Life’s Not Fair. Ask The Fish.

You wouldn't say life was perfect on the Greene farm, but it was... good. Well, as good as it could be within the middle of a freaking apocalypse - and Shane. Personally, you honestly preferred the geeks over Shane. At this rate, you probably preferred almost anyone and anything over Shane.

Yes, it got better since the 'incident', where Daryl was luckily in the right place at the right time, but... There was something in the wind. You didn't trust Shane an inch and kept your distance.

Whereas the distance between you and the former cop grew, did you and Daryl on the other hand get closer. Slowly, though. Step after step.

First, it was just his arm around your shoulder. Occasionally, he let you hold his hand; feeling his workworn but warm and comforting skin against yours.

Neither you nor Daryl could deny that there was something between you two. Something good. Something blooming. Something romantic - and something entirely yours.

Then there was the cuddling. Whenever you'd choose to spent the night in his tent, Daryl silently offered you to sleep close to him. Bedroll against bedroll, with you inching closer and closer every night. It properly started when you decided to use his arm as your pillow. His thick bicep was perfect for that. Then a hand on his chest. Then a shy hand on your waist. Just timid, sweet and innocent touches.

Until one night after a thunderstorm where it had noticeably cooled down - a break, or probably the first sign of the end from/of the Georgia summer heat. You laid beside the archer; the coolness sending chills up and down your spine. A tent wasn't a house, after all... Daryl noticed. Of course, he did. The man was more than attentive. Always. There wasn't many words. There never was. Just a warm hand on yours; gently tugging - beckoning you to come closer and the tiny sentence: "C'mere."

That was how the cuddling began.

Your first kiss, though, that was something yet to happen. You had given him small pecks on the cheeks before - a gesture that never failed to make him flustered. Blushing and averting his gaze; chewing nervously on the inside of his bottom lip. It was cute. So Daryl-like, and always caused your heart to skip a beat. You wouldn't force him into a kiss, of course. You never would. It happened when it happened. You wanted to give Daryl the time he needed - and that was more than okay. If you had something to give, it was time. Nowhere you had to be but in the here and now. No job. No obligations. No appointments. Unfortunately no friends or family. Just this. Just here with this group of survivors - and Daryl Dixon.

And you would not lie. The archer slowly but surely became the reason why you wanted to survive and beat this world.

He already couldn't have Lori - and now another man tried to take away another woman he wanted. His eyes were on you as he watched you and Daryl crossing a field - returning from a hunt. A string of squirrels was thrown over the archer's shoulder. He held onto the rope with his one hand. The other however brushed against yours as you walked side by side. Repeatedly.

The fact that you and the closed-off 'redneck' got closer by each passing day didn't stay unnoticed. Not by everyone. A blessing and a curse simultaneously. Carol, for example, was a blessing. It made her happy to see her - yeah, probably closest friend by now, allow himself to feel proper love. Most likely for the first time in his life.

Shane, however, was a curse. He had the eyes and mind of a police man. Of course, he noticed small things. Tiny gestures. Like the small smiles you sent Daryl's way whenever he was at the group's camp as well. Or the seemingly innocent brush of your hands. The way he was looking at you. To Shane, it was obvious - and he hated it.

Shane's eyes darkened. He put the axe away, took off his cap and ran a hand over his sweaty face and bald head; feeling those feelings bubble up within him again... The same ones he felt when looking at Lori's and Rick's picture-perfect relationship. The man narrowed his eyes. He couldn't lose. Not again. He wouldn't let that happen. Daryl was not going to take you out of reach for him.

One evening, he watched you enter the farmhouse; towel, fresh clothes and a small bottle in your hands. You were obviously going to take a shower. The moment Shane had been waiting for. You were alone, inside the house and far away from the redneck. Time for a little chat.

He was watching. Constantly. Something you didn't notice; too engrossed in your blooming relationship with the archer.

He was watching. Analysing. Trying to find the perfect moment - and it came...

Shane didn't even attempt to sneak inside the house. Heavy boots stomped up the stairs to the Greene bathroom - a route his feet knew well. It was quiet, except for the running water of the shower. Maggie was out with Glenn. Hershel was working in the garden with Patricia and Beth. Jimmy was at the stables. The other's were outside at the camp.

Yes, Shane came prepared. It was just you and him - as it should be in his eyes.

His dark brown eyes were on you - and it was enough to make you feel uncomfortable.

When he reached the bathroom; hand on the doorknob, he stopped. Listening. The water had stopped running inside the shower. A dark smile darted over his lips. Taking a step back, Shane bent forward with his hands on either side of the door frame, squeezed one eye shut - and peeped through the keyhole; watching you step out of the shower and dry your naked body off.

The former cop was still smiling darkly and licked his lips; feeling his beige cargo pants already getting tighter. Only a door separating him from what he wanted so badly...

But when you covered your body in the big, fluffy towel you brought along, Shane's mind snapped back to reality. Talking first.

Without turning a hair, Shane opened the door and marched inside; slamming it shut again behind him. You flinched, of course; almost jumping out of your skin. "Shane! Fucking hell! You scared me to death!" You exclaimed; instinctively clutching the towel covering your body closer and taking a respectable step back. "What are you even doing here? I-I'm taking a shower."

Then, a smile darted across his face. "Talk. I'm here to talk." You frowned; not trusting him at all. Something fishy was going on. Your gut feeling told you.

"Talk? And you couldn't have waited until I'm finished and outside the house again?" "Nah. 'Cause in here, we're alone."

His words sent a shiver down your spine - not one of the good kind. Oh no. This was bad. Alone with Shane was bad. You were in this situation before - barely a few weeks ago. Without Daryl stepping in and saving you, you didn't know what would've happened. What you knew was, that Shane was capable of anything - and this time, Daryl wasn't at the right place in the right time. Far from it - and it scared you.

Nevertheless, you at least tried to keep your cool. "O-kay, and, uh, what do you want to talk about?" "Us." You sighed in frustration. Not again... "Shane... I told you a trillion times before. There is no us." "There should be." You shook your head. "No. I'm not interested. This isn't a mutual thing. Please, just... understand it already."

Shane held your gaze and took a step closer. "No, Y/N. You jus' don't see it yet - or you don't want to see it, I don't know." He took another step closer - while you backed up; shaking your head. "No, Shane, no," you more or less whispered.

Within two big strides, the former police man stood directly in front of you. He was so close, you could feel his breath on your skin - and you didn't like it at all; heart pumping fear and adrenaline through your veins.

Then Shane lifted a hand to run it over your cheek. You grimaced; not wanting his touch. It felt wrong. Cold.

"You could do so much better, girl," he started in a hushed voice. "But you rather choose a reckless, aggressive redneck."

You flinched at his words; eyes going wide. "W-What?" The man's eyes darkened. "You heard me." You swallowed hard - and Shane's lips twisted again into a dark smile. Got you. He backed up to walk up and down the room - like a predator watching its prey, and ran a hand over his bald shaven head. A habit of his you knew too well.

"You think I'm really that stupid, huh? You thought I wouldn't notice, huh? You and Dixon getting closer?"

You swallowed again - but instead of defending yourself, you decided to stand up for Daryl and the blooming relationship between you two.

"So? This is none of your business, Walsh," you spat back at him - a mistake. You just realised it too late. You poked the sleeping bear. And that bear had a very short fuse.

Fuck.

Shane took a deep breath; feeling the anger raise within him again. This was not going like he wanted. This was not going his way. Time to bring his point across a little more clearer.

Before you could even say something or react, Shane was on you. Back hitting the wall behind you with a thud, 'causing a painful little groan to leave your lips. He took your wrists and pinned them to the wall as well - leaving you no chance or room to escape.

"You stay away from that asshole - or..." He let one of your wrists go to tuck almost playfully at the towel where it was snugly wrapped across your chest. "...I'm gonna take what is mine. What is supposed to be mine. One way or another."

You were at his mercy. Again.

"It damn well is my business," he growled; grip around your wrists so tight it made you whimper slightly in pain. "Rick already took Lori and Carl away from me again. I'm not lettin' Daryl take you away from me as well." You turned your head away from him in fear; breathing hard and laboured. You had nothing to say anymore. You just listened and hoped that he wasn't going to take this any further.

Shane's whispered threat hung in the air. Even after he had already disappeared from the bathroom to leave you in shambles.

The encounter with Shane left its mark on you. Everything seemed to be even more complicated now. You didn't know how to cope. All you knew was you had to bent after Shane's will - or there would be consequences. Consequences you weren't ready to face and deal with. Therefore, you avoided Daryl. Avoided his gaze. His small, kind gestures - like the food he often placed in front of your tent. Avoided his touch. No matter how much it actually hurt. Your fear for Shane was stronger.

But you didn't get quite far with that strategy. Two days, to be precise. Did you really think Daryl wouldn't notice? He did - and the archer didn't waste any time in confronting you about it. He didn't understand, but he wanted to. Was it his fault? Did he do anything to fuck things up? The archer's thoughts were racing - and they got him angry. Angry at himself mostly.

"Yer finally havin' enough 'a me or wha'?"

His words cut through the pleasantly warm and quiet Georgia air like a knife - and they hurt. Stung like a rose thorn. You swiftly turned to face him; abandoning your task at hand - namely feeding the horses.

There he stood, blue eyes troubled and gaze as sharp as a blade.

You swallowed hard; knowing of course instantly what he was referring to. Guilt struck your heart.

You swallowed hard.

"D-Daryl, I... No, no, I'm not. It's not like that, I swear." "It ain't?" You shook your head. "No." "How's it then, huh?" He spat; hurt, confused, not knowing how to handle such a situation. "Sometimes, I... I just need time to myself."

Daryl blinked. "'N tha' ain't something ya jus' can tell me? Ya think I wouldn't understand?" "N-No, I-" You sighed; nervously fumbling with your hands - trying to hide the still dark bruise on your wrist. Kudos to Shane. It was something that didn't escape the archer's eyes as well.

"Wha's with the hand?"

He saw the bruise. Where it darkened your skin - and he knew. He wasn't stupid. With an abusive dad at home, he knew exactly how such bruises came to be. His gaze shifted to your face - and you could see the pure anger in his eyes. No words left his lips. He just eyed you for a moment; saw the tears gathering in your eyes - and then stalked away, direction camp. Determined.

"N-Nothing." Poor attempt at lying.

Within three big steps, Daryl stood in front of you with his hand reaching for yours. You tried to pull away and hide it - somehow saving the situation, but in vain. Daryl captured your hand gently in his and inspected the limb.

You watched him walk on; exhaling shakily. "Fuck," you cursed and quickly followed him again; bracing yourself for the inevitable collision.

You weren't stupid either. You knew what he was about to do. So, you quickly set your feet into motion as well. "Daryl, stop! Wait!" You called after him and tried to keep up. "This is going to make things worse!" You spoke in a shaky voice; stepping in front of him and trying to hold him back - you felt like taming a wild mustang.

"Nah, it ain't. Not gonna let this pass, Y/N. He touched ya! That asshole dared 't lay a fuckin' hand on ya - again!" Daryl almost shouted and brushed past you. Unstoppable. "You don't even know what happened!" "Ain't gotta know. Saw 'nough."

Shane didn't see it coming. How could he? Daryl was like a hurricane; sweeping through the camp - and attacking the former police man without batting an eyelash. Big, strong hands reached for Shane's shoulders; dragging him to the ground beside the campfire he stood in front of. The momentum was clearly on the archer's side; Shane too surprised to react.

Only when the man was suddenly on top of him did the realisation set in. Shane instantly fought back of course; fists flying.

"Oh my god," you breathed; standing rather shocked at the sidelines and watched them bandied blows.

It didn't take the other group members to intervene, though. Barely a few seconds. Nevertheless did it feel like an eternity. Rick, Dale and T-Dog instantly dragged Daryl away from Shane - much to the archer's dismay. "Let go 'a me! He ain't get ta touch 'er 'n not facing the consequences!" Daryl trashed and kicked, but it was no use. Three against one.

"You entirely lost your mind, Dixon?!" Shane spat; heaving his now aching body off the grassy ground again and rubbing his knuckles. Daryl scoffed; still holden back by the other three man. "Ya know exactly wha' this is about, ya sonofa-" "Enough!" Rick's voice cut through the air. Again. It felt like a déjà-vu.

Rick eyed the both men again. "Enough..." He repeated - nonetheless firm. "Can someone finally tell me what's really goin' on here? No more lies. I want the truth." "Ya want the truth? Fine," Daryl instantly replied; causing Rick to give Dale and T-Dog a nod - silently telling them to let the archer go. They did, but Rick stood between him and Shane with both arms and hands reached out - just in case...

"Tha' asshole's been harassin' Y/N fer weeks now! He ain't understanding wha' the word 'No' means. Told 'im 't stay away from my girl but now it got even worse! He truly got physical this time!" Daryl figuratively exploded - understandably. The archer was so in rage that he didn't notice his own slip up. My girl... In case the others did, they just kept their mouths shut and pretended they didn't hear it. This wasn't the time or place.

However, there was one person who heard it loud and clear... You. And it caused your heart to skip a beat; the butterflies in your stomach going crazy.

Shane scoffed; a sarcastic smile on his lips. "I have no idea what that is, man. Not my business what kinky shit Y/N and that stray dog get into when they're up there in his tent."

"Y/N, show 'em," Daryl's words ripped you out of that little daydream you had walked into. Blinking, you looked over at the man. "Yer wrist. Show 'em." You swallowed hard but nodded and rather shyly showed the group - or well, especially your leader the bruised limb.

Rick inspected it thoroughly for a moment; eyes narrowing and darkening. Shane saw it as well, of course; now cursing himself internally for letting this happen. Not that he let it show. He should've been more careful.

One sentence... That one sentence was already enough again to get Daryl to lose his composure. He growled under his breath and wanted to lunge again - but Rick's firm hand on his chest held him back. "Daryl, stop! Back up!" Rick shoved the archer backwards - who tried it again. Same result. "I said back up!" The second time, he listened with an angry huff; pacing up and down like a caged animal.

You wanted to reach for him; calming him - but you were unsure if he'd want that. Showing affection when the whole group was watching... You doubted it.

"We're gonna handle this like civilised people," your leader said; once again eyeing both men. "We're gonna talk and then decide what to do," he 'explained' further and shifted his attention to you. "Y/N. You wanna say something? This is about you, after all."

Once again, you swallowed hard. Of course you were still afraid that if you were going to say something now that it'd make things even worse - but you had to. You couldn't keep your mouth shut. Not now. Not again. Not after all that happened.

"H-He... He hit on me. Repeatedly. I-I never wanted it but Shane didn't listen, so I told Daryl about it. He talked to him - at least three times, but... Shane never stopped. Then the barn happened. A-And a few days ago, this." You gestured to your wrist again.

"How?"

"I was inside the house; taking a s-shower. He just... barged in, cornered me again a-and pinned my wrists against the wall. He said I s-should keep my distance from Daryl o-or he was going to take what he wanted. O-One way or another," you answered Rick's question in a slightly shaky voice; still getting goosebumps at the memory of it.

All eyes were suddenly on Shane - including Lori, who gave him a look close to a death glare. You didn't know what it was, but you could tell there hung some unspoken words in the air. Something was on Lori's mind.

Rick's gaze however, was filled with nothing but disappointment and accusation. Something Shane felt and noticed.

He scoffed; shaking his head and ran a hand over his face. "C'mon, man. You don't really believe that I'd do somethin' like that, do ya? She's exaggeratin'. I-" "You should stop right there, Shane. Save your breath," Rick cut him off and took a kind of threatening step closer to his best friend. "Stay away from Y/N. Keep your distance - or there will have to be consequences."

"Consequences, huh?" Shane repeatedly sarcastically; laughing. "You think that's funny?" "Honestly? Yeah. Weren't you the one who told me there ain't no rules anymore? Telling me we're lost?"

Back at Daryl's little camp, you watched him work quietly. He made a fire to keep you warm and for cooking. The silence wasn't unpleasant, no. Quite the opposite. It was a pleasant silence, but some unsaid words hung nevertheless in the air. At least for you. So gathering all your courage to speak your thoughts out loud, you subtly slid closer to him as you both waited for the possum stew to be done.

Rick inhaled deeply. "Yes, but not when it comes to livin' with each other. We're civilised people - or so, I thought."

It was the last thing Rick said to his best friend, before he turned away to face you and Daryl - who had been silently watching the scenes play out in front of him like a hawk. "You should go. Give everyone time to cool off." You nodded at Rick - grateful for what he did, while the archer already turned to walk away. Ignoring the others, and especially Shane, you followed the archer.

"Daryl?" You whispered his name - as if it was a forbidden thing to do. In return, you received nothing more than a grunt - nothing unusual. Swallowing, you looked at his face. "You... said 'my girl'. E-Earlier, I mean. Back at the camp. When you were arguing with Rick."

You could practically see the realisation dawn on the archer's face. He quickly looked down to the grassy ground to avert any possible kind of eye contact. His cheeks went beet red - even the tips of his ears; blushing hard. You had never seen him so flustered before. It was actually kind of cute...

For a moment you expected him to deny it and say it was just the heat of the moment, but then...

You felt the archer freeze; body going rigid beside you. His body and brain were clearly overwhelmed with what was going on. He definitely needed a moment to catch up; rebooting. But to your admittedly slight surprise didn't he pull away, no. He rather melted against the soft touch; letting it happen. You couldn't help but smile.

"Yah, I mean...," he started; shrugging a bit awkwardly his shoulders. "Yer 'm girl, aint'cha?"

The wave of pure, unbridled love and happiness hormones these words caused to crash over you was indescribably. A bright smile stretched over your face as you nodded. Yes. This... exhilaration you felt fogged up your brain a little - and suddenly, without thinking properly, you leaned in carefully and cautiously to kiss Daryl softly; lips barely touching but touching. A feather light kiss - but none less meaningful.

This was the beginning of something beautiful. You could feel it. Shane be damned. You couldn't care about him less. Not with that sweet, shy man beside you reciprocating your 'stormy' kiss so tenderly.

Tags: @angelicarlert @angelwings-crossbowstrings @levislolita @bigbaldheadname @loz-3 @twd-bee3 @urdeaddixon @baseballbitch116 @vngelisse @whsschuu @smuttfuelled @erebus-et-eigengrau @yas-yas-mimi @darylandbethfanforever9 @dixonsstinkysock @walkingtalkingsomething