Time jump to Daryl's time in the military being up. He's discharged.
Seven long years of training and war. OF being drug around the world to fight other peoples battles. What the fuck was he thinking when he enlisted. Sure he got to miss some of the bigger things but he was still there, still seen action. Still fighting even after his childhood.
He'd see his brother soon and he was looking forward to that. It'd be weird to be back in his hometown. Not having ever come back once he was gone but in a way he was ready. He was his own man now. Not some kid scared of his shadow.
Walking out of the airport he seen Merle immediately. He was the same as he'd been when Daryl left. More or less a junkyard dog. Some things never change in the end he supposed.
"Baby brother!" Merle howled.
Daryl was grabbed in a bear hug and hugged his brother back. His only real family.
"It's good to see you."
"Finally home, brother."
The ride was comforting in it's silence. Merle didn't bagger him about the war and he didn't feel the need to speak about it. He didn't think Merle would ask really. Not that Daryl was in the front lines. He'd been a diesel mechanic while over there. He kept their rigs running and kept his head clear. He of course wasn't far from the war. He had times when they fired on him and his team but he really wasn't in the heat of it. Not really the frying pan.
"You don't have to get your own place." Merle wagered. "I'm fine with you being in the house."
Daryl hummed. He wasn't sure if he wanted to be alone or be around his brother. He damn sure didn't want to see his dad or mom but that was another story. He just wanted to be. He wanted to start building a life.
"We'll see." Daryl agreed.
Merle looked over at him and he felt his eyes scanning over him. Daryl had changed in the years he'd been away. He wasn't the scrawny awkward looking teen he'd been. Boot camp seen to that. He was on his way to be twenty five. That was a big difference from eighteen. He wasn't a child anymore. Still didn't have his shit together but he was trying.
"I talked to Dale at the garage. He said he would be happy to hire you." Merle said.
Daryl smiled slightly at that. One thing he did enjoy was working with his hands. That was one skill the military helped him build up. He was a certified diesel mechanic and he was damn good. He was the best if he had to say.
"We're here." Merle interrupted his thoughts.
Daryl blinked and focused his eyes again. He looked around and didn't recognize the place. It definietly wasn't an area he'd been when he was growing up. To upper class or middle class even. The house was nice from the outside but he doubted Merle was much for cleaning like when they were younger or maybe he was, how would he know. He'd been gone for years.
Merle parked and Daryl stepped out of the truck. Movement in the corner of his eyes made him turn his head. Someone was hiding behind a curtain and watching out the window. It almost made him snort. A small town would never change.
Grabbing his bags from the bed of the truck. He followed Merle up the walk to the house and heard a dog. When the door opened and a tiny pocket dog popped out he almost cackled. Merle had a pocket dog.
"Don't you laugh." Merle growled. "Someone dumped this little shit out on me and I didn't want to just take it to the shelter."
"I wasn't going to." Daryl smiled.
"His name is Zeus." Merle smiled.
Daryl snorted at that. The little dog danced around their feet yipping at them. When Daryl looked around the house was cleaned up. Lived in but clean. It was a far cry from the mess Merle use to be. Maybe he did some growing up too.
Daryl got settled in and just breathed. It was going to take him awhile to adjust to not being in the sand and grit. Maybe a shower would make him feel better.
"Steaks sound good?" Merle was at the door leaning into it.
Daryl looked up and started stripping his boots off. He nodded and Merle disappeared. He could hear him beating and banging and the tiny little dog nails clicking following his every move. It still made him want to laugh knowing his brother had a pocket dog.
