Chapter 15
"Do... Do ya wanna watch a movie?" Daryl stuttered his first words since parting his and Pauls lips. His face burnt bright red as he cursed at his inexperienced self. It probably wasn't the usual response after having broken from a kiss but at that moment in time it was all Daryl could muster, he didn't even know how to react after what has just happened. ------ Paul stifled a chuckle and looked fondly at the older man, before huffing a yes and grabbing Daryl's sweating hand and dragging him to the lounge. ------- Daryl stumbled at Pauls abrupt action and he tripped up on a book lying on the floor, face flushing an even brighter shade and straggly dark hair falling over his eyes as the smaller man rushed him through his own house. The pair got to Daryl's lounge and slumped into the sofa next to each other, a closer proximity than they usually would've been - their legs touching and Paul's right shoulder rubbing against Daryl's. "What are we watching?" Asked Paul, turning to face Daryl and he slipped off his shoes on to the floor - making himself very much at home. "Dunno, whadda ya wanna watch?" Asked him in return grabbing the remote from the coffee table. "Hmm..." Paul hummed as he scratched his beard before an idea hit him, "how about Jurassic Park? A classic right?" "Ain't that old, saw that in the theatre when it came out" Daryl mumbled as he screwed his face up. "I was like 10 when it was in theatres" The younger man smirked at Daryl, obviously having a little dig at the age difference between them. It shouldn't have annoyed Daryl but it still did get a little on his nerves that there was quite the time gap between them - he didn't let Paul know that though. He huffed and elbowed the artist in the side before tucking a loose strand of his own hair behind his ear. "24" Daryl almost whispered as he looked down at his hands on his lap holding the remote. Paul smiled warmly at the man. He'd learned that it really didn't take a lot for Daryl to feel embarrassed or shy and flush a bright pink. It was one of the many things that made him so endearing and only made him more attractive to Paul. He nudged Daryl's knee with his own, "let's get it started then" he said encouraging the photographer to start their movie. -(--(-(/(-(//(-(-)-(-(-(-(-(-(/-(-(/(/( Three and a half movies later and the sun had set and the moon had risen, Daryl's curtains were still open as the pair hadn't moved much from the couch and the moonlight hit an empty glass on the coffee table. The light reflected on to Pauls head which was heavy against Daryl's shoulder. ------- The younger man had fallen asleep on the biker and he wasn't sure what to do. He didn't want to wake him up to move him but Daryl's whole body was rigid due to the amount of his body that was in contact with Pauls. They had literally kissed earlier but the thought of much physical contact still made Daryl feel a little uneasy as he just wasn't used to it. He'd always been one to shy away from any sort of contact due to the things that happened to him as he was growing up; they just made him fear that any contact he'd face would be the bad kind. ------ He flinched as Paul let out a sight and a low moan and shifted his arm so it was laying across Daryl's stomach, the movement lifting up the hem of the older mans shirt to show a little of his tanned skin. The biker swallowed hard as his heart jumped at the movement, Paul was now hugging his arm around him making it even harder for him to move from the spot on the couch. ------ It wasn't that Daryl didn't want to be there - he definitely did, it was just that he was panicking a little and unsure of what he was supposed to do. He was going to ask Paul if he wanted to stay the night anyway but he guessed now the artist had made his decision beforehand as he lay passed out on Daryl's shoulder. ------ As if Paul could feel Daryl's uncomfortableness, he unconsciously began circling his thumb on the photographers stomach whilst he was sleeping. Daryl immediately felt warmth radiate through his body and a sense of relief swept through him as he began to loosen his muscles and relaxed into the couch. His breathing rate slowed down and he closed his eyes and lolled his head back and then gently onto Pauls. He reached for the TV remote and turned off the movie that was still playing and closed his eyes again, taking in the scent of the younger mans hair as he rest the side of his head on the younger's own. Mint and Lavender; that was what he smelled of - fresh and calming. ------ Daryl exhaled deeply and managed to lift an arm and wrap it round Pauls shoulder, gripping it lightly and bringing him closer to his own body to try create a more comfortable position. He then drifted off slowly to sleep - the best sleep he had had in a long time. /)/)/)//))/)//)/)-(-)-(/(-(-(-( Daryl grunted as he jumped awake to the blurry sound of a laughter track from some sitcom playing on the TV --- Thought I turned that off? ---- He thought as he rubbed his eyes and straightened his vision. He then jumped awake as he realised Paul wasn't laying his head on his shoulder as he had been when he drifted off to sleep. He could smell the scent of cooking and was then greeted with the sight of Paul at his oven hobs in the open plan kitchen, frying pan in hand and a spatula in the other shuffling it around the contents of the pan. "Sorry I shouldn't have turned the TV on, didn't want to wake you up." The younger man turned round and noticed Daryl had startled into consciousness. "Also I'm sorry I probably should've asked before I went looking in your cupboards but breakfast is the least I could do after passing out in your house last night without permission." Paul gave a coy smile towards the older man as he flicked an omelet from the frying pan onto a plate lying on the worktop surface. He then went to a drawer and took out a fork and knife, placing them on the plate then walking towards Daryl and extending it towards him. "I didn't know what kind you liked so I just put some bacon and cheese in it" the man clenched his teeth in an awkward smile as Daryl took the plate, thanking him. "Ya not getting one yerself?" Daryl then asked as he lay the plate on his lap and took the fork and knife in his hands. "Uh... Nah, don't fancy one. Have you... Got any cereal or anything?" "Lucky charms in the cupboard over the oven" Daryl mumbled as he shoved a fork-full of omelet in his mouth. Paul narrowed his brows and chuckled under his breath as he turned to open the cupboard Daryl directed him to. "What?" Daryl exclaimed, mouth full of chosen down cheese and bacon omelet. "Nothing, it's just a kids cereal, you don't strike me as a lucky charms kinda guy." The artist smiled at the older man endearingly as he grabbed the cereal from the shelf and tipped some of the contents in a bowl already prepared on the work surface. Daryl, cheeks full and face red scoffed before turning back to face the plate on his lap, avoiding Pauls gaze as his face burned up. "It's not anything bad, it's cute" he heard the other mans voice come from behind him as the sound of milk pouring into the bowl of cereal was heard from the kitchen. The biker was soon then joined by the artist back on the couch. Paul lifted his feet up and crossed his legs on the sofa, resting the bowl of cereal between them as he spooned some in his mouth. His hair was tied up into a bun but loose strands had made there way onto his face, one resting behind his round rimmed glasses. -------- Daryl slyly watched him through his own dark hair which was permanently covering his eyes as he continued eating his omelet. He saw as Paul pursed his lips and furrowed his brows as he stared at the TV, the spoon in his hand floating still slightly apart from his mouth as he was distracted by the happenings of the show on the screen. He then slowly put the spoonful of cereal in his mouth, munching it slowly with the concentration frown still on his face and his lips still creating a little pout. Daryl noticed he had tiny droplets of milk resting on the hairs of his beard around his mouth which, however long it was always seemed to be in good condition. Daryl didn't doubt that the younger man was good at taking care of his appearance but even then he couldn't imagine taming a full on beard as well as he did, his short scruff was enough for him. -------- Thinking of his beard he remembered the way it felt against his face the night before, it wasn't course but it wasn't soft either. It scratched against his chin but tickled his cheeks as their lips connected. It was all a blur; It had happened so abruptly that Daryl wasn't even sure that it had happened at all. He almost felt as if he'd imagined it but he knew he couldn't have, it was something he had been longing for for a long time but only realised when he got it that it was that he had been craving for so long. ------- The feeling sent him rushing into a spiral of ecstasy as it made him feel as if he was cared for. He was longed for too, in that moment at least. He had finally found someone that wanted him back - for the time being and that was what he wanted most. He was just scared that he'd mess it up somehow and he'd end up back where he started - alone. ------- He knew he didn't need anyone to depend on to know what he was or who he was, he knew he didn't need a relationship or someone to define him (he'd felt that for a long time) and he knew that he didn't need someone for him to find his own self worth - he'd get there himself one day. But the fact that for the first time in his life this was something he wanted, really quite took him by surprise and also scared the living shit out of him. -------- He didn't want things to go wrong, he liked Paul, a lot. He was understanding, he knew most of Daryl's boundaries and just got him. Rick and Glenn got him, but there was something different with Paul. Maybe the fact that he looked at Daryl a certain way, different than what his friends would look at him, or he would pick up on something someone else wouldn't have, or maybe because he was single and was into men. -------- He wasn't sure about the last part, but maybe if Glenn had been into him he would've considered taking it further than a friendship. He'd never really thought of that until now, but it made sense the more it ran through his mind. He did remember getting oddly pissed off whenever Glenn would have a PDA moment with Maggie, he'd get fidgety and ready to leave the room. He was never sure why, he thought it was just because he was a little uncomfortable with any sort of intimacy but when he thought about it maybe it was a hint of jealousy. He always got blushy and flustered around Glenn too to start with, just as he had done with Paul. He resented him at first before giving him a shot and realising he was definitely worth that shot in the long run. -------- Daryl did remember a specific moment when he and Glenn were having a conversation on his couch one day after a few beers. Glenn had gotten into the topic of Daryl's love life - like he often did after a few beers, and had teased him a little, asking him who he liked. "C'mon you have to like someone, anyone you'd like to be with in the world celebrity or not!" The geek had slurred after his four beers - lightweight. Daryl had frozen and swallowed hard as his impulsive nature encouraged him to say "you", the first answer that came to his head. ----- Glenn had tilted his head in concern, waiting for an answer as Daryl's small smile began to fade as the question burned. He'd ended up saying some random female celebrity that came to the top of his head, one of which he didn't even remember and neither did Glenn as he hadn't mentioned it ever again. ------ So maybe he did have a crush on Glenn at one point, was that what crushes felt like? It must've been because he hadn't felt like that again until he met Paul and that lead to something more than a crush - although Daryl was unsure of what to label it as at the moment. "I look terrible, I know, you can stop staring now" Daryl was snapped out of his trance by the artists sarcastic tone. Daryl felt the blood rush to his cheeks as always before mumbling a response, "ya don't" Paul raised one brow as he gently placed his now empty cereal bowl onto the coffee table and returning his gaze to Daryl. "Look terrible" the biker continued, scratching his nose and chewing on his lip. Pauls cheeks lifted and eyes crinkled as he bared his teeth in a smile like he'd been told the best news in the world. Daryl could also see a tint of pink appear on his cheeks. "Thank you" the artist almost whispered before breaking his gaze with Daryl and looking at his crossed feet on the couch, wiggling his toes. Daryl couldn't stop looking at him. It was a good thing Paul was entranced with the TV or he wouldn't have had the chance to stare at him with some other snarky comment made. Who knew an artist could be such a piece of art themselves. ------ Daryl admired the way the sunlight came through the tilted blinds and hit his glasses rim and edge of his pointed nose, the way it also hit his long eyelashes almost touching the glass lenses giving only a silhouette. The way that one particular strand of hair always hung over his eyes even when he made much efforts to keep it in the bun; the younger man was often blowing it out his face only for it to land in the exact same spot. His dark hair also shone in the light and parts almost looked blonde in the sun, a mix of shades all over his messy bun. Daryl also looked at his full pink lips, slightly parted in his daydream - oh how Daryl wanted to kiss him again, he wasn't going to, but he wanted to. ------- So instead, he just looked at a distance. He didn't think he'd ever be the one to make the first movie again anyway, he was too shy and his self confidence levels were still at a low despite how Paul made him feel. He looked down and fumbled with his hands. ----- Why does he even like someone like me? ----- He thought to himself. Why would someone like Paul even want to be associated with him, he didn't think anyone wanted to be associated with a Dixon let alone someone like Paul. They were such a contrast in character Daryl was still confused as to why they got along so well. Opposites attract right? But not that opposite. --------- He was dark and covert, always keeping in the shadows to himself, didn't have a lot of friends but the ones he had he was fiercely loyal towards. Paul was outgoing and approachable, rarely the smile left his face and he just seemed so confident as he managed to keep hold of conversations with each new person he met with little difficulty. Daryl thought from what he saw Paul had a lot of friends which he was close to, he might be wrong, but it seemed that way so far. --------- The biker huffed and chewed at his lip before turning his head back to face the other man on the couch. "Can I take some pictures of ya?" He spluttered out rather abruptly, he hadn't planned on asking the request out loud but it had happened now. Paul turned round swiftly to look at him, giving a soft smile. "S'just the lighting looks nice" he continued his mumble as Paul looked him in the eyes, a glint shining in the iris'. "I'd like that" the artist smiled back at him as Daryl hopped up from the sofa to grab his camera from his room. He came back a minute later, strap round his neck as he pressed a button to turn on the camera resulting in a soft bleep as he screwed up his face to look at the screen in front of him, then flocking another button so he could see the screen through the viewfinder instead. He sat back down at his sunken fabric spot on the couch, adjusting his camera settings to the most appropriate for the lighting and setting. "Just, keep doing what yer doin', don't gotta move or act like I'm here" Daryl told Paul as he raised the camera up to his eye level and screwed his left eye up to use his right to see through the view finder. "Like this?" Paul said in monotone, barely parting his lips as he looked at the photographer from the side of his eyes. Daryl stifled a small laugh, "don't gotta sit stock still, just act like I'm not taking photo. Don't wanna make it obvious you knew, makes the picture look better" "It's just that I know you're taking my picture and even if I pretend that I don't, it's making me unconsciously act like I would when I knew someone was taking my picture" Paul mumbled, still barely opening his mouth in attempts not to move. "Change the channel, put somethin' on more dramatic, get your reaction I dunno" Daryl waved out a hand and shrugged as he still kept the camera up to his face. This encouraged a smile onto the artists face as he loosened his shoulders and looked at the table to grab the remote. Daryl managed to capture the smile, his plan had worked. He often found when he talked to people and had a conversation with them he got the most natural looking photos, little to his subjects knowledge. ---------- Paul got up Netflix on the TV and put on an episode of Black Mirror he hadn't seen yet, notorious for fucking with the viewer so he was bound to have some sort of reaction to it. Half way through the episode, and a few good photos taken, Paul decided to take a break from the rather dramatic episode and took Merles old guitar back to the space on the couch. -------- He began to play some soft tunes, humming along to himself as he plucked gently on the strings, eyelashes fluttering in the sunlight gleaming on him through the blinds. He wasn't really playing any particular song, he was just making up as he went along making some sort of melody. Daryl wished he could do that, just pick up an instrument and start playing anything but still have it sound like you'd been practising the same song for months almost effortless. -------- The photographer got some really nice shots with the guitar, they all seemed natural and candid - what he really liked when he was taking photos of people, which was often why he never told anyone when he took out his camera. ------- One particular photo stood out to him, it was Paul playing guitar, looking down at the strings, his hair falling from his bun and the way the sun hit his body almost made it a silhouette. Daryl smiled as he looked at the photo, he wanted to put it on his wall it was so lovely and made him feel warm. It was like Paul in his natural habitat, all comfortable and soft in his casual clothes and big glasses. ------- Daryl let him look through the photos, also giving him his thoughts on them, making comments on how he likes the lighting in some of the way it captured some sort of feeling. Paul felt thrilled whilst listening to him talk so passionately about the photographs he'd taken of non other than himself, he thought it was really sweet and a side of Daryl that was rare to see but he was ever so grateful he managed to bring it out of him. \>\>_>_>_>_>_>_>_>_>_ "I'd better go, I haven't changed my clothes and I gotta feed Leo and Neville or they'll hate me" Paul huffed as he looked at his phone to read the time - 3:46pm. The pair had finished the episode of Black Mirror and had spent the rest of their time messing with the guitar and flicking through TV shows. Paul had taught Daryl a couple chords which he was beginning to get a hang of, he promised he'd practise to try get better. /-------- The artist stood from the couch and stretched out his arms above his head, extending his whole body and standing on his tip toes. Daryl then stood up and joined him, extending his hands in front of him and cracking his knuckles making Paul since and screw his face. "What?" The older man smirked. "Makes me cringe" the musician clenched his teeth as he furrowed his brows at Daryl. Daryl exhaled sharply through his nose as he kept the smirk on his face. "Anyway, thanks for having me Dixon. I had a really nice time" Pauls joking tone became soft as he finished his sentence, flashing a coy smile at Daryl. Daryl flushed a light pink and felt his hands become sweaty as he looked down at his shuffling feet. He was unsure of what to say as he began walking to the door to at least hold it open for his guest. ----- Paul followed him and took his worn white Vans sneakers from the door mat, pulling them on his feet before heaving a sight and standing upright facing Daryl as he held open the front door. He then gave him a smile before wrapping his arms around him in a tight hug. Daryl was startled by the action before he mimicked the smaller mans actions and wrapped his own arms around Pauls lower back, resting his face in the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent. ------- Paul then loosened his arms and trailed them down Daryl's back then brought them forward to his arms, slowly letting his fingers fall down to the older mans hands, grasping them gently. He looked at Daryl with his bright ocean eyes for a few seconds before letting them close, leaning up towards the biker and planting a soft kiss on his lips. It only lasted a mere 5 seconds but Daryl's heart pounded and the heat rose to his face accompanied with the butterflies taking fits in his stomach as he felt Pauls eyelashes against his skin and their noses bumped lightly together. "I'll see you soon, okay?" The younger man whispered as they parted lips, Daryl's eyes still closed and his breathing hitched. He nodded gently in reply as the artist eventually let their hands fall apart, giving him a warm smile before turning and heading to his car parked on the driveway of the house. Daryl watched as Paul jumped into his car, a smile still etched onto his face whilst he buckled his seat belt and turned on the engine, eventually giving a small wave to the photographer before driving away. -------- Daryl stood still partly dumbfounded at the past 24 hours longing after the car speeding down the shaded forest road. He slowly closed the door and went back into his house, taking a look at the digital clock he had on his kitchen island. 4:01PM 10TH DECEMBER 10th of December, he should really start thinking about getting Christmas gifts sorted out. That made him think, what would he get Paul for Christmas? He had chipped in with the piano for his present so he deserved something as good as that, Daryl couldn't think what though. Something to do with art maybe, he'd have to ask Glenn for advice on that. He was also kind of low on money at the moment so he knew he couldn't get something that big and he felt awful about it because Paul deserved something great but he couldn't afford to get that something especially when he had other people to buy gifts for. ------ Maybe he'd ask Maggie or Tara for more stuff that he liked, they'd known him for a lot longer than he had so maybe they'd have a clue. He'd have to text or phone them some time. That also got him thinking, none of his friends know about him and Paul, well he didn't even know what they were anymore; dating? Boyfriends? He thought boyfriends kind of sounded childish and dumb but they were more than friends that's all he knew. ------ He didn't know if he wanted to tell his friends anyway. He knew they would probably be supportive and forever lovely about it but he couldn't help but feel the pit of nerves in his stomach make an almighty leap as he thought of the endless possibilities that could happen. Telling them also meant it was more likely for other people other than them to find out, one slip up and the whole neighbourhood could know and he knew he didn't want that - not right now. ----- He also had to consider how Paul felt, he knew he would probably have no worries about telling people but he knew he'd always ask Daryl first, despite that he didn't want him to feel as if he was trapped as he couldn't tell people he was in a relationship or not. They'd have to work it out between them. He also wanted to know what they were to each other before they even started telling others since at the moment he was almost clueless, showcasing his little experience in the field of romance and relationships. /)-)/)/)-)--)-)-)-)-) Daryl went to bed that night just after 11, he had work in the morning and had texted Paul asking if he wanted to meet up after as he had a day off that day. To which the artist replied asking if he'd like to go for a walk past the lake they had done when they were at the art show. The pair organised a time and place to meet before Daryl lay his head down on his pillow heaving a sigh and reminiscing the past day, thinking of all the answers he needed from Paul the next night. ------- He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before dozing off, thinking of the handsome artist playing a soft tune on his guitar, the sun highlighting all of the features on him which Daryl liked the most.