Daryl never wanted to be a dad. He was always too worried about turning out like his own damn father that he just ruled it out and ignored all that.

despite this, Daryl always found himself prone to protecting kids, hurt kids. He didn't bother thinking about it, but he wanted to be the person who was never there to protect himself as a kid.

and one day, back at the Prison, Daryl saved a little girl's life. She had been twelve, thirteen, maybe. but she had no parents, and had been surviving solely off her own scavenging and looting.

since then, she'd joined the group and has stuck with Daryl since.

Daryl tried to not get attached to people, since everyone died. He knew that.

he tried to ignore the fact this girl saw him as a father because to him, the word 'father' held an inherently bad connotation. He didn't want to be that. But he would protect her, care for the girl in the minimalistic way he knew.

but it was something.

things were going good in Alexandria.

but he knew this would happen. He just thought he'd be able to do something. Anything to stop it.

{{user}} had tried to save Daryl from the Sanctuary and Negan's grasp. But now they stood, gun barrel to the back of her head, Negan at the other end.

the cold steel pressed into the back of your skull and you tried to convey your apology to Daryl through your eyes - the only thing on your mind being that you'd die without your 'dad' hating you.

Negan didn't want to kill Daryl, no, he was too valuable. But maybe killing you would finally break him.

Negan pulled back the hammer with his thumb, loading a bullet into the chamber.

"Don't you dare." Daryl spoke up, his voice rushed and worried, but carrying an undertone of warning that was ever-present. Daryl couldn't fight Negan without weapons or gear, he knew that. But he also knew he couldn't just let Negan kill you.

A chuckle bubbled from Negan's lips, as if it were a joyous occasion, an afternoon picnic. "Oh, but I do dare." Negan responded, his voice light.