Farmer's Daughter (Daryl Dixon Love Story)

Chapter 40

Melinda's POV

"What the actual fuck?" Daryl cusses. One of his hands go up to his hair and he gives his roots a tug before he paces the area in front of him. "What are-" he stops as he quickly breathes and looks up at the burning flames. He swings his crossbow over his back in frustration.

"Daryl-"

"Stop!" He yells and points a finger in my direction. "Just stop talking for one fucking minute!"

I harshly swallow as I watch him break down little by little. I strap my bow over my shoulder as I watch his breaths come out harsh and labored. Sweat dripped effortlessly off of his face. His hands shook as he rakes them through his knotted hair.

"Please-" I slowly walk up to him, my hands raised. "-just let me help you." I try to calm him by using a gentle voice.

"No! See that's not how it's supposed to work!" He shakes a finger at me and backs up as I get too close. Confused, I stop walking and wait for him to explain.

"See I'm supposed to help ye! This place was supposed to be safe. This place was supposed to help us. I'm supposed to keep ye safe! I'm supposed to help ye! How can I do that when we have no fucking place to go? How am I supposed to protect ye, Mel?" He screams. He turns around in pure anger and kicks at a burnt piece of plywood. "Son of a bitch!" He shouts to the sky.

He continues to kick at the blackened wood as I stand there, too stunned and too paralyzed to actually make a move.

"I have to keep ye safe. It's the only thing I've got going for me." His actions subside, he turns to face me and that's when I see it. I see the determination in his eyes. I see the passion and the caring. I see the person he really is. I see a strong man willing to put others before himself. I see a man with a big heart. I see a man with walls that are tumbling down by the minute.

"Daryl-" he quickly shakes his head and purses his lips together as he places his hands on his hips.

"Ye remember at the farm when ye ask me if I cared about ye?" I nodded my head softly. "And I said no." He continued.

"Where are you going with this?" I whispered. My heart pounded against my chest so much that I thought it would break through.

"That's a lie." He paused. "That's the biggest fucking lie I've ever told." He chuckles as he steps towards me. My mouth opens but no words fall out.

"I care too much to be honest. I care about yer little girl. I care about the people in our group. I care about Hershel's family. I care about them all and its fucking pathetic. I shouldn't care at all. About any of ye." He scoffs and leans his head back slightly. "It's bullshit." He mumbles.

I shook my head and walked up to the man. I wrapped my arms around his neck in a bone crushing hug. I take a moment to let the words sink in.

"It's okay to care about the people around you." I whisper. I grip at his jacket as I pull myself closer. His arms snake around my torso. "Because we care about you too." His grip tightens at my last words. I wished what I tell him would stick with him and he'd never forget it. That he'd realize how important he is to everyone.

To me.

Minutes pass and no one moves. We stand there in that position. I feel his heart racing against my chest. I hear his soft breathing against my ear. I feel his soft touch against my skin.

A twig snaps in the distance, making me look in the direction of the noise. The flames behind us dances against the trees, lighting up a far ways. A shadow catches my eye in the distance. Then another. And another.