Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Tags: *Carol Peletier, *Daryl Dixon, *Merle Dixon, *Caesar Martinez, *Oscar, *Rick Grimes, *Glenn Rhee, *Shane Walsh, *Jackson Dixon (OC), *Lori Grimes, *Maggie Green, *Triggers for child abuse, *High School AU, *Adult situations, *Smut, *Fluff, *Angst, *Happy Ending, *Violence (mild)
Summary: He had loved her for so long. Carol was the one constant in his life which he clung to, especially during the dark times. Now if he could just find the courage to tell her and pray she could find it in her heart to feel the same. How couldn't she when they were bound by the threads of fate?
A/n: I know I shouldn't even be writing this when I have my other story to finish, but it came to me while I was in the hospital with another bout of pancreatitis (groovy drugs apparently induce plot bunnies, who knew?) and it just won't leave me alone. Hope you enjoy!
Trigger warnings for mild violence and child abuse.
The Threads of Fate
By:
CharlotteAshmore
Chapter One
"Huh …"
"What?" Daryl asked around a spoonful of chicken noodle soup, leaning over to peer at the history book resting between them on the cafeteria table. Carol ignored his question and scribbled furiously in her notebook before digging in her bag for the ancient Greek mythology book she had stuffed in there.
He went back to his lunch, the same one she packed for them every day with care. Draining the container, he set it aside and reached for one of the brownies her mother had baked the night before, devouring half of it in one bite, moaning as the rich chocolate burst over his tongue. Carol had barely touched her food, only taking a bite when he prodded her gently. When she got caught up in her studies, the rest of the world faded away to her single-minded focus. It had been this way for as long as he'd known her.
Daryl felt the corner of his mouth turn up in a small smile as he watched her. She was the most beautiful girl he'd ever known, though that might have something to do with the fact that he loved her to the very depths of his soul. Her azure eyes sparkled with interest as she read the text before her, and the sun shining in through the cafeteria windows highlighted her fiery auburn locks, framing a heart shaped face dusted with a sprinkling of freckles. She'd changed dramatically from the little hoyden he'd met that first day of preschool.
He'd been an overly shy five-year-old, sure he wouldn't make the first friend. He'd even begged his mother to keep him home, to school him herself. He didn't want to go to school with kids who were only going to mock him because of his name. He might have only been five, but his brother Merle had been sure to tell him how it was going to be. How many times had the elder Dixon already come home in trouble for fighting? Even the teacher had been cool and distant, her lip curled with disdain as she'd led him to a seat at the very back of the class.
And then Mrs. Mason, the lady who owned the bakery on main street, had barged into the class ten minutes after the bell with Carol in tow, apologizing for her tardiness. Daryl had watched, his heart in his throat, waiting to see that uppity teacher lay into them. Yet, she hadn't. She had waved a dismissive hand and smiled at Mrs. Mason and then led Carol to the seat next to him, the only one left in the classroom. He remembered how he'd shrunk into himself, trying to make himself seem small so the girl wouldn't notice him. Mrs. Mason was a nice lady. His mama had brought him by the bakery once or twice for a treat when his daddy had been off working and wouldn't find out about it, but he hadn't known she'd had a daughter.
Daryl had flinched away from her when she'd reached out and tapped his shoulder, his wide blue eyes staring at her as if she were crazy. None of the other kids had wanted to talk to him, but here was this little red-haired girl, smiling at him … him.
"Hi … I'm Carol," she'd said brightly, her eyes inquisitive as she waited for his reply.
"D-Daryl … I'm Daryl … Dixon," he added the last, averting his eyes, not wanting to see the scorn which would surely follow.
But Carol's smile had only grown wider, her eyes alight with happiness. "We match! Carol and Daryl. We're going to be great friends, don't you think?"
His head had shot up, his little brow puckering in confusion. "You want t' be my friend?" he'd asked, too surprised to bite back the words which could lead to nothing but humiliation.
"'Course I do." And that was the end of it. "My mama bought me new crayons, the big box. Want to share with me?"
He didn't know what to think of her, but he hadn't been stubborn enough to refuse her offer, especially considering he had Merle's old crayons from last year in his box. She had chattered happily the whole morning, and he'd resigned himself to listening, wishing deep in his heart this girl really did want to be his friend. He knew it would all change at recess when she got a chance to meet some of the other girls in their class. She would skip off with them and he'd be left alone.
Daryl snorted, losing himself in memories of that day as he watched her prepare her notes. When the bell had rung for recess, the teacher had led them outside to the playground, and he'd reveled in the sun on his face after being cooped up inside all morning, but he'd hung back from the other children as they'd run to play on the equipment. He knew he wasn't welcome to play with them, but Carol apparently had other ideas.
She'd grabbed his hand, her smaller one grasping him tightly, and dragged him over to the swings. They'd taken turns pushing each other, and for the first time in his life, he felt a tiny seed of hope take root in his heart. She actually seemed to like playing with him, and couldn't have cared less what his last name happened to be. It was turning into a perfect day, something unknown to him, until …
Shane Walsh … the little braggart whose daddy owned the car lot in town. He had sauntered over to the swings and smiled at Carol, all shark-like teeth and charm. "Hey, Carol. Why don'tcha come play over by the slide with us? No use hanging out with Dixon trash."
Daryl had felt his perfect day crash and burn, and he'd slowed the swing so Carol could get off and go play with the other children. He hadn't expected her little cheeks to flame with anger or her eyes to narrow in menace. She'd leapt off the swing and glared at Shane. "You take that back!" she'd hissed.
Shane had laughed. "No. It's the truth. Everybody knows his family ain't no good, nothing but worthless trash. His drunk daddy beats his wife every Saturday and does it again twice on Sunday."
Before Daryl could round the swings and punch Walsh in his smarmy face, Carol had balled up her little fist and socked him right in the nose before pushing him in the mud. "I don't care who his daddy is, Shane Walsh, Daryl's my friend and I'm not going to let you talk about him like that."
All three of them had ended up in the principal's office, but Daryl knew he loved her that day. No one had ever stood up for him like that aside from his mama … and maybe Merle when he was feeling generous. He remembered sitting on that bench outside the principal's office next to Carol, head down as he picked at his cuticles, waiting for their parents to get there, praying all the while they hadn't called his daddy. He'd been close to a full-blown panic attack by the time his mama had gotten there. He'd been so afraid she was going to be angry with him, but she'd just smiled – that special smile she reserved just for him – called him her sweet boy and marched him in behind the others to face Mr. Hovarth.
The kindly man had simply sat back in his chair and sighed, staring over his desk at the three children as he demanded an explanation. Their teacher had given her own version, but he'd wanted to hear it from them. He had been more than a little surprised when Carol had jumped from her seat and called Shane a 'big bully'. The little red-head had been honest, owning up to her tempestuous actions on the playground, and clearing Daryl of any blame. Dale Hovarth's mouth had gaped open in surprise, sure the Dixon boy had instigated the entire affair. It hadn't helped matters that Mr. Walsh had been pointing an accusing finger at Daryl the whole time, even going so far as to claim Carol was covering for him.
Mrs. Mason had then let it be known just where Carol had inherited her temper, jumping to her daughter's defense. Carol had even gone so far as to show everyone her swollen knuckles to prove she had indeed been the one to bloody Shane's nose. In the end, Mr. Hovarth had sent them all home for the remainder of the day with a firm warning that there was to be no more fighting.
Only they didn't go home. Carol's mother had invited them back to the bakery for one of the biggest cupcakes he'd ever seen in his short life, topped with rich Butterfinger icing. Hyped up on sugar, their mothers had let them run it off at the park. It really had been one of the most perfect days of his life. Carol had been right … they did become friends … best friends.
Carol had been there for every major milestone of his childhood, and he couldn't imagine what his life would have been without her. She'd been the only person who could comfort him after the death of his mother. He'd wanted to die that day too, wracked with guilt that he'd been out playing instead of watching over her. It was Carol who had sat under the table with him at the wake, holding his hand as silent tears slipped over his ashen cheeks. She'd been there to scold him when he'd been lost in the woods, frantic with worry when he'd come home thinner than ever and covered in poison oak rashes. She'd blistered his ears all the while smearing calamine lotion over his skin. When she found out his daddy had never allowed him to have a birthday party, she'd begged her mom to have one for him. He'd been ten at the time, and though it had only been Carol, Rick and Glenn – more friends she'd pulled into their little circle – in attendance, it had been another perfect day.
After his mother's death, Jackson Dixon had just gotten worse. The drinking, the beatings, the neglect and abuse. Of course, he could hide nothing from Carol. She could read him like a book. He'd been so afraid to see pity in her eyes. Instead, he'd found anger there radiating from her crystalline eyes. She'd never met the man, and she hated him with a flaming passion because of the way he treated Daryl. Carol had even asked him to come live with her. He'd nipped that idea in the bud quickly. He could just imagine the beating he'd get if child services showed up on Jackson's doorstep. He shuddered now just thinking of it.
His back was littered with scars, and Carol was the only person who had ever seen them. She'd been there to patch him up, all the while trying to convince him to go to the hospital. And when he'd refused, she'd made him stay the night with her and held him until he'd stopped trembling, watching over him to keep his nightmares at bay. How many times over the past years had he spent the night in her bed after a particularly vicious beating? She'd never turned him away, welcoming him into her room and caring for him with all the tenderness he'd come to rely on over the years. How many times had he almost blurted out how much he loved her? And not just the love of friendship between them. He had truly, irrevocably surrendered his heart to her. He just didn't know how to tell her.
Daryl unwrapped a ham and cheese sandwich and pressed half of it into Carol's hand. He smiled as she absently took a bite, her eyes still skimming the page in front of her, wondering if she even tasted the food she was chewing. He sat there silently, knowing it was pointless to try to talk to her when she was preparing notes for them. Hell, his grades wouldn't be what they were if she didn't push him into study sessions three times a week, insisting he work hard to get into a good college. She knew how badly he wanted to become a veterinarian, but he couldn't see himself being the first Dixon ever to go to college. She already had a stack of scholarship applications ready for him to fill out. He'd sit there and do it, too, just so he wouldn't disappoint her, but he didn't hold out the same hope she did. He was realistic. Good things didn't happen to him.
He groaned as the rest of their friends finally joined them at their table, trays laden with barely consumable food from the lunch line. Rick gave them both a disgusted look as he sat down and reached for a fork to dig into his mac and cheese. "Studying at lunch should be against the law," he mumbled around a mouthful of cheesy pasta. "In case you haven't noticed, this is supposed to be our downtime."
Daryl leaned back in his chair and sipped at his Coke. "Says th' man flunkin' Trig," he snorted.
Glenn pulled a chair out for Maggie before sitting beside her. "Yeah, Dixon? What'd you get on Friday's exam?"
Daryl flushed crimson. He didn't like to discuss his grades with anyone but Carol. People tended to think he was dumb as a box of rocks because of his background, and what with his job at the garage, when did he have time to study?
Carol set her pen down and frowned at Glenn. "He made a ninety-four. How'd you do, Rhee?" she asked, knowing the boy was having Maggie tutor him daily after school.
Glenn flushed. "I passed," he murmured defensively.
Rick snorted, and Carol's eyes flashed to him. "And what about you, Mr. Football Star?" she teased.
Lori grinned at her as she chewed a forkful of her salad. "He won't be playing in next week's game if he doesn't pass the next exam."
It was Rick's turn to flush a bright red, swinging his gaze to Daryl. "Well, if you wouldn't keep Carol all to yourself, maybe she could help us out."
Daryl smirked. He liked having Carol all to himself, but he'd never interfere if she wanted to do something. If she wanted to tutor their friends, that would be her decision. Carol packed up her books and stuffed them back into her bag before she returned to her sandwich.
Finally, she sighed. "Rick Grimes, the last time I tried to help, you expected me to do the work for you. That's not how I operate. However, if you're serious, I hold regular study sessions for me and Daryl on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at my house. Any of you," she said, glancing at each of her friends in turn, "are welcome to join us."
She pushed her brownie towards Daryl, knowing he wanted it without him saying a word. He was famous for his sweet tooth, and she was surprised he hadn't developed diabetes yet. She wasn't going to mention to the others she only tutored on those days because Daryl didn't have to work at the garage.
Rick brightened, ignoring her dig at his study habits. "Seriously? You're willing to help us?"
"I am. Seven o'clock, so don't be late. It should give you plenty of time to finish up with football practice, have dinner and get over to my house."
Lori smiled at her friend. "Carol, you're a lifesaver!"
Carol waved her off and removed the top from her container of soup, intent on enjoying her lunch.
Daryl finished off his brownie as the others chatted. "Why were y'all late t' lunch, anyway? You're usually th' first in th' lunch line, Grimes."
Maggie leaned over, her face animated with her ingrained need to spread gossip. "Mr. Durbin caught Ed passing notes to Beth," she blurted out rather loudly, referring to their economics teacher. "He held us all back after the bell so he could read them aloud to the entire class."
"BETH?!" Carol gasped. Maggie's younger sister was a junior, but her advanced schedule allowed her to take several classes with the seniors. "Isn't she a little out of his league?"
Daryl's hand clenched into a fist, his eyes darkening ominously as he thought of Ed Peletier. The boy had tried more than once to corner Carol after school, trying to charm her into going out with him. Thankfully, his girl had more sense than to fall for his bullshit.
"Like that's ever stopped him before," Lori snorted. "He's tried to charm every girl in this school at one time or another."
Maggie nodded. "Anyway, apparently, he was trying to get her to ask him to the Sadie Hawkins dance in two weeks."
Daryl groaned. "Stupid dance. I'd forgotten all about that crap."
Glenn chuckled. "Well, it's time to start hoping you get asked by someone, because in the notes between her and Ed, Beth made it clear she was going to ask you."
"WHAT?!" he growled, scowling at the boy. "I ain't goin' t' some hokey dance with that girl!"
Lori's dark eyes glimmered with mischief as she pointed her fork across the cafeteria. "Better run, Daryl. She's heading this way."
Daryl's head swung in the blonde's direction and he felt his body seize with panic. "Oh, hell no!"
Before he could shoot to his feet and beat a hasty exit, Carol's warm fingers curled over his wrist. A beatific smile rose at the corners of her mouth, and he felt some of the tension leave his body. "Daryl, would you go to Sadie Hawkins with me?" she asked, batting her long lashes at him playfully.
He could see right through her, coming to his rescue just as she always had before. "Yeah, I'd love t'," he grinned, feeling the tips of his ears burn.
She turned back to her lunch as if nothing out of the ordinary had transpired, as if she just hadn't pulled his ass out of the fire, as if she went around asking him out on dates every day. Lori snickered as Maggie chortled with glee.
Daryl was still grinning when Beth finally made it to their table and came to a stop between him and Carol. "Hi," she said to the table at large before turning her wide blue eyes on Daryl. "Hi, Daryl."
He grunted a mumbled reply, still staring at Carol as she finished her soup and began to pack away their lunch bag.
Apparently, the younger Greene girl couldn't take a hint. "I was wondering … the Sadie Hawkins dance is coming up, and if you're not busy … would you like to go with me?" she stammered, a bright pink tint to her cheeks.
Finally, he looked up at her. "Cain't … sorry. Carol asked me an' I'm gonna go with her." He didn't look apologetic in the least.
Thankfully, the bell rang, signaling a return to classes. Daryl dropped his leather jacket over Carol's shoulders, knowing Ms. Atkinson kept her classroom so cold you could hang meat in there. And his girl was always cold for some reason. They left their friends behind, making their way to Biology II, talking about their plans for the evening.
"Y' got anythin' t' do today after school?" he asked, lunch already forgotten.
"I thought you were coming for dinner before our study session."
"I am … just wanted t' show y' somethin' s'all."
Carol waggled her brows teasingly. "Ooooh, mysterious, Dixon. Yeah, I'm free."
Daryl opened the door to their next class and followed her inside. "Think you'll like this surprise."
Carol stared at him for a moment through narrowed eyes, trying to read him. "Mysterious and a surprise to boot? Now I can't wait for school to be over."
A/n: So what do y'all think? Please let me know! I'm having so much fun writing this, and I'd really love the feedback. It's sometimes scary venturing into something new.