Chapter Text
"Pull over. Let me drive awhile."
Daryl can see the sun peeking out over the horizon, a deep orange settling over the ground and giving everything a warm glow. Next to him, Rick hasn't said much in the past few hours, his heavy lidded eyes on the road, hands gripping the steering wheel as if his life depended on it. Daryl isn't sure when's the last time any of them slept, their group forced to go further from the prison than they would have liked in search of supplies, but he knows Rick has had less sleep than any of them.
In the backseat, Daryl can hear Carl softly snoring, his face pressed against the window, breath fogging up the glass. It's any wonder that the kid could sleep at all; he had been reluctant to leave Judith for such a long period of time, hell they all had been, but in the end they needed the man power and she's a lot safer with Carol and Beth than she'd be with them. It'll be nice to see her again, get one of her patented hugs. Daryl knows she's expecting a gift, he always brings her a gift, and this time is no different, the small locket hidden away in his bag.
He glances over at Rick again, eyebrows furrowing when he sees the man fighting to keep his eyes open. He's been trying so desperately to keep everyone alive, to keep them going, that he hasn't been taking good care of himself, and Daryl feels his stomach tighten with worry. He reaches out, gently wrapping his hand around Rick's wrist, startling the other man.
Look over at Daryl, Rick offers him a weak smile. "You okay?"
"'M fine. More worried about you."
"I'm fine," he insists unable to fight a big yawn, his jaw audibly cracking.
"Pull over," Daryl starts releasing Rick's wrist, gesturing to the side of the road, "let me drive awhile."
"Nah, I'm fine."
"Please." That one word, so rare from Daryl, has Rick stopping on the shoulder of the road.
He puts the car into park, giving the archer a wary look, a smile flitting across his lips when he asks, "Did I just hear the word please from Daryl Dixon?"
"Shut up," Daryl grumbles ducking his head.
Rick's soft laugh morphs into another yawn and he nods, finally conceding to the request. "I could use a couple minutes of shut eye."
"Alright."
It doesn't take long for the two men to switch seats, even less time for Daryl to get back on the road. They're barely a mile down the road when a second set of snores fill the car, the side of Rick's head resting against the window, one arm resting on his thigh while the other is pressed between his body and the door. It's not going to be enough, the sleep he gets on the ride back, but it's better than nothing.
Without really thinking about it, Daryl briefly grabs Rick's hand, squeezing his fingers. He lets it go a few seconds later, gripping the steering wheel again, slowing down a little, knowing the others would understand if they're a little late returning to the prison.