#meeshiefeet

Carol couldn’t believe that she had been bold enough to point out the little sprig of leaves that Maggie had hung over the pantry’s entrance.

The Greene girls had decided to celebrate Christmas in the dank grimy prison. No one was sure when it actually was, but it was winter, and paying attention to the seasons was as close to a calendar as they were going to get. They had decorated everything they could with red yarn, pine cones the children collected and cut out snowflakes made from the prisoners files.

“I’m sorry, I… Just, it was just because, Mistletoe.” Carol gestured up to the little bundle of leaves, that she was sure was actually basil, still standing flush against Daryl with her hands resting on his chest.

“Uh… Yeah. Ok” Daryl’s cheeks had turned pink and he backed away from her.

“Did you need something?” Carol smiled, moving further into the pantry to give him some space.

“Popcorn.”

“I can do that. What for?” After a bit of digging she pulled out a jug of kernels.

“Garland.”

Carol tilted her head and inspected him a little. “You know I really am sorry? Right?”

“Yeah” he scowled slightly.

“You are just being sorta short.” She held out the kernels.

“My mom used to make popcorn garland. I thought I could try making it for the tree.” Daryl shrugged and snatched the kernels out of her hands.

“There is a tree now? Who did they con into dragging a tree all the way in here? Was it Glenn?” Carol laughed.

“…I did it, they don’t know yet.” He muttered, keeping his eyes down.

“That’s great! Can I help?” She smiled as he nodded. “I’ll get some thread and needles and I’ll meet you by the fire.”

•••••••

The sound of the popcorn popping pulled people from their sleep and every single resident of the prison was in the common area decorating. The children were coloring pictures. A few of the older residents were teaching some of the older kids to crochet. People were making more cut out snowflakes. A few people were making origami frogs and cranes, the only ones anyone could remember how to make, to put on the tree.

Carol put all of her effort into giving Daryl space. She kept thinking back to the little peck on the lips she had given him that morning. How awkward it was. How stiff his whole frame became. He obviously didn’t want her to touch him like that. She watched him string popcorn with Carl and the new boy with the glasses that had taken to following Carl around, Daryl was relied and confident. She watched him feed Judith so Beth could keep learning to crochet. She watched him patiently listen while one of the old men taught him to fold and origami frog. She spent the entire day watching him bloom. He had obtained some level of shy confidence, he stood straighter, made more eye contact and spoke to more people than he ever had. Whenever she saw him heading in her direction, she would flit off to a new task. Anything to give him the space he needed to be himself.

Carol’s boldness that morning showed her that she was what he didn’t want. She needed to give him space, even if her heart broke a little bit with every move. She refused to be another person who would bring him down.

•••••••

That evening when everyone was going to bed, small trinkets stashed to give as gifts the next day, Carol heard a scuffle near her door. She turned to see Daryl standing awkwardly to the side, just slightly visible.

“Hey.” She smiled and sat down on the edge of her bed. “Long day?”

He nodded and stepped just over the threshold into her room.

“Did you need something?” She leaned over and began the long process of removing her boots.

“I was thinking about earlier…” He started.

“Daryl, again, I’m really sorry about that.” She dropped her hands into her lap and looked him sincerely in the eyes. “It won’t happen again”

“That’s not what I was thinking” he muttered still not making eye contact.

“What?” She stood slowly.

“You caught me off guard this morning” he shrugged and held up the bundle of basil leaves. “Pretty sure this is basil though”

“I thought that too” she grinned and stepped closer to him. “Daryl, off guard?”

He shrugged with a little nod. He glanced up through his bangs, “try again?”

She nodded and gently put her hands on his shoulders. She leaned forward slightly and gently brushed his lips with hers.

Boldly he wrapped his arms around her waist and hauled her closer, deepening the kiss.

She pulled back just a little, “Merry Christmas.”

“Back at ya.” He smirked and pulled her back to him.

•••••••••