As per usual I own nothing and this is just me exploring with Daryl's character more!
"What were you doing when this started, Daryl?" Lori questioned. Alcohol had slid down their personal barriers swiftly since arriving at the CDC and slowly, the group had begun to learn more about their fellow members. Daryl had learnt more over the past few hours then he had in the weeks he'd shared a camp with these people. He'd been happy to sit there, sipping his whiskey and just listening and learning. He liked to listen, but he hated to talk. Daryl rarely spoke, in fact, he was sure that half the time the rest of the group forgot he was even there. That's how he found himself choking on a mouthful of whiskey in shock as a question was thrown in his direction.
"Uhh," Daryl could feel himself growing flustered as faces began to turn in his direction, eyes zeroing in on his panicked face. His cheeks grew hot, invisible due to his rich tan, but he could feel them begin to burn as he struggled to try and find something, anything, to turn the attention away from him.
"Look at how flustered he's getting, bet it was something dirty," Andrea piped up from the opposite end of the table, a sardonic smirk on her lips as she gazed at him with fire in her eyes. Ever since Merle had tried to hit on her she had formed a deep hatred for both Dixon brothers, deciding that clearly Daryl was just like his older brother, whether he spoke or not.
"I ain't flustered woman! Just wasn't expectin' y'all to talk to me, surprised me is all." His words started as a growl, before trailing off into a mumble. He shifted anxiously in his seat, repeatedly clenching and unclenching his hand that gripped the almost empty whisky bottle. A scarred hand swiped aggressively at the sweat pooling at his brow, somehow just one simple (and probably innocent) question had completely disrupted his inner calm, and he was flustered.
He didn't know what to do. He could just ignore the question, but that would definitely be viewed as suspicious. Daryl didn't need for the group to form more reasons as to why they didn't like him or want him around. He supposed he could tell them the truth, but after so many years keeping it a secret, he wasn't sure he could just let that information out. That only left the option of being vague, giving a hint at the truth while continuing to hide what he wasn't ready to reveal yet.
"Ah, I was with my partner. When shit hit the fan," he drawled. Baby blue eyes were fixed on the amber liquid inside the whisky bottle as he refused to meet any of the questioning and curious gazes he could feel were fixed upon his person.
"Oh, like a business partner? I don't think you ever said what you did for work now I think about it," Jacqui mused to herself out loud.
Shane scoffed in response, leaning back in his chair as he rolled his eyes, reeking of superiority. "Pretty sure he means partner, as in trailer trash girlfriend. Think it's pretty clear the redneck did shit all in terms of legitimate work too."
The room was silent, a few let out uncomfortable murmurs and shifted in their seats as eyes flicked between a smug Shane and the visibly angry Daryl Dixon. When it came down to it, Shane was a hothead. He kept the group in line, and as much as he tried to play the caring leader role, he inflicted more fear than inspiration in the group members. In comparison, Daryl Dixon was an enigma. He rarely spoke and did little around camp, and yet had no problem in providing everyone with as much meat as he could possibly hunt down. Whereas Shane was openly a temperamental person, Daryl was a true mystery. That made him more dangerous than anyone wanted to admit.
"Shane," Rick hissed. With everything that had happened with Merle, they didn't need the added drama of Daryl being pissed off with them. He was one of the few group members who was more than competent with a weapon, and that was a skill they desperately needed.
"Nah, it's fine Grimes," Daryl muttered, slurping at the whisky bottle once again. The faintest trail of amber liquid trickled down his chin, as he struggled to contain the rising wave of rage welling up inside of him. As much as he kept a lot of his life a secret, he wasn't ashamed of who he was, and he definitely wasn't going to allow a pig like Shane Walsh, who'd been shagging his best friend's wife to try and put him down. "When I say partner, I mean my boyfriend of seven years. Oh, and I own a construction business Jacqui, if you were still wanting to know."
Daryl drained the last few droplets of alcohol as the room was bathed in shocked silence. He knew that no one would have ever guessed his sexuality, or even considered that he could be anything other than straight. He was used to it, and pretty unsurprised at the reactions. As much as some would think he was ashamed and that was why he hadn't said anything, Daryl had accepted who he was a long time ago, he just didn't feel the need to share every aspect of his life with people who held no importance in it.
Standing up from the table, Daryl pushed his chair back and began to make his way out of the room and down the corridor. "I'll give y'all some time to let that sink in for ya, I'm off to bed."
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