A Redneck's Wicked Game (A Daryl Dixon Story)

Reflection

Chapter 13—Reflection

The early morning sun pours through the large loft windows and I groan, burrowing my face further into my pillow. My pillow grumbles a little and I remember I don't have a pillow. I open one eye and focus in on the taunt chest I'm sleeping against. Everything we did last night comes flooding back into my brain and I blush a little. I feel him kiss the top of my head and I mutter, "Morning Daryl." He grunts as he tightens his arm around me. I look up at him and he's staring at me, "What?" He remains silent as he pushes some of my hair back from my face. I sigh, "You're gonna be extra quiet today aren't ya." He nods as he runs his calloused fingertips across my cheek. I wiggle free from his grasp so I can sit up. I look down at the naked man lying in bed and timidly ask, "Any regrets?" He looks surprised, quickly sitting up and pulling me on his lap, "Never Rowan; do you?" I pull his mouth to mine as I whisper, "No Daryl, never." Our kiss is slow, gentle and full of meaning. He pulls me into a hug afterwards and murmurs into my hair, "I just need some time to work things out in my head, okay?" I sigh, "Me too. I have a feeling I'll be fighting with my past today. My brain will be on overload." He grunts in agreement. I quietly ask, "We're good though, right?" He hugs me tight as he whispers, "Yeah, I'm not going anywhere princess." I sigh in relief, "Good, 'cause I ain't planning on letting ya go anytime soon."

We start getting dressed and I'm moving a little slower than normal. Daryl notices, "Ya alright Rowan?" I smirk, "Yup, just a little sore from last night." He leans over to kiss my cheek as he zips his jeans, "Sorry darling." I sass, "I'd say it wasn't yer fault but I'm pretty sure it is." He chuckles, "You're the one who kept begging me fer it." I glare at him, "Since when do ya listen to me?" We stare at each other for a moment and then start laughing. It takes me a few minutes but I calm down enough to say, "Come on Daryl let's see about gittin' some breakfast."

We walk into the kitchen together, noticing we're the first ones up as usual. Daryl puts firewood in the stove and I put the coffee on. It will take a little while until the coffee is ready. He sits down at the table to sharpen our hunting knives while I rummage through the cabinets looking for breakfast. I come across a container of oatmeal and decide that will work. I find a tub of dried apples, deciding to add some to the oatmeal. I get a large cast iron pot out and begin making breakfast. I find some brown sugar and cinnamon to sweeten the oatmeal. Soon the smell of apples and cinnamon is filling the kitchen.

I glance back at Daryl and he's grinning at me like a little kid. I turn back to the stove so I can pour a cup of coffee which I take to him. He nods and reaches for the cup, brushing his fingers against mine. I flash him a little smile before walking back to the stove to finish breakfast. I finish the oatmeal, removing it from the heat. I get a couple of bowls out and dish out the oatmeal. I pour myself coffee, setting my cup at the end of the table. When I turn around with the oatmeal, I notice that Daryl has moved my coffee cup to next to where he's seated. I set his bowl down in front of him before taking my seat. He softly says, "I told ya that you can sit next to me; I ain't changed my mind Rowan." I nod and take a sip of coffee, knowing he's watching me. I set my cup down and turn to look at him; he immediately leans forward to kiss me. I'm a little shocked but I immediately give in. The kiss is short but full of emotion and as I look into his eyes as he pulls back, I can't figure out what's going through his head. He eats a spoonful of oatmeal and says, "This is really good, maybe we should make ya our cook." I glare at him as he smirks at me, "Daryl I'm gonna pretend ya didn't say that." He nudges me, "I'm just messing with ya princess. I love yer cooking but I won't make ya stay in the kitchen."

We finish our breakfast in silence and as I get up to clear our dishes I ask, "So what are ya doing today?" He watches me for a moment, "I might help with the fences. What are you doing?" I shrug, "Well there's firewood that needs to be gathered. I will probably help take down a few trees and split logs." He hands me my sharpened hunting knife, "Be careful out there princess." I nod as I put my knife back into the sheath, "Always."