A Mess || Reader Walsh X Daryl || Part 1
New account! @ghostbones was banned! Transferring everything here, beginning with this series since it was the most popular!
Summary: You grow tired of sneaking suspicions of Lori and your husband sneaking off together. When you finally catch them in the act, a grumpy redneck happens to be the one to help you through it in his own, unconventional way.
18+ MDNI || WARNINGS: profanity, nongraphic depictions of sex, TWD typical violence
You were so sick of him. The way he stood with his hands on his hip, squinting in the Georgia sun as he watched over the camp -- or, more specifically -- watched over Lori.
You respected it at first, when Rick didn't wake up and he told you, "We gotta go get Lori and Carol, (Y/N). We just got to. I gotta do right by him."
You didn't say anything when you were all stopped on the highway, watching the planes drop bombs on the city that was supposed to welcome you into safe refugee centers, and his first instinct was to hold Lori instead of you. You thought she had to be terrified, to lose her man and have to keep their son safe in such trying, unpredictable times. She probably needed that hug more than you, his own wife.
You were young when you married Shane. A drunken night led to one thing, one thing led to a baby, a baby led to another thing; a ring. But, you had a miscarriage after the wedding, and as we all know that doesn't nullify a marriage. Regardless, it wasn't a bad marriage. The relationship was mostly solid. You had suspicions, like when he'd come home from a night out with the other guys on the force with what you could have sworn were faded lipstick stains that he couldn't wipe off well enough, or smelling faintly of perfume and cigarettes. Still, he took good care of you, and you had a fair bit of freedom. He financed your art supplies, bought you records, helped you get back into school.
Your parents never had a good marriage so in comparison, you were doing well for yourself. Better than your mom, who lived on wine and Xanax, or your dad, who worked his fingers to the bone in that office, hunched over a computer, addicted to porn and cigars.
You often wondered if they had survived the initial outbreak, or if they were stumbling around King County somewhere with no heartbeat.
You shook the thought away, eyeing Shane from atop the RV where you were supposed to be watching for walkers. His skin was shiny with sweat. You wondered how long it'd be before he disappeared into the wood again. Funny how Lori always seemed to disappear at the same time, no doubt leaving Dale or Carol to keep an eye on Carl. Funny how since you'd all set up camp there by the quarry, Lori hadn't been able to make eye contact with you. Funny how he had been short with you, yet somehow managed to remain controlling as ever. You weren't allowed out of his sight unless he was already out of yours. You couldn't talk to men like Ed or Merle and his brother. You couldn't touch the guns, not until he showed you how to use one properly. You couldn't go wash up in the quarry unless he was there to escort you at night, which he conveniently never was. You couldn't--
"You alright up here?" Dale asked.
"Oh. Yeah." You shook your head clean of the whirlwind of suspicion.
"Don't seem too focused." He observed.
"Yeah, you're right. Sorry." You said, holding the binoculars to your eyes and turning your attention to the trees.
"Why don't you go on and take a break. I'll keep an eye out for now." He offered.
"Actually, you know what? That would be really great. Thanks Dale." You smiled and passed his binoculars to him. You wanted to protest. Watch duty was your favorite, and just about the only thing you could do to make yourself useful aside from washing other people's dirty underwear.
You climbed down from the roof, expecting to walk over to your husband, but he wasn't where he stood just moments prior.
You turned to Amy, who was sitting on the steps of the RV, fanning herself. It was a particularly hot day.
"Hey. Did you see where Shane went? I just saw him over there." You asked, her pointing to where he once stood.
"I think he went to check the perimeter." She said, holding her hand over her eyes to look up at you without being blinded. It was probably just about noon now with the sun high in the sky.
"Right." You nodded. You scanned the campers around you. "What about Lori?"
She shook her head.
"No, haven't seen her in a while. Carl's over there with Carol. She might know."
You sighed, thanking Amy as you made your way to Carol.
"Hey. Seen Lori?"
"Yeah. She asked me to watch Carl for a bit. Not sure where she went, though."
You felt a heat in your chest. Exactly as you suspected.
You jogged back to Amy. "Hey, which way did Shane go?"
She pointed over to the tree line on your left.
"Thanks, again." You smiled in a thin line as you marched to the woods. You were determined to put an end to this shit, one way or another.
You knew they couldn't have gone far. You had just seen him not five minutes ago. You were sure you could catch up. If the Dixons were around, you'd be half tempted to approach one and ask them to track for you. Probably the younger one. That Merle would probably ask you what you were willing to give in return, and you had a feeling he wouldn't be looking for payment in the material sense. You heard quiet rustling and heavy breaths. You ducked down and made slow, quiet steps, glancing down at the ground periodically to avoid any snapping twigs or overly crunchy leaves. You came to some thicker bushes and brush, crooning you neck to peer over the leaves and thorns.
Your stomach dropped. There it was. His sweat stained white tee, panting over her navy blue tank top that fit rather loosely with all the weight loss. Her jeans and underwear in a little pile off to the side, his gun set right on top. You clenched your jaw. You wanted to storm over and yell obscenities, to kick them both into the dirt. You were stuck, though. You couldn't move. You were so angry that you were cemented in place. Most of all, you were hurt. You were younger than Shane, and younger than Rick and Lori, but somehow, some way you thought Lori was a friend to you. You watched Carl when she and Rick took date nights from time to time, you two grabbed coffee together, went back to school shopping for Carl just to get you out of the house.
It would have been one thing had she not known you, had she been a complete stranger, but she was supposed to be a friend, and Shane, he was your husband. Tears stung at your eyes as your pulse became noticeable under your skin.
That's when you saw something else, a human shape walking up behind them. Could it be? A walker coming to exact your revenge for you? No, you could never be so lucky. It was the Dixon, the young one. His boots were heavy against the forest floor, drawing the attention of Shane and Lori. They both scrambled, Shane standing and buttoning his pants back up as Lori sat and pulled her jeans over her lap to cover herself.
"Hey, man -- I -- We can explain --" Shane stuttered, Lori looking mortified.
"Ain't me ya gotta explain to." Daryl shrugged, glancing over Shane's shoulder at you as you slowly stood to your feet from behind the bushes.
"Look, man. You say anything --" Shane hissed, no doubt gearing up for some halfhearted threat, but Daryl cut him off again.
"Won't have to." He told Shane, throwing another look at you, this time prolonging eye contact.
Shane and Lori followed his gaze and landed on you.
"(Y/N)" Lori breathed.
You tore your eyes from the huntsman, shooting visual daggers at your unfaithful husband and his backstabbing mistress.
Shane took a deep breath, rubbing his hand over his face. You said nothing. There was nothing to say. You just looked at Daryl one more time before you turned around.
"(Y/N), come on!" Shane called after you. "Let's talk about this."
You didn't want to. You just stomped your way back to camp, ignoring the curious eyes as you pulled all your things from your shared tent with Shane. You really only had your backpack and a blanket. The two of you shared the sleeping bag and a single pillow, but you didn't want that. It would smell of Shane, and at that moment the thought of him made you nauseous. You took your bag and your blanket, and made your way down to the quarry. Surely that would be the most peaceful place to sleep, by the water, under the stars, away from everyone else.
"(Y/N.)" Shane said from behind you after he likely followed you back. "What the hell are you doin'?" He asked, referring to your backpack and blanket in arms.
"Fuck you." You grumbled.
"C'mon, what are you doin'?" He asked again. You spun on your heel, seething.
"No, Shane. What the hell are you doing?!" You shouted, drawing eyes from all around. You didn't care. In fact, you saw it as an opportunity. "Sneaking off?! Getting your dick wet?!"
"Don't do this here." He said quietly, glancing over his shoulder to where Carol sat with Carl and Sophia. They were all staring in shock, the whole camp. He reached his hands out to grab your shoulders but you stepped back, chest heaving with rage.
"Oh, why? So your girlfriend's kid doesn't know she's getting down and dirty with you in the leaves out there?" You spat back, only loud enough for him to hear. "You haven't touched me in weeks. Not since the night we left home, but you can't keep it in your pants around your dead best friend's wife?"
You shoved his chest with both hands, dropping the blanket to the ground in the process. His eyes grew dark, that pleading expression turning cold.
"I don't give a fuck how sorry you are or aren't. I don't give a good god damn how guilty she feels. I hate you, and I hate her." You added, just to drive the knife in deeper. If they could stab you in the back, you'd stab them in the chest.
"Don't be stupid." He growled.
"Stupid is having unprotected sex in the middle of the woods when your wife is sitting on top of an RV with binoculars. Stupid is fucking your best friend's wife. Stupid is--"
He grabbed your arm with force, dragging you far away from the others. He lened in close to your face, eyes wide with fury.
"You need to stop." He warned.
"I am stopping. I'm stopping all of it. Congratulations, Shane. You don't have to hide your affair anymore. Because you no longer have a wife to cheat on. Oh, and by the way, you suck at hiding it. You both do. The whole fucking camp can see you two disappearing at the same time, every single day. We all see how you look at her, how you play house with her and Carl like your wife isn't sitting ten feet away. Is that what it is? You like making me look like a fool?"
"I'm only gonna tell you once." He hissed, scowling down at you like you were the one who betrayed him. "Keep your mouth shut."
"No problem." You sneered. "I'll keep my mouth shut, and you'll keep your distance."
----
It was dark out. Despite the blazing heat in the daytime, the nights could get pretty chilly, especially down by the water. You didn't mind. You set against the cliff, back rested against your bag, blanket wrapped over you nice and snug. You enjoyed all the stars above. They were hard to see back home, but now, without all the light pollution, they were beautiful.
"Shouldn't be out here alone." A husky voice rasped. You looked down past your feet to see the shadow of an archer, the very one who happened to catch Shane and Lori when you did.
"Nah. If any of those freaks stumble through here, they'll be drawn to the fire and the lanterns. I'm safer than ever over here in the dark."
"Mm." He hummed. "Y'alright? After--"
"After I caught my husband fucking another woman? Yeah. All things considered, I'm better than ever." You scoffed.
"Bein' mad don't mean ya gotta be stupid. Can't stay out here." He insisted.
"Well, my tent is Shane's tent, and the RV is full." You sighed.
"Jus' take mine." He offered.
"Yours." You repeated. "And you're gonna sleep where?"
"Outside. Prefer it that way anyway." He shrugged.
"Yeah, no. I'm not kicking you out of your own tent."
"Ain't kickin' me out if I offer."
"Well, thanks, but I'll be declining that offer."
"Suit yourself." He said as he walked back to camp. Daryl wasn't the type to go out of his way for someone else. In fact, it was rather annoying that you couldn't accept his kindness when he felt obliged to offer it. He saw how you looked when you caught them, the sickening blend of grief and rage. You hadn't done anything to deserve that, at least to his knowledge, yet you were the one with nowhere to sleep. It didn't sit right with him.
He remembered something, though. A bottle of whiskey he had stashed away in his tent. If he couldn't convince you to sleep somewhere warmer and safer than on the bed of red clay by the water, maybe you'd accept something to take your mind off it all.
He ducked into his tent and grabbed his bottle, paying no mind to his fellow survivors all huddled around the fire making small talk. Lori and Shane sat near each other, Carl in between them talking to Shane about his favorite heroes, Shane telling him stories about his dad.
Shane's eye caught Daryl as he made his way down the quarry with a bottle of liquor, no doubt on his way to you. He felt a heat in his chest, the same kind you felt when you found him rolling in the dirt with Lori. She noticed his sudden tension and followed his gaze. She looked back to Shane with worry, attempting to calm him with her eyes.
Daryl found you laying on your side, backpack under your cheek like a pillow.
"Ya sleep?" He asked.
"No." You said, monotone and irritable.
"Ya like whiskey?"
You sat up. Of course you liked whiskey, this is the south.
"You have some?" You inquired. He held the bottle out to you and you took it, twisting off the cap and taking a large swig. "Thanks."
"Ain't a gift." He clarified. "But ya look like you could use a drink."
He sat down a foot away from you, facing the water. You passed the bottle back to him.
"Well, thanks for sharing."
"Mhm."
"What would you do?" You asked him.
"Huh?"
"I mean if you had a wife out here and you caught her fucking someone else."
"Kick her outta my tent." He said.
"And if it was her tent?"
"Too bad. Shouldn't've been sleepin' around." He shrugged, swigging the bottle and passing it to you.
"Uhuh." You nodded, sipping. "What else?"
"You askin' me for advice or somethin'?"
"Something like that." You guessed.
"Well I'd probably kick his ass for fuckin' my wife knowin' I was right there."
"Mm. I'd love to but I can't exactly whoop someone who still has to look out for a kid."
"Guess ya just gotta ignore 'em." He suggested, taking the bottle as you handed it over.
"How? I live with them."
"Want me to kill 'em?" He joked. You chuckled.
"Kinda." You admitted.
"Mm. Too easy. I'd tie 'em up outside the city and leave 'em to the walkers."
"Oh, you've put thought into this?" You asked. He tipped the bottle bac and took a gulp.
"Nah. If I did I'd have somethin' more creative."
"The hell's this?" Shane asked, suddenly looming over the two of you.
Daryl stood up. "Just havin' a drink." He said, eyeing Shane.
"With my wife?" Shane stepped forward, so Daryl did too.
"Looks single to me." Daryl shrugged. He didn't come over with the intentions of making a move on you. Really he hadn't noticed you around at all. He, however, also wasn't one to back down from a fight, and he already had a distaste for the ex-fed, self proclaimed leader.
"What?" Shane asked through gritted teeth, swaying as he grew more antsy to take a swing.
"You're a real piece of work, you know that Shane?" You sighed, standing up. You weren't phased by his sudden intrusion, you knew him too well to be surprised.
"Yeah, why don't ya go back to sleepin' with the widow?" Daryl added. That was enough for Shane. He threw the first punch, but Daryl recovered quickly, getting a good knock to the ribs in before you inserted yourself between them, one hand to each man's chest.
"Can we chill with the dick-measuring contest? He brought me a drink because he felt bad for me. Nothing else, because unlike you," you said to Shane, "some men are capable of keeping their willies tucked away."
"Yeah, right, like he wasn't just waitin' for you to get drunk and start feelin' vengeful." Shane spat.
"I don't fuck drunk girls, asshole." Daryl spoke up. "That's for cops and losers."
"Man, you think you can take me? You want a piece of this?" Shane started to raise his voice now.
"Yeah, c'mon then, prick." Daryl said, throwing his arms up. The two men stepped in circles around you as you tried to keep a barrier between them.
"Yeah, come on then, pussy!" Shane shouted.
"Pussy? Nah, man. You're the coward, slidin' your dick in some vulnerable window when ya had a tight piece o' ass right here waitin' for ya every night!" Daryl yelled back.
"What is goin' on here?" Lori came in, eyes blazing between the three of you.
"Wha'd'ya waitin' for, man? There's your side piece, go on and get her!" Daryl said.
Shane lunged forward and you gripped around his torso tight, banking on the hope that he wouldn't hurt you to get past you, at least nit in front of her.
"Don't fuckin' talk about here like that!" Shane seethed.
"Yeah well ya sure didn't care 'bout me callin' your wife a tight piece of ass! I see where your priorities lie!"
You couldn't afford to get distracted with the details as you put all your focus and strength into holding on to Shane to prevent anyone from getting hurt. However, the Dixon made some valid points.
"Stop it, you two!" Lori begged.
"Hate to say it," you strained against Shane's strength, digging your feet into the dirt as his strong frame fought against you. "But I'm with Lori."
"Y'all need to calm down before--"
"Is everything okay?" Dale's voice sounded from behind Lori, cutting her off. Amy, Andrea, and Morales stood with him. Lori sighed and put her hand over her forehead.
Shane finally relented and you gratefully let go of him, turning to face the crowd of onlookers.
"What happened here?" Dale inquired.
"He was makin' a move on my wife." Shane panted, still coming down from the surge of adrenaline and rage.
You scoffed, gawking at his audacity. You glared at Lori for a moment, running your tongue over your teeth before you shook your head and chuckled.
"No, he brought me a drink because he felt bad for me, sleeping out here alone." You corrected.
"Why are you sleeping all the way out here?" Andrea asked, shaking her head with confusion.
"Yeah, it's really not safe. You should be up there with us." Amy added.
"Yeah, Shane, Lori." You cocked your head to the side, crossing your arms as you looked between the two of them. "Why am I sleeping all the way out here? Hm?"
Lori looked at you with wide, anxious eyes as Shane just shot daggers at you and Daryl. Lori looked back to everyone else, who seemed to be confused, except for Dale who had a knack for picking up on things.
"Maybe we should head back to camp. It's getting late." Dale suggested.
"I'm good." You rolled your eyes. "Thanks for ruining yet another peaceful moment." You said to Shane.
"I'm confused." Andrea spoke up.
"Oh, allow me to clarify." You smiled, sickeningly sweet. Lori shook her head at you, but you ignored her. "Shane, my husband, and Lori, have been keeping a secret from us. Care to share with the class?"
"(Y/N), man, come on. Why you gotta start problems?" Shane let out an exasperated sigh.
"No? Okay, allow me to speak on your behalf, then. My husband has been fucking Lori, who, if you guys weren't aware, is married to Shane's best friend, who he claims is dead." You said.
God, did that feel good.
Everyone looked stunned, save for Lori who just looked humiliated and mortified, and Shane, who was more pissed than anything else.
"Some leader, huh? A real honest guy." You added, just to add insult to injury. Salt in the open wound, if you will.
"Oh...kay... Why don't we just.." Dale was at a loss for words.
"Maybe (Y/N) can stay in the RV with us." Amy suggested.
"Yeah, I think that'd be just fine." Dale agreed.
"No need." You looked to Shane, smirking. "Daryl here has offered his tent."
Daryl shot you a look. He had no intentions of being your pawn in some twisted revenge scheme.
"You did?" Andrea asked.
Daryl nodded. "Yeah, told her she could have it 'til she figures somethin' else out."
"And you're gonna sleep... Where?" She wondered.
"Outside." He shrugged.
Shane scoffed and shook his head, hands rested on his hips in that police stance you had grown to hate. Your nostrils flared at him in disgust.
----
"Why'd ya do that?" Daryl asked. You were all back at camp now. He was grabbing some essentials from his tent to make room for you. "Make it like it was somethin' it ain't?"
"What do you mean? I told the truth. You offered your tent."
"Nah, you wanted to get under his skin." He shook his head at you as you stood with your bag over your shoulder and your dusty blanket balled up in your arms.
"I mean, yeah, but--"
"But nothin'. I ain't gon' be part of your revenge and I damn sure ain't gonna be no rebound dick to ride 'til ya feel better." He cut you off before he stormed away.
Taglist || Masterlist
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Pick a Pile Collective Reading✨
🦢Take a deep breath and choose the emoji you’re most drawn to. Remember to take only what resonates and leave the rest. You are always in control of your life. ✨
🦢Pile 1: Pink Rhodonite {actually Redline Marble… oops}
Page of Pentacles, Ace of Pentacles, King of cups
At the bottom of the deck: Emperor and Knight of Wands
Your manifestations are on their way! This is a new opportunity that is either being presented to you or you’re going out and taking it for yourself. This will lead to abundance in your finances as well as bringing emotional happiness and comfort to you. The King of Cups is here to remind you this is something you need to be devoted to, not only with effort but with patience and compassion towards yourself. Be sure to lean in and trust your intuition.
Things may not seem like they are going your way but trust that behind the scenes everything is working in your highest favor! The Emperor on the bottom of the deck is a reminder to stand your ground when it comes to what you want. You don’t have to settle. Knight of Wands is encouraging you that it won’t be long until you see results of your manifestation. Be patient, continuing put in the effort and be kind to yourself while you wait for your opportunity to grow ✨
Signs this is for pile 1: childhood dreams, ships, boats, ship in a bottle, clowns, birthday parties, outdoorsy adventures, meadows, hiking, camping, 111 777 999 222
☁️Pile 2 Selenite
King of cups Rv, King of Pentacles, Nine of cups
clarity card Ace of Wands Rv
Top Middle + Bottom of the deck: 10 of Pentacles, 5 of Cups Rv, Hermit
There’s a new creative venture that you want to pursue but you’re feeling either burnt out or restricted. This is causing you to be even more withdrawn and in this stuck energy. Spirit wants you to know that you need to change how you view this situation. See it with compassion and patience. Just because it’s not what you want it to be or exactly how you envisioned yourself doing it, doesn’t mean it can’t still be great.
The King of Pents, Nine of Cups and the 10 of Pentacles are here to reassure you that this creative idea of yours, is going to be beyond successful. It’ll lead to financial and emotional abundance not just for you but for your family as well, leaving a grand legacy for all who come after you. This is everything you want and this is possible from beginning where you are right now.
Take some time to reflect on what you want, time away from people who are draining your creative spark and energy, those who are naysayers of your aspirations. Spirit wants to remind you that you have everything you need to start this adventure and create something magical and prosperous with it. You don’t have to wait. So take some time to figure out how you can do this with what you have currently, and take some time to grieve the way you originally envisioned doing this so you can move forward and begin creating this for yourself 🩷 You got this! And it will be amazing ✨
Signs this is for pile 2: Gold scarf, Sparkly glitter, Elves, Wizards, Fantasy Kings and Queens, The Witcher, Game of Thrones, Pottery, Ceramics, Art stores, Saturn, Swords, Blacksmith, Gold, Silver, Black, 999 1441 1414 111 555
🤍Pile 3 Rose Quartz
Ace of Cups, King of Cups, Knight of Swords
Top, Middle and Bottom of the deck: The moon, Tower Reversed, 2 of Wands Reversed
A renewal in your relationship is coming soon but it will require patience and compassion not only with the other person but with yourself as well. You’ll also have to be direct with what you want and don’t want. Be aware of your thoughts and emotions at this time and try your best to distinguish which is your intuition and which are simply illusions you’re telling yourself is your intuition. Right now you’re afraid to plan a future with this person, you’re afraid to take the risk but the real risk is not taking action in what you truly want. Change can be scary but this change is for the better 🩷✨ You’re safe to be vulnerable and share your desires for this relationship with this person, it will lead to a renewal of the love you’ve always wanted 🦢
Signs this is for pile 3: Roses, Tulips, Talking to the Moon, Fairytale love, Rapunzel, Rose quartz, Doves, 555 888 222 444 56
A quick legal note: I must say the services I provide are for entertainment and reflection purposes only. I cannot guarantee specific results or events as the future is always changing. You are always responsible for your actions and any decisions made following the reading. I am not liable for any outcomes based on the insights and advice provided with my services. My services are not to be used in place of professional medical, financial, or psychological advice. Thank you 🩷
With Love, Astrid 🩷✨
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