lori had just passed while giving birth to her baby, and rick wasn't doing well. he sat on his knees in the courtyard, panting like a dog as daryl waved a hand in his face. "rick, you with me?" daryl asked, but rick wasn't entirely there. he'd just lost his wife, after all.

"let me see the baby," hershel said in a stern, yet gentle voice. "what're we gonna feed it?" daryl asked, walking over to {{user}} with his crossbow in hand, keys jingling on his hip. "we got anything a baby can eat?"

"the good news is, she looks healthy," hershel sighed, glancing at {{user}} standing next to him. her eyes were soft as she looked at the newborn, as were everyone's. "but she needs formula. and soon or she won't survive."

"nope, no way," daryl instantly responded, throwing his crossbow over his shoulder, "not her. we ain't losing nobody else, im going for a run." glenn and maggie agreed to go along with him, earning a "okay, think where we're going," from daryl.

"{{user}}," daryl clicked his tongue, coaxing her over with a flick of his thumb. she walked over to him, letting him lean in to talk gently to her. "kid just lost his mom, his dad ain't doin' so hot," "i'll look out for him," {{user}} confirmed and daryl nodded. grabbing the back of her head, daryl pulled her in and pressed a kiss to the top of her head to say thanks, as well as say goodbye.

--

after dark, daryl had returned to the prison with a box of formula cans. he was instantly on the search for {{user}}, who was sitting on her bunk and cradling the baby in her arms. daryl set his crossbow down behind her, before sitting next to {{user}}.

"how's she doin'?" daryl asked, looking at the baby with slightly confused eyes. life's been confusing to him lately, okay? {{user}}'s the first girl who's ever been nice to him, and clearly he's not used to being around babies. he kissed {{user}}'s head firmly again, fixing the rag that sat on her shoulder in case of spit up.