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Safe Haven in the Chaos	By : IdrilsSecret Category: S through Z > The Walking Dead Views: 6517 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the walking dead or any of the characters. No money is being made from the writing of these stories

Chapter List
- 79
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- 81
Chapter 81 Dirty Laundry

Aaron and Daryl arrived at the washhouse in record time. Just outside, between the clean sheets hanging from their clotheslines, they found a crowd gathered around a confusing scene. Negan was standing over Lydia, and she was holding onto his leg as though he was her anchor in a storm. Gage stood to the side, yelling something about it not being their fault. Alfred was by the building’s exterior wall, sitting next to Margo’s slumped over body. Daryl could see a blood stain on the wall behind her. Alfred was crying out that Negan killed Margo, naming him as a murderer. People stood around in shock, judging eyes staring at Negan and Lydia. It was amazing the lack of sympathy coming from most onlookers.

“Get Siddiq here now,” Daryl barked at whoever was closest to him. He needed confirmation on Margo’s condition.

“He’s already on his way,” said Laura.

Aaron went to check on Margo, while Daryl went to Lydia. He shoved Negan out of the way, and looked up to find Brandon, Negan’s guard. “Get him out of here,” Daryl commanded. Brandon came forward and took Negan roughly by the arm.

Lydia reached out for Negan, begging anyone who would listen. “He didn’t do anything wrong. He was protecting me. Please. Leave him alone,” she repeated over and over again.

“Hey, hey. It’s okay. I’ve got you now,” Daryl cooed, trying to calm her. When she turned to face him, he saw for the first time her bloody and beaten face.

“He didn’t do it. They did. They started the whole thing. Negan saved me. Please. You have to believe me,” Lydia wailed.

Daryl wrapped his arms around her and tried to calm her. “I know. I believe you. It’s okay.”

Aaron stood and looked toward Daryl. Grabbing his attention, Aaron shook his head slowly back and forth, telling him that Margo was beyond help. Then, Aaron walked around the edge of the gathered crowd and ordered them to go back to whatever they were doing and leave the area. Siddiq arrived and went straight to Margo. His report was the same as Aaron’s. Margo was dead.

“It was Negan. Negan killed her,” Alfred cried out with anger. “He threw her against the wall and killed her.”

“No, it wasn’t like that,” Lydia screamed, coming to Negan’s aid. “He didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Daryl said calmly. When Negan was finally gone, he helped Lydia to her feet. She almost couldn’t walk, and she was favoring her shoulder. “What’d they do to you?” he asked her, but she wasn’t in any state to answer him.

Aaron rushed over and helped Daryl with Lydia when he saw she was struggling to walk. “Lydia, are you all right?” Aaron asked her.

“Don’t let them hurt Negan. He didn’t do anything wrong. He was only trying to protect me,” she said instead of answering his question.

“I won’t let anything happen to him until everyone has had a chance to tell their side of things, okay?” Daryl told her, trying to calm her down some. Lydia nodded.

Once they arrived at the infirmary, Dante took over. He asked the men to leave the room so he could examine Lydia more thoroughly. Daryl and Aaron stood outside of the exam room and waited.

“What do you think happened?” Aaron asked.

“I think this was retaliation for that little stunt she pulled at dinner. Gage, Alfred and Margo have been on her ass for a while now. They’ve been trying to get her to leave, and they haven’t let up much since Lydia came to stay.” Daryl stood beside Aaron so that their shoulders touched.

“That doesn’t constitute murder,” Aaron returned.

“Think about it, though. If Negan came upon that scene and saw Lydia getting beat up, of course he’s going to help.”

“Negan only does things to help Negan. You think he really gave two shits about Lydia? He saw an opportunity. Whether he meant to kill Margo or not–”

“I don’t think he did,” Daryl interrupted. “Honestly, I don’t give a fuck about Negan, but I believe Lydia. She says he saved her, and I have to take that as the truth. You can see for yourself that they beat the holy hell out of her. No telling how far they would have gone if he hadn’t come along.” Daryl turned to catch Aaron’s gaze. “You can’t deny the fact that this is twice now that Negan has been in the right place at the right time.”

Aaron knew Daryl was referring to his mishap with the hogweed. He didn’t like to admit that he needed Negan at the time, but it was the truth. Still, Aaron didn’t feel the incident was done out of the kindness of Negan’s heart. Someone like that always had another agenda at play, and that’s why Aaron still didn’t trust Negan. “Until we get the story from all sides, we won’t know if Margo’s death was an accident or done on purpose.”

Daryl gave in easily, nodded and took to the silence until Dante came out of the exam room and called them in. Aaron hesitated before going into the room.

“I think it would be better if just you went in to talk to her. She trusts you more than any of us,” said Aaron. He clasped Daryl’s shoulder and gave a sympathetic smile. “I’m going to go see what I can find out about this incident.”

Daryl gave a nod and walked to the door. He found Lydia sitting on the edge of the exam table, holding her arm as though it hurt. She wouldn’t look at him. She seemed scared and fragile, and she probably was.

Dante excused himself from the room, allowing Daryl some private time with Lydia. Daryl walked up to Lydia and took his place next to where she sat on the bed. He was quiet at first, but then he turned his attention to her. “I’m sorry this happened to you,” he said quietly.

“I was just thinking about my dad. You know, he never liked to wear deodorant, said it made his armpits itchy. After the change, he sweated a lot. He used to hold me more often too, keeping me safe from … whatever was threatening us. Those kinds of moments, when we were in close quarters, I remember he smelled like garlic and onions. I got used to it after a while, because I knew he was near. He was always protecting me. He would have protected me now, if he was still here. I miss him so much.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Will you tell me what happened?” Daryl asked gently.

“They attacked me, even when I tried to tell them that I was on their side. Gage pushed me down. Alfred kicked me. Margo threatened me with my stick. Negan came out of nowhere and shoved Margo away. He wasn’t trying to kill her. It was an accident. Negan saved my life. He did. He’s innocent, I swear he is.”

She started to cry again, but before she could go into hysterics, Daryl wrapped his arm around her, and pulled her in. Lydia gave in and tucked her head against his chest. She cried until his shirt was wet with tears. After a while, she began to calm.

“Hey, why don’t we go home? You need some rest,” Daryl suggested. Lydia nodded. They both stood and moved to the door. Daryl helped her walk out of the infirmary after Dante gave him a few instructions about keeping her arm steady and a cold pack on her ribs. Nothing was broken, but she’d have some nasty bruises, and it would take some time for the pain to subside.

Once home, he helped her to her room and to lay down. Gracie came bolting down the stairs, and she looked shocked to see Lydia in her disheveled state. When Gracie asked what happened, Daryl was about to tell her, but Lydia stopped him. “I’ll talk to her, if that’s okay.”

“It’s fine. I’m going to head back and find out what happens from here,” Daryl told her.

“And you’ll tell them Negan was helping me, right?” said Lydia with concern.

Daryl nodded. “Mmm hmm.”

>>------->

As it turned out, Daryl didn’t go straight to the main hall, where he knew the council was meeting to discuss what happened. It was a very serious matter. Margo was dead, and it happened at the hands of their prisoner, Negan. That was a fact, but exactly how it led up to that point was what they had to sort out. Negan killed a member of the community, but was it done purposefully or was it an accident? Daryl decided to go straight to the source.

He entered the jail and found Negan resting on his cot, but he wasn’t asleep as it seemed he was. Negan heard Daryl enter and spoke softly. “How’s the kid doing?”

“She’s banged up, but she’ll be alright.” Daryl observed Negan a moment. He didn’t seemed worried about his situation. He wasn’t begging for his side of the story to be told. The man was difficult to read, except for the fact that he was genuinely concerned about Lydia. “People are talking out there. They say we should be rid of you. They’re saying Rick ain’t around to save you now.”

“And what do you say?” Negan asked.

“Maybe we should have put you down a long time ago. Maybe now’s the time,” Daryl threatened.

“Listen, if you’re here looking for a confession, you might as well go. There’s nothing to confess other than it was an accident.” Negan sat up on his elbows. “And for the record, that Margo chick was a goddamn asshole, and she got what she deserved. Beatin’ on a kid like that? Fuck her. The world’s better off.” He sat up the rest of the way, and swung his legs over the edge of the bed so that his feet were on the ground. “But you already know that, don’t you? Lydia came to you first, and what did you do about it?”

“Watch it,” Daryl seethed. “You and me ain’t never been in a room before. Not toe to toe, and there ain’t nobody around to save you right now.”

Negan smiled while looking at the ground. “That’s not why you’re here. You came down here to look me in the eye because you don’t know what to do with me. All that time you spent fantasizing about my death, and the time you actually tried to kill me, and now look at you. You’re not so sure anymore. So what is it you came here for, Daryl?”

Daryl gave some thought before asking his next question. Negan was still a cunning fucker. “Why help Lydia? You ain’t no hero.”

“Never said I was. Although, I keep finding myself in situations where the title fits the actions. Margo? She was just about to bash in Lydia’s brains, and for what? Because she doesn’t like her? That’s no reason. And let’s not forget how I helped out your better half. Aaron was stumbling around blind, making noise, drawing attention to himself. He was just a chomp away from becoming walker chow when I found him.”

Daryl never got the entire story from Aaron about his incident that day. He had told Daryl it was no big deal. So now, to find out how close he had come to losing his life was a shock, and it must have showed on Daryl’s face, because Negan called him out on it.

“What? You didn’t know? Well, I guess Aaron was just trying to spare you the gory details, but there it is. Your boyfriend was in a real mess when I found him, and I didn’t hesitate to step in. Just like tonight with Lydia. You see, I’m a sucker, and after eight years of seeing how you people do things around here, I started believing in your way of life and your moral code. I appreciate it. Hell, you even gave me a little taste of freedom, which I gotta admit is the best thing that happened to me in a long time. Now I see why you did that. So you could yank it away from me when I messed up. I mean, I actually did the right thing here, and now I’m facing how many years of sitting inside this cell? You gotta admit, that is pretty messed up, and we both know how I appreciate some messed up shit. So you go talk to your posse, boss, and let me know what’s it gonna be. A hanging? A lynching? Or maybe you’ll tie my arms and legs to some horses and make them run off in four different directions. That last one is the messiest, by the way.”

“You’re gonna get your chance to tell your side of the story,” said Daryl before turning to leave the jail.

“Don’t I get a thank you for saving your boyfriend’s life? Geez, stuck my neck out and everything,” Negan called before Daryl disappeared.

Daryl stopped, and stood quiet before answering. “Despite what you might think, I do appreciate what you did for Aaron. That don’t mean we’re friends though.” Daryl headed up the stairs at a quickened pace. He had to get out of there. The walls felt like they were closing in on him, and for a brief second, he was reminded of his time at the Sanctuary. His mind was a swirling mass of confusion after listening to Negan. Was he right about the things he said? Were they screwing with him, waiting for him to mess up so they could punish him all over again? If it was true, they were no better than Negan had been when he captured Daryl and tortured him time and time again. And what about Aaron? He never told him that he almost died if it hadn’t been for Negan. While Daryl was grateful that hadn’t been the outcome, he was also disgusted that he owed it to Negan that Aaron came out alive after going blind. That changed things for Daryl. He had a code, and he’d lived by it his entire life. Negan had saved Aaron and Lydia, and according to Daryl’s rules, he owed the man a favor, if not two.

On his way to the meeting hall, Daryl saw Carol sitting on the steps outside Michonne’s townhouse. He stopped and had a seat next to her. “How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Sore,” said Carol. She glanced across the way toward the meeting hall where the council was gathered. They should have been interrogating Gage and Alfred by now. “I heard what happened.”

“Yeah, it a real mess,” Daryl admitted.

Carol made a cynical huff. “Everybody’s talking about Negan again. It’s as though time never moved.”

“I know, and they still want him gone, but that might be harder to pull off this time.”

“So you believe him?” Carol asked, shocked.

“I believe Lydia,” Daryl admitted.

“You know what I think?” said Carol. “This is all a distraction. Hilltop’s got a tree through its wall. Alexandria was attacked.”

“We don’t know that yet,” Daryl said quickly.

“Our real enemy is out there.”

Daryl bowed his head. “There’s enough bad stuff happening in here. I’m afraid if we don’t fix it, it ain’t gonna matter what she does to us. Won’t be nothin’ left.”

“Maybe that’s exactly what she wants. She’s working us from the inside out. You ever stop to think of that?” Carol asked.

“You may be right. Hey, I gotta go. You take it easy.”

“I will. You too,” Carol patted his shoulder before he stood and left.

Daryl had one more thing to do before joining the council. He went to the radio room and called Michonne, who was at Hilltop.

“Everything all right there?” he asked after trying to contact her multiple times.

“Rough day, but things are looking up. How are things there?” Michonne asked.

“Something happened.” Daryl proceeded to tell her about Lydia and Negan and Margo’s death.

“So, what are your thoughts? You seem kind of conflicted which is odd for you when it comes to Negan.”

“I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I hate to admit it, but I think Negan is on the right side this time. I can’t ignore the fact that he came to Lydia’s aid. And I keep thinking about how he helped Aaron. He had his chance to disappear, and it would have meant Aaron’s death, but he stayed, and Aaron’s alive because of him. The thing is, everyone is so wound up around here, I don’t know if any of that will make a difference in the council’s decision.”

“Do you want me to come home?” Michonne asked.

“Naw, not if Hilltop still needs you.”

Michonne was quiet a moment before she spoke again. “How’s Lydia?”

“She’s not good,” Daryl admitted reluctantly. He knew he couldn’t sugarcoat it though.

“Daryl, you have to protect her, not just for her, but for all of us. I’ve been giving it some thought. When we met with Alpha, and after Carol took a shot at her, she could have killed us. She probably should have, but she didn’t. I’ve been wracking my brain as to why, and I figured it out. It’s Lydia.”

“You’re saying she won’t attack us as long as we got Lydia,” Daryl said to make it clear.

“I think Alpha wants you to protect her, and as long as Lydia is with us, we’re safe. Look, if Alpha thinks Lydia isn’t safe with us, or if she runs away because of all that’s happened recently, it will definitely hurt us. Lydia’s safety means our safety,” Michonne explained.

“I’ll make sure Lydia is okay.” Daryl had been on the radio for a while. “Listen, I gotta head over to the meeting that the council is holding right now. They might be taking a vote tonight.”

“If and when they do, I want you to be my proxy. I know you’ll do the right thing, Daryl.”

“I will. Talk to you soon. Take care, Michonne.”

“You too. Hilltop out.”

Daryl leaned back in his chair and considered what had happened lately. Suddenly the weight of everything rested on his shoulders. How did it come to this so quickly? He decided to get to the meeting and sit in to listen for a bit before interjecting his opinions on them, especially if he was going to make decisions on Michonne’s behalf.

>>------->

The interviews were already underway. Aaron sat at the table along with Gabriel, Siddiq and Laura. Gage and Alfred sat across from them, judges and witnesses. So far, they insisted that they did nothing wrong, and that they were ambushed. Alfred insisted that they were set up, lured to that spot by Lydia and then attacked by Negan. Gage said they were working together, and that they might all have ended up dead like their friend Margo. They finished with their side of the story and sat silent waiting for the council to respond.

Gabriel leaned forward in his chair and addressed them. “So let me get this straight. You’re saying that Lydia lured you there?” he asked to make it clear what they were accusing her of.

Gage nodded. “Yeah. You saw what she did with the squirrel. She’s crazy, psycho like her mother.”

“And Negan is working with her,” Alfred added. “They’ve teamed up, and there’s no telling what they’ve been planning.”

Gabriel heard them both, but he kept his focus on Gage. “If you thought Lydia was crazy, then why did you agree to meet her in the dark behind the wash house?”

Gage was at a loss for words and stumbled to find an answer. Alfred could see his confusion and spoke instead. “Hey, we’re the ones who were attacked here. That’s what this meeting is about isn’t it?”

Calmly, Gabriel addressed Alfred. “And so you claim, but Lydia is the one laying in the infirmary.”

Alfred narrowed his eyes. “Our friend is in a grave, and it was Negan who put her there. He shoved her so hard into the wall that it split her head open. What does it matter why we agreed to meet Lydia behind the wash house? The fact is, Margo was murdered by a man whose entire existence is built on killing. It’s what he does, and no matter how long he’s kept prisoner, or how many times you’ve tried to rehabilitate him, he’s a killer through and through. Some people cannot change.”

The room went silent. The council considered their testimony, and then Gabriel excused them. Aaron took the moment to think about what Alfred had said. Although Aaron felt the men had started the fight with Lydia, he knew what Alfred said about Negan was the truest thing said all evening.

Aaron spoke first. “Look, I think we’re all in agreement that Lydia was attacked, and if that’s all this meeting was about, this would be an easy decision. But it’s more than that. Negan killed a community member, and that’s what the council must come to a conclusion about. This is about a murder.”

“Murder or self-defense?” said Siddiq. “We all saw the condition Lydia was in. I have to think that if Negan didn’t come along when he did, we might be looking at her murder instead of Margo’s.”

“However that’s not what happened and so it can’t even be considered here,” said Aaron to get the meeting back on track. “I think I know Lydia a little better than anyone else here. I think she’s telling the truth as far as the way she saw things happen. In her mind’s eye, Negan saved her, and after seeing the results of her injuries, he probably did. But I have to question, did Negan do this for her, or does he have another agenda. Did he accidentally shove Margo too hard into the wall, resulting in her death, or was he satisfying some darker need to kill.”

“I’ve been working with Negan over the years,” said Gabriel. “I’ve seen him go through the different stages. If this had happened three or four years ago, I’d agree with you that this was old Negan resurfacing. But we have witnessed a change in him also.”

“Don’t forget that it was Negan who saved Judith in that snowstorm,” added Siddiq. “And you, Aaron. He helped you when you we’re most vulnerable. He didn’t have to do that. He could have let those walkers get you. He could have run away. He could have stayed and told us that you were overrun by a herd, and that he made it out while you didn’t. The fact is, he stayed, and he helped save your life. Doesn’t that count for something?”

Aaron sighed. He could understand why Siddiq felt so strongly about this, but he wasn’t the one alone, blind and injured with a madman, whether formerly or currently. “I get why some of you think Negan’s been redeemed. I do. I’ve wondered it myself recently. And you’re absolutely right, Siddiq. He could have let me die that day. God knows I was close to it.” As Aaron spoke, he hadn’t noticed that Daryl arrived. Daryl stood just inside the doorway and listened to his speech. “However, a man like that who has done the things he’s done, and killed the people he’s killed … something inside of him is broken.” This last part came out harshly, as Aaron’s thoughts turned to memories of the people, his friends and loved ones who died during Negan’s reign.

“And so in your opinion there are no second chances,” Siddiq accused strongly.

“You weren’t there with him. You didn’t see what I saw. Yes, I confronted Negan when we were out there alone. I’ve kept quiet about my friends who died in that glade, about Caleb, a young man whose whole life was still ahead of him, or about the sadistic things that happened to Daryl while he was incarcerated at the Sanctuary. I felt Negan owed me something, an explanation, a confession, an apology for all the unnecessary deaths and cruelty he had instilled upon me, upon us as a community. So I accosted him when it was just the two of us out there, and though he tried to yield to my accusations, there was a moment when something in him went dark, and I saw in his eyes, and heard in his voice the same man I knelt down and cowered before in the woods that terrible evening. The same night we lost Glenn and Abraham. Those images are burned into my memories, the unnecessary killings of two innocent men who did nothing to deserve such needless brutal deaths. That’s the Negan I know, the one I can’t forget about.”

Siddiq considered Aaron with sympathy. “I didn’t know your friends who died, but I’ve heard their stories, and I can agree that perhaps Negan should have been executed for his crimes. The fact is, he wasn’t. He was kept alive to prove a point by the most respected man any of us has ever known. Rick made his decision, not out of anger, but for the good of us all. And what it comes down to is, we can’t try Negan for anything other than what has happened tonight, no matter the horrific things he’s done in the past. Killing him now over this undermines the civilization that we have built.”

“And what about the people who never got to witness that civilization?” Aaron said heatedly.

Siddiq stood and faced Aaron. “Not all of those people were killed by Negan, and right now it’s the Whisperers that are attacking and killing us. Negan is and continues to serve time for the deaths he was responsible for. What you are forgetting is that Alpha has an agenda, and this right here is part of her plan, to separate us in all aspects of our lives. Look at what she’s done here recently with the herds. Look at what is going on at Hilltop right now. She is the real enemy, not Negan.”

Gabriel felt things were getting out of control, stood from his chair and addressed the council. “I think it’s time we took a break. The council wasn’t made for this, deciding a man’s fate in the dead of night because some people carry pitchforks and torches.”

Daryl had heard enough, and he let his presence be known. “Hey! If you can’t make a decision, the people out there are going to make one for you.”

Gabriel’s attention went to Daryl. “Have you talked to Michonne?”

“I just got off the radio with her,” said Daryl.

“And what did she have to say?” asked Gabriel.

“She wants me to be her vote. So, getting back to the matter at hand, Lydia said Negan saved her, so he saved her. That’s what I know. As far as my vote goes, I’m a no.” He looked Aaron straight in the eyes as he said it.

Aaron was shocked that Daryl was taking Negan’s side in this. He might argue that fact, saying his only concern was Lydia, but to side with her was to side with Negan as well. Aaron just couldn’t do that. “Well, I think we all know Siddiq is a no as well. I’m a yes. Laura, what about you?”

“I’m a yes as well,” she said without hesitation.

Aaron’s sight went straight to Daryl in challenge. “So, we’re tied. Gabriel, where do you stand? Your vote is the deciding factor.”

Gabriel gave an audible sigh and moved out from behind the table. “I’m going to take the night to clear my head, and consider my vote. I suggest you all do the same. We will reconvene in the morning.” With that said, he left the meeting hall.

Slowly, Siddiq and Laura left too, leaving Aaron and Daryl by themselves. Aaron hesitated before going to the door, where Daryl still stood. The look on his face said they were about to have a confrontation. Aaron thought he would just walk past Daryl, but he was blocked from leaving. Aaron stood his ground and didn’t back away. “Seems we disagree on this. Is that what you want to talk about?”

“Hell yeah I want to talk about it. How can you vote yes?” Daryl started.

“The man has not changed, no matter what anyone else thinks,” Aaron argued.

“He saved your life,” Daryl insisted, speaking slowly.

“He saved his own ass. Do you think anyone would have believed him if he came back to town without me? They would have strung him up at once.”

“And, by the way, when were you going to tell me how close you came to getting killed? You told me you tangled with some hogweed, and Negan kept watch all night. You didn’t say anything about stumbling around with a pair of walkers.” Daryl accused. He was getting angry.

“I knew you’d get upset.”

“Of course I’d get upset. Christ sake, Aaron.”

“It’s done with. I made it out alive. There’s no reason to rehash this.” Aaron was trying to divert the conversation.

“You made it out alive because of Negan.”

“When the fuck did you start taking his side?” Aaron shouted. “I thought you said you didn’t give a shit.”

“I don’t, but I do care about Lydia. I don’t know what Negan’s intentions were, but the fact is, he was there when no one else was. He saved her.” As Daryl spoke, Aaron turned away and started pacing the floor. “Listen to me, dammit,” said Daryl, grabbing Aaron’s arm to stop him. “I just talked to Michonne, and she made me aware of a very important fact as to why Alpha didn’t kill us after Carol took a shot at her. It all comes down to Lydia. Alpha ain’t gonna try something with her daughter here. We need to make sure Lydia stays safe with us. We have to make sure she doesn’t leave Alexandria. If we execute Negan, she’s going to disappear. Besides that, she’ll never trust us again. I ain’t doing this for Negan. Screw him. I’m doing this for Lydia. She’s all that matters in this.”

“Aren’t you using her then?” Aaron asked.

Daryl was taken aback by his question. “No. Why would you even think that? I care about her, and for now, she’s safest here, with us. If she runs away from here, anything could happen to her. I’m not just talking about walkers. What if the Whisperers pick her up? You really want her going back to her mother? I can tell you this much, it won’t be a happy reunion. Lydia is best off here. That’s what I know. That’s why my vote is no to killing Negan.”

Aaron pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “I need to think about this. As for now, my vote is still yes.”

“Well, you’ve got all goddamn night to think about this, so you better think hard.” Daryl was pissed off and he stormed out of the building. He tried to make Aaron understand his reasoning, but Aaron was as blind now as he was from the hogweed. He had tunnel vision when it came to Negan, and he wanted to see him dead and gone. The problem was, there was more at stake now. It wasn’t just about revenge against the man who killed their friends.

Daryl figured Aaron would go straight home. He would want to check on Gracie. Lydia was there, though she was probably sleeping. Daryl didn’t want to go home yet. He needed to cool off and give some thought to his argument with Aaron. How could he not support Lydia in this? He thought they were a family. Daryl had accepted Gracie as his own just as he had Lydia. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for either girl. But it seemed Aaron didn’t feel the same. This angered Daryl even more, but he tried to keep himself in check. He didn’t want to revert back to his old ways, though it would have been so simple to disappear for a day or two until he quit seeing red. That’s not who he was anymore. No more running from his problems.

He stopped by his local source for moonshine. Luckily, the man had just made a new batch. He gave Daryl a bottle, and asked him about the situation with Negan. Daryl wouldn’t go into much detail, but he told the man that a vote would take place in the morning. The man seemed to take Daryl’s opinion, though Daryl hadn’t said which way he leaned in the matter. Maybe there were still a few people who thought Negan did the right thing.

After about an hour of combing the town, Daryl went home. He’d only taken a few swigs of the hooch, just enough to knock the edge from his anger, but not enough to get him plastered. He eased the door open and went inside. The living room was empty. The lights were off. All was quiet. Daryl cracked Lydia’s door open and found her sound asleep. Dante had given her some pain medicine that he said would help her sleep. It seemed to be working.

Daryl glanced upstairs, and saw a faint glow coming from beneath their bedroom door. Aaron was probably still awake, but Daryl didn’t feel like another confrontation. Knowing Aaron, he would want to continue where they left off. Instead, he took up a seat on the couch. He tucked one of the decorative pillows under his head and stretched out. Maybe he would just sleep here tonight. That would probably be best. If they started arguing again, they would undoubtedly wake the girls. So far, they hadn’t seen Aaron and Daryl in an argument. Growing up, Daryl had witnessed plenty of fights between his mom and dad, usually ending with his father smacking his mother. That was a terrible way for a kid to grow up. Now that he had his own family, he swore to never let them see the bitter side of a relationship. Of course, Daryl wouldn’t hit Aaron. In that way he was nothing like his father. The only thing he inherited was his bad temper.

A couple more swallows of moonshine and Daryl was ready to drift off to sleep for the night, forgetting about all his troubles. He closed his eyes, breathed deep and let the world melt away.

“You’re not sleeping on the couch,” said Aaron, waking Daryl up. He had no idea how long he was asleep, but it couldn’t have been long.

“Why not? This is as good a place as any,” Daryl replied, eyes still closed.

“Please don’t do this. Come to bed, Daryl,” Aaron pleaded.

“I’m not in the mood to talk about this anymore,” Daryl warned.

“Neither am I. I just need you near me, that’s all. I won’t say a word about earlier, except to say that I’m sorry I pissed you off.”

At that, Daryl opened his eyes, and found Aaron standing over him. “I’m sorry too, but I’m not changing my vote.”

“I didn’t expect you to. Listen, I checked in on Lydia when I got home. She’s doing okay for now. The pain medicine knocked her out. Gracie was a little scared to see Lydia beat up, but we talked and she’s fine, fast asleep in her room. All’s well for now. So why don’t you come up and get a good night’s sleep. This couch wasn’t meant for sleeping on.”

Daryl eyed Aaron a moment, but found that he was being genuine. He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the couch, bare feet touching the cold floor. He was still in his clothes, except for his vest which he grabbed before following Aaron upstairs. At the last second, he scooped up the bottle of moonshine too.

Aaron heard the sloshing and looked back at him. “Moonshine in moderation?” he mentioned, noticing that only about a quarter of the clear liquid was missing.

“I just needed something to help me relax,” said Daryl.

“You could have come to me. I’ve got some interesting methods,” said Aaron as they made their way upstairs. They entered their bedroom, and Daryl collapsed on the bed. “Oh no. You have to get undressed first, and get under the covers before you fall back to sleep.”

“Who said anything about sleeping?” Daryl teased, though he could barely keep his eyes open.

Aaron watched Daryl get back up and strip down to his boxer briefs. He loved the way the muscle definition flexed in his back, and how his shoulder blades moved beneath his skin. “I’m game if you are.”

Daryl got beneath the covers and settled in. Aaron climbed into the bed next, and curled into Daryl’s side, relishing the feel of his warmth. He laid gentle kisses on Daryl’s exposed shoulder, and watched the corner of his mouth curl into a satisfied smile. Daryl’s eyes never opened, though, and soon he had drifted off to sleep. Aaron didn’t fall asleep right away. He laid there and thought about his decision earlier. He had to consider what Daryl told him about Lydia, and her importance to the community, but was that enough to sway him to change his vote? Aaron hoped it would all seem clearer in the morning, and soon he joined Daryl in slumber.

>>------->

The sun was just starting to brighten the sky when Aaron was awoken by the feel of a strong eager hand roaming along his chest, and a hard cock pushing against his thigh. Warm breath caressed his neck and moved to his ear. “You still owe me,” Daryl whispered.

“I owe you twice, to be specific,” Aaron said in return. “That’s two arguments we had with no resolutions.”

“You’re right. Good thing we’re getting an early start to the morning,” said Daryl, a smile forming on his lips, translated to the warm skin of Aaron’s neck.

The hand on Aaron’s chest slowly moved down and cupped him. He hadn’t yet come about, but blood was quickly rushing to the area. Daryl disappeared beneath the covers, and Aaron felt his mouth on his skin, nipping, licking, breathing his warm breath over the moist trail his tongue made. Daryl’s whiskers tickled in an erotic way as he approached Aaron’s now hardening cock. He was expecting a slow manipulation, as Daryl often like to do, but was taken off guard when he felt himself swallowed whole. Aaron hardened at an accelerated pace. Daryl’s tongue performed tricks that Aaron couldn’t remember him doing before, but he’d never been soft in this situation. Usually, by the time Daryl got around to blowing him, Aaron was hard as steel. To grow stiff inside Daryl’s ambitious mouth gave him a completely different perspective. It was euphoria. Once his cock was firm, Daryl moved, lips sliding from tip to hilt, hot and wet. Aaron couldn’t speak, but he gasped every time Daryl took him all the way in.

Daryl moaned, knowing the vibrations would move Aaron along faster. He wanted Aaron to come quickly so that he could flip him over and have his way with him. If he paced himself, he was sure to make Aaron come a second time. Aaron’s cock pulsed and his balls drew up. It wouldn’t be long now. Daryl was ready for him. Not long now, he thought to himself.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Both men stopped when they heard pounding on the front door.

Again. BANG! BANG! BANG!

“What the fuck?” Daryl complained, releasing Aaron and yanking the covers away.

“Shit. Not now.” Aaron’s body was still reeling from Daryl’s ministrations.

The loud pounding turned into constant rapid knocking, loud and obnoxious. Daryl reluctantly got out of bed and threw on his pants and a shirt. “I’ve got it. This better be fucking important,” he complained with anger. He rushed down the stairs, and made his way to the front door. Whoever it was still knocked as though their life depended on it. “Hold on!” Daryl yelled. “Fuck,” he said as an after note. He wanted to punch whoever was on the other side of the door. “What?” he yelled in irritation as he yanked the door open. Gabriel stood on the porch, fist still raised and ready to knock again.

“He’s gone,” Gabriel said simply.

“Who’s gone?” Daryl asked. He was still seeing red, and seething after being torn away from his lover.

“Negan,” Gabriel confirmed.

Daryl stood still a moment, watching the seriousness on Gabriel’s countenance. “Shit,” he finally said.

“I went to see him this morning to get his side of the story, and found an empty cell,” explained Gabriel.

Aaron was suddenly behind Daryl, looking over his shoulder. “Gabriel?”

“Negan’s gone,” Daryl told him.

“When? How?” Aaron asked.

Daryl went back into the house and put his boots on. He grabbed his crossbow and pushed past Aaron and Gabriel.

“Where are you going?” Aaron asked.

“To find the son of a bitch,” he answered, and he marched down the street toward the gate.

Aaron didn’t have time to think or respond, but he closed the door behind him and led Gabriel down the steps to the sidewalk below. If the girls woke up, he didn’t want them to know what happened before he had a better understanding of the situation.

“So, tell me what you know,” said Aaron.

“I went to talk with Negan this morning and he was just … gone.”

“Who the hell was on guard last night?” Aaron’s ire was getting the best of him.

“Laura was but she said she didn’t do it. I believe her,” said Gabriel. “I talked to the guard this morning, and he said the keys are missing. Whoever stole them must have let him out.”

The front door opened, and Lydia came out of the house, descending the stairs. “It was me. I let him out,” she claimed and continued walking away. Aaron noticed she was going toward the townhouses and the jail.

Gabriel looked confused as his eyes followed Lydia. “Wait. What?”

“I don’t know what she’s talking about. She was home asleep … all night.”

“She could have left and you didn’t know it,” said Gabriel.

“No, I’m sure of it. I checked her door before I came out here,” Aaron told him.

“That doesn’t mean she–”

“I’ve got a way of knowing. Daryl taught me a trick.” He started up the steps, Gabriel following behind. They went to Lydia’s bedroom door, and Aaron showed Gabriel a small piece of white tape at the top of the door. “We don’t do it all the time, but last night, we put a piece of tape here. If she opened her door, it would have broken the seal. The tape was still in place just a few moments ago. This was the first time she was out of her room all night. It wasn’t her, but I don’t know why she said it was.” He wished to get to the bottom of this, but it was more important to look for Negan right now.

“Well, I say we start searching the town first,” Gabriel suggested.

“Daryl’s already looking. You go on. I need to tell Gracie I’m leaving and I’ll be on my way,” said Aaron. Gabriel went on his way.

Daryl was walking along the perimeter of the town when he saw Lydia across the way, heading for the jail. “Shit,” he mumbled to himself, and changed his course to follow her. When he got there, she was inside the cell, sitting on the cot. The cell door was closed but not locked. Daryl opened it, and gestured for her to come out.

“What are you doing in here?” he asked.

“I did it. I let Negan out,” she confessed easily.

“You didn’t do this,” he told her. “I know you didn’t leave the house last night.”

“How?” she questioned in challenge.

“For one, the medicine Dante gave you knocked you out for most of the night.”

Lydia shook her head. “Doesn’t matter anyway. This is where everybody wants to see me. I’m better off in here.”

“Why would you say that? You haven’t done anything wrong. If the people can’t understand that, then it’s their–”

“You don’t get it,” Lydia interrupted. “For a long time I’ve blamed myself for what happened last year. I wonder how it would be if I never left that cell in Hilltop, or if I’d never let myself be captured by you in the first place. What if I never went off with Henry? What if . . .” She paused and looked down at her fidgeting hands. “What if I never said what I said to my mother?”

“Nothing she has done to us is your fault. Do you hear me?” Daryl commanded. He didn’t like it when Lydia talked like this. Somehow, Alpha still had a hold of the girl, even at this distance.

“My mom was right about you people. She said you put on polite faces, but it’s just a mask. You see, when you all get scared, when things get bad you pick a target, aim and shoot. It’s never one of your own. Me, Negan, anyone else that’s an outsider, that’s who’s to blame. It not you. It’s never you.”

“That’s just not true. And don’t you ever group yourself with Negan. He’s different. You didn’t know him, not how he used to be,” Daryl explained.

“The Negan I know stood up for me when he didn’t have to,” she countered.

“He can seem sympathetic, but odds are he’s only watching out for his own ass.” Daryl moved inside the doorway of the cell and watched Lydia across the room. “You don’t belong in a cage,” he said sympathetically.

Tears threatened her eyes. “I tried fitting in. I tried really hard because I … I wanted to be like you. But I think I’m better off here.”

“You’d be better off at home with me and Aaron,” he said convincingly. “Look, I get what you’re going through. I’ve been there a hundred times myself. I know the looks and the silent accusations. I know what it feels like to have all eyes on you when something goes down, and knowing that you had nothing to do with it. But I’m here to tell you that it gets better, but you just have to keep trying. Aaron taught me that, and it worked.

Lydia shook her head. “I’m sorry, Daryl. I … I can’t anymore. I feel … safe here. Please,” she begged.

Daryl studied her a moment before moving. It hurt him to know she didn’t feel safe at home or with him. “Alright,” he agreed reluctantly, backing away from the entrance. He slowly closed the jail cell, but he didn’t lock it. He gazed at her through the bars. “I’m gonna make this right. No matter what you think or feel, you belong with us.”

Daryl left the jail and made his way back home. Along the way, he noticed all the graffiti. Silence the Whisperers was painted all over the town. This had to stop. The tension was tightening. Everyone was more on edge now than ever before. Something had to give sooner or later, and when it did it wasn’t going to be a pretty sight. He promised he would make things better, and so he decided to start at home. When he got there, he stared at the graffiti on the front door. This wouldn’t do, he thought to himself, and went inside. Aaron was back and he was making breakfast for Gracie. Daryl went straight to the garage and grabbed a bucket and a sponge. He filled the bucket with water and headed for the front door.

“Where are you going?” Aaron asked.

“I’m making a change,” Daryl said simply. He closed the door behind him and got to work scrubbing off the unwanted paint.

>>------->

The day wore on and there had been no sign of Negan. Aaron had been in a meeting, and was finally leaving the hall. He saw Daryl just coming in through the gate. He’d been out scouring around the outer perimeter of the town looking for Negan. Aaron walked toward him.

“Find anything?” he asked Daryl as he approached.

“Found some footprints. I know which direction he went when he left here, but he’s probably changed course a time or two. What did the council decide on?”

“We’ve got people looking outside the walls. They’re going to go out a little further than before, and they’ll report back this evening. If nothing turns up, we’re sending out scouts in the morning. I’ve volunteered too.”

“For what, scouting?” Daryl wondered.

Aaron nodded. “The more eyes the better.”

“I talked to Hilltop. Michonne left to go see Oceanside. Something about an intruder snooping around. They’re afraid it’s a Whisperer and they asked for backup. Hilltop has a lot of injured and they asked Siddiq to come and help out. I’m taking him, and we’re going to do some scouting on the way, just in case Negan headed that way,” Daryl told him. “I was going to see if you wanted to come with.”

“I better stay here. How long are you going to be gone?”

“Just overnight. We’re leaving shortly, but we’ll be back tomorrow.”

Aaron moved closer. “I’ll miss you. It’s been a while since we went off and did our own thing.”

“It has, hasn’t it? How’s that old saying go? Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Daryl took a fistful of Aaron’s shirt up and tugged him closer still. “You still owe me.”

“Yeah, we haven’t had much luck with that lately.” Aaron seemed a little disappointed.

“When I get back, we’ll hide away in our room, lock all the doors and windows, turn off the radio, call the babysitter, and–”

Aaron captured his mouth to silence him, pushing his tongue past Daryl’s lips. When Aaron released him, he looked deep into his eyes. “Well, you better hurry home then.”

Daryl gave a shy nod, and looked out over the town. “Hey, keep an eye on Lydia.”

“Of course. You know I will. Where is she now?” Aaron asked.

“She won’t leave the jail.” Daryl’s eyes were downcast.

“I’ll talk to her and–”

“Actually, just let her be for now. The cell’s empty anyway.” Daryl caught the look Aaron gave him, the one that said he wouldn’t leave it alone. “Trust me,” he pleaded. “She just needs the space. She’ll come around.”

They started walking together, heading back to their house. Daryl had to pack a bag and Aaron was getting ready for his shift at the bridge. Aaron took Daryl’s arm in his. “You be careful out there.”

“You too. Who are you paired up with?” Daryl asked.

Aaron didn’t want to tell him the truth that he was taking a solo shift. Daryl wouldn’t like that, and he didn’t want him to worry while he was gone. “Um, I’m not sure yet. I’ll find out when I head out.”

They got to their house and went inside. Daryl grabbed his pack and stocked it with bottled water and some deer jerky. More importantly, he made sure he had supplies for any situation they might find themselves in. Hopefully it was an easy trip there and back without incident. Matches, rope, a collapsible shovel, a mirror, these were just a few of the items he always kept on him. Last but not least, he made sure he had his red rag, which he took everywhere with him. His crossbow was next to the door, and he would grab it on the way out.

“Where’s Gracie?” he called out because Aaron was in the laundry room doing something.

“She’s already at Sarah’s.”

“Tell her to watch out for her Daddy while I’m not here to watch him.”

Aaron came out of the laundry room, his own bag packed. He held a rolled up paper in his hand. “I’ll tell her,” he smiled, walking up to Daryl.

Daryl saw the paper. “What’s that?”

“Something Gracie made for me.” He unfolded it and showed it to Daryl. It was the drawing she made of them riding their bikes together. He handed it to Daryl to look at.

“She’s becoming quite the Picasso, isn’t she?” Daryl remarked. Suddenly, Daryl remembered something he had been meaning to give Aaron. It was something he had made in Hilltop, but he’d been saving it for a special occasion. With Aaron going out on a new patrol, he thought this would be a good time to give it to him. “Shit, I almost forgot. I’ve got something for you too. Hold on. I’ll be right back.” Daryl ran off to the garage.

Dog came into the living room and sat in front of Aaron, looking up and wagging his tail. “Do you know about this?”

Dog twisted his head to the side and whined, trying to understand what Aaron was saying.

Daryl came back with something wrapped in paper. It was about two feet in length, a weapon of some sort. He smiled as Daryl gave it to him. “What’s this for?”

“Nothing in particular. I was going to give it to you later, but now’s a good time.” With Daryl’s help, Aaron tore the paper away to reveal a new weapon, a short sword. It was very medieval looking.

“Wow, Daryl. It’s beautiful. You had this made?” Aaron said as he examined the sword in awe.

“Earl made it. I gave him a picture I found in an old National Geographic magazine. There was an article about famous knights. This one guy, um, Bear-lickin’. Hold on. I still got the article.” Daryl grabbed his pack that he dropped on the floor and searched through it. “Here it is,” he said, pulling out a page torn from the magazine he mentioned. “Götz von Berlichingen, that’s the guy.” Daryl was excited to tell Aaron about him. “So, he was a sixteenth century German knight, lost his arm when a cannonball crushed it. After that he was known as the Knight with the Iron Hand. He fought for something like fifty years. Anyway, there’s a picture of what they think is his sword. I don’t know. There was some discrepancy about it. But this here was his metal arm. I saw that and thought how similar it is to yours, and that was like four hundred years ago.”

Aaron looked over the page, the pictures and drawings. “Wow, you really did your research for this.”

Daryl looked bashful and shrugged his shoulders. “Mmph, I got lucky coming across the magazine. I gave it to Earl and he did the rest.”

Aaron handed the paper back to Daryl and examined the sword more closely. “It’s a beautiful sword.” He adjusted his grip and swung it around, feeling the weight and balance. “Wow, it’s amazing, Daryl. I feel like I’ve had this for years. It fits perfect and it’s balanced perfectly.”

“It’s better than that machete or the knife you use. You don’t have to get as close to the walkers.”

Upon closer inspection, Aaron found something engraved into the sword, on the blade near the hilt. It seemed to be in German, which made sense. “What does this mean?” he asked.

Daryl chuckled to himself. “Oh yeah, that. Well, when you read about this guy, you’ll see that people claim he invented the slogan, Kiss my ass. . .” Here, Daryl ran his fingers across the German words as he told Aaron what it said. “I don’t remember how you pronounce it in German, but that’s what it means.”

Aaron smiled and laughed. “That’s the most awesome thing I’ve ever seen. I’ll think this every time I slash a walker.” He raised his eyes to meet Daryl’s. “What made you do this?”

Daryl shrugged again. “Well, you gave me the perfect gift,” he said, pulling on the chain around his neck and exposing the wire birch charm Aaron had given him. “I wanted to do the same for you. And I’ve seen you fight, and noticed that you have to get pretty close to your enemy. I know your metal arm helps you in some ways, but I thought it was time you had something better … something to call your own. And I figured, hey, if this guy lasted fifty years, so can you.”

Aaron went to the table, which was closest to him, and laid the sword down. Then he went back to Daryl and snaked his hand behind his neck, pulling him in for a sultry kiss. “Thank you. I love it. And I love you.”

“Love you too,” Daryl returned, looking Aaron in the eye and deep to his soul. “I hate to do it, but I have to go.”

“I know. So do I. I’ll be careful. You too.” Aaron kissed him again, and wished neither one had to leave. He broke away first and smiled at Daryl.

Daryl gave a nod and started toward the door after picking up his pack. He grabbed his crossbow and opened the front door. Dog came out of nowhere and ran outside. Daryl looked back at Aaron once more, giving him a wink. “See you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow for sure,” Aaron answered. He watched Daryl leave, closing the door behind him. His bike was parked out front, and he climbed on, started the engine and drove off. Aaron smiled and gave an audible sigh. “God, I love that man.”
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Safe Haven in the Chaos