Li'l Sparky // [Daryl Dixon]

Scars

Season: Five

Episode(s): ???

*Ryan's POV*

"Enid," I repeated. "I've never heard of that. It's beautiful. Why don't you come inside and tell us about yourself." Enid nodded and followed me inside. She sat besides me and started telling us about herself.

"I'm fifteen," she started. "My parents were killed by those... things. I've never been part of a group and I've been on my own for a week now."

"I'm really sorry," Merle said. "We've all lost someone. My dad was an ass, I lost my mom when I was sixteen, and I don't know where the hell my brother is."

"Yeah," I said. "My mom died when I was fourteen, my step-mom and step-brother was killed early in the apocalypse, my dad was killed two weeks ago, my sisters are gone, and somebody I love very much has no idea I'm alive." 

Merle's hand fluttered over mine. 

"Say, how many walkers have you killed?" I asked.

"I dunno. I try to avoid them," Enid shrugged.

"How many people?"

"None."

"Why?"

"Just didn't have to." 

---

"So, it's a game called 'scars'," I explained. "You show off your coolest battle scars to your friends and tell the story behind it." 

"Did you get this off Buzzfeed?" Enid asked me. "I swear, you did." 

"Hush, child, the adult is speakin'," I teased her. I pulled back my hair to reveal the scar that Andrea caused. "So one of my group members shot me right here."

"Andrea?" Merle asked. I nodded. 

"I think this one is pretty obvious," Merle held up his faux hand. "Had to saw it off myself."

"Badass," Enid grinned. "I have a scar on my arm from when I fell through a roof. My friends told me it was safe, but apparently not." 

"We're all quite the survivors, aren't we?" I asked. 

"Yeah," Enid grinned. "I feel like a person again." 

"Okay, kids," Merle smirked. "Get to sleepin', I'll take first watch." Enid crawled over to a pile of hay and collapsed instantly. She must've been exhausted. I took off my jacket and covered her with it.

"She's a sweetheart, ain't she?" I smiled. 

"She seemed so closed off," Merle observed. "I'm surprised she opened up so quickly." 

"Reminds me of somebody I know," I looked up at him.

"C'mere," he scoffed and kissed my forehead. 

"How 'bout I stay on watch with you?" I asked. He sat down and I crouched down besides him. I leaned my head against his chest and watched the stars twinkle. 

"You love me," I said after a few minutes. Merle tensed up. "I heard you and Rick talkin' about it before you took Michonne."

Merle wouldn't meet my gaze. For the first time, hurt crossed his eyes. 

"I am so sorry," I whispered. "I can't return what you feel for me."

"But you could give it to my brother?" he muttered. "Yeah, he was always the sweet one. I love you too much to sabotage what you have. I'm cool with livin' with that constant pain."