The Odd One Out ~A Daryl Dixon X Reader~

Chapter 30

I opened my eyes slowly. It was dark. The sun was setting and a cold wind blew at my back. I was enveloped in warmth and strong arms. And that good Daryl smell. "How long have I been sleeping?" I muttered, turning in his arms and stretching.

"Hm. Well, a bunch o' hours."

"Hmm." I grunted. "Why didn't you wake me up?" I asked, turning to face him. His brilliant blue eyes caught mine immediatly and took my breath away momentarily.

"You were sleepin'. And you looked darn pretty, sunshine."

I blushed and pulled out of his grip. "Well," I stretched, "I'm ready to go find the others if you are Unless you want some sleep."

"Since when have I needed sleep?" He gave me a heart stopping smirk and stood up.

"Hmmm... I don't know. You're a Dixon. Oh, and by the way," I poked him hard in the chest, "we still need to have a talk about you calling yourself a 'stupid redneck', Dixon."

He rolled his eyes and pushed my hand away. "I ain't havin' this conversation."

"Then what happened to your mom?" I asked.

He stopped. He turned toward me, his pupils dilated. "You think you can just ask me that?" His voice was hard and husky, and it made me regret the words. I opened my mouth but he stopped me. "No. You can't. Don't ask it again."

"Okay. Whatever." I shrugged, trying to seem fine with it. Daryl figured that our group wouldn't be where we had left them, and we spent a couple minutes looking for his bike. It was out of gas, so Daryl had to walk it along as we trudged through the woods.

"Seriously, did you seriously call me a 'teddy bear' last night?" Daryl questioned as we walked along.

"Uh, yeah."

"I ain't no teddy bear!" He growled, pushing his bike over a tree root.

I laughed and hopped up onto a fallen log, holding my arms out for balance. "Daryl, you are the biggest teddy bear, ever." He scowled. "Like, seriously."

"How am I a teddy bear?!" I swear, his voice rose an octave.

"Let's see," I laughed, jumping off the log, "you're secretly fluffy on the inside and lovey. You're huggable and kind and gentle and strong and soft. And not mention you can yell and growl like a bear."

I swear, he gave me the weirdest look in the world. "You're crazy." He muttered.

"Nah."

"No, you're demented." This made me laugh again. "Proves my point."

"You're also smart and brave and loyal." He went silent. "And you're such a softy around little babies. You'd make a good daddy." I swear, I must've been high to not only claim he was a teddy bear, name all his great qualities, but also to say he would've been a good dad. I was demented to actually say that to him!

He lowered his head. Yeah, I was probably demented from actually getting good sleep for once. And of being held by Daryl all night.

"DAR-BEAR!" I cried out and he looked at me, startled.

"Wh-What?" He stammered.

"That's it! You're Dar-bear!"

He stared at me with wide eyes before glaring at me and growling. "I swear to god, if you ever call me that around anyone I'll break your freakin nose."

"So, I can call you Dar-bear when no one's around?" I asked, totally not bothered his threat.

"No."

I shrugged. "Whatever, Dar-bear."

"Shut up."

"You're not stupid." I said, walking closer to him.

"Shut up." He growled.

"And I still want to know what happened to your mum."

"Shut up!"

"Daryl." I put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You are a good man. And a teddy bear. And smart. And kind. And you really are perfect."

He wheeled and hot pain flared through my face. "SHUT UP!" I stumbled back and put a hand up to my cheek as my face throbbed. His blues eyes were sharp with anger and his hand was held high.

He slapped me.

I shook my head, choking on a sob, and ran.