If tomorrow never came
Disclaimer:I do not own The Walking Dead, or anything at all of value, please don't sue. I am poor.
A/N: Let me know what you think about this chapter. Sorry if it's boring. Just trying to set somethings up for later. There will be action I swear. Please review! Also, sorry about the wait in between for both stories, I've been pretty busy with work, and upcoming Christmas shenanigans that I need to start shopping for. But instead I spent money on the Daryl Dixon action figure... I think I need help.
Chapter 5: No tag backs
It had been four days since Hayden's car had broke down, and two days since they all had eaten dinner together. Hayden was waiting to hear from Glenn about the car parts, and had decided to take a walk with Dylan. The town was small, so they knew they wouldn't get lost as they wandered around. It was another relentlessly hot day, as the sun beat down mercilessly in the mid afternoon. The siblings made their way into a park with a small playground. They found a rather large tree, and decided to sit against it in the shade for a while.
Hayden wanted to ask Dylan how he was handling everything that had happened with his dad. He was a smart kid, and she knew he understood why he was gone, but Greg had never treated Dylan bad, just everyone else. She couldn't blame the kid for not hating his father, she also wouldn't blame him if he did hate him. He kept things like that locked up tight inside him. These two siblings were so alike it was hard too believe that there was twelve years between them. She looked at him as he was sprawled under the tree beside her. She inhaled deeply as she thought of how to start the conversation. It seemed like forever until she was ready to speak.
"So, how are you liking the trip so far?"
"It's awesome! I'm glad you and Mom decided to do this." He smiled up at the big sister he adored.
"Me too, and I bet Mom thinks the same. Do you miss home though? You haven't got to see your friends all Summer."
"I dunno, I don't really miss home... I miss them but... next year I'd be going to a different school anyway... so it doesn't really matter."
Hayden elbowed him in the rib playfully. "Yeah, but a few of them are going to the same school as you."
Dylan only shrugged as a reply. It didn't matter to him. The other kids weren't really his friends. Sure he enjoyed their company, and yeah playing with them was fun, but he just didn't relate to them. They all thought he was weird. He would always hear them talking behind his back about how he liked old music, and watched weird shows. Then there was Hayden, some of the kids he went to school with had older brothers and sisters that went to school with her. Those kids were the worst. They would always say the worst things about his big sister. They talked like they knew all about his life, like they knew what she was like.
They knew nothing. They all knew nothing. Sometimes he just wanted to scream at the top of his lungs and punch walls. But that would cause more problems so he didn't. He would just sit quietly as they badmouthed his hero. They knew nothing. Dylan let out a sigh. He knew she was trying to weasel information out of him, though he wasn't sure what. She could just come out and ask but where was the fun in that? Between the two of them everything was a game, or at least she would try and make it that way. While eating Supper, it would be who could finish first. Walking down the street would turn into a race. Everything from who could do handstands the longest to doing the most somersaults in a row. She tried to make everything fun for him when they were together.
Which for a long time in his life wasn't very much. He was only four when she moved out, and after that she was always so busy with school and work, but she always made time for him when she could, and she always babysat when asked. But he always had to go to her house, she would never go home. The only time she stepped foot into the house was for Christmas, and that was for him not her. He knew it was all his Dads fault. He was so mean to her for no reason. He didn't understand it. All he wanted was for everyone to get along.
Hayden tried, he knew she tried. Every time she would come home, she would be all smiles, she would be friendly, she would try not to step on any toes, and just the smallest thing she did would set his Dad off. Then it would escalate from there. He'd begin yelling at their Mom saying it was her fault she was so disrespectful, and that she was a bad influence on Dylan. It always turned into a fight, and always ended with Hayden leaving.
He wanted to hate his Dad more then anything, but he couldn't. Despite it all he still loved him, and that made him feel guilty. But if he had to choose, he wouldn't choose him. He would keep things how they are now. Just him, Hayden, and Mom. With it being just the three of them he was the happiest he'd ever remembered, and his mom, he'd never seen her smile so much. Ever. If it was up to him they would stay like this forever.
He didn't want to go back home. Just the memory of it was like a weight on his chest. He didn't want to walk through the doors of his home, and be reminded of everything that had happened there. He wanted a fresh start. He wanted to live with his sister and his Mother somewhere new. Somewhere they could all be happy.
"Do... do you miss home?" He finally asked
"I miss the people." She answered. "Like Jack, and Jimbo... and our family."
"Jack and Jimmy are family." Dylan corrected her with a smirk.
"Fine... I miss our family... but that's it." She rolled her eyes at him in mock annoyance.
"I like it here." His voice was quiet. "Its nice here."
"I like it too, minus the heat. It is way too hot here for my liking."
"I think..." He stopped unsure of what to say. "I... wish... that Dad wasn't such a dick."
"Me too." She smiled at him with her ever contagious smile. He couldn't help but to return it with laughter. "You remember Carl?" she asked.
Remember Carl? Of course he remembered Carl. They had met him a couple of weeks ago when they were passing through a different small town. They had been sitting in a park, like this one, when they had met him. He was sitting on a swing, all by himself, just sitting there motionless. Hayden had noticed him first, and walked right up to him and asked 'Why so glum, chum?' with the biggest grin. The kid looked up, and it was as if he were about to cry. He spilled the beans of how his dad was a Sheriff that got shot while working, and was now in a coma in the hospital and that they didn't know if he would ever wake up.
This had taken both of them by surprise the way he just let it all spill out to total strangers, and he and Dylan became quick friends. "Uhhh, yeah I remember he's my friend. Why?"
"I was just thinking about how he would talk about his Dad. He was a hero. He's someone that deserves a loving family, and to be happy."
Dylan nodded in agreement. "Too bad our Dad's couldn't have been like that."
"Yeah, too bad..." Hayden suddenly jumped up from the ground, and tapped him on the shoulder. "Tag, you're it!" She yelled before running away from him full speed.
"I wasn't ready!" He called out, as he chased after her. "Do over! Do over!" He continued running after her as fast as his small legs could carry him. She could at least run slower so he could catch up. As he chased after her something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. Daryl was walking by the park. A large grin found its place on Dylan's face. He changed direction, and shot down towards the sidewalk. "Tag, you're it!" He yelled slapping the older man on the arm.
Daryl quirked an eyebrow, looking bemused at the young boy. "Whut?"
"Haven't you ever played tag Mr. Dixon?" Dylan asked as if it were obvious.
"First off, just call me Daryl kid, and secondly I don't play games."
"Okay Daryl, you could start playing games. It's never too late. So. Tag, you're it!" He started jogging backwards waiting for Daryl to start moving forward. "You're supposed to chase me."
"I know how'ta play tag, kid but I ain't playin', I'm too old."
"Come on! It'll be funner with three of us!" He walked back up to Daryl giving him the most puppy dog look he could muster. It always worked on his sister so maybe it would work on him too.
Daryl reached out and poked him in the shoulder. "Yer it, no tag backs."
"That's no fair! I wasn't ready! Do over!"
"Nope, no do'oer's." Daryl looked at him through the corner of his eyes with a small smirk.
Dylan narrowed his eyes in a glare. "You win this time, Mr Bond." Dylan said in a very bad Russian accent. Which he followed with an uproar of laughter.
"Dylan, what are you doing? I thought we were playing ta-" Hayden stopped mid-sentence as she walked up behind him seeing that he was with Daryl. "Hi, Daryl."
"Darlin'." He nodded his head in greeting.
"You aren't bugging Daryl are you Dylan?"
"Nope! I was just asking him if he wanted to play tag." Dylan pouted at his sister. "But he didn't want too... said he was too old."
"What, you're never be too old for tag! It's good exercise... unless you've got a bum hip... Old man..." She grinned mischievously at Daryl. "Is that why you don't wanna play? The old sciatica acting up Skeletor?"
Daryl couldn't stop himself from smirking at the younger woman's taunts. If she thought that would get him to change his mind she was crazy. He placed a hand on his lower back and put a pained expression on his face.
"How'd yew know... can barely walk an' I left my cane at home." He started walking away still hunched over as if he were in pain. To his surprise an arm snaked its way around his. The sudden contact caught him off guard, and he looked over startled. He went to pull away when her blue eyes caught his. His breath stopped in his throat as she peered into him. He jerked his face away, but looked at her through his peripherals. This was bad.
"Then I guess we'll have to help you cross the street. Maybe we'll get a merit badge or something for helping the elderly."
"I got kicked out of scouts." Dylan chimed. "I don't need a merit badge." But he walked on the other side of Daryl.
Daryl looked between the two of them exasperated. How did they feel so comfortable around him. He wasn't even comfortable in his own skin, let alone near other people. Why was it so easy for them? He rolled his eyes as he cleared his throat.
"I've gotta get back ta work." He pulled his arm away from Hayden's. "Lemme know when yew get those part's so I can start workin' on yer car."
"Will do!" She smiled. She was always smiling at him. "My friend should be letting me know about it before the days up. I'll call you as soon as I know." The dark haired girl was about to turn to leave with her brother before stopping as if she'd forgotten something. She put one hand on the side of his face, to pull him closer and placed a quick kiss on his cheek. Again.
"Awww gross Hayden, get a room." Dylan stuck his tongue out in disgust while covering his eyes.
"I would, if I wasn't hanging out with you." The look on Daryl's face was a mixture of confusion and panic. How could she say things like that so nonchalantly? "Or not." Daryl could have sworn she looked disappointed at his reaction. "Anyway, see you later Daryl." Hayden motioned for her brother to follow her.
"See you later Daryl!" Dylan called behind him as they walked off. What was that? Daryl had been trying his damnedest not to think about her in a sexual way, and she just goes and ruins all that with one sentence. A man can only deal with so much temptation before giving in, no matter how well disciplined or socially awkward he was. He was by far the latter and he knew it. To make matters worse she was so young. What would people think? He got enough guff for his brother he didn't need to add any other shit to the pile.
But. His cheek tingled slightly where her lips had met his skin. He rubbed at his cheek before biting onto his thumb as he walked. No. No buts. His face turned to a scowl as he stalked back off to work. This new habit of thinking had to stop. He couldn't handle all the surges of emotions it brought with it. It overloaded his system, and he couldn't handle it. All the uncertainties, all the doubts, it was too much.
He wished that he'd never met her. With her dark hair, and porcelain skin. She was ruining all the small walls he had set up around himself. Lowering all his defences that had taken years to erect. Who did she think she was? He pictured her blue eyes sparkling at him, and her smile... Fucking women. He glowered at the other people on the street waiting for someone to say something. Anything.
He felt sorry for the poor soul who got on his bad side at work today. He wasn't too picky about who he was going to take his anger out on, but whooooooo boy, were they in a world of hurt. He cracked his knuckles, as he walked back onto the construction sight.
'Come on, who wants tuh start sum shit?' One of the new guys came up and placed a hand on his shoulder as he was about to ask a question. 'We have a winner.' He pulled his arm back, curling his hand into a fist, and punched the guy square in the jaw. Laying him out flat. Yup, he felt better now.