It's funny given Daryl's own view of himself that Carol does see him as a romantic. Not in that cornball, red roses and champagne kind of way, which really is less romantic in her book than condescending anyway, but in the sense that he believes in good things even when life gives him absolutely no reason to. That he struggled so much with losing Sophia, lashing out the way he did, only proved it all the more, and gave Carol more reasons to never give up on him, ever. Carol often used to wonder, sometimes still does, who she'd be if she hadn't gone down the path that led her to marry Ed, and maybe Daryl wondered the same about his own past. But whatever else can be said for their shitty histories, in a way it's part of their bond, part of what makes them work well enough for what they're trying at now; neither of them knows quite what they're doing, but they do know each other and that makes it okay if the road is littered with potholes and hairpin turns.

Carol catches her breath, leaning back on her hands as Daryl messes with her boot zippers. Leaning forward to help him sounds like ways to get a concussion in one easy lesson and that would derail things messily -- not acceptable. As for what, exactly he's up to... she never expected a precise quid pro quo, if that's where his mind is. She wonders idly if it would be more demure to voice some halfhearted objection if so, but, bluntly, screw that. She's careful and her nerves are kicking up in that anxious, excited way, but she's no virtuous young maiden and it's been forever. Frankly, if he asked right now she'd do pretty much any dirty thing he wanted.

She makes herself useful in what little ways she can, kicking up her feet so he can tug her boots free, lifting her hips if he goes for her pants. Making sure there's a pillow within reach in case she gets loud, because being shameless seems to be working for her and she's not stopping now.