my angel ➶ ➶ daryl dixon

f o u r t e e n

When we ran into the CDC, I saw a man standing on the inside.

"Are any of you bit?" We shook our heads.

"Do you have all your stuff? Once these doors close they will not be opening again."

"Yes, please just shut the walkers out." Rick said. Everyone looked around stunned as the doors shut. We all thought we were dead and now we were safe in a building.

"My name is Edwin Jenner. I used to be a doctor here before shit happened. You guys are welcome to stay, you just need to submit blood tests."

"That won't be a problem." Rick said, speaking for all of us. It didn't affect me. Some people don't like needles, but I don't have a problem with them.

Once everyone finished their tests, Jenner spoke up. "We have showers and food. I would suggest you take showers first because damn are you some smelly people!" We all laughed at that.

"Do you showers happen to have hot water?" Lori asked quietly.

"Uh, yeah." All of our jaws dropped to the floor. Hot water?! I never thought I would be able to take a warm shower again! We all immediately ran to the rooms. I saw Rick and Lori go into one and Shane went into another. His gaze lingered on Lori and I shivered. It was not a kind look.

I ignored him and started walking to a room down the hall. I was not sharing a room with him. I walked in, but not before I caught Daryl's eye and gave him a small smile. I thought he smiled back but I could be imagining it.

He was walking down the hall a few feet behind me. I looked at him as he walked to the door of the room right across from me and slowly opened the door. He stopped like he was going to say something, then he quickly shut the door. I sighed. Wait... why am I upset that Daryl didn't talk to me?

I'm not getting feelings for him... am I?

Daryl's POV:
I saw Aspen turn down a hallway and I followed her. Ever since the walker incident, I wanted to protect her. She gave me a small smile and my lips started to turn up, but I quickly stopped myself. She can't know. I shook it off, but walked to the door right across from her. I was still going to watch out for her. I paused at the door, wanting to say so many things but I stopped myself and walked into my room.

I was amazed that this place was completely untouched from the disease. There were no walkers to worry about, I didn't need to think about the next meal. I could just relax and enjoy this.

The dirt didn't really bother mean, I mean, growing up with my dad and brother dirt doesn't matter. But it would be nice to take a nice, hot, shower.

I set my crossbow on the bed and walked to the bathroom. I slipped off my clothes and turned the shower on as hot as it would go. I stepped in and let the steaming water run down my body. It stung, but I was oblivious to the pain. I couldn't get my mind off Aspen as I watched the dirt run off my body, down the drain.

Aspen's POV:
I watched Daryl's back turn into his room before I turned into my room. I couldn't stop my thoughts from drifting to him. It freaked me out that a man as old as Rick and Shane had my attention and not just because he was one of the only people I knew in the world.

I finally focused enough to set my knife down on the night stand and walk to the bathroom. I was going to take advantage of this hot water.

I left my clothes on the tile floor of the bathroom since I figured that I probably wouldn't have any clothes here that would fit me. I looked at myself in the mirror. I had lost a lot of weight since the apocalypse started. I wasn't a super thin girl at the beginning, and this didn't change that though. I had always been a little bit concerned about my weight. But I looked past that and say the scratches and bruises on my body. None were from walkers, but they were still bad. I guess this world was taking a worse toll on my body than I thought.

I finally turned away and hopped in the shower. It felt so good to have the water slide down my skin and wipe me clean. I tried to avoid it, but my thoughts went to Daryl and him taking a shower in his room. The water sliding down his tan face, onto his tense shoulders, down to his ripped stomach, down to...

STOP. You need to get Daryl out of your head! I shook my head and got out of the shower after I figured I had used my share. I would stay in that shower forever if I could. I put on the same navy t-shirt and denim shorts which felt so grimy against my clean skin. I put my blonde hair up in messy bun and walked out of my room.

As I walked down the hall, I hoped to see Daryl but I had no luck. I walked towards the sounds of the group happily enjoying their time here. I walked into the dining hall to a sight that made me smile. Everyone was talking and laughing. Laughing. They were enjoying themselves, and had no worry for the world outside. The tension that was normally in the air about the possible threats was not present. The atmosphere was happy and joyful.

I looked around and saw everyone was here except for Rick and Lori. I sat down in between Carl and Glenn, right across from Daryl. I felt him looking at me, but I avoided his gaze. After my thoughts in the shower, I couldn't meet his eyes without blushing.

There was mounds of food all over the table. Everyone looked at each other, not wanting to be the first to grab food and be rude until finally Carl couldn't take it any longer. "Are we going to eat or what?" That broke the silence and everyone laughed. I grabbed some bread and handed him the basket.

"Here, start with this and the rest will be passed around." He looked at me and happily grabbed a roll. The rest of food was passed around and right before we all dug in, Lori and Rick finally showed up.

"Looks like someone had fun." Glenn said winking at Rick. Everyone burst out laughing as Lori's and Rick's faces turned bright red. They quickly sat down and started grabbing food. I happened to see my dad out of the corner of my eye and he was staring daggers at Lori. She just ignored him.

Soon into the meal, bottles of wine appeared on the table. All of the adults smiles immediately got bigger and Carol began pouring cups for everyone. When it got to me and Glenn, she looked at us.

Glenn looked at me. "What? I'm over 21. It legal for me." He said with a wink, "Pour me a glass Carol." She did.

I looked at Rick. "Can I?" I wasn't 21 yet, I am only 19.

Rick glanced at Lori. "Why not? The girl should have fun." Lori looked at him and sighed.

"Her dad needs to make that call." Oh shit! I forgot Shane was still there. I glanced over at him and he just rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. If you get stiff-ass drunk, it's not my fault." And he took a wine bottle for himself and stormed off.

Everyone was silent until I said, "Are you gonna pour me a glass or not?" Carol blushed and quickly filled my cup up.

I slowly took a sip and let the bitter liquid slide down my throat. "Ugh." I hated it until the warm sensation filled me up. Oh. It sucks going down but once it's down it's awesome. I looked at everyone and said, "What?" And quickly chugged the glass. "I want another." Everyone smiled at me. I looked at Daryl from under my eyelashes and he even had a small smile on his face.