Chapter Text
“Let your smile change the world,
but don’t let the world change your smile.”
“Ya got somethin’ to say?” Daryl cut through the silence. His voice is gritty and so raspy, just the way Storm likes it. Storm couldn’t help but keep glancing at the archer. He hadn’t said a word on the whole trip up to Virginia. She was excited that she finally made it to her hometown—that there could be a likelihood of her finding her older brothers and father. A slim chance. They’re survivors. Just like Daryl. If anyone would make it alive in this world, it would be them, and not the dirty and immoral way, either.
Daryl narrowed his steel-blue eyes at her. All she could see is sorrow he tried to hide ever since the funeral for Beth.
“Just checkin’ out the view,” she told her usual phrase every time he would ask her what the hell she looking at. It started back at the farm when they first met. She was taken in by Maggie and Hershel since she was alone ever since she shot her boyfriend between the eyes and high tailed before the Walkers would find her. Storm would joke that there was an ‘Evolution of Daryl’. Over the months, he became quite the looker (he’s always been cute but now he’s just damn fine). She was an art teacher (well, more of a teacher assistant) before it all went to hell. She even told him that when they’ve become closer at the prison. Then one day later he brought her a sketchbook and some mechanical pencils for her to sketch with.
Daryl was her first model. It was mostly a reason to ‘check out the view’.
“Not in the mood,” he grumbles before looking back out the window. Storm was sitting between Carol and Daryl in the truck with Eugene and Abraham in the front.
“I know,” she sighs before resting her head on his shoulder. She felt him stiffen up before finally relaxing. She knew that the archer was touch sensitive and took months to finally have him use to her. And it only took for them both to be drunk off moonshine for him to finally get the balls to make the moves on her and fuck her hard against the wall. Good thing Beth was out like the dead since Storm had no qualms about screaming his name as he pounded into her.
But then they got separated the next day. It was awkward between them and soon after she was captured by some fucked-up officers along with Beth.
It was pretty obvious to everyone (even Carl!) that she holds a crush for the guy. She doesn’t hide it with the flirting and too friendly touching like she did back at the prison.
And now she was back to plan A with the redneck. Storm understands that he is grieving. Hell, she’s grieving, too. But maybe being from an emotionally stunted family made this a bit easy for her to push down and cover it up with a fake smirk and smart ass comments. She did learn from the best (her oldest brother).
Daryl finally relaxed once he realized that Storm finally was out like a light. Ever since he met Storm, she was always a talker. Silence scared the shit out of her. She would fidget and squirm and when she can finally talk, it was like she has been holding her breath to do it. He used to think it was adorable (not like he would admit it since she might tease him) but sometimes Daryl needed silence.
“I think she needs noise to keep her mind occupied,” Carol said breaking the brief silence. Daryl said nothing, but he knew that she would continue. “Sometimes being left with your thoughts…can scare a person.”
Daryl glanced down at the petite female who was now using him as a pillow. He always thought she wouldn’t make it on her own when he first got to know her (and saw her). Storm is the shortest out of the group. Even Carl is two inches taller than the munchkin. So when the farm was overrun by Walkers, he couldn’t help but run over the petite woman to protect her. But then he saw the way she killed those sons of bitches and cursed himself for admiring her cut their head off when he supposed to be running away. So making his life more miserable. Not only is she gorgeous, but she takes no shit and she can hold her own.
And she flirts a lot. Daryl thought nothing of it when she did it with Rick but stopped after a few weeks. But she continued with Daryl. Touching him and talking to him like their old friends. He was at his limit.
And then Merle happened. After he came back to the prison with his brother, he didn’t expect much from the little sprout. But it shocked everyone in the group to see the little woman run up to the sweaty redneck archer and throw her arms around him. Her face pressed against his chest (which he hoped she couldn’t feel how hard his heart was beating).
Merle teased him endlessly about her.
“I think you both look cute,” Carol said breaking him from his trance. Daryl shot her a glare before looking back out the window.
She woke up to someone shaking her.
Her vision was blurry when she opened them, then to finally focus on a set of piercing blue eyes.
“Get up,” Daryl grunted at her. “We outta’ gas.”
“Fuck…” Storm groaned as she rubbed her eyes. “Life gets better and better for us, huh?”
“Stop yer whinin’,” he tells her before getting out of the truck. Storm followed him out, just to fall over her own feet as her vision blurred. Luckily Daryl caught her on time. Both arms wrapped around her to keep her standing.
Storm, who couldn’t help to flirt, said, “Finally got you where I wantcha,” she winked at him.
“Stop yer playin,” he scolded her before wrapping one arm around her and putting her arm around his shoulder to help her walk.
“We got any more water?” she mumbles into his shoulder. Her throat dry and stomach clenching in pain and hunger.
“Nah, sunshine. We ran out,” he mutters back.
A corner of her mouth tilted up. “Did you just call me sunshine? ”
“Don’t make me dump you on the ground.” he pinched her side, causing her to squeal lightly.
“Can you stop your flirting already?” Carol pokes fun at the two. “Some of us has not been laid in a while.”
Storm smirked when she noticed the flush of pink emitting from Daryl’s ears.
“Did I literally just see you eat a worm?”
“Can’t complain when yer starvin’,” he grunted back. Daryl tried to push down the embarrassed feeling of getting caught eating a damn bug. He shouldn’t have to explain himself to her.
“But… why?” she dramatically shudders.
“Protein.”
“So that’s how you still have muscles in those damn fine arms of yours,” she said with one hand already reaching for ‘said’ arms. He flinched back.
“What the hell you doin’ out here anyway,” he then grabbed her arm roughly. “You can barely walk on your own.”
“Maybe I am bored sitting around.”
“So you was Walker bait to liven it up?”
“You know me so well.”
“Don’t you ever stop jokin’ all the damn time?” he was now in her face. Bangs sticking to his forehead; some of it hiding his eyes.
“Sorry,” she said. Her eyes never leaving his. One hand reaching for his cheek. Daryl tried not to appear phased by the touch of her soft hand (how are her hands softly in the condition they are living in?) felt against his stubbled cheek. Her hand then went to his bangs brushing it away from his forehead. “Would… you like to talk?”
“About what?”
“I thought you would like to do this alone,” she said uncomfortable about whatever she would bring up for this ‘talk’. “About Beth.”
Daryl glowered. He brushed her hand away from him and stormed passed her. Daryl knew that she would follow.
“It’s called Survivn’, Sunshine. Now eat,” Daryl kicked her lightly in the shin. She glanced up to see him holding out the meat for her. She groaned when she thought about what they did to get that meet. “Eat before you pass out,” he demands.
They’re eating fuckin’ dogs, she thought as she glanced around the circle. Eating it as if it was a plate of ribs.\
After hours of not finding any water, some dogs tried to make a dinner out of her group. Sasha killed them. She could just imagine her brother and father shaking thier head at how ridiculous she’s being at the moment.
“Ribs,” she said softly to herself as she takes it from Daryl. “I’m eating delicious pork ribs smothered in Honey barbecue.”
Michonne snorted at her silliness. “If it keeps you fed then call it whatever ya like.”
“Can’t believe you cryin’ over them,” Daryl shakes his head at her.
“You need to sleep,” Daryl berated her. He’s been watching her ever since they found refuge in the empty barn. She hadn’t spoken the whole time after eating the dogs. Daryl couldn’t believe for the first time he saw her cry; it was over dogs. With Dale, Hershel, Lori (even if she didn’t like the woman that much), and Beth, Storm held a mask of steel. Her eyes empty and dry.
“Can’t,” she said as she fidgeted with her hands.
“Not comfortable enough for ya?”
“You’re going to laugh,” she chuckled nervously. Daryl waited. “I’m scared of thunderstorms.”
Daryl didn’t laugh. He may have chuckled a bit but he held up a straight face. He sighed when the thunder boomed causing the woman to jump. “You’re, what, nineteen?”
“Thanks for the compliment,” she winks at him yet it lacked her usual playfulness. “I’m twenty-six, asshole.” He sighed inwardly. She’s thirteen years younger than him.
Daryl crawls over to the brunette and left enough space between the two.
“Tell me about your brothers.” They never discussed much of ‘Before’. All he knew about the woman was that she was the youngest out of three and was a middle school art teacher.
“Tell me about yours,” she replied.
“You met the asshole. Now stop being a smart ass,” he shoved her lightly.
“Dean and Sam,” she said with such fondness he never witnessed from her. “Dean’s the oldest. He got his looks from Mom. Dirty blonde hair, unreal green-colored eyes, and a cocky attitude. He’s four years older than me. He was a mechanic for a family friend. He has this sex on wheels—which he called—1967 Chevy Impala. Damn, it was beautiful. He got it for his sixteenth birthday. He always looked out for me and Sammy. When my mom died from a house fire—
--from what?” Daryl asked.
“Arson,” she said. “Apparently had a vendetta against my dad. Dad was…out for a while. More about wanting to seek out for revenge than mourn her properly. So that’s when Dean stepped in over the years. He made us food. He helped with homework sometimes. He even taught us how to fight.”
“And Sam?”
“My twin brother,” she mumbled.
Daryl furrowed his eyebrows. He knew Storm for almost two years and he didn’t even know that one of her brothers was her twin.
“You wouldn’t think it when you get a look at him,” she laughed. “He’s a giant. I would call him Samsquatch instead. He’s over six feet tall. His hair is lighter than mine. He’s so smart and was so close to being a law student if it was not for this damn end of the world thing going on.”
Daryl was so engrossed in her talking he failed to notice that she inched closer and closer until their arms touched. And before he could scooch away, she rested her head on his shoulder and drifted asleep.
“You stayin’,” it was more of an order than a request. She raised an eyebrow at him as if he was joking. He had to be. So Storm brushed passed him but Daryl caught her by the arm and turned her around. “You can barely walk. Don’t need to be lookin’ after you out there,” he explained in his own ‘Daryl’ way. Gruff and sweet.
Storm pursed her lips as she thought about her options. “Fine. Rick needs backup anyways,” she said before ripping her arm out of his grasp.
Storm could understand why Rick was cautious of this friendly man who just so happened to have a place to live for them. But the didn’t trust easily. Not after all they’ve been through. The Governor and fuckin’ Cannibals at Terminus. Aaron seemed like a decent guy. But he was a complete idiot. If this was any other group. He would have been killed on the spot or follow him and raid their camp. Who just brings in anyone off the street not knowing how damaged they are about this world and what they would do to survive in it.
It was twenty minutes later when Judith cried out of hunger.
“Here I got it,” she said, taking the acorns and gun from Rick. Storm knew that Rick must have thought she wanted Judith, but she is rather uncomfortable with babies.
“I got applesauce in my bag,” Aaron said. Rick looked at him skeptically. “This isn’t a trick. This is not about making you try to like me. This is self-preservation.”
“He’s right,” Storm tells Rick. “No offense, but she’s like a dinner bell for these Walkers.” And there she goes talking without a filter. She goes to his backpack and dug out the applesauce. She opened it and grabbed the spoon and was ready to feed it to Judith before he stopped her.
“Storm, think,” he reprimanded her. Rick grabbed the spoon from her and made his way towards Aaron. “Eat it.”
“You think I’m trying to poison your baby daughter?” he asked, offended by the assumption of Rick.
“We’ve met a lot of assholes in this world, Aaron,” Storm informed him.
“I’m tied up. Why would I make this harder for me by trying to kill your daughter while I’m tied up?” he asked them.
“He has a point,” she shrugged.
Rick still tried to insist.
“I hate applesauce.”
If this was not such an intense moment, Storm would have laughed.
“Then why the fuck you have applesauce?” she asked him with a raised eyebrow.
“Because there is this sweet lady at the camp who keeps trying her best to make me like them,” he said fondly.
“Fine.” Storm had nothing to lose. She went to the jar of applesauce and before Rick could stop her, she stuck her finger in and took a taste. “Wait ten minutes and if nothing happens, it’s safe.”
“You’re an idiot,” Rick scolded her. “And if it is poisoned?”
“Then you kill Aaron and you have one less person in the group to feed,” you shrugged.
“And have Daryl on my ass…”
As soon as Daryl made it back to the barn, he cornered Storm.
“Here,” he tossed the Spaghetti-O’s to her. She caught it easily and jutted out her lower lip.
“Daryl, you shouldn’t have,” she teased him.
“You’re losin’ weight,” he answered.
“You checkin’ me out, Daryl?” Storm teased before sighing. “Cold Spaghetti…”
Daryl rolled his eyes. He knew that she was pretending to be whining. After the talk, she had with her last night. As she explained how her family was struggling financially since her father was mourning her mother by spending everything on booze; she was use to eating cheap canned food.
But that didn’t stop him from saying, “Quit your whinin’. Storm.”
“I like it when you call me ‘Sunshine’,” she said before stabbing a while in it with her knife.
Storm was sitting across from Daryl in the RV. They were on their way to Alexandria.
“It’s too bad,” she said finally after much thought. Daryl said nothing but Carol heard her.
“What is?”
“About Aaron,” she replied. “All the good lookin’ ones are always gay, huh?”
Carol shook her head at the young woman. For the past few weeks on the road, Storm seemed to be the only one with a sense of humor left. “He is a handsome fellow.”
“Yeah, he’s cute,” she said. She noticed that Daryl was staring at her with a strange expression. He caught her looking back at him so he turned to look out the window.
“Don’t worry, Daryl. I like my men brooding, southern, and with a knack for archery,” she winked at him.
45