Daryl walked down the hallway, ducking into biology class before Shane and Ed could spot him. He sighed as he sat down, at least he would have an hour of peace now.
"Hi Daryl!"
Daryl smirked and nodded as Carol Horvath sat beside him. They had been lab partners two years running, Carol not being someone bothered by the Anderson reputation.
Carol beamed as she held up her wrist, a thin length of chain holding a small charm that was new.
"Ed got it for me!"
Daryl pretended to smile, but he was moments from tearing the bracelet off. Ed was a bully, always had been to Daryl. When Carol had started dating Ed she had tried getting Ed to back off of Daryl some, but Ed hadn't changed.
Daryl scowled to himself as he prepared to listen to the biology teacher. Ed was a controlling asshole, one that definitely didn't deserve a sweetheart like Carol. But who was he to say anything? He was just Daryl Anderson.
THETRUEFATHER
Daryl felt it again as he walked thru the forest, hunting. Someone was watching him. Daryl growled as he looked around the forest.
"Who ever the hell ya are show your motherfuckin' self!"
the forest was silent, before Daryl heard a sound behind him. Daryl spun around, raising the rifle as he turned, stopping himself just before he pulled the trigger.
Standing 20 feet away was a man. He was massive, standing at least 6'3", with short dusty brown hair and arms the size of Daryl's head. He was wearing black jeans, boots and a gray sleeveless shirt. Tattoos ran down the mans arms, a dragon wrapping around one arm while the marine corp logo was on the other. There was another tattoo, a tribal shape, wrapping around the base of the man's neck. The man had a beauty mark at the same place Daryl did, and an odd look on his face, almost smiling, while almost sad.
Daryl growled as he pointed the rifle at the man.
"who the fuck are you and why are you followin' me?!"
the man chuckled lightly as he walked towards Daryl. Daryl never lowered the rifle, but the man seemed unconcerned as he walked closer.
Daryl growled again. "who the fuck are you?!"
the man smirked. "Buck Dixon. And you're Daryl."
Daryl frowned. "how the fuck do you know my name?"
Buck chuckled. "lower the rifle son, I ain't here to hurt you."
Daryl shook his head. "why the fuck are you here?"
Buck looked Daryl over. "i knew your mother. I'm here because of her."
Daryl slowly lowered the rifle, but continued to eye Buck. "my mother is long dead."
Buck nodded sadly. "i know, and believe me, findin' that out just about killed me. Your mother was an amazin' woman, the most important thing in the world ta me."
Daryl looked Buck over. He wasn't standing or acting in anyway threatening. But it was clear Buck could be if he wanted to. The man was huge, muscular. He could easily end Daryl if he wanted to, but it seemed that wasn't his intentions.
Daryl sighed. "how did you know my mother?
Buck smiled at Daryl, before he spoke.
"I've been in love with your mother since I was your age. We were gonna get married, but I wanted to be able to start off with some money, so I joined the marines. A few months in I lost contact with your mother as I moved up in to force recon. Hope married Travis after she hadn't heard from me in nearly a year, she thought I was dead. I came around, when Merle was an infant, told her I wished her well, but it fuckin' killed me. I went into crime, started robbin' banks and museums. I didn't have a care in the world, I wasn't comin' back here, no way. I just wanted to move on from your mother, but I never could, I came back when Merle was 7. tried ta tell my self I was just stoppin' by, but it turned into much more. Merle answered the door, had bruises all over himself."
Daryl winced. Travis' abuse was widely known, but no one talked about it. Buck walked a few steps closer, Daryl eying him as the man came towards him.
"then it got worse, ya mother came out, massive black eye. I knew that second I was takin' Hope and Merle away. We spent several days together as a family, Travis was out of town. But I got fucked, I was workin' on a hit in atlanta, and one of my crew slipped up and turned on me for a smaller sentence. I got 16 years in prison."
Daryl felt a twinge of recognition but he shook his head at Buck.
"What the fuck are ya sayin'?!"
Buck reached into his back pocket, pulling out a stack of papers.
"Ya mother had this sent to me while I was in lock up. In side was a letter, and test results that prove Travis Anderson is not your father. I'm your father Daryl, not Travis."
Daryl stared at Buck, who held the papers out for Daryl to read. Daryl was silent and took them, first looking at the test results
Baby Daryl J Anderson to Father Travis D Anderson: Negative
Baby Daryl J Anderson to Unknown Hair Sample: Positive
Daryl pulled out the letter, gulping before he started to read.
Buck-
I have made many mistakes in my life, none greater then not waiting for you. I made a terrible mistake marrying Travis, and it most likely will one day cost me my life. If you have received this letter, it is because I have died while you are in prison. I hope I live to see you again, but if not, know that my heart was always with you. I love you Buck.
There is something you need to know. Those days we had together, just before you were arrested, were the happiest days of my life for many reasons. Watching you play with Merle gave me hope for our new life together, you were going to be an amazing father. those nights, they brought something wonderful to this world. Your son, Daryl Joseph.
Please watch out for my sons. Travis is a monster, he will probably kill me some day. As you saw, he has already started on Merle, and Daryl too in the future. You are a good man Buck, I know that. Please protect my sons, our sons.
I love you
Hope
Daryl was shaking by the time he finished reading the letter. It was in his mother's perfect handwriting, it had to be real.
Daryl looked up to Buck, who was silently watching him. Daryl folded back up the papers calmly, but his heart was racing. He had to get away, he couldn't be in front of this man right now. Not with so many voices and thoughts running thru his head.
Daryl handed Buck back the papers, and turned and swiftly walked away.
"Daryl!"
Daryl froze, shaking his head. "Just leave me alone!"
Daryl heard a sigh from behind him.
"alright, I'll give you tonight. But I'm goin' to be back, I ain't leavin' ya. You're one of my sons, I am ya father. I ain't goin' no where. I love you Daryl, I'll see you tomorrow."
Daryl listened as Buck walked away, shaking as he continued on into the forest.
THETRUEFATHER
Daryl sighed as he walked in to the house. Coming home with nothing to eat was going to piss Travis off, but Daryl wasn't certain he cared at the moment.
"Why the fuck are ya back with no food?!"
Daryl's head slammed against the wall as Travis appeared out of nowhere, delivering a powerful punch to Daryl's eye. Daryl grabbed at his face, looking up at Travis who glowered over him.
"where the fuck is dinner?!"
Daryl gulped. "couldn't find anythin'."
he knew more pain was coming as Travis raised his fist, but at the last second Daryl was thrown across the room, as Merle jumped in the way, taking the punch himself.
Merle's head snapped back from the punch and he staggered for a minute before glaring at Travis.
"the kid goes huntin' every fuckin' day and brings somethin' home damn near every day! ya can back off for one night!"
Travis glared. "that's gonna cost ya later."
Merle growled. "always does don't it?"
Travis and Merle faced off, before Travis gave Merle one last slap over the head before he stalked out of the house. Merle turned to Daryl, kneeling beside him to take a good look at his eye.
"gonna have a black eye on that one little brother."
Daryl sighed as he sat up. "Thanks."
Merle smirked. "any time. Come on, let's get us some ice."
THETRUEFATHER
Buck felt a red hot rage settle over him as he saw Travis punch Daryl. His hand was already on his gun, ready to take the shot when Merle jumped in the way. Buck gritted his teeth as Merle faced off with Travis, who stalked away, and Buck sighed with relief as Merle and Daryl both appeared to be fairly unharmed.
Buck focused on Merle as he knelt to look at Daryl's eye. Merle was built thicker then Daryl, longer in his arms and legs, mostly due to the near 8 year age difference between the boys. But Merle was just as skinny as Daryl, if not a touch thinner.
Buck sighed as he watched Merle get Daryl some ice, before he came outside. Buck frowned as he watched Merle set out several things, hoping to god he wasn't witnessing what he thought he was. But as Merle shot up, Buck couldn't help but groan. He had seen Travis shoot up earlier in the day, and he was hoping both boys had withstood the temptation to try themselves. But now it was clear, Merle was a user as well.
Buck couldn't blame him. Merle had been fighting to protect himself, as well as Daryl, for his entire life. On the surface Merle did come off in a negative light. From what Buck had found out about town, Merle was known for fighting and sleeping around. But each trait had its reasons. Merle had nearly started in on Travis when he punched Daryl. Merle was used to starting fights to protect Daryl, by distracting Travis with his own actions. And as far as sleeping around, Merle wasn't getting any love at home, so it made sense he searched for it elsewhere.
Buck sighed as Merle finish shooting up, clearly inebriated. Buck wondered for a moment if he could get away with dragging Merle back to his house right now. He wouldn't be able to while Merle was sober. The young man had a lot of fight in him, and even with the size difference he had over Merle, Buck knew sober it would be quite a difficult undertaking.
Buck watched as Merle's attitude suddenly changed. He was looking at the needle in his arm, shaking his head and talking to himself. Buck felt a wave of sadness come over him, Merle was trapped in the strings of addiction, and at this point, he thought there was no one to help him.
Little did Merle know, Buck was here, and he wasn't letting go of Merle.
THETRUEFATHER
Daryl put away his homework as he started to get ready for bed. Daryl knew he hadn't done well on it, but his mind was in a thousand places.
Daryl took a peak out the window, looking to spot Buck. As he scanned the treeline he saw nothing before a movement to the far right, the closest spot to his window, caught Daryl's eye. Buck stepped out of the treeline, meeting Daryl's eyes and nodding. Daryl stared at him for a few moments before he laid down on his bed.
Daryl pulled his blankets tightly around himself as he thought of Buck. The man was odd. He was clearly a criminal, but that wasn't what he seemed focused on at the moment. His focus was on Daryl.
Daryl thought about what Buck had said, how he was in love with Daryl's mother. Daryl didn't have many memories of Hope, being only 5 when she died. But Merle did, and he always told Daryl about her. How she loved to walk thru the woods, how she taught Merle which plants in the forest were safe, a lesson Merle had passed on to Daryl. How she loved Cherokee roses, they were her favorite flower.
Daryl bit his lip as he thought of Merle. They weren't full brothers, they were half brothers. Daryl thought he knew that Merle wouldn't hold that against him, but he wasn't sure.
Daryl shook himself hard. Merle was always there for him, always protected him. Merle may not be the best brother in the world, but he was exactly what Daryl needed. A larger then life brother to teach him, in place of Travis who failed as a father in every way.
Daryl sat up again, looking back out in the woods. Buck had stepped back in the treeline, but Daryl's keen eyes found him quickly. The man wasn't kidding, he wasn't going to leave Daryl alone.
Daryl watched Buck for a minute, before sitting back and chewing his lip. Today was the first time years that someone had told Daryl they loved him. Merle showed his love more then he said it, which Daryl didn't hold against him. They were men, not pussys. But Buck said I love you, and he said it like he meant it...
Daryl sighed as he laid back down and tried to sleep. Maybe Buck being here wasn't such a bad thing.
