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

Wallflower

By Leah Pensotti

All Rick could think about was taking it further with Thea, even though he enjoyed the hot, mostly clothed heavy petting on her couch. He hadn't had anything happen like that since college.

Instead, he sat close to her, his head buried in her neck and watched as her breast rose and fell against the fabric of her bra. They had both released a lot of pent up tension and were spent.

He felt her hand stroke the back of his neck, catching the curls there and she sighed, "I, uh, am going to go freshen up a bit...there's a bathroom on this level if you want to...you know."

Rick nodded and watched as Thea picked up her shirt and exited the room. It was then he noticed the large scar extending from the nape of her neck and then disappeared all the way beneath her jeans.

He had, for a moment, forgotten about all of her surgeries. Rick had gotten lost in her softness and the way she felt beside him. He needed to find out exactly what had happened to her...and wondered to himself if Daryl already knew...he wondered how close they had gotten.

Rick tried to do his best to shake the thoughts from his head, before rising carefully to walk to the restroom. When he walked back out, he found Thea in the kitchen, drinking her coffee.

She flashed him the half smile that constantly attracted him, "So...dinner tomorrow. Is there anything I can contribute?"

Rick couldn't stay away and walked close to her again, "Just you and that smile of yours."

Thea looked down into her coffee and smiled, "I think I can manage that. So um...tomorrow night? After the run?"

Rick nodded and took her face in his hands, "I can't wait."

She put her coffee down and reached out to him, her hands finding his hips. Thea didn't have to say anything for him to know she had a lot going on in her head. He kissed her again, slowly, and Thea sighed.

He knew she felt something for him; he just wished he could see what she was like around Daryl.


Rick left in the early afternoon, their hot little encounter had her mind racing. She had enjoyed it, she liked how Rick touched her and talked to her...but she was nervous about dinner and being with his kids.

And alternately, she felt bad for Daryl. She felt guilty...mostly because she wanted him, too.

She felt gluttonous and greedy. Wanted to have her cake and eat it, too.

Thea also worried about Rick and Daryl alone, in a car, on a run. These men were very close, and despite their agreement, she doubted sincerely that there would be no tension at all.

They were both alpha males after all.

As she stood in the kitchen, lost in her head, the front door opened and Denise called, "Hey Roomie?"

Thea felt her heart sink a little, knowing that title now would be a bit of a misnomer. She smiled when Denise popped her head in the kitchen, "Hey. Are you okay? You look lost."

Thea stood up, "Yeah. I am. I think I've gotten myself in a weird spot."

Denise put down the empty cardboard boxes she was carrying and looked concerned, "Is it something you want to talk about?"

Thea looked at her hands and shrugged, "It's complicated. It's not anything I've ever thought for myself."

Denise pat the stools near the marble island, beckoning Thea to come and sit. Thea knew that Denise could understand her social awkwardness...but didn't know how she could understand wanting two very prominent men, when Denise only had eyes for Tara.

Her friend pushed her glasses up to the bridge of her nose, "Alright. Spill."

Thea shrugged, "It's an odd situation. You can't tell anyone...not even Tara about it."

"What is going on, Thea?"

Thea sighed and told Denise the whole story, and while she didn't seemed shocked, she had a lot of questions.

"Is this a threesome thing?"

Thea shrugged, "I mean...I think they are close friends, but you know...not like, interested in each other...just...me. But they want to remain friends...and I want them to, too. But I find myself not wanting to chose between them. I like them both. I want them both."

"It's like...polygamy...but two husbands? Will they share?"

Thea shut her eyes and sighed, "In a perfect world. But they just agreed not to stand in each other's way. They'd both spend time with me...no sabotage or jealousy. I think it's a 'let the best man win' situation, they want me to chose...but that's the thing. They both bring something different to the table. I don't think one is best or better than the other."

Denise smiled, "It's like they say. It's always the quiet ones."

Thea couldn't help but laugh, "I just don't want them to hate each other...or me."

"It's a different world, Thea. Maybe they could be okay with it if they both really care about you...and their friendship. Maybe monogamy isn't for everyone in this situation."

Thea shrugged, still lost, "They both surprise me."

Denise looked curious, "So Daryl...he's not gruff all the time?"

"No...he is actually quite...sweet. He probably doesn't want everyone to know it though."

Denise smiled shyly, "I'm trying to be diplomatic, but I'll admit to having a soft spot for Daryl. I've told you about my brother, right?"

Thea nodded, she had a twin named Dennis. He was outgoing, fearless. Denise suffered from panic and anxiety, which had kept her housebound until she was lured to the clinic after the death of Pete Anderson.

"He reminds me of Dennis. So I might be pulling for him. But for your sake, I will remain neutral."

After coming up with very little advice and no solution except to see how it plays out, Thea helped Denise box up the rest of her things.

She would miss her friend, but admired the resoluteness of her decisions. Denise and Tara worked, Denise and Tara were running with the happiness that they had found.

Once they were done, Thea helped Denise carry her boxes to the clinic, where Tara was waiting. Thea struggled with the box she carried, but didn't want to fuss. Halfway to the clinic, she saw Daryl approaching...he was probably on his way to see her for their evening.

"Hey...wait up...let me get that for ya."

He bounded up to her and relieved her of the box. Thea tried not to get shy and weird, knowing that Denise was now aware of her situation.

So she just smiled, "Thanks."

Daryl nodded and looked down, "Movin' out?"

Denise just waved them on, "Yep. To the clinic."

Thea walked beside Daryl quietly, trying to push away the guilt she felt for her situation. She felt him look down her a few times, and she found herself looking forward to being alone with him.

When they reached the clinic, Tara greeted them at the door and once the boxes were placed in the living room, Tara and Denise both hugged Thea goodbye. The latter hugged her and said lowly, "Will still see each other everyday, Roomie. We're on the same street."

Thea nodded, "I know. I'll see you guys tomorrow. If you need me for anything...you know where to find me."

Denise thanked Daryl and he nodded, "No problem."

He followed Thea out of the house and back towards her home. As they walked she looked at him curiously, "Eat dinner yet?"

Daryl shook his head, "Nah."

"Me either. Maybe I can make something and we can do a little reading?"

She saw a smile play at his lips, "Alright."


When they got back to her home, Thea made some pasta with canned tomatoes for dinner. He sat at the marble island and watched for his opportunity to help her. Daryl realized he liked being there for Thea. She moved meticulously, but she wasn't fast.

He had thought about her all day. He thought about her eyes and the half smile and feel of her breasts against his palms and the way her lips tasted. He liked her dark blonde hair long and loose around her shoulders, but also liked the length of her neck when she wore it up.

Daryl hadn't slept since he saw her last. He had instead he had taken turns on watch and laid awake on Aaron and Eric's couch. He wondered if after Denise had left, he should have taken her back to bed instead of excusing himself for fear of going too fast?

Had she seen Rick since then? If so...had anything happened?

She turned around and gave him a small smile, "After we eat you wanna go out back and read or in the living room?"

Daryl couldn't look at her because of what he really wanted to do, "Um...didn't sleep to well...upstairs seemed to work the last time."

Thea looked down and smiled, he thought she knew what he was getting at, "Alright then."

He got a little thrill, knowing she didn't mind being in the same situation as last time. She served up dinner and they sat side by side and talked about their days.

He liked the normalcy of talking to someone like her. She was shy...had trouble making eye contact...she clammed up really easily. Daryl helped her clean up, and she put the leftovers in the refrigerator, soon he was following her up the stairs to her bedroom.

Thea sat down on the left side of the bed and turned on the little lamp on the bedside table. "The Three Musketeers" was still there and he sat on the right side of the bed and took off his jacket and boots. Thea took off her boots and propped herself up so she could read to him. He turned his body towards hers and laid his head against the pillow.

"Are ya gonna do different voices?"

Thea laughed and opened the book, "I can't do a French accent. I hope you're not too disappointed."

He shook his head; how could he be when she was beside him?

They settled in and Thea read to him. It was nice to turn off his mind, only her voice in his head telling him about D'Artagnan meeting Athos, Porthos and Aramis. D'Artagnan wanted to be a Musketeer, it was his biggest wish...he came from a small town, just like Daryl.

When they got to chapter three, Thea turned to look at him and she smiled, "Want me to keep reading?"

Daryl felt relaxed, her voice had lulled him into a hazy state with sleep pulling at his eyes. He felt himself smile a little, "I do, but I'm fallin' off."

Thea marked the page they were on and put the book on the bedside. She dimmed the little lamp and laid down facing him, "You can sleep if you want. I'll be right here."

She took Daryl's hand and he smiled again. He liked being forehead to forehead with her, he liked seeing her face before he fell asleep.

When he woke a few hours later, Thea was sleeping next to him. She looked so peaceful with her calm features. Her plump lips parted slightly. Daryl couldn't help himself and pulled her to him by her waist. She snuggled to him and mumbled sweetly.

He stroked her hair gently and pressed his lips to the top of her head and fell back asleep.


Thea felt strong arms around her, and woke to see the clock on her bedside; it was just after one in the morning. Daryl's head was buried in her neck. She reached for the blanket at the end of the bed, and when she pulled it up to cover them; Daryl shot up...ready to fight.

Thea shook her head and put up her hands, "It's okay...it's just me, I was covering us up...that's all."

He exhaled and shook his head, "Sorry...I'm sorry."

Thea reached for him and pulled him back down to sit. She pressed her forehead to his; their noses touching, "It's okay...you're here...in bed...with me."

His face softened and he grumbled, "I told ya I ain't good at this."

Thea touched his face gently, "Sleeping?"

Daryl laughed a little, "That too."

Thea kissed him lightly and he froze...soon his hands were on her shoulders and then her waist pulling her close.

"Thea..."

Daryl whispered against her skin and she sighed lightly, "Yeah?"

"Can I...see yer scars?"

Thea shrugged, "Will you show me yours?"

He looked hesitant and Thea touched his face, "We're the same. It's not going to make me think of you differently."

Daryl didn't say anything, so she stood up and took off her pants and then pulled her shirt over her head, leaving only her underthings. He looked surprised, but he got the gist of her scars. The one along her spine, the ones at her hips and the one on the front of her leg. They were mostly neat and orderly...but still marked her as broken.

She slid back in bed beside him, allowing them to traced by his fingers.

"I wanna kill 'em. For hurtin' ya."

Thea felt herself flush, "Like you said. He's dead. I'm still here. I survived."

Daryl just smiled, "Damn right ya did. Yer here at the end of the world. Ya must be unbreakable."

Thea hung her head, his estimation made her feel shy. Never mind the fact she was nearly naked in front of him.


Daryl couldn't believe her matter-of-factness. The fact that she stood right up and nearly stripped herself naked without a second thought.

Even though he wanted to see her scars, he found the rest of her pretty interesting. Full breasts, round hips and rear...pale skin marked only by her scars, long hair and those gray eyes.

Thea worked at the buttons at his shirt, and Daryl immediately wanted to pull away. She put her hand on his chest and calmed him, "We don't have to talk about it. I just want to see you."

He was scared. She said that it wouldn't change how she saw him, but he doubted that. His scars weren't neat and even. When she unbuttoned the last button and moved to push his shirt off his shoulders, he caught her hand in his.

Thea just pressed her forehead to his temple and whispered, "It's alright...it's alright."

When she freed him of his shirt, Thea smiled that half smile and her hands wandered against his chest and stomach. He couldn't even look at her, he was terrified.

She moved quietly behind him, and he waited for it...he waited for the shock and the pity. He felt her trace his scars gently with her finger tips. After a few quiet moments, he felt her arms around his shoulders and she squeezed him tight. Thea's lips found his ear and whispered, "We're two of a kind. Survivors. Unbreakable."

She ran her hands through his hair and comforted him, he was still shaking with nerves.

"Daryl?"

He felt himself nod, "Yeah."

"You okay?"

"Better now."

Thea pulled him down on the bed with her and held him close. She smiled a little and he let his hands wander to her lower back. She made him feel so vulnerable...but she also made him feel safe.

Daryl shut his eyes again, enjoying the feel of being somewhat skin to skin with her. He felt himself drifting off again, sleep seemed to come easily with her beside him.

When dawn came, first light streamed through the blinds and woke him. Thea's ass was backed up against his hips and he felt his excitement grow at the curve of her hip. He also discovered that while he was holding her, his hand had sought out her breast.

Daryl breathed hard, his head buried in her neck and hair. He was going to be a bit embarrassed when she woke up and felt his morning erection against her.

Thea stirred gently and turned over in his arms, her sleepy gray eyes blinking slowly, "Good morning."

He gave her an embarrassed nod, "Mornin'"

She leaned in and kissed him, her lips lingering for an extended moment. He could tell she could feel him against her hip and she just smiled a little. She didn't seem to make anything a big deal, instead, she just half-smiled. Daryl didn't have to wonder too long exactly what she was thinking.

Her hands worked his belt buckle as she planted little, kisses on his mouth and neck. When she unzipped and in buttoned his pants, her hand found his hardness and Daryl thought he wasn't going to last but a second in her soft hand.

She coaxed him over on his back and carefully climbed on top of him. Thea kissed him again, then his neck, to his chest, to his belly and finally took him in her mouth.

"Jesus, Thea."

His hands tangled in her hair as her head bobbed up and down. Daryl could not make one coherent thought. Everything was wrecking and colliding, feeling something he hadn't felt in a very, very long time. His body shuddered and he climaxed, leaving Thea to slip off to the bathroom quietly.

He laid there for a minute and allowed his breathing to return to calm. Thea was going to drive him nuts at this rate. When she returned from the restroom, she couldn't make that much eye contact with him, and he understood.

She let herself lose a little bit of control, and now she was worried.

She slipped back on to the left side of the bed, her cheeks flushed a pale pink and he reached for her a bit roughly, pulling her to his chest. Thea chuckled lightly and he felt himself smile. They still had so many clothes on. There was still so much left to explore.

And then he remembered, he was supposed to meet Rick at first light for the supply run.

"Shit. Shit, shit, shit."

He jumped up and started dressing and Thea looked confused, "What?"

Daryl buttoned up his shirt and reached for his boots, "Supply run. I forgot."

Thea jumped up too and dressed and then they headed downstairs, only to find Rick walking up the path to Thea's house.

Once again, Daryl groaned, "Shit. See you tonight?"

Thea paused and looked down, "Tomorrow. I have dinner plans tonight."

His face darkened, realizing Thea was talking about Rick. His friend. Who he was about to go on a run with.

Daryl saw her look up at him and he knew he would agree, "Tomorrow then."

She nodded and went to the door to open it, right when Rick had made it up the porch steps.

"Hey Thea...have you seen..."

Rick's face visibly dropped when he saw Daryl behind Thea, registering the fact that they had spent the night together.

Daryl couldn't look at Rick in that moment, "Hey."

Rick just nodded, "Hey. Let's go."

Thea hovered in the doorway as he made his way out, "Tomorrow?"

Daryl nodded in agreement and he saw Rick looking at Thea in a way that made him uneasy. She stood at the door and called after them, "Be safe. Both of you."

Rick smiled a little at her, "We will. See you tonight."

The walk to the car was long and uncomfortable and neither of them spoke while they collected lists of things to look out for from Maggie, Carol and Denise.

For the first time, he didn't mind Rick playing his old honky tonk music super loud when they rolled out of Alexandria's gates.


a/n: hello lovelies. The wait has begun, I guess. I'm happy I can control things in my own little fanfic world. Really worried about Daryl.

Anyway: next up...the supply run and tension, Thea and Rick's dinner.

You guys are amazing! Thank you for all of the love! If you need some AU Daryl, check out my story "The Redhead and the Redneck". If you like AU Rick try "Simple Twists of Fate." I'm percolating a Rosita/Male OC story too.

Super Special Shout Outs to: clduncan, Angelicedg, CLTex, gillyflower34, Jemstone6259, Guest, enchantmentanjel, BreenaBelle-xoxo and Hawkgirl.

Thanks and Love!

Leah P!

xoxo