#*swoon*

"No! What I want—more than anythin' else is—I want ya to stay here and be safe. I dun—I couldn't—" Daryl let out a noise of frustration as he couldn't manage to get this important thought out properly.

Your eyes narrowed as you stared up at him. His blatant refusal of you going to Woodbury on this rescue mission had surprised you. Sure, it was going to prove dangerous but how many other worse things had you already managed to get through? And it wasn't as if you hadn't proved your survival and fighting skills... But Daryl had all but forbid you from going. "Daryl—what are you trying to say?" you pressed him, confused at his vehemence.

He suddenly straightened up and his body stilled. The near-frantic energy that had been there a moment earlier had vanished. He gulped and looked back at you, sincere and earnest. "'M in love with you. And I have been for a long time. I need ya to stay safe. Please. I've got a real bad feelin' 'bout this Governor. Please."

You stared back at him, aghast. "This is how you decided to tell me this?" you said with a laugh. "When you're trying to convince me not to go fight? Now?"

Daryl's expression strained. "I—'m sorry. I know it ain't—s'not the way I ever thought I'd tell ya—it just—"

"Just kiss me, Daryl Dixon," you interrupted him, grinning up at him with a face full of light.

He hesitated just one moment before he did.