There was something wrong with him. He knew it and he could feel it thrumming in his chest. It echoed his heart, beating in tandem with it like a war drum. It was driving adrenaline through his blood at a thicker and higher pace causing his steps to pick up. Carol was keeping up but he'd never thought she would fall behind. It was always her there with him even when Merle was around. She didn't pale and scamper away in his brother's shadow like everyone else did. She went toe to toe with the bastard and threatened to cut his throat. Merle told him about that with a wolfish smile and a look in his eyes that would have made Daryl worry if it wasn't his brother.
He knew he was hurt. He could feel the dried blood cracking and breaking with each step he took. With the sun dropping against them there was no way he could stop now. He had to get her away from here. She was going to keep going after them if he didn't. He couldn't risk her getting killed and he was no help right now. Not now, not ever. He couldn't before and he'd be fucking goddamned if he let something happen to her now.
Snarling as the pain increased with his steps he ignored it. Something very primal was ripping through his chest and making his chest heave. He had to get her to safety. Carol wasn't fragile but still that heaving of his chest let him know that he would stand between her and the world when it came down to it. He knew that before but now? Now- well things were even more sincere. Rick tossed her away. Even if the group wanted to dispute it- it was done. He gave no option and made damn sure no one told him and that he'd had to come find him to tell him that he'd kicked her out. The rage and hurt he'd felt in that moment didn't even compare to the sheer panic he'd felt. Not for her safety because Carol wasn't some tiny little mouse that Merle use to tauntingly call her. No she was so much more, she was everything.
The thought of the group made his jaw clench and he felt her hand slide over his bare back. She was quiet but she could read him. The waves of rage and hate rolling off him would have been visible to her. He wasn't sure what he'd do if he seen that man again. He wasn't surprised Rick left him. Hell he'd done his brother the same way, he done Sophia the same way, and hell even Shane his best friend got a swift kick. But he sure as fuck tried to save Randall though didn't he.
There was was something warring within in him. That bloodthirsty nature Merle always sported that got him in non stop trouble was starting to bleed out. He'd smothered it his entire life but seeing her there after thinking he'd lost her forever broke the fucking dam. He'd had trouble believing she was real at first thinking he'd took a hit to hard but then he felt her there. He could damn well smell that faint smell of lavender and vanilla that clung to her and that got him moving.
They'd kept him there and while he'd thought he was done and she was safe away from there he'd knew it was over. But seeing her there. Seeing her choking that bastard right there and looking at him with that glint in her eyes. He knew she was just as gone as him.
He paused suddenly his eyes sweeping around them. She moved into his side. She was almost flush with him her breast barely brushing his back. Her breath was soft and stirring the air around him.
"What is it?" Her hand slid along his forearm grasping his wrist before linking with his hand, "Daryl."
He took a deep breath and grimaced. His grip tightened on her and he started walking again. He pulled her around in front of him. His steps were forcing her own. She didn't resist him and he felt the shiver that raced up her back as his hand slid around her back. When he came into contact with the sheath at her back hidden he made a low noise in his throat of approval. She let out a breath as he slid the knife from the sheath just enough to release the catch. The soft snick was buried in the ushered movements around them.
"We need to find somewhere for tonight."
He nodded and grunted at her. She moved with ease now her grip leading him to anyone watching. The adrenaline racing through his body with a new breath was dulling the aches in his muscles and the pain lancing through his head.
"We'll figure everything else out when we get you cleaned up." Her words were almost whispered and he read the worry there. The first glimmer of any emotion beyond rage from her.
His fingers brushed her skin and her breath hitched as it continued tracing up her spine. Letting his hand slide back down to the base of her back just at her belt.
snap
Carol didn't pause. Didn't even give a hitched breath and he hid his smile. The woods were his. Always were. Even when he was young he could blend into the woods like they were apart of him. He didn't need anyone to show him the way or a map and hunting was second nature. It was all like breathing.
Whoever was following them was a fool. They'd came up on them not long ago and were circling around to come out in front. One person. Man. If he had to hazard a guess he'd say a man his own size and he packing light. His steps weren't near as sure as some born to the woods and wild.
snap
Carol growled low in her throat and he could almost see her hackles raising at the threat. He shushed her and she quieted as he pulled her around to his side. He didn't leave her behind him as the man trailed and tracked them sloppily. No he'd not have her so easily accessible.
The man stepped out as soon as they came on a clearing. The light was low but he stood at the other side. His hands were empty. Carol kept next to him and shifted. Daryl swept his eyes around quickly but knew the man was alone.
"I mean no harm." He called out. Daryl inclined his head. The man stepped forward, "I...I'm alone."
Carol looked at him steadily ignoring the man. She was never trusting. Hell he wasn't either and out of the two of them he'd been the one who would have cut this man to the ground before but now. Now he knew he'd kill this man and feel nothing for it. He'd forget him within five paces and get them the fuck out of here.
"Safer with people." The man shifted looking around as shadows claimed them all. "Break camp...take...take shifts."
"We need to rest." Carol spoke quietly. "I need to look you over."
"I'm fine." Daryl snarled. "I'll be fine, had worse."
"OH I don't doubt that but I want to see." Carol hissed her nails digging into him, "You'll let me do this."
He looked at her and the man moved closer. "We should build a fire before it gets darker."
Daryl watched him scamper around and Carol jerked him over to the ground. "Where are you hurt?" She whispered.
Daryl watched the man as Carol looked him over. There was nothing to clean him up with really and honestly he wasn't worried. They were going to fucking eat him and you didn't use nasty shit if you wanted to keep the meat sanitary. He snorted at the thought.
The man settled close to him and Daryl looked him over. His hair was falling forward as he'd pitched his head forward obscuring his face from the man. He was oblivious to Daryl's observations. He was quietly fiddling with sticks while trying to get warm at the tiny fire. He'd been correct in assuming he was traveling light. He had a fanny pack with a bottle of water. It was pitiful but then it was more than they had at the moment but he wasn't worried.
He sneered at the thought. Worry. He'd experienced all kinds of worry while the world went to shit but never for his own ass. No it'd been for her. The group was useless more than half the time but Carol- Carol was everything and he had to get her ready for what was out there. Because he damn sure knew that the bullshit that the group was clinging to was just that, bullshit. He'd told her as much one day and that's when she'd finally snapped. They'd fought bad. He couldn't remember ever getting so mad. It took him getting a fucking bolt to his side and being dragging across a fucking field before she'd come back to speak to him.
Then it started in earnest. He'd told her about hearing Merle out there. She didn't ridicule him but smiled at him sadly and ran her hand over his hair. It was the first time he could recall her ever touching him. The way her fingers carded through his hair to soothe him, the same shit she was doing now, and it was working him.
"You all with a bigger group?"
Carol looked over at him her smile soft and he watched the man's eyes glaze. He smiled at Carol and shot a skittish look towards Daryl. He didn't look at him and the man relaxed his eyes going back to her.
"Just us."
He nodded and look at the fire licking his lips. Daryl felt a headache coming on. You didn't survive in this world without giving up something. How much of his humanity had this son of a bitch given? Daryl lifted his head and Carol looked at him her eyes truly softening and not the facade she'd given the man.
"Donnie, names Donnie."
"Carol." She acknowledged and then inclined her head to him, "This is Daryl."
He looked again to Daryl and Daryl met his eyes. He was right. That primal part of him that had him wanting to throw Carol over his shoulder was beating his chest. It was amazing what the fall of the world done to people. Instead of valuing money and material possessions- well it all just became a little bit more instinctual.
Carol leaned into him before sliding down as he straightened his legs out. He'd not sleep. Carol's head was in his lap her hand up against his stomach her finger tracing lines across stomach. Donnie's eyes were following her movements and Daryl stared at him. Like he could feel his gaze his eyes shot to Daryl's. Carol wasn't looking and something flashed in the fire light in his eyes. Daryl didn't even shift in the light of his small challenge.
Bringing his hand around he tangled it in her short hair dragging her more into him. A low sound left her throat and Daryl felt his groin tighten. She curled around him more. Carol was his.