(Rickyl) You Started It!!

Let's Clear Things Up (5)

His body throbbed throughout with pain, the memories of the abuse he experienced yesterday clouded his mind, he wanted to discuss the events with Daryl but he felt almost afraid to be alone with him again.

"..ad...Dad!!"

Startled from the shout he looked up to see Carl holding Judith with a worried look on his face.

"Sorry kid, I was miles away... Are you ok??".

Carl looked at him like he was studying him for a minute before he answered "yeah I'm fine, I was just checking to see if you were coming down for some breakfast??".

With the mentioning of food he realised how hungry he actually was, as he slowly stood up he stretched his back before lifting Judith up into his arms "I think breakfast sounds good don't you think so Jude??".

Judith squealed with delight in his arms making them both smile, as they walked down the stairs and entered the mesh hall where the others were. Rick felt more at ease when the sound of distinct chatter reached him, he always enjoyed the sound of his family in laughter through this apocalypse.

"Rick come join us for breakfast", an old man said leaning his crutches against the table.

"Thanks Hershel, I am actually starving" he replied as he sat down opposite the old man, noticing that Daryl wasn't around, making him feel slightly anxious.

"I can tell, I can't remember the last time I saw you ate" he replied pushing a bowl of food in front of him.

Just before he was about to put a spoonful into his face a blonde teen came running over, "Hey Rick, can I feed Judith?? I promise I will be gentle with her" Beth said practically jumping on the spot.

"Of course you can Beth" he answered a little relieved so he can eat, handing the baby over to the young teen before turning back to his food.

"Well it looks like we can't do any runs today with this weather, it will be far too dangerous to even attempt one" Hershel said making him look up.

He didn't even realise what the weather was like until he looked out the window, he was surprised he didn't hear the sound of the rain hammering onto the roof, even over the noise of the others it was as clear as anything.

"Yeah your right there, looks like we will just have to fix up this place more today" he sighed feeling disappointed because he wanted to escape for a while away from his recent experiences.

"Well we can help Daryl out with clearing that last cell block, it will be worth it in the end when people have more privacy" Hershel said as he looked over to where Glenn and Maggie were sitting too closely.

He snickered in agreement "yeah that is a good idea, where is Daryl by the way?".

"He was around earlier but I think he left to go get a head start on the cells the same time Carl left to get you" the old man replied.

Rick knew that the others would catch onto them if they started to avoid each other, since they were so close before so he decided to clear the air between them.

"Well I will get a head start as well then, why don't you get the others to help out with the clearing up and the usual morning duties before heading over?" He asked, feeling like he might have come across a little desperate.

"Of course Rick, you two work better alone together anyways but we will help out for sure, do you want some more breakfast before you head over you look too thin recently".

"I'll be fine, give any extra to the kids, they need it more than me" he replied before getting up and walking out before anyone sense started to talk to him.

....

As Rick entered the section of cells that needed clearing he noticed Daryl pulling a mattress out of the cell so he ran over and helped the man throw the tatty object over the balcony to join the rest of the rubbish.

Daryl seemed a little shocked to have seen him and for him to also help him, it looked as if he was struggling with himself on whether he should talk so he walked back into the cell to grab another mattress before speaking up.

"I didn't think I'd be seeing ya for a while" he grumbled, hiding his face.

"Well it is a little difficult to avoid people when we all have to stick together for survival, plus it's raining outside and I didn't want to get my hair wet, it took me ages to style it" he joked hoping to lift the tension.

The redneck smirked but did not say another word so he took it upon himself to start the conversation again "look Daryl, the thing that happened between us, was... different and I know I am to blame...".

Daryl finally looked him in the eye and cut him off "wait Rick it wasn't...".

"Please, let me finish... we have a good relationship and everyone knows it but I don't want the others to know what we have or had and what has happened so can we act normal for now and sort things out later" he asked almost wishing he didn't come across so desperate.

The minute silence between them seemed to drag on for a lifetime, the redneck stood to the side of him as if contemplating his words before finally responding "ok, I guess we can act normal for now, but we do need to talk".

"Thank you Daryl" he said in relief.

"It wasn't your fault though" he grumbled.

"What was that?" He asked, gutted he didn't hear it.

"It wasn't your fault, my anger just took over because I was so scared and worried about you, I want things to go back to normal, I umm... like you" the redneck said, ending it in a whisper.

He was surprised at the confession coming from the other man, he knew he should be angry about what had happened the previous day but the redneck just looked like an innocent puppy.

Daryl closed the gap between them and kissed him gently on the lips before taking a few steps back to give I'm space "if you still want there to be something between us then I leave you in control" he said before turning his back on him and began clearing up again.

Before he could respond he heard the noise the others made as they came through the doors chatting away to each other.

"Right Rick, where do you want us??" Axel had shouted up to him with a grin on his face.

Snapping out of his stupor he rolled his sleeves up on his shirt and proceeded to give the orders out, it was a good thing they all listened well and just got along with things, it made it much easier for him in the long run.

As he turned back to the cell that Daryl had occupied he noticed the other man smiling at him "now was it a coincidence that you left us two up here hmm" he asked cheekily

"You know I don't like it when others look at your ass when you bend over, so I thought I'd keep you here" he replied picking up some rubbish.

"If I didn't know any better Sheriff I'd think that ya were flirting with me" Daryl responded as he went to grab some rubbish alongside him.

"Stick around later and I'll show you what flirting is" he said before throwing the rubbish over the balcony "heads up" he called down to the others in warning.

It surprised him how the flirting banter returned with ease after their current events, he wanted them to go back to normal but the thought of that incident was constantly at the front of his mind, making him worry that it would happen again.

He knew that they had to talk it out and decide where to go from here so he decided that later when he could get them alone he would make sure that they discussed everything then.. sounds like a plan.