Between Arrows and Hearts - Daryl Dixon

A real pain in the ass

It had been almost a week since the group got back with Randall, and things at the farm had settled into some kind of calm routine.

The watch shifts rotated between Dale, Andrea, Shane, Daryl, and Rick. T-Dog, Glenn, and Cass only got called up if someone needed a break or had to do something else. 

Today Cass had spent the whole morning bouncing between chores. She helped Carol and Lori with laundry, hauled water from the well with T-Dog, check on Beth for a couple of hours, and even hung out with Dale while he kept watch.

Now? She was sprawled out in her tent, bored out of her mind and counting down the hours till the day was finally over. By her guess, there were still a couple more to go.

The boredom hit her like an old acquaintance she thought she'd left behind. But there it was, making itself comfortable. Everyone was either busy with their own stuff or taking a break, and even the kids were napping. Cass rolled over in her sleeping bag, trying to figure out what to do next.

Her eyes landed on the book Daryl had given her. Apparently, after Andrea accidentally shot him, she'd decided a book made for a good apology gift. Daryl wasn't interested, so he handed it off to Cass after she casually mentioned she liked to read.

Problem was, the book was the most boring thing she had ever read. But it did give her an idea.

Without thinking twice, she headed toward Daryl's little camp.

Things between them had shifted a bit since the "fight". Cass had decided to take him at his word when he said she wasn't bothering him. That gave her the confidence to just talk to him whenever she felt like it. Sometimes she had an actual reason; other times, she just wanted to kill time.

Daryl, he didn't seem to mind. 

He let her hang out while he kept watch, occasionally responding to her jokes or random comments. Most of the time, though, he'd just listen, nodding or giving short answers while she rambled on about whatever popped into her head. Cass didn't mind. At least it was something.

As she got closer to his camp, she spotted him standing there, slinging his crossbow over his shoulder like he was about to head out.

"Heading to the woods?" Cass asked as she approached Daryl. He didn't even flinch, like he'd heard her coming a mile away.

When all she got was a nod in response, she kept going. "Good, I was starting to worry we were gonna run outta squirrels." She teased. "Can I go with you? I could use another tracking lesson."

Daryl didn't say a word. Instead, he ducked into his tent.

Cass squinted at the flap of the tent, crossing her arms. "Okay, so is this your way of saying, Wow, Cass, I'm so thrilled you're coming with me I need a minute to take it all in? Or is this your super subtle way of telling me to buzz off?"

Her answer came when Daryl stepped back out, shrugging into his angel wing vest and tossing a glance her way. "Don't want yer loud ass scarin' off every damn thing out there, ya' hear me?" He muttered, grabbing his crossbow and heading for the tree line without even glancing her way.

Cass bit her lip to keep from smiling. "Loud and clear, boss." She called after him, already falling into step behind.

The first part of the walk had been dead silent. Daryl had gone over some of the tracking basics he'd taught her before, and Cass had listened closely, at least at first. But when the "lesson" turned into just walking quietly and following a trail, she quickly realized tracking required way more patience than she had.

"So..."

Daryl spun around before she could finish, giving her a sharp look that practically screamed, Didn't I tell you not to talk?