Contagious chapter 9

Daryl POV

Since we found out Merle was high we kept quiet. Archer kept Kenny away from him. Merle was unpredictable when he was on drugs. He would either challenge someone to a fight or he would open his big mouth and confess god knows what.

I didn't want Merle to confess that I was Kenny's father. As much as I want him to know, I want it coming from me.

We gutted the animals and I kept becoming more impressed with Kenny as I spent more time with him.

He didn't gag or run away when I showed him what to do. Instead he watched carefully and then would try to do exactly what I would do. He wasn't perfect but it wasn't a bad job for the first try. I could tell he knew it was sloppy work but he looked deeply in my eyes for some sort of approval.

To be honest, it shocked me. I never had someone looking at me for approval, it was usually disgust. I nodded at his work and ruffled his hair and little and he seemed content with himself afterward.

Once all the meat was gutted we started to cook. We cooked portions of the deer, some squirrel, and some canned vegetables.

When all the food was made, Archer served all of us and then sat down with her own food next to Kenny.

Kenny looked at his food curiously. "what does squirrel taste like?"

"It taste like chicken." I told him. I popped a piece of meat in my mouth and moaned how good it was.

Kenny wasn't too convinced. "I'll take a bite with you." Archer told him and he nodded. They both took a piece of meat in their hands and counted off together before they shoved the meat in their mouths.

Kenny grimaced at first but then swallowed it and giggled. "it does taste like chicken!"

Archer smiled and kept eating her food.

"This is just like old times." Merle commented.

"How?" Kenny asked.

"When we were kids, we always went camping. I the dashing Merle Dixon, your sexy as can be mother, and baby Daryl."

I glared at him while he chuckled.

"You do realize im younger than Daryl." Archer commented.

"I know but you are a fine piece of ass."

"Merle!" I yelled.

"What its true? What ole Merle wouldn't do to get to feel that tight..."

I tackled him to the ground. "shut your dirty mouth you son of a bitch."

"Did I hit a nerve little brother?"

"There is a kid here and you're running your mouth with that garbage!"

Merle huffed and pushed me off him. I looked over at Kenny and saw he coward into Archers side.

"I think its time for bed." Archer said then picked up Kenny and carried him to their tent. I sighed as they went out of view.

"Why you defending her so much?" Merle asked as he lit a cigarette.

"Why do you humiliate her like that? She isn't the strippers or druggie girls you hang out with!"

"You're right, she's better! If you won't reel her in, I sure as hell will!"

"I had enough of you!" I stormed off in the direction of Archers tent. I took a deep breathe and entered the tent.

Kenny was in his sleeping bag cuddled up against his pillow and Archer was laying behind him and whispering in his ear until he was asleep. She carefully got up and walked out of the tent with me.

"What were you doing?" I asked.

"I tell him bed time stories. It helps him sleep better at night." she replied.

"How long will he sleep?"

"The whole night usually but I don't know if it will be the same tonight since we're in the woods."

"I think he'll be okay. Wanna go for a walk?" She seemed hesitant and looked back at her tent. "We won't be gone long and Merle is here." She raised a brow at me. "I know he's a dick but he wont let anything happen."

She sighed. "Ok." We walked by Merle to let him know what's up then we made our way into the forest.

We walked about a good 20 minutes in silence before I spoke. "so...uhh...how are you?"

"I'm doing pretty well."

"Have you been doing well the last four years?"

"I knew you were going to ask that at some point. It was a struggle at first. I was pretty much on my own and had to change my plans around but it worked out in the end."

"How so?"

"I...we have a pretty amazing son."

"He's great. I didn't think I would want a kid until I met him."

"He has a way of doing that to people." She smiled.

I smiled back and we kept walking until we got to the creek.

"Do remember the time Merle got really drunk and he tried to save his reflection from drowning?" Archer asked.

I scoffed. "Who wouldn't remember that? I had to jump in and fish the idiot out."

Archer was cracking up by this point. "I remember he was playing dead hoping that I would give him CPR. I did and he shoved his throat in my mouth and I shoved him back in the water."

"Merle has a way with women."

"Clearly." she rolled her eyes and stared at the water. "wanna do something fun?"

I raised a brow at her and she gave a mischievous smile. I watched as she took all her clothes off except for her bra and panties and then jumped in.

I groaned when I got splashed.

"Come and join me! The water feels amazing!" she screamed.

"Hell no. What are you 13? Get your ass back over here!" I yelled.

"What are you old? Live a little, unless you're too pussy."

"I ain't a pussy."

"Prove it!"

I glared at her and ripped everything off down to my boxers. "When I get in there, you are a dead woman."

"oh im shaking."

I dove in but didn't resurface. I swam under water to where she was then pulled her down under the water. I waited a few seconds then let us resurface.

She glared at me. "were you trying to kill me?"

"No just making us even."

"I didn't force you to get in."

"you called me a pussy. You pretty much twisted my arm."

"oh screw you."

She pushed away from me then was floating on her back.

I sighed and just floated where I was. She eventually floated back to me.

"Why did you leave?" she asked. I didn't answer. "Daryl, please tell me."

"I'm not good enough for you. I got in my head that you would be like your mom and would want something more than a redneck prick as your boyfriend. I went out of town to prove myself."

"Did you prove yourself?"

"No. I kept ending up a square one."

"Maybe I like being at square one." she said as she was inches from me.

"I won't be able to give you everything you want. If we were together you won't get a luxury home."

"As long as there is a roof over our heads, I don't care."

"Our grocery list will be crazy budgeted."

"Squirrels and rabbits from the woods are fine by me."

"You won't get the prettiest of clothing either."

"Who would I need to impress?" she asked as she wrapped her arms around my neck and rested her forehead against mine.

I stared into her green eyes. "I'm shit, Archer."

"Then consider me Mrs. Shit cuz i ain't going anywhere. As long as you are in my life and our son's life, i am happy." she finished and then pressed her lips against mine.

I kissed back but then pushed her away. "I can't..."

"Daryl don't push me away..."

"I..."

"I choose you Daryl. It's always been you. Why can't you accept that someone cares about you?"

I couldn't resist. I pressed my lips hungrily against hers and heard her moan in delight.

"I don't deserve you..." I moaned against you.

"Yes you do..." she moaned back

My hands found there way to her ass as I held her closer to me.

"You have no idea how long I have been wanting to kiss you." I said out of breathe.

"About damn time then." she commented.

I chuckled. "Shut up."

We kissed more before we decided to get dressed and head back.

I let her lead the way while I kept a close watch at my surroundings. Before were in eye sight of the camp I stopped her.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Can we start over?" I asked. She looked at me confused. "I want to start with us and prove I'm not going anywhere then we tell Kenny."

"I would like that." she kissed me once and walked off to camp.

I smirked. I finally did something right in my life.

~Well how was that guys? Thank you for the other reviews and keep them coming :D~