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deansapplepie · 6 months

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Till THE DEAD do us part | Chapter 8

A/N: This story will take place in all the seasons, but it’s not exactly a rewriting cause I’d have to re-watch everything to use the exactly lines of the characters, also I think it’s better if I tell a side story without changing the main facts of the story.

This story has a Female Reader, but I don’t describe her appearance, so anyone can identify with her.

Chapter 7 Chapter 9

Chapter 8: Because it’s you

Summary: Rick finds Y/N and Daryl sleeping all cozy and cuddling. The Grimes’ Siblings have a heart to heart conversation and make sure to each other that they care and that they’re there. While the group go train with guns, Y/N and Daryl pass some time together that brings some answers but also more questions for then. Some secrets a revealed.

Warnings: swearing, little angsty, violence, mentions of violence, mentions of cheating, mentions of pregnancy, mentions of abortion, a hot kiss 🥵 . Minors do not interact. (If I forget anything else, let me know)

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Grimes!Reader (Rick’s Sister)

Word Count: 4,806

Extra notes: I proofread the text, but English is not my first language, so feel free to correct any mistakes, of course with love. I’m consulting a timeline of everything that happened, but it can happen that I put events out of order, but I don’t think it’ll make much difference in the story. ALSO, I’m praying my Daryl isn’t too out of character.

Rick didn’t see you be so comfortable around a man like you were with Daryl for many years, and the archer wasn’t the type he would judge to enjoy cuddles. Also, he couldn’t help but feel concerned about you, he already saw everything… he knew you were falling for Dixon and also knew that you didn’t do any of this love, relationship thing or even anything casual for years. He was afraid you’d get hurt or have mixed feelings. He feared to see you ‘destroyed’ like you were in the past and he couldn’t afford that, specially now that the world was upside down.

Daryl or you didn’t seem to wake up, so he cleared his throat again, this time louder and exaggerated. Daryl woke up startled and saw Rick at the end of the room looking at both of you. To say Daryl was embarrassed wasn’t the correct word to describe what he was feeling at the moment. “Wake her up.” Rick asked, ordered, him.

“Y/N” Daryl called for you squeezing your arm a little.

Nothing.

“Y/N/N” he called again, you hummed snuggling a little more into him. Blush ran to his cheeks, you weren’t making his job easy.

“Puppy” he called the nickname he gave you, but cringed a little about using it in front of Rick. Daryl was looking at you, so lucky him, he couldn’t see Rick’s bitchy facial expression of ‘seriously, you already have pet names?’.

You opened your eyes and were surprised to see his face looking at you, so all the coziness you were feeling was him. You couldn’t help but give a sleepy smile. “Morning D. Sorry for cuddling you, but I have to say, there’s a long time I don’t sleep this good.”

“Er… no problem…” he just wanted to disappear, Rick was watching all of this and he couldn’t just not answer you.

Rick cleared his throat again and you jumped startled at the noise and looked in direction of the noise. “Jesus! Rick! You scared the hell out of me! Why are you being all creepy and watching we sleep?” You said, your heart was beating fast because of the scare. Very reluctantly you left Daryl’s embrace and sat on the bed.

“I… I wasn’t watching you.” Rick was embarrassed and got moody with the situation. “I came to see how the two of you were. Apparently, you’re pretty good.”

“We were just sleeping Rick. And it’s probably my fault, you know that I move a lot in bed.” You said, and it wasn’t a lie. He knew, when you were younger and needed to share a bed, you ended kicking and stealing his covers and sheets. In fact he was surprised you didn’t steal Daryl’s sheets.

“I know. Really. Just embarrassed to find you two all cozy and cuddling.” He confessed.

“Man, I was respectful I swear.” Daryl sat holding the sheets to his chest. He felt like a teenager being caught with his girlfriend by her dad, the only thing is they were not teenagers, she wasn’t his girlfriend and they didn’t make anything.

“I know Daryl, it’s ok.” But wasn’t ok, he was worried as fuck and already had many problems to solve and still he had to deal with his younger sister and make sure she wasn’t going to bring trouble to herself. “Also, Carl is already on his feet and I think you two can go back to the camp and end the recovery, we shouldn’t abuse the hospitality we’re receiving.”

“Ok, so I guess I fucked up a little bit and Hershel isn’t happy.” You concluded.

“Yes.” Rick confirmed. “You two should rest to recover. Daryl I brought you a clean shirt.” He threw the shirt to Daryl, that catched it immediately. ‘Awww’, you thought, ‘Rick is so cosiderate about D.’

“Alright, thanks.” Daryl answered and then looked to you, he didn’t want you to see. You knew it.

“So, I guess it’s my time to leave.” You got up of the bed. “I wonder what we might have for breakfast today.”

After you had breakfast Rick and you went to your tent so you could talk. You were worried about this conversation, because you didn’t do anything wrong in your eyes. Rick was anxious and also worried about everything, he wanted to protect you and everyone, but how could he protect you when he barely made time for you.

“So…” you tried encouraging him to start the conversation.

“I never saw you so out of control as I saw yesterday. I’m not saying she didn’t deserved, but that’s not you.” He started, you had to take a deep breath to not over react.

“Maybe, I didn’t have the courage before but now I have. Maybe, this is who I should be in this world. I’m not talking about hurting or sacrificing innocent people, but… if I can’t defend or protect the ones I care about, what am I supposed to do, Rick? Let the people do whatever they want with me and with the ones I love?” You took a look at his deep blue eyes and they were sad, and you hated to see he directing this look at you, you’d rather have him angry at you than see sadness in his eyes.

“Andrea is part of our group, actions like that will just separate all of us and it’ll be difficult for both of you to live with each other.”

“Well, so is Daryl. And guess what? She could have killed him. She didn’t because she doesn’t even know how to hold a damn gun correctly, but she could have hit him. And then, what would we do? Accept her apologies and her destructive behavior, and keep going? It could have been anyone Rick, it could have been me, Lori or even Carl! What would you do?” You felt alone again, like even having your brother back let you in the loneliness. You didn’t know anymore if you were wrong or right, you just knew that no one could hurt who you cared and go with no punishment.

“I don’t know, it didn’t happen.” He said, he didn’t know what he would do. Otis for example he could have killed him or beat him, but he didn’t, and even by accident he hurt the most precious person in the world for him. “She just lost her sister Y/N/N, you can understand it better than anybody else.”

“Well, I didn’t became an uptight bitch that goes around making shit and putting people in danger.”

“You were not alone. She is…” You talked before he finished, because you couldn’t take it.

“You weren’t there Rick, you have no idea of how lonely I was.” Just remembering made tears come to your eyes, you looked down trying to hide it. You didn’t want him to know, but you had already said the words. You heard his breath, he was probably choosing the words to say.

“Shane and Lori…” you felt a knowing pain in your chest and slowly brought your eyes back to him. Did he knew? You waited him to complete. “You were lonely because they were… having something?”

“Did you know?” Your voice was shook and you knew your tears were about to fall.

“I’m not dumb Y/N. I could see the signals. I-I can’t blame them, I was dead to them…” He also had teary eyes, and you knew how it pained him.

You hugged him and let him cry, and you cried too. All the tears you still had to drop since the day you discovered you were alone and you hadn’t had your brother to hug and tell you it was going to get better. God! You didn’t want to see when he discovered Lori’s pregnancy, it is… if she was going to tell him. He hugged you back and could finally bring all his emotions about it out, he had all of this stuck in his chest since the quarry and he didn’t have the time to deal with all this.

“I’m sorry.” You said, he was probably alright with the fact that you didn’t told him, but you had to tell how sorry you were. “It was so lonely, I couldn’t understand, because I was still mourning you and… when I discovered I… I couldn’t cause a scene, I couldn’t confront them… not with Carl there and I had nobody, I only had…”

“Daryl.” He said, he pulled from your embrace and looked at your face sweeping the tears you still had on your face. “Was that the moment you got closer to him?”

You just nodded, that was the moment and now you knew that another speech was coming. If this kind of conversation was already embarrassing with the women in the group… you should brace yourself because it wasn’t going to be better with your brother.

“Yes, I mean… I already knew him, but we didn’t interacted much. Till the day I told you he found me in the woods…”

“He’s a good man.” He said and it surprised you, you were not expecting it. “He’s just… rough on the edges.”

“I thought you were goind to lecture me.” You said relieved.

“I’m not. You’re a grown woman. I’m just a few years older, I should stop treating you like a kid.” He said, and you smiled at him. You knew it was being difficult for him, it seemed like Shane and him would always see you like the annoying little sister that would try to go with them everywhere. “But it doesn’t mean, I don’t worry or care about you.”

You continued in silence, cause you knew more were to come, he had just started. And to be honest you didn’t know what to say in the moment.

“Don’t say you’re just friends.” You remained silent just waiting for what he had to say. “The way you look at each other? This is not what friends do. Also, I see how he’s protective of you, and after yesterday I have no doubt you’re of him too.”

“Well, I’d do the same for any other friend.” You tried to find an excuse.

“You look as you have the hots for each other.”

“He’s an attractive man, what should I do? Take my eyes out?” Rick wasn’t buying your bullshit, so he had to use his last card to make you talk seriously to him.

“I saw you two making out at the CDC.” He dropped the bomb. HE REMEMBERED. Your eyes got wide and he knew now he got you in this conversation. “You were sleeping like a couple today.”

“Rick…”

“It has been many years since I saw you get this close to a man, and don’t get me wrong what I want the most is for you to be happy, to live even in this shitty world… you passed all these years without being in any kind of romantic relationship, not even casual. And now it’s like you jumped from an airplane with no parachute and I’m just afraid you’ll hit the ground and it’ll torn you to pieces.”

“Rick, I… I don’t know how to explain, I just can’t stay away from him, and it feels so right to spend time with him, talk to him, NOT talk to him… it’s like a chain reaction and I can’t control. All this years, I never felt like this.” You confessed, but you didn’t wanted to tell the words that scared you so much. There wasn’t even 3 months you knew him, and it felt already like a lifetime of emotions. “And… he’s such a good person and he doesn’t see it. He doesn’t know how good he is.”

“You know what all of this is. When you were trying to justify your actions towards Andrea, you used the word love.” You were surprised, because you didn’t remember it, you just told Rick whatever came to your mind. “I just ask you to be careful, I’ll not try to prohibit you from experiencing life, just take care… and please, please close doors or whatever when you decide to make out with him again.” He gave you a half smile and you couldn’t help but smile back.

“Rick, I don’t want to put names on what I feel, not yet. Thank you for talking and to go easy on me, I was expecting a whole lecture like Shane used to give me back at the quarry. But I forget that you’re best friends, not the same person.” You squeezed his hand, you were happy you could have a heart to heart conversation like in the old days. You missed it and you barely had time to have it with him after he came back. “You know, you can come to me whenever you need to talk. Don’t burden yourself, share it with me.”

“Thanks.” He said and prepared himself to leave. “I love you, you know right?”he turned to you before leaving.

“I love you too big bro.” You gave him a smile, you were so glad to have him back. He left and you stayed a little bit more in your tent, it was strange to be alone when you were always surrounded with people or with Luna, who at the moment was entertaining Carl.

While everyone, or almost everyone was going to learn how to use the guns, you couldn’t do anything but stay in the farm. You were clearly bored, with nothing to do. You decided to pay Daryl a visit. When you arrived to his tent he was laying there, also bored as fuck. “Come in” he said just as if he was really in a room or a house.

You entered his tent and sat on the floor, the injured leg straight, while the good one you brought to your chest and rested your chin on it. “Are you also bored?” He obviously were, you just wanted to make conversation.

“Bored’s not the correct word to describe it.” He talked while he spin an arrow on his hand. “Andrea came here earlier to apologize. Ya really were tough on her. Nasty job ya did.”

“Thanks?! I guess…” were he complimenting you or did he think you overreacted? “Did you accept her apologies?”

“Yeah, I mean… I ain’t dead. She was just trying to protect the group.” You scoffed in disbelief, even him?

“Good thing I don’t have a good heart like yours.” You stated, because you were still pretty much angry at the woman.

“Did Rick give you the lecture?” He was curious to know what happened in your conversation, but he was also apprehensive of what was the outcome of it.

“Yes, and No…”

“Or he did or he didn’t.” He said, there’s no way to happen both at the same time.

“Yes, he tried to lecture me about the fight yesterday, but he listened to my reasons.” You laid down on your side, head resting in your arm and observed him. “He couldn’t convince me I was wrong, but I also couldn’t convince him I was right.”

“I forgave her, but she deserved. Ya were slightly right.” Slightly? Why? Did he really think you shouldn’t have done that?

“Or I’m right or I ain’t, Dixon.” You mimicked what he said before.

“Are ya mad at me?” He turned to you.

“I’m not.” You answered avoiding his eyes.

“You’re pouting and called me Dixon.”

“Isn’t that your name?” You looked at him and he had a smirk on his face, you were cute. That was what he thought. When you were angry, but not when you were ‘I’m going to kill you’ angry, you were the cutest pretty thing he had ever seen. “What’s the smirk about?”

“Nothing…” he wouldn’t tell you how he thought you were cute, no, he couldn’t.

“Tell meeee! It’s something, I know.” You insisted, you poked him multiple times in hope to annoy him and get your answer.

“Stop!” You didn’t. “Stop!” He asked one more time, and you didn’t. So he took your pulse in his huge hand and yanked you, making you speechless, only a few inches apart from him and it was efficient to make you stop poking him.

“Daryl…” you said weakly, if you wasn’t this close to the archer he’d probably not listen.

“I was just thinking about how cute ya look.” He confessed, the words came from his mouth without thinking, and with the help of the little annoyance you were causing.

You scanned all of his face to see if he was joking, but you saw nothing. His face was serious and his eyes were soft. You were never this impulsive, but apparently the apocalypse was bringing it out of you. The first thought you had, was to just crash your lips on his and let it be, but you didn’t want to risk lose the close and comforting proximity you had right now. You looked from his lips to the wound he had on his forehead. You propped your elbow on the floor and curved to give him a delicate kiss where it was hurt, going back to the same position you were before.

“What ‘re ya doing?” He asked, not used to this kind of demonstration of affection, it was new to him. He couldn’t quite understand it, but at the same time he knew deep down that he kind of liked it.

“Kissing it better…” you answered, did he never had someone to kiss his boo boos when he was a kid? No, he didn’t and that was why he didn’t understand. He released the hand he was holding in his and put it on the side of your face caressing it, he looked at the scratch marks on your cheek and even with them he thought you were adorable.

He got a little bit closer to you and kissed your cheek, it was quick and tender, and made you all flushed. How could the all gruff Daryl be so soft. You moved your hand to his head and let your fingers run on his short hair, he closed his eyes in appreciation, his guard was down and he could just enjoy the sensation. Again you looked at his chapped lips and couldn’t help but come closer, your hot breath hitting his face making him open his eyes and look at you. Feeling his eyes on you, you looked back at his eyes waiting for some signal or even a voiced permission… he just looked down at your lips and you took that as your cue to close the gap between both of you.

Your lips delicately encountered taking your time and lazily kissing him, he reciprocated he was dreaming to repeat this moment again, to have the opportunity to kiss you one more time, and he qas so glad neither of you were drunk at the moment. At first it was just lips, just the delicious feeling of being so close to each other, feeling the mix of your bodies heat. Then Daryl licked your lips, he was the one to initiate it this time and you slightly opened your mouth giving him permission to deepen your kiss. It was slow and intimate but still sensual and intense. His hand descended to your waist holding a firm grip there, feeling a little of your skin as your shirt got a little up. You hummed in satisfaction with your intimacy and the heat of his big hand on your waist. You had a strong grip on his upper arm, holding yourself as if you could fall from somewhere. His other hand, close to the ground, stayed in your face caressing it with his thumb. While your other hand was resting on his chest. When the intensity of kiss was increasing he impulsively pulled your body against his, you gasped in surprise and with the sensation, while he winced in pain.

You felt it and broke the kiss, resting your forehead against his, heavy breathing on both ways. “Damn, forgot yesterday I got an arrow through me.”

“I’m sorry” you returned your hand to his hair.

“For what? For kissing me real good?” He raised his eyebrow and said with a teasing tone.

“For making you feel pain.”

“Nah, I was too enthusiastic.” He kept his arm around you, enjoying the feeling just like he enjoyed cuddling with you in bed. “Why d’ya keep kissing me?” No matter how much he liked when you did it, and how afraid he was to not have it anymore. He had to ask, because he didn’t want to be used just like Merle’s voice had said.

“Because it’s you.” You answered, you looked in his eyes and you saw confusion. He was trying to understand what you meant, because he never thought anyone would want him just because it was him. “I’m not doing this because I don’t have options, if that’s what you’re thinking. I… I had options in the old world, if I wanted to. But it have been years that I didn’t even do casual shit. So, what I want to say is that you aren’t just someone I want to have fun.” For a minute you thought you had said too much, that he’d distance from you, because who’s the freak that don’t have any kind of relationship for years? Well, you were.

“Who hurt you this bad, pup?” He looked at you with tenderness on his eyes, his hand lifted to put a lock of your hair behind your ear. A beautiful sweet young woman like you, all alone and in no relationship for all this years, something bad had happened, that was the only explanation. You were probably around his age, that was what he thought, maybe a couple of years younger, since you’re younger than Rick, but even like this, if you had more age, you’d still be all the things he thought about you. You looked like you’d age well.

“It doesn’t matter, the son of a bitch is probably already dead.” You hoped so. “Do you wanna me to stop being physical with you?” You had to ask, maybe he didn’t want you to continue, even though he seemed to enjoy it. Daryl and you had a lot of layers, but he had more and you’d hate if you crossed his boundaries.

“I don’t. I like yer company and… ya’know the thing that’s going on.” He also didn’t want to name things, just like you had said to Rick about yourself. He was also afraid, but at least for now he knew that hallucination Merle knew nothing about you or your group.

“Ok, so I’ll not stop.” You affirmed and put your arm around him, being careful to not touch where he was injured.

“Come here.” He used his right arm to bring you to him, making you rest your head between his shoulder and chest, you gladly accepted it, because you’ve never been as peaceful as you were in this morning by being on his arms. “So now, what we do?”

“We can take things slow, let’s cross each other’s boundaries when the time comes.” You said and looked at his face waiting for his answer.

“It sounds good to me.” He ran his fingers on your hair.

“Also, we should remember to close doors when we kiss or anything else. Rick told me he saw us back at the CDC.” Daryl almost choked on his saliva, just thinking about people catching them made him all embarrassed. This morning you were just hugging and he was an embarrassing mess because Rick caught you.

“Yep, we better close doors. Can’t stand being caught again.”

“Well, I wouldn’t mind if it meant you’d have blush on your cheeks. You’re cute when you are all shy.” You teased him, but you’d also feel better if your brother didn’t catch you making out with Daryl.

Soon, they came back from the shooting training and you only knew it because Luna invaded Daryl’s tent showering both of you with her love, which means licking you and swinging her tail happily. You took care for her not jump on Daryl because of his injuries, but she didn’t she was delicate when needed. It seemed as if she knew when she could and when she couldn’t do things.

“I think I’m going to take a walk and see how things went on training.” You said sitting up.

“Are ya gonna come back?” He asked fingers brushing your hand.

“Do you wanna me to come back?” You returned the question to him, just because you could, it didn’t mean you had to spend all time with him or that he wanted you around all the time.

“I want ya to come back.”

“So, I’m coming back.” You leaned in his direction and gave a peck on his lips before living, unfortunately not followed by Luna that decided to stay with the new love of her life.

When you found the others you learned Shane and Andrea had gone look for Sophia at an old abandoned compound. Glenn looked upset and Maggie seemed like she could kill someone. You looked for Rick and saw Lori and him far on the fields. ‘Why do I have the feeling that shit hit the fan?’, you thought. After some time they came back, but went separated ways afterwards. You saw the tension and approached Rick. “Hey! Rick! Is everything ok? You seem a little tense.”

He just hugged you, and for the second time that day he cried. “Lori’s pregnant…”

“Aren’t you happy? I mean, I understand the circumstances and all the questions about paternity, but this baby is going to be yours, right?” You caressed his back, maybe you shouldn’t have said the paternity thing.

“I’m happy, it’s… it’s mine, no matter what. It’s just… she tried to take the next day pills to abort, she didn’t even consult me.”

“She did what?” You got a little pissed, you know that a woman have the right to choose if they keep the pregnancy or not, but not telling Rick? He should at least know about her decision and also about the pregnancy before, they were married after all.

“She puked it, but… I wouldn’t even know if I didn’t found the pills in the tent or if she didn’t puke it.” You couldn’t understand well his feelings, but you tried to the maximum, because what Shane and her did, was already enough to shook him. “We’re gonna raise this baby and it’s gonna grow happy and well…”

“Yes, of course. We’re gonna love this baby so much, and protect it. It’ll have big crazy familly, but the baby will grow happy. There’s just one thing worrying me.” You said.

“What?” He looked at you concerned and worried that maybe you thought about something he didn’t.

“I’m not going to be the only aunt anymore, how can I be chosen the favorite with so many competition?”

He laughed, even with his teary eyes. He was expecting you to say something serious, and you came with the worry of not being the favorite aunt anymore. “Thank you.”

“I said you could always count on me, always.”

“We aren’t telling anyone yet, so I’d appreciate if you didn’t tell the others.” Well… it would be a little problem, because Glenn was the first to know about it, and you were almost certain that he probably already told Dale.

“Top secret, I’m not telling anyone.” ‘Maybe just Daryl’,you thought, ‘but he doesn’t talk much to anyone, so…’

Final Note: I know Daryl and Y/N gave a big big step with this one, cause they kinda admitted want to be physical with each other. But as we all know, Daryl has yet to mature a little and grow, well so does Reader.

Taglist: @sunnybunnyy2 @royaltysuite

Wanna be added to my taglist? Please let me know.

#daryl dixon #the walking dead #the walking dead daryl #twd #twd daryl #daryl x y/n #daryl fanfiction #daryl imagines #daryl x reader #daryl x you #daryl dixon imagine #the walking dead daryl dixon #daryl dixon fanfic #daryl #daryl dixon x grimes!reader #till the dead do us part #deansapplepie

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angelthefirst1 · 1 month

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Welp...Bethylers.🐇 ✝️♾️✝️🐇

From what I'm seeing in 104 and the trailer for 105, I would say she's close.

VERY CLOSE!

Could we really get her back on resurrection Sunday? ✝️

It's very possible, and I'm excited because wow, they are laying it on thick.

Still and Alone are on repeat once again, but this time, it's with Rick and Michonne, so it's important. Due to the Sheriff's hat.

The following are from episode 104 and the trailer for 105. To show you just how much Beth is being repeated.

Identical mirror head wounds for Rick and Beth...

Rick and Beth's story is mirrored/flipped, so he gets the head wound on the opposite side, and it's after he leaves the building that collapses with the elevator.

A mystery figure appears in a Coda after Beth gets the head wound it's Morgan.

And a mystery figure appears in the same episode Rick gets a mirror head wound...

Remember Morgan picked up the cross ✝️ and the rabbit foot in the church ✝️ in Coda?

Rabbit 🐇 Easter 🐣 resurrection of Christ.

The cabin with alcohol...🍸

Rick and Michonne will visit a cabin and drink alcohol next week.

Pine vista with the lake...

Green Wood is also mentioned when they go to the lab/gym.

Golf club sheets where a community was living.

While Rick and Michonne find a similar layout in a new building in 105...

The boots (Michonne finds Rick's boots) and the prosthetic hand...

Home sweet home...

Everyone we know "will be" dead - You don't know that.

It's Bullshit...

You don't get to treat me like crap because you're afraid...

I know you look at me and just see another dead girl...You don't know nothing!

Entering the clean house...Roomba

Chandelier trap (note the chandelier above)

Changing clothes...

I'm going to leave a thank you note...

Why did you come after me? What changed your mind?

Say it! Don't Ah-ha...

"Oh" You're the love of my life!

I'm not going to leave you...

The elevator

System failure elevator has 10 minutes left of emergency power.

Elevator has 2 minutes left of emergency power...

10.2 get well soon.

Proof they put Beth on the back seat of the car after Grady and that Beth's return will lead to a cure.

They think she's a hybrid, aka Zombie, but she's associated with fire 🔥 so the flammable liquid is her.

She will return as Christ to bring the last judgment of fire 🔥 and destroy the fake cure of the Mark of the beast and beast kingdom before the Millennial Kingdom begins.

The whole end scene when the building collapses and Rick and Michonne get out in the nick of time is a repeat of the CDC collapse.

The building Rick and Michonne are in has AI and all the modern tech just like Vi at the CDC.

It's about to be destroyed and the group run for the cars. One of which is yellow.

While the high tech building they destroy is connected to the CDC, it's also connected to Grady, so by connection, they were working on a cure at Grady.

At the CDC test, subject 19 (Beth was 19 at Grady) took 2 hours, 1 minute, and 7 seconds till resurrection...

21 days = 7x3 = 3 missing weeks.

Dr Jenner shoots his test subject in the head...

For Beth, it will be reverse shot in head resurrection after 3 weeks.

Instead, it will be Grady that collapses most likely from an earthquake.

When Jesus died, there was a massive earthquake, so...

Anyway Danai says she wrote this episode, i say hogs-wash, she re-wrote this episode!

The elevator timer says Beth is about to Get Well Soon.

#team delusional #team defiance #team beth lives #bethyl #beth greene #beth is alive #beth is coming #beth greene lives #td #beth x daryl #jesus is coming #last days

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forcedhesitation · 30 days

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this is going to be pure word vomit, but wow. okafor being as important to the entire story of the ones who live despite dying in the first episode was insane and incredible writing. the parallel between him and rick coming full circle at the end, with rick remembering the last thing okafor said before dying and not letting beale manipulate him at the echelon meeting. okafor retroactively being revealed to have never "died" as rick never really did, deep down, because he warned rick about the sword. the ONLY time he snapped was when rick insisted he had nothing, because he didn't have nothing. he always kept his wife's sacrifice in mind, just as rick always kept michonne in mind, even after he chose to "die," because he did this not being able to escape, but he could at least still build a better future for michonne and their children. rick switching sides, just like okafor did, and destroying the CRM's army to save everyone else. the story about rick's father and the burning crops...and okafor being someone who was someone who was researching and growing crops, whereas beale was stealing resources from other communities and destroying them. like okafor knew the CRM had to be destroyed so something new could grow, and he genuinely had a plan to do that and saw a future where more could grow, but beale only ever saw destruction in the future and used violence so that his own community could grow. beale telling rick that both the walkers and them are dead, whereas okafor told rick that all people are his people, everyone alive. beale had spies in other communities to help keep him informed and to help destroy those communities, whereas okafor trusted rick and told him the truth plainly, despite this going against beale's aims and potentially endangering his life, and rick finding his strength in trusting michonne, and lack of trust being what undoes thorne and jadis.

i'm just. wow. donald okafor the perfect morally grey character that you are ....

#twd #thoughts about media #twd spoilers #twd the ones who live #towl spoilers #twd towl #donald okafor #I'm too tired to write something more eloquent.#but wow. okafor has to be one of the most fascinating characters I've seen in anything ever.#that finale was beautiful btw. very beautiful.#like I said before- I gave up twd at s7. I never really planned to watch this show.#but I had the fortune of having the show shared with me.#and I'm very glad it was. it was a beautiful and worthwhile watch.#it's also something you can watch without knowing virtually anything about the mainline show.#like obviously it's more impactful if you HAVE seen the full show/most of it- but it's a standalone story.#I'm so fucking happy rick & michonne got their happy ending. they deserved it. amazing love story.

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princesssarisa · 1 year

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Reasons why the original "Little Shop of Horrors" ending flopped

I've been thinking of the various possible reasons why test audiences reacted badly to the original ending of the film version of Little Shop of Horrors. Off-Broadway audiences hadn't objected to the end of the stage version, where Audrey and Seymour are eaten and Audrey II wins in the end. So why exactly did the movie's test audiences find that ending so upsetting, forcing a new, happier ending to be shot?

Frank Oz has always cited two big differences between theatre and film as the main cause:

*Film has close-ups. They make the audience engage more closely with the characters' emotions than they do in live theatre, so we care more about Seymour and Audrey.

*At the end of a live theatre performance, the actors come out for a curtain call. That's an immediate reminder that they didn't really die. Whereas in a movie, while rationally we all know it's just a performance, it feels like they're really dead.

Here are some further arguments I've read in various places:

*Orin and Mr. Mushnik's deaths are rewritten in the film to tone down Seymour's guilt. Without the stage song "Now (It's Just the Gas)", Orin dies more quickly, without giving him much time to beg Seymour for help, and we don't hear Seymour cold-bloodedly debating whether to save him or not in his mind. Later, Mushnik holds Seymour at gunpoint and tries to blackmail him into giving him the plant in exchange for his keeping quiet about Orin's murder, while onstage he just threatens to have him arrested. In response, Seymour only backs Mushnik toward the plant (possibly even by accident – it's vague) instead of tricking him into looking inside its jaws, and then tries to warn him about it at the last moment, too late. These changes make a big difference in whether the audience thinks Seymour deserves comeuppance or not.

(There are alternate film takes, though, where Orin's begging for help is more drawn out, and where Seymour clearly backs Mushnik toward the plant on purpose and doesn't try to warn him about it. I read somewhere that those changes were made after the negative test screenings to make the new happy ending work better, but I don't know if that's been confirmed or not.)

*Rick Moranis has too much inherent likability as an actor. With or without the above rewrites, he gives off too much of a sweet, innocent vibe to let the audience stop rooting for Seymour.

*Showing Audrey's fantasy of married life with Seymour during "Somewhere That's Green" makes the audience sympathize more with her dreams. When she only sings about them, it's easier to laugh at how she romanticizes stereotypical '50s suburbia. But seeing her fantasy onscreen, even though it's still played for laughs, makes us root all the more for her to achieve it.

*The stage version of "Don't Feed the Plants" is less bleak because it ends at the very beginning of the plants' conquest, without leaving the shop or showing any massacres. It's just a warning: don't feed the plants, or else they'll destroy the world. Showing giant Audrey IIs already destroying the world leaves us feeling more hopeless.

*While the final "Don't Feed the Plants" sequence is visually spectacular, it drags on for too long.

*In 1986, people didn't expect a musical to end tragically. The rise in popularity of dark, tearjerking musicals in the mid-to-late '80s and '90s hadn't taken off yet in the US, so the ending was more of an unpleasant shock. (Personally, I'm not sure if I agree with this theory. The stage ending wasn't criticized in 1982, and plenty of musicals already existed with dark themes and with sad or bittersweet endings: The King and I, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Sweeney Todd, etc. Although I'm sure it was a shock for some people to see a campy musical comedy end tragically.)

I'd like to add some more suggestions of my own:

*Onstage, depending on the production, Audrey's death can be played more for dark laughs, more as a spoof of melodramatic movie death scenes. On film, the medium's comparative realism forces the sadness to be played straighter. This is enhanced by Seymour's attempted suicide afterwards, which doesn't happen onstage.

*The addition of "Mean Green Mother From Outer Space" makes Seymour's death much more brutal. Onstage, he's eaten fairly quickly, and he goes down fighting. But on film, we have to watch Audrey II playing a slow game of cat-and-mouse with him while singing a gloating song and destroying the shop, then wrapping him in its vines and slowly lifting him into its jaws, with closeups of his terrified face all the while.

*Onstage, during "Don't Feed the Plants," Seymour, Audrey, Mr. Mushnik, and Orin all reappear as flowers sprouting from Audrey II and sing to the audience. Thus, even before the curtain call, they're not portrayed as really "dead." And the fact that it makes no sense in-universe – maybe Mushnik and Seymour could have survived being swallowed, but Orin and Audrey were already dead when the plant ate their bodies – reminds us that this is only a show.

Basically, I think a perfect storm of factors combined to make audiences dislike the original, tragic film ending, even though there was no such objection to the stage ending.

@ariel-seagull-wings

#little shop of horrors #ending #audience reactions #stage vs. screen #tw: violence mention #tw: death

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vigilxnte · 6 months

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A Christmas Problem

Daryl x !Reader

It's Christmas time, and you've not long joined the group. Everyone but daryl seems to acknowledge you. but on a supply run, you understand why.

⚠️A Fluff tone of Fluff⚠️

1.5k words Approx.

Having fun making these, if you have any ideas for content shoot me a request. Thank you and enjoy my short story :)

It's finally Christmas. Yay. Except, there's no point in celebrating. No tree, no lights. There's no dinner, or presents or joy. Just death surrounding us at all times. I see it as a constant reminder of our past life, burdend with the curse of surviving. I was lucky to have found Rick and his group jusy before winter. Otherwise, I would have been totally screwed. Everyone in the group seems nice, but there's just one man I can't place an opinion on. Dixon. Every time I speak with him, he either ignores me or walks away. I don't know what I've done wrong or if I've said anything wrong. He just doesn't want me around. Luckily, today's the day he can't ignore me, as Rick partnered us up together for a supply run. I love them, let's me get out for just a bit rather than stood behind the walls of alexandria for the rest of my life.

Snow began to cover the town we called home as i made my way to the frount gate; waiting for daryls arrival. His bike and crossbow stand waiting, but he's no where to be found. I scan the area determining he isn't here. I stand in the freezing temperature waiting for him. About 30 minutes later, he stroles up with two scarfs, wrapping one around my neck and securing it. He gives me a nod and mounts his bike, placing the crossbow onto his back. Why is he giving me a scarf? I thought he didn't like me? Without another thought, I get into the pickup truck parked behind him. Daryl signals carl to open the gate. Once open, he drives off, and I follow right behind him. If you had told me 10 years ago I was scavenging for food, with the man who can barely even look at me, during an apocalypse, I would have called you crazy. But unfortunately, here I am, driving for hours looking for the first place we can find to scout. Fortunately for us, rick sent west where none of us travelled, so hopefully, we didn't have to go far. Hours pass until I see daryl turn towards a housing estate. I follow. We both pull into the quiet neighbourhood, no one to be seen anywhere. Not even walkers. Exiting my vehicle, I raise my gun and begin mapping the area. It was abandoned. I returned to daryl opening the house next door to me, kicking it with his foot he was in. The door burst its hinges and made a THUD hitting the floor. Still no noise came from walkers in the area. I look at dixon and give him a questioning look.

"Watch your back," he whispered at me. I returned him an agreeing nod. keeping my gun in one i reached for my knife with the other, holding them up in the event of a surprise attack. Checking every crevice of the house, we concluded nothing dangerous could hurt us here. I take my bag off my back to begin looting the cupboard. "Jackpot!" I shout, followed by daryl returning a gleeful smirk. Tins of everything, soup, beans, tuna. Who ever live here certainly was stocked up. With my bag now full, I return to the vehicle. I placed my gun in boot while beginning emptying my bag into the back of the pickup truck. Time goes by, and I notice dixon hadn't come back. I checked the watch on my wrist, indicating it had been a good 10 minutes since I saw him.

I panicked, rushing back to the house to find the kitchen destroyed. The table and chairs were broken, and blood splattered across the floors and walls. Fuck. "Dixon!" I called for him, no response. I heard banging from the back door. I slowly make my way to the back of the house, in hopes of finding my missing companion. Nothing but a walker on the other side of the door. My stomach dropped. Where had he gone? Returning to the back door, my path was blocked. 2 walkers had heard the banging of the door and had made their way into the house. Without a second thought, I rushed towards the first and got it straight in the eye. Unfortunately, my knife got stuck, I struggled to remove the knife, leaving me defenceless. I reach for my gun, but remember I left it in the back of the car. I scramble backwards in the kitchen, looking for a weapon. Oblivious, I trip and fall on the broken chair leg, hurting myself on the fall. The walker no close I panic and remove the peice of wood from my leg. As the walker fell towards me, I stabbed it into the back of his head. I breathe heavy, in relief, and in pain as I taken my jacket off to wrap up my deep wound. I had to hurry back to the vehicle so I could stich myself up. Except I couldn't work. "Fuck!" I shout in defeat. My only option was to crawl back to the vehicle. I get on my stomach, wincing in pain as my leg banged against the floor. Slowly howling body across the floor, I hear footstep running towards the house outside. It was daryl. His face dropped as he saw the mess I was in, I could see he felt guilty he left me alone. "Need a hand" he forced a smirk while offering me his hand to help me up off of the floor. I placed an arm around his neck for a support as he placed me in the living room. A large fire place was centred in the middle of the room with a log holder filled with logs. I felt relieved we had some form of shelter for tonight. Dixon returned back to the pickup to grab the stature kit. He returned with our blankets and some food, indicating we were stopping herd tonight.

Before I could grab the stature kit, he beat me to it. I'm already tending to my wound. He watched me as he placed my leg onto his to ensure he wasn't causing me any pain. Of course, I winced, but he was being gentle. He took out some ripped sheets and soaked it with the rubbing alcohol, cleaning around my wound. Once again, being as gentle as he could. I forced him a warm smile through the burning pain, but he quickly looked down when his face turned red. Was he blushing? Wait. Does this man have feelings for me? He took the needle to begin stiching my open wound. Time passes, and he finishes my leg up by bandaging it up. I looked him in the eyes and told him, "Thank you, dixon." Once again, he avoided eye contact. Before he could get up, I reached for his hand and pulled him back. He finally looked me in the eyes. I repeat again "thank you" to ensure I get a response. "Not a problem," he said in his deep, rasped voice. We exchange a smile before he leaves to prop the door back up. I saw him look back over my way a couple of times to ensure I was okay while I rested. I tried to avoid looking at him, but I couldn't help but smile, knowing this man actually cares for me. Darkness had now cast over the house as dixon started the fire. He lifted me off the couch and placed me into the blanket he had positioned by the fireplace. Before I could thank him again, he had already lay next to the fire opposite me. My eyes felt heavy as I began to fall asleep. The last thing I saw before my eyes closed was daryl watching me as I rested.

I woke up instantly, cold sweat and heavy breathing. I get nightmares, but this one was real. Too real. Daryl was awake and saw me in a panicked state. "You good Y/K," he said, showing concern. as he too sat up. "Yeah, sorry, I sometimes get nightmares like this." Before I could finish my sentence, he had already made his way over to me and placed his blanket beside me. He placed his arm over me as we lay down, pulling into him. I felt the warmth that exerted from his body into mind. I placed my head into his chest as I wrapped my arm around him. "You're going to be okay," he told me, planting a kiss onto my forehead. I look up at him and give him a loving smile, and he to returned one. "Merry christmas, Dixon." i smiled, "You too," and just like that, I fell asleep. Cuddled into the man who wouldn't speak to me.

#christmas dividers #christmas #daryl x reader #daryl fanfiction #twd daryl #the walking dead daryl #daryl dixon #the walking dead

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harper-hook · 1 year

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Carl Grimes SFW Alphabet

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

He would be very affectionate but subtle and gentle while doing so. He’s almost always holding your hand as you go around Alexandria or will have an arm thrown around your shoulders or waist.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

He would be a thoughtful best friend, always trying to look out for them and keep them safe and happy. A friendship with him would start by having similar interests/stories and being able to relate to each other.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

He loves to cuddle and prefers to have you on his chest at perfect range for forehead kisses or he would put his head on your lap, craving head scratches. Secretly he likes to be little spoon.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

He would want to settle down but it would take him a while to not be nervous that the next day it could all be destroyed. He has little experience cooking but with a little help from you, he could learn more and get better. Cleaning isn’t his favorite thing to do but he makes do.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

He would be sad and nervous, having spent the previous days practicing what he would say but would try as soon as possible to get privacy to do it. He would try to stay friends with his ex but would respect their wishes if they told him no even if it hurt him.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

He would be a bit nervous about commitment but he would make sure that this is something he wants 100% before following through. Marriage doesn’t exactly mean what is used to in this world but if he’s been with his partner for a long time, he would secretly want to get married and make it special for the both of them.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

When it comes to you, he is firm but gentle in both ways. He would snap emotionally if he was stressed and angry or his partner wasn’t listening to him. The most physically he would do is tug you away for privacy or shake your shoulders in an attempt to get you to listen to him.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

He is touch starved when it comes to hugs from his favorite people. He is big on hello and goodbye hugs. He would put his face either into your neck or hair and close his eyes, taking just a moment of peace. They’re long and very tight.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

He would want to be alone with you the first time he says it. He would ask Rick how to know if he loves someone and takes Rick’s advice of “You’ll just know. You’ll feel it with your entire chest.” He would relay this to you.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

He would be adamant he’s not jealous, just protective. No one else buys this. He would stick by your side and give dirty looks to his opponent.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

He would be almost too gentle but at his partner’s insistence, he would be more passionate. Again, forehead and cheek kisses. He likes regular kisses that maybe last a little too long, that leave him red and breathless but also fleeting kisses to his cheek or shoulder.

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

He’s great around kids, having experience with Judith and the other kids. He’s pretty good about getting the kids focused on one project and keeping them safe and distracted.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

He would try to tug you back into bed if you get up first but would try and let you sleep for as long as possible. He’s not the best cook but makes coffee in bed, sitting in comfortable silence. Too many times it gets too comfortable and leads to both of you rushing to get ready, giggling and cracking jokes.

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Nights are usually rather quiet, him winding down by reading comics with you until either one or both of you can’t keep your eyes open. Like above, he’s a big cuddlebug.

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

He can be aloof at times so it would have to be his partner that starts talking about themselves and slowly he would reciprocate with his own. He wouldn’t immediately dump all of his info on you but would make sure you were responding and he was learning about you as well. It would take a while for him to get deep.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

H’s an angry boy. He tries to not snap at you but if he does, he’s quick to apologize once he’s cooled off.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

He would remember you mentioning if you really liked something, especially if he was going on a run later, to keep an eye out for it.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

It’s a tie between the moment he realized his feelings were reciprocated and the first night everyone was in their own house in Alexandria, the hope that you could build something solid.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

Very. He won’t leave you alone with someone he doesn’t trust, shooting warning glares at that person and keeping a hand over his weapon. He would find any defense on his behalf heartwarming but do not put yourself in danger in the process. He hates that.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

A lot. He would go to the adults in his group like Maggie and Glenn or Michonne and Rick for advice and ideas of how to make yall’s special day even more special.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

He would be overprotective to a fault. It could cause issues and stress. He’s also incredibly stubborn.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Ya’ll already know that his eye is a big insecurity. It would take a long time for his partner to even see him without the bandage. His partner will have to reassure him that he is still worthy of love and that it doesn’t and never will scare them.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

It would be a slow and gradual thing that he didn’t realize was happening until it was too late. This would come to the surface the first time his partner spent an extended amount of time either at Hilltop or the Kingdom.

“I didn't realize I couldn’t live without you until I had to.”

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

He likes to play wrestle his partner, always being careful not to really hurt them. This almost always turns into him “cheating” and tickling his partner into submission. One of his greatest kept secrets is that he is also secretly ticklish.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

A partner that is too naïve. A bit of naivety is a breath of fresh air but he likes a partner he knows can defend themselves and hold their own if they need to.

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)

He is a light sleeper like will wake up every time his partner moves, even just to roll over. He will move with his partner, adjusting to how they position themselves. He also mumbles in his sleep.

#the walking dead #twd carl #twd #the walking dead carl #carl grimes #carl grimes imagine #carl grimes x reader

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deke-rivers-1957 · 2 months

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ECU Film Ranking Part 1

This will be a 3 part series where after 10 or so movies, I'll rank them in reverse order with 10 being the worst and 1 being the best. My ranks are based on how much I liked the movie, how much I liked Elvis' character, and how well made it was. Each entry will have an explanation so I hope my opinions make sense. If you have any disagreements feel free to share them. Enjoy!

Roustabout

The problem with this movie is simple: it completely misses the point of Charlie's character. When you think about what the movie wants us to believe, Charlie is supposed to be a grown man who's got a chip on his shoulder about being made an orphan and wants his respect. While the movie does show him as pushing back when he's being disrespected, Charlie isn't a jerk who needs to get rid of the chip on his shoulder. If anything Charlie is a saint for having to deal with people who actively hate him. In fact outside of bit characters and Mr. Carver, everyone else is infinitively times worse. How are we supposed to think Charlie needs to learn his lesson when the whole time we're on his side of most confrontations? Overall, it was a good story concept with terrible execution as it a completely wasted potential storylines and an amazing soundtrack.

(John Lennon wrote Revolution 9.)

Wild in the Country

On paper this should be an absolute banger of an Elvis movie: An angry young man who has no faith in himself until he meets someone who inspires him to be better. Too bad the movie felt like it had no idea on how to work with that concept. You get the feeling that each writer had a different story idea but was never able to execute it from start to finish. For instance, the ending was supposed to be tragic but instead became bittersweet in the most mild way possible. Given how this movie initially sets this serious tone where a character's bad actions will have consequences, the ending does a complete 180. Nothing of consequence happens and the movie suffers because of it. If the most intense part of the movie is done and over with in 5 minutes with no time to even digest what happened before we see Glenn go off to college you just sit there thinking "what was the point of that if nothing came out of it?" It's slightly better because at least the first third gave us some of Elvis' best character moments with Glenn giving an emotional monologue about his life.

Love Me Tender

Story wise it's a step up from the other two, but still suffers from executing a vision. The entire 3rd act destroyed whatever character arc Clint had going for him. I get the idea that Clint suddenly turning on Vance and Cathy just because practical strangers filled his head with ideas was something that was added at the last minute to make Elvis more relevant despite an originally smaller role. I can understand Clint being insecure about his manhood and doubting his wife's loyalty, but the execution of that was terrible. Just fix Clint's character arc in the 3rd act, and this movie would've been fine.

Paradise, Hawaiian Style

There's nothing wrong with Rick as a character. The problem's that he's boring. He doesn't have much of a character arc as it's not like him saving Danny showed a new side of him. His womanizing is his character flaw and the driving factor of his irresponsibility. Him rescuing Danny doesn't change that and it definitely doesn't give his romance with Friday any weight as I simply don't believe they have any chemistry. Then again, the only vision this movie had was to showcase actual Hawaii and the Polynesian people. For the 1960s they did that in a pretty respectful way. Drums of the Islands is a great finale song with beautiful visuals. It's a nice finale to conclude an otherwise boring movie. But what a finale it is.

Clambake

As much as I love Scott's character arc, the songs are a mixed bag and the production at times is bad. I also wasn't that enthused about Scott and Dianne's relationship as I thought Dianne was boring. The side characters are fine but again nothing to write home about. I do think that if this was given more time it would've been better, but as it stands it's not at all the worst story. The ballads keep the soundtrack from being completely terrible. It's in general a very mediocre movie with an amazing character arc.

(Joe DiMaggio wore the number 5.)

Production wise this is easily the worst one as some of the effects are so bottom of the barrel of what they wanted to achieve. The story had elements that would've been amazing but simply never expanded on them. However, JODIE IS PEAK. Way more interesting than Josh and easily could've been the main character. The revelation that he's not Pappy's son alone should've been talked about in the movie as opposed to being a throwaway line. His ballad for Midge easily the best song in the movie. Such a shame this movie was rushed out. I genuinely think if they had Elvis just be Jodie, it would've been an absolute banger. The side characters have more personality than Josh and it carries what would've otherwise been a boring movie.

Jailhouse Rock

This movie is ICONIC but character wise Vince falls a bit flat and I have mixed opinion his relationship with Peggy. Vince waffling between liking Peggy and being cold to her is strange. Especially since Peggy simply disappears for a long period of time. When they get together at the end it's like all of the justification for why things were forgiven happened off screen as opposed to naturally seeing it play out. If you simply boil it down to a cocky young man falling off his pedestal and opening up to people, then the movie works. It's very well made but there are still wrinkles that keep it from being in my top 3.

(2 and 3 are interchangeable. They're about even so the difference is simply what I like a little bit more today.)

GI Blues

Story wise I don't see anything that's really wrong with this movie. I think Tulsa is a good character. Any criticisms I have boils down to how I would've written the same story but in a different way. I guess the one criticism I do have is that we get the lie reveal plot element over in done with so little time, that there was no point of even including it. Overall, it's still a well made and enjoyable movie but it doesn't blow me away.

Girl Happy

This is low key one of the best stories in an Elvis movie. It does the lie reveal cliche right as it gives this plot element enough time to develop, climax and then resolve itself naturally. Nothing about this is forced therefore everyone involved feels like they're real people. The point of the conflict is that Rusty is supposed to watch Valerie without her knowing that he's been asked to watch her. If Valerie knew, then she wouldn't want to be around him and would only become more sneaky. The emotional conflict of her finding him and Deena together isn't anyone's fault as it wasn't like anyone wanted to act out of malice. Everyone reacted within reason and despite the miscommunication, this is a situation where telling the truth would've only complicated things. You feel bad for everyone involved and regardless of who you think is in the right, you can totally understand where the other side is coming from. The songs are still very much a mixed bag and that's why I can't put it as my number one, but as a love story it's very underrated.

(You know I had to do this lol.)

Loving You

What can I say it's Elvis' story if he had an actual happy ending. As much as I don't like how Glenda is as a character the ending makes you think she will change. Deke is such a lovable character and it only makes you wonder why he doesn't have a lot of friends. I was angry for Deke when he just forgave Glenda that quickly by coming back. I'm not sure if it's simply because that's who Deke is, or if it's on the writers for not showing us his thought process. It's similar to my criticisms for GI Blues segment. It's simply a matter of "good concept, I just would've executed it a little differently". The songs are all functional to amazing. The movie is very well made as it doesn't feel the need to blast you in the face with color. If anything Deke going from generic "farmer's clothes" to a vibrant white/red combo is so fitting. When Deke is on stage he really comes to life. Even in his regular clothes, it's like they added a brightness to them. Unintentional I'm sure but it's incredible how Deke's clothes reflect his rise from nothing. He goes from being lonely and having low self esteem to feeling joy knowing he isn't alone anymore. Such a shame it's lost in the shuffle of his other 50s movies. This one definitely stands out on its own.

AN: Thank you all for following along with my reviews. If I missed a tag I'm real sorry.

Tagging: @arrolyn1114, @thedaisymaisy, @that-hotdog, @peaceloveelvis, @imaginationlast, @fuzzymusic94, @helen06dreamer, @sfull12345, @briefpandatimemachine, @alittlemoreelvis, @lynettethemadscientist, @motht-eeth, @ash-omalley, @spooky-hazex, @teamnefarious, @blighted-star, @ab4eva, @oh-my-front-door, @father-of-2cats, @atleastpleasetelephone, @xanatenshi, @crazymadpassionatelove, @burnthheparaphilia, @aliengoth3, @smokeymountainboy, @stormie-ryan23

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proseover-bros · 1 year

Text

FOR THE ONES WE LOVE | CH. 4

FANDOM: The Walking Dead

SERIES: For the Ones We Love

STATUS: Ongoing

ERA: Prison

PAIRING: Daryl Dixon x Eventual Female Reader (No use of “Y/N”)

CHAPTER FOUR: Woodbury

WORD COUNT: 5.6k

SUMMARY: After earning Michonne’s trust and gaining the necessary information, the group travels to Woodbury to rescue Glenn and Maggie from the Governor.

RATING: Mature

WARNINGS: Language and Violence (Typical TWD Content), Animal Death (Corpse Found), Mention of Death by Cancer, Mention of Past Attempted Sexual Assault

SERIES MASTERLIST

A/N: This chapter will have more scenes from S3 than original content. I don’t love doing that, but it’s necessary right now to get the group back to the prison for my story. Still, there will be some new content considering it’s told from the Reader’s perspective, and possibly some light flirting between Daryl/Reader? *swoon* I’ll let you be the judge.

The ride to Woodbury was not an enjoyable one. Seated in the backseat of the Hyundai with Daryl by your side, you tried to keep calm, but your insides were riddled with anxiety. Dozens of scenarios of what could happen tonight ran through your head, and not one of them involved you being as badass as a vampire slayer. The knots were building in your stomach; tying together quickly, like a Girl Scout hell bent on meeting quota, when Daryl took notice. His eyes stayed trained on you, but it didn’t make you feel uncomfortable so much as ashamed because you knew that your behavior was probably destroying the modicum of respect that you’d recently gained in his eyes.

Music permeated from the front of the car. Rick had put on a CD that he’d found in the glove compartment; something from the 80’s, no doubt to fill the awkward tension between he and Michonne as they rode up front. Though you desperately wanted to try and distract yourself by listening to the cheesy melody, you found it very difficult to ignore the intense feeling of Daryl’s gaze. No longer able to pretend that you didn’t notice, you turned your whole body to face him.

“What?”

Daryl shook his head to indicate that he had nothing to say. He hadn’t even realized that he’d been staring at you, which was a little concerning considering how he was usually incredibly self-aware. One of the first things he’d noticed upon meeting you had been your confidence. For Christ’s sake, your introduction began with you pulling a gun on him. He didn’t like seeing you nervous when he knew the strength that you were capable of. It almost made him want to tell Rick to turn the car around – that you weren’t ready for this kind of outing, but he held his tongue.

With your gaze still on Daryl, you hesitated, fully aware that he wasn’t telling the truth but deciding not to call him out on it. Still, the fact that he was holding back on speaking his mind when he never had before did heighten your curiosity. Regardless, you decided that you weren’t going to beg and shrugged your shoulders as you turned your head to look out the window.

“Ya ever shoot one of these before?” Daryl spoke up a few moments later, raising one of the semi-automatic rifles that he’d reached behind your seat to collect.

“No.” You admitted softly, shaking your head.

“Ya just load it. . . ” He began, turning the gun over in his hands to demonstrate where the magazine went before sliding it in and out, then pointed it towards the hatchback window. “. . . point, and shoot. Just like any other gun.”

Your eyes followed his skilled hands, watching as he walked you through the process once more. Nodding your understanding, you exhaled through your nose, feeling more at ease. You’d been telling yourself the same thing repeatedly for the entire car ride, but hearing it come from Daryl was much more comforting. If you happened to make it out of Woodbury alive, you swore to yourself that you’d let up on all the smart-ass comments you directed at him. Or, at least try to.

“Go on, try it – just keep it aimed out the back window.” Daryl said encouragingly, carefully handing the rifle over.

Daryl was well aware that he wasn’t the go-to guy when it came to pep talks, that was much more Rick’s thing, but the tension radiating from you was consuming and he found himself wanting to help put you at ease. Reaching forward, you willed your hands not to shake; your fingertips brushing the calloused palm of his as you slowly took the rifle from him.

“I feel like a shitty Rambo impersonator.” You muttered, balancing the stock of the gun against your knee as you released the magazine, getting a feel for its weight in your hand.

Just like any other gun.

Daryl kept his eyes on your hands, watching as you attentively worked the pieces of the gun, exactly how he’d shown you. There weren’t many people he trusted with an assault rifle in such a confined space but he was willing to bet that, despite your nerves, you’d be able to handle the weapon based on the skills he knew you already possessed.

“Maybe you’d be more comfortable if ya imagine yourself pointin’ it at me.”

At Daryl’s suggestion, your eyes flitted over to him, a confused expression crossing your features as you waited for him to elaborate. Even so, your first instinct was to laugh because you had a feeling you knew what he was referring to, and soon you couldn’t fight the smile that was spreading across your lips.

“Well, ya didn’t hesitate the night we met.” He reminded her. “Nearly blew my goddamn head off.”

“How could I forget?” You smirked, tightening your grip on the gun. “Great idea, I feel better already.”

A scoff and something that sounded suspiciously close to a chuckle left Daryl’s mouth in response to your sarcasm, and when his gaze caught yours you couldn’t ignore the fact that he held it in peaceful silence far longer than he ever had before.

“Pull over here.”

The sudden sound of Michonne’s voice caused you both to look away, each of your gazes going to the window as Rick came to a stop outside what appeared to be your destination. Once he had parked in the grass beside the road, the group exited the car, looking to the large expanse of trees stretching off as far as the eye could see.

“They have patrols.” Michonne explained, gesturing towards the woods with her katana. “We’re better off cutting through here on foot.”

“How far?” Rick asked.

“A mile, maybe two.”

You stood beside Daryl as he opened the hatchback of the Hyundai and pulled on a backpack filled with gear while you grabbed a flashlight and pulled the strap of your assault rifle over your shoulder. Once everyone had gathered their weapons, the group began their descent into the woods with Michonne at the front, leading the way.

The journey began quietly, but unfortunately did not stay that way for long as several groups of walkers came shambling towards them from various corners of the woods. Daryl cursed then whispered both yours and Rick’s names urgently as he nodded in the direction of the descending roamers. It was difficult to see by the glow of only two flashlights, which meant this had to be handled quickly and quietly, both of which seemed impossible under the circumstances.

“Get in formation!” Rick ordered. “No gunfire.”

The group huddled in close and you stood with your back to Daryl’s while Rick stayed back-to-back with Michonne. Having waited long enough for their approach, Rick was the first to step forward to thrust his machete through a walker’s head. Daryl moved next, shooting another straight between the eyes with his crossbow. Meanwhile, Michonne took out her own walker with her katana and you raised your rifle to strike another in the side of its face. The horrible, rotten thing twisted and staggered before reaching out for you once more. Backing away, you watched as the right side of its face oozed down its chest.

“Yuck.” You grimaced.

“There’s too many of ‘em!” Daryl yelled to Rick and Michonne as he saw another group approaching from behind and tugged you towards him by your upper arm. “Let’s go!”

Feeling Daryl’s grip on your arm, you quickly came out of the trance you’d entered from the gruesome sight in front of you, and turned to hurry off with him. Rick stabbed another walker through the head before pointing off in the only direction where they didn’t seem to be coming from. “This way!”

As luck would have it, the direction that Rick had chosen led them straight to an old cabin several yards away. They ran up the front steps and through the — thankfully — open door. The house had barely any light to see by with boards covering all the windows and shielding the moonlight, but their flashlights allowed them to see that it was a shotgun style home with an open floor concept and a straight shot to the back door. Huge, angry flies buzzed around as they walked further inside, only stopping when a putrid smell hit them all at once.

“Jesus, the smell . . . ” You muttered, covering your nose and mouth.

A grumble of agreement met your observation as everyone reluctantly began to search for the source of the smell. You went off in one direction, shining your flashlight while Rick went off in another, each of you traveling around the expanse of the room, dreading what you might discover.

“What’s that?” Michonne asked, pointing to the corpse of an animal lying in a rumpled pile just a few feet away. Aiming your flashlight closer, you soon discovered the body of a small, dead dog lying beside an old-fashioned stove.

“Guess Lassie went home.” Daryl commented, earning a scowl from you.

As the group made their way deeper inside the cabin, Rick caught sight of a double bed and signaled for Daryl to follow him as he shined his flashlight, getting a closer look at the large human-shaped lump beneath the quilt. He leaned forward; Daryl by his side with his hunting knife raised, and pulled it off to reveal what he could only assume was the owner of the home they’d intruded on.

“Who the hell are you?!” The man shouted, jumping up from the bed and aiming his shotgun at Rick.

“We don’t mean any harm.” Rick held the machete out in as non-threatening a manner as he could possibly manage while wielding such a weapon.

“Get out of my house!”

“Okay, okay.” Rick spoke slowly, his hands still raised. “We will, but we can’t right now.”

“Now!”

“Shut him up!” Michonne warned, looking back over her shoulder at the front door as the walkers started pressing against it from outside.

“Get out right now!”

“There are walkers outside!” Rick yelled at the man while somehow still maintaining a whisper, trying to get him to see reason as the groans from outside the cabin grew louder. The man hesitated as he turned his head to listen to the sounds coming from behind the door, as if suddenly realizing that the walkers might be the bigger threat. Before he could give it too much thought however, his gaze caught the glint off of Daryl’s hunting knife as he stood with it drawn, prepared to strike if need be.

“I’ll call the cops!” The man yelled lamely.

“Is he for real?” You whispered, looking from Daryl to Michonne with your eyebrows raised. It had been over a year since the outbreak, where the hell had this dude been? Hiding in that goddamn bed the entire time? Did he really think help was still coming? Not to mention the fact that there was no electricity to make any sort of phone calls, let alone to the police.

“I am a cop!” Rick hissed, losing his patience. “Now, I need you to lower the gun.”

With the machete in one hand and the flashlight in his other, Rick slowly crouched down to the floor, showing the stranger that he was willing to make himself vulnerable if it meant he could earn his trust. You remained where you were, swallowing hard while gripping the strap of your rifle and toying with the idea of spinning it around into your hands.

“Don’t do anything rash.” Rick continued in a calm voice, one you knew he had to have used many times back when being a cop actually mattered. Once he’d lowered his weapon, he slowly stood back up. “Everything’s fine. Let’s just take this nice and slow, OK? Look at me. Hey, hey—“

The man cocked his shotgun, still unconvinced. “Show me your badge!”

“All right.” Rick nodded, pointing his index and middle fingers down towards his pants. “It’s in my pocket. I’m just gonna reach down, nice and slow . . . ”

The next ten seconds happened at a dizzying pace as the former Sheriff’s Deputy made to reach into his pocket, his gaze following the stranger’s and taking full advantage when he saw him look down to follow the movement of his hand. It was only for a split second, but it was still long enough to allow Rick the time to lunge forward and slap the man’s shotgun aside just as he pulled the trigger. You would never know if you’d have been able to dodge the bullet in time, because Daryl had selflessly used his body to shove you out of the bullet’s pathway, sending it through a closet door instead of your skull.

“Fuck!” You shrieked, your arms moving over your face instinctively as Daryl gripped your waist to keep you steady. Breathing heavily, you slowly lowered your hands as you stared across at him in awe, not even knowing what to do or say, but being given no time to do so regardless when the man continued yelling and thrashing around like an absolute lunatic.

“Let go!” He shouted when Rick spun him backwards, wrapping his arms around his chest. “Let go of me! I’ll kill you-you — let go of me!”

The scuffle between Rick and the stranger continued for a few more seconds before the sounds of the walkers gained the group’s attention once more. Michonne’s eyes flew to the front door as the walkers continued clawing at it, growing more and more desperate to get through as they heard the commotion coming from inside.

“Shut up!” Rick yelled, struggling to cover the man’s mouth with his hand. “Shut up!”

Daryl let go of you and gripped his hunting knife once more, rushing forward and preparing to strike as the stranger bit into Rick’s hand and broke free, screaming for help as he hurtled across the room.

“Help me! They found me!” The man cried out, as if his salvation was on the other side of that door.

“Don’t open that door!” Rick warned him.

“Hel—" The man started to scream for help once more but was abruptly interrupted when Michonne moved forward, swiftly thrusting her katana into his back and out through his chest, exactly where his heart was located.

The group watched as the man’s lifeless body fell to the floor; the blood from his wound spreading across the floorboards of the cabin as quickly as spilt milk. For a few seconds, everyone froze, staring at Michonne. It wasn’t that they hadn’t considered the fact that she might be dangerous — she’d shown up to the prison wielding a katana after all — but it was how she hadn’t even hesitated to take a human life. Her quick thinking and combat skills could certainly be an asset to their group, that couldn’t be denied, but that didn’t change the fact that the thought was unnerving.

“Help me with the door.” Rick was the first to speak up, nodding towards you as Michonne took a step back and he and Daryl lifted the man’s lifeless body up from the floor and heaved him forward. Doing as Rick asked, you darted over to the entrance to glance out the small window that was partially obscured by wooden slats, seeing that the walkers from the woods had formed a large horde. Fully aware that you had to make this quick, you clutched the door knob, giving it a twist and pulling the door back just wide enough for Rick and Daryl to toss the man’s body outside.

Once the door was shut, you and the others peered out to watch as the walkers began to rip the man limb from limb before diving in and devouring his insides. Grimacing, you were the first to step away, gripping on harder to the base of your rifle as you did. You'd seen dead bodies before, certainly. Even before the Fall, you had watched your mother succumb to cancer and wither away to nothing. After the world ended, you’d stabbed a man in the neck and pushed a woman to her death. But that man had tried to rape you, and that woman had done nothing to stop it. The stranger whose corpse you’d just helped dispose of was innocent to any crimes against you.

Was it stupid of you to have lived in this new world for over a year and still not be desensitized by death? Was it foolish for you to want to believe that good people still existed? Whatever the answer may be, you almost wished that none of it mattered; that it was a switch that you could turn off at will. It would certainly make living in this new world a hell of a lot easier if you were numb to it.

“He was dead the second it went through his heart.” Michonne assured you when she noticed how pale you’d become.

Lifting your chin, you met Michonne’s gaze and found her looking back at you with something resembling sympathy. Or was it pity? Not sure how else to respond, you nodded once before walking past both she and Daryl and joining Rick who had crossed the room to collect his duffel bag and head to the back door. You had a feeling that Daryl’s expression likely wouldn't mirror Michonne’s as you felt his gaze on you, but you'd never know because you couldn’t bring yourself to look his way.

“It’s clear — let’s go!” Rick whispered loudly as he opened the door and ushered you forward.

It took around thirty minutes to get to Woodbury from the cabin, but soon Michonne led everyone to a stop in front of a large walled community. The group crouched to remain hidden behind a broken down car as they peered towards the entrance. Ahead stood a combination of metal panels, tires and wood stacked high enough to act as what appeared to be a very secure gate with several armed sentries standing on a structure just behind it.

You could see the wheels spinning behind Rick’s eyes as he sighed, contemplating just how they were going to get through when Michonne snapped her fingers, earning everyone’s attention as she nodded in a direction off to the side. Moving quickly but quietly, the group scaled the cars that were parked out front until they made it to a back alley that had been blocked off by wooden crates. While it had clearly been enough to keep the walkers out, it was easy enough for them to navigate their way inside. Skirting their way through, they followed Michonne inside the back entrance of a building and snuck into a room that appeared to serve as a pantry.

Daryl moved forward, scouting the area ahead. Once reaching a window, he pulled the curtain aside and carefully peered out before shaking his head with a clenched jaw and drawing both you and Rick closer to see what had irritated him. The streets outside were littered with regular townspeople. It was a jarring sight after having gone so long without such normalcy, but somehow it had been made possible by this Governor.

“Thought you said there was a curfew.” Daryl spat accusingly at Michonne.

“The street is packed during the day. Those are stragglers.” Michonne answered defensively.

“If anyone comes in here, we’re sitting ducks. We gotta move.” Rick said.

“Okay, so they’re obviously not keeping them here. Any other idea where Glenn and Maggie could be?” You asked.

As Daryl and Rick continued to scope out the window, you looked to Michonne, a pleading look in your eyes. It was obvious that Rick and Daryl were losing their patience and the last thing that you wanted was for this journey to be all for naught.

“They could be in his apartment.” Michonne suggested.

“Yeah?” Daryl moved away from the window, squaring his shoulders as he approached her. “What if they ain’t?”

“Then we’ll look somewhere else.” Michonne snapped.

“You said you could help us!” Rick complained.

“I’m doing what I can!” Michonne argued.

“Then where the hell are they?” Daryl growled, moving past Michonne and heading back in the direction where they had come from.

“Guys — come on.” You spoke up, trying to be the voice of reason since it was clear that arguing was getting them nowhere.

No longer in the mood for games, Rick led you and Daryl away from Michonne and lowered his voice. “If this goes south, we are cutting her loose.”

You held Rick’s gaze for a few seconds before glancing over at Michonne. It didn’t feel right just leaving her behind, but you also didn’t feel like it was your place to argue with Rick. “Do you think she’s leading us into a trap?”

“Right now, it’s the blind leading the blind." Daryl interjected. "We need to split up.”

Before any more words could be whispered amongst them, there was the sound of a knock at the front door. Everyone’s heads whipped around to stare forward as the doorknob began to rattle. Whoever it was obviously held authority over the community, because the door was soon unlocked and an older man wearing a baseball cap entered as each of you crouched down, out of sight.

“I know you’re in here.” The man began. “I saw you moving from outside.” His footsteps sounded on the linoleum floor, getting closer and closer.

“All right now.” He continued. “You’re not supposed to be in here and you know it.”

The way the man spoke sounded like he was scolding a child. It was almost like he was expecting to find a group of kids who had snuck out after curfew to shoot the shit and have a few beers. It made you wonder if there were teenagers living in this community as well, but before you could put too much thought into it, Rick sprung forward just as a man’s footsteps approached where they were hiding beside the pantry and slammed him against a nearby wall.

“Shut up!” Rick demanded, holding his gun to his jaw. “Get on your knees.”

Rick didn’t wait for the man to obey his orders, instead pulling him down to the floor while still holding his gun on him. “Where are our people?” He demanded.

“I don’t know!” The man squeaked.

“Where the hell are they?” Rick yelled.

“I don’t know!” The man pleaded, his voice a little louder.

“Open your mouth!” Rick growled as he forced a balled-up rag into the stranger’s mouth. The man cried out against the cloth, but only once because Daryl quickly struck him over the head with the butt of his crossbow, knocking him out.

Suddenly, the sound of a machine gun going off nearby sent everyone on high alert. Rick stepped to the head of the group while you, Daryl and Michonne slid into place behind him as he eased his way over to the front door and cautiously opened it. Outside, men and women ran for safety while the four of you followed the sound of gunfire to a building across the street.

The shakiness in your hands had returned. You felt like you always had when playing one of your younger brother’s video games, but the anxiety that loomed in your gut now felt a hundred times worse. Within a matter of seconds your group had made it to the building where the shots were fired from, sliding in the back door unnoticed.

Rick stayed in the lead with Daryl behind him and you and Michonne taking up the rear. Everyone except for Michonne, who held her katana, had their rifles poised and ready as they scaled the wall, coming to a stop and crouching low as the sound of angry voices could be heard from just a few feet away.

“On your feet! Move!”

“Let’s go, come on!”

Rick and Daryl peeked through a nearby window to find Glenn and Maggie shuffling along at gunpoint with sacks over their heads, but quickly kneeled back down before they could be seen.

“Shit.” Rick cursed, knowing that they were running out of time. If they were going to make their move, they had to do it now. Both he and Daryl grabbed flash bangs from their gear bags and flung them into the next room. The devices hit their targets, scattering across the floor and sending smoke out in all directions. You knew they’d done their job when coughing and confused shouting sounded next.

“What the hell?”

“Aw, shit!”

The smoke did exactly as anticipated, allowing the group to take advantage of the men’s disorientation long enough to move into the next room to grab Glenn and Maggie and lead them out the same way they’d snuck in. Everyone stayed huddled closely together as they hurried along the street and made their way to the nearest building.

“Inside, quick!” Rick ordered.

Daryl hurried forward, ahead of everyone else as he looked for an exit. “Ain’t no way out back here!”

“How bad are you hurt?” Rick asked Glenn as you and Maggie helped lower him to the floor while everyone else crouched out of sight from the windows.

“I’ll be all right.” Glenn grunted.

“Where’s that woman?” Maggie asked, referring to Michonne.

“She was right behind us.” Rick answered, kneeling down and carefully glancing out the window.

“Should we go look for her?” You asked.

“No, we gotta get them out of here.” Rick shook his head. “She’s on her own.”

You felt a twinge of guilt at his words, but knew that Rick was right. Wherever Michonne had gone off to, it had to have been intentional. She’d done her part, taking you to Glenn and Maggie, but she obviously still had something she needed to take care of before she left.

“Daryl, this was Merle.” Glenn raised his voice so Daryl could hear him from where he stood across the room. “He did this.”

At Glenn's news, Daryl looked like he’d just seen a ghost. You had no idea who Merle was but you didn’t need to know anything more to see that it was someone very important to him. But how could Daryl have someone who could do this to Glenn and Maggie mean so much to him? You weren't sure, but you watched him as he stepped over to Glenn, your eyes studying his face closely.

“You saw him?” Rick asked.

“Face to face.” Glenn nodded angrily. “He threw a walker at me. He was gonna execute us.”

“S-so my brother’s this Governor?” Daryl asked, confused.

“No, it’s somebody else.” Maggie explained. “Your brother’s his lieutenant or something.”

“Does he know I’m still with you?” Daryl asked.

“He does now.” Glenn said as Maggie nodded.

You could hear the disbelief in Daryl’s voice, but you didn't know if it was because he couldn’t believe his brother was alive, or that he couldn’t believe that his brother could be capable of something like this.

“Rick, I’m sorry.” Glenn continued. “We told him where the prison was. We couldn’t hold out.”

“Don’t.” Rick gently clapped his hand down onto his shoulder, careful not to disturb his injuries. “No need to apologize, but we have to get back. Can you walk? We got a car a few miles out.”

Glenn nodded weakly. “I’m good.” He winced, but made it back to his feet with Maggie slipping beneath one of his arms and you moving beneath the other to help support him.

Daryl moved forward suddenly, as if he was finally coming out of his head and returning to the conversation at the mention of them leaving. “Hey, if Merle’s around, I need to see him.”

“Not now. We’re in hostile territory.” Rick argued, a note of finality his voice that made it clear there was absolutely no room for disagreement, whether it was coming from Daryl or not.

“He’s my brother.” Daryl said desperately. “I ain’t—“

“Look at what he did!” Rick yelled harshly as he gestured towards Glenn, trying to get Daryl to see reason. He hesitated before continuing, and you couldn't tell if it was because he regretted the volume of his words, or that he’d just lashed out at his righthand man. “Look, we gotta get out of here now.”

“Maybe I can talk to him.” Daryl pleaded. “Maybe I can work somethin’ out.”

“No, you’re not thinking straight.” Rick said, his voice softening.

Rick was just as desperate as Daryl was at the thought of losing him. Without Daryl, the group instantly became at greater risk. The odds of them making it out of Woodbury alive would diminish exponentially if they lost both he and Michonne. You didn’t want to imagine what would happen if it came to that, but you also felt for Daryl. You’d never seen him like this before, and you knew that he was torn.

“Look, no matter what they say, they’re hurt.” Rick continued. “Glenn can barely walk. How are we gonna make it out if we get overrun by walkers and this Governor catches up to us? I need you!”

Daryl froze, his eyes going from Rick’s to yours. Your breath caught in your throat as you saw that sad, blue gaze directed at you. You knew the position that Rick was putting him in; that you all were. With Glenn barely able to walk and Michonne having abandoned the group, each one of you needed Daryl. Pressing your lips together, you took a deep breath. You hated seeing him this way; hated taking his reunion with his brother from him no matter what the circumstances were. But you knew that in the end, Rick was right. The group needed Daryl if any of you stood a chance at making it out alive.

“Are you with me?” Rick asked.

Daryl looked back to Rick, his hesitation only lasting a second longer before he nodded his head in agreement. “Yeah.”

Relief flooded your body, and it wasn’t just because you wanted to get out alive, but because you wanted Daryl to be by your side when you did.

“On three.” Rick ordered the rest of you. “Stay tight.”

As you, Glenn, and Maggie walked forward, huddled together to bear the brunt of Glenn’s weight as long as you could, Daryl knelt down to the duffel bag and pulled out some more flash bangs.

“One – two – three!”

Directly on three, Daryl opened the door and tossed two of the devices out into the street.

“Let’s go!” Rick whispered, moving ahead with Daryl.

“There they are!”

Gunfire erupted into the night as bright, overhead lights pointed in your direction. The Governor’s men stood on top of several buses to gain the upper hand. The group spread out quickly, firing shots off where they'd heard voices, the smoke doing well to conceal them from the enemy, but also making it difficult for them to see.

“Go!” Rick yelled to you, Glenn, and Maggie, shielding you three as best he could. “Get cover!”

Once making it into the alcove of a shoe store, you leaned against the door with the others, the surrounding brick wall of the building allowing just enough coverage for the group as Daryl and Rick kneeled to reload their guns.

“We need to move!” Daryl yelled as the bullets continued to rain down on them.

As the sound of the gunfire came to a sudden stop, you surmised that the Governor’s men had to reload their ammo, same as you. With your back up against the brick wall, you took that as your opportunity and leaned out quickly, holding your rifle with both hands and firing a round off before ducking back in for cover.

“You guys go ahead. I’m gonna lay down some cover fire.” Daryl announced.

“No, we have to stay together!” You yelled, shaking your head.

“Too risky.” Daryl looked up at you as he finished reloading the magazine into his rifle. “I’ll be right behind ya.”

You were concerned about Daryl's plan, but you also knew that there was no arguing with him, especially in a situation like this. Taking a deep breath, you leaned out once more, firing a few more shots off in hopes that some might hit the Governor’s men and give Daryl less to deal with. It was wishful thinking, but it was all you had at that point.

“Ready?” Daryl yelled, not waiting for an answer as he tossed another flash bang out across the street, giving you and the others the cover you needed to hurry across and head back in the direction of the alleyway you’d snuck through to get inside Woodbury earlier that night.

“This way!” Rick yelled, and you reluctantly fell into place behind Glenn and Maggie, taking up the rear.

With one last look at Daryl as he selflessly stayed behind and began to shoot his rifle out towards the oncoming rain of gunfire from across the way, you hesitated long enough to earn his attention as he locked his eyes with yours, nodding his head quickly and shouting after you. “Go on, get outta here!”

Finally turning your back on Daryl, your feet struck the pavement in perfect tandem with the hammering of your heart as you swallowed down the lump that had formed in your throat. At Daryl's insistence, you hurried after the others, all while praying to a God that you were pretty sure was no longer taking requests, that this wouldn't be the last time you saw Daryl Dixon.

CHAPTER FIVE

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steadymongerbatscissors · 10 months

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Leo Valdez Fire Powers

Linking back to my last post about Leo Valdez. I talked about his fire powers and how inconsistent they are and how we never get to see them actually grow and evolve from beyond fireball. Then suddenly in the last book he able to nuke a earth goddess by himself. So what I’m going to do with this post is just simply try to fix this problem going book by book.

So let’s get started

The Lost Hero

Now for the most part this book is fine up until we reach King Midas Mansion. Now the part with Festus and the Leo is completely fine it’s actually a phenomenal scene so we’re gonna leave it alone. The problems only start to arise when Piper and Leo are turned to gold. The reason this a problem is because they try to fight but there powers suddenly don’t work. The reasons that’s given is that gold stops the other powers. Which is a really stupid explanation cause both of Piper and Leo’s powers come from them not an outside source. It really just seems like Rick wanted Jason to look cool so he took Piper and Leo temporarily out so Jason could shine. So how do we fix it? Simple don’t have Leo turned into gold or most specifically have his internal temperature be so high that the effects of the gold touch are slowed. So now Jason can shine fighting Lityerses while Leo keeps Midas busy so that he can’t just gold touch Jason. We even have stakes now since Piper is still gold and could be kept like that if Jason and Leo fail.

(Note:I have Piper still be kept as gold cause you can just say Midas has encountered charm-speakers and built up a resistance like most main villains in Heroes of Olympus)

Next part to fix is with Lycaon and his wolf pack. Here we instead of Leo about to run out of steam we have Leo be able to continuously just put fire onto the blockade until the Hunters come save the trio. Now Leo has more respect and we see he has a lot of destructive power on his side which will be more important later on in this book.

Another piece to fix is that part were they’re crossing the bridge to Aoleus palace in the sky. In this version of the story since we’re consistent this time Leo actually controls himself like he did since his mom died and now since Leo controlled himself. Thalia get to tag along with the trio and get to have more actual interactions with her brother.

The fight with Enceladus goes differently as Thalia and Jason are working together against Enceladus but maybe have a moment where Leo takes a cue from Enceladus with his fire breath and tries to do the same. It actually works though Leo is left unable to speak for the rest of the fight since the inside of his throat is extremely sore from it.

(Something like this)

The fight with Khione would still end with Leo winning but Leo has to put in actually effort so it gives an explanation on he just doesn’t give the drill to Piper and help Jason while he fights Porphyrion.

The last change for the book would be actually having people react to the fact that he is the first fire user in 100 years. By react I mean they react with fear since the last one caused the London fire and the prophecy says there is a chance the world will be destroyed with fire.

So now at the end of the quest Leo is way more comfortable using his fire powers and they have only gotten stronger thanks to the quest. But now people at camp fear him because of his powers and he has to earn their respect.

The Mark of Athena

Now oh boy is this one gonna be a rollercoaster cause instead of having any scenes related to Sammy and the weird love triangle between Hazel,Frank,and Leo. I’m making all of them into training sessions for Leo with them being helped by Coach Hedge.

Why Coach Hedge you ask? Well to answer that I think you need to know that satyrs in Greek Mythology actually lived eternally unless they were killed. Why is that important you ask? Well Coach Hedge doesn’t really do anything aside from mess things up and be unfunny in the canon series so here I’m gonna use him for something. More specifically he’s gonna help Leo train his fire powers because in my version he’s the satyr who found Thomas Faynor and brought him to camp.

So now Coach Hedge has a reason to actually be on the Argo 2 and even had a past connections to the last fire user so now he actually useful. So now that we have all the things set the thing we’re gonna is replace all those useless Sammy,and love triangle crap with scenes of Leo training with Hedge.

The training Leo and Hedge are doing is actually control cause while Leo can contain his powers he needs to learn how to be precise with them. The motivation is because he himself wants to be the one to kill Gaea and being more precise will help. We could even have Hedge say something like “Kid your real powerful even more than your brother”. This line might even affirm that Leo will destroy the world.

All this training comes to a head in the shrimpzilla fight when while Leo tries to go after the Greek fire crate the monster knocks it overboard and grabs Leo. So now Leo using all his training gets a arm free,points a finger at the monster,and launches Greek fire from his fingertips at the shrimpzilla’s eye blinding it and letting the others finish it off. Hell you could even have Leo get so exhausted (cause it would the first time he did it) that when the monster lets from the pain he falls overboard and gets taken by the fish centaur and gets the information they need.

Everything after that is basically the same see how easy this is and how it actually expands on Leo’s fire abilites.

House of Hades

The imp scene goes differently as instead of running after them and looking like an idiot. Leo outsmarts them by using his fire powers to block off wherever they’re are going forcing them to talk to them. Leo makes a gamble and says that if they can beat him in a race to the tower they can keep everything. But if Leo wins the race he gets everything they have and they have to do him a fairer. The dwarfs agree and the race starts.While the dwarfs are making there way there Leo shows the reader a new ability he developed after training relentlessly since Percy and Annabeth fell. So he pulls a human torch and flies ahead of the dwarfs and gets to the tower first winning the race. Then Jason shows up and actually compliments Leo on his trading and new abilities.

Everything after this is completely fine. Yes including the bit with calypso.

It only when we reach the end of the book that we see Leo go real crazy. Here the Clytius the giant actually speaks to Leo and taunts him with fact that he’s basically useless and can’t help Hazel. He then goes on to relate the situation to Calypso and his mother finally hitting Leo’s berserk button. Thanks to this Leo flys out of Hazel safe mist and flies close up to Clytius. When he get close he charges up all his fire into his fist and punch him letting off a little fire explosion.

(Something like this but with fire)

However after he does he basically loses most of his powers and falls into the black smoke. So now Hazel has to save him. This is sort of a teaser to the nuke Leo pulls off at end of the book series.

Blood of Olympus

Leo is actually in a tough spot now since Coach Hedge left with Reyna,and Nico. I would include a scene of goodbye between Hedge and Leo since they have a more son and father relationship since the training. The scene I would replace would be the scene of Hazel drawing Calypso but would include that he’s continuing his training even without Hedge because he doesn’t want to hurt Calypso accidentally though he is still training mostly to get stronger and kill Gaea himself.

So now his new training partner is Percy. I bet your wondering why Percy. The reason is because Percy is the opposite element so he can take a bit of heat from Leo. Not Greek fire levels but probably concentrated orange fire blast. Percy wants to help because he wants to get stronger as well. This also creates a parallel between the two as they are both the main characters of their series. Percy Jackson for well Percy Jackson & The Olympians and Leo Valdez for Heroes of Olympus. This also allows us to see Leo’s growth as he is know able to clash against The Percy Jackson and put up a challenge.

When they reach the island of Delos,Apollo compliments Leo on his fire ability’s and ask if he can prove he has any musical ability to get the curse of Delos. So Leo does his thing and gets the curse of Delos.

When they finally reach Asclepius the guardian machine is way stronger and can’t be hacked because it was made by Hephaestus. So now they have to actually fight and can’t just asspull idiot mode out of nowhere. No mention as the fights happens doesn’t work. So Piper using her charm-speak is able to distract the robot. Then Jason and Leo use the opportunity to combine their powers and hit the robot with everything. Leo uses the power he uses on Clytius and hits it on one side while Jason summons all the lightning he can and hits it on the other side. So yeah the robot is absolutely fried and out of commison. As thanks for them freeing him, Asclepius makes the Physician’s cure and still does his look and comment at Leo. The other two have the same reactions as canon cause remember they have the same relationship in canon which means not very good.

So yeah the final battle goes on and Gaea actually gets to have some dialogue with Leo other than smarm because she has seen his growth and is low-key terrified. Probably has some speech about how no matter how powerful Leo becomes he will never be able to counteract unstoppable force. Then Leo basically goes okay and proceeds to rock her shit until he realizes that killing on the ground doesn’t work. So he just grabs her flys off and goes all supernova on her in the air killing her and him. This completes the prophecy line of him destroying the world cause Gaea is the earth and represents the world in the prophecy. Though he gets revived and goes get his girlfriend and lives a happy life.

(Something like this)

(But green cause Greek fire is the hottest and in the air)

Conclusion

In conclusion Leo’s fire powers were super inconsistent and could have used some more development and retooling. But while I did fixed these issues I also gave Leo the respect he deserved thanks to this fire powers growing and providing more clues to help the reader link up that Leo will be the one to kill Gaea.

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