Originally titled Collective Fuckery, this is a tiny drabble I spontaneously posted to Tumblr.
Just a small, funny, feely moment set during the winter hiatus.
Enjoy, and remember: I own nothing!
They were three months in when it happened.
Huddled together on a Tuesday morning, the cold wind was whipping their clothes into a frenzy by the old highway, and it was Carol that brought it up first:
"We need a store run."
Daryl caught the look of urgency in her eyes and stepped closer.
Rick left Carl's side to do the same.
"What's wrong?"
Glancing around, the woman hefted her ever-present giant bag over her shoulder and patted it.
"We're out of….uh….feminine products. And….we need some. Now."
Glenn broke the nervous silence that followed.
"Who's 'we'?"
Carol, straightforward and unafraid, raised her hand.
So did Beth and Maggie.
The Asian boy looked around and shook his head,
"I knew it. They all line up and things get crazy all at once. We're doomed."
Daryl stepped back away from the group and tried to ignore the conversation. He knew what the hell was going down but he didn't know shit about what to do to help, aside from finding a convenience store for the women to scavenge.
And then, Rick's voice broke through to his ears:
"Okay…all three of you are…er, bleeding, so….stay here. Curl up in the cars. Hershel's in charge. Carl, do a once over of the highway every fifteen. We'll go find what you need."
WE?
He glanced at the group and saw Maggie rubbing Glenn's shoulder and kissing his cheek, watched as Beth offered Rick her thanks. Noticed Carol, arms crossed, looking at him over her shoulder with a hesitant smile.
Apparently it was on him to raid a store and find what she needed, and he didn't even know why.
And he found he really didn't care, either.
Because as she mouthed a silent "thank you" in his direction, he caught the wince of pain in her eyes and saw those arms tighten around her middle.
He turned on a heel and headed for his bike.
"Come on then, let's get this done!"
As he passed her by she was still smiling at him, and he offered a quick nod.
Made a mental note to try and find some of that "Midol" shit, just for her.