1:05 pm
Just a little deep into the forest away from Alexandria, they walked hand in hand as they made their way to his old hide out. No one was around to tease about their hand holding and by anyone it was really just Michonne that liked to watch Daryl squirm when she saw her chance.
Enjoying a nice afternoon stroll which was strangely quiet in a good way. Slightly breezy with the sound of only their boots crunching the leaves beneath their feet with each step. Upon making their way to his old camp, Daryl saw his tent. Still it stood tall and everything seemed to look the same after he'd left it. His fire pit made of rocks and wood still had ashes of his last fire. Being there gave him a peace knowing this was the place he found himself, and was also his and dogs first real home together.
It was quiet. The river flowed, peacefully splashing against the rocks as it flowed downstream. Never letting go of Connie's hand until they'd walked up to the front of his tent. Opening it with his now free hand while his other held his crossbow, he took a peak inside only to find things were still how he left them. His mattress was still laying there along with a rusty lantern. He didn't have much, but it got him by when that's all he really needed.
Though his attention had been drawn away from his tent when a light tap of his shoulder was felt by Connie. Turning his head he looked at her while she sighed to him.
"This where you lived before? Your Camp?"
Daryl gave a nod, watching her give a brief smile before her eyes wondered around the area. He watched as her feet then took her to the river, shortly enough he followed, standing by her side as she watched the water flow.
She stood with a warm smile on her lips. Daryl couldn't seem to take his eyes off of her. She was curious about this place and so intrigued by it that it made his heart flutter. Her tight brown curls held nicely up in a bunched up pony tail on her head that shined in the sunlight that peaked between the trees. Admiring her without the intention of her knowing, he got caught when her head turned to the side, eyes meeting with his.
She gave a small smile that he seemed to mimic just before his eyes avoided hers for few seconds until he timidly met them again. He found it hard to keep eye contact with her even when they were alone with no one around. It always came down to getting use to. The hand holding, the hugs, eye contact, it was all a part of being with her and learning from their relationship everyday.
With her growing smile she sighed a word he knew all too well.
"Fishing?"
He gave a brief smile, bangs falling into his face as he brought them back to the river," Yeah." He replied, voice gruff," I did a lot of that."
She gave a nod before returning her eyes back to the river. He was sure the water was a lot cooler than it was standing in this heat. Today was hot and felt even hotter than the past couple days that'd passed. Remembering he'd had a cooler in his tent, he wondered if he'd kept any waters in there still. Giving Connie a light tap to the shoulder he signed,
"Thirsty?"
"A little."
Waving his hand he spoke clearly," Follow me." Turning, he lead them to his tent, pushing open the flap and crouching inside. As she followed, he made his way to the small plastic cooler in the corner while she took a seat on his mattress. Inside he hoped that left over waters were laying effortlessly on one another inside. Not wasting any time to think about it, he opened the top of the cooler and much to his luck there was one water bottle to spare. Good thing they had no problem with sharing.
Closing the lid, he made his way next to Connie taking a seat beside her as he handed her the bottle sighing,"drink" while he handed it to her.
"Yours?" She asked, brows furrowing questionably while he shrugged.
"We'll share." Seeming okay with that, she signed thank you before twisting the cap to the bottle and taking a decent swig or two before handing it to him. Taking it from her grasp, he took his sips before capping the bottle and setting it down between them on the mattress before laying back.
He almost forgot how comfy this mattress actually was. Sure it was old and had a few dents, but it was better than a sleeping bag. Feeling the bed shift he raised his head to see Connie crawling towards him with a knowing look displayed on her face.
Not knowing what she was up to from that mischievous smirk playing on her lips, she surprised him when she crawled on top of him, causing a blush to rise to his cheeks.
The mattress was feeling a lot warmer now.
Looking into her warm mischievous eyes, he dropped them to his shirt just before the gentle feeling of her fingers brushing against the bottom of his chin, caused him to return his eyes back to her pretty face.
"Your red." She teased with a grin. Daryl gave a scoff, hand coming up to hers that was underneath his chin. He couldn't look at her face because she was only making this moment more uncomfortable especially when she continued to tease with a growing smile.
"Stop" he uttered underneath his breath while gently withdrawing her hand from his chin, he wanted to sit up, but she wouldn't let him. Hands holding his shoulders down to the bed now when she'd seen him shift, he gave a sigh, returning his eyes back to her warm browns.
Feeling her hands slide up his neck and to his face, the soft touch of her fingers brushing his bangs away from his eyes caused him to slightly stiffen under her light touch. She wasn't going to let him hide in this moment. Not now.
"I." She sighed slowly yet sincerely as she kept eye contact with his blue eyes," Love you."
He didn't know how long it was going to take for himself to feel comfortable with those words because he'd never known what love really was. He'd guessed he was never fortunate enough to be shown such an act of selflessness and care. He knew how to show that act of caring to his family, but when it was given, he didn't know how to really respond.
Though Connie knew him too well. She was a good observer and she could always see when something was wrong and how to handle him at certain times. Feeling her slender fingers slide back down to his shoulders, he watched her lean down. Closing his eyes when he felt her lips make contact with his. Gentle and warm, she lingered a kiss onto his lips. Savoring a longing moment together before withdrawing and leaving him wanting more of her comforting kisses.
Her eyes were on his for a lingering moment until they dropped down to his buttoned down shirt. Feeling her hands slide down from his shoulders and to his first button, never had he felt a touch so soft and gentle from anyone before as she began to unbutton his shirt with that warm look that was forever displayed on her face. A smile always lingered on her lips when she was near him and it gave his chest a warm feeling.
With a thought in his head that he seemed to pick up on from his third button being loosened, he knew what she was going for and he couldn't help but want the same. His arms followed through with her longing as he wrapped them around her waist bringing her closer to his body as her eyes met with his again. She knew what they'd wanted when she then embraced his lips once more while her fingers slowly continued to unbutton.
Heart racing and adrenaline pumping, the experience of such a feeling that she always started was non the less satisfying. She knew he was a little shy to start these moments, so like the light at the end of the tunnel that she was. With her guidance she would make the first move to eventually lead him in the way of a tender moment between them.
In a moment of serenity, his instincts were always on high alert. Hearing dog bark along with the sound of his paws hitting against the ground in a sprint, he turned away from Connie and looked outside the slit of the tent. He was sure he looked alert when Connie brought her hand to the side of his face and turned him back to look at her with a questioning gaze written upon her face.
Brushing it off even though his gut told him something wasn't right," M'fine" he assured,"Probably just a squirrel." He gruffly assured before she brought him back into their lip locking moment.
And just when her lips touched his another bark came from dog along with a few voices that sounded strangely familiar. This time with a timid look, he pulled away from Connie.
"Someone's here." He spoke before his eyes adverted from hers. Gently she moved to get off him as he got himself to his feet. Grabbing his crossbow right beside the mattress, he then got ready for what was to come when he walked out his tent, bow raised and ready to meet whomever found his hidden camp.
Once out his eyes met with dog first before they followed up to the two people who'd been ambushed by dogs rowdy barks and couldn't help but pet the mutt who begged for pets.
Lowering his bow when he'd seen it was just Kelly and Luke, he then had a different feeling than the one before when his gut began to twist as the two then walked up with a wave and friendly smiles.
"How'd you find this place?"
Luke raised his brows at the stern greeting while he and Kelly walked up," Well hello to you to."
Kelly grinned," Carol told us. Said you'd be here. "
Figured. He should of known it was Carol who told them. After all she was the only one who knew about this place other than Connie. With a light nod, he scrutinized the two before him who seemed to be eyeing him as well. A wave of self consciousness seemed to wash over him when a smirk of some sort seemed to play on Kelly's lips along with Luke when he turned his head towards the woman, sharing a knowing look.
"So.." Kelly started off, the corner of her mouth raising knowingly," where's my sister?"
Daryl's eyes dropped to the ground at the comment and shortly after, Connie came out from the tent causing his eyes to raise to her when she turned to look at who came to visit them as well. With a raised brow, Connie gave a stern look their way, signing something of Daryl's knowing before crossing her arms.
Luke scoffed," We are not spying on you two" he assured switching his gaze between the two though his lips seemed to twitch, giving away his awful truth. Kelly shook her head, giving Luke a light slap to his arm.
"We're not. Promise." She slowly signed with a look of assurance.
Daryl wasn't fooled and neither was Connie who held her ground with her arms crossed and a stern look.
"What'd you come here for?" Daryl asked, watching the younger woman give a cheeky smile.
"We were looking for you guys at Alexandria and you weren't there, so when we heard you were here, we came. We wanted to ask if you guys wanted to join the bonfire later tonight."
Connie's brows furrowed," You couldn't tell us later?" She signed as she watched Luke shrug.
"Didn't know what time you guys would be back." He was honest. Spoke the truth and of course Kelly had to put her two cents in.
"Did we interrupt something?"
Upon hearing that Daryl's eyes adverted to the ground almost instantly. He felt his cheeks warm at the question that was signed for both to hear and he barely mustered enough courage to give Connie a timid glance just before she marched up towards the two shooing them away.
"We'll be there." She signed while marching towards the two and shooing them away. Daryl watched the sneaky two who couldn't keep their grins from dancing on their faces. He caught Luke's knowing gaze on his unbuttoned shirt and immediately he turned out of view. Embarrassing enough for having the two spy on them at such an inconvenient timing, he placed his crossbow on the ground before raising his hands to button the buttons that had been loosened.
If it wasn't dog ruining there sentimental moments it was either Michonne or Kelly along with some more friends of theirs. The teasing wasn't going to end for awhile and Daryl guessed that was also something he'd have to get use to as well.