we ain't ashes

❝ been seein' a few small herds over the last few months . think the wildlife is finally starting t'figure out how to exist with the dead . ❞ daryl flips a knife around so shane can take the handle , before moving to set the rig up to get the elk hung up so it can drain properly .

daryl makes a bit of a noise when he's pulled closer , cheeks warming a little at the kiss - his stomach flip-flopping like a damn schoolgirl . it makes him crazy , the way paul gets him all flustered and tripping over his own feet if he's not careful . ❝ this is why you're still a pain in m'ass , ❞ he grouses lovingly , turning his head a little to butt it against paul's jaw .

With a small smile, Beth reveals exactly what she's been hiding behind her back. A bunch of flowers, carefully chosen and arranged into a colourful bouquet.

"I know it's stupid, but you deserve a valentine, and gift options are pretty limited these days."

daryl blinks owlishly , partly because he's not used to getting gifts in general -- and partly because he's never gotten a damn valentine in his life . but beth is always different . . . he's always been softer toward her , especially after getting to know her more . he takes the flowers from her - recognizes most of them from around in the woods , and he's pleased to see she's remembered what he's taught her about what plants to stay the hell away from . ❝ ya didn't have t'get me nothin' , ❞ he rumbles , but it's fond , it's always fond when it comes to the blonde . he finds something to set them in , more gentle than people would likely expect from him . fingers move to rummage in his bag , and he pulls out a small , simple wooden pendant tied to a leather cord --- a little bird in flight he'd whittled on nights he couldn't sleep . he holds it out to her sheepishly , not quite meeting her gaze .

❝ no . ❞ it's an immediate grouse , and even though it's fond because it's paul and he's incredibly whipped for the man ----- there's a tinge of daryl's general displeasure toward things he's not used to experiencing , especially new things like having someone giving a shit about him the way paul does . but , he knows jesus , and he knows he can't stop the other from doting on him . ❝ . . . what'd ya wanna do for it ? ❞

a scoff escapes the archer at her words , and he gives a fond roll of his eyes as he adjusts how he's sitting - hanging one leg down . ❝ yeah , 'n i'm sure has nothin' to do with 'em been oglin' my arms , neither . ❞

daryl might not be able to hear the walkers in the way sunhyeon can , but he can hear faint growls when the wind blows the right way - and he knows the other is right . he gives a bit of a nod , adjusting the grip on his crossbow . ❝ yeah , let's go . ❞

❝ was gonna ask y'the same . ❞ the archer tips his head a little , looking her over because he can tell there's something different about her ---- some sense that she's not from around here . she's too clean - doesn't have that world-weary air to her that people familiar with walkers and the world today tend to carry . movement catches his attention , and keen eyes spot a walker ambling out of the woods behind her . he raises his crossbow , taking aim before a bolt sails just over her shoulder and sinks into the walker's head .

❝ and i know that y'know i ain't gonna do nothin' to bug you none . ❞ really, daryl likes being around akui , because the fox doesn't pester him to talk or anything like other people might ---- and the other doesn't seem to mind his habit of being bad with people .

shipping with me includes   :   pinterest boards,  random headcanons,  aesthetics,  being tagged in stuff,  my love  &  support,  random messages,  random plotting,  etc.

' it's rigged. see that? '

he nudges his boot towards what surely at first, must look like nothing more than a pile of leaves. perhaps eventually, daryl would see the glint of a makeshift pressure plate unobscured like ash had.

daryl blinks , caught off-guard by the words because usually he's the first to noticed when something's been rigged --- but to be fair , he supposes he'd been preoccupied with the current bullshit he's having to deal with . he scoffs a breath , eyes narrowing a little . at least when he leaves traps to catch walkers , it's easy to see if someone looks at the ground . ❝ 'cause there ain't 'nough to deal with right now , ❞ he rumbles , half to himself . ❝ good eye . ❞