❛ now daryl, daryl was gray. he always seemed to be bitter and emotionless with no other dimensions to himself; his mere presence was the only one. gray was intriguing, almost acting like an acquired taste, but it had the potential to be beautiful t...
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thirty one.
"I— I," I stuttered, sitting up and pulling away from Daryl. I shook my hands in an attempt to shake away the jitters that rested in them. "I think I'm gonna use the shower. It'll help me calm down." I slid over to the ladder, glancing at him. His eyes followed me as I climbed down the ladder, smirking while he bit his thumb nail. I padded over to the bathroom door, catching a glimpse outside. Rain now cascaded down from the sky, pounding the ground and turning the dirt into mud. The fresh smell of the damp earth, free of rotting bodies, flowed through the small mesh holes of the screen door. I sighed with relaxed with happiness, turning away from the sight and stepping into the bathroom. I closed the door behind me and was immediately startled by my reflection in the mirror.
Dirt and blood painted my face, the slash on my cheek slowly beginning to scar over. My hair was ratty, matted down and darkened with dirt in certain sections. I tore my gaze away and peeled off my clothes. I threw them to the floor and cringed once I remembered I had to wear them again.
I turned on the water, testing its temperature before stepping in. I slid the sliding glass door closed and felt instant relief once the water hit my skin. All the dirt and grime that was plastered on me earlier swirled around and down the drain. A bar of soap along with a tiny bottle of shampoo sat in the corner of the shower. It was as if the person who was here last had been expecting us. I smirked to myself before rushing to throughly wash my hair. I closed my eyes and massaged the shampoo into my scalp for as long as I could; it was so relaxing I could almost fall asleep. I stuck my head under the water to wash it out, opening my eyes while I did so. A figure loomed in the corner of the bathroom. I jumped, trying my best to cover myself out of instinct.
"What the fuck," I shouted in fear while my heart raced, my voice booming from the echo in the shower.
"Just me," Daryl assured, stepping closer to the door. I never heard him come in.
"What the hell are you doing?" I backed away in defense.
"Gonna take a shower." Daryl's voice was confidently smug. Butterflies instantly filled my stomach as he began to undress. My cheeks burned, the sudden realization that Daryl was gonna see me completely naked hitting me.
"I—I don't know," I mumbled nervously. He couldn't see me like this. No one ever has. "I'll be done soon." He sighed in slight disappointment.
"Alright," he drawled understandingly while he gathered up his clothes. I bit my lip, instantly feeling guilty about making him leave. A dull yearning burned inside the pit of my stomach, pushing aside my embarrassment.
"Wait," I blurted out, changing my mind. "You can stay," I said inaudibly. I almost felt as if I was suffocating as he grabbed onto the door. He was so close.
"What'd you say, girl," Daryl teased. An excited chill ran down my spine.
"You can stay," I whispered, staring at Daryl through the foggy glass. I could see almost every inch of his blurred body and made the butterflies in my stomach feel like they were about to fly outta my ears. I collapsed into my vulnerability as he slid open the door and stepped inside. I tore my face away from him, continuing to cover myself. He was so close and my heart was pounding. I felt his fingers brush against my hand and accidentally touch my upper thigh. I shivered at the softness.
