After a full day of card games and easy chatting Carol was very glad Douglas had approved her taking Daryl up to the guard tower the next day. There was only so much Gin Rummy you could play. Even mixing in a little Crazy Eights and Speed didn't help much. Carol had stepped out for a few minutes to speak with Douglas about her plan and returned to Daryl with supper and the good news.
"I can't get used to eating three meals," Carol sighed, feeling full even though she hadn't finished her small portion. She pushed it over to Daryl to finish.
"You sure?" he asked, looking up at her. "You need to eat, you're getting too skinny." Carol smiled. She wasn't sure how to take his comment but decided it was likely his awkward way of complimenting her, in that he actually noticed her physical appearance. "I, Uh, just meant we have all lost a lot of weight and you didn't really have much ta lose to start..." Daryl added, fumbling through his words. "Oh fuck, I mean, you looked fine before..." Carol continued to smile as his face burned hot. "And you're fine now... Not just fine... Oh for fuck sakes," Daryl grumbled, shoving a bite of food in his mouth to stop the train wreck. Carol continued to study him with her tight lipped smile as Daryl avoided eye contact and shoveled the rest of her supper into his mouth.
When Daryl was finished chewing he took a long drink of water before finally looking at her. "You look amazing," he said quietly. "You always have." His words came out so genuine and touching that Carol sucked in a breath to hold back the tears. And then she acted on impulse once again. She walked around to his side of the bed, took a seat beside him, cupped his face in her hands and placed a long, lingering kiss on his lips. Daryl didn't exactly kiss her back, not at first, but he made no move to pull back or stop her. Carol took that as a good sign and let the kiss continue longer than she had intended. When she felt Daryl's hand touch the small of her back Carol gasped, her mouth opening slightly to allow the noise to escape. Before her mind was fully aware of what she was doing her tongue was out, licking at his lips. And when Daryl instinctively opened his own mouth she slipped her tongue inside, finding his there waiting, exploring and tasting him.
This kiss was something she had dreamed about for a long time. As much as she wanted to take it further, even deeper, and beyond, Carol knew she had to be slow and careful with him until he fully committed to his feelings. It had to be just the right amount of push or she would lose him, kind of like adding weights to balance a scale - too much and it would tip. Carol forced herself to retreat, then looked him in the eye to make sure she didn't see any wild panic. He was fine so she spoke, "thank you."
"For what?" Daryl replied, looking slightly stunned and rather boyish.
Carol chuckled, "For saying I look amazing."
"Oh right," he said, a tiny smile appearing.
Before things had a chance to get uncomfortable Carol stood and started to wander the room. "Have you looked in any of these drawers?" she asked, pulling open the top dresser drawer. There wasn't much, a couple towels and fresh sheets.
"Nah, haven't looked in any of em," Daryl replied as she opened the second and third drawers to find them empty. "Figured they probably looted these places and emptied them all out anyway."
She figured he was likely right yet still opened the bottom drawer to find it cleared. As she went to shut it she heard a clunk. Something had fallen in behind. She pulled the drawer all the way out and bent down to look. Carol reached in and grabbed the item. "Wow, I didn't even own one of these before the apocalypse." She displayed an iPhone and charger in great condition. "I'm plugging it in," she whispered, as if someone would hear and catch her. "This is way nicer than my Motorola flip phone," Carol laughed.
"Oh God, was it pink?" Daryl teased.
Carol gave him a sheepish grin. "Sophia picked it out."
"Are you saying you wouldn't have picked pink?" Daryl smirked at her.
"Oh look, it's turning on," Carol deflected answering. "Oh... Wow... I'm gonna take a wild stab and say this was likely a guys phone..." Carol muttered, looking at a photo of Jennifer Anniston wearing nothing but a strategically placed tie.
She flipped the phone in Daryl's direction. "Hmm," he said, grinning like an idiot. "Don't be so sure, I bet Tara would like that photo as much as any guy out there."
"True," Carol replied. "I suppose if I had a girl crush she wouldn't be such a bad choice." They looked at each other and laughed. Carol was enjoying the feeling of openness between them, even after a kiss that could have made things very awkward, yet didn't.
Carol slid her finger across the bottom to unlock the phone. She stared at the unfamiliar icons on the screen. Some little boxes appeared to contain even more apps but she scanned until she found the only one she was really looking for - music. "Want to listen to music?" Carol asked.
"Do I have a choice?" He replied.
"Nope," Carol said with a laugh. "But you can help me choose what to turn on." She started to scroll and was happy to see there were a lot of songs and a huge variety. "What do you like to listen to?"
"Never really got to decide," Daryl shrugged. "My old man listened to that real twangy Country shit that makes you want to drink and cry. Merle was more into classic rock and 80s bands - Queen, Journey, even Heart," Daryl smiled, looking wistful.
"But what about you? What did you like?" Carol pushed him.
"I don't know..."
"Come on, tell me," Carol prodded.
"Promise you won't laugh?" Daryl said, looking serious.
"Hey, I listened to the Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys and it wasn't really because of Sophia," Carol admitted. "I promise I won't laugh. Unless you say Barry Manilow. Then I might laugh..."
Daryl smiled at her joke. "I used to think Bon Jovi was the best band ever. Wanted to be Jon Bon Jovi." He was blushing after the admission but Carol was excited.
"Holy crap, favourite song?" Carol gushed. "I love Bon Jovi. Why have we never talked about music before?"
"Livin on a Prayer," Daryl answered instantly. "You?"
"Bed of Roses," Carol said with a grin. "A close second is Someday I'll be Saturday Night," she added.
"You're definitely Saturday night now," Daryl replied, looking into her eyes. Carol truly appreciated that he knew the lyrics of the song and why it meant something to her.
"Well, none of our favourites are on here, but there are a few Bon Jovi songs." Carol selected Wanted Dead or Alive and hit play.
She sang along to every word, occasionally glancing at Daryl who was watching her with an amused look, absentmindedly mouthing a line or two every once in a while. It was a sweet and carefree moment, one that Carol knew was even more special because she was sharing it with Daryl. He didn't often let his tough guy exterior down and let loose. But he smiled and laughed more that night than she had ever seen him do in over 2 years.
"I think Maggie and Glenn are home, shut it off," Daryl hissed.
"Too late, you're busted," Maggie said from the doorway. "Whatcha got?"
Carol showed her the phone as Glenn entered the room too. It wasn't long before the three of them had the phone turned up to max and were dancing around to some hip hop song Carol had never heard but Glenn knew every word.
She plopped onto the bed beside Daryl when it was over, breathless and happy, so incredibly happy. Carol couldn't remember a time she had that much fun with friends. It seemed absolutely crazy that there were zombies roaming the earth outside the gates, while she danced, talked and laughed with people she loved more than life itself.
"Come on," Maggie said, taking Glenn's hand. "Let's go." She gave Carol a knowing look and Carol wondered if Maggie knew they had been sleeping in the same room since they all moved into the house.
"But I want to dance more," Glenn whined. "I haven't even showed you all my best moves yet."
"Believe me, I have seen all your moves and Carol and Daryl will thank me for sparing them," Maggie joked, tugging Glenn to the door. "Night y'all," she said, sweetly, closing the door that had been open when they came in.
"Are you changing for bed?" Daryl asked, breaking the loud silence Glenn and Maggie's departure had left.
Carol was surprised by his question and felt a smile playing on her lips. Maybe she was finally getting somewhere… "Do you want me to change for bed?" she asked, hoping he might actually flirt back.
"If you want," Daryl said, looking away. "You said it was comfortable, you should be comfortable." Carol bit her lip. Yep, that was a full on Daryl Dixon flirt and she couldn't have been happier.
"Okay, close your eyes," Carol said, pulling the nightie out of the nightstand drawer. She changed quickly. "Done," she said when she was finished. She watched his eyes flick to her body as he attempted to look at her, without her noticing. Carol stretched and yawned, twisting her body casually as she did, giving Daryl a full view. "How's the knee feeling?" she asked, pulling back the sheets to get into bed.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, my knee… feels alright, until I move it," Daryl replied, wiggling his leg and wincing.
"Here, let's get you set up," Carol said, climbing across the mattress to help him lay back to sleep. She bent over reaching behind him to prop the pillow. She hadn't meant to give him a full view down the front of her nightgown, but she wished she'd been smart enough to think of it because her tits had his full attention. Just feeling his eyes on her flesh was enough to send heat rushing through her body and start an ache for his touch. Their lips weren't all that far apart, she could kiss him again… Carol wanted to kiss him again, but couldn't decide if it was too soon… Daryl looked up while she was still deciding and the look she saw in his eyes made the decision for her.
Carol pulled the nightie high enough to slip a leg across his waist and straddle him, not breaking eye contact for a second as she moved into position. Her heart was pounding so hard in her chest it was making her dizzy. As she settled down on him Carol could feel his erection through the sheets and his boxers. It was making her crazy and she wanted to grind on him, so badly, but she kept still, thinking of both his sore knee and of course, being cautious with him. She drifted her eyes from Daryl's down to his lips and moved slowly towards them. With only an inch or so to go he came up to meet her eagerly. This kiss was different than the first. It was hungry and passionate. It was the kind of kiss that usually developed into so much more. Carol enjoyed every second of how he tasted and the warmth of his mouth, his slick aggressive tongue and the way he groaned into her mouth whenever she took control from him. Carol felt him thrust his hips up, pressing his hard dick into the area it was resting against between her legs. She felt a rush and knew her panties were likely wet with moisture. "I miss going down on a woman… going down on a woman… going down on a woman…" His words played over and over in her head making her want to get rid of her underwear and move her pussy to his face. Daryl thrust again and she realized he wanted her just as much as she wanted him. They could… "Ow, fuck…" Daryl hissed, ending the kiss and snapping her out of the trance she was in.
Carol slid off him quickly, "I'm sorry, are you okay?"
"Yeah, wasn't you… just moved a bit too much," Daryl grumbled. They both knew the spell was broken, and at least for that moment they would be left wondering what could have been. In fact, Carol knew she would likely wonder all night, while she tried to sleep and in her dreams.
Carol lay beside him, trying to calm her racing heart and raging hormones. "Daryl?" she said, not looking at him. "I, uh, I think maybe we have some things to talk about… tomorrow?" It came out as a question. She didn't want to force him into anything he wasn't ready for.
"Yeah…" his reply was slow. "I think you're probably right."
