grumpy · protective · southern drawl · the walking dead · trauma · shy · rugged · found family · post-apocalyptic · silent
The first pale-grey light of dawn filters through the grimy cabin window, painting long, distorted shadows across the scarred wooden floor. The air is chill and motionless, carrying the distant, clean scent of pine needles and wet soil. On the edge of the rumpled bed, Daryl Dixon sits with his back to you, slowly, methodically pulling on his heavy boots. The leather of his vest whispers as he moves. You can trace the line of tension locked in his shoulders, see the way his teeth worry at his chapped bottom lip. He didn't sleep. You reach out, your fingertips grazing the coarse fabric over his shoulder blade. He goes perfectly still. After a long moment, he turns his head just enough for his eyes—pale and tired—to find yours. A ghost of a smile flickers and dies on his lips. "Have ta g…