It had been about two weeks since the farm burned down, and things had changed drastically. Apparently Lori was pregnant, and her and Rick weren't talking. And Rick had changed, he was cold and demanding. There was no food, they were starving. And when they did get rations, it sparked an argument; should it be given to the women, or the pregnant and children, or should then men have more since they needed the strength. Charlotte gave up most of her rations to Lori.
Charlotte was getting week, the hunger was crippling. Daryl tried to give her as much as she could, but she wanted him to have the strength as well.
They were always traveling, Rick never letting anyone other than Daryl and Charlotte go off, and that was for hunting reasons. Daryl told Rick his steps were too loud to hunt with.
It was getting colder; they found some jackets and the like. Daryl found her black jeans and a small green army jacket that just barely kept her warm. She found a beanie to keep her ears warm.
Charlotte shivered in her boots, blowing into her hands one of the mornings while they hunted. They were coming up empty as usual. She felt arms wrap around her. She leaned into the warmth, brushing her nose against the neck of the source. "Ya' alright?"
She nodded. "I'm fine, Daryl." He rubbed his hands up and down her arm. He gently turned her around and pulled her flush against his chest. She strained her neck to look up at him, furrowing her brow. He was being more affectionate than usual. "What is it?"
He inhaled deeply. "I got you something." He said, reaching into his jacket pocket. He pulled out a granola bar. She looked up at him, shocked.
"If Rick found out he would be furious." She breathed, referring to the new rule; you find food, you put it in the rations bag. Never take it for yourself. "Daryl-"
He interrupted her by kissing her on the lips. "Ain't like we'd be the first ones to do it. I ain't listening to your stomach growl all night, I can't do it anymore. Yer' wastin' away every day, ya' look sick." He looked back and forth between her eyes. "Remember you started cryin' the other day and passed out?"
"But the group-"
"I dint' marry the group, I married you. My job is to protect you first, the group second." He pushed it into her hand. "Please darlin'." She wrapped her hands around it and he pulled away, satisfied. She unwrapped it and took her time enjoying it, breaking it into tiny bites.
When she finished Daryl threw the wrapper into the stream and it floated off. He examined the raccoon he shot half an hour before. "We can eat raccoon right?" he asked.
Charlotte shrugged. "I don't know how that works with rabies, if it does at all."
"I want to show you something." He said. She quietly followed ten minutes until they got to a storage parking lot. He opened one of the storage lockers and she peered in, seeing a mattress on the floor and paintings everywhere. He turned on the lantern.
"Did you go through these lockers already?" she asked, confused why he was showing her this. It was cool, but not helpful.
"Ya', got nothin'." He said. She turned to look at him.
"Why are we here then? Not that I don't appreciate looking at these." She said, gesturing to the paintings. He raised one eyebrow, closing the door and locking it. His eyes were dark.
She rolled her eyes as it dawned on her. "Is now the best time?"
"I want to go at it like we could be gone any minute." He said, walking up to her. His face was hard, his eyes were dark and demanding and she hadn't seen him so lustful in a long time, it was admittedly arousing. "Which we could." He pushed her against the wall and slowly kissed up her neck. "If ya' want me to stop, ya' can say stop." She didn't say anything and he got rough. Charlotte gripped onto him.
"Don't leave marks on my neck." She said. He sighed and hiked her up, legs around him with her against the wall. He felt her up and pulled her shirt down, kissing her breasts. He broke away and brought her over to the bed, laying her down. He watched her intently as she pulled her shirt and bra off. He pulled her pants off, pulling her into his lap with nothing but her panties on. He kissed her passionately, reaching between them and rubbing her through her panties. Charlotte moaned quietly, pulling his shirt off. He pushed her onto her back and went in between her legs, kissing her outside her panties, just as he did two weeks previously before they were interrupted.
He used his finger to delicately pull her panties to the side, exposing her. He used his tongue to spread her lips, and she was wet in seconds. His tongue prodded her spot and she shuddered. He teased her at first, slow and methodical tongue strokes. "Daryl." She moaned.
"Beg me." He mumbled into her.
"Please." She moaned softly. "Daryl please." She bit her lip to stop from yelling as he pleasured her. She felt her body build up and she gripped into his shoulder while she climaxed. He slowed and stopped, crawling up her body and kissed her gently. She held his face momentarily, then pushed him up and pulled off his pants and boxers. She crawled onto him and he readied himself, slowly pulling her down on top of him. He closed his eyes at the sensation of his relief. She rocked up and down onto him. He stared at her while she used her body to please him. She was exhilarated. He looked down to watch him being rocked into her. He used her hips to guide her.
He picked her up and laid her down. Usually they were rough, throwing each other from room to room, smirking at one another. But he just looked her in the face and pumped in and out of her, one hand behind her back and the other holding her face. She kept her hands on the small of her back, feeling the ripple from the pleasure he was giving her.
He leaned his forehead against hers and started pumping faster. "Fuck, fuck." He rocked against her harder and rougher for a minute until he shuttered inside of her. Charlotte moaned his name at the sensation.
His head dropped against her shoulder, and all Charlotte could hear was his heavy breathing. She stroked his hair. His hips pulled up slightly to un-burry himself from her. He propped up on his elbows and kissed her. "We should get back."
She nodded once and kissed him one last time. The cleaned up and pulled their clothes on. Before Daryl opened the door, he kissed her once more.
They exited the storage locker and he stretched. "This raccoon is gon' be real good for dinner."
"Raccoon you say?" Both of their weapons were out as they whipped around to find two men walking up. One with more hair on his face then his head held out his automatic weapon. "Lower the guns." He demanded. He aimed right at Charlotte and looked at Daryl. "I said put them down."
Daryl's eyes were dangerous as he dropped his crossbow. Charlotte dropped her gun and stared at the men.
The man took a few steps toward them, and then made his way toward Charlotte. Daryl was staring at the man through narrowed eyes; Charlotte could feel the tension coming off of her husband. The man got too close to her. "You looked flushed sweetheart." He started to raise his hand toward her cheek.
"Don't touch her." Daryl said in a murderous voice. The man smirked, lowering his hand. He raised his automatic to her throat.
"Take a couple of steps back." He told Daryl. "Or I will make a mess of her body."
Daryl and Charlotte shared a look, and he reluctantly took a few steps back, eyes trained on the threat. "We don't want no trouble." Daryl said. "Jus' leave her alone."
"Where is your group?" he asked Charlotte.
"It's just my husband and I." She lied smoothly.
He chuckled. "Husband?" he threw a look toward Daryl. "How about you join ours?"
"We're good, thanks." The man laughed at her.
"You will like it in Crawford." He said. Her eyes widened and her stomach dropped. "I see you've heard of it."
"Please let us go." She pleaded. He leaned the gun onto her chest and dragged it down her chest, exposing her bra.
"I could just eat you up." He grinned. "The feisty ones are the fun ones." She couldn't stop herself from her hand striking the man across the face. She didn't have time to react as he grasped her shirt and back handed her so hard she forgot what was going on. She heard a shot go off and suddenly she fell to the ground.
She looked to find Daryl on top of their attacker, grabbing him by the shirt and throwing his down onto the paved road, blood spilling from his head. Daryl threw in some punches and one last shove, standing up and breathing heavily. Charlotte turned to see the other man was on the ground.
Daryl picked her up, putting her he must have grabbed in her pants. He cradled her face. "Ya' alright darlin'?"
She nodded without a word and he embraced her. The other man groaned and clutched his leg. "Let's go." Daryl said, gripping her hand and the two took off.
"Are you both alright?" Rick asked, pacing.
"Asshole might have given her a black eye, but we made it out." Daryl answered. They were talking in private, a little ways away from the group.
"I should have never let you two go out by yourselves." Rick said, shaking his head.
"It was my fault." Daryl said. "I wasn't paying attention and we went to the storage lockers. It's not on you, it's all on me."
"Why were ya'll over there?" Daryl didn't answer, just stared at Rick. The realization dawned on Rick and he sighed. "Daryl."
"I wasn't being careful, I almost got her hurt. I know I messed up."
"Don't think like that. We must be close to their territory." Rick said, clapping a hand on Daryl's shoulder. "I'm glad you two made it back. You just can't risk both of you not being attentive to the surroundings."
"I know." Daryl answered, looking to his feet. The guilt was heavy in his chest.
"What do you think we should do?"
Daryl looked up, glad Rick wanted his advice. "I don't think we know enough to fight them. Our people aren't ready for an attack either." Rick was nodding. "We gotta' move on. For now."
That night, they sat around the small fire. Charlotte was staring at her shoes, shivering slightly. A decent bruise formed under her eye. It was another mark left on her that was Daryl's fault for not helping soon enough. Daryl nudged her. "What's wrong darlin'?"
"I need affection." She said, her voice weak and eyes not meeting his. He frowned, she never looked so vulnerable, or weak. He scooted closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. She buried her head into his arm, while he stroked her pretty red hair. He was watching her die, slowly. The light was out of her eyes, her hair wasn't as shiny and her skin no longer glowed. Daryl was having a hard time also; he could hardly sleep, he wanted to collapse from the exhaustion.
What kind of idiot can't provide for his women? Merles voice echoed in his head.
He had to help feed the group.
My bad Darlina, didn't know you were married to Rick too.
Daryl shook his head, staring into the dying fire. Rick was patrolling, and Daryl, Charlotte, Glenn, and Maggie being the only ones still up. "This ain't any way to live." Glenn muttered.
"It's temporary." Charlotte spoke quietly. "Nothing is permanent."
"Well it sucks." Glenn said.
"We'll get it figured out." Daryl said. "Come on Darlin', why don't you go to bed?"
"Are you coming?" she asked hopefully.
He shook his head. "I take over watch soon. I'll wake you in the mornin'."
"Glenn is going on watch too; I'll come sleep in the truck with you." Maggie offered. Charlotte nodded, giving Daryl a kiss before climbing into the bed of the truck with Maggie.
When the sun rose, Glenn and Daryl made their way to the truck to see both of the girls up. Maggie was laughing at something Charlotte was holding. Daryl grinned seeing his wife smile. "What are ya'll doing?" he asked. Charlotte looked up and held up a tiny album the fit one picture per page.
"Showing her pictures." Charlotte answered.
"Oh no." Daryl said, rolling his eyes.
"I can't believe how young ya' look." Maggie said.
"Let me see." Glenn said, jumping on the tailgate and leaning over them. "Oh, wow." Daryl climbed on and examined the picture of him from when he was 19. He had no shirt on, a cigarette in his mouth and he was pointing at something.
"Damn, that musta' been ten years ago."
"Try thirteen, honey." Charlotte teased.
"Damn. You're getting old." Charlotte began to laugh, but just ended up coughing. Maggie rubbed her back, looking just as miserable.
"When is the last time you ate?" Glenn asked Maggie.
"We gave our rations to Lori last night." Maggie answered.
"We're fine." Charlotte said, but Daryl saw all of the color out of her lips. He helped her climb out of the truck and toward the pit, where the rest of the group was.
"After yesterday, Daryl and I decided it would be a good idea to head south." Rick was saying, holding out the map. "There is a hotel there, we can pick through and maybe stay the night." Rick looked to Daryl, almost for confirmation.
Daryl nodded, adding; "I can go check the area out first." Daryl said. "Before we have the whole group go out there."
Rick looked torn. "The idea is up for debate." He said, making it clear he didn't completely agree, but he was on the fence. "I have to hang back."
Daryl shrugged. "I'm better off on my own. Ya'll don't know how to walk quietly."
"I do." Charlotte spoke up. "I can go with."
"Ya' ain't goin'." Daryl snapped slightly. "Don' even think about it. Ya' can hardly move around camp."
Rick nodded. "I don't even like Daryl going and I know he'll be fine." Especially after what had happened the previous day, the amount of faith Rick had in Daryl was almost overwhelming. He would never admit how good it felt, how for once in his life these people who didn't even look at him at first, we relying on him.
The group broke apart, but Charlotte grabbed on Daryl's hand. "Babe, I don't like this." She said quietly. "I don't want you to go out by yourself."
"T-Dog, Glenn, and Rick are all here. You will be just fine." He grumbled, walking to the truck to get his crossbow, Charlotte following behind him. When she didn't answer, he sighed, turning to look at her and her gaze stopped his words; she looked terrified. "I'll come back darlin'." Her eyes were watering up. "Babe, yer' being emotional because you're hungry, calm down."
"I'm not emotional." She nearly shouted, causing a couple of the members to look toward them.
"Alright, I'm sorry." He bullshited for her sake; he knew it was the hunger. "If I ain't back by the time ya' wake up in the mornin', then you can worry." She hung her head, shoulders shivering. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look him. "I'll be back, alright?" he made the words sound final, she nodded slightly. He kissed her forehead and set out.
He found the road to the hotel. Most of the view was obstructed by trees. The sun was getting lower and Daryl knew he would have to spend the night up in a tree, not looking forward to that at all. When the roads bend came into view, his eyes narrowed.
At first, he almost didn't believe his eyes. But as he walked closer, it was obvious; there was a large stake in the ground, with a growling, snapping walker impaled on it. Daryl's mouth was slightly agape as he came up it, examining a handmade sign next to it that read; "LEAVE". He looked at the other side of the road to see another stake, another impaled walker. His face twisted in disgust.
The sound of an engine was heard, but Daryl heard it too late. He watched the headlight come up; he pulled his crossbow out and pointed it at the oncoming truck that slowed to a stop next to him. The passenger window was rolled down. A man, not much younger than Daryl, looked rough around the edges, but was holding a bottle of Captain Morgan between his thighs. I can take on some drunk idiot, Daryl thought to himself.
"See ya' admiring the decoration." Was the first thing the man said. "I like your bow there. The name's Nate." Daryl didn't lower it; the mans voice was too energetic, and almost mocking. "You ain't from them hotels over there, are you?"
"What's it to you?" Daryl snapped.
The man pulled out a gun. "Because I kill assholes from Crawford."
A/N: A little smut for being gone so long. I missed you guys, you should leave some reviews and tell me what you think. Anyway, if you played either of the Telltale Walking Dead Games, you know Nate and you know what Crawford is. If not, feel free to look it up. I'm changing Crawford a little, but keeping Nate pretty much the same.