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It was still early in the morning. Around 7:24 to be exact. The sun was peeking through the blinds of your shared house with Daryl in Alexandria. The soft sun rays landed on your face, causing you to blink awake. You groaned quietly, eyes looking around the room before landing on the man on top of you. No other than Daryl Dixon was crushing you as he slept soundly, like a giant baby. Your eyes soften and you smile. You looked down at the end of the bed when you heard a small huff, watching Dog sit up and look up at you both.

"Morning, boy" you whisper. Dog made a small sound before laying back down, resting his head on his paws.

You looked back at Daryl. His face was more calm, not scowling like he usually is. His features always softened out when he slept, which is a reason you always admired him whenever you woke up first. You quietly reach up, brushing a strand of hair away from his eyes. You were careful not to wake him, wanting to make this moment last as long as possible.

You traced your fingers down to his shoulders, massaging little circles into his scarred skin. His shoulder blades peaked out from the blanket, and you admired the deep scars that adorned his back. His scars always mesmerised you - you were sad and horrified for him about the causes of them, but they told a story. His story. That made them beautiful to you.

After a few moments, he finally stirred. He let out a soft grunt, burying his face into the crook of your neck when the sun assaulted his eyes. You chuckle softly, running your fingers through his hair.

"Well good morning to you too," You whisper.

Daryl hummed a little. "Mornin', " he mumbled, voice still raspy from sleep.

"How did you sleep?" You ask softly. After a moment when he didn't respond, you run a hand down his arm. "Dar?"

He finally looked up, eyes squinting a little. " m'slept fine," he mumbled. He stared into your eyes, his own softening after a second. You always felt fuzzy on the inside when he looked at you like that, like you were the most important thing in the world. You turned red a little, looking away. Daryl smiled a little and kissed your shoulder. "How'd ya sleep?" He murmured against your skin.

"Like a baby," You said with a small smile. "Got my own weighted blanket."

Daryl let out a scoff, shaking his head. You laugh a little before cupping his face, swiping your thumb over his cheek. At first he tried to move away, but after a moment he settled into your hands. He watched you intently as you admire his face, tracing your finger over the scar that crossed over his eye and brow.

"Wha' are y'doing?" He mumbled.

"Admiring the view," You grin a little. Daryl rolled his eyes, the corner of his mouth quirking up a little despite his attempt to control it. After a few moments you grab both sides of his face and squish his cheeks. He grunts, eyes squeezing shut and trying to move from your grasp.

"Get offa me, woman." Daryl grumbled, voice muffled slightly, throwing you a glare with no real heat behind it. You grin, squishing his cheeks together more.

"God, who told you that you can be so cute hmm?" You tease lightly.

He flushed red, trying to duck his head in embarrassment. You kept his face up, giggling. "Yer makin' me look stupid.." He grumbled.

"That doesn't take much, does it?" You whisper with a teasing tone, but you don't really mean it - he knows that.

Daryl narrowed his eyes at you, reaching up and taking your wrists in his big hands, bringing your hands away from his cheeks. "Watch it, woman," He warned with a small smirk.

"Or what?" You smirk back, running your fingers up his arms. "You gonna punish me?"

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Perv.. barely 8 a.m, woman." He smiled up at you a little. "Gonna be the death of me one day."

You chuckle. "What a way to go, huh?"

" 'Least it'd be a good way..." Daryl muttered, kissing your palm.

Your eyes soften and you smile. God, you loved this man. He was so rough around the edges, but underneath it all - underneath all that tough act - was just a man with a soft heart. You had no idea how lucky you had been to be with him. You didn't know how you deserved his unconditional love. Well, you weren't one to deny it, were you? You'd soak it up for as long as you stood this earth.

"Glad you admit that," You tease softly, kissing his forehead. He hummed contently, eyes fluttering shut. Daryl buried his face back into your neck, and you could tell he wasn't ready to get up yet. You stroke the nape of his neck, fingers raking through some of the knots. "Go back to sleep for a bit, hun." You whisper. He made a small sound of agreement, pressing a soft kiss to your shoulder before finally completely relaxing against you.

Daryl may have been crushing you, but you wouldn't have it any other way. Just as long as he was with you, safe and in your arms, that's all that mattered to you.