Sophia bristled seeing Carl. The little uppity twat as Brian called him was weird. Sure she remembered him from when all this happened but she didn't remember him being so whiny. Being so...so like a damn kid. She wasn't use to being around people who were like that. From the start of this with her dad and his brothers they'd sought to make her stronger. Always pushing her and so was Brian; they were always talking to them about how Mac and Daryl worked together. How Sophia was starting to see her mother and him work together. Reading each other and anticipating the next move or words, not needing to speak.
Carl was not like that. She knew Rick was a strong man. He couldn't have been weak and got them this far and lead them if he wasn't, well her mom and Andrea were there so she had to give them credit because she knew they were smarter than him. Didn't mean she liked him. In fact Sophia made it a point to not have to interact with the man. He wasn't her cup of tea. To self righteous with a mix of fruit loops; wasn't enough sugar to add to that bowl to sweeten it enough for her.
Still yet she done like she knew Daryl was doing and like her mother scolded them both for just this morning. She bit her tongue and avoided him. Sophia wasn't stupid she knew something happened between her mom and dad; didn't mean she wanted to know. Some things were better left unsaid. She also knew that Rick didn't like it and it made her all the more happy. More than once she seen his eyes on her mom or watching Daryl. If he didn't stop she would claw his eyes out. Not that she needed claws because she was some pussy because she wasn't. It'd just be more humiliating for him.
Brian shifted next to her and let out a long suffering sigh. Turning her eyes to him she didn't need to know what was wrong. He was mad at Hannah. Hell Mac was too but she didn't know why, he hadn't opened his mouth yet and it was starting to worry her. Brian was dismissive with almost everyone. Her, Mac, and Daryl being the exceptions. He tended to skirt issues with Merle because Merle liked to give you a lot of shit. He didn't pull no punches with you and if you were moping around him he was like a shark scenting blood. She loved him.
One more huff had her kicking him in the leg. His eyes swung around to her and he raised a brow, "Bitch."
"Jerk."
He smiled before his eyes went out to the woods. He was on watch and she was crashing. She was supposed to be helping Carl and someone else do something but she lost interest after Carl started talking. Basically as soon as she seen him she lost interest. He kept trying to talk about things from before and how it use to be. Sophia wasn't about that. Everything she needed- no everything she'd ever wanted she had now. The world was no more dangerous than it was before.
It was like Merle told her the other day when he was ranting about some of the lazy people around here. Now days it isn't about how much more dangerous it is because it aint. The fact is now it's just the matter of who is going to fight for it because they want it more. Who is going to do everything they can for their family or who's going to lay down and just die. Merle was asshole sometimes but he was smart. There wasn't a doubt in her mind he'd die for his brothers, for Brian, the men that served him, and even her. He'd lay his life down for his family gladly if it meant that they had a chance; he would have done it before the world went belly up as well.
So no she didn't want to think about the past. Before all she had was her mother. She loved her mother but now even her mom had the Dixon's. Her mother had a new smile and a spark in her eyes she'd never seen before. There was no Ed to make her feel like the next move she made was going to cost her mother a broken arm.
"Here comes Daryl." Brian chuckled.
Sophia looked over and grimaced. Sure enough he was walking towards them and he had the I'm-not-fucking-around look on his face. Surely he didn't blame her for escaping from the Grimes. Sheesh. He lumbered up onto the platform and melted down beside them easily. He didn't open his mouth and instead lit a cigarette and sprawled out slightly. He was hiding!
"When can we go hunting again?" Brian questioned leaning up.
Daryl blew out a cloud of smoke and stared out into the woods. "I'll tell Mac to get his shit together and we can go soon."
Brian nodded and Sophia spun towards him. Throwing her legs over his lap she laid back in the sun. The clouds were moving slow but there was something in the air. It was making her restless and her head was hurting.
Daryl eyed her and she arched a brow, "Head hurts."
He nodded and smirked rolling his shoulder, "Storm is coming."
Brian looked up and then at the two of them. He had a weird look on his face but looked off. Sophia nudged Daryl and he met her eyes. She shot a look to Brian and he studied his nephew. Brian looked like he was trying to cave in on himself. It wasn't what she'd ever seen before. It wasn't- it just wasn't Brian.
Daryl's face changed and he looked away. He knew. He knew what was wrong. Sophia closed her eyes and looked up.
"Are they still fighting?" Brian questioned suddenly? Daryl nodded succinctly and Brian exhaled, "I'm staying at your house tonight."
Daryl blew a perfect smoke ring and grunted. Sophia rolled and dropped back her head landing on Brian's lap and her legs over Daryl's lap. Both eyed her and she grinned.
"Can we talk about what a whine bag Carl is?" She huffed, "He got mad because they asked him to hang clothes! It isn't like he has any other usable skills."
Daryl's mouth upturned and he raised a brow at her. Brian snorted and pulled her hair before finally relaxing into the wall. "He hasn't had to do the things others have. He had his dad sheltering him." Daryl dismissed.
Brian scowled, "Sophia had all of us defending her and yet she knows how to hunt, defend herself against creepers, and kill walkers. Ain't no damned excuse."
"I know." Daryl chuckled.
"THERE YOU ARE!"
Daryl turned and grimaced seeing Charlotte, "Fuck."
"Me and Hannah were just talking about getting you men together and offering haircuts!"
Daryl grit his teeth. He didn't need to be yelling at elderly women and it was downright amusing to Sophia. She eyed his hair and didn't see a problem with it. She liked that he wasn't all clean cut like Ed was. Ed was a douche and Daryl was a great man.
Raising up she eyed the older woman and seen her eyes light up seeing her there, "Well hey there Miss Sophia."
"Hey Charlotte." She smiled and then brought her hand up pulling Daryl's hair as he tossed his cigarette away. "I think my mom would take issue with you cutting my dad's hair."
Daryl's face lit up red and Brian smothered his laugh. She watched as Daryl shot him a withering look but she was just being honest. She knew that her mom liked Daryl's hair. What was the big deal and saying so. Even Andrea knew! Weirdos. Maybe she just needed to avoid guys altogether it seemed they were all idiots. Sophia shoved herself standing and dusted her pants off and jumped from the platform.
Charlotte smiled at her and Sophia smiled back, "I'm going to find mom."
Her eyes met Daryl's and he nodded before looking back out. Brian was already talking to him. From what she heard it sounded like they were planning on hunting and where to go. If they were going she was. Mac and Daryl were hunting partners hands down but then so were her and Brian.
Sophia bounced into the room and found her mom with Andrea and Hannah. Hannah looked mad but the other two just looked amused. Andrea was drumming her fingers and her mom just look exasperated. Charlotte followed her in and they all turned towards them.
"I thought you were helping with the laundry." Carol asked pointedly.
Sophia waved her hand through the air, "Daryl and Brian needed me, family before towels."
Andrea smothered a laugh and Hannah did as well. Charlotte chortled and her mom scowled. She would need to get to Daryl and Brian before her mom did. She smiled and crashed down into the chair next to her mom and eyed Hannah. Her eyes were red rimmed and glassy.
"So I told Daryl about the potential for a haircut." Charlotte started. She walked over to a pot on the stove and started stirring. "I was informed that is a no go."
"Charlotte you should have seen that coming." Hannah laughed.
She turned towards them and dusted her hands off, "Oh no it wasn't him. It was sweet little Sophia here speaking up. Apparently Carol here wouldn't appreciate us cutting his hair."
Carol's face flushed red and Sophia just shrugged. Andrea barked out a laugh and gave her mother a look before smothering it down. Her mom smiled good naturedly but it was Hannah's laughter that kept echoing.
"I'm sorry...its just she's so sweet." Hannah cooed. "Lord I wish that would rub off on Brian."
Carol snorted and then shook her head. The conversation was easy and Sophia thought again of Carl Grimes and his useless rambling. No she didn't miss the crap from before. She had her entire life right here with her. She didn't need to dwell on the past because the present was worth living. Daryl taught her that and she was glad to see he was her mother too.
After a bit Mac came through but didn't even pause for them. Brian trailed silently a few minutes later and the women all watched. Father like son it seemed. Both looked ready for a fight. Hannah sighed and both her mom and Andrea gave her reassuring looks. Sophia scowled and stood up not bothering to turn when they called for her. She wasn't scared of the Dixon temper, she had one to match.
Brian had a pack slung over his shoulder and was watching Mac. He was dragging stuff from under the bed. Sophia leaned against the wall and coughed. Mac lifted his eyes to her and scowled.
"What?"
Sophia stepped into the room and crossed her arms over her chest. "Where are you going?"
"Hunting."
Sophia shot Brian a look but he was watching his dad. He seemed more resigned than mad. It made her nervous.
"Is my dad going?"
"Yes." Mac snapped.
Sophia stood there for a minute before spinning on her heel. She didn't know why he was snapping at her. He'd never done that before. She just asked him a question. She was gone before he could say anything else. She was down the stairs and out the door with her mother's voice behind her. She knew exactly where he would be.
Sophia started at a sprint but quickly was a dead run. It wasn't her mother's voice she heard last but Mac's. He'd come down behind her but she didn't want to hear from him. She wanted her dad. She caught sight of him walking up the steps at their house and pushed harder. If Mac was in fact trying to catch up to her she knew he could easily outrun her.
Daryl turned his eyes finding her. She was breathless and his eyes swept around her and the town looking for whatever had her running like the devil was after her. He seemed to relax when it was just her. He held the door open and stepped backwards into it just as she cleared the steps. He braced himself and Sophia flung herself at him. He grunted and she kicked the door shut hard.
"How long?"
Daryl shifted her in his arms and threw her over his shoulder before walking up the stairs. He walked into his room and dumped her down on the bed causing her to laugh loudly. Daryl looked down at her and arched a brow.
"Why were you running?"
"Mac."
Daryl kept his gaze steady and she felt her throat starting to close up some. Why weren't they taking her? Brian was her hunting partner. Mac and Brian agreed that Daryl needed to teach her to hunt for the long run. Merle and Martinez were even adamant.
Daryl nodded and turned his head when the door downstairs opened, "He say something to you?"
Sophia scowled and sprawled out. The bed smelled like her mom and him both. She felt herself getting tired. It was the most comforting thing she'd ever experienced.
"He's a dick." Sophia huffed pressing her face into the pillow. The room was darker than the rest of the house, "Merle is cooler."
Daryl snorted and she yawned watching him dig around. He was sliding his stuff out and getting it ready. He was checking everything over. Her mom stepped into the room and eyed him before looking at her. She smiled and walked over. She pulled her shoes off and Sophia just curled up further. Daryl ignored them both and Sophia shifted closer to her mom when she took a seat on the bed.
"He needs air." Daryl spoke low. Her mom hummed at him and Daryl looked over at them.
Sophia watched as his eyes lingered on her mom. Her fingers were running through her hair and Sophia smiled sleepily. If he was leaving she was sleeping in here with her mom.
"They fought a lot before didn't they?"
Daryl snorted and tossed something into his pack, "They fought like cats and dogs. It's why they were never together."
Sophia felt bad suddenly. She wanted to comfort Brian but didn't know what to do. Mac wasn't abusive to his mom and Hannah wasn't trapped. If they were unhappy they just wouldn't be together. Regardless she knew that Mac would always watch out for Hannah but if it wasn't there it just wasn't. She got it now that she thought about it. She hardly ever seen them together or talking and if she did there was tension there.
Carol shifted and Sophia looked up at her. She was still watching Daryl, "She said that Mac didn't like relationships."
Daryl growled but kept a lid on his temper, "Mac has no issues with faithful relationships. Mac has no issues with being there when he's wanted."
The door downstairs opened and Mac's voice carried. Merle was close behind him and Sophia closed her eyes. She had a feeling that whatever was happening didn't need her there. She wasn't about to uproot from this bed though.
Mac strided into the room and Merle was behind him. "He said you all are going hunting. Brian and Sophia going?"
"No." Mac and Daryl said in unison.
Sophia kept her eyes closed and her mom kept running her fingers through her hair. She knew Sophia wasn't asleep; so did Daryl. Brian not going was news to her. Mac and him both made it seem like he was going.
"How long you going to be out there?" Merle questioned.
Daryl huffed, "Might be a few days or one night. Depends on how fast we can track a buck or doe down."
"Need the meat." Mac sighed rubbing at his face seeming tired.
Carol cleared her throat, "Brian told me he's staying here tonight."
Daryl snorted and stood up, "Not surprised."
Merle chuckled, "Me either."
"With me gone and Daryl of course he'd want to be here."
Sophia kept her face passive and slack.
"Him and Sophia are attached at the hip." Merle chuckled, "He'd want to make sure she's safe."
"What about Hannah?" Carol questioned.
Mac grit his teeth and Sophia cracked her eyes open. Merle had a cold look on his face and Daryl just looked resigned.
"She's made it clear that she don't need me there to watch over her." Mac's voice was carefully neutral. "Seems he took it as him as well, she wants him there she can talk to him."
Sophia closed her eyes when Merle met hers. He grinned realizing she wasn't asleep. She fought it but knew that he seen her own answering grin.
"I'm sure Sophia can keep him from dwelling on it." Merle snorted, "Did he hear all of the fight?"
Merle questioned turning to follow Mac out of the room. "Every-fucking-goddamn-word she yelled at me."
"Ouch." Merle winced, "Did she not realize he was there or just not care?"
"Oh if he'd been there she would have smiled for him and played nice but she seemed to forget that Sophia at the time was with Carol and that Brian wasn't with her." Mac snarled, "Fucking cunt."
"Better on your own brother." Merle quipped, "We'll always watch out for her but don't mean you all have to tolerate each other. She's a horrible cook."
Daryl snorted suddenly and Sophia did as well. Carol shushed her and shot Daryl a reproachful look. Sophia shook her head, "No really mom, it's bad. I think she gave me food poisoning a few times." Her voice was whisper soft. "I think she was trying to kill Daryl there for a while. It's why he wont eat at her house. Seen him eat a raw squirrel once to keep from eating her food."
Daryl scowled but laughed nodding, "It's so bad."
Carol grinned and stood, "So tomorrow or what a few days?"
Daryl shifted his pack up onto his shoulder and Sophia rolled off the bed. She walked over forcing her mom forward and slid between them hugging them both.
"Stay safe."