The necklace was beautiful. The gold sparkled in the dim light of their lantern but it was the jasper that caught Carol's attention. It was a gorgeous shade of green, smooth and polished, and there was just something about the stone that drew her in and made her feel calm just by looking at it.
Carol reached out and Daryl let her take the necklace from him. She placed the stone in her hand and examined it closer. "This is what you were getting in the jewelry store?" She looked up at him and smiled. "This is what you wouldn't tell me about? What was in your pants?" Carol started to connect the dots.
"Sort of," Daryl replied. He reached into the drawer again and pulled out the amethyst. "This is what was originally on the necklace. I swapped it for the jasper. Found it on a run."
"It's beautiful," Carol said, turning it over in her hand, still drawn to the stone. "Who is it for?"
Daryl motioned for her to give it back. "Turn around," he said. She did as she was told, staying crouched down. He put the necklace around her neck and a few seconds later it was done up. Carol looked down and touched the jasper pendent lightly. No one, in her entire life had ever given her something like that, something so special and so perfect. Carol turned around slowly, "Really?" she asked, still in disbelief that it was for her. Not that she could think of anyone else he would have been giving it to. He had brought her things back before but they were usually practical gifts, things she needed or small luxuries like new shampoo, but never anything like the necklace.
Daryl nodded. "When I found the jasper I knew I had to give it to you. jasper is known as the protection stone." Carol's mind drifted back to a few of the times she had been in a lot of danger, like when Hershel's farm was attacked, or when Daryl had found her after T-Dog saved her, or the time the governor attacked and Axel had died. "I'm just not sure when those nine lives are gonna run out," he shrugged, "couldn't hurt right?" Carol touched the stone again and smiled. "It's green jasper too, which can help with your bad dreams," he continued. "Maybe you'll have some good dreams... About Sophia," he added gently.
Carol couldn't help herself, she needed to touch him. She leaned in and gave him a hug, and whispered in his ear, "thank you.". Daryl hugged her back and for the first time in her life she felt safe in a man's embrace. There had been times she had felt comfort like when Daryl didn't return to the prison and Rick had held her. But this was the first time she had ever felt perfectly and completely safe.
When Carol released him and sat up she fought off a yawn but Daryl noticed. It was contagious and he yawned as well. Carol laughed. "Bed time?" Daryl nodded and lifted the blankets, letting her know that he hadn't changed his mind, he wanted her in his bed. She carefully climbed over his leg and slipped in beside him. Once she was comfortable Carol pulled the blanket back over them and she sighed. He was so toasty warm and he smelled great. It wasn't a soapy scent or the smell of his deodorant, it was just him, his own scent, like the smell left on men's shirts that makes girls want to steal them.
Carol touched the jasper one last time and closed her eyes. "Night," she said softly, falling asleep instantly.
1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1
Daryl lay still, listening to Carol breathing. He thought about all the times he had made fun of the romantic moments he had seen others share and realized that before long he might be on the other end of the teasing. He had never been the type to display his affection, especially not in public. But the way he was feeling, with Carol laying in his arms, he knew he would do pretty much anything she wanted, in public or not.
The scary part was, she was unpredictable. She loved to tease him and make him blush. Daryl never knew what was going to come out of her mouth. She was cute, funny, feisty, and incredibly stubborn. It was going to be interesting to say the least.
Carol sighed again, this time in her sleep and Daryl felt a stirring in his loins. Yes, there was no denying how badly he wanted her. Waiting for the right time was going to kill him. Maybe it would be soon... Maybe it wouldn't. He had no idea when the right time was going to be, but he had to trust he would know it when it arrived. Was it going to be a moment of lust neither of them could fight? Or would it be planned?
Daryl had so many questions. What was it going to be like? Would she be shy and timid? Or wild and crazy? How amazing was it going to feel with her bare skin against his? What was that ass going to feel like in his hands? Those amazing tits? They weren't huge, and he was okay with that. What would it feel like to take one of her nipples in his mouth? What sounds would she make when he sucked on it? He was already completely aroused so Daryl continued with the list of questions. Would she suck his cock? Would she let him lick her pussy? What would her face look like when he entered her? Would she be wet with desire? Tight? Would she be quiet when he fucked her? Or cry out? Would he make her climax? Once? Maybe twice?
Carol shifted again and Daryl snapped back to reality. She was rolling over. When she had made herself comfortable again her head was tucked into his arm pit, with her cheek resting on his bicep. Her back was snuggled up against his side and her butt was tucked up against his hip. He wished he could have rolled slightly and pressed himself against that ass. It was probably best though because he was pretty sure he would have prematurely ejaculated like a teenager, right in his underwear. It was still a possibility if he didn't shut off his brain and get to sleep.
Daryl closed his eyes and thought about stabbing walkers in the head. Before long he was asleep too.
When Daryl woke the next morning he quickly noticed that Carol was not in bed beside him. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and realized she was sitting on her bed watching him, her usual mug of coffee in hand. She had already changed clothes as well. "How'd she get out without waking me?" he wondered.
"You were really tired," she said as if she had heard him. "I snuck out about an hour ago and left you snoring."
"I don't snore," Daryl joked.
Carol laughed, "Yes you do."
She held up her mug. "Did you wa..." Before she could get the words out they heard a gun shot. It came from outside but they both knew exactly what it was.
Carol put a hand in her hip where she normally kept her knife and looked at Daryl, eyes wide. "Gun?" she asked.
"Bottom drawer," he pointed. Carol opened it and grabbed the gun. She quickly checked the magazine to make sure it was fully loaded.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," she said as she took off running.
Daryl's heart was pounding and he was angry. "I should be out there too," he thought, pounding a fist into the mattress.
Before he could get even more angry Carol reappeared holding Judith. "Rick said he needs everyone." Carol placed Judith in Daryl's arms and set a bottle down on the nightstand. "Gotta go!"
"What's going on?" he yelled after her.
"Don't know," she called back over her shoulder. And she was gone.
Daryl looked down at the baby, who was smiling up at him. "Hey Lil Asskicker," he said. "Looks like it's just you and me."
Judith cooed and tried to grab his nose.
