A/N: This feels mostly like a rewrite of "Still" not only that but I feel like I wrote Beth better than what she appears on the show. Eh. Who knows.
Sorry for the immense amount of Beth (would it be Bethyl? I don't think so but meh idk), but she's the only person I remember (and see) Daryl saying this to since he got stuck with her.
Without further ado
#2: "Michonne and I found this place on a run a while back."
"Now we're both in the room
And we're breathing the fumes
No doors this time, just a gap in the roof
Life floods in, heaven, we're blind
And slowly suffocating, we're dying" ~ Smoke by Daughter
"A motorcycle mechanic?" Beth mumbled as they continued their trek through the woods.
"Huh?" Daryl said, his attention focused on listening out for walkers or worst, humans.
"That's my guess.."Beth stared at the back of his head as he walked ahead of her, she could feel the trepidation rolling off his shoulders. "For what you were doing before the turn."
Daryl wanted to roll his eyes as he listened. Again with the questions digging into his past.
"Did Zach ever guess that one?" she asked staring at him, noticing how hesitant his steps were becoming, how tightly he gripped his crossbow. A small transformation was coming over the Dixon boy and she had no clue why.
"Don't matter." He pushed out as they continued to trek through the woods, the familiarity of the path causing his stomach to drop. "Hasn't mattered for a long time."
At first, his main goal was to get outta that place, to reign in her emotions and get her away from the reminder. But now, his own heart had taken the reigns, guiding him on the path to a place that makes him want to turn back time. A place that would be a reminder of what he loss. Of what he couldn't save.
"It's just… something people talk about ya know?" Beth said trying to decipher him. During this entire trip he seemed to be going through an array of emotions. At first she believed it was due to them all being scattered, but now… now Beth could see that something else was pulling at the Dixon's heartstrings. "To feel normal."
Michonne gave him a side smile as they finished killing the small herd that attacked them. "So sick of them."
Daryl nodded, ripping an arrow from one of the walker's head, "I know what you mean."
Michonne flicked the blood off her blade before sheathing it, "We're losing daylight."
Daryl nodded, "C'mon." he motioned for her to follow as they headed through the woods. The two walked in a comfortable silence, both knowing that they didn't need words between them. They weren't like the people at the prison, neither of them feeling the need to divulge into each others past.
What did the past matter in a world that was littered with death and disease.
He knew that she was strong, tactful, loyal and a survivor and she knew that of him.
What else mattered?
Michonne understood him like no one else, she had this way of already knowing the kind of life he led without him having to utter a word. And her, she never said anything and she didn't have to.
Daryl wasn't an idiot, he could see the apprehension and pain in her eyes when Judith was around. He could see the tightening in her throat and the sobs that were ready to break out that she stomped down at every instance. He knew how she crawled into herself at night and let herself grieve a loss that no woman should have to bare.
"Stop it." she called, not sparing him a glance.
"Wut?" he replied looking over at her with a raised brow.
"You have that look again," she said, sliding her eyes in his direction, "Ya know what I'm talking about."
Daryl snorted and turned his head away, a red tint flooding his cheeks at the fact of being caught.
Michonne smirked at him, "Blushing Dixon?"
"Jus tha heat." he replied quickly.
Michonne pretended to wipe some sweat from her brow, "Real scorcher today." She smirks as Daryl stops and looks at her before a grin falls on his lips; he nudged her shoulder before continuing along the path.
Michonne stifled a laugh and followed him.
"Yeah, well never felt normal to me," he snapped, giving her a sideways glance before his chest seem to tighten; he was getting closer.
Beth flinched slightly at his tone and clamped her mouth shut. Whatever was bothering him was getting the better of his emotions. She had been around enough to see that an angry Dixon wasn't one to be trifled with. She bit her lower lip trying to keep quiet as they continued to walk.
Daryl pushed past the underbrush, his heart feeling heavy in his chest. The peaceful scenery around them contrasted the swirl of emotions going on in his head. He folded his lips as they came upon the cabin, his own heart dropping to his stomach and the air being ripped from his lungs. His eyes clouded over and the pounding in his heart seemed to be ringing his ears as memories flooded his brain.
"On your right," she called as a structure broke through the treeline.
Daryl nodded as the cabin came into view. He tilted his head toward it and lifted his crossbow as he walked over cautiously. Michonne had already pulled her katana from it's sheath and followed behind him, usually she's at the front but after a plethora of runs with the redneck she learnt that not only was chivalry not dead, but Daryl was the walking epitome of it.
They scouted around the cabin, killing the few stragglers hanging around the place and inside. Eventually, moving the bodies outside the house in hopes that they would deflect their smell from any nearby walkers.
The place wasn't exactly ideal. There was dishes and junk littered all over the place. The longer Daryl stood in that cabin the more he was reminded of his own childhood home; he felt those demons coming up slowly. Michonne noticed the look on his face and walked around the back of the place in search of something to clean up with.
Daryl was pulled from his thoughts as her retreating footsteps reached his ears. He shook his head sitting his bow on the floor as he rummaged through the drawers in the makeshift kitchen. A grin fell on his lips as he opened the cabinet.
Michonne came back in wiping her face with a towel and arched an eyebrow at his still form. "Anything good?
Daryl turned to her holding a glass bottle, "Moonshine."
Michonne smirked, "Shelter and a drink, you know how to treat a girl Dixon."
Daryl smirked, "Jus gotta get yew some grum and yew'll neva wanna leave."
Michonne laughed, "Sounds perfect, Casanova"
"Michonne and I found this place on a run a while back…" he said deadpanned, staring at the place silently.
Beth looked at the cabin ahead, it didn't seem like anything special. Just another place to hide for the night. She opened her mouth to tell him so but quickly clamped it shut when she noticed the intensity of his glaze. This place wasn't anything special to her, but it definitely held some significance for Daryl. "I..I was expecting a liquor store."
Daryl broke out of his ravine and shrugged, "I know." he pushed those emotions back, as long as he kept them at bay he wouldn't have to deal with his loss.
"It's even better." he said as he walked closer to the cabin.
Beth just stared at his back confused, better than a liquor store? Wasn't this the man that just spent the better half of the day silently and vocally yelling at her about her stupidity over wanting to get drunk. But now he wanted her to drink, it didn't make any sense to her. She arched an eyebrow as she followed him, did Daryl… she shook her head at the thought, no way. It's laughable. There was no way that Daryl had any kind of relationship with Michonne.
Michonne tried to contain her laughter, "Jesus Daryl!"
Daryl smirked loving his ability to make her laugh. They sat next to each other with a small dim lantern in front of them. They had been sitting there for what seemed like hours joking around with each other. He raised an eyebrow as Michonne poured herself another glass.
"Dang, slow down gurl." Daryl grinned as Michonne took another sip of her drink.
Michonne laughed softly shaking her head, "Isn't that your third glass?"
Daryl nudged her shoulder, pushing her a bit, "Dun go all lawyer on me."
Michonne held the drink to her lips smirking, there was something about that southern drawl that always drew her closer to Daryl. She looked at him through her lashes and Daryl felt a knot form in his stomach. "I think you like when I get all lawyer on you."
"Yew get assertive as hell."
"Uh-oh, the big words are coming out." she grinned sitting her glass to the side, "Careful Dixon."
Daryl stared at her, his heart beating rapidly as the low light illuminated her face making her glazed eyes twinkle. He enjoyed moments like this, when it was just them. When he wasn't the supposedly racist redneck and she wasn't the silent samurai. When they both let go of all inhibitions and just enjoyed each other. With so much chaos in this world, it was a nice change.
"I ain't neva not careful, Chonne."
Michonne grinned at him leaning in closer, "Good."
"Careful Chonne, " he whispered as he cupped her cheeks, his thumbs running along her smooth skin. "Yew'll catch more fleas."
"Already got 'em" she whispered as Daryl captured her lips in a searing kiss that she instantly reciprocated her hands moving up his chest and slowly slipping around his neck. He pulls her into his lap, nipping at her lower lip asking for permission. Michonne grins in the kiss, happily obliging to his silent request.
A groan escapes Daryl as Michonne's tongue caresses his own and it doesn't take long before his hands are leaving her face and traveling down her slim form caressing her slowly, eventually stopping at her waist.
Michonne pulled away from the kiss slowly and smirked at him, "You're getting better with your hands Dixon."
Daryl grinned at her, "Been taking lessons."
Michonne gasped playfully and looked offended, "From who? Carol?"
"Hush yew," he said as he pulled her into another kiss, erasing any thoughts from their minds.
"Moonshine." Daryl said as he handed Beth the box full of glasses. Beth took the box with an arched eyebrow, this was a random turn of events. Daryl looked at the bottles for a split second before walking away from her and heading into the cabin, it would take more than moonshine to forget the feel of her.
Beth followed behind him silently, her brain still conjuring up different reasons why Daryl was in such a mood. She watched silently as Daryl walked through the place, shoulders tense, shifty movements; he needed a drink more than she believed she did.
She sat down at the table looking at him, waiting. Daryl grabbed her a glass and a took one of the full bottles and poured some in her cup. Just let her drink. Drink until she cried, and let her cry until she fell asleep. Cause once she was asleep, he could be alone. Alone to think about everything. Alone to address this lump in his heart.
"Alright, that's a first drink right there."
Beth looked at the drink hesitantly, tapping her fingers on the table nervously.
"Whas tha matter?"
"Nothing," she replied as she fiddled with the glass. " It's just… my daddy always said bad moonshine could make you go blind."
"Ain't nothin worth seeing out there anyways." he replied.
Beth picked the glass up and downed the drink. Daryl nodded his head and walked away from her. "Jus drink lots of water."
Beth rolled her eyes, "Yes Mr. Dixon."
Daryl rolled his eyes, boarding up the windows hoping she'd be out soon.
Daryl was glad when she finally passed out from all the alcohol. All the time spent with her was filled with noise. The sound of crying, the sound of arguing, the sound of his own past being pushed out in his anger.
He loathed it. He didn't understand what she got out of it all. The only thing that he understood was that the Greene family was littered with crazy women.
He leaned against the porch, swirling the liquor in the cup. Beth's voice reverberating in his head.
"I'm not Michonne!"
No, she wasn't Michonne and that was the problem.
Michonne felt her back hit the wall as they kissed feverishly. Daryl hands making quick work of her top as she pushes her hands into his vest, slipping it from his shoulders.
He moves to her neck, attacking it in a flurry of kisses and bites smirking as Michonne's hands move to his hair.
Daryl's hand move lower, popping the button at the front of her jeans his hands sliding down the front of them pressing against her nub through her panties.
Michonne hissed in pleasure and bites her lower lip to stifle the moan threatening to spill from her lips.
They had been in this position before. Many times before. You don't go on various runs and spend months on the road alone without something sparking.
And things between them didn't just spark, it was a raging inferno that neither one of them had the power to control.
Daryl slide her pants down completely, smirking as she kicked them off. Michonne grinned at him standing naked in front of him. His eyes soaking in her curvy and delicious form. He didn't think he'd ever get enough of her.
"Don't leave me hanging Dixon."
Daryl grinned and pulled his shirt over his head and yanked his pants off. Her eyes roam his body hungrily. In an instant he pulls her in his arms and his lips smash against hers. She slips her tongue inside his mouth and the battle for dominance begins.
Daryl slips his hands down her backside, gripping it tightly as he hoists her up and groaning as she slips her legs around his waist, pressing her sex against his.
A moan stumbles from her lips as Daryl bucked his hips slightly, his manhood pressing against her in the most delicious fashion.
His hands moved back toward her breast, taking the chocolate mounds in his hands. Michonne moaned at the contact, arching her back as he rolled her pert nipples between his fingers.
"Fuck...Daryl," she whimpered as she lifted her hips to meet him, moaning as she feels the tip of his manhood press into her slightly.
Daryl breaks the kiss and his eyes locks with hers. She looks up at him through her lashes, her eyes swirling with emotions. Emotions that he knows are reflected in his own eyes.
She runs a hand down his cheek before he took that hand in his, intertwining their fingers before he plunges inside of her.
She moans loudly at the intrusion and grips his hand tightly as he starts thrusting slowly.
"Shit Chonne.." He groans at the feel of her walls surrounding him. He increases his pace moving one hand to lift her leg to allow him to get deeper inside of her.
Michonne throws her head back against the wall as she meets his thrust, her nails digging into his hand.
Daryl begins to thrust faster, Michonne's pants and moans encouraging him.
"Oh, God...Dar..oh fuck..." she cries as he hits a particular spot.
Daryl grins wickedly as he thrust into that spot repeatedly, leaning closer to her and groaning softly in her ear, "Like that."
"Yes," she cries, biting her lower lip roughly to keep the scream from leaving her lips.
He grips her thigh tightly and moves faster as Michonne flex her hips against him.
"Oh fuck... Oh..go!" she cries as an orgasm powerfully ripples through her. She arches her back in pleasure, her nails breaking the skin on Daryl's hand and shoulder.
Daryl groans loudly as he thrust wildly before burying himself deep inside of her as he reaches his climax.
He drops his head on her shoulder, panting heavily as he uses his free hand to keep them steady, his legs shaking from the exertion he just put them through.
Michonne kissed his shoulder and sighed contently.
"I'm sure there's a bed in the back."
Daryl grinned, "I like yew against the wall."
Michonne smirked, "Not sure your legs do."
"Dun worry," Daryl moved his lips to her neck, peppering it with small kisses. "I got yew."
Michonne didn't say anything, she just held him tightly. He did have her. In every way possible. And she knew she had him too.
It was a gravitational pull that neither of them could fight.
Daryl threw the glass and watched as it shatter before cradling his head in his hands.
How did things get so fucked up; so out of control. One minute she was cradled in his arms and the next she's being pulled out of a car in bondage.
He felt the stinging sensation prickle at his eyes and the lump form in his throat. The weight of what he loss finally impacting him. He rubbed his eyes, ridding them of the tears that were attempting to fall, but more continued to spring forth. He covered his face and let out a muffled sob. So many what ifs racing through his brain. So many regrets.
The pang of guilt flooded his senses.
He should have been out there with her. He should've protected her. But somewhere down the road he got greedy. The semblance of having a slightly normal life with her was just too tempting. It made him want to stop searching; made him just want to have her stay in his arms.
But she didn't stay.
At least, not at first. She'd leave for weeks on end to hunt the Governor down. It was only when their people got sick that she stayed and he was able to have her again for a couple of weeks before everything came crashing down.
Daryl's sorrow quickly transformed into anger.
He punched the wooden pole in front of him, frustrated at himself for not continuing the hunt. For not finding and killing that fucker sooner. But the trail went cold and they were just blindly searching.
But right now he'd rather be blindly searching with her then to be sitting here wondering.
He was so engrossed in his thoughts he didn't even hear Beth coming from the cabin.
Beth looked at his stiff shoulders and could see frustration embracing him like a warm blanket. With her head more clear, she realized that she didn't know the Dixon boy at all. He wasn't like her. He wasn't like anyone in their group. He didn't wear his emotions on his sleeve like the rest of them. He kept things hidden away.
And in her haze she didn't realize that it was for good reason. He carried a lot with him and in return for putting up with her bullshit today, maybe she could help him let it go.
"Sometimes you have to put those things behind you." Beth said, effectively pulling him from his thoughts. "Before it kills you."
Daryl looked at her, not saying anything. He would love that. Love to be able to take all the shit that's happened to him over the years and just let it go. To be free of the bonds and chains that tie him to a destructive home, neglectful parents, and a broken family.
But he just didn't have material reminders, he had emotional ones and scars that littered his flesh that would also stand as a reminder.
And it wasn't just his past that hurt. It was the present too.
"Yew should git inside." Daryl mumbled rubbing his head.
"We should burn it down." she says with a huge grin on her lips, laughing softly. Daryl stared at her stoically before standing. He headed inside before stopping.
He didn't need anymore reminders. He didn't need to hold onto anymore things that hurt.
"We're gonna need more booze."
Daryl opened his eyes slowly tensing slightly at the feel of her fingers tracing the scars in his back.
Michonne stopped for a second, gauging his reaction.
"Dun stop." he mumbles closing his eyes, enjoying this moment with her.
Michonne grinned into his chest as she continued to trace his scars.
Daryl sighed contently, pulling her body flush against his. Michonne let out a small giggle when she felt his lips against her forehead.
"So affectionate," she mumbled against his skin. "Careful Dixon, I might start to believe that you like me or something."
"Or something." He replied, running his fingers along her side.
"We have to start heading out soon."
If Daryl heard her, he didn't show it, he just continued to caress her sides. Michonne glanced up at him to see him staring blankly at the ceiling, she arched an eyebrow at him.
"What's up?"
"Wish we cud do this more."
"Kinda hard with the way things are at the prison."
Daryl nodded and brought his thumb between his teeth chewing on it slightly.
Michonne grinned, "What's got you so nervous?"
Daryl halted his ministrations and looked down at her. She stared back at him with an eyebrow arched. He shook his head before pulling her closer until their faces were a hairbreadth apart.
"Nuthin." He mumbled before pulling her in a loving kiss which she responded with equal fervor.
He wouldn't tell her how he felt about her; he didn't want his feelings scaring her away because they sure as hell scared him. Instead he'd decide to show her and pray that she got the hint.
Because no matter what this world threw at him, he knew for certain that he didn't want to lose her.
Daryl and Beth stood a good distance away from the burning cabin.
Beth smiled happily at the younger Dixon, proud that he was letting some of his demons go. She slowly slipped her hands into his.
Daryl looked at their conjoined hands and then at Beth confused. The blonde only smiled and squeezed his hand reassuringly.
"If anyone made it, I'm sure she did."
Daryl furrowed his brows.
"We should go see if we can track her."
"Who?" He inquired.
Beth gave a knowing smile, "Michonne."
Daryl felt the heat rush to his cheeks before putting his face back on. "Let's go."
Beth just nodded as they made their way away from the fire and into the forest.
~ Fin