Wild Roses ~Daryl Dixon Love Story~•

Thunder

Daryl P.O.V

I turned around to find dozens of scars littering her back. I felt rage grow in my stomach, Who would do this to a beautiful girl like Rose? She didn't deserve it. Hundreds of flashbacks played across my mind of the years from abuse. I noticed a particularly long, purple scar starting at her left shoulder bade right down to her lower back. The scars left bumps of un-even skin and purple hues. I could tell she was petrified, slightly shaking and tense. Her muscles were stiff, like she wasn't breathing. I stood up and walked over to her, placing my hand on her shoulder. She flinched and whipped her body around to face me, holding her sweater over her chest. Her face was emotionless but her eyes were filled with fear and judgement. "Go on. Ask." She cracked, voice strained from holding back tears. Probably years of unshed tears. I didn't know what to say. I knew she was referring to asking how, or who did this, but I was smart enough to not bring up that subject. She didn't make eye contact with me at all. "I'm broken. I know that, I couldn't keep it a secret from you forever. I understand, you don't want someone as broken as me. I'm useless." She said hard. I saw her tense up when I lifted a hand to rest on her cheek. Little did she know, I was broken too.

Rose P.O.V

I didn't know what was going to happen next. He saw the scars. Memories flashed before my eyes, the years of being treated like a worthless animal. The people in the small town I grew up in didn't even know what went on inside those 4 walls. I'm broken. Daryl wouldn't want a broken woman like me. I could see fear evident in his face, but his eyes showed an emotion I couldn't recognise. I couldn't lock eyes with him. His blues held so much intensity that they would melt me. I raised his hand and gently placed it on my cheek. I Flinched at first, but melted into his touch. He had this power over me, he could melt my walls down with on touch. I sighed deeply, and I noticed he did to, He had fear painted on his face. "I know what it feels like to be broken.." He whispered, causing me to strain to hear him. A million questions floated through my mind but there was only one answer. He's been through it to; the abuse. I sighed and lifted a hand and rested it on his cheek, his stubble pricking my hand slightly. He dropped his hand the same time I dropped mine. I took this opportunity to put my Jack Daniels sweater on. There was so much left unsaid, but I knew we were both scared. I pushed my bag aside and lied down in my sleeping bag, joining Daryl on the floor. He turned out the light, leaving the tent feeling oddly cold. I tucked the blankets we shared around my shoulders, starting to fall asleep. Right before I closed my eyes, I felt an arm wrap around my waist and pull me into Daryl's chest. Judging by the soft snores, he was sound asleep. "Goodnight Daryl.." I whispered before drifting off into a peaceful sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up to the sun shining through the tent, making me uncomfortably hot. Daryl was gone, but given the events from last night I don't blame him. I sighed and quickly got dressed for the day. I grabbed my bow and headed outside. It was still early so no one was up yet. I walked into the forest, deciding to get some squirell for breakfast. The forest was quiet, the steady sound of a buzing sicada and a few birds, but oddly quiet. I got a bad feeling in my stomach but ignored it. After shooting 5 squirells, I trudged back to camp. I noticed Carol making breakfast so I jogged over to her. "Mornin' Carol, caught some squirell, mind if I skin em' up for breakfast?" She meekly nodded and motioned for me to sit. I pulled out my knife and worked in silence. I said goodye to Carol and headed to the horse stable. I hadn't seen Thunder in awhile, it would do me good. I grabbed a grooming bucket and slowly approached her stall, careful not to spook her. "Easy girl," I soothed, stroking her neck. It had been an hour of grooming her before I heard the barn door creak open. Rick walked in and slightly nodded to me. "Been looking looking for ya'" he sid, walking over to us. Thunder laid her ears back and grunted. I put a hand on her shoulder to let her know it was ok. "Oh? How come?" I smirked. "Just wanted to check up, see how you were doing, Carl told me about the game of tag you guys played." We both chuckled. "Thank you for that," Rick leaned up against the door frame, looking intently at me. "It was only a game of tag-" "No it was more than that, you made him happy. Thank you, I'm glad you decided to stay. You've earned your place in the group." I felt my heart swoon. His words echoed in my head, causing me to smile without realising it. "Thank you Rick.." I whispered, knowing he probably didn't here me. "Anyway, I have to get back to Lori, I'll see you later than." Rick waved. "Do you mind getting getting Maggie for me?" I hollered after him. He nodded and closed the door behind him. My heart sunk to the floor. I was planning to leave soon and I completly forgot about it. I had let the group in, let Daryl in, just that little bit, and now I was just going to up and leave? I felt my heart shatter. I didn't know if I could do it, it would hurt Daryl, and me. He already knows about the scars. I had to re-think leaving. I heard the familiar sound of creaking and glanced up to see Maggie walking towards me. "Hey Rose, what's up?" she called, walking towards me. "Feel like ridin'?" I asked, instantly bringing a smile to her face. We raced over to the tack room, gathering our sadles and bridles, before tacking up the horses. "Never seen anyone ride her before, I know Daddy tried but she hated it. Good luck" She laughed, hoping on her horse. I got slightly nervous but pushed the thoughts away. I hoped on the sadle, earning a sigh from Thunder but she didn't buck or toss her head. Maggie looked at me wide-eyed but shared a small smile. She kicked into a full gallop out of the barn and into the feild. I lead Thunder out of the stall and looked out into the feild, seeing Mags kicking up dust. I laughed and kicked Thunder into a gallop. Her hooves pounded on the earth foor, making it sound like and earthquake. I laughed catching up to Maggie as both of us raced around. We spent the whole day in the feilds, like we forgot what the world turned into and just, lived. The sun was setting when Maggie and I walked out of the barn. I said a quick goodbye before walking over to the RV with Dale. "Hey Dale," I called up before making my way up the ladder. "Rose, I thought you disapeared!" He chuckled. I took a seat beside him in the tattered lawn chair. I sighed, the events from the night before starting to come back. "I saw that you were in Daryl's tent last night" He said, almost in a scolding tone. I scoffed at the thought of over protective fathers. "So you and him then?" I tensed up and thought for a moment. "I don't know Dale.." I ran a hand through my hair, noticing it was getting greasy. "Rose, I know your scared to get hurt, and your scared to hurt other people. You put up walls, just like Daryl has. One day your going to have to let those walls down, take a risk. Maybe Daryl will have to be that risk. Who knows what tomorrow brings, we could all die tomorrow. No matter what, we're always going to get hurt in life from taking risks, you just have to choose what your risking getting hurt for." He stared at me intently, placing a hand over mine. I flinched but relaxed, letting his words sink in. He was right. "Loving someone is risky in this world" I sighed, "But darling, you have to decide if it's worth it, and if your willing to let him in." I tensed up again, knowing he was right. I was scared to let Daryl in, but maybe it was worth it. I felt tears prick my eyes but held them back. "Dale, I don't know what I'd do without you." I chuckled, squeezing his hand slightly. We sat in sience until it was dark out. I looked around to find Daryl's fire glowing in the distance. I said a quick goodbye to Dale and walked over to Daryl. The cold wind nipped at my skin, making me shiver again. I needed to get a winter jacket soon. "Hey," Daryl's raspy southern voice broke the silence as I walked up to him. "Hey" I sighed. I grabbed my leather jacket from the tent and sat down beside him. I caught a glimpse of something from inside my jacket. I reached inside and pulled out a small envelope. A picture fell out and landed on my lap. Picking it up, I noticed it was a picture of My brother and I, playing catch when we were kids, before my dad passed away. I almost instantly dropped it, not daring to look at it any longer. I couldn't risk opening the letter so I tucked the picture and letter back in my jacket. I heard Daryl grunt from beside me and pull out another cigarette, offering me one. I let him light it and I took in a long drag. We sat in silence, enjoying the fire and tobacco. I got up and walked into the tent, putting on my sweater and a pair of leggings. I walked back out and joined Daryl again by the fire. My sweater didn't provide much warmth ut the fire helped a bit. I glanced over to Daryl and felt a blush rise to my cheeks. He was very handsome. I didn't realize I was staring until he looked at me and smirked knowing he caught me. I blushed, 2 could play that game. I leaned back, and tilted my head back, letting the moonlight cast a light over my skin. I smirked when I caught his staring at me. I looked over to him and he blushed. I giggled and enjoyed the dying embers again. "Come on, let's get some rest" I said breaking the silence. Daryl nodded and got up, holding the tent flap open for me. I laid down on the floor, half expecting Daryl to sleep on the cot but to my surprise he laid down beside me on the floor. I could feel the heat from him, and just like last night, his arm slid around my waist and held me to his chest. I didn't hear him snoring, which meant he was awake, I snuggled into his chest. "Goodnight Rose.." I heard Daryl whisper before I drifted to sleep.