Shadows In Durango

*****Sofia's POV*****

"Oh this place is cute!" I compliment, as we approach the little ice cream shack by the water.

I always loved being close to the water, it was where I would go if I ever needed to collect my thoughts, finding something calming about the way it gentle moved. "Come on." Daryl smiles, motioning for us to get out of the car as I excitedly follow his lead.

It seemed that this little ice cream place was a dating hot spot, with many cars and everyone around seeming to be in couples.

"That's the owners." Daryl explains as we enter through the jingling door pointing at a young girl with bright pink hair and a young guy with wispy curls.

I was expecting the owners of the place to be middle aged or elderly, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a young guy and a girl standing where Daryl's finger pointed. "Really? They seem young." I smile, as we join the queue for ice cream.

Daryl nods, folding his arms comfortably and holding his head high as he surveyed the spot, eyeing up each couple curiously as I watched him.

It was strange to see him squaring himself out whenever other males were around, as though he was attempting to live up to his tough boy act. Especially considering that whenever it was only Daryl and I, he was a complete softy - the opposite from Vincent.

The queue began to move forward, as we got close enough to the cabinet to look other the flavours.

My eyes grew when seeing that it wasn't just average flavours like vanilla or chocolate but instead, the cabinet consisted of creative inventions such as 'Electric Candy' which was a popping candy mix up with a vibrant blue ice cream or the 'Chocolate Explosion' which was a variety of different chocolate chunks and sauce whipped through the chocolate ice cream.

The presentation of each was enough to make your mouth water just from the sight... how would I ever decide what flavour?!

It had been a long time since I had even had ice cream, so I was definitely looking forward to it probably more than the average person.

"What do you fancy? The 'Beach Day' is my favourite flavour." Daryl points to the one he usually gets, as I eye up the mixture of vanilla ice cream with a mix of sprinkles, raspberry sauce and frozen berries through it.

"Looks good, but I'm more of a chocolate person." I smile at him, scanning over the different flavours that incorporated chocolate.

"Well then I'd go for the 'Rocky Riot' in that case..." Daryl laughs, as I glance towards the one at the end of the case moving slightly to see it properly.

Oh wow, it was chocolate ice cream, with dark chocolate chunks, cookie bites, brownie bites and hazelnut chunks through it complete with a hazelnut sauce. That sounds to die for!

"Yeah I'll do that one!" I nod finally settling on my choice as he chuckles.

We step up to the counter, as the guy smiles and reaches his hand out to greet Daryl.

"Daryl my boy, where's Vin?" The guy asks, as Daryl rolls his eyes playfully but I couldn't help but feel some real irritation behind the action.

"That ass? He's been ditched today Kip, I'm on a date!" Daryl responds to 'Kip' keeping his tone light and airy as the guy just shakes his head in amusement. A date...

Did he officially say that this was a date?! I thought it was just an apology ice cream for friends!

"Well what will it be anyway little lady?" Kip smiles at me next, leaning on the counter as I glance back to the growing queue behind us which we were now holding up. "Thee um... thee..." I try to remember the name, suddenly being put on the spot.

"Hurry it up!" I hear another dude holler from the back of the line, causing me to tense and turn wide eyed to find the culprit.

A stocky guy who looked somewhat dirty and hard worked... around his mid twenties if I would have to guess.

Just as I am about to apologise for upsetting him and holding everybody up, Daryl beats me to answering, as I pray for the ground to open and swallow me...

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"Shut the fuck up pig!" Daryl steps out of the line and makes himself known to the guy, causing for his eyes to suddenly widen ever so slightly.

"Shit sorry Daryl! Didn't know it was your chick!" He quickly responds, as Daryl looks furious for the first time since I had met him.

"Don't apologise to me when it's her that you've just offended! You can fucking wait five minutes for your ice cream like any other person and besides, it's probably for the best that you're last in the queue because there would be fucking nothing left for anybody else if you weren't!" Daryl continues to get more angry, as I grow flustered and glance over to Kip, expecting him to step in.

It was his store after all but to my great surprise, he just shrugs and smiles as though it was regular for him...

"Look I'm sorry, take your time." The guy babbles, now looking directly at me as I nod once slowly and breathe.

I only wanted an ice cream, I didn't mean to upset anybody...

"It's the 'Rocky Riot' she's wanting and I'll have the 'Beach Day"". Daryl asks Kip, as I swallow the lump forming in my throat, thankful that he had took the stress away from me by asking for what I wanted.

I was surprised to see Daryl so short tempered for the first time, although it was nice to see him defending me after being harassed by that guy.

But maybe Emma was right, Daryl was in with Vincent because they were more similar to what Daryl lets on. Compared to Vincent, Daryl always seemed like the saint, but I just witnessed first hand how sharp and reactive he can be. What was more worrying, was the way the guy had acted when recognising him...

What had he done that was so bad to make others around this whole town bow to him?

Was the gang stuff true? The way Emma had said they run crime operations and do illegal shit around town? Or was it all rumour?

I hadn't seen anything like that yet, but I feared that with spending more time with them, I would be sucked back into a world full of danger and darkness...

"You good? Just ignore him, he's a bastard!" Daryl talks, leaning down to my ear as I nod and force a smile.

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Kip returned with our little tubs of ice cream, having them fully decorated with extra sauces and toppings. We thanked him, as Daryl said a goodbye and motioned for me to go first towards the door.

The larger guy didn't even look up when we passed by, remaining silent and nervous as I suddenly felt almost bad for how Daryl had scolded him.

But I guess he was the rude one first... right?

We get back into Daryl's car, getting comfortable as I look out at the water facing us, sighing in relief.

"Sorry for blowing up in there, I just didn't like how he spoke to you." Daryl breathes out steadily, returning to his normal tone as he goes in for a taste of his ice cream.

"It's ok, thanks for defending me. Some people are just really inpatient." I comment, acknowledging his apology for making me anxious.

At least he was aware of his reaction... Vincent would have just shrugged it off and told me to get over it in that case. No scratch that, Vincent would have probably attacked the guy and caused a way bigger scene so Daryl wasn't all bad, was he?

"You know, this is nice, I'm really glad that you said yes to coming tonight." Daryl hums, as we enjoy the sweet treat together in the confines of his car.

"Thanks for bringing me... oh and how much do I owe you for this? I brought cash with me?" I suddenly remember wide eyed, fishing into my side pocket.

During my attempts, I feel Daryl's hand on my forearm, halting my action as my skin begins to tingle under his hold.

"Wait what's that on you?" He squints at my face, as I offer him the same look of confusion back.

"What?" I bubble, praying that my whole face wasn't covered in chocolate - how damn embarrassing would that be?! "Right... there..." He leans in, and before I know it, his lips are on mine, slow but soft.

What. The. Hell!

Wait until I tell Emma about this one...