#spider bite

Spiderbite and a random guy idk

also John and Arthur were separated on this canvas

“Everything says you just need to ride it out.” You placed one book on the floor and picked up another, shining your flashlight on the pages. “It won’t kill you, but we need to keep your fever down. The meds might help with the—”

“Jesus fuck.”

You raised your light to find Daryl, leaned back against another shelf of library books, his face screwed up in pain. His hands were gripping his vest over his chest and stomach. A sheen of sweat glistened on his skin, his cheeks flushed with fever.

“Only you would manage to get a black widow bite while putting down a walker.” You muttered, watching him with an aching heart for a moment more before turning your attention back to the pages.

“How—how long’s this gonna last?” He panted, drawing up his legs only to straighten them again, absolutely writhing in discomfort.

You winced. “Two or three days.”

“Fuck!” Daryl slammed a fist against the shelf, sending books tumbling down from above. “Can’t—”

“Ssh.” Books forgotten, you walked on your knees toward him, dragging your bag along behind you. The bite itself was on his collarbone, cleaned and left open to air. The rest of the symptoms would need to be treated as they came to the best of your ability. Thank god that Tylenol had been in the convenience store the two of you had looted. “I’ll take care of you.”

Expression pinched, Daryl watched you, his grip on the leather easing. When you offered the water and pills, he reached past them to place an overly warm hand on your cheek.