Chapter Text
Rick sat on his couch and let out a heavy breath, relaxing for the first time since he woke up in the hospital. The stairs had taken the last of his energy from him and he found himself falling asleep in the time it took Daryl to mutter about going to get their bags.
He settled down on the couch, only to be awoken a few minutes later when he heard the door handle rattling followed by a knock.
Rick chuckled and slowly got up to let a sheepish Daryl back in, before limping to the couch again this time with Daryl’s help.
“Spare keys in that drawer.” Rick pointed at the kitchen. When Daryl made no move to get it, he added, “I’m not gettin’ up to let ya in every time ya go out. What time do ya get back after a night shift?”
“‘Bout three. Yeah.” Daryl dug through the drawer to find it and once confirmed it was the right key he stuffed it into his wallet. For a moment he stood still, eyes darting around to look anywhere but at Rick. “Uh. I um--”
“C’mere.” Rick patted the couch beside him. Daryl jumped and rushed to sit down on the couch beside him stiffly, fingers picking at the thread of his jeans.
“I heard Lori,” Daryl said eventually. Rick struggled to push through the tired fog to remember what he heard. “When I saw comin’ back to help ya to the truck. I heard her. Expectin’ me ta jus’ steal your stuff,” Daryl clarified and Rick sighed, he had been unbelievably pissed at her for that comment.
“She’s--” Rick cut himself off. “No, y’know what when we were married I kept makin’ excuses for her but no. That was wrong of her an’ I’m sorry ya had ta hear it.”
Daryl shrugged. A thread of his jeans started to come out and Daryl pulled at it, twisting the string between his fingers as he spoke. “I know wha’ people think of me. Ain’t nothin’ new. Jus’ don’t understand why-- why you wanna…” Daryl faltered and dropped the string in favour of chewing on the side of his thumb.
“What? Date you?” Rick finished for him, smirking slightly.
Daryl’s eyes darted up to Rick and then back to his knees. “Yeah.”
Rick chewed on his bottom lip trying to work out the best way to answer him. “Because right now I can barely stand and you’ve offered to stay with me to look after me so I didn’t have to stay with Lori and Shane.”
Daryl finally looked up at him brow furrowed. “Ya asked me out before I did that?”
“Yeah,” Rick said, smiling gently. “But it’s jus’ proof of what sorta guy you are an’ why I like ya. You don’t need to be here. Sure we’ve been… friends for a few months but we only agreed to date a few days ago. You have no obligation. So, why are you here?”
Daryl was quiet for a moment, turning his attention back on the thread on his jeans. “Cause… I like ya an’ if I can help, I’d like ta.”
“Exactly,” Rick reached out to take the hand, stopping the fiddaling. “Now I can’t have sex for about two or three weeks but my lips still work.”
Daryl snorted. “That was cheesy as fuck, man.”
“Don’t care.”
Daryl rolled his eyes but shifted closer to him and bent his leg on the couch so he could face Rick.
He tilted his head, trying to hide his shy smile but Rick followed his movement.
“You should know… I ain’t got a clue how to do any of this,” Daryl said tentatively.
“Do what?” Rick asked curiously, leaning closer, eyes focused on Daryl's lips.
“Date someone,” Daryl admitted. “Never done it. Least not… properly.”
Rick squeezed the hand he held. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. Done pretty well so far."
Daryl cut him off with a kiss, pressing his soft lips against Rick’s, hand going to the side of his neck. Rick ran his hand up Daryl’s thigh, teasing the growing bulge in his pants before moving up his torso and around his back to pull him closer, exploring his mouth.
Until Rick’s stomach rumbled loudly enough to make Daryl pull away, lips curled in amusement. “Hungry?”
“A bit. We can order in?”
Daryl shook his head. “You’re healin’. Ya need better food.”
“Uh.” Rick glanced at the fridge, “All we got is a pizza - probably moldy - and some tins of… god knows what.”
“If ya can wait, I’ll go grab ya some groceries?” Daryl offered. “An’ if ya good whilst I go out?”
“Yeah, take my card,” Rick offered. “S’in my bag. PIN spells ‘Carl’.”
Rick waited but Daryl didn’t move for a moment before asking, “Ain’t worried I’ll jus’ withdraw all your money?”
“Nope,” Rick said, closing his eyes and shuffling to get more comfortable on the couch. “Ya gonna let me go hungry or what?”
Daryl shook himself out of his stupor and jumped to his feet. “Sorry. Won’t be long.”
Rick’s card was only a piece of plastic but Daryl was certain it was burning a hold in his wallet as he walked around the store.
He started mentally comprising a meal plan for the week. Ensuring to include any foods he knew of that aided healing; years of looking after Merle after he got into fights and Carol’s input had taught him all he needed to know.
Except he became suddenly very aware he didn’t actually know what Rick liked. Was he allergic to anything? Did he prefer apples or bananas? Did he like either of them? Did he have a nut allergy?
No. He was eating peanuts at the bar a few weeks ago.
Daryl sighed, deciding to just guess and hope he wasn’t buying anything Rick would hate.
He made it back before long to find Rick laying across the couch, eyes closed. “Daryl?” Rick asked through a yawn and peered at him.
“Yeah, jus’ me.”
“M’kay.” Rick closed his eyes again and started to roll over, and immediately hissed in pain. “Fuckin’, fuck!”
“Whoa, you okay?” Daryl dropped the bags to run over to his side and help Rick back into a comfortable half lying position, putting a cushion under his back and neck.
“Tie me up next time I sleep so I don’t move accidently,” Rick gasped.
Daryl’s dick twitched at the image; he waited until Rick caught his breath though, before saying, “Thought it was gonna be me in handcuffs.”
Rick’s eyes opened wide and he smirked. “Who says we can’t take turns?”
Daryl chuckled. “Sound’s like a deal.”
He picked up the bags and started putting the food away, keeping out the chicken for dinner.
“Do you need any help?” Rick asked.
“I’m here ta help ya, idiot,” Daryl scoffed. “You’ve done more than ya shoulda today.”
“I can--”
“You move from tha’ couch, I will tie ya down really,” Daryl threatened, waving a fork at him.
Rick laughed and then groaned again. “Stop makin’ me laugh. I’ll stay here, alright.”
Daryl stared to make sure he wasn’t going to move for a moment before turning his attention back on the chicken and listened to Rick’s breathing even out.
He felt a smile threatening to come out and couldn’t understand it. He was happier than he had been in a long time but terrified. He couldn’t lose Rick.
Once dinner was in the oven he turned to watch Rick sleep, resolving to do everything he could to keep him.
Seven, eight, nine. Turn. One, two--
“You’re makin’ me dizzy,” Rick said. Daryl stopped his pacing and spun around to look at a smirking Rick.
“Sorry,” Daryl muttered, droppin’ onto the couch beside Rick heavily enough to make the couch slide back an inch.
“It’ll be great. Today’ll probably jus’ be fillin’ out paperwork and them showin’ ya the ropes,” Rick said, an attempt to reassure him but Daryl was too nervous.
“I know the bar, been there since I was fourteen,” Daryl said through a groan. “I don’t know the mechanics.”
“But you do know bikes,” Rick said. “You’ll be fine.”
“Is it too early?” Daryl asked, checking his watch again.
“You’ve get ten minutes.”
Daryl sighed and dropped his head on the back of the couch and closed his eyes. He heard Rick laughing and opened his eyes again to glare at him. “Stop laughin’.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just cute how nervous you are.”
Daryl narrowed his eyes further. “I ain’t cute .”
“You’re very cute.”
Daryl tried to deepen his glare, one that had most customers running, but Rick’s wide grin stayed in place.
“Fuck you,” he muttered closing his eyes again.
“Hopefully in another couple of weeks,” Rick said wryly.
A smile pulled at the corner of Daryl’s lips thinking back on how strange the past week had been. Living with a guy that wasn’t his brother, a guy he was dating.
He started noticing things he hadn’t in the times he’d been over for a few hours. Rick would take his dishes immediately to the sink after eating, even if it caused him pain.
He would also be awake by six every morning. The first morning Daryl had gotten up to help Rick, and make him breakfast so he didn’t have to move much; despite his protesting that Daryl needed to sleep. The next morning Rick tried to be quiet as he got out of bed, having no idea how light of a sleeper Daryl was. Especially when he couldn’t keep quiet from the pain of moving.
When he’d gotten home that first night after his night shift, he had stood in the living room for a few minutes suddenly unsure. They hadn’t discussed where Daryl would sleep. The obvious answer was Rick’s bed but what if he didn’t want that? He eventually had forced himself into Rick’s room, only to have Rick shift closer to him, still mostly asleep and mumbling, “how was your shift?” but fell back to sleep before Daryl could answer.
Sure they slept together whilst camping but it felt more intimate in Rick’s apartment. A week in and Daryl was still getting used to it. Although the night before had been his first full night with Rick due to starting at the mechanics this morning.
The thought of which had his leg jumping desperate to get up and start pacing again.
Plus, he didn’t know how Paul felt about what nearly happened the week before. He didn’t want any issues at his new job just because he was an idiot when drunk.
“Hey,” Rick spoke up, reaching out to touch Daryl’s knee, stopping it from bouncing. “You’ll be fine, really.”
“I’m bein’ stupid. Sorry.”
“Nah. I’d be worse startin’ a different job,” Rick said reassuringly. “Worked in a shop when I was in college but then I started the academy an’ been a cop since then.”
“Were ya nervous ta start the academy?”
“Fuckin’ terrified.”
Daryl let out a breath and nodded. He looked Rick over worriedly, he was healing nicely. He could move around the apartment slowly without too much pain. Sitting up was still awkward for him pulling on those damaged muscles but he was healing, faster than expected.
“Ya sure you’re good on your own today?” Daryl asked.
He’d only been out at work once Rick was already in bed and tried to be awake most of the day to help him around, despite Rick sleeping a large portion of the days at the beginning of the week.
“I’ll be fine. Shane’s comin’ by at lunch.”
Daryl tried to hide the distaste crossing his face, Rick still considered him a good friend so he resolved to just deal with him and try to be polite.
“A’right. I better go. Don’t wanna be late. But call the shop if anythin’ happens.”
He stepped away and Rick made an offended noise. He spun back to Rick smirking. “Forgettin’ somethin’?” he pointed at his own lips.
Daryl felt a blush creeping up his cheeks. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to this.
Daryl parked his bike just outside Barrington Bikes and took a deep breath, reminding himself that he could do this.
He locked up his bike and walked into the building. Paul was standing behind the desk, his hair tied into a tight bun atop his head. He was talking to a customer but his eyes widened slightly at Daryl and managed a small smile.
Daryl shoved his shaking hands into his pockets and waited behind the customer listening to the guy giving Paul some details and then handing him his keys.
Paul waited until the customer left before turning his attention on Daryl. He smiled but a blush creeped up his neck and over his cheeks.
“Hey, Daryl. Glad you made it. I just wanted to apologize--"
"S'fine," Daryl said quickly, he didn’t want to talk about it. Rick had forgiven him and he couldn’t dwell on it any longer. "We were both drunk."
Paul let out a relieved breath. "Alright." His smile brightened and he opened the door at the side. “C'mon through then.”
He led Daryl through into the main garage where Aaron had a Harley Electra-Glide propped up on a table.
The bikes pipes were clearly rusted, visible from across the room, some tape hanging off the side. Aaron was in the process of taking them off with new shiny exhaust pipes on the table beside him.
Aaron had grease in his hair and beard was longer than the last time he had seen him. He was so focused on his task that Paul shouted his name to get his attention.
Aaron wiped his hands on a cloth and came over to them.
“Daryl! Glad you made it.”
Daryl shrugged, unsure what Aaron expected him to say.
“I’ve just got to finish this off.” Aaron gestured at the bike. “Can you get Daryl started, Paul?”
Paul took Daryl into a small office area off the main desk. On the wall was a corkboard with pictures of bikes and bike parts pinned up along with various pictures of Paul and Aaron, along with Eric and Gracie. There was one computer and the desk was covered in papers.
“Don’t touch those,” Paul warned him when he caught Daryl looking. “They are perfectly organised according to Aaron. Sorry today’s gonna be more of a paperwork day, jus’ get it all in order.”
Daryl chuckled. “Rick said tha’d be the case.”
“Rick?” Paul asked curiously.
Daryl winced, remembering what he’d said at the bar. “Yeah. Uh, worked out with the guy I was tryna forget. Turn’s out I was bein’ the idiot.”
“Oh, that’s great. I’m happy for you Daryl.”
Daryl hoped he was imaging the disappointment that crossed Paul’s face. It only lasted a second. Enough for Daryl to pretend it didn’t happen.
“Thanks,” Daryl murmured.
Paul waited another moment before gesturing for him to sit down and started going through the paperwork. When a customer came in he took Daryl with him and showed him how they do things, explaining that Daryl would be mostly in the back but they do expect him to work the desk if they've both stepped out for any reason.
Daryl nodded along trying to remember everything he was being told. He only started to relax when Aaron took him into the garage and explained the general process of repairs.
Despite the easy day, Daryl found himself exhausted walking up the stairs to Rick’s apartment.
Until the smell of burning reaching him as he approached Rick’s door. Daryl fumbled for his key, worry coursing through him, was Rick inside burning, unable to move?
He was close to kicking the door open when he found the right key. As soon as he opened the door the smell assaulted his nose along with Rick cursing and something on the stove was sizzling.
Daryl rushed into the kitchen as Rick opened the oven and smoke poured out sending the fire alarm going off. Rick tried to waft the smoke away and leant in again but started coughing, curling over with the force, and groaned and touched his side.
"What the hell are ya doin'?" Daryl demanded, taking Rick by the arm and pulled him away from the kitchen before opening the window and turning off the fire alarm before the entire building was evacuated.
Once it finally quietened, he focused on turning off the oven and stove. The spaghetti was bubbling over, beside it was what looked like it used to be tomato sauce with blackened lumps in it.
The oven had charred garlic bread within.
“What the hell?” Daryl asked again.
"Was tryna make dinner," Rick said croakily.
Daryl poured Rick a glass of water and led him to the couch. “Sit. Drink slowly.”
Rick did as ordered, sipping at the water as he tried to catch his breath. Daryl lifted Rick’s shirt by the wound and gently pulled at the bandage to check the wound beneath. Rick shivered and shifted so Daryl could get a better look.
“Nothin’ ripped. You’re good.” Daryl put the bandage and his shirt back in place and then said, “What the hell? What do you think you’re doin’? Could’ve ripped a stitch coughin’ like that. Don’t lean into a smokin’ oven, idiot!”
A knock on the interrupted Rick’s reply. Daryl sighed and got up to answer. An older man stood on the other side, he had a gray beard and thick black eyebrows pinched in worry.
“Hi Dale,” Rick greeted, waving from across the room.
“Hi Rick, I heard the fire alarm and smelt smoke?” Dale asked, concerned. Sniffing and looked around Daryl to the kitchen.
“Turns out I shouldn’t cook,” Rick admitted.
“Taken care of, ain’t gonna set anythin’ alight,” Daryl reassured the guy.
“Okay then. Well you two take care.”
Daryl hummed and closed the door behind him. When he turned ready to continue yelling at Rick for his stupidity, Daryl noticed the table in the corner had been pulled out and was set up with candles and a bottle of wine.
The words froze in his throat, staring at the table in wonder.
“Can't really go out for a couple more weeks. Thought we could have a bit of a date night here…” Rick explained hesitantly. “Since you're not workin' nights now. Got Shane to buy the ingredients and steal Lori’s recipe for me,” Rick continued in a ramble. “I ruined it. I’m sorry.”
“No, Rick,” Daryl said quickly, struggling to comprehend how hard Rick was trying for him . It was nearly more than he could take. “That’s... That's a real nice thought. We can still order in, still be a… date. Though you ain’t supposed ta drink on your pills?”
Rick shrugged. “You can. Figured we needed to celebrate your first day as well.”
Daryl spun back to Rick and put a hand on his cheek and sat down beside him to pull him into a gentle kiss. He wasn’t good with words but he could use actions and he tried to pour everything into that kiss.
After a minute they pulled away breathless. “Let me order us somethin’,” Daryl decided, stepping away. “Stay there.”
Rick sat down on the couch and watched Daryl laying on the floor beside Carl drawing in crayon.
The other man had come a long way in only two months since they officially started dating. The shy looks were getting rarer but Rick still enjoyed when he made them happen.
He loved Daryl. He had known that since the day in the woods when Daryl finally began to open up to him, show him his scars. He still never talked about them and Rick didn’t push. It was up to Daryl to talk about them when he was ready. If he never was then that was his choice.
The only reason Rick hadn’t told him how he feels was because he didn’t want to scare him away. Daryl was still a flight risk at times whenever anything got too much for him.
The first few times Carl came over, Daryl avoided Rick like the plague. Eventually he did start to come over as well and get to know Carl, and Rick loved to watch the two of them interact.
Daryl was a natural with kids. When he realised that Rick briefly entertained the thought of adopting a baby with Daryl but pushed that away with force. That was a long long way away, he and Daryl didn’t even live together. Officially at least, Daryl spent more time here than at his trailer.
A knock on the door pulled Rick out of his thoughts. Daryl looked up and started to move.
“I got it,” Rick said quickly, his side had healed completely, but Daryl had apparently gotten into a habit that was hard to break. Daryl hesitated but Carl pulled his attention back to the drawing.
Lori stood on the other side of the door and smiled politely, one hand resting on her swollen belly. “Hey, c’mon in.”
“Hi mom!” Carl shouted. “Can I finish my drawing with Daryl?”
Lori came into the room and eyed Daryl up warily. Rick had told her the truth only a couple of weeks before and she was taking a while to warm up to the idea, but so far she had been polite enough to Daryl that Rick let the wary looks go.
“Okay, five minutes,” Lori said eventually.
Carl pumped his fist and started explaining to Daryl the benefits of using the red and blue crayons together. Rick chuckled at Daryl’s very interesting sounding hum.
“Want a drink?” Rick offered.
“No, thank you. I actually wanted to ask ya,” she hesitated and glanced at Daryl, “both of ya. I know it's late but what’re your plans for Christmas?"
Rick glanced at Daryl, the other man was frowning at his drawing. "Haven't thought much of it," Rick admited.
“Clearly.” Lori rolled her eyes. “You’re both invited to Christmas with Shane, Carl, an’ me. If ya want?” Lori looked over at Daryl again, waiting.
Daryl was frowning at his drawing and then said, “Don’t tend to do nothin’ for Christmas.” Rick’s heart clenched wondering if Daryl had ever had a proper Christmas.
“Well, if you change your mind, you’re welcome.”
Daryl nodded, eyes still lowered. Lori looked at Rick, questioning. Rick gave her a small shake of the head: don’t push it.
Thankfully, Lori didn’t and instead said, “Two minutes, Carl.”
“Mooom--”
“Nope.”
Carl sighed but started packing up his crayons with Daryl’s help. "C'mon, I'll help ya pack ya bag," Daryl offered, following Carl back to his room. Rick had to work Thanksgiving so he had Carl for a few days afterwards wanting to spend more time with his son.
As soon as they were gone, Daryl dropped onto the couch beside Rick with a tired side. “Tha’ kid has too much energy.”
Rick laughed. “You did pretty well. I gave up after the floor is lava.” They sat in silence for a while until Rick had to ask, “Christmas?”
Daryl chewed on the side of his thumb. Rick put a hand on his knees squeezing it.
“I ain’t never had much of a Christmas. Either Merle’n me usually get pissed on eggnog an’ wake up on the twenty sixth. Open the bar for everyone tryna avoid families tha' ain't left yet. Or my old man used to turn up demandin’ money or some shit hopin’ we got Christmas spirit. Merle’d end up fightin’ him, up’n I’d be bailin’ him out of jail. Then we’d get drunk. Least tha’ one can’t happen this year.”
“What if we invited Merle?” Rick asked. “Give you both a family Christmas?”
Daryl looked at him bewildered. “Lori barely tolerates me . She ain’t gonna want Merle at tha’ nice house of hers.”
“I’ll deal with Lori. You deal with Merle?” Rick offered, holding his hand out.
The bewildered look stayed in place as Daryl considered the offer and finally sighed. “A’right. Ain’t promisin’ nothin’.”
Rick moved his hand pointedly. Daryl managed a small smile and shook Rick’s hand. Rick gripped Daryl’s tightly and pulled him in for a kiss, laughing at the shocked, “Mmph!” from Daryl.
When they separated, Rick’s heart clenched and he couldn’t hold it back anymore. Daryl frowned and started to ask something.
“I love you,” Rick blurted, interrupting Daryl.
Daryl went still, mouth frozen open with a question he didn’t get to ask.
“I don’t expect you to say it back,” Rick said quickly before Daryl could start to panic. “Not right now, not until you’re ready. Whenever that is. I jus’ needed you to know.”
Rick waited for Daryl to say something, anything. To just move. Rick counted the seconds.
Seven full seconds passed before Daryl snapped his mouth shut and pulled back, tilting his head so his hair covered his face. Rick realised it needed a cut, he loved it long but it was starting to get shaggy. Daryl brought his thumb to his mouth again, forehead pinched.
“Hey,” Rick said when Daryl still didn’t speak for a while. “I don’t want to freak you out, I promise.”
“I know,” Daryl said croakily. He cleared his throat and got to his feet. “I-- I need to-- I need a smoke.”
“Okay.” Rick pulled back and let Daryl run away. “Okay,” he murmured to himself long after Daryl had gone. He ran a hand through his hair. “That went well.” He pushed away the disappointment trying to claw its way into his chest. He’d hoped Daryl would react better but his reaction could have been worse.
Daryl all but stumbled his way down the stairs and climbed onto his bike, hands shaking. He rode with no direction in mind. He just needed to clear his head.
Of course he knew how Rick felt. He knows how he feels but to hear the words felt like someone was squeezing his heart and holding his tongue, refusing to let the words come out. He didn’t think he could say them back, that wasn’t him. He’d never told anybody that .
There were only three people he cared for that much; Merle would punch him for saying it. Carol would probably say it back and hug him. But Rick? Rick was different.
Rick said he could wait for the reply but he couldn’t help but wonder how Rick would feel if he never said the words. Could Rick really be that patient?
Daryl pushed out those thoughts and focused on riding, he felt lightheaded and didn’t want to get dizzy and crash.
He made it back to the apartment hours later with food. Rick smiled at him, no expectation in his gaze.
“Smells good,” Rick commented.
Daryl shrugged and started putting the food out on the coffee table. “Sorry it’s late,” he murmured.
“S’fine.”
Daryl glanced up at him, the words coming out before he could stop them, “What if I can’t?”
Rick paused, hand halfway to one of the boxes and instead grabbed at the labels of his winged vest to pull him in for a chaste kiss.
“I’m not gonna stop,” Rick promised.