THETRUEFATHER

Daryl woke the next morning and for a moment he panicked at the strange room, until last night came flooding back to him, as the soreness of his bruises made itself known.

Travis, Merle finding him, Buck...Merle knew about Buck and he still didn't come.

Daryl sighed as he rubbed his eyes. He had to get Merle to follow him, he had to.

Daryl paused for a moment trying to figure out what it was that woke him, before he smelled something fantastic-breakfast.

Daryl was out of bed in an instant, throwing his clothes on before grabbing his phone and leaving his room. Daryl walked down the hallway, pausing as he looked into the kitchen. Buck was flipping pieces of toast on the griddle, tossing a few pieces onto a plate.

"sleep well?"

Daryl jumped, Buck smirking as he startled him. Daryl gave Buck a mock glare before he smirked and came into the kitchen.

"better then I have in my life I think. Damn I didn't know ya could cook."

Buck chuckled. "i was a prison cook for 15 years."

Daryl smirked as he grabbed a plate and sat down to eat. "smells damn good."

Daryl watched as Buck made a few more pieces, before Daryl pulled out his cell phone and sent a text.

D- Dad made french toast if you want some.

The response was almost instantaneous.

M-he ain't my fucking dad.

D- yeah he is. Just because you don't want it don't mean it isn't the truth. Buck loves us Merle, Travis don't.

M- love don't matter, its only blood.

D- so just because we're half brothers you only love me half as much as you used to?

Buck watched as Daryl texted, knowing there was only one other person with his number. Buck said nothing as he ate. He would let the brothers hash this out themselves. For now.

M- you either love someone or you don't. And Buck don't love me.

D- how the fuck do you know that when you ain't even given him a chance? I took Buck to mom's grave, he cried over her. Buck loves mom, and you are mom's son, so he loves you.

Daryl gritted his teeth at Merle's response.

M- Buck is an idiot crying over a woman long dead. He needs to move on.

D- you don't move on from true love Merle, you just keep fighting. That's why Buck's here. He lost mom, but he hasn't lost us.

M- he lost me 16 years ago. Now fuck off and let me sleep.

Daryl sighed as he put his phone down. Buck gave Daryl a soft chuckle.

"he'll come in time, just gotta give him a chance."

Daryl nodded, before he looked up at Buck.

"it ain't safe, him bein' there with Travis alone. Once Travis figures out I'm gone, I don't know what he'll do."

Buck nodded. "that's why I'm pickin' ya up from school from now on. It ain't safe you out walkin' alone. I wish I could drag Merle over here, but if I do all that will happen is he will hate me more."

Daryl nodded as he finished up his breakfast. "i know...just sucks."

Buck chuckled as he patted Daryl on the back. "that it does my son, that it does."

Daryl helped Buck clean up from breakfast, before Buck turned back to Daryl.

"i got you some clothes, they're in the closet in your room. I'm gonna take a quick shower then I'll take you to school"

Daryl nodded and went to his room, pulling open the closet for the first time. Daryl blinked, he had never had this many clothes in his life and Buck had figured out exactly what Daryl liked. There was jeans of all shades, concert shirts, sleeveless shirts, sweatshirts and new shoes ranging from sneakers to boots.

Daryl pulled out a set of black jeans, and a sleeveless shirt with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers logo across the front. Daryl chuckled to himself as he glanced at himself in the mirror, he was starting to look like Buck. He added on a gray zip up sweatshirt and grabbed a set of DC sneakers, slipping his feet into them.

Daryl waited downstairs for Buck to finish his shower. Buck came down and smirked at Daryl.

"clothes fit?"

Daryl nodded. "yeah, thank you for them."

Buck shook his head. "ain't nothin', ya needed new clothes. If there's anythin' ya want, let me know."

Daryl nodded. "will do."

Buck grabbed his keys and the two of them left the house, headed to Daryl's school.

THETRUEFATHER

Daryl smirked to himself as he walked to biology class. Several people had stared at the change in Daryl's clothes, and he couldn't help himself but for the first time in his life, he met their stares. Carol looked up at Daryl as he came into biology class and smiled at the new clothes.

"Wow! I like the new look!"

Daryl chuckled as he sat down. "me too."

Carol took a closer look. "oh my god Daryl what happened to you?!"

Daryl winced, hoping she hadn't noticed the new bruises and bandaids across his face. "it's nothin', it ain't a problem any more."

Carol sighed. "Daryl, Travis will keep doing this if you don't tell someone."

Daryl smirked at Carol. "don't matter no more, as of last night I don't live with Travis anymore."

Carol frowned. "Where are you living? And where did you get the new clothes?"

Daryl smirked wider. "my real dad, Buck. He got back in town 2 weeks ago."

Carol blinked. "your real dad? I thought Travis was your dad."

Daryl nodded. "so did I, until Buck showed me blood test results that prove otherwise. Wouldn't matter anyways, Buck don't care about blood. He's takin' Merle as his own too."

Carol frowned. "wait this guy just comes out of the blue and says he's your father? that a little weird Daryl."

Daryl eyed Carol. "Buck is my dad, he loves me, and I love him. I don't give a shit if it's weird, I got a dad that loves me, and I sure as shit ain't lettin' go of that."

Carol nodded, silenced by Daryl's response. The biology teacher began speaking, and when she turned away Daryl took the chance to send a quick text.

D- so what type of car do you have?

Daryl worked on his classwork as he waited for the response, reading it quickly.

B- something beautiful. I won't ruin the surprise, but trust me, your classmates are going to be jealous.

Daryl smirked as he typed back.

D- I'm already getting shit for the new clothes, wonder what I'll get for the car.

B- just tell them to ask their parents who Buck Dixon is. That will shut them up.

Daryl chuckled.

D- will do.

"Daryl!"

Daryl looked up from his phone and smirked at Carol who had harshly whispered at him.

"What?"

Carol rolled her eyes. "we need to get together to work on our project. Are you free to go to the library tomorrow night?"

Daryl bit his lip before shrugging. "or we can go to my dads house. Let me ask him real quick."

D- can Carol come over tomorrow night so we can work on our project?

B- fine by me. I can pick her up when I pick you up.

D-okay, thanks dad.

Daryl turned back to Carol. "Buck said it was fine, he'll pick us both up at the same time."

Carol nodded. "my dad will want to meet him first. He's protective like that."

Daryl shrugged. "not a problem. I'll let Buck know."

Daryl sat back to take more notes when his phone went off again.

B- I suppose I should be getting upset at you texting in class...

Daryl snuck a peak up at the teacher before quickly sending a response.

D- I'll see you later dad

Daryl went back to his classwork, but checked his phone as he got a response.

B- I love you. Have a good day at school.

Daryl smiled as he tucked his phone away. This was going to be a good day.

THETRUEFATHER

Daryl saw Philip and Shane coming his way, and rolled his eyes. He was so sick of them, but they weren't going to ruin the mood he was in.

Daryl smirked to himself as he waited for Phillip to come up to him.

Phillip sneered at Daryl. "got you're self some new threads? What did you do, steal them?"

Daryl shrugged. "Na, didn't need to."

Shane shoved Daryl back against the lockers. "how the fuck would a poor ass bitch like you have money?"

Daryl chuckled as he looked at Shane. "lets just put it this way, I got a new dad. And he's loaded. Go home and ask your parents who Buck Dixon is, and I don't think you'll like the answer you get."

Daryl walked away, leaving the bullies behind him as he pushed open the doors. Daryl felt strange as he walked out of school. Normally he would walk the several miles home, that way he would be left alone by the other students. But as Daryl stepped into the sun, he heard a roar come up and Daryl looked up to see Buck pull in, in one of the most gorgeous cars Daryl had ever seen.

A classic black Dodge Charger with white pin stripping running down the sides, the chrome shining in the sun as the engine thundered and roared.

Daryl smirked as he walked over. Every male in the school yard had their eyes on that car, and most a look of shock as Daryl got in. Daryl flipped Phillip and Shane the bird as he got in, Buck smirking as he took off in a roar.

Daryl laughed as they cruised smoothly out of the parking lot.

"God damn ya weren't kidin'! This is fuckin' awesome!"

Buck chuckled as he smirked at Daryl.

" worth every penny I'll tell ya that. Been storin' it with a friend, he got bored and upgraded the engine and everything. Gets around 800 horse power."

Daryl whistled as he ran a hand over the dash board. "fuck, this thing's a work of art."

Buck nodded. "its a damn good car. Well, ya hungry?"

Daryl shrugged. "i could eat."

Buck chuckled. "how does some damn good burgers sound?"

Daryl smirked. "Fine by me."

THETRUEFATHER

Buck and Daryl sat at the counter in a small burger house in town. There were several other people in the restaurant, and Daryl could feel their eyes watching. He leaned over his food as he muttered to Buck.

"fuck do they have ta stare?"

Buck chuckled lightly. "a teenager and a known criminal, it gets a few strange looks. Let them look, all we're gonna do is prove the fuckers wrong."

suddenly the door to the dinner was tossed open, and a Hispanic man with long hair burst in the door, brandishing a gun as 2 more men followed behind him, with knives.

"Everyone on the ground now!"

a woman screamed as the Hispanic man jumped the counter, grabbing at the waitress.

"open the register, now!"

the girl was terrified as she was dragged back towards the register, but before the register, they had to pass Buck.

Buck moved so fast Daryl didn't see what was happening before the waitress was on the floor, and the man with the gun had his hand pinned to the counter-top by a knife jammed into his hand. Buck had the mans gun in his right hand, pointed at the mans face, while he twisted the knife. The man screamed out in pain, trying to get away but Buck held strong and clicked off the safety. The man and the restaurant went silent as everyone watched what was happening.

Buck smirked as he pointed the gun up at the man.

"what's ya fuckin' name asshole?"

the man fumed as he swore at Buck. "fuck you jack ass!"

Buck shrugged. "okay, we'll call you jack ass. Here's how this is gonna work jackass. You and your little pussy ass bitches are gonna walk out that door quietly, and get the fuck out of town. Ya know why?"

Buck stood and dragged the man over the counter, throwing him to the floor as he wrenched the knife out of the mans hand and pressed it into his throat over his jugular.

"because you are in the wrong fuckin' place jackass. You think you're the big bad in town? Guess what mother fucker, I eat assholes like you for breakfast everyday. I've done shit that would make you crap your pants and scream for ya mama. Go now, and ya live. Stick around, and you'll see how pissed off I really can get."

Buck stood and stepped back as the man got to his feet. The other two men took one look at Buck before running out the door, one of them dragging the long haired man behind him. As they took off, Buck turned around, clicking the safety back on the gun and laying it on the counter along with the knife.

Buck turned to Daryl. "Ready ta go?"

Daryl smirked as he nodded and got to his feet. Buck tossed a few bills on the counter and lead Daryl out of the restaurant. If Daryl thought everyone was staring at them before, it was nothing compared to now.

As they got in the car, Daryl turned to Buck.

"that was fuckin' bad ass!"

Buck chuckled as he put the key in the ignition. "you'll come to find son, that ya old man is pretty bad ass."

Buck started the engine with a roar, and they took off, leaving everyone in the restaurant to stare.

THETRUEFATHER

Daryl groaned as he collapsed on the couch. "fuck I'm full."

Buck chuckled as he tossed Daryl a water bottle from the fridge as he came over.

"Give it an hour, you'll be hungry again."

Daryl snorted. "probably. Ya gonna make me fat ya know."

Buck shook his head. "ya too skinny boy, we need ta get some meat on ya. Some fat and carbs will do you good."

Daryl smirked. "could just keep smokin' weed, that'll keep my appetite up."

Buck chuckled. "aye, that it will. What ya got as far as homework tonight?"

Daryl shrugged. "not much, some math and biology. Need to at least look at what Carol and I are doin' our project on."

Buck smirked. "so this Carol..."

Daryl eyed his father. "She's gotta boyfriend Dad."

Buck snorted. "and your mother was married when you were created, and she weren't married ta me."

Daryl chuckled as he shrugged. "you've got a point there."

Buck smirked. "besides, ya got that strong, quiet, smart guy thing goin' on that women seem ta like."

Daryl blushed as he snorted. "well then I ain't Carol's type. She's datin' a loud mouth dumb ass."

Buck chuckled. "well then just show her that there's more ta life then football players."

Daryl bit his lip before shaking his head and opening his homework. "You're crazy Dad."

Buck smirked. "it's genetic, I inherited craziness from my kids."

Daryl snorted and started to work on his homework as Buck slipped out his phone and sent a text.

B-Everything going alright? Daryl was hoping to see you today.

There was no response for several minutes, before the screen flashed up.

M-fuck you.

B-we want you here Merle. You can come over at any time, I can come and get you.

M- fuck off!

Buck knew he was going to have to work at Merle, the same way he had at Daryl. Merle was even more scarred then Daryl, had been thru more hell with Travis. It was going to take more time and patience with Merle.

B-We'll be in the woods tomorrow, if you want to join us.

M-not fucking likely. Got my own hunting to do. Don't need to waste my time with assholes and their jack ass sons.

Buck gritted his teeth. Merle certainly had a way with words.

B- I guess that would make you jack ass as well considering you're my son too. I'm giving Daryl a good life here, I want to give it to you too Merle.

M-fuck off and die.

Buck sighed. Merle had his mother's stubbornness, it was going to take time to break down his walls.

B-Good night son. I love you.

Buck got no response to that, but he wasn't expecting it. But he was going to be keeping his eye out in the woods, and hopefully he would see his eldest son tomorrow.