Dixon Family Matters

Heading to Atlanta

            A couple days later and Daryl was getting ready to go hunting again. This time, however, his brother wouldn't be going with him. Merle was a short ways from him, getting ready to go on a run to Atlanta.

            "Do ya have ta go Uncle Merle?" Christian asked.

            "Ya bud, we need supplies," Merle said, not looking up.

            "But ya go hunting ta get food," Christian argued, "That's more important! Can't ya jus' do that?"

            "Naw, gonna go see wha' I can find in Atlanta," Merle said. Daryl watched his son carefully and saw the boy's face fall. He looked around himself for a moment before he finally found something to throw at his brother.

            "Wha-" Merle turned, but before he could say anything, Daryl pointed to Christian. Merle followed his brother's gaze and sighed. He went over to his nephew and sat down.

            "Wha's a matter?" he asked.

            "What if you go and somethin' bad happens?" Christian asked, "What if ya don' come back?"

            "'m gonna come back kid," Merle said.

            "But what if ya don'?" Christian said, looking up at him.

            "Wha' do we always say? Huh?" Merle asked, "Ain't nothin' can kill a Dixon..."

            "But a Dixon," Christian finished with a sigh, "But now there's dead people walkin' around and they could get ya! I don' want 'em ta get ya!"

            "Ain't nothin' gonna get me," Merle told him, "Ye don' gotta worry 'bout tha', a'right?"

            Christian nodded, but still didn't look pleased.

            "What're ye gonna do today?" Daryl asked his son, trying to distract him.

            "Carol's gonna show me how ta write letters, Christian said quietly, "She said soon I'll be able ta write my name."

            "Well, that'll be fun, won't it?" Daryl asked, trying to sound enthusiastic, but Christian merely shrugged.

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            It was later that day and the group heading for Atlanta were just about to set off.

            "Don' do nothin' stupid," Daryl said and Merle laughed, clapping him on the back.

            "Relax baby brother," he said and then reached over to ruffle Christian's hair. "Ye be good. An' don' worry 'bout me." Christian nodded, trying to look tougher than he actually felt at that moment. The group left and Daryl led his son over to the RV. He was going hunting overnight and Dale had volunteered to watch Christian again.

            "Ye listen ta Dale, a'right? An' Carol," Daryl said.

            "I will," Christian sighed, "Yer gonna come back right?"

            "Ya, I'll be back," Daryl said, "I'll try an' be back tomorrow, but if I'm not don' panic, a'right?"

            "I won't," Christian said and then hugged his dad tightly before running over to Carol.

            "I should be back tomorrow," Daryl called up to Dale, "But if I'm not-"

            "He'll be looked after, don't you worry," Dale assured him. Daryl nodded once before walking off into the forest.

            Dale looked over at where Christian sat with Carol, Lori, Sophia, and Carl and smiled. Daryl had nothing to worry about, Christian would be well looked after here.

I like the idea of Merle being a caring uncle. Even if he is kind of an asshat to everyone, I like the idea that he takes care of his nephew.

Also, I apologize for any spelling errors. It's a bit more difficult to spell check when you're deliberately spelling some words wrong as part of speech. I hope I'm going okay with the way Merle, Daryl, and Christian speak. I've read a lot of fanfics and watched the episodes over and over to try to get right so I hope I am.

Let me know what you think!