#darus;

A soft laugh escaped him as he stared off. ❝ Good question– would you believe me if I told you that I didn’t know??❞ Paul knew that kind of answer wouldn’t fly; still, he struggled to explain the reasoning behind his hesitance, even when it came to Daryl.  With a heavy sigh, ❝ I could tell you a thousand, maybe even a million different things, but …in truth, I think it’s just me. I have a bit of a knack for losing good things–❞ he finally met the other’s gaze, ❝ –good people. Especially by my own doing. I don’t want that.❞

It’d been a long day, and it wasn’t just because they were getting ready to take down the Saviors, either. There was a lot of prep work, a lot of things that they needed to get right and if it got screwed up - it’d be very dangerous for them. The nights seemed much more peaceful, relaxing. Paul was back and forth between Hilltop and Alexandria most days - days when he was needed.

But tonight was special because it was finally a night where it was calm and peaceful- as peaceful as it could be for them. Paul took Daryl’s hand without hesitation and held onto it for a minute. He smiled sweetly at his lover. “It was a good day,” Jesus then got up and started clearing off Daryl’s kitchen table from the dinner dishes.

Daryl immediately followed suit, picking up this and that and trying to easily toss them into the sink without breaking anything from their his dishes. That felt wrong to say, his dishes, it was there’s in his mind, this was just as much Paul’s home as it was Daryl’s. It wouldn’t be Daryl’s home without Paul being here.

Paul’s brow creases together. “I didn’t mean for it to happen,” he admits. “It was my plan, I didn’t do it on purpose, and I did not cheat on you.” Because he needed to make that a valid point. And it’s true, Jesus didn’t. Paul is fully committed to Daryl, no one else is on his mind but protecting and being with the one he loves, and only loves.

“He forced me, said if I didn’t then he’d go and find you, kill you in front of me. I couldn’t let that happen,” there’s tears in Paul’s eyes, his heart is hurting from telling Daryl the truth. “You were in hiding, I couldn’t let them go after you, risk your life. Please, babe. I’m…sorry.” Paul’s voice cracks.

Daryl’s eyebrows furrowed together and his shoulders tensed up as his fiance spoke, his chest growing tight. Before Paul made it to his apology, Daryl wrapped his arms around his man’s body, pulling him into his chest. “Babe,” his own voice was horse, “Babe, that ain’t on you, that ain’t on you,” He murmured, rubbing Paul’s back. 

Who said “I love you” first: Jesus. Daryl blushed for days, but he didn’t say it back, Jesus just kinda knew Daryl was at a point where he could handle Jesus proclaiming it.

Who would have the other’s picture as their phone background: Daryl. Not his lock screen, though. His wallpaper though. No one touches his phone but Daryl.

Who leaves notes written in fog on the bathroom mirror: Jesus, oh my god- Daryl doesn’t even notice half the time. 

Who buys the other cheesy gifts: Jesus. Daryl is more of a sentimental guy, he’d be.. Logical things for Jesus, like new gloves, shoes, etc, to keep him safe.

Who initiated the first kiss: Jesus made all the first moves lets just get that straight right off the bat

Who kisses the other awake in the morning: Daryl. He’s a sucker for Jesus’ sleepy voice and his smile when he first opens his eyes.

Who starts tickle fights: Daryl. Jesus will tense up when he knows Daryl is about to poke at his ribs, too: “You know I can take you down, right? I know martial arts”

Who asks who if they can join the other in the shower: Jesus

Who surprises the other in the middle of the day at work with lunch: Daryl, real nonchalantly, of course: “Figured you were too busy to make lunch before you left, brought ya this.” 

Who was nervous and shy on the first date: Both of them! 

Who kills/takes out the spiders: Daryl kills the spiders, Jesus takes them out.