Red ~ TWD (Daryl Dixon)

All That's Lost Is Found

I woke up before the sun was even shining through the guard tower windows and groaned, cursing my internal alarm. Stretching brought a lazy smile to my face, my body sore in the most wonderful ways. Daryl shifted behind me, mumbling incoherently as I sat up and looked around for my clothes. Clutching his worn vest that I used as makeshift blanket against my chest to ward off the chill I grimaced at the state of the guard tower. My pants were in one corner, my tank top in another, and my panties were hanging on the edge of the window. I had no idea where my bra was and so far I could only find one of my boots.

"It looks like a sex tornado ripped through here," I sighed, snatching up pieces of clothes, keeping my own while tossing his over my shoulder without a backwards glance. His pants slapped him in the face and I giggled when he sat up with a growl.

"Christ woman, watch it will ya!"

"Someone's grumpy in the morning," I sing-songed, snagging my underwear from the window.

Lord help us if anyone noticed that. Talk about waving a red flag at a bull. There would be no living this one down. Quickly picking up my pants I shoved one leg through, hopping around as I tried to get the other leg in.

"Do you see my other boot?"

He mumbled under his breath, pointing behind me and I saw the steel toed tip peeking out from underneath his discarded flannel shirt. I was worried for about a half-second things might be awkward after my impromptu confession last night, but everything so far seemed normal. I continued to throw his clothes at him and he continued to grumble and curse so, par for the course. Even him slinging my bra and tank top at my head didn't wipe the shit-eating grin off my face. Only Daryl could wake up pissy after last night. I, on the other hand, would be smiling like a dope and walking funny for the foreseeable future, but you know what they say, if you aren't walking funny the next morning someone wasn't doing their job. I winced as I bent forward to buckle my boots, ignoring the satisfied gleam in his eyes as he watched. The man had done his job and he knew it.

Leaving him to gloat and get dressed at a glacial pace I stepped outside. It was still early, quiet, and I took a calming breath as I surveyed the landscape. The pre-dawn hours had always unsettled me. Something about the twilight felt ominous and foreboding. Maybe it was because it was the optimal time for an attack, too early for the sleeping to be awake, too late for the night watch to be alert.

The wet air coated my arms and face, my tank top already clinging to my body uncomfortably. Today would be scorching, but what else was new? Closing my eyes I tried to prepare myself for what was sure to be a shit day. I heard Daryl step out behind me and glanced at him over my shoulder, smiling. He stood next to me, arms braced on the railing, crossbow slung on his back as he looked down at the yard. I followed his gaze, heaving a dejected sigh with the sight that greeted me. Just like that our timeout was over.

"Gonna grab something."

He didn't elaborate and I didn't question him as he walked to the door leading to the stairs, but he stopped so suddenly I plowed into him.  His huge arms snaked around my waist, pulling me flush against his rock, hard body.  Before I could get a word out he brushed his surprisingly soft lips against mine, and just like that, talking was the last thing on my mind.

The kiss was over too soon, and I fought the urge to pout. He leaned back, lips twitching in amusement at my bemused state. Normally I would play it off, deny, deny, deny, but that was a fool's errand. I was so hot and bothered I barely resisted the urge to fan myself as he pivoted on his heel and walked away. Off to do whatever it was Daryl Dixon did when he wasn't kicking ass and taking names...probably making women's panties spontaneously catch fire.