AN: Just something I wanted to write since I'm feeling a bit unsatisfied with the Caryl moments in the first episode in season 4. I hope you enjoy.

The Walking Dead doesn't belong to me.

Daryl's head hung low as he began the walk back to his cell. It had been a difficult thing for him, confronting Beth. Yet he felt that it was his duty to do it. He had so many more duties now but he accepted them all- that's just the type of person he is.

"Daryl."

He heard his name float out of her cell. He stopped, his shoes scraping on the concrete. With a short grunt, he looked up and saw her sitting in her bunk, reading a book by candlelight. With a flick of her head, she beckoned that he joined her. The metal bed squeaked when he sat down, but it felt good to sit.

"I heard all of that."

Of course she did.

"It was kind of you. We all-I'm worried about her too."

His mouth twitched, and it was hard to speak, but he managed. "We're family. 'An I just..." He scratched an itch on his exposed knee, long since ripped out of the pants. "I was teasin' em earlier. Shoulda kept my mouth shut." It looked like he mentally struggled with something for a moment, but he shoved it away.

"Teased them about what?"

Daryl was silent for a moment, trying to think of the best way to say it. "Kissin' all over each other." After this, Carol smiled and Daryl tried to hide his embarrassment.

"I meant what I said earlier...in a couple of ways." Her lips curled upward into that shy smile of hers.

Daryl narrowed his eyes at her as an invitation to explain.

"Well...you'll have to learn to accept the love that's around you...and accept the love you're given." She had long since put her book aside, and now she wrung her hands. "People are coping. People are starting over...falling in love." She looked up at him now, her big eyes shining in the dim light.

"After today...not sure it's worth it."

She had to avoid looking positively stung. "I think it is. People love and admire you, Daryl. I do."

He debated playfully shoving her for the second time that day, but it didn't seem right. He avoided making eye contact.

"Do you understand that, Daryl? I love you." She reached out and placed her hand on his. "You and I have come so far. I've come too far to be afraid to say it."

Daryl swallowed, completely unsure of how to handle the situation.

"Do you think I'm not worth it?"

He shook his head quickly, his stringy bangs flopping over themselves. "Nah, Carol." Something should have come after, but the words weren't there.

Carol's lips set in a thin line as she removed her hand from his and picked up her book. "Well, I understand if you don't feel the same way. I'll stop bothering you about it. But if it's fear of loss that's keeping you from loving someone, Daryl, you're making a mistake."

It seemed as though she'd dismissed him. He could just get up and leave if he wanted to, there was no conversation he was obligated to finish, nothing keeping him there. He wanted to prove it to her, though. He wanted to prove he cared- he just didn't know how. He was no good at the things that came naturally to everyone else. Nevertheless, he decided to try.

She felt him shift toward her tentatively, his hand landed flat and soft across the top of her back. He moved in closer quick, his lips pressing ever so briefly to the side of her forehead. Then, he was up and off the bed and on his way out of the cell. She smiled. "Night, pookie."