Chapter Text
~*~
It started easily enough.
Daryl had slowly gained Rick's attention with soft touches and his constant melodramatic gazes. The hunter had made an effort to show the cop what exactly he wanted; a real relationship.
But Rick had taken this obliviously, putting the back slaps and shoulder bopping into a category he deemed 'friendly male habits'. He'd only ever had Shane as a close friend, as he's always been a pretty reserved man with little social aptitudes. He could remember Shane slapping his ass after football games in middle school or slinging heavy biceps across Rick's shoulder. It all made Rick quite uncomfortable at first, but slowly his back stopped tensing and he was able to relax into the touch.
Now, with Lori gone and Carl closed off, he hadn't been touched by anyone but his daughter, who merely drooled upon his chest or tugged on his beard. He was grateful for what he had though, and never took it for granted, holding Judith's pudgy hand like a life line. That's when Daryl started brushing elbows with him or slapping his chest before humming off on his damned motorcycle.
It was all very perplexing to say the least.
Daryl was too. The man was an enigma of various emotions and motives. Rick didn't know where to start, and was grateful to have the man as a friend of sorts. The cop was still iffy on that notion, having a friend who didn't attempt to kill him or fuck his wife in his own home.
But Daryl had never shown any sign of distrust or malice. He was gruff, sure, with his thick drawl and constant grunts. Rick had felt him out for a while, and they'd become silent counterparts, both of them finishing their (rare) sentences and actions with professionalism. They were deemed the leaders of the group, Rick the decision maker, Daryl the provider. Both men were key parts in protecting the group; because Rick was an honest man who had an extreme sense of morality, and Daryl was the man with protectiveness running through his veins and a crossbow in his skilled hands. With safe measurements, the group had thrived in the prison, causing a bout of normality to wash over the group.
Rick supposed Daryl had just gotten comfortable in the safety of thick, concrete walls. Maybe that's where the physical affection had sprang from? Either way, Rick would take the contact with grace; its not like it hurt anything.
That was Daryl's mindset. Simple little things like sitting next to Rick or checking in on him from time to time wouldn't be odd. They'd become close, but Daryl wanted closer. It seemed his actions were only noticed by the wrong people; meaning everyone but Rick.
Carl seemed to take an interest in the duo. He was still peeved with his father, and he supposed it was just the effects of the turmoil in his life. You blame the ones you love the most and all that shit. The teen was rudely awakened with a different emotion as he watched Daryl hit on his father.
That wasn't cool. His mom had just died a few months ago, and yeah, his parents had been separated for a while, whether it be physical or mentally, but he still didn't feel good about it. He should blame Shane for his anger, his father did nothing wrong, Rick was taken advantage of. Carl could blame the original accident and the criminals who caused his once apple pie life to spiral down the drain? They were probably dead, rotting away in the middle of Atlanta with the rest of the hordes. Shane was gone, he knew that for a fact. His mother too, which was a totally different memory he'd never like to reminisce on. The only people he could blame and take his anger on were right in front of him, sharing a can of peaches.
Carl stood abruptly from the prison bench, his tail bone tingling in pain. He shook his head, eyes meeting Daryl's as he stared at the hunter. His father remained innocent, cocking a worried brow towards his vengeful son. Carl could've screamed in frustration, he was tired of the one-sided flirting, and he was tired of feeling so angry.
"Daryl? Can we talk?" Carl looked at his father with narrowed eyes, how could he not see this? "Alone."
Daryl sent a look towards Rick, who quite actually may have been experiencing a silent heart break. The hunter didn't particularly enjoy when Carl-the-cliché-teen-angster liked to bash on his father, who always tried his best. Daryl clenched his jaw.
"Ya can say whatever ya wanna say in front of the both of us." Daryl rebutted, cocking a daring brow. Carl remained stoic. Rick shook his head, pushing the can away and smiling emptily. He stood, gesturing towards his right.
"It's fine Daryl. I'll uh just go check on Judith." The cop moved from the room with one last glance towards his son, who kept his eyes on Daryl's. Rick's footsteps echoed away into the heart of the prison just as Carl crossed his arms sternly. Daryl rolled his eyes, huffing loudly.
"Why ya so mean to your old man kid? He didn't do nothin' but keep you and Judy alive." The hunter stated, eyes imploring. Carl shook his head.
"We're not going to start on that right now. There are bigger issues to deal with. The first one being your obvious interest in my dad." Carl stated coolly, small smirk mischievous. Daryl sputtered, shaking his head, heart pounding. Would Carl approve?
"No way kid. Ya got it al-"
"I just wanted to say something. I'm forgiving him, its slow, but its happening. I'm going to stop being angry, and I figured I should start here." Carl took a deep breath, eyes averting. His bulbs finally landed on Daryl's, who had a somewhat impressed look on his face. "I'll help you 'get' with dad as an apology to you both...He needs someone obviously, he just doesn't know it. So, I'll try an-"
"Thank you." Daryl stated simply, silence filled the room. "I really do love 'em...You should say sorry to ya dad for being such an asshole though." The hunter chuckled, deep and gravelly. Carl shrugged, smile on his face.
"It's where I'm going next." He looked at Daryl with serious eyes, causing Daryl to become unnerved; no child should have eyes as mature as Carl's. "But you better be positive that you want this. I'm not going to assist in whatever this is and then have you think better of it and back out when he actually realizes what's happenin'. Okay?"
Daryl smiled, big and wide and happy. He reached across the table and squeezed Carl with all his might, the young teen giggling loudly, proclaiming his disgust with the hunter's embrace. "Promise."
~*~