First Impressions
Here's part two! Writing this chapter made me want to have Merle and Daryl take care of me when I'm sick lol. Thank you to all who reviewed, you guys are so amazing and make my day!
I don't own the Walking Dead!
Looking at all of the things laid out on the kitchen counter, Beth couldn't help but wonder if the grocery store had survived a raid by the Dixon brothers. Catching a glimpse at Chase she knew he was thinking the same thing. There were a variety of cough medicines, boxes of tissues, magazines, DVDs, various cans of soup, and anything else one would need if someone was sick. Beth swore she even saw multiple pair of fuzzy socks, if so she would have to steal a pair for herself. Chase excused himself back to Harley's room to check on her, he still seemed unsure of how to act around the two older brothers.
"Is all of this really needed?" Daryl asked, slightly unsure. Merle looked up from the directions the can of soup and glared.
"Course it is baby brother." Merle said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I was an ass and missed out on taking care of Harley as she grew up. Now I've got a chance to make up for it and I'm not going to pass this up."
Pouring the can of soup into a bowl, Merle put it into the microwave to heat it up. Beth looked at the time and her eyes widened seeing that he put it in too long. As silent as she could, Beth snuck over to the microwave and changed the time it took to cook the soup. Daryl noticed what the blonde had done and held back a laugh. Beth glared slightly at him and stuck her tongue out at him.
"What do you think I should do while Harley's soup is cooking?" Merle asked. He stood there looking clueless, Beth checked the water that she put on to boil for Harley but it seemed to be just warming up.
"How about you go give her that stuffed fox you found?" Daryl suggested. The tips of Merle's ears turned bright red and he ducked his head down.
"You got her a stuffed fox?" Beth asked. Foxes were Harley's favorite animals, she even had one tattooed on her left thigh in water colors. It was a beautifully done tattoo that her dad did for her.
"Uh, well yeah. I wanted to get her something when I found out she wasn't feeling good and Daryl said her favorite animal was a fox." Merle shrugged as if it was no big deal but Beth knew that for Harley it would be. "Plus I'll be leaving soon for rehab and I don't know how long I'll be there or if I'll be able to have visitors so I just wanted her to have that to know that I want to change things between us."
"Merle I think this is great, I'm glad you got it for Harley and I know that she'll love it." Beth smiled. Hearing what she said made Merle's shoulders perk up and his smile lighten considerably. "It will mean more to her than I think you'll be able to understand, trust me."
With that Merle picked up the bag that held the stuffed animal and went back to his sister's room. That left Daryl and Beth alone in the kitchen. Beth's mind went back to the last time they were alone in her kitchen, a shudder running through her at the image her brain managed to produce. She caught Daryl's eyes which seemed to be full of laughter. He was smirking at her and she knew he was thinking of the same thing.
"Something funny Mr. Dixon?" Beth asked.
"Nah, just thinking about the last time we were here." Daryl winked at Beth. She felt her cheeks heat up so she poked his stomach. Daryl jumped in surprise, he hadn't expected her to do that. "You really want to start something girl?"
"Well that depends on if you'll finish it." Beth was amazed at how bold she was being but all thoughts went out the window when Daryl's fingers went to her waist as he started to tickle her. Beth let out a burst of laughter. She tried to get out of his grasp but he was stronger than her, she couldn't even turn around to try and get revenge. Soon Daryl stopped his assault but kept his arms around Beth's waist. His lips came close to her ears and she held back a gasp.
"Are you sure you want me to finish?" Daryl said as he barely put his mouth to her cheek. Beth tried to lean into him but he kept his grip firm. "Maybe I should keep things unfinished for now, it leaves things exciting."
"Stop being such a damn tease." Beth half-heartedly glared at Daryl the best she could. Briefly the young blonde wondered if Merle forgot about the soup he made for his sister but figured that was a good thing.
"I like teasing you sunshine, you always have the best reactions." Daryl spun Beth around and dipped his head down to her lips, letting his barely ghost across hers. He chuckled as Beth tried to pull him deeper into a kiss but he was too quick. Daryl couldn't help but think that Beth looked adorable as she pouted.
"Well if you like teasing me so much then how about you be my plus one to my sister's wedding and rehearsal dinner?" Beth decided to go for it and step out of her comfort zone. She bit her lip and braced herself for what she thought was rejection.
"Sure." Daryl agreed, he hoped that she meant that they'd be going as more than friends but he didn't want to assume anything. Beth tried not to smile to brightly but knew her face probably showed how happy she felt.
All of a sudden Merle came bursting out of Harley's room and into the kitchen. Daryl noticed that he seemed a lot happier than he had been in a long time and seeing his older brother like that relieved Daryl. Merle went over to the microwave and checked the soup, then checked it again.
"Did I leave this to cool to long?" Merle seemed to ask himself. Beth couldn't help but laugh a little.
"You probably did, that's after you almost cooked it for too long." Beth explained. Merle sighed and handed the bowl to Beth who put it back in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it back up.
"I can't even make simple soup." Merle grumbled. Beth handed the soup to Merle and then checked on the water that was now boiling, with a sigh of relief that it hadn't all evaporated. She made a cup of lemon tea with honey in hopes that would help soother Harley's throat.
"I don't understand how people can drink tea." Daryl said as he followed Beth. She carefully made her way to Harley's room where the others were before answering Daryl.
"It's just what some people like I guess. Not everyone has to like it." Beth shrugged.
Harley smiled lightly as she saw Beth, taking the tea from her. She was sitting with her back against Chase and wrapped up in multiple blankets, the stuffed fox on her night stand. Beth took a seat at the edge of the bed and Daryl stayed standing.
"So do I need to get you anything else?" Merle asked, he seemed eager to help. Harley rolled her eyes, though she didn't seem too annoyed.
"Merle you've asked me that at least five times, I'm fine." Harley grimaced as she spoke. "You already got me food, enough blankets to turn my bed into a sauna, and Beth got me tea. I have no clue where you got the extra blankets by the way."
"Oh, there were some in the room across the hall." Merle pointed towards Beth's room. Beth got up from her spot and went into her room only to find her comforter half on the floor and the blankets she used on occasion missing.
"Didn't you think those may have been someone's?" Beth asked as she came back into the other room. "More specifically mine?"
"Well I was focused on making sure Harley was nice and warm." Merle shrugged. "You'll get them back."
Beth rolled her eyes at the man though she wasn't really mad at him. He was truly doing his best to try and take care of his little sister. She was grateful that not only Merle but Daryl were making an effort to be a part of Harley's life and pay attention to how they treat her. Beth stayed quiet as she watched Harley interact with her brothers and Chase. It was amazing to see how comfortable her best friend was with them when just last week Harley would've cussed Merle out just for even thinking about stepping into their apartment. Beth was curious about what Harley and Merle talked about but knew that was between them.
Looking over at the clock Beth sighed knowing it was getting time for her to go to bed. Getting up, Beth went over to her room and changed into a pair of yoga pants and one of Shawn's shirts from college that she stole from him. She redid her ponytail from that day as it had come loose then went out over to the bathroom so that she could wash her face and finish her nightly routine. Harley caught her eyes, seemingly pleading for her to come back but Beth held up a hand for her to wait. When Beth was done she went back to Harley's room to check on her only to find that Merle wasn't there but Daryl and Chase still were.
"Where did Merle go?" Beth asked as she stole the seat he previously sat. Harley snuggled more into Chase's chest which made Beth wonder when Harley would admit that she had feelings for him.
"He went to set up a movie." Harley sighed. "Apparently he thinks I need a movie marathon to help me feel better."
"What you do need is sleep." Beth shook her head. "It's also what I need, if he's too loud please kick him out in the nicest way possible."
"Beth, with Harley I doubt that'll happen." Chase joked. "I'll make sure she gets rest and I'm sure Daryl will be able to handle Merle."
"Okay, I just have a long shift tomorrow and need to get sleep." Beth explained.
"I can get Merle out of here now if you want." Daryl spoke up, Beth looked over at him and she smiled at his offer. "You guys need sleep more than anything and he doesn't need to be keeping you two up."
"He's fine, I'm sure everything will be okay." Beth assured him. "As long as you guys don't stay up too late."
"I won't." Harley got up and hugged Beth. "Thanks Beth."
Harley stumbled out into the living room with Chase following close behind. Beth smiled softly at Daryl and offered a good night which he returned. Beth went into her room and fixed her comforter. Once the door was closed to her room and she was in bed Beth settled in with hopes that she would drift off to a peaceful sleep. What felt like only seconds later the young blonde could hear the television loudly playing from the living room then what sounded like one of the men's voices shouting something above the movie or show that was playing, in response to the shouting it seems the television was turned down. Beth sighed and hoped that this wouldn't be a pattern as she finally fell asleep.
Jolting awake Beth looked at the clock on her nightstand to see that she had an hour until her alarm went off. She was still half asleep but clearly remembered that she was woken up by two different terrified screams. Beth's door opened and Daryl stood there, it seemed that he was uncertain about something. That uncertainty disappeared as Beth sat up more, moving her covers off of her body. Daryl crossed what little space there was between Beth's doorway and her bed, his eyes roaming over her body. She looked at him curiously.
"We were watching a horror movie and it seems that Merle got a little too caught up in it." Daryl gave an impish shrug. "There was something at your window and banged at it right as the monster jumped out at the girl. Scared Merle and Harley something fierce."
"Let Merle know that he screams like a girl." Beth huffed out. By the look on Daryl's face there was more to the story. "I've heard Harley scream, it's not that high pitched. Daryl we live on the third floor, what could have been at the window?"
"It was a mutt out on the fire escape." Daryl sighed. "I tried not to let Harley get a good look at him but she's quite taken with the damn dog. The thing has no tags or collar on it but Harley has promised she'll put up found dog posters."
"Why do I have a feeling Harley has secretly always wanted a dog." Beth groaned, she had hoped to go back to sleep for that measly hour until she needed to get up but it was looking to be useless now. "Just don't tell me she named it."
Daryl was silent which gave Beth her answer. Beth got up from her bed, grabbed her scrubs for the day and went into the bathroom. Once she was showered, dressed, and all that was needed for the day was caffeine, the blonde went out to the living room where Daryl had joined his siblings and Chase. Her eyes immediately go to the small dog that is curled up on Harley's lap. Beth thought that Daryl was right in thinking that the dog was a mutt. It had an all-black coat which looked almost curly and Beth thought she could see some bull dog in it.
"Beth this is Rebel Ryder Dixon." Harley beamed at her best friend. "Isn't he the cutest?"
"Of course he is but what if he belongs to someone else?" Beth hated to ask.
"Then he'll be returned to his family but right now he belongs to us." Harley cuddled with the dog. "I promise to take care of him and I won't leave him here alone, whenever I need to go to the shop I'll take Rebel. I'm sure Dale won't mind."
Beth shook her head and wondered how in the world she got into situations like this but by the pleading look on Harley's face that was then joined by the equally pleading faces of Chase and Merle, she was beginning to see her answer.
"Okay, fine." Beth laughed at the cheers of her friends as she went to get coffee. Her life was certainly interesting.