AN: Another random silly ship-tease for my editor. I owe her 5 for every non-fluff story I write. How do I get myself into these things? Anyway, please try to enjoy the ridiculousness that I am being forced to write. Love you all! -ShazzyZhang
Chop! Chop!
The group had been blessed with an amazingly warm Indian Summer. The sun was beating down on the farm house mercilessly. The temperature had been holding steadily hot for the past few weeks. They were lucky so far, they'd been able to plant extra crops and even those were flourishing. Herschel had been kind enough to barter with the group – giving them access to his house and food for the winter in exchange for help setting the farm up for the season and bringing in a share of food and supplies from the town.
Rick had taken it up with the group and, after a heavy debate, they'd agreed.
But it was Sunday and Herschel still observed it as a day of worship and relaxation. Most of the chores had been done already and the group had taken off to the pond behind Herschel's house. The women wanted to swim and enjoy the last few warm days of their late summer while they could. Everyone was secretly nervous about the upcoming winter.
Daryl had stayed behind.
He wasn't part of the group, never was, still wasn't and he was convinced that he never would truly be a part of the group. It was fine by him. He'd pull his weight and protect the others as best he could, even if they never fully integrated him into the group. He'd make plans to leave them in the spring, assuming they survived the winter. Besides, he didn't want to be around when Lori had her kid. He barely got on with Carl and babies were definitely not something he wanted to deal with.
The sun was warm and Daryl had taken off his shirt to chop firewood. No one else seemed terribly keen on doing it, and Shane was not stable enough to be trusted with an axe. So Daryl used it as an excuse to vent his frustrations on unsuspecting logs with the finely honed axe.
He was making relatively good time, splitting logs rhythmically into smaller, more manageable sizes. His muscles rippled under his pale skin and his back and chest glistened lightly under their fine coat of sweat. Daryl stopped momentarily to brush his hair out of his face.
"Ahem."
A smirk crossed Daryl's face. He'd known that the other man was standing there, and had been for the last five minutes, but he liked to watch him squirm. Slowly, he turned to look at Rick.
"Whaddya want?" Daryl asked, resting the axe on his shoulder in what he hoped was a sincerely manly fashion.
Rick was blushing and Daryl was enjoying it.
"I... uh... I brought you... a drink." Rick stammered, holding out a cup of cold water to Daryl.
Daryl wasn't thirsty but he took the cup anyway.
"Thank you." Daryl said as he slowly poured the water over his head and shoulders.
Rick's eyes grew wide as he watched the water trickle over Daryl's bare skin. A shiver coursed through his body. Damn tease!
Daryl set the cup down and grinned at Rick. "Thanks, I needed that." He said as he swung the axe again, splitting another log with ease.
Rick was done with the teasing. He stepped forward purposefully and grabbed Daryl's wrist. Daryl let go of the axe and turned to face him.
"Whaddya want, Rick?" Daryl asked again, staring at the deputy with a smirk on his face and laughter in his eyes.
Rick pried the axe from Daryl's hand and dropped it to the ground. Rick leaned forward and kissed Daryl passionately.
"Jus shut up, Daryl." Rick said.
"Kay..." Daryl replied before Rick kissed him a second time.