Chapter Text
“Daryl, we need to talk” said Rick. The hunter immediately understood he would regret coming over to his friend’s house. He narrowed his eyes, glaring at Grimes. It’s not that he didn’t like talking with Rick but there was something in the ex-cop’s tone that made Dixon’s stomach twist. Just please, don’t fucking ask about Jesus, he thought.
They were sitting on a couch and Rick leaned over to put his forearms on his knees. He intertwined his fingers, letting out a shaky breath. It took him a while before he looked up into Daryl’s eyes.
“I may be wrong but… you don’t really like Jesus, don’t you?”
He fucking asked about Jesus.
“I’unno. Why?” He fidgeted in his seat.
“Because…” he hesitated. “Let me be honest, you treat him like shit,” Rick said it as if he was talking about the color of the walls. It didn’t mean that it wasn’t important, because he wouldn’t have brought it up if it wasn’t.
“Nah” Daryl mumbled. “I treat ‘im very fine.”
“You’re laughing at the way he looks like.”
“Such a big deal.”
“You’re doing it at least once a day.”
“S’what? He looks like an idiot.”
Rick raised his brows. “When we’re with the others, you don’t seem to notice his presence and ignore him.”
Daryl remained silent, so Rick continued, “You’re mean towards him.”
“Ain’t true!”
Grimes gave him the withering look. “You stole his knife a few days ago, just to make him anxious.”
“Didn’t know it was his!” In that point, he actually was right.
Rick sighed. Arguing with Daryl was pointless. “Okay, so… let’s just say you are quite nasty. And it’s simply not nice since Jesus is living in our community and he’s been helping a lot. Like, a lot. He’s doing every freakin’ job he can. And he’s the kindest person I’ve ever got to know. Man, he even gave you a gift, didn’t he?”
“Yea, some belt.”
“Oh, right, now I remember! You told him it was ugly as fuck, and you threw it away.”
“I didn’t.” He stopped and raised one eyebrow. “I did…?”
Rick rubbed his eyes with one hand. “Listen here, Daryl. Could you just give him a chance?” His voice sounded exhausted. “Try being nice to him for just a one day. Please. For me. I really care about it.”
Daryl lowered his head, suddenly guilty. He wouldn’t have thought that it mattered to Grimes so much. He knew he was being harsh towards Jesus, trying to push him away. And he knew why. But he couldn’t tell it Rick.
“What should I do?” he asked him, voice quiet and harsh. His hair fell down on his eyes, the natural barrier from the rest of the world.
“Don’t know, maybe go on a run together. Jesus was supposed to visit Alexandria tomorrow, so you could pick him up in Hilltop. Just… be nice. Okay?”
Daryl wasn’t so sure about this idea, but he didn’t want Rick to worry. His friend did so much for the archer and for the community, seeing him like this was just not right.
Daryl finally snorted. “’kay”
Rick nodded his head and stood up. “Thanks,” he said, patting Daryl on the back.