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I was almost sad in leaving the camp, but Daryl urged the fact we've been out here for the given few days and that's it best to take what we have. So that's exactly what we did, being in charge of the backpacks as I lugged them the entire ways through, was it potentially easier than taking the bloody animals. 

And in the mist of it all, did Merle believe it was the best time to pick on his little brother. Story after story of their childhood. It was the quick note that all of them had to do with both of them being younger, by the way, he was talking about Daryl. He couldn't have been older than five or six, seeing how his reactions were either scoffing or a brutal grunt. I knew it was beginning to bother him, so although I tried to steer the conversation away. 

It only reverted back to— "You best shut the hell up!"
"Tryin' to give ya lil girlfriend a little sneak peak, ain't that right hun'?" They both stopped before me, I just trialing in the back watching all of this unfold. So I just put both my hands up like I was caught doing something, I was not about to get into an argument with either one of them. So I stayed silent and waited for Daryl to continue on walking. Leading forward with the damn mountain lion still on his back.

Sick thing was, my blood was still on its claws.

"Can't even protect ya girl on out here son, think ya gonna protect her when—"
"I said ya best shut the hell up." Again, did it reek of testosterone. And I could see why all the males in the house bump heads, clearly because neither one of them won't let down their damn alpha position to rank number one. 

Seeing how angry both of them were, did I continue to walk forward. They're still brawling it out, and by the sound of their yelling was I assuming they didn't even notice me passing by. So returning back, mindless wanting to follow the trail and not even having a clue if it was the right one or not. Did I slip my hand into Daryl's, interlocking it and pushing him to go forward.

"When'd you get them high heels son? Dare-" I pointed my finger back at Merle, trying to get him the shut up. And by the looks of it, I accomplished it. "Ain't about to have sweetheart to turn hostel on me..." I nodded the victory, and although Merle wasn't bothering Daryl, he was sure talkative as all hell.

It was nice, for the moment at least. That Daryl wouldn't let go of my hand, even giving the gentle nudge whenever we needed to go one way or another. Even then, did they stop to rid this forest of its endless supply of squirrels. And to be honest, I wouldn't mind going for another round of it, maybe this time I can try cooking with it.

An idea to pass off.

When we were loading up the truck, was it made a point that Merle wanted to drive back with me. But I quickly denied that for the given reason in not wanting to talk to him anymore about Jules than what has already happened today. Instead was I in the front seat with Daryl, fixing my flannel over my arms to not pin against the bandage. It still hurt, and it's between going to the doctor or asking Daryl if it needs stitches. He already fixed my hand, this would just be step two into all of it.

To be honest,  I was tired. Far too tired to even ask where we were going, but soon I realized what road we're on. And just like that did I realize that we were at their house, falling asleep the entire ride on. "Sorry...Didn't mean to pass out on you."
"Had a lotta shit to carry, don't blame ya." He said, getting out of the car. With the sun high into the sky and my body just mindlessly following them into the house to set down the backpacks, did I grab Daryl to the side as he put his stuff back into his room.

"You keep the squirrel meat right?" I asked, as he fumbled around with putting stuff away. And he grunted at my question. So kneeling down beside him did I try to get him to look at me, but in the instant did he throw it into his closet. "Hey...Hey..." Was all I could whisper, as he tried to get whatever he was distracting himself with done. Not even getting the chance to talk to him in the car, must have bothered him like it is now. 

So when I repeated the word, did I block his next action. Just standing before him as his averted to everything other than my eyes. Taking hold of his chin did I pull it down, and at first, he pulled away. Not knowing what I was doing until he finally allowed me the sweet victory of finally getting his attention. "What's up?"
"Nothin'." He again growled his response before getting his backpack up onto the bed to figure out how to clean it out. With his room being the mess that it was, I never suspected that he'd put away shit like this.

But out of the corner of my eye, did I see a magazine. Just highlighted with the little bit of light this room had to offer from the torn window curtains. I knew exactly what it was, not by the title, but by the poses the women were doing. 

Flipping to a random page that was already indented of how many times he's probably looked to it. Was I in the instant bucket of laughter when I saw the model was on a bike. She wasn't naked, or fully that is. Her tits were clearly visible through the white crop top. And the jean shorts just hinted at what sort of underwear she was wearing. "This is a good one..." I laughed, and hearing his grumble of a swear now as he ripped it out of my hands, did I hold onto his waist. Catching him in the act was one thing, but he's in my grab now. "T-that's Merle's he—"
"Uh huh...Wanna tell me whats bothering you? Before you pout the rest of the day?" 

His lips came together as he insinuated a drastic pout, and I was quick to give one in return. And once again, was his eyes no longer looking at me. They were fumbling in his hands as he couldn't grasp anything about the question. "Alright, fine...How about we go shopping instead?" "For what?" His eyes light up as I changed the topic, but instead of giving him a solid answer. Did I just walk right on out of the room and into the kitchen.
"I'm going to assume you don't...Use this." I said, looking at the entire stack of dirty dishes, and he just shook his head.

However, he managed to fit his hands back into his pockets as he leaned forward. Shoulders at the same height hiding his neck. "We cook out on the firepit."
"Well, you can help me make the stew then." 
Again, the light in his eyes wasn't even the good notice before being lifted into the air as he hugged me closer to his chest. My arms instantly went behind his head as I tried to regain the power over him, but even then did it fail as he placed me on the table. "When'd ya wanna go?" Gesturing around, did it seem like there was nothing else to do other than the fact to get to the store and prepare the meal. I was actually excited, excited enough to smile the entire way towards the truck. "Hey yo guys! Called up Jess, should be comin' in a couple of hours." I nodded as I was already standing at the pickups step and towering over the car to look towards Merle, acknowledging the fact that I heard him. "Be back in an hour, ain't goin' too far." They waved, but nothing more.

Guess this stew was going to be the bridge.

Again, was the car ride silent. Silent enough to hear each zipper as I tried to find my wallet, stuffing it into my pocket as we soon arrived at the little store. "Somethin' tells me ya don't like shoppin'."
"Not any more than you do." He chuckled as he grabbed the basket and walked on in, the mental list in my head was screaming to go to the vegetables. Before I knew it, the basket held onions, potatoes. He too knew what to grab, and since it was his house he'd know whether or not there was salt or any sort of spices to be found.

And there wasn't.

I don't know what those guys eat every day, and I'm not at the restaurant enough anymore to see if they're ever at all there. I just hope they eat, eat enough that is.

As we were just about to return back to the register, did I see something I don't think I've had in a good while. And holding up the marshmallows, was the idea just forming into my head. We went camping and didn't even makes s'mores. So grabbing the three things as they were cleverly advertised did I place them in the basket while he was looking at something else.
"What in the hell...Oh ya cute." My smile widened in the instant as he didn't say anything more about it. 

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" He shook his head, bitting down his lip as he did the little trick with his eyes. Trying to look for something interesting once again, but failed miserably as he connected with me once again.

"All 'em stories Merle was tellin'...That's all he remembers 'cause he was never there for the rest of it. Got up and left when the light blew out." As he was looking down when spoke, he snuck his eyes upwards. Trying to angle it in a way he thought I couldn't see his gaze, but I could surely feel it. "He's back now...Doesn't that count?"
"Yeah, but he doesn't know 'bout—" I nodded so he wouldn't get the uncomfortable dread here in the middle of the store. Instead, did I interlock my hand with his. Pulling him towards the resister as I pulled out my debt card before he could say a damn word about me paying.

The entire ways to the car was he talking about it, I just wanted both of them to eat. And besides, it must get boring when all they eat is it plain. Nothing but burned skin from the fire, if even. I was happy to cook for them, maybe because it reminded me of cooking back at the houses. The foster parents rarely ever did anything with us, it was always the older ones doing the heavy lifting.

And that being myself and Kate.

"Who cooks at home?" I asked, setting down the plastic bags at my feet before settling to get the buckle over my waist. Asshole won't move the damn car until I have it on, yet he doesn't even try to follow his own rule.
"Pff, ya think anyone cooks at the house? Be lucky for anybody gets food for the rest of us." I didn't know how to respond to that, honestly. The only proper meals he's had were at my house. And even then were they little and microwaved, except the stew and breakfast the given few times he's slept over. 
The ride home was silent, for whatever reason we were both wallowing in our own thoughts to not make a conversation anymore. He did, however, feltl the need to hold my hand, and only letting go when he needed both hands on the wheel. 
Still getting the hang of what sort of thing was around this part of town, or should I say the town over. He lives a good twenty minutes away, not subtracting the fact that he speeds every chance he gets.

As we both get on out of the car, he follows me to the little fire pit. Setting up my seat and a bucket on top. I've never cooked fully outside before, so this was a new area for us both. "There's some fresh squirrels ya can throw in...I'll skin 'em real quick." Before he was about to leave, did I stop him at the wrist and take out my knife. His little chuckle as he trailed away to get both the pot and meat. 

Organizing through the vegetables did I come into the realization that I might need a cutting knife, so laying out everything. And before I could even question Daryl about it, he placed it in front of me. While ranging the few things of squirrels before him.

Guess fresh is always better than the rest. 

Setting up the fire, was Merle getting water for the pot as I was told. Shocker to my system that he's helping out at all, but it was funny when Daryl kept inspecting my work. His smile never failed to shine through, even when he was getting the fire going. "Gonna get some bowls and shit...Ya arm feelin' any better?" I nodded, still focusing on trying to get this as he told me. Even then did I hear the stomps behind me, but they weren't Pookie's. 

So turning around from my work, did I see good old Merle. Carrying the large pot on over towards me. "Hell ya need a pot for anyway darlin'?" I didn't have to respond, for he saw the mess I created with the blood and guts of the squirrel's remains. And I swear to god, I needed a double take when he started to laugh. "I fuckin' love ya sweetheart!" Was all he said, kissing the top of my head before setting it down onto the fire. Securing its place above the flames before looking to what I was doing at the moment.

"He taught ya how to do that?" He mumbled, taking the seat beside me. I was surprised to see him working on it as well, even gave me a pointer on him and his brother do it differently. To be honest, I knew where this was going. He's only helping me because he wants to talk, so I might as well address it now. "I won't tell him..." I said, looking over my shoulder before speaking. Making sure he was inside still, and as Merle flicked the blood off his hands he nodded. "Don't need no more trouble with him... Ya gotta keep him in line Sweetheart."
"Can do." 
We shared a smile before continuing to work, more silent than most. Until Daryl came out with the beer, just as the water began to boil.

Never really had any practice with cooking squirrel meat, I've only ever seen it cooking in the middle of the fire pit. Basically on fire itself, yet here I've cut them into tiny strips and hope that was the right approach as I cooked them first before adding them to the large pot with everything else cooking.

Was barely into the afternoon now anyway, so the long process of waiting for it for another two hours came with it. Even more so did I sneak in a few chugs of beer into the mix, heard it was a good addition. Just not to overdo it.

It was just smoking and drinking from there on, it was the relaxing method that I needed. Especially after the few days of just being in Daryl's company, Merle was the addition we both needed. Cracking jokes left and right until the man holding me on his lap told him to shut up.

Guess it always ends in that. That and fights.
With the sun going farther into the sky, did I happen to stir the pot ever so often to make sure it's cooking. And with Daryl's motion hand, was the spoonable to scoop the smallest bit for him to take the given bite of opinion. 

As his tongue licked widely across the spoon as he groaned in pleasure did I just ask for it back, grabbing an empty bowl beside me and filled it on up. And I already had one prepared for Merle as he came towards us with more beer. "Any good lil brother?" He already had his mouth full, but that didn't stop him vigorously nodding away with another spoonful ready. I didn't take too much, just enough to eat for today. Wasn't too hungry, but I wanted to try my own given creation.

As Merle took the first bite, his eyes too lit up with excitement as he leaned back in his lawn chair. Was easy to take these two guys out, but more importantly, a car came rolling on into the driveway.

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Date Posted: 03-05-18  // Time: 3:16
Word-Count: 2866
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