#roryelijah02

[carylerxsecretsanta]

Merry Christmas to @roryelijah02!! I hope you like it! Was very fun to make! From: @madwomanlexie

[lola-andheruniverse]

Hey. Just wanted to say I absolutely love your recs. I was wondering, if by any chance, you had any recs of fics where Daryl comforts Carol. Specifically, if possible, I’m looking for a fic where he comforts her because of her claustrophobia but honestly, I’ll take any fic where Daryl comforts Carol that I can. TIA 😊

Hi, @roryelijah02! Thank you for your kind words and for sending me on a really fun fanfiction hunt. I hope you enjoy this "small" handful of recs (I totally overdid it, let's be honest 😄). Any inputs of mine are in bold. Caryl on, dear! Daryl comforting Carol because of her claustrophobia: 1. Claustrophobia by Sophiacharlotte [ FF.net ] Summary: caryl season 6 PWP (porn without plot). Daryl and Carol get stuck in a trunk while running from the herd. Rated: M Word count: 2.154 Published: October 28, 2015 (one-shot)

2. Hers to Love; His to Protect by CharlotteAshmore [ 9Lives | AO3 | FF.net ] Summary: It had become a festering ache beneath the surface of his skin, this need he had to protect her, to save her … because he was certain he was the only one who could in a world gone to hell. Rated: E Word count: 337.828 (70 chapters, little claustrophobia crisis in chapter 07) Published: June 25, 2018 (complete)

3. The Woodsong Fog by Lighteneverything [ 9Lives | AO3 ] Summary: On his third day of searching, Daryl finds Sophia. But when one element of the timeline changes, others must too. S2 and on ZA AU. Rated: E Word count: 212.192 (46 chapters of ?, major claustrophobia crisis in chapter 25) Published: January 26, 2024 (WIP) Daryl comforting Carol when Sophia was missing:

4. Sleepless by @rubinegoslay [ 9Lives ] Summary: Carol can't sleep and finds an unlikely source of comfort. Set in the early days of season two. Rated: G Word count: 883 Published: February 12, 2015 (one-shot) Daryl comforting Carol because of nightmares:

5. Insomnia by eyeslikewildflowers [ 9Lives | FF.net ] Summary: After finding Sophia in the barn, Carol is plagued by terrible nightmares. Daryl comforts her.  Rated: E Word count: 8171 (02 chapters) Published: December 19, 2016 (complete)

6. Tidal Nightmares by Perennials [ 9Lives ] Summary: Spoilers for season 9/10. Carol's nightmares eb and flow, like the tides of the ocean. In the wake of her son's death, the currents pull her further out into a dark abyss where she feels unable to escape. She seeks comfort in none other than her best friend. Rated: G Word count: 1.250 Published: March 29, 2020 (one-shot)

7. If it matters at all by @charlibubble [ 9Lives ] Summary: When he hears her crying, it triggers something inside of him that he can't fight. Comfort isn't romantic though. It is safe to hold her in his arms, in her bed, in the dead of night. That's what friends do. Friends. Partners. Lovers. Does it even matter anymore? Rated: E Word count: 7.655 Published: February 09, 2022 Daryl comforting Carol because of self-harm:

8. What Lies Beneath by @my-mt-heart [ 9Lives ] Summary: Imagine if Carol's downtime right before the Hilltop battle played out a little differently. She doesn't speak to Lydia. She doesn't sleep with Ezekiel. After her ex-husband escorts her through those gates and she makes eye contact with Daryl, she marches straight into the Barrington House, staying there until day turns to night. Alpha's horde, as she learned on her way up to one of the vacant bedrooms, is fast approaching, but unlike everybody else, she's not looking for comfort before facing possible death again. She just wants to hurt.  Rated: M Word count: 1.272 Published: December 21, 2020 (one-shot) Daryl comforting Carol after the end of the Whisperers War:

9. Two Lives by @tigereyes45 [ AO3 ] Summary: After the Whisperers War Carol finds herself alone on a hill. She watches the zombies struggling to make it up and feels nothing, until someone finds her. He always finds her in these moments. Rated: T Word count: 1.065 Published: December 27, 2019 (one-shot)

[carylerxsecretsanta]

CARYLER SECRET SANTA (2024)

Tumblr: @roryelijah02 Favorite Caryl Episode: This is a tough question because season 10 is my favourite season of TWD because I love all the Caryl episodes in it. I think I'd have to say Ghosts and Squeeze because I cannot choose between them. My reasoning is because of the way Daryl is with Carol in both of these episodes, I love the way he comforts her and is there for her so much. Favorite Caryl Moment: This is a still tough but I think I can narrow this down to one. I absolutely love the moment in Squeeze when Carol is struggling so much with her claustrophobia and thinks she can't make it out of the cave and then there's Daryl as her literal light at the end of her tunnel. The way he comforts her throughout this episode is just so precious to me, I love it so much. What is your desired present (fanfic, drabble sets, graphics, icons, etc.): I'd love either a fanfic or an edit. What is your desired present (fanfic, drabble sets, graphics, icons, etc.): I'd love either a fanfic or an edit.

/–/

Tumblr: @carylscherokeeroses Favorite Caryl Episode: S10 EP1 Favorite Caryl Moment: When they ride his bike together in S10 before they arrive at the cabin. What is your desired present (fanfic, drabble sets, graphics, icons, etc.): Fanfic.

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Tumblr: @the-aviatrix Favorite Caryl Episode: I’m super new to TWD, but I love the new spinoff S2E4 with their reunion :))) Favorite Caryl Moment: Probably the hug in No Sanctuary (S5E1), but I’m still currently watching the series. What is your desired present (fanfic, drabble sets, graphics, icons, etc.): fanart or fic, surprise me

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Tumblr: @lola-andheruniverse Favorite Caryl Episode: Consumed. Favorite Caryl Moment: The ‘I see you’ from S9E16 will always be my favorite caryl scene, but their convo on the french rooftop (TBOC E5) about bad luck comes in second. What is your desired present (fanfic, drabble sets, graphics, icons, etc.): I’ll be happy with anything, but everyone knows how I love fanfiction so a fic would be incredible.

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Tumblr: @breb23 Favorite Caryl Episode: honestly anything in seasons 3,4,5, and 10! Or the spinoff! Favorite Caryl Moment: SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM OMG I love angst tbh so any hurt comfort moment in the show or honestly if you make up a hurt/comfort/cozy Christmas moment I'll eat that up too hehehehe What is your desired present (fanfic, drabble sets, graphics, icons, etc.): fanfic and drabbles! 😍

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Tumblr: @lovesdaryl Favorite Caryl Episode: New Best Friends Favorite Caryl Moment: Daryl burning the two walkers in the Atlanta refuge for DV survivors and Carol watching from inside the shelter What is your desired present (fanfic, drabble sets, graphics, icons, etc.): I would like to leave this decision to my Santa based on what they prefer

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Tumblr: @madwomanlexie Favorite Caryl Episode: No Sanctuary Favorite Caryl Moment: As always, this is hard for me to decide. Anything protective Daryl related is a huge fave! What is your desired present (fanfic, drabble sets, graphics, icons, etc.): Anything!!!

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Tumblr: @theresnosafeharbor4myships Favorite Caryl Episode: Consumed, Lines We Cross (flirty Caryl) Favorite Caryl Moment: Caryl reunion hugs, the entirety of Consumed, prison-era Caryl, Daryl’s “I love you” at the end of flagship series, but really anytime they’re in proximity <3  What is your desired present (fanfic, drabble sets, graphics, icons, etc.): I prefer a fic, but I’ll take anything!

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Tumblr: @tigereyes45 Favorite Caryl Episode: I still don’t have just 1 favorite episode of these two (and I still have too many favorite moments haha.) Favorite Caryl Moment: There’s so many! The hug in the woods after Carol blows up the cannibals, the “You tell me.” scene where Daryl really drives home that he will always be there for her and she needs to rely on him! The prison scene where he’s mourning Carol but then finds her will live forever in my brain. The hug when they reunite in the Daryl Dixon show. She’s always so unsure if people will want her around, and there goes Daryl barreling at her for a hug or to hold her every time they find each other again. Gosh I love them! What is your desired present (fanfic, drabble sets, graphics, icons, etc.): I’m good with any kind of gift.

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[carylerxsecretsanta]

written for: @lovesdaryl

Title:  Life Goes On Author:  @roryelijah02 Rating:  I'm not really sure how ratings work but there are themes of grief and loss throughout this fic Summary:  This fic is what could've happened between Daryl and Carol after Daryl helps put the mother and child walker to rest in the women's shelter during Consumed.  A/N:  To the lovely person receiving this fic, I really hope you like what I've written for you. I took one of you favourite moments from the show and tried to come up with a fic idea for you surrounding it. Enjoy and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. 

The first speck of sunlight shone delicately through the window of the women's shelter as dawn broke free. Daryl sat on the lumpy mattress that lay atop the bottom bunk of the bed, deep in thought. He had been tossing and turning all night. He just couldn't stop thinking about the mother and child walker he and Carol had come across late yesrerday afternoon. The look on her face had tugged at his heartstrings immensely. He could imagine clearly where her mind had immediately wandered because his had done the exact same. His search for Carol's little girl frequented his mind with thoughts of what ifs and what could've beens. He couldn't begin to imagine what thoughts about the lost child haunted Carol's mind on a daily basis and he knew that reminders of her would only make it worse.

With a deep sigh, Daryl stood up and stretched, his aching bones clicking upon moving for the first time in a few hours. He began to pace the room quietly, the dilemma in his mind continuing to plague him. He could tell that Carol was struggling, though he couldn't exactly blame her. She'd come from an abusive marriage and after her husband died, she'd also lost her beautiful daughter. Furthermore, he was almost certain that something had happened on the road with Tyreese, Lizzie and Mika. After all, the girls had not been at Terminus with them when the group had all met up after Carol saved their lives and any time the girls had been mentioned, Carol had stiffened up and frozen like ice. She didn't want to talk about what happened at all and he respected that. He knew she would tell him about it if she wanted to, in her own time, in her own way.

In reality, he could take a guess at what had occured on his own, though she'd told him it was worth than he thought. He couldn't bare to think of her going through more, totally undeserved, trauma. This is why he was stuck with his current dilemma. He was prepared to do anything for her to make her feel even just the tiniest bit better and lift a little bit of the weight from her shoulders and he knew that putting the mother and daughter walker to rest could help to achieve that. The trouble was, he didn't want to overstep the mark. He'd gotten to know Carol extremely well in the last 18 months and he knew that she was a very strong, independent woman. He didn't want to risk his actions coming across like he was trying to take her independence away. The thoughts whirling around in his brain finally quietened down briefly as he let out another deep sigh. He took the opportunity to look back over at the bed where the woman he loved and cared about most in the world lay sleeping on the top bunk. Slowly and quietly, he approached the bed to check on her. She lay on her back, her right hand delicately placed across her abdomen, close to where her knife slotted in to it's rightful place in her jeans pocket. Her left hand lay relaxed nextl to her head on the pillow. He knew it would be extremely awkward if she woke up now and caught him staring but he couldn't help it.

Her small, intricate features were mesmerising. Perfectly shaped eyebrows. Soft, smooth skin that seemed to glow. Teeny freckles dotted all over her face and neck, only visible if you looked extremely closely. Red, rosy cheeks that matched the colour of her chapped, plump lips. A lock of her silver hair had fallen out of place in her sleep, covering her forehead. The temptation to gently tuck it behind her ear, back in place, was extremely strong but he held back. He didn't want to disturb her, she needed her rest, especially now. She was so beautiful and so precious to him. He couldn't help his mind wandering to how he couldn't bare if anything ever happened to her and how he would do anything to protect her. Taking another glance over her, he realised something he hadn't before. This right now, in her dreamy state, was the most peaceful-looking he'd seen her in months, at least since the prison. With that, his mind was made up. He would not let her suffer anymore, not whilst he was around and that internal, secret vow he was making to her now would begin with him dealing with the mother and child walker. With that, temptation finally won and he leant in, placing a gentle, sweet little kiss to her forehead before pulling away and heading to complete his task.

Daryl had only been gone for 5 minutes when Carol finally began to stir. Her first feeling upon waking was that of confusion. She had just experienced the most real-like dream she'd had in a long time. The dream had involved her and Daryl. They'd been in the woods on a run together when they'd encountered a big group of walkers unexpectedly. Thankfully, their quick reaction times had been in their favour and together, they'd managed to defeat every single one of them. Afterwards, Daryl had praised her for how her skills had progressed with fighting walkers and how impressed he was with some of her clever tactics for solving problems whereby then he decided to kiss her on the forehead, sheepish and a little embarrassed but with a cute little smile on his face all the same. It was funny really, as the forehead kiss was the one part of the dream that felt extremely real.

Shaking her head and reminding herself that this was something she could think about later, Carol decided it was probably time to get up and ensure she and Daryl were ready to continue their ongoing search for Beth. She climbed down from the top bunk and was immediately surprised to see that Daryl was not in his bed. She scanned the immediate area for him before spotting the box of matches on one of the cabinets in the hallway. She knew he'd had some cigarettes left and figured he'd probably gone outside for a smoke. Deciding she'd better make sure he was okay, she made her way over to the window in hopes of finding him outside. Approaching the window, the sight in front of her took her breath away and melted her heart all at once. A lump formed in her throat and her eyes stung with unshed tears as she took in the view of Daryl ever so gently and respectfully disposing of the bodies of the mother and child walker they'd come across yesterday afternoon. As if she thought she couldn't love him any more than she already did. She was incredibly flattered and overwhelmed with gratitude for him. It made her feel content to know that the mother and child could now rest in peace.

A few minutes later, Carol heard the door closing as Daryl came back inside and she immediately went to greet him. Daryl almost jumped out of his skin when he turned around to be met with Carol, whom he'd assumed was still asleep. "Hey… You're awake." Daryl instantly felt like a fool for stating the obvious but Carol only gave him a small sweet smile in response, finding it cute how flustered he clearly was. "I saw that you dealt with those walkers from yesterday…" She spoke softly. "Yeah," he responded. "I wanted to try and make it so you at least had one less thing to think about, one less worry, one less thing on your mind." A massive lump formed in Carol's throat and the tears that swam in her eyes felt ever closer to falling. "You did that… For me?… Thank you…" She choked out.

Daryl took a step forward, inches away from her now. The temptation to reach out, cup her face and circle her soft cheeks with his calloused thumbs began to take over him. "You never have to thank me. I care about you, Carol." She continued to stare at him as it looked like he wanted to say more, his mouth opening and closing. She gave him a nod of encouragement which was what helped him give into his temptation as he cupped her cheek. "I'd do anything for you." A tear slipped free and began to trail down her cheek, caught by the pad of his thumb. She closed her eyes to prevent more tears from falling and gently shook her head. "I don't deserve you…" She breathed out. "You do." He tried to reassure her. "You deserve more than you know." Carol shook her head again and finally opened her eyes before speaking. "No Daryl, I don't… You don't understand." She slowly pulled away from him and began to make her way over to look out of the big window that let the daylight into the living area of the women's shelter.

Daryl felt conflicted. He didn't know whether to push her about what was going on, what had happened but at the same time he felt like this could be his only opportunity to get her to talk to him, so he took it. He began to follow her, approaching cautiously. "What don't I understand, sweetheart? Why don't you deserve me?…" Silence. "Please Carol, talk to me."

She wrapped her arms around herself and let out a small sob, still facing away from him. "I can't… You won't ever speak to me again. You'll probably want to banish me from the group like Rick did at the prison. You'll hate me…" She finally turned around to face him upon speaking the final sentence. At expressing the word "hate" she let out another sob, emphasising how much she hated the thought of this man in front of her hating her. Daryl took a few steps closer to her and made sure to look her right in the eye so his words would have more chance of sinking in to her. "Hey… I'm never going to hate you, ever. What Rick did was wrong and I'd never do that to you, I promise you." Carol continued to look doubtful.

Daryl put his hand on his heart. "Hand on heart, I promise. You can tell me, it's okay." Remembering how loyal of a person he is and the reasons she loved him, Carol took a deep breath and decided to just rip the plaster off. "I killed Lizzie…" The tears immediately started falling and before Daryl could react or say anything, Carol immediately jumped into her explanation. "I didn't want to. Really, I didn't. I loved her. I'd began to see her like she was my own. But I… I had to… I'd began to have some concerns about her. She seemed to think that the Walkers were her friends. She wanted to feed them and play with them like they were still people. And I tried to explain to her, I tried to tell her in a way she would understand, that the Walkers weren't her friends and that they would hurt her. And I thought she'd began to understand but then… Then…" Carol was beginning to get extremely flustered and Daryl was worried she was heading for a panic attack. He knew he has to ground her.

He gently put his hands on her shoulders. "Hey… Take a breath, sweetheart." Carol did as he asked and tried to take a deep breath before speaking again. "Tyreese and I came back from going to get water from the well to find that Lizzie had killed Mika and she was about to kill Judith. We knew that Lizzie wasn't safe to be around anymore, she couldn't be around other people. Not without the risk of her hurting them… So I… I had to…" Daryl immediately took Carol into his arms and held her tightly. She clung to his t-shirt and finally let herself feel it as she began to sob into his chest. "You did what you had to do, sweetheart. I can only imagine how hard it was for you. I'm so sorry I wasn't there to help you through it. I'm so sorry…" He held her as close to him as he could and kissed the top of her head, rubbing his hand up and down her back to comfort her. It made even more sense now about the mother and child walker. She wasn't just thinking about Sophia. She was thinking about two other children too. Two children she'd come to see as her own, one of whom she'd had to see die by the hands of her sister. The other, she'd had to put down herself before she'd even turned. His heart shattered for her. She didn't deserve this. She didn't need any more pain. He wished he could just take it all away for her.

After a long while, Carol began to calm down and was able to compose herself enough to stop crying. With her face still buried in his chest, she asked. "Do you hate me now?" Daryl encouraged Carol to look at him so she could see him as he responded. As she looked up, he cupped her face and said. "I told you, I'm never going to hate you sweetheart." She could see the honesty in his eyes shining through and that put her mind more at ease than it had been in a long time but she still had one more question to ask. "Why? Why will you never hate me?" He stroked her cheeks as he responded. "It's simply impossible. I can't hate you because I love you way too much for that." She let out a little gasp at his confession and, in her state of shock, breathed out her next question. "You love me?…" He nodded. "Yeah, I do… Have done for a long time and I always will. And whatever happens, you don't need to worry anymore because we'll stay together and I'm gonna look after you." He gently swiped a fresh tear from her cheek. "We'll look after each other." Carol sniffled and gave the brightest smile she had since being at the prison. "I love you too, Daryl Dixon, so much." At her confession and both of them in the knowledge that they felt the same, they embraced each other again, foreheads touching, arms wrapped tightly around each other in a safety net. Things still weren't perfect and their future was uncertain but together, they could get through anything and together, life goes on.

[lola-andheruniverse]

Hey - thank you so much for your response to my other request. I’m loving the fics. I’m here now with another request.

I’m looking for Caryl fics that involve Carol going through pregnancy/birth. I’d love to see your recommendations. TIA 😊

Hey, @roryelijah02! Wow, I love baby fics! Thanks so much for asking for this rec list. It took me a while to select stories for you that haven't yet appeared on my blog. It's has a little bit of everything - from WIP to completed works and series, sweet and fluffy romances and major dramas with happy endings. There's even a series of funny one-shots written by a group of talented carylers in collaboration. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. 🧡 1. An Innocent Man by @spanishrose2002 [ 9Lives | AO3 | FF.net ] Summary: Caryl and Mandrea, AU.  Life began at forty and only got better from there.  Carol had a good job, amazing friends, and a happy life.  She didn’t need love, and she didn’t need romance.  Besides, she already knew that all men were the same.  They would all, eventually, be guilty of the same crimes.  That didn’t make her jaded; it just made her aware.  Could one man prove to her that he was different?  Could he prove to her that he was an innocent man? Rated: E Word count: 328.365 (119 chapters of ?) Published: April 12, 2020 (WIP)

2. Maybe It's Just Us by @waynedunlaptheorgandonor [ 9Lives | AO3 ] Summary: “Look, I don't know what to tell y'all. Carol's pregnant, it's mine, it wasn't on purpose, and we ain't a couple. That's it, that's all there is.”

Spoiler alert: That isn't all there is.

Rated: M Word count: 68.675 (13 chapters) Published: September 25, 2018 (complete)

3. illuminate the heart by lilabut / @singingfirefliess [ 9Lives | AO3 ]

Summary: Whatever had happened between them, it most definitely was not supposed to mean anything. The pink plus sign, however, tells a different story.

Rated: M Word count: 55.337 (09 chapters) Published: February 04, 2016 (complete)

4. Someone Else's Star by Amanda Hawthorn [ 9Lives | AO3 ]

Summary: All those years that Ed had blamed her for being a dried up, barren bitch and it was him that had been defective all along. If she wasn’t so stressed, she’d find the situation highly amusing, but right now, she couldn’t see the funny side. She had to face facts. She was forty six, alone and pregnant...no, not funny at all.

Rated: E Word count: 122.101 (29 chapters) Published: November 20, 2017 (complete) 5. What to Expect When You're Expecting by CharlotteAshmore, Amanda Hawthorn, BettyBubble, CLADD, Geektaire and Marie1063 / @haircoveredwriter [ 9Lives ] Summary: Carol’s pregnant … surely, something Daryl hadn’t been expecting.  Oh, the joys of parenthood!  But first he has to survive something worse than a zombie apocalypse … hormones, cravings, midnight runs for pickles, sensitive boobs and the list goes on and on. Rated: T Word count: 45.177 (12 one-shots) Published: February 01, 2018