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You didn’t like to share. You hoarded your belongings, dreading the day they fell apart. You were the same with your loved ones--fiercely protective and loyal to a fault, but territorial, if not a bit possessive.
You clenched your jaw as you watched the blonde speaking to your husband. A new group of survivors had been found, and Rick decided to give them a chance and took them in. One of the women, Naomi, had broken her ankle out in the woods when Daryl and Rick came upon them. Daryl had carried the woman back; she was all tears and threw her arms around his neck like she had found her knight in shining armor.
Merle took one look at your face and snickered. You were normally quite reserved, and to most, your expressions were pretty unreadable, but for the rare few who knew you, it was obvious you were far from happy. Merle spotted the frown a mile away, the tick of your jaw, the way your fingers twitched. It always amused him when you lost your cool. It rarely happened and you were usually the one to pull Daryl and Merle from the edge since you three were kids, but where their tempers were explosive, impulsive, yours simmered and boiled and the hit came harder than anyone could handle.
You wouldn’t make a scene. No you'd find the object of your ire and put the fear of God in them. Merle could already picture it, watching you corner the blonde somewhere and set her right. Daryl hadn't noticed anything wrong yet, mainly because his loyalty was never in question here, but it wasn’t really about loyalty and Merle knew that: it was about respect. It was about what was yours and you put a claim on the Dixon boys years back and tied yourself to Daryl indefinitely when you shared vows. If there was one person in the world Merle wouldn’t ever doubt in loyalty, it was you, and he knew his brother was just as far gone in his love for his wife.
You never broached the subject with anyone, not willingly at least. Carol tossed a look every now and then your way, mainly shaking her head as you both watched the blonde trip over herself trying to keep pace with him. Carol was the one to let Naomi know Daryl was a married man who was devoted to his wife, but for some reason, the blonde still believed she had a shot and seemed adamant on being turned down by Daryl himself.
Naomi was embarrassingly forward in a way she might not even realize. Flushed cheeks and stuttering words and she’d brought over cookies in thanks to Daryl and when he thanked her and later said they were good after you two finished the batch, she thought that meant she should keep making him more. Not something you were entirely bent out of shape over since she was a decent baker, but the sentiment behind them made your skin itch.
Naomi would try and find Daryl alone whenever she could, though he always had a real excuse to be anywhere else, mainly you. At a town bonfire where Daryl had planted himself on a lawn chair, a beer in his hand, Naomi had b-lined it for the open seat next to him.
Merle threw his arm around your shoulders, teasingly he said, “Ooh sweet pea, she looks ready to pounce on my baby brother.”
Your shoulders were stiff. You had since lit up a cigarette and had been watching the exchange since you got there. Daryl didn't seem to know Naomi was interested in him romantically—he suspected she imprinted, said as much to you when he came back home with her plate of cookies. He believed she was lonely and scared and 'she’d get over it'. You knew better.
Daryl was ignoring the girl who was yammering away and made eye contact with you. At first, his eyes were fond, but then his eyes narrowed in on his brothers arm around your shoulders. Merle snickered at Daryl’s glare and lifted his hands up in mock surrender, walking away with a sly grin. Daryl tipped his head, gesturing for you to come and join him by the fire.
You padded over, and he took the cigarette out of your fingers, taking a drag. “You find anything good out there?” He asked, voice low, his eyes trained on solely on you who had taken a seat on the arm of his lawn chair. Every time is was just you and him, he gave you his full undivided attention like you were the most important person in the world, even years after you've gotten married.
“Found some pet supplies, got Dog a new collar,” You spoke, stealing back the cigarette out from his fingers. You stretched your legs out onto his lap and he locked a hand around your ankle, unconsciously using his thumb to stroke your skin up and down. The sensation sent tingles up your spine.
“You spoil him, that’s why he likes you better ‘an me,” he said with a twitch of his lips.
You shrugged, a teasing smirk on your own lips, “Knows where his lovin’ comes from.”
Daryl barked a bit of laughter, “Seems I’m competin’ with the damned dog.”
You huffed, leaning into his space where his free hand came and curled around your waist, finding a home on your hip. His hands were warm and big and you wanted them all over your body, groping and squeezing. You wanted to run your fingers down his bare chest, feel the hard muscle of his arms and legs and bury your face into his neck while under him.
Daryl must have recognized the lust in your eyes because be damned near growled as he tugged you onto his lap. You made a small gasp and Daryl chuckled before capturing your lips against his. The kiss was soft and warm and gentle, and when his tongue swiped against your lower lip you didn't hesitate before you parted your lips and let him explore your mouth. When you opened your eyes, you met the blue eyes of the blonde who had been watching the whole encounter. Naomi looked stunned, her cheeks flushed pink and she immediately stood up and ran off when you took hold of Daryl’s jaw. You couldn't help the smug satisfaction you felt with your man on your lips. Daryl was yours alone, just as you were his alone.
Merle let out a wolf whistle, bringing the two of you back to reality. You and Daryl pulled apart and you shook your head fondly while Daryl just flicked his brother off.
“‘Bout time you did something,” Merle said, snatching up the now empty seat and getting comfortable. “This one had her murder eyes on," he said, flicking his head in your direction.
You rolled your eyes and took another drag of your cigarette. Daryl was looking between the two of you, “What are ya' going on about?”
Merle shot Daryl an exasperated look, “Can find damned near anything but some common fuckin' sense.”
You couldn't help but chuckle while still seated on Daryl’s lap and enjoying the feeling of his body beneath yours. One of your arms wrapped loosly around his neck and the other rested on his bicep with your cigarette between your fingers. “S’alright, baby. I still love ya," you said and pressed a quick chaste kiss to his lips.
Merle threw his head back in laughter while Daryl continued to look confused, “Tryin’ my nerves, both of ya. What happened?”
You huffed, stroking his hair out of his face for the excuse to touch him, “You really didn’t notice the blonde makin’ eyes at you?”
Daryl’s eyes furrowed, “Who now?”
Merle was in for another round of laughter. “The chick you white knighted that’s been following you ‘round like you’re Gods gift to man?”
Daryl was still thinking and seemingly examining all their past interactions, “Thought she was just bein’ nice--ditzy as she is, she made some great cookies.”
You shook your head fondly, “S’alright, at least you know how I look at ya’.”
Daryl hummed low and stroked your hair behind your ear, “You're the only one I want lookin’. Don’t want no one else but you, sugar.”
Merle fake gagged but his eyes were fond, “Can’t stand this love-fest, I’m thinkin’ there’s a blonde that could use some cheerin’ up right about now.” He had a wolfish grin and you rolled your eyes at the man, again.
It was just Daryl and you left to share the warmth of each other and the quiet chatter of friends and family basking in the peaceful night. After a moment, Daryl spoke up, “You really worryin’ bout that?”
You hummed, having stubbed out the cigarette that burnt down to the filter. “Not worryin’, just,” You bit your lower lip, embarrassed, but Daryl patiently waited for you to find the words and get it out. “Pissed off. It’d be one thing if she didn’t know you had a woman, but she did, kept chasing after you like a dog with a bone. Rubbed me the wrong way.”
Daryl kissed your neck, “Didn’t even know she was tryin’ anything, honest. She wasn’t even a thought on mind when I have you.”
“Sweet talker,” You smiled against his lips. You threw both your arms around his shoulders and pressed yourself flush against his chest. “I’m a greedy woman, Mr. Dixon—Don’t like to share what’s mine.”
“I love how greedy you are,” he growled, and his hands had lowered on your ass, hinting at something else you couldn’t get enough of. “Don’t think you’re the only one, sweetheart, I want you more an’ more everyday.”
Your heart fluttered and ached for the press of his bare skin against yours. You whispered in his ear, “Wanna take me home and show me just how much you want me?”
Daryl was up and out of his chairs in seconds, bringing you right up into his arms and over his shoulder like you weighed nothing. You gasped and burst into a fit of giggles as he hauled you past everybody without a second glance.
“Makin’ me look bad, brother!” Rick called after Daryl who just grunted in reply as he marched across the street and into your home where he showed you just how much he loved you, over and over again all night and well into the morning.