So I just found this story on my computer that I had started writing before I got lost in my other labour of love (Property of Daryl Dixon - but this will be nowhere near as long as that fic, nor as in depth).
Decided to just put this out there because, well, what else am I going to do with it?
It's half-finished, but I've got a bit of editing to do because I was writing this a year ago. Anyway, will try to get some more chapters posted asap.
It's AU, no zombies, mid-20's Daryl and I've written him as much less abrasive that what he is in the early seasons of the show.
There is a lot of drug reference/use in this story, so if that's triggering please don't read.
There are a couple of flashbacks which will be titled with 'THEN'. All the rest is present.
(And there's Merle!)
Cross posted on AO3 under my username stormmminateacup
Chapter 1 - The first time he saw her
.
THEN:
It was the first week of the new school year, and scrawny thirteen-year-old Daryl Dixon was already running into trouble. That asshole from his class, Joe Rainer, had it in for him and had made no secret of the fact. Daryl had walked home on his second day after school, and Joe had ridden circles around him on his bike, taunting him all the way, but staying just out of reach. Now he was at it again with the taunts, and Daryl was determined not to be pushed around by anyone. He had enough of that shit at home - he was not going to be walked all over at school as well.
So, he went for it.
Just charged at Joe while he was midway through an insult; speared him down on the grass outside the auditorium. For all his bluster, Joe wasn't a particularly good fighter, and Daryl had the upper hand from the get go, landing several solid punches on to his whimpering face. As he stood over the boy who was cowering on the ground, arms covering his head, Daryl caught sight of Joe's older brother, Buck, and his group of friends approaching.
Shit.
One kid he could handle, but Daryl knew he wouldn't have a hope in hell against these older boys, and mentally prepared himself for an ass-kicking. Wiping the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, he clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes, ready for whatever they were about to throw at him.
"Nice work, Scrappy Doo!" laughed Buck, as he came straight up to Daryl and patted him on the shoulder, and Daryl's mouth dropped open in surprise. He hadn't been expecting that. "Bout time someone put that little shit in his place!" Then Buck strode over to his brother who was still lying in the dirt and nudged him with his foot. "Got yer ass handed to ya, I see!" and laughed again. "Serves ya damn right, y'asshat!"
Daryl dropped his hands, dropped his defenses, still warily trying to assess whether this was a joke and if he was about to get a beating from these bigger boys. But they were pulling Joe to his feet, teasing him, ruffling his hair, leading him away as they headed back towards the cafeteria, not so much as a backward glance.
Then Daryl saw her.
One girl from the group was still standing there, staring at him. He stared back. Her dark blonde hair fell in waves halfway down her back, and she lifted a hand to push a lock back from her face. Warm amber eyes gazed out at him, a smattering of light freckles across her nose, full pink lips quirked in a half smile.
"Y'ok?" she asked in a voice like honey, all slow and sweet as she indicated his split lip.
He wiped it with the back of his hand again, then nodded.
"Good." she smiled. A smile that was only a little bit to do with her mouth, and a hell of a lot to do with her eyes, and she was, without doubt, the prettiest thing he'd ever seen.
And he stood there, still staring, long after she'd gone.
