So, this is going to be a series of one-shots (which are not necessarily connected to each other) based on one-word prompts I get from Tumblr. I don't know how many there's going to be- however many I get before season 6 premieres. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead.

The night they came back to Alexandria was chaotic. Noah, Pete, Reg, and Aiden were all dead, Glenn and Nicholas had nearly killed each other, and apparently Tara had been in a coma.

Upon their return, Aaron had found Eric immediately and probably wouldn't be leaving his side anytime soon. Rick and Morgan had reunited and left to talk privately. The rest of the Alexandrians had dispersed, looking extremely shaken, or, in the case of the Monroes, grief-stricken. Daryl's own group was mostly focused on either Glenn, who had a bullet in his shoulder, or Tara, who had just woken up.

The night they came back to Alexandria, Carol was the first and only person to actually welcome him back.

Sitting side-by-side on the back porch, away from both their family in the house and any curious Alexandrians passing by, Carol filled him in on everything that had happened while he was gone. The supply run, the situation with Pete and Jessie, the fight between Rick and Pete, and the resulting trial.

"Sorry I wasn't here. Shoulda been," he said when she was finished, holding her gaze.

"No, I'm glad you weren't. You've dealt with enough shit the past couple of months."

"And you haven't?"

She looked away, not answering.

"You shouldn't have had to go to Rick with something like that-"

"Well, the last time I did something without consulting Rick, he banished me, so."

Daryl nodded slowly, glaring at a spot above her head. "Reminds me, I still haven't kicked his ass for that."

Carol half-smiled. "Just forget about it. That's what I'm trying to do. Forget about it… and what happened after it…" she trailed off, and he knew she was thinking about Lizzie and Mika again, but also knew better than to ask right now. Instead, he scooted closer and put an arm around her, offering what comfort he could. She leaned into the contact, closing her eyes.

"It's been a long week," she said eventually, breaking the comfortable silence. "And I did miss you."

"Missed you, too."

She turned slightly so she was facing him, but not breaking the contact between them. She was actually smiling now. "Oh really? You were wondering what I was up to while you were running around looking for new people?"

Daryl snorted. "Always wonder what you're up to."

She got a strange look on her face at that, but before he could ask, she leaned closer, brushing her lips against his.

Daryl froze automatically, and Carol quickly pulled away.

"Sorry," she said, starting to get up. Instinctively, he tightened his arm around her shoulders, and she stopped, looking back at him.

"Uh," he stuttered. "Sorry. Wait. I'm just… not good at that."

Now it was Carol's turn to freeze, though in her case it was on purpose, giving him a moment to process whatever it was he was thinking.

He huffed, staring at her. "You… you sure about this?"

She stared back unflinchingly. "Yeah, I am."

"OK," he replied immediately. "OK. Good. 'Cause… I am, too."

She smiled again. "Good."

With that, she leaned back in to kiss him again. And neither of them pulled away.