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Things at the Quarry tended to get a little too overwhelming for you. The other adults were always shouting at each other, and it seemed like nobody could ever get along with anyone, which made everyone mean. So when things got a little too heated for your taste, you went to the one place where no one would ever bother you. The forest.
As you were growing up, you came to realize you had a gift, something that made you truly unique: animals loved you.
They didn't just like you, they put their full trust into you. It was as if you were one of them. Deers had always let you caress their fur without being scared you would hurt them, and you had slept with wolves without any fear before, knowing they would have your back. And they had. You had woken up after a few hours, one of them licking your cheek. God, you loved animals.
So as Shane started yelling on Merle, Lori backing her boyfriend and Daryl backing his brother, you simply retreated to the woods. You had brought a knife with you, because your gift unfortunately had no effect on walkers, and a good book, planning on spending the afternoon in a calm environment. You advanced, a slight smile on your face, breathing slowly as the rays of the sun pierced through the leaves surrounding you. Everything felt better already. Soon enough, you found a log good enough to sit on, and opened your book.
It took a few pages for your first friend to arrive. A curious fox cautiously approached you, and you waited a minute before giving him your hand. He sniffed it, before leaning into your touch as you started petting him. You gave up on the idea of advancing on your book, knowing he wouldn't be the only one to come to you. So you gave him your full attention.
'Hi, baby!' You cooed at him, cupping his face between your hands.
You did not kiss his forehead, although you would have loved to. You had learned this the hard way, forest animals were full of things you did not want to catch. He looked at you with soft eyes, and you knew he would have started purring if he was a cat.
The fox didn't take long to sit on your lap, falling asleep. You petted him mindlessly, letting your mind wander around. As you thought about your friends at the Quarry, about Shane as a leader, and about how ungrateful everyone seemed to be with Daryl, who went on hunts almost everyday to make sure everyone was well fed, a few other animals started surrounding you. A full family of rabbits came to your feet, some squirrels went and said hello, and you could hear a few birds singing behind your back. With an asleep fox on your lap, it was hard to pet them all, but you managed to prompt them to come to you instead. As always, you thanked the Universe the carnivorous animals stayed calm when you were with them, because a fight was the last thing you needed at the moment.
As the minutes passed, some animals left and some arrived. You were focused on giving attention to the sleeping fox when you heard a voice behind your back.
'Yer like a real life Disney princess or what?'
You had not heard the hunter approach you. If your gift was impressing, his was even more: the man had managed approaching a dozen wild animals in silence without making his presence known. His voice startled you and your new friends, and you heard some birds fly away quickly, in panic. The rabbits left as well, and you were left with your sleeping rabbit, and a squirrel on your shoulder. You did not bother turning back, Daryl walking to you anyway, slowly and silently, as to avoid scaring the rest of your friends. It was truly astonishing. You did not hear any dried leave or twig crack under his heavy boots, he was in total control. You promised yourself you would ask him to teach you, one day.
'How'd'you do that?' He asked.
He had always seemed more talkative with you, which you appreciated a lot. He sat in front of you, his crossbow on his shoulder. You shrugged, a shy smile making its way to your lips. While talking to your forest friends was easy, talking to actual people was more complicated.
'I don't know, animals have always been nice to me.'
He nodded thoughtfully.
'Are things better at camp?' You asked, hopefully.
'Dunno, I left soon after ya. Wanted to bring some food. Didn't meet any animals, I guess they were all with ya.'
The remark made you smile. The squirrel left your shoulders, and you were alone with the fox. And Daryl. You would have loved to join the man on the ground, but the fox sleeped too well for you to wake him up. So you ignored your discomfort on the hard log, and Daryl spoke again.
'Is that why ya left? The fights?'
You nodded, the fox stirring on your thighs.
'I hate seeing you all fight.'
'Don't like that either.' He admitted.
'You know, I don't think they thank you enough for what you do for us.' You said without thinking.
His eyes went from the fox to yours, a confused expression on his face, and you smiled.
'You spend hours in the forest, everyday, to bring us food. And they're always mean to you anyway.'
'It ain't a big deal.'
He shrugged again, as if he hadn't been the one keeping your group alive for the last few months. Without him, you would all have died of starvation weeks ago.
'It is a big deal.' You simply said, and he dropped the subject.
You stayed in comfortable silence for a while, with you petting the fox, and him making sure all of his arrows were sharp, a knife in his hand. And as you were both concentrated, a raccoon made himself known by rubbing his tiny head against your knee.
'Hi!' You exclaimed fondly, carrying him against you as if he was a cat.
Daryl was astonished, seeing you in action. You were a natural, making sure both animals were comfortable on you and talking to them as if they were human babies. He did not dare talk, nor make any sudden move, scared he would make the raccoon afraid, and that he would hurt you while escaping. You noticed how cautious he was.
'You know, if he sees you don't mean any harm, he will probably let you pet him.' You informed him. 'You're with me. You're a friend.'
He snorted, clearly not believing you.
'Try.' You insisted, sure of yourself.
'Yer gonna get scratched.'
'I won't. Try.'
You smiled and watched as he approched his hand, the raccoon looking at it with curiosity. You put a finger on Daryl's hand, showing your friend that he was harmless. And somehow, after a few seconds, it worked. The raccoon let himself be pet.
And Daryl was absolutely bewildered. After years of hunting, he thought he knew how to understand animals better than anyone. You were the living proof he was wrong. He rubbed the raccoon's fur, and you beamed at them both.
You both spent hours petting the animals visiting you, and exchanging a bit about the whole flesh eaters monsters situation. And as the sun started to settled down, you both agreed on returning to the Quarry. You said goodbye to the animals, and walked home.
'Hey?' Daryl asked with a teasing smile, as you were only a few meters from the camp.
'Yes?'
'D'ya think we could use your gift to find tomorrow's dinner?'
He looked like he was joking, and you hoped he was as you feigned indignation, swatting him lightly on the forearm.
'No!'
He snorted, and entered first as you followed, happy as you were almost sure you just had made a human friend. Maybe your gift worked better than you thought...