A/N: this is a work of fanfiction, I only own Thea.

Wallflower

By Leah Pensotti

Daryl walked beside Thea around the walls of Alexandria. She didn't press for answers about his life prior to the apocalypse, but he knew she wanted to know about his scars.

He wasn't good at talking about himself, or verbalizing his thoughts or feelings. So, Thea had her work cut out for her with this endeavor. He knew that Rick would be open with her; tell her everything she wanted to know...maybe that was how he was going to get the girl?

Daryl still operated under the belief that Thea was going to choose Rick. Why wouldn't she? He was good looking, fearless...bold. Daryl was none of those things.

She told him a little bit about her life before; she wanted to teach and be a professor, she loved wine and hummingbird cake and she didn't go out too much...ever. Thea identified whole heartedly as a brainiac bookworm.

And he didn't mind that about her. In fact, he has kind of curious about the books she read. When he asked her she shrugged, "Well, you've picked out perfect ones so far...long, historical fiction novels."

If he was being honest, he chose the books thanks to the cover illustrations and length, he hadn't really bothered to find out what they were about. He was sure they were way over his head, anyway.

Thea looked unsure and shoved her hands into her pockets as they walked back to her house, and asked him, "So...uh...did you date much? Back in the old world?"

Daryl shook his head, no. He hadn't done much of anything that resembled it, actually. All of this was new.

Thea shrugged, "Me either. After Michael, the guy I dated my last year of college, I kinda decided I liked my own company. I guess things change."

He had to agree with that. All it took was someone like Thea to turn his world on his ear. He'd never found himself more interested in someone until he had first saw her.

So much stuff had happened before they had reached Alexandria. The prison, Merle, Beth, Terminus...all it took was for them to settle down and look around.

Somehow he and Rick ended up looking at the same girl.

Thea offered him a late lunch, and he took her up on it. He liked watching her, he liked that they didn't really even need to talk when they were together. Other people would force conversation in that situation, but Thea understood.

They sat and ate their oatmeal quietly, she had moved her stool to be closer to him. He would've usually been uncomfortable, but not with her. It felt natural. He liked being near her...and that was a new sensation for him.

As she cleared the dishes and put them in the sink, he took a gamble and stood behind her. Daryl's hands went to the fullness of her hips and he saw a ghost of a smile appear on her profile.

She liked it when he touched her.

Also a new sensation.

Thea turned around in his arms and flashed him that half smile, the one he had called catnip.

"So, I don't know if Denise will be coming home anytime soon...but I'd prefer it if she didn't walk in on us...anyway, I uh, would you want to go upstairs...to my room?"

Daryl looked a little surprised and she shook her head, "I thought we could just talk...nothing has to happen unless you want it to."

The thing was...he wanted it to, badly. But he knew he wasn't ready to explain his scars. He wasn't ready to tell her everything just yet...even though he thought she would understand...he didn't want to see the look of sadness in her face. He didn't want Thea to pity him.

His only response was to nod, and soon he was following her up the stairs. Her room was on the left and it was full of books; stacks upon stacks.

Thea smiled as she shut the door behind them, "I know. It's overwhelming. I'm a book hoarder. I was actually hoping to...make a library for the town. I know it's silly."

Daryl sat at the foot of her bed and shook his head, "Nah, it ain't."

She sat beside him, that knowing look on her face, and took his hand, her smooth and cool palm next to his dirty, rough one. He almost jerked away, but resisted. Men like him weren't supposed to be afforded the luxury of touching a woman like her.

"Wanna pick out a book? I can read some to you. Or does that sound silly?"

He noticed that she worried if most of her ideas were silly...and they weren't. Actually, he wouldn't mind her reading to him. He wouldn't mind her voice speaking just to him.

"You pick one out...I might fall asleep, though. Haven't slept much in a few days."

Thea smiled, "I don't mind. As long as you're comfortable."

She propped up the pillows on her bed and Daryl took off his boots and sat against the pillows as she looked for a book to read. Daryl enjoyed watching her hands go over the spines of the books, trying to find one he might like.

Thea smiled and pulled one from the stack, "Here! This is one that Reg gave to me. I read it when I was younger...you might like it. It's an adventure."

She held up a book and he read the title "The Three Musketeers." Daryl shrugged and watched as she climbed on the bed and propped herself up beside him. He had heard of it before, but never read it. He never had anyone read to him, really, not even his parents.

When she began to read in her clear, quiet voice, Daryl immediately felt at ease. He liked hearing about D'Artagnan, but felt himself drifting off. He barely heard her whisper his name sweetly before kissing his temple.

Daryl was out like a light. She hadn't even gotten through the first chapter. Even though she knew what kind of world they lived in; she still thought men of Daryl's import should sleep if he was watching walls and going on runs.

So she sat in bed beside him, reading a little bit ahead. She remembered getting this book at the library as a kid, wanting to escape her foster home. None of it was really that terrible. She just got bounced around a lot. She never got too attached to anyone of or anything...except for books. It was the thing she could rely on.

Thea wondered if she could really even rely on her own feelings. She could easily see herself with Daryl...and even though she felt Rick was out of her league, she could see herself with him, too.

She wasn't sure how much time there would be to explore her feelings...or when they would make a decision or make her choose. Thea saved her place in the book and studied his features.

They shared darkness. She wasn't sure if it was the best similarity, but it was a kinship nonetheless. He still had yet to tell her his story...or show his scars. Daryl had pushed her a bit, he was getting ready to walk away from her and give up...so she had blurted her secret out.

Thea didn't think pushing him was the right way. She thought he'd tell her in time...unless he walked away from all of this. From her and her split feelings.

She knew that some relationships shared...she just didn't know if Rick and Daryl, despite their brotherhood, would be able to do so.

And who was she fooling? She was dipping her toe into two ponds...she might not be able to do it, either.

As the sun set, and the world seemed quiet. Thea drifted off herself; all the thoughts pounding at her brain.

When she woke up, she was on her side. She rolled over gently to see Daryl looking at her curiously, "How long was I out?"

Thea smiled, "I don't know. What time is it now?"

She looked at the clock on the nightstand; it was a quarter of nine, "About four hours?"

Daryl shook his head, "That's more than I've slept in a while."

She moved closer to him and combed her fingers through his shaggy hair, "I really think you should get more sleep. You work so hard, you need your strength, you know."

Daryl nodded, "I try, but I never end up sleepin'. Always end up doin' somethin'. Even as a kid I didn't sleep good."

Thea smiled, "Well maybe I can just read to you. That seemed to do the trick."

He chuckled, "Maybe."

Before she knew it, his arm snaked around her and pulled her close to him. Thea looked up at his scruffy face and sleepy eyes and felt a pull at her heart. She wanted to be good for him. She didn't want to hurt him...but the path she was on had made her feel so unsure.

"I'm pretty sure ya can read a phone book and make it sound interestin'."

Thea laughed and soon his lips were on hers, his rough hand with a light touch cupped her cheek. She still couldn't get over how gentle he was as her hands moved from his chest, to his neck and finally in his hair.

As he kissed her, Thea felt his hands move from her hips, his fingertips grazing against the skin of her stomach under her shirt and upward, seeking out her breasts over her bra.

She giggled lowly, enjoying the teenage nature of the encounter. He was totally feeling her up.

He breathes heavily into her neck, and she felt his excitement at her hip, "Jesus Christ, girl. Ya feel so good."

Thea nodded and kissed him again, "So do you..."

She felt herself peel his vest off, and he rolled on top of her. One of Daryl's hands popped the top button on her jeans and then unzipped them a bit. He put his hand gently against her lower belly, one finger tracing the elastic of her panties.

Thea was going to explode from the buildup.

He wanted to rip all of her clothes off. Daryl wanted to see all of Thea Graham, but knew it would make her want to see all of him, too.

And he wasn't ready for that...yet.

But damn if she didn't feel warm and soft and welcoming.

Thea shivered a bit as he unbuttoned her jeans, and just as his fingers made the move under the elastic band of her panties...

He heard Denise call from downstairs, "Thea? Hey? You home?"

They broke apart quickly and Thea stood to zip up her pants. Daryl practically sprinted into her bathroom and waited quietly for her to answer Denise.

He wondered if he should take care of himself before he went back out...as if the situation wasn't awkward enough already.

Daryl heard Thea walk out and call to Denise as she went downstairs, "Sorry...I was napping."

He smiled at her white lie, wondering if her cheeks were flushed pink from their activities.

She came back upstairs after about fifteen minutes and knocked on the bathroom door, "Hey...she just came to pick something up...she's going to be moving into the clinic tomorrow...with Tara."

Daryl opened the door, and looked down at her. Thea wasn't outwardly upset, but she seemed off. Like living alone would be a challenge. Thea leaned against the doorframe, "So...where were we?"

He smiled a little, remembering her shivering at his touch and he cupped her face in his hands, "I think...I'm gonna head out. Maybe ya can read me some more tomorrow?"

Thea shook her head, "You don't want to stay?"

He did. He really, really did. But he knew if he stayed, he wouldn't be able to control himself, "That's the thing, Thea. I wanna stay more than anythin'."

She nodded, "Okay. Come see me tomorrow. We can pick up where we left off...I mean, in the book."

Daryl kissed her forehead gently, and her eyelashes fluttered.

Rick had tried to keep his mind off of Thea and his friend and whatever they maybe doing. Daryl had been honest enough to tell him that he wouldn't be able to stay away from Thea.

He patrolled and went to ask Olivia about the food stores. He checked in with Tobin about the construction team fortifying the walls and building a new watch tower. Rick Grimes had done all he knew to do.

What he really wanted to do was to go to Thea's and spend time with her. He hoped their morning meetings still stood, because he wanted to see her badly.

He watched her video again while he was up in the middle of the night with Judith; she looked scared...not feral like most of his group had when they met with Deanna for the first time.

Rick still wondered about her surgeries and what led to them; and he wondered if Daryl knew?He wondered if what Daryl and Thea shared somehow ran deeper than just his curious attraction to her and her quiet strength?

When dawn came, Rick found himself strapping on his holster and leaving to go to the gazebo. He was relieved when he saw Thea sitting there in the pink-orange of the morning, reading her book. She looked a little troubled; an expression he wasn't used to seeing on her face.

"Hey."

She looked up, her gray eyes were tired like she got little rest, and smiled sweetly, "Hey. I would've brought coffee...but you have the thermos."

Rick felt a smirk upon his lips, "Well, damn. I do."

He sat down beside her, one arm automatically pulling her close, "You look tired."

Thea smiled, "I could say the same for you...I have a lot on my mind, I'm sure you know the feeling."

He nodded, he did know. The three of them had found themselves in an odd situation, and it was clear that no one wanted to hurt the other...but no one wanted to step away either.

And none of them really knew how to proceed.

"I'd like it if you'd come for dinner tonight, maybe get to know Carl and Judith."

Thea looked surprised, "That, uh, sounds really nice...could we do it tomorrow, though? I, uh, have made plans for tonight."

Rick realized she was talking about Daryl. Jealousy reared it's head a bit and he remembered the agreement they had made in his kitchen. Not to stand in the others way.

"Uh, sure...I think Daryl and I might go on a run tomorrow...food stores are getting low...but after that sounds fine.

He saw her grimace a little and knew what she had to have been thinking; he and Daryl together alone and if she had made things awkward between them.

Thea changed the subject quickly, "Want to come to my house for coffee? Denise isn't coming until this afternoon to pick up the rest of her stuff."

He nodded and they both rose to walk, "Is she moving?"

"Yeah. She's moving into the clinic with Tara. She thinks it makes more sense in case someone needs her immediately."

Rick noticed the look on her face, "You'll miss her?"

Thea nodded, "Yeah. I will. We've lived together for a year. I've gotten used to hearing her around the house. Talking to her. Eating with her. It's going to be an adjustment. But I am happy for her, she and Tara are pretty adorable together."

Once at Thea's house, he sat at the kitchen island as she readied the coffee pot. He picked up her book from the counter and thumbed through it; it seemed pretty heady. Rick smiled though when he found the violet from the day before, pressed flat between the pages.

His sentimental side felt warmed by the fact Thea was toting it around almost everywhere she went.

When she set the mug of coffee before him, Thea asked, "Are you sure you want me to be around your kids?"

He shrugged, "I want you to get to know them. They're important to me...and you're becoming important to me. Besides, you already know Carl pretty well. It's just dinner."

Thea poured her own cup of coffee and nodded, "Alright."

Rick leaned back in his chair and smiled, "Do you like kids? I just assumed..."

Thea shrugged, "I've never really been around them, honestly. I baby sat in high school to make money...one of the foster homes I was in had two little ones, but I wasn't there long enough to bond with them."

"Did you ever want kids of your own?"

She froze and looked like she didn't know what to say, so she looked down at her coffee the way she looked at her hands in the video with Deanna.

"I can't. I had to have a hysterectomy about five years ago."

Rick automatically felt terrible and Thea waved it off, "It's just a fact of life now. But no, I never really thought about it anyway. I've always been a loner...until I came here. The apocalypse helps push you out of your shell, I guess."

He couldn't wait any longer and stood to bridge the go in between them. He wanted to know what she had gone through; even if it was painful and horrible. He wanted to know all about Althea Graham and wanted her to feel protected and safe.

Rick took the mug of coffee out of her hands and set it on the counter before taking her face in his hands and kissing her passionately. He erased, in one fell swoop, all of the coherent thoughts in her head.

He was so handsome, she still couldn't believe he had any interest in her.

Rick backed her into the living room and soon they were on the couch. He pulled at her t-shirt and within seconds, it was over her head and on the floor. She heard him inhale sharply, when he looked at her, "Christ, you're beautiful."

Thea felt herself blush as his fingers danced over her skin, and he trailed kisses from her ear to the place between her breasts.

Rick unbuttoned her jeans, and she realized he was more assertive than Daryl. His hand made it down her panties in seconds and soon she was writhing against him in pleasure.

She forgot how it felt to be touched so intimately...to be wanted. He was enjoying himself, a sly smile pulled at his lips as he teased her.

Thea moaned against his lips and Rick chuckled lightly, "I want you so bad, Thea."

She wanted him, too. She wanted to lose control, to feel every muscle against her...to feel him inside of her. She hadn't felt such a need in years.

Thea worked his belt buckle, her hand snaking beneath to return the favor. He was hard and thick in her hand.

She was going to lose her tether, fall completely into the abyss of desire.

Soon, they were both spent on the couch, Rick's head against her breast. Thea put her arms around him, her hands playing at the curls in his hair. He mumbled against her skin, "I don't know if I can hold myself back around you anymore. The time we spend together...I'm just going to want more."

Thea sighed, knowing what he said was true from her end as well. She had a primal connection with Rick; all fire and want. While her connection with Daryl had darkness and soul.

She finally admitted to herself that she wanted them both.

A/N: Next up...Thea and Daryl get closer and then Daryl and Rick go on a supply run; both wondering what the other one has done with Thea. Tensions arise.

Thank you guys so much for all the love :) I have to say I'm REALLY worried about Daryl on the show, and I'm hoping to flesh out Denise, now that we know her fate. It made me sad. She was very relatable and nuanced.

Super Special Shout Outs to: CLTex, Angelicedg, Hawkgirl, enchantmentanjel, Jemstone6259, Celia Azul (thank you so much for all the love and sharing your story! I may have a few questions for you ;), Guest and Fire-heart.

I have two other on going fics that are non-Walker AUs...one for Daryl (The Redhead and the Redneck) and one for Rick (Simple Twists of Fate). I would love it if you checked them out :)

Thanks and Love,

Leah P!

xoxo