Curative

Hello again!

In case anyone here is interested, I'll be doing a spin off AU about Laura and Daryl meeting before the world ended. It'll be Lauryl all the way, but like... before zombies and stuff lol
It'll take some time to write out properly, but I have a decent idea on what I want to do with it. I'll start posting it on my tumblr soon so keep an eye out! If I feel comfortable with it, I'll publish it here on FFN too. I just want to make sure it's a good read before committing to it :)

thebarkingraccoon . tumblr . com

The rain thinned out though the storm still raged. A familiar scent from within the prison, footsteps approaching the undead woman lounging on the broken concrete. Dead asleep, she did not notice the figure nearing her.

In the dark storm it was easy to miss anyone sneaking around. Though this person wasn't sneaking around intentionally, only taking advantage of the thunderous roar of the storm above their heads. No walkers in sight, the area had been thoroughly clear. Even if there was they couldn't detect anything in the storm.

So he figured this was relatively safe, knowing if a herd was still in the halls she would protect him. Though when he finally honed in on her, he realized she wasn't aware of anything.

A large hand waved in front of her face and still nothing. His mouth twitched, alarmed by her lack of reaction. Then he pointed two fingers and poked her a few times. Watching for any movement, he placed his hand on her stomach and shook her whole body.

That disturbed her slumber enough for her to reach down and swat his hand away with a tired groan of annoyance. She readjusted on the rocks, finding a new comfortable spot and ignored him.

"Damn girl, you're out like a light." The gruff voice cut through the peaceful storm that had lulled her to sleep. His presence growing more noticeable as she slowly came to. When she turned her head and cracked an eye to see who was bothering her, she caught sight of the man she had spent the last few months with. He grinned smugly, "An' here I thought ya' never kicked back."

Laura sucked in a deep breath, stretching out her lungs to prepare to speak. It took effort to talk these days without her body inhaling and exhaling on its own. She had to force oxygen to make a sound. "Merle... what?" She complained, her voice raspy from her rest.

Merle stood just under the overhang to stay out of the rain. When he had reached for her his arm got wet though so he shook that off and looked out the broken wall. "You been out here all damn day. The folks are in there wonderin' why my brother came back without his biter girlfriend." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a cloth with something wrapped inside.

Immediately, Laura recognized what he was passing to her. She reached up, taking the cloth, and pulled back the folds to reveal a well dried jerky. A tool Woodbury had keep with him or anyone she made a run with. It was effective to keep her coming back for more.

Jerky, the time consuming process of cooking and drying the meat for longevity. It allowed all the meat to be used, it kept, and it was easy to carry.

Which meant it was the perfect way to prepare human meat for Laura. In her hand was a small part of someone unfortunate enough to be on Woodbury's bad side. Someone that got hacked up, quartered, cooked, and dried all for their resident biter.

She wanted it, she could feel her mouth salivating at the thought of that grand relief she felt when she finally had the meat. But she hesitated, the rain soaking into the cloth in her hand.

Merle saw this reluctant stare from Laura, she didn't bite into the jerky as he had expected her to. Her focus was on the meat, but her mind was elsewhere.

In all their time together he had never seen her not eat the moment she was given the chance. The woman was always hungry, that unnatural hunger brought on by the virus in her brain. Her needs had not been met yet she could make that happen. If she just brought the jerky to her mouth.

Then, as he watched her, he sharply recalled the outing in the cafeteria. The two never had an argument, because she couldn't speak to him. Things were simpler when only he could do the talking, before he started to get attached to her.

He didn't know when that started happening, but he knew it happened. Now he was here at the prison, finally free of the Governor kind of. Reuniting with his brother wasn't what he wanted and... if he were honest he didn't know what he expected.

The moment he learned Daryl was still with the group from Atlanta he knew things wouldn't go over well. The last thing he did was lose his mind high off his ass on a rooftop, he didn't remember everything clearly. It was a mess of drug fueled hopeless rage.

That didn't really matter to Merle despite it being the event that separated him from his brother. What really mattered to him was finding his brother and surviving the onslaught coming their way. Then Laura showed up, this strange woman he saw on the rooftop now looking like an entirely different person.

She provided the company he adamantly refused he wanted. It wasn't her choice so he never treated her any better than other people in Woodbury. That is, until she took a bullet for him. An act of self sacrifice that put her in a different category than the others.

Granted he knew rationally the risk to her life was almost nothing. She could be shot in the heart and she would still get up. He also knew that's what the Governor wanted her to do and if Merle didn't come back alive, she would have hell to pay for it.

Yet the act of taking a hit for someone else was preserved for only the most important people to Merle. That meant his brother only naturally, but it still changed his opinion of Laura. She put herself out there for him, frequently saving him from serious injury.

Knowing what he knows about Woodbury, the Governor, the other Woodbury soldiers, and the experiments in the precinct Merle was certain he was stuck with her. Not because she would follow him everywhere, but rather he would drag her wherever he went.

He wouldn't even say it to himself. He wouldn't admit anything to anyone, including Laura, though he didn't have to. Laura had put it together herself when Merle went out of his way to protect her and talk to her like a person.

Their relationship was a difficult pill to swallow for Merle. The kind of connection to another person wasn't his kind of thing. But he went and did it anyways.

Laura's hand fell to her stomach, resting there with the jerky in her hand. She resisted the need to devour just fine these days. The impulse to bite and tear had been thoroughly beaten out of her. She had the discipline to put it down and wait.

She can, she did, and Merle frowned at her for it. "Now, I done come all this way to serve ya' up some real dinner there an' ya' won't even eat it." Merle crossed his arms indignantly. He feigned personal insult as he often did. "The hell you even doin' out here?"

Laura brought her shoulders up for a weak shrug. Her eyes closed again, not bothering to move from her spot on the wall. Her blasé reply only served to irritate him.

She wasn't eating, talking, or even looking at him. When he grabbed her arm he noticed how ice cold her skin was. He pulled her arm, jostling her more roughly. "Dammit, woman. Answer me." He growled, earning a lazy look from Laura.

With a certain level of effort, Laura pushed herself upright. She leaned forward, wrapped jerky still in hand, and kept staring directly at him. Gauging whether or not to talk to Merle, Laura watched him closely for anything more. Though he was glaring at her, he was still waiting for her to do something.

Laura looked down to her hands, ignoring the food Merle brought her. "Just thinking."

Merle, mocking relief, moved towards her on the very edge of the overhang. "The hell you doin' that for?" Hearing this, Laura giggled weakly. She liked that he made fun of everything, even if it was something serious. It helped her relax... and made other people frustrated.

"Think I pissed Daryl off. Don't know how." Laura shrugged, still looking down. She knew mentioning the younger brother would catch Merle's attention sharply. "Pretty sure most people don't like me anymore. Being back is so..." Laura tried to find a word for it, but sighed, figuring even the lack of a word explained how she felt.

"So your ass is out here in the rain?" Merle gestured towards the storm outside and her being absolutely drenched in the rain. It didn't seem like a good idea to just sit in the rain, but she didn't have to worry about the usual things they did.

Taking a similar sarcastic tone, Laura nodded. "So my ass is out here in the rain." She confirmed, now looking at Merle's gruff expression. "It sucks. I'm happy to be back with everyone even if I don't remember everything; really happy to be back with Daryl." She muttered rather lowly, her eyes glancing away at the end.

Merle leaned forward, "Ya' couldn't've told me that you've been sleepin' with my brother, huh?" His prying dug more into her privacy with Daryl, but he wanted to know. No one had said anything except for that passing comment by Carol the night they killed the Woodbury men.

Nervous, Laura shook her head. "I didn't remember a lot. Things were crazy, I went a little off the deep end." Laura saw the answer didn't satisfy Merle, so she thought about what to say. She didn't want to upset him or create another scene, but she trusted Merle not to act out with her; especially in private like now. "When I got back with him it was hard. I guess I'm just following his lead. He's worried you'll disapprove of us."

"Well, now. A little honesty." Merle grinned smugly. He didn't know about Daryl's hesitance to say he and Laura were a couple. Hearing Laura say it after all this time actually made Merle withdraw, contemplating the realization that his brother had someone else in his life now.

Daryl had been so worked up about telling his brother he was with Laura that the two couldn't even speak. Facing the harsh reality that Merle was not the only person Daryl had changed Merle's demeanor significantly. Both of the brothers struggled with crippling insecurities that tore them away from any chance at a normal life.

The reunion was supposed to be a good one. Merle was to take care of his younger brother, to guide him through tough times and watch out for him. Instead, Daryl was trying to avoid him entirely so he could stay with Laura.

Rejecting Daryl and Laura's relationship would certainly bring about the death of the brother's familial closeness. Accepting it meant Merle would lose all the control he once held. They would become a family unit that worked together, compromising the fragile ego Merle had built over the years.

It wasn't a bad ego; everyone had an ego. Merle dominated every aspect in his life and often all the people that entered his and his brother's lives. That offensiveness protected them from ever having to look at themselves objectively. It protected him and his brother from the judgment of others.

Now it was starting to look like the end of the world and the end of the co-dependence the brothers clung onto.

"Shit. It's fine." Merle scoffed, acting dismissive to their concerns. Something that piqued Laura's interest as she saw Merle struggle. It didn't come naturally to the older Dixon brother, caring for another person. A lifetime of strife had stripped Merle of any chance of vulnerability she could get. "Listen if y'all so stuck on me trynna' stop ya'. Don't be. I got better things to do with my time than runnin' 'round chasin' after my brother's dumb ass. He gotta' handle his own. That goes for any broad stuck with him too."

Laura genuinely laughed, her eyes closed as her smile spread across her face. Hearing her mirthful threatened to crack Merle's tough guy exterior, he even chuckled with her. "He'll feel better knowing that, I'm sure." Laura looked up to Merle, that very real smile still hanging on. "I'm glad you're here."

Merle rolled his shoulders, twitching his mouth to rid the remainder of his amused grin. "Yeah, coulda' fooled me."

"I love him." Laura stated evenly without missing a beat. She showed she was serious about it, about her relationship with Daryl. That serious tone broke Merle's attempts to beat around the bush. Their eyes met and she held his stare. "I won't let anything happen to him."

A loud huff, Merle shook his head. "I might not be an expert, girly, but I'm pretty sure it's the other way 'round. My brother's a tough sumbitch an' I'll kick his ass if he ain't treatin' his woman right, that means protectin' her when she needs protectin'."

"Merle, look at me." Laura's turned visibly somber, an almost sad look in her eye. "What can he protect me from that hasn't been done already?"

Distressed, Merle crossed his arms again and couldn't stop himself from looking over Laura's strange appearance. He didn't want to think about all those things that Woodbury did. He knew enough about her, he knew enough about what was done to her. Even though he knows already, he didn't want to hear about it.

As if talking about it somehow made it even more real. This is the Laura that Merle knew, not that small girl in Atlanta. He only saw her that once, but never knew more than that. This scarred, blue skinned, undead woman was the Laura he got to know.

That night in Woodbury came to his mind, the disturbing way the Governor tortured her to reprimand Merle. It forced a very weak part of Merle to hold onto Laura tighter than before. While the Governor meant to create a forced degree of separation between them, he only forced them together.

He still felt some guilt for it. "Don't matter. Ain't happenin' again. My brother'll come through for ya'." Merle had to swallow that pain he felt thinking about that night. There wasn't enough strength in his body to bring it up even though Laura did know he wanted to. It wasn't hard reading Merle and how he acted differently to her since that night. "And if he don't, I gotcha'."

Laura's hand raised to her chest, her fingers just barely brushing against the scar across her neck. It was fairly faded having happened during the earliest days of her time at Woodbury. "He doesn't even know anything, but I know he thinks about it. He asked me, but I didn't tell him. I... kinda' don't want him to know, y'know? Like maybe him not knowing... protects him. If he doesn't actually know, then it hurts him less... and maybe I can hold onto that, pretend nothing happened."

Merle was entirely not prepared for that kind of admission. He wasn't someone who could handle raw emotions like that. This was so far out of his field he didn't have anything to say. In all respects he was floored, no wise crack to counter her.

Instead of trying to laugh it off in his usual smug way or impart some wisdom he didn't have, Merle tried something else. "Sounds like a buncha' bullshit to me. My brother can handle it, he ain't weak. Livin' in the past, lyin' to yourself 'bout how better shit is lyin' to him. Y'all together all damn night ridin' each other, but can't even talk to each other. Don't know why I'd ever dis'prove of y'all idiots, y'all perfect for each other. Both dumb asses."

Laura audibly gasped, that smile coming back. "You're such a dick, Merle." She laughed at his fake harshness. She never took any insults he spat seriously. She knew he used them to shield himself or hide that he actually cared about anything. "We've never slept together."

Surprised, Merle dropped his arms to his sides. "The hell you talkin' 'bout? Ya' mean to tell me y'all been shacked up for this long an' ain't ever...?" Merle trailed off, the suggestion enough for Laura to shake her head 'no.' Merle huffed, surprised by the answer.

"What do you think I should do?" Laura turned towards Merle, placing a hand on the stone to lean on it. "Should I tell him then and burden him with more shit to deal with. It's not like they don't have their hands full already. They picked a fight with the Governor for me." Laura enunciated the last words sharply, trying to put weight behind the actions that lead them here.

Before Merle could dispute that, Laura waved her free hand. "Yeah, yeah. I know that's not the only reason, but it's how it all started. I feel awful about everything going on and... whatever comes next. They have enough to worry about, no one should have to worry about me."

Merle struggled to formulate something to say. He just wasn't good with this kind of stuff, it was so outside his comfort zone he had nothing helpful to offer. While he could give advice he could make up from thin air, as he would do for someone he didn't care about; he didn't want to lie to Laura.

Something about that strange bond they built in Woodbury and now her connection to his brother. It made everything more complicated that he knew how to handle. So he didn't try to do it, but instead pointed her elsewhere.

"Get back inside an' go talk to him." Merle stated flatly, his tone much lower than usual. This shift caused Laura to raise a brow to him.

It was like pulling his own teeth out, but Merle put up with it. He was sure to look anywhere but at her. "Listen close girl, you ever tell anyone I said this, I'll kick your ass an' tell 'em ya' lyin'." Merle started on this train that took Laura utterly off guard. "You're a good girl, ya' ain't done nothin' wrong. Them assholes at Woodbury did you wrong an' none of the shit they forced ya' to do counts for shit. Survival, that's all it was. If my brother can't get that through his thick skull, I'll make him get it. He'll take care of ya' if he knows what's good for 'im... Rick an' 'em too."

Laura had not expected such an emotional claim from the gruff and gritty man. He had shown his care for her in certain ways, but he was always resistant to saying it out loud. She smiled, "Sounds like you're really going soft on me, Merle." Before Merle could deny it in his usual smug, jerky way, Laura stopped him. "I like it. I really am lucky you're here. I won't tell anyone you've got a soft spot for me... though I think Carol knows already."

Laura threw her legs over the side of the concrete wall, jumping down from her spot. Water poured off her in a big puddle at her feet, her entire body drenched to the bone. She smiled, trying to shake off her apprehensions. "Alright. I'll... talk to him. It's gonna' be hard, but I guess never telling him would be hard too. Six and two threes, right?"

She started wringing out her clothes and hair, trying to drain as much water off as possible. She would have to get dry before getting in bed, so she needed to see about towels and dry clothes.

Merle just waited for her a moment, much preferring to have her going through the halls with him. Though he was certain she cleared out most of the walkers, there was always the chance for a stray to nab him on the way back.

As she was satisfied she got as much water out as possible, she turned around to Merle. Laura looked up to him, a man quite taller than herself, and offered a smile. When he saw her he just gave a halfhearted huff, before he felt Laura instantly wrap her arms around him.

Merle acting reluctant, returned the hug loosely. He made it seem like it was so difficult and repulsive, but she knew he didn't mind it. She released him after giving a final squeeze and started the walk back into the cell block. "Thanks, Merle. I'm glad you're here with me."

Choosing to gloss over that affectionate gratitude, Merle walked back with her in silence. He didn't like getting soft with people, it was difficult and, at times, painful. So he chose to pretend none of that happened, at least, for now.

Once Laura and Merle returned to the main cell block, they separated. Laura wandered off to return to Daryl's cell, hoping to lay out her wet clothes to dry. She snuck her way passed other cells, barely making a sound. Not a single person would've noticed her if she approached their cell.

One by one she passed until she came to the familiar tattered curtain covering Daryl's cell. A few other people had done the same, but many of them simply left their cell open. Laura much preferred her privacy and heavily disliked the cells; it reminded her too much of her cell in Woodbury.

However, with the door always open and Daryl beside her, the cell was tolerable. Any torture she suffered in the precinct in Woodbury was not possible here, these people were good to her and she quickly fell into routine with them.

Her hand gently lifted the curtain enough for her to slide in. On the bed she could see Daryl fast asleep with the blanket brought up across his chest. He looked fine, comfortably resting without her there. For some petty reason she didn't like that. It was a passing feeling and an irrational one, she knew that.

Trying her best to stay quiet, she sat on the cheap chair pressed against the wall opposite to the bunk. She removed his crossbow from the seat, moving it to rest against the wall without waking him. Leaning over she started the painstaking process of untying her boots silently.

She took it bit by bit, slow and steady with the occasional glance to see if he had been woken up. With no signs of her movements disturbing him, she remained focused on her task. Bit by bit, until she slid the boots off and set them aside.

He seemed relatively relaxed, as anyone could be nowadays. Laura wondered how they must've survived on the road. She recalled them discussing they had been without shelter for months, no where to rest properly. It lead to a lot of tension in the group, but also respect for each other.

This was the same mutual respect she and Merle had. Something real born of hardships they weathered together. In some cases their partnership was the only reason they survived. This did not exist between Laura and Daryl, or the rest of the group. She hadn't been there, she couldn't be, and that created a rift.

As she undressed, lost in her thoughts, Daryl had stirred. Though Laura was impressively quiet, they were still in close quarters. No matter how quiet she was, he would've always been able to hear everything. And he did as he had awoken to see her setting her boots to the side.

Now she was standing, unbuttoning her pants and carefully placing them on the wall mounted sink beside her. She was sure to lay it out as flat as possible, hanging the legs off the edge to dry. He could tell they were wet, from the visual weight and the sound they made when they hit the porcelain.

Daryl was curious about why they were so soaked through. She must've gone outside the prison when it was storming, that only made sense. He wondered why she left the prison walls, where she went, and why she was coming back now, so late.

She began to unbutton the shirt he had given her, slowly dragging it down her arms and straightening it out. A few drips fell from it as she laid it across the opposite side of the sink. Her skin had a faint glisten to it as some water had remained on her skin, her hair especially.

But still, why leave and why come back at this hour? It was dark, the only light was the pale moonlight seeping through the curtain. Enough to see, but not enough to go wandering around the woods in.

Then he remembered from earlier today, reminding himself yet again Laura could see in the dark. It was one of the first things he learned about her when they were back in the CDC together. He could only make out what the pale light managed to illuminate.

When he thought she was done and would climb into the bunk with him, she brought her hands behind her back. He was only momentarily confused as to what she was doing, until he saw the material of her bra loosen. She removed it without a care, placing it atop the other clothes before she did the same with her underwear. Stepping out of it, then placing it on the sink.

Daryl was alarmed to see her having stripped completely nude in the cell with him. Was this perhaps crossing the line? Seeing her while undressed was one thing, this was something else entirely. She stood there a moment, her head turned towards the sink, before she took a step further into the cell.

She stood just beside his head where he could only glimpse her side barely. Reaching down, Laura plucked up Daryl's poncho from its place on his pack. She figured he wouldn't mind her borrowing it for the time being.

Turning around, Laura held the long material in front of her. She sat on the chair beside the sink, draping the poncho over her naked body. There she would stay, not wanting to wake him up by climbing into bed. So she got as comfortable as she could, leaned back, and closed her eyes to wait out the night.

Daryl wasn't about to let her sit here all night. Confused as to why she wasn't just getting into bed with him, he spoke up. "Just gonna' sit there or are ya' comin' to bed?" Though he was teasing, it sounded so incredibly domestic it surprised him.

Laura's eyes shot wide open and stared at Daryl. The bright reflection in her eyes lit up as she met his gaze. He had seen it enough times to expect it, but somehow being the target of her predatory gaze felt different now.

"Thought you were asleep." Laura chastised herself for not having kept quiet enough. The day was stressful already, he didn't need to be woken up in the middle of the night. It was a waste of energy to spend time worrying about her when he needed to sleep.

Instead of answering, he pulled the blanket down for her and gestured for her to come. Her eyes fell downwards for a moment, before she stood up and placed a hand on the top bunk. "I'm naked under this. Are you okay with that?"

He found it almost amusing she was asking if he was alright with her being naked. If anything he was worried about her feeling comfortable, but she didn't seem to show any signs it bothered her. "It's fine." Daryl muttered tiredly, not finding the energy to discuss it.

Laura shrugged, pulling off the poncho and tossing it onto the chair revealing herself to him again. He admitted to himself that Laura looked... beautiful. He wanted to hold her like this, bare against him. The faint light had accentuated all of those curves he held urges to run his hands down, to grab and hold her to him.

Though she also looked a bit intimidating. Using her hand on the top bunk edge she pulled herself over him to reach the inside of the cot. Laura hung over him a moment, looking directly down at him. Her movements were perfectly smooth and while that wouldn't ever register to him before; now he knew more about her. Laura matched that predatory gaze with him as she is an actual maneater now.

This woman both excited him and made him feel like a piece of meat. A small twinge of fear, but enough for him to notice it. He felt her weight beside him, her hand on his chest, a leg intertwining with his own. She laid comfortably partially across his torso, bringing the blanket back over them.

Nervous to make a single move, Daryl kept his hands to himself. She had been in her underwear while they laid in the same bed, but for some reason the removal of those small bits of clothing changed the air in the cell. He was a bit tense, unable to release the tightness he felt having her naked and laying on him.

But he wasn't nervous for any nefarious reason, he just wanted her to feel safe with him. He knew she struggled a lot back on the farm and during a moment where they grew intimate, she couldn't handle it. Desperate not to repeat that, Daryl didn't lay his arm across her as he normally would've.

This served to accentuate that rift between them. His concern for her delicate state and Laura's concern for his ability to survive. Both of them had come out the other side of their separation stronger as individuals.

Daryl had come into his own with the group. His survival instincts had been honed to this world and all the terrible things it had to offer. He'd grown since Atlanta, more than he ever thought he could. That doubt still rang in the back of his head sometimes, but it had been overwhelmed by the support he had gotten from the group.

Despite all this experience and skill Daryl earned, Laura was still worried about him. Considering the herds too dangerous, even if it was only three or four. She was nervous for him, desperate to keep him from harms way. She didn't trust his ability to survive.

On Laura's side she didn't feel so scared of herself and her own body anymore. Those old fears were largely due to the one track mind of survival she used to make it through Woodbury's torture. It protected her from the worst of it and now that she was away from it all, she felt more confident in herself than before.

It was only Daryl's knowledge of Laura back on the farm that he could act on. He treated her as if she would disappear at any moment, or that growing too intimate would scare her just as it had done on the farm. Though he worried for how comfortable she was with him, Daryl knew that she could defend herself now.

Her no longer needing him to protect her made him feel like he was losing his grip on her. He had this woman he saw as smart, kind, and beautiful that loved him back to his shock. When they met she needed help, needed someone to shield her from the outside world.

Now she didn't and his insecurities replaced the pride he once felt when he protected her. But despite that, he was glad she could fight. He didn't want her to stay with him just because he could save her when she was in danger. It still felt like he had nothing to offer her anymore.

He felt Laura move against him, pulling herself up to face him. Interested, Daryl watched her come closer to him Laura placed a soft kiss on his cheek as she had felt his tenseness. He was having some difficulty, but she didn't know what caused it. To show him she was there for him, she kissed him again.

Daryl raised a hand to her arm resting across him. "What?" He asked, his voice still gravely from sleep.

"You. What's wrong?" Laura leaned up, still fairly close to him. She did not need to prove to him that she knew something was up, he just accepted she could tell. And she was right, he was troubled.

Reluctant to share what was on his mind, Daryl dismissed her. "Ain't nothin', lemme' sleep it off." He closed his eyes again, trying to insist without pressing too hard. His mind still dwelling on Laura, his fears about scaring her or making her even slightly uncomfortable.

Laura accepted that, not looking to force a conversation so late at night. She rested her head back on his chest before realizing something was missing. She frowned, reached back and patted around the cot to find his arm. He had it just laid behind her, not touching her. She grabbed it and pulled his arm over her, as he usually would.

Daryl felt guilty for thinking of Laura like this. He thought of her safety, her experiences at Woodbury, and other events before they got separated. He knew she had her personal struggles and they didn't include him, he never wanted to intrude on her.

"Whatever you want to know, I'll tell you tomorrow." Laura's voice cut through the silence to his surprise. She had worked up the guts to say it, just barely. She knew he was still somewhat awake.

Daryl held back an almost comedic gulp. He felt his nerves firing off, desperate to question everything. How badly he wanted to know, to hear her finally tell him so maybe... he could understand. He didn't even want to wait until tomorrow, he would much rather go somewhere private right now.

He squeezed his arm around her letting her know he heard her. They would talk tomorrow, when they had the time. As much as he disliked it, he needed his rest. It was all he could think about before he finally fell asleep.

When morning came around, it took everything in Daryl's power not to just drag Laura away and engage what she said last night. But the safety of the prison came first, they had to uphold their share of the work. Which meant breakfast then the morning watch.

Carol was in the cafeteria, eating her own breakfast while the others woke up slowly. She was happy to provide all the meals for the group as it supported everyone, a necessity that kept this place running. This morning she had received a few groggily greetings from the others, but was most interested when she saw Laura had returned.

Yesterday when Daryl came back without her, Carol grew concerned. The two had never fought about anything as far as she knew, they had always been together. Laura had not come back for the rest of the day, no one had seen her.

Thankfully, she had come back to the group. Carol didn't think Laura would just up and leave like that, but she had some fears surrounding Laura's stability here. Things were tough on the group, everyone was on edge more and more as each day went by.

No contact with Woodbury, no attacks, just silence. This started to get to people, they were so tense people began to wonder exactly what the Governor was planning... and how in the world they were going to fight back.

This often got people to look at Merle, a few uncomfortable glances here or there. Carol knew they were poking the bear on that. If Merle was okay with lashing out at Laura and Daryl, then he absolutely would fight anyone in the prison.

The only thing really stopping him was the other large men in the prison capable of overwhelming him. That was mostly Braddock, the man was bigger than Merle, and Red could definitely go toe to toe. Combined with Rick, Glenn, and Laura there was nothing Merle could really do. It kept him in line for the time being.

No one sent those looks to Laura though, no one considered her part of Woodbury the same way they thought of Merle. The groups both saw Laura as a victim, which she was, but didn't think anything beyond that. Skipping over Laura's intimidating presence.

Being told that Laura ate human beings like the walkers did definitely changed a few people's tune about Laura. It got Red to question himself and his guilt around her capture. An event no one doubted anymore, they all took Red and his group at their word even though Laura never confirmed or denied.

Carol saw the group as individuals struggling to come to terms with their situation. Everyone had to agree to disagree as Rick lead the group, but could not change the plans he made. As he once said, this wasn't a democracy anymore.

When Carol returned to the group and learned how they all listened to Rick, come hell or high water, she was concerned. Her fears proved true when she saw Rick cracking under the pressure of leadership.

Most people finished breakfast quickly, no one really speaking to each other. Daryl and Laura were off on the morning watch while others began their day as well. Braddock went to give breakfast to Daisy, Glenn and Maggie were off on watch, Micheal was talking to Hershel likely about his leg. The day went on with a cloud above their heads, wondering and waiting for Woodbury.

It was perhaps macabre to sit here and think about the inevitable attack on the prison. Yet everyone thought about it and no one discussed it. They all knew Rick was leading the group to stay and fight, though Carol and Hershel had talked at length about leaving.

When everyone had finished and the room was empty, Carol sighed to herself. She leaned over the counter top, willing the fears she felt threatening to overwhelm her away.

It wasn't easy living like this, living in fear of the dead and the living. So much had gone wrong in the last few days that Carol wondered if it would ever end. She had to force herself to believe it, to deal with the problems they faced, and take it one step at a time.

Speaking of steps, the sound of boots came to a stop right beside her. Carol looked up, spotting Laura standing patiently. "Is there any clothes I can borrow? These ones are still a bit damp from the rain last night."

Carol was slow to react, looking at the clothes she wore. They did look a bit wet and wrinkled. "Yeah, of course." Carol rounded the counter and Laura, going up the stairs to the catwalk overhead. There Carol often hung a few articles of clothing out to dry.

Clothes were largely communal as they only could pick up what they found. "Here, take your pick. These are all freshly cleaned and dried." Carol stood back, letting Laura go through the clothes one by one to find anything close to her size. "You were... out in the storm?"

Laura didn't look up, just nodded. "Mhmm." She picked up a pair of jeans, checking the tag inside then put them back down.

It was difficult trying to hold a one sided conversation, but Carol know Laura wasn't trying to be rude or ignore her. "What took you out there?" Carol brought her arms across her stomach, loosely crossing them. "I mean, when Daryl came back from the tombs without you... he didn't really say anything."

"Cleared out a part of the administrative section. Went down to the Utility wing, unlocked a door to the Water Pump Station and a herd of at least fifteen or more biters rushed us. Behind us was a room with a breach we were unaware of. The herd from that room and the Utility wing merged into a horde that caught Daryl's scent." Laura rattled off the events in the tombs like a report. She was autopiloting the conversation while she skimmed for new clothes. The same kind of report she'd give to the people in Woodbury.

Carol blinked, honestly surprised she had gotten such a clear answer. She had expected some vague explanation that resolved one question but left others, "Oh well, it looks like you both got out safely."

Laura flicked through a few more pairs of pants, trying to find anything similar to her size at all now. "Of course I made it out. I was never in any danger." She stated matter-of-factly. There was no concern needed for her sake, only for Daryl's.

It seemed like Laura was being quite open and the spark of curiosity struck Carol. "Either way, I'm glad you're both safe." Her statement was to see Laura's reaction, if any, to it. Sure enough, Laura's eyes flickered to the side for a moment, then right back to her task. "You are both okay, right?"

Picking up another pair, Laura winced at them. "Daryl's fine, I got him out safely."

That must be it, Carol surmised. For whatever reason Laura was insisting on Daryl's safety and his risk in the tombs. Something was there, but Carol wasn't sure exactly what.

As she was about to ask, Laura groaned in frustration. "Is the only pants in my size these?" Laura turned to Carol, holding up a pair of shorts. "Who here wears shorts?"

"Sorry, I guess not a lot of us are your size." Carol shrugged, looking at the tag. They were larger than what Carol could wear, so she knew for certain she had not picked them up. Either way, they would be Laura's pick. "So... you're concerned about Daryl's safety in the tombs then?" Carol brought up nonchalantly, acting as though she wasn't entirely committed to the topic, just in case Laura pushed back.

Instead, Laura nodded. "It's dangerous down there for him, for everyone. Y'all should let me do the clearing alone, better that way." Laura walked to the shirts, something more universal she could mess around with. Bit by bit she went through them. "Kinda' senseless sending anyone else in there. Could get bit. Daryl told me that's what happened to Hershel's leg."

"Right. Lucky Rick acted fast and stopped the spread before it killed Hershel." Carol was happy to have Hershel with the group. He was always looking out for everyone, always ready to help. Had she returned to find Hershel was gone too, it would've been much harder. "He wants to leave the prison while we have the chance... I agree with him. I think we'd be better off on the road, not trying to start a war."

Laura gave Carol a sarcastic really? look. "If we left right now the Governor would have us by nightfall. In the prison we have a chance. If we ran, he'd mow us down."

Carol's arms tightened around herself. "You really think so?" Her voice was hopeful, but the reality Laura told her about scared her. She didn't believe that they were in that bad of a situation, at least, not yet. The Governor and Rick had dealt heavy blows to each other that night. Woodbury lost their entire armory and the prison was compromised, people died, others hurt.

"Without a doubt." Laura returned to going through the shirts, finding something a bit larger than her size, but she liked the look of. She grinned to herself, pleased with her choices. "Are there any shoes too? I'd prefer not to walk around in squeaky boots."

Without answering, Carol just pointed to the far side of the catwalk. There sat a pile of shoes, a mix of anything she could want. It didn't take long for Laura to find something her size, sharing a similar shoe size to someone else.

"Perfect." Laura gathered the clothes in her arm, returning to Carol. "Thank you, I'll think ahead next time I'm going out in a storm."

"It's no problem. Maybe a good idea to tell us what your size is next time we go on a run, so we can get the right things for you." Carol offered, trying to distract herself and calm her nerves. The talk about Woodbury and the Governor had disturbed the already fragile security she felt in the prison.

Laura hummed to herself, "I'm sure the next run I'll be going too. It'd be a waste to have a walker on your size and not use her." She gave Carol a sly smirk, "I'm going to change, thanks again, Carol." Laura passed the woman on the catwalk and headed back to Daryl's cell to change.

Carol stayed on the catwalk, thinking quietly to herself. Hearing Laura... she sounded so different. She was clearly more relaxed, but also noticeably cold to the idea of war with Woodbury.

It was upsetting to hear, though Carol rationalized it the same as she did the entire group. Everyone had to survive and that often meant disconnecting from the violence they were forced to be a part of. Carol hadn't had the need to kill another person, even when Woodbury attacked she hadn't been able to hit anyone.

She knew that, if she had to, she would shoot to kill to protect the people here. Thinking about making a push to escape now seemed like a pipe dream.

Carol sighed to herself, doing her best to shake off her nerves. They all had a part to play in keeping this prison running. She hoped when the time came where she had to fight, she wouldn't hesitate.

Laura had changed from her wet clothes, quite pleased to be out of them. She left the cell block to head back outside to find Daryl. Their watch had ended, but he had still been outside when Laura left to find a change of clothes.

The summer heat came beating down on her instantly, the blinding bright sun making it difficult for her to see clearly. She disliked the heat the most, how if she stood in the sunlight long enough she could feel herself burning up.

She looked around, checking the makeshift nests they had made. He was not where he had been nor where her spot was. Instead it was Rick and Michonne, the two having taken over.

Confused, Laura approached Rick and tapped his shoulder. The taller man turned to see her just behind him and gave her a quizzical look. "What's going on?"

"Do you know where Daryl went?" Laura answered his question with a question. She had no intentions of leaving his side for any longer than necessary.

Rick nodded, "He headed into the other cell block. Didn't ask why. Everything okay?" He pressed again, trying to figure out what had happened last night, why Daryl came back without Laura, and why she was in different clothes now.

"Sure." She shrugged, starting to walk towards the far cell block. "Thanks, Rick." Laura left no chance to pursue his line of questioning. He watched her walk away, pondering on what could've gone on to separate the duo for even a moment.

Rick met Michonne's eyes from the nest behind his own. The woman Laura had been trying to kill seemed not to hold any grudge against her, at least, not anymore. Things were changing so quickly Rick had started to lose track of who was on good terms and who hated who.

Laura swung the door open and made sure it closed behind her. The gate was left ajar, allowing her to walk straight in. She could pick out the only scent in the room, Daryl's lead farther into the cell block, directly towards the cells.

Before she went into the cells, she paused.

She had realized that this was abnormal, they hadn't come in here the last few days. The dots connected in her mind and she understood this was the time he made to talk.

Laura knew he was anxious to hear about her time in Woodbury, he felt compelled to know and understand. So she took a deep breath, stilled her own nerves, and headed in. If he wanted to know everything, she would tell him everything.

Jomobabe45:
Hehe, me too. Poor Daryl, he's really having a hard time. For me personally, when I'm allowed to stew on my insecurities alone they just get worse and worse. I feel like that's what happened for a long time with Daryl from his childhood well into his adult years. Then he was allowed to grow on his own, to express himself genuinely and it changed him for the better. But now he's kinda struggling with that routine of his insecurities threatening his happiness again.
And definitely. Without mental health breaks I would've never been able to write what is now 70 chapters of this story! God these chapters are long lol
Oh yeah, I love my girl and my life is better with her here :)

Gemini's Revenge:
S'all good, I'm very happy to hear she's recovered well. It's always so scary when our pets need serious medical attention. I'm glad to hear she made such a good recovery too! She'll be so much happier with her stitches out, I'm excited for her! Aww, my pup is turning 10 this November. She's starting to get that 'old man' face were the fur on her face turns white. She's so cute :D
You're really too sweet. I really love being able to communicate with my readers, there's a few that message with me back and forth too and it's honestly so nice to hear from everyone. Legitimately, folks like you are the reason I'm still writing. Hearing from my readers makes me want to write another dozen chapters lol
And thank you for understanding about that mental health break. Writing is so much fun for me and I try to do my best to give you guys good quality stuff to read. But just like anything, too much is exhausting.
I hope you enjoy this transition chapter. It's a space of time where people are contemplating things, but the next chapter... it's gonna be a lot. x)