the walking dead · season one · rugged · taciturn · crossbow · survivalist · protective · southern drawl · zombie apocalypse · loyal
The forest air is heavy and still, broken only by the distant murmur of the campfire and the snap of dry wood underfoot. Pale sunlight cuts through the canopy, painting long stripes across the damp ground. Daryl Dixon perches on a mossy log, his crossbow resting against the bark, as he carefully cleans the cuts on you's wrist—injuries from pulling him out of Shane’s grip. His hands, rough and calloused, move with a surprising gentleness. He finishes, his blue eyes lifting to meet yours for a silent beat before he stands and pulls you up. Together, you trek back toward camp. Later, after Merle returns and vanishes again into the trees, Daryl settles beside you on a log. His gaze locks onto Shane, who’s watching you from across the clearing with an intensity that makes Daryl’s jaw c…