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PART 3
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They had successfully completed the exchange, Dawn thankfully not pulling anything like Beth had been expecting. She now walked down the hallways next to Daryl, feeling his arm brush hers with every step. A fluttering in her chest began to overwhelm her and suddenly the need to be outside of this hospital was too much.
Rick pushed open the doors leading outside and Beth couldn't help but guard her eyes as the sunlight her face. It felt like it had been forever since she'd been outside these walls and she couldn't wait until they were once again on the road and in the woods. She would be happy to never smell that antiseptic smell again.
Her skin warmed in the light and she moved her arm away to bask in it. A smile began to force its way onto her lips and, feeling a lightness in her chest that hadn't been there since the funeral home, she grinned.
When something brushed her arm again, she looked over and met Daryl's lowered gaze. His eyes were warm and relieved but nervous and he didn't seem to know what to do with his body or his words.
She beamed at him and the ball of warmth that had been kindling in her heart bubbled over at the sight of him. She hadn't allowed herself that relief back in the hallway, but now, finally free of that place, she let it overcome her.
"I told ya I could take care of myself," she teased, and it was the first thing she's said to him since she had been taken. His mouth twitched and he ducked his head.
"Yea, ya did," he murmured. His thumb jumped to his lower lip and she felt her heartbeat quicken suddenly. She darted her eyes back to his, pushing it away for a second.
It was silent for a moment between them and Beth realized belatedly that they had paused in the middle of the street. The others were a little bit ahead but Beth wasn't in any hurry for some reason. She felt content just standing there with Daryl in that moment. She reached out to touch his arm.
"I missed ya," he blurted out, and then subsequently gnawed on his thumb as his cheeks heated up. She felt her throat constrict and a burning in her eyes but that warm feeling didn't leave, only grew.
Words escaped her and she had been silent for too long as he looked visibly more nervous now. He ripped his hand away from his mouth and started to walk forward but her hand darted out without a thought.
She pulled him back to her by his bicep and leaned up on her tip toes, aiming for his cheek, but he turned at the last second and her lips landed on his.
It was chaste and sweet and Beth had never felt more alive and happy and free than in that moment. His eyes were wide, but not filled with any type of rejection. Just shock that she had done that and probably the tiniest bit of joy. She hadn't meant to do that, but she was happy it happened nonetheless and as she gently palmed his cheek with her other hand, she smiling softly up at him.
"I missed ya too, Daryl Dixon."
He didn't react for a moment, but then grinned down at her and she felt her heart soar.
He went to say something in return, and she stroked her thumb against his cheek in encouragement, but a voice interrupted him at that moment.
"Beth!" her sister screamed from a distance, but Beth didn't look just yet. She kept her gaze on Daryl and only when he smiled gently at her and nod did she allow herself to move away.
She had made it.
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