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Chapter Text

It had only been a few hours since Daryl had escaped The Sanctuary. He was so thankful when he saw Paul standing there near the bikes, just relived to see someone he knew was on his side. He felt like he couldn't breathe when his eyes met the man's, internally sighing as he caught sight of him. 

Since then Daryl had been brought back to Hilltop. He knew is was way too dangerous for him to be at Alexandria, it would be the first place Negan went looking for him. He knew he couldn't endanger the family and friends he had there, and they wouldn't look for him at Hilltop, not yet anyway, he had time. 

Hilltop had been more than welcoming, it was cramped but Paul had offered to let him stay with him. "He's my guest, I'll take care of him." Paul had said. It made Daryl happy, but he didn't want to be a fuss telling the other man he'd stay in the barn until it blew over...Paul had told him not to be stupid, and brought him to his trailer. Paul's trailer was small, just a double bed at the back with storage underneath, cramped bathroom with a cubicle shower and a small kitchen area and a pair of chairs. But Daryl knew it was his. There was a few long black jackets hung on the back of the door, along with some black studded belts. Spare leather gloves on the counter and marked maps thrown all over the table. It was quite comforting to Daryl, just small but he was happy to be safe. Paul had given him a small drawer under the bed to put a few changes of clothes in. He hung his crossbow on a nail next to the door, Daryl had huffed a little but nodded. "Looks 'kay there." The first thing Paul had done was grab out a towel and a clean outfit, then told him to shower. He didn't care about showering but he nodded anyway and took it. "Uh...Thanks." 

That night was a little weird for the both of them. Paul had separated the blankets so they could both have their own, laying to one side, looking back at Daryl. "I know it isn't ideal. But it's a bed?" Daryl just nodded back. "'S a lot better than a concrete floor, I s'pose."  He dimmed out the light before he shuffled into the bed, as far to the left as he could, trying to not invade the man's space. He wrapped the blanket around himself a little, laying back, humming as his aching body hit the mattress. "A lot better than the concrete floor." He couldn't see Paul's face as he smiled, but he felt him turning around. "Are you sure you're okay Daryl? You were there maybe a week." Daryl chewed his lip slightly, clearing his throat a little. "Yeah...I know. Uh...'S okay." Paul could hear the uncertainty in his voice, but he knew not to push. "Okay. Try to get some rest, okay? You need it" He didn't reply but he nodded, resting his head back the best he could, trying to stop his mind from racing.

When he woke, he was unsure of where he was at first, the familiar anxiety creeping over him from the previous mornings, panic now setting it as he looked around, a voice suddenly appearing from across the room. "Daryl? Are you okay?" He opened his eyes fully, breath heavy as he blinked a few times, looking around and sighing to himself harshly as he realized where he was. "Fuck man." Paul was now looking at him, a concerned look over his face as he watched him. "You alright?" Daryl just nodded, exhaling heavily as he sat up a little now. "'M okay. Sorry." Paul smiled sadly. "Don't be sorry. It's okay." "What time 's it?" "It's almost nine. I left you to sleep because you looked exhausted yesterday." Daryl looked up a little, surprised to be awake so late. "Y' don't have to do that. Jus' wake me up next time." "You needed to rest Daryl." The man grumbled a little but doesn't reply, looking up as Paul is in front of him, handing him a coffee, a slight smile appearing as he takes it, thanking him. Paul smiles inwardly, having never even seen Daryl smile before. He liked it.

He sat back down, pulling out a piece of paper he'd been working on all morning. "So I've already drawn up a basic map of the place from what I saw, but when it comes to the inside, I'm clueless. Could you help? At Alexandria they're planning a way to attack, they want to send a lot of people over and they will know where to attack, but we have to know more about the internal building, just in case we need to go in there for any reason?" Daryl climbs out of bed a little, pulling up the chair next to the man, looking at the paper as he sips his coffee. He points to the middle section. "This middle section is fully open. 'S the main part of the old factory. There's furnaces an' stuff. Then stairs go up along the top into the other sections of the buildin'. 'S all hallways man. The right section is all rooms, people who live there."

He points to another section. "Medical is there, I'd say that's the most important stuff they have, so their supplies an' weapon stash must be in that area. We should block off that area if we can." Paul listens as he nods, marking the paper as Daryl talks. "That helps. A lot. I'll get copies of these sent to Alexandria, so Rick can have them too. When they know more of their plan we'll know. Carl made it home safe yesterday, Negan spent some time there, it's angered Rick even more. He killed Spencer and Olivia, but they left without any more damage. They took a lot of their supplies so I know they're gonna be planning this attack soon. It's going too far." Daryl's face was a mix of relief and sadness, Paul couldn't read his emotions. "Well...'M glad Carl is safe. It's a shame about the others, or Olivia at least." 

"I'm glad he's safe too. Could have killed him myself when I saw him on that truck on my way there." He shales his head. Daryl looks up a little. "'S okay though. He's safe now." Paul smiles a little at the other man, nodding as he sits back. "How did you sleep? You were restless in the night?" "Ah...'M sorry. Didn't keep ya awake did I?" Paul shakes his head. "No no. You didn't. I never sleep great anymore anyway. You just sounded like you had a rough night." Daryl shakes his head slightly, unsure of if he's trying to convince Paul or himself. "Nah. 'Ts alright. I'll be good." The man nods in response, again not wanting to push the man too much. 

"Okay. Well today you're with me anyway. We're rebuilding some of the walls, making the gate stronger, if that's good?" Daryl nods quickly, happy to finally be able to help. "That sounds great." He's already grabbing his boots from near the door, pulling them on. Paul holds back a laugh as the man is so eager to do things, grabbing his own boots, lacing them up as he grabs his gloves and a jacket. He watches Daryl as he puts on his overcoat, looking at the faded pattern on it, letting his eyes trace over his back a little and to the tops of his arms, stopping himself as he looks away quickly, waiting for Daryl to finish. 

Later that evening Daryl walked into the trailer, clearly muddy from being out in the woods. Paul had asked him not to but knew he wasn't going to listen, so didn't push when he protested. He put his crossbow on the wall, pulling the muddy shoes off and kicking them near the door, putting the rabbit he had hunted down on the empty section of the table. This was Daryl's way of saying thank you without having to say anything, and the other man knew it. "I got dinner?" Paul smiles. "You didn't have to y'know?" He watches as he starts preparing the rabbit, expertly running his knife along it. "I did. 'S okay." Paul sits back where he was on the bed and watches the man's rugged hands working with skill as he finds himself drawn to them. 

"Where did you learn to do that?" Daryl doesn't look up, just focuses on dressing the rabbit. "Uh. Taught myself a lot of it. Some of it my brother taught me when we were kids." Paul looks up a little. "You have a brother?" Daryl looks up a little. "Had a brother yeah...An older brother. Merle." He looks up a little more, laughing to himself slightly. "He was an ass. But he was a good brother." The man smiles sadly. "I'm sorry Daryl." "'S alright. How about you? Family?" Paul sighs a little. "Not really. My friends were my family." Daryl focuses on the rabbit again, cutting the meat from the bone now. "That where ya got your nickname?" Paul laughs a little. "Yeah. I never got it really but it became a thing, and it followed me after that." Daryl smiles, knowing he can't see it. "Nah, I see it." He puts the cut up meat in an empty pan on the stove. 

Paul looks over, getting ready to get up. "Want me to do anything? There's vegetables and stock and stuff?" Daryl looks back over. "No. 'S okay. I'll do it. 'S the least I can do, even if I don't have to." Paul nods a little, resting back into the bed as he gets comfortable. Watching Daryl cook was something he hadn't seen, but he was clearly good. Only using his one slightly oversized hunting knife and his hands, clearly used to cooking more outdoors. It made Paul's mind wander. How many times has he cooked outside? He's very adapted to this lifestyle, making things such as knife skills, hunting and anything outdoors appear easy, like it came to him naturally. He feels his face smiling, trying to not stare but knowing he is. Daryl is busy so he lets himself look this time, his eyes tracing along the man's muscled back, the edges of a tattoo peeking out but he can't quite make it out. He continues, the top of the thick arms, the sculpted muscles clearly visible on his blotched skin.  Paul's eyes shoot away as he starts to turn, smiling a little, quietly proud but the other man can see it. "Well food 's cooking. Might be an hour or so? Jus' needs to be left alone." Paul smiles back. "Thank you. Come sit, you've been on your feet all day." 

Daryl stands still, not moving for a second as he bites at his lip slightly, contemplating. After a second he looks up. "Ya sure?" Paul just shuffles to the side, pulling the blankets away and making room for Daryl as he pats the bed. "Come on. It's way comfier than the chairs, and it's getting cold out anyway. We have nothing but time to kill." The man thinks more, but nods, not wanting to be seen as rude in Paul's eyes. He shuffles into the bed a little, being careful to not touch Paul as he settles into the mattress. "What're you-" He starts as he looks over, realizing the man is putting the blankets over him too, stopping his words as he quietens, looking down a little. "'M sorry. Thank you." Paul smiles lightly, letting his hand settle slightly over the blankets, just above Daryl's knee. "It's alright. I should have warned you." Daryl looks at the man's hands, feeling the heat of it sinking through the blankets a little. He pushes aside his thoughts, clearing his throat a little. "No. 'S okay." Paul smiles a little, sitting back slightly into the pillows as he relaxes, stretching his back as he groans a little. "How did you end up in Alexandria? You've known Rick longer than you've been there right?" Daryl nods a little, looking up as the other man talks. "Oh...Uh yeah. Met Rick 'bout 2 months into the outbreak, hated his guts at first." He laughs slightly under his breath. "But I've been with him and some others since." Paul nods a little, looking at him as he listens. "Tell me more about your group? I know them, but I don't think I understand it all. Or understand how you're such a mixed group I guess?" 

It was Daryl's turn to rest back a little, settling into the conversation, which was rare for Daryl. "Well, me an' Merle found a group sometime 'n the first few days of the outbreak. Merle wanted to rob 'em but I didn't. Anyway. There was Carl, his mother, Carol, some other people who we lost. There was Glenn." He smiles sadly. "We had this li'l camp area but we had to move. Some people were in town, my brother got left behind and went missin'. They ended up bringin' Rick back instead. We went to the CDC, which 's gone now, blew up. We ended up on a farm. Was Maggie's family's farm. Her, some siblings, her daddy. After a breach on the farm we struggled to find somewhere else. Rick's wife was pregnant with Jude, an' we found a prison, West Georgia Correctional. It had gates, none of the dead had gotten out, and no others had gotten in. So we lived there. But had more issues. We found Tara along the way, she helped Glenn get back to Maggie. Sasha an' her brother too." Daryl feels like he's rambling, as he looks up, Paul clearly interested as he nods. "What trouble? After the prison?" Daryl looks at him a little, but looks back down. "Well. Maggie's dad died at the prison. Everyone got separated. Rick an' Carl, thinking Jude was dead. Maggie with Sasha, looking for Glenn. While Glenn was with Tara, looking for Maggie, that's how he met Eugene, Abraham an' Rosita. We all ended up meeting at a place called Terminus. It was basically a cannibal camp. Carol was the one who saved us, if not for her, we'd probably all be gone." 

Paul nodded a little. "How about you? What did you do after the prison." He watches as Daryl swallows uncomfortably. "I...Uh. I was with Beth? Maggie's little sister. We just spent a few months together, everyone else found the paths but uh, we didn't. We went the other way mostly, further into the woods. Eatin' snakes an' shit. Until we uh...We got separated. That's how she ended up...y'know. 

Paul's hand squeezes his knee slightly, hearing the shaking in his voice. "It's okay. We can move on." He'd known Maggie had family that had passed, but he didn't know much. He could hear the hurt in the man's voice though. Daryl nods a little, grateful as he continues. "Well...Anyway. Michonne met up with Carl and Rick. 'Lil later I found them. An' we decided to go to Terminus. After that we were all strugglin'. We found Gabriel. Then Aaron found us. We were in a real bad way, so we owe that to him, he let us come back to Alexandria. An' we've been there since." Paul smiles lightly. "I'm glad he found all of you." Daryl looks up a bit, shooting a genuine smile his way for the first time, even if it's just a small smile, Paul knows it's real. "Thanks...'M glad too. Was getting hard out there. Even the night before we met Aaron. Stormed so badly out there, we were in a barn. 'N I was sure the whole night, that the barn was gonna come down on us." Daryl's attention is now on the man's hand. He doesn't know how he feels. With everyone else he would have told them to move it, or at least moved away himself. But it felt different, he didn't mind it. His hand was warm, and he could feel the gentle weight of it on his leg, he didn't know why, but it felt comforting to him. Paul's voice breaks his train of thought, making Daryl's eyes move up. "It's all over now. I know this isn't quite ideal, but you're safe. And soon we'll all be safe."

Daryl looks around a little, smiling lightly to himself. "'S actually nice in here. 'S warm, got food cookin'. An' you've even got a bed full 'f blankets an' shit." Paul laughs a little at the way he words it. "I know. Once everyone around here had enough blankets and pillows and stuff, I started taking stuff only I wanted when recruiting. So I guess that's how I ended up with like, all these. I see them when I go out and I think they're comfy, so I get them for myself." Daryl looks down a little, laughing slightly at the covers. He looks back a little at Paul, holding up a few stuffed animals that had been shoved under the pillows. "What 'bout stuff like this?" The smaller man watches his hands, embarrassed as he pulls out the toys, trying to stop the flush spreading his cheeks.

He grabs them from the older man's hands, pushing them down his side so they're out of sight, stumbling on his words as he speaks. "I...Uhm. I just like these. Remind me of when I was a kid. I didn't have parents, or any siblings. And every year the home would give out these like...cheap, generic stuffed animals. But I really liked them, and I collected them. So sometimes when I go scouting or on runs, I see ones that I like, and if they're small I just take them." He looks over at Daryl, who's now smiling lightly. "Weren't judging you. 'S alright. They're cute." He can't believe those words just came out of his mouth, cursing himself a little. Why was he being so unlike himself today. 

Paul looks up a little, flush still fading. "Thank you. Just nice having good reminders of the past. They make it feel more like home here." Daryl nods a little. "What makes you feel like home?" The man swallows, thinking. After a few quiet moments, he looks back. "'M not sure, honestly." Paul gives him a look, he can't tell if it's sadness or just feeling sorry for him. "I hope you can find something that feels like home. It's nice to have that." Daryl nods a little, the air settling into a comfortable silence. 

When food is done Daryl puts the stew in a bowl, handing a bowl to Paul, a proud look on his face, sitting back down next to him with his own bowl and two spoons, handing one to the other man. "This smells so good. Thank you Daryl. I appreciate it." Daryl smiles slightly as he starts eating, grateful to finally have a proper meal inside him. "'S nothing. You're the host, so it felt like I needed to do somethin' in return." "You didn't have to. But I'm glad you did, it tastes great." 

Daryl smiles to himself as he eats. He doesn't know why he feels like smiling so much, but he just feels like it. He doesn't want to think about  the possibility that it's Paul changing his mood, but he thinks it is. He pushes it aside, not wanting to admit it to himself. Telling himself he's just happy to be away from The Sanctuary. 

Chapter Text

When the evening rolled around and they both got into bed, it was less awkward than the night before. Daryl was still trying to take up as little space as possible, almost curling up at the edge of it. Paul looks over, noticing it but not mentioning it. "Daryl?" His head turns quickly, looking back at the younger man, a quiet hum as a response. "Do you want another blanket? I have spares, and the one you have is only thin?" Daryl looks up a little, another would be nice but he doesn't want to be a hindrance. Paul looks at him, knowing he's going to protest, deciding to cut him off before he gets the chance. "Well, I'll give it to you anyway. If you get too warm you can just push it to the side." 

Paul hands him a second blanket, smiling a little at him as he takes it. "Thanks man." He knew Daryl was grateful, he just struggled to show it. He stayed stood up, watching as Daryl laid back again, pulling the blanket over him, covering his body. Paul waited until he was comfortable, before dimming the lights and getting under the covers himself. "Are you warm enough?" Daryl sighs a little. "Yeah. 'M fine." "That's good." 

The silence lingers in the air for a moment. "Ya warm enough?" His voice makes Paul smile. "Yeah, I'm good too." Daryl is glad it's dark, unable to stop a smile coming across his face. He didn't know why, but his heart was faster than usual. He felt so comfortable around Paul, yet so embarrassed. Maybe even shy? They were all emotions he didn't understand. 

He tries to push it aside and not think about it, the silence in the room not helping. He turns a little, listening quietly, as he starts to hear the gentle sounds of Paul's snores. He turns more when he realizes he's asleep, resting his head back down, now facing the man. He looked closely at his features, his eyes following along them. His skin was soft looking, a little speckled but mostly even in colour. His facial hair perfectly shaped, glistering slightly with different tones of brown. Nose slender and pointed in a way Daryl thought was adorable, and his brows stern looking, yet softer when his eyes were shut. 

Daryl found himself staring for a moment, turning back around as he swallowed the lump in his throat. Why did he feel like this? He cursed himself under his breath, curling into the warmth of the blankets more, wanting to hide away. He felt a soft pang of shame hit his stomach as all of his thoughts were replaced by the man. He chewed at his lip and closed his eyes, trying to think of anything but Paul. But he was the only thing on his mind when he finally drifted to sleep.

Paul woke first again, he always was an early riser, so it was nothing new to him. He looks over as he sees the older man curled up, deep in his slumber. He sits up a little, so he can see Daryl's face, smiling to himself as he sees half of his face is covered with messy brown locks of hair. He leans over slightly, as quietly as he can, his eyes tracing the shape of his messy stubble. His jaw was slim, his cheekbones visible and sharp, and when he was sleeping, his head wasn't furrowed the same way as usual, his face was softer looking. Paul let himself look for a little longer, before deciding to lay back down. He didn't want to be caught staring at Daryl if he woke up, that would be a difficult thing to explain. He didn't know why but he liked Daryl, he found him intriguing. 

Daryl groans a little as he stirs, turning a little as he opened his eyes, letting out a shocked sound as he turned, his face meeting Paul's, only inches away. "Fuck. 'M sorry. Didn't realize how close I was." He shuffles back slightly, still facing the man, trying to stop the now obvious flush forming in his cheeks. Paul smiles softly, his voice hushed from being sleepy. "It's okay. Was just an accident." Daryl finds himself staring at Paul's eyes, the faint green colour almost entrancing him, looking away quickly as he saw him looking up. 

Paul smiles a little. "I'm going out on a run today, if you wanna come? I know you've been eager to go out, and it's way back behind us, nowhere near the sanctuary. People have been scouting there for days and there's none of Negan's people there, but there's lots of places that seem like they have stuff in them."

He sees Daryl's face lighting up. "Yeah, for sure. What time we leavin'?" "It's only seven ish, was thinking just leave whenever we're ready?" Daryl nods. "Sounds good. Bring a map, we'll mark it as we go." Paul nods back. "Gonna take a car and go through the wooded paths until we're out of saviour territory, then we can use main roads." "Sounds great." Daryl was already getting out of bed, pulling on his overcoat and throwing a few things into his bag. Paul watched, smiling to himself. His own bag was already packed, getting up himself. 

The smaller man pulls his shirt off, opening the storage to find a clean one. Daryl's eyes immediately shift focus, staring slightly at the man's body, shocked that it was so defined. He knew Paul was strong, and had to be fit, but seeing such muscle definition shocked him a little. He tried not to stare, but kept glancing as he tied his shoes. He could feel a pang of attraction in his stomach, struggling with it. He refused to come to terms with the emotion, pushing it down as he tried to look away, focusing on his laces. 

When both of them were fully dressed, they told Hilltop their plan and where they were going, not asking what was needed, just assuming anything they could need would be important due to such low stock. Daryl sat back in the passenger seat, putting his feet up on the dash as Paul looks over. They were now on the open roads, out of Negan's territory, so they had relaxed. "Is it weird not riding a bike?" He squints a little as he thinks. "Is kinda weird honestly. I think ya get used to 'em" 

Paul nods. "I understand. I'm used to only really going around on foot honestly. But we need more stuff than we can gather on foot. And it's far out here too." Daryl hums a little in response. "It is far out here." Paul smiles to himself, leaning over as he opens up the passenger storage, his hand hitting Daryl's knees. "Find something to listen to?" The man groans a little. "Come on man, do we have t'?" "Well it's either that or we can talk?" Paul laughs a little as he glances at Daryl. "Your choice." The older man shakes his head a little. "Fine man, we can talk. 'Bout whatever." As he focuses on driving, Paul smiles to himself. "Okay then. Well, tell me more about you?" Daryl huffs a little. "What do ya wanna know?" He thinks before answering. "I dunno. Just anything? What music do you like?" "Well I listened to rock mostly, things like Motorhead or Pantera? Or like Lynyrd Skynyrd? Maybe Allman Brothers Band?" He looks up as Paul laughs a little. "I could have guessed that honestly. I listened to more like, 90's grunge style stuff I guess." Daryl huffs again, looking amused. "You talkin' like Nirvana and Pearl Jam? Like Smashin' Pumpkins sorta shit?" Paul nods to himself, grinning a little. "Yeah exactly man! That sort of stuff." 

Daryl chuckles under his breath, shaking his head a little. "I coulda guessed that too." Paul laughs. "That easy huh?" "Oh for sure. So easy. What 'bout movies?" The younger man thinks to himself for a little, suddenly smiling. "I used to love comedy movies honestly. Cheesy, I know but I thought they were great. Or like superhero movies." Daryl smiles to himself, holding it back a little. "I can see that being true. Never watched much movies honestly. Merle used to watch a lot 'f bad 80's and 90's movies, they were god awful but he loved 'em." Paul looks over, smiling a little. "What did you do before the breakout?" Daryl sits back a little, the conversation taking over as he stops letting his head get in the way. "Honestly it was jus' me and Merle. We didn't do anythin'. Just live, hunt, Merle was always doin' bad shit, an' I was always tryna get him out of it. It wasn't much different than now, just safer and lonelier." He can feel Paul looking over at him, his eyes drifting from the road, to him, and then back. "How 'bout you?"

Paul laughs to himself, thinking. "Well I lived in a group home until I was eighteen. There were so many kids there, but I was quiet. I surrounded myself with friends, we bounced around. House to house, crashing wherever honestly. I was a bit of an ass, got good at stealing shit and causing trouble. Then I got into martial arts and started going to groups for that, became good at that and like combat. I was thinking about leaving to join the military before the outbreak. Glad I didn't honestly." Daryl sighs a little. "Yeah military woulda been a good job, but not in the outbreak. Unless you're Merle, an' ya punch a higher an' get discharged." Paul starts laughing as he looks over again, Daryl smiling himself. "Yeah man, not his smartest idea." He shakes his head, laughing lightly. 

The two talk about life back and forth as they get further from Hilltop, it reaching the evening as they finally got into the part of town they'd been looking for. It looked quiet, but they decided to proceed with caution anyway. "There's an empty office building over on the west side of town, Hilltop people have been there and there's supplies. So we should stay there for tonight. Hide the car somewhere in the brush. And try find more out tomorrow?" Daryl nods to himself, grabbing his bag and crossbow, lifting it ready as they both get out of the car. "Sounds good to me." They make it to the office building, only seeing a few walkers on the way there, now dead. Closing the door behind them, Paul grabbing a chair and barricading the door closed. "They did a good job of clearin' the area. 'S pretty quiet here." Daryl follows the younger man up the stairs of the building, into the main section. Pulling open a chest of supplies, grabbing out a few blankets and tossing them on the carpet. "It is quiet here, it's nice to get away from it all honestly." He sits down on the floor, Daryl watching him as he smiles a little, the man curling his legs up. He'd noticed how Paul always sat like that, his legs curled into himself. He thought it was cute. He didn't let the thought linger as he wiped his smile away, putting his crossbow and bag down, sitting next to Paul. He groaned a little as he rested back, his head setting on the bag as he looked up at the other man. Paul looked down at him, smiling. "In for a boring night I guess." Daryl scoffed a little, shaking his head. "It'll be late soon anyway, might 's well just relax 'til mornin'." 

The younger man finds himself staring again at Daryl, grabbing out some water as he takes a sip, handing a bottle to the older man. "Thanks." He was a man of few words, Paul was surprised he'd opened up so much earlier. He looks over Daryl's arms, biting his lip a little as his eyes move to his hands, dirty as always, but veined and large, making the man swallow harshly. He looks away for a little, laying his own head back as he tosses a blanket over to Daryl, pulling one over himself as he rests. "There's more blankets in there. It'll get colder tonight probably, the building is big." He closes his eyes for a second, trying to wash the images of the older man from his head as he sighs a little. "Is Michonne and Rick a thing now?" His voice breaks the quiet as Daryl lets out a stifled laugh. "They are. Ya were the first person to ever see it, y'know?" Paul laughs a little. "I know. I ended up standing, hands up in their bedroom, with both of them fully naked. Wasn't sure if I was gonna be shot or have my head cut off....Then I told Carl I was waiting for his parents to get dressed." Daryl now laughs properly, looking up at the tall ceiling. "'M sure Carl loved that. Doesn't surprise me though, they were close anyway." 

"What about the others at Alexandria?" "Well ya got Aaron and Eric. Rosita, Maggie and Sasha are all jus' havin' their moments...Y'know." "I know Carl and Enid are kind of a thing?" Daryl chuckles. "That doesn't surprise me either. As for the others I dunno man." "What about Carol?" Daryl laughs a little harder this time. "Carol? Nah. Carol isn't home anyway, but I know she's got Morgan wantin' to keep her safe. She can handle herself. She doesn't strike me as the kind of person lookin' for someone." Jesus thinks a little. "I know a few people at Hilltop thought you two were a thing for a while." Daryl sits up this time, looking over at Paul as he laughs. "Really? Damn...Nah me and Carol are like brother an' sister. We're great friends." "So what about you then?" Daryl shakes his head and scoffs. "Nah man. Not before the outbreak or after...You?" Paul thinks to himself, unsure of what to say at first, whether to be honest or not. "Before yes, but never anything crazy serious. As for now, definitely not." Daryl shoots a look over his way. "Why not? I'm sure ya have half the Hilltop women after ya?" Paul laughs a little to himself, looking away from him as he looks up. "Put it this way. The only people I know who meet my demographic are Aaron and Eric." 

Daryl's eyes widen a little in shock, not sure what to say. It made him feel weird as he pieced it together, the familiar feeling of emotions hitting his stomach again as he swallowed it down. "Oh..Oh. I get it." Paul cursed himself as he closed his eyes. "Yeah...The ladies of Hilltop are sadly not my type." He laughed a little, his voice sounding gritted, still unsure. Daryl bit at his lip, looking down a little. "Well 's okay." He felt like he was the worst at comforting people, he didn't know what to say or how to say it, and he didn't feel like he could make it better. But it did make Paul feel better. He turned to look up at Daryl, smiling lightly. "I know. Thank you. You do too, y'know?" Daryl shook his head slightly. "I don't know who or what I want anyway." His admission had even shocked himself, biting back at his rising anxiety as he looked away from Paul, laying back again and looking up at the ceiling. He was shaking internally, regretting his words as he felt the dirty feeling rising in his chest. 

"That's okay." Paul's words cut through Daryl's anxiety, making him feel like he could breathe clearly again. "You don't have to know." Paul was shocked at his words, unsure of if the man had even meant to say it. But he had. Paul was unsure of his own feelings now, trying to stop his mind from jumping around as his thoughts raced. "Sometimes you don't know. It just takes time and experience?" Daryl closed his eyes a little, not wanting to think about it. He'd never let anyone close enough to him to have experience, he'd never even kissed anyone. He hums out a reply, swallowing back his feelings as he opened his eyes slightly, his voice came out different, shaky. Something Paul hadn't heard from him before. "I jus'...I dunno. I don't think much 'bout it." Daryl knew that was a lie, partially anyway. He thought about it all the time, but he never let himself truly ask what he liked. He didn't want to have to face his feelings. 

Paul shuffles a little closer, now facing Daryl properly. His voice was calm, comforting, it warmed Daryl in a weird way. "Sometimes it's good to think about it." The older man didn't say anything, he just nodded lightly. He flinched away as he felt Paul's hand on his, but quickly settled. "Sorry." Paul's fingers gently curled over the man's, his thumb stroking over it lightly. Daryl's heart felt like it was gonna fall out of his chest, trying to push away his head's negativity as he closed his eyes tighter. His mind raced as he felt Paul's warm fingertips, it felt like they were burning into his skin, lighting it up. The pit of his stomach ached in a confusing way, in a way that Daryl couldn't decided if he liked. A mixture of deep anxiety and hatred, but a softness making him feel calm.

"It's okay Daryl. It can be hard to understand things. It was difficult for me to figure it out. Hated it at first." Daryl breathed out a little, nodding lightly. "Uh...Thank you." Paul squeezed his hand a little, laying back again slightly next to the man, closer than before. "It's okay." His words rang in Daryl's head, lulling him to sleep as he let himself rest.

Chapter Text

When Daryl awoke, the blanket had been pulled over him more, and another blanket added from the crate. He looked over, Paul's hand still on his as he slept. He was going to move it, but looking across at them, he changed his mind, just moving the blankets a little to cover Paul's now cold hand, resting it over his arm as he kept his hand still. He turned a little, looking at the man. His face looked peaceful, and it made Daryl feel better. He didn't understand how he was feeling, but he just knew it felt nice. Paul's hand over his made him settle again, just feeling the smaller fingers on his. He closed his eyes a little and let his thoughts linger, trying to not push it aside. Paul had said it was good to think about it, but Daryl didn't know if he could let himself. 

He'd known for years he wasn't straight, he'd never been interested in girls. He thought they were pretty and he liked them, but not like that. Being around Merle for so many years had made him just go along with it, agreeing with his brother's opinions on women and their bodies. Trying to trick his mind into thinking he did like women. But he didn't. he never felt turned on by them, he wasn't motivated to kiss them or be around them like that. He never thought about it like that. In his teen years he first noticed it, that he might like guys. But he'd refused to believe it even for a second. He knew that his Daddy would hate him for it, and that Merle would never let him live it down if he ever found out. So he'd pushed it deep inside himself, never letting it out. He found guys attractive, but would degrade himself internally when he thought about it. He didn't want to think about it. It felt wrong. Not for others...Daryl would never judge others for it. But himself, he hated for it. 

His thoughts went back to Paul, sighing to himself quietly as he shook his head, letting his eyes shut tighter as he tried to push the feelings away. It was hard and it made Daryl hurt, he felt like his chest was aching. He didn't know how to feel, and it just confused him more. He told himself even if he found someone he liked, they wouldn't like him back. They wouldn't understand him, and he couldn't bear the idea of being vulnerable like that around somebody. What if it backfired, he would be embarrassed for life. He thought about comfort, his mind jumping to how Paul had comforted him last night, and how he'd held his hand, and wrapped him in blankets. Daryl felt pathetic as a blush came across his cheeks. It was getting out of hand with Paul, and Daryl knew he shouldn't let his brain think things like that. Paul was too kind and light hearted for him. He would never like Daryl back like that.

The man jumped a little, snapped out of his thought by Paul's hand gently moving, squeezing his fingers around the man's hand a little as he awoke, groaning quietly as he shuffled to turn fully, seeing Daryl already awake, mumbling in a sleepy tone. "I'm sorry I scared you. Is it light out?" Daryl relaxes, settling back a little. "Will be light soon. 'Nough time to have somethin' to eat an' pack a little gear. Then we can load up the car an' hopefully be on the way home tonight." Paul nods a little, looking over. "Okay, sounds like a good plan. How are you?" He doesn't move his hand from Daryl's, turning to look at him a little. "'M okay. Slept a 'lil better las' night." Paul nods, smiling a little. "I'm glad you did." He goes to get up, moving his hand away from Daryl's a little. He didn't want to, he'd wanted to keep it there. And Daryl hadn't moved it away, so he can't of minded, right? Maybe he just didn't want to be rude.

Paul wasn’t sure but he couldn’t decide. All he could decide on was that he liked Daryl, he didn’t understand why it had to be Daryl, someone who probably didn’t even like him. After last night he was sure Daryl might be into guys at least, but then told himself his brain was just jumping to conclusions, thinking about how he was the only other person he knew who could be single and possibly gay. He wasn’t even sure. Paul shook his head a little as he took a swig of his water, sighing as he sat up properly, pulling the blanket over him a little. “Is it raining outside? I think I can hear it?” Daryl nodded, looking over. “Looks wet out, think ‘s been rainin’ most of the night.” 

Paul nods back, shuffling over to the crate and grabbing a few cereal bars, tossing a few towards Daryl, laughing a little. “Eat those, we didn’t have dinner yesterday, and I got a feeling it’s gonna be a long day. We have so many places to clear out.” Daryl nods, sitting up as he unwraps one of the bars, taking a bite of it. “Was there a pharmacy out back? Couldn’t see it clearly last night, bu’ I think there is?” Paul nods, now eating his own bar. “I think so. There’s a few places. None of them look like they’ve been looked through properly, maybe raided a little, but nothing crazy. We just need to be careful, I don’t think anyone is here though.” Daryl nods, finishing his food as he takes a few sips of water, grabbing his jacket and putting it on, checking through his bag once more. “Gotcha. Let’s start aroun’ back then, an’ work our way outwards?” “I think that’s the best thing to do. Start out there and work inwards closer to the car. Maybe bring everything here first, because we know it’s secure.” Daryl looks up. “Good shout.” 

Once they’ve both grabbed their bags, they head out, going out the back of the office building as they’d agreed, wanting to go to the outer buildings. They came across the pharmacy, clearly dilapidated but mostly untouched. “Looks like nobody has been in here, I think people may have stayed here, but there’s still lots of stuff we can take. I’ll go work on first aid and you go work on medication.” Paul tosses an empty bag to him, nodding at each other as they go. Daryl shouts from across the room. “I know we’re needin’ antibiotics, painkillers an’ all that. But should I just grab most of it? If we can take it, we should, right?” Paul thinks to himself, looking across. “Put important stuff in first, then just fill the bag like that, most important to least, whatever fits, we can take.” Daryl nods, skimming through the labels as he picks through the pill bottles and boxes. 

They skim through the rest of the building, taking anything of any use, baby supplies, formula, anything with calorific value and sanitary products. Daryl looks back at Paul, who’s skimming the shelves. “I think we’re good in here. If we take the bags, drop ‘em in the offices, we can go back to the buildings nearby.” They both agree, leaving to head back to the offices.

They go back and forth like this, rummaging through a few abandoned grocery stores and the warehouse, grabbing anything that they can. Once returning, they simply mark the map, discuss a little, then go back out to repeat it. They’d searched the whole back, now having a good amount of supplies. They sit back, looking at the map. “So we’ve got four more buildings on the other side, the rest are either burned out or they look too dangerous to go into. I think we’ve got a few stores, maybe an old warehouse which is really worth checking out. And that final store, looks like it could have sold car materials, could have some good stuff in?” Daryl nods, looking at the map, pointing at it. “Five. There’s another back there. I think ‘s an ol’ office or something, could have a canteen or medical?” 

Paul looks up a little, smiling. “I didn’t think of that. We should probably search here before we leave too, make sure everywhere is clear, then we don’t have to come back.” They both nod, heading towards the first store. This area wasn’t cleared and they could tell immediately. Just banging on the entrance way, a few walkers had crept out. Once killing them, Daryl grabbed his arrows, looking over at Paul. “Be careful, it’s dark in here.” Paul just nodded, following the other man as he looked around. It had been a long time since anyone had been here, the whole place looked destroyed, but they were hoping for something better in the back of the building. 

Once in the stockroom, Paul could hear Daryl laughing a little, peeking his head into the room. There was food, but only snacks and drinks, Paul shook his head a little. “It’s fine, we’ll take it. It’s better than nothing. Plus it’s been so long since we’ve had good snacks, it'll be good for morale. Seeing chocolate and cans of Coke feels weird nowadays.” Daryl shrugs a little, laughing. “I never really ate much of it before, honestly. I drank soda, but I wasn’t a big snack guy.” Paul groans a little as he turns to face him more. “But it’s chocolate man!” Daryl smiles a little, picking up a few of the boxes, letting Paul grab the others. “I know ‘s chocolate, I jus' didn’t really eat snacks like this.” They head out, back to the office building as they put the boxes down, locking the door as they leave again. 

They clear through the other store quickly, finding nothing other than a handful of things in the back, deciding to just put them in their bags and move on to the place Paul thought there could have been car parts. They look around the place, Daryl knowing much more about things than Paul, so he just collects tools and things he knows, whilst he lets the other man look around. "There's alternators, a few batteries and some other useful things. They break often, so we should get all of 'em, even if they're broken, I can fix 'em. That an' the oil, anythin' like that would be useful." Paul nods, listening as he speaks, taking his advice and looking for oil or any spare fuel he can find in the building. 

They take as much back as they can, it now already reaching early into the evening. The back and forth was taking them longer than they'd anticipated, and so had trying to things from the broken up buildings. Daryl looks around a little as they're on the way back to the office. "Think we're gonna 'ave to stay here tonight. 'S gonna be dark in the next hour or two." "Probably. It's okay, I told Hilltop we could be a couple of days." Daryl nods, following him in. Paul puts the boxes down, now sitting back a little on the floor and sighing as he rests for a minute, grabbing a drink of water. Daryl sits too, now looking over to the younger man, clearly tired. "Listen, let's 'ave five, okay?" He looks up, clearly grateful as he nods a little, taking a few more sips. "Jus' one more buildin', and 's the office. It looks similar to this, 'm bettin' there won't be anythin' in there. Then we can come back an' have somethin' proper to eat" Paul nods a little more, taking a few minutes to rest before standing up and sighing. "Let's get it over with." 

Once in the office buildings, they move together, going floor by floor as they clear the place. They'd decided to collect everything from the top first on their way back down, that way they wouldn't have to carry heavy things with them as far, and they could fully secure the place first. Once they were sure it was safe, they looked around on the top floor. They start going through the rooms, even looking in desk drawers to see what they can find. The top floor looked like it had barely been touched, Paul laughing when he pulled open a cupboard, just finding bottles of whiskey. Daryl looks over, laughing a little under his breath. "I wouldn't usually suggest takin' anythin' like that, but we 'ave the whole night to blow?" Paul looks up a little, smiling. "Yeah? I think it could be a good idea, keep us warm at least." He takes the two sealed bottles, wanting to leave the others that had been opened. He puts them in his bag, carrying on as they search for anything else useful. 

When finished, Paul looks worse off, sat at the bottom of the stairs in the building, waiting for Daryl. The older man knows he's exhausted, and can tell he's glad to finally be finished. "Come 'n, let's go settle in for the night." Paul just nods, not saying anything as he stands, holding onto the heavy bag as he follows Daryl out. He felt oddly safe with Daryl, not so used to being around people who were this good at defending themselves. He relaxed a little as he followed him back to their safe office building, tossing his bag down as he sighed, watching the other man close the door, before looking over at Paul. "You gotta take off your jacket, or you'll be freezin'. Lay it out an' it'll be dry in the mornin'" He nodded, taking it off, watching Daryl as he took his own jacket off, kicking his boots aside and grabbing out the blankets from earlier, passing two of them to Paul, who's now pulling off his own boots. "Thank you. You were right it is freezing here. The rain is so much worse, I'm glad we didn't get stuck on the way home in this honestly." Daryl nods, sitting back and getting under his own blankets, trying to warm up for a little. He lights a camping stove, grabbing cans of stew from the top of the crate, emptying a few of them into a pan, putting it on the flame and sitting back, smiling a little. "Gotta have somethin' warm." The other man just smiles in response, relaxing. He grabs his bag, pulling out the few bottles of whiskey, putting one in the crate and twisting open the other, handing it to Daryl, raising his brow. 

Daryl looks up, his own brow raised as he shakes his head a little, chuckling lightly as he takes the bottle, taking a swig of the dark liquid, feeling the burn in his throat as he hands it back. "Y'know that's good shit too? Looks fancy." Paul laughs, taking a sip himself as he swallows, mumbling. "It doesn't matter. We take it back, and all that happens is Gregory will want it...And that's a fucking waste." Daryl chuckles a little as he sighs. "I think 's fair." 

The two of them had worked through half of the second bottle now, stomach's now full from dinner as they settled into the building, now closer as they played cards, both of them warmed from a mixture of the stew, the blankets and the alcohol. Daryl looked over a little, grinning. "Y'know you're easier t' read when you're drunk." Paul laughed a little. "Well that's just unfair, I can't read you sober or drunk." The other man laughs a little, looking down at his cards as he takes another drink, sighing. "It's been so long since I've drank anyway, I feel lightheaded." Daryl shakes his head, putting his cards down and sitting back. "Let's jus' chat instead, ya look half gone." The smaller man puts his cards down too, laughing as he rests his head back against the wall, sighing hard.

"I've not had good company to drink with anyway. But you're good company." Daryl looks up a little. "Ya think?" The man nods, "Yeah! I think so anyway." He smiles, relaxing back more. "I like your company. You're chill. And it's nice to just get away from everything like this." Daryl smiles, humming in agreeance, sitting back a little closer to the man. "'M sure ya have good company back at Hilltop right?" 

Paul laughs a little, looking to the older man. "Honestly, no. It's like you never get the right time or the right people. I know everyone there, but it never feels relaxed like this." Daryl smiles a little, humming. "So when was the last time ya drank?" Paul thinks to himself, clearly amused. "Okay, so picture it. Pre outbreak. A gay bar in Virginia. Bad music, bad alcohol, but man did it get you drunk." Daryl shakes his head as he laughs, sighing and resting his head against the wall fully now too. "So ya were last drunk in a gay bar?" Paul nods, taking another drink as he laughs a little. "Have you ever been to a gay bar? They were always small and cramped, but so much fun." Daryl shakes his head, looking at the man as he carries on talking. "Ones I went to were always just full of people making out honestly. I never minded it, but it was awkward if you weren't making out sometimes." The older man nods as he thinks about it, his mind shifting a little. He wasn't thinking right because of the alcohol, his mind wandering and his tongue following. "So ya were like...out as gay? Like people knew?" Paul nods. 

"Yeah. So all my friends knew. People around me knew, only really after the world went to shit did it become something nobody really knew again." Daryl nods a little, going quiet for a second. "A gay bar sounds fun, I gotta admit." Paul looks at him, shocked as he laughs. "They were fun! So much fun. Maybe we'll have them again in 20 years." Daryl scoffs a little. "Twenty years? I'm not goin' to no damn club in twenty years." Paul looks at him, laughing. "Why not? Might help you figure out who you are." Daryl just shakes his head, looking back. "I don't like guys." Paul raises a brow, smiling. "So who do you like then?" 

Daryl stops, the room going silent as he chews his lip, his tone hushed. "I don't like guys." "Whatever you say Daryl." His words linger in the air as the older man thinks, his voice even quieter. "I mean...I dunno if I do?" It sounded like a question, because even he was unsure, almost like he was asking out to anyone who might know. Paul sits up a little more, looking at the man closer. "Well tell me about your experiences, what makes you so unsure?" Daryl scoffed slightly, his head racing, half from his anxiety and half from being drunk. If he wasn't drunk, he wouldn't have even been having this conversation. But he was, so he thought his reply.

"In high school I knew a few girls liked me, bu' I jus' didn't really care? Nothin' 'bout 'em interested me. They were nice and pretty, but I jus' wasn't interested like that. Same as I got older. Girl tried to kiss me in a bar once...Well behind a bar. Bu' I declined, and told her she should go home, because she was drunk. Bu' I didn't wanna kiss her anyway." Paul listens as he nods. "What about crushes?" He scoffs a little. "Nah, never had any crushes." "What about on guys?" 

Daryl felt his face heating a little, swallowing hard as he chewed back at his lip. "Like any at all? You can tell me, don't worry." He nodded to the smaller man, his voice coming out weaker than usual. "Uh...I guess? There was this guy, who used to work at the local car shop." Paul grins a little to himself. "What did you like about him." Daryl could feel his heart pounding, pushing aside all thoughts as he blurted out. "He had this vest he used to wear, showed his chest an' shit. An' he had strong arms. Messy hair." He looks up, his words trailing off as he sees Paul grinning, looking back down at his hands. "Man, shut up!" His tone was harsh but the man knew he didn't mean them, putting his hand on his knee. 

"So you did like a guy. Guess what?" Daryl looks up a little more to meet his face. "Nothing happened, that's what. It changes nothing.  It just means you liked him, and that's all it means." Daryl nods to himself, swallowing as he looks back down, his eyes glued to the hand on his knee. "So you never did anything with guys. What about girls?" Daryl stays quiet, but Paul keeps talking. "Oh so maybe stuff with girls but didn't go great?" He looks at the older man, still not saying anything. "Or did it go well but you didn't love it?" "Well...No. Not like that." "So you had sex or just like I dunno, hand stuff?" Daryl cuts him off, shaking his head. "No!" He goes silent a little, Paul now looking at him. 

"I never...uh...I didn't...Yeah. I didn't do anything with them." The man watches as Daryl fidgets with his hands, eyes at the floor as he doesn't look up. "Not anything?" Daryl swallows as he closes his eyes for a second, mumbling. "Nothing at all. Not even a kiss." Paul is surprised, realising what he means. He's a virgin. 

"Oh, I get it. I'm sorry Daryl." The man just shakes his head a little, looking down, his drunk mind now not helping as he feels his emotions. "You know it's okay right? You didn't understand yourself, at least you didn't fuck people around. Or yourself, by doing things you didn't know about." Daryl swallows, eyes still down but he nods. 

He goes stiff as he feels Paul shuffling up, wrapping his arms around Daryl a little, hugging him. Daryl's heart pounds, unsure of how to react. He wants to pull away, fear making him feel dizzy, but at the same time he never wants it to end. He can feel Paul's warmth against him, his breath close to his and he can smell him. Earthy but clean, making him smile slightly. He ignores his head, hugging back a little, Paul now squeezing him. He enjoys the comfort until the man pulls away, smiling a little at Daryl. "Sorry." Daryl shakes his head quickly. "No...'S okay. Thank you." 

They both smile as they lay back, both of them tired. "We should go to sleep, we've got to get back home tomorrow." Daryl nods, smiling slightly. The two lay closer tonight, half under the same blankets. Paul reaches out slightly under the blankets, his fingers finding the older man's as he gently puts his hand above it, just resting on it like the night before. It made Daryl's heart skip as he swallowed, whispering. "G'night." Paul's voice replies, quiet. "Goodnight Daryl."

Chapter Text

The weather wasn't great the next day, but they were lucky to have the light on their side. By eight the car was packed full, boxes of supplies that they had found. They felt accomplished, having found a lot for Hilltop, and enough emergency stuff for Alexandria if they got the chance to meet up again. They hadn't talked much that morning, just focusing on going back and forth to the car. 

Paul had woken first, half cuddled into the older man. He hadn't known how to react, hungover but he remembered what they had talked about. He had moved away after a few minutes, just leaving his hand on the older man's, not wanting to push any boundaries. Waking up next to Daryl made him feel better than waking up alone. He just enjoyed being around him, he felt like he understood him, and when he was around him he didn't have to be strong or smart for him, he didn't rely on him like others did, and it made Paul feel like he could relax and just be himself. They'd had a little food and took back all the leftover supplies, finally on their way home. 

It was a quiet journey drive, Daryl driving this time, as he could tell Paul had a hangover. He smiled as he drove, looking over and seeing the smaller man curled up, feet on the dashboard and a blanket behind his head as a pillow, letting him rest as he drove. When he did wake, a few hours had passed, his eyes adjusted to the bright sun, already fully up in the sky as he yawned. "How long was I out?" Daryl looks over, smiling a little to himself. "Maybe 2 hours? Somethin' like that. You must've been exhausted." Paul shakes his head a little, groaning as he adjusts position. "Not sure about exhausted, maybe just severely hungover." The older man chuckles a little, relaxing in the seat as he focuses on the road. "Well we slept late las' night, 's been a tiring few days." Paul nods a little. "What time do you think we'll be home?" "I'd say 'bout 4ish. Then 's gonna take maybe an hour or two to bring these supplies back to Hilltop." Paul groans, looking at the time on the dashboard. 14:08. "So we should be home in a few hours at least? I mean that's good right. I'm glad we left earlier than we did on the way here, it's only an hour but it'll make a difference when we have to unpack." 

Daryl nods back. "'S good, we're makin' good time." Paul stretches his back a little, groaning as he closes his eyes, sitting back again as he sighs. "God that was an uncomfortable sleep." Daryl looks over. "Ya looked pretty comfortable for those two hours ya was sleepin'" The younger man rolls his eyes a little, laughing slightly. "What? I was so tired." "Oh, I know. Ya were curled up like a 'lil baby." He blushes but laughs again, resting his head back into the makeshift pillow as he relaxes. "It's just comfy, feels better stretched out like this." Daryl shakes his head a little, his grin wide. "Whatever floats your boat I guess." 

After getting back to wooded area where the car belongs, they both grab a few bags, starting the small trek back to the Hilltop. They make one more round trip with a few other people, collecting the last of the things. They bring them to Hilltop quietly, not wanting to bring too much attention to things as they put them down in the storage cellar. They sorted through the boxes a little, making sure they were well hidden down there before coming back up. 

The sun is now setting, the sky getting dark as Daryl walks back to Paul's trailer. The other man was already laying in bed, flat in the middle, making the man scoff a little as he walked in, smiling. "Tired, huh?" Paul looks up a little, shuffling up as he pats the bed. Daryl kicks his shoes off, pulling off his jacket, shaking his head a little as he climbs into the bed, laying down, his head near Paul's as he smiles. "I'll take that as a yes, on the tired." Paul nods, his head resting in the pillows. Daryl rests his head back, pulling out the small stuffed animal digging in his neck, holding it up a little and smiling, tucking it lightly into Paul's arm, the younger man looking down as he laughs a little, letting his arm wrap over it. Daryl watches, unable to stop his grin as he looks at him. "That's cute." He hadn't had the chance to process his words before they'd came out, his heart dropping in his chest, slight regret filling him. Paul feels his face blushing, looking back a little, his voice almost silent. "Yeah?" Daryl looks down, letting himself look at the man's face a little, his own voice barely a whisper. "Yeah." He relaxes into the bed, biting his lip as he looks down. Paul's voice is soft. "Well thank you." 

They both lay back, Daryl's hand between them. He didn't know if it had gone there naturally or if he was thinking about Paul's hand, but it was there nonetheless. The other man must have been able to hear his thoughts, looking down himself as he sees his hand, smiling to himself slightly, edging his hand closer, his heart fast as their fingertips brush against one another's. This time Daryl turns his hand around, the palm facing up. He didn't know why, it felt like he wasn't in control of what he was doing. He looks down too, watching as the man's smaller fingers gently interlace with his own, this time curling properly until their palms are together, the warmth of Paul's fingers locking with his. He breathes out heavy, like he'd been holding it in, looking up slightly and seeing Paul's own eyes meeting his. He smiles lightly at Daryl, whispering. "Is that okay?" Daryl can't get his words out, so he just nods lightly, closing his own fingers around Paul's a little, holding his hand properly. 

The two of them lay like that for a while, the air comfortably quiet. Daryl's mind was going crazy, but he didn't feel wrong. His mind was trying to tell him it was wrong, but it felt right, and he tries to focus on that feeling. He closed his eyes a little, his hand tightening around the smaller hand, smiling to himself a little as he relaxed. Paul smiled to himself too as he felt his grip tighten, squeezing back a little at his hand, his smile only widening. He was unsure about how he was feeling, but he knew that it felt right, he found himself looking over at Daryl, his eyes looking skimming at his body again. First his hands, then up over his arms, looking at the man's strong build as he looks over his torso, seeing the small rises of his chest as he breathes. He feels small pangs in his stomach again, this time looking up at the man's neck, then up to his face, his tanned skin entrancing him. He breathes out a little, his eyes now on the man's features. His usually furrowed brows now relaxed, eyes shut as his lashes show, his soft smile on his chapped lips.

Paul snaps his head away as Daryl opens his eyes, his cheeks flushing lightly as he looks away. Daryl's voice is soft but gruff. "What's wrong?" "Nothing! Was just.." The man's voice trails off a little, looking back at the man, his cheeks now a soft shade of red. "Was just looking at you." His own face was now going a little red as he smiles for a second, whispering. "Why?" Paul's voice disappears again, going quiet as he looks away slightly. "I just like your face." The admission leaves the older man speechless, not knowing how to reply. His mind raced as he thought about the words he just said. Did he like him back? Surely not, he was jumping to conclusions right?

Paul smiles a little as he looks down, his voice barely audible. "I just like looking at your face." He could feel Daryl's hand shaking in his, holding it tightly as he smiles a little, looking up embarrassed. "Just...Yeah." Daryl's own voice comes out quiet, he barely recognizes his own tone, different than usual. "Thank you...I like lookin' at you too." The younger man's lips immediately turn into a light smile, whispering back. "Yeah?" Daryl nods a little, smiling lightly. "Yeah." He was surprised he'd said it back, but it flowed off of his tongue so right, so he just let it. He turned to the side a little, not saying anything but now looking properly at Paul, letting his eyes wander without judgement. The smaller man turns a little too, smiling shyly as he looks back, closing his eyes lightly as he relaxes there.

Paul hadn't planned on falling asleep, but he was just so exhausted from the busy day that he drifted off without meaning to. Daryl watched his face as he dozed, watching his expressions soften, the soft sounds of him snoring filling the trailer. He finds himself smiling, leaning over to pull the blankets over them, both now under the same blankets, hands still linked tightly as Daryl sets his own head down properly, just laying and looking at Paul's face as he falls to sleep.

When Daryl awakens, he looks around, confused, seeing Paul in front of him, gently shaking him. "Daryl? Are you awake?" He sits up abruptly, panting heavily as he shakes a little, his hand squeezing extremely tightly at the other man's as he shakes. "Paul's voice cut through the air, a whisper. "Are you okay? You were having a nightmare?" Daryl sighs heavily, swallowing harshly and nodding, catching his breath as he looks around. It was still pitch black outside, Daryl knew he must have woken up Paul. He exhales heavily as he looks up a little. "'M sorry for wakin' you up." The younger man shuffles around a little, sitting in front of him, his tone hushed. "Don't be silly. It's okay. Wanna talk about it?" The bigger man shakes his head a little, whispering. "I've had nightmares most 'f my life. I'll be okay."

It makes Paul sad, but he nods, not wanting to push Daryl, He feels his grip on his hand, his fingertips freezing cold. He lifts the blankets up, gently shuffling a little closer to him and pulling another blanket over the two of them, making sure it's covering Daryl fully as he lays back down. The older man swallows harshly, looking towards him as he lays back, his eyes looking back at Paul's face like the night before. He smiles very softly, whispering. "Thank you." Paul lays back properly, facing him too, whispering. "It's okay. It's only about two, ish. So we should try sleep, if you wanna relax a little first that's okay." Daryl nods lightly, nuzzling his head down into the pillow as he settles the best he can, whispering. "I jus' wanna stay here, an' look at you." 

For the first time in years, Paul has butterflies filling his tummy. He doesn't know how to feel about it, but he just smiles, whispering. "I wanna look at you too." The two settle back into bed, facing one another, both now drifting in and out of sleep. Daryl hums softly as he feels the smaller thumb softly rubbing over his hand as he holds it, his eyes closing fully. Paul watches, smiling lightly to himself as the man melts under such little comfort, whispering softly near his ear. "Goodnight Daryl." The man's replies only being soft hums as he falls into sleep. Paul watched him as he slept, letting himself settle after a while, his mind still thinking of him when he closed his eyes. He knew he liked him. A lot. He closed his eyes, imagining how things would be if he liked him back. 

The faint sunlight shines through the uncovered gap in the trailer window, Daryl groaning lightly as he awakens, his hand feeling for Paul's but he can't find it, he turns a little, seeing Paul isn't there. He feels a little sad, having much preferred the mornings where they woke up together. He hears a sound, looking up as he sees the man coming out of the bathroom, smiling when he sees his awake. "Good morning." Daryl looks at him. "Ya good?" Paul climbs back into the bed, laughing a little. I was only using the bathroom, I was gonna wait for you to wake up so I didn't disturb you. But my bladder would have died, you were fast asleep." Daryl shakes his head a little, smiling, immediately looking for Paul's hand as he lays back, his face a little red as he intertwines their fingers, smiling down as he feels the familiar digits. "Ya better have washed your hands." Paul lays back fully, laughing a little as he holds his hand back. "I did." 

Daryl turns fully to look at him, Paul putting his head down on the pillow, thinking to himself before he lifts it, putting it back down a little closer to Daryl's face. The older man's heart was pounding, he could feel Paul's warm breath on his face, smell the scent of his mouth and feel the heat radiating from his body. Paul pulls the blankets back over the two of them, smiling lightly as he looks over the man's face like he had done last night. He bites his lip slightly, whispering. "Daryl?" The man nods lightly. "Yeah?" "You know you're really good looking right?" The man's face floods red as he swallows hard. Did he mean that? Daryl felt like his heart was going to fall out of his chest. 

"I...Uh. You think?" Paul smiles lightly, gently lifting his hand, softly pushing away the man's dark hair from his face, whispering. "I think so, yeah." Daryl can feel himself trembling under the man's touch, no matter how delicate it was. Daryl felt like he was going to explode. His insides were burning up, and his skin felt like he was on fire. He didn't know how to feel, but it made his stomach twist in a way he'd never felt. He felt winded, like he couldn't get his heart rate to steady. "Fuck...I think ya look great too." He breathes out his words quietly, like he can't gather the power to say them fully. Paul bites his lip lightly as he smiles hard, giggling slightly as he looks at the man, letting his fingertips drift over his forehead again as he gently pushes his hair back, whispering. "You just have the prettiest face. I can't describe it." Daryl swallows harshly, his breathing now shaky as he stumbles on his words slightly. "I think uh. I think you're so pretty too. Your face an' your eyes. Your lips." His voice is full of trembles as he pushes his bad thoughts aside. 

Paul looks at him, whispering quietly. "It's okay Daryl." The older man breathes out shakily, cursing himself for letting his emotions push him over the edge, a tear running lightly down his cheek as he sniffles lightly. It was so out of character for Daryl, it had shocked the younger man. He looked up at him, holding the side of his face lightly and whispering. "What's wrong. Tell me about it." He breathes in a little, sighing softly as he clears his throat, looking up to Paul a little. "I jus'...I think I've known for a long time. But pushed it aside." Paul nods lightly at him. "It's okay. Tell me why? Tell me what's on your mind." 

The older man fully lets go, finally letting himself let it out, for the first time ever, after years of holding it back. "Jus'...I knew in my teens, bu' I didn't wanna be. I didn't let myself think it. An' if I did think it I told myself it was wrong. Merle was good, but he woulda never let me live it down, it woulda been a life long joke for him to use against me. An' my Daddy...God he'd 'a killed me. When I think 'bout it too much 't just hurts. 'S like I shouldn't be thinking 'bout it, an' it 's wrong. Not for others...Jus' me." His words sounded shaky, and he didn't know where to look. But Paul just held his face gently, whispering. "This isn't your fault. You grew up in an environment you didn't think it was safe to like guys. That's not your fault. It's internalized homophobia. You don't mind that anyone else likes men...Just you. But it's okay. You're okay. It's normal, you're normal. And it'll be okay. You don't have to tell yourself it's a bad thing anymore." Daryl exhales harshly, tears prickling more in his eyes as he nods. "Come here." Paul sits up, holding his arms open. 

Daryl doesn't hesitate this time, moving himself inwards into the man's hug, letting his eyes close as he feels the man's warm hands rubbing over his back, whispering into his ear quietly. "You're okay." He lets out a soft sob, holding onto him tightly as he let's it out. "That's it, it's okay. Take your time." Daryl's head rests lightly into the smaller shoulder, letting himself rest there. His skin burned everywhere the man's skin touched his, he desperately fought the need the pull him closer, tighter, feel more of him, but he didn't do it. After a few minutes they both pull away lightly, Daryl smiling sadly at Paul, whispering. "'M sorry. Thank you." "You don't have to apologize. I promise. He smiles back lightly. 

Chapter Text

It had now been a week since Daryl had been at Hilltop, and he was settling in well. He'd proved himself useful to the people there, fixing things for people and helping with the work that needed doing. The walls were now fixed up and stronger than before, and he'd regularly brought back rabbits and squirrels from his walks in the woods. He'd fixed up the few broken car batteries they had, now safely in storage for when they needed them. He had helped harvest anything he could and was helping keep the town running. 

Nights had been the same, no more awkwardness between Paul and him as they settled into a routine. They'd played cards together, eaten meals together, and fallen asleep every night looking at one another, hand in hand. He felt comfortable around him, in a way he never had with anybody else. Paul made him feel so unapologetically himself at times, and Daryl had never experienced that before. 

Daryl spends the day helping people, he was happy to have a purpose in Hilltop now, having hated feeling like he wasn't being of any use. His way of gratitude was always helping people out and showing he wasn't afraid of getting his hands dirty. He liked filling his days with tasks, it keeping his mind settled from anything bad. It was his biggest distraction...Other than Paul of course.

That evening when he got back to Paul's trailer, he could hear the faint sound of the shower running. He smiled, kicking off his boots and throwing his coat over the hook on the back of the door. He got into bed, laying his body back, letting his head sink down into the pillows. His thoughts abruptly changing as he thought about Paul, swallowing harshly as his mind ran with it. He thought about the man's slim shoulders and muscular chest, the water running over them. Before long his mind was thinking more, he didn't want to think about it, but he couldn't shake it out of his head, the burning in his stomach only making it worse. He snapped out of it, being brought back to reality by the sound of the shower turning off. He cleared his throat a little, laying back as he pushed it to the side. He looked up slightly when he heard the click of the bathroom door, his mouth going dry as he caught a glimpse of Paul, wearing only boxers as he came out of the room. 

Daryl felt dizzy as he found himself staring, his eyes running over the back of the man's legs, then over his waist and hips as he turned around a little. His breath felt like it was stuck in his throat, almost choking him as he looked up at him, his wet hair draped over his shoulders. He saw Paul looking back at him, his eyes meeting his a little. He didn't say anything, just put his towel on the back of the chair, before climbing back into bed, draping the blanket over his lower half loosely, turning to face Daryl as he rested his head back into the pillow, whispering. "Hi." Daryl smiled at him a little, whispering. "Hi." Paul was now smiling too as he looked at the older man, settling into bed. 

He found it hard to not stare at the younger man, but Daryl was trying to focus on his face, his soft lips as he bit his own. Paul smiled a little, whispering. "Good day?" He nods back softly as a reply. "Was busy helpin' fix' some furniture for some folks. But 's sorted now." Paul nods a little, settling down, biting his own lip a little, looking up at Daryl, whispering. "Can I put my head on your shoulder?" The older man thought he was gonna choke on his saliva, his words failing, so he just nods lightly. Paul smiles at him lightly, leaning in a little as he rests the side of his head on Daryl's thick shoulder, settling his head down gently into his skin. Daryl is biting his lip, holding back his own smile as he looks down, feeling the man's damp hair, his head warm as he gently nuzzles in. Daryl can barely take it as he feels his insides heating up, emotions flooding through his head and his stomach, his heart pounding. He'd never felt like this, such strong attraction for somebody before. He wanted to be near to him, and every time he felt him close, it made him tingle inside, deep under his skin. 

Paul smiled to himself as he rested back into the man, feeling his warmth, he turned a little so he could face him, their faces now closer than ever. He was sure Daryl was holding his breath back, but he just watched him, their eyes meeting as his smile grows wider. He sees Daryl's own smile now, whispering. "That's better. I like your smile." He sees the older man's cheeks going red as he whispers. "It's okay, I'm not gonna bite." He teases, Daryl looking down a little as he laughs quietly, smiling now at him. 

The older man didn't think, letting all his brain power leave, letting his heart and his body do as they please. He reaches his hand around, gently pushing it under the man as his fingertips brushed into his hair, lightly pulling it away from his face as he stroked it, light little movements. He watched Paul's smile settle as his eyes closed, gently hums coming from his lips. He sucked his bottom lip in a little, chewing slightly at the inside of it, whispering near the man's ear. "You're so pretty." 

Paul was surprised by his boldness, keeping his eyes closed as he grinned. He couldn't believe the words had came from his mouth, but he was glad they had. He let his head sink deeper into the man, humming out peacefully as he whispered. "I think you're pretty too." Daryl exhaled heavily, his breath warm against Paul's cheek as he smiled widely, settling into the bed too as he stroked the man's hair. He used his other arm to pull the blankets up properly, covering Paul's figure then his own. He puts his arm under the blanket now, feeling around lightly for the man's hand, the pads of his fingers running against the man's lightly, before they gently sink between each other, their hands connected under the covers.

"Goodnight Daryl." "G'night Paul." 

The next morning the two wake up, Daryl's head resting lightly on the younger man's, his head still pressed closely into his shoulder. When Daryl wakes he lifts his head off a little, looking down, his face immediately lighting up as he sees Paul. "Good mornin'." He smiles back lightly, his voice full of sleep. "Good morning Daryl." 

The morning had gone the same as most, wake up, get prepared for the day, drink coffee together as they talked back and forth. But Rick had shown up at Hilltop today, wanting to keep everyone in the loop about what had happened. Him and Daryl had hugged immediately as they saw each other, Daryl happy to finally be safe and Rick happy he wasn't at the Sanctuary anymore. They talked a little back and forth about their future plan of attack. 

It had been a long day. The group had talked to Gregory about rising up against Negan and been rejected. And then also rejected by Ezekiel, who claimed to choose a neutral view of everything. He had discussed things with Richard, getting along with him at first as he was also in favour of riding above Negan. But disliking him when he found out Carol was his bait. 

He had been to see Carol, more than happy to see her but guilty as he's couldn't bring himself to tell her about what had happened. He'd eaten and spent time there, telling her he had to go back to Hilltop, but that he would see her again soon.

When they got back home it was very late, a lot later than he'd planned for. He walked into the trailer around one in the morning, hearing a sigh the second he walked through the door. "God, you're back so late. I was getting worried." Paul looked clearly distressed, his face tense as he stood up, immediately walking over to Daryl and wrapping his arms around him tightly. He didn't think, but he'd just been so scared he let his emotions take control. Daryl wrapped his arms around him, letting his instinct flow as he whispered. "'M sorry. I went to see Carol. Didn't realize that's what I was gonna be doin'." "Don't be sorry. I'm just glad you're okay." They both settle a little into the cuddle, Daryl now holding onto the smaller man tighter, letting his head rest lightly on his shoulder, whispering quietly. "'S been a bad day." He feels Paul's hands rubbing gently over his back, whispering to him. "What do you think about getting in bed and talking about it?" 

Daryl looks up a little, nodding slightly. "That sounds good." Their hug breaks as Daryl takes off his jacket and boots, getting into bed. Paul dims the lights, turning them so low he can only just see, climbing into the bed too, close to the other man, resting his head back against the wall. He pulls the covers up over both of them, now looking at Daryl. "Now talk to me." The older man exhales harshly. "I dunno where t' even start." Paul looks up at him a little. "Just start with what comes to your head. It doesn't have to make sense." 

Daryl sighs heavily, nodding a little as he sits back a little more, feeling better already as Paul's hand holds his gently, squeezing a little in support. "'S jus' botherin' me. First everythin' with Beth an' Hershel. Then Glenn. An' it jus' feels like 's gonna be this way forever. Like it'll never get better. An' while I was there it was bad, they wanna turn people against their own. Make it so bad ya don't feel like ya have a choice anymore." 

Paul listens carefully, not interrupting him and letting him talk. "Keep going, it's okay." He keeps his eyes on Daryl, his tone now sounding upset and quieter than before. "Everythin' 's just' so fucked up...Nobody wants to help an' everyone is scared. He's killed Glenn, Abraham, Spencer an' Olivia...Almost killed us all. Nearly got Maggie an' the baby killed. An' I feel so bad 'cause I didn't even tell Carol the truth about what happened. I couldn't tell her...I don't ever wanna feel like that again...I dunno if I could have dealt with being' there for any longer. Feels like nobody understands how bad it is there, an' they're never gonna stop." "What did they do to you Daryl?" He looked up at the older man, who was now tearing up, his voice struggling as he shakes his head lightly. 

Paul gently opens his arms, looking up at him. Daryl's voice is quiet. "What?" "Come here?" He leans over a little towards the smaller man, feeling his arms wrapping around him, pulling his head gently into his chest. Daryl wanted to protest and pull away, but the second his face hits the man's chest he feels better, his emotions feeling like they're boiling over. The man holds his arms around him, hand stroking over his back gently. Daryl starts to cry softly, his head settling more into his chest as he mumbles through tears. "They had me locked in a cell. Threw me around. They played the same song over and over for days, 'til I couldn't hear anythin' else. I got dog food sandwiches...when they're stealin' more food that they can even eat...they-"

His voice trails off as he rests his head down further into Paul, the man holding him closely into him, whispering. "They what?" His voice is quieter, barely a whisper. "They uh...They showed me a picture of Glenn. Dead. An' stripped me naked, left me freezin' on the floor. Felt like I was never gonna be warm again...Shivered until I hurt." Paul looks down at him, seeing him crying, his heart hurting for the man. He lifts his hand, stroking his hair away from his face lightly, whispering into it quietly. "I'm sorry this has happened to you. You're never gonna eat like that again...And you're never gonna be treated like that. And you'll never feel cold like that again. Not here...Not with me you won't." 

Paul gently pulls the blankets up over the older man, wrapping him up tightly as he strokes his hair, whispering. "It's warm here. You're not there anymore, you're here. With me." Daryl shudders softly at the touch, hiding it the best he can. He feels himself sinking deeper into Paul's hold, his words soft and caring and his arms making the man feel safe, his tears fading as he holds onto him. Paul sees his reactions, but he says nothing, the man doesn't need to deal with anything else right now. 

The air settles as Daryl calms, relaxing down close in the man as his sleepiness settles in. He looks up at Paul, his face tearstained and eyes red, whispering. "Can I stay here tonight?" The younger man looks down, confused for a second. "You mean in my chest?" Daryl feels his face heating a little, nodding slightly. "You can stay there as long as you want." His words make the man blush a little, nodding lightly and resting down into him. "Thank you." 

Paul smiles down softly, whispering. "Wanna lay down and try to get some rest?" Daryl nods. "Okay lift your head just for a second." As he does, Paul takes off his shirt, tossing it onto the floor as he shuffles down a little into the bed, laying back against the pillows. "Okay come back here." The older man swallows hard, looking down at Paul's chest, his eyes staring as they trace over his muscles. He nods a little, resting his head back down lightly, feeling the heat from Paul's skin against his face. He nuzzles down lightly, his heart racing. 

Paul can hear the faint beating of Daryl's heartbeat. He pulls the blankets up gently, putting his hand carefully on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. He smiles and whispers softly. "Are you scared?" Daryl's face starts to flush red as he shakes his head lightly. "Not scared." "Why is your heart so fast then?" He stumbles on his reply, cheeks a little more red as he doesn't get out an answer. Paul smiles lightly, whispering. "It's okay. Don't be embarrassed. Tell me." Daryl's admission comes out almost silent, whispering. "I uh...I like your chest." 

Paul smiles a little harder. He takes Daryl's hand gently with his own, leading it to his chest, making the older man's fingers trace over it lightly. Daryl swallows harshly, now staring at the man's chest, his fingertips brushing over the muscles, his insides now aching with emotions. He was so attracted to Paul that he couldn't take it, he filled his mind all the time. Daryl loved talking to him, spending time with him, looking at him, even just thinking about him. But now there was something new, his stomach burned in a different way, a deeper way, a rare feeling for Daryl. But he couldn't lie to himself. He was turned on by Paul, no matter how much he tried to push it away, the arousal kept rising in his stomach. 

His face was red just from his thoughts, cursing himself for thinking that way, begging his body to ignore it. He looks up slightly, his eyes meeting Paul's. Paul whispers back. "I like you." Daryl feels like his heart could give in, eyes wide as he breathes out a little. Daryl was in shock. He actually does like him like that? 

He looks back a little more, within seconds, whispering back. "I like ya too." Paul smiles softly at Daryl, whispering. "Like you so much." Daryl smiles softly, whispering. "So fuckin' much." They both lay there, the silence coming back to the room as Daryl nestles his head back in gently, keeping his hand lightly on Paul's chest, tracing his fingertips over the shape of his muscles. The smaller man hums softly, letting his own hand stroke Daryl's hair away from his face, stroking it gently. 

Paul was laying thinking the same thing as Daryl. He liked him, a lot. And it was the first time he'd liked someone in so long. He didn't want to admit out loud how he felt fully, because he felt a little guilt. Guilty about the way his mind ran with things, going from them just cuddling together, then kissing, to his imagination jumping to much more.

He didn't want to think about the man like that, but he couldn't help himself. There was something about Daryl that made him feel out of control, he just had to be near to him, he wanted more, but he knows he has to be patient with him. He doesn't want to ruin it.

Chapter Text

This morning Daryl awakens with a new problem. One he hadn't encountered at his time at Hilltop yet. Maybe it was his body finally relaxing, or falling asleep with Paul, or the way his brain was thinking about things. He wasn't sure. But what he was sure about was that he had woken up hard. 

He cursed himself under his breath, trying to be silent as he lifts himself slightly from Paul's arms, quietly scrambling over to the bathroom. He spends some time trying to silently will it away, running the water a little and splashing his face. After five minutes, he feels calmer, now coming back out, Paul awake. "You good?" Daryl almost choked on his words as he talks. "Yeah, 'm good." The younger man knew something had happened, but felt like his brain was running with dirt. He convinced himself he was being dirty minded and pushed it aside. 

Sasha and Rosita had arrived yesterday, and Paul knew they were planning on going to The Sanctuary. So it didn't surprise him when they went missing after Simon arrived, taking this as their opportunity to leave without Maggie noticing. 

Maggie and Daryl were in the cellar together. Hilltop claimed Maggie had died, after the line up, and that they hadn't seen Daryl. Everyone was relieved when they left without incident. 

That evening Daryl pulled Paul aside and asked if he could talk to him. Paul agrees, meeting him in the trailer. He steps in, the older man catching him off guard and just wrapping his arms around him tightly. Paul is shocked, but he hugs back, wrapping his arms around him. "Are you okay Daryl?" He sighs, holding him tightly. "I talked to Maggie. 'Bout what happened at the line up. Made me feel a 'lil better, but I can't stop blamin' myself. Jus'...Wanted a hug." 

Paul smiles softly to himself, whispering. "You can always have a hug. Always." Daryl nods a little, clinging on a little, whispering. "This is scary." "I know it's scary. But it will be over. It has to be over soon." He nods again, pulling away a little and sighing. "Thank you." "It's okay. What else do you have to do today?" Daryl thinks a little. "I was just gonna fix up the last of those car batteries." "Well bring it here, I have nothing to do besides look over maps, you can do it in here with me." The older man smiles at the sentiment. "Okay. I'll be back soon." 

The two of them were now both in the trailer, Paul on the bed skimming through maps and Daryl standing at the table, going back and forth trying to fix the battery. Paul looks up, Daryl pacing around a little. "What are you doing?" "Thinkin'. I think 's the battery terminals that need cleanin'. But could be that it's low electrolytes? Or jus' the wiring." He grabs his torch, putting it between his teeth as he takes his knife, running it over the dirt on the battery, working on clearing it. 

Paul sits back, grinning a little as he watches, looking at the man's hands as one runs over the battery, the other holding onto the knife firmly. He looks up a little at Daryl's face, amused by the torch between his teeth as he smiles. Daryl turns to face him, mumbling out muffled from the torch. "Wha'." Paul laughs loudly, squinting and covering his eyes as the torch shines into them. Daryl laughs slightly, grabbing the torch and clicking it off "Oops. Sorry." The younger man laughs. "Nothing, I was just watching you. It's interesting. How do you know so much?" Daryl sits back a little now on a chair, looking over at Paul as he keeps working on the battery. "Well Merle always had bikes, or we were always fixin' up old cars. Guess a lot of it was taught or trial an' error." Paul grins a little, looking up. "Nothing to do with the time you spent as a teen hanging around the car shop?" Daryl looks up again, holding back a laugh. "Look...I wasn't focusin' on the cars when I was there." The younger man is now laughing, shaking his head as Daryl chuckles a little. "Oh really? What were you looking at then?" Paul teases, the older man shaking his head now as he laughs a little. "Look, his name was Gus. He worked there for 'bout 5 years, younger than the other guys who worked there." 

The younger man is now laying back, smiling to himself. "What 'bout you anyway? Who did you have a crush on in your teens?" Paul exhales heavily, trying not to laugh. "So...I had this gym teacher, always wore tight shorts and a tank top. He was maybe twenty five, thirty ish maybe. I took up cross country so I could stare at him." Daryl looks over, laughing at the man's words. "Ya serious?" Paul shoots a look up, laughing. "I'm dead serious. I did cross country for three years because he ran the club." He shakes his head at the smaller man's reply. "What! I was only thirteen, he was easily double my age, but he was hot." Daryl laughs more, standing up. He puts his knife down on the table, wiping his hand on a cloth and standing in front of the bed. "Scoot." Paul smiles, shuffling up so Daryl can sit down. He groans as he sits, leaning back a little as he sighs. "You know you look hot fixing a car battery. I can't explain it." Daryl's head turns, looking at Paul, his mouth going dry. "Oh? What do ya mean?" The younger man sighs this time. "I don't know. Your face looks different when you focus. And your hands just seem to know what they're doing." Daryl raises a brow. "They do know what they're doin'...When it comes to car batteries." His face is now flushed, Paul grinning a little. Daryl shoves him a little as he teases, the other man now laughing a little as he smiles. "I'm joking, it's okay." He smiles back now, shaking his head a little, whispering. "Shut up man." "Make me." 

Daryl's heart skips a beat, Paul looking over, whispering again. "I'm sorry. Shouldn't have said that." The older man is flustered now, looking down a little then back up at his face. "I uh...It. Fuck. 'S okay." He stumbles on his words, shocked by the boldness Paul had with his words. It made the burning in his stomach rise again, looking back at him. "Maybe some time I will." Paul's eyes widen a little, a small smile on his lips as he lays back too, his face close to the man's whispering. "I might hold you to that y'know." Daryl smiles back.

It was already dark out, getting far into the evening as the two laid together. This time Paul's head was resting down in Daryl's chest. He looks up a little from the man's shoulder, running his own fingers over his chest, just like Daryl had done to him the previous night. He lets his fingers dig gently into the clothed dips, whispering. "Do you ever take your shirt off? I swear they just generate already on." Daryl swallows harshly, looking down a little. His back was brandished with deep scars and gashes, old but still very visible. The marks ranges from belt marks to cigarette burns. Something he never wanted anyone to see. He shakes his head lightly, looking down at him. Paul could see the change in the older man's mood, whispering. "That's okay. You don't have to take it off." He brushes his fingertips against the hem of his shirt, gently rubbing against it, hearing the quiet the shift in Daryl's breathing as he whispers. "Can I put my hand underneath?" 

Daryl chews at his lip, nodding lightly. He was trying to keep himself under control as he looked down a little, watching the man's fingertips disappear under his shirt, blushing slightly. His fingers trace lightly against his defined muscles, his touch gentle, making Daryl shudder a little. Paul looks up, smiling softly and whispering. "This okay?" Daryl tries to speak but nothing comes out, swallowing down the lump in his throat as he nods lightly, his chest hitching a little more with his breaths. Paul smiles more, whispering quietly. "You're cute y'know?" He sees the colour flooding in Daryl's cheeks, looking down and whispering again. "Shut up." Paul looks back, smirking lightly as he leans up a little, now fully facing Daryl, twisted in his hold, his breath now hitting against the older man's face. He whispers almost silently. "Make me." Daryl felt like he was going to pass out, shaking under the younger man as he locked eyes with him. He exhales harshly, the warmth of it hitting Paul's face lightly as he leans in, closing his eyes tightly as their lips press into each other's gently. 

His heartbeat had never felt so fast as he feels Paul deepen the kiss, his head pounding as he kisses back, unable to think abut anything besides the man's warm mouth. Paul smiles into his lips as he leads the kiss, pulling away lightly as they both pant, their lips still brushing lightly against each others. Daryl's eyes open again, the look of shock visible on his face. "I...uh." His words trail off to nowhere as Paul picks them up, whispering. "You okay?" The older man nods slightly, leaning back in as he presses his lips back into Paul's harshly, the younger man surprised as he grins a little, letting their lips explore one another's. He could taste the faint hint of tobacco in the man's mouth, the way his lips were chapped, and the feeling of his facial hair hitting against his own, soft yet scratchy. Daryl felt out of control now, unsure of if he was making the right decision. But he did what he wanted, what felt right. He pulls off this time, panting, his chest rising heavily with his breathing as he smiles. Paul pants a little, smiling too as he whispers. "Fuck." He chuckles slightly, looking at Daryl, a little zoned out, seemingly lost in his thoughts. He takes his hand, gently running it over his face, making his eyes dart up to his face. "You okay Daryl?" Daryl nods, chewing his lip lightly as he smiles faintly. "I...That was great." 

Paul laughs a little, smiling back as he lets his nose rest lightly on Daryl's, closing his eyes. "It was great." He opens his eyes again a little, looking to the man, his tone soft. "Was that your first kiss?" The older man nods back a little, blushing. "You know you're pretty good at kissing actually." He looks down a little. "Ya don't have to say that." Paul smiles a little. "It's true. Might need to test it again." He grins a little, Daryl now laughing softly, whispering. "Maybe we should." The younger man bites his lip as he kisses softly at the edge of his lips, whispering. "Maybe." Daryl smiles softly as he shifts to the side a little, his lips now back against Paul's as they kiss, their noses pressing into each other's lightly as they smile into it, Paul humming softly. His sounds send shivers through Daryl as the kisses get needier, their eyes shutting. Paul's hand was now gently gripping the man's face, softly running his fingers back into his hair, his other running over his chest under his shirt, the feeling making Daryl pant. 

Daryl pulls away a little, the burning now running through his entire body, like his blood had been set alight, warming him from the inside out as he pants. Paul looks at him, whispering through heavy breaths as he grins. "Yeah, you're still good at kissing." He laughs a little as he lets his head fall lightly into the man's shoulder, nuzzling lightly as Daryl's hand moves up to stroke through his hair. Their breathing calms as they lay together. 

"Y'know I've never laid with anyone like this?" Paul looks up as he speaks. "Like this?" Daryl nods a little. "Like...Close? Cuddles an' stuff. Feels safe." The younger man smiles, whispering. "I'm glad it does." "'S like warm. I think I've been sleepin' better than ever." Paul smiles more as he pulls the blankets over the two of them, relaxing into his hold. "Me too." 

The last few days had been a lot for everyone. They had learned that Negan was planning an attack on Alexandria, managing to convince everyone to chip in. They had heard from Rick that they planned an attack with the Scavengers, but they didn't know if it would be enough. The Hilltop and The Kingdom had saved them from the attack, the surviving Saviours and Scavengers fleeing as they knew they were outnumbered. It was a win, but not a big enough win for them to be in the clear. They knew Negan would be angrier than before now, knowing their attack had to be sooner than anticipated as the Saviours attacks were getting worse. 

That night when they got home, the air felt heavy but quiet. Paul went straight to his trailer to clean up, Daryl talking a little more to Rick first before leaving to go back to Hilltop. When he got back, the younger man was in bed, fast asleep. It had been a long day so he wasn't surprised. He cleaned himself up, changing his dirty clothes and settling into bed with Paul. He stirred as he felt the blankets moving, mumbling out sleepily as Daryl climbed in. It was the cutest thing the older man had eve seen, whispering. "Shh, 's jus' me. Close your eyes." He smiled to himself, closing his eyes again as he shuffled in a little, turning around as he wraps his arms around the bigger man, happy to see him. He mumbles quietly, too sleepy to open them as he whispers. "What time is it? Is everything okay at Alexandria now?" 

Daryl settles in, his own arms naturally wrapping around the smaller man as he whispers. "'S not the best there but we cleaned up a lot, 's safe for tonight an' they have plenty 'f people on watch. So they'll be safe. Rick and Michonne are hurt but they'll be okay. Coulda been a lot worse if Hilltop an' The Kingdom didn't go." Paul nods, feeling the man cuddling him in, humming softly into the man as he nuzzles gently, Daryl now relaxing in gently. "I know. I'm glad we were there. Try not to think about it, tomorrow we'll go back to Alexandria and talk about our attack. They're weak now, so we might have the upper hand." Daryl nods a little, closing his own eyes as he sighs softly, resting his head back gently into the pillows, holding onto Paul. He leans down a little, kissing his head softly, the smaller man smiling at the comfort, leaning up lightly as he gently kisses the bottom of Daryl's jaw, whispering. "You're cosy." 

The older man had never heard himself being described in such way, a light blush filling his face as he whispers. "Yeah?" Paul nods a little as he cuddles in, clinging gently onto him as he whispers. "You're really cosy. Super warm and comfortable. Like, you just make me feel safe." Daryl smiles down a little as he lets his hand run through Paul's hair, whisper. "'M glad. You make me feel the same. You're real cute when ya snuggle up like this too." They both smile, relaxing into each other, Daryl now gently resting his head against Paul's as they both rest.

Chapter Text

For the next few days Daryl's morning issue had became a regular thing. Regularly falling asleep so close to Paul and the mixture of his mind racing had left him dealing with it every morning. It was something Daryl was still trying to come to terms with, all of it was. But this in particular was something he was embarrassed about, not wanting Paul to know. So he had kept ignoring it, pushing it aside, despite knowing that the reason this was recurring was became he wasn't fixing the issue, only hiding it. Of course Paul had noticed though, despite the older man thinking he was good at hiding it.

Paul had noticed how every morning he bee-lined for the bathroom, spending a similar amount of time in there each morning, the water running, coming back with a splashed face and a soft glint of embarrassment on his cheeks. Paul was no fool, but he wouldn't mention it. He wouldn't let himself think of it too much either, because that only caused similar problems for himself when he let himself linger on the thought of the other man like that. It was no surprise to him when he awoke this morning the same way, Daryl shifting out of bed and the soft sound of the water running in the bathroom.  

The day was a productive one, lots of discussions back and forth between communities, their planned attack only a day away. Everyone was clear on what their part was, and it was clear tomorrow was the day it was going to go forth. The day was drawing to an end, Paul finding Daryl on his way back to the trailer, telling him he was going to talk with Gregory and that he would be about an hour. Daryl had nodded.

Paul left, shooting him one last smile before running off to the main building, going to look for Gregory. After searching around a little, and asking a few people, it became clear to him that Gregory had either left Hilltop or was trying not to be found. He didn't think too much of it, giving up after about fifteen minutes. It was getting late and Paul didn't have the energy to deal with Gregory when tomorrow was going to be so difficult as it is. He decided to head back to his trailer to rest instead.

As he walked into the door, he was met with a sight, Daryl sat back in bed, covered with blankets but it was clear what he was doing under them, his hand movements obvious to the other man. Paul gasped, immediately turning around, facing away as he rambled out. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I didn't see anything, I'm not looking." Daryl was frozen in place, his hand falling off away from his groin as he quickly slid his pants back up, panting a little as he pulls the blankets over himself, his head resting in his hands a little, face burning redder than ever as he shakes. "Fuck man. I thought...Fuck." "I couldn't find Gregory, I don't know if he's still in Hilltop." Daryl sighed a little, shaking his head as he curses to himself, looking up a little at the younger man, back fully turned. "You can turn 'round." Paul stands in place a few more seconds, trying to keep his cool as he turns a little, looking now at a clearly embarrassed Daryl. "I'm really genuinely sorry. I didn't know you- I...Well, y'know."

"No 's okay, it was an accident. I jus' didn't expect ya to be back." "I can like...Leave if you want? For a little?" Daryl's face now turning more red as he shook his head a little. "Uh. Nah, 's okay." He cleared his throat a little, shuffling up slightly in bed, leaving enough room for Paul. He didn't say anything else, knowing Daryl was embarrassed, just taking off his jacket and shoes. He put his hat and gloves down on the table, climbing into bed next to him. "You sure it's okay?" Daryl nods to him, sitting back. "Jus' I can't explain it. 'S been weird since all this stuff with Negan." Paul sits back, getting comfortable, looking at the older man, brows furrowed. "What do you mean? Do you wanna talk about it?" He shakes his head a little, clearly embarrassed. "You can talk to me about it you know? I won't judge you, you should talk about it, if you're struggling with something."

"'S not really somethin' I'm strugglin' with. I jus' haven't had much free time to...y'know. Jus' feels like I can't half the time anyway. Like I can't clear my mind. An' relax. I wan' to though." Paul nods lightly, whispering. "You're just really stressed. you've been through a lot. It's understandable that you feel like you can't relax. What helps you relax? When have you felt the most relaxed the last few weeks?" Daryl's thoughts drift lightly, not thinking as his tongue deceives him, letting words he was hiding slip out. "When 'm with you." He blushes hard at his own admission, Paul also shocked by the honesty of his answer, his mind now filling with dirty ideas.

He looks up a little more, moving slightly closer to the older man's face, whispering. "Is that true?" He nods back softly, struggling to let their eyes meet. He takes Daryl's chin lightly with his fingers, making him look up a little, letting his lips linger near the man's, whispering quietly. "Do you trust me Daryl?" He shudders a little, now looking into Paul's eyes, his breath shaky on his soft lips as he whispers back. "Yes." The younger man smiles softly, whispering. "Are you still hard?" The question fills Daryl with embarrassment as he swallows harshly, nodding very lightly. He feels Paul's soft smile against his lips as they connect gently, the kiss tender and passionate, it heating Daryl up more. He feels him gently taking his hand, slowly pushing it down, tucking Daryl's fingers under his own waistband under the blanket, pulling from the kiss for a second to whisper. "Touch yourself." The older man swallows harshly, letting his eyes open a little as he feels his lower stomach burning harshly. "I...Ya mean like?" His words drift off, looking to Paul a little. "I mean take your hand, and touch yourself." His own arousal was now filling in him, watching as Daryl nods lightly, his hand slipping further into his pants. Paul bites his lip softly, whispering. "Now kiss me." 

Daryl's lips hit the other man's eagerly, them crashing together, Paul's hair gently falling over their faces lightly, but they ignore it, focusing on the heat of each other's mouths. The older man lets out a soft groan, his hand now under his pants, stroking himself lightly as he focuses on the feeling, his eyes closing tightly. Paul feels the vibration of his lips, the heat rising in his own stomach as he groans a little. He pulls away from the kiss lightly, Daryl watching as he presses his own hand under his jeans, groaning quietly at the sight, Paul now resting his head on his shoulder, his own fingers working at his cock. The older man looks down at him, whispering. "Fuck, you're so hot." His breath was heavy, looking down at Paul's face, now lightly scrunched, his eyes shut with pleasure, lips parted lightly as soft sounds escape. Daryl can't help but stare, groaning out quietly, his body thankful to finally feel pleasure. Paul moans out quietly, panting lightly. "You're so fucking hot too." 

The older man takes Paul's face in his hand gently, looking down more, whispering. "Please kiss me." Their eyes meet again, Paul grinning as he kisses him, knocking Daryl's head back into the pillow as their lips fight for dominance, the kiss hot and passionate, both of them moaning into it now, their hands both getting faster as they get closer and closer. Paul whines out softly against Daryl's lips, his hips buckling a little, the sounds making their way straight to Daryl's cock as he groans out softly. He opens his eyes as Paul pulls off, watching the smaller man's face above him, the look of bliss washing over his face as his eyes squeeze shut. The man's sounds getting more eager as he grunts out, his body tensing against Daryl's side as he cums hard into his hand, groaning out loudly as he pants harshly. The older man's eyes were now wide, staring down as he panted, stroking himself faster, soft sounds coming from his mouth that he was sure he'd never made before.

Paul pants, smiling softly through his bliss, but opening his eyes and leaning in a little, kissing along Daryl's jaw lightly, watching as he starts to come undone, stroking his hair lightly from his face as he whispers. "That's it, you're doing so good." His words make the older man tremble, his eyes closing tightly as he whimpers, cheeks going red as he nods quickly, whispering through his sounds. "I...Keep talkin' please." His tone was hushed and embarrassed but Paul just strokes his hair more, smiling to himself as he nibbles lightly at the man's jaw, hearing his sounds. "Keep stroking yourself, I know you're getting close. Keep going. I want you to cum for me." The words are like electricity in Daryl's ears, he squeezes his eyes shut as he grunts out loudly, his body trembling harshly under Paul as he finishes into his hand, his entire body falling limp in the pillows as he gasps for breath, his head spinning as he feels dizzy. "F...Fuck." "That's it, it's okay. Big breaths." Daryl nods, panting harshly, opening his eyes a little as he kisses the smaller man, locking their lips eagerly as he blushes. 

The two of them rest their heads down on the pillows, facing one another. After a few minutes Paul lets out a small laugh, shaking his head a little, Daryl chuckling lightly as he looks over. "Y'know you're so fuckin' hot." Paul bites his lip as he smiles, whispering. "You are beyond hot, honestly." The older man smiles a little, whispering. "God, feels like I can think for the first time in weeks." Paul laughs a little. "Had it really been weeks?" He nods at the younger man, resting his head down a little. "Jus' couldn't finish." Paul smiles lightly as he leans over to lightly kiss his cheek. "Didn't have that issue just now." He shakes his head a little, smiling.

They take it in turns going to clean up. Daryl couldn't believe what had happened, still in shock in his own head, half thinking it was still a dream. Paul's comfort and the way he made him feel had given him more confidence. After coming out of the bathroom he had taken his shirt off, settling into bed next to the man, who's just in boxer's like usual at night. Paul smiles a little as he faces the older man, whispering. "You sure you're okay like this?" Daryl nods softly, whispering. "Jus'...Please don't look at my back. Please." He nods back softly, whispering. "I won't it's alright." He nods a little more at Paul. "Just so you know. No matter what your body looks like, I don't see you differently. It changes nothing. And I see you the same regardless." His words bring comfort to the man, nodding lightly as he lays back. He didn't have to say thank you, Paul knew he was grateful from the look on his face. He rests his head in the bigger man's shoulder, smiling softly as he can now see his chest, running his fingers properly over his skin, avoiding the small cuts and scratches. His voice is hushed, but it sounds so loud in the silent air. "You're so beautiful." His compliment makes Daryl blush softly, whispering. "Think you are too...Thank you." His soft tone sounds genuine, quiet. He wasn't used to such gentle words being spoken to him, them making his insides feel warm. He closes his eyes, gently wrapping his hands into Paul's hair as he hears the man humming quietly. 

The two of them fall asleep quickly, each comforted by the other's presence. When Paul wakes up, he looks up a little, seeing in the night their positions have shifted. Daryl was now laying half over him, his head gently pressed into the younger man's chest. Without thinking, he gently wraps his arms around the bigger man's back, his fingers running down softly. He breathes out shakily as he feels the deep, raised gashes on the man's back, swallowing the lump in his throat as he traces them gently with his fingers. He felt his heart drop into his stomach, letting his fingers run over them carefully. He lifted one arm, softly stroking the back of Daryl's hair, looking down at him, feeling a sudden sense of protectiveness. It hurt him knowing he'd been hurt so badly in the past, not knowing the cause or who had done it, but just knowing he didn't want the older man to deal with pain like that ever again.

When Daryl awoke he nuzzled lightly into the man's chest, looking up a little as he hums. Paul can feel him tense up, his demeanour changing when he feels the man's hand on his back. He looked on the verge of tears, the younger man holding his head in him gently, whispering. "It's okay. I'm sorry. I've got you." His gentle tone made Daryl close his eyes a little, it healing a slight part of him as he let himself settle back into the man's hold. "'S...Jus' not a pretty sight. Didn't want you to have to see it." His voice sounds weak, his throat feeling like it's closing. He felt tears threatening to fall, the only thing making him feel better was the man's fingers in his hair, comforting him lovingly. Paul's voice made him feel better, the second he heard it settling into him more. "I promise you, it doesn't make me see you differently. You're still so beautiful to me." Daryl nodded lightly, his lip wobbling as he bit it. "I...I've jus' never shown anyone 'em. The only person who's seen 'em is Merle an' at The Sanctuary when they had me in the cell." 

Paul nods softly, whispering. "It's okay. I still think you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen." His words make Daryl look up a little, tears in his eyes as he puts his head back down a little, resting into him, softly inhaling his scent as he closes his eyes, calming down. The air goes quiet for a few minutes, Daryl's voice breaking it, his voice grainy and full of emotion as he whispers. "My Ma died when I was a kid. Dad turned to drinkin'. He hated Me an' Merle. He did it to him too, but it got worse when Merle joined the military. I got it worse than he did, 'cause he'd left, an' I was all that was left." His eyes were now closed tighter, his tears falling lightly into Paul's chest as he kept talking. "See Daddy was a stickler for punishment. Believed everythin' bad was worth a punishment, even accidents. He used a belt...An' Daddy was a smoker...So some are burns." His voice trails off quietly, Paul looking down at him. He could hear the fear in the man's voice, looking down as he whispers "I'm sorry you went through that. You're safe here, with me. I've got you." He shivers under the younger man's touch, clinging onto him gently, whispering. "You've got me?" Paul strokes his hair softly, whispering. "Yeah. I've got you right now. You're safe." 

Daryl hums softly under his breath, whispering more to himself this time. "You've got me." Paul smiles very softly, whispering. "Yes I have." He strokes at his back lovingly, his hands running gently through his hair. He holds him close, pulling the blankets gently over his back, letting his arm wrap over it gently, whispering. "Here, snuggle in. You're freezing cold." Daryl lets himself cling to Paul fully now, his arms hugging his waist gently as he rests against him, cuddling his torso into his gently, smiling softly as the blanket settles over his back. "That's better, now close your eyes. It's too early to wake up yet." Daryl nods softly as he listens to his words, whispering. "Talk in the mornin'?" Paul nods softly, kissing his head and whispering. "Deal." The kiss makes the older man smile lightly, closing his eyes and letting himself settle.

Chapter Text

The attack on The Sanctuary had been a success, but it wasn’t over yet. They had issues with Gregory, taking Negan’s side and compromising The Hilltop, the people now following and believing in Maggie. This made things easier for everyone there. Everyone was on the same page, and Paul and Daryl finally felt like they knew what was going on, without Gregory overshadowing them and trying to take over. 

Things had gone exactly as planned. The walkers had now swarmed the gates and lots of Negan’s strongest people had been injured or killed. Sadly it wasn't over yet, but the people were barricaded in and trapped with nowhere to go. 

They had gone to one of the outposts, where they had heard there was a weapons cache. Paul had taken back saviours as prisoners at Hilltop, Maggie had disagreed at first, but after suggesting to put them in the pen and keep watch, she had agreed with him and felt more safe with his decision to keep them alive. Gregory had come back with his tail between his legs, landing himself a place in the pen with the Saviours. Daryl had been busy with Rick, clearing the building. He’d hated everything about the situation with Morales, but he knew it had to be done. The two of them had been after the Saviours who had taken the weapons, disappointed by the result. They’d had an emotional moment between the two of them, but in the end it had only cemented how much they cared for one another. 

Daryl was relieved to have the day back at Hilltop. He had spent a lot of time with Tara. He was happy when the evening rolled around. He opened the trailer up, Paul’s face lighting up as he saw the older man. He smiles widely, getting out of bed and moving across the room, wrapping his arms tightly around Daryl. He holds onto him, cuddling him tightly as he breathes out in relief, feeling him now hugging back tightly as he rests his head on the smaller man’s shoulder. “God I’m so glad you’re okay.” Daryl strokes his back lightly, whispering quietly into his neck. "I know. Me too. How have things been here? I’ll tell ya ‘bout what’s happened after.” Paul nods as they break the hug gently. “I’ll tell you, let’s get settled first.” 

Paul takes off his shirt and his bottoms, getting into bed as he watches Daryl, now kicking off his boots. He undresses down to his boxers too, Paul smiling lightly. He could see the way his confidence was building around him and he loved it. He liked seeing the man’s body, the shape of his muscles, his structure, just every small detail about him, from his hands to his scars. Paul moved the blankets so he could climb into bed, Daryl smiling as he sat down. He shuffles up, sitting close to him as he sighs a little. “Well me and Rick went to where the weapons were. That’s where he found Gracie...Was awful…He was at gunpoint, I killed the guy. He was one ‘f the guys we met in Atlanta, was with our group from the start, before we even met Maggie. He had a family…kids…a life. But he ended up with Negan. Had to kill him, or we woulda been dead.” 

Paul sighs a little and strokes Daryl’s back lightly, whispering. “I’m sorry you had to do that, it’s hard. I know. What about the weapons?” The older man sighs too and shakes his head. “They left an’ took the weapons, me and Rick had to chase after ‘em. Their van exploded. So we didn’t get ‘em but I’ll take it, cause neither did they. So ‘s a win regardless I guess. We came out safe.” Paul nods. “I’m just glad you and Rick are safe.” “Me too…What ‘bout here?” The younger man lays back in the pillows a little. “Well Maggie agreed to let us keep the Saviours we got alive. I don’t know if it’s the right decision. But I just keep putting myself in their shoes. What if we had been out there struggling and ended up with Negan and the Saviours? I don’t think half of these guys actually want to hurt us. I just think they have no choice. Gregory came back too, Gabriel is at The Sanctuary. But there’s nothing we can do but hope he’s okay” Daryl nods a little. “I know what you mean, I understand. There’s lots of people at the Sanctuary who don’t wanna be there, but they have no choice. They can’t get away and ’s the closest to safe they’re gonna get. People jus’ wanna survive. As for Gregory, Maggie put him where he deserves to be. An’ Gabriel is smart, I think he’ll be okay.” 

Paul shakes his head slightly, whispering. “I agree. Lay down with me. Let me see you.” Daryl smiles a little as he lays his head down on the pillow next to the younger man, looking at his face. “Feels like so long since I’ve seen ya face.” Paul smiles now too, leaning into the man as their faces get closer. “It does feel like so long.” He feels the older man’s hand now gently on his face as he presses his lips against the smaller man’s gently, them both smiling into the kiss. Paul hums lightly into his lips as he grins, Daryl’s whispering muffled now. “Hmm been wantin’ to do that all day.” The other man laughs a little, moving the older man’s big hands to his hips as he turns a little, his torso now lightly pressing into Daryl’s own bare chest. He gets the hint, wrapping his arms properly around Paul’s back, letting his hands run lightly over his hips, his sounds almost like a growl in the bottom of his throat.

As the kisses get more eager, Paul pants lightly, gently pushing his legs into Daryl’s, feeling them tangle lightly. The fingertips are now pressing into his skin harshly, Paul moaning out quietly. His sounds were driving Daryl insane, his hands now more eager as he pulls Paul into him more, the smaller man now straddling him, laying over him as the kiss deepens. He can feel his long hair running over his face as the kiss deepens, electricity now running through his blood as it pools in his lower stomach, their lips fighting for dominance before Paul pulls away, panting harshly. He can now feel the man’s cock pressing through his boxers into his leg, biting his lip lightly as he whispers. “You happy to see me?” Daryl feels his cheeks growing red as he looks up at the man, mumbling bashfully. “Jus’ can’t help it.” 

His head falls back lightly as he feels Paul pressing down lightly, his hips now pressing into Daryl’s, watching as the older man’s head falls back into the pillows, moaning out softly. He runs his hands up Paul’s back, digging his fingers in again as he pants softly, the friction of his hips making him shake, now able to feel the other man’s cock pressing into his hips. “F…Fuck what’re ya doing to me?” Paul grins lightly as he kisses his lips softly, whispering. “I could ask you the same.” They both smile as Daryl’s arms wrap tighter, now pulling Paul into a hug as he holds onto him, his own hips now involuntarily rocking up, smiling as he hears the younger man groaning softly. 

He strokes Paul’s hair from his face as he holds him, breathing out harshly. His body was now fully separated from his brain, no longer caring what he was thinking, just doing its own thing. His hands move lightly, gently running down Paul’s back as he takes his hands on his firm ass cheeks, squeezing lightly as he hears a brief chuckle from the man. He keeps his hands there firmly, now pulling the man closer by his ass, his hips rocking up to match the younger man’s grinds. Paul lifts his head a little, pressing his face into Daryl’s neck lightly as he moans, the feeling of his warm breath sending shudders through the man. He licks a soft stripe up his sensitive neck, now lightly kissing at the skin, grinning to himself as the man groans lightly. “Fuck you sound so good.” He gently grazes his teeth into the man’s skin, nipping and sucking lightly with his lips, moving up to his ear, his sounds now right in Daryl’s ear. 

Daryl couldn’t control himself anymore as he feels the man’s warm tongue running over his ear, groaning out more as his grinding gets messy, panting harshly as he shakes, his body starting to tense, Paul biting at his ear as he whispers. “You’re close aren’t you? I’m close too” Daryl’s eyes flutter shut, his replies just moans as he grunts softly, holding the man tighter as his hips buckle lightly, trembling as he cums hard, the white fluids staining the front of his boxers as he groans loudly, fog covering his thoughts as his ears ring, only able to hear Paul’s sounds. He feels the younger man’s hips buckle above him, pressing against him needily as he shakes, grunting out softly into Daryl’s neck as he trembles harshly, whimpering out. "I... I'm cumming." The older man grins as he hears the words, feeling Paul's hips grinding eagerly as he suddenly tenses, his hips jolting as he cums, before going limp in the older man's arms, hearing his gruff tone whispering. “You sound so fuckin’ hot like that.” 

Paul pants lightly, his head resting down in Daryl’s neck as he giggles quietly, closing his eyes a little as he shudders, the man’s hands now rubbing over his back as he hums. The air goes quiet, until Daryl’s voice breaks it, whispering. “Did we jus’ do that?” Paul chuckles softly at the innocence of the man’s question, whispering. “We did do that.” “I’ve never done that before.” Paul smiles into his skin, kissing lightly. “I know. You did good. Did you like it?” Daryl hums out, amused. “Of course I liked it. How could I not like that. Was perfect.” He smiles as he holds Paul close, whispering. “Makes me feel like ‘m a teenager, honestly. I missed out on this stuff.” The smaller man nuzzles down lightly, whispering. “There’s no rules or timelines for when you have to do and try things.” Daryl smiles at the phrasing, whispering. “That’s true…Thank you."

Paul looks up a little. "I uh, think we should clean up a little." Both their eyes trailed down a little, both of their boxers stained with a wet patch, Daryl now blushing to himself. "Yeah we should. Ya go first, I'll sort myself after." Paul kisses the older man's lips gently, before getting up and going to the bathroom. They take it turns cleaning up, Daryl now coming out of the bathroom, smiling softly at the sight of Paul half asleep in bed. "Sleepy huh?" The younger man looks up through tired eyes, giggling a little. "You've tired me out." Daryl smiles more, climbing into bed behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist as he kisses the back of his shoulder lightly. "How do you think I feel? This is all new to me. Can't even think 'bout it without gettin' hard." 

The younger man giggles softly, whispering. "You are like a horny teenager. And I think it's cute." Daryl blushes lightly. "I am not!" Paul smiles more, whispering. "Well what if I pushed my ass back into you, and wriggled my hips." Daryl feels his face heating up, swallowing the lump in his throat, whispering. "Don't do that...Point taken." Paul laughs softly, whispering. "It's okay. I think it's cute. And it's so hot. You are so hot." Daryl blushes lightly, kissing the back of Paul's neck a little, whispering. "You are so hot too." 

Paul shudders a little, whispering. "And unless you want me to be rock hard again, don't kiss my neck like that." Daryl smiles, whispering. "I'll remember that." He shakes his arms around the smaller man, pressing himself close as he rests his head in his back, nuzzling lightly. His hands run softly over his tummy, closing his eyes as he settles into the man. "G' night Paul." He smiles back, relaxing into Daryl's hold. "Hmm. Goodnight Daryl." 

Chapter Text

Morning came by quicker than expected, Paul and Daryl spending their morning together as usual. Daryl and Tara had decided that The Saviours weren’t falling as quickly as needed. After finding out they may be able to lure the walkers away, the two of them had decided that they needed to breach the walls of The Sanctuary. As long as the building was still standing, they were safe for now, and that wasn’t enough. After hearing about the music truck from Rosita and Michonne they decided they didn't want to waste time. They knew if all The Saviours got out, they would attack as soon as they could. 

They had come up with a plan to crash into the compound, destroying the walls and letting the walkers in. Daryl had known it was dangerous, but thankfully they had executed their plan well, the walls of The Sanctuary now burst in, flooding with the dead. Negan’s people were already angry after receiving the coffin from Maggie with their friend from the outpost. The majority of them flooding to Alexandria. 

On their way back, Daryl, Tara and Rosita had come across a group of the saviours, Daryl reluctantly letting Dwight join them, killing as many as they could. Now knowing Alexandria was under attack, they rushed there. 

The events of that night were too much for Daryl, all he could do was push it aside, pushing it deep within himself as he had done in the past. Losing Carl had shaken him, and now he was hyper fixated on getting everyone back to The Hilltop safely, especially Judith. 

The next morning when he arrived in The Hilltop he was a shell of himself. He didn’t know what to say. Seeing how Maggie and Enid had broken down, the guilt filling Sidiq, and the way Carol had just hugged him. She had taken Judith, seeing the state he was in, telling him to get some rest. She knew Daryl well, and knew he needed time away, he had gotten them there safely, Jude was safe, and now he had nothing to focus on, he felt like he was going to collapse.

He stepped into the empty trailer, closing the door as his body gave out. He dropped the heavy crossbow onto the floor, it hitting against the wall lightly as it fell from his grip. He let out a heavy breath, shaking as he stared at the floor, unable to comprehend what had happened. He took a few steps, but he felt like he was on autopilot. He couldn’t think, couldn’t feel, he didn’t know what to do. He heard the door pulling open and shutting, immediately feeling tight arms wrapping around him as Paul stepped in front of him. 

As the younger man’s touch hit him, he felt everything all at once, a strong wave hitting him as his face shakes, lip wobbling as tears start to fall from his eyes. Something about Paul’s touch made him break down, feeling like he could finally be vulnerable, sobbing out as he held back onto the man tightly, so tightly he felt like he may break him. Paul could feel him shaking in his arms, holding onto him tightly, feeling like he may buckle at any point. One of his hands kept holding him, the other now gently moving to stroke his hair, whispering into his shoulder as he held him. “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I’ve got you.” 

His words brought Daryl comfort, even at a time like this. He held him, his legs shaking under him, exhausted from no sleep, threatening to give out under his weight. Paul let go slightly, whispering. “Sit down, come on.” He moved the blankets from the bottom of the bed, gently leading Daryl to it as he sat him down. He looked down at the man, tears in his own eyes as he cuddled him again, standing in front of him. He watched as the older man pressed his face into his stomach, wrapping his arms around his back tightly. All he could do was hold him, one arm around his back and the other around his head gently, stroking his hair as he cried. He let him cry, not letting go until he let go first. He strokes his hair from his tearstained face, pushing it out of his way. 

“Stay here.” He goes into the bathroom, grabbing a washcloth and wetting it. He wipes over Daryl’s face with it, the man wincing slightly at the coldness of it on his scratched face, the contrast of the cold on his burning face feeling soothing. He lets Paul do it, sighing quietly. His tears had gone, just left quiet. He was back to not knowing how to feel, stuck between feeling everything and nothing. He let Paul take his dirty shirt off, the cold air hitting his body.

The younger man now gets into the bed behind him, sitting back against the pillows. “Now come here.” Daryl turns slightly, shuffling up the bed a little sitting next to him. Paul wraps his arms around him, gently pulling him into his hold, Daryl gently shuffling down, his body going limp into his chest. He feels Paul’s arms holding him in, feeling like if he wasn’t there he would collapse. His arms were tight around the older man, holding him like he might lose him, his warm hands and burning lightly into Daryl’s cold skin. Not that the other man cared, he wanted Paul there, he needed him. His touch felt like the only thing that could make anything feel better right now. He felt a warm blanket being draped over his body, settling more as he wrapped his arms lightly around Paul, pressing his face in closely as he let his eyes close. 

He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to. Paul knew his feelings, he knew how to make him feel better, and he knew what he needed. He needed Paul. There was nothing else in the world he needed at that moment. Just to be held, to be loved, to have someone there who didn’t expect him to talk or lead, someone who just let him rest there. He didn’t have it in him to do anything else. The way Paul understood just made Daryl want him more, it made him feel human, made him feel respected and valued, in a different way than other people had. He made him feel loved. 

Daryl rested in his chest, in and out of sleep as he cuddled into the safe hold of the man, Paul hadn’t loosed his grip even a little, holding the man as close as he could. The death of Carl had rattled everyone, and Paul knew people were gonna be worse off than Daryl. But Rick and Michonne had each other, and Judith had the support of everyone around her. He knew Daryl had Carol, but not like this. She could make him feel cared for and safe, but not the same way Paul could. Not with the same vulnerability, he didn’t let his guard down for anybody like this, so Paul knew he had to be here for him. 

He laid awake most of the night, watching him sleep, making sure he was covered. He knew he wasn’t sleeping well, he could tell he’d been having nightmares, but every time he awoke the younger man was there, awake and holding onto him, quietly lulling him back to a sense of comfort. He rested his chin lightly on the man’s head, letting himself settle but not sleep. He inhaled the scent in his hair lightly, a hint of tobacco mixed with sweat filling his nose. It comforted him too in a way, the smell familiar to him. It smelled like Daryl. 

When morning came around, Daryl woke, looking up at Paul sleepily. His voice was quiet and gruff, raw from being silent for so long. “Have ya been awake all night?” The younger man looked down a little, surprised when he heard his voice. “I have, but I’m okay. I can catch up on sleep tonight.” Daryl knows the man was awake because of him, but for the first time he didn’t feel guilt. His brain pushed it aside, recognizing how the man cared for him. “Thank you.” “You don’t have to thank me.”

Paul looks down, gently sweeping the man’s messy locks from his face, whispering. “I’m gonna make us some food soon, you have to try eat something.” Daryl nods a little, unsure if he could with the heavy feeling of nausea in his stomach. “Please don’t get up yet.” Daryl starts, looking up a little. “Not yet.” He feels the arms around him squeezing a little. “I’d lay here with you forever if it made you feel better.” Daryl smiles very softly, looking up at the man gratefully. Paul’s fingers run over his face again lightly, whispering. “You don’t even have to go out yet, after food I’ll go check on things. Talk to a few people, Carol and Maggie know you’re alright. And then I’ll be back. We can spend the whole day here if you like.” Daryl nods immediately, unsure of if he could face anybody else yet. 

Paul uses his hand, wrapping it under his face gently and using it to lift the man’s chin. He pressed his lips into the man’s softly, feeling their chapped skin and tasting the sweetness of the iron on them from his blood. He strokes his thumb gently through the facial hair on the edge of his jaw, whispering. “You need to shower today as well. You’ll feel better for it.” Daryl hums lightly, resting his forehead on Paul’s as the kiss fades, closing his eyes lightly, just for a second being taken away from it all, almost feeling guilty for not letting himself feel it. He whispers. “For jus’ a minute, things felt normal then.” 

The younger man smiles sadly into his lips as he nuzzles his nose against Daryl’s lovingly as he kisses his lips again lightly, whispering. “I know honey.” His words bring more comfort than Paul could ever know. His cheeks flushed lightly, his head feeling heavy as the words lingered. He’d never been called something like that before, closing his eyes a little tighter and whispering. “I…Call me that again?” Paul’s tone is quieter, whispering again lightly. “You’re my honey.” Daryl hummed quietly, resting his head lightly against the other man’s again, whispering softly. “Honey...I like that.” Paul strokes his hair lightly, whispering. “Well honey, if you like it, that’s what I’ll call you.” 

Daryl rests his head back down into Paul, closing his eyes again lightly, whispering. ”Jus’ five more minutes.” He feels the smaller arms staying around him, holding him, feeling safer in his arms than ever before in his life. His touch was warm and soft, yet he felt secure, like he wouldn’t let go. He can hear the gentle sounds as Paul starts humming a soft tune into the older man’s hair, Daryl closing his eyes tighter as he relaxes, listening to the soft song, feeling the gentle sway of the man, letting out a breath he’d been holding back. He felt a baby in the man’s hold, but he didn’t care. The comfort it brought him outweighed any emotion by far. 

It was reaching the afternoon now, the sun far in the middle of the sky. Paul had made a deal with Daryl, he would go and talk with the people in Hilltop, and Daryl was to shower and change into something comfortable. Paul had talked with Maggie, telling her that Daryl was okay, he just needed space. He hadn’t spoken to Rick and Michonne, but they were in their own world. He had, however, had a long conversation with Carol, who was now very concerned. The two talked about Daryl, him telling her he hadn’t slept great but he had slept, he hadn’t eaten much but he was trying and that he was cleaning himself up as they spoke. He’d told her he wasn’t hurt, he just needed rest and wanted space. Carol could see the way the man cared about him, not realising something might be there. She was just happy that he was letting someone care for him, knowing how stubborn he can be.

When he gets back to the trailer, Daryl is now dressed comfortably in joggers and a tee that Paul had left for him. He looked better now, his hair still wet, but clean, and the grime now washed away. The younger man checks a pot on the stove where soup had been cooking. He had seen Daryl struggle to eat earlier, deciding chicken and vegetable soup was a good meal to help settle his stomach. He poured two bowls, grabbing two spoons from the drawer as he lifted both dishes. “Get into the blankets, it’s cold.” Daryl nods as he shuffled back, settling into the covers as Paul handed him one of the bowls and a spoon before settling down next to him, lifting the covers over himself too. 

He starts to eat his own soup, keeping his glances up to check on the other man. Daryl looks reluctant but he starts slowly eating, the warm soup settling in his mouth and throat, soothing them as he eats. After half the bowl, his stomach is waking up a little, settling as the food starts to fill him, happy to be fed. Paul smiles to himself as he watches Daryl, now looking less stressed as he eats. He waits until he’s finished, taking the bowl from him as he puts both down on the floor beside the bed. He shifts Daryl’s wet hair from his face, brushing it over lightly and slicking it back. “Tummy feeling a little better?” The older man nods lightly, resting his head back down on Paul’s shoulder. “Don’t feel as sick now.” His tone was quiet but grateful. 

Paul looks down, kissing the top of his head a little. “I’m glad you don’t feel as sick. Part of it was probably because you were hungry, honey. Your tummy can’t settle if it’s empty.” Daryl nods lightly, knowing he’s right. He sighs softly, nuzzling his shoulder gently, whispering. “Uh…Can I kiss you? Jus’ wanna think about somethin’ else. Wanna think about somethin’ good.” Paul turns a little to look at Daryl properly. “Are you sure?” He nods back lightly, whispering. “Wanna be taken somewhere else, think of somethin’ else…An’ I feel like that when we kiss.” 

The younger man nods softly, whispering. “You can kiss me.” Daryl hums quietly, turning around a little as he presses his lips into Paul’s, letting his eyes fall shut as he kisses gently, for a little his brain shifting to only the other man. He lets his veiny hands run through his soft hair, gently tangling his fingers into it as he kisses a little more eagerly, inhaling the scent of him as he kisses. He can feel his beard pressing into his chin, lightly tickling the skin on his jaw, ignoring it as he hums softly into Paul’s lips, pulling away as he pants. He opens his eyes a little, looking at the smaller man as he whispers. “‘M sorry.” 

Paul’s hand now moves up to cup his face, whispering. “Don’t be sorry. It’s alright honey.” Daryl kisses lightly at the hand on his face as he nods, whispering. “Jus’ feels like ’m stuck in a nightmare. But I don’t feel that when ‘m here with you.” “It’s okay. I understand. It’s because we haven’t changed. You go outside, and it’s different. In here, it’s still just me and you.” 

Daryl looks up a little more, now understanding it himself as he nods lightly. “Don’t want us to change.” Paul smiles sadly, whispering. “We aren’t changing. We’re the same.” 

Chapter Text

It had been almost a week since Carl’s death, and a lot had happened. However the new morning felt like a breath of fresh air. Negan had been injured and was healing in the medical building at Alexandria, under strict watch. Saviours were now either trying to rebuild a new Sanctuary or had joined communities with the promise to be different. Everyone felt united for the first time, and the air felt clearer. Now everyone was trying to settle back into life, not focusing on attacks anymore, but back to the focus of animals and crops. And with the younger man’s support, despite all the bad things that had happened, Daryl was feeling hopeful.

It was early when Daryl awoke, looking up as he laughed to himself a little, Paul fully laying on top of him, nuzzled into his chest. Daryl leaned in, lightly kissing the younger man’s head as he stroked his hair away. “G’mornin’ sleepyhead.” Paul groaned out loudly, sinking his face sleepily into the man’s firm chest, mumbling through his sleep. “Not getting up. Staying here.” The older man chuckles softly, whispering. “Ya do look adorable like that. Paul just smiled to himself, nuzzling lightly as he kisses Daryl’s chest, humming lightly against his skin. “Ya not gettin’ up today?” 

The younger man shakes his head, grinning in Daryl’s skin as he murmurs out. “Make me.” Daryl shakes his head lightly as he looks down, gently snaking his arms under Paul’s armpits, pulling him up as he whines. “Hey no whinin’, lemme look at ya.” He sits him down in his lap, smiling as the smaller man’s legs wrap around his waist lightly, Paul now looking up to meet his gaze. Daryl chuckles softly, gently brushing his hair behind his ear. “That’s better. Can see your face now.” 

Paul smiles widely as he giggles. Daryl’s hands were now running over his back and shoulders lightly, making the smaller man hum out softly. “Hmm, your hands are warm.” He feels the large hands softly running down over his hips, humming lightly as he leans his head in, softly locking his lips with Daryl’s, the two of them kissing slowly and passionately. When the kiss breaks, the older man is smiling. “Someone’s ‘n a good mood today.” Paul hums as he presses his lips back in, mumbling lightly against them. “Who wouldn’t be waking up to you.” Daryl feels his kisses get a little more eager, smiling through them as he deepens it, wrapping his arms around the man tighter as his fingertips dig lightly into his hips. 

The younger man moans out softly into Daryl’s chapped lips, catching him off guard as he pulls off a little, breath heavy as he pants. “Make that very happy today. What's got you so riled up?” Paul blushes at the question, smiling sheepishly. “Just want you. Had a dream about you, and I woke up, And here you are. So of course I’m excited.” Daryl’s own face is now heating at the idea of him filling his dreams, but he chuckles out softly, whispering. “I was in your dream darlin’? What was it ‘bout?” 

He sees the flush going across Paul’s cheeks harder as he swallows harshly. “I...uhm...It was a...dream. ” “Well what kind of- ...Oh. Oh! ” The realisation hits him, his own cheeks burning up as he whispers. “Well...Now you have t’ tell me ‘bout your dream.” Paul whines a little as he laughs shyly, his head falling into Daryl’s neck. He hums out quietly as he feels the older man’s lips on his neck, shuddering softly as his lips start nibbling lightly at his skin, his whisper so close to his ear, it feels like it’s under his skin. “Go on. Tell me all ‘bout it.”  

Daryl can sense his arousal as he hears him gasps out quietly, whispering. “I...We were kissing. Like making out. And we were pressed against each other, like our hips.” He whines softly against the man’s neck, panting quietly as he feels Daryl's hands rubbing through his hair lightly, his other hand softly running down and squeezing his ass. “Then what darlin’?” Paul was struggling to keep his composure now, whispering. “We were grinding, like our hips were pressed together, and I could feel you.” The older man couldn't stop the light grin on his face, now feeling Paul's hardening cock starting to press lightly into his stomach. 

“Keep goin’.” “Then you were touching me, and I could feel your fingers around me.” He blushes harder as he shudders lightly, his hips now pressed tightly into Daryl's stomach, his cock between them as he whimpered quietly. The older man looks down a little, whispering quietly into Paul's ear. “Sounds like a good dream darlin'...Do ya have a problem? Perhaps one that's pressin’ into my stomach?” 

Paul feels his face burning harder as he hides his face a little more in Daryl’s neck. He feels the soft kisses on his ear, hearing his voice again. “If ya want me to stop. Jus’...Tell me.” The older man felt slightly unsure, but he swallowed the nerves. He looked down a little, gently pressing his fingers against Paul's boxers, his hand gently against his clothed cock, hearing Paul gasp lightly. He whined quietly in Daryl's neck, blushing furiously as he whispered softly “H...Hmm please.” 

The soft neediness in his voice made Daryl feel weak, softly palming the man's hard cock through his pants, feeling him shake lightly. He could feel his hard he was, blushing a little himself as he'd never done this. However Paul’s sounds just egged him on. He kisses again lightly at the man's neck, whispering. “That feels good, huh?” The soft tease in his words make the younger man feel light headed, groaning quietly into his neck. 

“I...Daryl?” “Yes darlin’?” Paul was now flustered, panting quietly. “I...Please. Can you touch me properly?” His request makes Daryl blush, but he smiles softly at the man's eagerness, looking down and whispering. “Can I?” Paul nods hard into his neck, nuzzling in as he whispers. “Please Daryl.” 

Daryl looks down, now gently pushing his hand under Paul's boxers, nervous as he wraps his fingers around his hard cock, tightening them lightly. Hearing a soft hiss from Paul is all it takes to build his confidence, now stroking his fingers over Paul’s cock. 

Paul moans out softly, panting quietly into Daryl's neck as he whispers. “Hmm, that's good.” The older man swallows harshly, his own cock hard as he watches the man, now stroking him properly. Paul pants out hard, moaning deeply into his neck, the sound running through Daryl.

“Fuck you are so hot darlin'.” Paul giggles out softly, panting into his neck and nuzzling lightly. He runs his hands through Daryl's hair as he leans up, kissing at his lips eagerly, closing his eyes and panting softly through the kiss. He can feel how hard the older man is, his cock now pressing into his ass, Paul pressing down gently, letting his ass press lightly into him. 

Daryl groans softly against his lips, watching as Paul shuffles his hips back a little, now sitting on his upper thighs. He puts his hand down against the older man's belt, looking up a little. “Can I?” Daryl is nervous, but he looks down, just seeing the younger man's fingers on his belt was firing him up. “Yeah, you can.” Paul leans back in, kissing his lips again eagerly, his hands unbuckling Daryl's belt, unzipping his jeans and pulling at the button on them, pulling them down lightly over his hips. 

He tucks his fingers under his boxers, his fingers curling around the older man's cock as he starts to jerk him slowly, Daryl closing his eyes a little as he groans into Paul's lips. The feeling was different than anything he'd ever experienced, so much better than when he touched himself. The man's hand felt warm, tighter, his fingers felt different. The touches made him shake, and Paul could feel his cock aching in his hand. 

Daryl keeps his own hand stroking, the two of them now both moaning into the kisses, the older man pulling away a little as he pants out heavily. Paul watched his face as bites at hip lip, smiling to himself as he moans. “Hmm. That feels good doesn't it?” He speeds up the strokes, watching Daryl groan, his eyes closing as his face scrunches, lips parting lightly as he moans. Paul couldn't look away, the look of pleasure on the older man only pushing him closer to the edge as he whined quietly. “Oh fuck, I'm getting close.” 

He felt the strokes on his own cock picking up, his head falling lightly against Daryl's own head as he moaned, his hips tensing up as he pants out desperately, cumming harshly into Daryl's hand as he groans out, his breathing heavy as he whimpers quietly. When the older man looks up at him, he just smiles, his hand still stroking at cock eagerly. He watches Daryl’s own orgasm building, taking the older man's hand from around his cock, pulling his arm up lightly. He holds his wrist lightly, running his tongue along the cum covered fingers, watching as Daryl groans out loudly. 

The mixture of the hand on his cock and Paul's tongue on his fingers was overwhelming, the orgasm ripping through him like lightening as he moaned out desperately, his hips rocking slightly into Paul's hand needily as he whined. He lets out a choked sound, grunting loudly as his head falls back, ropes of cum hitting the younger man's fingers as he finishes, gasping loudly for breath as his eyes fall shut. 

Paul moves his hand away, chuckling softly, taking his other hand and softly running it through Daryl's hair, whispering. “That's it honey, deep breaths. You did so good.” His comforting words make Daryl smile widely, breathing deeply through the panting as he nods lightly. When the older man opens his eyes, he can see Paul's fingers, now coated white too. He swallows a little, face becoming embarrassed as he takes the younger man's hand, lifting it up lightly as he sucks his fingers, just like Paul had done to his own.

Paul watches, grinning harder than ever as he hums at the feeling. Once he's finished, Paul leans in, pressing his lips eagerly into Daryl's, the faint taste of cum mixing on their tongues. When they pull off Paul leans his head lightly on Daryl's, whispering. “You are so hot…And you make me so horny.” The older man chuckles lightly at his words, cheeks flushed as he smiles, whispering back. “You're really hot too…An’ I guess I'd be lying if I said ya didn't make me horny too.” 

The younger man smiles, nuzzling his head in a little as he whispers. “You did really good y’know. I know you haven't done stuff like this before. But every little thing that we do gets easier, it'll start to flow. Even if you're anxious. The more we do things, the more you'll get used to it.” Daryl nods lightly as he listens, whispering. “Does make a ‘lil nervous. But usually ya lead, and it makes me feel more comfortable…Like I can let go a bit an’ join in. 

Paul smiles as he kisses his cheek gently, whispering. “That's a good thing honey.” He leans in a little more, whispering into his ear. “Plus if you want an ego boost, just know you've got a big cock.” He can sense the blush on Daryl before he even sees it, smiling a little as he kisses his cheek, giggling slightly. The older man didn't say anything, just wrapping his arms around Paul's back gently, cuddling him close, smiling at the younger man curls in.

Daryl strokes his hair softly, whispering. “Can we talk later ‘bout other things. Like…’M not sure if I know ‘nough ‘bout some things.” Paul smiles a little. “Of course we can, we'll do that tonight if you'd like.” Daryl nods, kissing at Paul's head as he hugs him again, their bodies resting into each other as they settle.

Chapter Text

The day had been eventful, mostly spent looking through Georgie’s plans with Maggie as they planned their extensions of Hilltop. Now their worries with The Saviours had left, the communities could focus more on building and new agriculture. There were now plans for windmills and other such things that would change Hilltop drastically for the better. 

The two men had set the evening aside to talk, after Daryl had told Paul about his worries. He didn’t want the older man to be unsure about things, so they’d planned to discuss things, Paul just wanting him to be more knowledgeable, hoping it would make him feel less anxious about the whole thing. 

They both sat in bed, laying together as Paul smiled. “So if we’re gonna talk about this, you gotta be honest with me. And if you have any questions, you can ask them. If I have any, I’ll ask them. Okay?” Daryl nods. “I gotcha. I jus’ wanna feel less clueless about stuff. Never had anyone to talk ‘bout it with either.” Paul moves his hand, holding it as he smiles. “I know. Well should we just go up in intensity? I mean. We kissed, we dry humped. And the handjobs.” Daryl nods a little as he blushes. “I obviously know about sex an’ stuff, but not really like, details? Merle’s skewed female encounters are not helpful in any way shape ‘r form.” The younger man laughs a little. “Oh I can imagine not. Well I’d say the next thing down would be blowjobs right?” Daryl listens, thinking. “Like…Giving and receiving?” Paul chuckles a little. “Well that would be depending on what you want to do.” 

The older man bites his lip a little, mumbling. “Fuck, I don’t ‘ave a goddamn clue.” “Well, that’s the thing. We can discuss things, but until you experience them, you won’t know what you like.” Daryl nods a little, looking at Paul, who’s grinning a little, playfully mumbling. “Meaning future experiments…For science of course.” He blushes, shoving his a little as he laughs. “Hmm…Science ‘f course. What ‘bout when it comes to like…sex?” He feels his face flushing harder at the question, but Paul doesn’t laugh. “Well honey, that really does just depend on preference. Like, if you’re top, it’s just putting your cock into someone. If you’re bottom, you’re the one getting it inside you. But that really would take experimenting.” Daryl’s eyes go a little wide, mumbling. “That seems like an awfully big jump in experiments.” Paul chuckles softly as he turns, rubbing his back. “It wouldn’t be that big of a jump. That sounds terrifying. It would be slow, testing out something like that. You start with just touching, then just one finger, then maybe two, and you see if you enjoy that first.” 

Daryl nods a little. “‘Kay…Yeah that sounds a ‘lil less scary. What if ya like both?” Paul grins. “Well, if you like both, then you’re not a top or a bottom, you’re a switch. Just means you’re happy to do either and you enjoy both. Like me.” He nods a little at Paul’s response, whispering. “Greedy.” The younger man laughs a little, smiling as he whispers back. “Hey, maybe I am a little. I love either. They’re both very different, but both feel great.” Daryl laughs a little as he rests his head on Paul’s shoulder. His tone goes quieter as he whispers. “Uh…If we did anything, how would it go?” He looks down a little at the older man as he smiles, whispering. “I think for the first time I would be bottom. Because I know I like it. You start with lube, plenty of lube. Build up to a couple of fingers. And then you put it inside.” Daryl swallows as he nods, a blush creeping upon his face. Paul chuckles a little as he sees the man’s shyness, leaning to kiss his cheek softly. 

He smiles in return, humming a little as he nuzzles Paul’s shoulder, mumbling. “No more talkin’ ‘bout it, or ‘m gonna have an issue.” The younger man grins a little, whispering. “Oh yeah? And what issue would that be, huh?” The playful tone makes Daryl blush harder as he nuzzles his face lightly into Paul’s shoulder, mumbling. “Not comin’ out’a here.” He chuckles softly, stroking Daryl’s hair lightly as he whispers into his ear. “Does it make you feel better if I say that I feel the same?” The man nods a little as he rests against him lightly, whispering. “That does help actually.” “You don’t have to feel bad about it y’know. I don’t want you to hold it back. We’re trying to bring it out and figure it out honey.” Daryl is now smiling lightly into his shoulder, mumbling. “Well ’ve figured out one thing. An’ that, is that the idea of all of it makes all my blood rush elsewhere.” 

Paul chuckles softly as he strokes through his hair. “Yeah. Me too. Now let me see that pretty face.” Daryl peeks out a little, cheeks red as he smiles, Paul smiling back as he leans in to kiss his lips gently, whispering. “Aren’t you just the cutest.” Daryl huffs a little, shoving him playfully as Paul giggles quietly. The older man smiles as he rests his head back a little against his shoulder, looking up at him as he whispers. “Wait! I got one more question.” Paul looks down as he smiles. “Okay, go on?” Daryl’s face is now blushed, almost cursing himself for saying it. The younger man smiles lightly, whispering. “Go on honey, it’s okay.” He nods a little to Paul, his cheeks flushing red as he whispers nervously. “Could we like…Uh. Shower? I mean uh…Fuck sake.” 

He struggles on his words, Paul looking down as he smiles softly, whispering against his cheek. “You wanna shower together?” The older man nods lightly, grateful for the man finishing the question for him. “Uh…I would very much like that. If..Uh. If ya wanted to?” He sees the smile on the smaller man’s face, gently holding his face, whispering. “I would love that so much.” Daryl lets out a shy grin, biting his lip a little as he holds back an excited smile, looking up and whispering. “I’ve never showered with anyone before.” Paul smiles too at the man’s excitement, looking up as he thinks, grinning a little and whispering. “Do you wanna get in the shower now?”

He watches Daryl’s eyes going wide as he smiles shyly, whispering. “What like…now  as in right now?” Paul smiles widely as he nods. “I mean both of us need to shower right? Why not shower together?” Daryl blushes a little, whispering honestly to Paul. “I dunno why it makes me feel nervous. But I really want to, yes please.” The younger man smiles softly, running his thumb gently over Daryl’s face, whispering. “I’m proud of you for being honest. What about it makes you nervous?” “Jus’ bein’ close like that? Like I wan’ it but it makes me feel vulnerable. But I still want to, ‘m jus’ shy when I think ‘bout ya bein’ able to see that much of me like that.” Paul kisses his cheek lightly, whispering. “Honestly. I understand being shy. It can be scary. I’ve never showered with anybody else either. It is something that is really personal and you’re gonna be really close. So, I get that you’re feeling a bit nervous, it’s alright.” 

Daryl nods a little, whispering. “I was gonna suggest somethin’, but it might seem silly.” The other man chuckles softly, whispering. “Oh honey, there’s no such thing as a silly suggestion.” He sees the older man nodding again, swallowing his nerves and whispering. “Could we do it in bed first? Like uh…Be fully naked an’ cuddle? I uh…I’m used to bein’ in bed with ya, and it feels normal. Thought it might make it feel less scary than the shower.” He looks up, seeing Paul smiling widely. “That is the exact opposite of a silly idea. That’s actually a really great idea.” 

He sees a smile now coming across Daryl’s face, a blush as he whispers. “Does that mean we can get naked now?” Paul chuckles a little, his brain jumping to something on his mind. “It does. Can I help?” The older man looks up a little, confused. “Oh. I mean like…Help you undress? I just like the idea of taking your clothes off.” His words became breathy at the admission, Daryl’s eyes wide as he blushes, smiling down shyly. “You can take them off.” 

Paul smiles out widely as he whispers. “Yeah?” He looks up at Daryl as he nods, smiling widely as he shuffles up a little to sit in Daryl’s lap, almost giggling to himself as he leans in and kisses him lightly. His hands rub against the back of his shirt, fingertips teasing at the hem of it as he puts them under it lightly, feeling the man kissing back as he now rubs against his hot skin, feeling the warmth. He pulls away from the kiss, gently taking the shirt and lifting it over his head, smiling at the man’s bare chest as he whispers. “You’re so pretty y’know.” Daryl smiles shyly, gently wrapping an arm around Paul as he whispers. “Can I undress ya too?” 

The younger man grins to himself as he nods, feeling the man’s fingers grabbing his own shirt, pulling it over his head. He lets Daryl take it off, leaning in to kiss him again eagerly, smiling as the man’s lips press back into his with need. He traces his fingertips lightly down Daryl’s stomach, them settling near his jeans as he whispers into his lips. “Can I?” The man hums softly into Paul’s lips, nodding lightly as he deepens the kiss again, smiling lightly into them as he feels his hand now. The older man shudders as he feels Paul’s fingers undoing his pants, closing his eyes a little, cheeks starting to flush red. 

The younger man lifts his hips a little, gently lacing his fingers under the back of Daryl’s pants and boxers, whispering. “Lift your hips a little honey.” He nods as he does what Paul says, feeling his fingers loop under his clothes, pulling both his jeans and his boxers down in one movement, moving down to gently pull them over his muscular calves, taking them down fully as he smiles. Daryl’s own fingertips are now tracing the edges of Paul’s jeans, whispering quietly. “Can I? I don’t like feelin’ so naked when you’re so clothed.” The smaller man nods lightly as he shuffles a little closer to Daryl, whispering. “You can take them off.” 

He smiles as he looks down, watching Daryl’s fingers shaking a little with nerve as he undoes the man’s jeans, pulling them down gently along his legs, bringing his boxers with them as he does the same, pulling them over his legs fully, throwing them on the floor as he breathes out a deep breath, smiling lightly. “You’re so fuckin’ pretty.” Paul blushes as he looks up, his smile wide. “You’re really pretty too. So handsome.” He sees the flush on the older man’s cheek, whispering, clearly eager. “Can we cuddle now?” Daryl bites his lip a little, whispering shyly. “How do you want to cuddle?” 

Paul smiles, whispering. “Can I lay on top of you?” Daryl’s eyes almost twinkle at the idea, smiling to himself now too as he nods. “Hmm. You definitely can darlin’. That sounds like a good idea.” The younger man smiles widely as he shuffles his hips a little, lightly pushing Daryl down into the pillows until he’s lying comfortably. He straddles his hips lightly, blushing as he rests down, softly snuggling his head against Daryl’s chest, humming almost immediately as he feels his warmth radiating. The older man sighs as he relaxes down into the mattress, smiling to himself as he whispers. “You’re so fuckin’ cosy.” Paul hums lightly as he smiles into the man’s skin, humming. “You’re always so warm, I love it.” Daryl wraps his arms around the smaller man, letting them curl around his back lovingly as he holds him close. Paul can feel the strong muscles holding him close, mumbling quietly as the warmth takes over. “So fucking warm.” 

Daryl smiles down, kissing the man’s head softly as he rests his chin on the side of his head, humming quietly. “You’re so cute darlin’. I love holdin’ you like this. Can’t describe it.” Paul smiles out widely, whispering. “Can you try to describe it?” Daryl feels his face blushing as he whispers quietly. “Uh…’S like you’re jus’ small an’ cosy and’ cute. An’ you always curl up warm. An’ uh. I can feel your body against me, our skin touchin’ an’ it jus’ drives me crazy an’ it makes me feel warm inside.” Paul looks up, his own cheeks flushed as he whispers. “See, you can describe it. I love feeling your skin on mine. Just feels so natural. Like it should be that way. Almost feels like your body heat just makes me feel sleepy and safe.” Daryl hums out as he smiles, whispering. “Like a baby bird.” 

Paul grins lightly into his chest, whispering. “Does that make you the mama bird?” The older man blushes. “I don’t think you’re mama bird. I think we take it in turns. Sometimes I wanna be the mama bird, and you’re my sweet little baby bird.” Daryl smiles harder as he whispers softly. “Like it when you make me feel safe. An’ I like bein’ like this an’ makin’ you feel safe.” The younger man smiles to himself, nestling down in his chest and humming softly. “Love being so close to you too.” Daryl hums softly, agreeing. Paul smiles to himself, whispering. “I know you’re having a good time. I can feel you pressing into me.” 

Daryl feels the flush hitting his cheeks, realising his cock is now hard against the man’s hips, blushing and whispering. “Not even thinkin’ ‘bout anythin’ like that.” Paul smiles softly, whispering. “Don’t be embarrassed. Your body will react like that, even when your brain isn’t thinking like that. It’s the same with me.” He blushes now too, letting his hips fall in a little, his cock now pressing back into Daryl’s stomach a little. “Was laying with my hips raised a little, so it wouldn’t press into you.” 

The older man looks down, hands now curling around his back a little tighter, pouting a little, blurting out. “That’s no fair, I wanna feel it.” Paul giggles out quietly in his chest, murmuring. “Well you can feel it now.” Daryl smiles, whispering. “I can feel it.” Paul bites his lip softly, whispering. “Did that just make you harder?” Daryl blushes harshly, mumbling into the man’s hair shyly. “‘S your fault. Paul smiles hard, teasing. “Well I’m flattered.” He leans his head a little, kissing along the man’s chest softly, hearing him shudder softly. He smiles softly, whispering. “Does that feel good honey?” Daryl bites his lip softly, humming softly as a reply, looking down at the man. 

Paul keeps kissing lightly at his chest, kissing along the man’s defined pecs softly, whispering. “What about your nipples? Have you played with them before?” Daryl shakes his head lightly, whispering. “Never thought about it before.” Paul kisses next to his nipple softly, letting one hand snake between their chests as he lightly rubs his thumb over the other, smiling to himself as he hears a soft hum from the man’s lips, his nipple hardening lightly under the touch. He lets his thumb rub lightly over it, kissing lightly over the other as he feels the man tensing lightly, looking up a little at the man. “Do you like that?” Daryl chews hip lip gently, nodding eagerly as he blushes. His head falls back a little, letting out a quiet whimper as he feels the man’s tongue lightly brushing over the sensitive bud, the warmth of it burning into Daryl’s skin. 

The younger man smiles widely, whispering. “You've got sensitive little nipples, huh?” Daryl’s face goes red, whimpering again softly and whispering. “I… I guess so yeah. Jus’ sends shivers up my back.” Paul smiles, gently taking his tongue and flicks it lightly over the man's now rock hard nipple, going back and forth as he teases it. His fingers on the other one gently pinch, softly rolling his nipple between his fingers, Daryl’s breath now hitched as he feels Paul's teeth grazing against him, gasping quietly, his body now shifting and squirming under Paul. “H..Hmm fuck.” 

The younger man smiles softly, gently pulling his mouth away, whispering. “They're really sensitive huh?” Daryl nods, panting softly as he looks down, blushing, his hips writhing lightly under Paul, breath hitching again lightly when his cock glides against the man's hips. Paul just smiles to himself, watching his desperation build underneath him. It turned him on knowing Daryl was so horny, so needy for him. Paul leans up a little, his lips near the other man's, whispering almost silently. “God you're so hot like this. Does it feel good? Rubbing your cock into my side?” 

Daryl's face heats up, unable to help himself as he nods a little. Paul smiles lightly into his lips, whispering quietly. “You look so hot doing it. All those little squirms and wriggling under me.” The older man blushes more, looking up and whispering. “I jus’ can't help it. Need it so bad.” Paul smiles, gently pressing his thigh between Daryl's legs, now connecting their lips passionately, mumbling into his lips. “If you need it, don't be embarrassed, rock your hips baby.” 

The pet name shoots through Daryl, his cheeks turning red as he gasps quietly, every small movement he makes just pushes him into Paul's thigh, shuddering harshly. The younger man kisses him eagerly, groaning softly as the needy kisses are returned. He pulls away, for just a second, whispering. “Go on. Rock those hips for me.”  The tone in his voice makes Daryl feel weak, his hands wrapping around Paul's ass lightly, holding him close as he softly rocks his hips up, groaning out quietly as his cock rubs against Paul's warm thigh. He pushes his lips back into the man's needily, feeling his smile as he thrusts against him, moaning into his lips. 

Paul can feel his cock throbbing against him, humming into the kisses. They pull away panting, Daryl's hips now eager as he's pressing himself into the man's thigh. Within a few minutes he stops his hips, holding Paul still above him, gasping out. “Ah. Wait. Fuck. Keep still or ‘m gonna cum.” He didn't want to cum yet, he wanted to enjoy it for longer. He panted lightly, Paul smiling down widely at him as he keeps himself still, watching as the man groans a little, before sighing out heavily. 

He looks up, Paul grinning to himself as he looks at him, whispering shyly. “What? I was close.” The younger man laughs softly, whispering. “I know, you're adorable.” He smiles, leaning in to kiss the blushing man's lips, whispering into them. “I think we should get in the shower now. Can finish in there if you'd like. I have an idea.” The small grin on his face just turns Daryl on more as he nods eagerly, pulling away from the kiss. “Yes please.”  Daryl gets up, eager, picking Paul up off the bed, chuckling as he hears him squeal quietly. “Hey! Put me down.” But the older man can hear his giggles, smiling to himself as he holds him in one arm, closing the bathroom door behind them and turning the shower on. Paul giggles quietly, kissing Daryl's cheek and whispering. “You're so strong.” 

The older man smiles at the compliment, gently putting him down and stepping into the shower, humming softly as the warm water hits his skin. Paul steps in behind him, closing the cubicle door and humming to himself, Daryl's hands already lightly rubbing over his hips. His touch makes the smaller man hum out, leaning up to kiss Daryl eagerly as he smiles, feeling the kisses back. He wraps his arms around Daryl’s neck, draping his hands in his hair as he presses himself closer, letting out a soft whine as he feels his cock rubbing against Daryl's side. 

Daryl chuckles softly into his lips, whispering. “What was your idea?” Paul now looks up, smiling softly as he whispers. “Lean back a little.” Daryl nods, humming as his back hits the cold shower wall, looking down a little at the man. He smiles back up at him, moving his hips a little, more centre with Daryl’s, their cocks brushing together. He lets his hand run into his hair, moving the other down and taking both of their cocks in his small hand, stroking them together in his hand as he moans out quietly. The older man’s head falls back into Paul’s hand as he groans out quietly, one side of his cock in the man’s hand, the other gently rubbing against Paul’s own cock. 

His own hands now lightly fall down the man’s hips, gently wrapping his fingers around Paul’s ass cheeks, humming as he digs his fingers in, panting out quietly. “Oh fuck that feels good.” The younger man smiles, leaning towards hip a little and pressing their lips back together eagerly, moaning out quietly into his lips. Daryl whimpers out softly, humming into the kiss as he deepens it, his hips now shaking.  Daryl holds him closer, feeling his body shaking in his hold as he squeezes at his ass tightly, humming softly into his lips. “You've got such a hot ‘lil ass. I love it” Paul hums, giggling softly into the kiss as he smiles, a little shocked at Daryl's words as he keeps stroking the two of them. 

They both hold onto each other, kissing eagerly, the older man feeling Paul now shaking harder as their pleasure builds. He holds him up, leaning back against the shower wall for support, moving his other hand away. He smiles against Paul's lips, his own fingers now close to the hand around their cocks, whispering. “Let me. You're shakin’ like a leaf.” The smaller man's fingers gently pull away, holding onto Daryl’s neck with both arms now, moaning out louder than before as he feels the bigger hand now wrapping around their cocks, panting out. “F…Fuck that's not fair. Your hands are bigger than mine.” 

Daryl chuckles softly, pressing their lips together again as he kisses, now feeling Paul's hips writhing into his hand, groaning softly at the friction on his cock as he strokes. “Fuck darlin’, you're gonna make me cum if ya keep doing that.” Paul hums into the kiss more, gently pulling away. He smiles, nibbling along Daryl's jaw softly as he whines quietly. “I'm getting close too. Feels so fucking good.”

The older man hums, stroking faster as he rests his head against the wall, smiling at the feeling of Paul's lips as he pants. He can feel the man tensing in his grip, now groaning as he struggles to hold back his orgasm, waiting for Paul to get closer. When he feels his hips stuttering he moans out, his hand squeezing his ass tightly as he pants harshly, the two of them cumming hard into Daryl's hand as they groan. Paul whines out in his shoulder, holding onto him tightly as he shakes. Daryl's hand moves, now quickly moving to other to Paul's ass to hold him, feeling his legs shake unsteadily. “Fuck, ‘s okay. I've got ya.” 

Paul whimpers, his head falling lightly into his neck as he cuddles into him tightly, feeling the steady arms holding him as he hums, closing his eyes as he rests against him. Daryl smiles down widely, feeling the man relaxing into him as he holds him, moving one arm to hold him closer by his back, whispering lightly into his hair. “Fuck…You're so perfect.” 

Paul’s face pulls out lightly, looking up, face red and lightly scrunched as he hums, leaning up to kiss Daryl’s lips softly. Their eyes lock, both closing them as they lean into the kiss. Daryl pulls off after a few seconds, panting softly, the words flowing from his tongue, almost accidental. “I fuckin’ love ya.” He feels his anxiety build as the air goes quiet, other than the soft sounds of the shower. The anxiety shatters as he sees the wide smile coming across Paul’s lips. He rests his head on the older man's gently, whispering. “I love you too.” Daryl bites his lip, grinning harshly through it, Paul now giggling quietly as he nuzzles his nose into the older man’s.

Chapter Text

Barely a week had passed and Daryl and Paul have spent more and more time together, going out on runs together and slowly merging their responsibility so they can be together more. Things were progressing in their relationship and they were more and more touchy, more needy. More reliant on one another, despite both of them being so sure they never needed anyone other than themselves.

More and more often they were finding themselves making out, touching each other. Anything to be close, to feel each other. Tonight they were in bed together. What started as slow kisses, had built more and more, Daryl's lips slowly getting more and more heated with the younger man's, his hands grabbing lightly at his ass through his boxers, earning him a soft little mewl from Paul. Before letting his fingers slip under the boxers lightly.

Daryl loved nothing more than this. Paul and him in bed, the smaller man on top of him, in his arms, their chests together and the warmth of their skin connecting. The kiss deepens as Daryl gently grabs Paul's ass, softly pulling him closer, his fingers kneading lightly into the skin as Paul whimpers into his lips. “Ya like it when I do that, don't ya?” Paul just blushes, panting softly against his lips, nodding.

The older man smiles softly into his lips, his big hands gently pulling him closer, rubbing his fingers along the ass cheeks with surprising softness. His gentle calloused fingertips glide over Paul's soft skin, one fingertip rubbing lightly between the pert cheeks, Paul squirming lightly in his hold, his cheeks flushing even harder.

Daryl kisses his plush lips again, gently letting his finger rub over the man’s hole, feeling the light tensing of it. He pulls off, whispering almost silently into Paul's lips. “Is that…Clenchin’?..." He pauses. "Are you clenchin'?" He asks, a soft teasing grin on his lips.

Paul's cheeks look like they're burning up, now hot faced as he shudders, whispering quietly. “I..Yeah. It's because you're teasing it.” Daryl bites his lip softly, blushing himself now lightly, yet his fingertips still rub lightly over the sensitive hole. “Teasin’? Does that mean ya uh..Ya wan’ more?”

Paul hides his face lightly in Daryl's neck, whispering. “You don't have to do anything else, if you just wanna kiss.” The older man smiles down, whispering into Paul's hair quietly. “I feel that though. ‘S like your body is askin’ for it.. An’ ‘s kinda fuckin’ hot.”

The younger man smiles shyly into his neck, whispering. “I can teach you?” Daryl grins to himself softly, whispering. “I'd like that.” Paul leans over the bed lightly, opening one of the drawers underneath and pulling out a bottle of lube, sitting back in the man's lap. “So uh…You just have to rub the lube into it. And on your finger. And then just be slow when you put it inside. I'll tell you more when we've started.” His tone is flushed and excitable. 

Daryl watches Paul taking the hand that was previously wrapped around him, squirting some of the lube onto his finger and shuffling back up in his lap, whispering. “Okay. If you're sure, I'm ready.” The older man bites his lip softly, moving his hand back around Paul gently, letting his fingertip run back between his ass cheeks gently. He heard the man's soft hums as his head falls into his chest gently. He rubs his finger over the hole more, spreading the lube gently as he rubs around the small hole. Paul whispers now into him. “That should be good. Just, slowly now. Okay?”

Daryl doesn't say anything, but he listens, letting his finger gently press against the hole, the lubed tip gently pushing inside. Paul gasps softly, panting out quietly. “N..now push it inside slowly.” Daryl gently pushes his finger inside, feeling the tight warmth of the man, smiling down lightly when he hears Paul whimpering quietly. He can feel the gentle clenches of the man, very gently pulling it out a little and pressing it back in. Paul whines out softly. “A…Ah yes. Now. If you gently curl your finger up, you'll feel something. Might take you a second, but it's a smooth little bump. That's the prostate.”

Daryl looks down a little, whispering. “That's what feels really good?” Paul nods lightly into him. The older man takes his finger, gently curling it up as he pushes it in and out slowly. It takes a little, but when he pushes in this time, he feels a little bump brushing against his finger, immediately hearing Paul let out a soft guttural groan. Daryl almost blushes to himself, letting his fingers run over that spot gently, Paul's sounds sending blood straight to his cock, which he hadn't realised was now straining in his pants.

Paul whines softly into his chest as he feels Daryl's finger working in and out gently. “That feels real good doesn't it?” Paul nods lightly, smiling to himself hard as he bites his lip, looking up a little at Daryl's face. The older man smiles softly at his flushed cheeks, leaning to kiss them lightly, whispering. “You are so hot.” Paul moans softly into the kiss, smiling as he mumbles bashfully. “Can you put two inside? I like two.”

Daryl smiles lightly, whispering. “If you want me to.” Paul smiles shyly against his lips, whispering. “You don't need more lube, just be gentle.” He smiles into Daryl's lips, resting his forehead on his as he feels one of the man's big fingers gently rubbing against him, the other still firmly inside. When he pulls it out Paul holds back a whimper, biting his lip hard and whining quietly when he feels two gently going back inside, the stretch sending shivers through him. “Hmm your fingers are so big.” Daryl's fingers still for a second as he whispers.

“Is that a bad thing?” Paul whimpers quietly at the stillness, blushing to himself harshly as he chuckles. “No no. It's a good thing, please keep going.” Daryl smiles, gently pressing his fingers back into the man, curling them lightly, pleased when he hears moans coming from Paul. He watches in awe as Paul wraps his fingers around his cock, working his fingers inside the man as he stares, watching him stroke himself needily.

Daryl groans low in his throat, speeding his fingers up carefully, rubbing over his prostate lightly with his fingers everytime he pushes inside. His eyes are now glued to Paul, his cock aching in his pants as he watches him, his stroking getting more eager as he whispers. Daryl's voice is raw with arousal as he speaks. “God I could watch you doin’ this all the time. Keep goin’. I wanna watch you cum for me.”

Paul's face is now red, his eyes closed as he strokes himself desperately, whimpering at Daryl's words. His fingers drive him wild, pressing in all the right places just the right way, merciless as the speed stays steady, making him whimper out. Daryl watches as his hips squirm, feeling the tightening of his muscles around his fingers.

His moans run through Daryl's entire body, lacing his ears like a drug and filling his head like smoke. The mixture of the man squirming in his lap and the throbbing already in his cock was driving him wild. His cock pressing harshly into the lining of his jeans, now squirming with the man as he moans out softly, his cock throbbing harshly into the material.

He groans quietly under his breath, shifting lightly under Paul as he swallows harshly, his cock grinding into the friction of the jeans. He whines quietly as he listens to the young man's sounds, watching as he pleasures himself, shifting his hips more, letting out a low groan as the head of his cock rubs harshly into his jeans. He can't help himself, his hips rocking under Paul's, cock now leaking precum as the intensity burns in his stomach.

Paul's hips suddenly stutter into the older man’s, his head falling back lightly as he groans, cumming hard into his hand, the white fluids hitting Daryl's stomach underneath him as he flushes bright red, looking down embarrassed, feeling Daryl own hips writhing under him, hearing out a sudden whimper from the older man, now panting heavily too Daryl's fingers pull out gently, looking down at the shy man.

He wipes his fingers on his leg, letting his arm wrap around Paul's back. He pulls his body in gently, leaning to kiss the man's breathless lips eagerly. After a few seconds he pulls off, panting softly, his tone hushed. “I uh. I think that's the hottest thing 've ever seen. An'…Uh. I Uh.” Daryl's face is now bright red, Paul looking at him closely. “What's wrong baby?” Daryl looks up, cheeks red. “I uh. I jus' came in my pants.” Paul squints a little, confused for a second, looking down as he realises. “Oh. Wait. Really?” Daryl’s cheeks flush as violent shade of red as he nods lightly, Paul now smiling. “You actually came in your pants? That's so fucking hot.”

Daryl’s face is now scrunched with embarrassment, mumbling quietly. “I tried not to but I couldn't stop myself. An' you kept writhing down.” Paul groans softly, kissing the man's lips again, whispering into them. “That's the cutest hottest thing ever. Honestly. You literally have no idea.” Daryl kisses back eagerly, blushing into them and humming. “Felt so good. Just couldn't hold it back.” Paul hums softly into his lips, whispering. “Your fingers felt really good too. You're quite good at that.” Daryl smiles shyly. “Yeah?”

Paul nods, kissing hips lips again. “You've got really good fingers. They're big and long.” Paul blushes to himself as he whispers. “They're better than mine. I uh…Since the outbreak I've only done thing with my own fingers. And yours are so much better.” Daryl looks up a little, smiling into his lips, whispering. “Ya really are so hot Paul.” The younger man blushes at the comment, humming lightly as he presses into the kiss, smiling widely as he feels the older man's arms wrapping around him tightly, giggling quietly under his breath as he lets himself cuddle into the man's hold. “Hmm Daryl you're so cosy.”

He pants softly into the kiss, feeling the older man's smile. Daryl softly squeezed Paul, his arms wrapped around him tightly as he pulls him in to cuddle, smiling at the warmth of his torso against him. The rough hunter's voice is oddly calm, a soft tone that's only for moments with Paul, "Thank ya.. For teachin' me. 'Specially how to make ya feel good too." Paul smiles, the two of them resting together half asleep in the calm quiet trailer. Paul's voice comes back sleepy, "You're welcome. I love you." The gentle words make the older man smile as he whispers back, "I love ya too Paul."