Daryl sighed listening as Sophia made a list of reasons that he absolutely could not leave the walls. The one she just kept repeating was that he'd get hurt. Of course he knew there was always a chance but Sophia was starting this new thing where she didn't give up. She didn't before but it was worse now Since Brian got sick she kept all the Dixon men in close reach. Even Martinez was being subjected to her clinginess.

Carol grinned at him and he raised a brow. She snorted and he flipped her off. Sophia slapped his hand and he looked at her. She looked fit to be tied. Brian was asleep on the couch slouched against his dad. Both of them were knocked out. Daryl glared at Mac knowing he was using Brian as a buffer between being assaulted from Sophia.

"Why are you freaking out exactly?"

Sophia threw her hands up and put her hands on her hips, "Have you not been listening?"

"Honestly? No." Daryl sighed. "Sophia I know what I'm doing."

Sophia's lip pushed out and her eyes widened watering. He grimaced. If she cried he'd crack. He rubbed at his face and Carol kicked him under the table. He growled low in his chest and he heard her laugh below her breath. She was having fun at his expense. When he got her alone he had half a mind to throw her over his knee and nope...nope he didn't need that issue with Sophia right there.

"Mac's staying here though." Sophia whined, "You can't go alone."

"I'm not." Daryl stood. "Sophia stop." He interrupted. Her mouth snapped shut and Carol's eyes widened. Sophia never got quiet for any of them and Daryl never was one to snap. Not that he'd snapped but his voice changed. Even he heard it.

"But..." Her lip quivered, "Brian's sick and I don't want to lose you too."

She spun and was on the couch before he could say anything. His eyes stayed on her as she burrowed into the nest of blankets Brian was in. Mac adjusted himself on the couch as both teens took over. He didn't bat an eye before he started to fall asleep again. Carol caught his arm and pulled him towards the steps. He had to meet up with Merle earlier. He wasn't even going to be gone long. Sophia was just freaking out for nothing. She always done this when he was leaving.

Carol pushed him into the room. He set on the bed as she shut the door and locked it this time. Carol threatened his brothers for bursting into the room on them. They didn't listen so now the door was always locked with the warning of whoever came in regardless was losing a testicle. It shouldn't be as hot as it was to watch his brothers cower from her but it was.

"She'll be alright Daryl." Carol smiled at him.

He stared off and shook his head, "She does so this every so often since I found her."

"You were all she had for a long time." Carol ran her hand through his hair and then tugged on it. "I don't see how those three can even sleep like that."

Daryl scowled and Carol smiled at him. He shook his head but her grip was still tight in his hair making him grunt. "Going to have to keep a close eye on those two."

"Why's that?" Carol smiled brighter.

"You know damn well why."

"Are you suggesting Brian would try something? Or Sophia?" Carol laughed.

Daryl stared at her for a minute before making his decision. "Yes." He deadpanned. "Yes he would. He's a Dixon."

Carol's eyes widened and then she scowled, "Now thanks that's all I needed to worry about on top of the dead walking around."

Daryl laughed, "Don't worry I doubt anything weird is gonna happen with both of them using Mac as a bed and pillow."

"I would hope not."

"Mac would beat him and then try to use himself as a shield."

"Shield?"

"I'd kill him." Daryl made a face, "I don't want to think of either of them having sex."

Carol snorted and pushed him back on the bed, "I talked to Hannah earlier. She stopped me."

Daryl sighed and fell back all the way dragging her down on him. Carol straddled his hips kicking her boots away. He done the same both of them losing clothes as they adjusted to in bed.

"What the fuck she want?"

"Me to send Brian home."

"Brian won't go."

"Oh I know. He told me and Andrea we weren't sending him away." Carol laughed and rubbed at his chest. "I think he's worried that when he's not sick that Andrea isn't going to be there."

Daryl raised a brow, "Why do you say that?"

"When he got sick that night it was Andrea who took care of him before Merle was here. She was up all night with him and the next day. Even now she's down there watching over him." Carol met his eyes, "Did Hannah ever hover over him like that?"

"No."

Carol nodded, "She's doing something he's wanted from his mother and never got. Andrea's nice to Mac and gets along with your family including Sophia. If I had to guess Hannah's never had that either."

"No."

Leaning down she kissed him. It didn't take long before she was shoving at his belt and jeans. If Sophia got upset when he left Carol got horny. He wasn't sure if she was trying to maul him to incapacitate him or if she was just trying to wear him out s he wouldn't go. Either way when she set up lowering herself down on him his thoughts all were lost to the tight heat gripping him.

Hands braced on his chest Carol rolled her hips before sinking down on him completely. She was biting her lips trying to be quiet. Daryl threw her off him before she could really set a pace though. She yelped and made an indignant noise before shooting daggers at him. He caught her hips jerking her towards the edge of the bed. Her legs fell over the edge and he was behind her then keep her bent at the waist. Carol sucked in a breath when he was there right behind her. He knocked her legs wide and she arched her back lifting her ass higher for him.

He groaned at the sight and sunk back into her. She caught one of the pillows and buried her face into it muffling the sounds she was making. Daryl dropped his hands on either side of her head. His weight was bearing down on her and she moaned louder his name breaking in half with his thrust. Sliding his hand up into her hair he turned her head and forced her to look at him. She gasped and arched her back more and he growled feeling her flutter around him.

Keeping his grip tight in her hair his mouth covered hers as her orgasm hit. He struggled to not give into his own but feeling her white hot wrapped around him was too much. He growled and buried his face into the side of her neck as his release poured from him. Carol was like jello below him and he slid his arm under her lifting her off the ground. She groaned at the movement and he got them both back into bed.

"Not getting dressed?"

Daryl shook his head wrapping his arms around her. He used her chest as his pillow, "I'll be up before them."

"She loves you Daryl and can't stand the thought of losing you." Carol yawned, "None of us can. You're all that we've got."

He huffed a breath and watched as his breath caused her nipple to harden. He grit his teeth feeling himself getting hard already. He really needed to sleep. He shifted and he sucked in a breath as her hand wrapped around him. She was moving her hand over him slowly and he tried to keep his breathing slow.

"I love you." Carol purred.

Daryl groaned when she tightened her grip on him. She let her legs fall open causing his weight to shift and his body slotted between her thighs. She never lost her grip on him. He moved quickly and was between her thighs and she was already guiding him back inside her. Her legs locked around him and she met his eyes.

"I've never loved another man like I love you." Carol's words were earnest and slapped him right in the face. "You're it for me."

He stilled completely and watched her face. She was forcing her breathing to be normal. He wasn't sure if it was from what she'd said or because he was as deep as he could get inside her. Both were knocking the breath from him either way it went. Carol smiled at him then and watched his eyes.

"You have the most expressive eyes I've ever seen."

His face flushed and she laughed. He moved closer to her then lowering himself. His mouth dropped next to her ear. His breath caused her to shiver and he smiled.

"I love you." His words were punctuated with a slow roll of his hips, "I've never loved anyone before you."

Carol gasped and he kissed her throat. Her hands were all over him mapping every inch of him before she jerked him in tighter against her. He grunted but gave her what she wanted. He could already feeling her body getting hotter and wetter the more he spoke. She told him before that she loved his voice and she wasn't lying.

Carol tilted her head to the side giving him more room and he took the invitation. She wasn't usually marked in places anyone could see. Her teeth closed on his throat though and he reciprocated. Both fighting to breathe as they were washed away from reality lost in each other. Pleasure claiming both of them in sweaty mess of I love you and bruises.

Daryl rolled over onto his back and she followed him. They were quiet and he could hear his brother down stairs. He was talking to Brian and Sophia. He knew why Mac wasn't going out there and didn't fault him. Merle was just as good. They both could get things done together. Mac was staying because Brian was still getting better and because Hannah was being a weirdo. If he left and she upset his son he was likely to beat her. Hell Philip was still unconscious from the one hit Mac did give him. Hershel said the force gave him whiplash and a concussion and that sleep was the best for his body to heal. If that was just the one hit he didn't want to know what his brother would really do given enough to time.

Carol's breathing evened out and he smiled. He'd gotten use to her being there quickly and couldn't imagine not having her now. It scared him. It scared the fuck out of him because letting people close to you hurt you. He'd seen his brothers get ripped apart by women but he knew Carol wasn't that way. She wasn't that type of woman. He blew out a breath because he wasn't lying when he said he loved her. He loved her and he loved her daughter- they were his.