Unbreakable threads

Chapter Ninety Nine : Daryl& Aaron talk.

Daryl moved through the woods silently, his crossbow at the ready. Normally, Alyssa would be at his side, their unspoken rhythm carrying them through the wilderness. But not this time. Alyssa had been pulled into Alexandria's system, playing deputy for Deanna alongside Rick. And while Daryl could admit Alyssa was a damn good leader—a spitfire with instincts as sharp as his—she wasn't a cop. She was too raw, too untamed for a uniform and rules.

It wasn't her.

Daryl scoffed quietly to himself, shaking his head as he crouched down to examine some tracks in the dirt. He didn't like this new setup, not one bit. The idea of her in that uniform, following someone else's rules—it just didn't sit right.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sharp snap of a twig behind him. In a flash, Daryl spun around, crossbow raised, his finger hovering over the trigger.

Standing a few feet away was Aaron, his hands raised cautiously. "Just... hunting rabbits," Aaron said carefully, his voice calm. "Didn't expect to see you out here."

Daryl grunted, his eyes narrowing as he lowered his weapon. He didn't respond, just turned back toward the tracks he was studying.

Aaron stepped closer, his movements deliberate and quiet. "Can I tag along?" he asked after a beat, his tone tentative.

Daryl glanced at him, his expression unreadable. He grunted again—noncommittal, but not exactly a refusal.

Aaron took it as a yes, falling into step a few paces behind Daryl, trying to match the hunter's quiet, deliberate movements. Daryl said nothing, his focus locked on the task at hand, but Aaron could feel the tension radiating off him like a storm waiting to break.

Aaron broke the silence as they moved through the woods, his voice quiet but deliberate. "I heard Alyssa was given the position of deputy. I knew Rick would be a good constable. But it was me that put Alyssa forward for deputy."

Daryl froze for a moment, his shoulders stiffening slightly before he resumed walking. He didn't respond, his focus seemingly locked on the ground ahead.

Aaron continued, oblivious to Daryl's growing tension. "After she got me away from that herd before the water tower," he said softly. "She led me, Glenn, Rick, and Michonne to safety, and she did it... easily. Like it came naturally to her. She's strong, capable. I thought—well, I knew—she'd be perfect for the role."

Daryl bristled, his jaw tightening as he let out a low grunt. Aaron noticed the shift, glancing at Daryl curiously.

"She's your friend?" Aaron asked carefully.

Daryl stopped dead in his tracks, his shoulders rising and falling with a heavy breath. "My girl," he muttered, his voice low and gruff.

Aaron tilted his head, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion. He knew Alyssa—knew her well enough to know she was very much gay. Her openness about it was one of the things that had drawn Aaron to her, given him a sense of kinship in a world that often didn't make room for people like them.

"Your... girl?" Aaron repeated cautiously, his tone more curious than accusatory.

Daryl just grunted again, avoiding Aaron's gaze as he started walking forward, his steps heavier than before. The conversation was clearly over as far as Daryl was concerned, but Aaron couldn't help but wonder what exactly my girl meant to him. It was complicated, that much was clear.

Aaron watched Daryl's stiff demeanor as they walked, the tension practically radiating off him. "She seems a little closer to you than Rick," Aaron said carefully, testing the waters.

Daryl's steps faltered for a split second before he recovered, his grip on the crossbow tightening. He didn't look at Aaron, his voice gruff and clipped when he finally responded. "Yeah, well... Rick's her dad, but that don't mean much these days."