#hershel greene

[fanficimagery]

Stargazin'

Summary: You would have never pined after a man like Daryl Dixon. Until you do.

Words: 15,281

Author's Note: This has been sitting in my drafts for MONTHS! If you're gonna nitpick, click the 'x'. What you need to know is that Outbreak Day happens just weeks into the Reader and Beth's senior year of high school, so the girls are both about to be 18. And I'm just going to assume Daryl is in his late 20's which will later make this an AGE GAP. If you're not comfortable with an age gap, click the 'x'.

Also, Beth lives because I need someone to girl talk with lol.

Here's your TRIGGER WARNING for mentions of past SA.

You had known the Greene family since the sixth grade, when the school counselors accidentally messed up your class schedule. Nowhere on your paperwork had you asked to be put in the Future Farmers of America class, but they put you in the FFA class anyway. Everyone in that first period class were kids you knew who either grew up on a farm or worked with farm animals. You were the only one who was out of place, but Beth Greene was kind enough to help you out.

Funnily enough, for being a city kid, you loved learning about crops and farm animals.

Since then, you and Beth had been attached at the hip. You even went to Sunday church with her, getting to know her parents Hershel and Annette, her sister Maggie, and her stepbrother Shawn.

For years you were the happy-go-lucky gal, and then junior year happened. Your whole demeanor and attitude changed, and no one except for Beth knew why. But she was such a good friend that she never told anyone why, so everyone chalked it up to teenage hormones.

The Greenes took your change in stride, but your parents hated it. Gone were the dresses and skirts, the girly-ness, and gone was their perfect little girl. So, when your father got a new job hundreds of miles away, you threw the most intense tantrum ever when he decided a change was in order. You would not leave your best friend, especially when you were only one year away from graduating high school. You had been so distraught and on the verge of ruining your relationship with your parents when Hershel suggested you stay with his family until you graduated.

And just like that, you were an honorary Greene.

Everything turned out fine, but just as you were learning to let go of what happened in the past, the dead started to reawaken and attack the living. You'd heard the stories and seen the videos, and you couldn't believe what you were seeing. But Hershel didn't- he couldn't believe the people were dead. He firmly believed they were just sick, and that belief became stronger when Shawn was attacked by a neighbor that had wandered onto the Greene farm.

After Shawn, Annette was attacked. It was a blow to the Greene family, but Hershel would not believe that his wife and step-son were dead. So, he put them in the barn until a cure could be found.

Slowly but surely, all contact with the outside world was gone. When you accompanied Maggie on a trip to the pharmacy for some much needed hygiene products, the two of you got to see first hand what the world came to. It was then Maggie started to realize that maybe her daddy was wrong, but there was no changing Hershel's mind.

As the days passed, Hershel's neighbors and farmworkers Patricia and Otis joined you on the farm. You gave up your room for them, moving into Beth's room. And then Beth's boyfriend Jimmy came knocking, but Hershel put him on a cot in the living room.

Then food started becoming scarce, so Otis took to hunting for your meals.

Boredom eventually kicked in and there was nothing to do around the farm. You tried to help out as much as you could, but Hershel wanted you and Beth to do nothing. Eventually though, you managed to rig up a washing machine just outside on the side of the house with a barrel, an old agitator, and an old bike. Hershel had been grateful, especially since he wanted to use as little power as possible.

Then came the others, brought in by Otis because he'd accidentally shot a young boy when hunting a buck.

Having newcomers on the farm was very tense, but at least Maggie was enjoying her time with the new boy Glenn. You and Beth, however, took to watching everyone from her bedroom window. Not only were they staying on the farm to await the fate of young Carl, but they were also looking for a little girl that went by the name of Sophia. They seemed close knit and desperate to stay on the farm, but Hershel wanted them gone as soon as possible.

As you watched the group go through their ups and downs, you noticed a bit of a power struggle between Rick and Shane. But it was none of your business, so you turned a blind eye to it. You did, however, meet the others though you felt as if you were out of your element among them. They seemed to have a schedule among each other, working jobs and rotating shifts. And there was you, doing nothing but gossiping like a teenager as if the world hadn't turned upside down.

To everyone else, you were just a kid- a kid who needed to be looked after.

And the one night it all changed still sits vividly in your mind.

Shane had rallied his group into a mob, pissed off that there were people- or walkers, as you heard the group call them- in the barn. Hershel and Rick had gone off the farm somewhere, so you and Beth and the others had convened on the porch to watch the mayhem take place.

Though you knew the people in the barn were dead, it was still hard to watch them be put down. You held onto Beth as she cried for her brother and mother, but you kept it together for her. And though you didn't know the girl Sophia, it absolutely broke your heart when you realized the girl had been in the barn the entire time.

Afterwards, Beth went catatonic and Hershel went missing. As Rick and Glenn went looking for him, you talked to your friend, expressing how you'd be there for her no matter what and that you couldn't survive this new world without her. You realized you were getting through to her when she grabbed your hand, and then you wanted to scratch Andrea's face off when she entered the room after you'd gone for a bathroom break, and you heard her talking about how some people were 'opting out' and that she wouldn't hold it against Beth if she took that route. You yelled for Maggie, and Lori surprised you when she showed up as well, yelling at Andrea to get her damn head straight.

Beth cried as she came out of her state of shock, telling you how she thought she should kill herself because this new world was scary. But you wouldn't let her. You couldn't.

And then just as you were settling down after a crazy afternoon, Rick and Glenn show up with Hershel and an injured individual. Though he was blindfolded, you could still tell who it was and it made your blood run cold. Beth had noticed right away that you'd gone pale and when she inquired as to why, you told her who they had just brought onto the farm.

Immediately, Beth was no longer thinking about her life. She was thinking about yours.

You'd gone quiet. Too quiet. Only Beth had noticed, but then again you think this is the moment Daryl- the hunter- noticed too.

As the groups converged in the living room to talk about what they should do with Randall, you went back to your room to retrieve the switchblade you'd bought after that terrible night junior year. When they admitted they needed more information out of him about his group, you followed them and hid out of sight.

Only when Randall pleaded that he was innocent, that he wasn't like the other men in his group did you make your presence known.

"They won't believe you, you said." Stepping out of the shadows, Rick and Shane and Daryl stepped back in surprise as you stalked towards their hostage. "Are you sure you weren't asking for it, they said." Stopping near his bound ankles, you squatted down to meet those dark eyes you've never forgotten. "You were a manipulative liar then and you're still a manipulative liar now.. Jesse."

"Who the hell is Jesse?" Daryl had grunted.

Jesse, who told these men that his name was Randall, paled. "Y-Y/N?"

"Do you remember what I told you the last time we spoke?" You asked.

Jesse gulped, shaking his head. "P-Please. I've changed. I promise!"

"No. You haven't. And I told you karma would get you in the end. It's me. I'm your karma."

Before Jesse could retort, you'd reached for the switchblade in your boot, flipped open the blade, and slit his throat deep enough that Hershel wouldn't be able to help him.

Rick and Shane had shouted and pulled you away, and Daryl stepped up to check on Jesse. "Well, I guess we don't need to take vote on whether we should kill 'im or not."

Disgruntled, Rick marched you back into Hershel's home and made you stand before everyone while he told them what you did. Everyone but Beth were shocked and you did your best to hold it together while everyone asked you the same question over and over. Why?

Since that night in your junior year, you had only told Beth and your school counselors.

"He lied to you," you'd said. "His name wasn't Randall; it was Jesse."

"And how did you know Jesse?" Rick had asked.

"He-" Your voice wobbles, throat swelling with emotion as your sight goes blurry with tears. "He-"

Beth had stepped up to your side then, grabbing your hand and twining your fingers together. "You brought her rapist onto our farm."

The entire room goes quiet and you avoid everyone's gaze.

"Oh, sweetheart." Hershel's fatherly tone made your tears finally fall and Maggie rushed to hug you. She held you as you quietly broke down. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"She told the counselors at school," Beth admitted, "but they didn't take her seriously. They basically said she was asking for it because she wore dresses nearly every day or that she knowingly led him on."

"I was too ashamed," you then told them between sniffles, head resting on Maggie's shoulder. "I didn't- I couldn't have the police tell me the same thing, so I-"

"You hardened yourself." Maggie smoothed her hand up and down your back. "Everything makes so much sense now."

With one last sniffle, you had briefly pulled yourself together and stepped back from Maggie to address the room. Specifically old man Dale who had been begging to spare Randall's life. "He took my life last year, so I was only returning the favor like I told him I would if I ever saw him again."

You didn't know what to expect after that night, but it wasn't for the women to treat you like you were fragile or for the men to look at you with respect in their eyes.

It was only a day later, as you sat on the tire swing behind the farmhouse, that Daryl approached you to give you back your now clean switchblade and a hunting knife with a belt sheath because, according to him, switchblades weren't that great for taking out the walkers.

And then, it was only after the farm had fallen that you noticed how Daryl gravitated towards you. He always kept himself in front of you, made sure you were warm, or that you had enough food and water when he caught you sneaking your portion to pregnant Lori. You didn't know what his deal was, but it made you feel a tiny bit special.

Because while everyone had someone looking out for them, you had no one. Not really.

But now, there was apparently Daryl.

After the prison had fallen, you did your best to run in the direction you last saw Daryl and Beth run off in. But the dead cut you off, you got turned around, and you were left to fend for yourself.

You walked for days with no real destination in mind, clutching your hunting knife and taking out the dead that got too close for comfort. And then, a miracle happens.

You'd been keeping to the woods so as to not be spotted by someone who could be non-friendly when you spot an individual siphoning gas from a car on the highway. You made sure to stay hidden as you watched them, but when that person turned.. you let out a laugh of disbelief.

Stepping out from between the trees, you shout, "Carol!"

Carol turns, hand on her knife at her hip. When she spots you, her hand drops and you take off sprinting towards her. And then when you collide with her, arms wrapping around her, you cry.

"Y/N? What are you- what are you doing way out here?"

"It's gone. The prison is gone."

"What?" Carol pulled away, hands holding you at arm's length. "What do you mean?"

"The governor came back." Your expression crumbled then. "H-He killed Hershel." As the tears fell, she pulled you back into a hug. "They took down our fences. They had a tank and blew apart one of the prison walls. The dead were everywhere."

"Where is everyone else?"

"I don't know."

Carol gave you a moment to collect herself and then she wanted to go see the prison for herself. She hadn't known what was going on since Rick had apparently banished her- a banishment you saw no reasoning for. Given how sick Karen and David were, and the fact that there was no cure for the sickness they had, you felt Carol did the right thing by putting them out of their misery and doing her best to prevent the spread. Unfortunately, it still spread, and Carol had been kicked out of her home.

When you eventually got back to the prison, it made your chest ache to see it again, even more so when you saw a few walkers that bore familiar faces. The bus that was meant to escape with the children had only made it a few yards from where it was originally parked and there was fresh blood splatter everywhere.

Carol made the decision to check the armory and load up on any weapons left behind. So, you did. And then you drove, hoping to find anyone on the road.

Tyrese must have racked up some good karma somewhere in his life because you found him in the nick of time, clutching Judith to his chest with one hand while he wielded an axe with the other, fending off the dead. So when you and Carol dispatched the dead for him, he sagged with relief. He told you he'd originally been with the kids Lizzie and Mika, but that something was wrong with Lizzie and she had willingly let her and Mika be swarmed by the dead. Now, he was alone with Judith looking for everyone else.

It didn't long to notice the Terminus signs, Terminus being a place of sanctuary. Tyrese was all for heading straight there, especially when he spotted one sign that bore Maggie's name and a note from Glenn saying they were headed there. But Carol was skeptical about it, and you trusted her instincts. So, after finding a cabin in the woods for Tyrese to hole up in with Judith, you and Carol went to scope out Terminus. And what you saw left you terrified for your friends.

So, you and Carol planned, and then you went to save your friends. Your family.

.

Rick and Daryl do a head count after escaping Terminus, checking on everyone to make sure they're okay. Glenn, Maggie, Beth, and Tara are huddled together. Eugene is sandwiched between Abraham and Rosita. Bob and Sasha are leaning on each other for support, and Michonne is guarding Carl as if her life depends on it.

"Everyone okay?" Rick asks.

No one speaks, but there are nods all around. Then, a branch snaps, and everyone looks in the direction it came from. Seconds later, Carol steps out with a rifle in hand.

Daryl takes off running, expression crumbling as he hugs the life out of her. Everyone smiles, relieved, and joins them.

"You? You did that?" Rick asks, eyes teary as he points back at Terminus. Terminus, which is now on fire.

Carol nods, accepting Rick's hug and quiet apology for banishing her. "Well, it wasn't all me."

"What do you mean?"

"Goddammit! Stupid cannibal motherfuckers!" Someone snorts and people start turning, looking for the source. "I almost ate a hamburger in there, Carol! A human hamburger! I nearly barfed on the crazy lady."

Even though they just came out of a life and death situation, several of the group can't help but snicker.

"Y/N?" Beth stumbles away from the group, gaze set on the figure that's covered in a gut soaked poncho and mud marring their face.

Hearing your name, you look up and smile. "Heya, gang. Fancy meeting you all here."

Beth nearly tackles you in a hug, forcing you to drop your rifle. She cries tears of relief, mumbling over and over about how she knew you weren't dead. Maggie hugs you after her, and then there's Daryl. You can see the relief in his red-rimmed eyes, but you don't say anything to him. Instead, you let him grasp you by the back of your neck and rest his forehead against yours.

Smiling, you reach up and cup the side of his neck. "Hey, it's okay."

"Thought 'ya were gone."

"Thought the same thing 'bout you, but then I remembered you were a Dixon. You ain't goin' nowhere." He huffs in amusement and finally pulls back, his own hand going up to wrap around your wrist. He pulls your hand down, but doesn't let go. "Got you a present on my way out of that hell hole."

"If it's one of those burgers, I'll pass."

"Ha. Ha," you deadpan. The group chuckles and then you start pulling the poncho off. Beneath it, Daryl's crossbow is strapped to your back. "Thought you might want this back."

Daryl helps you take it off your back, flashing you a faint grin that his hair hides.

"Sorry I couldn't grab more," you then address the group, "but there were a lot more crazies in there than I expected."

"S'fine," Rick says. "I'm just glad you got out okay."

You're then introduced to the newcomers of the group, nodding politely as they express their thanks for helping them out. Rick then digs up a few weapons he had been smart to bury before they stepped into Terminus, and then Carol reminds you about the cabin. Your eyes light up as you tell Rick and Sasha you have a surprise for them and then lead them to the cabin.

Watching Rick and Carl reunite with Judith and Sasha reunite with Tyrese was well worth keeping the secret, even when Carl pestered you the entire walk there.

Having just gone through the traumatic event of nearly being killed to be prepped for dinner, the group was not fond of going anywhere near any well-traveled roads or towns. Rick had everyone keep to the woods and then take a break to gather their wits about them when he spotted an abandoned church.

The church itself had been boarded up, and when the group forced their way in there had only been five dead wandering around. It was obvious they had taken their own lives, but none of you could figure out why given they still had a small food stash to ration between them. But their loss was your gain, and you didn't even bat an eye when the food got passed around.

Sitting against an overturned pew, you're starting to nod off when you feel a presence over you. You look up in time to see Daryl stepping over your legs, grunting as he takes a seat to your left.

"'Ya gotta eat somethin'." He holds out two cans between you. "Fruit cocktail or chili?"

"Or how 'bout we do the smart thing and split 'em? That way we both have a little variety."

"I'm down."

You faintly smile as Daryl pulls two spoons from his pocket. The cans, fortunately, have easy open pull tabs, so you and Daryl can dig in right away. You've never been a fan of cold chili, but right now it tastes like the best thing ever. And then when you've eaten half the can, you switch with Daryl and enjoy some fruit and fruit juice.

When you're done, you set the can aside and sigh softly. Your head rolls to the side and you stare at the archer who's staring ahead at everyone else. "How are you doin', Daryl?"

He grunts. "Hmm?"

"Well, cannibals did try to eat you. Just tryin' to see how you're holdin' up."

"M'fine. What 'bout 'ya?"

"M'good. Just exhausted."

He nods. "We all are. I think we're gonna hunker down here for a few days, so get some sleep while 'ya can."

"Yes, sir."

Daryl huffs and you glance around trying to determine a comfortable position in which to fall asleep in. There's no place better than where you currently are, so you scoot to the right and lay down with your head near Daryl's hip. Then curling your arm beneath your head, you close your eyes and settle in.

.

The next time you open your eyes, there are slivers of sunshine beaming in through the boarded-up windows. You groan as you stretch out of your curled position, brow furrowing when you feel material under your cheek. Pushing yourself up, you grab the folded material and shake it out, surprised to find that it's Daryl's prized vest with the angel wings on the back.

Huffing, you don the vest and get up to see what's on the agenda for the day.

Half the group is asleep or attempting to sleep and others are stationed at the windows to keep watch for anything or anyone outside.

As you approach Daryl and Rick, both men turn to glance at you while clocking the vest hanging on your shoulders. "You know, I thought I'd feel cooler wearing the vest," you say with a yawn. "Sadly, I don't." Rick grins in amusement, reaching over to ruffle your hair. You scowl at him, stepping closer to Daryl. "Has anyone found a bathroom here? I need to pee and I'm not poppin' a squat during the day."

Daryl grins. "What is it wit' 'ya an' poppin' a squat durin' daylight hours?"

"M'not tryin' to flash my ass to friend or foe, Dixon. Now, bathroom?"

Chuckling, Rick points out the general direction. "Just follow the hallway. It's all been cleared already."

After relieving yourself, you decide to be nosy and go through each room. There's not much to find, which you assumed would be the case, but still you look. You shuffle through some papers on a desk, only stopping on a flyer for a food pantry event. You stare at it, wondering why the paper seems important. Minutes pass and then you clock the day of the event. You look for a calendar and start connecting the dots.

The day of the food pantry was to take place two weeks after Outbreak Day. So if no one was smart enough, there's potentially a lot of food just sitting on shelves.

With a bit of renewed energy, you scour the room for a map or something just to tell you what the church's address is. You have the address for the building where food should hopefully be stockpiled, and after you conveniently find a map of the town, you map a route from the church to the food pantry.

Folding the papers, you shove them in your back pocket and go look for Rick. You find him and Daryl in the same spot you left them.

Approaching them once more, you lower your voice as you say, "I wanna head into town." Both men stare at you like you're crazy, so you pull out the pantry flyer and the map you marked the route. "I found this in the back office," you tell them as you show them the food pantry flyer first. "It was supposed to take place two weeks after Outbreak Day. Now, there are hundreds of flyers in a box back there, which means they never got around to advertising it. If the people from the church didn't make it far, how much you wanna bet there's a room full of food still there?"

"It's a longshot," Rick says.

"But it's still a shot." Unfolding the map, you show them how you already mapped out a route. "If it's empty, then it's empty. But if it's not, we can stay here just a little bit longer to regain our strength and scout for a more permanent place."

Rick mulls it over before glancing at Daryl. "What do 'ya think?"

Chewing on the corner of his thumbnail, he shrugs. "She got a point, but we gotta keep the group small."

"Fine, but I want you two on point."

You smile, nudging Daryl when it looks like he wants to argue. "Cheer up, Dixon. It'll be fine. In an' out."

"'Ya just jinxed us, moron."

Rick huffs at the two of you and then he gathers everyone to tell them of your plan. He asks for volunteers, but only volunteers that actually got some rest the previous night. Tyrese, Sasha, and Bob all volunteer.

As you're preparing to leave, Beth approaches. "Are you sure you should be going?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I?" You catch your friend's distraught expression. "I'll be fine, Beth. I won't be alone."

"I know. I just-" She sighs. "I hate you being out there. I was so scared for you after the prison, but it was Daryl who kept assuring me that you'd be fine."

"Really? Dixon?" You muse.

Beth nods and her somber expression suddenly turns mischievous. "He also mentioned how he's seen a change in you. Apparently, he's been watching since the farm."

You shove her, cheeks heating with a blush. "Shut up."

"It's.. cute," she settles on. "Didn't think he'd be your type, but you're parading around in his vest and-"

You glance down, eyes widening. "I forgot I was wearing it! It's not what you think. He just- and I'm-"

"Adorable. You're stammering now."

"I hate you. So much." Beth laughs and you quickly shush her, making her giggle wildly.

As you strip out of Daryl's vest to hand it back to him before you leave, Maggie and Glenn walk over to make sure you're fine with going along. And after telling them it'd been your idea to check the food pantry, they back off. Maggie then stares at you for a moment, eyes misting over as she explains how much you've grown from your time on the farm.

You smile at her, but then Beth quickly ruins by saying, "She has changed. Especially her taste in the opposite sex."

Glenn tries to hide his smile, but Maggie has no such restraint. She smiles wide and wiggles her eyebrows at you. "Oh, I noticed. I didn't think redneck hunters were-"

"And that's my cue to go."

This time, Glenn joins the girls in their merriment as you stalk off. Sasha, Bob, and Tyrese are already with Daryl, and you join them. Daryl gets his vest back and then once everyone is ready to go, you head on out.

Daryl takes the lead while Tyrese brings up the rear. In the middle are you, Sasha, and Bob. All five of you are quiet, eyes peeled for any dead or living. You guide Daryl where to go since you're the one with the map, and then when you make it to the main street everyone's guard really goes up.

You tell the group to be on the lookout for the Family Services Food Bank and Thrift Store, and it isn't long until you find it. The windows are all still intact, so hope starts to swell within you. But the moment you enter and take a look around, that hope diminishes. Sure, the place has been picked through, but not overly so. In fact, there are some good clothing options still hanging on the racks. But the thing that dampens the mood is the gaping hole in the floor in the center of the room. And when you peer down into it, the room that houses shelves of food items is half filled with murky water and several dead.

Sasha sighs. "Well, the food is ruined."

"Nah. The stuff outta the water should be fine," Daryl says as he points it out.

"So now the question is; do we risk it?" Bob asks.

"I think we can," Daryl says. He points as he talks. "Stay behind the shelves an' reach through to stab. No guns."

"That's a bit of a steep slide in," Tyrese says, eying the piece of floor that had dropped in, remaining angled like a ramp. "I think I should stay up here. Find something to move anything we take back."

"Yeah. Good idea," Sasha says.

Daryl slides down first, immediately stabbing one of the walkers in the head that had started reaching through the shelves for him. He turns back towards the group, gesturing you down. So you slide down with help from Bob, grunting as Daryl catches you. You then watch his six as Bob helps Sasha down before he slides down behind her.

For a few minutes, everything is fine. You reach through the shelves to stab the dead, making sure the shelves stay upright. And then when the coast is clear, all four of you make your way to the other side of the shelves.

Daryl comes up with a system of grabbing something from the shelves and passing it to Sasha, she then passing it to Bob, and Bob passing it to you- you who happens to be crouched on the fallen floor so you can toss it up to Tyrese. You keep it up long enough to fill a wheelbarrow that Tyrese had found when shit hits the fan.

One moment you had slid down to stand behind Bob, laughing as he cracked a joke. Next, Bob is yelping and lifting his left out of the water, only to find a living dead clinging to him. Four more suddenly stand from the water and you're so confused as to why they waited until now to pop up.

But that question will forever go unanswered.

Bob suddenly stumbles back, knocking into you harshly. You stumble back, the water doing you know favors, and you fall.

You fall straight into a damaged wall, shouting as a piece of rebar pierces straight through your left shoulder.

"Y/N!" Daryl shouts.

"I'm fine! Clear the dead!" You shout back, gritting your teeth against the pain afterward. Grasping your knife from its holster, you stand there, pinned to the wall. One of the walkers stumbles towards you, but Bob puts it down before it can get too close for comfort. You nod at him in thanks, letting your head fall back and eyes close. And then there are gentle hands on your pain-free shoulder, and instantly you mumble, "M'fine."

"I think it's a clean through and through," Sasha says as she studies the wound. "Can you move your arm?"

"Yeah." You lift your arm for her, wincing. "Just hurts like hell."

She chuckles. "I bet."

"She gon' be okay?" Daryl asks, looking over her shoulder alongside Bob.

"Yeah. We just need to get back to the others. I think there's a bottle of alcohol there that we can use to sanitize. As for closing the wound, that's gonna be a little trickier."

"Worry 'bout getting the food upstairs," you say. "I can hold out-"

"Fuck the food." Daryl grunts. "You're more important."

Daryl's words shock you quiet and even Sasha arches an eyebrow at them. But no one says a thing and Tyrese interrupts the moment.

"Here. Use this," he says, tossing down several torn pieces of cloth. "When you pull her off, it's gonna bleed like crazy. Drape a folded piece of cloth over her shoulder where it's covering both entry and exit wounds and tie another strip over it and under her armpit. That'll have to do until we get back to the others."

"Fuck. This is gonna suck."

"Sorry." Sasha weakly grins at you. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

Sasha nods and then grasps you by your uninjured shoulder and around your ribs closest to the wound. When she yanks you forward, you yelp in pain and don't bother hiding the tears that stream down your face. Bob hurries to get the wound covered and then all three of them are pushing you up the fallen floor so Tyrese can pull you out.

"Someone take what we have," you say while gesturing to the wheelbarrow. "And someone better come back for the rest. We're not leaving good food behind because I took a fall."

"I got it."

Sasha ends up pushing the wheelbarrow as Tyrese and Daryl flank you on the walk back. No one says anything about the blood dripping from your fingertips, but they do pick up the speed. But halfway back, you stumble and Tyrese is quick to swoop you up into his arms. You groan, mostly in embarrassment, and Daryl glares at Tyrese.

"I don't mean to overstep, man, but you got faster reflexes than I do. You can protect us better than I can if walkers surprise us."

A moment passes and then Daryl nods.

You get back to the church in record time and there's a flurry of movement as they realize something is wrong.

After a quick explanation of what's going on, Maggie grabs a bottle of liquor that she intends to pour over your wound to clean it.

"We don't- we don't have any needles or thread," Beth says, tears in her eyes. "How are we going to close it?"

The group is at a loss of what to do when you finally speak up. "Cauterize it." Everyone seems horrified at that answer, but you tiredly shrug. "M'losin' too much blood. We don't have a way to stitch it closed, so.. cauterize it."

"I- I can do it," Bob says.

Everyone goes into motion then, getting a fire started and finding the widest knives to use- two knives to be exact because Bob is going to have Sasha help him so they only have to burn you once rather than put you through that pain twice.

When it's time, Beth kneels at your side. "Here. Bite on this."

She hands you a leather belt and you fold it, smiling in thanks. Daryl then kneels on your other side. "Ready?"

"Not really, but I gotta be."

"Bite down on that belt, Y/N," Bob says.

Your breath hitches and Daryl grabs your hand, cradling your uninjured arm. "S'gonna be okay. You can do this."

You gulp, nodding. Then you put the belt between your teeth, clenching down on it and body tense as Sasha and Bob make their way towards you with red hot machetes.

"Look at me. Don't look at 'em." Your breath comes faster and faster as you turn to meet Daryl's gaze. "If 'ya gotta pass out, pass out. Don't hang on."

You nod and it's like your hearing stops working as Bob kneels behind you and Sasha in front of you. There's a muffled countdown.. and then excruciating pain. You scream through clenched teeth, tears flowing, and Daryl holds onto you tighter. You sob and then black envelops you as your body goes lax.

When you finally manage to stay conscious long enough to sit up and know what's going on, it's two days later and you find out that Bob has passed. You're shocked speechless, and Beth quietly explains that Bob had been bitten on the leg beneath the water, but he didn't want to say anything just then. His top priority had been to get you to safety and patched up. Then after you were settled, he told the group about his bite. The fever kicked in quickly and he had only lasted six hours before he succumbed to the infection.

Everyone had been happy to see you awake, but you were sad and apologized profusely to Sasha for Bob's death. Thankfully, she didn't blame you as the food was needed and Bob had made the decision to go himself.

You had kept to yourself afterwards, blaming yourself even when no one else did. You found yourself in a funk, only eating when someone thrusted food in front of you. And then when everyone seemed well rested and the food ran out, Daryl found a small river to collect water from, boil it, and fill everyone's drinking jugs as you all looked for a new location to settle in.

For days you walked, armed and ready for any threat that may come your way. The group was tired and hungry, but more so you were all desperate for some semblance of security. Unfortunately, there was none to be found.

Your energy started to wane by day four, and you found Daryl and Beth flanking you to prevent you from taking a spill.

The daytime heat and humidity killed you, and there was barely any reprieve at night.

And then you ran out of water.

After the water ran out, everyone quickly went downhill. People became snippy, so no one talked. Daryl hunted as much as he could, but one or two squirrels was not enough for the group and all food went to baby Judith first.

Life was miserable.

Even more so when walkers started gathering into a herd, following you. And then when they became too many, Rick hatched a plan to take them all on together. So, you did.

During and after, you nearly blacked out several times but you couldn't let your family down. Not again. So you pushed through, falling on your ass after the last walker had been dispatched, and then crawling off to the side so you could lay in the grass. Everyone joined you, exhausted, and all you wanted to do was cry.

It was quiet one moment, and then snarls from a pack of feral dogs made you pick up your head. Your group didn't even bat an eye, too exhausted to do anything, but a single gunshot from Abraham took down one dog and made the others scatter.

"Dinner is served."

The dog was quite filling for everyone, but you still needed water.

Then after a night of trying to sleep on full stomachs, Rick demanded everyone get a move on. But after stumbling one too many times, Daryl called for a break. He and Beth made you comfortable under the shade of a tree, and the others went to look for food, water, or shelter. You had rested your eyes and accidentally dozed off, only to wake with everyone in a panicked paranoia because a case of water had appeared in the middle of the road.

A few of the group are desperate enough to risk drinking the water, but Rick is sure it's poisoned. Eugene attempted to drink some, but Abraham knocked it out of his with an annoyed shout. And then when he looked to be near tears, a miracle happened.

It started to rain.

Relieved, you actually started to cry. And then Beth pulled you to your feet, dancing around you in joy. But the joy and relief was short lived as the rumbling thunder became ominous, and Daryl urged everyone towards a barn he found earlier.

The storm had raged as everyone tried to find sleep, but Judith's cries and the thunder had attracted walkers to your location. They piled against the barn doors and it took nearly everyone pushing all their weight against them to keep them closed.

The following morning, it seemed like a tornado had just missed the barn.

And then Aaron introduced himself, bringing food for Judith, and a story about a community called Alexandria that was looking for people who hadn't lost themselves in this new world.

Alexandria was unlike anything you've seen since Outbreak Day. It was.. it was almost like they were stuck in time- a time before the dead started to walk. People sat on their porches, waving and talking and drinking ice cold lemonade or water. Teenagers roamed the streets, sticking together since there were only a select few of them. Many people had jobs to keep the community running smoothly, but others lounged around and dug around their flower beds without a care in the world.

The group spent a few days crammed into one house, practically sleeping on top of one another, but then Rick deemed it safe to finally spread out and put in an effort to become an Alexandrian.

You tried. You really did. But after one botched scavenging trip, you returned to Alexandria with fury blazing in your eyes. You had marched up to Deanna's office where she was taking lunch with her husband Reg, and thanked her for the house and food but that you'd be taking your leave. Both she and Reg seemed shocked, and asked you to think about it, but you refused.

They had followed you outside where Glenn, Aiden, and Aiden's friend Nicholas were still milling about, and they asked why you had made such a drastic decision to leave. Glenn seemed shocked and Aiden had scoffed, and you hit your limit. You had whirled on Deanna, pointing an accusing finger at her son.

"Because Aiden and Nicholas are immature little twats!" There was a huff of amusement somewhere behind you, but you paid it no mind. "I nearly got bit out there because your son thought it was more important to flirt than watch my back! And Nicholas!" You pointed at him next and he paled. "He thinks it's funny to tie up the dead and treat them like piñatas!"

Reg seemed highly disappointed in the boys, and you were practically shaking with your anger. Deanna tried to play it off as a misunderstanding, but you knew it wasn't. You even brought up the fact how Alexandria's drunk of a doctor would end up killing someone soon if they didn't cut off his liquor supply, how the residents would eventually be slaughtered by people who wanted what they had because no one knew how to defend themselves, and how that no one inside the walls would ever survive the new world should the walls fall because they were too busy living their cushy little lives.

Your ranting and screaming had drew a crowd by the time you ran out of steam. Reg had looked thoughtful about everything you had to say, but Deanna didn't seem fazed one bit. It was like you were in a staring standoff when Beth stepped up to your side, grabbing your hand in a show of support.

"If Y/N goes, I go too."

Deanna huffed as Reg frowned.

"If the girls go, I go." Daryl stepped up to your other side, surprising you.

One by one, your old group started stepping forward, making you shake your head at them, telling them they didn't have to.

After Daryl came Maggie and Glenn's notice of their own departure, followed by Sasha and Tyrese. Tara and Rosita weren't far behind, and it amused you to see Rosita bully Abraham into going as well. And it was only when Rick and Michonne stepped forward did Deanna realize Alexandria would eventually be in trouble if you all left. Because deep down, you knew that she knew her people were too soft. If anything were to happen, it'd be your group out there on the streets taking care of the threat.

Reg immediately played mediator and told everyone to take a breath. He wanted a meeting with you, Rick, Glenn, and Daryl. He wanted to know what changes needed to be made because he didn't want Alexandria to fall. So, you told him.

First of all, Alexandria needed a sober doctor.

Alexandria's supply runners needed to take their job seriously or find another job because outside the walls was scary and no one needed a flight risk watching their back.

Children from the age of twelve on up needed to learn knife skills. They also needed to learn to not be scared of the dead to the point that they freeze up. They needed to learn how to trip up the dead so they could damage the brain just enough to put them down or know when to cut their losses and run.

Adults from the age of eighteen on up needed knife and gun skills, and also needed to learn how to put down a walker or know when to run.

The pantry system was fine as is, but the armory was a joke. It was stupid to have every gun in Alexandria in one place because, should a group break in, everyone would be defenseless if the armory was ransacked. Deanna was not happy to hear that the guns should be distributed to each occupied house, but Reg had seen reason and thought it was a good idea too, though it would be noted which guns ended up in which house.

All in all, you would only stay if the Alexandrians got off their lazy asses and put in an honest effort.

And.. they did.

Though the people of Alexandria were icy towards you for making them put in work, they eventually warmed back up to you when they realized just how in over their heads they were when target practice started.

Alexandria had been okay before, but now it's thriving. And it's all thanks to you and your group.

Your shift has just finished at the infirmary, Denise taking over since Beth was busy with Maggie in the gardens today. So not wanting to go back to the house you share with Beth, you walk over to Rick's house where Carol is watching Judith for him.

"Oh, good. I need your help," Carol says as soon as she spots you. She's bouncing Judith in her arms, the other hand encased in an oven mitt. "Can you take her for a bit while I finish up dinner?"

"Sure." You smile as you walk over, holding your hands out for the toddler. Judith smiles and giggles, and you take her out of Carol's grasp. "Hey, asskicker. How's it goin', pretty girl?"

Carol snorts. "She's never gonna live down that nickname."

"Nope."

You start walking around the house, heading upstairs where you know her toys are. You're surprised to see that Carl still shares a room with his baby sister, and you make a beeline towards a keyboard that's set up in the corner.

As you sit down on the little ottoman, you perch Judith on your knee and turn it on. She finds amusement in pressing keys for a couple of minutes and then lets you take over, content to listen to the noise.

Playing a familiar tune and seeing how calm it made Judith, you restart. And you sing.

"There was a time I used to look into my father's eyes." You slowly play, smiling as the feelings of singing once again has made you feel. "In a happy home, I was a queen, I had a golden throne. But those days are gone, now the memory's on the wall.." You trail off, humming the next part as Judith babbles happily in your lap. "Would you like to hear some more?" You ask, bouncing her a little.

At her happy claps, you take that as her answer. Then situating her directly in the middle of your lap, you use both hands to play, restarting the keyboard tune and humming the words you've already sang before tweaking the next part of the song lyrics. "Up on the hill across the prison lake, that's where I had 'nother heartbreak. I still remember how it all changed.. Hershel said, don't you worry, don't you worry, child. See Heaven's got a plan for you. Don't you worry, don't you worry, now. Yeahhh.."

The sound of wood creaking gives you pause, and you glance over your shoulder to find Daryl and Carol watching you. Embarrassed, you secure Judith and turn around to stand.

"You can sing," Carol says, surprised.

You shrug. "Not great, but yeah."

"No, sweetheart, that was great." She elbows Dixon. "Right, Daryl?"

Daryl frowns at her, but then shrugs with a terse nod when he looks back at you. "S'good. 'Ya should sing more."

You blush, and from the corner of your eye you see Carol smirking. "Yeah." You gulp. "Maybe."

Handing Judith back over to Carol, she tells you that dinner is ready. You squeeze between both her and Daryl, and hurry downstairs. But when you get downstairs, Maggie is standing there with tears in her eyes and a beaming smile.

"What?" You chuckle nervously.

"I haven't heard you sing in a long time," she says.

"There hasn't been an opportunity to."

"It's almost like old times again."

Behind you, Daryl and Carol are coming. "Yeah. All we need are some guitars, a harmonica, and a tambourine now."

Daryl snorts. "'Ya know how to play the harmonica?"

You shake your head, grinning. "Nah. But Maggie does."

She laughs, not denying it. "Daddy taught me. Y/N and Beth were all about the acoustic guitars and piano."

"Yeah." Your smile starts to fade. "But that was then. Now, it's all about survival. We don't have the luxury of playing music like we used to."

Mood effectively killed, everyone convenes in the kitchen and dining room to eat what Carol had made.

.

Nearly a week later, Daryl returns from one of his recruiting trips. No one had been near enough to chance Daryl stalking them before approaching them, so he checked out a few places for anything salvageable. And to your surprise, he brought something for you.

You're sitting with Beth in the infirmary, reading medical textbooks to further your knowledge since the main doctor Pete rarely visited the place unless someone actually needed surgery. Apparently, he was still pissed his supply of liquor was cut in half and that he'd been warned the next time he raised a hand to his wife, he was out- surgical abilities be damned.

The door opens and you glance up from your book, smiling when you see Daryl peek his head in.

"Hey, Dixon. Welcome home." He faintly grins. "You need some first aid or somethin'?"

"Nah. 'Ya busy?"

"Not at all. We're just studyin'."

"Good. I got a present for 'ya. Well, Beth too." Hearing her name, Beth looks up and smiles kindly at Daryl. He quickly ducks back out to grab something he has leaning up against the wall just outside the door, and when he walks back in.. the slight attractiveness you've felt towards the hunter turns into a full blown crush. He has an acoustic guitar. "The other day, 'ya mentioned that we didn't have the luxury to play music anymore. That it was all about survival." You nod, tears starting to form at the thought he remembered what you said. Beth gets up to retrieve the guitar, giddy to have one and starts to see if it needs tuning. "But we're in Alexandria now. We got a good thing goin' on here. Maybe.. I just thought that maybe 'ya can reclaim a little bit of the past."

"Dixon," you say, sniffling and smiling. "You better prepare yourself."

"For?"

"M'gonna hug you." Beth giggles and Daryl rolls his eyes. After giving him a moment to prepare himself, you step forward and embrace him. Chest to chest, your arms wrap around his waist and you rest your head on his shoulder. "Thank you."

"Welcome." And if the gift didn't surprise you, the redneck hunter you first met on the Greene Farm- and who seemed to avoid touch- putting one arm around your shoulders to hug you back, sure did.

Word then quickly got around within your close friend/family group about Daryl's gift and you did your best to avoid their all-knowing smiles. It was only now you realized how much Daryl did for you under the guise of doing it for others as well, and it made you fall just that much more.

And if Daryl frequently joined you on your porch, cleaning his crossbow and knives as you played the guitar and wrote in a journal and hummed thoughtfully, no one said anything about it.

You and Beth had been sitting near the town pond, strumming the guitar and jotting down lyrics. You'd forgotten how much you loved music and it felt very cathartic to get your emotions down in music form. Maggie had ended up joining you, followed by Tara and Rosita. Your jam sesh then evolved into an impromptu picnic, and you hadn't felt this free in so long.

Eventually, the girls had to get back to work, so you and Beth packed up to go back to your house. On the way back home, however, Aiden Monroe approaches you and you quietly groan as Beth giggles.

Aiden Monroe, the younger son of Deanna and Reg, has been a thorn in your side since you've gotten to Alexandria. He's attractive and he knows it, but he's the kind of attractive that your younger self would have fallen over herself had she known he was interested. Now, however, his smug uppity confidence is a total turn-off and he just rubs you the wrong way.

"Hey, Y/N. Beth."

You try to smile, you do, but you figure it comes off as a grimace as Beth snorts.

"Hi, Aiden," Beth greets instead, elbowing you.

"Yeah. Hi."

"So, I saw you two ladies having that music session out by the pond. I was going to join you, but then everyone else showed up and I figured it was a girls only type of day."

"Yeah, sorry about that," you say. You're so totally not sorry.

"Maybe next time. Right?" He swings his hand forward to touch your shoulder in good fun, but you scowl as he touches you. His smile falters, but he presses on. "So, do you have plans for dinner tonight?"

Waiting for Beth to answer, you remain quiet. But then Beth nudges you and you realize he's asking you only. "Oh, um.." Over Aiden's shoulder, you see Daryl sitting on your porch steps, watching your interaction carefully. "Actually, I do. With Daryl."

Aiden's brow furrows. "Daryl?"

"Mhmm."

"Oh. I didn't know you and-"

"Yeah so, I'm just gonna.." You point forward, sidestepping Aiden and making a beeline for Daryl. You have a feeling Aiden's watching you, so you take a seat near Daryl's feet and smile up at him. "Stop looking so grumpy and grin at me, Dixon."

"Why?"

"Because I think Aiden was trying to ask me out and I told him I had plans with you. Now grin or I'm gonna stab you with one of your arrows."

Daryl huffs, shaking his head in amusement. But he grins and you're praying that Aiden can see it through the man's shaggy hair. "I thought girls liked pretty boys?"

"I haven't liked pretty boys like Aiden in a very long time," you say. You avoid Daryl's gaze then, staring at Beth who can't stop smiling and talking to a scowling Aiden. "And besides, once a girl hits a certain age, it's all about the older rugged men."

Daryl scoffs, but says nothing. Beth soon joins you, giggling. "I think you just broke poor Aiden's heart."

"Good." Both you and Daryl say simultaneously.

"It's like watching a soap opera with you two." Both you and Daryl frown, and Beth gestures between you. "See! I just- You two- ugh!" You start laughing at her. "I'm gonna go make something for dinner now that Daryl has to stay to keep Aiden off your back. Any preferences?"

"Nah. Whatever's good," Daryl says, and you nod along in agreement.

Beth ended up making some sliced tomato and goat cheese sandwiches, served with glasses of ice cold lemonade. Then as you and Beth cleaned up, Daryl leaned against the kitchen counters as he told you he'd be accompanying some supply runners and if there was anything you needed.

"Uh, yeah," you tell him. "To go with. I haven't been out in a while and I'm getting that itch."

He seems to think about it before shrugging. "Aiden an' Nicholas will be there. Tara an' Glenn too."

"Ugh." You groan and Daryl's lips twitch.

"There's always the seat on the back of the bike," Beth muses. "Your arms around Daryl's waist? Yeah, that'll really drive it home for Aiden that you're not interested."

You open your mouth to retort, but then snap it shut. She's not wrong. And it's a win-win for you.

Daryl huffs, shaking his head. "Girls are goddamn crazy." You can only smirk at him, and he pushes off the counter a moment later. "I'll let 'ya know when we go so 'ya can find someone to cover yer shift."

"Alright. Thanks, Daryl! Goodnight," you call out as he heads towards the door.

"Night," he grunts.

As soon as the front door shuts behind him, Beth turns towards you. "You are so gone on him."

"I know." You grimace. "I can't help it. His gruff voice just hits all the buttons for me."

Beth starts to laugh now. "You are so screwed."

And then three days later, you get to return the favor to Daryl.

You're speaking with Rick and Michonne, taking requests from Michonne about what she wants if you're able to find any of it.

Mid-conversation, an arm drapes across the back of your shoulders and tugs you close. "'Ya ready?"

You tense at Daryl's voice, then can't help but melt against him. Glancing up, you squint against the bright sun. "Not that I'm complainin', but why are you touchy-feely this morning?"

"If 'ya can use me to scare off Aiden, I'm doin' the same when those naggin' women come 'round."

When Daryl gestures towards a certain direction, you and Michonne and Rick all look. Off in the distance, Marlene and Cassandra and consoling a rather dejected looking Justine.

Smothering a smile until you look up at Daryl, you ask, "Daryl Dixon, are you using me in hopes of chasing away your secret admirer?"

"Fair's fair."

You laugh, but it's Rick who says, "You two are somethin' else," as he attempts to hide his smile behind a hand.

"What- what is going on?" Michonne muses.

With his arm still slung around your shoulders, you and Daryl look at Michonne. He grunts and you smile as you say, "Aiden kept trying to get me alone for dinner, so I told him I had plans with Daryl. If he assumed there was somethin' going on, that's on him. As for Justine making puppy eyes at Daryl, that's all on him."

"That's 'er name? I thought it was Jessica."

You snort, elbowing him lightly. "That's why she looks so heartbroken. You couldn't even get her name right."

Michonne and Rick both chuckle. When you spot Glenn and Tara walking towards the vehicle where Aiden and Nicholas are waiting, you tell Daryl it's time to go. And noticing the women are still staring at you and Daryl, you wrap your arm around the back of his waist, hooking your thumb into his belt loop. You stare up at him, making kissy faces until he attempts to push you away. But joke was on him since you didn't go far as you had a hold on the belt loop still.

Michonne grins. "You think those two will ever get their head out of their asses?"

Rick snorts. "Not a chance."

Deanna and Reg like to hold monthly community mixers so no one in the community remains a stranger. At first, you didn't care for them, but they kind of grew on you. Especially now since you found a cute BoHo style summer short mini dress. It was in a dark pink color you used to love to wear, pretty lace decorating the fitted top. The ruffled skirt of the dress hit well above your knee, and you paired it with some of Beth's cowgirl boots.

When you had practically skipped downstairs, Maggie beamed at you while Glenn gaped.

"There's the Y/N I know."

"You trying to give Daryl a heart attack?"

You roll your eyes at Glenn's question. "I've come to the conclusion Daryl sees me as some naive girl that he's trying to protect from every male out there. He doesn't-"

Beth, Maggie, and Glenn all scoff, not letting you finish your train of thought. All three talk over each other, mentioning that the way Daryl looks at you is not the way someone looks at someone in a platonic manner. They assure you that Daryl most definitely likes you, but the thing is.. you and Daryl are the type of people to not make the first move. So if he does feel the way everyone says he does, you're perpetually stuck in limbo with him.

When you finally leave for where the mixer is taking place, you avoid all the stares you can practically feel on you. You head for the table where Rick, Michonne, and Daryl are sitting. As you approach, Michonne smiles as she looks you up and down.

Rick groans in amusement, getting up and scooting one chair over. "Sit next to Daryl. I have a feelin' you're gonna need it tonight."

Daryl glances over his shoulder and you internally preen when you see his eyes widen. As you take a seat, Michonne says, "Why have I not seen you in a dress before now? You look so good!"

Crossing one knee over the other and making sure the skirt of your dress covers everything, you say, "I, uh, I used to love wearing dresses," you tell her, your smile turning sad. "But then-"

"You don't have to say," Rick says, stalling you.

"It's okay." Michonne's smile is now gone as you glance back at her, apprehensive about what you could possibly say that Rick tried stopping you. "I.. was assaulted by my then boyfriend when I was in high school."

"Oh, Y/N, I'm so sorry."

"Thank you." You smile, glancing between her and Rick. "For the longest time I was ashamed, but now- now I'm just tired of it holding me back. I woke up wanting to feel pretty the other day, so I snuck in the dress the last time I went out on a supply run."

"S'that why you went?" Daryl muses. "I thought 'ya were lookin' for some type of drink?"

"Shush, you." You put your hand on Daryl's bicep and push him, causing him to chuckle. "Let me live."

Maggie, Beth, and Glenn soon join the table and everyone starts talking about what they've been up to. Eventually you get up to grab a drink and some snacks, talking with a few other community members. You try not to laugh as one of Justine's friends tries to get the scoop on you and Daryl, and politely excuse yourself to rejoin said man after you grab him something to drink.

"I don't think Justine is going to give up anytime soon," you tell him when you return to the table.

"Thanks," he says when he accepts the drink. "And why?"

As he sips, you inform him about how Justine's friends are hounding you for any information about the two of you. He scoffs and you chuckle, amused. Music starts to play on some speakers, but not too loud that you can't carry on a conversation.

Daryl is more than content to sit at the table, glaring at anyone who tries to get too close. But you want to mingle, so you do. You get up, speaking with the elderly couples and the females of Alexandria who coo over your dress. They ask if you can get them some cute things the next time you go out and you laugh as you tell them you'll do your best, but that you're gonna need to butter up Daryl and then get their sizes so you know which dresses to grab.

As you're making your rounds, the music cuts out. It was nice to have background music, so of course everyone notices when it goes out. Spencer tries to fix it, but he ends up laughing nervously and apologizing for the failing radio.

"Do you have a microphone and guitar?" You hear someone call out. But you know that voice and your narrowed eyes immediately find a grinning Beth. "Y/N can sing!"

"The fuck I can!"

Several people snort and Spencer, the goddamn traitor, eagerly produces a guitar and starts setting up a mic stand.

Beth stands and makes a beeline for the stage as you gape at her. Maggie gets up to start corralling you towards the stage, and as you try to stall and make excuses, Carl gets the room to start chanting sing, sing, sing.

Beth is tuning the guitar by the time Maggie drags you on stage, and you smile nervously at the crowd as they clap. You then point a finger, glaring at Carl and Rick and Carol who whistle. Spencer gets a microphone plugged in and makes sure it works, and with a smile you tell him to beat it before you beat him.

Left with just Maggie and Beth on stage, you ask, "What the hell am I supposed to even sing?"

"Daddys' song," Maggie says.

Your smile dims a little. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Of course."

Beth, remembering the song, starts to pluck the strings. You nod along, the lyrics immediately coming back to you. And when Beth is sure she can play the whole thing, you turn around to adjust the microphone stand and nervously chuckle into it.

"Hi. So, if you don't know me, I'm Y/N and I work in the infirmary. Maggie has requested a song that her daddy used to request all the time. He'd even join me sometimes with the tambourine and the harmonica." You meet the gazes of your original group, happy to see those who knew Hershel smiling at that information. "Now, it's a little sad so excuse me if I start to cry. And blame Maggie for being a mood killer."

"Hey!"

You laugh, glancing at Beth. "You ready?"

"Yep."

You face forward, one hand gripping the mic and the other gripping the skirt of your dress. "Leaves start falling when the cold wind blows." Beth comes in with the guitar, strumming slow and soft. "And soon get covered by the winter snow. Birds start singing when the spring rolls 'round; flowers blooming through the thawing ground."

Normally, you'd whistle this next part of the tune, but Beth steps as close as she can, taking the whistling part for herself. You smile at her.

"When you love somebody and the love grows cold. The sun starts shining when you let it all go. There's a certain kinda hurting only time can heal. That's a pretty good picture of the way I feel."

You pause, letting Beth strum. Then taking a deep breath, you sing the lyrics that have always resonated with you and what made Hershel fall in love with the song. "I'm a little bit hurt, but a lot more free. I ain't saying that you never took a toll on me. For what it's worth, I can finally see. That' I'm a little bit hurt but a lot more free. Yeah, I'm a little bit hurt but a lot more free."

Hershel usually comes in next on the harmonica, so you're more than a little surprised when it's Maggie. Her eyes are sparkling.. and it breaks you.

Clapping a hand over your eyes, you give your back to the crowd. Once her part is done, she hugs you from behind and Beth whistles the next part.

Taking a deep breath and wiping your tears, you step up to the mic again. And though your voice cracks on the first couple of words, you finish off strong. "From this mountain, I can see so far. Rivers running like deep, deep scars. Carrying the lifeblood through my veins. Is it crazy that I'm grateful for all the pain."

As your gaze drags over the crowd, you're surprised so see Deanna dabbing at her eyes.

"'Cause I'm a little bit hurt, but a lot more free. I ain't saying that you never took a toll on me. And for what it's worth, I can finally see. That I'm a little bit hurt, but a lot more free. Yeah, I'm a little bit hurt, but a lot more free."

Maggie finishes off the song with Beth, both girls playing the harmonica and guitar.

For the last bit, you whistle the last tunes.

The applause is a lot louder than you expected and it makes you turn red. Beth and Maggie hug you, and then push you forward to accept Alexandria's praise.

You end up singing another song at Beth's behest, but then let Beth have the stage afterward so she can sing a few songs of her own.

When you reclaim your chair between Daryl and Rick, Daryl leans over to say, "You like singin'."

"I do." You turn and smile at him, stealing his drink to sip. "I've missed it."

"'Ya should do it more."

"Yeah." You glance at the stage where Beth seems to be in her element. "Maybe I will."

You're woken from a deep sleep, dream already forgotten but heart pounding and stomach churning with nausea. You can feel the sweat coating your overheated body, your room stifling. So, rolling out of bed, you grab a fresh set of the tank top and underwear combo you're currently wearing, and head for the bathroom to take a shower.

You get the water nice and cool, strip, and then step under the spray. It feels good for a minute before you start to turn it hotter, sighing as the hot water soothes your aching body. After a while, you cut the water and step out. You quickly dry off and dress, towel drying your hair as you pad downstairs and into the living room. There's a spare brush on a bookshelf that you use to brush out the tangles in your hair, then you use a spare hair tie to get your hair off your neck.

Grabbing yourself a glass of cold water, you head outside to the porch. You figure it's late enough that no one will be out and about, so you don't care that you're in your underwear sans bra.

But as you're sitting on the porch bench, feeling a little better in the night air that's starting to cool as the season's change, you really should have known better when you hear a gruff, "What are 'ya doin'?"

Setting your glass aside, you lift one leg so your foot is on the bench. Hugging your knee, you shield your chest in a bout of bashfulness. "Hey, Dixon. Thought everyone was asleep."

He grunts as he stomps up the stairs, pausing briefly when he notices your state of undress, but continues on until he's taking a seat next to you. "Where are yer pants?"

"I don't sleep in pants." Your nose wrinkles. "Only crazy people sleep in pants."

"Yer not sleepin' though."

You shrug. "Eh. I was. And then I woke up feelin' like shit, took a shower, and came out here to breathe some fresh air."

Daryl frowns. "'Ya good?"

"Yeah. I guess." You reclaim your water, sipping. "I guess it was just a little too stuffy inside, hence the reason for being outside in my underwear."

He huffs. "Yer admirers are gonna get an eyeful if you continue stayin' out here like this."

"No worries," you grin at him. "Everyone's too scared to look at me now since they think you're my redneck boyfriend."

Though you're grinning in amusement, Daryl shifts a bit uncomfortably. Then just as you're about to apologize and assure him you'll set the record straight, he asks, "That don't bother 'ya?"

"What? People thinkin' we're datin'?" He nods and you shake your head. "No."

"Why not?"

Staring at Daryl, you smile softly as he avoids your gaze even though his body is angled towards yours. He doesn't seem mad or annoyed, rather he seems genuinely curious as to how the idea of dating him isn't nauseating to you.

"Daryl Dixon," you muse and he quickly glances at you before looking away again. "I'm gonna say something and I swear on everything I love that I am not making fun of you. Okay?" He hesitates before nodding. "You.. are hot." He scoffs, but you push on. "You have caught the eye of many women here in Alexandria. It boosts my ego that people think you would go for someone like me." His head turns back in your direction, surprise etched in his features. "Open your eyes, Dixon. It's not just Justine who finds you attractive."

Your heart skips a beat as those words slip out, but you paste on a smile and quickly stand, uncaring that Daryl's seeing you in your underwear. You start to walk backwards, chuckling nervously, and Daryl's gaze turns rather intense as he watches you go.

Under his gaze, your cheeks start to heat. Daryl's lips twitch. "Leavin' so soon?"

"Mhm. Yep," you utter. You trip and quietly curse, turning to grab the door handle. "Night, Daryl!"

Quickly entering your house, you shut the door behind you, dropping your glass on the kitchen counter before rushing upstairs to your room. You feel like an idiot, practically telling Daryl you like him. Though, his grin at watching you squirm gives you hope that you didn't totally ruin your friendship with him.

That night, after his brief talk with Y/N while she sat there in her underwear, Daryl has been watching her rather closely. He'd always watched her, but the second he got caught or almost caught looking, he made himself sparse so no one could make him confront his feelings.

Now, Daryl may have been clockin' the way the women of Alexandria were flirting with him, but he never once thought your teasing smiles or touches here and there meant anything. You'd been hugging him or laying your head on his shoulder or even just leaning into his personal space for a while now. Surely you didn't-

"You know, you two are a lot alike." Daryl startles as Beth steps up to his side, her gaze on Y/N who appears to be in a deep conversation with Denise, the other infirmary nurse besides Y/N and Beth.

He grunts. "How so?"

"The two of you are not great at talking about your feelings. Especially for each other." Daryl freezes and Beth turns towards him, smiling. "If you're unsure and want to know how she truly feels, check her writing. Or listen for any song that may be an original of hers. She usually pours her emotions into songs or poems."

Daryl gulps, fidgeting nervously. "She said somethin' the other night."

There's more he wants to say, but Beth's growing smile and giggle stops him. "Oh, I know. She crawled into bed with me that same night and woke me up. She was so embarrassed that she basically told you she liked you and was also afraid you wouldn't talk to her anymore." As her giggles taper off, Beth suddenly turns serious. "Everyone is pretty sure her feelings aren't one sided, but if they are please don't shut her out. I think it would break her heart more to lose you as a friend than it would if she were to find out that you didn't return her feelings."

Tersely nodding, Daryl glances once more at Y/N. "Hey, Beth?" The blonde, who'd been in the process of walking away, stops and looks at him once more. "Thanks."

She smiles. "No problem."

.

At the next mixer, you're nervous. You've grown accustomed to being asked to sing a couple of songs, but you've never sung an original. But Beth has convinced you and now you're standing on the side of the stage with a guitar strapped to your chest as Beth sets up a keyboard.

When she's done, she steps up to you. "Ready?"

"I might barf."

Beth laughs. "You're gonna be fine. Why are you so nervous?"

"Because you got me singing a goddamn love song!" You hiss.

Her eyes roll. "Daryl's not even here. And besides, it'll add more fuel to the gossip that you and him started about your fake relationship."

Her words sink in and your body seems to sag with relief. "Oh yeah." You don't know how you forgot Daryl had left that morning on a supply run.

A little relieved now, you make sure she's ready and she is. As she settles behind the keyboard, you step up to the microphone stand in the middle of the stage. Everyone starts to quiet down and you huff, smiling. "So, tonight's song is gonna be a little bit more upbeat than what I normally sing," you say. "It's also an original that I wrote and that Beth has requested. So if it sucks, please politely clap so I don't cry." The crowd laughs and then you catch Rick's gaze in the crowd. "I'm also gonna need my little hype girl up here, Grimes." He chuckles, bouncing Judith in his arm. "Hey, Judes, you wanna come up here and help me and auntie Beth with this song?"

The little girl claps, making the crowd chuckle. Maggie stands, gathering the little girl in her arms and walking on stage with her. You direct Maggie to stand at the second microphone stand, letting her know that Judith already knows when to chime in.

Taking a deep breath, you face the crowd. With your hands holding the guitar and fingers positioned to start strumming, you glance at Beth. She smiles, you nod, and then the two of you start playing the keyboard and guitar at the same time.

"Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh. Time stood still, just like a photograph you made me feel like this would last forever. Lookin' in your eyes, I see my whole life." The lyrics bring a smile to your face as you sing, especially when you glance at Judith as she has mouth already positioned by her mic. "They say you know it when you know it, and I know." Those from your original group are looking at you in awe, not because you can sing, but because they seem to be paying attention to the lyrics. "Promise that you'll hold me close, don't let me go."

"Hey!" Judith babbles into the mic, causing you to chuckle before singing once more. She even does the clapping, getting the crowd to clap along with her.

"Take my heart, don't break it. Love me to my bones. All this time I've wasted; you were right there all along. You and I stargazin'; intertwinin' souls. We were never strangers; you were right there all along."

The crowd seem to be enjoying the song, and you feel yourself light up. You're happy that they're happy.

"I lose my mind. When I'm around you, how I come alive. When I'm without you, I can't help but feel so lost. I wanna give you all I got." You're smiling as you meet Rick's gaze, his smirk a little unsettling. And when he turns his head, you follow his gaze, and your stomach drops. Daryl's standing by the stage, heated stare directed right at you. And though you're now nervous as fuck, you're no coward, so you hold his stare as you sing the next lyrics. "They say you know it when you know it, and I know."

Daryl's lips twitch, gaze now sparkling. You start to smile once more.

"Promise that you'll hold me close, don't let me go."

"Hey!" Judith babbles yet again, clapping.

"Take my heart, don't break it. Love me to my bones. All this time I've wasted; you were right there all along. You and I stargazin'; intertwinin' souls. We were never strangers; you were right there all along."

You finish the song while smiling at the crowd, strummin' the guitar rather expertly, and carefully avoiding the gazes of your original group. To them, this is a bold move on your part, but to the rest of Alexandria? They just think that this is a cute declaration between you and Daryl.

As the song ends and the crowd erupts into cheers and whistles, you finally meet the gazes of those you consider family. The one that makes you laugh is Rosita- Rosita who is sitting there with a hand hovering over her mouth as she glances between you and Daryl.

You're supposed to sing another song, but Beth steps up behind you, nudging your shoulder. "Go."

You glance at her over your shoulder, lifting the guitar strap over your head and handing it over to her. Then as you step off stage, she addresses the crowd and starts to sing.

Daryl is dressed in a dark gray button down with its sleeves still intact, jeans, and fresh-faced. You're not sure who convinced him to clean up, but you're not mad about it. You can see people staring at you as you near him, but you pay them no mind. You do, however, flip off your audience when someone wolf-whistles. Your money is on Glenn, the little shit.

When you're within reaching distance, Daryl reaches out and grabs you by the wrist. You grin as he tugs you through the crowd and towards the door, only turning around once it's closed behind you. He backs you up against the door, hands cup your face, and his lips press against yours.

You grunt in surprise, but willingly open up to return his kiss. It's brief, yet it still leaves you panting for breath when he pulls back just inches, remaining in your personal space.

Daryl's gaze darts over every inch of your face, cataloguing your expression. You lick your bottom lip, humming. "So, love songs, huh. Seriously, Dixon? I let you see my underwear and it still took that song for you to realize I liked 'ya?"

"Stop talkin'." He leans in again, the kiss softer and less urgent. Yet, it still makes you quietly moan.

"Mmm. Yeah. We're idiots."

"Morons," he agrees against your lips.

"We have so much time to make up for."

"Mhmm."

Eventually, the two of you have to pull apart when someone tries to exit and the door pushes against your back. With your kiss swollen lips, you avoid the gazes of the three people who have walked out.

Grabbing your hand, Daryl starts to lead you away from the building and towards your houses.

"We goin' to mine or yours?" You ask.

"If I go to yers, we're only sleepin'," he says.

You turn your head to watch his profile, smiling softly at him. "You know, I don't miss constantly being on the hunt for a secure location to stay in, but I do miss curlin' up next to 'ya."

Daryl huffs, glancing at you. "S'that why 'ya always placed yer sleepin' bag next to mine?"

"Duh. Why else?" You grin at him, chuckling softly until they taper off. "I think my subconscious knew I liked 'ya before I realized it."

"Yeah?"

"Mhm."

"I didn't- I thought 'ya were cute back at the farm, but you were just a kid. Didn't seem right to be lookin' at 'ya like that."

"And now we're grown and decently safe, and-"

"And it took Beth convincin' me to get back early an' listen to that song of yers."

You gasp. "What a little traitor! I was so nervous to sing that song, but she assured me it wasn't like you would hear it. And all along-"

Daryl finally laughs, moving the hair from his eyes as he walks towards the house you share with Beth. "Everyone's gonna be smug assholes now."

"Yep. But it's so totally worth it."

Squeezing Daryl's hand, you flash him a smile, eager to get home and shower just so you can fall into bed next to him.

With you and Daryl no longer dancing around each other, your close friends and family no longer throw teasing looks or remarks your way. No one really sees a difference between the two of you when out in public, but those who had been watching a little too closely take notice that you're a lot more free with touching and affectionate glances.

And that Daryl's taken to sleeping at the house that you share with Beth.

This morning is no different, Daryl being laid out in bed next to you. You're in nothing but the smallest of camisole tank tops and underwear, opting to sleep in as little clothes as possible. Daryl is on his stomach, his left arm stretched out over your chest and a bed sheet covering the two of you.

Eyes fluttering open, you squeeze them shut when you take notice of the sun streaming into your room. You quietly groan and try to go back to sleep, but your mouth suddenly feels dry and you need water.

Now sighing, you lightly rake your nails along Daryl's arm. He barely twitches, making you smile, and you slide out from beneath his arm. Normally, you don't have any issue walking around in a shirt and underwear, but the shirt Daryl had shed last night still has its sleeves, so you pick it up and push your arms through the sleeves, leaving it unbuttoned.

Downstairs in the kitchen, you grab the pitcher of filtered water from the fridge and pour yourself half a glass.

You're mid-gulp when someone knocks on the door, so you quickly drain the rest and walk over to answer it. But before you open up, you pull the shirt close over your chest and hold it closed while opening the door. Glenn stands there with Aiden just over his shoulder, and after a quick up and down look, he grins.

"I was gonna ask if you've seen Daryl, but by that shirt I'm assuming he's here?"

"Yep." You match Glenn's grin. "What's goin' on?"

"We were supposed to leave like ten minutes ago on a supply run, but Daryl never showed."

You grimace. "Sorry 'bout that. We both overslept." Turning around, you shout up the stairs. "Dixon! Get your ass up! Glenn's here for that supply run you were supposed to go on!"

Then glancing back at Glenn, you smile and try not to laugh as a wide-eyed Aiden seems a little pale fidgets behind him. You've heard the rumors going around about how Aiden was talking about you and Daryl, telling everyone that your relationship wasn't real. And that you'd see what you were missing out on soon enough.

Ha!

There's a thump from upstairs, one that has Glenn snickering. When you hear the stomps coming down, you turn.

"Ay! You seen my-" Daryl finally spots you, eyes narrowing at the sight of you in his shirt. "M'gonna need that," he says, stopping halfway down.

You shrug. "Alright." Making sure only Daryl can see your front, you open his shirt and let it fall from your shoulders, but it catches in the crook of your elbows.

"Wait!" He shouts. Sighing, he turns and stops back up to your shared room. "I'll just find another one."

Smirking, you pull his shirt back on and close the front so you don't flash Glenn or Aiden your underwear. When you turn to meet your friend's gaze, he's practically wheezing from laughing silently. "You two.. you two are something else. I did not have him pegged as the possessive type."

You wiggle your eyebrows. "There's a lot of things about Daryl you don't know. Wanna know some more?"

Glenn's smile vanishes as he shakes his head.

"Dammit, woman! It's bad enough 'ya gossip wit' Beth. Yer not doin' it wit' Glenn an' Aiden."

"Oh, shush," you say while glancing over your shoulder, watching Daryl make his way towards the door in a new sleeveless shirt. He scowls at you up until he's brushing past you, pausing briefly to brush a kiss to your temple on his way out. You hum and can't help your impulses. You rear your hand back, slapping his ass on his way out.

Glenn whirls around, eyes widening. Then Daryl slowly turns around, chest heaving but quiet. You arch an eyebrow at him, daring him to do something. Instead, Daryl says, "Yer payin' for that later."

"Lookin' forward to it." Then glancing at a red Glenn, you say, "Bring 'im back in one piece."

"Uh, yeah. Course!"

Daryl stomps off with a too gleeful Glenn and a wary looking Aiden.

.

After a boring day of looking over individuals who have some minor cuts or sprains, you've gone to Maggie's to just hang out with her. You find Beth there as well, and the day evolves into boy talk. Apparently, Spencer had his eye on Beth and she didn't mind his attention.

Wine gets broken out, though Maggie nurses her own glass with a knowing glint in her eye. But you get sidetracked by asking why she isn't guzzling the alcohol like she normally does, and your wondering is put on the backburner.

Just before sunset, Glenn walks in. He greets Maggie and then starts laughing when his gaze lands on you.

"Oh, man. Daryl is still heated after this morning."

You laugh. "Where is he?"

But before he can answer, Maggie asks, "What happened this morning?"

Grinning at your friend, you say, "I was feeling very affectionate and slapped his ass on his way out."

"In front of me and Aiden," Glenn gleefully admits.

Now, Maggie is laughing. "You didn't!"

You nod. "He loves it. He's just gotta keep up the image of the redneck grump to keep people like Aiden away."

Maggie and Beth shake their heads at you in amusement, and just then the front door opens again. Daryl, in all his scowling glory, walks right up to you and scoops you up so you're hanging over his shoulder.

Upside down, you can't help but laugh.

Without a word, Daryl starts to make his way back towards the door.

"You good there, Y/N?" Maggie calls out.

"Peachy!" You muse, picking up your head and flashing your friends a thumb's up. "But you might wanna let Carol know that we won't be making it to dinner."

Maggie, Glenn, and Beth's laughing faces are the last thing you see before the door shuts.

Numerous Alexandrians watch as Daryl carries you back to your home, you flashing everyone cheeky grins and winks on the way there.

Inside and upstairs in your bedroom, Daryl tosses you onto the bed.

"Yer gonna regret smackin' me on the ass."

Scooting backwards towards the headboard, you grin. "Am I? Or did you do exactly as I expected you to?"

Daryl freezes for a second, huffing a moment later in amusement as he starts to unbutton his shirt. "Pain in the ass."

"Your pain in the ass," you muse. "Now come on, Dixon. Make me regret it."

Songs that inspired Stargazin': A Lot More Free - Max McNown Stargazin' - Myles Smith

[francisforevermore]

“Goodbye, Beth Greene, we hardly knew you.”

lord, im one, lord, im two, lord, im three, lord, im four. lord, im five hundred miles from my home.

[catwithpartyhat]

Finished rewatching season 2 of the walking dead

[theeairbendingmaster]

Duhhhh 🙄

[moss4brainss]

I'm not gonna say I dislike the later seasons of twd cuz that's not true, but god there's just some magic in the first two seasons. That's my crack cocaine of television and I will never get over it. In the later seasons everything just feels so big "we have to fight this huge society to protect our three different civilizations!!!" They basically have to save the world. The early seasons just feels so unexplained and like you're out exploring a small town and forest with your friends. It's down to earth and cozy which is something I really miss later on.

[thecrossbow]

THE WALKING DEAD S04E05 - "Internment"

[beekenobi]

I made some Walking Dead HC!

( I’ve only seen up to the first two episodes of season eight btw)

[ily66]

ೃ⁀➷ Florescence

daryl dixon × f!reader

words : 1,397

summary : daryl places a flower behind carol's ear, and it gives you an idea

warnings : season two spoilers! This is following what happens in season two, but not strictly, so the timelines are probably going to be a little off. Usual TWD violence mentioned, fluff, CORNY!!

notes : i had the prompt, but had no idea how to piece it together nor end it, so super duper corny lol. only made this a fem!reader because i didnt know what other pet name to have daryl use besides girl, so im sorry bout that. also, not fully proofread, i cant stand reading my own stuff :)

Morale was low, which considering the situation, wasn't that odd. The quarry had been overrun, the people you got to know for months dying in front of you. Then, it was the CDC. The false hope for a brand new start was momentary, seeing as it only lasted a blissfully ignorant twenty hours.

Now, everyone was clamored around a white house, surrounded by a haven of fields. Sophia was missing, Carl was shot, Shane and T-Dog were injured, and the kind man named Otis was dead as the result of scouting out medical supplies for the little Grimes boy.

You soon meet the blinding gaze belonging to the ragged Daryl Dixon. He was a hostile man, but you had taken careful notice of his "hidden" demeanour. You could tell, with these little glances sent to you oh, so often, that he was watching. Not in a creepy way, but more so as if he was trying to keep track of you. Like he wanted to ensure you weren't harmed in the small intervals between your sightings. If that didn't scream sweet, you didn't know what would.

As your eyes met his gaze, his fierce blue eyes immediately dropped to the ground. He turns, going to find a place to set his own tent up, as everyone else was doing. Hershel, the owner of this farmland, agreed to the group staying until Carl healed and we found Sophia.

Some time passes on the seemingly calm farm. Despite finally receiving what people would call a blessing nowadays, everyone was behaving like little children. People were treating Carol poorly for the mere hope she held onto about her daughter still being alive out there.

Daryl had even gotten hurt in the midst of all the teenage-like gossip. He speared himself upon one of his arrows and returned hardly alive, carrying Sophia's dolly with him.

You had been taking care of him inside the Greene house. That was, until he retreated to his tent on the outskirts of the farmland.

You were trailing around the campsite, offering people food in hopes of everyone cooling off some of their stress. Daryl was one of the last people you tackled, despite him having a gravitational pull of anxiety and stress to him.

You're walking towards his self-proclaimed spot by the treeline. You can see him hunched against a tree, his hands are tense as he angrily sheds the shavings off of a stick.

"Daryl?"

"Ain't fishing anyone f'r y'a neither, girl." He says immediately in response, his jaw tight with barely bottled anger.

Your eyebrows furrow as you look down at him, then over your shoulder. You had passed an angry Lori on your way over, and seeing his expression kind of pieced it together.

"What? No, I'm just out here to see you. You haven't been around everyone else much anymore.. well, besides Carol." You say, looking down at him with a tilted head.

Before he could even muster a response, you plop down next to him, offering a smile when he looks at you. Your gaze drops down to his hands, watching curiously for a moment.

"Saw that flower you gave Carol. It's really pretty. I think she's wearing it in her hair now, actually," you begin. Obviously, you were trying to get some sort of a conversation out of him. He only responds with a grunt.

"Have you ever had flowers in your hair before?" You quiz, trying to get some response from him.

He looks up at you, his eyes narrowing. His hands halt in action for a moment. A scowl appears on his dry lips.

"Don't make fun'a me. Not in the mood." He says, making your eyebrows furrow again. His gaze lowers again, glaring at the stick like it was the source of all his moodiness.

"I'm not making fun? Just curious... So, that means no?" You continue, your hands fidgeting in your lap.

He huffs and turns his focus to you again.

"No. Ain't no girl, don't need any'a that shit on me. Merle'd kick ma' ass if he saw that." He says quietly, sounding more defensive than authoritative like he wanted.

You hum, acknowledging his words as you watch him back with just as much intensity in your gaze. You purse your lips slightly in thought, looking in the little meadow of grass around you two.

Up came blossoming wildflowers, popping up beautifully as if they didn't get the memo that the word was over.

You pluck one, a pretty little daisy, and twirl it around in between your fingers. You watch it, admiring the way the petals would twist in the wind. You looked back up to see Daryl already watching you. You smile, leaning forward a little, the daisy raised in your hand.

He immediately backs up, lowering his head a little closer to his shoulders as he avoids your hand. His back is now fully pressed against the tree stump, watching as you continue your ministrations.

Your tongue pokes out between your lips in concentration.

"What'ch'a doin', girl? Quit it," he says, attempting to be stern.

"Nothing, just stay still for a second. You won't even feel it." You say, before quickly placing the daisy halfheartedly into his greasy hair.

"Jus' said Merle'd-"

"Well he's not here, is he? It's just us, Daryl. Frankly, I like this look too, so quit worrying." You say, ordering him like a petulant little kid.

He glares up at you. You'd be dead if looks could kill. You simply smile back, showing him his dumb façade wasn't working on you. You reach around, plucking up another wildflower before placing it into his hair too.

Surprisingly, he didn't twist away anymore, but still grumbled harsh words under his breath.

Soon, you've gotten plenty of those little flowers into his dark hair. It was an odd sight, but so endearing. He looked up at you, his cheeks tinted red as you just stared at him.

"What're ya starin' f'r, girl? It's annoyin'." He deems, tearing his gaze away and back to his lap.

"You look nice, that's why I'm staring. You're not glaring like a kid forced in a ugly Christmas sweater anymore. That means I can see those big blue eyes too," you tease, a grin already breaking out onto your lips.

This comment got his face even more red, even reaching to the tips of his ears. He groans, glaring at the ground now.

You tuck a strand of his brown hair back, making sure his face wasn't as hidden as he wanted.

"You know, you're probably the only person that would let me do this. Everyone else is too piled up in their own issues, especially that whole love-triangle thing. Thank you, Daryl," you say as sweetly as possible.

He pauses, looking up at you. It was true, everyone was occupied in their own stuff. The group was starting to crack, and at any moment, would shatter.

"What'ch'a thankin' me f'r? Ain't done nothin'." He says quietly, looking at you, trying to understand what was going on in that mind of yours.

"Well, that's a lie. You've been doing more than anyone else here. While everyone else is busy with their own issues, you're providing for the group in more ways than one. Plus, this was really fun. I loved seeing you get all red. It was cute," you say, a grin appearing at the end of your little speech.

"Ain't cute neither-" he's interrupted by the press of your lips to his forehead. You kiss just below where Andrea's bullet grazed. He becomes rigid, his mind going blank. You pull away, smiling down at him.

"Thank you, Daryl." You repeat smugly, knowing your effect on him.

Despite the innocence of your actions, you might as well have done this most intimate act with him right there, seeing how he was now.

You laugh softly before getting up and leaving him like that. His face burns red, his eyes stuck glaring at the ground. His body was tense, and, of course, flowers bloomed from his dark hair.

Much like the symbolism of them growing from the ground, they gave Daryl some hope for this world and the splitting group. His hope grew because of you and your presence.

You were his own version of those pretty wildflowers, now sitting on the top of his head.