She sat on the floor, cross legged. Glenn was to her left, Beth and Carl to her right. The house was filled with the quiet noises of everyone eating. Eating what little we had managed to scrounge up. Some of the others sat at a small table in the kitchen, but the rest of them had resorted to the carpeted floor. Maggie was next to Glenn, staring at the floor as she ate slowly. Everything's fucked up. Daryl thought, glancing at Evelyn.
Her blonde hair fell around her, and she pushed it behind her ear with annoyance before continuing to eat. He watched as she lifted her head slightly, her eyes darting around the room to find his. They met briefly before he looked away, pushing himself off the wall he had been leaning against. Rick was walking toward him, and Daryl waited for the sheriff to close the gap. His face was tired, yet determined, and Daryl waited for him to speak.
"We should do a more in depth sweep of the area, branch out a little further. Just see what's around." Rick instructed, and Daryl nodded.
"Aight. I'll start at the back." Daryl grabbed his crossbow, heading toward the front door.
"I'll head around the front of the property and meet you!" Rick called, and Daryl nodded. He left the house, heading walking through the back yard. The little neighborhood was quiet, and Daryl made his way toward the back. The fence didn't look very sturdy, some of the boards appearing to be quite loose. He moved the board to the side, squeezing through the hole. The woods behind the place made him think of better days, and he snorted lightly before stepping forward.
Starting out on the edge of the wood line, he stepped with caution, keeping quiet. His eyes darted all around as he watched his surroundings, and he listened carefully for any noises. Just as he was about to venture further into the brush, he noticed something in the distance. Squinting, he looked in the direction of the closest house. In the back window was a sign. It was too far away to tell what it said, but it was one of those signs that you hang in a bar.
It was dull, obviously not lit up, but it made Daryl pause for a moment, memories flooding his head. Memories that he had long pushed back, somewhere far inside of himself, to keep from going insane. The best times of his life were with her and his brother. When she left, when he pushed her away...made her leave, it had ruined him. It had done the one thing that he never thought would ever happen... It broke his heart.
"You sure 'bout this?" Daryl asked, and she grinned.
"Yes." She said surely, and he chuckled.
"Come on, then." He muttered playfully, and she grabbed his hand, walking beside him. He led them into the bar, not bothering to wait on Merle. Brooke, the bartender who usually looked over the place when Derek was gone, looked up to see who was walking in.
"Ah, Dixon!" She called, waving lightly. "Where's ya big brother at?" She had a major thing for him.
"He'll be here, right behind me." Daryl replied, still holding Evelyn's hand.
"I see you brought a friend..." She smiled. "No wonder I haven't seen you in a while! Sweetie, you got I.D.?"
"That I do." She grinned, handing it over.
"Twenty-two, huh? At least when she's older she'll still look young!" She handed the I.D. back to her, then looked at him. "She's gorgeous, you did good, Daryl."
"Thanks." He said gruffly, letting go of Evelyn's hand to put his arm around her shoulders.
"Beers?" She asked, Daryl glanced at Ev. She nodded, and he looked back at Brooke.
"Two, yea." He said, and she opened them quickly, handing them over. Evelyn took hers, taking a sip with a smile.
"Thank you!" She said sweetly, before he led her away from the bar. Daryl plunked his beer down on a table at the back, and pulled her a little closer. Kissing the side of her head, he let her go, then sat down on the stool beside the table.
"WELL, HELLO, LOVELY LADY!" Merle had burst through the doors, and was walking toward the bar.
"Look at that sexy man, what'll it be, the usual?" Brooke flirted, and he nodded.
"You got it, baby doll." He teased, and Daryl shook his head.
"What's the deal with those two?" Ev asked, watching them. She moved over to him, her hand resting on his shoulder. "She's really pretty, he needs to jump on that."
"He has." Daryl scoffed. "Quite a few times."
"Ugh, Daryl!" She hit his shoulder. "Not like that, I meant... Like, date her."
"Merle, datin'? You know he ain't ever gonna settle down."
"You never know, he could." Evelyn shrugged. She took another sip of her beer, as Merle made his way back toward us.
"Well, well, well... Look who passed the test!" He teased, and Evelyn rolled her eyes.
"You're an idiot." She muttered, and he frowned.
"Now, now, Katie-E...that hurt my heart!" He clutched his chest dramatically, and she tilted her head.
"Really, Merle?" She raised an eyebrow, taking another sip of her beer.
"Wanna play pool?" He asked suddenly, giving her a smirk. "Unless yer a chicken shit."
"Oh, you know I'm far from that!" She sat her beer beside Daryl's on the table. "It is so on."
"Ev, watch out!" Daryl called to her, as she walked over to grab a pool stick. "He cheats!"
"The fuck you talkin' 'bout, little brother?" Merle growled, glaring at Daryl. A little smirk formed on his lips. "I play fair 'an square!"
"Yea, like I really believe that!" Evelyn fussed playfully.
"Do you even know how to play?" Merle looked at her the way someone would look at a child.
"Yes, I know how to play!" She growled.
"She can play." Daryl nodded, remembering the time they had played at one of Merle's buddy's houses.
"I'm sure." Merle muttered, setting up the pool balls. "Ladies first."
"If you insist." She batted her eyelashes, giving him a sweet smile.
"Oh, hell... Man, she's gonna destroy you." Daryl laughed, as she positioned herself to break.
"Not even close." His older brother shook his head. She hit the balls, and got two solids in.
"Nice!" Daryl complimented, and she grinned. She moved around the table, her eyes focused on the lay out before her. She seemed to be calculating what move to make next, but Daryl didn't jump in to help her. She'd want to do it on her own.
She walked to the back left corner of the table, leaning down slightly. Lining the stick up to what she thought was perfection, she struck, sending the white ball smashing into a blue solid. It went into the pocket and she smirked. Merle glared at Daryl, shaking his head. "You teach her this horse shit?"
"Horse shit? She's about to lay down a beatin' on that ass." Daryl said confidently.
"Nah." Merle shook his head, and when Evelyn missed the next shot, he grinned. "Now watch the pro." He lined up and began. Before it was Evelyn's turn, he had hit in two stripes, which still left Ev in the lead by one. She stepped up to the table, managing to get the red solid in a pocket. She was going for the yellow, when a guy that they knew walked behind her. He was known for trouble, and Daryl didn't care for him, even though he hung out with Merle now and again.
"Yeah, baby, that's the way to do it!" He reared back and slapped her on the ass. SMACK! Daryl jumped up from his stool, but before he could get to him, Evelyn had dropped the stick on the table and reared her arm back.
THUNK! She punched him square in the jaw. Daryl rushed over to get in between them, the guy's hand going to his face. Evelyn shook her hand lightly, her eyes cut as she glared at the man. "You...bitch!" He bellowed, and Daryl punched him hard in the jaw, the force nearly enough to break it.
"Hey, fuck you, you slapped my ass!" She yelped, leaning around Daryl. The guy was leaning slightly, his hand on his jaw.
"This girl?" Daryl grabbed the guy by the front of his shirt, forcing him to raise up. "This's my girlfriend.. You ever touch her again, I'll fuckin' kill you." He let the guy go with force, sending him flailing across a table. "We're leavin'." He growled, putting his arm around Evelyn's waist. They left the bar and walked toward his bike.
"Jess's, right? That's where I'm takin' you?" He asked as they reached the motorcycle.
"Nah, take me back to your place." She said surely. He nodded, jumping on the bike. She put her helmet on and climbed on after him, her arms wrapping around his waist. The drive back to the cabin was short, and once they arrived, he parked the bike and cut the engine. She got off the back of the bike, taking off her helmet, and he followed. They walked up the stairs and into the cabin. Before he could shut the door all the way, Evelyn was on her tip toes, her hands grabbing his face.
She kissed him hard, and he grabbed her hips, pulling her closer to him. Returning the kiss, he pushed her into the door with enough force to shut it. Lifting her up, she wrapped her legs around his waist, and he carried her to his bedroom. Laying her down on the bed, he kissed her neck fervently, the smell of her perfume all around him. His lips left her neck as he leaned up a bit, taking a moment to look at her.
Her big blue eyes were burning into his, as she leaned up to grab the edges of his shirt. She pulled it up and he ducked out of it. She tossed it to the floor, her little hands wandering over his abdomen. She kissed his chest softly, up to his collarbone, and he couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed her chin, pecking her lips, before his hands reached the hem of her shirt. He lifted it quickly, pulling it off of her and onto the floor it fell.
Reaching behind her, his fingers worked to unclasp her bra, and it joined the pile of clothing accumulating on the floor. He kissed her lips again, his hands wandering down to the button of her jeans. Unbuttoning them, he broke the kiss, moving to slide them down. She wiggled her legs to help him get them off, and he threw them, before leaning down to her hips. His mouth was on her skin, and she let out a tiny moan of pleasure as he bit down gently on her hip bone...
Daryl shook his head, the memory hanging heavy over him. Frowning slightly, he turned and walked into the woods, hoping that a good hunt might help him push it all away again.
Daryl made his way through the brush, nearing the edge of the woods. Ahead, he saw movement, and he started to raise his crossbow until he realized it was Rick. Trudging out of the woods, he met with the sheriff, who gave him a weary look. "Let me guess, nothin' useful?"
"Nope." Daryl shook his head. "I'll go through the houses 'gain tomorrow. See if we missed anything."
"All right." Rick nodded. "I'm takin' watch with T, go get some rest."
"Hn." Daryl grunted, as they walked toward their temporary home. He walked in the back door, the eyes of the others drifting up to meet his. They looked tired, scared... Drained. Lori was sitting at the table, staring at the wood she was scraping at with her fingernail. Carl was cuddled up in a big blanket on one of the couches, his eyes closed, Dixie curled up beside him. Daryl stepped through the house quietly, making his way down the hall and up the stairs.
"Hey, you." Evelyn's voice hit his ears, and he looked up to see her standing in the doorway of one of the upstairs rooms. He stopped, taking a moment to take in all the beauty that was her. The memory of that night at the bar was still looming over him, and he let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Daryl... You okay?"
"M'good." He mumbled gruffly, his eyes still on hers. Without a second thought, he walked over and grabbed her just under her chin. The space between his thumb and index finger rested under her chin, his thumb and fingers placed on either side of her throat. Leaning down, he kissed her hard, catching her off guard. He felt her little hands reach up and grab his shoulders for support, as she kissed him back eagerly. "Ev.." He muttered against her lips, breaking the kiss. Raising his head, he brushed his thumb across her bottom lip, his eyes searching hers with a wounded expression.
"Daryl, don't.." Evelyn said surely, grabbing the front of his shirt. Her blue eyes were soft, sincere. Just like they had always been. "You keep givin' me these apologies, sometimes words, sometimes looks.. You don't have to apologize to me. You don't have to do that, jus'...please. Please jus' come lay down with me. I can't sleep." Her eyes pleaded with her words, and he couldn't say no.
He started past her into the room, and she let go of him. Daryl sat down on the bed, his eyes on the floor. Evelyn sat down beside him, her arm slipping around his waist. He lifted his right arm, allowing her to lean against him. Her head was pressing against his chest, and it stirred up feelings that he had tried to pretend didn't exist. He moved his arm to hold her against him, and she tensed up slightly, before relaxing again.
If there was one thing Daryl knew, it was that he didn't want to move from that spot. He wasn't sure what to do, but he didn't want to move. The girl in his arms was the only person he'd ever truly loved, other than his brother, and it had obviously been a different kind of love. He closed his eyes, part of him pushing himself to get up and find his own spot where he could sleep. But that wasn't going to happen.
When she moved, he opened his eyes. His arm was still around her waist, but she had lifted her head to look at him. And even in the darkness, he could clearly see right into those beautiful blue eyes. How could he have ever let her go? Never will 'gain...
I am so so so so very sorry for the long update wait on this story ! I am giving you guys two chapters instead of one !
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Thank you SO MUCH for being PATIENT and LOYAL readers. It seriously means everything to me. You guys are amazing. Every READ/REVIEW/FAVORITE/FOLLOW is greatly appreciated !
~Kaila.