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:

Lost in his own collective thoughts, Daryl had to shake himself out of his own reverie before tilting his head at Carol, dry swallowing the bite in his voice having not been paying much attention to what she had been saying. He was quietly going over how he could manage squeezing through the gap above the stalls that led to the men's section of the bathroom and dealing with any present threat that lurked within. It was a nagging at the back of his mind that they may not get out of there alive if what he thought was likely waiting outside their door was actually there. He didn't voice this concern as he didn't want to frighten Carol and get her worked up as if this entire mess was her fault.

It wasn't anyone's fault from what he could reason, but he was sure if he had asked her, Carol would have gladly volunteered herself as she being the cause of all this mess. Daryl didn't need that kind of unnecessary fussing if he could help it. He wanted to desperately just get through the night in one piece and no more arguments about this or that— last thing on his mind. He wanted the tension in the air gone and the knotting in his stomach eased as all this was causing him unneeded stress at the moment. A cloud of judgment on his part which could end poorly if he wasn't in a clear mindset.

"Hmm?" He gruffed drawing a brow up in piqued curiosity when she gestured for his hand, blood having congealed in the serrated cuts from the glass. A light sting jolted through his hand, tickling with prickles along his forearm up when he clenched his hand into a loose fist. He awkwardly rubbed at the back of his neck with his non-injured hand not quite clear if any kind of ointment would help the cuts which he neither cared about. It didn't hurt enough so it was of no bother to him. But, he supposed, if it would ease her worry over him and allow him some respite while she slept, he would gladly let it go and let Carol tend to his bloody fist as she so pleased.

Eying her warily through the dim of the little moonlight that trickled in through the vent rafters, Daryl took a hesitant step forward, hand outstretched, palm down so his cuts were somewhat visible to her. "Go 'head." He drawled folding his other arm across his chest, dipping his hip as he settled his weight onto one leg as he stood somewhat lax in his stance awaiting Carol to tend to his wounds.

Carol:

Carol knew he was lost in thought, and it worried her slightly. But she pushed it away. His mind was always working, and when the time was right, he would share his thoughts with her. That was something she would never push him on. No matter what other issues were at hand.

She managed to find the scrap of fabric on the floor beside his feet and held it loosely between her fingers. She breathed a sigh of relief when he agreed to let her take care of his knuckles. "I know it won't do much for the pain, but it might keep the infection at a minimum." And with medical care as it was now, preventative medicine was the best kind of safe medicine.

"Just let me get my stuff…" She knelt down, putting his poncho beside the pack and rummaged around until she found the ointment, pulling it free from the pack. She wrapped her fingers around it. "All I have to clean it with is this wintergreen astringment. Means it's gonna sting." She pushed herself back up onto her feet and tilted her head a bit.

She moved toward him, setting her stuff down in the sink that didn't hold the shattered faux glass and cleared her throat. "We'll have to do this more from touch than sight. So if something doesn't feel right, you let me know." She reached for his hand when he got within reach, moving to unscrew the cap of the astringent and held his hand loosely, not wanting him to flinch and make it worse. It would no doubt hurt like a bitch.

"Ready?" she asked, not wanting to throw any surprise his way. Her fingertips lay just under his palm, remaining still, but it still felt good to be connected to him by touch again. It was the little things that made her heart skip a beat. She swallowed hard and took a step toward him.

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!