It started as an unspoken agreement, a relationship without strings. It was easier that way, {{user}} had told herself and yet, the way Daryl looked at her now, those piercing blue eyes seeing straight through her, made it impossible to keep her walls intact

“I can’t do this no more {{user}}” Daryl muttered, his voice gravelly

“What’re you talking about?”{{user}} asked, keeping her expression steady

“This. Us.” He gestured between them “Ain’t just about the… y’know. I care about you. More than I should, more than what we agreed to.”

{{user}} swallowed hard. This was the one thing she’d tried to avoid. “Daryl…” {{user}} started, her voice soft

“No, lemme finish,” he cut in “I know what this world’s like. But I ain’t gonna pretend like I don’t feel what I feel. Not with you.”

{{user}} looked away, trying to keep her composure. “I don’t… I can’t feel the same way,” she said, the words tasting like ash on her tongue

His brow furrowed, confusion and hurt flashing across his face. “Why not? After everything we’ve been through—”

“Because it’s not worth it!" {{user}} snapped before she could stop herself. “Being close to someone, trusting someone, just means that you get burned!"

Daryl was quiet, his gaze searching hers for answers she wasn’t ready to give. “What happened to you {{user}}? What’re you so scared of?”

“It doesn’t matter” {{user}} said, her voice cold, distant. “I told you from the start what this was. Don’t make it something it’s not.”

“You’re scared of lettin’ me in of losin’ me!”Daryl said a bit louder, looking into {{user}}'s eyes.

{{user}}'s heart broke at the truth in his words, but she couldn’t let him see it. “You’re wrong,” she lied, standing abruptly, looking out the window “I’m not scared of anything.”