A/N: Watching the TWD marathon over the 4th of July weekend got me super excited for Season 4 of TWD. I really hope we get some moments of Daryl and Carol being sweet on each other and to each other, or if not, Daryl being sweet on anyone. Would love to see more of that side and of course, Carol is my number one choice for him! Hearing some rumors about them on TWD forums, though and trying to hold on until October. Until then, though, hope you like this little one-shot.
Daryl cringed inwardly as he entered the large cafeteria in the prison. One of the pluses of having so many extra people in the prison now was that they had been able to clear out so much more space. They not only had a full service kitchen and cafeteria now but the bathrooms, showers and more cells had been cleaned out. As much as he hated to admit his home was now a 6x6 cell, it was. Thankfully, it was a home, though. One that was safe and full of people he did care about; his new family.
However, one of the cons of having so many extra people in the prison was all the eyes that now watched him. Everywhere he turned people watched him. It was a known fact that Rick, Glenn and he were in charge of how the prison ran and maintaining its safety. While the other 2 men didn't mind the new people of Woodbury now in their fold engaging them in conversation and being all friendly, he did. As far as he'd come in the past year and a half, he wasn't ready to be a social butterfly.
And, speaking of social butterflies, Daryl didn't have a hard time spotting her, surrounded by all the women in the large kitchen.
"Carol,"
Carol's bright blue eyes turned over immediately at the sound of his gruff voice. The smile that had already been on her face as she spoke to the women of Woodbury widened and she slowly came over to the counter to where Daryl stood. "Hey! I didn't see you this morning for breakfast. If you would've told me last night that you were going hunting so early, I would've gotten up with you to make you something or at least packed you some granola bars."
Daryl shook his head dismissively. He couldn't help but feel uncomfortable as he noticed every single pair of eyes in the kitchen were now trained on him as well. "It's all right. I survived." He lifted his hand up from behind the counter where it dangled and gasps filled the room. "I wanted to get this for you."
Carol's hands flew to her mouth as she gasped in surprise at the giant turkey and 2 small chickens that Daryl lifted up onto the counter in the middle of the room. "Daryl, where…"
Daryl shrugged, uncomfortable now with the praises he was getting from the other women in the room. Most looked at him with gratitude in their eyes but some looked at him with something else and it was only for Carol that he didn't run out of the room or pray for a hole to swallow him up right then and there. "You were talking last night about how much you missed turkey; how it was your favorite meal because it reminded you of your favorite holiday so I just went out today and looked. I got on my bike and found a farm and found this turkey and some chickens wandering around…don't know how they've survived this long but they look good and…"
Carol didn't let Daryl finish his explanation. She walked around the counter, moved that he would go through so much for her but not really surprised, and threw her arms over his neck, hugging him tightly. As embarrassed as he was by the action, Daryl couldn't help but smile and wrap his arms around Carol's waist, as well.
"It's nothing. Don't get all weepy on me now, woman."
Carol laughed softly in his ear and pulled away, keeping their hands connected. "It's wonderful. It's something only you would've done. As usual, you're my hero."
Daryl's face reddened and he shook his head, anxious now to get away from all the eyes. "For a turkey? Come on,"
"For that and a million things more, Dixon," replied Carol, her face brightened by her smile. "You already know, though."
Daryl nodded slightly and squeezed one of Carol's hands before releasing it. "Right back at cha, woman."
Carol laughed and shook her head, moving over to the counter. "I'd better start cleaning these boys if we wanna eat them tonight. I'll see you at dinner, OK?"
Daryl nodded and turned away. As he was leaving the room, he heard the voice of one of the older women of Woodbury.
"You gotta a mighty fine man there, Carol dear."
Daryl frowned, his footsteps slowing down after exiting the room.
"Daryl's a wonderful man and we're all lucky to have him," replied Carol. Daryl stopped completely outside the room, resting on the wall and staying within earshot of the conversation happening only a few feet away from him.
"Well, he does a lot for the community here, I'll give him that but let's not act like we don't know why these animals are on our counter, Carol. The man would do anything for you, dear," The old woman's voice rang out through the kitchen once more and Daryl found himself biting his lip. The old bird wasn't wrong.
"He would do anything to help the community, period, Estelle. I have nothing to do with it." Carol's voice sounded tense. Daryl could pick up on the exhaustion in it immediately. She was uncomfortable with the conversation and wanted it over. He didn't blame her.
"So, you're telling me you have nothing to do with it? That he isn't doing it for you because of another reason…say, love?"
He had always been taught to respect his elders but at that moment all he wanted was to shove that old bird Estelle down a flight of stairs for putting Carol through the grand inquisition.
"Of course there's love behind it! I love Daryl just like I know he loves me in his own way. We've been a family for over a year now and we've been through hell during that year. That binds people together, Estelle. Daryl and I would take a bullet for each other. Of course that's love,"
Daryl tried to smother the smile that crossed his face at Carol's words. He couldn't deny that every word she said was true; they did love each other and would gladly take a bullet for each other. It was a relationship he'd only ever had with Merle and barely so. While he was still in uncharted territory when it came to feelings and dealing with having any for someone not named Dixon, it wasn't an altogether unpleasant feeling.
"So, that's all it is; the love that comes with a good friendship? Then, you wouldn't mind if I urged Karen to make her move on Daryl? She's had her eye on him since he rescued her from that truck after the Governor had gone crazy."
The smile on Daryl's face instantly faded and he found his eyes narrowing. Who the hell did that old woman think she was; putting Carol on the spot like that? He knew damn well Karen had her eye on him. Hell, it seemed everywhere he went she was there, just staring at him. It annoyed him to no end but he figured by ignoring her she would get the hint and turn her eyes elsewhere. The last thing he needed was the old bat Estelle encouraging her!
"Daryl is a grown man and Karen is a grown woman. I doubt either of them needs any urging from you on anything. Now, are you gonna help clean these birds or just sit there looking pretty?"
Carol's voice dripped with a touch of anger now and Daryl knew the conversation was over. He had heard that tone many times himself when returning from a hunt alone or having missed a meal. Quickly turning on his heel, he headed for the showers to clean up before dinner, leaving Carol to defend herself like he knew she could.
The prison was quiet as Carol made her way back inside from her watch with Tyreese. She patted the man on the back as he went off to his own cell, a loud yawn escaping him. The only sound beside his yawn was the sounds of soft snores and her footsteps as she continued to her cell on the opposite side of the floor. She couldn't believe how exhausted she was. After preparing the birds Daryl had bought for dinner, she'd barely had a chance to eat any herself before it was her time to go on watch. Daryl had made sure to pack a plate for her, loaded with more turkey than anything and sent it up to the tower with her.
"Carol,"
Carol jumped about a mile when she heard the voice and her heart practically stopped when the hand grabbed her wrist. She clutched her chest with her free hand and glared at Daryl, who sat on a chair at the doorway of his cell; the cell right next to hers. "Jesus Christ, Daryl! What the hell are you doing; trying to give me a heart attack?"
Daryl rolled his eyes and tugged her forward, into his cell. "Yeah, that was my big plan," he responded sarcastically.
"So then, what? I'm exhausted and just wanna sleep," whined Carol softly.
"You have to do something for me. Like I did for you with the turkey,"
Daryl pushed her down onto his bed and Carol was so overwhelmed by his scent drifting up to her from his pillows that it took a minute for his words to register. "You need something? Got a craving for a certain animal? Look, Daryl, if you're expecting me to go out there and hunt…I mean, I may be able to bag a squirrel but even that's not a guarantee…"
"Why the hell would I need you to bring me a squirrel, woman?" Daryl's voice rose slightly in frustration and Carol smiled. "Well, I don't know what you're asking of me then."
"I need you to talk to Karen! I need you to tell her to stop looking at me so much and following me around like some damn dog that's lost its way," Daryl tried to keep his voice low as his eyes darted to the privacy curtain hanging on the doorway to his cell. "Looks that nosy old woman Estelle urged Karen along plenty after leaving the kitchen earlier. Woman's been on my ass more than usual today and it's all because of the old bat."
Carol frowned. "You heard that conversation? How?"
Daryl shrugged, his eyes widening at his slip of the tongue. "Um, as I was leaving the kitchen I stopped to tie my boot laces…these are getting a bit frayed. May have to make a run for some new ones tomorrow…"
Carol stared at him skeptically. "Sure, sure." She leaned back against the wall and smiled. "So, you want me to talk to Karen? What exactly do you want me to tell her?"
"I don't know, woman! Tell her whatever women tell each other to get them to back off a guy! You should know." Daryl stood up from his chair and began to pace. "Do whatever women do to stake claim or something!"
Carol smiled, her eyes tilting down to her frayed jeans. "Daryl, do you hear yourself? You're asking me to stake my claim on you? How can I do that when…I mean, we're just friends and everyone knows it…"
"Everyone thinks we're together. They have for a long time now." Daryl stopped his pacing and leaned against the wall opposite wear Carol sat.
"So, you just want me to play it up? Act like we're together to get Karen to back off?" Carol pushed down the hurt feeling she got in her chest and forced a smile on her face. "I'll try but I can't guarantee she'll back off. That one looks like she's persistent." She stood up from Daryl's bed, the tightening in her chest making it difficult to breathe. She had to get out of there and fast.
"I'll see you tomorrow. I'll try to catch Karen at breakfast and let her know to back off a little. I'll try to make it as believable as I can." Carol smiled and moved towards the door, extending a hand to pat Daryl's shoulder. "Good night,"
Daryl watched Carol as she made to leave, the words building in his throat along with the fear that threatened to push them back down. He took a deep breath and blurted out, "I'm not asking you to play up anything. I'm asking you to tell her the truth. Tell her we're together; that I'm yours and you're mine. I want that to be the truth, though."
Carol turned over, her eyes wide. "What? But…"
"I heard you talking to Estelle. I stopped to listen. It had nothing to do with my shoelaces," Daryl gripped Carol's hand to keep her from leaving. "The people here think I'm a good man but it's because of you that I am. They don't know that but I do. I would take a bullet for you, too. I can't say that about many people. I've bonded with you in a way that I've never with anyone before. You say you love me? Well, I love you and I think it's safe to say that I don't love you as just a friend."
Carol's mouth had dropped open at Daryl's declaration and she felt like a fool just standing there with it still opened when he finished. She gulped slowly and licked her suddenly dry lips. "My God, Daryl,"
"If you don't feel the same, though, I understand. I figured you were just telling the old bird we were friends to get her off your back but if you meant it, that we're just friends, I'll understand," stammered Daryl, the fear of Carol not returning his feelings now front and center.
Carol quickly shook her head. "I meant it when I said I love you but I don't love you as just a friend, either. It's more; a lot more, Daryl. You've been what's kept me going for a long time now. I think we crossed that friend bridge a long time ago but were too afraid to say it." A smile came across her face. "Maybe I'll say it loud and clear tomorrow morning in front of Karen."
Daryl smiled and pulled her in close, moving his lips closer to hers and letting them hover over. "We don't know how much time we have left in this world, Carol but I know I want to spend whatever time I have left with you."
Carol leaned into Daryl's embrace and smiled. "The feeling's mutual…"
Daryl moved his hands up Carol's back and around to cup her face and pull their lips together. Carol moaned and parted her lips as Daryl's tongue swept inside gently, tasting her warm mouth. Daryl moved one hand to stroke the back of Carol's neck as his lips moved over hers, their tongues sliding together softly. They finally parted slowly and Daryl placed a final kiss on each of Carol's closed eyes. Carol smiled and slowly opened her eyes.
"I'm really exhausted, Dixon. Think I'm too exhausted to make it to my own cell and climb all the way into my bunk. Whadya say I just crash here tonight?"
Daryl raised an eyebrow, the smile morphing into a smirk. "Sounds good, woman; real good."
A/N: Review!
