𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒍𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 ➪ «𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑥𝑜𝑛»

ch. XIX pt. II

oOo

Since he'd noticed an apparent improvement in her form and aim, Daryl decided to fast forward her training.

Diana was just a natural genius. It wasn't as if she'd been practicing almost every day after self-defense and in the evening just so she could have the advantage. Nah. She was just naturally good. Good old talent.

Daryl had decided to try moving targets. They didn't have any real gear available, so he threw rocks in the air and Diana had to try and hit them. So far, out of the dozen he'd thrown, she'd hit an average of zero. Good old talent.

Her incapability to do anything right brought about some old friends named intrusive thoughts. They repeated themselves like a mantra over and over in her mind. They became harsher and harsher with every failed attempt and she felt her self-esteem decay and her self-hate double and triple.

The best way to distract herself was to talk.

"Hey, so, I know what your spite with Shane was about," she started. Alice really was a great source of gossip. She hadn't approached that issue since it first caused strife between them. But now, she figured enough time had passed to mention again. They were on better terms now even if he and Shane remained relatively rocky.

Daryl scoffed as he bent over to get another stone. "You about the only one didn't know."

Diana rolled her eyes and made a mocking face. "Sorry for not caring about what goes on in other people's lives. It's called minding my own business, you know? Finally learned how that works." Oh, the lies.

Daryl gave a soft chuckle. "Ya feelin' feisty today, huh?"

"I'm good humored," she said in mocked seriousness. With one brow elegantly arched, she gave him the palm of her hand with a flourish. "Don't mock me, good sir, I beg of you."

Daryl walked behind her and said, "So long it don't mess with your form."

Diana felt his close presence at her back. Then the warmth of his breath on her neck as he looked over her shoulder. Her breath hitched and her body tensed instantly. He must've noticed the change. His hands came to rest on her shoulders and he lowered them gently with a whispered 'that's it' near her ear. It caught her off guard.

Her chest became tight and warm. She nodded a choppy thanks as sweat broke out her every pore.

"I'm-" she cleared her throat. "I'm the Queen of multitasking," she said and shot at a random tree just to release the frustration. Daryl rarely initiated physical contact. It felt different than when she did.

From off to the side, Daryl said, "Then catch this."

"What?" Diana turned too slow and took a canteen flask to the boob. "Ouch! Boi, mas que merda?" she called out. She resisted the urge to rub her injured boob like she normally would and bent down to pick up the offending object.

Daryl joined her and nodded at the flask. "Drink up."

"Thanks," Diana said and shouldered her bow to unscrew it. She was about to drink but took a whiff and narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Water wasn't supposed to have a smell. "What's in this?"

"Just water. What, want me to clean it up for ya?" Daryl lifted the hem of his shirt to clean the mouth of the flask. Diana politely averted her eyes from his exposed skin and snatched the drink from him. If only to drown out the heat in her belly.

"Gimme that. There's no need, you don't disgust me." She took a swig and immediately blanched. Her face screwed up and she stuck her tongue out. "Bleh, tastes so weird." It tasted slightly strong, like spiked water.