A passes after you lay in that bed with Daryl Dixon. Not too much has changed, and not much will change. Daryl was Daryl, set in his ways. He was still an excellent hunter and tracker, still not too well liked by half of the group.
However, one thing does change. One thing changes for the good.
"Hungry?" You peek into Daryl's tent to see him trying to read the book Andrea brought him a few days ago. He would occasionally pick it up only to put it right back down after five minutes of reading the same three words over and over again. "Carol and Lori are making soup."
Daryl shifts his eyes from the page and looks at you, a small smile coming to his lips. "Naw. C'mere." He wiggles his fingers and shuts his book, setting it aside for the time being.
You don't hesitate. There's this understanding between both of you. He wants nothing more than to have someone there for him, to hold, to assure him the world wasn't completely lost. You zip the tent close and sit on the floor.
"You sure? When was the last time you've eaten?" You question him.
He lifts himself up best he could and leans against you, pressing the back of his head against your breasts for support. He grabs both of your hands and pulls them around himself, giving him a sense of security. "This mornin'."
"I see." You smile and let him play with your fingers as the day goes on.
–
Dark fell before either of you knew it. Daryl fell asleep a couple of times, whimpering about his side hurting. He wouldn't have told anyone else, just you. You were the only one he felt safe around. You will never make fun of him for it.
"Daryl? Y/N, we have eggs." Carl's tiny voice can be heard outside of the tent.
"Thanks, Carl." You kiss the top of Daryl's head before he scoots off you, trying his best to sit up without any help. "Want any?"
There was a small pause before Daryl nods his head. "Please."
With a smile on your face, you crawl out of the tent and make your way over to the fire. Everyone else was sitting around, chatting, having a good time. They all stop when they see you.
"She emerges." Shane barks out a laugh, rubbing his hands on his thighs.
"I seem to be the only one that wants to take care of him." You claim as you grab a plate and fix it up for the two of you.
"That's not true." Carol looks up from the book she was attempting to read and eat her eggs at the same time. "I would."
"You seem rather close to him." Rick shrugs a shoulder. He leans against a post and crosses his arms over his chest. His sheriff badge was shining in the light of the fire.
Retrieving a fork from the set Hershel gave the group, you then turn around toward Daryl's tent. "I gave him a chance."