Cherokee Rose (Walking Dead fanfiction)

Broken

Daryl laid back in his recliner staring at the unlit fireplace in front of him. Taking a deep swig of whiskey out of the tumbler glass, he sighed and went back to staring off into space again. It was about an hour until the town social and he was shit-faced drunk. He really didn't want to go but he had promised Molly and Katie so he was stuck. Daryl's thoughts drifted back to the place that had him in this state....Raven. Why in the hell would she say something like that to him? She don't know me, she don't know what I do or what I've done. Her daddy was probably rolling over in his grave right about now. Ain't no way that man would have let me near his daughter if he was still around. Dads don't like me and for good reason....I'm an asshole and I like being an asshole.

Daryl tipped his head back, closed his eyes and sighed again. He knew all of this was his fault. Had he listen to himself in the first place and stayed far away from her he wouldn't be in this mess. He just couldn't help himself.....and to make matters worse he had a taste of the forbidden fruit and now it was all he could think about. Why did she have to go and ruin everything? Love me...what the hell? He had thought about just finishing the job and have his way with her and then never speak to her again like the asshole he was, but he does like Sid and well he'd have to stay away from him too. He knew he had hurt her by reacting the way he did and he knew she regretted saying it in the first place, which pissed him off and confused the hell out of him that she hadn't even wanted to say it....damn her! he thought as he hurled his glass into the fireplace smashing it into a million pieces. Rubbing his face with his hands he sat and thought for another moment. He knew what he had to do....he had to make her hate him. If she hated him then she would stay away from him and he wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. He knew how to do it too, he just had to nut up and get it done. Grabbing the bottle and guzzling more, he shook his head violently.....it was now or never.

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Raven flitted around the kitchen full of nervous energy checking the oven, cleaning the counter. She had made several pies for the social tonight and wanted everything to be perfect. She had made one apple, one cherry and one blueberry. She didn't know Daryl's favorite but she hoped it would be one of those. Daryl....she thought. She had a plan, well sort of one as long as he would talk to her. She was just going to be honest with him and tell him that she had just gotten too carried away and that it was way too soon for anything like that and that she was sorry....and she really was.

Caroline and the girls rushed in, smiling and chattering. Caroline looked even better today and she was so happy about that. It was obvious the girls had missed this side of their mom and were so happy to have her back.

"You ready Aunt Raven? Huh? You ready?" pleaded the girls Raven smiled. She liked that the "Aunt" had stuck.

"Yep but I'm going to need help with these pies...do you have your wagon ready?"

"Yes! It's right here!" Raven smiled again and let them help pack up the pies.

The walk to the middle of town was a pleasant one. The girls chattered nonstop and people came to say hello to Caroline, so happy to see her out and about. Finally arriving at a small white building, Raven followed them carrying the pies, placing them on the dessert table. The place was crowded, and it looked like the entire town had turned out. Raven scanned the crowd wondering if Daryl had made it yet when suddenly her heart fell to her feet. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Daryl was sitting 10 feet from her with the freckle-faced girl straddling him. He had his hands up her shirt and his tongue down her throat. Raven couldn't look away. She didn't understand. Why would he do this? What about what they did or almost did last night? Had he just been using her? She could feel her throat tighten and tears threaten but still she couldn't look away. Then Daryl was staring at her. The girl was kissing his neck and he just sat there staring at her. After he figured out she wasn't going to look away, he pushed the girl off his lap and charged towards her.