offering (Rickyl) | featuring confessions, uncomfortable feelings talk, and a happy ending 10 on the richter scale (Rickyl) | a look into Daryl's head around season 2, dealing with something he'd rather not be dealing with one end, one beginning | an exploration of the Dixon brothers pre-show aftermath (Rickyl) | some hurt/comfort after Daryl escapes the Sanctuary

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Sometimes living in an abusive household as siblings means appeasing the abuser over and over again and failing your sibling in the process. Being unfair to them. "Stop crying, I hear dad coming." "Go with him on that hunting trip, it won't be as bad as you think and you know you can't just say no to him." "You're right, but don't talk back to him like that." You don't remove them from situations, even though you know you should and would in an ideal world, because in this one you can't. The fallout would be so big that you wouldn't know how to deal with it. You want to shield both of you, so instead of saving them, you teach them how to live with it.

And I think that is so important with both the psychology behind Merle abandoning Daryl and how we see Daryl behave as an adult. Because despite his tendency to lash out and behave violently, Daryl is someone who endures. Daryl is loyal to a fault. He's the executioner. He'll ignore his own wants and needs to get shit done for people. Sometimes, especially if it's with Merle, he doesn't even recognize mistreatment.