Chapter 10: Forever

A/n: Last chapter, my darlings! This one contains smut, so here's your warning for that if it's not your thing. Great big buckets of love to all those who have read and reviewed. Your support has meant the world to me.

It was nearing eleven when Daryl returned to the house he shared with his family. After his fight with Carol, he hadn't been sure where he wanted to go. His first instinct was to get on his bike and leave Alexandria behind for a few days, to let the tires eat up the pavement beneath him and allow the stress to bleed off him. But it was nearing dusk and despite how angry and confused he was, he couldn't bring himself to worry Carol. They were both well aware of the dangers of being caught outside the gates after dark. Even though he felt the intense need to flee, he didn't trust he had his full strength back, and it would be stupid of him to take the risk.

Instead, he trudged down the sidewalk to the pantry where Carl and the others surely had the butchering of his kills underway. He'd spent hours there, listening to mindless, happy chatter as they worked to get everything put away in the freezers. It was hard to take in their overall contentment with life when he felt so completely at odds with himself, but he didn't have the heart to ruin their fun.

What wouldn't fit in the freezers would be passed out the individual homes in the community. Carl had already taken a portion of the boar to the smokehouse so he and Aaron could salt and hang it. At least a good bit of the day hadn't been a total waste. Eric already had plans to make pork sausage the next day, wrangling a promise from Carl and Aaron to help.

Daryl slipped into the laundry room, ignoring the covered casserole on the stove as he passed through the kitchen. His stomach was too tied up in knots to even think of eating. He'd cleaned up as much as possible at the pantry, but he needed a shower. He found a pair of cotton sleeping pants, boxers and a t-shirt folded in one of the baskets, and slipped off to use the downstairs bathroom. He didn't like it. Though he wasn't subjected to some flowery shower gel of Michonne's, the room didn't smell right. Even Carl's Irish Spring body wash didn't ease his tension. He'd become too accustomed to a mixture of lilacs and sandalwood. Not a combination he would have even considered in his old life – Hell, he was lucky when he could shower at all following after Merle – but it was the perfect blend of his and Carol's preferences. It soothed and comforted him, but he wasn't sure if he were quite ready to return to their bedroom to face her.

He finished quickly, his hair still dripping a bit as he padded towards the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Flames from the fire pit out on the patio caught his eye, and he quickly changed his mind, taking two bottles of beer from the refrigerator and stepping outside. Only Rick had the habit of sitting outside this late. His friend was reclined back in a lawn chair, his feet propped up on the bricks surrounding the pit, warming his bare toes. Daryl grimaced as he noticed the ice pack resting between Rick's brows.

The former deputy arched a brow in the hunter's direction. "If you've come to hit me again, I'm not in the mood," he drawled in a dry tone.

Daryl offered him one of the beers and sat down next to him. "Ain't gonna hit y' again," he replied, staring into the flames as he chewed his lower lip. Finally, he sighed and looked over at him, partially hidden behind his dark curtain of bangs. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry."

Rick waved him off and took a long pull from his beer. "It was a risk I was prepared to take when I agreed to accompany her to the Kingdom. I knew you'd be upset that I brought her outside the walls … I just hadn't imagined it would trigger you as badly as it did." He dragged the ice pack off his brow and leveled Daryl with a searching look. "Daryl, you have to know I wouldn't banish her again."

Daryl frowned down into the flames licking away at the pine knot. "Shit happened so fast with th' governor's attack, we never really had a chance t' talk about it back at th' prison. Y' were wrong for what y' did, an' I hated y' for it. If everythin' hadn't gone t' hell, I would've gone after her. Y' know that, right?"

"I know that now. After Terminus, I realized how much you love her." He snorted. "Hell, anyone with eyes could see it."

Daryl's fingers clenched around the bottle in his hand. "Y' never should've taken it upon yourself t' banish her, Rick. It was a decision for th' council. She could've died out there on her own! An' when 'Chonne told me Carol left with y' …"

"You thought history was going to repeat itself." Rick sighed heavily and set his empty bottle on the ground next to his chair. "Daryl, I was wrong. You know, I never thought this group would become my family when I first stumbled into that quarry, and I'll be the first to admit I've made my fair share of mistakes. Banishing Carol was one of the biggest. She did what she thought was best to protect our family, but as screwed up as my head was after Lori died, I couldn't see it that way. It took her swooping in like an avenging angel to save us from Terminus for me to realize that. Everything she's done … she's done it for us, our family. When she left us this last time, because things just got to be too much for her … I was devastated."

Daryl drained his bottle and rubbed a hand over his scruff, lost in thought. He was surprised to hear Rick admit he'd been wrong, but it helped alleviate his fears that their leader would try to pull such a stunt again. "She almost lost herself. I just worry she'll run again." He hadn't meant to say that last, and he cursed silently, knowing Rick would have questions for him he may not want to answer.

Rick wasn't going to disappoint him. "Did she tell you why she needed to go back to the Kingdom so badly? Badly enough to risk your temper?"

The hunter hung his head. "No … didn't give her a chance."

Rick groaned. "She did it for you, brother. There's a woman there, a friend she made during her time there. She's a therapist. Carol wanted to ask her if she'd be willing to talk to you about what you've been going through. I think she might've also wanted to talk about her own issues while she was there. She was gone for quite a while … long enough for Ezekiel to talk me into another project."

"Carol wants me to see a head-shrinker?!" Daryl asked, his mouth gaping in horror.

"She wants to help you, Daryl."

He closed his eyes and rested his head on the back of the chair, feeling like a complete ass for his earlier behavior. The book he'd taken from the shelter in Atlanta had hinted at such, encouraging abuse survivors to seek professional help, but the thought of talking to a stranger about his past trauma scared the hell out of him. It was easy to talk to Carol about things now because of the love and trust he shared with her. He didn't know if he could share his past with anyone else. He didn't want a stranger to judge him.

Rick reached out and rested his hand on his friend's forearm, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Talk to Carol. The two of you have come too far to allow a misunderstanding to drive a wedge between you."

"I'll be lucky if she don't stab me in m' sleep."

Rick rose unsteadily to his feet, ready to seek out his own bed. "She wouldn't do that, not after the lengths she went to in order to see you through your recovery. I wouldn't put it past her to make you sleep on the couch though," he snickered.

Daryl's hesitant tone caught him as he was opening the door to go back inside. "Rick? We good?"

"Yeah … yeah, we are." It was going to take more than getting his ass kicked to ruin their friendship.

*.*.*

Daryl remained out on the patio until the flames died down in the fire pit, leaving nothing but embers. His body ached, making him feel every one of his forty plus years. His captivity, his recovery … they'd made him weak to the point a hunt wore him out. He was going to have to change that, and soon. His people depended on him.

He didn't want to think the emotional stress of the day had any bearing on the situation, though it did. Yawning, he pushed himself to his feet and extinguished what was left of the fire. He couldn't put off his confrontation with Carol unless he chose to return to his old room or sleep on the couch. As comfortable as their couch was, it hurt his back if he laid on it overlong, and the cold bare attic room, he'd stayed in before, held no appeal. He didn't want either. He wanted his own bed and his woman curled around him.

As late as it was, he held onto a slim shred of hope that she'd be asleep. Carol had a habit of being asleep by eleven so she could rise at dawn with him. Her internal clock was almost as infallible as his own. Daryl cracked the door open and peered inside, surprised to find the lamp still on and noise coming from their ensuite bathroom. Damnit! No sense in being quiet when he could hear the hair dryer. Butterflies the size of condors clawed their way through his belly. Maybe he should have opted for the sofa after all.

His teeth gnashed as he caught a glimpse of her through the open door, watching as she set the dryer aside and clicked off the light. There was no avoiding her now. He tried to will his body to behave as he took in the tiny sleep shorts and tank she wore, all that creamy flesh of her bare arms and long slender legs on display for him. He had a sneaking suspicion she'd donned those particular pajamas just to torment him. I am so fucked! he thought miserably.

Carol's eyes flashed hotly as she moved to stand before him, her arms crossing defiantly over her chest. "Did you have dinner?" she asked, causing his brow to knit in confusion. What the hell was she on about? Who gave a good goddamn if he ate or not?!

"Wasn't hungry," he mumbled, watching her warily. At least her knife was in its place on the dresser behind him well out of her reach. "I went t' th' pantry t' see t' m' kills. Needed time t' think."

"You left," she accused, holding his gaze. "Are you still angry, or has your head cleared enough to have a rational discussion?" Damn! He hated it when she used that tone on him. He felt as if he were standing in the principal's office about to be expelled.

In truth, she was the one who had every reason to be angry with him. "I dunno. Are y' gonna make me sleep on th' couch? 'Cause if y' are, I'd rather just talk in th' mornin'."

Her lips twitched, fighting a grin. "Your place is here with me, Dixon. There's no need to strain your back on the sofa." Uh-oh … it never boded well when she called him that. She pointed one dainty finger towards the bed. "Sit."

Daryl didn't think twice about disobeying her command. He perched on the end of the bed and braced his hands on his knees, his shoulders tense. The last thing he expected was for her to shove his hands out of her way and straddle his lap. He inhaled sharply, his body responding immediately to her proximity. "Carol -"

She covered his lips with her fingertips, cutting off his protests. "No! It's my turn to talk. In fact, I think you need a taste of your own medicine."

His eyes widened. "Whatcha mean … my own medicine?" he asked, unable to concentrate on anything aside from her perfect ass firmly settled on his lap and the heat from her core seeping through the thin layers separating them to scorch his cock. Fuckin' hell! His hands rose to her hips, fingers twisting in the cotton of her shorts as he wished them away. He wanted to feel her without the barriers, but mostly without the strife which existed between them.

Carol smiled, and he wondered if he should be afraid of the wicked promise hiding behind the azure pools of her eyes. Her clever fingers toyed with the hem of his t-shirt mere seconds before she was whipping it over his head. He hadn't even the time to protest and her lips were trailing along his neck, her teeth nipping at the tendon standing out in sharp relief.

"You play dirty pool, Dixon … opening up to me, all the while teasing me with your lips …" she purred, sucking his warm flesh into her mouth, marking him for all to see. "Your arms holding me captive to your whim. How would you feel if I did the same to you? Will you let me bring you close and leave you wanting?"

Her hand fisted in his hair, dragging his head back to meet her gaze and see the smug smirk playing at the corner of her mouth. "I'm sorry … swear I am," he mumbled incoherently.

"Why?" she demanded, her nails scraping against his tender scalp and eliciting a growl from deep in his throat.

"Why what?"

Carol loosened her grip and slid off his lap, arching a brow at him. He gaped at her, his hands clenching and releasing with the need to snatch her back to him. It didn't help when her eyes trailed languidly over his body to settle on the tent he was making in his pants. "Not so much fun being on the receiving end, is it?" she drawled.

Daryl groaned and dropped back against the duvet. "I was an ass. I deserve t' be punished. Y' have every right t' hate me for walkin' out on y' earlier." He lifted his head to see if his words had any impact on her whatsoever. No such luck. "Seriously, woman … I'm sorry. I fuckin' panicked. I was angry an' when y' didn't answer, I had t' get out."

Carol sighed and brushed a tear from the corner of her eye before it could fall. "You hurt me."

"Fuckkkk!" he growled, rising stiffly from the bed to gather her into his embrace. She came willingly, and he cradled her against his chest. "I'm so sorry. I warned y' … I ain't good at this shit. Never was, but I'm tryin'."

"You are my reason, Daryl. If you'd stayed just a moment longer, I would have told you. You let your fears get the better of you instead and ran off."

Daryl pulled her back onto his lap as he settled against the headboard, his hands roaming soothingly over her back. He pressed a kiss to her temple and sighed. "Rick told me why y' wanted t' go t' th' Kingdom today. Said y' want me t' see a head-shrinker." He ducked his head. "Y' think I'm crazy now? That what Negan did drove me insane?"

Carol swatted his arm. "Of course, not! But, Daryl, you're suffering. Your nightmares are getting worse instead of better. I think talking to Linda could help you. She helped me. And you won't have to go alone. I'll be right there with you … if you want me to. We might be able to work out our issues together. Wouldn't it be nice to go to sleep at night without worrying about what tortures your subconscious will conjure?"

Daryl curled a finger beneath her chin and tilted her head up to meet his troubled gaze. "Nightmares ain't nothin' new t' me. Had 'em all m' life, Carol. Growin' up with m' daddy, how could I not? They just got worse after th' turn, worse because now I got people I care about. I can live with it. What I don't get is why y' thought y' couldn't come t' me an' ask me t' take y' t' see your friend. Did y' think I woulda told y' no?"

She shrugged, averting her eyes to the strand of his hair her fingers toyed with. "No, it's not that … you're just very defensive when it comes to such things. Linda didn't have an easy time surviving before Ezekiel found her. Now she doesn't leave the walls at all. She's content to remain at the Kingdom where she is assured relative safety. I had to make sure she would agree to see you at all before I would even dream of bringing it up with you." She peeked at him from beneath her lashes to find him watching her intently. "I don't want you to think I believe you to be crazy or insane because of what was done to you, Daryl. But I do know you're suffering, and my heart aches because I can't make it better. I just want to help you."

His hand traced down her side to give her hip a gentle squeeze. "Y' do make it better. Gawd, woman, I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for you! I cain't even tell y' how many times I wanted t' leave, but y' were there every time t' drag me back … you, not th' group." His fingers delved into the silver curls at her nape, his thumb caressing the sensitive spot just below her ear. "It woulda been so easy jus' t' slip away an' go off t' look for m' brother, but by then I was too far gone. I couldn't leave y'. And I hate myself for not tellin' y' sooner." He claimed her, his lips gently brushing hers. "I'll talk t' your friend if y' think it'll help. I ain't never gonna stop tryin' for you, Carol. There's a good chance I'll fuck up again, but hopefully you'll give me another chance."

"As many as you need. And if I run … it will be straight to you," she whispered, knowing how hard it must have been for him to agree to talk to a therapist. He was such a private person, more willing to bottle his pain than share it. She shifted on his lap, straddling him once more as she cradled his face in her palms, his scruff tickling her fingers. "I'm sorry I lied to you."

"Carol –"

"I did. A lie of omission is still a lie, Daryl. I'm sorry." She leaned into him, kissing him softly, a kiss full of regret, of apology. "We've grown so much … there really is no reason I can't talk to you about anything. Forgive me?"

His lips tilted up into a half-moon grin, his cheeks tinting a dusky rose beneath his tan. "Only if y' can forgive me for being such an asshole."

Carol snorted. "No one's perfect."

Daryl shook his head back, flicking the hair out of his eyes without being forced to release the tenuous hold he had on her hips. "I dunno," he murmured lowly, his voice deep and pitch-perfect to make her shiver in his grasp. "You're pretty perfect t' me."

Her eyes fell closed, and when she opened them, she was unable to disguise her desire. Nor could she withhold her moan as his calloused, work-roughened hands slid over her hips to settle on the sweet curve of her ass, pulling her closer. He trembled as she rocked her hips, her heat re-igniting the fire boiling in his veins and causing a rush of desire to surge to his groin.

Carol watched him closely through sloe-lidded eyes, careful with him. Always so careful, his woman. Her fingers trailed gently over his face from temple to jaw before she smoothed her thumb over his lower lip. "Daryl … Carson said we could … um … we could have sex," she hedged, her face heating beneath his gaze. "Will you … " She sucked in a deep breath, fighting off another bout of nerves. "Will you make love to me?"

She let out an undignified squeak, her blush deepening as he gripped her tightly and rose up on his knees before laying her back gently on the duvet. He groaned as he settled between her legs and buried his face against her throat, lavishing her lilac-scented skin with hot open-mouthed kisses and nips of his teeth, trying to convey the depths of his feelings for her without words. He was too overcome from her sweet plea, incapable of speech. He caught her wide-eyed gaze and tilted his head in askance, wondering over the trepidation he saw there. "Y' a'right?" he asked, his fingers toying with the hem of her shirt.

Carol nodded fervently, and brushed a tear from the corner of her eye before it could fall. "I don't know why I'm so nervous. I've wanted to be with you like this for so long, but I feel like a virgin bride on her wedding night."

His thumbs caressed the sensitive skin above the waistband of her shorts as his lips trailed a series of kisses over the smooth line of her jaw. "Don't need a piece o' paper t' tell me you're mine," he murmured with a contented sigh. "Knew y' was gonna be trouble th' minute I saw y' drive that pickaxe into ol' Ed's dead head."

Her back arched, her breasts pressing into his chest as his hands sneaked beneath her tank to lift it over her head. "Trouble, eh?"

Daryl's gaze swept over her in appreciation before he grinned up at her. "Yup. Knew m' heart would never be th' same. " His fingers splayed over her cheek as he lowered his head to kiss her, his breath warm against her lips. "I saw your pain, baby, knew y' were like me. But I could also see your fire, your determination to overcome what he'd done t' y'. It made me want somethin' for myself, even though I never thought I could have it."

Carol let her fingers ghost over the new scars covering his back in a gentle caress, but he didn't flinch, didn't pull away, secure in her touch. "What did you want?" she breathed.

"You."

Her lips parted and formed a silent 'o' of surprise, reveling in the knowledge he'd wanted her even as far back as the quarry. For so many years, she'd had to listen to Ed tell her no one would ever want her. She was worthless, used up, undesirable. He'd convinced her he was her only choice; it was one of the reasons she'd stayed, a slave to her fears. It still stunned her, the difference between being oppressed by a man and being truly loved by another. It didn't take any time at all to stomp on old memories and make new ones with Daryl.

She surrendered to his kiss, relishing the soft stroke of his tongue against hers and the way his heart thundered beneath her palm. "And now that you have me … what is it you plan to do with me, Dixon?"

The grin which spread over his face could only be described as pure sin, his smoky blue gaze darkening as he tugged her hands from his hair and placed a kiss to the center of each palm. He pulled her arms over her head, his lips slanting over hers in a searing kiss as he trailed his fingertips over her smooth skin. He continued down over the sides of her breasts and along her ribs before making his way back up to cup a firm mound in each hand. Carol arched her back, stretching her body up, seeking the heat of his mouth as he nuzzled the valley between her breasts.

Daryl smiled, his sharp teeth nipping gently along the inside swell and then soothing it with his tongue. "Wanna make y' happy, show y' how much I love y'," he rumbled against her ivory flesh, fascinated by the light dusting of freckles.

Carol keened long and low as the heat of his mouth closed over one turgid bud. She left one arm slung over her head, but she couldn't stop herself from burrowing the other in his hair, her fingers dancing softly over his nape as she held him to her. She was overwhelmed with sensation, the scrape of his teeth, softness of his lips and the cat-like roughness of his tongue as he drew her in deeper to trap her nipple against the roof of his mouth. A fresh wave of heat shot directly to her core, causing her to buck her hips up into him, seeking the friction she so desperately needed.

Daryl had suffered so much from his captivity, and she wished she could wipe the entire experience from his memory, but it had accomplished one good thing. It had made him realize how short life could be and shown him he needed to stop bottling his feelings for her. All the while he'd been healing from his wounds, he hadn't hesitated to touch her and accept touch – limited as it had been – from her in return. She marveled in the confidence he'd gained, and now she was reaping the benefits.

She writhed impatiently, lost to his touch, heat coiling through her and igniting her need, but he was determined to take his time, to savor her like a fine wine. He rubbed his face against her breasts, the soft texture of his scruff heightening her pleasure before he paid homage to its twin, reveling in her soft moans. "Daryl … please," she whimpered, her fingers tightening in his hair.

He soothed a hand down to her hip, giving it a gentle squeeze as his lips trailed lower over the taut plane of her belly. He grinded his erection into the mattress, praying he would last. He wanted to worship her flesh, become a slave to her passion without his body betraying him. He wanted to pour his love into her until her only sound was the breathless whisper of his name falling from her lips. "Easy, baby. Wanna make this last." His teeth toyed with her flesh in a teasing assault along the low-slung waistband of her shorts, and he hoped the walls were thick enough to prevent her cries from carrying.

Daryl rose up and claimed her lips once more, his tongue delving into the honeyed recesses of her mouth before capturing her gaze. The ebony darkness of his blown pupils only fueled her desire, evidence of his own need, his barely restrained control prevalent in his eyes. Her fingers collided with his where they hooked in the cotton of her shorts and the lace of her underwear, helping him push the offending garment down her legs.

Carol fought against the urge to cover herself as she lay bare before him. His hot gaze swept over her from top to toe as he knelt there between her parted legs taking her in, but instead of the revulsion she feared from the marks Ed had left on her body, she only saw desire, appreciation … reverence. He reached out tentatively, his hands ghosting over her thighs, his jaw clenching as he fought back a surge of lust. "Want y' so much, Carol," he purred, pressing a kiss to the inside of her knee. "So fuckin' much."

Her lips fell open as she sucked in a ragged breath, consumed with him. "I'm yours … yours, Daryl," she rasped brokenly.

Her cries were music to his ears as he surged forward, burying his face between her legs, his tongue tracing the line of her slit. Carol's thighs trembled where his hands rested, parting her further to his gentle exploration. She opened like a flower before him, and he groaned, petals of perfection, dewy and glistening, beckoning him forward. Her essence burst over his taste buds, sharp and sweet, and he swore he'd never tasted anything so good in his life. He laved her from her opening up to the taut bundle of nerves aching for his touch, a low rumbling growl humming from his lips as he circled it with his tongue. He knew he was sloppy and had no technique to speak of, yet her hands fisted in his hair, her hips rising with each imperfect lick as she ground against his mouth. He let his hands fall away from her thighs, reaching beneath her to grab hold of her perfect heart-shaped ass, feasting upon her as her legs clamped around his head.

Carol felt as if she were losing her mind as his teeth scraped over her clit. No one had ever touched her like this before. The one time she'd suggested it to Ed, he'd backhanded her across the face and called her a whore. She hadn't made that mistake again. Her husband had been a selfish lover, only concerned with his own pleasure. Probably why she'd never experienced an orgasm with anything aside from her trusty vibrator or her own hand. But the groans and growls coming from Daryl made her feel as if he were actually enjoying the act as much as she was. She wriggled beneath him with each swirl of his tongue, mindless with the pleasure he wrought from her body, her core throbbing to the point of pain, aching to have him buried inside her.

"Let go, woman … stop thinkin' so hard an' just feel." Her breath hitched as his hot hands on her ass helped her find a steady rhythm. He was relentless, helping her move faster as he continued his assault, driving her closer to her peak. A shower of sparks erupted behind her closed lids as she tumbled over the edge, never having come so hard before in her life. Daryl slowed, trailing back down to her opening, lapping at the moisture readily with his tongue as he eased her back down to earth.

Daryl sat back on his haunches to watch her, infinitely satisfied with himself. There was a steady throb to his cock where it tented against his sleeping pants, and he felt a fresh surge of lust tighten his groin further as her wrecked gaze followed the line of his body until it settled there between his legs. His entire body hummed with need, and he wasted no time in shucking his pants and settling between her legs. But he didn't enter her, much to her chagrin. Instead, he devoured her lips with a dirty kiss, letting her taste herself on his tongue and reveling in the choked cry trying to fight its way from her throat.

Carol traced the scar left from a bullet wound near his right shoulder, a knife wound near his ribs and the scar he wore proudly from his own bolt near his left hip. He was so beautiful, yet she dared not tell him, knowing he'd scoff and sputter and call her absurd. Tears welled in her eyes to think of how far they'd come together. From the quarry where he couldn't seem to meet her eyes, to the farm where he'd nearly died trying to bring her daughter back to her, to the prison where she'd been lost to him. Her friend, her protector, her partner … now her mate.

His kiss gentled, and the pads of his thumbs brushed worriedly over her cheeks to brush away her tears. "Hey … what's wrong? Did I … Did I hurt y'?" He nuzzled his nose to hers. "Please don't cry, baby. I can't stand it when y' cry."

She pressed a sweet kiss to his lips. "I love you, Daryl," she whispered, her hands trailing along his sides and over his belly before wrapping her fingers around his cock.

Daryl hissed, feeling her guide him to her opening. "I-I love y' too, Carol … so fuckin' much."

Carol wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he eased himself into her an inch at a time, giving her time to adjust to the invasion. She'd never felt so filled before, so complete, her hands soothing over his back as he buried his face in the curve of her neck, his lips peppering her throat with soft nips and kisses. A gasp escaped her parted lips as the need became too great and he gave a tentative thrust. God, had anything ever felt so perfect, she thought wildly, curling a leg over his hip and drawing him deeper.

He propped himself on an elbow, his other hand gripping her hip as he focused on her. Long, deep strokes to fuel her ardor. He wanted so badly to see her come again, to feel it this time, to have her essence drench his cock. His lips waged a battle on her flesh, seeking out every place he knew brought her pleasure until it threatened to shatter his control. Her hips rose to meet his every thrust, her panting breaths puffing softly against his neck, increasing the fire crackling at the base of his spine. He didn't know how much longer he'd be able to fight off his release.

"Daryl …"

Carol bit down on the tendon standing in stark relief on his shoulder, and he howled, the pleasure combined with the brief sting of pain catapulting him over the edge as he drove into her. He cursed, feeling as if he'd failed her, but then she stiffened in his arms, her silky hot walls clenching and clasping his cock with abandon. He jerked his head up in time to watch her eyes slam shut, her petal soft mouth held in a silent scream, and he let himself go, his hot seed splashing against her womb.

She held him to her, happily cradling his weight against her body as his heart slowed and his breathing quieted. Her lips pressed to his temple, her fingers carding through his soft hair, reveling in the delicious ache riddling her body. It could have been minutes or hours – she couldn't have cared less – before he lifted his head from her shoulder and peeked at her from behind his long dark curtain of hair to find a smile toying at her lips.

"Y' a'right?" he muttered, hissing when he slipped from her body to settle at her side. At her nod and widening grin, he pulled her close until she was draped over his chest. "Y' sure?"

Her azure gaze lifted lazily to meet his. "I'm perfect. Though I'm afraid we're going to catch hell from our family in the morning. You ok with that?"

Daryl snorted. "I ain't worried about it. How many times did we have t' listen t' Glenn an' Maggie all those months on th' road an' at th' prison?" His lips dipped down into a frown as he remembered his friend.

"Glenn would be so happy to know we're together … don't you think?" she asked, brushing at the moisture gathering at the corners of his eyes.

"Yeah, he would. Used t' give me hell all th' time for not makin' a move on y' or tellin' y' how I felt. He'd be happy for us."

Carol reached down and brought the duvet up to cover them, not worrying about their lack of clothes. She pressed her nose into the crook of his neck and breathed him in. "Sleep, Pookie. We have a big day tomorrow and you've more than earned your rest."

Daryl pressed a kiss to her brow and tightened his grip around her. She was his … irrevocably his. He let that knowledge soothe and comfort him, allowing him to drift off into an exhausted sleep where she would chase away his nightmares.

*.*.*

The aroma of fresh brewed coffee and sinfully sweet cinnamon buns roused Daryl from a sound sleep, his stomach growling loudly. A smile stretched his lips until his hand encountered cool sheets and he realized Carol wasn't by his side. He rolled over with a yawn and squinted at the wind-up clock she kept on the bedside table. It was already seven forty-five. Th' fuck? He wasn't accustomed to his internal clock failing him. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd slept the morning away. He rolled out of bed, mentally mapping the route he wanted to take to the Kingdom as he pulled fresh clothes from the dresser.

Rick was sitting at the table, Judith on his lap and flanked by Carl and Michonne when Daryl entered the kitchen and propped his crossbow near the archway. Carol, naturally, was at the stove, her skill responsible for the tantalizing aromas which had woke him. His stomach growled again, his fingers itching to snatch a sticky bun from the pan. Instead, he moved to stand behind his woman, wrapping his arms around her waist as he watched her fry up some ham steaks to go with the fluffy scrambled eggs she'd made.

She turned her face up to him for a kiss, and he didn't disappoint, uncaring of who was crowded into the kitchen to bear witness. "Morning, Pookie," she purred against his lips. "Pour yourself some coffee and have a seat. Breakfast is ready."

Daryl grabbed the pan of buns and set it in the center of the table, leaving Carol to carry the eggs and ham before he took his place next to Carl. Judith babbled happily until she noticed Daryl and then crawled off her father's lap in favor of her uncle's. Daryl picked her up and blew a raspberry against her neck, making her giggle.

Rick began dishing food onto his plate, shaking his head. "Do you have to spoil her? You're going to kick yourself one day when she's five and still demanding to sit on your lap."

The hunter snorted. "Jealous much?" He dropped a kiss to Judith's soft curls and settled her on his lap. "Tell Daddy who y' love, Asskicker."

The little girl banged her sippy cup on the table and grinned at her father. "Dare!"

Rick arched a brow. "Traitor."

Carol giggled and filled a plate for Daryl, cutting one of the large sticky buns into bite sized pieces since Judith would undoubtedly be eating right off his plate. "Children can never have too many people love them, Rick."

Daryl ate slowly. He normally did when Judith shared his food. He didn't mind in the least. He loved her with his whole heart, knowing she'd probably be the closest he ever had to having one of his own. It pleased him greatly to know Rick didn't mind sharing her. "Carl, don't forget y' need t' meet Eric at th' pantry t' make sausage today. Wanna get 'em in th' smokehouse before th' day's out."

"I helped butcher your kills yesterday. Why do I have to help make sausage? I wanted to hang out with Enid today," the boy groaned around a mouthful of ham.

Daryl scowled at him. "Because last I checked, y' was still grounded an' are slave t' my whim. I better not hear y' showed your ass while I'm gone, neither."

Carl mumbled under his breath and focused on finishing his breakfast. He hated being grounded.

"You're leaving?" Rick asked, spearing a piece of ham. "What are your plans?"

Daryl stared down at Judith, her little mouth open for another bite of eggs. "Goin' t' th' Kingdom t' see Carol's friend. We should be home before nightfall."

Rick leaned back in his chair, a warm smile lighting his face as he looked between Carol and Daryl. "Good. I'm glad to hear that."

Carol pushed her plate aside and rose to take the baby from Daryl to clean her sticky hands. "Since we're going, can you think of anything you might need? Ezekiel might have something to barter."

Michonne sipped at her coffee, eyeing them over the rim of her cup. "Earplugs."

Daryl blushed scarlet and pushed himself away from the table, depositing his plate in the sink before hefting his crossbow over his shoulder. "Earplugs, got it … Carol, vamanos, woman!"

He beat a hasty retreat out the front door, refusing to let his family put a damper on his mood. The sun was shining, the temperature mild, and soon he'd be leaving Alexandria behind with only Carol to keep him company on the ride. He wasn't exactly thrilled to meet the therapist she wanted him to speak with, but for her, he'd do just about anything. He had a chance to heal, to love … a chance at happiness and forever with a woman he adored. Everything else could just burn away.

THE END