So, here we are. My first attempt at Caryl ff so let me know your opinion. I would like to make it a multichapter so your ideas will be more than welcome. I have tried to make it as much as IC as possible but they're two beautiful, amazing, complicated characters. I know I will not make them justice but I will try my best. Sorry for the mistakes, english is not my first language.
Ok (*deep breath*) let's do this.
Carol watched Daryl take a few steps down the stairs before he stopped. Her heart fluttered in her chest. All day she tried to reign her emotion while he was there, in her home talking and eating the food King Ezekiel kept sending here, but she was tired. It was nearly midnight and keeping her mask on was a tiring task.
Daryl suddenly turned around, making it back to her, hugging her with one arm while the other clenched his new weapon. He could not leave her without feeling her lithe body pressed against him. He always hated how people tended to touch one another, his life back home wasn't made of loving touch. His father's touch only meant violence and rage he still didn't know what he did to deserve . He never really looked for the kind of comfort another body could take, not really. Merle did enough of one night stand, taking low women home to fool around. He wasn't like that, he never could and never will. But Carol's body was perfectly molded against his, her warmth was a balm to his battered soul. He felt bad for lying to her about Glenn but he couldn't risk of losing her to her worst fear. She needed time to heal and he couldn't shatter the job she was doing.
Carol tighten her hold on him, not ready to let him go. He just knocked on her door and she had almost to pinch herself to make her realize he was really there. For a few moment she could not breath properly, the air in her lungs leaving her while seeing him standing there. She wanted to be left alone, she asked it to Morgan and it pained her to know that her family was out there in need of help but she had to walk away from all those people. But how could she let him go now? How could she risk not seeing him ever again? She wasn't strong enough. They had too many goodbye to really endure another one. She inhaled deeply into his neck, how she missed him. He was a constant ache deep in her soul. She felt him put his forehead on her shoulder, much like he did in the forest after the Terminus escape. She spoke softly, not really knowing how he could react: "Why don't you stay here tonight? It's dark and it's a long way back"
Daryl lifted his head, his hands still around her. He could feel they were at a crossroad. He could leave and try to win this war far from here, hoping she was safe 'till his return or he could stay here, recuperate after his time in Negan's prison and wait for the others to come back with a plan. He would not involve her but he would fight harder knowing he had something to live for. That was the truth: he didn't know when but she became the most important person of his life, even when Merle was alive. It was always her keeping him alive, pushing him a little more.
He looked at her for a second still and then nodded, looking down, ensure of himself. She smiled that happy smile he often saw at the prison while she was making fun of him and he felt his month lift in response.
"Ok... ok... well, let's make your bed". She could have joked saying they had to share one but she felt they weren't back to that level of friendship just yet. They walked on a thin line, a stumble and they would crumble in pieces.
Daryl followed her inside the house, closing the door and making sure it was locked. Carol smiled at his concern. "Don't worry, nobody ever come out there" she said. He tensed at her words, thinking back at what Richard was implying just a few hours before. Carol saw his spine stiffen but knew better than ask about it. He would tell her when he was ready. She disappeared inside a room, maybe hers, and he took the opportunity to check all the windows. He put his new crossbow and rifle next to the sofa where he will be sleeping. She came back a few minute later with her arms full of blankets. He watched her while she made his bed, piling blanket after blanket.
She didn't mind the silence, her relationship with Daryl was built upon few words and more actions. She could feel his eyes on her, watching her every move. She liked having him there but wasn't fooling herself, he wasn't going to stay there forever. He wouldn't leave their family, not even for her. She sighed at this thought, she missed her people. She wanted to know if Carl was taller than Rick, if Judith started walking yet, if Glenn and Maggie were thinking about having a baby... But she would not ask any of this.
"Thank you for letting me crash here." Daryl's spoke up, waking her up from her daydreaming. She finished making his bed and stood up.
"You're welcome" she simply said. "Ok... I think it's time to get a little sleep. I know you would like to come back at dawn."
Daryl watched as a sad look took place in her eyes. He couldn't make up his mind. He didn't know what to do, so he simply nodded. She did it too, playing nervously with her hands. She stood for a moment before taking the few steps separating them and stopping right in front of him.
She was so goddamn beautiful, her hair grew a little longer and her eyes shone in the light of the candles. If he was another man, a better man, he would have acted and tried to kiss her but he was who he was. Carol raised on her tiptoes, took a breath and kissed him on his cheek so close to his mouth that she had his head spinning and a wave of excitement and panic flooded his entire being. "Night Daryl" she whispered on his skin before turning her back to him and closing her bedroom door behind her. Daryl stood frozen to the spot. He didn't saw that coming. They never seemed to take the final step toward what they could be. Too afraid to expose themselves, afraid of losing the one person they couldn't live without. He meant the threat he made to Richard, if something happened to her he would pay hell from his hands.
Finally succumbing to the emotional roller coaster of the day, Daryl stretched on the sofa. He turned on his side, he fell asleep fast, knowing she was just a door away, with the scent of her on his pillow.