Daryl had heard the news within hours of it getting around and when the vigil happened, he showed up. Stood near the back and had his arm tentatively around Maria, the woman who had once thought Simon was her soulmate. She'd found out when it hit the media and had contacted him right away, asking if it was true and distraught beyond words. Daryl hadn't wanted to see her go the way of being drunk near train tracks again and offered to come over. She'd been the one to suggest attending the vigil together. He knew she wasn't really over him yet, despite never being with him, just working on getting back on her own feet. But the timing of all the shit going down with the Vampires was terrible and Simon deserved his death least of everyone involved. Simon was a good kid.

Later, after the vigil and taking Maria home and agreeing to come see her again that week to check up on her, Daryl went back to the scene. He just stood there, arms crossed, looking down at the flowers and candles. Even lit the few that had gone out after all the other watchers had disappeared.

"Sorry, kid," he murmured, throat tightening more than he cared to admit.