For 14 years through The Walking Dead’s 11 seasons and the first season of the spin-off series The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, fans never felt like they really got to know Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus). Yet the mysterious, sullen character became a fan favorite. A skilled tracker who is fierce with a bow and arrow and can navigate walkers like Frogger on a motorcycle, he has always been a lone wolf.

Sure, he has close friends, even maybe partook in some subtle flirtations. But no one ever saw Daryl get romantic with another person, not even Leah. That is, until now. Yes, the moment finally happened. Daryl had his first on-screen kiss.

Daryl Dixon’s Romantic Past Has Been Murky at Best

There was so little romantic chemistry between Daryl and, well, anyone, that fans started to wonder if the character was asexual. While he and Carol (Melissa McBride) formed a close bond over time, it has always been a purely platonic relationship. They appear to be soulmates, but not in a romantic sense. So much so that Carol re-enters the fray in the second season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, known as The Book of Carol, trying desperately to find her best friend.

Looking back, there have been teases. When the group was split up in Season 4 of The Walking Dead, and Daryl found himself reluctantly with Beth (Emily Kinney), he finally opened up for the first time about his troubled upbringing. He and Beth shared some sweet moments. But it seemed more like a brother and sister relationship, especially since Beth was only 18 then and Daryl was likely well into his 30s. The thought of a romantic relationship between the two wasn’t something fans wanted, particularly given the age difference and Beth’s childlike innocence.

Following Rick’s (Andrew Lincoln) presumed death, Daryl chose to go out on his own. During that time, he met Leah (Lynn Collins), a beautiful and skilled fighter who, at first, was a thorn in his side (and he in hers). But they started to grow closer and help one another. It was evident that the pair became an official couple eventually, almost definitely having consummated their relationship. Yet no physical contact beyond a caress was ever shown on screen. It was only implied, further adding to the mystique of the character.

Things, however, didn’t end well with Leah. While the relationship was supposedly solid, Daryl became jaded by the whole “happily ever after” experience. Scared by the concept of love, perhaps even feeling undeserving of it, he decided to leave. While he later changed his mind and sought out Leah for forgiveness, he discovered that she had rejoined a very troubling group of ex-military comrades. Their views on the state of the world and how to handle people were on different ends of the spectrum, and it’s clear whatever romantic relationship they once had fizzled out. In the end, Daryl had to choose between killing Leah or allowing her to kill Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and he saved his friend’s life instead.

Next on the list of potential romantic partners was Connie (Lauren Ridloff). Part of a new group that arrived and became friends and allies, she and Daryl shared a special bond. While she was deaf and communicated through sign language and help from her sister Kelly (Angel Theory), Daryl made an effort to communicate with her on his own. They began sharing exchanges through written notes on a small notepad. But eventually, he learned a bit of sign language so he could communicate better with her. His interactions with Connie were some of the few times fans saw Daryl genuinely smile. They shared a mutual respect for one another, but fans couldn’t help but notice the romantic attraction as well. Even Carol saw it and teased Daryl to pursue something more.

Sadly, nothing ever materialized. Daryl showed how much he cared for Connie with his reaction when he thought she was dead. He also burst into tears when she returned alive. But neither of them took things to another level, despite fans desperately “shipping” the characters.

Isabelle Finally Captures Daryl’s Heart

It took the entire series, as well as the first season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, before Daryl finally let his romantic guard down for fans to witness. In the first season, Daryl washes ashore in France, where he encounters dangerous enemies. He is saved and nursed back to health by a nun named Isabelle (Clemence Poesy). But she wants something from him, too. She needs his help to get a young boy named Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi) to a safe place. She believes him to be the Messiah.

Daryl is reluctant to help at first, but when his presence at the convent leads to an attack, his guilty conscience makes him agree to carry out this one task before he heads back home. The season follows this journey with a positive outcome. Daryl also seems like he’s acclimating well to the community, even considering staying. When he decides to leave in the final episode, the last moments show a gutted Laurent following him, begging Daryl to stay.

He does, and the journey continues when new enemies arise, and the safe haven is discovered to be anything but. Daryl feels compelled to help once again, curious if anyone back home even misses him at all. He grows closer to Isabelle, who, as revealed in a backstory episode of Season 1, is no innocent nun. She has a dark past fueled by drugs, excess, and cons. She only donned the habit after the outbreak when a group of nuns saved her and Laurent, who, as it turns out, is actually her nephew. There was always sexual tension between her and Daryl and an obvious mutual attraction. But they had other things to deal with. In Season 2’s second episode, “Moulin Rouge,” Daryl is contemplating a return home, but the pull of Isabelle is evident. He offers to bring Isabelle and Laurent with him.

They share a sweet conversation where Isabelle introduces Daryl to the French phrase “Pouvoir Des Vivants,” which literally translates to “power of the living.” She advises that this relates to starting anew in a different setting, a representation of hope and resilience of the human spirit. In other words, she might just be considering it. Daryl repeats the phrase and smiles. There’s a connection, a spark in this moment, and it’s palpable.

After an intense stare that seems like it lingers for minutes, the two creep closer and engage in a passionate kiss. It’s unbelievable to imagine that this is the first time Daryl is ever seen kissing anyone in the franchise. But that makes it a massive moment that means so much for the character. Daryl is finally evolving. He’s letting down his guard and becoming more emotionally vulnerable. What this could mean for the remainder of the story, particularly with Carol en route, remains to be seen. Fans would love a happy ending whereby Daryl returns to The Commonwealth with Carol, Isabelle, and Laurent in tow. But fans of the show and franchise know that happy endings are few and far between in this world.

With confirmation that Season 3 has already begun filming in Spain, there’s no telling where their romantic relationship might go. But even if it doesn’t materialize into anything more than a first kiss (not Daryl’s first ever but his first on-screen), it’s a pivotal moment for the fan-favorite character. Daryl is growing, maturing, and proving that beneath his long hair, hardened look, and sense of duty, he’s a loving, caring man who longs for companionship. He has waited a long time for this kiss, and so have fans. Stream The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon on AMC+.