Red ~ TWD (Daryl Dixon)

Wonderwall

I cracked my knuckles, rotating my shoulders like it might relieve the ever-present ache in my lower back.  Grumbling to myself I placed the cleaning solvent, gun oil, bore brush, cleaning rod, and cotton swabs in a neat, orderly line on the table.  At my feet Chief Ramhorn sighed before rolling over on his side for a nap.

I sighed with irritation.  I wanted to nap, but every time I tried these kids started tap dancing on my bladder.

Instead, I started field stripping my rifles and semi-automatic pistols, laying each piece on a clean towel in front of me.  It wasn't long until all the weapons were disassembled and ready for a thorough cleaning. 

There was something about cleaning weapons that calmed me down.  Maybe it was the meticulous nature of it or the fact it was the only time I seemed to be able to sit still, but it was soothing in a way not much else was, especially now.

I was so focused I didn't hear the front door open or the heavy footsteps of my brother-in-law as he stomped through our house like an elephant.  My dog sat up, ears alert, but the second he saw Merle his tail started wagging. 

"What the hell ya doin'?"

I glanced up at him briefly before inserting a bore bristle into a barrel.  "Aaron says I'm nesting."

Merle grunted, raising his eyebrows while surveying the table. "Ain't that when knocked up chic's buy baby blankets and diapers and shit."

"What the hell are you talking about?"  He shrugged, face turning red.  If I wasn't so on edge I would have continued putting pressure on his embarrassment, but I was so I went back to cleaning.  "What are you doing here?"

"Maybe I just came by to say hi."  I stopped oiling the moving parts of the action and stared at him expectantly.  He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly trying to wait me out.  Exactly 10 seconds later he cracked.  "Fine, Darlina asked me to check on ya so here I am."

"God help us if you're ever a hostage."  He huffed loudly, throwing his large body into an all too small chair across from me.  "Why aren't you out hunting?"  He shifted uncomfortably, unable to make eye contact and I rolled my eyes.  "Katniss asked you to babysit."

"He's just worried is all.  Yur as big as a..."  I gave him my best murder face, and his mouth snapped shut as he swallowed hard.  "What I mean is the babies could come any time now."

"Not soon enough," I grumbled. 

Merle may be a dick, but he was right.  I was as big as house, probably bigger.  The twins had better make their entrance soon or I was going to have to evict them. 

"How may goddamn weapons ya got woman?"  I cocked an eyebrow, reaching under the table and grabbing a 9mm strapped there, setting it on the table with a lopsided smile.  "Hospitality ain't yur strong suit lil' sister."

A pain in my lower back made me wince, the pieces of the disassembled rifle falling from my shaking hands.  Merle shot out of his chair, coming to stand beside me. 

"I'm fine.  My back is just cramping up."

"Should I get Sid?"  I shook him off, pushing the chair back so I could stand.  He was instantly behind me, helping me to my feet while making sure I didn't fall.  "Let's go for a walk.  It'll help loosen everythin' up?"

The last thing I wanted to do was go for walk, but if I didn't he wouldn't leave me alone then Legolas would pester me until I went so best just get it out of the way now.  Reluctantly I nodded, waddling towards the front door.  The moment we stepped outside the sun blinded me.  It was cool today, but already I felt sweat trickling down my back.  That was what happened when you got this large.  You generated your own weather patterns.