Summary: A family friend offers you a place to stay to get away from an abusive past. Her home is a place that you are familiar with, an old town with a large lake you spent many days in. You went there years ago for one full summer, where you became close friends with a very young Daryl Dixon. You two were inseparable until you had to leave. But now you’re back, escaping from a past much like his. You will need to weave your way through the town's problematic people, your own problems, and above all the confusing Dixon. Will you two find your way back to each other again? Or will he push you further away? And above all, will your past cease to haunt you?
Part one * Part Two * Part Four * Part Five
Pairing: Young Daryl Dixon x Reader
Warnings: Mentions of abuse and violence(potential triggers), cussing, more mature themes(not smut or anything tho), slow burn romance
Authors Note: Daryl Dixon is a character from the amazing show The Walking Dead, but this story is modern AU so not with all the walkers and everything. I don’t own and I didn’t create his character. Also this story is in no means meant to romanticize abuse, that stuff isn’t romantic. It is such a terrible, terrible thing, but it is sadly a very common thing as well. Throughout this series I only hope that I can spread awareness about the matter, and let people know that they aren’t alone, things will get better, and that no one is deserving of any kind of abuse. Ever. Anyways, I’m done with my rant, I hope y’all like it, and if not please send in some constructive criticisms I’m always looking to improve.
I woke up to the kids screaming, at the cabin door for me to come out. I quickly put on a bra and open the door in my pajamas. Cherry was standing there in a pantsuit with Monty and Rosie by her side.
“Jesus (Y/N), it’s nearly 10.” She shakes her head at me and pushes the kids inside the cabin.
“What! That early.” I joke, but she only humored me with a sarcastic open-mouthed laugh. I run a hand through my messy hair and apologize.
“I’ll make a point to wake up early. But y’all weren’t exactly detailed on the job description.” I point to the kids. She kisses the kids goodbye on the head and stands up to face me again.
“Well my job description implies that I should have left 10 minutes ago. And no, it is not you’re fault.” She glares at her kids and then glances over her shoulder.
“Mark didn’t help me at all this morning. Daryl came over earlier than usual, something bout having less time than he thought. Whatever, my point it that the kids are your problem now.” She smiles at me then bolts out the door before Monty or Rosie can chase after her. I watch her car leave with a sense of dread and excitement. How in the heck am I supposed to keep these guys from dying of boredom?
I stare at the two of them, Rosie is sitting on my bed, and and looking out the window right into the lake...The lake! Cherry said how Rosie loves to swim, and I’m sure Monty wouldn’t mind spending this hot day in the water. Even Mark said a day in the lake would keep them happy.
“Would you guys like to play in the lake today?” Rosie jumps off the bed and screeches a yes, while Monty looks at me with puppy eyes and nods his head a million times. I match my excitement to theirs and usher them outside. I get dressed into my bathing suit, while they sit on the porch waiting. I don’t bother with a shirt after my bathing suit is on, I just put on some shorts and sandals.
As soon as I walk outside Monty and Rosie hop off the chairs and wait for me to lock the door. When I’m done they grab both of my hands and drag me to their house. We nearly tripped five times getting there, but finally the house came into view. Sounds are coming from the open garage not too far away. Some tool was going off and when it stopped a voice filled it’s place. Daryl’s voice. My heart dropped, he sounds a bit different but I could tell his voice from a mile away. I shake my head from any thoughts of him and walk us all forwards. The front door was unlocked so we went inside.
“Alright you two, I want you to go put on your suits and sunblock. Grab anything else you want, and I’ll make us a picnic. You guys like that plan?” Rosie and Monty looked at each other, nodded, then took off sprinting to their separate rooms.
5 minutes later I had two sandwiches done, and 3 bottled waters beside them. I run a mental list of what I need, towels, extra sunblock, food, water, a camera, maybe some toys, and whatever else I can think of. I finish the last sandwich and grab some fruits and snacks from the fridge, which Cherry and Mark said I have free reign of. I had my camera in the bag I brought, and I saw some sunblock in the bathroom last night. All I need are the towels.
I spent several more minutes trying to find those damned things, but couldn’t see them anywhere. I brace myself for what is to come. I have to ask Mark, and Mark is with Daryl.
I make my way outside of the house and towards the open, metal shed. I can see the body of the car just slightly sticking out of the garage. I brace myself as I walk in. Instead of my eyes finding Daryl's again, they are faced with Marks hunched over back. Daryl was no where to be seen. Mark was bent over the hood, fixing something with the engine I guess.
“Uh, Mark?” I call over the loud noises. Mark whips around and nearly hits his head on the open hood of the car. He chuckles to himself and gives me a warm smile. He has oil up the back of his neck, and cheek.
“Oh, hey (Y/N).” Suddenly the loud noise stops and Mark and I hear a loud crash, followed by a sheepish “ow”. Mark leans over the car.
“You alright Daryl?” My cheeks burn red as Daryl emerges from under the car. He had grease and dirt all over him, covering his deep blush, the sight of him took my breath away. If I thought he was cute at 14...well, if my 13 year old self saw him now, I don’t even know what she would do. Daryl avoids eye contact with me, but nods to Mark.
“M’ fine.” He mumbles. He shuffles his feet and the air seems thicker, like he also thought this should be going different. We should be hugging, and catching up. But instead we can’t even look at each other without wanting to drool, or runaway.
Mark turns to me, eyeing the two of us with a sly smile. I can only imagine how Cherry talked us up to be. I fight the urge to roll my eyes at the thought of Cherry telling Mark all about Daryl and I when we were younger.
“Something wrong with the kids?” Mark asks me. I quickly shake my head.
“No, they’re inside getting ready for the lake. We’re going to be over there if you need us.” I suddenly forgot my question for Mark when out of the corner of my eye, I saw Daryl trail his eyes over me, taking me in. I could watch him all day, looking at me like that. Maybe I should wear this bathing suit more often.
“That all?” Mark asks me kindly. I laugh stupidly, god I was standing there like an idiot.
“Uhm no, sorry. I was wondering where the towels were?”
“Oh sure thing. Let me go get them for you.” Before I could stop him, Mark is out of sight and going towards the house. Anxiety courses through me as I turn to Daryl. But all those feelings go away when we lock eyes, we were friends once, why the hell am I so nervous? He isn't a stranger, right? Neither of us said a word, I wanted to say hi, or something witty but I just couldn’t get a word out. He looked at me different, his mouth pulled in a thin line instead of that easy smile he wore years ago. He was the first to break the silence.
“How long you stayin’ this time?” His voice was harsher than I ever remember it being. It takes me a second to gather my wits.
“I don’t know Daryl.” I thought I saw his chest still when I said his name, like he was holding his breath. But he lets out a dry laugh and looks to the floor again.
“Why you slummin’ it anyway?” He said with his eyes trailing around us, then finally setting to a glare at me. His question felt like he poked me with a sharp stick. Who did he think I was?
“This ain’t slumming it Daryl.” I say sharply, he rolls his eyes and and scoffs. A bitter sound.
“Then why’d you make to leave so quick?” He shoots back. Before I could speak he cuts me off. “Nah, I bet you couldn’t wait to go back. Princess goes back to her castle, leaving the lot of us behind.” He sets his tool down and walks around the car, getting closer to me as he spoke. “Like wiping your hands of fucking filth aint’ it.” He seethed at me. I feel my own anger rise, why was he being like this?
“You think I wanted to leave you! That I wanted to leave this place. Daryl you were my friend, my best friend. I would’ve stayed if I didn’t have school, you know that.” I say. His jaw clenches and he walks behind me, bumping my shoulder, he grabbed a rag and wiped his hands from grease. He smells like gas, sweat and cigarettes.
“Ya, well I don’t want no friends. You ain’t no different from any of ‘em!” He couldn’t look at me now, he threw the towel down on the table and walked back around to where he was before I disrupted him. My chest heaved and constricted. How could he say that? I had to go so many years ago, I had to leave him...
Mark cheerfully walks in with a stack of colorful towels in his arms. Clearly oblivious to the tension in the room.
“Here ya go!” He hands the towels to me and a Coke to Daryl. “Back to business then?” Mark jokes. Daryl grunts a reply and picks up his tool again, giving me the cold shoulder. I hold a snarky comment back and turn to Mark.
“Thanks Mark. I’ll get out of your way then.” I say the last part a bit harsher than I meant to, but It wasn’t directed towards Mark.
I rush out of there, and take a few seconds to breath. I refuse to cry, this is going to be a good day. I walk back to the house to see Rosie standing there in a blue, ruffled bathing suit, and Monty in green swim trunks. He was holding onto a large dinosaur floatie, that looked more like the loch ness monster. I beam at their cuteness, feeling better already. I tell them to hold on while I go inside to finish putting the picnic things in a bag. I was only gone a couple of minutes before I walk out to find them with white streaks all over their body. In my absence they put sunblock on, badly may I add. I laugh and help them rub it in.
You three make your way to the lake, completely oblivious to Daryl’s gaze, and his sad, hidden smile, as he watched you walk away.
*Summary: It’s Daryl Dixon’s 18th birthday and he can’t stop his brother from dragging him to the strip club, one of Merle’s favourite places, to celebrate. There’s a new singer there, a girl with a beautiful voice and a beautiful smile, even Daryl can see it. Little does he know, he’s going to meet her again at the woods soon. This was a request but it got out of hand.
Daryl’s POV. Teen Daryl.Pre-apocalypse. Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Angst
3316 words
Chapters: 7/8
Link to masterlist with more chapters and works is in the info of this blog.
I can’t believe this fic ends next week :( I hope you’re enjoying it :(
***Also I’ve been reblogging a lot of young Norman pics to get in the mood for teen Daryl, if you want to check it! Some of them are really how I imagine him in this story: twdeadfanfic.tumblr.com/tagged/tftbym ***
Last chapter…one of Merle’s friend tried to hurt Y/N at the outside of the club but Daryl was there to stop him, and thankfully Merle was there to help his brother out of the fight. He got hurt though, and Y/N asked him to get into her home so she could help him...
“I’m sorry, it’s a mess.” Y/N apologized, embarrassed, as she opened the door of her flat and walked him inside.
Daryl looked around at the tiny apartment but there was nothing that was Y/N’s, which he knew it was normal since she’d had to leave most of her stuff behind when she left her old house. There was only a small room, besides the tiny bathroom that he could see through a half-closed door, with a small kitchen at one side of the room and a sofa that had been pulled out as a bed at the other side. In the middle of the room was a table with some books, the only thing in the flat that were truly Y/N’s.
Y/N walked him to the bed, pushing him down to sit on it and Daryl was flustered, something twirling inside his belly at being sat down on her bed, but he tried to ignore it.
“Wait a second.”
Y/N went to the bathroom, coming back with some disinfectant, gauze pads, and a washcloth. She dropped it all onto the bed and made for the kitchen, and Daryl watched her as he filled a bowl with warm water before making his way back to him. She knelt down next to him and dipped the washcloth into the warm water.
“Thanks.” He told her quietly.
“Don’t thank me, you ended up like this because of me.” Y/N berated herself.
“No, it wasn’t your fault, I told you.”
Y/N just shrugged and began to carefully wash the blood off his face. It hurt and he knew there must be quite a few bruises forming, but Daryl tried to keep it down, knowing Y/N was worried. Still, when she began to carefully dab disinfectant into the wounds on his lip, his eyebrow, one of his cheekbones, he couldn’t help but wince.
“I’m sorry.” Y/N whispered, biting her lip.
“It’s okay.”
“It’s not…” She trailed her fingers over his cheek ever so slightly and Daryl closed his eyes, leaning into her touch. It hurt, but it felt so good too. “I hope nothing of this needs stitches…”
“Nah, I’m fine.” Daryl opened his eyes when he noticed her pulling back and he watched her as she went to the kitchen to rummage into the freezer, and then she wrapped some ice-cubes with a cloth. She knelt down next to him again and pressed the cloth to his swollen eye. Daryl hissed in pain, couldn’t help it, and Y/N winced, opening her mouth as if to apologize again, but he didn’t let her.
“No, stop. It wasn’t your fault.” He tried to assure her again and Y/N said nothing, just looked at him with sad eyes that he hated.
“I know you didn’t want your brother or anyone knowing that we’re friends. I’m sorry.”
“Nah, nah, I don’t care.” They could talk all they wanted, as long as they left Y/N alone. “Besides, now they know to better not try to hurt you.”
He wasn’t too sure of that, though, if Merle hadn’t shown up then Daryl wasn’t sure he could have come on top of the fight, but at least now he was more or less sure John wouldn’t try anything again, and he hoped none else would try to mess with Y/N if now they knew he was going to stand for her. At least, he hoped it helped Y/N feel safer, even though she’d kind of seen him get beaten by the guy he was trying to protect her from. Shame knotted his stomach, but the way in which Y/N was looking at him helped him feel a bit better.
“Have I told you how amazing you are? I don’t think you know how much.” She told him quietly and Daryl blushed, couldn’t help it, and he scoffed. “No, don’t do that.” She chided him. “You are. You are the best.” The way in which she spoke and looked at him was almost enough to have Daryl believing her words, but not quite. He was grateful nonetheless, but he couldn’t find words to say it.
“When that prick said that shit about you…I wanted to punch him, or stab him, or something.” Y/N grumbled, her eyes lighting with anger, and Daryl felt again that rush of warmth and affection as he could see once again how she really cared that much for him. He remembered how she’d tried to go for John as he scorned him, no matter she’d been scared.
“Thank you.” He whispered, he didn’t know how to tell her how much all that meant to him, how he was feeling, how she made him feel.
“No, thank you. If you hadn’t been there…” She shuddered.
“No, don’t think about that.” Daryl placed his hand on top of the one that was holding the cloth to his eye, and she gave him a weak smile.
The ice cubs began to melt and Y/N pulled back the cloth, using a dry end to wipe the moist from Daryl’s face, and he tried not to wince again. She dropped the cloth and everything else onto the floor and turned to look at him again. She caressed his face with her fingertips again, ever so slightly so as not to hurt him, and when she ran his fingers through his hair Daryl couldn’t stop his eyes from closing as he almost purred.
He felt her lips kissing his cheekbone softly, under his swollen eye, and then on his forehead, above his split eyebrow, before she rested her forehead against his softly, and Daryl was once again overwhelmed by those warm feelings.
Daryl opened his eyes when Y/N pulled away to find her looking at him in a way that almost took his breath away, and he wondered if Y/N could see in his eyes the affection he saw in hers. It’d be so easy, to lean in and kiss her that Daryl almost gave in. He pulled back, taking a deep breath, trying to get a hold of himself and pull away from the atmosphere that had been created between Y/N and him.
“Are you hurt?” He rasped. Y/N seemed mostly fine, but Daryl wanted to make sure.
“No, I’m okay.” Y/N answered but Daryl lifted his eyebrows at her, wanting to be sure. “Nothing worse than a couple of bruises.”
“Let me see.” He asked softly and Y/N seemed hesitant but then she took off the shirt she wore over her tank top.
One of her arms had some scrapes and bruises from when she’d felt to the ground, and both arms had more bruises from John’s hands as he grabbed her hard. Her wrist was bruised and swollen from when John’d squeezed it until he made her drop the knife. Daryl felt anger rising inside him again but he tried to control it.
Daryl took the bowl of water and the washcloth and began to wash the scrapes of her arm gently, and also some that he found on one of her hands too, and then he carefully dabbed disinfectant on them, flinching every time Y/N winced.
“Thank you.” She said quietly, and before Daryl could say anything, she’d wrapped her arms around him, holding him carefully as if she was afraid of hurting him. Daryl knew he’d more bruises under his clothes, it hurt when he breathed deep, but he didn’t care about it as he held Y/N to him. “It was my lucky day when I met you.”
It’d been Daryl’s too, he was sure, but he couldn’t get himself to tell her, just the same that he couldn’t get himself to explain to her how much she meant to him. He just didn’t know how to, couldn’t find the words, couldn’t find his voice, nerves getting the best of him every time he considered trying. He just hoped she knew anyway.
Y/N pulled away, looking at him intently, reaching out to gently caress his less bruised cheek before cupping it and leaning in. Daryl knew what was coming but he couldn’t get himself to say anything, to stop it, he wasn’t sure he wanted to. Y/N’s lips met his, tentatively, and Daryl’s felt as if his heart stopped before it started beating so fast that it felt like bursting out of his chest.
The wound of his lip hurt as her lips brushed his softly but Daryl couldn’t care, he barely felt it, one of his hand moving to her neck on its own accord, fingers tangling into her hair as Y/N kissed him again and again. It was wrong, he knew it. He’d told himself it couldn’t be, it couldn’t happen, it was for the best. He tried to remember it. It’d just make everything hurt more. It was like he didn’t care, though, unable to not kiss her back.
“Stop.” He whispered against her lips, but he didn’t pull back, couldn’t.
Y/N did, though, stopping when he asked her to, pulling back and looking at him confused. Daryl swallowed hard, trying to recover his breath, trying to think clearly again.
“Daryl?” She called for him and he could only shake his head, not trusting his voice, not sure about what he wanted to say. “Sorry…I thought…I’m sorry.” Y/N shifted away from him, seeming embarrassed and sad, and Daryl felt bad thinking she thought she didn’t like her like that, no matter he knew it was for the best.
“We can’t. You’re leaving.” He tried to explain, hoping she’d understand without him needing to tell her how it’d tear his heart apart if she left after he’d gotten to kiss her, to be with her like that. It hurt enough as it was, a lump knotting his throat every time he thought about the day Y/N’d leave.
“What if I don’t?” She retorted.
It took Daryl aback and he started at Y/N, considering her words. It was crazy to think that she might consider to stay and be with him, but it seemed it was what she meant. It made him want to tell her to not leave, to stay with him, but he knew he couldn’t do that. It wasn’t fair for her.
That day had just proven again why Y/N’d wanted to leave, Daryl didn’t want her to go through something like that again. Even when she managed to leave that club, Daryl knew people’d keep gossiping bullshit about her, and how it affected her more than what she wanted to admit. Besides, in that town she couldn’t have the life she wanted.
Like Y/N, most people that wanted to make something with their life left that place. It wasn’t fair to ask her to stay when he knew she’d have a better chance at the city, she’d be happier there, she’d have a better life. He knew she would. At the very least, way better than the one she could have in that town that she resented.
He loved her, he couldn’t ask her to stay stuck in a place she hated, having a dull life, giving up everything he knew she could achieve at the city, only so she could be with him. She’d realize it, sooner or later, even if she stayed, and then she’d leave him anyway.
It couldn’t be. Daryl didn’t know how to tell her all that, though, how to make her see. It was hard enough to convince himself of it.
“You’re leaving.” It was the only thing he could say. It was true, it was a fact, and it was what he knew she needed to do, no matter how his body screamed at him to just shut up and kiss her again.
“Okay.” Y/N nodded, looking down, shifting further away from him, and Daryl felt like someone punched his stomach when he noticed her eyes getting wet. He didn’t know what to do, he hadn’t meant to make her cry.
Y/N noticed him looking at her anxiously and she rubbed her eyes. “Shit…sorry…just…” She took a long breath, trying to get a hold of herself, and Daryl felt like crying himself looking at her in distress. He reached out to take her hand, squeezing it softly, and Y/N seemed a bit surprised but she squeezed it back. “Just…it’s been a long day.”
Daryl nodded. “You have to get some rest, I’ll leave so you can sleep.” He tried to get up but Y/N didn’t let go of his hand, holding it tighter.
“No, wait, wait…stay for a little bit longer please?” Her wet, sad eyes begged him and Daryl couldn’t say no, nodding and settling down beside her again.
Y/N pulled at the hand she was holding until she made him wrap his arm around her and she looked at him, seeming hesitant and doubtful so Daryl tightened his arm around her to show her it was okay. Y/N smiled sadly and shifted closer to him, snuggling against his chest and tucking her head under his chin.
She didn’t say anything and neither did Daryl, overwhelmed once again by the feelings that holding her like that gave him. He wrapped his other arm around her too, holding her to him, and he ran his knuckles up and down her arm softly. He felt her relax on his arms until eventually, she fell asleep.
Daryl didn’t move, holding her for a little while as she slept, but eventually he shifted to lie her down on the bed, resting her head on the pillow and shifting the sheets to cover her. Y/N stirred, trying to blink her sleepy eyes awake.
“Stay…” She murmured, trying to take his hand again, but Daryl regretfully pulled away. The temptation to curl himself around her and hold her while she slept was too big, and Daryl knew that if he gave in, there was no way he could tear himself away from her after it.
“Sleep.” He whispered, kissing her forehead and loving too much the small, sweet smile that tugged at Y/N’s lips at that. She was still half asleep, and so thankfully soon she was asleep again.
With a last glance at Y/N, Daryl left her place and just spent the next hours wandering through the town, not wanting to face Merle, lost in his thoughts.
*
During the next days, nobody bothered Y/N again. Daryl didn’t knew if it was because they saw him waiting for her outside the club, or if people knew about his fight with John and maybe they thought he’d some kind of claim over Y/N, which Daryl wasn’t sure how it made him feel, or if maybe they knew about Merle’s threat to John and didn’t want to risk it.
Whatever it was, Daryl was grateful for it.
The only downside was Merle continuously teasing and asking him about Y/N, to which Daryl never replied. He knew Merle taunted Y/N too whenever he went to the club, but she hadn’t given him many details, and Daryl wasn’t sure if he actually wanted to know the stuff his brother said or not.
Sometimes he wondered about going to the club, just to see it by himself, but he didn’t look forward to going in there again, and he didn’t feel comfortable with it. Y/N didn’t seem to like the idea of him going either, as if it embarrassed her somehow, and so Daryl never did.
He didn’t hide anymore when he walked Y/N to the club or went to pick her up, walking her to the door and then coming back to wait for her outside, wanting to be sure everybody could see she wasn’t alone.
Practically every late afternoon, they would meet at the woods, and then they’d eat together before she had to go work. Daryl always walked her to the club, she now got ready there instead of at home, and then he usually went to pick her up on his bike. Sometimes he felt like walking her home instead of riding, so they could spend a little bit more of time together, just walking and talking, and so sometimes he ditched the bike and just walked her home, which Y/N didn’t seem to mind at all. Somehow, whenever he walked her home, his arm would find his way around her shoulders, he couldn’t help it, and Y/N didn’t seem to mind that either, always snuggling to his side.
Neither of them had talked about the kiss they had shared, but Daryl had noticed some subtle changes in their relationship, in the way they behaved with each other, something that didn’t seem either of them could stop, but that was never acknowledged. It was his arm around her shoulders when he picked her up at the club and they walked at night. Or his hand at the small of her back when they walked through the woods. It was Y/N holding his hand when they sat down on the woods, talking and talking. Or the way in which she held him a little bit more tight than what was necessary when she rode behind him on his bike. Or how she hugged him and kissed his cheek whenever he dropped her at the club or at her place.
Daryl knew Y/N could see it too, but neither of them talked about it. Daryl tried to tell himself it was for the best. It wasn’t that different from how they had behaved before, but it felt different now, there was something between them, Daryl didn’t know what, and it was driving both of them crazy but neither of them seemed to know how to stop it. It was that rush of electricity when they laced their fingers, or the flow of warm affection when they held each other. It was overwhelming and Daryl loved it as much as he hated it.
Daryl’s mind had wandered once again to it all as he walked to the woods, and he tried to push it all to the back of his mind again. He found himself sometimes wondering about it, about their relationship, when he and Y/N were together, and then Y/N would ask him what was he thinking and he’d get all flustered.
He walked into the clearing, the same as always since that first day they met, and he saw Y/N there sat down on a log. Even from afar he could see that something was wrong, she looked sad, he could read her good by now, and fear gripped him. Had someone done anything to her? Tried to? Maybe it had been just gossip?
“What’s wrong?” He asked as he rushed to her, and Y/N looked up seeming a bit startled, as if she’d been lost in thought.
“Hey, Daryl, hi.” Now that he was close, it was more obvious that she’d cried, and her voice sounded sad too. “Nothing’s wrong.”
“It is.” Daryl tried to keep his fear at bay but he didn’t know if he managed. “Tell me. Did someone do anything to you? Tried to? Did they tell you anything?”
“No, no, slow down. It’s nothing like that, nothing’s wrong.” Y/N reached out and took his hand, her thumb stroking over his knuckles as if trying to reassure him that everything was okay, but Daryl could still see there was something off with her.“ It’s just…my friend Nora called this morning. Her boss is going to hire someone, and you know Nora told her about me.” She took a long breath. “So I have a chance at getting the job, she’s offered it to me. All I have to do is go to the city and talk to her.”
Daryl tried to process Y/N words. He didn’t know what to say. Didn’t even know what to think. Y/N was leaving? He’d known, since that first day they met at the woods, that this day was coming, and still, he couldn’t believe it was going to happen.
.....
Oh well...
Next chapter it’s the last!
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Title: Thorn in His Side Ch.2. Warnings: Mentions of blood. Pairing: Daryl x Reader. Setting: Alexandria.
You were not surprised when Rick knocked on your door and told you that you were needed for a supply run. However when you met the group at the gates you were surprised to see Daryl. Hadn't Rick said that the two of you didn't work well together?
You decided not to question it and tossed your bag into the bed of the truck then climbed into the passenger side, back seat. When you heard someone climb into the other side you glanced over to see that it was Daryl. You found it odd that he was riding in the truck instead of taking his bike, but once again you brushed it off. He gave you a small smile that you politely returned then moved your gaze to look out if the window.
You felt like Daryl was walking on egg shells around you through the whole run. And because he was there you were being extra careful to not get into any trouble. The last thing you wanted was to do something stupid and get yourself into a pickle that Daryl or someone else would have to save you from.
Everything was going smooth so far however when you headed down the stairs of the old house you were raiding you stepped on a rotten board and your foot went through it. An involuntary scream left your mouth as you collapsed and the jagged, sharp pieces of the board that weren't rotten stabbed into your leg. Daryl, Rick and another Alexandrian whose name you couldn't remember came rushing back inside, weapons at the ready. But when they saw you collapsed on the stairs they quickly dropped their guns and rushed to help you.
Daryl was the first to reach you. "Knew I'd have to save your ass at some point today." He quipped. He was joking, but you were in so much pain that you didn’t notice his light tone and the comment only making you cry harder. You tried your best not to move, because every time you did the wood only dug deeper. "Can you pull your leg out?" He asked while looking at the blood that started to soak the surrounding boards.
You took a deep breath and held it as you tried to get yourself into a position where you could pull it out. You ended up releasing that breath in a stifled cry of pain. "I can't." You sobbed. "I can't stand up."
"Rick, I’m gonna get behind her and pick her up. Will you guide her leg out?" Daryl asked Rick as he moved to stand behind you on the stairs. He hooked his arms under yours and tugged you up. When you could you grabbed the handrail and used it to help Daryl lift your weight. As soon as you could get your good leg sturdy on the stairs you put all your weight on it.
Daryl let you go and moved around to sit down on the stairs and examine your cuts. "We gotta get her back fast. These need stitches soon or she's gonna bleed out." Rick told Daryl.
Daryl stood up and turned to you, putting his hand on your forearm as he asked, "Can you walk?"
You tried to put pressure on your foot only to stifle a cry of pain. "No, my foot hit a beam or something under the stairs. I think I sprained it."
Instead of helping you down the stairs Daryl bent down and hooked one arm under your knees and the other around your upper back then picked you up. He carried you down the stairs and you wanted to pop off at him. Instead, you wrapped your left arm around his neck, hanging on, while your right arm was smashed between your side and his stomach. Holding your head up was awkward in this position, so you simply laid it on his chest.
Instead of putting you in the back seat of the two door truck Daryl set you down in the bed then climbed in after you. Rick shut the tailgate then got in the driver's seat while the other man rode shot gun.
As Rick cranked the truck and started driving Daryl took off his vest and sleeveless shirt. You couldn't deny you loved the view, but when he wrapped his shirt around your leg and pressed down pain shot through your leg causing you to groan and grab on to the side of the truck bed. "So of a bitch!" You yelled as your knuckles turned white where you gripped the truck.
"Gotta stop the bleeding." He explained without looking you in the eyes.
"I know, I'm not an idiot." You spat through gritted teeth.
"I didn't say you were." Daryl replied still looking at your leg and the blood that was soaking through the thin fabric of his shirt.
"No, but you're probably thinking it. “stupid, idiotic y/n, always causing trouble always getting in the way” I'm sorry I'm an idiot and didn't see the rotten step." You ranted. Then he put more pressure on the cuts making you hiss in pain.
"I don't think you're an idiot." You just stared at him not believing a word he said. "Accident prone? Maybe, but you're not stupid. Anyone could've overlooked that rotten step."
When you started feeling dizzy you looked down to where Daryl was still holding his shirt to see that it was soaked through and blood was oozing out onto the truck bed. "Daryl...I don't..." You felt your death grip on the side of the truck bed loosening "feel...so..." You felt your head hit Daryl's hand before your world went black.
When you came to you were laying in a bed in the infirmary in Alexandria. Doctor Seddiq had his back turned to you while doing something at the counter in the room. When you groaned in pain you heard a rustle to your right and turned to see Daryl. "Hey." He said quietly as he wiggled in the hard chair a little.
"Hey." You rasped getting Seddiq's attention. "I..." You glanced around you a little confused, "I passed out from blood loss didn't I?"
"Yes." Seddiq said as he moved to stand at the foot of your bed. "But you're ok now. You have stitches on both sides of your calf and a sprained ankle. I'm not keeping you in the infirmary so your free to go, but I'm going to need you to keep those dressings clean and come see me in a couple of days for a check up. Eat light and take it easy, don't put too much weight on that foot." As he was talking he handed Daryl a set of crutches.
When you sat up and pivoted so that your legs were hanging off of the bed Daryl stood up and placed a hand on your back. You wanted to ask him what he was doing, why he was being so nice to you, but now didn't feel like the right time. So you let him keep his hand there as you slid off of the bed and placed your good foot on the floor. Daryl handed you the crutches and you put them under your arm pits and got stable on them.
Once you were good to go you headed out of the clinic, Daryl walking right beside you. When you gave him a curious glance your eyes met and you shared a small awkward smile. "I um," he bit at his cuticle on his thumb and you looked back in front of you making sure you didn't put the crutches down on a lose rock. "I didn't know if you needed help with anything." He explained.
"I don't think so, but I also didn't think I would pass out from blood loss today. So what do I know?" You said with a small shrug. When you looked over at him he was chewing on his thumb looking straight ahead. He glanced over at you and for some reason you got the feeling that he was nervous. "You can hang around in case I need help." You looked back ahead of you, starting to feel like you were getting the hang of using the crutches. "But you don't have to if you don't want to."
"I want to" he told you as you came to the steps that led up to your porch and you hesitated, trying to figure out how to get up them with the crutches. You had put your good foot on the bottom step when you felt Daryl’s arms around you.
Next thing you knew Daryl had swept you up bridal style. He carried you up the steps and across the porch then let you open the door before he finally set you down. "You didn't have to do that you know? I could've gotten up them on my own."
He waved you off. "My way was faster." As he headed toward your kitchen you sat on your couch and propped your feet up on the coffee table being careful not to move your leg too fast or bump it on anything. When he came back he held a cup of water in one hand and something else was in the fist of his other hand. After you took the offered cup he opened his other hand revealing two white pills. "Pain pills. Doc. gave me a few to offer you." He said with a shrug.
"I can handle the pain. We need to save those for people who really need them." You said waving him off. He set them on the coffee table in case you wanted them later, then sat down in the arm chair. After a few minutes of awkward silence you finally spoke up. "Can I ask you something?" Daryl hummed and nodded. "Why are you being so nice to me?"
"It's my fault you got hurt. Figured I could at least make it up to ya." He said with a shrug.
You frowned. "How is it your fault that I stepped on a rotten board?"
"I asked Rick to ask you to come."
"Why?" You were beyond confused. "You don't even like me."
"I don't like how annoying and aggravating you can be, but I've kinda missed you these past few weeks." You were a little shocked at his answer. You fidgeted with the cup of water in your hands, staring at the inch of clear liquid left inside. After you pressed the rim to your lips and downed the last bit Daryl stood up and held his hand out for the glass. "Want more?" He asked as he plucked the cup from your hand.
You shook your head no and he left to put the cup in the kitchen. While he was gone you scratched your head. Daryl wanted you to go on the run because he missed you? What the hell did that mean? Did it mean he liked you back? Or did it mean he simply missed having you around? You had dropped your feet off of the table and was leaning forward rubbing your temple in thought when he walked back in and saw your brows drawn together. From where he was standing it looked like you were in pain.
“You sure you don’t want to take those pills?” he asked walking over to look at the empty frames you had placed on the fire place mantle for decoration.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” You said as you dropped your hand and let it fall into your lap. “I’m not in that much pain.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” He said quietly as he turned around and motioned to your face.
“I was just thinking.” You said without looking at him, but at the pills on the table instead. It looked more like you were looking through the table really.
“”bout what?” he asked taking a step closer to you.
You didn’t look up, but instead just shrugged. “Nothin’.” Daryl moved around in front of you and sat down on the table where you had been staring. You still didn’t look at him. Not until he hooked his finger under your chin and made you. You just watched as he studied your face. “What are you doing?” you asked all too aware of his finger that was still hooked under your chin.
“Tryin’ to figure out if you swiped something from the doc’s and took it while I wasn’t lookin’.”
With that answer you snapped out of your thoughts and swiped his hand aside. “I don’t do drugs. Never have never will.” You crossed your hands over your chest and leaned back.
Daryl stood up and started pacing. “Then what the hell’s wrong with ya? You’re actin’ like your personality drained out with your blood today?!” he practically yelled at you before he stopped and stared at you.
“I didn’t lose my personality.” You said as you pushed yourself up off of the couch to stand on your good foot. “And why the hell are you gettin’ mad at me?” you asked back quietly but he didn’t miss your flared nostrils.
“’cause I’m worried ‘bout ya!” he yelled swinging his arm at you.
“you’re…” you blinked in confusion, “You’re worried about me? Why?”
“You ain’t been actin’ like yourself.” He said finally not yelling at you.
“I’m just tired.” You sighed and swiped some hair out of your face.
“I ain’t just talkin’ ‘bout today.” He said with a shake of his head. His eyes were glaring at you with and intenseness you had never seen from him before. “The past few weeks you’ve been holed up in this house. You only come out for more food. It ain’t like you.”
“Yeah?” you asked as you bent down and grabbed your crutches. “Well you made me this way. So get used to it.” You put the crutches under your arms.
“What do you mean I made you this way?” he asked. You just stared at him, lips pursed and nostrils flared. “Aw shit.” He growled as he finally caught on that you were still mad about the things he had said to you. You started hobbling your way to the stairs that your bedroom was at the top of. “I told ya I was sorry about that!” he yelled after you.
“Yes, Daryl, but you didn’t deny that it was true.” You yelled to Daryl who you could hear following you. “I told you I would stay out of your way. This is me staying true to my word.”
“Son of a bitch woman!” he yelled as you stopped at the base of the stairs and turned to look at him. “I don’t want you to stay out of the way! I want you to-” he stopped himself.
“What, Daryl?!” you yelled, shaking your crutches at your sides. “What do you want from me?” you felt tears start slipping down your cheeks and you didn’t know if they were from sadness, frustration or both.
You thought he was going to get mad and lash out at you, like he used to, but instead he calmly took the crutches from you. They clanked together as he leaned them against the rail of the stairs. Your heartbeat quickened when he grabbed a lock of your bangs that were hanging in your face between his pointer and middle finger and attempted to tuck it behind your ear. From your ear his hand slid down your neck to your shoulder then back up to cup the side of your neck. It was clear that he was unsure of himself and nervous, but eventually he leaned down and pressed his lips to yours.
Slowly, confidence strengthened between the two of you and you placed your hands on his sides while he slipped his hand to the back of your neck, gripped your hip with the other and pulled you in a little closer. After a few seconds he loosened his grip on your neck and slowly pulled away. You stared at him in shock for a minute before you finally managed to give him a little smirk and form words. “So uh…um.” They weren’t intelligent words, but at least you tried to say something. He smiled, happy that he had rendered you practically speechless. But when you broke eye contact and looked down at your feet, words finally came together in a coherent manner. “Do we have to have another fight for that to happen again?”
His smile turned into a laugh as he shook his head no then bent down, hooked one arm under your knees and the other around your shoulders and scooped you up. “You know, you don’t have to carry me everywhere.”
“Shut up.” He grunted right before he pressed his lips to yours and started walking up the stairs. When he got to the top he headed to your bedroom walked inside and laid you down following to lie beside you. The two of you made out for the remainder of the night and ended up falling asleep.
Imagine Daryl getting mad when Negan takes a liking to you.
Title: The loser. Warnings: None. Pairing: Darylxreader. Word count: 2,844. Setting: Alexandria a few months after Negan get’s put into the cell.
You had been the one caring for Negan for a few months now and while you still hated the guy with everything in you for the most part the exchanges between you had been pleasant. Yes he was a horrible, heinous human being and he didn’t have a heart, but you did. And it made it hard to see a human being locked behind bars for forever. He wasn’t even allowed to walk around outside in the fresh air. Even the most evil of animals didn’t deserve to be locked up for forever. If a dog bit a human it was most commonly understood that the dog was just be shot. Wasn’t Negan just a human version of a rabid dog with rabies? Why didn’t the council just kill him like they would a rabid dog?
So you hated going down to that dim dirty basement and seeing the down-in-the-dumps man three times a day. You hated that you pitied him. “Hi.” You chimed as you walked in with a paper plate containing a sandwich and a bottle of water.
“Ah, y/n, my favorite person. What’s for lunch today? Please tell me it’s not another grilled eggplant. That shit sucked ass.” He said with a slight lean back where he had moved to stand at the bars next to the tray slot.
“Egg, avocado and lettuce sandwich.” You said as you handed him the plate through the slot.
You could tell he was about to complain, but when his eyes caught yours he smiled and took the plate out of your hand. “Thanks.”
“You’re allowed to complain you know. Lord knows I would be if I were in there.” You said as you sat down in the chair that sat against the stone wall in the room.
“If you were in here with me? Na I don’t think you’d be doin’ much complainin’.” When you looked up from the sketch pad in your hands he winked at you. You felt a blush warm your cheeks as you moved your eyes back down to the sketch pad. It was also your job to sketch views of the towns for documentation and proof that there were settlements in this crazy world. You planned on scattering them out over the settlements just incase something happened they all wouldn’t get ruined if a building or two ended up getting set on fire. You wanted your art to be left behind for future generations to see when you were long gone.
Negan laughed, apparently able to see the pink tint that his comment brought to your face. “What are you doin’ over there?” he asked with a nod to the pad as he chewed on a bite of his sandwich.
“Michonne has given me the task of sketching different parts of Alexandria.” you said as you sketched one of the bars of the cell, not yet working on Negan himself.
“And I’m part of Alexandria?” he asked with a hint of surprise in his voice.
“Well right now it’s just your cell, but be nice to me and maybe I’ll put you in the drawing.”
“Oh, I’ll be nice.” Once again his tone made you blush, but you bit your lips closed and focused on your work. He chuckled quietly to himself. It was quiet for a while, the whole time his eyes were on you, but you only looked up to take in the details of the room and not the man in it. “Tell me, you got a guy up there on the surface?” he motioned to the window where you could see peoples feet as they walked around outside.
“No.” you answered not looking at him.
“So you and Daryl…?” he asked waiting for you to finish his sentence.
“You know it’s really hard to concentrate with you talking.” You said looking up from the paper to finally look at him.
“You said be nice.” He pointed out making you scowl.
“Fine then be quiet and I’ll consider drawing you in.” You snapped and he just smiled.
“So you do like Daryl?” he said through his smile and you bit your lip as you got back to work. It was once again quiet for a few minutes as you finished up the outline of the cell behind the bars that you had drawn. It was time to decide if you were going to sketch Negan into the cell. “Daryl’s an idiot you know. If we were back at the sanctuary I would’ve already asked you to marry me.”
You had been looking down at your pad, but when he said that you couldn’t help glaring up at him through your lashes. “What?” you had no clue why this was the word that you chose to let past your lips but it made Negan flash a big smile and in that moment you found yourself understanding why the women who agreed to be his wife had done so.
“Come on, you’re hot and you know it.” You had never thought of yourself as hot even once in your life. “If we were back at the sanctuary and you were alone, no Daryl, none of your people there to take care of you, no knowledge of the events that landed me here, what would you say to my proposal?”
You closed the book and hugged it to your chest as you glared at him and thought about your answer. If the circumstances were what he just described to you…? You started actually considering it. He wasn’t unattractive. Actually he was pretty damn hot. From what you had heard none of his brides went without and he wasn’t mean to them. The only down side was that you would have to share him. That in and of it’s self was a deal breaker.
“No.” you answered.
“Seriously?” he asked with his signature lean back. You didn’t answer and just watched as he grabbed the paper plate and held it out for you through the slot.
You set the pad on the floor and got up to take the plate from him. “Yeah, seriously.” You answered as you grabbed the plate.
“Why not?” he asked as he grabbed your hand through the slot and flipped it over in his. You dropped the plate on the outside of his cell. You could have taken your hand back. It was just sitting in his, but his sudden action had stunned you. Your eyes moved to his hazels stunning you even more. You saw his body move as he lifted his other hand and started drawing on the palm of your hand with the tip of his pointer finger. “You know I would take care of you.”
Little did you know that Daryl had walked by and heard Negan talking to someone in a flirtatious tone. So he leaned down and peered through the window.
You inhaled a deep breath and let it out, hating how good Negan’s touch felt. “I don’t share.” You said as you took your hand from his. As soon as the warmth was gone you felt yourself sobering up from the daze hisintimacy had put you in.
“Well, good news, I’m single.” He said and you shook your head and turned your back on him to bend down and pick up your drawing pad. “Damn.” He sighed shaking his head as he took in your ass that you had pointed right at him without thinking about it. You stood up and spun around quickly. “You have the keys, why don’t you come inside and let me show you how much I appreciate that fine ass of yours?”
After he asked that you heard the basement door open and Daryl came charging in. “Daryl?” you asked in confusion as he came rushing in looking pissed. “I thought you were out on a run, what are you doin’ here?” you asked in confusion as he stomped over and grabbed you by your upper arm.
“Yeah, Daryl, what are you doin’ here?” Negan echoed your question sarcastically.
“Come on, you’re done here.” Daryl started pulling you from the cell and you willingly followed. He didn’t let go of you until you were outside and then it was like he practically threw you away from him.
“What the hell is your problem Daryl?” you asked looking up at him with creased brows.
“What’s my problem?” he asked back at you. “What the hell is wrong with you, letting him touch you like that?” he growled, practically yelling at you.
You felt yourself deflate and crossed your arms over your chest, covering it with your drawing pad. You felt a tear run down your face from how he treated you and you turned away from him and started toward your house. You weren’t going to argue with him about this in the middle of the street. As you passed one of the windows of the cell you saw Negan looking up at you. You rolled your eyes and kept walking.
You weren’t aware that Daryl was following you untill you went inside and tried to shut the door behind you only for it to hit him. You turned around, stunned that he was there. “Are you gonna answer me?” he asked slamming the door behind him.
“No.” your quick answer only seemed to make him madder. “I don’t think I have to explain myself to you.”
“You seriously think he likes you? He’s playing head games with you.” Daryl glared down at you and tapped your temple with his middle finger.
You slapped him away. “You don’t think I know that?!” you yelled up at him “Regardless of what you think I’m not stupid.” You walked into the kitchen to get yourself a drink.
“I know you’re not.” Daryl almost yelled as he followed you to the kitchen. “You’re the smartest fuckin’ woman I know! That’s why I’m pissed that you let ‘im lay his grubby hand on ya! It looked like you were enjoying it!” you just pored yourself a glassed of water and took a sip as he yelled at you. “He’s a fuckin’ monster and you looked like you were ready to fuck ‘im. I’d expect it from another woman, but you?” his yelling was starting to get under your skin and make your blood boil. “Why-”
Finally you couldn’t take it anymore and placed your palms on the bar as you leaned across it at him “Because it felt good to be wanted!” your yelled words finally shut him up. He just stared at you and the tears that had started slipping down your cheeks. “No man has even given me a second look since the world fell, so excuse the fuck out of me for having a moment of weakness.” You grabbed your cup of water and walked out of the kitchen and to your room where you slammed the door behind you.
You sat down at your desk and took a few deep breaths to calm yourself. After you calmed down you decided that the future generations needed to know that even after the era of civilization fell putting people in prison was still something that worked. So you started sketching Negan by memory. You had just finished what you could when you heard a knock on your bedroom door.
As soon as you opened the door Daryl took a step toward you, grabbed your face in his hands and pressed his lips to yours. You stumbled back from the force but your lips remained together and he kicked the door shut behind him. Daryl didn’t know how to say that he had not only given you a second look, but about a thousand since he’d first met you at hilltop. So he decided to show you.
The two of you walked backwards stumbling around the room like a couple of idiots until you felt Daryl hit something and he fell down to sit on your bed breaking the kiss. He placed his hands on your hips and looked at you. It was weird that all he had to do was squint up at you for you to see that it hurt him when he saw you letting Negan touch you. Even if it was just your hand. You reached out and ran your hand through his soft hair, pushing it out of his face. He let his head fall forward to rest on your stomach. You just rested your hands on the back of his neck and played with his long hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know that you…” What, liked you? Wanted you? What exactly was it that was going on right now?
He picked his head up and looked up at you. “I didn’t either. Not until I saw…” he didn’t finish his sentence and when his eyes grew dark he didn’t have to.
“Negan made you jealous?” you asked. He nodded and pulled your hips toward him, silently asking you to come closer. So you moved to straddle his lap. He slid his hands up your back making you sigh before your lips met again. The two of you made out like a couple of teenagers for ten minutes before you broke apart for a breather. “This is nice.” You said from where you lay with your head on Daryl’s shoulder while your hands traced the lines of his abs. He picked your hand up and placed his palm against yours, comparing the sizes of your hands. “I don’t want to ruin the moment or anything, but I have to know…what does this mean for us?” you felt his head turn to look at you so you looked up at him.
“What do ya mean?” he asked and you shrugged.
“I mean, are we still just friends, friends with benefits or…are we something more?” you asked sliding your hand that was still pressed against his to the side to lace your fingers together. “I guess I’m asking you to put a label on us.”
Daryl hummed and turned his eyes back to your hands. You did to and you watched as he grabbed your right hand and pulled a ring off that you always wore on your right ring finger. You wanted to ask what he was doing, but you just watched. He picked up your left hand and placed it on your left ring finger. Butterflies started soaring in your stomach and flew up to your chest. “Not askin’ ya to marry me. It’s just there to hold the place if we ever decide to tie the knot one day.” He said and you turned your eyes to his and smiled broadly. He smiled back before another makeout session ensued.
“Wow, I’m surprised Daryl let you come back down here after the way he pulled you out of here yesterday.” Negan said when you walked in with his breakfast of fresh cow’s milk and stale cereal. You ignored him and handed him the styrofoam bowl and plastic spoon. “You are aware that you put your ring on the wrong hand this morning aren’t you?”
“It’s not on the wrong hand.” You humored him with a reply as you sat down and started putting the finishing touches on the drawing of Neagan that you couldn’t get from memory.
“Whoa, wait a minute, did you and crossbow get engaged?” he asked around his bite of food and you could hear the smile in his voice without even looking up.
But you had to look up to make sure you had his eye shape right. “It’s a promise ring.” You looked back down and started drawing his eyebrows.
“He gave you your ring as a promise ring?” he asked in confusion.
“It’s not like Alexandria has a jewelry store.” You said flatly not looking up from your work.
He was quiet while he finished eating and you finished drawing. When you were done you flipped the pad over and walked over to the bars to show Negan. “Nice. Looks just like me.”
“Yep, you’ll forever be known as the guy who managed to get life in prison in the middle of an apocalypse.” You popped off and he looked a little hurt. “Sorry, that was a little bitchy.” You said as you flipped the pad closed and moved to the food slot and held out your hand for his empty bowl and spoon. He handed it to you, but didn’t let it go. You looked up at him a little annoyed. “You don’t like sharing, does Daryl?”
“You wish.” You scoffed and jerked the stuff out of his hand.
“You like me and you know it.” He said with a smile.
“You’re full of yourself and you know it.” You said back to him as you left him behind and locked the door to the basement on your way out.
Daryl stood talking to Michonne and a few other people across from the cell that Negan was in and you were aware of Negan’s eyes on you as you walked over to the group. Negan gritted his teeth when he saw Daryl’s arm slide around your waist. He lost again.
