The Outbreak: Day 68
Haley
"Why the hell are you bringing me flowers Daryl Dixon?"
Daryl rolls his eyes and sits the single white Cherokee rose that he's placed in a beer bottle down inside of his tent - yeah, that tent - that I'm now the proud owner of because he never sleeps - spending all of his time searching the woods for a little girl long gone.
"It ain't flowers. It's jus' one flower I found - I brought Carol one too and she wasn't an ungrateful…" I raise an eyebrow as his words stop and he smiles sweetly. "If you don't want it I'll give it to someone else." He assures instead trying to snatch the bottle from my hand. "I didn't say I didn't want it."
We've only been at Hershel's family farm a full day but he's been kind enough to let us set up a camp here while Carl recovers and they continue their search for Sophia. A search we've all about given up on. Everyone but the man before me. I push that awful thought from my mind and look up to Daryl who's still kneeling in front of the tent looking absolutely dead on his feet.
"Will you please just come lay down for a few hours?" I watch him run a hand over his face and take in a deep breath. "She was in that farmhouse, Rabbit. Another day and we'll have her back."
I find myself frowning. "When's the last time you slept, Daryl?" In that Nova with me on the highway? You can barely call that sleeping. "For someone who said they don't give a shit about me you sure are concerned I'm getting enough rest." Daryl mutters with his usual kiss my ass grin and then pushes himself up to stand. "I'm taking one of these horses to the ridge to get a better view of the area. We're gonna find her."
"Daryl…," I sigh and realize there's no convincing him to rest while Sophia's still missing. He's going to do everything in his power to bring that little girl home. "Thanks for the flower." I assure him instead standing before him for a long moment and he's watching me carefully - muscles wound tight. My hand idly reaches out to touch his side and pull him towards me but then I stop, clenching my fingers together. I'm not doing this anymore - not giving him the chance to call me a cock teasing bitch again.
"Be safe out there." I assure giving him my most dazzling smile that causes his mouth to open slightly as I turn and make my way towards the farmhouse to ask our hosts if there's anything I can do to earn my keep. I can feel Daryl's eyes burning into my back as I keep walking, forcing myself not to turn around.
X
"I'm sure he'll be back any time now." Carol says beside me as I sit perched on top of the RV staring out over the long field. Daryl's been gone for hours and although that's not really abnormal for him something isn't right. I'm always packed full of worry - worry for me, for these people - Sophia, Carl… Daryl…. but this is different, this is fear that started out in the pit of my stomach and is now running through my entire body. "Hopefully with Sophia."
The hope in Carol's voice sends a shiver down my spine and I focus harder on the tree line, willing Daryl to appear. "He's going to be okay, Haley. Daryl is tough and he knows what he's doing out there." It's Dale who speaks now but his words don't comfort me and I feel my limbs begin to shake as I wrap my arms around myself. The smart mouthed redneck has never gave me any reason to doubt his abilities but I can't shake this feeling of dread.
"Lone walker coming through the field!" Glenn yells from somewhere below us as Carol moves closer to me to see. "Get the gun Dale!"
"Hershel doesn't want us using guns on his property. Looks like Rick and Shane are handling it." Dale assures us as I reach for the binoculars lying on his chair and bring them to my face, focusing on the single person stumbling through the field. "That's Daryl!" I say and then I'm on my feet nearly jumping off the RV and hit the ground running - bypassing the police officer's as they falter - confused by my sudden appearance.
"Haley?!"
"It's Daryl!" I yell back to them and move my legs faster trying to close the space between us as I watch him hang his head and try to push on. He's bleeding and bruised up. "Haley! He could be bit! Or turned!" Rick yells after me but it's Shane who catches up to me first, wrapping his strong arms around mine and pulling me back to his chest as a sob escapes my throat and I try to break free from his grasp.
"Daryl?! You alright?!" Shane calls to him but the archer just continues to slump through the grass dragging his things behind him like he's in a daze. He's hurt, bad. The closer he gets to us I can see it in his limp and the blood running from his head and his side.
"He's hurt! Please jus' let me go!" I plead to Shane but he tightens his grip around me and I watch Daryl lift his head, confusion in his eyes as he tries to move towards us. "Daryl! You bit?!" Shane yells against my ear ignoring my pleas as I jerk in his arms. Rick catches up with us and pulls his gun, pointing it at Daryl's head as I scream and my legs give out beneath me.
"Please don't!"
Daryl looks between us all, narrowing his eyes at Rick.
"That's the third time you've pointed that thing at my head! You gonna pull the trigger or what?"
Another sob escapes me as I realize he's not a walker and then another one as I watch him hit the ground. "It's alright, it's alright." Shane assures me as we watch Rick go to Daryl. "He's just passed out! He's lost a lot of blood! Help me get him up!"
"We gotta go help him, Haley. You hear? Gotta get him to Hershel." I nod and find my footing - following Shane to Daryl as they help him up to his feet. "It looks like…, stab wound to his side and head trauma! Go tell Hershel!" Rick yells to me as I search Daryl for bite marks one last time and turn on my feet taking off back across the field to find Hershel.
X
Daryl
Fucking hell. Pain radiates through my side and down my leg as I turn towards the opening door watching Carol come inside carrying a tray of food.
"I brought you some dinner. You must be starving."
I grunt a response and lay back on the bed. Of course I'm starving but I can barely hold my fuckin' head up to eat. Carol sits the tray down giving me one of her sad smiles. "You need to know something."
God these women and their constant yackin'. Except the one girl I want to talk to hasn't come to check on me since they got me stitched up.
"Yeah? What's that?" I mutter wincing from the movement. I vaguely remember walking through that field and seeing Haley in tears with Shane's arms around her, remember her struggling while white hot rage washed over my ruined body and then Rick pointing his gun at me. He said they were afraid I'd turned, been bit…, and then I woke up getting my side stitched up.
"You did more for my little girl today than her own daddy ever did in his whole life."
I look up to her slowly.
"I didn't do anything Rick or Shane wouldn't have done."
"I know." Her smile spreads and then she turns to the door. "You're every bit as good as them, Daryl and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Haley was beside herself with grief when she saw you walking through that field today."
I let her gaze fall quickly remembering the look on Haley's face as Shane wrestled with her - keeping her from me. Keeping her safe. Fear and anguish filled her angel eyes as she fought against him to get to me.
"Yeah? Where's she now?"
My eyes dart to the threshold of the door where Haley is standing, her arms wrapped around herself tightly with her gaze set on the ground. "I'll give you guys some privacy. Make sure he eats something." Carol says to her in passing and she closes the door behind her.
I watch Haley carefully.
There's no way she's even breathing because the silence is deafening in this room now and she can't look at me. "What, you're my mom now? Gonna come feed me like a baby?" I ask, wincing again as I try to laugh. I watch her close the space between us and sit on the edge of the bed beside me. "Easy. I got stitches."
Haley still isn't talking, leaning over me to adjust my pillow so I can sit up beside her and then she takes the tray Carol brought in her lap - breaking off a piece of bread for me. I take it and pop it in my mouth realizing it even hurts to chew.
"What happened to ya? Walker got your tongue?"
Haley continues to look down at the tray, removing the spoon from the bowl of soup before she turns her body towards me and lifts it to my face. I narrow my eyes at her, she's not really going to fucking feed me like I'm some helpless imbecile but the groan that fills my chest as I try to lift my arms stops me from telling her that and I lean forward placing my lips to the edge of the bowl and taking a sip.
Hershel tried to tell me the extent of my injuries but I wasn't really listening. Mostly focused on the needle threading through my skin. Puncture wound, broken ribs, busted head. Nothing I ain't never had before. I shake the thought and look to the girl beside me idly wondering why she won't speak as she sits the bowl in her lap and I see the tears threatening in her eyes.
"Haley."
She takes in a quick intake of air trying her damndest to fight whatever the hell she's feeling but there's no use, she involuntarily blinks and the tears spill from her eyes. "Hey. Don't cry." I lift my arm with a grunt and touch her jaw, forcing her face to mine as her eyes close tightly and she shakes her head. "Hey. It's alright. I'm alright."
A quiet sob escapes her as she finally leans into me - wrapping her arms around my neck before burying her face in the bend of my shoulder. "I knew something wasn't right. I knew you were out there hurt. What if…, what if…" Another sob escapes her as her arms tighten around me. "I'm alright. Nothin's gonna happen to me." I slip my hand into her hair and stifle the pain that radiates through my side, holding her against me as she cries. "Haley…, I'm alright."
Slowly she pulls herself away from me searching my face with wet eyes and then she kisses me, pressing her mouth to mine roughly as I groan and this time it doesn't have anything to do with the pain shooting through me. The kiss is over as soon as it's starts as she backs away and whispers an apology.
I take in a breath willing my muscles to unclench on their own as a deep ache washes over me and I have to sit back on the bed. I don't want to upset her further but everything was already hurting before I fell down that fucking ridge - twice. Haley reaches for the soup bowl again but has to wipe the now silent tears from her face so she can see what she's doing.
"Yer gettin' tears in my damn soup, Rabbit."
A laugh bubbles up in her throat and then another sob as she turns back to me and lifts the bowl to my mouth. I take another long drink and watch her sit it back down in her lap. "Stabbed myself with my own damn arrow today. That's a first." She laughs again but I'm not sure she even realizes it as she offers me the soup again. "You eat anything today?"
"Y-yeah."
I raise an eyebrow because she's probably lying and demand she at least eat some of the bread. "I don't…, don't think I can. Not right now." She whispers and I take another drink of the soup. "What the hells wrong with you? Ain't got no more faith in me than this?"
I can't stand to see her cry so like a true Dixon I choose violence. I'd rather have her rage than her tears but it doesn't work this time. My little rabbit is truly devastated that something could of happened to me out there and that thought allows fear to fill my chest along with the pain and the piercing ray of what I won't realize is joy for a while yet. "All my faith is in you, Daryl." Haley assures quietly and her eyes are watching my soup again. Thankfully her tears have stopped as she lifts the bowl and gives me another taste. "Rick and Shane are going back out this evening to look for Sophia. You have to promise me you'll rest now."
Despite wanting to continue looking for Sophia I can't deny Haley her request. I've got nothing left in me today. I finish the soup with a loud slurp and take another bite of bread - feeling my muscles finally relax as Haley takes the other half and puts it in her mouth. We sit in that comfortable silence from our snare tying days at the quarry - which feels like a lifetime ago.
"Do you want me to go get you some more soup?" Haley finally whispers - bringing my eyes back to hers. "Nah. I'm good now…, thanks to you and yer soup kitchen trainin'." I assure with a grin, pulling my lip between my teeth as I watch her carefully. "How did you know I worked in a soup kitchen?"
The laugh that escapes me sends a surge of pain through my body but I can't help it. I knew she was a save the world kind of girl before it all went to hell. Feed America and all that shit. She's too good for the world we've got now and I idly think she was too good for the one we left behind. "Just a hunch, Rabbit."
Haley gives me one of her true smiles and sits the tray on the small table beside the bed, turning back to me slowly. "Do you need anything else before I go?" Go? I don't want her to go. I reach my hand out and clasp her wrist - holding her gaze. "You can stay with me."
"No way. You've got to rest and I don't trust myself to not hurt you worse. You know what happens between us when there isn't even a bed involved." My hand tightens around her wrist from her words and I swear if I had it in me I'd jerk her to my chest and have my way with her right now. "Plus, I don't think Hershel's to key on premarital sex in his family home."
"Then let's get married."
She laughs and pushes away from me gently. "You're delusional, now get some rest. That little girls still missing." I watch her leave with my empty tray unable to lose the smile on my face.
All my faith is in you, Daryl.
X
The Outbreak: Day 70
Haley
I hand Daryl a piece of deer meat from the fire and sit down beside him in the larger tent where everyone's gathered for dinner tonight. The evenings are beginning to cool down so most of our group huddles around the low fire. I however have came to the seclusion of the tent to gossip with my only friend and can only hope my company is feeling like a chatty Cathy tonight.
"I've got something to tell you."
Daryl raises an eyebrow to me as I fidget beside him unable to hide my grin as I take a bite of my own piece of meat. "Let's hear it." He mutters keeping his voice low as I come alive and lean in closer to him - my words whisper quiet. "Lori's pregnant!" I say, looking around to make sure we're truly alone. Glenn confided this information to me earlier today because he can't keep a secret for shit.
His eyebrow stays raised as he takes this information in, chewing his dinner slowly and when he's done he licks his fingers clean causing me to sit up straighter in my chair. I watch as he turns cradling his side as he leans over to me - our faces so close I can feel his breath on my lips. "Nobody likes a gossip, Rabbit." He assures with a grin letting his eyes fall to my parted lips. I swallow the lump that forms in my throat but don't back away from him.
"What about you?" He asks suddenly and I meet his gaze. "Me?" Daryl nods, chewing on his lip.
"What about me?" I demand. I'm not pregnant if that's what he's asking. "You and that sharp ass tongue of yours sure didn't make it possible to pull out the last time I was inside of you." He whispers between us and the memory of our time together at the C.D.C comes rushing back to the front of my mind sending a surge of pleasure through my chest. I've had to file it away to keep myself sane these past few days. "You gonna get pregnant?"
"No. I don't think so."
"So which one is it?"
This was supposed to be a fun chat between us girls and he's turned it into something else entirely. "I have an IUD." I assure him and he sits back in his chair, glaring. "…and you was givin' me hell for Merle havin' the clap?"
I can't hide my smile as I shake my head and turn my attention to the opening of the tent, watching our people talk and laugh among themselves. A feeling of unease washes over me as I watch them. Every time we let our guard down tragedy seems to strike and I silently pray that isn't the case tonight. Everyone deserves a break from the horrors of the world.
"It's not a STD. It's a birth control… thing. Supposed to last a few years ." I shrug and look back to him slowly. "I can't exactly call my OB to have them check things out. I guess I could ask Hershel to take a look."
The grimace he gives me makes me laugh and I stand up as he reaches out to grab my arm, turning me back around to him. "Where ya goin'?" He mutters - his blue eyes dancing with the light from the fire. "You don't want to gossip with me so I'm going back to the fire. I'm cold." Daryl stands as I turn to go outside pulling my back to his chest as he presses himself against me roughly and lets his face fall to my ear.
"I don't want to gossip with you, Rabbit." He growls, sending a shiver down my spine as I tilt my head up slightly and let my weight sink back into his chest. I keep my eyes on the others who are engrossed in their conversations as Daryl slips his hand down to my hip, squeezing it roughly. "…but I do want to fuck you."
He lets his words go quiet raking my hair across my back and to my opposite shoulder as he bends and places a soft kiss against my neck - just below my ear and his arm snakes around my middle to pull me into his erection that's pressed hard against my ass. "I'm pretty sure your ribs are still broken." I whisper as he nips his teeth against my throat the rough hand around me slipping under the hem of my shirt to caress the soft skin on my stomach. "Let me worry about that."
Fuck me. I'd almost give in to him - hell I'd almost let him fuck me right here but I hear the slight catch in his throat and the quick intake of air as his grip around my waist gets tighter. He's still hurting and although I know he'd power through I can't bring myself to cause him anymore harm and that in itself scares the shit out of me.
"Daryl! Haley - come sit with us!" Carol calls from around the fire which causes Daryl to cuss against my hair as he stands up straighter and I push away from him. "Better luck next time, Ace." I assure with a grin meeting his glaring eyes as I slip out of the tent to go sit beside Carol. He sits back down in his chair leaning back so that his legs are spread wide, one hand on the arm rest - fingers brushing lightly against his lips as he watches me intensely.
"Wow. You've really caught Daryl's eye." Carol says with her soft smile and I try not to look up at the archer. I can already feel his eyes burning into me - no need to punish myself further. I look over to her quickly and force a bright smile assuring her I haven't. "I am just a glutton for punishment. Daryl likes to fight with me."
Carol smiles wider but doesn't say anything else and after listening to one of Dale's entertaining stories about a Roman King that may or may not be true I excuse myself to take my turn in the shower Hershel's family has so kindly provided each of us. I meet his youngest daughter in the hallway and Beth hands me some clothes and toiletries, surprising me with shampoo and conditioner that smells heavenly. "Thank you so much Beth for sharing your home, your shower… your… freakin' shampoo with us. I'll never be able to repay for you for kindness."
The teenager smiles brightly and to my surprise hugs me around my waist. "You give me hope for this world, Haley…, and you're the only one who will help me shovel the shit out of the stables." I laugh at the rude word that slips from her mouth and hug her again. "Thanks doll. Same time tomorrow right?"
Beth smiles and nods as I continue on to the shower feeling more hopeful for the future than I have in a long time.
X
Daryl
Carol, Carl, Lori - her husband and her boyfriend have all retired for the night to their respected tents leaving Dale, Glenn and myself around the dying fire. Apparently Hershel and his family have a barn full of walkers that they think are sick and will eventually "get better". They talk among themselves including me at times but I mostly just nod and grunt my responses - my eyes trained on the front of the farmhouse.
It seems like it takes her forever but eventually Haley emerges from the house wearing what looks like an oversized gray shirt and nothing else. Surely she's got something on underneath that? I ignore whatever the hell Glenn is saying and sit up straighter at the fire as she makes her way to us. It feels like she's moving in slow motion, her dark hair damp and wild around her pretty face and when she gets to the camp site and finds my gaze she turns and heads towards one of the barns in the distance.
I automatically stand to my feet and clear my throat realizing I've been ignoring Glenn's rambling for to long and he's looking up at me in confusion now. "I'm goin' to go fuck a rabbit behind the barn. Make sure Carol doesn't follow me out there, okay?" I don't wait for him to answer - catching his face turning to Dale's with wide eyes.
What did he just say?
I think I've heard him call Haley "rabbit" before.
I smirk as I make my way towards the barn.
X
Haley
Daryl doesn't say anything as he catches up to me at the backside of the small barn - just sinks his hands into my hair pulling me to his chest as he kisses me deeply - filling my mouth with his slow tongue as a shutter of pleasure ripples through my spine. I have no idea what I'm doing out here - the things that I feel for this man scare the absolute shit out of me. I don't want to fall in love with someone who may be dead tomorrow and the thought of Daryl being dead tightens my grasp on his shirt bringing him closer until my back touches the worn wood of the barn and he sinks his weight into me, stifling a groan of pain as he turns his body into mine.
Shit. He has a nasty stab wound surrounded by several broken ribs - what the hell are we doing out here?
Daryl pulls away from me just enough to take in a steady breath, fighting through the pain from his side as he hangs his head beside mine. "Jus' gimme a second." He assures me quietly, letting his hands roam down my body and under my shirt - grasping my waist and then my back with his rough hands. "Hey. It's okay. We don't have to do this right now." I assure him - running my hand over his jaw as another groan escapes his throat but this one I've heard several times before. "Jus' need a second." He assures me again and dips his head lower until his teeth are grazing my throat and it's my turn to groan.
"Daryl…, we don't..," His breath catches again and I feel his arms tighten around me as he cusses against my jaw and removes his hand from my waist - wrapping it around his ruined side as he takes in a quick breath. "You're going to pop your stitches. Come on." I move away from him and turn back to the camp only to have Daryl grab my wrist and pull my back to his chest much like the way we were standing earlier in the community tent. "Why do you always make me beg…, Haley?"
…and that's where I die folks - right here in his arms because the way Daryl says my name - like a fucking prayer against the side of my face takes me out of this world. "I just don't want to hurt you." I whisper as he drags me back to his chest, running his nose against my neck as a sigh escapes me. "You won't. I'll go slow." His words are desperate against my ear as he wraps his arm around my waist like earlier, sliding his rough hand over my lower stomach before continuing up my ribs and across my breasts causing a rush of air to escape me as his fingers find my throat and he holds me in place, burying his face in the back of my hair as he tries to steady his breathing.
I can feel the length of his cock pressing hard into my ass as I sink into his chest and whisper okay, feeling the relief wash over him as he kisses the back of my neck - dragging my hair out of the way to graze his teeth against my shoulder. "Can I fuck you like this, Rabbit?" Daryl whispers against my ear tightening his grip on my throat as a soft moan vibrates in my chest. His quiet words have me in a trance and all I can manage is the nod of my head as his own soft groan fills my soul.
I take in a deep breath as his hand falls away from my throat and goes to the clasp on my shorts, jerking the buttons roughly as some of them pop off and then he's sliding the rough material down my thighs before moving on to his own jeans, freeing himself as he spreads my legs further apart and runs the length of his dick between my soaked thighs. A gasp escapes me as I palm the side of the barn feeling him push into me deeply as he wraps his arm around my waist again and brings me to his chest. "…you feel so fuckin' good, Rabbit…" Daryl groans against the back of my hair - taking in a deep breath as he thrust into me again and I cry out, feeling a ripple of pleasure surge through my entire body. "…a-are you okay?"
"Y-yeah." I whisper as his hand moves up my front caressing my waist then the underside of my breast - running his rough palm up my sternum to clasp my throat again. A wave of dopamine fills my head as he sinks into me deeper his desperate groans rumbling against my ear.
"…yer driving me fuckin' crazy, Rabbit…" Daryl groans against the back of my hair, his other hand sliding around my hips and between my legs as I grip the barn tighter feeling the wood splinter my palm. "…really fuckin' crazy.."
I sink back into him and I swear he's the only thing holding me up as he thrusts into me deeply, causing another soft cry to escape my throat. That familiar warmth begins to spread through my stomach and then tighten in my core as Daryl begins to move faster gripping my neck as a quiet moan hums in his chest.
"Do you like that?"
I can only nod silently begging him not to stop as my orgasm builds. "Answer me." Daryl growls tightening his fingers around my throat as he leans into me further. "I need to hear your voice." He's whispering now pleading against my hair. "…feels good…, so… good…" Is all I can manage between my quiet whimpering as a shudder runs through me, the tiny ripples of pleasure turning into tremors as he tightens his arm around my waist.
"Are you goin' to come for me, Rabbit?" He groans against my ear and I do just that - igniting around him as Daryl loses himself in me - brushing his fingers against my jaw as he buries his face in the back of my hair with a desperate moan breathing heavily as he holds me tighter - keeping me from falling on my face because my body is not my own anymore.
It belongs to him - every fucking part of me belongs to him.
Daryl finally loosens his grip on my waist but his face is still buried against the back of my neck desperately pulling air into his lungs as I turn to him slowly, running my hands up his chest and to his neck as he lifts his eyes to mine. "Are you okay?" I whisper against his lips and he nods, searching my face with a look of pure devotion in his blue eyes. Slowly he brings his hands up to my face, sinking them into my hair as he brings me forward - seeking my tongue with his as he kisses me deeply. I'm still trying to catch my breath, pulling away from him again as he tightens his fingers in my hair.
"…you're so fuckin' beautiful…"
I feel a tightness fill my chest and claw its way into my throat, closing my eyes at his soft words as he whispers my name resting his forehead against mine. I hear everything he's not saying - my fingers raking into the back of his hair as he leans into me, my heart racing against his chest.
"…what the hell are you doin' to me girl…?" Daryl whispers as I let my hands fall to his shoulders and then down his sides gently, avoiding his wounds as he wraps his around me and buries his face in my neck taking in a deep breath. I don't know the answer because whatever it is he's doing the same damn thing to me.
X
Daryl
By the time we get back to camp all is quiet and the fire is nothing but red embers and smoke. "You should go back to the house tonight. Sleep in a bed while you can." Haley says quietly as I watch her move towards that shitty tent Carol gave me a lifetime ago. "I'm alright." I mutter, my voice barely audible as she stops walking and I slide my hand around her waist gripping her hip as she turns her head and gives me a smile that nearly stops my heart.
God damn, Dixon. Get your shit together.
"Come on."
I nod to the tent as she starts moving again but I don't let go of her, digging my fingers into soft skin as she crawls into the tent before me and I take the time to appreciate her round ass.
Fuckin' hell, Rabbit.
She busies herself with arranging the blankets and pillows her friends inside the house have gifted her and then expects me to lay down on them while she takes the ground. I give her my best kiss my ass glare and take half of the makeshift bed lifting my arm so she can climb in beside me.
X
Haley
The sight of Daryl laid back with one arm behind his head and the other outstretched for me stirs up all of the emotions running through my chest as I climb over his legs and sink into his embrace.
"Gonna head out at first light to look for Sophia." His voice is grainy and edged with sleep as he tries to clear the exhaustion from his throat, brushing his idle fingers through my hair. "We're gonna find her tomorrow." He adds and I slip my arm around his waist carefully to lay my head against his chest. Daryl will never give up on Sophia and the thought makes me love him I realize as I tighten my arm around him and close my eyes. The emotions flooding through me keep my mouth closed for a long time, listening to the steady thump of his heart and his slow breathing.
"Daryl?"
"Hmm?"
"What are we doing?" I ask softly, praying to any God that will listen that I don't make him angry with my question. It seems like that's what we do best - fuck and fight and I don't want that anymore.
I don't want to fight with him.
I want to love him.
"Sleepin', I hope." He exhales with a soft laugh and pulls my head over to him, kissing my temple as my eyes close and the warmth from his body comforts me. His steady breathing lulls me into a dreamless sleep as he pulls me closer to his side.
X
When my eyes open again I'm staring at Daryl's handsome face relaxed from sleep and cuddled up close to me. I can feel his soft breath against my lips. He looks so peaceful in this moment - in the darkness of our tent but his deep gravely voice causes me to flinch and then he's smiling, without bothering to open his eyes.
"What is it, Rabbit?"
How the hell does he do that? I ask him - barely whispering between us as he assures me it's my breathing pattern. "You have a very distinct breathing rhythm." He whispers back to me allowing his hand to slide over my waist as his fingers grip me tightly. I don't begin to pretend I know what the he'll he's talking about. "When yer asleep you breathe in deep, filling your lungs with air but when you wake up it's more controlled - like you're savin' oxygen for the rest of us."
I rest my fingers against his cheek brushing my thumb over his jaw but his eyes stay closed and his words go lower. "…and when yer turned on your breath always catches in your throat…, the tiniest noise that's easily missed if you aren't as skilled as me."
My grin grows wider as I move my face in closer to his. "…and when yer about to come? You stop breathing entirely and I can hear your heart beating against your chest." I curse the breath that catches in my throat as Daryl opens his eyes slowly, searching mine in the darkness of our tent as I lean forward and kiss him - pressing my warm lips to his as his fingers tighten against my hip.
I don't intend to take it any further than that. Just a sweet kiss shared in the middle of the night but things rarely go the way I intend and after a minute of Daryl's slow sensual tongue in my mouth I find myself pushing him back against the ground to straddle his lap.
His hands grip my back as he holds me against his chest kissing me deeply as I tangle my fingers in his hair - grinding my hips against his as that now familiar growling noise begins to form in the base of his throat. My hands move down his face, nails digging into his shoulders as he tries to hold my lower body against the fully erect dick between my thighs. "Yer really livin' up to your nickname tonight, Rabbit." He breaths against my throat as my hands slip under his shirt - caressing his side softly as a groan escapes him.
"Are you okay?" I whisper above him sinking my weight on to his dick as he nods slightly and pulls me down to his mouth. I jerk my head back, denying him access as his eyes open to slits and I grin - squirming against him.
"Answer me."
He answers by sliding his hand up my spine and grasping the hair at the nape of my neck, holding me still as his teeth scrape against my throat and a near inhuman sound rumbles in my chest. "I need to hear your voice."
"Don't play my games against me, Rabbit." Daryl growls against my collar bone tightening his fingers in my hair as my head falls back with a soft moan and his other hand slides between us unhooking buttons and undoing zippers as I help him slide off his pants and then my shorts and he finally lets go of my hair to give me access to pulling his shirt over his head carefully. When I lean back into him I kiss his jaw and then his jugular, grazing my teeth to his shoulder as that wonderful growling returns and I continue on to kissing his chest then grazing my teeth down his good side - running my tongue along the faint trail of hair that stops at his dick.
Just as I'm about to continue on down to my prize Daryl grabs my upper arms roughly and jerks me back to his mouth surprising me with his words and the desperate look in his eyes.
"I'll fill your fuckin' throat if you do that right now." He groans sinking a hand into my hair as he forces his tongue into my mouth - teeth scraping as I steady myself and ease my soaked pussy over him instead, eyes closing at the sound that stirs in his chest. His hands grip my sides, one moving on to slide up my spine again as he grasps my hair and brings me down to his waiting mouth - kissing me deeply as my heart begins to race. He pulls away from me to take in a breath and I rest my forehead on his, grinding into him as a slur of profanity leaves his throat as he thrust up into me - finding my mouth again roughly as he holds me against his chest and fucks me until I feel myself come undone around him, holding my breath and sinking into him further as he wraps an arm around me and turns so I'm now laying on most of the makeshift bed - thrusting into me deeply as his growls turn into whimpers against my jaw.
"…Haley… god… help me… yer gonna be the death of me…" He whispers between us before filling my mouth with his tongue - kissing me deeply as my legs wrap around his waist and he moans into my mouth his muscles going rigid as his own release washes over him - hanging his head beside my gasping mouth.
"Daryl…," He groans again at his name on my lips. "I think I love you." I whisper with a rushed breath and he tenses at my words keeping his head bowed beside mine. "You don't have to…, say it back or anything - it's okay, I just wanted you to know in case something happens to me. I wanted you to know." I'm still whispering - rambling as he lifts his head slowly and looks into my eyes. The emotions inside of him swirl in the blue hues but he doesn't speak, his body still tense over mine.
"Nothin's gonna happen to you, Haley. Not as long as I'm here."
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