A/N: Happy Monday everyone! I have to apologize for how long it took me to actually post this story. I know I just finished another lingering story and said I was going to take a small break – mostly to get started on this project again. Once I started playing around with the story of BURN, I had realized I have had this first chapter done for 2 years. You readers have been waiting 2 whole years for this story to finish up – I'm so sorry for that! I hope everyone has enjoyed the side distractions I've posted since then with a few other stories I've put out there.

BURN picks up not long after OFFICAL ended. I think readers may have to read both HOME and OFFICIAL to understand this story fully – new characters and striking different story line for where TWD is now. This story with continue to be heavily BETHYL focused but a few other show characters may pop in… maybe in the first few chapters – I know I promised that before and I plan to keep that true for everyone.

Please enjoy the first chapter of BURN.

BURN

"Find a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain." - Joseph Campbell

CHAPTER 1

Daryl slid his calloused hand along the line of her hip, slipping under the band of her underwear to the warm flesh beneath. Beth was spooned with him, her smaller frame fitting snuggly against him. It was still black out, but Daryl had just allowed himself to drift awake. It was morning despite the darkness; dawn break was coming later and later each day. Daryl knew there was still a little time before the day came to collect them.

He loved this time alone with his wife. His wife. It still caused a swell of pride to fill his chest each time he thought those words. Beth Greene was his wife. Four weeks had passed since she had slipped that ring onto her finger in the bathroom and bound them together with her affirmation. For the first time in his shitty life, Daryl felt his whole world was complete. That ring on her finger, the sweet smile she gave him every morning, and the touch of her soft skin against him was more than Daryl had ever dared dream of. The last four weeks of heaven had flown by too quickly.

During this time of bliss there had been one singular, nagging black mark that was always hanging in the back of his head. It had been four weeks since their wild, abandoned lovemaking in the shower. Four weeks since their lapse in judgment during the heat of the moment. Beth had explained later, blushing while she did, that the condoms, if not already, were near useless. They had started using other methods but knew that nothing was guaranteed. Nothing was ever safe, but damn, if Daryl didn't enjoy being bound to her, being fused with his warm, tight wife. Now with no barrier between them, he always pulled out, relishing until the last moment. Still, there was always that one time four weeks ago that would linger in his mind.

Beth had told him not to worry even though he'd never said anything to her. She knew, his wife could read him like a book. All Daryl knew was it had been four weeks and Beth hadn't bled since then. Not like he regularly paid a lot of attention before. It wasn't something Daryl cared to know about, the mysteries of woman. He knew on the road and at the cabin, Beth would tell him she needed supplies and they would go get them. Daryl wasn't sure why Beth didn't need them often as she had rarely asked for them. He figured the hard life and bad diet probably affected her body, making her cycles irregular. But now here, he knew life had become fairly standard and regular even if he wasn't sure if Beth was.

So Daryl worried silently but enough for her to notice. His concern wasn't so much as to dampen the bliss that was his life for the moment, but just enough nagging unease about the future. Daryl supposed perhaps that's what you did once you found happiness. The curse was how long could one make that joy last? Daryl had never had to worry about it with his family, with Merle, at the Greene farm, or prison because he always knew whatever they had wasn't going to last. He never said the words to anyone, he may haven't even thought the exact idea, but deep in his bones Daryl always knew nothing good in his life ever lasted. Now that he had this wonderful woman in his arms and in his life, he knew he had to make sure it lasted. Damn if he was going to be responsible for her not to survive… ever.

If Daryl was honest with himself, a baby scared the goddamn shit out of him. Even before the world went to hell, he had never been interested in being a father or interested in general with kids. He liked them for the most part, but as long as they weren't his responsibility and didn't get in his way. Daryl had been as surprised as everyone else in their group with the paternal, almost fatherly devotion he felt with Lil' Ass-Kicker. He had chalked it up to the facts that her mama had been dead and her daddy had checked into crazy town for a bit. Daryl had stepped up, he'd ensured she survived. Somewhere along the way, he loved her even if he didn't realize it until it was too late. Judith was gone from their lives now; she was missing or dead. Either way gone was gone and Daryl just didn't know her exact fate. He could never do that with his own flesh and blood. He couldn't do that to Beth.

Beth stirred next to Daryl, her body shifting just enough to add pressure against his body. Her warm ass rubbed against his cock despite the slight cloth barrier between them. Daryl breathed in her scent, his nose in her blonde hair. He could tell she was waking up slowly.

The couple had spent the last few nights in bed together, rare full nights without guard duty rotations or other dilemmas. Despite having the time together, Daryl had not found it fruitful as his partner had injured herself. Beth had slipped in the yard, chasing an errant chicken. It would have been hilarious if she had not shouted in pain and twisted her ankle, bad enough for him to carry her inside. The sprain had been severe enough for Jess to have wrapped it, iced it, and placed Beth on rest for a few days.

The first day, Beth had rested her ankle high up on pillows, learning to crochet more from Paula. The outcome had been the same as last winter, a strangely angled scarf followed up by the re-balling of yarn. The following day, Beth had hobbled around the kitchen to help where she could until Daryl had found out and sat her back down. Yesterday, Beth had walked with a limp but not as pronounced as before. In another day or two, Daryl knew she'd be fine. He thanked his lucky stars for the fences and the Wilken farm. It was a place for her to rest, heal, and be safe. Not everyone in the world had that these days.

Daryl pulled her hip back as Beth stirred again, pressing her harder against him. The pressure was enough to show her he was awake and ready. After a few days of taking it easy on her, he was eager to please them both. With her eyes still closed he could see curve of her cheek pull up, a lazy smile growing on her mouth.

Beth snuggled against him, rolling her head in the pillow to allow a profiled look up at him. "Mornin'."

His hand left her hip and trolled down to her thigh. "Mornin'," he rumbled with his face moving from her hair to her exposed neck. Daryl trailed his lips down to her throat. "How's the ankle?"

She flexed her leg, testing the bandage bound ankle. Beth took her time, the slight inflections rubbed against his hardened cock in a slow, teasing manner. "Better. I'll limp a little but it don't hardly hurt today."

His finger trailed back up her thigh, traced her hip's edge, and then back down to her center. "Good," he growled, allowing his finger tips to brush over her mound over her panties.

He heard her breath quicken as she uttered in a low voice, "I could have before, ya know…"

Daryl allowed a finger to slip into the hidden heat between her thighs, skimming the sleek readiness he found there. "Not the way I've wanted."

Beth twisted more towards him, opening her legs more to his wanting touch. "Oh, how's that?" Her voice was husky and teasing, music to his ears.

He lifted over her, rolling her completely on to her back beneath him. Daryl gave her a secretive smirk as he let his body drift down hers, kissing the hollow of her neck and tops of her pert breasts. A dreamy, humming sigh left Beth as she pulled her tank top over her head. For some time he'd had an idea he couldn't get out of his head and this morning seemed like the perfect opportunity. Daryl furthered his kisses to her flat stomach, his tongue circling her navel as he pulled her underwear off and tossing them to the floor forgotten.

"This way," Daryl breathed as he settled between her thighs, using his strong hands to part them easily. This was unexplored territory for the couple; Daryl had never wanted to before with his brief encounters in the past. His focus had always been on his own pleasure. Now, he loved his wife's whimpering cries of passion and couldn't help wanting to elicit more from her. He slowly eased his body down the bed, pressing kisses to the tops of her thighs.

"Daryl," Beth gasped once she realized what was coming as Daryl shifted himself down on her farther. "Oh, I'm… we haven't…" she stumbled as she rose up on her elbows.

"Shh," he hushed her gently and loved the way his breath against readied center caused her body to instinctively shudder. "You'll enjoy this, I promise. And I've been wantin' t' do this for the longest damn time."

Daryl eased her thighs over his shoulders to help keep the pressure off her struggling ankle and to give himself more control over what he desired to do to his recent bride. They were both still very much enjoying this honeymoon period, and Daryl intended to make this last. He slipped his hands over her hips and under her buttocks, lifting Beth ever so slightly off the bed as he nuzzled against the soft curls that protected her most intimate center.

Taking his time, Daryl teased her by brushing his lips against her glistening slit until Beth eased herself back with a deep breath escaping her. "That's it… just relax," Daryl murmured as her hips reflexively started to undulate from his erotic touch. He was in no hurry to rush this.

Trusting in him completely, Beth allowed her legs to relax further and granted him better access to her. Understanding she was granting allowance, Daryl slowly ran his tongue along her slit, testing her wetness and getting his first taste of her sweetness. It still marveled him that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

A sharp gasp escaped Beth at his first tentative touch with her body arching slightly from it. Getting the response he had hoped for, Daryl spread her slightly more with his thumbs and fully lowered his mouth to the wet heat he found there. Beth wriggled under his tantalizing touch, but he kept her pinned in his hold with his strong hands. He felt his cock twitch, growing even harder at her response but knew he wasn't going to rush this… for either of them.

He allowed his tongue to explore, delving into her sweet folds and finding what they both enjoyed the most. Daryl was meticulous in hunting, planning, and fighting so pleasing Beth for him would be no different as he did his best to ignore his throbbing dick and pounding heart to focus all of his intent on her. He continued his attention on her in relish, diving in and giving his woman what she moaned for in a low, pleading voice.

Beth started to rock against his face, the sensations Daryl was inducing were almost more than she could bear. Her hands fisted in the sheets and her teeth bit down on her lower lip, trying hard not to let her sensuous cries get too loud. He dragged his tongue from bottom up to her swollen nub as he savored her taste to memory.

Daryl continued to tease her, slowly suckling her clit and alternating between deep tongue dancing over her aching center. Beth grabbed at his hair, urging him up higher. The knowledge she was in much more of a rush than he was had him smirking as he complied. He found her clit and started a gentle suckle, one that started to drive Beth over the edge.

She arched up against his hold, pressing herself against him until he found a steady rhythm that had her moaning his name. Daryl allowed a hand to slip from her hip and dived into her waiting center. Two fingers penetrated her with ease as he pumped her furiously while she rolled her hips with his finger fucking. Her walls clenched over his fingers and her legs quivered against him, but Daryl didn't stop. He was going to ride her through, enjoying her orgasm as much as if he was pounding her with his cock instead of his fingers. Daryl only slowed once her muscles gave out and she relaxed against him, her heavy breathing filling the space between them.

Daryl pulled himself up and wiped the back of his hand over his mouth. Beth flushed slightly under his masculine stare, sensing his pride at the new response he had been able to drink from her. He loved the sight of her in the afterglow of pleasure with her flushed cheeks, tight nipples, and wet lips. Beth gazed at him with half-lidded eyes, reaching a hand out to him, beckoning him forth.

He obliged her, allowing him to brace himself over her ready body. Daryl guided himself to her waiting center, easing himself slowly into her wet but tight sheath. Once her silken heat flowed over him, he knew his best intentions of making this last longer was no longer an option. His saving grace was he knew Beth was already pleased. Daryl withdrew from her warmth only to sink back in ever deeper, the snug vice of her body welcoming his incursion readily. He brushed some errant hairs from her cheek before his hands came to frame her face. He drove in repeatedly, sliding into her sleekness, so warm and waiting.

Her lips shaped his name but it escaped without a sound as he bent down and touched her mouth with his own. With their tongues mingling, Daryl deepened his thrust at an increasingly maddening pace. The space between their bodies became sleek with sweat as Daryl continued his pounding pace into Beth, her body meeting each thrust eagerly. Abruptly, Beth arched hard up against him, her hands digging into his arms as her body once against clenched hard around him. Feeling her walls convulsing was almost more than Daryl could stand as he held himself rigid, enjoying the waves of her second orgasm rolling off his length.

"Christ," he hissed out from a clenched jaw. Almost too late, he jerked back and grabbed hold of his throbbing cock. Hot, white cum jutted out of him, hitting Beth's stomach in a force that he couldn't control.

Utterly drained, Daryl rolled to the side and flopped onto his back, still breathing heavily and perhaps even a little dizzy. He wondered again if he wasn't too old for this shit but quickly dismissed it, knowing he really didn't give a fuck as long as he got to revel in Beth's body. It wouldn't be a bad way to go someday if he was too old. He grabbed at a loose article of clothing, using it to clean himself and Beth.

Once cleaned, Beth followed him to lie back down as she draped an arm over his stomach and rested her head on his shoulder. She hummed a soft appreciation in a tune he didn't recognize but still closed his eyes to enjoy. Beth did that here… finally again, like she often did at the prison, at the farm and even when they had been on the road that first winter. She had seemingly lost that ability, the humming and the free singing sometime after her father's death.

Here and now, Beth was finally able to feel free do so again. Daryl thought maybe Beth felt safe again, that this place relaxed her. It made him rest easier. They had all even been graced with her singing voice a few times. Daryl wanted to ask her to sing more but wasn't exactly sure how? He wasn't even sure if she wanted to. Beth would sometimes sing silly songs with Oscar and had sung on occasion when Paula had asked but never freely anymore. She seemed to have to be asked when she hadn't before. Daryl wondered why, what could be so different? When Beth sang, her heart seemed to soar, her soul bared for all those listening. A beautiful expression he hadn't fully appreciated until there was silence. The journey had been so long and so hard from the prison to now, Daryl wondered if she may have lost some of her joy along the way.

They rested intertwined for a time, relaxing and letting their heartbeats slow to normal. But not for too long, Daryl could never stand to lay about even if there was a fine woman in bed with him. He knew the day needed to start. Sunrise was usually his call and the later autumn sun had already broken the horizon.

"Gotta go," Daryl stated softly, easing his body from under hers.

"Finally gonna try and go out huntin' today?" Beth asked as she rolled to her back and snuggled under the covers. She was generally an early riser too, perhaps because of him, but often held back for a moment or two to relish in the last bit of warmth in the bed.

He rose fully, snatching a set of clothes quickly. Daryl pulled them on as he stood. He didn't sit on the edge of the bed, he never did. It would be easier, but Daryl still didn't like her looking at his nasty collection of scars. It wasn't because he was ashamed anymore or she would have whimpered at the sight of them. He was fine with her touching him there now, the way she stroked his back during lovemaking or rubbed out the knots after a long day. Daryl just didn't want her to have to stare at them every morning, to see the ugliness, and be reminded of his weakness and pain. She didn't need to remember that about him every day, he would be the one to bare them. Daryl always dressed with his front facing her.

Daryl slid his shirt over his head. "Maybe. I shoulda went out yesterday but…" His voice trailed off.

"But me," Beth finished when he had stopped. "You could have gone. I'm fine." She gave him a raised brow look, one that dared him to dispute.

He ignored the challenge, knowing better, and gave a noncommittal grunt in response as he buttoned his jeans. Daryl knew there had been no way he would have left her side when she had been unable to run, let alone barely able to walk. The fences here were great but not perfect.

"Daryl, I'm fine. I'll be fine when you come back later today. Go," Beth ordered, rising up on elbow to give him stern look.

Daryl glanced up at her through his dark bangs. He knew better than to argue when he saw that look on her face. He knew the group was low on meat, they had plenty of vegetables to last the winter but a man could only live on potatoes for so many days.

"I guess I could go today," he answered finally.

Beth smiled at him. "Good. Because after that workout, I'll need more energy for another round tonight. Protein would go a long way in helping that out… "

"For tonight, then," Daryl smirked at her before leaning down to steal a quick kiss from her laughing lips.

When he pulled back, the lightness was gone from her bright blue eyes, earnestness replacing it. "You stay safe."

"Always," he promised. It was always his intent to keep his promise to Beth each time they were apart and out in the world… it was just sometimes, the world had its own plans.

A/N: Hopefully this first chapter was what everyone had been waiting for. I wanted to start it out pretty happy since we are going to go to some dark places in this story line. Please let me know what you think. I plan on posting only once a week as I am a slow writer, but with lots of encouragement I am sure I could post a little faster…