Daryl didn't turn around, he didn't trust himself to move. He felt certain that if he did, the trouble he walked into would come crashing down on his head. How could he explain himself? No, Daryl amended how could he show to Lori that Rick didn't have any real interest in him and was just bored and restless. However, that sounded bad in his mind. Rick's true love and loyalty was to his family not some redneck hick he'd met less than a year ago. Surely Lori knew that?
Daryl bit his lip, he wondered if he could actually express all this without making things worse. God what he would give to have Merle's smooth tongue right now. Would Lori be so angry she'd kick him out? He wondered fearfully as his anxiety rose. Daryl knew he could survive on his own but the question was, did he really want to? Would the group be able to survive without him? Would they be able to get enough food? Could they find safe houses? Rick had learned a lot about hunting certainly but would he really be able to provide for everyone?
The fears of the group starving, especially Lori (she needed more food for her child), Carl and Beth (both so young that they needed food to grow up), but most importantly Rick. He would give up his food for the group. That much Daryl was certain of. Rick was too self-sacrificing and gentle to watch the rest starve while he had food to eat. Without food how long before Rick couldn't make it? When he couldn't provide for them how long would it take until the group fell apart?
Daryl tried to work his mouth to reason with Lori but his jaw felt like it was cemented shut.
"Daryl I wanted…" Lori started, Daryl forced his breathing to try and keep it level but it felt like there wasn't enough oxygen in the air. "To thank you." Lori smiled gently. Her eyes soft as she tenderly ran her hands over her stomach.
"W-what?" He managed to stammer.
"For the food last night." Lori said again the smile still on her face. Her whole body seemed to be warm and filled with color. Daryl heard once that women when they got pregnant started to glow, but it was the first time he'd actually seen a woman who did glow. All the other women in his life were usually too busy cursing their 'baby daddies', drinking, and smoking to glow or be happy about having children.
Lori though she glowed, she seemed happy or as happy as one could be at the end of the world. She brushed some of her long hair behind her ear. "I hate knowing how much more food I'm getting than the rest of the group. I haven't been able to thank you." She chuckled. "Mostly because I thought you'd be embarrassed. But Rick, he said that all the extra portions have been coming from you. I guess I just thought everyone was giving me some. I didn't think things through." She stared at Daryl openly. "I'm sorry. You do so much for us and I don't think we even truly realize what you do for us or thank you for all that you do." Daryl shifted awkwardly tightening his hands on his crossbow strap.
"Ya don' have to thank me. Haven' done anythin' to be thanked for." He mumbled trying to keep his face from flushing deeply. Lori shook her head.
"No you're wrong. You always do so much for us we probably forget and don't even realize how hard it would be without you." Daryl licked his lip, he was still waiting for Lori to say she wanted him to stay away from Rick. That Daryl was an abomination who ruined her marriage. But it never came, Daryl couldn't tell if he preferred her not knowing which kept Rick safe. Or if her knowing would be better so he didn't have to worry about saying something stupid. Daryl questioned telling her himself but no, he couldn't, would never do that.
If he did it would be a betrayal of Rick's trust in him. Even if Daryl's choice turned him into the bad guy, he was alright with that as long as he never betrayed Rick's trust, that's all that mattered to him. "But please for me, eat a nice big meal tonight." Lori pleaded her eyes big and glassy. "I can stand one night without the extra food." Daryl nodded but he had no intention of cutting food from a pregnant woman. Lori smiled, she seemed relieved. "Oh!" She exclaimed her eyes full of wonder.
"Ya okay?" Daryl asked concerned, taking a big step toward her. Lori nodded slowly.
"Yeah." She exhaled. Lori rested on the bed breathing slowly and evenly.
"Do I need to call Hershel?" Daryl asked torn between running out the door to get everyone or to try and help her on his own.
"No. No." She whispered. "Here." She grasped his hand and place it on her round full stomach. "Feel." She breathed. Daryl dropped to his knees and glanced up uncertainly. He didn't feel right being this close to her. Maybe he could excuse himself pretend he felt whatever Lori wanted him to feel and run out of the room. Daryl's mind was going a mile a minute as he tried to think of the way to get out of the situation.
Daryl almost pulled his hand away before he felt something. He paused moving his hand slowly. He felt it again a moment later. It felt almost like something was pushing back against his hand. Like it could feel his fingers and was reaching out to touch him. Daryl looked up at Lori needing confirmation that he really felt what he thought he felt. She seemed amused, pleased, and at ease when she smiled back at him. Lori nodded and Daryl pressed his hand gently back searching out the little movements across her belly.
"Does it happen a lot?"
"Sometimes." Lori responded. "Carl was worse, he always kicked in the middle of the night. He'd wake me kicking up a storm until he got bored." She had a reminiscent smile on her face. "This one though, sometimes there's nothing for a few days. Long enough for me to get concerned but then the kicking starts." Daryl couldn't help but smile at the feeling of something so small, fragile, and beautiful reaching out to touch him.
"It's amazin'." He whispered in awe.
"Never felt a baby kick before? Daryl shook his head.
"Not many pregnant woman around me." He paused. "And yes that came out wrong." Lori chuckled.
"I tried to get Rick to feel but he doesn't care." Lori whispered sadly. Daryl paused, his fingers stilling as he looked up at Lori.
"He does care." He responded without hesitation. "He's just havin' trouble lately. It's gotten tough." Lori nodded but her eyes still looked watery.
"I think maybe he never wanted this child. I'm not sure any of us did. I mean can we really keep a child alive with the way things are now?"
"That doesn' matter." He responded. "This baby is here." Daryl touched her stomach lightly as he spoke. "Which means it's up to us to keep ya and the little one safe." Daryl stared hard at Lori not letting her look away. "We won' let anythin' happen to ya. We all want and need this. A child is proof that somethin' of the old world still lives. That we're able to keep a part of who we were alive." Lori nodded tears swelling and rolling down her cheeks. Her lips trembled as she tried to keep herself from sobbing openly. "My mom once told me that women become mothers the moment they get pregnant but men don't become fathers until after they hold their child for the first time. So maybe Rick's like that." Daryl tried to console her. But his words fell apart on him like usual. "Give him time." Lori nodded and exhaled sharply.
"Yeah you're right. I know you are. I just…" She sighed and closed her eyes. "He just seems so distant. Rick I mean." Her voice trembled as she spoke. "He and Carl they both feel like they've been pulling away. It feels like I'm losing them. Rick he just seems so distracted and removed like he can hardly see me when I'm standing right next to him." Daryl stared at the woman in front of him. It wasn't his place, he reminded himself forcefully. But that didn't change the fact that he felt awful, the knowledge that he ruined everything he touched, continued to eat at him.
Lori pulled in several deep breaths before nodding, having collected herself. "You're right Daryl, we need this. Everything this baby represents, we need. The hope and love is something we all desperately need." Lori agreed as she touched her stomach. Daryl pulled back and sat on his haunches watching her.
"Ya okay?" He asked softly. Lori nodded.
"Yeah hormones." She shrugged wiping the tears from her eyes. "Makes me really weepy. Sorry probably the last thing you wanted right?" Daryl chuckled nervously.
"Ya I'm not so good at the whole hormone thin'."
"Most men aren't." She laughed. "Thanks." Lori patted his hand softly. "For everything." Daryl nodded standing up.
"Sure, ya need anythin'?" He asked looking at her as she slowly ran her hands over her belly.
"No, go do what you were doing earlier. Sorry to take you away for so long." Daryl had his hand on the doorknob before he looked back.
"Um…Thanks." He whispered.
"For what?"
"For lettin' me feel yer belly. I mean ya didn' have to but ya did… so thanks." Lori smiled warmly.
"Well this baby will need all of us to raise it right?" Daryl nodded. "Then we should all share in the wonder and joy together. If I had known you never felt a baby kick before I would have dragged you in here sooner. Beth and Carol were here playing Morse Code on my stomach earlier, with the little kicker." Daryl chuckled at the mental image, it sounded like them.
"Let me know if ya need anythin'?" Daryl said his chest feeling light. Lighter than it had in a long long time. Lori was right, he decided as he shut the door. This child meant a lot to them all. Even if it would be difficult they needed to do everything they could to protect Lori and her child.
Before heading back downstairs, Daryl pulled a book from his room and pressed one of the flowers he'd found a day before into the pages where it created a nice bookmark. Daryl smiled at the book and the flower inside. It was a rather small Adonis still growing when he'd picked it but he thought it was important to give it to Rick. Daryl slipped downstairs and carefully hid the book in Rick's bag. Hoping he'd find it later.
Daryl was less than twenty steps from the house when a voice made him freeze in his tracks. Daryl let the warm flush run over him at the way Rick called his name.
"Good morning sleepy head." Rick smiled when he joined Daryl at the edge of the trees.
"Mornin'." He responded gruffly trying to keep calm.
"How did you sleep?" Rick asked leading them deeper into the woods. Daryl shrugged.
"Okay."
"That's good." Rick nodded before he took Daryl's hand after they'd gone far enough away from the house. "I for one had trouble sleeping thanks to the blue balls." Rick glanced pointedly at Daryl. He couldn't help but snort.
"Sorry ya can' control yerself."
"Now you're just being mean."
"Only a little." Daryl teased. Rick squeezed Daryl's hand.
"I was thinking we could continue where we left off."
"Oh?" Daryl titled his head, he grinned cockily. "Liked it that much did ya?"
"Naturally." Rick responded just as smoothly.
"Well I guess ya might be able to convince me to continue."
"Actually." Rick interrupted. "I was thinking it was my turn."
"What?" Daryl paled considerably, fear eating into his gut. It was one thing for him to do things for Rick when he was in charge. But to let Rick be in control? That scared him. Too often had Daryl been hurt when he was naïve enough to trust his partner to feel the same way that he felt for them.
"Well I mean the last time you had your fun…So now it's my turn right?" Rick pressed closer his eyes glowing hot. "It's only fair, right?" He purred in Daryl's ear. "Well?" Rick breathed nipping at Daryl's earlobe when the hunter didn't respond right away. Daryl bit his lip. His fists clenched tightly at his side as Rick continued to lick and suck at his sensitive lobe and the shell of his ear. Daryl wanted it, god he did but the loss of control worried him.
Rick's reaction to his scarred and broken body terrified him. How would he explain that away? He couldn't. There was no way to explain his past. But the warmth of Rick's body against his almost blinded him to that problem. Daryl swallowed forcibly.
"Shirt stays on." He replied gruffly. Daryl hoped desperately that Rick wouldn't notice the scars on his legs. They were considerably less than his chest and back but there was still some nasty ones on his hip and thighs. Daryl could only pray Rick would be too busy and excited to notice.
"Is that a kink of yours?" Rick laughed throatily. Daryl didn't respond half because he didn't want to and half because he wasn't sure he could stifle the moan working its way up his throat. "Well that's fine." Rick grinned against the hunter's neck. "I wasn't planning starting with the chest anyway." He nipped Daryl's adam apple.
"Where were ya goin' to start?" He breathed a head rush slamming into him. Making him weak in the knees.
"Well you made fun of my blue balls." Daryl groaned trying to argue. Rick silenced him by shoving Daryl down to the ground behind the large grouping of tress they had stopped at. "I was thinking I could return the favor."
"What ya goin' to get me started then leave?" Daryl growled sitting up trying to relax as Rick closed in on him.
"No I wouldn't be that mean. But that doesn't mean I can't have my fun." Rick flashed a purely devilish grin. "Trust me. I'll make sure you enjoy this." Rick whispered.
"Yer overly confident aren' ya?" Rick worried his lip.
"Maybe. Hopefully my enthusiasm will make up for my lack of experience."
"Not exactly makin' me excited for this." Rick chuckled.
"Oh hush. Now do you want me to take off your pants or are you going to?" Daryl glared at Rick not moving his hands at all. Rick didn't look at all bothered by this. Rick slipped his warm palms under Daryl's shirt. The heat of Rick's fingers tracing Daryl's stomach made him shudder. He automatically sucked in his stomach, moving away from Rick's probing fingers. Rick's blue eyes turned distraught as he probed Daryl's stomach with increasing scrutiny. "You've lost more weight than I thought." Rick mumbled stroking up to Daryl's ribs. The feeling of the officer's slender digits on his skin made the hunter shiver. Rick moved his fingers in between Daryl's ribs. Feeling the flesh that showed the obvious malnutrition he'd suffered from the last few months.
"Really? That's where ya wanna start?" Daryl grumbled trying to push Rick's hands away from him. Rick responded by quickly swatting at Daryl before returning to feeling his way over the hunter's body.
"It's a problem." Rick murmured. "What if you collapsed again? We can't exactly take you to a hospital if that happens." Daryl rolled his eyes, this was getting old. How many times did he have to explain that it was fine. That he knew how to handle hunger. That he knew the limits of his body.
"It's…"
"Don't!" Rick growled getting angry. His eyes darkening. "Don't you dare say it's fine. It's not." Rick dragged his hands down to Daryl's stomach, rubbing small circles there. "When we met you had more meat on you."
"Are ya tryin' to say I was fat?" Daryl joked weakly. Rick's glare at the hunter's chuckle sobered him immediately.
"I'm saying you've lost more weight than you should have."
"Can' ya at least say I've gotten sleeker? Or streamlined? The way ya say it sounds like I'm a freakin' girl tryin' into fit in her prom dress." Rick snorted slightly before he sighed and pulled away.
"I hate this. Being unable to help you. To give you the food you need." Rick turned his eyes towards the house. "I wish I could give us all the food we need." Hesitating only for a moment Daryl touched Rick's hand.
"It's alright. We're okay. We're doin' everythin' we can." Rick nodded but he didn't look convinced. His eyes were still shimmering with pain. "We'll make it through this we will." Daryl pressed his forehead to Rick's. Rick squeezed the back of Daryl's neck holding them close together.
"Thanks." Rick breathed a small smile spreading. "You always know just what to say." Daryl wanted to argue that he never said anything helpful but Rick needed this moment, he realized. He needed to be told that they could make it through this. Rick started to knead Daryl's neck, working his fingers into the tense muscles that were a constant companion to the hunter. All thanks to the weight from keeping his crossbow with him every minute of the day.
After a minute Rick trailed his hands down to Daryl's thighs. Moving in slow teasing circles around his inner thighs. Daryl gulped letting Rick press his mouth to Daryl's throat. The soft sucks from the officer's lips were quickly accompanied by sharp nips. Each nip was joined by a squeeze from Rick's hands on his thighs. Rick continued his ministrations for a while longer. The onslaught of sensations set the hunter's body reeling. Trying to figure out how to process it all. The tingling behind Daryl's eyes spread to his whole body as Rick sped up his hands. Daryl's breathing became elevated as blood surged throughout his body.
When Rick was satisfied with his ability to work Daryl up, he moved onto Daryl's belt slowly (almost painfully slow) undoing it and sliding the zipper down. Daryl squeezed his eyes shut reminding himself to stay calm. That he wanted this. Rick's hands started to work his pants past his hips, Daryl felt his stomach clench and tighten with nerves. It's alright it's alright. Daryl repeated in his head. Reminding himself he'd done this before. He tried (unsuccessfully) to block out the last time he'd done this. The images of being chained to a bed and Stephen forcing his thighs apart, started rushing into his mind. Daryl clenched his fists as he struggled to remain in control. Rick's hands were sliding lower and Daryl couldn't feel outside of the trembling numbness settling deep in his bones.
He flinched when warm fingers touched his cheek. "Hey." Rick whispered nuzzling close to Daryl. Rick's free hand shifted away from Daryl's legs and touched the middle of his back instead, pulling him towards the officer's chest. "It's okay." He paused. "If you want to stop we can." Rick spoke softly as he stroked Daryl's cheekbone. The hunter peeled his eyes open. Rick was watching him with concern. He kept searching the hunter's face for something. Some truth that Daryl hadn't told Rick yet. A truth that he never wanted to tell.
"W-what?" Daryl's tongue trembled in his mouth.
"You're shaking." Rick took Daryl's hand that was indeed trembling harshly and completely out of his control. Daryl wanted to hide, he had been so certain he could control it. That Rick would be too busy chasing his own pleasure to notice. Why did that last time have to come to his mind instead of the better times when he'd actually enjoyed himself?
"Sorry." Daryl mumbled trying to keep his voice steady. He had a strong feeling he didn't because Rick tucked his head under Daryl's chin.
"Did I move too fast?" Rick's words fell against Daryl's throat when he pressed his lips to the Daryl's racing pulse. Rick's words were uncertain and small like the terror of hurting Daryl was too much for him to bear. Daryl struggled to work his mouth in order to explain his body's reaction, his shaking. "Do you want to stop? We can go back right now." Rick said giving him a clear and easy way out. Daryl breathed deeply and returned Rick's tight hug as best as his shaking limbs would allow. This is Rick, Daryl thought. He wouldn't do something like that. It's not in him. He's not like Stephen. He would never force something like that upon anyone.
"That's not entirely true." Merle hissed. Daryl shoved the thoughts aside instead focusing on Rick in front of him.
"I thought ya wanted to show off." Daryl responded with confidence he didn't feel inside his chest.
"Not show off as much as return the favor. I didn't want you to feel like I was expecting this to be a relationship where only I got to enjoy the stuff we do together." Daryl licked his lips and heaved Rick closer. He could feel Rick's heart pounding against his chest. It wasn't nearly as rapid as Daryl's own heartbeat but damn close. Rick inhaled deeply waiting for Daryl to make his decision.
"I could see the potential in that." Daryl mumbled feeling his face burn at his own words. How completely stupid he felt just saying something so mushy and lame. He felt like those people in bad late night pornos. A smile broke across Rick's face as he pressed his lips to Daryl's throat again.
"That's good. I was worried you'd hate the idea." Rick breathed into Daryl's collar.
"Are ya sure ya weren' hopin' I'd hate the idea?" Daryl teased his tone staying light to let Rick know he wasn't being serious. "That way ya could have a personal nipple twister anytime ya wanted." Rick laughed the sound echoing along Daryl's throat.
"Don't call it that! Sounds like something a seventh grader would say." Rick pinched Daryl's arm in response. There was no real pressure behind it however. Daryl swallowed as Rick continued running his fingers down his arm to meet the hunter's palm. He made small circles there before looking into the sharp gaze above him. "Do you want to continue?" Daryl's mouth felt like a desert. He barely managed a nod. Rick moved back to Daryl's hips. He paused. "If you want to stop at any moment let me know." Rick said firmly. His eyes holding pure strength of will and something dangerously close to devotion in them. He watched Daryl closely still giving him a moment to refuse this whole thing.
Daryl held Rick's gaze. The nerves were still tingling at the edge of his senses but he wanted this. He wanted to try it. Even if things ended badly between them at least the memory would linger. Rick nodded licking his lips. His whole body relaxed when he realized that Daryl wanted this too. "Now remember I've never done this before." Rick mumbled lowly.
"We'll figure it out together." Daryl said stroking Rick's cheek. He turned his face into the hunter's palm. Placing a small kiss on his wrist. Rick nibbled lightly on the thin skin there while his hands worked at the belt on his own jeans. When Rick managed to undo his jeans he pushed them down to his hips as well. Daryl quirked an eyebrow, looking at both of them with their jeans hanging half off their hips. Rick shrugged.
"Thought it might be better if we both got our pants off."
"Romantic." Daryl scoffed.
"You know me." Rick brushed his thumbs across Daryl's hipbones. He bit his cheek clearly wanting to mention how thin Daryl was again, but Rick resisted. He pressed his lips to the smooth skin of Daryl's stomach. Daryl's stomach fluttered as Rick continued. He subconsciously shifted his body to move Rick's mouth away from the scars on his hips and upper stomach, trying to avoid that conversation for as long as possible.
Daryl's eyes struggled to stay open as Rick worked Daryl's jeans down giving him access to the rest of Daryl's body. He started to pull Daryl's boxer's down. Daryl tightened his hand on Rick's shoulder. His eyes wide fearful, Rick smiled evenly without judgment. "Want me to go first?" Daryl didn't know how to respond. Rick took his silence as a yes.
He pulled down his pants and boxers in one smooth movement. Rick's body was clean (or cleaner than they usually got lately.) Making Daryl wonder if Rick had bathed in a river or something while Daryl had slept in. Daryl originally thought Rick's skin was blemish free but upon closer inspection he noticed small scars dotting his legs from childhood and his teenage years. They were nothing like Daryl's own but still the realization that Rick's body wasn't as perfect as he had once thought made a tiny part of Daryl feel better and more comfortable with the whole situation. But that didn't mean he wanted to rip his clothes off and show each horrible ugly ruined part of his body but maybe someday he would be willing to consider it. Maybe he'd take baby steps and explain simple ones like when Merle slammed his finger in a car door.
Daryl took all of Rick in, standing there without pants on looking beyond awkward. It was cute (not that Daryl would even in a million years admit that) Rick's cheeks flushed as he shifted nervously. Looking like he wanted to either pull his pants back up or hide his crotch away from Daryl's intense gaze. "This is the first time I've done this kind of thing with another guy." He admitted biting his lower lip, trying to put the nerves aside. It felt like the first time going to a new school only naked with the whole student body watching his dick.
"What no dares at sleep overs?" Daryl questioned finally dragging his eyes up from Rick's dick. Rick's cheeks were flushed as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other looking completely out of place and awkward. Overall the whole look tickled something deep in Daryl. He felt like the balance from before had shifted again and suddenly he was back in control. He was the one with the power, knowledge, and experience now. This suited him just fine. A smile formed as Daryl drew Rick closer.
"No." Rick mumbled.
"That's okay. I've got this."
"I'm supposed to be turning the favor." Rick muttered bitterly.
"Ya can take the lead next time." Daryl pressed a kiss to Rick's temple. He shivered at the contact.
"Or…" Rick grinned shoving his hands down Daryl's boxers, causing the hunter's body to go rigid. "We can do this together."
"Bastard. Little warnin' next time." Daryl ground out. Rick had a huge devilish grin and impish look in his eyes. Rick moved his hand slowly stroking torturously up and down. Daryl bit out a hiss at the feeling. It had been too long since someone (other than himself) touched him like that. "Ya know ya left yerself open."
"What?" Rick asked distractedly. Daryl bit down on Rick's throat as he trailed his hands down to the sensitive skin right next to Rick's dick. Rick groaned throwing his head back. Daryl smirked tracing just outside where Rick clearly wanted him to touch. When Daryl finally gripped Rick's shaft the man gasped squeezing a little too tight on Daryl's own piece.
"Hey easy." He hissed easing the pressure off of Rick.
"Sorry." The officer mumbled his eyes dark and dilated. "Felt good." He admitted softly. Daryl nodded giving himself a moment to feel the difference between them. Rick's penis was slightly longer than Daryl's own but Daryl's was thicker. The way Rick writhed when Daryl touched him told him that Rick wasn't used to foreplay like Daryl himself was. Foreplay was safe, easier, and less risky than sex, (Though Merle was the one to show him how dangerous sex could be with his occasional clap outbreaks.) It was something he'd learned the hard way during his younger years.
Rick panted softly something close to a whimper working past his lips. Daryl smiled squeezing and twisting simultaneously. "Not fair." Rick grumbled gripping Daryl with both hands. "You're trying to distract me." Daryl shrugged.
"I just have more experience." Rick glared darkly.
"Experience isn't everything." He pushed Daryl back against the tree where he bit the hunter's ear. His hands leaving fire as they moved. He worked his way down the shaft then up to his head. Daryl clenched jaw willing only grunts out of his mouth. He wasn't going to be some little bitch and moan or cry out. Especially not when they were doing something like this. as Rick traced his nails over the sensitive skin on his head. Rick grinned biting his ear. Clearly pleased at finding one of Daryl's weaknesses. "Feel good?" Daryl grunted in response his right hand sliding under Rick's shirt. He pinched the nipple he found there. Rick's eyes flew open wide as Daryl brought their foreheads together where they could stare at the pleasure building between them. Their breathing became labored and intense as the end was rushing towards them. "Wait." Rick whispered.
"Really?!" Daryl groaned, he was so close yet so far from completion.
"I've always wanted to try this." Rick panted moving his hips close to Daryl's. Rick steered them together with their long legs draped over each other's. Rick guided Daryl's dick as he shifted forward. Rick pressed their dicks together. Daryl bit back a moan at the feeling of heat created between them. It was electric. "Hot." Rick murmured encasing both their penises in his strong hands. Rick moved slowly up and down finding a speed that worked for both of them. The feeling of Rick's hand bobbing along with the sensation created from their dicks pressed together drove them both mad.
Daryl moved his hand over their heads collecting the fluid gathered there before swirling it around their heads. Rick panted his body trembling. Rick continued moving up and down on their shafts while Daryl teased the weeping heads. "Can't." Rick panted his eyes fluttering, heat growing on his cheeks. Daryl moved his left hand pulling Rick's back and body closer. He met the hunter's lips greedily. Moans and grunts escaped Rick's lips as they entwined their tongues. Not fighting but playful. Rick's hips started making little thrusts upwards trying to increase the simulation and pressure. Daryl bit Rick's lip as the feeling it created on his dick as it moved against Daryl's almost drove him to the edge.
"Close?" He whispered his breathing rough. Rick nodded his hands moving quicker and his hips rising up to meet each stroke. Daryl squeezed tightly tracing his nails on the vein on the underside of Rick's cock. Rick gasped as Daryl repeated the action the man's eyes fluttered shut and his hands moved rapidly. Daryl squeezed their heads together. He bit Rick's throat. His free hand holding Rick close. Rick's body jerked and arched as his orgasm hit him The look of pure ecstasy on Rick's face made Daryl's own flush and his dick twitch in longing. It was a look he wanted to see again on Rick, he realized as he continued slowly moving his hand. Helping work Rick through the aftershocks and comedown of his orgasm.
Rick panted his body shuddering as he rested against Daryl's shoulder. Daryl held him waiting until the man regained his breathing. "Feel good?" He questioned, his own dick throbbing from the lack of movement. He'd been close but Rick was new to this, it gave him priority in Daryl's mind. Rick always had priority.
"Yeah." Rick kissed Daryl's shoulder tenderly. His hand moving to replace Daryl's. "Your turn."
"It's okay. I'll be fine." Rick responded with a bite to his collarbone before taking the fluid from his orgasm and coated Daryl's dick with it. "Next time we'll get lube or something." Rick murmured running his hands over Daryl's dick. He moved quickly trying to work the hunter back into his near orgasm state. It wasn't hard, Daryl had been on the edge himself when he stopped to focus on Rick. Rick stroked focusing on Daryl's head, his whole body to exploded in a rush of pleasure and yearning.
"Tell me what to do?" Rick questioned softly his eyes watching Daryl closely trying to read what the hunter liked and didn't.
"Like that, only that vein I hit on yers? Stroke that." Rick complied instantly running his fingers over the vein. Rick tickled his fingers against Daryl's sensitive head while his nails constantly hit the vein. Daryl started to regret telling Rick about it almost immediately when the man mercilessly brushed against it with every move he made. Daryl had worn a bloody tear in his mouth from all the pressure he exerted trying to muffle his voice. But he must have been louder than he thought because Rick dragged his gaze away from Daryl's crotch that he'd been staring at intently while his hands worked.
Rick's face was still flushed and his eyes dark and blown from the orgasm. Even his hair was a tussled mess. Rick pressed his mouth to Daryl's. His tongue licking the blood on the hunter's lip. Rick lapped like a kitten with a warm saucer of milk. His hands started moving in time with his tongue and Daryl groaned opening his mouth at the onslaught of sensations. This was just what Rick was waiting for apparently. He plunged his tongue into Daryl's mouth the moment it opened. Daryl pressed back with his own tongue enjoying the sparks it created low in his belly.
Rick ran his nails and pressed right under Daryl's head, tracing a fine line while his thumb brushed the slit. Daryl could feel his insides trembling, his whole body going rigid. He tried to warn Rick he was close but his words were eaten before he could even try by the other man's possessive mouth and his refusal of letting them separate even for a moment. Despite this Rick seemed to realize Daryl was close and put more pressure on his hand while he increased the speed of his nails against the vein. Daryl panted his balls tightening at the same time Rick squeezed his hand and stroked the vein one final time. A soft groan escaped Daryl's mouth as he came.
Rick stroked slowly just as Daryl had done for him. He worked him through the orgasm his fingers doing their best to milk Daryl completely. Daryl panted his body feeling both light and oxygen deprived. He felt like all the tension and problems were gone as endorphins flooded his body. The hunter felt like a giant puddle of jelly no bones left in his body. He slid into the trunk behind him collapsing exhausted but content. Daryl's mind was so relaxed he almost forgot he was in the woods with walkers and death around every corner. Rick nuzzled up close to Daryl his head on the hunter's shoulder. He pulled his pants back up and then pulled a cloth from a pocket. Rick cleaned them both before helping Daryl shimmy his own pants back into place.
They rested panting softly against each other. Not saying anything or really thinking anything. Just enjoying a moment of satisfaction and bliss. Daryl's eyes were fluttering closed as Rick ran circles on his forearm. Rick regained his ability to speak first.
"See wasn't it more fun together?" Rick glanced up through his bangs at Daryl.
"Hm." Daryl grunted still trying to regain the ability to think thoughts.
"Was…" Rick paused and bit his lip looking uncertain.
"Was what?" Daryl mumbled resting his cheek against Rick's hair.
"Was it okay?"
"Aren' we a little too old for this?" Daryl chuckled softly. Rick shrugged.
"I've never been with a guy before. I wanted to make sure it wasn't terrible." Rick's cheeks brightened again.
"Ya did fine." Daryl mumbled not sure how to compliment a guy on his hand job skills. A smile grew on Rick's lips as he nuzzled into Daryl's throat.
"I already know what we'll do next time."
"Already plannin' ahead?" Daryl questioned hoping Rick wasn't intending to have the next time be tonight. Pleasure was fun and all but Daryl knew they had other things to worry about, like dinner and supplies not when they could get another quickie.
"I like to be prepared." Rick shrugged. "But for now let's just enjoy this." Daryl hummed in agreement. "You don't have to answer but is it okay if I ask you something?" Rick mumbled after a few minutes of silence. His gaze was locked on the trees beyond Daryl but his jaw was set determined.
"Sure."
"There's a scar on your leg." Daryl froze his body instantly tensing. Which one did Rick mean? He had so many all over his body, which one could he be talking about. "On your right knee, where did it come from?" Daryl exhaled deeply, he'd been terrified Rick would ask about the ones on his back, chest, or hips. But the knee? That was an easy one. A scar he could talk about, one that didn't send his mind back to the black places in his childhood. Places he didn't need to be letting Rick or anyone know about just yet. Rick noticed Daryl's tension and quickly said, "You don't have to. I was just curious."
"Nah it's fine." Daryl chuckled. "It was stupid actually Merle dared me to jump from the roof of our house to the neighbor's roof. I don' think I even realized how far apart they were. Too busy tryin' to show off and prove to him I was just as tough as he was."
"You fell?"
"Yep it was a pretty bad fall. Probably lucky I didn' break my damn leg but Merle and I kept quiet we put a towel around it and hid it from ever'one. Didn' need stitches but it healed with that nasty scar." Rick touched Daryl's knee tenderly.
"Sorry."
"Don' be doesn' bother me. Just stupid kid stuff ya know? Sure ya have a few stories about doin' dumb stuff too." Rick chuckled.
"Sure but my stories probably aren't as glamorous as yours." Rick put his arms around Daryl's torso.
"I'd like to hear them sometime." Daryl murmured against the top of Rick's head.
"Yeah well I'm pretty sure you know more about me than I do you." Rick grumbled poking Daryl's chest with a finger.
"How so?"
"You don't always like sharing things especially about yourself, I don't mind if you don't want to but I do like learning about you. The things you did before all this, the things you want to do, the things you like. I like knowing about all of it." Rick flushed and pressed his head embarrassed into Daryl's neck trying to hide. "And now I sound like a goddamn TV special with singing teenagers. Forget I said anything." Daryl ran his fingers through Rick's hair and could feel the heat from the man's face in his neck.
"Sorry, I'm not good at sharin'. Just not used to it. I'll work on it." He whispered.
"Really?" Rick whispered muffled.
"If it's what ya want." Daryl mumbled his own cheeks growing slightly red. He still didn't know what Rick found interesting in him. Maybe that's why he wanted to learn more about him? To try and figure it out himself. Sort of like taking a car apart to figure out how it works. Hopefully Rick wouldn't try to dissect him, Daryl thought.
"I'd like that. We can swap some more stories." Rick smiled pulling back so he could look Daryl in the eyes. Daryl nodded watching the excitement build behind Rick's blue eyes. Rick smiled widely once more before it was gone in a flash as his expression sobered. "We should probably get back huh?" Daryl nodded even though he didn't mind the idea of staying and resting in the afterglow for a while longer. "The houses have been getting less and less stable as the days go on."
"Yeah." Daryl agreed cracking his neck out.
"We'll probably have to move again soon."
"Yep."
"All things considered we've gotten pretty lucky though." Rick said standing. He reached down and helped pull Daryl up. They stood there sharing one more moment of the afterglow together before reality tugged them back to their duties.
"Need to make a run soon." Daryl mumbled turning his head to the sky seeing how late it was. "For ammo more than food."
"Are we running out?"
"No but I don' really want to be around when we do. Plus I'd like more arrows." Daryl said giving his crossbow a jiggle as proof.
"Don't you have two quivers already?" Rick chuckled.
"Ya can never have enough arrows." Daryl glared at Rick. Rick raised his hands in peace.
"Alright alright. I'll trust you on that. Come on let's start heading back." Daryl nodded falling behind Rick as they started the trek back. They walked in silence for a moment before Rick turned to look at Daryl.
"You know one of the things I miss most about the old world?" Rick mumbled coming to a stop. He had that faraway look that only Daryl seemed privileged to as of late. The Rick in front of the group could be hard and uncompromising in his authority. But when it was just the two of them Rick returned to the man he'd been when Daryl first met him. More likely to solve problems with words than with guns and threats. The new Rick was necessary to keep them alive (even if the group didn't realize this) but the old one was easier to like. Daryl was loyal to either Rick regardless which one he found himself with. He knew he'd follow the man in front of him for as long as he was able. Daryl wondered if Rick even realized that his personality had started to shift since he took control of the group. He might be aware of it on a subconscious level, but not enough to change things. Maybe when they settled into a more permanent place Rick's previous kind personality would return. At least that's what Daryl hoped.
"What?" Daryl asked kicking his heels against a tree to work some of the mud out of the soles.
"Dogs." Rick sighed before turning to Daryl. "I miss having dogs. I grew up with them. My dad loved dogs. My mom loved animals. We always had two or three around. I was actually thinking of getting Carl a dog before I got shot. Figured he was old enough you know?" Rick smiled wistfully as he turned his head towards the sky. "A boy can't grow up without a dog. That's what my dad used to say. Right after he made me read Where the Red Fern Grows." Rick laughed ruefully. "His way of preparing me for the reality of having dogs, I guess. Preparing me for the good and the bad of dog ownership." Rick shrugged and turned his gaze back to Daryl who shifted awkwardly under the attention. "What about you? Any pets?" Daryl bit his lip uncomfortable and uncertain how to best inform the man in front of him, that his family had been too poor for pets. Rick was watching him closely. Clearly this was him trying to give Daryl an opportunity to share. Daryl still wasn't used to the idea but it mattered to Rick, that made it important to him. Important enough that he'd be willing to try and open up, even if it was something stupid like pets.
"Nah." Daryl shook his head. "Merle gave me a pet rock for my fifth birthday once. He named it Stoner. Took me years to understand the implications of the name." Rick chuckled at his joke.
"What happened to your rock?"
"Pretty sure Merle used it to break into a pharmacy. Wound up in juvie for that stunt."
"Ouch."
"Yeah." Daryl agreed. "I always wanted a dog. My mom said she'd get one for me once. But I'm pretty sure my pa vetoed that pretty quick. Or he drank the puppy funds away." Rick's eyes had a sad, close to pitying look to them. It was a look Daryl didn't approve of at all. "Sides I probably would have shot any pet I owned… Not on purpose of course!" Daryl explained quickly when Rick's expression turned horrified. "There was a few months before I got real good with my crossbow that some accidents happened."
Rick arched an eyebrow silently asking him to continue. "Like the time I shot the neighbor girl's cat." He shrugged.
"On purpose?"
"No no never." Daryl denied. "I'd been aimin' at a bird. Didn' see the cat was after the same prize until it was too late. He lived by the way. The cat I mean. The arrow just nicked his flank in case ya were wonderin'."
"What happened next?" Rick asked looking genuinely interested.
"Took the cat back to his family. The girl Maddie, god she was upset. Cryin' and sobbin' so hard like the world had ended. Her parents wanted to beat me within an inch of my life. Her dad actually started to at one point. That's when my pa came barrelin' out of the house. He was beyond pissed. Started hollerin' and cursin'. Maddie's parents started doin' the same. Which of course makes her cry even harder. Me, I'm trapped in the middle too scared to move, like they were T-Rexes ready to eat me if I so much as twitch. So I don' really move or breathe, too terrified to do either."
Daryl didn't mention that he wasn't sure who was more likely to beat him to death, his father or Maddie's parents. "My pa says he'll kill them if they ever get near me again. Maddie's parents say they'll sue us. My pa says he'll burn their house down. This goes on for nearly twenty minutes. Maddie's almost blue in the face from cryin' and I'm 'bout ready to drop myself from tryin' not to move."
"What happened next?" Rick asked when Daryl paused as he took a moment to gather his thoughts.
"Well suddenly Merle smashes the front door open. He's got this look of rage, anger, and hate in his face that I've never seen before. He stomps over to me and grabs my hand. Starts pullin' me from the group back towards our house. Maddie's dad moves to stop him and grabs my shoulder. The instant his hand touches my shoulder, Merle moves faster than I've ever seen anyone move. He's got a knife to the man's throat. And Merle's voice gets real low and he hisses 'let him go or I'll cut ya so deep yer own ma won' be able to recognize ya.' And sure enough he lets me go almost like I'm burnin' him or somethin'. Then my pa and Maddie's parents go back to yellin' at each other but Merle drags me inside where he locks the door and takes me to the bathroom. He spent damn near an hour taking care of my bruises and cuts."
Daryl smiled to himself as he remembered Merle staring at him hard as he started to bandage the scrapes. Merle wasn't exactly the most caring person alive but when he decided something or someone was worth protecting he'd die to defend that them. Daryl always considered himself lucky to be one of the things Merle actually gave a damn about. It wasn't enough to make him stay around all the time but at least when he was there things were a whole lot better than they were when he wasn't. "Merle told me to tell him if Maddie's parents ever touched me again. He said he'd kill them for me. Told me no one is ever allowed to touch me like that. Especially not with him around." Merle's eyes when he said that were so intense and strong it was almost scary. But being around Merle was always like that. Scary but exciting and intense. Being with Merle you tended to get swept up in the chaos that was Merle. Stability just wasn't his nature. For the longest time Daryl didn't think it was in his nature either, but this group was slowly changing his feelings on that.
"I sort of wish this was a story that you made up." Rick mumbled looking both shocked and impressed by the whole thing. "But knowing you it's true."
"Of course it is. Every word is the truth."
"What happened to that family? Did they sue?"
"Nah. They didn', actually stayed in that house for a few more years."
"Really?!" Rick gasped. "You know that's the kind of family feuds I'd be called out to deal with when I first started in the police force. 'They stole my newspaper so I ran over their dog. Then they responded with burning down my garage.'"
"It never got that far. Actually didn' have many other problems with them after that. Ever'one avoided each other, except for Maddie, she and I became friends later on."
"That's a bit of a surprise." Rick laughed.
"Yeah. I brought her flowers practically twice a day, until she told me to stop. That it was alright and I didn' need to keep apologizin'. She was nice. Didn' hold grudges, not like my family did. Her parents never really approved of me though. I think that's part of why they moved away eventually. To get away from me and mine."
"I guess I should be glad you've never shot any of us by mistake."
"Ah that was a long time ago and really the only time it ever happened. Don' miss now do I?" Rick chuckled.
"No you certainly don't."
"Damn right." Daryl growled patting his crossbow. Rick shook his head and they started moving again. The house rose on the horizon a few minutes later.
"Well…guess we have to get back to it huh?" Rick sighed.
"Gotta keep ever'one alive." Daryl nodded. "Oh I almost forgot. Got ya a present."
"Really?" Rick asked playfully as they walked up.
"Yeah it's in yer bag." Daryl said holding the door open. Rick made a beeline straight for his bag in the corner of the room. He opened it and started digging through it. Daryl hopped up on the counter, watching the excited expression on the man's face. He looked like a kid at Christmas. It was cute. (He wouldn't admit that either.)
"Oh Daryl." Rick said as he pulled the book out and held it to his chest. "You shouldn't have." He said mimicking a girl getting a wedding band.
"Ya deserve the best." Daryl teased. Rick opened the book with a chuckle.
"I have to be honest did not think you actually had this book." Daryl shrugged. "We are so getting snuggies." Rick said flipping through a few pages of the Snuggie Sutra.
"Yeah well if ya get one ya can count me out." Daryl shook his head.
"Come on it'll be romantic." Rick laughed.
"Yeah if ya like doin' it with a stuffed animal in the desert."
"It'll be my anniversary present to you." Rick said offhandedly still glancing at the pictures inside of the book. Daryl froze at his words, his eyes wide. He knew Rick was just kidding with him but the thing that really surprised him was the way his heart skipped a beat at the idea. Could they really make a go at this long enough to have an anniversary? That thought never occurred to Daryl. He always thought that this would be a month maybe three tops. But a whole year. Could Rick really like him enough to want that? "Daryl?"
"Hm?" Daryl asked his head jerking up to look at Rick. He was holding the Adonis in his hands with a concerned look on his face.
"I asked you what this flower means." He waved the flower in Daryl's face. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, sorry lost in thought." Daryl cleared his throat. "It's an Adonis." Daryl hopped off the counter and stepped closer to Rick. Rick automatically moved to Daryl's side. His eyes dark as he watched the hunter closely. "It means…" Daryl mumbled fingering the petals. "a recollection of life's pleasures. Basically remindin' ya to remember the pleasure of life."
"I know of one pleasure I can recall right now." Rick whispered in Daryl's ear. Daryl's face burned at his words. He pulled back and could see the heated and pointed gaze Rick was leveling at him.
"It's not just 'bout that. It's to remind ya of all the stuff that came before this." Daryl shrugged, as he walked back to the counter. Rick's eyes followed Daryl's ass the whole time, clearly thinking of only one pleasure. Daryl chuckled and shook his head. "Now's not the time for that." He mumbled, though he did agree with Rick that it was an enticing thought.
"I know." Rick groaned rubbing his head. "Just teasing."
"Yeah sure." They shared a grin and even half a room apart it felt like they were right next to each other. Daryl's fingers twitched practically begging him to reach out and pull Rick in for another kiss. The way Rick kept licking his lips, he was probably thinking the same thing. But they resisted, Rick putting the book back in his bag and Daryl checking over his crossbow. It didn't stop them from shooting each other little glances but they kept their hands to themselves. It was a good thing because a minute later Carol, Maggie, T-Dog, and Hershel entered the room.
"Rick just the man I was looking for." T-Dog said giving him a firm pat on the shoulder. Carol automatically moved to rest her hip against the counter next to Daryl. He gave her a half smile while everyone crowded around Rick.
"What is it?" Rick asked his eyes and facing going back to the leader personality Daryl noticed.
"Glenn and I saw some walkers on our way back from checking the houses a block down." Maggie said quickly. Daryl noticed slight red marks on her neck, checking houses and having a little fun. He thought but didn't see what he'd gain in bringing it up. They all needed a way to relax that was theirs. At least they finally started getting it on away from the group. Those first few weeks had been awkward to say the least.
"Just a few?" Maggie shook her head. Daryl perked up at this. Walkers, how close? Did they need to leave now? He glanced at Carol, she was holding her arms tightly listening.
"Ya okay?" He whispered to her. She gave a shaky nod.
"Just getting ready to run when we have to." Daryl nodded and gave her a soft pat on the back.
"So we leave then." Rick mumbled biting his thumb.
"That's just it Rick." Hershel interrupted. "Lori can't take much more of this constantly moving around. It's not good for her and it's not good for the baby." Rick paled at this, his eyes widening.
"Then we need to find somewhere safe we can hold up in. At least for a few weeks." Daryl said cutting in. Rick looked up at him, grateful but fear still swimming in his body. Hershel nodded.
"That's the problem." Maggie said. "We've been looking. There's nothing, most of these towns are getting overrun. Hordes keep moving through them."
"What about another campsite?" Carol asked.
"Wouldn't be safe to have a baby outside." Hershel said with a shake of his head.
"Let's pull the maps together. Maybe move away from this area altogether, maybe Macon or Senoia?" T-Dog suggested.
"Macon's too big and close to Atlanta. The hordes could have moved down towards it." Rick muttered.
"We could try moving towards the coast?" Maggie tried rubbing her head trying to come up with a plan.
"The coast leads us closer to Savannah. It's just as big as Macon." Carol explained softly.
"Then Molena or Concord?" Daryl suggested, one of the first books he went through was a book of history and population of Georgia towns. It was a few years old but it helped them immensely regardless. It was also how they had avoided areas full of walkers. By staying in small towns that had populations under a few thousand. Rick stared at him, silently asking him which would be the best choice for them. Rick had trusted Daryl to make most of the choices when it came to the houses they stayed in. He'd been good at leading them to safe places thus far. But in Daryl's opinion it was Rick's inherit luck that the group relied upon more. His luck had gotten them through some tough times. "It's up to ya."
"Get everyone ready to leave." Rick said to Hershel, Maggie, and T-Dog they all nodded and started moving to gather the supplies up. Carol gave him a weary smile as she went out the doors to start the cars. Daryl hopped off the counter and went to join them. Before he could, Rick grabbed his arm. "Daryl, which one?" He asked softly.
"I told ya it's up to ya."
"I'm asking. I'm asking which you think is better." Daryl licked his lips.
"Concord. It's closer and has a smaller population." Rick nodded.
"Okay. That's where we'll go." Daryl shouldered some of the bags in the room while Rick grabbed his.
"Alright I'll let ever'one know."
"Just another day in paradise." Rick sighed.
"Yeah but at least we have some warnin' this time." Rick nodded. He glanced around quickly before pressing his forehead to Daryl's. The contact only last a few seconds before they pulled away.
"Ride safe."
"Always. Just make sure ya stay on my tail this time. Don' get lost lookin' for some diner." Rick chuckled, as Daryl raced up the stairs to his room. He gathered everything (his books included) into the bags and slung them over his shoulder. "Here we go again." He sighed preparing himself for the rush and exhilaration of breaking a new place in. Hopefully this next one they could actually stay in for more than a few days. They all needed a place where things were safer. The air was ripe with tension, everyone knew things were going to change soon. And Daryl knew change in this world was usually bad.
So first off hopefully everyone noticed the jump in ratings. I didn't think I could continue to get away saying its a hard T...Especially with the content in this chapter! lol. So welcome to the rating of M! Hopefully I live up to that rating. Let me know what you guys thought of the smut scene! I went over it a bunch trying to get it just right.
Also thank you so much to the people who've reviewed, favorited, and followed this story! I can't thank you enough! It makes my day to see how many like this story! If you have time please give me a review I'd love to hear what everyone thought of this chapter.
Next chapter things get very interesting! Hopefully I'll see you all in the next chapter! Enjoy Walking Dead tonight!
