A/N: Hey everyone this is my first story on this site and my first Rick/Daryl. I know its EXTREMELY short i'm sorry. This is me testing the water before i go in. Tell me what I should improve on what I should add. I ran this by my beta the wonderful and always lovely Dropkicking Bullet shells! Saved my rear and made me less nervous lol! :D
Hope you enjoy
XOXO Peachy
Everyone stated in horror at Rick."You killed Shane!?" Lori said her voice cracking.
"Lori please I-" Rick stammered and reached out to his shaking wife.
"Don't!" she yelled "Just don't Rick!" Rick looked around helplessly at the horrified faces staring back at him from around the fire.
"It had ta be dun. I can understand tha'." Daryl said loudly coming to Rick's defense. "Y'all saw how he was actin, he was gonna git us all killed!"
"That's not right!" Lori yelled back at Daryl across the fire. "He had no right to take Shane's life! No right! It's horrifying!" she waved her hands in the air wildly.
"Listen lady yew really don't wanna ta get involved in this," Daryl said back at her sternly feeling his temper begin to snap.
"Why not Daryl?" Lori smarted back "Say what you want it won't offend me!" she put her hands on her hips and looked at him defiantly. Daryl shrugged and chuckled
"Awright, yew have no say in this. Yew have no argument. Rick was jus tryna protect his family and tryin ta git past the fact tha yew fucked Shane and tha's prolly his baby. Yew started this shit storm now yew have ta live with it. Yer who's ta blame." Daryl stated and left no room for argument. Lori's jaw dropped and Rick's heart began to flutter. She stormed away. "Anybody else need a reality check!?" Daryl yelled at the small group "I'm givin them out fer free cuz I'm feelin generous right now!" he yelled again and turned on his heel to set up his tent.
"Thank you Daryl," Rick said coming up to Daryl's spot "Thank you for standin up for me it means a lot." he crossed his arms.
"No problem Rick yew've earned my respect. I'd have dun the same thing. It had ta be dun no questions asked." Daryl answered staring straight into rick's eyes. Rick looked away and down at his feet and shook his head. Daryl narrowed his eyes. "What's eating yew brother?" he asked. Rick looked back up at him. Relishing that he and Daryl grew closer he felt he could tell him anything. He shook his head arms still around himself.
"What the hell am I gonna do with this kid? What'if it ain't mine? I honestly don't think I could raise it without feeling resentment towards it." Rick shook his head again and looked back into Daryl's icy blues. Taking in his features bathed in the dim light of the small campfire.
"Can't blame ya fer feelin tha' way." Daryl said, staring straight into Rick's soul. That's when it hit Rick like a ton of bricks. He was head over heels for Daryl all the time they spent together, getting closer, Daryl opening up to Rick. It all seemed to lead up to this moment. Daryl was the one person in this world who stood by him even in bad situations. It was at this moment, in the dim light of the little camp fire next to the river, in the middle of a zombie apocalypse that Rick realized he was in love with Daryl. Daryl reached over and put his hand on Rick's shoulder for a quick squeeze. Leaving his skin tingling, his knees weak. Rick turned away ,albeit unwillingly, and went to the river. He sat there for a while realizing that that was where he would be sleeping. He sighed unhappily. His life with Lori was unbearable. "Rick?" Daryl called from his tent up the embankment. "That where yer sleepin?" He asked and cocked his head to the side.
"Uh ya," Rick said, embarrassed "I uh don't really wanna be around Lori." He rubbed the back of his neck and felt his face heat up.
"Git yer ass up here!" Daryl called down friendlily. "No need ta sleep with yer head in the mud!" Rick could hear the smile in Daryl's voice drawing him in. How could he resist? He went in Daryl's tent and Daryl beckoned him over to his sleeping area. "It ain't much but it's better than a rock, right?" Rick sat on the edge of the blankets.
"I'd be a fool not to agree," Rick laughed. He kicked off his boots and pants and climbed into bed. Soon he heard the soft snores from Daryl and was engulfed by his smell. Earth and spice. Rick turned around and faced Daryl. His eyes traced over Daryl's handsome face as he slept. He reached out to touch him but stopped and pulled his hand away. Why would Daryl like him? He's broken, married, a father, and a man? Too much baggage. Rick turned around with a hurting heart and closed his eyes.