in a dark meadow -- daryl dixon

a millisecond

word count: 4822

Avery woke up with a pounding headache.

She cursed her past self for binge drinking cheap wine with no regard for her future self. It was incredibly selfish.

For the first time, she was grateful to be in an underground bunker, knowing sunlight would only aggravate her splitting headache. Opening her eyes, she found herself scrunched up on one of the bedroom couches. Though it was an upgrade from the cold, hard dirt, her body ached as she moved herself into an upright position. She paused, waiting for her roiling stomach to settle. Her breath was sour.

"Hey, Looney Tunes."

Avery jumped at the sound of Daryl's voice. He sat across the room on his cot, tying the laces of his boots. He smirked lightly at her, taking in her disheveled appearance. He stood up, already dressed for the day, and made his way out of the room. "Breakfast."

Well, aren't you as fresh as a daisy? Avery thought miserably to herself, wondering how he could be moving so swiftly after a night of drinking. Rubbing her hands along her face, she summoned the energy to pull herself off of the couch and out of the bedroom. The hallways were empty but she could hear the murmur of conversation in the cafeteria. She walked into her shared bedroom, tempted to steal another hot shower.

"Avery!" Jacqui appeared in front of her, face tight with aggravation. Her voice was barely above a hiss. "Where in God's name have you been?!"

Avery's face went slack, not expecting to be admonished. A sheepiness washed over her, feeling like a teenager caught sneaking back through her bedroom window after curfew. "Sorry, I was with Glenn and T-dog in the common room and I must've passed out."

"Passed out?" Jacqui's eyebrows shot up, crossing her arms over her chest. "Did you really need to drink that much? You're an adult."

Avery squirmed but she was willing to endure the scolding. Jacqui had been worried about her.

"I didn't see you there this morning."

"What?"

"You said you passed out in the common room. I didn't see you there."

"Oh," Avery said quietly. "I was in Daryl's room."

Jacqui's arms dropped by her side as she stepped closer to her, not believing her words. "You and Daryl?"

"Nothing like that." Avery turned away and hid her burning face, sorting through her pile of clothes as she pretended to select an outfit for the day. "I was just so tired that I fell asleep on the couch. That's all."

The silence that followed her explanation was unbearable. She knew she was being judged for drinking too much and sleeping in a strange man's room. But the laugh lines on her face that morning had been deep and Avery felt a new appreciation for the crossbow-wielder. He had listened to her, maybe even tried comforting her in his own way. And in return, she had learned a little more about him. She wanted to know more.

"Get dressed, come get some breakfast when you're ready." While Avery had expected more scolding, Jacqui's voice was gentle. She placed a hand on her back, rubbing a soothing circle, an action that almost seemed motherly. "You'll feel better after."

She smiled. "Thanks, Jacqui."

Avery swiftly dressed herself and joined the others in the cafeteria. Eggs and roasted coffee - it was a heavenly smell, even to her churning stomach. Everyone had seated themselves at the table, the gentle clank of utensils against plates brought her brain a soothing tingle.