Daryl Dixon X Reader: I ain't no Princess

Ever since this apocalypse started, I’ve felt a ton load of grief on my shoulders. When I first found out about the outbreak, my fiancé’s friend who joined in the gun fire left his post to find me. He led me to a safe place in Atlanta and told me that my fiancé was going to come soon. We barricaded ourselves in a bunker at his house and I think we’ve been inside this metal dome for days now. I pleaded for him to come outside but he was always shaking and anxious to see the world outside.
“What if Neal’s outside Rem? We have to go find him and the others too, please. I’m literally begging here.” I said, raising my voice and kneeling in front of him. He was sitting on the bed with his head down. I looked down and saw his hands shaking. I held them in my hands, clenching and brushed his messy dark hair.
“Come on, aren’t you supposed to be the one giving me a confidence boost here?” he looked at me with his brown eyes and rested his forehead on mine.
“_____, I’m afraid of what I might see outside. We’ve been here for about three days and we haven’t heard a single bang on that door.”
He was right. Neal knew about this bunker and he always comes in time so why isn’t he here? I can’t think that he’s gone right now because if I do that, I’d lose sanity and I won’t be able to control Rem.
I got up and pulled my friend up as we headed toward the steel door. Rem looked at me as if telling me not to do this. We’ve ran out of food here and if we stay here any longer, we won’t live. I gave him a nod and he turned it.
He took a deep sharp breath and I held his hand. We opened the door together and the bright sun stung our eyes. But our eyes weren’t the only thing that’s stung. We smelled something putrid and we felt like going back inside our bunker.
We looked around and I felt my guts sunk down to my stomach and my knees felt like jelly. It was a massacre.
Dead bodies lying everywhere. Rem lost grip on my hand and I looked down at him. He was on his knees and his expression mimicked mine. It was a mixed of shock and fright. I wanted to break down too but I can’t. Rem is in shock and I have no idea what to do.
“Rem, we have to get out of here and find Neal or anyone who’s not dead. Please snap out of it!”
I kneeled in front of him and shook his shoulders. He was completely frozen. There’s no point in snapping him out so I decided to roam around the block. Everywhere I look they were dead bodies. I wondered what happened but I can’t think of anything before all of this but I did remember that my fiancé told me about something dangerous was coming. He was supposed to explain it to me but he didn’t have the chance. I heard a footstep behind me and I turned around only to see no one.
“Hello? Is someone there?” I looked around but there was nothing. Must be my imagination. I decided to go back to Rem. He was still on his knees.
I stopped when I saw someone coming. The person was a few feet from him. I should be glad I finally saw a life but this person looked odd. She was dirty all over and her hair looked damped and covered with mud. She was getting closer to Rem and I quickly ran. I yelled at him to get away when I saw the horrifying face of the girl. She may have a human body but she didn’t look human. She looked like she was going to rip Rem apart. I tackled her to the ground and we rolled on the grass. I ended up under her and she was trying to bite me but I used my palm by raising her chin and I used my other hand to grasp both her hands.
I pushed her away but she got up. I backed away but I tripped on someone and I landed on my back. She was coming for me and I saw something that blinded my left eye. I glance at my left and saw a knife sticking out on a dead man’s pocket. I pulled it out but she was too close. Then all of a sudden, I heard Rem yelling. He shot the girl straight on the forehead then stomped his feet on her head like it was a bug.
I looked behind me and saw a herd of… people like the girl who was trying to kill me with her hands and teeth.
“Rem! We have to get out of here now!” he stopped and looked behind. His eyes widened and he immediately pulled me up and we started running. I didn’t know the city well because I rarely go here so I just followed Rem. He had an iron grip on my hand and we were frantically looking for… something.
“What are we looking for Rem? And what are those? They don’t look human.”
“ I don’t have time to explain _____. Right now, our best chance is to find a place where we can lock ourselves or avoid those infected.”
Infected? I thought.
It felt like we’ve been running for hours. Everywhere we go, every street and corner we turn, there’s always a herd or a pack of those “Infected People”.
When we were almost out of breath, we saw someone and an animal. He looked like a cop, a sheriff to be exact and he was riding a brown horse. He was being surrounded by the infected and he saw us.
“We have to help him!”
Rem looked behind him and saw that the Infected were getting close.
“Sorry____ but we’ve got our own problems.” The infected were distracted on devouring the sheriff’s horse so we have a head start but I was worried about the sheriff. My worry lifted when I saw him get inside the tank but how’s he going to get out of there? That worry came back.
“What do we do?!” I asked and the infected were gaining on us. Trying to grab us.
Rem lets go of my hand and jumped on a car then pulled me up. We got off the vehicle and continued running and I glanced at Rem who was smiling?
I looked where he was looking and saw a black SUV. I recognized it. It belonged to Rem’s father. He broke the glass with his gun and opened the car door. I got inside first and he started hotwiring the car. I looked at the window he broke and saw the infected coming closer and closer.
“Rem! Hurry up!” I yelled at him.
“I am!” he yelled back. I glanced back and forth at the window to the wires that Rem was holding. The infected were a few feet away and one infected person slammed his body on the vehicle and as if on cue, the vehicle started. Rem started the engine but that person who hit the vehicle had his hands inside the car. Rem stepped on the pedal but the infected person got a good grip on Rem.
I froze. I was fixated on the infected person’s face. What happened? It’s like the human he once was gone and replace with something horrible and monstrous.
Rem was finally able to get the infected person’s hands off him and he sped up.
“You alright?” he asked, glancing at me.
“I should be the one asking you that.” I said, out of breath.
I looked at his chest where the infected person grasps him. There was a small blood on his clothes. He must have been scratched. I raised my hand and placed my palm on his chest. He was taken aback by my sudden action and he clenched my hand then placing it on my lap.
“Don’t you worry about me.”
We’ve been on the road for hours and none of us wants to break the silence. Rem was focused on the road while I’m thinking about my fiancé. I rubbed the ring that was on my finger and sighed.
An hour or two passed, the vehicle suddenly stopped. I looked at Rem and I was surprise to find him so pale and he looked like he was about to puke.
“Take this.”
He handed me his gun and I took it hesitantly.
“Rem, what’s going on?” I asked.
“_____, I want you to listen well because I don’t have much time left. I can’t believe I still have my senses after that thing scratch.” He chuckled then winced in pain.
“What are you talking about Rem?” I reached out to touch him but he slapped my hand away. That’s never happened before.
“Whan you get bit or scratched by those things, you turn just like them. You will crave for human flesh just like them. And I’m going to be like them any minute now.”
Rem sounds like he’s gong to die and I felt tears streaming down my cheeks.
“No Rem, you can’t.” I shooke my head and held his gun on my chest.
“Don’t break down yet _____. I want you to leave. I want you to get out of the road and survive this chaos.”
“No, no, no.” I started to sob.
Rem reached for something at the back. He pulled out some kind of big stick and handed it to me. It was heavy but and its metal. I took away the covering and gasped when I saw that it was a sword.
“The infected are attracted to sound and the smell of human flesh. I want you to use this since you’re good with sticks and the gun is for when you really need to shoot.”
“Sticks are another thing Rem. This is a sword. A real once at that! I have no idea how to use this. I may be good at Arnis but not swords.”
He groaned in pain them shoved his duffle bag at me.
“There are some food and supplies there that will last you for a day I think. _____, these things are not humans. Don’t feel any remorse for them. Always go for their head. I’m sorry I can’t explain this in details but you have to go now please. You have to leave me before you get hurt.”
“No! I owe you my life, I’m not going to-”
“Damn it _____! Just go! NOW!”
I opened the car door and my feet hit the ground. Rem started the engine and I watched him until he was out of sight. I didn’t know why he left me; I didn’t know why he wanted me to survive even though I don’t know how. I went into the forest, doing what Rem told me. Stay out of the road and survive and hopefully don’t get killed.
I’ve been walking for who knows how long and I collapse on the ground on my knees. I rummage through the duffel bag and found a bottle of water. I drank it all up and splashing some on my face and neck. I suddenly heard a rustle and I turned around. An infected came out of the bushes and I frantically reached for the kind in the bag but this one was running towards me. I backed away and when he was about to pounce on me, I pulled out the sword and he was impaled. His mouth reached on the handle and I threw it away. I gasped for air and calmed myself. If I get bitten or scratch, I would turn just like them. I finally caught my breath and grabbed the grip of the sword. The infected was really stuck on the weapon. I used both my feet to pull out his head then I grabbed my duffel bag and started walking.
It was starting to get chilly and dark and I can hear a lot of moans n the area. There was no town in sight only trees and bushes and I can hear the moans of the infected getting closer. Trees? That’s it! Trees!
I tight the duffel bag tightly around my torso along with my sword and climbed up. The infected have lost their humanity so I figured that they may have lost their intelligence too. I from branch to branch until I saw something that could finally handle my weight. I sat there on that branch with my duffel bag in my arms and my bag against the trunk. I looked down and saw a lot of the infected. They don’t seem to know I’m up here. I looked for a roped inside the bag but there was none. I decided to sacrifice the jacket Neal gave and I ripped it apart to make an improvised rope.
I tight it around my torso and to the trunk so if I fall, the rope will hold me, hopefully. But I was too scared to sleep. I can’t get my mind off Rem.
~Flashback~
The sound of the door being opened echoed throughout the house and ____ knew who the intruder.
“Neal!” she exclaimed as she embraced her fiancé.
They shared a kiss then pulled away.
“Hey there my princess. You look more beautiful every time I see you.” Her fiancé remarked as he pressed his lips on hers.
“You know I just finished training and I’m messy and sweaty right?” she chickled and rested her head on his chest.
Neal led ____ to the bedroom and they sat on their bed. Neal held _____’s hand and caressed her palm. He looked worried and _____ could see it.
“What is it Neal?”
Neal shook his head and smiled at her. She placed her other hand on his cheek and brushed his dark hair.
“Tell me, please.” She whispered.
Neal sighed and pinches the bridge of his nose. He didn’t have to tell her. She already knew what it was.
“You’re going back.”
“I wish I won’t but this is life and death. And I don’t want to lose you.”
“What do you mean?”
Neal pulled ____ in her arms and brushed her (h/l) (h/c) hair.
“I came here to tell let you know that I’m going back because I know you’re waiting. _____, I want you to pack your things, only what you need and wait for Rem here. He will lead you to safety and I’ll be along.”
~End of Flashback~
Sunrise came and I didn’t sleep at all. Before I went down my tree, I ate a little food just enough to give me strength because if I’m stuffed, I’d just throw it all up when I see a dead body or when I kill and infected.
I climbed down and saw one infected limping towards me. This time, I didn’t go for me gun. I reach for my sword that was tied to my left side then slashed the infected’s head off. The tip of the sword touched the ground and I slouched. It was heavy but very sharp and silent when use for killing. That means I have to adjust to its weight. It took me about a year to master Arnis but I don’t know about a sword.
Days passed and I was running out of food. Luckily I found a town. There were some infected roaming around but not that I can’t handle. I help my sword with both hands and started going for their heads until I got to a convenient store. I opened the door which was a careless move because a lot of infected started coming out. I backed away quickly and slashed them but they were too many and I thought to myself that this would probably my death.
I almost stopped slashing of their head but Rem came to my mind. He took care of me and protected me and I just want to take away my life. I yelled and spin around; slashing every head I could see. It was a careless move but I was surrounded. I gasped for air as I finished all of the infected. I looked down and my swords was dripping wet with blood and so were my hands. The infected were women, men and children. I still have that question inside my head.
How did they turn out like this?
But there was no one to answer me. I felt exhausted and sleep deprived but I forced myself to be strong. I grabbed my duffel bag that was near the entrance of the convenient store and this time, I was cautious. It looks like I finished all the infected that was in here. I grabbed what I needed, mostly food and changed into some clothes. I put on a shirt which I ripped the sleeves off and a jacket.
I stated walking towards the forest again and I was balancing the sword in my hand. It’s becoming lighter to me every day that’s passed. I decided to try out my moves in Arnis so instead of a stick, I’m using a real sword. I looked like a crazy person walking while posing and being stealthy like something was about to pounce on me any minute but I doubt that somebody is around. I suddenly jumped and drew my sword, frantically looking around for the noise. It wasn’t an infected or a person. It was a horse and it sounded pretty near. I walked to the other direction but changed my mind. What if it was a person, a live one. Or maybe just some infected devouring a horse. That would be a second time I’m going to see that happened to an animal.
I had to make a risk. I’ve been out here all alone and I don’t know when this insanity will consume me. If it’s really a person then I have to go. I ran to the direction of the sound. A horse passed by me almost hitting me. It was wearing a saddle and I may not look like an expert on animals but I think that animal looked rattled up. I decided to go where the horse ran away.
After a few minutes of walking, I came into a small river. The way down was steep and if I were to fall down, I would probably break some bones in either of my limbs. When I assume that no one was here I saw someone by the shore. It was a man. I took a closer look and he was still breathing. Probably just unconscious from the fall and I winced when I saw an arrow in his side. I dropped my duffel bag and adjusted my sword on my back and carefully climbed down. It wasn’t that long way down but it was dangerous and I’ve slipped a lot of times. Then I heard something. The sound of an infected.
I looked down and saw an infected walking towards the unconscious man. I had to hurry. I let myself fall. I felt a pain on my ankle but it was brief.
“HEY!”
The infected turned around and started walking towards me. Then I heard another one behind me. I killed the one in front of me then sliced the head off the other one that was behind me. I gasped for air then placed my sword behind my back. I ran to the man and quickly pulled out the arrow from his side. He yelled in pain but when he was about to slap my hands off, the arrow was already out and he was unconscious again. I only got a glimpse of his eyes but I think it was the color of blue. I took off my jacket then my shirt, exposing my bra.  Normally, I would feel embarrassed or ashamed but I didn’t care much about my body these days. I quickly put on my jacket, zipped it then ripped the fabric of my shirt. After that, I bandaged it around his torso to stop the bleeding. I stopped for a moment to catch my breath and think about my first move. How am I supposed to get this man all the way up? He’s heavier than me!
I had to try anyway. I placed his arm around my neck and grabbed his weapon and started climbing up by holding on to a branch. It was very difficult and my exhaustion didn’t help. I felt my world spinning. I shook my head and focused on what’s at stake. Getting this man and me out of this pit.
My foot suddenly slipped and I lost grip of him and I let go. I landed on my back and the man landed on his stomach. I took a deep breath then remembered my duffel bag. I had taken some rope from that convenient store. If I can get it, I can probably get him out. I climbed up first with the man’s crossbow. I set his weapon and my sword down to get the rope from my duffel bag. I tied the rope into a tree and climbed down. I tied the end of the rope around his torso and arms then onto mine. It was like carrying a heavy baby on your back.
I climbed up using the rope to lift me up. He was so heavy that I almost lost grip on my rope and I could feel my hands starting to sting. I chuckled when I was finally out of that damn hole. I untied all the ropes and shoved them inside my bag. I didn’t know what to do next but I’m sure as hell don’t know what to do with this guy. I decided to find a place, away from that pit to wait for this man to wake up. Maybe we can help each other.
I laid him on the grass, using my duffel bag as a pillow and kept a good distance from him. Like I told myself, I have to be cautious at all times. Who knows that this man may be dangerous? I kept my sword beside me and I fiddled around with his crossbow. I’ve seen one before but never used one.
I clicked something and it sent the arrow toward the man. I let out a sigh of relief when it only hit on the ground about a feet away from the man. He suddenly jerked up and I placed an arrow on the crossbow. Talk about using his weapon against him. He opened his eyes and he saw me. He shot right up and the look on his face was not pleasant.  I aimed his crossbow at him and he raised his hands.
“Don’t move. Or I’ll shoot you.” I said. It didn’t sound as intimidating as I hoped. In fact, I sounded like a scared child.
“No you won’t. You ain’t even holding it right.” He said. His voice sounded raspy and intimidating just like his face.
“Look, I have no intention of hurting you-”
“Then put down my damn crossbow!” he yelled. I assume he’s not patient one.
“I wasn’t finished. I may not know how to use this thing properly but I do know how it works. So unless you want this arrow back in your body, I suggest you don’t move!”
He sat down with his legs apart and hand on his lap. I feel guilty for doing this to him because he looked exhausted than I am and more hurt. Physically.
“My name’s _____. You?”
He glanced at me then on the ground.”
“Daryl.” He said plainly.
“It’s nice to meet you Daryl.”
He grunted in response.
“Here’s the point. I know you’re wondering how you got out of that hole. It’s because of me and-”
“You’re the one who got me out?” he seemed surprise and I felt insulted. Just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean I can’t so stuff. I lifted your heavy ass you know.
“Yeah.  And I didn’t know what to do after that so I waited for you to wake up, hoping to have a calm conversation but  we all know that strangers and danger but I think I’m an exception and you are too.”
He looked at me like I was crazy.
“What I’m trying to say is, I want you to go back to where ever you came from and leave me with a thanks and my flesh intact. Because just by looking at you, you’re the kind of person who asks questions later and shoots first.” I lowered the crossbow and handed it to him.
He glances at me then at his crossbow. Hr took it from my hands and I feel like I was going to regret my decision buy thankfully, he didn’t point an arrow at my head.
I let out a sigh of relief then looked at him. He got up only to fall down on his rear. He’s too injured to stand up on his own. I placed my sword on my back and helped him up. He looked at me when I placed his arm around my neck.
“Let go of me.”
I glared at him and pushed him away.
“Let’s see you stand up then.” I said looking down at him then grabbing my duffel bag and started walking away.
After a few steps, I stopped.
“Wait!”
I looked over my shoulder and we looks away from me. I knew he needed my help but he wasn’t saying it. Probably too dense to ask for help. I walked to him and held out my hand. He reached for it but he didn’t let me pull him up.
“I’ve only met you princess and you saved my life. For that, I owe you but that doesn’t mean I trust you. “ I perked up when I heard him call me princess. It wasn’t the way Neal called me because his is so cold and angry.
“You need my help or not.” He let me pull him up and he placed his arms around my neck. Before we could start walking, he pulled out his arrow that I shot earlier then we walked. We didn’t talk but I didn’t want too. He was still heavy just like I pulled him out of that pit but this time he was conscious.
“Where are we going?” I finally asked when we were nearing a meadow.
“A farm.” He said. I should stop talking because he looks like his in pain when he talks. After a few minutes of walking, I saw a farm. Daryl told me to hurry and I did. Then I saw some people from the distance that are coming towards us. People.
I can’t believe I finally met some people who are not infected, injured or in a mental break down. I recognized one of them. The man with the brown hair.
He was the sheriff I and Rem saw in Atlanta. He took Daryl from me and an Asian boy helped him. A semi-bold man with an unbuttoned polo shirt and a black man stared at me and I felt like walked into a trap. The semi-bold man walked towards me about to grab me but he stopped when Daryl yelled.
“She’s with me Shane!” the semi-bold man, who was called Shane glances at Daryl than to me. He walks away then I turned to the black man.
“T dog.” He held out his hand and I saw a bandage on it.
“_____.” I shook his hand and he gestured for me to follow him.
I sat in the living room and I could feel that room closing in on me because of all the people staring at me. I could hear Daryl’s voice in the other room.
“Why were you with Daryl?” a woman with brown curly hair asked. She was holding the hand of a boy.
“I… I saved his life.” I stuttered and everyone looked surprised.
“_____, right?” the sheriff came out of the room and in front of me. He crouched down and we were staring into each other’s eyes.
“Daryl said you saved him. Is that true?”
I nodded.
“I saw him unconscious near a lake. They were two infected coming at him and I killed them then pulled him out.”
“Infected? You mean the geeks?” the Asian boy whose name was Glenn I asked. I nodded. So those things have different names.
“Do you have a group?”
I lowered my head and shook it.
“I, uh, I had someone with me before but I think he’s dead. After that, I was on my own until I found Daryl.”
The sheriff nodded stood up and he moved to a corner along with this guy Shane. They think I can’t hear them talking but I do.
“We can’t keep her here Rick! She’s just another mouth to feed!”
“She saved Daryl’s life. And it’s not our decision to make whether she stays or not.”
“Then who then!? Hershel?!”
“Daryl.” The Asian man said.
“We don’t have to worry about her, she’s Daryl’s problem and she doesn’t seem dangerous.” Rich pointed out. He’s right. I’m a very reasonable person.
“That’s bullshit man! Do you see that weapon on her back?! What happens when she uses it? Think about Lori and Carl man.”
“Ahem!” I cleared my throat and everyone looked at me.
I stood up and turned to face them.
“I can hear every word you’re saying. Look, I know you think I’ some kind of dead weight but I don’t plan on staying since I’m not wanted here. I’ll leave right-”
“You ain’t goin’ nowhere princess.”
I turned around to see Daryl leaning on the wall. He was bandaged up but he was still dirty and he looked really exhausted. He shouldn’t have got up.
“Daryl, go back inside now.” Rick ordered.
“I will. If, you let her stay.”
“Daryl, I can’t stay-”
“If it wasn’t for her, I would be dead by now. She ain’t no dead weight. She’s useful.” He looked at me.
I don’t know why he would defend me after I pointed his own weapon on his head and he doesn’t owe me anything. I saved him from the ‘Geeks’ and from that pit and he saved mine by not letting Shane get me. We’re even.
“Alright then.” Rick interjected.
“I’ll keep an eye on here until you’re okay.”
Daryl nodded at Rick then looked at me then went back to his room. Everyone went outside except for Rick, Shane and Glenn who are now in front of me. Shane was about to say something when Rick held him back.
“Starting now, you’re going to be in my range of vision. If you pull some tricks off yourselves, man or woman, I will finish you off with one bullet. You understand?”
I looked at Rick in the eyes and nodded.
“First things first. You have to give us your stuff.”
I untied the belt that kept my sword on my back and I handed my backpack to him. He rummaged through it then looked at me. He handed the bag to Glenn and told him to keep it somewhere safe.
“Looks we don’t have to feed you.” He looks at Shane who looked away.
That night, everyone was inside the house eating dinner while I was stretching my body on the porch. It wasn’t the first time I was left out on a dinner party. The door opened and I stopped. Rick faced me and I gave him a questionable look.
“You should come inside and eat.”
“No thank you. I would gladly want my duffel bag though so I can eat.”
Rick went inside and I felt rejected but he went outside after a few seconds with a plate in his hand. There was food in it and I could hear my stomach begging for food.
“Here.”
I looked at him.
“Don’t worry. It’s not poisoned.”
I grabbed the plate and said my thanks. He went inside and I stood on the porch eating. I have a habit of walking around eating but I was only walking around the house. Then I heard Daryl’s voice and a woman.
“You did more for my little girl today than her own daddy ever did in his whole life.”
“I didn’t do anything Rick or Shane wouldn’t have done.”
“I know, you’re every bit as good as them. Every bit.”
Then I heard the door closed. So he was out there looking for that woman’s daughter. Now I felt bad for eavesdropping.