The Secrets We Keep

Our Secret

I try to roll over as my alarm clock beeps but I'm met with two arms wrapped tightly around me. I smile, then sigh, not ready to leave the warm body next to me. Last night's activities replaying in my head; another smile, another sigh. I feel his low grumbles beside me as I try to move again. "Ok. I really need to get up. I can't be late again. Mercer is already asking too many questions." I say, but don't make much effort to move. He grumbles again and releases me. Shutting off the alarm, I swing my legs over the bed and raise my arms over my head to stretch. Callused fingers traced the scars on my bare back. Just as he lay a gentle kiss on my shoulder I look back at him, an eyebrow raised. "Shower?"

He leaves a trail of tiny kisses from my ear down my neck as I get the water temperature just right. Turning to face him, our bodies so close I can feel his heartbeat. His lips brush mine and I sigh into his mouth. I keep waiting for the new to wear off but it never does and kissing him feels like the first time every time. We step into the shower, hands exploring each other's bodies like we didn't just do the same thing all night. Just as the touches are becoming serious a knock on the bathroom door stops us. I live alone and his kids stayed the night with someone else. "Expecting company?" He mouths at me. I shake my head and reach for the small blade I kept hanging just outside the shower curtain. This makes him smile.

"Who's there?" A little more anxiety in my tone than intended. He keeps smiling as I panic internally. We haven't gone public with our... relationship yet. We haven't really discussed if this is relationship or not.

"Damn, girl." A familiar voice chides. Magna. Shit. What does she need this early? "Carol sent me to the station to get you. Turns out you switched your 4am with the 7am. Mercer told me you do that every two weeks. I thought that was interesting." I can hear the smile. She's up to something.

"Okay?" That's all I can come up with as a reply.

"Anyway, Carol needs to speak with you. Said she has a job for you. I told Mercer you'd be late. He didn't seem surprised."

"Okay, I'll get dressed and head there. Thank you, Magna, for the message and scaring the shit outta me at 6am." I clap back playfully. Magna had quickly become one of my best friends after moving to the commonwealth. With Michonne still gone, Maggie and Lydia staying at Hilltop, and Rosita occupied with sweet Coco; Magna and I leaned on each other for support. Until she worked things out with Yumiko and left me. Well, she didn't really leave me. She just moved out of our shared apartment and into Yumiko's. I just like to be dramatic sometimes.

"Real quick before I go..." she says. "Daryl," My eyes dart to his when I hear his name. "Carol also sent me to find you. Tried your place first, no answer. Obviously." She adds the last part with a laugh. "Thought I'd catch you at the school in a bit. Came here next and used my old key to get in. Didn't expect to see your vest and the rest of you clothes leaving a trail down the hall." And with that she's gone and locking the door behind her.

"Ummm...I'm so sorry. I didn't know she still had a key. I'll talk to her, tell her not to say anything." I stammer, afraid to meet his eyes. With two fingers under my chin, he lifts my head. I try reading his face, for a moment; he looks hard as stone. Then, a smile pulls at his lips and he laughs. I've seen Daryl laugh before, but never like this. Like he's just heard the funniest joke ever.

"I don't care, never have. I've only been keeping it a secret because that's what you wanted...and because I want to tell Judith and RJ at the right time." When he adds that last part I smile. How is he hard as stone, yet so gentle. I feel the butterflies in my stomach as the thought crosses my mind. Shaking my hormones away I say "I only suggested keeping it a secret because I thought that's what you would want. We need to work on communication." I laugh. Then we laugh together as we finished our shower.

We stand at my doorway together, neither of us quite ready to begin this day. He stands about a head taller than me. His piercing blues eye locked on my dark brown ones. "River, I...I'll tell the kids before school." He sounds so shy, it's so damn cute. "Come over for dinner tonight?" He asks, his eyes flickering between my lips and eyes.

"Are you asking me on a date, Daryl Dixon?" I smile, biting my bottom lip slightly.

"What if I am? Are ya gonna say yes or let me stand here like a damn idiot?" He sounds...annoyed? No, embarrassed. I can't help but smile at his embarrassment. He's never had to do this before.

"I'd love to have dinner with you." I smile then reach up and grab his vest to pull him down into a kiss. "See ya later." I breathe into his ear. As he walks out the door I give his ass a gentle tap. He turns and scowls, but I don't miss the sly smile he gives me as he turns.