AN: Leave a comment if you want this to be a multi-chapter! I will only do so if I gain enough comments. C: also, leave me your prompts in the ask box! I will take prompts from detailed to words to quotes- whatever your heart desires. I will post periodically in the Caryl tag.
"Relax."
That's what he always told her, even when he had a wild temper more than he could handle. The most "zen" of the group had been a huge hypocrite and practically exploded at the push of a button. He was much tamer now; feral but tamed by family enough to control his temper. He wasn't guns blazing, guts and glory anymore, he was just a man who sat back and looked at the big picture. He wasn't a boy anymore, he had matured into a man with real insight and real maturity, someone who could raise a good family and be a loyal man to them.
And he was a lot happier now. Back then, he would either be pissed or antisocial or closed off. Now, he had begun to speak his mind and he could crack a smile, lick his fingers and shake your hand to say hello. He was much more relaxed then when they had first met to the point she would admit now he could say the word and not sound silly.
She was upset because the area was making her uncomfortable. He sat down by her, putting his hand on her shoulder, beginning to massage it, mirroring a time long ago before they had been together that he had done the same. He looked out where she was, repeating, "Relax. We're fine."
"I can't," she grumbled stubbornly, but her voice cracked as he continued to massage the stiff muscles. He moved behind her, rubbing his hands together, beginning to massage her firmer and with more force to disentangle the knots. Carol groaned, leaning forward a bit, and he smirked to himself a little. "We need to get moving again. What's taking Rick so looooong...?" There was a little moan at the end of her sentence he didn't miss, backtracking to target the area that had caused it again for a moment.
Daryl was silent for several long moments, concentrating on soothing her muscles, licking his lips and working on the other half of her back. He knew her body so well now he could map every sensitive spot blindfolded. He dug the heels of his hands into her spine, causing her to groan. "Well, he has to find the best route with Michonne. You know how it is, we need to be as safe as possible," he said in reply.
"Or they're having fun doing other things." She snickered when Daryl made a noise of what sounded like horror, purring, "Oh, come on, he probably makes that same reaction whenever Michonne brings us up. We're as bad as Glenn and Maggie and you know it."
Daryl paused in his ministrations and she knew without looking at him that he was blushing. He then grunted, trying to brush it off and continuing the massage, saying with a hint of concern, "God, you're all knotted up..."
Carol made an appreciative moan, rolling her neck, complaining, "Tell me about it!"
"Relax!" Daryl shot back, causing Carol to emit a noise of unhappiness, squeaking when he slapped her on the back lightly in response, an attempt to be scolding. "There ain't nothing to worry about. Can't you trust me?"
Carol sighed, seeming hesitant, before saying softly, "Yes." She turned her head to look at him, murmuring, "You know I do."
"Then stop worrying. If I think something bad is going to happen, then I would tell you. I wouldn't lie to you, Carol."
"Okay," she said after a long moment, hesitating before adding gratefully, "Thank you."
Daryl nodded, responding, "Mm. Anytime." He shifted, and they fell into a comfortable silence as he finished the massage, before he loudly complained, "Glenn took one of my arrows today to play fuckin' darts!"
Carol burst into laughter, doubling over immediately while Daryl pouted unhappily, looking down and grumbling. He looked up at her when she turned to him, giggling and pulling him to his feet, pushing him into the tent she had set up and onto the bed, climbing on top of him, hissing in his ear:
"Relax."