That night, Carol was wandering about upstairs as Daryl slept in their room. She entered into a large, old fashioned bedroom. There was a four poster bed, a huge oak wardrobe and a full length mirror in the corner next to a floor-to-ceiling window looking out to the back garden. It was a simple room and yet so lavish. Despite wanting to go and join Daryl back in bed, she was intrigued by the wardrobe. So, with curiosity she couldn't push down, she slowly wandered over to it. She took the handles in her small hands and pulled. The doors opened and slowly revealed a packed selection of clothes. There were reds as bright as cherries and dark as blood, greens as stunning as emeralds and deep as the darkest ocean. Yellows and purples swam into her vision and, for the first time in a long time, she felt herself grin from ear to ear. She checked over her shoulder, making sure the door was shut, and then grabbed a top from off the hanger.

It was a rich red colour and the style was simple. A tank top but with frills on the straps and a cream hem. She removed her old and dirty one and tossed it carelessly on the floor then pulled the new one over her head and moved across to the mirror. Smoothing out the new fabric, she stood and looked at her reflection. She hadn't worn something like this in... well, ever. Ed would have never let her wear something as bright and confident as this before. She supposed, looking around at the room again, that it wouldn't hurt to try a few more things on.

...

Daryl turned over in his sleep and his arm aimed to wrap around her body. He was met with a coiled arm around air which jolted him awake.

"Shit," he cursed, looking around the room.

He couldn't see her. Where had she gone? Sitting up, he attempted another glance around the deserted room. Everyone was downstairs and he could hear hushed talks. She must be there. Deciding to fight off fatigue instead of sleeping, Daryl pulled on his boots and made his way out of the room. He was about to set foot on the steps but light emanating out of the crack of a door down the hall stopped him. He frowned but started to walk. Suddenly, he felt quite nervous but he pushed it down and opened the door.

The creak of the door must have startled her because she whipped around from her place across the room with her face flushed as red as the jumper she had on. It was simple but looked quite baggy on her. She looked smothered and Daryl's mouth turned up at the corner. She looked beautiful.

"You look-"

"I know," she rushed out, looking embarrassed. "It's a little big."

"Nice."

Carol stopped and looked up then smiled. He saw her tugging down the sleeves to her knuckles and then frowned.

"What's wrong?"

She looked irritated and continued to pull at the length of the jumper. It looked like she was fighting with it and her face was now flushed completely red.

"Hey," he said, crossing over to her and taking hold of her wrists, "what's up?"

Her eyes met his and she sighed and relaxed. "Ed would never let me wear somethin' like this."

Daryl's stomach twisted. He never liked it when she brought Ed up.

"You can wear it now," he whispered, as if he was afraid someone else might hear. "You look good in it. Even if you ain't big enough for it," he added with a smile.

She laughed and choked back a sob in her voice. He chuckled as well and brought one arm around her waist with the other around her shoulders, hugging her into his chest. He kissed the top of her head lightly and then transferred his fingers to under her chin, tilting her head up.

"You're beautiful."

A sweet grin appeared on her face and she brushed at her eyes with the sleeves of the jumper.

"Help me get this thing off," she laughed.

He grabbed the hem of the jumper and hauled it over her head leaving her in just her old tank top. Carol ran her hands through her short grey hair and messed it up again then smiled up at him.

"Thank you."

She kissed him once and then pulled back. Her bright blue eyes were fixed on his lips then she moved back in. Daryl was caught off guard for a moment but then his arms tightened around her slim frame and pulled her in more. Her lean arms were fastened around his neck and he slowly started to walk forwards and push her against the wall. The blue eyes looked startled as they flashed open once in surprise. He met her gaze with a relaxed stare and continued the kiss. She was stuck between him and the wall now and he smiled into the kiss as she deepened it. His hands trailed down her sides until they arrived at her hips and he tightened his grip.

Nothing in his life had ever compared to this. His thoughts whirred around his head and he tried to focus on her completely. Even through the apocalypse, she had always smelled slightly of lavender and it fought its way through all his other senses. Her own hands had now found his waist and she grabbed his shirt fabric but his were elsewhere. One had moved to stroke along her collarbone with his thumb whilst pushing the strap off her shoulder. In the heat of the moment, his hand fell down to her breast and stayed. They remained in that position for several seconds until he heard a cheer from downstairs and, with a groan, he pulled back.

...

"What the hell?"

Carol was completely flustered as she smoothed out her top again and glanced to the door.

"I have no idea," she said, breathless and still recovering from the kiss. Daryl glanced back at her and smiled coyly. "Shut up," she said with a grin.

"C'mon."

He held out a hand for her to take and she felt warmth rush to her heart. Taking his calloused hand quickly in her own, she was led out of the room and down the stairs. Once they reached the main room, Carol saw Andrea had a wine glass in her hand that was held high above her head. Thick red liquid sloshed around in it and Andrea's grin spread wide.

"Look what I found!" she cried, beaming.

Daryl snorted but then Glenn came in and handed him a beer. Carol's mouth was agape.

"How did you-"

"Basement!" Maggie laughed, pressing a glass into her hand.

Michonne and Rick also had beers. Carl had a small drop then made a face and pushed it away earning a laugh from everyone else. Even Rick smiled briefly.

Carol stood in the candlelit room drinking the wine and noticing that Daryl's hand hadn't left her own once.