AN: Okay so I gave a little Malcolm and Daryl was mostly playing around with it to build their relationship but I'm going back to Brady right away.
While rummaging through the large stolen duffle bag. Daryl's eyes lit up in relief as he found his trusty crossbow. He noticed among the items was a small cooler containing insulin. Malcolm immediately recognized its importance and knew they had to return it to the trio they just ran from. Despite their dire situation, he couldn't deny someone their life-saving medication.
"Guess we're giving this back," Malcolm said, nodding towards the cooler. Daryl agreed with a curt nod, understanding the gravity of their decision. Even in this harsh world, there were lines they couldn't cross.
Their journey back to the strangers' location was tense and filled with caution. They knew they had to tread carefully, as these were people they didn't fully trust. When they finally reached the group and handed over the insulin for a carved-out piece of wood. The principle of the thing, the atmosphere was tense. But surprisingly, the strangers accepted it without incident.
Though in the end Daryl and Malcolm ultimately noticed the trio was running from their previous group. Malcolm and Daryl had shared a knowing look, one that said let's bring these people back to Alexandria with us, but that was in vain as the girl in need of insulin wound up getting bit than the other two left with Daryl's bike leaving Malcolm and Daryl to leave on foot towards home.
It didn't take them long to find a replacement vehicle though. "You're pretty handy out here," Malcolm remarked, breaking the silence as they inspected a large cargo truck that seemed promising though empty with only one walker which Daryl killed.
Daryl grunted in response, his focus entirely on checking the vehicle for any signs of trouble.
Malcolm let out a triumphant whoop as Daryl turned the key in the ignition, and the engine roared to life as both men hopped in speeding off to Alexandria.
The silence lingered between them for a while.
"You're not much of a talker, are you?" Malcolm finally said, breaking the quiet.
Daryl grunted in response, his focus fixed on getting back to their community, hoping everything would go smoothly.
Unfazed by Daryl's lack of words, Malcolm continued to fill the void, "My momma wasn't much of a talker either. She was the sweetest woman alive, though. And she absolutely loved her tomatoes. I tell ya, she made the best tomato jam," he said with a wistful tone. Daryl glanced at the mention of tomato jam, pretending he was only half listening, even though he was fully intrigued. "Now, don't go thinking it's ketchup because it's not. It's sweeter and chunkier, and oh man, I wish I remembered the recipe."
Malcolm's voice carried a sense of nostalgia, and Daryl couldn't help but be drawn into his story. He was never one to open up much, but there was something about the way Malcolm spoke about his momma and her tomato jam that touched a chord within him. His mother was never around when he was a kid but he didn't dwell on that.
"Yeah? Sounds interesting," Daryl finally replied, keeping his response brief and guarded.
"Oh, it was! You'd spread it on a piece of warm cornbread or use it as a glaze for roasted chicken... Mmm, good times," Malcolm continued, seemingly lost in the memories.
Daryl felt roped into the conversation now and found himself asking before fully thinking, " Yer dad around much?" He felt a tinge of guilt for prying into Malcolm's past, but he found himself genuinely curious.
Malcolm's face momentarily darkened, revealing a troubled history, "Nah, he was a drunk. Wasn't around much."
There was a brief awkward silence as the atmosphere turned a bit heavy, and Daryl regretted his impulsive question. He mentally scolded himself for not being better at this whole "getting to know someone" thing. How was he supposed to establish a connection with Malcolm for Brady's sake if he couldn't handle a simple conversation?
Daryl grunted, trying to ease the tension, "Mine too, well, a drunk anyway. Just gotta let it be in the past." He knew the struggle of dealing with a troubled family history all too well. It took him a long time to come to terms with it and move forward, but it ultimately shaped the person he had become today.
Malcolm nodded in understanding, appreciating Daryl's attempt to relate, "Yeah, you're right. Can't change the past, can we?"
Daryl gave a small nod with an aired-out chuckle, glad that Malcolm didn't seem offended by the question.
"What's so funny?" Malcolm inquired, genuinely puzzled by Daryl's reaction.
"It's just that Brady, she's got this way of lookin' at things, always findin' a glimmer of hope even in the darkest times, well used to be more like that anyways. You're a bit like that too, ain't ya?" Daryl figured it was why they got along and why Brady clung to Malcolm in the community of new people more than others.
Malcolm gave a sad knowing smile but appreciated the comparison.
The air around them shifted to one of seriousness, and Daryl's expression grew stern and intimidating. "You ever hurt her or break her heart, you're a dead man," he stated firmly, his words carrying a weight that made Malcolm take them seriously. He gulped slightly, realizing he wouldn't dare cross Daryl, even if he wanted to deny the insinuation. Instead, he simply nodded in response.
Daryl's protectiveness over Brady was evident, and Malcolm respected that. "I would never do anything to hurt her," he assured, wanting to make it clear that he valued Brady's friendship and wouldn't do anything to jeopardize it.
Daryl's intense gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before he seemed to relax slightly. "Good," he grunted, satisfied with Malcolm's response. "She's been through enough already. Don't want her gettin' hurt anymore."
Malcolm could hear the genuine concern in Daryl's voice, and it made him appreciate the bond the two shared even more. "I get that, and I won't let anything happen to her," he vowed, meaning every word.
Daryl nodded in approval, seemingly satisfied with Malcolm's sincerity. "Alright then," he said, easing the tension a bit. "Let's get back to Alexandria."