This isn't a long story at all. Below ten chapters. It's AU and from what i've written already I'm going to say a bit out of character. I hope everyone enjoys this.
Carol Lynn Thorn slumped onto the bar stool, large brown bag swinging onto the counter with a distinct thud. The bartender sparing a quick glance at her- frazzled auburn curls spiraling in every direction imaginable, slight smudged eyeliner, jacket thrown off and haphazardly folded on top of her purse- and pours her a glass of whiskey. She barely looks at him as he does so and that isn't her.
"On the house." He mutters as she knocks the drink back. Carol's a regular customer, used to come in all the time with her rowdy friends and ex boyfriend. Yet the bartenders never seen her look so deflated as she does now.
Carol hasn't been back to the Winchester since her and Todd split up. That was two months ago. Desperately trying to avoid any place she might see him or his new girlfriend and be forced to interact with him with any semblance of nicety. It wasn't an option for her. Though today was especially rough for her. Her boss, the jerk that he was, telling her to take mandatory leave. So if she drank more than a few shots so be it. She deserved it after her day. There's a headache coming on but it's her hope that if she drinks enough that it'll dull it down.
Most people were excited about some time off but Carol spent most of her time trying to effectively drown herself in work to not think about Todd. Or Lori and Rick's wedding, for that matter. Or that Todd will be showing up with his girlfriend- who has a name like Aurora anyways? It sounds like someone was talking with peanut butter in their mouth when they named her. Instead she'll show up alone. The wedding is less than two weeks away, though, and chances of finding a tolerable date are slime to none. Outrageously low even. It's enough to have her sinking into her cups further.
She's on her third drink when a tall, light haired man sits down at the bar only two seats away. Carol doesn't pay him much attention, just enough to notice that he's wearing a leather jacket and the top three buttons of his shirt are undone, revealing a sliver of flawless, marble chest that is kissed by the sun. He looks like a model who just stepped right out of the pages of GQ – windswept and perfect. She's also painstakingly not noticing that he's devilishly handsome. She suppresses a snort at the track her mind has taken and turns back to her drink. He's probably got a head full of air. Not her type. She's had that type. It was a mistake and not one she's looking to repeat.
As if summoned by her very thoughts, Todd's boisterous laughter explodes through the bar and detonates on her fragile state of mind. It's chased by the cold blast of wind as the bar's doors are pushed open. That same laughter flowing through and battering her. Her drink sours in her mouth and her headache comes back full force.
"Toddikins! You're too funny." A feminine voice says, giggling. Carol's sure she'll puke.
The bartender is at the other end of the bar and Carol's not wanting to make a scene. She just wants to get her check so she can maybe try to get out of here before "Toddikins" and the girl who is Aurora even notices she's here at all. Grabbing her things and begins to walk towards the bartender, praying they don't notice her. Any God that will hear her prayer at the moment is getting one because if the bile in the back of her throat is any indication – she's going to puke and soon.
"Carol?"
Fuck. Her shoulders tense and her head throbs. It feels like hundreds of tiny cannons were fired at once against her skull from the inside. If it's from the headache or anger she isn't exactly sure.
Turning slowly, lips pressed into a tight smile. Aurora is just as pretty in person as she is in some of the pictures she's seen from missed gatherings with her friends. Not that it was a welcome thought at all. Carol shouldn't be surprised by the slight frown on the other girls face or the way Aurora tightens her hold on Todd's arm, but those small motions make the bile in the back of her throat threaten to spill.
"Todd." Carol says, forcing her smile to stay in place. "And you must be Aurora." She can tell that the other girl is checking her out to see if she's a threat. It's laughable. Even if she'd left Todd, Carol herself never wants him back. If the twitch of her rose-petal lips is anything to go by, Aurora is very confident that she's in no danger of losing Todd to Carol. That was until maybe another buxom blonde starts sending him pictures. The thought is cruel and makes her lips twist in a half smile half sneer at the girl. Aurora straightens.
"Haven't seen you around much." Todd smiles.
"I've been busy. Work." Carol forces out.
She's never wanted a conversation over so much in her life. In fact she's willing to make a gamble on her soul to get out of here. She just wants to pay for her drinks, go home to her bitch of a cat, and pretend that this moment in time never happened. Todd, apparently has no issues talking to her. It's rather disturbing how at ease he is with this new tart on his arm and facing her so soon after their breakup.
"Anything other than work going on?" He asks, and Carol knows where this line of questioning is going. Perhaps the universe is taking a who shit on her today.
"Not much, like I said. I've been extremely busy." Aurora is smirking in her face as she says this. But Todd's expression is worse because she sees pity there. This is the worst night of her life, it's decided.
"So you're not seeing anyone, then?" Todd asks brazenly. If not a bit smug.
Carol does her best to keep her expression neutral. It's hard without the amount of alcohol churning through her blood at the moment. It makes her temper flare and for a second she considers slapping him. Or using the mace Rick gave her for Christmas on him. Both would do well to soothe her at the moment but something stays her hand. But she cannot fathom – cannot even begin to understand – why Todd thinks he has any right to ask her that. She's about to say as much – though she thinks in her current stay it might come more as "fuck you" – when a warm hand rests itself gently on her shoulder. Her head jerks to see who the hell is touching her when she notices it's the light haired GQ man from earlier. She almost smacks herself because they've been having this conversation behind his bar stool. He flashes the three of them a polite smile, and good god is he stunning. His grip on her shoulder tightens just slightly.
"Darlin', aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?" He asks. His voice is rich, rough, and coiling low in the pit of her stomach. The deepness making it twang that much more. From the corner of her eye, Carol sees Aurora blush. She knows there's blood rushing to her face as well. His voice is intoxicating.
"Uhm..."
He smiles at her indulgently if not amused, like this is something he's completely used to. He extends his hand to to Todd.
"Daryl Dixon."
"Todd Austin."
At the given name for Todd she watches recognition light up the stranger's eyes. Carol's is so fucking confused, because she doesn't know this man who has his arm around her shoulder. His leather clad arm that is warm and soothing to a problem she wasn't even aware she had.
"Ah." Daryl says, something like humor underlying the tone of his voice. "So you're the ex." Todd frowns.
"And who are you exactly?" Todd demands. Eyeing the way Daryl's arm is slung so casually around Carol. "Carol's boyfriend?"
Daryl smirks. "Something like that." He says, winking down at Carol. Heat rushes to her face, turning her as red as a cherry, as the implication of what he's said hits her. "Well we're just leaving." He releases his hold on Carol only to grab something from the bar. "It was nice meeting you."
She grips his hand suddenly feeling like she's going to tip. Even as he balances her and flashes that devastating smile at Todd, she can't help but think what the fuck am I doing? She blinks a few times at the stranger but he's looking at Todd. When she looks over there is a distinct shade of red on Todd's face that Carol knows well. It signifies the start of him losing control of his temper. If the ugly shade of puce decorating his freckled cheeks is anything to go by then it's mere seconds away. Part of her drunken mind thinks it'd be a good idea to linger a bit longer just to see his cool completely slip. Another part tells her it wouldn't be a good idea. She doesn't know this man next to her but she can see with her own two eyes that's he's a type of man she's not been around before. Everything about him is like a predator – it makes her thighs clench.
"Put it on my tab." Daryl's voice is smooth and like an anchor as he call to the bartender, motioning to Carol. He walks her out the door before pulling his hand from her own.
She doesn't look over her shoulder when she hears her name being called. It's Todd but she ignores it. Maybe if he'd called out to her like that two months ago she would have turned but not now. Instead she blows out a breath regretting those last few shots. The cold air stings her cheeks and she sighs out a breath as they cool her over heated body.
"Why did you do that?" She asks before she can stop herself. Her word slurring slightly. He raises at her, all pretenses of charm gone.
"You and your friends-" the word said with derision, "were rather loudly discussing your pathetic love life." He says. "Right behind my chair."
Carol scowls at him. "My love life is not pathetic." Her voice is petulant but even she has to agree that it is rather sad. Even a complete stranger can see it.
"Remember, I've just met your ex. I'd hardly call him quality material."
"Excuse you!"
He shrugs looking completely unabashed.. "You have poor taste in men."
Her fist are clenched and she wants to punch him. "You met one -"
"Oh, are there more than just Todd?" He asks, sneering. "It hardly matters anyways. He was the most recent."
Carol takes a deep breath. Her mind is fuzzing over and her eyes blurred but she can still make out his stupid attractive face. That stupid, adorable – no no stupid – mole just by his lip. "Thank you for helping tonight. I'm sorry if I have in any way inconvenienced you." She says, though her words are even more slurred than before. "Good Night." She turns, intending to walk to her apartment – it's not at all that far from here – but she stumbles and almost falls into the street. She is saved only by a firm grip on her arm as a car blares its horn and blazes by.
"Maybe you should catch a cab." Daryl says.
"I'm fine."
He scoffs, "You don't sound fine. You don't look fine, either." He has yet to let go of her arm, but she's leaning against him now as if she can't stand on her own, so she doesn't think it's safe for him to let go quite yet. Her mind morbidly circles on how she'd almost just got hit and if he was to let go it'd fall in line with the rest of the day's events. He saved her though twice now so that was something.
"I'll be just...fine...swear it. I can walk." she mumbles.
Daryl rolls his eyes and hails a cab. Carol tries to argue but more slurring comes out. Followed quickly by drool.
"Alright here' a cab, in you go.' He says. She doesn't respond and he notices she's already asleep leaning against him. Face pressed into the leather of his jacket. He shakes her calling her name and gets no response. She's still breathing at least. He can tell by the faint snores she's letting out with every breath. He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose before pulling her into the cab with him.