Entry tags:

!complete, daryl dixon, rick grimes

Who: Daryl Dixon dixonda & Rick Grimes rick (Plus appearances by Carl and Judith)
What: Looking for some new family additions.
When: Mid-September
Where: OC Animal Care
Rating/Warnings: Low/None
Status: Closed/Completed GDoc

~*~

Daryl had arrived the night before to the Grimes residence so they could be up bright and early to head to start looking for some new additions for their respective families. Daryl hadn't exactly decided what sort of pet he was going to get, although he was leaning more towards getting a cat because it would be less upkeep than a dog.

Cats were independent, take care of themselves sort of animals, and dogs? Well, they needed a lot of care, and Daryl wasn't sure he could commit to that right now.

They'd gotten up early, had breakfast together before heading out. Daryl called shotgun before Carl had a chance to, and ruffled his hair with a laugh before climbing in. After settling into his seat, Daryl buckled his seatbelt and stared out the window.

Part of him really wanted to talk about his dreams and what had happened thus far in them with Rick. However, he wasn't sure it was the best time to bring that up. Rick had enough shit on him, Daryl didn't want to add anymore. He chewed on his bottom lip, trying desperately hard not to think about how badly he wanted a cigarette right now. He'd have time to smoke later, right now, he was in the car with other people and it could wait.

His nerves were on edge only because of the dreams, and that was why he'd been smoking nearly a pack and a half a day since they'd started. His eyes squinted against the sun as he turned to look back out the windshield as they traveled. Daryl took a quick glance back at Judith and Carl, and upon seeing that Carl wasn't paying any attention, he looked over at Rick. "They know?" He hadn't had a chance to ask yet, so he figured he'd ask now.

~*~

Having Daryl over was a lot like having a hole filled in for Rick. He had slept better, woken up with a smile on his face, and been ready to start his day with his family in tow. Things seemed easier with Daryl on hand. There was a lot to be said for having Daryl in his life; Rick had thought he'd feel like the brother he'd never had only they didn't have that sort of relationship at all. He couldn't put what they had into words but it wasn't brotherly.

They'd eaten as a family. Banter had been light and nice around the table. Rick didn't have any complaints over how the morning had shaped up. He was only glad he got to be a part of something which felt complete again. His son was happier, his daughter's smile was brighter, and even Daryl seemed more relaxed. It had made him grin ear to ear to see Daryl call shotgun over Carl.

Carl hadn't even balked at it.

Rick was proud of him for not whining at having to sit in the back.

Looking over at Daryl, he shook his head, "Nope. I figure they don't get a lot of surprises in their lives. This one? It can be a good one. They're enjoying having you around. Thanks for that. Being with us."

It meant more than Rick could put into words. He was only glad things had worked out as well as they had for Daryl. The set of his shoulders had Rick a little concerned. It was almost as if he were nervous about something or on edge. Rick couldn't imagine over what given how good their night and morning had gone and was going. Lowering his voice, he leaned over to ask him if there was anything wrong.

"You alright over there?"

~*~

Daryl gave a small nod of his head in Rick's direction, a small smile pulling up one corner of his lips. "You're welcome. Thanks for having me around." He really did mean that, it was nice to feel like he was a part of something special. Like a family. He'd never really had a family before, so it was nice, no great to feel as if he belonged.

He wasn't going to spoil the surprise by saying anything more. Instead he looked out the window, bringing his hand up to his lips to chew on his thumbnail.

The question from Rick threw him for a moment, and he glanced over at him. Daryl could have a good poker face when the need called for it, but he hadn't thought to really school his features while around Rick.

His brows furrowed low as his eyes squinted again against the sun streaming in through the windshield. "Yeah, I'm alright." He wasn't really, and he hoped that his voice didn't betray that fact. "Just thinking is all. Those dreams I'd had haven't eased up. Nightmares really. Been real hard to sleep some nights." Last night had been one of the first nights that Daryl had slept peacefully in a long time, and it showed.

Still, he couldn't ease the worry off his mind, and while the dreams were just on repeat they were still concerning. Who knew what would happen in them? Daryl felt as if his heart was going to pound right out of his chest some nights when he woke up. Still, he knew he was tough enough to fight through them and survive.

He'd become damn good at surviving.

~*~

"Keep waiting for those damn dreams to catch up with me. I know they're coming for me. I can feel it even though I can't explain it. There's something just---I just know it's coming."

Rick shook his head. He snorted. It figured he'd find his way around to going insane in what was supposed to be paradise. Some people weren't cut out for finding peace. There was a pretty good indication from the way his life had gone so far he was one of those people. It wasn't in the cards for him to be a man with a good life even if he was a good man. He had managed to be a good man no matter what the circumstances of his life had set him up to be.

There weren't a lot of options for guys like Daryl Dixon. He had been set up to be a bad guy who had only good things in his heart. It had been a long time since Rick had met someone who had good things in them in spite of all the bad. Meeting Daryl had been like uncovering a diamond in the rough for Rick; he felt very lucky he had met the guy at a time in his life when he could still be saved.

Reaching over, Rick patted Daryl's thigh, "Anyway. Thank you for being here. With us. Thank you."

Lucky.

They had been able to become a real family because of the sacrifices Daryl had made. If he hadn't managed to step forward, help close the case out the way he had, they would have been back in Georgia where Rick would have still been trying to bring down the same old people. It was because of Daryl he was able to take his family, move, feel safe about it. All his loose ends had been tied up neatly into bows courtesy of Daryl Dixon and Rick wouldn't forget it.

~*~

"I hope they don't man." Really, Daryl didn't wish those types of dreams on anyone. They were rough, and the last few he'd had? Well, there was no cure, no nothing, except for surviving. "For the record? You've pointed a gun at my head more times than I care to admit to in them, but I won't deny that I didn't deserve it." Daryl was man enough to admit that. In his dreams he was much like his younger self had been, bullheaded and hot tempered.

That wasn't saying that he didn't have a temper now, but he was much more controlled than he was when he was younger.

His eyes went down to Rick's hand and then back up to his face. He gave a short nod of his head, "You're welcome. Anytime. I enjoy being with you guys." Daryl did enjoy being with the Grimes family. Rick had saved him as well, whether he realized it or not, but he figured that he did considering everything.

"I appreciate being invited. It's nice to feel like I belong." He shook his head, laughing softly before looking back out the window. "I don't know if I've ever said it either, but thank you." Daryl turned slightly to look at Rick although it was fleeting. "You helped me get out of a bad place. I'd still be stuck there doing the same ole shit, and running with the same crowd."

He knew he would've been too. Daryl hadn't had many options, and the sooner he'd gotten away from his brother and the crew they ran with it had gotten better. Besides, he was finally free to be himself out here. No one was going to judge him, and if they did? That was their issue, not his. As long as they didn't say anything to his face he was fine.

~*~

Rick laughed outright at Daryl's admission. He tried to imagine what kind of situation would drive him to point a gun at his friend only to draw a blank. It was a good thing he couldn't think of a reason in his opinion. That meant he and Daryl were on better terms in reality than they were in the dreams which said enough for his books. Rick wouldn't pay any mind to those damn dreams when they came for him.

He could push them out of his mind. Daryl seemed to be doing fine at it. Some of the people on Valarnet were obsessed with their dreams, but Rick didn't have to become one of those people. They could focus on their dreams while he appreciated his life. No damn dream was going to tell him how to react to his friends or his family. There was no way he was going to fall for the bullshit hallucinogen or whatever was in the water in Orange County.

Rick Grimes was more put together than that.

Pulling into a parking spot at OC Animal Care, Rick killed the engine while sharing a look with Daryl, "Let's pile on out. We've managed to get to where we were going. Now we gotta see if they have what we're looking for on the inside."

He chuckled, shaking his head at Carl who started to ask a question.

"No, no, no. Get Judith. It's not much of a surprise if I tell you why we're here, right, Daryl?"

~*~

He couldn't help but to smile at Rick's laugh. It was nice to hear him laugh, even if it was about his dreams and how crazy they were. Daryl still had a hard time believing them himself, though he was doing his best not to dwell on them too much.

It was hard though considering how real they felt to him. Daryl had had plenty of dreams in his lifetime, but none had ever felt like this before. He'd seen plenty of talk on the network about them, didn't really believe in them until they started happening to him. There'd been a moment after he'd woken up from the first one where he'd been extremely confused, and scared.

It'd been worse than any nightmare he'd ever had.

Chuckling, Daryl cast a glance back over his shoulder at Carl. "Your dad's right. Ain't no point in ruining any surprises." Unbuckling his seatbelt, Daryl got on out of the car, and stretched his arms over his head with a slight groan. Tugging his shirt back down, Daryl headed toward the front door. He held it open for the three of them until they passed through the door before following after them.

~*~

"Mr. Grimes, I take it?"

The woman was smiling as if she were doing an audition for Hollywood. Rick couldn't help except to smile back. He doubted anyone had ever greeted him so professionally in his whole life. There'd been court appearances where he hadn't felt as important. She had to be the adoptions coordinator he'd spoken with on the phone. He nodded at her as he bounced Judith on his shoulder.

"That's me. This here is Mr. Daryl Dixon and my boy Carl. My girl Judith is having a little moment. She wasn't too comfortable on the ride over. I take it you're our adoptions coordinator? Going to help us find a new family member or two?"

Carl shot Rick a look and he winked at him. They'd argued over getting a dog back in Georgia. Lori hadn't been a fan of animals; their family was pushed for time taking care of each other much less adding an animal to deal with on top of their other responsibilities. Neither of them had discussed the possibility of getting a cat since cats were so self-sufficient they were hardly real pets from what Rick knew of them.

He hoped they could find a puppy or even an older dog they would like to take with them. There was nothing quite like having a dog to play with as a boy. Rick had been lucky enough to have several dogs growing up as a boy though they'd been working dogs, hunting dogs. He'd had to help get food on the table and those dogs had helped along the way. It was strange to think he was going to get his own son a dog for no reason other than to have a playmate.

Strange and wonderful at the same time.

They'd come a long way together, the Grimes family.

~*~

One side of Daryl's mouth twisted up into a smile as he glanced over at Carl to see his reaction to the news. There wasn't anything better than seeing a kid getting an animal, and there wasn't anything better than getting an animal of your own.

Daryl turned to look at the adoptions coordinator himself, "I'd like to take a look at the kittens and cats myself." Daryl wasn't ashamed to admit that he was more of a cat person, and while he liked dogs well enough, he wanted something that could take care of itself while he was at work.

He'd also need a cat that was able to get along with kids, and other animals but he'd save that for when he was talking about actually adopting with the coordinator.

"I'm fine with looking at the dogs first. Might find something different than what I have in mind." He lifted a shoulder, and shoved his hands down into the pockets of his jeans right before the adoptions coordinator led the way to where they held the pups.

Daryl didn't enjoying going to pounds and seeing the animals trapped behind the bars. They were necessary, and he understood that but he didn't have to like it.

The dogs began barking, jumping up at the doors of their cages as they passed.

"There looks to be some lab pups down the way." He gave a jerk of his chin in their direction, before glancing over at Rick.

~*~

Carl needed no prompting beyond what had been provided by the adoptions coordinator and the barking pups. He was down the aisle like a shot, already on his knees beckoning to Rick when Daryl had said he thought there were labs. They'd talked on different types of dogs. He'd wanted to get them a hound maybe, but labs were good family pets. Rick thought they had a good reputation for being friendly.

He enjoyed seeing his son so excited.

"I think Carl has found the pups you saw," Rick jostled Daryl with a light nudge of his shoulder as he headed over to look at the little dogs straining for attention, "They look like a lively bunch. Bet they could find plenty of room to grow back home at our place. What do you think, Carl? Think one of these guys needs to find his way back to our farm?"

He could hardly make out the words as Carl babbled about which one he wanted, why he thought his pick was clearly the best of the litter, and how he thought maybe they should get him a friend. Rick was shaking his head with his smile as wide as it'd go the whole time. Here he'd agreed to a dog and the boy was already looking at getting two. They were going to have a hard enough time training up one pup.

"No, I think we'll stick with one new fellow to train. Can he take him on a leash? See how he likes it?"

The adoptions coordinator agreed instantly, clicking a lead in place on the puppy of choice's collar and showing them to a fenced in area behind the shelter where Carl could walk with the dog. Rick couldn't stop from laughing as the pup seemed more interested in jumping on his boy than walking anywhere. Carl seemed to be taking to it like a natural all the same. This was a good idea.


He told Daryl as much.

"This was a good idea, Daryl. Think Carl's got himself a friend for life. You want to go pick out your furry friend while I watch him entertain his pup?"

~*~

A real genuine smile settled on Daryl's face as he watched Carl play with the pups through the fence. Chuckling he glanced over at Rick at the bump, "Hey, I was just trying to be helpful." He murmured, walking down behind Rick while keeping his eyes on the dogs as he passed them.

He stood just off to the side, watching the whole while.

It would appear that Carl had found him a friend for life.

Daryl glanced over at Rick, "I have a good one every now and then." He gave a nod, "Sounds like a plan to me." The adoptions coordinator led him to where the kittens were. A few ran, while a few others came up to purr around his ankles. The adoptions coordinator gave him a couple of toys, and Daryl began to play with them.

There was a small brown and black 12 week old tabby that reminded him of Pirate. Well, the coloring that was, she still had both eyes and was playful as all get out. Even when Daryl stopped using the feather toy, she would climb into his lap and purr away. Her name was Dolly, though Daryl wasn't that sold on that particular name.

Once he was done, he went back out, and told the adoptions coordinator which little one he wanted, and started doing the paperwork.

He glanced up at Rick as he came back in, "Found what I was looking for. Her name's Dolly, though she's not a blonde like Dolly Parton, so I'm not too sold on it yet." He chuckled, turning over the paperwork and the money for the adoption.

"You settle on a pup?"

~*~

Only half of Rick's attention was on Carl playing with the puppy. His mind was preoccupied with whether or not Daryl was having any luck finding a cat or a kitten. It bothered him to think about how they might come home with a friend while Daryl might not have the same luck. There had to be a good selection, didn't there? The place was a lot bigger than any they would have had back in King County, Georgia.

He agreed without knowing what he had agreed to at all when they asked if he was taking the puppy. Carl wanted the little guy. They would have no problems with him settling in at their place. It was an energetic pup they'd picked out. Carl would take care of the dog with no complaints if the way he was reacting to him on the lead was any indication.

"We did," he answered, relieved to see Daryl again, "We're taking the guy we first walked. He's a real friendly fellow. Carl is still working on a name, too. You two can battle it out on the ride home. I agree Dolly ain't exactly what I'd choose for anyone other than a blonde."

Rick settled with the adoptions coordinator while grinning at Carl rambling about name options with Daryl. That would be the topic of conversation for the whole ride home if not longer. He could get them settled on food for dinner which he could be fixing while they talked on it. That would be a good place to start working from for the night. He bought a puppy starter pack to go along with the adoptions fee and agreed to bring him back to get the rest of his shots on time.

"Alright, you all, let's load up Not-Dolly and Ringo's-Not-His-Name-O to head to the house. You guys need to settle on food first. You can reason on names while I'm cooking. Deal?"

~*~

The pup was cute, and well, Carl would run him until he was wore out enough to be cute sleeping as well. Daryl smiled at the fact that they'd both found something, and he too had purchased a kitten starter kit though he'd have to go to the pet store tomorrow.

"Come on," Daryl started as he picked up Dolly's cardboard carrying crate along with the starter kit, "we'll also see if these two can get along. As for dinner? I think burgers and dogs are a safe bet." He lifted a shoulder, and grabbed the puppy kit while he was at it so Rick could carry Judith easier.

"Names shouldn't be too hard, right?" He looked over at Carl who in turn gave him a look that basically meant 'yeah, right.'

"So yeah, that's a deal, Rick." He laughed, putting the kits into the trunk and then loading up Dolly in the front seat with him, down on the floorboard in between his legs. The dreams were forgotten for the time being, and Daryl was content.

He could only hope that it would stay that way for a little while at least.