The Sheriff, The Archer & The Angel

by athenavastra

Summary:

the reader (you) has been dating daryl ever since the woodbury residents had moved into the prison, and your relationship was surprisingly strong. you'd helped daryl overcome a lot of his insecurities and he'd helped you with your own demons. everyone knows you're as in love as it gets.

especially rick grimes. it's all he can think of, really. how his best friend is in love with the woman he loves, and there's nothing he can do about it except hug her for a little longer than necessary, watch her closely in case something is wrong, be there for her whenever daryl isn't... touch himself to the thought of you when he's certain no one is around to catch him.

that is, until you decide that rick would benefit from getting high to take the stress off his mind, and, well, turns out he'd also benefit from fucking you and your boyfriend too.

 

takes place in the season three / four prison interim

Notes:

first three chapters just set the groundwork, gives a lil bit of background to ur relationship with rick and daryl, that typa thing. mostly hurt and comfort until chapter three where the smut to ensue is teased a lil.

chapter four is where the smut starts so feel free to skip to there lmao

Chapter 1: The Beginning.

Rick's feelings for you only really surfaced when he'd gone a little crazy and lost himself after Lori had died. He'd looked at you before, when you were travelling on the road after the fall of the farm, he'd thought about what it would be like to be with you, to hold you and have you comfort him, but it was never really a big deal until you were the only one that had managed to calm him down and make him see sense again. And seeing you with his children, caring for Judith by lulling her to sleep and reading comics with Carl, making him laugh; it wasn't until he realised you were practically part of the family that his feelings for you became a problem.

When Lori had died, you were there with his new-born baby in your arms, crying as you broke the news to him. When he'd lost himself, literally and figuratively, you were there calling him back to his cell to be taken care of. You'd bandaged his hands, tended to his cuts and wounds, and kissed his hair softly, pulling him in close against you stomach. You didn't judge him when he broke down crying into you, just held him and whispered sweet words of reassurance into his ear as you played with his hair. You'd even spent the night in his bed, holding him close as he cried, gently caressing him into a calm and peaceful sleep. Even when he'd started hallucinating, you were there placing a caring but delicate hand on his shoulder grounding him and bringing him back to reality. It was always you there for him, so when you were kidnapped by the Governor, he knew he had to pull himself together and go save you, which is exactly what he did.

Daryl had also had the same idea; he'd been harbouring feelings towards you ever since the farm, when you'd both almost died looking for Sophia, and he knew he'd never forgive himself if anything happened to you, especially since he'd promised you that it would be you and him against the world. Lying in that bed with him in Hershel's spare bedroom, recovering from your injuries, you'd looked him solemnly in the eye and said that it didn't have to have to be just him anymore, that maybe it could be you and him against the world, Archer and Angel. Of course, he'd added the angel part into the memory on his own, he'd never have the guts to call you angel out loud - or so he thought. He didn't know Angel would become his pet name for you, when you did, by some miracle, become his girlfriend a few months later. Instead he'd just shrugged off your remark, maintaining his cold and distant demeanour, even though the thought of being cold to your sunshine personality felt like a sin to him. Sunshine; that'd become a nickname for you too, in time.

On the drive to Woodbury, Daryl thought of nothing but getting you back safe into his arms so he could tell you how he felt. He thought back to the time he'd almost confessed his feelings to you before, but chickened out. He'd always been a coward, Merle had told him as much, but he didn't want to be one anymore. It was just after Lori had died, and his heart had shattered at the broken sight of you covered in blood and grime, stumbling out of the tombs with a new-born baby in your arms - his best friend's new-born baby. He wanted to do nothing more than to run up to you, smother you in a hug and comfort you until you'd stopped crying and knew you were safe, but he knew now wasn't the time. He'd looked down at his best friend, sobbing on the floor, and knew he'd have to step up and save Rick, you, and the baby. So he sprung into action - because he wasn't losing anyone else - and prepared his bike for a supply run. He was expecting Maggie or Glenn to join him, but when you'd approached, a determined glare in your distant eyes, how could he say no? So you and him had driven off to a nursery in search of formula.

When you did reach the nursery, after Daryl had fought his inner demons at the inappropriate thoughts that had plagued his mind at the feeling of your body wrapped around his the whole ride, you'd stormed off into the building without even waiting for him. You'd recklessly broken in through a window and begun throwing the place apart in search of formula, and Daryl's protective instincts had told him that you'd get yourself killed, so he had to stop you. Which is exactly what he did. He went into that building expecting to confess his feelings for you in the hopes it'd calm you down and stop being so reckless, but he just couldn't, being the coward Merle had taught him to be. Instead of the stuttering and irrational declaration of love, Daryl had grabbed your hand and told you to calm down. He'd been thinking about what you'd said, all those months ago, bout it not having to be just him anymore, he told you. Maybe it could be you and him against the world after all? You had smiled at that, at how insecure his voice had been, and the sight of your smile, knowing he'd caused it, made him feel like he was floating. He couldn't ruin that feeling by risking rejection if he'd confessed to you, so he left it at that, at the sacred promise he was now risking his life to keep as he approached Woodbury.

Except, things hadn't gone to plan at Woodbury. Who was to know that Merle, his own brother, was the one who'd kidnapped the woman he *loved* and tortured her? Things never went to plan for Daryl, he should know that by now, so he took it as a sign that he wasn't meant to be with you after all. Family - blood - came first.

Daryl had denied the idea that Merle could have been the one to have tortured and abused you, because his brother isn't like that, right? Rick had thought differently and, taking in the broken sight of your filthy, semi-naked body covered in blood and bruises, had put his foot down and decided that Merle couldn't come back to the prison, couldn't live with them, with her. Rick wouldn't let Merle, or anyone for that matter, hurt you again, especially after what you had gone through with him, comforting him and looking after his baby.

So, Daryl left with his brother. You had tried to make him stay, for you, but he didn't. You cried, thrashed your arms around angrily and desperately clung to his arm, but he had just shrugged it off and left, putting up a hard face despite his heart breaking.

"What about us, Daryl? What about you and me against the whole world, huh?" You had pleaded as a last resort to stop the man you had feelings for leaving with the man who'd abused you.

"The world won." He had growled back, shattering your world. Fine. Be like that, Daryl. You had stormed off straight into Rick's arms, and the sheriff had embraced you gladly. He'd been wanting to hug you like this ever since he'd rescued you.

Later, back at the prison, you'd refused to talk to anyone, just shut yourself in your cell and cried. You cried for what the Governor had done to you, what Merle had done to you, and you cried because of what Daryl had done too. You hated feeling sorry for yourself like this, but you didn't have it in yourself to do anything but cry. At least this way, if you cried for a couple more hours, you'd probably cry yourself into a deep sleep, because there's no other way you'd get any tonight, or any night.

Which is exactly what you did. You cried yourself into a restless sleep full of nightmares, but this time Daryl wasn't there to comfort you like her did so many nights before. In fact, your nightmares were one of the main things that helped bring you and Daryl closer as they let you experience his softer, more caring side that only came out for people he cared about deeply. What you wouldn't give for him to be here now, holding you in his arms and letting you play with his hair to distract yourself. Instead he was out there in the woods with his good-for-nothing brother. But, whatever, you didn't care. You didn't. He'd made his choice and you could move on from your almost relationship with him easily. You had Rick.

Chapter 2: Nightmare.

Summary:

rick comforts you from a bad dream after daryl, your best friend, abandons you.

That night, your subconscious decided you hadn't been through enough trauma earlier that day, so decided a nightmare or two was what you deserved. You tossed and turned in your sleep, whimpering softly as images of Daryl and Merle leaving you to be fed upon by walkers raced through your sleeping mind. It wasn't the first time you'd had nightmares like these - being eaten by walkers that is - but normally Daryl was there to save you. He was the reason you were left for dead this time, and your body called out for him in your sleep.

Rick, who was passing your cell on his way to his after being on watch duty half the night, couldn't help but stop and listen to your whimpering distress. Taking a deep breath, he stepped into your cell and saw your nightmare ridden state and on instinct rushed to your side, sitting on the side of your bed as he stroked your hair with his slightly dirty hand. He'd always wondered when he'd get the chance to hold you and comfort you through one of your nightmares, having watched Daryl do it one too many times before, mainly whilst the group were on the road before finding the prison. Now was his chance, his excuse to hold you in his arms, and he wasn't going to waste it.

"Y/N, love, wake up." He cooed, still stroking your hair, "You're having a bad dream, Y/N, wake up." His voice was a harsh whisper, but when you didn't stir, just kept thrashing around muttering Daryl's name in distress, he swallowed and leant down closer to you. "Y/N, wake up, it's okay, you're safe." He shook you lightly as he woke you, his hands on your bare shoulders. The skin-on-skin contact made him nervous; he'd always wanted to caress your bare skin, namely after he'd made love to you and you were lying in his arms, but feeling that way, thinking that way, wasn't appropriate right now and Rick knew it. You needed a friend, someone to comfort you, not be with you like that. At least not now, anyways.

You woke, panicked, your heart beating out of your chest, and you sat up, startled and confused having been brought out of your nightmare. On instinct you had reached under your pillow and grabbed the knife you kept there fore protection, and swung it up to the throat of whoever was holding you.

"Woah, woah, easy, love. It's me, Rick." He reassured, running his hands down your arms in an attempt to comfort you, but really all it did was bring goosebumps to your skin. His hand slowly reached up and took the knife out of your hand, placing it on the floor with a small clang. "You were having a bad dream, Y/N." He explained, scanning your face to make sure you were okay. Your breathing was still frantic and heavy but you didn't look as distressed as before, Rick's presence bringing you comfort the way Daryl's used to do, or probably still would do if he was here.

You nod, recalling your nightmare, "Fuck, sorry, did I wake you?" You ask, your voice shaky and a stark comparison to your normally cheery self. Rick laughs lightly and smiles reassuringly up at you.
"I was passing, heard you... calling out, in distress." His Southern voice is thick but warm and you can't help but feel some of his warmth too, from his smile, his accent, his hands still on your arms.

You manage nod in reply before a sadness washes over your features. When you apologise again, Rick shuffles in his seat on the bed and pulls you in closer to his side. "C'mere." He says as he wraps his arms around you. You bury your head into his chest and inhale his scent. It's not the normal pinewood, dirt, oil or sweat that you'd become accustomed to with Daryl, but rather more *clean*. He still smells of sweat, blood, and dirt, but there's something else, something a bit like *home* that you find yourself smelling on Rick and it catches you off guard.

You push yourself out of his grip slightly and look up at him, accidentally catching his warm brown eyes as they look down at you with concern. You try to ignore the butterflies that swarm in your stomach.
"I uhhh..." You stutter, not really knowing what to say. "I'm fine, Rick. I'll be fine. Thanks for waking me, but I'm fine."
You repeat the word "fine" a little too many times for Rick's liking, and he can tell you're anything but. He doesn't want to push you away, you're known for shutting down your emotions and shutting people out, a bit like Daryl in that way, but he knows you need to talk. It will do you no good keeping all this bottled up, so he pushes you regardless.

"Y'know," He begins, bending over to take his boots off, "Carl used to have nightmares all the time when he was younger." He looks up at you to try and read your face in the darkness of the cell as he sits himself beside you, swinging his legs up onto your bed, on top the covers. He pulls you into his side and you let him move you into whatever position he wants, not having the energy to resist his touch. His arms goes around you and you lean into his side as you hum in a distracted acknowledgement towards his words.

"I used to come home late working sometimes, and when I went to check on him his bedding would be all over the floor, cus he'd thrown it around so much in his sleep." He continues his story as you lean your head against his shoulder.
"I used to wake him, put his bed back together, and hold him in my arms, just like this." He says, pulling your legs up and tugging you with a huff into his lap. You smile lightly as both his arms wrap around you. You're facing sideways, your ass still on the mattress but you legs are crossed over his body, and you're flush against him. His hand begins to rub soothing patters along your back and arms.

"I'm not a kid." You pout, despite loving the comfort Rick is giving you.
He chuckles at your stubbornness, "No, you're not, but I'm sure it'll calm you down just the same." You lie your head on his shoulder once again and sigh in defeat, your breath tickling his neck, causing him to squirm a little in his place.

"Thanks, Rick." You murmur, nuzzling in closer to him. "You don't have to stay, y'know, I'll be fine, I promise." You repeat sleepily.

"I know, Sunshine, I know, but I wanna stay, okay? I wanna make sure you stay fine."
"Okay."

You both sit there in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company and warmth until you decide to break it.
"It's nice, y'know, having the old Rick back." you smile, referring to the time Rick had gone a little loopy, as you like to say, and needed bringing back down to Earth. You look up at him lovingly, your faces inches apart. "Only took a kidnapping and some light torture for you to come back to us." you laugh light-heartedly, and the sound brings more joy to Rick than he can comprehend. He laughs lightly too, despite the guilt raking through his body at the idea of you being tortured, at the fact that he'd failed to protect you.

Your body moves as he laughs, and you can't help but laugh back. You reach a hand to his cheek and cup it softly, as if you could sense his guilt and his racing heartbeat. "It's not your fault y'know." You reassure solemnly, gazing into his eyes so he knows you're being truthful. He's certain that you can read his thoughts at this rate, and blushes slightly at the idea that you'd be able to see what goes on in his mind when he thinks of you. "It is." He replies. "'s not, Rick. This isn't on you, okay?" You cup both his cheeks with your hands so he can't avoid your gaze like he wants to. "Should've been there to protect you." he admits. "You came and saved me, okay? That's enough. Please don't blame yourself, Rick. I don't blame you." Now there's a sudden tension in the air, and Rick swallows, looking into your eyes for a hint of whether you're lying. He can't find anything but the truth in your face, so he sighs and lets go of the guilt he's feeling.

"I've missed you, you know." He whispers at you, his thumb rubbing circles over the skin on your bare arms, an action and declaration that makes your heart rate pick up and the air leave your lungs rapidly. You avert your gaze as you tell him you've missed him too, trying to avoid the tension. Clearing your throat, you tell him that if he's gonna stay the night then he's gotta get out of his filthy clothes. You only realise what you said and its implications a little too late, as Rick is looking down at you in confusion and what could be a hint of amusement, but the moonlight makes it hard to tell.

"That's not what I meant." You blush, as Rick stands up. He smiles, disregarding your words and unbuttoning his sheriff's shirt, leaving you a blushing puddle of embarrassment in your bed.
"I know." he laughs, but his reassurance does little to shun your embarrassment. In fact, if anything his actions are increasing your embarrassment, as you find yourself unable to look away from his toned chest. Your eyes travel down to the prominent V on his hips and you subconsciously lick your lips, before coming to your senses and looking down at your hands. In a feeble attempt to save yourself, you try telling him that he doesn't have to stay, but, like before, he insists he wants to, and, well, you kinda (definitely) want him to stay too.

Rick leans down, kisses your forehead quickly and leaves your cell for a moment, before returning to you, this time changed into a pair of joggers and a clean t-shirt, the pyjamas he's known to wear and that you've checked him out in more times than you'd like to admit. (You happen to check him out a fair bit, but due to your close friendship with him, and due to whatever you have or had or didn't have going on with Daryl, you'd never admit to checking out the sheriff even once). He walks into your cell and you shuffle up closer to the wall, making room for him as you pull back the covers. He gets in wordlessly and pulls you into his arms, both still sitting up.

"You feeling any better?" He asks, once again rubbing your arm in a way that sends shivers down your spine. His voice is full of concern and it makes you feel slightly guilty for making him worry this much.

"Yeah, much better." You say, smiling up at him, genuinely feeling better since he'd been there to comfort you.
"That's good." He kisses your forehead again, this time leaving his forehead resting against yours. "You know, if you ever need me... after a bad dream, or just in general, you only have to come ask. I wanna be there for you, like you were for me."

"That's sweet of you, Rick." you reply in a hushed whisper, trying not to let his words affect you. "I appreciate it." You smile a closed lipped smile which fades into a soft gasp as Rick moves his lips closer to yours.
"Don't mention it." he whispers back, placing a delicate hand on your cheek.

He's going to kiss you. He is. He wants to, he knows you want him to. So, he places his lips gently on yours, softly.

You pull away, still hurt from your nightmare and the events at Woodbury, still hurt from Daryl, your rock, leaving you. He betrayed you, leaving like that, breaking so many promises, but you still cared for him, and you didn't want to betray Daryl back. Because being with Rick did feel like a betrayal to Daryl, though you weren't sure why. It's not like you and Daryl were dating or anything, it's not like he liked you back either - he'd said so himself he didn't do relationships like that- you'd just promised to never leave him, promised it would always be just you an him. Daryl had broken that very promise, so you really shouldn't feel guilty about doing the same thing, or feel guilty about wanting to kiss Rick.

"Rick..." you mutter against his warm lips, "don't do something you'll regret."

He sighs, but doesn't move away from you. "I want this, Y/N. I know you want it too."

He'd got you there. Maybe you did want him, just a little bit.

"We can't." You sigh, looking at your hands intertwined with his, "Daryl and I, we-"

"You what?" Rick asks, so sincerely that every thought leaves your mind and you recklessly lunge your face forward and messily kiss him. Rick kisses back, of course he does, and firmly grasps your arms to stop you from going anywhere. You deepen the kiss, parting your lips slightly so he can slip his tongue into your mouth whilst Rick's strong hands wrap around you and pull you into his lap. You straddle him, still exploring every part of his mouth with your tongue, and soon your hands are in his hair and his hands are on the small of your back, your thighs, in your hair pulling you closer. There's so much passion between the sheriff and his sunshine that you have to pull away to gain your breath again.

You can feel his growing hard on beneath you, which grounds you and pulls you back from your fantasy.

Reluctantly, you pant, "Rick, we shouldn't..."

"Why not?" His hands are still roaming your body and it makes you want to give in and let him have his way with you, but you can't, you know that.

"I'm hurting." You sigh, looking into his eyes to try and convey all the things you feel but could never possibly put into words. "The Governor, he- he hurt me. Daryl hurt me. We're not thinking straight."

Your words hurt him but he knows you're right, as much as he doesn't want to admit it. "Okay." he sighs, visibly hurt by your rejection. You can see the hurt in his eyes even though he's trying to hide it, so you quickly add an apology in for good measure. He cuts you off beofre you can begin explaining yourself with a soft but weak smile, "I know, Sunshine. You're upset. I don't want to take advantage of you." As he says this he takes your delicate hands into his and brings them up to his lips, kissing them gently in an action that makes your heart melt. "I know how much Daryl means to you, how much you care for him. It's okay, Y/N. I'm not expecting anything from you, okay Sunshine?" He caresses your hair lovingly to try and cheer you up, worry written all over your features.

"It's late, we should sleep." You smile at him. He nods in agreement and lightly lifts you off his lap and into the bed next to him. He lies down and turns to face you on his side.

"Turn around, Sunshine, I'm the big spoon." He lazily laughs, changing the atmosphere instantly as he gestures for you to do as you're told. You laugh at him, and comply.

"Goodnight, Rick."

"Goodnight, Love. You're safe with me, no one's gonna hurt you anymore, Sunshine. Sleep well"

Notes:

might update with a smut chapter?? idk?

Chapter 3: Forgiveness and Jealousy.

Summary:

daryl comes back, you kiss and make up (literally), the governor dies and daryl realises he likes watching you and rick together.

Notes:

lmao sorry for the long wait... i've written this instead of my uni assignment so i'll probably update more this week bc this is the best form of procrastination <3

there's a lil bit of smut at the end lmao i might extend it eventually but i really oughtta be doing my work lmaoo

The days after you'd kissed Rick passed slowly and painfully. He's started hallucinating again, not that he'd told you as much, what with him yelling at you to leave every time you tried to help, but it was obvious that Rick was returning to his unstable self and the prison was losing their leader having only just gained him back. And with Daryl having left you and Rick in the process of leaving everyone, even himself, behind, you'd spent the days in a glum state of self pity and wallow. What the Governor had done to you, what Merle had done to you, plagued your mind, that much was true, but what dragged your mood and self-esteem down so low was Daryl's absence. The one person who had promised you he'd always be around, always be there to protect you, had left you for the person you needed protecting from.

So, when the Governor had attacked the prison and Daryl had returned, no one questioned your foul mood. You were blunt, stubborn, and frankly quite scary to be around, even for Rick. But the Sheriff's concern for his Sunshine outweighed his fear of being verbally (maybe even physically) abused by you, and that's how he found himself in your cell, trying to coax any emotion other than anger out of you.

"Just leave me alone, Rick." You'd tried to warn him off, because you really didn't want to snap at him and hurt him, but you knew Rick wasn't going to listen. You hadn't listened when Rick told you to leave him alone, so why would he listen to you?

"Ain't gonna leave ya, Sunshine. I just wanna talk, nothing serious. I brought you some food." His warm southern accent was so comforting to you that you found yourself sighing with relent and ushering him into your cell. He placed the food on your bedside table - a measly canned beef sandwich that made your insides turn in a conflicting hunger and revolt - and sat beside you on your bed like he had those nights ago. You momentarily thought back to the kiss, but knew there were more pressing things to think about right now.

Like Daryl.

Rick had asked how you were doing, you had lied, said you were fine like you always did when anyone asked, and sat there patiently as Rick explained what the plan was with Merle, how he would always be locked up whilst he lived here and that you didn't have to go anywhere near him, ever. You appreciated his concern for you. Why he was concerned for you, you had no idea, but you appreciated his actions nonetheless.

"Y/N" he sighed, looking over at you. You fidgeted in your seated position on your bed until Rick, with his big brown eyes and caring expression, placed his hand on your knee with such firmness that you felt the breath get knocked out your very lungs.
"Rick." You were looking up at his eyes, gosh his eyes, with such hope that it made you blush. Hope for what, you weren't sure. A kiss? A confession? For him to sweep you up in his loving arms and make everything okay? You mainly hoped he wouldn't bring up what you knew he would.

"You should talk to-"
"I don't want to talk to Daryl." you cut him off, venom in your voice.
"He's a mess, Y/N." Rick's grip on your knee had loosened and his thumb had started stroking your exposed skin lightly. It made your head dizzy but you forced yourself to focus on anything other than the tugging in your stomach that was pulling you towards Rick's embrace.
"I don't care, Rick. When I was a mess, where was he?"
"He thought he was-"
"Rick, please..."

You pleading had Rick weak. He knew how much you were hurting over what Daryl did to you, hell, he was hurting too. He wondered if you and him were connected, like telepathy or something (not that he believed in that shit) because seeing your small frame so obviously hurting with nothing he could do made him want to combust combust into nothing. If there's one thing Rick hates it's feeling useless, powerless, in protecting and caring for those he loves. That's why he'd been trying to push you and Daryl's reconciliation so much, because he hated seeing his two closest friends hurting and not being able to do anything about it.

Rick sighed, his hand leaving your leg reluctantly. Your usually cold skin burned at the loss of contact.
"Fine. I'll leave it, for now." He caves, and stands up, the bed springing back up with the loss of his weight. He leans down and kisses your forehead, an act so intimate it makes you want to cry.
"You're one of my closest friends, Y/N. So's Daryl. Hate to see ya both hurtin' like this. I know it's cus ya care for each other."

It was your turn to sigh then.
"I - I'll talk to him. Not for him, but for you." You smile softly up at him, the moment holding more weight than you meant it to. Rick sucks in a breath, then nods a little excessively.

And that's how you'd reconciled with Daryl. He'd come to your cell that night, a guilty expression on his face as he approached you with caution, as if you were a bomb about to go off. Which, to be fair, you were. You'd rolled your eyes when he stood tentatively by the cell door, and told him to stop acting so shy and sit so you could get it over with. He'd sat on the edge of your bed exactly where Rick had sat all those hours earlier, and the parallel wasn't lost on you.

You weren't planning on forgiving him that same night. You'd actually planned to make him earn your forgiveness over a few weeks, maybe months, by gradually making it up to you and showing he could be trusted again. But as Daryl slouched on the edge of your bed, covered in dirt and sweat looking like a wounded puppy, your heart had ached and the maternal side of you longed to just hold him, stroke his hair and tell him everything was going to be okay. He'd explained why he left with Merle, that he thought he was the only family he had left, and then he explained why he came back. You were patient with him, sitting there quietly, your eyes flickering from your lap to his eyes, which were fixed on you with such fire that in any other situation it would have you squirming. He'd forced himself to look at you the whole time, despite wanting nothing more than to hide away, because he wanted, no, needed, you to believe him.

"Was wrong, bout what I said." Daryl muttered, "World didn't win."
"No?" your breath was shaking in anticipation as you looked up and caught his eyes with your own.
"No. Realised out there that you are the world, Y/N. Don't see no point livin' if you ain't around."

You found yourself reaching out for his hand. It was rough, covered in blood and dirt but to you in that moment it was the best feeling in the world.

"Daryl, I-"

"Don' have to forgive me, Y/N. Don't deserve tha'. Just can't stand the way you've been looking at me, like ya hate me."
Your reply was instant and frantic, "Daryl I don't hate you. I could never hate you. I'm sorry."

He tightened the grip on your hand.
"Nah, ya ain't got nothin' to be sorry 'bout. 's all me."
"I forgive you." You whispered.
"Don't deserve it. Should never have left ya."
"But you came back to me, Daryl. That's all that mattered."
"I hurt you."

You shook your head, tears forming in your eyes. Then you leant forward and kissed him softly on his peach pink lips.

Gradually, as events settled with the Governor and the prison became a home, your relationship with Daryl tentatively evolved from denying all feelings of affection towards another, to eventually saying "I love you" to each other as you made love to him for the first time. You'd forgiven Daryl completely for leaving you, even been there to comfort him when Merle had died. Most of the new Woodbury residents that now lived in the prison assumed you and Daryl had always been a thing, even since before the outbreak, as your relationship had become so solid and so natural that it was inconceivable to imagine the pair as ever being separate.

The only downside to your relationship to Daryl was that he was incredibly protective, and borderline possessive. No one from Woodbury dared flirt with you, talk to you about anything other than business, or so much as look at you when Daryl was around since the first incident. A Woodbury resident, unknowing of your relationship with Daryl, had tried flirting with you in front of the redneck himself, and cost himself a broken nose. You knew Daryl was violent, but it felt nice to be protected and valued in this way; you knew Daryl would never touch you like that. Plus, being known as 'Daryl's woman' had it's benefits when the lonely old men got a little bit too lonely...

The only person Daryl wasn't jealous of was Rick; Rick had been there for you when he was too stupid to be there himself, and for that he was grateful. It reassured him that if something were to happen to him, you'd always have Rick looking after you. Even if the way Rick wanted to look after you involved more than just making sure she was fed and not out getting kidnapped or bitten by walkers. Even if Rick wanted to look out for you by holding you through your nightmares, kissing your forehead goodnight and making sure you never felt anything but loved.

The sheriff had spoken to you when he'd learned of your relationship with his best friend, and cleared the air around your kiss. He's said it was a misjudgement, a mistake, and that nothing would happen like that again, as much as it pained him to lie. He didn't regret kissing you, in fact he loved it and thought of doing it again, but he knew it could never happen, that you were happy with Daryl, and for that reason Rick regretted it ever happening because it gave him a glimpse of something he could no longer have (or so he thought). If anyone had asked you'd deny the small disappointment that had plagued you at the notion of nothing ever happening with Rick again, but you knew what you felt. It confused you, because you were happy with Daryl, but the idea of having Rick too was intriguing, and something you'd definitely push your luck with in future.

Although you and Rick had verbally agreed that there was nothing going on between the two of you, your physical actions said otherwise. You'd run up and hug him, practically leaping into his arms when he returned from runs with such force that he'd have to take a few steps backwards to ground himself. He'd kiss your forehead, something Daryl didn't do, and you'd kiss his cheek in return. Your hands would linger on top another's for a fraction longer than necessary whenever they came into contact, and Rick continued to watch you from afar and appreciate the tight and exposing clothes you wore during the hot summer months.

What confused you and Rick the most was the contrast between Daryl's violent over-protective outbursts towards everyone else, and how he actively seemed to push you and Rick together. Your hand on Rick's thigh as you ate dinner together didn't seem to bother Daryl one bit, nor did you wearing Rick's jacket when the weather turned unexpectedly cold whilst out on a run. Hell, Daryl had even told you to seek Rick's help and comfort if something happened and he wasn't there. Daryl knew, no matter how much you seemed to flirt with Rick, Rick never flirted back. That was when he realised it was all for him, all your teasing and flirting. You wanted him jealous, and he wasn't going to let you get what you wanted that easily. You'd taken Daryl's advice to go to Rick when your nightmares took a turn for the worse one week when Daryl was out hunting, and he'd ended up spending the nights when Daryl was away in your bed, to comfort you of course. Even if you weren't having nightmares, Rick routinely became the big spoon whenever Daryl wasn't in your bed, and you didn't mind one bit. In fact, you liked sharing yourself between Rick and Daryl, even if your actions with Rick were strictly platonic.

Daryl had even caught Rick checking you out whilst you bent over to pull out some weeds in the vegetable patch. You'd purposely worn a tight tank top that revealed your breasts, and the skinny jeans Maggie had gifted you which made your ass look amazing. Daryl knew what you were doing, of course, bending over so your ass - one of his favourite things about you (physically, that is) - was in perfect view from where he stood working on his motorbike. It wasn't the first time you'd done this, teasing him out in public, where anyone else could see, but it was the first time Rick had been there too, and the effect your body had on the sheriff was as obvious as his southern drawl. You'd grunted a little too sexually as you successfully tugged a weed out from the dirt, and the sound had Rick stuttering, quickly adjusting himself so Daryl wouldn't notice him getting hard over his girlfriend.

"She's a little minx, ain't she?" Daryl chuckled, gesturing over to you as he continued cleaning the gears of the bike. Rick stuttered in response, acted all innocent and unknowing.
"Uh, Uh, what?" Rick's hand nervously went to the back of his neck and he chanced a quick glance back over to you.

"Y/N. Showing her ass off to ya like that. Practically beggin' for attention. Does it all the time." Daryl replies amused, paying you no notice. Rick debates trying to play it off as if he hadn't noticed, but knows it'll be in vain.
"Think she needs to be put in her place." Rick states, shamelessly checking you out again.
"Tried that. Only makes her want it more." Daryl stops his work to watch his best friend grow more and more flustered. Rick's cheeks were red and the tent in his trousers had grown, which Daryl was eyeing with a mix of fascination, pride, and curiosity.
"Maybe you ain't doin' it right." Rick finds himself saying without thinking of the implications. Daryl looks up at him, then over to you as you continue to tease them by drinking sloppily from your water bottle so that droplets cascade down your throat and soak your boobs.
"That so? Maybe she needs someone else to teach her a lesson." Daryl says, patting Rick forcefully on the shoulder and making his way over to you, leaving Rick wondering what the hell that meant and how he was going to get rid of his boner without anyone noticing.

As you leave, Daryl's hand tugging you hastily towards the guard tower for some alone time, you innocently wave at Rick, smiling widely in a way that can only be described as bubbly. It's such a stark contrast from the sultry show you were putting on for him and Daryl just now that it leaves Rick dumbfounded. Daryl only tugs you harder as you make your way to the tower.

"Ya gonna quit teasin' Rick like that, got it?" he'd asked you when you reached the top of the tower. HIs tone was harsher than you'd anticipated, and it caught you off guard, your bubbly mood dissipating.
"Uh, what?"
"You know what, Angel. Out there with your ass in the air. Got no shame, don't ya? Think it's fun teasin' him like that? Makin' him hard like that right in front of me?" Daryl had pushed you up against the wall, and his breath was hot on your cheeks.
"I- I-" You stutter against your arousal, "I didn't mean to, I just-"
"Nah, you knew exactly what you were doing, princess. Poor man's a mess." He leans down and kisses your neck forcefully, his teeth scraping against the blossoming mark as he pulls away, "Think maybe ya should go down and make it up to him. Help him out."
You squirm at his suggestion, and writhe against his strong body as he bites a bruise into the other side of your neck, claiming you as his.

"N-no." You moan, shamefully.
"No? That not what you want?" His deep voice has you dripping between your legs. One hand is against your waist, holding you firmly in place, and the other is tracing your skin from your face, over your lips, down your neck, your boobs, gracing lightly over your hardened nipples until it finds its place against your other hip. "No. Want you, Daryl, only you." you pant, pushing your body against his in an attempt to gain more friction. He chuckles darkly and tugs at your body so you're no longer against the wall.
"So that little show out there, the way you were brandishing you ass-" His hand smacks against you ass cheek as he talks, and you let out a sharp gasp at his actions, "actin' like a whore-" he hits your other ass cheek and this time you moan as you clasp onto his broad shoulders to steady yourself "-alla tha' was jus' for me?" You kiss him hungrily, "Yes, Daryl yes. All for you."

Daryl pulls away completely and the loss of contact makes you ache.
"Prove it. Take ya top off. Show me what's mine."

And you do.

Chapter 4: Fools.

Summary:

classic 'two people who like each other are forced into close proximity for an uncertain amount of time' trope, tensions build between you and rick, daryl calls you out, you call daryl out, rick watches, and an idea begins to form.

actual proper smut this time!!

Notes:

an update two days in a row? what miracle is this? (the miracle of motivation by procrastination and horniness, ngl)

Lately, Rick had been even more uptight than normal. It was worrying, how easily frustrated he got at the smallest of things, from Beth's singing to Judith's crying, or the lack of water and supplies. You'd brought it up with Daryl how you thought some time away from the prison might do him some good, and he'd agreed, so that's how the three of you found yourselves on the open road (disregarding the odd abandoned car you had to weave around, or the occasional walkers that almost got run over). Rick was driving, taking you to a nearby town you'd raided before but always planned to come back to. Daryl was in the passenger seat, his feet on the dash, and you were sat in the middle of the back, resting your weight against the two front seats as you toyed with Daryl's hair.

"You should really let me braid your hair, Dixon, you'd look so pretty." You teased, beginning to braid a small part of it. The archer had leant forward at your remark and shook your hands off him, causing you to pout.
"No way in hell, woman. Ain't no fool."
"Awh, come on. Rick, don't you think he'd look cute with little plaits!" Your pouting and pleading had always been a weak spot for Daryl, and Rick too. How could either of them say no to you when your eyes were so big with hope and your lips were pouted so irresistibly? Rick looked back at you, then at Daryl's warning glare and chuckled, "Definitely."
"See! Come on Dare pleaseeeee." You'd whined, hoping the teasing would help aid Rick's mood, even if it was at the cost of Daryl's (which, by the finger he was giving you, you guessed it had).
"You can always braid my hair, angel." Rick laughed, slowing the car down as you approached the outskirts of the town.
"Really?" you beamed at him, "See, if Rick'll let me why won't you?" There you were with those big doe eyes again.
"Nah, Rick can have ya. Ain't touchin' ma hair." Daryl grumbled in his redneck way before swinging the door open and leaving you alone in the car with Rick.
"You hear that, Ricky Dicky? He said I'm all yours." Your tone was plain, yet Rick could tell by your smile you meant it suggestively.

Rick cursed his wandering thoughts that clouded his mind at your remark. He'd often thought about having you all to himself, pinned down on his bed as his head delved between your legs, beard tickling your bare thighs in just the right way. He'd pictured your body on his, legs either side of him as you rode him to orgasm. He'd never gone so far as touch himself to the thought of you, he didn't want to cross that boundary, but he'd be lying if the thought of you didn't make him hard. Hell, he had a semi coming on just by your words.

"Lucky me." Rick replied, getting out of the stuffy car to try and prevent his hard on. That was the last thing he wanted when trapped on a run with you and your boyfriend, his best friend.

The three of you had raided a few houses and found some much needed supplies with relative ease, only coming across a single walker, which Daryl had shot in the head with a bolt before you even knew it was approaching. So you weren't quite sure how the quiet run had turned into an ambush of walkers herding through the town, particularly as it seemed to happen so suddenly; one minute you were laughing over the stash of mildly pornographic magazines you'd found in the lounge with Rick and the next you found yourself being stuffed into the broom closet, Rick's hand over your mouth to keep you quiet.

The closet wasn't roomy by any means, nor was it comfortable, but you were glad it fit both you and Rick. His body was pushed up against yours so tightly that you could feel every inch of him, and you were certain he could feel every inch of you. You were so close that you could feel his hot breath on your blushing cheeks, hear his rapidly increasing heartbeat through his chest. In the darkness of the closet you could just about make out his features.

"Daryl?" you whispered when Rick had finally removed his hand from your mouth.
"Upstairs, he'll be fine." He whispered back. You nodded and rested your head against his shoulder as you tried to listen for the passing walkers. Tried to distract yourself from the warmth radiating from Rick's body. Tried to distract yourself from how good he felt up against you like this. Rick shifted his weight and all attempts at distraction were impossible after that.

A few minutes passed as you both stood there in the closet, waiting for the snarling to calm down so you knew it'd be safe to leave. You hoped you didn't have to wait much longer because the strong scent that was unmistakably Rick was beginning to overwhelm your senses. Rick's hand had brushed against yours tentatively, then a few moments later he'd clasped it firmly. Now you were holding goddamn hands.

"Hope that's your pistol I can feel against my stomach, Sheriff." You whisper, hoping to lighten the intimacy, despite knowing teasing Rick in such close proximity (could you even be any closer together?) whilst there's walkers outside is an undoubtably bad idea.

"Depends which you'd prefer." He replies, and you know instantly which you'd prefer. Definitely not the pistol. You chance a look up at him and discover he'd been looking down at you the whole time. Your breath hitches in your throat and you become oblivious to the passing snarls of walkers fading away outside.

Suddenly the closet door is thrown open and Daryl is stood there with an unpleasant expression on his face, and blood across his clothes.
"You two done foolin' around in there?" you can't quite judge whether he's annoyed or amused.
"Actually an extra five minutes would be great." You smile at him sweetly as Rick's chest vibrates against you as he laughs. Daryl looks at you, then Rick, before huffing and leaving you and Rick pushed up in the closet.

"Think ya might've pissed him off there, angel." Rick chuckles, stepping out of the closet and into the light.
"Oh, I'll definitely have to pay for that later." You chuckle back.

And you did have to pay, just not in the way you were hoping.

"Don know why ya always gotta wind me up like that, woman." Daryl growled, just above a whisper as he paced the darkened cell. You'd returned from your successful run just before dark, and Daryl had dragged you off to your shared cell without so much as a hug goodbye to Rick, all so he could have it out with you and your teasing behaviour. He wasn't expecting half the prison to be asleep already.

"Like what?" You asked innocently, hoping if you battered your eyelashes enough he'd go easy on you.

"You know what, always teasin' an' flirtin' with Rick. Drives me mad."

"Maybe that's why I do it, Dare, ever thought about that?"

"You do it cus yer crazy."

You stand from your seat on the bed and place your hands on your hips in an amused manner, "I didn't take you for the jealous type, Dixon. Possessive, maybe but not jealous."

He scoffs at you. "Ain't jealous of Rick." His voice is plain and you realise he's telling the truth, so you decide to tease him some more, because you really haven't done that enough yet.

"No? So you wouldn't mind if I really did want five more minutes in that closet with him? It was awful cozy, could feel all of him pressed up against all of me." You tease in your best sultry voice, taking a few slow, calculated steps towards the archer.

"Ya don't want Rick." he mumbles, unsure.

"Don't I?" you take two more steps towards him and run your hands up his chest until they wrap around his neck and pull him into a passionate kiss. Daryl grunts at your movements but pulls away, "No. Rick can't make ya feel the things I can." he says with the confidence you've gently built up in him.

You smirk and kiss his neck, sucking hard enough to leave a mark, knowing the action drove Daryl crazy.
"What if I did want him?" you pull away from your kiss and gently graze your teeth over the already forming bruise. "What if I wanted to know if Rick could make me squirm the way you do?" you pepper a kiss to his cheek, "If he could make me cum just by his fingers?" Your move your lips to the other side of his neck and leave a mirroring hickey. You can feel his erection pressing hard against you as he tugs your body closer to him, needing the friction you're denying him. His rough hands that are so much bigger than yours are roaming your body unapologetically, one hand kneading your ass and the other slowly making its way up your t-shirt, ghosting your skin with an intimate tentativeness that could only ever come from the man in front of you. You take step backwards and guide him onto the bed, hastily undoing his belt and tugging his jeans down his legs. He shuffles, getting comfy, and you take this moment where his guard is down to free his hard cock from its restraints and pump him in your warm hands.

 

Rick, worried by you and Daryl's swift exit after the run and lack of explanation, had been unable to completely concentrate on any of the tasks he attempted to do since coming back. Carl had filled him in on what had happened since he left, but Rick would be lying if he said he could remember a single thing his son had told him. He just couldn't stop thinking about how nice you felt against him in that closet, and how off Daryl was after finding the two of you. Rick always knew there was a danger of his feelings towards you surfacing and coming between his friendship with Daryl, but he always thought it was a slim chance. He really didn't want to risk his relationship with the archer, as much as he liked you. Daryl meant an awful lot to Rick, more than he'd like to admit.

Worse still, Rick worried that maybe he'd been too bold with you, that maybe he'd flirted a little too obviously, that his lingering touches and suggestive compliments weren't as subtle as he'd thought and Daryl had picked up on it. But, Daryl seemed, almost proud, Rick would guess, when he'd caught him checking you out a few weeks ago. So he can't be jealous, can't be mad, can he?

Rick had to find out.

It was dark and mostly everyone was asleep. The prison was quiet as it always was, but the shuffling of bed covers and Hershel's light snores could still be heard from down the hall. As he approached your cell, he slowed his pace and listened for any inclination of whether you and Daryl were awake or not.

He stopped abruptly just outside your cell, swearing he heard his name coming from your lips. Cautiously, he stepped forward and listened.

"I wonder if Rick's bigger than you? Wonder if I could fit him down my throat like I can you?"

There was no mistaking your voice, even over Rick's rapid heartbeat. You sounded even more seductive than he'd imagined, and his dick was quick to pick up on it, hardening almost instantly. Rick realised you were talking about him, using him as foreplay whilst you teased your lover.

It shouldn't have turned him on the way it did. The need to touch himself was so strong, so adamant that he had himself questioning whether breaking his rule of touching himself to you was worth breaking.

Daryl's grunts of pleasure and the indecent sound of your mouth working Daryl's shaft answered the question for him. He'd cum in his pants right there and then if he didn't do something, didn't drag out his inevitable orgasm from the image of you and Daryl thinking of him whilst you fucked.

"Wonder if Rick could make you this hard?" The way your voice says his name has Rick on the verge of cumming. It's faint, and Rick has to strain himself to hear you over his laboured breathing, but he manages to hear every word you say to Daryl from between his legs.
"Wonder if he could make you cum down his throat, wonder if you'd like that?"

That was all it took for Rick's morals to disappear completely. He felt like a creep, a dirty old pervert, but that didn't stop him. He needed to see you, needed to see the effect your words were having on his best friend. He slowly moved the sheet hanging over the cell door back just enough to reveal your half naked body sat in between Daryl's bare legs. He could make out the outline of Daryl's cock being pumped expertly in your hands, despite the darkness. Stroking his own cock at a matched pace to the speed of your hand, Rick watched as you continued to pleasure Daryl.

"Oh, you would, wouldn't you?" You lean down and kiss Daryl's sensitve and leaking tip, twirling the precum on your tongue. Daryl grunts, a primal sound that sends a shiver down Rick's spine, which is only emphasised by Daryl stuttering your name.

Rick's hand speeds up it's thrusts, and he bites his lip to stop himself moaning and being discovered. The risk of being discovered by you or Drayl, or by anyone who happened to leave their cell and step into the corridor only turned him on more, made Rick that bit closer to spilling all over his hands. As if in tune to Rick's movements, your own hand begins to pump Daryl's thick cock with more speed, making the redneck pant in pleasure, a sound you'd learnt meant he was close.

"You gonna cum for me, big boy?" Rick swears you laugh this, "Or are ya gonna cum for Rick, huh? You gonna cum to the thought of Rick taking you in his mouth?"
Rick watches you lean your pretty head back down and take all of Daryl's cock down your throat, dutifully bobbing your head up and down with an enthusiasm that has Rick cumming in his hands and dripping down onto his shoes. His orgasm had caught him off guard, the deep ropes of cum coating him all over as he groaned out Daryl's name. It was only after he'd come down from his high and his cum had cooled against his skin did he realise he's spoken aloud. He was a fool to think he could've cum quietly after months of resisting the temptation, a fool to think he would get away with intruding on his best friends' privacy.

Luckily for Rick, Daryl had been too preoccupied moaning your name as he reached his own high down your throat to notice Rick's slip up. But for you it was a different story. The sound of Daryl's guttural grunts as he released his hot seed down your throat, his hand tightening in your hair, pushing you down onto his cock was almost enough to cover up Rick's own moans, but not quite. You knew what you heard, and the moment Daryl had released you from his grasp you chanced a look behind you at the doorway, and caught Rick's eye. The sheriff froze for a moment, before you turned your attention back to Daryl with a devilish smirk on your face. Rick's frantic footsteps could be heard receding down the corridor.

"You okay, baby?" you smiled, wiping your lips with your finger before sucking it clean. Daryl nodded and tried to catch his breath, "Come 'ere."

The sex with Daryl was always great, whether it was a fast paced fucking to relieve the tensions of the day or the gentle, intimate love making that made your heart (and your pussy) explode with affection and fondness. But what you loved most, besides showing Daryl just how loved and worthy he is, or besides the intense orgasms that leave you in a daze for minutes after, was the aftercare. You knew how insecure Daryl had been over his very existence, over letting someone in - you'd spent most the time you'd known him, right back since the Atlanta camp trying to undo his upbringing, trying to make him feel loved, so you knew times a thousand just how insecure he could be after sex, and how important aftercare was for him.

He'd even threatened you the first time you'd cuddled him after sex.

"Tell anyone bout this, angel, and yer dead."
"Like you'd hurt me." You'd only giggled in response, dutifully kissing his nose in the process.
"Besides, it's not like anyone would believe that the big tough Daryl Dixon likes to be the little spoon after sex."
He'd kissed you to stop you from embarrassing him even more.

So, with Rick still on your mind, you found yourself tucked into Daryl's side, bare skin against bare skin as you absentmindedly twirled his hair around your finger and listened to his heartbeat. Daryl hadn't said anything about what had just happened, about teasing him with the idea of Rick like that, and the unspoken significance of it weighed the room down. Knowing Daryl so well, you took the first step, your voice hushed and soft.

"You really care about Rick, huh, baby?"
That earned you a grunt in return, so you tried coaxing his feelings out again.
"It's okay, I'm not gonna judge or anything." You stop playing with his hair and look up at him from against his chest. Daryl looks down at you, embarrassed. He's still not going to say anything, so you continue.
"I care about him too, he's family. It's okay, Daryl, really."

The assertiveness Daryl displayed earlier when he dragged you to your shared cell to confront you over Rick had been replaced by insecurity, and you wanted nothing more than to assure him his feelings were okay, maybe even worth encouraging. The idea that Daryl thinks of Rick the same way you do was a notion you'd never entertained, but now you think about it the signs had always been there.

Daryl sighed, "Care bout him almost as much as I care bout you, angel." he admitted.

"Hmmm, me too." you replied, still thinking about catching Rick watching you and Daryl together. The invasion of privacy on such a big scale should have made you uncomfortable, especially as it was betrayed by someone you trust almost as much as the man whose arm was wrapped around you, but it didn't. If you were being honest, you actually quite liked the idea. The only problem now was whether you should tell Daryl or not.

"Goodnight, angel."
"Night, baby." you kiss him softly on the lips and wait for sleep to come.

Notes:

was fully halfway through writing the smut when the fire alarm went off lmao so if there's some inconsistencies that's why <3