Chapter 26

By the time night came around, everyone had slowly began to go to bed, Dale taking his place on the top of the RV for the first shift of the night watch however Eleanor stayed at the campfire, settling on the ground to be closer so she could listen to the quiet crackling of the fire and watch the flames dance, allowing them to hypnotize her into deep thought that she didn't even notice that Daryl had joined her on the ground, leaning his arms across his knees as he began to watch the flames with her.

It wasn't until she felt his burning gaze on her that she drifted back into reality and turned to face him with a playful smile; it was certainly unusual for him to be this forward with her out in the middle of camp, even though no one was around. She stared into his piercing blue eyes, watching him trace them over her face; there was a definite calmness about him tonight that she wasn't use too.

Eleanor peered around the camp, glancing up at Dale on the top of the RV whose back was turned to them before she scooted up closer to Daryl. She turned her gaze back to the fire, holding her hands up to its warmth as a quiet conversation rose between them, mainly covering their lives before the outbreak.

She could still feel Daryl's gaze on her as she talked about her family. Eleanor's upbringing consisted mainly of constant shouting and arguments between her parents. Her mum was always a spiteful and selfish person, the only reason Eleanor was born being an accident which she seemed to always have to remind her of. Telling her how different her life would be if she were never born, how it was her fault they didn't have a nice house or expensive things. It's horrible to think that one of the happiest days of her childhood was when her parents announced their divorce and she made the decision to live with her dad.

However, Eleanor always suffered from the bitter aftertaste of betrayal regardless of the way her mother treated her that she wanted nothing more but her acceptance. Nevertheless her life had changed after the divorce, living with her dad was like living with your best friend, there were no rules, no order, he allowed her to do whatever she wanted and supported her all the way knowing that she'd suffered the restraints from her mother like he did but Eleanor never took advantage of this. Everything he did or more so everything he didn't do was for her, he allowed her to experience the world and enjoy the freedom and adventures of it by herself.

Eleanor sniffed, feeling her eyes start to water at the memory of her dad, "Oh God, I'm getting emotional again" She whispered letting out a quiet titter, "I'm such a downer, sorry."

Daryl nodded, giving her an awkward yet gently pat on her back before he began telling Eleanor a few stories of his upbringing leaving out the more graphic details, his eyes fixed away from her as he told the stories of the abuse his childhood consisted of.

His entire body tensed as he talked his voice rigid and tentative as he still felt unsure whether he should share this part of him with her. But he continued anyway, she was always so open with him and he was trying so hard to be the same, although he was certainly struggling.

Eleanor kept her eyes on the fire, wanting to keep them away from Daryl to hide the sadness she felt at the stories he told, she knew the last thing he'd want was pity but what he was telling her broke her heart, that he had to go through all that suffering.

It wasn't long before Daryl went quiet; having told everything he wanted to share and he hung his head. He'd spent so many years trying to forget, to move on and be strong but he needed to share this with her, he didn't understand why but he knew she'd understand and she wouldn't be the type to judge him and try to play saviour.

Eleanor lingered on every word he had said, suddenly feeling that her childhood was nothing to complain about. He was so strong and now he'd made so much more sense to her, she understood why he was so distant towards people and why her company always seemed to make him tense.

Eleanor placed her hand on his arm giving it a gentle squeeze, there was so much she wanted to say to him, that she appreciated him being this open but instead she remained quiet, simply resting her head against his arm. He knows, she thought. She didn't need to say a single word; he just needed her to listen.

Daryl glanced down at Eleanor, letting out a small sigh of relief feeling that he'd gotten so much of his chest and he began to relax, the corners of his mouth perking into a timid smile.

"What's yer favourite colour?" He hushed, returning his eyes back to the fire.

Eleanor let out a snort at his cheesy attempt to lighten the mood but it sure worked, "…Purple" She whispered back, gently pushing herself away him and glancing up to meet his eyes, "What's yours?" She asked with a smirk, raising a brow at him playfully.

"Red, I guess" He replied and Eleanor let out a chuckle causing his smile to widen as they continued to chat into the night, quietly talking and laughing together as the walls between them finally began to fall down, truly getting to know the person who'd spent so much time on their minds.

They'd managed to spend the next couple of hours in front of the campfire, losing track of time as they fell into deep conversation that it wasn't until Dale came down from the RV to wake up Rick for the next night shift that they realised just how long they'd been talking for.

Dale gave them a friendly smile as he passed them, for once not saying a word which both Eleanor and Daryl were thankful for. Daryl stood up from his place on the ground, holding his hand out for Eleanor to help her up. She'd actually been surprised by this sweet action, it making her smile and she took hold of his hand as he gently pulled her to her feet. Daryl had put out the campfire then, Eleanor saying a quick goodnight to Dale along with Rick who'd just left his tent before her and Daryl walked back in silence over to where there tents stood next to each other.

For the first time that night the butterflies returned to Eleanor at what would happen when they reached their tents and whether she should go into his or if he would go into hers or if they would both part ways for the night. She wanted to be with him, keep continuing with whatever it was that they were doing, the last few hours she spent getting to know him confirmed that this wasn't just a simple crush she was experiencing, that this was something special, even though she had nothing to compare it too.

The sexually frustrated 18 year old virgin part of her wanted to simply through herself at him, letting raw instinct drive her actions… however the other part in Eleanor, the part that had always kept her away from boys in the first place was completely terrified at taking that next step, especially with someone like Daryl. She felt how quickly her own body reacted when they kissed and right then she had wanted him, the struggle she felt to pull away from that it and regain control, not allowing it to fall into something more was hard enough.

Unknown to Eleanor, Daryl felt the same nervousness as they approached the tents. Whatever was going on between them had changed the exact moment their lips touched, his perception of her changing that night as his mind became corrupted with sensual thoughts about her and it made him feel guilty. Before she was this innocent young woman who he wanted to protect and simply hold close and care for her and now he couldn't stop these polluted thoughts from entering his mind. She ain't like that, he thought, she's pure. And hell would sooner freeze over before someone like him would take that from her.

They came to a stop as they approached the tents both anticipating what the other would do. Eleanor wanted to go with him; she'd made up her mind but just so she could sleep in his arms, close together like they had done the last couple of nights. They'd only kissed, just a small, gently one and she felt silly for suddenly skipping her mind straight towards the prospect of sex. It didn't have to happen if she didn't want it too, and she knew that Daryl would wait if she needed him too and more importantly he'd understand. He didn't pull her closer when she broke from their kiss and he didn't make a move on her to push it further. She was new to all of this and she didn't want to rush anything, to start some kind of a romantic relationship during what seemed to be an apocalypse was risky and even stupid to do however she had feelings towards Daryl and she wasn't going to give up on him because of what if's. It'll come naturally, don't worry, her mind told her as she turned towards Daryl.

"I guess I'll see yer tomorrow then" Daryl mumbled, his eyes fixed to his shoes and he swayed in his place slightly.

Eleanor nodded and as Daryl glanced up towards her she gave him a reassuring smile before saying goodnight and they parted ways, each ducking into their own tents for the night left to process their own thoughts of the evening and to the future of what was to come.