A/N: This is just random thoughts. I apologize if it's crap. Just trying to have a little fun. In honor of TWD starting back up tomorrow!

I own nothing :(

Enjoy :)

Daryl took the amber colored bottle Merle shoved at him, a few drops of its contents sloshing into the grass. He could feel his brother's eyes staring down at him, burning holes in the top of his head as he looked down into the beer bottle, peering at the brownish liquid.

They were standing in the middle of their backyard, the sky streaked with the orange and red of the setting sun. The air was still muggy and warm, lingering from the hot summer day. Merle had cracked open a six pack and already finished four by the time Daryl had gotten home from hunting. Upon spotting his brother, Merle had called him over and decided that it was time his baby brother 'manned up' and had his first drink. He decided that fifteen years old was plenty old enough. After all, he had only been fourteen.

"Well c'mon." Merle urged gruffly, "Ain't got all day."

Daryl glanced up at his brother from behind his unkempt brown bangs before bringing the bottle to his lips. He tipped his head back, letting the bitter liquor pour into his mouth, more flowing in than he had expected. He struggled to swallow, the liquid burning his throat as it slithered down. He tried not to gag.

A sly grin curled onto Merle's lips, "C'mon now, finish it."

Daryl distastefully eyed the still half full bottle before reluctantly bringing it to his lips for a second swig. Again he threw his head back, fighting the impulse to plug his nose. Once again it burned as he swallowed, a small choke emitting from his mouth before he could stop it. That only widened Merle's smile.

He deposited the now empty glass bottle into Merle's outstretched hand, focused on not bringing back up what he had just swallowed down. The liquor swirled around in his stomach and crawled up his throat. He knew it must have shown on his face because he faintly heard Merle chuckle before he hurled.

It burned coming up as much as it did going down as he spilled the contents of his stomach out all over the grass. And his shoes. And Merle's.

Instead of yelling, Daryl was more than surprised to feel the warmth of his brother's rough hand on his back, and hear his rusty voice in his ear as he wretched,

"Proud o' you, baby brother."