A/N: This takes place shortly after Daryl returns from Woodbury with Merle, it is the first time Carol & Daryl have alone
She had gotten caught up in a powerful moment, and now, after, she felt it fading - more fantasy than memory perhaps?
The evening Daryl had returned with Merle, she crossed paths with him at the door to the courtyard. He was coming in as she was headed out. They exchanged genuine smiles of greeting, and he turned to followed her back out.
They sat on the rusting bleachers which flanked the basketball court, nets hanging in shreds now, flapping quietly in the night breeze. There was maybe four inches between them, and she pressed her knee to his, 'I missed you.'
He pushed back playfully with his knee, 'Merle couldn't keep me away from my family.' The air shifted, then stilled. He slid closer and reached out his arm to wrap her shoulder. Instinctively, naturally, she leaned into him and rested her head.
They sat in silence like that for some time. She closed her eyes and listened to his breath. She breathed him in, his scent seemed everywhere.
She felt him squeeze her shoulder and loosen his grip. 'I promised Rick I'd relieve him.' She straightened, and as he stood she tucked her feet under the bleacher and smiled up at him.
'Good night Daryl.'
He smiled at her sheepishly. 'So far it has been. Good night Carol.'
She watched him exit the courtyard, then turned to lay back on the bleacher, still warm from where he had sat. She stared at the stars for a long while. Without the lights to dim them, the sky was beautiful.