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A week. A fucking week and he done with this shit. He was ready to strangle the next bitch that even looked crossways at him. Did he have free ride stamped across his forehead? Fuck no. He wasn't his goddam brothers and never would be. He wasn't looking for someone and he sure as hell wasn't looking to get mixed up with some crazy ass woman. And every fucking woman here seemed to be crazy. Every one of them! He wasn't the relationship type of person either, could never get that shit figured out in his head. Hell he wasn't good with talking to begin with and relationships was all kinds of talking and fuzzy ass emotions.
Generally he stayed more at his place or with his brothers if he wasn't out of Woodbury. He tried to keep to himself. It'd always been that way. But Sophia was another thing altogether. She had a way of dragging him out when he didn't want to stand there and not scowl. He still scowled that was for damn sure but he stood there with her.
He was out more and more though showing her shit about tracking and hunting. He'd been taking her and Brian out during the day early. He wanted to keep Brian fresh on his skills and help hers develop. Taking them out and making them work together seemed to help the both of them. He dreaded coming back in those gates though every time.
It wasn't his brother's bothering him or even Merle's asswipe soldiers. No it was the fucking hen party. They rarely said anything but the looks he would get were enough to set him on edge. He didn't know them and didn't want to. He wasn't stranger to women hitting on him by a long shot but he that didn't mean he enjoyed this shit. He hated dealing with women for the most part. Things weren't like this before. He wasn't sure what the fuck was going on with these women. The more he actually stood out there with Sophia the more doe eyed they'd get at him and god forbid if the little shit caused him to laugh.
"Whose throat we ripping out?" Mac taunted next to him walking backwards keeping up with him.
Daryl shot him a dirty look, "It's your mouthy bitches fault."
"Oh and what a mouth on her." Mac sighed dramatically, "Gets good suction."
"Shut the fuck up." Daryl snarled.
Mac spun back around walking next to him and throwing his arm over his, "Merle's at the gate he's at Philip's throat. Martinez was saying he pulled some stunt out there on that run yesterday."
"And we're surprised why?" Daryl growled.
Mac motioned between them, "We're not….those assholes though."
Karen stepped out of a shop and smiled seeing Daryl and Mac snorted, "There's your future wife."
"Do you want me to castrate you?" Daryl snarled shoving Mac hard causing him to stumble.
Mac righted himself and fixed his shirt, "Get mad all you want and snap at me but that's your issue to fix."
Daryl sneered knowing he was telling the truth. Mac was gone heading towards his son that appeared out of thin air almost it. Daryl knew SOphia was close by if Brian was and his eyes went around searching for her. He wasn't paying attention to anyone else as he tried to find her wanting to make sure she was alright. Mac made it over to the trees Brian was standing under when Sophia crashed down on top of his brother taking Mac to the ground with Brian not far behind. Snorting to himself he watched at the pair of them started fighting him. He knew they were all going to be covered in bruises and wore out before it was over. Mac had started it though when he'd slung flour into both of their faces this morning laughing at them.
Daryl crossed his arms over his chest watching the trio fighting. Mac wasn't putting his all into it but the kids were still giving him hell. He was hell of a lot rougher with Brian than Sophia but she was trying her damndest. She almost had her chokehold locked in when a voice next to him startled him.
"What are you doing?"
Daryl's eyes went to the woman and he felt a growl building in his chest. Hands fisting white knuckle tight he felt a deep scowl slap into place. All signs of earlier amusement gone.
She smiled indulgently at him, "Well I guess that is obvious enough. I'm Karen by the way…"
Daryl didn't look at her but gave her a swift nod and went to step away when her hand wrapped around his arm. He was glad for his leather jacket at the moment because he wasn't sure he'd be able to stand her touching his bare skin. He'd likely tear her arm off.
"That little girl of yours is something else." Karen smiled her eyes studying him. "If you don't mind me asking where is her mother?"
Daryl turned fully towards her at Sophia's name and felt his hackles raise. He knew he was protective of her, knew he loved her but he hadn't really let himself think on it much. He hadn't really let himself feel how deep it ran. In that moment he felt in the marrow of his bones when he wanted to reach out and slap this bitch.
Daryl cocked his head to his side feeling his eye twitch and squinted at her. She even looked annoying. Her wild dark tangled curls hanging around her face were pissing him off even. Everything about this woman pissed him off he realize. She was a uppity cunt and he realize this was the bitch Merle mentioned earlier. Daryl snorted and shook his head.
How dare this bitch ask about Carol. Didn't she know that shit was rude before the world went belly up and it was even more so now? Dumbass.
"Separated."
Karen gave him a sad smile, "Well she missed out on a good man. You sure do take good care of your daughter."
Daryl spit to the side and shook his head, "Misunderstand woman, separated a bit after this shit started."
Karen gasped falsely her eyes going wide, "Well bless your pea pickin heart!" Her hand went over her heart her other reaching for him as if to comfort him.
What the fuck did she just say? Daryl made a face and opened his mouth to respond but his jaws just snapped back together. He felt like he was strangling for a moment but it was her stupid mouth that snapped him back to reality.
"Well if you ever need motherly advice for her or...just some company I'm here for you. Don't be shy any time of day or night." She gave him a sultry smile.
Everyone here assumed Sophia was his. Hell the girl alone claimed him as a dad and had told him a few times now that he was. She didn't call him that but he'd heard her catch herself at time. She mumbled a few times when he had packed her up to bed but otherwise nothing. But these people didn't know shit about her mother or him, or where that stood. Hell they didn't know shit cause he was a closed off bastard. Considering this and telling that bitch about the separation and her hitting on him had him damn near breathing fire. What the fuck was it with this woman.
"Are you fuckin' kiddin' me?" He snapped. She flinched at his tone but he felt his anger spiking thickly almost like a living thing. "Did you really just come on to me after that? Are you that dense?"
Karen sputtered her face coloring slightly and her eyes going around. "Excuse me?"
"No fuck that there is no excuse for you lady. Get this and get this straight right now." Daryl snarled taking a step towards her causing her to back up, "I'm not looking for some whore to spread her legs for me or play fuckin' mommy to my girl." He barked.
Karen ran a hand through her hair and tried to smile, "In time I think we could work past your loss and Sophia could accept a new woman."
Daryl felt his anger completely unhinge at her words. Her face immediately paled at his look and she clamped her mouth shut. "Listen here you fuckin' cunt I wouldn't fuck you with either of my brother's dicks so get the fuck away from me and stay the fuck away from her." His voice came out like a whip cracking with every bit of anger that was coursing through him at that moment.
Karen's face showed embarrassment but anger flashed in her eyes and she pointed at him. Her finger stabbing in his chest, "I see where she gets her nasty mouth. I'm sure her mother would ring your jaws for speaking that way in front of her."
"Do not pretend to know what my mother would do." A sharp voice from just behind him spoke. Sophia walked around him her little frame lit up in anger.
He seen Mac leaning close by but far enough away to not be involved. Him and Brian both had eyes on Karen looking pissed and he knew that they'd heard this bitches words. Karen went to open her mouth but a deep growl rumbled through his chest a warning that if she so much as said a word to Sophia he was liable to snap. He hadn't even meant to make the noise but there it was, deep seated in his chest. Her eyes went back and forth between them searching for a way out of the grave she was digging.
Sophia grabbed his hand turning on her heel, "She isn't half the woman my mom is and doesn't deserve the attention she's seeking." Sophia pulled him around and started walking to where she knew Merle was. "Besides I guess we should let Merle know we're eating otherwise he'll cry like a baby."
Daryl snorted trying to stuff that anger down. He was still livid. Without a way to work off his anger he needed to just keep his mouth shut for a bit. He never had much of a filter but right now he knew it was completely gone. Hearing that woman talk like that had him on fire and he still wanted to turn and hit her. He never believed in hitting woman but he wouldn't be above beating that bitch right now. Goddamn he sounded like Merle.
He didn't look behind him to see if Karen was still standing in the street. He didn't care. He didn't care how many people heard all that. Later he might be bothered at the attention it would have got but not right now. Right now he was worried about what Sophia heard.
Nearing Merle's Sophia skipped up the steps, "MERLE! Are you taking an old man nap where are you?"
"Stop with the old man shit already." Merle barked from further in the house.
Daryl shut the door behind them and Martinez leaned around the corner. He nodded to Daryl but he smiled at Sophia, "What will it be today?"
"I don't care I just wanna eat." Sophia chirped.
Daryl snorted again but walked the other way. Dropping on the couch he glared at the stone of the fireplace. He needed to get his head together before he ripped someone elses ass. The door opened and close and hurricane Mac blew in with his shadow. He knew Hannah wasn't far behind likely collecting the town fucking gossip. Fucking clucking hens. He wanted to be left alone. He just wanted to be left the fuck alone.
"So I guess you cleared the air on if you're getting pussy or not." Mac chuckled kicking his booted feet up.
Merle kicked his boots off the table and Mac grunted glaring at him. Merle took a seat at the other end both sets of blue eyes on Daryl. Daryl growled and leaned his head back rubbing his temples feeling a headache already. Fuck he hated this town most days. If it was just him and he didn't have to worry about anyone else he'd leave. He'd say fuck this place and be gone. He'd leave if his brother's would. He'd leave if he knew Sophia would be safe out there but he couldn't guarantee that.
"What'd I miss?" Merle questioned amusement in his voice.
Mac laughed loudly and started in on what he'd seen and heard. Daryl didn't listen. He didn't care. He was there for it and was still pissed. He didn't need to hear his brother's to know that even though they were laughing they were each mad. He knew them good enough to know that Karen was now on the shit list with them. Merle was a grudge holding bastard and nothing made him happier than getting to hate on someone most days.
After a bit Sophia appeared and took her seat next to Merle. She was leaning into his side speaking rapidly and eagerly. He was listening to her when Hannah walked in the house. Her eyes went to all of them and she shook her head at Daryl. He raised a brow but she knew better than to open her mouth. Anger was in her eyes but it wasn't directed at him.
Mac stood swiftly and waggled his eyebrows at Daryl leaning down as he walked close, "Just cause you aint gettin' laid don't mean I can't take advantage of her being pissed off." Mac slapped his shoulder, "Gotta work that anger off somehow."
Daryl shifted away from him and ignored the rest of his lewd comment. He wasn't in the mood to hear about Mac fucking Hannah. He heard it enough as it was. Too much. His brothers were serious over sharers.