I will always find you | Daryl Dixon
Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Reader
Plot: Daryl and Y/n had an on and off again relationship but it never ended well. Will a run gone wrong and a trip to Woodbury make them realize their true feelings for each other?
Era: Prison Era, Season 3 Episode 6.
Warnings: TWD Spoilers, sexual assault, violence and cursing.
“I’ll be back real soon.” You gave Daryl a hopeful look, trying to read his face but no luck.
“Come back, a’right?” Daryl’s eyes were serious, as he tilted his head looking you in the eyes. He still gave you butterflies, but you both had gone down that road before and it didn’t work, but it didn’t stop you from wishing that he would kiss you, or hold you close, just like he used to.
“Be good little asskicker.” You chuckled as Rick rolled his eyes, giving you a smile.
“We‘ll see you all real soon.” You nodded to your dad, sisters, Carol and Carl.
You took your bag and got in the car with Glenn. You felt on edge but you couldn’t quite figure out why, it was just a supply run. You had done loads so far, what was different about this one?
Glenn started the truck as you put your seatbelt on.
“Really?” Glenn teased, looking down at your seatbelt.
“Hey, the world may have ended but seatbelts save lives.” You chuckled shrugging your shoulders as Glenn put on his seatbelt.
It wasn’t long before you both came across a grocery store, it looked just like the others, abandoned and eerie. You only knew it was a grocery store because of the sign hanging from the wall. You got out of the truck and picked up your bag.
“Ok, I’ll get the formula.” Glenn nodded, relieved that you were getting it. He went in first but stopped when he didn’t hear you behind him. He turned to see you looking at a shopping basket.
“Remember when we used these?” You half laughed, the bittersweet memories entering your head.
Glenn nodded and took one.
“Come on shopping time.” He gave you a friendly smile, you could tell that he was trying to keep you upbeat. You gave him a little nod as you both entered the building.
Glenn opened the back doors on the truck and was getting ready to put the shopping baskets in when he heard a familiar voice. Glenn silently wished that you would stay in the store but alas you walked out, completely oblivious to who Glenn considered, a threat.
“Y/n, we got company!” You took out your gun immediately and pointed it at the man in front of the two of you.
“Glenn? Long time no see brother.” The man bent down, putting his gun on the ground.
“Merle?” Glenn stuttered, he looked like he had seen a ghost.
“Who’s this pretty thing?” Merle looked at you and smirked.
“Merle, we don’t want any trouble.” Glenn said slowly, not taking his eyes off of the man.
“Where’s my baby brother?” The man questioned.
“He’s alive.” Glenn said, his voice soft but assertive.
“Take me to him.” Merle ordered as you and Glenn kept your guns aimed at him.
“You have to trust us.” Glenn started.
“Hah after leaving me on the roof!” Merle shouted.
“We came back, we all did. You need to trust us. You wait here, and I’ll tell Daryl where you are.”
“I don’t like that idea.” Merle moved fast, he pulled out a gun from his back pocket and ordered you both to get in the truck.
“Y/n get in!” Glenn shouted as he heard a thud. Merle lunged at you and had you on the ground, a gun to your chin.
“Now we goin to go for a little ride.” Glenn nodded nervously as he got in the drivers seat.
It all happened so fast, suddenly you were in a dark room, almost like a storage crate and Glenn was nowhere to be seen. You tried to rip the duct tape, restraining your wrists but it was no use. It was then you heard Glenn's shouts. You felt a cold chill run down your spine. You heard another shout from Glenn, and Merle yelling. They were in the room beside you. You heard thumping and more yelling and soon snarling. You started crying.
What if Glenn was bitten? What would you tell your sister?
You sat in the dark cold room for what seemed like forever until you heard the lock on the door click, as the door opened slowly. A tall man came walking into the room. He took out a knife and ran it along the table not breaking eye contact. You feared the worst. He was behind you now. You were surprised but cautious, when you felt the grip around your wrists loosen, he had cut the duct tape.
He sat in the chair opposite you and started speaking.
“Look we can bring you both back to your group now, and explain that it was all a misunderstanding. I just need to know where your camp is.” You didn’t trust him.
“I want to see Glenn.” You demanded, your voice low.
“Well unfortunately I can’t allow that sweetheart.” He gave you a smile as he reached his hand out to your face. You pulled back from him, before he could touch you.
“I’m not talking until I see Glenn.” You leaned back in the chair crossing your arms in front of your chest.
“That’s a pity, let’s try this another way. Stand up.” The man demanded.
You shook your head as he leaned in towards you, lowering his voice.
“Or I will bring in Glenn’s hand.” You nodded your head slowly as you got on your feet.
“Turn around.” He ordered as you slowly did a little spin.
“Take off your top.” You froze in your tracks, terrified as you processed what he said.
“Guard!” He called out.
“I’m doing it I’m doing it.” You said quickly.
You slowly lifted your tank top off of your body revealing your black bra.
“Go on.” He said. You barely stopped the tears from leaving your eyes as you did what he said, covering your now naked upper half with your hands as your bra fell to the floor.
“Good girl.” He said, his voice filling your body with disgust.
He got up from the chair and walked behind you, lingering for a moment before pushing you down against the table roughly. Your breathing hitched in your chest.
“Where is your group?”
“Go to hell!” You managed to say, you weren’t going to give in to this jerk. You pushed the fear consuming your body away as you thought of the others at the prison. You had to protect them.
He pressed himself against your lower back, as you tried to move away from him. He slowly rolled his lower area against your lower back. You tried to hide the tears welling in your eyes, until he stopped, suddenly.
He took you by the wrist and dragged you to the room next door.
He kicked the door open, and shoved you forward. You were now face to face with Glenn. His face was swollen, and starting to bruise. His lip and above his eyebrow were bleeding. He looked at you with concern and then back at the man, his eyes filled with rage.
“No more games.” The tall man shouted, placing a gun to your head. You didn’t know why you didn’t feel afraid anymore, you just felt disappointed. Was this the way you were destined to leave this earth? After all your effort to survive?
Glenn shook his head softly as you nodded.
Until the man turned the gun on Glenn. You were instantly snapped out of your thoughts. Now you were in charge of someone else’s life. Your heart felt like it was being tugged different ways, you had to keep the baby and your group safe, but Glenn was your best friend and made your sister so happy.
“Prison.” You whispered softly as the man put his gun back on his holster.
“How many?”
“10.” You looked sorrowfully at Glenn, keeping your hands and arms covering your naked upper body as you felt stares from Merle and the guards.
The man caressed your cheek and sniffed your hair, making you feel sick to your stomach.
“There that wasn’t so bad, sweetheart.” He kissed you on the forehead before shoving you towards Glenn. Glenn enveloped you in a hug.
“Are you okay?” He asked worriedly.
“Yeah, yeah.” You muttered giving Glenn a hopeful smile, eager not to have him worried about you.
Glenn quickly took off his shirt and handed it to you gently, as he turned around.
“Thank you.” You muttered, as he gave you a small smile and turned back around.
“I’m sorry I told them it was just-“ You started before Glenn stopped you.
“It’s okay I understand.” He hugged you tightly, doing his best to comfort you.
“The others are going to save us right Glenn?” You cried softly as Glenn hugged you.
“Of course they will.” Glenn did his best to reassure you.
~~~~~~
“Can we trust her?” Daryl asked Rick.
“We have to.” Rick responded not making eye contact.
Sure enough they soon arrived at the walls to Woodbury. They began making a plan to get in when Michonne showed them a weak point on the wall. Rick and Daryl found themselves in a small courtyard, they took cover behind a fence when they heard shouting. Rick looked over the fence carefully to find the source of the noise when he saw 5 or 6 guards leading two people out with hoods over their heads. Rick assumed that had to be Y/n and Glenn.
Daryl and Rick threw a smoke grenade toward the source of the shouting. There was a loud bang as smoke started to engulf the air. The guards released you and Glenn while they began to panic. Rick and Daryl ran into the smoke, grabbing the two hooded prisoners and dragging them around the corner. They quickly removed the hoods as you and Glenn came face to face with Rick and Daryl.
~~~~~~
“Daryl?” You said in disbelief.
“I told ya I would always find ya.” Daryl couldn’t hide the small smile that tugged at his lips.
“In here!“ Rick whisper shouted, as Daryl nodded, half dragging you and Glenn into an empty building.
Rick leaned back against the window, his back to the wall as he looked through a crack in the curtains, keeping watch while they came up with a way out.
“You came.” You looked at Daryl happily, earlier you were sure you wouldn’t see him again.
“Told ya I would always find ya.” Daryl blushed slightly, as he looked at you. Your eyes wandered, exploring Daryl’s face. Observing his icy blue eyes, filled with concern and his soft lips.
“Daryl, kiss me, please.” You blurted out, not thinking about the words that just left your mouth. Daryl looked you in the eyes, his face filled with surprise as he tried to hold back a smile. “Ya sure?” Daryl asked tilting his head. You nodded quickly as Daryl leaned in to you, his hands cupping your face, bringing you both closer to each other and deepening the kiss. Sparks took over your bodies as your cravings for each other began to take control.
You both pulled away slowly, smiling to each other as Glenn coughed awkwardly trying to catch your attention.
“Guys, kinda cold over here.” Daryl and you chuckled as you got up to search for a blanket while Daryl made his way over to Rick.
“I think I have an idea.” Rick whispered as he looked at Daryl and Glenn. “You still have some smoke bombs left right?” Rick asked Daryl as Daryl gave him a nod.
“Perfect.” You came back with a blanket, wrapping it carefully around Glenn’s shoulders.
“On the count of three.” Everyone nodded as Rick began to count down. Daryl threw a smoke bomb as the four of you ran towards Oscar who was hiding nearby. Daryl cursed under his breath as he noticed the guards moving away from the smoke.
“I’ll lay down some cover fire, you guys get over that wall, I’ll follow you.” Daryl insisted. You shook your head as you looked at the men patrolling the area.
“No Daryl…you need to come with us.” You pleaded with Daryl as you looked into his eyes.
“I’ll be right behind ya, Rick please make sure she gets over the wall.” Rick nodded as Daryl started laying down some cover fire.
“See you soon brother.” Rick said as Daryl tried his best to hide a smile. Oscar helped Glenn over the wall just as he got shot in the chest. You cried out as you felt a hand cover your mouth as you were roughly pulled aside. Rick hopped over the wall, thinking that you had gotten over.
You were pulled into the middle of the street as you heard a familiar voice behind you, sending chills down your spine.
“We caught this one.” Merle reported to the tall man that you had been interrogated by earlier. You froze in your tracks.
“Perfect.” The man smirked before turning to where Daryl had been hiding.
“Better stop shooting Daryl, or else I’ll have to punish this pretty little thing.” The governor threatened as Daryl snuck out from his hiding spot raising his arms. You tried to wriggle out of Merle’s grip but he was too strong. He just held onto you tighter as his nails began to dig into you, causing you to wince in pain.
“Bring him here!” The governor demanded as a group of men took Daryl’s crossbow and gun from him before punching him in the stomach and dragging him over to the governor.
“No! Stop it!” You shouted desperately, trying to push your way to get to Daryl but Merle held you back, lifting your feet off of the ground.
“Ol’ governor here got a good going at yer girl there.” Merle laughed holding up your tank top, to Daryl. You winced in Merle’s grip, feeling humiliated.
Daryl’s whole body started to tense up, suddenly realizing why Glenn had no top on.
“Only wish he shared her.” Merle said, riling Daryl up further.
“Now sweetheart, we are going to have a little repeat of earlier,” The governor chuckled menacingly, “while Merle and your boyfriend here are going to fight in the pit.”
Merle released his grip on you for a moment, out of shock. You saw an opportunity and took it, you swung your body around gripping Merle’s knife from his holster. Before you could hide it you heard the Governor’s jeering voice.
“That’s not going to help you sweetheart.” His voice was cold with no emotion as he looked at you, his eyes dark.
You felt the knife being pried out of your grasp as you were held still in front of the governor. He had no weapon, only his fists. You looked at Daryl, as he looked away. Before you could look back at the governor, you felt something hit the side of your face. You looked at the governor only to see your blood grazing his knuckles. He had backhanded you. You tried to touch your burning cheek with your hands but the guard behind you kept you restrained. The Governor laughed, his laugh sinister and cruel before he punched you in the stomach, winding you and causing you to fall on your side. The guard left you on the ground for a moment as you heard Daryl, “Leave her the fuck alone!” He roared. His fists clenching and his jaw tightening at the sight of you on the ground.
“Take them to the pit.” The governor demanded, pointing at Merle and Daryl.
“Please, don’t do this.” You whispered, a coppery taste filling your mouth.
“And someone shut her up!” The Governor yelled before following the others to the pit.
You felt a rag be stuffed into your mouth as you bit down hard, trying to refuse it entry but failing. You felt yourself being led back over to the Governor.
“Lucky you sweetheart, I’m letting you watch the show.” He smiled sinisterly as you looked in horror at Daryl and Merle in a small circle surrounded by walkers.
~~~~~~
The duo ran back to where they were hidden before they rescued you and Glenn when they bumped into a woman.
“Where were you?” Rick asked her.
“I got you in.” She said not making eye contact.
“Thank you.” Rick said softly as the woman nodded to him.
“Rick?” Glenn began to panic, as Daryl was still not back yet and there was no sign of you.
“Shit!” Rick cursed as he looked back towards the wall. As the gunfire seemed to calm down Glenn looked back at Rick.
“We can’t leave them.” He stressed
“We won’t be leaving them.” Rick stated, as he looked back at the wall.
Michonne led Rick to a weak spot in the wall and returned back to the car with Glenn, wishing Rick luck.
Rick quickly ducked behind some cover as he held back a gasp. Rick focused his eyes on the arena, where he saw Y/n being held by the governor and Daryl and Merle fighting in the center with people cheering.
~~~~~~
“Merle?” Daryl said in disbelief, he couldn’t quite believe it. Merle smirked as Daryl looked back at you. Seeing the Governor’s hands on you made him sick.
Merle sneakily punched his brother in the jaw, while he looked at you helplessly. The governor made you watch as Daryl received blow after blow from his own brother. You could feel hot tears flowing down your cheeks, stinging your face as they fell.
“I only wished he had shared her.” Merle scoffed, at his brother, but this only riled Daryl up more. He didn’t care if Merle picked on him but when it came to you, he wasn’t going to allow it. Daryl uppercut his brother as he heard a cry from you.
You yelled out in pain as the governor backhanded your cheek again, trying to distract Daryl. Then a bang was heard, as smoke engulfed the air around you. Shots were heard as Rick grabbed Daryl. Daryl grabbed his crossbow and ran to you. He raised his fist, ready to hit the governor when you rested your hand on his arm.
“Please I just want to go home.” You whispered as Daryl nodded.
He hit the governor in the back of the head with his crossbow before taking your hand and running through the gap in the wall after Rick and Merle.
“Rick?” Glenn yelled as he heard movement across the woods. Glenn and Michonne waited by the car ready to make a quick getaway. They both froze when they saw Merle following the group.
“Hold your fire!” Rick ordered as him, Daryl, you and Merle emerged from the woods.
“No no no no!” Glenn yelled as he saw Merle. “He is not coming with us!“ Glenn yelled as Rick nodded his head trying to deescalate the situation as best he could.
“He isn’t.” Rick agreed as Daryl spun around.
“He is.” Daryl insisted but Glenn shook his head.
“Look what he did!” Glenn shouted, pointing to his many bruises, and then towards you.
“Ol Governor shoulda shared her around.” Merle smirked looking at Y/n as Rick knocked him out with his gun.
“Please can we just go home and talk about this later.” You pleaded.
“But Merle is family, he’s blood.” Daryl pleaded with Rick.
“He’s not our blood.” Glenn shouted.
“Daryl, our group is our blood. You are our blood, Merle isn’t.” Rick said, as Daryl huffed.
“I can’t leave him.” Daryl pleaded to Rick but Rick looked away.
“Guess it’s just me and my brother again.”
“Daryl please, please don’t do this.” You pleaded as Glenn hugged you. Rick followed after Daryl, trying to convince him to stay but his mind was made up.
Everyone but Daryl and Merle returned to the prison. Once they arrived back at the prison Hershel began treating Glenn and Michonne’s wounds. You looked into the little mirror you had in your cell as you treated your wounds, wincing in pain. You wished Daryl would have stayed. You looked longingly over at the perch, where Daryl had been staying. Feeling hot tears run down your face.
~~~~~~
Daryl wished he could have stayed with the others but he knew that if he left his brother again he would be consumed with guilt. Daryl had tuned out from his brother’s pointless rants as the two brothers set off for the river.
~~~~~~
You could hear the others talking about the governor’s potential retaliation. You knew that it was inevitable. The governor would come for them. You heard your sister Maggie trying to comfort Glenn. You heard it all but you just felt hopeless without Daryl. Something always found a way to drive a wedge between you, but not this time. You refused to let anything stop you from being with Daryl, if he came back that is.
You were snapped out of your thoughts as you heard gunshots and shouts. It was only then you realized how empty and quiet the cell block had become. You immediately jumped into action, grabbing the shotguns and rifles that were lying in a spare cell. You rushed to the courtyard looking for your family, and the rest of the group. You slid the guns along the floor to Maggie and the others as you aimed for the shooter in the tower. You looked for your father, Rick, Michonne and Glenn but couldn’t spot them. It was then you noticed a van driving up to the front gate. It smashed through the security gates of the prison as it entered the main yard. You hid behind cover as you watched the van. Everything was quiet for a moment until a latch was heard opening as the van released at least a dozen walkers into the main yard. It was then you heard gunshots as you spotted your father on the ground shooting at the incoming walkers. You saw a truck enter the main yard with Glenn driving it. You watched as he picked up Hershel and made his way to the courtyard. You ran towards the main yard trying to help Michonne only for Maggie to pull you back. Beth closed the gate shut behind Glenn as they watched Michonne head towards the main gate. The governor and his guards seemed to have gone now but you were still on edge.
~~~~~~
Meanwhile Rick was pinned against the perimeter fence by two walkers. He could feel the metal wiring digging into his back as he did his best to fight them off. He jumped when he saw an arrow pierce one of the walker’s heads, as the other was pulled off of him. Rick saw Daryl and nodded at him putting his hand on his shoulder.
“Is Y/n okay?” Daryl questioned but Rick shrugged, sympathetically. Daryl nodded at Rick as Daryl, Rick and Merle made their way to the front gate. Michonne was waiting there, having spotted them. She let them in quickly. They closed the gate behind them, which left them with one more security gate until they were in the main yard with the walkers.
They got into formation as they entered the main yard, closing the second gate behind them. They killed any walker that got too close. They quickly made it to the courtyard. You opened the gate quickly before nearly throwing yourself on Daryl. Rick latched the gate behind him as he looked around for Carl and Judith. Carl came running out telling Rick that Judith was in the cell. Rick let out a sigh of relief.
~~~~~~
You held Daryl as close to you as physically possible. His body was tense at first but his body melted into your embrace. His hand supported your head, as his other hand rested on your waist. Daryl pulled away as he inspected your face.
“I’m sorry.” He said softly as his hand caressed your cheek. You leaned softly against his hand, your eyes roaming his face, before looking up at his eyes.
“Let me help clean you up.” You smiled as you intertwined your hand with Daryl’s. You led Daryl back to your cell as you began dabbing at the cuts on his face. He had a busted lip and was bruised in several places.
“I’m sorry.” You whispered as Daryl shushed you, pulling you onto his lap.
“Ya have nothin to be sorry for.” He looked at you, his face sincere as you wrapped your arms around his neck, leaning your forehead against his. You tilted your head slowly as you kissed the man in front of you. You felt his hand snake around your waist and pull you closer to him as a smile appeared on your face.
“I’m glad you're back.” You whispered, as Daryl grunted in response.
“I ain’t leavin again.” Daryl said as you brushed the hair out of his eyes.
“I promise.” He said softly as you nestled your head into the crook of his neck.