Journey into Manhood

Untitled Part 1

What a strange thing it is growing up. Even under normal circumstances. There's body changes, voice changes, emotional changes. Plus, hair starts growing out all over your body. Even worse than all that, there are the desires.

You suddenly start noticing subtle things about others that you wouldn't have before. Like the way they walk. Or how their hair clings to their neck when its hot out. That they grin well enough for everyone, but only showed their true smile for a select few. Your body seems to take over and you find yourself looking for them so you can be next to them or so you might learn a new subtle detail about them.

Is this what they call a crush? Infatuation? Love?

Either way, experiencing it for the first time is hard enough without the added strain of fighting for your life on a day to day bases. How was any one supposed to find love when one of you could be gone in the blink of an eye.

Sure people can do it, point and fact Maggie and Glenn had, but they were lucky. They found each other at the start of all this, were past adolescents, and old enough to have experience in the subject. So it was easy for them. However, the same couldn't be said for Carl.

In his mind he was already at a disadvantage. Younger than the rest by at least 6 years, not as emotionally experienced, harden by growing up during the apocalypse, and worst of all missing an eye. All that didn't change how he felt though. He had these feelings for someone in his group and didn't know how to handle them.

Thankfully, when he was having problems, there was always someone he could talk to. Someone who didn't judge him or treat him differently because of his age. Someone who would give his honest option no matter how much it might hurt him. Then again, that was his nature. Cold, harsh, uncaring of the options of others. Even still, he was loyal to a fault and eager to help when he could and felt comfortable enough.

After setting out, it doesn't take him long to find the archer. He's laying out in the sun with a bandana over his face blocking the bright light. Taking a break from his duties no less. So Carl decides to try and sneak up on him and catch him slacking off.

Recalling all the tips Daryl had taught him over the years, he creeps across the ground, careful not to step on any lose gravel or sticks. Daryl is only a few feet away and Carl thinks he's finely been able to sneak up on the hunter. "The hell you doing, kid?" Carl freezes and tries to act like he's not there. "Cut the crap. I know you're there."

Carl sighs, "Man, how do you always know?" he asks as he sits down next to the lounging Dixon.

"You're still breathing out of your mouth." Daryl says lifting the bandana to peek at him. "So what's the problem this time?"

"Well," he timidly starts plucking at the grass between his feet. "there is this person I like."

"Bad idea." Daryl interrupts.

"What? B-but you haven't even heard the rest of what I have to say." He laughs.

"Don't care. Just know it's a bad idea."

"How so?"

"Because it always is." Daryl groans as he sits up.

"Well, can you at least humor me and let me tell my story anyway?" Daryl takes a heavy breath and waves his hand for Carl to continue. "Alright, so there is this person I like. Thing is, I've never dated anyone much less liked anyone before, so I don't know what to do. How am I supposed to go about it? Especially with this..." he points at his eye.

Daryl looks him over sympathetically. He knew better than anyone how scars can be off putting to others. He only had the benefit of being able to hide it under his clothes while Carl didn't. "My advice is don't, save yourself the heart ache. Just forget 'em and move on. You got more to worry about then getting laid." He answers bluntly, "That being said, I get that you want to feel connected someone. It can be lonely out here, even if it was the end of the world." He too starts to pull at some grass as he ponders about what he should say. "Best I can say, tell 'em how you fell. With some luck, it won't ruin your friend ship."