Chapter Text
The run was supposed to be ordinary, just like any other. Daryl was going into town to get some formula for Judith. As much as he denied it, Lil’ Asskicker had him wrapped around her tiny little fingers. Daryl insisted he could go alone. After all, it wouldn’t even be a full days run, but Rick insisted he take someone.
“Please, Daryl, if not for your safety, for my own peace of mind.”
Daryl sighed. This run was supposed to be time alone away from the prison. They’d just gotten settled after everything that happened with Lori, and Daryl needed to spread his wings. He felt stuck, and didn’t have any idea how to get rid of that feeling. He hated to take someone…they would just be a burden. “Fine. I’ll take Carol.” She would be the best choice. The woman knew when to keep quiet and, since Sophia passed, he felt they had a bond. He wasn’t sure what that bond was, exactly, only that it was there.
Rick smiled. “Thank you.”
The next morning, Daryl was waiting with his bike when Carol came walking over. “Took ya long enough, woman. We need to get goin’."
Carol smiled at him and apologized. “I was getting a list together of what we need to get.” Daryl groaned as he pulled up the kickstand on his bike and started off outside the gates. “Now we have to get more stuff? I thought it was just formula for Lil’ Asskicker?”
“A few people asked me for personal things as I was leaving,” Carol said as she put her arms around Daryl’s waist.
As Daryl started the bike down the road he smirked. “Oh, so Glenn asked you to get some condoms?” He revved the bike’s engine, enjoying the sound of Carol’s laughter.
A few hours later, they were stopping at a gas station, just getting started on the trip back to the prison. Daryl needed to stop and get gas for the bike, and Carol was going to rummage through the store to see if there was anything that could be of use. While inside, Carol saw there was a door to a storage room, and wondered if anyone had raided that yet. On her way to the back, Daryl slammed his way in to the store and grabbed her arm.
“There’s a heard coming our way. We need to get down and stay quiet.” They quietly crept in between the shelves and sat across from each other.
“How many were there, Daryl?”
“Looked to be at least 30, if not more. We might be here for a bit.”
They sat in silence, Carol knowing instinctively that Daryl wasn’t in a mood to talk. She thought about how their relationship had grown since they had found Sophia in the barn at Herschel’s place. That day, when he’d sat there with her, not saying a word, just giving her silent support meant the world to her, no matter how small of a world it had become. And when he’d lashed out at her after separating himself from the group, she knew he just needed some time. He’d gone through so much trying to find her little girl. He’d given up a piece of himself, she mused to herself. Daryl had given up so much for Sophia, and she didn’t think he knew how to deal with it.
She didn’t think Daryl had allowed himself to care for anyone before, not even his brother. With the changes he’d gone through since Merle went missing in Atlanta, she had a theory that Daryl stuck with his brother because it was the easiest thing to do. Because he didn’t believe anyone would want to stick around him for any longer than necessary. She knew he’d always been a good man, even back when he and Merle had joined up with their camp at the quarry. The way he’d shared his bounty from hunts with the group, while Merle tried his hardest to stop him. The way he’d make Merle take a walk in the woods after he’d gotten high and was harassing the women in the group.
Carol was roused from her musings as Daryl stood up. “Looks like the herd has passed,” Daryl said, extending his hand to help her get up. She grabbed his hand to get up, and they started towards the front of the store. Daryl had brought up his crossbow, just in case there were any stragglers from the herd. As soon as he had scoped out the lot, he looked back at Carol and nodded his head, his way of saying everything was clear. She started walking towards the bike, intent on packing the few things she’d gotten at the convenience store in the saddle bags on the bike. She climbed on the back of the bike and called for Daryl, “Come on, let’s get back!” She heard shuffling behind her. Smiling, turned around saying, “Now who’s tak-“. She screamed as she came face to face with a walker.
Carol fumbled for the knife on her belt, a gift from Daryl, although he would deny it if you asked him, but couldn’t get a grip on it as the walker stumbled towards her. She gave up on the knife and put her arms behind her, bracing herself on the bike. She was getting ready to kick the walker away when an arrow shot past, into its head, and the walker dropped to the ground. Carol put her legs down, shaking, and took a deep breath. She was getting ready to speak when Daryl unleashed his fury.
“Damnit, woman! I thought I was taking the smartest one of the bunch with me. What the hell were you thinkin’? I ain’t got all day to save your ass. Why the hell didn’t you stay close?”
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking I guess. I just wanted to get back to the prison.”
“Damn straight you weren’t thinkin’,” Daryl replied worry in his eyes. “What would I have told everyone back at the prison? ‘Sorry, its just me, Carol went and lost her brain and turned into walker bait’?” Daryl mumbled more under his breath as he got on the bike and started back to the prison.
That night, after the dishes had been put away and Judith had been put to bed with Beth, Carol went outside to find Daryl on watch in the guard tower. She knocked on the door, but he showed no signs of acknowledgement. “Hey. I just came by to apologize for earlier.”
Daryl let out a grunt. Carol took that as her cue to continue. “I still don’t know what I was thinking. I should have stayed by you. I really didn’t mean to worry you.”
“Didn’t worry me, just thought you’d lost your mind.” Daryl turned to look at her, something in his eyes she couldn’t quite explain. Was it relief? Carol wasn’t sure, but it made her heart leap in her throat. She walked towards Daryl and put a hand on his cheek. Daryl flinched for a moment, then relaxed, keeping his eyes on her the whole time.
“Thank you for saving my life.” She bent down and pressed her lips gently to his, reveling in the warmth they offered. He returned the kiss, running his tongue along her lower lip, until she let him in. After a few moments, Daryl broke the kiss, turning bright red, and looked out at the distance.
“Wasn’t anything special. Anyone else would have done the same thing,” Daryl mumbled.
“I know, but I’m glad it was you,” Carol replied, turning to walk back to the prison. As she went out the door to the stairs, Carol heard him say, “I’m glad it was me too”.
With a smile, she walked back to the prison.