TWD ~ Daryl + Reader ~

Unwanted Guest

As Jesus carries the last box full of guns out of the shed and walks past the women of Oceanside, he can't help but give them a sad look as he walks by. As he does he sees you quickly walking down the road that leads out of Oceanside and Daryl just standing in one spot watching you go. 

Jesus walks down the road towards Daryl and asks; "What's wrong with her?"

Daryl turns slowly to look at Jesus. "She got yelled at by Rick, she just needs to cool off-"

"If that was all you'd be walking with her and trying to calm her down." Jesus shifts the box in his grip. "You brought her here to keep an eye on her, you can't just let her go off on her own with what she's been doing."

"I brought her here to keep an eye on her, yes, but-" Daryl stops himself.

"But what?" 

"Nothing." Daryl huffs. "I'll go check on her, give me the box." 

Jesus gives Daryl the box of guns and watches as he walks down the road. 'What's really going on with them?' Jesus wonders to himself. 

Daryl walks down the road with the box of guns, when he gets to the van he puts the box in the back of it. Then he walks around the vehicles to find you leaning on the front of the RV. You're just staring at the road while twisting your left index finger. You don't realize Daryl is near you until you feel the RV slightly shift from him leaning on it next to you.

Your eyes move to glance over at him. His arms are crossed in front of his chest, his hair hiding his green eyes, and chewing on the inside of his lip. His eyes look into yours making you move back to how you were. 

Only five minutes ago you were storming off from him, it's kind of surprising to you that he followed you.

"Are ya okay?"

"I'd be better if you'd stop asking me that." You huff and cross your arms. Daryl stays silent, so you continue. "I'm sorry. I've just been asked that a lot the last few days, I'm tired of hearing it."

"People only ask that because they care an' want to make sure ur a'ight. You've been actin' weird since ya got back an' you've been hurtin' yourself."

"Seeing how I watched someone I knew for almost two years get thrown into a fire, how my brother hates me, and how I basically slept with the enemy, I think I have a valid reason to be acting the way I am." You push off of the RV and start walking down the road again. 

"Ya didn' actually sleep wit him." You turn to face Daryl, almost surprised by his words. "Ya may have grinded on him but ya didn' sleep wit him."

"I could have though-"

"But ya didn'." Daryl hollers at you as he looks up at you. "Ya subconsciously grinded on him, that's it." You just blink at him. "You keep beatin' yourself up about it but there ain't nothin' to worry about 'cause nothin' actually happened. You used him ta get outta ur head, that's it, nothin' else." You walk back over to him as he says; "Ya say I can't forgive ya 'cause you ain't forgiven yourself yet, but I say there's nothin' for ya to forgive yourself for, so shut up and accept my forgiveness and move on."

"Okay." A tear rolls down your cheek as you stand directly in front of him. "I accept your forgiveness."

"Thank god." He breathes as he pulls you into a hug. "You are a thick-headed woman (Y/N)."

You smile into his shoulder and hug him tighter. You didn't think his forgiveness was real until now. You could tell that he was forcing his smiles toward you and you know he went to Jesus after you first told him. But this, what he just said, you know he's right. And if he can forgive you then you have to forgive yourself.