Another Chance ~Carl Grimes Love Story~

Chapter 13 - Thanks, Kid.

It's been about six months since everybody joined the prison.

I wasn't too thrilled about it, and had to move into a bunk with Beth to save space. We needed all that we could, considering the amount of people that waltzed in. We settled in pretty nicely, though. I've gotten really used to life here, and it has become home for me. Beth is like my sister, and so is Maggie.

Daryl's become like a father figure to me. I look up to him so much, and he's taught me how to use his crossbow. Whenever he goes on runs, I have the right spot next to him and neither of us ever leaves the other's side. Carol has become like my mother, too. Just becaus she cares so much, you know? She will just listen to me go on and on about whatever, and she always gives the best advice.

Carl. Me and him have grown unbelievabley close, and puberty has done well for that kid. We spend basically every waking second together, and Beth is always making fun of me for it. I just joke along with her, even though I'm completely embarassed because she knows how I feel about him.

She always tells me that the two of us are made to be together. It was a stroke of fate that I ended up here at the prison. She tells me that he likes me, but neither of us really know.

We hold hands and have some really great, deep conversations. He trusts me with basically everything, and always has some kind of way to touch me, whether it's just holding hands or snaking his arm around my waist or shoulders. He kisses me sometimes, too. Only on the cheek or forehead, but still. I don't know.

Last night I spent the whole night in his room, him trying to explain his comic books to me. We kept trying to be as quiet as possible, but Beth came over like six times to tell us to shut up. Thank god it was only her and not Rick or Daryl.

Daryl is pretty protective of me, and if he would see the two of us so comfy and cozy like we were, he would beat the kid up, no question about it. He's always telling me to watch myself around him, and I just smile and nod and laugh, though I know he's completely serious.

Rick wanted to see Carl this morning, and he convinced me to come along with him, so I did. We walked out together, holding hands and swinging ourselves along. When we finally get to the herb and vegetable section of the prison's grounds, Rick is waiting. 

"You didn't wake me up," says Carl, both of us approaching Rick.

"Cause I knew you were up all night reading comics with Emma." says Rick.

"And that would be my cue to leave," I say, squeezing Carl's hand and walking back to the prison.

"What's up with the two of you?" I hear Rick say. I start walking slower so I can still hear them.

"Nothing." says Carl. "You know, that's what you tell me every time I ask you that." Rick replies. They've had this conversation before.

"That's because it really is nothing." says Carl. I'm getting farther away and it's getting harder to hear, so I duck behind one of the sheds with gardening supplies in it.

"The two of you are always together. Holding hands, things like that. Just tell me Carl." says Rick. There's a long pause. "Yeah, I guess, maybe, there's... something." says Carl. Something. 

"You know, I don't think we ever had the talk." says Rick's voice. "Oh, God, dad! I already know everything it's fine, really. Nothing is going to happen." says Carl. Huh.

"Yeah, well, I feel like it might," says Rick. 

"Really, dad. It's fine... me and Emma haven't even kissed yet." I feel my stomach drop.

"Really?" Rick sounds way too surprised. Do we really act like that much of a couple? "Look, I'm not gonna be your best friend on the matter, but I'm still your dad. If you have any kind of questions or advice, you can still come to me. Or Daryl, even." Carl chuckles. "What's so funny?"

"Daryl would kick my ass if I talked to him about this."

"Oh, well, you can still ask me then." There's a long pause.

"Is this why you wanted me to come out here?" asks Carl.

"No... Just part of the reason."

"What's up with Violet?" asks Carl, referring to the pig lying in a giant puddle of mud.

"Carl, I told ya not to name 'em. They're not piglets anymore. They're food." 

"Yeah, I know. I just thought, until..." she cuts himself off.

"I don't know what's up with her." says Rick. "She could be infected, it could be nothing." He clicks his tongue to try and get the pigs attention, but by the sounds of it, she doesn't budge.

"Feel better, Violet." the two of them chuckle a little. "Come on, let's get to it." says Rick, and they go off, doing whatever it was Rick wanted him for. I stand up from behind the shed I was sitting against and take off, going to go get some breakfast with the others.

***

I was sitting and eating my breakfast with Beth when Daryl walks up to me. "You guys ready to go?" I ask, referring to the run. He just looks down at his feet. "What?" I ask.

"I don't want you to come on the run today." he says. I stand up and cross my arms in front of me. "What? Why?" I ask.

"Well, it's dangerous." he simply states.

"Yeah, as if it's never been dangerous before? I can handle myself, Daryl," I say, feeling very defensive.

"Believe me, I'm not arguing with you there. I taught you myself, for god's sake. I just... have a bad feeling about this. I don't want you to go." I just stand there for a moment, looking at him. He seems pretty sincere. I slowly nod my head. "Fine... I won't go." I say, totally not agreeing with the idea. He snakes an arm around me in a hug and kisses the top of my head. "Thanks, kid. I'll see you when I get back." I wave as he walks away, and turn to sit back down. Beth is staring at me, her mouth open. "What?" I ask.

"Well, I've just never seen Daryl touch anybody in my whole life except maybe Carol, let alone kiss them." she says, surprise in her voice.

"I don't get what you're trying to say."

"Well, he just like, hugged you and kissed you. don't you think that's weird?" 

I think. It isn't like it's the first time he's hugged me. "I don't know. I guess that he just looks at me like a daughter or something," I say honestly. She awe's and I chuckle. "That's so sweet!" she says. I laugh and continue eating my breakfast.

***

Carl and I were walking around the perimeter of the prison for about a half an hour, just talking about whatever, holding hands. "Did I ever tell you that I really like the fact that you wear dresses?" he asks. I smile.

"You might have said it a few times." He stops us and faces me. "Well, I do." he says. He pulls me into him with his arms, and I wrap my arms around his neck instinctively. He rests his forehead against mine. "I like you," he says. I smile ridiculously, blushing.