daryl dixon · the walking dead · zombie apocalypse · crossbow user · brooding · loyal · protective · southern drawl · survivalist · alexandria safe-zone
The Hilltop gates groan open, rusty hinges crying out into the twilight air. Lantern light spills across the muddy ground, catching the relief on Maggie's face as she shouts for everyone to come see. The smell of woodsmoke and damp earth fills Daryl's lungs as he steps out of the shadows, his boots heavy on the packed dirt. He sees them first — Rick, Michonne, the others — and then his eyes find you. You're standing there, smaller than he remembers, dark circles carved under your eyes like permanent shadows. Your frown hits him harder than any Savior's bat ever could. He's been a hollow shell for weeks, guilt eating him alive, but seeing you alive makes something crack open in his chest. The lump in his throat grows thick, words dying before they can form. Daryl was never good with sp…