The Odd One Out ~A Daryl Dixon X Reader~

Chapter 45

Here ya guys go. Don't hate me :3

"If it ain't the angel 'imself. Ye'r right, Merle." The second voice was so annoying I wanted to kill whoever was talking just to relief him of having that voice. It was like fingernails down a chalkboard. But about 20,000 times worse.

Wait- Merle?!

I tensed against Daryl, who was as tense as I'd ever felt him. Judith cooed and clung to Daryl's arm as he held her. "Who the heck is that?" I hissed softly. He didn't reply.

"Yup, the damn angel with his wings blazin' like they always do. He's got a pretty girl and baby with 'im too. What do you think, Merle? Did someone actually fall in love with that rodent?"

I clenched my teeth, furious. No one talked about Daryl like that! He was very very very very very very very very lovable. Period.

"No." The man continued to talk to himself. Or us. I didn't know. "He probably pushed 'imself on her. That sounds like somethin' he'd do." It wasn't. "He probably forced her. She couldn't possibly love a little monster like that."

I began to shake with indignation. My belly burned with fury. "I'm gonna kill him." I growled. "I'm gonna rip out his guts and use it as my Christmas decorations!"

"Sh!" Daryl hissed, clapping his rough hand over my mouth.

"C'mon, baby brotha'. Show ye'r face. Aren't you excited ye'r older brotha's still alive? I'm the only one who ever loved ya, and who ever will. Remember that?"

My like for Merle vanished. I loved Daryl. Everyone in the group loved Daryl. Beth loved Daryl. Carol loved Daryl. Judith, the baby, loved Daryl. Now, I wanted to tell them that, but I was shielded and muted.

"I'd be more glad if you weren't part of a band o' murderers and workin' with him, of all people!" He snapped, his voice shaking.

I continued to mutter under my breath about how I was going to slaughter the guy when Judith tugged on my hair, cooing gently. I sighed and gently cradled her close so Daryl would accidentally drop her.

"Aw, ya know y'er part of a band of murderers too." Merle sighed.

Daryl didn't reply. He swallowed thickly. I was still held firmly across his chest so I couldn't offer much comfort. I reached up and gently touched his chest. His turned his head toward me and the look in his eyes drove the air out of my lungs.

He looked so defeated. His blue eyes were dull orbs and he was frowning, tears building up in the corners of his eyes. He looked so much older, much more weary.

"Daryl." I whispered against his hand. "Who is that?"

He lowered his head and closed his eyes. "It's my dad.