*** Authors note: So... of course I write a story about somebody breaking ribs then fate jumps right in, in the form of an EPIC face-plant (seriously... the kind that you wish were recorded so you could at least painfully laugh at your own injury) no time to put my hands out so 4 broken ribs and a bruised nose and I finally will be updating! Considering I have 4-6 weeks to heal... :(
P.S: not excusing my lack of updates (I suck) but I thought I'd share my ironic injury story: D If it didn't hurt like a "Lori", I'd be laughing along with you.
Also! NEXT CHAPTER WILL HAVE SEXUALITY IN IT! If that makes you uncomfortable OR you are under age: SKIP TO CHAPER 13! (it will still make sense)
The sun had begun to set when Daryl and Hershel finally exited the shed. They bore exhausted expressions as they made their way across the lawn and towards the porch. Carol and Lori sat at a table staring out at the fields; two mugs filled with tea sat, untouched at their side. Maggie and Beth noticed the men first from their resting place on the steps.
Carol stood, striding nervously to meet Daryl and the Vet part way. Daryl's face was unreadable at first and for a split second she felt the tendrils of fear tightening around her heart. She fumbled over words in her head and her eyes betrayed her panic.
"Is he okay?" Carol jumped at the voice and turned to see Carl—hands fiddling with the sheriff's hat in his hands. She locked eyes with Daryl and noticed a reassuring smile grace his lips just moments before Hershel finally spoke.
"The procedure was a success," she let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding and she could hear Lori whisper a 'thank goodness.' "We will have to monitor him though; he must stay rested in order for him to heal..." as Hershel continued to explain, Carol's focus drifted to the man to his left.
The slight smile on Daryl's lips faltered for a moment when he met Carol's glance. Instead his eyes held something more than relief. Beyond the relief, they held longing. His eyes remained guarded but he allowed another reassuring smile to tug at the corners of his lips. She returned the favor.
In that moment what she saw in his eyes sent a very real shiver up her spine. Without speaking Daryl gestured towards his tent. Her head bowed in a subtle nod and she glanced around at all the others, still listening to Hershel.
She fell in step with Daryl and they quietly made their way towards his tent. As they walked past the shed she caught a glance of Norman. He lay still as Patricia gently wrapped a thick layer of gauze around his leg covering the angry red stitches. She slowed to a stop just past the door. Relief mixed with pity for the injured dog, and she drew in a breath.
She felt the man go still beside her and then the warmth of his breath as he turned to face her. In her peripheral vision she could see his grey-green eyes trace the planes of her face as he studied her expression.
"He's gonna be jus' fine" Daryl's voice was soft, offset somewhat by his rough southern drawl. She nodded once again subconsciously, her eyes still trained on the doors of the shed. She could no longer see inside but she couldn't seem to look away. "Carol..."
The sound of her name being called drew her back and she slowly looked to the man standing ahead of her. His eyes held a tenderness she had never seen focused on her before. She had seen the look many time, it graced Rick's face each time he saw Lori. Ed had never looked at her like that, hell, nobody had.
She felt his hand brush hers and as she was broken out of her trance.
She met his concerned glance with one of longing as she slipped her hand into his and their fingers entwined. She welcomed the fluttering in her ribcage and yet another smile stretched her lips.
"C'mon then..." Daryl's voice was barely a murmur but she felt it in her bones making her knees weak and she tightened her hold on his hand. With one last glance at the shed—and with Daryl at her side—Carol eagerly continued towards his tent.