Closer By The Day | DESUS

Chp 9: Strength

"He's been given antibiotics and fluids." Dwight said while pointing to the IV as the other man sat besides the bed where the hunter lay, he was breathing normally but looked lifeless. "It should keep him going for now. There's also strong pain killers that have been prepared for when he wakes." Paul barely nodded in response and glanced over to the bedside table, where a small bottle and full syringe were placed.

"If he wakes." He replied quietly, turning his attention back on the unconscious man. Dwight sucked in a sharp breath.

"Even if he doesn't, at least he was brought back here." Paul perked his head up and glared over at the saviour. Dwight sighed and stepped closer. "Look, i know I'm the last person you'd want to be having this conversation with, but there's-"

"No." Paul interrupted. "I... I'm actually relieved it's you here." He confessed, eyes on Daryl again. "I just need you to stop talking." The older man nodded and took a step back.
Paul wanted to touch the hunter, he wanted to feel warmth, to confirm any sign of life besides his breathing. The man was still pale which disturbed him but not like he remembered. He no longer looked feverish at least. Just... drained.

"I'm sorry Daryl." He whispered. "So fucking sorry." Paul sounded helpless  and he found it pathetic that he said what he said. No amount of sorrys could make Paul feel deserving of forgiveness. 

A moment later, Dwight cleared his throat. Paul noticed but didn't turn his head.

"It is not my place to tell you this but i will anyway." The words brought Paul's attention, turning towards the rugged man with concern in his eyes and brows furrowed, waiting to hear more. "He seizured pretty bad not long after you left.." Paul tensed. Eyes still frozen anxiously on the saviour. "That's usually a bad sign especially if it continues, so Paul, don't get your hopes up man." The young man's breath shuddered. He knew Dwight was right. Just because Daryl was in a safe place and treated with medical supplies, Paul shouldn't let that lift his spirits. He needed to consider the other possibility.
"I'm choosing to expect the worst, Jesus, you should too." Dwight finished. Paul nodded, clenching his jaw and rubbing his eyes with trembling hands, refusing to allow tears to fall. He exhaled from his nose and looked to the floor. After a while, he spoke up.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Dwight responded a long moment later.

"Why were you at the pharmacy?"

"I just was. Had to find medical supplies for the sanctuary since ya'll had us split everything in fours."

"Bit of a coincidence don't you think?  we had the same idea to go so far, to arrive at the exact location at almost the same time." Dwight smirked and shook his head.

"Daryl mentioned it just over a week ago. The only coincidence was the timing." Paul nodded. "I get why youd ask. Could've been following you."

"Even if you were, I'm thankful." Paul said. "Even though things won't be the same. Da-"

"-I'll get crutches. They'll do untill someone finds a prosthetic leg. At least he wouldn't be too disabled"

"Thought we were assuming the worst..." paul said quietly to himself. Dwight heard and shrugged in response.

"Its not wrong to make plans, you know, just in case." He said. "Even if we have our doubts."
There was a long pause.

"Why would you help Daryl anyway? He usually hopes to see your corpse one day."
Dwight silently chuckled, even though there wasn't much humor behind it.

"After all the bullshit, i owe him. Big time. Not just for robbing him or shooting denise, but in that cell... i tortured the guy mentally every day, desperately trying to side him with Negan. It was either that or he'd be dead. I guess he'd rather rot than to betray his group. That takes strength."

"I know. I heard all about it and yeah, he's strong. he'd loose all his limbs if that meant keeping the group safe. His family."

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An hour passed and Paul was feeling tired. He had his hand placed on Daryl's, the warmth from his skin calming the scout.
Dwight cleared his throat and grabbed his stuff.
"You seem like you're fine watching over him, i should rest since I have to return home soon."

"You...you can rest in my trailer." Paul hesitantly offered. "The doors open, you'll know which one."
The saviour nodded a 'thank you' and left. Once the door shut, Paul gripped the hunter's hand tighter, scooting closer. He rested his forehead on the man's shoulder and sobbed quietly, tears already spilling onto the thin sheet.
Soon enough, he drifted off to sleep. Arms tucked under his head on the side of the bed, right next to the man he secretly loved. He wasn't leaving his side anytime soon.

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Stay tuned ya'll, your hearts will not stay broken, i promise

Edit: thank you ghost reader for informing me this chapter is shite. That's the point. Not all fics are happy all the way through or accurate to the show/characters .

Ps. I give a big thanks to all my loyal readers who leave votes etc. and have patience. I promise you the next chapter will be lovely 😃