Between Arrows and Hearts - Daryl Dixon

The cool ride

Hello! This chapter will be a little long. I don't know if you knew, but there is a deleted scene from the beginning of season two, where it is explained what happened with the vatos, and with Daryl's truck, T-Dog's van and Shane's jeep.

This chapter is set in that scene, you can read it perfectly without having seen it, but in case anyone is curious, I leave you the link!

https://youtu.be/JyhIlIT_0Ow?si=5l-RyK9hQn3C_t38I hope you enjoy this chapter!

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As they drove away from the smoldering remains of the CDC, the truck was silent, the only sound coming from the rumble of the engine. Daryl stole a glance at Cass beside him, her gaze fixed out the window, lost in thought.

Daryl wasn't used to company in his truck, and though he usually preferred the quiet, the heavy silence now seemed to hang thickly in the air. Cass was rarely quiet; she always had something to say.

"There might be CDs in the glove compartment." Daryl mumbled, breaking the silence.

Cass blinked as if coming out of a trance, a small smile breaking across her face. "What music do you listen to?" She asked, curiosity lighting her eyes.

"I don't." Daryl shrugged, already regretting saying anything. But he added, "You're freakin' me out with all this quiet. Didn't know you could even stay that way."

Cass laughed, the sound lightening the tension. "Knew you loved hearing me talk," She teased softly.. "I don't know, just... thinking." She shifted in her seat to face him, waiting until he glanced over. "You remember what you said that morning after the attack at camp?"

Daryl frowned, unsure what she meant. He thought back, sorting through the things he'd shouted about killing Amy or Jim. He shook his head, feeling her gaze waiting for him to respond.

"You'd fought with Morales and Glenn," Cass continued. "I remember hearing you yell that it was what we deserved... for leaving Merle behind." She paused.

"Morales left, Andrea lost Amy and Jacqui's gone." Her voice grew softer, almost a whisper. "Maybe you were right, and somehow we're paying for what we did." Cass shrugged, her gaze drifting back to the window.

For a moment, Daryl couldn't respond. He had spent his entire life knowing that no one paid attention to his words, so half the time he doesn't expect anyone to listen. But here she was, second time that Cass not only remembered, but took his words to heart.

Last night, when she said it bothered her that Daryl asked for Merle first when they went to rescue her from the vatos. He didn't answer, having no idea what to say. This time, Daryl spoke.

"Ain't like that," He finally muttered. "I was just angry. Nobody's paying for anything. Shit happens."

Back at camp, he'd believed what he'd said, but now, seeing how his words affected Cass, he regretted them.

"We went back for Merle. He was gone. That's not on us." He said firmly, as much to convince her as himself.

Cass turned to look at him, her gaze steady, searching his face. After a moment, she nodded, her smile returning. "Alright then." She said softly.

"So, since you can't stand me being quiet, what should I talk about?" She batted her eyelashes playfully.

Daryl rolled his eyes, trying to hide a smirk. "Hell nah. Go back to bein' quiet. I liked the silence."

Cass's laughter filled the truck, warm and genuine, melting away any remaining tension. And with that, the silence was gone for the rest of the drive.

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