#🥀 — trailerpark!daryl

[violettwrites]

american teenagers — iii.

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your mind was still reeling from last night.

it wasn’t the first time daryl had stepped in between you and some guy who didn’t know how to take a hint, but this time felt different. it wasn’t just the way he swung at merle’s buddy or how his jaw clenched with every insult the guy threw. it was something in his eyes— sharp and intense, almost angry. but angry at what, you didn’t have a clue.

daryl was like that though. a locked box with no key in sight. sometimes you swore you could almost hear the gears turning in his head, but he never let much out. you’d know him long enough to understand he wasn’t one for words anyway.

still, he hadn’t come back after walking you to your trailer last night. he claimed he needed to check on merle, who half stumbled into the bonfire and was likely causing all kinds of trouble. he left without much more than a gruff get some sleep, and just like that, he was gone.

now unfortunately, you didn’t have time to sit around and piece together what it all meant. life in a small town didn’t stop for a little heartache or confusion, and neither did your job.

the gas station wasn’t exactly where you’d imagine yourself spending your days, but it paid just enough to keep your dad off your back and your cigarettes stocked. that was enough for now.

leaning against the counter, you stared out at the aisles of junk food and faded magazines, listening to the hum of the cooler in the background. a slow day— nothing new. the usual parade of truckers passing through and the town’s regulars had already come and gone, mostl leaving behind a little more than crude remarks or greasy handprints on the counter.

the bell over the door jingled, pulling your from your thoughts. your eyes flickered toward the entrance, ready to size up the next customer— and froze.

daryl.

he walked in like he hadn’t just turned your world upside down the night before, his shoulders hunched slightly, his eyes scanning the shelves before they landed on you.

“hey,” he spoke lowly, his voice rough but still soft, like he wasn’t sure if he was welcome.

“hey,” you replied, your tone more even than you felt. you straightened up, wiping your hands on your jeans.

for a moment, he didn’t move, just stood there like he was debating whether to stay or turn around. then he scratched the back of his neck, his signature sign of nervousness, and shuffled over to the counter.

“figured i’d stop by,” he muttered, his gaze flickering between you and the counter top. “see how you were doin’.”

your chest tightened at his words, but you kept your face neutral. “i’m fine,” you said, though the slight crack in your voice betrayed you.

his eyes narrowed slightly, and you could tell he didn’t believe you. “that guy last night… he didn’t—“

“no,” you interrupted quickly. “he didn’t. you made sure of that.”

daryl’s jaw worked, his teeth pressing together for a moment before he nodded. “good.”

the silence stretched between you, heavy and loaded, but not uncomfortable. it was the kind of silence you’d shared a hundred times before, the kind where words weren’t always necessary. still, something about this one felt different and you couldn’t stop your mind from reeling.

“why’d you do it?” you asked suddenly, the question slipping out before you could stop yourself. you were aware you had already asked him the same thing last night, but you weren’t exactly convinced.

daryl blinked, caught off guard. “do what?”

“jump in like that,” you clarified, your voice softer now. “i know i already asked, and i know you’ve done it before. but last night felt— i don’t know. different.”

he glanced away, his fingers tapping lightly against the counter. for a moment, you thought he wasn’t going to answer, but then he spoke, his voice low and almost hesitant.

“didn’t really think about it,” he admitted. “just saw him grabbin’ you, and… i don’t know. i just had to.”

your breath caught a little, his words hanging in the air between you. there was something much more raw and honest in his words compared to last night, something that made your heart ache in a way you didn’t entirely understand.

before you could respond, the bell above the door jingled again, breaking the spell. a customer had wandered in, and daryl straightened, his usual guarded expression slipping back into place.

“i’ll see you later,” he said gruffly, already backing towards the door.

you nodded, watching as he disappeared into the sunlight, the door swinging shut behind him.

and just like that, he was gone again. a guarded, closed off, enigma of a being wrapped in the perfect little package of daryl dixon. you weren’t as frusturated anymore, because for once, you felt like you’d seen a glimpse of something deeper in him, something he rarely let anyone see.

but you still needed answers.

when your shift had ended, the sticky heat of the afternoon had finally begun to fade, replaced by the warm, golden glow of the sun setting. you grabbed your things and headed back to the trailer park, your mind still a tangled mess of thoughts about daryl.

the familiar hum of a radio met your ears as you rounded the corner of your trailer. merle was sitting on a lawn chair out the front of his own, a beer in hand and heavy boots kicked up on a cinderblock. hearing your footsteps, he looked up, a crooked grin spreading across his face.

“hey there, darlin’,” he drawled, raising his beer ever so slightly towards you. “thought you’d still be hidin’ out after lasts nights little circus.”

you rolled your eyes, stepping closer to him as you completely ignored his comment. “where’s daryl?”

merle shrugged, taking a swig of his beer. “hell if i know, ain’t seen him since this mornin’. why? you two lovebirds having a spat?”

“cut it out merle,” you muttered, crossing your arms. “i just— i don’t get him sometimes, y’know? one second he’s all protective, and the next, he’s gone.”

merle chuckled, shaking his head. “that’s daryl for ya. thought you woulda known that by now. kid’s got more walls than this whole damn trailer park. don’t take it personal— he don’t even know what the hell’s goin’ on in that head of his half the time.”

you frowned, his words not exactly comforting, but hitting a little too close to the truth. “so what? he’s just like this with everyone?”

“nah,” merle said, his grin fading ever so slightly. “he’s got a soft spot for ya, whether he knows it or not. don’t mean he’s gonna start wearin’ his heart on his sleeve, or whatever.”

you sighed, sinking down onto the lawn chair next to him, forehead pressing against your knees. “figures.”

merle leaned back in his chair, his smirk returning. “give him time, sweetheart. he’s like a stray dog— gotta let him come to you.”

you huffed a laugh despite yourself, shaking your head as you raised it to look at him. “thanks, merle. real helpful.”

he raised his bear in a mock toast once again, his signature shit eating grin on his features. “anytime, darlin’.”

as the sun dipped lower into the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, you couldn’t help but wonder if merle was right. maybe daryl just needed time. or maybe you’d have to find a way to break through those walls yourself.

sure, you had known daryl for a big part of your life, and you thought you knew everything there was to know about him— but apparently not. because merle was right. he did have more walls than this damn trailer park.

and the worst part? you weren’t sure if you’d ever be able to climb over them.

eeeee here’s chapter 3 !!! i really hope you guys enjoyed it ! not much daryl content unfortunately but we’re getting some merle x reader content (one of my fave friendships tbh)

if you enjoyed, please give this a like or a reblog ! i always appreciate it. and don’t forget to comment below if you’d like to be added to the tag list!

tag list: @rotten-biter @negansbestie @moonbaby6 @sunnykittyzz @twd4life7 @r3zn @besosderuina

[violettwrites]

american teenagers — intro.

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helloooooo my loves!!! here’s an intro into my comeback fic, american teenagers! i sat on this idea for a little while during my tiny break and i honestly couldn’t get it out of my head. i was heavily inspired by ethel cain for the vibes of it all, hence the name :)

please bear with me in all this as i do get easily overwhelmed and experience burnout very quickly but you guys are always supportive so i have no doubts!!

i’m not sure when the first chapter will be out, but i’m slowly working on it as i am very excited for you guys to read it! lots of love xx

the summer of 1987 was supposed to feel different. everyone in town kept saying it— teachers, parents, the tired voices on the radio between commercials. they said it like graduating highschool meant anything would actually change. but for the kids in the trailer park on the outskirts of town, it wasn’t much more than another hot season stretched out between long days and longer nights. the same parties by the lake, and the same dreams about escaping that no one really believed in.

the days were always the same for you. early mornings at the gas station counter, and evenings at the diner pouring coffee for truckers passing through. anything to keep you out of your father’s path really. your nights were often spent on the roof of your trailer, a cigarette in one hand and a notebook full of half-finished plans and dreams in the other. for daryl, the boy you had known since he was a scrawny little thing with clothes too big for him, it was merle’s shadow and busted knuckles, endless hours fixing bikes and cars in the sun while dreaming of roads that led anywhere but this small town.

you couldn’t remember a time when daryl dixon wasn’t around. his trailer was only three down from yours. you had been inseparable since the day you caught him standing by the broken fence of the trailer park, segregating the southside of town from the rest of the townspeople. the two of you had seemed like an odd pair to everyone else— daryl’s constant silence and smoldering anger along with your rough edges and restless energy —but somehow, it worked.

the summer after highschool felt like your last chance to figure out if those dreams the two of your had whispered about on those late night drives would ever come true. but the weight of this small town— the trailers, the jobs that paid barely enough to keep the lights on and your fathers off your backs, the scars you didn’t talk about —it all hung heavy between the both of you.

you didn’t really realise it at first, the way your feelings for daryl had shifted. it wasn’t a lightning bolt or this big grand revelation in your head. it was slower than that, like the way the heat crept up during june, making itself known in those hazy afternoons and the sweat dripping down your back. you started to notice those small things— how his voice softened when he talked to you, or the way his shoulders relaxed when the two of you were alone. you couldn’t pin point when it changed, only that it had.

daryl wasn’t any better at handling it either. he’d always thought of you as the one person who saw him for more than what people whispered about the dixons— trailer park trash, troublemakers, destined for nothing. you didn’t flinch at the bruises he didn’t explain, or the scars he wouldn’t talk about. you were his anchor, his light. but now, everytime you smiled at him or touched his arm, it felt like something inside him was breaking apart and putting itself back together all at once.

that summer wasn’t just about the heat, the bad decisions, or the endless nights spent sitting under a starless sky. it was about the weight of knowing you could only hold onto each other for so long before something— or someone —pulled you apart.

neither of you had the words to say it yet, but you both knew: the end of your childhood was here, and whatever seemed to come next would either bring you both closer or tear you apart for good.

if you enjoyed this, please give it a like/reblog! your support always means the world to me 🫶🏻

stay tuned for the first chapter! if you’d like me to add a tag list, comment below!

[violettwrites]

american teenagers — ii.

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the sun was dipping low behind the trees, bathing the trailer park in shades of orange and gold. sunsets had always made you happy— and for a rundown old place like the trailerpark, it sure had some beautiful views. the smell of smoke from merle’s bonfire filled the air, mingling with the sounds of harsh laughter and musing blaring from the open windows of his beat up truck. his so called “party” was in full swing, with half the trailer park and a few strangers from who knows where hanging around, holding onto beers and swapping stories.

you sat on the hood of an abandoned truck— one of the many rusted vehicles that had been left to rot in the trailer park —the metal warm from the sun and sipping a beer that was already a little too warm for your liking. daryl was leaning against the front fender, a cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other, absentmindedly flicking ash onto the ground.

“your brother sure knows how to throw a classy event,” you teased, lowly gesturing towards the chaos. someone had already started yelling about a card game gone wrong, and a couple of merle’s friends were attempting to set up a wrestling match on the grass.

daryl snorted, taking a drag. “yeah, real high society,” he muttered, his tone dry. you had always noticed that daryl had never been the biggest fan of merle’s friends, and you didn’t blame him. you weren’t either. but you noticed how tense he was whenever they were around.

despite the rowdiness, there was a comfort in being here with daryl. you two had a way of carving out your own little bubble, even amidst the noise. he leaned closer, his shoulder brushing against your knee as he moved to place his beer on the hood beside you.

“you gonna stick around long?” he asked, his voice low, almost lost under the sound of someone revving a dirt bike.

“depends. you plan on staying sober enough to walk me three steps home?” you teased, though you knew daryl never drank much at these things. one of you had to be the responsible one, and it was almost always him.

“guess that means i’m stuck babysitting,” he chuckled softly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

you rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the smile that formed on your features.

as the night wore on, the crowd around the fire grew rowdier. the air filled with the sounds of loud laughter, hollering, and the occasional crackle of a beer can tossed into the flames. you hopped off the truck hood, brushing your shorts off.

“i’m grabbing another drink,” you told daryl, gesturing towards the cooler by the fire. “you want anything?”

“nah,” he shook his head, but his eyes flicked to the crowd near the bonfire, his posture shifting slightly like he was already on guard. “hurry up, though. this crowd aint exactly sunday school.”

you rolled your eyes but waved him off, weaving your way through the small group of people. you had grown up around events like this, and you were definitely fiery enough to hold yourself. as you reached the cooler and bent down to grab a beer, a hand landed on your waist. the grip was firm, too firm, and when you straightened up, one of merle’s friends was standing way too close.

“hey there, sweetheart,” he drawled, his breath reeking of whiskey and cigarettes. his grin was wide, too much teeth, and his hand trailed up your arm now, tightening it’s grip around your forearm. “haven’t seen a pretty face like you ‘round much. you merle’s little sister or somethin’?”

you tensed, trying to pull your arm away, but his grip only tightened. “not his sister,” you said sharply, giving your arm another tug. “now let go.”

“aww, don’t be like that,” he slurred, leaning in closer. “just tryin’ to be friendly.” but you knew he meant anything but friendly.

your pulse quickened and disgust rose in your chest as you glanced around for an escape, but the guy was blocking your path. before you could muster a response, there was a sharp, familiar voice behind you.

“she said let go.”

daryl.

he appeared out of nowhere, but you knew he most likely had been keeping an eye on you. his presence was like a storm as he stepped between you and the man. his hand shot out, grabbing the guy’s wrist and wrenching it off your arm with a force that made him stumble back.

the guy’s, still nameless— though you could care less— expression twisted with drunken indignation. “what the hell’s your problem, dixon?” he snarled, puffing up like he had any chance of intimidating daryl.

“my problem’s with you touchin’ her,” daryl snapped, his voice low and threatening. “you’re gonna back the hell off, or i’ll make you.”

the guy laughed, a hollow, ugly sound. “oh yeah? you gonna make me?” he teased, imitating a baby voice as he shoved daryl’s shoulder. a stupid move if there ever was one.

daryl didn’t waste a second. his fist shot out, connecting with the other male’s jaw, a sickening crack sounding through. the man staggered, but didn’t go down, swinging wildly in retaliation. his fist hit daryl’s shoulder, but it wasn’t enough to phase him.

daryl grabbed the guy by the front of his shirt, slamming him into the side of an old truck. the sound reverberated through the air, and the party came to a screeching halt as everyone tuned in their attention to watch.

“think you’re real tough, huh?” the man spat, blood dripping from his split lip. he swung again, but daryl ducked, driving his knee into the guy’s stomach and sending him crumpling to the ground.

“get the hell up,” daryl growled, though his boot pressing square into the man’s chest said otherwise, his voice ice cold.

the man groaned, trying to push himself up, but daryl pressed his foot down harder, fists clenched at his sides, ready for more.

“daryl!” you shouted, stepping forward and grabbing his arm. “stop, he’s done!”

for a moment, you weren’t sure he had even heard you. his chest was heaving, eyes blazing with rage as he stared down at the man. but then he turned to you, and the tension in his body seemed to drain away almost instantly.

“you okay?” he asked, his voice softer now, but his gaze didn’t waver from yours.

“i’m fine,” you said, your voice shaky but sure.

“good,” he muttered, his attention snapping back to the man still trapped under his foot. “stay the hell away from her, you hear me?” he spits, finally releasing the man from being trapped.

the man nodded weakly, coughing and wiping blood from his mouth as he crawled away, clutching his stomach.

merle’s laugh broke the silence, loud and obnoxious. “that’s my baby brother!” he hollered, clapping his hands. “knew you had it somewhere in ya!”

daryl ignored him, his focus still on you. “c’mon,” he said, nodding his head in a direction away from everyone else. “let’s get outta here.”

he didn’t wait for an answer, his hand brushing your arm as he led you away from the fire and the stares. your heart was pounding, but not just from the fight. the way daryl had looked at you— protective, furious, and something else entirely —lingered in your mind as you followed him towards your trailer, vacant from anyone else.

as the both of you reached the small porch, you glanced at him, noticing his red knuckles and tight jaw.

“thank you, daryl,” you spoke softly, looking up at him.

he glanced at you, his expression softening for just a moment. “ain’t nothin’,” he muttered, but the way he gripped the door handle before pushing it open told you it was more than that. and as you stepped inside, the noise of the party faded behind you, the silence almost jarring after the chaos outside.

you sank onto the couch, still somewhat shaken, and daryl stood near the door, arms crossed over his chest, tension radiating from him.

“why’d you do it?” you asked softly, breaking the silence.

he glanced at you, his brow furrowing. “what do you mean?”

“why’d you step in like that? you didn’t have to go that far.”

for a long moment, he didn’t answer. his gaze locked onto the floor, his jaw working like he was trying to figure out the words occupying his brain. finally, he met your eyes, and there was something raw in his expression.

“i don’t know,” he admitted, his voice low and almost hesitant. “i just— i had to. couldn’t stand seein’ him touchin’ you like that.”

the honesty in his voice hit you like a punch to the chest, a for a moment, all you could do was stare at him.

“daryl…” you started, but the words caught in your throat.

he shifted, looking uncomfortable under your gaze, but he didn’t move to leave. “you’re all i got,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “ain’t gonna let nobody mess with you.”

your chest tightened, and you felt the sting of tears you didn’t want to shed. instead of speaking, you stood up, making your way over to him and wrapping your arms around his torso, squeezing tightly. “thanks,” you spoke softly, the word carrying more weight than you could put into it.

he didn’t say anything, but you felt him nod his head as his arms wrapped around your figure, holding you close. and in that quiet moment, the unspoken connection between you felt louder than anything else.

hi guys !! i hope you enjoyed chapter 2 !! i had a lot of fun writing this one and im excited for you guys to see the rest of what i have planned 😈

i am still unfortunately going thru it a little, but writing this is helping me keep my mind off everything. i love you guys and your support means so much to me

as always! if you enjoyed reading this, don’t forget to show your support by liking and reblogging! if you’d like to be added to my tag list, comment below!!!

tag list: @rotten-biter @negansbestie @moonbaby6 @sunnykittyzz @twd4life7

[violettwrites]

american teenagers — iv

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by the time you stepped out of your trailer, the sun had started to set over the horizon. the all too familiar humidity of the south still lingered in the air, clinging to your skin. you could hear the distant hum of the television playing from one of the neighbouring trailers, the occasional bark of a dog, and the ever present buzz of cicadas. the trailer park always felt slower in the late afternoon, like the whole world was sweating out the day and waiting for the cooler night air to settle in.

but you weren’t thinking about any of that.

you were thinking about daryl.

it had been over a day since the fight. since the way he had thrown himself into it without hesitation. since he had sat on your couch, quiet and brooding, before walking out into the night without another word. since he had been avoiding you.

you knew daryl well enough to know he wasn’t the kind of guy who wore his heart on his sleeve— merle made that clear. hell, sometimes it felt like he didn’t even know where his heart was, let alone how to show it. but this was different. something about the way he had reacted that night— about the way he had looked at you. it had stuck with you ever since.

and now? he was acting like none of it had happened.

you weren’t gonna let that slide.

determined, you made your way through the dirt path winding between the trailers, scanning for him. you spotted merle first, sitting on his busted lawn chair with a beer in hand, talking shit with some of the usual lowlifes that hung around. but daryl was nowhere near him.

it wasn’t until you rounded the corner by his trailer that you finally saw him. he was hunched over his bike, forearms streaked with grease, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and dark strands of hair in his eyes as he worked. his posture was tense, like he could feel someone— you —watching him, but he didn’t look up.

you knew he’d heard you coming.

“daryl,” you called, stepping closer.

no response.

typical.

you rolled your eyes and crossed your arms over your chest. “you planning on ignoring me forever, or just until i stop trying?”

still, nothing.

you clenched your jaw, exhaling through your nose. fine. if he wanted to act like a stubborn ass, you could play that game as well.

marching up to him, you nudged his boot with the toe of your sneaker. “hey— look at me.”

daryl finally glanced up, but it was fleeting, barely a second before he turned back to his work. “ain’t ignorin’ you,” he muttered, voice low.

“could’ve fooled me,” you shot back. “you’ve been acting weird ever since you got into that fight.”

at that, his jaw clenched. “nothin’ weird about it,” he grumbled.

you scoffed, throwing your hands up. “bullshit.”

daryl let out a long sigh, wiping his hands on a rag before standing to his full height. “drop it, (y/n).”

“no,” you spoke firmly, standing your ground. “i’m not dropping it. i deserve to know what your problem is.”

daryl shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck like this whole conversation was some big inconvenience to him.

you took a step closer, your voice softer now. “daryl… just talk to me.”

his shoulders stiffened, and for a second, you thought he might actually open up. but then, just as quick, that wall of his slammed back into place.

“ain’t nothin’ to talk about,” he muttered.

you exhaled sharply, frustration burning in your chest. “you got into a fight over me. that’s not nothing.”

his hands flexed at his sides, like he wanted to hit something— just not you. never you.

“i don’t know how,” he admitted suddenly, his voice raw.

you blinked, taken aback for a second. “what?”

daryl exhaled sharply, running a hand over his face. “i don’t know how to do this,” he said, shaking his head. “any of it. sayin’ things. explainin’ shit. feelin’ shit.” his voice dropped lower. “ain’t never been good at it.”

your heart clenched in your chest. daryl had always been a closed book, but this? this was him cracking open just enough for you to see inside.

“you don’t have to be good at it,” you said quietly. “you just have to try.”

daryl let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head. “ain’t that simple.”

you took another step forward, hand reaching out to graze along his bicep. “it could be.”

he met your gaze, and for the first time in days, you saw it— the storm brewing behind his eyes, the weight he carried but never spoke about.

“i just—“ his fingers twitched like he didn’t know what to do with them. “i couldn’t stand seein’ him touch you.”

your stomach flipped for a moment. “why?”

daryl swallowed, his adam’s apple bobbing. “i don’t know,” he admitted. “i just had to stop it.”

your breath hitched. the way he was looking at you, like he was trying to figure something out, like he was just as confused as you felt— it made your chest ache in a way you couldn’t explain.

“daryl…” your voice was barely above a whisper. “you always look out for me. but this felt different. was it?”

his lips parted slightly, but then he just shook his head again, running a hand through his hair.

“i don’t know,” he murmured, but the way he said it told you he did know. he just wasn’t ready to admit it.

silence settled between you, thick and heavy with everything left unsaid.

“you know,” you sighed, voice still soft. “for someone i’ve known most of my life, you sure do have more walls than this whole damn trailer park.

“you talk to merle?” he chuckled dryly, the fainted ghost of a smirk on his lips, but it was gone as fast as it appeared. “i ain’t doin’ it on purpose.”

“i know,” you nodded. “but you don’t have to shut me out.”

daryl exhaled, glancing away, his fingers tapping against his thigh like he was debating something.

finally, his eyes met yours again. “i ain’t good at this.”

“i know. you don’t have to be,” you assured him. “you just have to be honest.”

he studied you for a long moment, then nodded his head, like he was at least willing to try.

it wasn’t everything. it wasn’t a full explanation. but it was something.

and for now, that was enough.

at least, that’s what you told yourself.

but the silence stretched between you, thick and heavy with everything left unsaid. the sun had dipped below the horizon now, the sky darkening above you. you could hear merle laughing from around the corner, that and the sounds of the trailer park filling the space between you.

you didn't want to walk away just yet.

daryl shifted, rolling his shoulders like he was trying to shake something off. “you done interrogatin’ me now?” he muttered.

you huffed a quiet laugh, but your chest still ached. “i just don’t get you sometimes.”

daryl rubbed a hand over his jaw. “yeah, well… i don’t get me either.

you frowned at him. “daryl.”

his jaw clenched at the way you said his name, like he knew you weren’t done yet.

“you don’t have to figure it all out right now,” you continued. “but don’t act like nothing happened.”

daryl exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly. “i ain’t actin’ like nothin’ happened.”

you arched a brow at him. “you sure? because you spent the last day avoiding me like i had the damn plague.”

his lips twitched, but the humor didn’t quite reach his eyes. “ain’t about you.”

“then what is it about?”

he hesitated, shifting his weight.

you could see it— the battle waging inside of him. the part of him that wanted to keep everything locked up tight, and the part of him that maybe, just maybe, wanted to let you in.

finally, he sighed, running a hand through his hair again. “i don’t like seein’ people treat you like that,” he admitted. “ain’t right. had to step in.”

your heart skipped. “i know that daryl, but you didn’t just step in. you lost it.”

daryl looked away, his fingers flexing at his sides. “yeah, well…” he exhaled sharply. “i ain’t proud of it.”

you watched him carefully, hesitating your words for a moment. “would you do it again?”

his head snapped back to you, eyes dark, unreadable. and that look— that look he gave you —send something warm curling in your stomach.

“in a heartbeat.”

those words hit you like a slow moving wave, sinking into your skin, wrapping around your ribs.

in a heartbeat.

it was the closest thing to a confession you’d ever get from daryl dixon.

you swallowed the lump in your throat. there it was. that… unspoken thing between you. the thing neither of you had put words to yet.

your teeth tugged on your bottom lip as you shifted on your feet. “you didn’t have to shut me out,” you said again.

daryl stared at you for a long moment, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. and then, to your surprise, he gave the smallest of nods. it wasn’t much, but it was more than you ever expected.

the tension between you hadn’t gone away, not really. it was still there, simmering beneath the surface, waiting. but for now, this was enough.

you’d take the small victory.

with a quiet sigh, you moved forward, wrapping your arms around his torso, head resting against his chest.

“you still mad at me?” he asked softly, arms almost immediately wrapping around your frame. it was always comforting being wrapped up in him, like he’d protect you from anything and everything— which he would.

you exhaled, shaking your head as you continued to hold onto him. “nah, i was never mad.”

his brow furrowed as he looked down at you. “sure as hell seemed like it.”

you shook your head, looking up with a tired sort of smile. “i was just frustrated. trying to understand.”

daryl grunted a little, his chin resting atop your head. “good luck with that.”

you laughed, shaking your head a little. “yeah, no kidding.”

silence fell between you again as you held each other, but this time, it wasn’t uncomfortable.

you both just stood there, the summer air thick and warm, the weight of the last few days finally starting to ease.

after a while, you pulled away, stretching your arms over your head. “you hungry?”

daryl furrowed his brows at you. “what?”

you shrugged your shoulders. “i’m making something back at my place. figured you might wanna eat.”

daryl hesitated for a second, then nodded ever so slightly. “yeah, alright.”

you didn’t make a big deal out of it. you just turned and started walking, trusting that he’d follow.

and sure enough, he did.

because for all the walls daryl dixon had, for all the ways he tried to keep people out.

he never really let you go too far.

hi guys!! bit of a longer one for you all today 😊 this is not proof read so don’t come for me i’m literally falling asleep rn but this all came to my head so quick i had to get it down 😭 i really hope you enjoyed it!

also you guys have got me to 400 followers WHAT i love you all so much 🖤

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[dixonsstinkysock]

HELL YEAH!!!!!

american teenagers — intro.

helloooooo my loves!!! here’s an intro into my comeback fic, american teenagers! i sat on this idea for a little while during my tiny break and i honestly couldn’t get it out of my head. i was heavily inspired by ethel cain for the vibes of it all, hence the name :)

please bear with me in all this as i do get easily overwhelmed and experience burnout very quickly but you guys are always supportive so i have no doubts!!

i’m not sure when the first chapter will be out, but i’m slowly working on it as i am very excited for you guys to read it! lots of love xx

the summer of 1987 was supposed to feel different. everyone in town kept saying it— teachers, parents, the tired voices on the radio between commercials. they said it like graduating highschool meant anything would actually change. but for the kids in the trailer park on the outskirts of town, it wasn’t much more than another hot season stretched out between long days and longer nights. the same parties by the lake, and the same dreams about escaping that no one really believed in.

the days were always the same for you. early mornings at the gas station counter, and evenings at the diner pouring coffee for truckers passing through. anything to keep you out of your father’s path really. your nights were often spent on the roof of your trailer, a cigarette in one hand and a notebook full of half-finished plans and dreams in the other. for daryl, the boy you had known since he was a scrawny little thing with clothes too big for him, it was merle’s shadow and busted knuckles, endless hours fixing bikes and cars in the sun while dreaming of roads that led anywhere but this small town.

you couldn’t remember a time when daryl dixon wasn’t around. his trailer was only three down from yours. you had been inseparable since the day you caught him standing by the broken fence of the trailer park, segregating the southside of town from the rest of the townspeople. the two of you had seemed like an odd pair to everyone else— daryl’s constant silence and smoldering anger along with your rough edges and restless energy —but somehow, it worked.

the summer after highschool felt like your last chance to figure out if those dreams the two of your had whispered about on those late night drives would ever come true. but the weight of this small town— the trailers, the jobs that paid barely enough to keep the lights on and your fathers off your backs, the scars you didn’t talk about —it all hung heavy between the both of you.

you didn’t really realise it at first, the way your feelings for daryl had shifted. it wasn’t a lightning bolt or this big grand revelation in your head. it was slower than that, like the way the heat crept up during june, making itself known in those hazy afternoons and the sweat dripping down your back. you started to notice those small things— how his voice softened when he talked to you, or the way his shoulders relaxed when the two of you were alone. you couldn’t pin point when it changed, only that it had.

daryl wasn’t any better at handling it either. he’d always thought of you as the one person who saw him for more than what people whispered about the dixons— trailer park trash, troublemakers, destined for nothing. you didn’t flinch at the bruises he didn’t explain, or the scars he wouldn’t talk about. you were his anchor, his light. but now, everytime you smiled at him or touched his arm, it felt like something inside him was breaking apart and putting itself back together all at once.

that summer wasn’t just about the heat, the bad decisions, or the endless nights spent sitting under a starless sky. it was about the weight of knowing you could only hold onto each other for so long before something— or someone —pulled you apart.

neither of you had the words to say it yet, but you both knew: the end of your childhood was here, and whatever seemed to come next would either bring you both closer or tear you apart for good.

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stay tuned for the first chapter! if you’d like me to add a tag list, comment below!