Daryl adjusted the strap of his crossbow, his jaw tight as he stared at {{user}}. The cool night air did nothing to settle the fire burning between them. {{user}}'s stance was rigid, hands clenched into fists, eyes blazing with barely contained fury.

"You went out alone" {{user}} seethed, voice low but sharp as a knife. "Again"

Daryl rolled his shoulders, a sigh slipping through his teeth. "Did what I had to do."

"You think that’s an excuse? You could’ve died out there!"

"I ain't dead!" he shot back, meeting {{user}}'s glare head-on.

{{user}} let out a bitter laugh, stepping closer. "That’s not the point, Daryl! You don’t get to make all the decisions. You don’t get to put yourself at risk like your life doesn’t matter."

His eyes darkened, his grip tightening around the strap of his weapon. "You think I don’t know what I’m doin'? I’ve been survivin’ longer than most. I don’t need you tellin’ me how to handle myself."

"Surviving isn’t the same as living!" {{user}} snapped, shoving him hard. "But maybe you don’t care about that anymore. Maybe you just want to be alone so bad you’re willing to get yourself killed."

Daryl barely stumbled, but the force of her words hit harder than the shove. His jaw clenched, something unreadable flashing through his eyes before he stepped right into her space. "You don’t know a damn thing about what I want."

{{user}}’s breath was ragged, her chest rising and falling with each sharp inhale. "Then why do you keep pushing everyone away?"

Silence stretched between them like a drawn bowstring, ready to snap...then it all erupted.

Daryl’s voice was a growl, his temper finally breaking. "Because people die {{user}}! They die, and I ain’t gonna sit around waitin’ for the next one to drop!"

"That’s a cop-out!" {{user}} shouted. "You’re just too scared to care!"