Seven

It happened out of nowhere. They were in the kitchen, and Carol was wiping down the table after their meal. Rick had retired to put Judith to bed, while Carl and Michonne were engaged in a serious debate about some comic book character that neither Daryl nor Carol had ever heard of. Eventually, the debate had become so heated that they'd taken it outside on the porch to duke it out. Loser was definitely getting laundry duty for the next two weeks.

Daryl was leaning against the counter, hands shoved in his pockets as he watched her work. He'd just put the last dish away, and he was waiting on her to finish. Why? He wasn't sure. He just liked to linger and wait for her so they could go on their nightly patrol around the block. Really, there was no need for it, but it was an excuse for both of them to just get out of the house for some fresh air.

"I swear, Judith gets more food on the table and floor that she does in her mouth," Carol chuckled, turning and tossing the rag into the sink. Daryl made some sort of huffing, chuckling noise that strangled in the back of this throat, and Carol narrowed her eyes briefly at him before grinning and moving to grab the towel to dry the table off with.

It was when she reached around him to get it, his hand darted out, brushing over her arm. She froze, leaning around him, hand on the counter, eyes gazing up into his. Her breath caught just as he leaned down, pressing his lips against hers in the softest kiss she'd ever experienced. And just as quickly as it happened, it was over, and he stood frozen against the counter. Her hand slipped against the surface, and she nearly fell into him. He pulled his hands around her waist, steadying her.

"Ok?"

"Ok," she said with a little nod, her lips curling into a bashful grin as Daryl's fingers lingered against her waist. He let go of her and swallowed hard, the awkward tension becoming so thick he couldn't breathe. Finally, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his, lingering there for a few moments before she pulled away and turned to walk out of the room.

He let out a slow breath, his heart pounding so hard he could feel it in his ears. He gripped the counter with his hands, leaning back against his, resting the back of his head against a cabinet. With a little nod, he whispered to nobody in particular, "ok."