In Season 10 alone, Daryl Dixon has willfully dropped all his other responsibilities as one of the communities’ leaders to go meet Carol’s docking boat like a sweetheart welcoming their other half back from war. The joy on his face. . #caryl

He basically ‘cleared his schedule’ to spend that same day alone with her, going out of his way to keep the smile on her face happy and bright. Riding the bike together like old times. Walking the woods under the guise of hunting just to *be* together. #caryl

He’s teased her and laughed with her. Talked about running away with her, just the two of them to New Mexico. As much as he loves their family and friends? If she really wanted to go? He’d help pack their bags. #caryl

He made her a bracelet right on the spot as a token of his immeasurable affection. He’s kept her within his sights when she hasn’t been within reaching distance and she’s literally consumed his thoughts when she hasn’t been present. #caryl

He told her he needed her to stay. Daryl Dixon. The man that lied to her about Glenn and Abe to spare her pain even though he wanted nothing more than her to come back to them all? To him? Spoke up about his wants and needs—her. Near him. With him. #caryl

He’s been there, by her side, always nearby ready to step in and save her from her grief. That night time meeting at the border with Alpha? He was right there. #caryl

He’s played the part of the worried husband when she was injured, missed her while she recovered and kept to herself. Fixed her a dinner tray with a flower that you just know the man went out and picked himself. #caryl

Even though he and Ezekiel have had a little bit of a contentious relationship, Daryl has made it a point to try to bring the man onboard to help her in ways he feels he cannot. Because he cares so very much for her and devalues his own value. #caryl

He’s had Carol’s back, even when he hasn’t fully agreed with her. Remember the captive Whisperer and Father Gabriel? #caryl

He’s been supportive and adorkably competitive with her then flustered in the face of her pointed questions about where his affections lie. The look on his face when he told her “it’s not like that. Not at all” had me wanting to shake my girl Carol. #caryl

Because that was a look of such utter exasperation. His eyes were practically screaming “because I love YOU, you blind idiot!” and he just cannot fathom why she’s not seeing what he feels is so obvious at this point. #caryl

As if those heart eyes weren’t enough, he pocketed that double capper acorn as a good luck talisman right over his heart and basically ordered her to stay safe because he cannot deal with the thought of losing her. #caryl

Poor guy pining over such a silly sweet symbol and thinking of her. #caryl

Then that crackling tension in that kitchen scene where he both confronts her and asks her again to keep herself out of harm’s way. #caryl

Shadowing her in those darkened woods looking for the horde and saving her from triggering that trap. Tenderly wooing her tears and telling her “We have a future.” #caryl

Daryl Dixon sent everyone one of those people running after her in that cave, headlong into the unknown. Several of their friends. And Carol’s name was the first and only name he called when he joined them. #caryl

Carol was the person he held onto just that second longer when she made it from one side of the pit to the other. Carol was at the forefront of his consciousness and getting her out of there before her claustrophobia overwhelmed her. #caryl

He had her follow his light. Holy symbolism, Batman, but I digress. Sure. He wanted everybody safe and out of there. But they were secondary to getting her safely out of there, so of course he noticed when she slipped away. The emotion and tears in his eyes. . #caryl

His breakdown over feeling he wasn’t enough for her to keep her promise. His asking her to let her vendetta wasn’t enough. He was so broken and hurt but he could never hate her. Because everything about this season screams how very much he loves her. #caryl

Daryl Dixon did not flinch at nor question Negan’s comment. He knows her that well and he’s past the point of denial even if he’s still balking at a full on confession. He sat on that damn log all night. Was there—yet again—to greet her when she came back. #caryl

These two are overdue a very real and honest no holds barred heart to heart. The whole season, before it got unexpectedly derailed, was building toward it. There’s been no development of other ‘ships. #caryl

There’s only been AK neatly and not so neatly tying up the final loose ends before they go into that heart to heart both sets of eyes finally forced open. #caryl

Carol has consumed Daryl this season. Oh, he’s been there for Lydia and played the part of Uncle Daryl. He’s grown into a leader that Rick would be proud of and Merle might not recognize. But Carol? He hasn’t been able to shake her from his thoughts or his heart. #caryl

Love during war time. Isn’t that what AK said? Know what she also said? That Carol and Daryl and their relationship was at the heart of the season. And =love, yes? #caryl

Now obviously I wear shipper goggles. I’m not gonna deny it. But something has to be there, right in front of my face, for me to even pay attention to it and give it any consideration. And when 98% of Daryl Dixon’s time and attention has been tied to

and inextricably intertwined with Carol and little else? I don’t need any damn glasses at all.

Season 10 has been about AK shining a light on everything Carol and Daryl are to each other and pushing the reset button for those viewers that might have been sleeping on all the romantic potential they’ve had since the very beginning. #caryl

They’re the longer story she’s been referencing all along. The endgame. #caryl

I love two soulmates and one show runner. #caryl