It's freaking 1 A.M. and I just made split pea soup...now I feel obligated to eat some of it. It's tasty, but it's heavy and I think I may just get sick if I do.
But, on the bright side, I decided to stay up a little later and write while I eat this...
The last few days seemed like a blur of drama and emotions and craziness to Carol. Between Beth's suicide attempt, Carl's moodiness, Lori and Andrea at eachother's throats, and this thing with that kid Rick, Herschel and Glenn had brought back from town...Randall was his name, she thought.
She was very grateful that things were settled down now. Beth had decided she wanted to live, Carl was still moody but that just came from being a kid, Lori had taken Andrea's side after Beth's attempt and so they had stopped arguing for now, and Randall had been taken away from the farm and set loose. Carol was emotionally exhausted from the whole ordeal considering they had very nearly decided to kill the kid. She was relieved that it hadn't come to that.
She had continued practicing archery for at least an hour every day no matter what was going on in camp and many times she would take Sophia along and let her shoot too. Daryl joined them sometimes with his crossbow and Carol realized that those days when it was just the three of them out there were the best days she'd had since she didn't know when. Life with Ed had started at age nineteen...had she ever actually been happy since?
Yes. Yes, of course. When Sophia had been born. That was the happiest day of her entire life, bar none.
But her nights with Daryl were running a close second. She had taken to sleeping in his tent on a nightly basis which was a good arrangement because it was getting colder and there was no tent for just her and Sophia. They had been sharing with the Grimes family, but Carol liked the current arrangement better and Sophia didn't mind because she just wanted to be around Carl all of the time. Daryl seemed alright with it too, which was a huge relief because at first she had felt as if she was intruding on his personal space.
"You gonna shoot that or you just gonna stay like that forever?" Daryl's voice shook Carol from her thoughts and she realized she still had her bowstring pulled back. She laughed lightly and let the arrow fly, hitting just to the right of the bull's eye.
"Sorry," she said, lowring her bow, "I was thinking about everything that's been going on lately."
Daryl got a wicked look in his eyes and he wrapped his arms around her middle, pulling her as close as possible from behind.
"Mm, I know exactly what you're thinking about," he mumbled in her ear, his voice was low and full of suggestion.
Carol giggled and slipped out of his grip, skipping backwards a bit to put some space between them.
"You don't know nothin', Daryl Dixon!" she teased, "I was actually thinking about all the crap that's been happening this week."
Daryl actually looked a little bit put out, but he didn't give up yet.
"A lot happened this week," he said with a wink. Carol couldn't help it, her mind flooded with images of their almost nightly lovemaking and she smiled.
"I'll give you that," she agreed. She turned her back on him and went to the target to retrieve her arrows from the haybale.
xXxXxXxXxXxxxXxxxXxxxTWD
Daryl didn't kow why he was doing this, but for some reason his feet kept carrying him towards the RV even as his mind was screaming at him to turn around and run back to the woods and avoid this embarressing conversation about to ensue.
He found Andrea perched on top of the RV as usual, Dale's rifle resting on her lap as her eyes scanned the horizon for walkers. Lori had gotten pissed at Andrea for her look out duty but Daryl didn't see what the bitch's problem was? Someone had to do it, and it left the men free to hunt, scout, chop wood, and all the other chores needed to be done around the farm...if anything, they should be grateful that Andrea took the boring job onto her own shoulders! Because, dang, lookout was a hell of a dull thing to do.
"Hey, Daryl," she called down when she saw him approach.
"Hey, Andrea," Daryl muttered, gripping the ladder and pulling himself up. He stood there awkwardly for a moment before he decided to take a seat to avoid making eye contact. He dropped down next the the lawn chair Andrea was in and pulled out his buck knife, examining it and then proceeded to sharpen it with the whetstone from his pocket.
"Something on your mind, Daryl?" Andrea asked, looking down at him with a cocked eyebrow, "Or are you just a fan of my company?"
"Oh shut up," Daryl grumbled, not wanting to admit why he was up here. What the hell was he thinking?
"Take your time," Andrea said with a knowing smile, "When you're ready to admit why you're here, I'm listening."
Daryl growled a little but continued sharpening the blade...until he couldn't possibly get it any sharper. Finally, he slipped it back in the sheath and sighed as he leaned back and searched for the words to start this conversation.
"Andrea, you're a chick, right?" As soon as the words were out he wanted to smack himself in the face. What the hell, Dixon?
Andrea looked at him, but instead of annoyance or insult, he saw amusement.
"Last time I checked, yes," she replied.
"What I mean is..." Daryl couldn't believe how hard this was. He and Andrea had always had an easy relationship but damn...she was gonna judge him and he was gonna look like a fuckin' idiot! "Shit, forget about it!"
He stood up quickly and almost smung a leg over the ladder, but Andrea's hand shot out and grabbed him by the arm.
"Hold up a sec, Daryl," she said firmly, "Is this about you and Carol?"
Daryl's eyes widened and he froze.
"How...?"
"I can read you pretty well," Andrea replied, tugging on him. "Now get back here and say what's on your mind. I hate all this beating around the bush shit."
Daryl hesitated for a moment but then he decided he was already in this deep, he might as well man up and face the music.
"Alright, here's the deal..." he started nervously. "I...I need your advice."
Andrea was suddenly very excited. She leaned forward and gave him her full attention.
"See...um..." Daryl ran his hand through his hair nervously and began pacing, "I'm...not really...experienced in all of this and..."
Andrea waited patiently as he stumbled over his words, he began to chew his thumb like he did when he was nervous and she knew how hard this was for him.
"Ok," she said, trying to make him focus, "So you need, what?"
Daryl turned and looked at her with the saddest, most pathetic face and she had to try not to laugh.
"Andrea..." he was on the verge of whining, which was something she never thought she would hear. "I need some...tips."
"Romance tips? Communication tips?" Andrea ventured, "Sex tips?"
The way Daryl looked away at her last suggestion made her realize she had struck gold.
"Why, Daryl Dixon," Andrea crossed her arms, "Having problems satisfying your woman?"
"No!" Daryl shot back quickly, not wanting THAT rumor spreading around.
Andrea laughed but then she cleared her throat and put on a serious face.
"Ok, what do you want to know?" she asked.
Daryl took a deep breath and closed his eyes and looked up at the sky to avoid looking at Andrea.
"I...we're doing just fine, all in all," he admitted, "But...I feel like I'm doing the same thing every time and...god, why am I telling you this? Well...I just want to know...what do you want from us?"
"Ah, the age old 'what do women want' question," Andrea leaned back in her chair and smiled, "Well...sit your butt on down, Daryl and pay attention because I'm about to reveal the secrets of the universe to you."
xXxXxXxXxxxXxxxxXxxxxXxxxTWD
Herschel, Maggie, Beth, Jimmy and Patricia invited them all inside that night and everyone was delighted to see the banquet that had been prepared from the Greene food storage. Patricia had extended the table by placing two of them end to end so everyone had a seat and they all felt...almost like a family.
Carol felt especially happy. She had always dreamed of a situation like this, family all gathered together and laughing at funny stories over their plateful of chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots and fresh baked bread and butter. It reminded her of childhood Thanksgiving dinners. She looked around at the people at the table with a smile on her face. The Grimes and Greenes were grouped together on one side, T-Dog and Dale were discussing possibly fixing up the old truck they had found behind the barn, Shane was too busy stuffing his face to be speaking, Andrea kept flicking her eyes over in Carol's direction but Carol didn't think too much of it, and Daryl was sitting on Carol's left, shoving the carrots around on his plate as he stared at them.
"Not fond of carrots?" she asked him with a smile.
He jerked a little, like he was surprised, and looked up from his plate. He met her eyes and smiled slightly.
"Not really," he admitted quietly, not wanting the Greene's to hear.
"I like them," Carol offered, "I'll eat them for you."
Daryl's little smile widened a bit and he stabbed a few on his fork and offered it to her. She eyed him for a moment, surprised, but then opened her mouth for him to feed her. It was a little awkward when she realized half the table was looking at them but she kept her eyes focused totally on his as she chewed and swallowed.
"I think I'm gonna puke at all this sweetness," Shane commented, making Carol blush and Daryl went back to looking down at his plate.
Carol hadn't missed the significance though, Daryl was getting bolder in their relationship. They hadn't told anyone that they were involved, but it was common knowledge around camp anyway...but Carol felt good about the fact that Daryl wasn't afraid to show his affection for her. She felt a surge of desire sweep over her and she wiggled in her seat a little. Glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, she slowly moved her hand across the small space that separated them and slid it up his right thigh, making him visibly tense and look up from his plate again.
"Carol, how's that archery coming along?" T-Dog's question saved Carol from the look of shock that surely would have been noticed by everyone that Daryl gave her since all their eyes turned to T-Dog and then to her.
"It's coming along great," she replied with a smile, her hand twisted slightly and she felt Daryl's leg jump a little. "Daryl's a great instructor! He's got amazing skills."
The innuendo went unnoticed by nearly everyone, Andrea and Daryl seemed to be the only one who's faces changed, Andrea's to amusement and Daryl's to embarressment. Carol took that moment to give him a firm squeeze beneath the table and he cleared his throat and pushed his chair back from the table, standing quickly.
"Uh, 'scuse me, I gotta...I'll be right back," he muttered and made a hasty retreat up the stairs.
Oh no you don't, that's MY job! Carol thought in annoyance. Andrea leaned over and nudged her in the ribs.
"I think you better go check up on your man, Carol," she whispered, "I think he might need a...hand."
Carol blushed brightly at Andrea's suggestion, but she pushed her chair back and excused herself with the excuse of having to pee. She turned on her heel and forced herself to walk slowly out of the dining room to avoid suspicion.
Once out of the room, she picked up her pace and ran up the stairs. She turned and headed down the hall towards the bathroom, assuming that's where he had run off to, but as she passed by one of the bedroom doors she felt a firm grip on her arm and she was yanked into the room before she could even register what was happening.
"What the he..mph!" her scared outburst was cut off by Daryl's mouth covering hers in a kiss she almost swore caused sparks in the darkness of the room. There was something different about this kiss, Carol felt immediately, it was rough and dominating and she felt her toes curl from the intensity.
"C'mere," Carol couldn't see, her eyes hadn't adjusted to the dark yet, but she let him lead her across the room. She felt the backs of her knees hit the bed behind her and then a firm push had her flat on her back with her legs dangling over the edge.
"Daryl, what are you doing?" she asked with a giggle, "We can't do this right now, people are gonna start wondering where we went to."
"Do you care what they think?" Daryl's voice was thick and dark, Carol couldn't see his expression but she recognized that tone...she heard it nearly every night lately. That was Daryl's sex voice and it made her melt every time.
"No," Carol replied honestly.
"Didn't figure you would," he replied. Carol's eyes were almost adjusted now and she could finally see him in the moonlight. The pale blue shine made the muscle lines on his arms even more defined and it glinted in his eyes as he stared up at her from where he had knelt down between her legs. He leaned over her and kissed her again, his lips didn't stay on hers long however. Carol let out a happy sigh as he started trailing his kisses down her jaw, throat and to her chest.
"Here," Carol started to remove her shirt but he gripped her wrist softly and stopped her.
"Stand up," he ordered, but not in a mean way. Carol obeyed. Daryl slipped his hands under the hem of her shirt and ran them up her sides as he took the fabric up with them, eventually he tugged it over her head and flung it to the side. Carol wasn't sure when he unfastened her bra, but it was on the floor with her shirt before she realized it was gone, and she only realized this when she felt his tingue flick across her left nipple.
"Daryl..."
"Would you stop thinkin'?" was the gruff reply she got and she felt herself pushed back on the bed once more and he hovered over her in all his intimidating sexiness.
Carol almost made a snarky reply, but then Daryl slid off of her and knelt back on the floor between her legs. She felt his fingers start to twist the botton on her jeans until it came free and then he unzipped them and slid them slowly over her hips and down her legs, kissing he skin he uncovered as he went. Finally, he tossed them aside and returned to hook his tumbs under the waistband of her panties. He wasted no time with those, they were only in his way at this point.
"Daryl, you're crazy, everyone's gonna hear us," Carol complained weakly, not really caring at all.
"Let 'em hear," was the reply, which was very nearly a growl.
Carol was about to reply when she felt something that made her jump and blush and very nearly have a heartattack. Daryl's lips pressed lightly into her upper thigh, the scruff of his beard scratched softly the skin there, and she felt his teeth gently nip her there before he moved his lips to a new spot on her thigh. Carol let her head fall back, knowing where this was going...but she couldn't believe it. But, sure enough, she felt his lips press boldly on the mound between her legs and then felt the tip of his tongue flick over the bud that was swelling at every little touch he gave her.
"Oh my..." her near curse turned into a gasp at the last second when Daryl abandoned all sense of hesitation and delved his tongue inside her, making her see stars. Carol didn't know what had brought this about, but she had never felt anything quite like what he was doing to her now! The slick warmth of his tongue and the feel of it twisting and curling inside her and his beard brushing into her sensitive skin had her jerking her hips and moaning loudly. But just when she felt she would come undone, he withdrew and leaned back as he locked eyes with her.
"I..." Carol tried to form words but her mind felt like mush and she could seem to speak. But that seemed to be just fine with Daryl because he grinned and moved back to leaning over her on the bed, his right hand rested on her stomach as he covered her mouth with his once more. Carol could taste herself on his lips and tongue and she thought that, somehow, that was the sexiest thing ever. But her thoughts were jumbled again when his hand slid down her stomach and between her legs, slipping two fingers inside her without even second guessing. She wondered vaguely where the confidence had come from as he curled and pumped his fingers inside her, driving her up a wall with ecstasy. She felt that now familiar sensation building deep within her and her moaning and wimpers started getting louder despite her previous concerns about people hearing.
"Daryl...fuck..."
"You got a dirty mouth on ya, Carol," Daryl's voice was amused and she forced her eyes open so she could look at him. He was smiling softly at her, completely focused on her expressions as his fingers worked their magic. Carol only managed to repond with a gasping groan as the knot inside her tightened to a rediculous level and she felt her inner muscles clamp tight around his fingers and start to spasm as she came hard and hot over them with a screaming "Oh, god, yes!"
She nearly slid off the bed when her muscles suddenly relaxed completely, but Daryl's arm was around her and he pulled her up beside him.
"Where you think you're goin'?" he asked with a smile.
"Nowhere," Carol replied dreamily, "Why would I go anywhere? I just want to lay here with you."
Daryl looked at her with a soft expression for a long moment, but then he sighed and stood up. He grabbed her clothes from the floor where they were tossed and he handed them to her.
"C'mon," he said teasingly, "We got a dinner to get back to."
xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxTWD
There's another chapter for you! Thanks to all my readers: Sinister Attraction, SOA loving mom, hockeydrmr9, Emberka-2012, Daniyell37, TrixPandawan, YouthINasia6, WalkerScuzzie, Crowfeather's girl, hopelesslydevoted2svu, Tomte Mushroom, LisaBoston, deelove1, jaded79, RogueSeven, blueballed, and Guest (you should get an account! :D) You all make me want to keep writing when I get reviews from ya'll, it lets me know I'm not wasting my time :)
G'night now, it's super late!