#shieldsurvive

she might still consider herself an optimist, but getting interrupted during her little ‘shopping sprees’ was something she’d have to at least consider no matter how quiet she was. it wasn’t as if she hadn’t read the signs earlier — there had been a handful of walkers meandering around outside of the abandoned pharmacy when she’d managed to sneak in a side door; and also knowing her lack of good luck in situations like these, it wouldn’t be out of the question for one or two to find their way in just to say ‘hello’ at the most inconvenient time possible.

it had been the rustling of cellophane from the next aisle over that had gotten her attention immediately; more than enough noise in an otherwise silent space to get her to pause in between rearranging some of the items in her backpack and listen. her first thought was to make a dash for the same side door she’d come in through, but that would mean drawing attention to herself. second was to wait and hope whatever whoever it was shuffling about got bored and left. ( but really, do the undead even get bored?) the third option came in a bit of a panic hearing more movement from the other side --- along with a swift ( and not very thought out ) boot and shoulder combination against one of the empty sections of shelving just ahead of where she was sure the noise had come from.

--------------only to find not only was her third option a disaster ( and quite the mess - maker ), but the sounds had been coming from someone who was flesh and blood and still very much properly alive. “oh, shi – you’re not one of them, are you?”

so now here she was, crouched on the floor in the mess she'd made, attempting to restack a pile of charmin out of equal parts embarrassment and guilt.

@shieldsurvive ; “you know, i don't think i ever got your name.“

and he wouldn’t have, would he? she hadn’t exactly given herself much of a chance to offer it as part of her stunning first impression of attempting to bury whatever whoever it was in an avalanche of shelving and toilet tissue.

@shieldsurvive || action prompts for leaning || accepting!

[ tuck ] sender leans in to tuck their face in receiver's neck

carol feels the warmth of steve's breath first. then the weight of his head on her shoulder. his body close to hers. there's no resistance when she wraps her arm around broad shoulders and holds him tight. or how she indulges herself in turning her head so she can nuzzle the bridge of her nose against a defined jawline. quiet moments like this? they're something you have to cherish every second of in this world. she's not lose that lesson. not for a long time. not since she's allowed herself to have them.

blue eyes drift shut and her fingers reach up. blunt nails trace along steve's scalp as she moves their tips over thick strands of straw-hued blonde/brown. takes her a minute to get there. but when she does? the tension that always seems to be laced in her muscles starts to melt. as they breathe the same air, she drifts off on every exhale. til she's melted against him. the tip of her nose drags over the patch of skin nearest. somewhere along the curve of his jawline and the start of his throat.

she wishes her heart didn't leap so quickly into action like it does when he's so close. there's such a dangerous line there for her and she knows she's gone past it. let him so far in there's no hope of cutting him off now. for both their sakes. because this world can be so cruel and unforgiving. oh, she's set herself up for failure if she loses him. ran right into the awaiting arms of potential pain. all for moments like this. does she regret it? NO. no she doesn't.