Disclaimer: I own nothing.
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Overnight the town was transformed with festival colors and stalls and rides, people flooded the streets, children were running and laughing—or arguing over who got to play a game next—and most stores were closed for the day. Everything anyone wanted or needed was already at the fair, and it was on until midnight. That meant fried goods, baked goods, snow cones, slushies and so much more would be on sale until that final stroke. Then it would be time for the firework show.
Hershel and Annette had set up their stall with some baked goods and cute baby goats for petting and feeding. Shawn and Hershel had set up the pen for the goats, and Annette was storing her pies and breads in the stall in the warmers, and at some point, in set up there was a runaway baby goat. Buster was his name, and apparently escaping was his game. Shawn went to hunt him down.
Patricia and Otis had their own stall set up away from Annette and Hershel's. Otis had set up a paint balloon game with a bow and arrow for explosive creativity. If the final product was bearable, they would hang it up in the community center. If not, they would just find something else to do it. Like use it to display anymore fresh baked and unique pies and cakes Patricia had baked up for this event. She even had more in the oven at the restaurant next door. She wanted to be on her game, especially for the baked goods competition. Nadia was her real competition, but she had a sweet bread so soft and fluffy the judged would be begging her to make more.
Dale and Nadia had a lemonade type of stand. It was so adorable with the children crafted and painted lemons, and Nadia had enough lemonade to refresh the entire town, plus the tourists. She was on her A-game, though she as still put off by the argument she'd had with Daryl. Dale agreed with her that Daryl had been an as in how he worded Carol's...condition, but they knew he kept walls up. He didn't mean to be hurtful; he was only trying to protect himself, but he went too far. He hurt someone very dear to them, and even though Carol wasn't there, it still hurt them for her. He would need to learn that causing pain was no way to cut people out. It would only invited bitterness and anger. He surely knew that. Perhaps they could lead by example with the young man. Or maybe a firm hand was needed. They couldn't be sure, but time would tell.
Tara checked in on the other stands serving food and make sure there were no fire risks this year, and Denise checked on the safety of the rides and mini games. They'd an official come through last night, but they wanted to be doubly sure. They had a nasty grease fire/burning of the teddy bears last year, and so many kids were screaming and crying, and poor Rick nearly got trampled. Dale barely pulled Carl out of the thick of it. They did not want to relive that. Someone tried to sue the entire town for damages, but luckily that man was an idiot and falsified his injuries. Tara and Michonne played private eye and foiled his plan. It'd been so much fun. She needed a normal girl's night, but she had two kids and only asshole teenagers who could babysit. Maybe she could rope in Annette or Nadia. She was a judge this year. Abuse of power for babysitting? May-fucking-be.
Carol twirled on of the faux flowers Van had given her, having too many for the breads of Europe stand, and she looked over her stall with Michonne. She looked down at all the happy puppies and reached into give them some loving before the kids and couples and other lonely souls like herself came. She was bitter but still she smiled. They were so cute with their squishy faces. How could she not?
Shawn knelt beside her. "Why not buy one? Michonne would give you a great deal, and you personally know the town vet."
She shook her head, resting the flower in her lap and signing. My house is too small for a dog. I don't even have a backyard for them to play in, and the porch has glass railings. They would run into them a lot. It's just not ideal.
"Get a new house," he mused.
Right. Why didn't I think about that? She chuckled and picked up her flower.
"I'm still thinking about it," he confessed. "I don't know when I'll have an answer, but I hope soon. I mean, Beth and Mags are gonna be back for the 4th, and I hope to know by then. I'm sorry. It's a lot to consider."
For me, too. Take your time. I fully understand. If you have any questions, please ask.
"I haven't got any yet, but...I'll ask when or if they come to me." He smiled softly. "Hey, wanna sneak and get a snow cone with me? Just like old times?"
You don't even have to ask. She looped her arm through his and guided him over to the refreshment stand, checking the area for Tara, and she slipped inside after him. They stayed crouched down, Shawn blindly felt out the flavors, and Carol scooped out shaved ice. They worked quickly together to get the right amount of flavor and ice, and it wasn't until Shawn set the blue raspberry syrup back that he heard someone clear their throat. He winced at Carol and mouthed at her to run.
"Hey!" Tara called after them. "Seriously? Again?"
They ran away, Shawn grasped her hand and pulled her behind the merry-go-round, panting softly. Carol was trying not to laugh, and he listened to see if Tara had followed them. He poked his head out and saw her coming. He inhaled and took off towards the general store with Carol beside him. It was the only safe place right now.
He held the door open for Carol, and they dropped down onto the floor behind the shelves of flavored honey, chests heaving from the run and almost getting caught, and they exchanged a look before busting out laughing. Carol covered her mouth with her hand and was thrilled her snow cone had survived the journey, and Shawn crossed his legs, seeing part of his snow was gone, but he had a lot of lime and cherry flavoring.
"What are you kids doing?" Nadia carried out a tray of ham and cheese sliders for all the hungry folks who had to wake up early to set up their stands. She narrowed her eyes at their frozen treat and tssked at them. "You know those aren't for sale until later."
"I helped them set up," Shawn reminded her. "They said I could have one."
"Then why are you sweaty and out of breath?"
"We're both adults, and we can choose to run like hell away from the shouting sheriff if we want." He smirked when Carol looked at him and almost choked on her snow cone. He rubbed her back and coughed out his own laughter.
"You aren't right." She exited the store. "Don't spill on my floors!"
"Yes, ma'am!" He snorted and helped himself to his hard-won cone. "Do you think we should tell Tara I earn these and don't steal them?"
She shook her head.
"It's half the fun."
"What's going in here?" Dale followed the voices and found Carol and Shawn with blue and red lips respectfully on the floor, smiling innocently up at him and showing blue and red teeth. He shook his head. "Have you at least had breakfast?"
They nodded.
"Good. Then enjoy, and when you're done, come help me inflate that damn bounce house. No free jumps. It's for the kids." He wagged a finger at them. "You're adults. You can wait till the end of the day."
"The best part of being an adult is doing all the things your parents said no to as kids," Shawn replied. "I'll still help, but just know I may sneak in a bounce or two."
"Then I'll ask Daryl. He doesn't seem to know joy." Carol swallowed hard and looked up at Dale, and he noticed. "He's picking up his check is all."
She lowered her eyes and nodded, standing up to throw the paper cone away and see how blue her lips had become.
Shawn inhaled and cut a look at Dale. "What was that?"
"I don't think she or he know, and I've poked enough, so ask her." He threw his hands up and walked out of the store.
Shawn hummed and finished off his cone, climbing to his feet and going to meet Carol by the bathroom. He spotted movement in the back of the shop and waved to whoever was there, and the bathroom door opened at the same time as the back door, and Shawn peered over it to see Carol and Daryl standing close enough to breath each other's air.
"Morin'." Shawn smiled, not caring that his teeth looked like a crime scene.
"Yeah." He glanced at the man then did a double take of his mouth and then Carol's. "Y'all got into the syrup?"
"Snow cones, yeah." Shawn nodded. "I have to go help Dale inflate a bounce house, but you two are welcome to continue this conversation without me."
"I'm outta here, just had to get my check." He cleared his throat. "Excuse me."
Shawn moved aside and cut a look to Carol, and she shook her head at him. "Hey, wait, man." Carol punched his arm, and he sent her a glare before catching up to Daryl. "You won't stay? It's a lot of fun here. We have food and drinks, and most of its free with a pass. It's only thirty bucks."
"I'm good. I gotta...scrape some paint off my floor." He glanced back at Carol before pulling the door open and walking through it.
"We really need to talk about your type," Shawn mused when Carol approached, but she didn't stop by him. She walked out the door after Daryl. "And manners, too, apparently."
Carol hurried out the door after him, but the fair had just opened, and people were pouring in. She looked around for some way to get to higher ground, but all the chairs had been moved and claimed by stall owners. She bit her bottom lip and dropped her arms to her side.
"There you are." Enid ran up to Carol and grasped her arm. "C'mon, c'mon! You have to come with me."
She didn't have a chance to reply as the girl jerked her into motion, they weaved through the crowd, and Enid. Enid led her back to Hershel and Annette's stall, and Carol assumed she wanted a snack or something, but she wanted to hold a goat. She had to get an adult to do it, and Carol couldn't help but smile at her. She let her pick the goat out, and Carol carefully lifted the baby girl out and let Enid pet her before.
Carol helped her support the weight of the baby goat when Enid held her, and Denise was begging from the dunking booth to talk Enid out of wanting a goat. They weren't ready for any type of pet, and a goat was not the go-to. Carol giggled and stroke the goat's head carefully, and Enid was so in love. It might have been too late, but Carol had to admit this was precious. She dug her phone out of her pocket and took a picture of Enid with the goat, and she would sent it to Tara later. It was too sweet of a moment to not record.
Carol looked up when Noah joined them, and the normally bickering siblings were calm. Noah asked to hold the goat, and Enid told him the same thing Carol told her, and they were very gentle. Carol smiled and took another picture, her chest tightening at the happiness on those precious faces. She couldn't wait to do this with her own family. She didn't know when exactly that'd be, but she knew it would come when it was right. If Shawn said yes, she would wait until she and her cottage were ready. Or possibly move into a bigger place. If he said yes, her savings would be untouched, so it was possible. Her, a new place and the baby? They would have so many memories there. She could hardly wait.
Carol placed the goat back inside the pin with the others, Enid and Noah held hands to stay together and headed off to find any sugar possible, and Carol awkwardly stood by the pin, unsure of what to do next. She brushed her arm off and decided to check and see how Michonne was doing. She knew she'd gotten Tara to watch her stall while she did a few things with Andre, and maybe Carol could catch them in the middle of those things. If she knew Andrea, he was probably dying for cotton candy and the tea cup ride.
She wandered through the fair, offering a small smile to the people she knew and the people who smiled first. She loved to be in crowds. Well, sometimes. She had a bit of anxiety in her blood, but there was something that overcame it in moments like this. Being a part of the crowd, seeing that child-like wonder and excitement zing from person to person. Having the same laughter at all the cute animals, going for seconds on the same yummy foods, taking picture after picture to cement this moment in your life. It made the anxiety shrivel, and she felt so alive. She almost for the loneliness stalking in the shadows to claim her, and she spotted a familiar blue Spider man shirt.
She lightly pushed through the people block her way, signing an apology to those who would understand and waving to get Andre's attention, but he was playing with a water gun. She noticed another boy running after him, and it was Carl Grimes. They were tagging each other with the water guns, groaning dramatically as if they'd truly been shot, and Andre went down after his gun was emptied. Carol's heart melted when Carl went to his side, feigning grief as he never meant to hurt his best friend, but things just got complicated. She had to cut through the train choo-chooing by, but she would save time and not lose them.
She shielded her eyes from the sunlight and noticed the boys standing up, looking at someone she couldn't see. She tensed up some at the sight of Rick grinning at the boys, and her guts twisted when Michonne joined him a few feet behind. She wouldn't have been bothered it normally. They were both single parents with boys about the same age, and they knew each other, because it was a small town. It was normal and fine for them to hang out at the fair, but what really stung was Michonne standing so close to Rick when they had plenty of space to move in. What really stung was how she smiled at Rick, and what fucking cut into her was when the boys were shouting about rides and Rick grasped her hand. She read his lips and mentioned it was to not get lost in the crowd. In any kind of defense, he also took Carl's hand, and Carl took a hold of Andre's hand. They all...strolled off like one happy family.
She stumbled back and turned away, allowing the crowd to move her to anywhere but there.
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Daryl chewed on his thumbnail, looking out at the fair from his truck, Spike going to town on the corn dog Daryl had given him. He wanted to leave, but he'd gotten trapped by two to the cars, and he could easily walk home and get the truck tomorrow, but he couldn't get the image of Carol coming after him out of the store from his mind. He didn't mean to look back, but he did, and then he lost her in that mess of people. He wasn't going swimming today, no way.
He looked over at Spike who as chewing on the stick to the corn dog, he reached over and pried it out of his teeth, and Spike grumbled at him. He didn't bring a leash for Spike, and he would definitely get lost in all the people. He would look for Carol or Dale. Hell, he might go after that turkey leg wrapped in bacon and deep fried. Daryl might, too, because it smelled so damn good. This whole area smelled so good, but he wasn't a crowd person. He also didn't ant Dale or Nadia to find him and make him join in on the pie throwing contest or whatever. He just had to get home. It was easier said than done when the pet store was closed, and Spike didn't know what the hell a leash was.
He blew out a sigh and slipped out of the car, leaving Spike behind with the window down. He threw away the stick to the corn dog and looked over the amount of people gathered. He was already physically drained at the thought of going through that, and he couldn't add the dog into it. The little runt was social and would run off to greet the kids and the adults. He couldn't survive that emotionally, so he would just have to either hole in the store until this was over or risk his entire and already drained social interaction bar. He already had regrets about leaving his house, and he was right to. Christ, this town couldn't calm down for a second, could it?
He sat down on a bucket and rubbed his jaw, trying not to attract any attention, and he spotted Michonne and Rick by the face painting booth with their boys. He could tell by her body language there was more going on between them than friends with same-age kids. He had thought as much since they first met, but then he heard Carol was with Rick, and he thought maybe he'd been wrong, but no. He hadn't been. He really hoped Carol didn't see it. He didn't know what he felt about her, but she didn't deserve to see her best friend and her ex-boyfriend getting close through their sons and shared experiences. She also didn't deserve his comment behind her back. He did learn just to understand her, but he couldn't bear someone throwing that back in his face, so the asshole appeared. God, he hated that about himself. It just felt like they were mocking him, and cut too close to the bone. After two years, he ought to realize that wasn't the case. It seldom was in this town.
He rested his head against the building behind him and closed his eyes, tuning out the sounds of the people and the music and the entirity of the fair. He didn't want to face the noise. If he just sat here a moment, he'd figure a way out of this place without holding up in the store. If he could tune out that annoying carny tune, he'd be good...
The world titled sideways as Daryl fell, and he came to, heart racing, vision blurred, and he gripped the wall behind him. He blinked several times, seeing the events of the fair still playing out, and nobody had noticed him. Good, because he was sure what he just did wasn't a pretty picture. Fuck, did he scrape his nails? Ahh, he didn't mean to fall asleep, but he slept for shit last night, so it made sense he passed out. What was the time?
He patted himself down for his phone and dug it out of his front pocket, seeing it was one in the afternoon now. He rolled his eyes and climbed to his feet, exhaling a yawn and hearing a commotion to the left of him. He knew almost immediately what was going on, and he wished he hadn't left the windows to his car down. That dog was such a handful.
Although not the handful he expected as a baby goat, Spike and Carol ran by. Carol was the real mystery, and he would reserve laughter for later. He really hoped Spike wasn't trying to eat the goat, but he'd have tackle him down to stop him if he was going to try. He ran after them, hearing Annette calling after them, and he tossed a wave over his shoulder, speeding up as the trio ahead of moved towards the creek. He really needed to start listening to the voice inside his head telling him to stay inside. Goddamn it.
The baby goat—Buster—hauled ass away from the dog, Spike continued the chase, and the two humans weren't catching up with the dog and goat, but Daryl had caught up to Carol. She glanced at him, and he saw a downhill slope coming. This helped no one. Buster tripped, Spike lunged at him, and Carol wanted to yell at him to stop, and Daryl saw the creek waiting for them at the bottom. He slowed his run and grabbed Carol by the waist to keep gravity and force from knocking her face first into the shallow bed, and Spike snapped his jaws shut on Buster.
Daryl nearly collapsed holding Carol, her hands covering her face in fear of what Spike might have done, and Daryl panted loudly, his lungs burning along with his legs. This was no way to wake up. He would leave the damn dog at home next time.
Spike trotted over to them with Buster in his mouth, Daryl smirked at the little asshole, and he carefully peeled off Carol's hands. She jumped out of his arms at the sight of Spike holding Buster by the sweater Annette had made for him. She hugged him tightly, so glad he hadn't tried to eat Buster, and Spike dropped the goat quicker than shit for affections.
"Easy." Daryl caught the goat, who looked frazzled. "Hey, it's all right."
"Are you all right?" Annette was at the top of the slope, shouting down to them.
"Mostly," Daryl called back. "We'll be right up."
She nodded and asked Shawn to go and get them some water and a first aid kit just in case. Daryl collected the goat and tucked it under his arm, Carol climbed to her feet and dusted her pants off, and Spike ran up to greet Annette. Carol smiled at the sweet puppy and banished her horrible thoughts of Spike going after Buster for a snack or something, and Daryl set a hand on her elbow, asking without words if she was okay.
I'm fine. Her hands were shaking from the rush of adrenaline, and she started up the slope after Spike.
They made it easily to the top, Hershel took Buster for a scolding and to be returned to his siblings, Enid and Noah had claimed Spike, and Annette looked them over for any injuries. Aside from some dirt and grass stains, they were all right. She thanked them both for going after the trouble making runt, and she had to not laugh as they gulped down the bottles of water Shawn brought them. She offered them a free slice of pie and headed back to assure any onlookers it was all okay now.
"What the hell happened?" Daryl took her empty bottle and tossed it into the recycle bin along with his, dropping onto a bench outside the general store.
Carol sat beside him and tucked hair behind her ear. Spike joined us a few hours ago and kept me company. I suppose he caught wind of Buster and wanted to put him back with the others. I don't really know how that part happened, because I was trying to get Spike a bone. When I turned around, they were running, so I went after them. You know the rest.
"How'd the goat get out?"
Beats me. She peered at him. He escaped early this morning, and I think Otis went to find him, but he had no luck. I guess Spike was the one we should asked from the start. Thank him for me, okay?
"You can thank him. He isn't going anywhere."
Does that mean...you instead to stay? At the fair, I mean. She searched his eyes. There are still plenty of fresh baked goods and an eating contest.
"I...might as well. Those kids stole my dog." He saw Enid and Noah had vanished. "What're you up to right now?"
Aside from recovering from the most exercise I've gotten since dragging you out of a lake? Let me think on it. She smiled softly at him.
"Fine then. Let's get some food. I'm starving." He stood up and nodded his head towards the festivities. "Show me around."
Do you want a bacon-wrapped turkey leg? She hopped up. I could really go for one.
"You read my mind." He fell into step beside her. "They got any beer?"
She put her hands on her hips and walked ahead of him.
"C'mon, that ain't fair. I need beer with my turkey legs." He caught up to her and lightly grasped her arm. "Is there at least anything that isn't pure sugar?"
She smiled once more and grasped his hand, pulling him into the crowd, and he waited for the dread to sink in. They moved from the vendor who sold them two turkey legs to a makeshift bar, where Carol got them two waters, and he wrangled up a picnic table. There were so many families and tourists around them, and he kept waiting to feel miserable, but it hadn't broken the surface just yet. He watched Carol tell him about the first time they attempted to fry the turkey leg, and he reached over and stilled her hands.
"I know you gotta be hungry. Tell me about it later."
She blushed somewhat and watched him just bit into the leg like a barbarian. She had picked up a fork and knife to help eat this bad boy, but she took a page from his book. She picked it up and bit into it, and it wasn't as easy as he made it look. She felt the grease smear across her nose and cheeks, and he busted out laughing at her expression. She wrinkled her nose at him and didn't bother to wipe her mouth, chewing awkwardly at the meat stuck in her teeth.
"That's good, real good." He handed her a napkin, and she ignored it, taking another huge bite. He ran his tongue over his teeth and helped himself to his leg.
Carol couldn't help but bubble over with laughter and joy, and Daryl asked her what she was laughing at. She couldn't even begin to explain where the laughter came from, but she knew it had to do with him. The air around them was different, and Carol was thrilled it was for the better. He hadn't apologized for his asshole assumptions, but she knew that kind of self-protection. It was dangerous, and it can cause some already wounded people to be triggered, but she understood it. She'd been there herself, but she found her way out. She didn't know if he would let her, but she'd help him find his way out, too. As thanks for not letting her smack into a creek bed.
They finished eating and cleaned off with wet wipes Shawn tossed at them, Carol thanked him and showed Daryl around the fair. He wasn't into most of it, but he did win a few games. He didn't want the prizes and let any child nearby claim it. Carol thought it was wonderful, but he just handed the toy over and walked off. She didn't know if he really didn't care or if he didn't know what do with gratitude, but she'd figure it out sooner or later.
They walked around and played games, Carol had half of her cotton candy mouse stolen, and it didn't help that the mouse was already a shoddy mess. Daryl jokingly bit some off and took half of it with him. He looked as surprised as she did, and she let him have the rest of it. He tried to apologize, but she went to get some nachos instead. He dumped the stick and went after her, and she spotted Michonne and Carl by the dunking booth. She dropped her eyes to the counter, Daryl knew Michonne was nearby and blocked Carol's body with his own. He looked weird as hell, stretching like he did, but he got a smile out of Carol and avoided an awkward situation. It was a win in his book.
He held the nachos so she could talk, and she seemed to be having a really good time. He couldn't believe how forgiving she was, and he felt guilt clawing at him. They'd spent this entire evening tonight, and he didn't apologize or anything for his behavior. He just...let it go, but not anymore. He wasn't going to let it go or have her swallow he words to keep peace. No, it wasn't right. She'd shown him a great time after he verbally abused her practically yesterday. No, he had to speak up before this was over.
"Car—"
Overhead fireworks suddenly exploded, Carol lifted her eyes at the crowd looking up, and she lightly smacked his arm, pointing at the red sparks. He looked up with her, seeing how excited she was for them, and he wondered which were her favorite. He didn't care much for fireworks. They were very nice to look at, but her enthusiasm for them was much more appealing. Her eyes were sparking, almost as much as the explosion above them. Those vast blues almost seem to reflect the temporary beauty glistening in the night sky. The orange began to burn against the night sky, shimmering in her eyes as she drank in the sparks, and he couldn't look away from her. He lost time in those eyes, and he didn't care how much. It'd been worth it.
Carol dug her nails into his arm, still holding onto it, and he managed to tear his eyes off her to see the grand finale. He knew then this was a her favorite, and he could see why. It was colorful and had several fireworks going at once. They even had a few shapes beyond the explosion path, and it pretty cool. He felt her move closer, in awe of the explosions above them, and he felt fur against his ankles as Spike settled between their legs. They watched the finale togther, and there were hopes blooming in his rib cage like flowers that this wouldn't be the last thing they did or watched together.
After the fireworks were over, the fair was closed. Daryl and Carol stuck around to help clean up, but Tara told them she hired people to do this, because it was so brutal last year. She thanked them for participating and told them to get home safe.
Carol looked for Michonne and Andre, but Annette told her Rick had given them a ride home. She tried not show the pangs those words sent through her, and Daryl reminded her of the dessert they'd earned. She handed over her contest winning pie, and Carol lauded her for the win. Daryl scrounged up a couple forks, and they sat in the back of his truck. Carol had nowhere else to be, and Daryl didn't want the night to end just yet.
"Damn, that's good." Daryl hadn't expected it to still be warm and chewy.
Carol agreed with a nod and took another forkful.
Spike settled on the tarp they all shared and peered at them with big eyes, knowing he wasn't going to get any pie, but he could still watch.
Daryl picked at the pie instead of eating another bite, Carol shifted beside him and wondered what was wrong, and he lowered the glass dish between them. He lifted his eyes to meet hers and set the fork down inside the pan, minding her half of it.
"I...owe you an apology." He inhaled deeply. "I was an incredible ass to you back at my house. I know you aren't trying to get a low price for Michonne. I know you weirdly don't have any anterior motives. I know you're actually one of the good ones, but I'm not. I don't know what to do with your kindness, and I don't know what you want for it. Or from me. I know you probably don't want anythin', but everyone I've ever met has, and I can't help but fall back on old habits."
Carol set her fork down and started to sign, but he lowered her hands.
"Wait, just...let me say what I gotta say, okay?"
She nodded.
"I... My life hasn't been great, and I don't know how to approach people. I'll be honest. I don't. Half of the people I met, I met through my brother, and now I don't have that. I... I just have me, and I've tried rebuildin' myself, to be better, to be...hell, smarter, but it isn't easy. I've only had Spike to work with, and then all of sudden you're here. And you want to be in my life for no other reason other than to support me, and I don't know what to do with that. What the hell am I supposed to do with that?" He sounded so defeated. "I never want to hurt you, but I can't help that I will. I'm not a friendly person, you gotta know that."
Carol rolled her eyes.
"What? You think you know me?" He narrowed his eyes, but he was chewing on his inner lip. "Do you?"
You're too hard on yourself, you know. You have this big, bad image of yourself for some reason or another, and it's wrong. You aren't a terrible person. You aren't doomed for destruction. Or doomed to destroy others. You just never found yourself. She searched his eyes and smiled. You're in the wrong shoes, Daryl, and you never looked for the right pair, have you? I know it seems stupid, but you're...like a kid. You're impulsive and don't take advise, and you're so stubborn. You don't listen to anyone, really, and it shows.
But you're so wrong about yourself. You are thoughtful and friendly. In small ways that has added up, and people can trust you. People lean on you, and just because you make mistakes doesn't mean you've erased that trust. You need to start bettering yourself from the inside. You need to be kinder to yourself. Life is brutal, trust me on that, and you'll always have yourself, so don't be a dick to yourself. Or other people if they didn't start it.
"You make it sound easy."
Then stop listening, she suggested. Look more. Think more.
"That's easy for you to say." He felt cold sweat run down his back at those words, and he stammered. "I—I—Fuck, Carol, I didn't mean that."
She smiled at him. I know you didn't mean anything by it, and you don't have to be so conscious of my deafness. It's a part of who I am; it's not all of me.
"You're so forgiving. How?"
I'm only forgiving to the ones who can better themselves, who I know will be worth forgiving in the long run. Don't prove me wrong, or you'll regret it.
"I won't prove you wrong. If I can help it."
Daryl.
"What? You want me to be a lair on top of everything?"
She laughed softly. Eat your pie and shush. You're going to ruin the moment.
"Oh, is that what we're having? A moment?" He smirked at her, digging into the pie again, and he gagged. "Oh, God."
Carol shook her head and stood up, climbing over the edge of the truck, and Daryl followed on the other side, both of them meeting at the hood of the truck. Carol crossed her arms and met his eyes, and he was trying not to laugh. She smacked him lightly but fell into the laughter with him. They decided to take the pie over to the bench away from Spike and his turkey farts.