|Cleave| Daryl D. x Male Reader

Camp

It'd been about two, maybe three months since the outbreak started. The disease was worse than initially thought. It turned people into flesh eating monsters called 'walkers'.

You and your family stayed with your newly found group, gaining new people. Andrea, her sister Amy, Dale, Glenn, Jacqui, Merle, his brother Daryl, T-dog, and others. They all mostly got along... mostly.

Nobody really liked Ed's company and Merle was, well, Merle.

Daryl didn't talk much, except to his brother, Carol, and sometimes you. He'd always go out hunting to avoid the rest of the group.

You really liked Carol. She was sweet and always knew how to cheer someone up. She was also nice company and a good person to talk to.

They'd all settled in the woods, far away from the city. There were no walkers; no noises, except those of nature; plenty of privacy; and no other people.

You had planted the different seeds you'd brought, which everyone was thankful for, and grew a thriving garden. Well, it was thriving thanks to M/n and Carol. You would occasionally help weed or water it. And that's what you were currently doing; watering the plants. You'd just finished when Daryl walked out of the heavily green forest.

"Mornin'." You simply spoke, giving him a friendly nod. He returned the gesture, the corners of his lips holding themselves down as he walked to the area of the camp he'd claimed. You watched as he walked by with squirrels hanging from his body, some large animal in one hand and his knife in the other. Though it wasn't obvious, he did help the group. He caught enough animals to supply everyone with meat for dinner along with the greens and fruits from the garden. You caught yourself staring and cleared your throat, moving your eyes away from the man. You walked back to your mother. She was talking with Dale.

"...and so I told him—" Dale's gaze flicked to you and your mother turned.

"Oh, hello, Y/n, done already?" She gave you a warm smile.

"Uhm, yeah, Momma." You nodded and looked over at Dale, giving him a small wave.

"Ah, ah, how many times I gotta tell you, boy? No 'uhm' 'uh' and 'mhm's around me." Your mother flicked the bottom of your nose and you flinched. Dale chuckled.

"Sorry, Momma." You muttered and rubbed your nose. "Where d'ya want me to put this?" You asked as you held up the makeshift watering can.

"Oh, you can put that in the RV." Dale replied with a small smile, glancing at your mother.

"Are you sure? I don't want to take up your space." She said in her sweet tone of voice.

"Don't worry, M/n, it's not a problem at all." Dale reassured as he and your mother looked at each other. You raised your eyebrow. They were staring at each other for way too long.

"Ooookay then..." You muttered and walked off towards the RV. On your way there, you crossed paths with Merle. You silently sighed as he noticed your presence.

"Y/n, good to see you this fine morning." He flashed you a sickingly sweet smile. You gave him a faulty one in return.

"Merle." You tried to walk past him but he kept up a speed that held him by your side.

"So, tell me somethin', Y/n."

"What do you want to hear?"

"Why's my baby brother seem to have taken a likin' to ya?" His question came out of the blue. Sure, you and Daryl would exchange a few words, but it's not like you could hold a conversation with him. He'd always pull away and go somewhere else.