In The Now
A/N: Watch me be a terrible person and give up on this story. I hope that this time I don't, it's just school is keeping me quite busy, as I'm really trying to graduate here. I'm trying to get the best grades possible. Anyway, this is a story set in TWD. More of an AU ZA, I'd say. They're still at the prison, there was no destruction, nor banishment. My own take on actual happy times. At least for the beginning. Here's the description.
You don't know what time you have left, so you have to live in the now. Cherish every moment with your loved ones. Cherish life itself. But to do that, you have to be willing to commit, and that's something Daryl Dixon has trouble doing.
I hope you enjoy! Lots of love!
McBrideReedusLover.~
The humid Georgia air was heavy on their skin, weighing them down. It seemed like it, anyhow. Her eyes lifted to the sky, using her hand to shield the rays of the sun from her eyes. It was mid day, she guessed. After all, they didn't have the real time anymore. They just had to guess.
Looking back down to the dirt, she sighed. They had found some new seeds to plant, and it was her job to plant them, and tend to the rest of the plants. Everyone else was doing 'more important work'. Or so they must've thought. The new people they've brought in preferred physical labor, like fixing the prison fence, or doing watch. Going on runs. The more exciting stuff. And she, as per usual, was stuck with the domestic chores. It wasn't that it bothered her, she just thought she could have some help. Or get a chance to use her skills out on the road. She'd proved herself already. She was worthy.
But alas, the chores had to be done. And if no one else would step up, she'd get them done. So, with another heavy sigh, she continued digging the little holes in the ground. There were a lot of seeds, and it was taking a toll on her back. If only she could get a massage from Daryl. The thought made her chuckle. She could picture his reaction crystal clear in her mind. Shock, then embarrassment, and his usual 'Stop'.
Speaking of the hunter, she heard a banging at the gate. Her eyes caught his from across the way before she strolled over, opening the gate. She saw a rabbit, and two squirrels hooked on his belt. A smile crossed her face.
"Nice kills, Pookie." She winked, and his brows furrowed. The scoff came next as he stepped through the small space. She pushed the gate closed again, and locked it up.
"The hell you doin' out in the damn heat?" His gruff voice addressed her. A small shrug was all Carol gave him. "They makin' you do the housewife shit?"
"I take offense to that." She started walking with him towards the cell block. "It's not housewife stuff, Daryl. It's the... Domestic chores." She shrugged. There wasn't a big difference in that, necessarily.
"Whatever." Daryl adjusted the strap on his bow, moving it higher up on his shoulder. "Just hurry up. Last thin' any of us need is your ass blacked out from heat stroke, you got it?" His eyes narrowed. She found it sweet, the way he cared for her. Though he'd deny everything if someone brought it up.
"Yes sir." She saluted him. The expression on his face was not impressed, and she laughed. She liked that she could tease him, without him blowing off on her. Had she tried friendly teasing back at the farm, he'd have shot her most likely. But they'd grown so close over that winter, that the teasing was accepted. Well, for the most part. They parted ways, Daryl going inside, and Carol going back to see to the garden.
~In The Now~
Carol was in the kitchen, or at least, what they made a kitchen. With what Daryl had caught, it was just enough to feed the current occupants of the prison. Their main group was eleven people, so that right there was a lot of mouths to feed. And with the extra 20 people from Woodbury that they took in, there was a lot. She felt sort of bad for Daryl, having to hunt everyday so they could feed all those people.
In order to make a good enough portion, she had to make a stew of sorts. Meat in it, along with the few vegetables they had. It wouldn't be the greatest, because they didn't have anything to flavor the water, but it was better than an empty stomach.
She felt a presence behind her, and she glanced back behind her shoulder. She caught a pair of hazel eyes, which belonged to a man name John. She offered a small smile. "Good evening, John." She said softly, turning back to the stove.
"Good evening to you, ma'am." He nodded his head, coming up to stand beside her. "What's on the menu for tonight?" He raised a brow, glancing in the pot.
"A wonderfully, likely bland soup with rabbit, squirrel and vegetables which include corn, and tomatoes." Listen the ingredients made her realize how disgusting it actually was. "That doesn't sound appetizing, does it?" She frowned a little.
"Ah, I'm sure if you're cooking it, it's sure to be fine. I won't complain about a hot meal. After being on the road, with nothing but cold cans of beans, I welcome such a meal." The man gave a smile.
"I hope it meets your expectations." Carol chuckled, stirring the pot. "You mind grabbing the bowls? We need to get ready to serve. People will be coming down soon. I like to be prepared for when they do."
"Anything for you." He moved aside, to grab the bowls. He set them down on the little counter next to her.
"Thank you." Carol didn't really need him for anything, but she figured he wasn't going to leave. He seemed to take a liking to her, she'd noticed. And though her feelings drifted towards Daryl, she still liked the feeling. Of possibly being wanted. She came to realize her and Daryl likely would never become a pair. "How was the run today?"
"For once, no close calls." He sounded impressed. "We made it back with a few essentials. And..." He held up his hand, disappearing. She tilted her head, waiting for him to come back. When he reappeared, he granted her a bottle of strawberry shampoo. "Found this. I thought you deserve your own person bottle. Lord knows it'll be gone before its your turn."
Carol was flattered, and she held the bottles in her hands, reading over the label. "Thank you, John. That's really thoughtful." She smiled up at him. She was very pleased, actually. The shampoo she had to use had no smell to it. It barely lathered, either. But this, this was a more fancy brand. It would make her smell nice, and probably give her hair a better look.
"Pretty lady like you deserves it." The comment caused her to blush, and she looked down. He gave her a grin, and then the dinner rush headed in through the door, ready for their meal.
~In The Now~
Daryl was sitting by one of the cells. He made it look as though he was doing his own thing. He was hidden from view, but he could see into the kitchen area. His eyes were narrowed as he watched that man, John he thought his name was, make his subtle moves on Carol. He wasn't entirely sure why it bothered him, but boy did it ever. His blood boiled watching him work her. She seemed happy, too, which just made it worse for him.
She appeared to be smiling rather brightly at something he said. A small growl left his lips. And when the man left, he thought it was his chance to sort of swoop in and take her attention for himself. Anything to have the prick stop talking to her. But just as he neared the door, the fucker was back. And with a fancy bottle of shampoo no less.
A gift to her? Not acceptable. The only one to give Carol gifts was him. Though, no one was aware of that rule but himself.
He didn't like the jealous feeling in the pit of his stomach, but he wasn't able to help it. Seeing some other man taking away her attention, and making her happy, just angered him.
And when he saw her blush, his fists clenched tightly. He felt his unevenly clipped nails digging into the skin of his palm. It stung like hell, but he pushed that away, making room for his anger. And then the dinner crowd started pouring in, moving past him. He slipped in with them, trying to keep his cool. He always got his bowl last, however. It was just what he did. It had become like a routine.
When it was finally his turn, he stepped up, eyeing Carol. The flush was still on her cheeks, and he didn't like it. "S'matter with you?" He said in a gruff tone. Her eyes moved to his.
"What do you mean?" She asked softly, taking his bowl and filling it up. "Nothing's wrong with me."
"You get sunburnt? Cause your face is awful red." He took the bowl back from her. Her face only got darker.
"I didn't realize." She placed a hand on her cheek, and she could feel the heat in her cheeks.
He grumbled something to himself, and went to sit at the table in the far back. He watched as Carol got her own bowl, and now it was a test. There was no one near him, and there was a spot next to John. He waved her over, and Daryl just looked at her. He wouldn't lie to himself. If she chose to sit elsewhere, he'd be a little hurt. She always sat with him, even when he didn't want her there. She always did.
She waved back to him, and he thought it was over. But she moved towards him. He was relieved when she took her seat across from him. But he didn't let it show, of course.
But he realized now, he'd have to step up his game, in a sense. To keep Carol from gettnig hurt. Because he just had a feeling the man was no good. And he wanted to protect Carol as much as possible.
A/N: So! Potential love interest for Carol eh? Smirkyface. But you know a Caryler, can't have her apart from Daryl forever! But the question is, will something actually develope? Will she be torn? Or will she get hurt? What will happen as it progresses?! You'll have to keep reading to find out. ;)
McBrideReedusLover.~