Chapter 7 - Beth, then Rick

The house had a well, and a pumping system similar to the farm where Beth was raised. Daryl had it working in short time, and water flowed from the faucets. Both Daryl and Rick had gathered items from the nearby houses, and Beth was delighted to see soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and paste. A sheepish Rick had handed her a bottle of scented lotion, and an even more sheepish Daryl had shoved a bag of hair supplies at her, and stomped from the house.

It felt like Christmas. Yes, the water in the shower was cold, but she'd washed her hair three times, shaved, and simply stood there under the spray, so enjoying feeling clean, truly clean, for the first time since the prison.

The guys went after her, Rick teasing Daryl about washing off years of dirt, and she'd gone down to the kitchen, opening cans and fixing plates. The food was cold, too, but they'd cleaned every drop, grateful.

Later, they'd gone to the home's couch, all close and relaxed, Beth in the middle, and her men on the sides. It had been a long day, and as she drifted off, she heard them discussing her and was glad Rick told her story.

"She'd been drugged for while. Seems like she only remembers snippets of faces, she knows what they did to her, but doesn't really remember the experience."

Daryl, grunting, "Still. That's fucked up."

"Yes it is."

"Not remembering, it saved her mind, though," Rick said and Daryl's deep sigh felt like a caress down her side.

Even in her sleepy state, she could feel their calm, their acceptance, that her story wasn't as bad as they thought. They didn't need to know more than she'd shared, they didn't ever need to know.

She felt Rick reach across her, and Daryl reaching back, their clasped hands rested on her belly, as she finally drifted off.

...

As Beth and Daryl dozed beside him, Rick's thoughts were in a turmoil. These two next to him were so wanted, but Carl? And Judith? His son and daughter were his everything. How would he present this to everyone? Beth, her sleeping face more youthful than ever, would be problem enough for others to understand. But Daryl? Rick stared at the archer, his long, lanky body sprawled comfortably, and he swallowed hard. He'd never been homophobic, but this was different. Another man. What did that even mean?

And the three of them? Together?

His eyes traveled across Daryl's relaxed features, over the strong cords of his neck, down those gorgeous arms, across that flat belly, and lower, where Daryl's T-shirt disappeared into his pants. Could he touch another man like that? He thought of their kisses, the press of Daryl's body against his, and knew that yes, he wanted to touch Daryl. In fact, it was all he could think about.

Daryl cleared his throat and Rick looked up to find his brother's eyes watching him, watching Rick stare at his body.

Daryl lifted an eyebrow and Rick couldn't help but grin, "What the fuck are we doing?"

Daryl grinned back, handsome as sin, and Rick was amazed at the flood of emotion that filled him. He loved this man.

"I want to try something," Rick whispered and Daryl's expression grew serious.

"Whatever you want, Rick."

Rick gently stood, pulling Beth from him, and laying the sleeping woman on the couch cushions. Her sweet face was irresistible, and he placed one, then two kisses on her soft cheek. She stirred slightly, gave a tired smile, but went right back to sleep.

He stood up, stretching, feeling Daryl's eyes track his movements. It was so erotic to have the other man watch him, and even more erotic to see the heat in his eyes.

"Stand up," Rick whispered, and Daryl immediately was in front of him, "I'm sorry about earlier. I'd never want to hurt you."

"I know," and Rick could see that Daryl did know, as he moved in to kiss him. This kiss, quickly passionate, was much more calm than their last one, and both men were groaning, their tongues rubbing instead of battling. Rick could feel Daryl's hard-on pressed against his own and it felt amazing. He wrapped his arms around Daryl's neck, while Daryl's hands trailed down Rick's back, resting on his butt.

"Are you two really going to do this without me?"