was most at peace.

Hunting was something he had done since he was young and his like for it hadn't faded as he grew older.

The woods, with it's deep green and strong pine scent cleared his head. The sound of tree branches rustling in the breeze and the calls of birds there in the background as he walked through the forest.

Daryl hunted many times with his brother, but preferred it on his own. It was time for him and only him. It gave him time to think about things and get a clearer picture on them.

Coming into the clearing behind the small house, he can already sense your presence as he walks closer.

It was a sixth sense you both developed with each other, being able to tell that the other was near before you even saw or heard from them.

Walking around towards the front steps of the porch, Daryl sees that he's right. That you sit there bundled in your deep red coat and black scarf wrapped around your neck keeping you warm.

Taking in a deep breath, Daryl lets it out. All that was clear in his mind is now muddled as he reaches you.

Your head turns slightly to the left, to face Daryl. Watching as he comes to slowing pace, stopping, and standing there unsure of what to say or do.

Standing up from your seat on the hard cold cement porch steps, you dust off imaginary dirt from your black jeans.

Stuffing your hands deep in your coat pockets as the tension between the two of you is obvious, and because your fingers are numb from waiting so long.

Walking down the two steps and standing only inches from Daryl now, you speak.

"You never returned my calls."

Your voice feels distant, detatched from your body. The air may be chilly, but your words feel even colder.

Daryl knew you would come by eventually, asking why he never responded to what you told him days ago. But each time he thought about it, he could never prepare for it actually happening.

"Been busy." Daryl shrugs with a lackluster excuse.

Rolling your eyes at him, you look down at your boots and then back up to meet his eyes.

"Too busy to call me back or just send me a short message? I know things are," You pause, shifting uncomfortably. "weird between us right now. But I wanted to make sure you were alright."

Daryl snorts slightly, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because of what I said to you. I know it rattled you, and I didn't know what was going through your mind and--"

"Ye worry too much. Always have." Daryl tells you, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

"So you're gonna stand there and tell me that what I told you didn't shake you or make you ice me out?"

Daryl shrugs, knowing he can't tell the truth but can't lie to you either. Choosing to stay silent as his best option.

Sighing, you shake your head at him. "Out of all the things you've told me over the years, those three words I whispered to you were enough to send you running."

"Ain't runnin." Daryl argues, his defensiveness kicking in.

"You are." You tell him, straightforward with no wavering in your voice.

"Your mother died on you when you were young and when you needed her. Your father beat you bloody and didn't give a damn about you."

You can see him visablly tense, and his eyes cloud with a darker shade of blue at reference to his past.

"Merle was more to you than they were, but still he was a son of bitch most of the time."

Merle was in and out of Daryl's life, a revolving door and it made you tired watching it. You could only imagine how Daryl felt growing up.

"You never once had someone care for you the way you deserve to be."

Daryl looks down at his feet as your gaze becomes too heavy.

"I get that you're afraid of having someone who might actually love you." With that his eyes slowly raise, the beautiful blue back in his eyes instead of the cold navy.

"But that doesn't mean you can just push me out of your life."

Taking two steps closer to Daryl, his eyes shut as if he's fighting something inside himself and maybe he is.

"You deserve someone better. Someone who can give ye the world, and not just some small crap piece of it."

His voice is raw and vulnerable, and his words crack with emotion as his eyes lock with your own.

"That's the thing Daryl, I don't want anyone else. I want you."

You don't know how many times you will have to tell him, but something inside your heart tells to that you won't care how many. As many as it takes until he knows without a doubt.

Walking until the space inbetween the two of you is almost unexisting, you look up at him through your lashes.

"I love you." You whisper, resting a hand on his chest where his heart is. Feeling it beat under your touch. 

The three words that spooked him days ago feel different now, more powerful and less fear provoking.

"Nobody but you Daryl Dixon."