Hello again : ) Thanks so much for the awesome reviews to chapter 3! I definitely had fun with that one and it seems like you guys did too! Kudos to Whoneedsasword for putting that idea in my head : ) Today, I'm posting a request from Dixonrocks. She wanted to see Daryl and Carol searching for Beth, and wanted Daryl to convince Carol that he digs her…not Beth. I did my best and I hope you all enjoy the results! I threw in a little badassery because I like seeing our couple in action! Also…feels! Also… cigarette warning
Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead…at least not in real life….
Chapter 4: Persuasion
Every step sent jolts of pain up Carol's legs, making her knees ache. She wasn't sure how long they'd been walking. It seemed like hours had passed since their car ran out of fuel. The asphalt was hard, unforgiving as they made their way into the city. Carol's feet were sore and her entire body felt weak…battered, but she wouldn't allow herself to complain. Instead, she wiped the sweat from above her lip and hefted the load she carried on her back. If Daryl could make this journey without griping…so could she.
The hunter hadn't said much since they started on this mission to find Beth, and Carol hadn't pressed him. She understood how important this was…what it meant to him. She knew that he just wanted to find the girl alive…to finally bring someone home in one piece. Despite all the time that had passed since the farm…and all the hardships they'd endured, Carol knew that he'd never forgiven himself for what happened to Sophia. The memory seemed to chill her for a moment. He wasn't responsible for what happened on the farm; no one could've known…and she was sure that there was nothing he could've done to stop Beth from being taken. He hadn't gone into detail about what happened to the girl and Carol was afraid to delve too deeply into a subject that was still so painful for the hunter. So they walked in silence; the only sound came from their boots scuffing the asphalt.
The late afternoon sun was glaring down at them without mercy. Never allowing themselves to relax, Carol and Daryl kept their eyes open…constantly glancing left…right, scanning their surroundings for any signs of life. The stillness of the city seemed strange; each time they rounded a corner, she half-expected to come face to face with a herd. But they'd been lucky so far…only coming across a few stray walkers…nothing the two of them couldn't handle. As she walked alongside him, Carol occasionally glanced at Daryl's face from the corner of her eye. His expression was almost blank…his jaw set hard, and his mouth a thin line. She knew that a thousand thoughts must be churning in his skull. Carol had faith in Daryl's tracking abilities, but she felt that in a city the size of Atlanta…there was no telling how long it might take them to find Beth…and she didn't intend to spend their entire journey in somber silence. She was roused from her thoughts when the hunter's footsteps suddenly stopped. "Something wrong?" she asked.
He grunted, dropping to a crouch. They were concealed behind a drugstore and Daryl took a moment to shrug his bag off his shoulder. Carol was nervous. Despite her own exhaustion, she didn't feel comfortable stopping like this…not when they were exposed…in the open. She clutched her rifle, her blue eyes darting nervously around the small parking lot they'd found themselves in.
"Here," said Daryl.
She glanced down at him and saw that he was holding up a water bottle. He took a quick swig from it before nudging her leg. "Go on." he grunted.
Carol accepted the offering and lifted the bottle to her lips. When the lukewarm liquid hit her tongue, she wanted to groan. They didn't have much in the way of provisions and it was the first drink either of them had had all day. She only allowed herself to take a small sip before handing the bottle back to him. "Thanks." she said.
"Sure ya got enough?" he asked
She nodded and continued to scan their surroundings. As he tucked the bottle back into his bag, Daryl eyed her. He saw the way her fingers were curled so tightly around the rifle…and her eyes never seemed to linger on one thing for more than a few seconds. She was anxious and he understood. They'd been making their way into the city for several hours and their energy was running low; he knew that they needed to rest…even if it was just for a few minutes. They needed to stop, breathe, and get some relief from the heat. He slumped to the ground and leaned back against the building. Bringing his knees up, he let one arm drape across them while his other hand went to his hair.
Carol lips parted when she noticed him. "What are you doing? Shouldn't we keep moving?" she asked.
Daryl sighed, his eyes closing as he massaged his temple. "Need a minute."
Realizing that they couldn't move forward until he was ready, Carol finally gave in and shrugged the heavy pack off before easing down to sit beside him. "You okay?" she asked as she let her head fall back to rest against the wall.
"I'm good." he said, his voice betraying his fatigue. They'd spent the night driving and when the car finally sputtered to a stop, they'd left it behind…not allowing themselves to slow down. She knew their energy was all but sapped…she just didn't want to stop until he was okay with it. So they'd pushed themselves, jogging…then walking when they couldn't jog anymore..their pace had been lagging and it seemed to Carol that they'd finally reached a breaking point…at least for the time being. Despite their lack of food, water, and shelter…Carol knew that she had to do something to comfort him; she needed to help him…keep him going. Licking her dry lips and staring out at the empty street, she offered the only solace she could think of. "We'll find her."
Daryl's eyes eased open as he glanced at the woman beside him. There was a crease in his brow and he wasn't sure if he'd heard her correctly.
Turning her head to meet his gaze, Carol forced a tired smile. "We're gonna find her." she repeated softly.
The hunter felt his chest tighten. Up until now, his own determination was the only thing spurring him on…but knowing that Carol believed it…hearing her say it out loud…it meant everything. He gnawed his lip as he fought to control the feelings warring inside him. He'd failed so many times. He hadn't gotten to Merle in time….he hadn't been able to find Sophia…but despite it all, Carol still believed in him. No one had ever trusted Daryl…nobody had ever placed faith in him. He looked at her and wondered what he'd done to earn her trust. It had been reckless of him to take off after the car without any thought or hesitation…but having Carol with him gave the hunter strength. She was an ally, a capable fighter, and he was glad that it had been her in the passenger's seat when they sped off into the night. Not knowing how to voice the thoughts that were spinning in his head, Daryl cleared his throat and rubbed his tired eyes.
As they sat in silence, Carol stared down at the rifle resting in her lap. She could sense the hunter's crippling doubt…the pain he was in. It suddenly occurred to her that this journey might mean more to Daryl…that it might be more than a matter of bringing home a lost member of their family. Her lips parted slightly and she gripped the rifle tighter. The thought seemed strange…but she supposed it wasn't entirely absurd. Maybe Daryl didn't think of Beth as just another survivor. She knew they'd spent time together after the prison was taken…just the two of them…. Carol's brows knit together as she entertained the thoughts in her head.
Does he….is there more to the two of them?
Something about the realization startled her. It was difficult for her to imagine the hunter forming a romantic attachment to anyone…he'd always been so guarded…tending to withdraw into the safety of himself…never allowing anyone to get too close. She didn't know why the idea of him and Beth seemed so unexpected to her, but it did…and there was something troubling about it.
You're being ridiculous…it's none of your business.
Carol didn't have any claim on him. She might say they were friends…maybe the term partners was more accurate. They fought well together; they respected one another…and for the longest time, that was more than enough. Staying alive…that's what mattered, and Daryl and Carol had proven that they were more than capable. But there were times, granted they were few and far between…times that Carol couldn't help but wonder what the point of it all was. On nights that she'd lain awake in her bunk in her prison cell, she'd silently asked herself why they fought so hard. It seemed to her that all they were doing was breathing…and running. Some days…she felt as though her body was simply going through the motions…as if living were nothing more than a habit. In moments of weakness, she longed for a reason…something to make it all worthwhile. Every drop of blood she'd spilled, and every loss she'd suffered, she wanted to know that it hadn't been in vain. Somewhere along the line, the group members had become her family; they weren't just people. She valued her connections with them…but none seemed to matter more than the one she shared with Daryl. Carol felt that they understood each other, and that wasn't a small thing. It was difficult to accept that the hunter may have found his reason…his motivation elsewhere… Reaching up to rub the back of her neck, Carol decided to break the silence. "So it was just you and her…" she said without looking at him.
Daryl's seemed to tense when he heard the question. He glanced at her, one hand still tangled in his hair. "What?"
Carol swallowed hard, trying not to give herself away. "After the prison."
The hunter sighed. "Yeah. Shit started goin' south…everybody took off…scattered." his voice was low as the images replayed in his mind.
"I'm glad you two made it out." she said softly.
Daryl's eyes narrowed; he sensed there was something she wasn't saying. "We were together for a while…"
Carol nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
"We found this house…piece of shit…way out in the woods." He gnawed his lip for a moment. "Only stayed a couple hours."
"What happened?" she asked.
Daryl ran a broad hand over his face before letting it drop to his lap. He wasn't proud of how he and Beth had behaved that night. They'd been reckless…stupid. It was a damn miracle the house hadn't burned down around their drunk asses. "We got into some moonshine…" he grudgingly admitted.
Carol's lips parted in awe as she turned to stare at him. "You what?"
"We got shit-faced. It was stupid…but she was goin' on about her daddy…'n about all ya'll…we got to thinkin' bout all the folks we thought was dead…'n that moonshine started lookin' better 'n better."
Carol couldn't believe that they'd gotten themselves drunk… If walkers had found them.. The thought was too much for her and she blinked, forcing it out of her mind. "What made you leave?"
Daryl rubbed his jaw and sighed. "We were comin' down…slow. 'N that damn house…." he shook his head. "We got it into our heads that we should burn the thing down…"
Carol's breath caught when she remembered the smoke…the thick grey column spiraling into the air…she'd seen it when she and Tyreese reached the grove.
They were that close…
"I….I don't know what to say…" Carol admitted, one hand going to her temple as she tried to process what he'd told her.
Daryl bowed his head in shame. "Ya ain't gotta say nothin'…it was stupid. Coulda got our asses killed."
After several seconds, Carol felt as though she could talk again. "Where did you go…after that?"
"Couple places," he answered, his voice low. "Never stayed more than a night in any of 'em…till we found this house…funeral home." There was a sharp pang of guilt stabbing at his consciousness as he remembered the screeching tires of the car that Beth had been taken in.
Carol decided not to think too hard about the fact that the two of them had spent their nights and days together.
Drinking apparently…
"At least you weren't alone…" she added, keeping her blue-grey eyes on her rifle.
Daryl couldn't be sure…but he thought he heard pain in her voice. He didn't understand. After staring at her for several minutes and taking note of her somber expression, Daryl wiped some of the sweat from his brow and spoke. "Why'd ya say it like that?" he asked.
Shaken suddenly from her thoughts, Carol looked at him. "What?"
"Jus' now…" he said. "Bout me 'n Beth…"
Carol didn't know how to answer him. She hadn't meant to imply anything…to let her true thoughts come through in her tone. Slowly shaking her head, Carol scratched at her scalp. "I didn't mean…I'm….it's nothing." She shrugged, looking away.
"Naw; you're the one that wanted to talk…might as well go on and say what ya mean." he said, irritation creeping into his voice.
Carol sighed. "We should keep moving." She braced one hand on the asphalt and tried to stand, but Daryl reached for her arm.
"What'd ya mean?" he growled softly.
Frustrated, hurt, and ashamed of her own weakness, Carol pulled away from his grasp and stood. "We've only got a few hours of daylight left; we need to find a place for the night." She stooped to retrieve her back pack but Daryl snatched it away from her.
"Ain't goin' nowhere till ya tell me what ya meant…" he was glaring at her.
Unwilling to have this conversation, Carol reached for the bag. "We don't have time for this Daryl…we…" but before she could finish her sentence…the blood froze in Carol's veins. She could see a small group of walkers rounding the corner, heading straight towards them. Adrenaline rushed into their hearts and they both released their holds on the back pack. Moving to stand side by side, Daryl and Carol forgot their argument and readied themselves for battle. The hunter slung his bow off his shoulder and raised it, taking aim. Wanting to make quiet kills, Carol hefted the rifle onto her back and opted to pull the long dagger from its sheath on her belt. Her fingers curled tightly around the handle and she pulled a deep breath into her lungs.
The six walkers were stumbling in their direction, their feet dragging…rasping growls slipping through broken teeth. Carol and Daryl glanced at each other from the corners of their eyes. "You ready?" he asked under his breath.
"I gotta be." she answered. With that, the two survivors advanced on their targets. Daryl raised his bow, lining up the first shot. He squeezed the trigger with a grunt and sent an arrow speeding towards the closest walker. The corpse's mouth was open in an ugly snarl as the bolt lodged itself in the creature's skull…the shaft protruding from between the walker's eyes. The body quickly slumped to the ground but the other monsters weren't deterred. Their grey arms were outstretched, fingers curling like claws, grasping at empty air. The small group began to break apart as some moved towards Daryl and the rest staggered in Carol's direction. The hunter was moving back, trying to put more space between him and the walkers. But Carol needed to be close…gritting her teeth and steeling her nerves she lunged for the nearest body. She put all her strength into the motion as she lifted her arm and drove the shining point of the blade into the walker's temple. Bone gave way, crunching under the intensity of the impact and she felt the knife slide into the rotten brain tissue…thick, tainted blood burst from the wound, splattering her wrist and neck. The eerie light seemed to fade in the creature's eyes and it sank to the ground, taking Carol with it. But she was strong and she wrenched the weapon free, almost stumbling backwards in the process.
Blood was pounding in her ears and her chest was heaving. She could hear Daryl shouting from somewhere nearby, but she couldn't make out the words. All that mattered was staying alive. More walkers were closing in on her and she wasn't about to die in some drugstore parking lot. Snarling she drove her blade into the eye socket of the nearest corpse, making it hiss and shriek. Her blow wasn't enough to stop it and the creature stumbled towards her, saliva dripping from between its yellow teeth. Her muscles went rigid and she pushed harder, driving the weapon in deeper until it struck the soft tissue that made the moaning stop. But then the large walker was falling forward…the dead weight coming down on Carol, slamming her back into the pavement. She cried out in pain when her body collided with the asphalt and she frantically began to struggle but the corpse had her trapped. Breathing hard, and pushing back with everything she had, Carol fought to free herself. Her lungs were burning as she tried to breathe and the muscles in her arms were quivering as she pushed against the dead thing's shoulders. Through the rushing of blood in her ears, she could hear shuffling footsteps as more walkers came towards her. Blood was trickling out around the knife that was still embedded in the walker's eye…the thick, scarlet drops were landing with a pit pat sound on Carol's chest.
Daryl swung his bow in an arc, the weapon striking one of the walkers in its jaw. The creature's head was jerked suddenly to the side, and several bloody teeth flew from its mouth, clattering to the ground…rolling across the pavement. Slack-jawed, and with a terrible gurgling sound coming from its throat, the walker continued moving towards its prey. It was reaching out, seeking flesh, but Daryl grunted, kicking the thing hard in the chest. When the corpse hit the ground, the hunter dropped quickly to his knees and brought the stock of his bow down, slamming it into the creatures skull. There was a sickening crack and blood began flowing in thick streams from the walker's nose and mouth…dribbling down the sides of its sunken face. Knowing that the fight wasn't over, Daryl forced himself to stand. In the periphery of his vision he could see Carol struggling…she was trapped beneath a heavy corpse…and two more geeks were closing in. Clenching his teeth, he ran to her side. His strong hand clutched at the walker's shirt, forming a fist and jerking the damn thing off of her. He stumbled back with the effort.
Carol was gasping when Daryl finally freed her; she crawled towards the large walker, pulling the knife from its ruined eye socket. Bracing one hand on the asphalt, she pushed herself off the ground. Daryl was at her side but neither of them had a moment to breathe. There were two corpses left and they were closing in fast, their hunger driving them forward. A grey, rotted hand was reaching for Carol…thin fingers closing around her sleeve, but she wrenched herself away and drove the knife into the monster's forehead…the corpse froze, going rigid as a snarl died on its lips. Carol kicked at the walker, pushing it away and freeing her blade. As the body fell away, blood seemed to spray in a fine arc, spattering her shirt…the dead weight struck the ground with a heavy thud and Carol could scarcely take a breath as her heart leapt into her throat. Trembling with adrenaline and fear, she turned her head to see Daryl shoving another corpse away. The hunter was retreating, moving backwards quickly as the creature advanced. He swallowed hard, a bead of sweat slipping down his jaw-line as he squeezed the trigger, loosing his last arrow. The bolt sped past, the feathers just a green blur as the arrow buried itself in the monster's useless brain.
Breathing hard, the two survivors stood in the small parking lot and surveyed the damage. The pavement was littered with corpses…and stained with blood. An eerie stillness seemed to settle over the place as Daryl and Carol fought to catch their breath. The hunter leaned forward, bracing his palms on his thighs. Carol pulled a staggered breath into her burning chest and let the knife fall from her limp fingers. The metal struck the ground, with a clang. Buckling under the weight of the struggle she'd just been through, Carol slumped to the ground, bowing her head between her knees as if she were fighting against nausea. With her eyes shut tight, she tried to block out the terrible ringing in her ears.
We're alive….we're okay….we made it….
She tried to calm herself…but her nerves were badly frayed..her body still shaking. With her hands clasped behind her head, Carol realized what it was that scared her. She wasn't worried about her own safety…she was afraid of losing Daryl….of having to watch him die. Carol knew, in that moment, that if he'd been hurt while trying to help her…she'd never forgive herself. Overwhelmed by what had just taken place…and by the thoughts surfacing in her weary mind, Carol slammed her eyes shut tighter and fought back the tears that were threatening to spill.
The hunter spat before standing upright and running his hands through his mess of sweaty hair.
Christ….
He knew that between the two of them, they'd put down hundreds of geeks…fighting corpses wasn't anything new. But something about what had just happened…it struck him…unnerved him. If he'd taken even a second longer to get to her…she might've been….
Naw…
He wasn't going to let himself think about that. They were alive, and that's what mattered. He forced the dark thoughts out of his head and hefted the bow on his shoulder. He moved stiffly, back towards the small building. After collecting their bags, he walked in Carol's direction…only stopping when he stood beside her.
She reached out, groping for the knife until her shaking fingers closed around the handle. She'd heard his footsteps and knew he'd want to keep moving. Returning her weapon to its sheath, she lifted her chin to see him looming over her. There was a fearful expression on his face and he leaned down, offering her his hand. Humbled and grateful, Carol took the offer…her warm hand gripping his hard as he hauled her up off the ground. Together, they stood for a moment on shaking legs and took one last look around the parking lot. "You alright?" he breathed.
She managed a quick nod as she took her pack from him and slung it onto her back; she clutched nervously at the straps and waited for him to say something.
Gnawing at the corner of his lip, Daryl gestured toward the deserted street that lay ahead of them. "We gotta move…hole up somewhere for the night. Can't keep goin' like this." he sighed. He finally had to acknowledge that they were both drained. In their current state, the hunter wasn't sure they'd be able to hold their own against another group of walkers.
Carol eyed the buildings in the distance before refocusing on Daryl. "Where?" she asked.
He shrugged, scuffing his boot on the ground. "Don't know. We'll find a place." His eyes found hers and she nodded again.
Desperate for safety…for shelter, Daryl and Carol summoned their strength, straightened their backs and did the only thing they could; they kept moving.
Carol braced her hands on the sink and studied the woman in the mirror. She and Daryl found an abandoned law office. They had to smash the glass on the front door to get inside, but they'd worked quickly, looping phone cords around the door handles…again, and again, wrapping the wires around themselves, making sure the knots were secure. They'd grunted together as they pushed heavy filing cabinets in front of the door. Aside from a few wasted corpses littering the main hall, they hadn't stumbled across anyone…or anything. Only when they'd completed a sweep and cleared the building did Carol allow herself to retreat to the safety of the bathroom.
She's spent the last twenty minutes trying to wash dry blood off her skin. The sink was now flecked with small red spots and the waste basket was overflowing the damp, crumpled, bloody paper towels. Desperate to feel clean, Carol held another paper towel under the weak stream of running water. After wringing the flimsy material to squeeze out the excess liquid, she pressed the cloth to her neck and scrubbed gently at the last few stains. The paper quickly took on a rust-colored tint and she balled it up, tossing it into the can. After holding her hands under the trickle of water, she reached up, combing her wet fingers through her mussed hair in a feeble attempt to clean it. Realizing that she'd done all she could, Carol turned the faucet, stopping the flow of cool water. She sighed and stared at her reflection. The sun was sinking outside, but even in the dimly lit bathroom, Carol could see how tired she looked. Before she could start feeling sorry for herself, she turned away and pushed the door open, stepping out into the gloomy hall. She heard Daryl rearranging furniture in one of the offices.
The hunter was dragging a coffee table across the room, making space on the floor. There was a small couch, which he figured Carol could have, but he needed to have some room to arrange a bedroll on the floor. He finished moving the table and then looked up to see Carol lingering in the doorway. "How's it going in here?" she asked.
He wiped at his brow and blew out a breath. "It's fine. Just clearin' some space. That there's yours." he pointed to the couch.
Carol's lips parted as she hugged herself. "What? No…I don't need it…I brought a sleeping bag; I'm fine on the floor."
Daryl huffed. "Quit. Ain't lettin' ya sleep on the floor. Mind If I take that?" he gestured to her back pack that was sitting in the far corner of the room; he knew she had a sleeping bag in there.
She didn't know what to say…Daryl wasn't one for backing down when he'd made him mind up about something…and she supposed she didn't have the energy to fight with him. "Yeah," she said in defeat. "That's fine."
He nodded to her before making his way across the room. She watched as he stooped in front of her belongings and pulled the rolled sleeping bag from her pack. He walked back towards the couch and knelt to begin unrolling the sleeping bag. Carol moved to join him. When she dropped to a crouch across from him, her hands going to the bag, his brows knit together. "Ya ain't gotta…" he started to say but she didn't let him finish.
"If you're taking the floor, at least let me help you…It'll ease my conscience." she said, giving him a tired smile.
Daryl huffed, smirking at her. "Fine…let's get this done…my ass is tired."
Carol chuckled, glad that they could do this…act normal…carry on a conversation…despite the tension between them earlier in the day. She was relieved that Daryl hadn't pressed her any further about the conversation they'd started…just before they were attacked. He seemed to have forgotten it.
That's probably for the best.
She worked with him, helping to spread the fabric out on the floor. The sun continued to sink, dipping below the horizon and it was getting harder and harder to see. Her hand brushed his as she tried to smooth the material and they both tensed at the contact. Clearing her throat, Carol stood, "I think that's as good as it's gonna get." she said. Without waiting for a response, she moved towards the couch.
Daryl squinted through the gloom, watching as she shrugged off her jacket, letting it drop. He saw her hands go to her lower back, rubbing the spot above her tailbone. Her heard her sigh and then she sank down onto the couch and worked on unfastening the straps on her boots. Carol groaned when her aching feet were finally free. She ran a hand through her hair before tossing a small cushion at the hunter. "Here." she laughed lightly.
He caught the thing before it could hit him in the face. "Thanks," he said as he eased down onto the sleeping bag and tucked the cushion under his head. Lying on his back, Daryl let his hands rest on his stomach. He had one bent knee raised as he stared up at the white ceiling.
Carol mimicked his pose, her legs going up and over the far arm of the couch…her feet hanging off the edge. She reclined, trying to get comfortable. Her body was eager for sleep, but her mind was restless. Unsure of how to voice all the things that were spinning in her skull, Carol sighed and closed her eyes.
As exhausted as they were, the survivors couldn't seem to relax…at least not entirely. Daryl was drumming his fingers on his stomach. He was unusually anxious and he sat up, pulling off his vest in the hopes of getting just a bit more comfortable. When he fell back onto the sleeping bag, he turned his head and stared at the small couch. The room was getting darker but he could still make out Carol's form. There wasn't much space between them…maybe an arm's length. He could reach out and touch her if he needed to wake her. The thought offered some small comfort and he rolled onto his side so that he could face the couch. Something was nagging at him, but Daryl was unsure about whether or not to speak his mind. He gnawed his lip, considering his options. As much as he wanted to deny it, he knew he'd never get to sleep unless he said his peace. He was thankful for the surrounding gloom; it made him braver. "Carol," he growled softly.
She stiffened when she heard her own name. Her eyes eased open, adjusting to the dark, but she kept her focus on the ceiling. She didn't want to look at him. "What?" she asked.
"Need to ask ya somethin'…"
Carol ran a hand over her face, sighing. She knew what was coming and she didn't have the strength to deal with it. "Go ahead…" she said, notes of defeat and apprehension evident in her voice.
The hunter propped himself up one elbow and stared hard at the woman on the couch. "What'd ya mean before? When ya asked 'bout me 'n Beth."
Carol cupped her forehead, as if she could somehow contain the pounding in her skull. "Daryl…" she sighed. "I didn't mean anything. I shouldn't have pressed you about it…what you and Beth do…it's none of my business. I wasn't trying to pry. Can we just forget it?" she pleaded quietly.
A deep crease was forming in Daryl's brow. "What me 'n Beth do?" he echoed, confusion plain in his tone.
Carol bit her lip, trying to keep herself together. All she wanted was to fall asleep, replenish, and put the entire hellish day behind her. "It's fine Daryl, alright? Really. We need to rest if we plan on finding her tomorrow."
But the hunter was lost. He sensed that he was missing something…or that Carol was. Their lines had gotten crossed somehow and it was bothering him. He bowed his head, trying to puzzle out the meaning behind Carol's words.
The hell does she think me 'n Beth do…
The crease deepened in his brow. They were both silent and thoughts continued to race through his mind with startling speed. He considered abandoning the discussion altogether and letting sleep claim him….but then his eyes narrowed and his lips parted. Color rushed to his cheeks and the hand that was resting on the sleeping bag formed a tight fist. His heart began to beat faster and he could feel his temperature rising.
What in the hell….
He was in shock as he stared at the woman on the couch. "You…." he started to speak, but his temper was making it difficult for him to get the words out. "You tellin' me…" he huffed, trying to compose himself. Exhaling slowly through his nose, Daryl kept his anger in check. "You think it's like that…between me 'n her?" he growled.
Carol felt her whole body tense; she started wringing her hands.
"Carol." he snapped, demanding her attention.
Knowing that she couldn't ignore the man forever, she turned to face him. "What?" she said softly, wishing he would just let it go.
"Ain't nothin' goin' on between me 'n Beth. The hell makes ya think somethin' like that? That girl's family…nothin' more."
His eyes were burning into her and she didn't know what to say. "I…I'm sorry…I just thought…"
"Ya thought what?" he bit out.
"I don't know," she said, exasperated. "You two were on your own for a while…there's nothing wrong with it…no one would've blamed you if…."
"If what?" he snapped. "That what you think of me? Think I'd take advantage of that girl…just 'cause we was alone together?"
Nearing the limits of her patience, Carol sat up on the couch and glared down at him. "I didn't say that…" she hissed. "I know you'd never do anything to hurt her…I just thought, maybe…since it was just the two of you…that maybe you thought of her as more than family…that's all. And like I said…it's none of my business."
Daryl sat up, his legs crossing. "She's a kid, Carol…" he reached out, bracing his palms on the couch, on either side of her legs….trapping her.
Carol felt foolish…not only for thinking that something might've happened between Beth and Daryl…but for letting it get to her. She meant what she said…what he may or may not have done was none of her business…she had no right to get bent out of shape over a damn theory. "I'm sorry…" she sighed, the sound heavy with frustration. "I wasn't trying to upset you."
It was the hunter's turn to feel guilty…he let his temper get away from him. As his breathing began to slow, he pulled his hands away from the couch and ran them through his hair. His head was starting to clear when a sudden realization caught hold of him, making his gut twist.
It hurt her…
The thought of him and Beth together...It seemed to hurt Carol… She was still sitting up, her eyes downcast. Daryl stared at her and wondered why she'd gotten so upset. He knew Carol…she was one of the strongest people he'd ever met. She'd endured the most difficult loss a person can face…the death of a child, and it hadn't been enough to break her. He'd seen her set her own problems aside, a hundred times, in order to help others. She didn't scare easy. She'd risked her life to get them all out of Terminus…but the idea of him and Beth was enough to get under her skin? It didn't make sense. He needed to know. "Carol.." he said under his breath.
She looked down at him, wondering how much further he planned to push her. "What?"
"Why's it matter?" he asked. "If I was with Beth….why's it matter?"
In that moment, Carol knew that she'd run out of excuses. She couldn't lie to him…and she couldn't get away. Even though she'd rather face a dozen walkers, unarmed, than answer his question…Carol knew that she didn't have a choice. She'd done enough running for one lifetime. Shrugging her shoulders and keeping her eyes locked on his…she gave him the only answer she had. "Because you're more than family." There was a sad smile on her lips as she waited for him to say something.
It took a moment for the words to sink in, but when the realization struck, Daryl was stunned. She meant something to him…he knew that…she'd always meant something. It was the sort of thing he didn't acknowledge directly…because he didn't know how…and he was too afraid to say so out loud. But she was significant…she mattered…and as he sat with her in the dark room…her words replaying in his head, Daryl thought she understood… and that she felt the same….
More than family…
Not knowing what else to do, he shifted so that he was kneeling…his body wedged between her legs. Carol didn't have time to stop him before he reached for her waist and pulled her to the edge of the couch. Her breath caught in her throat as he nuzzled her stomach, his arms circling her waist, keeping her close to him. As she stared down at him through the dark, Carol remembered the way he'd clung to her after Terminus…the power of his grip as he hugged her…not wanting to let her go. He was so strong that Carol tended to forget how vulnerable he could be. His walls seemed to be coming down again as he held her waist and let his head rest against her stomach. Her arms were shaking and she slowly lowered them until her fingers laced in his long hair, combing through it gently as she let him work through whatever had taken hold of him. She held her breath, afraid that the slightest sound might startle him.
The hunter rarely allowed his strength to fail him. Whether he was being chased, beaten….backed into a corner…he'd always drawn on his fortitude…physical strength and an unbreakable will. He'd clenched his fists and bared his teeth, struggling against a savage world that had only ever shown him cruelty. Daryl Dixon never went down without a fight…but here…alone with the person who'd come to mean so much to him, he felt that he could finally stop fighting. When she'd stared down at him, her kind blue eyes glowing in the dark…he knew that he was safe. As those soft, honest words fell from her lips, he felt his resolve crumbling. It was as if all the feelings that he'd been trying so hard to keep hidden were finally pouring out of him…and the sensation was too much…overwhelming. His barriers were falling down and he couldn't breathe. Weak…in need of human contact, the hunter did the only thing he could think of…he reached out for her. She'd always been there, but he'd never allowed himself to cross the lines that he thought existed between them. His clumsy, shaking hands gripped her waist…pulling her to the edge of the couch. He knew that he'd lost control…he had no real right to touch her, but something inside him needed that connection. He had to feel the warmth of her body against his. So, like a child, he clung to the only home he knew…his head resting against her stomach. Daryl didn't know what else to do. He could feel her legs on either side of his body…she seemed to surround him. His eyes were slammed shut, nervousness making his muscles tense, but a warm sigh passed his lips when her fingers found his hair. The shaken hunter, who'd only ever known fear and violence, found peace in the arms of a friend. His breathing was shallow, but a sense of calm seemed to be washing over him, like starlight over an empty field as he felt Carol's slender fingers combing through his tangled hair. She was so gentle….so careful in the way that she touched him and he was losing himself in the feeling.
Carol's chest tightened as she stared down at him. He seemed so scared…it was difficult to accept that he was the same man who'd hauled a walker's corpse off of her with brute force hours ago. All of his aggression, his anger…it had been replaced with raw vulnerability and all Carol wanted was to comfort him. She swallowed hard, one hand still lost in his dark hair while the other moved to the base of his neck, softly rubbing the aching muscles. The hunter groaned in contentment, the sound muffled by Carol's shirt. Wanting desperately to ease any pain he might be in, she let her hand trail from his strong shoulder, to his back, massaging the flesh that had endured so much. As his grip tightened on her waist, his fingers curling desperately around her, Carol couldn't help but think that he was a boy again…a lost child seeking the love and warmth that the world had always denied him. She cradled his head and rubbed his back; when he shuddered against her, she whispered into the dark…"It's okay…you're safe here." She sniffed, feeling her eyes grow warm.
When he heard her sniff, Daryl's eyes opened. He blinked at the gloom and eased back so that he could look up into her face. He missed the warmth of her body, but he felt that he had to see her…he was afraid of the sadness he could hear in her voice. The hunter couldn't speak…even if he could..he didn't know what to say. All the words that were locked behind his lips…they seemed paltry…inadequate. His clear, blue eyes betrayed his fear as he stared at her. The pounding of his heart had become painful within the confines of his chest.
Carol still had one hand clinging weakly to his hair. She couldn't make herself let go…not when his eyes were fixed so intently on hers…not when their bodies were so close. She swallowed hard, her lips parting slightly. Unable to control herself, Carol leaned down…she used her grip to tug at his hair, bringing his face to hers…but she stopped when less than an inch of space remained between their lips. Their breathing had picked up….whether out of fear…or something else, Carol couldn't be sure, but they were panting…warm breath mingling in the space between them. She was clutching his damp hair tightly in her fist, and he was gripping her waist hard. There was a sense of urgency as they held on to one another and Carol's eyes searched his face, seeking permission. Daryl's lids were heavy as he stared back at her. His heart was beating so hard that it scared him, and his palms were growing damp…but despite all the sensations that were battling for his attention, the hunter knew what had to be done…an understanding seemed to pass between them. Nervous and shaking, Daryl used his strength to pull her body towards him. He heard a small gasp escape her as she slid off the couch, landing in his lap. Adrenaline traveled quickly through their veins, like lightning, shocking their hearts…they didn't have time to breathe, or second guess…the instant their bodies connected, she locked her legs around him and pulled his mouth to hers.
Daryl squeezed her waist when he felt her soft lips pressing down on his. The sweet pressure was incredible…he felt weak, dizzy, but he made himself hold on to her. She was warm, eager as her mouth worked against his. He could feel her hand clutching at the front of his shirt while the other remained in his hair. The longer they held the connection, the more lightheaded he became. A stifling warmth was spreading through him and he needed to breathe. Pulling his mouth from hers, he sucked in greedy mouthfuls of air and tried to process what was happening.
Carol's hand was traveling slowly, up and down his chest as she tried to soothe him. "Are you okay?" she breathed.
The hunter managed a nod and pulled another deep breath into his lungs.
"We can stop…" she offered, her tone fearful.
Daryl licked his lips and shook his head. Before she could speak again, he leaned in, kissing the corner of her mouth. In his haste, he'd missed his mark, but they were eager and quickly righted themselves. Cocking his head to one side, he felt the pressure he craved…Carol's mouth met his and they both groaned. They were too lost to know how it started, but suddenly it wasn't just soft lips moving together…somewhere between the sighs and gasps, their tongues met. Warm and wet, they explored one another. Carol felt his tongue under hers and responded by rocking her hips. He grunted, clawing at her lower back. They broke apart again, breathing harder now. Sensing that they both needed more, Daryl stretched one arm out behind him, supporting himself as he eased onto his back…bringing Carol with him. Her palms were splayed on the sleeping bag, on either side of his head as she stared down at him. He looked back at her, a strange hunger reflected in his eyes. She knew what he wanted….and she wanted to give it to him…she would give him anything. She was still straddling his waist and she could feel his need beginning to build between her legs. Bending low, leaning over him, Carol savored the control. His hands were gripping her hips, urging her to move, but she remained still. The hunter's hips started to buck weakly beneath her. She let her lips hover over his without making contact. He was panting against her mouth…his lids heavy and his cheeks flushed. Carol let the sound of his strained breathing fill her ears…it gave her the strength she needed to keep going. Drawing on her courage, Carol eased back, sitting up. All of her weight was resting on his pelvis and he grunted, closing his eyes. Biting her lip, Carol reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head with shaking hands. After tossing the shirt aside, she felt terribly exposed. Gooseflesh rose on her arms the instant the cool air hit her skin.
At once anxious and excited, Carol braced her hands on his chest and leaned over him. Even through the gloom, she could see that he was struggling…his eyes slammed shut, chest heaving. "Daryl…" she said softly.
When he finally looked at her, his mouth went dry and every rational thought he'd ever had seemed to leave his head. She was above him, staring down at him like he truly mattered…like she wanted him. There was a nervous smile on her lips and her fingertips were starting to claw at his shirt. His eyes roamed from her face, down the column of her neck, lower…to the soft swells of her breasts, the delicious cleavage that was visible between the cups of her dark bra. His heart thrummed in his chest as he studied the thin straps that curved up and over her shoulders. Despite the fact that the room was blanketed in darkness, her skin seemed to glow…pale like cream, and she looked so soft. His eyes followed the curves of her cups, over and over…as if he could memorize them, his lips parting in awe. He wondered what she felt like…and whether or not she was willing to show him the tender flesh still concealed by her bra. In that moment, Daryl was convinced that he'd never wanted to touch anything so badly. The thought alone was making his breath catch and he could feel himself growing hard…warm blood pouring into his groin. His head was swimming and all that mattered was her body. His hands moved suddenly, traveling up her body until he was gripping her ribcage. Carol shivered as his fingertips pressed in hard. Giving in to the hunger that was crippling them both, she bent down, colliding with him.
She couldn't stop the groan of satisfaction as he kissed her hard. Her body's response was automatic and her hips ground slowly into his. Carol wanted to growl when she felt the hardness between her legs, pressing up into her core. But he didn't give her the change; he pushed his tongue into her mouth, tasting her…savoring her. His hands moved over her smooth skin, up and down, along her sides, until he gripped her hips again. The feeling of her under his hands was intoxicating and Daryl never wanted to let go. As they continued to kiss one another, they seemed to get braver…their insecurities melting away. She sucked gently at his tongue, making him buck underneath her. The hunter bit the soft flesh of her lips, catching it playfully between his teeth and applying pressure until she gasped. Carol felt a stabbing pain in her center when he bit the corner of her bottom lip. The heat between them was stifling…all consuming and they began to lose themselves. As much as he loved the taste of her…the wetness of her mouth, Daryl felt the need to explore. He leaned up, kissing the center of her chest, grunting against her skin. Carol kept a soft moan trapped behind her lips. Then his hands were moving again, traveling up her spine, giving her chills. She felt him fumbling with her bra clasp and she held her breath.
The hunter was having trouble maintaining any sort of focus. Between the pain in his groin and the desperate need to see the rest of Carol's body, he barely managed to hold the clasp in his sweaty fingers. Part of him was afraid….worried that this might be too much…that she wasn't ready. But he could hear her breathing…panting heavily, and he knew he had to keep going. The time for hesitation was gone. Muttering curses under his breath, and bucking his hips weakly out of frustration, Daryl finally felt the ends of the clasp spring apart…and his eyes caught the subtle movement as Carol's bra strap slid down lower on her shoulder.
Unable to wait any longer, Carol slipped the bra down her arms before discarding it. Her palms were flat on the sleeping bag, on either side of his head…her chest heaving as she loomed over him. Daryl's eyes sought hers for half a heartbeat but then he was leaning up, kissing her chest again. First the center, then lower…he lost himself between her breasts and Carol cried out, her eyes slamming shut. He wanted to taste her, feel her…memorize her scent. One strong hand gripped her left breast and they both hissed at the contact. When he squeezed the soft flesh, Carol felt the pain between her legs grow worse. His other arm was curled around her lower back, his hand dangerously close to her ass. Carol knew, as they lay there, tangled together…that she'd never felt as alive as she did when he touched her. The feeling of his calloused hand cupping her breast was incredible and she wanted more…but she needed to let him explore…he wanted to learn her body. He handled her in a way that was almost reverent…his fingertips tracing her lines and curves, pausing to tug gently at her nipples. The sensation proved too much for them and they both whimpered. Possessed by his need, Daryl nuzzled her breasts, his scruff tickling her. She bucked against him and his tongue flicked out against her nipple, making it tighten. The small taste of her wasn't enough…Daryl licked her again…letting his warm, wet tongue follow the curve of her breast…mapping out her skin.
Carol's entire body shivered and she reached for his hair, clutching it tight and holding him against her. She loved the feeling of his warm, heavy breaths against her skin….and the moisture from his mouth…surrounding her nipple… His wet mouth worked at her body, suckling…and she swore she could feel it in the deepest part of her core. As his need took hold of him, the hunter began to mutter into her skin, growling as he moved from one breast to the other…licking, sucking, tasting the salt of her sweat. She was everywhere…seemingly all around him…flooding his senses and all he wanted was more…When he felt her fingers tug sharply at his hair, holding him against her chest, he released a heavy sigh and let his tongue travel up the dip in her cleavage. He couldn't remember ever doing this to a woman, but it felt natural…good. As much as he craved further contact, part of him was content to stay like that…lost in the softness of her breasts, gently nipping at the skin then licking as a penance…catching her nipples between his teeth, making her gasp. But Carol's hips had begun to work against his, creating a steady rhythm…friction… and he felt that he needed to act.
Half drunk with lust, Daryl kissed the side of her breast one last time before getting a secure grip on her body and easing her down onto her side. Carol was in a daze and had to blink several times before she realized what was happening. She still had one leg curled up and around his hip, keeping their bodies together. When her eyes found Daryl's…the intensity of his gaze startled her. Locks of dark hair were plastered to his temples and hanging in his face. His chest continued to rise and fall with each labored breath, and she watched, mesmerized as his tongue darted out over his chapped lips. Now that she knew what his tongue felt like on her body, Carol was convinced that she'd never be able to stop thinking about it. He stared at her from beneath his lashes…the look alone was enough to make Carol weak with hunger. They held each other's gazes, both of them fighting for air. Unable to restrain herself, she leaned in, kissing him hard. He responded in kind, his hips bucking weakly into hers…his strong hand at her waist…blunt nails clawing at her skin. Needing more from him, Carol pushed her hips into his and bit at his lips. He growled, kissing her as if he could devour her. She dipped her tongue into his mouth, distracting him as her fingers curled around the hem of his shirt. She began to pull the fabric up and made it all the way to his ribs before he stopped her, his hand closing around her wrist.
Their eyes locked and she worried that she'd done something wrong. But Daryl simply grunted, sitting up. Her leg fell away from his waist as she watched him. Wincing at the pain in his groin, Daryl worked quickly, undoing the buttons on his sleeveless shirt. When he'd pushed the last one through the hole he paused, glancing at Carol.
"You…you don't have to…" she breathed, knowing what he hid beneath his clothes.
But the hunter knew he needed to keep going. She was being so open with him…she'd let him touch her….taste her. She was propped on her side, staring at him…her beautiful chest rising and falling as she worked to catch her breath. As Daryl watched her breasts, he felt the need to be close to her…he wanted to feel her skin, bare against his… Gnawing his bottom lip, he drew on his courage and shrugged the shirt off his shoulders. Before his nerves could get the best of him, Daryl leaned over her, kissing her. She kissed him back, moaning softly, but then her hand shot out, pressing against his chest. Carol pushed him gently away from her.
Confused, Daryl sat back on his heels and stared down at her, his brows knitting together. She smiled up at him, a look of genuine happiness on her face. He squinted through the dark and saw her hands move to her belt. She chuckled nervously, her eyes closing as she fumbled with the buckle. Color formed in her cheeks when she tugged her zipper down. Daryl was doing his best to remain still…to wait…his fingers drumming anxiously on his thighs. Carol finished with the zipper and held her breath as she worked the pants down to her hips, then lower, to her thighs where she stopped, her eyes easing open. She looked at Daryl, silently pleading with him to help her.
Eager to touch her again, the hunter moved so that he could grip the material and pull it down her tone yet slender legs. She trembled at the contact but managed to kick her feet, helping Daryl to get the pants the rest of the way off. He wanted to stare at her legs…admire all the pale skin that was now on display for him, but she didn't give him the chance. Pushing herself up off the sleeping bag, she knelt in front of him. In nothing more than a pair of cotton panties, Carol stared at the man she'd grown to care so deeply for. Every single nerve ending seemed to vibrate but she made herself breathe. They'd come so far and she just wanted to help him go a little bit further. Their chests were heaving as they watched each other. Swallowing hard, she reached for his waistband. He flinched, gripping her wrists. Her eyes sought his and she tried to slow her breathing. "It's okay…let me help you.." she whispered. With a weak nod, the hunter released her, his eyes closing and his head hanging low. With shaking fingers, she unfastened his belt…the soft clinking of the metal buckle sent another chill up her spine but she had to maintain her composure…at least long enough to do this. When the loose of ends of his belt hung slack, she gripped the tab of his zipper and pulled it down, slowly and carefully. Her heart was hammering in her chest and she could hear Daryl's ragged breathing as the tiny metal teeth of the zipper separated. Her knuckles brushed against his hardness, making him jerk and then he fell onto his back…his sweaty hands reaching for his waistband and pushing the pants down his hips. Carol helped tug the material down, just as he'd done for her. She heard him groan when he was finally free of the pants. As Carol set his clothing aside, something made her freeze.
The room was dark, but it didn't matter. She could see him…the pale skin of his stomach…the dark hair below his navel…and the silhouette of his manhood resting against his belly. Carol wasn't sure what she expected, but this…he was everything she could've ever hoped for. The length…the shape and size of him made her insides tremble and she couldn't believe that it had taken them so long to reach this point. Now that she could finally see what he'd been hiding beneath his clothes, Carol felt as though every night, prior to this one, had been wasted…
He….we could've been…..
But there was no time for that now. Carol could feel moisture between her legs and her hands began working on their own, pulling down her panties. Daryl sat up, watching her, his cock beginning to throb. He knew that he should be concerned about his nudity…that he should feel some sort of shame…Daryl had never been comfortable in his own skin, but something about being with her…she made him forget that he was damaged. Sitting up, with his legs crossed, he waited anxiously for her to slide the panties down her legs and then flick them off her feet.
There was a terrible ache in Carol's core…an emptiness that she knew only he could fill. Hungry and desperate, she moved towards him, climbing carefully into his lap. They were drawn to each other's lips, the attraction almost magnetic. Daryl's hips bucked when he felt her slickness brushing his cock. The feeling of that moisture, gliding along the length of his shaft made him restless. He was growling against her lips as he brought one large hand up, cradling the back of her head; breathing hard, he eased her back…lowering them both down onto the sleeping bag. He kept his hand at the back of her head, protecting her from the hardness of the floor beneath the thin material of the bag. Carol held his bottom lip between her teeth as his body came down on hers…They were both nervous…sweating and shaking. Carol felt the wonderful pressure of his body trapping hers and she bucked her hips up, feeling the length of his manhood as her wetness moved past it. Daryl stopped kissing her. He was propped on his elbows, staring down at her.
She raised her legs, her bent knees pressing in on either side of his hips, keeping him in place. Willing herself to relax, Carol gripped one of his strong arms while her other hand toyed absently with the long shock of hair near his left ear. As they held each other's gazes, the two survivors wondered if they should speak. Carol studied his face, smiling at all the familiar details…his scruff, the mole near his lip, the angle of his jaw….those details meant everything. As she lay underneath him, her body aching with want, and his hair between her fingers, Carol realized that she needed him…she'd needed him all along. It wasn't about release…it was about finally connecting with the person she already felt closest to. She smiled at him before turning her head and kissing one of his wrists.
Daryl swallowed hard, unprepared for the feelings that were suddenly raging inside him. As much as he wanted the woman underneath him…the hunter was still afraid…terrified. Carol had always been his touchstone…the voice of reason that broke through the storm of his anger…time and again. She was always there. He grown to think of her as a friend…which was miraculous in and of itself. Daryl could count the real friends he'd had on one hand. But then something changed. She became his family…his ally…and then she was more. He worried that if they moved forward…if they gave in and finally crossed the last line that remained between them…they could stumble into unknown territory…they could lose what it had taken two years to build. His body was hungry for hers and the warmth between her legs was inviting, but he couldn't shake his fears. He wore a pained expression as he stared down at her.
As if she could hear his thoughts, Carol pulled him down to her mouth, kissing him as if she might never get another chance. Her soft lips moved lovingly against his and her tongue slipped into his mouth, tasting every part of him. Her body was beginning to writhe beneath his and she knew that she couldn't wait much longer. Daryl was tense; she could feel it in his arm where she gripped him…the muscle was seizing…locking up. But she couldn't stop kissing him, and he whimpered as her tongue massaged his. Carol was working to put all of her feelings into that kiss and her breath caught in her throat when she felt his body beginning to respond. His hands formed fists, clutching at the sleeping bag, and his hips were gently bucking down into hers. Knowing that she'd nearly broken his resolve, Carol eased their mouths apart and stared intently at him.
He was breathing hard, their lips just millimeters apart. The temperature in the dark room seemed to rise as they watched each other. "Daryl…" she whispered.
He swallowed hard and focused on her eyes.
She ran her fingers through his hair, playing with the ends. "It's alright. We can do this…" Tugging at him until his sweaty forehead was resting against hers, Carol took a deep breath. "Relax…I just want to be with you." The hunter grunted softly in response, his eyes closing. Steeling her nerves, Carol reached down between them. Daryl lifted himself slightly, giving her room as she gripped his hardened manhood. The flesh was so warm, heavy in her hand and she took a moment to savor the feeling….but when Daryl's hips bucked, she knew that she needed to keep going. Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, Carol positioned him at her entrance, maintaining her grip. Just knowing that he would be inside her soon was enough to make Carol's walls open. Holding him tightly, Carol whispered into the dark, "Now."
Knowing that there could be no more doubt…no hesitation, Daryl clenched his teeth and jerked his hips. A gasp escaped him when the tip of his cock dipped inside her. Her muscles constricted instantly, tensing around the blunt head of his dick…the resistance was almost enough to push him back but Daryl was determined. The feeling of her body locking up around the head was enough to make him drip and he needed more. He needed to feel all of her. A low growl rumbled in the back of his throat as he bucked again, forcing himself deeper. Carol's mouth was open, her back arching as she felt him penetrate her. Releasing his manhood, she brought both hands up and clawed at his shoulder blades. As her back arched, her pelvis tilted for him, allowing the length of his throbbing member to sink into her core. He continued to buck, the motions slight as he worked to restrain himself. Daryl didn't want to hurt her, but he needed to feel the warmth of her pussy surrounding his cock. A little grunt passed his lips with each motion and when he finally felt that he'd gone deep enough, he gave them both a moment to adjust.
Carol wanted to scream but there wasn't enough air in her lungs. The feeling of him between her legs left her breathless. He seemed to fill her completely but she somehow wished he could go deeper. The thickness of him made her feel as though she might break. He was so hard and all she wanted was for him to move. She wanted to feel that hardness in the deepest part of her core. Impatient, she bucked her hips up into his making them both gasp.
Daryl was focused on the way her walls gripped him, as if her body needed him. He could feel the tension in her muscles and he wondered what it would take to relive it. When she bucked, and her soft insides rubbed his shaft, Daryl whined. It was more than he could handle. Her sharp nails dug into his shoulder blades and the action made his cock harder. Knowing she would buck again if he didn't act, Daryl pulled back slightly and then jerked forward, thrusting himself back into her tight pussy. "Godammitt…" he breathed, his mouth going dry.
Carol was raking her nails down his back and the pain spurred him on. He bucked hard, loving the sharp cry that burst from her lips in response.
"Please…" she groaned, kissing his jaw.
Daryl huffed, thrusting again, making sure that every last inch of him was buried in her sex. Her walls seemed to tremble around his manhood and he wondered how long the two of them would last. She spread her legs wider for him and he felt her walls opening, giving him more room. Growling against her lips, Daryl picked up his pace. He created a steady rhythm inside her, his hips grinding into hers as he pushed himself deeper into her hot core.
Carol had lost control of her body…she was twisting and writhing underneath him..her lips moved from his jaw, to his neck as she kissed every part of him that she could reach. She loved the feeling of his swollen cock slipping inside her, the veins on his shaft pressing against her walls. She liked the hint of pain that she felt when he hit the top of her, making her entire body ache. It was pure, carnal pleasure and Carol had never experienced anything like it. Her body opened for him willingly, welcoming him in, her wetness coating the length of his member….helping him to slide back and forth… He kept himself inside her while his hips continued thrusting…but when she least expected it, he'd slip free and then push back in fully, making her arch her back and scream. Each time the tip of his cock breached her entrance it was as if he were entering her for the first time and the ring of muscles would convulse around him.
Daryl couldn't take much more. He was growling into the crook of her neck as sweat broke out on both their bodies…making them slide against each other. But he was determined to push her to her breaking point. Despite the way he was working her body…the strong, sudden thrusts that sent his cock deep into her pussy, she seemed to be getting tighter. It was getting harder for him to move inside her. He was panting against her skin as he forced himself to keep going. Her walls quivered around him and he felt the head of his cock tighten. Pushing harder, he buried himself between her legs and moaned at the feeling of so much wetness surrounding him.
Every move drove Carol closer to the edge and she could feel herself getting weaker. She couldn't believe what he was doing to her body. She let one hand travel up and down the length of his sweaty back while the other remained tangled in his damp hair…nails clawing at his scalp while he forced his manhood into her center. Even though she knew it would be over soon…that she couldn't fight it much longer, there was a part of Carol that wished they could keep going. She wanted to stay like that…trapped underneath him, his dick sinking into her core, strong and hard…pulsing and throbbing, making her hurt in all the right places. A sudden thrust roused her from her thoughts and she countered the movement by bucking her hips up into him…a fresh wave of pleasure coursing through her.
Daryl wiped the sweat from his eyes and stared down at her. She was writhing, struggling beneath him and when he saw her eyes slam shut, he knew that he was doing something right. Before he could stop himself, the words were tripping off the end of his tongue. "You close?"
Carol worked on keeping her legs open for him; she wanted him to go as deep as he could. "I'm….I….I….." but she couldn't finish the thought. His dick was moving quickly, in and out of her tight passage and the sensations seemed to rob her of her ability to form sentences. All that mattered was the delicious motion of his hips between her legs. Her core was growing painfully tight, but it wasn't enough to slow him down. He simply grunted at her, his hips jerking, forcing his long cock up into her center. With every labored breath, their bodies seemed to work harder…faster, as if they were both desperate for release.
Despite the fact that he was buried in her pussy and she was groaning his name, Daryl still had trouble believing that any of this was really happening. It had been so long since he experienced any sort of physical pleasure and after only minutes of being inside Carol, he was having to fight with himself to keep from letting go. Everything about it was perfect…the way she smelled, the sounds she made, the way her core sucked him in and held him, the way her body responded to his. She was warm, wet, willing and seemed to only want more. She was bucking faster now, urging him to move with her and Daryl knew she must be nearing her peak. The realization that he'd done that to her…that he was still doing it to her, made fresh moisture form at the tip of his cock. He bit his lip and worked harder, forcing his cock into her narrow passage.
Carol gasped when he found her g-spot. Her body arched up into his and a single word fell from her lips, over and over…. "Yes…yes…yes…yes…yes….yes….yes…yes…" She pulled his hair and clawed his back.
Daryl felt her pussy squeeze him hard and sensed that there must've been a change in her. She was losing control underneath him but he wanted to drive her over the edge. "C'mon…" he urged, sinking deep into her core, making her shake. He was thrusting harder now, throwing the lower half of his body into the motion, using all of his strength to make his partner come undone. He slid through her wetness and hissed at the sensation, his thick cock rubbing her walls. His breathing was ragged as he began to move faster…claiming the woman underneath him. He pushed and pulled, slipping inside her again and again and again. Each time he pushed in, she felt tighter…each time, the ring of muscles at her entrance nearly refused to let him in, but he was addicted to the feeling of being buried in her pussy and he would stay inside of her as long as he could.
Carol couldn't breathe..she couldn't think, and her vision was going blurry. The only thing she was sure of was the powerful force between her legs…the pressure that was driving her crazy. He was driving himself into her core with alarming force and speed, taking all the air from her lungs. It didn't matter how hard she bucked against him, or how much she arched her back…she couldn't get enough of him. Her slickness was helping him to move within her walls and she was amazed that he was still so stiff…his hard-on slipping all the way into her sex and making her quiver. Carol loved the way his swollen member filled her core and she closed her eyes, losing herself in the feeling of his thrusts. She angled her hips up, one last time, her legs spreading and her walls opening. Her nails dug sharply into his flesh as he continued to assault her g-spot. The hunter was groaning as he fucked her hard and fast and the sounds of his pleasure, only served to heighten her own arousal. Surrendering her entire body to him, Carol threw her head back and screamed his name into the dark. He drove his manhood into her center, jerking his hips and Carol lost control. His cock was pulsing inside her as her orgasm struck. Every muscle in her body tensed and her walls began to flutter along the length of his rigid shaft. She felt a sudden gush of wetness from someplace deep inside her and every last ounce of tension seemed to disappear. Her insides clung to him, constricting then releasing in rapid succession; she was desperate to hold onto the hardness that had brought such incredible pleasure. His pace didn't slow and each time he pushed himself through her aching sex, another sharp cry escaped her.
Daryl was stunned when he felt the warmth hit his cock and the shining evidence of her release began to leak out around him. The sound of her screaming his name echoed in his ears and he reminded himself that he needed to keep going. He felt her come and it only spurred him on. Her insides were beginning to spasm and she was convulsing around him. Dazed by the fact that he'd pushed her to her peak, Daryl let his head drop to her chest while his hips continued to jerk between her legs. It was like nothing he'd ever felt as his swollen cock slammed into her wet pussy over and over. She was trembling around him and his member continued to tighten. Clawing at the sleeping bag, he drove himself into her depths, harder, faster, stronger as if he couldn't get enough. He felt himself nearing the edge and unrestrained curses began to trip off the end of his tongue. "Fuck….shit…..Christ…." The hunter was panting as her tight pussy continued to squeeze and massage him. It didn't matter how much of her he had…he wanted to go deeper. He was fucking her with everything he had, hips colliding with hers, again and again… his shaft disappearing inside her, reaching her limits. Knowing that he couldn't hold back much longer, he clenched his jaw and snarled into her skin. "Fuck…Carol….I'm comin'….God….damn….fuck….naw….fuckin'…..Jesus…." He couldn't even be sure if he'd said the words aloud. All he knew was the way she felt, wrapped around his manhood…clinging to him so tight that it hurt, but he fought through it, working his way inside….deep enough to hit the top of her. He was aching, throbbing, but he pushed himself harder and when he couldn't go any deeper, he closed his eyes and let his orgasm rush through his cock, strong and fast, making the shaft jerk inside her. He continued to buck, savoring the feeling of her warm walls around him as he came…coating her insides in his semen. His shaft was pulsing and spurting as she milked him, her hips rocking weakly underneath him…coaxing every last drop of pleasure from his softening cock.
Carol could've sworn that he fucked her straight into a second orgasm. Her skin was slick with sweat and the vinyl sleeping bag was sticking to her back. Her core was aching as waves of pleasure radiated outward from her sex. There was a faint smile on her face as she lay there with her eyes closed. She'd felt it…his climax. She helped him let go, and the feeling was amazing. His hot seed hit her womb and then the relentless pace of his thrusts finally slowed to a stop. The hunter was panting as he lay on her chest, his cheek resting just above her breasts. She ran her fingers through his hair and enjoyed the lingering effects of their orgasms. She wasn't sure she'd be able to move anytime soon, but she was content to lay trapped underneath him….covered in his sweat…his member growing soft between her legs. Glancing to her right, she reached for the edge of the sleeping bag and pulled it so that it covered them. While Daryl's breathing slowed, Carol rubbed his neck and kissed the top of his head.
After several minutes, the hunter's eyes eased open. He groaned, shaking some of the sweaty hair out of his face. Carol chuckled softly as she stared at him through the gloom.
"What's funny?" he asked, his voice like gravel.
"Nothing…" she sighed happily, more content than she'd been in a long time. "It's just…I guess you meant what you said…"
Daryl cocked his head to the side, studying her.
"It's not like this between you and Beth." she said, her walls still clinging to him.
The hunter snorted and smirked at her. "Naw; it ain't." He dipped his head and kissed her hard, grateful for her company, her affection, her trust…glad that they'd ended up in that office, alone, naked, together.
It felt like I covered a lot of bases there lol! Had some close calls, some ass-kicking, arguments, feels, and a pretty decent make-up session if I do say so myself. I hope you liked it Dixonrocks! I know you asked for sweet smut and I really tried! They just tend to get away from me : ) Requests are welcome via PM. As always, thank you for reading and please review!