Even as Carol as if she were talking about someone that was still alive, Daryl could see the pain in her eyes. He watched her for a moment as she sat next to him before he moved to stare down at his lap. He wondered if those walls, that strength, had always been there or if that was something she was putting forth especially for him. Then again, this was the woman that had managed to somehow bounce back from losing her daughter while he had been left falling apart after failing to fulfill his promise to her. He had failed her more than he'd ever failed himself, and she had lost more than he'd ever known, but she'd been the one to keep it together. Where did all of that strength come from?
"Carol, stop it," he said softly, gently, as he finally turned his face to look at her again. He hesitated a moment before he reached out to run a hand up her back to her shoulder and squeeze it gently. "You ain't gotta be strong 'round me."