The Hunter and the Angel (Daryl x reader)

Still Standing

Author's note: Thank you guys for your support, it is highly appreciated!

Daryl's POV:

I took a glimpse at the emptiness of the house and looked back at Rick. ''I'm all yours, what do you want to talk about? I exhaustly started taking in what we just had lost. Rick just stared at me blindly while I grew upset looking right and left, trying not to throw any of the few possessions we had left. You could see that Rick was thinking of a way not to piss me up even more. He was still quite shaken up by the latest visit but did his best to stand up for the group and show some kind of leadership. I grunted '' look man, I don't know... We are in some big shit right now and I'm probably not telling you anything new.'', I finished taking a quick look at (y/n). You could almost hear the flies outside, as everyone in the room stayed silent.

Most of our folks were looking down at their feet, others were giving a subtle glance at (y/n) from time to time, while she kept her eyes locked with mine. Carl was looking at his father quietly, his cowboy hat sitting on his lap, waiting for him to propose solutions to our endless list of potential issues. ''When is he coming back?'' I breathed out sharply. There was a long silence then Rick finally spoke up ''In three days'' he simply said. ''And he wants more guns and ammo from us'' he added. ''Well that bitch ain't gonna touch my crossbow, I swear'' I cut him short. '' Daryl that is not what we need right now'' Sasha shouted lifting herself from the wooden floor, crossing her arms around her torso while coming closer to jump right into the already heated conversation. She was furious, I could see it by the deadly stare she keeps giving me. She walked towards me and stopped when she was only a few inches from my face '' You think that's funny. Well, easy to laugh about when you are hiding underground waiting for the war outside to stop''.

I almost jumped on her to be caught at the last second by Rick. ''Daryl don't'' he warned me, tightening his grip on my forearms. I could weight (y/n)'s (e/c) eyes on me as I snapped at her ''You think I was fucking hiding for fun? Have you seen what this freak has done to my freaking girlfriend?!'' I almost chocked up on the word, it seemed so easy to say yet (y/n) and I weren't in fact together and would probably never be. I took a brief look around and realized that no one has really weighted in my words, except for (y/n) who looked extremely surprised by what I just had said. ''Try to find a solution yourself, would ya? I'm done, get the hell out'', I shouted before storming out of the room and heading upstairs. It was rude to leave (y/n) like that but I would get back down as soon as they would be gone.

(Y/N)'s POV:

I had a hard time following the conversation going on around me as I was quite exhausted by the stress liven today and the still aching wounds. I missed a few words here and there but one that did not escape my understanding was when Daryl has spoken of me as his girlfriend. I was set back by his words and stood there silently, looking at him as he expressed his anger on Sasha and ran up the small staircase.

My cheeks heated up as I stayed there dead quiet. I didn't really pay attention to what was being said around me after Daryl left and no long after everyone's left except for Rick who came closer confessing that he felt both responsible and sorry for what had happened to me and that he would find a way to make up for it. I nodded, not really wanting to argue with him about the fact that he should not feel guilty of what I had to endure, knowing that I would have plenty of time to tell him any other day. He asked me if I needed help or anything and I told him that I should be fine and that I would in here for tonight. I smiled slightly at him before adding ''Thanks again Rick''. He just nodded before adding '' Do you think I could talk to him?'' pointing towards the second floor. ''I believe you should wait until tomorrow. Sleep will do you both good.'' I almost whispered. ''You are probably right'' he added before walking to the door and saluting me ''Goodbye (y/n)'' he said. ''Goodbye Rick'' I finished up softly before seeing him disappear through the front door.

When he finally closed the door, I heard footsteps heading down in a hurry. The Daryl I saw there at this moment looked extremely different from the tough southern guy I thought I knew; he was wearing a simple blue shirt along with a pair of shorts that I believe he kept for sleeping. Dressed as he was, he looked so easy to approach and to talk to, making me believed that he might have been like this before all of this. I was lost in my thoughts when he carefully picked me up in his arms bridal style. ''Woah'' I said as I shakily put my arms around his neck. ''You okay?'' he asked inspecting me waiting for an answer. ''Yeah, I'm fine '', I said, ''You only caught me off guards'', I added laughing a bit. '' You look better'', he quietly said smiling slightly, starting his slow progression towards the upper floor. ''Thanks to you'' I softly added using the strength I had left to poke one of his shoulders while talking to him. ''You're cute'', he whispered. I blushed a little and hissed at the same time, Daryl tensed ''I'm sorry''. ''No, no it's not your fault, I moved'', I was able to stutter looking at his beautiful eyes. He noted worriedly ''looks like the fever's coming back... You're all red''. ''Yes, maybe'' I whispered trying to fake a cough to hide your laugh, while at the same time starting to feel really comfortable in his strong and warm arms.

You finally reached Daryl's now empty bedroom. Negan's men had torn down every mattress in Alexandria forcing you all to sleep on the hard floor. You noticed a makeshift bed that Daryl had probably arranged while you were still downstairs and you shyly smiled at the thought. Daryl put you down and helped you into a sitting position before handing you a glass of water along with a few pills to swallow. Once you took the pills, Daryl spoke up ''Time to change that shirt''. I can't D... I whimpered, your back now facing him. He bent to your hear and murmured ''let me help you''. He then attentively remove the oversized shirt from behind you, replacing it with a brand new one.

He helped you to lay down on the bed and closed the light switch. He then snuggled back into bed and realized that you were shivering. After apologizing for not having additional blankets or shirts to ''cover you up'', he offered himself as the blanket. ''There'' he whispered hugging me tightly. I would lie to say that it did not hurt a little but it also did me good. It has been a long time since I last had felt such warmth. This is how I finally drifted off to sleep with Daryl Dixon holding me close, wandering how fortunate enough I was to have him.