warnings: implied frightening scenario, domestic violence (nothing descriptive) Era: Alexandria, pre-Negan Emotion: protective Random word: run Requested by: @kulicny (why is tumblr being a troll and not letting me tag ppl UGH) You had a stitch in your side and although your body was screaming for you to stop running, you ignored it and pushed ahead. Rounding the corner of the house you glanced back over your shoulder at the same time, certain you would see him closing in on you. But all you could make out was the dark street with patches of light spilling out from various windows. And shadows. Too many shadows for him to hide in. Abruptly, you collided with something solid. And you couldn’t help it. You let out a shocked scream, terror widening your eyes as you looked up. You certainly would have fallen backwards onto the ground but he caught you. Daryl caught you. And his face was clouded with concern. Your lungs were on fire, tightening as you tried to suck in air. “S’goin’ on? What happened?” he asked urgently, releasing his gentle hold on your arms that had stopped you from falling. He could read the fear easily on your face. All you could do was peer back at him. Suddenly there were footsteps approaching quickly. Daryl protectively stepped in front of you, shielding you behind him. You shrank, almost trying to disappear, as he came around the edge of the house. Daryl fixed his eyes on him in an angry glare. He stopped, his chest heaving too from chasing after you. “Y/N—” he noticed you over Daryl’s shoulder immediately. “Hey—I just want to talk to you,” he said. “This is none of your business. Why don’t you take a walk?” he said to Daryl. “Nah. I think it is my fuckin’ business. She dun wanna talk to ya. So fuck off,” he growled. He scoffed. “Listen, man. You’ve got no idea what this is about. I just want to talk to her.” He took a step closer and Daryl met him, his hands clenching into fists. “Talk, huh? That’s what ya call it? Ya think I ain’t noticed the bruises on her before? Why don’t ya fight somebody yer own size? I’d be happy to beat your ass into the ground.” He actually shrank slightly back from Daryl, and you briefly saw a flicker of fear on his face. You gulped again. “Ya ain’t ever layin’ a fuckin’ finger on her again, got it? Yer done. It’s over.” He knew he’d lose in a fight with Daryl. He backed up and scoffed, manufacturing a carefree expression. “Whatever, man. Bitch ain’t even worth it.” Before he could even turn away, Daryl had punched him hard across the face, laying him out flat on the pavement. He shook out his fist and turned to face you, his expression softening immediately as he took in your still wide eyes. “Ya okay?” he asked gently. You looked up from the still form on the ground and nodded. “Yeah. Thanks...” you said softly. He nudged his nose up in a nod. “’Course. C’mon. Let’s get inside. Ya can take my room. I’ll make sure he dun come around to try nothin’ again.” “Oh—Daryl, you don’t have to do that. You’ve done more than—”
“Yeah, I do. Ya deserve to be safe. C’mon.” Time: 12 min
