Grumpy Daryl/Sunshine reader dynamic during early Alexandria. Daryl always chills out when he comes home to reader. So he dotes and loves on her like usual one day. She’s trying to tell him that she had invited everyone over for dinner but he’s just too busy nuzzling and cuddling until someone at the table clears their throat behind him. Cue embarrassed Daryl who goes grumpy but still doesn’t wanna let go of her. :)
Dinner for two.
Pairing: Daryl Dixon x fem! reader.
Masterlist | Who am i? | REQUESTS ARE OPEN!
A/n: A thousand thank you’s for your request! And everything else you’d done for me without even knowing 🩵
Genre: (can this be called a genre?) Fluff with some suggestive language.
Warnings: none
Era: Early Alexandria, circa mid to end of season 5
Word count: 0.7k
You had been cooking all day, well mostly helping Carol prepare for the dinner you had organized. Since settling in Alexandria, the group had started splitting up during the day, each person trying, in their own way, to blend into the small community just like Rich had asked. For some, it came easier than others.
Daryl had been gone all day and you figured he wouldn’t be back until late, long after dinner was over. The group, along with Aaron and his husband, chatted quietly at the dining table, soft voices weaving around Judith who thrived in the center of it all. You slipped away down the hall to the closet where you’d stashed a few stolen wine bottles from the communal pantry.
Just as your hand reached for the alcohol, a soft noise made you freeze. Instinctively, your fingers wrapped around the, also contraband, handgun tucked beside the dark green bottles. You raised it toward the back door, only to find Daryl standing there, all quiet edges and sharp eyes. You let out a sigh.
“Ya gonna lower tha’ gun?” he asked softly, his crossbow slung over one shoulder, eyes skimming your figure, everywhere but the weapon in your hand.
You lowered it slowly, fingers flexing around the familiar handle, memory trailing back to the days outside the walls when lowering your guard had real consequences.
“Wha’? Ya suddenly trigger happy?” he teased, the corner of his mouth twitching as you tucked the gun away. His gaze lingered a little longer this time, more direct. “Ya look pretty”
You smiled, stepping closer and instinctively checking him for injuries like you always did. One of his hands came to rest at your waist, grounding you.
“And you need a shower” you muttered with a smirk.
He nodded once, a low hum rumbling in his chest “Now or after?” he asked, lifting the rabbit in his other hand as if it were some kind of romantic offering.
“Um… Daryl…”
“We can make it real nice ‘n romantic outback” he said quickly, eyes lighting up as his hand came up to brush your cheek. “Sum grilled mushrooms… an’ if I hurry, i can swipe a bottle o’ wine from the pantry”
You couldn’t help but chuckle softly, the sound drawing a subtle twitch to Daryl’s lips, right before he started pressing slow, reverent kisses to your face. He spoke between them, his voice low, words tumbling out like secrets meant just for you, each one pulling you further from what you’d meant to remind him of.
“Beautiful”
“Missed ya t’day”
“Found a place i want’o take ya to”
A dull thud echoed in the hallway, the rabbit he’d been holding hit the floor at your feet. Between his kisses and the sweetness in his voice, the last thing you expected was the sudden scrape of a throat being cleared, deep, familiar and unmistakably Rick.
You turned, startled but mostly annoyed, only to see the entire dinner party gathered at the threshold of the hallway, eyes wide, clearly having followed the sound thinking it was an intruder. Daryl, completely unfazed, let out a huff and bent down to pick up the rabbit like nothing had happened.
“I was trying to tell you…about that” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper as he straightened to his full height. His eyes met yours, just for a second before shifting to the unexpected audience.
“Daryl,” Carol called out sweetly, clearly unfazed, “Care to join us? Y/n helped me cook”
You caught Carl smirking from behind her, like you’d just been caught committing some harmless, ridiculous crime.
Daryl grunted, biting the inside of his lip the way he always did when thinking “‘M sure she did” he muttered, half to himself, eyes flicking to you with something warm. You were just too sweet.
Rick nodded toward the rabbit in his hand, dry as ever. “I see you brought dinner”
“It sure ain’t for y’all” the archer said, earning a light smack to the chest from you. Daryl smirked, unfazed, yet corrected himself “Can save ya the fur…make a hat or somethin’”
Rick let out a dry chuckle. “Thanks” he said flatly, laced with sarcasm.
“Anytime“ Daryl shot back, casually taking your hand in his and turning toward the back entrance.
“Wait, wait, wait” you whispered, reaching into the closet before you left. You pulled out a bottle of wine and held it up. “There are two more in there” you told the group with a sly grin.
Daryl gave a low, approving huff, almost a chuckle “Tha’s ma girl”
And with that, the two of you slipped out, ready for a one on one dinner with a sickeningly hot and steamy dessert guaranteed.
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It's really surprising to me that there isn't an officially recognized "Daryl's Group" (at least not that i've seen) within the Walking Dead when S10-11 he more or less is basically leading this entire group.
