A/N: Once again, I don't own TWD and here we go!
Fear was starting to settle hard into his gut when the answer came into light. Daryl sloshed out of the timberland on to a path just as the anxiety was mounting unbearably in him at the uncertainty of their next move. It looked like an old jeep road, just cleared enough for one vehicle to pass. There was snow piling in the ruts, covering most of the tall dead grass that was still upright. The question of which direction to go in echoed in Daryl as he furrowed his brow and griped Beth a little tighter. Daryl narrowed his eyes and as the wind and snow swirled, parting the lane to the left, it showing a clearing and… and… the snow obscured the view again. Daryl's muscles started to bunch and cramp in his arms, he was beginning to be visible strained by continuing to hold Beth upright.
"Beth? You gotta wake up," he said, jumbling her slightly in his arms and was repaid with a scorching pain shooting in them. There was no movement. "Beth," Daryl called again, a harsh concern stealing into his voice. "Beth?"
Her eyes fluttered open but she didn't lift her head. "Huh?" She reached her free hand closer, fumbling as she clutched at his coat. "Maggie…" she muttered softly, "Not yet…"
"C'mon, Beth. Gotta put you down." Daryl could go no further carrying her and he wanted her awake to help make this decision. He started to ease her legs down, feeling a cramping sensation building in his biceps.
The shock of the movement caused Beth to grab tightly on to Daryl, wrapping both arms around his neck. "Wha- what?" She opened her blue eyes and blinked rapidly, her body quivering in surprise. "Daryl?"
He steadied her as she leaned against him, supporting her weight on him and one good leg. The only warm part on his body was where she was making contact. There was that unsettling feeling again, the urge to wrap his arms tightly around her. Daryl bit down hard on the inside of his cheek, attempting to chase the feeling away. He wasn't one to seek out contact with others and this persistent feeling was starting to get under his skin. He pulled her arms from around his neck and held her upper arms to aid her standing. A slight blush crept to her cheeks, a rosy pink color that was better than the paleness that haunted her face. He wasn't sure why, maybe the fact she hadn't meant to wrap her arms around such an old red neck.
He averted his gaze from her, jutting his chin down the way. "Found a road. Looks like there might be somethin' down there."
Beth nodded in agreement, looking down the path. "L-looks like a ho-house," she managed to get out through chattering and gritted teeth.
Daryl grimaced and stated, "Can't carry you anymore." He flexed a shoulder and cracked his neck, releasing a pop of pressure. "Guess I am too old," he offered with a slight twitch of his lip. His face felt too cold in the wind and snow to actually smile, fearing it might crack.
A chill ran up Beth's spine visible and she shuddered violently. "Thank you. I- I think my l-leg is a bit better."
He nodded at the lie but didn't argue. There was no point. They started down their chosen path slowly. Beth wincing with each step as she leaned on Daryl for supporting, gripping his forearm tightly. They had not gone ten yards before Beth stumbled and yelped. Daryl was barely able to catch hold of her with his numb fingers before she fell flat into the snow. He hauled her up carefully, mindful of the wrench look of pain on her face.
"Hold on, girl," Daryl said as he wrapped her arm around his neck and took hold of her side, allowing for him to support most of the weight of her thin body.
Beth shot him a dirty look and pressed her bluing lips into a thin line but said nothing. She grabbed a hold of his hand on her hip tightly. Why the hell is she pissed off at me? He shook the thought from him head and pressed forward towards the structure.
From the swirling snow and wooded area appeared a clearing with a lone cabin set by a dock and small lake. Spurred on by their salvation, the couple quickened their pace. Beth whimpered but wasn't deterred as she clutched Daryl's hand and body tightly in pain but continued to stumble forward with his support.
As they came upon the door, Daryl let go of Beth, leaving her to stand on her one good leg precariously, while pulling his crossbow from his back. He knocked a fist hard against the door and waited. No sounds came from within. Normally, he wanted to wait longer but it was freezing and they were wet, exhausted and at the end of their rope. Daryl pushed open the door with his bow raised and ready, scanning the interior quickly.
It was a one room cabin with a low ceiling and four windows, each one centering on a wall. Daryl edged in carefully and taking in the scene quickly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. Directly to the right was an oak table with four wooden chairs compassed by a counter and cabinetry along the wall. Back in the furthest corner was a wood stove with a rocking chair on a braided rug centered in front of it. Finally there was a bed with a trunk at the base. A book shelf filled with books and games along with a grand armoire and small dresser set close by. Even in the dim grey light Daryl could see the dust and cobwebs; evidence that no one had been here in a very long time. It was perfect. It was empty.
Daryl lowered his bow and called out, "Beth, it's clear. You need help?" He slung his pack off his back and let it slide to the floor.
Her minute frame appeared in the doorway. "N-no." She stumbled in and sank into the nearest chair, trembling. Achingly, she removed her backpack from her shoulders and deposited it on to the table.
"You need to git out of those wet clothes. There's a stove. I'm gonna try to ligh' a fire."
He walked over to the wood stove and examined it. The owner seemed to have kept it clean and in good working order along with the rest of the cabin from the looks of it. The box next to wood stove had kindling and several logs left. Perhaps their luck was turning.
Beth groaned lowly. "Ugh, my p-p-pack is soaked. Zip-p-per broken. Most of m-my clothes are wet." She slopped her garments on to the table, her movements stiff and slow.
Daryl sighed and returned to his pack, closing the door tightly. The cold was making his fingers numb so he fumbled with the zipper on the bag. He rifled through it pulling out a set of his spare clothes, a flannel shirt and jeans. He also found the matches they had gotten from the house.
"Use these," he offered tossing the clothes at Beth and returned to the stove.
Daryl cleared out what little debris there was from the stove and grabbed what he needed to get it going, lighting a match. It took several moments for it to catch but at the first spark of heat relief washed over Daryl. He put a small log in to feed it and then another. The warmth was glorious. He twisted for more wood and spun into a sight. Beth, back turned and shirt off, was slowly sliding her pink bra from her body. Daryl was frozen, unable to avert his gaze or turn back around. He focused intently on the pink straps disappearing from her creamy skin. Beth placed the garment on the table by the rest of the wet clothes and reached down for the flannel shirt. Daryl could see the ridges of her spine and ribs as she bent over; she was rail thin. Daryl released a breath he didn't know he was holding as she lifted the shirt above her head, sliding it on to her arms and over her head. A small curve of her breast was suddenly visible creating a familiar sensation low in his gut. Daryl swallowed hard and swiftly turned back around before more was exposed. Heat was spreading across his face and neck that had nothing to do with the growing fire. Shit. What the hell was that? He raked his fingers through his brown hair.
He fixed his gaze on the yellow and orange flames in front of him, trying to regain his focus, when he realized he had forgotten the log. Too wary of looking or getting caught looking again, Daryl coughed to make Beth aware he was here. He reached without looking and grappled for another log.
"These p-pants… they're not gonna fi-fit me. I can put both m-m-my legs in one of yours!"
Daryl peeked back at her over his shoulder. Beth rose as she gingerly turned around to face him, the flannel buttoned to the top and reaching low on her thighs. She was standing, her injured left leg bent clumsily as she supported herself on one leg. She wrapped her arms around herself, clutching tight and shivering.
Daryl frowned and tried very hard to not allow his eyes to wander down the length of exposed pale legs. "Gotta git you warmer."
He rose and strode over to the full-sized bed. He shoved the trunk from in front of the bed to the side and grabbed hold the foot board rails. Yakking forcefully, he pulled the bed closer to the stove, the sound of iron grating against the floor hurting both their ears. He stripped the quilt from the bed in one fluid motion and wrapped it around Beth, she was freezing to the touch. She breathed shakily and clutched the covers tightly under her chin. Without a word or warning, he scooped her up, despite his protesting body. Her lips formed a surprised 'O' as he deposited her in the center of the bed carefully.
"What- what about you? Aren't you w-we-et?," she chattered between her teeth, concerned as she righted herself.
He half nodded in agreement as he peeled his coat and vest off, realizing they had kept him fairly dry. His hair was damp, dripping some cold slush down inside his collar but not enough to soak him. He pulled his outer flannel shirt off due to the dampness, leaving Daryl in a grey t-shirt. The air in the room was still chilled, creating goose bumps along the flesh on his arms. He slid out of his shoes and socks, both damp and frozen. His pants were wet and clinging to his thighs coldly. Daryl pulled at his button of his jeans but stopped and peeked over at Beth. She was curling into a ball, looking over at the fire. At least she had the decency to look away. He slid out of his jeans and replaced them with his spare pair.
Daryl looked out each window, pulling the shades down after being satisfied with his rounds. He was exhausted, his body worn out and his mind tired and foggy. He wasn't sure how Beth was still awake as he knew he was about to give out but he couldn't. Someone had to keep watch. Someone had to protect them.
Her voice soft and low, Beth called to him, "Come rest." She was resting on her side now, body wrapped in the quilt and snuggled into a pillow. The bed was a full-sized one. Big enough for a man or a cozy couple… but not built for two separate spaces.
"Nah," Daryl responded quietly; he had to pay for his indiscretion earlier. He couldn't be crawling in to that bed with her.
"Daryl. Y-you have to be just as cold as I am. C'mon," she called out again.
Daryl grunted in return and grabbed chair to place in front of the door, taking his bow back in hand. "Git some sleep. I'll keep first watch."
"It's too c-c-cold and wet out there. No one or thing is going to be out t-tonight."
He ruminated the thought for a moment. No one but them was so stupid as to be out in this weather. Walkers would have no cause to suspect them in this building and the freezing temperatures would all but stop them in their tracks. Perhaps…
Beth reached a hand from under the quilt and tapped the space next her. "I don't bite," she teased softly.
He huffed a dismissive grunt and shifted uncomfortably. God, he was tired. He grabbed the chair and thrust it under the door knob. He shook it once to ensure it was secure. They never did this. They never slept at the same time, purposely – as there were a couple of times in the beginning when Beth had nodded off while on watch. Hence, they had never tried sharing the same sleep space. He added another log, the heat was spreading into the chilled air.
Daryl moved to the side of the bed, uncertain. He placed his bow by the head of the bed just where he could reach it in an emergency.
Just as he was starting to slowly lowered himself to the edge of the bed, Beth pulled back the quilt to offer him some warmth. "Here, t-take half," she offered.
He shook his head in the negative. "Keep it. I'm fine." He flipped the sheet back and finally laid back, resting his head on the pillow and lacing his hands across his chest. The pinstriped blue sheet wasn't much for coverage but it was something. Sadly enough although he was cold, tired and uncomfortable, these were not even close to the worst sleeping conditions he had ever had and that wasn't counting since the world had become a horror show.
The heat from the wood stove set the room a glow. Daryl thought it would be tough to sleep. That being next to Beth would keep him up all night or his vigilance would be needed for their protection. He was wrong, within moments his breath evened out and he slipped into a deep slumber.
A/N: I also wanted to thank everyone for the support and reviews!