Eve ripped the door open and a short scream burst from Maggie's throat.

She launched herself backwards slamming her back into Glenn's chest, and Eve watched with a grin as they tumbled over.

Neither even saw her face before they were up and flying down the wide wooden staircase like they were fleeing their own shadows.

Daryl shook his head, laughing under his breath, despite himself. It was just so stupid and so, so… teenage.

That's the kind of crap your high school buddies do when they find out you've got a crush and set you up to be alone with them.

Glenn & Eve were made to be best friends, and it seems Maggie's fallen victim to their ways at last. It was only a matter of time.

Daryl smiled, looking at Eve standing there watching them run, all triumphant. She's like a big sister scaring her younger siblings. It reminds him of Merle. But you know, less of a prick and prettier eyes though he's sure Merle would object if he ever heard 'im say that.

Eve snickered as she listened to Maggie & Glenn getting scolded downstairs for screaming again. One false alarm a night is enough. Although hearing someone say Eve was gonna get scolded as soon as she came downstairs too, it gave new incentive to stay here in this awkward situation, for as long as possible. Maybe "fall asleep".

She shut the door slower than necessary, as if someone would come bolting up the stairs like a horror movie monster the moment they knew the door had been open. As soon as she turned around though, she blinked.

Daryl raised an eyebrow in question. "What?"

Eve blinked again. "It's dark in here."

The room seemed bright enough before she opened the door and saw the light in the living room downstairs where they've probably got a fire going in a trash bucket or something; maybe candles. Candles are more likely.

Eve's ear twitched when she heard a breathy sound as she waved her arms around, trying to make her way back to the window. "So are we done talking or…? Is there something else you wanna talk about?"

Eve made it back to the window without tripping (a miracle) and Daryl grumbled, "Nah, you?"

Eve shook her head. "So just to clarify, we're gonna stick to the vanilla stuff until further notice."

"Yeah. Guess so." Daryl chewed his thumbnail, staring out the window.

Eve's eyes finally readjusted to the dark as she gazed out the window and a comfortable welcome silence descended between like a sleepy fog. Daryl took a little longer to process everything than Eve, but Eve took longer to settle after spending so long being hyper aware of everything.

Somehow she thought it would feel different. I mean, it's only been a few minutes, but the companionable silence feels the same as ever.

Quiet and calm. A feeling of safety and the return of silent understanding after clearing up this mess.

Part of her is a little concerned about how this is going to change things. Or if it'll change anything at all.

She hasn't been of two minds like this in a long time.

Part of her actually does want something to change, the other part of her doesn't. One part thinks that even with their 'vanilla' restriction something will change that they can't go back from. Another part of her is all happy-go-lucky saying it'll be fine, like some surfer dude telling her to chill and just go with the flow.

One thing's for sure though. She has a fuzzy warm feeling in her stomach, like the same vibe you get from hanging out with your best friend, but more… fluttery. Like that feeling you get standing on the edge of a diving board, ready to jump, or when your favorite part of your favorite movie is about to happen.

Eve's POV

Rick wasn't kidding about no more democracy in the group. It's become more like a monarchy. Rick's the leader, Lori's obviously pregnant now, and Carl's the prodigal son.

Hershel's the adviser, Daryl's become something like the captain of the guard, Glenn & Maggie scouts, etc. Everyone's finding their place within the ranks and where they pull their weight.

I know I have one, I just… can't figure out what it is.

Sometimes I feel like an adviser, sometimes I feel like court jester, other times scout, sometimes like a personal guard for Carl and Lori.

I hate to say it, but I've been taking Lori's safety and condition a lot more seriously than her husband.

My eyes followed Rick as he leaned over the map we've set up on the dining room table. The dining room's become sort of our planning/meeting/discussion area.

The living room is where most of our supplies are and the communal space, as well as most of us sleeping in there.

It's only been 5 days since the most awkward conversation of my life. And yeah, not much has changed. I don't exactly know how fast it should(?) or even what should(?) be happening, but so far, this isn't so bad.

If Daryl's done anything he wouldn't have before, I haven't noticed. All I've done is being a little less awkward about resting my shoulder against his when we stand or sit next to each other.

Then again, we've been out hunting most of the time. We're starting to have less luck with finding food in the nearby houses, so Team Runner — as I've somehow started calling us — has split into to groups. Daryl & I go hunting, while Maggie & Glenn search houses, and all 4 of us go when we're searching new areas; because Merlin knows you never know what you're walking into and creation forbid you walk into it alone.

It actually makes me a little nervous letting those two go on their own. Putting their lives in danger. But I know I need to get used to it. What's more distressing is the one thing I have noticed shift between my partner and I since our talk.

I'm less inclined to not have him in my line of sight. Even when I know he's just in the house or on the property somewhere. Unless I know where he is, I've started to get anxious.

If this is gonna be a thing, I am not looking forward to it. This alone might be enough to sway me off this "experiment" we've undertaken.

I can't feel like this out there every time we lose sight of each other, it will damage my concentration.

Is this why he's been telling me not to go off on my own all the time? Oh Hell — I am so sorry Daryl. If I'd known this is what it's like, I'd have found us some walkie talkies or something so we can get in touch when this horrible feeling creeps up.

It's more… just like, burning curiosity, when I know he's not in trouble.

Lord I hope it settles down though. Maybe it's just a 'new thing' jitters sort of thing? Cause neither of us are really used to this yet?

God I hope so. This is not fun. No funyuns, Paul Bunyan. Why am I rhyming? Oh my speckled fruity snack, I'm rhyming.

I've gone insane.

Welp, as long as I'm here.

I slid off the kitchen counter and went to the 4 gathered around the planning table.

I can't tell if I'm breathing or not, but I casually (please captain of the seven seas let it come off that way) leaned my arm on Daryl's shoulder, looking over his shoulder at the map where Maggie and Glenn are explaining their next run to Rick.

Daryl's shoulder tensed as he glanced at me but after a few seconds he seemed to adjust and slowly untensed.

I don't know whether or not he had to consciously do it, just like I did, but we both know this is gonna take some adjusting. A lot of adjusting, truth be told.

Glenn shot me a knowing grin and I crossed my eyes at him before going back to the map.

Daryl shifted his weight from foot to foot without moving too much to displace my arm, and I definitely know that's not a conscious effort. Because one shared look between us, both of us biting our lips and I know he sees the problem with their plan too.

"That ain't gon' work." Daryl spoke up and the other 3 looked at him (and me for some reason).

"Why not? It's a good plan, isn't it?"

My face scrunched into something of a cringe as I shook my head, my hair tickling my shoulder; I need to cut it even shorter, it grows too fast for this length to serve its purpose.

"See this right 'ere." Daryl point to a tiny road on the map that we've trekked across in our hunts.

"This goes over a canal where the road's half-collapsed. You can get past it on foot, but the water's full'a walkers that must'a fallen in."

"How many?" Rick asked, scrunching his brow at the new information but that's the face he makes and voice he uses when he's onto something.

Daryl glanced at me with a partial shrug, "Couple Dozen. Maybe more."

Rick looked back at the map. "That could be why this area seems safer than normal. The most a the town is across that canal, but not many walkers can make it past that road."

Well that's good for us. Until the canal fills up.

"Well that's good for us. Until there's too many."

I narrowed my eyes at Daryl.

'Oh my — you can totally actually hear my thoughts, can't you?'

Daryl looked at me and a little surge went through my gut. I didn't expect that to actually work.

The corner of his lip quirked up for half a second and I carefully lifted my arm from his shoulder like he's a bomb that'll go off if I move too quick.

"What is it?" Maggie asked, looking concerned. "What else is there?"

I looked at her confused and shook my head, waving it off.

Daryl snorted and I shot him a little tiny 'I will get you' glare before I caught Rick's unamused gaze.

"Can we focus please?"

Only if you talk quickly.

Daryl shifted uncomfortably and I leaned my hands on the table, letting my bicep touch his, deliberately.

I'm gonna get better at actually testing this new arrangement, he's obviously not comfortable making the first steps. But let's face it, I'm more of a daredevil than he is. Heheh.

Glenn scratched his head, leaning on his elbows against the table. "There's only a couple places this side of the water that we haven't checked yet."

"There ain't much game 'ere either." Daryl input.

"So we either have to go on foot, or move on."

I shook my head. "We can't move on."

Rick looked at me like I've challenged his authority but a little less serious than that.

"Dead of winter's right around the corner. Temperature's been droppin' faster every night. We move now, we won't last two weeks."

"So across the river it is." Maggie sighed, crossing her arms as she stared at the table.

We all stood for a moment, thinking before Rick spoke, "Tomorrow at dawn. We'll take Randall with us. Everyone else will stay here, hold down the fort until we get back."

Wait Rick's coming? This is … unexpected.

Everyone nodded and Rick looked at me. "Eve, do inventory tonight and make a list. I trust you & Glenn will know some… creative places to check for the stuff & thangs we need."

I nodded and was the first to leave the room, going to find a pen and paper. I know we have some around here somewhere. And if not, there's gotta be some in the house somewhere.

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