Unbreakable threads

Chapter One Hundred and Two: The Grimes are Back together.

Rick cut her off before she could say anything more. "I know it's not," he said firmly, his tone more resigned. "I've come to terms with... whatever it is you two have. But the others in this community? They haven't. They're watching us, Alyssa. Watching you."

Alyssa's jaw tightened, her frustration evident. "It's nobody else's business," she said evenly, her voice laced with defiance. "Daryl's my person. That's all there is to it."

Rick stepped closer, lowering his voice as he gestured toward her. "I know that. But these people don't know him the way we do. They don't know you yet either. All they see is a 19-year-old girl sneaking around with someone twice her age."

Alyssa's fists clenched, but she didn't snap back immediately. Instead, she stared at him, her expression softening just slightly. "It doesn't matter what they think. Daryl and me—we've been through too much for me to care about their judgment."

Rick sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm not saying you should care about what they think. I'm saying you need to be smart. You've got a badge now. People are gonna look to you to lead, to keep this place safe. Don't give them any reason to question you."

Carl, still sitting at the island, watched the exchange with a raised eyebrow. "You guys done? Or should I grab popcorn?"

Alyssa shot him a glare before turning back to Rick. "Fine," she muttered. "I'll be more careful. But don't think for a second that I'm gonna stop having Daryl's back."

Rick nodded, his expression softening slightly. "I wouldn't expect you to."

Rick and Alyssa stepped out onto the porch, the early morning light casting long shadows across the quiet street. The air was still, but there was a lingering tension between them, one that Rick finally decided to break.

He glanced at her as they began their morning patrol, his voice low but sincere. "I was wrong before. On the road. To accuse you and Daryl of anything."

Alyssa slowed her steps, her eyes darting toward him. He kept his gaze forward, his words heavy with regret. "I was wrong to question your sexuality. Wrong to try to come between you two. I'm sorry, Alyssa, alright?"

For a moment, she didn't respond. Her jaw tightened, and she looked away, her boots scuffing against the pavement as they walked. Finally, she let out a slow breath.

"You were a total ass," she said bluntly, though her tone lacked venom. "You didn't just question it. You flat-out tried to invalidate it."

Rick winced but didn't argue. "I know," he admitted. "I wasn't trying to... I just—" He struggled to find the right words. "I didn't handle it right. I was scared. Scared of losing you. Scared of losing control."

Alyssa stopped walking and turned to face him, her arms crossed. "I'm not some little kid you can control, Rick. I never was. And Daryl... he's my family, in a way you had not been in a long time."

Rick nodded, his expression somber. "I get that now. I do. I see it. And I know I've got a lot to make up for. But I need you to know... I'm trying, Alyssa. I don't want to lose you. Not again."

Alyssa studied him for a long moment, her sharp gaze softening just a fraction. "You really hurt me," she said quietly. "But... I know you're trying. Just don't screw it up again, alright?"

Rick gave her a small, almost relieved smile. "I won't."

Rick placed a hand on Alyssa's shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. He looked at her, his expression softening for a moment.

"You look more like me than ever now, kid," he said with a small smile.

Alyssa rolled her eyes, trying to brush it off. "Don't remind me."

Rick chuckled and gave her a light nudge. "Just don't have Dixon sneaking in and out anymore, alright? If you want to stay with him, just go over to him and Carol's place. Or... have him around here with us."

Alyssa blinked, caught off guard by his sudden openness. She opened her mouth to respond, but Rick kept talking.

"I should really be thanking him," he admitted, his voice quieter. "For all he's done. For you. For us. I wasn't fair to him before, and I get it now. He's been there for you in ways I couldn't be."

Alyssa's lips twitched into a faint smile, her sharp edges softening slightly. "Yeah, he has," she said, her voice steady. "He's always had my back, even when I was a pain in the ass."

Rick chuckled. "You're still a pain in the ass."

"Runs in the family," Alyssa quipped with a smirk.

Rick gave her shoulder a squeeze before letting go. "I'm serious, though. If Daryl's your person, don't feel like you have to hide it. You're family—he's family, too, whether he realizes it or not."

Alyssa nodded, her walls cracking just a little. "Thanks, Rick. For saying that."

He gave her a small, genuine smile. "Let's just get through this patrol, kid. One step at a time."

Alyssa grinned as she started walking, her boots crunching softly against the ground. "Well, you clearly stole my older babe from me," she teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she referred to Jessie.

Rick let out a snort, shaking his head, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at his lips. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to downplay the situation. "You're impossible, you know that?" he muttered.

Alyssa chuckled but quickly shifted gears, her tone turning serious. "No, but seriously," she said, glancing at Rick out of the corner of her eye. "I'm keeping an eye on Pete. Something is off with him."

Rick frowned, his expression darkening. "You think so too?"

Alyssa nodded, her jaw tightening. "Yeah. I don't trust him. The way he looked at me when I first met him? And the way he acts around Jessie? It's not right."

Rick clenched his fists at his sides, his protective instincts flaring. "I've been thinking the same thing," he admitted. "He's got that... vibe. Like he's hiding something."

Alyssa shrugged, her eyes scanning the streets as they walked. "Could just be me being overly suspicious. But I've seen enough assholes out there to know one when I see one."

Rick nodded, his voice low. "We'll keep an eye on him. For now, play it smart. Don't let him catch on that we're watching."

Alyssa gave him a sharp nod, her usual determination shining through. "I always do."

As they continued their patrol, a silent agreement passed between them. Whatever was going on with Pete, they were going to figure it out—together.