Chapter One: You're A Good Man
The group had been in Alexandria for a couple of weeks now and everyone seemed to be settling into their new jobs. Rick and Michonne were thriving as constables while everyone else was quickly getting acquainted with their new roles in the community.
Beth was surprised at how much she actually loved working at the school with the younger kids. After her initial shock at the normalcy of it all, she relished in being useful. The only downside was that she didn't get to see Daryl as much as she wanted. They had been growing extremely close. Beth was afraid that Daryl would start pulling away in their new surroundings but the exact opposite had happened actually. Just like when they had been reunited with the group after the prison fell, it made him cling to Beth even more and she secretly took great pleasure in that. She had feelings for him. It was as simple as that but she didn't yet completely understand what those feelings meant. All she knew was that she'd never felt anything like this for anyone but she'd never tell Daryl because there was no way he could be feeling the same for her right? Beth wasn't entirely sure. He cared about her. Beth was sure of that. She was also glad that they were navigating this new territory together.
The group was split into two houses with Rick, Carl, Judith, Michonne, Daryl, and Beth taking the first house while Glenn, Maggie, Sasha, Noah, Abraham, Rosita, Eugene, and Tara took the second house. Beth thought about staying with Maggie but she knew Maggie had Glenn and quite frankly she just couldn't sleep anymore without Daryl being close by.
When the group was discussing room assignments after staying together for their first couple of nights, Beth had nonchalantly sat beside Daryl on the couch and bumped his shoulder. Daryl looked at her. "Ya gonna be staying with Maggie now ain't ya?" he timidly asked her. Beth's cheeks reddened as she looked away. "Actually...I was wondering if...if I could stay with you? I feel safe with you Daryl." she quietly admitted. Daryl's head had snapped up in her direction and if she hadn't of been so nervous of his answer, she would've laughed at the bewildered expression on his face. Daryl awkwardly cleared his throat. "Hell Beth...ya know I'd do anything to keep ya safe...ya can stay with me if ya want. But Maggie ain't..." he said. "She's fine with it. I already talked to her about it. I want to stay with you." Beth interrupted. Daryl looked down as he nodded his head. "Alright then. I ain't never slept with a girl but..." he started. Now it was Beth's turn to look bewildered. "Shit! I didn't mean it like that uh...I just...ya know...ain't never shared an actual room with one before." Daryl mumbled looking down embarrassed. Beth bumped his shoulder again. "Hey. We're friends Daryl. And there's no one else I'd rather have for a roommate than you." Beth smiled at him. "Just don't hog all the covers." she smirked. Daryl released a breathy chuckle. "Nah. Wouldn't do that to ya." he told her.
Surprisingly it hadn't been as awkward as Beth thought it would be sharing a room OR bed with him. After all, they were already used to sleeping beside one another from their time alone together after the prison. They would both go to sleep on their respective sides of the King-size mattress but several times they had awoken to find themselves tangled up together with Beth snuggled into Daryl and his arms wrapped tightly around her. Beth had never felt so safe or satisfied than in those early-morning moments. She wasn't sure what Daryl was feeling because he never really mentioned it and neither did she. They would just stare at each other for a few moments before disentangling themselves and starting their day. Beth knew for anyone else that would be awkward and strange but somehow with her and Daryl it just fit.
When they had first arrived, Daryl was very hesitant about the new people and her heart ached when he was the only one left without a job. But one day when he took her out to practice with his crossbow again, Aaron had approached them to offer some friendly advice to Daryl. Beth was grateful for that and she immediately took a liking to Aaron when she saw how he, like her, wanted to boost Daryl's self-esteem.
Deanna had invited everyone to a big welcoming party and Beth wanted to go. She was intrigued by this new community and their customs. However Daryl, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with the party. When Aaron had invited them both over to have dinner with him and Eric, Beth let Daryl know that she'd go wherever he wanted to go. Daryl knew he wouldn't feel comfortable with all those people scrutinizing him so he reluctantly agreed to the dinner invitation with Aaron and Eric.
The dinner went extremely well despite Daryl's less-than-stellar table manners but honestly Beth thought it was cute. The more she learned about Daryl the more she liked him. He was a good man. She also found herself liking Aaron and Eric more and more. They were some of the good people. Beth encouraged Daryl to go have the requested talk with Aaron while she got better acquainted with Eric. Once Aaron and Daryl left the table, Eric had quickly let Beth know that Aaron was giving Daryl a job as a recruiter. Beth got choked up. She knew someone putting trust in Daryl would mean a lot to him and it meant a lot to her as well. She was always trying to get Daryl to think better of himself and the fact that Aaron and Eric were now encouraging him too touched her heart.
While they walked to Rick's house later that night, Daryl asked her opinion on the matter. Beth told him that she believed the recruiting job would be good for him. "I told you that you were a good man Daryl." she said as she leaned up and kissed his cheek. Daryl had abruptly froze much the same way he did when she had kissed him on the forehead all those weeks ago when everything seemed so hopeless. Beth wasn't offended either time. She knew her displays of affection were entirely foreign to him but he was just going to have to get used to them. After a few seconds he relaxed as his cheeks flushed and he looked down while awkwardly clearing his throat. "Yeah well." he had grumbled trying to brush off her compliment. Beth giggled as they started walking again. "You are though. And don't you ever doubt it." she had firmly stated as she linked her hand with his. Once again, she could feel his initial shock as he stiffened for a split second but then his hand turned to putty as he tightened his grip on hers just like he did when they were alone outside the funeral home. Beth smirked to herself and peeked up at Daryl who still held his usual deadpan expression but she could see a slight smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth and she loved it. "Just be careful out there and come back safe to me." Beth whispered. Daryl gave her hand a squeeze. "Ain't ever leaving ya girl." he said quietly with a hoarse voice and Beth was assured. He was a man of his word and she knew he meant his words with every fiber of his being.