peaches & softie | daryl dixon ✅

Chapter 15: Save the Last One

 Carter's P.O.V

 I wake up to the sound of movement in the car, making me slowly open my eyes to see Daryl grabbing his crossbow. " 'Da fuck you doin'?" I grumble, my voice sounding rough and raspy from waking up.

 " I'm gonna walk the road, look for the girl." I get up into a sitting position, rubbing my eye before muttering a quick ' I'm in.' " Just go back to sleep."

 " It's either me or Andrea," I tell him with a raised eyebrow. He looks down slightly before giving a hum, hopping out of the car. I grab my Glock and stick it in my jeans, throwing my bow and quiver over my shoulder. Opening my door, I follow him to the R.V. He goes inside, grabbing flashlights before walking out throwing me one which I catch with ease. " Little walk 'n the forest," I tell Dale who's standing guard.

 " You think that's a good idea?"

 " We'll be fine," I assure him, following Daryl into the forest, the flashlights being our eyes.

 " What's wrong with everybody?" I question walking through the woods, Daryl looking over at me.

 " You see it too?"

 " How can't I? They have this look that's pissin' me off," I say, him continuing for me.

 " Ain't the mountains of Tibet. It's Georgia. She could be holed up in a farmhouse somewhere. People get lost and they survive. Happens all the time."

 " I know the feeling," I murmur, making him look at me.

 " How would you know?"

 " Do you?" I question back, making him stare before looking forward, answering my question. " I was younger than her when I got lost. Nine days in the woods eatin' berries, wiping my ass with poison oak?"

 " Guessing your family ain't find you?"

 " My old man was off on a bender with some waitress. Merle was doing another stint in juvie. Didn't even know I was gone. I made my way back though. Went straight into the kitchen and made myself a sandwich. No worse for wear. Except my ass itched something awful." I smirk, giving an airy laugh as he questions, " Your turn Princess, what about you?"

 " First time was Dad saying if I didn't bring him home a buck he'd buy a belt with more metal on it. Grabbed what I could get before being kicked out and went my way. Found a small buck but got lost walking back. Was out for little over a week eatin' the buck before making it home, only for Mama to get mad that I ate the buck myself. Got the new belt too."

 " You use any poison oak?" he questions, making me snort.

 " One time before runnin' to a stream and sitting my ass in there to ease the pain. Remember what poison oak is really fast." We both laugh lightly until he speaks again.

 " Only difference is Sophia's got people looking for her. I call that an advantage."

 " You're not wrong," I mumble, continuing in comfortable silence. We hear rustling, making us both aim our bows in the direction. We slowly walk towards it.

 Only to find a tent, beside it a walker hanging from a tree by a noose. I drop my guard slightly as Daryl reads the note, " ' Got bit. Fever hit. World's gone to shit. Might as well quit.' Dumbass didn't know enough to shoot himself in the head. Turned himself into a big swinging piece of bait."

 " Give me a bat, maybe he's a piñata full of a candy," I joke, making him chuckle. " Look, geeks came and ate him like a buffet on his legs," I say, aiming my light at his legs, now ridden of any flesh left on them, only bones.

 " Shocked you ain't throwing up."

 " Like I said Dixie, I ain't no wuss," I tell him, making him roll his eyes before beginning the walk back, me following right behind him.

 After a few minutes a walking a thought crosses my mind, making me give a hearty chuckle. " What?" he questions.

 " Princess sounds like a kinky name," I say. He raises an eyebrow me.

 " Did that seriously make you laugh?" he questions, making me laugh a bit more, nodding. " You're weird."

 " Says the one who calls me it."

 " Well, what do you want me to call you?" I shrug in return.

 " How about half-pint?"

 " I ain't that short."

 " Shorter than me." I playfully glared at him, making him agree on choosing something else. " Alright... If I'm bein' truthful I'd call you Peaches."

 " Why?" I question with confusion.

 " Always liked peaches, plus if I know Merle he'd definitely be lookin' at your backside right now," he admits.

 " Like you haven't," I joke back.

 " I ain't disagreeing nor agreein'. Now, how about you give me a better name than Dixie Cup."

 " Alright, alright," I answer with an eye roll, " How about Softie?" He looks at me like I got four heads.

 " Why Softie?"

 " You've been gettin' soft around me."

 " No I don't," he mumbles.

 " Whatever you say, Softie."

 " Shut up."

 " Fine Hot Stuff," he instantly stops in his tracks, his face going beet red as a reaction. " That's what I thought," I smirk as I continue walking, him slowly catching up.

 I hop over the barrier, walking back I hand Daryl the flashlight, him walking to the R.V to put them up. He gives me his crossbow. I crawl into the backseat of my car, closing the door as I place our weapons in the front seat. I relax a bit, my arm underneath my head as I hear the car door open and close, Daryl relaxing in his usual spot.

" You could sleep in the R.V you know. Why you stayin' here?" I question.

" Carol keeps crying and Andrea won't shut up."

" Gotta have another reason other than that Softie."

" Ain't I tell you to stop calling me that?" he questioned, turning in his seat to look at me.

" Yeah, but you gonna answer me?"

" ....Wanna make sure you're safe," he mutters, making me smirk before looking at the car's ceiling.

" You are a Softie Daryl Dixon."

" Shut up."

" Never can when I'm with you," I say, letting out a deep breath.

" That bad?" his voice laced with confusion.

" Not really. Actually able to tell you almost everything. Almost," I murmur the last part, growing more and more tired.

" Night Peaches," he whispers.

" Night Softie," I whisper back, falling into darkness.