Chapter Text
The kiss felt like it lasted forever but when we pulled apart, I spoke without even thinking about it "I don't want you to go. Please stay at camp!"
His eyes filled with worry as he looked at me.
"Are you really that worried about me? I can handle myself." Merle almost seemed offended that I apparently wouldn't think he can do it.
"I know you can handle yourself but the others can't and please don't take it personal, but you have a short fuse with them. It's one thing when it escalates at camp, but in the undead filled city?" A worried sigh left my lips, "Please, stay at camp, do it for me."
I prayed that he would listen to me, that I managed to convince him to stay at camp.
The others can handle themselves, it's not like Merle did more than cause a fight and got handcuffed in the show. If he stays, Rick and the others won't have to leave camp again and maybe Amy didn't have to die when the horde walks up the hill.
I just hope my choices won't end up snowballing into chaos.
Rough lips pressed against my forehead pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Don't worry so much, I will be back before you know it."
That's it. Mission failed.
Day 1 of having a husband and he already is doomed to be taken away from me.
But maybe this new version won't end up shooting like a maniac from the roof and won't get into a fight with T-Dog and Rick…I hope.
"Ok, but promise me, if something happens and you end up left behind, stay where you are, I will come and get you." My voice was strict, like I was scolding a toddler.
"Since when do you worry so much? Nothing is gonna happen."
"Just promise me, no going alone, stay somewhere safe and wait for me and Daryl." my voice got a little louder as I stared into his blue eyes.
"I promise."
Finally my shoulders relaxed and I leaned forward, resting my head against his chest. "Thank you."
We ended up not catching a lot of fish which Lori told us for the rest of the day. Even thought it was enough for everyone to eat, it apparently was not good enough for Miss Lori.
By the time it got dark, I could pretty much feel every muscle in my body and nearly fell asleep sitting.
Based on the strong arms that carried me to my tent, I could guess that Merle took care of me.
During the night, I pretty much clung to him, not wanting to wake up again and have him gone.
Tomorrow is the day he goes to the city, where the group goes to the city. And where Rick is searching for his wife.
I can only pray that it wont end in a disaster.
I didn't even notice that I was crying until I felt a finger wipe away my tears.
"I promise to look after you." was the last thing I heard being whispered to me before falling into a deep sleep.
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When I woke up, I found myself in a strange bedroom, once again waking up with a bad headache. The grey ceiling looked unfamiliar and the bed was bigger than the one I used to have.
Carefully getting up and trying not to make any sounds, I found myself alone in the room, dressed in an oversized shirt and a pair of boxers that certainly weren't mine.
Based on the clothes all over the floor, I could already guess I wasn't alone. Those clothes don't belong to me.
Opening the door, I could see into a small living room with an old tv and an even older couch that had cigarette burns on it.
I could hear voices from the room at the other side of the living room. Looking around, I found two more doors opposite of each other on my right. Before I followed the voices, I checked the room directly next to the one I came from.
I found another bedroom, a bit cleaner than the one I woke up in although still messy.
A familiar crossbow caught my eyes and I knew that this either was a dream or memory about life before the apocalyps.
The door opposite Daryls room was a small bathroom. A shower, toilet and a sink were in here and with me alone, the room was already crowded.
Finally I followed the voices, which I asumed were the Dixon brothers, to the other side of the living room.
A kitchen with just a small round garden table was inside, four chairs stood around it and two of those were ocupied by familiar faces.
As if caught, both of them just stared at me, not moving or saying anything.
Confused I slowly moved past them, keeping my eyes on them as I started to make a tea for myself.
I caught the brothers sneaking nervous glances between them.
Sitting in the free chair between the Dixon brothers, I took a carefull sip of my still hot tea before I dared to ask, "Is everything ok?"
They tensed up, only staring at me with wide eyes.
"How much do you remember from last night?" Merle asked quietly.
I only blinked at him a few times, my lips pressed into a thin lines as my brain searched for non existing memories.
"Nothing, why?"
At my question, Merle let his head fall on the table in defeat. The loud sound only made my headache get worse and with a hiss I rubbed my forehead.
"Sorry!" he whisper yelled, reached in his pants for some aspirin and handing it to me.
"It's ok. Just a bit of a headache, nothing to worry about." I told him, waving away the bottle of pills.
Daryl huffed out a laugh next to me.
Looking at him, I raised my eyebrow at him in question. "What's so funny?" I finally asked since I didn't seem to get an answer.
"It's just that you call it 'a bit' of a headache after you and Maria nearly drank all the tequila of the bar last night."
Now that confused me for multiple reasons. Since when do I go out, and since when do I drink.
Apparently my confused expression made Daryl laugh even more while Merle still nervously glanced at me.
"Do you really not remember anything?" he asked, taking my left hand in his.
Following his gaze, I looked at my hand, finding a ring on my ring finger.
It was really pretty in silver with a small green stone.
I laid my other hand on top, noticing that the wedding ring I woke up with in the apocalypse was gone.
"Where is my wedding ring?" I said out loud before I could stop it.
"Wait, does that mean you still want to marry me, even if you dont remember the proposal last night?"
'No way getting out of this now' I thought before answering bashfully "I thought we were already married, at least in my dream we were."
Daryl now completely lost it, leaning to far back laughing and falling backwards with the chair while Merle couldn't help but laugh as well.
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This time when I woke up, I woke up with Merle already awake, stroking my hair as I used his chest as a pillow.
"I will need to leave soon." he said, noticing that I was awake. I didn't answer, only wrapping my arms around him. "Darylina will be back in the evening but I promise to be back before him." Merle said, hugging me against him.
"You better! Or I will go after you and drag your ass back to camp myself." I grumbled against him. He laughed loudly. My head moved up and down with how his chest shook.
Closing my eyes, I wished to go back to my dream.