This started out as a role play between myself (gunslingerdixon) and my Carol rp partner untapdtreasure (nolongeraxburden), and it was mutually decided upon to share with the rest of FF as a fanfiction. So here it is! Enjoy!

If y'all are interested in following us just go to: nolongeraxburden. tumblr .com or gunslingerdixon. tumblr .com

Also: we own nothing in regards to The Walking Dead. All rights belong to the copyright holder.

Daryl:

Daryl flinched at her words. Coward. He felt his lip curl up into a snarl as he felt the heat rise from his neck and into his cheeks. Turning on his heel in one fluid motion, he glared harshly at her. He could feel his anger burning through him again. Taking several steps forward, he got close not caring how far into her space he was. Physical proximity had no bearing on what was going to tumble out of his mouth. Those were fighting words she was using and he wasn't just going to let them go so easily— let Carol think she could just talk to him like she was. If she wanted to sling around insults— well he could do it too and match her move for move.

"What d'you know 'bout me? Huh? This ain't fuckin' easy." He growled low, both clenched fists having dropped to his side. The jasper stone was forgotten in the depths of his pocket and in that moment he didn't care about it. There would be no comfort sought from it anymore. All of the solace he had found in it was wasted on all the prior events that had been building up to this. His patience had been tested and this was the result. Carol wanted to point fingers… Fine.

He absently shook his head walking away before whirling around again. Words were threatening to bubble forth from his lips, but he shut his mouth holding back. In spite of how angry he was, Daryl knew he couldn't just babble on without thinking… Just talking aimlessly for the sake of filling space between them. As much as he wanted to just rant, he didn't want to completely destroy his relationship with Carol. They'd struggled with it for so long, building its fragile foundation for god knows how long and it would topple with just one uninterred statement. Their tempers could flare and would all the while, but why destroy something all because of the misconstrue of feelings they had?

He wagged his finger at her, impeding the proximity bubble he had been so desperate to remove himself from earlier. "Y'dont know shit 'bout what I've dealt with." He hissed eyes grazing her features, studying every flinch and eye twitch for some sort of mild reaction to what he was saying. "You wanna talk 'bout cowards… Callin' that kettle fuckin' black. Stayed with yer shitty husband for all them years… And the only way y'got out was 'cause he was killed. Weren't even woman 'nough to take charge o' yer own life."

Narrowed steely gaze held fast on her as he scowled at the statement knowing that he was digging his claws deep into her. He knew he was hurting her but hadn't that what they'd been doing to each other all night? Toying with one another's emotions? Seeing how much give the other had to offer before they pulled back?

When Carol called him out on how he felt, the breath caught in his throat and he froze. Tilting his head to look back at her, he scoffed realizing what was going on. Something sparked inside himself and he felt bold. Swallowing hard, Daryl took another foot forward. "Yer just out t'make yerself the victim. Nope. I ain't gon' give ya that satisfaction. Y'want me t'tell ya I don't give a shit 'bout you or yer feelings…" He drawled harrumphing when he started to really think more about everything. "Tough shit. And if it takes me to fuckin' say somethin' 'cause yer too chicken shit t'do it. Fine!" He barked getting right in her face, her soft shuddered breaths warm against his lips.

Brows knit in frustration, anger, and every other mixed emotion he was feeling at the moment, Daryl took another steady step forward feeling the rush of adrenaline pump through his veins. That step was his final straw. There was no space between them at that point and he didn't care. She wanted to know where he stood. Fine. He'd tell her and he wasn't going to be nice about it neither.

"I fuckin' care more 'bout you than ya think I do. I went out lookin' fer yer little girl and I didn't even know you— hell I fuckin' took an arrow and a bullet in the process. Frankly I didn't give a shit 'bout this fuckin' group o' people… 'Till you…" He growled letting his words hang in the air.

The air was thick and stilled around them like a heavy blanket, almost suffocating to a degree. Daryl had said more in that one burst of breath than the entire duration he had been with these people. "And if ya wanna think I don't… Fine. Let the fuckin' horse die then. Fightin' 'cause no one else will. 'Cause I ain't got no one else. I don't." He admitted roughly, eyes drawn down in wrinkled anger, scowl still plastered on his face.

If she bothered with him after this outburst, he'd be damned surprised. Anyone else would have likely stormed off in a huff, but he waited patiently on her reaction. This was his test. She'd been trying with him this entire time. Well here was her chance: prove him wrong otherwise.

Carol:

Carol knew a lot about him. Or she wanted to feel that she did. He had quickly and easily become her best friend. At the end of the word who would have thought the mouse would be loyal to the redneck? Or the other way around? She kept her mouth shut, lips taut, and let his anger leech onto her. She could take it. All of it because they were just angry words. He didn't mean them. That much she knew. This was all he knew, and it was still a struggle for him. And she had known that. She had been banking on that. Because in the end that was the fire she needed to get at the truth.

Only difference between right now and back at the farm was he'd just unleashed all of the ugly with no hint of holding back and thinking about his words. In this moment, she saw him wrestle to keep their friendship in tact when all was said and done. And that's the man he'd become. He wasn't perfect, but who was? Who had ever been? And that's how she knew she could shoulder it. That's how she knew she would. He was worth every ounce of anger, every second of self doubt. She'd been honest with him and herself moments before when she told him he was her everything. She loved him. There was no denying that.

He was nothing at all like Ed. Ed didn't care if his words hurt or his fists. When he wanted something, it got done. Truth was she had been terrified of him for so long by the time the walkers started roaming the earth, she didn't know anything else existed. She'd had no relationship to base her own on. She had known it was wrong, but she just knew she hadn't wanted to be alone. And yes, that made her the biggest coward of all. She lowered her eyes, ashamed of that fact alone. She could have made a life for herself and Sophia. She should have left Ed long ago, but she hadn't. And that was the life she couldn't hide from, but at the same time, she couldn't change a damn thing.

Her hands went to her face, holding it for a few seconds, not fighting the tears now. She rubbed her face gently, trying to wash away all self loathing, but it was deep in her skin and would take more than her own hands to scrub it loose. She dropped her hands at his accusation that she was playing the victim. Her eyes searched his face as her own insecurities were front and center. He was in her space now and she was speechless. Her breath came in stunted wisps, and she knew she didn't have much left in her. Her shoulders sagged a little, hands in tight balls at her sides. His gaze was so intense that it was her that looked away, so ashamed at letting all this come to pass between them. Her mouth was dry and the room was suddenly smaller, and she felt she couldn't breathe.

Her hand came up, resting on his bicep. It wasn't curled in anger, but simply at rest there to keep her steady and grounded. To know that no matter what else was spoken here tonight, she had him in some way. Her eyes moved back to his as he talked of his search for Sophia. His own struggles with finding her girl, not giving up on her. And then his revelation that it was Carol's persistence that kept him with their group. She took a shaky breath then, tears drying on her face.

"I don't want nobody else," she whispered. Her voice cracked with emotion. "Don't need nobody else, Daryl…" Her hand moved up his bicep, slow and steady. It was against his neck, holding him in place but then again, it wasn't. She wouldn't force him into anything. Neither of their backs were to a wall. They stood there face to face with all of it laid bare. "Can't lose you too." Her voice was stronger now. It carried her emotions softly to his ears to linger between them.

"I won't give up on you. I know that's what you're the most afraid of, sweetheart…" She almost wanted to pull that slip of the tongue back inside, hide it away, but it was too late. Her eyes didn't waver nor did they turn away from him. "I see it every time someone new tries to get close. You prickle, building up those walls a little higher. I know you've been hurt. And the worst kind of hurt…"

"Those scars on your back? On your body…" She tilted her head a little, softening her stance to press into his space. "They don't make you the man you are, the man I see every single time I look at you. You just gotta trust me…to do what's right, what's good for you. To you…" She trailed off, letting her thumb caress his jaw line tenderly.

Please review and let us know what you thought! Cheers!

*Note: This is also not 100% written by myself. I owe a lot of credit to my wonderful partner as she is Carol and does a phenomenal job. Send her some love too at untapdtreasure here at FF!