Fandom: The Walking Dead
Characters: Carol and Daryl
Words: The Christmas Kiss
Rating: T
Warnings: This is a request one shot with a shower scene. Please have a really happy Christmas and I'll see you all soon. Please review and comment. And if you want a second part, there could be.
This was just another missed opportunity while he sat outside the kitchen window watching Rick press his lips right against hers right under the fucking mistletoe that someone hung up. He fumbled quickly enough for another cigarette hoping to numb the feeling of regret while he stole a glance at Carol's smile as Rick tucked his arm around her shoulders while she grinned back as he praised her for the fine meal they ate that Christmas Eve.
He had ample of opportunities that week, maybe even earlier that day. But when Michonne called for Carol's assistance in the basement he fled. Aaron's advice to kiss her before the window of opportunity would slip away filled his head.
He knew his new friend was right. He stood there now, stubbing out his cigarette in a kid's handmade candy dish that worked for an ashtray. Daryl sighed and ran his hand through his hair. This wasn't supposed to be hard. This wasn't just any woman. This was Carol, and he glances once more into the window only the sound of laughter with Christmas music was heard and she was gone from his sight.
He slips through the side door, nodding as Carl pounced on him. "Before the Turn, we would play twister, so far, Tara sucks at it. Wanna join?" the teen asked.
"Nah, go on play it without me."
"You sure?" the teen eyed him for a second. Then claps Daryl on the back, "Carol left too, she said she was tired."
Off the boy went back to the festivities.
He slips past the group and on his way up to the second floor, he finds Michonne holding the toddler. "Say good night Daryl."
Judith. That baby would be loved and protected by all. He slides her hair from her eyes and kisses the little one good night. "Sweet dreams 'lil ass kicker." Michonne smiles at the kindness this archer holds for certain people and then calls back as they continue down the stairs. "Carol went to bed."
They've all seen it, them, always pussy-footing about.
No way to deny it. He did want to start something. There were times when he saw her under that mistletoe alone cooking dinner only he'd coward away and slip through the house hoping she wouldn't see him. Although she had many times and he knew it.
His pace quickened as his heart did too. Now or never nothing to lose he steps inside the bedroom. With his eyes readjusting quickly glancing around only to see the bed empty, her things, night shirt, socks and undergarments all laid out neatly on the bed. The voice carried from behind the closed door singing softly her favorite Christmas Carol.
Stop pussying out, little brother! He could hear Merle's mocking tone scoff back at him for being such a pussy. That's it. Enough! And he crossed that floor in a few quick strides pushing the door open only to find the room steamy.
The shower curtain pulls back, only she yelled his name. "Daryl…" and hid behind the shower curtain.
Water sprayed all over; him and anywhere else the curtain didn't cover. With her head full of bubbles, she quickly pokes out behind the curtain. "Explain to me?"
He nearly bolted but something told him it was the right time. Grinning, he holds out the mistletoe from the kitchen over his head.
She blinks. Weeks now, he's been avoiding her. She threw him a glance at first then a broad smile uncurls…her fingers slip from the curtain and she pulls him into a soapy wet kiss.
Not only do their lips connect, he steps over the tub and stumbles into her. Her fingers curl into his shirt pulling him into her not carrying any longer about decorum or modesty.
The mistletoe forgotten, he pulls her in closer, a hand cupping the back of her neck as the other one brush the wet bubbles from her face realizing that there he stood soaked through in her shower.
She pulls back after they kissed several times, "So, um Merry Christmas."
Fin