It's A Lonely World//Rickyl~Daryl x Rick~Rick x Daryl

Caught

I got to know everybody else's names, and I looked back at Rick.
"Sorry about my breakdown back there. This was just a lot to take in, because this is the most love I've ever gotten."

"What do you mean? We've only known you for about an hour." Rick asked.

I placed Carl down, along with my crossbow, and took my vest and shirt off, turning around, listening to everyone gasp as they saw all of the bruises and scars on my back.

I turned back around, placing my shirt and vest back on.
"That's what I mean. My family hated my fuckin' guts just because I'm gay, and that's how they took it out on me. But when they were drunk, after they were done, thats when I took it out on myself."

Right then, Rick pulled me into a hug and I felt my face heat up, hiding it by burying my face in his neck as I hugged him back.

I felt Carl hug me from behind, then Lori got into the hug, then everyone else.

~~

I sat at the back of the barn, playing with the blade of my knife that had my dried blood still on it.

"Even though you're an asshole...I fuckin' miss ya bro."

*Miss ya too lil brother*

"I just need to see you, even if it's a picture. I just need to know that you're okay."

*I'm a Dixon. We're tough as shit.*

I smiled to myself.
"Even though you're just in my thoughts, its still nice to hear your voice when you're not callin' me a faggot."

*I'm sorry Daryl. I just take it all out on you when in scared*

I snickered.
"Yeah. You tell me now?"

It's almost like I could hear him smile.
*See ya later lil bro*

"You too."

I stood up, rubbing my face, realizing it was wet. I wasn't sweating. I wiped my eyes and it confirmed what I thought.

I wiped my stray tears away and exited the barn, my crossbow slung over my shoulder.

I walked into the farmhouse, being greeted by everyone.

We all sat down at a table and started eating.
"So, Daryl." Rick started.
"Got any siblings?"

I nodded.
"Yeah. He was an asshole, but he's my brother, so I still love 'em."

"Wait...what did you say your last name was?"

"Dixon."

Rick's face went pale.
"Your brother...Merle? Merle Dixon?"

I swallowed my food, placing my fork down.
"You know 'im?"

He placed his fork down, giving me a look that made me feel uneasy.
"Can I talk to you outside?"

"Yeah, sure."

I stood up from the table, following him outside and to the porch.
"Daryl, there's no easy way to say this, so I'll just say it."
My heart was beating out if my chest, and I just stared him in the eyes.
"Your brother was a danger to us all, so I handcuffed him to a pole on a roof."

My eyes widened, and my body filled with fury.
"You handcuffed my brother to a roof...and you **left him there?!**"

"Daryl-"

"I trusted you people. I thought we were havin' somethin' goin' between us. I fuckin' trusted you."

"He's still there. I can take you."

"Listen...I'm sorry for raisin' my voice..."

"It's alright. I understand."

~~

Rick, Glenn, T-Dog and I were in a delivery truck, and were on our way to the building that my brother was on.

"He better be alright. You guys don't want to see me angry. Trust me. But, I'll try not to."

"It's alright." Rick said, placing a hand on my shoulder, sending a huge wave of butterflies to my stomach.

~~

T-Dog cut the chain off of the door, and I kicked it open.

"Merle! MERLE!"

I turned the corner and froze, staring into the eyes that I thought I would never see again.

"Sup lil brother?"

I looked down, covering my face with one hand and cried.
After Rick got the handcuff off of his hand, I basically ran at him, burying my face in his neck.

"You're a fuckin' asshole." I chuckled.

"So are you."

~~

"You're always in my thoughts, callin' me a faggot and bossin' me around."

"Not like I haven't done that before."

I laughed.
"Fuck you."

The truck finally came to a stop, and I opened the hatch, sliding the door up and stepping out, Merle following behind me.

We walked into the house, and Hershal aimed his gun at Merle.
"I've heard many things about you. Now get the fuck out of my house."

"Hershal. Drop the gun." I said shakily.

"Not until this mother fucker gets out of my damn house."

His gun clicked, and I stepped in front of Merle.
"Drop the fuckin' gun. You're not killin' 'im."

The sound of a gunshot zip past my ear made me flinch, but I didn't feel any pain.

I looked behind me as Merle collapsed to the ground, blood gushing out of his neck.
"NO! NO NO NO NO NO!!!"

I fell to the floor next to him, placing my hands over the wound, only making it seep through in between my fingers.

"Merle. Please..."

"I'm sorry little brother...I-I'm so sorry..."

I started balling my eyes out, my tears landing on his chest.
"It's okay Merle. It's okay." I placed my forehead on the other side of his neck, whispering to him.
"It's alright Merle. I'm right here."

"I-I love you...Daryl..." He choked.

"I...I love you too...Merle..." I sobbed.

He let out his final breath, and I knew what I had to do.
I pulled my knife out of my holster and placed the tip of the blade against his temple, resting my forehead on his.
"I love you Merle...I love you so much..."

I pushed the blade into his head, collapsing on top of him, holding his face with my hands.
"I'm so sorry..."

"Wake up..." His voice echoed in my head.
"Wake up Daryl..."
"Wake up!"
"WAKE UP!!"

My eyes shot open and I gasped, sitting bolt upright in the barn.
I looked around, spotting Rick with his hand on my neck.

"R-Rick?"

He pulled me towards him, and I started crying in his neck.
"Shh, its okay. It was just a nightmare. It's okay."

"I-I...It was so real though...I...I had to kill him...I had to..."

"It's alright Daryl. I'm right here, I'm right here...I'm right here."

I pulled away from the hug, and just...stared into his eyes that were full of...lust?
We just stared at each other for what felt like hours until he finally broke the silence.

"Daryl...I just need to apologize for trying to kill you when we ran into you. I didn't mean to, but..."

"It's alright, I get it. You're forgiven."

He smiled, and I couldn't help but smile back.
Our expressions slowly softened and we found ourselves inching closer together. I went to place my hand on his neck, but quickly pulled away as a voice called into the barn.

"RICK?!"