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daryldixonfanfiction · 1 year

Text

a (Daryl Dixon) short story - pt.2

Masterlist

Paring: Daryl Dixon × fem!reader

Summary: on the run from a swarm of walkers they take shelter in un aboundant car.

Warnings: scary situetion, fluff, angst

*rewrritten

WC: 2.4k

Sharp branches scratched against their skin as they exited the forest. They now stood upon a road, littered with an abandoned car and a corpse that had fallen from the driver seat, dried leaves and branches covered the asphalt, making it look forgotten.

Daryl's firm grip loosened as he released her wrist, leaving a loss of warmth there. He moved swiftly around the car, scanning the tree line for the imposing herd closing in on them.

Then suddenly, a twig snapped in the distance, accompanied with distinctive sounds of the walking dead. She tried to revive the car, rotating the key, but it was to no vail. They flinched when suddenly the bushes behind them began to russell, their eyes met in knowing.

They could not escape such a big hurd and they could certainly not outrun them. So with no choice then taking shelter in the trunk of the car, Daryl beacons her towards him, “Comone,” he urges out of breath, swinging the trunk door open for her to enter. Daryl shut the trunk with haste and mutely motioned for her to stay silent, then secured it with his red bandana so it would stay closed.

The tight space forced their bodies to be close, so close their legs were touching, sitting opposite of one another. She could see the focus there, to make sure the dead wouldn’t break in with his crossbow aimed at the entrance where moonlight shines inside.

It had just gone by a few seconds sins they stumbled upon the road and then got into the back of the car, and just as they had settled in the small space the herd began crossing the road. Fear bloomed in her chest, but then a low, almost a warning realization hit her. Knowing she had been naive to blindly follow this stranger inside a car that she was now trapped in. She knew nothing about him but she could tell he was capable of things she wasn't - and things she didn't dare name. But at the same time she had been left with no other choice. Because if it wasn't for him, she would be dead.

The dead growls loudly, thumping against the car as they cross the road, making it shake and creek with every impact. Their terrifying sounds grow as more pass through and maybe the herd was in the hundreds or even more? She didn't know, but the thought was frightening. Thunder boomed, bright flashes of light flicker on the man's face through the small crack and she thought she saw blue.

His eyes were blue.

Hours went by as wave after wave of the dead passed. Lightning struck so close she feared it would hit the car or make her deaf when her ears ringed. But then eventually the storm calmed and so did the hurd.

Feet shuffled against the asphalt, and now and then one would stumble into the car making it creek at the impact. Morning light slips through, brightening up the space. They were silent, not making a sound, keeping them hidden from the dead roaming outside. The last stranglers of the herd dragged their decaying libs along the road to wherever their next meal would be. And it began to feel like the horror from the night never had happened, as if it all had been a simple nightmare, but when the next thud came she knew the nightmare wasn't over, and that she still felt so scared thinking of what would happen if the door didn't hold. It would be game over.

She turns her gaze from the little view the door crack offers of the outside - to the man before her. He meets her gaze, feeling her worry, reshoring her with a nod and motions with his hand facing her, ‘it's gonna be ok, we're ok’. She nods heavenly in return, and the thoughts of him being something to fear was gone in an instant - replaced with trust she hoped was not misplaced.

She keeps her gaze there, lingering with nothing else to occupy her time as he keeps on guarding the entrance. The man's face was pleasing to the eyes. His eyes were dark blue and hooded, making them look black when the light did not reach. His face held a stoic expression, worn with lines and bags under his eyes. As if he didn't sleep well and had certainly seen much more cruelty then she had. His chestnut hair was dark, falling over his eyes ever so slightly, ending at his neck, sticking to his skin as sweat had dampened it. The tip of his ear poked through and he had a straight button nose and a mole above the corner of his mouth. Facial stubble framed his jaw dashingly with a few strands of silver - indicating he must be in his late 30s, or perhaps early 40s?

Maybe she should be more on her guard around someone she didn't know, but something made her feel that she could trust him, that she was safe. And she had been so deprived of that, that she couldn't help it. And he had made no induction for her to fear him and never had she felt that he would harm her. Shad had been afraid but not in that sense. More so of her poor choice of not thinking and being naive. But nothing bad had happened to make her think otherwise. She reasoned that if he didn't try anything he was not one of them bad people out there. And he was protecting her. And she had not asked this of him, he chose to do so himself. And for whatever that reason was, she was alive, and that was all that mattered.

More hours passed and nature hummed, filling their silence they had been smothered in sins the last of the herd had passed true. There were no stragglers left and she was certain the herd was far away by now - making her wonder why they were still in this cramped up oven? Every breath felt suffocating and it was so disgustingly hot that their clothes were completely drenched like an extra layer of skin.

Sliding a hand over her temple, drained and exhausted, she removes the sweat before it can run down her face. God it was hot. Gazing upon the man once more she couldn't help but to take notice how his veins protrude under his skin, along his thick fingers down to his forearm as he held the weapon firmly, never looking away.

Shifting her weight a bit she then reaches forward and opens up the trunk door. Fresh air filled their lungs and the midday sun made them squint until their eyes adjusted to the outside and the world around them felt so empty as if they were the last people on earth.

And ho new? Maybe they were?

Daryl slung the black plastic bag over his shoulder, filled with what he had scavenged from the car, and his crossbow in his opposite. They stood before one another. Their eyes meet awkwardly, with the lack of confidence and uncertainty of the words to be spoken. Daryl was a man of few words, so he chose to say nothing even though there was a curiosity about the girl and why she was alone when he had found her.

He stared for a beat, then began walking down the road for her to follow.

She looked down to the pavement, relieved to not be left behind. While her eyes became glossy with relief, she thanked him in thought and followed.

–

The road feels like it keeps on forever. At some point the pavement beneath her sore feet had become dirt in the forest. She hadn't noticed, perhaps because she was too exhausted now? She was used to taking brakes but he didn't seem like he would stop anytime soon. Every step was a challenge and for hours on end they had been walking through the thick forest. Tall trees took the beating sun of their skin, but not the het that slowly drained them.

She began to feel dizzy and her legs heavy as she stared at his back. His biker jacket reminded her of an angel. And if she remembered right, wings were only worn by someone that had survived a bike crash. He was a survivor before and he still is now, and she wanted to know if it was true or if he had just found it because he liked it?

She really began to feel sick now, feeling how she started to pale. Her steps became heavier and her pace slower. The man's wide strides were exhausting to keep up with as her shorter legs struggled to follow.

Daryl felt her gaze behind him. As if to speak but no words left her lips. He knew she was tired, so was he as he had barely been eating since the prison fell. He could feel her pace slowing down. When the sound of her feet stopped, Daryl immediately stod to a halt, attentive and turned to face her.

“Hold up”, she begs, out of breath.

Daryl looks down at her smaller form. She was on the ground with palms flat against the forest flor, holding her weight with her head hanging.

He carefully approached the exhausted girl before him, feeling both perplexed and curious - how this young girl could have made it so far in a world such as this? He couldn't get his head around it. It would make sense if she belonged to a group at some point. He wanted to know. But he chose against it, like he often did. Maybe when they're safe enough and got some food he would ask?

Daryl watched how her shoulders moved in sync with panting breaths. And she looked to be the same age as Beth, but probably a bit older.

“We can’t stay here”, Daryl said, voice deep and rough, though meaning to say it more gently, he failed tremendously.

It was just not safe for either of them out here. The thought of getting caught up by another herd was still fresh on his mind.

His voice took her by surprise. It was the first time the man really spoken past one word sentence. Whatever she expected the man to sound like, she didn't expect it to sound so low and ruff. In a way it was captivating, and maybe she had been lonely for too long to the point a man's voice sounded like the best thing she had heard in days.

“I can't..." Her voice breaking as if on the verge of tears. Daryl could tell she was scared, afraid he would leave her and he knew she wouldn't survive on her own.

She waited for that moment, but It never came. Looking up expecting nothing then abandonment. But to her surprise, there he was. Standing before her as if leaving had never crossed his mind.

Daryl's mind was already made. He stretches out his hand, reassuring; he's not leaving her. Big bambi eyes look upon his hand then his eyes, hesitating for a moment before she takes her soft on into his calloused and her skin was so soft, so delicate.

Warmth radiated from his hand as it made hers look childlike. Only now did she really nothist how much bigger the man was compared to her. He had a wider frame with narrow hips making his shoulders look broad, he was about a head taller, his arms strong with lean muscle with veins traveling in his opposite hand holding the crossbow. Maybe she should feel some type of fear but she didn't. There was something there, kindness, no malicious intent behind his gaze. She was gonna be okay with him, he will keep her safe. And she could feel it as he carefully pulled her back on her feet, as if he was afraid she would collapse to the ground again.

How such a man could possess such a gentle touch was oddly fascinating. He looked like he had never been taught to know how to be soft- like he would rather use force than words.

“Thank you”, she said gratefully.

And he looked at her before nodding, “Comon '', he ordered but there was a gentleness added to his tone now and a noticeable difference in his pace for her to follow.

Being gentle like that has never come naturally. Growing up, he would be put down by his brother if he ever showed that side. Kindness was weakness, his old man often told him growing up. But there was something with this girl that made his old, ingrained ways shift within.

Daryl wanted to be gentle, to think before he acted. Because he was afraid he would somehow hold her small hand just a little too tightly, as if it would break like porcelain. In Daryl's eyes she looked like a frightened deer, a fawn pleading to be saved.

Why he felt that way, he couldn't fully comprehend. The gentleness he showed didn't seem so rong as his old man had told him. It didn't make him feel weak. The gesture felt right and the girl seemed pleased with this act of kindness.

He seemed kind even though he looked like someone to fear. It intrigued her, made her queries off all the layers beneath his rugged and intimidating exterior. And she wanted to hold onto that moment just a bit longer. The moment when their hands touched and their eyes met as space and time stood still - and she worried her eyes had been blushing. She sure hoped not, that he couldn't tell how flustered he made her.

They now walked closer. She was no longer walking behind him as she was now comfortable beeing at the man's side.

Glancing up at him, making sure she did not invade his space, she relaxed as he didn't seem bothered by her doing so. She dared getting even closer, with still some room left between them. Maybe the few words they spoke, just an hour ago, had something to do with it?

After some passing moments she finally got the courage to ask what had been on her mind, for some time now. As her curiosity grew, she couldn't help the question from rolling off her tongue.

A deep breath - then.

“So…Do you have a name”?

A good moment passed and she worried her question had upset him.

Then.

“Daryl”, he answered simply, and she wouldn't have heard it if she didn't walk beside him.

A satisfied smile played on her lips, dimples showing as evidence of her little accomplishment. Tilting her head at him as they walked side by side, she continued, picking up that his quietness came from shyness.

“I’m….y/n

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daryldixonfanfiction · 1 year

Text

a (Daryl Dixon) short story - pt.1

Masterlist

paring: Daryl Dixon x fem!reader

summary: Close to death on a stormy night un unknown archer saves her life.

*rewrritten

WC: 1.8k

Sume called it, ‘The end of the world - others, God's wrath if you still believed in that. Whatever it was It had taken everything and more…She knew her life would never be the same - that she would never see her family or the ones she loved.

It's been hours of this now, running and running even though the dead chasing her had been long since gone. She must be miles away by now. Away from the little house where they had been ambushed by a swarm of the dead, breaking in, tearing her family and friends apart one after one in their sleep. Only she made it out alive because her door was locked, giving her enough time to flee through her bedroom window. And sins then she had been on her own.

Sunset kissies its light upon the overgrown field. With every stride true the tall grass her beating heart drums in her ears - reminding her she was still alive. Everything hurt, her stomach aches with hunger, her legs burned and her lungs felt as if they had been set on fire. So many times she had thought of giving in, but then her voice within kept telling her, ‘it was just a bit further, prolonging the inevitable all would face in the end.

Fatigued, she heads into the forest. Night is coming in fast but she’s terrified of the dark. She missed the city lights, the sound of cars driving in the distance.

Maybe missing the small things, the things to be taken for granted was a sign of loneliness? After all she had knowone but herself.

As night grew darker, temperature grew colder. Lev's crunched underneath her feet, distracting her as she tried to breathe more calmly, but every breath was left awkward and shaky.

She followed the moonlight, glowing down from above. A dirt road leads her to an abandoned cabin. It looked worn and old as if it had been forgotten, left to endure the seasons to slowly be swallowed by nature. Somehow she had found a safe haven in the middle of nowhere and truly she was grateful to have stumbled upon this little place. She would not survive the night in the forest, not with the dead rominge in the shadows.

Sleep beckoned her inside.

Eyes grew heavy as she laid to rest in the little closet between the living room and the kitchen. With a blanket wrapped around her like a protective cocoon, it didn't take long before she drifted into a deep sleep and the solace of dreams.

Rays of light slipped beneath the closet door. Her eyes burned as they fluttered open, adjusting to the morning light. The ache in her stomach had grown into an empty hole demanding to be filled, and after turning the place upside down a can of baked beans were found.

Sitting crossed legged on the floor, content digging into her breakfast she leaned against the wall gazing up at the dusted window - and she knew she couldn't stay. Knowing if she had found this place - so could others and that meant trouble. And she was not looking for trouble - especially so being on her own. There was no telling how long it had been since she had seen another soul; the only ones were dead ones. After a while days began to bleed into one another and she had made no effort in keeping tracke.

Placing the empty can of beans on the wooden floor she began to collect supplies for the continued journey. It wasn't much but she would survive, she had to. Sumer was turning to fall and she could tell by the leaves beginning to turn yellow and orange. But the colder nights were the biggest tell sign.

Removing the big furniture barricading the entrance she gives the place one last look before stepping into the forest once more, leaving her one night of safety behind.

Angry flashes of light glowed through the forest.

Luck was no longer on her side, no cabin nor the moon's soft light guiding her to safety - away from the incoming storm and the horde chasing her down. Panice rose, followed by tears - because she knows - knows her legs will give up at any given moment. After all, she could not run forever. At one point she will have to stop for a breath and that would be the end of it.

Fleeing deeper into the forest. Terror aches bone deep as snarling sounds of the dead grew louder, hungrier. The decaying odor made her pail of the mear thought meeting her end. This was just like the night she lost everything, terrified beyond belief and there was nothing she could do but to run for her life. That is if she could keep it.

Darkness engulfed the night sky as the unforgiving clouds of thunder and lightning glowed angry flashes of wight. The groan of the undead grew louder, the sound of them dragging their decaying limbs down the ground, chasing her endlessly with their rotten teeth snapping in attempts to sink their yellowed teeth into her body of flesh.

Just for a second she looked back to see a dark silhouette of a monster right behind her, inches away. Then suddenly the monster took hold of her and everything stopped. She fell with a heavy thud getting the air knocked out of her colliding into the cold forest floor. The flashlight slipped from her fingers in the tumult. With palms flat against the dirt and leaves, grounding herself from the hard impact the monster beckoned her to give in, in its iron grip. It crawled on top of her, she closed her eyes and held her breath waiting for it to sink its teeth into her delicate flesh, to rip her apart until she would be unrecognizable.

The moment never came.

Suddenly, it fell limp to the ground beside here with a bolt embedded in its skull. And for a moment she wondered if she had hit her head when she fell?

The flashlight flickers before it dies out completely and she realized there was a tall, broad silhouette standing there.

Lightning lights up the night sky, revealing a man a few feet away. It was hard to make out what he looked like in the dark, but she could feel how intimidating he was. The man's face was hard and unreadable, hair dark and uncut falling into his dark hooded eyes staring her down. She didn't dare to move nor make a sound. She could feel his hard gaze boring into her skin and she waited for him to say something, anything but he seemed to make out the situation. The man's bild was strong and lean; she could tell by the sleeveless arms glistening with sweat when the lightning would strike occasionally in the background . If he wanted to harm her she would be defenseless.

Seeing the crossbow in his grip she knew it was his doing, it was his bolt that pierced its head. And she wanted to know why. Why did he save her and why is he out here? His chest breathed heavily against the fabrike of his button down shirt, out of breath as he had been sprinting.

Still on the ground she kept her eyes locked on the stranger and it feels odd to see another living being. Her heart pounds hard in her chest, anxious of what would follow this moment. His eyes scanned the tree line behind her, they lingered somewhere in the darkness of the forest, closing in on them with every second passing by.

There was this air about him, his presence of something she couldn't find the right words to describe. Who is he? She wanted to know what his name was, if it was as imposing as he looked. But then she thought of what his intentions were by saving her, if he expected something in return, if he was alone or if he belonged to a group, and if so if they were trouble or not? Her eyebrows came together as she stared and stared in an attempt to somehow read him but his face was hard as stone, giving nothing away.

In the moment of hope the girl Daryl had saved would be someone else…..Beath. In the dark their bodies looked similar but as he looked at her now, he knew Beth was no longer amongst the living. Not after the prison fell and what went down.

The rest of them he didn't really know, but he believed they didn’t make it. He felt like the last man standing. His deepest fear had come true. He had lost everything that had ever meant something. And the question, what was he now without them, haunted him.

It was on him - all of it. Everyone that had died that day felt like his fault, his responsibility, he was supposed to keep them safe, protecting them. He had failed them all and It was tearing him apart, weighing him down like weights in the pit of his stomach. He wasn't supposed to be alive. He didn't believe he deserved such luxury, thay were the ones who made him a better man, they were supposed to be here alive, breathing the same air he felt was suffocating him. But now he stood here with his lungs burning for oxygen and his body pumped with adrenaline to the tips of his fingers not knowing what the right thing to do or say was to the girl he had saved.

she could see the shift in his eyes.

The herd had caught up to them, revealing themselves from the shadows.

Then before she could blick he took hold of her wrist without a word, taking her along with him and with no energy left she couldn't do anything then get dragged along. But escaping from the dead didn't seem too bad at the moment.

Walkers emerge from the shadows. The reason the girl had been running and he could tell she had been doing that for a while. His heart beats harder, thumping in his ears and for just a split of a second he thought of leaving her. Saving her from being eaten alive, it didn't feel like his responsibility to save her, she was a stranger after all. But he knew he couldn't leave her. The choice was made that same moment his bolt went true its skull… saving her.

By instinct he did it without really thinking of the repocations, but it did feel right at that moment with the hope of it being her. But as the walkers came closing in, he could see her eyes widened with fear, her frame shaking on the ground, her lower lip began to tremble and her cheeks had a hint of pink, raw with tear stains. He couldn't find it within himself to leave her behind and he was sure if he did he would never forgive himself.

Grabbing her by the wrist, thay ran as fast as their legs would let them with his crossbow slung over his shoulder and his knife in hand ready to take down any walker who dared to cross their path.

Masterlist part.2

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