There is no fucking way Iāve actually just seen the kiss.
No joke, my entire body heated up and I feel violently ill. Not because I think itās gross just becauseā¦ thatās Darylā¦? That is Daryl. Is that Daryl? What?
But also, for everyone saying heās out of characterā¦ I will have to disagree and I canāt explain why because no one gets it.
Heās been out of character for a while and I think that this is him more in character.
I wonāt discuss it thanks!! Daryl is not a silly baby boy who doesnāt know a thing about showing love or feeling things, heās a 55 year old man who does understand things like this and can kiss a woman.
People baby Daryl so much they forget heās an old ass man who very much understands the concept of kissing š
I feel like the main reason why he feels kind of out of character to me is because of the person he had the kiss WITH, I donāt dislike Isabelle but I donāt think heād kiss someone he hasnāt known for that long.
But Iām also saying that because I think Connie shouldāve been the one he kissed š®āšØš®āšØ
First off, they completely fucking ruined Darylās character by making him kiss a girl that he had known only for a couple weeks. This is the same Daryl that literally protected Connie at all costs, learned signed language for her, attempted to dig her up under all the rubble, and obviously liked her but completely REFUSED to make any moves whatsoever even when Carol endorsed it. Theyāve spent years building up Darylās character showing us that he doesnāt trust easy, he doesnāt care for romance, and it would take A LOT for him to fall in love with someone. So why tf did they make him kiss Isabelle?? After only knowing her for a couple weeks? I love Daryl but his character changed so much and I feel like thatās mainly because heās overly sexualized and the most loved character in the entire twdu.
Also, we all know Daryl would never abandon his family for someone heās only known for a short amount of time, so if he ends up staying with her by the end of the show Iām gone.
Isabelle had the audacity to tell him she loves him
And later when Carol asks Daryl if he loved her, he didnāt answer BUT. He slowly blinks at her. Twice. It looks almost like the tiniest fraction of a nod. If you see that scene, trust me, the blinks say it all.
How can Daryl love a person heās known for two months. Two. Iām heartbroken. I want the Daryl back who doesnāt give a shit about romance. Thatās my Daryl.
He loves his family, ESPECIALLY CAROL?? Amc is literally ruining him so bad .. Iām about to pretend this spinoff doesnāt even exist because itās pissing me off so bad! Completely ruining the point of his character š
First off, they completely fucking ruined Darylās character by making him kiss a girl that he had known only for a little while. This is the same Daryl that literally protected Connie at all costs, learned signed language for her, attempted to dig her up under all the rubble, and obviously liked her but completely REFUSED to make any moves whatsoever even when Carol endorsed it. Theyāve spent years building up Darylās character showing us that he doesnāt trust easy, he doesnāt care for romance, and it would take A LOT for him to fall in love with someone. So why tf did they make him kiss Isabelle?? After only knowing her for what a month? I love Daryl but his character changed so much and I feel like thatās mainly because heās overly sexualized and the most loved character in the entire twdu.
Also, we all know Daryl would never abandon his family for someone heās only known for a short amount of time, so if he ends up staying with her by the end of the show Iām gone.
Would you do a jealous daryl fic? Im pretty open to whatever, I just like it when he gets all riled up.
Play Date.
ā¢Summary: You confess to Daryl, but he doesnāt take it serious, leaving you heartbroken. But when he sees you with Spencer the next day, it sparks jealousy in him he didnāt know he had. (Fem reader)
ā¢Warnings: 18+, No established relationship, angst, fluff
ā¢Word Count: 3.5k
ā¢Setting: Alexandria
ā¢A/N: thank you for the request anon! Iām sorry if you arenāt happy with the results. It took me awhile to write this š«¶š¼ I think if Daryl were actually in a relationship with you, heād be more trusting so he wouldnāt be as jealous.
The walls of Alexandria were a stark contrast to the world outside. It wasnāt just the literal separation between life and death, safety and chaos; it was the reminder of what life had been before everything fell apart. It wasnāt long ago that the world had been buzzing with electricity, the hum of cities, and the simple luxuries they all took for granted. But now? Now, the very idea of safety felt alien.
You glanced over at the furniture as you walked around the home you had been given, the group clustered around you like a protective herd. You all had been in Alexandria for only a day or two, and even though everyone was supposed to be settling in, there was an air of distrust hanging over the group. Rick, in particular, was on edge, his eyes scanning every corner of the street for unseen threats.
Daryl, meanwhile, looked as out of place as he felt. His clothes were worn and dirty, his hair hanging down over his face, but it wasnāt just his appearance that set him apart from the clean-cut Alexandrians. It was the way he held himself, like a caged animal, ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.
Youād known Daryl long enough to recognize the signs. He didnāt belong in a place like this, and he knew it. Hell, none of them did. But Daryl? He was different. Heād always been more comfortable in the wild even before the fall, so here, with their pristine houses and manicured lawns, he felt suffocated.
When Deanna invited everyone to the party, Darylās reaction was immediate and expected.
āI aināt goinā,ā he grunted, not even looking at you as he adjusted the strap on his crossbow. He was standing on the porch of the house you were all sharing, still on edge about sleeping inside, feeling a need to stay outside and keep watch to protect them from any and all possible dangers.
āDarylā¦ā you started, your voice soft, knowing that reasoning with him required patience. āItās just for a little while. Weāve been out there so long, and Deannaās trying to make us feel at home. I know itās not what you want, but could you come? For me?ā
Daryl stopped, his fingers stilling on the strap, and he turned to look at you, his blue eyes piercing through the shadows of his messy hair. You saw the hesitation in him, the way he always struggled with doing things for others when they werenāt strictly necessary for survival. But you werenāt asking for muchājust his presence.
āFine,ā he muttered, not meeting your eyes. āāBut I aināt puttinā on no tie.ā
A small smile tugged at your lips. āDeal.ā
The party was already in full swing by the time you had arrived. People were mingling, drinks in hand, laughter filling the air in a way that felt foreign to the group that had spent so long fighting for their lives. It was strange, surreal even, to see people acting as though the world outside wasnāt in ruins. You noticed how uncomfortable Daryl looked almost immediately, his broad shoulders hunched in his black button up shirt while his eyes scanned the crowd as if he were looking for an escape route.
Daryl didnāt say much, hovering behind you like a shadow, his discomfort evident in every tense movement. People from Alexandria approached you, eager to learn about the new arrivals. They asked questionsāabout where your group had came from, how long theyād been on the road, and how you were all adjusting. You answered politely, but there was always a part of you that held back, a part that still didnāt fully trust this place.
Daryl, meanwhile, was grateful that no one spoke to him, even if the reason they didnāt was because they feared him. He stayed quiet, following you from conversation to conversation, his eyes flicking between you and the people who approached. He felt out of place, like he didnāt belong among these clean, well-fed people who seemed oblivious to the horrors faced outside those walls. But he stayed because you, the person he loved, asked him to.
Eventually, Deanna approached, her smile warm as she introduced you and Daryl to her husband, Reg.
āItās so nice to meet you both.ā Reg began, glancing between the two of them with a kind smile. āSo, how long have you two been together?ā
Your cheeks flushed instantly, and you quickly corrected him, laughing nervously. āOh, no, weāre notā¦ weāre not together.ā
Daryl stayed silent, his heart was racing but he said nothing. He wasnāt sure what to say, anyway. The awkwardness of the moment hung in the air for a second too long before Deannaās smile widened knowingly.
āWell, you make a good team,ā she said before moving on, leaving them both standing there in the midst of the party.
You felt a strange mix of emotions swirl inside youāembarrassment, confusion, and something else you couldnāt quite name. You glanced at Daryl, but his expression was unreadable, his eyes fixed on the floor.
Before you could say anything, Spencer appeared, smiling that easy, charming smile of his as he greeted you. Daryl tensed immediately, his eyes narrowing as Spencer completely ignored his presence and focused all his attention on you, like everyone at this party had done.
āGlad to see youāre fitting in,ā Spencer said, his tone just a little too smooth. He leaned in slightly, his body language relaxed butā¦ suggestive. You noticed it, but tried to push the thought aside, assuming you were reading too much into it.
You both made small talk for a few minutes, Spencer doing most of the talking while you nodded politely, trying not to let your discomfort show. Daryl, on the other hand, could see right through Spencerās act. He recognized the way Spencerās eyes lingered a little too long, the way his smile was just a little too practiced.
His jaw tightened as he watched Spencer flirt with you right in front of him. It wasnāt that he thought you were hisābut the way Spencer looked at you, like you were a conquest, made him feel frustrated, made him feel emotions heās never felt for anyone before, feelings he didnāt think he was capable of feeling.
āIām gonā get a drink.ā Daryl muttered under his breath, though he had no intention of actually getting one. Without waiting for a response, he turned and headed for the door, needing to get away before he did something stupid. You barely noticed as he walked away, too caught up in Spencerās conversation. It wasnāt until Spencer asked, āSo, do you have a boyfriend?ā that your mind shifted to Daryl.
You paused, your heart skipping a beat as you thought about your feelings for Daryl. You werenāt together, but you couldnāt deny that your heart had long since gravitated toward him.
āNo,ā you finally answered, voice quiet.
Spencerās smile widened, and before you could say anything else, he asked, āThen how about we go out sometime?ā The question caught you off guard, but you recovered quickly, offering him a polite smile as you shook your head. āIām not really interested, Iām sorry.ā You couldnāt really handle the awkwardness of the conversation, so you began to walk away, but Spencer wasnāt one to take no for an answer. His hand shot out, grabbing your wrist a little too tightly, his smile fading into something harder. āCome on,ā he said, his tone insistent. āItās just a date.ā
You tensed immediately, your eyes narrowing as you tried to pull your wrist free. āLet go,ā you said firmly, your voice was low enough that no one else at the party noticed.
For a moment, Spencer hesitated, his grip tightening. But then he seemed to remember where they wereāsurrounded by both Alexandrians and people
of Rickās groupāand he released you, his expression shifting back into a smooth, apologetic smile.
āSorry about that,ā he said quickly, but the red mark on your wrist told a different story.
Without another word, you turned and walked away, heading toward the table with the drinks to look for Daryl. But when you got there, he was nowhere to be found. What you did see, though, was Spencer already chatting up Sasha, his flirtatious smile back in full force.
You sighed, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over you. The night wasnāt turning out the way you had hoped. You wanted to enjoy it, to maybe have a quiet moment with Daryl, but instead, it felt like everything was falling apart.
Needing some air, you stepped outside, the cool night breeze brushing against your skin. It didnāt take long to spot Daryl, leaning against a nearby fence, a cigarette between his lips as he stared out into the darkness.
You approached him slowly, your heart still racing from the interaction with Spencer. As you got closer, Darylās eyes shifted to you, and the moment he saw the red mark on your wrist, his entire demeanor changed.
āWhaā happened?ā he asked, his voice rough but laced with concern.
You hesitated for a moment, not wanting to make a big deal out of it, but you knew there was no point in lying to him. āSpencer grabbed me when I tried to leave,ā you really didnāt want to already start problems. āItās fine. He let go.ā
Darylās expression darkened instantly, his jaw clenching as he tossed the cigarette to the ground, already turning to head back toward the house. āIām gonā kill āim.ā
āDaryl, wait,ā quickly, you stepped in front of him and placed a hand on his chest to stop him. āItās fine. I justā¦ I want to spend the night with you. Not dealing with that. Please.ā
He stopped, his fists still clenched, his eyes blazing with barely contained anger. But something about the way you said itāthe way you asked him to stay with youāmade him pause. He looked down at you, his chest rising and falling as he tried to calm the storm inside him.
āIf he gets near ya again, I swearā¦ā
You smiled softly, touched by his protectiveness. āI know. But you donāt have to worry. Iāve got youāand the rest of the groupāwatching out for me. Iām fine.ā
He was quiet for a moment, his gaze dropping to the ground as he struggled with the emotions swirling inside him. He wanted to protect you, wanted to make sure no one ever laid a hand on you, but there was something else gnawing at himāsomething he didnāt quite know how to deal with.
Jealousy.
He didnāt think he had a right to feel it, but it was there, a bitter taste in his mouth. Spencer was younger, cleaner, probably the kind of guy you deserved. And him? He was older, rough around the edges, scarred in more ways than one.
He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, you spoke again, voice steady. āDarylā¦ you donāt have to worry about Spencer or anyone else. My heartā¦ it already belongs to you.ā
For a moment, Daryl froze, his mind going blank as your words sank in. He looked down at you, his eyes wide with disbelief. You couldnāt be serious. There was no way someone like youāsomeone strong, kind, beautifulācould feel that way about him.
A defensive scoff escaped his lips as he shook his head while giving your shoulder a playful nudge.
Your smile faltered, and you felt the sting of his actions deep in your chest. Youād laid your heart bare, and heād brushed it off like it was nothing. But you didnāt let the hurt show. Instead, you forced a small laugh, playing it off like it was a joke.
But inside, your heart was breaking.
Without another word, you turned and began walking back in the direction toward your shared home with the others, your chest tight with the weight of his rejection. You felt like you had taken a leap, only to be pushed away, and now all you wanted to do was disappear.
Daryl watched you go as he lit another cigarette, his mind racing with thoughts he couldnāt untangle. His jealously, his feelings for you, things heād never discuss out loud.
After arriving, you realized you were alone in the house. Everyone was still at the party and the silence was too deafening, leaving you unable to shake the pit in your stomach. The night stretched on endlessly as you rested on the worn-out couch, staring at the ceiling, the events of what happened playing on a loop in your mind.
Rejection. The taste of it still burned in your chest. You had put your heart on the line, and Daryl didnāt seem to notice. It had felt like a punch to the gut, leaving you winded and second-guessing everything. He hadnāt even said anything realājust brushed it off like you were joking, and now, the quiet gnawed at you, making you feel smaller by the minute. Maybe he didnāt feel the same, and that thought consumed you throughout the night.
The next day passed in a blur. You barely caught a glimpse of Daryl, knowing he was out with Aaron, who had given him a new job as a recruiting partner after he had invited him over for dinner. Every step he took away from you felt like another brick in the wall that was forming between you two. You wrestled with your feelings, considering maybe it was time to let loose.
And maybe it was time to open your options with someone else.
That afternoon, while you sat on the porch, a warm breeze brushing against your skin, Spencer appeared, looking sheepish. āHey, about yesterday...ā His voice was shaky, unsure. He shifted on his feet, his gaze darting to the ground before he finally met your eyes. āIām really sorry for grabbing your wrist like that. I had too much to drink and I was way out of line.ā
You remembered the incident from the partyāthe way he had grabbed you, too rough, too desperate. But now, seeing the guilt in his eyes, you couldnāt help but feel a small sense of pity.
āItās fine,ā you forced a small smile. āYou were buzzed. I totally get it.ā
Relief washed over his face, and he grinned, more confident now. āSo... what about that date?ā
You hesitated for a moment, your heart still aching for someone else, but the thought of moving on, of trying to distract yourself from the pain, seemed tempting. Maybe you could use Spencer to forget Daryl. āSure,ā you replied, surprising yourself with the ease in your voice.
The date was... fine. That was the best word to describe it. Spencer talked a lot about himselfāhis job before the fall, his family, the world he missed. He asked you questions too, seemed genuinely interested in what you had to say, but as much as you tried, you couldnāt really care. His words barely made a dent in your thoughts, because they were always somewhere elseāon Daryl.
But Spencer, oblivious to your disinterest, seemed to think it was a success. He walked you home afterward, his arm brushing yours every now and then. You found yourself laughing at some of the things he said, more out of politeness than anything else, but for a moment, it almost felt normal. Almost.
As you approached the front porch, you failed to notice Daryl.
He stood there, not far from the house, just returning from his run with Aaron. He froze, his eyes locked on you and Spencer, his face hardening into something unreadable. Daryl just watched, hands clenched at his sides with his jaw tight.
By the time you reached the porch, you felt tired in more ways than one. As Spencer gave you a final, confident smirk, promising to see you again soon, he finally left. You were lost in thought. The silence wrapped around you, and for a while, you almost forgot about the strange encounterāuntil you spotted Daryl walking right towards you.
āHey, Daryāā
Before you could finish, Darylās hand shot out, gripping your wristānot rough, but firm enough to pull you toward him. His face was a storm of anger, jealousy, and something else you couldnāt quite place. His chest was rising and falling rapidly, like he was barely keeping it together. He dragged you into the house, slamming the door behind him with a force that rattled the frame. āThe hell ya doinā with thaā asshole?ā he spat, his voice low and accent thick, filled with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine.
You blinked, caught off guard. āWhat do you mean? We were just talking.ā
Daryl scoffed, pacing like a caged animal. āTalkinā? That sonāof a bitch touched ya, now yer walkinā āround with him like it didnāt mean nothinā.ā
You crossed your arms, defensiveness rising in your chest. āHe apologized. It wasnāt that big of a deal.ā
His eyes flashed, and you could see the fury bubbling just beneath the surface. āNot a big deal? He hurt ya!ā His voice was louder now, frustration pouring out of him.
And then it hit youāwhy he was acting this way. Was he... jealous? The realization made your blood boil. After he brushed you off, now he wanted to care? Now he wanted to feel something?
You snapped, your voice laced with anger. āSo what? It wasnāt nearly as bad as you hurt me! So stop acting like weāre together when you clearly donāt care!ā
Your words hung in the air, cutting through him like a knife. You watched as Darylās expression shifted from anger to confusion. āWhat?ā His voice was quieter now, unsure.
Your heart clenched, the weight of everything youād been holding in finally crashing down on you. āLast night,ā you began, your voice was softer now, but still trembling with emotion. āWhen I told you my heart belonged to you... you acted like it was a joke.ā
His breath caught in his throat. He remembered. The way he had shrugged it off, laughed it away, thinking you were just messing around. He had never thought, not in a million years, that you could feel that way about him. A girl like you? Loving a guy like him? It was laughable.
But now, seeing the pain in your eyes, it wasnāt funny at all.
āI... Iām sorry,ā he mumbled, his voice thick with regret. āThought ya were just messinā āround.ā He trailed off, unable to find the right words.
You sighed, the tension slowly ebbing away as you took in the sight of himāthis man who had built up walls so high, he couldnāt even see when someone was trying to climb them. āWhy would I joke about something like that, Daryl?ā you asked, almost pleading. Maybe he was used to Carolās humor, or maybe he didnāt think he deserved you.
He shifted uncomfortably, his eyes dropping to the floor. āDunno,ā he muttered. āDidnāt think redneck trash would be worth yer time.ā
His words hit you harder than you expected. The way he saw himself, the way he spoke of himselfāit hurt. But in this moment, the vulnerability in his voice, the way he couldnāt even look at you... it was endearing.
āDaryl...ā you called softly, stepping closer, your heart pounding in your chest. You reached out, gently placing your index finger and your thumb under his chin, tilting his face up until his eyes met yours. The closeness between you made the air crackle with anticipation.
His eyes flickered between your gaze and your lips, nervous, unsure. He bit the inside of his lip, fidgeting with his fingers, and you knewāhe was waiting for your next move.
With a steady breath, you leaned in, closing the distance between you, and pressed your lips to his. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, but as his hands found your waist, pulling you closer, it deepened. When you finally pulled away, you stayed close, your lips brushing his as you whispered, āOf course youāre worth my time.ā
Darylās eyes were wide, his breath shallow. For a long moment, he just stared at you, as if trying to convince himself that this was real. Then, in a quiet manner, he cleared his throat. āI love ya.ā The words left his mouth in a very subtle whisper as you felt his breath against your lips.
Your heart stopped, the world seeming to freeze for just a second. He... loved you?
āI love you too, Daryl,ā you whispered back, smiling before leaning in to kiss him again.
After a long, tender moment, you pulled back, and Daryl glanced away, embarrassed. āYa still gonā hang out with thaā guy?ā he asked, his voice gruff but his tone soft.
You laughed, completely forgetting about Spencer. āNo,ā you cupped Darylās cheek gently, making him revert his gaze back to you. āI have you. Thatās all I need.ā
Girllll what if an imagine where S3! Daryl and y/n are a thing and when Daryl left with his brother, rick and the others were the one who told y/n that he just left and she was so devastated that when daryl eventually came back she treated him coldly then eventually breaking down in front of him because they think it's easy for daryl to leave them
ā¢Summary: Daryl leaves with Merle without thinking how it would affect you. (Fem Reader)
ā¢Warnings: 18+, Twd violence, angst, fluff
ā¢Word count: 2.6k
ā¢Setting: The Prison
ā¢A/N: thank you for the request! Iām really sorry if this isnāt what you wanted and you arenāt happy with it š I rewatched a couple episodes to try and make it as accurate as possible to the actual series. also Iām a very strong believer that Daryl would call his partner sweetheart š¤š¼(I promise Iāve seen all the other requests Iāve gotten!)
Rick, Daryl, and Oscar had set out to rescue Glenn and Maggie, who were being held prisoner in Woodbury. Michonne had accompanied them, serving as their guide through the hostile territory. The operation, however, hadn't gone as smoothly as planned. They had lost Oscar in the chaos, and the Governor had captured Daryl, forcing him into a brutal situationāpitting him against his own brother, Merle.
As the dust settled and the group reconvened, Glenn and Michonne stayed behind to watch over the car while Rick and Maggie went back for Daryl, determined not to leave him behind. Against their better judgment, they returned with more than just DarylāMerle had tagged along, at Darylās insistence. Now, back at the car, an intense discussion was brewing over whether Merle and Michonne should be brought back to the prison.
āThe Governor is probably headinā to the prison righā now. Merle knows how he thinks and we could use the muscle,ā Darylās eyes locking on Rick, his tone resolute. One way or another, he was bringing his brother back.
Tension radiated from Glenn and Maggie. Glenn, still nursing wounds from Merleās brutal interrogation, was barely containing his anger. Maggie stood close, her face tight with the memory of her own trauma at the hands of the Governor. āHe had a gun to our heads! You really want him sleeping in the same cell block as Carol or Beth?ā Glenn's voice shook, both with fury and concern for his familyās safety.
Daryl shot back quickly, defensive. āHe aināt a rapist.ā But Glenn was faster. His words were sharp, cutting through Darylās protest like a knife. āWell his buddy is.ā
Darylās face tightened. āThey aināt buddies no more. Not after last night,ā he said, growing more frustrated. To him, this was simpleāMerle was family. Family was non-negotiable. Why was this even up for debate?
Rick, observing the growing argument, finally stepped in, his voice measured but firm. āThereās no way Merleās gonna live there without putting everyone at each otherās throats.ā
Darylās patience was fraying. āSo ya gonā cut Merle loose and bring the last samurai home with us?ā His irritation was clear. They were even considering taking Michonneāsomeone they barely knewāwhile debating his own brother?
The group paused as Maggie spoke up, her voice softer but filled with conviction while gesturing towards Michonne. āSheās in no state to be on her own,ā The trauma they'd all just endured weighed heavily on her, and she couldn't understand why Daryl seemed blind to it.
Rick and Daryl exchanged a look. They had their doubts about Michonne, and Rick had voiced that, telling the group that sheās not going back with them. āThatās righā, we donāt know who she is. But Merle? Merleās blood.ā Daryl threw the statement out like it should end the conversation, as if everyone would automatically agree.
But Glennās response was immediate and cold. āNo, Merle is your blood. My family is right here. And theyāre waiting for us back at the prison.ā His words hung in the air, heavy with finality. Maggie nodded in agreement, she wasnāt about to let Merle, of all people, endanger what little they had left.
Rick stepped closer to Daryl, his voice steady, attempting to bridge the growing divide. āAnd you're part of that family, Daryl. Not him.ā
The statement struck Daryl hard. He looked baffled, wounded even. If they considered him family, why wouldnāt they accept his brother? āMan, yāall donāt know.ā He shook his head, anger and confusion swirling inside him.
The silence that followed was tense. Everyone stared at Daryl, unsure of what more they could say. In their eyes, the decision was obviousābut for Daryl, it was far from simple. Finally, Daryl exhaled sharply. āFine. Weāll fend for ourselves.ā
The words hung in the air like a threat, and instantly the group erupted in protests. There was panic now, a desperation to keep Daryl from making a stupid decision out of anger. āNo him, no me,ā Daryl snapped, his voice thick with frustration. He felt cornered, like there was no room for him to protect both his blood and his new family.
Maggie stepped forward, āDaryl, you donāt have to do this.ā He looked at her, and for a moment, his hardened expression faltered. āIt was always Merle and me before this,ā he said quietly, the pain in his voice clear. He was torn, and it was written all over his face.
Glenn, still reeling from everything, asked a question that Daryl forgot to consider in the heat of the moment. āWhat do you want us to tell Y/N?ā It was a simple question, but one that carried so much weight. They both knew it would devastate you.
Daryl hesitated, his gaze dropping. āSheāll understand.ā But there was a crack in his voice, a hint of uncertainty, deep down he knew that you in fact wouldnāt understand. The group fell silent, letting the gravity of the moment sink in.
For a long moment, Daryl stood there, chewing on the inside of his lip, torn between his past and his present. Finally, he began moving, heading toward the car. āSay goodbye to your pop for me.ā Directing his comment towards Maggie. Rick quickly followed, refusing to let this situation go. āHey, hey. Thereās got to be another way,ā he pleaded, knowing how hard this would hit not just Carol but you too.
Daryl paused, his back still to Rick. āDonāt ask me to leave him,ā he said, accent thick as ever. āI already did thaā once.ā Arriving at the trunk he begins stuffing supplies into his bag, while telling Rick and them to take care of themselves. He hoists it over his shoulder, glancing one last time at the group, and walking away with Merle.
You stood quietly, arranging your belongings. Your cell had become somewhat of a sanctuary for you, a space to shape, however fragile, into a semblance of back home. You carefully sat down on your bed, deciding that you were going to nap, until you heard a knock, and saw Rick standing just outside. His hands rested against the cracked walls, not wanting to intrude too much. āHow are you doing?ā he asked, his voice very careful.
You offered a smile, though it didnāt reach your eyes. āIām okay.ā It was silent for a moment, you could tell he had more to say. āIs everything okay?ā Rick slowly brought his gaze from your face to the ground, wondering how he could bring the news to you. āListen.. Darylās gone. Left with Merle.ā
Your heart lurched violently in your chest, but outwardly, you kept still, trying to keep your breath steady while each inhale felt like swallowing glass. āIs he coming back?ā He was coming back right? You two had something special did you not?
Rickās expression was one of apology, his shoulders heavy with the weight of what he had broke to you. āI donāt know. He told me youād understand.ā Understand? Understand that Daryl had chosen to abandon the love you thought you both had? Without even saying goodbye?
āOkay.ā You replied softly, your voice refusing to betray the devastation roaring inside you. You couldnāt fall apart, and especially not in front of Rick.
He lingered for a moment longer, āif you need anything..āā
āIāll be fine, Rick. Thank you.ā
He gave you a solemn nod before stepping back into the hallway, the silence in your cell feeling almost suffocating. You sat frozen for a very long moment, staring at ceiling. Then, like a dam breaking, the tears came, hot and unbidden, blurring your vision as the enormity of it all crashed down on you. You sank onto your bed, your body shaking with silent sobs and your heart aching in ways you hadnāt expected. Youāve always known that Daryl was complicated, guarded.. but why did he leave? Were you not important enough to him? Did you really mean that little? A hundred questions burned in your mind, and none of them had answers.
It felt like an eternity before the next day finally arrived. The night had been restless, your mind circling endlessly around one thing, and that one thing was Daryl. The way he had just stood up and left you behind, it left a pit in your stomach that only deepened with each passing hour. But today, you had bigger problems, problems that made personal heartache seem almost insignificant.
Glenn was gone, in attempts to clear his mind. With Daryl gone and Rick wandering crazy town, he was the next in charge, and right now he had a lot of pent up anger on what the governor did to Maggie. But of course, while he was gone, the Governor had made his move, and it was brutal. His forces stormed the prison with a cold, ruthless efficiency, and everything erupted before you had time to prepare. Axel was the first to fall, a sharp crack of gunfire cutting through the air as he crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Carol, who had been standing just beside him, let out a sharp cry of shock. In a heartbeat she ducked behind Axelās now motionless body, using him as a shield.
Bullets ripped through the air, the deafening sound of gunfire filling the space as you scrambled for cover. You crouched behind the crumbling remains of the prison walls that were near the gate, heart hammering in your chest, adrenaline surging through your veins. You clutched your rifle tightly, hands shaking slightly as you peeked out from behind the wall, eyes scanning for targets.
There. One of the Governor's men was in your line of sight, crouched low, his rifle trained on the courtyard. Without hesitating, you aimed and pulled the trigger. The recoil jolted your body, but you didn't wait to see if you hit your mark. You ducked back behind the wall, the echo of gunfire ringing in your ears. Around you, The group fought just as hard, each of them locked in their own battles.
As you leaned out again, carefully scanning for your target who you hadnāt known already retreated, your eyes fell on Herschel, who was still exposed in the courtyard. Rick, positioned just outside the fences, was also in a precarious situation. At that moment, the Governor and his men launched an assault, sending a car to smash through the courtyard fence. Herschel, crouched in the field with his rifle, began to feel the weight on him as walkers started to flood in from every direction.
The fear was palpable among you, Rick, and especially Maggie as you all dreaded the possibility of losing Herschel. Just as the Governor began to leave, Glenn had returned, driving into the courtyard while Michonne followed the truck, cutting through the walkers that stood in her way. Their intervention was a lifesaver; they quickly rescued Herschel, escorting him into the truck and out of the courtyard, into the safety of the prison gates.
Outside, Rick was struggling to fend off the relentless walkers closing in on him. Just when things seemed dire, a bolt flew through the air, striking the head of the walker attacking Rick. Daryl and Merle had returned, joining forces with Rick to clear the remaining walkers. Daryl and the rest of your family were okay.. and thatās all you needed to know before bolting back toward your cell, trying your best to avoid the archer in the process.
A couple hours later you found yourself sat on your bed, running your fingers absentmindedly over the pages of an old journal you started keeping. Without looking up, you could heard the familiar sound of boots shuffling just outside your cell. Daryl stood awkwardly in the doorway, his hand brushing against the frame of the cell, his shoulders hunched slightly as though the weight of the world rested on them. He didnāt say anything at first, just stood there, the air between them thick with tension.
"Hey," he muttered finally, his voice gravelly and hesitant.
You looked up at him then, your expression unreadable. Daryl shifted his weight, uncomfortable under your gaze. Without a word, you stood and brushed past him, your shoulder grazing his as you walked out of the cell. Daryl flinched at the contact, his jaw tightening. The cold shoulder hit him harder than any words could have, and as he watched you walk away, he felt the guilt gnawing at his insides.
The distance between you two only grew more unbearable. As the days flew by, you continued to ignore him, feeling as if he didnāt deserve your attention, while Daryl found himself missing the soft touch of your hand, the warmth you brought into his life that no one else ever could. He couldnāt stay away any longer. He needed to fix this.
He found you sitting on the edge of your bed again, scribbling quietly in your journal like yesterday, not looking up when he entered, just blatantly ignoring him.
"Damn it, whyāre ya avoidinā me?" His frustration finally boiled over, his voice harsher than he meant it to be. You paused, setting the journal down slowly before looking up at him with steely eyes, the walls around you finally beginning to crack. "Why did you leave, Daryl?" Your was voice trembling but controlled, laced with anger. "Was it that easy?"
Daryl froze, his usual tough exterior faltering. He wasnāt used to being confronted like this, especially by you. He fidgeted, biting the inside of his lip. "It aināt like thatā¦ Merleā heās my blood."
"And what am I, Daryl?" You instantly snapped, voice rising higher as your emotions spilled over. "Why was it so easy for you to leave me? You didnāt even say goodbye. Did you not care?" Darylās gaze fell to the ground, avoiding yours at all costs. āI wasnāt thinkinā straightā
Your eyes instantly widened in disbelief and hurt. āYou left me here, alone, when I thought we had something! You werenāt even clear headed enough to think about how it would affect me!ā Daryl flinched at edge of your voice. āI didnāt know what to do! I was tryinā to do what I thought was right.ā
You stood up abruptly, your anger radiating off you. āWhat was right?! You think abandoning me without a word is doing whatās right? Whyād you even come back if clearly all you needed was Merle.ā
Your words cut deeper than any wound heād ever taken. He stood there, staring at you, the silence stretching painfully between you both. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I came back 'cause I realized I love ya."
Your heart fluttered at his words, the anger in your eyes softening, though the hurt was still there. For a very long pause you just stared at him, scanning his eyes for any possible doubt for what he just admitted to you. ā..Actually?ā You really couldnāt believe it, you never thought heād be the one to say those words first, but he did. All You wanted to do was stay mad, to push him away for making you feel like you didnāt matter, but the vulnerability in his voice stopped you. He again chewed the inside of his lips and nodded slowly to answer your question. "Iām sorry." he mumbled, looking down. He looked like he was about to cry, and in that very moment you just wanted to nurture him.
So without thinking, you closed the distance and wrapped your arms around him. Daryl tensed at first, his back stiffening at the unexpected embrace, but after a moment, he slowly relaxed, his arms wrapping around you in return and leaning down into your neck, feeling comfortable and safe.
"I love you too.. but donāt ever leave me again."
Daryl leaned back and pressed a gentle kiss onto your forehead, lingering just for a moment. āI wonāt, sweetheart.ā
And that was a promise heād never break. Not for anybody.
ā¢Summary: Daryl comes over for a smoke, who knew things would get so deep? (Fem reader)
ā¢Warnings: 18+, Drug use, a teeny tiny bit suggestive but no smut, mentions of abuse, Stoner!Reader, Angst.
ā¢Word Count: 2.3k.
ā¢Setting: The Commonwealth
ā¢A/N: Heavily inspired by Kimdracula by deftones. I have always thought Daryl is deathly afraid of labels on relationships, so hereās me implementing that into my writing. I love writing for the commonwealth era also letās also pretend deftones lines up with twd timeline š«¢
Tension.
Tension was always the main thing between you and Daryl. For the longest time since the farm, you two have had somethingāsomething that canāt be explained by just simple words.
The both of you have kissed before, but for some reason never have said anything of it. Most people thought you two were a couple, but you donāt know what you two are. one thing for sure, is that you love each other. Platonic or not, you both have always stuck out for each other and world knows Daryl would fight to the ends of the earth to keep you and the rest of his family alive and safe.
Though right now, you havenāt seen much of Daryl, and thatās surprising considering he was your neighbor. Everyone from Alexandria have still been settling in, and heās been incredibly busy, so have you with your new job settlement.
Suddenly being employed in the apocalypse definitely left you stoked, but you kind of enjoyed it unlike Daryl and the others. It was a bittersweet feeling, left you thinking maybe the world still does have a chance.
With some of the hard earned money that you managed to work up, you decided to head to town looking for music. Itās always been a huge comfort for you, helping you overcome challenges you had to face even before the fall, and you hoped maybe they had some of your favorite albums. Your eyes were set on the storefront at the end of the block, and you soon approached. A sign hung above it, faded but clear. āThe Record Shopā and a faint sound of music leaked through the door. On entering, hearing the door chime youāre greeted with a familiar face.
āWelcome!- Oh shit hey!ā It was Princessā shift today, and honestly it was rather refreshing to see her face, you havenāt seen really anybody else you had known.
Looking around for a moment, you take in the decorations. You soon face Princess, giving her a warm smile.
āHey! How have you been?ā
āItās been great! Itās been great.. How about you?ā She responded, excited to be speaking with you.
āIāve been good! Iām glad things are going well for you Princess.ā You were kind of lying, things werenāt really good for you.. itās been hard adjusting to this kind of life, youāve always felt as if the apocalypse saved you in a way.
āIām happy for you dude! Well did you come here to buy something?ā
āYeah actually, do you guys have deftones?ā You were hoping to god they did. You were in such a need to listen to your favorite album, and the last time you did was years ago.
You can see her lips curve into a small smirk, as she points to the left. āYep! All the way to the last aisle on the left.ā
Youāve never felt as happy as you felt now.
āThanks!ā You quickly pick up your feet, rushing to the aisle that Princess pointed to. Upon arrival, you quickly scan the area in attempts to find your favorite album āSaturday Night Wristā.
All you could spot was Around the Fur and White pony as you sifted through the records, fingers brushing against the glossy covers, the album you were looking for nowhere in sight. To be honest, you were a little disappointed, until you spot that beautiful untouched record hidden behind one of the Metallica covers right next to the ones you were looking through. It was very obviously the last one in stock.
You bit your lip while smirking in happiness, grabbing the album and basking in it, the cover still haunting and beautiful just as you remembered. After about 30 seconds of reminiscing, you head to the checkout where Princess was.
āThat all?ā
āYep!ā
āThatās 30!ā
You hand her a 20 and a 10, and she proceeds to print out your receipt. āIt was so good seeing you! And hey, donāt be a stranger!ā She hands you what you came there for, and waves you off with a grin. You politely tell her goodnight and make your way to your apartment.
A few days ago you had asked Daryl and Judith if you could borrow that record player he had bought for her, since you were planning on buying some music. Of course they agreed, so you knew exactly what you were doing when you got home.
Just as you got to your destination, you spotted Daryl walking up to his own apartment, quickly taking notice of you. āHey Daryl.ā You already felt a bit tense, Daryl looked incredibly exhausted.
āHey.ā
Well this was kind of awkward, you greeted him but didnāt really know how to continue the conversation, until an idea sprang through you. āI uh, finally bought some music. Wanna join me in listening and have a smoke?ā He seems like he could use a get away, and you have just the remedies to relax him.
You watched as he looks down at the floor, biting the inside of his lip before responding while slightly nodding his head. āYea, Yea sure. Ya stayinā up?ā He started to swirl his thumbs together, you always thought it was really cute when he did that.
āYeah, for a bit. Cāmon Iām so excited to unwrap this.ā You used your key to unlock your apartment door and enter, leaving the door open for Daryl as he quickly proceeds behind you.
He closes the door behind you both, locking it and following you to your room. It was dimly lit, bathed in the soft glow of candles around. āHold this.ā You hand Daryl the vinyl, before walking over to your drawer, pulling out rolling paper, an herb grinder, a lighter, and some weed. āSorry, give me a second to do this, then we can put the album on the record player.ā He nods, and goes to sit down on the corner of your neatly folded bed.
You go about crushing the marijuana, feeling the uncomfortableness of the situation seep into you. You and Daryl havenāt seen each other in weeks, now all of a sudden you invited him in for a smoke?
The silence starts becoming painfully sharp, so you begin at your poor attempts at starting conversation. āSo how have you been settling in?ā He looks up, staring at your figure then at your face, watching your movements as you proceed to add the cannabis onto the rolling paper. āIāve been āIght.ā Wow. Was he normally this bland?
āHm, thatās good. How are the kids?ā Please Daryl, give a response that you can actually open a conversation to.. āThey been good. Judith is doinā better than her whole class.ā
Finally, something worth answering. Your heart warms up for a moment, remembering that the kids are finally getting a real experience of what school is. You and Daryl are both incredibly thankful that the children are going to have a chance at a semi normal childhood.
āIām not surprised at all.. Judith is so smart.ā You finished up rolling the joint, sealing it with a lick. You turn to face the man youāve grown to love, passing it to him while taking the record out of his hands, pulling out the vinyl from its frame and heading to where the record player is. This entire situation has got you feeling excited, being able to finally listen to one thing you missed before the dead rose, and doing it with your favorite person. You carefully place it onto the record player, moving the tonearm and playing it.
The first song that played was Hole in the Earth, and it gave you a type of skin crawling sensation that you just couldnāt explain.
Turning to Daryl, you take back the joint and light it. If you werenāt so focused on what you were doing, you wouldāve noticed how he was staring at you, admiring everything you were doing, noticing how you felt when the music started playing, and being so entranced with how your hips swayed.
You took your first hit, soon after passing it to Daryl so he can also take a draw. He grabs the joint but he doesnāt bring it to his lips right away. He keeps his gaze on your face, looking you over before taking a deep inhale. He lets the smoke slowly spill from his mouth, while carefully making sure to blow it away from you. He passes it back to you, still maintaining eye contact. The tension was overbearing, and by the way he was looking at you, it was almost impossible not to feel flutters in your stomach.
The slow, moody guitar riff filling the space between you both accompanied with the scent of burning sage lingering in the air mixing with the sharp tang of weed, was making the tension rise all the more. You took a slow drag from the joint, eyes never leaving his, exhaling lazily and letting the smoke swirl between the two of you.
āYou okay?ā You ask, your voice light and teasing, catching the twitch of nerves in him. Daryl gave a small grunt, nodding and shifting his weight, his gaze flickering between your lips and the joint. He wasnāt used to moments like thisāquiet, intimate.
You smiled gently, a little sly, while slowly leaning closer, feeling buzzed while the drug does its job. āWanna shotgun it?ā
Daryl swallowed hard. He wasnāt expecting something so bold, itās not like you. But the idea of your lips so close, sharing the smoke between you, sent a ripple of emotion through him. So he gave you a nod, wanting more of this confident side of you.
You took another slow hit, eyes smoldering as you leaned in, lips barely parting. āCome here.ā You whispered.
Daryl hesitated for a fraction of a second before leaning forward, feeling the heat of your breath as you exhaled into his mouth, smoke filling his lungs. All he could focus on was how close you were, the smell of your hair, and how beautiful you looked.
Before either of you could stop, the moment stretched, and your lips hovered near his. There was a beat, then two, before instinct took over. You closed the gap, pressing your mouth softly against his. Daryl was left caught off guard, still kissing you back.
The music throbbed around you as the kiss deepened, a mixture of nerves and heat rising. The joint, forgotten and placed onto the ashtray as Darylās hand found its way on your back, pulling you closer.
The kiss lingered longer than either of you expected. Your lips were soft and tasted of marijuana. He found himself sinking into the warmth of the moment, the aroma that had been hanging between you dissolving into something he wasnāt sure how to handle. His hands, rough and scarred, tightened around your waist, but there was a gentleness in the way he held you that surprised even him.
You kissed him slowly, as if you had all the time in the world, and Daryl could feel something stir inside him, something unfamiliar, almost unsettling. It wasnāt the impulsive thrill of survival, or the adrenaline of his attempts to protect himself from his father, it was something softer. Something he hadnāt felt in a long time, if ever. His mind was racing, trying to make sense of the warmth spreading through his chest, the vulnerability.
You pulled back just a little, breath still warm on his lips, and your forehead resting lightly against his. You smiled, eyes searching his to try and figure him out.
Suddenly, it hit him.
He wasnāt used to this, wasnāt built for it. The closeness, the intimacy, the unspoken understanding in the way you looked at him. He was a man of instinct, not one for quiet moments that left him raw and uncertain. He wasnāt sure what he expected when your lips first met, but thisā whatever this was, was way more than he could handle.
Daryl blinked, pulling back a few inches, breaking the connection between you. His hand, still on your waist, fell away, as if it had become too heavy to hold them there any longer.
āIā I cant.ā He muttered, the words rough, barely forming in his throat. He stood up abruptly, moving his wavy locs from his face, stepping back as if the space between you could somehow shield him from the feelings creeping up inside him.
You looked up at him, confused. āWhat are we Daryl?ā He canāt just kiss you then walk away? What was this?
āI donāt know.ā He responded low, looking at the ground, anywhere but your face. You could hear your favorite song begin to play on the record player, this is not how you wouldāve wanted to enjoy it for the first time in years.
āI should get goināā he mumbled, already heading for the door.
You didnāt stop him, instead, feeling the tears swell up in your eyes, you responded with a simple āokayā.
He paused at the door, his hand resting at the handle. He could hear the sadness in your voice, but he didnāt look back. He couldnāt. If he did, he might see something in your eyes that would make it even harder to walk away.
āIāll see ya āround,ā he muttered, before leaving your room and heading for your front door, exiting your apartment. You began to cry, feeling confused and angry, sitting alone in your room listening to your song, comforting you, just like it did before the fall. As Daryl was still processing it all, the night air hit him, clearing his mind a bit but not enough to shake this unfamiliar weight in his chest.
He wasnāt sure what had just happened, all he knew was that it was too much, too real, and it scared him. He wasnāt the type to let anyone in, and yet, in that small dim lit room, he had felt something that had shook him to his core.
But for now, he pushed it down, like he always did, and walked away.
guys i miss daryl so much right now. itās an ache deep in my bones, and i just want to cry. i need to kiss him, hold him, run my fingers through his hair. everything hurts.
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