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chiliiscereal · 4 years ago

Note

Here’s your GIF for the writing challenge!

Prompt: “It’s not safe to be out here by yourself.”

Good luck and thanks for participating!💛

Thanks for letting me do this challenge again @crossbowking !

Pairing: father figure Daryl x reader AGAIN cause I’m a sucker for that lol

Setting: season 2

Type: fluff and angst I guess?

Summary: when looking for Sophia, Daryl finds reader holed up in a cabin. Reader doesn’t speak, doesn’t listen, and doesn’t trust them at all. No one can figure out why but reader sticks with them anyway. One day, Daryl follows reader when they sneak out of camp, hoping to find out what could possibly have happened to make them like that

——————-

Silent world

Sophia’s tracks had begun to fade like the afternoon sunlight. They had gotten faint but Daryl didn’t want to tell Carol the truth. Eventually they disappeared and he was only left with a direction.

He found a set of footsteps the size of Sophia’s about thirty minutes later. It had to be her. Judging by how they weren’t set in one specific direction, whoever it was must be lost.

He followed the footsteps to an old cabin. She had to be in there.

You, however, hadn’t realized you were followed until the door was opened. You felt the thumping of cautious footsteps on the floorboards and immediately jumped into action. You pulled yourself from the floor quickly and hid yourself beneath the dusty bed in the corner, dragging the blankets down to obscure you from their vision. If there was one thing you’d learned in this new world it was that you couldn’t trust people. Strangers, family, doesn’t matter.

“Sophia?” Daryl called out as he peered around the corner cautiously. He glanced about the room, taking in the living conditions.

Old food wrappers...

Empty water bottles...

A few blood stains...

An old backpack that CLEARLY wasn’t Sophia’s...

Whoever had been there it wasn’t Sophia. They’d been there longer than the girl had been lost.

He tightened his grip on his crossbow. “Whoever’s in here better come out now.” He ordered.

The only response was a slight shuffling noise from under the bed. If it had been Shane or Rick they wouldn’t have heard it. But Daryl had been hunting out in the woods since he was a child, trained in hearing the sounds of hiding creatures.

Whoever they were they were alive.

“Gonna hide forever?” He growled, raising the crossbow so it pointing at the bed.

Nothing.

He was absolutely tired of this person acting like their cover hadn’t been blown.

“Get out before I drag ya out myself.” He ordered, stepping closer.

Still nothing.

Finally, he had enough of it. He reached over and pulled the blanket away from the floor. He waited... thinking they’d come out.

No movement at all.

He grabbed the bed by its headboard and shoved it away from the wall, causing a small gasp to come from underneath it.

You were no longer in darkness.

You opened your wide eyes and backed up against the wall, chest heaving with panic.

This man looked dangerous to say the least.

Mean expression.

Weapon out and pointed at her face.

Knife hanging at his belt.

Suspicious blood stains on his shirt.

“You gotta be shittin’ me.” He groaned. “I go out lookin’ fer one kid and then I find a different one?”

You didn’t respond. You just watched him with wide eyes.

“Ya seen another girl ‘round here, kid?” He asked, trying to calm down.

Still nothing. You just pulled your legs closer and tried to press closer into the wall.

“Got a family?” He interrogated with a firmer tone. “A group? Parents? Hell, even a weapon?”

You watched him carefully. Almost too carefully in Daryl’s opinion. Once he’d finished you shook your head, eyes drifting back to the crossbow in his hand.

He hadn’t even realized it was still pointing at her. He lowered it but still kept the weapon in his grip. “The hell am I ‘sposed to do now?” He asked himself out loud. “Don’t need another mouth to feed.”

You didn’t offer any suggestions. All you did was stare.

After a moment he groaned, his morals speaking louder than the selfishness of a survivor. “Damn it. C’mon. Get up.” He waved you to follow after him.

You shook your head, backing away. You didn’t know this man! He could hurt you! Do bad things! No way in hell would you willingly go with him.

He frowned. “Can’t ya talk?”

Nothing.

Just wide eyes.

“Listen, I’m ‘bout to leave yer ass alone in the woods if ya don’t give me a good enough reason why ya can’t.” His temper began to flare. “Got a group, got food, got water, an’ other kids. Seems like a pretty good deal ta me.”

You seemed to react to the word ‘kids’. You sat up a bit and seemed to watch him with interest.

“Yeah. We got another kid at our camp.” He nodded. “It’s safe.” He swore he was about to leave right then when you said nothing.

You looked down at the floor, thinking. Was this a good idea? He could easily be lying. Very easily. He seemed to know exactly what to say. That was dangerous. Very dangerous.

But other kids... safety... and water... that was something you hadn’t seen in a good long while. Might as well give it a try, right? You could always run if things went south. You were good at that.

Needless to say, Daryl was surprised when you pulled yourself off the ground and picked up your bag. You gave him a wary look but followed him anyway.

“So, ya ever talk?” He asked as the two of you walked through the woods.

You didn’t answer. You just surveyed the woods carefully. He could have men out there waiting to jump you and do bad things. Or there could be walkers. You didn’t know.

Your racing thoughts were interrupted by a tap on your shoulder, flinching you out of your state of mind.

“Gonna answer me or what?” Daryl asked, getting more and more frustrated.

You just frowned at him, unsure of what he was saying. He was talking too fast for you to follow along with it.

“I asked if ya ever talk.” He shouldered his crossbow, no hope whatsoever in you answering.

All he got in return was a shrug.

“I’ll take that as a no.” He sighed. Whatever. At least he’d be able to walk to the farm in silence.

—————-

When they arrived everyone was confused on who you were or where you came from.

The people living in the farm house asked you many questions and you could only catch a few words here and there.

Where

Who

Name

Girl

Sophia

Seen

Group

Woods

You just stared at the floor, unsure of how to respond.

“Is there something wrong with her?” Maggie asked quietly. “She’s not answering anything.”

“Been like that since I found ‘er.” Daryl shrugged. “Ain’t sure ‘a her name, family, or if she even got anybody.”

“Where’d you find her?” Lori frowned. “Surely she has parents somewhere out there.”

Daryl wanted nothing more to leave and return to his tent. But he answered anyway. “Was in a cabin. By the looks ‘a it it’s just her.”

“Sweetie, can you tell us your name?” Lori bent down so she could see your face. “Or where your parents are?”

Your eyes didn’t leave the floor.

Lori sighed. “It’s almost as if she can’t hear me.”

“Or don’t want to.” Shane snorted, leaning against the wall. “Kid doesn’t seem too happy to be here. Probably just thinks ignorin’ us is gonna make us mad or some shit.”

“Damn right it’s makin’ me mad.” The hunter watched the kid in front of him. “Can’t tell if it’s on purpose.”

“I’ve heard ‘bout kids shutting down an’ not speak in’ when they’ve been through somethin’ traumatic.” Hershel informed the group. “It could be like what happened to Beth earlier, an’ it’ll just take some time for her to come around.”

That was the answer everyone seemed to settle on.

They gave you time as well as plenty of opportunities to talk to them. They tried asking questions or telling you things but you didn’t respond no matter how hard anyone tried.

Daryl began to suspect what the real case could be when you didn’t even respond when Shane yelled at you.

He’d been trying to hurry up the process by forcing you to talk. When he got no response he finally snapped.

You’d been reading a book Maggie let you borrow, unaware that anyone had been talking. But you caught on quickly when the book had been slapped from your hands.

You gasped and stumbled away, face to face with an angry Shane.

You weren’t close to anyone in the group so you ran to the person who had brought you there, hiding behind Daryl.

Daryl had been surprised. He didn’t think you liked anybody there at all. After all, you never talked to anybody. Never answered any questions. Being there for five days hadn’t changed anything.

“The hell’s yer problem man.” Daryl growled. “Ya always go ‘round tryin’ to scare kids or what?”

“It’s not my damn fault she won’t talk.” Shane yelled. “She’s gonna learn some respect if she wants to stay here.”

“Yellin’ at her won’t get ya any damn respect.” Daryl bit back. “Hershel said it’d take time, didn’t he?” He glanced down at you as you hid your face from the fight.

“It’s takin’ too much in my opinion.” Shane rolled his eyes and turned to walk away.

From that day on you steered clear of Shane and stayed by Daryl’s side. He wasn’t too sure why you’d chosen him out of everyone else and neither were you. But it seemed to be the right choice. The man never forced you to talk. He never yelled at you when you didn’t react.

It seemed like he simply enjoyed peace and quiet.

You helped around the farm house by washing dishes and feeding chickens. You helped Maggie and Lori make dinner and always helped them clean up after.

You picked flowers for Lori.

You showed Carl how to climb a tree.

You played cards with Glenn.

If Daryl didn’t know better he’d say that you were enjoying your stay at the farm.

But you still weren’t talking.

You interacted with everyone, yeah, but you still never spoke.

Not even when the farm fell.

—————

You and everyone had spent almost a month out in the woods once the farm was gone. You bounced from house to house and never stayed in one spot longer than needed.

One house you stayed at, you found a pair of small batteries. Even wire and tweezers. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to give you hope.

So that night you snuck out to the back yard once you were sure everyone was asleep.

But everyone wasn’t.

Daryl wasn’t.

He’d noticed the moment you disappeared.

He’d gotten up and walked outside, crossbow in hand. Maybe you’d ran away. Or got taken. Maybe you went outside and gotten lost.

But he found you leaning against a tree instead.

“It’s not safe to be out here by yourself.” Daryl stated, even though he knew you wouldn’t respond.

You did however react to feeling his footsteps vibrating the ground. Quickly, you stuffed whatever had been in your hands into your pockets and looked at him with wide eyes.

“Damn, kid, I ain’t gonna bite.” He held up his hands in surrender. “The hell ya doin out here?”

As always, you didn’t say anything. You looked back at the forest floor almost guiltily.

“Somethin’ wrong?” He frowned.

You knew you should tell him. He’d proven himself trustworthy after all. You just... you were scared you were wrong. That he’d be just like every other adult I. Your life.

“What’d ya have in yer hand before?” He tried, gesturing to whatever you’d stuffed in your pocket.

You tore your gaze away from him and reached down to pull out an object wrapped in cloth.

Daryl sat down beside you. “Can I see it?”

You held it a bit closer, brain still thinking in circles.

“I ain’t gonna break it or nothin’ if that’s what yer worried about.” He rolled his eyes.

Finally your mind was made. You set it down in his hands and waiting for his reaction.

Carefully, aware that you were watching his every movement, he unwrapped whatever it was.

He didn’t know what it was at first. It was almost as long as his smallest finger and was colored silver and tan. He realized what it was when he finally turned it over.

“Hearin’ aids?” He asked, turning to you.

You took a deep breath and nodded. “D-deaf.” You spoke, nerves at how he’d react making you stutter.

He jerked back a bit in surprise. “Ya been deaf this entire time?”

Another nervous nod.

“Damn, that’s impressive.” He gave you a sort of half grin. “How’d no one catch on? An’ why didn’t ya tell nobody?”

You reached into your pocket and pulled out a notebook, scribbling on a couple sentences. You showed him once you were done.

‘Lip reading. And I didn’t trust you.’

“But why didn’t ya talk like ya did now?” He frowned. “I wouldn’t ‘a known the difference.”

You wrote down more, hesitantly.

‘I’ve been told I sound stupid when I talk. So I don’t.’

You fiddled with your shoelace as he read.

“Who the hell told ya that?” He practically growled. “And why don’t ya know any ‘a that sign language?”

You took the notebook back and wrote down a few more sentences.

“And why don’t ya use the hearin’ aids?” He added.

You turned the book back to face him, only one word written.

‘Dad’

You felt ashamed to be admitting this. This wasn’t anything he needed to know. He would probably react the same way your dad reacted when he was given the opportunity.

“Hell no yer gonna explain more than that.” Daryl pushed the book back into your arms. “Can’t just half ass an answer.”

You sighed and began again.

‘He thought being deaf was a weakness. No sign language, no hearing aids, and no talking the moment my mom turned. He broke them when I broke the rules.’

You swallowed the emotions rising back up in the back of your throat.

He was a horrible man.

It was sickening, but you were almost glad that he was gone.

Daryl’s expression darkened when he read those words. “Sounds like an ass to me.” He handed the notebook back to you again. “So you tryin’ ya fix ‘em?”

You nodded and pulled out the batteries and wire, shrugging.

Daryl sighed. “Sorry, but that won’t be enough to fix these.” He examined the hearing aids once more. The wires were pulled apart and some of the plastic had snapped.

“... I know.” You managed to speak again, summoning your bravery. “Just wanted to try.”

Daryl’s expression didn’t change when you spoke. Maybe your dad was wrong. Maybe you didn’t sound as stupid as he told you you did.

Daryl handed the hearing aids back to you gently. “M’sorry kid.”

You shrugged again, placing them back in your pocket carefully.

Suddenly, Daryl had an idea. I’d require a run for sure but it’d be worth it. For now, he’d keep quiet about it. He didn’t even know if it’d work. But he might as well try.

——-

For the next few weeks on the road Daryl was on every run. You were curious about why but you dismissed it as him trying to make sure everyone would survive the coming winter.

By now, everyone knew you were deaf. They all reacted as Daryl had and treated you the same as they always did.

It was relieving to be honest. And a bit of a surprise. But the bigger surprise came later when Daryl told you he wanted to show everyone something in the woods.

You’d followed along, assuming he’d found more supplies.

Instead of revealing more supplies, he knelt down so he was at your level.

“I know it’s been hard without yer hearin’...” he started, reaching into his back pocket, “an’ I hope ya don’t mind I did this without askin’...” he pulled out an object wrapped in a familiar cloth.

You realized what was happening the moment you saw it.

“I gave it my best shot.” He pulled away the fabric and revealed the newly repaired hearing aids. “Found a book an’ some supplies on the last run.”

You hadn’t even realized tears were running down your face until they dropped onto your shirt.

Daryl reaches over and placed the hearing aids in your hands. “Give ‘em a try?”

You glanced at the faces of your new group. They must have known. Not a single one of them looked surprised. Just expectant and...happy. Happy for you.

Slowly, you tucked your hair out of your way. You set the small machine in place. You placed your hand over the on button tentatively.

The Hunter you’d grown attached to gave you a nod.

Finally, you pressed the button.

You waited and held your breath.

It was as if everything came crashing in at once.

The wind that rushed through the trees was giving out hollow rattling noises.

The birds above were chirping shrilly, each whistle harmoniously fitting together like a puzzle.

And you... you could hear yourself gasping in surprise as you spun in circles. You could hear the leaves crunching beneath your feet. Did that always happen?

“I’ll take it that it works?” Your thought were interrupted by a raspy southern accent.

You spun around, facing Daryl once more.

He stood back up, tip of his mouth tipped up in a half smile.

You couldn’t speak.

You couldn’t even thank him with your words.

So you thanked him the only way you knew how: with actions.

You wasted no time in running in his direction, more tearing spilling down your face as you wrapped your arms around the surprised man.

He returned the gesture after a moment of hesitation. “Wasn’t no problem.”

You buried you face in his shoulder, overcome with emotion. “Thank you thank you thank you thank you!”

He rubbed your back comfortingly. “Was nothin’.”

You shook you head and hugged him harder. “No, it was everything.”

#crossbowkingwritingchallenge #for you #bookish #wattpad #fanfic #twd daryl #twd fanfiction #twd incorrect quotes #the walking dead #daryl dixion imagine #daryl dixon x reader

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unlockyourmind-wp · 4 years ago

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“We can’t give up. We have to keep going.” - Daryl Dixon

A/N: Aaahhh I’m so excited to be joining @crossbowking ‘s three year anniversary writing challenge! And at the same time publish my very first piece of writing on this site! I really hope you guys like this.

Warnings: Blood, lots of angst.

Word count: 982

Prompt: “We can’t give up. We have to keep going.”

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x female reader (no Y/N used)

The roar of the bike’s engine echoed over the streets, almost loud enough to drown out her pained gasps whenever they drove over a bump in the road. Daryl couldn’t remember ever hitting the gas harder than he was doing at this very moment. Panic was clawing around in his stomach like a wild beast demanding to be set free, but he gritted his teeth and kept it locked inside.

The scene kept repeating itself before his eyes like some cruel joke and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake it. The job had been simple, a run like any other, nothing they hadn’t done a hundred times before. And yet...If only he’d been on guard more, maybe he would’ve seen the thief on time. Maybe he would’ve seen the shadow creeping closer towards their campfire. Maybe he would’ve seen the gun before the trigger was pulled.

It was just a man, scrawny but starved enough to forget his fears. He’d attacked their camp in search of food. She saw him first, drawing her weapon but the stranger was faster, knocking the gun from her hands and grabbing it himself, pulling the trigger to get to his prize. Her scream had been worse than any other sound he’d ever heard before. It tore right through his bones and left him shaking. The bullet had left a gaping wound in her shoulder and the thief had run off with their food. Daryl hadn’t even tried going after him, his entire focus on her as she lay there on the ground, so much blood.

She was so small as she lay there, curled up inside herself while she whimpered. Frantically he’d torn up the blanket they’d brought, using the cloth to press down on the wound. Within seconds his hands had been colored red with her blood. It set his veins aglow with rage but the anger was nothing compared to the freezing fear that was slowly taking over. He could treat scrapes and cuts, he’d been doing so his entire life, but a gunshot wound was beyond his skills. And so he’d taken her in his arms and put her on the back on his bike, racing towards Alexandria, hoping they’d make it on time.

‘Daryl, can we please stop,’ her voice sounded in his ear over the roaring of the bike. She sounded so weak and he couldn’t possibly say no to it. Part of him wanted to ignore her, keep on driving, because time was running out. But he could feel her grip around his waist loosening, which didn’t leave him with much choice.

And so he hit the brakes and came to a halt beside the road. He hung his head, preparing himself for what he was about to see, then he turned around to face her. Her skin was pale and sweaty, her eyes red and tired. The cloth he’d bound around her shoulder was soaked with crimson blood, so much blood.

He got off the bike first, holding out his arms for her to lean on as her trembling body slowly managed to get off as well. Her legs gave out almost immediately and he carefully lowered her to the ground, a pained yelp leaving her lips, hurting his heart. He took a trembling breath and was about to turn away from her, needing a second to push away the tears threatening to spill but she reached out and took his hand, forcing him to look back at her.

‘Hey,’ she spoke softly. ‘I’m gonna be okay.’

He rubbed his thumb over her ice cold skin. ‘Ya better be,’ he managed to say.

She offered him a smile, that damned smile that always made his heart skip a beat and set his veins on fire. He couldn’t lose that smile. He’d known it from the very first time she smiled at him, though at the time he had tried as hard as he could to deny it. He’d spend so long trying to act like she was just a friend, just a partner but they both knew he was lying to himself. And now he hated himself for wasting so much time, for pretending he could live without her.

‘Don’t do that,’ she said, her voice stern despite the obvious pain lingering beneath her tone. It scared him to death how well she knew him. How, with one look, she knew he was getting stuck in his head again, drowning in his self-hatred.

He shook his head. ‘I never should’a taken you with me.’

She scoffed. ‘It’s adorable that you think you could ever stop me from joining you.’

He knew she was only joking to try and brighten the mood, but he couldn’t bring himself to smile. Not when tears were shining in her eyes, illuminated by the sunlight so they almost seemed like tiny diamonds

A soft sigh left her lips. ‘C’mon, Daryl, humor me.’

With an aching heart he knelt down beside her. ‘Yer impossible,’ he mumbled, stroking her cheek, his fingertips burning where they left traces on her skin.

She squeezed his hand. ‘We’re gonna make it,’ she whispered. ‘We have to keep going.’

He nodded, then placed a kiss on her forehead. For a moment he lingered there, afraid to pull away and be faced with reality. But time was running out, and her shivering form beneath him shook him from his thoughts. He pulled away and wrapped her in his arms, putting her back on the bike. So much blood.

He clenched his hands, not wanting to look at the red stains left on his skin. ‘Hold on tight, kay?’ He said while taking place in front of her.

‘I’ll try,’ she said weakly.

He hit the gas and they were off again, flying over the asphalt towards home. They were gonna make it. There was no other option.

#daryl dixon x reader #daryl dixon x female reader #daryl dixon #daryl dixon oneshot #daryl dixon imagine #the walking dead imagine #the walking dead #twd #daryl fanfiction #crossbowkingwritingchallenge #nelly unlocks her mind

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phoenixblack89 · 4 years ago

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My entry for @crossbowking writing challenge. It's my very 1st ever one shot! Please enjoy and let me know if it's too short. I feel its too short.

Right here, Right now

The crisp autumn leaves crunched under the footfalls as you made your way through the trees. The camp had to be around here somewhere. Carol had given vague directions but following had never been your forte. A loud snap behind you had you dropping to your knees behind the nearest tree, your knife slipping easily into your hand as you made your breathing grow quieter.

Striking out hard and fast around the tree, you were met with a grunt and a curse, followed by a slight thump of something hitting the ground.

"Dammit girl. Stop tryin' t' gut me. Every damn time."

You stifled a chuckle as Daryl released your knife from his grip, brushing off his knees as he gave you an icy glare, returning to his feet. Since you'd met the quiet hunter, you'd devolped a bad habit of almost sticking him in the face or guts with your knife. You'd have thought he would've learned after the first dozen or so times it had happened not to sneak up on you but seems he learned slowly when it came to dealing with women. Very slowly.

"Whatchu doin' out 'ere anyway?"

You smiled widely and Daryl edged back from you. You did look slightly manic when you smiled especially after what had just happened.

"I'm looking for you silly!" You laughed lightly, returning your blade to its place on your leg.

"Hmm"

"Daryl, come on! You and me both know that I ain't a hunter. Why else would I be out here?" Your arms folded over your chest and glared at him as he turned and walked away. "Daryl!"

"What? You gonna tell me I should go back too? Huh?" He growled as he spun to face you again.

Your eyes dropped to the floor guiltily. Trust Daryl Dixon to figure it out so quick. Daryl scoffed and strode off deeper into the woods. You growled and followed the stubborn man, your eyes glaring daggers in his back.

"Will you stop and listen please!?"

"Nah." He quipped over his shoulder, his pace never slowing to let you catch up.

"Daryl!"

"Told Carol. Ain't going back til I find him!"

"And you getting killed in the meanwhile? Huh? You think any of us want to stumble across you as a goddamn walker one day?! GOD! YOU ARE SOOO INFURIATING!"

Daryl finally turned at your yell. His eyes softened slightly as he saw you slump your shoulders down, trying in vain to hide the tears you felt prickling at the corners of eyes. He sighed and reached out an arm to pull you to his chest. You sniffed quietly as you basked in his warmth. His familiar scent invading your nose and giving you a sense of calmness.

"Ya know why I ain't comin'"

"I know but Daryl..."

"I need t'. I just... need t'"

Your arms reached out to hug him tightly as you could. If only for a moment.

"Come home. Just... Please come home."

"One day. Not yet."

"Promise me?" You whispered, feeling his chin resting a top of your head as you tightened your arms around him, fingers playing with the crossbow string on his back.

"I can't. Ya know I can't."

"Okay. But..."

"Nah. No buts."

"Alright. Let's just enjoy this right here, right now." You whisper as you snuggled your head into his chest, ignoring the tears as they spilled down your cheeks into his makeshift poncho, his own arms resting lightly across your back and neck. Accepting that sometimes, life wasn't as simple as asking for something. Sometimes it was accepting what you couldn't have. Even if it broke your heart.

#crossbowkingwritingchallenge #normanreedus #fanfiction #Daryl Dixon fanfiction

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one-shot-plus-size · 4 years ago

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I’m not here to hurt you

Keep the writing going :)

Thank you crossbowkingza for the opportunity to participate in celebrating the 3rd anniversary of her blog.

Prompt: “I’m not here to hurt you.”

Ever since the world went to hell, Olivia had been alone. Then she came across a place called Alexandria, she spent a year there but from the very beginning she felt she didn't belong there. She was too wild to live in society so she left, occasionally having contact with Aaron. He knew where she lived and sometimes came to talk to her himself, but he never pressured her to return beyond the walls of Alexandria. Experienced with bad events, she avoided contact with people. She feared them more than the dead, and she could deal with them alone. She managed to hide in a forest hut, she had a fireplace in which she lit every night and made herself food. Mostly it was squirrel meat that she hunted herself during the day. There was always a dog by her side. A German Shepherd named Bear watched over her at night so she could rest during the day. Olivia sat on the steps and skinned the deer she had hunted that morning. She was stabbing the deer in the head when Bear's ears perked up.

- What's wrong, boy? - she whispered as she looked around.

She couldn't see or hear anything around her. She sat back down on the stump and went back to processing the meat. Bear, however, did not let up, his attention was focused on one of the trees.

- Lie down - she muttered under her breath.

The dog sat on its butt but did not let go. As she managed to skin the animal, she heard a twig snap. Her body tense up, she grabbed the bow lying next to it, slipped an arrow in and rose. The blue sheepdog began to growl and moved forward. Olivia decided to play dangerously, she took a chance.

- I heard you - she growled - come out.

After a moment, a figure emerged from behind one of the trees, a man to be exact. He had a crossbow aimed at her, resting his cheek on it.

- What do you want? - She pointed the bow and arrow at him.

- I’m not here to hurt you - he mumbled so she could hear.

- So what do you want? - she growled.

- I've been watching you for a few days, I know that you are here alone - he came closer to her.

She scolded herself in her head for being so careless. How could she not notice that someone has been watching her here for days. She growled to herself, staring at the man.

- Stay where you're standing. She doesn't need the trouble any more than you do. - She glanced at the dog.

- I won't hurt you - he lowered his crossbow.

- Then what do you want? - she didn't lower the bow.

Bear stared at the man growling the whole time.

- I have a group in a safe place - he hung his crossbow on his back, but kept his hand on the knife handle the whole time.

- Alexandria right? - She lowered the bow.

- How do you know?

- If you're from there, go back there. I'm not going anywhere with you, we're staying here. So just back off, go back where you came from.

- Why? - he took a step towards her.

She raised her bow back and pointed it at him.

- Get off my land or I will kill you. - She growled.

- I am friendly, I repeat I am not here to hurt you. I am here because my friend and I are looking for survivors.

Olivia rolled her eyes, she could have guessed that Aaron would recruit someone like him to the search. She lowered her bow and stared at him, only now taking in his appearance. Long brown hair falling over his face, a shirt showing off his strong forearms and slightly worn pants. Two holsters with knives were hanging at his belt.

- Well yes - she smiled ironically - you are the perfect man for Aaron to choose as his traveling companion.

- Do you know him? - he was surprised.

- Mhm - she hummed under her breath - is he here with you?

- He is in a safe place - the crossbowman looked at her.

- So go back to him and tell him about me and he will tell you that this game is not worth the candle.

- I will come back - he muttered under his breath and withdrew.

- No need - she breathed and went back to skinning the animal.

Daryl motioned back to Aaron waiting for him at the car.

- I ? - looked up at him.

Daryl paused in his stare at the man, contemplating for a moment what to say. But he had to be honest with him, that was what they had promised each other at the beginning of their partnership.

- I met a girl who knows you - he muttered.

- O... - He was surprised.

- She told me that I should ask you about her, supposedly she was in Alexandria some time ago.

- Oh - Aaron scratched the back of his neck - hopeless case. She was with us for a year and couldn't adjust. She left one night without telling anyone, I found her some time ago. Despite great efforts she doesn't want to come back, so I finally left her alone. I didn't think we were in her neighborhood, I never made it this way to her. Did she give you a hard time?

Aaron laughed knowing the temperament of his friend.

- Tsa - he muttered under his breath.

- You can't convince her to come back, she's more stubborn than you are.

- We'll see about that - Daryl looked into the woods towards her cabin.

#crossbowkingwritingchallenge #daryl dixon #daryl dixion imagine #daryl fanfiction #The Walking Dead #TWD

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swallowedflashlight · 4 years ago

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Here are your GIFs for the writing challenge!

Prompt: “We’re in this together, alright? Me and you.”

Prompt: “They’ll listen to you — people care about what you have to say.”

Good luck and thanks for participating!💛

@crossbowking ahh first off thank you so much!! I'm gonna combine them into one and I already know I'm gonna go ahead and make this as queer as I can hfjf (also I wrote this at like 2am after not having written anything for at least to years so uhm yeah)

"shit", muttered Daryl right after violently slamming the car door shut, just at the right moment, one second later and one of the dead would have been able to get their hand between the door and grab at his shoulder.

Jesus panted heavily and collapsed in the seat next to Daryl, his bun making it slightly uncomfortable to lean his head back, but any form of rest he could take right now he wouldn't deny. He could sense the biker next to him doing the same, breathing just as hard as he was and glanced at him without moving his head, watching him from the corner of his eyes and a smile crept onto the scouts face, he could barely hold himself back from laughing.

"what you smilin' about?", Daryl muttered and turned his head slightly in his direction, an almost confused look on his face.

Paul shook his head slightly and grinned widely:"we barely made it out of that alive, just reliefed, I guess."

Reliefed to be alive? or reliefed that it was Daryl he got stuck with and not Aaron or Eric, who they were also scouting with?

he loved those two, Aaron being his - dare he say - best friend and Eric being a really nice and good to talk to person as well, but if anybody asked him who he would choose to be stuck in a car with in the middle of a herd of the dead, he would always say the scruffy looking hunter without a second of hesitation.

it was really hard to get a hold of the older man these past few weeks, the war just being over and Rick apparently needing him now more than ever to try and get the extensions of Alexandrias land going, Jesus could understand the man was busy, yet it did sadden him to be seeing him way less, they didn't - couldn't - go on their weekly scouts and hunting trips anymore.

to say he missed Daryl was an understatement.

They both started looking through the car for anything to be covering the windows with, hoping the herd would lose interest and get distracted after a while.

After they didn't find a single blanket or anything, they decided to just use their jackets, even tho it was well into fall and the car wasn't specifically warm inside.

"How long do you think we'll be stuck in here?",Jesus sighed and leaned halfway against the seat and the door, getting a better position for his bun to not be pushing against his head the whole time - and that was of course the only reason, not that he could look at Daryl better like this, their knees almost touching as he tucked his left leg under himself - and watched as Daryl pushed open the roofwindow of the car after taking a cigarette out of a pant pocket and lighting it.

"Dunno, few hours, maybe?", he mumbled over the stick in his mouth and Jesus just nodded, leaned his had against the window frame and closed his eyes.

He thought about Hilltop, how his communication desperately depended on him - not just as Maggie's right hand man, but also as a scout - to bring back supplies in the next few days.

they were slowly but surely running out, the summer harvest didn't bring them as much as they hoped it would've, and they could only ask so much of the other communities.

"we really need those supplies, we can't have the people at hilltop starving", he muttered desperately to himself, knitting his eyebrows in frustration.

Paul could hear Daryl shifting next to him, and then felt his gaze on him, so he opened his eyes and looked at him defeatedly.

"We're in the together, a'ight? me n you. Our people won't starve. we go back havin' found nothin', we'll ask Alexandria or the Kingdom, they'll help, had good harvests.", he said sternly, taking a drag from his cigarette while nodding slightly to show how sure he was.

Jesus couldn't help but sigh again, looking at the frayed hem of his shirt.

He couldn't overhear how Daryl said our people, not Jesus', but /their/ people, and that made something inside his chest ache weirdly.

"I can't ask that of them again, they already helped us so much this fall, the King and Rick have to worry about their people too."

The tracker put a strong hand on his shoulder, making him meet his eyes again, stale blue shining through his dark bangs covering half his face:"Rick's extension's almost done, already started plantin' shit, they'll spare some for us, you'll see."

"Hate to be asking this of you, but can't you ask Rick and Michonne? you've known each other for years and they'll listen to you - people care about what you have to say."

he had to drift his eyes away from Daryl's again while talking, feeling too embarrassed about his request to look at him directly, but he couldn't ask Rick himself again, if it came from the man he trusted most, he might really help the Hilltop out.

"Hey, look at me, they care about you too, you know, but 'course I'll ask"

Daryl threw him a lopsided smile and Paul couldn't help but to smile back in relief and gratitude.

#daryl dixon #paul rovia #jesus #does anyone even still ship them #well i do so #desus #darus #the walking dead #twd #short prompts #i haven't written in so long #go easy on me #crossbowkingwritingchallenge

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abandonedsince2021 · 4 years ago

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“Mind” ~ my entry for @crossbowking’s writing challenge (& my first attempt at fanfic haha hope yous like it) 💖💖

GIF:

Prompt: Why are you looking at me like that?

Oh god, she really was beautiful.

Even silhouetted by the orange-tinted porch light, you could make out the soft contours of her face. The sight of her wide, dark eyes, of her rosy pink lips was grounding in a way it never had been before, and it put a stop to the hum of the party all around you.

You were grateful for your little safe haven, shoulder to shoulder on the porch of your shared house in Alexandria. This place was surreal, that was for sure: you could hardly believe there were still people around who had never seen a walker, let alone killed one. Part of you pitied them for still living in an idyllic little bubble. Could they really sustain living like this? Acting as if nothing was wrong while there was so much death looming outside the walls was either a superb talent or a fatal character flaw.

Naturally, you’d resisted initially: you’d waited at least three days to shower, showing up to events in awkwardly casual clothes and dirty boots, greeting friendly introductions by puffing out your chest and making your distrust evident. Sometimes, you worried that you’d let your old self slip away, that the disapproving glares and playground gossip were totally deserved. Sometimes you hated that little voice at the back of your head that made you resent people like the Alexandrians, who’d never experienced trauma like you had. Maybe it was jealousy? Maybe it was resentment that you were struggling beneath the weight of every bad thing to ever happen to you while they weren’t weighed down by anything. It was that voice that told you to keep your guard up around Alexandria, that voice that slowed your acceptance into Rick’s group, and that voice that told you to keep the defences up because you didn’t deserve anyone.

It was also thar voice telling you to shy away from Tara’s hand resting gently on yours.

She was the first good thing to happen to you in so long. After you’d lost your parents, your brothers, your girlfriend, your niece. She walked into your life, and suddenly you could smile again, belly laughing at her jokes, telling melancholic stories with a dreamy look on your face. She chased away the guilt that watered down every good thing that ever happened to you, but that was exactly why you couldn’t lose her friendship by confessing your feelings.

Your group seemed to know you had feelings for her: Abraham had publicly pointed out the way your ears tinged pink whenever Tara touched you, a humiliating conversation which meant that Carl now craned his neck to look at you whenever you and her were close. Hell, even Daryl had called Tara your girlfriend and smirked when you feigned a disbelieving reaction. Apparently it was obvious she liked you back, - as Carol had explained with a goofy, patronising grin the only time you’d asked anyone about it - so in theory it was common sense: you both like each other, so why not tell each other?

Because there was always the chance she didn’t feel the same; the chance that she would be put off by your confession; the chance that you could chase away the only person who made you feel okay.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Shit had you been staring? You had been lost in your own thoughts for a few minutes, revelling in the comfortable silence. Her soft voice and teasing tone awoke you from your reverie, dragging you abruptly into the present. She held you captive with her gaze. She looked curious and slightly amused, but you were grateful to note that she didn’t look uncomfortable.

“Just daydreaming,” you told her.

It wasn’t strictly a lie, just a half-truth: sure, you were daydreaming, you’d just neglected to tell her what you were daydreaming about was the curve of her jawline, the soft pout of her lips, the daunting fact that she’d looked equally beautiful on the road, on the brink of starvation as she did within the walls of Alexandria, clean and well-fed and slightly dressed up for Deanna’s party.

“What about?”

You hadn’t planned for that question. Without thinking, you blurted out:

“Just about the girl I love,”

“Oh. Marianne?”

Your heart fluttered at the mention of your girlfriend’s name. Your heart still ached when you thought of her, of losing her to the governor’s bullets. You didn’t have the heart to explain otherwise, so you simply nodded.

“You don’t talk about her much,”

It was true, you preferred to keep your girlfriend’s name out of your mouth. In fact, you were surprised Tara even knew her name, having joined the group after the prison fell. Your relationship surely wasn’t the best, but the weeks after she had died were the hardest of your life. You were sure you wouldn’t have survived were it not for Tara, checking on you after you awoke from nightmares, talking with you and keeping the nagging voice at bay.

You nodded again.

The hum of the party continued as the two of you remained in a dauntingly comfortable silence. No one had made you feel like that. Ever. You shivered against the early evening chill, but her skin against yours was a welcome warmth. And maybe it was the white wine, maybe it was the fact that you were still slightly delirious at the feeling of being clean and full again, but you were gripped by the unresistable urge to kiss her.

“Seriously, are you okay? We can go inside if yo-“

And suddenly you didn’t care. You didn’t care if it was the drink, or the excitement, or the feelings you’d had for her that had been bubbling inside your chest for weeks. Because your lips were finally on hers. You didn’t have to tell her that you were okay, because you didn’t have to, because you poured your answer into the passionate kiss the two of you were sharing: kissing Tara, you were so much more than okay.

And maybe it wasn’t going to last. Maybe the newly-rediscovered feeling of safety and security was all a lie. Maybe it was all going to fall in the morning and you’d been running again soon enough.

But just for those few happy minutes, you couldn’t find it in you to mind.

#crossbowkingwritingchallenge #twd #twd fanfic #fanfic #ahh never done this before do yous like it??

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