A/N Because Beth deserved more than some stupid accidental death and because despite what people say Daryl loved her.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
"Don't touch her." It's the first thing he says seconds minutes hours after it happens. He wouldn't have said a thing had Rick not bent down next to her.
"Daryl I-"
"Said don't touch her." He says crouching down next to her, blonde hair and brain matter brushing against the dark fabric of his jeans.
Gently he brushes a hand against her cheek. Her skin feels warm against his fingertips, but the warmth is fading just as quickly as the light inside of him. He's dimly aware of the tears streaming down his face, of Carol reaching a hand out to his shoulder, as he picks her up carefully and begins the walk out of the hospital.
Someone along the way suggests that they cover her with a sheet or something so that the others don't have to see her like that.
"See her like what?" He snaps gazing down at the girl in his arms. "She looks fine." And even though everyone looked at him like he had truly gone insane, he knew he was right. She looked like she was sleeping, like any moment she'd wake up and flash her blue eyes at him and sing him a song. Part of him wanted to believe she could. Believe she could just up and heal, that everything would be fine.
But he knew she was gone the second he left the hospital. He watched Glenn hold her sister and listened to the sobs and screams that filled the air and he knew.
He knew when he fell to his knees in front of Maggie and watched her cradle her sister in her arms. He knew seconds minutes hours later when he pulled her back and cradled her himself. He knew when he cried into her bloodstained hair and begged her, screamed at her to please come back please. He knew when he carried her weight for hours walking on the road back to the church where they'd bury her. He knew when he dug her grave and finally said goodbye.
He knew it was his fault. He knew it was hers too. Most of all he knew that when Beth Greene died, a part of him died with her.