I just want to be with you || RICKYL

015 | Joe and his sons

They were on their way to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Rick had stopped by some lousy tank station, urging Daryl to go to the toilet before they moved on and Daryl arguing he didn't have to, but eventually going inside to stop Rick's nagging.
He was looking at sunglasses, women's sunglasses, to be precise.

He was fitting on some heart shaped sunglasses, the Pixies softly playing in the background as he hummed along to it.
He reached into his pocket, taking out the one dollar bill the sunglasses cost and walked over to the counter, "can I get these?" he asked as he subtly reached over and stuffed a few packets of bubble gum into his pocket.

A strong hand grabbed his hand before he could pull it back out, Daryl's heart hammering in his chest until he recognized Rick behind him, forcing his hand to put the gum on the counter as he made small talk with the cashier.
He paid for Daryl's glasses and the gum with a smile, taking everything and walking out of the store.

Daryl hurried after him, Rick turned around and grabbed him, shoving him against the car.
The air was slammed out of Daryl's lungs with the force, "if I ever catch you stealing again, we're gonna have some trouble," Rick said, his eyes nearly spewing fire and his tone stern as Daryl quickly nodded, terrified of the man's state of anger.

"I got it, I won't do it again," he squeaked out, Rick straightened up, releasing Daryl.
"Good," he grumbled as he got in the car and Daryl did so too, frowning as he looked down at his arm, the print where Rick had grabbed him an angry red and hurting.

"that hurt," Daryl said as Rick pulled back onto the main road.
"you gotta learn," Rick said as he glanced into the rear view mirror, fixing it a little and then diverting his gaze to the road in front of him.
Daryl scoffed and crossed his arms, "what you scoffing at me for?" Rick said, clearly offended.

"you think I'm gonna learn if you hurt me anytime I do something bad? You're no better than my old man," he sneered and glared out the window.
Rick kept quiet, but the anger was seething off of him, thickening the air uncomfortably.

The two rode two days straight without saying a decent word to each other, fighting constantly and Daryl refusing to even look Rick's way.
They were way through Pittsburgh, Rick had gotten them a temporary rental house in Trenton and it was beautiful.
It was absolutely gorgeous, so Daryl had said a million times as he was showed around the house.

"Yeah, we're happy to have you here," Joe smiled politely, wrapping an arm around his wife.
Daryl smiled up at Rick for the first time in days, Rick straight up ignoring him, not in the mood for any of his antics.

"Should I take your bags up for you, boy?" Joe asked and Daryl nodded, "yes please, I reckon a strong man like you could do that for me," he joked and Joe bellowed a laugh, Rick looking less than amused.
Once Joe had left the room, expecting Daryl to follow him, Rick grabbed Daryl's arm.
"I don't think you're funny, you stop your flirtin' with that man, you got me?"
"Hypocrite," Daryl sneered as he pulled his arm away and hurried after Joe.

"Your father is a little grumpy," Joe chuckled as Daryl caught up with him.
"Oh he's not my father, he's-" he cut himself off and Joe raised an eyebrow, "he's?"

"My boyfriend."

Joe's eyebrows raised, "oh, boyfriend? Ain't he a bit old?" Joe asked with a frown, "how old are you?"
Daryl swallowed thickly, he shouldn't have said that.
"No need to be scared, I've had my fair share of gals," Joe laughed and Daryl let out a chuckle, "I'm uh, I'm fifteen. Almost sixteen, two more weeks."
Joe hummed, "alright, well, this way!" he escorted Daryl into his room, it was just as extravagant as the rest of the house and Daryl's jaw gaped as he looked around.
"Again, the house is gorgeous, really," Daryl said as he stared out the window at the view.