“Jealousy” Daryl Dixon
A/N: I wrote this for @grimes-slut‘s writing challenge. My prompt was “Are you jealous?” I hope everyone enjoys it! The only warning is a few curse words. That’s it though. :)
Upon arrival in Alexandria, Daryl’s demeanor portrayed his unease and distrust of the residents. His behavior was to be expected, the traumatic events brought on by the Governor, Terminus and survival inbetween weren’t memories easily forgotten. As time passed, Daryl began to settle in and accept each of the members of the community. Almost. There was a sole resident he couldn’t or wouldn’t trust, hell, he didn’t like him either if he was being honest; Spencer Monroe. There was just something about the eldest Monroe sibling that made Daryl scowl and his lungs sink to his stomach. It was the kind of unease that was hard to place, his senses on edge whenever he was in close proximity and his gaze always trained on him even if in his peripheral vision.
“What’s up, loser?” Daryl wiped his motor oil stained hands on his jeans, attention following the sound of your voice as he caught sight of you greeting Spencer feet away. He hated it; the knowledge that someone like Spencer could entertain your attention even for a moment. “I am tagging along with Glenn on a run. You wanna go?”
“Does he know you’re inviting me?” Spencer questioned with a hint of playfulness to his tone. He shoulders his rifle before nudging your shoulder with his. “He doesn’t like me like you do.”
“Who said I like you?” The flirtatious suggestion made Daryl cringe, a disgruntled snort interrupting the silence before he lit a cigarette and sat on the steps.
After an awkward murmured conversation between you and Glenn, accompanied by Daryl’s unwavering glare, Spencer decided to stay back in Alexandria. Daryl tried to ignore the conversation between you and Tara, turning up the volume on the stereo to drown out the sound of Spencer’s name as Glenn drove to the destination drawn on Eugene’s map. He spent the remainder of the drive with his dirt littered boots on the dash and a cigarette dangling from his mouth as he scowled.
Upon arrival at the warehouse, Glenn instructed Tara to follow him as he went in through the loading dock, leaving you with Daryl to clear the entrance of walkers. He kept his distance, remaining quiet as the walker bodies piled up behind you. Daryl fought to keep silent, he kept telling himself that he didn’t care how you feel about Spencer. He kept repeating that he shouldn’t care how you feel about Spencer. When you started humming a song he heard you listening to with Spencer a few days previous, he lost his composure.
“What’s goin’ on with Spencer?” Daryl’s gruff voice questioned interrupting the silence and catching you off guard.
“What do you mean?” You inquire as you glance in his direction with a knowing smirk.
“Are yah with him or somethin’?” He scrunches his nose as the words leave his tongue and he can’t help but feel that sinking in his stomach as he awaits an answer.
“No.” You respond, a quiet sigh interrupting the silence before you continue. “Not yet.”
“What’s that mean?” He shoots a walker in the skull, aggressive in his retrieval of the arrow as he stomps on it’s back and yanks it out with force.
“He’s sweet, he’s learning how to survive and he cares.” You shrug, glancing around a corner to assess the situation. “It’s not bad to want to be with someone. I want to love someone.”
“What, like this guy?” He scoffs, stopping in his tracks as he scowls and realization suddenly hits him. It’s not that he necessarily dislikes Spencer, he just hates the idea of Spencer being with you.
“Are you jealous?” You giggle, squinting at him as the sun peeks over his broad shoulder. He doesn’t answer and your smile falters. “Daryl, are you really jealous?”
“Of Spencer?” He snorts, tightening the grip on his crossbow. “Nah.”
“If you were, I’d tell you that you shouldn’t be.” You murmur, meeting Daryl’s curious blue eyes. “I don’t like him like that. I flirt with him but it was only to get someone else’s attention.”
“Who?” He questions more quickly than he meant to. He can feel the sinking in his stomach ease as he watches a lighthearted smile spread across your face before winking at him.
“You.”