Exhausted {Daryl Dixon Fanfic}

XXVIII. Sharing Beds

I scooted to one side of the tent, kicking my boots off and longing for the warm water of the farm again. It was a hot night, and I was thankful I didn't have to worry about my hair sticking to my neck anymore. Daryl sat across from me in the other corner, legs stretched out and crossed at the ankle as he cleaned his knife rhymically. I picked at my nails.

"You look tired."

He glanced up from his knife for a second, but only shrugged.

"Is it true what Rick said?" I asked. "Every night you were looking for me?"

"What else was I s'pose to do, Cara?" He asked, finally pausing and setting his knife down. "I knew who had ya. Just had to find you."

"Shane is right." I paused, watching his face screw up in confusion and anger. "Not about most things, but I shouldn't have set my gun down."

Daryl sighed, but didn't disagree.

"You didn't think I just walked away?" I asked. "Left on my own?"

He snorted. "And left your gun and shoes behind?"

I didn't answer, and he knew what I was really looking for. He kicked his own shoes off and scooted next to me, leaning back and pulling me to his side, resting his arm around my shoulders.

"Well, I was hoping you wouldn't have. Would have been a kick in the pants for sure."

"How do you figure?" I asked, tilting my head to look him in the eyes.

His neck flushed red as she laughed softly. "I...kiss you, and you run off next thing? I might not have a lot of practice but.."

I felt my cheeks turn red, too. I shrugged playfully. He laughed again and rested his head back. I wanted to ask what he was thinking about just as he closed his eyes and hummed. I could hear frustration in the sound.

"What's the matter?"

He shook his head and opened his eyes, changing the subject. "I'm sorry Cara."

"It's not your fault." I didn't have to ask what he was apologizing for.

He wasn't satisfied, though, as he slipped his arm from around me and turned his body to me, pulling my hands to his lap as he held them.

"I can protect you," he said.

I heard the plead in his voice, like he was trying to convince me. "I believe you."

He squeezed my hands tighter, frustrated. With himself, with what happened...with everything. He didn't push it any further, but he didn't let go of my hands. He stared at them, bring my left hand to my right and holding them together while he traced the angry red marks peeking from behind the bandages. My chest tightened and my stomach flipped. I couldn't bare the sight of them.

Daryl looked up at me from behind long eyelashes, and saw the discomfort. He dropped my hands and stared at me for a long minute before sitting up and stripping his shirt over his head. I kept my eyes glued to his. He sighed through his nose and grabbed my hand, bringing it to one of the scars that reached over his shoulder and down his chest.

"Everyone's got scars."

His breath caught as I traced the faded white mark down his chest, letting my finger fall below the scar and down his stomach slightly.

"Some are just more visible than others."

I nodded in agreement, trailing back up the scar and over his shoulder. He closed his eyes before scooting back and laying down on his stomach, tucking his face in his arms. I trailed over the scars, crisscrossing in evil patterns from a life before all of this. It was a quiet few minutes, nothing but the sound of our breathing and the crickets chirping outside. My eyes felt heavy. Exhaustion was catching up to me and I yawned, my hand pausing. He rolled over, looking up at me.

"Lie down," he whispered. "It's been a long day."

I fidgeted with the hem of my shorts for a minute before shimmying out of them and tossing them in the corner with my shirt. I watched his eyes take in my body. My ribs stuck out and my stomach was covered in fading bruises. I swallowed, pulling his shirt over my head instead. He smiled, and for a second it was like he was looking at the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and not...me.

"Come here," he said, voice low and tired.

I laid down beside him on my side so I could see him as he stared at the ceiling. My mind swirled with thoughts of the last week, and I thought I was going to be sick. His hand found it's way to my hip and he pulled me against his side. My mind went quiet. I rested my head against his chest listening to his heart beat. He clicked the flashlight off and the world fell into silence.

"You really are a good friend," I said into the darkness, wondering if he had fallen asleep.

He chuckled. I breathed him in, and he squeezed me closer to him. I trailed my hand up his chest, listening as his heartbeat picked up.

"Do you think of me as a friend, Daryl?" I asked.

My voice came out low. I closed my eyes, smacking myself mentally. One moment I was consumed by the horrors of my week and the next I was flirting with Daryl Dixon. He let out a slow, long breath before shaking his head.

"Course I do."

I lifted myself up on my elbow so I was looking down at him.

"Is that all you think of me?"

He raised his eyebrows and I desperately wanted him to flirt back. My body ached. My spirit was broken. I was so tired and all I wanted was to feel wanted. Wanted for me.

"No." He said simply.

I nodded my head, pleased.

"Good."

It was all I said before leaning down, taking him by suprise as I kissed him - hard. His eyes fluttered as he pressed into the kiss, his hand coming to my face, past my cheek and into my hair as he pulled me closer. His other hand found its way back to my hip and pulled me into his lap as he sat up, wrapping both arms around my waist.

I deepened the kiss, letting his tongue into my mouth as he groaned. His heart was racing, I could feel it beneath my palms. I snuck my hands up into his hair, tugging as he kissed me rougher. His hand pressed into my hip and down to my thigh. I sighed as he broke away from my mouth, leaning back suddenly. I froze, lips raw and eyes searching. He breathed heavily, catching his breath.

"Cara."

"I'm sorry -"

He laughed softly, pressing a thumb to my lips.

"No...no, no." He cleared his throat. "Lie down." He hesitated and pressed a kiss to my temple. His voice came out shaking. "You're exhausted."

I swallowed, wanting to do anything but. I nodded. "You're right."

His hands were reluctant to let go of me but he relented, helping me slide off his lap. I tried to pretend I didn't feel how much he didn't want to stop either as I laid down, pulling my jacket over me. He stayed sitting up, but I rolled over facing the other way. I felt his hand smooth my hair back.

"Night, Cara."

I expected him to lay down behind me, wrap his arms around me again or press his face into my neck. But he didn't.

I closed my eyes, "Goodnight Daryl."