Prompt: Caryl - winter - what happened in the sleeping bag STAYS in the sleeping bag.
It started the winter before they found the prison. The nights would get colder and harsher and Carol would find herself struggling to stay warm in the sleeping bag that she was provided and unable to fall asleep.
Extra blankets were available of course, but she didn't want to take them from those who really needed it like Lori, Carl, and the Greene family. So, she stayed quiet.
Carol shivered under the fabric and attempted to bury herself deeper in it to at least savor some warmth, though she knew it wouldn't do any good. She had apparently chosen the coldest area in the house. She closed her eyes, hopeful to get at least some sleep, though her eyes fluttered back open as she heard heavy boots fall on the wooden floor of the home they had occupied for the night. He was heading in her direction.
She quickly closed her eyes again to feign sleep, hopeful that he would just pass her like he always had, but something was different tonight. He stopped directly beside her and seemed to pause, almost as if he were searching for something. Then, she heard soft clanks as objects were settled on the floor (his crossbow she assumes). What was going on?
She stiffens as she feels his hand on her shoulder and waits for the berating that is surely to come her way. "You really suck at pretending to be asleep," he mutters and she instantly relaxes, glad that she's not getting yelled at. "Move over," Daryl mumbles and sets to work on the zipper, slowly moving it down and opening the sleeping bag wider.
Her body objects as the cold air hits her, but she obliges to his request, shivering as she moves. What was he doing?
A body slides besides her own, her head resting on his chest, and the heat his body provides makes her grateful. It was awkward because Daryl didn't seem to want to touch her, but he didn't make a move to leave either. Either way, she was happy to share her sleeping bag with him if it meant that she could get some extra warmth. Eventually, she was lulled to sleep by his body heat and when she woke up, he and his things were gone. He didn't mention it and neither did she.
This would happen every night leading up to actually finding the prison. Although, she did find a pattern. He would only come to sleep with her whenever everyone else was sleep and he would never talk. Almost as if he were embarrassed by it. She won't bring it up until he does though so she just leaves her cell door open in hopes that he'll share her bunk with her. He never does.
It's in the first winter of their time at the prison that this changes. She can hear his boots on the grated walkway and just stays where she is, her eyes firmly set on the wall facing her, her back to him. This seems to please him as she listens as he sits down on her cot and pulls his boots off.
It's only a matter of moments later that she can feel his body heat once again. Although, something is different this time. He seems tense and from what she can tell, it's almost like he's trying to make a decision. She feels hesitant fingers brush against her skin before they tighten and she can feel her body being pulled into his.
Carol's eyes widen and she wants to say something, anything, to ease the tension. "Are you finally going to take me up on my offer?" She teases and at first, she thinks he's going to pull away and run with his tail tucked between his legs.
Instead, a snort leaves his lips and she knows it's okay. He relaxes and so does she. "Tell anyone about this and I'll stick an arrow in your ass," he retorts and a chuckle leaves her. She pushes herself into his body in an attempt to get warmer and he doesn't move.
"Okay, Pookie."
A/N: My first Drabble series. What do you guys think? :)
And just to let you know, I will not object to putting other pairings in this series. If you have any prompts, just let me know and I will fill them. Thanks guys :)